Caray, Caray!

Good Evening Y'all, the recap is up, please enjoy.
 

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Mads- Great recap! You gave us all the action in a snappy way.

For such an exclusive restaurant, La Fontaine didn't seem to have a problem finding tables for half of Avon, none of whom had reservations.

Pati sure is playing it from all sides-- sabotaging Chucho's dating life by pretending the two of them have a thing; trying to get Chucho to admit he has feelings for Alma; trying to get Alma admit she has feelings for Chucho; trying to get Rogue to be jealous of both her and Alma by admitting she lusts for Chucho, and tyring to convince Rogue that Alma loves Chucho. Her end desired result seems to be Alma with Jesus, and she (Pati) with Rogue. I'm ok with that final match-up, but she sure is going to leave a lot of chaos and destruction on her path to get that result.

One correction-- Maricela was attempting to eat a lobster (I think just the tail), without success. Ricardo ordered a cheap salad for himself to try to keep the bill reasonable. It should be a big clue for him that she doesn't know the difference between fine champagne and the cheapest stuff, and that she has no idea how to eat lobster.
 

Thank you very much, I needed it this time 'cause I had thing to do and couldn't concentrate. Now I see...

After their first meeting at the ONLY HOSPITAL in Monterrey, Avon staff decided to do it in a regular basis, this time at the ONLY RESTAURANT!!
(we have to stop seeing each other like this)

It was so ridiculous that when the news about the ''suspect #2'' broke, I was expecting all of them to turn to the camera in disbelief...yes! rubbing their eyes and all!! I mean, with Chochi and Chucho in one of the three rings, we only needed the bearded lady!

I think Ricardo traded his old junk for something ''better'' but he doesn't know that for Marisela, nothing is better than a 2014 BMW or a MB (that is in case she can tell the difference)- wink!*

Vocabulary:

Ser el ajonjolí de todos los moles- being on the ball, being everywhere.
Cuija- some kind of lizzard (I always use the term ''lagartija'', is similar, but I think it has more punch!).

* I mistakenly thought the WINK had the sound of an harp playing but I think is more like a ''marimba'', or xilophone... it doesn't matter since is annoying anyway...

Anything else, just ask, ;-)

 

And we finally saw some reasons why Elias would love Vero. From the flashback, she was picky about certain things (organic popcorn, etc.), but she wasn't a raving lunatic and she could be fun. I hope she realizes that it's Elias that she loves, and that her feelings for Chucho are just unresolved feelings from the way their relationship ended.

But she needs to admit she's at fault for the mess she's in now with both men. So far, she can't get past blaming others and wallowing in self pity.
 

Madelaine, this was classic "You can't bull*hit a bull*hitter"

Great re-cap, I am ready for them all to move forward, let's get to the next day already...everyone change clothes...Sexy-Pati continues to change her clothes a couple of times a day.

Alma- stay away from the stripes..please. (Is it too late to get Mayrin in as a replacement for Alma?)
 

Madelaine, thanks for your wonderful recap. You sure told the story well!

I loved:

Discua ordering milk.

Valentina giving Xochi the third degree.

Rogelio hiding out at the restaurant gathering just loads of info.

I felt sorry for:

Xochi who doesn't know how obnoxious she really is and would probably be mortified if she could see herself.

Alma having to witness Xochi's and Pati's interest in Jesús and then being called on her own interest by Pati.

Jarifa
 

Jarifa- I also enjoyed little Vale giving Xochi the 3rd degree and intimidating her. She showed herself to be her mother's daughter in that scene. LOL!
 

Great recap Madeline. Waiting on the news from Boston, switched over to catch the show here and there. Thanks for filling in the parts I missed.

I agree on how really ridiculous it is that this seems to be THE only decent restaurant in town. But plot wins out over sensibility as always in TN's.

Am I the only one who is now done with Xochi. Her near tears, her hanging all over Chucho, her whining, yikes...sorry. I've seen high schoolers with more of a clue. And everyone is so worried about hurting her feelings, they are just perpetuating her delusional attitude. This is getting tired writers....let's park the "in love with Chucho" plot.

Boy, Pati is one busy girl and she has everyone's chain in hand to yank. Maybe she should be running Avon. Girl has some savvy. And I'm finding Alma (or is it one-note Blanca) kind of boring.

Loved the flashback on Elias/Vero/Val---what the heck happened?? Just having Chucho show up turns Vero into a mind-numbing shrew who can't even get out of bed for her daughter...oh yeah, has a Nanny. Lady Violet would be in total understanding of her (nods to Downton). Still not a fan of Elias going back to her at this point...she needs a reality check first.

Make Maricela go away. I liked the actress when she was in teen roles, but really disliking this character and her portrayal. Just blech! Never thought I would feel one of the sillies deserved way better.

"Daisy"
 

Madeleine, What a treat. Thanks.

I'm a sucker for these French farce scenes of ducking in and out of doors -- just missing the person you are hiding from -- and the joint interactions of all the characters when they end up in the same place. It takes good timing and comic skill to stage this sort of plot. So I thought this was a lot of fun.

Jésus was quite irritated to find Gil & Ricardo dining at La Fontaine when they had just told him that they were too broke to pay him back for their trick of the previous evening.

I also enjoyed the scenes with Ricardo & Marisela. I find her attempts to look so sophisticated a funny contrast to her actual social ineptness. It was almost touching when she told Ricardo that she could never have a relationship with someone poor - and then she went on in such detail about the life of poverty that she would never be willing to live. Ricardo should have wondered how she could paint such a realistic portrait of that life.

BTW Marisela's dad is employed -- how come they live in such a hovel? Surely not all the trash collectors in Monterrey live in a tent city.

Count me among those who thought that the cutest scene of the night was Valentina grilling Xochitl. It was also nice to see Elias' memory of happier times.

Güera
 

Thanks Madelaine, I missed the episode because the evening was just so nice to sit outside and enjoy the birds instead. I may have to watch all the restaurant encounters on Hulu.

Thanks Pablo for "Ser el ajonjolí de todos los moles- being on the ball, being everywhere." I never heard that delicious phrase before, but since many restaurants around here serve mole Poblano, and I always notice the sesame seeds generously sprinkled on top, I thought it might mean something like being the "icing on the cake". Instead it means omnipresent.
 

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Gracias Madelaine,

Valentina is a very talented child actor.

Monterrey has only 1 restaurant just like DF.

I agree Blanca Soto is blah. More acting classes! She is also much prettier with dark hair, it shows up her beautiful eyes better.
 

I think the writers figured out a role that would suit Blanca Soto very well - calm, sweet, not too much emotional range. To let her be a foil for all the wacko's (played by talented comedians) surrounding her. I'm actually enjoying her in this role.
 

Audrey- I also think Blanca is better in this than other roles I've seen her in (her other 2 tns). She's not a great actress, but I can tell that she's gotten better. Plus, her role is that of the straight man/woman, so it doesn't require much.

I DO however, expect more from veteran FC than I'm getting. I know this is he first comedy, so I'm giving him more time to grow into his funny man role.
 

Madeline, thanks so much for translating this complicated, convoluted epiisode. I am almost disgusted with Discua's date (Whatshisname) for being a married man. But it is a novella..so I am just going with it! .... and the other dirtball, Fernando is acting like he owns her like a piece of property. The evil part of me makes me wish she were a cross dressing male (forgive me but I enjoyed PESE too much)..but I think she is really an innocent girl like she says.....which is even better!!

Agree with Jarifa....Discua's ordering milk was priceless.

If Veronica isn't careful she is going to lose her ability to take care of her own daughter. As soon as she starts holding herself accountable' she can do a better job of giving the guiding love to Valentina that Valentina deserves....the kind of love that Valentina's two dads have been giving her. Gertie
 

Vivi and Audrey, I agree with you about Blanca Soto. I think she is playing what is being asked of her in a "foil" or "straightman" roll and I think she is doing a good job. Someone has to be the counterpoint for all of the silliness and goofiness going on. I recently saw her in the movie "Regresa" and enjoyed her performance in that too.

Jarifa
 

Mads..enjoy your your style, lady. Felt like I was sitting down with you, having a cup of coffee and you were regaling me with the story of the night before. You tell your tale with a punch! that's for sure.

Last night's shenanigans paled in comparison to the drama of the Boston manhunt, but I did enjoy Rodrigo's wild mugging as he listened at the ladies room door, and of course Patimelt was a showstopper again. The wardrobe people clearly love her because she always gets the best dresses, have you noticed?

Blanca Soto's restrained performance doesn't bother me. And I was reminded of a friend from long ago, a sweet girl who had almost no discernible personality...and the guys were wild about her! We watched them falling over themselves like bowling pins, while she looked down shyly and said next to nothing. Gave them a chance to shine I guess, and left their imagination free to endow her with all the qualities they wanted a woman to have. Blanca seems to have that same mysterious blandness which has its real life fans, believe me!

Maricela and Xochi, alas, are insufferable. Whether it's the way the director wants them to play their roles, or their own choice, it's hard to choke them down. But I'm still getting a kick out of Ninel Condé playing a virginal, new agish child of God. Everytime she spots an aura change and sees the "light" in someone, I just want to chuckle. Good times.
 

Good Afternoon Y'all and thanks for the great comments.

Vivi:

I fixed the recap to reflect the lobster, lol. It must have been a lobster tail, the pic on my TV is terrible. It looked like a mango, lol.

Pablo:

Thanks for the vocab, it is always very helpful to me. I also wanted to know what cuija was. I tried looking it up but couldn't find it. Thanks for the meaning : )

Will comment more later.
 

Great job, Madelaine, you really captured the spirit of last night's fun and games.

Actually we have visited two restaurants in Monterrey since we've been there. Of course there's the elegant La Fontaineof last night's action but let's not forget that wonderful place that roasts little whole goats right out in the open which allowed Elias to satiate his pent-up food demons.

Jarifa and Vivi, it didn't even occur to me at the time how much Valentina resembled her mom as she interrogated Xochitl and I truly enjoyed that wonderful scene with Verónica, Valentina, Elias and the popcorn. She's not a favorite here (yet) but I think that she is incredibly beautiful and still the most fascinating and complex character. Of course Pati is the most lively and fun.

Carlos
 

I can't stand the 'Sillies' collectively - they are grating and annoying. But separately they are almost palatable. Don't like that Gil is a cheater, though. And religious Ricardo is a better fit for Discua. Discua told Gil that she had once has a novio, but he wouldn't accept her religious beliefs. Hopefully she and Ricardo will get together soon and Maricela will be left to go fly a kite.

Who knew that Vero had been a fun-loving mom and wife at one time? Egads! Spilling popcorn on the bed and eating it??? LOL

Guera - I agree that Maricela and her father should be living better than they are. Not only is HE employed, but she is also and there is only the two of them, so why not move to a better place? Even a 'vecindad' would be better. Maybe they'll move to Chatita's vecindad and will become Chucho's neighbors!
 

Well we do know that Marisela & her father have to live on his pay alone. The other day he mentioned something about her sharing expenses and she went off on him -- telling him that she NEEDS her money to buy things for herself.

Güera
 

Yes, I remember Mari (as she hates to be called) saying she 'needs' her money. :-( Too bad she's too selfish to realize that by pooling their incomes they could better their living situation. But since she won't cooperate, she should stop complaining (she won't).
Anon 3:48
 

Mads thanks so much for this recap. I enjoyed your title!

I know I should not have been surprised b/c he is an older character but I was disgusted that Gilberto was married and hitting on Discua. Fer was just being the foolish idiot he has from the start of the show.

ITA JudyB that Xochi and Maricela are awful. And the writers have made the latter so ridiculous with her attitude about money that I can't imagine her not being humiliated in some way that is as unpleasant as her personality.

And Daisy is spot on also with her assessment of the female characters enabling Xochi to act bad with Chucho.
 

Mads--Finally had a chance to read your recap. There's not much more I can say to sing your praises. You are all over the place on Caray and still can nail a recap.

Xberto's wife wanted him home in half an hour--or else. I'd love to peek in and see what his punishment is since it's a foregone conclusion he isn't going to make the deadline.

I got the biggest kick out of Marisela not knowing the difference between good champagne and cheap champagne, because neither can I. OTOH, that should be a wake up call to Ricardo--but he's silly enough not to make the connection. He just thinks he saved himself a pile of pesos.

I didn't see Vale giving Xochi the 3d dgree, but you told it well, Mads. My guess is that Chucho is going to choose his life-mate by who little Vale gets along with best. (And can there be any doubt when Alma saved Vale from the repercussions threatened by Mamarepressed.)

I'm liking the Malvino character more and more. He has a playful (though disgusting) side to him.

(BTW--I just saw the Chamber Pot Chatita uses on Malvino & side-kick in an early capitulo of Alondra--as if I didn't have anything better to do, but it has a very very young FC--although not as young as on Maria Mercedes.)

I agree, Vivi. FC is still growing into his comedic side. Did anyone see him in his play Manos Quietas? What did you think (I didn't).

Maybe here he's trying for light humor, a gently played guy who's always in a good mood, even when he has to knock someone out, never getting ruffled, even in trying circumstances, idealistic, seeing the good in everyone, can't say no to anyone, endless patience--do I dare say treacly sweet?

For me, the three + two sillies & Jess are throw-away slap-stick comics. Chatita, Fernando, Pati & Rogelio as the true comics (even though Fern goes over the top sometimes). Loved the reference to French Farce--does anyone remember the scene in Yellow Submarine?

So, we have Alma and Elias as the rock solid straight-wo/men and Valentina as the glue that holds everyone together. She's a treasure, for sure.

My conclusion: It's a comedy. And, oddly, I love the scenes with Pati and her staccato vocalizations the best.

Anita, Dama del Queso
 

Thanks, Madelaine. Love your title. I'm surprised you didn't have to sketch a diagram to keep track of all the action in this one. What a mess!

I don't remember much about Yellow Submarine, but I do remember that The Monkeess (surely influenced by Yellow Sub) frequently had chase scenes with people running in and out of doors up and down a hallway.

Now... I'm not gonna say that FC is BAD at comedy. His timing and whatnot are okay. Still a bit studied and stiff, but technically all right. I think the problem is the character he's playing and/or the way he's being made to play him.

You can see Chucho come to life any time he has to confront someone and be intense. That's what FC is good at, and there's plenty of room for that in comedy. But the laid-back, good-natured Chucho we usually see is not a great match for FC.

I am tempted to blame the director, because the woman who plays Mari is certainly a capable actress, yet I've had a hard time interpreting her character. I've often thought she was being sarcastic or ironic with Chucho when, apparently, she actually likes him.

And Kika Edgar is an excellent actress - yet Xochi is an absolute train wreck. I mean, the character is obviously intended to be a mess, but even messes should be messed up in a consistent way. Xochi did seem consistent at first, but with the increased screen time she is all over the place now. Not good.

So maybe if Chucho could be portrayed with a little more intensity, Mari with a little more warmth, and Xochi with a little more... I don't know, stability? I think this would all be much easier to watch.
 

Ahoy amigas y amigos! If there is one thing I have missed during the past few months it has been canoodling and critiquing with my Caray Caray pals.

I haven't checked in with y'all for a few months so I've missed all the PEAM fun. Que lastima! It's great to see such a talented team of recappers handling this telenovela. I think I was able to watch something like the first 40 episodes while I was in Ensenada, so I will count on your recaps to keep me up to date.

Madelaine, your recaps are a delight as always.

The big surprise for me was how much I enjoy the character of Discua. I think she's a hoot. I also enjoy it when Jorge Aravena gets to break out of his usual serious Elias character and do some comedy. In fact it seems like the entire cast is having a ball with this one; even the bulldog is having fun. However I do agree with some of you that Xochi and Mari have become extremely annoying.

So anyhoo, I'm so glad to see that this telenovela is being recapped because I really enjoyed what I have seen of it so far. I'll try to check in now and again when I have an internet connection. Right now I'm anchored in a lovely bay about halfway up the eastern coastline of Baja California getting a pretty good internet connection from a house on the hillside.
 

Ahoy Cap'n! How's the ocean??
 

It can be heaven and sometimes it can be very challenging, but mostly it is terrific and amazing. There is a lot of sea life here in Bahia Concepcion and we've been eating lots of fresh fish. We heard that two whale sharks showed up in the Bahia yesterday, so we'll try to find these magnificent creatures and observe them.

I've had many opportunities to use and improve my Spanish so all our Spanish "club meetings" out on the patio have really paid off. I've even had to communicate in Spanish over VHF radio; talk about challenging!
 

Oh Sylvia...how wonderful to hear from you. I keep forgetting to check in on your sailing blog, so it's especially wonderful to "hear your voice" so to speak.

I love Colunga but I think he is miscast for this role. He's too mature, too manly.... to place this trusting innocent Candide character. I almost think Wm Levy would have been a better choice, just because he's younger and has a basic clueless look that this role calls for. But...not really complaining because I'll take Colunga anyway I can get him.

For Marisela and Xochi...poor directing. But Latino comedy in general I find over the top. After all, if you're ever seen La Hora Pico or La Familia Peluche you know subtlety is not the norm.
 

Sorry..meant to say "play" not "place" this trusting, innocent Candide character.
 

I think that FC has great chemistry with Valentina. Maybe that says more about her than about him? But I do recall that he seemed to really bond with the children in some of his other telenovelas too. I remember in Alborada how the little boy would always squirm away from poor Lucero and run to FC whenever FC entered the scene.

This seems to be another one of those telenovelas where FC is cast as a character who seems impossibly younger than the actor. Oh well, he is a favorite (of mine too) so I will cut the casting directors some slack here. Like you say, any reason to enjoy his masculine wonderfulness is OK by me.
 

I don't know if I even think FC's miscast. I just think he should play the character with more intensity. Granted it would be a different interpretation of the character, but it might work better for him and for us.

Sometimes it seems like he's holding back (or being told to hold back). Maybe he is holding back, to increase the impact for those rare occasions when Chucho really needs to let loose on someone. But given their fondness for goofy effects I think they could accomplish the same thing by emphasizing angry outbursts with a clap of thunder and maybe a gratuitous Front Double Biceps pose. ;-)
 

Mads, thanks for a rollicking recap! I felt as if I was right there in La Fontaine with all of our imaginary friends. Can't wait to watch.


 

Ahoy, Sylvia! Hope you find the whale sharks!
 

Gracias, Madelaine. The recap made for great weekend reading. It was so down to Earth. I am finally caught up!!!
Pablo, thank you for the vocabulary lessons.
Madelaine- I loved-"She is downing this champagne like she's been on a desert island for a year!" and "You can't bull*hit a bull*hitter".
Vivi- I just love how you go deeply into the plot, thank you.
 

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

Cap'n Sylvia:

So happy to see you here. We've missed you! I too think this TN is a hoot. I am with you about Discua. I am really enjoying her character so different from what this actress has done before.


 

I am a bit like Carlos and like to defend some of the characters that seem to have bad flaws. I am really enjoying Maricela, and I think the next time I recap I am calling her Mari, the name she hates, lol. I like the character, because the same actress was in UFCS where she played a fresa character with a heart of gold. She is the exact opposite here. I think Mari's pretensions are way over the top and will be curious to see why she is the way she is. I think she has a real fear of being poor for the rest of her life. She wants all the good things in life, but is going about it the wrong way. I think she probably uses her money for very vain material things. Even though we haven't seen her in anything but the Avon uniform, I wonder what she has in her closet? Also take a look at that watch she wears. Very expensive.

Xochi I feel bad for. The poor thing is an ugly duckling and I really think there is a swan in there somewhere. I really think no man has ever really talked to her before, not the way that Chucho does. She is taking things to extremes by the clinging but she is really afraid she'll lose him, even though he isn't hers to lose. She is an old-fashioned type of girl. I hope when her inner swan comes out she can pick and choose a good guy.

Jess I kind of feel sorry for too. She uses her body to get what she wants and it really isn't the way to go. If she would just team up with the good guys she could get back at Fern for using her. I wish she would be a team with Susana, Mari and Xochi and get back at Fern.

The reason I kept putting Gilberto's name as Don Gilberto cause he reminds me of a Don Juan, lol. Gilberto's character reminds me of the character in Dinero, whose wife and mother-in-law constantly harangued him. Gilberto's character though has more guts, to be taking out another woman.

Maybe now we are getting a reforming of the two sillies. We'll have to see.
 

Funny, Mads - the name "Gilberto" reminds me of Mr. Gil, a flamboyant hairdresser in my neighborhood when I was a kid. I can't say this character reminds me of Mr. Gil, but the mental association of that name is so strong that even decades later, I can't seem to shake it. (It'd be different if I'd ever known even one other Gilbert in my life, but that's not how things turned out.)
 

Thanks, Mads for the awesome recap.

Vivi: Like your take on Vero. She's actually one of my fav characters. As for FC and the comedy thing, right now his comedy acting seems to be just a lot of mugging.

I like Blance Soto's Alma. The only think I saw her in was the first few eps of El Tal. I like her sweet character in this TN.

Now back to read the rest of the comments.

Nanette
 

Nanette--Too bad you didn't see Blanca in Eva Luna. She made me fall in love with Guy Ecker, right along with her. The second half of the tn, not so much. Forget El Tal--it was a disasterous romp for all the cast (see Caray's grand final--without the 'e'), writing, directing, continuity, hair & make-up, costumes, everything. But on Caray, we had a ball. It was Madelaine who kept us on the downward avocado & feather-filled slippery slope to the end.

Anita, La Dama del Queso
 

Anita: yeah. Missed Eva Luna and couldn't get into El Tal. Have never seen Guy Ecker or Wm Levy in a TN, yet.

Flaco saw the FC play and liked it.
 

Hurray for the bad characters like Vero and Mari, how else can be carp endlessly?? FC is perfect in every way so what else can I say. Maybe they can change the script to suit him better... Alma is indeed the lovely straight woman. I wouldn't want the screechy Mayrin in this role although I like her in others.

Ohhhh, Cap'n Sylvia it is divine to hear from you and I am so glad your Baja adventure is going so well.

Mads, you are the BEST!! Another episode that flies out of the park. Thank you, thank you.

Gotta put on my boots and head for the compooter to render the Monday episode in a few minutes.

So far all my Boston and Watertown treasured friends are present and accounted for although there were some awfully close calls. I hope this week finds more peace in the world for all of us.