Saturday, May 02, 2009

Tontas no Van Friday 5/1 Fights, Tricks, Arguments, Schemes, Jealousy, and maybe a Secret Love

This was a wild episode. Almost everyone was at everyone’s throat, nobody’s telling the truth, nobody trusts anyone else, relationships are falling apart, no PSA’s, no inner beauty, just conflict!

After Alicia leaves with Patito (a strategy suggested by Margarita), Pat feels alone in his big house.

We switch to Lucía’s condom party (oh, excuse me, Protection Party) at Santi’s house. They’ve hired a few guys to come dressed as life-sized condoms, with smiley faces, one orange and one blue, and Lucía and Charly are greeting everyone at the door, handing out condoms to the lucky guests as favors. I’m thinking if this show is on at 7, how do the parents explain this to the preteens? Oh well, we notice that Eduardo gets a condom, which he absentmindedly puts in his jacket pocket. They take a nice group picture with Santi, Ed, the two life sized condoms (with authentic reservoir tips), and kids everywhere will want to get in on the fun. Isabel, Santi and Jaime are joking around. Isa says Zamora is too timid to come out of this room. Santi says talk with Don Jaime (con Don Jaime) and Jaime says “con don?” (condom) as a joke. Lucía’s friend Fred enters, gets a condom from a wary Charly, then greets Lucía with a kiss on the lips, as Charly’s blood begins to boil. He pulls Luc aside, tells her how bummed he is about her kissing Fred, he still wants to be more than amigos with Luc, but Luc says no, she doesn’t.

In the restaurant, at an outdoor table, Meño is telling Ricardo about his list of things to do before he dies. First up, learn to ride a bike. Ricardo offers to teach him! No trouble (lata) at all. Changing the subject, Meño inquires if things are getting better with Ricardo’s wife Catalina. No, that’s a lost cause. Meño wants Ric to try again, but Ric has a confession. He’s in love with another “person” (my quotes). Well, well, well. Let’s see. Meño’s been getting notes. Ric’s in love with another “person”. What gayme could they be playin’?

The doorbell rings in Alicia’s apartment. “Eva” is nowhere to be found, so Ali asks who it is, and when she hears it’s Pat, she primps a little before opening the door. Pat has come to return the stroller (carreola) Ali left at the house. Of course, he also wants to see little Patito. Ali says no. She’s tired, and she’d appreciate if he’d call in advance whenever he wants to visit. He asks if this means war. No, but she has the right to decide whether to receive visitors. So he’s just a visitor? Well, he no longer lives there, he lives in his big house, so Adiós! She forcefully closes the door on him.

One door closes, another opens (but not very far). Arturo wants to talk to Gregoria, to explain that when Margarita said he lived with Art in Pat’s house, it was just a little joke Marg was playing. But Greg won’t let Art get a word in. Art starts to insist, when Candy comes downstairs to support her Mom. The two of them succeed in shutting the door on Art. After he leaves, Greg tells Candy “all men are the same”. Candy corrects her. “Some are worse!” They chuckle at that.

Time for our next conflict. Chayo’s upset that Ed leaves his clothes all over the apartment, but that’s nothing compared with her discovery of a condom in the pocket of Ed’s jacket! She’s livid. Once again, he’s deceiving me (me está engañando), she says to herself, crushing the condom in her fist.

Candy puts Chava to bed (not before Chava tries his own little trick, pretending to be hungry so as to stay up, but Candy doesn’t fall for it). After turning out Chava’s light, Candy goes over to Charly (the boys sleep in the same room), who is making his list of things to do before he dies (just like Meño’s). Candy thinks that’s a good idea, since no one’s life is set in stone (nadie tiene una vida comprada, or no one has a life that’s bought). But the conversation is waking up Chava, so it’s lights out.

In the morning, Candy has come to visit Santiago, and over coffee, she asks for his help with the Pat situation (he won’t sign the divorce papers). Apparently Paulina is also an early riser, as she’s listening in behind the kitchen door. We can see the wheels turning in Pau’s evil brain.

Continuing our theme of trickery, Chayo is talking to Hortensia in the clinic, and when comely assistant (I think her name is Lety) signals that Ed is approaching, Chayo’s voice gets WAY louder as she “admits” to Horti that of course, Ed was NOT her first! Ed grasps the rope from the big bell, standing open-mouthed in shock as Hort and Chayo continue to talk very loudly, Chayo talking about all the men she’s had, of course she had to enjoy herself, right? Ed snarls in silence.

Pau’s evil brain (and her well dressed body) have brought her to Patricio’s office, where she informs him that the two of them can help each other. She doesn’t want Pat to get divorced. Pat protests he barely knows her, isn’t this a little personal? Well, Paulina wants to get Santi back, and the best way for that to happen would be for Pat to stay married to Candy, and maybe that would separate her from Santi. Then Pau brings out the big guns. She says she’s really just worried about her daughter, and you, Pat should be worried about Chava! She adds that she made a mistake, when she left her husband, she may have lost her daughter Rocío. She doesn’t want Pat to make the same mistake, by letting Candy go, he could lose his son. But who is she to give advice, she says flippantly (but knowingly), as she leaves a pouting Pat, pondering this possible peligro.

Ed now confronts Chayo about her “lovers”. How many were there? he demands. She doesn’t know, she forgot. He was her only novio, but not her only man. Then there was another? Others, she corrects. Many. Can’t even count ‘em, as she throws up her hand at the huge number. This is echoed comically by the Institute gals, all lined up to witness the fun. Chayo strides off to get some work done, the sea of femininity parts to let her through, but rejoins to block a frustrated Ed.

Back at Pat’s place, Arturo is laying into Marg for making Gregoria think that since Marg and Art both live at Pat’s place, they’re back together. Marg tells him he’s tricked her for years, now it’s her turn, and she’s having fun with it. Arturo is furious, and they start yelling at each other, she about his amantes, he about her demands for money, when Pat arrives to defend his Mom, ordering his father not to talk that way in Pat’s house. Marg says it’s okay, Art just lost his head a little, to which Art asks if she’s now saying he’s senile, and HE stalks out. More conflict, more tension.

Ed is devastated, sitting in the waiting room imagining Chayo’s lovers. How many were there, he mutters. Two, no that’s too few. Five hundred? There must have been a batallion of them! Hort is observing this and reporting everything by phone with Chayo, telling her Ed’s breathing like a toad (sapo).

We now see little Rocío in robe and slippers, looking at her legs. What are these little hairs (pelitos)? she asks her Mom, also in a robe. They’re not hairs, they’re beauty hairs (no son pelitos, son bellitos – I think that’s what she’s saying). Paulina says when Rocío gets older she can remove the beauty hairs, and she’ll have pretty legs, nice and smooth. Does she want to be a model? As Rocío chatters away, Pau flashes back to her confrontation with Candy, where Candy said she only cared about getting Santi back, not about her daughter. Rocío brings her out of her reverie, what was she thinking about? Oh, she was thinking about someone whom she really doesn’t like at all, but it’s not you, sweetie, as she hugs the innocent pawn of her devious plan.

We have a short scene in which Lucía and Candy are talking about expanding the Protection Party idea, and Chayo looks uneasy about this, as she’s a little more old fashioned than they are.

And now for some real fighting! (not really). Santi and Ed are wearing boxing gloves, and Santi (or the production assistants) has hung a big punching bag from the office ceiling, as the guys take turns getting out their male aggression, each in turn holding the bag for the other. (I think I want one of these. I read an article recently about a local judge, now 80 years old. His wife said that although he may have had lots of frustrations with the crazy or angry people in his courtroom, he was always sweet as sugar with her. Then she pointed out that of course he has a big punching bag in the basement for whenever he gets agitated). Ed keeps wondering how many (cuántos) guys did Chayo have? Santi says maybe millions! Ed says, so you knew, and the two punch each other (in fun, not really connecting).

A taxi drops Mario off at Santi’s house. But guess what? Mario is being followed! A guy who looks like a detective was in a dark car behind the taxi. He calls his client, yes the guy’s here, I’ve confirmed the info. What should I do next? (Uh oh! Mario’s a doctor, right? Could he be running from something he’s done, and not just pursuing Paulina?)

Wow, Rocío really wants to grow up. Now she’s asking Pau when she can depilarme las axilas (shave her underarms!). Pau hustles her off to change, then sneaks into Santi’s bedroom. She goes through his drawers, takes out a handkerchief (pañuelo), smiles with glee, and stuffs it in her bra.

We get a little relief from all this scheming with Soledad and Raúl. Today he didn’t come to eat. Well, what then? Uh, he’s a very sober guy, but he’s been telling himself he needs to loosen up (he loosens his tie), and do what he FEELS. What’s that? asks Sole. This, as he quickly and nervously kisses a wide-eyed Sole on the lips. He turns away, comes back a second later with a lovely small bouquet, hands it to her, and at least one of our romances seems to be flowering.

Now Hortensia is holding the punching bag for Santi, as he tells her he’s full of adrenaline, needs to work out some of his tensions. Raúl comes in to hold the bag, and they discuss the detective who’s going to try to find Marissa, Raúl gave him some photos, and wants to help, but Santi wants to cover most of the costs. As Santi mentions Marissa, he hits the bag really hard, sort of dislocating Raúl’s shoulder, which Santi twists back into place, leaving Raúl to limp out the door (this is our humorous segment).

We see black stockinged legs walking up some steps, followed by a woman in a little black dress, nice jewelry, but no, it’s not Pau, it’s someone we’ve never seen before, who puts an envelope in Meño’s door, but he sees her, and asks her why she’s delivering mysterious letters to him, and he doesn’t even know her. Please don’t tell, she begs, or her boss (she says jefe, which is masculine!) will fire her. As she goes, Meño thinks, her boss? He contemplates the letter. On the outside Meño’s name is written, with a big heart after the “o”. I think we viewers know what’s going on here.

Candy is leaving a message for Pat, please call about the divorce. Pat is on the other end, not picking up, sadly sulking, thinking, still on the edge between good and evil, which way will he fall?

Speaking of evil, Pau’s at the clinic, Santi’s not in, Pau tells Horti she’ll wait. In the meantime, can Horti get her a nice hot coffee? Pau spies two chicas in the waiting room, do they want coffee, too? Sure do. Okay, she tells Hort, how about 3 coffees? With Horti out of the way, Pau springs into action. First, she applies a fresh coat of red lipstick. Sneaking into Santi’s office, she removes the handkerchief (which she got from his bedroom) from her bag and kisses it, leaving a big impression. She puts it into Santi’s lab coat, which was on the back of his chair. She takes a tissue to wipe off her hands and lips, and is back in the waiting room just as Hort arrives with the coffees. Pau dismissively tells Hort she decided to go shopping, and walks out (quietly depositing the tissue in the trashcan near the elevator), quite satisfied with herself.

Little Patito is sweating, he may be sick. Alicia, who doesn’t know the first thing about babies, has called Pat for help. She’s distraught, but he’s very calm (we know he’s good with kids). All they have to do is take his temperature, but Alicia doesn’t have a thermometer. No problem, says Pat, they’ll go to the pediatrician.

Candy and Santi are in his office, discussing how at first Pat was giving excuses about not going to the lawyer for the divorce, but now he’s not even answering Candy’s phone calls. It’s strange. Even stranger (to us, but very convenient to the plot), Candy now gets something in her eye. Wouldn’t it be nice if anyone happened to have a HANDKERCHIEF? Of course, Santi is prepared, takes out the tell-tale pañuelo from his coat pocket, and as Candy dabs her eye, he sees the big red LIP mark on the outside of the handkerchief! He’s shocked, and when Candy sees the lipstick mark, Santi acts shocked again, but unfortunately, Candy thinks it’s just that – an act.
She asks him to think hard before he answers. Is this his handkerchief? Yes, it is. Okay, then what’s the lipstick stain doing on it? This one has him stumped. He fumbles, and that’s never good.

Now Paulina (back at Santi’s house) is arguing with Mario. It’s the same old thing, she’s through with him, he threatens to tell Santi some little details, but this time, Isabel happens to overhear! One little detail, says Mario, is that you were unfaithful to Santiago with his best friend! At this, Isabel bursts in, and SLAPS Paulina.

Santi is not making any headway. He first jokes that the lipstick is not his color. Not funny, replies Candy. Oh, Santi gets it – Candy’s joking with HIM. She set it all up. Wrong. Candy feels everything is clear, he’s been unfaithful. He swears he hasn’t been, but Candy’s heard enough. She walks out, ringing (or crashing into) the bell, as Santi tells Horti to stop her. Hort does, temporarily, but after they argue a little more in front of the two new patients, Santi knows there’s nothing he can do at this point, and stubborn Candy leaves angrily. (Handkerchiefs are used a lot to “prove” infidelity in dramas. I’m reminded of Othello, in which Othello’s friend Iago “finds” Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s bed, thus providing the key evidence that Desdemona was unfaithful to her husband (she wasn’t, though).

Isabel and Paulina argue with Mario looking on. Pau thinks it’s none of Isa’s business, but Isa says don’t think she’s going to keep quiet about this.

Arturo is begging Margarita, please come with me to tell Gregoria you were joking about our being back together. Marg says it’s the first time he’s ever said “please” and asked for a favor. She wants to hear it again. He grudgingly says “please” again, and she agrees to go straighten things out with his “lover”, which also gets him upset. At this point Pat enters with Patito in his arms, followed by Alicia. Seems the baby was fine. Art and Marg leave, and Alicia asks if the “lover” they were talking about was her mother, Gregoria. Pat confirms it, but doesn’t want to get involved. By the way, continues Ali, how come we came back to this house? Well, Pat wants the baby near him. Okay, says Ali, then you want us both here, and you know what? I’m tired of the guest (huésped) room. I think I’d like to sleep in the master bedroom (recámara principal). You could bear it for a few days, no?

Santi is pleading his case in front of the jury, which consists of Hortensia and the two chicas who were in the waiting room, all sitting on the sofa of his office. He’s not getting anywhere in convincing the chicas. Hort seems to be wavering. He even brings in (figuratively) the Reyes brothers from FELS to make his points, but so far, he's striking out.

Isabel wants Paulina to leave the house. Pau says not only will she not leave, but Isabel had better shut up about what she heard, or else Pau will do damage to Rocío! Are you capable of hurting your own child? Pau’s response? Test me and see, you’re a mother like me, you know how much influence a mother has over her child, imagine Rocío being sent to a string of psychiatrists, never to be cured. So you’d better stay quiet! She leaves.

Isabel is left with Mario, who hasn’t said a word, and they walk outside to talk. Isabel confesses that she never got along well with Pau, but Santi was so in love with her, she didn’t meddle. But what Isa really can’t understand is Eduardo! Huh? Isa continues, reminding Mario that he said Paulina was unfaithful with Santi’s best friend, and isn’t that Eduardo? Mario does the right thing, tells the truth, lets the bomb drop that Santi’s best friend was Mario himself! He was blindly in love with Pau. Isa thinks he should stay far away from Pau, that woman is dangerous. And has Mario told Santi? He's told him some, but Santi doesn’t want to hear about the past. Isabel concludes by saying that she may have to be quiet to protect her granddaughter, but Mario betrayed his best friend once, he may not have another chance to make things right if he does it again. Think hard about what you’re going to do.

Candy, in her office, is going through all the bad names she can think of for Santiago. She’s getting help in some of the word choices from Ceci and Lulu. She’s really mad, and she’s also mad at herself for being so stupid as to believe Santi could change. She doesn’t even want any tila tea! She caught Santi this time, but how many other times were there? She starts with the dichos. Out of sight, out of mind (she says corazon que no ve, corazon que no siente, although I thought it started with ojos que no ve). Lulu chimes in with one, the blacksmith’s son gets the wooden knife (en casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo). Candy says right, in the blacksmith’s house, wait a minute, what does that have to do with anything? Lulu doesn’t know, she just thought they were trading dichos.

Santi and Ed are complaining about their problems with Hortensia. Ed always wanted to be Chayo’s first. That’s okay, says Santi, at least you’re her last! But I wanted to be her first and ONLY, cries Ed into his coffee. Hortensia takes pity on him, reveals that Chayo found a condom in Ed’s jacket, was jealous, and made up the stuff about all the lovers. Santi can’t believe after all of Ed’s efforts, he’s unfaithful again. Ed is relieved, though, says actually Santi, it’s your daughter’s fault, which prompts Santi to explode until Ed reminds Santi about the condom party. All is forgiven, and Ed is so happy, he gives Santi a big kiss on the cheek and happily goes back to his office. And after he leaves, Santi is raving about his problem, who could have gotten into his office and put a handkerchief in his pocket, and Hortensia says she would never let anyone into his office, not even La Señora……Paulina! She remembers that Paulina was there earlier in the day, and Hort went to get coffee. Ah hah!

But we can’t leave this episode without at least one more trick. Arturo and Margarita arrive at Gregoria’s door. Greg doesn’t want to let them in. Art wants Marg to explain the little joke. So what does Margarita say? “Please, Gregoria, leave my husband. We’ve been trying to repair our marriage, it’s been so hard, please stop seeing him”! Art is impactado, wants to explain, but Greg has had enough, and even closes the door on his hand. Remember earlier when Greg told Candy all men are the same, and Candy said, no, some are worse? Well, that’s what Gregoria says to herself, You said it, some are worse!

Monday: Santi fights back!

Vocabulario:

Carreola – stroller, they also use cochecito
Engañando – deceiving, or tricking someone
Nadie tiene una vida comprada – one’s life is not set in stone
Pañuelo – handkerchief

Dicho del día:

En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo – the blacksmith’s son gets the
wooden knife, sort of like the shoemaker’s son gets the worst shoes

Labels:


Comments:
Loved the recap, the contrasting colors for vocabulary and dichos (I'll try it like that next time) and your phraseology....my favorites?...

Rocio as "innocent pawn of her devious plan". Beautifully put, Hombre

and after Raúl gave Soledad a bouquet "at least one of the romances seems to be flowering"...

I found this episode very frustrating. In spite of all the PSA's, telenovela rules of people acting stupid still rule. Chayo should have quietly asked her husband about the condom instead of going into that staged rant, and no way should Candy have assumed Santiago was unfaithful on the basis of that handkerchief.

Of couse, telenovela trumps PSA's but still....this seems to me to perpetuate the stupid, self-defeating ways people deal with each other.

Oh well, shut up and enjoy learning Spanish, Judy.
Thanks, I will!
 

Thanks, Hombre. You always write such entertaining recaps! I'm sure glad you're on the team. This was another excellent piece of writing.

Admit it, ladies, how many times did you replay the punching bag scenes? I'm sure I'm not the only one here with a tight-white-T-shirt fetish, and a fascination with how Camil moves. Put them together and.. I think I need to review that scene some more. To check the vocabulary, of course. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

And when he said he was exercising because of built-up adrenaline? Yeah, I think the priests recommend cold showers for that kind of "adrenaline."

When Santiago is trying to convince the "jury" (Hort & 2 patients), did you notice it was almost like Santi was dancing? It closely mirrored his dance style. Remember when Meño gave him the dance lesson, and when Meño left, Santi cut loose? Same dance style.

At the condom party, joking with his daughter about the size condom he needs? Eeeewwwwww!!!
 

Thanks for the recap, vocab and dichos Hombre. Time won't allow me to watch this one but I love checking in to read recaps and comments.

I'm happy it looks like Raul and Soledad will become a couple. They are cute together.

ITA with you Judy. I wish novela would not have people acting stupid as a rule. Yes, in real life we all act stupid but there is usually a method to our madness. Now I'll sit down, be quiet and learn more Spanish ;).
 

Hombre, great recap. Humor and English Lit., all done with style. Thanks. The protection party was a bit too much for me and apparently for poor Charly as well. How would you like to hand a condom to the boyfriend of your recent ex right before he plants a a sloppy wet kiss on her mouth? Oh where's a convenient hole to crawl into when you need it? I don't like Freddy(is that his name?) and I don't even know him. It's also good to see that Candy and Santi have a strong bond of trust. Jeez! Carlos
 

Heh...busted! I also rewound Santi's boxing scene. To learn Spanish.

The condom party had me howling with laughter. I don't think we're meant to like Freddie, he's got a big dose of the sleaze factor going on. Unctuous is the word that comes to mind.

I enjoyed this episode. Yes everyone was incredibly stupid but it moved right alone with no dull moments. For me the big surprise was that Mario admitted to Isa that it was he who had an affair with Pau. I guess we're not 100% surprised that someone is following him are we? We suspected he was hiding something.

I really like the way Paula dresses. Her stuff looks good on her.

I very much enjoyed your recap Hombre and I loved your blacksmith dicho. Thanks!
 

Oh, and one more thing. I know it's not very nice to say this but I quite enjoyed watching Lalo suffer. First, because the actor is a scream and does a great job hamming it up; second, because Lalo the character deserves a bit of torture after all he put Chayo through. There, I said it and now I feel better!
 

Thanks for the recap Hombre.
Boy, we're really getting a chance to see what a piece of work Paulina is, sheesh. She's going to try and give Mariloca a run for her money. Santi doesn't have a good track record in his choice of women. Marissa and Paulina, wooo, man, they are something. Makes you wonder about Candy. I know a lot of people here would come close to putting her in the disaster category as well. :-)

JeffMN
 

Thank you Hombre!
I agree Paula, can we see a lot more of the boxing scene with the white tee shirt and sweat pants???
He definitely looked his best!

The condom party went way too far in my humble opinion. Very dumb.

I think Pau is very pretty. She's very thin but just looks petite and delicate. Too bad she's evil through and through.

Carrie L.
 

Last night we went to the opera and saw a great prduction of Rigoletto and it was wonderful, but I couldn't keep from imaginin how you guys would have recapped it, and almost laughed out loud at the prospect. Talk about bad choices. These folks would fit right in in Mexidoon. Carlos
 

Ahhhh, Rigoletto...stumbling across a televised performance of Rigoletto in the early '80s featuring Pavarotti as the Duke is what turned me into an opera lover. Funny you should bring it up Carlos, one of the reasons I first enjoyed telenovelas was because they reminded me of opera. Crazy plots, crazy characters, and both opera and telenovelas are way over the top. Maybe Placido Domingo singing the theme song to Alborada (my first TN) had something to do with it.
 

Thanks, everyone, for the comments.

Paula: I agree Santi was dancing around, just like defense attorneys sometimes do when the client is guilty!

Carlos and Sylvia: I love opera, too! Rigoletto has a real telenovela moment near the end when Sparafucile, the assassin, tells his sister that instead of killing the handsome Duke, they'll kill the next person who walks through the door (and it's a stormy night). Two seconds later, the young ingenue Gilda (Rigoletto's daughter), dressed up as a boy, knocks on the door!

Of course, I'm happy that all our novelas have happy endings, whereas that's rarely the case with opera. But one thing that's better about opera is that all the "crying" scenes are sung!
 

Good point hombre. I wouldn't mind Santi singing through any of his lines. He could certainly pull it off. I wonder if Candy can carry a tune?
 

Variopinta, if you have the opportunity to sample Betty la Fea, do it. I did, and now I'm violating my own 2 TN rule to watch it. Carlos
 

Sorry, I thought I was posting on MEPS. Never mind. Carlos
 

Hombre, your recaps are always great but this was one of your best. Thanks for the vocab and Dicho.

Will Paula be the catalyst that puches Pat over the edge? "he could lose his son. But who is she to give advice, she says flippantly (but knowingly), as she leaves a pouting Pat, pondering this possible peligro." No Pat, be strong! You've come so far...

Carlos, I don't like Fred either. Just intuition - he's smarmy.

Sylvia, I had no sympathy for Lalo either. He's cheated on and hurt Chayo for years. I think Chayo's little charade got him off the hook much too quickly.

Hombre, as you and others have noted, unhappiness all the way around with the exception of Raúl and Sole.

I loved the nod to Rocky during the fight sequence with Santi yelling "Adrienne!" Very well done.

What is the point of the glass door in the middle of hall in Pat's apartment? It serves no purpose - one of those details that seems to make no sense.

Let's hope tonight's episode has a few more brighter notes.

Diana in MA
 

I agree Chayo's joke didn't come close to giving Lalo what he deserves, but I just can't hate him. The actor is too delightful to watch.
 

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