Caray, Caray!

It seems clear from last night's episode that Juan Primito found the key to solving Julian Barreto's death by finding his ring. It seems odd that Doña Bárbara would let such a loose cannon as Juan Primito run free, however, very little is done to keep him buttoned up.

The same cannot be said for her attitude toward Marisela. LAst night, the showdown over Marisela's taking Luisana's belongings from Doña Bárbara's curse closet occurred between Doña Bárbara and Eustaquia. Perhaps because Eustaquia used novel approaches -- telling the truth and standing up to Doña Bárbara, she was able to weather the storm of Doña Bárbara's anger.

In this scene, Eustaquia admitted that she had allowed Marisela to escape from Fear Ranch and she replied to Doña Bárbara's accusing Marisela of theft by reminding her that the items were stolen in the first place. (Doña Bárbara here was using the same logic from before, when she accused Marisela of disrespecting her by hitting her, ignoring the point that she had hit Marisela first.)

Doña Bárbara called Eustaquia a traitor and Eustaquia faced her down on that count too, telling Doña Bárbara that if she got rid of her, then she would be all alone, and that since she was old, she would die soon anyway.

I feel as if this sets a tone that could foreshadow Eustaquia becoming even bolder in championing Marisela.

I had found the fact that Mauricio would be carrying a couple of copies of his novel in a light plane into the jungle somewhat far-fetched, however, it seems that Mauricio's brief cross-dressing appearance last night and his constant searches for love and novel situations realistically offer an explanation: he's the author of steamy romance novels himself.

Santos does seem to be turning to marrying Luisana out of guilt. He also seems to hope that he can rekindle his former relationship with her as a substitute for the intoxicating passion he became addicted to with Doña Bárbara.

Luisana, to the contrary, seems to have had a great deal of her selfish bile taken out of her by her recent affliction. In an important scene, she faces Marisela with the question of, "Do you love Santos?" and Marisela admits to loving him. Marisela is broken hearted when Santos reveals the news that he's going to marry Marisela. Santos, though seemingly oblivious to Marisela's feelings, has a tender moment with her as she is sleeping while watching the recuperating Luisana. Little by little, he is subconsciously becoming aware of Marisela's qualities.

However, Santos is still choosing not to be aware of reality. In a conversation with Antonio, who appears early at breakfast after spending a night of secret passion in Cecilia's room, Santos still thinks that Antonio was in love with Luisana and insists that he knows what he's doing with his life, which of course, he does not.

Antonio's conversation with Santos causes him to rush off and attempt to secure his relationship with Cecilia by proposing marriage to her at the school, where Cecilia refuses him. Later on, a sobbing Cecilia tells Mauricio of her quandry and Antonio, overhearing only part of the conversation, becomes offended by Cecilia's reference to him being from a lower class and abruptly leaves.

I fear that Federica's fortunes in love are about to improve.

I am wondering if the show intends for us to accept Dengue Fever as the root of Luisana's sickness, or if they intend for us to attribute it to Doña Bárbara's brujeria. At times, I feel as if they are being purposely ambiguous about it. This could be for any number of reasons, or even a combination of them: They may want to avoid a controversy with us, the viewers, over the subject and leave the story line vague enough to fit both points of view. They may intend to clarify the situation later. They may be using this as a device to highlight the Dr's incompetence or the prevalence of superstition in the area. I found it odd that Marisela, especially, would drop her insistence on brujeria so quickly, but perhaps she's doing so to not appear ignorant.

For me, the brujeria subject seems like one that will require more of the story it resolve, if it is possible even then.
 

Thanks to both Jean and Timoteo for their summaries ;) Jean, don't feel bad if you don't get a chance to post pictures. You are entitled to have a life ;)

I think I agree that Maurice is indeed a cross dresser who writes romance novels. It's interesting that he writes heterosexual ones, but I guess there's a bigger market. Also, being gay, he's probably been the confidant of many a woman.

I think in the previews we see Juan Primito give the ring to Marisela. Being that Santos already noticed the ring on Julian once, this might come to light (though not to legal justice since Pernalete's in charge) quite soon. I did get a kick out of the ranch hands telling Santos the guy had been killed in a barbarous way (de forma barbara). He didn't seem amused, but I was ;)
 

Thanks Jean, I so appreciate the photos and summaries. I've been traveling and I've missed this site terribly. DB is becoming one of my favorite telenovelas. The scenery, both land and muchachos has been great. The story is one of the more believable ones I've seen so far.

I really enjoy the comments and perspective on the novela. I noticed that Eustaquia is moving over to Marisela's side at the cost of her own discomfort. She's trying to help DB, but as DB becomes more & more of a monster, she's willing to help Marisela - who will be heroine. She may have to choose one over the other.

ITA with timoteo saying that Santos is choosing not to be aware of reality. That hit me as odd because Santos is smart and educated. I took it to be part of the possibility of the brujeria that DB put on him. Or is he just really stupid about women?

DB underestimates everyone, since she 'always' gets her way. So, I think she sees Juan Primito as totally incompetent, incapable and irrelevant.

the jb who wasn't dismembered...
jb ;-}