Saturday, February 27, 2010
Corazón Salvaje (2009) 2/26/10 - The Devil You Say!
Capítulos 5 & 6
As Viewerville grabs a box of Kleenex for tonight's tear-jerker, we JIP (join in progress) a 3 hanky redux of Juan de Dios Sr. explaining to Juan de Dios Jr. that he is his long lost son now found. JD Jr. realizes that JD Sr. is the "ghost" that's been spying on him and Remiglio all these years. Sr. begs Jr. to believe him and his story. He swears on the memory of his dead mother that he loves his son more than his own life, and that the two of them will never be apart again. In true novela style, Jr. is unable to deny the "call of the blood". He accepts his father's sad story and his undying love for him as gospel. The two bond. (In all of Viewerville there is not a dry eye to be found.)
At the morosely sober Montes de Oca manse, Leonarda and Rodrigo are making a show of mourning his late wife's recent death as the priest comes to ask "Leona" (as in Helmsley) to become the motherless twins' godmother. She promises to do so, but only if Rod promises never to marry another woman unless she is truly worthy of being the mother of his two little girls. (Rod and the rest of us all know who that will be, now don't we?) He appears appropriately pained to have to swear to this and thinks it over in about a second or two. He agrees to Leona's condition. (Viewerville suspects ol' Rod would rather lay a little more pipe anyway and is really just happy to be out from under.)
That same night across town, JD Sr. takes Jr. to see his mother's grave. He tells his son what a beautiful lady she was and what a wonder it was that she gave her love to him, a humble fisherman, without asking anything in return. Whenever Jr. looks up into the sky at night, he says, the brightest star in the sky will be his mother looking down on him with love. (My hanky runneth over.)
Rosie, of course, unbeknownst to the two of them, is very much alive (if you can call that living). She's still ranting about wanting to see her son. Arcadio, poor shlub, is tired of listening to this for the millionth and one time. He screams at her through the passage way that the man's dead already! He comes to the cell and hisses angrily at her that both the kid and the man she was going to marry died years ago. Rosie just screams louder. Her son IS alive! "Alive!!!! Juan de Diooooooos!!!" (Viewerville is ready to give Arcadio his due because whatever Leona has been paying him all these years, it ain't nearly enough.....)
The next morning Rod tells Leona that he's leaving because he can't stand it there anymore. He needs to be far away from the memory of "his Constanza." Leona is stung with jealousy, and with tears in her eyes, she asks when he'll be back. Rod replies curtly that he doesn't know. She starts towards him to tell him she'll be waiting for him, but he snubs her and walks out the door without even a word--not for her nor for his two little baby girls. (They're her problem now.) Clemencia stands at attention while Leona shamelessly cries out after him that she'll be waiting for him forever and ever.
Down by the seaside now, from a distance, hidden in his old boat, JD Sr. points out to his son his three life-long friends: Mabel, Pedro and Santos. He tells Jr. that he can always trust those three. Suddenly a soldier accosts Sr. and then recognizes him. The soldier yells out his name. Sr. turns around and knocks the guy down and then slugs him a couple times before racing after Jr. and fleeing in their rickety little sailboat. JD Sr.'s three friends realize that he must not have died after all and the boy with him must be his son. They and the rest of the crowd on the shore cause a ruckus long enough for the two to escape.
Back at the Montes manse, meanwhile, Santiago Aldama pays a surprise visit to Noel and explains that he arrived the night before. In addition to seeing how their joint business venture was profiting, he was hoping to finally get a chance to meet Sr. Montes de Oca. Noel tells him that since misfortunes always come in bunches, Sr. Montes de Oca left early that morning for Europe after suffering through a recent number of them. Noel asks what else he might be there for. Santiago says he's there to fetch something that's always been denied him.
That something--or rather, someone-- is Mabel who is looking out at the sea, remembering Juan de Dios Sr. from the good ol' days, thinking that for sure that boy with him had to be his son. Suddenly Santiago appears in front of her there in the hut. He's come back. She tells him she has a long tale to tell him. He wonders if it has something to do with her.
That night another storm rolls in over the ocean. JD Sr. and Jr. make their way to an old hut on "The Devil's Rock" [Peñón del Diablo]. Sr. tells his son that they call it that because of all the terrible stories and legends that are told about it. This becomes their new home. Sr. is sick and coughing again and this scares Jr. He worries that his father will die and leave him alone once more. Sr. promises he won't, especially now that he's found him.
Years later..........
Leona watches Renato and the twins playing on the grounds. She says to herself it's a shame, but God took poor Constanza for a reason: no better mother than she, Leona, for Connie's kids, and of course, it gives her (be still my heart) another chance at Rod. Her fantasizing is cut short, however, with news that Arcadio, the administrator for the Finca del Mar, is there needing to see her. She rages at him for disobeying her orders not to show up at the estate in Veracruz unless there's an emergency. Arca the Orca (the guy reminds me of a whale --and enough about orcas really being huge dolphins....) tells her there is an emergency. What she's paying him won't do it for him any longer. The price he's charging to keep mum about the maniacal M de R is lovely Leona herself. He makes a move on her but Leona slips past him. "How dare you!!" He explains that it's darned lonely there. (Hubby makes a snide remark about the cat. I give him the evil eye.) He wants a woman. He wants Leona. Leona stutters. Orca says he's arranged it so that she can stay at the finca for a few days --and she'd better or else, cuz if not she'll be real sorry! "Understood?" He starts out the door. She's still stuttering.
Orca runs into Noel who's outside the door and about to enter. Orca assumes the slavish position, then leaves. Noel, suspicious, asks what that man was doing there. Leona lies about sending for him to ready the finca for her and the kids to spend a few days there. Naive Noel says that's not a bad idea, though it's a bit strange coming from her. When is she going? She says she's thinking of leaving that same afternoon. Noel's a bit disappointed that she won't be with him at the dinner being given in honor of the new governor. Ah well, it can't be helped. She's got to get things ready and go.
Meanwhile, JD Sr. is writing a letter for his son to take to Veracruz. He's to hand it over personally and once he's finished it he'll tell his son who he must give it to.
That night, the narrator's voice waxes poetic about another storm howling outside [rugir= howl] in the black of night, over the restless sea (or something like that). Their rickety boat bounces up and down in the wild waves, but JD Jr. "is becoming a man." (I guess that means he's up for the challenge.)
Back at the manse, Noel and Santiago get ready to batch it together at the Governor's Ball. The buggy [calesa] is waiting outside to take them. Just as they're about to leave, a soaking wet and raggedy JD Jr. rushes into the room and demands to see Rodrigo Montes de Oca. Noel explains it's his house, but he's not there to be found.
At the same time, Leonarda is arriving at the finca. Orca is there and ready for his roll in the royal sheets, but she has other ideas. She says she's brought him something he'll value much more than her, and then hands him a huge gold rope necklace. He grabs it and frowns. He then grabs her and says what he wanted was her! She tries to fight him off.
Back in Veracruz, Juan de Dios Jr. still wants to hand over the letter to Noel. Santiago asks him who it's from. JD Jr. replies excitedly that it's from someone from the past who was a victim of a great injustice and who is about to die: Juan de Dios San Román!! Both Santiago and Noel are saucer-eyed impactado.
We beam back to the finca, now, where Leonarda yells at Orca to stop it already! (Methinks she doth protest less and less.) Leona pulls away and instructs him that while she's there, Rosie is to be locked up in her cell and kept quiet because Hubby Noel is, she lies, due there shortly. Orca grumbles that her husband is an arrogant nincompoop and a laughing stock. [fantoche, pelele] "He's a useless good-for-nothing!" Leona doesn't disagree. She just sniffs, accepting the insults as the gawdawful truth.
Meanwhile, Noel refuses to acknowledge that he knows a Juan de Dios San Roman and tells Jr. to leave him alone because he's in a hurry and is leaving. JD Jr. races out to the coach after him, screaming for Noel to take the letter and read it because his daddy is dying.
Back on his death mat, poor, dying JD Sr. is worried that it's taking so long he may die before Jr. gets back. He doesn't want to die before seeing him one last time.
During supper at the finca, Leonarda, in hopes of keeping them from finding Rosie, tells the children about the supposed ghost of a suffering soul in their spider-filled basement cellar who is rumored to be a woman that has been heard to sometimes cry out for her child. She tells them they are not allowed down there and anyway, it'd be darned scary if they met up with any ghosts. (Good try, Leona, honey, but anyone with half a brain knows kids always do what you've told them not to.)
Finally Noel takes the letter from JD Jr., but he refuses to read it till Santiago shames him into it. "Aren't you going to read the letter? Surely it's something important. When a boy dares to come from Devil's Rock on a night like this you ought to probably read it and go to see Juan de Dios San Roman. It would be a sin not to attend [acudir] to a summoning from a dying man!" [moribundo]
Jr. arrives back at the hut just in time. His father tells him he thought he'd die without a chance to say good-bye. (Ok. Ok. I admit to needing a 4th hanky for this scene.) Sr. asks where Rodrigo is. Jr. says neither he nor Leona were there in Veracruz. He was only able to talk to her husband. Yes, he gave him the letter, but the man said he didn't know any Juan de Dios San Roman! Sr. coughs through his few remaining breaths. "What a waste. I can't believe it! I always thought that Noel Vidal was a good man!" JD Jr. begins to cry again at the thought of losing his father and being left alone. Sr. says he'll be with his mother in heaven looking down at him and they will always be there to care for him. He gives his son his leather chain with the shark's tooth, then tells him that he must keep it with him always to remind him that he is a strong man; that nobody and nothing can defeat him ever! It comes with his blessing. Sr. tells Jr. not to forget that all their suffering was caused by the Montes de Oca. "I swear to you the truth can be hidden, but it can never be extinguished!" He has Jr. swear to him that he will avenge his mother and will search out Rodrigo Montes de Oca. He must succeed in clearing the good name of San Roman. "Swear to me! Swear to me! Farewell! Farewell! God give you life my son." Lightening flashes and Juan Sr. breathes his last.
JD buries his father in the pouring rain. He's filled with anger and a thirst for vengeance. He swears that from then on he is no longer Juan de Dios. He is now Juan del Diablo!
Meanwhile, that same night, Leona has Clemencia help her get ready for bed. Leona crows about Rod's twins and Renato being the only heirs to the Montes de Oca fortune. Clemencia adds there would have been four to inherit if her Rosie's boy hadn't died. Leona gets mad at her for bringing him up and insists it's not her fault the kid died. She threatens Clemencia with her fist and tells her never to mention the boy to her again. Anyway, he died a long time ago and the dead never come back to life. They stay dead. (Guess she's in for one mell of a hell of a big surprise!)
Noel finds the hut on Devil's Rock. JD comes in and tells him he's too late. He just finished burying his father. Noel confirms that the boy is also named Juan de Dios and that JD San Roman was his father. Noel puts 2 and 2 together and in a telenovela first actually gets 4! He realizes this is Maria de Rosario's son. JD says yes, and he does know her whole sad story. Noel wants JD to come back with him. He belongs with his mother's family, he says. JD refuses to leave the hut till Noel makes a deal with him. JD will return with him to the finca, but once he's there, if JD decides he doesn't want to stay there then he'll be free to come back to the hut. However, says Noel, JD should remember that he is a Montes de Oca, and that he has a right to live there and take his rightful place with his mother's family.
Leona gets into bed. Clemencia is complaining that the only one who knows for real what happened to that boy is Celestino and he's unreliable drunk. Leona gripes that he's getting sicker by the day and is probably going to die soon. No good even thinking about him, let alone pestering him or her with anymore silly questions. Clemencia puts out the candles and leaves. Alone in the dark now, Leona mumbles to herself that the child died by himself and she refuses to take any blame for it.
Noel finally reads the letter on the trip back to the finca. It is addressed to Rod and says that the boy is Maria de Rosario's son, and that JD Sr. is asking Rod to protect his son in memory of the only woman Rod has loved, because she will be thanking him from heaven if he does. This way he, a dying man, will forgive Rod for the wrongs he committed. He insists that as a Montes de Oca the family has the obligation to look after JD because now he has no one else left. After reading the letter Noel is determined to convince JD that he has the right to live with his family and a right to enjoy what is his: his mother's fortune, his inheritance.
The next day Remiglio and his mother are reminniscing about JD. They have lost count of the years since her husband sold him off. Talk changes to their no longer being able to keep up with the cost of things. Remi needs to find a real job or to learn a trade. The cookie concession isn't bringing in what it used to. FF>>
Over at Celestino's, the poor guy is spitting up the crap that his daughter is trying to feed him. Apparently she never learned how to cook and now it is painfully evident. Father and daughter argue about her only staying around and taking care of him because she's hoping to learn the secret of the Montes de Oca so she can extort them, but Celstino's going to his grave (and in not too long a time, apparently) with it. He hasn't said a word to them about what he knows and won't as long as the patrones continue to support him, especially now that he's too ill to work. The nasty hija complains that he's just a lazy slob and always has been. She blames him for her mother abandoning them. He gripes about what a piece of trash her mother was and says that he's glad she's long gone. He adds that the nasty hija would be long gone too, except for The Secret. Nasty Hija screams at Celestino that he's right she'd be long gone cuz she's sick of this place and this kind of life. If it weren't for .... but she stops before she comes out with it. Nasty Hija walks aways and thinks to herself that she'd have hightailed it out long ago if it weren't for her heart-throb, Renato.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned heart-throb, Renato, and his cousins are playing hide and seek together out in the fields. Well, he and Regina get along just great. Ayme is the mischievous and willful one. He scolds Ayme for climbing trees instead of being more like her well-behaved sister. Ayme does not like having the exemplar behavior of her sister thrown in her face all the time and says as much. FF>>
Inside the main house, the Orca uses locking up Rosie in her cell as an excuse to visit Leona. She sneers and reminds him what will happen to the two of them if anyone finds out about Rosie. He lunges lustfully at Leona again. She fights him off again, but this time she gives him a little ray of hope. "You should learn to be more patient. One of these days I might give in and perhaps become yours, but you have to be patient, very patient." She changes the subject to improving the harvest of sugar cane and cocoa. He makes another play for her. She pushes him off. He says he plans to hire more workers. She says fine, as long as he pays them little in actual cash. FF>>
Remiglio now approaches the children and tries to sell them a few sweets out of his basket. He says he really needs the money. Regi is all for having Renato buy her one, but Renato doesn't think it would be proper. Up walks Ayme, reminding them that her "Madrina", Leona, will not like it one bit because she abhors food sold on the streets. Regi can be snippy, too, and she tells her sister that she thinks, as they tell them all in Mass, it's the charitable thing to do. Remi offers Regi one for her to sample. Just as she's about to take a bite, though, Leona walks up and knocks it out of her hands. "What a bad example you're setting!" She glares at Remi and then at Regina. "It's obvious you've inherited something of your mother!" Regi objects and is sent back to the house as punishment for being rebellious and stubborn. Leona says she will teach her manners whether she likes it or not! She takes the other two children for their walk. "We'll ignore this and not let it spoil our day!"
Remi is left cleaning up the mess as Arcadio walks up to offer him a job in the fields. Remi accepts and asks if his brothers could have a job too. Arcadio says he'll let them try out also. He won't pay them at first, only after, if they prove themselves. (What ever happened to the idea of an honest day's pay for an honest day's work?) Remi has no choice but to accept those terms.
That night Ayme talks her sister into checking out the tunnels in the basement with her to see if there really is a ghost like they say. At the same time Rosie, in a moment of semi-lucidity, decides to steal the keys from her mute guardian, Mirta, who is asleep on the floor. Rosie unlocks the door and sneaks out, remembering to take the candle to light her way. (Anybody else worrying here about that stupid veil catching fire?) The girls continue through the passageway and stop short when they see Rosie's shadow appear from the other end around the corner.
Upstairs Renato, followed by Clemencia, runs in to tell his mother that Noel's carriage is driving up. It's late and unexpected. They all go to greet him. Noel gets hugs from Renato but Leona stands off to the side and simply says she's surprised by his arrival. She has a fright and suddenly asks if it's because of some bad news about Rodrigo! Noel scowls at her. "Nobody's heard a thing from Rodrigo. He's still wandering somewhere in Europe. The important news is that I've brought a guest home." He calls to JD who races into the room, filthy and ragged, with a wild and savage look in his eyes. Renato is elated (finally some real excitement around the place), but Leona's scowl is not to be missed. Noel's just put one over on her and she ain't happy.
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Capítulo 6
I Guess The Devil Is In The Details...er...The Loose Ends
Renato is elated to finally have a pal --any male his own age-- to hang out with. Noel is delighted that his son has immediately understood his intentions. He waxes wordy about having a friend, a companion, a --Leonarda gets her first glimpse of JD Jr. and shuts Noel up in a Nueva Jork minute. "Enough, already! Stop talking nonsense!" Renato asks his name. Noel says his name is Juan. "They just call him Juan. [a secas = for short, or, just that] He's an orphan and homeless [desamparado = abandoned, homeless]. I expect you to be charitable."
Meanwhile, the twins have just seen Rosie's ghostly shadow cast against the opposite wall in the underground passage way. They are frightened out of their wits and race away.
Upstairs, JD has gotten cleaned up and now has on a suit. He can't believe what he sees in the mirror. Renato asks if he's never seen himself in a mirror before. JD says never one so big. It's like a slice of calm water, he says and he marvels at its smoothness. Renato wants to head back to the living room to be with his parents, but JD doesn't think his mother will approve. Renato defends her saying she's a very kind person and will accept him in no time.
Downstairs, said woman of generous spirit is bitching out her husband for bringing a savage, neanderthal-looking ragamuffin into her house. She wants to know who he is and why he's there. Noel says for now it's enough to know that he's the son of a man he treated badly in the past and wants to make amends. She wants a better explanation than that. He says the man died in the most impoverished of circumstances is all. He could have done something but didn't. This makes the doubting Leonarda suspicious. She thinks the boy is one of Noel's bastards from some illicit affair of his. He's no doubt brought him there to punish her for denying him his conjugal rights as her husband. Noel says it isn't that at all. The boy isn't his and he's been faithful to her despite the way she carries on in their marriage. Leona is furious and refuses to believe him. She wants the truth and she wants it now! Noel says he wonders if she can handle the truth. Leona says try her. Noel loses his patience and screams at her that the boy is the son of Juan de Dios San Roman! Leona is knocked-back-on-her-high-heels-impactada.
While mad Maria de Rosario wanders aimlessly through the passageways below the house, Noel tells Leonarda that JD SR never died and neither did the boy. San Roman himself says so in the letter he wrote to Rodrigo. Leona grabs the letter from him and begins to read it for herself. Down below, Mirta the Mute brings Rosie back to her cell. Raving Rosie has found a bag of her old clothes, including her wedding dress. She begins to rave about about needing Mirta's help getting dressed for her wedding with JD SR. "He's coming now! He's coming!"
Leona whines and says there's no way they can take in her sister's bastard. Noel insists that though it might infuriate her, the boy is a Montes de Oca and he ought to be where he belongs, with them. He goes upstairs. Leona tells herself that absolutely no one must see him there. She heads into the kitchen as Ayme is telling Clemencia that they saw the ghost. Leona scolds her for disobeying and Ayme blames it all on Regina. "Regi forced me to go with her!" Regi insists that it was Ayme's idea. Leona first wants to know what they saw. The twins say they only saw shadows and then heard a woman crying out for her son. Leona sends them up to their room as punishment. Regi objects. Astute Ayme knows enough to say yes, ma'am. Leona comes over and spoils her rotten. She caresses Ayme's cheek and says it hurts her to have to punish her for simply going along with her sister's crazy ideas. The favoritism isn't lost on either Regi or Clemencia.
Once Clemencia leaves to take the children up to their room, Leona tells herself that she's got to find a way to get rid of her sister's son as soon as possible and before anybody sees him there, especially Clemencia.
Upstairs, Noel joins the boys. "How do you like your new friend?" Renato is overjoyed to have a pal to learn to row and to hunt with. (You'd think his daddy had just brought home a pet.) Leona walks in as Renato says he's going to introduce him to his two cousins. She says that will be impossible because they've been sent to bed for disobeying her. She tells Renato to go to bed now too and orders Arca the Orca to get a space in the storeroom ready for JD to sleep in. Noel objects and says he'll sleep in the house with them or she can face the consequences.
Clemencia is chatting with the little girls about what happened. Regi tells Ayme to 'fess up that it was her idea. Clemencia tells them they shouldn't have done what they did, though she understands their curiosity. She suggests that Regi should learn from her sister how not to anger their madrina, Leonarda. Regi says if Ayme does what their madrina asks it's only because it's convenient.
Across the hall, Leonarda is angrier than ever before and she can no longer control herself. She tells Noel the truth about why she married him. She says he hates it that she never let him touch her again. She wouldn't because she's never loved him. Noel says it's been obvious for a long while that she didn't, but he never understood why she married him. She says she only married him out of spite because she couldn't have the man she really wanted. That man wouldn't even give her a second look. All she feels for Noel is repugnance. Noel loses it and grabs her arm. He screams at her how could she dare??? Renato hears the fracas and rushes in to protect his mother. He warns his father off her and tells him never to hurt her again. Noel and Leona stare daggers at each other. "Now you've taken everything from me, even the love of our son. One day you will regret it, Leonarda. One day..." He turns and races out of the room.
Leona hugs her son and plays it for all she's worth. "Oh, my son! I'm so proud of you for having defended me! Now I know that you will always defend me, always." She hugs him again and smiles evily to herself.
Outside thunder crashes and the lightening strikes. It's raining cats and dogs again. Noel angrily gallops away on his horse in the dark. The horse stumbles in the mud and throws Noel. Noel hits his head and falls unconscious.
Leonarda, meanwhile, decides to pay her sister a nasty visit in the catacombs. Rosie doesn't recognize her at first. Leona complains that she really shouldn't bother coming down to see her. The only reason she does is to see her suffer and to writhe in agony [retorcer de dolor.] She taunts and tortures Rosie by telling her that her son is really alive, but that she will never see him because this time she is going to make sure that he disappears from their lives forever. Why? Because she will never share the Montes de Oca fortune with anyone else. Nobody!
Leonarda leaves Rosie screaming and begging to be let out to see her son.
Back upstairs in her room, Leonarda hopes that Noel has left and gone for good.
No such luck. The next morning the hired hands have found Noel out in the countryside, still unconscious from his fall the night before and brought him back. Orca says they've sent for the doctor. He's not dead yet, but close to it. JD races over and yells hysterically for someone to help him get Noel off his horse. Leona rushes up to him and chases him away. "How dare you touch my husband. Leave this house forever and never come back! I don't want you here!" Orca tells her this isn't the time to argue as they drag Noel off and carry him to the house. Regi watches it all from the balcony. She notices JD standing there with his back to them and asks Clemencia who he is. Clemencia hasn't a clue because she can't see his face. She tells her he's probably some young stranger. JD walks off. "--Ay! Looks like he's leaving now anyway."
Noel is put to bed. Renato rushes frantically in as the doctor attends to his father. Leonarda stands at the foot of the bed. Noel recovers consciousness long enough to speak to his son and asks him to take care of JD as if he were his own family. Renato promises. Leonarda looks away, muy displeased.
JD climbs to the top of a hill in the countryside that overlooks the finca. Enraged, he screams to the four winds that he is not a Montes de Oca and never wanted to be!
Unfortunately for Leona, the doctor takes the pulse of the passed-out Noel and tells her he's still alive, then asks her to leave so he can work on him.
We beam back to the seashore again. One of Pedro and Santos' friends' mother is ill and they haven't any money for a doctor or medicine. Santo says he'll help him by pawning the gold chain his dead daddy left him. The friend won't hear of it but Pedro tells him Santo has something else of value left: his noble and kind heart. The friend accepts.
Renato catches up to JD in the fields and asks him to stay. JD says no way cuz his nasty mama just ran him off. Renato wonders where he'll go. JD says he'll return to Devil's Rock. Renato says he can't because he promised his father he'd take care of him, and besides JD hasn't got any money to pay for things. JD says he doesn't need it because he can fish and hunt. When Renato realizes that JD is determined to leave, he decides to run away with him to hunt and fish ala Huckelito Finn and Tomasito Sawyer. JD says his mama would never allow it. Renato says he has a little chest chuck full of money and offers it to Juan.
Leonarda notices her son's been missing for a while and sends Orca off to find him.
Unfortunately their plans come to naught. Renato brings JD his chest of coins. He says with it they can buy passage on a ship and travel the world. "--Are you sure?" Renato says yes. JD wraps the coins in a neckerchief. They hear the adults calling for Renato and start to race off but Renato trips and hurts himself. He tells JD to go ahead and he'll catch up to him. JD leaves just in time. Orca grabs Renato by the collar and drags him back home for a scolding.
Pedro and Santo go to the pawn shop. (It definitely doesn't look like any pawn shop I've ever seen.) The clerk assures Santo that if it doesn't get sold he, as the rightful owner, will be able to get it back whenever he chooses. Santo agrees and takes the money. (I smell a rat in this cheesy place.)
Back at the finca, Leonarda hugs her little boy and tells him how frightened she was. Then she notices that his coins are gone. Renato tells her he gave them all to Juan. Orca offers to run after him and get them back but Leona say no need. Even with him taking the money they've come out on top. The kid's left.
In town now, JD notices a (supposedly young, 20-something) guy selling sweets on the street. A couple of dandies are harassing him. JD runs to Remi's aid and chases the two jerks away.
Meanwhile, Leona receives a letter from Rod. She thinks to herself that perhaps it says he's returning home and what with her soon to be a widow.....but no. The letter says he's staying in Europe and wants her to send his daughters there to be educated. She rips the letter up and sobs. Rod has now taken everything from her: her love, her dreams, even her youth, and now his daughters.
Back in town, JD and Remi joyfully renew old acquaintances. Later, JD walks to the shore where he finds an old abandoned boat. "Juan de Dios" is painted on the side. He realizes it must have been his father's. He begins to take it out but is stopped by the same nasty soldier. JD says he's no thief. Just as the soldier starts to take issue with him Santiago appears and yells at the guy to leave him alone. "This boat is his because I have given it to him!" The soldier is a bit puzzled. Santiago throws the guy a bag of coins as a bribe (his mordito) and tells him to have that to quiet his concerns.
Santiago asks JD if he is Juan de Dios. JD says he is Juan del Diablo. Santiago says he knows him and his story very well. He shakes his hand and tells him to come with him. JD wants to know where to. Santiago says home to somebody who loves him greatly and has been looking everywhere for him. Santiago takes JD to meet Mabel who is overjoyed to find him at last. Santo and Pedro are there also. They tell him they are saddened by his father's death. Santiago tells Mabel then that, with his heart in his hand and in front of her closest friends, the man who she loved for for so long has unfortunately now died. His son is in need of support and a proper upbringing. He promises to take care of this for him if Mabel would agree to marry him. (What can I say? My 5th hanky runneth over.) Mabel is overcome.
Sometime later in the port of Veracruz it looks as if all three are dressed in their best and ready to embark on a great voyage. Santiago tells JD that he's happy that he has decided to join them. He promises never to try to take the place of his father. He promises though to look out for him, give him his last name, and to love him like a son. JD is in shock from his good fortune. Later, while looking over the bow at the activity on shore, he thinks to himself he'll take the name Almada and he will reject the name of Montes de Oca. One day, he swears, he will come back to avenge the death of his parents and to take revenge against the Montes de Oca.
In Madrid, Rod is reading the local paper in the lobby of his hotel. He reads about Maximilian and Mexico's now having an emperor to rule it. He sees dark times ahead for his native country and is glad that he sets sail tomorrow and will be far away from there. He looks up and notices a beautiful lady wearing a blue lace mantilla holding a small dog under her arm. He asks who she is from the bellman and then gives her his card. The lady receives his card, smiles broadly, and walks over to him. (Is she a fine lady, an acquaintance, or another trollop dressed like a fine lady? Hmmm. Inquiring minds want to know.)
Back in Veracruz, Noel seems to be recovering nicely. He's having breakfast on the back patio with the children. Renato says importantly --for benefit of the twins-- that his father will be fine soon because he's a very strong man. Noel says he's found out the twins are leaving the next morning for Europe. He tells them to study hard and behave while they are there. Regi dutifully promises that they will. He tells Renato that he heard Juan has left the finca. Renato promises to look for him everywhere. Regi asks who Juan is. Noel doesn't answer but thinks to himself that it's a long story he'll tell them some day.
That night on the boat, Mabel tells Juan that she also loved his father but that it was an impossible dream of hers because his father and mother were destined for each other. JD says he would have liked to have known her. Mabel says she was the sweetest person. The moon was witness to their oath of enduring love and by that same moon she will swear that she will take care of him and watch over him as if he were her very own. She notices the leather chain with the shark tooth that he's wearing around his neck. JD says he's kept it because his father won it in a fight to the death with a shark. This is his legacy to him, she says. He must get what fate denied to his father and he must never let anyone get the best of him. Ever!
We beam back to the dark cellar of the finca. It's late at night. Leonarda is supposedly looking for something when Orca walks up behind her and says it must be something important for her to be down there that time of night. She stutters and stammers for a reply. He wonders if she's there to finally pay him the price for his silence that she's been denying him all this time. She stammers again and says he's mistaken. He makes his move.
Upstairs, in the twins bedroom, Renato and the girls say their good-byes. Renato says he'll miss them and especially Regi because she's his best friend and always will be. She'll miss him, too, she says, then asks if he's really thinking of travelling the world with Juan. Clemencia is all ears. "Juan?" Renato says he's just Juan and his father asked him to take care of him and protect him. It seemed the boy was really important to him. Bells go off in Clemencia's head. She races off to Noel's bedroom and asks him why he never told her that her Rosie's son was there in the house with them. Noel is shocked she knows. He says it was his intention to have the boy stay there with them, but then he had the accident and was unconscious. Once he came to and found out the boy left he sent a worker out looking for him. The man came back with news. She wants to know what news. He says he found out Juan left that morning for Europe with a woman named Mabel and a an unknown man whose name he he didn't get. He sent the man to ask the fishermen about him. Clemencia is distraught. Noel starts to say something.
Suddenly we are transported back down to the cellar as Leonarda is being undressed by Orca. Horniness has won the day...or rather, the evening. (It definitely gives a new meaning to the tunnel of love, doncha think?)
Upstairs in his bedroom, Noel looks over the letter again. He asks forgiveness from JD Sr. for not having been able to take care of his son for him and prays to God that wherever JD Jr. is that he's alright.
The narrator's voice begins again. "This is the great love story that is ready to commence, an unforgettable story in which years later there will be four witnesses confronting each other: Renato, Regina, Ayme and Juan del Diablo."
The picture changes. [This is a dicey translation for me. Feel free to correct it. I'm doing this with only three hours of sleep.] "A young man is galloping through fertile fields of the Finca del Mar. On the bravest of horses he will have to trample American soil. His proud hand firmly holds the reins. He's a man who appears to be searching for something that he hasn't found. Perhaps he will never find it. Meanwhile, his eyes span with a single look the whole of what can be seen, the land knows that he is the lord and master. He is Renato."
The scene changes to a city scape. "And from the murmur of water comes a sweet and mature fruit that would seem to caress it. Around it is the fragrance of a woman, a young, passionate female, legs that frolic under the weight (?). The woman would seem to be resting, to tremble and to burn from desire. Her heart would seem to hold a volcano of passions. She is a woman who hopes, who lies in wait, like a wild animal stalking its prey. (We see her so hot to trot she's got her bustier open to the breeze, basket-ball sized bazoombas bulging forth.) --like lava waits to cross through fire and very soon will overflow its boundaries. (Yep, I'd say that's some kind of passionate. Whooeee!) That one, that one is Ayme."
The scene changes again to a room full of pictures lying around. "Inside the room of a boarding school there is a woman in whom the intensity of life beats, a world of passions inside her that she tries to conceal, putting it into her daily work. See, her body is very young still, but her heart loves now like a woman. As if a universe of passion was burning in her large eyes, and would run along her pale skinned cheeks. This woman loves and waits for the dream with the man she loved. This woman is Regina."
The scene changes to the ocean and a young man bobbing in the sea. "Like a wild animal from the depths of the sea there emerges a rough man, like it's nothing, in between the waves that protect him." Up jumps JD "all growed up", with long black tresses (and a body the envy of any man half EY's age). He's smiling proudly after catching an octopus with his bare hands. The narrator continues. "As he comes inwards to the shore, his bare feet would seem to hold fast, leaving heavy, well-marked tracks. And, he would seem, under the ray of the sun, to have got a brilliant victory. He is a son of nature, master of the earth, the sea. He is a rebel who yearns to lunge himself at the entire world, fighting and conquering. This one, this one is Juan del Diablo.
[Ok. I'm now running on fumes here. If I screwed up anything let me know. My brain cells have turned to Jello, but I'll gladly change it when the batteries are fully recharged. --Black Heart Jardinera]
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Muchas gracias, Jardinera. You happened to get the two hour episode, I see! First half was great and I look forward to the second half.
Great recap! My comprehension is improving but this really filled in the gaps.
I dozed off during hour 2 so I look forward to that one as well.
tm
I dozed off during hour 2 so I look forward to that one as well.
tm
Permalink posted by 
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:13:00 AM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:13:00 AM EST
Thanks very much, Jardinera, for the great recap. I especially loved your saying "Noel puts 2 and 2 together and in a telenovela first actually gets 4!"
Looking forward to the second recap as well. I watched it last night, but I enjoy the recaps both as great entertainment and to help me with the many places where No entendí.
Looking forward to the second recap as well. I watched it last night, but I enjoy the recaps both as great entertainment and to help me with the many places where No entendí.
Good morning Jardinera,
Once again Saturdays with Jardinera. What could be better? What indeed, but a double dose of Jardinera. Neato! I'm guessing, however, that you hope this doesn't become a habit (2 episodes in one evening, that is). Even so, you don't disappoint. Superbly done, Guapa!
I've noticed a bit of grousing from la gente about some of the features and qualities of this TN. To me it so far appears to be a perfected example of the genre. My only quibbles are:
1)Killing off the precious Constanza in only 2 episodes. Fortunately she's alive and kicking in a little more robust incarnation over at un Gancho al Corazón. (Join us if you get the opportunity. As you know, I get to hold forth Mondays.)
2)Putting that darling child in not only one, but two hideous wigs. Don't they have child abuse laws in Mexico?
3)Not showing us more of Mabel (though in the second episode as she was on the ship with Juan 2, we got to see quite a lot of her. Thanks.)
4)Naming such a lovely woman Mabel. How are we supposed to take her seriously? (Sorry, all you Mabels)
Juan all grown up looks very authentic. None of those artificial-hormonized muscles for him, thank you very much. A bit reminiscent of Eduardo Palumbo (que en paz descanse).
Bloody James Flynt formerly known as Carlos (still waiting for my list of peasant virgins)
Once again Saturdays with Jardinera. What could be better? What indeed, but a double dose of Jardinera. Neato! I'm guessing, however, that you hope this doesn't become a habit (2 episodes in one evening, that is). Even so, you don't disappoint. Superbly done, Guapa!
I've noticed a bit of grousing from la gente about some of the features and qualities of this TN. To me it so far appears to be a perfected example of the genre. My only quibbles are:
1)Killing off the precious Constanza in only 2 episodes. Fortunately she's alive and kicking in a little more robust incarnation over at un Gancho al Corazón. (Join us if you get the opportunity. As you know, I get to hold forth Mondays.)
2)Putting that darling child in not only one, but two hideous wigs. Don't they have child abuse laws in Mexico?
3)Not showing us more of Mabel (though in the second episode as she was on the ship with Juan 2, we got to see quite a lot of her. Thanks.)
4)Naming such a lovely woman Mabel. How are we supposed to take her seriously? (Sorry, all you Mabels)
Juan all grown up looks very authentic. None of those artificial-hormonized muscles for him, thank you very much. A bit reminiscent of Eduardo Palumbo (que en paz descanse).
Bloody James Flynt formerly known as Carlos (still waiting for my list of peasant virgins)
Thanks for a terrific recap of the first part, Jardinera. You really are to be commended in doing both hours, that's a lot of work! And I love your name for Arcadia, Orca, perfect!
They've had all sorts of actors for Juan's various ages, but budgets only go so far, and it was funny to see Remiglio about 20, but played by an actor who's about 40 (because he'll still play him in the later part, I guess).
I can see why Santiago likes Mabel, but why did she just marry him? Of course, there is that money thing. Maybe she can get him to help out all the poor fishing people who I guess were her family.
I thought the writers were really playing around with Santiago's Spanish accent, throwing in WAY more c's (pronounced th) than were nethessary.
They've had all sorts of actors for Juan's various ages, but budgets only go so far, and it was funny to see Remiglio about 20, but played by an actor who's about 40 (because he'll still play him in the later part, I guess).
I can see why Santiago likes Mabel, but why did she just marry him? Of course, there is that money thing. Maybe she can get him to help out all the poor fishing people who I guess were her family.
I thought the writers were really playing around with Santiago's Spanish accent, throwing in WAY more c's (pronounced th) than were nethessary.
Thanks for the quick first part Jardinera. I stepped away for a moment to prepare a drink and when I got back the twins were wandering down the tunnels. I was thinking is Maria del Rosario locked up in the basement of their house or somewhere else? Your explanation answered my question.
Young Renato is indeed the young Eduardo Cruz form MEPS.
So it looks like leonarda will give it up to the Jailer. Gross...
I was thinking Mabel should ahve been married a while ago. Why did he wait to get her? Another thing i'm not sure about is that Juan de Dios jr. went with Mabel and her husband in the ship, so what is he doing back fishing?
Ibarramedia
Young Renato is indeed the young Eduardo Cruz form MEPS.
So it looks like leonarda will give it up to the Jailer. Gross...
I was thinking Mabel should ahve been married a while ago. Why did he wait to get her? Another thing i'm not sure about is that Juan de Dios jr. went with Mabel and her husband in the ship, so what is he doing back fishing?
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 1:36:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 1:36:00 PM EST
Ibarramedia- I was thinking the same thing. Why would Jr. go all the way to Europe as the sort of adopted son of a rich guy, only to be doing the same thing- being a scruffy fisherman. Maybe he just does that fishing like a wildman in his diapers thing in his free time?
Carlos- Seems like you would have waited all those years for Maybel too, just like Santiago. ;-) I still wonder how they're going to age her. No way they can get her to look old. Ibarramedia- I don't think Maybel is related to anyone. Although she has many good friends. I was more shocked that after reuniting with his long lost brother Remy, Jr. just went off to Europe without even a backwards glance or a visit to his other adopted brothers and sisters and mom.
So, was Jr. just supposed to be a big kid for his age, because he and Renato are only like a year apart and Jr. looked a good 3-4 years older. Nice to see some more familiar faces among the kid actors- Mayita from CCEA (in two horrendous wigs), little Eduardo from MEPS, and Ivan from Gancho.
Carlos- Seems like you would have waited all those years for Maybel too, just like Santiago. ;-) I still wonder how they're going to age her. No way they can get her to look old. Ibarramedia- I don't think Maybel is related to anyone. Although she has many good friends. I was more shocked that after reuniting with his long lost brother Remy, Jr. just went off to Europe without even a backwards glance or a visit to his other adopted brothers and sisters and mom.
So, was Jr. just supposed to be a big kid for his age, because he and Renato are only like a year apart and Jr. looked a good 3-4 years older. Nice to see some more familiar faces among the kid actors- Mayita from CCEA (in two horrendous wigs), little Eduardo from MEPS, and Ivan from Gancho.
Great recap, Jardinera. I'm looking forward to Part 2.
I felt as if I had witnessed the Creation last night. On the sixth day Juan of God was born out of the sea in all his mighty majesty. Amen.
I felt as if I had witnessed the Creation last night. On the sixth day Juan of God was born out of the sea in all his mighty majesty. Amen.
Jardinera, Muchas gracias for the Saturday treat. You got a double whammy last night. Nice work, and so quick too! I'm dying to read then second half. "Orca" is perfect for that troglodyte.
Hombre, I agree. Thantiago sure is exaggerating his ac-thent. For what purpose? More comedic flair, or ith he really thuppothed to be Iberian? This show is so over the top, but I'm lovin' it. I thought Mayita would be smothered by those oversized wigs.
Hombre, I agree. Thantiago sure is exaggerating his ac-thent. For what purpose? More comedic flair, or ith he really thuppothed to be Iberian? This show is so over the top, but I'm lovin' it. I thought Mayita would be smothered by those oversized wigs.
Thank you for the recap!
Although I'm a big fan of Senor no-matter-how-old Yanez, the octopus killing-emerging from the sea scene somhow reminds me on this picture:
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4209/thebirthofjarjarbymirae.jpg
:-)
Although I'm a big fan of Senor no-matter-how-old Yanez, the octopus killing-emerging from the sea scene somhow reminds me on this picture:
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/4209/thebirthofjarjarbymirae.jpg
:-)
Ah Jardinera...you are the queen of sassy prose. Rodgrigo "wanting to lay a little more pipe and happy to be out from under". How cruel! How apt! How darntootin' right! Cynic.
"My hanky runneth over". Delightful. And appreciated "calisa" buggy and "acudir" attend to".
You teach, you amuse, and we get a double dose. Yay. Color me happy, along with Carlos. Plus the Buckeyes won again today. All smiles.
"My hanky runneth over". Delightful. And appreciated "calisa" buggy and "acudir" attend to".
You teach, you amuse, and we get a double dose. Yay. Color me happy, along with Carlos. Plus the Buckeyes won again today. All smiles.
Is Mayita that kid who had an imaginary fairy godmother with a magic room in CCEA? I never really watched that just the first week and the last 2 or 3 episodes...
JB had a better Spanish accent when she was Sandra in SORTI. I got a kick out of hearing Sandra speak. i loved it. :)
Ibarramedia
JB had a better Spanish accent when she was Sandra in SORTI. I got a kick out of hearing Sandra speak. i loved it. :)
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:43:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:43:00 PM EST
Yep, that's the same kid Ibarramedia. The one that was lucky enough to get to hug and kiss William Levy in like every episode. :) ITA- JB had a better, less exagerated Spanish accent in Sorti than Santiago has here.
Argghh! Thanks me mateys! Part 2 is at the bottom of part 1. Let me know if you think it should be listed by itself as a separate post and I'll repost it accordingly.
Just keep it in one spot Jardinera since they played it back to back. We can just comment on it like it was one big episode. It will also keep us from going back and forth with the comments. Thanks for the hard work my friend.
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 5:58:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 5:58:00 PM EST
I'm not asking any questions, I doubt
Mejia could answer them.
I fell asleep, probably a good thing. I believe I said I wouldn't critize, es una mintera. oh well
¡¡Arrgh!!
Mejia could answer them.
I fell asleep, probably a good thing. I believe I said I wouldn't critize, es una mintera. oh well
¡¡Arrgh!!
Thanks for a GREAT Part II! I had to laugh at the heavy Castilian accent of Santiago! To me it was hilarious!
If the actor intended it to be serious, I am sorry, but I have no shame. LOL!
tm
If the actor intended it to be serious, I am sorry, but I have no shame. LOL!
tm
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 6:29:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 6:29:00 PM EST
Jardinera,
Bien hecho. I'm doubly impressed. Had I faced a double episode I believe I might have just sat down and wept. And what a wonderful job you did. Your translation of the last scenes was masterful. I know full well how much effort that feat took.
I might even be able to entice the Lovely Linda to watch this show. She developed a fondness for Renato when he appeared on Dancing With the Stars.
Juan emerging from the sea with lunch in hand is wall poster material for pubescent girls. Cheesy yet powerful.
Carlos... oops... I mean Bloody Jimmy F
Bien hecho. I'm doubly impressed. Had I faced a double episode I believe I might have just sat down and wept. And what a wonderful job you did. Your translation of the last scenes was masterful. I know full well how much effort that feat took.
I might even be able to entice the Lovely Linda to watch this show. She developed a fondness for Renato when he appeared on Dancing With the Stars.
Juan emerging from the sea with lunch in hand is wall poster material for pubescent girls. Cheesy yet powerful.
Carlos... oops... I mean Bloody Jimmy F
Thank you, Jardinera.
I missed the second hour, so I appreciated the recap. Lots of wonderful observations, as usual.
I missed the second hour, so I appreciated the recap. Lots of wonderful observations, as usual.
Just read the second half, and once again, Jardinera, you've done a wonderful job. I especially liked "Huckelito Finn and Tomasito Sawyer" and "We see her so hot to trot she's got her bustier open to the breeze, basket-ball sized bazoombas bulging forth." Yes, that Amy isn't subtle.
Does anyone think this is a little like FELS, in that the hero is named Juan, he's played by EY, he's sort of a wild type, he wants revenge for something that happened to his parents, and he's using a different name? Hmmm.
Juan Largo de Plata
Does anyone think this is a little like FELS, in that the hero is named Juan, he's played by EY, he's sort of a wild type, he wants revenge for something that happened to his parents, and he's using a different name? Hmmm.
Juan Largo de Plata
Great job Jardinera. Sorry you had to work double but it is always a pleasure to read you.
By the way, Santiago Aldama is played by Arche Lanfranco and he is Spanish. I think his accent sounds authentic. But there will be some really awful Spanish accents in the next few episodes.
Jarocha
By the way, Santiago Aldama is played by Arche Lanfranco and he is Spanish. I think his accent sounds authentic. But there will be some really awful Spanish accents in the next few episodes.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 7:38:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 7:38:00 PM EST
Hey BlackHeart Jardinera. The 2nd half was even better than the first. You rock! I love Raving Rosie and Mirta the Mute. I believe Maximilian's wife was Charlotte (I thought I heard them say Carlota) the daughter of King Leopold of Belgium and a raving looney to boot.
About JB in Sortilegio. She was okay, her accent used to slip at times but I thought it made sense for her character who was a Mexican girl educated in Spain, not actually a Spanish girl.
Three Spanish actors worked in this novela. Archie/Santiago was one of them, there's another guy with a simmilar accent and another with an Andalucian one.
Jarocha
Three Spanish actors worked in this novela. Archie/Santiago was one of them, there's another guy with a simmilar accent and another with an Andalucian one.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 8:34:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 8:34:00 PM EST
Jardinera~~You deserve the gold medal for so excellently recapping not one but two episodes . I can definitely see the comparison between Leonarda and Leona. Those two mujers were cut from the same cloth. Poor Leo, pining her life away for Old Rod while trying to dodge Natty Noel's feeble attempts at securing some conjugal congress and simultaneously holding off The Incredible Bulky Hulk. It could wear a lesser mujer down, but not our Leo. No, she is still vying for the title ''Queen of Mean'' with her 20th century doppleganger Leona. Well, we have finally reached Juan #6. Tarzan of the seas. Calamari tonight for everyone. Let the games begin.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10:53:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 10:53:00 PM EST
Jardinera, great double recap and your humor is great as well...Leona. Orca.
I really thought this novela would be a howl but I am surprising myself by enjoying it so much. Sure the characters are long in the tooth but it is still entertaining. However, Our Tarzan of the Seas, LOL, hasn't made his official appearance yet as well as the Two Wigs so it could still be a scream. But could it be worse than FELS, I think not.
GinCA
I really thought this novela would be a howl but I am surprising myself by enjoying it so much. Sure the characters are long in the tooth but it is still entertaining. However, Our Tarzan of the Seas, LOL, hasn't made his official appearance yet as well as the Two Wigs so it could still be a scream. But could it be worse than FELS, I think not.
GinCA
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:31:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:31:00 PM EST
Jardinera, I think we were all running on fumes after that 2-hour dose of drama and spectacle. When brave and burly Juan strode out of the ocean there at the end, I was ROFL at his octopus. It just struck me as really funny.
Thanks for the excellent recap, especially the translation of that overwrought narrative about the four main characters. Also loved "to hunt and fish ala Huckelito Finn and Tomasito Sawyer."
At the end of the first hour, when Noel brought the wild boy Juan home with him, all I could think was "It's Heathcliff, arriving at Wuthering Heights.!"
I'm afraid I'm now officially on board the good ship Hysterical Unreality. I've added a lace ruffle and satin ribbon ties to my tinfoil beanie.
La Paloma
Thanks for the excellent recap, especially the translation of that overwrought narrative about the four main characters. Also loved "to hunt and fish ala Huckelito Finn and Tomasito Sawyer."
At the end of the first hour, when Noel brought the wild boy Juan home with him, all I could think was "It's Heathcliff, arriving at Wuthering Heights.!"
I'm afraid I'm now officially on board the good ship Hysterical Unreality. I've added a lace ruffle and satin ribbon ties to my tinfoil beanie.
La Paloma
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 12:29:00 AM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 12:29:00 AM EST
Add me once again to your appreciative audience Jardinera.
Recording didn't get the tumultuous second hour but the recap knocked a home run. Especially your translations of the narrator's purple prose at the end. (always loved your sly "nueva jork minute" early on) and your translations.
Thought I was going to 'endure' this for the sake of sticking with my buddies, but I'm loving the overwrought hyped-up drama of it. Very operatic and colorful. Good stuff for this prim Presbyterian.
La Paloma's "the good ship Hysterical Unreality" is a good one. All aboard!
Recording didn't get the tumultuous second hour but the recap knocked a home run. Especially your translations of the narrator's purple prose at the end. (always loved your sly "nueva jork minute" early on) and your translations.
Thought I was going to 'endure' this for the sake of sticking with my buddies, but I'm loving the overwrought hyped-up drama of it. Very operatic and colorful. Good stuff for this prim Presbyterian.
La Paloma's "the good ship Hysterical Unreality" is a good one. All aboard!
Eduardo Yanez was intensely working out with a trainer for this role. He has a very nice 'V' shape now. Yumm! but if he had a better food intake he would have had a 'cut' body..Too much crema and enchiladas.
Thanks for the recap.. Ahhh Eduardo Yanez..
Thanks for the recap.. Ahhh Eduardo Yanez..
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 9:00:00 AM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 9:00:00 AM EST
¡Buenos Días a todos mis mateys! Brain cells (what's left of 'em) are functioning again.
============
tm: Welcome!
Juanita/tm: The script in this telenovela seems difficult for a lot of us so don't feel bad.
=============
Carlos: While working on those last four paragraphs I did want to weep! LOL! It was like trying to read through Milton's Paradise Lost. Lovely, but Ugh! I kept thinking about you and CherylNM and Novelera who've formally studied all types of Spanish lit and wondered if there's an easier way to understand those grammatical constructs.
============
tm: Welcome!
Juanita/tm: The script in this telenovela seems difficult for a lot of us so don't feel bad.
=============
Carlos: While working on those last four paragraphs I did want to weep! LOL! It was like trying to read through Milton's Paradise Lost. Lovely, but Ugh! I kept thinking about you and CherylNM and Novelera who've formally studied all types of Spanish lit and wondered if there's an easier way to understand those grammatical constructs.
Hombre: Seems to me that if they could find all those younger actors to play Remiglio up to now, they could have waited and used a younger one to play him through then end of cap. 5 also. Aside from the stupidly illfitting wigs on the girls, that was a major casting boo-boo IMHO. As for Mabel marrying Santiago, I think she always had a special thing for him despite her love for JD Sr. She mourned JD Sr., I think, and then decided to move on --a healthy thing to do. Anyway, I sort of feel it's lucky for her having a rich, attractive alternative opportunity. Sort of her reward for doing the honorable thing and not interfering with JD Sr. and MdR's romance.
Cielo/Aribeth: Thanks! I couldn't get the link for the picture, tho'. Could you repost it for me?
=============
Ibarramedia/ViviDC: Thanks for the kid actor connections. It was driving me crazy trying to think who young Renato was.
===========
Pasofino: "I felt as if I had witnessed the Creation last night. On the sixth day Juan of God was born out of the sea in all his mighty majesty. Amen." Oooooh! Yeah! You know, LOL!
============
LadyXoc: OT Agnes, I'm catching El Clon on TM's site the day after. No CC and it's rough. Didn't think I'd like it because of the plot, but....// Glad you're along for this boatride. I thought it would be a real shipwreck because of Mejia, but so far he's kept it pretty low key and fast, campy fun if you can get past the geriatrics playing characters half their ages!!
=============
Ibarramedia/ViviDC: Thanks for the kid actor connections. It was driving me crazy trying to think who young Renato was.
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Pasofino: "I felt as if I had witnessed the Creation last night. On the sixth day Juan of God was born out of the sea in all his mighty majesty. Amen." Oooooh! Yeah! You know, LOL!
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LadyXoc: OT Agnes, I'm catching El Clon on TM's site the day after. No CC and it's rough. Didn't think I'd like it because of the plot, but....// Glad you're along for this boatride. I thought it would be a real shipwreck because of Mejia, but so far he's kept it pretty low key and fast, campy fun if you can get past the geriatrics playing characters half their ages!!
GinCA: Nothing could be as bad as FELS! LOL!
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Variopinta: Keep trying!
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Traveling Lady/JudyB: Uni threw us a fast one with the double caps. I almost didn't realize it myself!
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JudyB: Oh Happy Day! Your Buckeyes won! Will rose colored glasses even be necessary now? //As for the over-the-top in this, it's what Hubby likes to call those fun, romantic paper-backs with the hunks and damsels painted on the front that I love to read from time to time, a true "bodice ripper". I do love 'em and this one will be fun. I am totally hooked myself!
! 8 > }
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La Paloma: "Wuthering Heights" yesindeedy speedy! You and I were tracking there. All aboard!
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Mad Bess/susanlynn: Wow! Your comments read like a recap. I love it when you go stir crazy from the snow. I congratulate you on your instincts about this telenovela. I wondered what we'd be getting with this version of CS despite EY in this role, and especially, because of its poor reviews south of the border. You said it looked good and you were right! You're sitting in the catseat of our ship, amiga!
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Variopinta: Keep trying!
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Traveling Lady/JudyB: Uni threw us a fast one with the double caps. I almost didn't realize it myself!
============
JudyB: Oh Happy Day! Your Buckeyes won! Will rose colored glasses even be necessary now? //As for the over-the-top in this, it's what Hubby likes to call those fun, romantic paper-backs with the hunks and damsels painted on the front that I love to read from time to time, a true "bodice ripper". I do love 'em and this one will be fun. I am totally hooked myself!
! 8 > }
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La Paloma: "Wuthering Heights" yesindeedy speedy! You and I were tracking there. All aboard!
===========
Mad Bess/susanlynn: Wow! Your comments read like a recap. I love it when you go stir crazy from the snow. I congratulate you on your instincts about this telenovela. I wondered what we'd be getting with this version of CS despite EY in this role, and especially, because of its poor reviews south of the border. You said it looked good and you were right! You're sitting in the catseat of our ship, amiga!
Jarocha: I've been wondering why the difference in response to CS2009 in Mexico vs. the US. I know that the real CS begins with the arrival of the 15 yr. old JD Jr., but could it be the change in timelines once we get past the "Yo Compro Esa Mujer" portion? I said with Pasión that I think the U.S. audience has a soft spot for anything dealing with pirates and ships on the high seas. Maybe Mexican culture does not? // Also, this isn't quite as bad a production as I'd have expected from Mejia. It's as if he's actually trying to prove himself as a serious professional in this one as opposed to being known only because he has produced a mass of big and costly productions in the past. My opinion is he is known up here for usually ruining things by sticking his finger into the writing, casting, directing pies too often.
Jardinera:
"I couldn't get the link for the picture, tho'. Could you repost it for me?"
Of course! It's nothing special, only a funny Star Wars picture. The way Eduardo emerged from the sea in his err... black diapers reminded me on the Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, and when I found this image on Deviantart, I almost fell off the chair I was laughing so hard.
picture
"I couldn't get the link for the picture, tho'. Could you repost it for me?"
Of course! It's nothing special, only a funny Star Wars picture. The way Eduardo emerged from the sea in his err... black diapers reminded me on the Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, and when I found this image on Deviantart, I almost fell off the chair I was laughing so hard.
picture
There was a dispute in the comments of a former post about CS and FELS - which one is worse, why did CS flop, if CS had bad ratings while FELS had been a huge success should we be worried? I tried to add my two cents but the blog engine didn't appreciate my attempts. :-)
I'll try again:
"I think it's somehow better than FELS, which was astonishingly surreal (yet very funny and entertaining) after the 60th/70th episodes.
Mexicans rejected CS because 1. it's the remake and of a Holy Novela, 2. the unwise and controversial casting choices, 3. the slowness of the story, 4. they're fed up with Mejía's arrogance. Not because it's so much worse than the average Telerisa circuses.
On the other hand, the success of FELS lies in: 1. the pure Mexican spirit , 2. good casting choices (despite the age issues), 3. mucho steamy scenes.
Of course CS's a Mejía/Abud creature, therefore it's full of overacted, ridiculous, over the top scenes, idiot conversations, illogical storylines and awful wigs, but IMHO compared to Fuego's sillyness Corazón seems to be a bearable, decent and moderate novela. :-)"
I'll try again:
"I think it's somehow better than FELS, which was astonishingly surreal (yet very funny and entertaining) after the 60th/70th episodes.
Mexicans rejected CS because 1. it's the remake and of a Holy Novela, 2. the unwise and controversial casting choices, 3. the slowness of the story, 4. they're fed up with Mejía's arrogance. Not because it's so much worse than the average Telerisa circuses.
On the other hand, the success of FELS lies in: 1. the pure Mexican spirit , 2. good casting choices (despite the age issues), 3. mucho steamy scenes.
Of course CS's a Mejía/Abud creature, therefore it's full of overacted, ridiculous, over the top scenes, idiot conversations, illogical storylines and awful wigs, but IMHO compared to Fuego's sillyness Corazón seems to be a bearable, decent and moderate novela. :-)"
Aribeth: Ah yes! Definitely The Birth of Venus! LOL!// I missed reading some of the comments I guess and so that comment. I always enjoy the cultural aspects of these things, but it must be then that we here have our own cultural "spirit" of sorts. It's not necessarily better, but it is different. 8 ? )
This is apropos of absolutely nothing, but did anyone notice the painting on Leona's wall a couple of episodes back? It looked awfully much like La Belle Ferroniere by DaVinci. Most likely, the scenery people just picked a likely reproduction to dress the set, but I am always fascinated by the artwork they select and why.
--
AgnesinNJ
--
AgnesinNJ
Aribeth,
Your analysis comparing CS with FELS is very thoughtful and seems to me, spot on. Certainly, as campy and strange (unintentional? I'm thinking, maybe not) as FELS was, it seemed richly Mexican in flavor. I've watched in entirety, La Madrastra, La Esposa Virgen, Mundo de Fieras, and of course FELS. None I consider great theater but in spite of glaring flaws, over the top acting, and perhaps a large measure of self-indulgence, I found them highly entertaining, and certainly rich fodder for our type of forum. As a relatively inexperienced novice recapper, I welcome overacting, preposterous premises, and inadvertent humor. For me, these things make recapping easier to make both interesting and entertaining. On your last points I vary, bearable... yes. Decent and moderate (at least in a strict sense of the words)... I hope not.
BJF
Your analysis comparing CS with FELS is very thoughtful and seems to me, spot on. Certainly, as campy and strange (unintentional? I'm thinking, maybe not) as FELS was, it seemed richly Mexican in flavor. I've watched in entirety, La Madrastra, La Esposa Virgen, Mundo de Fieras, and of course FELS. None I consider great theater but in spite of glaring flaws, over the top acting, and perhaps a large measure of self-indulgence, I found them highly entertaining, and certainly rich fodder for our type of forum. As a relatively inexperienced novice recapper, I welcome overacting, preposterous premises, and inadvertent humor. For me, these things make recapping easier to make both interesting and entertaining. On your last points I vary, bearable... yes. Decent and moderate (at least in a strict sense of the words)... I hope not.
BJF
Lady Xoc,
I'm so glad our paths cross again. Some time back, you taught me to make links. Thanks for that (though I'm not sure the other denizens of Caray Caray are as happy that you gave me that ability). That painting caught my eye, though of course I didn't recognize even the artist, much less the painting itself. I'm glad we have an artist like yourself to identify these things and edify us. I always scrutinize the scenery looking for details (not only fine art, but the chucherias) like that. Thanks to HD, these are much more noticeable.
Carlos
I'm so glad our paths cross again. Some time back, you taught me to make links. Thanks for that (though I'm not sure the other denizens of Caray Caray are as happy that you gave me that ability). That painting caught my eye, though of course I didn't recognize even the artist, much less the painting itself. I'm glad we have an artist like yourself to identify these things and edify us. I always scrutinize the scenery looking for details (not only fine art, but the chucherias) like that. Thanks to HD, these are much more noticeable.
Carlos
LadyXoc: Agnes, yes, I noticed it and wondered about it. Thanks for the link. Sometimes Uni surprises us, don't they?
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Aribeth/Carlos: I hope you don't think I was taking issue with your comment, Aribeth. I thought it was full of insight and am sorry I missed it the first time around. ITA with " IMHO compared to Fuego's sillyness Corazón seems to be a bearable, decent and moderate novela. :-) // "I've seen all those other Mejia "masterpieces", too, Carlos. I am torn between wanting it to stay "moderate" and having a bit more "over the top" cuz that makes recapping a snore, but keeping up with FELS to write those recaps was torture at times when it started to drag, but it did lend itself to some great snark. I actually was sorry to see it end. OMG! What am I saying?????
=========
Aribeth/Carlos: I hope you don't think I was taking issue with your comment, Aribeth. I thought it was full of insight and am sorry I missed it the first time around. ITA with " IMHO compared to Fuego's sillyness Corazón seems to be a bearable, decent and moderate novela. :-) // "I've seen all those other Mejia "masterpieces", too, Carlos. I am torn between wanting it to stay "moderate" and having a bit more "over the top" cuz that makes recapping a snore, but keeping up with FELS to write those recaps was torture at times when it started to drag, but it did lend itself to some great snark. I actually was sorry to see it end. OMG! What am I saying?????
Absolutely wonderful job Jardinera. Thank you so very much for tackling this two-hour episode. I especially enjoyed the final descriptions of our fated four. All in all a clever, funny, brilliant and over the top recap of what I thought was a fantastic episdode(s). I'm enjoying this TN very much.
Jardinera. About why this novela was a flop in México. This first episodes didn't do so bad in ratings. The flopping started after the characteres meet once they are adults.
All this backstory is part of Yo Compro Esa Mujer. Except the part with Juan and Renato running away together and Renato lending Juan his galeons. In CS that part is even more significative given that the boys are half brothers.
This is one of the most popular stories ever made in México. There's been four previous versions and many people regard their favorite one as the best. Each and every one of these versions had good acting, directing and the best production values of its era. There's also a movie from the 60's that always gets good ratings whennever it's shown on TV.
Either the most popular actors of their time or those who would become part of the most respected actors of all time played the main parts in all the earlier versions.
If this novela was not the best production with the best acting and script at least for this year, the Mexican audience wouldn't have forgivenn it.
Instead we get a production with several flaws like the overacting, the cheap production values (wigs, clothing and wait untill you see the boat). On top of that the mixing of the backstory has completely changed the origins of our main characteres, which has made some of their choices very puzzling since they don't have the same incentives they used to have(since my personnal favorite was Aimeé, I'm pretty angered at this portrayal, she has been stripped of all her complexities). Finally, some of the choices with the main character of this story have diminished his honorability and that is not easily forgiven.
As crazy as FELS was, the Mexican audience didn't get to see the original because that was a Colombian novela. There was no worry that Mejía was ruining a classic. They got to see charros singing and other things that made them remember the old charro movies and they could laugh at the implausibility of all without thinking: He is ruining my favorite character! He is ruining my favorite story!
I hope I didn't sound to terrible on this explanation, but it is the best one I could give without spoiling the next parts of this story.
Jarocha
All this backstory is part of Yo Compro Esa Mujer. Except the part with Juan and Renato running away together and Renato lending Juan his galeons. In CS that part is even more significative given that the boys are half brothers.
This is one of the most popular stories ever made in México. There's been four previous versions and many people regard their favorite one as the best. Each and every one of these versions had good acting, directing and the best production values of its era. There's also a movie from the 60's that always gets good ratings whennever it's shown on TV.
Either the most popular actors of their time or those who would become part of the most respected actors of all time played the main parts in all the earlier versions.
If this novela was not the best production with the best acting and script at least for this year, the Mexican audience wouldn't have forgivenn it.
Instead we get a production with several flaws like the overacting, the cheap production values (wigs, clothing and wait untill you see the boat). On top of that the mixing of the backstory has completely changed the origins of our main characteres, which has made some of their choices very puzzling since they don't have the same incentives they used to have(since my personnal favorite was Aimeé, I'm pretty angered at this portrayal, she has been stripped of all her complexities). Finally, some of the choices with the main character of this story have diminished his honorability and that is not easily forgiven.
As crazy as FELS was, the Mexican audience didn't get to see the original because that was a Colombian novela. There was no worry that Mejía was ruining a classic. They got to see charros singing and other things that made them remember the old charro movies and they could laugh at the implausibility of all without thinking: He is ruining my favorite character! He is ruining my favorite story!
I hope I didn't sound to terrible on this explanation, but it is the best one I could give without spoiling the next parts of this story.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 2:12:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 2:12:00 PM EST
Dear Jardinera: no, everything's fine! :-)
Jarocha, your summary-explanation is perfect. I completely agree with that part that only a 200% perfect production would've persuaded the fans of the story. And unfortunately the fact that Mejía was going to produce the novela predestinated that it wouldn't be a masterpiece. *I have a feeling that this sentence is a grammatical Bermuda Triangle... :D*
For me it was easier to accept the new version with all of its small and huge flaws because I didn't know the 93 version until a few years ago. It never aired in my country. On the other hand, my generation grew up watching Yo compro esa mujer, and I was hungry to see its remake.
The alterations of the original stories and the dumbing down of the characters often infuriate me, but I managed to enjoy the circo. And I like the characters and the actors.
Jarocha, your summary-explanation is perfect. I completely agree with that part that only a 200% perfect production would've persuaded the fans of the story. And unfortunately the fact that Mejía was going to produce the novela predestinated that it wouldn't be a masterpiece. *I have a feeling that this sentence is a grammatical Bermuda Triangle... :D*
For me it was easier to accept the new version with all of its small and huge flaws because I didn't know the 93 version until a few years ago. It never aired in my country. On the other hand, my generation grew up watching Yo compro esa mujer, and I was hungry to see its remake.
The alterations of the original stories and the dumbing down of the characters often infuriate me, but I managed to enjoy the circo. And I like the characters and the actors.
Jarocha: You've warned us about holding on for the first 2 months and then it would seem to get better. You have also said that unbelievably the ratings in Mexico have improved, so is that possibly a response to the change in directors and the toning down of the over-acting?
Jarocha,
I'm guessing that you are not a big fan of Salvador Mejia, are you? I hope you'll continue along on this voyage with us anyway. Your explanations, clarifications, and observations are like cool water to a thirsty man.
I do understand the loyalty to a masterpiece. The remakes of Night of the Living Dead and Psycho were sacrileges.
If a remake of CS just had to be done, I'm curious, who would you have chosen to play the part of Johnny D? Aimeé?
I certainly understand the high regard in which Eduardo Palomo is held. I know that I can't think of anyone currently acting in TNs who could fill the moccasins of EP as Alejandro to my satisfaction.
Carlos
I'm guessing that you are not a big fan of Salvador Mejia, are you? I hope you'll continue along on this voyage with us anyway. Your explanations, clarifications, and observations are like cool water to a thirsty man.
I do understand the loyalty to a masterpiece. The remakes of Night of the Living Dead and Psycho were sacrileges.
If a remake of CS just had to be done, I'm curious, who would you have chosen to play the part of Johnny D? Aimeé?
I certainly understand the high regard in which Eduardo Palomo is held. I know that I can't think of anyone currently acting in TNs who could fill the moccasins of EP as Alejandro to my satisfaction.
Carlos
Aribeth: I would have loved to see the uncut version of CS93, but I had only the DVD cut up and was sorely disappointed because the love story of the main two characters, the intensity and the reasons for that intensity, was all lost. ¡Qué lástima! Perhaps it's just as well so I don't know what I'm missing by watching this one..... Maybe because this one has been sliced together and changed a bit we can come up with a better title for this thing by the time it's over.
Jardinera: to be honest, I've seen the uncut version 2 or 3 times, and I rewatched the first 30 episodes many times, but I still have a feeling that the protagonists fell in love abruptly. Therefore I can't feel the intensity neither. Or maybe the procession is too subtle for my brain.
I've read many fantastic assays about the characters, their feelings and their initial conversations but I still don't see the fire.
This is my only complaint against CS93. But in the second part of the novela I'm totally on the Mónica/Juan bandwagon, because the actors manage to convince me.
I've read many fantastic assays about the characters, their feelings and their initial conversations but I still don't see the fire.
This is my only complaint against CS93. But in the second part of the novela I'm totally on the Mónica/Juan bandwagon, because the actors manage to convince me.
Here are some reasons NOT to be a fan of Salvador Mejia
# Corazón salvaje (2009)
# Fuego en la sangre (2008)
# Mundo de fieras (2006)
# La esposa virgen (2005)
# La madrastra (2005)
# Mariana de la noche (2003-2004)
# Entre el amor y el odio (2002)
# Abrázame muy fuerte (2000-2001)
# Rosalinda (1999)
# La usurpadora (1998)
# Esmeralda (1997)
I watched Abrázame muy fuerte & La usurpadora, because they had Fernando Colunga. OMG, Abrázame was the worst piece of crap I have seen in my life. Hard to believe Colunga got anywhere after that, but sure glad he did. I don't know how much choice the actors have, since they are under contract, but I don't know why anyone would want to work for Mejia (the producer of crap) or the destroyer of a good novela (Corazón Salvaje with Palomo). But I guess a paycheck & exposure, no matter how bad the vehicle, is better than nothing.
We've all seen from Talk Soup how stupid La Madrastra is.
# Corazón salvaje (2009)
# Fuego en la sangre (2008)
# Mundo de fieras (2006)
# La esposa virgen (2005)
# La madrastra (2005)
# Mariana de la noche (2003-2004)
# Entre el amor y el odio (2002)
# Abrázame muy fuerte (2000-2001)
# Rosalinda (1999)
# La usurpadora (1998)
# Esmeralda (1997)
I watched Abrázame muy fuerte & La usurpadora, because they had Fernando Colunga. OMG, Abrázame was the worst piece of crap I have seen in my life. Hard to believe Colunga got anywhere after that, but sure glad he did. I don't know how much choice the actors have, since they are under contract, but I don't know why anyone would want to work for Mejia (the producer of crap) or the destroyer of a good novela (Corazón Salvaje with Palomo). But I guess a paycheck & exposure, no matter how bad the vehicle, is better than nothing.
We've all seen from Talk Soup how stupid La Madrastra is.
There is just NO WAY you can remake a classic. They tried with GWTW for TV. Bet you you never heard of it, it was awful. Just think, Casabalnca, Psycho, Wizard of Oz, can't do anything with perfection. And anyone is up for a lot criticism for even trying.
Esmeralda, Rosalinda and La Usurpadora were HUUUGE hits in Hungary and I loved every tiny piece of them. A few years ago I rewatched them and I IMHO despite the typical Mejía flaws Esmeralda and LU are awesome novelas, and Rosalinda's also a nice one.
OMG, Abrazame was so lame that I couldn't follow it. (Needless to say that it was very successful here.)
Entre el Amor y el Odio is an interesting creature... it's dumb as hell, the antagonists are disgusting, but one can rarely see such a lovely pair in a novela than César Évora and Susana González. They rocked.
OMG, Abrazame was so lame that I couldn't follow it. (Needless to say that it was very successful here.)
Entre el Amor y el Odio is an interesting creature... it's dumb as hell, the antagonists are disgusting, but one can rarely see such a lovely pair in a novela than César Évora and Susana González. They rocked.
Variopinta: imho most of the classics are flawed productions and only the love of the fans make them so untouchable.
The british movie industry especially loves to adapt and re-adapt the classic novels. I can't follow up how many Brontes and Jane Austens I've seen in my life, but most of them were entertaining and watchable. I thought nobody could make a better Jane Eyre than Zeffirelli then came the 2006 version which was great. Same goes to Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, Wuthering Heights or the famous Pride and Prejudice.
On the other hand, there's no need to remake everything while there are many talented and enthusiastic writers who would happily create new stories.
The british movie industry especially loves to adapt and re-adapt the classic novels. I can't follow up how many Brontes and Jane Austens I've seen in my life, but most of them were entertaining and watchable. I thought nobody could make a better Jane Eyre than Zeffirelli then came the 2006 version which was great. Same goes to Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, Wuthering Heights or the famous Pride and Prejudice.
On the other hand, there's no need to remake everything while there are many talented and enthusiastic writers who would happily create new stories.
And I was held spellbound by la Madrastra. Maybe a bit as if watching someone, somewhat languidly, setting fire to himself. Intrigued as he drenches himself with gasoline, convinced, even as he flicks his Bic, that he's really not doing this. But of course he did.
Carlos
Carlos
Aribeth I hope you keep enjoying this. It is not my intention to persuade anyone from watching. I really wish that the audience for this novela will enjoy what they see.
Jardinera: The change of the director has helped ALOT. I think the overacting now has been much less present and the actors feel more natural on screen. Also helped that the story finally moved forward. I don't think this novela will be the greater success that Mejía expected. Sortilegio detractors used to say that Sorti was flopping when it registered numbers like the ones CS is getting now, but for this novela those are good enough numbers.
Carlos: I think casting Juan del Diablo is hard, because all Juans have been very good actors so that's a tough role to fill. My best option had this novela been done 10 years ago would have been an actor called Plurarco Haza. He doesn't work in Televisa and has been out of tv for a while but he is an excellen actor that easily dissapears in the role. He is pushing 40 now, so I don't think he works anymore and I really don't know who would.
One thing about Juan: There's no need for the long hair, the long hair was an idea by Eduardo Palomo for the role, every Juan before him had short hair.
Aimeé: Some people said they wanted Barbara Mori for this role. Maybe she could work, I'd have to see her. Aimée is originally a complicated character. She was the youngest daughter and got sent away at a very young age when her father died because he had lost the money of the family and their mother could not take care of both daughters, so she had to choose one and sent the other with her sister. Aimée grew up in a bigger city with much more liberty and was sorrounded by admirers and wealth that never belonged to her. She missed the loving care of her mother and resented her sister for being the her mothers favorite. She was full of life and dreamed of living the adventure and marry a prince, she was coquetish and people in her small town were often put off by her attitude which they considered vain and not right for a lady. She loved to invent stories to scare her sister (who was raised by nuns) but she secretly desired to be understood by her because she had nobody else. The sad thing about Aimée is that she could have easily been the heroine of the story but destiny and bad choices made her the antagonist.
Jarocha
Jardinera: The change of the director has helped ALOT. I think the overacting now has been much less present and the actors feel more natural on screen. Also helped that the story finally moved forward. I don't think this novela will be the greater success that Mejía expected. Sortilegio detractors used to say that Sorti was flopping when it registered numbers like the ones CS is getting now, but for this novela those are good enough numbers.
Carlos: I think casting Juan del Diablo is hard, because all Juans have been very good actors so that's a tough role to fill. My best option had this novela been done 10 years ago would have been an actor called Plurarco Haza. He doesn't work in Televisa and has been out of tv for a while but he is an excellen actor that easily dissapears in the role. He is pushing 40 now, so I don't think he works anymore and I really don't know who would.
One thing about Juan: There's no need for the long hair, the long hair was an idea by Eduardo Palomo for the role, every Juan before him had short hair.
Aimeé: Some people said they wanted Barbara Mori for this role. Maybe she could work, I'd have to see her. Aimée is originally a complicated character. She was the youngest daughter and got sent away at a very young age when her father died because he had lost the money of the family and their mother could not take care of both daughters, so she had to choose one and sent the other with her sister. Aimée grew up in a bigger city with much more liberty and was sorrounded by admirers and wealth that never belonged to her. She missed the loving care of her mother and resented her sister for being the her mothers favorite. She was full of life and dreamed of living the adventure and marry a prince, she was coquetish and people in her small town were often put off by her attitude which they considered vain and not right for a lady. She loved to invent stories to scare her sister (who was raised by nuns) but she secretly desired to be understood by her because she had nobody else. The sad thing about Aimée is that she could have easily been the heroine of the story but destiny and bad choices made her the antagonist.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 3:57:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 3:57:00 PM EST
Jarocha, when did the change of the director happen? In which episodes? I also noticed that the quality of the acting in the last weeks improved much.
Hmmm, Bárbara Mori would've been a great Aimée, I'm sorry that Aracely plays both parts. I think her Regina is lovely, but as Aimée she sucks most of the time.
Hmmm, Bárbara Mori would've been a great Aimée, I'm sorry that Aracely plays both parts. I think her Regina is lovely, but as Aimée she sucks most of the time.
Aribeth, the change of director was around the last weeks of january. Salvador Garcini left the project to go work in La Dueña de Tu Amor.
I do like Regina, she used to exasperate me at the begining but I put the blame for most of that in the writing since she's gotten much better lately. Aimée is just... ugh.
Jarocha
I do like Regina, she used to exasperate me at the begining but I put the blame for most of that in the writing since she's gotten much better lately. Aimée is just... ugh.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:16:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:16:00 PM EST
Jarocha once again you have put it so correctly it's very hard to forgive another version of what each of us consider a classic or one of our all time favorite movie,TV show or novela be rewritten or remade and it loses the characteristics of some of the characters we fell in love with the version that we love so dearly are change either drastically or even minor but it not the same.
When you have a heavy handed producer or director who goes for over the top story lines and acting what is the end result.
Then there are those who try to do too much to try to make their version stand out from those that came before it.
As for saying well you should keep a open mind and try not to compare it to the original or the version that you love so dearly i don't think that's realistic because we always are going to be comparing something or other.That's part of human nature.
Once again i ask thos who have a great fondness and love for novelas like Passion,Alborada, and Amor Real just imagine those novelas put into the hands of a producer like Mejia hiring over aged actors to play the parts you came to love and including a mixture of two novelas combine.Include cheap production sets and costumes.
Would you in all honesty be so happy for that updated version?
ITA with Variopinta about remaking what we all consider a classic.
Also i agree with Aribeth we have touch on this subject a lot lately why keep rehashing the same stories when there are so many talented creative writers out there to utilize and just produce new stories period.
When you have a heavy handed producer or director who goes for over the top story lines and acting what is the end result.
Then there are those who try to do too much to try to make their version stand out from those that came before it.
As for saying well you should keep a open mind and try not to compare it to the original or the version that you love so dearly i don't think that's realistic because we always are going to be comparing something or other.That's part of human nature.
Once again i ask thos who have a great fondness and love for novelas like Passion,Alborada, and Amor Real just imagine those novelas put into the hands of a producer like Mejia hiring over aged actors to play the parts you came to love and including a mixture of two novelas combine.Include cheap production sets and costumes.
Would you in all honesty be so happy for that updated version?
ITA with Variopinta about remaking what we all consider a classic.
Also i agree with Aribeth we have touch on this subject a lot lately why keep rehashing the same stories when there are so many talented creative writers out there to utilize and just produce new stories period.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:34:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:34:00 PM EST
Wow, thanks for the double re-cap Jardinera!
The double episode took my recorder by surprise so even more appreciated.
Jarocha and Aribeth, love the discussion of CS2009 vs. CS1993 etc! I can now see how this remake could be so controversial.
You make me want to go out and find the original(s)!
I have to say I'm enjoying the over the top-ness of it so far, though it is very noisy and I thought Veracruz should just about be washed away by now from all the dark and stormy nights we've been subjected to.
The double episode took my recorder by surprise so even more appreciated.
Jarocha and Aribeth, love the discussion of CS2009 vs. CS1993 etc! I can now see how this remake could be so controversial.
You make me want to go out and find the original(s)!
I have to say I'm enjoying the over the top-ness of it so far, though it is very noisy and I thought Veracruz should just about be washed away by now from all the dark and stormy nights we've been subjected to.
Maybe some audio expert can chime in, but the sound that seemed so terrible in Sortilegio seemed to get better when I switched to digital. The background noise was still there but it seemed like the voices were separated out more.
Same with this show...very noisy, with a background that that can be so distracting, but at least I can understand the speech.
I wonder if the switch to digital and HD changed the way the sound is recorded and delivered in these shows? Is there a learning curve that they are still on the front of?
Same with this show...very noisy, with a background that that can be so distracting, but at least I can understand the speech.
I wonder if the switch to digital and HD changed the way the sound is recorded and delivered in these shows? Is there a learning curve that they are still on the front of?
Anon. 4:34pm - Interesting sentiments. IMHO I wouldn't mind a remake so much if they'd keep to the original script. Uni has a nasty way of changing the scripts of these classics and IMO the (original) script is as much a part of what makes a good story as the acting. The directing could be rotten or the sets could be poor, but if it's well acted and the conversations and plot lines are good/great the rest just falls away and the audience is hooked.
If you don't mess with Shakespeare why mess with a successfully screened script of a good telenovela? Just sayin'.....
If you don't mess with Shakespeare why mess with a successfully screened script of a good telenovela? Just sayin'.....
RandySea: I'm no expert, but now that you mention it the background noise doesn't seem to cause as much of a distraction with digital now that I have it.
"Veracruz should just about be washed away by now from all the dark and stormy nights we've been subjected to." LOL!
"Veracruz should just about be washed away by now from all the dark and stormy nights we've been subjected to." LOL!
Randy Sea~~Hi. Glad to see that you have joined us on our voyage. I saw parts of CS-93 on Youtube , so you might be able to catch some of it there. I can't wait to see what happens in Monday's episode. No matter what happens, I get to look at Big Ed with long hair 5 nights a week. [As Hub passed through the livingroom the other night, he paused and said, ''Well, there he is again.'' He's such a sport about my telenovios.] Longhaired JUAN DE DIOOOSSSS and a nice glass of red wine is enough for me. I am easy to please. Also, I'll get a side order of Cristian de, so I'm a happy sailor.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 6:14:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 6:14:00 PM EST
Jarocha, the bird's eye view of Rodrigo's boat and the town were cheap computer graphics reminiscent of the early 90's.
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 7:20:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 7:20:00 PM EST
I agree with Mad Glad No-Longer-Bloody Bess, glass of wine, hunky dude frolicking in the surf that I can mute when he starts bellowing, ahhhh life is good.
Jarocha, I am always interested in your opinions. Even when you don't particularly care for something you are always very respectful and objective in your analysis. Besides, you turned me on to that awesome Veracruz recipe site so I will be your fan forever.
Sylvia...dreaming of pibil washed down by toritos while sitting on the beach.
Jarocha, I am always interested in your opinions. Even when you don't particularly care for something you are always very respectful and objective in your analysis. Besides, you turned me on to that awesome Veracruz recipe site so I will be your fan forever.
Sylvia...dreaming of pibil washed down by toritos while sitting on the beach.
Sylvia,
You have unwittingly set me off on my next holy quest. I've no use for a cocktail that contains milk and peanut butter, but that innocent sounding 5 letter word,pibil (by the way, ate you going to finish that?) piqued my attention. I know that in the past I've expressed my disdain, at times, real hatred, toward computers, but, God help me, I love what they do. I Googled, or was it Yahooed? pibil. I realize that chicken (how about tofu for Judy and Susanlynn) can be pibiled (I know)but my quest is for the gold, or in this case red... pibil cochinada... cerdo, puerco, cochino... P I G! Recipes abound. My mission is clear. I must come up with that perfect amalgam of pork, strange spices, sour orange, onion and garlic, all wrapped up in banana leaves. Side dishes to be named. I have decided to use the crockpot but this summer I hope to be more authentic with a pit in the back. Thanks.
Carlos
You have unwittingly set me off on my next holy quest. I've no use for a cocktail that contains milk and peanut butter, but that innocent sounding 5 letter word,pibil (by the way, ate you going to finish that?) piqued my attention. I know that in the past I've expressed my disdain, at times, real hatred, toward computers, but, God help me, I love what they do. I Googled, or was it Yahooed? pibil. I realize that chicken (how about tofu for Judy and Susanlynn) can be pibiled (I know)but my quest is for the gold, or in this case red... pibil cochinada... cerdo, puerco, cochino... P I G! Recipes abound. My mission is clear. I must come up with that perfect amalgam of pork, strange spices, sour orange, onion and garlic, all wrapped up in banana leaves. Side dishes to be named. I have decided to use the crockpot but this summer I hope to be more authentic with a pit in the back. Thanks.
Carlos
Aribeth, thank you for your illuminating comments. I was wondering. Are there many Spanish TV stations in Hungary? And are there closed captions, or subtitles? It's fascinating how widespread the telenovela phenomenon is.
Thank you very much, Jardinera, for your excellent recap. If I hadn't channel-surfed back to univision, i would've missed the second hour.
Jody :)
Jody :)
Jardinera that's the problem why do a remake if you want to be all so different and stand out from the previous versions of it.This is where Univision lack of vision comes into play.
Why not give some new writers a chance to have a original story yeah some of them make suck like a Mejia production but just think of the possibilities of new stories we can fall in love with and exchange comments over brand new characters.
Let's compare it to a favorite book of yours, new cover and name but same story inside maybe a combination of two novels combine and the characters of some may have been changed a little here and there.
Would you continue to buy that same book?We are getting stories that are rehashed ten years or fifteen years apart. Some even less than that, whether you have been forewarned or not that this is a copy of another version of this story.
Once you sit down and start to watch it you realize that this is such and such. Yeah ITA stick to the original script or don't remake it period.
Why not give some new writers a chance to have a original story yeah some of them make suck like a Mejia production but just think of the possibilities of new stories we can fall in love with and exchange comments over brand new characters.
Let's compare it to a favorite book of yours, new cover and name but same story inside maybe a combination of two novels combine and the characters of some may have been changed a little here and there.
Would you continue to buy that same book?We are getting stories that are rehashed ten years or fifteen years apart. Some even less than that, whether you have been forewarned or not that this is a copy of another version of this story.
Once you sit down and start to watch it you realize that this is such and such. Yeah ITA stick to the original script or don't remake it period.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 11:50:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 11:50:00 PM EST
Anon very good points and I have questioned those in the Sorti section a few times before, most notably during the Gran Final.
One thing though, It is Televisa that we should fault not Univision. Univision is just a Channel that broadcasts Televisa's work. No different than NBC showing Paramount's or 20th Century Fox's shows.
Ibarramedia
One thing though, It is Televisa that we should fault not Univision. Univision is just a Channel that broadcasts Televisa's work. No different than NBC showing Paramount's or 20th Century Fox's shows.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:01:00 AM EST
: Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:01:00 AM EST
Variopinta i am ROFL with your opinion about Mejia it's too funny, who was that said a couple months ago that they liked Abrazame Muy Fuerte. Well they said they liked that FC was in it and that Cesar Evora was a great villain.
Since the original director Salvador Garcini has left this novela mid-stream, what does that mean for La Duena?
Let's hope not directing those actors to over emote.
Since the original director Salvador Garcini has left this novela mid-stream, what does that mean for La Duena?
Let's hope not directing those actors to over emote.
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 1, 2010 at 2:25:00 AM EST
: Monday, March 1, 2010 at 2:25:00 AM EST
Anon./Ibarramedia: Yes. Good points. I don't think we're far apart in this. IMO I might be wrong, but I think of real classic theatre productions and playwrights like Shakespeare, Moliere or Sheridan. People tinker with these true classics at their risk. I'm not in the theatre nor a true fan of it, except for Shakespeare and an occasional dip into the other two. Everyone generally knows each act and scene and line. Perhaps I'm naive here but I don't think these are redone with new script and new plot lines. When you go to see a version of Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet I believe you generally see the whole thing unchanged except for the actors/costumes/set design. The classic Mexican telenovela should be no different, IMHO. Guess I'm just a "purist."
For those interested, remember tonight is the second half of the interview with the Sorti cast on Cristina.
Thanks for the recap Jardinera. I totally forgot it was 2 hours and only watched 1 hour on my dvr. I hope I didn't delete it. Haven't had time to read all the comments yet so more later.
Capt'n Annie
Capt'n Annie
Ahoy Carlos,
I have now done Pibil with pork, chicken and, believe it or not, salmon. (You don't need to marinate as long with the salmon.) I haven't tried the crock pot method yet but it's on my list. Sometimes I can get fresh banana leaves at the Asian supermarket but I can always find them frozen at the Asian or Mexican grocery stores. If you know someone who has a banana tree so much the better. I managed to find a bottle of the sour orange juice, I had been looking for some time. The achiote paste is never a problem to find but I would like to try making my own sometime.
I have now done Pibil with pork, chicken and, believe it or not, salmon. (You don't need to marinate as long with the salmon.) I haven't tried the crock pot method yet but it's on my list. Sometimes I can get fresh banana leaves at the Asian supermarket but I can always find them frozen at the Asian or Mexican grocery stores. If you know someone who has a banana tree so much the better. I managed to find a bottle of the sour orange juice, I had been looking for some time. The achiote paste is never a problem to find but I would like to try making my own sometime.
Ay, ay, ay Cap'n Sylvia! I love pibil. My husband makes it with pork. He learned it from a netflix dvd of one of those Antonio Banderas Mariachi movies (the one with Johhny Depp). There was a short feature on the dvd where the director, Robert Rodriguez actually does a cooking show sequence and demonstrates his own recipe. We have been in heaven ever since. Of course, it also helps when I make tamales, which I did last week. It took three days, but the freezer is full.
Carlos, I'm just gonna have to call you "Link" (the cutest guy in my high school was a Linc, but he married Conchita, the homecoming queen, que lastima.)
I'm going to have to miss tonight's epi because somebody gave us Met tickets (not the Mets) because of a snow day cancellation. I'm guessing Il Barbieriwith Diana Damrau will beat CS any day of the week, although the plot isn't that much of an improvement. So I'm counting on the recap because it looks as though we're fast-forwarding to the real drama now.
Carlos, I'm just gonna have to call you "Link" (the cutest guy in my high school was a Linc, but he married Conchita, the homecoming queen, que lastima.)
I'm going to have to miss tonight's epi because somebody gave us Met tickets (not the Mets) because of a snow day cancellation. I'm guessing Il Barbieriwith Diana Damrau will beat CS any day of the week, although the plot isn't that much of an improvement. So I'm counting on the recap because it looks as though we're fast-forwarding to the real drama now.
Jarocha, thanks!
Hombre de Misterio:
You're welcome. :-)
"Are there many Spanish TV stations in Hungary?"
I think only TVE broadcasts here. But I rarely watch TV, maybe there are more Spanish channels.
The telenovelas aired on domestic channels, and they're dubbed, unfortunately there're no subtitles or closed captions. In the 90's the Hungarian synch was excellent, but these days I'd rather choose a torture chamber than a novela dubbed to Hungarian. :-) The hardcore fanatics like me follow the novelas on youtube and/or download them from certain Mexican/Spanish forums.
Hombre de Misterio:
You're welcome. :-)
"Are there many Spanish TV stations in Hungary?"
I think only TVE broadcasts here. But I rarely watch TV, maybe there are more Spanish channels.
The telenovelas aired on domestic channels, and they're dubbed, unfortunately there're no subtitles or closed captions. In the 90's the Hungarian synch was excellent, but these days I'd rather choose a torture chamber than a novela dubbed to Hungarian. :-) The hardcore fanatics like me follow the novelas on youtube and/or download them from certain Mexican/Spanish forums.
Thanks Lady Xoc, I will have to rent that movie just to see Rodriguez's version of Pibil. Oh, and to see Depp of course.
Isn't Renato Chilean? Do you think he got out of there Unscathed?
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:08:00 PM EST
: Monday, March 1, 2010 at 12:08:00 PM EST
Oh boy, thanks for the tip Carlos, I think I'm going for some cochinita pibil too!
This is a good video I just found:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/90653/top-chef-masters-rick-bayless-cochinita-pibil
Looks so good, and simple. I'm mastering corn tortillas so this is just in time for me.
I'd like to try this with chicken thighs too.
This is a good video I just found:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/90653/top-chef-masters-rick-bayless-cochinita-pibil
Looks so good, and simple. I'm mastering corn tortillas so this is just in time for me.
I'd like to try this with chicken thighs too.
Lady Xoc, I'm so jealous you get to see the Barber of Seville at the Met. I love opera. Actually, there are some similarities between the Barber of Seville and Corazon Salvaje (at least the first part we saw last week). In Barbiere, the old guy wants to marry his pretty ward, but a handsome stranger, Count Almaviva, woos her instead, sneaks into the house, etc. Of course all the rest is different, but some themes are universal.
Hombre, I would be jealous too. This is a rare treat for us. And you are so right about the silly/universal storyline. Since I got hooked a few years ago, I see everything in terms of TNs nowadays.
Anyway, for your listening pleasure, here are two versions of "Una voce poco fa" (Go ahead, they're only about 5 minutes each). One is sung by Cecilia Bartoli and the other, the one I grew up with, by Maria Callas.
Anyway, for your listening pleasure, here are two versions of "Una voce poco fa" (Go ahead, they're only about 5 minutes each). One is sung by Cecilia Bartoli and the other, the one I grew up with, by Maria Callas.
Lots of good comments today. When I was watching last night I was wondering how Jr. got clothes to fit if he is on a deserted island. I always thing about silly stuff like that. Those wigs on the little girl looked bigger than she was. It looked more like a mop than a wig! So that was little Eduardo--I thought he looked familiar.
Muchas gracias, Connie & Jardinera! Yup, I'm a little behind on the recaps but as always, I'm forever in your debt for clarifications, wit, & apropos nicknames.
Oh yeah, this is shaping up to be an over-the-top cornfest but so far, it's not as bad as FELS. EY plays another Juan...here's hoping he has a brain this time. He's definitely looking more buff & less doughy than the Fabulous Baker Boy from FELS. But the tartlet twin sisters are too funny...can't wait til they get all hot-n-heavy with the menfolk. This should be amusing.
Maggarita
:-)
Oh yeah, this is shaping up to be an over-the-top cornfest but so far, it's not as bad as FELS. EY plays another Juan...here's hoping he has a brain this time. He's definitely looking more buff & less doughy than the Fabulous Baker Boy from FELS. But the tartlet twin sisters are too funny...can't wait til they get all hot-n-heavy with the menfolk. This should be amusing.
Maggarita
:-)
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 1, 2010 at 4:12:00 PM EST
: Monday, March 1, 2010 at 4:12:00 PM EST
Randy Sea, thanks for that clip. In the Cancún Airport I hada taco filled with shredded pork that was a surreal red color and I'm certain it was a version of cochinada pibil. Even though from a fast food vendor in an airport, it was incredibly delicious. It was served with a salsa that was very picante. I don't remember if there were any pickled red onions. The fish we had on the beach at the cooked by Cap'n Reuben and his crew was cooked in much the same way. I think it was called Tikin Xic, just about the best baked fish I've ever eaten.
Carlos
Carlos
Thanks for the opera clips, Lady Xoc. Both performances were wonderful. I think the outfit Cecilia Bartoli was wearing would fit right in with our novela.
I wonder if Renato/Cristian de la F. has to restore order in Chile?
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 1, 2010 at 11:16:00 PM EST
: Monday, March 1, 2010 at 11:16:00 PM EST
Jardinera:
Thanks for the heroic recap. I still haven't decided on whether I can handle CS but you doing the Friday recaps is a pretty big carrot.
Iron Elna O'Velvet (still thinking about joining CS)
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Thanks for the heroic recap. I still haven't decided on whether I can handle CS but you doing the Friday recaps is a pretty big carrot.
Iron Elna O'Velvet (still thinking about joining CS)
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