Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Gancho Tuesday July 7, '09 Feudin', A-Fussin' And A-Fightin'

And that's just the women in this series. Not only is Moni throwing her usual series of punches but Gabriela jumps Jeronimo and darn near strangles him to death. And Constanza slaps Mauricio so thoroughly his head spins and his lovely hair gets mussed. Clearly the female is the deadlier of the species in this one. So far anyway.

Tonight we start right up with a little comeuppance for our faithless Estrella. Ricardo arrives to pick up, not our little star, but rather a new super-dolled up Paula. Instead of antler-rattling, the two women hoist their bosoms at each other in the face-off. Ricardo looks a little dazed. To make a long story short, he takes Paula to a lovely restaurant, not the little taco stand where he took Estrella. Paula implies that he knows a cheap date when he sees one. Low blow. Frankly I'm rooting for Estrella in this hookup. But we shall see.

Now back to the main romance. We ended last night's episode with "Are you in love with your novio/a?" They're both fudging. You answer. No you. I asked you first. You "quiere" your novia very much, right? Yes. And you...yes...both times they used the verb "querer" rather than "amar". But the discussion goes nowhere and Moni feigns an overwhelming need to go back to sleep. She wakes up all alone and thinks Mau has abandoned her but he soon arrives in a crisp, seemingly pressed blue shirt and she makes him turn around while she too gets dressed.

Now, how do they get back to the office? With a helicopter. Don't ask me how they found that means of conveyance without a phone but the whole point of the scene was that she finally agrees to get into that infernal machine, in spite of her fear....because actually, she doesn't feel afraid with him either. It's "magic".

I love the theme here even though it's pure BS. Find the right person, and life becomes magically easy and glorious. Fears fade away. Confidence increases. LIFE IS GOOD. What's more, lush romantic music plays every time you look at each other all goofy. Ojala! Fairy tales for adults. But ya know, sometimes you just need a good bedtime story.

Well, life isn't good at the office. Gabi arrives to find a sexy babe names Romine at her desk and Jeronimo in Mauricio's office, ready to take over the business and fire Gabi and our Silver Fox on the spot.

And life back in the barrio is a little rough as well. Nieves has seen Moni getting out of Mauricio's taxi. She knows something's up. And Beto's raising Cain about where she was last night. Our loyal Estrella rescues her, claiming Moni called her at 4 am from the police station where she'd gone to explain her part in the necklace caper. And since it was so late, poor Moni just bunked on one of the station benches, cold and harsh though it was, until she could come home later in the day.

Poor Moni. Suddenly Beto is all protective, offering to fix her something to eat (that goes by the by though), then telling her don Cesar has a fight lined up for her and it's time to start training. Chop chop! The good news is Beto won't be her trainer. Don Cesar will be in charge.

In the meantime, Gabi, with no training whatsoever, is taking down Jeronimo big-time, strangling him quite effectively in spite of Salvador's half-hearted attempts to restrain her. Great fun until Mauricio arrives and is outraged to see such unfriendly goings-on in the office. (Our Mau is quite handsome, overdevelopped pectorals aside, but such a dunce otherwise!) He wants everything to be sweetness and light although he himself gets a little strident, vowing to fire everybody if they don't straighten up and fly right. Jeri fakes reconciliation while Gabi and Salvador slink out, glaring at him.

So now our Moni's trying to get to the gym but not before Estrella tries to glean the juicy details of her night with Mau. But there are none. Not even a little "beso de lenguita" (French kiss)? probes Estrella. Nah. In the process of leaving, once more Monita forgets her cellphone. Of course this will lead to trouble. (Wonder what the writers did before cell phones were left lying around and the wrong people answered them?)

Right before we go to ads, Constanza arrives at the office and gives Mau a head-spinning, coiffure-rattling slap. And with our mouths hanging open, we're left to look at ads for a few minutes.

Moni's distracted at the gym. Don Cesar probes like an understanding grandad but she fibs and says she's just tired. And Mauricio ain't just fibbin', he's telling big whoppers. How he left Moni after he found her and er, went to look at the purchase of some land around there. Constanza reminds him her father owns those lands. Whoops. If only he'd asked her to go with him...oh but I spent the night in the car. Not romantic at all. The whole thing blows over (seemingly) and she sweetly asks if he's going to be home to eat with her and the kids. Uh huh...our Connie is definitely plotting something.

As soon as she leaves, Mau calls Moni. Beto answers the phone. I'm her boyfriend...who are you? Mau hangs up.

Alright, As much as I love romance, my favorite couple (or non couple) is Salvador and Gabi. She's draped over his desk, bosom at the ready, telling him how great he was in the confrontation with Jeri. No you were great. No you were. Closer and closer, eyes locking, chests heaving and then Salvador pulls the plug. Time for you to go back to your desk, Gabi. Got to give this guy props, he's doing his best to stay true to his cranky wife. Meanwhile, the perfidious Jeri is planning on cleaning out the "garbage" in the office...in other words, my favorite couple! NOOOOOO.

After the intercepted phone call, Beto's on the rampage. Making a pest of himself in the gym (nothing new there) and interrupting the practice bout Moni's in to demand an explanation for the phone call. Our distracted Moni drops her guard and gets punched out by the other boxer, leaving her with a big shiner. This too will lead to trouble.

In the meantime, our Villain Lovers are each working their corner of the street. Constanza is making arrangements for the children to go to the school she attended. They'll learn English there in addition to the other courses. Mau wants to give the kids a choice but Connie insists that he's in charge and he gives the orders. Aldo resists, Luisa is up for it, and Dany looks sceptical.

Villain Lover II, Jeri, meets with Lorenza to plant the idea that Gabi and Salvador are lovers (well, if Gabi had her way, they would be...) He promises to catch them and provide proof so there'll be a scandal at the office and Lorenza can get a divorce if she likes.

Meanwhile, little Moni has decided she can't go to the office with a black eye. They might find out she's a boxer. Horrors! Let's make up a crazy story...like I have a pulmonary embolism and need to miss work. Sure. That's reasonable. We watch the next set of ads in a daze.

Tano's in the office, trying to talk to Mauricio who's in even more of a daze than I am. Tano quickly figures out it's not Connie, it's not the kids, it's "la famosa Monita". Right on. When he hears the words "pulmonary embolism" Mauricio wants to send a doctor over. But hey, why not go himself? Good Lord, this guy can't even handle a steaming radiator, what's he going to do with an embolism?! At least he takes Tano with him. This guy clearly has SOME skills. The plan? See if the boyfriend's there. If he's not, Maury will go in and check on Monita. Just then, Moni heads out, shiner in full view and a cantankerous Beto right behind her. Maury's outraged. Clearly the beau has been beating on his darling. He's ready to storm in and punch him out himself. Another set of ads while we imagine just how this would go.

When we come back, Tano has stopped Maury from doing anything stupid. But trouble is still a-foot. A huge, rather obscene display of red flowers (passion? lust?) arrives at the office for Gabi. And tucked inside a gift box on her desk is a flimsy, semi-transparent red bikini and a matching red bra. And what about the note!? Meet me at the hotel, at 2 pm and let's bring our fantasies to life. Merciful heavens, I may have to go lie down after this. Jeri, of course, is watching gleefully from the sidelines, sure our middle-aged would be lovers will fall into his trap.

Constanza has dragged to the kids to look at the school and is bragging about how she was the captain of the volleyball team and blah blah blah. Luisa's entranced and Aldo is put off. This is a rich kids school and he wants no part of it.

And don Cesar wants no part of Beto. He's back in the gym, trying to horn in on Moni's coaching. Cesar packs him off. And the other fighters don't want him around either. Poor Beto.

And Salvador? Let's just say when Gabi waltzes into his office clutching the transparent bikini and bra to her chest and asking WHO SENT THEM?....well, he's looking muy impactado...and sure 'nough, we go to another ad.

When we come back, we see Beto trudging along with a six-pack (of beer, not abs, alas) and Mauricio goes after him. And then we're back at the gym. Cesar's telling Moni to take a break, but she spots Mauricio and goes into her typical crouch, hiding behind her coach so our galan won't realize she's a boxer.

Previews: More skullduggery. Our villain lovers are plotting to get rid of Moni. Does Jeri want monetary reward? Nope, He has something more intimate in mind for him and Connie.
Mauricio is fighting with Rolando at the racetrack.
Maury's also at Moni's house while Beto pounds at the door and Monita fibs and says Beto's her brother.
And later Mauricio and Moni appear to be having a magical night together (but not in bed, folks)

Vocabulary:
la condesa = the countess, (Estrella flinging gibes at Paula)
cara de fuchi = yucky face
no me chupo el dedo = lit. I'm not sucking my thumb. In other words, I wasn't born yesterday. (Beto confronting Moni)
te trae de un ala = you're in love (Tano to Mauricio)
cara tan trompuda = such a stormy face
depistado = distracted, head in the clouds
mandar a la goma = dump (as in dump a boyfriend)
matasanos = doctor
fresca come una lechuga = fresh as a daisy (lit. a lettuce)
yo no fui = it wasn't me, I'm not to blame...
mirar a alguien de reojo = look at someone out of the corner of one's eye (Aldo imagining the rich kids giving them the fisheye at school.
ni con chochos = no way! (not even with candy or not even drugged) Monita, initially refusing to get into helicopter
moquetazos = big punches

Dicho of the Day

Echando a perder se aprende = You learn by making mistakes. Experience is the best teacher.

Well, our folks are making plenty of mistakes in this one. Fibs, lies, hooking up with the wrong people. But in the cosy world of the telenovela universe, we know all will come right in the end. Don't you wish everyday reality were this orderly ? Ah, bedtime stories. So soothing.

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Comments:
Judy, what a nice surprise, 2 Judys in 3 days. Awesome. Very funny. My favorite scene was xery fleeting. When Mao returned home, he was with Connie and Danny came running up. She jumped into his arms ans started to tell him how worried they all were because... Connie from behind Maos glared at her threateningly. Of course Danny shut up but it looked like she almost cracked up. Connie's fun and I gink the kids are improving. Carlos
 

And I gink that Estrella is great but wher is our Ximena? Carlos
 

Wow, I always feel myself getting smarter when I read your recaps--delightful as always, what vocabulary! And, yes, king-size beds are a god-send for any relationship!
 

Hola Condesa, er...I mean Judy. Great vocab words tonight. I find I get very lazy on your recap nights because I know you will do a great job of translating the interesting phrases.I agree with Carlos, the kids are improving.

Too right, where is our Ximena? This was an action-packed episode but we miss her. My favorite scene was when Gabi was strangling Geronimo.

Thanks Judy!
 

Thanks for the recap Judy and the vocab and dichos.

I also miss Ximena. And totally agree with Sylvia that Gabi strangling Jerry was my favorite scene.
 

I'm trying to stop in with everybody and say hi before I leave for three weeks. You're good to do the vocab, I got too lazy to do it a long time ago. Thanks for all.
 

Good morning you all. Yes, our wacky Ximena is sorely missed. There are lots of peripheral characters in this that I really enjoy in addition to the main characters.....

Tano and Ricardo are both quite likeable and will eventually win their feckless women (I hope) and don Cesar cracks me up. He's ALWAYS trying to get rid of Beto. Clearly a smart guy.

And Aldo's churlishness is often quite appropriate. He's right about how the rich kids will treat them at the new school Constanza's proposing. We used to move every year (my dad was with Dupont) and coming into a new school was never fun.
 

Glad you mentioned the vocabulary Sylvia because there were a bunch of terms I COULDN'T find...so I'm throwing them out here in case you have any ideas:

la fandota (another insult Estrella threw out)
ni con chochos-Moni saying she wouldn't get into helicopter (I'm thinking "no way" but couldn't be sure
echar barril
moquetazo (I think this means a punch or a sock, but not sure)
haciendo punchis=making whoopee?

These are all just guesses

Carlos, I GINK you might know some of these. Same for you Nickster. Any ideas?.....
Readers?.....
 

Hey Melinama...thanks for stopping by. I lived in Paris for a year back in the sixties and have very fond memories of the city. Linger on a few bridges over the Seine for me, will you? What I miss the most is the peculiar light of the sky in Paris. It seems softer than anywhere else in the world. Probably due to pollution but in Paris it seems tender and rose-tinged...not California smog-like.
 

Your recap was truly excellent. My favorite "Judy's Jewels": "antler-rattling", "hoist their bosoms" and "coiffure-rattling slap". "mirar a alguien de reojo" - fisheye!! One of my all time favorite expressions. You completely outdid yourself on the vocabulary and dicho. Perfect choices Judy.

Paula should give up and step aside immediately. She is absolutely no match for Estrella, truly a force to be reckoned with! Estrella is great (as is the actress who plays her). I also hope she ends up with Ricardo.

Moni should have fessed up about Beto so it will be fun how this plays out.

I'm enjoying the light, fun tone. Rulli is pretty darned good looking. I don't think it will be too long before Moni is planting several beso de lenguitas on Mauricio. Who could blame her? :)

Diana in MA
 

Uh huh...you found a way to use "besos de lenguitas" right away, naughty Diana! Sure hope you're right. I like these stories where the lovers get a few hot moments together before the wicked folks tear them apart.

The slang is flying fast and furious in this one. A lot seems new (or maybe I just missed it in Juan Querendon which was also full of slang). Doubt if any of us will be down in a colorful barrio anytime soon, but still it's fun to learn (and to guess).

Good to have you back, Diana. Hope the time off from work was restful and fun.
 

By Melinama, have a great time!!

Judy's mystery vocab:
ni con chochos - we have seen this before, maybe JQ, chochos are little candies or sugar pills, but the idea is that even if Moni were drugged she wouldn't get in that helicopter, so "no way" is a good translation.
moquetazo - a moquete is a punch in the nose, so I guess you are right that a moquetazo is a big old punch or jab with the fist.

I don't know about the others. I've heard the word punchis but thought it was something like shake your bootie.
 

yaaay...thanks Sylvia. I'll add those in just in case there's anybody out there reading the recaps but not going to the comments. I remember Doris, of the 9 pm line not realizing for ages that there was an extra component to the recaps.
 

Lord help me, I can't help but like Jerry. He is so absolutely venal and yet so lovable at the same time. You've got to admire his presumptuousness, optimism, and assertiveness not to mention self-confidence. I think he and Connie make a great pair. I know he will not do a single redemptive thing, yet I find myself cheering him on.

Carlos
 

Yes, Jerry is very goal-oriented.
 

Carlos...as I read your description of Jeronimo (and Sylvia's wry reply) I was thinking that's also a perfect description of Beto.

He's the naco image of our Jerry. Do you suppose they'll turn out to be half brothers? Or will both vy for Constanza's dubious affections?

Lots of questions to be answered in this one.
 

Great recap, Judy, and thank you for the excellent vocab.

The whole show does seem like tons of fun. It doesn't really matter if everyone's fibbing, and we have lots of little frustrations (such as why couldn't Gabi and Sal just tell Maury what Jerry did, firing them and making it sound as if Mau was dead), but these are all mild, and contribute to the lively, breezy spirit of the the show.

I watched a little of El Nombre del Amor after this, and it was very different, very mysterious and diabolical. I happen to prefer Gancho's playful intrigues, but at least Univision has provided us with a nice variety in the early evening.

I thought Don Cesar's suit was hilarious. I guess he's supposed to be a type, but it's hard to believe anyone really dresses that flamboyantly.
 

Yes, Hombre...don Cesar is a colorful character in more ways than one. As I recall, some of our fight promoters in this country have highly unusual hair styles...but not quite the haberdashery style of Cesar. But south of the border...who knows? Anyway, I like him. Hope he'll continue to give Moni good advice...and not just about using her left.
 

Awesome recap, Judy. So many fun phrases.

How much time has Monita actually spent working so far? About a half hour total? She skips work for any reason. I don't know why she doesn't want Mauricio to know she's a boxer, but couldn't she have just said she walked into a telephone pole or fell in the shower or something? No matter, I love the wacky hijinx.
 

Yep, pointless fibs seem to be a staple of telenovelas. Now Mauricio was wise to lie to Constanza about his night with Monita. That whopper made sense. But fibbing about the boxing seems silly.

But as you say, who cares? especially in contrast to your new, dark and way cruel telenovela at 8 pm. Hope it brightens up and lightens up soon...otherwise we'll have to get Dr. Carlos to prescribe antidepressants for all you recappers!
 

Judy, I have to admit to not understanding a number of the words and phrases that you mentioned. It was almost as if they were speaking a foreign language at times. In Juan Querendon, Juan was speaking to the Japanese guy's daughter and her guide/translator. The g/t looked every bit as perplexed as the Japanese girl.

Carlos
 

Ah, I don't feel so bad now, because you are way ahead of me language-wise, mi amigo. Maybe the next time you see your tutor, you could ask her about some of those. Assuming the closed captions were correct! because sometimes even the captioner (is this a word?) is flummoxed.
 

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