Caray, Caray!

GENERAL

Thanks NovelaMaven for the link to the Ilan Stavans article. Very interesting.
 

MARIDO EN ALQUILER – LUNES

Griselda opens the door, surprised to see Teresa Cristina there. Antonio is also out there and wonders what TC is doing there. Back at Casa Palmer/Ibarra, Reinaldo has decided to go after his wife.

Griselda thinks TC has come for her handyman services and says she’ll just grab her toolbox and they’ll go. She warns her it will cost extra because of being in the middle of the night.

TC tells her to shut up. She goes on to say that Gris has had a fantasy about Reinaldo, her husband. TC asks her if she has a mirror in this hovel she lives it. She tells her to look at it and be honest. Gris would see what everyone sees: a joke of a person. Not a woman, not a man, not anything. TC says that she agrees with Tony about one thing; that he’s right to be ashamed of his mother. And my hope that Gris would kick her in the seat of the pants goes up in smoke.

Antonio goes in and tries to comfort his mother, but he’s told to leave.

On the way back TC has one of her psychotic breaks. Manuel stops the car, gets in the backseat with her and listens to her crazy talk. She says there are devils with big black hands after her. They have pointy teeth and are biting her. [Sorry, I don’t feel at all sorry for her.]

Amalia and Rafa have spent the night in Fashion Motors. Where does this jerk live anyway?

Quique and Clara are discovered canoodling in the shower by her son Leo who, of course, rags on his mother. [It’s shameful to have a lover, but perfectly OK to steal!]

Max and Barbie rehash what happened at the fright. Max says it’s a lie that he hit his head. He describes a problem with his heart, a pain in his chest and his heart beating like a drum. Max says he made up the blow to the head so the doctor wouldn’t do further tests. [Hmmm. These two are hiding something.] Barbie just says he got too nervous and chickened out in the ring. When he tells her he doesn’t want to die in the ring, our charming Barbie responds that everyone dies someday. He can’t believe what she’s said.

Gris goes to the bathroom, looks at herself in the mirror and collapses in sobs. [I was very disappointed that Gris tomó tanto a pecho what evil TC said.]

TC snaps out of it and turns on Manuel, who’s been trying to deal with her.

I see trouble ahead, and lots of it for Esther and Juan Pablo. He’s remembering Marcela’s kisses, and he refuses again to go see Dr. Alba with his wife.

Tía Iñes wants the guest room, but Marcela has locked her stuff inside before leaving the house. After another mention of the secretito, TC agrees to try to get Marcela out and sends Tía Iñes to stay at her daughter’s posada, the Blue Dophin.

Tony has a huge hangover and thinks Pati will never want to see him ever again.

Reinaldo lets himself into Griselda’s house and follows her loud sobs to her bathroom. He tries to comfort her, saying he knows his wife was there and said horrible things to her. She asks if he’s come to insult her some more. He keeps trying to apologize, but she tells him she doesn’t want to ever see a member of his family again. She tells him to go to his wife and care for her because she’s completely crazy. Before he leaves, he tells her not to believe what people might say about her. She’s a lady and an admirable person. She tells him he’s the most mannerly and gentlemanly person she’s ever known. And tells him goodbye.

After he leaves she tells Amalia to cancel her jobs for a week and to pick up Quiquito after school. She’s going to bed for a week.

Reinaldo returns home. TC tells him in a haughty tone that she’s been waiting for him. The way he looks at her, I don’t think she’s going to like what he’s going to say next.
 

MARIDO

Escribió Novelera:

"Gris goes to the bathroom, looks at herself in the mirror and collapses in sobs. [I was very disappointed that Gris tomó tanto a pecho what evil TC said.]"

Ditto. I thought Gris is proud of who she is so those nasty comments from TC should just roll off her back.
 

MARIDO:

Great job Novelera! I too was disappointed to see Gris buckle under TC's cruel words instead of kicking her skinny tail out of her house.

But I don't think this means that Gris isn't proud of who she is and what she's accomplished. I do think she's reached a point in her life where she is yearning to be held, cherished, romanced and loved (and specifically by Reinaldo, which is also what hurts her).

In the years that she has been laser focused on raising her kids, keeping a roof over their heads, and building her business, she has forgotten about herself, and now the picture of herself (through TC's eyes) is not one she's happy with. I don't begrudge her having a cry over it. Gris the strong warrior, the businesswoman, the mom, the friend, etc., is wonderful. But Gris the woman, has been ignored for too long. I don't want her to turn into a TC clone, but she should start pampering herself a bit and doing things that make her happy and make her laugh.

As much as Leo's attitude about Clara bothered me, I'm afraid he will be proven right that Clara will only end up getting hurt since Quique is clearly not over Barbie.

Cute scene of the episode-- Ivan running into a surfboard after observing Paloma doing yoga on the beach.

Also, Gabe shaved, got a trim, ironed his shirt, and has tucked it in, and now all the ladies can't take their eyes off him. I still don't think Gris will give him the time of day, but it might inspire her to do some personal sprucing up of her own. The overalls are perfect for work, but she really doesn't need to wear them 24-7.

 

Marido

Thanks for the recap, Novelera! I think Griselda has a lot of things hitting her at once. Most importantly, there's the huge blow of Tony disowning her, not appreciating everything she's done for him, and turning out to be a jerk. This undermines the foundation of her self-worth and identity for the last several years--bulwark and support of her children. Next you have the fact that, whether she admits it or not, she's fallen head over heels for Reinaldo, a married man with a glamorous wife. Then Teresa Cristina's verbal assault hits both of her major points of vulnerability.

And I kind of like the methodical, responsible way Griselda decided to go to bed and crawl under the covers for an indefinite period of time.

Otherwise this seemed like an awfully slow moving episode. (I cannot get excited about Gabriel's make-over. I don't think it's particularly better than his previous look.) The highlight for me otherwise might have been Ivan running into the surfboard. I like that storyline and I just wish he was more attractive. (And then the gorgeous actor playing JP is wasted for me in a storyline that just doesn't intrigue me as much.)

I want Manuel to die horribly. And I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of twists the writers are going to come up with to get Reinaldo and Griselda together at least temporarily before long. (Because they're not going to stay apart until the very end, right? That's not how telenovelas work.)
 

MARIDO:

UtahDesert- That was pretty funny how Gris made sure all of her responsibilities were taken care of (Kikito and her clients) before she took to her bed. Kikito doesn't even need to sleep in her bedroom anymore with Tony's room free, so she can curl up and close the door, with no worries.

Does Gris have more bedrooms than TC? It seems that they are fighting over a total of three bedrooms in TC's mansion, yet Gris had four bedrooms. Maybe Iris should move into Tony's room. :)
 

MARIDO:

Thanks for the recap, Novelera. I was moved by the scene with Gris, maybe it was the music, but I was definitely feeling for her, and I felt she did a great job of acting in that scene.

Where does Rafa live? Well, he might as well live at Paloma's Inn, most of the other characters do. I was hoping he'd get caught after his tryst with Amalia at the Moto shop, but no such luck.

Sol and Celeste lucked out that Manuel had to work all night, after having been worried he'd find out she was singing in that club. Manuel is dirt, but he got treated as such by TC, who told him to take a shower in the garage because he smelled. How nice of her, when the guy helped her through her "episode". Hopefully Rei will set her straight tonight.
 

SANTA DIABLA:

Wouldn't you know it, Fran discovers her stuff is missing, Lucy ends up tossing it into the sea, but who's going to investigate? Pancho, her boyfriend, who is somewhat clueless about things.

As is Arturo, who had no idea Lisette, whom he's agreed to marry, has an 18 year old son.

I loved it when Santa, after successfully drugging Bert this time, shows up in her robe just as he wakes up, as if she's been there all the time!

I've had it with George, poisoning Gaspar again.

Paula actually didn't get caught this time, putting that folder in her pocketbook. But that Ines sure is causing more problems, both in the office (apparently her Dad Vicente founded the law firm), and in Santiago's room, where she shows up ready for some action.

I was glad that after Horti threw a rock, breaking the glass of Mara's cafe, Mara saw her, and filed a complaint. I was NOT glad that the guy taking the complaint was Mr. Misogynist Carlos!
 

MARIDO

Thanks for the recap, Novelera!

I was sorely dissapointed in Gris's reaction to TC's cruel words.
She should've kicked her sorry @ss out!

But always the responsible one, she's taking care of her responsibilities before crawling into bed.. LOL.
Hopefully she's not hiding too long.

Maybe she should really put on that makeup and the dress and stroll over to TC's house to give her a piece of her mind while Rei looks over.. :)

IMHO Gabe looks good enough to eat, more so since the clean up, but the guy who plays Ivan not that bad either.
They really should hook him up with Paloma instead of playing the playboy.

 

MARIDO

Thank you for the recap, Novelera. I couldn't watch last evening so I'm very appreciative of your write-up and comments. And, yes, I'm also curious about where Rafa lives. There's got to be something he's hiding.

I'm sorry I missed the TC/Gris encounter. It sounds like TC was at her most horrid. Knowing what we know about Gris, though, she'll spend her time in bed thinking and analyzing and regrouping. I'll predict she comes out of her bedroom with a "plan" to improve her life.

Didn't get to see Gabe's make-over - looking forward to tonight.

Beth
 

MARIDO

Muchas gracias, Novelera, for your excellent recap, including the snarky parenthetical comments, such as "[It’s shameful to have a lover, but perfectly OK to steal!]"

Wow, after BarbiDoll's "Well, everyone has to die sometime," I was hoping Max would kick her out on her surgically enhanced a$$. He seems to be decent and sensitive, so why doesn't he recognize how crass, mercenary, and unfeeling she is?

I probably misheard what Gris said to Reinaldo, but it sounded to me as if she told him he's the most mannerly and gentlemanly person she's ever met, along with Gabe (or something like that). Am I nuts? Is she nuts?


 

SANTA DIABLA

Well, it looks like Contemptible Carlos has a yen for Mara. Hopefully this will spur some action against Hortensia. Can't think of anyone I'd rather see in handcuffs!

I hope they tone down Inés pretty soon. I liked Ximena Duque so much as Samantha in Corazón Valiente that it's painful to watch her as this character.

I'm pretty sure Carlos assigned Pancho to apparently full-time duties watching the Cano manse so as to keep him far from the trata de blancas investigation. And wouldn't they assign a uniformed guy instead of a detective for that?

When are these dummies going to realize that what Willy Jr., needs in his life is music? The only time he spoke was when Santiago asked him if he wanted him to play the sax. He appears to have inherited his father's musical genetic makeup.

This is the first time I've seen Carlos Ponce in anything. Judging from comments here he makes some female Carayers hearts go pitty pat. He doesn't do anything for me. Maybe it's because he's the bad guy.
 

SANTA and MARIDO

Hombre, thanks for your mini-recap. I agree that Carlos (who took Mara's complaint) is a misogynist, but what troubled me at least as much was the leer on his face as he looked at her.

I didn't think any woman in the two telenovelas I'm watching would top Teresa Cristina in Marido for perra-ness. However, I've now found at least two women I detest more: Barbi in Marido and Ines in Santa. Both of them are like fingernails on the blackboard for me.
 

SANTA

Novelera, it's true that Willy Jr spoke for the first time in years when Santiago played his saxophone, but it wasn't the only time he spoke. IIRC, he spoke a whole sentence or two when he pleaded with his mother not to marry Humberto.
 

SANTA

It looked like Santa Amanda was getting the venganza plan back on track but then she ran into Santi….

Ines is a real piece of work. I know we have to have someone like her in every tn, but she really grates on my nerves. If I were Paula, I wouldn't have left Ines alone at the front desk with my purse (and the Willy file).

We didn't hear what George put in G-Cano's drink, only that it leaves no trace in the body. I'm hoping the crooks get to George soon.

Barbie is also living dangerously - back seat sex with hot strangers. Seems like this could catch up with her in a very bad way.

Art really has a tiger by the tail. Lisette has dollar signs in her eyes, and nothing, not even Hortie, will stop that wedding.

And pobre Ivan. First he heard from Hortie that his mother is getting married, and then Lisette tells him to go tell Bert about the marriage. I feel for the kid.

Carlos was much more interested in Mara than in her complaint about Hortie. I wonder how he's going to play this to his advantage.

Beth
 

DYO martes, part 1/3

So sorry it took me so long to get this up… I think I’m just going to have to stick to mini-caps from now on!

Gina is pressuring Pedro to announce his overseas trip, but after finding out Iggy has left Tomas, he won’t answer her.

Ignacia is getting comforted by Abue and JM, when Mariano walks in. Iggy wants him to go away.

Lupita is seriously ticked that Ruben is drunk in the courtyard with Neto.

Gema is at dinner telling Emilio her sad story, her parents died and she had to raise her brother, and then he got sick. He flatters her and calls her a beautiful warrior. BLECK.

Lupita is staying at Mireya’s for the night since her ride home is borracho. She thought he had changed. Mireya manages to get a word in about what a liar Pedro is.

Iggy’s getting comforted by AA and JM. Abue gets worked up thinking Tomas may have hit Ignacia but Iggy assures her he didn’t. They convince her to stay at the apartment tonight, she’ll sleep in Abue’s room just like when she was a little girl.

Mireya ambushes Pedro when she sees him in the courtyard. Merrinche ensues, and she calls him a liar and a coward, and then she challenges him to stick to his word… they should go to London this week. Her behavior is making a lifetime in London with her such an attractive prospect.

Gema gushes to Candy about their fairy tale date, and how she was able to make snotty maître-d eat his words.

Merrinche continues, but Pedro isn’t responding as she wants him to. “you’re the one who proposed we go overseas, who gave me this ring, who said you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me… you have to cumplir your promise!! We leave THIS WEEK, decision MADE!” He walks away from her into the house, her merrinche gets the best of her and she launches her self out of her chair, pacing around in the courtyard (thank goodness the only two families living in the vecindad seem to be the Perez’s and the Gomez’s… has anyone noticed there seem to be no other neighbors??). She suddenly realizes what she’s doing and gets back in the chair. Uh-oh, someones getting sloppppppppy!

Margarita is sweeping the patio when Oleg comes up and asks “how is the most good-lookin seamstress in the vecindad?” Marge gets dizzy and Oleg gets worried. By the way, Marge mentions, I may not have much time left and I don’t really want to waste my time just hanging out and taking walks… what exactly are your intentions toward me? Oleg just wants to see her happy, enjoying the life she deserves. “Then what?” Marge wants to know. She goes in the house. Oleg looks conflicted.
 

DYO lunes (just realized I put martes on part 1), part 2/3

Ruben has once again made it home safely after a drunken joyride on his moto (drunk driving PSAs are SO last decade). AA and Mariano want to know where Lupita is, and Ruben suddenly remembers she stayed at the vecindad because “she wasn’t feeling well.” AA sends Ruben off to bathe, and Mariano mentions that he’d really like to have Ignacia staying there for a while so they can spend some quality daddy/daughter time.

Ruben is at the obra, and Tomas walks in demanding to know where Ignacia is. Ruben says she’s not coming in today, and Tomas demands to know why he’s surrounded by people who never work. Mireya wheels in, demanding to see Ignacia. Tomas tells Mireya this isn’t the vecindad, and she needs to leave or he will tell her daddy. She tells Ruben to tell Iggy she needs to see her and Tomas gives her chair a little push out the door. Then he tells Ruben to call him when Iggy shows up and threatens his job.

Lupita runs into Angel in the courtyard and he turns on the thug-charm. She thanks him for helping her during the robbery, but she has to go. He wants to know her name and she tells him Guadalupe. It’s destiny! He says, and refers to the Virgencita de Guadalupe he’s wearing. She says she’s not interested in going out with anyone… she’s pregnant and she’s left school and her house. She walks away, but he’s up for the challenge.

ABue is at Casa Villanomayor, and Estela is threatening to “out” her past unless she tells Ignacia word for word what Estela wants her to.

Isabel is going through HR files and comes across her brother’s. She’s plagued by memories of Angel threatening to return to the streets if she doesn’t help him. JM comes in and asks for coffee.

Abue is in shock at what Estela wants Abue to tell her. “If you really knew your daughter, what a good person she was, you would know that this will hurt her in the worst way.” But it looks like she might be resigned to do it.

Mariano is painting in the middle of the living room, dressed in business-casual again. Iggy emerges and he wants to make her the best breakfast of her life.

Estela meets up with Tomas at the office and assures him Ignacia will be back soon. JM is on his way out and asks about Isabel’s brother, she says he’s… um… been sick. JM tells her to let him know when he’s feeling better and they can get him that job.

Angel’s mom wants him to go to mass with her, but he’s got an “interview” (ahem). She insists he wear a suit to make a good impression. No need, jefa, he says, but she insists.

At the car wash, Barbie from the strip club shows up… Is this where they’re looking for models and actresses? Gema goes to check with the boss, and Barbie is looking around in disgust, sure this is a mistake.

Ignacia goes to see Pedro at Casa Perez and he asks if it’s true that she’s really left Tomas. She says yes, they smooch, which starts sweet and turns into heat, but Iggy pulls away. She’s ready to confront everything for him, but he has to break it off with Mireya. She won’t be with him until he’s no longer engaged.

 

DYO lunes, part 3/3

Lupita is on her way to a doctor’s appointment and Ruben wants to go, but she’s still mad about the drinking thing. “You said you didn’t want the mother of your hijo to be ignorant, well, I don’t want the father of my hijo to be a drunk!” (Chipmunk’s growing some cajones!! Yay!!) She leaves.

Jefe de carwash greets Barbie, happy she’s there for the job of “promotora”, but Barbie isn’t having it and accuses them of false advertising and goes on to insult Gema and Candy. She tells them if they’re going to charge guys to look at them, they might as well make some real money. She hands them a card from the “gentleman’s club.” Gema scoffs and throws it away, but Candy digs it out of the trash. So THAT’s where this is going. I knew we’d get to the strip club eventually.

Ignacia wants Isabel to set up a meeting at the obra for the workers and their families, and be sure to invite Lupita.

Marge is so glad to be working with Mireya as a seamstress, and she hopes it will be a loooong partnership. Mireya is looking conflicted. “I have to tell you about the decision Pedro and I have made,” she says, but then Gina calls Marge and Marge excuses herself.

Abue returns to the apartment looking for Ignacia, but Mariano says she’s already left. AA says she has bad news about her mother. Oh my lord in heaven, please don’t do what I think you’re going to do.

It’s time for Marge and Gina to go to the doctor to get the results of the exams and Pedro want to go, but Marge says no.

Ruben tells Ignacia that both Tomas and Mireya were there at the obra looking for her, and he wants to know why. “Don’t tell me there really is something between you and Pedro…”

Mama is admiring Angel in his suit, forgetting to demand he take off that ridiculous bandana. Angel gets a call from Isabel. She’ll help him get the job, but if he screws up even once, she’ll be the first one to rat him out.

Pedro follows Gina and Marge out, and Mireya rolls up. Marge tells Mireya when she gets back Mireya can tell her that important thing she was going to say. The ladies leave and Pedro wants to know “what important thing???” Mireya gloats. “You’re scared to death, aren’t you?”

Lupita’s not sure she wants to stay at the apartment with Ruben, but Mariano tries to convince her to stay. Mariano leaves to go to the grocery store, but tells Lupita to wait until he gets back. He leaves, then Tomas bursts in… “Where is Ignacia???”

Abue is waiting for Ignacia at the obra… they need to talk. AA needs to ask her if she’ll go back to the Casa with her mom… Estela needs you because she is very ill. AAAAAAARG! I was SO hoping Abue wouldn’t go through with it, I’m disappointed ☹ She’s always been Ignacia’s closest ally, this thing Estela has on AA must be B.I.G.

Fin del capitulo

 

DyO

Thanks so much, AnotherAmy. Loved your recap!

This ploy of Estela's is just disgusting. I'm sure it's too much to hope for that Ignacia won't fall for it. In my fantasy Iggy gives a wicked cackle and tells her Abue: "If she and Tomás are so close, let him do the bedpan duty!"

Are we ever going to get Margarita's complete diagnosis and treatment options? I know this is very, very mean; but I wouldn't lose any sleep if she didn't make it to the end of the novela. She's a very annoying weakling.
 

DyO
AnotherAmy, thanks for the glorious recap with glitter on top! I am bummed out because I will miss Tuesday and Weds episodes. But I know you and the other commenters will keep me on track.
Novelera: let's you and I vote Marge off the show right now. I just can't stand her pre-adolescent simper when she's around Olegario. Is that supposed to be cute? 'Cause it isn't!
J in Oregon
 

DYO

Count me in for the "vote Marge off" club. I'm over her.

I'll be moving to my brother's on Friday to stay a few weeks, and then I'm off to Honduras Sept 25! Super excited, and really hoping my internet connection will let me watch online! No more DVR for me :(

Off-topic, but started watching Amor Bravio on hulu over the weekend (I'm a little late to that party). Man, I miss Silvia Navarro... she has got to be one of my all-time favorites, even with those veins in her forehead! I do really prefer her with curly hair, tho.
 

OFF-TOPIC:

Amy- Have a great time at your brother's and then in Honduras!

Yes, SN is my fave. No one cries as real as she does. I also like her curly/wild look from CME. Sonia Smith has now been added to my faves. I like her natural style, and she can bring it with the very real tears too.
 

DyO

Amy, thank's for such a detailed recap. I couldn't watch last night so your recap is great!

When will someone spot Mireya out of her chair? This ploy has gone on long enough for me. She's another one who is getting on my last nerve.

Maybe tonight we'll get Marge's diagnosis and recommended treatment. She's so convinced she's going to die soon, she'll probably be depressed and upset no matter what the doctor tells her.

This tn has some awful mothers, and Estela is the worst of the bunch. I hope Iggy sees through the lie and DOESN'T GO BACK!

Ruben's drinking is probably going to lead to a PSA for teenage alcohol abuse. I hope he doesn't get hurt on that bike.

Beth
 

DyO
Off topic: AnotherAmy, good luck with your move; hope things go smooothly.
How is your kitty? Is he/she going with you?
J in Oregon
 

OFF-TOPIC:

Amy- Silvia Navarro hosts a get together with about 30-50 members of her fan club (Navarro Team) each year. They get to hang out with her, chat, eat, get autographs, take pics, etc. She hosts them in one of the salons of her restaurant. She just held one of these last month. She's very loyal to her fans. Here is a video from last month's event, as well as pics below the video: http://silvianavarrotk.mforos.com/2088350/11130277-mensaje-de-silvia-y-fotos-de-la-reunion-navarrera-2013/
 

OFF TOPIC

Vivi, thanks for the video! She just seems like such a genuine, positive person. I adored her character in CME (even her quirky outfits), and saw her in Labios Rojos with Jorge Salinas... then I just recently saw her in a cute movie called Te Presento A Laura (she had a minor role, but was great), so I looked her up and found her on hulu latino in Cuando Seas Mia (with her feisty, curly hair again!), and now I'm alternating between that one and Amor Bravio! She's the whole package :)
 

DYO miercoles, mini-cap
Condensed scenes, not in order

Ignacia is reeling from the news of Estela's supposed illness and Abue flees, wracked with guilt. Iggy packs her things, all the while stewing about how self-sacrficing Mama is... not wanting to tell anyone about her illness to cause stress. For a reasonably intelligent, educated woman, Ignacia has a BIG FAT brain cloud where her mother is concerned. Later she tells Tomas she's moving back, but ONLY FOR HER MOTHER. He marvels at Estela's mad manipuladora skillz. Abue has a convo with Estela trying to make her feel guilty about hurting her daughter this way, but her arguments whistle right through Estela's hollow soul.

Neto is searching for cosmic meaning and universal harmony. Not even kidding. He’s (gasp) reading on the construction site. Olegario wants him to talk to Mireya about why she’s been in such a bad mood recently. Neto doesn’t think she’ll confide in him but he promises to try. When he does, he gets a little taste of “Pedro es MIO! MIO! MIO!” and is starting to catch on that she’s teetering on the brink of the deep end.

Back at the depto, Tomas has burst his way into the apartment to demand to see Ignacia, but finds Lupita instead and berates and intimidates her, telling her that the money Estela gave her, which she is using to support her baby, is actually his money, and therefore he’s the one that manages things around here. And Ruben betrayed him, so he’s going to make sure Ruben never amounts to anything in life, never gets ahead. He insinuates he’s paid Ruben to spy on people in the past. He leaves, Lupita is upset and the vientre pains / squealing start.

Immediately after Tomas, Estela rushes to the apartment and is barking at Lupita to tell her what’s going on, why is she making those annoying squeaking sounds. Mariano comes in to find Estela barking and Lupita squealing and nobody calling an ambulance. He shouts to Estela “what did you DO?” because Estela has a colorful track record with pregnant women, and then he yells at her to call an ambulance but she bolts. Enter Ruben, who is very worried about Lupita when he sees her, and is very sweet and comforting, even giving her a little kiss which seems to calm her down. Eventually she gets to the hospital, and everything turns out to be okay.

Angel is planning to use his job at the construction site to open up bigger and better avenues for “business” ventures.

Well, Beth, you hit the nail on the head! She gets good news from the doctor, that he thinks it’s isolated enough they can just take care of it with surgery, but Marge doesn’t see it as good news because her aunt died in appendicitis surgery. She’s freaking out. Through the rest of the episode. FF.

Emilio treats Gema to a spa day. FF.

Mireya spills the beans to Marge about going to Europe. Pedro is mad and says its not a done deal, Marge is sick of all the secrets. OMG, Pedro, grow some huevos and tell Mireya NO FREAKING WAY AM I GOING TO EUROPE WITH YOU.

JM has a heart-to-heart with Pedro, saying that he knows they love each other, and there’s no way she’ll ever be happy with Tomas, so when things are over in the Marriage from Hades, please make her happy. (Grateful I was wrong, for now, about JM on the train to Ignaciaville!!) . Pedro sneaks Iggy’s picture out of the obra office. (Really? She has a picture of herself in her office?)

Somebody. PLEASE. Catch. Mireya. OUT OF HER CHAIR. Done with that storyline, too!

Characters NOT on my nerves right now: Ruben, JM, and Neto. That's about it.
 

DYO Correction

SON OF A CRACK MONKEY, I did it again!!! the last recap should have been martes, not miercoles! Good grief.
 

MARIDO EN ALQUILER – MARTES – Part 1

Teresa Cristina appears to have little to no ability to read other people. When Reinaldo walks into the house grimly, she gets right on her high horse. She is furious he apologized to Griselda on her behalf. Reinaldo can’t believe that she doesn’t realize that Gris had nothing to do with Tony’s appearance at the big party. She nastily brings up his working through the nights with Griselda without telling her.

She rants on and on and tries to throw him out of HER bedroom in HER house. She says it’s her money and her restaurant. His face like a storm cloud, he asks her if she’s trying to humiliate him. She sees that she’s gone too far, but he tells her he’s hasta aquí con tus majaderias y estupideces! (new word: majaderías – absurdities, nonsense). He elicits a rather reluctant apology from her.

He tells her why he gave Griselda the job of the restaurant renovation. It was to compensate her for the humiliation she experienced at their house. He felt awful when her son denied her that way, and thanks to TC’s absolute lack of self control, Gris left feeling awful.

Rei goes on to say he values Griselda because she’s a good person, a fighter, and a professional. This raises TC’s voice several octaves and she shrieks: ¡Fea, Fea, Fea!. Rei doesn’t miss a beat. He tells her he’s surprised that a woman of HER AGE still thinks that one’s exterior appearance is all that counts. He does end up telling the harpy that she’s "dueña de mi corazón". We see the big contrast between her kittenish joy at this and Reinaldo’s sad eyes.

Tía Iris and her “companion” turn up their noses at the size of the available rooms at Paloma’s Blue Dolphin. She then offers them Doña Olga’s house, but they freak at the fact that the owner recently died there. [I don’t remember; why is Paloma in charge of Doña Olga’s property?]

Max shows up at the gym to train. Clinton advises him to wait a bit, but Barbie says she doesn’t want him lying around the hotel getting fat and practically shoves him into the ring.

TC is sleeping in, Reinaldo has gone to the restaurant, and Ro gets off a great line. He says he’s not a vet for the mad cow, so he’s going to the beach with the dogs!

At the restaurant Juan Pablo continues to tell Reinaldo how opposed he is to the in vitro that Esther wants. Marcela shows up and practically leaps across the room to join JP at his table.

At the clinic Alba advises Esther to wait a while until JP gets used to the idea, but Esther is determined. The girlfriend of Alba’s deceased sobrino shows up to donate eggs.

Patti shows up in Tony’s university classroom to tell him she lied when she said she loved him at the party. She did it so he’d leave and thus not be beaten anymore by the security guys. He tries the forced kiss again, but it doesn’t work this time. When Daniel joins Tony later, he says he’s going to concentrate on his studies, with or without Patti.
 

MARIDO EN ALQUILER – MARTES – Part 2

Rafa and Leo commit another fraud. Leo is sent off with a fancy motorcycle that is to be stripped of the really valuable pieces at a junkyard, replaced with crappy ones, and then Leo is to deliver the moto to the client. Rafa then insults Susana when she’s being pleasant to a client, again saying she’s only there to make coffee. I have a feeling she’s going to be his downfall.

Something electrical goes wrong at the restaurant, and Reinaldo calls Griselda. But she doesn’t answer. He then sadly puts her card inside the glove she left and into a drawer.

Marcela is madly flirting with JP, and oversteps by saying that probably Esther isn’t there because she heard they were fighting. JP doesn’t like this at all.

Ro walks right by the beach bullies, but they just ignore him. Paloma tells him they’re ashamed but not man enough to admit it. Ro tries to join the beach volleyball game and is ridiculed. He tells them he was on his college championship team and says he’s a better player than all of them put together! This ends up being a challenge and a bet. TC asks JP to sponsor the team. Ro plans to call his team “Over the Rainbow”.

Barbie looks at photos on her computer, mostly she and Max. But there is one of Quiquito’s first birthday party with Quique in it. When Max returns she puts some serious moves on him.

Gabe goes to Griselda’s usual lottery vendor. He’s heard that the winning ticket was purchased at this location. He writes down the numbers. No one has claimed it yet.

JP is very cold to Esther at home. He asks if his opinion means anything to her. He then tells her he doesn’t want her to have a child.

After some steamy sex, Max collapses on top of Barbie. She eventually moves him onto his back and beats on his chest. He’s unconscious – or dead. We don’t yet know which.

Gabe turns on the light in Griselda’s bedroom after he’s asked Amalia her birthday. He’s figured out that the number Gris plays every week consists of her children’s birthdays, and those are the numbers that won. Gabe tells her she’s won $50 million!
 

DyO

Amy - I can tell you were on fire tonight. Great snarky recap. Best lines:

"Ignacia has a BIG FAT brain cloud"

" -her arguments whistle right through Estela's hollow soul."

"Neto is searching for cosmic meaning and universal harmony."

"-why is she making those annoying squeaking sounds."

And my personal favorite which has nada to do with the Dysfunctional and Obnoxious - "SON OF A CRACK MONKEY".

Interesting twisted logic from Nomas: because he gave Estela the money to bribe Lupita, and she's using it to pay for baby stuff, he calls the shots on everybody in his little universe.

AA should just fess up to whatever crime(s) she committed and get that CRACK MONKEY off her back.

Doesn't everyone keep a framed 8 X 10 glossy of themselves in their office?

Beth
 

GENERAL

Except for the first evening novela, when we get to see Doctora Ana María Polo slam down her gavel, I have noticed a BIG improvement in Telemundo's starting and ending times.

It used to drive me crazy the way the last two minutes or so of a show would bleed over into the next show's time slot. This doesn't seem to be happening now, and when you select a novela from the DVR menu you get that one, and only that one.

I wonder if they heard lots and lots of complaints?
 

MARIDO

Did she buy a ticket this time? I thought Amalia tried to get her to get one but she wouldn't get out of bed. I'm confused.


SANTA

Never ever go to wherever Marrero is. Full of stalkers. Seriously, this town. Jeez.

Inez and Lucy should be put in a cage to fight to the death. Winner takes on TC over at Marido. Those two drive me nuts with their pushy nosiness, Inez especially. Why can't she have an evil stalker to help get her off my tv?

Kelly
 

MARIDO:

Thanks again novelera! It seems we're about to enter a new phase in our story.

Kelly- Yes, she bought the ticket for the week. What Amalia was trying to get her to do was watch/read the results. This is the ticket we last saw Kikito playing with the night of the fight.

I hope Max isn't dead, but his death would fit with Barbie needing a new sugar daddy, right when the Carrascos have struck it rich in a very public way.

Pati and Tony both look like they are ready to move on. Pati even mentioned finding new love. Simon??

As for Rei and TC, he looked very aware that it wasn't true anymore when he told TC she is the owner if his heart. I like how he calmly called her out on all her crap, but we know it didn't really stick. But we do know that Rei is one of her main weaknesses. She can't be without him, and she'll do anything to keep him. This will not be pretty once Rei really decides he's had it up to here with her.
 

MARIDO

Thanks, novelera. Loved your recap, which gave me a new word and parts of scenes I somehow missed. I hope you're right about Susana's being Rafa's downfall.

I agree with Vivi that it looks as if the novela is entering a new phase, especially with Griselda's having won $50 million. Alas, the new phase is also likely to involve Barbie trying to re-enter K's life. I'm sure that ultimately she won't succeed, but only after many painful-to-watch episodes of trying.
 

MARIDO:

Novelera- To answer your question, Paloma owns the house Dona Olga lived in. She's quite the undercover entreprenuer-- she owns that house, the large boarding house, the natural juice stand, and a massage business. It seems their whole family is well off financially, so why does Tia Iris need to blackmail TC to live well? Or is it that she just always lives beyond her means?

I like how no one in this show is idle (except TC and Barbie). From the poor to the rich, everyone works hard or studies hard, or has ambitions. Many of them have their own businesses, where we actually see them working (a rarity in tns).
 

SANTA DIABLA Martes, Part 1

Iván has done as his mother asked, and tells Humberto, hi, I’m your son. Most of the other family members are outraged, especially Francisca. BTW, they’re all dressed to the nines, I’m not sure if this is some after honeymoon party, or what. Samanda is wearing a deep blue long gown with slits for the legs, low cut, showing off her magnificent cleavage, her black hair swept dramatically to one side. Bárbara also looks hot, and her reaction to the news is amusement. Little Daniela, apparently high as usual, thinks Iván is a dish, she wants him! Before Iván is kicked out, Bert admits the boy is telling the truth, and Iván, Gaspar and Bert retreat to Gaspar’s study to discuss the situation. Iván and Bert insult each other a bit, but Iván doesn’t want money, so Gaspar thinks the kid is okay. Fran doesn’t, wants some DNA testing.

Meanwhile, George has poured Gaspar a drink of his scotch, conveniently spiked with poison, and Gaspar has drained it. All of a sudden, Gaspar gasps, and collapses. He’s hustled into the bedroom, where Samanda says she knows CPR, let her through. She moves in close, smells his breath (it smells like almonds), and this means he’s been poisoned! She calls for milk, makes Gaspar drink a lot of it, this apparently dilutes the poison, and also maybe makes him throw up, we don’t see this, but soon thereafter Gaspar is all better. He’s grateful to Sam, who says she used to be a nurse. She tells him he was poisoned by someone close to him! Fran thinks this is nonsense. But later, Gaspar looks at his scotch, and remembers George had given him that glass to drink. Hmmm.

Inés is waiting for Santi in his bed, but he wants nothing to do with her, and kicks her out. She agrees to go, but warns him that she knows about him and Amanda. Later, when she goes to make trouble at the mansion, her brother Pancho has to physically carry her home.

Begoña had seen Sam kissing Santi in the hospital. She tells Paula, who goes bananas. She later slaps Sam, how COULD you?! Sam also had a how could I moment after saving Gaspar’s life, thinking back to how “all the Canos must be killed”. At this point, she’s not too big on killing Santi or Gaspar. It’s just her natural goodness, which is a pesky problem in revenge schemes. Her Mom and sister-in-law don’t seem to have this problem. At the end of the episode, Santiago was comforting Mara (yeah, he just happened to be in the neighborhood), someone comes in (sorry, can’t remember who), that Amanda is in love with Santiago. Santi hears this, smiles, she LOVES me?
 

SANTA DIABLA, Part 2

Arturo has come to visit Mara, and tells her of his great plan, to marry Lisette, and get his mother off his back. I don’t think he ever gets around to saying he’ll also have a child with Lisette. But Mara’s destroyed, of course. And guess who should show up? Carlos, yes he’s smitten with Mara, even told Tránsito, his hooker friend, that this could be the love of his life. But he’s not getting anywhere with Mara tonight, as Arturo is right there. Mara just walks out. She then decides to flush all her birth control pills down the sink, she’s gonna get pregnant. This should be fun!

Horti isn’t happy at all that Lisette has an 18 year old son. But Lisette says I’m marrying Arturo, like it or not, and we can be allies. I know a secret that you’ll be very amazed about, but if we work together, it’ll benefit us both!

Bárbara sneaks into a room. We see about 400 pairs of shoes in the closet, must be Daniela’s. Danni comes back, Mom, if you’re looking for drugs, forget it. I’ve been sober since the wedding! (2 days ago). So Barb leaves, Dani goes right to the pumps, since the open toed shoes can’t hide drugs, and gets out her little pills, pops one. In the morning she staggers out to the garden, and Sam is following. Sam sees Danni bury the pills under a bush. Later, Sam retrieves them, thinks to herself, I wonder how the little pipsqueak will react without her stash!

Lucy tells Pancho she could help him with his robbery investigation, but making a few things disappear, then he’d find them. He wants no part of this, it’s serious, he’s going to find the culprit and make them PAY!

Bert finds out Lisette is marrying Arturo, tells her not to, but Lisette will do what se le pega la gana. Bert’s also getting suspicious of Sam. He makes a call, says let’s put a tail on her, 24 hours a day. Uh oh!
 

Guys i have been left with no choice but to watch either M.I.A. or S.D.

M.I.A. Highs: Many actors i Recognize are in this.

Comical

M.I.A. Lows: Not really curious as to what happens in the next capitulo when the current one ends.

Only the Reinaldo TC Gris triangle is interesting to me

predictable storyline and tv cliches.


S.D. Highs: Many mysteries leaving me curious as to what happens next.

Gaby Espino returns to novelas

Carlos Ponce is a great Villian

Glad Ximena Duque got rid of that horrible blonde hair!

(Also many new actors in this but theres enough oldies here too!)

S.D. Lows: To me the Novela is depressing (Not surprising since its a mystery novela but still...)

Francisca is essentially a richer Estela Valdez (C.V.)

I wish Ezequiel Montalt wasnt evil.




Ill make my final choice next week but if anyone wants to throw in votes feel free to do so
 

MARIDO:

Great recap, Novelera! Thanks.

If Pati can start a romance with Simon, Tony needs to start one, too. Maybe Diosa will get some more voice acting, to go along with her "body acting".

There was a very funny scene where Elsa and Ro were eavesdropping outside of TC and Rei's door. We saw three bare legs with little shoes. Two were Elsa's, and the third's was Ro's, he was wearing the same kind of little shoes as she was!

Beatriz (the egg donor) and Esther exchanged looks. I guess it's likely Esther will get Beatriz's eggs, although of course it's supposed to be confidential.

Vivi, I agree it's very refreshing to have most of the characters with jobs, not just hanging around.
 

Thank you, Hombre, for your recap excelente! I loved the ladies dressed to the nines scene. They looked fabulous.

Have to run now, but just want to say I don't know why Samanda (love that too, Hombre) didn't slap that sad excuse for a sister-in-law right back. I'd have decked her.

Novelera, I can't help you out with your choice given I don't watch MIA. My other TN right now is La Tempestad.
 

SANTA

Sorry! My last comment was meant for Novelaman, not Novelera!

 

Santa,

thanks so much Hombre!

so Iván is the galan,
so smoothly he walked into the den of lions,
and announced he was Humberto's son,
first to help, when Gaspar collapsed,
instantly loved by all the girls, like Daniela,
refused any money/help,
and he writes love stories,
which swell Victoria's heart when she reads them,
I think they make a great pair, he with really no mother or father,
she, living in the cage Carlos made for her,

Inez sneaks into Santi's room and waits for him,
how did she know which one was his,
since he didn't live there anymore,

I'm thinking Gaspar will be looking kind of ragged by the end of this novela,
the way mild mannered George,
who changed his pinkish pants for a reddish coat for the family dinner,
is trying a new way to take him out EVERY show,

gasp, Santi awakes from a nightmare where longhair he and a girl are covered with,
is it cherry sauce, looks almost yummy,

Mara, torn by Arturo's new plan, goes to the cafe, and weeps,
Santi, without his sax for good background music,
stops by and quietly sits to hear her story,
she tries to explain her impossible love,
and describes Santi's as well,

Pancho stalks the outside of the Cano mansion,
in hopes of catching the illusive trinket snatcher,
who walks alongside him,

Paula and Begoña, on the sidelines, are enraged at Santa's attraction to Santi,
Paula confronts her, crack, and spins Santa around with a slap,
but Santi only hears the part where she loves him.

 

Marido

I loved the scene when Amalia was trying to get Griselda out of bed. Best part as when they yelled at each other angrily at the end:
Amalia: "Te quiero!"
Griselda: "Yo mas!"
And Amalia slams the door.

And of course I liked Reinaldo's scene with TC. I like the way that he called her on trying to use her money to control him: "Do you want to humiliate me? Blackmail me? Threaten me with your money?" He spoke to her rationally and she backed down. No TN cliche here. And then the blankness on his face when he was calling her the "duena de mi corazon."

Even though I'm annoyed by how stereotyped Ro's character is, I'm looking forward to seeing the all-gay volleyball team. Or maybe because I'm annoyed--that's why I want to see a bunch of good-looking and muscular gay men crush those idiots in a volleyball game.
 

Marido,

thanks so much novelera,
this is really a detailed/people packed story with lots going on,
it's so nice to have it all sorted out,

my favorite scene,
Paula confronts Antonio,
he moves in for a passionate, stolen kiss,
the Desnudo music blares... but then dies,
and we see her hand curl into a ball,
as he backs away,
no passion today Antonio,

also loved Griselda and Amalia,
yelling that they love each other,

and Reinaldo sadly tucking away Griselda's card with her forgotten glove,

poor, poor, Max,

so Reinaldo silently warns of Marcela and JP,
as Vanessa hovers about him,
Simon invisibly pointing to her,

and Ro walking the dogs,
but he always carries them,
so he plays volleyball, hmm, he's tall too,

this whole ivf thing keeps taking me back to "El Clon",
with a madman in the backroom dreaming of a new world,
the biggest attraction I've seen so far in this story,
is Guillermo´s sperm and Beatriz's eggs,

and I would have thought the ticket seller would have remembered Griselda's number.
 

DyO

thankyou, thankyou, Amy!

I think they are just going with shoe polish for Ignacia's dark teary eyes look,

Neto, such a sweetheart, knows what Mireya is going through and just doesn't want to get in the middle, but gets a dose of "MIO! MIO! MIO!" anyway, (haha Amy),

I really feel for Lupita, what is this thing where people come out of the woodwork just to RIP on her, she actually can take a lot, but Tomas really pushed her over the edge, (he was creeping me out as well) so sweet of Ru-ben holding her, giving her a loving kiss, this guy is really stepping up,

so Isabel is lying to JM,
are little ones ok,

and oh my goodness, Margarita,
*she has cancer, and is finally drug over to the doctor's,
he's optimistic but she had an Aunt that died in a simple surgery,
at home Gina finally calms her down,
*and in rolls Mireya, "Pablo and I are leaving"
Margarita is crushed, why didn't you tell me?
London? as she looks at Gina, you knew too, you all knew?
and nobody told me, again,
*then the call, Lupita is in the hospital, may lose her baby,

she needs to hang out with AA, play some cards, maybe tequilas for lunch.


 

MARIDO:

ITA about those funny moments. The angry declarations of love between Gris and Amalia; and the way Toni and Pati's love theme swelled only to then die like a scratched/warped record.

I really wish they weren't pushing this Ester IVF storyline. This is not a little thing that a husband and wife can resolve easily. This is marriage-ending stuff (really, something that should have been discussed BEFORE marriage), and I don't want to see this marriage end.

It would be easy to say that JP is being selfish, but there are plenty of people who don't want kids. That's not selfish. It would be worse to have a child and not want it. But I also understand Ester's desire to have a child (even if this realization is coming a bit late). They both have to decide if they can give up what they want (or don't want) in order to hold on to each other. If not, maybe it's time to part ways, and just be grateful for the time they did have together. Of course, the fact that they are also business partners makes this very messy.
 

I'm not happy with JP and Ester's storyline either. They started off so well, as a believable happy couple, and now they're in a throes of a contrived storyline. And yes, it is contrived. Ester's sudden obsession with becoming a mother (and this is how she puts it--becoming a mother rather than having a child) and the way that she's completely ignoring how her husband feels about it just don't ring true for the grounded and intelligent woman we were first introduced to. She and JP have managed a warm and happy marriage and successful business partnership for more than a dozen years now, undoubtedly based on communication and compromise, and now it's just all going to hell in a handbasket? The guy who so smoothly deflected a pass in the very first episode is letting Marcela flirt with him over lunch after she kissed him by force at TC's party? Ester is no longer working, living, thinking in partnership with JP?

At this point I find Reinaldo and TC's marriage more believable. He's put up with her all these years because of his initial love for her that he's managed to maintain out of loyalty and because of Patricia. She's so desperate for his love that she can even handle him standing up to her and telling her the truth now and then. (And this is believable because he's played by Juan Soler.) And, yes, finally he might be reaching the end of his patience, but you get the sense that this has built up naturally. (And now a crisis has been precipitated by the appearance of Griselda.)
 

MARIDO

"the way that she's completely ignoring how her husband feels about it just don't ring true for the grounded and intelligent woman we were first introduced to"

Utah, I couldn't agree more! The lack of communication in JP/Ester's relationship doesn't make sense... having seemingly built such a loving successful marriage and business partnership for so many years, it seems strange that all of the sudden they're both acting like this... Ester full steam ahead knowing JPs reservations and JP unwilling to hear her out (although when did she really try to have a dialogue with him about it rather than just a "this is what I'm going to do" lecture). At this point, I'm more sympathetic to JP (at least until he hooks up with maddening Marcela), just because Ester doesn't seem to value him enough to have a mature dialogue rather than the "this is what I'm going to do, it's what I've always wanted [really]?" conversations they've had so far. So sad, but I know a happy stable married couple is against the tn rules.

"Of course, the fact that they are also business partners makes this very messy."

Vivi, now that you said that, I'm almost sure this is where this story is headed! Can't just be a simple divorce, we need something to up the ante and the anger. I wonder if writers will have Ester have her baby, and JP suddenly realizing he was "wrong" about not wanting kids in some kind of "family values" type PSA. I hope not.
 

MARIDO

UtahDesert and Vivi: Your comments about JP and Esther were interesting.

I see that Esther springing this in vitro thing on him after so many years of childless marriage is hard on JP.

But, instead of sitting down with her, taking her hand, and trying to tell her how he feels, he's practicing first avoidance of talking about it at all, and secondly angry, rejecting behavior.

I'm 99% sure Esther's in vitro is going to work, and the fetus will be that of Alba's nephew and his egg-donor girlfriend.

So I'm half hoping Esther leaves him and finds someone else (Simón??). I think we all want someone for Simón, and I don't think it's going to be Patti.
 

MARIDO

So I just realized I repeated myself with the "This is what I'm doing" comment... I had to copy and paste and edit several times due to losing the page and apparently lost track of what I had already written. This week is kicking my @$$.
 

MARIDO

Novelera - wonderful recap! Muchas gracias. There was so much happening and you caught it all.

Funniest scene for me last night was Ro out-maneuvering the beach bullies. I'll bet his new "Over the Rainbow" team will look mucho buff in JP's new swimsuit line.

I hope Max isn't dead, but, as someone pointed out, if Max is dead, Barbie will have K's chest and Gris' $50 mil to cry on. Actually, even if Max isn't dead, I can see Barbie going after Gris' money through Kikito.

TC is getting closer to the edge. I think it's not going to take much to send her into a full blown psychotic episode.

I wonder about the TC-JP relationship. We know they are brother and sister, but do we know if they had the same mother and father. I've been wondering about TC's obvious mental instability vs JP's seemingly normal behavior, and if part of JP's resistance to having kids is his fear of being a terrible crazy parent.

Now where did Kikito put that lottery ticket???

Beth
 

SANTA

Thanks for your excellent recap, Hombre. It was a busy night in Marrero, and everybody had something to be unhappy about (except maybe Lisette).

The reveal du jour for me was Bert's phone call at the end. I think CC had Bert saying, "It's time to follow her day and night, AS YOU RECOMMENDED." It sounded to me like Bert had had SA investigated and been talking with someone about her for awhile. But we don't know how much Bert actually knows or guesses. I think he truly loves her and married her hoping that she loves him.

And why does Bert want Art to cancel the wedding? I missed something in their convo.

G-Cano is a smart guy and a good lawyer. I wonder if he'll do something to guarantee he's worth more to George alive than dead

Ines is a spoiled, awful brat. Pancho dragging and carrying her kicking and screaming out of Casa Cano was too funny. Too bad her papa is such an enabler.

Beth
 

SANTA

Thanks for the fine recap, Hombre.

Beth, Bert wanted Arturo to cancel the wedding because he'd heard from Iván that the name of Lisette's groom was Arturo (can't remember surname). Bert knows full well what a gold-digging witch Lisette is, and he was trying to protect Art.

I noticed that Bert was impressed with Iván. He liked that the boy didn't want any money and had only come to deliver a message. I think he's feeling proud of what he's ignored all these years. They do resemble each other a little bit.

Poor Samanda. Her naturally kind instincts had her save Gaspar, but then she realized she was helping an enemy. And her mother Begoña and sister-in-law Paula are just right up in her face about Santiago.

Yep, Inés is a horrible spoiled brat. Pancho was trying to control her, but her papí Vicente obviously lets her get away with ghastly behavior. Bullying Paula into dozens of phone calls to locate Santiago was just unbelievable. Who does something like that in their father's workplace?

Yep, there's a big mystery here about why Bert has a guy all lined up to follow Samanda night and day.
 

DyO

I am certainly waiting for the other shoe to drop with Emilio, Gema's admirer. Right now he still seems too good to be true. The only bad thing they showed was his leering at her from the back of his chauffeured car. But he has to have an ulterior purpose. They're taking their time showing it.
 

SANTA DIABLA:

Thanks, Deb for filling in a few things I forgot. We got to see a little more of Santi's past, waking up next to a dead girl, covered in blood. I'm sure he knew he'd be accused of killing her. But who is she, and what really happened? Somehow I don't think it's some random person. I think she and her death are connected to some of our other characters (like George, for example).
 

SANTA

Novelera, you're much more generous than I am. My first take on Bert telling Art to not marry Lisette was not that Bert was protecting Art, but that Bert has an ulterior motive. I'd like to believe Bert could be a good guy, but I don't think that's how it will work out.

Does Bert know about Art and Mara - I can't remember…

Yes - Samanda is definitely conflicted about saving Gaspar's life. I think the venganza plan in SD will have the same problem Vero's plan had in La Patrona - some of the Cano family will not deserve punishment or will be redeemed. I'm referring to Gaspar, Santi and Daniela. Gaspar and Santi had nothing to do with Willy's imprisonment and death, and Daniela was only 14 and threatened by her mother when she gave her testimony. Daniela is paying a huge price for her guilt right now (drugs).

I have a feeling that if Victoria were a man and Ivan a woman, their age difference would not be a big issue in this tn.

Beth
 

Santa
Santiago's blood was the same color as George's jacket, very pretty.
 

DYO

Novelera, I am convinced that Emilio is El Duro, the guy that has the scary private parties that the strippers were talking about a while back, and Gema's going to find herself recruited and held prisoner (psychologically) before the end of this.

I don't know if I mentioned this in any of my recaps, but Angel has mentioned he owes El Duro a buttload of money, which is why he's not so hot on going legit.
 

SANTA

Variopinta, I don't think that blood shown in the flashback is Santiago's. It's the blood of the apparently dead woman he wakes up next to.
 

DyO

I probably have gotten this wrong, but I thought the guy that was bugging Gema, that Emilio ran off (way back when) looked a lot like his chauffeur, and ever since then, with Gema, he hasn't had a chauffeur.

 

DYO (pausing to think about what day it is...)

miercoles, highlights

* Estela informs Mariano, Iggy, and Pedro that she has a “brain tumor.” Abue is beside herself with guilt for her role in this. Iggy becomes the loving daughter.

* Oleg finds out about the “trip to Europe” and is pi$$ed, while Neto is trying to figure out where Europe is (he hasn’t gotten to that part of the “cosmic understanding” book yet). Oleg’s convinced Pedro is the reason for Mireya’s behavior change, and this Europe thing is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. He and Marge have a shouting match in which he blames Pedro for all of Mireya’s problems, including the “accident” that put her in the wheelchair. Later, he goes back to apologize to Marge, but she thinks he needs to find another neighbor who’s going to live longer to confide in.

* The idea is getting around the Perez’s that Estela is responsible for Lupita’s almost-miscarriage, but Lupy is never around to clear the air. Gina lets it slip that Estela is not going to get away with this again, and everyone wants to know what she means… AGAIN.

* Gema gets a package of beauty products delivered to her door from the spa, courtesy of Emilio Duro [my conjecture, not his real name, yet] and is giddy until she muses, I hope this doesn’t turn into a nightmare… very subtle, writers. Very subtle.

* Tomas visits “Ignacia” at the strip club. More “you’re never going to leave me, you bad girl”. He bites Zafiro’s mouth. Disturbing.

* This “finding religion” thing is biting Angel in the @$$... Mama’s always wanting to drag him to church and pray the rosary with him to his eye-rolling chagrin. The interview process at the obra is sadly lacking… Olegario sends Angel off to work, only then finding out that he has absolutely no skills.

* Estela is updating Tomas on tumor-gate, and he is very impressed. They have a very explicit discussion about how this will not only serve to keep Ignacia in the house, but she’ll have to quit her job to stay home and take care of mom. Karina is listening right outside the closed door (the acoustics in the office are appalling, it’s like they’re talking in a tin box…). She is seemingly shocked. More ammo against Estela…

* Tomas encounters Ruben at the obra office and sets about “Operation Intimidation”. He offers Ruben the job, again, of spying on Ignacia just like he did before. Neto is peeking through the open door… apparently Tomas’s peripheral vision has been weakened by all of those nights in the low red lights of the strip club. Ruben doesn’t accept the mission, and Tomas grabs him by the throat. Neto runs in, pretending to look for Ignacia, rescuing Ruben from asfixiation. Tomas leaves, promising to continue the conversation later, and Neto notes, “the boss is bien siniestro, no?”

* Gina finds out about Estela’s “brain tumor” and feels sorry for her, she’s feeling guilty for so much these days, and Mariano comforts her with a kiss.

* Iggy and Pedro have a conversation in the courtyard when she informs him she hasn’t been able to move out of the house due to Mama’s illness, she needs to be with her. But she’s not back with Tomas, and she still has strong feelings for Pedro. Marge walks up… “Que??? You’re in love with Pedro???”

Fin del capitulo
 

MARIDO EN ALQUILER – Miercoles

I said I’d do some low-fat recaps Monday and Tuesday. Well, this is Wednesday and I’m writing a non-fat.

After being furious with Gabe for jumping on her in bed, Gris accepts that she’s won $50 million. But they can’t find the winning ticket.

Max is alive. Barbie panicked and called Clinton. After Clinton arrives, Barbie at first lies and said Max only fell asleep. She finally admits his heart stopped and he needs a doctor.

Juan Pablo is extremely nasty to Esther about her plans to have a child. He says the embryo would be like an alien and he basically says they’ll probably separate if she does it. Later Teresa Cristina blabs about the infertility to Marcela, who’s overjoyed. But TC says it’s Esther, even though she was told otherwise.

Gris shows up where the ticket was sold and ends up on TV saying she won but cannot prove it. Practically the whole cast was watching TV at the right moment and saw her.

Antonio is still a jerk. He says he might forgive his mother if she’s won the lottery. He doesn’t plan to return to the hovel, but he might consider it if she bought a mansion.

Quique goes to arrange Quiquito’s stuff and the ticket falls out of a bag, but Q doesn’t see it.

Gris goes off to work and Paloma and Celeste search for the ticket. Celeste finds it on the floor by Quiquito’s bed!!

Max has hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. He can live a normal life with care, but forget about going into the ring unless he wants to die in his next fight. Barbie doesn’t even stay in the room; she runs out to curse her luck.
 

Santa
Novelera
I realize I should have said, the blood on Santiago.
 

CLOROFORMO

For people watching this series on UniMas, be sure to note that the final episodes are going to air this Saturday because of some screwy scheduling by Uni.
 

DyO
Thank you sooo much, AnotherAmy; after missing Tues and Weds episodes, it's been great to have your recaps to keep me up to speed!
J in Oregon
 

SANTA DIABLA, Miércoles, Part 1

This show is getting gooooood! Yes, it has more twists and turns than a pretzel factory. And it’s as sweet as gelato. May not be good for you, but how can you resist? I’ve also figured out the town of Marrero is about the size of a Monopoly board. How else could everyone just miraculously appear at different locations in the blink of an eye?

Such as Samanda exiting the hospital, where Paula miraculously appears, slaps her, saying how DARE you be in love with Santiago? And Santiago has appeared behind PAULA! Huh? Okay, let’s not ask. Paula says Santi just misheard (yeah, right). Santi says to Sam you DO love me, right? Let’s just leave town together, ditch this whole mess. Sam gives him her usual two minutes of silence, trying desperately to act with her eyes (not really succeeding), after which she ALMOST kisses him, but no, she has to leave. Sorry!

We also had Bert telling Arturo not to marry Lisette. Why? Because Bert KNOWS Lisette, and knows she’s up to no good. This doesn’t dissuade Art one bit. Then who pops up, but Lisette and Iván. And Hortensia. Huh? Horti finds out that Iván is Bert’s son, and that changes EVERYTHING. Now she DOES want Art to marry Lisette, since she’s practically Iván’s grandmother, after all, he is a Cano! A bunch more BS is thrown all over the place, but in the end, everyone leaves but Bert and Lisette, and she tells him to meet her at the “same old place” for some nookie! So THAT’s why Bert doesn’t want Arturo to marry her.

Bert has called some guy to keep tabs on Sam. Turns out the guy is Orlando, who owes Bert a favor. Flash back two years. Orlando was in jail. Bert worked some scheme to get big Willy transferred to the same jail. Then Orlando unlocks the cell, allowing the guards to enter and KILL Willy! We also see Begoña give Santa the cellphone with the video of Bárbara actually sexually harassing Willy. Santa thinks no investigation will bring back her husband, but she’ll take the phone, “just in case”.

Back in the present, how will Orlando keep tabs on Sam? He’ll be hired as Sam’s new personal chauffeur! Simple. And he owes Bert, because Bert got him out of jail. And could send him back.

Sam visits Willy’s grave, is crying, oh Willy, I’m so sorry, I don’t know if I can do this. And guess who pops up again? Santi. He sees the name on the grave, Willy Delgado, tries to get Sam to open up, but she pulls her usual Cone of Silence routine, and ends up walking away.
 

SANTA DIABLA, Part 2

Gaspar is suspicious of George. He tells George to come meet him at the office. Before George arrives, Gaspar tells Paula (she’s popped back to her post at the firm) to contact a meal service, he wants all his meals to be delivered to the firm, where he’ll eat them. And don’t tell a soul. George shows up, is ushered back to Gaspar’s office, and G-Cano tells him I’m sorry, bud, I’m been a little too harsh on you. Let’s be pals. In fact, why don’t we have a drink of my private reserve SCOTCH! G-Cano pours two drinks from the bottle which he rightly suspects is poisoned, offers one to George, and tells him to drink. George holds the glass for the requisite 15 seconds, starts to tremble, slams the glass down, and walks out, saying I don’t need this drama. G-Cano smirks, I CAUGHT you, bastard!

We find out who’s been sending those threatening notes to Santi. It’s Inés, who keeps sending notes saying things like “I know your secret”. Santi thinks the sender knows he was accused of killing some woman, but Inés only knows his secret love for Amanda. Inés also announces to her Dad she’s going to marry Santi. As for Santi’s secret, Pancho’s contact HAS found some dirt, and he’s going to tell Carlos! Carlos isn’t going to Mara’s party, but he makes no bones about his attraction for her!

Danni goes out to the yard to retrieve her drugs. They’re gone! (Sam took them). She digs like a little doggie, but it doesn’t work. She later staggers to her room, and convulses in spasms of withdrawal. Lucy sees a little of the staggering, goes to sleep.

Ah, Lucy. Remember she threw the stuff she stole into the sea? Pancho gets a call, some loot washed up at the sea, maybe it’s the stuff that was stolen, maybe it has fingerprints. Lucy overhears this. Pancho scoots down to “the sea”. We see him and the guys retrieve a silver platter, they’re carefully holding it with rubber gloves, to avoid tainting the evidence. Up pops Lucy! She grabs the plate, oh, this looks just like the ones we had at the house. She puts her fingerprints all over it. Pancho sighs, Lucy, how could you destroy evidence? Oooops, sorry, she coos. (Wait a minute. Telenovela rule. When stuff is stolen from rich people’s houses, don’t they ALWAYS blame the maid? What’s up?).

So it’s time for the opening of Marta’s Café, Café Maxwell. This gives wardrobe another chance to dress up all our characters in expensive outfits, since EVERYONE is there. Hortensia is, even though she wasn’t invited. Marta tells her SHE filed the complaint against Horti for throwing that brick, how do like THAT! Santi is there, he’s the musical guest! Of course. Fran tells Horti that Iván is NOT her nieto. But where’s Bert? Yes, he and Lisette are in that “same old place”, a hotel room, making slimy villain love. Can we have some hero love? Why not? Vicky did up her hair a bit, put on a chaste white dress (still not wearing heels, as she’s about 5' 9", don’t want her taller than Iván), Iván hustles her into the bathroom of the café for a hot KISS! Wow!

Paula has forgiven Sam for her almost kiss of Santi, and gives her a dvd to be used at the café opening. This is step one of THE PLAN! But before we get to that, someone comes up behind Sam, gently touches her hips, she whirls, saying, stop it, Santiago! But IT WAS BERT.
 

CLOROFORMO

thanks for the warning, RG! Guess I'll be catching up online, since my cable cancels Saturday :(
 

MARIDO:

Great low-fat recap, Novelera!

We sort of knew they'd eventually find the ticket, probably with 2 minutes left on the show. I liked how Celeste and Paloma put in at the foot of the Virgin Mary, the answer to Gris's prayers.

We also saw Manuel have a nightmare where he recalled being hit by Sol with that boombox. Celeste suspects he knows, or will remember soon, but is trying to enjoy the nice Manuel for the time being.

I liked how Rei said if Gris won the lottery, she wouldn't change, she's not that kind of woman. True, but if Gris thinks she'll have less problems AFTER winning the lottery than before, she hasn't been watching her telenovelas! Tony, TC, Gabe and Barbie could make major waves. I want to see her after her makeover, if she has one. In Mi Corazon Insiste, the star Lola had been poor, wore biker outfits, got rich, wore lots of short dresses. I'm not exactly expecting that for Gris, though. Should be fun.
 

SANTA

Great recap, Hombre!!

When Fran discovered the missing knick-knacks, I also wondered why she didn't blame the maid and figured that Lucy would try and put the blame on Begoña. I guess the telenovela rule only applies when the maid didn't actually steal the stuff!!

"Sam gives him her usual two minutes of silence, trying desperately to act with her eyes (not really succeeding)..."

Hee Hee. So little is going on in Gaby's face, that I am always distracted by her hair. How often do they have to stop shooting to comb it into that perfect, silky fall? How many young women are deciding to grow their hair long without realizing that unless they have a hairdresser trailing them around all day, it will NEVER look like Gaby's hair.
 

MARIDO:

Perfect bare-bones recap Novelera. Much of the episode was spent on the search for the ticket, and unfortunately on the further breakdown of the JP-Ester marriage.

Tony and Barbie showed how despicable they are in their reactions to their changing fortunes. Barbie, more concerned about losing her meal ticket upon hearing about Max’s grave illness (and her reaction when he actually died for a few seconds, although pounding his chest during her tantrum is what brought him back to life). And Tony, gloating about the lottery win and spouting nonsense about Gris apologizing to HIM and getting a house worthy of HIM!

Rafa did not react creepily like I thought he would. He seemed genuinely happy for Gris and her family. He has surprised me by how sincere he seems about his relationship with Amalia. She will be so hurt when she finds out about his shady side deals at work.

I also liked what Rei said to both Simon and TC about Gris, and Pati agreeing with him in front of TC. Of course both Tony and TC think this change of fortune will mean Pati will take Tony back, but Pati made it clear that money was not the issue for her.

 

Santa,

thanks so much Hombre,

yes, this writer likes to keep things a bit off to get the viewer in the mood, like Gaspar's poison decanter from home, now at his office, and why didn't George empty/clean it afterwards like the glass, but always good to see George getting rattled, and the bad guys haven't come to collect his car yet, but I'm really waiting for him to start chasing Paula around,

hmm, I hadn't considered that Ines' notes are referring to Santi and Amanda, (it's more speculation than them actually doing anything), but I was still thinking back when she first saw Santi, and was trying to place where she had seen his face, back when Santi kept pulling out that old newspaper article about him, nobody will ever trace those cut-out notes with finger prints all over them, but what about when she addresses the envelope,

good that Horti is ok with Ivan now, knowing that he is a Cano, maybe she will quit calling him a bastard,

ah Lucy, being the maid wouldn't her fingerprints be on everything anyway, I guess she is not quite ready to confess, I'm surprised no one considered throwing her in the ocean,

Santa who is always looking for a way to ditch Humberto, it was funny that she can't find him for the cafe opening and has to go alone, I guess she now lives at the Cano house, with her big wardrobe she doesn't have, and their few intimate moments seem to be giving Humberto headaches more than anything,

little willy sure has a good part, he's sleeping through the whole show.

 

Gracias Hombre

"How else could everyone just miraculously appear at different locations in the blink of an eye?" This is Ft Lauderdale, you don't get anywhere in the blink of an eye. From the bookstore to where I think the wealthy Canos live would take at least half an hour. We're not as bad as Miami or Orlando & definitely not as bad as Mex City. Remember how fast you can get from the poor vecinos to the wealthy in a flash in DF.

I'm liking the TN but just can't get into any of these actors, they are all kind of charisma deficient IMO.

Glad to see Gaspar is going to be around awhile longer unless Geo comes up with another dastardly plan.


 

Marido,

thanks novelera!

complicated spanish medical terms always whiz by me, thanks for writing that one down, well at least Barbie wasn't feeding him performance enhancing drugs like some suspected, interesting cpr, Barbie pounding on Max out of frustration,

so now I wonder how this lottery thing will change everyone, now that the initial hoorays are over, will everyone start calculating in how Griselda's fortune will solve their problems, except for Reinaldo and his smile, they really are alike in many ways.

 

Marido

Thanks, novelera, for the recap!

Everyone, if you knew the winning lottery ticket was somewhere in your house, would you go with all your trusted family and friends to talk to the ticket-vendor while leaving a random neighbor in the house to watch your child? (And that's not even going into the fact that they all seemed ready to leave even before the neighbor arrived.) But I'm relieved that they didn't draw out the "lost lottery ticket" thing any longer than one episode.

I was hoping that they weren't going to catapult Griselda into riches quite so quickly. I liked her handyman persona, and I don't know if she'll be quite as distinctive and interesting as a nouveau riche lottery-winner. But I'm hopeful that the talent on this show can pull it off.

Did you catch the bit with TC's maid? When TC was bemoaning the fact that she had no candles to light (in order to pray that Gris would not get the money), the maid volunteers that she has some in her room:
"But I'm not sure if you'll want to use them because they're Santeria candles. No, no, no, I've never used them against you, I swear. And I'll never do again! Ay, I'm fired, right?"

And then TC says to run and get them, that Santeria candles are even better for this purpose.

I love the way Reinaldo matter-of-factly tells TC he knows she'll never tell him what the deal with Tia Iris is. It's just one more detail that fills in this picture of how their marriage has worked.

And I loved the scene where Celeste finds the ticket. It was so nicely done--the ticket from her perspective, her inability to catch her breath and scream out loud.
 

MARIDO

Deb, I had to back up the recording 3 times to write down the name of that heart disease - in Spanish. I then translated into English after googling one or more of the words. The word order, as is often the case in Spanish, is different in English.
 

MARIDO:

One more little thing that happened this episode, Rei once again urged TC to occupy herself and WORK. She seems ready to get this event planning biz off the ground.

Should we start making guesses on how Gris' windfall will change people, or what she will do with the money?

These are my guesses:

- Amalia will be able to afford to really invest in her beauty creams business and it will take off.
- Rafa will become jealous of Amalia's success (hurting Amalia's feelings), and will do even more risky illegal stuff to have more money.
- Gris will forgive Tony's financial debt to her (remember he said he will pay her back once he's a big plastic surgeon), but she won't take him back into her home. (This is my hope.)
-The family will move into a nice big house near TC. (I really want this to happen.)
- Gris will expand her business, hire more handymen, but will miss doing the work herlself and be sad about it.
- Quique will become a major jerk, will take Barbie back, and gloat over Max (as if having Barbie is some sort of prize).
- Quiquito will take a page from daddy's book and act out. It won't help that his cold beyotch mommy will be back in the picture.
- Clara and Gabe will feel like they have been left behind by the Carrascos they love, and will pout about it. Quique will offer Clara money to help her out, and she will be deeply offended and refuse to speak to him again. I can't see Gris offering Gabe money, but if she did, he would refuse and his male ego would be bruised.
- Manuel will explode and really hurt Celeste or Sol, and they will go to live with Gris.
- Gris will help Sol launch her pop singer career, which will cause Manuel to hate her even more than he does now. (At some point I am sure Manuel will really try to hurt Gris.)
- Gris's husband will come back from the dead wanting a piece of the fortune.
 

DyO,

thanks, thanks, Amy!

once again, Neto steps in and saves the day, interrupting Tomas' choke hold on Ru-ben, last count Ru-ben is still $5,000 ahead in that relationship, but he seems to becoming a family man,

last count, Pedro is still penniless, jobless, engaged, living at home, and also grabbed ahold of Ru-ben, this must be something Ru-ben is learning from Lupita,

poor, poor, AA
she will never forgive herself,

not sure what Angel's angle is in working construction, as a general rule, crooks are lazy.

 

SANTA

Terrific recap, Hombre! I especially liked "slimy villain love".

I was surprised to see Inés revealed as the writer of those notes, but the timing is fuzzy in my mind. I can't remember if she'd ever even set eyes on him when the first note arrived.

Yeah, those of you who said Bert was too rotten to try to spare Arturo a marriage with Lisette were right and I was wrong. He really wants to keep, as the English say, his bit on the side.

Santa said, a couple of episodes ago, that Bert was never going to even touch her again. Now this certainly strains credulity, since they JUST got married.

It was pretty funny how fast Horti changed her tune about Iván, upon finding out he's a Cano, although I don't think he uses Bert's name.

Actually, I thought Carlos said he was going to the café opening. He said he wasn't invited, but he wanted to see Mara again. I find his yen for her confusing since he revealed in the scene with Tránsito his difficulties in the nether region. Maybe he thinks true love will cure him!
 

SANTA DIABLA

I hope this deosnt end up with a whodunnit serial killer theme. That flashback Santi had remimded me of ATM (Rod wakes up with Dani dead) and ERDLV (dMart wakes up to a dead Mariana)

And those messages Ines send to him does she know about his past was she the killer
 

SANTA DIABLA

I hope this deosnt end up with a whodunnit serial killer theme. That flashback Santi had remimded me of ATM (Rod wakes up with Dani dead) and ERDLV (dMart wakes up to a dead Mariana)

And those messages Ines send to him does she know about his past? Was she the killer ?
 

Dammit! i posted twice could the person in charge remove the first post?
 

MARIDO

Vivi, Ojalà to all your predictions-they're great. By the way, I'm loving your comments on the CI page loving how you're trying to make sense out of nonsense. I about died laughing when you said the CI writers are so dumb, they make the viewer feel as if they're the ones with memory problems since they have so many continuity issues in that TN. I'm enjoying CI more than I thought I would, but it is no La Patrona, which I think sets the standard for venganza novel as. Watching CI after following LP makes me appreciate the great work the writers and cast did. They totally deserved novel a of the year on the telemundo premios

Still can't get into Santa too many people with no spark. It's as if all these people are in different shows, but I'm still reading the recaps. I think I'll watch this etapa of Marido just to see how Gris will handle Antonio now that she has money.
 

NovelaMan, you can remove your own posts. There's a garbage can icon at the very end of your posts in the Leave your Comment section in Blogger.
 

J desde NYC- Ya know, we have joked on this blog many times about writers being on crack or some kind of mind altering drug. For the first time, with CI, I am really starting to believe it's true. ;-)
 

Marido

Vivi, I agree with all your predictions, but to tell you the truth I'm not looking forward to any of them. Okay, I'm looking forward to Tony finding out that he's not getting any particular benefit from his mother's windfall (fingers crossed), but there's nowhere much for that to go. The Manuel-Celeste-Sol developments could be interesting, I guess, and perhaps the long-lost husband angle could be intriguing. But the rest? Meh.

Isn't Griselda due for a make-over? Put the insults TC piled on her together with a few million in her pocket, and I'd say she's ready for one. I'd prefer no half-measures--instead of a partial or semi-tacky make-over now and a real one or two later in the show, I'd like to see a real make-over now. Send her to a real stylist, get her to buy some very expensive but very classic styles, and have her walk in for lunch at Chez Palmer looking like Grace Kelly. Sonya Smith could do it. Let's have her look like a member of the Smith class of 1990 who only finds herself in Miami because her daughter rides show jumpers.

And speaking of Chez Palmer--how is the lottery win going to affect Reinaldo-Griselda? What new development of any kind is going to throw the two of them together? He's clearly mooning after her, but what is going to make her pick up the phone when he calls?

My only idea along these lines is: Is there any chance Patty is pregnant? Sure, the rich girl never gets pregnant, but she and Antonio made love in the very first episode--why, from a plot point of view? The two families need to be re-intertwined in a way that no one will be happy with.
 

MARIDO:

UtahDesert--I'm also hoping that the writers find ways to weave some interesting storylines into the mix. You're so right that they HAVE to find a way to bring Gris' and Rei's families back together. Right now Pati has cut Tony off, and Gris has cut Rei off. A baby would do the trick, but I actually don't wish that on Pati. I don't even want her to eventually get back together with Tony. I want her to find someone totally new. Plus, that would just be strange if she and Tony are together and so are their parents, and Gris-Rei is the only couple I'm betting on for the felices para siempre final.
 

Vivi
CI writers are on crack, but the poor actors have to be on sth also in order to get through that basura.
 

MARIDO

UtahDesert, I loved the description of the new look for Gris of a Smith graduate with a show jumping daughter!
 

DYO jueves

Okay, so I half-watched tonights episode the first time through (multitasking), intending to rewatch to recap, and in typical tn anvil style, I erased it before I could watch it again. So here's what I remember (not much) from my spotty watching...

Marge is still freaking out about the surgery. AND about Pedro being in love with his "sister." Gina and Marge agree that after the surgery (famous last words) (no pun intended) they will tell Pedro the truth about his mother and father (and new sister!). This doesn't bode well for Marge's surgery, does it?

Mireya is still on the "must. eliminate. Ignacia." warpath.

Neto lets it slip to Ignacia that Ruben was being blackmailed by someone and resisted, Iggy wants to know who.

Neto lets it slip later to Lupita that it was Tomas doing the blackmailing.

Sweet declarations of amor and a little kissing between Pedro and Ignacia.

Angel hears how much some of the construction materials are worth and wants to get a job in the inventory room (a.k.a. "candy store").

Karina, after overhearing Estela and Tomas's plotting to keep Ignacia home, tells JM that Tomas and Estela are evil, but she doesn't go into details. JM is shaken up.

ELmilio Duro kisses Gema on the beach.

Lupita tells Ruben that Tomas was the one who instigated the almost-miscarriage, not Estela. Ruben is ready to rumble with Tomas.

That's all I got for now, folks. Please feel free to fill in holes! I'm sure I'll remember something about 3am.

Won't be able to get Friday's recap up until later on Saturday... I'll have to watch online since I'm moving (phase 1) tomorrow.
 

DyO / Marido / Santa

did I get this right,

DyO
Emilio (played by Ernesto Faxas) took Gema for a walk on the beach, in L.A.,

Marido
then later he showed up at Griselda's Miami house as a tv reporter, to get the scoop on her winning the lottery,

Santa
and then with gun in hand, confronted George about the money he owes him, at the Cano mansion in Marrero,

wow, busy night!

 

SANTA

"I hope this deosnt end up with a whodunnit serial killer theme."

This was always going to be a thriller with a lot of murders.

Judging by the novela's viewing figures - its first 3 weeks are doing worse than DAMA Y OBRERO's first 3 weeks and Telemundo implemented quick changes to that one in an attempt to boost its ratings - hasn't worked - I'm afraid there are probably changes about to hit SANTA. Add in the facts Telemundo's 10pm telenovela is usually their most watched, SANTA is a much more expensive novela than DAMA and has received much more promotion including having its stars host Telemundo's award show, the network can't be happy.

I'm guessing the bloodletting will probably be accelerated at cost of the story and "mystery." (There really isn't much mystery, the revelations are almost all immediate and none of it makes much sense in retrospect.)

(MARIDO EN ALQUILER also had awful ratings its first weeks, but my understanding is that one was already largely in the can, so massive changes weren't really possible other than perhaps trimming of scenes and tightening of action.)
 

GENERAL:

RG- Does that mean none of Telemundo's tns are doing well right now? Interesting. I wonder if the network will take that to mean that they always need a narconovela to anchor their lineup. How are the Unimas tns doing right now? I'm watching a pretty full Univision lineup, but I see there were a lot of familiar Televisa faces in Clorofomo and am disappointed I didn't watch it.
 

GENERAL:

I know mega-hit La Patrona wasn't a narconovela, but it was very much like one. Guerra ran that town like a narco boss. I'm not watching Santa, but someone watched both would best be able to say why the revenge theme worked in that, but not in Santa. From having watched LP, and reading the Santa recaps, it seems LP did a better job humanizing its characters.
 

VIVI IN DC- "Does that mean none of Telemundo's tns are doing well right now? Interesting. I wonder if the network will take that to mean that they always need a narconovela to anchor their lineup. How are the Unimas tns doing right now?"

None are doing well, but it is still very early on SANTA DIABLA - it can certainly still find an audience. Also, Telemundo is putting out ads for the lottery story on MARIDO, a built in, if predictable turning point in the story. We'll see if that improves its numbers. (I think it will).

DAMA looks to be a lost cause at this point. It's a little odd - Telemundo usually goes much bigger with their overhauls - EL FANTASMA DE ELENA and RELACIONES PELIGROSAS for example were barely even the same shows after their alterations - but they only seemed to tweak DAMA - ditching the theme song, adding some characters, a key recasting of a major character. Perhaps more drastic changes are about to hit it. I think we can see the writing on the wall for another female character on the show who seems to have run out of storyline and now knows too much.

One way you can tell the current Miami novelas aren't doing so hot is the lack of product placement. PASION PROHIBIDA was nowhere near the hit the two Mexican novelas were this year for Telemundo, but its demographics clearly appealed to advertisers, hence the ton of in-show promotions for Macy's, Subway and Toyota.

As for their reliance on narco-novelas, Telemundo's current strategy seems to be to alternate the narcos with the thrillers in their 10 pm time slot. I think they are smart enough to realize they can't just go all narco, all the time without the audience tiring of them.

RE: Revenge - I didn't care for LA PATRONA at all, but one thing it has going for it over SANTA DIABLA is its action hinged on a much more inherently dramatic central triangle of woman wronged - man she loves/hates - and his mother who is the principal tormentor/target of the woman wronged. The interplay of those three central characters and their relationships to each other is much more exciting and dramatic than the set up on SANTA DIABLA, at least in theory. (So far, I personally prefer the latter show, though I think it has major issues.)

It also helps that LA PATRONA starts at the beginning and builds up audience sympathy for the heroine through her suffering and hatred toward the villains as the agents of that suffering so the audience can then relish the revenge - an aspect of storytelling, not just novelas, that I personally loathe as being crudely manipulative, but is no doubt boffo for business. (an even worse novela, in my opinion, CORAZON INDOMABLE, also benefits from this structuring.)

SANTA starts in the middle with a flashbacks, but we really only get glimpses of that past. We don't live with them, suffer with them for weeks like LA PATRONA, but just an episode. And because the heroine has been on her revenge mission since the first episode, we really don't know who the heroine is in time of peace, so to speak. It also doesn't help that her two accomplices should be even less motivated for revenge than her, yet are more thirsty for blood, really confusing matters. (It also also doesn't help that Aaron Diaz, the ostensible leading man, doesn't have much chemistry with anybody on the show, IMO, but then teh only person I've ever seen him have chemistry with was Lola Ponce on EL TALISMAN, which was hilarious because she was playing his sister on the show. Needless to say, it was no surprise to later learn they had gotten together in real life).
 

RE UniMas - Since UniMas has gone back to prime time novelas earlier this year, they have not made much impact. (A big change from back a few years ago when the channel was Telefutura and when they were airing things like EL CAPO and LA POLA, the channel was actually beating Telemundo head to head. They lost any momentum they ever had long ago when they ditched the series for movies, and it will take a while to regain an audience for series on the channel, I believe.)

The two current shows are averaging about half of what Telemundo's lowest rated novela gets a night. CLOROFORMO is doing better than LA SELECCION - frankly, the show about Colombian soccer was always going to have limited appeal outside of Colombia, no matter how well produced it is - the network would have been better served going straight to sillier fare like GOSSIP GIRL ACAPULCO at 9pm and LA MADAME at 10pm. (Actually, I would have put on another Colombian series, LA PROMESA, about human trafficking, at 9pm, but I'm not even sure UniMas bought it.)
 

SANTA DIABLA

I thought for sure Berto would figure out Amamdas real name halfway through the show. But maybe this will turn out to be nothing more than a fantasy.


 

Telemundos doing bad? I can see why DYO is a flop but MEA and SD are ok.
 

regarding the ratings I think much of this has to do with Telemundo's market. The only way to get Telemundo where I live is to get direct TV or Dish.

Univision is a part of almost every cable package in the country. That's not the case with Telemundo. I can only watch Telemundo's show's online. Do those get counted in the ratings?
 

TELEMUNDO:

Thanks RG. I was all set to make Unimas one of the channels I kept an eye on, until they pulled Quien Eres Tu after just two weeks, with no warning or explanation, only to rerun Rosario Tijeras. It just felt so disrespectful to the audience and left a bad taste in my mouth for the network. But considering how short Cloroformo is, I may just look it up to watch online.
 

RATINGS:

Anon- The ratings are not comparative to Univision (although some here have pointed out that they get Telemundo but don't get Uni), but how well the show is doing based on the network's market share. So based on how other Telemundo shows have done in those time slots in the past, the current lineup is a flop.
 

SANTA DIABLA:

I only have time to do recaps for the Tuesday and Wednesday shows, but last night's show was a doozy!

--This was actually the night before, but we have another secret relationship, Hortensia and Vicente (which is okay, neither is married), but apparently it's been going on for a while, and could cast in doubt some parentage)

--Santi finds Ines's clippings, may realize she's the note sender (she may try to deny, but probably he'll figure it out). Yes! This takes a lot of heat off, and allows him to relax a bit. Except that Carlos and Pancho question him about 3 false names in the last year. Whoops!

--George continues with problems, as the guy he lost to in cards threatens Daniela

--Sam slips a dvd into the Cafe TV, and everyone sees the famous tape, with Barbara harassing Willy. Yes!

---Sam feels nauseous, may be pregnant with Bert's child. Uyyyyy!

---And last but not least, Bert KNOWS. He gives Orlando a boat, changes his identity to Ricardo as chauffeur for Sam, and with Vicente also in on it, tells him he knows that Amanda Brown is really Santa Martinez, whose husband was killed, and who wants revenge. Wow!

I personally love this show, although maybe not as much as El Senor (but I remember in the early days of that show lots of people were complaining they couldn't identify with any characters). I think this one will grow on us.
 

MARIDO:

I had been a little worried about someone snatching Gris's winning lottery ticket, but apparently the lottery people send a limo to pick her up, she filled out the paperwork, the money's in the bank. Now it's time for everyone else to try to get some of that money!

Rafa is a bad guy, he was unfaithful to Amalia for money, he's been robbing stuff. But when he and Amalia are together, the music is beautiful, calm, sweet. To me, that means he's going to be redeemed.

I was surprised that Barbie 1) finally allowed Max to see the doctor 2) doesn't want him to train now, cause he'd be at risk, and 3) isn't going to leave him. At least that's what she SAYS. She's going to get some of Gris's money and share it with Max. We'll see :)


 

Santa
After last night I think this one will pick up.
Carlos Ponce is beginning to grow on me but most of the other actors are kind of blah.
 

Santa,

thanks Hombre, that was a doozy!

some other things,

Paula gets time to look through Humberto's legal file on Willy and gets the names of the three guys that were in on his death, they plan on tracking them down, looking for connections to the Canos,

Lisette oversees the new Ines' note, and is curious as to what Santi is hiding, he walks away,

Carlos has his sights on Mara, she blows him off, leaving him there with Arturo... friends?, what kind of friends, Arturo blows him off as well, enraging Carlos who is being drug away by Pancho, who has news of Santi, (this Carlos guy just reeks of danger)

Ivan and Victoria smooch in her kitchen, not here she pleads, but can't resist,

Gaspar is absent from the cafe opening, and didn't see the famous Willy video that was shown, which is good for Humberto and all, since Gaspar wasn't in on the original plot,

Amanda arrives back at the house alone, (by a car and driver she no longer has), and is rushed upstairs to see Daniela, who is in drug withdrawal, Amanda has her drugs in her purse, huh, pulls them out and says is this what you want, but has lost the kindness she showed Gaspar, and walks out of the room leaving Daniela suffering,

menacing Carlos shows up at Horti's, to question her on the rock she threw through Mara's window.

George shows us how to carry golf clubs in a corvette, by sliding them into the passengers seat, the mafia guy shows up, gun in hand, but doesn't take the car, talks about how George's debt is ever increasing, but they are interrupted by Amanda.

 

Santa,

Vicente Robledo, (played by Raúl Izaguirre), father to Inez and Pancho, partner in G-Cano,
is he having an affair with Hortensia ??, he seems to have a connection with Francisca as well, I was surprised to see him in on Humberto's backroom dealings,

but he sticks to me as Luigi in "Perro Amor", the con man who tracked down older ladies with money to help them spend it, and ended up with Clemencia (Elluz Peraza), who was Antonio's (Carlos Ponce) mother, before he was shot and killed.

 

PERRO AMOR

Deb, I also watched Perro Amor, and remember "Vicente" from that one - what a slimeball! I also liked that one as it had Maritza Rodriguez as a very naughty cousin, and Maritza Bustamante (one of my favorites) as a spoiled rich girl daughter (her father was Fred Valle, who is G-Cano in this one, I think).

I don't think anyone recapped it, though.
 

Perro Amor,

and Zully Montero (our Hortensia) as Carlos Ponce grandmother, who had a heart transplant, when I saw her in "Santa" I was thinking she is looking pretty good for all of the things she has gone through in telenovelas.

 

SANTA

I don't remember seeing any "relationship" clues between Hortensia and Vicente. Maybe I missed it. But the significant looks and hints of an affair were between Francisca Cano and Vicente.

Yep, the revelation that Humberto knows who Santa is makes this much more interesting. I wonder if he really does love her or if he is 100% playing her. His jealousy about Santiago seems real enough.
 

DyO

that's a pretty good off-the-cuff recap Amy,
I think you covered everything,

I'm liking how Ru-ben went straight to Lupita, to find out what happened, and as he is seething about Tomas, along comes Pedro, and as he is waiting for Pedro to grab him as he usually does, Pedro instead spills the beans about Estela's tumor, which I think caught him and Lupita by surprise, (Pedro is just not as good as Ignacia at this foot-in-mouth thing), and then Ru-ben rushes off... and we're not quite sure...

and I'm really feeling for Isabel, her mother and brother are just too self destructing,

 

BUSY ACTOR

Deb, you cracked me up with that actor being in all three novelas last night. I also noticed that. He has a bigger role in DyO as the way too smooth guy wooing Gema.
 

SANTA:

You're right Novelera, it's Francisca and Vicente. Sorry about that.
 

UNIMAS

Vivi, you should totally look up Cloroformo... I love it! The acting is great, Zuria Vega has really impressed me. I just wish it was as long as other series like La Mariposa (60 or so eps). This feels way too short.

RG, I've been dying to see La Promesa! I so wish UniMas would pick it up.
 

Santa,

so is this like a hobby of Humberto's,
playing these stupid women who have come after him,
he must certainly know who Paula Delgado is as well,
but maybe Begoña Flores fell through the cracks,
since she has been there so long,

I think Santi and Lisette are both wild cards for him as well,

and he seems to know about Daniela's drugs,
is used to Ines,
but hasn't made the connection of George trying to kill his father.

 

Santa,

oh, and...

he must have known Santa's trauma about sleeping with him,
and when he said , was it, "I did it",
he was finally going to sleep with the wife of the guy he killed,
ooo, this guy is bad,

and I bet he poured his drink on her intentionally, knowing it might be drugged,

and ripped up the pre-nup,
because he knows her using a false name throws the whole thing out the window anyway.

 

SANTA

Deb, what he said was ¡Lo logré! which has a different connotation than ¡Lo hice!.

The first phrase is more like "I accomplished it or my plan worked". The second is simply "I did it".
 

Santa,

ahha,
thanks novelera,

 

Has Humberto known from the beginning that Amanda is Santa or did the PI find out?
 

SANTA

Well it looks like those writers have figured out a way to make this show more interesting and help the ratings. Good for them.

But I think I'd kill someone if I had to live among these people. Because they don't have enough stalkery, nosy types, now Lisette thinks it's her business to know about Santi's letters? Tor for everybody!

Kelly
 

MARIDO jueves 22 de agosto Minicap Part 1

Over tea Gris, Amalia, Celeste and Paloma discuss how Gris's life will change. Gris doesn't even know where to begin. She mentions that she recently received a marriage proposal but doesn't say who. However, they guess it was Gabe. Amalia wants to call Antonio. Gris isn't crazy about the idea but allows her to. Antonio of course is thrilled that they found the winning ticket. Thee guy from the TV station comes to her house for an interview. He found out her address from someone hanging out at the stand where she bought the ticket. They try to jazz her up for TV but she prefers to wear her work uniform. She's nervous at first but calms down and proclaims herself the sole winner of 50 million. She thanks the Virgencita whose statue she has next to her.

TC is having a website developed for her event planning business and tells Ro she already has two jobs lined up. Later she sees Gris on TV and she faints dead away. It's a pretty funny faint too. In the restaurant kitchen they are also watching Gris. Now that's posh–there's no TV in the kitchen where I work, only a radio that picks up one station. It's murder before Christmas when it plays Christmas music 24/7. Simon and one of the chefs say that there will be a long line at her door. Reinaldo is happy she won because she totally deserves it. We see Babs watching the interview and she does not look pleased. Envious is what she looks like.

At Fina Estampa the spider is waiting for the fly. Marcela offers to be JP's confidante. He tells her they never wanted kids but everything has changed. She tells him he feels betrayed. He agrees. Ester has just had a procedure done and Alba says everything seems to be OK. At the next appt she wants JP to be there. She reminds Ester that the donors are anonymous and need to remain that way.

Back at Chez Palmer TC claims she didn't faint and orders Ro to throw the TV in the trash. Elsa can't believe all this fuss because someone won the lottery. In her room TC has a hissy fit. She calms down and says "Aunque la mona se viste de seda, mona se queda." (Lit., "Although the monkey dresses in silk, it's still a monkey." One English equivalent: "You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.") Reinaldo is still at work and, with a glass of wine in hand, reflects about Gris' last day working at the restaurant when she told him, "There is no 'us'."

Max is afraid Babs will leave him now that he can't fight. He doesn't know what he will do with his life. She assures him she's not leaving and thinks she may know a way to get some needed cash.

robot: changeRO
 

SANTA

Hombre - GREAT recap! You are so right - this show is heating up and getting goooood!

Why didn't our traveling bad guy (LA-Miami- Marrero) just shoot George in the leg and ruin his golf game? I really expected that George would have to turn over the car right then.

Kudos to G-Cano for getting George's number. I'm liking the old guy more and more.

Poor Dani. Only 16 and already an accomplice in a wrongful imprisonment and death and a drug addict. If she went into rehab, the truth would probably come out, but Bert and Fran don't want Dani spilling her guts to a therapist.

I was so glad the anonymous letter line ended when it did. It was becoming boring. Santi should find out from Ines tonight that the only "truth" she knows is that he and Santi are ogling each other.

It was great fun watching Mara put her plan into action. She could be pregnant by next week. Horti is going to have more grandchildren than she wants.

Bert knows about Santa/Amanda, so he must know about Wee Willy and Paula. But does he suspect SA had anything to do with the video of Barbara? Bert is so smooth (an elegant villain) that it's hard to tell what he does or doesn't know. But we do know he's way ahead of the venganza girls.

I'm hoping Carlos gives Horti a taste of he own nastiness.

Fran and Vicente - wow! Poor G-Cano, betrayed by his family on all sides.

And Vicente - Bert's partner in crime. Ugh!

If SA is pregnant, that means at least 4 − 6 weeks have passed since the wedding. The writers should give us a few clues as to elapsed time. Although the dizziness SA is experiencing could be a red herring. These writers have a way of sending false clues.

Beth
 

Marido

Best part of the episode, the part that I replayed multiple times? The profile shot of Reinaldo and his perfect glass of red wine.
 

MARIDO jueves 22 de agosto Minicap Part 2

Reinaldo calls Gris to congratulate her. She apologizes for the way she treated him the last time they talked. Then Gabe calls to tell Gris the champagne is chilling. Paloma and Celeste make fun of Gris' suitors. Knock at the door–it's Rafa who mentions the paparazzi outside. Paloma and Celeste go to the window–"Even Telemundo is here!" Another knock and it's Antonio. He kisses her but she saves her enthusiasm for his friend Daniel. Gabe and K arrive and the festivities begin. K takes a call from Clara who is po'd that she is missing the party. Gabe is afraid that Gris won't like him anymore because she's now rich but Gris says she loyal to her friends and doesn't intend to change. As the party breaks up Antonio wants to stay but Kikito is in his room now. K tries to offer his but Gris won't let him and he certainly can't stay in Amalia's room. It was sad to watch Gris give Daniel a big hug before he left and to see her shake hands with her own son. The damage has been done Antonio and no amount of money is going to fix this. In her room Gris is looking at her toolbox and wondering how much her life will change.

We switch to Manuel's apartment. Celeste says that Gris will still be her friend even though she's now a millionaire. Manuel is hopeful that Gris will stay out of their lives. He tells Celeste he hates her guts and Celeste mutters that the old Manuel is back.

Leo and Penny FF>>

The next morning Gris tells Amalia that she doesn't intend to give up working because she would be bored with nothing to do. Whenever the Powerball jackpot gets huge we always ask ourselves if we would still work. Besides, people need her services. At the beach those two guys who torment Ro (I can't remember their names) wonder if she'll ever fix their shower again. Amalia tells Rafa about Gris' plans to continue working. He thinks she's crazy and says she could be kidnapped. Amalia tells him, "Don't even joke about that."

Antonio runs into Pati at school. "¡Desnudo estoy!" OK it's a nice song but do they have to play it every time they meet? She expresses her congratulations for Griselda.

TC asks Ro to play some numbers for her. He wonders why when she has enough money for her next life. She is going to win more money than la bigotuda. TC, you should play Powerball.

A stretch limo pulls up to Casa Carrasco. Gris gets out and the neighbors and passers-by think she is already spending her money on frivolous stuff. She tells them the Lottery Commission sent the Limo to pick her up so she can do all the paperwork. A woman runs up to her and introduces herself as her tutor in fine living. Her name: María Iris de Silva. Tia Iris says that those people standing there may be her friends now but will turn into her enemies. Gris doesn't know why she should pay attention to her when she doesn't even know her. Tia Iris says she's the mother of her best friend Paloma. Gris then realizes that Tia Iris is the aunt of TC. She tells her that her service will not be needed.

TC is on the phone working on an event. She thinks a nude woman popping out of a cake is in poor taste but says she will make the arrangements. She gets off the phone and says she detests the nouveaux riches. Elsa asks if Ro went to play her numbers and says the lines will be long since….TC warns her not to mention that woman's name in her house.

Max is getting ready to go to the gym. Babs warns him that the doctor says fighting is bad for his heart. He can't sit around and do nothing and their money will run out in about a month. Babs has a plan. "My ex mother-in-law just won the lottery and I know a way to get part of her fortune."
 

DyO

Amy - you have an excellent memory! Great recap.

Angel is despicable stealing his mother's little bit of savings. And then he conned her into giving him more money to buy his buddies drinks. I hope he doesn't get Isabel fired.

We still haven't seen wheelchair guy's face.

Estela was literally saved by the doorbell when Iggy was asking her about doctors and treatments. Maybe Nomas will hire an actor to explain Estela's brain tumor to Iggy.

I was surprised that KArana was so affected by Estela's and Nomas' discussion. I wonder if/when she or JM will tell Iggy.

Beth
 

MARIDO

Sue, thanks for your excellent minicap. I missed the part about Rafa warning Amalia that someone could kidnap Gris. Foreshadowing of Rafa's plans?

I was glad to see that Gris sent Tony home. He hasn't learned a thing about himself.

Manuel's memory is coming back - and bringing his bad-tempered disposition with it.

Tia Iris is quite the gold digger. But I loved the way Gris brushed her off.

I just know Barbie is going to use Kikito to extort money from Gris. And - Max understands Barbie much better than K does. He expects Barbie will dump him when the money is gone.

I'm losing interest in TC's scenes.

Beth
 

MARIDO

Terrific recap, Sue! I really liked “at Fina Estampa the spider is waiting for the fly”. I can’t stand Marcela. And JP bit like a 10 pound trout. I give them another week and she’ll have him in bed.

Antonio actually behaved better than I thought he would. He tried to move back in, of course, but he was fairly humble in his behavior around Gris and his siblings and no sign of a smirk at all.

I suspect Barbie is going to try to get a big payday for NOT taking Quiquito to live with her.

I see why you FF>>> through Leo and Penny, but I did notice that the cute lifeguard is also interested in Penny, and he’s a nice guy. I sincerely hope he aces out Leo.

The actress playing Tía Iris is VERY funny. That tap dance she did in front of Gris’ house was hysterical.

Talk about someone with their nose out of joint. TC is coming unglued with her anger about something good happening to Griselda.

Reinaldo and Griselda's phone conversation was perfect. She wasn't defensive any more because she believes nothing will happen in their relationship and she mentally put an end to it. and Rei was congratulating her as any friend would on her good fortune.
 

DyO
Deb, I noticed the wealthy sleazeball from DyO moonlighting as a reporter in Marido, pretty funny. Also, the white-haired wheelchair guy in the asylum is now being played by a gray-haired bald guy. Sheesh.
J in Oregon

 

TELEMUNDO:

I'm not surprised that the summer novelas-DyO, MeA and Santa diabla aren't doing as well in the ratings as the winter/spring ones-Cielos, PP, and La Patrona. The newer ones aren't as captivating or focused, IMHO as the previous ones. I didn't watch PP because JenCarlos freaks me out, but I saw two eps and I got why people liked it, plus I always read the recaps because it was an interesting story line. Cielos I didn't watch either because I just am morally opposed to watching narcos-I feel like I'm promoting violence but the recaps showed a gripping story.

I watched religiously LP and watching Corazon Indomable and Santa now, LP was really well done. It was a well developed, taut story line with a great ensemble cast who had great
chemistry all around. For me, it seems there were a multitude if messages/morals in LP about mothers/sons, love/forgiveness and vengeance that made the story really gripping. It was more of a miniseries to me than a novela.

The casting directors in LP paid attention to details-I loved the fact that everyone looked like they belonged in their roles-teenaged David looked like and had the same mannerisms as young David, and looked like a combo of his Mom and Dad. Older Max didn't look like young Max, but looked like his dead father. The same for the kids who played alejandro's daughter and Patti's son. They look like their tv parents. In Santa, Paula looks nothing like Willy SR, her brother, and she's too forceful and inept towards Santa and the venganza to be any good towards advancing it.
You could also lose four o
r five of the Cano auxiliaries and not miss a beat in this story. Why is there a human trafficking ring story in this TN? How I'll it help or hurt the main storyline-Santa's venganza?. If that's the case, why are they there? In LP, no one or nothing who wasn't pivotal to the story was there. Every plot point and turn buttressed the main story line. Simply put: The new tns are doing badly because they aren't that focused and have high circo potential, marido being the exception-it's focused but boring. I'm only interested in Gris/REI/TC. In LP, every character was interesting and nothing superfluous.
 

J desde New York: very interestig comments, especially about actors looking familial. Tonight on SANTA, I was thinking that the actor playing Vincente looks more like Humberto than G. Cano, and since he is having an affair with Fancisca, I wouldn't be surprise if we discover they are father and son. They certainly have a closer relationship that than Humberto and his father. nj sue
 

In comparison to SD and LP i like SD better because in LP everyone was new to me except Jorge Luis Pila (Gonzalo Garcia Vivanco and Cristian de la Campa dont count since ive never watched RP). This is why i chose PP over LP

I like the SD cast also because ive been dying to see Gaby since her MSED days. Carlos Ponce seemed robotic as a protag so being the bastard is more belivable to me imo. Ximena Duque changed her her back into her lovely brown hair and its great that Wanda D'Isidoro isnt playing a news reporter :)

 

MARIDO viernes 23 de agosto Minicap Part 1

(Sorry I can't do the scene-by-scene recaps anymore. It just takes too long. So, some relatively unimportant scenes may be left out.)

Gris is finding out what happens when you win a boatload of money. She reviews paperwork for long and short-term investments but can't make heads or tails of it. Amalia does what she can to help. Gris you need a good financial planner, preferably one que habla tu idioma (they always say that in the endless ads I see for attorneys on my Telemundo affiliate). Gris is going to give money to K and Amalia. "What about Antonio? He has the same rights." Gris doesn't want to give him a cent but relents under Amalia's influence. She calls Antonio to tell him she will deposit a sum of money in a bank account but he will not have access to it until he graduates. With this money he should be able to open his own practice. Antonio is grateful for once in his life. Close-up of those gorgeous Antonio eyes. Gris has a wad of bills in the house that she'll use to pay the bills. Amalia thinks it's dangerous to have that much cash on hand. Amalia is one smart cookie except when it comes to Rafa. K drops Kikito off at school and Kikito asks if he will remember to pick him up because he doesn't like to be at school by himself.

Reinaldo is on the terrace reading the paper (nowadays that's so quaint, oh and it's in English) and asks Elsa where Ro is. She tells Reinaldo about TC's errand. He confronts TC with this dumb idea of playing the lottery. TC says it's her money and she can do with it what she feels like. He tells her the odds are astronomical but she doesn't care. She is going to one-up "that woman." Manuel is in the kitchen with that sour look on his face. Ro comes in with the dogs in tow and notes his look is one of envy. TC asks Marcela how long she is going to stay. Marcela has to think quickly and comes up with a story about writing a story about a friend who has just gone into the event planning business and estimates that she will need several months because it's going to be a long article. Vanity they name is Teresa Cristina.

Babs tells Max that she has a plan to get money out of Gris and/or K. She lived among those people and she knows how they tick.

Ester arrives at Fina Estampa and Marcia tries to get her to sign some contracts re: fabric. Ester is distracted. Marcia is worried about her and JP. Ester says it's just a disagreement and it will be resolved. Marcia notes JP's bad mood since the day before. I'm sure his mood will be worse when she tells him that he needs to go with her to the next appointment. She tries to talk to JP but he has said all he has to say on the matter and takes a call from their Chinese representative.

Gabe and Clara ask K what he is doing working at Tacos Bar when he doesn't have to work anymore. Suddenly our big doofus has an epiphany, runs outside and proclaims, "¡¡¡SOY RICO!!!" Just then Babs walks up. K tells her to get lost but she says she didn't come to see him, she was only out for a walk. She reminds him that he sought her out when she first came to Miami and caused a scene. Clara goes to attack her but Gabe holds her back. Gabe tells them to settle this because they are bothering the customers. Babs congratulates K and walks away. So what is her big plan? She reports back to Max that the plan worked. She can tell that K is still crazy about her and she will use this to their advantage.

Gris is already bored with her new life and keeps busy by cleaning the house. She picks up a picture of Antonio in his cap and gown and sighs, "Hijos."


 

MARIDO viernes 23 de agosto Minicap Part 2

At the restaurant Reinaldo recalls his earlier conversation with TC and realizes that he knows her but doesn't really know her. He asks Simon if this is possible and before Simon can answer he asks if maybe he wasn't giving himself permission to see all her flaws and again Simon tries to answer but is cut off. Reinaldo says he has to go out. Simon reminds him the sous-chef is out sick but Reinaldo says he will be back.

TC is on the phone negotiating on behalf of her client. Ro likes the old days better when she didn't work because they would talk about things. She acknowledges that he feels alone and has a conversation about his volleyball team. He wants to know if Fina Estampa's sponsorship is a done deal. Scenes of the team working out. At the beach the machos are boasting about how they will win when one actually says, "What if we lose?" Ro asks to leave early to attend the first training session. TC says she will go with him and then they will go to dinner at Gourmet Palmer though TC will eat in the dining room and Ro will eat in the kitchen. Words fail me right now.

Gris has a conversation with la Virgencita about being rich. "Because if this boredom is what it's like to be rich I'd rather be poor." She quickly takes that back and then thinks that rich people also work so tomorrow she will go back to work. Rich people generally don't work in menial jobs unless they are on "Undercover Boss." She's excited when she hears a knock at the door–she thinks it's a client. It turns out to be Reinaldo. And right behind him with a bouquet of flowers is Gabe. Gris thanks him for the flowers and goes into the kitchen to put them in a vase. Reinaldo mutters that they look plastic and the two trade barbs. Gris calls Celeste and lets her know what's going on. She tells her that the two are seated on the sofa like a couple of big monkeys. She asks both what they are doing there. Both say they're there to invite her to dinner. After some back-and-forth Gris goes into the kitchen and calls Celeste again. Celeste says she would go out with both. And so Gris announces her decision. The three of them will go out to dinner at Gourmet Palmer. (Where they will run into TC.)

K has to go pick up Kikito at school leaving Clara to run things because Gabe is at Gris' house. Clara b¡tches and demands double pay.

Max is queasy about Babs' plan and thinks it's really low. She says she won't rest until she solves their financial dilemma.

TC, Ro and Manuel go to the gym to watch the training. Manuel can't believe that they are all gay and says he thinks he's going to be sick and leaves. Ro, wearing a pink shirt and shorts, joins the team. TC calls JP to see if he's on board. He's not too crazy about sponsoring a gay volleyball team but he will check with Ester. Ester says if it will bring as much publicity for Fina Estampa as TC promises then they should go ahead. JP says he will handle it. Ester again asks to speak with him and she is interrupted by a call from the Brazilian rep.

Tia Iris has a nightmare about the mafia guy. And her nightmare is about to come true because mafia guy has arrived in Miami. He is staying at the same hotel as Max and Babs because it's the only one in town. NOT!

Amalia comes home and helps Gris get ready for her ménage à trois. Amalia insists Gris wear a dress and she puts on the one Antonio gave her because evidently it's the only one she has. Amalia does her makeup. She comes down the stairs. We don't see her but Gabe says "¿Griselda?" and Reinaldo asks "¿Eres tú?"
 

MARIDO

Sue - no apologies, please. Your recap is wonderful. You got it all. Thank you for the TC-Ro conversation. Either Dish or Telemundo wasn't cooperating last night so I missed that whole dialogue about TC accompanying Ro to practice and then dining at Gourmet Palmer. I can't believe she told him he'd have to eat in the kitchen!

Barbie's plan is going to work because K is an idiot where his ex is concerned and Gris will do anything to protect Kikito.

The conversation between Diosa and the volleyball player was a prelude to the TC - Ro dinner at Gourmet Palmer, but I'm curious as to how that will play out. Dinner should be fun though, with Ro in the kitchen, TC and the trio in the dining room and Diosa and the beach boy in the audience.

Tia Iris and the mafiosa - I'm looking forward to this match-up.

I was a little bothered by Gris' belief that her kids "have rights" to her winnings. They certainly will when she dies, but not now. I guess the writers have some reason for her dividing up her money now - ?Barbie getting K's and Kikito's shares?

Beth
 

SANTA DIABLA, Friday (epi 13)

(I didn't follow some of the conversations so any help would be appreciated)

we open with Humberto and Vicente telling THE story to Amanda's new chauffeur, the guy who killed Willy,
this included some flashbacks,

when Bárbara first hired Willy to teach music to Daniela, Humberto insisted on checking him out, and we see that he knows of Santa, Paula, and little willy,

when Willy was getting his family out of the country, we see Humberto across the street, watching,

and we see Humberto meeting Amanda for the first time at the gym, did he say he never forgets a face, so he knew from the start, but I think he is a bit intrigued,

meanwhile Santiago visiting Inés, as her new music teacher, (more parallels to Willy) picks up a magazine that she has used for her anonymous letters to him, and that cat is out of the bag, Santi being relieved that she only knows/suspects about him and Amanda, and as she explains, and coos, and touches, and kisses, in walks Pancho,

Pancho is not amused as he is now investigating Santi, who has unentangled himself from this octopus and makes his way to the door and out, Pancho follows, letting him know, he will find out...

Bárbara shows up at Mara's Cafe, she wants the dvd, Mara cleverly stalls and asks who the man was in the video, but goes and finds it anyway, and gives the dvd to her, (apparently no one investigated this whole thing the night before)

Carlos, questions Hortensia (the puppy killer), she admits to throwing the rock, but they seem to understand each other,

Gaspar looks in on Daniela, who looks better, she says don't ask, hugs him, and tells him to not let go,

Victoria, in front of her mirror, is looking at new ways to look prettier/younger, Lisette pops in, there must be a guy, who is it?

Santa is at the drug store looking for a pregnancy test, but leaves without one,

Paula, at work, is phoning around checking leads from Willy's legal file, Bárbara walks in, she hides under her desk, Bárbara goes off with Humberto, and shows him the dvd,

Mara greets Arturo, with a roll in the hay, he is wondering if his engagement to Lisette is the reason, later we find that the race is on for a Horti grandchild,

George greets Gaspar in the hallway, gets on his knees and begs for help, Gaspar tries to explain that Daniela needs love, not money, and walks away,

Santa checks on willy, Paula comes home, they talk updates, Santa tells of Gaspar's poisoning, Paula says you should have let him die, without the pre-nup it complicates the inheritance, etc., etc, crack, Santi slaps Paula to the ground,

Vicente comes home, Ines sweet talks him, she wants a party, and wants Santi to come, and as soon as he agrees, she is out the door, he sends a text message...

Gaspar sits on his bed as Francisca comes in, he indicates her phone, she picks it up, sees a text, smiles,

Santi is in his room, putting away his sax, Victoria comes in, she's curious about those letters,

Arturo arrives home, Lisette, the Padre, and Horti announce they have finalized the wedding plans, they will be married in a week,

Santa is home (at the Cano's) hears familiar voices, and peeks in on Bárbara intently watching the Willy dvd, seeing Willy is breaking her up, Humberto (back to his innocent husband routine) wants to know what's up, Santi tries to escape but he drags her into Bárbara's bedroom and patiently asks if she knows this guy in the video, we can just see Santa trying to be someplace else, anyplace but here...

 

Santa
Tk you so much deb

I thought Santiago had moved out of Victoria's house. Why did he come back?

Humberto is really un bastardo, played very well by Carlos.

This is really getting interesting.
It adds new meaning to dysfunctional family.
 

MARIDO:

Thanks for the recap, Sue, you don't have to have every scene, this was excellent!

I think I heard Gris say Antonio would get the money in 2 years when he graduates, so he can open up his consultorio. But if he's just in medical school, what about internship, residency, specialization in plastic surgery? In real life, a bit more than 2 years (or maybe I misheard, and she didn't even say 2 years :)

Diosa got some money form her ex, so she's going to pay for the dinner at Gourmet Palmer with Gigante (the ripped beach boy).

BTW, the nice lifeguard who competes with Leo for Penny is named Victor.

I can't wait to see the gay volleyball team in the outfits designed by Fina Stampa!
 

MARIDO

Hombre you heard right. She said two years. Let's tighten our beanies a bit.
 

SANTA DIABLA:

Thanks for the recap, Deb!

Variopinta, Santi was going to leave town because he though someone had discovered his secret. He temporarily put this on hold when little Willy was sick in the hospital, and Santi wanted to help Sam by watching Willy. Now that Santi knows that the anonymous letters (called the anónimos) were from Inés, and Inés doesn't know about his past, he can stay. So he never totally left Victoria's house/inn.

I think it's a good think that Inés is crazy about Santi, at least in the short run, because she can dissuade her brother Pancho from coming down too hard on Santi. In the long run, when Santi definitively rejects Inés, look out!

That Carlos is a slime. When Horti said cada oveja con su pareja (each sheep with its partner, meaning black and white people shouldn't mix), Carlos said he totally agreed, this country needs to stop these new "changes". But we know he's hot for Mara, her race doesn't seem to be any impediment to his lust.

At least so far, it doesn't seem as if Bert knows about Begoña, although he might. Also, it's good that only Bert, Vicente and "Ricardo" know the truth, so this gives Sam a little more latitude.

I sure hope she figures out that Bert knows, but that's unlikely for a while. BTW, she doesn't want to kill people, at least not Gaspar and of course not Santi, so I think her plan revolves around bringing the truth to light so that the bad guys go to prison for murder or fraud. This is similar to Gabi on La Patrona. In that show, the bad guys started killing each other. And the same thing could happen in this show, they're certainly not all on the same page. George is a loose cannon for sure. Bárbara, too, and she thinks big Willy is still alive.

Of all the bad guys, I sort of like Lisette. Yes, I know she butts in where she's not invited, but she's so happy and positive (as she does sneaky things for money!)
 

Santa,

hmm, Inés letters were enough for Santi to leave town, (maybe because he thought someone KNEW), but now that the entire Marrero police department has dropped what they are doing to follow him around, not so important,

I was looking forward to Humberto revealing his plan, and it was like he was right there, but the scene moved on, and Ricardo looked like he could care less, his big concern seems to be having to go to work,

So Humberto, the white shark, is even more evil than we thought, but I think he missed Begoña, would like to see his file on Lucy, and Santiago walking into his game, hmm, I think Santi is the one person who has always managed to spill Humberto's apple cart, and Lisette marrying Arturo, his mom's best friend's son, brings a part of his life he likes hidden, closer to his family.

and thanks Hombre, for relating the Carlos/Horti sheep talk, I could see where they connected but wasn't getting the words, and yes Carlos has his work-arounds, and a kidney that some sucker gave him, and manly body parts that don't work, and... this town is so small, they don't even have a police car.

 

SANTA

Thanks, Deb, for your great recap. Due to Dish and/or Telemundo, I missed the whole dialogue between Bert, Vicente and "Ricardo" on Bert's plan - "plan B"? But clearly, Bert has been on to Santa since day 1 or 2. (Yes, Deb, I think Bert said he never forgets a face.) What a cat and mouse game we have going!

I've been thoroughly enjoying this tn the past week. I think the writers either stepped it up the last week and a half or they had a few off episodes the end of the first week. The story is moving along now, and every day we're learning there are more twists and turns than Hombre's pretzel factory.

Carlos threw me a curve ball with his kid glove approach with Hortie. But then it was apparent he wants to keep Art and Mara separated so he can move on Mara.

I'm sure George, the would-be murderer, will make a third attempt to off G-Con. The saying goes, "The third times a charm," or "Three strikes and you're out!"

Wait till Lisette and Carlos find out it's Ivan who's making Vicki blush.

Beth
 

Santa
Humberto never forgets a face, he clearly doesn't have the prosopagnosis disorder that Octavio has over on Corazón Indomable.
 

DYO viernes, part 1/2

During cozy after-dinner coffee in the sala, Tomas proposes that Ignacia quit her job to stay home and take care of ailing Estela. Ignacia is all, QUE???? No way! I can do both things!! Tomas is “STUNNED” at her selfishness, you mean your job is more important than your mother’s HEALTH? Yeah, we knew this card was going to be played. Pobrecita de Ignacia! She insists she can do both.

Oleg and Mireya are arguing… he wants to know what’s up with her attitude, and she wants him to butt out. Marge interrupts. Mireya leaves and Marge apologizes for being cold with Oleg the past few days… it’s just that, well, she is so scared about the, gasp, operation, and she just, gasp, (oh, good god, this hyperventilating thing is seriously getting on my nerves) has been so out of sorts. Oleg comforts her, promising to be there for her and get through this together. He leans in and kisses her sweetly, and then goes in for another kiss when Gina barges in looking for Marge.

El Duro wants to see Zafiro. Faceless ED pulls out a whip. Bleck Bleck Bleck. Later Barbie finds Z sitting alone crying with lots of bruises (but hair and makeup perfect), and she says ED is a monster.

Neto is doing more reading on the job, and Mireya comes looking for her dad. Neto wants to talk, and he refers to his book, saying that she “has much anger inside her and needs to exchange it for love,” and something about the flow of the energy from the earth (I don’t have cc’s online). She thinks he’s drunk and starts to wheel off, but he pulls her back and PLANTS ONE ON HER!! YAY, YOU!! But, wait, it’s not over… SHE KISSES HIM BACK!! Then, here comes Oleg, ruiner of moments. He is scolding them both, when Ignacia comes by, wanting to see Neto.

A masked man dressed in black with a baseball bat , whom we all assume is Ruben, destroys Tomas’s office.

Karina visits Estela at the house and is incensed that she is lying to her daughter about her health. She knows everything… she heard Estela and Tomas talking about it. Estela begs Karina not to tell anyone, and K says it’s the first thing she’s going to do when she leaves the house. But wait, K decides she’s getting something out of this, so she says if Estela doesn’t want her to tell the truth to Ignacia, Estela should pack her bags and leave Casa Villanomayor forever (she doesn’t want her to live under the same roof as Tomas). She needs to be gone in two days, or she’ll tell. I’m seeing the shadow of an anvil…

Tomas finds his office destroyed, Isabel thinks it could have been Angel. Meanwhile, Angel is taking detailed notes (on his hand) about the bodega (I’m assuming it’s the place where they keep their building materials). He goes to the jefe of the bodega looking for work, but gets a call from Isabel blaming him for the break-in which he denies. At the office, when Isabel hangs up the phone, JM comes in asking her to download the security tapes from last night. Isabel looks conflicted… will she sabotage the footage to save her brother, who she thinks is to blame???

 

DYO viernes, part 2/2

Emilio has taken Gema to meet his parents… at the cemetery. He tells her the story of when they were crossing the border illegally when he was young… I didn’t catch some of this w/o the captions, but according to him his parents were killed crossing the border, and he got away, vowing to become powerful and never be humiliated like that again.

Iggy wants to know from Neto who is blackmailing her brother. Neto flashes back to Ruben saying that Tomas is crazy and capable of anything toward Ignacia if he finds out, so Neto denies knowing anything. Iggy doesn’t believe him, and suspects it’s Tomas, but Neto gets away. Those hyperactive squirrels are fast little suckers.

Isabel downloads the security tape and is sure that the masked man is Angel, despite the “masked” part and the fact that masked man is at least a foot taller than Angel.

Oh yeah, it’s surgery day for Marge and the whole family is simpering. The doctor won’t tell Pedro much except to have faith. As Pedro leaves Mamacita Santa in her hospital room to prepare for surgery, she calls out to him, “Everything I did, I did for you and Lupita to be happy.” Pedro breaks down in the corridor and flashes back to Iggy’s voice telling him she wants to help him feel better and he pulls out his phone.

Tomas bursts into the apartment (does the man ever knock and enter politely?) demanding to see Ruben, whom he is sure just destroyed his office. Mariano and Abue fend him off, Mariano says that destroying an office is not nearly as bad as sending someone to attack someone else, and he is going to find out exactly WHO sent the attacker that banged Pedro on the head. Ignacia enters during these last words… “QUE??? WHAT DID YOU DO TO PEDRO, TOMAS??”

Fin del capitulo.

As always, feel free to fill in the holes ☺

 

DyO

Amy - thanks for yet another fabulous recaps. I'm still laughing over Marge " - is so scared about the, gasp, operation, and she just, gasp, (oh, good god, this hyperventilating thing is seriously getting on my nerves) has been so out of sorts."

That scene with Nomas playing the "let's all support Estela's health and you quit your job" card was perfecto - all 3 actors (especially Nomas) played it to the max.

Color me shocked! I'm not surprised that the squirrel kissed the shrew, but she kissed him back. What is up with that?! Has Neto finally pulled in enough cosmic energy to get a girlfriend?

Did Emilio randomly pick some dead parents from the selection of cemetery stones, or is he maybe telling Gema the truth? His story about going back to find his dead parents in a mass grave and then taking their ashes for burial was a stretch for me. If he is El Duro, does he have real feelings for Gema? This seems like an overly elaborate con to get her to the strip club.

Beth
 

DyO

love your recaps Amy!

ahhh, the Neto/Mireya kiss, I was stunned,
and Olegario breaking it up, didn't see that coming, cracked me up,
I like Neto,
he really has done more for the good guys than any other character,
and Mireya could sure use an outlet for all that passion she has been storing up,
[and after watching Sofía Lama (Mireya) in "Rosa Diamante", I really enjoy everything she does]

who was that masked man,
(and so the 'bat' makes another guest appearance),

and why doesn't anyone assume Tomas wrecked his own office,
again,

Karina is always going to the wrong place with her reveals,
(she would have a VERY short part in a Colombian narco novela)

Emilio taking Gema to meet his parents,
(and she was so thrilled),
to the cemetery, haha,
maybe he IS, a too good to be true guy, and they are goofing on us.

 

DYO

Beth, I'm with you about the dead parents story. I really feel like it's all just an elaborate ruse. Especially with no names on the gravestone, just "my dear parents." I bet he takes all his recruits there, no matter what alias he is using.

Deb, I totally agree about Neto... he better get something good out of this novela!! He's so earnest and loyal. And I, too, was totally shocked Mireya kissed him back! When they showed it in the previews the day before, I was sure Pedro would be watching and she did it to make him jealous. Nevertheless, even though he tried to take all the blame, I'm sure he's on her sh** list now, so it'll be a while before he ever gets to first base with her again.
 

Marido

Thanks for the recap--it was just what I needed, especially since there were no captions on this episode on the Telemundo page.

What is with Tia Iris? Does she or does she not dispose of four apartments in Manhattan? If she does, then coming up with $124,000 (if I understood correctly) for that gangster should be a piece of cake. Is there something I'm not understanding here?

So what brings Reinaldo and Griselda together again is simply him inviting her out for dinner? Yes, on some level I'll accept any pretext for seeing them together, but I am kind of dissatisfied with this. He is a married man, so should he really be inviting her for dinner? TC has a legitimate reason to get furious at him for this. And thus because he's now giving himself permission to notice TC's flaws is not a good reason to do this--Griselda presumably doesn't want a married man chasing after her. I think I'd prefer some contrived telenovela-ish plotline throwing them together.
 

SANTA

If Samanda thinks she might be pregnant, she and Bert must have had sex. Why is she so disgusted about having sex with him once they were married?

Also, did anyone notice that Daniela was attracted to Ivan and Barbara spoke up right away and told her daughter to stay away from Ivan. Maybe she just doesn't want her daughter to get involved with an illegitimate cousin but it occurred to me that maybe Daniela is really Bert's child in which case, they would be half siblings.
 

SANTA

Jean- They had sex on (shock of all shocks) their wedding night. Santa tried to drug him but it didn't work. Not sure how she'd keep that up throughout the marriage, but that's not relevant.

If Daniela is Bert's kid, then it means that he had sex with his sister (Barbara and Humberto are the siblings). Ick! That might be a little much even for a novela. But if Ivan is really the sone of someone else and Lisette, then he's fair game for Daniela. I hope that turns out to be the case because she really needs someone good in her life.


CIELOS

I miss Cabo and Tijeras! But also, quick question. There's a mini-film fest in town and they are showing El Cartel de los Sapos (Cartel of Snitches) and guess who's in it? Robinson Diaz (Cabo) and Fernando Solorzano (Oscar Cardenas), playing guess who? Cabo and Oscar! I can't remember if this was mentioned but are these characters based on real people? The movie is based on the novela which is based on a book and these same actors are playing the same parts. And is in normal in Colombian tv/film to use the same character and actor over a number of shows, or did these actors just get a pretty good gig?

Kelly
 

MARIDO

The actor playing Victor the lifeguard is actually the older brother of Kimberly Dos Ramos (Patricia)
 

CIELOS

Kelly - Andres Lopez wrote both novels [El Cartel de los Sapos (Cartel of Snitches) and El Señor de los Cielos]. He used some of the same characters and locations in both stories. His work is based upon his real life experiences in the Cartel del Norte about 20 years ago. He started writing while in prison for drug related convictions and has alsowritten other novels. He's out of prison, and I believe he's living well in Miami.

Beth
 

MARIDO:

Sue- This was a great recap. Thank you!

Well, looks like we’re in for some drama at the restaurant on Monday with all those players there. It will be difficult for Rei to explain to TC why he’s on a (three person) date with Gris, especially when he said he’d never see her again. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing Gris’s new “luke”. The flash of legs we saw coming down the stairs already looked promising. TC will choke when she sees her.

I hope Max puts a stop to Barbie’s plan. He disapproves, but he hasn’t put his foot down. Although he does look tired, like his health problems have really worn him down physically and emotionally. Poor guy.

Has anyone else thought that Quiquito might become a kidnapping target? It was mentioned that Gris should be worried about being kidnapped, but when Quiquito begged his dad not to be late picking him up because he hates being left alone waiting at the school, I immediately thought, uh oh! And Quique’s running into the streets, like an idiot, yelling that HE’S rich. He’s need to figure out what he wants to do with his life. He may not want to keep waiting tables, but he can’t sit around being a kept man either. Amalia has a business she can expand (and good instincts about investing money), and Tony has his future medical practice. What’s Quique’s ambition?

NovelaMan- Thanks for the info on the actors who play Victor and Pati. I guess that rules out one possible new beau for Pati. :)
 

Beth- Thanks!

Kelly
 

MARIDO

I guess Simon will have to run the kitchen at Gourmet Palmer because the sous-chef is out sick and the executive chef is busy having dinner with a woman not his wife when he should be working. He did tell Simon he would be back. And all hell should break loose because the exec's wife who has mental health issues will be present. Remember the last time TC made a scene? Simon had to give everyone complimentary drinks.

@Vivi: I did not consider that Kikito could be kidnapped. I took Kikito's comment about being left at school at face value because his doofus father couldn't put aside his own problems and remember to pick up the boy. K had better get his act together so that child will not be a sitting duck.
 

MARIDO:

utah Desert, I think that although Iris owns the apartments in New York (given to her by TC), she hasn't sold them, and doesn't want to. She owes the mob guy $124,000 in protection money or taxes, and the monthly income on 4 apartments is not enough to pay that amount for awhile (even at $3000 a month each, it would take a year, and they haven't given her a year).

As for throwing Rei and Gris together, I don't think Rei came over with the intention of asking Gris out to dinner. He just went to congratulate Gris. But when Gabe asked her out to dinner, Rei had to match her (I think). Anyway, now that the three of them are having dinner together in his restaurant, he's not being unfaithful, it's more like a dinner given to a lucky member of the community who won the lottery. Well, WE know he WANTS it to be more, but at this point, that's all it is. Gris also knows he's married, and is only going since it's just a congratulatory dinner.

I doubt Gris and Rei will REALLY get together (such as sex) until Rei separates and/or divorces TC.
 

MARIDO

Vivi - I had the thought that Barbie might show up at Kikito's school to either pick him up or just make waves with the family (as part of her "plan"). But kidnapping is a definite possibility because of the emphasis the writers put on his almost begging K to not be late. I'm expecting K will be late, and, of course, Gris will be at Gourmet Palmer and will not know that Kikito isn't home after school. I guess it is time for the dishonest and disreputable to try to relieve Gris of he money.

Beth
 

DyO
AnotherAmy, thanks so much for the recap, especially given the challenging circumstances of doing it in the middle of moving!
I had to laugh when Angel was taking notes on his hand as he skulked behind a pile of building materials, because he was putting in punctuation (a period at the end of the sentence he was muttering.)
Loved the "squirrel/shrew" kiss!
Yah, I am conflicted about Emilio...I still say his lips are way too small for him to be a good character.
J in Oregon
 

Santa,

oh yea, I forgot to mention Humberto's game plan, (as stated by him)
"Ten a tus amigos cerca y a tus enemigos más cerca todavía"

(so will we hear Santa say, "revenge is a dish best served cold")

but maybe he has underestimated the "venganza girls" (as Beth calls them)

perhaps we should watch for when he makes a mistake,
something that shakes his confidence,

any fans of "Dame Chocolate"

I came across this pic of Genesis Rodriguez,
https://si0.twimg.com/profile_background_images/833883830/87e9788ad515de0cff636217e09ad251.jpeg

and I could only think,
what would happen if she walked into one of Carlos' scenes,
red lips of course,
would he drop everything, for the tattoo,

is this what Humberto is doing with Santa?

 

DAME CHOCOLATE

Is anyone watching the rerun? theyre at the part where Samantha Porter got shot by the police. They didnt need to kill her. It was obvious she was out of bullets. She shouldve been tased or at at the most shot in the leg.
 

Marido

Well, this isn't really Marido, it's off-topic, but I just can't resist posting it here, because you all are the only virtual group I'm part of that are into things Spanish-language. Is anyone familiar with the upscale Mexican department store and online retailer El Palacio de Hierro? And their ad campaign, "Soy totalmente Palacio," where they feature celebrities and such? If not, then do you like looking at good-looking men? If you answered yes to either question, then pretty please take a look at Palacio de Hierro's latest ad featuring my cousin: http://youtu.be/L0VVYN2ao5g
 

UtahDesert- Ooh! He is handsome. Thanks for sharing!