Saturday, August 20, 2011
La Fuerza del Destino #13 Fri 08/19/11 Those Mysterious and Marvelous McGuires!!
Capítulo 13
Okay! First let’s do the two-minute replay: Ivan brings flowers to his mama’s grave and asks the groundskeeper who’s been leaving flowers on her grave. The old guy describes a middle-aged man and says he stops by from time to time [de vez en cuando] to leave them.
Van asks the old dude about finding a carpenter [tallador] to build a small shrine [sepulcro] for Alica’s graveside. In the two-hanky scene that follows, Van tells his mama he’s come back like he said he would. “--I’ve returned, Mama.” He thinks back tearfully to the happy times spent together with Alicia despite their privation. He remembers the unnecessary and tragic way she died in his arms and the way he visited her tomb the day he fled, promising he’d come back to cover her grave with flowers and make the S.O.B. who did this to her pay! “--Your dream has come true! I’m an engineer,now, tho’ not a civil engineer. I chose a different specialization [ramo=branch, area, line of work] thanks to a nice man--an angel you must have sent me. I love him a great deal and he loves me greatly, too. I promise you that whoever did this to you will come back on his knees begging your forgiveness.” (Sorry, sport, but he already has, numerous times.)
It’s breakfast time at Arcelia’s. She’s feeding breakfast to an adorable little 5yr. old girl who apparently is Carmen’s. Carmen races off to work at a restaurant in town and Camilo races off to a job interview. Celia’s getting her granddaughter ready for her kindergarten class.
As Celia locks the outer gates to her home, a neighbor stops by to tell her a well-dressed man stopped by the other day looking for her. Celia thinks it must have been a friend of Antolin’s. She and her granddaughter start walking down the street when suddenly Ivan appears out of nowhere.
There’s another two-hanky scene with mucho sniffling and hugging as Celia tells him it’s a miracle! They never thought to see him again! He finds out that her granddaughter is Carmen’s daughter and was named after his mother they loved her so much. He offers to give them a lift to the school in his car which both surprises and impresses Celia. She tells him she has plenty of time to visit with him and catch up once they’ve dropped off little Lichita.
Back at El Socorro, LuScreechia is getting on Lucia’s case for not dressing more lavishly for the lunch she and Saul are having with the younger McGuire. (Seriously? Has she seen the way that redneck dresses?) Lucia reminds her that she’s got to work that day and figures she’s dressed well enough. She can’t go ”all dolled up” [emperifollada]. She’s not there to seduce the businessman [conquestar], she’s only there as Saul’s date. Lu tries to explain that the idea is to make a favorable first impression so he’ll feel comfortable giving them a line of credit which would allow the family to improve the ranch’s overall prospects. Lucia insists that the men will invest in them if they want to independent of whether they like the dress she’s wearing; and what’s more, Mama may have bullied Maripaz into marrying David, but she’s not going to bully and manipulate her that way! Lu’s answer is a quick and heavy slap hard across the mouth. Carlota immediately complains about mistreating Lucia. (Like I say, is it reality t.v. or is it Memorex? Viewerville finds it hard to agree with LuScreechia, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Lucia is pretty mouthy and we mothers have all been there at one time or another.) Screechia voices her frustration: the girl’s selfish and doesn’t think about the rest of us! (You’ve taught her well, Lulu! What’s to complain about?) Lucia says she’s got to go and heads off in a snit.
Ivan treats Celia to a nice breakfast at a nearby restaurant and they catch up on what’s happened over the past ten years or so. Celia tells Van how it’s gone down hill, especially since her husband, Silvestre, died from a disease that ate away at him over a matter of months; that Camilo got a vocational degree in agriculture but lost his job when the ranch he worked for went under so that then his wife divorced him; and that Carmen is not married. She got involved with a guy who up ‘n left her after knockin’ her up. Van wants to know if it’s somebody from here.
Celia really doesn’t know if she should say, but she does. Yes, it’s his half-brother, Saul Mondragon. Cara de not-so-impactado-considering de Ivan. Saul (a chip off the splintery old block) is Lichita’s baby-daddy she admits. He left Carmen to take care of herself and the kid any way she could and never looked back. Neither Anto nor Cam know who the papa is, tho’. Anto could care less since he rubs elbows with all the rich kids, but Cam is angry as all get out over it and he would kill him if he knew! Celia doesn’t want anymore scandal or misfortune in her household so she asks him to be discreet. Of course he won’t say a word of it to either of them. The topic changes to the letter he wrote that Cam read to the family. How come there were never any more? Van insists he wrote several over the years, but that he never got any replies. It’s news to Celia.
LuScreechia explains to Carly what caused the fight between her and Lucia: she accused her of exploiting Maripaz and forcing her to marry David. So did she? Carly wants to know. Well, she did give her some advice along those lines--which was her right as her mother, replies Lulu. “--Well, I’m your mother and I flatly refuse [terminantamente] to have you do the same with Lucia! It’s bad enough the way you pressured her to go out with that lazy good-for-nothing Saul Mondragon!” Lu feels he’s a great match and says Lucia chose to go out with him all by her lonesome. Carly says only because she felt she had a knife to her back the whole time! All LuScreechia cares about is money! “-- Well, you need it to eat and to live! And if those two Americans don’t back us then get ready to mop floors and wash clothes cuz otherwise, that’s our future!” Carly says hard work doesn’t scare her like it does Lucrezia who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She still forbids Lu to let her abuse Lucia the way she did her sister! Lu tells her that at times she thinks she really hates Carly! Carlota says well, there are times she truly pities her!
That morning Merry Piece pulls up in front of Hacienda Meandragon and finds nobody willing to help her with her bags. Inside, Judith tells Esther that she thinks Ivan McGuire is really Ivan Villagomez. She has to explain to Esther who he was. Esther says there are lots of Ivan’s in the world and is certain he can’t be the same person. Mari finally gets back and walks in. She greets them. Esther is curt and asks how her things with David went and why she didn’t tell him when she was arriving. Since David wasn’t at the airport there to pick her up she thought he might be there. Nope. He’s with his father at the Association, says Mama Hen. Did Maripaz bother to tell him when she was arriving? Mari lies that she forgot and then didn’t tell anybody she was coming because the flights were all so hit and miss. Esther sniffs and goes on about her business. “--What’s up with her?” Judi tells her Mama’s just uptight because of the Americans who’ve come to town looking to do business with the ranchers. Oh yeah! “--A man and his drop-dead gorgeous son!!” The two go to David’s room while Mari unpacks and Jud gives her the 411.
Ivan gets back to his hotel suite and tells Anthony where he’s been all morning: how he went to the grave, got a carpenter hired to fix something nice there, and that he found out that some man’s been putting flowers on his mother’s grave all these years. Van’s sure it’s not Juan Jeil-me cuz he hasn’t got that kind of class. You could tell because when meeting Juan Jeil-me again and after seeing him interact with his wife and kids he showed them his true nature. (Viewerville would say that ‘lowbrow, boorish brute’ pretty much sums him up.) Van admits he’s no longer so indifferent; he simply doesn’t like the guy, any more than he cares for his son, Saul (yep, a lowbrow, boorish brute-in-training.) Tony reminds him they’re there to lend a hand to the farmers that can use it. So, just because he doesn’t like a few of them, it doesn’t mean they’re going to automatically turn away from the rest. Ivan says not to worry about that. He’s not intending to.
Tony mentions he’s leaving with Juan Jaime to meet the others in the Association. Van’s got a lunch date with Saul which, it seems from the grimace on his face, Tony note’s he’s not looking forward to. Talk turns to his chat with Celia and how things have really gone from bad to worse with that family.
At the same time, Cam arrives home for lunch, depressed from another day tramping up and down dirt roads without finding work. Celia races over to tell him that Ivan’s come back to town and wants to see him. He’s got a huge car and wears fine, expensive clothes now! Oh, says Cam, I guess he didn’t have such a bad time of it after all. No, says Celia, some nice rich man adopted him! Imagine that! Well, good for him, he says. Celia tells him that Ivan’s anxious to see him and wants him to come to the hotel that night to have dinner with him. “--You were like brothers and he’s not forgotten you!” “--That’s true. We were attached at the hip [como uñas y mugre= lit. like fingernails and dirt].
Maripaz comes home for a chat and gripes at Cleto for letting her car get so dirty you could grow vegetables on it. Get it washed and put a rush on it! She’s taking it ASAP.
Inside the hacienda LuScreechia and Esther are making plans on the phone to see each other. Esther thought she’d be at the Association today for the big meeting. No, nobody told her. Well maybe the secretary overlooked it; no chance, says Screechia. He didn’t tell her because he wants to lease her land and then take the profits from it for himself!
Maripaz, the same mouthy brat as ever, greets Mom with pout. Screechia screams at Gloria to get her rotund backside outta there already. Maripaz gives Mama the bad news: she married her off to a gay guy—and she doesn’t mean “happy” as the situation is anything but!
Lucia, meanwhile, is packing up her things and getting ready to leave to meet Saul for lunch. The principal of the school comes in to chat and tells her she’s heard the two American’s are loaded with money [adinerados] and that the younger one is extremely handsome. Lucia takes it in stride. Yeah, she’s getting ready to join Saul for a business lunch with the son, but it’s all the same to her. “Hey, lots of women would love to be in your place, hobnobbing [razarse=rubbing elbows] with these wealthy people this way!”
Merry Piece, meanwhile, gives Mama the rundown on David’s “complex”, and how he told her it’s due to supposedly his father’s castrating treatment of him when he was a child, and that ever since he’s been unable to get it up for any reason. Mama suggests giving David another chance, especially now that those two American investors are in town, because it wouldn’t do for either of their ranches to have a major scandal attached to them. Merry wants a divorce! Not right now, begs Mama! Come to some arrangement or other for now! Merry Piece sighs, throws up a little in her mouth, and resigns to put the family interests first and foremost. (Come to think of it, that’s pretty selfless on Mari’s part, all things considered!)
Ivan arrives at the restaurant and sees Lucia sitting at Saul’s table. He greets her but Lucia, who is suddenly confused about how to react, pretends not to know him. “--I’m sorry sir, but you’ve made a mistake.” “--No, Lucia. It’s me, Ivan.” “--Oh? I don’t remember you.” “--Yes you remember very well.” She looks away, unable to look him in the eyes. Ivan allows her to save face. “--All right. It’s been ten years, but I’m no more able to forget you anymore than you can forget me.” He hands her a bit of the purple bougainvillea from the centerpiece on the table; they both remember their childhood and her giving him the same flower when they determined to become friends and he told her they could be pretend “novios”. “--Oh yes, now I remember.” “--No, you remembered the first moment you saw me. Why did you lie?”
Once Uni has had a chance to earn back a bit of it’s production costs, we return to the restaurant. However, before Lucia can say a word, Saul galumphs into the elegant dining room in his shit-kickers and his 10 gallon Texican hat. Lucia quickly stuffs Van’s flowers into her purse. Saul takes over the conversation from there. Well, this is Lucia, his girlfriend. “--Beautiful, isn’t she?” (Excuse me, but she isn’t your prize heifer, you jerk wad!) On the other side of the table, couth oozes from every pore as Ivan agrees and gives Lucia an admiring look that would set most gals’ toes to curling. “--Yes, very pretty!”
Saul yells for the waiter to bring them wine. Lucia thinks back to the time she realized she loved Ivan and that he would always prefer her older sister. Saul explains then that Ivan is Sr. McGuire’s son. Ivan adds the clarification of “adopted” son. Saul says he hopes they feel at ease amongst them all because if the two of them decide to look elsewhere then the farmers there are totally screwed. Not to worry, says Van, since he and his papa decided this was the place to do business long before their trip there.
Saul then starts to belittle Lucia in front of Van and when she reacts, he whines at her to calm down, saying that he was only kidding around. She hisses at him, telling him point blank that she doesn’t appreciate him kidding the way his daddy does with people. Embarrassed, Saul chuckles and tells Ivan that she has does have her traits; but that’s why he loves her. The friction between the two isn’t lost on Van, though. Saul orders for all three of them. “What do we need menus for when the specialty here is machaca”? [traditional Mexican dish made with crushed dried meat, fried with egg and onion]”. He essentially orders it for all of them. Lucia looks like a deer in the headlights and glances over at Ivan. He nods back as if to say not to worry. But he is worried--for her--from the looks of it.
Across town at the Association, Tony meets a number of the member farmers and listens to the rundown of each’s individual financial situation. He promises to make a note of it and tells them each not to worry. He’s there to assist in any way he can. Afterwards, when the last of them has gone, Tony mentions to Juan Jeil-me that a lot of people were missing off the membership roles, including three women ranchers. JJ says that he chose those who he felt could actually repay their loans. As for the women, they’re a loss to begin with. “-- No woman has a head for farming, so why bother? Besides, if you give them any money, they’d only squander [despilferrar] it. They’re all birdbrains.” However, David tries defending El Socorro, saying it’s his mother-in-law’s ranch, and he knows her problems are due to having had bad foremen. Juan Jeil-me (Achtung!) shuts him up in a N.Y. minute. “You shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about!” He turns to Tony then and blows David off. “Kids! They suddenly think they should spout any sort of foolishness!”
JJ then suggests they go see his packing plant next, but Tony says that he’d rather go back to his hotel and that he’d rather his son go see about it anyway. It’s Ivan’s decision as to what to do about a packing plant. Juan Jeil-me can’t understand that kind of trust since the kid’s not even his own flesh and blood. Tony defends himself saying he’s the son he chose! David looks on and allows himself a small grin of satisfaction while his daddy’s back is turned. Tony looks over at David and suggests that David and Ivan should become friends. He thinks they’d get along well together. Once Tony’s gone, JJ tells David he thinks that perhaps Ivan might be gay, cuz why else would his daddy suggest him getting to know his son better? David insists again that he’s not a homosexual. Riiiight, says his daddy. You even got married. So then, why did he say that to you? (If David wants to wring his daddy’s neck or pull his hair out, we’ll understand.)
Merry Piece leaves for Casota Meandragon. Carly tells Lulu that it’s a shame that Merry’s stuck with David. “--Everyone’s known for years that that young boy was strange and yet you had her marry him.” “--He proposed to her!” “--So what? He probably figured that by marrying her he was going to be able to get over his ‘problem’.” Carlota is sure he really does love her. “--What a pity, though, that he couldn’t handle it!” LuScreechia yells back she’s more upset with Juan Jeil-me because he didn’t tell her about the Association meeting with the American, McGuire! Carly’s certain he didn’t purposely [adrede] because it suits him to have them up to their necks in debt just so he can take over their land and profit big-time from it. “--Either we would rent it to him or we’d sell it outright to him.” Lulu screeches a few decibals louder than her usual. “--NO WAY I’d let him!!” Carly is more practical. “--When he’s holding all the cards [tener el cuchillo por el mango=to have the knife by the handle] it isn’t so easy!” Lulu says she never realized he was so conniving [ladino=crafty/cunning]. Well, says Carly, she tried to warn her but Lulu wasn’t about to listen. Well, Lu is now! “--So what do you suggest we do?” Carly is fresh out of ideas and suggests they should just wait till Lucia gets back and can tell them something.
Back at the restaurant, Van, Lucia and Saul (picking unself-consciously at his dirty toothpick) come walking out. Saul asks if they might all go kick up their heels a bit that afternoon and he could introduce him to some of the girls around there--that is, unless he’s got a girlfriend back in The States. No, he doesn’t, but still he’s got to get back to take care of some things and can’t party with them. Lucia can’t go because she’s still got a class to get to. Saul accuses him of being as boring as his sainted little Lucia. He has them give him their valet tickets and heads off to fetch their car--something more in line with his mental acuity shall we say? Van waits till he’s gone to tell Lucia he never thought she’d ever hook up with a guy like Saul. She says Saul’s had a hard life and was influenced poorly by his father. “--A difficult life? Tell me about it! I should know! Errr.... what about Maripaz?” Lucia tells him she got married ten days ago. “--Married??? To who??!!” “--Errr...to David.”
Meanwhile, back at Casa de los Meandragon, Esther lets David know that Maripaz is back. David’s large eye-roll says it all --and it ain’t good. He puts on a good front though and cheerfully tells Mari he’s glad to see her back. She harrumphs that she didn’t have a choice. Since the Americans are here right now, she realizes that a family scandal is out of the question, so if he wants her to stick around, she’s got condition. In order to stay married they’ll nix any sexual intimacy, but they’ll share the bedroom since there’s no other option, and because they want to make people believe they have a normal marriage; then they’ll continue going out with their friends and she’ll go to the spa and to the gym like always; and she gets a brand new car and all the new clothes she wants. He wants a chance to work the sexual thing out with a pych if she’d only let him. Well, maybe later on, but for now they’ll do it her way. He complains that his family’s got financial problems. Well tough tootsies! Steal it from Daddy then, but find it, cuz Mari wants what she wants and what she expected to get when she married a Mondragon! Got it, buster???
Finally, Screechia gets a hold of Juan Jeil-me and reads him the riot act for not letting her know about the meeting at the Association with the American investors. JJ assures her that it must have been his secretary’s mistake. LuScreechia says talk to the hand, liar! All JJ really wants is to take over control of her property! She threatens him with telling Tony McGuire a few choice things she knows about him if he doesn’t agree to introduce her to him!! He changes tack and immediately invites her to eat with him in order to meet the McGuires and discuss her needs with them. She slams the phone down. Carly says it wasn’t a good idea to warn him about what she had in mind. It’s better to play her cards closer to the vest next time. He could lie about her to McGuire. No, says Screechia, she’ll show the American that she has a brain and knows a thing or two!
Lucia walks in at that point and seems really shaken. She tells them that Ivan Villagomez is Anthony McGuire’s adopted son. OMG! LuSreechia gasps for breath. If he says anything about his life there, his treatment, his affair with Maripaz or the baby, he could ruing them! He could try to take it out on the family and try getting even with her! She’s certain that’s what he intends to do, too! “--That man’s going to ruin us! He plans to ruin all of us!”
Ivan gets back to the hotel and tells Tony that Mari got married to David! He’s a nice enough boy, says Tony. The two of them could be friends. Not at this point, says Van! “--Oh,” says Tony. “--You’re still in love with her?” Well, even if he were, reasons Ivan, she’s married now. He does wonder, though, what she did with their son. Tony says Van can find out easily enough through her sister. Well, Van’s not so sure. She pretended at first not to recognize him and when she finally admitted to it, she seemed harsh, as if she has something against him. Besides that, the fact that she’s Saul’s girlfriend doesn’t speak well of her. “--The guy’s a fool and a real jerk, especially with Lucia!” “--So what?” Well, says Van, he thought she’d have more good sense [sensata] than to get involved with him! “--He’s an idiot! Yeah, it bothers me! It really irritates me!” Saul knocked up Carmen and left her alone with a kid he couldn’t care less about!” (er...the apple never falling far from the tree) So Tony sums it up. “--Ah, in a word, you hate the guy.” “--I detest him!!!”
So, what about Lucia? Tony wants Van’s opinion. “--Oh, she was always pretty, and now that she’s a grown woman, even more so. She was generous and kind. We played together with my dog...hung around together. But now she’s got something against me and I need to find out what it is!” “--Well, people can change in ten years.” Van refuses to think she could have changed that much where he’s concerned.
LuScreechia asks Lucia to talk to Ivan and ask him to keep his mouth shut about his son. (Oops! Too late! People don’t keep secrets from family the way you do, Lulu!) Lucia refuses and Carly tells Screechia that she’s the one who needs to face Ivan. She’s the one who treated him like a dog and ran him off the ranch. She’s got to ask him to forgive her! Screechia doesn’t agree. Why should she? She should beg forgiveness for his having taken advantage of Maripaz? For ruining her daughter’s life? Carly harrumphs. “She ruined her life her ownself! As for him, he wouldn’t say anything because he’d be just as hurt by this as we would!” Maybe not, opines Screechia. “--Maybe he wouldn’t care at all. He could leave us all covered in his muck and simply return to the U.S.!”
Meanwhile, back at Casota de los Meandragon, Judi tells Mari about this new Ivan from The States and how he looks so much like the old Ivan Villagomez that they used to know. Mari is impressed. “--He should be pretty darn handsome then!” She takes a call on her cell from Mama who has something very important to discuss with her in private. Nobody can know they’re meeting. Fine. Mari hangs up and says that it was just Luci, but she has to leave to do something. She’ll catch Judi later on.
Back at El Socorro, Lucia asks Carly if Ivan could be as bad as her mother says. Carly says you never know for sure, but she doubts it because he was always a good kid. Well that’s always been Mama and Mari’s version, says Lucia. Funny that they haven’t ever heard his version, though, she reasons. Of course, she always knew those two were dating, and she even saw them kissing once. So why, asks Carly, did she dislike him so? Lucia admits to Carly that she believes she fell in love with Ivan. Carly asks how she felt once she got to see him again. Terrific, says Lucia. She knew him right off the bat. But, well, she acted like she didn’t. It had to be the shock, plus what he did to Maripaz and so she hardly spoke to him during the whole lunch. She’s sure he thinks she’s really rude. How could she go around asking him favors after that?
Abue Carly suggests that Lucia should try asking him to forgive her--not the way her mother wants it, but to explain why she acted the way she did towards him at lunch. It would be the right thing to do and, while she’s at it [de paso,] she could give him her sympathies for the death of his mother and say hello. Carly notices the flowers Lucia took out of her purse. “--What is that?” Lucia fibs and says they were just there on the table and she picked them up and brought them back with her.” “--Riiiiiight”, says Carly with a wink.
A while later, Mama Lulu and Merry Piece meet up during mass at the church. Merry joins her in one of the pews.
Lu informs her that Ivan McGuire is actually their Ivan from the pas. But he’s supposed to be McGuire’s son. Is he really “her Ivan” though? Son or not, whispers LuScreechia, he’s the Ivan that got her preggers!! Mari gets excited to think that he’s no longer the servant’s son, but a rich man who her in-laws actually invited to dinner! Judith didn’t do anything but rave about him the whole time! Mama says remember that she’s a married woman now! Yeah, says Merry, married to a gay guy! What better reason to get divorced and then to marry him!! Mama gripes that that wedding cost her enough she can forget anything to do with divorce. Also, she’s to tell Ivan if he asks about the baby that he died at birth. Then she warns Merry that if she divorces David and dares make a move towards Ivan she will disown her. “--Understood?” “--Yes, Mama!”
That evening, Cam goes looking for Van at his hotel. Ivan comes out of his room to greet him and it’s almost like old times. Van says he’s taking him out to eat. Just before they leave, the receptionist informs Ivan that someone named Maripaz Lomeli phoned him. Ivan is hot-damn-impactado and stops a minute to get it together.
Labels: Fuerza
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Jardinera
Thank you for the excellent post. I thought this episode was the best TN episode I have ever seen, not one moment of boredom. Carlota's speech to Lucrezia was amazing when she told her she pitied her.
It was just the best episode on a TN I have ever watched and then it followed with an excellent recap.
Thank you for the excellent post. I thought this episode was the best TN episode I have ever seen, not one moment of boredom. Carlota's speech to Lucrezia was amazing when she told her she pitied her.
It was just the best episode on a TN I have ever watched and then it followed with an excellent recap.
Permalink posted by 
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 7:11:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 7:11:00 PM EDT
Jardinera, thanks so much for your entertaining and complete recap. I especially enjoyed "Merry Piece" (although there's certainly nothing merry about her!) and "Meandragon". You are one clever person!
I do disagree, however, about Lucia in any way deserving that slap from her Mommy Dearest. As usual, Lucrecia "can't handle the truth."
I agree, Nellie, this was an action-packed episode. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Sondie
I do disagree, however, about Lucia in any way deserving that slap from her Mommy Dearest. As usual, Lucrecia "can't handle the truth."
I agree, Nellie, this was an action-packed episode. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Sondie
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8:18:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8:18:00 PM EDT
Thanks so much for the fab recap Jardinera. I agree about Meandragon. Great name for that family, at least JJ and Saul.
OK, it's time for Lucia to dump Saul, NOW. And the previews look like she does just that. I think seeing Saul through Ivan's eyes, just made it more clear that this is a man she can't be with, even if they are just dating. That was one tense dinner. You could see Ivan taking it all in, and Lucia being hyper aware of how he must be seeing everything. I do think that Ivan was giving her the eye in a very un-BFF kind of way.
I had to laugh at Maripaz for thinking Ivan would want to marry her, now that he has money, after what she did to him. The ego on that girl! I feel bad because David loves her, and there are lingering feelings on Ivan's part for her, and she has the hots for Ivan. The previews look like Ivan and Maripaz let their passion get away with them. Ivan and David could be great friends, but not if Maripaz comes between them.
I will have to update my crazy family tree with Lechita (little Alicia). Wow! Saul is following in lock step with his dad.
OK, it's time for Lucia to dump Saul, NOW. And the previews look like she does just that. I think seeing Saul through Ivan's eyes, just made it more clear that this is a man she can't be with, even if they are just dating. That was one tense dinner. You could see Ivan taking it all in, and Lucia being hyper aware of how he must be seeing everything. I do think that Ivan was giving her the eye in a very un-BFF kind of way.
I had to laugh at Maripaz for thinking Ivan would want to marry her, now that he has money, after what she did to him. The ego on that girl! I feel bad because David loves her, and there are lingering feelings on Ivan's part for her, and she has the hots for Ivan. The previews look like Ivan and Maripaz let their passion get away with them. Ivan and David could be great friends, but not if Maripaz comes between them.
I will have to update my crazy family tree with Lechita (little Alicia). Wow! Saul is following in lock step with his dad.
Family Trees:
Juan Jaime Mondragon + Alicia Villagomez= Ivan
Juan Jaime Mondragon + First Wife = Saul
Juan Jaime Mondragon + Esther= Judith, David
Teodoro Curiel + Poor Woman = Alicia
Carlota + Loser who dumped her = Lucrezia (adopted by Teodoro Curiel)
Lucrezia + Gerry Lomeli= Maripaz, Lucia
Ivan + Maripaz= Alex (being raised as Gerry's and Beatriz's son)
Celia + Silvestre Galvan= Antolin, Camilo, Carmen
Saul Mondragon + Carmen Galvan= Alicia ("Lechita")
Juan Jaime Mondragon + Alicia Villagomez= Ivan
Juan Jaime Mondragon + First Wife = Saul
Juan Jaime Mondragon + Esther= Judith, David
Teodoro Curiel + Poor Woman = Alicia
Carlota + Loser who dumped her = Lucrezia (adopted by Teodoro Curiel)
Lucrezia + Gerry Lomeli= Maripaz, Lucia
Ivan + Maripaz= Alex (being raised as Gerry's and Beatriz's son)
Celia + Silvestre Galvan= Antolin, Camilo, Carmen
Saul Mondragon + Carmen Galvan= Alicia ("Lechita")
Thanks for a detailed recap Jardinera. I like the "even a stopped clock is right twice a day" Comment. I think I will use that one. Hehehe.
I'm really surprised that Ivan shoed his hand so soon by revealing himself. He could have topld Lucia to keep it quiet for now. So now, all the Lomeli's minus Gerry knows. Wow. Ivan could say so, How do you like me now? I have the power and the wealth to buy all you out.
I love the grin on Maripaz's face. I'm still having faith on her being good. She's not really evil per se. Spoiled brat and bitchy yes but evil no. Then again, I think I have a thing for bad, sexy girls. ;) But seriously, she has not had anybody killed or killed anybody.
Same thing can be said about Juan Jaime. As much as I hate and detest the guy, he has not done anything *criminal* yet. In a real world sense Juan Jeil me is a D-Bag and an A-Hole like some guys in the real world we don't like who are not criminals (yet)
So how will the story progress since Ivan revealed himself? This has me so curious now that I can't dare miss an episode. I really thought they would go the MEPS Franco Santoro route and use the deception until the very end. This is different and I like it.
Ibarramedia
I'm really surprised that Ivan shoed his hand so soon by revealing himself. He could have topld Lucia to keep it quiet for now. So now, all the Lomeli's minus Gerry knows. Wow. Ivan could say so, How do you like me now? I have the power and the wealth to buy all you out.
I love the grin on Maripaz's face. I'm still having faith on her being good. She's not really evil per se. Spoiled brat and bitchy yes but evil no. Then again, I think I have a thing for bad, sexy girls. ;) But seriously, she has not had anybody killed or killed anybody.
Same thing can be said about Juan Jaime. As much as I hate and detest the guy, he has not done anything *criminal* yet. In a real world sense Juan Jeil me is a D-Bag and an A-Hole like some guys in the real world we don't like who are not criminals (yet)
So how will the story progress since Ivan revealed himself? This has me so curious now that I can't dare miss an episode. I really thought they would go the MEPS Franco Santoro route and use the deception until the very end. This is different and I like it.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8:53:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 8:53:00 PM EDT
Thank you, Jardinera. Inspired.
This episode brought me back to all of the novelas I have truly enjoyed. A novela can be cliched and predictable, but keeping the pace up, having a few good actors in lead roles, a few unexpected turns -- all can make the form compelling. The fact that this isn't a refrito is a source of satisfaction for me as well.
As for Merry Piece (LOVE it) and Lucia, they learned to be women who speak their minds at the hands of the masters (Screecha and Carlota). I like that and hope that the writers maintain it long enough to keep Lucia from marrying Saul and to get MP away from that awful family she has married into. David is obviously a good guy, but can't see this marriage going anywhere.
I love the actor who plays Tony, Pedro Amendariz. He was in Tres Mujeres, one of my first novelas. It went on beyond forever but he was memorable; Alejandro Tomasi was in it as well. I've seen Amendariz in a couple of movies since. Glad he is gracing this novela with his presence.
This episode brought me back to all of the novelas I have truly enjoyed. A novela can be cliched and predictable, but keeping the pace up, having a few good actors in lead roles, a few unexpected turns -- all can make the form compelling. The fact that this isn't a refrito is a source of satisfaction for me as well.
As for Merry Piece (LOVE it) and Lucia, they learned to be women who speak their minds at the hands of the masters (Screecha and Carlota). I like that and hope that the writers maintain it long enough to keep Lucia from marrying Saul and to get MP away from that awful family she has married into. David is obviously a good guy, but can't see this marriage going anywhere.
I love the actor who plays Tony, Pedro Amendariz. He was in Tres Mujeres, one of my first novelas. It went on beyond forever but he was memorable; Alejandro Tomasi was in it as well. I've seen Amendariz in a couple of movies since. Glad he is gracing this novela with his presence.
Did you see J J trying to cop a feel from the maid when she approached the coffee table and she ran off as fast as she could. Since J J over compensates maybe he is the real gay. (I personally think gay orientation is fine but in this small somewhat backwater town we can see it's an exciting source of gossip and scandal.)
Thanks, Jardinera, for the clever and entertaining recap. I missed the first 20 minutes or so, so you really helped me out.
It, unfortunately, looks like MP and Ivan rekindle the passion but i hope it doesn't take long before he realizes she is still a selfish spoiled brat.
GinCA
Thanks, Jardinera, for the clever and entertaining recap. I missed the first 20 minutes or so, so you really helped me out.
It, unfortunately, looks like MP and Ivan rekindle the passion but i hope it doesn't take long before he realizes she is still a selfish spoiled brat.
GinCA
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:31:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:31:00 PM EDT
I just caught part of tonight's Sabado Gigante. David Zepeda and Leticia Calderon (Ivan's mama) were interviewed. They mainly talked about the importance of family and the fact that David was, at one time, an attorney in Sonora. There were clips of David's family (parents, brother, sister, nieces and nephews) wishing him well, which brought tears to his eyes. Leticia looked very attractive with her short haircut.
Sondie
Sondie
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:32:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:32:00 PM EDT
Sondie- Sorry I missed that. As both David Z. and Leticia are from Sonora, it must have been really special for them to be in Sonora filming. I saw some pictures of the behind the scenes and David's family was on set visiting him all the time. That must have been a lot of fun for them to see him at work.
Thanks , Jardinera, for that excellent , as always. recap. The preview of Ivan and Merry Piece [meh] in bed made me mad. Lust is blind, no ? I like to watch MP's little mouth as she carefully enunciates every word and rolls those r's . So..where will this story go ? Camilo and Antolin have to figure into the mix. Our new resident asshat seems to be Saul carrying on in Dad's footsteps. Crude and Rude.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:58:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 9:58:00 PM EDT
Thanks for the great recap Jardinera! Meandragon is a stroke of genius.
I really don't like Merry Piece. Maybe she'll turn out to be good, but right now she is selfish and egotistical to the extreme and she makes me so angry.
According to the avances Ivan and Merry Piece are going to be gettin' it on again. I don't why but that just bothered me. I'm afraid of what the consequences will be (please not another pregnancy) and how that will keep Lucia and Ivan apart.
I really don't like Merry Piece. Maybe she'll turn out to be good, but right now she is selfish and egotistical to the extreme and she makes me so angry.
According to the avances Ivan and Merry Piece are going to be gettin' it on again. I don't why but that just bothered me. I'm afraid of what the consequences will be (please not another pregnancy) and how that will keep Lucia and Ivan apart.
So here's a crazy thought (or it would be anywhere but a telenovela)- What if Anthony is Leticia's father? I mean he doesn't look that old, but Carlota sure as heck doesn't look 70. (I figure Maripaz at about 28, evil mom around 50, so grandma at 70). I know he had a wife and child die, but maybe they didn't so much "die" and "get abandoned". And since we've learned that everyone in Mexico is connected to everyone else, he has to be related to these people somehow. They writers wouldn't just leave him floating around all alone out there is the world.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:10:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:10:00 PM EDT
The only thing about that theory is that Carlota has said that Teodoro Curiel is Alicia's father & I think she knows.
But for sure he does fit in here somewhere.
Variopinta
But for sure he does fit in here somewhere.
Variopinta
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:27:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:27:00 PM EDT
Kelly,
Do you mean Lucrezia's father? Only thing is we've already seen the picture of Tony's wife and son (on a table in his living room) and he clearly said they died in a car accident. That doesn't mean that he couldn't be Lucrezia's father. That would have been many years before his wife and child as he said his son would have been around Ivan's age had he lived. This could be possible if many years before when he was a very young man he had been visitng his mother's home town, met Carlota, gotten her pregnant, and had to return to the U.S. The only problem is that Carlota would have remembered his name, and she didn't seem to react to the name. Also, I just don't see Tony as the kind of guy who would have abandoned a pregnant girlfriend.
Do you mean Lucrezia's father? Only thing is we've already seen the picture of Tony's wife and son (on a table in his living room) and he clearly said they died in a car accident. That doesn't mean that he couldn't be Lucrezia's father. That would have been many years before his wife and child as he said his son would have been around Ivan's age had he lived. This could be possible if many years before when he was a very young man he had been visitng his mother's home town, met Carlota, gotten her pregnant, and had to return to the U.S. The only problem is that Carlota would have remembered his name, and she didn't seem to react to the name. Also, I just don't see Tony as the kind of guy who would have abandoned a pregnant girlfriend.
This episode cinches it for me, I'm in for the long haul! Excellente recap tambien.
Maripaz's somewhat lazy eye was distracting to me. (sorry)
So JJ does not recognize his own son, figures, he is such a tyrant and a cad, low life and far from alta sociedad.
Lucrazy was doing some freaking out after realizing Ivan is back and holds her destino in his hands.
The David character does look a bit ajotorado (TexMex speak) but I don't believe he is gay, just traumatized by his dad.
So now we will have brothers and sisters pitted against each other.
Maripaz's somewhat lazy eye was distracting to me. (sorry)
So JJ does not recognize his own son, figures, he is such a tyrant and a cad, low life and far from alta sociedad.
Lucrazy was doing some freaking out after realizing Ivan is back and holds her destino in his hands.
The David character does look a bit ajotorado (TexMex speak) but I don't believe he is gay, just traumatized by his dad.
So now we will have brothers and sisters pitted against each other.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:45:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 11:45:00 PM EDT
Getting the L names mixed up. I meant, what if he's Lucrezia's dad? The missing one that Carlota hasn't named yet.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:02:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:02:00 AM EDT
Sondie; no problema. Different strokes and all that....
: ? )) Hadn't known DZ was an attorney first. No wonder he's good at giving his lines!! LOL!
===========
ViviDC: thanks for the list--I'd actually forgotten about JJ having a first wife and Saul being hers. I know we suspect Alex as possibly Ivan and MP's but do we know for sure?
==========
Ibarramedia: nice to see you with us for this one! Always great to get your ma-nput!
============
GinCA: IMHO I think JJ's attitude is overcompensating for the shame he feels in fearing his son is a wimp because he's always been an introvert and an egg-head--definitely NOT JJ's style, or that of Saul.
=============
Traveling Lady: Yes, so far this tn has the right combination of plot elements, credibility, pacing and action. Couldn't remember if it was a refrito or not, but if it's not, then even better!
===============
: ? )) Hadn't known DZ was an attorney first. No wonder he's good at giving his lines!! LOL!
===========
ViviDC: thanks for the list--I'd actually forgotten about JJ having a first wife and Saul being hers. I know we suspect Alex as possibly Ivan and MP's but do we know for sure?
==========
Ibarramedia: nice to see you with us for this one! Always great to get your ma-nput!
============
GinCA: IMHO I think JJ's attitude is overcompensating for the shame he feels in fearing his son is a wimp because he's always been an introvert and an egg-head--definitely NOT JJ's style, or that of Saul.
=============
Traveling Lady: Yes, so far this tn has the right combination of plot elements, credibility, pacing and action. Couldn't remember if it was a refrito or not, but if it's not, then even better!
===============
Sara: Thanks! I'd like to take bets on how long it is before Ivan gets over MP and starts angling for her kid sister.
============
Trav. Lady/Sara: I figure Maripaz is anything but happy, and she is a major pain in everyone's patoot and always has been; but for the guys in her social class, fast and easy and she's a good time gal and a good piece of t--l. ==========================
Susanlynn: I'm sort of surprised Antolin hasn't had a fling thing with Maripaz by now--or come down with some SDT!
==============
Kelly/Variopinta: I can't figure out who Anthony is related to in this, tho' we know he's got to be somebody special. I do see him Carly's age and possibly he could be the man who left her in the lurch, but possibly it wasn't his doing if he was a young man under his parents' influence still.
========
rubycantu: There is a lot going on already and it's captured my interest from the start, tho' I thought I'd be hard pressed to get into it. I can't wait to see how things progress in this one, either!
============
Trav. Lady/Sara: I figure Maripaz is anything but happy, and she is a major pain in everyone's patoot and always has been; but for the guys in her social class, fast and easy and she's a good time gal and a good piece of t--l. ==========================
Susanlynn: I'm sort of surprised Antolin hasn't had a fling thing with Maripaz by now--or come down with some SDT!
==============
Kelly/Variopinta: I can't figure out who Anthony is related to in this, tho' we know he's got to be somebody special. I do see him Carly's age and possibly he could be the man who left her in the lurch, but possibly it wasn't his doing if he was a young man under his parents' influence still.
========
rubycantu: There is a lot going on already and it's captured my interest from the start, tho' I thought I'd be hard pressed to get into it. I can't wait to see how things progress in this one, either!
Morning Jardinera. No, we haven't yet had complete confirmation that Alex is the missing Ivan/MP baby. But when Carolina asked Gerry if he was going to tell "them" (Maripaz and gang) about Alex, and he got upset and said no, that pretty much sealed the deal for me. Also the fact that no one ever met his dead wife Beatriz, not even Lucia. I will be shocked if it turns out there is some other secret about Alex that isn't about his parentage.
Jardinera- You make a good point that Maripaz (such an inappropriate name for that girl) was always an unhappy person, even when we first met her as a young teen. It's interesting that both she and Lucrezia blame her unhappiness on Ivan knocking her up, or taking advantage of her, (snort, giggle) as they like to say. I think she would have been in the exact same boat (30 and single party girl), even if Ivan had never come into her life. Perhaps the only difference would have been that she would not have been able to compare the great intense sex she had with Ivan (because he was totally devoted to her), to the empty sex she has been having with men who don't love or care about her all these years.
I also don't see MP as being completely evil, but she is a spoiled brat. I disagree with the comment on Lucia being "mouthy." That's how you describe a brat and she is an adult who is entitled to speak her mind.
JJ is the worst kind of toxic parent/control freak. He doesn't control with money so much as with psychological warfare. He has not allowed his children to mature appropriately:
--He indulged Saul as a child to the degree that he is not yet a responsible person. Saul impregnated a girl from a lower-income zip code and abandoned her, exactly as JJ had done at the same age. He still parties like a frat boy.
-- He puts Judith down just for being female, denigrates her intelligence, and probably didn't educate her. The one thing that makes her savable is that Esther loves and values her.
-- He has programmed David into becoming a shy, withdrawn young man who has no self-confidence in his own manhood. He forced him to work on the ranch rather than allowed him to pursue his preferred career and deningrates his efforts into the bargain.
-- All three still live with their parents despite said parents still being relatively young and in good health.
JJ seems not to know that successful parenting means that your children become independent. That means emotionally and financially. He obviously feels threatened by that.
Imagine how much worse Lucrazia would have become if she had married him. But I don't think he could have bullied her the way he walks all over Esther like a throw rug.
I had to laugh yesterday at the Dark Shadows event when they showed a kiss between two characters who were not blood-related but had a mother/son relationship. The actor introducing this said "Incest; what shocking stuff in 1970!" Later there was a clip from the HBO movie Surviving Christmas in which a man tells off his spoiled daughter by telling her that he married her mother because another man had knocked her up.
As drama, this stuff transcends culture and will never get old.
JJ is the worst kind of toxic parent/control freak. He doesn't control with money so much as with psychological warfare. He has not allowed his children to mature appropriately:
--He indulged Saul as a child to the degree that he is not yet a responsible person. Saul impregnated a girl from a lower-income zip code and abandoned her, exactly as JJ had done at the same age. He still parties like a frat boy.
-- He puts Judith down just for being female, denigrates her intelligence, and probably didn't educate her. The one thing that makes her savable is that Esther loves and values her.
-- He has programmed David into becoming a shy, withdrawn young man who has no self-confidence in his own manhood. He forced him to work on the ranch rather than allowed him to pursue his preferred career and deningrates his efforts into the bargain.
-- All three still live with their parents despite said parents still being relatively young and in good health.
JJ seems not to know that successful parenting means that your children become independent. That means emotionally and financially. He obviously feels threatened by that.
Imagine how much worse Lucrazia would have become if she had married him. But I don't think he could have bullied her the way he walks all over Esther like a throw rug.
I had to laugh yesterday at the Dark Shadows event when they showed a kiss between two characters who were not blood-related but had a mother/son relationship. The actor introducing this said "Incest; what shocking stuff in 1970!" Later there was a clip from the HBO movie Surviving Christmas in which a man tells off his spoiled daughter by telling her that he married her mother because another man had knocked her up.
As drama, this stuff transcends culture and will never get old.
Thanks for the wonderful recap. I almost stopped watching the TN (I'm watching too many). I didn't like the way Ivan was mistreated constantly at the beginning and it was starting to remind me of TdA. But I really like it now. I'm so glad Ivan is back with money and power. He can get his revenge on all those who hurt him, not by hurting them directly but by not helping them. That's a nice twist for a change.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 10:14:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 10:14:00 AM EDT
Well, the world is made interesting with variety of opinion. ITA that Lucia is allowed her opinion and to state it. It's the tone and the manner in which she stated it to the woman who gave her life and who deserves a modicum of respect for that if for nothing else that totally shocked and took me by surprise. That's how I was raised and it's how I would tend to approach things. LuScreechia may be a witch and she deserves an alternate opinion from her daughter certainly, but this time I simply didn't find Lulu's suggestion all that surprisingly offensive. A first impression in business is a definite must and tho' I didn't think Lucia's dress was that bad, she could have compromised with an added necklace and/or a flashy bracelet or pair of shoes and been done with it. That might have satisfied both and left the household in peace. : > )
Thank you for another helpful recap. The dialog is hard to follow at times with the speed some of them speak and the speed that the story is being told. Love the snarky comments, they make it all the more fun.
CB de Denver
CB de Denver
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 10:54:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 10:54:00 AM EDT
Hey, Chuchi and CB in Denver! Thanks for checking in. The more the merrier! Accents and speed in talking are always a challenge for me whenever I have to listen to a new actor. I have to take care also not to let my thoughts wander, but it's hard at times because so much happens that you don't have time to consider the actions these characters take until later.
Gracias Jardinera; wonderful recap!
Except for Tony and Celia; it seems that everyone else's parenting skills are lacking big time ... JJ with his godlike complex; thinks everyone who is not him is lower than dirt; he couldn't bring himself to believe that Tony has so much confidence and trust in Ivan -- while he constantly puts down his own fletch and blood ... tell me again why he summoned David to drop everything and come home early if he can't even stand to listen to any of his suggestions.
Nutcrecia is so ambitious and prejudiced; I don't know how in the world Lucia is sane in that house ... because Donna Carlotta got her back ... I love Carly and I understand her conservatism and the need to protect her family ... but that need makes her turn a blind eye and give in into Nutcrecia prejudiced ways ...
and Esther sure she loves her kids and overindulged them to compensate for the mistreatment of JJ; but what she needs to do now is to stand up to him and defend her kids and not try to put a bandaid on the big wound caused by mysoginistic JJ ...
someone please tell me ... why in the world a thirty something kid still lives at home and be subjected to the ordinances of pa and ma? Is this novela land or does this really happen in the upper class latin community?
Myo ---
Except for Tony and Celia; it seems that everyone else's parenting skills are lacking big time ... JJ with his godlike complex; thinks everyone who is not him is lower than dirt; he couldn't bring himself to believe that Tony has so much confidence and trust in Ivan -- while he constantly puts down his own fletch and blood ... tell me again why he summoned David to drop everything and come home early if he can't even stand to listen to any of his suggestions.
Nutcrecia is so ambitious and prejudiced; I don't know how in the world Lucia is sane in that house ... because Donna Carlotta got her back ... I love Carly and I understand her conservatism and the need to protect her family ... but that need makes her turn a blind eye and give in into Nutcrecia prejudiced ways ...
and Esther sure she loves her kids and overindulged them to compensate for the mistreatment of JJ; but what she needs to do now is to stand up to him and defend her kids and not try to put a bandaid on the big wound caused by mysoginistic JJ ...
someone please tell me ... why in the world a thirty something kid still lives at home and be subjected to the ordinances of pa and ma? Is this novela land or does this really happen in the upper class latin community?
Myo ---
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:15:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:15:00 PM EDT
Here is a thought, maybe Anthony's wife was Alicia's mom? We haven't really heard anything about Alicia's mom. And it could be the same old story, each was told the other was dead.
Seems strange that no one remembers Tony's name.
Variopinta
Seems strange that no one remembers Tony's name.
Variopinta
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:50:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 12:50:00 PM EDT
Myo: Welcome! We learned from Jarocha that generally adult children do stay at home with their parents until they marry. If nothing else, the social norms are reflected in these telenovelas as well as the sub-norms.
Loved your recap, Jardinera. I missed most parts of the past episodes, due to dozing off, and only caught this last one. I believe I'm going to like this tn. Always love your recaps.
Thanks for the "family tree" Vivi and all the great comments.
Ann-NYC
Thanks for the "family tree" Vivi and all the great comments.
Ann-NYC
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 2:39:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 2:39:00 PM EDT
Variopinta- Tony didn't grow up in Sonora. His mom was from there. We were just speculating how it would be possible for him to be Lucrezia's dad it that were the case.
As for Tony's dead wife also being Alicia's dead mom, I don't think so. When Alicia came back to Sonora with Ivan, she told Carlota that her mom died five years before. Carlota said that's exactly when Teodoro died (perhaps they had a psychic connection). She had been living in Tampico with Alicia Ivan's whole life. No way Alicia's mom could have been living one life as a rich man's wife in CA, and another as a poor woman in Tampico.
As for Tony's dead wife also being Alicia's dead mom, I don't think so. When Alicia came back to Sonora with Ivan, she told Carlota that her mom died five years before. Carlota said that's exactly when Teodoro died (perhaps they had a psychic connection). She had been living in Tampico with Alicia Ivan's whole life. No way Alicia's mom could have been living one life as a rich man's wife in CA, and another as a poor woman in Tampico.
Absolutely correct on the 30 something kids still living at home Jardinera. Mexican and all other hispanic and hispanic influenced culture are like this. Similar to Asian people, they place a great emphasis on the "FAMILY". That is why you also see a large extended family here like Grandparents or cousins and other relatives. This is more true with affluent and influential families. The Haciendas and/or Family Corporations owned by TN families are like little feudal kingdoms. They are essentially pseudo royalty. Our dear Maripaz (Maria Paz) or as you ladies call her Merry Piece or maybe Mary Peace is a big princess.
Agreed mostly with UA about her comments. Spot on especially with JJ and his toxicity as a parent. I'm sure we all have met guys like him. Not a criminal but a crude D-Bag and A-hole that we would like to pummell. Beleive it or not, there can be jerks who are not criminals and criminals who can be seemingly gracious and polite in public and non enemies like Dona Bernarda Iturbide from TDA.
JJ is a a dude that anyone can see as crude,rude,condescending to everyone. A generally unpleasant fellow to be around with. A cranky old curmudgeon. Who knows? He might become a criminal in later episodes. Would not surprise me.
Vivi, I did not realize that Saul is not Esther and JJ's son. I thought that Esther was the mother of all 3, Saul, David and Judith.
I'm really intrigued by Maripaz and Lucia. Not so much with Carmen and Judith yet... They look good though.
I just realized that Maripaz is also Constanza Montes De Oca, mother of Regina and Aimee from Corazon Salvaje 2009 or rather the girl that plays her. Didn't cathc that earlier but I kind of thought she looked familiar.
Ibarramedia
Agreed mostly with UA about her comments. Spot on especially with JJ and his toxicity as a parent. I'm sure we all have met guys like him. Not a criminal but a crude D-Bag and A-hole that we would like to pummell. Beleive it or not, there can be jerks who are not criminals and criminals who can be seemingly gracious and polite in public and non enemies like Dona Bernarda Iturbide from TDA.
JJ is a a dude that anyone can see as crude,rude,condescending to everyone. A generally unpleasant fellow to be around with. A cranky old curmudgeon. Who knows? He might become a criminal in later episodes. Would not surprise me.
Vivi, I did not realize that Saul is not Esther and JJ's son. I thought that Esther was the mother of all 3, Saul, David and Judith.
I'm really intrigued by Maripaz and Lucia. Not so much with Carmen and Judith yet... They look good though.
I just realized that Maripaz is also Constanza Montes De Oca, mother of Regina and Aimee from Corazon Salvaje 2009 or rather the girl that plays her. Didn't cathc that earlier but I kind of thought she looked familiar.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:04:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:04:00 PM EDT
Vivi,
I don't know how you can remember all this stuff. Tks for all the reminders.
Variopinta
I don't know how you can remember all this stuff. Tks for all the reminders.
Variopinta
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:06:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:06:00 PM EDT
So true about the adult children staying in their parents' home. My students come from all over the world , and most of them tell me that children do not move away until they marry and sometimes not even then. If someone never marries, he or she remains in their parents' home forever. In other cultures, several generations live together in one family residence. Even in the U.S. in the past, it was common for several generations to live together. Growing up, our household included my parents, my maternal grandmother, her sister, and my sister and me. Another interesting fact is that in almost every other country, students wear uniforms to school..both public and private.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:40:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:40:00 PM EDT
p.s. Is the actress playing Judith the same woman who was the gypsy who impersonated Angelique Boyer's character in Corazon Salvaje ?
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:42:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 3:42:00 PM EDT
Jardinera another excellent and funny recap as usual thank you.
Now this novela is picking up did someone say this is a original?
Lucrazy doesn't like that JJ is getting over on her to take advantage and get most of the profits from her ranch.
JJ is one of the worst parents i've seen.Ivan was lucky he didn't grow up under him.
Luica remembers Ivan but isn't happoy about seeing him again. She is embarrassed to be seen with Saul a mini JJ if we've ever seen one.
Merry Piece great nickname Jardinera wants a divorce because poor emasculated David can't perform his husbandly duties and she tells this to mommy dearest when she gets back from her honeymoon. Mommy dearest can't afford a scandal now and is trying to make a good impression upon the Americans who can help their ranch out of financial difficulties.
Lucia tells granny and granma that Ivan has returned.Lucrazy almost has a cow because she is sure Ivan is there to exact revenge upon her for her mistreatment of him. Gee you think? She ask Lucia to do her a favor and ask Ivan not to talk or bring up the baby he had with Maripaz.
Lucrazy informs Merry Piece that Ivan has returned and she thinks she can get a divorce and marry him now that he is wealthy. Mommy Dearest forbids this and threatens to disown her if she tries.
Ivan learns that mini JJ son Saul knocked up Carmen and left her high and dry.
Lucrazy is already upset with JJ trying to pull a fast and take most of her hacienda's profits. JJ is not going to like that Merry Piece had a baby already before she married David. David isn't going to like learning this either or that she is cheating on him with his half brother.
Ivan does hold the cards when it comes to helping out Lucrazy and she refuses to beg him for forgiveness for how she treated him.
Ivan also knows about Saul being just like his dad JJ knocking up a woman and abandoning her.
Wait until Ivan learns it was Gerry and not JJ who got his mother pregnant again. He has vowed revenge upon that man.
Looks like from the previews that Saul is not taking being dumped by Lucia too well.
Now this novela is picking up did someone say this is a original?
Lucrazy doesn't like that JJ is getting over on her to take advantage and get most of the profits from her ranch.
JJ is one of the worst parents i've seen.Ivan was lucky he didn't grow up under him.
Luica remembers Ivan but isn't happoy about seeing him again. She is embarrassed to be seen with Saul a mini JJ if we've ever seen one.
Merry Piece great nickname Jardinera wants a divorce because poor emasculated David can't perform his husbandly duties and she tells this to mommy dearest when she gets back from her honeymoon. Mommy dearest can't afford a scandal now and is trying to make a good impression upon the Americans who can help their ranch out of financial difficulties.
Lucia tells granny and granma that Ivan has returned.Lucrazy almost has a cow because she is sure Ivan is there to exact revenge upon her for her mistreatment of him. Gee you think? She ask Lucia to do her a favor and ask Ivan not to talk or bring up the baby he had with Maripaz.
Lucrazy informs Merry Piece that Ivan has returned and she thinks she can get a divorce and marry him now that he is wealthy. Mommy Dearest forbids this and threatens to disown her if she tries.
Ivan learns that mini JJ son Saul knocked up Carmen and left her high and dry.
Lucrazy is already upset with JJ trying to pull a fast and take most of her hacienda's profits. JJ is not going to like that Merry Piece had a baby already before she married David. David isn't going to like learning this either or that she is cheating on him with his half brother.
Ivan does hold the cards when it comes to helping out Lucrazy and she refuses to beg him for forgiveness for how she treated him.
Ivan also knows about Saul being just like his dad JJ knocking up a woman and abandoning her.
Wait until Ivan learns it was Gerry and not JJ who got his mother pregnant again. He has vowed revenge upon that man.
Looks like from the previews that Saul is not taking being dumped by Lucia too well.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:15:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:15:00 PM EDT
Rubycantu-- I also noticed something not right about one of Maripaz's eyes, but just thought it was my imagination. It's good to know I wasn't seeing things.
Also, the actress playing the blind sister-in-law looked familiar. She was in Pasion. She played the love interest of William Levy.
Sondie
Also, the actress playing the blind sister-in-law looked familiar. She was in Pasion. She played the love interest of William Levy.
Sondie
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:19:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:19:00 PM EDT
Nothing really new to add except I to say I am so happy with this one. Great pacing, great people to hate (very important lol), all kinds of action (seriously no FF>> *at all*.)
Now I remember why I like TNs. I sort of forgot during TdA.
Now I remember why I like TNs. I sort of forgot during TdA.
I think the only person that we know did sth illegal is Lucrecia, hiring thugs to beat up Iván & not caring if he is dead & actually hoping he is.
I would be happy with a novela with only moderately misguided people, rather than a couple of them going around killing their supposed enemies.
Variopinta
I would be happy with a novela with only moderately misguided people, rather than a couple of them going around killing their supposed enemies.
Variopinta
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:40:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 4:40:00 PM EDT
Variopinta,Good call on Lucrecia hiring thugs to beat up Ivan. I forgot about that one and was thinking that Leandro the foreman did that on his own, trying to imnpress Lucrecia.
I liked the conversation between mother and daughter in the church during mass. A complete alibi and good way to keep things secret. Almost Godfather-esque. Not good for religious purposes but good for secrecy purposes. Interesting twist of story telling too for us viewers.
Blusamurai, I was hoping Lucia would keep her mouth shut about Ivan coming home. That could be like a secret rendezvous, but I guess it is too played out and cliched. Then we would see some silliness about her trying to keep his identiy secret in certain situations. It might turn out to be pure comedy if it did and that is not the direction of this story. Oh well.
Ibarramedia
I liked the conversation between mother and daughter in the church during mass. A complete alibi and good way to keep things secret. Almost Godfather-esque. Not good for religious purposes but good for secrecy purposes. Interesting twist of story telling too for us viewers.
Blusamurai, I was hoping Lucia would keep her mouth shut about Ivan coming home. That could be like a secret rendezvous, but I guess it is too played out and cliched. Then we would see some silliness about her trying to keep his identiy secret in certain situations. It might turn out to be pure comedy if it did and that is not the direction of this story. Oh well.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 5:10:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 5:10:00 PM EDT
Well, JJ did pay Leandro to divert Curiel water to his own more arid lands. Since it was without Lucrezia's knowledge or consent, that was illegal.
JJ also tried to rape Alicia. I think he figures, once a woman has been his, she will always be his for the taking.
But I agree that this doesn't seem like the kind of tn with evil villains that will be racking up the body count. There is nothing wrong with that kind of tn, if it's done it well. CME is a good example of the good version of that kind of tn. The murderous villainess didn't kill her first two victims on purpose, but has escalated. She didn't just start off gleefully bumping people off left and right like Bernarda in TDA. I see this one being somewhere between CME and Teresa with their more realistic evil/bad/misguided characters.
JJ also tried to rape Alicia. I think he figures, once a woman has been his, she will always be his for the taking.
But I agree that this doesn't seem like the kind of tn with evil villains that will be racking up the body count. There is nothing wrong with that kind of tn, if it's done it well. CME is a good example of the good version of that kind of tn. The murderous villainess didn't kill her first two victims on purpose, but has escalated. She didn't just start off gleefully bumping people off left and right like Bernarda in TDA. I see this one being somewhere between CME and Teresa with their more realistic evil/bad/misguided characters.
Speaking of Leandro, I'm sure he is the no account thieving foreman they want to replace, but he has the goods on Lucrecia, so probably that's going to bite her in the nalgas.
variopinta
variopinta
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 6:19:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 6:19:00 PM EDT
Great recap Jardinera! I'm glad you are enjoying the novela.
It is true that families here tend to stay together as much as they can but I think that, with a father as toxic as JJ, David should have left the nest long ago. After all, the point of staying together is to be a supportive unit. Unfortunately, it is probably his weak character that keeps him there and the fear of his father moving influences to avoid him getting another job in Alamos if he defies him by leaving the house.
About Lucía's behaviour, I do think she raised a little too much the voice to her mother but Lucrecia wasn't being respectful in her tone either so I understand her frustration. I think she must be pretty tired of her mother's attitude, especially given that the financial situation they are in is all her fault. And then you have a sister who does nothing but spend money and being put the pressure of being the one to make a good impression has to be annoying at best.
Merrie Piece is a hilarious nickname and pretty apt for her. I was on a line at the supermarket and started looking through a TVyNovelas magazine to pass the time. There's a section when they show an old picture and on the next page you find out who it is, turns out Laisha Wilkins was once an adorable six year old with a bowl cut and a toothy grin.
Jarocha
It is true that families here tend to stay together as much as they can but I think that, with a father as toxic as JJ, David should have left the nest long ago. After all, the point of staying together is to be a supportive unit. Unfortunately, it is probably his weak character that keeps him there and the fear of his father moving influences to avoid him getting another job in Alamos if he defies him by leaving the house.
About Lucía's behaviour, I do think she raised a little too much the voice to her mother but Lucrecia wasn't being respectful in her tone either so I understand her frustration. I think she must be pretty tired of her mother's attitude, especially given that the financial situation they are in is all her fault. And then you have a sister who does nothing but spend money and being put the pressure of being the one to make a good impression has to be annoying at best.
Merrie Piece is a hilarious nickname and pretty apt for her. I was on a line at the supermarket and started looking through a TVyNovelas magazine to pass the time. There's a section when they show an old picture and on the next page you find out who it is, turns out Laisha Wilkins was once an adorable six year old with a bowl cut and a toothy grin.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 8:22:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 8:22:00 PM EDT
Dont' forget, Lucrezia & Carlota hid the existence of a third heir to the ranch (Alicia) from the bank in order to put it up as collateral for Lucrezia's loan. The lawyer told Carly in the first or second episode both of them could go to jail for fraud.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 9:51:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 9:51:00 PM EDT
Crimes Committed So Far:
Fraud with the bank = Carlota, Lucrezia
Fraud with water rights and diverting profits from El Socorro = Leandro and JJ
Assault and Battery = Leandro and Lucrezia
Murder = Antolin
Accomplice to Murder and Obstruction of Justice = Leandro and Lucrezia, Antolin, and Camilo
Attempted Rape= JJ
Sex with an underaged girl = JJ
Kidnapping = Gerry
Fraud with the bank = Carlota, Lucrezia
Fraud with water rights and diverting profits from El Socorro = Leandro and JJ
Assault and Battery = Leandro and Lucrezia
Murder = Antolin
Accomplice to Murder and Obstruction of Justice = Leandro and Lucrezia, Antolin, and Camilo
Attempted Rape= JJ
Sex with an underaged girl = JJ
Kidnapping = Gerry
Jardinera, how old was Carmen when Saul knocked her up? Shouldn't he be added to your Criminals List?
Urban A: Good question! I was thinking that and guess I skipped it. 18 is the legal age, so I bet she was underaged also. I'll have to amend the list.
Amended List of Crimes Committed So Far:
Fraud with the bank = Carlota, Lucrezia
Fraud with water rights and diverting profits from El Socorro = Leandro and JJ
Assault and Battery = Leandro and Lucrezia
Murder = Antolin
Accomplice to Murder and Obstruction of Justice = Leandro and Lucrezia, Antolin, and Camilo
Attempted Rape= JJ
Sex with an underaged girl = JJ and Saul (assumed)
Kidnapping = Gerry
Fraud with the bank = Carlota, Lucrezia
Fraud with water rights and diverting profits from El Socorro = Leandro and JJ
Assault and Battery = Leandro and Lucrezia
Murder = Antolin
Accomplice to Murder and Obstruction of Justice = Leandro and Lucrezia, Antolin, and Camilo
Attempted Rape= JJ
Sex with an underaged girl = JJ and Saul (assumed)
Kidnapping = Gerry
18 is the legal age in the USA. Other countires have different age limits. I think Canada is 16. What is the legal age in Mexico?
We are not 100% sure about Gerry kidnapping "Alex", Ivan and Maripaz's kid yet.
I like the list so far. Let's keep it coming.
Ibarramedia
We are not 100% sure about Gerry kidnapping "Alex", Ivan and Maripaz's kid yet.
I like the list so far. Let's keep it coming.
Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:49:00 PM EDT
: Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:49:00 PM EDT
In US law, Antolin may be fouhnd not guilty due to self defense, in this case of his friend Ivan. Camilo and Antolin came to the defense of the badly beaten and would have been killed Ivan if not for their interference. The worst thing that could happen in US law is that Antolin is charged and found guilty of manslaughter. That is a lot less than first and second degree murder in the Criminal Justice system. I don't know what the charges would be in Mexican law.
Ibarramedia
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Ibarramedia
Permalink posted by : Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:54:00 PM EDT
: Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:54:00 PM EDT
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