Friday, September 02, 2011
La Pola - September 1, 2011 - Discussion Page
Pola narrowly escapes being caught by the royalist army. The Almeida brothers tell her to go to Santa Fé with Juliano. She is to go to Mrs. Recaute’s (sp?) house. She stops at Doña Matea’s house on her way and learns that Matea’s husband has returned from Spain and that they will remain in America. When she arrives at her destination, she finds none other than Col. Rodriguez who looks unnaturally baby-faced in civilian clothing. She accuses him of cowardice and treason, and he tries in vain to explain. Meanwhile Alejo has lead an ill-fated charge against the royalist army and against the advice of Arcos. He will not be called a coward. His forces are outnumbered and overrun and what remains of his troops are captured and taken to Popayan to jail. Pedrito and Vivianito who have miraculously survived will be set free because they are minors. General Sámano is in charge and he recognizes Alejo in the cell. According to the laws of war, Sámano orders the prisoners to be set apart by quinto – every fifth one will be executed by lots. Alejo is among those who are to be executed. Gaspar and Eusebia go to the convent to beg the Mother Superior to plead with Sámano to spare the lives of their nephew and of Alejo. Sámano has already ordered the execution and Alejo and six others are lined up and ready to be shot. Their heads will be cut off and displayed for all to see what happens to traitors. Iglesias, who was also imprisoned, has convinced Sámano to set him free and let him rejoin the royalist army. To test his fidelity, Sámano orders him to be a member of the firing squad.
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Thu Sep 1
It was Ambrosio who grabbed Pola, he is able to take her out to safety.
The soldiers scare the pi__ out of Gertrudis…
The soldiers find the cave with all the emmu, food and aguardiente Pola had in there.
AA sends Pola to Santa Fe… he wants her to spy there for them… the townspeople know her well.
At Santa Fe Baraya tells the council men that Pablo Morillo is heading to Santa Fe. They all get scared. Jorge Tadeo says they have lost their fight, there is only one way left. To try to negotiate with Morillo. Frutos says Morillo just killed 1/3 of the people of Cartagena of hunger by surrounding the city and cutting all ins and outs of food.
Camilo and Caldas seem to want to head out south to Popayan. Camilo says in case they get submitted to trial, it might go better for them then. Jorge Tadeo will stay, he is sure they will be able to negotiate with Morillo.
Carbonnel at the chicheria is given up, says the government guys are chickening out, they are trying to get Morillo to forgive them. He tells the guy about what happened at Cartagena. To continue fighting would be idiotic… Candelaria brings them chicha made by Pola… Candelaria tells them Pola is still fighting for freedom. Carbonnel takes a deep breath…
AA tells Pola to go find Andrea Ricaurte, she is for the cause… He gives Pola some money to survive until she finds something to do in Santa Fe. He changes her name, tells her their sister was named Policarpa. Pola likes it, adopts the name. AA asks her to be careful. Until he catches up with her. Pola asks him if it was not worth it to fight. He says they are losing from every side… She says in the south they are still fighting, she still is hopeful that the next letter from Alejo will have good news…
At Santa Fe the ‘caballeros’ say goodbye to each other. Jorge Tadeo asks ‘what if we had supported Narino in his fight in the south, none of this would be happening’. Camilo says as you say… ‘what if’… Camilo and Caldas leave… Baraya says he does not get their give up attitude. Jorge T tells him Morillo has 10K men, where are the american troops that will face them?
Battle at Cuchilla del Tambo, June 1816
The last of the american troops, including Caval’s men and Alejo’s men are in the fight.
Arcos is feeling the pressure and tells Alejo that they need to go, its useless. Alejo says it’s the first time he hears him talk like that. Arcos says we lost this war a while ago, since our leaders decided to fight each other instead of fighting the ‘chapetones’. Why do we have to pay for that? Alejo says if he wants to leave, he will understand. But don’t ask him to do the same. He was called coward once and he swears there won’t be a second time. Then Alejo tells all his men that he won’t be mad at whoever leaves, but he needs to know who he can count on. Lopezito is first to back him up, then everyone, even Arcos, does. So Alejo leads the last charge after he yells ‘Over there is death, over here is shame. I choose death!!’ then he leads the charge.
Alejo fights a few men, Viviano tells Pedrito that Alejo will do it!... then Alejo gets hit on the head with the butt of a shotgun and Arcos calls for retreat, but they are all surrounded before they can even move.
It was Ambrosio who grabbed Pola, he is able to take her out to safety.
The soldiers scare the pi__ out of Gertrudis…
The soldiers find the cave with all the emmu, food and aguardiente Pola had in there.
AA sends Pola to Santa Fe… he wants her to spy there for them… the townspeople know her well.
At Santa Fe Baraya tells the council men that Pablo Morillo is heading to Santa Fe. They all get scared. Jorge Tadeo says they have lost their fight, there is only one way left. To try to negotiate with Morillo. Frutos says Morillo just killed 1/3 of the people of Cartagena of hunger by surrounding the city and cutting all ins and outs of food.
Camilo and Caldas seem to want to head out south to Popayan. Camilo says in case they get submitted to trial, it might go better for them then. Jorge Tadeo will stay, he is sure they will be able to negotiate with Morillo.
Carbonnel at the chicheria is given up, says the government guys are chickening out, they are trying to get Morillo to forgive them. He tells the guy about what happened at Cartagena. To continue fighting would be idiotic… Candelaria brings them chicha made by Pola… Candelaria tells them Pola is still fighting for freedom. Carbonnel takes a deep breath…
AA tells Pola to go find Andrea Ricaurte, she is for the cause… He gives Pola some money to survive until she finds something to do in Santa Fe. He changes her name, tells her their sister was named Policarpa. Pola likes it, adopts the name. AA asks her to be careful. Until he catches up with her. Pola asks him if it was not worth it to fight. He says they are losing from every side… She says in the south they are still fighting, she still is hopeful that the next letter from Alejo will have good news…
At Santa Fe the ‘caballeros’ say goodbye to each other. Jorge Tadeo asks ‘what if we had supported Narino in his fight in the south, none of this would be happening’. Camilo says as you say… ‘what if’… Camilo and Caldas leave… Baraya says he does not get their give up attitude. Jorge T tells him Morillo has 10K men, where are the american troops that will face them?
Battle at Cuchilla del Tambo, June 1816
The last of the american troops, including Caval’s men and Alejo’s men are in the fight.
Arcos is feeling the pressure and tells Alejo that they need to go, its useless. Alejo says it’s the first time he hears him talk like that. Arcos says we lost this war a while ago, since our leaders decided to fight each other instead of fighting the ‘chapetones’. Why do we have to pay for that? Alejo says if he wants to leave, he will understand. But don’t ask him to do the same. He was called coward once and he swears there won’t be a second time. Then Alejo tells all his men that he won’t be mad at whoever leaves, but he needs to know who he can count on. Lopezito is first to back him up, then everyone, even Arcos, does. So Alejo leads the last charge after he yells ‘Over there is death, over here is shame. I choose death!!’ then he leads the charge.
Alejo fights a few men, Viviano tells Pedrito that Alejo will do it!... then Alejo gets hit on the head with the butt of a shotgun and Arcos calls for retreat, but they are all surrounded before they can even move.
Pola and Juliano arrive at Santa Fe, to Maria Matea’s house. Don Pedro is back. Maria Matea hugs Pola, tells her about The king recovering all his lands in Nueva Granada, sent Morillo, the commander of the troops… Pola says she will keep fighting. MM says that freedom you dream is not possible. Pola says nonesense! There are still troops out there. MM says you have to accept its over. Pola says never. MM says if you need help let me know. Her heart will always be american. MM offers her house, but Pola doesn’t want to put her in danger. Tells her about Andrea Ricaurte. MM says they are decorating the streets to receive Morillo. Pola says Juliano is basically her brother in law. Pola tells her her new name is Policarpa. MM asks about Alejo, Pola says he is still fighting.
At the prison, Col Herrera shows the prisoners to Samano. Samano says we are facilitating the work for Morillo so he will take the credit. Herrera tells Samano the young ones are in this cell, asks him to free some. Samano says free the youngest two. Samano spots Alejo.
S: Caramba! Alferez Sabarain!... I told you some time ago that traitors ended bad.
A: I am not a traitor. I have spanish blood. And I feel shame to watch how some represent the noble and brave spanish race.
S: I imagine you mean your father.
A: I have no idea what you are talking about.
S: No? Did you know what is said about your father in this city? That he is a sell-out. That he was seen in the plaza reading notes from rebels and royals.
A: I owe my father respect. But I can’t respond for his actions.
S: Lets see if you both are made of the same dough. I offer to save your life if you read in the plaza the announcement from the royal forces.
A: I prefer that you execute me.
S: Ah! Jaja bravo! What courage! … And all of you what do you say?? I offer to save the life of whoever reads the note of victory at the plaza!... (Alejo turns around, noone offers) Very well… Col Herrera. Please do a 1/5 sort (quintar) among these men and ensure the execution will happen as soon as possible.
Pedro explains to Viviano what ‘quintar’ means. And that they won’t be in the sort, since they are the youngest ones.
Alejo can only think about Pola… he wishes he had seen her one last time.
When they sorting happens,
Pola and Juliano arrive at Andrea Ricaurte’s. Pola shows her AA’s letter. She lets Pola in.
Iglesias manages to get Samano to take him out of the prison… he did not offer to read the notice because he can’t read.
Pola finds Rodriguez at Andrea’s… Pola confronts him calling him a wretch right away. She tells Andrea that Alejo had written to her that Rodriguez was the one that betrayed Antonio Narino, he is to blame for Narino having been taken to Spain. Rodriguez does not deny any of it. IT was not for the reprimend Narino gave him for Hasin’s decapitating. He says he ‘followed orders’, an order from the supreme congress… Pola says those men hated Don Antonio. Rodriguez says he no longer follows them. That she is right, he is a traitor… and he has not lived in peace since he did that act of cowardness. He was told that Narino was a tyrant… later on he understood that Narino was a good man, that he would have led them to freedom if he had not done what he did. Pola wants to leave… but Andrea tells her Jose Ignacio Rodriguez has worked for the Almeida brothers for over a year now. That the A brothers trust him completely. Pola says what if he betrays US? Rodriguez smirks shame.
Iglesias is telling Samano the same thing, that Antonio was betrayed by his own friends., that it was Rodriguez who did not obey Narino’s orders. Samano says he would have wanted to see Narino’s face. It was Narino who caused that he would not be viceroy by now. He is sure by now the king had Narino killed.
At the prison, Col Herrera shows the prisoners to Samano. Samano says we are facilitating the work for Morillo so he will take the credit. Herrera tells Samano the young ones are in this cell, asks him to free some. Samano says free the youngest two. Samano spots Alejo.
S: Caramba! Alferez Sabarain!... I told you some time ago that traitors ended bad.
A: I am not a traitor. I have spanish blood. And I feel shame to watch how some represent the noble and brave spanish race.
S: I imagine you mean your father.
A: I have no idea what you are talking about.
S: No? Did you know what is said about your father in this city? That he is a sell-out. That he was seen in the plaza reading notes from rebels and royals.
A: I owe my father respect. But I can’t respond for his actions.
S: Lets see if you both are made of the same dough. I offer to save your life if you read in the plaza the announcement from the royal forces.
A: I prefer that you execute me.
S: Ah! Jaja bravo! What courage! … And all of you what do you say?? I offer to save the life of whoever reads the note of victory at the plaza!... (Alejo turns around, noone offers) Very well… Col Herrera. Please do a 1/5 sort (quintar) among these men and ensure the execution will happen as soon as possible.
Pedro explains to Viviano what ‘quintar’ means. And that they won’t be in the sort, since they are the youngest ones.
Alejo can only think about Pola… he wishes he had seen her one last time.
When they sorting happens,
Pola and Juliano arrive at Andrea Ricaurte’s. Pola shows her AA’s letter. She lets Pola in.
Iglesias manages to get Samano to take him out of the prison… he did not offer to read the notice because he can’t read.
Pola finds Rodriguez at Andrea’s… Pola confronts him calling him a wretch right away. She tells Andrea that Alejo had written to her that Rodriguez was the one that betrayed Antonio Narino, he is to blame for Narino having been taken to Spain. Rodriguez does not deny any of it. IT was not for the reprimend Narino gave him for Hasin’s decapitating. He says he ‘followed orders’, an order from the supreme congress… Pola says those men hated Don Antonio. Rodriguez says he no longer follows them. That she is right, he is a traitor… and he has not lived in peace since he did that act of cowardness. He was told that Narino was a tyrant… later on he understood that Narino was a good man, that he would have led them to freedom if he had not done what he did. Pola wants to leave… but Andrea tells her Jose Ignacio Rodriguez has worked for the Almeida brothers for over a year now. That the A brothers trust him completely. Pola says what if he betrays US? Rodriguez smirks shame.
Iglesias is telling Samano the same thing, that Antonio was betrayed by his own friends., that it was Rodriguez who did not obey Narino’s orders. Samano says he would have wanted to see Narino’s face. It was Narino who caused that he would not be viceroy by now. He is sure by now the king had Narino killed.
Rodriguez tells Pola that Samano is coming from the south, besides Morillo and his forces. Andrea tells Pola what Morillo did at Cartagena. He will be in SF any moment now. Pola asks if they have news from the south troops. Rodriguez says if they are not all dead, they will be any moment now.
The sorting goes on. Lopezito and Alejo get cards that say ‘death’. So it will be a total of 7 men to die, 3 commanders, 4 officers.
L: Our time has come, Sabarain..
A: What could Pola be doing now?
Jorge Tadeo and the distinguished men and women of SF meet to plan the welcome celebration for Morillo. The women will greet Morillo. JT is still confident this ‘welcome’ gesture will work, along with the splendid financial contributions they will be making to the royal cause. JT is sure that will be enough…
Gaspar and Eusebia come to see the mother superior at the convent and ask for help to convince Samano to have pity on men they plan to execute, including their nephew Jose Hilario Lopez and a good friend of the family, Alejo Sabarain. With the help of Maria Ignacia they convince the mother superior to go talk to Samano.
Samano wants to execute all 7 at the same time.. then hang them… Samano tells Herrera to have Iglesias included in the firing squad. He will have to shoot his former buddies. If he can do that Samano will recognize that his loyalty to the king is… honest.
Alejo is remembering the day he returned the gold medal to Pola… he showed her a strip of her original bandage she used on him.
(kiss)
P: I can’t believe I have back my virgin medal which protects me.
A: Take it as an engagement present. When people see it they will know you belong to me.
P: And how will people know you belong to me?
A: I don’t know, maybe… (grabs it from his boot) with this.
P: What is that?
A: A strip of the cloth you bandaged me with when we met.
P: You still have that?
A: I have to admit several times I was about to get rid of it. I even ripped it in strips. But as you can see I kept at least one.
P: A gold medal… an old cloth strip… I don’t think it is fair… they have such different value… my strip is worth more…
(Alejo wakes up from his memory to listen to Viviano not wanting to go free)
A: Viviano, what is going on?
V: Alejo, they are letting me go for being the youngest!
A: Then go! You can still slash a few more necks!! Tell your sister that I will take her in my heart to my death!! Tell her not to forget me! Not to forget… not to forget me…
In Santa Fe Maria Tadea is still coordinating the arrangements for the welcome party.
Pola tells Maria Matea that they are overdoing it, and they will make Morillo that this ‘welcome’ is not sincere…
The sorting goes on. Lopezito and Alejo get cards that say ‘death’. So it will be a total of 7 men to die, 3 commanders, 4 officers.
L: Our time has come, Sabarain..
A: What could Pola be doing now?
Jorge Tadeo and the distinguished men and women of SF meet to plan the welcome celebration for Morillo. The women will greet Morillo. JT is still confident this ‘welcome’ gesture will work, along with the splendid financial contributions they will be making to the royal cause. JT is sure that will be enough…
Gaspar and Eusebia come to see the mother superior at the convent and ask for help to convince Samano to have pity on men they plan to execute, including their nephew Jose Hilario Lopez and a good friend of the family, Alejo Sabarain. With the help of Maria Ignacia they convince the mother superior to go talk to Samano.
Samano wants to execute all 7 at the same time.. then hang them… Samano tells Herrera to have Iglesias included in the firing squad. He will have to shoot his former buddies. If he can do that Samano will recognize that his loyalty to the king is… honest.
Alejo is remembering the day he returned the gold medal to Pola… he showed her a strip of her original bandage she used on him.
(kiss)
P: I can’t believe I have back my virgin medal which protects me.
A: Take it as an engagement present. When people see it they will know you belong to me.
P: And how will people know you belong to me?
A: I don’t know, maybe… (grabs it from his boot) with this.
P: What is that?
A: A strip of the cloth you bandaged me with when we met.
P: You still have that?
A: I have to admit several times I was about to get rid of it. I even ripped it in strips. But as you can see I kept at least one.
P: A gold medal… an old cloth strip… I don’t think it is fair… they have such different value… my strip is worth more…
(Alejo wakes up from his memory to listen to Viviano not wanting to go free)
A: Viviano, what is going on?
V: Alejo, they are letting me go for being the youngest!
A: Then go! You can still slash a few more necks!! Tell your sister that I will take her in my heart to my death!! Tell her not to forget me! Not to forget… not to forget me…
In Santa Fe Maria Tadea is still coordinating the arrangements for the welcome party.
Pola tells Maria Matea that they are overdoing it, and they will make Morillo that this ‘welcome’ is not sincere…
They call the four men to get executed.
Arcos: Lopez, it was great to have known you and a pleasure to have fought beside you.
God bless you…
Arcos: Alejo… it was not worth so much suffering!...
Alejo: Don’t say that Arcos. Yes it was worth it. Being defeated does not take away from our just cause… I won’t be able to see my country free.. But you can! .. And I know Pola can too. She sure does deserve it!
Arcos: God bless you my friend!
The mother superior, Maria Ignacia, Eusebia and Lopecito’s mom come to talk to Samano. The officer reminds Samano it is good to keep good raport with the church authorities. They all beg him for saving their lives. Maria tells Samano that it is the devil who condemns, God forgives. How do you want to be seen/remembered? As a devil or as a man of God?
At Santa Fe the men finally arrive. Morillo is not dressed as military, so he tricks them and says he is not Morillo when Maria Tadea asks him for Morillo… Later MT asks the bishop for Morillo, he says Morillo already passed at the head of the group. Pola says that is not a good signal. She prays for Alejo’s wellbeing.
Juliano asks Pola if after this is it worth it to keep fighting. Pola says she is beginning to doubt it.
Alejo, Lopecito are walking to the execution wall. Alejo spots Iglesias and asks him if he is really going to shoot against them. Alejo calls him an authentic filth…
Lopecito points to Caval to Alejo… Herrera announces the execution. Alejo asks Caval if
They can still reach the freedom. Caval says not anymore. The patria dies here with us.
Tomorrow:
They bring Camilo Torres and Sabio Caldas tied up as prisoners to Samano, he giggles. Baraya is on same conditions in front of Morillo. Carbonnel is hanged. Alejo is about to be executed. Viviano is watching but runs out. (voiceover says Pola’s brother is witness of the worst tragedy) Later we see Pola asks him about Alejo… Pola begins to cry…
Arcos: Lopez, it was great to have known you and a pleasure to have fought beside you.
God bless you…
Arcos: Alejo… it was not worth so much suffering!...
Alejo: Don’t say that Arcos. Yes it was worth it. Being defeated does not take away from our just cause… I won’t be able to see my country free.. But you can! .. And I know Pola can too. She sure does deserve it!
Arcos: God bless you my friend!
The mother superior, Maria Ignacia, Eusebia and Lopecito’s mom come to talk to Samano. The officer reminds Samano it is good to keep good raport with the church authorities. They all beg him for saving their lives. Maria tells Samano that it is the devil who condemns, God forgives. How do you want to be seen/remembered? As a devil or as a man of God?
At Santa Fe the men finally arrive. Morillo is not dressed as military, so he tricks them and says he is not Morillo when Maria Tadea asks him for Morillo… Later MT asks the bishop for Morillo, he says Morillo already passed at the head of the group. Pola says that is not a good signal. She prays for Alejo’s wellbeing.
Juliano asks Pola if after this is it worth it to keep fighting. Pola says she is beginning to doubt it.
Alejo, Lopecito are walking to the execution wall. Alejo spots Iglesias and asks him if he is really going to shoot against them. Alejo calls him an authentic filth…
Lopecito points to Caval to Alejo… Herrera announces the execution. Alejo asks Caval if
They can still reach the freedom. Caval says not anymore. The patria dies here with us.
Tomorrow:
They bring Camilo Torres and Sabio Caldas tied up as prisoners to Samano, he giggles. Baraya is on same conditions in front of Morillo. Carbonnel is hanged. Alejo is about to be executed. Viviano is watching but runs out. (voiceover says Pola’s brother is witness of the worst tragedy) Later we see Pola asks him about Alejo… Pola begins to cry…
Martaivett: Great details. What silliness Jorge Tadeo invented. Who would fall for the flowers. Apparently Morillo wasn't taken in by it. Sámano has a serious rival here.
OMG!! I truly hope Alejo doesn't die. do ya'll think he will? cuz it sure looks like it in the preview.
Permalink posted by 
: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 3:03:00 PM EDT
: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 3:03:00 PM EDT
and if you think Jorge Tadeo was silly... Maria Tadea is in la-la land... no wonder Morillo brushed her off.
Whew! Lately, it's almost more than I can bear -- so much loss, so much heartache, and now nothing -- NOTHING -- to show for it.
Thanks again Pasofino and Marta for the short and the long of it.
Hey, Shallowgal, it's not a spoiler to remind ourselves of the very beginning of the novela when Pola and Alejo are both condemned prisoners. Since that happens AFTER the present crisis, we know that Alejo can't be killed tonight.
Pasofino and Marta, I agree completely that the idea of disarming the thuggish Morillo with a few flower garlands and winsome smiles was idiotic. It is also incredibly cowardly on Jorge Tadeo's part to put the women at his mercy. If Morillo was willing to let the good people of Cartagena starve to death, how likely is he to be softened by the charms of the likes of doña María Tadeo? (Now if La Pola had set out to charm him, it might be a different story...)
Thanks again Pasofino and Marta for the short and the long of it.
Hey, Shallowgal, it's not a spoiler to remind ourselves of the very beginning of the novela when Pola and Alejo are both condemned prisoners. Since that happens AFTER the present crisis, we know that Alejo can't be killed tonight.
Pasofino and Marta, I agree completely that the idea of disarming the thuggish Morillo with a few flower garlands and winsome smiles was idiotic. It is also incredibly cowardly on Jorge Tadeo's part to put the women at his mercy. If Morillo was willing to let the good people of Cartagena starve to death, how likely is he to be softened by the charms of the likes of doña María Tadeo? (Now if La Pola had set out to charm him, it might be a different story...)
(Now if La Pola had set out to charm him, it might be a different story...)
LOL!!! the same way she 'charmged' Samano with Arcos' knife in Guaduas. yup... he would be amused at the least...
LOL!!! the same way she 'charmged' Samano with Arcos' knife in Guaduas. yup... he would be amused at the least...
NovelaMaven - thanks for that recollection of beginning episodes. whew!
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Permalink posted by : Friday, September 2, 2011 at 7:09:00 PM EDT
: Friday, September 2, 2011 at 7:09:00 PM EDT
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