Spoiler Warning: This review discusses plot points from Episode 298 and the general arc of the final season.

While Betty is ice, her friends are fire. Episode 298 gives ample time to Inés, Mariana, and the rest of the “ugly” squad. Their subplot is the emotional release valve for the audience. They are furious on Betty’s behalf, and their scheming in the basement bathroom (the hallowed Cuartel) is a delight.

Watch it with a cup of coffee (black, no sugar) and a scowl ready for Armando. You will need both.

Ana María Orozco delivers what might be one of her most underrated performances in this episode. Betty is no longer the naive, eager-to-please assistant. She is the boss. And in Episode 298, we see the immense weight of that role. She moves through Ecomoda with a chilling calmness. The glasses are off (symbolically and literally), and her gaze is sharp. The magic of this episode is watching her observe.