Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Sortilegio, Tuesday, February 9--Ep #85: Sexo, mentiras, y el maldito video!

Ezequiel informs Vicky that there's been "an accident." No, I'm pretty sure those guys dumped Fernando over the railing on purpose. Fernando is in the hospital. Vicky cries and tells Alex what happened. Katia is there too. A doctor says he needs to get Fer into surgery ASAP. Hernán comes over and gets the update from the doc. He's got some spinal fractures and neurological something. Hernán asks for more details, so they go to doc#2's office to talk about their golf swings or whatever it is doctors do when they get together. I suppose they might talk about just how screwed Fernando's going to be, but who knows.

Alex starts asking Katia what happened. She tries to evade, saying she and Fer were talking and he just got upset and took off, but she ends up explaining about the sex tape. Vicky hugs Katia and cries.

MaryJo and Felipa are canangananga-ing the babies in the nursery. Raquel comes in, looking for Vicky. MaryJo tells her what happened to Fernando. Raquel's Good Twin has taken her place today. She feels bad for Vicky because she knows how much Vicky cares for Fer. She also makes some motions with her hands in the general direction of her offspring. She blames what happened to Fer on the bad neighborhood with no security. She touches little Vicky for about a second before she leaves, asking them to keep her informed. Oh, great, they're turning Raquel into a decent person now. I'll believe it when Ulises' death doesn't send her right back to the bottle. And maybe not even then. If the real Raquel had been around she would have come in looking for Vicky, given an "a mi no me importa" (I don't care) when told about Fernando, and called her child a "maldita escuincle" (damn brat). MaryJo and Felipa throw a frickin' party over Raquel actually touching the kid. Rosie comes in with MaryJo's medicine.

Hernán comes in and updates the family. Fernando runs the risk of ending up paraplegic. Alex says "no!" I agree, this is tragic, but it's not the end of the world, people. Especially because Fernando's job doesn't require him to do anything with his legs…checking out job sites could be problematic, but they could figure out a way around that. Plus he's rich and well-educated, so he can afford to buy or hire whoever or whatever he needs to make things work for him. Sorry, sometimes I just hate the way characters in TN's react to disability. I'm sure there are people out there who are paraplegic who still get up in the morning and go about their business and don't think it's the end of the world. Katia goes to Vicky for comfort. Hernán doesn't think there's a lot of possibility of Fernando avoiding his horrible fate. They've got to wait to see how he's doing after the surgery. Hernán tells them they don't need to stay, but Vicky and Katia insist they aren't moving. Alex says he's going home to update MaryJo, but then he's coming back.

Alex fills in MaryJo, who laments Fernando's youth, but she also thinks that being so young and studly, I mean, uh, strong, that that's exactly why he will get better. Alex says he doesn't know why Fer was in that neighborhood, that Katia told him that Fer left the office upset and he has the impression that it wasn't an accident, it was a confrontation with someone. Alex just wants Fer to be ok. Alex has got some serious bags under his eyes. The man needs some sleep. And serious stress reduction (preferably in the form of MJ getting her memory back and Bruno conveniently dying in a gruesome way). MaryJo says they've got to find out who did this to Fer.

Two random ladies complain to a man about a smell. Ah, these are Ulises' neighbors complaining to the super. They can't stand the smell anymore.

Hernán and the Red Cross Doc inform the family that Fer is awake, but it's too soon to tell if he's able to move or not. Yeah, those fancy surgery drugs will do that. Hernan's shirt is way too tight. I don't really like the baggy look, but buttons should not be strained like that. Vicky and Katia both decline the offer to see Fer because they don't want to cry in front of him and upset him. Katia looks like she's hiding behind Vicky. Alex will go, but he only gets a few minutes.

Raquel gets a call from the building super, Alvaro. He reminds her about the apartment and she says she may cancel the lease. He doesn't care about that, he cares about the smell. Raquel laughs it off and says "what do you want me to do?" She thought the place was empty. The super suggests a dead rat, haha. He offers to go check things out unless she wants to do it herself. Raquel says she'll come over, she has a lot of personal stuff there.

Alex tells Fer that he's got to fight, man. Fer says he can't feel his legs. Alex blames it on the anesthesia. He says the doctors are going to take good care of Fer. He asks what happened and asks if it was Bruno. Fernando says he got into a fight and the guys threw him off a balcony. He tells Alex it was Mateo and a couple of other guys. Alex had already heard about the sex tape. Alex says he will take care of it and that dumbass will pay. Fernando asks about Vicky. Alex tells him that both of his ladies have been there all night. Fer gets fixated on not being able to feel his legs, but Alex just tells him everything will be fine.

Maura and Lisette (in a cute hat) argue about Lisette going to Mexico City. Lisette has clearance from Hernán to travel. Maura gripes about her insisting on paying for Lety's treatment. Lisette needs some space from Maura after finding out about the sex tape. Maura is sick of Lisette's "aires de santurrona" (sanctimonious airs), and Lisette's sanctimonious response to that is "blah, blah, blah." I like Lisette better this way. Before Lisette can leave, the maid announces Alex. Lisette changes her mind and sticks around. Alex wants to talk to Maura about Mateo. Lisette takes a seat and says she'll stay since things are about to get good. Alex is upset that Maura let Mateo into her party and let him hang around Katia. Maura tries to claim that she didn't know Mateo was there and she's not Katia's babysitter. Alex asks how Bruno ended up with the video on a cell phone and asks if that wasn't Bruno's plan all along and Maura helped him. She doesn't answer, just makes a face. Alex asks her what she has going on with Bruno that she would do that kind of favor for him. Maura says she has no idea what Alex is talking about. Lisette has had enough. She tells Maura that maybe she wasn't in cahoots with Bruno, but she does know what Alex is talking about, she knew what was going on with Mat and she allowed it to happen. Maura says she thought it was a good idea at first, so that Katia could get over Bruno, but she didn't know what would happen. Alex says he hasn't known for a while if he should believe her. He tells her he hopes she doesn't have Fernando's possible paralysis on her conscience. She asks Alex not to think badly of her. Alex says she got the address of the fight from the paramedics and once he checks things out he'll know what to think of her. Once Alex leaves, Lisette tells Maura she'd better forget about Alex, because once he finds out what happened, he'll never forgive her. Now Lisette leaves.

Katia and Vicky hang out in the hospital waiting room. The Red Cross Doc offers to let Vicky go see Fer. She passes to Katia, but Katia passes back. Vicky ends up going in. Felipa comes up with two cups of coffee and gives one to Katia. Katia leans on Felipa for comfort.

Fer is sleeping. The RCD tells Vicky that the operation went well, but he's got to consult some other white coats to see if they want to do another surgery, or just take care of it with physical therapy. Vicky goes over to stand by Fer, but she has a hard time touching him. She keeps crying and patting him on the head. He wakes up and says he feels like a tank rolled over him. He wants to know what's going to happen. He can't feel his legs. Like son, like mother--she tells him it must be the anesthesia…or maybe the pain meds, yeah, that's it. He insists that he's paralyzed but no one wants to tell him. She insists he's not. Vicky cries and says whatever happens, she's going to be by his side night and day and she loves their conversations, and she loves him. She kisses him very carefully. Fernando says he'll only be half a man. She says he's a whole man. Well, a man-boy anyway. Tears all around. Woe is us.

Raquel pulls up at the apartment. The super meets her. Apparently they can smell it from outside. The super thinks an animal got in and died. Raquel is gagging as they get up to the door. Dude…the makeup guys went to town! Ulises is GREEN! I'm sorry, this is sad, really it is, Ulises, gunned down in his prime, Raquel losing the father of her baby, yes, yes, human tragedy…but GREEEEEEEEEN! I can't help it, I'm cracking up laughing. Also, I had jury duty for two whole months on a second-degree murder trial and I saw dead body pictures every day, so this really looks very fake to me. Anyway, um, yeah, Raquel has a meltdown and acts like she wants to touch him, but just can't bring herself to do it. She screams for help, while the super just stands there with a rag over his nose and mouth.

Alex and three of the neighborhood ladies are down at "la delegación" (the popo) saying they've got to find Mat and make him pay. The ladies have his name and everything. The cop asks if they have proof and all three ladies chime in about how they saw the whole thing go down, with their propios peepers (that's "their own eyes), yep, the saw the "guerito" (blondie) go over the balcony, mhm, they sure did. One lady even thought the poor guy was dead. And then the little group of them ran away…well, they're a "pandilla" (gang) don't'cha know, and they've been causing lots of problems in the neighborhood. Huh, I thought Mateo was a gigolo. Shouldn't he have been living in a nicer place? Maybe gigolo-ing doesn't pay like it used to? The cop asks why Fernando was there in the first place. Alex said he found out that Mateo had made a video of himself having "intimate relations" with Fernando's sister and uploaded it to the internet. Alex's phone rings and he excuses himself to answer it, giving the ladies ample time to gossip over the latest scandal.

It's Raquel, calling to ask for Alex's help. She retches while she's on the phone with him. She tells him that Ulises is dead, she saw it herself, he's in her apartment. She doesn't know what happened, but he had a gun in his hand and she doesn't know what happened. Alex tells her to calm down, he's on his way. He goes back into the room to inform the ladies and the cop that he has to leave now, his sister just called to tell him someone they know is dead in her apartment from an apparent suicide. Well, the cop can check that one off his bingo card. The cop asks if this might be related to the incident with Fernando, but Alex doesn't think so. If only he knew…"Well, let's see, Bruno, who has been trying to kill me for las ultimas 84 capitulos and/or take my wife from me and/or take control of my company, commissioned the sex tape from Maura who's been trying to get into my pants and/or get my wife bumped off for las ultimas 84 capitulos, who hired Mateo to slip Katia some roofies and make the actual tape (being that she's not into girls, so she couldn't do it herself), which is the reason that Fernando went over there and got his silly ass beat up. Many capitulos ago Maura convinced Ulises to hire Mateo to pretend to be my wife's lover in order to piss me off. Ulises slept with both my sister and my brother-in-law, impregnated my sister, and got her to rent him the apartment where his cold dead stinky body now lies, having been put there by a bullet to the brain courtesy of Bruno. So no, I wouldn't say they're related, no, except for everything ultimately being Bruno's fault." Alex tells the cop that recently his wife was kidnapped and the family had begun to suspect Ulises, who now lies dead and stinky. The cop suggests they both go right over and he bids the ladies farewell, saying they'll start searching for Mateo ASAP. He calls some other guys to come in and take written statements. The ladies buzz. This is about a year's worth of gossip in one afternoon.

Alex, having made a pit stop at a phone booth to pull off his shirt, revealing red, blue, and yellow spandex underneath, pulls up and is greeted by a hysterical Raquel. She swears someone killed Ulises. She's crying that he can't be dead, he just can't! Alex puts her in the passenger seat of his convertible and finishes parking it the rest of the way.

He also gags at the smell. The cop thinks it was days ago, but he's going to have the gun analyzed. Alex supposes that Uli killed himself because he felt "acorralado" (trapped). The cop is curious. Alex says all the clues about his wife's kidnapping pointed to Ulises and he probably didn't think there was any other way out except to kill himself. Either way, the cop wants to talk to Raquel. Alex puts him off until the next day, being that Raquel is hysterical, being that Ulises was her baby daddy. The cop nods from behind his hankie.

Alex calls Roberto and tells him Ulises is dead. Roberto knocks over a statue. Alex wants Roberto to meet him at the house. Alex hangs up, but Roberto is still holding the phone, in apparent shock.

Back at the house, Rosie and MaryJo are out front with the babies when Alex and Raqui pull up. MaryJo goes over to see what's up. Alex says he'll explain later and walks Raquel to her chalet. Roberto pulls up immediately after, tells MaryJo that Ulises killed himself, and runs after Alex and Raquel. MaryJo is impactada…but I'm not sure what kind of impactata. Could be "oh, no, someone killed themselves, how horrible" or "wait a minute, Ulises, I know that name."

Porfirio gets a visit from a terrified Elena. She makes some bland excuses for not visiting sooner. Porfi wants her to get to the point. Elena says she's there to tell him the truth…she hid something for years and it's time for him to know…she doesn't want him to die without knowing it. "Then spit it out!" From down by his knees, Elena gives the floor an annoyed look.

MaryJo is still outside with Tiny Tony and Alex asks where Rosie is. She went to take Mini Vicky for a walk. Alex tells her that Ulises apparently shot himself, probably because he felt cornered, but there's something about all this that doesn't feel right. He's going to go to the Red Cross to visit Fernando. MaryJo reminds him he's gone for about 48 hours without sleep…ah, hence the bags under the eyes. Alex says he'll go try to convince Vicky to come home and get some sleep and then he'll rest.

Elena spins her tale…she was married to another man when she met Cristobal…she ended up pregnant and she made her husband believe the baby was his, but it was really Cristobal's…she gave birth to twins…then Cristobal went away and she had another baby by her husband…then Cristobal came back and she couldn't stand being with Pedro anymore, so she left him and only took one of Porfirio's grandkids. "One of them," he repeats. Elena says it was Sandra, but Sandra died and Ulises kidnapped MaryJo and made them think it was Sandra. Porfirio yells that she's a liar and those girls aren't his son's daughters. Elena swears they are and she can prove it. Porfirio dismisses her and she goes running for Isaias to bring his medicine. Porfirio keeps ordering her out and tells Isaias to throw her out. She drops her fake-pious shawl revealing a truly enviable rack and finally leaves. Mr. 5ft thinks Porfi is faking feeling bad. I think so too.

At the Red Cross, Alex nags Vicky and Katia to eat, sleep, and bathe. They refuse. Alex tells them it's going to take time for Fer to get better and there's no point to them hanging around. Felipa tells Vicky to just go get some sleep and then come back. Vicky insists she wants to stay to get the results of the latest spinal scans. The doctor comes up then and says there's no need for another operation. Fernando is in a lot of pain from the surgery and they're giving him pain meds. As to him walking again, that's going to take time. Vicky finally agrees to leave. Katia also agrees to go, but she'll go to her house. They leave and Alex goes in to see Fer.

Porfirio actually was upset. He'd just gotten used to the idea of not having any family, but now that Elena has come around, telling her tale, he's not sure what to think. He knows Elena is a liar, but he would also rather believe he's not alone in the world. Porfi cries.

Fer has been sedated to deal with his anxiety. Alex tells him he's going to get better, he has to.

Katia is greeted by Sami, who by now has probably peed in everyone's bed and chewed up all of Fer's shoes. She just wants to hug him for a while.

Felipa puts Vicky to bed. Vicky doesn't think she can sleep. Felipa says life goes on. It breaks Vicky's heart to see Fer so down. Felipa tells her to have a lie down and she'll bring some tea.

Ezequiel asks Alex how Fernando is doing. Alex says badly. Zeke says that MJ and Rosie are feeding the babies. He offers to fix Alex some food, but Alex says no, he just wants to sleep.

Roberto tells Bruno that Raquel found the body. Bruno is intensely curious what the police had to say, but Roberto doesn't know. Roberto, however, is of the opinion that a head wound + a gun + he was alone = suicide. Roberto! I expected better of you! Bruno is sure he killed himself to avoid going to jail for MJ's kidnapping. Roberto thinks it's possible, but Bruno insists that's how it went down. Now Roberto looks slightly suspicious…or maybe that's me.

MaryJo finds Alex sleeping in his/her/their bed. She covers him with an absurdly small blanket and tries not to wake him up.

Elena tells Jorge that she told Porfirio her lie. She figures Porfirio will leave the money to MaryJo and then she'll tell MaryJo how much they need it and MaryJo will give them some of it. Jorge won't beg. Either way, the University of Vancouver is interested in his research, so he's outta there if they don't get the money. And he's not taking Elena with him. Come on, that rack's gotta be useful for something. It would probably liven up those faculty mixers. Hey, she could even seduce a student or two. Better yet, a lab assistant!

Jorge goes to his office and takes a call from Bruno. Bruno gives Jorge the update, although he still doesn't know what the cops have said. He's sure he did such a good job that the cops won't find anything. They hang up and Alex walks in and tells Bruno that now he's definitely being kicked out or Alex will turn him in for corrupting a minor and putting the video of Katia up on the internet. Bruno denies and whines about how it's his house. Alex says he knows Bruno and Maura did it and the cops are already looking for Mateo, so maybe Bruno doesn't want to be around when the cops find him. Alex leaves him with "and if Fernando should end up paralyzed…." Bruno is confused.

Vicky has changed into yet another matronly outfit. Come on, she's not much older than Elena, if at all, and Elena's showing a little cleavage, even if her outfits are fugly. A little cleavage could be just what Fernando needs. Alex starts to chew her out, but Felipa says she had a nap and a bath and she just didn't feel comfortable staying in the house. Alex offers to go back to the hospital with her. Felipa will stay home and pray.

Fernando is still sleeping, though his sedative should have worn off already. Hernán, Vicky, and Alex stand around wondering if now is the right time to tell him. Vicky says he suspects, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. Fernando starts waking up. He asks why he was sleeping. Hernán says he needed the sedative to stay calm. Fernando asks why. Alex tells him there's something he has to know. He has a spinal fracture and part of his body is paralyzed. Fernando starts freaking out. Hernán says he can't move his legs now, but it's not definitive. Fernando thinks they're sugarcoating things and he's going to end up in a wheelchair. He starts crying that he can't live like that and he'd rather kill himself. Ugh. Yes, yes, I know a lot of people have that reaction at first, but maybe they wouldn't if they hadn't heard all these fictional people say it first. Vicky swears she'll stick by him and they'll find the best specialists, etc. Fernando doesn't want her to be stuck with "un invalido" (an invalid) but she screams at him that she's not going anywhere no matter what he says, got it? He might or might not, but I think Hernán finally got it.

Bruno comes looking for Maura. She tells him what happened to Fernando. He already knew that Fernando found out about the sex video, but he says he wasn't the one who put it on the internet. Maura tells him that the cops had better not find Mateo, 'cause Mateo will definitely spill the beans and then both Bruno and Maura are in a lot of trouble. Oh, wait, I think I see a flaw in her logic…. I was expecting Bruno to question her "we" but instead he tells her to just find Mateo and tell him to keep his mouth shut. Maura, however, has had it. She doesn't want any more trouble. Things have gone too far and she's tied up now not only in the sex tape scandal, but in the Maria Jose business as well. Bruno says his hands are clean on the count of MJ's kidnapping and no one can prove his involvement. Maura says her involvement can be proved and when Alex came over to ask about the sex tape, she could tell that he no longer believes a word she says. She doesn't want any more trouble. Bruno says he'll find Mateo. Luckily, in addition to the phone with the video, he also had another phone, which Maura happens to have the number for. Bruno says that when MaryJo gets her memory back, and when she remembers what Maura was saying, she's "frita" (fried). Yeah, yeah, she knows.

The Red Cross Doc says they avoided paralysis and he thinks if Fer gets his ass in gear, he can recover some movement with physical therapy. Vicky says they need to transfer him to another hospital. RCD says he agrees, they're not a specialist facility. Vicky asks Hernán to take Fer to his clinic and Hernán agrees, sadly. Do you think maybe Vicky was the love of Hernán's life? Maybe the writers can set him up with Fernando's new hot physical therapist? Or a nurse? Poor guy.

Pedro and MaryJo talk about Elena. MJ says she's still beautiful, she treated MJ well…although there were times they argued and Elena was harsh with her and would say ugly things, like that MJ was a promiscuous drug addict. MJ asks Pedro if he still loves her. I don't get the beginning of his answer while my DVR switches over to the next program. He starts talking about how he heard that Elena had gone off with a good looking rich guy. MJ says she could have at least been up front and talked to him about it. Poor Self-Esteem Pedro says he was just a poor nobody with nothing to offer her and he still is. Wah, wah, wah. Dude, that doesn't mean that when your wife's leaving you, you don't deserve to have her do it to your face instead of sneaking off while you're at church. MJ says he's a good guy, with a big heart. Pedro says Elena had ambition and it hurt him not to be able to give her what she wanted. That's so not my definition of "ambition"…going after a guy who could shower her with material goods instead of oh, I don't know, doing something on her own account to get ahead in life. Pedro figures she must have loved him at one point, but then, when the feeling fades, everything is different. MaryJo asks if he'd like to see her again, but he refuses. He says she's too pretty and it wouldn't be a good idea for her to see what he's turned into. MaryJo says it hurts her to hear what her mom did to him.

Gran Final on the 17th, feet in the sand, tears and drama. And Corazon Salvaje on the 22nd.

Labels:


Comments:
Fernando and Pedro need to get together and throw a pity party. As long as I don't have to witness it!
 

Kat- I'll comment tomorrow because I'm off to bed now, but wanted to thank you for a fun, snarky recap. Had to look up ambiciosa though, because the way they have used it to describe Elena has been very negative, and it just didn't seem to be the equivalent of the English ambitious. One of the meanings is the same as in English, but here are the others that I think more closely fit what they are getting at with Elena:

covetous, greedy, eager, climbing, aspiring

Goodnight!
 

5ft: thanks for the speedy post. OMG! that word 'fugly.' that's what my brother endearingly calls me. i thought it was just a made-up word. where in the world did that moniker come from?
 

5ft Latina you done it again another funny and quick recap thank you so much.

Did the hire on of the makeup people from one of those Dawn of the Dead movies, i was expecting Useless to rise up and take a bite out of Raqhell.Yeah i think poor Hernan has finally seen the light concerning Vicki.Lissette you gotta love her now, especially when she turned around and wanted to hear what Alex had to Mauron.Mauron now she's worried about how Alex feels about her?This dumb moron gave no thought to the consequences of her actions and just kept blindly following dumb Bruno. I can't wait for her downfall.
 

Thanks for the recap, Kat, and love your title! LOL

As bad as Uli smelled, I can't believe nobody was barfing. I had this on while sewing, but did look up to see our Very Green Useless. Ack. I was LOLing, too.

mrslmgallego - "Fugly" is a shortened version of.... well, the blog says it better----"1. What is this "fug"? I've never heard of it.

"Fug" comes from "fugly," which is a contraction of "fantastically ugly" (or an f-word more prurient, if you like, but we are clean and delightful young ladies who don't engage in that kind of filth, dammit). "

Here is a 'fashion' blog dedicated to this concept:
http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/
(I read about it on sewing foros...)
And your brother better take cover.

So... MJ & Sandra aren't even Pedro's daughters??? yikes Do ya think Slutlena was telling the truth?
 

Doris Elena doesn't know the truth even if came up and bit her on the behind.Let's hope MJ's talk with her woe is me papi gets her headed into realizing how awful Elena really is.
 

Kat, thanks for the recap. It's late now, and I'll read it tomorrow. But I wanted to post something about a very nice lunch on Sunday.

Elna June Sonoma and I met for lunch at the DeYoung Museum cafe in San Francisco on Sunday. EJ was VERY clever and wore a purple leather jacket so that I could recognize her. We were both sorry that Cielo de Levy couldn't make it, but we certainly understand a parent's reluctance to have her child meet with strangers.

We both felt as if we already knew each other from reading our points of view in Caray, Caray comments. We had a delicious lunch with wine and found we had many things in common, such as a love of going to the theater and traveling.

We got to exchange some chisme about telenovela actors. Since Chapel Hill Fiddler doesn't approve of this on her blog (and I agree), it was fun to do so. We both acknowledged how much watching the TNs has improved our fluency.

In short, it was a great pleaure meeting Elna June, and I'd definitely recommend a face-to-face meeting for any of you other Carayers that may live in close-enough proximity to do so.
 

Kat, anoher fantastic and funny recap. I got a charge out of Elena's "rack." Very interesting word that "fugly." I have to use it sometime.

I'm glad Lissette told Maura off and of her chances now with Alex.

Ann-NYC
 

Jorge the Jorrible made up that lie about MJ and Sandra being daughters of the second sort-of husband. Elena's just following his script.
 

Kat, I so agree about the insensitive way the TNs act like being in a wheelchair is a disgrace and the end of the world. And then boom, in order for there to be a happy ending, the damaged people are suddenly made whole. (Just like the way the people who get leukeumia - get better, bingo.) I also hate the way everybody keeps asking: what's the prognosis? As if you could know in an instant what's going to happen.

I also laughed when Alex was trying to explain the family situation to the policeman, "no, this suicide is a different matter..." don't know how Levy kept a straight face...

Great recap as always.
 

CHF- I also laughed during that scene at the police station. Afterall, this is the same cop who investigated Roberto's stabbing. He must think that this Lombardo family can keep him occupied full time. No need for anyone else in Merida to commit a crime- if they do, it's probably related to the Lombardos somehow! But since this cop knows Raqhell tried to stab her husband, and they gave him the excuse last time that she was too distraught to speak to them, wouldn't he automatically be suspicious of her this time. Once again SHE found the body, and once again it's a man connected to her romantically (her baby daddy). Wouldn't that raise some suspicions, or at least an eyebrow?
 

There was a story on yesterday morning on NPR about the USS Comfort docked in Haiti. One of the doctors was talking about how many times he has had to let a patient die who refused amputation of an armm or a leg. These Haitian men and women who end up making this choice have all told him that they would rather be dead, than without the use of a limb/limbs, because without that, they are useless. They will not be able to work or contribute to their families- they will only be a burden to them. There are no telenovelas in Haiti, and not really any tv. They are getting this impression from real life experience. But, you're right, in countries and societies (like the upper class one Fer is a part of) where you are not dependent on your body to survive, and/or there are resources available to help you get around, make a living,and live a full lfe, there is no reason to take news like this as end-of-the-world news.
 

Great recap! Thanks as always.

Can I just say, POOR ALEX! How much can that man shoulder already? No wonder bags under his eyes (did WL go without sleep a few days to make that believable?). Can noone do anything without him? He looked so sweet all curled up in bed when MJ found him. Yep, she's about ready to crack...

As much as I'm no Raquel fan, and I DON'T like her sudden transformation, but having her be the one to find Useless was a little cruel and not an image that she'll soon forget. If the writers were believable, that would have sent her straight back to the bottle since she's still in a, supposedly, delicate recovery stage. But somehow they will just bounce her back and use this to make her all better and love her daughter since she's her only link to her lover. Yick!

Roberto - you've been good putting pieces together. Bruno was a bit too emphatic when insisting why Useless killed himself.

As for Bruno - maybe just a little worried? Hey, there's only a few episodes left, you better be. And I love Lisette now. Now, her, give her a BIG Pink bow and wrap up her story line right. As for Maura, drab brown might not be her color, but she can't be picky with prison garb.

Elena - there are no words....

As for Fer, I can understand his initial panic and reaction. Very common, but I agree that this being a TN, they will have him recover quickly. They already hinted that he could depending on his own determination. TN like to sometimes "teach", so we'll probably see him doing the rehab and what's involved.And then he'll be his muscular, studly self. Blue bow...

Must have our pretty little bows for the major characters who aren't villians.

Argh...so few episodes. Going to miss my Sorti recap fix. I'm so tempted to watch CS just so I can check in and visit with everyone and their comments.
 

Great recap Kat. I fell asleep half way through my recording and missed the whole end.

Dawn of the Dead! Love it. He did look kind of green. Reminded me of the Raquel in FELS when they found her body. And even though he shot himself in the head there was hardly any blood and the gun was still clutched in his hand. Like that's going to fly.

So who will get to Mateo first? And what fate do they have in store for him? Hmmm...I wonder.

Poor Porfirio. I feel sorry for him. He's kind of an old codger but he doesn't deserve the sh!t that Elena is shoveling on him. I hope she gets hers in the end too.

Lissette--you go girl! Alex looked pissed.
 

I had a dear friend who became a quadriplegiac after her spine collapsed. A machine was required to lift her out of bed. A nurse had to be there daily to handle the machine, bathe her,feed her and get her seated in a wheelchair and ready to face the day. Even with all tht help, it was a very tough life. And Fernando, if paralyzed, would no longer be able to have sexual relations. For a young man in love, pretty devastating.

No one takes bad news like this well at first. Nor can you expect the family to. Yes, my friend resolved to be the very best quadriplegiac she could be. But that was after months of depression and spiritual struggle.
 

Did you see how cute the babies were, dressed in their matching unisex outfits? I wouldn't be able to resist touching little Vicky either. Did you see her dimples and big eyes? So adorable! :)

Another adorable bebe...Alex curled up napping on MJ's bed. Very appropriate that she put a baby balnket on him. I think she liked the way he looked in her bed, so yes, maybe soon she'll allow him back into it...

The old guys had it rough this episode. Don Porfirio, Pedro and Hernan all having their little old hearts broken. Not sure if there is a happy ending in store for any of them though.
 

Why didn't anyone call Tio? That was driving me crazy. Maybe tonight. He certainly has a right to know.

Missed AR yesterday. My DVR didn't record it. What did I miss? You can email me off list if you want to so we don't tie iup the Sorti comments.
 

Thanks for sharing that story Judy. It would actually have been unrealistic if they showed Fer and all the family and friends automatically looking on the bright side of the situation. Coming to terms with such a life-changing situation (even if you eventually do it well and with grace) often takes time. When I was in high school my dad was car jacked, beat up and left partially paralzed. I have to admit that my family and I freaked out, much like Vicky and all. Lots of tears, tyring to be brave in front of my dad, and wondering what the heck we were going to do if he never walked again and wasn't able to work. I'm happy to say that with physical therapy he was able to walk again and use both his arms. He still has some nuerological damage that affects his sense of touch in one of his hands, but he's dealt with it and compensates. So, I am hoping for as miraculous of a recovery for Fer with a big old blue bow tied around it! I will not begrudge him the happy ending my dad got. :)
 

It's understandable that Roberto would think Useless killed himself because Alex told him he was alone in Raquel's apartment with a gun in his hand and a gunshot wound to the head. However, when Bruno came in the mix and insisted it HAD to be a suicide, Roberto had the "Um, you are shady 'n' suspect" look on his face.

Raquel will probably hit bottom after being arrested for Useless' murder --the cop will probably be like "Ok, wait a minute ---Raquel's husband is stabbed by an unknown intruder and now her baby daddy is found dead in her apartment?"

Don't forget, Bruno hid either the key or the silencer in Raquel's chalet. If the police suspect Raquel and decide to search her chalet and find the silencer...

This is the beginning of Raquel's bottom and she's going to end up going back to Rehab to redeem herself.

Poor abuelo is all alone. Hopefully MJ can be his surrogate nieta and bring Tiny Tony along. Abuelo and Tiny Tony would get along like troopers!

I never thought Mateo was a professional gigolo, but somebody who was down for whatever as long as the pay was right.
 

We have had back to back record breaking, history making blizzards the past few days and this gave me a chance to read some comments from the past few months recaps. I have read every single recap everyday though.

I would like to address the fate of Fernando and TNs 'approach' to disabilities and handicaps. I know I may get flamed for this and that's ok. I can handle it.

First of all,the impression I get when reading the comments about being wheelchair bound and being disabled is that it is a good thing. It is not. It is not the end of the world but it sure as hell is a hassle to the person it happens to, to the family and loved ones, to friends and lovers.

No one in their right mind would want that to happen to them. I certainly would not want that to happen to me. I'm a strong guy, physically and mentally, when I get injured playing sports, it frustrates me to no end when I cannot get back to normal and do the normal things i like to do. Sure it is not permanent and when i'm fully recovered, I'm all fixed up and back to 100%. Those who become permamently disabled don't have that luxury. Fernando's reaction was perfectly normal.

This is one post where I can say I agree with JudyB. Her post:

"No one takes bad news like this well at first. Nor can you expect the family to. Yes, my friend resolved to be the very best quadriplegiac she could be. But that was after months of depression and spiritual struggle."

Has never been more true. I agree 100%. CSI New York had one of it's characters named Danny get shot in the back temporarily paralyzing him. The bitterness and depression combined with self doubt and fears he had were all too real. In the succeeding episodes that showed him in rehab, he had lost all confidence in himself and really thought he would not walk again even before trying to go through the physical therapy sessions. It was not until much later that he got inspired and tried his best to regain the use of his legs. He gradually went from wheeling around the lab in a wheel chair to using crutches and then a can to finally almost walking normally.

Ibarramedia
 

A real life example is Former Detroit Lion lineman Mike Utley. He was injured in a freak hit that left him paralyzed. An injury to his sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae occurred in a game against the LA Rams on November 17, 1991. Although he would later learn he was largely paralyzed from the chest down, Utley flashed the crowd a "thumbs up" as he was being taken off the field. This was during the Washinton Redskins 1991-92 Superbowl Season. Coach Joe Gibbs and the team dedicated the rest of the season to him and to late sportscaster Glen Brenner. During the Superbowl the team flashed the thumbs up sign.

Mike handled his situation very well but I read somewhere in his book the struggles and adjustments he had to make in his life. He wishes to be normal again and is relentless in his quest to regain the use of his legs to this day. Here is a guy that could bench press more than 500 pounds at his strongest and it shocked him that he could barely lift the 45 pound olympic bar without any plates when first beginning rehab.

Here is a small part of what Chris Spielman said about mike:

"So when he suffered a paralyzing neck injury in 1991 in our game against the Los Angeles Rams, the whole team was affected. We were devastated. Despite being paralyzed, he remained selfless throughout the whole ordeal. The way he handled the whole situation ... well, I don't know if I could do that. I don't know if anyone could do that. As he was being wheeled off the field, he gave us the thumbs-up sign, which told us to keep playing hard and that he would be all right. That helped a lot." That is strength of character. On a side note: Chris' wife Stefanie lost her 9 year battle with cancer. She had 4 bouts with cancer and Ultimately, she lost her battle on November 19, 2009 after the disease returned for the fifth time.

Vivi's post about Haiti victims prefering to die than lose any of their limbs is an extreme and disturbing tale of hopelessness. Most of us would still want to live. We would not want to be without our limbs but we want to live. If that happened to us, we would cope and eventually adjust but it is not something to be happy about.

While our politically correct society today actively incorporates diferently abled people into everyday life and makes a lot of effort to make them an accepted part of society, it does not make it a good thing to be less than 100% in the full use of their limbs. Nobody wants that.

Ibarramedia
 

Ibarramedia
Well-stated. There is a shock and depression at the initial diagnosis and,as I noted, I thought it was understandable. My hope is that they will be believable in showing his struggle to regain his abilities because it is a very difficult process and not wrap up quickly. They've been a bit inconsistent with some of these issues (Raquel), so who knows.
 

Thanks Ibarramedia. Great examples. And I saw some of those CSI:NY episodes too and thought they dealt with it well and realistically. Very similar to what my dad went through. But you need time. By the way, my was in his 50s when this happend to him. He is now in his seventies, works in his garden, helps out neighbors with yard work, cooks everyday, and jogs up to 6 miles a few times each week (it helps him since one side of him does not have the same level of feeling as the other, and running somehow helps his balance). He is a wonder to behold! But he had very dark days in the beginning.
 

I will be in the extreme minority (And probably be the only one here)in that I want to see Raquel redeemed. I even have hopes that Maura will finally see the light and that she has had enough of Bruno's scheming and gone way to far. I was happy when Katya realized the grave error of her ways and was sorry to Fernando. Redemption and forgiveness is a good trait. Those who are believers in Christ would agree to that.

I can have a ruthless and vindictive personality but I am admittedly more soft towards the females. Call it a flaw, a chauvinistic attitude, a misguided feeling. Fine by me. I just don't want the females to have to suffer an ugly fate. Call me biased, but that's how it is.

Bruno on the other hand is someone I don't mind seeing drawn,quartered, burned,blinded, arms and legs amputated,beheaded then blown up to bits.

I hope you all don't find my post abrasive for telling you my feelings on the subject like it is in a candid, blunt and frank manner. But those are my thoughts and I own it. I gave my explanation and make no excuses.



Ibarramedia
 

Ibarramedia- It's always us ladies here voiving our opinions loudly all the time. I wish you guys would chime in more! I love hearing your take on things. And I do think we ladies are harder on the female characters than the men typically are. So nice to get a different point of view. :)

By the way, being snowed in for the umpteenth day has meant that I am also spending way too much time on Caray Caray. ;-) Glad I am not alone.
 

Once again, as in the past. I want to apologize for any spelling error you may find. I'm a very good speller but not that great typing. i'm not even going to bother correcting here what I may have spelled wrong. I have not reread my long post yet and it may contain some mispelled words.

This goes for now until the end of the series. Or when you see me again.

Ibarramedia
 

Thank You Vivi, That means a lot. There are times when I get a vive of silent disapproval from the majority. I'm fine with it. Just pointing out I get that vibe sometimes. I hope I'm not being paranoid. :)

Just to give you an idea avbout this blizzard since you sadi before that you were not a washingtonian or Baltimorean, this is not normal for us. Other people in the midwest,Northeast or the great white north may scoff atthe DC/Balt area for panicking with 1 inch of snow, and rightly so, but this is not normal for us. 30-50 inches does not happen here every year.

For Dec. I spent 6 hours straight shovelling the driveway, this past Saturday I Shovelled from 4:30 pm to Past midnight non stop. Last night, My Brother and I shovelled the roof of my extension in the house because it is flat and not anlged like regular roofs. Seen to many news of roofs caving in. And i'm glad we did that because there were at least 4 feet of snow in a flat surface last night.

Even in my top physical shape, it is still a drain on the body. Much easier than in the years I was not lifting but I still feel like i've gone 15 rounds of boxing.

I hope you are well. :)



Ibarramedia
 

Well, it's about time you piped up and put in your 2 cents worth! :P Sorry about all the snow. We haven't had snow in KC like that for a long time. Hope you will be with us to the end and for Corazon.
 

Mrs. 5 ft... You're too much, a play on the movie Sex, Lies and Video Tapes in your title. You need to protect that brain of yours, it is a prize. I'd hate to see you even on the same continent with Dr. Jorge!

Iberra, buddy, we've missed you. So glad you're back. I for one love your wonderful point of view, and heaven knows we all like a good "discussion". Bring your well reasoned views in and stay a while. Your story on Mike Utley was very fitting and I loved the fact Judy pointed out the sexual consequences of this type of injury.

I'm usually solidly in the women's corner in TNs, but for some reason this time, I'm seeing things from the galan's point of view, poor Alex, he looks so TIRED.
 

Another point, and this is by way of adding to the conversation, not coming down on anyone, is that the writers make artistic choices...artistic may be a stretch, but it's fiction and everyone knows it, and they make up the wildest stuff to entertain us with, yet consistently when it comes to disability, they write an "I'd rather die" response (if anyone's watching Tormenta during the day, I'm also thinking of fake Karina's reaction to cancer "I'd rather die than go bald") or as a punishment for past misdeeds (again, fake Karina or LaFont from Passion). They make decisions all the time about how they want to portray things and this is the reaction they choose. What about just absolute "I don't get it, what are you saying?" shock? That could be realistic as well. Or a person who pretends to be brave, but is really hiding their fear from the family? Or one who starts screaming at everyone to get them to Houston (where all the most difficult medical cases end up in TN-land) STAT and call the best doctor in the world, and they won't rest until someone can cure them? In real life not everyone takes this kind of news the exact same way, but in TN land, I think the writers have gotten lazy. I can't believe there wasn't one person in that room who didn't have the guts to speak up and say "again? Can't we take a different angle? Say, when this happened to my uncle...."

And yeah, I've been on the receiving end of news that sounds like the end of the world, and I was pretty upset about it, so I'm hyper aware of how that gets portrayed. I'm tired of only ever seeing the two extremes, the two stereotypes of disability--"kill me now" or "The Brave Little Toaster"--and never the kind of middle of the road, some good days some bad days, still a person who has to pay their bills and go to the dry cleaners and deal with their mother-in-law and feed the cat kind of portrayal.

Obviously, it's time for my beanie to get adjusted :)

And thank you for the comments, I love that people care enough to say anything at all!
 

Thanks, Kat. Wow..that was a full episode. As for Fer, I think he will fully recover...because this is a novela and he's a good guy. As for the fear of paralysis or the loss of a limb, those are very difficult situations to deal with. My dad had neurological problems the last 2 years of his life and couldn't stand or walk. The doctors never figured out what caused his problem, but he was a farmer who had been given DDT to spray on crops and he also fell onto the concrete barn floor when he was on a ladder trying to repair something when was in his 70s. He fell into a deep depression. He was a strong, active , handsome guy who spent his life working hard as a farmer and toolmaker/machinist. His condition was devastating to our whole family. One day , when I was with him, I had to bring something to him. He looked up at me and said. ''Susy, I should be taking care of you.'' To which I relied,''You've taken care of me my whole life.'' A few years after my dad died at age 80, my mother [a smoker] needed surgery on her leg due to poor circulation. My sister and I took her to the doctor, and she absolutely refused to have the surgery until he said the magic words, ''If you don't have the surgery, you'll lose that leg.'' Bingo..she consented. I guess nobody wants to feel dependent on others. A few years ago, I had a young guy from Colombia who had lost his leg in a car accident. We became very close. I think people come into our lives for a reason. I think that we helped each other. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great smile. I think that we helped each other. Whenever I feel sorry for myself, I think of Martin and his positive attitude.
 

Maura crossed the point of no return when she set up the date rape/porn filming of Katia.

She can't come back from that. Even her own sister was disgusted. Lisette has been telling Maura for pretty much the entire show to move on from Alex.

The anvil of death is upon Bruno: he's gotten 2 death threats this week.

Jorge is making tracks for Canada b/c he knows he'll never get Porfirio's money and without the money there's no point to being with Elena.

Elena will probably heave her rack at Pedro to come bail her out of her troubles.
 

Connie, If you think i'm going to abandon this TN 1 week before it ends, you're nuts. ;) j/k
I'm watching Corazon Salvaje because it is a histroical one and i'm a history buff. But after that I'm going to have to bow out. I'm already losing what littel social life I have because I found myself watching a few more series than I would want. I gets hard to explain why I can't go out at night and recording the shows means i'm watching it till the crack of dawn. Since I am lifting actively again, I need to sleep for growth and recovery. 3-4 hours of sleep a night is not what I want to do.

I have been following ENDA along with Sortilegio, Started watching Dinero because I find Alejandra,Claudia and Vicki Charming and hot,And I get to make fun of their sales tactics quietly because I'm a businessman. Watched Yo soy Betty La fea/Ecomoda and Vecinos. I had to draw the line at El Capo and El Clon because it is too much now. Would probably liked to see Perro Amor because of the funny Story and Hot,Hot babes. but I'm ocd enough that If I start a show, I have to end it. And it really drove me nuts when I discovered TNs watching my ver first one, Pasion on the very last week.

Side note, I recorded one episaode of Perro Amor and it had Orlando from Enda there, Marcela from Betty La fea was there too. I've gotten better in my spanish that I can teel diiferent accents there. It seems they have a collection of different spanish speaking people there. Colombian,Mexican,Puerto Rican mayne even Chilean. Like watching a show with American, British,Australian,New Zealand and Canadian actors all mixed in. **Confused** Seem to be based in Colombia though. Anyway, i've rambled enough. This is the most Tv i've watched in a while. with the CSI's,Law and Orders and NFL Football being recorded and watched. sigh. I need to regain my life. ;) Wink wink.

Ibarramedia
 

Point taken Kat. I see what you're getting at about showing another type of reaction (putting on a brave face for loved ones, being hysterical or loudly demanding another opinion or better treatment), something other than despair. All of thoese reactions are valid. Maybe they go for the one with the most dramatic punch. In MEPS, after Eduardo is shot up, Steve El Gringo doesn't waste any time with despair, but instead gets him on a plane to Houston right away to get proper treatment. By the way, just saw the Colombian version of MEPS this morning (Pura Sangre), from what I saw, it's exactly the same except for most of the names.
 

Good points Kat and good recap too. Thanks.

Now what is the fascination with Houston? I'm sure there are closer cities like El Paso, Texas or Nogales, Arizona. There is also San Diego. They can also mention Los Angeles. I'm surprised they don't mention LA as a city of choice.

Anon. 10:55

Maybe last night's episode of Maura saying she does not want to help Bruno anymore because enough is enough and she is so deep in it is a sign of her finaly heeding Lisette's advice. No matter the reason, self preservation or realizing it won't work, the important thing is she cease causing trouble. Maybe she will be caught,arrested,charged and spend a year or two in prison but I don't want Maura to die.

It is never too late. Picture Luke Skywalker appealing to his Father Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker that he sees some good still left in him or what he once had to turn against the dark side ans not let him die.

I do admit to being white knight in shining armor wanting to always rescue the damsel in distress. ;) :)


Ibarramedia
 

Keeping in mind that telenovelas are made in Mexico for the people there, the amputation/invalid reaction may be reality for them. Very few have money to go to a doctor, not to mention a job to pay for health insurance or the doctor. The reactions we see in 'novelas may well be the everyday reaction in that culture. My Mexican friend tells me that hospitals won't treat a person unless you show them the cash first. In a poor country, who can take care of an invalid? Physical Therapy? I doubt it. No money for services like the type Fernando can buy. Hence the better-off-dead perspective in Haiti. I get it. I don't like it, it's very sad, but I understand it in that setting.
 

Vivi, you are absolutely correct. Been watching a lot Pura Sangre with the weather and all. It does really resemble MEPS almost scene for scene except for the names and I think they go on faster too. No filler like in MEPS. That is maybe why I kept seeing the Pura Sangre credits on MEPS when I first questioned why they had Realizacion RCN Colombia on the credits.

Big contrast to Pasion de Gavilanes and Fuego En La Sangre which were based on Las Aguas Mansas. All three while having the basic frame work of 3 sisters and 3 brothers, the wheel chair bound abuelo and opressive mother, turned out pretty different in it's own right.

One more thing, And I hope it won't be considere a spoiler because the original aired 2 years ago, but Months ago, I saw the gran final of Pura Sangre and Paulina the BABs of PS did not burn herself and have to live so disfigured. I found it disturbing they did that to dear old Babs. :(



Ibarramedia
 

judy it was nice to hear some compassion for a quadraplegic, instead of the cold ones we have been getting I myself would see it as catastrophic to be paralized and in the prime of life. Sure, some people learn to paint with a brush in their mouths, or in their toes. Some people can give seminars on how to think positive and accept their fate, like Chrisopher Reeves and some but few people have that money and support system to make life a little easier for them. Ask any of them if they like different people in their home stripping them of their dignity and pride, while showering them, putting them on the toilets, etc.
 

Favorite recap line --"MaryJo and Felipa are canangananga-ing the babies in the nursery"!! LOL

Anyone else shout "just crawl into the bed with him already' when MJ covered Alex with the "tiny blanket"???

Kat, as always top rate recap full of snarky fun. Many thanks.
CubsFan
 

Social life? You dont' need no stinkin'social life! ;)
 

Connie,
Amor Real
Go here, yesterday was Dec 2
http://foro.telenovela-world.com/~diane/amorreal/SumUniv1.HTM

Vivi,
I looked at the tape again & I think I've got it. It seems Manuel asked Sixto to bring Adelaida, I just don't understand how he knows about her. Maunel is becoming very suspicious. Adelaida is the friend of Bernarda, the one that pretended to be Adolfo's wife to Matilde. I remember that Bernarda told Adelaida & I guess Adelaida told Sixto. Humberto got Bernardo to do it so Matilde would marry Manuel.
 

CubsFan- Yes! Their naps in the past always ended with some frisky activity, so I was hoping. But, alas, it was not to be. I guess Alex needs to rest up so that he can continue to be a super hero. :)
 

Thanks Variopinta. When I go back to a normal work week next week, I will have to decide which one of these new tns that I have been introduced to during Snowapalooza that I want to keep following and set the dvr to. This is very dangerous. Like Ibarramedia, I think I'm headed down a slippery slope. But AR has been so good this week! Ay, yay, yay.
 

I really love the way Maria Jose as Sandra looks now. Sh has put back some meat and has some curvy hips from what I can see when she wears jeans. :D

I'm definitely loving her fashion sense, scarves (Not Bruno like) and long thick braided hair. Looking good baby! ;) J/K

I recently found out the Jacqueline Bracamontes speaks Spanish, French and English fluently and Chinese. Wow Quad lingual. That is awesome. She was a model too.


Ibarramedia
 

I would like to know Jarocha's thoughts on the new Corazon Salvaje storyline without regard to the actors ages and popularity or lack thereof. I guess from a neutral standpoint, how is the plot, is it a good story?


Ibarramedia
 

Thanks Variopinta for the hookup. I was so bummed when I sat down to watch and it wasn't there! I didn't have the energy to go down and see if it was on my other TV. I could barely stay awake during Sorti as it was.
 

Thanks for the recap, Kat. Didn't catch the entire episode, but you filled in everything perfectly as usual.

Like Alex, I am super sleep deprived. Spent the entire night Monday writing a paper and sister got into a car accident yesterday and nearly fractured her jaw so was in the emergency room all night. Not fun. Hate to retreat to 4 coffees in one day, but think I might have to. I'm at school until 8:30 pm today...Thank God, everything is okay now, but I don't think the car's gonna make it.

Elna and Novelera, glad you guys had fun, and I am sooo jealous. Next time :).

Alex sleeping was too cute.

Glad Roberto can sense when Bruno is involved. Someone needs to.
 

Thanks for an excellent recap as usual.
I must admit that I was a bit upset by the unsympathetic attitude towards Fernando's initial reaction to his injury as well as not being able understand Viki's concern. If the subject had not been brought up I would have just overlooked it as what we call snark. I admit that I thought it was premature for Viki to ask if Fer would walk again, but since they are lovers, that probably was a legitimate concern.

Ibarramedia, I respectfully disagree with your opinion that "Haiti victims prefering to die than lose any of their limbs is an extreme and disturbing tale of hopelessness".
Haitians have already lost everything including family due to the devastating earthquake. Now it's time to start thinking rebuilding and I'm not sure how much help an amputee views himself. Not only that, I'm sure there's going to be a shortage of wheelchairs and forget rehab, assistance which every amputee needs.
Under the circumstances, I see their reaction as not too surprising. For this reason, I'm confused who you are referring to as "us/we" when you said "if that happened to us, we would cope and eventually adjust".
 

Thanks for the excellent recap, Kat!

Ibarramedia, I agree with you about wanting to see redemption, especially for the ladies. I'm hoping Maura decides to testify against Bruno, and although she goes to jail, it's a reduced sentence. As for Katia, she did some terrible things, but she's a kid, and is getting punished for what she did. She seems to have become a better person for it.

Raquel was never in on the schemes. She just had an arrogant attitude. She did cheat on her husband, and later became an alcoholic, which she continued during her pregnancy. And she stabbed her husband in an alcoholic rage. But to me, it's all more tragic than willfully evil, so I do hope she also changes to be a better person, and finds some peace.

Then we have Elena. This is a tough one. She's done all sorts of bad things for money, and that's always a no no. I sort of feel sorry for her, being with that cretin Jorge, but I think Elena is beyond redemption. I'm not sure about this, though, as MJ has warm feelings toward her.

Ibarramedia, I know what you mean about not enough time. I've been watching Gancho, Sortilegio and Perro Amor, and there really isn't too much time left for my other hobbies, social life, etc. Oh well!
 

Anon- I think what Ibarramedia meant by "us" is people who live in a rich country with lots of resources and supports for amputees or those paralyzed. Not that we are somehow different/tougher/more hopeful than Haitians. Because that is certainly not the case. What I got from all of the examples and stories shared, and even the initial reaction to how this was portrayed in the tn, is that there are some basic human reactions that run the gamut when this kid of thing happens. And that the way a person carries on with their life afterwards is affected by: 1) the strength they find within; 2) their family/friends/social support system; 3) the medical, financial and societal resources available; and 4) just plain luck.
 

I'm referring to 'us' as in participants here TN land Recappers and commenters both, as well as most Americans. It's your opinion and you are entitled to it. Personally, if I had been the Haitian who had to have a limb amputatedor die, Much as I would hate it, I would have them amputate because I want to live more than anything else. I uderstand what you said about the plight of the Haitians with rebuilding, being a burden, handicap and all, but my will is very strong that I would fight like hell to survive. If they want to kill me, they are going to have to put a bullet in my head. I admit to being vain enough that I 'want to look good'. But given a choice of life or death, I choose life. I want to live as long as possible.

Disclaimer, I very much care about the Haitian people and their situation and I support them as I supported the Katrina Disaster releif effort in New Orleans, the Tsunami in 2004 which was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were the hardest hit. And lastly the Philippine flood this past September. So my post is in no way a disrespect to them or their situation.

This an example of a guy who never gives up and loves life and wants to live:

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - With no water and as little hope of survival, Aspen mountaineer Aron Ralston, 27, used a pocketknife to amputate his own arm and free himself from a boulder weighing 800-1,000 pounds that fell and trapped him for five days in a remote desert canyon in eastern Utah.

Pinned in a 3-foot wide slot canyon near the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park south of Moab, Utah, Ralston cut through his own arm below the elbow Thursday morning, applying a tourniquet and administering first aid before rigging anchors and fixing a rope to rappel to the bottom of Blue John Canyon and hiking out to meet rescuers. Ralston had been hiking alone when the boulder fell and pinned his right arm as he was moving through the narrow slot last Saturday afternoon, according to information from the sheriff's offices in Emery and Wayne counties.

"Ralston cut through his own arm below the elbow Thursday..."

Ralston told rescuers that on Thursday morning he realized he would not survive unless he took drastic action. He had run out of water on Tuesday.

http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/News_Lost_Solo.htm

Ibarramedia
 

Kat, great recap. I especially appreciated your comments about the attitude toward those in wheelchairs or in some way disabled. I can't stand that.

In rereading yesterday's comments, I note that folks here on Caray have been very generous about sharing personal stories that show why they have strong opinions about some of our TN characters and circumstances.

I feel the same way about this attitude toward those with physical disabilities. To illustrate my point, my father was born in Ireland and contracted polio there as a young child. Because Ireland declared itself neutral in the War, it was blockaded and medicines were soon in short supply. Desperate, (and not overburdened with either IQ or compassion) my grandparents put my seven year old father on a boat to the US in the belief that relatives in Boston or San Francisco could better care for him. By the time he got to Boston, his auntie there had died. He was then shipped by train to Shriner's Children's Hospital in San Francisco, where he lived in the terminal children's ward for seven years.
Although he never walked, he did manage to get a Ph.D. in Physics from Cal and to become a rocket scientist for NASA, and, of course to father three daughters.

This may account for my extreme impatience with the Pedro character and with the character's attitudes toward Fernando's tragic accident. (Ya think?? Self deprecating grin).
 

I remember that. That guy was amazing.
 

And for every story of the one Haitian person who said I would rather die than have an amputation, there were plenty more of those that said, let's do this and I will figure out a way to survive afterwards. Tales of amazing inner strength are not limited to this country. They happen every day, in every part of this world. But there are valid reasons when people react to a situation with despair.
 

Thanks for the comments Hombre and Vivi, Hombre seems like you Carlos and I have a thing for bad girls. ;) J/K

Elena has serious faults and I see her as the lesser of two evils compared to Jorge the Horrible. He gives me the creeps and i'm a tough guy. Whoever named him Dr. Mengele was right on the money. To those who might not know look him up and see the despicable things he has done. That said, I don't want Elena to die or to suffer a terrible fate. Being disowned in the end -No spoiler because I don't know, is punishment enough for her. I do feel sorry for her.


Ibarramedia
 

Iberra,

Hate to add to your viewing plate, but are you watching "I Shouldn't Be Alive?", on Animal Planet? I think you'd like it.

To add my thoughts on today's topic, whether it is redemption, alcoholism or disabilities, it would be nice to see a normal course of recovery and less miracle cures. All they would have to do is inter the "Cinco meses despues" that they so love.

My phone tries to correct my Spanish to English words!
 

I've seen those shows. They are crazy. The shark ones give me the heebie jeebies.
 

Kat, thanks once again for a very appreciated recap.

Sorry gang, but no redemption for Maura. Everything has been about me, me, me, and not a thought as to all of the damage she has caused. I hope she has to wear brown for a very long time and finds out how the "lower class" lives. I also see Lissette becoming the most generous philanthropist in all of Mexico. Maybe she could turn the playhouse into some sort of retreat center for cancer patients and their families.

rsk
 

Kat, another marvelous recap. So much has already been posted, I'll simply say thank you - much appreciated.

Diana
 

Vivi, I always enjoy your comments. Thanks for sharing.
 

Does anyone know if El Clon will be recapped...???

I'm not too keen on CS. I'm not good at translating.


Ann-NYC
 

Sandy i have not seen that but it looks intriguing and I could learn some additional survival skills. I may get the dvd of a few seasons to watch on my own time. Thanks for the info. :)

Ibarramedia
 

I've been saying this for awhile Maura cannot be redeemed even before she did the nasty date rape scheme on Katia. Too many have overlooked her one track obsession to get back with Alex at any cost.When she participated in the kidnapping of MJ even though at first she was hesitant and very scared once Bruno suggested to her this is her chance to have Alex as her's again she was all on board with the plan.Even if she were to testify against Bruno she still shouldn't get a light sentence.As for Elena nothing and i do mean nothing can redeem this odious person.The fact that she raised Sandra in that type of environment not caring one bit how it affected her mentally and drove the poor girl to drugs and being easy. No way absolutely not then also to have her other daughter kidnapped to replace the one she drove into drugs who died from a drug overdose. Like someone said she doesn't even ask anything concerning Paula, why because Paula doesn't have anything that benefit's her person. She's a vulture, a leech a person his own selfish desires come first at the sacrifice of even her own family and she doesn't display any remorse for her actions.She should be thrown in prison for the rest of her sorry existence.
 

Ann NYC
We probably won't even need the captions for CS. It's very easy to understand gritos y sollozos, typical Mejia & Yáñez.
I know the recaps will be hysterical.
 

Vivi
Amor Real
Apparently Bernarda used Adelaida's name when she pretended to be Adolfo's wife to Matilde.
 

Kat, your recap was funny beyond words.
Thoughtful and insightful comments on dealing with disability. My good example was my aunt, stricken with polio in her teens, later confined to a wheelchair. It can't have been easy, but she developed two careers in our small town--sewing clothing for others and making/decorating wedding cakes.

Bad example is my own frustration and impatience with a recent rotator cuff shoulder injury affecting my dominant arm/hand.
I'm neither gracious nor patient in dealing with my sudden disability.

In Haiti, there's a wave of more deaths/illness due to lack of sanitation, medicine and follow-up treatment for people with injuries or amputations. So it's not only living without a limb, it's even surviving long enough to be an otherwise healthy amputee.

Back to the recap, loved Sami the dog wetting the beds and chewing the shoes. If so, Katia could learn to work cleaning up behind him and not just hugging him.

Green Useless! I thought the makeup crew must have had a lot of fun with that. (I know I did.)

MJ putting only a small throw over the sweetly sleeping Alex? He may not need more than that--the guy's totally HOT, y/know?

Sorry for all of y'all dealing with the blizzard conditions. Hope you have power and the means to survive.
La Paloma
 

Doris - thanks for the insight on the 'fugly' word. mi hermano has been saying it since the 80s. lol!
 

Hello,

I've been reading your website for a long time, an official lurker. I wanted to say thank you very much and univision should really put you guys on the payroll. I stopped watching this novela, because all they had Jackie B saying and doing "but Alex, but Bruno, but Papa, I'm scared". I turned it off, but kept my eye on this website. Now that she has more to do I've come back to it, but only because you guys made it more interesting than what I was seeing. Keep up the good work. And thank you very much.
 

Maura is beyond redemption because she doesn't care about anyone feelings except hers:

She didn't care about MJ or Alex's feelings when she concocted the Mario Aguirre scheme.

She didn't care about Roberto's feelings when she encouraged Useless to go after Raquel.

She didn't care about MJ's feelings when she draped herself all over Alex @ Lombardo Construction.

She didn't care about Alex's feelings after MJ was kidnapped. She was basically like "Oh well, she's gone, let me soothe you."

She didn't care about baby Tony's feelings when she had his mother kidnapped.

She didn't care about Alex's feelings when she thought MJ was in a coma about to die. She told Alex, oh well too bad so sad, let her die and move on.

She didn't care about Lisette's feelings when she avoided visiting her in the hospital.

And she definitely didn't care about Katia's feelings when she had Katia raped and taped.

Neither Maura nor Bruno care about anyone other than themselves but the time to pay the piper is drawing very near.
 

Anon--I totally agree with you--there is no redemption for Elena. It's all about me, me, me. I can't stand her.
 

Wonderful witty recap, thanks. IT's the first TN I've ever watched. I don't know whether it's the characters, acting, or the great recaps that keep me tuned in. I know I'm going to miss both.
 

Vivi~~I remember that Manuel met both Bernarda and Adelaida when Sixto took him for a night on the town when he was in town and depressed about his progress in pursuing Matilde. Bernanda excused herself after she met Manuel and had a tryst with Humberto, that cad. I don't think that Manuel has connected any dots between these players at this point nor does he have any suspicions that the new overseer is actually Matilde's first love at this point. I think Matilde is worried about Sixto seeing Aldolfo.
 

Ooh. Thanks Susanlynn. Even more juicy AR details. I think this will go into my dvr list starting next week. :)
 

I was thinking about this at lunch today--wouldn't it be great if Porfirio left all his money to Tiny Tony?
 

No Connie. Tony has more than enough resources via his parents and family. Porfirio can donate it to the Leukemia and cancer society or some other charitable institution. That would be a more honorable and logical choice. Don't you agree?

Ibarramedia
 

Oh sure. From that standpoint I agree but I would love to see Elena's face when she found out. Anything to make life miserable for Elena--I'm all about it. And throw Moora in there too. I don't want her to die but have something horrible happen to her.
 

This is a TN so Porfirio will probably leave his money to MJ hopefully he'll put a stipulation in the will that in now way can MJ give a dime of the money to help out Elena.
 

I could see that happening. Let's hope it does.
 

How about Jorrible JorHEY ? What do you think will happen to him? I'm hoping for a coma headed his way. I don't think Mauron and Elena will die, but I am hoping that what went around comes around and that we'll see some karma happening. Mauron is really wrapped up in her lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-worthless world of money, parties, clothes. Somehow she has to lose all that glamor and glitz. Maybe community service in the barrio. Maybe Elena will be sentenced to growing old all alone wearing turtlenecks. That would be a relief for all of us.
 

How about Jorrible JorHEY ? What do you think will happen to him? I'm hoping for a coma headed his way. I don't think Mauron and Elena will die, but I am hoping that what went around comes around and that we'll see some karma happening. Mauron is really wrapped up in her lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-worthless world of money, parties, clothes. Somehow she has to lose all that glamor and glitz. Maybe community service in the barrio. Maybe Elena will be sentenced to growing old all alone wearing turtlenecks. That would be a relief for all of us.
 

Amor Real

¡Dios mio!

The absolute best TN scene EVER. Manuel y Matilde en el picnic. The DVD doesn't show any fore or post play.
 

Variopinta~~~I've been so preoccupied with the snow falling that I forgot to watch Amor Real. Isn't it amazing how much good stuff they chopped out of the dvd ? The outdoor love scenes are beautifully done, and I think that there is at least one more to come before the s*** hits the fan. Manuel knows how to put the moves on.
 

susanlynn
loved it when Matilde is worried about being seen sin ropa. Manuel just whipes that cloth off the ground, dishes flying & asks her if that's enough, !que hombre!!!!!!
 

Amor Real.....the Gold Standard of all telenovelas!! Susanlynn, disagree on the Alborada/FC hair thing!

Cielo, glad your sister has only "minor" injuries! Your Tennessee mom....me, worries about you....get some rest.
 

Loved the recap 5ft. I sort of knew they would go with the whole I could be paralyzed storyline with Fer. Me thinks that Vicky's love will miraculously heal Fer before the grand finale. What a gruesome sight with Uli. He looked kind of brownish green lying there on the floor. Yuck. So it's a matter of time before Alex pieces everything together and when MJ remembers Maura's part in the kidnapping, it's over. Alex stared daggers into Maura when he was talking to her. He can barely tolerate her.
 

awww... Alex sleeping ... ITA .. made me just want to 'spoon' w/him!! pobrecito - having to shoulder a lot.

http://www.williamlevyworld.com/galeria/displayimage.php?album=13&pos=909
 

Sandy~~~I love FC's love scenes as Manuel and the plotline of Amor Real , but I prefer his look in Alborada. I like the long hair and the facial hair. Luis on a horse makes me say ''Have mercy!'' In fact, Luis is the reason that I fell down the rabbit hole of telenovelaville in the first place. I was surfing the channels when I saw a tall, dark , handsome hombre . Then , I surfed the net and found Melinama's singlehanded recaps of Alborada [What-a-woman] , and the rest, as they say, is history...I was hopelessly hooked.
 

Susanlynn, know the song" If You Can't Be With the One You Love, Love the One Your With?".....it's Manuel now for me! You know, so many of them have sideburns.... maybe that's it!!!
 

La dueña de tu amor

mira aquí

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5WPQqSf2N4

I'm sure that after Corazón Salvaje this will be a welcome relief.
 

Anon at 2:57

To add to your paucity of feelings list--
It was a long time ago, but Maura colluded with Bruno to distract Alex at her party so Bruno could make MJ, Pau and then Pedro and go off to MDF. That's when she began her long slide on the slippery slope.
Newbie in Md
 

Variopinta: Lucero is going to be Fernando's co-star in La Dueña de Tu Amor. She was offered the role back in december but due to previous work commitments she declined it. The producer Nicandro Díaz couldn't find an actress and Alicia Machado was one of the names of the actress who did casting so the rumor was that she was going to star in the novela. However the production got delayed because there was no protagonist yet by the end of january and Nicandro Díaz asked Lucero again. This time she was free so she accepted the role.

Jarocha
 

It will nice to see the love match from Alborada [ Lucero and Fernando ] back together again after seeing them as enemies in MEPS.
 

Most people here are expecting to see how they will style Lucero's hair. She donated 25 cm back in december to make wigs for cancer patients. I do like it short but surprisingly people in TV are saying they should give her extentions.

Jarocha
 

My duaghter does that too. She grows it out and then cuts it off and wears it short for awhile and then grows it again. Mine takes too long to grow to cut it off.
 

Here's a pic of Lucero and Fernando after the mass they had to bless the production :

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1958/misa1v.jpg

I don't know if this has been said before but before starting production of every novela in México they always bring a priest to bless the production and the cast and crew. It's not obligatory but most people usually go, unless they are not Catholic.

Jarocha
 

Connie: My hair grows fast when is short but after it's long it seems like the growth stops by how slow it goes.

Jarocha
 

Fascinating info about the blessing Jarocha. Thanks.
 

Jarocha, i'm not surprised by it. In fact, I expected it. So what do you persoanlly think of the story and plot of the new Corazon Salveje without regard to the actors not palying age correct roles?



Ibarramedia
 

Ibarramedia: I personally don't like the new CS but I heard from people that it is starting to get better. I'm watching another novela at that time so I stopped following the story. I do sometimes change the channel to see how they go and at least, without Salvador Garcini at the director's chair, the actors are much more natural now. I think a big issue I had with the actors was actually the fault of the director. There's also some things from the writing, because they changed the background of the characteres but they made their personalities more "extreme". In the other versions of CZ their personalities were in great part a result of their upbringing so while the change gave the story a "fresh" spin (although, it's really the same background story of Yo Compro Esa Mujer) I didn't feel the personalities of the main characteres fit that background. Unless we decide the characteres are how they are simply because that's their personality, wich is okay, but it kind of simplifies them too much for me.

I think the writing and directing can help you accept more mature actors in the roles they play. La Dueña from '96 had the main couple in their mid twenties but I heard the adaptation in La Dueña de Tu Amor is going to have the characteres in their late thirties. I can see how they could change the characteres in a manner that seems armonic to the story so that's what you should do if you want a mature leading couple on screen.

Jarocha
 

Post a Comment



<< Home

Newer›  ‹Older

© Caray, Caray! 2006-2022. Duplication of this material for use on any other site is strictly prohibited.

Protected by Copyscape Online Plagiarism Finder