Caray, Caray!

NovelaMaven: Thank you so much for this marvelous recap. Loved the whole thing. Liked your new names, mainly Doc Pauly Walnuts and Rockiana and also Soggy Pau, lol.

I was worried about Salsa Dude, but he didnt' accept the Don's money, oh, and like that name for Anyballs too, so perfect, snort. The only one missing from this epi was the Godfather, lol.

I think Nikki outted Pau to get back at Guzmi and thought she would be fired, but now Vikki is ont the soggy wagon.

It is looking worse and worse for the Angel. First that talk with Pau on the phone that Ms Vikki overheard, keeping the secret of PauSoggy being Guzmi's Mami (but then again he only found out not too long ago) and now in the advances of overhearing Pau tell the Don abut his third daughter, oh, Ay, yi, yi Papi! I think she will be mad at him for awhile.

Adri is really on a tear with that gun. And she shot the lock off the door to boot. She is a loose cannon so to speak. I hope she gets herself together, before she does something she will regret, all due to the Don's idiocy.

Loved the look between Estefano and Jean Marie, they are so very cute. I too wondered why Balzac didn't bark as his owner was right there. I was hoping Jean Marie was NOT going to name that dog Fifi, too much, I agree with the little title you put there. I like Monet it isn't bad, but Balzac, tee hee hee, is a much better name for him.

What is it with this household and the hiding of the food, lol. First Nikki with the cake under the bed, and the chocolates all over the place and now the Angel puts the dog dish in the drawer??? Really???

I did like how Jean Marie and Angel handled Balzac so very cute, all the cuddling with the little poochie.
 

Thanks, Mads!

About the dog's name -- that's actually a quote. I mean Jean Marie said that when he was trying to figure out a name. I thought it was kind of funny coming from JM -- if anyone is offended, I'll delete it.

It looks like Salsa dude is going to be paying for his sins tomorrow. That won't be pretty.
 

NovelaMaven: What a fun title - I so enjoyed how you infused your marvelous humor throughout this amazing recap.

Favorite lines (with an abundant array from which to choose) were: "We don't like it when mommy and daddy fight", "soggy Paula", "wails to Vikki about how she took the job in the Balvanera house so she could touch the hem of Frankie's garment" and "...allows Soggy P to weep on her shoulder with no concern about the stains all that crap on her face will leave on her designer clothing." Most excellent!

The hands down best scene was the longing, eye locking stare between Jean Marie and Estefano. As you noted "Tomi gapes in wonder". A great moment - the actress nailed it.

Good call Madelaine that Nikki wanted to hurt Francisco by telling Vicky Pau is his mother. Thankfully that backfired. Nikki needs to learn she can't extinguish her hurt by fanning pain's flame in others.

While breathing a sigh of relef that Salsero has once again danced away from the dark side, Leo has arranged a painful penance for Salsero's previous sins. The previews show a veritable army of thugs raining blows on Salsero. With Leo's massive arms and chest and proven brutality, he couldn't do the job alone? Isn't this a bit of overkill (so to speak)?

Bad enough Kendra is providing Cris with atrocioius fashion guidance (put the girls away - NO ONE can concentrate on anything you are saying), but her new look and independence is driving a further wedge between JA and Cris. I also have a bad feeling about her trip.

I applaud Vicky for realizing she has been a bit of a tiger mom and opting to take piano lessons herself. Is a friendship and ultimately forgiveness for Paula in the works?

Diana
 

Fabulous recap, my friend. I love "Soggy P".

I think the therapist's warning not to make any important life decisions until Nikki has her illness controlled is going to be soundly ignored.

Frankly, I don't give a hoot about Nikki anymore. She is just coming off as way too selfish.

Jose Angel was hilarious last night and I had the same thought that he was about to have an infarto, too.

Balzac stole the show last night.

Oh, and I fear Salsero may be straying from the paths of righteousness.
 

NovelaMaven- You gave us just the right amount of info to keep this recap crisp and fun.

When last night we went from one scene with tiny Rockina/Rambina/Adriana, whatever, screaming and shooting out door locks, to a scene with big old Jose Angel cradling Balzac/Monet/Fifi, whatever, like a baby, it just showed me why I love this ridiculous show, against my will. :) I could not stop smiling, as I shook my head in disbelief at all the crazy drama.

Now Soggy P has Vicky pleading her case too. Good grief! Get a grip woman. Yet, she has no sympathy for Adri who just does a screaming version of the same woe is me drama.
 

Great recap, NM. Thank you!

"Rockiana" … Bwa-Hahahahaaaa!

Tomi's facial expressions, when she realized the chemistry between JM and Estefano, were cracking me up.

JM's expressions were a dead ringer for that "Stefon the City Correspondent" character on SNL. Very eeerie.

Does Adri have a permit to carry? How about the silencer on that gun? Yeesh! If one needs that kind of stuff, why doesn't SHE have a bodyguard, too? Just sayin'.

In that preview of tonight's episode, it looked more (to me) like Guzmi grabbed Nikki and kissed her, as if to just shut her up.

Balzac might not be a barky dog. We had a Shih Tzu who barked maybe once a year. Very docile dog, like Bal-zac.
 

Vivi - I loved that scene, too, where JA was cradling the dog like a baby. It was great! I figured the dog is either extremely laid back, or on Doggie Prozac.
 

NM,

Loved your recap! LOVED "Soggy P"! Perfect for her.

[There is much wringing of hands on the Patio. Who are you, Salsa Man?] ISTA! Do we love Dances? Do we despise him? I love when characters swing over to the good side but he has some MAJOR baggage and I don't think KendHo is going to do him any favors by keeping secrets. And now possible extortion?

I liked your take on the "How rich is he?" I had the same uncomfortable feeling when he said "Tell him to write in any amount!" Wow. And I guess the Balvanera family just keeps massive amounts of cash at the ready vs. investing or putting it in money market accounts because remember when Vicki had to come up with a quick million to keep the video under wraps or to get Nikki back? No problemo!

Loved how you worked in the Rocky theme from yesterday with the nod to Carlos with the "Baileys. On the rocks" ! Bwahahahaha!

Thanks for the great recap!

Katy
 

Thanks NovelaMaven, very very funny.

Part of Adriana's grumpiness might be caused by that purse... let's see:

A humongous camera

Two big rocks

and now a pistol complete with silencer

imagine toting all that around.

And then there was Balzac (heh heh) last night.

Actually, I just like saying Balzac.

Carlos
 

Enjoyed the recap NovelaMaven!

I have to say I enjoyed the education on Bulimia from the therapist. Nice to get some insight. I feel for Nikki, I hope she gets past this and soon.

Adrianna is going cookoo it seems. What was she going to do shoot the doctor if she had to. She's losing it and slowly.

I'm glad Nikki told her mami who Paula was even though it was out of spite. Paula is being too sneaky for me. Something needed to come to the light.

I can't wait for tonight's episode, finally another Nikki/Guzmancito moment and it looked like he put her in her place after the kiss. Anxious!

Team Nikki/Guzmancito
 

Vivi, thank you for reminding me about JA cradling Balzac. I thought that was simply adorable! Totally melted.

Diana
 

Carlos: What is that yummy new avatar you have? Is it a riff on what Jean Marie served Estafano last night?
 

Thank you NovelaMaven---Great recap
I loved your Soggy P and the stains
on Vikki's designer clothes comment. That was a hoot.
Another good one about Salsero was the future's so bright, he's not even gonna need shades. Oops! well,
that was last night---tonight's future doesn't look so good for Salsa Dude, not with an army of thugs around him. And also, I don't
think that KendHo is through with him either. Looks like this guy has a rocky road ahead of him before He and Beatris can settle into sweet bliss.

Victoria from Texas---Lili needs to
stop. Lili is only 17 trying to be in love with a grown man. Really?
Little Orchid Wise Child is more grown up and mature than our "all
grown up" spoiled, immature brat
Nikki. OH, and my mother just out of school married a man 20 years her senior. So I say again really?
the gringo
 

Gringo:
Nikki's only immature at times due to her illness which causes her to have low self esteem and trust slim to no one. It's only when she doesn't have Kendra in her ear that she has shown her true heart and allow her guard to come down enough to show that she is capable of being a mature young woman.
She is playing her role exceptionally well.

I speak from experience myself. I married my children's father at 18 and he was 25 and we are no longer together and split when I was just 22. Had I been smarter I could have saved myself a lot of heartbreak but most importantly my children.

I'm just speaking my opinion as I thought that's what this was for.

Team Nikki/Guzmancito
 

BTW Lili is nineteen not seventeen. I think Nikki is like 20years old or so. Lili has already graduated from high school, and took a detour to work as the plant keeper at the Balvanera's instead of going to college like she was going to.
 

Victoria: You can put anything you like in your comments except spoilers and gossip about the actors in these TN's. What you said is perfectly fine.
 

Diana: I too wondered if Pau and Ms Vikki could be friends. I am just afraid that if Ms Vikki ever finds out that Pau is the amante of the Don she will be so hurt by that info.
 

NM--Soggy has taken on new meaning in my life. We had rain here yesterday and everything is PauSoggy. Thanks for the great read and all the new names. When did Paulie Walnut happen and why?

The title couldn't have been more apt. Rocky & Bull Twinkie was one of *my* favorites of the shows my kids watched when they were little. I'm glad they have such a universal following.

There's love, infatuation and obsession. I think Lili's feelings for Guzmi are infatuation, which can cause fantasies, day-dreaming, letting her imagination run wild. Lili is old enough for all three. (I remember "falling in love" with my junior high school English teacher--at a time when it was rare to have a male teacher teaching anything except boys' gym. I got over it when I moved from 7th grade to 8th.)

Lili probably needs to put some distance between herself and a Guzmi that only sees her as a friend. She ought to go back to school and be around people her own age. I'm not saying that the age difference makes a difference--it's just where the two are in life. I could say the same about Nikki, but Guzmi and Nikki have spent a lot more time together and he's fallen in love with her and wants that relationship (remember they almost made love when she was sent to the country to "think" about her future--and that was early in the tn). Guzmi's suffering due to her general immaturity, lack of experience in the real world and hew own low self-esteem. She's been too isolated since she finished school. Her other two friends, even she said, are shallow, so that's what makes Kendra so dangerous, since she has evil on her mind.

What can we say about Roy/Toy/Boy--won't Nikki be able to see that he's pressuring her and he's as shallow as her two friends (whom we don't see anymore).

Kendra is now out to ruin and/or damage Vikki, Anibal, FFFF, Cristine, Arriaga, Bea, Salsero, Nikki, Guzmi--is there anyone left? Is she that smart to keep all those ball-zacs (heh heh) in the air?
 

Anita: You haven't left anyone out. She sure has her hate on for the Balvaneras and anyone else that gets in her way. I also have a bad feeling about Cris going on this jaunt with Kendho. I hope it isn't a huge anvil.
 

My cousin Kathy had a pug [Gypsy]. She was a very quiet and docile dog. Perhaps, these qualities are common to that breed. And let me just say...BALZAC. There I said it. TeeHeeHee
 

I am starting to think of Paula as BooHoo and Rockiana as Yikes. As someone mentionned, one is crying all the time , and the other is constantly yelling....two great plans of action for moving forward in life...NOT. Basta. Both need to take a chill pill and get a grip...BALZAC.
 

Anita: "Is she that smart to keep all those ball-zacs (heh heh) in the air?"

Just laughed out loud.

Thank you!!!

Diana
 

Victoria in Texas---Yes this blog is for everyone to state/give their opinion, which we all do---
but we don't always agree on all things all the time.
Sorry for your split/divorce, those
are never fun.
the gringo
 

NovelaMaven – Thanks for the fun: My favorites:

“Soggy P wails to Vikki about how she took the job in the Balvanera house so she could touch the hem of Frankie's garment. Twenty years! Waaa waaaa waaa!”

“With her at his side, the future's so bright, he's not even gonna need shades.”

ITA that Balzac looking up in Angel’s face as the big guy was rocking him was the cutest thang ever. Maybe Balzac didn’t bark for Estéfano because he prefers his new master? After all, Balzac is getting JM’s homemade food and rocking from Angel. I couldn’t blame him for wanting to stay with them.

Arriaga is so stressed. I too thought he was going to collapse.

Lili is very mature for her age. For one thing, she understands that the arguments between her parents are just that, “their” arguments. Her self-esteem is not tied up with her parents’ relationship. Unfortunately for her, Guzman just isn’t into her in that way. If Guzman and Nikki would stay together beyond a day, I think Lili (and Polita too) would give up and move on.

Poor Guzmancito, getting another lecture about making up with his mama. But I didn’t find Vickie’s annoying as I did the ones from Arriago and Salsero.

Adriana should go on “Let’s Make a Deal.” She’s got everything in that bag.
 

I guess Salsero had no choice but to "obey" his Lord and Master Anibal, but I was fuming that he was helping the old man get the doctor out of Adri's reach! Boo! However, I was glad that he didn't take the "blood money" and thus put himself deeper in debt with the Don. It feels as though he owes his job to Anibal. Maybe in an earlier life, he got an offer he couldn't refuse?

I thought it was funny when JM was trying to come up with a name for the dog and said, "Fifi? No, muy gay!" Hilarious coming from him.

Victoria should mind her own business and stay out of Guzman's personal business with his mother. She offered to help, but once he refused to tell her why he feels as he does, she should have backed off and left it alone. She wouldn't have taken kindly to someone telling her she should invite her father's mistress to her house for the sake of her father, would've she?

Cristina stopped yelling and Adriana took up the baton and ran with it. Victoria gets loud on occasion, also. The three sisters are so alike - it will be something when all is found out and they are all in the same room out-screaming each other! LOL

Nikki is really disgusting in her treatment of Guzman. I see absolutely no reason why he should be in love with her, he's a blind fool. She gave him her word that she wouldn't tell anyone that Paula is his mother and she just blabbed it for no other reason than to antagonize him. No matter how much "in love" I were with a person, once they betrayed me and treated me like dirt, I'd be gone! I realize he owes Victoria the money, but she is not unreasonable. He can make arrangements with her to pay her back once he gets another job and as a professional, it wouldn't take him long to get one (he can be Estefano's bodyguard - he doesn't have to leave the TN or the area) and that would really make Nikki wake up and miss him, perhaps change her ways.
 

Thank you for your fantastic recap, Lady Maven!

I loved, loved, loved the Balzac/Monet-JM-Angel scene. As I said before, that dog has one of the best "f**k you all" face, and it worked so well in that scene. While he was in the Angel's arms, he had a hilarious "I'm not paid enough for this s**t, I want to go back to the pet shop, NOW! expression. It was an adorable scene.

In episode 80 Arriaga said she was born in May 1994 (the same day as "Lucía"), and that would make her 18... But she's 17, I can assure that. I guess the story was supposed to start in the spring of 2012. Or something like that.

Nikki can't be much older. Vicky said that when pregnant Adriana was locked up by Daddy Darth Aníbal, she couldn't help her because she was in Europe with a little baby.
 

FULL DISCLOSURE:

Carlos is the one who noted the uncanny resemblance between Doc Montaño and The Sopranos' capo, Paulie Walnuts.

I was able to steal his coinage because he was too business snickering about "Balzac" (hee hee) to protect his own intellectual property.

So now you know.
 

I do love the fact that everyone in this novela is flawed, including the good guys. Even "Monet" has been known to do his water colors in inappropriate places.
 

I hope Nikki and Guzman start communicating again sometime soon. They're frustrating. He never asked her why she suddenly turned nasty to him again. She never asked about the extra money he got from her mother. I will be annoyed if suddenly near the end someone else clears this stuff up and they decide they're in love and happy ever after without ever having learned to talk to each other about things instead of jumping to conclusions or putting up a wall.
 

Madelaine,

that is tofu.

I'm asserting my solidarity with Veronica in that new show. I think she's kinda cute in a rather astringent way.

Carlos
 

Speaking of tofu, did anyone see Justin Timberlake's dancing tofu shtick on SNL?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzCqoyUW0I
 

Thanks for the great recap Maven.

I'm guessing this question has been asked before, but does anyone know where the Balvanera manse in DF actually is? I know where the ranch house is, but not the manse in town. Has it been used to film other novelas? It is an amazing house with just about anything anyone could possibly want or use. I love Vicki's studio and the greenhouse.
 

I don't know if the mansion was used in other novelas before, but I agree, it's beautiful. And the ranch house is downright breathtaking.

The interiors were all build up in the Televisa studio, so we don't know how the manse really looks like from the inside. But I guess it's amazing.
 

I think I've mentioned before that the exterior of the mansion was also used in Lola Erease Una Vez. (At least I think I mentioned it...you know me and my gray matter...)
 

make that Érase una Vez. Sorry. Don't even have the iPhone to blame.
 

NM - Yes! Any time JT hosts SNL it is Must See TV! Bring it on down to Vegan-ville!!!
 

Querido Carlos,

Did you have a soft spot for Alfonsina in "Abismo"?

Now Vero . . . Am I sensing a pattern here?
 

Thanks Madelaine
Oh and actually Lili is 17 and Nikki is 22, Lili is to turn 18 later on the the Novela and tells you, it stated their ages for the Novela when they were on Univision promoting the Novela when it was soon to begin.

Team Nikki/Guzmancito
 

I know it is late but I can put this one to bed without thanking you all for your clever -- and hilarious -- comments today. Reading over what everyone said, I find myself coming back to Vivi's comment early on:

"When last night we went from one scene with tiny Rockina/Rambina/Adriana, whatever, screaming and shooting out door locks, to a scene with big old Jose Angel cradling Balzac/Monet/Fifi, whatever, like a baby, it just showed me why I love this ridiculous show, against my will. :) I could not stop smiling, as I shook my head in disbelief at all the crazy drama."

Yes! It is a ridiculous show and I just can't get enough of it!

I'm not a big fan of "comic" telenovelas. But this thing, with its subversive humor, just sneaks up on you and makes you hoot out loud.

P.S. Please don't tell Mr. Maven. He still thinks it's the Spanish Study Group.