Ugly Betty Episode 3.14 The Courtship of Betty's Father

Under Elena's care, Ignacio is embracing his new health regimen, including brisk walks in 30-degree weather. "Papi is so happy," Betty marvels to Hilda. "I can't believe how quickly he's bounced back from his heart attack."

Claire Meade calls Betty after she's been accused of shoplifting at a drug store. Daniel thinks Claire's acting up might be due to her turning 60 that week. Betty suggests they throw her a surprise birthday party and also volunteers to make a tribute video. Daniel isn't so sure that's a good idea as all the Meade home movies all showed Claire as the Christmas-tree-toppling drunk she used to be. Betty is certain she can scavenge some usable footage, but also plans to conduct new interviews with Claire's friends. Claire asks Daniel to dinner, but he's already got a date with Molly.

Betty practices doing interviews at home, but can't get the hang of the on/off button and accidentally tapes her father groping Elena! Betty is worried that Elena could sue them, or quit. "No, no, we cannot lose her," says Hilda, who agrees to confront Ignacio, as long as Betty is the one to speak to him. "You think I'm going to ask him if he's turning into the Booty Bandit of Jackson Heights?" protests Hilda.

Betty takes Ignacio into the city for lunch, but the closest she ever gets to the topic is to advise him to treat Elena with "professional and appropriate courtesy." Meanwhile, Hilda asks Elena if Ignacio has gotten "out of line" at all and Elena promises that he's a "lovely man."

Molly and Daniel go ice skating, where they literally run into Wilhelmina and Connor. Connor insists they hang out since they're "all adults," but the double date turns awkward when Molly and Connor reminisce about their world travels, while Wilhelmina and Daniel look on uncomfortably. Molly remembers she and Connor never got to go Tibet, so Daniel finds a local Tibetan restaurant to take her to. It's hardly the surprise he thinks it is: She's a regular and the staff can't stop asking about Connor. Daniel tries to be as adventurous as Molly in his meal selection, but ends up getting sick on the fermented yak buttered tea.

Wilhelmina is similarly jealous of Molly having trekked all over the world with Connor, but swears, "I will not be hiking in some wet, green, buggy climate where people grow rice." Marc suggests that she opens herself up a little. "You don't have to reveal your uncomfortable secrets overnight. This isn't the Bachelor!" He advises her to take baby steps, such as going to Connor's apartment for the first time.

Connor announces he's off to London for a business meeting and Wilhelmina, helped by cue cards drawn up by Marc, tells Connor how much she's going to miss him. She offers to do anything for him while he's away, so he asks her to watch his pet bird. She hates the duty, but tells Marc love makes you do stupid things. She hasn't yet admitted that to Connor, however, and swears no one will ever hear her say it. To her dismay, the bird immediately starts saying, "I love Connor." She tries to teach it other phrases, such as "I love Prada," but it won't take. Marc advises her that waiting for someone to say "I love you," first, isn't a sign of strength, but of fear. Connor returns and Wilhelmina bursts out with "I love you." He kisses her passionately and says, "I love you too."

Molly tells Daniel not to be jealous of her past with Connor, and that they will form their own memories.

Betty confides in Claire what happened with her father and that her talk didn't go well, so Claire volunteers to talk to Ignacio. That night, Betty is shocked to discover Elena and her father making out! Ignacio tells the girls he was going to spill the beans after dinner, especially after Mrs. Meade encouraged him to go for it. Hilda is furious with Elena for taking advantage of their father and asks her to leave. She and Betty are adamant that their father can't date Elena.

Betty interviews several of Claire's friends for the tribute video and the best any of them can say about her: "She's a fun drunk." As a last resort, Betty interviews Claire herself. But she stops the interview to ask why Claire advised Ignacio to date Elena. "He's not ready," Betty insists and Claire suggests that Betty's the one who's not ready to see her father dating.

Claire shoplifts some racy underwear, but when Betty tries to stop her, she's the one apprehended by security. Claire returns to take the blame, saying it doesn't matter what she does as she's "invisible." She admits to Betty that she knows about the tribute video. "Betty, you are so good at so many things. Subtlety isn't one of them." Claire advises her to go easy on her father, since if he has someone in his later years, "It won't hurt quite so much when you can't meet him for dinner."

Daniel smooths over the shoplifting situation and admits to Claire he hasn't been a good son lately. She says she'd almost rather be in jail than go to her surprise party. She's truly surprised when the party ends up being dinner with just Daniel.

Betty goes to Elena's apartment and apologizes for the way she and Hilda treated her. "We're going to be five tonight," she says when she gets home with Elena. Ignacio is happy, but Hilda is enraged. Hilda admits that she's losing the memory of her mother. Ignacio promises, "No matter what happens with Elena, your mother will never disappear." To Elena, he says, "Don't worry, she'll come around."