Caray, Caray!

Good Afternoon Y'all the recap is finally up. I haven't edited yet, will do that later, but enjoy the recap.
 

The song is "Ruega Por Nosotros." Several singers recorded it. My two favorites are Pedro Infante and Miguel Aceves Mejia.

Kind of strange that Adriana led the Hail Mary. I would have expected Cande or Lili (JA was too grief-stricken) to do so.

Soyyo
 

Great job Madelaine. My favorite line:

Nikki, We on the Patio, Salute You

It's one I've been expecting but not until closer to the end of the show. I've always been a huge Nikki fan... both this sweet version... and the impudent Fresa.

I wonder what Opalina kept mumbling under breath throughout the graveside service? Maybe coded messages to the snails who control our lives?

Gilda keeps her job?... I'm just a little disappointed in Aníbal.

So which scene was more sensual, José Ángel and the phantom Cris on the bed or Kendra and the all too real Nelson in the tub?

Carlos
 

Soyyo:

Thank you so much for the title of the song. It was hauntingly beautiful and I got the writers name but not who sang it. Maybe the writer?

Carlos:

I too wondered what Opalina was mouthing as everyone was praying. I lol'd about your snail comment! I too am disappointed with Anyballs. What a putz he is too!
 

Fabulous recap of another tough episode Mads.

I'd take a scene with JA and dead Cris any day, over Nelson and Kendra. Blech!

Loved Cande's stoic attitude. JA and Lili need her strength right now.

I was cheering for Nikki this episode-- first with Nelson, and then with Guzman. She showed some loyalty, common sense, and good-will towards the two people who love her the most-- her mama and Guzman. It's about time!

I'm glad that Anibal didn't fire Gilda. I didn't need one more thing for Paula to feel guilty about and cry/whine over. I loved the expression he used when he made her choose him over Paula-- you can't serve God and the Devil at the same time (you can't serve two masters). But who is God, and who is the Devil if we are comparing him and Paula? :)
 

Fabulous job as always, Mads. Thank you!

Carlos:
Gilda knows where the bodies are buried. And Aníbal knows she knows. It is easier to put her on a leash and let her stay than fire her and deal with the fall-out.

a. Nikki realizes that Guzmancito is an honest guy.
b. She contrasts his integrity with Roy's willingness to take her money.
c. She admits that she doesn't love Roy.

So how far is she going to go with this farce of a Balvanera-Pavía merger?
 

Three cheers, Mads, giving us something to laugh at while attending to the terrible task of burying Cristina.

-Death Notice-
Cristina Corona de Arriaga (posthumously Balvanera), age, between 36-40, passed into the glory of eternal rest, with her family at her side. The cause, reports the family, was a fatal hit and run accident, in which she suffered cuts and bruises to her extremities and internal injuries, fatally ruining her kidneys. The police, it seems, were unable to get a description of the murder vehicle or the driver, last seen as a pizza delivery man.

She leaves behind to mourn, and to celebrate her life, her loving, but tortured husband Jose Angel; her daughter who is probably not her daughter, Liliana; her devoted but lying liar mother, Candelaria; her living, not dead father, Anibal, who had no inkling he had a third daughter, making her a Balvanera.

Due to this revelation, she also leaves a half-sister, Victoria Balvanera Brizz and another half-sister, Adriana Balvanera, who might or might not be her daughter's biological mother; also a half-niece, Nicole (can you be a half-niece?) and if Liliana is not her daughter, then she'd leave behind another half-niece.

She also leaves behind one friend, Paula, who was no true friend and now feels deeply sorry for herself, and one snail and card reader, Opalina, who wouldn't read her future to her and now we know why.

Interrment was private. Expressions of condolence can be sent to The AV Patio People at CarayCaray. The family requests no flowers. However, please send some fresh flowers to the cemetery as the grieving widower has made a mess of the ones that were there.

There will be a guest book on the Patio for anyone who felt kindly towards the deceased to sign. It will be located at the Cristina Table. Monday, the book will be sent to Jose Angel and the Table retired for the rest of the telenovela.

Anita, La Dama del Queso
 

Thanks Madeline. I love the recap and your comments. I loved the "Ruega Por Nosotros." How beautiful of the writers to slip this old-time Mariachi classic into a 21st - century novela. And yes, I thought I recognized the voice of Pedro Infante. I especially loved the secret rendezvous of Vicki and Opalina behind the tree with O. giving V. tons of encouragement to support Angel.

And thank you Madeline for asking: "What century are we living in?" when it comes to Nikki's delusional marriage to Roy. The moments between her and Guzmancito were very sweet. Too bad she can't sustain those feelings for longer than it takes helado to melt in the hot sun.
 

Madelaine - Thank you for the recap. I'm ready to lanzar yunque-azos along with you.

"Where is the flying anvil for this putz!" Hopefully it will show up soon.

Wow, what a difficult funeral & graveyard scene. So heart-breaking and quite realistic (and not overly-dramatic like most Telerisa funerals. ) I had to FWD -> thru a lot of it, or else my shirt would match Paula's soggy dresses. I should have worn a busy print top today. Gah…

It would be way cool if Cristina's ghost continues to come back and visit. Unfinished business, and all that…. just sayin'.

Vivi in DC - Well, of course Anibal sees himself as the "God" in the saying he quoted to Gilda.

Eh, I'm disappointed Anibal did not fire Gilda either, but as an employee she might be reeeally difficult to replace. He'll take it out on Paula who has always, still does, and always will feel sorry for herself.

Anita - What a wonderful, lovely obituary for Cristina. (and LOL about the flowers being a mess at the site. )

 

I'm finally caught up on all the episodes. Many thanks to all the recappers this week. Very dark and sad episodes.
 

Madelaine, really gut wrenching recap.
Doris, I'm with you regarding this tn. It's really not overdone. So is the humor. But on this funeral scenes, I really choked and it's really very real the sadness and grief these characters were feeling. I guess because the kind of grief they have were guilt laden that is why the emotions are so raw. There are real unfinished business here, and this is why I think Cris will continue to appear to them.
And again I love the Nikki scenes showing her maturity and her good heart. I just love her and(Guzmancito) of course.
 

Poor Christina was destined to go and now we know it's to the great beyond not divorce court. Madelaine, Marta and NovelaMaven, you have all sent off Christina with sensitivity, caring and respect. She was a bit too much to take at times but I will miss her "spunk" and she certainly didn't deserve to be run over after she had what I thought were so many near misses.

Thanks to all the recappers for the marvelous recaps and I need them to fully know the things I've apparently missed. Besides they are all so much fun to read.

Well, we're in a new stage in the novela now so how long will Vikki and Arriaga be separated while he gets over some of his grief and guilt. And also as mentioned, can't wait for Lili to be discovered on BoyRoy's phone by Nikki. Don't think he can't lie his way out of this so easily.

GinCA
 

Aribeth and Madelaine,

Thank you for your excellent coverage of the death and funeral.
I am crawling out of the woodwork briefly to pay tribute to Cristina. She died valiantly. Like Gringo, I have always been in her corner. I am disappointed that she did not demonstrate better judgment or show a more intuitive response in her dealings with Kendra. She was spot on from the get go with her feelings for her husband and his ever so slippery but persistent and precipitous slope leading him to the needy VB.
I loved the way she dealt with Senor Balvanera when others were intimidated by him. The writers were horribly cruel to her.

In looking back, I am angry at JA for a number of reasons. One big one is for his false sense of honor with respect to keeping his wife in the dark about Kendra.
He could easily have treated her like a mature woman and partner and shared his knowledge of Kendra with her. Many men share company secrets with their wife.
Further, Vicky has many connections. He could have asked her to find suitable employment
for Cristina, and he should have realized her need to do something more with her life much earlier than he did. He was too busy
acting like a lap dog and fawning all over Ms. Vicky.

Paula was very wrong to write the letter to Candelaria, but I am more upset with Candelaria for waiting 36 + years to notify AB.
about his daughter, and a letter was absolutley the wrong way to do it. She should have contacted him in person. Moreover, it was ridiculous that she on the one hand loved her daughter and granddaughter, and then on the other hand was hiding from them for years. I am very angry with her. However, I think Ana Martin
looks better than ever, and from now on, I wish she'd get more glamorous and powerful roles.
I'm tired of her in subservient roles.

Opalina is a weirdo, and I think Ms Vikki was even weirder hanging out behind a tree at the funeral.
I thought she looked creepy there.
She professes to care about Ariaga
and intends to keep her distance,
but with only a speck of encouragement from Opie, there she is lurking at the funeral where she did not belong.

As for the relationship between Nikki and Guzmancito, it is still pure high school for me with not one iota of substance. It has no attraction for me whatsoever.

Bea is still the most rational person in the TN, and I fear
that she will be desperately, almost irretrievably wounded when Salsero's background comes to light.

I like the way the writers handled the romance of JM and Odette's son
(forget his name at the moment.)

Thanks to all the recappers for
all of your hard work along the way.


 

SPELLING CORRECTION:

ABSOLUTELY
 

Madelaine - Fabulous recap. A fine end to the farewell for Cris. Both you and Nikki are in fine form.

I like that Adriana was at the service. It was comforting to see her with Lili and to know that someone from Cris' other family was there. I always felt Adriana and Cris would've gotten on well once they knew they were sisters. Of course, the mother thing is another story...

Love, love, love when Nikki socks it to her dad refuses the DVD. More satisfying than Vickie's double-slap.

Floridia - Great to hear from you. I've been for Cris since Capitulo 2. Capitulo 1 I thought she was a bit pushy. But Day 2 she showed her true character when she did what she had to do to save her husband and deal with their debt - go into a deal with Vickie - and then said nothing about it to Lili so as not to worry her daughter or dump on JA about his foolishness in hitting the bogus loan guy. Cris made mistakes along the way as she dealt with all the changes forced upon her life, but her basic motivation was always love for her family.

Now we're in a new stage. Lots more secrets to be revealed. Though they were so sad, I loved JA's and Salsero's scenes.
 

Thank you for the recap, Mads!

Anita, if I was a man, I would ask you now to marry me. The death notice you wrote is hilarious.

Oh, dear Neta Equis Nikki, you rocked in this episode.

Floridia, it's so good to see you again!
You have good points, but I have doubts regarding Cristina's reactions:
Would she have accepted Victoria's help?
And what would she have thought if Arriaga had told her that Kendra was the Furminator's mistress? (Because IRRC, that is all he knew about her.) She knew Kendho had a relationship with a married man, and she didn't bother about it. (And that was the right reaction because she didn't know all the circumstances.) However, what if she learnt about the affair? Would she have said: "oh, I get it now, maybe I shouldn't work for a woman who betrayed the family who pays our bills, it would complicate things much." Maybe. But maybe she would've answered that "AND WHY ARE YOU SO INTERESTED IN MS. VICTORIA'S MARRIAGE? HUH? HUH?"

Okay, maybe she would've turned down Kendho's job offer. But would it have saved her life? In the previous versions she wasn't murdered by anyone, she just died in a car accident. Her character was destined to death either way. :(

Here's a compilation of all the four versions: muerte de Cristina

(BUT DON'T LOOK AT THE SIDEBAR! It's filled with spoilers.)

In my opinion our Cristina's death was the most impactful and the saddest. In the previous versions she was dead by the 50th episode, and the viewers didn't really have time to fall in love with her. And AV had Mónica Sánchez, whose acting was so adorable.
 

A BIG thank you Madelaine for a much needed recap.

Yes Anita---I would like to be the first to sign the guest book for Cristina out on the patio. As you know,I was in Cristina's corner from day one. I had left some comments as to why I liked her in the Thursday recap comment section.
I am still not sure if I will be able to accept a JA Vikki pairing as every time I see them together, I will be seeing and thinking about Cris. It's hard for me to believe that she is gone. Yes, mistakes were made on both sides but they did love each other and were so wonderful together in their
little country home. Damn that Kendra, I can't wait for her demise.

The wind that blew the rose into Ja's hands at the grave site was a beautiful sign---actually, it was the only comforting thing during the very sad burial scene.

Floridia---I'm glad that you are back. I almost always agree with you and no exception this time either. You were spot on with your comment although I think that the Nikki/Guzman romance will start to take off very soon now.

Victoria in Texas---Where have you been these last couple of days? I have posted comments about your friend Nikki. It seems like her heart [I didn't think that she had one for a long time] is "starting"
to soften a bit. Everyone is waiting for her to see Lili's picture in her Boy Toy's phone. Then, @#%^^&**!!!

No---Nikki didn't take the dvd. You have to credit her for that one. Yes even me, and I have never been in her camp but---she did the right thing this time. Are we finally starting to see a "new and
improved" Nikk?
the gringo
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

I can't see why our mysterious Opalina is in such a hurry to push Vikki into Arriaga's arms. Clearly, even if it may not be too soon for V&JA, it's certainly too soon for Lili and Nikki, not to mention our own gringo.

Let's wait few days... maybe take the time to find and kill Leo, spend quality time with Stefano, Jean Marie, and Balzac (heh heh), take a few bubble baths with Kendra and Nelson... heck, there are lots of useful and fun things to fill the time... then

One night... José Ángel can take Ratiana bowling...

and

The Ikkis (since Nikki has broken up with Roy) also decide to go...

wait for it...

bowling!...then...

Next!

Carlos
 

Carlos--I agree, let some time pass before JA & MsVik start oogling each other again. Maybe we'll be given a sign, meses despues to make it easier to swallow.

Any of the activities you mention could be fun with the EXCEPTION of a bubble bath with Ken & FF. I'd feel dirty *after* I get out.

It's spring, Ratiana should be out creating a memorial garden for Cristina someplace on the Balvanera back 40--or doing some spring housecleaning back at the apartment, or fending off Rolando during another antro date when Nikki shows up with Shallow Girls. Adri and Guzmi should go have coffee together and figure out how to get him out of his quandry with Neta Zero de Manzanas.

Anita, La Dama del Queso
 

Wow!

the Portuguese/Spanish version of No me compares with Alejandro Sanz and Ivete Sangalo
 

Did Cristina really have to die?

She was kind of banged up looking and as Novela informed us:

"When Salsero asks about Cris, Candelaria tells him there is little hope -- her kidneys have been destroyed."

later in the comments Tiempe (by the way, have you joined us before?) observed:

"I was actually surprised at the death of Cristina. I thought that Victoria coming to The Red Cross was going to be a necessity. The doctor said Cristina's kidneys were shot and I said to my son - that's how they will save her!!!

Who can give a kidney more easily than a sister - even a half sister!"

Let me count the potential donors:

Candeleria...mom
Vikki...sister
Adriana...sister
Roxana...niece
Nikki...niece
even Aníbal...dad (of course he is sickly, but what better way to redemption?)

She could have been Lifeflighted to Hooterville (AdP) where Dr. Edmundo Tovar skilled FP as well as transplant surgeon could have performed the surgery if they didn't have the adequate resources in DF.

Should there be an investigation?

Carlos
 

My friends and I were joking that it was Arriaga who killed her when he hugged her. It looked like he broke all her ribs.
 

Candelaria made a rookie mistake. Doc Tovar (from Abismo) -- or for that matter, Doc Heriberto Sabelotodo (from Triunfo) could have told you that poor Cristina was in multi-organ failure.

All those kidneys and no one to give them to. Sigh.

Still, Televisa writers do like to talk about kidneys, don't they?

P.S. I was glad stealthy Vikki was wearing a black mantilla and not a black fedora this time.
 

Carlos... you had me giggling tonight, great great analysis of Candelaria's diagnosis news and the possible kidney donors...
You mean Liliana not Roxana, right?

LOVED your last addition...
She could have been Lifeflighted to Hooterville (AdP) where Dr. Edmundo Tovar skilled FP as well as transplant surgeon could have performed the surgery if they didn't have the adequate resources in DF.
ROFLOL!! so true!
 

Aribeth, I just posted on your excellent recap of Thursday night.

Madelaine: You explained all of last night's miserable events perfectly. You summarized the conversations with kindness and grace. You did masterful justice to this lovely, fitting goodby to Cristina: "Angel and Lili are inconsolable and Cande has taken a seat on the sofa and is very stoic, no emotion". Lovely, on point observation.

I saw little of this episode as it was pre-empted by coverage of capture of the Boston Marathon suspect. Thank heavens...

Your words and respectful, commiserating tone conveyed the heartbreak and pure anguish of JA and Lili. Thank you for your generous time and attention to details. I will just say it was perfection.

I enjoyed the comments as well.

Diana
 

Good Morning Y'all and thanks for all the lovely comments.

Soyyo:

Thank you so much for the name of the song. I went on Youtube and I think the singer was Pedro Infante. It sounded like an old record playing on this epi. I tooo was surprised that Adri led the Hail Mary. I think that Cande and Lili and JA were too grief striken to start the prayer and Adri stepped in.

Carlos:

Maybe Gilda will be useful in the future for some reason and the writers kept her in the story. She is still Betty's friend. I agree with NovelaMaven about the buried bodies : )

Vivi:

I missed the God and the Devil, thanks for that. I too think that Anyballs thinks of himself as Dios, even though in certain aspects he is El Diablo.

NovelaMaven:

I too wonder how far Nikki is going to take this Balvanera/Pavia merger? Maybe at the altar she will do what some TN protaganistas do and take a hike, who knows?
 

Anita:

Loved your obit for Cris. The whole thing was great. I have signed the book of condolence and we will be retiring the Cris table today. Cris will be sorely missed.

Dona Gringuita:

As Nikki was talking about love comes sometimes after marriage, I couldn't help but think of those old romance novels I used to read where the heroine is forced to marry the not so nice hero and then he turns into the best thing eva and they fall madly in love, que, que what???? Nikki should not be marrying. I too liked that Opalina talked to Ms Vikki. I am really glad Ms Vikki kept her distance as the Angel had asked her to.


 

Vida2:

I thought the funeral was very realistic too. It was done with taste and grace. Lili was just devastated and Cande and Angel were filled with a lot of guilt besides the grief. It was very touching when they comforted each other.

GinCA:

I too wonder how long it will be for Nikki to see Lili's face on the Roller Boy's cellphone. She already has some doubt about him when he just took that money without protesting. Since she has the doubt and she admitted she doesn't love him, I wonder if she really will marry.


 

Floridia:

So glad you came back to comment about the death of Cris. I agree with your assessment about what the writers did to Cris. So undeserved. I may not have liked some of Cris' actions, in the past, but still and all she did not deserve this ending. I would have much preferred if she had divorced the Angel and moved on.

I can also understand your anger at the Angel, Cande and Pau. I will comment on that separately.

I too like the romance of Jean Marie and Estefano. They are very sweet and such a hoot. I liked the exchange earlier in the week with the ying and yang necklaces. Too sweet and I like them as "co-parents" of Balzac : )
 

Neice:

I too agree we are at a turning point here. There are lots more secrets to be revealed. And I hope all roads lead to the Kendho and her murderous plots. I too liked the scenes with the Angel and Salsa Dude.

Aribeth:

I too agree with you about Cris accepting Ms Vikki's help. She wouldn't have done it. She couldn't stand her or Adri. I liked your link too. It seems like they used the Columbian version, but not the murder for any version but this one.

Gringo:

I agree with you about the rose. It was such a hauntingly beautiful gesture. I give kudos to the writers for that.

Carlos:

Too funny about the bowling : )

Anita:

Agree with you about feeling *dirty* about the Kendho and FF. I wouldn't even be getting in that tub without a super industrialized sanitizer being used to cleanse that tub.

I liked your take on Ratiana and Guzmi and Adri.
 

Carlos, Aribeth and NovelaMaven:

Liked your comments about did Cris have to die?
 

Diana:

That scene with the Angel, Lili and Cande touched me deeply. It would be something you would see in real life. I think Cande may be instrumental in moving the Angel and Lili forward with their lives now that Cris is gone. Kudos to these actors, they are really bringing their A games here.
 

I don't think Opalina is creepy at all and I don't think she is necessarily pushing Ms Vikki and the Angel to instant romance. I think she is trying to get them to lean on each other as they experience these woes they have. Ms Vikki is still recovering from an attempted murder, and Angel is recovering from the death of his wife. Opalina can't force them to be together. Opalina is more of a catalyst for the story.

Ms Vikki, I agree, shouldn't have gone to the funeral, but I think I know why she did. She wanted to make sure the Angel was ok, so to speak. I don't mean with Cris' death, the suddenness of it is what I mean. He has already quit his job. I don't think he will be going back anytime soon, just my own opinion. Ms Vikki may feel that this is the last she'll see of him. Yes, she loves him, I truly think, but she IS keeping her distance. She didn't let the Angel know she was there at the funeral and that is a good thing. He needs time and space to grieve.

The Angel I don't think, is in the mood for romance. As I stated above, he quit his job already and the first place he went to afterwards, before finding out about Cris' "accident" was the church. He really wanted to talk to Padre Generoso who wasn't there. I really think the Angel wanted to stay with Cris, come what may, because he didn't want to go the cheating route. Sure he crossed the line a couple of times, but not like the FF with full cheating. I think he truly wanted to stay true to his vows. Now I think he will be truly riddled with guilt and grief and won't want to progress further for awhile. I really don't think he will do anything about these feelings he has for Ms Vikki until he processes what happened to Cris. Since this TN is about 180 epi's we still have a long way to go.
 

Mads thanks so much for your recap of another tough episode.

I really want at least some of the wretchedness of FF, Kendra, and Anibal to come to light. I want an anvil to hit FF every time I see him (Vicky's slaps were fun) and Anibal too. Kendra must pay for the havoc she has caused.
 

I wonder when the producer/writers of this version decided to have the Cris character stick around for more than twice as long as long as the character did in all the other versions? That is why the original synopsis mentioned her death because it was supposed to be out of the way long ago. It certainly makes the audience feel more invested and conflicted about the love triangle since we got to know the character well, with all her virtues and imperfections.

And then add to that her murder. We also feel strongly about the murder because we became so invetsed in her character. The murder would also not have been so impactful had it happened really early in the story. I can see now that the writers/director were realy playing with the audience when Cris first hears the news from Paula and almost gets hit by a car. Anyone who had seen any of the previous versions would have expected that to be her end. Not the Kendra detour and Espanto mow down.
 

Karen:

I so agree with you about the anvils. Something needs to happen to the wicked Kendho sooner rather than later. She is a one women murdering machine.

Vivi:

I too was curious about what these writers are doing. I think originally this TN was only supposed to be 165 epis, but since La Tempestad was late in starting they had to extend this one. I like that the writers deviated from the different versions and we got to know Cris better. I think it will be pivotal to the story going forward.
 

Viv, this wasn't about Cris - she sticked around so long only because the producer and the writers of this show love to extend scenes and situation. In the original JA and Vicky already had their first kiss by the 50th (okay, maybe 60th) episode. And soon Cris died. In AV all these things happened after the 100th episode.

As for her death: to my knowledge the previous version were filled with many villains. IMHO the producer of AV wants to keep the story less complicated, and he prefers using Kendra. Especially since Marjorie became popular thanks to this role.
Trivia: in the Argentinian show Kendra was more like Salsero and she was redeemed. I'm pretty sure this won't happen here, because she's already crossed the line. Many times. (In the Colombian show she was almost as despicable as the current one. I don't know about the Aztecan version.)
 

About Cande and Pau. I am mad at Cande too for holding this secret for so very long. Why has she never told Cris in all these years? It may have to do with the fact that Cande never knew Pilar died. Cris did live in the same town as the Balvanera Hacienda and that may be the reason Cande never spilled. But I really think maybe Cande never spilled cause she never intended to. Only when she thought she was dying did she write Anyballs that letter. Maybe she really intended never to tell him.

Pau did not have the right to tell Cris about her Papa. I really don't think she did it out of some type of revenge, I really think she wanted Cris to know so that she would know she was also a Balvanera. I really think Pau wanted her to have her place in that family. Unfortunately, look what happened. I really think Pau thought that Cande was never going to tell Cris. I think Pau will truly feel guilty about what happened to Cris cause she was the catalyst. She will have to live with this guilt for the rest of her life.

One last thing about Ms Vikki and the Angel. Can you imagine what Lili and Nikki would do if they ever found out that the Angel and Ms Vikki had more than friendly feelings toward each other? Not only can't they stand each other, they would put stumbling blocks in Ms Vikki and the Angel's way, I think. I'm not saying Lili is Adri's daughter, but they are cousins through Cris now. Can you imagine what is going to happen when they find out? I know Nikki is feeling kindly toward Lili right now, but do we think this is going to last?
 

I never thought I'd see Salsa Dude so upset. I think he genuinely liked Cris and so did not expect this murderous turn either. I wish there was a way he could rectify all his wrongdoing. But we all know what would happen if he did. I hope he takes his Madrina's advice and uses what he already knows to put a stop to Kendho's murderous mis planes. He has the power to do that, but will he?
 

Madelaine,

"She already has some doubt about him when he just took that money without protesting."

Not only did he not protest, he asked for money in the first place. I have absolutely no patience with Roy...and we were all so fond of him in Las Tontas.

I'm getting a kick out of Espanto. He's evil through and through, an arsonist and a murderer, but his array of disguises are a hoot.

Carlos
 

Madelaine - I think Salsa Dude is so upset because he liked Cris but also because he knows he had a hand in her mounting problems. Remember when JA and Cris were going to go out on a date (and Miss Vickie had the wardrobe malfunction)? JA and Cris actually made up after that and were still going to go out but Salsa Dude lied that his mom was on her death bed and he needed JA to fill in for him. Also, he diverted JA at the cocktail party at KendHo's request and the ho made Cris the job offer. Add to that the fact that Cris gave his great love Betty a safe place to get away from Leo and helped her get the job with Miss Vickie. Hope Salsa Dude keeps that guilt and actually does something to stop Kendho.

My I'm-not-a-robot word is "havenies." Yes, Cris is in heaven.
 

Carlos- Also loved him as Anibal in CME. Remember how he played hero and snuck on the boat to rescue Renata? So different from the weasely Roy here.
 

Madelaine: Not only did Cande hold the secret as to Cris' existence, but she is culpable for switching the babies (Lili for Cris' deceased newborn).

As Carlos mentioned, I hope we have a flashback to see just what happened.

That aside, what Cande did was not only a crime, but a truly heinous one to the mother who lost her child - in this case, Adriana.

The one looming question is: who will be able to forgive sins of an unforgiveable nature? Will Adriana be able to forgive Cande for robbing her of her child? Will Bea, Vicky, Nikki and Francisco be able to forgive Santino for his wrongdoings, particularly the kidnapping??

Diana
 

Diana- I honestly don't think Cande stole the baby. I think the doc told her there was an unwanted baby or a baby whose mother had died and did not have any relatives, and she/they saw the perfect opportunity to help Cris and JA by replacing their dead baby. I really don't think Cande is evil enough to steal a baby knowing that it was wanted.
 

Niecie: Excellent comments about Santino and Cris. All true.

Diana
 

Vivi: I'm not so sure. Sometimes terrible things are done out of love as well as hate. We will have to wait and see. I'm hoping you are right.

Diana
 

Vivi - ITA on your theory about Cande and the baby.
 

A word about Cande's response to Cristina's death:

Her stoic reaction was very convincing. She is still numb from her loss. In the end, she is the one whose grief will be insurmountable, especially compounded as it is by guilt.

We don't usually see this kind of restraint in a telenovela. Very impressive on the part of the director as well as the actress.
 

There were at least four co-conspirators in the kidnapping baby swap:

Aníbal... like it or not, he did it out of love and concern for what would be best for Adriana

Dr. Montaña... for me the most guilty of all... he committed a crime and violated his ethics

Cande... as Vivi pointed out, it's difficult to know just what she knew about the situation but she clearly knew what she was doing was wrong and a crime... like Aníbal, she did it out of love

Godfather Tony... he knew the details and kept quiet... for years

Paula knew at some point but I don't see her as a co-conspirator because I don't see a way that she could have influenced the outcome short of going to the police.

Other opinions may vary...

Carlos
 

Carlos- ITA. All of them-- Anibal, Cande, Dr. M., and Tony the Godfather, all share part of the blame and guilt in this switched baby- dead baby lie situation. I think Dr. M. is the most guilty because he knows more than any of the rest of them. He knows what happened on both sides (to Adri and Cris), and is keeping his mouth shut to save his own skin and to line his pockets with some more Balvanera cash.

I'm still not sure if I'm with you on Anibal acting out of love for Adri. I need some more evidence and real demonstrations of his love for Adri, before I will see anything more than his pride for his faily name/reputation being what drove him to lock Adri up, drive her boyfriend away, tell her her baby died, and ship her away to Europe. I do believe Tony kept quiet about the dead baby lie out of love for Adri. And I believe Cande made the baby switch out of love for Cris. But both were wrong.
 

Carlos: I agree with your list but not with"Aníbal... like it or not, he did it out of love and concern for what would be best for Adriana".

I respect your opinion amigo but must disagree. I don't think Anibal has ever done anything out of love or concern for anyone but himself. A "bastard" (his words) was an unwanted impossibility for him. He consorted to be "rid" of the child for his own selfish reasons. Even with his adult child, he continues to lie discarding her all consuming grief and ignoring her pleas. He could have come clean so that the doctor could have revealed what he knew.

It's great being able to discuss our differences of opinions - especially because this TN is riddled with guilt, secrets and lies! :)

Diana
 

Carlos wrote:

"Aníbal... like it or not, he did it out of love and concern for what would be best for Adriana"

I have to go with Carlos on this one. His daughter was 15 years old. He saw the pregnancy as something that would blight her life forever if he didn't act. Having taken action, he just dug in and never looked back.

His lack of self-doubt is probably what made him so effective in business; but it is also what makes him a less than stellar human being.

And yes, Diana, I am so glad we are allowed to have conversations here and agree to disagree!
 

Vivi--I also agree on the Cande-baby thing. If she hadn't taken the baby, who knows where it would have ended up. She, on the other hand knew what a devastating event would be in her daughter's life to lose a baby. OTOH, she could have done it right, but telling Cris the truth from the git-go and had the baby adopted legally. Of course, we know that couldn't happen because Anyballs was behind it--he's the one who committed the worst crime and he needed to keep it all quiet. Still, Cande should have known better and asked a few questions. It reminds me of how Elena "acquired" Laura in Montecristo.

O.M.G., Carlos & Vivi--until you mentioned it, I would *nevva* have equated Anibal in CME with RoyeroRoy. Has he put on a little weight, maybe? We all just loved Anibal's arrival on the moto.

(Aside--at the time I mentioned who names their child Anibal, anyway--now I say it doubly, because of Anyballs--a complex but fairly unscrupulous, unlikeable fellow and Anibal in MEPS, played by--wait for it.....Guillermo Capetillo. I have to wonder if the actors ever get the names of their characters mixed up with earlier characters they've played or other characters whose names they've had are in their current productions.)

Mads, thanks for all the comments and insights into our current folks. It certainly adds a greater dimension and understanding to our discussions.

Anita, La Dama del Queso
 

Aribeth--If you looked like Cristian de la Fuente, I might consider it....haha.
 

Carlos, Vivi, et al. Your fingers were faster than mine. Good comments.
 

GREAT COMMENTS ALL this Monday morning. The Amores team has certainly put a lot out for some serious thought as to what has transpired and what is about to or will transpire.

Carlos---I agree, Espanto's disguises crack me up--Kendra's too
How can you beat Pussy Galore? I couldn't believe that one.

Victoria in Texas---Where have you been? I hope that you are OK.
the gringo
 

Vivi:

I so agree with you about Cande. I too think she didn't know whose bebe it was, just that it was unwanted and since Cris' bebe died, she thought the best thing she could do was to give that bebe to Cris. The point is, what will she do when she finds out?

I can see both sides of the argument about Anyballs. The part I don't like is that he did lock her up, got rid of Vincente, the baby daddy, and then sent her off to Europe. I agree with you Vivi on this. He may have FELT he did it out of love, but Adri sees it as domination on his part. She was never able to make her own decision. That is why she is so angry despite the fact that he won't tell her where the bebe is now. Did the Doc ever tell him who he gave the bebe to? I don't think he did. The Doc is the worst of all, he did violate his ethics.

Neice:

I know all that stuff about Salsa Dude but I was surprised at the depth of emotion from him as far as Cris' death was concerned. I never expected that from him. I am always hoping that now that he suspects that Kendho had a hand in Cris' death, he will stop her, or put road blocks in her way to block all further murderous mis planes from her. He has the power to do that. I want him to be redeemed but I also want him to have to do something to mitigate his past deeds, in other words he has to do something to make him worthy of true redemption.

Diana:

I agree with you about Santino. I don't know how Ms Vikki, Nikki, Frankie and Betty , the Angel, and Lili can ever forgive him for what he has done in the past. I will be curious to see what the writers have in store for him.

NovelaMaven:

I too like Ana Martin in this TN. Cande isn't the usual character for her to play I think. When I saw Ana Martin in DA, her character Clarita was over the top, lol. I like her here cause she isn't a servant this time, she actually has a profession and I like the family dynamic of Cande, the Angel and Lili.

About the Godfather. The impression I got was that he didn't know about the stolen bebe till much later. He did hint around to Adri, without really coming out with it, exactly where to start looking and who to look for. He even tried to convince her to talk to Anyballs about it. I think he may of learned of the stolen bebe when Anyballs mentioned it at the beginning of this TN.
 

Now that we have buried Christina (RIP), my guess is that the next drama will be the wedding of Roy and Nikki. Will it be a civil or church wedding? If a church wedding, I do not see the writers letting it go through since it's harder to get an annulment. When the priest/judge asks
'does anyone here have an objection to this union?', Guzman needs to yell, "yes, she is in love with me!"
Of course I think it is an age inappropriate relationship from the beginning. As an actor Sebastian Rulli has done an amazing job persuading the audience he is in love with this teenage twit.
 

Anon 2:13:

Oh, I so wish if there is a wedding, for Guzmi to jump up and say "She loves me", lol. I don't know if he'd really do that. We can always hope ; )
 

Well, I did say other opinions may vary...

Carlos
 

Marta,

"You mean Liliana not Roxana, right?"

Like Nikki, I keep forgetting.

Actually it is one of my favorite names that Nikki has called her because of the irony that not even Nikki understands.

Carlos


 

Hi Nice People!

I´m back after a two year so absence. Out of frustration because of Univision´s horrific CC, I left for Telemundo. My abysmal Spanish has to have good, well synchronized CC.

But now, I note that the CC on Univision telenovelas has greatly improved. Is this something fairly recent? And is it consistently improved? Or is it an on and off thing?

In any case, the CC I have seen in Chapters 118 and 119 is just wonderful. I can keep up in comprehension. What a difference from two years ago.

Though I´m 117 cápitulos behind, the repetitiveness, the circularness of this typical telenovela has enabled me to get its drift.

But in reading recaps, I have to learn some of the nicknames. E.g., Nelson is ¨FF?¨

How come?

And one puzzler for me is, if Kendra and Cristina were not competitors romantically, why did Kendra have her killed’

Farmer
 

Farmer:

Welcome back! I don't have CC's either Spanish or English but some of the commenters have said Uni's CC's have gotten better, but some of the translation is still off.

The reason Nelson is called FF, it stands for Furry Fornicator, is because well he's a cheater. He is one disgusting jerk.

The reason Kendho (Kendra) wanted Cris out of the way is because Kendho thinks she is getting more money when she "marries" the FF. FF is already married to Ms Vikki, and it will be a cold day in Hades before Kendho ever sees any Balvanera Money!
 

Thanks a bundle, Madeline.