Caray, Caray!

Bill, what a great fast recap. Loved the shout out to SNL.

I am so happy Renato was not fired, not matter what Rebe said about him and Pluti throwing him under the bus. Adri sure has changed since the beginning to this TN.

I don't know how JC is going to get of being Eva now, really, Woman of the Year, preggers and getting married, Eva must have to disappear or be abducted by aliens. The scandal of relvealing Eva otherwise will be huge. I am on pins and needles to find out how they will do that.

I really though Mad Dad was coming around, but meh not so much. He was extremely rude to the lady Doc and condsending to Silvia. But I am glad Silvia stood her ground with him both times.

Loved the Laltio and Juan reunion, that was wonderful. So touching to see them hugging like that. I hope Lalito doesn't spill the beans.

Finally we are seeing a glimpse of the former Lucia, the way she was in the beginning of this TN by taking the bull by the horns and declaring her love for Santi and he for her. Now maybe she will be as she used to be.

Pluti's anvils are still lining up but it seems Onesimo's are too. Now Pluti will be out for blood knowing Onesimo lied to him and the photographer saw Helena with Juan. In the avances it looks like Pluti becomes a full fledged stalker. I can't wait for his HUGE anvil.

I agree with what Julie said yesterday about Rebe. I too think she wants to marry Pluti and then get rid of him, get the money and be the merry widow. She did bank ten years of her life on him.
 

LOVED this recap!!! Thank you! I missed most of this episode so I very much appreciate the screen caps. LOL the one of Modesto looking "old and confused" was perfect! Lots of important revelations in this episode. Eugenia kicking Modesto to the curb was a bit of a shock but I'm glad it happened, I can't believe she would put up with his constant dismissals. Glad Santi and Lucia finally got together, it was about time. I've never really been into the more comedic novelas but this has been by far the best novela to balance the comedy and soapy stuff so well. Can't wait for the grand finale!
 

Bill, thanks for the Diana Ross song too : ) You are so clever with the songs you pick for your recaps.
 

Ithabill, thank you for your wonderful recap and for it being posted so quickly. It is providing this insomniac a good laugh.

You are so right about Helena's little speech on forgiveness having the possibility of coming back to bite her real soon. I was thinking the same thing.

Adriano has come a long way and is so much more open and self-aware since Eva came along. I loved his interaction with Renato. Maybe Renato will stop supporting Pluterco now that he sees he has nothing to fear from Adriano and that Pluterco threw him under the bus.

Ávila who plays Onésimo also has a tie thing going on between telenovelas. In LFMB besides eating all of the time like Onésimo, he also had a very short tie; here his tie is super long. I get the feeling that someone is playing with the viewer. Too funny. I think that getting rid of Rebecca is the last thing Onésimo is going to do but he better watch his back since Bolillo (the informer) spilled the beans in reference to Helena and JC in Acapulco.

I loved Eugenia telling Modesto to do the gentlemanly thing and how quickly he aquiesced. Claudia is now going to have a chance with Eugenia caring for her. I hope Renato comes around To accept Eugenia and JC in the end, too.

Madelaine, I am picturing those anvils and wondering what they will sound like--in true cartoon fashion--when they hit their intended targets! :)

Jarifa


 

Ha ha. Love the big colorful table and the "talk about forgiveness which will come back to bite her in the ass very soon." Of course I'm out of town again, as I am during ALL FINALES ("it's the law!"), but I can't wait to catch up on Sunday. This has been such a fun couple of weeks!
 

Jarifa, thanks for the tip about the ties. That makes it even funnier.
 

Ithabill- Fabulous recap, and I just laughed and laughed at that pic of Modesto and his sour face. I am so glad we and Eugenia won't have to see much of it anymore. Although I supposed when JC is revealed to be alive, he'll have to interact with his dad at some point.

That was such a touching reunion between JC and Lalito. My guess is that Lalito will be the one to make Helena forgive JC when the Eva reveal happens. He will immediately see that by being Eva, JC kept the promise he made to Lalito to be there for him and his mom, although he couldn't be open about it. It will surely make him very happen that JC has been around them all this time, caring for them. He'll also point out to Helena her words about forgiveness. This isn't a spoiler, but it's the way I picture it playing out. And why else would the writers have Lalito be told the truth now and remind JC of his promise, and also have Helena make that speech on forgiveness to Lalito?

A few folks have mentioned that they think they have been cutting and pasting these final episodes. Do we know if this is true or just a guess? I've started to wonder because the Santi-Lucia thing came come quickly together this episode, and because we've heard nothing about what's happening with the Jennifer risqué pics thing since she heard from her friend they were circling around. Surely, there would have been a big discussion between her and Marce about it, at the least. And also discussions with Fernando, the school, and some action against Dan. Some things seem to be missing these final episodes.

 

Sorry for the typo-- It will make Lalito very HAPPY that JC has been around all this time, keeping his promise...
 

Ithabill, your recaps area always priceless. Loved it.

I like your analysis of the way lalito may be the catalyst to easing Helena's anger at the big reveal. He is an unusually astute young man. My favorite moment also was the reunion. The hug was so touching and real. I'm also waiting for the moment when Mario reveals that it was Juan who talked sense into him and showed him that the most loving thing he could do was to leave Lalo with his mom. -- Might be another part of the softening of Helena's anticipated anger.

Loved your remark about the speech on forgiveness coming back to bite Helena in the ass.

Thanks also for the heads up about Onesimo & Tomas' similarities & contrasts -- constant eating & long vs short ties. I'm enjoying it more now that you pointed that out.

Guera
 

Then there is the most obvious comparison with Tomás and Onésimo being hopelessly in love with two rather nasty women: Alicia and Rebeca. At least Alicia was reahabilitated in the end. Don't know about this relationship because Onésimo could end up behind bars or worse. :0

Jarifa
 

Bill, thanks for doing so much word-translating in this recap. There were quite a few meaningful conversations in this one and I really wanted to hear the words.

I actually teared up when Adri told Renato that he respected him regardless of his orientation. Adri showed some sage leadership in this moment...and he gave a nod to Eva by saying that becoming a family man has taught him a lot. I have a brilliant gay brother who does amazing things in his life, but many times he has confided in me that being gay still has its tremendous pressures and he finds a way to navigate those pressures. Renato reacted as if one of those great pressures was lifted from his shoulders...it really struck home with me. Nice moment!!

My second favorite part of this capitulo was Bill 's and several commenters prediction that Helena's forgiveness tAlk will bite her in the butt. I agree with the prediction that LAlo will play a major role in Helena's forgiveness of Juan. (But I am still secretly wishing for Eva's alien abduction!). Gertie
 

Thanks, Bill. I haven't read this yet, but I can see right off that you picked the perfect song.

I loved Adri's reaction to Renato. I hadn't realized how worried I was about that until it finally happened. Fortunately, it turned out OK.

What struck me most about that conversation was when Adriano said "it's not how I was brought up, BUT...."

It reminded me of a series of conversations Fernando had with Santi, Eva, and Marcela some months ago. In those convos, Fernando said "that's how I was raised." There was no "but."

Adri had a similar conversation with someone around the same time and also said "that's how I was raised" with no "but." Marcela too, I think.

(And although I don't remember it, I'd be willing to bet that Silvia and Eduardo said it some months ago too.)

So. Adriano learned how to say "but." Fernando and Eduardo and Modesto did not. Which of these men has the best odds of not dying alone like Ed's doctor did?

Let's hear it for Adri's big "but"! :-)
 

Fabulous recap, Bill. Great how you weaved the lyrics into the plot.

"Couple of magpies" - perfect!

Renato's only reason that he didn't answer Eva's questions, was loyalty to Plutarco and hopes that Pluto will throw him favors when he ascends to the throne. Then Pluto threw him under the bus. Renato's only reason that he told Adriano that Pluto had nothing to do with the false thesis (the one Renato planted in Adri's office for Pluto), was loyalty to Pluto. Then Pluto threw him under the bus (and Adri showed loyalty to Renato).

Renato holds a lot of cards in this game, and he's been playing them into Pluto's hand, so he wins the jackpot when Pluto does. Now Renato sees Pluto won't share any jackpots. I'm sure Renato is now ready to switch teams.

That last scene - Pluto discovers Onesimo lied about Acapulco, and Juan is alive. Our freight train that was already hurtling toward the cliff, just went into hyperdrive. We thought this past week was exciting - it'll seem like it was stuck on hold, compared to what's ahead, now that Pluto knows those two facts, and Renato is about to switch sides.

DANG, I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

 

Great recap! Thanks, Bill!

I rarely get to comment on the Por Ella recaps because I've been behind for MONTHS. But with the finale coming up, I decided to push myself to catch up! Woo hoo!

Loved the big scene between Adri and Renato. I was all verklempt. Poor Renato, I agree that it looked like a great weight was taken off his shoulders.

I also agree that Lalito will probably be the one to convince Helena to forgive our Hero in the Dress. (I call him Our Hero in the Dress. Don't know why!)

I was so impactado when the henchman outed Juan as Helena's companion. OH CRAP!!!!

I cheered when Claudia decided to stay with Eugenia. I didn't see that one coming. Bravo!
 

I love Julie's logic on people who are willing to say "but".

People who are willing to change are usually more likely to be happy...not to mention opening up their minds to learning new things.

You would think a smart guy like Modesto would know the importance of change and changing ones perspective. He has a law degree ...it's not like he is an under educated dolt like Ferni. Ferni must have gotten through school by having his girlfriend or a sibling do his homework.

But I guess the ability to change has less to do with intelligence. I see Bastardo making attempts to change..so I think he is the most likely of the three to change. He is just so gruff...but there is a lot of hidden emotion in him. His wife and daughter are now showing him the light by not taking crap from but not shutting the door on him either.

I see Ferni being pulled through his changes by his kids and maybe an estranged wife who will still love him (Marci).

I think Modesto is least likely to change and will go off and start another family like you said...good laugh too!. He impresses me as an iceman. I don't know how He had a fun, animated son like Juan Carlos! Gertie
 

There were some questions in the recap - maybe I can clear some up (or add to the confusion).

I think the reason Eva was upset to see that she's getting married Saturday at 7 is not so much because she's afraid she'll miss Sabado Gigante, but because she doesn't wanna get married at all and now the date is set in stone. But since she was looking at the wrong paper, she doesn't know that her wedding is actually at NOON. There's a good chance Adri will be stood up at the altar.

Bastardo's old doctor wasn't just replaced - he had DIED. The new doctor was telling Ed that the guy lived alone, didn't take good care of himself, and died alone. That's what put Ed in such a bad mood, even before he discovered that this woman was expecting to examine his precious body. (Now he will probably die of undiagnosed ding-dong cancer.)

And the significance of the water bottle for Adriano and Renato - maybe I'm way off base, but I immediately thought of two things: segregation (separate water fountains for blacks and whites), and the early days of AIDS hysteria when some people thought they could catch AIDS by shaking hands with a gay person.

So by giving Renato his water bottle, he's saying "you're good enough to split a drink with."

I'll grant you, it would be a more impressive show of acceptance if Adri were to drink out of Renato's water bottle instead of the other way around. But it would also seem extremely rude. :)
 

Ha ha, Julie, ding-dong cancer. You crack me up.

I think the wedding time mix-up will have the opposite effect: Eva/JC will make plans to run away by 7, but they'll catch her at noon!
 

Great recapping, Bill.

BlueLass, I think you are correct in your thoughts about the wedding time. Eva/JC might make a plan to get away before 7, but all the girls will catch her early and the wedding will happen. Though I always hoped Eva would die and leave wonderful memories, it's looking like JC will be found to be Eva, maybe even as late as the wedding day...¡Qué lastima!

Sue in Florida
 

Blue - you're probably right about the 7 o'clock time - that Eva will hang around too long - but either way, it's going to be a tough day for Adriano.

Oh, a couple of other things I noticed in comments:

Vivi - I hope you're right about Lalito being the poster boy for forgiveness when Helena finds out Juan is Eva. We've only got a week to go - even if she finds out tonight, that doesn't give her much time to recover from the typical telenovela snit.

Someone mentioned Onesimo's ties being really long - actually, I think his tie was short (like he used to wear it as Tomas in LFMB) the first few times we met him. Maybe he started wearing a longer tie when he fell in love with Rebeca!

And people have wondered about scenes getting cut out. The original run had 166 episodes. We're on track for 166 as well, so I don't think anything is getting cut. I think what is actually happening is very typical. It was similar in MEPS - a lot of things got wrapped up very abruptly, in a terrific rush. Where you would normally have someone repeat a key point two or three times before it became relevant (like, "Don't forget, the Big Meeting is on Friday!"), entire storylines are now getting wrapped up in casual remarks. And some of them (like Daniel's punishment) are getting delayed for, I suppose, greater dramatic impact. (I'm just guessing on that one, but I don't think we're done with Daniel.)

This REALLY annoys me, but it's typical. It's as if the writers had no idea how much time they would need to finish it off. (Which seems unlikely, considering it's a remake!)

And it's too bad. Of course I like a happy ending in a telenovela, but I'd enjoy it more if I had more time to enjoy it. Resolve some of the messes a little sooner so that everything doesn't have to get dealt with in a blur. Have the main couple work out their issues sooner, reunite happily, and then help out everyone else with their problems. Then the wedding and the babies and the ten years later big family reunion. That's how I like it.
 

That was a great recap, Bill. I loved the pictures mixed in.
"Silvia, the archetypal dishrag, no longer takes any crap from anyone" describes Silvia to a tee.
And is Mad Dad kidding to walk away from that nice young, female doctor. No one in their right mind wants to look in his pants, not even Silvia.
I get it on the editing, some scenes seem chopped up, for example when Eugenia and Claudia were in the living room on the sofa and then instantly they were standing up.
They have definitely saved the best for last.
 

Julie and TJ are cracking me up with the ding dong cancer and Sabado Gigante.

There must be a reason why both Eva's eyes and the camera's eyes kept lingering on those wedding invitations and I think you guys are on to it. A timing mess up is probably going to disrupt Eva's smooth exit and/or leave poor Adri stood up at the altar.

Gosh...I sure hope they do not rush this finish to close all of the open loops in all of the subplots but i can easily see that happening. It is so ironic given that they really didn't even need the Parakeet Eva subplot at all. Nor did they need the Dogberto subplot. I think that if and when scenes get cut or added in, it is not at all to make the story better but rather to satisfy the sponsors...longer and more commercials!! so stuff will get cut out or ridiculously rushed for the higher priority: to pay Avon, LaLa, Pinol, etc. Just like US tv..only worse because it is a novella with a ridiculously grueling schedule. Gertie
 

Oh, right. (About the editing - suddenly someone is standing up, etc.) Yes, it's choppy and really jarring. I'm just saying that it's probably not Univision's fault for a change!

I think they did really need the Parakeet Eva & Dogbreath subplot in order to bring in whatever complication Pluto is hoping to make with his investigation of Yadhira Rivers. But it didn't have to be so long (OR SO LOUD!!!). And the Yadhira Rivers connection had better be good because I was hoping not to see her again. Yeah she was funny, but I didn't like the way that subplot interrupted the flow of the other plots, as if it had been shoehorned in.
 

Ha ha, TJ, "no one in their right mind wants to look in his pants" -- so true.

I'm concerned that the writers have already forgotten about Daniel. It's not at all unusual -- in fact, it's USUAL -- for entire plotlines to never be tied up at the end. With the characters you like, it's easy to say "oh, they had a happy ending" and believe it, but with the baddies it's very unsatisfying not to SEE their downfall.

Julie, I love the "ten years later" scenes, too. They did that so wonderfully on Abismo and Cuando.
 

Getting behind in gratitude and haven't yet thanked Melinama for Tue. and TJ for Wed. recaps. Bill, this is another fab and funny recap.

Things are moving so quickly (good), but reaching the end too soon (bad). The Juan/Lalito reunion was sweet and touching. I hope that Lalito will be the link holding Juan and Helena together when the reveal volcano blows.

Modesto upon being asked to leave was gobsmacked yet stonefaced. Claudia made the better choice for a useful parent.

Adriano was sincere and touching in his acceptance of Renato. Oh, those eyes and lashes Renato showed us! Let's hope he's ready to help Juan and dump Pluti.

I'm really, really going to miss Eva. Whadda gal! So fragile, yet so spunky... or as Paula says, DANG, I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!

La Paloma
 

It could be Univision's fault if Univision is trying to fit in more sponsors/commercials. My friend is a post production film editor for mostly TV and commercials here in LA. She is always being asked to take pre existing work and cut it here or there to fit in more commercial time. Often times she is not given adequate time to do so. So the end result could be very choppy. She says that film editing is 90 % art and 10 % technology.

When the production has enough time and money...or if the director is very hands on..the director often stands over her and tells her what to cut and what not to cut. It is the directors baby...so this relationship and the directors orders are taken very seriously. Sometimes it is a producer doing this with her rather than director.

When a piece of work gets *sold* and the director or producer no longer have a say in it...she gets told to chop the crap out of it by the new owner...or someone who doesn't care....to get all of those commercials in.

I have to say that the TNs have really poor "blends" from one scene to the next...but blends are very easy to do. So I think the bad editing is more about lack of time and the tough schedule. A few years back my friend did a one hour weekly drama...that ran for 5 years. She was part of a 4 person editing team and she would put in16 to 18 hour days on a Regular basis. She was constantly sleep deprived....but she loves her work! These TNs are not once a week but once a day! That is nuts. I cannot imagine what the film editors are going thru.

Can you imagine how the PESE director or producer must feel when they see reruns of PESE after they have chopped the crap out of their work? Just speaking as someone who had a few opportunities to ride shotgun on some digital film editing sessions . Gertie
 

That is very interesting, Gertie. Thanks for the inside info.

As someone mentioned earlier, I think what is happening is that the final episodes are being chopped up to make more room for commercials. I imagine this show's ratings have made it possible for them to up the ante on ad time, and there isn't really anything we can do, since they know we're going to watch anyway. Sigh. Oh, well -- the price of entertainment!