Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Triunfo del Amor #1 1/3/11 The Story Begins
Capítulo 1: In which an innocent is betrayed, a sinner is cloaked in piety, and a lot of skinny girls get work.
Present-day Mexico City:
Fireworks. Fountains. We are at a high-end fashion show in an exclusive mall. It’s all very glam and energetically percussive. The beautiful people behind the scenes are getting ready to strut for the beautiful people in the audience. A fortyish blonde runs around putting out fires in a back-stage atmosphere that is breathless, frantic. She glances at her watch and thinks:
Victoria debe estar por llegar.(Victoria must be about to get here./She’ll be here any minute now.)
The scene shifts to a church, an image of the Virgen de Guadaloupe. An elegant, dark-haired woman prays for her daughter’s return.
Tú eres madre como yo y conoces el dolor de todos estos años.(You are a mother like me and you know the pain I’ve suffered all these years.)
This is Victoria. In her prayer, Victoria blames herself for her suffering: she should never have become involved with a man who was of the church. She moans: Juan Pablo!
Twenty years ago:
By crying out his name, she seems to have conjured the past. For now we are with the young seminarian himself. He is holding an image of Christ while another voice – older and harsher – calls out: Juan Pablo!. The door to his study opens and we see an imperious figure radiant in ecclesiastical purple. It is Bernarda, Juan Pablo’s mother. She reminds her son he is chosen, privileged. He deflects her praise. He is just one seminarian among many. No, she insists, he is unique, special. He is her salvation and his vocation as a priest will save her soul. (Not to put any pressure on him or anything.) She kisses his hands, she touches his face, she embraces him. It’s too bad he has to go to Monterrey to buy her a ticket to heaven.
Her quasi-incestuous rapture is interrupted by the entrance of Juan’s father, Octavio. (Eduardo Santamarina). Bernarda’s expression sours when she sees him although Juan’s face lights up with pleasure. Octavio has his doubts about his son’s vocation. He asks:
Juan Pablo, hijo, desde el fondo de tu corazón, ¿realmente el sacerdocio es tu vocación?(JP, from the bottom of your heart, is the priesthood really your calling?)
Octavio reminds him how limited his life has been: he has never had a girlfriend; all his life his mother has wanted him to be a priest. He pleads with his son to decide for himself. What does he want? Bernarda looks on and fumes.
The scene shifts to the kitchen where young Victoria, now a family servant, is wrapping a farewell gift, a small carved crucifix for Juan Pablo. She is with an older servant, Tomasa. [In this age of High Definition TV, it takes a certain amount of viewer goodwill to accept forty-something actors playing late adolescents. But with a twist of the old beanie, I’m there. Besides, I’ve been a fan of Ruffo’s ever since she triumphed over that bunch of Looney Tunes in-laws in La Madrastra.]
Victoria has the task of picking up JP’s seminary clothes from the tailor, but when she gets to the shop, she finds Juan Pablo has beat her to it. He obligingly gives her a ride back to the house and on the way he quizzes her on her times tables. We learn he has been her tutor. She was illiterate when she first arrived and he has taught her everything she knows. Well almost.
In the car, Victoria timidly gives him his gift and tells him how much she’s going to miss him. He dries her tears and tries to reassure her, telling her she is a very talented girl, capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to.
Time warp back to the present:
Fashion Diva Victoria is still in the church lamenting the sin of loving Juan Pablo. Her penance: losing what she most loved – her daughter.
Meanwhile… the show must go on. When Victoria enters, she is instantly in command. The blonde assistant breathes her relief. This is Antonieta, faithful friend and colleague. She knew Victoria would be there on time, she says. She passes a cloth doll with dark pig-tails to Victoria. Hmmm.
Victoria is checking out every detail and wants to know who chose the accessories of one model. They are all wrong! It was Antonieta’s decision but her male compañero takes the rap for it and agrees to make the changes Victoria demands.
You stopped at the church to pray, didn’t you? asks her friend. Victoria tells her she goes to that same church whenever she can:
Me he encariñado con una imagen de la virgen de Guadaloupe que está ahí.
Durante tantos estos años le he pedido que un día me haga el milagro de volver a ver a mi hija.(I’ve grown fond of an image of the virgin of Guadaloupe there. For so many years, I’ve asked her to one day grant me the miracle of seeing my daughter again.)
Antonieta, momentarily losing sight of telenovela plot conventions, suggests it might be time for her friend to forget the past. Never, says Victoria. And above all, I will never forget that heartless (despiadada, sin piedad), Doña Bernarda Ituribe.
Yeah well Bernarda the Church Lady doesn’t see herself as despiadada. Even now she is reading from the Psalms:
Mi alma está pegado al polvo; reanímame con tus palabras.
(My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.)
But her pious exercise is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. She calls out crossly to the servant:
¿Quién es Tomasa?...(Who is it Tomasa?)
And then smiles delightedly:
Juan Pablo, hijo!And I have to say, except for a little bit of stubble, he still looks pretty frisky twenty years later.
Elsewhere in town, the fashion show proceeds, the models appearing appropriately anorexic and edgy and the rich, snooty crowd duly appreciative. An assistant tells Victoria that the show is nearly over and they will be waiting for her on the runway.
But just before Victoria walks out, Antonieta shows that she is a true friend. She says something that Victoria may not want to hear:
Pay attention to your husband and family or one day you might get a nasty surprise. Osvaldo is a very attractive man!
Cut to a bedroom scene. The indeed very attractive Osvaldo is in bed with an equally attractive woman. The action is hot and heavy.
Cut to a pensive Victoria holding and stroking the ragdoll.
We’re back with Osvaldo again and… Wait! It’s only acting! Osvaldo is a galán in a telenovela and they have just shot the final scene. He hops out of the bed, undies still on, and now we see the tv crew all around him.
Back at the fashion show, we catch a glimpse of actress Helena Rojo sitting on the sidelines holding a bouquet. Then it is Victoria’s moment. She glides gracefully down the runway as the crowd stands and applauds. In a nod to telenovela royal lineage, Rojo, who last played the Ruffo role, presents a bouquet of red roses to the current Reina.
At home, Bernarda is having her own moment of joy. Juan Pablo has been transferred from Monterrey back to Mexico City and he will have a parish close to home. Says Bernarda without a trace of humility:
No cabe duda que Dios me premia por mis buenas obras.(There’s no doubt that God is rewarding me for my good works.)
His mother leaves Juan Pablo to get some rest. In a room filled with religious imagery of all kinds, it is the small carved crucifix that Victoria gave him so many years ago that catches his attention.
His mind wanders to the night of his farewell dinner (cena de despedida)--
--and the winsome Victoria, white ribbons woven into her dark braids.
He also recalls an unsavory incident from that night. As the guests are leaving, one woman lingers and tries to seduce the virginal Juan Pablo. She teases him for his innocence and inexperience. He tries to edge away but she continues to taunt:
No me tengas miedo -- no voy a comerte…aunque ganas no me faltan.(Don’t be afraid of me – I’m not going to eat you… not that I wouldn’t love to!)
Immediately Mother Bernarda is there to defend him:
Patricia! ¿Te la pasaste bien?(Did you have fun?) asks Bernarda as she smoothly takes the wine glass from the woman’s hand and tries to lead her away, reminding her that foremost among the vows Juan is to take is that of chastity. The resourceful Patricia manages to plant one on Juan Pablo before Bernarda ousts her more forcefully. Afterward he wipes his mouth, seeming more confused than disgusted.
Sweet Victoria, the image of purity with her beribboned braids, her little black maid’s uniform trimmed with a white apron, collar and cuffs, steals into Juan’s study and tearfully leaves a note for him.
A moment later Juan enters the study – apparently fresh out of the shower – and finds the note. He looks particularly fetching with that devilish lock of hair falling over his forehead. He smiles as he reads the note and then looks for Victoria to thank her for it. He finds her weeping. He gently wipes her tears away and tries to get her to tell him why she’s crying. I can’t, she says, it’s a sin. He smiles:
No creo que tú seas capaz de ningún pecado. Eres tan buena, tan dulce.(I don’t think you are capable of sin. You are so good, so sweet.)
He confides that he has never before been so close, physically, to a woman and he feels so comforted by her presence. He needs to talk to someone, he tells her. She invites him to share his anguish with her. He can tell her anything. He says:
Me estoy despidiendo de un mundo para entrar en otro.(I’m saying goodbye to one world to enter another.)
She is pained by his leaving, she tells him, and she weeps on his chest. He is about to close the door on material things, he says. And yet:
Hay cosas que no he vivido, que no he sentido.(There are things I haven’t lived, that I haven’t felt.)
Sometimes, he continues, they say we should experience a normal life before taking our vows, to test ourselves, just to be sure... I wanted to be pure, I wanted to be chaste…
But oh my. Things are getting warm in here. That nasty Patricia seems to have lit the pilot light under Juan Pablo’s reservoirs of carnal desire. And now alone with the adoring and naïve Victoria he feels things he has never felt before. They kiss tentatively at first, and then with more conviction.
Bernarda goes into Juan Pablo’s room and is satisfied to see his clothes laid out on the bed. She’d be less smug if she knew that the owner of those clothes was in Victoria’s little room. Testing himself. Just to be sure.
When he finally returns to his room, a bit out of breath, his mother is waiting. In the dark. She senses he looks different somehow and asks him what’s wrong. He confesses he has begun to have some doubts. Maybe his father was right…
Octavio happens to be passing by his room and overhears this conversation. His face brightens at the idea that his son is thinking for himself. But inside that room, Bernarda’s mouth hangs open in horror. She manages to convince him he is just nervous and confused right now. He was born to serve God, she tells him. And he ends up agreeing with her.
We see Juan Pablo kneeling, holding the carved crucifix, and praying: Perdóname.
And Victoria sits on her bed in her chaste white nightdress and prays: Dios mío, perdóname, perdóname.
It is the following day and it’s time to say goodbye. Octavio again asks his son if he’s sure of his decision. After all, he says:
El celibato lo inventó el hombre y no Dios.(It was man, not God, who invented celibacy.)
When Juan Pablo answers that yes, he is sure, Bernarda can’t suppress a triumphant smirk. Victoria watches from her window as Juan Pablo and his father drive away to the airport.
Monterrey, 20 years ago:
So the time you spent away from the seminary confirmed your vocation! says the priest as he welcomes Juan Pablo back into the fold. Well sort of:
Necesito confesarme cuanto antes. Soy pecador, un gran pecador.(I need to confess right away. I’m a sinner, a terrible sinner.)
In the confessional he admits to carnal sin. The priest tells him that since he has not yet taken a vow of chastity, the sin is not as grave as it might be. But are you sure this is what you want to do?
Present-day Mexico City:Juan Pablo holds the small carving and thinks of how he has prayed for Victoria all these years. He kneels, begs forgiveness for his sin and asks that Victoria be blessed, wherever she may be.
As it happens, she is back-stage after the fashion show, holding her roses, savoring her moment of success. Antonieta suggests she call Osvaldo and invite him to join her. But she doesn’t have to: there is Osvaldo himself holding out a single red rose to his wife. And the couple leave together for a private celebration.
They are dining in an intimate restaurant, rose petals strewn on the table. Osvaldo tells her they should do this more often, that lately she’s almost obsessive about her work as if she is using it as a way to avoid thinking about something. I love you, he says, and I need you. She answers:
Tienes toda la razón. Te he tenido muy abandonado. Perdóname.
(You’re completely right. I’ve been neglecting you. Forgive me.)
Then we see them in bed together, a loving couple, entwined.
More Scenes in Present-day Mexico City: Salt of the Earth Division
El Mercado:
An elderly woman – this is Milagros – is picking out her fruits and greens when she is approached by a woman who needs help. Milagros, thinking it is an affair of the heart, reassures her:
Nunca falta un roto para un descosido.(There’s someone for everyone or literally: there never lacks one who is torn for one who is ripped.)
But that’s not the problem. It turns out someone cast an evil eye on her taco place (taquería) and Milagros agrees to take care of the problem with a cleansing ritual. She has an interesting skill set, this Milagros.
The Firehouse:
In a friendly card game, a young fireman wins the third hand in a row. The game is forgotten when the alarm sounds and all slide down the pole, grab their gear, and are off to the rescue. When the young guy grabs his stuff, we see his name: Juanjo. And he calls his older friend ‘Don Napo’.
The Taquería:
Milagros is performing a complicated procedure involving bunches of grasses, spitting in the face and breaking eggs. Ni me lo preguntes.
Back up the Social Ladder:
The Gym:
Osvaldo is working out, and pretty strenuously, when a friend comes along to remind him they have a breakfast date. Osvaldo ducks out for a quick shower. As soon as he’s out of earshot the friend hisses:
¡Maldito! Crees que mereces todo! ¡Si tú supieras cuánto te odio!(Damn you! You think you deserve everything! If only you knew how much I hate you!)
So I’m thinking he’s maybe not such a close friend.
We get to peek at Osvaldo soaping up in the shower. Big fellow.
Victoria is working at the Casa de Moda when she gets a call from Osvaldo inviting her to join him and his good buddy Guillermo for breakfast. But she has to beg off. She’s preparing the benefit show she does every year for abandoned girls (niñas abandonadas). He teases her that she should do a fashion show for the benefit of abandoned husbands. But he’s just kidding, he loves the way she worries about the needs of others.
Bernarda’s house, the dining room:
This lady definitely does not love the way her son worries about the needs of others. When she hears that Juan Pablo plans to devote much of his pastoral time to abandoned children, she says (and I’m not making this up):
No, tú no tienes porque dedicarte tanto a los demás; tú tienes que dedicarte a mí – rezar por mí, por la salvación de mi alma!(No, you have no reason to dedicate so much of yourself to others; you have to dedicate yourself to me – pray for me, for my salvation!)
She goes on: I’m your ma and you owe me!
Juan Pablo tells her he prays for her all the time but also for the sick, the poor, the homeless. And besides her soul doesn’t exactly need saving.
The servant Tomasa enters the dining room and Juan Pablo asks her if she knows what has become of Victoria. Tomasa says his mother is the one he must ask and politely leaves the room. Bernarda’s face shuts down. To his insistent questioning she finally answers that Victoria quit her job as soon as he left for the seminary – the ingrate! They never heard from her again, but she expects she married some guy and probably has a houseful of kids. I hope she’s happy, says Juan Pablo.
Meanwhile Tomasa is back in the kitchen fuming. If la señora Bernarda won’t tell him the truth, she says, I will – even if it costs me my job!
Tomasa’s thoughts travel back to that time twenty years ago when Juan Pablo had just left for the seminary:
Victoria is crying and Tomasa is telling her she should never have set her sights so high. Bernarda comes into the kitchen prepared to fire Victoria, but when Victoria tells her she knows how to sew, Bernarda decides to try out her skills. She asks her to alter a very fine blouse. If she damages it, she is out. Victoria passes the test and soon she is at the sewing machine taking care of all of Bernarda’s clothes. Like Snow White, she pricks her finger, but this witch’s venom doesn’t act instantly.
While Juan Pablo prays in the seminary in Monterrey, Victoria is Bernarda’s slave in Mexico: she cleans, she dusts, she polishes the car. And Bernarda stands back and smirks.
Five months after Juan’s departure:
Juan Pablo is serving his God and Victoria is serving Juan’s parents. Coffee, that is. Victoria isn’t feeling too well. But Octavio is feeling even worse. He has an attack of sorts -- it looks pretty scary -- the doctor is called, and he is diagnosed with very high blood pressure. He is to be given drops morning and night. The precise dosage is crucial. Too much could be fatal.
While the doctor is attending his patient, Victoria comes in to tell Bernarda she has a phone call. Then she falls in a dead faint. The doctor examines her and announces his diagnosis: Victoria is pregnant.
Bernarda goes berserk:
¡Maldita infeliz! ¡Desvergonzada! ¡Habla de una vez! ¿Quién es el padre de ese hijo?Damn you! You have no shame! Speak at once! Who is the father of that child?
She slaps the young girl so viciously that she falls over; and finally she tells Bernarda what she wants to know:
Juan Pablo. El joven Juan Pablo es el padre de mi hijo.(Juan Pablo. Young Juan Pablo is the father of my child.)
For no reason other than to make us all feel better, we end with a scene of William Levy paddling his kayak.
Present-day Mexico City:
Fireworks. Fountains. We are at a high-end fashion show in an exclusive mall. It’s all very glam and energetically percussive. The beautiful people behind the scenes are getting ready to strut for the beautiful people in the audience. A fortyish blonde runs around putting out fires in a back-stage atmosphere that is breathless, frantic. She glances at her watch and thinks:
Victoria debe estar por llegar.(Victoria must be about to get here./She’ll be here any minute now.)
The scene shifts to a church, an image of the Virgen de Guadaloupe. An elegant, dark-haired woman prays for her daughter’s return.
Tú eres madre como yo y conoces el dolor de todos estos años.(You are a mother like me and you know the pain I’ve suffered all these years.)
This is Victoria. In her prayer, Victoria blames herself for her suffering: she should never have become involved with a man who was of the church. She moans: Juan Pablo!
Twenty years ago:
By crying out his name, she seems to have conjured the past. For now we are with the young seminarian himself. He is holding an image of Christ while another voice – older and harsher – calls out: Juan Pablo!. The door to his study opens and we see an imperious figure radiant in ecclesiastical purple. It is Bernarda, Juan Pablo’s mother. She reminds her son he is chosen, privileged. He deflects her praise. He is just one seminarian among many. No, she insists, he is unique, special. He is her salvation and his vocation as a priest will save her soul. (Not to put any pressure on him or anything.) She kisses his hands, she touches his face, she embraces him. It’s too bad he has to go to Monterrey to buy her a ticket to heaven.
Her quasi-incestuous rapture is interrupted by the entrance of Juan’s father, Octavio. (Eduardo Santamarina). Bernarda’s expression sours when she sees him although Juan’s face lights up with pleasure. Octavio has his doubts about his son’s vocation. He asks:
Juan Pablo, hijo, desde el fondo de tu corazón, ¿realmente el sacerdocio es tu vocación?(JP, from the bottom of your heart, is the priesthood really your calling?)
Octavio reminds him how limited his life has been: he has never had a girlfriend; all his life his mother has wanted him to be a priest. He pleads with his son to decide for himself. What does he want? Bernarda looks on and fumes.
The scene shifts to the kitchen where young Victoria, now a family servant, is wrapping a farewell gift, a small carved crucifix for Juan Pablo. She is with an older servant, Tomasa. [In this age of High Definition TV, it takes a certain amount of viewer goodwill to accept forty-something actors playing late adolescents. But with a twist of the old beanie, I’m there. Besides, I’ve been a fan of Ruffo’s ever since she triumphed over that bunch of Looney Tunes in-laws in La Madrastra.]
Victoria has the task of picking up JP’s seminary clothes from the tailor, but when she gets to the shop, she finds Juan Pablo has beat her to it. He obligingly gives her a ride back to the house and on the way he quizzes her on her times tables. We learn he has been her tutor. She was illiterate when she first arrived and he has taught her everything she knows. Well almost.
In the car, Victoria timidly gives him his gift and tells him how much she’s going to miss him. He dries her tears and tries to reassure her, telling her she is a very talented girl, capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to.
Time warp back to the present:
Fashion Diva Victoria is still in the church lamenting the sin of loving Juan Pablo. Her penance: losing what she most loved – her daughter.
Meanwhile… the show must go on. When Victoria enters, she is instantly in command. The blonde assistant breathes her relief. This is Antonieta, faithful friend and colleague. She knew Victoria would be there on time, she says. She passes a cloth doll with dark pig-tails to Victoria. Hmmm.
Victoria is checking out every detail and wants to know who chose the accessories of one model. They are all wrong! It was Antonieta’s decision but her male compañero takes the rap for it and agrees to make the changes Victoria demands.
You stopped at the church to pray, didn’t you? asks her friend. Victoria tells her she goes to that same church whenever she can:
Me he encariñado con una imagen de la virgen de Guadaloupe que está ahí.
Durante tantos estos años le he pedido que un día me haga el milagro de volver a ver a mi hija.(I’ve grown fond of an image of the virgin of Guadaloupe there. For so many years, I’ve asked her to one day grant me the miracle of seeing my daughter again.)
Antonieta, momentarily losing sight of telenovela plot conventions, suggests it might be time for her friend to forget the past. Never, says Victoria. And above all, I will never forget that heartless (despiadada, sin piedad), Doña Bernarda Ituribe.
Yeah well Bernarda the Church Lady doesn’t see herself as despiadada. Even now she is reading from the Psalms:
Mi alma está pegado al polvo; reanímame con tus palabras.
(My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.)
But her pious exercise is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. She calls out crossly to the servant:
¿Quién es Tomasa?...(Who is it Tomasa?)
And then smiles delightedly:
Juan Pablo, hijo!And I have to say, except for a little bit of stubble, he still looks pretty frisky twenty years later.
Elsewhere in town, the fashion show proceeds, the models appearing appropriately anorexic and edgy and the rich, snooty crowd duly appreciative. An assistant tells Victoria that the show is nearly over and they will be waiting for her on the runway.
But just before Victoria walks out, Antonieta shows that she is a true friend. She says something that Victoria may not want to hear:
Pay attention to your husband and family or one day you might get a nasty surprise. Osvaldo is a very attractive man!
Cut to a bedroom scene. The indeed very attractive Osvaldo is in bed with an equally attractive woman. The action is hot and heavy.
Cut to a pensive Victoria holding and stroking the ragdoll.
We’re back with Osvaldo again and… Wait! It’s only acting! Osvaldo is a galán in a telenovela and they have just shot the final scene. He hops out of the bed, undies still on, and now we see the tv crew all around him.
Back at the fashion show, we catch a glimpse of actress Helena Rojo sitting on the sidelines holding a bouquet. Then it is Victoria’s moment. She glides gracefully down the runway as the crowd stands and applauds. In a nod to telenovela royal lineage, Rojo, who last played the Ruffo role, presents a bouquet of red roses to the current Reina.
At home, Bernarda is having her own moment of joy. Juan Pablo has been transferred from Monterrey back to Mexico City and he will have a parish close to home. Says Bernarda without a trace of humility:
No cabe duda que Dios me premia por mis buenas obras.(There’s no doubt that God is rewarding me for my good works.)
His mother leaves Juan Pablo to get some rest. In a room filled with religious imagery of all kinds, it is the small carved crucifix that Victoria gave him so many years ago that catches his attention.
His mind wanders to the night of his farewell dinner (cena de despedida)--
--and the winsome Victoria, white ribbons woven into her dark braids.
He also recalls an unsavory incident from that night. As the guests are leaving, one woman lingers and tries to seduce the virginal Juan Pablo. She teases him for his innocence and inexperience. He tries to edge away but she continues to taunt:
No me tengas miedo -- no voy a comerte…aunque ganas no me faltan.(Don’t be afraid of me – I’m not going to eat you… not that I wouldn’t love to!)
Immediately Mother Bernarda is there to defend him:
Patricia! ¿Te la pasaste bien?(Did you have fun?) asks Bernarda as she smoothly takes the wine glass from the woman’s hand and tries to lead her away, reminding her that foremost among the vows Juan is to take is that of chastity. The resourceful Patricia manages to plant one on Juan Pablo before Bernarda ousts her more forcefully. Afterward he wipes his mouth, seeming more confused than disgusted.
Sweet Victoria, the image of purity with her beribboned braids, her little black maid’s uniform trimmed with a white apron, collar and cuffs, steals into Juan’s study and tearfully leaves a note for him.
A moment later Juan enters the study – apparently fresh out of the shower – and finds the note. He looks particularly fetching with that devilish lock of hair falling over his forehead. He smiles as he reads the note and then looks for Victoria to thank her for it. He finds her weeping. He gently wipes her tears away and tries to get her to tell him why she’s crying. I can’t, she says, it’s a sin. He smiles:
No creo que tú seas capaz de ningún pecado. Eres tan buena, tan dulce.(I don’t think you are capable of sin. You are so good, so sweet.)
He confides that he has never before been so close, physically, to a woman and he feels so comforted by her presence. He needs to talk to someone, he tells her. She invites him to share his anguish with her. He can tell her anything. He says:
Me estoy despidiendo de un mundo para entrar en otro.(I’m saying goodbye to one world to enter another.)
She is pained by his leaving, she tells him, and she weeps on his chest. He is about to close the door on material things, he says. And yet:
Hay cosas que no he vivido, que no he sentido.(There are things I haven’t lived, that I haven’t felt.)
Sometimes, he continues, they say we should experience a normal life before taking our vows, to test ourselves, just to be sure... I wanted to be pure, I wanted to be chaste…
But oh my. Things are getting warm in here. That nasty Patricia seems to have lit the pilot light under Juan Pablo’s reservoirs of carnal desire. And now alone with the adoring and naïve Victoria he feels things he has never felt before. They kiss tentatively at first, and then with more conviction.
Bernarda goes into Juan Pablo’s room and is satisfied to see his clothes laid out on the bed. She’d be less smug if she knew that the owner of those clothes was in Victoria’s little room. Testing himself. Just to be sure.
When he finally returns to his room, a bit out of breath, his mother is waiting. In the dark. She senses he looks different somehow and asks him what’s wrong. He confesses he has begun to have some doubts. Maybe his father was right…
Octavio happens to be passing by his room and overhears this conversation. His face brightens at the idea that his son is thinking for himself. But inside that room, Bernarda’s mouth hangs open in horror. She manages to convince him he is just nervous and confused right now. He was born to serve God, she tells him. And he ends up agreeing with her.
We see Juan Pablo kneeling, holding the carved crucifix, and praying: Perdóname.
And Victoria sits on her bed in her chaste white nightdress and prays: Dios mío, perdóname, perdóname.
It is the following day and it’s time to say goodbye. Octavio again asks his son if he’s sure of his decision. After all, he says:
El celibato lo inventó el hombre y no Dios.(It was man, not God, who invented celibacy.)
When Juan Pablo answers that yes, he is sure, Bernarda can’t suppress a triumphant smirk. Victoria watches from her window as Juan Pablo and his father drive away to the airport.
Monterrey, 20 years ago:
So the time you spent away from the seminary confirmed your vocation! says the priest as he welcomes Juan Pablo back into the fold. Well sort of:
Necesito confesarme cuanto antes. Soy pecador, un gran pecador.(I need to confess right away. I’m a sinner, a terrible sinner.)
In the confessional he admits to carnal sin. The priest tells him that since he has not yet taken a vow of chastity, the sin is not as grave as it might be. But are you sure this is what you want to do?
Present-day Mexico City:Juan Pablo holds the small carving and thinks of how he has prayed for Victoria all these years. He kneels, begs forgiveness for his sin and asks that Victoria be blessed, wherever she may be.
As it happens, she is back-stage after the fashion show, holding her roses, savoring her moment of success. Antonieta suggests she call Osvaldo and invite him to join her. But she doesn’t have to: there is Osvaldo himself holding out a single red rose to his wife. And the couple leave together for a private celebration.
They are dining in an intimate restaurant, rose petals strewn on the table. Osvaldo tells her they should do this more often, that lately she’s almost obsessive about her work as if she is using it as a way to avoid thinking about something. I love you, he says, and I need you. She answers:
Tienes toda la razón. Te he tenido muy abandonado. Perdóname.
(You’re completely right. I’ve been neglecting you. Forgive me.)
Then we see them in bed together, a loving couple, entwined.
More Scenes in Present-day Mexico City: Salt of the Earth Division
El Mercado:
An elderly woman – this is Milagros – is picking out her fruits and greens when she is approached by a woman who needs help. Milagros, thinking it is an affair of the heart, reassures her:
Nunca falta un roto para un descosido.(There’s someone for everyone or literally: there never lacks one who is torn for one who is ripped.)
But that’s not the problem. It turns out someone cast an evil eye on her taco place (taquería) and Milagros agrees to take care of the problem with a cleansing ritual. She has an interesting skill set, this Milagros.
The Firehouse:
In a friendly card game, a young fireman wins the third hand in a row. The game is forgotten when the alarm sounds and all slide down the pole, grab their gear, and are off to the rescue. When the young guy grabs his stuff, we see his name: Juanjo. And he calls his older friend ‘Don Napo’.
The Taquería:
Milagros is performing a complicated procedure involving bunches of grasses, spitting in the face and breaking eggs. Ni me lo preguntes.
Back up the Social Ladder:
The Gym:
Osvaldo is working out, and pretty strenuously, when a friend comes along to remind him they have a breakfast date. Osvaldo ducks out for a quick shower. As soon as he’s out of earshot the friend hisses:
¡Maldito! Crees que mereces todo! ¡Si tú supieras cuánto te odio!(Damn you! You think you deserve everything! If only you knew how much I hate you!)
So I’m thinking he’s maybe not such a close friend.
We get to peek at Osvaldo soaping up in the shower. Big fellow.
Victoria is working at the Casa de Moda when she gets a call from Osvaldo inviting her to join him and his good buddy Guillermo for breakfast. But she has to beg off. She’s preparing the benefit show she does every year for abandoned girls (niñas abandonadas). He teases her that she should do a fashion show for the benefit of abandoned husbands. But he’s just kidding, he loves the way she worries about the needs of others.
Bernarda’s house, the dining room:
This lady definitely does not love the way her son worries about the needs of others. When she hears that Juan Pablo plans to devote much of his pastoral time to abandoned children, she says (and I’m not making this up):
No, tú no tienes porque dedicarte tanto a los demás; tú tienes que dedicarte a mí – rezar por mí, por la salvación de mi alma!(No, you have no reason to dedicate so much of yourself to others; you have to dedicate yourself to me – pray for me, for my salvation!)
She goes on: I’m your ma and you owe me!
Juan Pablo tells her he prays for her all the time but also for the sick, the poor, the homeless. And besides her soul doesn’t exactly need saving.
The servant Tomasa enters the dining room and Juan Pablo asks her if she knows what has become of Victoria. Tomasa says his mother is the one he must ask and politely leaves the room. Bernarda’s face shuts down. To his insistent questioning she finally answers that Victoria quit her job as soon as he left for the seminary – the ingrate! They never heard from her again, but she expects she married some guy and probably has a houseful of kids. I hope she’s happy, says Juan Pablo.
Meanwhile Tomasa is back in the kitchen fuming. If la señora Bernarda won’t tell him the truth, she says, I will – even if it costs me my job!
Tomasa’s thoughts travel back to that time twenty years ago when Juan Pablo had just left for the seminary:
Victoria is crying and Tomasa is telling her she should never have set her sights so high. Bernarda comes into the kitchen prepared to fire Victoria, but when Victoria tells her she knows how to sew, Bernarda decides to try out her skills. She asks her to alter a very fine blouse. If she damages it, she is out. Victoria passes the test and soon she is at the sewing machine taking care of all of Bernarda’s clothes. Like Snow White, she pricks her finger, but this witch’s venom doesn’t act instantly.
While Juan Pablo prays in the seminary in Monterrey, Victoria is Bernarda’s slave in Mexico: she cleans, she dusts, she polishes the car. And Bernarda stands back and smirks.
Five months after Juan’s departure:
Juan Pablo is serving his God and Victoria is serving Juan’s parents. Coffee, that is. Victoria isn’t feeling too well. But Octavio is feeling even worse. He has an attack of sorts -- it looks pretty scary -- the doctor is called, and he is diagnosed with very high blood pressure. He is to be given drops morning and night. The precise dosage is crucial. Too much could be fatal.
While the doctor is attending his patient, Victoria comes in to tell Bernarda she has a phone call. Then she falls in a dead faint. The doctor examines her and announces his diagnosis: Victoria is pregnant.
Bernarda goes berserk:
¡Maldita infeliz! ¡Desvergonzada! ¡Habla de una vez! ¿Quién es el padre de ese hijo?Damn you! You have no shame! Speak at once! Who is the father of that child?
She slaps the young girl so viciously that she falls over; and finally she tells Bernarda what she wants to know:
Juan Pablo. El joven Juan Pablo es el padre de mi hijo.(Juan Pablo. Young Juan Pablo is the father of my child.)
For no reason other than to make us all feel better, we end with a scene of William Levy paddling his kayak.
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Ah NovelaMaven! What a wonderful recap! I hear that this TN was not getting fantastic ratings in Mexico, but it grabbed me rather quickly and filled the void STuD left behind. I love the cast. (Especially Milagros) And your perfectly snarked up recap has just made my day.
I also thought Bernarda was putting a lot of pressure on her son to save her soul. And when he mentions working with abandoned children?Her only response?: me me me! Sheesh.
"In this age of High Definition TV, it takes a certain amount of viewer goodwill to accept forty-something actors playing late adolescents. But with a twist of the old beanie, I’m there."
I don't have HD (the box comes in Friday) but even watching the previews I thought Victoria Ruffo as a youngster didn't cut it. I have a specially crafted beanie for such occasions though. I laughed out loud at the quote above.
Does anyone else think Osvaldo's face looks "off" a little bit? Like bad plastic surgery "off." I guess I've been spoiled by FC. Juan Pablo is pretty attractive though.
I'm so excited to have a TN to fill my 8-9 time slot.
I also thought Bernarda was putting a lot of pressure on her son to save her soul. And when he mentions working with abandoned children?Her only response?: me me me! Sheesh.
"In this age of High Definition TV, it takes a certain amount of viewer goodwill to accept forty-something actors playing late adolescents. But with a twist of the old beanie, I’m there."
I don't have HD (the box comes in Friday) but even watching the previews I thought Victoria Ruffo as a youngster didn't cut it. I have a specially crafted beanie for such occasions though. I laughed out loud at the quote above.
Does anyone else think Osvaldo's face looks "off" a little bit? Like bad plastic surgery "off." I guess I've been spoiled by FC. Juan Pablo is pretty attractive though.
I'm so excited to have a TN to fill my 8-9 time slot.
NovelaMaven - Thank you for your recap. I recorded this and hope to watch it this afternoon. Your comments re: High definition and re: Levy in the kayak are just too funny.
WHAT is it with "veinte años" in telenovelas??? Oh, wait, this is a Mejía production and he was soo into 'veinte años' in LaMadrastra..... I hope this 'novela is a good circo, since it is a Mejía one.
WHAT is it with "veinte años" in telenovelas??? Oh, wait, this is a Mejía production and he was soo into 'veinte años' in LaMadrastra..... I hope this 'novela is a good circo, since it is a Mejía one.
NovelaMaven: "Salt of the Earth Division" I loved it!!!
I wish I had taped this as I wanted to see Helena Rojo. I was not paying total attention to the TN, but was Rojo the woman standing with Ruffo at the end of the fashion show (when Ruffo was holding the bouquet of roses?)
This Bernarda character looks to be even more evil than Helmet Head Leonor in STuD. Wowsers.
The Garcia-Cantu character looks to be right up there in terms of evil as well!
Don't really know what to think, yet as I am still in STuD withdrawal.
Gracias, NovelaMaven. Very well written!!!
Susanita
I wish I had taped this as I wanted to see Helena Rojo. I was not paying total attention to the TN, but was Rojo the woman standing with Ruffo at the end of the fashion show (when Ruffo was holding the bouquet of roses?)
This Bernarda character looks to be even more evil than Helmet Head Leonor in STuD. Wowsers.
The Garcia-Cantu character looks to be right up there in terms of evil as well!
Don't really know what to think, yet as I am still in STuD withdrawal.
Gracias, NovelaMaven. Very well written!!!
Susanita
Permalink posted by 
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:24:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:24:00 AM EST
Thanks for the recap NovelaMaven. I have to admit that I dozed off a bit. I must be having withdrawal from STUD because I thought maybe there would be more action. Loved the gratuitous half naked men shots.
Connie: Osvaldo's shower scene didn't come close to FCs, did it?
No sir...FC is in a class all his own!!
Susanita
No sir...FC is in a class all his own!!
Susanita
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:54:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:54:00 AM EST
Thank you NovelaMaven for your sympathetic treatment of the subject. You did such a great job, you are a very good writer yourself!
I am new at TN viewing, but I am starting to get it: If a character has pigtails, they are younger than the surrounding characters, and/or they are servants. I think even with a analog TV, 'joven' Victoria would strain the imagination. But like you said, let's go with it so they can lay the foundation of the story.
I am new at TN viewing, but I am starting to get it: If a character has pigtails, they are younger than the surrounding characters, and/or they are servants. I think even with a analog TV, 'joven' Victoria would strain the imagination. But like you said, let's go with it so they can lay the foundation of the story.
Thanks NovelaMaven - wonderful recap. I haven't been real excited about this TN after reading the synopsis, but I thought I would give a look-see last night.(good cast-lousy plot) Still in blah mode after watching - though Juan Pablo is a looker.
Bernarda is just a bit too over the top - what the heck did she do that she feels she needs a personal priest to get her salvation? Gees...
I'm already invested in Llena and Eva...I'll see if another episode or two moves me. Not quite feeling the love...
Bernarda is just a bit too over the top - what the heck did she do that she feels she needs a personal priest to get her salvation? Gees...
I'm already invested in Llena and Eva...I'll see if another episode or two moves me. Not quite feeling the love...
Thank you for the recap! I kinda liked the show. I put it in the season-pass list. I don't know if I'll really have time to watch it, but it has some people in it I like.
Osvaldo Rios was looking very hunky indeed. Also, the guy who plays the priest is fetching. And Eduardo cleans up well.
Osvaldo is basically playing himself. The character's name is Osvaldo, and he's a telenovela actor. Aribeth tells me they did the same in EPDA.
Gawd, I was so darned grateful for the soft focus in the flashback scenes. Whew, they are all well preserved; but ain't 20 years younger, that is for sure.
Osvaldo Rios was looking very hunky indeed. Also, the guy who plays the priest is fetching. And Eduardo cleans up well.
Osvaldo is basically playing himself. The character's name is Osvaldo, and he's a telenovela actor. Aribeth tells me they did the same in EPDA.
Gawd, I was so darned grateful for the soft focus in the flashback scenes. Whew, they are all well preserved; but ain't 20 years younger, that is for sure.
Novela Maven, that was awesome. Great snark & terrific translations. I'm slowly getting better at understanding, with my ears & eyes. Thank you, thank you for Chapter 1!
Looks like we'll all need a Sham Wow to mop up the waterworks of our dear Victoria. But seriously, they couldn't substitute reasonable facsimiles for the younger versions of the various characters? Beribboned pigtails don't shave 20 years off of anyone.
Juan Pablo looks tasty but he needs a good shampooing. Looks like he fell into a vat of Vaseline. Osvaldo looked pretty buff in his tight 'wears but isn't he a bit young for Victoria? Missed the shower scene, dammit.
Bernarda's Oedipal pawing & drooling is rather disturbing but if she's one of our antagonistas, we might as well start hating her right out of the chute. MeeeOW!
I have a funny feeling that the TN beanies are going to get a serious workout with TdA. Can't wait to hear the nicknames!
Maggarita
:-D
Looks like we'll all need a Sham Wow to mop up the waterworks of our dear Victoria. But seriously, they couldn't substitute reasonable facsimiles for the younger versions of the various characters? Beribboned pigtails don't shave 20 years off of anyone.
Juan Pablo looks tasty but he needs a good shampooing. Looks like he fell into a vat of Vaseline. Osvaldo looked pretty buff in his tight 'wears but isn't he a bit young for Victoria? Missed the shower scene, dammit.
Bernarda's Oedipal pawing & drooling is rather disturbing but if she's one of our antagonistas, we might as well start hating her right out of the chute. MeeeOW!
I have a funny feeling that the TN beanies are going to get a serious workout with TdA. Can't wait to hear the nicknames!
Maggarita
:-D
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 9:15:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 9:15:00 AM EST
NovelaMaven, very well done. I love the way you weave the quotes followed by translations so seamlessly through your crisp narrative. And your wry, unforced humor is a delight.
How wonderful, this TN is chock full of selfishness from the getgo. Bernarda wants her son to devote his life to saving her soul? Makes you wonder what her soul has been up to to require such attention.
And the son wants a taste of female flesh before he gives it up forever? Sure, why not take a bite of the ingenuous innocent parlor maid?
And speaking of bites, will someone please feed those models?
I saw el Privilegio de Amor and was equally uncomfortable with the theme then.
Lots of familiar faces. Already my favorite is Milagros fresh off a stint as her Royal Highness doña Arcadia in Dinero. Elderly? I'm not sure that she'd agree.
Carlos
How wonderful, this TN is chock full of selfishness from the getgo. Bernarda wants her son to devote his life to saving her soul? Makes you wonder what her soul has been up to to require such attention.
And the son wants a taste of female flesh before he gives it up forever? Sure, why not take a bite of the ingenuous innocent parlor maid?
And speaking of bites, will someone please feed those models?
I saw el Privilegio de Amor and was equally uncomfortable with the theme then.
Lots of familiar faces. Already my favorite is Milagros fresh off a stint as her Royal Highness doña Arcadia in Dinero. Elderly? I'm not sure that she'd agree.
Carlos
Well done, Novela Maven! I must give you a special thanks because you did the job I suck at doing--identifying minor characters by names first time around.
Yeee, William Levy tonight! Can't wait.
Yeee, William Levy tonight! Can't wait.
NovelaMaven: Great title. I'll bet every fashion model in D.F. got to appear in the premiere!
Susanita: Yes, that was Helena Rojo handing the roses to Victoria. She was wonderful in El Privilegio de Amar.
General comments: I think that Televisa will probably keep Diego Olivera because he resembles Eduardo Palomo, whom I miss terribly. I hope he is equally talented because despite his height he's standing in Cesar Evora's shadow here.
I think that Carmen Salinas' character with her superstitious spells is meant as an unsubtle criticism of Bernarda's hypocrisy and hubris. Milagros will probably be well-meaning while Bernarda is a monster of selfishness.
Anyone who remembers EPDA knows why she was so insistent on her son becoming a priest. And why doesn't the Catholic church have a rule against priests hearing confessions from close family members? PJP will become a major victim of this.
Changes from EPDA 1:
I'm always of two minds about the casting of the flashbacks and prologues of these series. Since EPDA had a prologue that ran for three or four episodes it was easier to cast younger actors as the priest, the maid, and the maternal monster; since this one does flashbacks (especially if they're not necessarily in chronological order) it's probably harder for the producers to believe that the public will buy the younger actors as the younger versions of the mature characters. In EPDA they weren't a perfect match, especially Andres Gutierrez/Cesar Evora, but we didn't see them again after the second week.
One thing we can be sure of is that Guillermo Garcia Cantu's villain will have more victims than Enrique Rocha's Nicholas and that Daniela Romo's Bernarda will do far more damage than Marga Lopez' Ana Joaquina.
"Bernarda" isn't named that by accident, either.
Casting Issues: Since this has been an issue with Mejia's previous work, here are notes on the actors' ages (and astrology, for those who find that interesting):
Daniela Romo (Virgo) is 10 years older than Eduardo Santamarina and only 9 years older than Diego Olivera (Aquarius).
Osvaldo Rios (Scorpio) is less than a year older than Victoria Ruffo (Gemini), who is old enough to be Maite Perroni's mother off-camera. Guillermo Garcia Cantu (Virgo) is the same age as Rios. Erika Buenfil (Sagittarius) is four years younger than Ruffo.
William Levy (Virgo) is three years older than Maite Perroni (Pisces).
Dorismar (sign unknown) is a year older than William Levy.
William Levy: I'm not feeling the love here. His haircut and mustache are not becoming. I would have preferred to see Sebastian Rulli (Cancer, 5 years older than Levy) in this role.
Music: Love the theme song despite that I'm not a big fan of Luis Miguel. The music under the "pecado" scene was silly and didn't fit. The other music was OK.
Susanita: Yes, that was Helena Rojo handing the roses to Victoria. She was wonderful in El Privilegio de Amar.
General comments: I think that Televisa will probably keep Diego Olivera because he resembles Eduardo Palomo, whom I miss terribly. I hope he is equally talented because despite his height he's standing in Cesar Evora's shadow here.
I think that Carmen Salinas' character with her superstitious spells is meant as an unsubtle criticism of Bernarda's hypocrisy and hubris. Milagros will probably be well-meaning while Bernarda is a monster of selfishness.
Anyone who remembers EPDA knows why she was so insistent on her son becoming a priest. And why doesn't the Catholic church have a rule against priests hearing confessions from close family members? PJP will become a major victim of this.
Changes from EPDA 1:
I'm always of two minds about the casting of the flashbacks and prologues of these series. Since EPDA had a prologue that ran for three or four episodes it was easier to cast younger actors as the priest, the maid, and the maternal monster; since this one does flashbacks (especially if they're not necessarily in chronological order) it's probably harder for the producers to believe that the public will buy the younger actors as the younger versions of the mature characters. In EPDA they weren't a perfect match, especially Andres Gutierrez/Cesar Evora, but we didn't see them again after the second week.
One thing we can be sure of is that Guillermo Garcia Cantu's villain will have more victims than Enrique Rocha's Nicholas and that Daniela Romo's Bernarda will do far more damage than Marga Lopez' Ana Joaquina.
"Bernarda" isn't named that by accident, either.
Casting Issues: Since this has been an issue with Mejia's previous work, here are notes on the actors' ages (and astrology, for those who find that interesting):
Daniela Romo (Virgo) is 10 years older than Eduardo Santamarina and only 9 years older than Diego Olivera (Aquarius).
Osvaldo Rios (Scorpio) is less than a year older than Victoria Ruffo (Gemini), who is old enough to be Maite Perroni's mother off-camera. Guillermo Garcia Cantu (Virgo) is the same age as Rios. Erika Buenfil (Sagittarius) is four years younger than Ruffo.
William Levy (Virgo) is three years older than Maite Perroni (Pisces).
Dorismar (sign unknown) is a year older than William Levy.
William Levy: I'm not feeling the love here. His haircut and mustache are not becoming. I would have preferred to see Sebastian Rulli (Cancer, 5 years older than Levy) in this role.
Music: Love the theme song despite that I'm not a big fan of Luis Miguel. The music under the "pecado" scene was silly and didn't fit. The other music was OK.
NovelaMaven, I decided to watch last night's opening episodio mainly because I saw you were slated to do the recap, and I'm delighted I did. You did a fantastic job!! I especially appreciated all the great snark and the abundant, very helpful Spanish, and I liked your putting the flashbacks in a different color (sepia? seems very appropriate). But please let me know where you got your high-powered beanie. Mine just couldn't be tightened enough to let me believe Victoria Ruffo as the young Victoria.
Maggarita, I loved your comment about Juan Pablo looking as if he fell into a vat of Vaseline!
I'm not sure whether I'll stay with this TN. It seems so stereotypic--I feel as if I'm watching a TN I've already seen. But the lineup of recappers is outstanding. Hmmm...decisions, decisions, decisions. Well, I guess I'll stick around for a while and see.
Again, many thanks, NovelaMaven.
Maggarita, I loved your comment about Juan Pablo looking as if he fell into a vat of Vaseline!
I'm not sure whether I'll stay with this TN. It seems so stereotypic--I feel as if I'm watching a TN I've already seen. But the lineup of recappers is outstanding. Hmmm...decisions, decisions, decisions. Well, I guess I'll stick around for a while and see.
Again, many thanks, NovelaMaven.
NovelaMaven, what a wonderful beginning. Your recap was delightful and informative all the way around.
"energetically percussive" and "appropriately anorexic and edgy" were my favorite lines of many.
I'm in. Except for the Carman Salinas spitting scene, I thought this was very well done and intriguing. Osvaldo. Sigh. What can I say??? William who???
Besides, this has Victoria and Maite and many other marvelous actors. This was the first episode of any novela I've seen during which I wasn't totally lost (my Spanish skills are fairly non-existent).
This has a lot of promise.
Thanks again NovelaMaven.
Diana
"energetically percussive" and "appropriately anorexic and edgy" were my favorite lines of many.
I'm in. Except for the Carman Salinas spitting scene, I thought this was very well done and intriguing. Osvaldo. Sigh. What can I say??? William who???
Besides, this has Victoria and Maite and many other marvelous actors. This was the first episode of any novela I've seen during which I wasn't totally lost (my Spanish skills are fairly non-existent).
This has a lot of promise.
Thanks again NovelaMaven.
Diana
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:34:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:34:00 AM EST
Thanks for the nice welcome, everyone!
Juanita, you're right, I was going for sepia for the flashbacks. And as for the beanie, try relining yours with the newer stuff, the heavyduty nonstick tinfoil. It works wonders!
Carlos, it's very true that the models look unfed. But I must say it's the first time I've seen 'models' on a novela who actually look like models. Usually the actresses playing them are a bit too... zaftig... to be convincing.
A note of explanation: I'm not usually so wordy in my recaps but I felt I had to spell everything out in this first episode just to set the scene. I also tried to tell the story with a straight face(Just the facts Ma'am) for the same reason.
I'm getting the feeling that this novela is one where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking ... and all the children -- well, I don't know about the children yet :-)
Juanita, you're right, I was going for sepia for the flashbacks. And as for the beanie, try relining yours with the newer stuff, the heavyduty nonstick tinfoil. It works wonders!
Carlos, it's very true that the models look unfed. But I must say it's the first time I've seen 'models' on a novela who actually look like models. Usually the actresses playing them are a bit too... zaftig... to be convincing.
A note of explanation: I'm not usually so wordy in my recaps but I felt I had to spell everything out in this first episode just to set the scene. I also tried to tell the story with a straight face(Just the facts Ma'am) for the same reason.
I'm getting the feeling that this novela is one where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking ... and all the children -- well, I don't know about the children yet :-)
Bernarda reminds me of Gabriela from FELS with regards to the piety, self righteousness, hypocrisy. Same hairstyle too with the bun...
The Son who becomes a priest is more like the Priest in ENDA than Padre Tadeo from FELs though.
Cuahtehmoc Blanco is a fireman. Lol. That guy is a world class soccer player. A captain of various Mexican national teams and a World Cup veteran. He also converted the most penalty kicks in world cup history. He als played for the Chivago Fire in MLS here in the US. The US and other countries have from time to time had athletes participate in TV and the movies so it is not surprising to see one. I wonder if he will get to showcase his soccer talents.
I suppose they could also put some boxers like his look a like Juan Manuel Marquez and other boxers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and the erstwhile Cheater Antonio Margarito who's face was recently broken by Manny Pacquiao to make cameo appearances.
I agree that the models need tro beef up a bit. Perhaps a little weight training could do wonders. At least the Mexican actresses are more beefier and curvier than the US ones.
The 20 year flashback brings this to 1990. With the exception of the gulf war,Not a bad year. ;)
They should be wearing shoulderpads in their dresses and suits. :D
Ibarramedia
The Son who becomes a priest is more like the Priest in ENDA than Padre Tadeo from FELs though.
Cuahtehmoc Blanco is a fireman. Lol. That guy is a world class soccer player. A captain of various Mexican national teams and a World Cup veteran. He also converted the most penalty kicks in world cup history. He als played for the Chivago Fire in MLS here in the US. The US and other countries have from time to time had athletes participate in TV and the movies so it is not surprising to see one. I wonder if he will get to showcase his soccer talents.
I suppose they could also put some boxers like his look a like Juan Manuel Marquez and other boxers like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and the erstwhile Cheater Antonio Margarito who's face was recently broken by Manny Pacquiao to make cameo appearances.
I agree that the models need tro beef up a bit. Perhaps a little weight training could do wonders. At least the Mexican actresses are more beefier and curvier than the US ones.
The 20 year flashback brings this to 1990. With the exception of the gulf war,Not a bad year. ;)
They should be wearing shoulderpads in their dresses and suits. :D
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:55:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:55:00 AM EST
Awesome job, NovelMaven!
I always found the story of Cristal/EPDA/TDA immensely boring and too "Fialloistic", and I couldn't finish EPDA despite the great cast and Estrada, so I guess the Mejía version won't be my favourite show, either.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who may be a great sportsman but he isn't an actor, has the same name as my favourite telenovela writer (Mi pecado, El manantial, Canaveral de pasiones and so on). I hate this because every time I was looking for pictures about him I found the soccer player. :)
As for actors playing themselves in the flashbacks: I read somewhere that Victoria wasn't enthusiastic about playing the younger version of the character but Mejía thought every actor has a unique aura/charisma or whatever and that's why he's never cast others to play the young ones.
I always found the story of Cristal/EPDA/TDA immensely boring and too "Fialloistic", and I couldn't finish EPDA despite the great cast and Estrada, so I guess the Mejía version won't be my favourite show, either.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who may be a great sportsman but he isn't an actor, has the same name as my favourite telenovela writer (Mi pecado, El manantial, Canaveral de pasiones and so on). I hate this because every time I was looking for pictures about him I found the soccer player. :)
As for actors playing themselves in the flashbacks: I read somewhere that Victoria wasn't enthusiastic about playing the younger version of the character but Mejía thought every actor has a unique aura/charisma or whatever and that's why he's never cast others to play the young ones.
NovelaMaven: Fabulous beginning! Your snark was dead on and gave me more than a few chuckles to start my day with. Loved that intro, amiga!
============
Doris: "WHAT is it with "veinte años" in telenovelas?" I was right there with you last night, Doris! Couldn't stop giggling every time we were reminded.
============
Yeah, this one is written a bit better than most, and better than I had expected, considering, and the veteran actors are not disappointing. However, I do feel like I'm entering a time-warp with this one, sort of like watching the Mexican version of "Valley of the Dolls." Ah well, in for a dime, in for a dollar.
I agree that they should have hired younger actors ala CS2009 to at least play their age-appropriate scenes for a sophisticated audience. I guess they still take their audiences for a bunch of lice-infested, body-scratching, illiterate nacos. Fogging up the camera with digital and HD doesn't erase 25-30 yrs. like it used to. So, I've added a pair of Rose-colored glasses...er...goggles to my beanie to get through these initial scenes.
Interesting the similarity between the selfish Bernarda and her son. He makes as convenient use of Victoria as Bernarda makes of him! Do what you want, full speed ahead and damn the consequences!
===========
Maggarita: "Looks like we'll all need a Sham Wow to mop up the waterworks of our dear Victoria." Hubby agrees.
============
Doris: "WHAT is it with "veinte años" in telenovelas?" I was right there with you last night, Doris! Couldn't stop giggling every time we were reminded.
============
Yeah, this one is written a bit better than most, and better than I had expected, considering, and the veteran actors are not disappointing. However, I do feel like I'm entering a time-warp with this one, sort of like watching the Mexican version of "Valley of the Dolls." Ah well, in for a dime, in for a dollar.
I agree that they should have hired younger actors ala CS2009 to at least play their age-appropriate scenes for a sophisticated audience. I guess they still take their audiences for a bunch of lice-infested, body-scratching, illiterate nacos. Fogging up the camera with digital and HD doesn't erase 25-30 yrs. like it used to. So, I've added a pair of Rose-colored glasses...er...goggles to my beanie to get through these initial scenes.
Interesting the similarity between the selfish Bernarda and her son. He makes as convenient use of Victoria as Bernarda makes of him! Do what you want, full speed ahead and damn the consequences!
===========
Maggarita: "Looks like we'll all need a Sham Wow to mop up the waterworks of our dear Victoria." Hubby agrees.
Great first recap........totally appreciated your spelling out of the first chapter....it really helped me to set up the novela... I will stay with this one... i hear it gets better......NovelaMaven you did a great job....loved it...thank you..BNinCA
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 12:38:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 12:38:00 PM EST
Maldita! I forgot the one question that bugged me in EPDA and now in this one:
Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?
Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?
Great job, NovelaMaven! I know how hard it is to recap first episodes and you made it seem so easy.
I didn't have high hopes for this show given that Mejía's hand is in it, but I'm liking it so far. The characters are interesting to me and some plots are getting nice and twisted. Also I really liked the music. It added to the scenes without drowning out the dialogue.
Okay, I'll admit how shallow I am...this might be worth recording just to look at Padre Hottie. Bernarda is just beyond belief, though...she warps her son's whole life just so she can have her own personal priest? Egad. As a priest, he should counsel her that her selfishness is what is going to keep her out of heaven, not his lack of prayers.
I didn't have high hopes for this show given that Mejía's hand is in it, but I'm liking it so far. The characters are interesting to me and some plots are getting nice and twisted. Also I really liked the music. It added to the scenes without drowning out the dialogue.
Okay, I'll admit how shallow I am...this might be worth recording just to look at Padre Hottie. Bernarda is just beyond belief, though...she warps her son's whole life just so she can have her own personal priest? Egad. As a priest, he should counsel her that her selfishness is what is going to keep her out of heaven, not his lack of prayers.
Fantastic work, NovelaMaven! You've started us off strong.
I'll give TDA a chance. El Privilegio de Amar was my first novela and I loved it to death despite the circo moments. Helena Rojo's cameo was a nice little nod to the "original" novela.
Onward to William Levy! I need a fix. ;)
I'll give TDA a chance. El Privilegio de Amar was my first novela and I loved it to death despite the circo moments. Helena Rojo's cameo was a nice little nod to the "original" novela.
Onward to William Levy! I need a fix. ;)
"Maldita! I forgot the one question that bugged me in EPDA and now in this one:
Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?"
Yes and no, UA. If it was here in the US then it would be a no. I don't know what Mexican laws are regarding privacy issues but one thing we need to keep in mind is that Bernarda paid for the DR. who was actually there seeing her husband. Victoria can't possibly have paid ( we're assuming that by educated guesses).
Victoria is also technically under Bernarda's care since she is a servant who also lives in the household.
Ibarramedia
Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?"
Yes and no, UA. If it was here in the US then it would be a no. I don't know what Mexican laws are regarding privacy issues but one thing we need to keep in mind is that Bernarda paid for the DR. who was actually there seeing her husband. Victoria can't possibly have paid ( we're assuming that by educated guesses).
Victoria is also technically under Bernarda's care since she is a servant who also lives in the household.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 3:09:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 3:09:00 PM EST
Victoria is also technically under Bernarda's care since she is a servant who also lives in the household.
Does that mean that Bernarda is in loco parentis (which obviously has a whole new meaning here)?
Unless Victoria was under 18 when this happened I don't see how Bernarda was entitled to this information even if she was paying the doctor. Don't doctors all over the planet take the Hippocratic Oath?
Does that mean that Bernarda is in loco parentis (which obviously has a whole new meaning here)?
Unless Victoria was under 18 when this happened I don't see how Bernarda was entitled to this information even if she was paying the doctor. Don't doctors all over the planet take the Hippocratic Oath?
great! Your re-cap was a polished as the episode but more fun.
In fact the whole episode had a furniture-polished grandeur about it that made it seem...I don't know, slow? Outdated? What with the literally too-old actors and digital polishing and stylized acting. Oh well. I'm going to give it a try. It could become fun unless it takes itself too seriously.
And a fashion tip, remember ladies, if you want to take twenty years off your age...just wear giant distracting braids! Works every time! It's all about proportion: the bigger the braids, the smaller your head will look! Get it? Then distract with some bright ribbons and wow! The eye won't be able to rest on the face for long!
But seriously as someone pointed out above the "young girl with braids" is a "type" in these stories that probably goes way back.
In fact the whole episode had a furniture-polished grandeur about it that made it seem...I don't know, slow? Outdated? What with the literally too-old actors and digital polishing and stylized acting. Oh well. I'm going to give it a try. It could become fun unless it takes itself too seriously.
And a fashion tip, remember ladies, if you want to take twenty years off your age...just wear giant distracting braids! Works every time! It's all about proportion: the bigger the braids, the smaller your head will look! Get it? Then distract with some bright ribbons and wow! The eye won't be able to rest on the face for long!
But seriously as someone pointed out above the "young girl with braids" is a "type" in these stories that probably goes way back.
Urban Anthropologist,
As a physician, my short answer to your question, "Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?":
Yes.
Now, as you know, the Drs. in telenovelas are notable for their lack of ethics, with of course the exception of poor rural physicians and those who work in the public hospitals for a salary.
Carlos
As a physician, my short answer to your question, "Isn't it an ethical violation for the doctor to tell Bernarda that Victoria is pregnant?":
Yes.
Now, as you know, the Drs. in telenovelas are notable for their lack of ethics, with of course the exception of poor rural physicians and those who work in the public hospitals for a salary.
Carlos
No kidding Susanita! I suspect there is also a shower scene with William Levy coming up as well. It is very important for men to be clean. Never can be too many bathing or naked swimming scenes in my opinion. Actually the boyfriend covered my eyes because he said I could look at him. Party pooper! 8(:-P I haven't had a chance to read all the comments yet so more later.
Ibarramedia: The one big difference between Padres Juan Pablo and Juan Cristobal is that the first was brainwashed into the priesthood by his sociopathic controlling mother while the latter made a free choice as an adult with life experience. What they have in common is that they both want to do good.
And both impregnated Victoria Ruffo.
We don't know Padre Tadeo's backstory, but I think he was allowed to make a free choice. His only crisis of faith is his struggle with the confessional rules vis a vis the possibility of future danger to others. What mystifies me is that (unless I missed something with Ruth) no female seems to ever have made a pass at him. He was smokin' hot.
And both impregnated Victoria Ruffo.
We don't know Padre Tadeo's backstory, but I think he was allowed to make a free choice. His only crisis of faith is his struggle with the confessional rules vis a vis the possibility of future danger to others. What mystifies me is that (unless I missed something with Ruth) no female seems to ever have made a pass at him. He was smokin' hot.
NovelaMaven great opening recap for Triunfo.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:04:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:04:00 PM EST
I think Ruth had a fleeting flirtatious moment with Padre Tadeo when they first met. The rest of the Elizondo sisters must have always seen Padre Tadeo as their confessor and priest all these years. Ruth, Rosario and the 3 sisters were pretty hot.
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:05:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:05:00 PM EST
Do you guys se striking similarities in character between Bernarda and Gabriela from FELS? They share the same hairstyle already. Of course both are Mejia creations.
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:07:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 5:07:00 PM EST
Great recap NovelaMaven!
Loved the spanish/english las oraciones.
I hope to watch this later today.
Thank you!
dpd
Loved the spanish/english las oraciones.
I hope to watch this later today.
Thank you!
dpd
Ibarramedia: They are very similar as they both are cruel hypocrites who hide behind public images of piety. Both are also extreme snobs. However, Gabriela is under the delusion that she has never sinned while Bernarda knows she has (she's just a public hypocrite about it).
However, if Gabriela had had a son she probably wouldn't have treated him remotely as badly as she treated her daughters. Since she doesn't recognize herself as a sinner she would not have pushed an only son into the priesthood. He would have inherited the ranch and taken care of her so she would have just run off his novias, just as Leonor tried to do with Valentina in STuD. Instead she would have forced one or more of her daughters into a convent.
It really mystified me how presumptuous she was to believe she had any right to dictate her adult daughters' lives. Those girls clearly must have suffered from Stockholm Syndrome.
If Mejia runs true to form, Bernarda will have a nastier backstory and will murder more people than Ana Joaquina did in EPDA.
However, if Gabriela had had a son she probably wouldn't have treated him remotely as badly as she treated her daughters. Since she doesn't recognize herself as a sinner she would not have pushed an only son into the priesthood. He would have inherited the ranch and taken care of her so she would have just run off his novias, just as Leonor tried to do with Valentina in STuD. Instead she would have forced one or more of her daughters into a convent.
It really mystified me how presumptuous she was to believe she had any right to dictate her adult daughters' lives. Those girls clearly must have suffered from Stockholm Syndrome.
If Mejia runs true to form, Bernarda will have a nastier backstory and will murder more people than Ana Joaquina did in EPDA.
Susanita: I said the same thing to myself about Osvaldo's shower scene! (He's no FC for sure!) In my opinion, Bernarda is the worst kind of evil because her acts will be committed in the name of some perverse religious fervor.
Maggarita: I'm looking forward to the nicknames, too!
Practically everyone: This is only my second full TN (STuD being my first TN and highly edited versions of Rosalinda and Al Diablo con Los Guapos being my other experiences.)
As I've said, I have a custom fit beanie of the highest caliber. I'll buy into almost anything in a TN. For example, middle-aged actors playing 20-somethings or young children (like Chuy and Teresita) who don't even age after 2 years. I guess that makes me a little pathetic.
Seeing what you are all saying about EPDA and Mejia, I am very intrigued by TdA.
Maggarita: I'm looking forward to the nicknames, too!
Practically everyone: This is only my second full TN (STuD being my first TN and highly edited versions of Rosalinda and Al Diablo con Los Guapos being my other experiences.)
As I've said, I have a custom fit beanie of the highest caliber. I'll buy into almost anything in a TN. For example, middle-aged actors playing 20-somethings or young children (like Chuy and Teresita) who don't even age after 2 years. I guess that makes me a little pathetic.
Seeing what you are all saying about EPDA and Mejia, I am very intrigued by TdA.
True. Very true about both of them. Sofia almost became a nun while in the convent. It seems Juan Reyes was able to talk her out of it.
The girls might have had Stockholm syndrome except that they did not really consider themselves hostages of a very extremely strict mom in a universe devoid of communications devices yet exist in the contemporary world of the 2000's. They were prone to sneaking out at night to be with the Reyes Brothers but really hesitated in running away.
There was a shortlived period where they succeeded in running away during the midpoint of the series.... but they ended up going back home except for Jimena who stayed a bit longer.
Bernarda has already slapped Victoria in the premiere. We used to comment on the number of times that Gabby would slap and hit people. Despite all that, she had a relatively low death count which was 0. Fernando Escandon had the most at around 20 ish. more or less. I'm too lazy to go back and research the death list I compiled during FELS run.
Ibarramedia
The girls might have had Stockholm syndrome except that they did not really consider themselves hostages of a very extremely strict mom in a universe devoid of communications devices yet exist in the contemporary world of the 2000's. They were prone to sneaking out at night to be with the Reyes Brothers but really hesitated in running away.
There was a shortlived period where they succeeded in running away during the midpoint of the series.... but they ended up going back home except for Jimena who stayed a bit longer.
Bernarda has already slapped Victoria in the premiere. We used to comment on the number of times that Gabby would slap and hit people. Despite all that, she had a relatively low death count which was 0. Fernando Escandon had the most at around 20 ish. more or less. I'm too lazy to go back and research the death list I compiled during FELS run.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 6:42:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 6:42:00 PM EST
Ibarramedia: This time-period confusion annoys me about both networks, but I don't see how that could be done in TDA.
Gabriela pretended to be ill and bribed a doctor to be her accomplice. What got me was how easily she manipulated her daughters when Augustin and even Juan could see through her. This is a disconnect because Sofia knew that all was not right between her parents.
I actually think sometimes that it would have been a bigger blow to Gabriela if Rosario had been Eva's daughter. Of course, that would have changed a few things, including causing more problems for
Sarita unless Rosario would have ended up going for Pedro. She certainly didn't deserve her fate.
While Gabriela didn't commit murder, she attempted to. She was also an accomplice to the kidnapping of a newborn. That -- along with her hubris -- was enough to condemn her for.
Gabriela pretended to be ill and bribed a doctor to be her accomplice. What got me was how easily she manipulated her daughters when Augustin and even Juan could see through her. This is a disconnect because Sofia knew that all was not right between her parents.
I actually think sometimes that it would have been a bigger blow to Gabriela if Rosario had been Eva's daughter. Of course, that would have changed a few things, including causing more problems for
Sarita unless Rosario would have ended up going for Pedro. She certainly didn't deserve her fate.
While Gabriela didn't commit murder, she attempted to. She was also an accomplice to the kidnapping of a newborn. That -- along with her hubris -- was enough to condemn her for.
Watched the recording on the gran estreno and . . . I learned to set the DVR to run over by 3 minutes. It cut off before I got to see WL float onto the screen in his kayak. Wah!
I gagged over the FFWDvoices of those ladies, reminded me of the lady in FELS,,, Quintana (?) De veras.... it's the Mejía touch.
I gagged over the FFWDvoices of those ladies, reminded me of the lady in FELS,,, Quintana (?) De veras.... it's the Mejía touch.
Doris, it is the dreaded Mejia comic relief. My goodness, how much of that will we have to endure?
Ibarramedia
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:41:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:41:00 PM EST
Sara and Connie: Alright! We are in agreement that only our wonderful FC is the best when it comes to those shower scenes. I am so missing my Jose Miguel!
UA: Thank you for indentifying Helena Rojo for me. I will try to find TDA on You Tube so that I can see her.
I am especially enjoying all of the compare and contrast with the original versions of this TN.
Keep them coming!!!
Susanita
UA: Thank you for indentifying Helena Rojo for me. I will try to find TDA on You Tube so that I can see her.
I am especially enjoying all of the compare and contrast with the original versions of this TN.
Keep them coming!!!
Susanita
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:42:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 8:42:00 PM EST
Personally, I can't wait to hear Bernarda's backstory. I wonder if it will be different in this version.
Padre Tadeo WAS smokin' hot indeed. As was Noel Vidal.
I can't believe this show is making me miss FELS. I guess it was just fun. I'm enjoying the comments.
Bracho and Cantú won Best Villains that year. Looking forward to what he can do.
I can't believe this show is making me miss FELS. I guess it was just fun. I'm enjoying the comments.
Bracho and Cantú won Best Villains that year. Looking forward to what he can do.
Gracias, NovelaMaven! I was busy all day, so I didn't get to read your recap until I was at the hair salon sitting under the dryer...made the time go by faster :D Thank you for elevating the annoyingly rushed exposition.
Add me to the list of those who don't find Victoria as her 20-years-younger self at all convincing. She looked like she could be Juan Pablo's mother then and she still looks like it now!
Add me to the list of those who don't find Victoria as her 20-years-younger self at all convincing. She looked like she could be Juan Pablo's mother then and she still looks like it now!
Forgot to add:
What is with Bernarda and these Elizabethan type dresses/collars? The hair does NOTHING for me and Juan Pablo's hair could use a good washing.
I guess 5 o'clock beards are the rage on this TN.
Sara: I would agree with you that Osvaldo's face does look a little 'off'. I'm not sure what it is, but something about it does not seem natural. Maybe it's his overly white teeth!! LOL!!
Susanita
What is with Bernarda and these Elizabethan type dresses/collars? The hair does NOTHING for me and Juan Pablo's hair could use a good washing.
I guess 5 o'clock beards are the rage on this TN.
Sara: I would agree with you that Osvaldo's face does look a little 'off'. I'm not sure what it is, but something about it does not seem natural. Maybe it's his overly white teeth!! LOL!!
Susanita
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:19:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 11:19:00 PM EST
Susanita - The Hermanos Reyes, country bumpkins that they were in FELS, all had The Whitest Teeth I had ever seen. It always seemed bizarre to me. ;-)
Doris: Re FELS, there were a couple of major inconsistencies that bothered me through the entire series:
1. The warped time period, previously mentioned.
2. The facial hair on Oscar and Franco. Oscar was always perfectly clean-shaven even after a long workday and Franco always had 5 o'clock shadow. Considering that he was the most refined of the three this was really off. You'd think he would at least have shaved for the wedding.
3. The Elizondo sisters' clothing. Sofia's skirts were so long as to be impractical when they should only have been long enough to be modest. When Sarita shed her trousers for a dress and let her hair down the dress was quite appropriate, yet Gabriela got on her case for looking like a "mujer suela" while she never castigated Jimena for her constantly bare midriff.
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1. The warped time period, previously mentioned.
2. The facial hair on Oscar and Franco. Oscar was always perfectly clean-shaven even after a long workday and Franco always had 5 o'clock shadow. Considering that he was the most refined of the three this was really off. You'd think he would at least have shaved for the wedding.
3. The Elizondo sisters' clothing. Sofia's skirts were so long as to be impractical when they should only have been long enough to be modest. When Sarita shed her trousers for a dress and let her hair down the dress was quite appropriate, yet Gabriela got on her case for looking like a "mujer suela" while she never castigated Jimena for her constantly bare midriff.
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