Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tontas Tuesday March 31, '09 Will He Or Won't He Be Sleeping On The Couch
Candy's still wearing her fright dress over jeans, so we assume it's the same loooong day. She and Pato are sparring about his sleeping quarters. She says couch. He says no.
More sparring between Santiago and Marissa. He wants to know how much longer she's going to play this game with him, pretending to be at the hospital while hiding out in her apartment. He proposes confronting the situation like adults. She prefers more torment. You didn't ask me how I am, she adds slyly. So how are you? Fine! The scene ends with Marissa making one of her nutso faces. You've really got to feel sorry for that poor beleagured baby nesting in her uterus.
Back to our other twosome. Chava wants to know why Dad's sleeping on the couch. Moms and Dads sleep together, no? Great idea, concurs Pato, and by the way, my stuff in already in your room, dear. Now Chava talks Dad into taking him to work, over Candy's tepid protests. He and Chava make identical pleading faces to mama...puhleez puhleez puhleez. And off they go.
Candy then bops upstairs to harangue Charlie out of bed. No lying around, get moving, help young people. You need to tell your story. Save lives. Come with me to the Institute. The romantic music plays so we know this is a good idea.
Cute scene with Patricio and Chava at work with him explaining about ceramics and exporting them so all the world so people can appreciate Mexican artisanry. Chava decides he wants to be an artist as well as a soccer player and dad's on board with that. You can be many many things, Chava, he assures him.
Candy's at the Institute selling the Charlie idea to Barbara who's all enthusiasm. Lucia, meanwhile, is doing some heavy-duty flirting with some classmate, asking for help in math which alas he can't give. But he'd sure like to help her with literature! Fortunately Santiago drives by, nips this scene in the bud and assures Lucia she can talk with him later. Right now she's going home with Papa.
A new client arrives at the Institute who will only speak with Candy. Why? Well, she knows her from her columns, that's why. And she has a problem. Remember those old headache ads, which ran?.... Headache no. 57 etc.? Well, I swear we're on our 57th PSA! But now it's female sexuality, or to be more exact, female frigidity. I feel like I'm back in the 50's reading Ladies Home Journal "Can This Marriage Be Saved?". Here's the short version. Marta had a very strict upbringing. Married, sees her husband as her "dueño" (lord and master if you want to get all flowerly about it) and in 20 years of matrimony, 2 children, she's never felt a thing. Nada. Candy wisely turns Marta over to Barbara. Not only for counseling but presumeably old Barb knows a bit more about female sexuality( having been married twice) than Candy ( one night of pre-nuptial bliss.)
Patricio's still explaining his business to Chava and now we're on the subject of "equipales" (chairs with leather seats). They're made with wood (madera) or "otate" (a thick type of bamboo) and leather. Whoops....another pipi break for Chava. This is the most urineferous telenovela ever. I used to laugh about Fafy Cuenca's Flomax moments but Chava's pipi scenes are even more numerous. What's with these script writers? The scene ends with a
secretary bringing in the documents Patricio asked for, while Dad and Chava rush to the men's room.
Okay, forget pipi and PSA's. We've got a yummy scene with Chayo and Eduardo. Well, yummy to me at least 'cause I've always maintained these two really love each other and belong together. Yeah, I know, a lot of you hate him. But bear with me here. He's contrite. He's sad. He knows he's been stupid. He's acknowledging how he never appreciated all she did for him. And now he does. And he's asking forgiveness. And for another chance.
Chayo's not so sure. She's been so hurt in the past. She couldn't go through any more pain, or another betrayal.
His answer: Never again. I love you. I miss you.
Her answer: I'll think about it. Give me time. (Lo voy a pensar. Dame tiempo.)
Color me happy. I like these two together. Ad time.
When we come back, there's a powwow at the Institute with everybody on board about Charlie, and possibly Lucia, collaborating in teaching about the problem of AIDS and hey, maybe we could get a firm to donate free condoms! Whoops....in comes Marissa to rain on the parade. She doesn't like anything about this idea. As a matter of fact, she thinks the Institute should concentrate on female beauty and recommending plastic surgery. Take that Miss Candy!
While they square off, the scene switches to Santiago having a heart to heart with Lucia. He saw her flirting. Sure seemed like more than a friend, as Lucia claims. You need to be careful. You've just been through a big scare. And you need to be upfront with people about it. Just because you weren't informed and you felt betrayed and angry, doesn't mean you should turn around and hurt others. And what about Charlie? He's alone and the person he loved most in the world (Lucia) isn't with him. I don't know if you'll get back together or at least be friends but remember....the AIDS virus can only be transmitted through blood or semen....not kisses and hugs. Take care of yourself.
In the meantime, the fight has escalated between Candy and Marissa. Who does the Institute belong to? The name is registered with Marissa. But the rooms are rented by Candy through her uncle. Well, I own every stick of furniture, retorts Marissa, and by the way, you can forget about ever running your column again....ever! Looks like the end of the line for these two.
But what about Chayo and Eduardo? Well, she's come to Candy for advice and help. Candy says....are you ready now?... " Listen to your heart. " Our good ol' fortune cookie/telenovela wisdom. Well, Chayo's heart says "she loves him and can't live without him". Okay, fine. Candy will help. And her assistence? Well, it consists of a threatening phone call to Eduardo. Don't talk. Just listen. Chayo loves you. And she's worth her weight in gold (vale oro) If you ever cheat on her again, I'll take a pair of pruning shears (tijeras de podar) to your nether regions.
I dunno. This doesn't strike me as the most mature way to further a relationship. But hey, Chayo asked for help. And this is what she got. Color me unimpressed.
Another powwow with the group. Candy's telling them about the split and she understands if they want to go with Marissa. She has more revenue and she'll keep the Institute's name. Nope. They all want to stay with Candy. New name is all. Meño suggests Institue Bocina (horn, loudspeaker) because it "suena fuerte" (sounds strong, loud). Ho ho. The scene ends with a rousing cheer of "ni un paso atrás" (not one step backwards)
More threatening. This time between Marissa and brother Raúl. He doesn't want to drop Candy's column. It's the most popular part of the paper. Well, Marissa is half -
owner and she says it has to go. But if that's not enough, she could throw herself down the stairs, lose the baby and then how would he feel? So here's the phone. Do it!
Chava and Pato are back at home and this time Chava's the instructor. He's telling Dad about the little box of lies and how Mom asked his forgiveness for the lie about him having no father. Patricio asks if Chava can forgive HIM for having hurt his mom so badly. Of course. (Both their voices sound very similar in this scene. Quite effective) Some good dad/son lovin' going on when Candy arrives. Mami!!! Esposa!!! How was work? Hugs and kisses all 'round and you can see Candy is feeling a bit smitten with all this family affection. When Patricio hands her the divorce papers so she can sign them, instead she tears them up. Slowly. While looking into Patricio's eyes. He gets up. Comes toward her. And they kiss. And we break for an ad.
Are Candy and Patricio about to get busy? Well, if Chava has his way, yes. He's ready for a little sibling. Patricio reminds her that they had planned to have at least 5 children together, and for now, Chava's the only one. Maybe they should start working on this right away. She wants him to slow waaaaay down. He'd like her to speed up a bit. How about we at least practice. Some heavy breathing. I'm feeling more fear than desire, says Candy. Well, I could give you a little kiss and see if that helps, proposes Patricio.
And yes, we've had this scene before! A number of times. Oh well.
Back to Santiago's office. He's cranky. Wants Hortensia to tell Senora Ramirez she can't keep cancelling appointments. She goes right to the heart of the matter. How's Lucia? And how are you? He cries on her shoulder. She tells him to "luchar por su amor" (another telenovela staple). He launches into his Legend of the Lonely Man (she only knows the Legend of the Lonely Woman) Well, here goes anyway. Lonely man looked for love. And found it. A dynamic, successful, full of life lady. But what happened? An old love came along and took her away. He's been abandoned by Paulina. And Marissa wants to hurt him....which is like abandonment. And Candy doesn't want him. But you have me, Hortensia reminds him huskily. And me, pops up the comely assistant, moving in for a hug. Santiago comes to and skedaddles. And Hortensia warns comely assistant to never again touch the doctor in her presence!
Pato's on the couch but doesn't intend to be there for long. He calls Candy on his cell phone. She tells him to stay put. He pops into her room instead. Lands on the bed, proposes they make up for lost time. Chava barrels in. Dad falls off the bed. Chava's sent out and politely asks permission to enter. Asks Dad if he kisses Mom on the mouth. He sure does, little fella. Every chance he gets. Tells Dad that it's yucky to do that. Lots of laughs and Chava, Candy and Pato make a big loving sandwich family type hug.
Contrast that with Santiago sitting by himself on a park bench. Looking blue, sighing at a nearby baby, briefly going into delusional thinking, imagining himself talking with Candy.
Back to Candy's house and kitchen mayhem. Somehow Beto has appeared and Dad and two boys are in the kitchen throwing eggs and flour around, pretending to make a cake. Gogo and Meño enter and Tio is horrified, not only at the mess but also at the mere presence of Patricio. What are you doing here!? What do you mean you're sleeping on the couch!? Patricio stammers that it's just for a couple of days. Candy stammers that she's sorry, she meant to tell Meño but it all happened so fast. Gogo wants to know if Alicia has been informed. Patricio brushes this off.
Meño takes Candy aside and asks the 64-thousand dollar question. You told me that "el doctor plastico" was the love of your life. Now you've got Patricio living here? Candy's reply is that Chava needs his papa so let him stay. Meño thinks she's guilting herself into getting back together with him. She lied to him and she feels she owes him. But does her heart go "tilin tolon" when she sees him. Look into my eyes, he adds sternly. ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH PATRICIO? And there we end for tonight.
Previews: Alicia's on the phone, talking to Candy. Patricio's not in the hotel. Where is he? Living with me, is Candy's reply. And Santiago, now that Candy and Patricio are together, is telling Candy that he's going to marry Marissa.
Vocabulary:
tijeras de podar =pruning shears
bocina = horn, loudspeaker
equipales = chairs with leather seats
vale oro = Lit. is worth gold. we'd say "worth their weight in gold"
tilin tolon = ding dong
suena fuerte = sounds loud; sounds strong (play on words)
ni un paso atrás = not one step backwards
otate = a type of thick bamboo
dueño = owner, proprietor, "lord and master" in marital sense
llueve sobre mojado = when it rains, it pours. (no, this wasn't in the episode. just thought I'd throw this in)
And finally...Diane's Dicho of the Day (because she likes them) "Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda" The early bird catches the worm.
Labels: Tontas
Wow, Candy sure is presumptuous allowing Pato to move into her uncle's house. Aside from it being a truly weird situation, shouldn't she have asked Meno first?
Her outfit is stupid.
Didn't you just love Candy's threat to Ed - "Don't you dare hurt someone who loves you so much, someone worth their weight in gold. Don't play games with someone like that." Ah, yes, part of what makes us feel like we do about Candy.
Speaking of dichos, did anyone catch Meño's? He was at the institute in one of the meetings. He started with, "As my mother used to say, ..." but I didn't catch it.
Consider this. Candy married Pat. She made her vows to God to be his wife. He is still her husband. She must decide between two men, and she feels love for both of them. She is married to one of the two. Ask yourself this. A woman loves two men. One is her husband and the father of her son. The other is not. Which one should she choose? Should a woman leave her husband because a better offer came along?
Paula, Candy already left her husband...for eight years and for what she thought was a good reason. (Not that I agree with her.) I think another question is, should she go back to the guy that she has obsessed about cheating on her for eight years just because she thinks it will be good for her kid? I keep thinking of Mike's comment last week (and I'm going to paraphrase now because I can't remember exactly) of the thought of Candy serving up guilt every day for breakfast and blame every night for dinner. Also, I think there is a bit of wanting to stick it to sis mixed in, so all in all not a very healthy brew to my way of thinking. I just don't think their relationship has much promise in the long term, i.e. not a strong foundation upon which to build a house.
You perfectly captured the best part of the show, the heart and spirit of the children. I love how no matter how mean or insensitive the adults are to each other, the children never fail to bring out the best in their parents. Pat, whose parents never encouraged him tells Chava: "You can be many many things, Chava, he assures him." Despite the fact Pat, whose father probably never kissed him or told him he loved him: Pat, along with Candy and Chava "make a big loving sandwich family type hug."
The scenes of Pat, Candy and Chava as a family were irresistable. Pat shines with the kids, his and Chava's scenes seem so natural: "He and Chava make identical pleading faces to mama...puhleez puhleez puhleez. And off they go."
"Pato's on the couch but doesn't intend to be there for long." Yes, but I can't blame him. He's longing for his family and wants them back. As you noted Judy: "Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda" The early bird catches the worm. I'm hoping for it!
Paula and Sylvia, I enjoyed your discussion of the Pat/Candy/Santiago situation. You both made very good points. I feel Santiago has matured but not enough. The fact that he is still considering marrying Marissa at this point in time shows me he lacks the judgement to make good decisions. In contrast, I think Pat has come further and has truly changed. But, the heart wants what it wants and I fear Candy still yearns for Santi and their pairing is probabaly inevitable. Diana in MA
And yes, Jarocha, please weigh in, along with other native speakers. It may be that this is a very individual or localized dicho. Sure ain't in any book of mine!
And in real life, blended families don't work so well. The divorce rate for second marriages with children is even higher than the rate for first-time marriage, no
kids.
Not saying there aren't exceptions. I know of some lovely ones. But the possibilities of conflicts with Paulina, an adolescent Lucia and an in -time adolescent Rocio are endless.
But because this is a "happily ever after with the one true love" telenovela...yes, she'll end up with Santi and we'll have a glorious wedding. Fin.
I've never heard "La basura con el pie" added to "al bagazo poco caso", "bagazo" is what you have left of the the fruit once you have extracted all the juice, so as Sylvia said, it is the waste, the meaning of that phrase is that you shouldn't give more importance to those things that don't really have it.
Now, "la basura con el pie" means that you should try to avoid get yourself into trouble, to be as apart from a messy situation as you can so that you can't get sucked into it.
Jarocha
Gee, it hasn't taken Lucia very long to go back on the market. Looks like a nice young man who was chatting her up. Poor Santi, he certainly has his hands full.
I still timidly support Pato for all the reasons you mentioned, but I'm really troubled by his pushiness, especially his use of Chava as something of a weapon.
I'm also fairly certain that Candy will end up with Santi and we'll all be relatively happy with that. I'm also comfotable with the pairing of Soledad and Zamora, they really make a cute couple.
Once again the CCds were excellent. One never really appreciates what he's got till it's gone.
Carlos
I just found it and am reposting it here as I thought it was so touching and truly reflects Lulu's current lot in life: "Poor Lulu really needs a real romance and soon, with someone who will appreciate her. She's just abused by everyone around her in little ways...sort of death by a thousand tiny cuts. Even Santiago does it (although unintentionally) like when he gasped in horror looking at her (he was seeing Candy everywhere, but Lulu didn't know that)."
Thanks Julia. Diana in MA
I think Pat and Candy have great chemistry and would really get along great if Candy really did get over the past, but I'm not sure she's really that mature yet. Of course, Pat isn't much better, just trying to whine his way into her bed.
I still think Soledad and Raul have a spark which they should investigate.
Cheryl...it may be pop psych but I don't think so (okay, here I go being Dr. Judy again) but they have done numerous experiments at OSU that seem to indicate that our thoughts (both negative and positive) have an immediate neurological effect on us. And therefore on the fetus. Also they have learned that babies in the womb can hear...especially loud noises, but also their mother's voice which they recognize immediately upon birth. Also a baby can pick out his mother's face from all others within 48 hours of birth. Although adoption of unwanted babies is wonderful, this also gives you an idea of how tough it can be for a baby to be in a foster home and then adoptive situation.
Yikes...what started this rant? Okay, I admit it. I'm crazy on the subject of babies. And also have very strong feelings about the effects of our thoughts. I'm no saint, but in my wiser moments, I remember a phrase from a book that said "Make your mind a beautiful place to live".
Marissa's mind is a hellish place. And I'm sure it would affect her baby if this were real life.
And Diane, thanks for reposting Julia's observation about the emotional wounding (what do you mean you usually miss the nuances, Julia!?). It's so good it should be on the sidebar.
I'm sorry to say it, but I think Pat is like a big baby. He acts childish, cries when he doesn't get his way, barges in without permission. I just feel Santiago, despite his faults, is so much more mature. Of course, Candy is a big baby, too, so maybe she and Pat deserve each other.
Not that the show is supposed to be realistic, but when my son was 8, there was no problem with always having to make pipi (maybe up until 4 there was), he knew about telling the truth, didn't need a box, he didn't forget to knock or wash his hands, he didn't ask questions like why aren't the mom and dad sleeping together, or why someone has two Dads, or any of these questions that Chava has (which, by the way, are NEVER answered with any degree of honesty or completeness). Of course, the way they present it is entertaining, so I'll stop my rant.
Jarocha, left a note over on MEPS but let me add here, thanks so much for the help with the dicho. We know we can trust you to come up with the answer. You're lucky I don't have your phone number!..I would have been calling you last night!
Oh and Diana, let me add my voice to the chorus: Welcome back. Your insights and comments are always add to our understanding and enjoyment.
Mine hasn't always been, but I'm working on it! And glad you're celebrating with all of us here that Diane is back. We really missed her.
Hombre, I'm going to backtrack and defend Patricio a little bit. Yeah, he's too pushy and is definitely using emotional blackmail through his son BUT....being in love is just one step shy of being totally crazy. Don't you remember those delusional madly yearning first days, months and years of being lovestruck? He sees Candy as his life and he's fighting for his life dadgummit, and "all's fair in love and war".
Okay, nuff said. Events will probably show that I'm completely in the wrong. In telenovelas, I usually am. (Never in real life. LOL)
I'm so glad Jarocha weighed in on the dicho. It's a huge help.
Carlos
Hombre I agree with you. To me Pat is immature, selfish and way too pushy.
Candy is no great prize but I would still rather see her end up with Santi.
Sole and Zamora are OK too. I love Tono and Lulu together so I hope that works out.
It looks like Santi may actually consider marrying Mariloca????
If so he had better never turn his back on her, she's too dangerous.
Carrie L.
Carrie, let's keep our fingers crossed for Lulu and Toño. They're both good-hearted although Toño isn't the brightest bulb on the planet whereas Lulu is plenty smart.
Karen, thanks for checking in. Yes, these telenovelas can eat up way too much time. If we could just cut out all the ads, though, it would only take HALF as much time to watch. We're glad you're keeping tabs and happy to hear from you.
Of the three going on right now, I have to admit I find MEPS the most compelling, and not just because of Colunga.
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