Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Tontas Tues June 16, '09 Paulina Sticks Like Glue and Santiago Gets A Clue

Alternative title: Marissa Goes Splat! And That's That.

Jeez, I thought this was supposed to be a reasonably light-hearted comedy. Really wasn't on board for that horrible drop off the balcony, pool of blood underneath Marissa's head, or the gruesome hospital scenes. Not exactly 7 pm viewing material in my opinion. But why quibble? Let's just resume what happened and move on.

Santiago is pacing in the hospital with Paulina hanging on to him like a limpet. The detectives (one of whom played a smarmy, corrupt politician in Guapos) tell him that Marissa is in grave condition and could die at any moment. No problem with police though. They explained everything.

Scene change: Candy is calling Santi's house for any news and being semi-hysterical. Still a little bit "it's-all-about-me" going on with her.

Back to the hospital. Santiago is trying to talk to Marissa (truly gruesome-looking in these scenes). Paulina is draped all over him and wants to know what he feels for the injured woman. "Compassion and guilt" are his replies. Guilt because, even though he tried to save her, he didn't. Paulina, playing her part to perfection, says piously, We must pray that she'll recover consciousness and tell us something. Marissa suddenly takes a turn for the worse and Santiago starts pressing frantically on her chest. I've taken CPR many times and seems to me he's pressing way too high up....but whatever.

Another scene change: We're back at Patricio's . Meño and Gregoria have joined them and they're hearing about Pato's accident. Was he hit by a hurricane?...well, the hurricane was Chava. Chuckles all 'round.

Again, with the hospital and Santiago fretting while Paulina hangs on for dear life. Detectives have no clue as to the baby's whereabouts.

Noisy scene now. Eduardo and Chayo are at the lawyer's office and so busy screaming at each other that nothing gets done.

But back at the hospital, Paulina seems to be making headway. She's brought Santiago a little "cafecito" and delivers it while leaning intimately on his knee. Far from brushing her off, he admits he wouldn't have wanted to be alone through all this, and he appreciates that she's being a "real friend". She gently reminds him that he should call home and let his folks know how things are. And, gulp, he should call Candy too. (Well played, Paulina!) He doesn't call her though, just his mom.

The detective now is holding up a hand recorder to Marissa's mangled mouth but her garbled and painful words are impossible to understand.

At Patricio's house, Candy gets the call from Isabella telling her about the London situation. Chava suggest that since Santiago hasn't found his baby, maybe they could give him Patito. (Sledgehammer Irony here). Patricio doesn't think it's a good idea and even Beto wants to hang on to the little bugger.

Chayo and Lalo's fight continues, meanwhile. He won't GIVE her a divorce but he COULD divorce her. And on what grounds? Abandonment of the home and adultery with Osvaldo. After more shouting, they decide on a pact (which he agrees to with his fingers crossed behind his back). He'll hide at her apartment. If anything fishy happens with Osvaldo, he'll be proved right. If not, he'll have to give her a divorce. Agreed.

Tensions are getting relieved at Patricio's house. First, an explanation of why Margarita flew the coop. She was tending an aunt who was in intensive care. Grandma is back now but can't be expected to handle three children on her own (Amen to that!) but then the situation changes when a summons appears and it turns out to be a notice that Candy has been granted custody of Chava. High-pitched squeals of delight.

In the hospital, Marissa keeps trying to talk. She manages to get out three words....Santiago....Alicia....baby. Of course the detectives are clueless. WHAT COULD THIS MEAN? Gotta string this out, you know.

Lalo's still trying to soften Chayo's heart....or at least get a drink, crimenently! Alas there's only water in the house so he trudges off to the bedroom to hide, awaiting Osvaldo's arrival and expected perfidy. More disappointment with the bedroom TV. No adult channels. Jeez! But the bed is comfortable. Osvaldo arrives with a plate of cheese and ham and a bottle of red wine. Hmmm....looks more like a date than a tutoring session. We shall see.

Santiago isn't making any more sense of the clues than the detectives. He doesn't think that Alicia and Marissa know each other so why would she mention her? The detectives promise to follow up any leads and have some experts listen further to the tapes though.

Flip again to a tender good-bye twixt Candy and Patricio. She can believe him now. He really didn't want to take Chava away from her and she tells him "te quiero mucho". (you're very dear to me). He wishes she could care for him the way he cares for her but....anyway, he would never want to hurt her. She promises that she'll keep Chava close to him, and that he can have him even more than twice a week if he wishes. They end by smiling at each other and saying "Equipo" (we're a team). We break for a slew of ads on a positive note.

And come back to dreadful drama. Marissa is dying...in spite of Santiago's frantic instructions to "breathe, breathe!". She manages a few parting words though. "You tried to save me....you were always a good man....A tear rolls down her cheek. He begs her to tell him where the baby is. She shakes her head and seems to be saying "What you did, what you did..." (closed captions failed at this point) and then she flat lines. Santi frantically calls for a doctor in English.

And boom, we're back in comedy territory with Lalo falling asleep as Osvaldo drones on and on about Freud and frigidity (He could do my job, muses Eduardo. He puts people to sleep!). Of course what he doesn't see is Osvaldo reaching for Chayo's hand....and Chayo pushing him away.

Remember Hombre's Friday title Act Your Age? Well, Candy and Chava are having a little love talk and clearly Chava makes more sense than his mom. Why aren't you and Santi getting married if you love each other? he asks. Er, because we had a fight and got mad at each other so he doesn't want to be with me anymore.

If you get mad at me, will you stop loving me, queries Chava. No, of course not! Then why is it different with adults? Well, we're more complicated. RIDICULOUS. But they have to string this out a few more days, so hang on. Act like you buy that silly explanation for now.

The hospital scene become surreal. The doctor's efforts to revive Marissa have failed. Nothing more to be done. Santiago starts pounding on Marissa's chest. Forgive me, but all I could think of was "abuse of a corpse". Found this scene really off-putting. But I suppose we are supposed to sense how frantic and hopeless and out of control Santiago is now feeling. But still, ugh....

Another ad and when we come back, we see the real Paulina. She's talking to someone on the phone, complaining about having to hang around the hospital all the time and not a minute to go shopping! What's a shallow fashion maven to do!? Santiago joins her, gives her the news that Marissa has died and all hope of finding his son is lost. He remembers the baby's ultra-sound, listening to the heartbeat, putting up the safety gate on the stairs, building the playhouse, and then the gruesome video where Marissa told him he'd never see his son alive.

Alright. Another change of pace. We knew Osvaldo would eventually make a mistake and he's pushing it now, insisting on a little kiss, unable to understand that Chayo's not interested. An enraged Lalo bursts out of the bedroom and lays claim to not only Chayo but the cheese and the wine, if possible. Osvaldo, all petulant now, snarls "I leave you to him. You deserve him."

Lalo's ready to settle in with the cheese dip and the drinks, but Chayo kicks him out as well. She doesn't want to see him till the day of the divorce. And she's keeping the cheese!

Back to Santiago. More despair. More clinging by Paulina. More promises by detectives to follow up on information and listen to the tape more fully. Next scene is on the plane where Santiago has one of those prophetic dreams and realizes the strange coincidence of Marissa leaving and then Alicia returning with a baby. The penny has dropped! Some more comic folderol with Camil abusing the air hostess call button and still more Paulina drapery but that's it for now.

Back at Meño's house, Gregoria has received a letter from Alicia saying she's finally found a guy who really loves her and values her. But no return address. Guess this is supposed to keep us on tenterhooks.

Now we're at the restaurant. Jaime is playing. Frijolito is singing. Nice tone but painfully flat. Oh well. The Institutas have arrived all together for dinner and Chayo is protesting that she never knew Osvaldo had the hots for her. The rest can't believe how dense she is. There's some man-bashing along the lines of "all they ever think about is south of the Equator" when Candy gets all sentimental and says, I found someone whom I could really talk to, walk hand in hand with....Santiago. Sigh. So Chayo, if you love Eduardo, try and work out your marriage. Don't divorce. Barb points out the obvious...that Candy and Santiago could also still make a go of it. Duh. And lastly, Lulu reminds everybody that actually "sex is good". Of course, she's only going on hearsay. Whatevah. We have totally covered the relationship question. Moving on.

Santiago is still in the plane with devious Paulina but he's dreaming of Candy holding the baby and then him holding Patito. Paulina finally decides to divulge that she knows where Alicia is....with Mario...in New York. Of course she doesn't admit scheming with Alicia to off-load Mario but she does agree to call and get their address when they land. More points for Paulina? Are you really worried Santi and Candy won't get back together? Of course not. But let's push this a little longer. Santi abuses the call button some more and then we switch to the final, really stupid, annoying scene.

There was some unpleasant teasing of Lulu about replacing her with a truly superior cook (Isabella) but when Meño heads for the kitchen, he finds Tina and Donato actually doing the work while Chabeli directs and criticizes and generally acts obnoxious. (quite unlike her usual character). Alright, fire me if you will, she concedes, but please don't tell Jaime the truth.

Yes, I'm Miss Crankypants tonight. But what a stupid scene and what a stupid scenario this whole competition between Jaime and Isabella was ! Does not advance the plot at all and makes two, up till now reasonably intelligent characters, look ridiculous. Ick and double ick.

Enough complaining. How about some vocabulary?

Vocabulario:

el chisme corre come polvora (lit. the gossip is spreading like gunpowder) the news is spreading like wildfire
una pista = a clue, what the detectives are looking for
equipo = team
escarmio = ridicule, derision
abogaducho de cuarto = third rate punk of a lawyer
no te di pie de esto = Chayo protesting that she "never encouraged that" from Osvaldo
me has tomado el pelo = you were having me on, you were fooling me. Meño to Isabella when he found out she wasn't really cooking
tapón de alberca = stopper in a sink (don't remember where this came up in the episode...but it did)

Dicho of the Day:

Más vale solo que mal acompañado = Better to be alone than in unpleasant company.

(Could apply to Santiago and stick-like-glue Paulina. Might refer to Chayo and Eduardo, depending on how you feel. Might even apply to Santiago and Candy, because some of us think he'd be better off without her!)

Labels:


Comments:
Thanks for recap Judy. But... seriously... How do you really feel? :)
Santi finally putting things together. I guess no one knew Ali and Mariloca were friends? Now are there any balconies or stairs for Pau to go ka-pau down? Pau is getting points here late. Will that save her from the anvils?

I followed along on Esmas. Tonight was Cap 133 and about halfway through Cap 134. Cramming as much in as possible.

JeffMN
 

Dear Ms.Crankypants, this was excellent! Very detailed and interesting, thank you so much Judy.
I love the "Ms.Crankypants" and think I will borrow it as my own if you don't mind. It seems to fit me lately!
I found the Marissa scenes very gruesome and hard to watch. A quiet splat with the few words uttered on the sidewalk would have been enough for me.
Pau is very annoying with the velcro cling. I thought only my little dog was expert at that.
I still like Chayo and Lalo together. They love each other but he has been sooo bad. I'm hoping they find a way.

Carrie L.
 

Thank you Miss JudyCP. I agree about Isa and Jaime; with all their cramming 7 episodes into 5 they have to leave that crap in? What silliness!

Whoever did Marissa's makeup deserves come kind of award. Dang it was hard to watch her crustified and oozing face and her one bugged out eye.

Ha! I love that you called Pau a limpet. You nailed that one, amiga. She was driving me crazy the way she kept pawing Santiago.

I'm glad Osvaldo finally showed his true colors. What a sleaze. Cute, but a sleaze. I think Lalo's monologe about forcing himself to stay open during Osvaldo's pompous "lesson" was the highpoint of the night. Nicely done actor-who-plays-Lalo!

Thanks Judy. Most excellent recap and simply superb vocabulary.
 

Thank you, Judy, for hanging in there. I loved the "Hanging on like a limpet."

Well, we found out that Ambrossini isn't scamming Santiago. But what's up with Detective Scott. What is it that I don't trust about that guy?

Santiago doing CPR - he did it wrong because he hadn't taken the class yet.

I'm glad to see they are condensing episodes. Can anyone tell me why they didn't condense the three near-identical episodes from last week?

The parts that are missing, as far as I can tell, are as follows. I was called away for part of the show, so I could be mistaken.
A. Gregoria chews out Art for messing with custody.
B. Chava asks Candy, "I’m home. Now you gonna’ marry Santi?" Or was that in there?
C. Beto asks Pat if Patito will look like Chava or Beto? Then a segment about looking for birth parents.
D. Ed tells the abandonados that Chay didn't betray him.
E. Two more scrapping segments between Santiago and the stewardess.

My point? If you thought what they left in was bad...

When Santi was on the plane and realized Patito could be his, and he stood up excitedly, was anyone waiting for him to lunge for the emergency exit?
 

Paula...yes, there were a couple of frantic stewardess calls by Santi...first for tequila, then for "servicio"...I just noted that by "call button abuse".

Yes, Chava did ask if Candy was going to marry Santiago and that's when they had the talk about why "adults are complicated" and when they fight and get mad at each other, they don't want to be together anymore.
 

Carrie L. Okay! You can have Miss Crankypants if I can have "velcro cling". Love that phrase. Could have used it last night for sure.
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Sylvia...in total agreement. The makeup on Marissa was "to die for" (sorry, couldn't resist). Very effective and very disturbing. And her words were so garbled, I was very grateful the closed captions were working....part of the time.
* * *

Jeff, my memory is hazy (on all things, a mixed blessing) but I think Marissa and Alicia kept their scheming friendship a secret....the better to hide the true origin of Patito's birth.

I don't care for Paulina but after that dreadful death scene with Marissa, I don't want to see any more deaths. Particularly not in close-up. I really just thought Marissa would be caught, perhaps jailed and at the last minute (say Thursday's episode) would finally confess Patito's whereabouts. Was NOT expecting this grisly end.
 

Back to you, Paula. On the other scenes, I don't have them noted down. I didn't leave the room but hey, my mind could have left the room!...
 

Started to check your link Paula, but then thought, we need a new category. Could we call you a "camilogist"? You really do have an impressive set of....archives...on that lad. Thanks amiga.
 

Judy: A "10" for your semi-final recap. Brillant and witty. I also thought "Ms. Crankypants" was a stroke of genius. Loved "Paulina drapery". You picked the perfect title although your second choice was just as good. Your vocabulary and dicho were fantastic. Thank you!

Someone posted recently that this is a comedy. I respectfully disagree - whatever the intent, for the most part, it's been a drama with some lighthearted moments thrown in- some amusing, some not.

I cringed at Marissa's death, particularly as it seemed drawn out and painful. Sabine did a great acting job. Sylvia, I echo your "Dang it was hard to watch her crustified and oozing face and her one bugged out eye." It really was...

When Marissa first mentioned Ali's name and Santi didn't make the connection, I started yelling at the TV. Thankfully, Santi heard me and did "get a clue" later on :).

I thought it was extremely strange that Santi didn't call Candy. Did anyone else think so?

I wish less time had been spent on Ed - there are so many other interesting characters and storylines that could have been fleshed out.

Looking forward to the next few nights. I saw yesterday that you and Hombre will be doing the finale. What an equipo!

Diana in MA
 

Ahah! Clever girl, Diana, you found a way to use the vocabulary again in your comment. I love it when you do that. "Bien hecho".

The whole Santiago/Candy separation thing doesn't make sense. The quality of their spat does not explain the severity of their rupture. No one would call off a serious relationship for a squabble like they had. This is just telenovela meddling to string out the tension till the finale.

He had a perfect excuse to call Candy (and even encouragement from snake-in-the-grass Paulina) but didn't. Contrived, contrived, contrived.

And you're right, Diana...this isn't much of a comedy. And frankly, in my Crankypants opinion, the intended comic parts, when they came, weren't that funny.

But...the show is drawing to a close now, and who knows? we may be feeling nostalgic for the old crew in just a few weeks. I, for one, am still holding out hope for Lulu and Toño. He looked like he was going to defend her when Meño started in on his "we've got a great new chef" routine.

Paulina can just fade back to New York. Patricio can become Patito's godfather and marry the cute lady doctor. Santiago and Candy can live happily ever after... for about 5 minutes... until she pitches another hissy fit about something. The kids can all grow up to be much smarter and wiser than the adults.

Oh and Arturo can get some kind of STD and have one of his defective buildings collapse on him.
 

Thanks Dr. Crankypants. I'm glad that you're not quite done yet. I do hope we're done with the killing off of characters. Last night was not pleasant romantic comedy.

My favorite part was Lalo agonizing be hind the bedroom door and then confronting Osvaldo. I'm pulling for him, as flawed as he is.

Now I hope I don't sound too much like Dr. Smartypants, but I'm pretty sure that polvora is gunpowder.

Carlos
 

Thanks Dr. Smartypants...you're right..."polvo" is dust, "polvora" is gunpowder. I'll correct that.

And I think most of us loved that scene with Lalo behind the door. I'm with you in hoping those two get back together. Like 'em both in spite of Lalo's horrendous marital mistakes in the past.
 

Okay...correction made. If there's anything else seriously "off" let me know. I sometimes play a little fast and loose...both with English and Spanish!
 

It's not very clear to me why they even need to find Alicia. She's happy for the moment and apparently couldn't care less about what happens with Patito. Let's get on with some DNA testing a unite Santi with his son.

Sorry Pato.

Carlos
 

You are all very kind people. I guess I'm a dirtbag (Spanish equivalent, anyone?), but I enjoyed every minute of watching Marissa ooze and die. She really pushed my buttons in earlier episodes. I was actually relieved when we had a that nice long break from her nightly meanness. Sabine Moussier is a very good actress! She does mean, loco, intense very well!

As for Pau, in true telenovela fashion, she really deserves a nasty fate as well. She was mean, conniving, abandoned her baby and husband, messed with the Mafia, etc, but when she messed with the kids' psyches, that was unforgivable! If Chava checked her heart, it would be truly bad! Off with her head!
 

Paula, wherever do you find your links? I'm amazed. That clip was a bit of a premonition I think. Didn't Javier Poza get in a motorcycle accident and dislocate his shoulder while they were filming this show?

Miss CP, I forgot to say I love your title(s)!

Paula's point about the three near-identical episodes from last week is a very good one. We certainly could have used some editing there. If we don't see some closure with Lulu and Tono I will be very annoyed. I am continually amazed at the numerous subplots that simply fizzle out.
 

Hmm...Deb...you've got me thinking. WHAT IS the Spanish equivalent of "dirtbag"? Will go searching after this.

Delighted to know someone enjoyed every minute of Marissa's suffering. After all, they worked very hard on the scene, the makeup artist was phenomenal...and you're right, Sabine Moussier did "heinous non-heroine" very well and I'm sure she's appreciate the kudos for a job well-done.

We love it when people disagree! (There's also controversy over whether Lalo and Chayo should get back together. I think it's about a fifty-fifty split.

So keep going for it and we'll try and figure out how to say dirtbag. Native speakers...any suggestions?
 

Nothing in my big Oxford dictionary, nor in my Mexican slang book,Deb, but the internet offers "gente corriente", "basura" or "vil" as possibilities. None of those have quite the juicy appeal of our English term but I suppose you could say "Call me "basura" and it would be close. Not that anyone ever WOULD call you "basura" mind you. As I said, we love differences of opinion on the characters in these shows.
 

Sylvia...yes, Paula's archives on this show are amazing. She knows the structure better than the writers themselves. I'd like to get her on a script team so we could upgrade these babies a little bit. Of course then we'd have less to kvetch about. Okay, forget that.
* *
Good point, Carlos...they don't need confirmation from Alicia if DNA testing would prove something. On the other hand, would Patricio agree to DNA testing without some serious indication from Alicia that the baby could be Santiago's? Hard to say. Or would Santiago feel entitled to request it, if it were only a hunch?

Oh, no.... All he needs is a little hair or salliva or whatever from that bambino and he could get the testing done without a request, right?

Okay. Point taken. Let's do it.
 

Thanks, Judy, for another great recap. Also loved your title and alternate title (and of course, the vocab). ITA about how silly the Isabel/Jaime spat is.

I can see how Marissa could die, since she really doesn't have anyone depending on her, whereas Paulina is Rocio's Mom, Arturo is Pat's Dad, so their final fates might not be so harsh.

I just had a weird thought, quite unlikely, but with Paulina sort of rehabbing her image lately, there's a remote possibility. That is, Pat and Paulina. Nuts? Well, assuming Santi and Candy get together in the end, Pat and Paulina have something in common, in that they both lost out to the one they love, and they both have kids where they lost custody. They're also both good looking, and both have ties to the mob (well, that part's not really so great!). Yes, it doesn't really make sense, but there's a kind of symmetry to it.
 

Great recap, Judy. It definitely was an aggravating episode and I was glad you didn't go all sweetness-and-light on us. Your Miss Crankypants was excellent.

You'd think Candy would be all out of 'hissy' by now. She appears to have more than she needs, and is determined to share.
 

Whoa...I can't get my brain around the idea of Pat and Paulina together, Hombre. But it's an outside-the-box thought for sure and who knows? These crazy writers have surprised us before. (I really don't think Paulina has reformed though. She's just faking care and concern to get her clutches on Santiago again.)

A more fun notion (to me) is Paulina heading back to NYC and having a little "ménage à trois" with Alicia and Mario. The more the merrier!
 

Did Marissa gain any redemption by trying to tell them about Alicia and the baby? She tried. I thought perhaps she would fall down a stairs in the usual TN fashion. :)

"Gregoria has received a letter from Alicia saying she's finally found a guy who really loves her and values her." Yeah, you bet Alicia. Take that to the bank.

Chava does appear to be growing up a little. "If you get mad at me, will you stop loving me, queries Chava" In the past, he would probably be running out the door trying to get back to Pato's. Also, he is just so right.

JeffMN
 

Hi Emilia. In my Crankypants persona, I would analyze Candy as someone who has basically been blessed by life...beauty, brains (somewhat), a healthy child, plenty of people in love with her (male and female) successful in her career (although God knows why) and for the most part COMPLETELY UNGRATEFUL.

She's a whiner and an "omigawd I'm so upsett-er" of the first order. And I'm completely tired of her. Don't know if it's the writers' fault or mine, but the woman annoys the living p... out of me.
 

Jeff...yes, I think Marissa earned some redemption. I would hope that the Universe would cop her a little credit for trying to tell the story of Patito's adoption, in spite of incredible pain.

And let's not forget her earlier pain of being impregnated at fifteen, left to go through a painful abortion all alone, and later, as an adult, being dumped by Santiago for Candy. I mean the lady has suffered in life and not always for her own selfishness. At fifteen, she learned about tough times the hard way.

Clearly Chava is on his way back to being a wise and lovable little boy...perhaps ready to show his mom she needs to take the first steps towards making up with Santiago. It can't happen too soon for me, regardless of my churlish feelings towards our putative heroine.
 

Hey, Judy, a perfect articulation of why I cannot stand the Candy character! And a great recap too - thanks!

Well: I finally got my wish to see Marissa w/o the pale 60s lipstick and grotesquely excessive eye liner, so that was nice.

You're too kind to speak of Paulina as a limpet. I was thinking more like a gorging leech. Felt really bad for Santiago having that critter attached. Especially having to sit next to her on the plane.

Didn't we have surreptitious hair snipping for DNA in QE?

I am ready for this one to be over and, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn about who ends up with whom.
 

Judy, you're welcome to "velcro cling". I like "crankypants", and Carlos, "smartypants" is a name I remember from when I was a kid.

I don't know about Pau and Pat. I've gotten to like Pat quite a bit and Pau should crawl back into the wordwork somewhere.

Pau, Ali and Mario? Yuck! I can't even imagine it.

I too hope Lulu and Tono may walk off into the sunset together. Maybe in the closing credits?

Pau's clinging would have bothered me a lot if I had been Camil.
Of all the actors she is the one who most gets under my skin.
Hmm, kind of like a chigger? Aren't they the small red bugs you find in the woods that burrow under the skin? I seem to remember that from my southern relatives picking wild blackberries.

Carrie L.
 

Thanks for the recap Judy and the fun title.

I am shocked that Marissa's ending was so gruesome. Though Pau and Art (and Ali) don't have to go in that fashion, they do need some chastisement.

Loved your like Paula!
 

One of the books I read called someone un pedazo de inmundicia which has sort of the same flavor. The character referred to was not loved by all. Also for anyone interested in a very comprehensive list of Spanish pejoratives, I refer you to pages 177-180 (Barbara Patterson)of Detectives Salvages by Roberto Bolaño. Hair curling.

Carlos
 

Hi Karen. Glad to have you checking in. Yes, chastisement for Alicia and Arturo...but not in such bloody drastic fashion. For Alicia, being with Mario may be punishment enough. Either he will tire of her or becoming a clinging impediment as he became with Paulina. Either way, downbeat.
* * *

"Gorging leech" yowsa, Mike. Good one. Glad we're on the same side though (Candy-wise). Wouldn't want to make YOU mad, good buddy.

Loved the "frankly I don't give a damn" signoff. I'm with you.
 

Carrie, yes "smartypants" does bring back grade school memories. When my kids were growing up that called it "acting big". Have no idea what they say now, but give my granddaughter a few more years and I'm sure I'll be in the know.

* * *

Carlos...excellent translation, as far as I can tell, for "dirtbag"....I LIKE "un pedazo de inmundicia". Since we're fond of Deb can we soften it to "pedacito de inmundicia"?

I have the Bolano book by the way, thanks to your and Cheryl's discussion but haven't gotten past the first page or two. Will have to skip ahead and check it out.
 

Judy, loved your recap. I read it last night before beddy-bye. You are a great writer. I just realized this show is ending this week, right? I have not seen any of the episodes this week as I was out stuffing my face with friends/family celebrating (Ha!) my bday. So, thank you all for your wonderful recaps.

I do hope Alicia comes back to town and Pat gives it to her for her horrible scheme. Maybe she will end up with Arturo, ha-ha! Ed and Chayo will probably be brought together as will Charly and Lucia. Is that her name, I always forget it. Maybe Pau will head back to NYC and hook up with Mario again. It will be interesting to see how it all winds down.

I started watching this show and Cuidado to learn Spanish. While that hasn't really happened, what has is that I have found a great bunch of people to "talk" with everyday. I will miss you when the show ends.
 

Happy Birthday, Violet!!
 

Hey Violet...Don't MISS us, STICK WITH US...at least until the semester starts again. Know you'll have very little time then. But the telenovela coming up couldn't possibly be worse than Cuidado (became) or Tontas... and what I've found is that with a different group of writers, one learns a different set of vocabulary and dichos. So that's all to the good.

And Happy Birthday to you (Feliz Cumpleaños). Once a person gets past fifty, I say CELEBRATE with abandon. We're blessed to have lived as long as we have, blessed to have the freedoms we enjoy and the good health that wonderful nurses-to-be like you will help us sustain.
 

I will stick with you. I doubt I will be in school anyway in September. Have to wait for a spot in clinicals. My daughter bought a Spanish DVD learning set for me, so I will give that a shot also to try to learn more Spanish. It would help if my captions worked on the TV I usually watch. For some reason, it does not work.

You're right, being healthy and having fun and loving life, having good friends and family is all that is important. Age is just a number! My daughter's friend said "no way do you look 55." I gave him a big hug and told him he made my day!

I hope all of you will be back for the next show. I don't even know what it is going to be, but I will check it out. You're right nothing could be worse than CCEA. I just laugh when I watch it, it has become so ridiculous, but I've got to stick it out until the end!
 

Good to know you'll be sticking with us, Violet. And those DVD's and CD's really help. I listen to Spanish CD's in the car (not the best of drivers so sometimes that's not a good idea). Our show will be Gancho al Corazon with the requisite turbulent love triangles I'm sure.

* * *
Carrie L. Forgot to acknowledge your "chigger" suggestion for Paulina. Excellent. She is a burrower and an irritant for sure.
 

Judy, so I'm a Camilogist? Works for me. You referred to Paula's archives. You do know, don't you, that that is the name of my web site? I love putting useful information into an accessible format for people, whether it be Camil's career, categories of Mexican traditional music, or the stages of art history.

Sylvia, that link was easy to find. It's not in my files, but I watched as much of Aventura por Mexico (AXM) as I could find on the net (and learned a lot about the regions of Mexico), so I knew they took a first aid class before they left. You're right. On AXM Javier's tire got caught in a gully, he was thrown from the bike, and he broke his clavicle into three pieces. He got five pins. You're also right about that clip as premonition. The scene was reenacted out on the road - same Javier lying on the ground, same men helping put him on the back board, same head restraint as they carried him to the ambulence. Sylvia, do you know anything about Javier? He seems very likeable, upright, and really has his head on straight, especially for someone in entertainment. And a beautiful singing voice.

The AXM clip I can't find is where they ride the DF subway, and Javier teases Jaime for never, ever having ridden the subway, being the poor little rich kid. He gets in a couple of good jabs, and Jaime is busted.

As for my Camil info in general, his exuberance fascinates me, and the way he dives into everything wholeheartedly. The good looks don't hurt, but there are much better looking chavos out there, and I don't pay much attention to them. It's the exuberance that gets me. So I check YouTube regularly, sorted by newest first, to see if any new interviews or other clips have been uploaded. Most of it is blither, but now and then I find new info, such as news of his next project, Pels.
 

I have nothing to add that everyone hasn't already said, but I really enjoyed your recap, Judy. Candy really does seem like the white elephant prize...way more trouble than she's worth.

I love Lalo. Hate infidelity, but love him. Can't help it. I want him to win Chayo back.

Happy birthday, Violet! For what it's worth, I watched telenovelas quite diligently for about a year before I started to really understand the language at all. It just takes time!
 

That is encouraging to know that it took you a while, Julia, to comprehend. I did take beginner's Spanish in the fall with my daughter and thought we would converse and really learn the language together, speaking it at home, etc. She was NOT cooperative at all! I think that is a great way to learn, just by speaking it constantly. She said she will cooperate now, we'll see! I just love this language.
 

Exuberance...nice call on what make Jaime Camil so adorable, Paula. That exuberance might be tiring in the long run (didn't his mom have to sedate him on plane rides?) but it sure accounts for a lot of his charm.

* * *
"white elephant prize"...wonderful way to describe Candy! Thanks Julia. As you know, I'm a big fan of your way with words. I'll add that to my arsenal along with "gorging leech" (Mike) and "chigger" (Carrie) for Paulina.

* * *

Ay yi yi, Carlos...I read those pages you mentioned in Detectives Salvajes and I feel soiled. Like I've just cleaned up Mike's famous gas station women's bathroom or something.

Reminds me of when I was a blithe, protected teenager and started working in a public cafeteria. The swear words I heard in the break room just boggled my Presbyterian Sunday School mind. How could a car be a "mother....er"?! I thought damn and hell and the super-duper "gawdamnit" was the ultimate. Whew. Educational. Was so relieved to head out to college after that summer. But I never forgot it, that's for sure.
 

Not to be a naysayer, Violet, but I question how much you can learn by speaking to each other. You may just reinforce bad habits since you are both novices in the language.

Better, in my opinion, to find a native speaker and practice with them (if they're willing)

Paula does this and can give you some excellent advice on how to drum up contacts. Paula, can you pop back on and give Violet some counsel?
 

Hmm... how's this for an end for Alicia and Mario? They kill each other fighting over who gets to use the mirror.
 

Violet, try recording the show, then watching with the recap in hand. Read ONE scene for what to EXPECT to hear, and then watch the scene and try to hear what the recap says to expect. Then go on to the next scene. That's what I did when I started, and in two months my comprehension doubled. And 18 months later I could recap without CCs.

Dirtbag: Wordreference forums suggested the adj. infame (vile), but I like pedazo de inmundicia better.

The scenes that were condensed out of the show. Tuesday was Cap's 133 and part of 134, Mexico numbers. They start at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUnv1fP_TjY , and the episode extended part way through Cap 134, Clip 2. Honestly, you didn't miss much. For example, you see Santiago start to talk to the stewardess, and the US broadcast cuts it short, while in the original they carried it on longer.

Paulina the limpet / chiggar / gorging leech. Monday's drunk scene, when she's feeding him like a mama bird, did you hear Santiago complain about her invading his personal space? That's a recurring theme for him.
 

Unfortunately, I have no native speaker to play with, Judy! I do have a good friend who is from Colombia, but she is so busy with going back to school also, family, always, always on the go, and she also teaches Spanish to 8th graders and also to little kids, so really no time for me. She also lives in a different part of the state and we Rhode Islanders refuse to travel more than 20 minutes to get anywhere, really! I thought speaking what we learned in class would be good for us and also to retain it, as now, since we have not spoken, we have just about forgotten everything la professora taught us! I even had to look up the verb conjugations for "ser" and "estar!"
 

p.s. thanks Paula for that advice.
 

Violet, check back in a little bit, and I'll have the study-partner advice for you.
 

Okay Violet, it's up. I call it "Finding a Spanish Study Partner" on this menu.

I should also create a page for novelas as Spanish study. When I do, it will go onto that menu as well.
 

Paula, what's "Preterite?"

Is that we old boomers used to call "past tense?"
 

Violet, didn't mean to be discouraging but I knew Paula would have some excellent advice for you and she did.

I had a wonderful student from Columbia who helped me for a while (we did 30 minutes of exercise as she had formerly been in one of my classes before she fell ill) and 30 minutes of conversation.

She has since passed away but I think of Rosita every day and all she did for me.

Occasionally I have moments of Spanish conversation with one of our school custodians but those times are few and far between.

So I talk to myself! and talk to the cat. But I'm not learning anything new, just using what little I already have. With a real live native speaker, you'd be learning new.

But your idea of consolidating what you've already learned in class is a good one. And if your daughter jumps in too...always good.
 

Loved your "mirror" quip, Mike. Or Alicia could strangle Mario with that long scarf he always has trailing around his neck.

Preterit is the simple past tense. As opposed to the imperfect past which indicates an action that was ongoing, not fully completed.

Boy! do I hate grammar! (and hope I haven't goofed up this explanation)
 

Here's an insight one of our tech guys told me yesterday. Francisco's from the Dominican Republic and he said that the fast talk and forms of speech common in Caribbean Spanish are considered brash and uncouth on the Central American mainland.

Anyone else ever hear that?
 

Judy, I think with your recap, the gloves have come off. I have been trying to keep sticking my pasted-on smile back on, but it keeps falling off like a fake moustache on I Love Lucy. You've opened the door, and maybe it's time let my paper smile fall off.

I really enjoyed this show, despite its faults (poor plot development) up through the engagement. But after they returned from PV, the faults kept getting bigger and the charms got smaller. And ever since the interrupted wedding, it has hit bottom. I find myself longing for FELS, por amor a dios!

Here we are in the final week, which is supposed to be the best. The best they can manage for our heroes' relationship is a childish tantrum? And Santiago, the man who endured every kind of rejection from Candy and kept coming back for more, now is kept away because she stamped her little foot? The man who moved heaven and earth, now his accepted his fate as hopeless, and he quit trying? If that situation were some silly side plot, I could endure it. But it is supposed to be the focal point of the climax of this show! I'm hating it. I'm hating it bad.

I've worked really hard to minimize my rants in the past. But you can only stuff so much. As for Candy, I've disliked her from the beginning, and that feeling has steadily grown. I'm left longing for a SPLAT! (Kidding. Mostly.)

I don't want to finish this post entirely dark. As I said, I enjoyed the show through PV. And it was okay until the canceled wedding. But the last eight episodes have been agony. Just agony.
 

P.S. I was wrong about episode numbers. Jeff was right. Last night was 134 and part of 135.
 

Thank you very, very much, Paula.

Judy, I talk to my dog in Spanish, the little that I know!
 

Ahoy there Paula, glad you got that off your chest. Absolutely the silliest plot contrivance for a couple to break up ever. What a farce! Glad I could provide a couch, so to speak. Now go and fume no more, my child.

* * *
Glad to know you talk to your dog in Spanish, Violet. I worry sometimes about talking to myself out loud (especially when my son catches me at it) but it seems a logical outgrowth of talking to Kizzie.

* * * *
Mike, can't corroborate what you heard, but every Spanish-speaker that I know seems to denigrate the Spanish from other countries.

People from Spain believe they speak the only "correct" Spanish. People I know from Columbia have told me theirs is the one correct accent. People from other countries disagree...THEIRS is the only right way to speak. And so forth and so on.

When I was in Paris, I had a good British friend who adored me in French and absolutely hated me in English. He found my American accent very" peasantish" and unpleasant.

Not sure what that proves but language snobism is alive and well in all cultures.
 

Judy, right, I guess it was mi amigo's admission that others would consider his Spanish to be less than exquisite was what struck me.
 

Judy, did you read that in Spanish? I shudder to think how that might sound translated to English. Since you have the book, another chapter of note is 22 de noviembre, pages82-85 in which famous writers are classified as to their sexual preferences. It is hilarious.

Carlos
 

Paula, thanks for sharing your qualms about the show. I think that you accurately expressed the sentiments of a number of us who have faithfully endured through the ups and downs of the lovely Candy. I suppose I can last through 4 more hours to be able to say that I survived las Tontas no Van a Cielo. Do we get tee shirts?

Carlos
 

Carlos, rather than tee shirts, I propose some sort of appliance that you can add to. On a grandmother ring you can add extra stones. Or extra charms on a charm bracelet. Or army uniform ribbons let you insert little pins (Mike, what's the jargon for them?). Or merit badges on a scout's sash.

I'VE GOT IT! BEANIES!

The beanie would say, "I Survived." And we would have little patches, like merit badges, for the various novelas we survived. The worse the novela, the bigger and flashier the badge.
 

Paula, I meant to say yesterday how grateful I am for your lists, organization, knowledge, and (yes) Camil files.
You are an encyclopedia of information and it's been appreciated by all of us I'm sure!

I haven't minded the mindless drivel that's come out of much of the show.
I of course could watch Camil doing absolutely ANYTHING!
Lalo and Chayo are cute characters.
Meno is my favorite.
The kids and Candy are tolerable, sometimes barely.
Pat has grown so much I like him quite a bit.
The witches were fun to hate.
Pau gets under my skin big time.
Luc and Charly were both sweet and likeable.
Lulu too and Tono. Kind of opposite in looks but similar in personality. Maybe compatible is a better word.

I'm sorry it's ending although I'll be glad not to see anymore of Candy's demanding temper and constant toothy smile!

Carrie L.
 

Paula, they're collectively referred to as "devices" but the most common are the bronze oak leaf clusters.

But I think that you good folks who make the time to treat us to the recaps deserve mucho mas. Something on the order of battle streamers to attach to your guidons (especially for gutting it out on this dog of a show) or at least a gold star for each TN recapped under your name on the sidebar.
 

Hey Carlos...I have it in Spanish. So I'll check those other page numbers. Pretty sure this is vocabulary I won't be able to use under any circumstances though!
* * *

Paula, Beanies mash down my fluffy hair. I'll have to vote for tee-shirts (good for exercise and yard work...can never have too many).
* * *

Carrie...thanks for appreciating the wonderful work that Paula has put in with her archives, her links, and her encyclopedic knowledge of our galan, Jaime Camil. She is truly amazing and we are going to miss her as a teammate.
 

I happen to like this show for several reasons that have nothing to do with the story. First, I like all the bright colors (maybe I'm really five). Candy's house looks great, the clothes are always colorful, the Institute looks great. It's all just so bright and happy.

Second, the ladies. They may not be the sexiest (although Alicia is), but Soledad, Chayo, Barbara, Paulina and Candy are all quite beautiful, and by turning down the sound, the show is perfect! Just kidding, I never really do that.
 

Hi Mike...missed your comment while I was writing mine. How sweet to want to add some stars beside our names. But you know....

We do this gladly...for love of Spanish, for love of writing....and for love of you all, our reader-commenter-friends. I treasure everyone on this blogsite and look forward to reading your comments everyday. You brighten up my mornings and my evenings considerably and are a "positive addiction" pf the order.
 

Hpmbre. thanks for pointing out the visual perks of this show. Meño's house is marvelous. I'd love living in something similar.

The ladies are lovely and I agree, Alicia is quite the bonbon. And as I've noted before, she has marvelous form when she's doing her exercises. Would be interesting to see her in a "good" role. She's always been the wicked female so far.

On Juan Querendon, we had a male viewer/watcher who didn't know a word of Spanish and didn't care. He had the hots for the main actress and didn't mind not being able to understand a word of what was said....by anybody!

Come to think of it, that might be the "ideal woman". Drop dead gorgeous and....mute.

Just kidding....
 

Judy, I certainly could never imagine you using such language,English, Spanish,or French...OK, maybe French. Carlos
 

Ah Carlos...you can always make me smile, amigo. Yep, it's true that nothing seems quite as naughty in French. And it always sounds nice even when it's not!
 

Ahoy all, I really enjoyed getting home from a LONG and TIRING day at work to read all your hilarious comments.

Happy Birthday Violet!!! I'm one of those folks who likes to draw birthdays out for at least a month so I hope you enjoy yours to its maximum.

Paula, I know very little about Javier Poza, only what I have read in People en Espanol. (Which I purchase for educational purposes only!) I was delighted to see that in your video he seemed as lively as Jaime Camil and perfectly able to maintain equilibrium in the energy level.
 

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