Caray, Caray!

I tried to get all the hospital stuff together and all the Claudio/Julie/Melissa scenes together for clarity.

LOVED LOVED the goodbye scene with Luci and Rod... much better than the goodbyes they used to have years ago. At least they both know where they stand, even if he continues to try and steal some 'treats'.
 

SuperMarta, what a wonderful recap. I loved the scene with Rod and Luci too, it was more sweet this time, and loved the scene with Mateo, Luci and Rod. You can just tell that Luci and Mateo are connecting as Rod and Mateo already have. I wonder which side of the family has an allergy to bee stings, Torreslanda or Linares?

Loved the Claudio, Melissa and CQ outing. Loved how Melissa and Claudio so do not trust that CQ at all. The CQ thinks she had them both buffaloed lol. Loved what Melissa said to her and Caludio and Melissa sharing the flan.

That guy that Vio met was hawt, I have to say she is still playing with her hair, every time she sees him, big giveaway, lol. And Don A now realizes he is not alone, but I don't think Vio is much on getting to know him after the way he treated Magda all these years.

So I wonder what Rod is going to do with that medal? I too wondered why he never gave a thought as to why that medal is gold and Chelo certainly couldn't afford it. I thought the jig was up for Dona Chuy and Don Chelo at the hospital, but no luck so far.

I wonder when Brigida, notice I am not calling her Frigid anymore?, will be giving up that hospital bracelet. I hope it is soon, Luci, Rod and Mateo/lil Roddy belong together all ready.

That guy Mirko is ok, I thought Gagme would find a hawter guy, jus' sayin'. And Fern is going to aid and abet her. No wonder Marcos broke up with her.

I was yelling at the TV when Rosa la loca took Alexia off. Please don't let la loca rub off on that precious little girl.

Loved how Pato wheeled off when la loca came home and Jana barely spoke to her. Good deal. But I don't think la loca gets it, at all. I wish Pato hadn't forgiven her, but I think at this point Pato just wanted her to go. I feel bad for Padre Honesto, poor guy can't get a break from the loca one and obvi she didn't go to the bishop about him or the bishop told her where to stick it. I hope the Bishop told her to stick it, lol.

I really like how everyone went to Estalita's to see Mati. All the kids miss her, I really hope she doesn't go back to la loca. If Gagme wasn't around I think Rod would get her to work for him. I liked the interaction between Lorenzo and Jana they are so made for each other and I like what she told Luci too.
 

"loses her marbles....loses her patience". Cute, MARTA...and I enjoyed your refrain of someone "not buying what she's selling"...or indeed "buying it." How telling to use a financial image in this story where there is so much greed and emphasis on money.

It's driving me crazy that it's taking so much time for Luciana to know her child but several scenes charmed me last night.

1)the Big Slurp--Rod and Alexis were like giant noise machines as they slurped up their milkshakes. We weren't allowed to "slurp" (my mom considered that bad manners) so I enjoyed each and every one of those explosions.

2) don Aquiles' delight in the ferocious reaming out that Violeta gave him. His chortling of "that's my gal, tough as nails" was really cute. Of course I admit I've always had a soft spot for that ol' bugger. Not sure why. I know he's been awful all his life, but so it is.

Every episode, I love Pato more and more. Can't bear to think he might not last, but these stories always seem to sacrifice one noble character. And who else is there?

MARTA...another wonderful, richly detailed recap. Thanks for being such a dedicated writer. You're a blessing.
 

Great work, Marta.

I wonder whether there had been a scene with a bishop and it got edited out. I've been waiting to see Gustavo Rojo or Roberto D'Amico tell RE to take a hike or better -- excommunicate her.

Does anyone else think it bizarre that we have never seen this family sit in an actual church?

On the subject of religious medallions, wouldn't that be the last thing a person who fell on hard times would sell?
 

Marta- Wonderful work as always!

I was glad that the writers finally threw us a bone and got Luci and Mateo together. Luci already looks much happier. Although the near kiss scene was cute, it still annoys me that Rod is married and doing nothing to change that situation. It looks like it will actually have to be Gala who pushes for the divorce, and that's a crying shame. By the way, her lover's name is Mirko, but I like Milko better. :)

The scene with Alexia in the office with Max, Pato and Hannah was adorable. Can't they all see how much better of a family they would be without Rosa? Why don't they commit her and get it over with?
 

Some really great stuff last night. Loved Melissa facing off with the CQ. She refused to let the old hag treat her like a child. I've always had my doubts about a Claudio/Melissa pairing but last night got the feeling that there might be something there, especially when he put his hand over hers. Loved too that CQ who thinks she is one hot seductress doesn't seem to get it that she is making no inroads with the man and that furthermore he isn't and never will buy what she is selling.

I kept hoping that Rod would pull that medal out and give it back to Mateo and Luci would see it. i guess that will have to wait until next week when Luci and Rod get deeper into the little guy's life. Now that the Boxcar duo are beginning to wonder if Rod and Luci are his real parents will they step up and admit the truth?

Loved the scene with Max,Pato Jana and Alexia. There she is coloring and Max is so proud of her so not like Rosa who can barely talk to her. But I do find it odd that Alexia calls Pato and Jana by the first names without the Tia/Tio preceding it. In my family that was the way we were raised and even as adults always put the title in front of our relatives. i would have thought that would be almost mandatory in a Latin household. Then again the poor child is being raised by Gal who grew up calling her mother by her first name and probably doesn't know better.

I wonder what Don A is going to do now that he has admitted Vi is his child and apparently only relative. She is like him and Magda so if he thinks it is going to be easy to become a part of her life i fea he is in for a long hard slog. She will make him pay for hurting her mother and ignoring her. Should provide some laughs.
 

Haven't seen the episode yet--away from home and no laptop avalable to catch on Hulu yet. But you're great recap Marta has me definitely wanting to catch this one tomorrow. So want to see Julie get dumped again.

You know, have to say the psychiatrist sure hasn't made any headway with RE after all these years. Kinda have to wonder what's the deal there. Those will be scenes I'm suyre I'll fast-forward thru.

So did Rod just pocket the charm and forget he had it? Bet he pulls it out at some future opportune moments with either Pato or Luce around if he did.

I'm with Alexia--now I feel like a milkshake too. Check in later!
 

Thank you Martaivett !!

I'm a little confused about the guy that's hitting on Vio and the guy that's hitting on Gala. Aren't they one and the same ?? If so this may be where Don A comes in and saves his hija ??

Confundida
 

Confundida- Mirko (Gala's guy) and Vio's guy are not the same person.
 

Marta--Classic delivery. You are not SuperMarta for nothing. Gracias for keeping up our interest in seeing this thing finished!!

Alexia's not using Tio/Tia went right by me, but she has referred to Jana as her tia when they were in the hosp. cafeteria. We know she has fun with her. But as a small child, I always used Auntie or Uncle with adult close friends of the family. For everybody else I actually mastered the Mr. or Mrs. in front of their last names. It got awkward when I was 35, calling my best friends' parents as Mr. Smith or Mrs. Jones. Times change, I guess.

Loved Melissa last night. I only wish she'd use a little less lipstick. Then she'd be truly kissable. Come on Claudio, you've got a beautiful young intellectual partner you adore for her mind, now start looking at the rest of her and Kiss her, you dolt.

I'm glad to see Rod & Luci getting along better and Luci being able to be in the same room without dissolving into tears after.

They picked the right kid to play Mateo.

Pato would be so much better off getting a ground floor apartment somewhere and have Mati come live with him. Why he feels he can't leave his mother is beyond me. If he is staying for Jana's sake, he should get a three-bedroom place and take her in, too. (P.S. I've noticed a lot of hand porn going on between the two of them lately--I'm reminded of Lola/Lucrazy and Aaron/The Ant in El Tal, hmm.)
 

Daisy--I was thinking the same exact thing about The Doctor (is not "in") while watching, regarding RE's progress. Glad you brought it up. I think Max is wasting his money. The only problem with treatment at that level is that it takes a long time, and due to the inability to having a control group, we don't know what RE would be like if she wasn't in treatment.
 

I completely agree; Pato should move out. He has progressed so far in his rehab he could live on his own even if he never gets out of the chair.

That would force Max to do what he should have done years ago.

Manicomio Yesterday!
 

I forgot to mention i loved Alexia's response to Rod protesting that she wanted another shake 'One shake is just the same as no shake!'...
also in AV we had a funny line last night when Nicky was asking Guzman to 'dissappear!, Multiply yourself by zero and be gone!!' lol!
 

UA, yes i did notice Pato has progressed by giant leaps. he was even pulling himself on the bed (lifting his leg with his own arm to place it on the bed...) And he has definitely done a great job of putting his mother's down for a change... I want him to survive past the FIN!! Please writers, bring him a worthy girl and let him live!!
 

I keep thinking that as crazy as Rosa is I'm not sure she has one of those certifiable diseases that would send her to a manicomio. She is just a twisted, hyperreligous, control freak. She isn't hearing voices (heck we know God isn't answering her), or talking to herself. A manicomio wouldn't help her because she doesn't think there is anything wrong with her - it is everybody else. All those people who betray her by not marching in lock step with her vision of how they should live their lives. i still want her to end up in that barn of a house absolutely alone, Max gone enjoying life with his kids and grandchildren, Pato in his own place hopefully walking, Jana off with the hated Taquero, Luci and Rod and the children anywhere but near her. Someone should buy her a bunch of cats and she wouldn't even be able to control them

Hate to say it but Padre Honesto has turned into another enabler. He tells her the facts which she ignores but he doesn't take any action. He should talk to the bishop and get her excommunicated - but maybe that will happen when and if he finds out that she kidnapped another child and let it be tossed in the garbage. Even his patience would have to end at that infamy.
 

Thanks for your recap Marta. Though the writers are dragging this out, at least the remaining time Luci and Rod will be with their child.

It doesn't reflect well on Rod that it looks like Gala will be the one moving for a divorce first. And I still can't find his macking on Luci cute b/c he's married.

Decie Girl/Anita - Enjoyed your comment about Tia/Tios. All of my grown cousins, my sister, and I still use auntie/uncle. One time one of my cousins didn't and those of us around looked like OMGoodness.

I think Frigida will have to come forward in order for the kidnapping mystery to be solved/exposed. I'm hanging on the see the witches go to jail and hoping Pato lives.
 

Karen we still use Auntie and Uncle as well although there are a lot fewer of them these days. We also called our parents friends aunt and uncle and our own friends parents Mr and Mrs. My father grew up with even stricter rules, cousins were always called Cousin Mary or Cousin Long John even into adulthood.

I so agree that Rod is useless. He tells Luci he is going to divorce Gala but does nothing. She tells him she won't divorce him and he'll never get Alexia but the very least he could do is go to a lawyer and ask questions. And let's remember the TL's have big bucks and money talks. He could pay her off but does he do anything but talk about it - no. I too find his behavior toward Luci disrespectful. I simply can not bring myself to like him even at this late date.

Good new anyway - we get five episodes of Refugio next week. There is no Thanksgiving break. Only 11 hours more to go. I'm also hearing some hint that this will not end on Dec 3 but will have a two hour finale on Nov 30. I can't understand adverting the end on the 3 and the start of Corona on the 3rd at the same time. Then again who knows.
 

Decie, Decie--I wouldn't want to wish the wildest feral cat to have to live with Rosa. Maybe some pet cockroaches? The hissing kind?

Or a snake that has to be fed live rodents?
 

Hi SuperMarta, great recap---loved it.

JudyB---I like the old guy too---Don A isn't the best of character, but he's a hoot. It does look like he's starting to mellow a bit and yes before it's all over, I think that Violeta will have that big chunk of money that she has been longing for. She's going to be one lucky lady very soon with a handsome new boyfriend and Don A wanting to be Big Papa to the daughter that he didn't know he had. Earlier on, who would have guessed this turn of events for her?

I thought that the medallion would come out last night but I guess that we will have to wait for at least one or more episodes for that to happen. When it does however, we all know that the end will be very near.

I have read the comments all through this novela. Just about everyone thinks that Rod has to improve as he had a long way to go to deserve Luciana after Luci's heart wrenching attack by the three brujas. With Rod not defending her, he deserved to loose her. Rod has been troubled for these last five years wanting to do the right thing but never being quite able to do so. Up until now, I had agreed with all of the commentators who have said that Rod has come a long way but---still has a way to go to deserve the great love that Luci still holds for him. I have come to realize that Rodrigo probably will never completely be able to do what's right because he is of somewhat weak character---it's Luci that is the rock, the one that has rock solid character. Rod wants Luci as much as she wants him, but if he files for divorce he will loose the little princess Alexia. Like everyone, I have been waiting for Rod to make the move but it isn't going to happen. From last night we all see that it's going to be Gala that will initiate the divorce proceedings. Rod and Luciana will remarry and settle down to live happily ever after but when they do, It will be Luci who strengthens Rod's character as he is unable to do it completely on his own.
This is the way I see it, I will welcome any other views.
the gringo


 

I think you're right Gringo. Luciana is the strong one. We've seen her evolve by leaps and bounds as this story progressed. Rodrigo has a charming, impulsive affection and tenderness...for his sister, his brother, Luciana, Alexis and Mateo.

In many couples, there is often one who is stronger--who's "centered" and is the ethical and moral authority of the family, while the other counterbalances with charm and spontaneity.

Rod is easy on the eyes, a fun dad, and evidently a captivating lover. But Luciana will be the tender bedrock of the family.
 

Thank you MartaIvett for your recap. ITA, Luci and Rod are in sync much more now and in a better way.
They do keep teasing us with the medal in Rod's pocket, (obviously Rod didn't see Pato's gift to little Rodrigo just after birth.)
I wonder how Gala and RE will finally crash and burn, guess we don't have long to watch.
 

Gringo

I totally agree with you. Rod is much weaker than Luci. He wants to do what it is right but lacks the spine to make difficult choices. He is after all the light of his over powering mother's eyes and has probably gotten everything he ever wanted the easy way. He has looks, charm, money and a mother who has always made his choices for him He hasn't ever had to work for something he wanted and even with Luci he didn't have to work too hard. Once he believed the wrong thing of her it was all over for him because he simply didn't know how to fight for what he wanted.

Luci is strong and has a moral center. She doesn't take the easy way out. When the inevitable marriage takes place, like Rosa she will be the rock in the family but unlike Rosa she will not force her children to do what she wants. She is the type who will give them roots and wings to fly. That is concept that Rosa simply doesn't have and never will
 

Gringo- ITA with you about Rod. I had really hoped that we would see him step up, make the difficult decisions, and show he has a spine. But that's not his strength, so we'll have to be satisfied with his other strengths.
 

NOTE regarding weekend discussions:

Due to the low number of comments historically made to general weekend topics as a novela winds down, there will be no weekend discussion immediately following the finale of this series. Next weekend, prior to the very final episodes, we will have one on the subject of the Karmageddons of the villains of this series.

I don't know whether this will be the norm from now on, but this story is popular enough to justify it. Please think about what you would like to see happen to the characters of this series and we will discuss it next weekend.
 

Count me in! I've removed my beanie and put on Oscar's thinking cap.
 

Well I'm glad Gala has found the Milkman. She'll need someone to come visit her when she (Dios-willing) goes to prison. No one else will.

I like Claudio and Melissa, but mostly I want them to get together to annoy Juli. Is that bad?

Kelly
 

Kelly- Not only would it annoy Julie, but just think how Max would react! He can't even BUY or FORCE young Vicky to stay with him. But Claudio would have Max's hot, young niece on his arm, purely out of love and admiration. Max would blow his top.
 

Marta - Thanks for a fine recap.

Gringo - ITA on Rod. He is what he is. He'll be a good father to the kids though and will cherish Luci, when he gets her back, for the rest of his life. Mateo will probably grow up to be the best businessman in the whole family.

I know I'm alone but I think Gala is mentally ill. Putting a baby in the trash and not having any remorse - and those crazy cheerleader outfits. I don't see how her staff can respect her in those get-ups. Now she's going to hook up with some random guy on the prowl and probably without protection.
 

Thanks so much, Marta!

Rod could have gotten rid of Gala long ago. It was just a matter of money. She's wanted to bail many times over the years, and it was always mama Julie who insisted she hang in there for the money/maintenance. For Gala, her daughter is at best a nuisance. So, it was always just a matter of Rod negotiating the right price, freeing Gala and Julie to live the high life unencumbered by a child.

But Rod just waited, going through the motions, until Gala couldn't stand it anymore, wears her mother down, and is ready to make a deal to not lose the rest of her youth. I don't think I'd call that patience. I'd call it unbelievable passivity.

Yes, I'm one of several, apparently, who never cared for Rod and his silver-spoon spinelessness. [I actually never forgave him for dumping Gala at the alter, LOL!, and having panted after Luciana while remaining engaged]. He never really had to work for anything, and he still hasn't figured out how to make an effort when it really matters. Especially not when other people's happiness (Luciana's, Alexia's) is at stake.

It's just a TN, it's just a TN....... :)
 

I wonder just how much of his fortune he had to part with to get that divorce. Whatever it is it will royally tick off his parents.

Alexia is just as much a nuisance to Gala as Gala was to Julie back in the day. We don't know who Gala's father was or how long he was around; my impression is that he ran either right after knocking Julie up or not much later, as Gala never mentions him. Or Julie could have been a high-class hooker and Gala happened as the result of a trick. With so few episodes left we're not likely to find out now.

Too bad. This would have been an excellent opportunity for the writers to deliver a good zinger.
 

Love the expression "silver spoon spinelessness", Audrey. That describes our handsome, broad-shouldered Rodrigo to a T. All his strength is in his body, not his spirit.
 

Niecie

I wouldn't worry about Gagme not using protection in her hook up. Way back Rod said they always used protection except for that fateful night. I can't imagine for one minute that Gala would be careless a second time. If she were to get pregnant it would be all over for her, no child to hold over the TL's since she would probably lose Alexia, not chance of an adulteress getting a big payout. There probably aren't enough condoms in the DF for her at this point to be doubly sure. Plus which if the worst happened Julie would either kill her or rush hr off to a discrete clinic to have the matter taken care of.
 

OK; I have thought about it. Put Gala and Rosa in a car and let them drive off a cliff Thelma and Louise style.
 

Vivi- It's a bonus that a Claudio-Melissa pairing would torture the heck out of Max too, letting him spend the rest of his days knowing that his arch-enemy is getting all kinds of noookie from licenciada Melissa while he, poor Max, can't even get a nail girl.

Than Aldo and Vicki should finally get together and really tick off Tio Max. He deserves this.

kelly
 

Audrey, ITA with Judy, that term 'silver-spoon spinelessness' is definitely a keeper... as much as i want to see Rod and Luci together in the end, i agree that in that family/home, Luci will be the strong one, but unlike Rosa E, she will allow her children the freedom to make their own decisions, providing support and advice in healthy doses, not imposing.
 

Kelly- Can you imagine Max's ire if his niece ends up with his worst enemy (Claudio), and his nephew ends up with his former mistress. And can you imagine Rosa's ire if her oldest son ends up with the daughter of her worst enemy (Aurora) and her daughter ends up with the son of her former gardeners. Ha!
 

Vivi- Good comment about all the relationships that would drive Rosa la loca way over the edge. That would be wonderful! Add to that Padre Honesto won't take her "confessions" anymore the perfect Trifecta! I want Max and Rosa in that empty house to reap what they have sown, jus' sayin'.
 

Well, I'm going to say something for Rod - don't faint! When Rod first met Luciana, he was powerfully drawn to her, but he didn't begin to appreciate her and took her for granted, just like he expected everything to be handed to him as the golden child.

But now, he totally knows how special and unique Luci is. And he has lived through the hell of losing her due to his own foolishness, and being trapped in a nightmare marriage. So, even though he didn't take the initiative and get himself out of that horrible situation, he will never take a happy family life for granted again.

And maybe that's good enough. Luci gets to marry the man she loves, and as long as he knows how good he has got it, and is a devoted father to their children, they'll both be very happy.
 

Marta, hate that I can't read and post until Monday but this was sensational. Loved your title and every single word of this marvelous recap. Gracias!

Diana
 

I'm not so down on Max as everyone else. He is a more interesting character than most. I think when what Rosa has done comes out he will walk away from her and stop with his passive enabling. Enough is enough.

He also no longer seems to be so nasty to Claudio. Both of them are suffering through the loss of their grandson and I suspect once that little charmer enters their lives enmity will fall by the wayside. Shared pain erases a of of hostility. In many ways he has paid for what he did to Claudio. He lost half of his business and while Claudio spent 20 years in prison, Max has been married to Rosa for 30 which has to be a worse punishment.

Yes i know Max drugged Vicki and was cruel to her after she started stepping out with Aldo but prior to that time there was no evidence that he mistreated her. He bought her jewelry and pretty much teated her like the mistress she was. I've never been overly fond of either Vicki or Aldo. Both of them seem to want the good life no matter how they get it and i think they deserve each other. And they'll probably be very happy.

I know what happened to all of these characters in the prior version and with one exception what happened there can not happen here so I won't say anything until I'm absolutely certain the writers won't fool me.
 

Audrey, i loved you you worded our thoughts on who the 'head of household' will be there... similar to what seemed to be Paz and Galdino's house... but hey, that is not bad at all as long as they are not bumping heads all the time.
ITA that Rod just never had the brains to lead, but he certainly will treat his family right and will provide in case Luci dedicates herself to motherhood at a later time...
He gets good grades where it matters other than 'co___es'.