Caray, Caray!

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – VIERNES – Part 1

We start off with Bernie telling Sol to go back to the apartment he is paying for. He tells her ominously that that baby won’t be born. He doesn’t want any more children. Sol defiantly tells him her baby WILL be born.

In a case of pot…kettle, Ángela tells Pablo Peralta that a good guardaespaldas does not fall in love with the person they’re guarding.

The Reptile is working on Vicente to get rid of Sol for him. She tells him she has two reasons: the baby and the fact that she saw the Reptile kill her brother.

Poor Ofelia gets on the wrong side of the venomous one again by being happy about Sol’s pregnancy. Fernanda snarls that Ofelia should realize that that baby would remind her that she can’t have one. [And we once again gratefully thank the writers. There will be no pregnancy by, say, the Rat that would trap JM.]

Luis chooses an odd place to write a letter detailing Fernanda’s crimes: a loud disco. It looks like our less-than-brilliant Rat can’t write cursive; it looked like printing to me. [I thought he had already given that information to some accomplice. Hmmm.]

Juan Marcos is absolutely irresistible in a scene with Ángela. He recites a long list of things he wants to do with her: coffee and newspapers in the morning, etc. Just simple, married people activities. Ángela, suffering greatly, rips up her wedding dress. She says to herself that the dress, like her life, can’t be fixed.

The Reptile tells Bernie that Sol is just after his money. He replies that Sol comes from a rich family, and she shouldn’t underestimate his sexual prowess. [ugh] He fires back at his daughter that all she needs to do now is turn herself into a rug so that JM can walk all over her. She tells her daddy that she’s not sharing her inheritance. After she stalks off, Bernie says to Ofelia Si supiera que la bastarda es ella. [If she only knew that SHE is the bastard.] Aha, methinks we may soon understand some of the antipathy between this father and daughter.

Génesis is talking to JM, telling him that this is the first birthday that she’s had without her mother. But she wishes her mother had been like Ángela, dressing up like a clown for her party. JM replies that Isabel designed a beautiful dress each year for her. Génesis is very insightful about this: "But that’s what she liked to do, not what I wanted". JM keeps trying to remind his daughter of good things about her mother, a very wise parenting move.

Some guys try a drive-by on Willy. Frida yanks him to safety. I was afraid they were going to shoot Arturo!

JM is in a robe in his bedroom. Nelly comes in with his breakfast tray, and the Reptile is right behind her. Nelly says she asked her to wait downstairs, but Fernanda grabs the breakfast tray and shoos Nelly out. JM is not happy. He tells her she intruded on the birthday party the day before, and now she’s barging into his bedroom. Seemingly deaf to this, the Reptile tells him that Ángela took his daughter to physical therapy and no one can now interrupt them. She tells him she only wants to cure him of what’s happened [that she caused], and then launches herself at him.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – VIERNES – Part 2

While Bernie is ragging on Ofelia, he says that she’s his sister. [Now why does this need to be a secret?]

We don’t know for sure if JM and the Reptile did the deed, but they come out of his bedroom looking guilty. Génesis and Ángela have just come back, but Génesis doesn’t see them come out. The Reptile makes a big point of saying, in front of Ángela that she’s glad the child didn’t see them coming out of there, and then plants a suggestive kiss on JM. Downstairs the Reptile bribes Nelly to let her come and go as she pleases – to surprise JM!

Emma gets a call from some evil sounding guy. This sounds like the basis of her issues with sex.

Sam is at her mother’s house, and Perla says she’s bought her a dress and has a hair and make-up person ready to gussie them up for the party. Sam tells her about Sol’s pregnancy.

Génesis says she has a surprise for her father and Ángela. She stands by herself! This is a very touching scene.

Ofelia calls Darío and tells him that Perla and Bernie are lovers.

Sol comes to Fernanda’s room and tells her she’s moved in. The Reptile breaks out a pistol and makes some threatening comments.

Emma is in a nervous state about the call from that guy, and she leaves her cell phone on the kitchen counter. Peralta sees a text message from the guy. “I know you want to feel my hands all over your skin again.”

It’s finally the big party. Apparently it rained, so the outdoor party at Casa Sandoval doesn’t happen and Sam has arranged a venue. She shows up in a backless dress, and Bernie slimes all over her.

The pianist plants a bomb under the piano. Willy shows up, dressed as a waiter, after he has apparently drugged Frida and locked her in her room! He has his back to his slimy dad when Bernie makes another move on Sam, saying she’s dangerously beautiful tonight. His face falls when his son turns around.

Why in the hell is the Rat snooping around in JM’s house? And they’ve talked about external security people as well as bodyguards. Oh well. He goes to gloat over the wedding dress and finds it torn to shreds. Now we get to see a big contrast in parenting skills. Earlier JM has tried to protect Génesis from her mother’s faults so that she will have better memories. The Rat shows the torn dress to Violeta and tells her that her mother has no respect for either of them.

Darío confronts Perla at the party about what Ofelia said about Bernie. She tells him not only is it true about the affair, but she’s madly in love with Bernie.

Sol tells Bernie about Fernanda and the gun, and that she was SO scared. He has a flashback to Junior Reptile firing shots into Sol’s brother.

Juan Marcos is working on a car in the garage when Angie comes to tell him dinner is ready. He kisses her passionately. She asks him “What about Fernanda?” He tells her that Fernanda means nothing to him, and that the only woman he loves is Ángela. The Reptile has made an unauthorized entrance again and her face contorts with rage at hearing this. She pulls a gun out of her purse. Luckily we know the two protagonists won’t ever die, so the cliffhanger doesn’t work on us.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks for the great recap, Novelera!!
So Ofelia is Bernie's sister but he doesn't want anyone to know that. Well, that explains why Ofelia is the only woman (besides the Reptile) that Bernie isn't going after.

And we also find out that the Reptile (or La Reptila when I discuss the novela with my Spanish teacher) is illegitimate. Presumably, Bernie's wife cheated on him. The only possible living candidate that we know of is Darío. That doesn't really do much since we know that Darío is not Sam's father. Or maybe Bernie's wife cheated with JM's father and La Reptila killed her father and has the hots for her half brother. But JM and La Reptila have had sex and usually half siblings don't end up having sex. Well, anyway, it's a new plot development that should prove interesting.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS:

The meeting of Mauricio with Marta (attended by Olivia) doesn't do much to help Mau. Marta says nothing bad about JP, and later meets with him, saying she carried out her part of the bargain, now she wants her money (he gives her several big stacks of bills).

Ignacio takes Olivares at gunpoint to the airport. So this, too, is going JP's way. Finally, JP pretends to hem and haw about the big step of agreeing to give Miranda's baby his last name, finally agreeing, and Miranda is trying to go along with all this (although she tells Patty not to move out, and can't fool Patty, who knows she's not over JP, even if he did (she thinks) cheat on her with Yesi.

Joaco tells Yesi if Mau was with Olivia, it was partly his fault, he said to knock out one nail with a new one. But he's mad at Mau for hurting Yesi's feelings (by doing it in the trailer), and punches him. Still, he forgives him, and gives Mau a file Joaco had found in Olivares' apartment (Joaco was suspicious someone was spying from that apartment), which is a file on Miranda, which Mau now reads, discovering Miranda's father's being killed in Mexico by druglords. I still can't decide if Olivares is good or bad, but if he gets back to Miami, he could join with Mau against JP.

Victor invites Yesi to his apartment, and they have sex. He trusts her, and leaves her in the apartment. She snoops around, finds a picture of a girl (I think "Monica", Andres' lover, whom we haven't met), and also a picture of a man we haven't seen, and a vial of Adderall. Various people are finding out bits and pieces of the drug problem. Liz even offers Mau some to study, but he wisely says he doesn't need it.

Mau is really discouraged, but his presentation is tomorrow, to see if he gets his scholarship to Columbia.

Hector (Diego's Dad), last name Baron, turns out to be homophobic. While talking to Armando about his bone marrow operation, Hector says you can "cure" homosexuality with five easy treatments, shouldn't "they" all do it to be "normal?". This greatly offends Armando, who feels gays ARE normal, what's your problem, Hector?

Gonzalo is still scared to death the bad guys will want revenge for his killing that thug, tells Leo the only thing keeping him going is Liz's love. Hmmmm.

Olivia is such an intriguing character. We hate her because she's so mean to Miranda, and it's so obvious she's letting her obsession with Mau cloud her professional judgment. But currently she's helping Mau dig up stuff on JP, so we like her for that. And as for me personally, I REALLY liked her in a dream Miranda had of Olivia having sex with Mau.

Miranda has another problem which hasn't come up yet. She now thinks she's two months pregnant. But how could the baby by JP's? She's only been seen with JP for the past few days. Oh well, Mau's thesis presentation is coming up. Will he pass?
 

CORAZON VALIENTE
I have been watching this sporadically and am grateful for the summary. But the one thing I am really confused about is the relatinship between Samantha and Willy --which to me is more interesting than the one between JM and Angela. Way back when, I caught an episode where Samantha admitted to Angela that she was in love with Willy. I seemed to have missed the reason why she will not admit it to him and have a pareja relationship with him--especially now that she isn't his guardaspaldas. If it's not too complicated, could someone tell me the reason. Muchas Gracias....
 

Thanks Novelera! I had missed some of the finer points, including that Ofelia is Bernie's sister. Phooey--there goes my theory that Ofelia was a cast-off lover of Bernie and also Fern's mother. Also, it seems like the writers are blaming an awful lot of Emma's manipulative behavior, immaturity, outbursts, deceit, etc, on "her disease" (Bipolar). Then she takes her pills and tells Peralta she wants to "be cured" so he will love her. Telemundo needs a script consultant.
J in Oregon
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap, Novelera, of an episode packed with revelations (most silly, of course) and action.

NJ Sue, there are probably several reasons why Sam doesn't want to commit to Willy, even though she loves him.
1. He has never really said he'd marry her, just that he loves her.
2. She has this big secret, that she had a baby (with Willy) when she was 15, and hasn't told him. I think she thinks this could drive him away, but of course it's just the opposite. The previews make us think she will tell him the truth, but you know those previews!
3. The writers have to drag out the romance so it finally works out 3 episodes before the gran final :)
 

Thanks so much, Hombre. I know I can always count on you for a sensible explanation --even for tonterias like LA CASA.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

NJ Sue, Darío managed to somehow set it up so that Sam and Willy did not receive each other's letters after their first lovemaking when they were 15. So Sam, who was very much in love with Willy, thought he'd just jumped her bones and didn't care for her.

If anyone else has a theory, please weigh in!

Sam was very reluctant, when she got the assignment to guard Willy from her boss, to see him. In a typical dumb TN plot point, he didn't recognize her. And by that time, apparently damaged by Sam disappearing to the US [their first time happened in Mexico] he had turned into a guy who has nothing but frivolous relationships with women.

When he finds out who she is, Willy tells Sam how he tried to contact her and had no response. I'm not sure if Sam believed him.

She did tell him she had a child that was taken away from her by Darío, and that Bernie was helping her to find the boy. The bodyguard, Frida, dragged him out of there before she could tell the whole story. Then manipulative Bernie, who wants Sam for himself, told her that Willy was under a lot of stress because of the attempts on his life, and she should not tell him. She then lies and says the kid is 8, when he's really 14.

It IS pretty dumb that she keeps on not telling him, but I don't think she feels knowing they have a child would drive him away. It's either what Bernie said about stress or feeling that he doesn't really love her, so why bother.
 

Corazon Valiente:

Thanks for all the recaps! A lot happened on Friday! Just to add a few details: Sol provoke the reptile by saying she moved in and Fern has to get rid of her cat!

I thought Dario already knew about Perla's affair with Berni. I thought Berni and Dario had a conversation a long time ago about the affair. Dario didn't care because he knew Berni prefers younger women, like Sam. That's when Dario was trying to get Sam to leave Berni's house.

NJ SUE: I agree with the other comments about Sam and Willy's relationship. She has A LOT of emotional baggage including the lose of Miguel, her body guard, unknowingly separated from Willy after their romance at 15, which resulted in a pregnancy where the baby was taken from her or she had severe post-partum depression. She basically disowned her parents and doesn't trust men. She sees Willy as a playboy and doesn't think he can commit to her fully. As for the lies about their son. Berni convinced her the timing is bad since Willly's life is threatened.

Can't believe that NO ONE on Team JM is suspicious of the reptile! COME ON! NELLY! WHAT? Even if Nelly let's her in, shouldn't there be a guard at the gate or at least a metal detector or security cameras somewhere. Yikes! She sneaks in and starts pointing a gun...I have a feeling Luis will tackle her and they will go unnoticed while JM/Angie kiss. Nothing like kissing the man you love right after he has meaningless sex with a reptile.

Jewels
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – LUNES – Part 1

Our lack of worry on Friday night about Fernanda and the pistol is justified. She puts away the gun and knocks in order to interrupt Juan Marcos and Ángela’s passionate kisses. Ángela snaps out of it and goes into the house. JM gives the Reptile a cold look and says this is the second time Nelly let her in without her being announced. First she invites herself to dinner and then she tells JM that Luis plans to stay in México with Ángela after the wedding.

At the big party, Sam is distracted while speaking with her mother. She tells her she has a bad premonition.

When JM and the Reptile go inside, JM makes a point of telling Nelly that from now on she must announce visitors before letting them in. The Ratita whines about what her mamí did to her, tearing up the wedding dress. Luis says his daughter never stops crying.

Willy changed from his waiter’s uniform, and is looking very attractive in a pink shirt. He asks Sam to tell him she loves him. She says she will never do that and tries to get him interested in some other women at the party. Willy says Sam’s nose grows and also moves from side to side when she lies to him.

Ángela has calmed Violeta down, but Luis is rabid in the Arroyo kitchen. He shakes his finger in her face and tells her she had better not have been the one who tore up that dress. She tells him he’s using drugs again. She can tell. He grabs hold of her, and JM comes into the room and tells the Rat that he was the one who tore up the dress, crazed with jealousy. But JM says he’ll buy her a wedding dress to replace it and promise not to bother her again. [Yeah, riiiiight.]

Arturo the Wonder Dog races into the party and starts barking at the table that has the bomb hidden under it. Idiot Darío tells Sam to get the dog out of here. But Sam has seen Arturo’s bomb-sniffing capabilities before, and she goes under the table and sees the bomb. She shoos all the guests outside, and then goes underneath to disarm the bomb.

We get another scene with Ángela and JM saying the same things to each other. Ángela says that they both knew she tore up the dress. She can’t break with Luis or ruin Violeta’s dream. Only she knows how high the price is that she’s paying. But it’s her decision. JM asks if this is the reason she’s going to stay in Mexico after the wedding; Fernanda told him that. Ángela says she didn’t know about that plan.

Willy comes back into the room and gets under the table with Sam. He says he won’t leave her and, if death is the result, then they’ll die together. Sam says that, if they are going to die, he has to know the truth – that he is the father of her child. Willy gets angry she didn’t tell him while the bomb ticks away. But it doesn’t go off. I don’t know if Sam disarmed it or if it was a dud.

Peralta comes to talk with Emma. He says he was afraid for her and that’s why he read the text. She refuses to tell him what’s wrong.

A new character comes to Casa Arroyo – Octavio Ruiz. JM greets him fondly as an old friend of his father, but Fernanda doesn’t like him one bit. After JM leaves the room to say goodnight to Génesis, she tells him she knows all his tricks. Emma comes downstairs in her PJ’s, looking for Peralta. She stops dead at the sight of Octavio Ruiz. He says the last time he saw her she was 12, and now she’s all grown up. Emma is frozen with fear. Later this Ruiz admires a photograph of Génesis, calling her a beautiful child. Octavio says his apartment is being remodeled, and JM insists he stay with them.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – LUNES – Part 2

Willy is very angry with Sam. He tells her he could have died never knowing he had a child. He says he’ll never forgive her for lying.

JM says he overheard Ángela say she didn’t want to make love with the Rat. She tells him there’s only one man she wants. But that man’s life is in danger if they do so. She also says she realized something horrible; Luis is using drugs again. She says that makes it worse. Sometimes he’s not in his right mind when he uses. She tells JM she did NOT believe Luis about JM and his having set Luis up with the rosary. She just wanted to keep in away for his safety. JM tells her she can’t condemn Violeta to having a father like that [No kidding!!!] But she says he loves Violeta. And she’d rather cry herself to sleep every night than cry in front of his tomb.

Emma’s doorknob rattles while she cowers in fear. Peralta calls her cell and she says nothing is wrong. A note is slipped under the door that terrifies her.

Ángela tries to get Génesis to stand again, while JM looks on from the doorway. She manages to get her to do it. Génesis asks Ángela why she’s going to swear in front of God that she loves Luis when she really loves her papa.

The Reptile tells the Rat to llevar Ángela. To take her by force, to take her asleep, whatever. She wants the way clear with JM. The Rat tells her she’s not going to kill JM. The Reptile assures him that hate is very close to love.

Emma is painting when her doorknob rattles some more. This time it’s Peralta. She still doesn’t tell him what’s the matter.

JM brings flowers to Isabel’s grave, along with Octavio, and finds Bernie there. Old slick Bernie says that he came to put flowers on his parents’ graves and remembered Isabel.

Willy is asking Sam to forgive him over the phone. But she’s right there and says she’s going to tell him the whole truth. She says that two months after her 15th birthday she knew she was pregnant. She wanted to tell Willy, but her father found out. He locked her up. Darío didn’t want anyone to know. She gave birth at the finca. Sam tells Willy the baby was beautiful. He had Willy’s eyes and Willy’s hair color. Willy tells her how different things would have been if he’d known. She says he probably would have run away. But he tells her he never would have left her. He swears he’ll find their child. Now there will be two of them looking. They embrace.

Octavio calls Emma on her cell to flirt with her. She screams into the phone that he should leave her alone. Peralta comes in and she tells him she’s afraid. When she was 12, the guy abused her. “This pig came to my house as a friend of my father. He gave me gifts and was kind. I saw him as an uncle. Then one day he was alone with me and ….” She tells Peralta the guy said it was her fault, that she provoked him, and that her father wouldn’t forgive her. Peralta wants to kill him.

Willy goes after Bernie in full attack mode for lying about the bodyguard who was supposed to be the baby’s father. Bernie says he did it because Willy is too immature, and Sam is too much woman for him.

The Reptile sings her same song to JM. She is the woman for him, the one that will love him unconditionally. She tells him Ángela didn’t choose him and Isabel was Bernie’s lover!

The Rat, looking somewhat the worse for wear, grabs Ángela and says he can’t wait until the wedding. He wants her now! She pushes him away and says: “I don’t love you!”

What a relief! Both Samantha and Emma told the truth tonight to the respective men who love them.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap, Novelera! I was just reading an essay on lying, which said it's almost never a good idea, even little white lies. But the writer forgot one great advantage of lying: telenovela plots! We have the good characters lying as much as the bad ones, about their pasts, about whether they really love someone, about all sorts of things. Then later, they admit it, and beg forgiveness. We should count how many times this happens in a typical show, but maybe supercomputers aren't that powerful yet :)
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Absolutely fabulous recap Novelera. This was a great episode with so many truths comming out. And now we know why Emma freaks out when things get too hot and heavy with guys. In fact, now I'm starting to think that her freak out and accusation of rape with Peralta was not totally a game. But I do NOT like that creepy child molester in the house with a paralyzed Genesis. Emma and Peralta need to speak up to JM, now!

I was very touched by the scene between Willy and Sam in the bedroom when she told him the whole truth.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS, Part 1

Ignacio doesn't quite get Olivares to the airport. For some unknown reason (plot convenience) he stops on the side of the road, opens the trunk, holds a gun on Ollie, and orders him to take suitcases out of the trunk. Ollie swings the suitcase into Iggie's head, knocking the gun out of his hand. Ollie picks up the gun. Iggie: What are you gonna do? Ollie: Put you out of your misery. Bang, bang, and Iggie's dead. Ollie calls JP to give him the pleasant news. JP had better get his money pronto! Ollie later finds pictures of Miranda with her mother in Mexico. It just may be that JP IS working with Mexican druglords, and maybe Ollie will find this out.

Mauricio has his thesis defense. In a dimly lit room, stodgy old professors sneer at him. But he wows them with his story of love and devotion, even to the point of death, from Tristan and Isolde, and he passes! With honors! So he gets a full scholarship to Columbia. He just HAS to tell Miranda.

Patty has heard that Miranda may have slept with JP, and asks her, is it true? Miranda doesn't exactly say yes, but leads her to believe it is.

Julia tells Gilberto, even though they found my earring, they can't prove anything. Gil wants sex. Julia says what will you do if I agree to have sex with you? Gil's eyes grow big like saucers. Anything!

Meanwhile Armando tells Santi he's a match, and he'll donate the bone marrow to save Bea. Santi says but you could die. Armando tells him he feels that he wasn't a good enough father, and may have contributed to Santi's problems. He wants to make up for this, knows Santi would be miserable if he had to have a new child with Julia. Santi is grateful, moved to tears.

Hector tells his son Diego, I saw you kissing that gay boy Alejandro. Now invite that girl Nora over, right away? And read this book (How to cure Homosexuality). We're going to CURE you! But I'm not sick, whines Diego.

Liz tells Leo Gonzo is involved in these drugs. And she found they're made at the factory where Ricardo, her Dad, works. Could her Dad be involved in crime? Leo stays silent, knowing his OWN Dad OWNS that factory!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

I found it disheartening that yet another older adult (Octavio) is a sleaze. The only decent ones have been JM's parents, who are now dead, and Peralta's parents, who we don't see much of. All the rest are selfish, immoral, weak-willed or sleazy.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS, Part 2

JP want to confront Olivares, but he's been absent a lot recently, and Ana says, either come to my office now, or you're fired. He does, and explains his side of the double identity. Ana says Olivares had a very different story, but for now, there's no proof, you're free to go.

Victor is upset about his cousin's being killed, and Andres authorizes him to kill whoever did it (Gonzo, although they don't know for sure).

At Victor's apartment, Yesi is still there, when a maid comes in. The maid says "I didn't know the Señora had company". The Señora? thinks Yesi. The apartment turns out to belong to Monica, Andres' Mistress, who has been in Paris, but is coming for a visit, and Andres called the maid to clean the apartment. Victor was just using the apartment (but may have also been seeing Monica). Yesi says, if they're tricking me, I'll trick them. She takes a picture, some fancy dresses and a pocketbook, all belonging to the Señora, and leaves. She goes to the school for troubled kids, that SHE used to go to, and asks if any girl there is pregnant (that's what JP and Miranda said when she heard the word "pregnant" the other day). But no, no one here is pregnant. Yesi thinks to herself, could Miss MIRANDA be pregnant?

Mau has to meet with Mir to tell about his thesis. So they meet in the park. Of course, Olivia suspects, and watches them from afar. Mau tells how he passed, all thanks to her. He keeps prying about JP, but Miranda waffles, and I think he knows Mir doesn't love JP. Mau says JP is bad news, and Mir is in danger, but Mir pooh poohs the idea. JP also says he never had sex with Olivia, only a few kisses, which she forced on him when he was a little drunk. He again tells her he's going to be and emancipated minor soon. As usual, the two can't resist, and kiss deeply. Olivia sees this and gets upset.

She calls Cortez, says tell your client not to kiss Mau or she's going to jail. Cortez calls, and they separate, looking around. After Mau leaves, Olivia approaches Miranda, I could have you arrested. Miranda feels she's done nothing wrong. I think Olivia ends up NOT arresting her, giving her one more chance. BTW, says Olivia, you got your passport back. So leave!

Mauricio meets his Mom, tells her he got the scholarship, thanks to Miranda. Now, Mom, will you please be an adult and forgive her?

Miranda tells her Mom she's going to Mexico, but she's afraid to get her passport, since she fears the judge will make her get that pregnancy test. So she's just going to go WITHOUT her passport. Here we go again!!!
 

RELACIONES:

I meant to say that MAU tells Miranda he didn't really have sex with Oliva.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Vivi, I agree. There's some really rotten older parents in this one. I can't STAND Bernie. I was so glad his adored son Willy got a good look at what an underhanded, conniving SOB his dear old dad really is. I suppose it's too much to hope for that Sam and Willy will dump the detective who has been paid (twice!) to not really find Lucas.

And, yes, I'll be furious if Emma and Peralta don't take quick steps to protect Génesis from Octavio Ruiz. You and I were both thinking the same thing, Vivi!
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS

Thanks for your excellent recaps, Hombre.

For some reason the two antagonists standing in the way of our star-crossed lovers annoy me more than others have done.

Obsessive Olivia gives me the creeps, going after Miranda for shacking up with the same boy whose bones she's also trying to jump.

And JP, well there's not a thing I like about the guy.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE

Thanks novelera to you and anyone else summarizing or commenting on this blog. Thanks to Vivi in DC whom I know from Univision's La Verdad Oculta, Teresa, et al,I just realized that there is a telemundo blog. It was only last week that I decided to follow this story after not liking anything current on Univision. Over the weekend, I reviewed the entire blog to become up to date.

I've been studying Spanish for several years now, and the shows really help me. I've just decided to keep a notebook of common phrases from the novelas as I watch them that can help me in my own conversations. After taking classes for several years and studying in Guatemala at a language school on 3 different occasions, I finally now have a real life friend who grew up in Ecuador with whom I go to lunch frequently, and I get to speak in Spanish the entire time.
Some phrases I recently jotted:

Lo que me preocupa es; me parece
estupendo; quiero que sepa la verdad; and from last night when Fernanda said insincerely that she would leave, Angela said, "La que se va soy yo." Some of these I will manage to work into my own conversations.

I am really enjoying this and find the pace much faster than Univision with the exception of LVO. I do, however, find the overall sound qualiity somewhat difficult to hear. I must listen very closely, and if I have time, I will watch again at a later time.

I think most of the actors are very attractive and like the glamorous Beverly Hills setting.
Must admit that Hilario the simple agave farm worker in Destilando Amor has transitioned skillfully into a handsome nuanced galan
in the persona of Juan Marcos.
Manuel Landeta aptly personifies sleaze in this production, and I much prefer him in this interpretation than in Teresa.

Vivi as usual offers detailed precise analyses of characters and their relationships. Loved reading that section of the blog over the weekend. Thanks, Vivi.

Thanks again to novelera and all - I may not comment much, but know that I will be reading it regularly with great interest and delight.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:
Yay Floridia! Great to see you here finally. :)
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS:

Yes, Miranda's going to Mexico. She packs her suitcase, hides it from Patty. She tells Patty whatever happens, please don't think badly of me. Patty is suspicious, are you going somewhere? Olivares is observing some of this and comes to the door, asking where she's going. She says just personal business. Then Orlando comes to the door. He just happens to have brought Miranda's passport (good timing). Miranda doesn't tell him anything, but after he leaves, she's off for the airport.

Olivares follows. Miranda calls Mau says thanks for everything, one day we'll look back on this and see it was for the best, but I'm leaving. Mau is distraught, what about our love? Miranda says yes, but now I just have to think about....my freedom (she was really thinking about the baby). JP finds out Miranda is leaving, is frantic, gets in a minor fight with Joaco, who was with Patty.

JP calls Miranda, tells her watch out for that "neighbor". Sure enough, Ollie is there, and armed, but Miranda doesn't see him.

Olivia tells Mau she really tries to do the right thing. When she saw Mau and Miranda kissing, she didn't arrest Miranda, because Mau is really the one who broke the restraining order, and was kissing her. She really wants to follow the law. Back at the station, bad cop Garcia showed her two photos, one of Rafael, the murdered thug, and the other Ignacio, also murdered. Olivia shows the second to Mau, who says, I know that guy! He was working for JP. So Olivia has JP arrested. But he denies any knowledge of Ignacio, and they have to let him go.

That's when JP called Olivares, who said Miranda was in the airport, and if JP doesn't tell him right now what's up with Miranda, Miranda could be sleeping with the fishes!

In Mexico, Miranda's Mom Soledad and Sole's maid Valentina (previously seen as Milady's Mom on Fantasma de Elena) discuss how dangerous it is for Miranda to come to Mexico. After Antonio (Miranda's Dad) was killed, the drug guys vowed revenge on his children and grandchildren! They look at a picture. THIS is the guy Miranda has to watch out for! Could that be a picture of JP?! It's certainly possible!
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS, Part 2

Julia DOES have sex with Gilberto, right in the school supply closet! She also overhears Armando telling Teresa that he's going to donate bone marrow to help save Bea. Teresa weeps, as she doesn't want to lose her only friend, Armando.

Yesi asks Leo, what does your Dad do? Liz is there, too. Leo say, he just buys companies, makes investments, I don't know. Yesi says, how come Liz's Dad is a famous chemist, and Sebastian's Dad is a top prosecutor, and they make almost nothing compared to Leo's Dad?

Monica shows up at her apartment, along with Andres. She's a tall, young model, who's angry at Andres. Some woman has been here, and she took some of my clothes! No way, says Andres, I haven't used the apartment at all. Only Victor knows about the key. Well, says Monica, someone also took a picture, and I think it's of you and me together! Well, babe, says Andy, that may be the end of me paying for your apartment and clothes! Oh yeah, shoots back Monica, wouldn't your WIFE like to know about me?!!

Gonzalo has washed Bob's car, admitted he took it, and apologized. Bob's surprised by Gonzo's change, and they go for a ride, to have a man to man talk.

Ana tells Santi that if his Dad is sacrificing so much for him, she feels willing to sacrifice whatever to give their love a chance.

Carmen says maybe she will talk to Miranda. Too late, says Mau, she's left the country.

But if Miranda thinks by leaving the country she's getting rid of her problems, she's wrong. The corrupt cops make some calls, and some big druglords in Mexico get the news. Antonio's daughter is coming back. Time for revenge. Plus Olivares is following Miranda. Plus JP pays Miranda's lawyer (sort of) Cortez $100,000.00 cash to do whatever JP says, no matter how illegal. You're the boss, says Cortez. Miranda's going south of the border, and the action looks as if it's about to explode!!!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE - Never fear. I am doing a recap.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE - martes part 1

Thanks Novelera for the great recaps Friday and Monday. I was super busy and didn't have time to comment. Welcome Floridia!

I will do what I can with Tuesday's CV episode. This novela is very strange. The plot is just hurtling forward. Octavio shows up on Friday and by Tuesday's episode, Emma confesses what he did to her,he's been beaten up and sent to jail!

Angela tells the Rat that she doesn't love him but she will marry him anyway.

Sam, who is now the target of the enterprising but inefficient mafia guy, agrees to move into Bernie's house for protection.

Emma tells Peralta that she can't accuse Octavio of abusing her because it's her word against his and her mental condition will be used against her.

Willy tells Sam that they don't need a detective to find their son. They will do it together.

Bernie is fed up with Sol and nearly chokes her.

Dario has the brass ones to tell Perla that although he had lots of lovers, he always loved Perla and feels betrayed that she had an affair with Bernie.

Willy interrupts their conversation, pull a gun and demands to know everything that Dario and Perla did concerning his relationship with Sammy and the baby.

JM comes to see Bernie to ask if he and Isabel were lovers (The Reptile told him this.) Bernie denies a sexual relationship but admits that he loved Isabel more than any other woman but she didn't reciprocate. She loved JM. JM tells Bernie that he tried to make Isabel happy.

Octavio introduces himself to Genesis in a creepy way. Then Emma throws him out of Genesis' room.

JM tells Angela that in light of his experience with the Reptile and Isabel, he has come to the conclusion that he can't have a normal relationship with any woman. He doesn't want to mess up Angela's life like he did the others so she should get married to Luis, go to Mexico and not come back ever again.

Willy and Sam break into the orphanage where Perla brought Sam's son. They almost get caught by someone. It is not clear if they find anything. They escape and take off in the car but with someone in pursuit.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE - martes part 2

Peralta tells Emma that now he understands her reaction when he tried to get intimate. She tells him that she really is a virgin because after what happened to her her, she could not be intimate with anyone.

Vincente give the Reptile a drug that will induce an abortion. The Reptile gives it to Bernie saying that he had better use it or she will.

Peralta holds Octavio at gunpoint and demands that he admit what he did to Emma. JM doesn't know what is going on and Emma tells him that Octavio abused her when she was 12. JM goes crazy and beats the cr*p out of Octavio. Diego throws him out of the house.

Bernie gives Sol the abortion drug.

Estela tell the Rat that she doesn't want him to marry Angela.

The Rat tells the Reptile that he doesn't care if Angela doesn't love him. He just wants to have her. The Reptile asks him if he has thought about killing Angela. You can see the rat-like brain assimilaing that suggestion. Angela will be mine or nobody's, he says.

When Sam and Willy get back to Bernie's house, there is a big shootout and Eugenia ends up dead. It looks like Willy gets shot but that is a teaser.

The Rat, Angela, Violeta and Estela arrive in Mexico.

Frida resigns as Willy's bodyguard and he asks Sam to be his bodyguard.

The Rat intercepts text messages from JM to Angela.

Angela goes outside and there is JM. He couldn't stay away.

Emma wants to make love with Peralta. Octavio is in prison. They found kiddie porn on his computer.

Willy tells Sam that he doesn't want her to be his bodyguard. He wants her to be his novia.

Finally, JM and Angela get to have sex - on the lawn of the house with the Rat running around with a gun. Not too smart.
 

Corazon Valiente:

Jean, thanks for the recap! The time jumps in this show are always awkward. Couple things to add. I thought they said Chester the molester was in jail and his trial is tomorrow (maybe I heard wrong). Which makes me wonder why JM would leave Emma at this time. He's sending Angie text messages that he can't make it then shows up at the finca. I get the impression that Luis is hopped up on coke with all the nose rubbing.

Florida: Welcome! I first saw JM in reruns of Alborada. Of course the funny wigs always make the actors look different. He was a lot younger then and I was surprised he's turned into such a great lead galan!

Jewels
 

CORAZON VALIENTE-

Thanks, Jewels. Yeah, Emma had to give a statement or something having to do with Chester the Molester's case. I don't recall exactly.

JM's texts to Angela were weird especially when he must actually have been in Mexico when he sent them.

The Rat did look like he was high on something.

I don't remember Jose Luis Resendez from Alborada at all. ImDb says he played Andres. Was he one of the servants in Dona Juana's house?
 

ALBORADA

Jean, I'll comment on Corazón later.

Jose Luis Resendez played one of the house servants at Colunga's mansion. Was Colunga's character named Luis? I think so.

Anyway, Resendez played the nice son of Hipólita's evil stepfather who ended up working at the mansion. He fell in love with Sherlyn's character. I think she was forced into bed with Diego, and Andrés had to swallow his manly pride.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap, Jean, what a wacky episode that was! Another strange thing was that after the shooters shot Willy, Sam and Eugenia, killing Eugenia, I think Sam said the police caught the guys (maybe not). A lot of things don't make too much sense, but you can't say there's no action!

Also, after drinking the orange juice, I think Sol did miscarry. There was blood on her hands and her shorts.

And with Luis apparently right there with Angela (just left to do some errand, I guess), how could she think there was time to make love to JM?

And JM after telling Angela it was totally over, just happens to walk up to her in Mexico?

I'm all for punishing child molesters very harshly, but I'm not sure you're allowed to stomp them bloody, and check their computers without any prior police involvement.

Things are getting so stretched I sometimes wonder how the actors can keep straight faces (especially Fernanda, who almost always has a face totally full of Reptile "tears").

And now Luis, after wanting to stop the killing of Angela at all costs, warning Reptile not to touch her, now seriously considers why not kill her himself? He doesn't care if she loves him, just that he possesses her. I don't care if he is on drugs, his character just doesn't make too much sense to me. Actually, most of the characters don't make too much sense. But we do have all that violence and sex. Whoopee!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap Jean. And thanks for adding some missing bits Hombre.

Indeed, after all the false starts, Angela and JM sure picked the worst time and place to decide to get it on finally. Hopped up Luis is on the hunt with a gun. What made him go looking for Angela with a gun anyway? He doesn't know JM is there. Angela would most likely just be out on a walk by herself.

I hope it turns out that neither Fernanda or Willy are his kids and that Bernie just aborted his only child. Jerk!

I know it wasn't legal in any way, but I got perverse pleasure in watching Octavio get the crap beaten out of him and kick out the door.I am glad that got resolved quickly.

I found the shootout scene very strange. Why were they all standing around outside in the open? Why couldn't they say farewell to the lawyer in the house and send her out the door and to her car alone? Why was Willy letting her kiss on him and think they had a chance at a relationship? Poor girl. That was her last kiss ever. Hope it was good.

Novelera- Yes, JM was sweet but dim Andres in Alborada, and it took him a while to get over his girl having been bedded by the master first-- even when she turned out to be super rich.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE - MARTES

Thanks so much, Jean, great recap!

We did get a mercifully quick resolution to the Octavio Ruiz situation after our collective skin crawls when he is alone with Génesis.

I'm getting whiplash from JM and Ángela's on and off behavior. That was just dumb and too fast. First, Luis sees a call from JM on Ángela's cell, which he had confiscated. [The man who confiscated MY cell phone would be in the hospital the next day!] And then he's suddenly there saying the same old same old. And, yes, they get it on on the lawn. Besides the imminent danger from Luis, that was a VERY unsatisfying sex scene. They've been teasing us with promos showing them on red satin sheets, but do we get that scene? No and no.

And that scene with the Reptile was revolting. She's supposed to be this sex goddess, but she whines and begs and cries with the refrain that SHE is the only one who can make him happy. Please
 

CORAZON VALIENTE

Duh, how could I forget that Sol miscarried - because I didn't write in my notes, that's why.

Thanks Hombre for filling that in.

There are giant holes in the plot but it goes forward and I'll take that over novelas where nothing happens for weeks and weeks. And, I just don't get tired of watching Sam and Willy together or of JM's tortured life. Angela is ok but Resendez is really good in this.
 

Thanks, Jean

Terrific recap! I too like the fast pace, and yes, Resendez is good. His eyes seem to express all the right sentiments. A nice surprise for me.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

muchisimas gracisa, Jean y Novelera!!

bienvenido Floridia!

I too was lol on the over-the-top beating of Octavio by JM, but I enjoyed it especially when everyong else did nothing but watch. and yes, thank God that quickly was resolved.

Love Resendez, even when he was a baddie in Herederos. never seen him before then.

I was que the heck as well with the JM/Angela love scene.

Now if they would only move faster with findind Sam/Willy's kid.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – MIÉRCOLES

Ángela and JM are saved from Luis stalking around with a gun by the Ratita calling him from the house. She tells him Génesis is there.

Sam says yes to being novios with Willy.

Emma and Peralta make an attempt at making love, but she’s still not ready. Peralta tells her he’s in no hurry and will wait until she’s ready. [He’s adorable, this guy]

Darío has shown up drunk and he and Bernie confront one another. Bernie makes some odd statement about how it was not necessary for him to kill Nora. He then throws it in his face that Perla was Miguel Valdez’s lover. When Darío goes after Perla, she tells him that Miguel saved his daughter’s life and furthermore he was the love of her life.

The Rat grills Génesis about where her father is. Said daddy shows up dressed and faces the Rat. It seems like they cut something at the beginning, for the Rat is saying that something fell into his hands and he read it [a text from JM?] JM tells him Ángela is marrying him for fear that he’ll kill him (JM). He also tells him he knows Luis hasn’t made love to her. This drives the Rat nuts and he pulls a gun. But Ángela points a gun at the Rat and says put his down or she’ll kill him.

Meanwhile in LA, toying with Vicente, the Reptile dashes our hopes by NOT blowing her brains out.

In Mexico Willy finds out from Sam that Ángela doesn’t want to marry Luis. Willy wishes she’d said so earlier because Fernanda and Luis are lovers. He saw them himself.

JM walks Angie toward the priest. The Rat says “acepto” but Ángela can’t do it. She drops to her knees sobbing in front of the sulky Ratita begging her pardon. Later she sobs some more with Sam about what she did to hurt Violeta and that Luis loves her so much. Sam tells her that love isn’t sincere; he is Fernanda’s lover.

The Rat calls Fernanda and she’s predictably enraged. She asks him why he didn’t shoot Ángela in the back as she walked away.

Sol comes in to tell Fernanda that her cat is in her room, sees her with the gun in her hand, and gets total recall of the Reptile killing her brother. She leaves once, but stupidly goes back for her things and ends up telling Bernie she’s leaving so Fernanda won’t shoot her as well.

The Ratita gives a rotten little berrinche, saying she’ll never forgive her mother. Estela tries to reason with her, but the rat blood is too strong.

Ángela and JM have flown back to LA, and the Reptile shows up asking what happened. The NERVE of this creature. When Ángela leaves the room she starts acting like she cares about Violeta. JM tells her if she wants to help out she should fire the Rat; he’s dangerous, and if he comes to LA, he’ll try to kill both Ángela and me.

When the Reptile is alone with Ángela she tries putting a guilt trip on her. Ángela isn’t buying it. She asks her why she didn’t say the Rat was her lover. The Reptile assumes JM knows too, and Ángela is nice enough to relieve her mind on that score. Bah!

Bernie fakes a heart attack when Sol tells him she remembers Fernanda shooting her brother. But amazingly enough Sol does get out and goes to stay with Emma. However, Bernie comes to tell his Bad Seed that Sol remembered thanks to her having waved guns at her several times.

Ángela says she can’t be with JM because it would hurt her daughter. JM suggests they pretend she’s only a bodyguard and that their love be clandestine. [I’m thinking we’ll see those red satin sheets soon.]

We find out that Carreño was shot dead in a prison escape. Meanwhile there’s a sub-plot brewing. Some guy at the Sandoval finca has a grudge against the family because his father was one of the bodyguards killed in the kidnapping of Sam. He comes back later with some other thugs to rob the place. He shoots Willy and Sam is knocked out and dragged off.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks, Novelera, for the great recap. I was going to do last night´s episode but you beat me to it. No episode tonight. The whole Telemundo novela lineup is preempted by the Prémio Billboard awards.

Another action packed episode. I was right in my prediction that the wedding would not take place. Finally, Ángela has enough sense not to make a horrible life decision simply because of a capricious 12-year old.

Génesis looked way too happy during the wedding scene considering that she wants Ángela to marry her dad.

It was yucky when the Ratita ran to the Reptile´s arms. I wonder if the Ratita is going to make it to the end of the novela. Ángela seems to like Génesis a lot more than her own daughter.

Sol has the novela death wish: she can´t disguise her terror after recalling that the Reptile murdered her brother; she isn't willing to abandon her clothes at Bernie's house; she doesn't tell anyone like the police or at least write down what she saw and entrust it to someone as a life insurance policy, and; of course, she tells Bernie what she saw.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Thanks, Novelera, another excellent recap. I apologize for thinking last week that Sol knew Fernanda was the one who killed her brother. At least now she does know, but it doesn't look good for her. She'd better not drink any orange juice!

Fernanda told Angela, okay I had sex with Luis, but it was just once, and we were a little drunk. This isn't exactly true, but is typical. However, she could also have told Angela she had sex with JM (which Angela suspects). Angela is our heroine, but isn't she forgiving JM for the same thing she won't forgive Luis for? I guess it's more a matter of whom she loves, not what they did.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS:

Miranda arrives in Mexico, and sure enough, things heat up! Soledad and Valentina have booked a hotel room for them, it's not safe to go directly to their house. Why? Seems the danger from Mir's father and the druglords is worse than ever.

Right next door, Olivares has booked a room, and takes listening equipment out of his suitcase. He also buys a black market gun from a low life. He calls JP, I'm right next to your girlfriend, so now I'm calling the shots! JP says wait, she's really in danger, you don't know what world you're getting into (this bolsters our idea that JP is involved in the druglord thing). Ollie says why should I believe you, you sent Ignacio to kill me.

Back in the States, Armando has told Santi, Julia and Bea that tomorrow he'll donate the bone marrow. Julia excuses herself, saying "No way I'm going to lose out on my only chance to have a kid with Santiago. If that old man wants to die, I'll help him out". She opens the hood to Armando's car, and disconnects something! Noooo!

Bob's police friends go through the car with a fine tooth comb, but find no evidence of anything. However, Gonzo is so freaked out, that he raves like a maniac to Liz, who puts her arms around him, and finds he has a gun in the back of his pants. He pulls it on her, threatening her to keep quiet. She flees, later finds Leo, tells him, and guess what? They finally kiss!

Yesi tells Mau he's a traitor. Well, says Mau, I never promised you anything, plus I didn't actually do anything with Olivia, plus YOU'RE the traitor, since you sent that nude picture of Miss Miranda to Olivia! Yeah, says Yesi, sorry, but guess what? I've got a REAL man now (Victor).
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS, Part 2

Victor tells Andres he didn't have any chick at that pad, your babe Monica must have forgotten what clothes she had. Vic also wants the chauffeur (forgot his name) to kill whoever killed Rafael (the thug). They assault Javier, and get the appointment book of Rafael. Next on the list for that day? Gonzalo!

Vic also gives Andres a report on the California schools where they can try out their drug. Andres is p-o'ed that the formula is not complete. Pressure Ricardo, he orders.

Ricardo, after being pressured, complains to Olga, I'm never going to be able to get the right formula with all this pressure. But you know what? The current formula uses ketamine, an animal tranquilizer that causes memory LOSS, not memory improvement. When our daughter Liz had that overdose, could she have taken one of the current pills from Andres' company?!! (he's right).

Mau comes home. Olivia tells him, she could quit her job, and go with him to New York. He gently refuses, saying he appreciates what she's done with JP, but he doesn't love her. After Mau leaves the room, Carmen comes in. Olivia, do you have feelings for my son? Olivia can't lie. Yes, Carmen, I'm in love with him!

In Mexico, Soledad goes for some food, leaving Valentina and Miranda alone. Valentina tells Miranda the REAL story, there were 2 colonels, and Antonio shot the other one. Lots of money was involved, and they both loved the same woman (Soledad). So the colonel's family (which I guess is a druglord family) wants revenge on all the children of Antonio, and on his grandchildren! (pointing to Miranda's belly). But here's picture of your WORST ENEMY, says Val, fumbling around in her bag.

Before she can show Miranda the picture, machine guns go off, and Valentina is KILLED! The bad guys come in and point a gun at Miranda. It's her turn to die. And she hasn't even seen that picture, which, to me, is almost sure to be JP!!!!!!!!
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS, Part 3

I almost forgot, Patty and Joaco are going to do the deed! They start kissing, Patty freezes, then tell Joaco, I've never told anyone but my therapist, but I've had this problem since I was a teenager, my body freezes up, and it actually hurts. Joaco says, let and try something that just might CURE you!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks for the recap, Novelera.

I simply adore Peralta; so sweet, decent, kind, tender.

I hope to see Jon Ecker in more shows in the near future.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS

Thanks again, Hombre, for your diligence in doing all these recaps by yourself!

I wish I'd seen Olivia admit to Carmen that SHE'S after her underage son!!! Talk about a hypocrite.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Hombre made a comment about Sol not drinking any orange juice (referring to her rapidly diminishing longevity).

I thought a bit about Sol's miscarriage. In telenovelas women never choose to have an abortion. Even the villain gals want the baby to pressure the hero into marriage. And the good gals are overjoyed at the news even when unmarried and dirt poor.

So, I guess the difference here is that the villain woman got Vicente, her perro faldero (loyal stooge) to get a potion to give to a proxy (her father) to put in Sol's OJ. So the woman with the bun in the oven had no volition in the loss of the baby. Voilá! No anti-abortion viewers could possibly be offended by the sight of a woman actually deciding this may not be the best time to pop out a kid.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE- I agree with your analysis, Novelera and I also think that the writers might be a bit queasy about killing a pregnant Sol so they get rid of the baby first, showing how evil the Reptile, her perro faldero (spell check wanted to change "faldero" to "folder") and her dear old Dad are and then no problems killing off Sol.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

btw, Novelera... loved your "but the rat blood is too strong."

I find both the little girls so cute, with their curls. even if Violetita is irksome. i guess that just makes her a good little actress.

with all that shoot-out in the end, I was hoping a stray bullet somehow managed to ricochet toward the Rat - where was he? but I guess that's just wishful thinking.
 

RELACIONES PELIGROSAS:

Novelera, thanks for your comments. I enjoy doing the short recaps. I used to do full recaps for some shows, which took about 5 hours, and had screen shots, vocab, and were like a labor of love. My schedule doesn't allow for that anymore, but it does allow for me to just type in what I remembered, and what I liked, during my lunch hour.

I don't think we have seen Carmen's reaction to Olivia's declaration. She WAS totally on Olivia's side, but now, to protect her little boy, I'd think Carmen will be upset with Olivia, who is, after all, 7 years older than Mau. And Carmen always says that Mau's main goal should be his education, not a romantic entanglement.

As for Olivia, to me, she's an "edge" character, who can go towards good or evil. Leo Max is like that, too. These are often the most fascinating characters to me. For all of Olivia's faults, she does have SOME sense of what is right and wrong, does want to uphold the law, although occasionally her moral compass gets a little out of whack, due to her passions.
 

GENERAL:

I watched some of the State Farm Billboard Music Awards last night. It's so funny how, since this show was on Telemundo, just about ALL the presenters were the Telemundo actors. It was fun to see lots of our characters in evening gowns, etc. Aylin Mujica actually looked much prettier than she does as Fernanda, and her happy, enthusiastic voice was far different from her Reptile voice. They make it look as if the presenters are all the leading Latino stars, but of course it was really all about plugging Telemundo (and State Farm!). This reminds me of the annual TV&Novela awards, which always go to Univision shows, never to those from Telemundo. It's no coincidence that THAT show is on Univision!
 

BILLBOARDS

Hombre, Amen! I stopped watching the TV y Novelas awards after realizing it wasn't about rewarding the best actors, but rather pimping their own network. You knew they'd never even mention La Reina del Sur, probably the most popular telenovela ever. Since Telemundo has CC3 in English, I read that many, many viewers were watching with no Spanish at all.

And I'm just relieved the Billboards are over. Even skipping the promos with my DVR recorded episodes, I was heartily sick of them plugging this show for, I think, a month!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

As I said before, I'll do recaps tonight and Monday.