Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Cuando Me Enamoro #171 Tuesday 12/20/11 “The Long Goodbye,” with comments by Raymond Chandler
Labels: Cuando
Alfonsina says Nadie es perfecto? It's about time coming from her. Sheesh.
“I like Mexicans, as a rule, but I don’t like their jails”. Bwaahahahahha!! EJ you're killing me.
The sweetest scene of the night was Gonzo knowing how much Renata was suffering. He was the one person in the room who knew Miss-I'm-OK needed a hug. I almost lost it during that scene.
Hooray for Anibal for tossing Augi-hole's money back at him.
My nomination for most poetic line of the evening: "together they carress their recent successes with malignant pleasure." Well done Amiga.
Ay ay ay, not only was Jero rolled down the hill, I believe it was dear Augustin who kicked him down. As we suspected, foul play is afoot.
EJ, thank you so much for your recap. Not only was it brilliant but we also got a Spanish AND an American Lit lesson. GOAL!
Right down to revealing himself just when he thinks he's won. Makes me wonder whether he will meet with their usual final fate.
Roberta tambien. Germy's eavesdropping is going to be very productive, indeed. Surely at the next encounter with femme fatale Roberta he'll think "She shot me a glance I felt in my hip pocket."
There should have been warnings before each episode lately to have kleenex or hankies at the ready. Kept trying to not cave to the sniffles, but that Gonzo/Nata hug just was too much. Now that's parenting!
I'm afraid I spent too much time watching that adorable puppy during the filler/hey, we're home scenes with Adri//Matias. I had a beagle puppy just like that once. Cue the kleenex again.
Love that Kari is now becoming den mother of the gang in La Bonita.( Yeah, Alfi, you want your kids to remember their father well--after you screamed him to hell in front of them. I digress.) Rather fitting considering she married Superman. Speaking of whom, he needs to get going and don that cape to save our hero. I see another Carlos/Laz rode trip... Carlos drives, Laz saves. Works for me.
I had to hide my eyes over that creative financing scene. Per the Mexico controller I was at the meetings with last week, things are a bit more strict than they are putting in the plot.(I just had to ask--and he got a chuckle out it.) Put this Berta stuff down to a privately owned company.
Think I'll read this one more time before heading to work.Just love it!
So German knows even more about Berta's devious side. What will he do with the information? He's shown apparent loyalty to Gonzo as well as total sleaziness toward all women. Will he use this to keep Berta under his thumb and in his bed? Will he be shocked by this viciousness as he is not shocked by common venality like skankhood and theft? Will he turn her in (eventually) out of loyalty -- or will he accidentally let something slip?)
So now we know what purpose there is in bringing Nesme back into the plot. He may lead to further investigation of Zeke's faux-suicide.
Oh EJ --Laz is not very tall. Drat! He’s going to have to wear shoe lifts if we go dancing). LOL and--Antonio’s smile reaches all the way to his eyes. Yes! Remember when we all thought he had lizard eyes?
I also loved your list of thing to which someone said goodbye tonight --
--the staff
--trojan baby
--anorexia (or Anibal tries to get Alison to)
--Coni's pink (for one day at least)
And, of course, Anibal saying goodbye to Cruz de Amor and to Alison (I don't think that one is going to stick) He did it with style, didn't he? Throwing that cash back in Auggie's face. Was Auggie's smirk one of satisfaction or grudging respect?
Shat a jewel you have crafted hre EJ.
Güera
I missed the episode but thanks to your marvelous detail, feel I didn't miss a thing.
"Malignant pleasure", "white pig leather coat" and "little beast" were among my favorites.
I adore Luis Gatica too and chuckled at "He’s going to have to wear shoe lifts if we go dancing". Daisy, I would also like to see Carlos and Super Laz back in action as "Carlos drives, Laz saves." :)
I never thought I would say this but I do hope they find Jero. Simply for Nata's sake - I just want her to stop crying - she's all too believable.
I'm glad I missed Augie's further abuse of Anibal. I think his fate should be that he gets smothered with all of his coats and windbreakers. Just forget the pillows.
Diana
Who cares if Laz is short? Dance away! And if his head is on your chest, is that so bad? I think I could cope.
Your musings about Alfonsina were a hoot..."possessed by a walk-in". Indeed. Her storming about Ezquiel didn't seem particularly believable at the time and her sudden turnaround didn't either. But I guess she served a purpose for the over-arching theme of Forgiveness which is present in all these stories.
Palace of Two Balls is the winner for me, and that Chandler quote about the frigid decor in both home and apartment. Ugh.
Now, on Constanza's subtle color change (yes, I'm obsessed ever since Daisynjay talked about the significance of costume.) Is the deeper orchid hue supposed to suggest a new stage in her life? More mature, less candy cane little girl? And yes, I too was annoyed by Honorio's delight in being her no. 1 focus again...but that's a realistic attitude for a husband and he's been consistent throughout in that outlook. Those in-the-future "little nippers" better not take too much of Constanza's time or he'll be grousing again.
UA..."she shot me a glance I felt in my hip pocket". Thanks for adding to the great literary mix. Great line.
Now out into the pouring rain for me.
Well, the truth is out. Jero is not with Marina. But that preview of a very bloody, unconscious Jero being rolled down a hillside did not look good. Yikes!
I got teary during the Nata-Gonzo scene too. He may be clueless about the major bad stuff going on around him sometimes, but he can be very good about those little personal moments. He did show some of that cluelessness last night. "If Fina contacted Berta she would have told us, especially after what Fina did to Gina at the wedding!" Ha! No one in that room was buying that, not even Gina by the look on her face. And Matias said what they were all thinking out loud. I think Gonzo will be more hurt by the truth of Berta's betrayal than anyone else when it comes out. I hope Germy helps expose her. He already has dirt on her.
I'm glad Alfie has regained her senses and folks are thinking about getting to the truth about what happened to Zeke. I'm glad Nesme is actually serving a purpose because he knows Augie so well. Investigate people!
Let me add my admiration for Gonzalo's parenting skills. The way he just looked her in the eye and saw through her bravado until she owned up to needing his hug ... so caring. I agree that his big soft heart will break when he learns the truth about Roberta.
I also enjoyed all over again the scene of Renata making love to that glass of wine as a stand in for Jero -- sniffing, caressing, but never drinking. I was so upset to see her pregnant self with that glass in hand until I saw the way she seduced it as a surrogate. ¡Guau!
It's been days now that Jeronimo has been missing -- and from the previews it looks as though he's bound and bloodied at the bottom of a ravine. How long can he survive? Yes! Get Super Laz on the case!
Güera
EJ - I am so looking forward to lazing over your re-cap and the comments tonight. I am just heading out for the day, but had to
GAAAACKKKK over Jero rolling down the hill! OMG, amigos! He did NOT look good.
If there were ever a way to make that scene enjoyable is to send Adri's Beba Beagle back to Ensenada and let it catch Jero's scent and have the puppy find him!
Not that it really matters, and perhaps someone has already said this, but I think the Crib Man is Antonio with Marina giving him a tour before he leaves. I am still rooting for love to blossom there.
I am mezmerized by Anibal's piercing eyes. Not many men/actors really have that. Charlie Sheen, who I think is an arse, has it and it really is jarring to get locked into. Way back when he was in Ferris Beuller he had that stare. Now I see it with Anibal. Why didn't he say something to Nata before she left?
NOK, Sales Manager - Love your list!
Julia, Vivi, Emilia - Those beanies are AWESOME!
Rosemary la Otra
Questions: I was wondering with German, will he walk in on Fina, and will Fina again become Mommy Dearest and kill her daughter's lover? Will this finally turn Roberta against her? They seemed to be talking about history repeating itself last night.
Where did they keep Jero all that time?
Now that Constanza has relaxed about being a mom, will she get pregnant at this stage in her life?
Lila
NOK
I imagine that the preview scene of Jero tumbling down that hill (wearing the same shirt he wore when he fell in the waterfall eons ago) will turn out to be a flashback and that he has beenat the bottom of that ravine since the day of the almost re-wedding.
Güera
I was hoping that Jerry would be punished for his sins before this is over, but gee whiz, that last scene in the advances... well, that's a bit more than I had in mind. Yikes! Now I'm all... poor Jerry.
I kept expecting Coni to offer to babysit little Sandra, but... nopis.
I'm really glad to see that these writers are not treating anorexia nervosa lightly. Fortunately I've had very little first hand experience with this most severe manifestation of eating disorders which is a challenge for even the most experienced experts.
Years ago, for three years each Fall I had an ongoing battle with the sponsor/coach of the Spring High drill team over the weekly Thursday weigh-in for the girls to see if they would be allowed to participate in the Friday performance at the football game. One of my patients was a basket case because of this. I was never more happy to see a youngster graduate from high school.
Though I was not successful in my efforts to get the practice discontinued at that time, it was abandoned a short time later. Now I beam at some of the little chunksters who currently participate.
Carlos
ITA w/Vivi (great beanie BTW, Emilia is quite the knitter) that though Gonzo can be clueless about most things, he is sensitive to his Renata's feelings. And he will be crushed when he finds out Roberta remains the bad seed.
I'm thinking German might get killed (by Fina) if he's not careful with the info he now has.
Yeah Anibal is out of the house and safe from his psycho father. Next we need our Padre of the loose lips to share what he knows with others so Augie can be exposed and Zeke redeemed.
I don't guess Chandler's Marlowe wouldn't think much of our TN, what with all the jail time our characters have logged.
Your "Two Balls Palace" made me think back to the '60s when men in Smokie the Bear hats would scream at us to "SOUND OFF LIKE YOU'VE GOT A PAIR."
It's not clear to me over what period of time this "where's Jero" subject took place, but somebody better have an IV bag for dehydration when they find him.
Everyone looks great in Emilia's beanies.
David
I was going to stop FF through scenes during the final week, but last night found myself not wanting to miss anything. I watched every scene and I think understood pretty much what was going on. That’s not due to my Spanish skills, but to the actors’ talents.
I get how Auggie covered himself re: someone finding Marina and verifying Jero did not leave with her: he “killed” Jero. My first thought was that he’d been out in the elements too long to survive. Then I remembered we’ve been missing him for five + days, in TN land it’s only been a couple of days (?). Still not good, but survivable.
Loved the look Gina gave to Auggie in the goodbye scene. Don’t know what he said, but she didn’t like it.
So Auggie kicked out Anibal once Renata left. The guy’s ego is beyond enormous. Doesn’t he realize it would be quite easy for Renanta to find that out—unless, they’re all going to continue protecting her from knowing what he’s really like.
Glad Coni apologized to Regina for her the risk she put the center in. Isn’t purple the color of evil in TNs?
Yay for Kari getting Alison the professional help we all know she needs.
Pleasantly surprised Marina didn’t weep and wail about the missing Jero.
Now on to reading everyone’s comments. Can’t wait!!!!
Robey
Will have to borrow the Long Goodbye from the PL when I get back.
Must start emptying the CME warehouse of certain "past due" items:
> Collection of butterflies and hearts to release around Ali and Ani (comes in a reusable keepsake tin)
> Loved your t-shirt but I now want one that says "I Odio Augie".
> I may need an official Emilia brand beanie. They're so highly recommended! I've been trying to knit myself a beanie (well, a hat) and it isn't going well.
> In lieu of trials by jury, we are offering you Julia’s Death Panels
> Let us be proud of being novela aficianados! We need a t-shirt "Proud Novelista/o" or something like that!!
> Emilia may I order a TN beanie in the proper colors for an aging redhead? Any green would do.
> Vacation condo for rent: has "a corner room with a balcony view of the gaping maw of an eternal infernal canyon of flames
> “Spanish language” version of the Etch-a-Sketch
> Director’s cut DVD of the Wizard of Oz, includes outtakes of Ray Bolger singing, “If I only had a Brain.”
> Used horse wreaths from Churchill Downs (need to be put back together again)
> Gift packs of Shiner Bock for our Dr. Carlos
> New line of eye make up for men, “The Guyliner”
> Tourist destination pamphlet—El Jardin de las Locas. This botancial oasis is for shriveled up blossoms
> Arely cured wine, gift packaged in goatskin for easy mailing to Dr. Nesme
> Little girls’ dress-up accessories, headbands -vs- lipgloss
> Shakespeare quotes engraved on a cudgel
> A flowered red bandana gag to stuff in Miss Prissypants’ mouth—we’re tired of hearing her say MiCharlie
> Real fencing lessons for Anibal
> No DNA test for Anibal after all – because he wears his jacket all the time! I can just imagine him just after birth in the incubator wearing a smart fleece-lined B-17 bomber jacket.
> Chema line of Black Caterpiller, Cheek-Sweeping Lashes for men and women
> Pocket guide to bilingual storyline “Los Otros/The Others”
> Autographed copies of the ode to Marina love poem, Third Rate Romp. If ordered right away, we will send you a copy of the hit single, “Third Rate Romance,” at no extra charge
NOK, in charge of dumping
R la O: "Not that it really matters, and perhaps someone has already said this, but I think the Crib Man is Antonio with Marina giving him a tour before he leaves. I am still rooting for love to blossom there." Haven't we seen Marina and the crib scene that had been shown in the previews? It was before Antonio showed up. Maybe a flashback?
Robey
Say, Elna Jung, you're one classy dame. I love the old film noir stuff. Now I have an urge to go find a trench coat and fedora. Two paragraphs in and I was hearing Oscar Peterson playing "Laura" somewhere in the back of the room. Brilliant.
Daisynjay, I'm glad you were able to restore our faith in Mexican accounting practices.
NOK and Robey ( and anyone else) you might send mi esposa a note at ODuck1 at aol punta com re your request for beanies. I think she has a "little" yarn left around here.
Mike says NOK and Robey want beanies - yay! Y'all and anybody else just send me your address (and name??) and I'll get started. EMartin105 at gmail.com. Any takers for the rust colored orphan beanie I found under the yarn??
And to brag a little, if I may: this Monday was the 25th anniversary of my last cigarette.
I am just returned from early meetings to find such lovely comments. Thank you all. I am so glad folks enjoyed the recap.
Sylvia:
I was so moved by the Gonzo and Regina scene. Finally, the girl gets some man-love, if only from her papa. I just love Chandler, and I am glad that he is now recognized for his literary genius, not just his style of writing.
Thank you, Urban, for your comments. Loved the nod to Chandler.
Daisynjay:
So glad that the financial situation in Mexican business is not as dire as it would appear from the practices in this TN.Loved your comment, "Carlos drives/Laz saves". Very funny, amiga.
Guera: What WILL Germy do with this new information? He is one mixed up so-and-so, isn't he? To tell on Bertie is to implicate himself in her little financial irregularities, and to take himself off of the lust train. What will he do?
Diana: Thanks for your kind words. Isn't Gatica just the dreamiest? I LOVE his scenes with Kari; his whole heart shines through those lush brown eyes. LOL at the idea of Augie smotheredunder the weight of his own coats. Hahhahahaha.
EJ
Emilia: I'd love a beanie, I'll e-mail you.
Robey
Emilia, I may be emailing soon, but I'm also leaning to that rust colored beanie. Sounds too cute.
Love the "Laura" reference. Now all we need is Gonzo in his flash-back Alain Delon/Robert Mitchum get up, and we'd be perfect!! Cool idea for a new TN - film noir version.
You are so right, who cares about Lazaro's height? He could stand on my feet and I would still enjoy him. Lucky Kari.
On the color thing, I do think that somehow the orchid/lavender/purple color represents a change into maturity for Coni. This whole TN she has struggled to be age appropriate—her flirtation with Chema, her obsession with Amparito, no? Perhaps the writers are not completely consistent but they are sending us color signals with some of the characters, I think.
So sorry about the weather in Ohio! I hope you don't get too much snow right before the Holidays.
Thanks, Vivi, for your words. So glad you enjoyed the recap. By the bye, you are stunning in your new Emilia beanie.You have inspired me to get a shot of myself in my beanie up today.
Bill C: So nice to hear from you. I am sure you will enjoy Chandler and Marlowe grows on you throughout the books. Glad you enjoyed the recap!
R la O, look forward to hearing from you later.
Nellie, thanks for your comments! You pose some GREAT questions—Germy and Fina seem headed for a direct collision, don't they? Having your mother murder a SECOND boyfriend could somewhat weaken the mother-daughter bond, I would think. Wry grin. And Coni getting pregnant now? Oh, that would be a scream and such justice for Honorio. Is that why Coni protested last night that a baby is always a blessing, now matter when it comes?
Where's Waldo, I mean Jero???
EJ, I used to read a lot of Raymond Chandler but haven't done so in a while. I'm off to the library to get The Long Goodbye. I think his Philip Marlowe tales are my favorites, but lets not forget that Chandler also wrote some classic screenplays as well.
I don't think I asked this before, but what was the deal with the jail guy manhandling Coni when she was released.
Robey
Thanks for the positive feedback. It means so much coming from one of our master recappers. Like you, I am glad the writers have begun to fill in the blanks a bit on the anorexia storyline. Your story of the drill team and WEIGHING IN? ¡No puede ser! That was barbaric! I am not surprised to find that you were on the side of the angels in that fight.
I have a daughter and a sister who had/have anorexia nervosa. Both are (now) maintaining well and both are kind enough to share their stories of overcoming with others who may be struggling with the disorder. Kind medical practitioners like yourself saved their lives.
David:
Thanks for your blush-worthy words. I love the word magisterial. Big grin. Dehydration? In Baja? O yeah, you are so right. How long could Jero last do you think?
Mike:
Isn't film noir wonderful? Half the fun of writing this recap was re-reading "The Long Goodbye". Such a sad book, with betrayal as the beating-heart-theme of the story. Congrats on your Silver Anniversary of being Cigarette-free!
EJ
Now if only Anibal would spill the refried frijoles (but give some to Alison first please) and let everyone know that Augucreep and Saul were plotting and planning. Come on Anibal!
And what is this reference to Two Balls Palace? oh and I just downloaded The Long Goodbye to my ipad. Although I'll never be able to read it without thinking of all the CME people. As this winds down, I'm thinking of how I will miss them. :(
Mary
But on a serious note, I want to thank you for your thoughtful story concerning the school weigh ins. Educators should be building children's self worth and self esteem, not destroying it by tying it to a number. I'm happy to hear the practice was discontinued. Of course, you made me smile as usual at: "Now I beam at some of the little chunksters who currently participate." God bless 'em, every one.
Diana
In Gonzolo's LARGE home in Mexico City, which he used to share with and was ostensibly decorated by Josefina, are what appear to be two large stone balls near the main staircase. Our Cap'n Sylvia first called our attention to them and since then I have been obsessing about them as well. Hence, Two Balls Palace.
EJ
Carlos, your weigh-in story made me shudder. No wonder the high school years were such a nightmare for many of us. I come from a family of educators and Diana's statement that they should help build self-esteem is spot-on. Good educators do their job for the love of it. Fact.
Thanks everyone for reminding me of one of my favorite films ever & its haunting theme (Laura, that is)
Güera
Robey--About the man-handling of Coni...my comment from a couple of days ago might shed some light for you (haha)..."the uniformed guardia roughed her up a bit--maybe he's sad to see the only occupant of his jail go free. OTOH, Corinna is about to register as a huesped real soon."
Mary--Did you ever see the new Action Figure the CME Emporium rushed into production? ...a Jero fully-jointed action figure, complete with his little suit, looking perfect, with that perfect hair, smiling his perfect smile (comes with his socks on)
NOK
NOK
NOK - Yes I did see the action figure doll - waiting to put in my order - can't wait. Little suit and all!
NOK - While the CME Emporium may carry large balls, right now I'm not in the market for such large balls, however should the need arise I know where to find them. Did I mention that you are too good to me?
Mary
Mike: Congrats.
Robey
I can't compete with all the clever comments. Nellie, it would be a hoot if Connie turns up pregnant. Perfect for her and I'd pay money to see Honorio's face at the news.
The writers have surprised us quite often by not sticking to telenovela rules. You don't suppose they will kill off Jero?? Nah! We'd have to do an intervention for our poor Mary. He'll be fine, Mary.....
No!!! That would be too cruel of a thing to do to Nata.
Robey
Thanks for your comment. You will enjoy the Kindle!
Mary, I would be shocked if Jero was dead. Very badly injured, dehydrated, at death's door, with amnesia unable to remember who done this to him—those would all be likely TN plots. But dead, I do not think so. Renata just loves him too much and has suffered too much already. She deserves some happiness, after all, according to TN rules.
I think your boy will be pushed to the edge but will rally and make it. No spoiler, of course, just TN Beanie-logic. I sure would like to know where he has been the last few days.
Elna June: Well I guess now we do know where he's been - in that ditch. I hope he's not too cold. Do you think maybe there were some leaves covering him up? He was only wearing that plaid shirt. I sure hope it hasn't rained. Oh and please God, no amnesia - anything but amnesia.
NOK: Where's my little Jero doll?
Mary
Emilia: re: my e-mail. Learning to spell would be a good thing. I meant penguin.
Robey
I say if you're going to dream, dream BIG!
Mar.
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