Caray, Caray!

OK - I just had to comment about a great line tonight.

Diego is cajoling Luis about not sleeping with his wife. At some point Diego tries the "male pride" tactic, accusing him of having lost his virility. "Your prestige could become questionable!"

This just doesn't faze our Luis for one second. His cool reply - "A man's prestige is not (located) between his legs."

ROTFLOL - what a great line for a latin TN!

And I'm sure Diego needs that beaten over his head a time or two. LOL!

Audrey
 

On Tuesday's post, there was some talk about Juana's despotism - how dare she try to rule everyone's lives? I can imagine how it could happen.

1. Feudalism didn't officially end in Spain until 1812. Under feudalism, the lord owns the land and the serfs attached to it. Juana wasn't dealing with serfs, but she kinda' liked the idea of owning people, and old habits die hard when it's to your advantage.

2. Like a mafia kingpin or an old-school political boss, Juana had various methods to control a whole lot of people, and she was very good at keeping all the strings in tension. People know that if they cross her, there'll be h*ll to pay.

3. Quite simply, she does it because she can. She says jump and people jump. She thinks that's how the world works. So of course she's going to order Hipo back to Panama - it works with everyone else, so why not?

Juanita, have you seen my Learning Spanish by Telenovelas page? It details the methods I used. I'm living proof - it works!
 

I felt like this episode was all about setting up situations that will unfold in future caps. The seagull necklace, the thugs who want the letter, Luis warning Diego to stay away from Hipo, Marcos warning Martin to stay away from Hipo, Espie's "ripe," and Francisco wanting to blackmail Hipo's father. Each one of those could turn into a whole lot of plot. Any one of those threads could lead to more plot progress than a whole month of MEPS. Or Clon. Or Dinero. Or... the list goes on and on. I love this show!

Martin’s parents sure were cariñoso with him when he left to travel with Luis. Buy that boy a red shirt! (And six feet of real estate.)

How does Luis know that Hipo has a son?
 

Didn't Tia Isabel tell Luis about little Rafael? Luis is a businessman (how I hate that word), so he can certainly do the math.

Diego gets more repulsive every day. I feel for his children.

Now after Hipolita, why would Luis ever want to sleep with Esperanza?
 

Thanks, Paula. Audrey, thanks for the translation of the line Luis said to Diego. Perfection. Well, now we know what Don Luis has been doing these three loooong years....Perla. However, maybe not just Perla exclusively. I'm just saying. Perla was so relieved and appreciative when Luis said that he would take care of her so that she can leave the brothel, but Luis is doing this for Perla's safety. He knows that Carmela is not thrilled to have his ramera in her house. However, since Perla has been living in the bordella, it appears that Luis has been sharing her with the general public . I must admit that I don't know much about how bordellas are run, so perhaps Perla lived there but was Luis's private reserve. Obviously , Luis does not consider Perla his querida because until now, he has not set her up in her own casa de amor. Trust me folks, you will continue to love this novela.
 

Paula, yes, I've seen (and recommended) your Learning Spanish by Telenovelas page. I think I learned about it in the early days of "El Clon." But I continue to be impressed--indeed, amazed--at how quickly you achieved real competence in Spanish.
 

Question~~Does anyone know why I can access the recaps through the old Alborada recaps, but when I click on the sidebar for any of the new novelas, I get a white page with a few lines of each recap, but I can't get to the entire recap. I've had this problem ever since some changes were made here awhile ago. Jardinera tried to help me solve it, but I am severely challenged in the tech savvy department. [I think that's why I love the historical novelas so much. Don Luis woul be much less charming if he was constantly checking Facebook and talking on his cell phone. I belong in a simpler, gentler, slower time.]
 

I get a lot of garbage when I click on the sidebar feed. I can only get to the novela via Dashboard.
 

What is Juana's hold over Asuncion?
 

Asuncion was her protege, and Asuncion has a submissive personality. She's been dependent on Juana in the past. It's not in her nature to break/dishonor those kinds of bonds.

Audrey
 

Oh, and fear. I'm sure Asuncion knows better than to bring on Juana's wrath in spite of what her husband thinks he can pull off.

Audrey
 

Variopinta~~~Dona Juana has been supporting Asuncion's family all these years. They are dependent on her. Juana probably got that nasty piece of work Francisco to marry Sunny by letting him know that she would take care of them. He's not a workoholic . Because Juana helped Sunny when she got pregnant and has always been her means of support, Sunny bends over backwards to not do or say anything that will annoy Juana.
 

Thanks for highlighting that great exchange Audrey. All the interactions between Luis and Diego are marvelous. Luis bests him every time.

Asuncion is painful to watch. Her submissiveness is culturally induced and also part of her gentle character. But I cringe when I see how her husband treats her and how helpless she feels to aid her own children. What a sad life. And imagine having to sleep with that brute of a husband night after night!
 

Judyb~~~Thanks but no thanks. I don't want to imagine sleeping with nasty, gross Francisco. Blecccchhhh. Are you having a heatwave in Ohio today ? We are sweltering here, but the temps are supposed to drop into the high 70s in a few days. What crazy weather.
 

Here is the entire entertaining exchange between Luis and Diego - in Diego's chambers. Diego has been enjoying his wine.

Alborada Cap. 07 (2 of 4), starts around minute 6:45

Luis saunter's into Diego's chamber at the palace.

D: Didn't they tell you that I wanted to talk to you?

L: mm-hum. What can I do for you?

D: Hum! Your wife (didn't catch the next words). She says that you lost your virility.

L: Even if that were true, it's none of your business.

D: Your prestige could (quedar en el entredicho) come into question/be cast in doubt.

L: A man's prestige is not between his legs.

D: Esperanza doesn't look that bad/sickly. Maybe a little skinny, but they say the slender ones are the most ardent.

Luis sniffs Diego's face:

L: Are you drunk?

Diego leans forward and taps Luis's shoulder in a funny gesture (is this supposed to be insulting?)

D: It could be, but why don't you oblige her? What does it cost you?

L: Me nothing, but for her, it could cost her her life.

D: Ahhh! If that happens, it will have been God's will. Or is it that (echaste el ojo) someone else has caught your eye. Hipólita, maybe?

L: Keep yourself away from that woman!

D: You're not one to give me orders!

L: I warn you, don't try anything with her!

And Luis walks out, with Diego again doing the funny gesture of tapping him on the back and then sways almost losing his balance, because he is indeed borracho.

------------

Audrey
 

loved how Luis is so self-confident that he can send Hipo into the palace with Diego and then just show up and steal her attention right from under his nose... and just that wonderful punchline for holding his ground... Diego playing the spoiled kid... but Luis finding the way to draw the line... and controlling Diego with just a stare. WONDERFUL!
 

This is my favorite role of FC's. He plays large and in charge very well, and he just gets larger and more in charge. He is a sight to behold.
 

as thin as he is here, this is my fav FC role also. even better than in Pasion. Mostly because here he is so as you said, large and in charge, even without the 'Count' title.
 

Very difficult choice between this novela & Amor Real with Pasion not far behind. I just can't get enough of FC, unless that is, it's one of his earlier Mejia roles, not his fault.

Thanks for clearing up the characters for me. There are so many it would be hard to start this TN in the middle.
 

Variopinta~~~I agree. I think Alborada and Amor Real are tied for my favorite novela. Luis is a more heroic and charming character than Manuel. I had a hard time watching Manuel push around Matilde and then take his nasty housekeeper into his bed...even though he did resist. Luis is closer to my idea of a hero even though he was the mystery boinker and wants to divorce Espy because she can't give him a son. All heroes have feet of clay , but some of them are softer clay than others.
 

Hi Susanlynn...yes, torrid weather here and we're heading down to Charlotte tomorrow where it will be even hotter. But the grandkids will make it worth it.

Speaking of torrid, I loved Amor Real because of the heat between Matilde and Manuel. Some of those seduction or almost seduction scenes were enough to cause the TV to spontaneously combust.

And s lovely as Lucero is in Alborada, she doesn't seem to have the same ardent chemistry with FC as Adele Noriega.

Still...I'm not complaining about either.

The weird thing is Manuel's sidekick (who later married the housekeeper and made an honest woman out of her) is now in Teresa playing someone's dad. And has gotten quite portly. He should have kept going to the gym with Colunga!
 

Yes, Judyb~~~I definitely agree that Adela and FC sizzled in Amor Real. In Alborada, FC does a good job of conveying a guy who is wild about Hip, but Lucero always seems to be holding back. Maybe her husband is the jealous type. Have a good time with the grandkids and try to stay cool. Can't wait for tonight's episode.
 

P.S. Yes, I noticed Manuel's loyal amigo/lawyer in Amor Real on Teresa. He is playing a very sweet guy in that show.
 

Did anyone notice the little spat between Bernarda and Perla last night? Rather bizarre female bonding. Poor Perla has a few dings as a result.

Is there still some doubt as how exactly Agustin fits into the family?
Modesta said to Doña Juana that Hipólita's baby must be precious since his mamá is beautiful and he is Luis' son. She also said that Doña Juana must be interested since he is her brother's grandson.

I apologise if this has already been pointed out, but I thought there was some confusion here about Agustin.

Carlos
 

Audrey, thank you for translating that world class quote and for Luis and Diego's conversation. I agree theirs are the most entertaining.

Well so much for my theory that Hipolita's dad forced himself on Asuncion. No wonder I didn't remember, it didn't happen! Even though dad's a cad I'm glad he's not a rapist.

Carlos, I figured you might enjoy Perla again in her undies. I wouldn't describe what she and Bernards has as female bonding. I think you were being facetious, no? I believe Bernarda was truly trying to do our poor Perla harm. I'm glad she's out of the brothel.

Yes, it does seem as if Juana and Modesta have figured a lot out. They are a very powerful team. Modesta scared the bejesus out of me the first time around and I didn't truly appreciate the force of her personality. I thought she was pure malevolence. But this time around I also see her devotion to Juana.

"Así es y así sera." - I believe this is the first time we hear Juana's favorite phrase, "So it is and so it shall be."

Paula, thanks so much for the recap and your plot highlights. They are marvelous!!
 

Carlos, I'm very confused now....are you saying Agustin is Juana's brother? I thought Modesta was speaking about the deceased Conde de Guevarra who was Luis's father, he would of been Juana's brother if my memory serves me right.

Lesa
 

Sylvia, I had the same impression of Modesta the first time around. I remember discussing her with my profa and complaining that I thought she was a somewhat unfair stereotype of the indigenous population. Maybe it's because I understand Spanish better and have a better TV to watch on, because she seems much more sympathetic, and I even notice a twinkle in her eye. She is clearly devoted to Doña Juana, however.

Did you notice that Bernarda is our very own Loriloca from un Gancho?

Carlos
 

Lesa, you know what? You may very well be right about that. I didn't even look at it that way. Color me confused again. Maybe someone can draw up a family tree.

Carlos
 

Ahoy Captain~~~I laughed last night when I heard Juana deliver her catchphrase. We will hear it again and again along with Luis's ''si,si'' and Tia's ''Caray caray.'' Good times. My new catch phrase is ''precautionary beating'' after watching a documentary about chimpanzees establishing who's the boss. Carlos~~~I knew that you would get a chuckle from the cat fight in the bordella. Earlier, I posted a comment about Luis evidently visiting Perla at the brothel those three years before his one-true-love Hip appeared on the scene and not setting her up as his amante in a little casa de amor. Was Perla just one of many...perhaps Luis's fav ? As for Modesta~~~Her loyalty and devotion to Juana is very strong. Modesta sits quietly in the background and listens and watches. She is a valuable asset to Juana. P.S. I am still looking for one of Juana's fanboys. It's in the 90s today.
 

Carlos, thank you!! I recognized her voice first then the face second but I couldn't place her. Loriloca yes! She's kind of loca in this one too but my she certainly looks fetching in her undies.

Susanlynn, a fan boy yes indeedy, I think that would be perfect for you in your heat wave. I was happy to see another new attractive face today, Andres.

Usually I'm not a big fan of facial hair but I like Valentino Lanus in the look.
 

I make notes since I can't remember, just hope the notes are right.
Agustin is padre to Hipolita & Esperanza, so he can't be related to Juana, cause I think that would make Hipolita & Luis related. Juana would be related to Hipolita & also Luis, tia to both.

Pls correct me if this is wrong.
 

First time I've seen Valentino Lanus & he is adorable, very deep voice. I'll have to ck his resume.
I don't mind this kind of facial hair, it's the style of the day. It's the scraggly unkempt look that I dislike, Levy, Zepeda, Alonso, Padre JP.
 

Valentino Lanus looks fabulous! Love the beard and hair.
 

Yes, Variopinta I believe you are right on. Juana's brother was the Conde De Guevarra, she is Luis's real Aunt, not his mother. Agustin is not related to Juana.

Carlos.....I won't touch this family tree with a 20ft pen.
Way to messed up!

Lesa
 

Lesa and Variopinta,

Hmmm... you've convinced me that he's not her brother, but she's not keen at all on the idea that Diego make her his mistress... soooo... maybe brother-in-law? She certainly seems interested in Asunción and I doubt that they were school chums. I don't recall from the first time around, but I'm betting that we get to meet Agustin at some point. His ox is already being gored.

Carlos
 

Agustin has the goods on Juana, He knows that Luis is the true Count & not Juana's son. The slime ball Diego is her real son.
Luis has a burn on his leg from the fire & Agustin saw it, so he knows Luis is the true count.
 

Agustin is the biggest risk to Juana's whole plot. Her prime directive is to keep him quiet. Part of keeping him happy, is that no one must ever know that he fathered a child by Sunny. Obviously Sunny knows that, so Juana has to keep Sunny pacified and indebted to Juana, so Sunny doesn't blab, so Agustin stays happy.
 

Agustin and Juana are not related. As others have said, he knows that Juana did a switcheroo with Luis and Diego so that her son would be raised as the count. Agustin has been blackmailing Juana all these years. He knows that Luis is the true count because he has a scar on his leg from being burned in the same fire that killed his parents, the count and countess. Diego is in reality a no-a-count....besides being BSC and an asshat.
 

I have telefutura on now, maldito futbol!!!!!!.
Futbol on Uni also, damn.