Friday, February 25, 2011
El Mundo de Telemundo, Week of February 28: Discuss amongst yourselves!
ALGUIEN TE MIRA
A few words about the final episode:
I hate the choice the writers made – with that slight knowing sneer and sweep of the hair off his forehead, Emilio is transformed into el Cazador, the next generation. It says that everything we thought we knew is a lie. That evil is innate and it is passed on from one generation to another. Julián’s mother was a monster who abused him. Emilio’s mother is kind and loving and has never neglected him. It doesn’t matter. Emilio is a bad seed.
As for the rest of the episode:
After the suspense of the fire scene – we held our breath until we saw Rodrigo walk out holding Valeria’s body and we knew the human torch, now dead, was Julián – the characters’ stories were resolved without a lot of surprises:
--Luisa Carvajal gets a medal.
--Tatiana survives and eventually reconciles with Benja.
--Camila gets her diploma and the sisters are closer than ever, linked physically and symbolically by the life-saving blood donation.
--Lola accepts and loves little Pedrito and Pedro Pablo’s family is finally at peace.
--Lucía is institutionalized, seemingly catatonic.
--Piedad arranges the sale of the Surgery Center with the proceeds to be given to Matilde and Emilio and to the families of Julián's other victims.
--Matilde (who has made a full recovery after her surgery) and creepy Emilio are moving to California to start a new life.
--Rodrigo accepts a post in North Carolina and asks Piedad to come with him so he, she and Sofia can have a life together.
About ALGUIEN TE MIRA, in general:
We watched this novela become increasingly graphic in its violence and cruelty. Unsympathetic characters moved about freely, seemingly out of harm’s way, while some we thought were protected by the Geneva Telenovela Convention were mercilessly slaughtered. When Eva Zanetti – kind and clever, yes, but also tall, athletic, trained in self-defense and IMPORTANT TO THE STORY – when Eva fell victim to Julián’s el cazador, we knew the writers were playing with a different set of rules.
There was another crucial point in the narrative when Julián’s guilt was revealed to the viewer but not to the other characters in the story. We sat in helpless but still spellbound frustration and horror while over and over Matilde or Piedad or Tatiana walked smilingly into the jaws of the monster. We cheered for Rodrigo, the hero, the first one to see the truth though his warnings were ignored by everyone except Valeria. And we were afraid for Valeria who, even knowing that Rodrigo would never love her, stood by him bravely. Alas, our fears for her were justified.
Great care went into plotting the story and doling out the bits of suspense that kept us glued to our tvs night after night. And yet -- and this seems to be a Telemundo thing -- no one bothered to anchor this story in time or space. We are told it is modern-day Chicago and we’re given some stock footage of the city, but there is no city feel to the characters’ experiences or environments. Even when Valeria is following Julián and tells Rodrigo where she’s heading, the writers can’t be bothered to look at a real map of Chicago and pick an actual road leading to hunting country outside the city. Valeria can only say she is on the main road heading north. Well if the show were set in Mayberry, RFD, perhaps that would have been helpful.
Compare this to a Mexican Televisa novela where the pueblo or city setting are often strong presences. Or to American or European dramas where the city itself is felt as a protagonist in the story.
And it’s not only the geography that is vague. We are supposed to believe that in a high-profile investigation in 2010 Chicago, the police have only the most rudimentary forensic methods at their disposal.
Further, in a show about a group of doctors, where much of action takes place in clinics and hospitals, nearly all the medical detail is laughable. Compare this to the importance American dramas place on verisimilitude. American medical dramas always list medical consultants in their credits; crime dramas routinely consult with police officials and courtroom experts.
Well the writers may not have done their homework in geography, forensics or medicine. But the actors came through for us. The performances of this ensemble of young performers were impeccable, especially when you consider the time pressure of filming so many episodes in such a short time.
So tell me:
What did you think of the body language Rafael Amaya devised to switch from good guy Julián to evil cazador?
I kept thinking he could have been more subtle. Where Julián is slightly soft and yielding, el cazador could have been stony and dead-eyed. I wasn’t fond of the choice to make the monster slightly effeminate in his gestures – sweeping his hair from his forehead, holding his hand near his face, posing like a Tim Gunn from hell.
What about the implication that Emilio is destined to be another cazador? (See the first paragraph above)
Were you happy to see Rodrigo and Piedad end up together?
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Rodrigo deserves better. But as years of telenovela-watching have taught me, En el corazón no se manda.
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LA REINA DEL SUR
This novela based on the novel by Spanish writer Arturo Pérez-Reverte begins on Monday, taking over the time-slot from Alguien te Mira. According to Jean, the story was adapted for the screen by Valentina Parraga, the same writer responsible for adapting Doña Barbara.
Kate del Castillo as Teresa Mendoza seems to be an inspired choice: very Mexican, tough, not precisely beautiful but sexy, athletic and charismatic. I’ve read that Pérez-Reverte himself is happy with the choice.
And of course Rafael Amaya, whom we have just left behind in Alguien, appears here in a very different role as el Güero, the heroic fool, the love of Teresa’s life.
This narrative moves around from Mexico to Spain and to North Africa. (I understand that some of the African locations were also used in El Clon.) I’m hoping that this novela will be the Telemundo exception and that place will have the resonance it deserves.
The story begins in Sinaloa, Mexico. Teresa survives using her wits. Until one day her world falls apart and she has to flee…
I’ve heard that the producers of this telenovela are very sensitive to the messages they may be sending to viewers, especially at this moment in history when the drug cartels have the Mexican people by the throat. In my opinion, the original novel doesn’t glamourize criminals or drugs. Can this telenovela version tell the story of Teresa Mendoza without succumbing to the romance of the outlaw? Or will it be just another narco-corrido that glorifies killers?
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EL MUNDO DE TELEMUNDO
Since the start of a new novela may bring some new readers to this page, Jean and I thought it would be useful to repost these blog guidelines from December.
As the number of comments grows, it gets harder to follow a topic of interest. Most of us, I think, are only interested in one or maybe two shows and would probably appreciate a way to navigate the forest of comments. So in the interest of Chaos Control:
1. Put a clear topic heading on every comment, preferably in caps. For example:
AURORA
Tuesday’s episode was…
or:
GENERAL COMMENT
Telemundo seems to be more concerned with…
That way, we can decide right up front whether to keep on reading. I realize that a lot of us are already doing this, but to those who aren’t – hey, it would help.
2. It’s hard to get away from the recap mindset but I do think comments or questions about what you’ve watched or what others have said are the way to go here. Considering the number of novelas in one place and the fact that the link is for an entire week, when we do post plot updates, it might be best to limit them to brief summaries, basically bullet points of daily episodes.
3. If you’re writing about a particular episode, please add the day of the week. That way you won’t be inadvertently posting a spoiler for someone who hasn’t seen that episode yet. For example:
LA REINA DEL SUR -- Monday
After bombarding us with previews, expectations were high…
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Ok. Your turn now.
Labels: alguien, aurora, herederos, reina-sur, telemundo
Comments:
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Alguien
I think the writers decided to end the scene with Julian and Rodrigo fight confrontation at night making it appear dramatic and having us guess which one was on fire coming out of the blown up and burning garage barn dwelling.
For me at least i could tell it was Julian because i saw the color of his shirt and the way it hung loose out of his pants.
I did like the part of Rodrigo carrying out Valeria and his final goodbye to her as he remember during his flashback her words of saying to him she knows he'll never love her like he did Braindead.But she's standing by him no matter what.
Probably she would have never lived for long because she couldn't kick her drug addiction habit. I hated her going out that way.
I thought that Luisa also got a promotion to the same rank as what Eva used to have and it was touching that she mentioned Eva in her acceptance speech. May she rest in peace. As for Eva ghost showing up at Julian's demise i thought there was touch of sadness and perhaps regret that he ended up that way.
Lucia being institutionalized well that should have happened a long time ago.
I believe when Lola told Pedro Pablo that she was there for him and worried right along with him for the safety of his son with Lucia that's when she already accept him having a son out of wedlock.
Tatiana reconciliation with her sister and her husband i can identify with her making peace with Camila and thought it was touching that Camila gave her degree as she graduated saying it was all possible because of Tatiana. Still not feeling her and Benja's reconciliation but oh well to each his own.
I did so love the scene at the cemetery with Rodrigo placing the flowers and Braindead coming up to him giving her half-assed apology sorry too little too late loved him being abrupt and brushing her off and walking away from her.
I guessed Matilde influenced Tatiana with her little speech of fighting for the life she used to have and that what she was going to do by moving to California with creepy Emilio. I do agree with Novela Maven when Emilio swept his hair across his forehead we were being led to believe that he would take up where dear old dad left off.So are we supposed to believe that there will a part two of this novela or that they are going to leave it this way?
Didn't Braindead mention that she would also give the proceeds to the other victims families of Julian?
Anyway as for Rafael Amaya portrayal as Julian Garcia serial killer i believe this is his best performance i have seen from as a actor. he may not on a occasion have hit the right note of conveying he's a coldblooded killer but other times he did rise to the occasion.
As for Rodrigo ending up it Braindead a big fat heck no from me as i said already i'm rewriting it in my mind that Rodrigo has gotten visitation rights to his daughter accepted that position in North Carolina and moved on from Braindead this is his last addiction and he finally kicked this awful habit.
Aeryn i know you have seen the previous version of this what were the differences between the two of them?
I think the writers decided to end the scene with Julian and Rodrigo fight confrontation at night making it appear dramatic and having us guess which one was on fire coming out of the blown up and burning garage barn dwelling.
For me at least i could tell it was Julian because i saw the color of his shirt and the way it hung loose out of his pants.
I did like the part of Rodrigo carrying out Valeria and his final goodbye to her as he remember during his flashback her words of saying to him she knows he'll never love her like he did Braindead.But she's standing by him no matter what.
Probably she would have never lived for long because she couldn't kick her drug addiction habit. I hated her going out that way.
I thought that Luisa also got a promotion to the same rank as what Eva used to have and it was touching that she mentioned Eva in her acceptance speech. May she rest in peace. As for Eva ghost showing up at Julian's demise i thought there was touch of sadness and perhaps regret that he ended up that way.
Lucia being institutionalized well that should have happened a long time ago.
I believe when Lola told Pedro Pablo that she was there for him and worried right along with him for the safety of his son with Lucia that's when she already accept him having a son out of wedlock.
Tatiana reconciliation with her sister and her husband i can identify with her making peace with Camila and thought it was touching that Camila gave her degree as she graduated saying it was all possible because of Tatiana. Still not feeling her and Benja's reconciliation but oh well to each his own.
I did so love the scene at the cemetery with Rodrigo placing the flowers and Braindead coming up to him giving her half-assed apology sorry too little too late loved him being abrupt and brushing her off and walking away from her.
I guessed Matilde influenced Tatiana with her little speech of fighting for the life she used to have and that what she was going to do by moving to California with creepy Emilio. I do agree with Novela Maven when Emilio swept his hair across his forehead we were being led to believe that he would take up where dear old dad left off.So are we supposed to believe that there will a part two of this novela or that they are going to leave it this way?
Didn't Braindead mention that she would also give the proceeds to the other victims families of Julian?
Anyway as for Rafael Amaya portrayal as Julian Garcia serial killer i believe this is his best performance i have seen from as a actor. he may not on a occasion have hit the right note of conveying he's a coldblooded killer but other times he did rise to the occasion.
As for Rodrigo ending up it Braindead a big fat heck no from me as i said already i'm rewriting it in my mind that Rodrigo has gotten visitation rights to his daughter accepted that position in North Carolina and moved on from Braindead this is his last addiction and he finally kicked this awful habit.
Aeryn i know you have seen the previous version of this what were the differences between the two of them?
Permalink posted by 
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:37:00 AM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2:37:00 AM EST
ALGUIEN -- FINAL EPISODE
Blu, Thanks for pointing out that Piedad said she was also giving the money from the sale of the clinic to the families of Julián's victims, as well as to Matilde and
Emilio. I just went back in and added that detail.
Blu, Thanks for pointing out that Piedad said she was also giving the money from the sale of the clinic to the families of Julián's victims, as well as to Matilde and
Emilio. I just went back in and added that detail.
LA REINA DEL SUR
Does anyone know if there are English subtitles on Comcast for this novela? I hate to begin the search and change a lot of settings if they aren't there!!! This looks like something my husband would like, but he understands no Spanish. It would be nice if we could watch a novela together for a change. Kate del Castillo has never disappointed me.
Does anyone know if there are English subtitles on Comcast for this novela? I hate to begin the search and change a lot of settings if they aren't there!!! This looks like something my husband would like, but he understands no Spanish. It would be nice if we could watch a novela together for a change. Kate del Castillo has never disappointed me.
Telemundo is good about including English-language captions (CC3) for all their novelas produced in-house (basically all their evening novelas when first aired, Decisiones, and for some odd reason 12 Corazones). Not that you might not run into some provider-level issues with actually seeing the captions, but they'll usually be there.
As for ATM: while the ending was relatively warm and fuzzy apart from Emilio's hairflip of doom, it did give us a period where Rodrigo and Piedad were legitimately split over the whole mess. We needed that, even if their ending reminded me (a lot) of the last scene of Mujeres engañadas.
As for ATM: while the ending was relatively warm and fuzzy apart from Emilio's hairflip of doom, it did give us a period where Rodrigo and Piedad were legitimately split over the whole mess. We needed that, even if their ending reminded me (a lot) of the last scene of Mujeres engañadas.
ALGUIEN
I would've liked this to end at the cemetery scene between Rodrigo and Piedad. He was clearly mourning Valeria and not ready to do anything else, but he wasn't rude to Piedad. So from there, their story could've gone anywhere our imagination would've taken us.
I also was hoping to see more reaction to the news that Julian was El Cazador. I wish we had gotten to see Tatiana, Veronica or the cops apologize to Rodrigo for not believing him
Carvajal was the least frustrating cop, but did she deserve a medal? I think Rodrigo is the one who deserved the medal
The fiscal and prefecto should've resigned
After the bond that we felt between Matilde and Rodrigo while she was paralyzed I wanted to see a last scene between them
I also wanted to see a last Rod-Benja scene.
Answer to Blu about the original's finale:
Blu, the original's ending was an open ending, It ended right after the fire. Julian walks out of the fire but Benjamin and the police are waiting for him outside. Julian is burnt but alive, so Benja shoots him
and kills him. The kidnapping of Piedad and the fire happen right after Julian kills Tatiana (he killed her in the original, after they has sex for the first and last time) Rodrigo gets out and he was badly burnt too, Piedad runs to his side, but it is up to the audience to imagine the rest. Valeria was not on the original. In that version Piedad married and had sex with Julian willingly. That other Piedad did not express repulsion for Julian, and her bond with him was quite strong and that changed the dynamic of the threesome (Rodrigo-Piedad-Julian) So the original did not have a happy ending for any of the four friends.
I would've liked this to end at the cemetery scene between Rodrigo and Piedad. He was clearly mourning Valeria and not ready to do anything else, but he wasn't rude to Piedad. So from there, their story could've gone anywhere our imagination would've taken us.
I also was hoping to see more reaction to the news that Julian was El Cazador. I wish we had gotten to see Tatiana, Veronica or the cops apologize to Rodrigo for not believing him
Carvajal was the least frustrating cop, but did she deserve a medal? I think Rodrigo is the one who deserved the medal
The fiscal and prefecto should've resigned
After the bond that we felt between Matilde and Rodrigo while she was paralyzed I wanted to see a last scene between them
I also wanted to see a last Rod-Benja scene.
Answer to Blu about the original's finale:
Blu, the original's ending was an open ending, It ended right after the fire. Julian walks out of the fire but Benjamin and the police are waiting for him outside. Julian is burnt but alive, so Benja shoots him
and kills him. The kidnapping of Piedad and the fire happen right after Julian kills Tatiana (he killed her in the original, after they has sex for the first and last time) Rodrigo gets out and he was badly burnt too, Piedad runs to his side, but it is up to the audience to imagine the rest. Valeria was not on the original. In that version Piedad married and had sex with Julian willingly. That other Piedad did not express repulsion for Julian, and her bond with him was quite strong and that changed the dynamic of the threesome (Rodrigo-Piedad-Julian) So the original did not have a happy ending for any of the four friends.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:54:00 AM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:54:00 AM EST
LA REINA DEL SUR
For an online preview of the first 20 minutes of the show with English captions, check out this Telemundo site:
http://tinyurl.com/4hm4qfc
For an online preview of the first 20 minutes of the show with English captions, check out this Telemundo site:
http://tinyurl.com/4hm4qfc
Alguien
Aeryn i like what you said and i would have been more happy if the writers did it that way of ending it then what we saw last night.
I have to say i am really not satisfied with the ending too much flashbacks and i felt like you said they did short changed Rodrigo.
Interesting in the original that Piedad was not repulsed by Julian like she was in this one. I think the writers should have kept that part in instead of changing it to like it was in this version.I think this was the main reason that drove me crazy with her character she wasn't physically attracted to him in any way.The more they crept closer to their wedding day the more it seemed she was pulling away from him.
Lost opportunity on the writers part i guess they wanted to give the audience a happy ending for the characters. While i would have been content with them ending it like they did in the original.
Aeryn i like what you said and i would have been more happy if the writers did it that way of ending it then what we saw last night.
I have to say i am really not satisfied with the ending too much flashbacks and i felt like you said they did short changed Rodrigo.
Interesting in the original that Piedad was not repulsed by Julian like she was in this one. I think the writers should have kept that part in instead of changing it to like it was in this version.I think this was the main reason that drove me crazy with her character she wasn't physically attracted to him in any way.The more they crept closer to their wedding day the more it seemed she was pulling away from him.
Lost opportunity on the writers part i guess they wanted to give the audience a happy ending for the characters. While i would have been content with them ending it like they did in the original.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11:36:00 AM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11:36:00 AM EST
ALGUIEN
With the ominous repeat of his father's hair stroking, the writers are signaling that after this horrible childhood tragedy a young cazador is awakened in Emilio.
HOWEVER Emilio also has a wonderful mother who is totally committed to helping Emilio overcome this childhood nightmare, and relocated with him to start a new life. We can choose to believe that Matilde in all her loving generosity is able to overcome any latent Julian evil left behind in Emilio. At least that's what I choose to believe.
May I say the young man (11 years old) playing Emilio was just fantastic! I was consistently impressed by him. That was a seriously dramatic role and the kid did so well. Emilio and his mother were my favorite characters in the novela. I really sneered at the writers for that last little twist when Emilio had never shown any abnormal tendencies for a child his age. As much as people around him were hurt, Emilio himself was never a direct victim of abuse and he was not left abandoned emotionally by a parent, so I think the writer's foreshadowing there was WEAK. Might have made for an exciting finale GOTCHA twist - but doesn't hold up to logic.
Audrey
With the ominous repeat of his father's hair stroking, the writers are signaling that after this horrible childhood tragedy a young cazador is awakened in Emilio.
HOWEVER Emilio also has a wonderful mother who is totally committed to helping Emilio overcome this childhood nightmare, and relocated with him to start a new life. We can choose to believe that Matilde in all her loving generosity is able to overcome any latent Julian evil left behind in Emilio. At least that's what I choose to believe.
May I say the young man (11 years old) playing Emilio was just fantastic! I was consistently impressed by him. That was a seriously dramatic role and the kid did so well. Emilio and his mother were my favorite characters in the novela. I really sneered at the writers for that last little twist when Emilio had never shown any abnormal tendencies for a child his age. As much as people around him were hurt, Emilio himself was never a direct victim of abuse and he was not left abandoned emotionally by a parent, so I think the writer's foreshadowing there was WEAK. Might have made for an exciting finale GOTCHA twist - but doesn't hold up to logic.
Audrey
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 3:16:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 3:16:00 PM EST
ALGUIEN - FINALE
Actually, I rather liked the final episode. Compared to the sickeningly sweet finales on the ones made in Mexico, this was a lot more realistic. No boda with someone singing Ave Maria.
I liked the choice of showing the various newspaper headlines. This would really happen if a serial killer who was a supposedly upstanding member of the community had died hecho un chicharrón. And it satisfied our thirst to see Julián exposed for what he was.
I especially liked Camila's graduation, even though it made no sense! Didn't she just start college? Didn't the note on the screen say meses después? Or was it un año? I always believed Tatiana would forgive Benjamin.
I guess that little "Omen" moment at the end was gratuitous. But I can almost imagine the writers rubbing their hands together with glee when they decided to do it. And some of you have felt that Emilio's character was a bit "off" all along.
As for Piedad and Rodrigo, we have to remember that the two main characters together and in love is just the way novelas are. I was satisfied that Rodrigo needed to mourn Valeria first. And Piedad respected that, saying only she hoped he'd forgive her someday. She fully owned her mistake in choosing to believe the wrong man for such a long time.
I STILL find it hard to believe Pedro Pablo could have performed and fathered little Pablito in the state they showed him. But I guess this was meant to be a false trail leading most of us to believe she was never pregnant.
Actually, I rather liked the final episode. Compared to the sickeningly sweet finales on the ones made in Mexico, this was a lot more realistic. No boda with someone singing Ave Maria.
I liked the choice of showing the various newspaper headlines. This would really happen if a serial killer who was a supposedly upstanding member of the community had died hecho un chicharrón. And it satisfied our thirst to see Julián exposed for what he was.
I especially liked Camila's graduation, even though it made no sense! Didn't she just start college? Didn't the note on the screen say meses después? Or was it un año? I always believed Tatiana would forgive Benjamin.
I guess that little "Omen" moment at the end was gratuitous. But I can almost imagine the writers rubbing their hands together with glee when they decided to do it. And some of you have felt that Emilio's character was a bit "off" all along.
As for Piedad and Rodrigo, we have to remember that the two main characters together and in love is just the way novelas are. I was satisfied that Rodrigo needed to mourn Valeria first. And Piedad respected that, saying only she hoped he'd forgive her someday. She fully owned her mistake in choosing to believe the wrong man for such a long time.
I STILL find it hard to believe Pedro Pablo could have performed and fathered little Pablito in the state they showed him. But I guess this was meant to be a false trail leading most of us to believe she was never pregnant.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 3:54:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 3:54:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS - FRIDAY
This comment probably mixes up two episodes because I didn't watch Thursday's until last night, when I watched them both.
I was struck last night by Berta's behavior. Those of you who saw Zorro will remember this actress played a nun. Upon seeing Arturo Peniche's character kissing the nun who was his former novia, she totally freaked out and became this awful possessed-with-sin creature. It seems she's doing it again. She says she's doing her duty, but appears to take an unnatural pleasure in interrupting Consuelo and Jonny.
Boy, it sure feels like Guadalupe, Gaspar, and Efraín are the only likeable characters.
At least something finally happened. Juan fired Julieta. José is revealed as an Iago figure, except that in this case he's a sibling, albeit an adopted one.
Rosaro is tired of Lucas' on again, off again courting and tells him she's not very interested any more.
And, the biggest reveal of all: Paula is Gustavo's child. I totally despise Sofía. And there is one thing that makes no sense to me. How could they repeat the DNA test? Isn't Don Emilio six feet under?
Inés has some awful secret that sent her away. I had been thinking Lupe was Emilio's child, and she was going to fess up at El Gavilán. But this seemed different to me.
This comment probably mixes up two episodes because I didn't watch Thursday's until last night, when I watched them both.
I was struck last night by Berta's behavior. Those of you who saw Zorro will remember this actress played a nun. Upon seeing Arturo Peniche's character kissing the nun who was his former novia, she totally freaked out and became this awful possessed-with-sin creature. It seems she's doing it again. She says she's doing her duty, but appears to take an unnatural pleasure in interrupting Consuelo and Jonny.
Boy, it sure feels like Guadalupe, Gaspar, and Efraín are the only likeable characters.
At least something finally happened. Juan fired Julieta. José is revealed as an Iago figure, except that in this case he's a sibling, albeit an adopted one.
Rosaro is tired of Lucas' on again, off again courting and tells him she's not very interested any more.
And, the biggest reveal of all: Paula is Gustavo's child. I totally despise Sofía. And there is one thing that makes no sense to me. How could they repeat the DNA test? Isn't Don Emilio six feet under?
Inés has some awful secret that sent her away. I had been thinking Lupe was Emilio's child, and she was going to fess up at El Gavilán. But this seemed different to me.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:08:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:08:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS -- Viernes
Was there any reveal on how Don Emilio died? If it was a hospital death there might be a medical specimen to work with.
Gustavo being Paula's father explains his motive and his actions so far. All we need are a few talented eavesdroppers.
Jose is a definite Iago and who else is betting that he will screw things up? I was hoping that he would be able to defeat Paula at her own game and he may still do it.
Was there any reveal on how Don Emilio died? If it was a hospital death there might be a medical specimen to work with.
Gustavo being Paula's father explains his motive and his actions so far. All we need are a few talented eavesdroppers.
Jose is a definite Iago and who else is betting that he will screw things up? I was hoping that he would be able to defeat Paula at her own game and he may still do it.
ALGUIEN - GENERAL
NovelaMaven, I forgot to praise you for your excellent analysis of the novela's final episode and the novela in general. I especially liked "Geneva Convention of Telenovelas". You did a great job all the way through.
And many, many thanks to you and to Jean for keeping El Mundo de Telemundo alive. I really appreciate it.
In reflection, one of the things I liked about Alguien te Mira was that it was very realistic. No frozen bodies brought to life. No poor pueblerinas in love with a handsome rich boy. No flights on private jets or lolling around on big yachts. While the characters were mostly well off, they just seemed comfortably upper middle class, able to afford nannies.
NovelaMaven, I forgot to praise you for your excellent analysis of the novela's final episode and the novela in general. I especially liked "Geneva Convention of Telenovelas". You did a great job all the way through.
And many, many thanks to you and to Jean for keeping El Mundo de Telemundo alive. I really appreciate it.
In reflection, one of the things I liked about Alguien te Mira was that it was very realistic. No frozen bodies brought to life. No poor pueblerinas in love with a handsome rich boy. No flights on private jets or lolling around on big yachts. While the characters were mostly well off, they just seemed comfortably upper middle class, able to afford nannies.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:43:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 4:43:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS - FRIDAY
Urban A, I definitely feel that José is moving closer to villain status, and that he's going to be trouble from now on. He clearly doesn't have the skills or temperament to administer a huge operation like La Arboleda.
I remember them saying that Emilio died in a vehicle accident. They never said so, but maybe the fake DNA test was years ago - to prove to Emilio that Paula was his daughter. But Sofía and Gustavo were frightened by Paula's threat to repeat the test, so they must feel it's possible to do so.
Urban A, I definitely feel that José is moving closer to villain status, and that he's going to be trouble from now on. He clearly doesn't have the skills or temperament to administer a huge operation like La Arboleda.
I remember them saying that Emilio died in a vehicle accident. They never said so, but maybe the fake DNA test was years ago - to prove to Emilio that Paula was his daughter. But Sofía and Gustavo were frightened by Paula's threat to repeat the test, so they must feel it's possible to do so.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 6:14:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 6:14:00 PM EST
ALGUIEN -- GENERAL
Novelera, thanks so much for the vote of support. Sometimes posting here feels like placing a note in a bottle and tossing it out to sea -- I'm never sure anyone is out there reading what I've written. :-)
Novelera, thanks so much for the vote of support. Sometimes posting here feels like placing a note in a bottle and tossing it out to sea -- I'm never sure anyone is out there reading what I've written. :-)
Re La Reina Del Sur:
I want Telemundo to be faithful to the book - whether or not that "glorifies killers". (I'm only up to Chapter 3, and so far there's nothing glamorous about the life.)
I want Telemundo to be faithful to the book - whether or not that "glorifies killers". (I'm only up to Chapter 3, and so far there's nothing glamorous about the life.)
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 7:19:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 7:19:00 PM EST
LOS HEREDEROS
@Urban Anthropologist: On Emilio's death - I believe it was a car accident, and that somehow one of the sons - Gaspar? - was involved and maybe even culpable to some extend. There were vague references to this very early in the show.
@ Novelera - I'm thinking that like fingerprints, once a DNA test is performed, you would have the DNA "fingerprint" for an individual on file somewhere, so they don't need a new sample from Emilio.
Audrey
@Urban Anthropologist: On Emilio's death - I believe it was a car accident, and that somehow one of the sons - Gaspar? - was involved and maybe even culpable to some extend. There were vague references to this very early in the show.
@ Novelera - I'm thinking that like fingerprints, once a DNA test is performed, you would have the DNA "fingerprint" for an individual on file somewhere, so they don't need a new sample from Emilio.
Audrey
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:06:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:06:00 PM EST
GENERAL
NovelaMaven - oh but I am always on this Telemundo blog; most of the time too lazy to comment, but thanks for keeping it alive!
HEREDEROS
It'll serve Paula right to knock her off her high horse, when she finds out she's not a Del Monte.
I hadn't thought about Guada possibly being Emilio's daughter. wow!
NovelaMaven - oh but I am always on this Telemundo blog; most of the time too lazy to comment, but thanks for keeping it alive!
HEREDEROS
It'll serve Paula right to knock her off her high horse, when she finds out she's not a Del Monte.
I hadn't thought about Guada possibly being Emilio's daughter. wow!
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:13:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:13:00 PM EST
LA REINA DEL SUR
This is inspired by Anonymous's post about being true to the book and that so far nothing in the book glorifies the life.
One of the reasons why I have been interested to watch this novela, whereas I have pretty much avoided all the other narco-novelas, is that I am hoping for a realistic treatment about what is going on at least partly in my "back yard" with the global perspective being a bonus. Of course it's not going to cover the existing situation where the Mexican government is fighting an all out war with the drug cartels. The book pre-dates that game changer. Still, I believe it will cover the economic realities of why the drug cartels exist, and how the cartels operate - the culture, etc.
WARNING!!! - If you are even remotely squeamish, you might want to skip the rest of this post. It's about the gruesome realities of drug cartel violence.
I live within 2 miles of the Mexican Border in TX, and as you can imagine, we are under constant surveillance by the Border Patrol - which is a great thing, really! It makes this area relatively safe.
We have a yearly presentation by the Border Patrol about situation, how to contact, what resources the Border Patrol has, how they are dealing with the situation, etc., etc.
A lot of very young people are recruited into the cartels by the promises of easy money, a high roller lifestyle, etc. At a very recent Border Patrol presentation they showed some of the videos they have created for kids, to try to counteract the insidious recruitment efforts of the cartels. These videos attempt to show kids the realities of the cartel culture, and the fact that once you step on that path, you end up in jail if you are lucky, but much more likely you end up dead. Once you reach a certain level in the organization, you are required to murder, often a random victim, to prove your loyalty and fitness.
The cartels are totally ruthless, have no value for human life, no forgiveness for "mistakes" by "employees" and likely your death could be a horrible one. (WARNING!!!) The video reenacted one apparently common execution technique where people are put in a burn barrel, doused with various types of flammable liquids and set on fire. They showed crime scene photos (might have been staged - that was not clear!) of the result. Just horrendous!
Frankly, I haven't gotten past chapter 1 in the book yet, because it was already was threatening and violent. But it also seems very hard-nose realistic. I'll see if I can handle the show. I'm pretty nervous about it, really.
Audrey
This is inspired by Anonymous's post about being true to the book and that so far nothing in the book glorifies the life.
One of the reasons why I have been interested to watch this novela, whereas I have pretty much avoided all the other narco-novelas, is that I am hoping for a realistic treatment about what is going on at least partly in my "back yard" with the global perspective being a bonus. Of course it's not going to cover the existing situation where the Mexican government is fighting an all out war with the drug cartels. The book pre-dates that game changer. Still, I believe it will cover the economic realities of why the drug cartels exist, and how the cartels operate - the culture, etc.
WARNING!!! - If you are even remotely squeamish, you might want to skip the rest of this post. It's about the gruesome realities of drug cartel violence.
I live within 2 miles of the Mexican Border in TX, and as you can imagine, we are under constant surveillance by the Border Patrol - which is a great thing, really! It makes this area relatively safe.
We have a yearly presentation by the Border Patrol about situation, how to contact, what resources the Border Patrol has, how they are dealing with the situation, etc., etc.
A lot of very young people are recruited into the cartels by the promises of easy money, a high roller lifestyle, etc. At a very recent Border Patrol presentation they showed some of the videos they have created for kids, to try to counteract the insidious recruitment efforts of the cartels. These videos attempt to show kids the realities of the cartel culture, and the fact that once you step on that path, you end up in jail if you are lucky, but much more likely you end up dead. Once you reach a certain level in the organization, you are required to murder, often a random victim, to prove your loyalty and fitness.
The cartels are totally ruthless, have no value for human life, no forgiveness for "mistakes" by "employees" and likely your death could be a horrible one. (WARNING!!!) The video reenacted one apparently common execution technique where people are put in a burn barrel, doused with various types of flammable liquids and set on fire. They showed crime scene photos (might have been staged - that was not clear!) of the result. Just horrendous!
Frankly, I haven't gotten past chapter 1 in the book yet, because it was already was threatening and violent. But it also seems very hard-nose realistic. I'll see if I can handle the show. I'm pretty nervous about it, really.
Audrey
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:34:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:34:00 PM EST
ALGUIEN
NovelaMaven - thank you for the Alguien analysis & recap. I cannot believe how ridiculous the road to Julian's cabin was with the PALM TREES (!!). TM just didn't care enough to do some easy editing.
The most disappointing character was Piedad. So dumb and sooo passive. Undeserving of Rodrigo.
I was relieved there were no hints that she was pregnant after her wedding night with Julian - at least we were spared that!
The minute I saw Matilde wearing a little black dress, with Emilio at the park, I knew it was Julian redux. Then, Emilio played with his hair, and rolled his eyes up -
OMG...
I swear I saw a tear come out of Julian's eye as he "saw" Rodrigo and Piedad leaving the fire together, & the 2 policemen pronounced that El Cazador "ha muerto".
I'm glad it's over. There was too much gory killing, and as most novelas, it was too long.
I did like seeing actors new to me.
I'd only seen Christian M., Danna G. and Geraldine B. before.
NovelaMaven - thank you for the Alguien analysis & recap. I cannot believe how ridiculous the road to Julian's cabin was with the PALM TREES (!!). TM just didn't care enough to do some easy editing.
The most disappointing character was Piedad. So dumb and sooo passive. Undeserving of Rodrigo.
I was relieved there were no hints that she was pregnant after her wedding night with Julian - at least we were spared that!
The minute I saw Matilde wearing a little black dress, with Emilio at the park, I knew it was Julian redux. Then, Emilio played with his hair, and rolled his eyes up -
OMG...
I swear I saw a tear come out of Julian's eye as he "saw" Rodrigo and Piedad leaving the fire together, & the 2 policemen pronounced that El Cazador "ha muerto".
I'm glad it's over. There was too much gory killing, and as most novelas, it was too long.
I did like seeing actors new to me.
I'd only seen Christian M., Danna G. and Geraldine B. before.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:48:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 8:48:00 PM EST
ALGUIEN - Thanks for your incisive comments, Novelamaven. I found them really on the mark.
Like everyone, I was really irritated by Emilio's doing the same thing with his hair as Julian. Also,in the last shot of him the expression on his face was exactly like Julian's. I also felt we were being set up for Matilde and Dr. Gibson to wind up together --but was totally wrong about that. In a more conventional novela, that would have happened. I liked Matilde and wanted to see her end up happy. But her "journey" strengthened her and obviously she will heal emotionally and be a good mother to Emilio. (I loved what she told him about his father having loved him).
I found most of the acting in this quite good, and so much better than the acting on Univision novelas. I thought Amaya was outstanding. He avoided playing the Cazador as a total crazy. It seemed realistic to me that he would just "turn off" and murder without feeling anything. I liked that choice better than his becoming a Mr. Hyde (or is it Dr. Jekyl???)during the Cazador scenes.
I loved the actress who played Tatiana. I had never seen her before. I think that it's very hard to play a basically unsympathetic character with such complexity, so you disliked her but felt sorry for her as well. She really played the "subtext" of her role and was always very believable and for me interesting to watch. sometimes when she did something bad, you could see her guilt or her second-guessing of what she just did.
Probably one of the reasons why people hated Piedad so much is that the actress played her so one-dimensionally. She was either sweet or passive. I found it hard to believe that she had the intelligence and strength to be a surgeon, and she never played the conflict the character was feeling.I didn't find her stupid, as much as unbelievably passive.
Unlike other people, while I liked the character of Valeria, I really disliked how the actress played her --minimally, with one or two "faces."
I thought the actress playing Loca Lucy was very good in the scene at the manicomio where she seemed almost catatonic.
I don't know whether it was the role, but I did not find C. Meier's performance very interesting. I thought he was just so much better in Dona Barbara.
Again, thanks Novelamaven and Jean for making the Telemundo discussions possible.
Like everyone, I was really irritated by Emilio's doing the same thing with his hair as Julian. Also,in the last shot of him the expression on his face was exactly like Julian's. I also felt we were being set up for Matilde and Dr. Gibson to wind up together --but was totally wrong about that. In a more conventional novela, that would have happened. I liked Matilde and wanted to see her end up happy. But her "journey" strengthened her and obviously she will heal emotionally and be a good mother to Emilio. (I loved what she told him about his father having loved him).
I found most of the acting in this quite good, and so much better than the acting on Univision novelas. I thought Amaya was outstanding. He avoided playing the Cazador as a total crazy. It seemed realistic to me that he would just "turn off" and murder without feeling anything. I liked that choice better than his becoming a Mr. Hyde (or is it Dr. Jekyl???)during the Cazador scenes.
I loved the actress who played Tatiana. I had never seen her before. I think that it's very hard to play a basically unsympathetic character with such complexity, so you disliked her but felt sorry for her as well. She really played the "subtext" of her role and was always very believable and for me interesting to watch. sometimes when she did something bad, you could see her guilt or her second-guessing of what she just did.
Probably one of the reasons why people hated Piedad so much is that the actress played her so one-dimensionally. She was either sweet or passive. I found it hard to believe that she had the intelligence and strength to be a surgeon, and she never played the conflict the character was feeling.I didn't find her stupid, as much as unbelievably passive.
Unlike other people, while I liked the character of Valeria, I really disliked how the actress played her --minimally, with one or two "faces."
I thought the actress playing Loca Lucy was very good in the scene at the manicomio where she seemed almost catatonic.
I don't know whether it was the role, but I did not find C. Meier's performance very interesting. I thought he was just so much better in Dona Barbara.
Again, thanks Novelamaven and Jean for making the Telemundo discussions possible.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:40:00 PM EST
: Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:40:00 PM EST
ALGUIEN
NJ Sue, I dont know if Danna's performance affected our perception of the character. Personally, I found her performance very good. But the character of Piedad was not likable in the original either. I think that is how she was written, Cagey, passive, condescending, self centered and with a stubborn and selfish savior complex = not likable. How interesting that you mention CM's character in DB, because Piedad reminded me at times of Luzardo, with his self righteousness and blindness.
I have to say, I can't agree regarding CM. I found Rodrigo to be such a unique and beautiful character. He had the most optimistic lines in the novela. So different from your standard "novela galan". He made me fall in love with CM again (even though he is not as handsome as he used to be), after the Zorro and DB fiascos. Zorro,so passive and such a big inutil and Luzardo so frustrating and selfish that he almost felt like a villain. Rodrigo was so real! That withdrawal scene in the bahtroom still sticks with me. His performance has been uneven, but I thought he was good in general and he made Rodrigo his. Still, my favorite CM character and performance will always be Santos Torrealba in La Tormenta.
The rest of the cast was very good. I had never seen David Chocarro before and I like him now. He managed to keep Benja on the sympathetic side for me, despite his major flaws.
My favorites were definitely the good guys. Rodrigo, Matilde, Valeria and Benja. But I did appreciate Tatiana's complexity and Danna's performance as terribly frustrating Piedad. I also like the chemistry and dialogues between Rodrigo and Piedad at the beginning of the novela,they were the most realistic and well written. I would watch them in a different more romantic story.
BTW I am craving a good romance. Nowadays the decent scripts are not romantic and "romantic" novelas are not believable (I dont mind cheesy or campy, but I need to believe it). What's up with that? I'm not feeling the love! I will have to rewatch some oldies but goodies like Luz Maria, Corazon Salvaje (1993), Amor Real, La Hija del Mariachi or La Tormenta (super campy disaster but the main couple's story,dialogues and chemistry was just so amazing)
Thanks Novelamaven, Blu, novelera, Hombre de misterio, Erin, Vivi and everyone else for letting me share my impressions with you. See you around ;)
NJ Sue, I dont know if Danna's performance affected our perception of the character. Personally, I found her performance very good. But the character of Piedad was not likable in the original either. I think that is how she was written, Cagey, passive, condescending, self centered and with a stubborn and selfish savior complex = not likable. How interesting that you mention CM's character in DB, because Piedad reminded me at times of Luzardo, with his self righteousness and blindness.
I have to say, I can't agree regarding CM. I found Rodrigo to be such a unique and beautiful character. He had the most optimistic lines in the novela. So different from your standard "novela galan". He made me fall in love with CM again (even though he is not as handsome as he used to be), after the Zorro and DB fiascos. Zorro,so passive and such a big inutil and Luzardo so frustrating and selfish that he almost felt like a villain. Rodrigo was so real! That withdrawal scene in the bahtroom still sticks with me. His performance has been uneven, but I thought he was good in general and he made Rodrigo his. Still, my favorite CM character and performance will always be Santos Torrealba in La Tormenta.
The rest of the cast was very good. I had never seen David Chocarro before and I like him now. He managed to keep Benja on the sympathetic side for me, despite his major flaws.
My favorites were definitely the good guys. Rodrigo, Matilde, Valeria and Benja. But I did appreciate Tatiana's complexity and Danna's performance as terribly frustrating Piedad. I also like the chemistry and dialogues between Rodrigo and Piedad at the beginning of the novela,they were the most realistic and well written. I would watch them in a different more romantic story.
BTW I am craving a good romance. Nowadays the decent scripts are not romantic and "romantic" novelas are not believable (I dont mind cheesy or campy, but I need to believe it). What's up with that? I'm not feeling the love! I will have to rewatch some oldies but goodies like Luz Maria, Corazon Salvaje (1993), Amor Real, La Hija del Mariachi or La Tormenta (super campy disaster but the main couple's story,dialogues and chemistry was just so amazing)
Thanks Novelamaven, Blu, novelera, Hombre de misterio, Erin, Vivi and everyone else for letting me share my impressions with you. See you around ;)
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:02:00 AM EST
: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:02:00 AM EST
ALGUIEN
@nj sue. I also thought the actress playing Tatiana, Géraldine Bazán, was amazing so I looked her up. Her list of movies, telenovelas, and theater goes on and on and on. And I think she is also a journalist. And then she has a big list of charity orgs she is involved with.
I look forward to seeing her again.
Audrey
@nj sue. I also thought the actress playing Tatiana, Géraldine Bazán, was amazing so I looked her up. Her list of movies, telenovelas, and theater goes on and on and on. And I think she is also a journalist. And then she has a big list of charity orgs she is involved with.
I look forward to seeing her again.
Audrey
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:57:00 AM EST
: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 12:57:00 AM EST
LA REINA DEL SUR -
I've watched several of the drug cartel novelas. I don't think it's so much that they glorify the druglords, it's that they show that behind their monstrous acts, they have a human side, and families, etc. Very much like the Sopranos. They usually end with all the "heroes" dying or rotting in jail for life, so it's not totally glorifying their existence.
BTW, I will be watch Reina, but since I'm on vacation (in Republica Dominican!), I'm not sure I'll be able to see the show or comment for a week.
I've watched several of the drug cartel novelas. I don't think it's so much that they glorify the druglords, it's that they show that behind their monstrous acts, they have a human side, and families, etc. Very much like the Sopranos. They usually end with all the "heroes" dying or rotting in jail for life, so it's not totally glorifying their existence.
BTW, I will be watch Reina, but since I'm on vacation (in Republica Dominican!), I'm not sure I'll be able to see the show or comment for a week.
HEREDEROS -
I like completely different people from most of the other commenters here. For one, I really like Paula. She started out pretty unlikeable, but she's growing on me. I like the fact that she doesn't back down (neither does Juan), and she does have a warm side. She's much less interested in money than her Mom Sofia. But I even like Sofia a bit, maybe for her constant ability to juggle things so she doesn't get burnt.
I dislike Efrain and Gaspar, both for being too moralistic. I also don't like Julieta.
I love Gonsuelo, Johnny, Miguel and Guadalupe, but for all different reasons.
As for Inez's secret, I agree the only thing I can think of is that Lupe is the daughter of Emilio.
But it could also be that Inez is dying, and doesn't want to burden her loved ones.
I like completely different people from most of the other commenters here. For one, I really like Paula. She started out pretty unlikeable, but she's growing on me. I like the fact that she doesn't back down (neither does Juan), and she does have a warm side. She's much less interested in money than her Mom Sofia. But I even like Sofia a bit, maybe for her constant ability to juggle things so she doesn't get burnt.
I dislike Efrain and Gaspar, both for being too moralistic. I also don't like Julieta.
I love Gonsuelo, Johnny, Miguel and Guadalupe, but for all different reasons.
As for Inez's secret, I agree the only thing I can think of is that Lupe is the daughter of Emilio.
But it could also be that Inez is dying, and doesn't want to burden her loved ones.
ALGUIEN -
NovelaMaven, excellent summary of the finale, and of the whole show.
Novelera, I pretty much agree with everything you said.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Rodrigo's strong love for Piedad, and am glad they will finally be getting back together. But no wedding (yet). They just realize that they'd be happier by each others' sides, raising their daughter together, than apart. I think over time, the love will come back.
And I don't think Emilio is really going to be the next Cazador. That was just a joke the producers put in to make us wonder. And I loved it.
I thought the whole show was one of the best novelas I've seen, really gripping, really making it hard for me to go to sleep each night, anxious to see what would happen next. I actually started watching about a month into the show, but all the excellent comments about what had happened earlier (for example, with Blanca Gordon, whom I never saw) really helped me understand things better. Thanks to all of you for wonderful insights and opinions.
NovelaMaven, excellent summary of the finale, and of the whole show.
Novelera, I pretty much agree with everything you said.
I felt a lot of sympathy for Rodrigo's strong love for Piedad, and am glad they will finally be getting back together. But no wedding (yet). They just realize that they'd be happier by each others' sides, raising their daughter together, than apart. I think over time, the love will come back.
And I don't think Emilio is really going to be the next Cazador. That was just a joke the producers put in to make us wonder. And I loved it.
I thought the whole show was one of the best novelas I've seen, really gripping, really making it hard for me to go to sleep each night, anxious to see what would happen next. I actually started watching about a month into the show, but all the excellent comments about what had happened earlier (for example, with Blanca Gordon, whom I never saw) really helped me understand things better. Thanks to all of you for wonderful insights and opinions.
ALGUIEN
NovelaMaven- You wrote and excellent summary. I have so appreciated how you and Jean have guided this feed and kept it going. Well done and many thanks.
I have to agree with Hombre about the quality of this novela overall. It kept me glued to my couch, paying attention to every detail, and coming back for more each day. In the beginning, we really had to guess who the killer was, and we guessed all over the place. I think later, after they revealed it was Julian, we all got cocky and acted like it was obvious, and got mad at the characters for not seeing the obvious. But it wasn't. For months it wasn't obvious to us, even though we had the privilege of seeing ALL the characters at work and at home- something they did not. This says to me that the writers and the actors did their job, and did it well.
No one character, except maybe Pedro Pablo, was completely sympathetic. All of them were deeply flawed people, but also very human and believable. The fact that I still wanted to some back each night and see what happened to them, and cared about them, also says something good about the writing and acting.
I am glad that they gave us some happy endings, unlike the original. I think I would have felt very let down with such a hopeless ending. But they didn't give us all sugar a light either. As mentioned, Rod needed time to grieve Valeria and forgive Piedad. He and Piedad weren't twirling around deliriously in love at the end. They obviously need more time to build the love and trust they once had in each other. But they are going to try. The same with Tati and Benja. They will need time, but it looks like they were going to try. I'm satisfied with that.
They could have given us a sugary end for Matilde too (that doc was giving some tender looks), but instead they chose to have her strike out on her own. Hopeful, but not sugary. I'm going to see the Emilio hair sweep thing like Hombre did- a joke on us by the writers. Emilio's life with his loving/supportive mother, will not be the same as his father's with an abusive sadistic mother. Unlike Lucy's mom, Matilde would be proactive about getting Emilio help if she saw he was having problems. In fact, she did just that early on in the novela when he was having trouble coping with the divorce (Julian was against it).
Geraldine B. very much impressed me as Tati, for all the reasons mentioned. I am currently recording Victoria which comes on in the afternoon, and she plays the eldest child of Victoria Ruffo and Arturo Peniche. She's good in that too, although it's not as meaty a role as Tati. I know that she and her husband/life partner Gabriel Soto take turns taking on new projects so that at least one of them is taking on the care of their daughter, so that might affect how soon she's in another novela. I will for sure look for her in other things.
Have a wonderful vacation Hombre!!!
NovelaMaven- You wrote and excellent summary. I have so appreciated how you and Jean have guided this feed and kept it going. Well done and many thanks.
I have to agree with Hombre about the quality of this novela overall. It kept me glued to my couch, paying attention to every detail, and coming back for more each day. In the beginning, we really had to guess who the killer was, and we guessed all over the place. I think later, after they revealed it was Julian, we all got cocky and acted like it was obvious, and got mad at the characters for not seeing the obvious. But it wasn't. For months it wasn't obvious to us, even though we had the privilege of seeing ALL the characters at work and at home- something they did not. This says to me that the writers and the actors did their job, and did it well.
No one character, except maybe Pedro Pablo, was completely sympathetic. All of them were deeply flawed people, but also very human and believable. The fact that I still wanted to some back each night and see what happened to them, and cared about them, also says something good about the writing and acting.
I am glad that they gave us some happy endings, unlike the original. I think I would have felt very let down with such a hopeless ending. But they didn't give us all sugar a light either. As mentioned, Rod needed time to grieve Valeria and forgive Piedad. He and Piedad weren't twirling around deliriously in love at the end. They obviously need more time to build the love and trust they once had in each other. But they are going to try. The same with Tati and Benja. They will need time, but it looks like they were going to try. I'm satisfied with that.
They could have given us a sugary end for Matilde too (that doc was giving some tender looks), but instead they chose to have her strike out on her own. Hopeful, but not sugary. I'm going to see the Emilio hair sweep thing like Hombre did- a joke on us by the writers. Emilio's life with his loving/supportive mother, will not be the same as his father's with an abusive sadistic mother. Unlike Lucy's mom, Matilde would be proactive about getting Emilio help if she saw he was having problems. In fact, she did just that early on in the novela when he was having trouble coping with the divorce (Julian was against it).
Geraldine B. very much impressed me as Tati, for all the reasons mentioned. I am currently recording Victoria which comes on in the afternoon, and she plays the eldest child of Victoria Ruffo and Arturo Peniche. She's good in that too, although it's not as meaty a role as Tati. I know that she and her husband/life partner Gabriel Soto take turns taking on new projects so that at least one of them is taking on the care of their daughter, so that might affect how soon she's in another novela. I will for sure look for her in other things.
Have a wonderful vacation Hombre!!!
ALGUIEN
Thank you everyone for your generous words. And thanks for sharing your insights on this amazing novela all along the way.
I like the idea that Emilio’s hair-sweep was only a writers’ joke. That leaves me mostly content with the way things turned out. Like many of you, I wasn’t ready for a completely bleak ending (Really, I don’t think the scene was set for it. There were too many seeds of hope planted along the way, including the use of prayer in a decidedly unironic way.)
ALGUIEN TE MIRA would make a great theme party, don’t you think?
--As the guests arrive, they pick a character’s name out of a hat. Then they have to become that person by the use of body language, facial expression and mannerisms.
--Everyone also gets a master list of the characters and the guests. Then they try to match up the names correctly.
--The person who guesses the most names right is the winner.
(Of course you’d have to know the guests really, really well…)
Hombre – ¡que te la pases espectacular en la República Dominicana!
Thank you everyone for your generous words. And thanks for sharing your insights on this amazing novela all along the way.
I like the idea that Emilio’s hair-sweep was only a writers’ joke. That leaves me mostly content with the way things turned out. Like many of you, I wasn’t ready for a completely bleak ending (Really, I don’t think the scene was set for it. There were too many seeds of hope planted along the way, including the use of prayer in a decidedly unironic way.)
ALGUIEN TE MIRA would make a great theme party, don’t you think?
--As the guests arrive, they pick a character’s name out of a hat. Then they have to become that person by the use of body language, facial expression and mannerisms.
--Everyone also gets a master list of the characters and the guests. Then they try to match up the names correctly.
--The person who guesses the most names right is the winner.
(Of course you’d have to know the guests really, really well…)
Hombre – ¡que te la pases espectacular en la República Dominicana!
La Reina del Sur
I'm really excited that this book, which I've read twice, is being made into a telenovela.
Yes, it is violent; but not in the usual "narcotele" gang against gang way (which may be accurate?) but is pretty specifically about one woman whose live life is bound up in the narco trade for better and for worse.
If it's only half way as good as the book, I'm in it for the entire ride. Wish it were one being recapped daily; but if not that, I hope for many watchers with the interesting and often brilliant comments I came to expect from the talented group Telemundo telenovela watchers. Lois
I'm really excited that this book, which I've read twice, is being made into a telenovela.
Yes, it is violent; but not in the usual "narcotele" gang against gang way (which may be accurate?) but is pretty specifically about one woman whose live life is bound up in the narco trade for better and for worse.
If it's only half way as good as the book, I'm in it for the entire ride. Wish it were one being recapped daily; but if not that, I hope for many watchers with the interesting and often brilliant comments I came to expect from the talented group Telemundo telenovela watchers. Lois
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1:02:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1:02:00 PM EST
I have to always say where would I be without this page, without the recaps. I am 50/50 on the final, I have watched the final 4 times, I was wondering what was missing and it was hit right on the head for me on this site. I wanted to see more interaction with Rodrigo and Matilde. I wanted to see apologies, not medals, I wanted to see how they confronted the aftermath. I was confused with the flashback with Benji and Tati, was that flashback about her never leaving him, after her hospital stay or was that a flashback to an earlier time. I was not convinced of their being back together, but Tati's bitterness was real to me. I saw the first airing (on the web) - I keep calling it first airing, forgive me, in that airing, Rodrigo gets scarred in the fire, and Benji kills Julian as he is exiting the burning building for murdering Tati, and Matilde stays a vegetable. I am somewhat glad that did not happen, so that's why I give this 50/50. I feel if they went all that way to show Rodrigo from drug addict to hero, they should have given him his due at the end. But yes, there was no wedding at the end like nothing had happened, I was grateful for that. I again want to say thank you to the recappers, to the commentators, its nice to read different opinions, and overwhelming when someone had the same as mine.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 3:33:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 3:33:00 PM EST
LA REINA DEL SUR
Audrey, I really enjoyed and appreciated your comment about the Mexican drug war and what it has meant to someone living close to the border.
I work daily with two compañeros de trabajo that were born in México, and they tell me a lot about how life is for family members still living there. One is from a small town in the state of Zacatecas and the other from Guadalajara. They told me about the Zetas long before details about these monsters appeared in US newspapers.
Assuming the novela follows the themes in the book, I don't think it will glorify narcotraficantes.
Audrey, I really enjoyed and appreciated your comment about the Mexican drug war and what it has meant to someone living close to the border.
I work daily with two compañeros de trabajo that were born in México, and they tell me a lot about how life is for family members still living there. One is from a small town in the state of Zacatecas and the other from Guadalajara. They told me about the Zetas long before details about these monsters appeared in US newspapers.
Assuming the novela follows the themes in the book, I don't think it will glorify narcotraficantes.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 4:33:00 PM EST
: Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 4:33:00 PM EST
GENERAL -
Hola from La Republica Dominicana! However, since I'm in a resort in Punta Cana, it's not quite as Spanish as I'd like. In fact, there is absolutely no place I can get a local Spanish newspaper, unless I venture out of the compound, not on a tour, and they don't recommend this. Oh well. I'm having lots of fun talking to all the staff members in Spanish. And the shopkeepers are happy to engage me in all sorts of conversation if they think there might be a sale.
But since few of the other tourists speak Spanish (there are many American, Canadian and British tourists, but also lots of German tourists, so the signs are in Spanish, English and German), the staff is geared towards making things easier for the guests. For example, when I was just about finished eating, the waitress asked "Finito?", which is not the right word for finished (should be terminado), but she assumed I'd think that was the right word!
One great thing (besides the weather, the food, etc.:) is the TV, which has French channels, Italian channels, German channels, and of course many Spanish channels, including Telemundo (but not Univision or Telefutura). So I will be able to watch La Reina del Sur and Herederos (unless I'm at a show, or my wife kills me!). Anyway, time to go to la playa! Hasta luego, todos and todas!
Hola from La Republica Dominicana! However, since I'm in a resort in Punta Cana, it's not quite as Spanish as I'd like. In fact, there is absolutely no place I can get a local Spanish newspaper, unless I venture out of the compound, not on a tour, and they don't recommend this. Oh well. I'm having lots of fun talking to all the staff members in Spanish. And the shopkeepers are happy to engage me in all sorts of conversation if they think there might be a sale.
But since few of the other tourists speak Spanish (there are many American, Canadian and British tourists, but also lots of German tourists, so the signs are in Spanish, English and German), the staff is geared towards making things easier for the guests. For example, when I was just about finished eating, the waitress asked "Finito?", which is not the right word for finished (should be terminado), but she assumed I'd think that was the right word!
One great thing (besides the weather, the food, etc.:) is the TV, which has French channels, Italian channels, German channels, and of course many Spanish channels, including Telemundo (but not Univision or Telefutura). So I will be able to watch La Reina del Sur and Herederos (unless I'm at a show, or my wife kills me!). Anyway, time to go to la playa! Hasta luego, todos and todas!
GENERAL
Hombre --
"So I will be able to watch La Reina del Sur and Herederos (unless I'm at a show, or my wife kills me!"
Hahaha! And no court in the world would convict her!
Diviértate!
Hombre --
"So I will be able to watch La Reina del Sur and Herederos (unless I'm at a show, or my wife kills me!"
Hahaha! And no court in the world would convict her!
Diviértate!
Where is everybody???
LA REINA DEL SUR - I enjoyed the Gran Estreno. I thought Kate del Castillo was excellent. The slangy, slurred Spanish was very hard to understand, though. It's hard to imagine how Rafael Amaya as 'El Guero' can be the 'main hero,' as it says on the Wikipedia entry on the novela if he is killed in the first episode. Lots of flashbacks?
I'm not sure that it made clear in the novela that El Guero was making runs just for himself and that was why he was killed. Also, the children of Guero's associate, El Chino, were killed along with his wife.
HEREDEROS
Some movement here from vandalism to arson. Julieta trashes Paula and Sofia's place. It's a rental though so who cares? Juan inexplicably (except for plot purposes) accepts Paula's deal to let her and Sylvia live at the hacienda for a year in return for giving up claim to it and walking away with a pile of money.
We find out that Ines' secret is that she has another family. It doesn't seem like that would be such a big deal since she has been gone for 20 years but whatever.
Finally, someone sets the barn at the hacienda on fire and we find out that Juan doesn't sleep in his hat. Their fire control doesn't seem to be more advanced than a bucket brigade though. Don't they even have a hose?
LA REINA DEL SUR - I enjoyed the Gran Estreno. I thought Kate del Castillo was excellent. The slangy, slurred Spanish was very hard to understand, though. It's hard to imagine how Rafael Amaya as 'El Guero' can be the 'main hero,' as it says on the Wikipedia entry on the novela if he is killed in the first episode. Lots of flashbacks?
I'm not sure that it made clear in the novela that El Guero was making runs just for himself and that was why he was killed. Also, the children of Guero's associate, El Chino, were killed along with his wife.
HEREDEROS
Some movement here from vandalism to arson. Julieta trashes Paula and Sofia's place. It's a rental though so who cares? Juan inexplicably (except for plot purposes) accepts Paula's deal to let her and Sylvia live at the hacienda for a year in return for giving up claim to it and walking away with a pile of money.
We find out that Ines' secret is that she has another family. It doesn't seem like that would be such a big deal since she has been gone for 20 years but whatever.
Finally, someone sets the barn at the hacienda on fire and we find out that Juan doesn't sleep in his hat. Their fire control doesn't seem to be more advanced than a bucket brigade though. Don't they even have a hose?
LA REINA
Here I am, Jean! Wow! That was one exciting episode. I promise this will be my last comparison with the book. But, here goes. In the book, unless I forgot something, Teresa did not go to the house of Güero's primo and discover everyone killed.
The actor playing Gato Fierro, the rapist, is exceptional in his role, evil personified.
I like the slangy Mexican Spanish. The really amazing thing to me is Rafael Amaya. I saw him for weeks as this devious killer and a well groomed at all times kinda fella. I love seeing him scruffy and cowboy. He's adorable as El Güero.
I like the norteño music background sounds.
I think Humberto Zurita is going to be fabulous as the big narco.
I don't know how they did it, but Kate del Castillo really looked so very young in the scene where she's changing money in the street.
Here I am, Jean! Wow! That was one exciting episode. I promise this will be my last comparison with the book. But, here goes. In the book, unless I forgot something, Teresa did not go to the house of Güero's primo and discover everyone killed.
The actor playing Gato Fierro, the rapist, is exceptional in his role, evil personified.
I like the slangy Mexican Spanish. The really amazing thing to me is Rafael Amaya. I saw him for weeks as this devious killer and a well groomed at all times kinda fella. I love seeing him scruffy and cowboy. He's adorable as El Güero.
I like the norteño music background sounds.
I think Humberto Zurita is going to be fabulous as the big narco.
I don't know how they did it, but Kate del Castillo really looked so very young in the scene where she's changing money in the street.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:13:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:13:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS - LUNES
I liked that Eleuterio finally admitted that he still loves Inés. For some reason I doubt that story about the second family. And he wants to put the bitterness behind him.
Paula is becoming quite a bit nicer, while Julieta is getting more and more bitter.
Why do all the women in this novela wear extraordinarily large earrings. I keep expecting their ear lobes to be stretched out.
One development I noticed is that Gaspar also felt that Emilio favored Juan over the others. So José isn't just paranoid.
Another character who's getting worse is José. He ran to Beatriz after seeing Juan and Paula kissing, but with him it's always just a booty call. I'm a bit surprised he won't recognize Simón as his son. Beatriz better grab Efraín back before it's too late. He's a real prince of a man.
Jean, Juan may not sleep in his hat, but he does sleep in his jeans! Maybe Cimarro has a paragraph in his contract not to be seen in his tighty whities.
Could José have set the fire? He's the only one I can think of. Of course he was there fighting the fire, but then it would be too suspicious if he didn't help.
And speaking of the fire, really? buckets? They don't even have any hoses at this hacienda?
I liked that Eleuterio finally admitted that he still loves Inés. For some reason I doubt that story about the second family. And he wants to put the bitterness behind him.
Paula is becoming quite a bit nicer, while Julieta is getting more and more bitter.
Why do all the women in this novela wear extraordinarily large earrings. I keep expecting their ear lobes to be stretched out.
One development I noticed is that Gaspar also felt that Emilio favored Juan over the others. So José isn't just paranoid.
Another character who's getting worse is José. He ran to Beatriz after seeing Juan and Paula kissing, but with him it's always just a booty call. I'm a bit surprised he won't recognize Simón as his son. Beatriz better grab Efraín back before it's too late. He's a real prince of a man.
Jean, Juan may not sleep in his hat, but he does sleep in his jeans! Maybe Cimarro has a paragraph in his contract not to be seen in his tighty whities.
Could José have set the fire? He's the only one I can think of. Of course he was there fighting the fire, but then it would be too suspicious if he didn't help.
And speaking of the fire, really? buckets? They don't even have any hoses at this hacienda?
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:24:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2:24:00 PM EST
AURORA
I don't know if anyone is watching the mess that is Aurora, but last night the actor who played Benjamin on Alguien showed up in the Aurora previews for tonight. Very stange.
I don't know if anyone is watching the mess that is Aurora, but last night the actor who played Benjamin on Alguien showed up in the Aurora previews for tonight. Very stange.
Glad you're there, Novelera. Just like with DB, I think we can make comparisons with the book. It's interesting.
You are right. In the book, Teresa did not discover the bodies of El Chino and his family. In the book, half the story is narrated by this journalist who can tell us things like the fact that El Chino and his family were killed. So the novela would need Teresa to find the bodies for us to know about it.
I loved the church full of trashy altars where Teresa meets Don Epifanio.
You are right. In the book, Teresa did not discover the bodies of El Chino and his family. In the book, half the story is narrated by this journalist who can tell us things like the fact that El Chino and his family were killed. So the novela would need Teresa to find the bodies for us to know about it.
I loved the church full of trashy altars where Teresa meets Don Epifanio.
LA REINA - LUNES
Jean, I also loved the church. I wished I were watching it on my son's HD, huge TV, instead of my own, a very modest one indeed. I know about la santa muerte that the narcos worship. I was looking for that image, but couldn't see it. I find it completely fascinating the amount of rationalization that these narcos are capable of. They've created their own figure of worship that forgives them all their awful deeds. And somehow they manage to fit this "deity" into Catholicism. I did a little talk for my Spanish class about the prevalence of la santa muerte altars all over México.
Jean, I also loved the church. I wished I were watching it on my son's HD, huge TV, instead of my own, a very modest one indeed. I know about la santa muerte that the narcos worship. I was looking for that image, but couldn't see it. I find it completely fascinating the amount of rationalization that these narcos are capable of. They've created their own figure of worship that forgives them all their awful deeds. And somehow they manage to fit this "deity" into Catholicism. I did a little talk for my Spanish class about the prevalence of la santa muerte altars all over México.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 5:51:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 5:51:00 PM EST
AURORA
matilda1: every now and then, I take a peak. tonight, i'll be watching last nights dvr'd episode
matilda1: every now and then, I take a peak. tonight, i'll be watching last nights dvr'd episode
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 6:31:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 6:31:00 PM EST
AURORA -- Lunes
This series is such a mess... and I knew that Elizabeth would somehow turn out to be Cesar's mother. It's a pity he had to find out.
I can't imagine what Vanessa is thinking agreeing to marry Federico. She must have lost her mind. What happens if they revive her husband?
Poor Aurora, losing her beloved dog.
Who knows what they will do with the next 50 episodes?
HEREDEROS
Did anyone see the arsonist's face?
Rosa is really annoying me now. Does she have the idea that sexually depriving her daughter and son-in-law will lead to her being able to boink Jonny? Sick bitch.
It's novela law that actresses wear large earrings.
I somehow suspect that Emilio del Monte shot blanks.
REINA
Engrossing. Kate del Castillo is excellent and I can't wait to see Ivan Sanchez. The slangy dialogue is a challenge, as most dictionaries will probably not have the words.
The rape scene almost gave me nightmares.
This series is such a mess... and I knew that Elizabeth would somehow turn out to be Cesar's mother. It's a pity he had to find out.
I can't imagine what Vanessa is thinking agreeing to marry Federico. She must have lost her mind. What happens if they revive her husband?
Poor Aurora, losing her beloved dog.
Who knows what they will do with the next 50 episodes?
HEREDEROS
Did anyone see the arsonist's face?
Rosa is really annoying me now. Does she have the idea that sexually depriving her daughter and son-in-law will lead to her being able to boink Jonny? Sick bitch.
It's novela law that actresses wear large earrings.
I somehow suspect that Emilio del Monte shot blanks.
REINA
Engrossing. Kate del Castillo is excellent and I can't wait to see Ivan Sanchez. The slangy dialogue is a challenge, as most dictionaries will probably not have the words.
The rape scene almost gave me nightmares.
Reina - Monday
I've been looking forward to this telenovela for months, and my hopes were so high that I was sure I'd be disappointed, but I was delighted to find that didn't happen. ¡Para nada! I was hooked from the start. I've found the telenovela's version realistic and gritty without being disgusting. Very compelling.
So too Kate del Castillo's powerful, thoroughly convincing performance. I also enjoyed Rafael Amaya's portrayal of El Güerro. He's different from the image I had in my head from the book, but I prefer him to that image. And I suspect/hope we'll see him in lots of flashbacks. Certainly in the book Teresa continued to think about El Güerro long after he died.
I'm impressed by those of you who found the Spanish slang difficult. For me, ALL Spanish is difficult, so I barely noticed a few more words I didn't understand! :-)
I've been looking forward to this telenovela for months, and my hopes were so high that I was sure I'd be disappointed, but I was delighted to find that didn't happen. ¡Para nada! I was hooked from the start. I've found the telenovela's version realistic and gritty without being disgusting. Very compelling.
So too Kate del Castillo's powerful, thoroughly convincing performance. I also enjoyed Rafael Amaya's portrayal of El Güerro. He's different from the image I had in my head from the book, but I prefer him to that image. And I suspect/hope we'll see him in lots of flashbacks. Certainly in the book Teresa continued to think about El Güerro long after he died.
I'm impressed by those of you who found the Spanish slang difficult. For me, ALL Spanish is difficult, so I barely noticed a few more words I didn't understand! :-)
LA REINA
Hello everyone! This is former and hopefully future recapper Ferro. I'm going to be watching La Reina with my wife, who read the book, I'm really looking forward to it. The first episode was excellent, I resisted asking my wife every five seconds "is that how it was in the book?" I can see why this show is on at 9:00 central time, after kid viewing hours. Yikes. Of course amidst all the violence, I enjoyed how frequently the main character was less than fully dressed. One more point in the show's favor.
I was a bit confused about why El Guero was killed, I figured he stole or something, it was obvious that El Chino had taken some product for personal use that he wasn't supposed to.
Anyway, it's off to a great start and I hope I can stay up to date so I can join the conversation here. Having one post per week might actually work in my favor!
Hello everyone! This is former and hopefully future recapper Ferro. I'm going to be watching La Reina with my wife, who read the book, I'm really looking forward to it. The first episode was excellent, I resisted asking my wife every five seconds "is that how it was in the book?" I can see why this show is on at 9:00 central time, after kid viewing hours. Yikes. Of course amidst all the violence, I enjoyed how frequently the main character was less than fully dressed. One more point in the show's favor.
I was a bit confused about why El Guero was killed, I figured he stole or something, it was obvious that El Chino had taken some product for personal use that he wasn't supposed to.
Anyway, it's off to a great start and I hope I can stay up to date so I can join the conversation here. Having one post per week might actually work in my favor!
LA REINA - LUNES
Chris, my memory of the first discussion in the book of why Güero Dávila was killed was that he was doing the drug flights for Don Epifanio and Batman and he started carrying along some product to sell himself. Can't remember if the book completely revealed how they found out. Of course, there are a lot more twists coming, but I'll leave it at that.
Chris, my memory of the first discussion in the book of why Güero Dávila was killed was that he was doing the drug flights for Don Epifanio and Batman and he started carrying along some product to sell himself. Can't remember if the book completely revealed how they found out. Of course, there are a lot more twists coming, but I'll leave it at that.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 10:30:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 10:30:00 PM EST
LA REINA -MARTES
Welcome back Chris: I hope La Reina continues to meet your expectations.
I was dozing off during Herederos but was riveted during La Reina as Teresa desperately tries to escape from her death sentence.
The actor who plays Ramiro, Don Epifanio's cocaine snorting nephew was really good. I have seen this guy before. Was he another bad guy in Victorinos?
And there was Escobár from El Clon. Virtually everything that happened in tonight's episode once Don Epifanio left the church was not in the book. It seemed like everyone in Culiacán is on Don Epifanio's payroll. Apparently he could even get Ramiro freed after he shot up the airport.
HEREDEROS - Yesterday a fire, today a helicopter crash and goodbye Gustavo. Of course, prior to his death, Sofía and Gustavo have to have the conversation where they repeat all the secrets in a room with an open door so that Jose can hear them. I guess this is why Paula and Sofía had to come back to the hacienda. So now Jose knows that Gustavo is Paula's father and that Paula doesn't know.
So Efraín was the arsonist. Setting the barn on fire really makes no sense. It didn't really hurt Jose and seems like a very uncharacteristic act for Efraín.
The brothers lost the 'cosecha,' the 'harvest' in the fire. Since they seem to raise cattle and horses, it's not clear what they would be harvesting - hay? There was no suggestion that there were any horses in the barn.
Consuelo has finally twigged that Rosa is not indifferent to Johnny's manly attributes.
And some mysterious bad guys are after Amador. They threaten Rosario and beat up Lucas, too.
Welcome back Chris: I hope La Reina continues to meet your expectations.
I was dozing off during Herederos but was riveted during La Reina as Teresa desperately tries to escape from her death sentence.
The actor who plays Ramiro, Don Epifanio's cocaine snorting nephew was really good. I have seen this guy before. Was he another bad guy in Victorinos?
And there was Escobár from El Clon. Virtually everything that happened in tonight's episode once Don Epifanio left the church was not in the book. It seemed like everyone in Culiacán is on Don Epifanio's payroll. Apparently he could even get Ramiro freed after he shot up the airport.
HEREDEROS - Yesterday a fire, today a helicopter crash and goodbye Gustavo. Of course, prior to his death, Sofía and Gustavo have to have the conversation where they repeat all the secrets in a room with an open door so that Jose can hear them. I guess this is why Paula and Sofía had to come back to the hacienda. So now Jose knows that Gustavo is Paula's father and that Paula doesn't know.
So Efraín was the arsonist. Setting the barn on fire really makes no sense. It didn't really hurt Jose and seems like a very uncharacteristic act for Efraín.
The brothers lost the 'cosecha,' the 'harvest' in the fire. Since they seem to raise cattle and horses, it's not clear what they would be harvesting - hay? There was no suggestion that there were any horses in the barn.
Consuelo has finally twigged that Rosa is not indifferent to Johnny's manly attributes.
And some mysterious bad guys are after Amador. They threaten Rosario and beat up Lucas, too.
LA REINA - MARTES
Jean, you're right. None of the things that happened after Don Epifanio left the church were in the book, but they sure added to the tension, didn't they?
I don't think the actor who played Ramiro was in Victorinos. To me he sort of resembles the psychopath that forced Victorino to kill his own cousin. This actor is pretty psycho as well, but maybe slightly better looking.
Speaking of Ramiro, he's a walking advertisement for the pitfalls of nepotism.
Kate del Castillo is amazing as Teresa Mendoza. I can't remember any actress portraying naked fear so well as she did during that scene with Epifanio in the church.
The name of the narco saint that was in the book and mentioned tonight: Jesús Malverde.
It was funny to see "the chump" from El Clon flying a plane.
Jean, you're right. None of the things that happened after Don Epifanio left the church were in the book, but they sure added to the tension, didn't they?
I don't think the actor who played Ramiro was in Victorinos. To me he sort of resembles the psychopath that forced Victorino to kill his own cousin. This actor is pretty psycho as well, but maybe slightly better looking.
Speaking of Ramiro, he's a walking advertisement for the pitfalls of nepotism.
Kate del Castillo is amazing as Teresa Mendoza. I can't remember any actress portraying naked fear so well as she did during that scene with Epifanio in the church.
The name of the narco saint that was in the book and mentioned tonight: Jesús Malverde.
It was funny to see "the chump" from El Clon flying a plane.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 1:34:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 1:34:00 AM EST
HEREDEROS - MARTES
Monday they definitely said that Gustavo was Paula's father, but tonight it seemed as if they said Sofía didn't know for sure.
José is giving Paula a run for her money in the smirking department. He adds the extra touch of occasionally covering his smirks with his hat.
Rosa was the nicest she's ever been with Guadalupe, but then who could stay mad at that sweet creature.
I'm getting whiplash here. José told Beatriz he was NOT going to recognize Simón, then told Juan he was chasing Gustavo for papers to that effect.
I don't like Sofía much, but it was pretty mean of José to tell her that lie that Gustavo's dying declaration was that he was Paula's father.
Monday they definitely said that Gustavo was Paula's father, but tonight it seemed as if they said Sofía didn't know for sure.
José is giving Paula a run for her money in the smirking department. He adds the extra touch of occasionally covering his smirks with his hat.
Rosa was the nicest she's ever been with Guadalupe, but then who could stay mad at that sweet creature.
I'm getting whiplash here. José told Beatriz he was NOT going to recognize Simón, then told Juan he was chasing Gustavo for papers to that effect.
I don't like Sofía much, but it was pretty mean of José to tell her that lie that Gustavo's dying declaration was that he was Paula's father.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 1:58:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 1:58:00 AM EST
LA REINA - MARTES
My curiosity was roused, and I got definitions for a couple of Mexican slang expressions used tonight that I didn't know.
By Don Epifanio: me vale gorra = no me importa or I don't give a rat's patootie.
By Ramiro: esa morra o esa morilla that chick
By Batman Güemes to Ramiro: déjate de hacer panchos Stop making such a big fuss!
My curiosity was roused, and I got definitions for a couple of Mexican slang expressions used tonight that I didn't know.
By Don Epifanio: me vale gorra = no me importa or I don't give a rat's patootie.
By Ramiro: esa morra o esa morilla that chick
By Batman Güemes to Ramiro: déjate de hacer panchos Stop making such a big fuss!
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2:09:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2:09:00 AM EST
HEREDEROS -
I agree that Inez's story that she has another family might not be true.
Efrain is not so nice setting that fire, saying he'd do anything to stop the Del Montes. BTW, I was falling asleep when the helicopter went down. Do we know who caused it?
I don't think Sofia will believe that Gustavo told Jose all that before he died. I think she'll deny everything. And, unless they do new DNA tests (which may not be possible now), he may not have proof. Of course, this could be completely wrong, and Sofia might have to go whatever Jose says to keep Paula from finding out.
I agree that Inez's story that she has another family might not be true.
Efrain is not so nice setting that fire, saying he'd do anything to stop the Del Montes. BTW, I was falling asleep when the helicopter went down. Do we know who caused it?
I don't think Sofia will believe that Gustavo told Jose all that before he died. I think she'll deny everything. And, unless they do new DNA tests (which may not be possible now), he may not have proof. Of course, this could be completely wrong, and Sofia might have to go whatever Jose says to keep Paula from finding out.
REINA DEL SUR -
I'm in the Dominican Republic, which is one hour later than EST, so Reina comes on at 11:00 P.M., and that's too late for me. I'm taping it back home, and will have comments next week. I'm glad to see Ferro/Chris is watching, so we'll have some more male viewpoints!
I'm in the Dominican Republic, which is one hour later than EST, so Reina comes on at 11:00 P.M., and that's too late for me. I'm taping it back home, and will have comments next week. I'm glad to see Ferro/Chris is watching, so we'll have some more male viewpoints!
AURORA -
This show is fun to watch if you don't really understand the story. I watch bits and pieces, and every day, someone is revealed to be someone's mother, or they're not dead, or they do die, but they can be frozen. Some characters have several mothers, and I think last night, the Benja character from Alguien was reunited with his madrina, but found out that his mother was brought back to life. And she's Aurora's madrina! I also like the actress who plays Vanessa, who is pregnant but doesn't want her daugher to know? The whole thing is over the top, and that can be fun.
This show is fun to watch if you don't really understand the story. I watch bits and pieces, and every day, someone is revealed to be someone's mother, or they're not dead, or they do die, but they can be frozen. Some characters have several mothers, and I think last night, the Benja character from Alguien was reunited with his madrina, but found out that his mother was brought back to life. And she's Aurora's madrina! I also like the actress who plays Vanessa, who is pregnant but doesn't want her daugher to know? The whole thing is over the top, and that can be fun.
AURORA -- Martes
I will now stop assuming anyone is dead prior to confirmation in the following episode.
The whole nonsense of Aurora and Lorenzo breaking up, getting back together, living platonically, etc., is too over-the-top.
Gustavo concealing the fact that Martin was responsible for Pasion's cure makes no sense at all.
Catalina deserves a long, hard fall. Her presence continues to poison everyone's lives, including Vanessa's. Federico tambien.
How is Cesar going to make an honest living to support Blanca and the twins? I'm sorry he had to find out about Elizabeth but at least she is now locked up with some new charges to be filed.
Martin better toss everything in his fridge and clean it out. Although we only saw her poison the water pitcher and the pie he would need to get rid of everything for his own peace of mind.
I don't remember any geographic reference to Martin's cave, but the exterior shot doesn't look like New York at all. I think this is shot in Miami.
I'll be back later. I will watch Herederos after Siete Mujeres is over.
I will now stop assuming anyone is dead prior to confirmation in the following episode.
The whole nonsense of Aurora and Lorenzo breaking up, getting back together, living platonically, etc., is too over-the-top.
Gustavo concealing the fact that Martin was responsible for Pasion's cure makes no sense at all.
Catalina deserves a long, hard fall. Her presence continues to poison everyone's lives, including Vanessa's. Federico tambien.
How is Cesar going to make an honest living to support Blanca and the twins? I'm sorry he had to find out about Elizabeth but at least she is now locked up with some new charges to be filed.
Martin better toss everything in his fridge and clean it out. Although we only saw her poison the water pitcher and the pie he would need to get rid of everything for his own peace of mind.
I don't remember any geographic reference to Martin's cave, but the exterior shot doesn't look like New York at all. I think this is shot in Miami.
I'll be back later. I will watch Herederos after Siete Mujeres is over.
La Reina del Sur – lunes y martes
Hi guys! Thanks, Jean, for breaking the ice!
I didn’t get around to watching until yesterday because of Triunfo’s double-header (which I suppose was meant to keep its viewers from switching channels. I had to play along because Monday is my recap day for Triunfo).
So. First impression: amazing, really amazing! From that opening shot – the tequila bottle, the glass, the boombox playing Norteña music, the joint in the ashtray, the bath – all those precise details of Teresa’s dreamy pleasure that turns to fear the instant the cell phone rings; and then the repetition of the words: corre, corre cuanto puedas. Corre y no pares de correr. (Run, run as far as you can. Run and don’t stop running.) -- I was immediately caught up in the story, the characters and the both gritty and sentimental sense of place
I agree with all of you that Kate del Castillo owns this character. This is a level of acting we’re not used to in telenovelas and it is thrilling to watch. I still see flashes of Julián in el Güero. My problem, not the actor’s, I’m betting.
It seems to be the Day of the Dead in Culiacán, no? I couldn’t remember that detail from the book but interestingly, Pérez-Reverte says:
…una tarde de Difuntos – irónico augurio – la vida le puso en el camino de Raimundo Dávila Parra...
So in the book Teresa and el Güero first met on the Day of the Dead.
I admit I was a little worried when “Willy” (Escobar from El Clon) showed up. I hope this plot thread and new character are good enough…
Language: yeah, the accent and slang are tough for me too. I confess I had to put the training wheels back on and use the Spanish captions because without them, too much was flying past me.
-------
In the department of compare and contrast:
Both Triunfo and Reina are stories about humble but gifted Mexicanas – Victoria and Teresa -- who survive years of humiliation and abuse, including rape, to become “queens”, although their realms are quite different. But they both grow to be tough, powerful women. It’s kind of interesting to watch the treatment of this classic theme in the two novelas simultaneously. Different traditions, different target demographic. Interesting.
Hey, you might like this website of the Diccionario breve de mexicanismos --
http://www.academia.org.mx/dicmex.php
Hi guys! Thanks, Jean, for breaking the ice!
I didn’t get around to watching until yesterday because of Triunfo’s double-header (which I suppose was meant to keep its viewers from switching channels. I had to play along because Monday is my recap day for Triunfo).
So. First impression: amazing, really amazing! From that opening shot – the tequila bottle, the glass, the boombox playing Norteña music, the joint in the ashtray, the bath – all those precise details of Teresa’s dreamy pleasure that turns to fear the instant the cell phone rings; and then the repetition of the words: corre, corre cuanto puedas. Corre y no pares de correr. (Run, run as far as you can. Run and don’t stop running.) -- I was immediately caught up in the story, the characters and the both gritty and sentimental sense of place
I agree with all of you that Kate del Castillo owns this character. This is a level of acting we’re not used to in telenovelas and it is thrilling to watch. I still see flashes of Julián in el Güero. My problem, not the actor’s, I’m betting.
It seems to be the Day of the Dead in Culiacán, no? I couldn’t remember that detail from the book but interestingly, Pérez-Reverte says:
…una tarde de Difuntos – irónico augurio – la vida le puso en el camino de Raimundo Dávila Parra...
So in the book Teresa and el Güero first met on the Day of the Dead.
I admit I was a little worried when “Willy” (Escobar from El Clon) showed up. I hope this plot thread and new character are good enough…
Language: yeah, the accent and slang are tough for me too. I confess I had to put the training wheels back on and use the Spanish captions because without them, too much was flying past me.
-------
In the department of compare and contrast:
Both Triunfo and Reina are stories about humble but gifted Mexicanas – Victoria and Teresa -- who survive years of humiliation and abuse, including rape, to become “queens”, although their realms are quite different. But they both grow to be tough, powerful women. It’s kind of interesting to watch the treatment of this classic theme in the two novelas simultaneously. Different traditions, different target demographic. Interesting.
Hey, you might like this website of the Diccionario breve de mexicanismos --
http://www.academia.org.mx/dicmex.php
REINA - Martes
Thanks, novelera and NovelaMaven, for the additional slang resources. I'd like to throw in One more that I came upon when I was trying to read the novel in Spanish. I think this vocabulary listing is based heavily on the novel.
Novelera, you're right about the explanation for El Güero's murder offered in the early chapters of the book being similar to what we see in the telenovela. It turns out that the situation is somewhat more complicated, but this information isn't given to readers of the book until close to the end. I suspect that the telenovela will handle things similarly.
And OMG, what is Escobar from El Clon doing in this telenovela? I really can't get his role as "the chump" out of my head!
One question. I vaguely recall at one point in last night's episode, El Güero addresses Teresa as Usted. I was surprised, since I thought the relationship had progressed way past that stage. Did anyone else notice this?
Thanks, novelera and NovelaMaven, for the additional slang resources. I'd like to throw in One more that I came upon when I was trying to read the novel in Spanish. I think this vocabulary listing is based heavily on the novel.
Novelera, you're right about the explanation for El Güero's murder offered in the early chapters of the book being similar to what we see in the telenovela. It turns out that the situation is somewhat more complicated, but this information isn't given to readers of the book until close to the end. I suspect that the telenovela will handle things similarly.
And OMG, what is Escobar from El Clon doing in this telenovela? I really can't get his role as "the chump" out of my head!
One question. I vaguely recall at one point in last night's episode, El Güero addresses Teresa as Usted. I was surprised, since I thought the relationship had progressed way past that stage. Did anyone else notice this?
REINA
I was so eager for this to start,but missed the first two episodes and may, if my TV isn't fixed, miss more. I've read the book twice and from the comments it appears that so far the telenovela is sticking to it closely. I'll be reading your recaps and comments to keep up. Lois
I was so eager for this to start,but missed the first two episodes and may, if my TV isn't fixed, miss more. I've read the book twice and from the comments it appears that so far the telenovela is sticking to it closely. I'll be reading your recaps and comments to keep up. Lois
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 4:00:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 4:00:00 PM EST
REINA
Lois: If you have a fast internet connection, you can watch the episodes on the Telemundo website. No subtitles but if you've read the book, you won't have any trouble with following what is going on.
Lois: If you have a fast internet connection, you can watch the episodes on the Telemundo website. No subtitles but if you've read the book, you won't have any trouble with following what is going on.
LA REINA - GENERAL
I noticed that NovelaMaven used norteña while I had always heard norteño. Looks like both are used. FYI of anyone interested, here is a link to a good description of the kind of music we mean:
http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/msw/norteno/index.html
I noticed that NovelaMaven used norteña while I had always heard norteño. Looks like both are used. FYI of anyone interested, here is a link to a good description of the kind of music we mean:
http://parentseyes.arizona.edu/msw/norteno/index.html
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 4:21:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 4:21:00 PM EST
REINA lunes y martes
I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with this novela because it is SO violent. But the acting and production is excellent-more movie quality than TV series. Kate del Castillo is amazing! But did it bother anyone else that to flee desperately for her life she chose those ridiculous blue high heels as the right footwear?? I couldn't stop laughing about those shoes, in spite of the tension of the scenes.
Martha
I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with this novela because it is SO violent. But the acting and production is excellent-more movie quality than TV series. Kate del Castillo is amazing! But did it bother anyone else that to flee desperately for her life she chose those ridiculous blue high heels as the right footwear?? I couldn't stop laughing about those shoes, in spite of the tension of the scenes.
Martha
AURORA
I'm kinda watching this again, as it has become bearable. still loving Cesar. It'll be interesting to see the Cristian character unfold.
I'm kinda watching this again, as it has become bearable. still loving Cesar. It'll be interesting to see the Cristian character unfold.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 8:02:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 8:02:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS
I really love the 5 hermanos. thouroughly enjoying the beautiful people/clothes/horses/locales.
and they don't drag out certain storylines. luv it luv it luv it.
just the right amount of intrigue/ humour; not too much drama nor crying.
I really love the 5 hermanos. thouroughly enjoying the beautiful people/clothes/horses/locales.
and they don't drag out certain storylines. luv it luv it luv it.
just the right amount of intrigue/ humour; not too much drama nor crying.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 8:07:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 8:07:00 PM EST
LA REINA DEL SUR -- lunes y martes
Martha, Welcome! I hope you stick around!
I was thinking the same thing -- that there's a cinematic feel to this production.
As for the famous tacones -- ridiculous? Absolutely. But I also found it yet another completely believable detail (taken intact from the book). Teresa reaches blindly for clothes to throw on. And high heels with jeans so tight she has to lie down to put them on -- that's what she and Brenda and the other girlfriends wear. So that's what she has at hand.
She realizes her mistake very quickly, and takes off the shoes in case she has to run. Even the waitress's skeptical look at her bare feet (in the place where she stops for a jugo de nopal) is played just as Pérez-Reverte describes it.
It's a mixture of the ordinary and the terrible that I haven't seen done so well since The Sopranos -- another brilliant show with some scenes that I would have preferred not to see.
NUEVO RICO, NUEVO POBRE
Martha, I just saw your comment on last week's post. I'm delighted to know that someone else is a fan of this wonderful Colombian novela. It just has so much heart!
Martha, Welcome! I hope you stick around!
I was thinking the same thing -- that there's a cinematic feel to this production.
As for the famous tacones -- ridiculous? Absolutely. But I also found it yet another completely believable detail (taken intact from the book). Teresa reaches blindly for clothes to throw on. And high heels with jeans so tight she has to lie down to put them on -- that's what she and Brenda and the other girlfriends wear. So that's what she has at hand.
She realizes her mistake very quickly, and takes off the shoes in case she has to run. Even the waitress's skeptical look at her bare feet (in the place where she stops for a jugo de nopal) is played just as Pérez-Reverte describes it.
It's a mixture of the ordinary and the terrible that I haven't seen done so well since The Sopranos -- another brilliant show with some scenes that I would have preferred not to see.
NUEVO RICO, NUEVO POBRE
Martha, I just saw your comment on last week's post. I'm delighted to know that someone else is a fan of this wonderful Colombian novela. It just has so much heart!
HEREDEROS -
Jose is not behaving too well these days. By demanding $5 million of the $7 million they were going to pay Paula (and Sofia) after one year, he's betraying his brothers. Sofia said, don't you already have money? He said, yeah, but I want MORE.
Those Del Monte brothers may fight about love, but they're united when it comes to fighting in general. Paula wondered if they should sue the rough guys who beat up Lucas and Amador, but no, they gave them some cowboy justice!
Previously in this show, there were a lot of unrequited lovers. Now, it's swtiching more to scorned lovers. Efrain, Julieta, Beatriz, Eleuterio, etc. And a number of them are taking extreme measures in getting back at the one who hurt them.
Jose is not behaving too well these days. By demanding $5 million of the $7 million they were going to pay Paula (and Sofia) after one year, he's betraying his brothers. Sofia said, don't you already have money? He said, yeah, but I want MORE.
Those Del Monte brothers may fight about love, but they're united when it comes to fighting in general. Paula wondered if they should sue the rough guys who beat up Lucas and Amador, but no, they gave them some cowboy justice!
Previously in this show, there were a lot of unrequited lovers. Now, it's swtiching more to scorned lovers. Efrain, Julieta, Beatriz, Eleuterio, etc. And a number of them are taking extreme measures in getting back at the one who hurt them.
REINA - general
I've just realized that I don't understand the title "La Reina del Sur." To what does "the South" refer?
I've just realized that I don't understand the title "La Reina del Sur." To what does "the South" refer?
REINA - miercoles
NovelaMaven, I loved what you said about "La Reina del Sur" and "The Sopranos."
Of course, "The Sopranos" had the luxury of a once-a-week schedule. I wonder whether the quality would have deteriorated had they had to produce five episodes a week. I found myself thinking about that after Wednesday's episode of "Reina" stretched out still further Teresa's attempt to escape to Spain. So far, I think it's successfully building suspense, but I hope the writers will not drag this out much longer.
NovelaMaven, I loved what you said about "La Reina del Sur" and "The Sopranos."
Of course, "The Sopranos" had the luxury of a once-a-week schedule. I wonder whether the quality would have deteriorated had they had to produce five episodes a week. I found myself thinking about that after Wednesday's episode of "Reina" stretched out still further Teresa's attempt to escape to Spain. So far, I think it's successfully building suspense, but I hope the writers will not drag this out much longer.
REINA-
Juanita: I assume we'll find out what the South in La Reina del Sur means. Teresa isn't a Queen yet, either. ;-)
Juanita: I assume we'll find out what the South in La Reina del Sur means. Teresa isn't a Queen yet, either. ;-)
LA REINA DEL SUR -- general
Thanks, Juanita! I’m a bit worried about their sustaining this level of quality too. And when I came across this tidbit in a Spanish website, antena3.com at this page: http://tinyurl.com/6e6rxcj , it made me more nervous still. According to these guys, there are two versions anticipated.
Version A, to be aired in Spain, consists of 14 episodes, each 70 minutes long.
Version B, for Latin America and US, consists of 66 episodes of 40 minutes.
If that is true, it means Spain gets a tightly edited, cinematic product more or less following the book. And we get an expanded version that panders to the telenovela viewer and strays far from the original. Hence, The Chump.
That might explain why the first two episodes flowed together so well and there weren’t any credits on the first night.
About the title –
Good question. I always assumed ‘el Sur’ is the opposite of ‘el Norte’ and in this context, ‘el Norte’ is the U.S. So the south is south of our border, i.e., Mexico. Throughout the novel, people refer to Teresa as ‘la mexicana’. So she’s the Queen of/from Mexico. But as Jean points out, so far she’s not the queen of anything. And maybe we’ll have a better explanation further along.
Thanks, Juanita! I’m a bit worried about their sustaining this level of quality too. And when I came across this tidbit in a Spanish website, antena3.com at this page: http://tinyurl.com/6e6rxcj , it made me more nervous still. According to these guys, there are two versions anticipated.
Version A, to be aired in Spain, consists of 14 episodes, each 70 minutes long.
Version B, for Latin America and US, consists of 66 episodes of 40 minutes.
If that is true, it means Spain gets a tightly edited, cinematic product more or less following the book. And we get an expanded version that panders to the telenovela viewer and strays far from the original. Hence, The Chump.
That might explain why the first two episodes flowed together so well and there weren’t any credits on the first night.
About the title –
Good question. I always assumed ‘el Sur’ is the opposite of ‘el Norte’ and in this context, ‘el Norte’ is the U.S. So the south is south of our border, i.e., Mexico. Throughout the novel, people refer to Teresa as ‘la mexicana’. So she’s the Queen of/from Mexico. But as Jean points out, so far she’s not the queen of anything. And maybe we’ll have a better explanation further along.
LA REINA DEL SUR
This was an interesting post today at telenovela-world by Roberto Stopello, the writer of the novela version.
http://foro.telenovela-world.com/n4/read-t.php?f=795&i=587&t=551
This was an interesting post today at telenovela-world by Roberto Stopello, the writer of the novela version.
http://foro.telenovela-world.com/n4/read-t.php?f=795&i=587&t=551
Permalink posted by : Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 12:53:00 PM EST
: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 12:53:00 PM EST
REINA - general
Oh no, NovelaMaven,¡no puede ser! Two versions and we get the one for dummies!! ¡Qué desilusión! Oh well, thanks for the link to the information.
As for "Sur," what you say about el Sur vs. el Norte makes good sense, especially since, as you note, Teresa is always referred to as "la mexicana."
Oh no, NovelaMaven,¡no puede ser! Two versions and we get the one for dummies!! ¡Qué desilusión! Oh well, thanks for the link to the information.
As for "Sur," what you say about el Sur vs. el Norte makes good sense, especially since, as you note, Teresa is always referred to as "la mexicana."
REINA - general
Deb, thanks very much for the link to the interesting post by Roberto Stopello on the Telenovela World forum. I was especially interested to learn that Pérez-Reverte has had a hand in the production.
I used to read Telenovela World forums, but then I discovered CarayCaray, and it's so much better than TNW that I just didn't go back. But now, in the absence of full-blown recaps of "Reina," I think I'll try to take a look at TNW each day as well.
Deb, thanks very much for the link to the interesting post by Roberto Stopello on the Telenovela World forum. I was especially interested to learn that Pérez-Reverte has had a hand in the production.
I used to read Telenovela World forums, but then I discovered CarayCaray, and it's so much better than TNW that I just didn't go back. But now, in the absence of full-blown recaps of "Reina," I think I'll try to take a look at TNW each day as well.
LA REINA - MIÉRCOLES
I don't remember Pérez-Reverte ever explaining the title. I thought it meant the south of Spain.
Personally, I am enjoying the time spent still in México. I assumed it was to extend the length of the novela, but the acting has been fabulous.
Batman Güemes explains to Epifanio that all of Culiacán knows Teresa shot Gato and that if you're not tough the sharks will eat you.
Don Epifanio puts out his cigar in Batman's hand to punish him for disobeying orders and then gives him a firm handshake afterwards on the burned hand.
Also, Pote (el sicario), full name (and I love this) Potemkin is exactly like the character in the book. They could not have cast him better. And that gun! Looks 18 inches long!
One unrealistic thing: a small plane just lands from México y nada? No security guards from that airport? Of course the reveal of The Chump as DEA could explain it, but it still seemed odd to me.
I don't remember Pérez-Reverte ever explaining the title. I thought it meant the south of Spain.
Personally, I am enjoying the time spent still in México. I assumed it was to extend the length of the novela, but the acting has been fabulous.
Batman Güemes explains to Epifanio that all of Culiacán knows Teresa shot Gato and that if you're not tough the sharks will eat you.
Don Epifanio puts out his cigar in Batman's hand to punish him for disobeying orders and then gives him a firm handshake afterwards on the burned hand.
Also, Pote (el sicario), full name (and I love this) Potemkin is exactly like the character in the book. They could not have cast him better. And that gun! Looks 18 inches long!
One unrealistic thing: a small plane just lands from México y nada? No security guards from that airport? Of course the reveal of The Chump as DEA could explain it, but it still seemed odd to me.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 3:15:00 PM EST
: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 3:15:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS - MIÉRCOLES
I am hanging on by a thread with this one.
José is now despicable, and I kind of liked him at first.
Sofía didn't mourn very long. She's back to 100% manipulation. She and Paula are supposedly back in the Del Monte house to wait out a year, living on sufferance, if you will. But she high handedly hires that sneak Berta.
The only surprising thing that happened was Rosario going after Amador at the bar.
Otherwise, wooden Juan jumps Paula's bones at the hotel in the capital as we all knew was going to happen. I don't think these two generate enough heat to warm up a cup of soup.
I am hanging on by a thread with this one.
José is now despicable, and I kind of liked him at first.
Sofía didn't mourn very long. She's back to 100% manipulation. She and Paula are supposedly back in the Del Monte house to wait out a year, living on sufferance, if you will. But she high handedly hires that sneak Berta.
The only surprising thing that happened was Rosario going after Amador at the bar.
Otherwise, wooden Juan jumps Paula's bones at the hotel in the capital as we all knew was going to happen. I don't think these two generate enough heat to warm up a cup of soup.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 3:20:00 PM EST
: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 3:20:00 PM EST
REINA -- General
I'm watching Mujeres Asesinas at the moment so I won't see tonight's episode until tomorrow morning, but I thought I'd look up the lyrics to the song:
Voy a cantar un corrido, escuchen muy bien mis compas
Para la reina del sur, traficante muy famosa
Nacida alla en Sinaloa, la Tia Teresa Mendoza
El guero le dijo a Tere te dejo mi celular
Cuando lo escuches prietita, no trates de contestar
Es porque ya me torcieron y tu tendras que escapar
El guero Davila era, piloto muy arriesgado
Al cartel de Cuidad Juarez, les hizo muchos mandados
En una avioneta cesna en la sierra lo mataron
Dijo Epifanio Vargas, Teresa vas a escapar
Tengo un amigo en España, alla te puede esperar
Me debe muchos favores y te tendra que ayudar
Cuando llego a Melilla luego le cambio la suerte
Con Don Santiago Fisterra, juntaron bastante gente
Comprando y vendiendo droga para los dos continentes
Manolo Cespedes dijo Teresa es muy arriesgada
Le vende la droga a Francia, Africa, y tambien a Italia
Hasta los rusos le compran es una tia muy pesada
(Supo aprender el acento que se usa por todo España
Demostro su Jerarquia como la mas noble dama
A muchos los sorprendio Teresa la mexicana)
(A veces de piel vestia de su tierra
Se acordaba con bota de cocodrilo
Y avestruz la chamarra
Usaba cinto piteado
Tequila cuando brindaba)
Era la reina del sur
Alla en su tierra natal
Teresa la mexicana, del otro lado del mar
Una mujer muy valiente, que no la van a olvidar
Un dia desaparecio, Teresa la mexicana
Dicen que este en la prision, otros que vive en Italia
En California o Miami, de la union Americana
I'm watching Mujeres Asesinas at the moment so I won't see tonight's episode until tomorrow morning, but I thought I'd look up the lyrics to the song:
Voy a cantar un corrido, escuchen muy bien mis compas
Para la reina del sur, traficante muy famosa
Nacida alla en Sinaloa, la Tia Teresa Mendoza
El guero le dijo a Tere te dejo mi celular
Cuando lo escuches prietita, no trates de contestar
Es porque ya me torcieron y tu tendras que escapar
El guero Davila era, piloto muy arriesgado
Al cartel de Cuidad Juarez, les hizo muchos mandados
En una avioneta cesna en la sierra lo mataron
Dijo Epifanio Vargas, Teresa vas a escapar
Tengo un amigo en España, alla te puede esperar
Me debe muchos favores y te tendra que ayudar
Cuando llego a Melilla luego le cambio la suerte
Con Don Santiago Fisterra, juntaron bastante gente
Comprando y vendiendo droga para los dos continentes
Manolo Cespedes dijo Teresa es muy arriesgada
Le vende la droga a Francia, Africa, y tambien a Italia
Hasta los rusos le compran es una tia muy pesada
(Supo aprender el acento que se usa por todo España
Demostro su Jerarquia como la mas noble dama
A muchos los sorprendio Teresa la mexicana)
(A veces de piel vestia de su tierra
Se acordaba con bota de cocodrilo
Y avestruz la chamarra
Usaba cinto piteado
Tequila cuando brindaba)
Era la reina del sur
Alla en su tierra natal
Teresa la mexicana, del otro lado del mar
Una mujer muy valiente, que no la van a olvidar
Un dia desaparecio, Teresa la mexicana
Dicen que este en la prision, otros que vive en Italia
En California o Miami, de la union Americana
REINA
Thanks for the welcome, novelamaven. I used to be a regular lurker here on Caray, Caray a couple of years ago, but somehow got out of the habit of logging in. I still see so many of the same names here! Love everyone's comments and analysis.
I see what you mean about the tacones and the tight jeans making sense for the character. I'm glad to hear the novela is sticking so closely to the book. I have read the author before (in English of course) but hadn't made the connection that this title was one of his! I'll have to put it on my wish list at the library.
NUEVO RICO
Interrupted for almost an hour today for the live broadcast of Presidents Obama and Calderon- darn it. Luckily I think the only big scene we missed was Brayan at the airport deciding to marry la flacuchenta de Fernanda.
Some nice scenes in Cartagena are coming up soon. Can we persuade anyone else to watch this? It's so much fun!
Martha
Thanks for the welcome, novelamaven. I used to be a regular lurker here on Caray, Caray a couple of years ago, but somehow got out of the habit of logging in. I still see so many of the same names here! Love everyone's comments and analysis.
I see what you mean about the tacones and the tight jeans making sense for the character. I'm glad to hear the novela is sticking so closely to the book. I have read the author before (in English of course) but hadn't made the connection that this title was one of his! I'll have to put it on my wish list at the library.
NUEVO RICO
Interrupted for almost an hour today for the live broadcast of Presidents Obama and Calderon- darn it. Luckily I think the only big scene we missed was Brayan at the airport deciding to marry la flacuchenta de Fernanda.
Some nice scenes in Cartagena are coming up soon. Can we persuade anyone else to watch this? It's so much fun!
Martha
REINA -- General
Urban, Thanks so much for posting those lyrics!
Martha, I guess there's going to be a lot that isn't in the book at all. But it's still fun to pick out familiar details like those tacones.
NUEVO RICO, NUEVO POBRE jueves
Yup. Andres and Rosemary are headed to Cartagena. Their nascent romance has to be one of the sweetest ones in telenovela history!
Urban, Thanks so much for posting those lyrics!
Martha, I guess there's going to be a lot that isn't in the book at all. But it's still fun to pick out familiar details like those tacones.
NUEVO RICO, NUEVO POBRE jueves
Yup. Andres and Rosemary are headed to Cartagena. Their nascent romance has to be one of the sweetest ones in telenovela history!
REINA – jueves
A Brief resumé:
San Diego: Federal agent Willy Rangel can’t get Teresa to admit knowing anything about the Güero’s missing ledger. He grudgingly allows Teresa to board her flight for Spain.
On Don Epifanio Vargas’s instructions, Batman goes to see Ramiro (Ratas) in jail and tells him if he wants to keep breathing, he’ll have to serve a 5 year sentence like a man and keep his mouth shut.
Mexico: Don Epifanio’s political career begins.
Spain: Teresa flies to Madrid where she meets her contact. He tells her she can’t stay in the city. She’ll have to go somewhere obscure: north or south. Does it rain in the north? she wants to know. Yes, he says, and the winters are cold. She picks south. (Novelera, I think you’re right – this is the south of the title). She is sent to Melilla, a Spanish city in North Africa.
On the voyage across the Strait of Gibraltar, she meets Fátima Mansur, a prostitute.
In Melilla, Dris Larbi gives her a job waitressing at his bar, Yamila, after she turns down his first offer: to work as a prostitute. Coincidentally, Fátima works at Yamila too and she’s happy to see Teresa again. Dris Larbi also rents Teresa an apartment.
On her first night in Melilla, she hoists some tequila in the Güero’s memory. Then while wandering through the city, she meets Jaime (played by Juan Pablo Raba, ‘Said’ in El Clon) who seems to remind her of el Güero and with whom she has an intense sexual encounter. She leaves him smiling even though she tells him she was thinking about someone else.
Teresa settles into her waitressing job and her small apartment.
Six months later:
At Yamila, Teresa exposes the cashier as a thief, and incidentally displays her proficiency with numbers. The cashier is fired and she is given his job. A few of the B-girls are resentful.
Santiago Fisterra and another guy are small-scale smugglers moving goods across the strait in their boat. Right now they’re moving tobacco but Santiago wants to get into the hashish trade.
Santiago and friend – young, handsome guys – walk into Yamila one evening. The B-girls – the ones who dislike Teresa – swarm them but it’s Teresa who catches Santiago’s eye.
A Brief resumé:
San Diego: Federal agent Willy Rangel can’t get Teresa to admit knowing anything about the Güero’s missing ledger. He grudgingly allows Teresa to board her flight for Spain.
On Don Epifanio Vargas’s instructions, Batman goes to see Ramiro (Ratas) in jail and tells him if he wants to keep breathing, he’ll have to serve a 5 year sentence like a man and keep his mouth shut.
Mexico: Don Epifanio’s political career begins.
Spain: Teresa flies to Madrid where she meets her contact. He tells her she can’t stay in the city. She’ll have to go somewhere obscure: north or south. Does it rain in the north? she wants to know. Yes, he says, and the winters are cold. She picks south. (Novelera, I think you’re right – this is the south of the title). She is sent to Melilla, a Spanish city in North Africa.
On the voyage across the Strait of Gibraltar, she meets Fátima Mansur, a prostitute.
In Melilla, Dris Larbi gives her a job waitressing at his bar, Yamila, after she turns down his first offer: to work as a prostitute. Coincidentally, Fátima works at Yamila too and she’s happy to see Teresa again. Dris Larbi also rents Teresa an apartment.
On her first night in Melilla, she hoists some tequila in the Güero’s memory. Then while wandering through the city, she meets Jaime (played by Juan Pablo Raba, ‘Said’ in El Clon) who seems to remind her of el Güero and with whom she has an intense sexual encounter. She leaves him smiling even though she tells him she was thinking about someone else.
Teresa settles into her waitressing job and her small apartment.
Six months later:
At Yamila, Teresa exposes the cashier as a thief, and incidentally displays her proficiency with numbers. The cashier is fired and she is given his job. A few of the B-girls are resentful.
Santiago Fisterra and another guy are small-scale smugglers moving goods across the strait in their boat. Right now they’re moving tobacco but Santiago wants to get into the hashish trade.
Santiago and friend – young, handsome guys – walk into Yamila one evening. The B-girls – the ones who dislike Teresa – swarm them but it’s Teresa who catches Santiago’s eye.
REINA - jueves
Thanks very much, UrbanA, for the song lyrics.
Muchísimas gracias, NovelaMaven, for the brief but immensely helpful recap. Mostly, it confirmed what I'd understood, though I found the beginning (where Willy lets Teresa go) a little fuzzy. I thought he was arresting her, and the next thing I know she's on a plane to Spain. And was Jaime really Said from "El Clon"? No wonder I had this warm and fuzzy feeling when I saw him! I confess that I didn't recognize him.
I'm relieved that the TN didn't drag out the pre-Spain scenes any longer. So far, the writers seem to have skillfully worked new material into the story without distorting it. I hope they continue to succeed with this.
Thanks very much, UrbanA, for the song lyrics.
Muchísimas gracias, NovelaMaven, for the brief but immensely helpful recap. Mostly, it confirmed what I'd understood, though I found the beginning (where Willy lets Teresa go) a little fuzzy. I thought he was arresting her, and the next thing I know she's on a plane to Spain. And was Jaime really Said from "El Clon"? No wonder I had this warm and fuzzy feeling when I saw him! I confess that I didn't recognize him.
I'm relieved that the TN didn't drag out the pre-Spain scenes any longer. So far, the writers seem to have skillfully worked new material into the story without distorting it. I hope they continue to succeed with this.
AURORA -- Jueves
This novela has so many socially incestuous relationships you'd think it took place in a small town before 1700.
I am also questioning the legality of the will that was read to Martin: He will get his inheritance only if he is married. I had read that it is illegal to make such a condition in a will made in the US.
HEREDEROS
Berta's encounter with the splendidly naked Jose was the high point of this episode. I'm sure Modesto doubled over laughing when he left the kitchen. Really, a woman her age never having seen a naked man? That is quite unbelievable. It adds a whole new level of meaning to her reaction to Rosa's ogling of Johnny.
So Amador and Lucas are going to duke it out over Rosario? Rosa will definitely attempt to interfere.
While Jose appears to be in villain mode, he does have a point about the falsification of the DNA tests. Sofia and Paula have no right to not be called out on this.
This novela has so many socially incestuous relationships you'd think it took place in a small town before 1700.
I am also questioning the legality of the will that was read to Martin: He will get his inheritance only if he is married. I had read that it is illegal to make such a condition in a will made in the US.
HEREDEROS
Berta's encounter with the splendidly naked Jose was the high point of this episode. I'm sure Modesto doubled over laughing when he left the kitchen. Really, a woman her age never having seen a naked man? That is quite unbelievable. It adds a whole new level of meaning to her reaction to Rosa's ogling of Johnny.
So Amador and Lucas are going to duke it out over Rosario? Rosa will definitely attempt to interfere.
While Jose appears to be in villain mode, he does have a point about the falsification of the DNA tests. Sofia and Paula have no right to not be called out on this.
REINA -- jueves
Juanita, I'm glad you found the summary a little useful. About the scene in the San Diego airport --
It does look like Willy is going to arrest Teresa and bully her into telling him what he wants to know. But her insistence that she knows nothing and her assertion of her right to an attorney and her right to remain silent (el Güero had had the foresight to tell her what to say in case of encounters like this) make him change his mind. And maybe he has no real grounds to arrest her unless she makes an incriminating admission.
He decides to let her go but tells her she'll be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.
Later, Willy's superiors reproach him for his decision to let Teresa get on the plane.
Juanita, I'm glad you found the summary a little useful. About the scene in the San Diego airport --
It does look like Willy is going to arrest Teresa and bully her into telling him what he wants to know. But her insistence that she knows nothing and her assertion of her right to an attorney and her right to remain silent (el Güero had had the foresight to tell her what to say in case of encounters like this) make him change his mind. And maybe he has no real grounds to arrest her unless she makes an incriminating admission.
He decides to let her go but tells her she'll be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life.
Later, Willy's superiors reproach him for his decision to let Teresa get on the plane.
REINA:
I assumed that Teresa's US passport is fake. Willy is pretty imcompetant if he couldn't hold her for travelling on a false passport or at least detain her while investigating her citizenship status. But of course, this was just was just a teaser delaying tactic before Teresa goes to Spain.
On Wed.'s episode, Gato's ex-partner gets an assignment from Don Epifanio, I think, and goes and kills someone. Who was that? I sort of dozed off during that part. It was right before Ramiro finds Teresa in the hotel.
I assumed that Teresa's US passport is fake. Willy is pretty imcompetant if he couldn't hold her for travelling on a false passport or at least detain her while investigating her citizenship status. But of course, this was just was just a teaser delaying tactic before Teresa goes to Spain.
On Wed.'s episode, Gato's ex-partner gets an assignment from Don Epifanio, I think, and goes and kills someone. Who was that? I sort of dozed off during that part. It was right before Ramiro finds Teresa in the hotel.
REINA
Jean, I think Teresa has a Mexican passport with a visa for travel to the U.S. so there's a good chance it's for real.
The guys that el Gato's former partner, Pote, killed were federal agents. Willy refers to them on Thursday as "two of my best men". And recall that Don Epifanio called Willy his "worst enemy".
It wasn't clear to me if Pote killed them because they were a threat to Teresa or because they were working for Willy -- or maybe for both reasons.
Jean, I think Teresa has a Mexican passport with a visa for travel to the U.S. so there's a good chance it's for real.
The guys that el Gato's former partner, Pote, killed were federal agents. Willy refers to them on Thursday as "two of my best men". And recall that Don Epifanio called Willy his "worst enemy".
It wasn't clear to me if Pote killed them because they were a threat to Teresa or because they were working for Willy -- or maybe for both reasons.
HEREDEROS
Novelera- you get the prize for the most accurate description of a novela couple- Juan and Paula "don't have enough heat between them to warm up a cup of soup." I thought I was the only one who found these two almost uncomfortable together, much less in lust- and Mario Cimarro still cannot move his facial muscles enough to display any emotion whatsoever. I can only assume he has had botox because his expressions are literally frozen.
Novelera- you get the prize for the most accurate description of a novela couple- Juan and Paula "don't have enough heat between them to warm up a cup of soup." I thought I was the only one who found these two almost uncomfortable together, much less in lust- and Mario Cimarro still cannot move his facial muscles enough to display any emotion whatsoever. I can only assume he has had botox because his expressions are literally frozen.
LA REINA - JUEVES
I am loving this novela. It totally captures my interest. Like you, NovelaMaven, I am resorting to the subtitles in Spanish, especially for the Spanish accents.
By the way, Willy's boss did more than reproach him. He told him he'd be investigated by Internal Affairs for the way he handled his investigation of the Sinaloa cartel. And he removed Willy from the case.
I'm pretty sure Pote killed the two DEA agents because of what was in the Agenda Teresa gave to Epifanio.
I love Fátima, even if the prostitute with a heart of gold is a cliché.
I found it interesting that the B girls could detect Santiago and his associate's accents and place them as being from Galicia (or Gallegos). Of course I can't tell the difference.
Thanks, Urban A for the lyrics to the Corrido de Teresa Mendoza.
I must say I enjoyed Teresa's "encounter" with Jaime, played by the very attractive Juan Pablo Raba. It seemed somehow right to me. She slams down a lot of tequila (per Güero Dávila's request) and, in a desperate attempt to escape from her pain, has grief sex with a complete stranger. Nice touch, to me, that was not in the book.
Loved Don Epifanio's fake grin posing with the two kids for the kickoff of his political career.
Looks like Iván Sánchez is a major hottie. Does anyone know if he's really Spanish or from somewhere else doing the accent?
I am loving this novela. It totally captures my interest. Like you, NovelaMaven, I am resorting to the subtitles in Spanish, especially for the Spanish accents.
By the way, Willy's boss did more than reproach him. He told him he'd be investigated by Internal Affairs for the way he handled his investigation of the Sinaloa cartel. And he removed Willy from the case.
I'm pretty sure Pote killed the two DEA agents because of what was in the Agenda Teresa gave to Epifanio.
I love Fátima, even if the prostitute with a heart of gold is a cliché.
I found it interesting that the B girls could detect Santiago and his associate's accents and place them as being from Galicia (or Gallegos). Of course I can't tell the difference.
Thanks, Urban A for the lyrics to the Corrido de Teresa Mendoza.
I must say I enjoyed Teresa's "encounter" with Jaime, played by the very attractive Juan Pablo Raba. It seemed somehow right to me. She slams down a lot of tequila (per Güero Dávila's request) and, in a desperate attempt to escape from her pain, has grief sex with a complete stranger. Nice touch, to me, that was not in the book.
Loved Don Epifanio's fake grin posing with the two kids for the kickoff of his political career.
Looks like Iván Sánchez is a major hottie. Does anyone know if he's really Spanish or from somewhere else doing the accent?
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 1:29:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 1:29:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS - JUEVES
I feel like slapping Juan. Aren't we supposed to like the galán. Frankly, he used Paula like a Kleenex and then threw her away.
To my very small list of characters I like, I will add Modesto. Even though Berta has treated him with disdain, he tries to help her when she seems to be coming unglued at the sight of José en cueros. And, yes, this is a completely ridiculous plot point - Berta's prudishness being because of her virginity at an advanced age.
The actor portraying Gustavo's replacement has been in many, many novelas - usually as a priest.
I do love the horses. I think I remember someone commenting that they belonged to Vicente Fernández. I know the one Yáñez rode in FELS was from his stable. But, where is this novela filmed? If in the US, like most of Telemundo's offerings, would they have sent horses so far?
I feel like slapping Juan. Aren't we supposed to like the galán. Frankly, he used Paula like a Kleenex and then threw her away.
To my very small list of characters I like, I will add Modesto. Even though Berta has treated him with disdain, he tries to help her when she seems to be coming unglued at the sight of José en cueros. And, yes, this is a completely ridiculous plot point - Berta's prudishness being because of her virginity at an advanced age.
The actor portraying Gustavo's replacement has been in many, many novelas - usually as a priest.
I do love the horses. I think I remember someone commenting that they belonged to Vicente Fernández. I know the one Yáñez rode in FELS was from his stable. But, where is this novela filmed? If in the US, like most of Telemundo's offerings, would they have sent horses so far?
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 1:44:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 1:44:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS- Maybe Botox is the explanation for Cimarro's inability to achieve any facial expressions. He certainly wasn't so wooden in past roles.
REINA- Thanks, NovelaMaven, for the explanation of who Pote killed. And I think you are right that Teresa had a passport with an American visa, not an American passport.
REINA- Thanks, NovelaMaven, for the explanation of who Pote killed. And I think you are right that Teresa had a passport with an American visa, not an American passport.
HEREDEROS - I beleive that the novela is being filmed in Colombia, where most of the Telemundo novelas produced by the RTI production company, are made. In fact, the hacienda appears to be the same house that was used in Pasion de Gavilanes.
These novelas typically don't take place in any speficied place (people go to 'the capital') and the characters use American money.
These novelas typically don't take place in any speficied place (people go to 'the capital') and the characters use American money.
LA REINA DEL SUR
Iván Sanchez who plays Santiago
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iván_Sánchez_(actor)
Teresa's encounter with Jaime, I think that was referred to in the book as a comment from someone, as an explanation of the few sexual encounters she had while working at the club, trying to deal with the void that Guero left her with. (btw, something I got more from the book was what an incredible lover Guero was for her)
It was interesting to learn that Melilla was one of a couple of cities in north africa that are actually a part of Spain.
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/melilla.htm
On Willy at the airport. (I don't speak spanish so I'm not very good with the details) When he confronted Teresa, DEA, the notebook, blah, blah, blah, the safe house, didn't she come back at him with, so why did you let Gato rape me? He had been with her on the escape, knew that she was a complete wreck, and realizing this part, wasn't that the turning point. When he decided to let her go?
(I read this blog daily but never post. Love you guys)
Iván Sanchez who plays Santiago
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iván_Sánchez_(actor)
Teresa's encounter with Jaime, I think that was referred to in the book as a comment from someone, as an explanation of the few sexual encounters she had while working at the club, trying to deal with the void that Guero left her with. (btw, something I got more from the book was what an incredible lover Guero was for her)
It was interesting to learn that Melilla was one of a couple of cities in north africa that are actually a part of Spain.
http://lexicorient.com/e.o/melilla.htm
On Willy at the airport. (I don't speak spanish so I'm not very good with the details) When he confronted Teresa, DEA, the notebook, blah, blah, blah, the safe house, didn't she come back at him with, so why did you let Gato rape me? He had been with her on the escape, knew that she was a complete wreck, and realizing this part, wasn't that the turning point. When he decided to let her go?
(I read this blog daily but never post. Love you guys)
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:36:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:36:00 PM EST
HEREDEROS
Thanks, Jean, for the info on where this is being filmed. It doesn't really look like Florida!
I always get a kick out of the way all telenovelas insert the same location shots over and over. We get the same two shots of the Del Monte hacienda by day and by night. We get the same scene of the same cattle being herded somewhere. And we get the same three black horses in a pasture again and again.
Thanks, Jean, for the info on where this is being filmed. It doesn't really look like Florida!
I always get a kick out of the way all telenovelas insert the same location shots over and over. We get the same two shots of the Del Monte hacienda by day and by night. We get the same scene of the same cattle being herded somewhere. And we get the same three black horses in a pasture again and again.
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:38:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:38:00 PM EST
Reina - general
My recorder is fixed. Just watched Wednesday and Thursday. Helped by NovelaMaven's recap and comments, as well as comments of all you othere. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Some things not written in the book nevertheless fit the story and the characters, though one or two may reveal some surprises early.
Poto is PERFECT, every bit a casting as brillian as Kate for Teresa.
But why did El Gato have to have such a silly haircut and clown clothes? I think Porras is a good enough actor to get across what an evil person the Cat is without the stupid costume. (Besides, in spite of his role, I'd love just to watch him appearing more natural!) Saw today in part all the characters talking about their roles and learned that Porras' wife has been on the set watching. His expression sure changes when she's around! Lois
My recorder is fixed. Just watched Wednesday and Thursday. Helped by NovelaMaven's recap and comments, as well as comments of all you othere. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Some things not written in the book nevertheless fit the story and the characters, though one or two may reveal some surprises early.
Poto is PERFECT, every bit a casting as brillian as Kate for Teresa.
But why did El Gato have to have such a silly haircut and clown clothes? I think Porras is a good enough actor to get across what an evil person the Cat is without the stupid costume. (Besides, in spite of his role, I'd love just to watch him appearing more natural!) Saw today in part all the characters talking about their roles and learned that Porras' wife has been on the set watching. His expression sure changes when she's around! Lois
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:50:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 2:50:00 PM EST
LA REINA - GENERAL
I'm inclined to think Güero had American passports for both he and Teresa.
The passports looked just like my passport: dark blue
According to this link, Mexican passports are dark green:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_passport#Physical_Appearance
I'm inclined to think Güero had American passports for both he and Teresa.
The passports looked just like my passport: dark blue
According to this link, Mexican passports are dark green:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_passport#Physical_Appearance
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 3:42:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 3:42:00 PM EST
REINA -- Jueves
I'm really enjoying the incidental music in this series and the location shots. After the first two episodes I was concerned that this would be just one long chase.
Am I the only person here who doesn't care for nortena music?
I'm really enjoying the incidental music in this series and the location shots. After the first two episodes I was concerned that this would be just one long chase.
Am I the only person here who doesn't care for nortena music?
REINA
Novelera, about the passports, on p 30 of my paperback edition, it says:
Junto a los dolares había dos pasaportes: el suyo y el del Güero. Los dos tenían visas norteamericanas vigentes.
Of course I couldn't swear to the color of the passport we saw in the episode :)
Deb, Thanks for doing the research! And you are so right about Teresa coming back at Willy about the rape. That may well have been a decisive moment.
Can't wait for tonight's episode!
Novelera, about the passports, on p 30 of my paperback edition, it says:
Junto a los dolares había dos pasaportes: el suyo y el del Güero. Los dos tenían visas norteamericanas vigentes.
Of course I couldn't swear to the color of the passport we saw in the episode :)
Deb, Thanks for doing the research! And you are so right about Teresa coming back at Willy about the rape. That may well have been a decisive moment.
Can't wait for tonight's episode!
LA REINA
NovelaMaven, thanks for looking that up about the visas as opposed to US passports in the text of the book.
Maybe while filming they didn't think anyone would notice the color of the passports and just made them blue Mexican passports.
Incidentally, I work with several naturalized US citizens born in other countries who have US passports, so it wouldn't have been that odd if Teresa HAD a US Passport.
NovelaMaven, thanks for looking that up about the visas as opposed to US passports in the text of the book.
Maybe while filming they didn't think anyone would notice the color of the passports and just made them blue Mexican passports.
Incidentally, I work with several naturalized US citizens born in other countries who have US passports, so it wouldn't have been that odd if Teresa HAD a US Passport.
Permalink posted by : Friday, March 4, 2011 at 9:47:00 PM EST
: Friday, March 4, 2011 at 9:47:00 PM EST
AURORA -
Whether you can put conditions in a will depends on state law. Each state is different. However, generally, as long as conditions are enforceable and not against public policy, they are upheld. For Martin to get married or be married within one month meets both of those tests, so I'd say this is realistic (one of the few things in this novela that IS :)
Whether you can put conditions in a will depends on state law. Each state is different. However, generally, as long as conditions are enforceable and not against public policy, they are upheld. For Martin to get married or be married within one month meets both of those tests, so I'd say this is realistic (one of the few things in this novela that IS :)
HEREDEROS -
It was funny to watch Rosa dress up in that outfit to satisfy Miguel's fantasies, although 1) the daughters caught them, and 2) this is not too nice for Miguel to keep forcing her to do things. And I think Rosa is setting a record for quantity of red eyeshadow worn by a woman over 40.
It was funny to watch Rosa dress up in that outfit to satisfy Miguel's fantasies, although 1) the daughters caught them, and 2) this is not too nice for Miguel to keep forcing her to do things. And I think Rosa is setting a record for quantity of red eyeshadow worn by a woman over 40.
Hey guys,
I've been enjoying this blog, thanks to NovelaMaven for showing me the way over here ;)
You recappers do a great job!
Lately I'm watching Los Herederos and La Reina. Aurora...eh no. Is there a worse show?? I can't remember the last time I didn't have the tv on telemundo during that time slot.
I've been enjoying this blog, thanks to NovelaMaven for showing me the way over here ;)
You recappers do a great job!
Lately I'm watching Los Herederos and La Reina. Aurora...eh no. Is there a worse show?? I can't remember the last time I didn't have the tv on telemundo during that time slot.
Hola Rand! Bienvenido, amigo!
Since Jean posted a new page for the coming week, I’m going to copy your comment and paste it over there:
http://tinyurl.com/5ulrg7a
To find the most current page (we put up a fresh one late Friday or early Saturday), go to the main blog page:
http://caraycaray.blogspot.com/
Scroll down the left-hand column to “Mundo de Telemundo” (If you see Fernando Colunga, you’ve gone too far. Back up a couple of spaces.)
If you click on “Discussions”, you’ll get to a page of “Delicious” bookmarks. The topmost is typically the most recent entry.
You can also click on “Experimental Telemundo recap feed”. This will bring you to an internal blogspot bookmark listing from which you can get to the current (or any archived) page. [This “experimental” bookmark is replacing “Delicious” at this blog overall but Jean and I continue to leave a duplicate bookmark at Delicious because some people or systems or computers have trouble displaying the “Experimental” one. Clear as mud?]
¡Hasta pronto!
Post a Comment
Since Jean posted a new page for the coming week, I’m going to copy your comment and paste it over there:
http://tinyurl.com/5ulrg7a
To find the most current page (we put up a fresh one late Friday or early Saturday), go to the main blog page:
http://caraycaray.blogspot.com/
Scroll down the left-hand column to “Mundo de Telemundo” (If you see Fernando Colunga, you’ve gone too far. Back up a couple of spaces.)
If you click on “Discussions”, you’ll get to a page of “Delicious” bookmarks. The topmost is typically the most recent entry.
You can also click on “Experimental Telemundo recap feed”. This will bring you to an internal blogspot bookmark listing from which you can get to the current (or any archived) page. [This “experimental” bookmark is replacing “Delicious” at this blog overall but Jean and I continue to leave a duplicate bookmark at Delicious because some people or systems or computers have trouble displaying the “Experimental” one. Clear as mud?]
¡Hasta pronto!
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