Caray, Caray!

Que padre, Ezra. I'm in Oaxaca so can't view the episodes but your recap just zips on with golden essentials!

Is it strange that Amazon Barbie bit the dust so suddenly or is it just good luck? She was ultra GLAM!
 

"He needs a montage of looking for a better job. but that isnt as good eye candy."
---
Kari needs to see him and keep her little blue eyes OFF Freddie.
 

Thank you Ezra for this great and fast recap. The other maid's name is Goya. I loved how she snooped in Chato's stuff to find something on him. Goya just knew he was bad. I am glad she gave the info to Pina and Pina gave it to her PI friend to check him out.

Boy, Glamazon went on a tear. She must have been off her meds. I thought she was really going to hurt Enzzo who was protecting Chela. I like how Chela went with him to the hospital for support.

Love Enzzo and Chela together. They are such a great couple and starting to fall in love and then Glamazon has to go and ruin the end of a perfect weekend.

Sara-so agree with you about Freddy and Kari. I want Freddy and Ana to stay together.

Poor Tomas, he is trying to make himself over but he needs some more work. Loved the hair cut but he needs to shave and some nicer clothes wouldn't hurt. He has a job as a plumber which even here in the States is good. Pancho could help him set up a business. Elena is just dead to me. She didn't have to be cruel to her own brother. Lupe likes Tomas as a friend and he should just go with that.

Looks like Mike is not letting Rebe have any peace. Maybe he found out she is engaged to Pancho and he wants her back. I love how Rebe told Arnold she hates Mike and Arnold asks if she is really over Mike.

The best scene tonight was with Arnold Flowerz and Pina lol. I thought I was seeing things when Arnold had that lipstick on. Loved how he wiped it off and told Pina in his gravelly voice he is not gay lol. The look on Pina's face was priceless lol. I am glad he told her though. His secret won't be secret for long. He hid it so well that people will have a hard time believing he is not gay.

What is Pina saying about Chato's mustache? I don't have cc's and I tape the episode every night. I rewound the tape several times. It sounds like Fu Man Choo is that what she is saying?
 

Thanks so much, Ezra. I hope you've recovered from all the Valentine flowers and gotten some rest. I always enjoy your perspective on the show.

Pina says "mostacho ancho", basically she's calling Chato Mr. Wide Mustache. She has a habit of changing words a bit; in this phrase she pronounces the ch as sh. She also uses that sound when she calls Freddy "hermosho" instead of "hermoso." It makes her kind of hard to understand but once I get what she's saying I think it's kind of a fun affectation.

Tom had a way to go still on his transformation, but good gravy is the Lopez family ever RUDE.

Judy, I hope you saw Tom's montage. I know how you appreciate healthy exercise habits ;). I wish Kari had seen it; she does indeed need to step away from Freddie.
 

I'm not gonna lie, I thought Tomas looked pretty delicious. The Lopez gang was pretty rude, though.

And I think Tomas has a better chance of getting his "inside" straightened out than Elena...who struck me as a bit on the HO side yesterday.

I am officially tired of Moni and Pepe's travails in poverty. Srsly, you two...you don't have to face it all alone. And how did all the food rot? Did you forget to plug in the refrigerator?

Oh!!! And thank you for mentioning the haircut. What was that about?
 

Thanks Ezra. Great recap as usual.

Guau the Glamazon really went bonkers. I was sure that Chela was going to run and misunderstand when Violetta claimed that Enzo was her husband. It looked like the typical TN misunderstanding which keeps couples apart for many drawn out episodes. But Lo -- there she was with Enzo at the hospital giving him moral support. Oh I like our new Chela. And as a couple --- they are so hot.

Sara, I'm with you on Pepe / Moni in the substandard love nest. Enough already. Suck it up or go back to Daddy, Moni.

I can't wait to see the second half of the show. --Later

Güera
 

Thank you Julia for the clarification about Mr Wide Mustache lol. I just couldn't figure out what she was saying. I love her affectations too. Love all the Amors and Pors etc.
 

@everybody thanks!

Good idea, Sara... totmas (yes, that was on purpose... he is so immature) has no idea what he wants, so all it will take will be a puff of wind to turn his ship around.

@Madelaine, Pina is saying "mostasho ansho," but I don't know what that's referring to. She's gone at him for a wide mustache before, so this must be some kind of reference. Not sure what.

also, she had a great new name for him this ep... narizon de chile relleno... hes a huge chile relleno nose.
 

Also, Julia, did you catch Chato's expression about "frying asparagus?"
 

Thank you Ezra about the chili rellenos lol. I knew she said something about them, but wasn't sure what it meant. It's funny everytime I eat out at our local Mexican restaurant I always order the chili rellenos I love them. lol.
 

mandar a freír espárragos - to send packing; to tell to go jump in the lake

I have a bunch more vocab, too. I'll try to get it posted later.

I thought Tom looked good, too. At least he got rid of those stupid braids! I am of the opinion he needs to shave but I guess I understand why he didn't. That look, while stupid, is fashionable. The clothes were kind of a miss but not terrible for a first attempt and limited budget. Maybe once he changes for real, on the inside, and figures out what he wants to do with himself, he'll shave and get a style that really works for him.

I'm glad Lupita set him straight without being mean. She is the smartest and most mature person on the whole show, and it was nice to see her laughing.

Elena is the worst. Here she has a great opportunity and she's determined to screw it up by being trashy. And she has the nerve to tell her brother he's low-class!

Sara, the food rotted because the power had been out for a day or two. That happened to me once and it was gross, but I didn't smell it until I opened the refrigerator. Those things are supposed to seal.

I need someone like Freddy or Pina in my life so when I have a story to tell, I can get a satisfyingly dramatic reaction. I love the expressions and hand gestures they make when they hear anything surprising.
 

I wondered the other day what Vins wanted Enzo to sign for. I guess it was to buy the apartment without there being a paper trail to tie it to Vins. I hope that it doesn't get Enzo in trouble.

Tomás at the pool reminded me of Michael Phelps. I had the same thought about the self-improvement montage. It was good eye candy but what makes him think that the Rocky routine will make him less naco? The haircut is a good step-- as is his awareness that he could use a makeover. Baby steps. Baby steps.

Güera
 

Dang, another missed opportunity. Would have loved to see Tomas exercising (purely as a professional in the field) but alas, I was watching other hunky young men in basketball attire keeping busy last night.

Ezra, loved your observation that Tomas "is already in pretty good shape. He needs a montage of looking for a better job. But that isn't as good as eye candy."

And of course I wouldn't have felt nearly as bad about missing that sort of montage. Oh well.

Thrilled though to hear that those noxious braids are gone. Our naco clearly has potential.

Ezra...sorry your job was so exhausting, but just know you undoubtedly made hundreds of women happy on Valentine's Day. How many guys can say that?
 

Thanks Julia for clearing up all kinds of things.... Especially the mostasho ansho thing. I will admit I have not been paying close attention this week so I didn't realize the reason for the food spoilage.
 

Thanks so much Ezra. I have really enjoyed this week's episodes and I was happy to see how Chela dealt with the Violeta (Violent-eta) episode. That was REALLY scary. I didn't think her hair was cut in the hospital. Just tucked back in a ponytail.

I was also VERY happy to view the beginnings of Tomas' transformation-- especially the topless workout and swimming portion. Loved the way Lupe sweetly and truthfully dealt with that and also really enjoyed seeing her smile and laugh again.
 

Regarding Glamazon Barbie, she did say she'd been off her meds for awhile. She doesn't like them because she feels they make her kind of fuzzy-minded. Is this kind of psychotic rage typical for people with bipolar disorder? I always thought they just tended to shift erratically from SUPER up, energetic, ambitious, happy, to too depressed to function.

Why does Tomás need a better job? He's skilled at both auto mechanics and plumbing. In the U.S. those are both decent middle-class jobs. Are they so much worse and lower-paid in México? I thought it was mostly his attitude that needed a makeover, plus his hair. He needs to stop feeling sorry for himself, and to stop insisting he's got to win Lupita back (while continuing to flirt with everything lacking a Y chromosome).
 

Julia- I also don't think there's anything wrong with Tomas' work, unless he just can't make a decent living being a mechanic/plumber. It's all the stuff you pointed out that needs changing, which is what Lupe also pointed out. If he really has some intellectual curiosity and WANTS to go back to school for something, then good for him. But I've never bought that he and Elena were struggling (they both have jobs and live rent free in Pancho's casa popular). They are both just naco, through and through. But unlike Pepe (a proud naco), the both sport a HUGE chip on their shoulders and some major self esteem issues.
 

We need Elna June to give us a better idea if this is a realistic portrayal of a bi-polar person off their meds. But I have heard of people saying that they went off their meds for the same reason Violeta gave- fuzzy/foggy feeling while on the drugs.
 

Exactly, Vivi. It's the self-esteem. He doesn't need to change who he is so much as he needs to be okay with who he is. He needs to stop trying to blame his circumstances for his relationship failures. He needs to stop believing that being rich and glossy fixes everything. He needs to stop seeking validation through getting ladies to fall for him. He needs to make some decisions about what he wants from his working life and either study something different or embrace mechanics or plumbing and try to be more successful at that.

But if he wants to shower more to get the grease off, that's okay, too.
 

Good recap....I will check this episode out on the web. I missed it,Glamazon, Amazon Queen was in rare form it seems.

Man if she had her weapons exposed, the front and rear, she can cause a lot of problems.....not only for Enzo, but in my house too....lol
 

I'm glad Ana won the fight about school. I don't understand this attitude that some people have that formal education is the be-all, end-all that must be pursued at all costs. I'm very pro-education, but formal official schooling is only one way to learn things and have more opportunities. There are other ways. Ana actually has a chance at the career she wants. Staying in school longer won't get her there, and with the job market the way it is it might not help her get any other job, either. I know there are more benefits to school than getting jobs but I think Ana will learn a lot and broaden her horizons by working in the music business.
 

Someone mentioned yesterday about the immaturity of Candy and Vince and they nailed it. The other characters for the most part have grown, matured, made relationships even that escuincle Temo. Not so for C&V - they are as juvenile now as since the beginning of the show.

I am so glad to see Chela doing something for herself for a change and trying to enjoy Enzo and her's relationship.
 

Ezra, thanks for a hilarious recap. My favorite: "He gets a haircut and goes diving at the local pool. But this fails to address the socioeconomic problem."

Love Chela's new wardrobe. She and Enzo are so good together. I think she's over Pancho. When she hugged Pancho, she didn't have that same old googly look. But I wish Enzo hadn't brought up her feelings for Pancho - it may be too soon.

In addition to his mechanic and plumbing skills, Tomas is a great cook. Remember the meal he whipped up at the last minute for Pina.

Elena is an idiot, blowing the Avon opportunity. She and Tomas both have insecurities, but he isn't cruel like she is.
 

Thanks so much for your recap Ezra.

I wish Vice hadn't made Enzo insecure about Pancho.

Amazon Barbie was very frightening last night. Since there are so many episodes left, I keep thinking she must come back (but I hope not).
 

Okay, vocabs:

estar con una mano atras y la otra adelante - to have lost everything (one hand behind, one in front, trying to cover one's nakedness)

hule - an elastic polymer. vulcanized rubber, I think (this is a Nahuatl word, not Spanish)

tener cola que le pisen - to have an obvious flaw

quitar el dedo del renglón - to give up

saber de que lado masca la iguana - to really know one's stuff

ver moros con tranchetes - to see threats where none exist

dar carpetazo - to file away, be done with

agarrarse a trompadas - to come to blows

taras - birth defects

llueve sobre mojado - when it rains it pours

desenmareñar - to unravel, untangle

tirabuzón - ringlet, corkscrew curl

monaguillo - altar boy, acolyte

echar mas leña al fuego - to make things worse

ir con la finta - to be deceived
 

Hey Ezra, sorry to come so late to the party. I sure enjoyed this episode and your perspective and editorial comments.

First reaction - Thank goodness Tomas got a haircut! At least the dude is trying so I think he should get all the positive reinforcement he can. Even in his stupid outfit he looks 100 times better. OK, I'll admit I liked the eye candy too.

Julia, your vocab list is amazing. I think it's taking on a life of its own.

Ezra, thanks again for your wonderful Valentine's Day present to us. Humor is the best gift of all.
 

Thanks Jim, Vivi, and Ezra for great recaps this week! I haven't watched this one yet, but am looking forward to seeing Tom's mini-makeover and some cell phone abuse.

Someone commented the other day how only Ana is being asked to be more sepsy. I don't find this strange at all. The guy was only ever interested in Ana to begin with. I think he signed the band strictly as a way to get Ana (and placate his son and Alejandra). He will probably try to drive a wedge between Ana and her bandmates, or get the bandmates to quit in frustration eventually.

Speaking of Ana, I agree with Julia et al who say it's hardly the end of the world if she quits school now. School will still be there later. Someone I went to high school with found himself sitting next to Mark Goddard (handsome guy who played Major West in the original Lost in Space), in one of his college classes. Goddard had had his fun as an actor and then decided to go back to school to become a teacher. He was in his 50s.

(I begged my friend to let me tag along, but somehow it didn't happen. Feh!)
 

Couple more things:

- I missed the chance to say goodbye to Vivi before she left for Egypt! Arrrrrgh!!!

- Do we officially know that Violeta is bipolar, or was that just someone's guess? (I have no idea whether obsessiveness is a regular feature of bipolar or not, but at one point Enzo told Moni that Violeta was very obsessive.)

In any case, people with bipolar can have some extremely bad moments if their condition is very severe (most are NOT that severe) and goes untreated for too long. I can think of a couple of celebrities who had newsworthy incidents.

The disorder where people have relatively mild ups and downs over longer periods of time is called cyclothymia.
 

And thank you, Julia, for the vocabulary. There's a lot of crazy stuff there that I would never figure out.
 

Enzo told Moni that Violeta is bipolar. So yes, this is her official diagnosis.
 

I'm not an expert on mental disorders but both my brother-in-law and SIL are bi-polar. SIL only just got diagnosed a couple of years ago (she's like 54 yrs old) and is for the first time in her adult life somewhat normal, although still insufferable. She did horrible things before she was diagnosed and treated. My BIL was diagnosed when he was in college and was able to get a chemical engineering degree, but after graduation he stopped taking his meds because they made him "feel weird and fuzzy". I can't say I blame anyone for not wanting to feel medicated. He's harmless but cannot function like normal (whatever that means) people do. He's basically a vagabond, i.e. homeless but more like a hobo, always on the move. However, when he is needed to do something he is able to step up and help out for limited times. Eventually he must move on though. The funny thing is the third kid, my husband (OK boyfriend, we never married) is a responsible workaholic. Funny how one kid can function "normally" while the other two can not. He's the mid kid.
 

One of my uncles is bipolar. I think he's pretty functional, although he does have some issues. He's medicated and so can work and take care of himself normally, although he does change jobs and move around A LOT. Every now and then he kind of goes off the rails; I'm not close enough to know how much of this is due to being bipolar and how much might be a result of other issues he's had in his life, such as having been adopted not once but twice (the second time, by my grandparents, was when he was five, so he remembers his first adoptive mother who died and the dad she had divorced not wanting to keep him) and being gay and growing up in an extremely conservative community, and alcohol problems. Anyway. He's only six years older than I am, and I remember when we were kids and he was a teen he could be VERY fun when he was in an up mood.
 

Poor guy. Childhood rejection seems to be something that most people hold in their souls for their entire lives. It sounds like he has had a lot to deal with in his life.
 

Hi, Since I can't see a tv schedule, I am wondering if Familia was pre-empted on Thursday night by a game or something. I am missing the Familia craziness.
 

yes, thursday was "premios los nuestros."
 

Thanks for confirming the bipolar diagnosis. I haven't been able to pay attention as much as I'd like, and a lot of details are getting away from me. :(

It was nice to get our Comedy back for a while, but it looks like Comedy wanted to get a jump on the long weekend because it was nowhere to be found last night. (Adding cutesy sound effects to a miserable scene does not count as comedy in my book.)

I plan to have the recap up tonight.