Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Teresa Wed 3/30/11 #1 “Now I aint sayin she a gold digger”

(Caray needs recappers for this telenovela -- many thanks to Aribeth for the premier recap!)


* 2007, Mexico City. A slender girl in an elegant blue dress is leaving the old, dirty neighborhood. On the other end of the city there’s a big party where the students of the Lord Byron School are celebrating their graduation. At table 2 Rubén Cáceres (Manuel Landeta) and his wife Mayra (Dobrina Cristeva) praise their daughter Aída (played by Margarita Magaña, so I guess she’s a spoiled brat), and they are very proud at their little princess for going to law school.

* Paulo Alba (Alejandro Nones), the most popular playboy of the school and his elegant mother, Genoveva (Felicia Mercado) arrive at the ballroom and they join their rich friends. Aída, who obviously has a crush on Paulo, asks him to dance with her but he doesn’t even listen to her, he’s watching the girl in the blue dress and he runs to rescue her from her circle of admirers. Teresa (Angelique Boyer) greets him with a wide smile. After kissing his girlfriend Paulo asks her about her parents. Unfortunately they couldn’t accompany her, they travel all the time, and as usual, they failed her. Oh, what a shame, says Paulo. But don’t be sad, my love.

* Héctor Alcazar (Óscar Bonfiglio) and his happy-go-lucky daughter Aurora (Ana Brenda) enter the room. Since Héctor’s a typical single dad, he’s a little bit nervous, but Aurora calms him down: there’s no need to think about her mother that moment.

* At table 8 Teresa greets Genoveva, who apparently likes her much and she’s sorry about her parents’ absence. Héctor and Aurora assure Teresa they love her, and she’s a brilliant girl because she graduated at the top of her class. An hour later Paulo and Teresa assure each other of their love. Paulo, the Horny does his best to get into her pants at last: they’ve been together for two years, they’re going to marry, then why wait any longer? Teresa pulls an angel face and tells him she loves him sooo much and wants to be his woman sooo much, however, she’s a conservative girls and wants to wait until her wedding night. By the way… She has to tell him something important, her parents want her to go to Europe with them next week. Boom.



* In the meantime Aurora is talking with pouting Aída, who’s seriously pissed off at Teresa and Paulo. Loyal Aurora defends her best friend and tells Aída that she shouldn’t be pining after someone else’s boyfriend. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Paulo belongs to Miss Perfect, but you know what? I can’t stand her! Aurora, the newest incarnation of Melanie Wilkes tries to cheer her up: come on, Aída, don’t be so depressed at your graduation party, let’s dance!



* Teresa tells Paulo she can’t disobey her parents… therefore there’s only one solution left: marriage. Yes, they’re way too young to get married, but what else could they do? Paulo promises her to talk with his mother, and don’t worry, she always liked Teresa.

* On the first floor Teresa tells Aurora the good news. She’s very glad for her, but what about Teresa’s parents? Have you told Paulo about them yet, my friend? Friend… Teresa echoes Aurora’s word and thanks her for helping her and being her friend… the only one. The girls hug. A few minutes later Teresa leaves and says goodbye to Paulo. No, there’s no need to give her a lift, she’ll sleep at Aurora’s flat. However, she left her shawl in the ballroom, which gives Paulo the perfect excuse to 1. follow her by taxi, 2. avoid Aída’s overwhelming attention and fangirling.



* Teresa arrives at the vecindad in a galaxy far, far away. She looks at the old, simple building, the dirty streets and the poor peasants with the deepest disdain, but when she enters her home, a bunch of singing people greet her, people love her and who are proud of her. She kisses her father Armando (Juan Carlos Colombo), her mother Refugio (Silvia Mariscal), her little sister Rosita (Jessica Segura), her godmother Juana (Cynthia Klitbo) and their friends: Johnny (Luis Fernando Peña), Cutberto the mariachi (Alejandro Ávila) and Ramón Sánchez (Juan Sahagún), then she shyly greets Ramón’s blushing son, Mariano (Aarón Díaz).



* Teresa thanks Juana for paying her studies and then proud Armando makes a speech: his daughter is a good, caring and hardworking girl who’ll have a much better life. However, the good daughter can’t get her eyes off of silent Mariano. Paulo arrives at the vecindad where he has to realize that his beloved princess is a slumdog and a liar. The disappointed boy leaves.





* In the meantime Refugio praises Teresa’s virtues, she was very worried about that fancy school filled with rich folks, but Teresa behaved very well. Please promise her she’ll never forget the people who love her and the principles she was taught by her family! Teresa is very tired with Refugio’s babbling and excuses herself: look, Rosa wants to say something! The young girl is 15 years old and she’d be so happy if she had a quinceañera party! Pretty please, with a cherry on top! Armando is sorry but they can’t afford it now that Teresa is going to the university. But the public university doesn’t cost much, objects Rosita. That’s true, but they still have to buy a lot of expensive law books. Teresa bursts out: money! It’s always about money! She tells her father she’s enraged that she can’t go to the university where she wants to study with her friends. Mariano, who actually can talk, points out that at least she can go to a university and Teresa, who suddenly became a wide-eyed innocent, purring kitten again, agrees with him. All she wants is a career… and to get married… with an adequate guy. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*

* Juana asks Teresa about the dress she made for her and the girl praises her godmother’s sewing skills. As usual, she made her a dress that’s just as elegant as her classmates’. Juana smiles, well, at least it was worth working for rich women for so many years! Cutberto, the Flirty quickly seizes the opportunity to praise Juana’s talent. And he wants to dance with his queen, the most precious flower of the neighbourhood. Embarrassed Juana blushes, Viewerville swoons. Let the party begin! Ramón asks his son if he wants to dance with Teresa. Well, he doesn’t have a choice, and Teresa almost melts in his arms.



* Next day in the preparatory an elegant lawyer called Arturo de la Barrera (Sebastián Rullí) gets a few documents from the school’s rector and he’s about to leave when he notices Teresa with tons of law books. *Viewerville: and two fake boobs* He greets her, and the girl flashes her 1000 watt smile: oh, hello, professor… or should she call him licenciado de la Barrera now? No, he prefers professor. *1:0 to Arturo* So… if he recalls correctly, she wants to become a lawyer, doesn’t she? Yes, yes, yes! And which university did she choose? Teresa smiles and says she hasn’t decided yet. The professor says she’s the best student of the school, and with her knowledge and talent she should go to the Universidad del Sur. Teresa nods. That’s the best school of Mexico… Teresa agrees. But Arturo knows she can’t afford it. Teresa’s jaw drops. Yes, he knows about her circumstances and her parents. But it’d be a shame if she had to waste her talent because of her lack of money. Arturo gives Teresa his business card and promises to help her financially.



* On the other side of the glass door jealous Paulo watches them, and as usual, doesn’t give a damn about Aída’s enthusiastic welcome kiss. After thanking Arturo for his help, Teresa greets her lover and asks him if he talked with his mother about the wedding. Paulo tells her he knows about her secret, he knows about her scholarship and her parents who aren’t in Europe but in a wretched vecindad! Teresa defiantly admits she lied. And then what? Would he have dated her if he’d known about her real origin? Would they have spent two wonderful years together? If her circumstances bother him so much, he’d better forgive her! But listen to me carefully: entre ser o no ser, yo soy. (Between to be or not to be – I AM!)



* After getting out of the sight of Paulo and Arturo, Teresa collapses and cries, but when she hears the cheerful greeting of Aurora, she tries to hide her tears. What happened?! She and Paulo are over, sobs Teresa, he found out she lives in a vecindad! Aurora is very sorry for her, that’s why she asked her many times to tell Paulo the truth. But don’t worry! She’s pretty, she’s a good person, who cares if she doesn’t have money? But it’s so hard to talk about these things, cries the girl. In this school everyone is talking about their expensive gadgets and great travels, and she feels inferior to them! Yes, Aurora understands her, but Paulo doesn’t! And she just wanted to tell him the truth… Gosh, how on Earth did he find it out?! Teresa’s expression hardens. Did… Did Aurora tell him? No, never! Teresa apologizes and tries to flee but Aurora invites her for a coffee.

* Ten minutes later Teresa is still crying and whining. How could’ve her life changed so quickly and drastically? Aurora tries her best to calm her down: money isn’t the most important thing ever, and if she and Paulo really love each other then everything will be all right. Oh, no. Aurora has money, therefore it doesn’t mean anything for her, but she had no idea how Teresa feels. Her boyfriend doesn’t want her because she’s poor. *Viewerville: or because you lied to him* She struggled every day, it was so hard to dress like a rich girl and avoid humiliation because of her old clothes… No, living without money is horrible. The mother of her first boyfriend died because they didn’t have money for the expensive treatments. Aurora joins the crying club and tells Teresa she admires her for her hard work. Well, as for Paulo, he must feel betrayed now, remember, Aurora was also angry at Teresa when she found out the truth. Teresa is inconsolable and feels like her life is over… until she realizes she has one more chance. No, she didn’t lose everything. She shows surprised Aurora the professor’s business card and a new plan comes into her mind.

* On the football field Paulo tries to ease his heartbreak with a testosterone-filled fight. He tells his best friend he’s very furious because of Teresa lie… and because he still loves her. Actually, he doesn’t know if he can live without her.

* In the café Aurora can’t see the connection between the breakup with Paulo and the business card of de la Barrera. Well, Teresa used to have plans with Paulo, but since their relationship ended, she has to get ahead. She wants to be like licenciado de la Barrera, and although her heart is broken, from now she’ll focus on this task only. Aurora agrees with her, de la Barrera is one of the best lawyers of Mexico. *Viewerville: Of course, he looks like a supermodel, he’s smart, rich and successful. How realistic.* Well, Teresa is more interested in Arturo’s connections and influence. You know, my friend… right now my task is Arturo. De. La. Barrera.



* Teresa’s newest prey is at home with his mousy little sister Luisa (Fernanda Castillo), who likes to take care of her big brother. Arturo is eagerly waiting for his student’s call.

* The aforementioned student arrives at the neighborhood where her mother is doing the laundry and tells Refugio she definitely doesn’t want to go a public university. No, she wants the Universidad del Sur. Refugio is shocked, it’s too expensive, they won’t be able to afford it. Anyway, Teresa should content herself with what she has, and remember the virtues they were talking about last night! Just don’t change. Teresa murmurs that she doesn’t change, she’ll be the same forever. She just wants to leave the vecindad! She wants her family to become richer, therefore she has to go to the Universidad del Sur. It isn’t just the best law school, but it also provides the most important thing for a lawyer: connections. Earth calls Teresa, Mom Refugio tells her she should forget these plans. No, no way. One of her professors offered her help.



* In Rubén’s office Daddy asks his secretary to send Aída’s personal files to the university. Yes, sir, but right now his employees are occupied. Does he want her to call that taxi driver who occasionally delivers their packages? Yes, please call him. In the meantime Genoveva tells Aída how strangely Paulo acted last night. What happened? Genoveva doesn’t know, but she’ll find it out.

* Refugio is outraged at Arturo’s offer, who knows what his real intentions are?! And even if he doesn’t want anything from her, he is his professor, it isn’t right to pay her studies! Plehehease, mother! She needs to go to that school… Refugio explodes. ENOUGH, Teresa! If you want to study, you’ll go to the public university!

* At home Teresa is trying to figure out what to do with Arturo’s offer when her friend Esperanza Medina (Fabiola Campomanes) knocks on the door and congratulates her. Unfortunately she couldn’t join them last night because she had to take care of Pablito, her little brother. And how is he, asks Teresa. He’s in a bad shape despite the medicines. After Esperanza leaves for work, a foot, a pink shirt and a douchebag head shows up at the doorstep. Paulo passionately hugs his Teresa and tells her sweet things. Oh, how romantic.

* Aurora arrives at the famous university to register, however, in the hall she accidentally drops her documents. But don’t worry, there’s a tall guy in a shining armor who immediately tries to help her. Holding hands? Checked. Blushing? Checked. Wide, embarrassed smiles? Checked. Mariano? Checked.



* Teresa and Paulo keep saying how much they love each other. However, Teresa decides to show Paulo her world, the dirty neighborhood. Is he sure about his feelings? Does he really love her despite everything? Yes, yes, yes, he does, that’s why he’s there. Teresa melts. She runs back to the flat and tells her mother she’s going to spend the afternoon with a friend from the preparatory. Refugio is very happy to hear that her daughter at last invited one of her friends to their home, but Teresa would rather die than to let Paulo meet her family, so she says they’re in a hurry. But… Refugio hopes Teresa is telling the truth and she doesn’t plan to visit that professor. Oh, mom, why doesn’t you trust me? You and father taught me the moral principles I always follow, and I know what I have to do.

* In the hall of the Cáceres villa Rubén finds a young stranger on the top of a ladder, cleaning/repairing the huge chandelier. Mariano introduces himself and tells him he’s the taxi driver who delivered Aída’s files to the university, and while he was waiting for Rubén’s secretary, he offered his help to the maid. He’s glad to meet Sr. Cáceres personally because his office gave him a job, and he would like to thank him for everything. Mayra and Aída arrive at home with a large amount of shopping bags. Rubén greets them but unfortunately he can’t stay at home with them, he has a business meeting. He asks Aída to sign her documents for the university and gave them to Mariano, then he leaves. Aída looks at the pretty boy and obviously she likes what she sees. She pulls a flirty Gaby Spanic and asks Mariano if he works in her daddy’s law office. No, he’s just a taxi driver. Really? Dammit. Gaby Spanic transforms into Jacqueline Andere and she wants to get rid of the peasant as soon as possible.

* Paulo and Teresa are dancing in a bar, and they’re still VERY MUCH in love with each other. No more lies and now they know each other much better than before. Teresa goes to the ladies’ room but she sees a familiar face… her friend Esperanza, who was supposed to be in the hospital, but instead she’s snogging with Rubén Cáceres. Esperanza runs after her friend and tries to explain her everything. She loves Rubén but can’t introduce him to her family because… Because he’s married, says Teresa. Please, Teresa. Don’t tell anyone. All right, all right, she’ll keep her mouth shut.



* Rubén and Esperanza leave, and Teresa goes back to her boyfriend and begs him to tell her why he brought her there. Her curiosity is killing her. Paulo first asks her to close her eyes, then he gives her That Box with That Ring. Teresa is head over heels at the beautiful and expensive “symbol of their relationship”, but there’s one little problem: by relationship Paulo means something else. Actually, he has another gift for her: a flat… where they will spend the night together. What? Why, they entered a new stage of their relationship, says Paulo, and he loves her and accepts her circumstances. Seriously, WHAT? Sweet, lovely Teresa transforms into an angry dragon and she refuses Paulo’s offer. When he thought she was rich he wanted to marry her, but now that he knows she’s poor he only wants her as a mistress? Paulo doesn’t understand what her problem is. He loves her! But Teresa won’t be anyone’s lover, and he can’t buy her with gifts. Keep the ring! He follows the enraged girl to the street where he pulls a tantrum. At least he honestly told Teresa what he wanted and he didn’t betray her like she did with him! Understand, his mother would never accept her as a daughter-in-law, but at least they could live and have fun together! And he gave her a large amount of money, didn’t he. SLAP!



* Paulo grabs her by the arm and asks her if she was with him for his money. Don’t forget, he gave him a computer, a cell phone and other thing she could’ve never bought by herself. He tries to kiss her but suddenly a taxi stops next to them and Sir Mariano saves the damsel in distress and beats Paulo up. After the rich boy runs away, the gorgeous little demon and the humble taxi driver look at each other… romantic music… they almost kiss each other… But hey, we have 150 episodes left.



Aribeth

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Comments:
Thanks, Aribeth!

Here are the You Tube links for this episode, in case you missed it:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4
 

Excellent. I watched this episode online a couple of weeks ago and this promises to be an interesting story.

Never having seen any previous version of this story, I am wondering how she can get away with talking about "principios" when it's obvious that she's greedy and looking for her Mrs degree with a rich guy.
 

Great recap Aribeth and of course thank you Jeri for providing the YouTube links. Seems like old times in the CS and LVO blog. Also love the Kanye West "Gold Digger," song lyric in the title. Anyway, this show has gotten off to a great start and I don't think I will grow tired of the protagonist. I love her take no prisoner’s attitude too and am looking forward to seeing how she plans on bringing her caviar dreams into fruition.
 

It does feel like LVO old times-- an excellent (so far) novela, great commentors, and a fabulous recap (not to mention the You Tube links from Jeri). Bien hecho Aribeth! You really started us off well. I hope as Eva Luna and Llena end, we can lure a full crew of recappers to this show. The first episode was very good. Great chemistry between Teresa and Mariano, and Marino and Aurora, and Teresa and El Profesor. I am almost, almost tempted to recap. But two back to back recapping gigs, and the approach of spring and summer activities, means I can't commit as much time. I could definitely be a sub recapper from time to time.

Pirate Babe- I am also eager to see how/if Teresa conquers her dreams. Since she is actually a good student (best in her class) and super smart, I don't think her only dream is to be a Mrs. to some rich dude. The rich dude would just be a means to reach her dreams of becoming successful and climbing out of poverty. I bet she wouldn't be content to just be some rich housewife doing nothing but shopping all day. I think her ambitions reach further than that.
 

Oh, yeah; I think it's significant that she's fighting tooth and nail to get into "Southern U." and be an "attorney at law."

She wants to get married, but she seems like a hard worker -- not the classic gold digger profile.

I loved the chemistry between Teresa and the Professor. Really looking forward to that.

In fact, I had a default picture stashed away for the blog title in case I needed it.

This kind of sums up the episode for me, which I thought of as:

An offer she can't refuse...
 

Thank you for the fantastic recap Aribeth!

Loved this:

"played by Margarita Magaña, so I guess she’s a spoiled brat)"

Hahaha, poor Margarita. She's played lots of spoiled brats but at least every once in a while she breaks the mold Televisa has for her. In this novela meanwhile we are seeing Cynthia Klitbo doing a great job playing a good hearted woman and breaking away from her usual villains. For those who saw Ana Brenda playing the bad girl in Sortilegio I guess this is another change (though she does usually play good girls, the Sortilegio role was the different one for her).

I loved your take on the first episode and I agree with everyone that this thread has a feel simmilar to the old LVO line.

I remembered this first episode as if I had seen it yesterday. I love Rulli here and he looks great in those pics. As always, you did a great job capturing the best moments.

I really like the beginning with Teresa walking from the bad neighborhood to the elegant party. I thought that was a good way to start the episode. I also loved the first meeting between Mariano and Aurora, Ana Brenda has a nice smile.

I hope more people will join in as the novela continues to build. Univision gave it a great timeslot :).

Jarocha
 

Thank you! :)

Vivi:
I was tempted to regularly recap the show, too, but I had to realize I won't have much free time for the next five months.

The chemistry between the four leads was great. Aurora's sickeningly sweet for me, but I Ana Brenda's wide smile is irresistible. I'm not a Rullí fan, but geez, he's beautiful here.

Margarita Magana plays the most entertaining spoiled brat ever, so I guess I'll like Aída, too. :)

Juana and Cutberto will be my secret favourites, it's good to see Cynthia in a nice role, and hiiiii, adorable Alejandro Ávila from Corazón salvaje. :))

However, I'm not interested in the side stories like Esperanza's and Rubén's not-so-secret affair.

Oh, and kudos to Mónica Miguel for the great directing!
 

Posting and links by Jeri, recap by Aribeth, what a way to start the day! If not back in the LVO days, onto a new chapter of what appears to be an intriguing storyline.

Aribeth, your LVO recaps were amazing, but honestly, I think this is your best to date. Putting the characters names together with the actors was so helpful. Your summary was flawless, perfectly written. Your humor was on fire: fangirling", "slumdog and a liar" and "Gaby Spanic transforms into Jacqueline Andere and she wants to get rid of the peasant as soon as possible". Best line was "newest incarnation of Melanie Wilkes".

Interesting, multidimensional characters and many possibilities. I've not seen Aarón Díaz before, but he exudes a quiet sexuality.

If La Verdad Occulta ever airs again, I urge everyone to read Jeri, Aribeth and Vivi's wonderful summaries. One of the best telenovelas ever, recapped by three amazing women.

Gracias Aribeth.

Diana
 

Good morning :-) Haven't had a chance to listen to the recap yet, but I have to agree with Diana -- it looks like your best ever, Aribeth!

Thank you so much!

(If anyone wants to watch La Verdad Oculta, all the You Tube links for every episode are included in the comments sections of all 120 recaps.)
 

Thanks Aribeth.Gave this a look last night and actuakky found it rather interesting. Of course, the heroine is alweays the best at everything, but I like the idea that they aren't leaving her "book-smarts" at the door like some female characters. I hate when they have someone top of the class, and then that's it and it becomes all about becoming someone's wife. I would love to see her become a top-notch lawyer, etc.

This is going to be interesting to see how the romances play out. I do agree that right now, the side story with Esparanza - snooze.
 

Thoughts:

Teresa's butt wiggle and boob popping is going to get on my nerves, I know that's part of her character but still.

After seeing Ana Brenda as a bad girl in Sorti and Mujeres Asesinas, it will be interesting for me to see her as a good girl. And I'm going to have to see why the men are flocking around Teresa (who is a cute girl) but not Aurora (who is also a very cute girl). It has to be the sexuality that Teresa exudes.

Aida will = entertainment.

Mariano looks like Bruno Jr.

Paulo looks like a big lug from an 80s teen flick.
 

Aaron Diaz was very sexy in Barrera de Amor, especially in his traje de luces.

http://www.aarondiazspenceronline.com/Gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_04.jpg
 

Well, we've been thrown a little meat with our novela potatoes in Teresa. We have a young woman whose overriding desire is to be a success and climb out of her unsavory Mexico City vecindad. I don't blame her, that location didn't seem like Mayberry, RFD to me. Perhaps she has made mistakes in trying to fit in in a foreign country, a private school filled with privileged, wealthy students, but who didn't make mistakes adjusting to social challenges when we were young? Teresa will be a good companion piece for those of us who are watching "Mildred Pierce" on HBO, another woman using her wiles to compete in a economically challenging world. Teresa is off to an interesting start, we'll see where it goes! It might sail up, up, up, but then again, it might slog down, down, down!!!

Aribeth, your recap was fabulous as usual, especially loved the Melanie Wilkes, Gabriel Spanic and Jacqueline Andere references. Your are so good with details. Jeri thanks for the links, now the travelers among us can keep up with the episodes.

Hello to all my LVO buddies, I've missed our daily adoption and/or bread crumbs conversations!
 

Thanks, Aribeth for a fantastic (and funny) recap, helping us to get familiar with all the characters.

I'm currently also watching La Reina del Sur on Telemundo, where the main character is named Teresa. I wonder if putting this Teresa on (with the same name) is part of Univision's strategy to combat the amazing success of Reina (along with expanding the telenovela lineup to have a 10:00 P.M. novela, too).

I'm enjoying all the actresses in roles different from ones in which I've seen them before. And I think they all look great, even the one who plays Arturo's sister.
 

Sandy, TNT ran Mildred Pierce several weeks ago. Teresa is similar to Veeda although I sense Teresa may have a heart (buried somewhere under all that ambition.

Great to see so many LVO bloggers here.

Diana
 

Aribeth, LOL at Aurora > Melanie Wilkes.

As we all came to know, I assume -- Melanie had real strength. I always remember her going through the dead man's pockets, when Scarlett concludes, "I'm ashamed I didn't think of it myself..."

Here is a blog post, where the writer points out that whereas Scarlet attracted attention, Melanie had influence. I would be curious to see how that goes with Teresa/Aurora.

Would you rather be Scarlet O’Hara, or Melanie Wilkes?

 

Jeri: "...whereas Scarlet attracted attention, Melanie had influence".

Yes, an excellent point. Being influential is important and exhilerating.

But, first and foremost, Scarlet attracted Rhett.

My answer? Color me Scarlet.

Diana
 

Jeri, you were reading my mind. Teresa reminds me of Scarlet O’Hara and Arturo of Rhett Butler. Scarlet was very ambitious and men flocked to her like a moth to a flame. I too love the chemistry between Teresa and Arturo and can't wait to see how this all plays out with Teresa's obvious crush on Mariano. However, I don't think he turn out to be an Ashley Wilkes.
 

By the way, the Kanye West song has been running through my head all day! Good thing I actually like the song, but now I've got to get it out of my head. :)
 

On Teresa's appeal to guys--- self confidence! Not only is she pretty (and knows it) and super smart, she carries herself like she owns the world, while at the same time smiling at people and making them feel like all her attention is on them. Even a not so pretty girl can become the center of attention with that skill. That's what divides her from pretty/sweet, but shy Aurora, and pretty but bitchy (treats people as less than her) Aida. That's why she had a circle of men around her. And yes, she does know how to use her feminine whiles and her figure to her advantage, but she's not easy (she hasn't had sex with her boyfriend of 2 years). So it's not like the guys are around her because they think she'll "put out." In fact, she's probably harder to get than most of the girls in that school.
 

I think Melanie's power to be more influential was more important that Scarlett's power to attract, because Melanie's influence got a bunch of people out of jams that Scarlett's attraction caused:

Scarlett was attractive but a 16/17 year old widow and according to the rules of the day, supposed to be in mourning for the rest of her life; it was Melanie's influence that led her to be able to party and have fun again.

Frank's attraction to Scarlett and wanting to protect his wife led him and the gang to run up on the lumbermill people; it was Melanie's influence (over Belle) that prevented them from being arrested.

Ashley was attracted to Scarlett and everyone could see that (Ashley's birthdway party); it was Melanie's influence that prevented Scarlett, Rhett and their children from being outcasts.

Scarlett & Rhett were attracted to each other but had lots of drama between them; it was Melanie's influence over both Rhett & Scarlett that smoothed the waters b/w them.

Melanie was influential up til the end because she influenced Scarlett to forget about her attraction to Ashley and go fight for Rhett.
 

I love Melanie, and she was strong. She was sick and fatigued, but she would've tried to kill that yankee soldier by herself with Charles's sword.
Her only weakness is her cluelessness - and yet that made her such a sweet, honest and caring person. She never understood the nature of evil, she never had to fight with her own demons, that's why she never lost her innocence. She's unrealistic, and these type of characters are usually very irritating, but I find her adorable and honorable. And yeah, people loved her, and that gave her power and influence.

Well, as for Aurora... She seems to be a stable person. So far. I hope she won't become a whiney Jackie Bracamontes from Rubí.

And as for Teresa's goals: I agree with some of them wholeheartedly.
Pro Teresa:
- Money is freaking important, it means freedom and power. Not being able to buy medicine and pay treatments is horrible indeed. It's very easy for a rich kid not to care about money.
- We lawyers need connections, that's so true. If I was her I would want to go to the best university, too.

Contra Teresa:
- Although money is important, one shouldn't be obsessed with it. Fancy clothes and cool gadgets like the newest iPad aren't important. You buy them, you use them for a week then you forget them. Teresa is very young, she tries to fit in too hard and she has issues.
- And it was very stupid to lie to Paulo and her classmates about her family. I completely understand why she did it and I don't blame her much, but she got into a deep trouble because of it.
 

Jeri: That's a nice picture of Teresa and Arturo. Rulli looks gorgeous here, I love the dark shirts.

I think Teresa's issues are understandable until a certain point. She has big ambitions and she knows she has the smarts to get to where she wants but she envies how easy her classmates have it. They could travel everywhere, study anything and do great things with their lives and she's not able to have the same opportunities because of her lack of money. In fact, even if she works hard she still won't have the certainity of ever getting those same oportunities. In other words: life is unfair. However, we all respond to things differently and I guess we'll see how Teresa's actions affect her story.

Jarocha
 

Aribeth, “However, I'm not interested in the side stories like Esperanza's and Rubén's not-so-secret affair.” Your comment and that scene were hilarious. Remind me, if I ever decide to have an affair, to do it in the tried and true, historic way, go to a quiet hotel where you only have to fool the desk clerk! Really! Teresa is lucky, yes, she did get into trouble by lying (understandable to me) but she did flush out the REAL “big lug” (ha!) Paulo. He is a true SNOB. (A fashion aside, why would someone who goes to the distinguished Lord Byron school wear a white jacket with brown piping to an important Mexico City party ?????)

Diana, on the TNT Mildred Pierce, was it the 1940s version with Joan Crawford? HBO has a new version with Kate Winslet playing Mildred and yes, Veda is in the new one too.

Jeri, I love your link contrasting influence and attention.....

Vivi, great analysis on the reason Teresa is attractive to men!
 

Aribeth, I'm not certain, but I think this is my first opportunity to experience one of you recaps, but I have enjoyed reading your comments from time to time. Let me echo what a treat this initial recap for Teresa is for me. Lots of insight, information, and good humor. Thanks.

I enjoyed this first episode very much though I haven't decided yet to commit for the long haul. Lots of old friends both in the cast and here commenting on the show.

I liked the main character as Ximena in CS, I adore Cynthia Klitbo, though the sweetness of her character is very different from what I'm accustomed to. I'm not a big fan of Sebastián Rulli though I enjoyed him as Mauricio in un Gancho al Corazón. Margarita Magaña is also an old fave. Genoveva is a stunner (I'm smitten) but already can't stand her son.

I admire Teresa's spunk and self-confidence... So I'm in at least until things develop a bit more. I'm not so sure that I want to watch a show about college kids, however.

Carlos
 

Hi Carlos! I'm glad to see you here :). I hope you continue with us, the show is not really about college but we'd see a little bit from the beginning.

*Caution*
Maybe a little spoilery:

Although the story started in 2007 I think they ended up with a greater timespan than they originally thought it would be. They stop refering to dates at some point but my guess is that we'll se around 7-8 years of these people's lives.

Jarocha
 

Thanks, Jarocha. So far, I like the way things are starting off. It looks as though a lot of the characters could go either way. As long as the acting is good and the writing is interesting (I loved, "...entre ser o no ser, yo soy...") then I can sit back and enjoy the cliches and closeups.

Carlos
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Thank you for the comments! :)

(I deleted my previous comment, it's way to early to speculate about the timespan of the show. :))
 

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