Friday, November 20, 2009

Gancho Friday November 20th Drugs-R-Us, and Meeting the Momia’s Mommy

This recap may be a little less polished than usual, as I have to finish it Friday night. Tomorrow, it’s off to New York, to see the Metropolitan Opera! I’m seeing Puccini’s Turandot, which is all about an ice princess (think Connie), who gets thawed out by a romantic, masculine guy, who’s also really smart (okay, sorry Beto, it’s not you). I’ll tell you how it was. In the meantime, let’s get back to the stormy stage of our story, with just about everyone’s relationships going through rough seas (Moni and Mau, Estrella and Aldo, Ximmy and Rolu, Gabi and Sal, it’s like a tidal wave of problems). Let’s open the window to the storm, put on our raincoat, and hope we don’t get too wet.

We begin with the confrontation between Beto and Mauricio. Beto lets Mau know that the battle has begun (for Monita), and time is on his side. Mau may have Moni in his heart, but Beto has her in his neighborhood. While Mau inhabits his world of rich people, Beto will able, little by little, to get closer and closer to Monita. Mauricio is glad that Beto has been frank with him. He’s not giving up, but he’s also not going to fire Beto, who can keep his cleaning job at the company. Beto says it’s not like wrestling. There won’t be any tie. One of them is going to win. As Beto leaves the office with an hasta luego, ex soul brother, Mau is angry, but feels powerless at the same time.

Estrella is telling Monita her Aldo woes at the gym. She feels guilty about what Aldo’s doing to himself. And she really does love him. Moni tells her to just go for it, but Estrella thinks this may cause more harm than good. Anyway, Moni has to help. Okay, says Moni, where’s he getting the drugs? From El Chubi. Damned (condenado) Chubi, say Moni.

And here’s that damn Chubi, walking in the park with Aldo, wondering why Aldo keeps wanting more and more drugs. Well, we all know why – the high keeps getting less and less, he’s needs more for the same feeling. (Didn’t Aldo go to those “just say no” lectures in school? He should know all about this. I wonder if Mexico has as much anti-drug teaching in school as my kids had). Chubi says gradually take less and less and you’ll get over the drugs, but Aldo wants something STRONGER! Uh oh. Chubi doesn’t carry the heavy duty drugs, but Aldo figures he knows who does. Well, sure, but sensible (in comparison) Chubi tries to talk Aldo out of it. Aldo’s response: Turn me on to the heavy stuff, or I’ll go to the cops, and said you sold me the drugs! Bad Aldo. Chubi says fine, I’ll give you the guy’s name, but we’re through, I’m not getting involved with you anymore, you’re on your own.

Over at Grupo Sermeño, Lorenza enters Sal’s office, isn’t happy that Gabriela’s telling Sal’s “intimacies” around the office. What intimacies? asks Sal, his facial tic going like mad, paranoically checking the blinds for Gabi. Gabi then walks in, and Lore leaves. Sal is pretty much afraid of everything now, but Gabi just wants to set the record straight. She said nothing to the gossips in accounting, and more importantly, with or without a wig (she says chuchuluco, which I think actually means a cheap toy you get at a market), Sal is the best looking man she’s ever met.

In Jerry’s office, he, Oscar and Lore are having a pow-wow, laughing about Salvador, and what’s the next step? Increase the dosage. But there’s a little problem – Lore’s just about out of the crazy drops. Oscar says he’ll get two more bottles tomorrow, as they laugh their evil laughs.

It’s time for some fun, as we see Ximena in a chef’s hat and apron, she’s cooked for Rolu! It looks like some salmon and asparagus, and she leans over him, is it delicious? Disgusting, he meanly replies. He spits it into the fine napkin, wants some wine to wash away the taste. Xime pours him wine. Xime’s upset he doesn’t like it, she’s been cooking the same dish all morning, and this is the seventh try. She thought it tasted great, made little explosions in her mouth. Well, actually she had 15 versions. He doesn’t care, they just have a problem with their marriage. She doesn’t like this. She’s worn the clothes he demanded, given up all her girlfriends, she also has no guy friends (except Lalu, who doesn’t count), she’s dying to say her three things, but has been avoiding that, too. She’s done everything Rolu asked, and she tried to cook. Well, asks Rolu, is this your attempt (picking up the plate)? As Xime says Sipi, he hurls it over his head, smashing it against the wall! He demands she take him to bed. So we can sleep together? she asks hopefully. Nope, can’t she see he’s in a wheelchair? She resignedly wheels him off, and her permanent high seems to be fading.

Oscar’s in a seedy neighborhood we might call Drug Alley, someone’s sleeping on the ground, a couple of seedy types are staring into nowhere. This is where you get loco drops, I guess. He knocks on a metal door. A shifty looking guy with a hat lets him in, tells him that this time it’ll cost double (of course). Oscar doesn’t go for this, he’ll give him half of that double (i.e., the same amount). He gives the guy the money, and the guy goes for the stuff. There’s a knock on the door, and Oscar peeks out the window. It’s Aldo, who’s also come to Drug Alley to score his fix. Oscar’s intrigued.

Mauricio’s wearing the outfit most adored by Caray Caray ladies – a towel, nada más. He opens the bathroom door, and there’s a scream. Turns out Coni’s Mom (in a robe) is staying in the guest bedroom, and was just freshening up. Coni comes in, wonders what the two of them are doing “naked”. Mau looks uncomfortable, but Coni’s Mom smiles.

Mr. Hat comes back with two bottles of crazy drops for Oscar. Oscar says a young guy’s knocking at the door, have you sold to him before? Mr. Hat looks out, says no, I don’t sell to kids. Oscar says don’t worry, he’s a friend of mine, treat him well. Mr. Hat resists, young guys often don’t pay, then they rob you. Oscar says he’ll cover any shortage. Bad Oscar. Oscar hides, and Mr. Hat opens the door.

Momia’s Mommy looks up from admiring Mau’s body to realize she recognizes him – why, it’s the famous Mauricio Sermeño, good job, daughter. She starts flirting with Mau, asks him to tutear her, pointing out that she’s still pretty young, and by the way, since we’re both dressed for it, wanna take a bath with me? Bad Momia’s Mommy. Connie wants Mom to go immediately to Connie’s apartment, to keep Katia company. Mom says look at that, we haven’t seen each other in 5 years, and I drive her so crazy she wants to kick me out. Ahah, thinks Mau. She drives you crazy? Well, gee, we’ve got lots of extra rooms here. Why don’t we let her stay? (He finally has a little button of Connie’s to push). Connie complains, Katia can’t be alone. Well, then she can come here, too, adds Mau helpfully. So welcome to my house……Jacqueline, she interjects, but call me Jacky. Pleased to meet you. Mau excuses himself to take his bath, leaving a pleased Jacky and a peeved Connie.

Apparently Aldo’s money won’t buy him much, but Mr. Hat says not to worry, you’ve got a sponsor (padrino) who’s agreed to cover all your debts. So what do you want? I’ve got it all, pasta, polvo, hierba (grass, dust, weed, actually 1 and 3 seem to be the same, but let’s not quibble, the writers are trying to show all the drugs this sleazy guy has. And they’re all sitting out on the table, too, in case we didn’t get the message).


Aldo wants to know who this sponsor is, but Mr. Hat won’t tell, the guy wants to stay anonymous, but he does know your father (he says jefe). Aldo wisely gets cold feet and leaves. Oscar comes out, isn’t happy that Mr. Hat let Aldo leave. Don’t worry, says Mr. Hat. I know these young guys well – they always come back.

Jacky has decided to sleep in the master bedroom. She wonders why Connie’s staying in that room, but Mau isn’t. And what up with Connie, being married to a rich guy who’s also a bonbon, but not sleeping with him, and having a lowlife amante? Connie says it’s none of her business, and besides, hasn’t Jacky had her share of lovers? Jacky doesn’t deny it, but doesn’t want her chiquita to make the same mistakes she did. Enter Terry with some tea, saying the kids aren’t back from school yet. Ah, says Jacky, Mau has kids? Three, and I can’t stand them, answers Connie. Jacky’s a little more sympathetic now, knew Mau had to have SOME defect. She’d like to meet the kids.

In the barrio, Chubi is smelling some fabric as Moni and Estrella come upon him, ready to read him the riot act. They’re looking great as usual, though, Estrella in a red satin coat over a tight black dress and heels, Moni in a boxing outfit of black midriff top, tight red spandex pants, and a purple jacket. Chubi’s wearing a green shirt and a purple jacket. I just love these bright colors everybody in the barrio wears!


In contrast, Mau and Connie are usually wearing something grey, white or crème colored (actually Connie’s often in gold or silver, I guess it’s the money look). Jacky did have on a beautiful red silk blouse. Moni decides to have a reasonable, deliberate chat with Chubi about the evils of drugs. NOT! She punches him in the stomach, causing Chubi to double over, wondering why the bad vibe? How dare you sell drugs to kids! Well, Chubi didn’t think Aldo was that young, I mean, wasn’t he going out with Estrella? Oooops. He thought Aldo was an adult. It’s not his fault Estre’s a cradle robber! (una asalta cunas). Estre doesn’t like this one bit, threatens Chubi with the law, while Moni threatens to kill him if he sells to Aldo again. Chubi hears them loud and clear, he’ll steer clear of Aldo from now on. As a matter of fact, Aldo didn’t want his stuff anymore, wanted harder stuff. Estrella and Moni are horrified to hear this.

In the background, we see Officer Cris walking in, just as Estrella says what you did is a CRIME. Crime? Cris searches Chubi (after ordering him to put hands against the clothesline – manos contra el tendedero), finds the dope, says “cannabis indica”, here’s the body of evidence. Chubi protests, I didn’t do anything. Estrella says El Cristian is capable of putting his own mother in jail. Cris pauses for a sec, says “only if she committed a crime”, and marches Chubi off. Estrella and Moni both nod their heads, hmmph (you deserve it).

The kids come in, and Connie tells her Mom their names. Then she says, kids, say hello to your grandma. Jacky doesn’t like this, not Granny, just call me Jaqueline. So where did these kids come from, they’re not blond like their father. I already told you, Ma, they were adopted from a group home, I adopted them. Right, says Aldo. She adopted us to force Mauricio to marry her. As Jaqui’s eyes grow wide, Luisa adds, yes, because our Papá doesn’t love her, he hates her. Yes, adds Dani, my Papá is in love with La Monita, not with La Momia. Jacky doesn’t understand, who is La Monita and who is La Momia? Luisa points out Connie does have the face of a mummy, and Jacky agrees, as the kids get big smiles. What surprises Jacky is that Connie would adopt them. What, are you sterile? Connie really doesn’t have an answer for this.

At the gym, Mau asks Don Cesar if he represents wrestlers, not just trains them. Well sure, says Cesar, remembering that Mau did pretty well in his match against El Fantasma Vengador. That’s precisely why Mau came today – he wants Don Cesar to manage his career as a professional wrestler! Don Cesar’s response? Ah, caray. (should have said caray caray). Are you sure? Mau tells Cesar about the wedding, the prenup, and how he’s prohibited from being close to La Monita, the woman he really loves. But if he trained as a wrestler (and wore a mask, I guess), he could be close to Moni without people knowing. He also doesn’t want Valentina to know (we’ll see how long THAT lasts).

Jacky continues to win points with the kids (and with me) by agreeing that Connie’s always been a witch, even as a child. Her father and I, from the year she was born, called her Cruella de Ville, can you imagine? The kids laugh.

Mauricio confirms that he’ll wear a mask, have an invented identity, and no one is to know who he is. And he knows that nothing’s free, so he promises to fight so well that Don Cesar will make lots of money (I thought he was just going to pay Cesar a bundle, but I guess this is more “noble”). Don Cesar wants to think about it, says there are also lots of costs of publicity, and as to this, Mau does say, don’t worry about the money. But you can’t tell Nieves, and definitely not Beto. Don Cesar thinks about it a few minutes, and says yes, he likes the idea (as do we).

Rolu’s in bed, and Ximena really wants to sleep with him. No, and be quiet. Can she kiss him? No to that, too. Xime puts her head on a pillow next to the bed, and thinks back to when she kissed Lalu to resuscitate him. She wakes up, you won’t believe what I dreamed. But there’s Lalu in bed, telling her come here and kiss me, precious. She jumps into his arms. But THAT was a dream, too, and she wakes up to tell Rolu, who kicks her out of the room. However, Xime is all excited, could she have a thing for Lalu?

Estrella is glad Chubi’s out of the neighborhood, suggests to Moni that to really clean up the place, Beto should be kicked out, too. Moni protests, Beto didn’t give any drugs to a minor. Yeah, well he took Aldo to that bordello, didn’t he? Moni convinces Estre that Beto’s okay. But what can they do about Aldo? Moni says Estre has to tell Mauricio.

Sitting outside, Connie calls Katia, take a taxi and come here. Mom’s here already. Jacky wonders why a taxi, why not send the chauffeur? Oh yeah, you don’t have one. And by the way, I’ve met the family, and the head maid (Teresa), where are all the other servants? I’d like a girl available to me 24 hours a day, okay, dear? Connie explains there aren’t any others, they all help out, but with Katia and Jacky there, maybe they can hire someone. Well, of course, says Jacky, haughtily waving her gloved hand.


You don’t think I’M going to do any cleaning or the like. Jacky thinks Mau must be a miser, or worse, one of those types who like to SAVE their money. Heaven forbid! Well, they’ll just have to teach Mau to spend. She recalls the luxurious life on the yacht with Jean Clode. Yes, things are gonna change!

Estre doesn’t want to say anything to Mau, but Moni points out that SHE can’t, so pick up that cell phone and dial the number. Good hearted Estre grudgingly agrees. She goes over and sits on the bed, picks up the phone, but she just can’t. Moni grabs the phone to dial as Estre takes a deep breath. Mau answers, Moni gives the phone to Estre, who explains that she needs to talk to him, it concerns Aldo, but she doesn’t want to tell him over the phone. Okay, he realizes the deal he made with Connie doesn’t prohibit him from meeting with Estrella, they’ll meet at eight at the cafeteria near his house. By the way, is Moni there? She is. Tell her I love her, and I think about her all the time. Moni says tell him, me too. Estrella says “She says she loves you, too, more than her own life, she thinks about you all the time, she’s dying to be with you, to kiss your lips, your eyes, your neck and every centimeter of your sexy, sexy skin and undress you, little by little,


and caress your back, and meanwhile you start kissing her mouth, passionately, savagely”…WAIT A MINUTE! Interrupts Moni. What’s the problem? asks Estre. Well, you’re like a “hot line”, says Moni. Oh, just improvising, I can’t help it with my actress training (yes, I think Estre has learned her craft well).

Aldo’ s rolling a joint or something, when Jacky enters his room without knocking. He immediately covers the stuff with a pillow, but she knows what’s going on. Show me what you’re hiding, or you’ll be sorry. He meekly hands her the bag. She tells him she won’t tell Mau or Connie, but he’s got to cut this out. It’s not only dangerous, it’s illegal. She takes the drugs and warns him that next time, she’d have to tell her daughter, so there’d better not be a next time.

Over at Ximmy’s, she’s down in the dumps, but Lalu has come to visit. What’s the problem? She’d tell him 3 things, but she’s so depressed, she can’t even tell him the first half of the first one. Lalu knows what she needs, a strawberry daiquiri! Yes, yes, well, no, Rolu would be mad. But where is the bundle? Upstairs, sleeping. Then he doesn’t have to know! Lalu hustles his purple encased pompis over to the bar, leans WAY over, and Ximmy is shocked that she’s getting turned on! She gets up, and tentatively grabs a cheek. Hey, why’d you do that? Well, says Xime, just wanted to see if they were natural. Well, por supuesto. He starts flexing up and down, showing off his exercise routine, and Xime goes to check again. And again.


And again. They’re all real, all right.

And Mau gets real with Aldo. How are you, son? Fine, fine. Well, I’ve just made an appointment to meet with Estrella in a cafeteria. Is there anything I should know before the meeting?

Monday previews: Well, maybe Beto’s hugging Moni, and maybe Mau catches them, and maybe Connie catches him catching them, and……okay, we really don’t know anything. But I’m sure it’ll be fun.

Vocabulario:

Condenado – damned
Chuchuluco – cheap toy from a market, Gabi used it to refer to Sal’s wig
Una Asalta Cunas – a cradle robber
Manos contra el tendedero – As there was no wall handy, Cris said this, which means “Hands against the clothesline!”

Labels:


Comments:
Hombre, in one word, GREAT! This was well done. I'm so glad you translated word for word Estrella's message from Monita to Mao. She was wonderful. I got into it with her. You also hit the jackpot with this episode. Things are really starting to pick up, but what about poor Sal? Will someone please get him to a Dr.? Coni's mom, definitely a pistol.

Carlos
 

OMG, Hombre--I LOVE everything Puccini and I envy you! (in a good way ;) Enjoy the Met Opera and come back to us all safely, okay?

And thanks much for the terrific recap. I don't get to comment here but once in a blue moon because life is a you-know-what and Sorti and my blogs and my parents and writing deadlines and etc. take up a lot of time, but I like keeping up with the Gancho plot and Moni and Mau on the side. And recaps like yours make it so easy and enjoyable.

Have a wonderful trip.
 

Hombre, I bet you got an A+ on every paper you ever wrote. I'm always so impressed with your opening paragraphs. Your storm/raincoat/getting drenched image was so powerful and poetic. Wow.

Lots of fun new stuff in this one. Love Connie's mother and especially how she brought Aldo up short. If Mau has Jackie around, he may become more competent as a dad.

And like Carlos, I loved Estrella's smouldering sexy riff on the phone to Mauricio. Plus his dumbfounded but content look as he listened. In all seriousness, I think the actor does the duh/not bright but pleasant look very well.

And this was just a prize sentence: "Mau may have Moni in his heart, but Beto has her in his neighborhood."

Yes, Beto is using his power very well to make Mau anxious and insecure. Our feral Beto may not have much book-larnin' but he's shrewd and cunning.

Enjoy Puccini.

And hello Stephe. I've got the opposite problem. Not much time to visit Sortilegio but looks like you guys are having a great time over there.
 

One small quibble...not with you Hombre but with the closed captions. They keep giving the deceased lover's name as Jean Clod and it should be Jean-Claude. I mean the poor devil may have been a clod but I'm reasonably sure he wasn't named that.
 

Oh! I'm enjoying Jacki, Loved the "shall we share a bath?" scene -- and I laughed out loud at the conversation with the kids.

Rolu is really showing all the tricks of an abuser isn't he. Run Xie! Run! -- but not to Lalu.

Güera de Syracuse
 

Good morning Stephe and Judy. Add me to the envious of Hombre and his opera excursion. The Met in Nuevo York no less. Well, maybe Turandot"ll be the opera I get to listen to on NPR today. I'll have to multitask watching Baylor play Texas A&M, supervising Bonnie Belle's play date, and listening to the Opera. A dark and Stormy should help me stay balanced.

Stephe, I'm glad to see that you're still with us on this; and wow, do I have a deal for you. I know that you are very busy, but I also know that you volunteered to fill in as a recapper on Sortilegio. How about a go at un Gancho al Corazón? Even more fun than white-washing a picket fence. I've been eager to see your talent used in a recap. It's not Sortilegio, granted, but certain to contain material worthy of that Stephe-touch. The Lovely Linda and I will be on Isla Mujeres the week of Dec.7. Now perhaps I can do like Hombre and Kris and finagle a way to do it while traveling, but the opportunity to see a Stephe-recap of this delightful show is much more appealing. Give it a thought, porfis. I know that everyone here would appreciate it.
Drop me a line at

cmhillmd@sbcglobal.net

I'm really looking forward to more of Jacky. She is bound to go after one of our guys. Who will it be?

Sal? Cesar? Jero? Oscar? Tano? Beto? Costeño? Cristian? Chubi? Rolu? Lalo? Certainly not Mao?

Carlos (not part of that list, though she looks to be fun)
 

Good morning all. Hombre I, too, am extremely jealous that you will see Turandot at The Met. What fun!

Speaking of fun, your recap was a riot. Man, you had me laughing right out the chute starting with your title. Haven't we all been lucky with these great episodes? They are a gas to recap. I love it that Jacky is around to stir things up. Coni is even more of a sourpuss with her mom around. I thought it was hilarious that Jacky told the kids they used to call her Cruella de Ville.

Carlos, I like your list of potential 'victims' for Jacky:

Sal? - quite possibly because he is elegant and I think Jacky would like the idea of irritating another woman while wooing the silver fox.

Cesar? - a little too naco for her but she might find him fun and also irritating Nieves might be fun too.

Jero? - doubtful, too boring and sleazy.

Oscar? - I could see him snaking his way into her good graces, at least for a short while.

Tano? - doubtful

Beto? - could be, she seems attracted to his animal magnetism.

Costeño? - for a fling? Definitely!

Cristian? - nopis

Chubi? - nopis

Rolu? - absolutely

Lalo? - nopis, I think she'll suss him up correctly.

Certainly not Mao? - sipis, if given half a chance. And if she could go after both Mao and Beto so much the better! Ooh wouldn't Coni be mad?

Wow, Estrella, she just keeps getting better and better. Her 'hot line' talk even had me mesmerized.

Judy, are you able to actually read your closed captions? Mine have been so screwed up they are unreadable. I was wondering if it is just my area or everywhere.

Carlos, great idea about Stephe! What a treat that would be for all of us!
 

Sylvia...they're off and on screwed up. And often late. Or sometimes incredibly early. But several" Jean Clod's" slipped through and I was deeply offended on behalf of all Frenchies everywhere. I mean it's enough already that he had to fall overboard (although maybe he went on purpose to escape the relentless Jackie).
 

Hi Everyone! I'm just getting a chance to look at last night's recap and all the responses from my question early yesterday morning. Thank you all for your interpretations and input! Isabel's conversation with Mau makes more sense now. Like I said, I had the big idea of it, but the finer details such as thinking of Monita as somewhere between garbage and filth, despising her from the very beginning, and wanting to leave her on a church doorstep, really puts it all in perspective for me. I knew from the look on Mau's face that she was saying some pretty awful things, but couldn't get it all.
Thanks again!

I'm loving Jackie's arrival in the plot! I think she is going to be almost as entertaining as Ximena. It was hilarious to see her agreeing with the kids that Coni has a mummy face, always was a bruja, and caling her Cruella de Ville. She may end up being the kid's savior. The look on Coni's face was great! I love when she gets her come-uppance!

And I loved how Jackie went after Aldo when she walked in his room and instantly knew he was up to no good! I hope her intervention and Estrella's will nip his drug use in the bud sooner rather than later.

Jackie's flirting with Mauricio in the towel ("let's take a bath") her open robe revealing the black bra--all too funny! Sweat, Coni, sweat! I love it when Coni gets a taste of her own medicine.

Finally, Ximena goosing Lalu was just too funny! Not once, not twice, but repeatedly! And he looked so unsure of what she was doing! I'm still laughing! Any chance he may end up changing his predilection? I'd actually love to see Ximena and Lalu as a couple. They are both so naive, so delightfully superficial, so dingy! I think they would just have a ball bumbling through life together!
 

Sylvia, now if we can just convince Stephe what a good idea it is. I think her free-wheeling acerbic wit is a great match for our little show. Maybe others here will help us persuade her.

Judy, OSU looked very good today. You must be very pleased. About the CCs, maybe it's time for another write in campaign. It seemed to work before. Mine are lagging badly again. I'm guessing that it's just a matter of matching prepared captions (from the script) to the sound track. Otherwise how would the CCs sometimes precede the soundtrack. Maybe we can recruit Jeanne to get stern with Univision.

So Aldo is looking for something a little stronger? I certainly hope that Grani Jaqui put a good scare into him. At least he's been pretty much outed.

My choice for Jaki... Costeño. He's good with older women, por ejemplo, it's been implied there's been something between he and Nieves and we really haven't seen enough of him yet (acting wise). Now how are they going to meet?

Carlos
 

Carlos...thanks for noticing. We had some terrific running plays. I actually ended up feeling sorry for Forcier but my sympathy didn't extend to Rodriguez. Beating Michigan is essential for the health of the Buckeye nation. Our menfolk's testosterone drops precipitously when we lose.

Will be happy to join the "Puh-leeze, puh-leeze do it! Stephe" team. It depends on the medical situation of her parents though. She's a fabulous writer and insanely funny. But I don't want to add to her load if she's handling a crisis with her parents.

If she can't do it, and someone else doesn't want to give it a try, one of us can always post a header and everyone then jumps in to share their highlights.

Above all, I want you and Lovely Linda to enjoy your week on the Isla without any "chores". Nuthin' but fun and games for you two. That's an order from Dr. Judy.
 

Hello there. I've been enjoying reading these blogs and summaries for Gancho. What a fun show to watch.
Someone has been mentioning being able to download these episodes for later viewing. I've missed a couple and want to know how I can download them for watching as well.
Can someone give me some specific places and instructions for this?
Thanks.
Tom
 

Judy, from now on you're my primary provider. Since things are quiet here I don't feel too guilty about sharing my afternoon with you guys. I was misled about today's weather. Trusting the guy with the poofy hair last night Bonnie's friends (Buster and Cheyenne) showed uo at noon expecting sunny skies. Nopis! Rain, Rain, and Rain. Did this deter the pooches? Again, Nopis! Well, at least OSU had a great game. I was planning to drink a couple of Dark and Stormys, but the weather , though dark and slightly stormy, just wasn't quite right. It was too cool. The dogs were all especially affectionate so I smelled like wet dog when it was all over. Hmm,I wonder if there might be a market for that scent?

For a long time I've dreamed of a perfect Sazerac cocktail so today I finally had accumulated everything I need. The final implement came yesterday. My very own left-handed lemon zester and peeler. My Canadian friend gifted me with a bottle of Sazerac rye whiskey at Christmas. I used Absente which is probably close enough to the real thing. Well gang, let me tell you , it was great, but I'm especially proud of the length of my lemon peel, at least 6 inches.

Deb, so glad your with us . Do not underestimate Ximena. If anyone can persuade Lalo to switch teams, it's our Ximyfis.

Carlos
 

Hi Tom. I think Hombre will have to coach you on downloading episodes when he gets back from NYC and his opera experience. He's the one who discovered the site and had the internet skills to do it. It's way beyond me!

Carlos...even the East German judge gave you a perfect 10 for that lemon peel! Now as to the wet doggy scent, that's another story. Although who knows? maybe that's Beto's aroma?
 

Good morning Judy. You are correct that Hombre is the go-to-guy for instructions on signing up to access episodes of TNs. He was able to talk me through it which , believe me, was an amazing feat of effort on his part. I believe Hombre could make instructions for assembling an A-bomb understandable. Here is the site:

mistelenovelas

You have to request permission and have it granted which takes a day or so. To do that you scroll down and enter the area called Permisos, click on repuestos and ask a simply worded permission to download.

Tom, it's good to have you join us and I'm sure that if you encounter problems signing up that he will be glad to help as he did for me.

Carlos
 

Hi Tom, thanks for checking in and I'm glad you are enjoying our blog. After you click onto the mistelenovelas link and request permission you can download any of the "telenovelas finalizadas" section.

Carlos, did you say you are going to Isla Mujeres? That sounds divine! Do you and Linda SCUBA or snorkel? I've heard the diving there is great.
 

Hi, all, I'm back from the New York Met. It was actually just a one day trip. We left early Sat. on the bus, arrived in NY in time to have lunch with our daughter, went to the opera in the afternoon, and took the bus back, arriving home about 10:30 P.M.

What a day! The Met's production of Turandot is eye-popping, spectacular, beautiful beyond belief. They filled the huge stage (200 feet wide, 150 feet high, 100 feet deep) with the most ornate, gilded representation of ancient China that one could imagine. From the lowly peasants down front, through the courtiers, dancers, priestesses and noblemen, all the way to the emperor at the very top, it was breathtaking.

The music, also, was overwhelming in it majesty and excitement. The young guy playing the lead, Frank Porretta, was making his Met debut in these performances, and when he sang the final note of Nessun Dorma (that aria Pavarotti always used to sing), he held it forever, and the applause was thunderous.

The story is fascinating, too, and there's even a happy ending (rare for opera), in which the happy couple are about to get married, and the whole town turns out for the celebration, waving banners, as sparkling confetti rains down, and they all sing the theme of love. Actually, it's a little like the Gran Final of some of our telenovelas.

What a day!
 

Now, back to Gancho.

Judy: ITA about "Jean Clod" in the captions. Of course it's Jean-Claude. I guess the captioners are trying to write the French pronunciation in a way Mexican viewers would spell it. Silly, tho.

And I never once got any A+ on anything I wrote. Not even an A. In high school, I was not too interested in doing well, just in getting by and having fun. I sleepwalked through 5 years of French, too. Now, later in life, I can't believe how much time I wasted. There's so much to learn! And for some reason, now I WANT to do a good job, even though there aren't any grades.

Sylvia: My captions are hit and miss, too. Last year, I had none for several months, though, so I'm happy I have something. But it is frustrating at times.

Stephe and Guera, glad to hear from you, and Stephe, I definitely would love to read a recap of yours. Your comments are often wildly funny, very irreverent. Good stuff!

Deb: You're right about Jacky, she's just what our story needs, and should be a real challenge to Connie.

Tom: Welcome, and thanks for your comments. Hopefully, Carlos's link will enable you to download episodes you missed.
 

How exciting! Thanks so much for the report. It must have been very moving to hear Nessum Dorma live. I like your comment that the finale of the opera reminded you of a telenovela Gran Final. When I first started watching telenovelas and people asked me why I liked them, I replied that they reminded me of opera in that the characters and plot lines are over the top. However our telenovela stars rarely sing...unless Pablo Montero happens to be the star.
 

Sylvia, I haven't SCUBA dived in quite a while, but still snorkel and look forward to doing some relaxed snorkeling with the Lovely Linda. There are reportedly some beautiful calm easily accessed locations for that. Some years ago, when I wasn't diving I was dreaming about it and planning my next dive trip. I was also very enthusiastic about underwater photography. Divers are some of the most fun people to hangout with. Believe it or not, my most famous (well, my only famous) dive buddy was Buzz Aldrin. Sitting in an outdoor bar quaffing Greenies for a week and swapping stories with Buzz Aldrin was a real treat.

Mostly on this trip I'm looking forward to catching up on some reading, habloing a little Español, and above all spending quality time with the Lovely Linda.

As for your opera excursion to NY, WOW! comes to mind. I'm green with envy. How nifty.

Are we perhaps looking at the possibility of a summit of mommies. There have been recent disturbing flashbacks of odious Izzy, the sudden appearance of the frisky Jachi, and of course our Nieves is ever present. Alicia of course tries to be a mom to everyone. Lots of menopausal energy to be tapped into.

Carlos
 

What? Buzz Aldrin was your dive buddy? That is beyond cool!! Wow, the stories that guy must tell. What a great week that must have been, diving and hanging out with Buzz Aldrin. That's pretty amazing Carlos.
 

I'm with Sylvia, WOW, Carlos. Reckon Mr. Buzz spent quite a bit of time in water tanks preparing for space. Diving must have been so scenic for him!

I haven't seen this episode yet but loved the recap. Mike says it's worth seeing if just for the Ximena - Lalo scene.
 

And you know, it just happened. We were both attending a meeting (we had the neatest meetings, usually south of here) of the Undersea Medical Society on Grand Cayman. I have it on good authority that his trip was comped. Mine...not. He was a guest lecturer and gave a spell-binding talk. You are right. It was a magical week. Diving, eating, drinking, and hanging out with Buzz Aldrin. He loved telling stories and amazingly loved listening to stories. He especially liked the stories borrowed from my old proctologist friend, wait for it... Dr Butts. Of course we (my good friend Dr. Fagan and I) graciously and properly attributed the source which actually seemed to add to his amusement. I'll tell you this, the man can stay up late and get up early with the best of 'em.

Carlos
 

Carlos, that's hilarious, Dr. Butts, and the link to prove it! Next, you'll be telling us how Aldrin got the nickname "Buzz". You must have some fun times down there in Texas.
 

Hombre, you know, it never occurred tome to ask. Here in Texas everybody either has a nick name or 2 names. Por ejemplo:

Buzz

Jerry Jeff

Race Horse (a twofer)

Carlos
 

Hombre thanks for the recap. Your title was great. I'm glad you enjoyed your day trip to NYC and the opera. It sounds like a great day.

I'm happy Xime is so clueless that she doesn't realize Rolu is abusing her. Nevertheless, I hope she sees the light soon and dumps him.

Jacki is going to be fun. She will antagonize Conni like Connie terrorizes others.

Stephe - if you have time, your recap would be hilarious.
 

Hombre, the one bright spot Monday morning is reading your recap.

An excellent, fun recap with superb vocabulary. I loved your weather comparisons for the current relationship turnmoils: "Stormy stage", "rough seas" and of course, "tidal wave".

How can Rolu be so cruel to Ximena? To see someone with such a free spirit and loving personna be broken, inch by inch is just terrible.

Loving Jackie and although I don't quite see her with any of the current cast, a dalliance or two might be up her alley.

Let's hope our wonderful Estrella is able to "snuff out" Aldo's drug usage, and quickly.

Great comments everyone. Carlos, you really should write a book.

Diana
 

Oh, wow. Morning, mates! That's what I get for having to spend the weekend away from Caray--I almost missed Carlos' invite to recap an episode.
O.O

Thanks for all the encouragement, y'all. :) Glad to see you back, Hombre. I'll be shooting you an email today, okay, Carlos? Truthfully, Sorti has gotten downright depressing next to Gancho and the effect on me hasn't been pretty over there. LOL
 

Stephe,

"O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

I know that everyone here is thrilled that you will do a recap for us. I certainly am. I'm l
ooking forward to hearing from you. Things have become a bit frightening in Sortilegio as well as in the comments. I enjoy wandering into the fray from time to time knowing I always can find refuge here among the gentle folks of our study group.

Carlos
 

Stephe! I'm looking forward to your recap already!

HdM, great recap, loved your description of Mau's outfit. I think if a lot of telenovela watchers had their way the wardrobe closet would be full of towels and not much else.

Carlos! We have met someone in common! Way back when, I used to sell newspapers to Buzz Aldrin when I was working in the hotel shop in Sun Valley, Idaho, and he was staying there. Being diving buddies is way cooler, though.
 

I won't reveal any details about tonight's episode, but in preparation for my recap tonight, I watched it at mistelenovelas. Believe me, it is not to be missed. It is one of the very funniest yet.

Judy, this means you. Make sure your recorder is set.

Really excited about Stephe recapping,

Carlos
 

Hombre, thank you so much for this excellent recap. You gave fantastic detail and I would never think you were in a rush while you wrote it.

I liked the moment when Estrella got carried away on the phone with Mau. Both his and Moni's expressions were funny.

Jaqueline is a hoot but I'm guesing she is not gonna win a prize for her mothering skills. While it's fun to see Coni suffer a little now, I keep picturing her as a small child hearing her mother laughing and call her Cruella De Ville before she went to a trip to the salon. Still I love her interactions with Constanza and the kids. I'd love her as a grandma.

Jarocha
 

Also, I have to add: We do get PLENTY of education about drugs from the school and the media, etc. It just seems like some kids hear the warnings with one ear and then they flow out through the other, sadly without ever being processed by their brain.

Jarocha
 

What I recall from school is that you about needed something strong and tranquilizing to cope with the annoying and constant anti-drug lectures. And there were SONGS! Oh...the soooongs.

Of course, the kids who really needed some anti-drug counseling were either in the bathrooms or the parking lot getting high, or skipped school altogether, during these lectures.
 

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