Caray, Caray!

Bloody hell; the formatting screws up again.

On a lighter note, here is a link to an article about Univision's performance during February sweeps:

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/03/01/univision-set-to-finish-february-sweeps-as-no-1-network-on-friday-nights-among-adults-18-34/122702/

As to the promo for Abismo de Pasion, my gut is telling me that ET will get moved to a non-prime timeslot to make room for it as soon as they figure out which one.
 

Thank you so much UA for this great entertaining recap. Am with you in all you said, about the French letters and the anvil. I too wonder if this will end badly as the Cupcake and Guscake may have a mini cupcake. The "Cakes" don't seem to have any passion.

A pox upon that Viper. Both actually. The daughter is becoming like her Mother very quickly. I wish the Vainy Viper had stayed. Fed would have gotten his pills, tout suite. I never thought La Vipera would withhold those pills. That woman is truley mad.

I am glad Rohell caught Skelator giving Mikey the liquor, that Rohell is now suspicious about where the Cupcake found the "damning evidence". I wish he had been clear headed enough before to question where this "evidence" came from. I wonder what will happen if Rohell sees the "Cakes" together. There will be hell to pay.

Oh, that Tia, Miss Entitlement, and Miss Moral Judgement lol. You know I am wondering if she ever did the deed, and what man could stomach her. Poor Fed looked like he wanted to hurl when she kissed him. Ugh. And her jumping on the bed, and hugging that pillow.

I think maybe Hugo is liking Dani. He sure looked like he did.

Oh, and Lord Shadydeals with the Vainy Viper, he will use this info to his best advantage.

Maria is the only voice of reason at Hell Fuerte, too bad half the time noone listens to her.

As much as I don't like Lady Sneerwell, I hope she doesn't seek out Ernesto. She out to do some exploring of the excellent Lord Esteban.
 

I meant to say ought to do some exploring of Lord Esteban.
 

Urban, thanks for your genteel and clever recap. "Knave" is a most apt title for Skeletor.

AP should enjoy her state of glowing happiness while she can; Papa Fed's apparent demise and a vengeful Rohell are both looming swiftly upon her. She's in such a vulnerable position without Fed.

Evil Elsa thwarting Fed's wishes was difficult and painful to watch. I wanted to puncture her with a sharp stick and see her fly away as she deflated like a balloon.

La Paloma
 

Thanks for the recap UA. So the runaway wife let Gus take a bite of the cupcakes. Doesn't look like they used any protection either so I guess there will be a bun in the over no spoiler just an assumption. Rog is hot on the tail that is unless he can get unstuck from the mud.

Elsa was vicious. Looks like she's not going to give Fed those pills and let him croak.
 

UA, thanks for the link! Those ratings are great!

Thank you for your masterful recap. It was truly brilliant. Love your writing style. And, THANK YOU most of all, for taking one for the team. This was not an easy episode to recap, on several levels. The Fed-Vaca scene at the end was just plain disturbing.

Lucky me, I get to recap the tail end of that scene tomorrow! But, I'm glad it was you and not me that recapped today. You did a wonderful, wonderful job.

Yeah, that scene showing the melding of the cakes was just sorta meh. That should tell us something right there about their future. I'm just saying.

I am liking Hugo more and more. What a great guy, and so long-suffering. How he can tolerate his douchebag of a boss, I'll never know. I'm going to just assume that when Rohell is in a calmer mood, he rewards Hugo well for having to put up with his douchebaggy self. I truly hope he does that (and I think there's a fair chance he does—it would explain a lot if he did).

I hate how Fed was treated to two screaming vipers, in particular how Vainessa basically "disowned" him. She's going to regret saying that to her dad—whom we know she does love—for the rest of her life, I'm thinking.
 

Offtopic (sort of): With two more weeks to go in Mexico, it's absolutely crazy what's happening at this stage in LQNPA. Without giving away any spoilers, they insulted the audience claiming that something from the past happened in a different way than we all saw. Everybody went mad on Twitter and Facebook for the incoherence and Aunt Rosy's Twitter was literally a battlefield where she was trying to defend the writers. We even sent tweets to two of the most influential journalists covering LQNPA and they mentioned that stupidity on air, giving us credit for reminding them how it really happened. Since everybody loves aunt Rosy (Ana Bertha Espin), the producer obviously tried to use her to calm the spirits. I felt bad for her, she tried to be the peacemaker, but it didn't quite work.
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// off-topic

Lovely recap as usual, I really laughed at: Lady Ana Paula returns with Sir Gustavo, happy as a clam escaping a New England fisherman's net. Brilliant!

Too bad you had the misfortune to recap this particular episode, but on the other hand, lucky me it wasn't my turn.
I never managed to sit through this entire episode. I dreaded dreaded REALLY dreaded the fact that the cupcakes ate each other. Could this be the most pathetic love scene ever filmed for TV? Seriously, hating aside, but que the hell was that? A long kiss, five seconds and that's it? Holy mother of tacos, this has to be the most loveless love scene I've ever seen. No chemistry at all there (probably because the actors get along really well in real life, their liaison looks like the one between two brothers). It's as if the writer herself doesn't like the pair, so she barely showed them in their most glorious moment. Or they want to stay in tone with their initial short 3-day romance and keep it short in bed also.

For her sake, I hope AP did use protection. I mean, she should think of these things more than anyone, since she's a nurse. And married to someone else, I might add.

Someone please make Miguel drown in his own alcohol, I can't stand him. Same thing applies to Elsa, what a b**ch. It didn't help the fact that the actress was acting way over the top. That scene was disturbing, although to be honest, for some reason I was more distracted by the actor's bald patch lol. What's wrong with me?

Rogelio and Hugo would make a nice couple. At least Hugo is more loyal than AP. Douchebaggery aside, I really feel for Rogelio, but you probably already know that hehe.
 

UA:

Terrific recap and it really was a pivotal episode. I feel your pain with the posting issues with Blogger. Arghh.

You really caught the feeling of this episode. I felt just awful for Federico. Vanessa is completely selfish but Elsa is a true villain.

Regarding their night of passion, I am worries that Ana P and Gus have just shaken their fists at God. Beware the results (little cupcakes) of their actions!This could really complicate everything! Grin.

EJ
 

Brilliant! I know I don't usually pop in to the LQNPA recaps but your title hooked me faster than a shiny squid lure hooks a hungry halibut.

No kidding, doesn't the new blogger absolutely suck? UA, we feel your pain. There are numerous problems with the new format and I have already complained on the blogger help forum. If anyone else wants to lodge a complaint they can do it here:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger?hl=en

I don't know if this is a running nickname or a new one tonight, but Lady Sneerwell is priceless. Fishwife Elsa is the runner up.

Thank you for the link about the Feb sweeps. Gosh, I hope they don't move El Talisman to midnight. Mid-day would be OK. It totally deserves to be shoved in the drawer, but it would be inconvenient. I hate it when Uni moves their programs around. Estupidos!
 

UA, this is a masterpiece. I will reserve it to peruse it at length.
Loved "resentful Knave Skelator" couldn't be more perfect.
When Fredrico said goodbye to AP, did anyone else think this was ominous? Elsa has murder on her mind, methinks.
UA, do you think if he had planned it Frederico could have thought up a more painful narcissistic injury for Vainessa?
 

UA: Amazing. I hung on every word. Although the episode swung from heartbreaking (poor Fed) to lackluster (Gus and Ana - yawn), you were in top form. Your translating the conversations was most helpful. Beautifully written. Gracias!

So, how is Rogelio going to make Ana return with him? Drag her kicking and screaming?? I can't wait to see how this plays out. Nothing seems to be going according to plan. I'm hooked!

Diana
 

Everything I think will happen doesn't, so here goes. Fred will not die but linger in hospice adding more fuel to "My Daddy is dead to me" saga.

Dani doesn't, can't warn cupcake. Cupcake gets snatched back to Carcel Rog and locked in the North tower. Stupid Gus thinks Cupcake disappeared because she doesn't luv him anymore and goes home crying to Mercedes and she says "I told you so."

Most excellent recap by the way!
 

Thanks, all. I wish this site had existed back in 2001 during Por Un Beso which had so many good parallels to The Count of Monte Cristo. I also loved that the very distinguished Otto Sirgo got to marry an attractive mature lady in that series.

Watching Ana Paula and Gustavo was painful for me because of how I feel about this series. Their lack of chemistry could be due to either or both of the following:

-- The actors might know each other long enough off-camera to feel like brother and sister.
-- Ana Brenda may not be comfortable doing scenes like this.
-- Ana Paula might be feeling conflicted on an unconscious level because of Rogelio. If not, why would have there been a flashback to the ring scene?

I'm sure Hugo is well-paid. He seems to be on call 24/7 and he has the patience of a saint. When Rogelio gets out of the wheelchair I'm sure he'll give him a serious bonus and a possible promotion. Whatever else can be said of His Lordship, he appears to conduct business honestly and fairly.

I also think Hugo would be more worthy of Daniela than Miguel (at least at the moment). He's a handsome guy and a hell of a lot smarter than Miguel will ever be. Not to mention no toxic Tia to deal with.

As much as I can't stand MentiRosa, I'd back her in a catfight with Fishwife Elsa any day. If Fed dies (and I think he will tonight) Elsa will have hell to pay if she ever admits anything about her role in it to Vainessa.

As for Mercedes, she needs to get over any guilt she feels about Ernesto. His wife was clearly unbalanced and this has had a domino effect on their daughter (who was likely the reason they married in the first place). Esteban is still hung up on Vainessa. Not to mention that he needs a makeover.

I think Rogelio will use Miguel to get Cupcake back and if Fed dies now without his notary or lawyer knowing about Ana Paula, she will have no choice.
 

You are so right, UA. I too think that Rohell will use Miguel to get the Cupcake back. I don't think Fed will be able to keep his appointment with the notary to acknowledge the Cupcake, so she really will have no choice.
 

In order for Rogelio to find out anything about the "evidence" Cupcake would have to tell him when, where, and how she found it. Also, she seems to be the only person who knew that Skelator was in the house at the time. Sherlock Holmes wouldn't need more information to draw the appropriate conclusions and Rogelio is at least as intelligent when he can maintain a cool head.

This information is particularly damning in view of him catching Skelator giving Miguel booze and if he flashes back to the dance at the wedding and remembers the intent he saw there.

Also, doesn't anybody think it odd that the Cupcake hasn't asked Gustavo about the attack? You'd think she would have asked him if he recognized the thug who actually beat him up.
 

UA, you bring up some excellent points.

Of course, Ana should have asked Gus about the attack. And, I'm still shaking my head that Gus didn't insist on knowing hub's name. All of this makes no sense. They are both truly living in a dream world.

Hugo is DEFINITELY "Dani worthy". Miguel has so much growing up to do! Aside from conquering his addiction, that is. He is not ready for any type of relationship. That said, much as it pains me, he will likely end up with Dani before the end.

I also think Mercedes will end up with Esteban. I don't ever see his daughter backing down and accepting Mercedes. Esteban is being greatly underutilized here and hope to see more of him.

Diana
 

I mean Erneto's daughter will never accept Mercedes.

Diana
 

Since my DVR failed to record El Tal last night (can you blame it?), I got the chance to watch the erotic love making scene between AP and Gus. Fell asleep. That was it? Crossed eyes and a speckled back?

Thanks recappers, all. You have been fun to read these past few months.

Rosemary la Otra
 

Thanks so much, UA, for a splendid recap. I agree with all the praise others have already expressed.

Like many others, I found it amazing and heroic that you were able to recap this very painful episode. Toward the end, I could barely watch.

I can't decide whether Fed really dies tonight or not. I sure hope not. He's one of the few characters I actually like in this TN. Of course, that's likely to be the kiss of death.

I also still can't figure out who AP will end up with at the end. I don't remember watching any other TN where I felt the end was so in doubt (No, I didn't see Teresa). To some degree, that's one of the TN's strengths: it's not quite so predictable as most.

Well, that's all for now. Now I can try to run the gauntlet of the blogger obstacles. If you see this message posted, you'll know I somehow succeeded. That hasn't always been the case.
 

Does anyone else think that there will be some half baked kidnapping by Bruno because he is supposed to be obsessed with our cup cake?
 

@Alexandra I was on Twitter and Facebook when all that mess went down. I won't give away any spoilers but the producer really did insult the fans intelligence and Rogelianas went buck wild lol.

Back on topic, that love scene was really lame. Where was the passion? Gusbobo is so sure of himself huh blech.
 

Emarie, I wouldn't doubt it. Some of his facial expressions lately have been pretty frightening. However, I don't see this happening for a while; we have too many episodes to go.

I was just remembering Sinthia once telling Mercedes that Rogelio doesn't trust doctors. My guess is that he hasn't seen one since getting out of the hospital 7 years ago and Ernesto is there to do something for him.

Which now makes me wonder whether Ernesto will get Lady Chatterley in the end. Imagine her as stepmother to that brat of his.
 

"I got the chance to watch the erotic love making scene between AP and Gus. Fell asleep. That was it? Crossed eyes and a speckled back?"

This has me rolling on the floor laughing.
 

Just a thought, maybe the actress who plays AP aka the runaway wife, isn't comfortable doing love scenes. Even in Teresa, when Aurora and Mariano consummated their marriage, the love scenes was a dud. It probably is a bit intimidating doing a scene like that with a room full of people watching you.
 

Pirate Babe, I've also been catching up on Twitter and saw some of the comments and reactions from Rogelianas. Yes, it was stupid and did insult our intelligence. It's something that just about any viewer who was paying attention would have caught. Silly.
 

I also laughed at the comment about crossed eyes and a speckled back. Too true!
 

Thank you UA for the recap. I hope they move El Tal to another time and move this one to an earlier time slot. I would love it if it were at 7:00, then I could watch it in real time.

If Fed dies before he changes the will, Tia will probably switch gears and back Rog up in getting AP back, because there won't be money coming from daddy. I hope so, in any case.
 

Alexandra:
I am curious about your post. "We even sent tweets to two of the most influential journalists covering LQNPA and they mentioned that stupidity on air, giving us credit for reminding them how it really happened."

Who is "WE" in this post? Are you a member of an advocacy group for telenovela viewers? Can you get the word to the producers of El Tal that we think the writing and directing of this offering are just awful?

Thanks,

EJ
 

Urban Anth--First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your excellent recapping skills. You are being true to the episode, yet giving us something extra to chew on (NOT cupcakes).

I am now watching LQNPA with rapt attention. Went back and started at Ep#1 through Ep#30, so I'm all caught up with the backstory. It all makes more sense when you are carooming through, marathon style.

As for the two TastyCakes "te necesito" scenes. I think it was toned down and kind of glossed over because we are later not supposed to make much of it. We are supposed to be investing in the Rogelio-AP relationship and we can't have visions of the two Cakes (and let me tell you this is one fun appellation) dancing around in our heads.

As for nurse AP knowing she should be using some form of "proteccion" and cuidandose, Gus and AP think they are going to be together forever since new daddy is going to help her get out of the contract with Rogelio--and the two of them did talk about children, many children, for 2 1/2 minutes on the beach, so I'll give them that much for irresponsibility.

I had a feeling Ole Fed wasn't going to make it, but this soon? Poor AP, she just can't get a break. Is he really dead or will he get to the hospital in time? Elsa will probably delay calling 911 until after she makes sure he's very very dead.

Shame on Fed for not making sure he has his medication with him at all times. Oh, well, RIP.

Tia is going to be overwhelmed with tristeza at his departure, but only because her most recent meal ticket just died with him.

This will undoubtedly spur her on to make sure AP goes back to Rogelio or hook her up to Bruno. Certainly poor little Gus can't keep her in the lujo to which she wants to become accustomed.
Anita
 

UA: I complimented your recap in my last post but I neglected to thank you for writing it. Thank you.

Couldn't agree more that last night's love scene was a real snooze-fest.

How disappointing that the two actors who have worked together before cannot work up more heat. I think that is called acting.

UA makes an interesting point about them perhaps knowing one another TOOO well. I like Ana Brenda, it's too bad she couldn't look more enthusiastic.

Did anyone else notice Rogelio's hoarseness last night? He looked really sick in the stuck-in-the-mud truck shot.

EJ
 

This is not a 7PM story, but I'd like to see it back at 9.

I have the feeling that there will be a major emotional collision within the next two episodes involving Rogelio, Gustavo, and the Cupcake.

I dearly hope this tale doesn't go down the wrong path. I'd love to know how the demographics run in the competition between Rogelio and Gustavo. Do the younger viewers favor Gustavo?
 

How many episodes in was it when Jorge Salinas had to take a break for health issues? Are we near that point?
 

Thank you, Emarie, Jardinera654, and Urban Anthropologist for all of the good advice. I'm following all of it with the (1) Spanish and English subtitles, (2) making sure that I use the cc as i watch and tape, and (3)watching Destinos. I'm looking forward to learning Spanish. Too bad for The Young and the Restless and The Bold and The Beautiful! It's LQNPA all the way! Thank you,
 

As someone mentioned earlier, maybe the thing that the writers have us believe happened differently than it did has to do with AP and Gus having sex. Maybe they wanted us to believe they didn't, so for the American airing of this show, they watered down and cut out scenes of it, in order to not get more hate mail when we see the future episodes. Maybe that was why it was such a nothingburger sex scene.
 

Jorge didn't look good in this episode and his voice was hoarse. If I remember correctly, he had to be hospitalized three times and the last time was when he became deathly ill. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.
 

Cathyx, we don't have a problem with the Cupcake having sex with Gustavo. I personally would not expect a girl of her age to be inexperienced. For the Tia to comment on "modern times" makes no sense otherwise.

What surprises me is that there is no local priest in this small-town story. Whom else is Cupcake going to trust now? Once she finds out that Miguel and Daniela are at Rogelio's place she is going to think they betrayed her. Bad news to come on the heels of what is certainly going to be her father's death.

PirateBabe, I don't know the chronology of Jorge's medical events. But I am concerned about the last thing I read which was that he's on anticoagulants and the accompanying diet. The sister of one of my friends is on that same regimen and it's not easy. Imagine giving up spinach and all that other green leafy good stuff.
 

Thanks for the great recap UA. I love how it feels like I'm reading a classic play.

Poor Federico for being married all those years to Elsa.

I wonder if Univision is thinking about letting LQNPA stay in the 10 pm timeslot and putting Abismo at 9 while leaving Talisman at 8 and UFCS at 7.

Ana Brenda and José Ron had slightly better chemistry in Juro Que Te Amo than here but alot of that had to do with better love scenes and a more developed love story (their characters got together around episode 80). However, she still had better chemistry with Marcelo Córdoba than Ron.

If "El Güero" Castro wanted to have her repeat love scenes with a former co-star, Córdoba should have been the one. Now THAT would have been interesting: Salinas vs Córdoba.

Cathyx:
"How many episodes in was it when Jorge Salinas had to take a break for health issues? Are we near that point?"

There are still several episodes left. We'll know when it happens.

Jarocha
 

UA, you captured all the nuance, pain, and meh so well. Thanks for a great recap.

Fed telling Gustavo to "lucha por tu amor" and Maria' counseling Rogelio to leave AP alone have me thinking that maybe Rogelio will not wind up with AP, but will wind up a better, happier man.

I'm not feeling Gustavo and AP either, but maybe I don't get their chemistry cause I find Rogelio so much more interesting. On their lack of chemistry being due to the actors’ familiarity with each other, Adela Noriega and Eduardo Yanez have worked together at least three times that I know of and they still had mucho chemistry to me in FELS.

Every time I saw Miguel last night "I'm an Idiot and I Know It" to the tune of "I'm Sexy and I Know It" kept running through my head. It’s nice he’s trying to protect his sister, but I also think he doesn’t mind being locked up by Rogelio because the doesn’t want to take responsibility for his own life. I like Dani with Hugo or Esteban.

I hope Rogelio doesn't catch AP with Gustavo tonight. Seeing poor Fed suffer last night was painful enough.
 

UA, thank you for this recap. You are a very talented writer.

I had a really hard time watching the Vain One and Her mother Elsa the Vaca. Poor Fred! RIP.

I do not like Gus and AP together, hurry Rog! Save the damsel.

Rosemary
 

I'm more concerned WHY Salinas needs warfarin. None of the reasons are good news. Hope he's OK now.
 

Thanks, UA, for an excellent job.

Jarocha: Salinas vs. Cordoba. That would changed the dynamics and our allegiances quite a bit. Great idea!
 

Whatever meds he's on I just hope he stopped smoking. I want him around long enough to see him play a controlling father in 20 years.

As to who finally gets the Cupcake, we have more than 100 episodes to go so I'm not worried yet. However, if Rogelio doesn't, I'm sure we'll hear the angry cries all the way from Mexico. Let's put the finale date on our calendars and keep our ears open. :)
 

UrbanA:
Thanks for a very entertaining read. You really have the genre down, girl! I couldn't stop reading just because of that style! LOL!
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Unspectacular love scene. A speck of speckled bleh is right! I'd have rather seen a free-for-all with the clothing and then a fade out. Hell, The Boy Scout didn't even go for a smoke afterwards. What's the world coming to, anyway?
Actually, I agree that it was left as somewhat blah so that perhaps if Humpty-Dumpty Rog gets put back together again and he's meant to end up with AP that's when we'll get smoke and fire on the screen.
============
 

On Twitter, there are two people who appear on Televisa's HOY program and they also have their own radio show, but they only comment the Televisa telenovelas, so I'm afraid El Talisman is a no-go. They have direct contact with the producers and actors, who are often invited to the radio station to give interviews or sometimes even spoilers, so whatever complaints we have, they'll make sure that the producer will hear them, especially when they think the same. These two women are Flor Rubio (@Flor_RUbio on twitter) and Lupita Martinez (@Lupitamartineza on Twitter).
 

Rogelio is so hot. He an AP should be together forever. I wish Elsa just rotts in you know where. Rogelio is showing that he cares . That is cute.
 

Thanks, Alexandra!

EJ