We don’t hide. In this house, we love soap operas! They’re the shows that taught us how to ship. And there’s no ship more iconic than Armando and Betty in Betty, La Fea. A couple whose story is like a roller coaster that makes you cry, laugh, get emotional, and sigh.
At first, Armando only intended to use her by pretending to make her believe he was in love with her, but then he fell into his own trap. He had to fight tooth and nail to get her back, learning along the way to value her and let her go so she could be happy.
So, when Betty La Fea: The Story Continues came into our lives, we devoured it! Now, with Season 2 already here, we’re excited about everything to come. That’s why, every week until the season finale, we’ll get together to talk about everything the show makes us feel in a roundtable. After our roundtable of the episodes 5 and 6, it’s time to review what happened in episodes 7 and 8, which are now available on Prime Video. Ready?
Here we go!
Betty has been somewhat…distracted in these two episodes. Do you think she’s starting to rethink her new relationship with Esteban? Do you think she and Armando are moving in the right direction, despite Betty’s rejection? What do you think about Armando no longer insisting with Betty?
Raquel: I think Betty and Mila begin and end these two episodes in the same way: trying to find themselves and figure out what they really want. I think Betty is rethinking her relationship with Esteban. She’s trying to figure out if she wants to leave Armando behind for good or give him a chance.
I think Betty is also rethinking whether she was too harsh on Armando and whether she should trust him again. And that’s progress. The real problem between Betty and Armando is the lack of trust between them. Perhaps it’s the result of a past together, with wounds that never fully healed, or perhaps they lost that trust somewhere along the way without realizing it. But now that’s changing.
Betty listened to Armando about what he had to say about this new investor. And, despite her doubts, she trusted him. And she did the same with Mila. When they were both looking for her, Armando asked her to trust him and let him sort this out. And Betty did. Just as she trusted Armando’s words when he told her Mila was fine but that they should leave her alone. The Betty of the previous episodes wouldn’t have done that.
The same can be said for Armando. The fear of losing Betty led him to hide some things from her, which ended up shattering what they were beginning to rebuild, but now Armando takes a risk. He trusts. Armando trusts Betty enough to confess that, whether she rejects him or not, his feelings for her won’t change. He’s not trying to make everything perfect; he’s just opening his heart to her, accepting the possibility that Betty will break it.
That it’s a step in the right direction. Betty began episode 7 trying to decide what step she wanted to take next, and ended episode 8 knowing exactly what she wanted to do. She’s just too afraid to do it. As for Armando’s decision, it’s partly the trust he’s placing in Betty. Partly letting his heart out. He’s accepting that he fought…and lost.
Lizzie: Unlike the previous two episodes where it felt like we were just rehashing old ground, I feel like these two episodes really moved the Betty and Armando relationship forward, even if they aren’t yet back to where they want to be. And part of it is Armando’s decision to step back a little, but not give up.
I feel like Armando’s insecurity has been the driving force in his relationship with Betty for a while. He’s always trying to make up for something, old or new, real or perceived and he’s therefore never fully honest with her which brings us back to the same vicious circle. He seems to be breaking out of that, and that’s a really positive step going forward.
Then there’s Betty, who is also, without the pressure from Armando, really trying to come to terms with what she really wants. In so many of her relationships she’s done what others expect of her, and not been fully herself and I think that’s just made some wounds not heal. Betty and Armando’s trust has to be rebuilt if they can ever rebuild their marriage and it feels like for the first time, they’re moving in a positive direction.
As for Esteban, he’s so obviously not the one for Betty it’s kinda funny, because he doesn’t challenge her. I think even she’s starting to see it, outside of Armando. Yes, she’s in love with Armando, but if she weren’t she and Esteban still wouldn’t fit.
What do you think of Mila’s reaction to the news about Carmen’s baby? And, speaking of her, the secret Betty and Armando tried so hard to keep from her was blown out in the worst possible way. What did you think of her reaction? And the reconciliation with her father?
Raquel: I think part of Mila’s reaction, especially to Carmen’s pregnancy, is immaturity. Jeff doesn’t need to be with Carmen just because she’s pregnant. It’s understandable that Mila needed time to process the news, though.
When Mila learned the truth about her parents, at first I thought she was being immature again, accusing her mother of manipulating her, running away, and refusing to talk to her parents like a tantrum-throwing child. However, I was wrong.
I think remembering the conversations with her mother made Mila put herself in Betty’s shoes and understand why she hid the truth from her. And hearing from her father—a beautiful scene and the best of the episode—helped her mature enough to understand that her parents aren’t perfect, just human, and they make mistakes. But beyond that, I think it helped Mila accept that she’s been lost for a while and needs to find herself before trying to put her life in order. Mila realized she needs to stop running away and behave like an adult.
Mila finally seems to have grown up. She’s still too immature for my taste, but she’s finally starting to show the maturity that she should have always had. That said, I think Mila’s confusion about her feelings for Nacho and Jeff is forced.
Lizzie: Color me surprised, I truly enjoyed Mila in these two episodes. Like Raquel, I think the scene with Armando was the best of the two episodes and it felt long overdue. The relationship her parents have with each other isn’t about Mila, even if it affects her directly. It’s about them and it’s high time she started understanding that.
This really helps in the development of the character because yes, Mila has a right to her feelings but she’s been dictating things she shouldn’t when it comes to her parents and generally behaving like a 3 year old throwing a tantrum. In that regard, both Betty and Armando have done her a disservice as parents. You have to teach your children how to behave and that implies teaching them how to be functional adults and I don’t believe they’ve done that. But this is a good first step.
As for her romantic entanglements, I’d be lying if I said I was very invested, but I do think she’s more justified in her feelings than she ever was with her parents.
Marce is allowing herself to feel what’s growing between her and Pascual. Were you surprised? Do you think they have a future?
Raquel: Honestly, I was surprised. I thought Marce was going to distance herself from Pascual, denying what’s beginning to exist between them. But she embraced her feelings and is daring to live them. And I really like this Marce. I think Marce and Pascual do have a future, but it won’t be easy.
Lizzie: I was not surprised, I saw it coming a mile away. What else could they do with Marce at this point? This is a great way of exploring a different side of her and continuing to give her relevance in the story. I’m personally rooting for her at this point, which… Who would have thought I’d be here?
La Peliteñida finally got the ultrasound, although forced by circumstances. Do you think what Nicolás did was right?
Raquel: I think it’s understandable that Nicolás brought the doctor so La Peliteñida couldn’t make any more excuses about the ultrasound. They needed to know how the baby was doing. However, So that everyone is present and puts pressure on Patricia like that was truly violent and humiliating, and Nicolás shouldn’t have allowed it. And yes, I understand that the show treated it as humor, but I have to admit that Patricia has a point in being angry with Nicolás and accusing him of not trusting her. Although I was as happy as anyone when everything was resolved quickly, I won’t deny it.
Lizzie: A curse on Nicolás for making this a public spectacle. I mean, he’s right deep down but this didn’t need to be the show it became. Some things should be private.
I usually like Nicolás and Patricia as the comic relief but I think they’d work better as that if they got even a few poignant moments here and there and I feel like this was the perfect occasion for it and the sho didn’t give them that.
Betty La Fea: The Story Continues Season 2 airs on Fridays on Prime Video.
NEXT: Betty La Fea: The Story Continues Season 2 Episodes 3 & 4 Roundtable
