Caray, Caray!

Thanks once again to Paula and a new thanks to Carlos for the wonderful pictures he selects each day for our enjoyment. You both are wonderful to help enhance our addiction to this epic telenovela. I don't stop in very often but wanted you all to know how much I appreciate these postings to share a communal passion.
 

I'll add my thsnks, Paula. I appreciate you serving as our hostess [with the mostest]. I'm so glad that you offered to do this. It's such fun reliving this wonderful story with old and new fans of Alborada. Carlos~~Excellent choice of pics..hot guys on horses...I'm in. What an exciting episode. That poor actress who plays Adalgisa. She was roughed up when Gasca's guys tried to kidnap Rafael, and now she's pushed around again and then has to run to the palace to rouse the troops. Gee, wouldn't we all like to have Marcos, Martin, and Vincente as our personal posse???....or is that just me ??? And Marcos seems to look out for everybody....such a good hermano and tio. Perla realizes that she is in deep trouble. Luis will not be amused when he discovers that the gold that he gave her was used to spirit his amante away. Uh-oh. My favorite scene was when Martin told her, '' You know that Hip has a son. Well, Stupid, Luis is the father , and he will beat you up when he finds out what you did.''
 

The other day, we discussed who would tell Hipo that Luis is the mystery boinker. With today's developments, I'd like to change my guess.

I think that the kidnap coach will stop at a stream to water the horses on the way to the coast. Hipo will overhear two goatherders gossiping. One will say, "Doesn't that woman look like the one Don Luis boinked in Santa Rita when she thought it was her husband?" Because right now, I think EVERYONE in New Spain knows that Luis is the father. Everyone except Hipo.
 

Paula~~You forgot to post a spoiler alert !! How did you ever figure out the goatherders were going to let the cat out of the bag? By the way, I think I have a white embroidered jacket very similar to Antonio's. The man likes fancy duds. And Tio Isabel, wasn't she especially colorful today in her pastels today..lilac dress, peach shawl , and pink hat. I like the way Tia dresses like a young girl in her pretty pastels , while Dona Juana wears her somberly elegant black, wine, and dark teal gowns and mantillas. Wardrobe plays a big part in defining these characters. Also, I love the earrings and necklaces in this show. I'd wear them in heartbeat.
 

Wow, there sure is a lot of excitement going on in the land. Never a dull moment!!

Paula, goathearders spilling the beans, too funny amiga! That made me burst out laughing because you are so right, as of today Hipolita is the only one who doesn't know who boinked her.

I noticed that Antonio saw Juana walking through the town and was struck by her beauty. I wonder, was it her beauty alone or the fact that she might have reminded him of his own mother? Both women have a regal and haughty air about them.

Antonio surprised me, he came all the way to Mexico City on business and he wants to see cave paintings?

Oh man, Perla has gotten herself in some very hot water this time. She is bad, bad, bad!!

Susanlynn, good observations about clothing helping to define the characters. Hipolita is always stunning, Asuncion is usually mousy, and the others you mentioned.

Carlos, I always look forward to your choice of screen shots. Handsome men on horses, a brilliant choice.

Paula, thanks for posting this for discussion and linking back to Melinama's great recaps. It's a lot of fun to watch this one again.
 

Just watched my recording. LOL! Yes indeed, Hip is officially now the LAST person to know who boinked her in Santa Rita. Even little Rafael knows!
 

Obviously Luis cannot be Juana's son. If he were, he would've inherited her keeping-secrets gene. In the few short months since Hipo returned to Mexico, Luis's secret spread from him alone, to EVERYONE knowing it. Whereas Juana has kept her secret for over 25 years, and the only ones who know are Diego, Modesta, and Agustín.
 

As we discussed yesterday, Diego's behavior is sinking lower and lower. I've always said, "A dog will run to the end of his leash." IOW some people will do as much as they can get away with, until an outside power forces them to stop. Juana has never stopped Diego from doing anything. She has given him an unlimited leash, so he just keeps running it out, farther and farther.
 

Very true Paula. Juana has a very forceful personality and it baffles me why she has never stopped Diego's worst behaviors. It's like they are both suffering from a case of arrested development. He keeps acting like a petulant child and she cannot or won't stop him. She has said numerous times that he has become a monster, yet when he pushes back, spouting that he is the Conde De Guevara and can do what he wants, she rolls her eyes and turns away.

This latest argument over Isabel is interesting. I honestly don't remember if Diego forces her to move out or if Juana smooths things over. I'm sure Marina would love to leave.

Today Isabel asked Andres whose side he was on. He answered that Diego is his employer but he doesn't like the things he does.
 

Sylvia, I wonder if the Juana/Diego dynamic is a reflection of the problem of Mexican mamas over-indulging their sons, and the sons never breaking away from mama's influence.

Speaking of Andrés, last week I got confirmation of something I thought I heard early on. Andrés is not Asuncion's son. Early in the show, Andrés called her "Asunción," not "mama." This week, someone referred to Asunción as his madrastra, his step-mother. I don't know if Francisco was previously married or if Andrés is illigitmate. And I don't know if it will ever matter in the plot. But there it is.
 

"I wonder if the Juana/Diego dynamic is a reflection of the problem of Mexican mamas over-indulging their sons, and the sons never breaking away from mama's influence."

Good question Paula. I don't know enough to provide an answer, but it makes sense. That theory might support my earlier comment about Antonio noticing Juana. He is attracted to a mama figure. When I first watched I never noticed that he saw or took note of her, so this was a new observation for me.

I knew that Andres is not Asuncion's son, if he were I imagine he would be much more protective of her against Francisco, (see conversation above). However I don't know if he is illegitimate or if Francisco was married previously. I can't remember. Does anyone else out there know? Susanlynn? You have a good memory for those things.
 

Oh Perla, you just lost your meal ticket. I am disappointed in Luis' choice in rameras. Couldn't he have picked one with a heart of gold?

I hope Martin rescues Hipo. He was fantastic today and deserves a "win". Luis can gallop up later and take her home.
I have to say, Luis and Hipo don't have very passionate kisses - I'm all for tenderness, etc. but, basta!

Loved Juana's elegant dress and walk through town. She can really bring the regal, can't she?

I like Luis' hair pulled back - he's even more guapo, if that's possible.
Looks like he won't be the one telling Hipo he's the baby daddy. Oops!
 

Anya, ITA-- Luis es muy guapo with his hair pulled back.
 

You gotta love how Diego is so threatened by Isabel and her little swatty hands.

Cap'n Sylvia, on Antonio & the cave paintings vs. business: I wonder if he didn't just use the 'business' part of the trip as an excuse to travel?

susanlynn, I've been envying the jewelry and the clothes on this show since - well, since the first time around, probably. I was not meant for the wardrobes of the present day! (Before I found the original recaps and figured out who everyone was, my nickname for Juana was 'Evil Tiara Lady'. It seemed like she was in one every time she turned around!)
 

Mad Marley~~~Yes, I'm usually in a tee, capris, and flipflops when I'm not working, but I love those long , flowy , feminie dresses and skirts. The jewelry reminds me of things that are in the stores right now. Very feminine and pretty. Sylvia~~I don't think we ever find out anything about Andres's mama. Perhaps he was written as Asuncion's stepson for exactly the reason mentionned. If he had been her son, he might have stood up against horrible Francisco to protect her instead of being his toady. I have a friend whose father used to hit his mother when he drank. Then, when Herb was 16, bigger, and playing football, he told his dad that he'd never let that happen again. Yay for guys like Herb. Anya and Barbara~~~I agree about Luis's ponytail. You can see more of THAT BEAUTIFUL FACE when his hair is pulled back. I love the long locks, but the first time I saw this episode was an ''aha'' moment for me. Ideally, I would be able to tell Luis when to tie his hair back and when to let it flow freely. It's my fantasy . so I would get to decide.
 

Mad Marley, you are probably right. Antonio is just using business as an excuse. He doesn't seem terribly interesting in the business, does he?

Evil Tiara Lady, LOL!

Susanlynn, thanks for your input on Andres. So far he only has the deer-in-the-headlights look. Poor kid has been pushed around all his life but it sounds like he is starting to think for himself. Yikes, what a way to get an education. Funny scene yesterday when he told Marcos that he used to be a servant but now he is an assistant to Diego. Marcos kind of snickered and asked "what's the difference?" Andres scratched his head and said he wasn't exactly sure but he'd gotten a raise. Andres should try to hang out with Marcos where he can learn some good man skills.
 

Attention Andres : The difference is that as assistant to Diego, your job description now includes '' killing people.'' [Remember that dark hut...the pillow...the gasping wounded guy?????] Case in point... Assistant Numero Uno Gasca. He's killed or tried to kill several people for Diego.
 

Sylvia~~~Yes, Andres is cute but not the sharpest pencil in the case. Marcos and we will continue to look on in fascination and disbelief concerning his attempts to be gainfully employed.
 

Job description also includes: Tasting potentially poisonous food and wine. Ability to withstand frequent whackings with napkins and gloves. Disposing of poop, urine and vomit on a regular basis.
 

Remind me to NEVER complain about my job again.
 

I know it's too late to post here, but and everyone will be looking at today's comments, but:

1. I love the jewelry, too. They never wear the same earrings twice.

2. I love FC's hair tied back, too, makes him look less like a villain--if that were possible at all.

3. I love the horses--ride 'em hard, ride 'em far, ride 'em well.

4. Hairstyles--All the laldies seem to have upswept curled up tight hairstyles, except Catalina and Hipolita. Catalina's is just pulled back from her face, but Hipo's is all loose and curley (just right for Luis to run his fingers through). Is there a reason for this, other than to show that the richer you are the more time it takes to get your hair done?

4. Antonio might know more about business, but Rodrigo's son (and friend) brought him along just for a fun outing. That's why it's not so strange that he wants to go see the cave paintings.

5. I think Andres' mother died and left Fran a widower. Regardless, Francisco appealed to DJuana to look for a rich woman for him to marry, even a widow would be ok, but she had to be noble and rich. Look what he got--a noble mouse with a good heart AND and illegitimate daughter, but no wealth. Shouldn't Andres remember Hipolita's birth--he would have to be older, no? Or maybe he was too young to know about pregnancies and Hipo was shipped off to Panama shortly after birth? No, wait, wasn't she about 3? I'm confused, but it doesn't really add to the story.

I'd rather concentrate totally on the not so mysterious any more boinker of Santa Rita.
Dona Nube
 

Great points Dona Nube. I haven't had a chance to watch today's episode yet so your comment isn't too late for me.

Juana's hair fascinates me.
 

I had the impression that Hipo was already born and shipped off before Asuncion married Frank. I'm not sure, though, whether I had any good reason to conclude that.