Saturday, September 12, 2009

MEPS 09/11/09: FIREWORKS AT THE FIESTA OR, IF IT’S AN OPEN BAR, MIGHT AS WELL MAKE MINE A TRIPLE!


Capítulo #148 (but after tonight who’s counting?)

As Viewerville buckles in for the ride tonight: in one part of the city, Tío ‘Temio has crept into Lili’s room to watch her sleep and considers the tie that binds the two of them together; in another, Vlad begins his date with Destiny and gets into the cab whose driver is actually the hit-man who’s been hired to kill him. At the club, the party’s started, the liquor is flowing, the music’s playing, and the guests are getting’ down. The M.C. asks the conjugal couple to come up to the dais and profess to all (who are forced to listen) why they’ve chosen to spend the rest of their lives with each other. (Viewerville holds its breath in anticipation of the fireworks display. It’s gonna be grand.)

Tomasa and Gardenia talk Flor into stopping for two minutes to listen to the big spiel from the bride and groom to be and to catch the consequent gossip. Natasha sits stone-faced and pouts. (I can’t figure this broad out. Personally, I’d have left already and gone home to scrawl Camilo’s name in black marker on my pillow case and used the pillow for a punching bag.) Priscila, Martina, Estev, Fernanda, and Fr/Eduardo all wait on pins and needles for the inevitable, but for very different reasons.

Vlad wistfully takes out his cell in the cab and begins to dial.

Cadmilo begins by saying that around there they say “that for every turkey [guajalote= fool, turkey] comes his Christmas Eve.” (I cannot resist a “well done, my foul fowl, well done!”) Pris’s cell rings but the other turkey in the Elizalde flock of gobblers, spineless Anyballs, refuses to let her answer. “Don’t answer that! We don’t know what might be happening.” (Three guesses, you jerk.) Vlad can only leave a message on Pris’s voice mail. He tells her he is on his way to meet with Damian and Jacobo to draw up the papers for his paternity suit. “I don’t know why at this moment I feel the need to hear your voice, but, well, anyway, I know you’re busy. You know what? Each time the day gets closer that I can shout from the rooftops what I feel for you and for my child…” He sends her a kiss and all his love then hangs up.

Cad the Clod continues. “Well, surprise, surprise! I’m getting married! --Loafly, je je, I imagine everybody envies you. Je, je. Seriously, I’ll tell you the reason why I’m marrying Loafly.” He whirls her around to show her off. “It’s obvious!” The crowd smiles and chuckles. However, as we all know, charming Cad doesn’t know enough to stop while he’s ahead; he makes a totally obscene comment that Loafly not only has a lovely face but can cook too, so he says, he’s planning on putting a kitchen next to the bedroom so they won’t have to walk far. Bada-boom. A few polite chuckles emanate from the dumbstruck crowd while Gonzo and the gang at the head table hang their heads and start checking for hangnails. Cad, our mental midget of honor, searches his pea-brain and says he is marrying her because… he “adores” her. (Yeah, that’s a good $2 word. It’ll do.) Guffaws and applause are roundly given by all, including Tomasa, who Denia immediately chides for daring to clap for “that woman-beating lazybones.”

Pris slyly sneaks her cell into her purse and plays the pregnant-and-gotta-pee card. She heads off towards the ladies’ room to check her messages. After listening to Vlad’s voice-mail she decides to throw caution to the wind and returns his call. (Viewerville is relieved –you should pardon the pun. Yippee!!!) Vlad asks his “cabby” about a detour (I think) and this gives him a chance to take Pris’ phone call. Pris, tells him to listen and not ask questions and to pass the phone to the cabdriver. “How did you know I was in a cab?” “--Pass the phone to the driver, now!” The driver takes the phone and listens to what she has to say.

Back at the engagement party, Cad gives the mike over to Venus. She smiles to the crowd and quips, “There’s nothing more tedious than a man who’s a bore.” (What happened to Ms. Sweetness and Light all of a sudden? Two atta-girls and a thumbs-up! This is gonna be great!) More polite titters from the crowd. She thanks the guests for coming and says it’s important they be there to witness what takes place this evening. She introduces her “Uncle Estev” and tells the crowd that he knows nothing about what she’s going to tell them tonight. Pris returns to the table at this point and plays the other pregnant card she’s kept hidden: the I-feel-like-puking-and-I’m-leaving one. (Guess that cleavage was good for something after all.) She begs off for the night saying she’s feeling sick, gets the keys for Anyball’s car and leaves the ballroom.

Venus tells the crowd that Cad is a very amusing guy. He loves to play annoying jokes, especially on women and poor people, those who work for him. Say what? Cad shoots her a dirty look. “Camilo thinks he’s very genial and amusing. He’s the first to enjoy his own jokes, though you don’t even understand any of them.” The crowd laughs. Venus continues. “Like when as a child he whipped open Jacinto’s back with a riding crop –an employee of the hacienda who still keeps the scars as a memory!!” Fer and Fr/Ed and the rest of the crowd start sitting at attention. “Jacinto Cordero told me this and he still doesn’t understand it because according to you (she turns to Cad) he’s a stupid Indian!” Fr/Ed looks guardedly over at Estev who smiles back like, “Don’t worry. This is great stuff!” Denia tells Flor she’s decided this hooker isn’t such a bad babe after all, considering.

Venus doesn’t stop there. Cad’s obviously pissed but too startled to do much more than listen with the rest of the crowd. “Camilo is a real man’s man and don’t you doubt it; but not for the obvious reasons, not for the reasons you think. No, a few days ago I was able to prove just what kind of little man Camilo really is, but I want to be clear that it wasn’t with me.” Natasha’s all ears now. “No, you don’t know this Camiiiii, but I got out of the house one night because I wanted to surprise you. But, as the saying goes, the surprise was on me. It was just the reverse.” [Salir el tiro por la culata] She turns back to the guests. “When I entered the bedroom I discovered my fiancé in the jacuzzi making love. Do you know who Camilo was with?” She gets ready to lower the boom as Natasha braces for the humiliation of the century. Cad races over to tell Loafly she’s gone too far, but Venus keeps right on truckin’. “I confess it was the greatest surprise of my life.” Cad tries unsuccessfully to grab the mike from her. “But Cami, we can’t leave the guests in doubt about who you were smooching with in the Jacuzzi….” Gonzo wakes up from his senile stupor. “No, you can’t guess. You could never guess. Camilo Elizalde, the most manly playboy in the region was with…was with another man!!” (Viewerville jumps, cackles, guffaws and yes, cheers, at the --dare I say-- cold-cocking Hubby says Venus has just landed him with.) The guests who were politely boozin’ and snoozin’ through this part of the bore-fest are suddenly stopped-in-mid-yawn impactados. Cad has just been branded with the scarlet “H”.

Confused chatter fills the room. Cad looks around in horror. Anibal looks over at Estev wondering what he must think of this family. Estev just shrugs back like “Don’t look at me. What do I know?” then secretly smiles to himself. Eduardo fights the urge to smile it seems while looking on admiringly at Venus. Err enjoys a secret giggle. Martina has a huge grin on her face. Fer looks on and has to remember to breathe. Gonzo cringes and hides his eyes. Barbie drinks in the whole delicious scene.

Meanwhile, the “cabby” pulls in at the airport. Vlad is surprised to see Pris drive up next to them. She orders him to get into the car and then goes over to the driver. She hands the man a bag of jewelry and tells him it’s just like she told him on the phone: she’ll give him double what they would have paid him to kill Vlad. He takes the jewels, bites them to test them (Classy!) and only then agrees to make Dam and Jacobo believe that he did the deed and killed Vlad. The cab drives off. Pris gets back into her car and explains to Vlad what just happened. “They were going to kill you! Anibal hired Damian to bump you off [liquidar]. You have to get far away from here. If you love your child like you say, go to Monterray or wherever, the farther away the better!” Vlad says he refuses to either leave her alone or to run away like some coward. Pris seems to soften. “If you only knew the Hell I was going through the past few hours worrying that they were going to kill you! I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to have to tell my child once he’s born that his father is dead. I want him with you, Vladimir.” Vlad can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Are you serious?” She says she is.

Pris puts her hand on Vlad’s cheek. “I understood finally that my child couldn’t have a better father than you and because of that we’re going to have to make a few sacrifices, ok?” He smiles and nods. She tells him they’ll have to wait a few months. “You are not to make a single phone call, understand?” He nods again. “As soon as the baby is born I swear I’ll call you and then—only then—will we be able to plan our future together.” She cries tears of relief. He cries tears of happiness. (Viewerville shares a collective “Aw-w-w.”)

Back at the party, Venus races outside and is ready to leave for good. Estev chases after her. She tells him he can calm down because she’s not going to do anything more. He asks her where she intends to go and asks her to wait. He wants her to stay, he says. Venus is in no mood to listen, though.

Inside the circus continues. Cad is screaming desperately at the awestruck guests that it’s all a lie. They know him better than that, he tells them. Natasha gets up to leave but thinks better of it and goes over to him. She tells him never to come looking for her again. He tells everyone that she’s just another sore, pissed off female and not to pay attention to her. He rushes over to Errika and tells them all she’s his ex-girlfriend and she’ll vouch for him. Errika takes the mike and says, well if you’re talking about Jacinto’s scars, yes, I’ve seen them. “If you’re referring, though, to your sexual preferences, I always had my doubts about you, Camilo!” He cringes. She giggles silently. His buddies yell back that there’s no way out of this one. Cad tries to tell his father it isn’t so, but Gonzo only yells back that he’s an embarrassment and he is totally ashamed of him. Barbie thinks to herself that this isn’t anything compared to what’s waiting for you, Camilo. Across the room Flor, Tomasa and Denia can’t stop laughing at the way he got burned and at how much he actually deserved it. [ganarse a pulso]

Outside, Venus explains to Estev that she actually lied about Cad. “I did find him with somebody in the Jacuzzi, but it was a woman. That woman, Natasha. If I’d have told the truth his buddies would have just laughed at him and I’d have been no more than the fuming fiancée!” Estev can’t help laughing. She wants to know what’s so funny. He tries to explain that it’s because he’d spent days and days trying to think of an elaborate plan to teach the guy a lesson and in the end it was Venus who managed to do it. Though, he admits, he has to confess that he was afraid he’d failed somehow because she seemed determined to actually marry Camilo. She doesn’t understand the irony and takes offense. “Oh, so you always thought that being a whore I wasn’t going to lose the chance to bag [pescarse de] that worthless Camilo and his millions?” Estev tells her that it never entered his mind but before he can explain any further, Martina comes running out yelling for the two of them to go back inside. Cad has started kicking up a major ruckus [trifulca].

Back inside the ballroom, Cad’s buddies have to hold him back from jumping Fr/Ed. Cad’s screaming for Loafly and Estev. “If it’s like that then where are your business partner and his lying niece?” Fr/Ed says he doesn’t know. “--I told you already that I haven’t got the slightest idea! I don’t know where they went and I don’t know why Loafly behaved that way. You ought to know!” Cad has to be held back again. “—Are you trying to put one over on me??!!” [verle la cara= make a fool of] Fer jumps in -making a play on the word “cara” --and slaps him royally. “And I’m going to tell you what shameless nerve you have!” [tenir cara = to be shameless]. Thwack!! His friends stop him from slapping her back. “What Loafly said about you being gay is going to seem like praise compared to what I have to say about you, Camilo!!” Cad breaks loose from his friends and motions to Fr/Ed and Estev that it ain’t over till it’s over and walks away.

Gonzo acts like it’s just another night in Dodge City and asks Babs where Pris and AB went cuz it’s time to leave. She tells him Pris went home sick and AB went for their car. Gonzo says well, at least Pris was saved this shamefully embarrassing scene. Babs commiserates and says well, you can assume that as of tonight Loafly has canceled the engagement. (Do ya think?) Gonzo shakes his head. “How embarrassing.” (For him or for her, Gonz?) The first thing he worries about is that it might have wrecked their partnership with Powhere Meelk. Babs says not to take it so hard, that it could just be an act of jealousy on Loafly’s part. Gonzo, though, is worried that their good name is now in question and his fatherly pride has hit rock-bottom. (Translation: they’re now the laughing stock of the county and he’s forever to be seen for the piss-poor papa he really is.)

The hit-man is back at Vlad’s now and Jacobo is eager to hear the details. Dam says he doesn’t want to hear about it; then suddenly, in a sick fit of laughter he says, “The point is that now Good Friend Vladimir has little wings and is playing his harp in heaven.” The two slobs nearly choke on their spit they are laughing so hard. The hit-man thinks soberly to himself, “If they only knew. If they only knew that his fairy godmother managed to save him.” He gets up straight-faced and says he’s tired and he’s going home if it’s all right by them. They say fine and Jacobo gives him his blood-money. Dam tells him to lay low for a while. (Hubby says it’s some racket this guy’s got! He gets paid triple for doing absolutely nothing!) The hit-man, totally disgusted with the scene, leaves. Dam and Jacobo toast each other. Jacobo asks what comes next. Dam thinks a bit and says something like what does he think about skinning La Hiena?

In the meantime, Errika gives Fer a lift home. Fer says she hopes Err doesn’t mind if she doesn’t invite her in but it’s been one of the longest nights in her life and she’s beat. Err says no problem, but before Fer gets out of the car Err asks why Fer changed her mind about coming to the party. Fer tells her that Franco called and asked her to come because he suspected something bad was going to happen and thought she should be there. Err tells Fernanda that Franco is the best thing that happened to her and she wants to thank her since they met at Fer’s wedding. So, she says, she wants to do something really special for Fer. Errika invites her over to supper with her and Franco the next night and won’t accept no for an answer. Fer says fine, obviously figuring that’s going to be the second longest night of her life. Err, though, apparently has something else in mind and licks her lips in anticipation as Fer goes inside for the night.

Over at Las Animas, Estev is upset because Venus is nowhere to be found. He starts to explain to Eddie how he was congratulating Venus on her flawless strategy when Martina showed up. Suddenly Ed says that’s it! Martina! They are both sure to be at Silvestre’s place. Estev tells Ed that he wants to say good-bye to Venus before he leaves. Ed asks him if he plans on leaving without telling her how much he loves her. Estev doesn’t answer.

At Silvestre’s place, Venus is telling him and Martina that she’s got an aunt and uncle in Zacatecas and figures she’ll be able to get a job there. Silvestre says considering what she pulled tonight on the Elizalde’s the further away she gets the better. Martina thinks Venus needs to stick around to let the gringuito make his play for her, but Venus says he’s no different from all the other rich fat cats. Silvestre says that if he’s Santoro’s friend he has got to be a good guy. Venus disagrees. “He’s taking his things and heading for The States [gringolandia] tomorrow since now he’s gotten his revenge. That was all he wanted and so now he’s going to rub my face in it. He doesn’t need me now. I’ve got to take care of myself and after what I did, once they find out I’m not Loafly Norton, if I stick around they’ll lynch me.” Suddenly there’s a knock at the door. Martina thinks it’s got to be Estev coming for Venus. They giggle. Silvestre figures it couldn’t be anybody else. Venus primps and then goes to answer the door. Ruh-Roh! It’s not Mr. Estev. It’s Cad and he’s got smoke coming out of every orifice. He grabs her and drags her outside by the hair. “Come here, you!”

Over at Jacinto’s, meanwhile, Denia tells Marge and ‘Cinto about the party. Flor and she are laughing at the way Cadmilo was fuming and then finally left with his tail between his legs. “There was nothing worse than what La Venenosa (her pet name for Venus) yelled in his face!” Jacinto says, well then she lured Camilo there with the wedding. Denia puts all the pieces together and says it has to be that the gringuito must have been behind it all. “He hired La Venenosa to hook cocky Camilo Elizalde, all just to shred the guy’s male pride to bits!” Jacinto is now grinning from ear to ear. The only thing better for him would have been to be there in person.

Back at Silvestre’s Cad screams at Venus that she thought she could escape, but he saw her get into the taxi and followed her there. He throws her against the wall but she gets in a good kick to the groin and races back inside. She tries to shut the door. Cad pushes his way back in and grabs her again. He shoves Silvestre against the wall and knocks him out. Martina comes at him with a chair, but he grabs it out of her hand and hits her across the head and knocks her down onto the floor. He grabs Venus by the hair, drags her outside again and punches her twice in the stomach. She can’t breathe. “You whore! I’m going to brand your face so every time you look in the mirror you’ll really remember the last man in your life you met. You’re going to feel shame, whore!” He pulls up a red hot branding iron and gets ready to shove it in her face. Just then, like Mighty Mouse to save the day ♪♪... Fr/Ed and Estev arrive in the nick of time. (What? No cape?) Fr/Ed grabs Cad’s arm and in famous telenovela last words screams at him, “Don’t you dare!”

Fr/Ed forces the iron into a (very conveniently placed) bucket of water and throws Cad onto the ground. Cad gets up to balance himself against the wall and growls. “This is going to cost you dearly, Santoro!” Fr/Ed shakes his finger at him and warns him off. “I only need one more reason, only one, to unload all the rage and contempt I feel for you, Camilo!” “—And who in the Hell do you think you are to threaten me??” Eddie remembers back to the time he was brushing his pet horse, Amanecer, when the smart-assed, teen-aged Camillo rode by and taunted him, saying it didn’t matter how much he brushed the horse, it’d still be mangy. “—Good question, Camilo Elizalde. Good question!” Before Ed can answer, though, Martina runs out to tell them her father is unconscious and she thinks he’s dead. Ed turns to go in and help. Cad gets up, rushes him from the back, and gives him a kick to the kidney. Venus somehow manages to keep Estev from joining in. (Estev screams a good game, though.) Ed turns around, grabs Cad and manages to knee the s.o.b. a good one in the nuts (Hubby lets out a groan) and drops him to the ground. Cad is finally out cold.

Eddie and Martina manage to bring Silvestre to. Eddie tells her to take him to Dr. Carlos for a good look-see. He goes back outside and asks Estev to help him with “the trash”. Estev takes Venus back inside and checks on everyone. He asks Martina to make sure that Venus doesn’t leave before he gets a chance to talk to her. Venus breaks away from him and says nastily that she’s old enough to take care of herself, thank you very much. Estev loses patience and yells at her. “Venus! I just want to make sure you don’t leave until you and I have a chance to talk. OKAY????” (Maybe in the meantime he can stop by Rosie the Bruja’s for a little Love Potion #9. This guy is about as romantic as rhubarb.) Martina says she’ll make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. He tells them not to go out and not to open the door for anybody. He goes to meet Ed at the car.

At Jacinto’s, Denia is still scheming. “The only thing left is to ruin it between Eduardo and Errika. Then, everyone’s happy.” Margie wonders why she’s got to bring that up again. “Well, after everything that happened tonight, just about anything is possible.” Jacinto warns her not to stick her nose in where it isn’t wanted. She tells him that with the ruckus Venus caused this evening, she pretty much had opened the way for others. Flor wonders what she’s got planned but Denia won’t say because she knows they’re all on Eduardo’s side in this. Margie asks if she’s still set her sights on Eduardo. Denia says she sure has. So, now she’s going to prove to him she’s no dummy and get herself educated and a career. (Yeah, I hear there’s a chef school in the D.F. that used to have one hunk of an instructor there…..) Flor does an eye roll and stares at the wall.

Fr/Ed and Estev drive back to Las Animas with Cad plopped like a bag of manure in the back seat. Fr/Ed’s got Fer on his cell and tells her he needs her to meet them back at Las Animas. It’s urgent. They’ve got her brother with them. She asks him what he’s done now. He tells her they managed to get there in time to stop him from disfiguring Loafly’s face. (I guess she realizes the longest night of her life is gonna seem like a year before it’s over.)

At the hospital Martina gushes at Venus over the way Carlos took such good care of her pa’ and says she’s brimming over with love for the guy. Venus wonders if Martina is really going to keep her from leaving. Martina tells her even if she has to cement all the doors and windows shut and tie her to the chair to keep her from disappearing from the gringuito. Venus asks her since when did she turn out to be such a friend of his? Martina says she’s her friend not his, and wonders if she hasn’t realized yet that if he wants to talk to her so badly that it has to be something really important.

Fer arrives at Las Animas and tells Fr/Ed that this whole thing with Camilo seems like such a nightmare. Fr/Ed says he’s sorry to have to involve her. She asks what happened and he explains how her brother saw Loafly get into a taxi and follow her to Martina’s father’s blacksmith shop. He explains that Martina, Lili’s nurse, is actually Silvestre, the blacksmith’s, daughter. He tells her he has Cad locked in the study because right now he’s still out of control. Fer tells him Cad’s impulsive fits have their limits and she knows what she’s talking about. “Let me speak with him.” He blocks her way and says he’s afraid Cad could hurt her. She tells Fr/Ed that after tonight they aren’t going to have to worry themselves about him any for the rest of their lives. “You’ll see.”

Cad is pacing around the study, growling and grunting, and kicking the furniture. Fr/Ed unlocks the door and he and Fer walk in. Cad sneers. “So! Are Batman and Batgirl going to flip a coin to see which one of you two is going to execute me?” Fer tells Fr/Ed she wants to speak to her brother alone. He says fine, he’ll wait for her outside the door.

Fr/Ed’s cell rings. Errika’s timing is impeccable. He tells her things got complicated this evening and he forgot to call her. She lends a sympathetic ear and leads him on. “Yeah, I guess things got really upsetting with all that happened at the party tonight, huh? So tell me. How are Loafly and Estev?” He says fine, but lies that he’s in the middle of taking a call from him and will talk to her later. She says she can imagine the number of things in his head right now and figures it’s going to be difficult to get to sleep tonight. Fr/Ed says, well actually, it will. She says she thought she’d come over and spend some time with him. He says not to. She wonders if he doesn’t want to see her or what? He fibs and says it’s nothing like that; he just doesn’t want her driving at this time of night. She giggles and says that’s no problem. She’ll just spend the night with him. He says no, that he doesn’t want her to risk coming out this late. She giggles again and says “Don’t tell me everyone’s already gone to bed?” He asks her how about they talk in the morning. She finally gives in and says ok, then. “Sleep tight.” Click.

Errika gets out of her car and walks into the lighted driveway. It happens to be Fr/Ed’s driveway, though. She looks over at the other vehicle parked in his drive. “You are a wicked, two-timing female, Fernanda!” It’s Fer’s yellow FJ. Err fights back her tears and tells herself, “If it’s the last thing I do in my life, Franco Santoro is going to marry me!”

Inside Fr/Ed’s study Cad continues screaming at his sister. “Then what? Are you going to kill me or what?? You finally agreed with that killer, Santoro, right??!! He brought me here by force! He would have beaten me up!” “—And you would have deserved it. Think! You would have disfigured Loafly!! Don’t you realize??” “--And that’s how I’m going to leave her if I ever meet up with her again!!” “—Yes. You are capable of any despicable thing, but from here on out I’m going to make sure that you never harm anybody again, Camilo. Nobody!” Cad yells back, really? Just what are you thinking of doing, huh? Fer gets frightened and yells for Franco. “Oh, so without your bodyguard you can’t move even a finger, can you?” Fer turns to Fr/Ed and says she’s sorry to have to say this in front of him but she has to, okay? She turns back around to Camilo.

Fer gives her brother an ultimatum. “Camilo, you have twenty-four hours to leave the hacienda without saying a word to anybody—absolutely no one, understood?” He sneers at her. “--You don’t say!” Fer stands her ground. “—Somewhere nobody will ever hear from you again. If you don’t, I’m going to bring charges against you for having raped Aurora!” Cad at last is scared to death. Pity-party in 10 minutes…..

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Comments:
Jardinera, great recap!!! Thanks so much. The words were fast and furious last nite. You cleared it all up.

I've been sitting on the edge of my seat and lol at all of your many funny and witty remarks. I loved it and hated to see your recap end.

I hope Cad gets worse than just running away. He deserves to rot in prison!!!


ann-NYC
 

Great recap of a suspenseful episode, Jardinera, Thanks!

I had hoped that Cad would have had an even better smack-down, kinda disappoinnted that the mud wrestlers didn't do a better job, oh well. And Fer banishing from the hacienda, very good! You go girl! But something tells me that we haven't seen the last of Punkin-skin.

So glad that Pris finally came thru! Glad that she's decided to move on, away from Anyballs, the dead fish thief, too bad he squandered her pesos.

Really looking forward to Monday!
 

Gracias Jardinera! Wow! Can't wait to read it and see all the comments. One day a month ago I couldn't stand a particular cliff hanger so I went to YT and watched a whole month of episodes. Afraid that I would slip and say something, I've stayed away from the board. I'm glad to be back and will say I was sooooo touched by Priscilla's change of heart and saving Vlad! It almost made me cry! I luuuuv this storyline! I hope they can be together someday! And, I can't wait to read what I think I heard: Did Erika imply she was going to kill Fer? And Loafly better get out of town or she will be the one killed. Thanks again in advance. . .

Khalilah

Khalilah
 

Wow !!! You covered it all ... so much appreciated because I missed a lot even with the captions!! Thanks so much for the terrific recap. Fireworks indeed !! Pris you've been redeemed. Venus not so much.
 

Woo, hoo Jardinera, great recap

I don't think we have heard the end of scumbag, think he might be a little upset?

I expected more of a free for all, but it was good enough, homo Cad, great!

Just wondering why Cadmilo didn't throw a chair through the window.
 

Why isn't Camilo saying, Babs made me do it?
I think he will.
 

You captured it beautifully Jardinera and gave translations for the sticky parts. Very helpful.

I found the Loafly announcement scene repellent somehow. Cad has done so many awful things, it seemed unnecessary to lie. Well, we don't really have a hero so I guess one can't expect Venus to be a heroine.

Priscilla on the other hand did act heroically. And evidently gave up all her valuable jewelry to save Vlad's life...in addition to giving up the Elizalde lifestyle, the inheritance and perhaps any financial support from her own father. Gutsy. And admirable.

That made a nice finale to what I found to be a rather scuzzy episode. But your recap was excellent. Thanks amiga.
 

Thanks, Jardinera. I still don't understand much Spanish, but I did understand what Loafly Venus was saying. I did not see that coming. I was surprised that Pris stepped up and saved Vladi. He is such a sad sack and over-the-top obsessed about someone he slept with ONE TIME, but the guy seems to have a good heart. I thought Pris would melt when ahe saw that nursery he lovingly created in his little apartment, and when she just got mad at him , I thought that they would never be together. Now it seems that she might actually be developing a soft spot for him. Well, at least she didn't let the bad guys kill him. I was a little disappointed in the brawl at the PARTAY. In the preview when I saw Fr'ed step in between Cad and Fer as Cad raised his hand to strike her, I had flashbacks to Luis defending Hippolita in Alborada when the church fathers were going to pin a big red ''A'' on her. Also, I was hoping that Venus and Martina would tag team Cad . I guess that he was in such a snit that he had superhuman strength...but then Fr'ed came to save the day and dispatched The Orange One quickly. I'm still trying to figure out how Er and Fer will find out that Franco is Eduardo. I wonder which one will find out first.
 

Being back is so nice, I had to sign my name twice! Hee hee. Jardinera, what an excellent, thorough recap that was every bit as exciting as the episode! I couldn't imagine what Loafly was going to do and was so tense I read the recap for the previous episode instead of watching. (Thanks for that one, 5ft!). Great job, you really brought it to life! I'm gonna try to control myself and not jump ahead, it's more fun to watch with the rest of y'all.

Khalilah
 

Jardinera - thanks for the awesome recap. It was a gritty, white knuckle episode and you hit the jackpot with this one.

The minute Lovely opened her mouth, I knew she was dead meat. I have never hated a telenovela character as much as I hated Camilo last night. Palazuelos is doing a great job with this role.

I also was wondering why Camilo didn't toss a chair thru the window. Duh.....

I still am worried about Venus' safety. I have a bad feeling . . . . and keep hearing anvils falling. I don't think we're done with Camilo. That guy has serious anger management issues.

re: Gonzo - words fail me. He deserves to die.

This week I was told that from here on, every episode is exciting.
 

I guess I was wrong about Damian finding redemption. He was just too cold about Vladimir's death and would have to do a whole lot of good to come back from this.

I like the Pris character and am glad to see she's still one of the good guys. Hopefully she's not telling Vlad to go away just so she can keep Anibal.

Gotta love the ultimos capitulos!
 

Thanks for the recap Jardinera. It was an exciting episode and you covered all the based. Thanks also to Kat as I got to your recap very late (today).

I'm with DDave and Susanlyn in that the our wrestling women should have been able to beat down Cami regardless of his supposed rage. It will be interesting to see if Cami lives or must die as someone is defending his or her life.

Erika is so annoying I'm almost looking forward to see how DDenia is going to destroy the wedding.

I'm glad Pris saved Vlad. It will be interesting to see if she follows through with things and ends with him or stays with her wretched spouse.
 

Wow, what a great recap. Considering the side of the tracks that Venus came from, I shouldn't be surprised that she would air her laundry in public like that. She even went to far as to tell the lie that he was with a man. Thanks for clearing that up. When I kept seeing the ward "gay" I thought they were saying they found out he was gay. I was not amused by her. In fact, I don't know how she thought she was going to get away with embarrassing a man like Camilo publicly. I for one thought she deserved the consequences.

Well, I never would have thought that Pris would ever feel anything for Vlad other than contempt. I still think he has a loose screw but apparently the baby has changed the way she sees him.

Erika gets no more sympathy from me. Even though we know better, she thinks Fr/Ed and Fer are actually cheating. She knows that Franco has lied to her on at least 2 occasions. Yet she says she's going to marry him if it's the last thing she does? I call that biting off one's nose to spite the face. Not too smart!

I second that comment about Estev being so unromantic. Why couldn't he send flowers and a note with a general message ie: "to a great lady". We women can figure out what that's supposed to mean ☺
Susie
 

Greetings and thank you very much for the great recap Jardinera!

I'm in a part of the Spanish-speaking world right now where MEPS is at the BEGINNING ... it's Damian & Fer's wedding. And FELS is still on! So I read the recaps and watch the no-captioned episodes on YouTube. When I get back to the states in a few weeks, I'll be back on schedule.

These novelas have helped a bit with my Spanish. I was afraid that the only thing that I'd remember when talking to someone would be short TN phrases like "no te precupes" or "no me tocas" or "estoy embarazada!"

Anyway, I'm doing so-so.

I am finally giving up on redemption for Damian (agreeing with Anon 8:38). But he's still "oh so fine" ... I'll have to wait for Sergio Sendel to be a good guy in something else. (sigh!)

Final thoughts ...

* Camilo's anger is rabid!

* The party itself was fabulous ... great food, ice sculptures, music, and the big "C/L" initials for all to see.

* Erica ... poor child. Looking back at the early MEPS episodes here when she was with Camilo, she kept begging him to tell her that he loved her. Apparently she has serious self-esteem issues. Now the new guy-to-come, Miguel, is supposed to be her friend, not primo, right? If so, she should just try to get his attention, he sounds great!

* Gardenia is a beautiful girl. I think that she would have been a good match for Santiago. They could have been girlishly and boyishly silly & sweet together.

* Esteve --- When I listen to him speak Spanish, I always hope that I don't sound like that when I'm speaking Spanish around here. (Ack!) But listening to him helps me learn.

* Venus. She really showed out!

* Fer: I actually felt sorry for her the day that she cried on Fr/Ed begging him not to betray her.

* Taxi-man non-killer: Good for him for looking disgusted after hearing the laughter of Jacabo and (sniffle) Damian (past redemption, still fine.)

* Vlad -- he's a sweet guy.

* Pris -- Yup, you all were right about that dress. So glad she stepped in.

Thanks again for the recaps. They're keeping me entertained. I can't get into the Telemundo TNs ... they are a bit too R-rated for my taste.


-Netgirl from the East Coast
... pero hablando (mal) Espanol en un otra parte del mundo.
 

Thank you Jardinera for the excellent and thoroughly detailed recap.

When Lovely Venus opened the door and saw Camilo standing there, all I could think was "LOOK! It's Pumpkin, the Headless Horseman!" Then I shouted with glee when Fr/Ed and Steve came running in like the Lone Ranger and Tonto to rescue the damsels and Don Silvestre.


Jody :)
 

Wow, I just finished the episode on youtube but I had to get your take. Thanks for the great recap Jardinera, great episode, things are happening now!

Loved seeing Camilo get his comeuppence, go Loafly! We have been waiting for this! That was a pretty awesome scene.

Is it homphobic (and therfore distasteful and un-enlightened of the writers) to have Venus pin homosexuality on Camilo? Like that is the worst most shameful thing she could claim?

Not necessarily. I felt that claiming he was with another man was an attack on his integrity, calling him out as deceptive, but most of all it was an attack to his machismo. The worst offence for a macho is to be less than a real macho. It was a knowing attack on machismo itself and if someone was genuinely gay, that would be another matter. So I wasn't put off by this, it was ok. Camilo's role is a critique of the bad side of machismo.

In addition, there was correct proportionality shown when Fernanda accuses him of raping Aurora, that would be a true crime and in fact stopped him in his tracks.

(sorry if that was a soap box!)

Moving, on: I was sad to see Damian's true colors at last. I was holding out hope of redemption for him because he has been kind of loveable, and fun to watch. Now he just seem 100% bad after that little thought bubble (thursday?) that cleared up for us what was going on in his head.

Btw, I thought I heard him say, and last episode too, that he was going to "despelucar" Barbara, peluca is wig so that would be like un masking maybe what do you all think?

Vlad is still a little psycho, our loveable psycho. I'm so relieved to see him saved by Pris, but I don't really think Pris is going to leave Anybals, she just had too much of a conscience for murder. I'm not sure she is completely redeemed.

I like how Erika is becoming darker, she could turn out to be more evil and pivotal than I thought. At least she is more intersting this way! (I really like the actress though)

The Gardenia threat keeps being dangled out there, but when it comes down to it, she is from the good people, it will be OK, I really can't see her doing damage. I think it would violate the telenovela rules somehow!

Ok that was long, but this is great fun and I enjoy all your comments even though I don't post much!
 

Jardinera,

Just what we needed, a funny entertaining recap, with lots of dialogue help, thanks! You had me at "Capitulo 148 but who's counting!"

We're not talking, "I could have been a contender" from "On the Waterfront" here, but that was a very good scene with Vlad and Pris in the car. I think she's made the emotional turnaround from Anibal to Vlad. They have one thing in common, their incredible devotion to the little criatura. I actually thought he looked kinda attractive as he played Jai lai. I think they will be the toast of Monterey.

Net girl...what about sueltame? That is an oft used TN expression seldom used in real life...funny comments.

Randy Sea, I hope Erica doesn't become darker but they are giving her a strange mean aura right now.

Doris, I agree with you. Gonzo is despicable. For me, he is right up there with Camillo in the rat category. I don't think that there are many men as bad as Camillo, but there plenty of people who neglect their children, and that is what Gonzo is doing.....for Barbara, that's unforgivable. He is a stupid old goat. There, I've gotten it out of my system, I feel better.

Sandy in TN
 

Erika's stalking Fernanda now? Nice.

Camilo's got to go to jail so he can receive all the beatdowns he administered to Jacinto, Erika, Flor, Venus, etc., not to mention the rape/attempted rape of Aurora.

Vladimir won't be able to stay away and will pop back up just in time to give Anibal and Damian the shock of their lives.

Damian will be in the same cellblock with Camilo and Anibal should be right there with them too.

It's interesting but it seems that the Elizalde family has to be destroyed before Fernanda can be with her Eduardo.
 

Greetings from lovely Denmark, (or should I say loafly Denmark?)

Just one reflection. Am I the only one that is troubled by the perception that beating the servants with a crop or cheating on one's intended are minor blemishes, but having a romp with another man will ruin a guy's reputation as a caballero?

p.s. Great recap

--el Pelón
 

Venus said that if she had said Camilo was with another woman, all his macho friends would have just laughed & thought she was just another jealous woman. This was the only way she could really take him down. He is a totally despicable, abusive person that he deserves anything he gets, even if it takes a lie to do it.
Erika was happy to go along with the program, I don't think Natasha knew it was a lie.
For a real machimisimo, pendejo what worse thing could happen than to be called gay. Go, Venus!
 

I understand totally the extent of Camillo's abuses and crimes. What I am missing is why the crimes themselves wasn't enough to bring him down. If you have to revert to lying in order to convict a person, that makes it seems that the other offenses alone would not have been sufficient. If she had told the truth, all of Camillo's friends would have thought she was just another jealous woman. To distort the truth still makes it seem like jealousy IMHO. Sorry I can't condone someone who would lie in order to get a person convicted.
 

El Pelón and Netgirl: Glad to see you joining us from foreign shores!
=======
I gotta admit this was as much fun to watch as to write about this time. I was working with only 4 hrs. of sleep, it was so full of dialogue, much of which was slang/vernacular and some of that I had to guess at because it wasn't in the dictionaries I use.
Randy in Sea: "Despulucharse La Hiena" was one of those odd bits I fought with. "Unmasking" sounds good, too. "Echarse la bolsa" was another idiom I wondered about. I'm hoping Jarocha might clear those up for us.
 

despelucar

to scalp, strip, fleece
The 2nd meaning in RAE is what Damian wants to do

REAL ACADEMIA ESPAÑOLA
DICCIONARIO DE LA LENGUA ESPAÑOLA

1. tr. And., Col., Hond., Méx. y Pan. despeluzar (‖ descomponer). U. t. c. prnl.

2. tr. Chile y Méx. desplumar (‖ dejar sin dinero a alguien).
 

Anon: You and I were tracking when it came to thinking Pris was redeemed and one of the good guys after all. Those were the exact things I was thinking at the time. Now, if they could only give Vlad back his machismo and long, flowing locks he'd be perfect again for her.
==============
ann-NYC: I want Cad to live also. I like to see him cleaning out horse stalls on a prison farm somewhere!
===========
Dorado Dave: I was sort of disappointed myself that Martina and Venus couldn't defend themselves better, but I suppose after thinking about it and being a female, mudwrestling drunks is a bit easier than fighting off an angry 6' psycho pumped up on adrenaline who always fights dirty, especially when you have long skirts on. ; ? )
==============
Khalilah: Glad to see you back with us. Missed your witty comments, girlfriend.
 

Randy Sea~~Good to ''read'' you again. I've missed your comments. I agree with your reasoning although when I first heard Loafly's accusation, I was a little annoyed. However, if she had told the truth about catching Cad with Natasha, his frat boy friends would have just laughed and hooted ''Way to go, you Awesome Player.'' We all know that a bunch of people are heading to Anvil Pass ...Cad, Barbie, Dam...and Cad should be at the head of the pack. Cad represents all those real life guys who have no compassion or concern for anyone else...the spoiled, heartless people who think they are entitled and unreachable. To quote The Beatles : ''And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.'' Pretty simple and very true. No love left for you, Cad, Dam, and Barbie....your accounts are empty. Time to pay the piper. That's why I love the novelas. In the end, the evil hearts always pay.
 

I am so liking this. Thanks Jardinera for you special touch.
My comment about Venus's lie. I can see it both ways. On the one hand I'm glad she lied on Camillo since I hate him so much. But even though it is an attack on his manhood, it also feed into other people prejudices against gays. She also might have unknowingly played right into Camillo's defense against the greater rape charge. He could easily convince a jury that he would never rape a woman since he's gay. SCL
 

Anon~~~Good point. Venus doesn't know about Cad and Aurora. She just wanted to humilate him in front of his buddies....who seem to be equally repulsive.
 

I'm with the ones who were a little uncomfortable with the "gay" smackdown of Cam. I thought of the actors in the room who are possibly gay, what did they think? We have been taught tolerance in our culture, so being labeled gay isn't a punishment. Of course, I know less about this topic than others might, we'll see what they say.

Sandy in TN
 

Variopinta: Thanks! That makes lots of sense. I missed that step. I tried, but I couldn't get in to "Real Academia" and finally stopped with Word Reference at

despelucar
tr. y prnl. amer. Desordenar el pelo,
despeluchar.

--so that late at night I just left it at the more or less "figurative" interpretation and moved on. k8 > )
========
Doris/Vario: I was thinking Cad could have tried the chair through the window thing, too, but I'll play along with the writers, tighten my beanie and think bullet-proofed safety glass.....uh, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
==========
Susanlynn: I had kept my fingers crossed after the nursery scene. That was the first time I remembered Pris softening towards Vlad. He's an athlete and so I hope to see him beat the snot out of Damian before it's over.
 

Jody: LOL! Pumpkin, the Headless Horseman! That fits!
============
JudyB: I knew this one would disturb you, amiga --and many others here. I had thought the guests would all hold their breath and start mumbling and condemning the minute Jacinto's story was told, but I believe the idea was to convey that the wealthy landowners are heartless and inured to this kind of activity concerning the indigenous servant class. To me that was equally disconcerting and artistic hyperbole used to make the moralistic argument here. It is a morality play, after all, and used to make us all think long and hard. Of course, it is one done from the Latin American cultural point of view which, being from north of the border, makes me stop at the water's edge here and so I will. : ? )
 

Good Mornin' y'all. You know, like it or not, not everyone has the same ideas about homosexuality and the writers seem to have indeed meant it as, yes, the most gawd-awful, character-wrecking thing ever. Same with the class differences, beating a servant with a crop (or raping them, seducing them and having bastardos whom you then deny) is unfortunately no big deal in some circles either. Another thing I've noticed is that becoming disabled (blind, or paralyzed, etc.) has been used in novelas as an infierno-like punishment for baddies as has sudden, miraculous salvation from same been bestowed upon unjustly stricken good characters.

Man, that's how they rip it these novelas far as I can see. I just have to adjust my cultural context beanie or I'd be too pissed to watch!

Khalilah
 

SCL: good point about a possible rape trial and Cad's legal strategy.
==========
Karen/Susie: Yeah, I'm sort of surprised at Err's change in behavior, but on the other hand, she's so desperate for a decent man and she's set her sights on Eddie the same as Denia. I think it's going to be Denia who blows the whistle on Eduardo and Err may be her mother's daughter and drop him like a hot potato.
=========
SandyTN/Doris: Gonzo as a dispicable old goat. I wanted to slap him for the way he treated Cad, but I didn't expect anything different. I sort of hope he has a heart attack when he learns the truth about La Barbie and goes to meet Moansie right after in some ring of Hell.
 

Jardinera, I agree that DD is going to be the one to out Eddie and yep, from Err's earlier comments I can't see her doing anything other than dropping Francuardo. It was a fake, "I-wanna-make-Orange Glo-jealous" relationship anywho!

I have sooo missed this! In what other setting can somebody say they hope someone has a heart attack and it's hilarious: "I sort of hope he has a heart attack when he learns the truth about La Barbie and goes to meet Moansie right after in some ring of Hell." HAHAHHAHHAHHHAAA!

Khalilah
 

Maybe the shame Gonzo is talking about, is the beating of Jacinto with the riding crop. I don't think Gonzo is a bad person, just not with it. He sees class distinction but would never treat the servants badly. Barb has him hoodwinked & is responsible for getting rid of Soledad, but she had a house & Gonzo paid for Eduardo's boarding school.
 

Susanlynn and Jardinera,

I began liking Vlad more when I saw the nursery. That was the sweetest move. I know that they will be just fine in Monterey, play dates, soccer games, birthday parties, etc. etc. etc. After all, Vlad became SUPER wacky when he began fighting for his hijito, he was just a LITTLE wacky in the beginning. Good riddance Anibal, you loveless jerk!


Sandy in TN
 

I'm Aunt Blabby today!

Vario, I agree that Gonzo is in a way harmless and good to the help, as they say. Where I draw the line is his disinheriting his children. I have never had an inheritance, so I'm not speaking from experience, but my first responsibility will always be to my son, not some second husband/tart (!) if I should ever have one. I think children come before anything. His kids have been nice to him.

Oh well, what do I know, no inheritance here...

Sandy in TN
 

Comadre Jardienra, spectacular recap as usual!

My complaint with Gonzo is that he was an absent/useless father. He wasn't involved in their lives and didn't take his responsibility as a father seriously. He provided no leadership or actions worth following. He didn't know, believe or trust his children from the beginning. When little Lili was accused of murder, he didn't really question it. Then he dropped her off at the nearest manicomo, and didn't bother to visit...
jb
 

I agree about the inheritance, but that is all Babs doing, Gonzo will do almost anything she manipulates him into.
 

Jardinera, a wonderful recap! This was such a packed episode. I appreciate all the work that goes into just one recap. Thanks to all of you!

Venus' take-down of Cad was not at all what I expected, but I loved it. I think we have to remember her past and look at it in that light. I'm sure she met all kinds of men in her line of work. What would be the biggest blow to the guy who acts like he's "God's Gift To Women"? That he really likes men.

That said, I think Cad is not the kind to put his tail between his legs and just "go away", he's the kind who gets revenge. Now there are so many he wants revenge on: Fer, for threatening him with rape charges; Aurora, for telling Fer about the rape; Babs for setting him up to be accused of rape; Venus, Steve & Fr/Ed for the whole "engagement"; Erika, for adding to Venus' story, Gonzo, for not defending him at the party. And besides, if he goes away who will support him in the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed? He'd have to work! I doubt that Cad will go away, I think we'll see more of his creepy face. Maybe he'll fall in with Damian & Jacobo.

Fr/Ed really needs to tell Erika what's up. Geez, Louise. This is just getting cruel. I don't think Erika is a psycho, but all this sneaking around may just push her over the edge.

I'm so glad Pris saved Vladi. I've always thought he was kind of cute. I don't know why she doesn't just leave with him. No amount of money is worth having to look at Anyballs every day.

Gonzo should be so proud of his boys! One is a cold, calculating embezzler who is not above planning murder, one is a lazy, promiscuous, woman abuser, and the *best* one is a temperamental, sobbing artist. If I were Nanda, I'd say I only had one sister.
 

Jardinera, wonderful recap for a great episode. The comments have been great.

I considered Venus' little speech a Public Service Announcement. She covered all of the bases, he will be shunned by all. How will he react to not being the playboy, I don't think it is going to be pretty.

Erika is living on different planet when it comes to getting her way. Doesn't she know the old saying, "ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies"?

Inheritance - what can I say, I believe you should get money the old fashioned way - earn it. Gonzo's children contribute nada to the business.

I like Pris and Vlad together, I hope that one works out.

Dam is the worst of the lot - laughing about having his supposedly best friend wacked is beyond redemption along with Anyballs. I think all of the alcohol has pickled their brains, they are not nearly as clever as they think they are.

DDenia is a loose cannon - they better all run for cover.

Too bad AB wasn't at the party, he would have seen them all self-destruct on their own.

Next week should be action packed for sure.

rsk
 

Wow, SandyinTn/jb/rsk: IMHO, there is absolutely something to say for earning your own way. The one thing that keeps bugging me though, about Gonzo's "gift" to his kids is that he left them with a hacienda full of servants and no way to pay for them or its maintenance, either, except through their salaries. Well, maybe salaries like theirs go further than I'd like to think. Anyway, Gonzo thinks he should be congratulated for that. A small trust fund for each would have at least made him seem more reasonable. Jerkwad Cad doesn't even have a "career" so I don't know what he would do except continue to sponge off the other two, Anyballs and Fernanda, either. I for sure am being pulled in two directions on this point. Sorry.....
 

Lili CAN'T contribute to the business, she's been locked up in the manicomio.

At least Anibal and Fernanda work there.

Camilo and Santiago shouldn't get any proceeds from Lactos, but I'm sure Gonzo inherited what Monserrat left behind, why shouldn't the children get what their mom left behind?

Besides the reason why Gonzo is disinheriting them is not because they don't contribute to Lactos, it's because "Lili's married to Obregon and Obregon will demand money from the Elizaldes."

Plus, even though Gonzo doesn't know it, BARBIE is the reason why Lactos is failing in the first place.

Gonzo & Monserrat were crappy parents. Anibal is a cold embezzler, Lili was never trusted and locked up in the manicomio without any visits, Camilo was nasty to the servants (as Monserrat was), Fernanda was shipped off to a different continent. Now how do you think little Fernanda felt, first her mom dies, dad marries this other chick who promptly has her shipped off to another continent?

Ironically, being shipped off to Spain is probably why Fernanda is the nicest of the Elizalde children (I don't know if Santiago was shipped off or not).

If Fernanda had stayed in Mexico under Barbie and Gonzo's "care" she would have been just as mean and nasty as Anibal and Camilo.

Plus, Anibal's "child" hasn't done anything for Lactos, either. So why give anything to Anibal's child? Let Anibal provide for his own "child."

And lets say Barbie gets the whole thing and then dies. How can Gonzo be sure that Barbie would set aside money to Lili's care, should Lil show up again? If the point was to protect the Elizaldes from Obregon, why disinherit all five children? Why not just Liliana?

And if Gonzo is so worried about Barbie being thrown out in the streets, why not give her the hacienda instead of the children?

Gonzo's made it clear that he cares more about Barbie than his own children and if it was a life and death choice between Barbie and the kids, he'll choose Barbie every time. Artemio Bravo didn't need to go through all these schemes because IMO the Elizaldes would have self-destructed anyway.
 

Does Barb know that Baby Vlad will inherit 40%?

rsk
 

rsk: I am thinking Barb does know about the 40% because she wanted Franco to insist Fer talk Gonzo into giving her her money before the baby was born instead of waiting till afterward. I guess that's why at first I thought she wanted 100% instead of the 60% she got.
 

Jardinera--
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!!!!!
When I saw this episode and knew you would be the recapper I was soooo glad. You did a real bang-up job (you never disappoint)and since I am very illiterate in Spanish I was waiting with bated breath ( I used to think it was baited breath and that seems fishy)
and you really delivered, girl.

As I read the comments, I'm amazed at how cleverly the writers and
actors have entangled us in the plots until sometimes we forget this is just a story and we are really concerned with the people we watch each night.
I'm struck with the basic goodness of the people who send the comments, we would like everyone to be kinder, more gentler and yet everyone get their comeupance where do. Hurray for us!!!!!
Thanks again, dear, it's always a pleasure to read your recaps.
I'm always mindfull of the fact that I started on Caray, Caray with Melinama when she recapped Alborada, every night and did a wonderful job.
 

Friday's episode was the only one I was able to see all week. I'm glad I didn't miss the big party and ensuing brawl. Muchas gracias to all of this week's recappers (and that's double to Kat), so I didn't have to miss a beat.

I was relieved that Pris saved Vlad's skin and gave him hope for the future. I was another one hoping the mud wrestlers could use their experience to take down Cad.

Thanks for all the comments, too. I'm still on vacation, but re-thinking my schedule so I can watch MEPS. Don't want to miss any final episodes.
La Paloma
 

Anon. Sun 1:44 -- You make so many good points. Artemio would have loved this "engagement" party, wouldn't he! I left out Lili in my thinking only because Gonzo naively figured La Barbie would take care of her after he died with the money he left her.
=========
La Paloma: enjoy yourself! We'll still be here and so will YouTube, je, je.
=======
Alice: The writers have kept us guessing and they do deserve kudos. I love the way they've made most all these leads strong women. Hope that means Ah-wah-wah will get a clue and a spine before it's over, too.
 

Kahlilah: You're right and Gonzo drives many of us BSC!
 

What to say...I put Gonzo and Camillo equally on the top "worst characters" list because Gonzo is a BAD father. Really, no matter what Franco and Barbara say, when your daughter is kidnapped and is staying at the home of Obregon, really, Artemio Bravo.....call the police, Stockholm Syndrome or no. He clearly puts Barbara above all of his children, even Fer and Santi who love and respect him, the inheritance is just a symptom of the greater problem.

All in fun though, I agree with Khalilah, where else can you wish the worst on people and then laugh HAHAHAHA!. Besides, it's football time in Tennessee, and all of our teams are losing. Right now I'm the only one at my house who is watching television and laughing!

Sandy in TN
 

By my calculations, there are 20 episodas remaining, I hope so. I do not want to miss the last week, since I'll be in DC & I don't want to miss that either. Sad isn't it, when your life revolves around a novela, well almost.
I'm thinking the final episode is Oct 9 & I leave Oct 15.

Does anyone know about "Camaleones" with Guillermo García Cantú? I love him as an evil character, (Fernando in FELS).
I can't find when it will be on, because Sortilegio follows MEPS.

Pls don't tell me I have to watch 2 horas de novelas.
 

Wow Jardinera, without your recap I would have missed so so much! Thank you!

I loved Cami being embarassed but I agree with others that saying he is "gay" certainly is not worse that beating up a servant.


What if he really was gay and in the closet, can you imagine how traumatic this would have been! I couldn't blame him for never telling his family and friends. It would certainly explain his temper and frustration! after this party he might commit suicide.

I know...I know it's only a TN and Cami we are talking about, but I still feel for any young gay person watching this novella who will not tell their family the truth because of reactions like these.

Other than that, I loved that Erika is finally showing a little more depth. Maybe now we won't have to hear anymore of her giggling. She is finally "using her head for something more than a hat rack" as my husband loves to say.

Why did Erika take Fer home? I thought Fer drove herself at the last minute to the party, maybe I missed something with all that action going on.

Net girl- I agree with you on how gorgeous Damien is- Jerk or no jerk he is a fine specimen of a man!

Sadly Esteve is the one I understand the best- I am sure my Spanish pronunciation is even worse than his is! boo hoo

I was so disappointed that Venus and Martina didn't tag team Cami , I would have paid for that on pay per view !!
 

Vario,

Will you be in a hotel in DC? I have never found a hotel that carries Univision. Can you tape the shows for when you return in case your El Fin calculations are off?

Sandy in TN
 

Sandy
I will be in a hotel in DC, but I don't think I'll be watching TV, I hope to spend it with Abe, George, Thomas, the Smithsonian etc, etc.
I'm working on my bucket list.

My taping abilities never work out.
I have a TV that tapes videos, need I say more. I never get it right, only when I tape what I'm watching.
 

Hello everyone! I'm loving the comments.

@Sandy in TN: "Sueltame" ... hmm, I don't think I'll be using that one. LOL!

@ La Paloma y @ Variopinta: If you are worried about missing episodes, please note that these recaps + YouTube keep you connected. I watch the "esnovela" channel because I think that it has decent MEPS episodes. Each show is divided into 4-5 segments. The image quality isn't superior, so you can't maximize your window, but it's good enough to be able to enjoy the show and feel like you're up to date.

Looking forward to finding out what happens next!!! For all of Erica's (and Fer's) fawning over Fr/Ed, I really want to see what happens when Miguel comes to town!

An aside -- Today I almost overpaid my taxi driver because I suddenly couldn't remember numbers after I'd so proudly asked "Cuanto cuesta?" Now that I'm temporarily living in a Spanish-speaking part of the world, I can't believe that I actually feel homesick for the states! I'll get over it!)


-Netgirl from the East Coast
 

Netgirl...If it isn't classified information, where are you?

Vario, I think your calculations are correct...you should leave for your excursion to DC with all the MEPS ends tied securely, no worries about Ed/FR, Fernanda, Lili, Camii, Gonzo, Babs, Santi, Aurora, Venus, Martina, Carlos, Flo, Gardenia, Dam, Erica, Esteve, AB, Pris, Anibal, Vald and yes, Jacinto and Mag will be expecting a baby...there you have it!!

Sandy in TN
 

Jardinera, thanks VERY much for the great recap and the explanation of some Spanish phrases. My Spanish needs all the help it can get--and then some!

Speaking of Spanish, I was struck by the comment by Anonymous : Sat Sep 12, 10:17, who said that she hoped she didn't sound like Estev when she spoke. By contrast, I'd be THRILLED to sound like Estev! Yes, he sounds like a Gringo, but he's rarely at a loss for words, he can express what he wants without much hesitation, and though his accent is very noticeable, it's not ludicrous. (Of course, it's not surprising that he can say what he wants without difficulty, since the actor is Mexican and is imitating a Gringo.) Even if I had a better accent than Estev, I'd trade the accent any day for his ease in speaking.
 

Juanita, I agree with you. Long before MEPS I discovered that if I speak flat-footed gringo Spanish, my grammar and word placement is almost impeccable and the words flow more easily!! -- go figure! Steve is a Spanish lesson in his own right and actually helps me keep up with the chipmunks!

Khalilah
 

Fantastic recap, Jardinera, of an action packed episode.

I've always maintained that Priscila is basically a good person, and just made one very bad mistake. All her later bad behavior (participating in the framing of Flor, for example) was forced on her by people who knew about her mistake. She's always been nice to Fernanda, and she tried to be nice to Anibal (no small task). She's suffered terribly for what she did, and I was glad she finally took the very brave step of saving Vladimir. I think it's taken her a long time to see Vlad's good traits, but better late than never, and maybe those two will actually end up together, with the baby. I hope so.

I don't think Gonzo is that bad, because he's not knowingly bad. Of course he's a bad father, but not on purpose. Compare that to Anibal (cheated on a milk deal, hired an assassin, unspeakably cruel to his wife), Damian (defrauded a person in the past, defrauded Lactos, flipped a switch to spoil the entire milk supply, slept with his mother in law, hired an assassin to kill his supposed best friend), or Camilo (physically abused Jacinto, leaving a permanent scar), brutally abused Erika, gave date rape drugs to his brother's fiance, then possibly raped her, threatened to permanently disfigure Venus), or Barbara (murdered Montserrat, had sex with her son in law, shot Damian in the leg, got Lucero locked up for a robbery he didn't commit, stole from Lactos, etc. etc. etc.). Okay, is Gonzo really that bad?
 

Another great recap, Jardinera. You da bomb!

So many great comments this time.

I'll weigh in with just a couple of things. I think Venus did exactly the right thing to wound Caaammmi where he lives. It didn't really strike me as homophobic because it was directed at a homophobic guy and his hotdog pals, designed to cause him the most embarrassment. And, especially when he stupidly turned to Erika to bail him out, apparently forgetting he beat the crap out of her a few months ago. Like she was really going to deny Venus' statement.

I don't think Gonzo is that bad of a father; he's just completely brainwashed by his clever wife. She's been dripping poison in his ear about all of his children since the novela began. Obviously Santiago and Fernanda are both VERY fond of their father. He must have done something right. I also think Anibal cares about him on some level. Camilo is beyond redemption; he cares only for himself. Liliana loves her father in spite of being placed in the manicomio. She was terrified Babs would harm him.

I'm not sure Pris means to go to Monterrey to be with Vlad after the baby is born. I think she's sincere that he would be a good father to her baby. She sees Anibal as pretty unfeeling. But whether she plans to live with Vlad or just work it so that he spends time with the little nipper, I'm not sure. I don't think she's completely given up on whatever her father promised to the heir to the two milk dynasties.
 

I have been following this Novela for a few months now, this was the most exciting episode so far!

Thanks for being here for people like me who know very little Spanish but watch them anyway!

I love Fernanda and wish she would jump on a plane with Franco and leave the mess behind.

What DID happen to her car at the party? Erika drove her home.
 

Thanks for the wonderful recap of the action packed episode! My Spanish is not very good, so I missed a lot. As several others have mentioned I have found that I understand Estev with his gringo accent the best! I am glad that Pris saved Vlad and I do think he is cute! I thought she said at the end of the episode that they would be getting together in Monterey, but he had to stay completely out of sight until the birth of the baby.. Would someone please clarify this for me? Thanks, Sylvia from GA
 

Mary - by gosh, you're right! If
Erika drove Fer home, how did Fer get to the party? If Fer drove herself, how did she get her car back? You need a telenovela beanie hat, Mary. LOL
 

Maybe Anyballs took Fer's car since Pris left early.

rsk
 

Hombre..

"Of course he is a bad father, but not on purpose"

Enough said, he is a BAD PARENT! Of the examples that you give Anibal and Camillo, they are the product of his genes and rearing. The better two, Santi and Fer, he happily blows off in favor of the woman who murdered their mother, Barbara! OK I'll give you Damian.

If it is OK with you Hombre, we'll agree to disagree!!

All my posts are in fun, as usual!

Sylvia from GA, hi neighbor!

Sandy in TN
 

Sylvia from GA, I listened again, and Pris begged him to go far away and not to make one single call to her. Pris distinctly said that after the baby was born SHE would call him "and then, only then, we will be able to plan a future together. Do it for our baby!" she implores.

Khalilah
 

Mary and Sylvia in GA: Welcome! We're all here for the same reasons. Glad you found us.
==========
rsk: Anyballs had to have taken the car I'm thinking too.
 

Doris: All the newbies have to get their beanies through you. Being a seamstress, I'm sure you can custom fit them for all. ; ? )
 

Elle: Damian is definitely gorgeous. What a waste.
========
Xinteperuvian: Sorry I missed your last paragraph earlier about Gonzo's sons. Santi is a bit too weepy for me, too. Guess it's the arteeest in him. I'm waiting to see if he knocks his brother's block off or if the novela gods have some other means of him getting even finally with Cad after all these years.
 

@ Juanita & @Khalilah,

I understand your point about Steve Norton's Spanish. I wasn't speaking badly of the actor, but I was making an observation about the accent of the character. I agree that he has great command of the language! (And I agree, I *wish* I could be that fluent ... now!)But in my line of work, the right accent + fewer words can at times be better than having more words and sounding like a foreigner.

@Sandy from TN, thanks for the friendliness! But it's stealth.

Cheers to all as we continue to learn while enjoying a good story!

-Netgirl
 

Jardinera, I too was disappointed that Martina and Venus weren't able to defend themselves better, but you have a point about most of their opponents being sloppy drunk.

Now, what has been bugging me since Friday night... the homophobia. Although after reading comments here, I am looking at it a little differently. This is all about Venus knowing her audience and knowing what will and will not upset them. She starts with the stuff she hates about Camilo herself, and the crowd just giggles appreciatively. Woman-beater? Servant-abuser? Cheater? Nothing. GAY?? Oh noes!!

And Gonzo was the worst of them all. He wasn't particularly upset until she said she caught him with another man. (Then, in true Gonzo style, he believes this woman over his own son.)

Camilo's friends' reaction was interesting too. Though they were shocked to hear it, I noticed that they didn't shun their friend and back away from him. They probably didn't believe him. When he went on the attack at the party, they actually held him back instead of letting him make things worse for himself. Ex-friends would have simply let it happen, I think.

I don't know what to make of Natasha's reaction. Just bitterness, I assume.
 

Gonzo is a Terrible father, giving no real thought to his responsibilities. His lack or omission in parenting his children is a path he chose. However the decision was made, doesn't excuse him from his actions or the consequences.

Marrying Barbara was just another stupid decision. I hope he lives long enough in telenovelaland to realize what that cost him...
jb
 

With regard to Steve Norton's US accent, you need only check out Santi's accent as Meester James in Destilando Amor. Keep in mind that he's supposed to be British... he sounds more US... but mostly he just sounds like the same actor with the odd way he sometimes enunciates.
 

Julie: Touchet!
 

Oh my point there was that after you hear Santi's rendition of an accent, you will have far more appreciation for Steve's.

I'll also say in Steve's defense that after you've been someplace else for a while, your accent can get a little confused. I went to Wales for a week and was talking funny within a few days (not even remotely a Welsh accent, but my own already-screwy Fall River/Orlando combo got messed up).

So, within the context of the story, I'm choosing to blame Steve's screwy accent on that. :o)
 

Julie: re the accents -- either way, they both are better than the guy who played the English pirate in Pasión or the girls playing the English hookers in the first few scenes of Destilando. Now they took some major beanie adjustment. LOL!
 

jb: I have to say that Gonzo was less than attentive even to Moansie. He care more about his cows than his kids.
========
Julie: ITA with your take on the crowd's reactions and Cad's buddies.
 

Netgirl....Awesome, keep us posted on all your adventures!

I love the discussion on the speed of speaking Spanish. From here on out, I plan to try and speak correctly and slowly rather than what I have been doing, speaking quickly with a more accurate accent but with mistakes. I've been wanting to blend in with native speakers (yeah, right!), but that is causing mistakes. As we can see, Esteve gets along fine in Villa Madera speaking slowly with a heavy Gringo accent!


Sandy in TN
 

Woops, when I said that Camilo's friends probably didn't believe him, I meant Camilo's friends probably didn't believe VENUS. (Big difference.)
 

Netgirl, Elle, Jardinera: on Sergio, although I am a grandmother now and really don't notice those things, Sergio does have a wonderful build, less steroidal than FC's. He looks cute in those glasses and blue jeans too! Too bad he's one of the bad guys!

Sandy in TN
 

OMG, Jardinera, you recapped one poppin' episode! I'm late to the comments but wow, you had a ton of action & adventure which you replayed in spectatular fashion. Very amusing too...thanks for the laughs.

Maggarita
:-D
 

Thanks for the fantastic recap Jardinera! You were such a lucky ducky to get that episode. I haven't had a chance to read all the comments so sorry if I repeat something that has already been said.

Cammmiii is a dirt bag and got what he deserved. He beat Jacinto for no reason,Erika for no reason, and manhandled Flor (but then everyone picks on Flor). I still think Martina and Venus could have tag-teamed a little better when Cad came to the house. Punching Venus in the stomach--what a man--NOT. I think Fr/Ed should have pounded him into the floor.

Erika--can you say "stalker"? She's getting crazier each episode. He should have never answered the phone. Did you see that look of frustration on his face when he saw who it was?

Yea Pris!
 

Thanks for a great recap Jardina. Cad is definitely going to be a problem for awhile. A dangerous, loose cannon. At the time, I think Esteve and Fr/Ed liked what Venus did. Esteve apparently did not have any completion strategy to his plan? It made Cad look bad, but the end results. Oh, oh.

I thought perhaps one of Cad's friends would come up and pat him on the back and say everything is ok. Don't worry. :)

JeffMN
 

Sandy in TN:

I agree, our posts are in fun, and we can definitely agree to disagree. But I was thinking, if Anibal and Camilo's faults can be traced to Gonzo's bad genes or parenting, can't Gonzo's faults be traced to his father and mother Jeronimo and Altagracia's bad genes and parenting? :)

I think Gonzo is more misguided than evil.
 

Re inheritance--Unless mom specifically designated a portion of her estate to go to the children it usually rolls over to the spouse. A child cannot receive their inheritance until they reach the age of majority (ie 18 or 21)so it will be "in trust" and no one will be able to touch it except for the Trustee. Oh wait, this is a TN--beanie adjustment.
 

Hombre,

Actually, I think that you make a valid point and I agree. Generally, the bad gene pool and parenting habits of the Elizalde family have created the big fictional mess of my current favorite novela, Manana Es Para Siempre.

Sandy in TN
 

Jardinera, this another great recap of an eventful action packed episode. I still marvel at your work. Does anyone actually believe that Vlad can remain safely out of sight until the baby is born? Is he aware that Damien is the one who set him up? Will Camilo go and stay gone? And why in the world can't Esteve just tell Venus how he feels? If everyone was as straight forward as Gardenia, things would begin to work out. Of course look how well her frankness about how she feels has worked out for her.

Carlos
 

Hey- here is another twist on Fer's transportation- she drove herslef to the paty,Err took her home right? So where is her car? Then, Fer is at las Animas, and her FJ is there. How about some continuity, people...
 

Good point DD. Could Anibal have taken her car? Pris took their car. But then I think Anibal was riding home with Babs and Gonzo.
 

We all seem to be forgetting something.... what was in Vlad's folder??

He was very surprised when he read it, so it must be something important. I am wondering if whatever it is will force him to stay around and not leave like Pris wants him to.
 

Right xlntperuvian , that & the envelope that Artemio left when he vacated his office, that was to be delivered to Padre Bosco.

I've lost track of the other loose ends.
 

Are Obregón, Lucio, Lili, Damian, Camilo, Lactos all going to testify against Babs or is she going to meet a vile end before that happens?

Ran across a new word today we can use for Camilo

zalamero = slimeball
 

I really do wonder if Vlad will be content to sit tight and wait for Pris. He agreed to that plan, but I don't think he's capable of it.

Right now, I don't think Pris has any intention of ever contacting him again, but that could change quickly if things go sour with Aniballs. Like if he ends up in jail for putting a hit on someone, for example.

Even if Ani doesn't end up in jail, Pris should consider whether or not she's safe staying married to a guy who would have someone whacked.
 

I actually thought Pris was sincere in wanting a loving father for her baby and she knows Vlad loves him already. In the nursery scene, she was initally touched and then lashed out because Vlad was complicating things in her life. In cntrast,you can see her wince when Anibal keeps referring to the child as "tu bastardo". But I just don't see Vlad as being able to abandon his child and "mujer" at this time. And by the way, what does he live on? He looks quite well-to-do, playing jai alai and living in a nice apartment building with a concierge, no less.

As far as Erika's wedding plans: as soon as she finds out that Franco is no more or less than Eduardo, she will fall instantly out of love with him and be on to her next man. The fallout will be more to her friendship with Fernanda.

Best episode ever and a wonderful recap to match.

J.
 

Priscila took Anibal's car to rescue Vlad. Anibal left the party before things went down with Camilo.

Anibal took Fer's car home. Erika dropped Fer home, then stayed around stalking Fer to see if she met up with Franco. Franco called Fer to come to Las Animas b/c of Camilo. Fer drives her car to Las Animas; Erika follows her there.

That's how it went down.
 

Woderful recap as usual. Thanks. The comments are also fun. I don't always comment but read when I can. Thanks.
Lynne
 

Jardinera: Exceptional recap - thank you.

So Pris did save Vlad. My hope is that they will be together with their much-loved son. My fear is that he will be too worried about Pris to actually get on the plane. Hope I'm wrong.

Cad won't go quietly and I fear he won't go at all. He and Anibal deserve jail. Cad for abuse and rape and Ani for attempted murder. Ani and Dam sharing a cell, now that would be justice.

Diana in MA
 

I think Cammiiii would be very popular in jail. ;)
 

I was wondering why Fr/Ed didn't just call the police at Don Silvester's to arrest Cami after his violent attack.

Also what was the point of bringing him to his home?

Also...someone weeks ago mentioned or sent a link about the actor (Esteve) his resume is incredible and has acted a lot in London.
I imagine he is so talented that he can imitate a Gringo spanish accent for his character and is doing an excellent job.

Wish he would dump the red wig...
 

Esteve is in Amor Real. His Spanish is excellent in that one. He has weird hair in that show too!
 

J. - Your question what does Vlad live on - I imagine a professional jai alai player makes pretty good money. I have relatives who live for jai alai and know all of the players - a popular player brings in a lot of business.
 

Vlad can come to Fort Lauderdale, we have a jai alai fronton not far from here.

I think he & Pris will end up together, but remember I'm the one that said Anibal would turn out to be a good guy.

As a Mexican playing a gringo speaking gringo Spanish, Esteve does a great job. He just sure doesn't have any sex appeal. He can teach Venus English now for their return to the EEUU.

Elle, they have avoided calling the police about anything due to Fr/Ed's fake identity. They didn't call about Camilo breaking in or Manzanares breaking in.
 

Isn't the actor who plays Steve Norton, hispanic? Born in Mexico I think? I just assumed he was really good at doing the accent of an American speaking spanish as best they can. He was that was as John in Like Water for Chocolate also. And he looks so non-hispanic that I figured he played this type of role often.
 

Julie, thanks. I didn't realize Vlad was a professional player though he did look more normal in that setting than anywhere else. The other guys seemed to like him as well so luckily Damian wasn't his only friend.

J.
 

Molly,
Esteve is Mexican
mira aqui

http://www.marioivanmartinez.com/inicio.php?c=cvingles
 

I think the main reason Fr/Ed didn't call the police about Camilo's attack on Venus is that he's still trying to keep things together as Franco Santoro, Power Milk executive, who's supposed to be in charge of keeping the Power Milk/Grupo Lactos partnership afloat. If he let justice take care of Caammmi, Gonzo, Anibal, and Babs would suspect him of not being who he says he is - all about the business arrangements.

After all, he's supposed to be a high powered executive who wouldn't care a rat's patootie about Venus.
 

Oh, J., maybe he's just a casual player. That hadn't even occurred to me. I think he mentioned something about a kickboxing lesson once too, so perhaps he's just independently wealthy. In which case, Pris REALLY doesn't need to stick with those crazy Elizaldes, milk family or not!
 

Variopinta, thanks! I thought so, and I guess I like the way he speaks because although he knows the words, he says them really crappy like me!

I followed the link and I like him with dark hair.
 

Molly, if you follow that link you can hear him sing & tell children's stories.
 

Thanks again, guys!
=======
Carlos: Yes, Pris told Vlad at the airport in her car that AB hired Damian to kill him.
==========
J. : Welcome! I believe that when Damian had Vlad hire on at Lactos Vlad said that he wasn't going to give up his insurance auditing job and last week he was eating his cheerios before having to get off to work when Dam called him and asked to come over. He told Pris that he was taking the job in Monterray last week and I thought it was a transfer. He also mentioned somewhere that he wasn't a rich man like AB, but he could provide for her.
===============
Hi, Lynne!
==========
Diane in MA: I can't see Vlad leaving quite yet and I am sure he'd break his promise to stay incognito even if he did take the job transfer to Monterray.
 

Jardinera, thanks for the recap! What a fabulous episode, and you didn't let any opportunities for mocking pass you by :) I'm so late it's all been said, but I wanted to give my thanks anyway.
 

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