Hmmm. So it was announced this week that Lindsay Lohan's guest stint on "Ugly Betty" has been cut from six episodes to four. According to multiple reports, Lindsay was clashing with the show's star (America Ferrara) and sporting a generally bad attitude. Is there truth to these rumors? Heck if I know. But since this week's episode featured Lindsay's return, putting the spotlight on her recurring character Kimmie, I was particularly interested to tune in.

At Mode, things are getting more intense. Now that Daniel and Wilhelmina are both editor-in-chief, they are more openly at each others' throats. As if dealing with Willy weren't enough, Daniel's missing DJ big time and wishing he had kids and a family to make life more meaningful again. The stress means more work for Betty who's starting burn out.

That's where Kimmie comes in. Betty finds her former high school bully waiting for her back at Mode. (Seriously, Mode, where's your office security? Anyone can just waltz in?) We knew from the season premiere that Kimmie's life has not been all sunshine and rainbows since high school. Now, she's quit her job at Flushing Burger and wants Betty's help getting in at the fashion mag.

Naturally, Betty isn't looking to help someone who made her life a dorky high schooler's nightmare. Through flashbacks, we learn that Kimmie "de-pantsed" Betty in their high school cafeteria, leading to four painful years of Betty being known as "granny pants." Unfortunately for Miss B, Daniel then walks into the office and suggests they find a temp to help with the extra work. Kimmie is there to scoop up the offer, and the arrangement is all set before Betty can protest.

So what should she do? Hilda thinks Betty should let Kimmie fall flat on her face (what Betty *wants* to do). Ignacio thinks Betty should cut Kimmie some slack and help train her (what Betty knows she *should* do). And Justin's going through some bullying of his own at school, so he's not about to sympathize with the girl who tormented his aunt.

Oh, Betty. Your moral conflicts are predictable, aren't they? We all knew you were gonna help Kimmie.

After Kimmie makes a klutzy staff meeting debut, Mark, Amanda, and the whole Mode crew laugh at the newbie. That's when Betty vows to make Kimmie "the perfect assistant." She teaches her the tenants of Mode life: anticipate, research, and gumption (also known as "ARG"). They go through extensive coaching sessions on pronouncing the name "Wilhelmina" and working the copy machine. Kimmie seems to be improving. As a thank you, she uses her Mode status to arrange for a night out with Betty, visiting all the hottest clubs.

The thing is, in the meantime Kimmie has gotten chummier with other Mode employees. It isn't long before Mark and Amanda seek to join in the night of clubbing. With her popularity on the rise, Kimmie agrees to let them come.

Of course, this is bad news for Betty. On their way out, Mark, Amanda, and Kimmie sit in the back of the taxi, laughing at inside jokes. At the club, Kimmie can only get two people inside. She suggests Mark and Amanda join her while Betty waits outside. She assures Betty that they'll come back and get her in ten minutes if the club's any good.

Forty-five minutes later, Betty is fed up with waiting and hails a taxi to take her home. That's when Kimmie reappears. Apparently, the plan was for Kimmie and Betty to ditch Mark and Amanda at the first club and hit the other clubs and after-hours by themselves. Sure, it sounds weak, and Betty feels skeptical at first. But Kimmie seems genuine, and Betty is eventually persuaded. Kimmie has also learned that Daniel and Wilhelmina are in an all-morning meeting the next day, so no one will notice if the two ladies sneak in a little late the next morning.

This same evening, Daniel takes the first step in his quest for a family. After applying to a matchmaking service, he prepares for his dinner cruise with a mystery date. As soon as he stepped on that boat, I knew his date was going to be Wilhelmina. And, sure enough, both Wilhelmina and Daniel fudged a few things on their applications and are now shocked to be stuck with each other for an entire evening. Given the marine nature of their date, they gotta tolerate each other until the boat docks. Eventually they let down their guards enough to share some good conversation. But after several courses of dinner, they break down and plot an escape. With effective collaboration, they set off the fire alarm. Then the boat must return to shore, and the date can promptly end. It goes to show them: Perhaps they can work together as co-editors-in-chief after all.

Okay, I doubt it. The peace probably will not last long, but I do like occasionally seeing Wilhelmina's nicer side.

The next morning, Betty wakes up at 10 a.m. with a phone call from Daniel (whose morning meeting has been cancelled). Where is she? Then he notices that Kimmie is in the office and can fill in until Betty arrives. Naturally, Betty goes into full panic mode. Did Kimmie set the whole thing up to make her look bad in front of Daniel?

When she gets into the office, Betty confronts Kimmie. Kimmie insists with wide-eyed innocence that she sent Betty a text message saying that she was going in early. But Betty hasn't gotten any such text message and believes there's been foul play. In the Mode cafeteria, Mark and Amanda coo over the Kimster, and Betty tries to sort out the situation. Suddenly reliving her high-school cafeteria de-pantsing, Betty fears that Kimmie will pull the same stunt in the Mode cafeteria. So what does she do?

Betty de-pantses Kimmie first!

Kimmie is horrified and escorted away in the comforting arms of Mark and Amanda. It was hard to argue that Betty hadn't crossed a line (despite what Kimmie had done in high school). Of course, right then, Kimmie's morning text message comes through on Betty's phone, and she realizes that Kimmie was telling the truth. Feeling guilty, Betty goes back to Daniel and suggests that Kimmie be Mode's "it" girl. She can be responsible for getting in the papers and making sure the mag is associated with the coolest hot spots.

Daniel takes Betty's suggestion a step further, promoting Kimmie to Associate Editor. (He argues that she needs a stronger title than "temp" to represent the mag.) Sure, Betty's a little jealous about the extent of this promotion, but at least it may patch things up between her and Kimmie.

Or so she thinks.

Kimmie will have none of it. She coolly orders Betty to fetch her a coffee, tacks on a couple insults about Betty's lack of popularity, and struts off with a reference to Betty's old "granny pants" nickname. Oooh. Harsh. But also necessary – Betty and Kimmie being best buds was never going to work in the world of "Ugly Betty."

On the bright side, at least someone makes amends with his high school bully. Justin goes to his "Billy Elliot" audition to find his bully trying out for the same role. After a quick backstage dance-off, both boys get whooped in the actual audition and bond over the common loss. Later, in their school hallway, the bully even suggests to Justin that they maybe hang out some time.

Awww. It's so good to see the bullies and the bullied coming together – even if it is a smidge corny. After all of Betty's drama, Justin's chill reconciliation was a welcome relief.

Story by Chelsea Fogleman

Starpulse contributing writer