Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Las tontas no van, Mon. 12/8, #6. It’s not a hot night, but it sure is warm.
Santiago and Rocío try to help Chava, since Santiago knows his grandfather died. Rocío, the chattering little bird, tells Chava that they want to cheer him up because his grandpa died, while Santiago is trying to hush her lack of tact. He invites Chava to join a plan to make his mama happy. Chava loves that idea, and Santiago is shamelessly proud of himself.
Back at the restaurant, Ole hears Sven on the phone, “Who is the man of the house? Me, that’s who.” Ole thinks he’s talking to his novia. Nope, it’s his mama.
On TV, Soledad sees Pat in an interview about his export business. Pat emphasizes that he has absolutely nothing to do with his father’s business. (Note, Pat has broken all business ties with his father, moved to a different city, and broken most personal ties – remember his marriage was a surprise to Arturo? Pat has put the lizard out of his life.) Soledad is stunned when she recognizes Pat. She grabs the phone and tries to reach him..
At home, Chava asks Candy if she’s depressed because his grandpa died. How are you going to run away from this one, Candy?
Candy tears into Meño for telling Chava his grandpa died. “Don’t deny it, you’re the only one who knew.” Wrong again, Tutz. Meño reminds her that Santiago knows because Candy told him herself. He gives us today’s dicho: Una mujer es dueña de su silencio, pero victima de sus palabras. A woman is owner of her silence but victim of her words. She apologizes for accusing him and not believing him. Wait! You readers didn’t hear any apology? Don’t feel bad, neither did Meño.
The soccer team has prepared a surprise for Candy. They line up, each holding a paper over his face, with a big smile on it. Chava explains that the smiles are for her, so now she never has to be sad. SWEET! Candy collects each boy’s happy-face and thanks him. Behind one of the happy faces she finds Santiago. “They told me you needed smiles because you were sad, so I brought you mine.”
Candy gets pissy. She tells him that if he’s trying to seduce her, it won’t work. He protests that he was just trying to help her. He wants to teach her to accept compassion, and I want to teach my cat to fetch. I think I have the better chance. Santiago offers proof that he’s genuine and sincere with no hidden agenda – she’s not allergic to him today. Candy is also mad that he told Chava that her father died. Santiago defends it as an honest mistake, but to make it up to her he’ll referee the soccer game.
Can someone explain this? Why does Candy have such a seduction obsession? Candy was the one who initiated relations with Pat after a three-year courtship, a week or two before her wedding. Pat didn’t love her and leave her; he loved her and betrayed her. No other man has taken advantage of her. And Santiago, although seduction is his goal, certainly hasn’t been blatant or aggressive about it. Why is she so obsessed with fear of seduction? You’d think she would be afraid of a man two-timing her, but no, she barely mentions that with Santiago, a man who has a formal girlfriend.
Lucía tells her chesty friend Evangelina, the one getting all the attention from the boys, that today she’ll ask her tío for new bubis. To make sure no one misses the point, the friend takes a big bite from her two big, round scoops of ice cream.
Back at the soccer game, Candy is screaming at Referee (Autoridad) Santiago, like a bad Little League parent on Dr. Phil. He tells her to stop but nobody can tell Candy Morales nuthin’, not never. Santi says the kid wasn’t fouled, he dived – he’s the cousin of Fernando Platas (Mexican high diver, won Olympic silver). Another parent joins the fray. Santi calls the dad mandilón – a man who wears the apron and his wife wears the pants. Candy tries to come between them, she gets knocked over, Santiago sees red, and the poor dad sees the dirt, face first. We need this scene just in case anyone forgot how much Santiago likes Candy. He sneaks out, crawling beneath the ensuing fracas, to make sure Candy is okay. He reminds her this isn’t boxing, it’s soccer – he calls it soccer, not fútbol.
The three contrite parents attempt a teachable moment with the soccer team. “Violence never solves anything,” yada yada. The mandilón is still rubbing his jaw. Camil puts on his bad English (as opposed to his good English) for a chorus of All You Need Is Love. They hope words speak louder than actions, but Chava isn’t buying it.
Meño is disturbed by all his sagging parts – his párpados (eyelids), papadas (jowls), arrugas (wrinkles), cejas de azotador (?), and his one ear higher than the other. He finds a solution – cover the mirror! Fuera dolor!
Soledad sees an article about Pat’s art export business in the newspaper, and remembers the night Beto was conceived. First we see them drunk at the disco, then back at his hotel room.
As Marissa’s big brother, Raúl urges Santiago to marry her, doggone it. Santiago tries to tease his way out of it, but Raúl won’t let him. He recognizes that Santiago chases skirts (remember Raúl assumes all husbands do); regardless, Santiago should define their relationship or marry his sister now. Notice “break it off” is not one of the choices.
Meño consults with Dr. Santiago for his new face. Meño is particularly sensitive about his uneven ears. Santi offers a deal: get me a date alone with Candy tonight, and I’ll do the operation for free. Santiago’s parting smile as he anticipates the date? Priceless!
What’s going on here? Raúl asked Meño to introduce him to Candy, Raúl told Santiago to marry his sister, and Santiago bargained with Meño to get a date with Candy. Are all the town matchmakers away at a convention?
Candy admits to Chava that his grandpa died. Chava wonders about the second one – other kids have two grandpas. Candy isn’t willing to answer. Chava tries to bring his box of lies so mama will have to tell the truth. Little does he realize that a caja de mentiras is no match for a mama de mentiras.
At the restaurant, Meño tells Candy an important, rich customer has reserved the restaurant for tonight, and he wants Candy to work. Candy assumes it must be some man cheating on his wife.
Lucía asks Santiago for birthday bubis surgery. She employs the age-old argument, “My friends can.” He tells her he is totally against it for girls her age. He employs the age-old parent answer, “You don’t need it, you’re beautiful. Your father would agree. He was smart and loved her very much. I’m not as smart, but I love you just as much.” What a papa!
Meño tells Sven & Ole he has a secret assignment for them. He ponders, “How can I explain this? Your minds are so small.” They will work as phony crooks, so that Candy will stay here alone with her date. Does Meño’s plan make sense to anyone else? Meño wants Candy and Santiago to be alone, so he sends Sven and Ole to help them be alone???
Soledad is still trying to contact Pat. She’s going out and makes arrangements for a babysitter.
The restaurant is filled with candles, flowers, and chilled champagne. Candy is wearing an elegant black dress. She steps into the dining room and hears that familiar voice, “Welcome to a magical evening. I’m the client who reserved the restaurant.”
Candy: “So it’s for your girlfriend? Or a mistress?”
Santiago: “No, this is all for a date with a very beautiful woman.” (Is that a little jealousy or a little disappointment in Candy’s eyes?)
Candy: “Then let me know when she arrives, so I can serve you.”
Santiago: “No, I’m going to serve, cook, and do everything.”
Candy: “Very well, then you won’t be needing me. Con permiso.”
Santiago: “Candy, no, wait! This beautiful, spectacular, marvelous woman I’m waiting for is you. Please. Take a seat.”
Readers, mark this moment. She has buried her heart for seven years, but her face tells us it can’t stay buried forever. We see the very first crack in Candy’s wall. It’s only a hairline fracture in a very thick wall, but it’s a start.
Santiago proposes a toast to a marvelous night. She glares at him suspiciously. “Drink with me, Candy. Can you deny that I’ve behaved like a perfect gentleman?”
She grudgingly accepts the toast, but still must object, “The night is not over yet.”
Santiago: “You’re cruel! We’re having a normal dinner, carrying on conversation. This is not some seduction plot. I’m simply having dinner with a very special woman that I like very much. Nothing more.”
Candy: “Hmm. I’ll try to believe you.”
Santiago: “Thank you. Since we’re trying new things, do you think you could try to smile a little, too? You’ve been very serious all night. Doesn’t a nice chilango like me deserve it?”
Candy makes a big, toothy smile like an 8-year-old’s school picture. Santiago laughs at her and says, “That’s no smile. That’s the face a piranha makes just before it bites!” She laughs. “There! A beautiful smile.” With that, her amargada (sour, crabby) face returns.
Santiago: “What did I tell you? One compliment, one flattery, and you think it’s a blow to the head. Learn to accept them.”
Candy: “Are you sure this won’t end in bed?”
Santiago looks around the room. “I don’t see a bed in here. Normal people end dinner with dessert.”
Santiago gets up to clear the plates, and while he’s not looking, Candy allows herself a big smile, anticipating a magical dinner with such an enchanting man.
At home, Rocío wants Lucía to help with her computer game. Luc is on the phone, looking in the mirror with “enhancements” stuffed in her bra. She is still trying to get those new bubis. Her latest plan? Find another doctor who will do it.
Back at the restaurant, does anyone notice how bad Jaime Camil looks in a suit? How do they do that??? True, there was ‘more of him to love’ in the early episodes, but I don’t think that is sufficient explanation. Don’t you remember? He was born in a necktie! The candy cane one was delicious, and the metallic blue with dark stripes was divine. How can he look bad in a suit now? Cómo puede ser?
As he’s clearing the plates, two crooks in masks barge in, guns drawn. Two very short crooks. Santiago hears them talking, and wonders, “That voice? Where have I heard that voice before?” “Rocky, that was me…” Oops, wrong universe. Realizing that the crooks are the bumbling waiters, Sven and Ole, Santiago plays the heroic defender of fair (?) Candy. “Leave her alone! Do what you want to me, but don’t touch her.” Ole is as tall as Santiago’s armpit, but still tries to shove him aside. Santi laughs. Failing that, Ole pistol whips him. Laughing stops.
Ole orders Candy to undress, but Sven tries to nix that. Candy loudly refuses, but Santiago tries to reason with her. “These are dangerous criminals; we’d better do what they say.” Nudge nudge wink wink. I guess a peep show opportunity trumps heroic defender role. Candy cringes and starts to undress; Santiago willingly does the same, “for solidarity.”
Candy strips down to her black scanties. Santiago enjoys the view (claro!), but is suddenly impactado. As she screams, “Don’t look!” he has a flashback – a wedding on the beach, a beautiful woman he has the hots for, a bride who strips down to her white scanties! He has a vivid – very vivid – memory of her chest and a mole. The chest and mole match Candy’s exactly. (Finally we know why Santiago never recognized Candy before. In Guadalajara she has kept her clothing on, and at the wedding he never paid attention to her face! This might also be a clue about his career choice.)
Santiago, shocked, bug-eyed, and gaping-mouthed, looks at Candy and fumbles for words. “I know you.. your neck.. your shoulders.. your mole.. the wedding.” Candy is seriously worried. She tries to protest that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but he continues, barely breathing for excitement. The memories are pouring in more quickly. “Acapulco. Your husband with your sister. Your mother-in-law introduced us. You despised me. YOU’RE ALIVE!!!”
Candy is ready to grasp any escape. She says it‘s just an excuse to see her undressed. We hear Sven say, “Candy es amiga.” Candy recognizes the voice and starts shrieking. Santi tries to chase them. But his pants are down around his ankles (briefs; black), so he trips and hits his head. We get a fleeting view of a sight rarely seen: Jaime Camil’s chicken legs. The man has great hair, gorgeous eyes, sensuous lips, good tush, and passable thighs, but his calves are just plain silly. That’s why you almost never see them.
Candy is worried for him. She rushes over and kneels above him. She’s careful not to laugh at his silly calves. “Are you okay?” He answers suggestively, she takes offense, and storms off.
Santiago resolves, he is going to “unbury” Candy, and he intends multiple meanings, I’m sure.
Soledad ambushes Patricio as he leaves work. First he thinks she wants work, and he turns her down. When she says they used to go out, he thinks she wants to reignite an old flame, and he refuses that too. He ducks into his car as quickly as he can, and Soledad is left, pleading to his Ferrari exhaust.
In the midst of Meño’s nightly beauty treatment, Candy drags in Sven & Ole. Meño chews out the boys for their botched effort, and when he discovers Ole made her undress, Meño’s ready to kill him.
Candy is working on throwing out Santiago. She doesn’t like surprises; well he doesn’t like lies. She lies that she doesn’t lie. He insists that he won’t budge until he gets the truth, so she gives him her best logical answer: a kick in the shins (assault score: 3). Never discouraged, Santiago still tries for a goodnight kiss. He’s like Wile E. Coyote. No matter how many times he gets crushed, hit, or exploded, he continues, unfazed.
With Santi and the boys gone, Candy lays into Meño. Why did he do it? Because she is alone, and the doctor promised him a facelift. She reveals her latest problem: the plastic doctor knows her secret.
At the market, Soledad tells Candy that her husband left her for another woman. Sol asks Candy what happened to Chava’s father, and Candy reminds her of their agreement to never talk about it.
Pat is hanging a plaque in his office, “Never leave the door open, because you don’t know who might enter.” On cue, Alicia barges in. Pat says the sign reminds him how expensive an error can be. Alicia reminds him that because of an open door, they are married. Ali is pleased; Pat not so much.
Candy remembers Santi’s discovery, their talk of whether she is alive or dead, and her wedding day. She resolves, that Candy is dead.
Tomorrow, Marissa wants to know what Santiago and Candy are doing together.
Labels: Tontas
So Soledad - as Pat is rushing away - she goes, no wait, no wait, I have something to say. Why doesn't she just SAY IT? This happens in so many shows, it's annoying. "Wait, wait, you don't understand! Pat! Pat!... the car rushes away. In all cases, a person could explain in one sentence what the problem is instead of these unnecessary preludes.
So Beto and his buddy are half-brothers!
I think the problem wasn't the suit on Jaime, but the shirt he wore, a dark striped one (I think), just not a good look with a suit in my opinion. I like solid shirts (either white or a dark grey or dark blue) with suits, especially black ones on men with dark coloring. Eduardo Yanez wore a black suit with a dark blue shirt once on Destillando Amor, and I thought he was beyond gorgeous! My husband has dark hair and blue eyes, and my favorite look for him is also the blue shirt with the black suit. Okay, enough on men's fashions.
I'm sure Beto and Chava will be thrilled to eventually find out they are brothers. Candi, not so much, since they are about the same age, meaning that Pato's tryst with her sister wasn't his first infidelity.
Another excellent recap Paula! Wow, you're good at this.
I'm with Rhonda in that I find Candi's point of view (worried about seduction but not infidelity) a bit annoying. Oh well, I have to remind myself it's just a telenovela and all just a silly plot device so these two crazy kids can end up together. I guess that's why Marissa is so annoying, so we don't mind that Santiago is a complete cheater and liar to her. However if I were Candi I would be worried that what Santi does to Marissa he would also do to me.
Beto has always seemed a bit older to me than Chava but not by much, maybe a year or two? Yep, Candi is in for a couple of nasty surprises.
Anon, not sure if there is a statute of limitations on abandoned marriages but yes, I think Candi is still married to Pat.
Thanks Paula! You did a great job with your fast-talking double-down.
I must chime in about the fake holdup--that is just not funny, especially in today's Mexico, where kidnapping is common. I was watching part of it with half an eye--so Tio Meno really arranged that--what an awful thing to do--it's worse than "Punked."
I also LOVE the instrumental music that's played every time he kisses Candi or reaches out to her compassionately.
My life needs a soundtrack!
Thanks Paula, excellent job.
And thanks for the eyebrow translation Sylvia. I have a bit of that myself, thanks to Scottish forebears (guess they needed them for the cold).
Excellent recap again Paula!
Either way it has me junping up and down either saying JUST SAY IT, or JUST LISTEN FOR A MINUTE, WILL YOU!....scares the bejesus out of our cat.
In retrospect, though, I wish more telenovela characters would do that. It moves the plot along, as opposed to this "I have to tell you something really important oh no don't walk away" BS that creates tension, only to fizzle out moments later when nothing is revealed.
As for Lucia's birthday wish, I can't believe even the other girl would be allowed to have the operation. In another telenovela I watch, Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso, half the characters have had boob jobs, but the main character was told she legally (in Colombia) had to wait until her 18th birthday. And even then, the fairly unscrupulous surgeon advised her to wait longer, as her body was "still developing".
I also didn't understand what was supposed to happen with the fake robbers (and I'm not sure they did either), although, being a guy, I liked Ole's idea :)
And wait till Candy's sis find out she's still among the living and her own marriage is invalid! Hee Hee! (Don't like her either!)
Patricio now has 2 sons he doesn't know exist. How sad for both of the children. Diana in MA
You're right, Camil just runs off with the chattering, and it's GOOD chatter. I wonder if his start in radio helped - DJ's have to chatter well. His improv in Fea was brilliant, all the times he had to rescue botched scenes from others, especially Arana (Omar). He always recovered the scene smoothly, with one notable exception (when he fumbled the chair dive).
But I hadn't considered Avila (Sven) improvising, and sabes qué? You're right! He could fill five minutes, hardly taking a breath. I'm sure his comedy work is where that comes from. Good comedians are usually incredibly quick-witted. Anyone see when Dustin Hoffman tried to make a fool of Leno on-air? It was phenomenol! Leno stood there and gave him two free punches [figuratively], and then laid into him like Chuck Norris against a two-bit punk. Never try to show Leno who's boss. Sorry for the diversion. Back to my bunny trail.
I think I also see it developing in the cutie who plays Rocío. Chava seems more like he's reciting lines (though he does VERY well), but sometimes Rocío just twitters away, like she did in the park with her papa last night. They can let her twitter a bit because Camil can always bring her back to the script. (Did I mention how I adore those two together?)
I think an important ingredient is a hyperactive chatterbox personality. Don't all three actors seem like the person who always finishes lunch last because he talks instead of eating?
What a delight it must be when two quick-witted, talented actors share a scene, like when two good dancers get to work together. You can do moves you wouldn't dare try with a lesser partner, and you can stretch to the full measure of your talent.
One thing that strikes me is that the Santiago character continues to pursue Candy/i/e beyond the second rebuff. I imagine in this country he'd have long since moved on or else risk a sheriff's deputy at his doorstep to deliver a restraining order. The old "what part of 'no' are you having trouble with?" Different culture, I guess.
For what it’s worth, Candi tried to warn Marissa about Santi’s womanizing, so Candi probably figures if Marissa doesn’t want to listen to reality that’s her problem. It’s also possible her concern for seduction is actually a fear of falling in love again and getting hurt. Figures it’s easier to hate and generalize than to actually try to figure out which ones are good or bad.
So much for Pato being a decent guy except when they lay a trap on him (unless the thing with Soledad happened right after Candi disappeared) . It was clear from the scene that he initiated the whole thing with Soledad. I think we were all yelling at the screen as he jumped into his car: “tell him about the kid you nitwit!” or some other variation. And did Soledad really need to lie to her friend and say hubby left her for another woman? Guess admitting it was partially her fault for not checking who the baby daddy was wouldn’t have gained her as much sympathy. For what it’s worth, regardless of how old they look, Rocio, Chava and Beto are supposed to be in the same grade, and no mention has been made of anyone skipping or being held back a grade. We know Rocio is a good 6-7 months older because we saw mom get the news of being pregnant just as Candi and Pato got engaged and we know that Chava was conceived a few weeks before the wedding. Not sure where Beto falls in the chronology, but he’s around 7 as well.
Hombre, I think Meño said they were supposed to tie them up and leave them alone so Candy would be forced to spend time with Santi. Not sure it would have worked, but once Ole decided improvise they were pretty much lost.
Mike, I’ve known plenty of men (on both sides of the river) who don’t take the first or second or third “no” for an answer. They usually fall into one of two categories: 1) the desperate ones who will cling to any bit of hope and 2) the ones who are so used to hearing yes they assume you’re playing hard to get, or consider it challenge! We know which category Santi falls under.
Now how about yours? And if any other romantic fool wants to jump in with his or hers...please do!!!!
By the way, Michael Bublé does an incredible duet with Ivan Lins (Brazilian singer and composer)on Wonderful Tonight. Have never been that taken with the song until I heard them harmonize on it...again...poignant and memorable. Their voices were meant to blend.
Hey Margarita, thanks for filling in the blanks about Beto and Chava's ages. I'm curious as to how the details fall out.
So on my birthday he picked me up, walked me to the sidewalk between the dorm's, and standing in his tux, serenaded me with that song in front of the whole world. With a darned good voice, I might add. I was the envy of every woman within earshot. Mike and I never had any romance between us, but believe me, if we did, he would have won me over, then and there!
God bless you, Mike, wherever you are. Sweet memories are still fresh, 30 years later.
On the topic of singing, I have always "made up" research that singing is good for your health in order to get my student to sing along in class, but this morning I was vindicated by an article in our paper about how singing in the car boost your immunoglobulin A(or IgA) which overpowers the stress hormone cortisol and floods the body with "good protein" giving you that lift and happy feeling we all crave (brownies work too, alas) so hey, give your life a soundtrack with your own fabulous voice, y'all.
My kids used to cry when I sang to them but other people say they like my voice. Families!!!!! (On the other hand, my grandchildren have never objected. Guess the stretch marks were worth it after all)
Congrats to that Mike, btw, to have made so lasting an impression!
I also love the Brazilian recordings of Stan Getz. I had a crush on a guy who introduced me to this record, when I was about 18, just before I started dating my eventual husband . . . Sad to say he dropped out of college because of alcoholism.
It was for dinner...but dinner was served at 2 am!!!! But it was a wonderful evening of softly strummed guitars and lyricists (who are poets in Brazil) singing us their songs till the wee hours.
I really had a good life in my twenties.
Paula, that was quite a zany video. Were those people speaking Spanish or Portuguese?
The weekend before Mike and I got married we went to a military ball (ROTC) and somebody played Color My World, by Chicago I think and made us dance to it alone. Mike has all the rhythm in this marriage. My Latin roots just don't go down to my feet!! It was all very embarrassing.
Judy, about your singing... my baby brother slept in my room when I was about 6 and 7 years old. When he couldn't sleep I would sing him the little songs we learned in school and Sunday School. He would cry and promise to go to sleep. "Please don't sing any more!!" Poor kid! Mike probably would be nicer about it but no doubt is grateful that I rarely serenade him!
One night on a beautiful beach in Fiji my friend Tom, with whom I was falling in love, sang a very off-key but very sincere version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire". I thought it was the most wonderful version I'd ever heard. That was 20 years ago and he still can't carry a tune and I still don't care.
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