Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Abismo de pasión #161 Gran Final 11/5/12: POR FIN!!
Prologue (by Sylvia): If anyone watched the “Rumbo”, which aired an hour before the Final, they would have been pleased to witness another heavenly visit by Guadalupe in glowing white and positioned next to the cenote, warning us: “Passion is like the wind. Able to put everything in motion. And human passions are not in plain sight. They need the warmth and locked darkness, like the bottom of an abyss, an abyss of passion.”
A bit later we get the shirtless arm wrestling at last! More or less. With the voiceover: “In a hot country like this, the sun makes your blood boil, moisture penetrates the skin, the air stifles night senses and awakens instincts. There is no respite for lovers who fall into an abyss of passion.” (But that last part about lovers, the camera had left our boys and traveled to Carmina and Rosendo. In case you were worried.)
And if you think those explanations can make up for all the craziness that Fluffy and Co. have inflicted upon us you can think again. The only thing that helps out is a rowdy happy hour out on The Patio of Lowered Expectations, watching this nonsense with a group of crazy, like-minded friends, nerfazos in hand, drinks on the table, and habanero poppers on the way. As they say at the Drive-In: And now, on with the show...
Part One by EJ:
Abismo de Pasion Gran Final
The door at the end of the hall is massive and appears to be solid oak. It looks like it belongs on the outside of a medieval monastery or convent, not as the entry door to a home office. But we have been told that we will find him in his home office and that we are expected. We pad down the hallway on a priceless Isfahan runner toward the freakishly massive door. Sylvia knocks on the door with a pluck I admire. A deep and mellifluous voice bids us “Enter.”
The huge door opens silently and we step inside the room. We are in what appears to be a gorgeous library and office. Leather-bound books line the walls. A large white dove with a cigarette holder in his beak struts across the desk. You know him as Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock, Director of Abismo de Pasion. He offers to light the Havana cigar of a huge Chimpanzee—yes, it’s Fluffy—seated in a leather wing chair and dressed in a custom Saville Row suit. We are not entirely surprised to see these two in this setting. The room is oddly warm and a dull roar can be heard outside. But our attention is drawn to the man behind the desk.
“Good evening”, he says. We are welcomed into the room by the handsomest man I have ever seen. A large flat-screen monitor on his desk is frozen on the opening credits of Abismo de Pasion. He stands, walks around his huge desk and offers a gracious and charming welcome to the three recappers. His face seems to shine.
“Thank you for seeing us, sir.” Novela Maven opens. ‘We know how busy you must be and appreciate the chance to visit your facilities before the Abismo de Pasion Gran Final.” He smiles a dazzling smile at all three of us and says, “Of course, of course. Not everyone appreciates how much work we have to do here. How kind of you to understand.” His smile crinkles around his eyes and I think that I may swoon. I never swoon but his guy is really something.
“Mr. Bub,” I begin. “As delighted as we would be to visit your whole operation, I am afraid we really only have a remit to see the accommodations reserved for the Abismo de Pasion antagonists.”
“Oh, yes,” he chuckles. “Only the best will do for our villains especially Carmina. I do love her. And, kind friends, do call me Beelze. Or Lucifer. Or if you must, Don Satan. My other names are so—unfriendly. Please, follow me.” We leave his office by an unobtrusive side door and he leads us rapidly down an endless white corridor with closed doors branching off left and right. Fluffy follows behind us with Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock on his shoulder.
Don Satan now assumes the more business-like tones of an Universal Studios tour guide. “You understand that the telenovela and film section is a cut above some of the other neighborhoods. In addition to all the evil deeds that have landed them here, these characters are hugely self-important and require a lot of time and attention.” (I quip to Sylvia and Novela Maven that I imagine receiving a lot of time and attention in this place may not be a good thing.)
“Your Caray Caray readers asked for accommodations to be prepared for…” here he looks down at his i-Phone, reading a text message, “ah, Carmina, Gabino, Horacio, Ingrid, Paolo, Augusto, Alfonsina and even one young man, a Vicente—I think. Please understand that we have prepared a suite of rooms for each but that some of them may not be used right away—or,” and here he scowls and suddenly looks very ugly, “at all. I know that some of these characters deserve a real Karmageddon, but the Televisa antagonists have a way of repenting at the very end. We just won’t know who will join us immediately until after the Gran Final.” He grins knowingly and for the first time I see a gleam in his eyes that scares me green. “Ah, yes. Here we are. Carmina’s suite. Whether she joins us now or later, we are ready for her.” At this he unlocks a door with a flourish (just another white door in a seemingly endless line of white doors) and invites us to look inside. As the door opens, the sound Coming from inside the room is deafening. Instinctively I cover my ears. “The furnaces of Hell create a lot of collateral noise,” Don Satan explains. He turns and smiles at Fluffy and Alfredo, whom I now recognize as his henchmen. “You get used to it.”
The room we walk into is commodious but is filled with indescribable horrors. An old fashioned bed from a sanitarium, complete with dirty looking restraints is bolted to one wall. Arcane looking devices of water torture line two other walls. The heat in the room is unbearable. A couple of sweating technicians are putting in place a hologram machine to continually project images of all the people Carmina harmed or murdered on the walls.
“All right, that’s a wrap.” beams an IT technician wearing an asbestos suit. “How’d we do, sir?” He looks hopefully at the Boss. Satan pats him on the shoulder. “Looks good Ghengis. Now you and Atilla get on down the hall. A sinner’s work is never done!” Out of nowhere a voice booms out over a hidden wall speaker. “You cannot escape your fate, Carmina.” I recognize that voice! The recappers all look vaguely unwell.
Just at that moment, Doña Ramona steps out from around the wall. “Thanks so much for recording that, Ramona,” says Lucifer. “I was happy to help in this special case”, says Ramona graciously. “Now, it’s getting late, these good people have a recap to write, and none of us can stay here. Thanks to your hospitality, they will be able to assure all the Caray Caray readers that the villains will get their just due.” Ramona smiles kindly, hands each of us an amulet, tells us to click our heels together in the manner of Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz, as we intone, “There is no place like home.” In a snap, we are back in our respective homes, the clock is ticking at one minute to the hour and we are ready to write the last recap for Abismo de Pasion.
At the Jail in L’Ermita
Delores and Horacio walk into the jail building hand in hand. Horacio heads right up to the front desk and announces, “My name is Horacio Ramirez, I am a fugitive and I deliver myself up,” his eyes and the camera turn to Delores, “For love.”
The Blue House of Shame
Elisa and Gael walk up to the Casa and shake the locked front door. Elisa cries, “We have been looking all night long and there is still no sign of Damian or my Aunt. We haven’t found them anywhere.”
But just then...We hear sirens. Zoom! Up drive black police cars. Men in white shirts with deep voices get out. “Over there”, shouts one guy who might be in charge. “What’s going on?” asks Elisa. “Last night we received the information that someone is buried here.’’ “Que? Que?” Asks a shocked looking Elisa. She responds hysterically, “Damian! Damian Arango is disappeared and …”.
The Police Capitan stops her mid freak-out. “Señora, the body that is here belongs to a woman. Besides that, according to Horacio Ramirez, the body has been here for a long time.’ Horacio Ramirez? asks a confused Elisa. He has disappeared as well. “Yes,” says the Capitan, “But now he has reported in to the authorities.” Gael, thinking on his feet says, “The body. The body buried over there is my mom.” Gael runs over to the loose pile of dirt, grabs a handy shovel and and frantically begins to disinter his Mami.
Yucatan Water Torture at the Cielo Abierto Habanero Fields
It is HOT. Carmina has Damian tied to a chair in the hot sun. She is looking a bit ragged herself but she has a cache of water bottles for herself out of Damian’s reach. She is sitting about 6 feet away from him with THE shotgun across her lap and a water bottle in her other hand. She splashes water over toward Damian as she begins to torture him with words. “It’s hot, no? You hate me Damian, please. The person you should hate is my sister, Estefania”…Carmina is rambling and very little she says is coherent. She sits like a man on an habanero crate, legs splayed, and picks up a water bottle. “Do you want some? Do you want some water?” She walks over to Damian and dribbles a little water toward but not in his mouth. Carmina, you are a Gorgon, (Thanks UA)……”You torture me, she says.” Now she gives us a long and nonsensical soliloquy about the perils of love, her sister, etc. Apparently loving the sound of her own voice, she starts talking to Dam about her affair with his father. Damian’s smell reminds her of his father. (This is in very poor taste, Carmina,. Really, even a murderous torturing slut like you should know better. You were raised better than this.) Their affair was like an habanero, hot, intense, pure fire. She bites the head off of pepper with the same ease Gene Simmons used in biting the head off a rabid bat on stage. (Come to think of it, Carmina’s hairstyle—not the color, mind you—looks like she is taking a page out of the KISS stylebook. But I digress…) You are Rosendo’s son, why don’t you take me away from here the way he was going to all those years ago?
Carmina now saunters over to Damian sitting tied to his chair, straddles him and tells him she has never known passion like she knew with his father Rosendo. When she kissed Damian at the stable, in the cenote, it reminded her of being with Rosendo. Carmina gives him a pepper to bite on. She begins to work some tongue thrusts with Damian. At first he resists, then he seems to comply. I hope he will bite her tongue off but he lets her get just close enough to head-butt her, knock her off balance and push her down into the dirt. Nice work, Damian.
Wow! He gets his legs untied and starts to run across the fields but just then Gabino drives up in his silver camioneta. Naturally, he jumps out of the truck, grabs a handy machete and runs Damian down on foot. “Where are you going, Brat?” Gabs menaces Dam with the machete and tells him to get a move on as he walks Dam back toward Carmina .
So Damian is back in the clutches of the evil ones. Carmina picks herself up off the ground. “Ojitos!” Gabino cries his pet name for Carmina, “I have something for you, something that you lost”. He bites the head off another habanero pepper and makes a face like I make when I bite into a (much milder) jalapeño. (It’s a really great face he pulls—don’t miss it. Gabino is such a man. I would be crying like a baby at this point.) “I had other plans but now I wonder…How much do you think Alfonsina would pay for her damned son?” Carmina rattles on. “I think she would tear off her skin to save him.” It should be noted here that Carmina looks a real mess after being pushed down into the red dirt by Damian. He hair is a wreck, her pink cotton broadcloth shirt with the pink and white gingham lining on the cuffs is smeared with mud, and her sneering face resembles a Greek Tragedy mask.
Back At the Blue House
At the Blue House, the body has been dug up, decently covered with a blanket and put in the waiting coroner’s wagon. Elisa and Gael have a conversation after Ingrid’s body is disinterred. It seems that Ingrid was buried alive. What kind of a monster could do this? asks Gael. While Gael is speaking, the police Capitan approaches them with what appear to be the famous blue tickets in a plain plastic bag. The tickets were buried with Ingrid, he says. The tickets are in the name of Rosendo Arango and Carmina Bouvier. Does this mean anything to Elisa or Gael? Elisa’s face registers great shock.
Hacienda Arango
Alfonsina and Don Lucio are at Hacienda Arango. There is still no sign of Damian. Alfie looks distraught. “Calm down,” says Don Lucio. “How can I?” asks an extremely anxious Alfonsina. She does not know if her son is living or dead! Just then Elisa comes in and hysterically asks if either Lucio of Alfie know anything about Damian. Lucio says no. A sobbing Elisa breaks the news about the body found at the Blue House of Shame. It was Ingrid. Everything indicates that GABINO MENDOZA (ALL CAPS) BURIED HER ALIVE).
Eeew, seriously. Alfonsina hated Ingrid, but the idea of burying someone alive is too grim even for Alfonsina and she makes a disgusted face. But Elisa has more news. Buried with the body they found these tickets and she holds up a baggie with the pair of folded blue tickets inside. (If you want to know just why El Capitan would let Elisa walk away with prime evidence just removed from the grave of a murder victim, you will have to ask Fluffy and the Chimps. Simian logic has struck again).
Elisa cries and yells that the tickets finally PROVE for all time that the person leaving with Rosendo on that fateful day so long ago was her Aunt Carmina, (aka the Tangelo-ho, Agent Orange, the Killer Citrus Fruit, the Orange Menace and many more colorful epithets) NOT her mother Estafania!!!
Alfonsina takes the tickets from Elisa, examines them and says that Ingrid knew the truth all along and paid for these tickets with her life. “Now, I am paying very dearly,” Alfie bursts out. (I guess she is talking about her possible loss of Damian. Otherwise I would say she hasn’t paid at all for her bad behavior of nearly 20 years.) “Elisa, I am so REPENTANT!” Elisa moves to hug Alfie and comfort her. Really? Really? Elisa you are a sap. Forgive her if you will, but you don’t need to hug Her Bitterness. That is really not required of you.
The phone rings. Alfie and Elisa mince quickly over to the ringing telephone—high heels and high wedges are not made for running on slippery tile! Alfie picks up the phone crying “Damian!” but it is Carmina calling from a pay phone in town. Carmina growl-talks into the phone, “No Alfonsina, I am your worst nightmare.” (Really, I am scared of Carmina. She looks and sounds hideous right now.) “Damian is alive for the moment.” Carmina tells Alfie that Gabino is doing her a favor right now. Alfie barks into the phone, “Donde esta mi hijo? What is it that you want?”
Now Carmina snaps back that she is the only person asking questions right now. “Alfonsina, how much money would you pay for the life of your damned son?” “The life of a son does not have a price,” responds Alfonsina with a bit of spirit. Carmina tells Alfie to guess how much money it will take to ransom Damian. If she gives enough, Damian lives. If not…Carmina wants to talk to Elisa. She will make a deal for Damian’s life, but Elisa has to come to the meeting, not Alfie. “Elisa is here with me,” Alfie says unhelpfully. Way to throw Little E under the bus, Alfie. “Ah, perfect!” Carmina bares her teeth in a gesture that might pass for a smile on a hyena. “Will you put her on the phone, please?” Elisa takes the phone from Alfie. Don Lucio is still looking on, helpless. “I beg you, Aunt, to let Damian go.” Carmina starts tormenting her niece for what I hope is the last time. “ So it is up to you whether he lives or dies.”
The Church
And we cut to…The beautiful church of L’ Ermita de Santa Isabel. We recognize Ramona from the back as she sits and prays in a pew. Father Miguel walks up to Ramona, wishes her a good afternoon and introduces himself. Is there anything he can do for Ramona? “No. The only one who can help me now is the one up there (gesturing toward the images representing the Divine at the front of the room.) “Be assured that he WILL help you, but perhaps I could give you some additional counsel, ” says Padre Miguel with great certainty. “No, when I came here I asked God not to let something happen. But what is done is done. What is written in a person’s destiny, there is no way it can be changed”. Ramona says goodbye to Padre and leaves the church.
Outside the church, Paloma is sitting on a bench as Gael walks up to her. The streets are wet as if after a recent rain. The church bells toll three times. It sounds portentous. Gael says to Paloma that Señora Ingrid is dead. The imbecilic Gabino Mendoza killed his mother. A heartbroken Paloma replies, “Ese hombre also killed my mama.” You cannot one up Paloma in the drama department. “That murderer is my father,” Paloma sobs. “He laughed at my Mother and killed her inside.”
“No puede ser. No puede ser, “ says a sympathetic looking Gael.
But Paloma is in a really bad mood. She has had it. She won’t let the same thing happen to her as did her mother. Paloma will not let a bad love take away her life. She unceremoniously dumps Gael right there in front of all L’Ermita. She is going to be a single Mom. She is strong enough for her baby.
Gael has the good grace to actually look very upset. No, No, Paloma, no! He cries. “What am I supposed to do?” asks Paloma. “Sit around and hope that you will one day fall in love with me? No. You know, Gael, already I have been desperate. I have suffered much. I am not able to suffer more.”
“No, Paloma. I have totally renounced Elisa for you!”
“You have renounced Elisa for me. That’s too bad because now you don’t have her and you don’t have me either.”
Gabino Has A Conversation With Damian
It’s a full moon outside and Gabino is having a conversation with Damian. Sadly, the conversation is a bit one-sided as poor Dam is bound and gagged and seated in the trunk of a red car. They are still at Cielo Abierto. Gabino gestures to the now dark habanero fields. “This town was mine. Why did you come back, brat? You didn’t just take away the procesadora, you took everything from me. Even your mother. When Rosendo died, I wanted to take his place; not just in the business but also in the bed of each of his lovers. And of one in particular, your mother.
Damian struggles silently as Gabino stands over him. If he could kill Gabino with his eyes he would. Gabino starts in again with Too Much Information about Alfonsina. “Last night I was on the verge of possessing her. She liked it. I can still feel how I dried her sweat with my lips, how I touched her body with my dirty hands.” Gabino is into this one-sided conversation now. “You know Damian, when I leave town I am going to leave with the smell of her whole body on my hands. Plus, I leave with the two things she told me…She told me Rosendo Arango had more illegitimate children, and I that I could be one of his sons. So, I'm not going to hurt you little brother.” Gabino slams the trunk closed on Damian and downs a handful of pills.
Carmina approaches the car and asks about Damián. Gabino answers by banging on the car trunk. “Here”, he says. Carmina tells him that the money is on the way.
Gabino moves in for a hard faced kiss but Carmina is not into it. She asks about the unfamiliar car. He says folks would be looking for her car. This is a car he won in a “raffle”—in other words, he stole it. He tells Carmina he will meet her in two hours on the road to Merida. If she is not there, he will leave.
Gael Tries To Retrieve A Wife
Gael goes to Doña Ramona’s to find Paloma. Why, asks Ramona? Paloma doesn’t want to see him and neither does Ramona. Gael wants just a second to talk to his wife. He wants to explain…Too bad. Doña Ramona reminds him that he is better off now, as this marriage was a terrible burden for him. Paloma doesn’t want to see him and neither does she. Ramona backs him quietly out the door.
Paloma comes out and says she hasn’t changed her mind about Gael. She thanks her Grandma for sending him away. Ramona, in turn, says thank you to Paloma for forgiving her for keeping the truth about her parentage from her all this time.
Paloma tells her Grandma that she has no idea how much she loves her. Ramona says the same back at you. “Someday you will be compensated for all that you have suffered,” Ramona tells her granddaughter. I don’t write this stuff, amigos, I just report it.
EJ
Part Two by Novela Maven:
The Killer Orange likes to be the center of attention ...
... but she prefers to control her own spin. So perhaps she would be irritated if she could hear the conversation in Ramona's humble shack out by the cenote. Paloma is saying that the aunt is a monster -- someone should rip out her eyes and burn her alive! For Ramona, even that wouldn't be harsh enough punishment for all the evil Carmina has done.
As Ramona prepares to head out into the evening, she fibs to Paloma that she has to gather some things she needs to prepare her recetas the next day. Paloma wants to go to Elisa's side but Ramona tells her to stay home tonight. "I have a feeling something very bad is going to happen."
The Night of the Dead
In the darkened panteón, Carmina scuttles down the path between the graves. She is on her way to pick up the ransom money. As she runs, she swivels her head from side to side, scouring the landscape for enemies.
She stops at Estefanía's grave -- that white marble tomb she so begrudged her dead sister -- and sees the metallic attaché case sitting on its surface. She bends down and opens the clasps. Her face is alight with greedy pleasure at the sight of all that money; but as she looks up, her pleasure turns to terror: she is face to face with the black-cassocked spirit of padre Lupe, his face a silent mask of judgment. Carmina grabs the case and runs away. She doesn't get far. Now she faces Blanca's spirit, all in white, her face severe and somber. By now Carmina can scarcely breathe but she holds tight to the maleta, veering away from Blanca and lurching towards the cemetery gate.
She slips out, jumps into the back seat of her white camioneta and barks to the driver: "Here's the damn money I promised! Now move!" Elisa and Gael, watching from a green camioneta parked nearby, prepare to follow her.
[Several Anonymi on the Patio are scratching their heads. "Who is driving Carmina's car?"]
Meanwhile Gabino waits in his car parked on the side of the road to Mérida.
Ramona remembers to wear her rubbers
Ramona, clad in her waterproof poncho, leads her horse and cart towards the place where Gabino waits. The horse is spooked at a sudden burst of thunder and lightning. A heavy rain begins to fall. Gabino grumbles: "No,no,no -- ¡lo que me faltaba!" (That's all I needed!)
[Puzzled whispers buzz through the Patio. How did Ramona know to wear her raingear? "Maybe she gets weather.com at her choza" cracks R la O.]
Headlights approach in the gloom. A vehicle stops and Carmina emerges, silvery maleta in hand. She joins Gabino in the front seat of the red car. Yes, she assures him, she has the money. Their freedom! Greed makes them hot and they take a moment to swap some spit before making their escape.
Déjà vu all over again
As the red car pulls onto the road, Ramona leads her cart right into its path. Carmina screams for Gabino to step on the brakes. But it's too late. The car veers wildly, spinning out of control and rolling over and over. Now we can see Carmina, her legs pinned beneath the car, calling desperately for Gabino. Gabino clambers out of the car, seemingly unhurt. He has only one concern: "Where's the money?" He sees the case and grabs it. Carmina continues to call to him, pleading with him not to leave her. Too late, Orange Crush. Too late.
Now Gael and Elisa pull up and, with Ramona, they survey the scene. Ramona says in a spooky echo of Estefanía's last words:
"Iban a escaparse. Tenía que detenerlos."
(They were going to escape. I had to stop them.)
[On the Patio Rabbi Jacob shrugs and murmurs sadly into his schnapps: "Yes, she had to stop them. But couldn't she have done it a little sooner? Oy how I miss my old friend Padre Lupe!"]
Gael, Elisa and Ramona approach the wreck -- the one pinned under the car -- who, in between her screams of pain, manages to tell them that Damián is in the trunk. She thinks he may be dead.
Gael and Elisa race to the trunk, open it -- No sign of Damián but Gael spots Augusto's escopeta and he grabs it. He has some hunting to do tonight.
Police sirens shriek their approach. Elisa stays at the accident site with Ramona and Gael sets off in pursuit of Gabino.
Gabino stumbles along, holding fast to his freedom in a maleta. (Do we doubt that he is drawing strength from his delicious secret? He is a real son of Rosendo!)
The mud is making his footing unsteady, the rain is plastering his thin hair to his scalp, the silver of the maleta held fast to his chest is glinting in the dark.
High Anxiety
Back at Hacienda Arango, there is the requisite wringing of hands, the empty pleas for calm. Lucio, as always the last sane man standing, convinces the rest to call the police.
Paloma arrives and announces to the assembled gang -- Alfonsina, ToñaChente, BraulioDolores and LucioMaru (because yes, we are partnering up for the final dance) -- that her grannie thinks trouble is brewing tonight. (Sheesh. Talk about anticlimactic.)
Lucio brings Paloma up to speed on the accident -- Dam is still missing and Gab is on the lam. On the bright side, Carmina has been seriously injured.
Braulio and Maru will go to the ProCe to get the workers' phone numbers since they'll be able to help in the search.
Meanwhile Lucio and Dolores will head to the Centro de Salud since Elisa may be there waiting to talk to the aunt.
Paloma and Alfonsina embrace. (No, really, they do.)
Gael has caught himself a Largemouth Mendoza
Gael catches up to Gabino, the latter covered in blood and mud and still hanging on to the silvery case, with which he now shields his body. Gael aims his rifle at his loathsome prey.
Gabino Rosendoson snivels like a girl: "It can't end like this!" Gael is unmoved: "You and that woman killed my father!"
Gabino is quick to deny the accusation. He had nothing to do with Rosendo's death.
"Not Rosendo, estúpido! I'm referring to padre Lupe!" thunders Gael.
"That wasn't me, it was Carmina" says Gabino. "That woman is loca! She was even going to kill moi! That's why I had to run. Hey, she killed your sister! She drowned her in the cenote! With her own hands!"
[They are nodding grimly on the Patio. At least Kenia's murder is out in the open now, says Katy quietly. "Would it have killed him to tell Gael about Gweedo too?" says Cathyx tartly.]
"I know I'm not a saint," continues Gabino -- thus disproving Blue Lass's Stigmata under the BandanaHand theory* -- "but don't kill me. I didn't murder anyone."
[*Ed. note: In a personal communication to the author, Head Monkey Writer Fluffy confirmed that the Gabino character suffers from allergies -- perennial rhinitis, to be exact -- and uses the bandana on his hand to wipe his nose and pinkish watery eyes. In simian literature, allergic rhinitis commonly symbolizes alienation, in this case Gabino's alienation from the habanero community in which he feels trapped, a world where even the pollen is against him. Many of the facial tics and twitches the actor affects in this role are meant to make graphic Gabino's attempts to exert some control over himself and his environment -- to wit, to keep his dam nose from running. When he calls other characters "mocosos", he is trying vainly to deflect attention from his own unpleasant condition. As EJ might say, he is "projecting."]
Gael, still pointing his weapon at what would be Gabino's heart, if he had one, retorts: "What about what you did to Ingrid? You buried her alive!"
At those words, Gabino drops the case and smacks his head: "She shot me in the head, dude! What would you have done?"
Now Gabino falls to the ground and writhes and roars his pain. Gael looks at him stonily. He just wants to know one thing: ¿Dónde está mi hermano? Tell me where my brother is and I'll let you live!
Wailing sirens approach. Gabino gasps out that Damián is where he himself could never be -- the ProCe La Anita.
The police searchlights home in on Gabino Rosendoson's face, blinding him, and he closes his eyes.
But Damián's eyes are open wide. We see them peering out between the slats of the blinds in his office at the ProCe where he is gagged (with a bandana, natch) and tied to a chair. And attached to his back -- a bomb!!!
Now Maru and Braulio arrive and discover poor booby-trapped Dam.
["So what else is new?" snickers Julia from the Back Row of the Patio. "He's been trapped by boobies since we met him." "You got that right!" chimes in Cynderella.]
Braulio gently removes Dam's bandana gag. Dam tells them to send for help and to scram -- this dynamite contraption could go off at any minute.
Gael shows up with the cops and, of course, refuses to leave. If the bomb explodes, he and his bro will be smithereens together.
Los hermanos Arango wax philosophical (although a normal person would remain absolutely still and silent until the bomb had been deactivated.)
"A situation like this", begins Dam, "makes you think about life, all we've experienced, all that we have had"...
"And all that we've lost" interjects Gael. Dam assumes Gael is thinking of Elisa but Gael sets him straight, as he carefully mops Dam's brow with his very own bandana.
[Does he want to be a smithereen? asks Diana nervously. Why is he touching Dam? Fluffy lumbers over to the table and with grunts and bananas indicates that there is no need to worry: Carmina and Gabs don't really know from explosives.]
And Gael tries to explain to Dam his inexplicable change of heart about Paloma.
Dam, for his part, whiles away what could be the last few seconds of his life giving us a little grammar lesson by demonstrating the future of probability:
"¿Sera que finalmente Paloma logró entrar en tu corazón? ¿Sera que a pesar de todo, terminaste enamorándote de ella?
(I wonder if Paloma has finally managed to work her way into your heart. Could it be that, in spite of everything, you ended up falling in love with her?)
Once more the police ask Gael to leave. Once more he refuses, holding fast to Dam's arm as if daring the dam bomb to go off.
Outside the ProCe grounds, Maru and Braulio greet Lucio, Dolores and Elisa and explain the danger. Elisa, being small, cute, quick, brave and very very dumb, manages to run into the lot, eluding the policemen standing guard.
Possibly the sweetest moment out of 161 episodes: Lucio strokes Maru's cheek and asks her if she's ok. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you" he says. They embrace. Over Lucio's shoulder we see Maru's face contorted with emotion.
We are spared the details of the rescue
To the strains of "Junto a ti" the brothers Arango emerge, unscathed. Elisa runs to Dam. A single tear stains her pretty cheek. Gael and Damián smile broadly, Gael gives Dam a little nudge towards Elisa and the newlyweds fall into one another's arms.
Alfonsina rushes onto the scene and Gael gently holds her back so Dam and Elisa can have their moment together. And Alfonsina says smilingly:
"Tienes razón, Gael. Por fin mi hijo está con la mujer más importante de su vida."
(You're right, Gael. Finally my son is with the most important woman in his life.)
She takes Gael's arm and they walk off together (perhaps in search of a good neurologist to help them understand their bizarre changes of temperament).
[EJ whispers to Sylvia: "It's not neurological, you know. It's just the way monkeys write."]
The band plays on.
Outside the Centro de Salud in La Ermita, life continues its vibrant, unremarkable course. But inside lies a woman whose life will never be the same -- Carmina in a hospital bed, her body battered, a tube in her nose, her vital functions monitored by screens and ominous, audible beeps. Oh man. She's not even orange anymore. Doc Tovar, one of her erstwhile lovers, says softly:
"Mira nada más en lo que terminaste, Carmina."
(Look how you ended up, Carmina.)
He extends his hand as if to stroke her hair, but then draws back. A nurse enters and he leaves.
Doc tells the police guard outside the room that he's wasting his time -- that woman's not going anywhere.
Now Elisa, Damián and Alfonsina want to know about Carmina's condition. Her legs were badly damaged, Doc tells them. They had no choice but to amputate.
[The Patio is momentarily subdued as the news spreads from table to table. A subtle warning look from JudyB suffices to stop Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave.]
Gael's Endless Apologia - or - Making Up and Making Out at the Pit
Gael blathers apologies to Paloma (who, by the way, looks stunning in salmon), goes for the kiss and is rebuffed. His obsession with Elisa was an adolescent thing. Blah blah blah. The woman he loves is Paloma -- he just never realized it until he was about to lose her. Blah blah blah.
(A handful of nerfazos sail out of the Patio and, defying barriers of time and space, are seen to skim the surface of the cenote).
It was partly seeing how great Dam and Elisa are together that made him realize that Paloma is his own media naranja. (Puh-leeze!)
"Don't toy with my feelings!" Paloma warns. Gael begs, Paloma relents. [On the Patio, Marta does a little pirouette.] They kiss for real. The background piano chords resolve. So does this subplot. Let's move on.
["Although this would be a great time to open Ingrid's wedding present", whispers Daisynjay. Fluffy, are you listening?]
My, what sharp bandage scissors you have!
The nurse cuts a fresh piece of gauze with a startlingly pointy pair of scissors as she prepares to change the dressings on Carmina's wounds. Her patient wakes up groaning and asking questions which the nurse deftly sidesteps -- Carmina will have to ask the doctors.
Alfonsina enters the room and Carmina asks the nurse to leave her alone with her Second Worst Enemy and a Sharp Pair of Scissors in arm's reach.
Her Orange may have faded but Carmina is still pure acid. She even manages a small mean smile as she asks Alfie if she has come to reproach her for what she did to Damián. It's not worth the trouble, says Alfie, since DamFine is fine. And truthfully, she just feels sorry for Carmina. However you slice the lemon, the rotten citrus is destined for the compost heap.
"Don't be so sure of that" retorts Carmina. "I guess you don't know," says Alfie. "Know what?" Just as the nurse did earlier, Alfonsina evades the question, advising her to talk to her doctors. One thing she will say -- Carmina will never be the same again. (Am I just imagining it or does Alfie mutter "Chaparrita" as she leaves the room?)
[The Patio gang notices that this scene echoes and yet differs importantly from one that took place a dozen years or so earlier. Back then Alfonsina didn't hesitate to deliver the devastating news that Carmina could never have another child. Carlos looks thoughtfully at the tequila shot glass in his hand. He knew the truth would be transformative for Alfonsina. Well sort of. But Doc Tovar's understanding of medical confidentiality is as fuzzy as ever.]
But her friends call her "Shorty"
When Alfonsina is gone, Carmina pulls the sheet away from her body. She gazes in horror when she sees, in place of her sturdy orange legs, two neatly bandaged white stumps. She opens her mouth and only animal noises come out; she swings her arms wildly*. Then her eyes fall on the pointy scissors shining invitingly on the treatment table at her bedside.
[*Ed. note: This scene, which represents some of Fluffy's finest work, is featured prominently in the 2012 Winter Edition of the quarterly, Significant Simian Teleplays.]
It is Elisa's turn to visit the aunt. She finds Carmina wrapped up in her sheet, desolate and very pale. Elisa is alarmed at the aunt's appearance and wants to call the doctor but Carmina tells her not to and begs her to come closer. Elisa tries to edge away. The aunt continues to beckon her: Acércate, acércate.
["Get out of there", warns La Paloma (who has slipped unobtrusively onto the Patio for the last hurrah). "She has scissors!" Others are merely sipping their sangria appreciatively, enjoying the action. Sara (whom I continue to love in a totally non-creepy way) and Doris are even making small wagers.]
"I hate you, Elisa, because you are loved; you represent everything I could never have. Your father was the only man I ever loved. But I killed him. Go figure."
Suddenly the scissors clatter to the floor. (Whew!) They are dripping blood! Elisa's hand flies to her mouth: "¿Qué hiciste?" she gasps. She runs to get help. Carmina, alone, is bleeding out. She shudders, groans and an alarm sound grows very loud, as if to announce the devil himself come to claim one of his own. Then the horn is replaced by the continuous beep of the monitor alarm. The Evil Citrus is dead.
Doc Tovar arrives on the scene. All he can do is close the lifeless staring blue eyes.
Paloma is setting the table when she hears the sweet strains of a serenata outside her window.
Part Three (aka the Mutual Admiration part) by Sylvia:
Ooh lucky me, I get the serenata! Gael and his band of mariachis arrive singing, appropriately enough, Paloma Querida. Gael tells Paloma he wants to make her immensely happy. She says she is already immensely happy because finally, for the first time, he actually came home for dinner. Besos!
Ask not for whom the bells toll Gabino, they toll for thee, even in jail. Lucio pays Gabs a visit. His thunderous voice echoes throughout the cell, penetrating Gabino’s skull and ricocheting around his aching brain. “Great to see you locked up A-hole. Now you’re going to pay for all your crimes and for what you did to my wife. Blanca can rest in peace and I can live in peace.” Gabino goes into automatic, “Beat it you old stink bomb!” Lucio booms on, cannon-like, that Gabino will go to jail for a long, long time. By the time he gets out he’ll be older than Lucio; even the dogs won’t bother barking at him. He reminds Gabino he once had so much going for him, but due to his own ambition and pride he is now...nada. “See you never, Gabino!”
Gabino wants Lucio to hold his horses. Little does Lucio know that when Gabino gets out he’s going to rise like the pond scum he is, “porque yo también soy un Arango!!” Lucio breaks out in giggles, “Nice try but I knew your dad. He was a drunk and he abandoned your mom when she got sick.” Lucio says Gab is the spittin’ image of his daddy, a little blonde snake with fair snakey eyes. Gab insists Alfie told him she burnt his birth certificate attesting he is Rosendo’s son. Lucio’s still laughing.The fact is that Alfie wanted a child badly and Rosendo almost convinced Alfie to adopt Baby Gabs, but then she got pregnant. Dam was in and Gab was out. Must have been those adoption papers that Alfie was burning. “You’re not an Arango!” “Am too!” “Are not!” “Yes I am!” Gab bangs his head against the bars, (ouch!), slumps down and, wait for it, REMOVES THE BANDANA! He stares at his flexing hand but do we get to see? Nopis!
[“Orale! Look who was right about the papers!” brags TF. “A round of tequila shots for the patio!”]
The two happy couples are strolling downtown and happen to spy each other. The men need to talk. Gael tells Dam that what he did you don’t do to a brother, but Dam was also right that he didn’t steal Elisa from Gael because Gael never really had her to begin with. Both bros ask forgiveness. Both bros say there is nothing to forgive. Both bros admit they have always admired the other. Both bros hug. Bros, I say it’s time to rip your shirts off and arm wrestle.
That night under the perpetually full moon Paloma visits Ramona at the herb hut to give her some news that she won’t like. Ramona, busily dissecting sticks, has already guessed, Paloma has decided not to leave Gael. Paloma says he convinced her that he’s truly in love with her. “Then I’m cool with it,” laughs Ramona. She says that of course the love amulets work, just make sure to wear them always. Hugs!
We speed through Carmina’s funeral, attended by a scant group of Elisa, Dam, Lucio and Lolita. Elisa, tastefully dressed in her ramera-wear-for-mourning, grabs the spade from the slow-poke worker and begins enthusiastically shoveling dirt onto Auntie’s grave, not that I blame her. “Adiós tía.”
Time passes...
Elisa and Dam are back at the cemetery standing over the grave of Augusto AND Estefania. She says that finally they are together. Forever. [“Hey, what about the money that Lucio spent on Estef’s new grave?” someone asks. “Is Elisa gonna give him a refund?”]
Some sort of big celebration is happening in La Ermita. Everyone is dressed up, smiling, and mostly paired off. Florencia and Enrique, Carito and Doc T., Lucio and Maru, Braulio and a pregnant Lolita. Chente is eyeballing some chica, approaches her, and is only about 50% as smarmy as he usually is. Ramona is chasing after an adorable little Remedios, obviously Paloma’s first. Her second is a baby girl named Estefania. [“Way to passive aggressively stick it to Elisa,” nods EJ in approval, “snagging Estef’s name before Elisa can get to it.”]
Paloma coos about her beautiful baby, and a sight never seen before shocks the audience. A beaming, yes I said beaming, Alfonsina strolls up bragging that her grandson is right in there too; Baby Augusto is the most handsome, just like his father. [At the baby’s name hacks and coughs rudely erupt on the patio.] Dam and Elisa say they are working on baby Rosendo. Alfonsina laughs, yes I said laughs!
We find out that this is a baptism celebration for the babies when Alfonsina teases, yes teases, Padre Miguel about the ceremony, saying he’s going to have to try harder to compete with Guadalupe. Uh, OK he says, gotta go now, no doubt reminding himself how it is with people who aren’t used to humor. Sometimes their jokes fall flat. He makes a mental note to check her next contribution to ensure it’s the usual amount.
Lolita and Braulio walk up and Elisa gushes that she’s finally going to get that little brother she’s always wanted. Lolita says the little bugger is about to kick his own way out any second, which freaks Braulio out a little.
The camera pans around the happy faces and cheerful children until Baby Augusto has a meltdown.
Doc T. gazes at Carito and tells her she did it. She was scared but her will to live is as big as her beauty. Carito claims it was his love that gave her the courage to fight and defeat the cancer. She was afraid he’d abandon her like her husband. Doc T. says pshaw, not all men are like that. He fell in love with her soul, not her body (easy to say to someone with THAT body), and he wants to tell her that every day of her life. Te amos y besos.
Elisa and Dam interrupt them so Elisa can dump the baby off on Carito for a while. Dam thanks Doc T. for being with them and helping them throughout their lives. Dam says Doc will always be an important part of their lives and he is the uncle of all the kids in La Ermita, especially during birthdays, Christmas, quinceañeras and graduations.
They scamper over to Flor and Enrique. Enrique says that after doing the paperwork for a year they are finally legally adopting Sophia. Sophia runs over (with little Remedios tagging along, so cute) and I’ve got to hand it to Flor; she’s not going to have any messy diapers with this one. Enrique says they wanted a baby but when Flor saw Sophia she fell in love. Quick thinking there Flor. OMG, Florencia herself says bypassing the diapers and sleepless nights was a bonus, LOL! Well at least one of our characters has remained themselves.
Flor gushes to Dam that the time she spent with him led her to be the person she is today. They all mutually admire each other.
Lucio tells Maru that he’ll always love Blanca but he’s discovered there is room in his heart for two. “Is that your way of telling me you love me?” queries our pragmatic secretary? “Well yes,” he says, “I love you a lot.” Dam and Elisa do a fly-by to express their approval of the mature pairing. Lucio says Elisa has always been like a daughter to him. She says he was always more than a father to her. Tears and hugs.
Next on the Dam Elisa dance card is Gael. Elisa has a surprise for him. It’s the title to Augusto’s Cielo Abierto. Gael has worked it since he was a boy and he deserves to own it. His name is already on the title and if he doesn’t work the land then it will be abandoned. Gael demurs for about 3 seconds until Paloma pipes up that Elisa and Dam are right. Group hug!
Ramona holds little Estefania and thought bubbles “What do you think little Stef? People say those two couples are together because of my amulets, but what they don’t know is that the magic is in their hearts, not in their necklaces. The magic is in God’s blessing.”
Another first, Alfie is sitting at a table with Lolita, Braulio and Tonia! She leaves right away but still. Tonia tells Lolita that she wants to help out with their baby. Lolita looks at Braulio like Tonia is a nut case, but then she thinks about Tonia handling all the poopy undies and says of course Tonia can help out. Tonia apologizes for being such an incredibly neverending PIA. Braulio forgives her and invites her to go to go get some jicama treats for Lolita. What? No tostachos?
Elisa arrives and thanks Lolita for being like a mother to her. Lolita says she couldn’t have been happier to waste her life by watching Elisa grow, fight for her happiness, and bawl uncontrollably at every opportunity. Hugs and tears.
Elisa makes a beeline toward Alfie who immediately grabs baby Augusto to use him as a shield. Alfie thanks Elisa for bringing her grandson into the world and wants a hug. Meanwhile Baby A is macking big time on grannie’s fan. Next time Alfie flips that fan the spit’s going to fly. Alfie says she’s a proud woman but she needs to ask Elisa’s forgiveness again. Elisa says she already forgave her from the bottom of her heart, but if Alf is really sorry she can change Baby A’s poo-poo diapers right now.
Elisa and Dam walk down the stone steps of the Quinta and Dam asks, “Tell me Mrs. Arango, how do you feel?” “Good but...” Dam wonders what’s missing. She gives him a big kiss and the party applauds. Not to be outdone, Paloma grabs Gael and they run down the stairs to kiss and get applauded too.
“Love always triumphs, transcending any abyss,” says the disembodied voice-over. “Finally, each is with whom they love.”
The four grab hands and run through the habanero fields like when they were children. They arrive at the cenote, conveniently wearing swimsuits under their party garb. They spend a good bit of time swimming around, showing off their bods and making out. I was going to rip on them a bit more about this scene, but the shots of them as children made me feel magnanimous. So I’ll just say...
FIN!
A huge thanks to recappers Sara, Cathy, EJ, Novela Maven, Marta and Cynderella for making this telenovela so very much more than what it really was. And thank you commenters for sharing your amazing insights, humor and for putting smiles on my face every single day.
The plaid shirt is in the hamper, I’m taking the bandana off my hand, my lips are still burning from the habaneros, my ankles are swollen from all those salty Tostachos, and it’s a wrap!
A bit later we get the shirtless arm wrestling at last! More or less. With the voiceover: “In a hot country like this, the sun makes your blood boil, moisture penetrates the skin, the air stifles night senses and awakens instincts. There is no respite for lovers who fall into an abyss of passion.” (But that last part about lovers, the camera had left our boys and traveled to Carmina and Rosendo. In case you were worried.)
And if you think those explanations can make up for all the craziness that Fluffy and Co. have inflicted upon us you can think again. The only thing that helps out is a rowdy happy hour out on The Patio of Lowered Expectations, watching this nonsense with a group of crazy, like-minded friends, nerfazos in hand, drinks on the table, and habanero poppers on the way. As they say at the Drive-In: And now, on with the show...
Part One by EJ:
Abismo de Pasion Gran Final
The door at the end of the hall is massive and appears to be solid oak. It looks like it belongs on the outside of a medieval monastery or convent, not as the entry door to a home office. But we have been told that we will find him in his home office and that we are expected. We pad down the hallway on a priceless Isfahan runner toward the freakishly massive door. Sylvia knocks on the door with a pluck I admire. A deep and mellifluous voice bids us “Enter.”
The huge door opens silently and we step inside the room. We are in what appears to be a gorgeous library and office. Leather-bound books line the walls. A large white dove with a cigarette holder in his beak struts across the desk. You know him as Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock, Director of Abismo de Pasion. He offers to light the Havana cigar of a huge Chimpanzee—yes, it’s Fluffy—seated in a leather wing chair and dressed in a custom Saville Row suit. We are not entirely surprised to see these two in this setting. The room is oddly warm and a dull roar can be heard outside. But our attention is drawn to the man behind the desk.
“Good evening”, he says. We are welcomed into the room by the handsomest man I have ever seen. A large flat-screen monitor on his desk is frozen on the opening credits of Abismo de Pasion. He stands, walks around his huge desk and offers a gracious and charming welcome to the three recappers. His face seems to shine.
“Thank you for seeing us, sir.” Novela Maven opens. ‘We know how busy you must be and appreciate the chance to visit your facilities before the Abismo de Pasion Gran Final.” He smiles a dazzling smile at all three of us and says, “Of course, of course. Not everyone appreciates how much work we have to do here. How kind of you to understand.” His smile crinkles around his eyes and I think that I may swoon. I never swoon but his guy is really something.
“Mr. Bub,” I begin. “As delighted as we would be to visit your whole operation, I am afraid we really only have a remit to see the accommodations reserved for the Abismo de Pasion antagonists.”
“Oh, yes,” he chuckles. “Only the best will do for our villains especially Carmina. I do love her. And, kind friends, do call me Beelze. Or Lucifer. Or if you must, Don Satan. My other names are so—unfriendly. Please, follow me.” We leave his office by an unobtrusive side door and he leads us rapidly down an endless white corridor with closed doors branching off left and right. Fluffy follows behind us with Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock on his shoulder.
Don Satan now assumes the more business-like tones of an Universal Studios tour guide. “You understand that the telenovela and film section is a cut above some of the other neighborhoods. In addition to all the evil deeds that have landed them here, these characters are hugely self-important and require a lot of time and attention.” (I quip to Sylvia and Novela Maven that I imagine receiving a lot of time and attention in this place may not be a good thing.)
“Your Caray Caray readers asked for accommodations to be prepared for…” here he looks down at his i-Phone, reading a text message, “ah, Carmina, Gabino, Horacio, Ingrid, Paolo, Augusto, Alfonsina and even one young man, a Vicente—I think. Please understand that we have prepared a suite of rooms for each but that some of them may not be used right away—or,” and here he scowls and suddenly looks very ugly, “at all. I know that some of these characters deserve a real Karmageddon, but the Televisa antagonists have a way of repenting at the very end. We just won’t know who will join us immediately until after the Gran Final.” He grins knowingly and for the first time I see a gleam in his eyes that scares me green. “Ah, yes. Here we are. Carmina’s suite. Whether she joins us now or later, we are ready for her.” At this he unlocks a door with a flourish (just another white door in a seemingly endless line of white doors) and invites us to look inside. As the door opens, the sound Coming from inside the room is deafening. Instinctively I cover my ears. “The furnaces of Hell create a lot of collateral noise,” Don Satan explains. He turns and smiles at Fluffy and Alfredo, whom I now recognize as his henchmen. “You get used to it.”
The room we walk into is commodious but is filled with indescribable horrors. An old fashioned bed from a sanitarium, complete with dirty looking restraints is bolted to one wall. Arcane looking devices of water torture line two other walls. The heat in the room is unbearable. A couple of sweating technicians are putting in place a hologram machine to continually project images of all the people Carmina harmed or murdered on the walls.
“All right, that’s a wrap.” beams an IT technician wearing an asbestos suit. “How’d we do, sir?” He looks hopefully at the Boss. Satan pats him on the shoulder. “Looks good Ghengis. Now you and Atilla get on down the hall. A sinner’s work is never done!” Out of nowhere a voice booms out over a hidden wall speaker. “You cannot escape your fate, Carmina.” I recognize that voice! The recappers all look vaguely unwell.
Just at that moment, Doña Ramona steps out from around the wall. “Thanks so much for recording that, Ramona,” says Lucifer. “I was happy to help in this special case”, says Ramona graciously. “Now, it’s getting late, these good people have a recap to write, and none of us can stay here. Thanks to your hospitality, they will be able to assure all the Caray Caray readers that the villains will get their just due.” Ramona smiles kindly, hands each of us an amulet, tells us to click our heels together in the manner of Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz, as we intone, “There is no place like home.” In a snap, we are back in our respective homes, the clock is ticking at one minute to the hour and we are ready to write the last recap for Abismo de Pasion.
At the Jail in L’Ermita
Delores and Horacio walk into the jail building hand in hand. Horacio heads right up to the front desk and announces, “My name is Horacio Ramirez, I am a fugitive and I deliver myself up,” his eyes and the camera turn to Delores, “For love.”
The Blue House of Shame
Elisa and Gael walk up to the Casa and shake the locked front door. Elisa cries, “We have been looking all night long and there is still no sign of Damian or my Aunt. We haven’t found them anywhere.”
But just then...We hear sirens. Zoom! Up drive black police cars. Men in white shirts with deep voices get out. “Over there”, shouts one guy who might be in charge. “What’s going on?” asks Elisa. “Last night we received the information that someone is buried here.’’ “Que? Que?” Asks a shocked looking Elisa. She responds hysterically, “Damian! Damian Arango is disappeared and …”.
The Police Capitan stops her mid freak-out. “Señora, the body that is here belongs to a woman. Besides that, according to Horacio Ramirez, the body has been here for a long time.’ Horacio Ramirez? asks a confused Elisa. He has disappeared as well. “Yes,” says the Capitan, “But now he has reported in to the authorities.” Gael, thinking on his feet says, “The body. The body buried over there is my mom.” Gael runs over to the loose pile of dirt, grabs a handy shovel and and frantically begins to disinter his Mami.
Yucatan Water Torture at the Cielo Abierto Habanero Fields
It is HOT. Carmina has Damian tied to a chair in the hot sun. She is looking a bit ragged herself but she has a cache of water bottles for herself out of Damian’s reach. She is sitting about 6 feet away from him with THE shotgun across her lap and a water bottle in her other hand. She splashes water over toward Damian as she begins to torture him with words. “It’s hot, no? You hate me Damian, please. The person you should hate is my sister, Estefania”…Carmina is rambling and very little she says is coherent. She sits like a man on an habanero crate, legs splayed, and picks up a water bottle. “Do you want some? Do you want some water?” She walks over to Damian and dribbles a little water toward but not in his mouth. Carmina, you are a Gorgon, (Thanks UA)……”You torture me, she says.” Now she gives us a long and nonsensical soliloquy about the perils of love, her sister, etc. Apparently loving the sound of her own voice, she starts talking to Dam about her affair with his father. Damian’s smell reminds her of his father. (This is in very poor taste, Carmina,. Really, even a murderous torturing slut like you should know better. You were raised better than this.) Their affair was like an habanero, hot, intense, pure fire. She bites the head off of pepper with the same ease Gene Simmons used in biting the head off a rabid bat on stage. (Come to think of it, Carmina’s hairstyle—not the color, mind you—looks like she is taking a page out of the KISS stylebook. But I digress…) You are Rosendo’s son, why don’t you take me away from here the way he was going to all those years ago?
Carmina now saunters over to Damian sitting tied to his chair, straddles him and tells him she has never known passion like she knew with his father Rosendo. When she kissed Damian at the stable, in the cenote, it reminded her of being with Rosendo. Carmina gives him a pepper to bite on. She begins to work some tongue thrusts with Damian. At first he resists, then he seems to comply. I hope he will bite her tongue off but he lets her get just close enough to head-butt her, knock her off balance and push her down into the dirt. Nice work, Damian.
Wow! He gets his legs untied and starts to run across the fields but just then Gabino drives up in his silver camioneta. Naturally, he jumps out of the truck, grabs a handy machete and runs Damian down on foot. “Where are you going, Brat?” Gabs menaces Dam with the machete and tells him to get a move on as he walks Dam back toward Carmina .
So Damian is back in the clutches of the evil ones. Carmina picks herself up off the ground. “Ojitos!” Gabino cries his pet name for Carmina, “I have something for you, something that you lost”. He bites the head off another habanero pepper and makes a face like I make when I bite into a (much milder) jalapeño. (It’s a really great face he pulls—don’t miss it. Gabino is such a man. I would be crying like a baby at this point.) “I had other plans but now I wonder…How much do you think Alfonsina would pay for her damned son?” Carmina rattles on. “I think she would tear off her skin to save him.” It should be noted here that Carmina looks a real mess after being pushed down into the red dirt by Damian. He hair is a wreck, her pink cotton broadcloth shirt with the pink and white gingham lining on the cuffs is smeared with mud, and her sneering face resembles a Greek Tragedy mask.
Back At the Blue House
At the Blue House, the body has been dug up, decently covered with a blanket and put in the waiting coroner’s wagon. Elisa and Gael have a conversation after Ingrid’s body is disinterred. It seems that Ingrid was buried alive. What kind of a monster could do this? asks Gael. While Gael is speaking, the police Capitan approaches them with what appear to be the famous blue tickets in a plain plastic bag. The tickets were buried with Ingrid, he says. The tickets are in the name of Rosendo Arango and Carmina Bouvier. Does this mean anything to Elisa or Gael? Elisa’s face registers great shock.
Hacienda Arango
Alfonsina and Don Lucio are at Hacienda Arango. There is still no sign of Damian. Alfie looks distraught. “Calm down,” says Don Lucio. “How can I?” asks an extremely anxious Alfonsina. She does not know if her son is living or dead! Just then Elisa comes in and hysterically asks if either Lucio of Alfie know anything about Damian. Lucio says no. A sobbing Elisa breaks the news about the body found at the Blue House of Shame. It was Ingrid. Everything indicates that GABINO MENDOZA (ALL CAPS) BURIED HER ALIVE).
Eeew, seriously. Alfonsina hated Ingrid, but the idea of burying someone alive is too grim even for Alfonsina and she makes a disgusted face. But Elisa has more news. Buried with the body they found these tickets and she holds up a baggie with the pair of folded blue tickets inside. (If you want to know just why El Capitan would let Elisa walk away with prime evidence just removed from the grave of a murder victim, you will have to ask Fluffy and the Chimps. Simian logic has struck again).
Elisa cries and yells that the tickets finally PROVE for all time that the person leaving with Rosendo on that fateful day so long ago was her Aunt Carmina, (aka the Tangelo-ho, Agent Orange, the Killer Citrus Fruit, the Orange Menace and many more colorful epithets) NOT her mother Estafania!!!
Alfonsina takes the tickets from Elisa, examines them and says that Ingrid knew the truth all along and paid for these tickets with her life. “Now, I am paying very dearly,” Alfie bursts out. (I guess she is talking about her possible loss of Damian. Otherwise I would say she hasn’t paid at all for her bad behavior of nearly 20 years.) “Elisa, I am so REPENTANT!” Elisa moves to hug Alfie and comfort her. Really? Really? Elisa you are a sap. Forgive her if you will, but you don’t need to hug Her Bitterness. That is really not required of you.
The phone rings. Alfie and Elisa mince quickly over to the ringing telephone—high heels and high wedges are not made for running on slippery tile! Alfie picks up the phone crying “Damian!” but it is Carmina calling from a pay phone in town. Carmina growl-talks into the phone, “No Alfonsina, I am your worst nightmare.” (Really, I am scared of Carmina. She looks and sounds hideous right now.) “Damian is alive for the moment.” Carmina tells Alfie that Gabino is doing her a favor right now. Alfie barks into the phone, “Donde esta mi hijo? What is it that you want?”
Now Carmina snaps back that she is the only person asking questions right now. “Alfonsina, how much money would you pay for the life of your damned son?” “The life of a son does not have a price,” responds Alfonsina with a bit of spirit. Carmina tells Alfie to guess how much money it will take to ransom Damian. If she gives enough, Damian lives. If not…Carmina wants to talk to Elisa. She will make a deal for Damian’s life, but Elisa has to come to the meeting, not Alfie. “Elisa is here with me,” Alfie says unhelpfully. Way to throw Little E under the bus, Alfie. “Ah, perfect!” Carmina bares her teeth in a gesture that might pass for a smile on a hyena. “Will you put her on the phone, please?” Elisa takes the phone from Alfie. Don Lucio is still looking on, helpless. “I beg you, Aunt, to let Damian go.” Carmina starts tormenting her niece for what I hope is the last time. “ So it is up to you whether he lives or dies.”
The Church
And we cut to…The beautiful church of L’ Ermita de Santa Isabel. We recognize Ramona from the back as she sits and prays in a pew. Father Miguel walks up to Ramona, wishes her a good afternoon and introduces himself. Is there anything he can do for Ramona? “No. The only one who can help me now is the one up there (gesturing toward the images representing the Divine at the front of the room.) “Be assured that he WILL help you, but perhaps I could give you some additional counsel, ” says Padre Miguel with great certainty. “No, when I came here I asked God not to let something happen. But what is done is done. What is written in a person’s destiny, there is no way it can be changed”. Ramona says goodbye to Padre and leaves the church.
Outside the church, Paloma is sitting on a bench as Gael walks up to her. The streets are wet as if after a recent rain. The church bells toll three times. It sounds portentous. Gael says to Paloma that Señora Ingrid is dead. The imbecilic Gabino Mendoza killed his mother. A heartbroken Paloma replies, “Ese hombre also killed my mama.” You cannot one up Paloma in the drama department. “That murderer is my father,” Paloma sobs. “He laughed at my Mother and killed her inside.”
“No puede ser. No puede ser, “ says a sympathetic looking Gael.
But Paloma is in a really bad mood. She has had it. She won’t let the same thing happen to her as did her mother. Paloma will not let a bad love take away her life. She unceremoniously dumps Gael right there in front of all L’Ermita. She is going to be a single Mom. She is strong enough for her baby.
Gael has the good grace to actually look very upset. No, No, Paloma, no! He cries. “What am I supposed to do?” asks Paloma. “Sit around and hope that you will one day fall in love with me? No. You know, Gael, already I have been desperate. I have suffered much. I am not able to suffer more.”
“No, Paloma. I have totally renounced Elisa for you!”
“You have renounced Elisa for me. That’s too bad because now you don’t have her and you don’t have me either.”
Gabino Has A Conversation With Damian
It’s a full moon outside and Gabino is having a conversation with Damian. Sadly, the conversation is a bit one-sided as poor Dam is bound and gagged and seated in the trunk of a red car. They are still at Cielo Abierto. Gabino gestures to the now dark habanero fields. “This town was mine. Why did you come back, brat? You didn’t just take away the procesadora, you took everything from me. Even your mother. When Rosendo died, I wanted to take his place; not just in the business but also in the bed of each of his lovers. And of one in particular, your mother.
Damian struggles silently as Gabino stands over him. If he could kill Gabino with his eyes he would. Gabino starts in again with Too Much Information about Alfonsina. “Last night I was on the verge of possessing her. She liked it. I can still feel how I dried her sweat with my lips, how I touched her body with my dirty hands.” Gabino is into this one-sided conversation now. “You know Damian, when I leave town I am going to leave with the smell of her whole body on my hands. Plus, I leave with the two things she told me…She told me Rosendo Arango had more illegitimate children, and I that I could be one of his sons. So, I'm not going to hurt you little brother.” Gabino slams the trunk closed on Damian and downs a handful of pills.
Carmina approaches the car and asks about Damián. Gabino answers by banging on the car trunk. “Here”, he says. Carmina tells him that the money is on the way.
Gabino moves in for a hard faced kiss but Carmina is not into it. She asks about the unfamiliar car. He says folks would be looking for her car. This is a car he won in a “raffle”—in other words, he stole it. He tells Carmina he will meet her in two hours on the road to Merida. If she is not there, he will leave.
Gael Tries To Retrieve A Wife
Gael goes to Doña Ramona’s to find Paloma. Why, asks Ramona? Paloma doesn’t want to see him and neither does Ramona. Gael wants just a second to talk to his wife. He wants to explain…Too bad. Doña Ramona reminds him that he is better off now, as this marriage was a terrible burden for him. Paloma doesn’t want to see him and neither does she. Ramona backs him quietly out the door.
Paloma comes out and says she hasn’t changed her mind about Gael. She thanks her Grandma for sending him away. Ramona, in turn, says thank you to Paloma for forgiving her for keeping the truth about her parentage from her all this time.
Paloma tells her Grandma that she has no idea how much she loves her. Ramona says the same back at you. “Someday you will be compensated for all that you have suffered,” Ramona tells her granddaughter. I don’t write this stuff, amigos, I just report it.
EJ
Part Two by Novela Maven:
The Killer Orange likes to be the center of attention ...
... but she prefers to control her own spin. So perhaps she would be irritated if she could hear the conversation in Ramona's humble shack out by the cenote. Paloma is saying that the aunt is a monster -- someone should rip out her eyes and burn her alive! For Ramona, even that wouldn't be harsh enough punishment for all the evil Carmina has done.
As Ramona prepares to head out into the evening, she fibs to Paloma that she has to gather some things she needs to prepare her recetas the next day. Paloma wants to go to Elisa's side but Ramona tells her to stay home tonight. "I have a feeling something very bad is going to happen."
The Night of the Dead
In the darkened panteón, Carmina scuttles down the path between the graves. She is on her way to pick up the ransom money. As she runs, she swivels her head from side to side, scouring the landscape for enemies.
She stops at Estefanía's grave -- that white marble tomb she so begrudged her dead sister -- and sees the metallic attaché case sitting on its surface. She bends down and opens the clasps. Her face is alight with greedy pleasure at the sight of all that money; but as she looks up, her pleasure turns to terror: she is face to face with the black-cassocked spirit of padre Lupe, his face a silent mask of judgment. Carmina grabs the case and runs away. She doesn't get far. Now she faces Blanca's spirit, all in white, her face severe and somber. By now Carmina can scarcely breathe but she holds tight to the maleta, veering away from Blanca and lurching towards the cemetery gate.
She slips out, jumps into the back seat of her white camioneta and barks to the driver: "Here's the damn money I promised! Now move!" Elisa and Gael, watching from a green camioneta parked nearby, prepare to follow her.
[Several Anonymi on the Patio are scratching their heads. "Who is driving Carmina's car?"]
Meanwhile Gabino waits in his car parked on the side of the road to Mérida.
Ramona remembers to wear her rubbers
Ramona, clad in her waterproof poncho, leads her horse and cart towards the place where Gabino waits. The horse is spooked at a sudden burst of thunder and lightning. A heavy rain begins to fall. Gabino grumbles: "No,no,no -- ¡lo que me faltaba!" (That's all I needed!)
[Puzzled whispers buzz through the Patio. How did Ramona know to wear her raingear? "Maybe she gets weather.com at her choza" cracks R la O.]
Headlights approach in the gloom. A vehicle stops and Carmina emerges, silvery maleta in hand. She joins Gabino in the front seat of the red car. Yes, she assures him, she has the money. Their freedom! Greed makes them hot and they take a moment to swap some spit before making their escape.
Déjà vu all over again
As the red car pulls onto the road, Ramona leads her cart right into its path. Carmina screams for Gabino to step on the brakes. But it's too late. The car veers wildly, spinning out of control and rolling over and over. Now we can see Carmina, her legs pinned beneath the car, calling desperately for Gabino. Gabino clambers out of the car, seemingly unhurt. He has only one concern: "Where's the money?" He sees the case and grabs it. Carmina continues to call to him, pleading with him not to leave her. Too late, Orange Crush. Too late.
Now Gael and Elisa pull up and, with Ramona, they survey the scene. Ramona says in a spooky echo of Estefanía's last words:
"Iban a escaparse. Tenía que detenerlos."
(They were going to escape. I had to stop them.)
[On the Patio Rabbi Jacob shrugs and murmurs sadly into his schnapps: "Yes, she had to stop them. But couldn't she have done it a little sooner? Oy how I miss my old friend Padre Lupe!"]
Gael, Elisa and Ramona approach the wreck -- the one pinned under the car -- who, in between her screams of pain, manages to tell them that Damián is in the trunk. She thinks he may be dead.
Gael and Elisa race to the trunk, open it -- No sign of Damián but Gael spots Augusto's escopeta and he grabs it. He has some hunting to do tonight.
Police sirens shriek their approach. Elisa stays at the accident site with Ramona and Gael sets off in pursuit of Gabino.
Gabino stumbles along, holding fast to his freedom in a maleta. (Do we doubt that he is drawing strength from his delicious secret? He is a real son of Rosendo!)
The mud is making his footing unsteady, the rain is plastering his thin hair to his scalp, the silver of the maleta held fast to his chest is glinting in the dark.
High Anxiety
Back at Hacienda Arango, there is the requisite wringing of hands, the empty pleas for calm. Lucio, as always the last sane man standing, convinces the rest to call the police.
Paloma arrives and announces to the assembled gang -- Alfonsina, ToñaChente, BraulioDolores and LucioMaru (because yes, we are partnering up for the final dance) -- that her grannie thinks trouble is brewing tonight. (Sheesh. Talk about anticlimactic.)
Lucio brings Paloma up to speed on the accident -- Dam is still missing and Gab is on the lam. On the bright side, Carmina has been seriously injured.
Braulio and Maru will go to the ProCe to get the workers' phone numbers since they'll be able to help in the search.
Meanwhile Lucio and Dolores will head to the Centro de Salud since Elisa may be there waiting to talk to the aunt.
Paloma and Alfonsina embrace. (No, really, they do.)
Gael has caught himself a Largemouth Mendoza
Gael catches up to Gabino, the latter covered in blood and mud and still hanging on to the silvery case, with which he now shields his body. Gael aims his rifle at his loathsome prey.
Gabino Rosendoson snivels like a girl: "It can't end like this!" Gael is unmoved: "You and that woman killed my father!"
Gabino is quick to deny the accusation. He had nothing to do with Rosendo's death.
"Not Rosendo, estúpido! I'm referring to padre Lupe!" thunders Gael.
"That wasn't me, it was Carmina" says Gabino. "That woman is loca! She was even going to kill moi! That's why I had to run. Hey, she killed your sister! She drowned her in the cenote! With her own hands!"
[They are nodding grimly on the Patio. At least Kenia's murder is out in the open now, says Katy quietly. "Would it have killed him to tell Gael about Gweedo too?" says Cathyx tartly.]
"I know I'm not a saint," continues Gabino -- thus disproving Blue Lass's Stigmata under the BandanaHand theory* -- "but don't kill me. I didn't murder anyone."
[*Ed. note: In a personal communication to the author, Head Monkey Writer Fluffy confirmed that the Gabino character suffers from allergies -- perennial rhinitis, to be exact -- and uses the bandana on his hand to wipe his nose and pinkish watery eyes. In simian literature, allergic rhinitis commonly symbolizes alienation, in this case Gabino's alienation from the habanero community in which he feels trapped, a world where even the pollen is against him. Many of the facial tics and twitches the actor affects in this role are meant to make graphic Gabino's attempts to exert some control over himself and his environment -- to wit, to keep his dam nose from running. When he calls other characters "mocosos", he is trying vainly to deflect attention from his own unpleasant condition. As EJ might say, he is "projecting."]
Gael, still pointing his weapon at what would be Gabino's heart, if he had one, retorts: "What about what you did to Ingrid? You buried her alive!"
At those words, Gabino drops the case and smacks his head: "She shot me in the head, dude! What would you have done?"
Now Gabino falls to the ground and writhes and roars his pain. Gael looks at him stonily. He just wants to know one thing: ¿Dónde está mi hermano? Tell me where my brother is and I'll let you live!
Wailing sirens approach. Gabino gasps out that Damián is where he himself could never be -- the ProCe La Anita.
The police searchlights home in on Gabino Rosendoson's face, blinding him, and he closes his eyes.
But Damián's eyes are open wide. We see them peering out between the slats of the blinds in his office at the ProCe where he is gagged (with a bandana, natch) and tied to a chair. And attached to his back -- a bomb!!!
Now Maru and Braulio arrive and discover poor booby-trapped Dam.
["So what else is new?" snickers Julia from the Back Row of the Patio. "He's been trapped by boobies since we met him." "You got that right!" chimes in Cynderella.]
Braulio gently removes Dam's bandana gag. Dam tells them to send for help and to scram -- this dynamite contraption could go off at any minute.
Gael shows up with the cops and, of course, refuses to leave. If the bomb explodes, he and his bro will be smithereens together.
Los hermanos Arango wax philosophical (although a normal person would remain absolutely still and silent until the bomb had been deactivated.)
"A situation like this", begins Dam, "makes you think about life, all we've experienced, all that we have had"...
"And all that we've lost" interjects Gael. Dam assumes Gael is thinking of Elisa but Gael sets him straight, as he carefully mops Dam's brow with his very own bandana.
[Does he want to be a smithereen? asks Diana nervously. Why is he touching Dam? Fluffy lumbers over to the table and with grunts and bananas indicates that there is no need to worry: Carmina and Gabs don't really know from explosives.]
And Gael tries to explain to Dam his inexplicable change of heart about Paloma.
Dam, for his part, whiles away what could be the last few seconds of his life giving us a little grammar lesson by demonstrating the future of probability:
"¿Sera que finalmente Paloma logró entrar en tu corazón? ¿Sera que a pesar de todo, terminaste enamorándote de ella?
(I wonder if Paloma has finally managed to work her way into your heart. Could it be that, in spite of everything, you ended up falling in love with her?)
Once more the police ask Gael to leave. Once more he refuses, holding fast to Dam's arm as if daring the dam bomb to go off.
Outside the ProCe grounds, Maru and Braulio greet Lucio, Dolores and Elisa and explain the danger. Elisa, being small, cute, quick, brave and very very dumb, manages to run into the lot, eluding the policemen standing guard.
Possibly the sweetest moment out of 161 episodes: Lucio strokes Maru's cheek and asks her if she's ok. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you" he says. They embrace. Over Lucio's shoulder we see Maru's face contorted with emotion.
We are spared the details of the rescue
To the strains of "Junto a ti" the brothers Arango emerge, unscathed. Elisa runs to Dam. A single tear stains her pretty cheek. Gael and Damián smile broadly, Gael gives Dam a little nudge towards Elisa and the newlyweds fall into one another's arms.
Alfonsina rushes onto the scene and Gael gently holds her back so Dam and Elisa can have their moment together. And Alfonsina says smilingly:
"Tienes razón, Gael. Por fin mi hijo está con la mujer más importante de su vida."
(You're right, Gael. Finally my son is with the most important woman in his life.)
She takes Gael's arm and they walk off together (perhaps in search of a good neurologist to help them understand their bizarre changes of temperament).
[EJ whispers to Sylvia: "It's not neurological, you know. It's just the way monkeys write."]
The band plays on.
Outside the Centro de Salud in La Ermita, life continues its vibrant, unremarkable course. But inside lies a woman whose life will never be the same -- Carmina in a hospital bed, her body battered, a tube in her nose, her vital functions monitored by screens and ominous, audible beeps. Oh man. She's not even orange anymore. Doc Tovar, one of her erstwhile lovers, says softly:
"Mira nada más en lo que terminaste, Carmina."
(Look how you ended up, Carmina.)
He extends his hand as if to stroke her hair, but then draws back. A nurse enters and he leaves.
Doc tells the police guard outside the room that he's wasting his time -- that woman's not going anywhere.
Now Elisa, Damián and Alfonsina want to know about Carmina's condition. Her legs were badly damaged, Doc tells them. They had no choice but to amputate.
[The Patio is momentarily subdued as the news spreads from table to table. A subtle warning look from JudyB suffices to stop Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave.]
Gael's Endless Apologia - or - Making Up and Making Out at the Pit
Gael blathers apologies to Paloma (who, by the way, looks stunning in salmon), goes for the kiss and is rebuffed. His obsession with Elisa was an adolescent thing. Blah blah blah. The woman he loves is Paloma -- he just never realized it until he was about to lose her. Blah blah blah.
(A handful of nerfazos sail out of the Patio and, defying barriers of time and space, are seen to skim the surface of the cenote).
It was partly seeing how great Dam and Elisa are together that made him realize that Paloma is his own media naranja. (Puh-leeze!)
"Don't toy with my feelings!" Paloma warns. Gael begs, Paloma relents. [On the Patio, Marta does a little pirouette.] They kiss for real. The background piano chords resolve. So does this subplot. Let's move on.
["Although this would be a great time to open Ingrid's wedding present", whispers Daisynjay. Fluffy, are you listening?]
My, what sharp bandage scissors you have!
The nurse cuts a fresh piece of gauze with a startlingly pointy pair of scissors as she prepares to change the dressings on Carmina's wounds. Her patient wakes up groaning and asking questions which the nurse deftly sidesteps -- Carmina will have to ask the doctors.
Alfonsina enters the room and Carmina asks the nurse to leave her alone with her Second Worst Enemy and a Sharp Pair of Scissors in arm's reach.
Her Orange may have faded but Carmina is still pure acid. She even manages a small mean smile as she asks Alfie if she has come to reproach her for what she did to Damián. It's not worth the trouble, says Alfie, since DamFine is fine. And truthfully, she just feels sorry for Carmina. However you slice the lemon, the rotten citrus is destined for the compost heap.
"Don't be so sure of that" retorts Carmina. "I guess you don't know," says Alfie. "Know what?" Just as the nurse did earlier, Alfonsina evades the question, advising her to talk to her doctors. One thing she will say -- Carmina will never be the same again. (Am I just imagining it or does Alfie mutter "Chaparrita" as she leaves the room?)
[The Patio gang notices that this scene echoes and yet differs importantly from one that took place a dozen years or so earlier. Back then Alfonsina didn't hesitate to deliver the devastating news that Carmina could never have another child. Carlos looks thoughtfully at the tequila shot glass in his hand. He knew the truth would be transformative for Alfonsina. Well sort of. But Doc Tovar's understanding of medical confidentiality is as fuzzy as ever.]
But her friends call her "Shorty"
When Alfonsina is gone, Carmina pulls the sheet away from her body. She gazes in horror when she sees, in place of her sturdy orange legs, two neatly bandaged white stumps. She opens her mouth and only animal noises come out; she swings her arms wildly*. Then her eyes fall on the pointy scissors shining invitingly on the treatment table at her bedside.
[*Ed. note: This scene, which represents some of Fluffy's finest work, is featured prominently in the 2012 Winter Edition of the quarterly, Significant Simian Teleplays.]
It is Elisa's turn to visit the aunt. She finds Carmina wrapped up in her sheet, desolate and very pale. Elisa is alarmed at the aunt's appearance and wants to call the doctor but Carmina tells her not to and begs her to come closer. Elisa tries to edge away. The aunt continues to beckon her: Acércate, acércate.
["Get out of there", warns La Paloma (who has slipped unobtrusively onto the Patio for the last hurrah). "She has scissors!" Others are merely sipping their sangria appreciatively, enjoying the action. Sara (whom I continue to love in a totally non-creepy way) and Doris are even making small wagers.]
"I hate you, Elisa, because you are loved; you represent everything I could never have. Your father was the only man I ever loved. But I killed him. Go figure."
Suddenly the scissors clatter to the floor. (Whew!) They are dripping blood! Elisa's hand flies to her mouth: "¿Qué hiciste?" she gasps. She runs to get help. Carmina, alone, is bleeding out. She shudders, groans and an alarm sound grows very loud, as if to announce the devil himself come to claim one of his own. Then the horn is replaced by the continuous beep of the monitor alarm. The Evil Citrus is dead.
Doc Tovar arrives on the scene. All he can do is close the lifeless staring blue eyes.
Paloma is setting the table when she hears the sweet strains of a serenata outside her window.
Part Three (aka the Mutual Admiration part) by Sylvia:
Ooh lucky me, I get the serenata! Gael and his band of mariachis arrive singing, appropriately enough, Paloma Querida. Gael tells Paloma he wants to make her immensely happy. She says she is already immensely happy because finally, for the first time, he actually came home for dinner. Besos!
Ask not for whom the bells toll Gabino, they toll for thee, even in jail. Lucio pays Gabs a visit. His thunderous voice echoes throughout the cell, penetrating Gabino’s skull and ricocheting around his aching brain. “Great to see you locked up A-hole. Now you’re going to pay for all your crimes and for what you did to my wife. Blanca can rest in peace and I can live in peace.” Gabino goes into automatic, “Beat it you old stink bomb!” Lucio booms on, cannon-like, that Gabino will go to jail for a long, long time. By the time he gets out he’ll be older than Lucio; even the dogs won’t bother barking at him. He reminds Gabino he once had so much going for him, but due to his own ambition and pride he is now...nada. “See you never, Gabino!”
Gabino wants Lucio to hold his horses. Little does Lucio know that when Gabino gets out he’s going to rise like the pond scum he is, “porque yo también soy un Arango!!” Lucio breaks out in giggles, “Nice try but I knew your dad. He was a drunk and he abandoned your mom when she got sick.” Lucio says Gab is the spittin’ image of his daddy, a little blonde snake with fair snakey eyes. Gab insists Alfie told him she burnt his birth certificate attesting he is Rosendo’s son. Lucio’s still laughing.The fact is that Alfie wanted a child badly and Rosendo almost convinced Alfie to adopt Baby Gabs, but then she got pregnant. Dam was in and Gab was out. Must have been those adoption papers that Alfie was burning. “You’re not an Arango!” “Am too!” “Are not!” “Yes I am!” Gab bangs his head against the bars, (ouch!), slumps down and, wait for it, REMOVES THE BANDANA! He stares at his flexing hand but do we get to see? Nopis!
[“Orale! Look who was right about the papers!” brags TF. “A round of tequila shots for the patio!”]
The two happy couples are strolling downtown and happen to spy each other. The men need to talk. Gael tells Dam that what he did you don’t do to a brother, but Dam was also right that he didn’t steal Elisa from Gael because Gael never really had her to begin with. Both bros ask forgiveness. Both bros say there is nothing to forgive. Both bros admit they have always admired the other. Both bros hug. Bros, I say it’s time to rip your shirts off and arm wrestle.
That night under the perpetually full moon Paloma visits Ramona at the herb hut to give her some news that she won’t like. Ramona, busily dissecting sticks, has already guessed, Paloma has decided not to leave Gael. Paloma says he convinced her that he’s truly in love with her. “Then I’m cool with it,” laughs Ramona. She says that of course the love amulets work, just make sure to wear them always. Hugs!
We speed through Carmina’s funeral, attended by a scant group of Elisa, Dam, Lucio and Lolita. Elisa, tastefully dressed in her ramera-wear-for-mourning, grabs the spade from the slow-poke worker and begins enthusiastically shoveling dirt onto Auntie’s grave, not that I blame her. “Adiós tía.”
Time passes...
Elisa and Dam are back at the cemetery standing over the grave of Augusto AND Estefania. She says that finally they are together. Forever. [“Hey, what about the money that Lucio spent on Estef’s new grave?” someone asks. “Is Elisa gonna give him a refund?”]
Some sort of big celebration is happening in La Ermita. Everyone is dressed up, smiling, and mostly paired off. Florencia and Enrique, Carito and Doc T., Lucio and Maru, Braulio and a pregnant Lolita. Chente is eyeballing some chica, approaches her, and is only about 50% as smarmy as he usually is. Ramona is chasing after an adorable little Remedios, obviously Paloma’s first. Her second is a baby girl named Estefania. [“Way to passive aggressively stick it to Elisa,” nods EJ in approval, “snagging Estef’s name before Elisa can get to it.”]
Paloma coos about her beautiful baby, and a sight never seen before shocks the audience. A beaming, yes I said beaming, Alfonsina strolls up bragging that her grandson is right in there too; Baby Augusto is the most handsome, just like his father. [At the baby’s name hacks and coughs rudely erupt on the patio.] Dam and Elisa say they are working on baby Rosendo. Alfonsina laughs, yes I said laughs!
We find out that this is a baptism celebration for the babies when Alfonsina teases, yes teases, Padre Miguel about the ceremony, saying he’s going to have to try harder to compete with Guadalupe. Uh, OK he says, gotta go now, no doubt reminding himself how it is with people who aren’t used to humor. Sometimes their jokes fall flat. He makes a mental note to check her next contribution to ensure it’s the usual amount.
Lolita and Braulio walk up and Elisa gushes that she’s finally going to get that little brother she’s always wanted. Lolita says the little bugger is about to kick his own way out any second, which freaks Braulio out a little.
The camera pans around the happy faces and cheerful children until Baby Augusto has a meltdown.
Doc T. gazes at Carito and tells her she did it. She was scared but her will to live is as big as her beauty. Carito claims it was his love that gave her the courage to fight and defeat the cancer. She was afraid he’d abandon her like her husband. Doc T. says pshaw, not all men are like that. He fell in love with her soul, not her body (easy to say to someone with THAT body), and he wants to tell her that every day of her life. Te amos y besos.
Elisa and Dam interrupt them so Elisa can dump the baby off on Carito for a while. Dam thanks Doc T. for being with them and helping them throughout their lives. Dam says Doc will always be an important part of their lives and he is the uncle of all the kids in La Ermita, especially during birthdays, Christmas, quinceañeras and graduations.
They scamper over to Flor and Enrique. Enrique says that after doing the paperwork for a year they are finally legally adopting Sophia. Sophia runs over (with little Remedios tagging along, so cute) and I’ve got to hand it to Flor; she’s not going to have any messy diapers with this one. Enrique says they wanted a baby but when Flor saw Sophia she fell in love. Quick thinking there Flor. OMG, Florencia herself says bypassing the diapers and sleepless nights was a bonus, LOL! Well at least one of our characters has remained themselves.
Flor gushes to Dam that the time she spent with him led her to be the person she is today. They all mutually admire each other.
Lucio tells Maru that he’ll always love Blanca but he’s discovered there is room in his heart for two. “Is that your way of telling me you love me?” queries our pragmatic secretary? “Well yes,” he says, “I love you a lot.” Dam and Elisa do a fly-by to express their approval of the mature pairing. Lucio says Elisa has always been like a daughter to him. She says he was always more than a father to her. Tears and hugs.
Next on the Dam Elisa dance card is Gael. Elisa has a surprise for him. It’s the title to Augusto’s Cielo Abierto. Gael has worked it since he was a boy and he deserves to own it. His name is already on the title and if he doesn’t work the land then it will be abandoned. Gael demurs for about 3 seconds until Paloma pipes up that Elisa and Dam are right. Group hug!
Ramona holds little Estefania and thought bubbles “What do you think little Stef? People say those two couples are together because of my amulets, but what they don’t know is that the magic is in their hearts, not in their necklaces. The magic is in God’s blessing.”
Another first, Alfie is sitting at a table with Lolita, Braulio and Tonia! She leaves right away but still. Tonia tells Lolita that she wants to help out with their baby. Lolita looks at Braulio like Tonia is a nut case, but then she thinks about Tonia handling all the poopy undies and says of course Tonia can help out. Tonia apologizes for being such an incredibly neverending PIA. Braulio forgives her and invites her to go to go get some jicama treats for Lolita. What? No tostachos?
Elisa arrives and thanks Lolita for being like a mother to her. Lolita says she couldn’t have been happier to waste her life by watching Elisa grow, fight for her happiness, and bawl uncontrollably at every opportunity. Hugs and tears.
Elisa makes a beeline toward Alfie who immediately grabs baby Augusto to use him as a shield. Alfie thanks Elisa for bringing her grandson into the world and wants a hug. Meanwhile Baby A is macking big time on grannie’s fan. Next time Alfie flips that fan the spit’s going to fly. Alfie says she’s a proud woman but she needs to ask Elisa’s forgiveness again. Elisa says she already forgave her from the bottom of her heart, but if Alf is really sorry she can change Baby A’s poo-poo diapers right now.
Elisa and Dam walk down the stone steps of the Quinta and Dam asks, “Tell me Mrs. Arango, how do you feel?” “Good but...” Dam wonders what’s missing. She gives him a big kiss and the party applauds. Not to be outdone, Paloma grabs Gael and they run down the stairs to kiss and get applauded too.
“Love always triumphs, transcending any abyss,” says the disembodied voice-over. “Finally, each is with whom they love.”
The four grab hands and run through the habanero fields like when they were children. They arrive at the cenote, conveniently wearing swimsuits under their party garb. They spend a good bit of time swimming around, showing off their bods and making out. I was going to rip on them a bit more about this scene, but the shots of them as children made me feel magnanimous. So I’ll just say...
FIN!
A huge thanks to recappers Sara, Cathy, EJ, Novela Maven, Marta and Cynderella for making this telenovela so very much more than what it really was. And thank you commenters for sharing your amazing insights, humor and for putting smiles on my face every single day.
The plaid shirt is in the hamper, I’m taking the bandana off my hand, my lips are still burning from the habaneros, my ankles are swollen from all those salty Tostachos, and it’s a wrap!
Labels: abismo
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Friends, I just wanted to let you know that I will be taking a sabbatical from recapping since Mr. Sharkbait and I plan to sail down to Mexico for the winter. We don't intend to make it through the canal and all the way up to "La Ermita", however visiting "La Bonita" in the Valle de Guadalupe is definitely on the agenda. I'll be sure to give Renata and Jeronimo your regards.
If anyone is interested in recapping Amores Verdaderos, which replaces Abismo, please contact our blog mom Melinama. The new telenovela stars two Caray Caray hunkalicious favorites, Sebastien Rulli and Eduardo Yanez (not to mentions lots of other familiar faces). It sounds like one of those gritty, lusty telenovelas with enough silliness to make for fun recapping, i.e. you don't have to think too hard.
EJ, a little tour through hell? Very original my dear.
Novela Maven, Orange Crush? Bwahahaha! You saved the best for last.
If anyone is interested in recapping Amores Verdaderos, which replaces Abismo, please contact our blog mom Melinama. The new telenovela stars two Caray Caray hunkalicious favorites, Sebastien Rulli and Eduardo Yanez (not to mentions lots of other familiar faces). It sounds like one of those gritty, lusty telenovelas with enough silliness to make for fun recapping, i.e. you don't have to think too hard.
EJ, a little tour through hell? Very original my dear.
Novela Maven, Orange Crush? Bwahahaha! You saved the best for last.
- where did you get this car?
- I won it at a raffle ...
(ROFLOL!!)
- You are like the rats which abandon ship right before it sinks... Where is my brother Damian??
- He is sitting where i never could...'
(good one!)
- I won it at a raffle ...
(ROFLOL!!)
- You are like the rats which abandon ship right before it sinks... Where is my brother Damian??
- He is sitting where i never could...'
(good one!)
You Guys! Happy Day After! What a treat this will be to read as we bask in the afterglow of this show being over.
Your prologue gets us in the mood, Sylvia. There is a huge shout out right back atcha from the PoLE.
EJ - I loved your description of what is behind the massive oak door. Mr. Bub...please call me Beezle! LOL I must say I was surprised to see Ramona there, but of course she'd cross over now and then.
That's where I left off. Dam job. Shouldn't we get the day after El Final off? You 3 certainly deserve it. We can see lots of hard work went into this and I can't wait to delve in!
Your prologue gets us in the mood, Sylvia. There is a huge shout out right back atcha from the PoLE.
EJ - I loved your description of what is behind the massive oak door. Mr. Bub...please call me Beezle! LOL I must say I was surprised to see Ramona there, but of course she'd cross over now and then.
That's where I left off. Dam job. Shouldn't we get the day after El Final off? You 3 certainly deserve it. We can see lots of hard work went into this and I can't wait to delve in!
Reading this on my phone as I wait in line to vote. You all are making me look like a crazy person laughing to myself. They may not allow me to vote!
Oh my stars! Talk about going out in a blaze of glory! Sylvia, EJ, NM, I am in awe and utter gratitude for this TN-ending recap to top all recaps. (My utmost gratitude as well to all our recappers--you made this drivel fun and enjoyable.) So there Fluffy!!
To be truthful, this Finale did't do much for me. The whole Ramona with cart watching the car flip was so predictable. Carmina's end, well, ok. Whatever. I suppose it was fitting but not sure why I just went Meh! ( and that caressing by Dr. Tovar was just creepy. I was trying to take it feeling sorry for her only.) As for Gab--rotting in jail seems so blase really. I guess Fluffy ran out of good-size anvils or Don S. had to deal with budget cuts on what they had originally planned. I was hoping for an incendiary end a la setting fire to the hot house, having Horacio blow up Blanca's place, etc. But, okey dokey then.
So Gael got to be the big hero. Okey dokey then. That was his big moment since he now becomes the hen-pecked hubby and most likely will never get the last word again...in anything.
The rescue of Dam, also Meh. I guess Elisa was cried out and tired. I expected this big leap into his arms, crazy crying, and Nada. okey dokey then.
As for the wrap-up...
Chente is still a snot.
Tonia now wants to be Lola's BFF and nanny? ( Did not like Lola's painted face look--what was that?) And Lola and Braulio are good with that? Okey Dokey then.
Alfi does make a good granny." Next time Alfie flips that fan the spit’s going to fly." yeah, mopping the coffee on the desk.
Elisa seems to be less than a doting Momma ( and waited a bit before said grandchild was born?) Gael seemed to best his bro' on that one too. Those older brothers...can never win against them. And naming your kid after your ex-love of your life's mother--nice touch.
LOVED Flo. Bless her. Honest, cute, and she and QuiQui seem to have it together. I think I was more thrilled to see them than how D/E turned out.
As for the rest, Lucio, Doc, etc. predictable but they were nice to see.
All I can end with is...WHAT THE HELL WAS IN THE BOX?????????
To be truthful, this Finale did't do much for me. The whole Ramona with cart watching the car flip was so predictable. Carmina's end, well, ok. Whatever. I suppose it was fitting but not sure why I just went Meh! ( and that caressing by Dr. Tovar was just creepy. I was trying to take it feeling sorry for her only.) As for Gab--rotting in jail seems so blase really. I guess Fluffy ran out of good-size anvils or Don S. had to deal with budget cuts on what they had originally planned. I was hoping for an incendiary end a la setting fire to the hot house, having Horacio blow up Blanca's place, etc. But, okey dokey then.
So Gael got to be the big hero. Okey dokey then. That was his big moment since he now becomes the hen-pecked hubby and most likely will never get the last word again...in anything.
The rescue of Dam, also Meh. I guess Elisa was cried out and tired. I expected this big leap into his arms, crazy crying, and Nada. okey dokey then.
As for the wrap-up...
Chente is still a snot.
Tonia now wants to be Lola's BFF and nanny? ( Did not like Lola's painted face look--what was that?) And Lola and Braulio are good with that? Okey Dokey then.
Alfi does make a good granny." Next time Alfie flips that fan the spit’s going to fly." yeah, mopping the coffee on the desk.
Elisa seems to be less than a doting Momma ( and waited a bit before said grandchild was born?) Gael seemed to best his bro' on that one too. Those older brothers...can never win against them. And naming your kid after your ex-love of your life's mother--nice touch.
LOVED Flo. Bless her. Honest, cute, and she and QuiQui seem to have it together. I think I was more thrilled to see them than how D/E turned out.
As for the rest, Lucio, Doc, etc. predictable but they were nice to see.
All I can end with is...WHAT THE HELL WAS IN THE BOX?????????
Oh and forgot to say I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing time on your trip Captain. My regards to Renata and Jeronimo. Dang, I still miss them.
Have a great one, Sylvia.
Lots of good snark in this one from all three of you!
I'm glad that Gabino has to live with the pain he so richly deserves. If there were to be a postscript on this it would have to be that he offs himself in his cell when the pain becomes unbearable.
Too bad the TangelHo didn't get to live with her fate. In her case suicide was too good for her.
Lots of good snark in this one from all three of you!
I'm glad that Gabino has to live with the pain he so richly deserves. If there were to be a postscript on this it would have to be that he offs himself in his cell when the pain becomes unbearable.
Too bad the TangelHo didn't get to live with her fate. In her case suicide was too good for her.
Cap'n Sylvia and elnajune - Thank you for the Por Fin recap. Sylvia, have a safe trip and fantastic winter y que te vaya con Dios!
I'm so glad this turkey is done. The ending was rather predictable and my reaction was the same as daisynjay's. I used the FFWD-> button a lot, mostly the screaming scenes.
Those scenes with Carmina & Damian had a major "ick" factor.
Amazing how the mud on Carmina's shirt (from the habanero field) was completely gone in the next scene in town! Tide Stain Stick, anyone?
Hhhmmmmm… those airline tickets looked very clean & pristine. How did they get into a Ziploc bag? I thought Gabs tossed them into the pit when he buried Ingrid. And yes, I also wondered why the police gave that bit of evidence to Elisa. They are definitely not the CSI team from Las Vegas.
Paloma finally found a brain and grew a spine! I loved it when she dumped Gael and was giving a standing ovation at my corner of the patio.
Who WAS driving Carmina's car? Another Que The ???? moment. Then I thought it might be a taxi. A taxi?!? QT****?
I had a big problem with Ramona making a complete about -face re: Gaeloma. So… the minute Paloma tells her that Gael said he loves her, Ramona is all "okay, that's wonderful!"
Hel-lo?!? That's as bad as Gael turning on a dime and falling madly in love with Paloma.
I thought Carmina would try to stab Elisa, or at least throw those scissors at her.
So Doc T ends up with Carito. Something must be wrong or wacko with her, given his taste in women. Or maybe she's the only single woman left in LE.
NONETHELESS ~ ~ ~ A big THANK YOU to ***all*** our recappers who soldiered on when this telenovela, which started out so well, turned into a train wreck. You deserve a paid vacation to the destination of your choice. !Millones de gracias!
I am going to buy a ticket for the bus ride and give AV a try, but no promises beyond that. AdP burned me out and made me wary of anything TeleRisa has on the table. I might end up taking a telenovela vacation. We'll see. . .
I'm so glad this turkey is done. The ending was rather predictable and my reaction was the same as daisynjay's. I used the FFWD-> button a lot, mostly the screaming scenes.
Those scenes with Carmina & Damian had a major "ick" factor.
Amazing how the mud on Carmina's shirt (from the habanero field) was completely gone in the next scene in town! Tide Stain Stick, anyone?
Hhhmmmmm… those airline tickets looked very clean & pristine. How did they get into a Ziploc bag? I thought Gabs tossed them into the pit when he buried Ingrid. And yes, I also wondered why the police gave that bit of evidence to Elisa. They are definitely not the CSI team from Las Vegas.
Paloma finally found a brain and grew a spine! I loved it when she dumped Gael and was giving a standing ovation at my corner of the patio.
Who WAS driving Carmina's car? Another Que The ???? moment. Then I thought it might be a taxi. A taxi?!? QT****?
I had a big problem with Ramona making a complete about -face re: Gaeloma. So… the minute Paloma tells her that Gael said he loves her, Ramona is all "okay, that's wonderful!"
Hel-lo?!? That's as bad as Gael turning on a dime and falling madly in love with Paloma.
I thought Carmina would try to stab Elisa, or at least throw those scissors at her.
So Doc T ends up with Carito. Something must be wrong or wacko with her, given his taste in women. Or maybe she's the only single woman left in LE.
NONETHELESS ~ ~ ~ A big THANK YOU to ***all*** our recappers who soldiered on when this telenovela, which started out so well, turned into a train wreck. You deserve a paid vacation to the destination of your choice. !Millones de gracias!
I am going to buy a ticket for the bus ride and give AV a try, but no promises beyond that. AdP burned me out and made me wary of anything TeleRisa has on the table. I might end up taking a telenovela vacation. We'll see. . .
NM - Thanks for pointing out how Paloma stuck it to Elisa by naming her baby Estefania. That was a little bizarre.
I was shocked when Caroline Kennedy named her son John and wondered if John Jr. was pithed.
The preview show gave the results of polls about the show.
Best kiss: Damian and Elisa (when he was being forceful). I was rooting for Lolita and Braulio's but it only got 4%.
Most hated gal: Carmina 69%
Best bod/girl: Paloma
Best bod/boy: Obviously Damian's family were the only voters as he beat out Gael and Gabino and Paolo and Horacio. Did they not see THE shower pic?
I was shocked when Caroline Kennedy named her son John and wondered if John Jr. was pithed.
The preview show gave the results of polls about the show.
Best kiss: Damian and Elisa (when he was being forceful). I was rooting for Lolita and Braulio's but it only got 4%.
Most hated gal: Carmina 69%
Best bod/girl: Paloma
Best bod/boy: Obviously Damian's family were the only voters as he beat out Gael and Gabino and Paolo and Horacio. Did they not see THE shower pic?
And thanks to those who ponied up with the finale-specific profile pics! Sylvia, I assume that's a habanero martini. And R la O, what's that in your hand?
Permalink posted by 
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 10:32:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 10:32:00 AM EST
OMG! Blue! Perfect! From the dress to the pose to the bandaged hand. Good one!
I am Blanca picking up the molotov cocktail.
Sylvia's exudes Happy Hour.
I am Blanca picking up the molotov cocktail.
Sylvia's exudes Happy Hour.
Wow, it's over! Thanks to you recappers for making a bang out of the whimper. At least we didn't have to wait until last night for any of the weddings.
Too bad Carmina just bled out onto the floor. I had much worse karma in mind for her. Gabino was probably unwinding his bandana in order to strangle himself. Best headache cure ever...
Thank you to all the recappers who waded through this mess and made it so, so much better than Fluffy and Co. could have imagined. Thanks also to all the wonderful commenters who kept the snark going. I learned early on not to try to drink anything while reading Caray.
Sylvia, you and Mr. S have a wonderful time on your trip. Hello to Renata and Jero. Please drink a couple bottles of the good stuff for Mike and me.
It has been fun hanging out on the Patio. So long, guys. Tostacho time!
Too bad Carmina just bled out onto the floor. I had much worse karma in mind for her. Gabino was probably unwinding his bandana in order to strangle himself. Best headache cure ever...
Thank you to all the recappers who waded through this mess and made it so, so much better than Fluffy and Co. could have imagined. Thanks also to all the wonderful commenters who kept the snark going. I learned early on not to try to drink anything while reading Caray.
Sylvia, you and Mr. S have a wonderful time on your trip. Hello to Renata and Jero. Please drink a couple bottles of the good stuff for Mike and me.
It has been fun hanging out on the Patio. So long, guys. Tostacho time!
Sylvia, NovelaMaven, and Elna June, this is terrific. You've outdone yourselves once again.
"Mr. Bub,"
Laugh, cough, choke... that caught me off guard.
"He's been trapped by boobies since we met him."
Heh, heh, heh. She said boobies.
"... her friends call her "Shorty"
Yikes!
I rather enjoyed the whole evening. My favorite scene... Carmina molesting Damián using the habenero. Now that was really hot in so many ways.
One summer I raised habeneros and they were so gorgeous that I couldn't resist taking a big bite of one of my beauties. The initial taste was wonderfully sweet and then I thought I was going to die.
I must admit that drink in your picture looks so seductive and dangerous, Sylvia.
Carlos
"Mr. Bub,"
Laugh, cough, choke... that caught me off guard.
"He's been trapped by boobies since we met him."
Heh, heh, heh. She said boobies.
"... her friends call her "Shorty"
Yikes!
I rather enjoyed the whole evening. My favorite scene... Carmina molesting Damián using the habenero. Now that was really hot in so many ways.
One summer I raised habeneros and they were so gorgeous that I couldn't resist taking a big bite of one of my beauties. The initial taste was wonderfully sweet and then I thought I was going to die.
I must admit that drink in your picture looks so seductive and dangerous, Sylvia.
Carlos
Rosemary,
this is me martaivett
'Did they not see THE shower pic?'
ROFLOL! ditto!!
but then again Dam won over Gael by just a nose... and i would have expected Gabino to get a bigger share of the votes...
on to read the rest of the recap by the awesome threesome farewell party coucil.
this is me martaivett
'Did they not see THE shower pic?'
ROFLOL! ditto!!
but then again Dam won over Gael by just a nose... and i would have expected Gabino to get a bigger share of the votes...
on to read the rest of the recap by the awesome threesome farewell party coucil.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:03:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:03:00 PM EST
Gael has the good grace to actually look very upset. Gael has the good grace to actually look very upset.
indeed, those close up shots of Gael as Paloma laid it to him that it was over, with his facial expression shouting volumes is part of what made me watch this one, that and his chemistry with Rene Casados (loopy), so Mark didn't let me down, even now.
indeed, those close up shots of Gael as Paloma laid it to him that it was over, with his facial expression shouting volumes is part of what made me watch this one, that and his chemistry with Rene Casados (loopy), so Mark didn't let me down, even now.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:08:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:08:00 PM EST
Blah finale. Spectacular recaps de finale. Really truly a treat and if I started quoting my favorite bits I'd just be copying the entire thing.
The scenes with Carmina slithering all over Dam with habañero slobber and then Gabino following up with his lusty yo momma stories were truly nauseating. Well acted.
I'm so glad the fickle foursome has finally found a hobby. Maybe now that they can focus on their synchronized swimming practices, they will spend less time bickering.
The scenes with Carmina slithering all over Dam with habañero slobber and then Gabino following up with his lusty yo momma stories were truly nauseating. Well acted.
I'm so glad the fickle foursome has finally found a hobby. Maybe now that they can focus on their synchronized swimming practices, they will spend less time bickering.
Yikes, I noticed a couple of glaring errors. That's what comes of posting at 3:30 a.m. I guess. Day is Monday not Thursday. I forgot to list a couple of recappers. Hopefully nobody noticed. I look forward to pouring a cup of tea and enjoying EJ and NM's sections again at my leisure.
Although many parts of the Gran Final were insipid and blah, I did enjoy the kidnapping which was oh, so creepy and nasty on so many levels. How did Gabino know how to make a bomb? Didn't he always hire Horacio to do that sort of thing?
Thanks everyone for your great comments. I've actually got some work to do (bah humbug) so I'll be back later.
Although many parts of the Gran Final were insipid and blah, I did enjoy the kidnapping which was oh, so creepy and nasty on so many levels. How did Gabino know how to make a bomb? Didn't he always hire Horacio to do that sort of thing?
Thanks everyone for your great comments. I've actually got some work to do (bah humbug) so I'll be back later.
EJ and Sylvia, it was such a blast collaborating with you on this final mega-recap. Your writing is beyond spectacular, of course.
EJ, I wasn't expecting a guest appearance by Mr. Bub but in retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised.
And yes, Sylvia, Lolita should definitely keep an eye on Toña -- and Chente too.
I rather liked the big smiley face ending. It was smart to jump in time to babies and toddlers and not adolescents. I guess they're saving that for the "Hijos de abismo de pasión". (Fluffy and Mr. Pigeon, if you're reading this, I'm only kidding.)
I suppose poor old Sra Beltrán will be found, off camera, when the new owner of the hacienda tries to plant some begonias in a place in the garden where the earth is surprisingly rich.
Ah well. Now comes "Waking the Pit" out on the Patio where the best stuff has happened all along.
EJ, I wasn't expecting a guest appearance by Mr. Bub but in retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised.
And yes, Sylvia, Lolita should definitely keep an eye on Toña -- and Chente too.
I rather liked the big smiley face ending. It was smart to jump in time to babies and toddlers and not adolescents. I guess they're saving that for the "Hijos de abismo de pasión". (Fluffy and Mr. Pigeon, if you're reading this, I'm only kidding.)
I suppose poor old Sra Beltrán will be found, off camera, when the new owner of the hacienda tries to plant some begonias in a place in the garden where the earth is surprisingly rich.
Ah well. Now comes "Waking the Pit" out on the Patio where the best stuff has happened all along.
NovelaMaven - I did not realize you helped with this PorFin recap, until I reread it a minute ago. Thank you!
Blue Lass - Great Por Fin avatar piccie! I love the cowboy boots, too!
Blue Lass - Great Por Fin avatar piccie! I love the cowboy boots, too!
Sylvia, EJ and Novela Maven, thank you for the excellent summaries which blended together like the delicious, zesty, frothy and filling concoctions they were. Wit and snark at their finest.
EJ: "Gael runs over to the loose pile of dirt, grabs a handy shovel and and frantically begins to disinter his Mami" - oh my, wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry -I felt like doing both! Marvelous.
NovelaMaven: "Gael has caught himself a Largemouth Mendoza". Excellent! You are a marvel...
Sylvia: "Lolita says she couldn’t have been happier to waste her life by watching Elisa grow, fight for her happiness, and bawl uncontrollably at every opportunity". I laughed long and hard...
I would also like to thank Sara, Cathy, Marta and Cynderella, expert guides who led us through the journey, albeit a long and somewhat emotionally draining one.
In the "best besos", of the several they showed, the hawt kiss Flor and Dam shared beat Dam and Elisa by a mile. And best bod? Sorry Horacio - you were a close second to Paolo. Dam? Sorry, you weren't even third...
The ending was cute enough but I wish more time was spent on the secondary characters that gave this such life and spice - Flor and Enrique for starters. I thought Sabrina would return and we would learn of what became of Begonia.
I have mixed emotions about Carmina's demise. A terrible way to die certainly but it bothers me she dictated her own end...but then again, she was in complete control of her life every step of the way, so it should be in her death.
Thanks also to the wonderful commenters who always had interesting, insightful things to say.
Look forward to the next. Eduardo...Nuff said.
Sylvia, wishing you calm, blue seas and much bliss. You will be sorely missed. Have wonderful adventures and safe travels.
Diana
EJ: "Gael runs over to the loose pile of dirt, grabs a handy shovel and and frantically begins to disinter his Mami" - oh my, wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry -I felt like doing both! Marvelous.
NovelaMaven: "Gael has caught himself a Largemouth Mendoza". Excellent! You are a marvel...
Sylvia: "Lolita says she couldn’t have been happier to waste her life by watching Elisa grow, fight for her happiness, and bawl uncontrollably at every opportunity". I laughed long and hard...
I would also like to thank Sara, Cathy, Marta and Cynderella, expert guides who led us through the journey, albeit a long and somewhat emotionally draining one.
In the "best besos", of the several they showed, the hawt kiss Flor and Dam shared beat Dam and Elisa by a mile. And best bod? Sorry Horacio - you were a close second to Paolo. Dam? Sorry, you weren't even third...
The ending was cute enough but I wish more time was spent on the secondary characters that gave this such life and spice - Flor and Enrique for starters. I thought Sabrina would return and we would learn of what became of Begonia.
I have mixed emotions about Carmina's demise. A terrible way to die certainly but it bothers me she dictated her own end...but then again, she was in complete control of her life every step of the way, so it should be in her death.
Thanks also to the wonderful commenters who always had interesting, insightful things to say.
Look forward to the next. Eduardo...Nuff said.
Sylvia, wishing you calm, blue seas and much bliss. You will be sorely missed. Have wonderful adventures and safe travels.
Diana
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:46:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:46:00 PM EST
Sylvia, you set us on the perfect mode to begin this wonderful masterpiece... then some more of my favs..
Maybe she gets ‘weather.com’ at her choza…
They take a moment to swap some spit before making their escape
Ramona says in a spooky echo of Estefania’s last words: …
Yes, she had to stop them, but couldn’t she have done it a little sooner?
Gael spots Augusto’s escopeta and grabs it. He has some hunting to do
On the bright side, Carmina has been seriously injured.
Paloma and Alfonsina embrace…( No, really, they do.)
Gael has caught himself a largemouth Mendoza.. (Awesome!! I was
Expecting to hear ‘My name is Gael Arango. You killed my fathers. Prepare to die’)
He’s been trapped by boobies since we met him’.
Los hermanos Arango wax philosophical…
Gael tries to explain to Dam his inexplicable change of heart about Paloma.
Gael and Alfie walk off together… perhaps in search of a good neurologist to help them understand their bizarre changes in temperament…
JudyB stops Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave… LOL!!
Gael’s endless Apologia… or … Making Up and Making Out at the Pit
(I would do more than a pirouette… I would have preferred Gael said Loopy appeared in his dream and ordered him to make up and make out with Paloma for good… but yes the script was rolling-eyes worthy…)
This would be a great time to open Ingrid’s present… yes, but lets not forget the present was for Gael and ELISA, not Paloma… but who cares in the end, open the damn box!!
Her friends call her ‘Shorty’ (ROFLOL!!!!)
She is inmensely happy because, finally, for the 1st time, he came home for dinner…
Both bros hug. Bros, I say it’s time to rip your shirts off and arm wrestle! (LOL!! GO FOR IT!!)
Elisa’s outfit at Carmina’s burial.. yes, tasteful, down to the matching black cowboy boots.
Flo bypassing the diapers and sleepless night…. At least one of our characters has remained themselves.
“Love always triumphs, transcending any abyss,” says the disembodied voice-over. “Finally, each is with whom they love.” (I thought this was loopy’s voice… I recall him saying the last part of that line before…)
Dam and Gael really make it look easy to hop over the habanero plants as adults, from one line to the other…
Julia... they found a new hobby.. synchronized swimming.. ROFLOL!! so true!!
martaivett
Maybe she gets ‘weather.com’ at her choza…
They take a moment to swap some spit before making their escape
Ramona says in a spooky echo of Estefania’s last words: …
Yes, she had to stop them, but couldn’t she have done it a little sooner?
Gael spots Augusto’s escopeta and grabs it. He has some hunting to do
On the bright side, Carmina has been seriously injured.
Paloma and Alfonsina embrace…( No, really, they do.)
Gael has caught himself a largemouth Mendoza.. (Awesome!! I was
Expecting to hear ‘My name is Gael Arango. You killed my fathers. Prepare to die’)
He’s been trapped by boobies since we met him’.
Los hermanos Arango wax philosophical…
Gael tries to explain to Dam his inexplicable change of heart about Paloma.
Gael and Alfie walk off together… perhaps in search of a good neurologist to help them understand their bizarre changes in temperament…
JudyB stops Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave… LOL!!
Gael’s endless Apologia… or … Making Up and Making Out at the Pit
(I would do more than a pirouette… I would have preferred Gael said Loopy appeared in his dream and ordered him to make up and make out with Paloma for good… but yes the script was rolling-eyes worthy…)
This would be a great time to open Ingrid’s present… yes, but lets not forget the present was for Gael and ELISA, not Paloma… but who cares in the end, open the damn box!!
Her friends call her ‘Shorty’ (ROFLOL!!!!)
She is inmensely happy because, finally, for the 1st time, he came home for dinner…
Both bros hug. Bros, I say it’s time to rip your shirts off and arm wrestle! (LOL!! GO FOR IT!!)
Elisa’s outfit at Carmina’s burial.. yes, tasteful, down to the matching black cowboy boots.
Flo bypassing the diapers and sleepless night…. At least one of our characters has remained themselves.
“Love always triumphs, transcending any abyss,” says the disembodied voice-over. “Finally, each is with whom they love.” (I thought this was loopy’s voice… I recall him saying the last part of that line before…)
Dam and Gael really make it look easy to hop over the habanero plants as adults, from one line to the other…
Julia... they found a new hobby.. synchronized swimming.. ROFLOL!! so true!!
martaivett
Sylvia, say hi to Mex for me... someday i will fulfill one of my two 'bucket list' trips... Guanajuato/Puerto Vallarta
and tour of Italy... have a great trip and we will see you soon. God bless.
and tour of Italy... have a great trip and we will see you soon. God bless.
Thank you to all the recappers! I am actually going to miss this TN. Thanks for giving me a shoutout in the recap. I was ALMOST right about the whole adoption thing. I was actually surprised that Rosendo abandoned all intentions to go through with adopting Gab when Dam was finally born. I think that Gab seemed to be the only one who had Ros on a pedestal. Throughout this TN the notion was that Stefie was the only victim because she was wrongly accused of being Rosendo's lover. So after they died everyone only talked about her. Guess that means viewerville was supposed to feel sympathy for Alfie. She herself said when the tickets were discovered that Stefie was trying to help her and trying to convince Ros not to abandon her for Carmina.
The scene with Dam and Carmina in the habanero fields was...I can't even think of the correct word to the describe that scene....icky. I have to give props to Zepeda for his acting in the scene. He managed to remain unfazed by Carmina's attempted seduction.
So I wonder how much time was meant to pass after Carmina's death until the big celebration at the end. Seeing as how when Paloma and Gael got back together she still didn't show signs of her first pregnancy then she ends up having another kid within that time and Elisa also has a kid.
I loved when Carmina discovered she had no legs. I did freak out with how she killed herself with the scissors. I think I'll have the image of bloody scissors falling to the floor with blood still dripping from the sheets onto them for a while.
Somehow I wish that Paloma and Chente had gotten some last choice words in for Gabino and officially disown him as their father. But I'm glad Lucio got his word in.
Once again thanks to everyone. Until next time....
--TF
The scene with Dam and Carmina in the habanero fields was...I can't even think of the correct word to the describe that scene....icky. I have to give props to Zepeda for his acting in the scene. He managed to remain unfazed by Carmina's attempted seduction.
So I wonder how much time was meant to pass after Carmina's death until the big celebration at the end. Seeing as how when Paloma and Gael got back together she still didn't show signs of her first pregnancy then she ends up having another kid within that time and Elisa also has a kid.
I loved when Carmina discovered she had no legs. I did freak out with how she killed herself with the scissors. I think I'll have the image of bloody scissors falling to the floor with blood still dripping from the sheets onto them for a while.
Somehow I wish that Paloma and Chente had gotten some last choice words in for Gabino and officially disown him as their father. But I'm glad Lucio got his word in.
Once again thanks to everyone. Until next time....
--TF
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:55:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:55:00 PM EST
Hee! I knew there would be some good Gran Final avatar pics. Special prizes go to R la O and Blue Lass. Ladies, pick up your prizes out on the patio. Marta and Emilia, you two get prizes for the absolute cutest avatars. The babies Arango can eat their hearts out.
I thought Flor and Dam had that "best beso" category hands down, although Paloma and Gael would have been in the running if they had shown the scene where she walks into his bedroom when he's fresh out of the shower. Dam and Elisa? Puh-leaze.
Julia, i agree that Galoma had Dam/Elisa on the beso... either that one or their first night in the woods... definitely beat Dam/Elisa... although some of the other couples kisses were really hot too.
Carmina's punishment was to go unloved. The only way men wanted her was for her body. Now her body is disfigured and stumpy for life...that ain't hot. Nobody in town wants her. Even Gabino left.
Even in death, Carmina will be unloved. Estefania was beloved 15 years after her death. Blanca, Lupe even Augusto were loved after their deaths.
Carmina? Elisa would probably do the right thing and get her a decent grave marker (I wonder if Elisa put Carmina in Augusto's old grave, next to Carmina's son?) But it would serve Carmina right if Elisa gave her the Estefania Pitiful Grave Marker treatment.
I'm guessing 2 years passed by, since little Remedios looked to be around 2 years old. Baby Augusto looked to be 1.
I understand Damian/Elisa naming their son "Augusto" (Elisa's dad) and saying they were working on creating baby Rosendo (Damian's dad).
I understand Paloma/Gael naming their daughter "Remedios" (Paloma's mom). But why in the heck did they name baby #2 "Estefania?" I never got the sense that Estefania was so important to Paloma or Gael (probably more to Gael than Paloma). If the writers wanted to name a kid Estefania, they could have giving Damian/Elisa a DAUGHTER and that kid could be "Estefania." Or heck, have Damian/Elisa announce they were working on little Estefania. Paloma/Gael's 2nd daughter could have been named "Rosenda."
I guess we'll never find out what Ingrid's wedding gift was, huh?
I guess Florencia will never find out Guido was murdered.
I guess Begonia's gone for good and Sabrina is still in Africa.
Even in death, Carmina will be unloved. Estefania was beloved 15 years after her death. Blanca, Lupe even Augusto were loved after their deaths.
Carmina? Elisa would probably do the right thing and get her a decent grave marker (I wonder if Elisa put Carmina in Augusto's old grave, next to Carmina's son?) But it would serve Carmina right if Elisa gave her the Estefania Pitiful Grave Marker treatment.
I'm guessing 2 years passed by, since little Remedios looked to be around 2 years old. Baby Augusto looked to be 1.
I understand Damian/Elisa naming their son "Augusto" (Elisa's dad) and saying they were working on creating baby Rosendo (Damian's dad).
I understand Paloma/Gael naming their daughter "Remedios" (Paloma's mom). But why in the heck did they name baby #2 "Estefania?" I never got the sense that Estefania was so important to Paloma or Gael (probably more to Gael than Paloma). If the writers wanted to name a kid Estefania, they could have giving Damian/Elisa a DAUGHTER and that kid could be "Estefania." Or heck, have Damian/Elisa announce they were working on little Estefania. Paloma/Gael's 2nd daughter could have been named "Rosenda."
I guess we'll never find out what Ingrid's wedding gift was, huh?
I guess Florencia will never find out Guido was murdered.
I guess Begonia's gone for good and Sabrina is still in Africa.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 1:43:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 1:43:00 PM EST
The crack police of the region were in full force during the finale, having failed to detect let alone solve all the murders on their own until the beans are spilled by the murderers themselves. Alas,the deaths of Guido and Paulo remain unsolved. In Guido's case undetected since Ingrid cant tell tales from the grave. But at least the police found out they had cars with sirens and flashing lights which were enough to capture what was left of the bad guys.
Ramona is a Calvinist and Augustinian since she believes in predestination (destiny); why she was praying since it won't change anything is due to the logic of the crack writers.
I was very happy to see the words FIN!
Ramona is a Calvinist and Augustinian since she believes in predestination (destiny); why she was praying since it won't change anything is due to the logic of the crack writers.
I was very happy to see the words FIN!
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 1:45:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 1:45:00 PM EST
Telenovela baby naming traditions make no sense. I'm still baffled that in Una Familia Con Suerte, they did not name the baby daughter after the lead character's beloved, long-lost, recently-reconnected, more-recently deceased mother. No, they named her Ana Guadalupe, which were the names of the poor baby's two very much living older sisters. REALLY?! And Chela and Enzo named their son after Pancho, who Chela was in love with forever. Mind-boggling.
I think Paloma had a special affection for Estefania because she was one of the few people in La Ermita who treated Paloma well, but it still seems a bit much to take the name.
I think Paloma had a special affection for Estefania because she was one of the few people in La Ermita who treated Paloma well, but it still seems a bit much to take the name.
Actually, once I began to recover from the insulin shock, my favorite part of the ending was the way the Fearsome Foursome just walked away and abandoned their children..."Hey, they're just props -- let's go swimming!"
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:09:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:09:00 PM EST
I don't think I have ever been so glad to see a TN end. Definitely "por fin!"
But this one sure went out with a whimper. The villain fates meted out so quickly - after MONTHS of enduring their evil deeds. I noticed that everything had been wrapped up tidily with a bow, and there was still 30 mins to go! So of course the rest was fluff. I guess if they don't have a big wedding or two in the finale, they don't know what to do with themselves.
Wow - I blinked and missed the Gabino hand disrobing.
Thanks so much to the recappers. You all were champions! The recaps were delightful.
But this one sure went out with a whimper. The villain fates meted out so quickly - after MONTHS of enduring their evil deeds. I noticed that everything had been wrapped up tidily with a bow, and there was still 30 mins to go! So of course the rest was fluff. I guess if they don't have a big wedding or two in the finale, they don't know what to do with themselves.
Wow - I blinked and missed the Gabino hand disrobing.
Thanks so much to the recappers. You all were champions! The recaps were delightful.
They not only walked out on their children, they also walked out of their party when all the guests were still there. And then went frolicking in the field where all the laborers were still hard at work. No party day for you, field workers! Sure, your family's hard work has been supporting us for generations, but we still will not acknowledge you! Pick those pecks of peppers faster!
When Paloma and Gael name their baby "Estefanía", they are honoring the memory of Elisa's mother and making sure the name continues on. No one knows if Elisa will have another child, let alone a daughter (in The Land that Contraception Forgot, she doesn't seem all that fertile.) But even if she does have a girl, she can name her "Estefanía Guadalupe", for example.
And really, what was poor Paloma going to do? Name the kid "Ingrid"? :-)
And really, what was poor Paloma going to do? Name the kid "Ingrid"? :-)
A trifecta of greatness! Who better to "close her down" than EJ, NM and Sylvia!?
EJ: "If you want to know why El Capitan let Elisa walk away with prime evidence....ask Fluffy and the Chimps!" HYSTERICAL! I DID want to know!
NM: "Too late, Orange Crush, Too late" Summed up Carmina's entire life in six words! And I so loved your description of Dam and Gael chatting during the bomb de-activation. So funny! As always, I am truly honored to be mentioned by name as a member of the Patio:)
Sylvia: "Bros, I say take your shirts off and arm wrestle!"
You ladies, and ALL the recappers are so special and made this TN experience a daily treat. I won't necessarily miss Abismo, but I will truly miss all your hilarious comments and your fabulous, teaching recaps.
Muchisimas Gracias!
Katy
EJ: "If you want to know why El Capitan let Elisa walk away with prime evidence....ask Fluffy and the Chimps!" HYSTERICAL! I DID want to know!
NM: "Too late, Orange Crush, Too late" Summed up Carmina's entire life in six words! And I so loved your description of Dam and Gael chatting during the bomb de-activation. So funny! As always, I am truly honored to be mentioned by name as a member of the Patio:)
Sylvia: "Bros, I say take your shirts off and arm wrestle!"
You ladies, and ALL the recappers are so special and made this TN experience a daily treat. I won't necessarily miss Abismo, but I will truly miss all your hilarious comments and your fabulous, teaching recaps.
Muchisimas Gracias!
Katy
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:23:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:23:00 PM EST
You ladies did an absolutely fantastic job with this finale recap. I laughed, I cried, I sheepishly looked around at the people staring at men the voting line. I take my bandana off to you.
Seems like we're all feeling the same way about the finale and the pre-finale show and wrong-headed voting (they didn’t even enter Begonia’s double slap in the Best Slap Category!) . I like that it all ended with a party at La Quinta with lots of little ones running around. I think I would have had a warm fuzzy feeling about it if I actually bought into the (Not So) Fab Four having real chemistry and love for each other. I just couldn't fool myself.
I did liked seeing Flor and Quique, and yes, hearing Flor be honest about not wanting to change diapers. I was happy to see Lolita with child. Finally, she'll have someone else to obsess about other than Elisa! I too saw red flags when Tonia wanted to be her bff and babysitter and conveniently needed refreshments just when Brau did. Hmmmm… Sorry, I wasn't buying that transformation. Lolita better watch her back and her man.
Although her transformation stretched my beanie to its limits, I was happy to see Alfie doting on her grandson. I have no doubt she will take every opportunity to control his life, like she did with Damian. Since Elisa and Dam seem to be pretty disengaged parents, Alfie will happily have free reign over their kids. It’s a win-win situation for everyone (except maybe the kids).
I was happy that Gael didn’t turn out to be Paloma’s uncle. Whew! That was really my only concern with Gaeloma. Didn’t matter to me if they stayed together or went their separate ways. I guess I’m happy that they had a happy ending, even if it was unbelievable.
What’s up with these babies, with one fair parent with light eyes, and one dark parent with dark eyes, ALL coming out fair with light eyes? That’s some pretty good odds for a bunch of recessive genes! Pal and Chente were able to beat their Mendoza fair genes, however.
Cutest moment, when Elisa calls over Flor’s daughter, and Paloma’s little daughter Remedios comes running up too to get her greeting. Adorable! I also had a WTF moment when we learned Pal had named her second daughter Estefania. She’ll probably name the third one Blanca, just to really stick it to Elisa.
Seems like we're all feeling the same way about the finale and the pre-finale show and wrong-headed voting (they didn’t even enter Begonia’s double slap in the Best Slap Category!) . I like that it all ended with a party at La Quinta with lots of little ones running around. I think I would have had a warm fuzzy feeling about it if I actually bought into the (Not So) Fab Four having real chemistry and love for each other. I just couldn't fool myself.
I did liked seeing Flor and Quique, and yes, hearing Flor be honest about not wanting to change diapers. I was happy to see Lolita with child. Finally, she'll have someone else to obsess about other than Elisa! I too saw red flags when Tonia wanted to be her bff and babysitter and conveniently needed refreshments just when Brau did. Hmmmm… Sorry, I wasn't buying that transformation. Lolita better watch her back and her man.
Although her transformation stretched my beanie to its limits, I was happy to see Alfie doting on her grandson. I have no doubt she will take every opportunity to control his life, like she did with Damian. Since Elisa and Dam seem to be pretty disengaged parents, Alfie will happily have free reign over their kids. It’s a win-win situation for everyone (except maybe the kids).
I was happy that Gael didn’t turn out to be Paloma’s uncle. Whew! That was really my only concern with Gaeloma. Didn’t matter to me if they stayed together or went their separate ways. I guess I’m happy that they had a happy ending, even if it was unbelievable.
What’s up with these babies, with one fair parent with light eyes, and one dark parent with dark eyes, ALL coming out fair with light eyes? That’s some pretty good odds for a bunch of recessive genes! Pal and Chente were able to beat their Mendoza fair genes, however.
Cutest moment, when Elisa calls over Flor’s daughter, and Paloma’s little daughter Remedios comes running up too to get her greeting. Adorable! I also had a WTF moment when we learned Pal had named her second daughter Estefania. She’ll probably name the third one Blanca, just to really stick it to Elisa.
Wow...I had fun watching my recording of the finale (though thought it ended with Ramona's portentous announcement about love) and rewound the bugger.
Now, the three of you recappers were fabulous as always. My fave quote from EJ (other than the you can call me Beezle) was "you cannot one up Paloma in the drama department". SCORE!
NovelaMaven...hard to decide...a tie between "the requisite wringing of hands, the empty pleas for calm" (this scene occurs in EVERY telenovela EVERY dang night!) but really, the hands down winner is:
"Ed. note: In a personal communication to the author, Head Monkey Writer Fluffy confirmed that the Gabino character suffers from allergies -- perennial rhinitis, to be exact -- and uses the bandana on his hand to wipe his nose and pinkish watery eyes. In simian literature, allergic rhinitis commonly symbolizes alienation, in this case Gabino's alienation from the habanero community in which he feels trapped, a world where even the pollen is against him. Many of the facial tics and twitches the actor affects in this role are meant to make graphic Gabino's attempts to exert some control over himself and his environment -- to wit, to keep his dam nose from running. When he calls other characters "mocosos", he is trying vainly to deflect attention from his own unpleasant condition. As EJ might say, he is "projecting."]
Now that is just pure genius. Wish I'd had that to read during the long, long line to vote today.
And Sylvia, bless you, I was thinking exactly the same thing, when Doc Tovar nobly announces that he fell in love with Carita's soul not her body:
"(easy to say to somebody with THAT body)". Yeah, too easy. And dang it, we never got to see Begoña again.
The recapping on this was just sensational. Smart. Funny. Irreverent. Literate. Profanity and Grammar Lessons. Sleaze and the Sublime. You guys rock.
I'm a little chastened to know how solid my goody-two-shoes reputation is. REALLY! I squelched Sylvia's Wave!? (ya know, you're right, I probably would have made my Presbyterian Prune Face...ever so briefly. Perdoname!)
Anyway, loved every minute with you all. Best team, best group of recappers ever. Crappy novela but who cares? Sylvia, enjoy that vacation with Mr. Sharkbait and don't come back pregnant!
One last thing: Gabino should have won Best Body! And most of the journalists agreed with me. Cynderella? are you out there? Represent girl!
Now, the three of you recappers were fabulous as always. My fave quote from EJ (other than the you can call me Beezle) was "you cannot one up Paloma in the drama department". SCORE!
NovelaMaven...hard to decide...a tie between "the requisite wringing of hands, the empty pleas for calm" (this scene occurs in EVERY telenovela EVERY dang night!) but really, the hands down winner is:
"Ed. note: In a personal communication to the author, Head Monkey Writer Fluffy confirmed that the Gabino character suffers from allergies -- perennial rhinitis, to be exact -- and uses the bandana on his hand to wipe his nose and pinkish watery eyes. In simian literature, allergic rhinitis commonly symbolizes alienation, in this case Gabino's alienation from the habanero community in which he feels trapped, a world where even the pollen is against him. Many of the facial tics and twitches the actor affects in this role are meant to make graphic Gabino's attempts to exert some control over himself and his environment -- to wit, to keep his dam nose from running. When he calls other characters "mocosos", he is trying vainly to deflect attention from his own unpleasant condition. As EJ might say, he is "projecting."]
Now that is just pure genius. Wish I'd had that to read during the long, long line to vote today.
And Sylvia, bless you, I was thinking exactly the same thing, when Doc Tovar nobly announces that he fell in love with Carita's soul not her body:
"(easy to say to somebody with THAT body)". Yeah, too easy. And dang it, we never got to see Begoña again.
The recapping on this was just sensational. Smart. Funny. Irreverent. Literate. Profanity and Grammar Lessons. Sleaze and the Sublime. You guys rock.
I'm a little chastened to know how solid my goody-two-shoes reputation is. REALLY! I squelched Sylvia's Wave!? (ya know, you're right, I probably would have made my Presbyterian Prune Face...ever so briefly. Perdoname!)
Anyway, loved every minute with you all. Best team, best group of recappers ever. Crappy novela but who cares? Sylvia, enjoy that vacation with Mr. Sharkbait and don't come back pregnant!
One last thing: Gabino should have won Best Body! And most of the journalists agreed with me. Cynderella? are you out there? Represent girl!
Hello!
First I want to say what a pleasure it has been to serve the Caray Caray recapping this TN. Working with all the other recappers was a pleasure—The Cap'ns team was reliable and steady as a rock but their recaps were by turns zany, hilarious, grammatical, wry, sexy, fun, detailed and inspired. Novela Maven told me many months ago that the lousiest TN's make the best recaps and she was correct in this as she is in most things. If there is good writing in a TN all we recappers do is report; when the writing is absurd, well, then recappers get to have more fun.
The commenting community here was simply the best. Hanging out on teh Patio has been something I looked forward to most days. I have loved reading all your comments as much as I have loved writing for the blog.
I, too, will be taking a few months off from recapping. I have some business to take care of and my daughter's wedding in Mexico to help plan and enjoy. When the Cap'n sails back into town, I am already signed up to be a deckhand on her good recapping ship, if she'll have me.
As to the Gran Final recappers' (EJ, Mave and the Cap'n) little detour to Hell, that was meant to be a salve to all those who wished for Carmina to have her just desserts. The fact that the character of Carmina did not believe in an afterlife of any kind gave it a little astringence, and Ramona's guest appearance to record the VOICE OF DOOM was a shout out to Cynderella's Grandmother, the Prophetic One. Naturally, Ramona's amulets got us out of trouble in the nick of time.
Best to all,
Elna June
First I want to say what a pleasure it has been to serve the Caray Caray recapping this TN. Working with all the other recappers was a pleasure—The Cap'ns team was reliable and steady as a rock but their recaps were by turns zany, hilarious, grammatical, wry, sexy, fun, detailed and inspired. Novela Maven told me many months ago that the lousiest TN's make the best recaps and she was correct in this as she is in most things. If there is good writing in a TN all we recappers do is report; when the writing is absurd, well, then recappers get to have more fun.
The commenting community here was simply the best. Hanging out on teh Patio has been something I looked forward to most days. I have loved reading all your comments as much as I have loved writing for the blog.
I, too, will be taking a few months off from recapping. I have some business to take care of and my daughter's wedding in Mexico to help plan and enjoy. When the Cap'n sails back into town, I am already signed up to be a deckhand on her good recapping ship, if she'll have me.
As to the Gran Final recappers' (EJ, Mave and the Cap'n) little detour to Hell, that was meant to be a salve to all those who wished for Carmina to have her just desserts. The fact that the character of Carmina did not believe in an afterlife of any kind gave it a little astringence, and Ramona's guest appearance to record the VOICE OF DOOM was a shout out to Cynderella's Grandmother, the Prophetic One. Naturally, Ramona's amulets got us out of trouble in the nick of time.
Best to all,
Elna June
Abismo Recappers - I don't really watch this TN, but I luuuvvvvv to read the recaps. You folks are HILARIOUS. This finale was great! Hats off to all of you!
I'm a little disappointed we never found out how Sabrina's getting on in Africa. I hope she's settled down with one of the natives and has a bebito or two of her own, and also learned what country she's in. Never look back, Sabrina.
Blue, ROFLOL on the fearsome foursome leaving all kids behind to go field hopping and swimming...
and Julia, going right by the CA workers forcing them to work while the party was still going on... LOL!! well, in their slight defense, i have to say these foursome needed a little vacation hour... after 15 yrs or so of agony.
But yeah having the CA workers working hard while everyone else partied was a bit WTH to me too. I doubt there was anyone working at La Anita or El Yucateco procesadoras.
and Julia, going right by the CA workers forcing them to work while the party was still going on... LOL!! well, in their slight defense, i have to say these foursome needed a little vacation hour... after 15 yrs or so of agony.
But yeah having the CA workers working hard while everyone else partied was a bit WTH to me too. I doubt there was anyone working at La Anita or El Yucateco procesadoras.
" my favorite part of the ending was the way the Fearsome Foursome just walked away and abandoned their children.."
That was really, really weird, but I was FFWD->ing thru that part anyway.
Something else I noticed was that Elisa didn't really seem to connect, or have any chemistry with her child, either. She might as well have been holding a bowling ball.
Vivi - DC
That was really, really weird, but I was FFWD->ing thru that part anyway.
Something else I noticed was that Elisa didn't really seem to connect, or have any chemistry with her child, either. She might as well have been holding a bowling ball.
Vivi - DC
She really didn't. Damian at least looked at the baby affectionately and interacted with him a bit playing with the fan.
Fabulous finish--the triple recap, that is! Loved the intro with Bub and Co. The Rumbo actually featured one of the writers with a few comments. He looked strangely human, but probably had someone in makeup run the clippers over his fur and clean up his look.
Shame on me, I was rather gleeful at Carmina's new status, but wasn't really expecting her to pull the Black Swan deal.
Maybe Elisa can learn some fashion tips from her now amiable mother-in-law. Unless she spends so much time in the cenote that regular clothing is no longer needed.
The recaps and comments on this TN have been pure genius. Thanks!
La Paloma
Shame on me, I was rather gleeful at Carmina's new status, but wasn't really expecting her to pull the Black Swan deal.
Maybe Elisa can learn some fashion tips from her now amiable mother-in-law. Unless she spends so much time in the cenote that regular clothing is no longer needed.
The recaps and comments on this TN have been pure genius. Thanks!
La Paloma
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 3:38:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 3:38:00 PM EST
Sylvia, “The only thing that helps out is a rowdy happy hour out on The Patio of Lowered Expectations, watching this nonsense with a group of crazy, like-minded friends, nerfazos in hand, drinks on the table, and habanero poppers on the way.” Yes, well said. This has been a bit of an endurance contest, each of us sticking though this mostly passionless pit of a novela to support the hilarious recappers and commenters, kind of “in a fox hole” kind of a thing! I’m glad I made it, we went through the dark tunnel and came out on the other side, still blinking a little though!!!! Sylvia, THANKS, you were a big part of the fun. Are you sailing along the Pacific coast of the Baja or in the Sea of Cortez? Either way, have a wonderful time!
EJ, your creativity has no limits, your monkey scenario was a delightful buffering concept that allowed us to relax and go with the flow.....”Fluffy wrote it.” No need to worry with the small, ridiculous and inconsistent details of the novela. My favorite from today is..... “Carmina bares her teeth in a gesture that might pass for a smile on a hyena.” Yes, yes, yes
It wouldn’t be a NM recap without some grammar, "¿Sera que finalmente Paloma logró entrar en tu corazón? ¿Sera que a pesar de todo, terminaste enamorándote de ella?” I’ll carry your recap examples of “imperfecto de subjuntivo,” in my heart forever! You have such an ironic style, “Carmina scuttles down the path between the graves......As she runs, she swivels her head from side to side, scouring the landscape for enemies.” Only you cold use scuttle and swivel in the same sentence to GREAT effect.
Thanks also to Cathyx, Sara, Cynderella and Marta for all your hard work, you made this novela a joy.
Oh what the heck, who cares if the transformations were a little too lickety-split, it was nice to see the tortured residents of La Hermita happy and peaceful after these many tortured months.....esposos and bambinos for everyone, just like real life!
If anyone passed though Nashville, give me a heads up, we can have a night of cantinas and blue grass, (we’ll hold the nerfazos.) I even have a patio! Vivi, Doris, EJ, Judy, among others, have my email address.
EJ, your creativity has no limits, your monkey scenario was a delightful buffering concept that allowed us to relax and go with the flow.....”Fluffy wrote it.” No need to worry with the small, ridiculous and inconsistent details of the novela. My favorite from today is..... “Carmina bares her teeth in a gesture that might pass for a smile on a hyena.” Yes, yes, yes
It wouldn’t be a NM recap without some grammar, "¿Sera que finalmente Paloma logró entrar en tu corazón? ¿Sera que a pesar de todo, terminaste enamorándote de ella?” I’ll carry your recap examples of “imperfecto de subjuntivo,” in my heart forever! You have such an ironic style, “Carmina scuttles down the path between the graves......As she runs, she swivels her head from side to side, scouring the landscape for enemies.” Only you cold use scuttle and swivel in the same sentence to GREAT effect.
Thanks also to Cathyx, Sara, Cynderella and Marta for all your hard work, you made this novela a joy.
Oh what the heck, who cares if the transformations were a little too lickety-split, it was nice to see the tortured residents of La Hermita happy and peaceful after these many tortured months.....esposos and bambinos for everyone, just like real life!
If anyone passed though Nashville, give me a heads up, we can have a night of cantinas and blue grass, (we’ll hold the nerfazos.) I even have a patio! Vivi, Doris, EJ, Judy, among others, have my email address.
I learned I need Alfonsina's wardrobe in my life.
Gael/Paloma's kids' colorings seemed realistic. Damian/Elisa's son's coloring did not. Those Bouvier light hair/light eye genes must be pretty strong.
Gael/Paloma's kids' colorings seemed realistic. Damian/Elisa's son's coloring did not. Those Bouvier light hair/light eye genes must be pretty strong.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 3:41:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 3:41:00 PM EST
Just finished reading this Grander than the Gran Final Recap.
EJ - My favorite Part One line was about the hologram machine projecting images of Carmina's victims. We'd need a pretty big screen!
NM - My favorite Part II line was "A subtle warning look from Judy B suffices to stop Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave". I don't doubt that this great patio would have done just that!
They saved the two tasteful dresses for the final for Elisa to wear. That aqua one was so pretty, and I liked the colorful one she wore to the party. And like NM says how convenient that they had on their swimming suits underneath.
EJ - My favorite Part One line was about the hologram machine projecting images of Carmina's victims. We'd need a pretty big screen!
NM - My favorite Part II line was "A subtle warning look from Judy B suffices to stop Sylvia from leading the crowd in The Wave". I don't doubt that this great patio would have done just that!
They saved the two tasteful dresses for the final for Elisa to wear. That aqua one was so pretty, and I liked the colorful one she wore to the party. And like NM says how convenient that they had on their swimming suits underneath.
Anon207 said...
I learned I need Alfonsina's wardrobe in my life.
ROFLOL!!! Your best list ever. I need her wardrobe, too.
I learned I need Alfonsina's wardrobe in my life.
ROFLOL!!! Your best list ever. I need her wardrobe, too.
Wow, over 50 comments already before I've had a chance to read the recap.
Great job as always ladies, and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you, even if it were only for a few weeks at the end. It was a lot of fun. EJ, you gave me much fodder with introducing Fluffy, and I appreciate it. And Cynderella, I will always think of you when I think of a man carrying a woman's milk as a great metaphor for going steady.
I'm not so sad that this TN has ended as much as I am sad that the patio will be closed and everyone will go on to a different story. It's nice to convene with people who understand the crazy things you are saying and thinking, like we did everyday here. Thanks everyone.
Great job as always ladies, and I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you, even if it were only for a few weeks at the end. It was a lot of fun. EJ, you gave me much fodder with introducing Fluffy, and I appreciate it. And Cynderella, I will always think of you when I think of a man carrying a woman's milk as a great metaphor for going steady.
I'm not so sad that this TN has ended as much as I am sad that the patio will be closed and everyone will go on to a different story. It's nice to convene with people who understand the crazy things you are saying and thinking, like we did everyday here. Thanks everyone.
Alfie always looked fabulous. That pre-finale special should have had a category for best dressed and worst dressed. We coild have a La Ermita version of Fashion Police. What would Joan Rivers say about most of Elisa's outfits, I wonder?
In honor of the finale last night, I spent part of the evening pureeing a huge jar scotch bonnet peppers (lookalike and hotter cousin of the habanero) and other spices that my dad prepares. It's a type of pickle with scotch bonnets, onions, carrots, in vinegar, and my dad will spend a full day cutting up all the ingredients and jarring them. I am always one of the lucky recipients and I add it to everything that I cook. I like to puree it to make it easier to mix into things. It's a good thing that nothing in the finale made me remotely misty, otherwise I would have been desperately flushing habanero/scotch bonnet out of my burning eyes all night.
Sylvia, EJ, and NM thank you for a wonderful treat. As others have noted, though I won't be sad to see this TN go, I will be disappointed to leave the patio. This has been a great group and I hope our collective paths meet again in the future.
It's been a great party!!!
I for one thought the penultimate night was the best -- Alfie's fancy footwork in the Casa Azul and Horacio's "por amor" were telenovela gold. The last night was pretty meh...I was texting spoiler-teasers to R la O, who's on Mountain Time, and I think the whole two hours were pretty much summed up with "explosivos," "flatline," and "mariachis."
I for one thought the penultimate night was the best -- Alfie's fancy footwork in the Casa Azul and Horacio's "por amor" were telenovela gold. The last night was pretty meh...I was texting spoiler-teasers to R la O, who's on Mountain Time, and I think the whole two hours were pretty much summed up with "explosivos," "flatline," and "mariachis."
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:21:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:21:00 PM EST
BTW, I'll probably be in Baltimore the first week in March -- if there are any Caraymates in the area, citémosnos!
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:22:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:22:00 PM EST
Well, I didn't want to tell you TOO much. ;}
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:33:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:33:00 PM EST
Thanks, Vivi! Want to have coffee in Baltimore?
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:44:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:44:00 PM EST
Vivi, I'm hoping to be at this conference from March 7-10:
http://www.nectfl.org/
The program isn't out yet, so I don't know which sessions I'll be attending, but it goes through the weekend. Let's plan on getting together -- it will give me something to look forward to all winter!
http://www.nectfl.org/
The program isn't out yet, so I don't know which sessions I'll be attending, but it goes through the weekend. Let's plan on getting together -- it will give me something to look forward to all winter!
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:54:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:54:00 PM EST
Horacio's "por amor" was a bit of classic, soapy telenovela drama. LOL
But what really bugged me was seeing Lolita with Brau, obviously pregnant and most likely(???) married.
So... did Lolita divorce Horacio after he went to jail 'por amor'?
Would he have then felt like he got the shaft, after what he did 'por amor'?
But what really bugged me was seeing Lolita with Brau, obviously pregnant and most likely(???) married.
So... did Lolita divorce Horacio after he went to jail 'por amor'?
Would he have then felt like he got the shaft, after what he did 'por amor'?
I think Horacio came to the light and realized the difference between Bad Love, which involves eye-rolling and kidnapping, and Good Love, which wants the beloved to be happy and fulfilled and made up like a clown.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 8:08:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 8:08:00 PM EST
I feel like I totally got the easiest part of the recrap, mostly fluff. It was still fun though, especially because I got to follow EJ and Novela Maven, two scathingly brilliant wits.
JudyB, if it's any consolation, I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed your Presbyterian Prune Face (lol!!). I am generally oblivious to things like that.
Gab not winning best bod? We were robbed!!!
Sandy, our plan is to sail down the west coast of Baja and then head over to the west coast of mainland Mexico. Mr. S is taking his surfboards so for this trip we'll go where the waves are. However I would love to head up into the Sea of Cortez some time.
Vivi, your Scotch Bonnet concoction sounds delicious! So glad you didn't have to rub your eyes. I remember the first time I grew my own serranos (super hot!!), canned some salsa and made the big mistake of rubbing my eyes. Generally that's the mistake a person only makes once. I think I used about a half gallon of milk to flush my poor eyes.
JudyB, if it's any consolation, I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed your Presbyterian Prune Face (lol!!). I am generally oblivious to things like that.
Gab not winning best bod? We were robbed!!!
Sandy, our plan is to sail down the west coast of Baja and then head over to the west coast of mainland Mexico. Mr. S is taking his surfboards so for this trip we'll go where the waves are. However I would love to head up into the Sea of Cortez some time.
Vivi, your Scotch Bonnet concoction sounds delicious! So glad you didn't have to rub your eyes. I remember the first time I grew my own serranos (super hot!!), canned some salsa and made the big mistake of rubbing my eyes. Generally that's the mistake a person only makes once. I think I used about a half gallon of milk to flush my poor eyes.
So many gracious comments today! I'm feeling a little verklempt at the thought that this is our last conversation. Sniff. (This is where a hand bandana is useful.)
Sara, Cathyx, EJ, Marta, Sylvia, Cynderella -- it's been a pleasure.
P.S. JudyB, I'm only teasing you. I don't see you as a Presbyterian Prune Face at all -- but I do love that little bit of self-doubt that makes you check the mirror just to make sure. :-)
Sara, Cathyx, EJ, Marta, Sylvia, Cynderella -- it's been a pleasure.
P.S. JudyB, I'm only teasing you. I don't see you as a Presbyterian Prune Face at all -- but I do love that little bit of self-doubt that makes you check the mirror just to make sure. :-)
Hey NovelaMaven...Presbyterian Prune Face a Smiley Face this morning. And once again, thanks to our fabulous recappers. You made this novela way more fun than it had a right to be. Pure magic.
NM, LOL on this ...
I do love that little bit of self-doubt that makes you check the mirror just to make sure. :-)
CLosed? are you kiddin' me?? the Patio is the BEST spot in the world for a morning coffee (my fav is mocha but i would gladly sip on ANY coffee, stretch my legs on another chair and watch the goings of LaErmita now that things seem to be much more joyful and optimistic ...
I do love that little bit of self-doubt that makes you check the mirror just to make sure. :-)
CLosed? are you kiddin' me?? the Patio is the BEST spot in the world for a morning coffee (my fav is mocha but i would gladly sip on ANY coffee, stretch my legs on another chair and watch the goings of LaErmita now that things seem to be much more joyful and optimistic ...
Happy JudyB - You definitely are not a Presbyterian Prune face! You are the lady that was asked to pipe down at the restaurant. I wouldn't be surprised if it was YOU leading the wave!
Now what's everyone watching?
Now what's everyone watching?
I'm back!! I don't wanna leave. I'm sure I'll be buying the DVD of this TN when it comes out hehe!
Some things I forgot to mention: I liked the wide-eyed Gabino when he told Gael "That woman [Carmina] is crazy!" I also liked when Lucio kept shouting to Gab as he left "No eres un Arango!" and I liked Gab's line of "I won it at a raffle" Heh.... that was obviously, without a doubt layman's terms for "I stole it".
I was happy with Flo and Quique's ending. That's nice that they adopted.
I still have that image of Carmina's last breaths. Sabine did great in that scene. Even the shuddering was scary!
--TF
Some things I forgot to mention: I liked the wide-eyed Gabino when he told Gael "That woman [Carmina] is crazy!" I also liked when Lucio kept shouting to Gab as he left "No eres un Arango!" and I liked Gab's line of "I won it at a raffle" Heh.... that was obviously, without a doubt layman's terms for "I stole it".
I was happy with Flo and Quique's ending. That's nice that they adopted.
I still have that image of Carmina's last breaths. Sabine did great in that scene. Even the shuddering was scary!
--TF
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:38:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:38:00 PM EST
I thought Gabino's whole slipping-on-the-mud sequence was amazing -- he's a great physical actor. And I don't mean what we usually mean. ;}
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:40:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:40:00 PM EST
Blue Lass, some time ago I was watching an interview with him on a beach somewhere, and the interviewer asked him how he kept in such good shape. Salvador demonstrated some Capoeira moves for the growing crowd at the beach. No wonder he looks so good and is so physically adept! (He proceeded to step on a nail in the sand and pulled it out of his own foot before jumping in the journalist's SUV to go to the doctor.)
TF, I wouldn't be surprised if Sabine wins some sort of award for her portrayal of Carmina. My only gripe about her death scene is that her blood plopping onto the floor looked just like some blackberry jam I made a couple of months ago.
TF, I wouldn't be surprised if Sabine wins some sort of award for her portrayal of Carmina. My only gripe about her death scene is that her blood plopping onto the floor looked just like some blackberry jam I made a couple of months ago.
Sylvia, I just typed "Zerboni Capoeira" into youtube, and all the results said "terrible accidente." I guess they're talking about the nail. Yikes!
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:50:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:50:00 PM EST
And another thing --
I loooooved the gender-bending aspect of this episode, seeing Carmina as the mustache-twirling villain who ties up the Dam(sel) in distress and threatens to ravish him. (As EJ masterfully describes the scene: "She sits like a man on an habanero crate, legs splayed").
----------
"JudyB TOLD me to do the wave. There. The truth is out now."
And that's why the only place that will have us is the Patio, mi querida Sylvia. But here's the thing -- After Carmina was cut down in her primetime, Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock had to accept a gig as Maître d' at the Hall of High Hopes ("Good evening, ladies and gentlemen") where they are screening Amor Bravío.
Fluffy and the bonobo apes (i.e. the 'sex monkeys') are working the door, making sure the 'no nerfazo' rule is strictly enforced. The dress code is fairly lax but the 'pants optional' custom is frowned upon. Occasionally a Pitter slips through the tight security net; and you may see a familiar face or two in the respectful hush of the Hall.
It's true that you can watch Amor Bravío from the Patio of Lowered Expectations but the reception here is of much lower quality.
I loooooved the gender-bending aspect of this episode, seeing Carmina as the mustache-twirling villain who ties up the Dam(sel) in distress and threatens to ravish him. (As EJ masterfully describes the scene: "She sits like a man on an habanero crate, legs splayed").
----------
"JudyB TOLD me to do the wave. There. The truth is out now."
And that's why the only place that will have us is the Patio, mi querida Sylvia. But here's the thing -- After Carmina was cut down in her primetime, Alfredo Paloma-Hitchcock had to accept a gig as Maître d' at the Hall of High Hopes ("Good evening, ladies and gentlemen") where they are screening Amor Bravío.
Fluffy and the bonobo apes (i.e. the 'sex monkeys') are working the door, making sure the 'no nerfazo' rule is strictly enforced. The dress code is fairly lax but the 'pants optional' custom is frowned upon. Occasionally a Pitter slips through the tight security net; and you may see a familiar face or two in the respectful hush of the Hall.
It's true that you can watch Amor Bravío from the Patio of Lowered Expectations but the reception here is of much lower quality.
Ha ha! "Dam(sel) in Distress"! I'm only sorry we won't be able to get a few months' mileage out of that one.
I assume that sitting in an immodest position is still permitted in the Hall of High Hopes...?
I assume that sitting in an immodest position is still permitted in the Hall of High Hopes...?
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:54:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 12:54:00 PM EST
After "La reina del sur", Salvador appeared on the (short-lived) Cristina show on Telemundo and talked about his experience in that novela. He said he had a pulled groin muscle (no details on how that happened, my Back Row buddies) during filming and they had to work around his limitations. But it was still a very tough experience. The guy suffers for his art.
And just FYI, the 8/8 girls ended up just two squares short of blackout on Bingo Card #8: "Fall Down Stairs," because there aren't any freakin' stairs in La Ermita, and "Galán Falsely Believes He Has Been Intimate With Villainess," because of course whenever Damián believed he had been intimate with Florencia, he had.
We had to wait until the last night for "Character Says Name of Show," but I didn't think that was every going to happen. It's kind of hard to work "Un Abismo de Pasión" into conversation.
We had to wait until the last night for "Character Says Name of Show," but I didn't think that was every going to happen. It's kind of hard to work "Un Abismo de Pasión" into conversation.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:12:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:12:00 PM EST
I was pretty sure we would never hear "Name of Show", but the last episode more than made up for it since it seemed to get repeated, quite dramatically I might add, several times.
Novela Maven, glad to hear that Zerboni suffers for his art, poor guy. Maybe that's why he and Sabine play the crazy so well. They stoically continue on in spite of their physical ailments.
Novela Maven, glad to hear that Zerboni suffers for his art, poor guy. Maybe that's why he and Sabine play the crazy so well. They stoically continue on in spite of their physical ailments.
I don't know, BL. There are some pretty dicey exterior stairs -- what about the ones leading to the church or those leading to the garden at the quinta? Put those together with the stoopid shoes all the ladies have to wear ...
Definitely a missed opportunity, I say.
Definitely a missed opportunity, I say.
You're right, NM -- I remember now how disappointed I was when Carmina made it all the way to the bottom of the church steps before collapsing in her pregnancy-revealing swoon...couldn't she have tripped a little sooner?
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:50:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:50:00 PM EST
Sylvia, I was thinking of the swimming pool too. Perhaps the rules would accept the belly-flop. What's an empty pool but a giant concrete step after all?
Ha ha. Then can we change "Galán falsely believes he has been intimate with villainess" to "Galán has been intimate with villainess, but he didn't really want to be"?
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 4:15:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 4:15:00 PM EST
Some of the bingo cards have a different square for the galán ACTUALLY getting en flagrante with the villainess.
I am amazed that no one fell down any stairs in this melodrama.
I am amazed that no one fell down any stairs in this melodrama.
Are you referring to the oral exchange of partially masticated habaneros?
(Whoa! Try getting that past spellcheck!)
(Whoa! Try getting that past spellcheck!)
OK then, the swimming pool counts as one giant stair.
Did Flor ALWAYS have her way with Dam? Didn't she fake it at least once? Or did he always think with his little head? All those telenovelas are starting to swirl around my head.
Did Flor ALWAYS have her way with Dam? Didn't she fake it at least once? Or did he always think with his little head? All those telenovelas are starting to swirl around my head.
I thought Flor faked it one time when Dam was really, really drunk. But maybe he did actually manage it?
Ooo, you kids are having fun here without me. I, too, am already missing the Patio, but I got an engraved (if somewhat singed) invitation from Alfredo to head over to the Patio of Raised Expectations to watch my BFF Silvia Navarro do her magic. I am so grateful to Novela Mavn for letting us know that Alfredo has found gainful employment in these difficult times. So, I'll be going on over to AB tonight. I cannot promise to be good, as I am a committed back-row kind of gal, but I can promise to be irreverent and to have FUN.
Great recappers on AB, I might add.
Blue, your Gran Final costume is just—Beyond. Beyond Tasteful, Beyond Hysterical and Beyond Stunning. Honestly, how you managed to still look so good in that get-up is a mystery to me. However, it sounds like you may have some competition for Alfie's wardrobe. I though I heard Anon 207 say she was willing to arm wrestle for it...
With a grin,
EJ
Great recappers on AB, I might add.
Blue, your Gran Final costume is just—Beyond. Beyond Tasteful, Beyond Hysterical and Beyond Stunning. Honestly, how you managed to still look so good in that get-up is a mystery to me. However, it sounds like you may have some competition for Alfie's wardrobe. I though I heard Anon 207 say she was willing to arm wrestle for it...
With a grin,
EJ
NM:
I have to say that I agree that the exchange of partially masticated habaneros is pretty darned intimate. I can't remember if I put it in the recap, but Carmina did admit somewhere in that habanero/water torture scene that she had "been with too many men".
¿Gee, Carmina, ya think?
EJ
I have to say that I agree that the exchange of partially masticated habaneros is pretty darned intimate. I can't remember if I put it in the recap, but Carmina did admit somewhere in that habanero/water torture scene that she had "been with too many men".
¿Gee, Carmina, ya think?
EJ
Flor was a villainess way back then. So at that time the bingo square should have been used. That's my take on it.
I honestly don't think Damián ever *falsely* believed he had been intimate with Flo. The pregnancy was false, but the intimacy was pretty straightforward. So to speak.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 5:14:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 5:14:00 PM EST
I would vote yes, but I have never been able to follow through with completing a bingo card so I'm not in a great position to offer up any "expert opinion" on the matter.
Are there any unclaimed prizes on the patio? Extra bandanas, fans, herbs? We could award those to "Bingo That Almost Was".
Are there any unclaimed prizes on the patio? Extra bandanas, fans, herbs? We could award those to "Bingo That Almost Was".
Ah, just read Blue Elisa's comment. Thwarted by a technicality. The unclaimed prize offer still stands though.
I'll just sit pat with the slightly askew banana I won in the costume contest.
What do you mean, "it's not a banana"? I don't understand...
What do you mean, "it's not a banana"? I don't understand...
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 5:21:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 5:21:00 PM EST
FINAL THOUGHTS!!
- thanks to all of the recappers! i am truly in awe of your writing skill and sense of humor. we have looked forward to and enjoyed reading your mini-masterpieces over these last months
- CARMINA WAS 100% correct!! (although, yes, amoral and insane). if goody-goody stef hadn't butt in, everybody in ermitaville would have been better off (except, of course, no TN).
- finally, the biggest mystery was NOT was what in the II's wedding gift box. the biggest mystery was what was there about Assgusto that made him such a babe magnet!!
adios.
mod ant
- thanks to all of the recappers! i am truly in awe of your writing skill and sense of humor. we have looked forward to and enjoyed reading your mini-masterpieces over these last months
- CARMINA WAS 100% correct!! (although, yes, amoral and insane). if goody-goody stef hadn't butt in, everybody in ermitaville would have been better off (except, of course, no TN).
- finally, the biggest mystery was NOT was what in the II's wedding gift box. the biggest mystery was what was there about Assgusto that made him such a babe magnet!!
adios.
mod ant
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11:12:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11:12:00 PM EST
Thank you everyone, it has been one good telenovela including the happy ending. Without your recaps and the Patio camaraderie I wouldn't have enjoyed this masterpiece.I hope to continue reading your exchanges in the next tn. Amor what is it again? Verdarero? Why is it almost the same as Amor Bravio. I also noticed that there is a shortage of names that they use. It is very common that they use these names in most of the tns. Such as Bruno, Agustina, Estefania, Vivi, Paloma, etc. And finally I have questions leftover from Abismo. Won't we ever learn about the revelation of the death of Paolo,Guido and Mrs. Beltran and their killers;and lastly what was in the gift box. Please, can anybody even invent something for my satisfaction. Thank you about the explanation regarding the bandana. That was good. I really thought that was a description tool of the character. I remember the first time I was watching Abismo, I had to ask about the broken eyeglasses of Augusto. I thought that it was his eccentric character that came out by wearing this eyeglasses. Oh well, hope to see this tn soon as a dvd. Thanks once again. May your tribe increase!!!
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11:36:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 11:36:00 PM EST
NM, The guy suffers for his art.
LOL!!!
and EJ,
Carmina did admit somewhere in that habanero/water torture scene that she had "been with too many men".
¿Gee, Carmina, ya think?
so true!
if we are going to try to fill in bingo cards, don't forget the assasination attemp by rigging horse saddles (Gab forced Horacio to attempt to kill Dam via the saddle).
LOL!!!
and EJ,
Carmina did admit somewhere in that habanero/water torture scene that she had "been with too many men".
¿Gee, Carmina, ya think?
so true!
if we are going to try to fill in bingo cards, don't forget the assasination attemp by rigging horse saddles (Gab forced Horacio to attempt to kill Dam via the saddle).
I don't think you can count the rigged saddle as an assassination attempt. I recapped that episode, and I distinctly remember Horacio objecting that he was not a murderer, and Gabino responding that he wasn't asking him to KILL Dam, just "keep him away from the procesadora for a while."
But there were plenty of other murders & attempted murders to choose from, weren't there?
But there were plenty of other murders & attempted murders to choose from, weren't there?
Permalink posted by : Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 11:20:00 AM EST
: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 11:20:00 AM EST
From a recently unearthed collection of "Outtakes you'll never see"
Gael finds a tiny "Made in China" label on his amulet. Realizing that Ramona has been duping them all along, the sneering, jeering Fab Four run the old woman out of La Ermita.
Gael finds a tiny "Made in China" label on his amulet. Realizing that Ramona has been duping them all along, the sneering, jeering Fab Four run the old woman out of La Ermita.
another thing in finale i was a bit WTH with... during the Carmina/Dam habanero making out scene...
why were there so many sacks and sacks of freshly picked habaneros around them if CA is supposed to have been 'abandoned' for the last few dozen eps?...
Gabino could not grow even a little bit of fern on it, let alone habanero plants that actually gave fruit... and Elisa has been too busy getting married and doing her own investigation of her mother's death... who has been administering CA? and when did CA begin producing again?
why were there so many sacks and sacks of freshly picked habaneros around them if CA is supposed to have been 'abandoned' for the last few dozen eps?...
Gabino could not grow even a little bit of fern on it, let alone habanero plants that actually gave fruit... and Elisa has been too busy getting married and doing her own investigation of her mother's death... who has been administering CA? and when did CA begin producing again?
ok now i do recall Elisa sending Gael out to the fields, but i thought he was going to the greenhouse, not to CA. CA did not belong to Elisa at the time.
I will echo this...
I don't wanna leave. I'm sure I'll be buying the DVD of this TN when it comes out hehe!
the Passion Pit (or at least our Patio with unlimited Tostachos with guac dip and margaritas) is a place you just dont want to leave... esp with all the 'ones already gone' and you folks... having too much fun to leave it behind...
I don't wanna leave. I'm sure I'll be buying the DVD of this TN when it comes out hehe!
the Passion Pit (or at least our Patio with unlimited Tostachos with guac dip and margaritas) is a place you just dont want to leave... esp with all the 'ones already gone' and you folks... having too much fun to leave it behind...
Oh Marta, I'm not ready to leave either!
Dear Vida2,
This one's for you!
Fluffy has asked me to share with you the following information concerning Ingrid's wedding gift for Gael and Elisa:
Few viewers are aware that the movie "Seven" (as in the Seven Deadly Sins) has had a seminal influence on simian screenplays; and nowhere is that influence more evident than in The Passion Pit. Ingrid is the incarnation of Greed.* It motivates all of her actions.
Ingrid's huge pocketbook is, of course, a symbol of avarice. She carries it everywhere -- even to the grave -- in a land where other women tuck their valuables in their bras and occasionally carry small artisanal pouches when they go to market.
She wishes to manipulate Gael by winning his affection and turning him against Alfonsina and Damián so when Gael learns the identity of his birth father, he will demand his rightful share of the Arango estate and share it with his mami. Toward that end, her gift is a carefully crafted blend of cheap sentiment and hard truth:
First, there is a photo album. It shows Rosendo and Ingrid as a smiling young couple; Ingrid great with child; Ingrid holding baby Gael in her arms as Rosendo looks on beaming. (We can tell it is Gael by the scowl on his tiny face.)
Second, there is a copy of a signed, notarized and apparently legitimate contract: It details Alfonsina's payment to Ingrid on the condition that she and her bastard son disappear forever from La Ermita; and her threats to have her arrested for embezzlement -- because Ingrid was no paloma blanca even before she met Rosendo -- should she defy the AlfaBitch and choose to stay and fight for Rosendo's love.
The gift was a calculated risk. It played on Gael's emotions and showed Alfonsina in the worst possible light. Even so, had Ingrid lived long enough to see Gael open the box, she would have some splainin' to do.
*(Alfonsina represents Pride; Augusto, Wrath; Carmina, Envy; Rosendo, Lust; Elisa, Bad Taste; and so on.)
Dear Vida2,
This one's for you!
Fluffy has asked me to share with you the following information concerning Ingrid's wedding gift for Gael and Elisa:
Few viewers are aware that the movie "Seven" (as in the Seven Deadly Sins) has had a seminal influence on simian screenplays; and nowhere is that influence more evident than in The Passion Pit. Ingrid is the incarnation of Greed.* It motivates all of her actions.
Ingrid's huge pocketbook is, of course, a symbol of avarice. She carries it everywhere -- even to the grave -- in a land where other women tuck their valuables in their bras and occasionally carry small artisanal pouches when they go to market.
She wishes to manipulate Gael by winning his affection and turning him against Alfonsina and Damián so when Gael learns the identity of his birth father, he will demand his rightful share of the Arango estate and share it with his mami. Toward that end, her gift is a carefully crafted blend of cheap sentiment and hard truth:
First, there is a photo album. It shows Rosendo and Ingrid as a smiling young couple; Ingrid great with child; Ingrid holding baby Gael in her arms as Rosendo looks on beaming. (We can tell it is Gael by the scowl on his tiny face.)
Second, there is a copy of a signed, notarized and apparently legitimate contract: It details Alfonsina's payment to Ingrid on the condition that she and her bastard son disappear forever from La Ermita; and her threats to have her arrested for embezzlement -- because Ingrid was no paloma blanca even before she met Rosendo -- should she defy the AlfaBitch and choose to stay and fight for Rosendo's love.
The gift was a calculated risk. It played on Gael's emotions and showed Alfonsina in the worst possible light. Even so, had Ingrid lived long enough to see Gael open the box, she would have some splainin' to do.
*(Alfonsina represents Pride; Augusto, Wrath; Carmina, Envy; Rosendo, Lust; Elisa, Bad Taste; and so on.)
And Vicente must be Sloth! The little creep. I still hate him.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 4:20:00 PM EST
: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 4:20:00 PM EST
Oh my..."cheap sentiment and hard truth". Love it! More! More!
Just keep posting recaps, NovelaMaven. Based on your own telenovela. Or you could do a Son of Passion Pit. Or Passion Pit II.
Just keep posting recaps, NovelaMaven. Based on your own telenovela. Or you could do a Son of Passion Pit. Or Passion Pit II.
I knew I’d find the “back of the bus” girls here + Judy!!
Marta, the photo of that handsome, smiling nieto of yours brightened the last days of our cherished (?) and SUPER DARK Passion Pit. Thanks for posting it...
I do have a serious complaint about our AdP comments.......... on EJ’s recommendation, I tried the Trader Joe’s veggie corn dogs.....they’re HORRIBLE. EJ you owe me $2.69!!!
There was something slothful about Gabino’s movements, but he nailed every other Deadly Sin except gluttony, so why try and pin sloth on him!
Marta, the photo of that handsome, smiling nieto of yours brightened the last days of our cherished (?) and SUPER DARK Passion Pit. Thanks for posting it...
I do have a serious complaint about our AdP comments.......... on EJ’s recommendation, I tried the Trader Joe’s veggie corn dogs.....they’re HORRIBLE. EJ you owe me $2.69!!!
There was something slothful about Gabino’s movements, but he nailed every other Deadly Sin except gluttony, so why try and pin sloth on him!
Thank you, ladies! Your kind words make me feel
a little less nuts for the trouble I'm having saying goodbye to the Ermutants. :-)
a little less nuts for the trouble I'm having saying goodbye to the Ermutants. :-)
Sandy,
Our posts crossed so I missed yours.
I wouldn't pin "Sloth" on Gabino. He embodies so many Deadly Sins that frankly, I couldn't decide which was dominant. The way he went at those habaneros suggests he might qualify in the "Gluttony" face-offs (though most likely it's we viewers who would win, especially those who nosh on tostachos and hot pepper cheese as we watch the show).
I do like Blue Elisa's idea of Vicente as "Sloth" but useless Paolo would also fill the bill.
Did EJ really recommend veggie corn dogs? Oh my.
jejeje.
Our posts crossed so I missed yours.
I wouldn't pin "Sloth" on Gabino. He embodies so many Deadly Sins that frankly, I couldn't decide which was dominant. The way he went at those habaneros suggests he might qualify in the "Gluttony" face-offs (though most likely it's we viewers who would win, especially those who nosh on tostachos and hot pepper cheese as we watch the show).
I do like Blue Elisa's idea of Vicente as "Sloth" but useless Paolo would also fill the bill.
Did EJ really recommend veggie corn dogs? Oh my.
jejeje.
Sandy, I think EJ owes you a big ol' fried Cajun Corn Dog or two. Come on out to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and we'll make things right. (Notice how I've included myself in this deal? Hee.) A couple of rotations through the Giant Dipper roller coaster, a super size Cajun Corn Dog (I always make them fry one for me fresh), side of garlic fries, sit on the steps and gaze out on the Pacific, that will make you forget the...what were we talking about?
NM, do you ever rent out your brain for events? I might need it sometime...
Perhaps Ramona's mule/horse/donkey might carry the "sloth" banner for AdP, it seemed to walk in permanent slo-mo. As a bona fide member of viewerville, I fight gluttony every day and mostly lose.
YES! EJ recommended the Trader Joe's veggie corn dogs.....Uggggg! Maybe she's better on wines, hope so anyway!!!
Perhaps Ramona's mule/horse/donkey might carry the "sloth" banner for AdP, it seemed to walk in permanent slo-mo. As a bona fide member of viewerville, I fight gluttony every day and mostly lose.
YES! EJ recommended the Trader Joe's veggie corn dogs.....Uggggg! Maybe she's better on wines, hope so anyway!!!
Cap'n, I'm in on the "big ol' fried" Santa Cruz (?) Cajun Corn Dog, EJ owes me half a dozen after what I went through with her veggie version.
Novela Maven that was brilliant. I'm happy as a cat. Fluffy thank you too and I expect to see your next tn. Seven Deadly sins were indeed true on the characters of this tn. Although Gluttony and Lust were interspersed on Carmina and Gabino too. Thank you thank you and a toast to all of you!!!
Permalink posted by : Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:01:00 PM EST
: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:01:00 PM EST
Ramona represents sloth, it took her the full 160 (?) episodes to reveal the, "I had to stop them" secret!
Cap'n since you can personally vouch for EJ's "prowess," we'll just move our party to her house. While it is unlikely, I was a little worried about the safety of a little Santa Cruz hippy selling "Cajun Corn Dogs" if perhaps, a real Louisiana Cajun happened by....
All in fun, what a great run......
Cap'n since you can personally vouch for EJ's "prowess," we'll just move our party to her house. While it is unlikely, I was a little worried about the safety of a little Santa Cruz hippy selling "Cajun Corn Dogs" if perhaps, a real Louisiana Cajun happened by....
All in fun, what a great run......
Oh yes, you all are right: so many slothful ones. Maybe there was a sloth in a monkey mask on the writing team.
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Permalink posted by : Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:26:00 PM EST
: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 7:26:00 PM EST
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