Caray, Caray!

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – VIERNES – Part 1

Ángela confesses to murder in open court while Juan Marcos anxiously questions her. She says she’s assuming the responsibility for what she did. She did it with Luis. She was the lover of Juan Ignacio. When we see the Reptile watching she looks like she just opened her expandable reptilian jaw and is swallowing her prey whole. Ángela looks like death warmed over and won’t say any more.

Miggy says he needs to know why the evil guys are looking for Fabiola. I am wondering what sense it makes for these guys to produce Fake Fabiola. Why not just follow Miggy to Colombia and find her that way. Natalia says she doesn’t know any more. Calling her Güerita, a favorite term of mine, he says he wants her to distract the guys while he enters the strip club and investigates.

Sam, Willy, and Jefe all realize there’s something very wrong with Angie’s confession.

The Rat has somehow gotten Violeta away and is pretending to be her kindly Tío Camilo. She says she and Génesis prayed a lot, and her mother will be free. He says he’d love to have her live with him in Mexico. Violetita says she’d rather stay with JM. The jerk tells her that JM will always prefer Génesis. He gives her some drugged orange juice. He must have gotten the recipe from El Jefe. She falls asleep again.

Ofelia realizes that the Reptile was behind Ángela’s confession. She tells Fernanda she’s just glad no one died. I hope there’s some serious karma for Ofelia down the road for covering all this up.

Vicente looks like he’s losing it. He’s talking to Paula’s corpse, telling her it was either she or Fernanda. [Not true; if he’d kept his drunken yap shut, Paula wouldn’t have known about the crimes.] He starts telling himself he shouldn’t have done it.

The women’s prison guard tells Ángela she did well in court, confirming that she’s being paid off by Rat and Reptile. She calls the Rat, who then sends her a video of Violeta with a gun to her head. Ángela goes berserk. JM enters and tries to get her to recant. He asks her to look him in the eye. She does, and says that she did it.

Natalia distracts the stereotypical narco saying she has some news. He asks why they didn’t take her to Casa Arroyo. She says Emma is a nutcase and can’t learn who she is. Meanwhile, Miggy gets the drop on one of the guys.

Court is back in session, and Ángela is called to the stand. The extremely unpleasant and irritating DA tells her he wants details of her crimes. She says she can’t give them because it was Luis who did them, but she knew about it. The judge sends the jury out. She asks JM to forgive her. I guess he believes now that she’s guilty, because he says he’ll never forgive her.

Miggy is searching the back offices of the strip club, but is discovered. He puts up a good fight, but is eventually overpowered. He and Natalia are both tied up in chairs.

The Reptile, of course, can’t wait to “offer her sympathy” to JM. He tells her he wants to be alone, then cries after she leaves

Sam and El Jefe search Miggy’s apartment since he’s not answering his cell. They find some earphones that transmit what Natalia and Miggy are saying in the back office. When a mention is made of a bad kind of club, Sam thinks Willy may know which club. Willy tells them it’s Luna Azul.

An older guy, supposedly the boss of bosses, comes in to see Miggy and Natalia. He tells them he and Miggy are going to have a long talk. This jefe doesn’t believe Miggy when he tells him he just wants to find Fabiola because she’s JM’s sister. He says Miggy has watched too many telenovelas! He also says they won’t get out alive if he doesn’t tell the truth.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – VIERNES – Part 2

Ángela talks over her predicament with Nora.

Vicente tells the Reptile about killing Paula. She tells him he’s on his own. This after he’s covered her crimes over and over! She gets a call just then saying Despicable Dad has died.

She goes to the hospital and puts on a little grief show. Estúpida Estela pushes Ofelia aside, saying SHE’S the wife. The Reptile throws them out and say’s it’s finally over. She actually crosses herself! I’m surprised the room didn’t burst into flames.

JM is telling Emma how indignant he is about Ángela deceiving him when Duval arrives to say he has bad news. Paula was found electrocuted in her apartment. One-track-mind Duval says this can only mean that Ángela has an accomplice on the loose. Really? Paula couldn’t have been killed or died accidentally without Ángela having anything to do with it? Faulty logic, Duval.

Violeta wants to go to be with JM. The Rat tells her she’s going to stay with him. They’re angry at his mother at Casa Arroyo and will treat her badly.

Ofelia, EE, Vicente, and the Reptile are in the morgue with DD’s body.

Inexplicably, Samantha is giving an amateur pole dance at the club. Willy, of course, arrives and is about to grab her off the stage when a big bouncer stops him. El Jefe tells him to chill; they’re trying to rescue Miggy.

Meanwhile, Miggy has gotten his hands free and also frees Natalia. After some guy wants a private moment with Sam, Willy comes up and offers double. As they go off together, Miggy comes around a corner. A battle royal results with El Jefe, Sam, Willy, and Miggy eventually defeating all the thugs, and they all get away.

We get another ghastly mask of tragedy scene with Ofelia crying over DD’s corpse.

Ángela is declared guilty by the judge. Fast verdict. She is given life imprisonment, and goes into labor after hearing this.

Sammy tells JM he can’t possibly believe Ángela did it. She’s lying for some reason. Miguel tells Natalia the same thing and laments that the baby will be brought up in jail. [We just saw a baby not being brought up in jail in Relaciones Peligrosas; which is it, telenovela writers?]

Natalia calls someone to say where she is, thinking Miggy has gone. He puts a gun to her head and tells her to hang up or he’ll blow her head off. At that point, she tells him she’s working with the police.

Willy wants to see his father’s face one last time. He removes the bandages, and he, Fernanda, and Ofelia all realize it’s some other burned up guy – not Despicable Dad. [Are there really telenovela watchers who are surprised when something like this happens?] Not on our blog, that’s for sure!

Ángela is in the last stages of labor. She cries out for JM to be there. He is, and takes the newborn in his arms.
 

Corazón Valiente:

Thanks, Novelera, for the excellent recap.

Really, JM and Ángela deserve each other. He believes her all this time and when she confesses in such a way that it is obvious to everyone else (except the police, of course) that she's lying, JM drinks the coolaid and believes her. I know that they have to do this for the story and hopefully, based on other plot developments in this novela, it will be of short duration.

So somebody finally looks under those bandages of DD. Oops, wrong guy. No explanation of course, of why the guy didn't write "I'm not Bernardo del Castillo" on his whiteboard. DD could hardly have paid someone to get blown up for him. I guess we should be prepared for some more mysterious phone calls from DD to Cecilia. Maybe it means that Manuel Landeta is going to return at some point. Poor Nora is going to be really bummed out when she finds out.

Can anyone just show up at Luna Azul and pole dance? Was it amateur night? The whole rescue of Miggy and False Fabiola was pretty silly.

I guess that the introduction if Fabiola is going to bring a whole new crop of baddies into the picture.
 

Novelera, thanks for your great recap.
As Jean points out, there's a whole new set of bad guys who are not connected to Fernanda. But I still think "Natalia", (aka Fake Fabiola") will make it through to the end. Did anyone catch EE's comment in the courtroom when Fernanda sneered "So what do you think of your daughter now?" and Estela exclaims "Mi hija, nada!" or something to that effect. Maybe it will turn out that Estela isn't really Angela's mother?
J in Oregon (because the plot isn't confusing enough yet)
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Jean, I'm sure that, if for no other reason than liability insurance concerns, amateurs don't get up on the stage and pole dance!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks for the great recap novelera

I hope the new villains have another motive rather than obsession. It's so silly that all these horrible crimes are committed for the love of JM!!

WOW! Natalia is working with the police!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

I didn’t like this ep and it was a little tough watch. The recap made it more bearable and (as always) was fun to read. Thank you!

I suppose Miggy needs his own plot and not just supporting the others and yes, it’s good that the new baddies are (probably) motivated by something other than obsessive love, but I’ve found the plot boring… Maybe when more is revealed it might turn interesting.

I wasn’t a fan of the "rescue" either... So, Sam decided to waste precious time pole dancing and entertaining some random guy? (And yeah, apparently anything goes at that club) Good thing Miggy managed to free himself on his own.

It’s not a surprise that Bernie wasn’t Bernie, although it doesn’t make sense. So maybe another guy got blown up on the boat, but why on earth would he continue with the façade? Is Bernie threatening his children or something? That nobody realised before is a bit of a stretch as well. Is this guy supposed to resemble the real Bernie so much in-universe that his family never doubted that it was him? (Because it was obvious to the viewers that it wasn’t the same actor) It seems to me that the writers first decided that it was Bernie, then changed their minds and decided to go with fake Bernie instead.
Yeah, poor Nora. Also, Fernanda must be annoyed that she didn’t kill her Dad after all. Oh, and Estela’s plans are ruined now that she didn’t "marry" Bernie. I really hope to see her reaction to the news.

J in Oregon, I understood that Estela just didn’t want Fernanda to comment on her daughter. (And I doubt that would be the context to let something that big slip.)
If Estela isn’t Angie’s mother, she’d have had to steal the baby from another one of Miguel's lovers/ex-girlfriends that hasn’t been mentioned (and happened to be due/give birth at the same time as Estela did/was supposed to) or used somebody else’s eggs or something… It sounds too implausible and senseless… Of course, DD isn’t DD either, so I suppose it wouldn’t have to make sense.

What also doesn’t make sense: JM suddenly believing that Angie is guilty. He’s been working on the case for a while and was convinced of her innocence that was later backed up by the evidence he found and NOW he loses faith when he didn’t even when the evidence was against Angie?
(Yeah, I also think it won’t last long, but that’s why it’s even more ridiculous. There’s drama without a useless temporary obstacle that doesn’t make sense anyway.)

Why would a child be raised in prison? There’s no way that could be in the kid’s interests. Even if it were possible, I doubt any caring mother wouldn’t let the father raise the child. (Granted he is decent enough and JM is.)

If someone remotely connected to JM dies/is murdered it somehow must be part of Angie’s plan even if she is in prison. How about just investigating the case without making assumptions?

And I thought Vicente was going to kill Paula anyway and that’s why he revealed everything to her. So… he actually accidentally revealed it and then realised his mistake? No… There must have been a better way (for the writers) to get rid of Paula.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Good points, kihaku.
It was indeed the most ridiculous way to get rid of Paula! Obviously the writers don't know what to do. They bring characters and then they kill them without adding anything to the story.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap, Novelera! I haven't been able to comment because like many in Baltimore, we've had no power all weekend (still don't), due to a weird storm they called a "derecho" (is that "right?"). But I'm in the office today, so internet, here I come!

The pole dance. No, they don't let just anyone pole dance in that club. But if you're built like Samantha...... :)

Angela not being Estela's daughter. With this show, anything is possible. Let's say Estela is lying. Who is around to question her? Not Miguel, Perla, Dario. Even Nora could be Angie's Mom. No baby switching is needed, just some good ol lying and coverup.

Kihaku, good point that now Estela didn't "marry" DD!

In one way, JM's doubt of Angie's innocence is consistent. He always believes her. When she says she's innocent, he believes her. When she says she's guilty, he believes her. Doesn't show too much brainpower, but this is JM we're talking about.

Since Natalia is working with the cops, I hope it's not Duval. If Duval thinks Angie has an accomplice, and Angie said Luis was her old accomplice, why can't Duval arrest Camilo? He LOOKS like Luis. Isn't that enough to put him in jail and convict him? I'm hopin'.
 

Corazón Valiente:

Thank you, Novelera, for another outstanding recap. I'm still cracking up at your comments about Fernanda looking "like she just opened her expandable reptilian jaw and is swallowing her prey whole" and "I'm surprised the room didn't burst into flames," after the reptile crossed herself over DD. Priceless, hall of fame level comments! I actually witnessed a snake swallowing a rat whole once and that expression on Fernanda's face was indeed exactly how it looked as the tip of the rodent's tail slid into it's mouth. That was probably the deciding factor of why I'm a vegetarian. All Fernanda needed to do to complete the visual was lick her lips with a forked tongue.

I agree that this novela has its share of short, weird, and totally unrelated-to-the-plot scenes like Sam's pole dance and Fernanda hurling herself out of a moving car a few episodes ago. How did she come out of that bit of idiocy with no broken bones? Vicente's chosen method to murder Paula was bizarre, as well.

Ángela's confession and JM's rejection of her was expected, too. I just love how expressive the actor who plays JM is at displaying emotion - especially with his eyes. The actress who plays Ángela is still quite pretty with little or no make-up. Stupidity will continue to abound, I fear. Since the baby is now here, maybe JM will soften more rapidly. How could Àngela NOT have recognized Luis, especially after having a child with him? How could Violeta NOT recognize him? How could nobody be smart enough to suspect the reptile?

We also knew that the now dead mummy was not really DD. I wonder if one of the "dirty" hospital employees switched the real DD mummy with some other burned, recently murdered victim? Could that have been what DD needed Cecilia to orchestrate? I'm with you on this one, kihaku. If EE actually did NOT marry DD, it will be sooo funny to see her reaction to the news. If that happens, I want her groom to be a derelict with numerous children and monumental debts.

The characters in this novela tend to come back from situations that would kill mere mortals like us. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Miguel, Sr., who seemed to be quite a mujeriego, is still alive!! Maybe we should change the name of the novela to ¿Quién Es Su Papi?/Who's Your Daddy?

NovelaNewbie

PS ~ I'm still advocating for Arturo. Another WTF scene for me was the incredulity of Nicolas walking into a room and completely ignoring a beautiful, well trained dog!! What 14 or 15 year old can do that?
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE-
I hope you get your power back soon, Hombre. A friend of mine at work who lives in Atlantic County, NJ, which was also badly affected by the same storm system got her power back around midday today.

I like your suggestion of why it makes sense that JM suddenly doesn't believe Ángela.

We don't know that False Fabiola is working for the cops. That's just what she told Miggy and she's been lying consistently.

It never occurred to me, Novela Newbie, that DD could have switched places with mummy man during his hospital stay and that DD was in the hospital in the beginning. What would make the most sense, if such a thing can be applied to this plot, is that DD made the switch when he left the hospital. No one he knew was with him on the boat. Where he would have found another burnt-up person is a mystery but a fairly minor one for this novela.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

NovelaObserver:

Yeah, true. Paula's purpose was to hit on JM for maybe one or two episodes and then she seemed to have none. At least in general it's easy to get rid of characters by killing them off when they've fulfilled their purpose, but it would be nice if they had a more meaningful role. It doesn’t have to be big. It just needs to bring something to the plot. (Btw. Who knows what’s up with the real Camilo now.)

Hombre:

Angie and Miguel Jr. are related and Miguel Sr. did say in the video that Estela gave him Angie. So HE believed it at least and for that to work, it would need more complicated machinations. (And Nora being Angie’s mother would be tricky with Angie and Willy being about the same age.)

Good point about JM’s consistency and his simple mind. It’s not consistent with believing in her goodness though.

Maybe it would be a little too much for Duval to arrest Camilo just because of his looks. ;)

NovelaNewbie:

Yeah, Angie and Violeta not recognising Luis doesn’t make much sense.
Oh, Fernanda has been a suspect, but after she failed to kill herself and JM with gas, Gloria was conveniently killed off and Luis "dead", suspicions were turned towards Gloria, Luis and Manuel and she was considered a "victim". (Anybody who finds out is either on her side or killed. So… she’s quite lucky?)

I can’t wrap my head around the body switch happening after Bernie was shot. Besides, his plans with Cecilia preceded the shooting and I doubt he predicted that (or would have stayed on the boat knowing it). I agree with Jean, that a switch would make "the most sense" before the shooting incident. (However, DD probably never was at the hospital in the first place.)

Estela’s "marriage" to fake Bernie wouldn’t be valid either. ;) (Or at least it shouldn’t be.. but for the sake of possible hilarious consequences, I wouldn’t mind if it were.)

I really hope Miguel stays dead. There was a funeral after all, and letting your loved ones believe you’re dead is the DD way. (Also, it would ruin the "praying to the guardian angel" moments.)

Good point about Nicolás ignoring Arturo! I didn’t even think of that. He doesn’t like dogs? Why??
Btw. he’s twelve. (Or thirteen, since there has been the time skip) At least that’s what I think was what the writers settled on after switching from 14 to 12. (And I don’t think he could pass for older…)
 

Yes! The mummy switch was most likely made just before DD boarded the boat and was shot! I wouldn't put it past his evilness to have had someone almost burned to death then wrapped like a mummy to pull off the switch. Part of my confusion was that I could have sworn that the real DD regained consciousness after the shooting and that he communicated with Cecelia. Everything goes so fast in this loose cannon of a novela that I sometimes confuse the chronology of events. Plus, the writers don't appear to be bothered with small details like LOGIC!!!!! To be honest, I'm STILL confused.

@kihaku - Yeah I know EE's "marriage" to whoever that mummy was, wouldn't stick. It was just a hope. What I'm REALLY waiting for is for Nora to clean Estela's clock. Also, I wasn't sure about Nicolas's age. For some reason 14 or 15 rings a bell with me. Maybe that's how old Sam was when she gave birth to him??? Genesis and Violeta appear to be about nine or ten years old. Anyhow, in my experience with children, I have found few who don't immediately make a beeline towards a dog or cat. Arturo has been dumbed down and ignored for too long, poor doggie. Why doesn't Sam let at least let him stay with Genesis? At least Lucy gets petted.

It'll be interesting to see how the whole Fabiola story line plays out now that the fake one says that she's working with the police. Are the cops dirty cops, clean cops, or just dumb like Duval?

NovelaNewbie
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – LUNES – Part 1

Ángela holds her baby, while JM looks at her stony faced. Estela tells her that Camilo has Violeta. Ángela gets very upset, knowing it’s really Luis, and tells her she wants to see her daughter. After Estela leaves, JM tells her that the baby is now the only thing uniting them.

False Fabiola tells Miggy that she’s not a cop, but she has been working in Luna Azul, and a cop she trusts came in and asked her to help him. He raises an eyebrow at the thought she did it as a good citizen, and she admits she was paid. Miggy wants to meet her police contact.

JM wants to take the baby from Ángela. She tells him that the prison where she has been sentenced is one of the few in the country that let a woman raise their children. JM goes all the way nasty and tells her she should have thought of that before she did what she did. He tells her she doesn’t deserve anything. Sam comes in and latches on to the baby. [I wish they’d name him; I’m tired of typing “baby”.] She tells Ángela, when JM is standing there, that she should tell him she lied and that someone forced her to say that. She doesn’t do it. JM’s final shot is that she’s dead to him.

Willy quite rightfully chews out some hospital personnel for their having called a stranger father all this time. In an aside, Vicente tells Fernanda that she shot an unknown person three times! Willy says that some unknown person had his ID. Sam says they need to find DD, but Willy thinks he may have been dead all along.

Nora is knitting a hat for Ángela’s baby, and tells another prisoner that Ángela is her weakness. She thinks of an idea to help Ángela. Calling herself Dora, she calls Sam and tells her that Ángela admitted killing all those people because “they” threatened Violeta. Nora tells her to investigate Camilo.

Natalia aka False Fabiola seems to be falling for Miggy. She sets up a meeting for him to meet her police guy – Damián.

Nicolás is doing his homework when his father enters. He tells his father he doesn’t much like Willy. El Jefe, of course, is pleased at this and tells him Willy’s a womanizer and doesn’t deserve Sam.

Violeta comes in to see her mother and the baby. Unfortunately, the Rat enters also, then the Reptile. The Reptile rushes over to see the baby she’s hoping SHE’LL raise and gets a stink eye from Ángela. JM has come in also. [Are they trying to duplicate that trick from the 60s with a VW, only instead with how many people will fit in a hospital room?] The Reptile gushes that the baby looks just like JM. A very sad thing happens when Violeta’s face lights up at the thought of returning to Casa Arroyo. JM tells her that isn’t going to happen. The Rat offers to take her, but Ángela quickly says her mother will care for her.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – LUNES – Part 2

Miggy and Natalia leave on his motorcycle when a car tries to run them over. They are both OK and Damián, is introduced. He seems to have twice Duval’s intelligence quotient. He tells Miggy they have more than enough to imprison toda esta gente, but the bosses are unreachable in Colombia.

When Luis and Ángela are alone, he can’t resist touching her. He tells her everything turned out OK [Really? He said that to a woman who’s facing live imprisonment?] He tells her he’ll get her out of there and find the real killers. She grabs him by the shirt front and tells him that if anything happens to Violeta she’ll kill him.

Sam is looking for Camilo at Vikingo’s gym. He keeps quiet until she puts a gun in his ribs.

Miggy comes to see the baby. HE says the baby looks just like Ángela and is obviously a Valdez. He tells her he understands JM’s confusion. He did everything he could to save her and then she declared herself guilty of crimes against his family. He leans close and tells her he knows someone is threatening her. She says that he and Sam should just forget about her.

In the hospital JM decides to tell Génesis about Paula, thinking that her pleasure at seeing her new brother would help her bear it. She doesn’t want to see Ángela.

The cops come to arrest Vicente for killing Paula Uriarte. Our best smirker in the LAPD, Duval, is trying, rather ineptly, to close the deal with Vicente. He tells him the neighbors told him that Paula told them about her new admirer, Vicente. He also says that she had sex before she died; and, if the DNA is his, his goose is cooked.

The Reptile comes to see the Rat. He tells her everything worked out perfectly. But she feels a bit odd. She tells him she parked three bullets in a guy she thought was her father. Big grin from the Rat, who tells her she’s worse than he is! Naturally this turns him on and he prepares to move in. Just then the doorbell rings. Fernanda hides in the bedroom.

Sam pushes her way in and asks where Violeta is. He puts on his fake Camilo and says she’s with her grandmother. Sam gets right in his face about why she was with him in the first place. He smoothly lies and said some guy came and said he brought her from the Arroyo house. Sam can’t get anything more out of him and leaves.

The Rat tells the Reptile he’s going to Mexico with Violeta. He asks her what she’ll do with Arroyo. I’m pretty sure she lies when she tells him she’ll get him at her feet and then kill him. The Rat says to himself that he can’t wait that long.

Miggy tells JM that his sister, the real Fabiola is being pursued by narcos.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE – LUNES – Part 3

JM tells Ángela that experts have told him the baby needs his mother, so she’ll keep the baby with her a year; after that, she’ll never see him again.

Natalia tells Miggy that she doesn’t have a place to live. She was living at the strip club (!) but it’s now closed. He tells her his life is full of danger, and she doesn’t want to be around that. She asks him not to abandon her.

Lorena has come to Sam and Willy’s apartment. Sam faints. Oh boy, we know what a telenovela fainting spell usually means, don’t we boys and girls! Lorena wants her checked right away for anemia. Jefe and Nicolás arrive. Nicolás hugs Sam affectionately. Willy looks odd, as if he doesn’t like their closeness. Nicolás tells Sam he wants her to get those tests fast. His mother didn’t do that and died as a result.

At the police station, the Reptile comes in and tells Duval that Vicente was home by 11:30. Later, when Vicente is released for lack of evidence, she tells him that Duval would believe her because normally a betrayed woman would not alibi the man with a lie.

JM is now very bitter. He tells Ángela that Génesis came to see the baby, but didn’t want to see her. He says he doesn’t understand how he could have ever believed in her. [OK, this is over the top.] He tells her she’s the worst thing that ever happened to him, he hates her, and he would like to kill her. She tells him she’s already dead.

The Rat is plotting against JM. Vikingo doesn’t want any part of it and leaves. The two other thugs stay. He tells them they know what they have to do. He will do the “big deal” with his own hands, and today.

JM enters the famous telenovela parking lot where thousands of people are kidnapped in these shows. He’s grabbed up and put in an SUV. Meanwhile, Camilo shows up to see the Reptile. I back up the DVR to see if the third thug has the right kind of eyebrows. Yep, looks like Luis.

Damián comes to tell Miggy that the real Fabiola is dead. [Say what? Why write her into the script if they’re going to bump her off without our even seeing her?]

Sam is at the clinic having tests. She kind of fakes out Willy, but then can’t stop the big smile. The telenovela faint was right. She’s pregnant! Lots of joy on the part of Willy and Sam.

Luis dismisses the other thugs, saying this is between he and JM. They have a knock-down, drag-out fight on some kind of raised balcony. Each of them almost goes over the rail. When JM appears to be getting the best of the fight, the Rat pulls out his gun. So much for the fair fight. Bang! The Rat is shot in the back and falls over the balcony. The Reptile, closely followed by Camilo, has shot him in the back. He looks pretty darn dead to me!!!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE-

Great recap, Novelera! This novela never fails to surprise me with it's wacky plot turns.

So where was JM's bodyguard when he was walking around in lonely parking decks? Didn't he say that they were all in danger after Paula was killed?

I noticed that Miggy did not ask Damian, the supposed cop, for any id. I'm thinking that this is all part of the narcos' plot.

So Sam got pregnant without any assistance from Lorena. Let's be sure and remember not to mention the previews of tonight's episode!!

It certainly looks like the Rat is dead this time. Maybe Camilo will step into his shoes as a bad guy. Is the actor going to have to do that high voice from now on?
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks for the recap!

I think Génesis mentioned that the baby’s name was Juan Cruz.

I don’t like where this thing with Nicolás and El Jefe is going. (But I don’t blame the kid for not liking Willy, who seems to be a bit distant towards him and then I don’t blame Willy for not wanting to get too attached.)

I agree that there was no point in introducing Fabiola if she’s just going to be dead. (But another fake death wouldn’t be surprising either. ;)) I hope there is more to it, because this didn’t really provide anything.

Aaaaand which twin is dead? It should be Luis, but he tends to survive and nothing has to make sense. It was amusing how he threw himself over the railing after being shot. That really shouldn't have been possible.

Yay, Sam is pregnant! (I hope she starts eating properly now. Can’t they hire a cook? Or have Miggy cook for them?)

NovelaNewbie:
Yeah, the novela has its own logic and I’m not sure if it sticks to that either. I don’t know why I try to make sense of it. Maybe because it’s fun? :)
I also hoped for a valid marriage just for the fun of it. (This telenovela is crazy anyway). Pity we didn’t get to see Estela’s reaction to the news in this episode. And yes, I’m also looking forward to some good scenes between Estela and Nora. :)

Yeah, Sam was 15 when she gave birth. I think that age has stuck at least. Nicolas’s age might change again as well… To me Génesis and Violeta look about 7, but I don’t think their ages have been mentioned. Anyway: Young. :)
I also think Arturo needs something to do... but at least he could be acknowledged. It is jarring that a kid wouldn’t even notice him. However, I think Lucy would rather be left alone than deal with Fernanda's "petting". (I feel sorry for the cat.)
 

CORAZON VALIENTE

Novelera what an excellent recap. You had me smiling all the way. [Are they trying to duplicate that trick from the 60s with a VW, only instead with how many people will fit in a hospital room?] Say what? Why write her into the script if they’re going to bump her off without our even seeing her?]JM enters the famous telenovela parking lot where thousands of people are kidnapped in these shows

I do wonder if the "Rat" was really killed, I guess I missed the episode when the real Camillo met the Reptile?

I truly wish Angela would be out of the picture, seriously. I just don't care about her and JM. I don't tape this, but wish I would so I can ff through their scenes.

I would like to see more of Natalia and Miggy; of course Sam and Willy. But I am now most intrigued by Nora, I would like to know her full story. I thought in the beginning of her scenes she was the grand lady at the prison, someone everyone feared, but yet she is fearful when it comes to DD. So what is it? My fantasy is to see Nora and Ofelia gang up on EE and DD (that is if he comes back)

And all I could think of when Willy was removing the bandages, as someone else said why wasn't the fake DD's wounds healed after so many months.

Was Duval's arresting Vicente an attempt to show us that Duval is not that dumb? A little too late for that.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Novelera, thank you so much. I'm still w/o power, and couldn't watch the show, but it came to life through your wonderful recap.

I thought a few weeks ago Luis met his twin Camilo, said I can't take any chances with you, and we heard a shot. This implied Luis shot him. but I guess not! If Luis is now dead, I can't see why Camilo, who was not bad, would become bad. Also, the Vikingo thing might not work. So, w/o having seen the episode, I'm guessing Luis is still alive.

So the betrayed wife wouldn't lie to protect her husband? I've seen it many times, even though she's mad, she doesn't want him going to jail. But Fernanda's alibi was apparently enough to free Vicente. One might think there is still that DNA evidence pending, but we know that either, 1) someone will switch the results, or 2) the writers will forget about it.

I was also wondering how, if Violeta was tied up, and threatened with a gun, the next thing, she's visiting Angela in the hospital. Oh right, Camilo says someone dropped her off from the Arroyo house. What?

The fun continues (hope my power comes back on).
 

Thanks as always Novelera and Jean for the detailed recaps. I was away for a few days without watching and read all of last week's recaps at once. On the topic of the wedding ring hand,
I know that my Spanish teachers in Antigua, Guatemala wore their wedding bands on the right hand finger next to pinky. I had not delved into the reason why. Thought the explanations here were interesting.

After all of his professions of love for her, it really irks me now that JM is doubting Angela when the others close to her are convinced of her innocence. Does it take a blood relative to believe her?

Thanks again; I get most of the dialogue, but at times I have trouble hearing it distinctly.


Appreciatively ....
 

CORAZON VALIENTE -

thank you so much for the wonderful recaps novelera!

hi Hombre de Misterio,

I have a hard time closely following this one when I watch the shows,
must be really confusing with no tv,

interesting that Camillo shows up at Fernanda's and leads her to the kidnap scene,
where she shoots and kills Luis,
this is exactly something Luis would do,
since Luis revealed himself to Angela, he really has to go,
besides, the Rat with nine lives, still has a few left.

on Violeta,
I think the images of her tied up with the duct tape over her mouth,
were just the thoughts of Angela,
Luis only sedated her.

I think the dna evidence against Vicente was from the sex he had with her,
he admitted that, but said she was alive when he left,
and Fernanda's false testimony verified that.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Thanks, Deb, for filling in the blanks about Paula. I sort of remembered the corrupt lady guard showing Angela a cellphone picture of Violeta with duct tape, to make sure she didn't change her testimony at the last minute, but I could be wrong.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

You remember correctly, Hombre. The guard did show Angela a picture of Violeta with tape over her mouth. Since Violeta appeared to be on good relations with the Rat, the picture must have been faked. Maybe the Rat put a non-sticky piece of tape on Violeta's mouth while she was sleeping.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks for the kind words about the recap, guys.

I think Luis is dead. You all have planted a seed of doubt in my mind. But...Camilo has always been presented as a good guy, since he first arrived from Mexico. And Luis' disguise has been to imitate his kindly brother.

Camilo was all ready to spill the beans to JM when Luis called him and threatened his girlfriend in Mexico. Still a good guy.

Whoops, I think I just partially talked myself out of my own theory. My theory was: why would a good guy agree to involve himself in a plot against JM. But, he could have been threatened by Luis.

But, on the other hand, why would Luis go to rat out his own scheme to Fernanda? In short, I want the blasted Rat to be dead already.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

The latest was the video with the gun. (After Luis had drugged Violeta) The picture with the duct tape was shown before Angie declared herself guilty.

Concerning Violeta there are some conflicting statements. Angie thought Violeta was finally safe after she was sentenced and that’s why Luis could bring her to her. Luis as Camilo told Sam that someone from the Arroyos dropped her off… Except he "knew that Violeta had been kidnapped", so he wouldn’t have thought that and if Angie had heard that, she would have had to wonder if something fishy was going on.

To me it’s a little strange and elaborate for Luis to have Camilo take care of JM instead (I’d imagine he’d want that pleasure to himself) while setting him up to be killed. (I’d like some clarification to what happened between them before, when Luis supposedly shot Camilo.) On the other hand JM the lawyer did too well against Luis the cage fighter and I don’t see any purpose for Camilo if he stays as the good twin. I too can’t see why Camilo would suddenly become bad. Despite the senselessness it’s more likely that Luis yet again "died".

Jean:

JM does tend to go off without a bodyguard. Or tells his bodyguard that he needs to go somewhere or be somewhere alone despite the bodyguard’s protests. At least this time he didn’t walk into an obvious trap. (But it’s still his fault for being alone.)

Good point about the ID. I suppose Miggy just trusted Natalia? In the end even an actual cop can be working for the bad guys, so it probably doesn’t make much difference.

Nellie:

I don’t think Fernanda had met the real Camilo before this episode… Well, besides at the office when he visited JM, but Fernanda assumed that he was Luis as Camilo. :)

I too am interested in Nora’s character. :) I doubt she’d team up with Ofelia though, given that she’s DD’s accomplice. Even Evil Estela would be a more likely candidate, since she’s more of a free agent looking out for her own interests. Nora needs better allies. Both Estela and Ofelia need to go down.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Excellent recap, Thanks novelera

Why didn't Luis try to kill JM before? Wasn't it too easier than all his stupid plans?
I wonder what the writers want to do with the good Camilo. Seems they want to reduce the number of the villains!! To me both Camilo and Luis are too boring.

Interesting point about Natalia and Damian lying to Miguel. Otherwise the Fabiola story makes NO sense.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

For that matter, why does the Reptile want to kill JM since she found out that JM didn't push her down the stairs? That was her motive before. Maybe we should change Fernanda's name to Black Widow - a spider that eats her mate after sex!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Jean, I don't think the Reptile still wants to kill JM. She absolutely told the Rat last night that she was still planning to get him to fall in love with her and then kill him. But I think she said that to fool the Rat, so that he would leave him alone. This was right after the Rat told her he was going to go to Mexico with Violeta.

A couple of days ago she said that Ángela's having JM's baby could work for her because she'd get to have the child she couldn't biologically have. Of course, she plans on Ángela never getting out of prison. I interpreted what she said as her being the baby's doting stepfather, while JM would be her husband.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Duh, doting stepMOTHER!
 

Corazón Valiente:

Super recaps as usual, novelera!

Whether or not Luis is really dead remains to be seen. If it was Camilo who took the hit, why was he fighting and threatening to shoot JM to begin with? I thought he was supposed to be the "good" one. If he was so worried about his girlfriend, why didn't he go back to Mexico to protect her rather that get involved in a murder scheme with Luis? If it was indeed Luis who was about to shoot JM, do we know if the bullet killed him or just wounded him when his twin shot him (if he actually *did* shoot him)? As a trained fighter Luis knew how to fall and land in a way to avoid serious injuries. The deciding question for me is, how could either of the twins shoot his brother like that and not even hesitate first? Where's that twin blood connection? It was revealed that Luis couldn't shoot Camilo when he had the chance before. Were they working together? I think I smell a rat -- or maybe two. I hope someone reliable checks the "victim's" pulse and his body for a bullet-proof vest and the place where the bullet allegedly entered the body. They should make sure he's really dead before they send him to a "dirty" coroner. My take is that Duval will blame the foiled JM "hit" on Ángela and Luis will survive and continue to wreak havoc till the end. I hope I'm wrong.

In this novela "good" is definitely a relative term. Almost everyone seems to have a perverse, opportunistic, self-serving agenda.

The fainting was a dead giveaway about Sam. Was Jefe spying on them? That would explain why he and Nicolás suddenly showed up. I wonder if Nicolás will be the one who discovers the surveillance cameras? The scene where Sam told Willie they were preggers was sweet. That news won't bode well with Jefe or Lorena.

I also remember seeing the duct tape pic, but my view is that since Violeta was drugged, it could have been a strip of cloth gently laid across her mouth as she slept. I thought I noticed a photo-shoot set up in the apartment where "Camilo" had Violeta, so maybe that figures into his scam somehow. I'm probably wrong because I'm wrong about a lot of things. I'll readily admit to my confusion because I haven't been able to watch regularly until recently. Plus the action is fast moving and I don't use subtitles. I generally don't rewind for clarity if I DRV the episodes.

The Fabiola/Natalia storyline is very strange. Maybe this is another way to tie all of these subplots back to DD's (and Fernanda's) organized crime connections??? IDK. The mob is the only way I can see the constant murders, missing people, cover-ups, frame-ups, dirty dealings, and corrupt activities going ignored, forgotten, or unpunished. But this IS a novela and conventions rule. It's all such a hot mess and totally intellectually awful, but it's an entertaining guilty pleasure for me.

@Hombre - Here's hoping your power is soon restored. I can't imagine how uncomfortable you must be. Take care.

@Jean - Black Widow - Lol. Fernanda is a piece of work.

NovelaNewbie
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- martes Part 1

The Reptile pretends that she is upset because she killed the Rat. She asks Camilo not to hate her; she had to do it to save JM. Camilo tells JM that it was always the Rat, he just got back from Mexico. The cops come.

Sam joyously tells Arturo that she is going to have a baby. Willy wishes his father were there [Really? It looks like Willy has forgotten what his father is really like.]

In her supposed guilt about killing the Rat, the Reptile sheds crocodile tears and hangs on JM.

Miggy asks Damián why, if Fabiola is dead, the bad guys were after him for looking for her. Damián replies that the bad guys were probably afraid that Miggy would expose their operation while looking for Fabiola. Damián further tells Miggy that Fabiola went alone into the Colombian jungle (selva) eight years ago and it was reported that she died there. [Even for a novela, this seems like pretty weak evidence that someone is dead but Miggy seems to buy it.]

It’s the funeral of the Rat. [At least this time he gets a funeral unlike all the other times he supposedly died.] Vikingo tells Camilo that the Rat was a good friend and Camilo replies that the Rat was crazy. Vikingo agrees but says that Ángela’s rejection of the Rat drove him crazy.

The corrupt guard comes to tell Ángela that she is going back to prison and says that she is a bigamist since her first husband wasn’t and now is dead. Ángela swears that she will get out this “mugre,” “filth” and get revenge.

The Reptile tells the Rat’s coffin that if they had known each other before JM and Ángela came into the picture, they might have been happy together. She says, “Adios para siempre,” which instantly makes me believe that the Rat isn’t dead.

Miggy tells JM that Fabiola is dead and therefore his job of trying to find her is over. Emma is listening on the stairs. Miggy urges JM to speak to Ángela but JM refuses. JM says that he wants Miggy for a friend.

Willy surprises Sam with enough breakfast for a football team and an enormous teddy bear. Willy devotion and excitement about the baby is really cute but unfortunately that’s all the pleasure they are going to get out of the pregnancy. Sam has abdominal pain.

Ofélia has come to visit Nora. Nora asks for news of Despicable Dad but Ofélia says that there isn’t any. Nora is concerned about how the Reptile is handling the fact that she killed a man. “No worries”, replies Ofélia casually, “this isn’t the first time Fernanda has killed a man.”
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- martes Part 2

The Reptile tells Vicente that her lawyers are filing for a divorce. She says that he can accept the divorce or she’ll denounce him for the murder of Paula.

Nicolás has a girlfriend named Jessica.

Sam and Willy go to see Lorena. While there, Sam has more pain and is bleeding.

Ángela is being taken back to prison. JM coldly tells her that she had better take care of the baby. Angie replies that of course she will. Juan Cruz (JC) is her child and she will give him all her love. JM says that “all your love” is what makes him afraid.

Sam goes to the hospital. Lorena tells Willy that Sam had an ectopic pregnancy, which had to be terminated. She is hemorrhaging badly and might die. Lorena will have to operate.

False Fabiola tells Miggy that she thinks he is in love with the real Fabiola [someone he’s never met]. FF wants to know who hurt him in the past. Miggy says FF is crazy and he doesn’t want to talk about his past.

The Reptile lays it on thick telling JM that she is divorcing Vicente. She says that she doesn’t regret killing the Rat but the act has changed her forever. She says that she is leaving LA for a place where she can rise from the ashes like Phoenix (maybe she could go to Phoenix, Arizona - as long as she can prove she’s legal.] Génesis helps out by saying that she was wrong about the Reptile and it’s ok if she marries JM. [Yecch!]

Jefe comes to the hospital and tells JM that if Sam dies, it is all JM’s fault.

Ángela gets a nice reception from the other inmates in the prison. She tells them that she has JC for one year.

Emma finds some stuff about Fabiola in Peralta’s papers. She goes to Miggy and asks if Fabiola is her sister. Miggy replies carefully that Fabiola is/was an Arroyo.

Lorena wows her co-surgeon and saves Sam’s life. Willy thanks her saying that first she saved his life and now Sam’s. Lorena modestly replies that it is her job.

Camilo goes to see Ángela and tells her that the Rat never mentioned that she was his accomplice and guesses that she is innocent. Ángela tells him about the threats to Violeta and that she admitted all the crimes to save her daughter.

Sam wakes up and Willy has to tell her that she lost her baby.

FF tells Miggy that she has found somewhere to live and will leave his apartment the next day unless he asks her to stay. He doesn’t ask her to stay.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- martes Part 3

Sam asks Lorena if she can ever be a mother. Lorena says that Sam can be a mother but it will require a miracle from God for her to carry a child in her body. Sam asks if she is referring to adoption and Lorena says no, she is referring to surrogacy or as they say more directly in Spanish, “un vientre en alquilar, “a womb for rent.”

Emma asks Peralta why he didn’t tell her about Fabiola. She asks him to swear that he will never lie to her again. He promises not to hurt her, which of course is not the same thing.

FF continues her campaign for Miggy. She does a lap dance for him so he won’t forget her.

Sam tells Willy that they will try to get pregnant naturally for a year and if that doesn’t work, they will consider surrogacy.

The Reptile comes to see Ángela in prison. [People just seem to walk into the prison like it was hotel. There’s no special visitation room.] Nora turns her back so the Reptile doesn’t see her. The Reptile asks Ángela why she did what she did. “For love,” replies Ángela.

Camilo goes to see JM and tells him that Ángela told him that she is innocent. She made a false confession to protect Violeta. JM replies that he doesn’t believe anything Ángela says and that she is dead to him.

Finally, the cameras in Sam & Willy’s apartment get found. Miggy hears a weird beeping and finds one and then all of the cameras. “So much for your privacy,” he says.

Then Shazam! it’s a year later. We see a guy in a wheelchair by a private plane. The camera pans up and of course, it’s DD. He’s glad to be back in LA and we’re glad Manuel Landeta is back on the novela.
 

Wow Jean--thanks! Your detailed recap is really appreciated as always, especially since I fell asleep during the last 10 minutes! Was anyone else amazed that Lorena, a doctor specializing in treating infertility, is also allowed to do surgery? Did she tweak the surgery so that Sammy can no longer have her own children? Anyway what a relief that the cameras in Sammy's apt have been found!
Also, looks like they are setting up a "primer amor" scenario with Nicolas and Jessica. I seem to recall earlier on that Sammy and Willy's child would be 14 now.
J in Oregon
 

Rosa Diamante -

so this starts Tuesday, july 10,
following Una Maid en Manhattan.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE -

great recap Jean !!!

wow, raising a baby in a maximum security prison with a convicted serial killer as a mom,
what is wrong with this picture?
I suppose this would be ok at a special prison with other mothers, but...
and who decided it would only be for a year, JM?

I'm starting to look at this novela as being in a parallel universe,
not too unlike our own,

and Fernanda just popping in for a visit,
I had to get up and lock my doors so she would happen to pop in here.

so is Lorena a good guy or not?
Sammy and Willy are the best!
Nicolas seems a little creepy, especially the way he is pals with his creepy dad.
great scene between Willy and Jefe in the waiting room!

so Luis is dead...
love how when Camillo walks into the room, everyone goes into shock,
then he does his sweet talk,
what an interesting character for a novela.

enjoying Miguel and FF scenes,
I'm really impressed with how much Gabriel Porras brings to a show,
it's like he makes everyone shine

hessss backkkkk!
wow!

and a year later,
the way this story jumps ahead,
people will be dying of old age.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Jean, that was an excellent recap! I especially loved the part about the Reptile having to prove she's legal if she moved to Phoenix!

Funny no one ever asked why the Reptile just happened to be packing heat when she went to that parking garage with Camilo. Especially since she put on that innocent crap about being scarred for life for taking someone else's.

At least for me they sure are making Lorena a very ambivalent character. J in Oregon, I also thought Lorena could have done something to Sam to prevent her getting pregnant. But there was a surgical team there with her. Doubt she could have pulled that off with witnesses.

El Jefe was absurd the way he went off on Willy, as if it's a sin to impregnate your own wife.

I liked the way either Sam or Willy, forget which, told Arturo he was going to have a hermanito.

I guess it's a telenovela staple, but it seems odd the way the corrupt guard hates Ángela. She's already been paid off, so what's all the spite about?

The scene in the prison with all the women really liking Ángela and enjoying having the baby there reminded me of La Reina del Sur and the way Teresa Mendoza bonded with her fellow inmates.

I doubt they'll find out anytime soon that it was El Jefe who planted the cameras.

It will be interesting to see DD still trying to pursue Sam, but in a wheelchair!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

I agree with you, Deb. Gabriel Porras has brought a lot to this novela. He can turn on the stone cold, don't mess with me bodyguard persona and one scene later the guy who's so happy being with siblings at last.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks for the recap!

Soo… Luis is supposedly dead. Camilo really does seem like Camilo as opposed to when Luis was Camilo (even at the beginning). Third time lucky? But with this telenovela I just can’t believe it until the very end. Fabiola must be alive, though.

I didn’t like that there was another time skip so soon after the previous one. Hasn’t it been about two years already? Violeta and Génesis should have grown quite a bit since the beginning of the telenovela. Nicolás would yes, also have to be about 14 as well and if they’re continuing with the same actor it’s going to be hard (for me) to buy.
I’m also annoyed that during that year Sam and Willy could have had their kid, but of course the pregnancy lasts less than an episode. (I did like their scenes together though, even the sad ones.)

Heh, yes. Willy tends to forgive his father for everything. Or at least goes with "his father is still his father". That has been consistent since the beginning. (I do wish he’d stop doing that.)

El Jefe at the hospital was completely out of line! (And off base.) How did he even know about Sam? Again. I doubt Willy called him. As you mentioned NovelaNewbie, it makes sense that he would have known through the cameras, but nobody is suspecting him or wondering why he’s everywhere Sam is.

And the cameras… finally they were found. And then it’s one year later. So no investigating that then. Or showing El Jefe finding out that they’ve been discovered. Well, he can always plant some new ones, since he has a spare key. Maybe this time they can be less conspicuous. It’s strange that nobody noticed them before. Hopefully they found the cameras in the bedroom and bathroom as well. Btw. wouldn’t El Jefe have left fingerprints on them, since it’s not like he thought that they would be found?

Yeah, I also thought there was a parallel with Nicolás and Jessica. ;)
I liked Nico more at the beginning when he confronted Sam about the supposed relationship. Now… he seems to be completely okay with his father going after/being into a married woman for whom he left his (Nico’s) mother.

Good points about the strange prison. It’s great that now Angie seems to have more friends there. :)

Interesting that we didn’t get Nora’s reaction to Ofelia telling her that Fernanda had killed before.

Lorena… she could have just let Sam die by not trying her hardest to save her. Sam can still have kids even if it’s unlikely the traditional way, so it wouldn’t have really helped. I also agree that it would have been hard (pretty much impossible) to do something weird with the surgical team there.
Lorena hasn’t been shown to do anything bad yet (there have just been hints). On the contrary, she has saved both Sam and Willy… I don’t know… I’m just not getting the "villain" vibe from her.

I would have liked an explanation for why it was so hard for Sam to get pregnant (before). Something to do with her teenage pregnancy? (She was really sick after giving birth…) Oh well...

DD is back!!! Shouldn’t it be time for El Jefe’s downfall then?? Isn’t one sicko obsessed with Sam enough? Or maybe DD has new plans?
 

Corozón Valiente:

Happy 4th of July to All!

I'm enjoying some down time from an invasion of relatives to check in at Caray. Tuesday's episode was packed full of plot developments culminating in the return of the evil DD! So glad the actor has recovered. Thank you for the great recap, Jean.

Dang it! I think a combination of wine, house guest distractions, and just plain not paying attention really had me out of kilter in my last post. I could have sworn that "Camillo," not the Reptile, was the one who'd shot "Luis." I still don't quite believe that Luis is dead, even though there was a funeral. Only time will tell. Didn't the Reptile save JM's life by shooting someone a while back? My memory for this novela is so looney that I'm now seriously doubting myself. I vaguely recall a scene in front of JM's mansion where he got shot but he was wearing a bullet-proof vest, and somebody saved him. Was it Fernanda, or was it Ángela or Sam? We know she's a killer, but her suspicious behavior seems to always get a pass from the Telemundo division of the LAPD.

How tragic for Sam and Willy's pregnancy happiness to have only lasted a day! They were so thrilled. I was glad that they included Arturo a bit in the short-lived festivities. It was so wrong of El Jefe to blame Willy during such a heart wrenching moment at the hospital. Willy was about to coldcock him. I was sorry when Nicolás arrived and Willy backed off. I agree that there's something about the portrayal of Nicolás and his relationship with crazy El Jefe that is unnerving. Also, when is it ever a good idea for a parent to allow a teenaged boy to entertain a girl while they're alone at home?

Re: Lorena? I don't trust her one bit, mainly because she plotted with El Jefe against Sam and Willy. She's too ambivalent, like a cartoon character with a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. We'll see what happens with her, too.

I like Miggy, but I'm not quite feeling the whole Natalia/Fabiola storyline yet.

I'm hoping that somehow Ángela's friendships with the inmates will help to eventually exonerate both her and Nora. With the time jump, the return of DD, and Fernanda's plan to win JM, I'm sure there's plenty of drama ahead.

NovelaNewbie
 

Rosa Diamante -

hmmm,
it looks like Rosa Diamante will start as a ½ hour show, next Tuesday, sharing the hour with Una Maid en Manhattan.
 

Corazon Valiente
Novela Newbie: like you, I thought that Camilo was the one they showed with a gun in his hand after Luis hit the pavement. Was surprised later to learn that Fernanda "did it". Oh well. Been sayin' that alot lately!
Deb: I thought Rosa Diamante would take the place of Relaciones Peligrosas. I have been watching Una Maid, they haven't started Ultimas Semanas or anything. Surprised to hear the two shows will piggyback.
J in Oregon
 

GENERAL

Not sure about timing, but my sense of what the lineup on Telemundo will eventually be is this:

8:00 Rosa Diamante
9:00 El Rostro de Venganza
10:00 Pablo Escobar

They've been saying ultimos capitulos on Una Maid en Manhattan for a while now. I don't watch Una Maid, but see the last few minutes because of the screwy lag-over in timing of these shows. Ultimos capitulos usually indicates the last month.

Corazón Valiente isn't anywhere near over and they are just starting to show El Rostro promos.

And Pablo Escobar is the most likely 10:00 show, that being the hour of the most edgy, violent shows.

From what I've seen of Rosa Diamante promos, it looks logical for 8:00, being mostly about romance.
 

General:
I'm not sure about Rostro for 9pm. I believe Pablo Escobar is a short series - maybe 60 episodes and that Rostro will air after that at 10pm. A wikipedia site with a Telemundo schedule indicates this as well. We're at episode 83 of Corazón.

CORAZON VALIENTE- Thanks for all the nice comments. I didn't pick up on the "primer amor" aspect of Nicolás and Jessica" but I bet you're right.

I don't think Lorena is bad. I agree that she is ambivalent and is going to be sorely tempted to try and get Willy again.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- miérocles Part 1

This was a strange episode as the novela settled uneasily into “Un año despues.”

Cecilia meets Despicable Dad at the airport. It turns out that she has been helping him all this time and is now his prime confidant. Apparently, DD got warning of the boat explosion and escaped except that he is in a wheelchair and Cecilia got him away to recover someplace. Mummy man was a sailor who had no relations to miss him and was paid to impersonate DD in the hospital. DD doesn’t know who tried to kill him [we don’t know who blew up the boat] two times. Cecilia has hired a security firm to protect him and of course, it’s Miggy!!

Sam and Willy haven’t been successful in getting pregnant so they are going to have a surrogate and it’s going to be - Lorena!! The ways in which this is unethical and not a good idea are legion. The embryos from Sam’s eggs and Willy’s sperm are all ready to be implanted [not inseminated as they kept saying]. Lorena and Sam are friends now and she and Willy are incredibly grateful to Lorena for what she is doing.

No sooner does Miggy show up as DD’s bodyguard than he tells DD that he is the son of Miguel Valdez and that he knows that DD is the person who arranged for Sam’s kidnapping and ordered Miguel’s murder and that someday DD will pay for that. Instead of getting a different bodyguard service, DD denies ordering Miguel’s death.

Estela is enjoying life as an idle rich woman.

It’a Juan Cruz’ first birthday and the prisoners have arranged a party that is tinged with sadness since Ángela and Nora know that it is the end of JC’s time with his mother.

The Reptile is at some ranch complete with straw cowboy hat. It must be close to LA since JM comes to visit. Ofelia [who previously swore that she would never leave DD’s house] is with her. Her campaign to make JM fall in love with her has not borne any fruit but she tells Ofelia that she thinks it will happen soon.

DD finally gets fed up with his employee accusing him of crimes and says that Miggy can either pursue his plan of vengeance or behave like a respectful employee. If Miggy sticks with DD, he will learn a lot of things.

This had to be the weirdest part of the episode. Apparently, Camilo talked Emma out of committing suicide by jumping off a building. In gratitude, JM gave him a job as a gardener and he is buddy buddy with Génesis. I never noticed that Camilo had a different eye color than the Rat but Camilo tells Génesis, who did notice, that he wore contacts to look different from the Rat but now he is going back to his normal eye color, which is the same as the Rat. [If Camilo and the Rat did have different eye colors, there is even less excuse for Ángela and Violeta believing that the Rat was Camilo.]

There are problems between Emma and Peralta. Peralta is away bodyguarding a famous rock star. Emma is lonely and jealous.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- miércoles Part 2

Bernie goes back home as if nothing had happened. Estela is surprised to see him but not nearly surprised as I would have thought if someone suddenly shows up who had been missing for nearly two years. No mention is made of the fact that Estela is not really married to DD. When DD and Estela are together, Miggy pulls a gun and demands to know who ordered Miguel’s death. Since he obviously isn’t going to shoot either of them, it is rather surprising that Estela admits that she did it. Since Miggy doesn’t have any evidence, there’s nothing he can do about it. He promises to get evidence and have Estela arrested.

Nicolás and his girlfriend are still together. Having now experienced love, Nicolás recognizes that El Jefe is still in love with Sam. Jefe tells Nicolás that he made many errors trying to get Sam but eventually he realized that you can’t make someone love you and Sam loves Willy. Nicolás says that he understands but he wishes Sam and Jefe were together.

Estela does not want Miggy in the house but DD says that one should keep ones enemies close and besides, it’s his house and he give the orders. Estela isn’t too happy about Cecilia’s position as DD confidant, either.

JM comes to the prison to get JC.

Peralta tells Emma that he lost his assignment to the rock star because he was talking to Emma on the phone. Emma says that Peralta’s job is more important to him than she is. Peralta tells Emma that she just wants to be a rich idle person and can’t understand work. He breaks up with her. It’s clear that Emma is going to go after Camilo on the rebound.

When told that DD has reappeared, the Reptile is indifferent.

Willy comes to see DD. DD tells him that he needs to tell Sam and Willy something.

Sam does not want to meet with the man who ordered her kidnapping.

Miggy goes to see Ángela and tells her that he is working to set her free. He also tells her that her mother Estela confessed to ordering Miguel’s murder because he was shacked up with Perla. Ángela won’t believe it.

JM tells the Reptile that nothing would make him happier than to fall in love with her .

DD is still carrying the torch for Sam.
Jessica is kidnapped. Nicolás tries to stop the kidnappers but is injured.

DD comes to see Sam and Willy and tells them that he is Sam’ father.
 

Corazon Valiente
Thanks as always, Jean, for the super recap. I agree that having your fertility doctor volunteer to be your surrogate is off-the-charts unethical. And, don't we just know Lorena is going to end up kidnapping her own baby? Also, how come Estela has been living in the del Castillo mansion for the last year when Willy and Fernanda both know it wasn't DD that she married?
J in Oregon
 

CORAZON VALIENTE

Thanks Jean for the great recaps

Bernardo's new game of being Sam's father is silly indeed.

Apparently the actor portraying Camilo is tired of wearing lenses! I can't believe we have to stand Camilo until the end of the show :((

GENERAL
ROSTRO will be aired after ESCOBAR at 10pm.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Thanks so much Novelera and Jean for this week's recaps. I have not seent he show in two weeks, so it's a fun exercise reading the recaps and comments and seeing all the confusion of those of you who ARE actually watching the show each day. LOL! This show gets crazier, and less logical, each episode.

I can't believe Angela is still in jail and that we've had a huge time jump. I want that storyline to progress already and for Angie to be out of jail. I am glad that DD is back and causing trouble as usual.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks for the recap!

Well, the situation with Bernie has been cleared up, although it’s a little bizarre. I don’t know why a guy would want to continue pretending to be Bernie knowing that someone wants to kill him. Money can’t be THAT important.

So there’s another parallel with Jessica’s kidnapping.

It’s a little weird and inappropriate for Lorena to be carrying Sam and Willy’s baby, but I assume she’s not their doctor in this. It will be interesting to see what problems this will lead to… (especially with Bernie’s new lie and what effect that will have..)

And Bernie continues his quest for the worst father of the century. What he’s doing to his son (and the woman he is supposedly so crazy about) is sick and doesn’t make much sense. Yes, he’ll have his revenge, but what does he really accomplish? He even comes off as the bigger sicko, since it’s clear that he is/was in love with Sam himself. Also, now El Jefe can make his move and I’m sure Bernie doesn’t want that either. Although with this info (lie) El Jefe might not want to reveal Nico’s parentage. What about the baby then?? I do want that to work out, since in the end Sam and Willy will find out the truth anyway. I wish that somehow it would turn out that Willy isn’t Bernie’s son and the whole plan backfires marvellously, but that’s too much to hope for. DNA tests won’t help since Bernie will make sure that they will be faked. I liked that Sam said Bernie would tell them more lies like usual and then he comes with a big one! They should have the sense not to believe him and/or at least take a DNA test in secret… I hope this won’t last long, but I’m afraid it will. (Too long for my liking anyway)

It was a little random that Pablo broke up with Emaa. He has let her get away with much worse. I suppose Camilo has a purpose now. (What happened to his girlfriend in Mexico?)
Yeah, the flashback was really weird. Why was Emma going to jump? Where was Pablo?

Estela knows too much, so she can enjoy the luxurious life. (They should just kill her.) Ofelia didn’t want to leave the house because of Fernanda and now that Fernanda did, she is with her of course.

NovelaNewbie:

Maybe you’re thinking about the part when Fernanda shot JM with blanks so that Luis would think that she had killed him and then because of her pact he would have to kill Angie? Fernanda told JM it was a way of "saving him" from Luis, who would then leave after thinking that JM was dead.

Lorena didn’t really do much plotting with El Jefe… It was mainly his idea and he sort of talked her into it. Lorena pretty much just threw herself at Willy (and pretended to commit suicide), but there wasn’t much more. In the end it seemed like she gave up. I don’t know… in this novela characters do much worse things and she has saved lives as well…Yeah, a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other sounds about right. :) (The angel is currently more dominant… but who knows??)
 

CORAZON VALIENTE-

I certainly hope the Willy and Sam are hermanos story doesn't last too long. I have never seen a fake sister/brother story that happened after the couple has been having sex for years. Estela knows the truth and she is not a fan of Sam and DD getting together.

I also think that we will shortly see both Angela and Nora get out of prison. Now that Angela's baby is with JC, there isn't much point in having Angela in prison.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

After 5 sweltering days and 6 sweltering nights, we finally have power again! I haven't been able to watch Corazon Valiente, and I've missed a lot! Thanks you the terrific recaps, I now know that
-Sam got pregnant, lost the baby, Lorena saved her life, and Lorena will now be her surrogate
-The cameras got found and were forgotten
-Luis is killed, Fernanda moved away with Ofelia
-Peralta broke up with Emma, and Camilio is moving in to fill the void
-Nicolas has sex but his girlfriend was kidnapped
-Miggy knows Estela ordered Miguel, Sr.'s killing, but isn't believed
-Bernardo is back and Miggy is his bodyguard
-A year has passed, JM has been told by Camilo that Angela is innocent, but doesn't believe it, and is going to take the baby
-The Fabiola story seems to have disappeared along with False Fabiola?

And all this in only 3 days! I can't begin to think how confused I'd be w/o the recaps. Thanks!
 

Hombre- So glad you have your power back! My power for the most part was fine, but my cable and internet went out for two days while they were trying to fix it for others. But I much prefered that to no power with the sweltering heat we've been having. Enjoy that air conditioning!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE-

So glad that your power is back, Hombre!!

I like your list but I don't think Nicolas has had sex with Jessica. If he has, we haven't heard about it.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Whoops, I must have misread the recaps. I guess they are a little young!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks, Jean, for the great recap of a very, very frustrating episode.

And, Hombre, good you've got power again and we're glad you could keep up to speed with the craziness and time jumps in this novela.

First of all, JC is adorable; but not too thrilled at being held by any of the cast members!

Kihaku, sadly you're right that any DNA test that Sam and Willy try to take will be faked by DD.

I also wondered why the heck Estela was still staying there after it was revealed she'd married the burned up sailor. I guess with Ofelia off to that ranch with the Reptile there really wasn't anyone willing to do what she so royally deserved: boot her out on her hindquarters.

Maybe we need to add one more initial: DDD - depraved despicable dad.

It seems to me as if Fernanda may actually have reformed. She isn't forcing herself on JM. She's making lots of philosophical comments about how she's changed.

And El Jefe also seems to have given up on his obsession with Sam and we aren't treated to his glassy-eyed stares. Maybe he and Lorena can be an item.

NovelaObserver, Valenzuela is doing a good enough acting job as Camilo that I really don't mind his presence. And I hope he'll play a part in proving Angie innocent.

The scenarios with Lorena as surrogate are interesting and scary. She could be on the up and up. She could plan to take the baby. She could have used her own eggs instead of Sam's to have Willy's baby, but that would have required an accomplice. Don't think you can extract your own eggs!

Another weird thing was Nelly apparently still carrying the torch for Pablo after more than two years. It is pretty ridiculous she gets to taunt Emma that way and not get fired.

I don't think it will turn out that Willy is not DD's son. We know for sure that he's Nora's. Sure, she cheated with Darío, but I just have a hunch they're not going that way.

I suppose the reason DDD is letting Estela stay is that she still has witnessing him throw Darío off the building to hold over him.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Jean: Huh? The lie certainly won’t help DD get with Sam if he’s her "father". Estela might go along with the lie just to torment Sam. (It also keeps Sam from finding out the truth.)

I also hope to see Angie and Nora out of prison soon! Yes, there can’t be many more prison stories left to tell.

Hombre: Great that your power is back!
I hope the relationship with Nicolás and Jessica will be kept chaste. (Especially since they look and seem so young, it’s a little disturbing.)
I don’t think the Fabiola story has been dropped. (Natalia might be gone though.)
I also hope the hidden cameras and the rest of El Jefe’s doings haven’t been forgotten. (In my opinion there’s just too much to sweep under the carpet.)

Novelera: I like DDD. The guy deserves an extra D (or more) added. :)

I don’t care whether Fernanda and El Jefe have reformed. They need to pay. Although, I do think it’s interesting that we’re seeing different sides to them. (Especially with Fernanda it does seem that the main reason she is so crazy is because of her dastardly father and his emotional abuse and part of her "reforming" has to do with forgetting about him)

It’s mainly wishful thinking on my part. :) I just don’t want Willy to be Bernie’s son. Willy deserves better and Bernie deserves nothing. Nothing good anyway.

Yeah, Estela knows too much. I wonder is she'll try and get the real Bernie to "marry" her now or if she's content enough with just enjoying life at the del Castillo house.
 

El Rostro de la Venganza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i1ry6qp4z4&feature=related
 

Corazón Valiente:

@hombre: Here's hoping that you and your family didn't suffer any ill effects from being without power for so long. I hope you are now relaxed and comfortable after that ordeal.

Gracias, Jean, for your recap of a very weird and unsettling episode. Without it, I can't imagine how confused I would be if I had missed Tuesday's episode and tuned in Wednesday to see DD back at home, the Reptile astride a horse, a flashback of Camilo talking Emma down from a suicide attempt, Camilo working for JM, and Lorena as a surrogate for Sam and Willy. Goodness! I co-sign with how unethical the Lorena as a surrogate storyline is but, to be honest, there's little going on in CV that actually IS ethical. I don't have much to add to what has already been commented on.

I was creeped out when I saw Camilo hugging, tickling, poking, and picking up Génesis. JM allowing him -- or any man -- to play with his daughter that way was a bit much. It was just too friendly. Add that to the growing list of things JM needs to get a clue about. By the way, I'm still convinced that Camilo is really Luis (which might be one of the reason that the whole scene was creepy to me). I hope I'm wrong.

The Reptile a changed woman?? No way! She might have done some soul searching, but I think that it's just
her way to step back, regroup, and plan how to achieve her nefarious goals. She has murdered way too many.

Sam and Willy shouldn't trust anything that DDD says. He's still a old, lying pervert. If they want to confirm that he has not mended his deceitful ways, all they have to do is keep their big mouths shut about getting a DNA test. That hospital should have already raised suspicions of being controlled by DDD because of the mummy debacle. Can't they go elsewhere in LA for a test? In telenovela land, the answer must be no.

I wonder what Miggy is working on to exonerate Ángela? What has he come up with after a year?

Why is Nelly even working at Casa Arroyo?

Who are Jessica's parents?

I so agree, novelera, that JC is a precious little boy! He's obviously not quite ready for an acting career - lol. Has anyone in that novela remembered that baby JC is also Violeta's little brother? It's pretty cruel of JM to punish Violeta for what he believes to be Ángela's crimes. The girls were so close. Hopefully some of my questions will be answered after tonight's episode.

NovelaNewbie
 

Corazon Valiente
NN (Novela Newbie)--Like you, I was disturbed to see Camilo fawning all over Genesis. Yuck! JM must be very trusting...except when it comes to Angela.
I'm glad the news is out (sort of) about Nora being alive.
On an aside, poor Lucy does not look any happier on the horse ranch.
J in Oregon
 

Relaciones Peligrosas (I know, I know):

A quick aside I forgot to mention last week--Telemundo has an alternate take on the last act of the final episode on their website. Yes, Miranda dies in it; the important part, though my lousy Spanish fails me on the dialogue, is/was Mauricio taking Mirandita to Miranda's grave after another one-year timeskip as in the aired version.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- jueves Part 1

At first, neither Willy nor Sam believe that Depraved Despicable Dad (DDD) is Sam’s biological father. Willy tells DDD that if he came back to tell Sam this lie, he might as well go back where he came from. DDD says that a friend of Perla’s told him that he was Sam’s father and asks what motive he would have for telling Willy and Sam a lie. Miggy supplies the answer: to separate them.

Miggy tells Sam that Estela was responsible for Miguel Sr.’s death.

We get evidence that JM has let his life fall apart during the year that since Ángela’s trial: 3 bimbos come to his house in LA; the company isn’t doing too well and Génesis has to repeat a grade.

Ofélia appears to have abandoned the Reptile once DDD came back. She tries to get Estela to leave DDD’s house.

Willy goes to see DDD and tells him that he won’t rest until he sees him in jail. DDD says that he would kill himself before having to go to jail. [I guess Willy has definitely gotten past the regret he had that DDD wasn’t around when Sam got pregnant.]

Nicolás is ok after Jessica’s kidnapping. It turns out that he saw the face of one of the kidnappers.

Sam tells Willy that DDD is trying to interfere with their lives again. She wants to have a DNA test but Willy replies that isn’t necessary - what DDD said is obviously a lie.

Brace yourselves folks: The Reptile tells JM that he needs a woman to share his life, to give him peace, help with family and work and that woman is her. She and JM fall into bed together.

Ángela sends for Estela and says that she will never forgive Estela for sending Miguel Sr. to his death.

Miggy tells Willy that he found the friend of Perla who supposedly told DDD that he was Sam’s father. The friend had money problem but suddenly was able to pay off her mortgage. Willy is convinced that DDD paid the woman to lie.

El Jefe tells Sam that he thinks Nicolás might be in danger because he saw the face of one of the kidnappers. Sam volunteers to be Nicolas’ bodyguard.

JM asks the Reptile to come and live with him. He isn’t offering love but he says that he will be a good companion, loyal, faithful and will respect her as a woman. Naturally, she agrees.


Nicolás accepts Sam as his bodyguard. Jefe tells Sam that Jessica’s father was involved in shady business and the kidnapping wasn’t for ransom but as a settling of accounts.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE- jueves Part 2

Miggy asks Willy to help get evidence to convict DDD of kidnapping Sam when she was a girl.

Once again, Miggy employs sex to get information. He asks Cecilia out and she readily agrees.

DDD discusses Estela’s future with her. She again uses the secrets she has to stay in the house. He agrees to let her stay (their marriage was annulled) if she helps him with his campaign to separate Sam and Willy. Estela agrees and then tell DDD that his wife, Nora, is Ángela’s cellmate.

We see parallel conversations between Willy and Lorena and El Jefe and Sam. Willy tells Lorena that he has no doubt that DDD was lying and nothing has changed for him. Sam tells El Jefe that she has doubts and everything has changed for her [and we’re all screaming at the TV - JUST GET A DNA TEST!!!!]

Miggy and Cecilia get it on. Afterwards, he pumps her for information. When that doesn’t work, he sneaks a look at the notes she has and finds some info about someone in Colombia. [Why would DDD have information now, 20 years later, about the kidnapping?]

DDD curses the bad luck that put Nora and Ángela in the same cell.

When the crime does not involve one of our principals, the police are efficient. Using the sketch that was made from the description Nicolás gave them, Jessica is rescued.

Willy begs Sam not to let DDD separate them. [Altogether now: JUST GET A DNA TEST!!!!]

Cecilia isn’t answering her phone so DDD comes to her apartment. Miggy hides. DDD wants Cecilia to make an appointment for him to see Nora at the prison. Miggy overhears that DDD’s wife is alive.

Vicente comes to see JM and says that he knows all the Reptile’s secrets and asks if JM is interested in hearing them. [We don’t see the answer but we can be sure that honorable, stupid JM won’t listen. Vincente is an obvious candidate for next murder victim.]

DDD wants the Reptile to help him keep Sam and Willy apart. She comes to see him and he accuses her of both attempts to kill him: blowing up the boat and shooting him. She admits them.

Miggy beats DDD to the prison. He asks Nora to help him destroy DDD.

Sam is taking Nicolás to school when someone drives by and starts shooting.
 

CORAZON VALIENTE

Thanks Jean.

I tuned in for about 10 minutes of the show, and kept checking to see if I was actually watching Corazon Valiente.

I could not believe in 1/2 of a second, Sam actually had any belief in DDD's words (thanks for the added D). I like that Willy suggested to get the DNA TOMORROW at a clinic of their choosing, hopefuly this story will wrap up today. I do not get this storyline, such repulsive thinking that DDD thinks he's going to get Sam this way. I hope it does lead to the truth for Sam though.

As for the kidnapping anyone think El Jefe was behind it.

And wow, for those hot scenes with Gabriel, I thank the producers very much. I hope Miggy does a Columbo scene where he gathers everyone into the room and starts revealing all.

I did not see Reptile's scenes, but quite frankly I think I would have been nauseous. Wow, JM is becoming dumber than a bedpost.

If it's true about the scenes of a grown man tickling a child like that, that's disgusting.

Did Miggy warn Nora that DDD wants to see her?
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

Great recap, Jean! Looks as if we actually made it through a show with no murders! But lots of reveals, as usual. I also was a little surprised that Jessica was rescued off screen, we never saw the bad guys, we don't even know if they got caught. And all through Nicolas's sketch? Okaaaay.

Okay, this sounds a little mean, but the only good thing about the Reptile is that she's sterile. So if JM has sex with her, she can't get pregnant. Although, knowing this show, even THAT may not be set in stone. Hey, after Lorena's done being a surrogate for Sam and Willy, she could be a surrogate for JM and Fernanda. Although maybe the Sam and Willy thing is on hold, what with Sam's doubts.

Yes, they're going to get the DNA test tomorrow, and at an independent testing place. I still give this only a 50/50 chance of working.

As for Vicente telling JM the Reptile's secrets, I can see him telling JM that Fernanda did all the killings. Not only would JM not believe it, he'd then ASK the Reptile if it was true, laughing at how silly that would be. Grrrrr.

Miggy sure is a breath of fresh air. He's almost like a guardian angel, working to solve everyone's problems, since no one else even has a clue. And according to Cecilia, he's also the world's greatest lover!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

I just realized if the Reptile is sterile, that surrogate thing wouldn't work. Whoops!

The Reptile actually looks a lot less weird with her new hair color, more blonde, less red.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks so much for the recap, Jean. I loved your asides.

One thing I surely hope is true: that DDD is completely impotent from his accident. And remains that way.

I know my wish won't come true, but I'd sure like Ángela to be proven innocent, flip JM the bird, and find a new guy.

If DDD is going to the prison to visit Nora, hopefully we'll find out what the heck he managed to get her charged with life imprisonment for doing.

Sorry guys. I didn't see anything creepy about Camilo and Génesis together. She has bonded with him. I was innocently tickled by uncles as a child and saw it as affection. I do not think he's going to turn out to be Luis anytime soon.

Hombre, I also enjoyed Miggy's seduction of Cecilia. I suppose, as a woman, I should object to seduction to gain information, but Porras sold it! Yes, the phone numbers, or whatever that had to do with Colombia seem far off the mark for Sam's Mexican kidnapping. Is it possible it's more to do with Fabiola?

I also think the Reptile's change in hair color is a good one.

I'm chiming in: JUST GET A DNA TEST!!!
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Thanks so much Jean.

It was an entertaining episode. I hope DDD's silly plan will end ASAP. Yes, JUST GET A DNA TEST!

Never liked JM. He deserves Reptile.
By the way, the baby JC wasn't the one in prison!

I enjoyed Miggy's seduction too ^^
As you said Gabriel Porras has brought a lot to this show.
 

Corazón Valiente:

Thanks Jean. Your recap covered all of the high points, as usual.

I know it's probably an exercise in frustration, but I've been wondering where the writers are going with the DDD's pursuit-of-Samatha angle. Btw, I agree with Novelera about hoping that he's impotent. We know that he's an aging, mujeriego-ing, sex-addicted pervert who is attracted to Sam, but I'm wondering if it's more about either the chase itself, competing with Willy, or getting back at Miguel Sr. (even in death) than it is about his alleged love for Samantha. The obsessive love revenge thing has run it's course. There could even be something else that's fueling his behavior. Maybe the Columbia and Fabiola connections will tie it altogether. I think Cecelia had the info Miggy found because Columbia is where Triple-D recuperated. Could Jessica's kidnapping also have something to do with it? It was just too random. Am I over-thinking this plot as if it has some true dramatic value?

I'm glad that the writers garnered up enough lucidity to insert the fact that anyone who has had most of their family murdered one by one over the course of a few years, is going to have psychological issues. JM and Génesis have been through the wringer. (Violeta, too!) I think the fact that Genesis is repeating a grade is a realistic touch. JM isn't the sharpest guy around but, given his circumstances, I'll give him somewhat of a pass - a little one - for satisfying his "needs" in a non-committal fashion. I just wish he could see through the Reptile's goody two shoes, friends with benefits act. If he wants to be in a platonic relationship with a loyal, faithful companion, I think we've finally discovered a role for Arturo!!

I want to see JM and Ángela back together because of the loving family dynamic they portrayed with the girls. I actually had a gut wrenchingly negative reaction when JC called the reptile Mamá. Eeeww!!

I'm also ready for the Nora storyline to get moving. Come on, Miggy, do your thing! Does Fernanda know that Nora is alive? It'll be interesting to see her reaction to the news.

Co-signing on the call for a DNA test. Sam & Willy should go to 3-4 different private places to make sure. The incest angle is just too icky.

NovelaNewbie
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

NovelaNewbie, DDD can't possibly still be pursuing Sam. He told Ofelia that "if I can't have Sam, then neither can Willy." So that's what that's about. Once he "burned his bridges" by declaring himself her bio-dad, he took himself out of the running!
 

CORAZON VALIENTE:

-Novela Newbie: I love the way you're always advocating for Arturo!! JM would probably be better with a dog than most of the people around him!!

We're of once mind on the DNA test. If someone makes a paternity claim like DDD, you immediately go get a DNA test done. There's no reason to fool around believing it's a line. If you think that someone like DDD could rig the results, then like you say, you go to 3 or 4 places, including one done by mail.
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Thanks for the recap!

As if just taking a DNA test is the solution. Bernie already knows about their plans. I don’t know how he’s going to have Fernanda help him, but I suppose blackmail might be the way to get her to comply. And of course Ofelia won’t say anything, like usual.
And yes, I agree that just in case they should take the DNA test in a few different places and disguise their intentions. (Have someone else take the samples to other places for example…)
Otherwise, I’m with Hombre and give them a 50/50 chance.

Of course Sam is the one who starts having doubts. And if this thing continues the dynamic/roles will remain the same. GAH.

I like that Willy pointed out DDD’s hypocrisy concerning his revenge. And yeah, I’m also happy that he’s finally had it with his evil father (he doesn’t even know everything yet!) and wants to see him go down.

Actually, everyone already knows that Bernie is evil, so that’s good. :)

How serious is Bernie’s injury? Hasn’t he been in a wheelchair for almost 2 years? That can’t be good for his sex life, but I like the idea of his being impotent.
As for DDD’s pursuit of Sam… I don’t think Bernie truly loves anyone. Look at how he has treated his children and wife, whom he supposedly loves/d. His "love" for Sam has only ended up hurting her as well. As Ofelia once said, Bernie loves himself the most. Everything is about him in the end and he seems to have no problem hurting his "loved ones" to get what he wants (or to "get retribution" for NOT getting what he wanted). As Miggy pointed out, if DDD doesn’t get Sam, nobody else will either. Anyway… I’d also like for him to move on from his obsession. I think there is (or should be) more to this evil character.

Miggy is the best. He seems to be the only smart character left. I like how he immediately knows that DDD is full of it (And pretty much called Bernie a psychopath. He might be on to something). He’s the one who pointed out that DDD is trying to separate Sam and Willy and why, he’s the first to mention the DNA test, he’s the one who found out about Perla’s friend, he’s the one who found out that Estela was behind the order to have Miguel Sr. killed and he’s currently going after the right target for information. Luckily, Cecilia is not that smart and knows A LOT. I’d feel sorry for her if she weren’t working for DDD. I don't understand why she is even working for him other than money. Hopefully she'll spill the beans on Sam's true paternity.

It’s not a surprise that Miggy knows about Nora now. I was hoping that he’d tell Willy though. No such luck.

So… Fernanda was also behind the first murder attempt? That doesn’t make sense. What was her motive then?? I thought it was quite clear that she only wanted to murder her father after finding out the truth about her fall. Unlike with the second murder attempt when she cried her crocodile tears (and threw herself out of a moving car) to conceal her guilt, she had a typical nonchalant reaction to the first one.

I thought Vicente would be part of Fernanda’s downfall, but it’s too early for that. Of course if he hasn’t got a purpose in the story, he’ll be gone like the rest whose purposes ended.

I don’t find anything creepy about Camilo and Génesis either. When it comes to his identity, I’m still in denial though. (But I do want him to be the real Camilo… and maybe he can be paired up with someone... but not Emma)

I don’t care enough about JM and Angie, but I still think it would make sense for them to end up happy together. I’d like Angie to not let him off easy though.
I want her and Nora out of that prison already! But I don’t see how it would be legally possible anytime soon. And yes, I also hope we find out soon what got Nora sent to prison.
Novela Newbie, Fernanda doesn’t know that Nora is alive. (I’m looking forward to Willy’s reaction more, but Fernanda’s will be interesting, since I don’t know how she’d react. :))
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE:

Nellie: I don’t think DDD plans to get Sam anymore. I think he’s realised that it’s not possible. Now he just wants revenge and nobody (especially not Willy) to have Sam.

It crossed my mind that El Jefe might be behind the kidnapping (more parallels), but I really don’t think he’d put his own son in danger.

I’d love Miggy to be in a Columbo-esque scene. :)

And no, Miggy didn’t tell Nora that DDD wanted to see her. (I wonder why she would even see him.)
 

CORAZÓN VALIENTE

Kihaku, I was thinking the same thing. Why would Nora see DDD? She refused to see Ofelia for 25 years. But I don't think the writers would be able to resist such an explosive scene as that is bound to be!