Saturday, January 08, 2011

Triunfo del Amor #5 1/7/11 Temptation Station! All Aboard!

Capítulo 5 (USA)


As Viewerville settles in a little past the evening repast and makes itself comfy in front of the screen for another vicarious experience of the trials and tribulations in the lives of the rich and famous (and those not so much), the pool party at Victoria and Osvaldo's multi-millions of manse is still going full blast. (Now this is a slice of life after the beautiful fairytale bodas they never show us!) Oz has followed Vicki outside to get the kids to take it down a notch or two. They find randy Fernanda enjoying life in the fast lane with Fernando?, aka Scuzzy Tattoo-Boy, making-out like they're auditioning for a porn flick. When Vicki and Ozzie call their teen-aged tramp-in-training on that kiss’s being more than just a “simple kiss”, Fer sasses back. "What world are you guys living in?" If she was going to have sex it wouldn't be there in the driveway for cripes sake! Teenage prejudice to the contrary, Ozzie and Vicki didn't fall off the proverbial melon truck yesterday and Vicki begins to heatedly object. Fer, a bitchin' beauty with a personality to match, is apparently an ace with the snide comebacks. "-- Don't tell me you were a virgin before getting married!" Oz tells her to keep quiet. Fer won't of course and accuses Vicki (I think) of getting pregnant herself from some dirt bag before ever marrying Daddy. Vicki lets loose with a well-deserved smack across Fer's mouth and tells her never to speak to her like that again! (As I've always said, there's a reason prematurely graying parents are best friends with Clairol.) She drags Fer out of Scuzzy Tattoo-Boy's car and back to the house. Ozzie, the quintessential Mr. Cool, tells Scuzzy never to darken his door again until he "learns how to behave like a real man." (Hubba-hubba hubby!!! Excuse me while I re-insert my tongue into my mouth here. I want to package this guy up!)

At Maria's new apartment, meanwhile, there's a discussion about who should be her roommate. Maria decides to spin a coin heads or tails, though' we don't exactly know who goes if the butt-end comes up.....

Inside Vicki's manse, Fer keeps up the smack talk. Vicki wants to allow Fer to enjoy her youth, but at the same to make her realize when her actions violate the “rules” in the Mother’s Good Girls' Guide to Respectability. Fern snidely tells Vicki she has no place to talk because everyone knows she came from the wrong side of the barrio. Vicki takes it in stride and reminds Fer that she did overcome those obstacles with a great deal of effort to "make it" and so she knows what she's talking about. So she's got nothing to be ashamed of on that account. "--Girls can get carried away and not think of the consequences." Fer sneers at this and tells her mama that she knows very well--thank you very much-- how to take precautions against getting pregnant! She struts her stuff back to her party-pals and leaves Vicki talking to the four walls.

Back in the barrio, the coin Maria spins refuses to fall on its side. It’s miraculously stuck upright. Just then Milagros rings the doorbell and surprises the girls with a pan of her torta specialty. The girls explain what's happened with the coin so Millie does a little mystical mumbo-jumbo thing and determines that it means both girls should stay as roommates. Everybody's happy. Problem solved.

At Vicki's again, Ozzie comes in and says he's thrown out Tattoo-Boy. Vicki complains about Fer's obnoxious behavior and says that she couldn't get a word in edge-wise with the girl. She blames her daughter's attitude on Ozzie's spoiling her all the time. Ozzie says it's a mother-daughter problem and blames her for never being around ever. He gets into a huff and walks out the door -the first sign that Victoria's fairytale is about to fracture. Outside, Fer has called back Scuzzy Tattoo-Boy to tell him she still wants them to see each other. No, she tells him, she doesn't give a rat's patoot about what her mother says because she always does whatever she feels like and nothing and nobody is going to stop her this time either!

At the same time, pious Juan Pablo is remembering Vicki giving him hell for the way he treated her all those years ago prior to entering the priesthood for really reals. He humbly asks God for forgiveness and to bless her even though she now hates him.

That night, Vicki is alone in her bedroom with the box of Maria memorabilia she kept and sobs pitiably (ala Mejiiii-aaaaa!) for the loss of her child. "Mi hijaaaa!" (CS2009 aficionados feel free to insert cringe-face here.) She flashes back to her early days at the dress factory where she met Antonieta and became fast friends with her. Young, pregnant Vicki is telling Toni that she's going to take some of the scraps of material [retazo] home to make baby clothes from. Toni promises not to tell anyone because Vicki might lose her job. Toni and Vicki become roommates because Toni is worried about Vicki living alone while she's pregnant. Later we see Vicki getting ready to give birth in the middle of a tree-filled park somewhere while panicked and praying to the virgencita for help. She collapses on the ground. But never fear! Some Good Samaritan or other must have found her in time because the next scene shows her in a hospital bed with the baby in her arms and Toni coming in to visit her. Vicki names her baby Maria after the virgencita who didn't abandon her in her time of need. Toni promises they'll both look after Maria together. Back in the present, Vicki sobs that she failed her daughter.

It's now dinnertime at Bernarda's palatial domicile of the devoutly deviant. She grouses at Tomasa for not being respectful enough toward Juan Pablo now that he's a priest. This gets Tomasa chatting on about how it seems that just yesterday they were having JP's going away party --needless to say, the last thing that either Burnie or JP want to be reminded of.

Back in the barrio, Maria's new roomies are schlepping their belongings along the sidewalk and Linda (the pretty, sassy one) bumps into Juanjo. Nathy, the homely one, and JJ momentarily brush hands as the two kneel down to pick up Linda's things for her. These two seem to share a momentary, meaningful glance and a wow! effect.

After dinner at Priestly Manor, Burnie bitches out Tomasa for bringing up Victoria’s name during dinner. She has warned her time and again, she rails, that she never wanted to discuss the matter! Tomasa can't understand why since the girl was carrying her grandchild. Burnie yells back. "--I did what was proper and I don't care a whit to hear anything more about her or her daughter!!" (Duhn-duhn-duhnnn!) Tomasa is suck-it-in impactada to learn that Burnie knows Victoria had a little girl. (Damn! Got to admit that nobody does imperious better than Romo.) "--How did you find out that she had a little girl??!!" Burnie stutters angrily and shoos her out of the room. Tomasa thinks to herself that Sra. Bernarda must have seen Victoria again but never said a word to anyone about it.

Back at Maria's, the girls are discussing their families. We find out that Linda comes from another country and remembers the boy who broke her heart. Nathy comes from a large, hard-working family. She's studying to become a geneticist (the closest I can make of "genetics engineer/degree"). Linda doesn't have the head for studying she says. She's interested in being a mistress of a good-looking rich guy who will keep her up to her eyeballs in luxuries. Maria tells the others she's an orphan.

Vicki now puts away her keepsakes and hears Fer coming out of her room. Fer says snootily that she's going out to a nightclub [antro]. --And yeah, she's meeting Scuzzy Tattoo-Boy there. Vicki avoids another argument. Fer insists she's all grown up now and has a right to hang around with whoever she likes! Vicki gives in and says she's going to trust her, but to be careful. She tries to give Fer a hug but Fer snubs her and let's out with a disgusted sigh as she heads out the door. Vicki is obviously all out of answers. (Viewerville figures even Dr. Phil would steer clear of this one.)

The next day Linda and Nathy turn on the t.v. Ozzie's on the screen. (A scene from CS2009 is playing.) The girls swoon. Maria tells them she actually knows the guy as the scene shifts to Max telling Vicki in her office at the design studio that he's back and mission accomplished. We beam back to the barrio as the girls go ape-nuts over their grape nuts. They are thrilled to hear Maria knows Osvaldo Sandova-a-a-a-l! A ticket for the theater that Nathy can't use falls out of her textbook. She offers it to Maria, but Maria has other things to do. Linda grabs it up and says she'll take it and then races out of the room.

At the design studio again, Oz walks in and asks Vicki to join him at the theater tonight since he's got a plaque to unveil afterwards. She can't go because she's got to go over the books with Oscar this evening. Oz takes her to the side and tries to make her see that she's spending too much time working day and night. She objects and says he acts as if it's fun for her. He agrees and politely suggests that she seems to find it more entertaining than her wifely and motherly duties. She tells him it’s a sacrifice, but he tells her she isn't fooling him. Her whole life she's only cared about success--the success of her work and not at all about his. She politely refuses his invitation again and he says fine, then he'll go himself. He sighs and says he'll see her later.

Max goes to the orphanage's half-way house looking for Maria and Doña Berta tells him that the cleaning lady swept the piece of paper with the address on it into the trash. Well, Max is a bright boy and we know that eventually he'll know enough to go back to the orphanage and ask the nuns.....

That night, Vicki is reviewing the accounts with Oscar. She appreciates his willingness to stick around (like he'd really say no to the boss?) He admits that being single has its advantages in that he's not got family responsibilities. He makes a big deal about wanting to be of service to her and it seems he's got a major crush on Vicki.

Across town at the theater, Linda sits down and then finds out a moment later that the seat belongs to somebody else. Oz stands up and offers her the empty seat that would have been Victoria's. Linda takes his offer as she suddenly she realizes she's just been offered a seat beside Ozvaldo Sandova-a-a-al! More wow! effect.

Meanwhile, Maria confides in Nathy that she's planning to go into modeling. Nathy asks if she's got a boyfriend. Maria has to think this through. She tells Nathy about meeting "Fabian", a guy who works at a big modeling concern. She loves his smile and can't wait to see him again. Nathy says it sounds like Maria's in love the way she talks about him. They giggle about that as Maria goes to answer the doorbell. Speaking of the King of Rome..... Maria answers the door and there he stands, smiling broadly and holding a gi-normous bouquet of flowers for her. The world lights up for the both of them. (Viewerville lets out a gi-normous sigh.) She accepts the flowers but refuses to let him in the apartment or to take a walk outside with him. "--No, it wouldn't be all right. It’s late!" He says fine, how about I come by for you tomorrow morning? She doesn't say no to that and so he says then it’s a date. She asks him how he got her address and he chuckles about Berta's losing it and him having to pry it loose from the nuns at the orphanage. They refused at first, he explains, but then after getting to know him a bit they realized he meant her no harm and just wanted to get to know her better. "So, that's it. We'll see each other tomorrow." She nods. Max tries to politely kiss her good-bye on the cheek, but she avoids this. He smiles nervously. This is definitely not the kind of skittish female behavior Max is used to and he's feeling awkward. Once outside, Max climbs onto her window ledge and tries for a last peek. He starts to knock like a love-sick boy might have, but then stops himself. He thinks to himself that she's very pretty and very different from the other girls he's met. He gives up and climbs down. As he walks away he sighs to himself. "Ah Max, Max! Don't go falling in love! No! Don't fall in love!" He heads for his car.

At the theater, Oz and Linda formally introduce themselves. Good thing for Oz he's so used to star struck admiring females. He takes her gushing with style.

Nathy tells Maria it would have been fine to have let "Fabian" in to get to know him better. Maria says no, the nuns told her to be careful and she wanted him to know his place. Anyway, she promised them and she's simply doing what she promised.

It's getting late and Vicki can't concentrate any more. Oscar, apparently her friend and confidant for lo these many years, tells her she seems upset about something. Vicki admits to the scene between her and Fer and the argument with Ozzie. (Anybody else get the feeling Vicki avoids home because she can't stand being around her snide-tastic daughter and the downer it always brings on?) Oscar says he can't understand her hubby ever getting upset with a woman like her. (Well, we know Oscar's never had to fight over the way the tube of toothpaste's been squeezed, let alone the guilt trips when the kiddies play daddy against mommy to get their way.) Vicki figures Ozzie's right to complain about her not spending enough time at home with him and the family. Oscar says what's Oz got to complain about? He's a movie star and lives in the clouds. Oz has given her nothing, he says. Vicki says not at all; he's given her a beautiful life and is as faithful as the day is long.

Wellll, that may be about to change..... Linda continues chatting flirtatiously with Ozzie over a couple of glasses of wine at intermission. Ozzie is not unimpressed, either. (Vicki had better get a clue and fast or the fairytale is as dead as a dodo.)

Millie brings Juan Jose, aka Juanjo, aka JJ, up to meet the respectable prospects. He tells the girls that he's a fireman and teaches the kids in the neighborhood how to play soccer. Nathy is on cloud nine. "A total hero!" Millie proceeds to list all her son's finer than fine qualities –including the fact that he bathes daily. (It’s the little things, you know?)

Back at the theater, Ozzie tells Linda they should use the familiar "tú". "--Whatever you say. (Insert flirtatious giggle here.) I couldn't deny you ANY-thing." (Insert second flirtatious giggle here.) Ozzie asks her if she isn't a rather mischievous miss. She bats her eyelashes and says yes, but he brings it out in her. Must be fate that they met, she adds. She whispers in his ear that perhaps they should go somewhere else. Ozzie's resolve is wavering as we break for Uni to cover the tremendous overhead for this production.

When we return we are back at the mega-manse with Vicki and Max. Vicki wonders why he never came back to work. Max had a problem to solve, he says, and has had to think things over. He’s really happy, tho’, Ma. Vicki says she's not sure what gives with him but she's sure he'll tell her eventually. Vicki asks where the others are. He says nobody else is home. She's worried about his sister, tho' she has no doubts about his father.

Of course, we see that maybe Vicki does have a major tempest brewing in her teapot as Linda and Oz continue to schmooze and ooze. Ozzie asks Linda for her phone number. Ruh-Roh!! He sneaks the number into his pocket as Linda continues coquettishly batting her lashes at him. She whispers in his ear that she'd like to get better acquainted someplace where there aren't so many people around. She tells him she knows he has numerous admirers but from now on she's his #1 fan. He laughs a bit nervously. She gives him a kiss on the cheek. It goes through him like an electric shock. Just then Alvaro appears out of nowhere to remind Oz to hurry up. The group is waiting for him. Oz says of course he'll be there and nervously introduces Linda as one of his fans. She greets Al and tells him she admires him also. Al frowns like uh, yeah, ri-i-ight and walks off. Linda begs off for the evening saying she's tired and has to get home. Oz promises to call her later on. She looks back flirtatiously over her shoulder and says good-bye. Ruh-roh! (Somebody snap Vicki out of driven bitch mode cuz Ozzie has just been thunderstruck by a woman who is definitely everything that she is not!) He smiles back and then considers that 2nd come-hither peck Linda just planted on his puss.

Meanwhile, back at Priestly Manor, Burnie is giving thanks to Dios for Victoria and daughter not having come back into their lives. She asks to keep it that way—just a bad memory. She begins to think back to the time she ran into Vicki on the street and offered to buy her child from her. "--With all that money you could stop living in squalor and buy yourself a new house. You would be free to start a new life." Vicki insists her child is not for sale. Burnie says she'll take that child from her willingly or by force. Vicki protests. "--Don't you even dare!!!" Back in the present, Burnie offers herself up to righteousness and says whatever she's done it's been in obedience to His law. "--Everyone has to confront their destiny." (Hmmmm. Privleged Piety of the Sanctimonious Select shall we say…..) She continues praying.

Linda gets home and says she's in love. She's met the man of her life. Who???? The girls are excited over the news. Maria asks his name. "--Osvaldo. Osvaldo Sandovaaaal!" Maria is muy negatively impactada. (All together now! "¡No puede ser!" Now give me another! "¡No puede ser-r-r-r!" ) Yep, it's a small world in telenovelaland.

A while later, Alvaro and Ozzie are having drinks. Ozzie is going on rather guiltily ad-infinitum if not ad-nauseam about how he's always been faithful to Vicki and doesn't see a need to change now, tho' gawd knows he's had plenty of opportunity. Al is all sympathetic ears, not that he would know one way or the other if he had, he says… and blah, blah, blah. They toast a hollow toast to "Fidelity".

The next morning, we see Max kayaking on the lake as a female voice moans and groans suggestively to techno-bop in the background. (Ok. Ok. She was groaning while he was grunting and it sure didn't sound to me anything like the typical aerobics tunes I workout to! Hmmm. Maybe I go to the wrong gym.....) He's apparently practicing for the Panamerican Games. Ok.... Fabulous Fabian comes by to check on him. He asks why Max didn't return to work the day before. Max admits he left after dropping off the fabrics and went looking for Maria Desamparo. Fab chuckles a bit. "--Yeah, Bro. She's going to be just like the rest. You’ll seduce her and then you'll forget her." Max says he's not so sure. "--I keep thinking this girl is really special." They kid a bit more about it and then head back to the mega-manse for breakfast.

At Maria's, she and Nathy are finishing up with the breakfast dishes. They talk about their lives growing up. Maria comments pensively that although the nuns and her "family" at the orphanage were great, nothing and nobody ever takes the place of real parents.

At the mega-manse, Vicki’s getting ready for work. There's a bit of friction over her working late with Oscar and we find out that he and Oscar don't like each other much. It's because he knows that Oscar is in love with her and she doesn't realize it. Vicki says he's mistaken. Ozzie backs off a bit and then tries again to tell Vicki how much he loves her. She accepts this and they kiss. Her fairytale is fracturing but Vicki is totally oblivious.

Down in the dining room, kid sis arrives and flips on the technorock as she struts her stuff for Fabian who, apparently, appreciates the view. Max gets up and flips the music off. She screams at him. Max explains they're talking business and need to concentrate. Fer brattily screams at the cook next to take away the dish of pineapple she's just brought her. Typical 90210 family fare..... Fer takes a call from Tattoo-Boy and heads out. Max complains about what a pain she is and how she drives him crazy. Fab only sees the beauty in this bratty beast and comments on how pretty she is. Max is oblivious to Fab's fawning looks. "--Yeah, but she's an airhead. She's going to get into really big problems someday and it will be my dad's fault for spoiling her so much."

On the Televisa lot now, Al and Oz drive up and park. Al quotes a bit of Hamlet (from Act 3, Scene 2 to be exact) while getting out.

"Give me that man
Who is not passion's slave, and
I will wear him In my heart's core..."

Oz gets ticked by the reference to losing one's head on a whim. Al says he's only trying to warn him not to lose his head with the ladies. "--Don't play with fire, man!" Ozzie takes offense and insists he's not that kind of guy. (Well, up to now at least. Never say never.....)

At Marias, meanwhile, Linda wakes up all smiles and asks the others if she's not gotten any calls yet. Nathy shows signs of beginning to choke on Linda's sugar-daddied smiles. Linda curls up on a chair to gloat and glow. "--You'll never guess!" Nathy says give. "--Last night I gave Osvaldo my phone number and he promised to call me!" Maria turns back to the dishes to hide her disgust. "--He won't call you." "--And why not?" "--Because he's married. That's why." Nathy picks up the daily paper and shows a spread with Vicki and Oz together. They all look. Maria says look at her: she's a beautiful and elegant woman with a lot of class [porte = distinguished bearing, demeanor]. Linda won't argue the point, but adds that the woman is lovely, but she's got her own charms, too. Maria gets distracted by the notice that Televisa is looking for models. She's got a chance to realize her life's dream.

Al and Oz run into Ana Martin who tells Oz she's going to look up Vicki to get a dress for some upcoming function. Al asks Oz if he isn't a bit jealous over his wife's fame. Oz doesn't see why he should be. (Personally, neither do I.) He's totally in love with her and resents the question. He thinks Al's problem is that he's never truly been in love before and wouldn't understand. Maria D. yells over to him as she comes up the walk. Maria asks Ozzie if he remembers her and he says sure! “--How could I forget a pretty girl like you?” Al looks on from a distance like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, New Year's, and Easter to boot as Ozzie and Maria smile and greet each other. Al's expression turns sour. He thinks to himself that this is something Victoria needs to know about.

Labels:


Comments:
Bien hecho!

Fernanda needs a bloody good hiding. After taking away her cell phone, credit cards, etc. And what's the minimum age for entering a nightclub in Mexico anyway?

If I were Victoria I'd ship her off to a distant convent school.

Soooo.... Bernarda offered money for baby Maria. What would she have done to that poor child? She and Cruelota of ENDA must have been separated at birth.

Linda clearly has no conscience about attempting to seduce a married man who loves his wife. There will be karmic payment for that.
 

Thank you for the great recap Jardinera. Lol @ Maria having a 1970's tv with Rabbitt ears and watching Osvaldo in Corazon Salvaje 2009 on tv.

I was going to say not another Mejia formula with climbing up the windows, but good thing he did not go through with it.

I too thought what are the odds that everyone will run into everybody in DF? Very very small world. And Osvaldo is an actor not just naybody you have access too. And the 2 roommates meeting the same guy. Wow. :)


Ibarramedia
 

Fernada sure became an uber brat in no time. And I mean more brattier than in the past few episodes. Acting like a spoiled late teen in the beginning to like a 4 year old in yesterday's episode. Something weird about the way her mouth moves when she talks when agitated. But a pretty body nontheless. :) ;)



Ibarramedia
 

Thanks, Jardinera for the lovely, laugh-filled recap. Great details. It warmed my heart to see Ana Martin smiling on the sidewalk, speaking to Oz and dressed to impress. That lifted my gloom over Benita's ugly and untimely death in STuD.
La Paloma
 

Jardinera - Thank you for the great recap. I can't wait to watch my recording.

Fernanda needs to be grounded for a month, with no cellphone, no landline, no internet. What a brat. ~blech~
 

I don't understand. Is fernanda the biological daughter of victoria and osvaldo because I thought fernanda was sleeping with Osvaldo?
 

thanks so much for the funny recap..
OZ is an amazing nickname
 

Fernanda is indeed the biological dauter of Osvaldo and Victoria. Mejia was trying to kae us out by tryingto set it up that Fernanda was a 'Mistress'. A move that has proven to be unpopular with most of the viewers here or as Jardinera says countless times, Viewerville.



Ibarramedia
 

Hi, y'all!

Welcome: Caroline and simmi249. Yes, Fernanda is Oz and Vicki's natural-born daughter. They made it seem like she was a slut who was sleeping with Oz, but we found out that's just her personality.....
 

Sorry, Ibarramedia! We posted at the same time.
 

Wouldn't you think that after Vicki lost her first daughter she would have closely bonded with a daughter with Ossie? Why this nasty relationship between Vicki and Fer? I don't get it. Also I was one who prematurely tuned out when the show ran over the other night. How on earth did these three roommates get together?

Wonderful Sat. recap, as always I look forward to it!
 

Anon. 4;13 - Maria put an ad in the paper and both girls showed up at about the same time to see about the room.
 

It looks like my Keyboard actred up with the typos. I misspelled daughter and meant to say fake us out.



Ibarramedia
 

Thanks, Jardinera, for the wonderful recap. It depressed me to see how much Spanish I had missed, but your delightful snark cured me of the depression (if only it could also cure my inability to understand!).

I really liked your suggestion that perhaps Victoria stays away from home so much because she can't stand the unpleasantness between Fernanda and her. Dios mio, that girl is a [fill in your favorite words here]. Where is a runaway speeding car or a slippery staircase when we need one?

Also, Natty isn't the only one who is finding Linda a bit wearing.
 

Thanks so much, J. Great recap. You capture the spirit of this novela very well.

I had a casting thought that I want to share.

I was reading in a novela fan site that our guy EY was fearful about saying "yes" to a Carla Estrada novela. After the failure of CS, he's gun shy and is looking at mini-series instead.

What would it have been like if he had signed on with his buddy Mejia to be Osvaldo. Eduardo is cute and loving without being sleazy; he's often cast as not the brightest, but he was an engineer in DA and it worked. Osvaldo Rios sometimes acts as his surrogate/younger self. Just an interesting thought and an opportunity for Eduardo to reinvent himself in a more adult and textured role.

There seems to be a thread of dissatisfaction with OR here (interesting that his legal problems in Puerto Rico didn't keep him from this plum role). Osvaldo is one of the most important characters in this novela, IMHO and based on EPDA. I want someone more compelling to play the role,though I'm giving OR a chance.

Thoughts?
 

Thanks so much, Jardinera. Fabulous recap, as always. One of my favorite lines:
"Al looks on from a distance like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, New Year's, and Easter to boot". He IS the Grinch, he really is!

The whole Fer/Victoria dynamic is disturbing. That girl is going to make her mother shed many lagrimas de sangre before we're done here. Ay ay ay. Note to self: Never watch this show without protection, i.e. magical cloak of sarcasm. Liliana Abud is shooting to kill!
 

Thanks for great recap Jardinera. We've got a great crew for this one!

I loved Maxi climbing on the window. It reminded me of Gigi and "The Street Where You Live."

I can't help but wonder if Bernie said she was going to get that baby no matter what, shouldn't Vicky have started her search at Bernie's house?

I can't decide who is the more annoying twit: Fer or Linda. In the case of Linda, Maria and Nadi better watch their backs...big time.

Now about Vic and Oz. One minute they are in looove and seem the perfect couple. The next minute we see cracks in the façade. I *know* that this TN is about Maxipad and Pobre Maria getting together, but I want a completely happy ending for Vic, too. She's been through hell as well....but what *is* a happy ending for her? The liberated answer is: She doesn't need a man. But I'm a romantic and I want her to have someone.

Traveling Lady: Interesting. I know I would like looking at EY more than OR, but I'm so new to the TN scene, that I don't know a lot of his work.
 

I suspect that casting Osvaldo Rios had something to do with him being Victoria Ruffo's great love in Abrazame Muy Fuerte where his character was murdered in the prologue. I remember an interview of her from that time in which she said that this was the first time she got jiggy on camera and he was really great about it with her.

That was where I first saw him and he looked like a Latino Fabio. That certainly isn't a bad thing.

I'm having a problem with the casting of Fernanda. She should not look more than 15 years old and no way should she look this much older than Maria. Is this meant to state that Maria's relative innocence makes her look seriously younger while Fernanda is meant to look sexually precocious?

BTW, this is the first thing on this actress' resume. I expect that she will continue to overact more than the rest of the cast members of her age group.
 

I remember Osvaldo's brief appearance on Abrazame Muy Fuerte. I hadn't realized that Victoria is his big fan. Probably does explain his presence. They did have good chemistry in AMF, though it was a much simpler role for OR.

I'm not sure what to think about Fernanda. She does overact, but that tends to be the style in this version of the story. Victoria is so darn pschitzy with the crying, yelling, controlling, etc. We'll have to see whether she calms down and if Fernanda grows in the role.
 

This TN is proving to be quite interesting. Excellent recap Jardinera, thank you. Fer is a brat. Her mother spends all her spare time crying over her lost daughter and yet neglects the one right under her nose. Strange behavior.. Bernarda offered to buy the baby,probably to sacrifice her to God. She is one screwed up lady. Linda reminds me a cat.I feel a meow coming on every time she appears on the screen. Why is a beautiful girl like her going after a married man. Vicky better get a clue quickly. There is nothing a man loves more than pure adoration.She has neglected her family enough.

Hanna
 

Hanna, you just called it right there.

Little Maria would go running into a convent to escape her, assuming she would survive childhood. Bernarda would be just as abusive as Carlota without a word of explanation other than to call her "hellspawn".

But wait...

How would she have explained a baby girl to her "saintly" son? Obviously in another Abuse of the Confessional, leaving him with no possibility of taking action.

Hellfire isn't enough for this one.
 

Jardinera great recap as always you never disappoint with the laughs in your recap.

Traveling Lady i kept seeing something about OR having problems but i never really got to hear exactly what it was about.

The Fernanda character is pretty how she was played in EPDA spoiled, bratty and annoying as heck. The only difference that actress wasn't as older looking than the main heroine as this one is.

Urban i like your comparison to Carloca from ENDA i think Bernie may give Carloca a run for her money by the time this novela is over.This version seems more ready to bump anyone off in the name of her piety and keeping her son in the dark about her crimes.

Hanna you asked why would a beautiful girl like Linda go after a married man like Os? well she did say she wants it easy and some girls think the best way is to go after well connected married man like Os.
 

Yes, indeed. Devoutly deviant describes both of them very well. Bernarda is a cross between her and Jacinta from BDA (who even murdered a priest). Her final fate should be worse than either of theirs (although I haven't yet figured out what that is).

Bernarda Alba was an amateur compared to these Evil Queens.

There will definitely be a high body count in this one. That must be a Mejia trademark.
 

Jardinera, Jardinera, how i love your recaps, lemme count the ways. =) As always, fun-filled and beautifully written. My favorite line: " Al looks on from a distance like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, New Year's, and Easter." haha

Haven't read comments yet so sorry if I repeat what's been said.

Max and María are too cute. Linda is way too willing to have an affair. Trying to contemplate whether she's going to be amoral or immoral.
 

Thanks, Jardinera, for that excellent recap. I cringe whenever the two buxom bimbettes Fer and Linda are on the screen. Will they be wearing cocktail dresses all the time ? Linda is entirely too perky . I couldn't room with her for a nanosecond. As for Fer, she brought back some fearsome memories of afterschool detention hall.
 

"Never watch this show without protection,..." --- wise words, especially regarding a Mejía production. Said "protection" would be our telenovela beanie hats, lined with heavy duty aluminum foil, and chin straps in place.
 

I'm rewatching this episode right now and Livia Brito looks like she's hot to be the next major villana.

Names always have meaning and the name Livia has major credibility in that realm.
 

Jar! I have not read all of the comments, but just had to say...LOVE, love, love: "devoutly deviant" and Sanctimonious Select".

The Devout Deviant...yes...I think that will do perfectly from now on!

Super, super, Jar!!

Susanita
 

Why does Fer despise her mother so? Her words to her mother re not being educated, etc, etc. were beyond cruel.

...and the Linda character...she just oozes sex, doesn't she? What man could possibly ignore what she is so willing to give?

How in the world does one sit in these short dresses?! That little green number barely covered the boobs and the bottom!!

Oz won't be able to fight this chick off for very much longer...

Susanita

P.S. Having seen Romo on the Cristina show a number of times, I have wondered why she wears her hair so long (past her waist). Somehow, I think a shorter do would create more of a 'wow' factor than her current style.
 

Gracias, Jardinera.

I think you hit it right on the nose with the observation that Oscar's never had to fight with Vicky over the toothpaste tube(or which direction the tp hangs, or where the delicates get hung to dry) but he seems like such a pushover, he'd just go along with however she likes to squeeze the toothpaste. She's just soooooo perfect to him, her way must be the right way!

I figure it's the same reason Linda wants to go after a rich married guy...no muss, no fuss. Sex and presents and no pesky living together or having to remind him about his cardiologist appointment or that he's not supposed to be eating too much salt.
 

I had meant to quote a few of the many great lines in today's recap, but somehow I forgot to do that. Other commenters have already cited some of these, but I thought I'd add my applause as well. Those that I especially liked included these alliterative gems:
Privleged Piety of the Sanctimonious Select
schmooze and ooze
domicile of the devoutly deviant
teen-aged tramp-in-training

I also enjoyed remarks like "including the fact that he bathes daily. (It’s the little things, you know?)" and, of course, "All together now! '¡No puede ser!'"

Wow!
 

Jardinera,

This was wonderful- funny, snarky and insightful. Some of your best lines have been mentioned, so I will just say thank you.

I'm not sure if I like the message this novela is sending to women. If you're a hard working, successful career woman, you will drive your husband to cheat and your children, particularly your daughters, will hate you and become sluts. Great!

By the way, the actress playing 15-16 year old Fernanda (Livia Brito) is 24 years old in real life, and Maite P. (Maria) who is playing a 18-20 year old, is 27 in real life. So the age difference between the actresses in real life is in line with their characters' age difference.
 

¡Buenos Días a todos! Thanks everybody for such nice compliments. I was just thinking that for many working moms out there with teenagers, this Fernanda/Vicki storyline might be hitting right in the solar plexus. Not to say that my kids didn't settle down eventually (albeit after one hell of a haircurling, eye-opening, purgatorial rollercoaster ride), like most do, but I bet there might be more than one of us whose personal stories would be fodder for a slue of telenovela subplots!! ¿Verdad?
============
Urban/Doris: I like the idea of shipping Fer off to a convent, preferably after putting a bag over her head, handcuffing her and tying her in chains!!! Maybe a labor camp in Siberia would even be better.....
==========
Ibarra: Yep, those rabbit ears made my night for me. Fond memories of 1960's childhood nights fighting for t.v. reception.
============
La Paloma: Loved Ana's shades, didn't ya? Getting to see her like that was a trip after STuD withdrawel.
=============
Anon. 4:13: I bet bonding was too emotionally difficult for Vicki and apparently her work did come first, so by the time she might have tried it was too late and now it's light years past too late!
===========
Traveling Lady: Glad you're back with us for this one. I have seen EY in a number of "vehicles" for his acting talents, and I've only seen OR once before. IMHO I don't think EY's got the right persona to carry this father thing off. OS did play a convincing father in CS2009 and he's brought that same caring steadiness into the 21st century with this current character. I do like EY, though I do think his acting is uneven at times; but I think casting made the right decision for once here. My concern is Ms. Rufo since I don't know if I'm happy with her in this role. Maybe it's just I'm still miffed at them trying to make us see her as believable in braids!
==============
NovelaMaven: Seems like the old Liliana Abud has returned to us. I hope she keeps shooting bullseyes. She's been known to jump in on fan blogs before and plead her case as well as to change storylines if fans make their case. (She's totally bi-lingual.)
 

Traveling Lady: Please forgive me, but per Melinama's rules, there's no discussing the personal troubles of our characters. I have had to cut your comment to Blusamurai. Melinama and many others find it interferes with the enjoyment of the actual production.
 

Sara: "Gigi" --Right on! Yes, it does me too!
===========
Hanna: Welcome! "She is one screwed up lady. Linda reminds me a cat.I feel a meow coming on every time she appears on the screen." LOL!
===========
Blusamurai: Glad to see you're here with us for this one also!
=========
Susanita: You've got Fer and Linda's main traits nailed. Cruel is a good descriptor for that scene. Linda is loose, for sure! I think that is starting to wear on both of our "good girls" in this. They're getting a good glimpse of the other side of life through Loose Linda.
===============
Cielo: "Linda is way too willing to have an affair. Trying to contemplate whether [Linda]'s going to be amoral or immoral." Good point to ponder!! Yep, there's a definite difference. It will be interesting to see what you've determined by the end of this one.
===========
Susanlynn: O/T Have you gotten your computer problem with the feed straightened out yet? I have found my computer reads it sometimes and at others I have had exactly the same problem, whether with Eva or Triunfo. Tell me what you find out.

As for the tn, "Linda is entirely too perky." That is the word I was looking for! Perky! Can you imagine having to live with her as a roommate? UGH! BTW, I wondered if with those memories of detention hall you were the teacher or one of the detained????? ; ? ))
============
5 Ft: "I figure it's the same reason Linda wants to go after a rich married guy...no muss, no fuss. Sex and presents and no pesky living together or having to remind him about his cardiologist appointment or that he's not supposed to be eating too much salt." LOL! When you're right, you're dead on right!
============
ViviDC: "I'm not sure if I like the message this novela is sending to women. If you're a hard working, successful career woman, you will drive your husband to cheat and your children, particularly your daughters, will hate you and become sluts. Great!" LOL! I had the same thoughts. But then, Vicki is the heroin in this and therefore must suffer insurmountable pain and "retro"-bution. Je, je!
 

"(All together now! "¡No puede ser!" Now give me another! "¡No puede ser-r-r-r!" ) Yep, it's a small world in telenovelaland. "

hahahahaha.

Jardinera that was fantastic. I don't watch this novela and I was not a big fan of EPDA either (just used to tune in to hear the song in the credits by Mijares featuring Lucero) but I wanted to hear your take on TDA. It didn't dissapoint.

Anyway, I also want to leave this here: Is real life just a long Telenovela?

Jarocha
 

I think I ate my third paragraph when I pasted the link. I also wanted to ask about the supposed ages, I remember Adriana Nieto playing the Fernanda role in EPDA back when she was 20 and I thought she was supposed to be around 18. Is the 20 years later a thing made specifically for this novela or was Adela Noriega supposed to be between 18 and 20 too? I can't remember that being the case.

Jarocha
 

Jardinera: Great recap as usual and full of snark.

What was the purpose of "Max" telling Maria that his name was Fabian, but, that he's called Max. Did I hear that right?

So far, I find Victoria to be just plain annoying. Yeah, the braids, too. She's wallowing in self-pity and pushing her husband out the door. I think she'll be able to put out Mommy Dearest's fire by crying over it.
 

Jarocha: Te agradezco tu halago. Me rindas honores de los cuales no soy necesariamente digna. Pero, como que eres un mexicano aficionado especial de las telenovelas, lo acepto con mucho placer y con mucho orgullo. Nos haces falta y apreciamos mucho tu presencia y conocimiento de telenovela en Caray, Caray. (Espero que me entendió, amiga.)
 

Pasofino: I wondered about Max switching names, too. Maybe he thought Maria would treat him differently if he knew she was Victoria's son and he deep down he wants her to like him for himself? Maybe he was afraid she'd either be too ga-ga or would snub him/distrust him if she knew he was the boss's son/playboy son. He does have a heck of a reputation and it wouldn't take much for her to find out, I'm sure. I bet once she's involved in modeling --as the intro video's suggest-- she'll find out fast enough that he's lied to her. Can't wait for those fireworks to begin!
 

I'm having a hard time believing Bernarda is 20+ years older than Victoria.
 

Jardinera, thanks for this great recap. Well done. I just finished watching this episode.

Thank goodness for the recappers, because the main characters so far don't seem to be people whom I'd care to know.

Bernarda is already about as bad as she could be, so I suppose it may be interesting to see in what direction they take this character.

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned it, but I think that Oscar is played by the guy who played Felipe in CS.

Carlos
 

Carlos, you're right; he did play Felipe in CS. I thought he was a scream.

The Fernanda character in EPDA was a little rebellious, but she was never hateful. She was never as rude. I do, however, have a theory as to why she is this time:

She's ridiculously spoiled and never had to lift a finger to do anything in her life. Her dad always had enough money to give her anything she ever wanted. They may not have had this mansion when she was born, but I'll bet she was very young when they moved into it. Both Victoria and Osvaldo have failed to discipline her out of their individual senses of guilt at not being home enough with her.

I'll bet that either all the nannies resigned or Victoria fired them after falling for lies told her by little Fernanda. It looks like she gave up before she caught on.

Forget the convent; have her spend the summer with Bernarda.
 

Jarocha: I have the feeling that Adele Noriega's Cristina in EPDA was meant to be about 22. Lisabeth (Fernanda here) was 17 in her first scene. I can't imagine them trying to convince us that Rene Strickler's Victor Manuel was meant to be younger than 25.

And yes, Max is buying himself trouble with the fake name thing. If any guy ever did that to me he'd be history in a New York minute.
 

UA: So, Rene Strickler played the Max character in the original TN? I love Strickler! There is such a sweetness about him (at least, it seems so to me).

I want to like Victoria, but at the moment, it is hard to do. She gets wildly upset at Ozzie looking at Maria (when he we know he isn't), but didn't really react to the outright cruelty from her own daughter. That scene between Fer and Victoria was upsetting to me. There has to be some reason why this Fer treats her mother that way.

I do really like Carmen Salinas. She seems to bring such honesty to her roles. When Angelica Vale interviewed her on the Premios programme, Salinas 'honesty' came through in that interview as well.

Also agree with everyone about seeing Ana Martin in those wonderful glasses and just looking so happy! I'd love to meet her! After her horrible fate in STuD, it was so nice to see her out of her old lady clothes. LOL!

Susanita
 

I felt the same way, Susanita. I loved seeing Ana Martin looking sassy and not fondling doilies.
 

Carlos: Shucks! I thought you'd have been taken with luscious Linda. You usually go for the attractive wild ones in these things. >;? )
 

Apologies for breaking the personal business of actors rule. It's a good one. Such info can be distracting.
Nice to be back with Caray,Caray group.
 

I am wondering from those who saw the earlier version with Rene and Adela (I only saw a smattering late at night of a few scenes) up to this point how closely are they following the script? Did somebody say this version is a mixture of another tn?
 

Traveling Lady: Thankyou, amiga!
 

It's had a few changes so far:

-- Bernarda is much more loca than Ana Joaquina (who didn't kill her husband)
-- The Juanjo character is a paramedic in EPDA
-- Victor Manuel wasn't involved in a competitive sport (this was obviously added to increase Levy shirtless scenes)
-- The Duval mansion was larger, darker, and more traditional-looking.

I don't think this is fused with another novela story. I can't think of another one that would be a natural fit.
 

Jardinera, thank you for another outstanding recap. I cannot decide if I like this TN or not but I am a real fan of Ruffo and Romo so I guess I will hang in there for a little longer.

Linda reminds me of someone with a new boob job!

Rosemary
 

Carlos,
you will be happy to know that Gardenia (MEPS) is going to be on Mujeres Asesinas, not sure you will like her after that.

Was Ana Martin on Thurs or Fri?
I forgot to tape Fri. She is one of my favorites & she is ALWAYS working. I want to see her as a mean rich bitch. Maybe mamá to the evil FC.

So far I'm not minding this novela even though it has the usual estupidez, weeping, mi hija, deception for no reasonable reason, everyone has a secreto, just waiting for the priest on a burro, (why don't priests have horses)?, hospital scene.
 

Carlos I mentioned that Oscar was played by the guy who played Felipe a few days ago. :)

Linda and Fernanda could be and intriguing combination. A potential catfight ;)



Ibarramedia
 

Jardinera: Te endendí muy bien :). Por supuesto que eres digna de halagos, me gusta mucho tu estilo y aunque no vea la novela siempre quiero saber tu opinión y punto de vista al respecto además de que me agrada mucho el detalle en tus descripciones.

I think the original plan of Mejía was to mix EPDA with Mi Rival but ultimately he nixed that idea. I watched the last version of Mi Rival which was called Amada Enemiga (not to be confused with Querida Enemiga) and it was starred by Susana Dosamantes (currently on Eva Luna)and Dominika Paleta. I thought it was pretty good but it has that icky factor of mother and daughter sleeping with the same man.

Mixing both stories would have resulted in this weird love quadrangle where Ruffo would have cheated on her husband (Ríos) with his son (Levy) while the son later became involved with her long lost daughter (Perroni). I could stand the plot of AE because the circumstances that lead both mother and daughter to become involved with the same man are somewhat understandable but adding the main characteres and situations of EPDA would have made them quite despicable (Especially Ruffo and Levy's characteres).

Jarocha
 

UrbanAn: Thanks for the update!
 

Jarocha: We must have posted at the same time. Thanks for the info about AE. In CS2009 mixing was irritating for the purists and a bit disappointing, though it didn't hurt the flow for those of us who had never seen the original CS. Mejia's at least brought the same tension that situation would present if the advances are not just a fake-out. Still, though, knowing that Maria and Vicki are mother and daughter, the idea is definitely a bit icky. I do hope that he does not take it there in this one.
 

-- Victor Manuel wasn't involved in a competitive sport (this was obviously added to increase Levy shirtless scenes)

This would be an example of the writers getting something very very right :-)
 

Jardinera~~~I was the teacher in detention...or as I like to call it... scholastic hades. Lots of Fernandas. I am still unable to access the recaps via the sidebar. I have no idea why. All I get is a white page with the first few sentences of the recap but no way to access the rest of the recap or comments. Sara~~~Gigi is one of my alltime favorite movies.
 

What is your internet browser? Mozilla Firefox,Internet Explorer, Safari? Do you use a Mac or PC? Just curious maybe they have something to do with that. I'm fine wit IE9 and Windows Vista on the laptop.



Ibarramedia
 

Jardinera, that would have been icky beyond belief and I don't see any version of the Victoria character committing that level of incest. In EPDA Victor Manuel was three years old when Luciana and Andres met, so she was the only mother he ever knew. That's what made Cesar Evora's villains in AMF and MDLN so creepy.

Combining the stories of CS 1993 and YCEM for CS 2009 made me shake my head at first although that combination worked. Both were compatible with the chosen time period and the characters had similar personalities so they could be combined. For me only two things about that series didn't work at all:

-- The theme song. I hate when a modern pop song is used as a title-credits theme for a novela de epoca. While I liked the song used for Gabriel and Jimena, it was too modern to fit in this series, which otherwise had excellent music.

-- Arecely Arambula. I can't stand her and she should never have been cast in a dual role in anything like this after a 7-year hiatus. She doesn't have the depth of the previous actresses who have done these stories. Also, while it was necessary from a story perspective to make the sisters twins it wasn't necessary to cast the same actress as both regardless of who it would be.
 

Off-Topic: Since a couple of the links like "Eva recaps" have disappeared I'm also having trouble accessing the threads through the sidebar. I don't do an iGoogle page because I already have 8 tabs in my opening browser (Firefox).
 

UrbanAn: I had the same discomfort with music, but over the years I've just accepted it. I don't like the theme song for TDA actually, either. It sounds to me like a misplaced jazz song out of the 50's or 60's for some odd reason. Uni I've read does this for the obvious commercial interests of their CD side of the business. It's I suppose that Rock sells big whereas classical instrumental doesn't so much.
 

Susanlynn: Have you signed up for the feed in the yellow box above? Maybe it's not yellow, but maybe the Caray,Caray notice is at the top of the page there anyway? I hit that link and restarted my system. After that I was ok.
 

Rosemary: Glad you're here for the intro. My rule of thumb is to give a tn 1-2 weeks. It took me a full two I think with EL to begin to appreciate it. Tho' I agree that some are just too tough to swallow let alone stomach. ; > ))
 

Jardinera, I thought at first that Linda might appeal to me, but so far she seems rather one dimensional and lacking in sincerity. I do have standards.

Variopinta, I saw that and have mixed emotions about watching it. At first I almost jumped up to volunteer for recapping that episode, but the thought of sweet little Gardenia being evil is difficult to get my arms around.

Carlos
 

SusanLynn: I am using Firefox and Windows Ultimate 7. When I click on "triunfo recap feed", I am able to get all of the links.

I wonder...would it help if you delete the cookies and try again?

This worked for me on another group where I hold a subscription. The site was updated, but I could not access a thing. After several live chats with the IT people on that site, deleting the cookies allowed me to access the site once again.

As for the theme of this particular TN...I like Luis Miguel...the theme is so clearly in his recognisable style, but I rather like it.

For the period TN, though, period music needs to be used. ITA with UA on that point.

I loved the theme for STuD (and I STILL cannot find it anywhere)as it really set the stage for the entire TN. They were able to use musical phrases for the incidental music throughout. I liked that very much.

Susanita
 

Ok...totally OT as it pertains to STuD, but it is a follow up to my earlier comment...just found the lyrics to "Golondrinas Viajeras" on musica.com

The words are SO beautiful! Oh my...it just tells all about the story. I tried to write down what I heard each time the song played, but things went way too quickly for me.

Now to find out the words to the theme song of Triunfo.

Susanita
 

The song for Triunfo is
Tres Palabras by Luis Miguel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVcbrwH3v0w

Tres Palabras

Oye la confesion de mis secretos
A base de un corazon que esta desierto
Con tres palabras te dire todas mis cosas
cosas del corazon que son preciosas

Dame tus manos ven toma las mias
Que te voy a confiar las ansias mias
son tres palabras solamente, mis angustias
 

Sth got cut off, here is the rest

y esas palabras son "Como me Gustas"

I think that line is repeated
 

Jardinera: A marvelous recap. I'd also like to thank Kat for her wonderful recap last week.

Excellent title. There were so many wonderful lines but my favorite was: "the first sign that Victoria's fairytale is about to fracture".

So many great comments. Carlos, thank you for pointing out Oscar is Felipe! Would never, ever have guessed!

Enjoyed the discussion of EY. I agree though that to date, he's still playing lead roles and jumping to being the father of a teenager may have been too big a stretch at this juncture.

Thanks Jardinera!

Diana
 

Variopinta: Thanks for the words to Tres Palabras. They went too fast for me, too.
===========
Diana: Ya know, I couldn't get the old Bullwinkle and Rocky "Fractured Fairytales" out of my mind. I kept thinking if ever there was a fractured fairytale, it's Victoria and Osvaldo Sandovaaaaaal's. : ? )
 

Carlos: I do still have hope in you, despite those um, standards. I'll wait to see what happens once Lindalita becomes a bit more mischievous. Your standards may lower a bit....cuz as we see, even Oz has tripped a bit over his own.
> ;? }
 

Vario: Thank you so much for the lyrics to Triunfo!

Jar: Rocky and Bullwinkle and the Fractured Fairy Tales!! Oh yes!!

Susanita
 

Great work, as always, Jardinera. I probably won't keep watching this one, but it has been interesting. I don't see much difference between El Privilegio de Amar and this one.

However, the Fernanda character is definitely horrible and seems much older than the same character in EPDA. It's distracting to me because the main issue, as I recall it, with the original daughter of the older couple was falling for a "bad boy". She never spoke to her mother the way this one is doing and it bothers me a lot. That was one well-deserved slap, and her father should have been MUCH angrier with her for what she said.

Also not liking Linda. She's just waaaay too over the top with her seduction efforts upon Osvaldo.
 

Thanks for this recap Jardinera. ITA w/all those who have problems with the characterization of Fernanda. It's so over the top especially compared to the character from EPDA.
 

Jardina,

Just wanted to say thank you! Still trying to catch up.

dpd
 

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