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The Best Episodes of Ugly Betty Season 1

Every episode of Ugly Betty Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Ugly Betty Season 1!

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Wannabe writer Betty Suarez is a plain girl from Queens, who is smart, hardworking and savvy but lacks a fashionable sense of style. When publishing mogul Bradford Meade puts his son Daniel in charge of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.7/10(810 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Betty has always dreamed of working in the publishing world, but it seems as though there's no place for the non-thin and non-beautiful in the business. People already have their minds set in the idea that beautiful women are only the thin and perfect! Betty really wants a job in that wonderful, yet cruel, world. But can she really find a place in it?

    Director:Richard Shepard
    Writer:Silvio Horta

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  2. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 2 - The Box and the Bunny
    7.6/10(423 votes)

    #2 - The Box and the Bunny

    S1:E2

    Betty loses a book, which is the complete new edition of the magazine and is containing un-retouched photos of a popular actress. She has to find the book before the photos get out to the rest of the press. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina plots to use the snafu to bring Daniel down and Bradford Meade secretively inquires about Fey Sommers' final effects.

    Director:Sheree Folkson
    Writer:Silvio Horta

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  3. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 3 - Queens for a Day
    7.7/10(390 votes)

    #3 - Queens for a Day

    S1:E3

    Betty uses her Queens connections to lure big time photographer Vincent Bianchi to shoot for the magazine. When Bianchi insists that Betty meet him at a posh restaurant, she gets a makeover but things don't quite turn out as planned. In the mean time, Bradford tries to get his hands on Fey Sommers' death car and Wilhelmina primps for a big date.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Marco Pennette

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  4. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 4 - Fey's Sleigh Ride
    7.7/10(361 votes)

    #4 - Fey's Sleigh Ride

    S1:E4

    After Mode is forced to abandon its big Christmas photo shoot because another magazine has copied the idea, Betty forms an uneasy alliance with Marc and Amanda. The three fear they may have leaked the idea to someone at the rival mag. Meanwhile, Daniel and Wilhelmina reluctantly work together to come up with a new photo spread as Mode's deadline looms, and Betty's nephew, Justin, is oblivious to the turmoil as he spends a day at the magazine for a class project.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Sheila R. Lawrence

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  5. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 5 - The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe
    7.7/10(346 votes)

    #5 - The Lyin', the Watch and the Wardrobe

    S1:E5

    It's Halloween and Betty is in for a series of frightful experiences, ranging from showing up dressed for the Mode costume contest until she learns that there isn't one, to dealing with her growing attraction to Henry, and tracking down a watch Daniel left at one of his many girlfriends' apartments, but can't remember which one. Meanwhile, Daniel pays a visit to his mom in rehab, and Wilhelmina is horrified to learn that she can't fit into a designer gown.

    Director:Rodman Flender
    Writer:Donald Todd

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  6. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 6 - Trust, Lust, and Must
    7.6/10(329 votes)

    #6 - Trust, Lust, and Must

    S1:E6

    Wilhelmina deals with the strong character of her daughter while Betty and Hilda try to gather $20,000 to save their father from deportation.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Cameron Litvack

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  7. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 7 - After Hours
    7.5/10(315 votes)

    #7 - After Hours

    S1:E7

    Betty takes a break from her escalating family troubles when she's assigned to review a posh new hotel. Meanwhile, Daniel is dismayed when Sofia Reyes and her team take up residence in the Mode conference room, and Wilhelmina goes a little bit country to woo a mega rich Texan to advertise his stores in Mode.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Dailyn Rodriguez

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  8. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 8 - Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral
    7.7/10(327 votes)

    #8 - Four Thanksgivings and a Funeral

    S1:E8

    To his dismay, Daniel must attend his family's Thanksgiving gathering at the Country Club. Meanwhile, Amanda and Marc create their own gathering at Mode and there is also a dinner at Betty's house where Santos, Justin's father, is in attendance. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina also hosts a Thanksgiving dinner as well but her feast doesn't look as good as it does in magazine pictures.

    Director:Sarah Pia Anderson
    Writer:Marco Pennette

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  9. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 9 - Lose the Boss
    7.9/10(314 votes)

    #9 - Lose the Boss

    S1:E9

    Betty is left alone during an important photo shoot during which the photographer, Bruno, has come up with questionable concepts. Meanwhile, Daniel wants people to believe he is a family man, Mr. Green interrogates a mortician about the remains of a client and Ignacio gets in trouble with Immigration and Customs.

    Director:Ken Whittingham
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  10. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 10 - Fake Plastic Snow
    7.8/10(324 votes)

    #10 - Fake Plastic Snow

    S1:E10

    While everyone at Mode is celebrating Christmas, Betty is questioning her relationship with Walter and the feelings she has for Henry. Meanwhile, Daniel is sure of his love for Sofia, and Amanda, in order to get Betty's position, is planning a perfect Mode holiday party that fills the office with Styrofoam snow and holiday wishes.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Sarah Kucserka

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  11. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 11 - Swag
    7.5/10(333 votes)

    #11 - Swag

    S1:E11

    Christina's swag lottery, with the Mode closet clothes and accessories, creates a feeding frenzy among the office fashionistas, while Betty wears herself out helping Daniel who had his credit card cut off, because of a $20,000 expense report that Betty filled and who was rejected, making it impossible for him to wine and dine an important Japanese designer, Oshi.

    Director:Tamra Davis
    Writer:James D. Parriott

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  12. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 12 - Sofia's Choice
    8.0/10(323 votes)

    #12 - Sofia's Choice

    S1:E12

    Betty meets a look-a-like -- Ruthie, an editorial assistant at MYW Magazine who dresses and looks like her. Meanwhile, Daniel is in for a surprising revelation from Sofia that leaves everyone stunned.

    Directors:James Hayman, Jeff Melman
    Writer:Silvio Horta

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  13. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 13 - In or Out
    7.7/10(313 votes)

    #13 - In or Out

    S1:E13

    While Daniel is still suffering from his break up with Sofia, Betty is doing her best to get him back to work and over Sofia. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina decides who will continue to work at Mode once her ambitions to be named Editor-in-Chief are realized.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Myra Jo Martino

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  14. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 14 - I'm Coming Out
    7.9/10(313 votes)

    #14 - I'm Coming Out

    S1:E14

    Betty has her job cut out for her getting prepared for Mode's huge event during New York City's Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Marc and Amanda can't delay getting their hands on something everybody desires, Christina wishes to create her mark in the design world and Daniel calls for Hilda to grant her sister a hand.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:James D. Parriott

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  15. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 15 - Brothers
    7.8/10(299 votes)

    #15 - Brothers

    S1:E15

    Alexis' shocking announcement causes great commotion at both Mode and the Meade home. Betty tries to maintain the peace and order at Mode, however, she is about to face her own personal turmoil when Henry asks her out on a date and Walter tells her he's got a big surprise in store. Meanwhile, Whilhelmina plots her next move to conquer Mode and Justin gets sent home from school for fighting.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writer:Sheila R. Lawrence

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  16. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 16 - Derailed
    7.8/10(300 votes)

    #16 - Derailed

    S1:E16

    Daniel reconnects with Grace Chin, a girl he once stood up for a date in college, and who is now New York City's top lawyer. Meanwhile, Betty befriends Charlie, an out-of-towner she meets at the Mode cafeteria, whom she later discovers to be Henry's girlfriend.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writer:Cameron Litvack

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  17. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 17 - Icing on the Cake
    7.6/10(282 votes)

    #17 - Icing on the Cake

    S1:E17

    Daniel keeps secret from Alexis the fact that he is the one who hired Grace to defend their father, something which Wilhelmina uses to bring the siblings apart. Meanwhile, when invited by Henry to Charlie's birthday party, a desperate Betty asks Dr. Farkas, her orthodontist, to be her date. Finally, Amanda catches the eye of an unusual designer who claims that she is his muse.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Dailyn Rodriguez

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  18. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 18 - Don't Ask, Don't Tell
    8.1/10(305 votes)

    #18 - Don't Ask, Don't Tell

    S1:E18

    Betty is in for some wild drama when Marc's mother stops by, given that the latter doesn't seem to know that her son is gay and Betty acts as his girlfriend to help him keep his secret. Meanwhile, Daniel and Alexis are forced to work together when Claire names them both co-editors-in-chief.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writers:Marco Pennette, Sarah Kucserka, Veronica West

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  19. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 19 - Punch Out
    7.6/10(262 votes)

    #19 - Punch Out

    S1:E19

    The Meades are in for some troubling times when a tell-all writer in possession of Fey Sommer's diaries starts stalking the family. Meanwhile, Betty has a hard time getting Daniel focused on his work now that he has reverted back to his old ways with women. Finally, Wilhelmina and Alexis both try desperately to get a hold of Fey's diaries, but each with her own intentions.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Oliver Goldstick

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  20. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 20 - Petra-Gate
    7.7/10(280 votes)

    #20 - Petra-Gate

    S1:E20

    After seeing her working relationship with Daniel, her close friendship with Christina, and her chance to date Henry all fall apart, Betty is left with no choice but to turn her back on all three. Meanwhile, romance is in the air: At MODE, Alexis catches the attention of a guy and he asks her out; Amanda flirts with a designer who she believes is gay; and Wilhelmina finds her latest advances very tiring. Over at the Suarez's, Santos gives Hilda a little surprise.

    Director:Paul Lazarus
    Writers:Harry Werksman, Gabrielle Stanton

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  21. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 21 - Secretaries' Day
    7.7/10(271 votes)

    #21 - Secretaries' Day

    S1:E21

    Betty struggles with a dilemma as she attempts to bail her family out of a financial crisis while juggling with the task of planning MODE's big assistants week at a medieval-themed restaurant...where Amanda's past ties to the establishment has a link and could come back to haunt her in a surprising way. On the romantic front involving the Meade siblings, Betty tries to give Daniel advice about his endless sexual addiction, while Alexis ponders about whether she should start taking up Rodrigo's offer. Meanwhile, Hilda prepares for her first exam to determine her future at cosmetology school as Wilhelmina prepares for her future plans to take over MODE as she makes even bolder moves for domination behind the scenes.

    Directors:Lev L. Spiro, Victor Nelli, Jr.
    Writer:Henry Alonso Myers

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  22. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 22 - A Tree Grows in Guadalajara
    7.5/10(276 votes)

    #22 - A Tree Grows in Guadalajara

    S1:E22

    The Suarez family travel to Mexico in a effort to help Ignacio obtain a US Visa and find out more about their true family roots, especially Ignacio's real identity.

    Director:Lev L. Spiro
    Writers:Tracy Poust, Jon Kinnally

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  23. Ugly Betty Season 1 Episode 23 - East Side Story
    8.7/10(470 votes)

    #23 - East Side Story

    S1:E23

    Betty and Henry's romance heats up. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina makes great strides in her ambitious power play, as Daniel descends further in a downward spiral. The Suarez family trip to Mexico takes a dangerous turn, with old ghosts creating new problems. Explosive secrets will be revealed, and everything will be tied together by a beloved Broadway musical.

    Director:James Hayman
    Writers:Marco Pennette, Silvio Horta

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Ugly Betty" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 810 votes. Directed by Richard Shepard and written by Silvio Horta, it aired on 9/28/2006. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Box and the Bunny".