"A Tree Grows in Guadalajara" is the 22nd episode of the first season of the American television dramedy Ugly Betty. It was written by Tracy Poust and Jon Kinnally and directed by Lev L. Spiro. The episode was originally broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 10, 2007.
Ugly Betty centers on Betty Suarez's job at the fashion magazine MODE, where she works despite not fitting their expectations of female beauty and style. In this episode, Betty accompanies her family on a trip to Mexico and learns more about her mother. Back at MODEs New York office, Alexis Meade has a tense reunion with ex-girlfriend Jordan Dunn. Amanda Tanen and Marc St. James disagree over her relationship, and Bradford Meade attempts to recapture his youth.
"A Tree Grows in Guadalajara" features guest appearances by Rita Moreno, Justina Machado and Rebecca Gayheart. The initial broadcast of the episode was watched by 9.4 million viewers; it received the second-highest rating for its time slot. The scenes in Mexico have attracted attention from scholars who discussed the episode's representation of Mexico, the Suarez family's cultural background, and Betty's relationship with her mother. "A Tree Grows in Guadalajara" received a mixed response from critics, some of whom praised certain lines of its dialogue.
Plot
Ignacio Suarez returns to Mexico, accompanied by his two daughters, Betty and Hilda, and his grandson Justin, to obtain a United States visa. Betty researches her mother Rosa and their family tree. She learns that her maternal grandmother, Yolanda Salazar, is alive and that she disapproved of her parents' relationship. Betty takes Hilda to look for a blue house that a curandera ("healer") predicts holds answers about their mother. Following visions of her crush, Henry Grubstick, Betty finds Yolanda, who is being treated for Alzheimer's disease. Yolanda mistakes Betty for her daughter, and apologizes for mistreating Ignacio. Betty is gifted her mother's wedding dress, which she gives to Hilda for her upcoming wedding. Ignacio tells them that his visa request was denied and he must remain in Mexico. A waiter recognizes Ignacio for murdering Rosa's first husband, Ramiro Vasquez, and sets up a revenge plot.
At the fashion magazine MODE, creative director Wilhelmina Slater informs co-editors-in-chief Daniel and Alexis Meade that Jordan Dunn will be the "Fearless Woman" feature. Alexis disagrees with the choice to hire her ex-girlfriend. Daniel continues abusing drugs rather than handle his sex addiction. He accompanies Jordan on a bungee jumping photo shoot to make Alexis jealous. Alexis and Jordan reconcile and kiss. While trying to get more pills, Daniel is beaten by two men.
Meanwhile, MODE receptionist Amanda Tanen is having a secret relationship with up and coming designer Tavares, who pretends to be gay to advance his career in fashion; Wilhelmina's assistant and Amanda's friend Marc St. James grows jealous of this. Amanda advises Tavares on his designs, but he publicly mistreats her. Upon discovering them kissing, Marc berates Amanda for pursuing toxic relationships. He exposes Tavares as straight, but no one cares; Amanda ruins Tavares's reputation by showing his coconut-shell shirts, a design that Wilhelmina hates. Amanda and Marc reconcile and discover the love dungeon, which former editor-in-chief Fey Sommers had built during her affair with Meade publications CEO Bradford Meade.
Bradford hesitates about finalizing his divorce from his wife Claire Meade. Wilhelmina encourages Bradford to get a makeover to relive his younger days and enlists the help of MODEs seamstress, Christina McKinney. Wilhelmina tries to build Bradford's ego by ordering Marc to flirt with him, but Bradford realizes he cannot recapture his youth; Wilhelmina says she prefers his refinement compared to his younger and cockier self. Touched by her words, Bradford signs the divorce papers.
Production
The 43-minute episode was written by Tracy Poust and Jon Kinnally and directed by Lev L. Spiro. The episode was filmed in Los Angeles in April 2007. In the same month, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) announced that Rita Moreno and Justina Machado would guest-star as members of Betty's family, and Rebecca Gayheart would play Alexis' ex-girlfriend. An Ottawa Sun writer considered the casting to be part of Ugly Bettys promotion for the May sweeps. Prior to the episode airing, Entertainment Weeklys Michael Slezak speculated that Gayheart could play Amanda Tanen's older sister since he believe she resembled Becki Newton.
