Iβve been rewatching because my mam showed me an old home movie of 9 year old me clutching an Ugly Betty Season 2 box set on Christmas morning and I was overcome with nostalgia. I got so much from that show as a goofy queer kid living in the middle of nowhere in the UK.
IMO it holds up!!!! Betty is actually sort of annoying but still so sweet and her fashion sense bangs in 2024. Mark, Amanda and especially Wilhelmina are comedy gold. The storyline surrounding Alexis and her transition is questionable at times, but on the whole treated with kindness. I feel glad that 9 year old me saw a (albeit fictional) trans woman on screen being treated with respect.
