Friday, September 27, 2013
La Tempestad 44 – Thursday, 26 September 2013 – The Education of Damian Fabre or the Count of Mexi-Cristo
Labels: tempestad
This was an odd episode. There was all this filler about the stupid dance revue in which Ursula becomes the new major character in town but there wes also a lot of stuff pushed in at the end of the episode. I cannot tell if it was a compressed capitulo or not.
I also could not find a rhythm in the storytelling. It felt very disjointed and choppy. Oh, well. Maybe it was just me but I had a hard times getting my arms around this episode.
I do not like how Fully is toying with Laz. Of course, I don't much like how Laz's mom treats him either. Laz is truly unfortunate in his 'choice' of parents.
EJ
After your tape cut out:
Lazaro is out in the field (or rather a field) talking with one of the detectives who wants him to steal Nereo's cell phone, in order to look up the numbers called and see if they can locate Lucia, Jaz's sister. (UH, excuse me but how about just getting the records from the phone company?)
Olinto overhears Jaz thanking Candy for letting her work for her at the bar, but that she is going to work at the Packadero, and he wonders why he wasn't told. (Middle manager is always the last to know in these cases, Olinto!)
Marina gingerly lets Hernan hold her hand in front of the street crowd that includes Damian's loveable but motley maraneros who are as disapproving of this as a bunch of church ladies would be.
Laz learns Jaz will work at Packadero. He tells her he needs help stealing Nareo's cellular, she will get him drunk.
Then a long scene with Mercedes weeping like the Pieta with a passed-out Mag in her lap, in the car.
Hernan drops by Ernesto's casa, Estercita has a brief chance to talk to him, she wants him to tell her more about her past, "Who is Damian?"
Then the advances: More of everything. Damian has more suffering by an assault-perhaps directed somehow by Hernan, it is not clear, and Estercito remembers more, and Marina is even more miserable with Hernan.
When can't they spend more time on the Becky-Jose romance, instead of these random side plots?
"Sadly Beatriz, we are fresh out of morals and smooth segues in this novela", "Damian looks studly and Marina incredibly beautiful" and "No wonder he is frustrated. It must be hard to be that stupid" were among my favorites.
I know I am repeating myself but Rene Casados is the one breath of fresh air here. I cannot abide Ursula who who makes even Mayuya preferable (shiver).
The previews show a stabbing but no surprise because telenovela law distates this is standard fare for any incarcerated galan. Ack.
I thought Hernan's parents death might mean there was a tiny heartbeat of kindness somewhere within him. Having him coldly plot to kill Ester and her child proves there is most definitely not.
Our commenters are up early and shining bright:
Emarie: "Marina gingerly lets Hernan hold her hand in front of the street crowd that includes Damian's loveable but motley maraneros who are as disapproving of this as a bunch of church ladies would be". Great...
I'm totaly with you Vivi: "When can't they spend more time on the Becky-Jose romance, instead of these random side plots?" Wouldn't that be nice? Desperately seeking romance to ease the misery here...
All in all, a depressing episode but a masterful recap! The episode was disjointed (and I believe condensed), but you noted all the events in a marvelous way, Elna June.
Diana
"Beatriz whom I find very hard to like." [ditto]
"O.K. This character is 5 days old and already she is annoying me." [Mariana Seoane is always a fabulously annoying villain]
"shady side of 35" [well said]
"NOW THEY MOW THE SAME DEAD LAWN AGAIN." [Sorry but I had to put it in all caps. That was so great!]
"No wonder he's frustrated. It must be hard to be that stupid." [Amen sistah]
Alright, I blush to admit I'm looking forward to the tacky dance revue and all the rehearsals. I'd much rather watch that than another round of Marina sniveling through jail bars while DamStupid keeps repeating his lies.
Or Marina cringing as sticky little Hernán leaves snail tracks on her again.
Or Rosy and anybody!
YES! Bring on the dancing.
The actress playing Ursula has a rather incredible build. I think she could stick out both on top and behind even if she were wearing Earth Shoes and a shapeless shift. She's constructed like a fertility goddess, God love her. Long may she reign.
And you too Elna June. Reign, I mean. I love your recaps.
"Beatriz whom I find very hard to like." [ditto]
"O.K. This character is 5 days old and already she is annoying me." [Mariana Seoane is always a fabulously annoying villain]
"shady side of 35" [well said]
"NOW THEY MOW THE SAME DEAD LAWN AGAIN." [Sorry but I had to put it in all caps. That was so great!]
"No wonder he's frustrated. It must be hard to be that stupid." [Amen sistah]
Alright, I blush to admit I'm looking forward to the tacky dance revue and all the rehearsals. I'd much rather watch that than another round of Marina sniveling through jail bars while DamStupid keeps repeating his lies.
Or Marina cringing as sticky little Hernán leaves snail tracks on her again.
Or Rosy and anybody!
YES! Bring on the dancing.
The actress playing Ursula has a rather incredible build. I think she could stick out both on top and behind even if she were wearing Earth Shoes and a shapeless shift. She's constructed like a fertility goddess, God love her. Long may she reign.
And you too Elna June. Reign, I mean. I love your recaps.
Masterful recap! You took a disjointed, condensed epi and spun pure gold from it. Marvelous!
Marina has turned into a sniveling hot mess, and DamIrritating has become, well irritating. I can see why DamIrritating is continuing to lie, but Marina running into Herny's arms, what gives? Is she following Bea's advice about having to have some man to be with her? I wish Marina would stand up on her two feet and work through her misery on her own. I can see why the DamContrites crew was a bit kerfluffled seeing Marina and Herny holding hands.
So glad Jaz/Lu went and talked to the Padre, and how the Padre told SHUTUPROSY to ask about Jaz/Lu's past. Oh, by the way Jaz/Lu's sister is Belen. She is being held at some other location.
Maybe now Mercy can help Mags and make sure she doesn't go on the run again. I am so glad that Papicito will be doing a lot of time in la carcel.
I really hope Jaz/Lu and Laz are successful in nabbing Nereo's cell phone. That would have so much info on it. I hope they find Belen with that info if Jaz/Lu is able to get that cellphone.
I am really liking Claudio here too. I wonder what he did to end up in prison. He is very like a professor. I liked the fair winds and following seas reference too.
The dancing at the Green Parrot was interesting. I wonder what sort of surprise Candy has cooked up, besides the dancing. I wonder what Becky is going to do in the revue.
EJ:
I can't think of a song right now, but I'm sure there is one out there : )
Side Note: I am liking XN's portrayal of both Marina and Mags, two very different women. For some one so new to TNs she is doing a great job.
For me it's always dangerous to throw in my favorite EJ-isms lest I end up re-quoting the entire recap, however here are some, but not all, of my favorites:
I loved "A kiss is just a kiss” sharing space with "but Rebeca looks all shook up". Great mixing of musical metaphors.
"Now they mow the same dead lawn again." Brilliant.
ITA that this epi has "an inordinate amount of stupidities".
"Fully’s back in his office being full of himself."
And finally, "a posture only possible in super high heels and super tight clothes". Amen to that one.
Even though the revue is going to be, and already is, quite silly, I am looking forward to it. All those hot bods (did Tia B say they were going to have some guys too?), leering customers, and great music. I say bring it on!
Thanks EJ. You might have found the episode odd and annoying but your creativity and voice shine through as always.
You know, Arturo Perez-Reverte in the novela and the telenovela, La Reina del Sur, has his protagonist schooled and therefore transformed in prison. In La Reina, the first and most significant book the mentor and ingenue study is, in fact, The Count of Monte Cristo and the characters call themselves, only half-jokingly, Faria and Dantès.
I think it is not an accident that this theme, the mafia theme (here shown as human traffickers rather than as drug dealers), as well as the actor, Iván Sánchez, were all plucked out of that novela. Someone has been looking over Telemundo's shoulder, methinks.
So will we see The Metamorphosis of Damián Fabré when he emerges from prison? (Yeah, yeah, I mean besides the hair.) Will his Abbé Faria follow him to R-Lay-Dee with his fortune cookie wisdom? One can but hope...
It must be hard to be that stupid (love this!)....he's good looking so it doesn't matter.
Ursula bugs you....Mercedes bugs me. I'm filthy rich. I am your mother. If you come with me, you will be rich too and you can buy all the booze that you want. What more is there to say? Why is she wasting all that energy. Cyderella
Thanks for all the supportive words yesterday. I just needed to vent to someone. my mantra is "it is what it is. focus on what is instead of what if., Luckily, hub and I had tickets to go to a Beach Boys concert with my best friend and her hub last night. It was a wonderful diversion to be with two people invented known since I was a teen (hub and Carol) listening tunes that are fun and carefree. If you ever have the opportunity, go to see this group. Only two original members ( one was lead singer Mike Love) , but the group sounded great. They gave a 2hour concert with no intermission !!!!
Judyb---I can't help myself. Your sentence needed one more comma. "I'm feeling quite annoyed with this show right now, and...." You need a comma after a conjunction (and, but, or, etc.) if the conjunction is followed by a complete sentence (subject and verb. ). Ex. I love him, and he loves me. I swim in the afternoon and go to the park in the evening. Sorry...I couldn't help myself. I have to explain this rule every semester.
Susanlynn, how nice that you enjoyed a diversion by some oldies who still know how to rock it. Feel free to vent any time.
They changed the actress playing Soraya. I wonder why they did that. Was the new actress playing Soraya, Susana Diazayas? It sure looked like it was her.
I am loving Claudio. If there are two good things about this prison stay for DamFab it is the introduction of Rene Casados and the DamHaircut.
I think DamFab was reading Othello last night.
The police raid was so silly but thank goodness that Papacito will be put away again and that Mercedes was able to find Magdis.
Where is that appeal that will help DamFab get out of the slammer???
"Whooeee. Jose parrots Rebeca’s words back to her, “A kiss is just a kiss.” They part but Rebeca looks all shook up."
Okay, I know that smartypants Cap'n said it already, but I have to echo her praise. From Casablanca to Elvis and back to R-Lay-Dee without breaking a sweat. (Well maybe a little. Hot kiss, that one.)
"Sadly, we are fresh out of morals and smooth segues in this novela."
Me, I don't mourn the morals but I could use me some nice smooth segues now and then. Ah well. We'll have to use our imagination. (Fortunately, Thursday's child abounds in imagination!)
In one passage:
Damián is "an idiot," "a handsome dolt," "a total asshat," "a jerk." And best of all: "It must be hard to be that stupid."
Well. I see you feel our hero's choice is DamDubious, not to say DamImbecilic. Or am I reading too much into your words?
"Fulgencio heads into Hernan’s house like a charging water buffalo. (They are quite dangerous, you know!)"
For some reason, this just cracked me up. It felt like we were hearing a "Just So" story told by a civilized, comforting narrator. (I guess we sort of are.)
As for Ursula's charms, I may be imagining things but I think they have been substantially exaggerated, fore and aft, since I saw her in La Fea Más Bella. I can't blame her -- now that she is swimming in the sexy villainess typecasting pool, she has to do something to, er, stand out. Ni modo. She is a great-looking broad.
And as JudyB says:
"Alright, I blush to admit I'm looking forward to the tacky dance revue and all the rehearsals"
Me too. :)
EMarie:
Wow! When are we going to see you recapping, chica? Thank you so much for filling in the last few minutes so beautifully.
And Elna June, what can I say? You take the dys- out of dyspeptic and dysphoric. I loved this recap.
P.S.
"Damian replies that he has just pushed the woman he loves into the arms of another man. (Mads, isn’t there a song about that somewhere???)"
Now that you have momentarily stumped even Mads, maybe someone on the Patio can improvise a lyric?
Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa, my friend. And I'll probably do it again.
I got it! I was half awake when I commented earlier but I got the song : )
Let's Just Kiss and Say Goodbye by the Manhattans.
It's a very sad breakup song : (
I had to laugh when Ursula burst into the house. She walked in on Delfina, MayCuCu, and Fully all sitting in the living room, just hanging out together. What could these three possibly have been talking about?
I’m totally up for the Ursula dance revue. Still not liking Candy though. She knows Jaz/Lu is under the threat of abuse, and she does nothing.
Loved Estercita’s dress. Macario can shop for me anytime. Maybe Estercita should reciprocate and help him with his own 'do.
I'm afraid we are on the Mejia downhill slide. Let's hope Monica can save it. But, if I can stand CI I can certainly watch it, if only for hunkisímo.
"I'll just say this: never get between these people when drink has been taken."
"Sadly Beatriz, we are fresh out of morals and smooth segues in this novela."
"No wonder he is frustrated. It must be hard to be that stupid"
All my faves have been said but gosh, they are FUNNY!
Judy B. and Cap'n, ITA about the dance review at Guacamaya! Bring it!
NM: Will Abbe Faria follow Dam to R-Lay-Dee? Please let that happen! I keep thinking what a great pirate/sailor Rene Casadas would be. PERFECT for Dam's crew.
I'm starting to think Hada/Ester would prefer her current life of luxury to the alternative. Wouldn't the old Ester rather wallow in riches, jewels and power than return to an abusive dad, a clinging mom and unrequited love?
Thanks again, EJ. Unbelievably clever from start to finish!
Bring on the revue so that we can see which of these girls has the best moves. Shake it, baby, shake it. what is the surprise ? Maybe Jose has yet another hidden talent...dancing !
"In the arms of another man"...is that a lyric from "Take a Letter , Maria?"
Yes that is a lyric from the song "Take a Letter Maria", he caught his wife in the arms of another man ; )
I will start out by saying that your comments are much better than last night's episode. Thanks to all, esp. Emarie for filling in the overtime haps on the show.
Diana: So glad you enjoyed the recap. It sure felt like a condensed episode, as you say. I love Rene Casados, sigh. He is such a fine priest or wise-man. It is funny to see him looking so ruffled an fussed. Even in jail, tho, the man shines.
JudyB: You know me so well. Cranky is a great description of my state of mind as I wrote the recap. I hope I am loveable and clever—as you certainly are—and I am honored to suffer this portion of the TN with you. I fear, my dear, that we have hit the skids.
I will also try to cheer up at the Vera Cruz Rockettes storyline. I think I am annoyed at having the Ursula character forced down our throats. I must admit that the Parrot-ettes will be more fun to watch than the endless sobbing and estupides that we can certainly expect.
Ursula's build! Wow, what a body that actress has. At her age, the tummy baring bustier was bold but I must say it worked.
Mads: I wonder what Candy has up her sleeve (metaphorically, of course. Candy never wears sleeves and neither would I if I had her arms. Grin.
So Jaz/Lu and luckless Lazaro are going to nab Nareo's little black cellphone. Good luck with that, kids. Nareo just told Jaz that he was keeping a close eye on her now that she was going to work at the empacadora.
EJ
Vivi: Hola, amiga. So Soraya was not new—just recast. Hee hee. I did not remember her from before.
EJ, isn't Ursula a piece of work? Clearly she is used to men drooling over her and clearly she is not used to losing. However I see "loser" in her future. (Yes, I understand it might be a ways out.) Ursula, meet Marina, heh heh heh.
You flatterer, you. The best I could do with the dross I was given is turn it into pure twine. Hee hee hee.
OT: May I use this forum to congratulate Team USA in taking the America's Cup? I thought it was impossible for them to turn the race around. Wow. I'll bet you had something to do with the win. Did you lend them some of your magic, Capitan?
On mowing the same dead lawn...I am glad you were pleased with this turn of phrase. It came to me as I watched Marina sob and Damian sob. May I suggest that all of us come up with new metaphors for boring, repetitive sobbing sequences in this TN? Why? Wait, I see with my prescient third eye (and with the help of a call from Madre Eusebia) that we are in for many more epis of crying, whinging and hand wringing. This recapper will be gnashing her teeth.
Thanks for the kind words, Sylvia.
NM: ITA on someone, ahem, borrowing from Telemundo. Alas, I did not see the TN version of the novel.I love Perez Reverte and Queen of the South was the first of his books that I read in Spanish. It took me forever.
I had forgotten about that Teresa learned her etiquette in the can. Plus, Perez Reverte also wrote
'The Dumas Club', so your reference, as I would have expected, is especially apt.
With any luck at all, Abbe Feria/Claudio the King of Denmark will being his "fortune cookie wisdom" to Nuestra Sennora del Mar. Like Diana, I adore Rene Casados.I know he is cheesy, but he is so SINCERE!
EJ
EJ
Susanlynn:
OMG, my recaps must make you cringe! My use of commas is not quite random, but since my head injury I find that I cannot remember any rules of punctuation. I sit at your feet.
On another note, I am so sorry that you and your family continue to suffer from the actions of your abusive son-in-law. I used to run a women's shelter in San Francisco and I would be happy to be a listening ear as you and your family heal. My email is sdougherty3e@gmail.com. Kind regards.
EJ
EJ, I echo your congratulations to Team USA. Both teams worked incredibly hard and wow, what a comeback. I was sending as many victory vibes to Team USA as I could, although I have also been a fan of the Kiwis for a long time. I am very, very glad to have my time back. (And that's nothing compared to people I know who have been working 24/7 for about three years!) I had a fun gig pointing an antenna at a helicopter but it was an all-day commitment and it just kept going on and on and on.
The icon is about due for a change. Yes, it is my leg. Long ago and far away we had a crazy caper on Caray Caray as the Patio of Lowered Expectations was built. I invited some of our good Caray folks to join me in my cement pond for some laughs.
These days, I try to only have my photo taken from the knees down. This was the best image that I could come up with using my iPhone camera.
I think you can add an icon as soon as you create a Blogger profile. Someone here will know exactly how to instruct you in doing this.
EJ
EJ
Thank goodness for the repeat of the Jose-Becky Beso. It was worth all the rest.
To be honest, I don't really mind looking at DamStudent as often as I can. It was funny to hear him reading out loud as if he were a 3d grader (not trying to offend 3d graders everywhere).
Where has Best Dressed Eurotrash Hernan gone? He goes to see Ernesto dressed in Saturday-lie-around-the house sweats and jeans?
If Delfina is offended by the idea of a song and dance review at the Guacamaya, why isn't she offended by and speaks up about the skimpy seductive attire Ursula has on. (I've decided to refer to her Trouble with Two Tatas, although I do like Ursus Horriblis).
Speaking of inapproriate attire, why did Marina think an extra short skort & shorts were ok at the trial, post-trial, visit to Damian, office work and walking down the street with Herny in a very conservative fishing village? Where are her cute nautical togs?
If only Esthercita knew how much danger she's in confiding in Hernan. Did she remember him, too? I can't remember now--it was so many episodes ago....
I'm off to the Wash Natl Opera production of Tristan und Isolde tonight. (Please, please, DVR, work your magic tonight--don't rob me of half of Marido like Comcast did last night.) Maybe that's the next romance story DamAbbe should give our DamCount of Mexi-Cristo. (Just loved the allusion to a crackin' good story, EJ.)
Loved Mowing the Same Dead Lawn Again, too. Reminds me that I have some dead lawn to mow this weekend.
"Personally, I do not find her to be a good dancer."
Perhaps not, but the cutie on the end in the short shorts made a pretty good effort. At least I thought so.
Carlos
Variopinta: You know I am with you all the way on Mejia. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Anita: You made me spit out my afternoon tea! LOL at "trouble with two ta-tas". Oh that is so funny. That's a keeper, Anita. Fair warning, I may have to 'borrow' that phrase in the futre. Hee hee. I am still grinning.
Hi, Katy: You are so kind! I did not feel clever as I wrote this recap. Bewildered is a better word for how I felt, so I am glad you enjoyed the piece. JudyB called me out this morning when she recognized "cranky Elna June."
TabletJefa: Thanks so much for your comment. The Jose/Becky kiss was smokin'. Por favor, give these two more screen time!
Carlos: I'll have to look for the cutie on the end. Perhaps she will be a regular in the chorus line. Wink;)>
Julia: I love the 'Count of Monte Cristo', too. Dumas is so much fun. I think of him as the telenovela storyteller of his day. Most of his work was serialized—as was Dickens'—I believe. If Damian becomes smooth like Edmond Dantes, I WILL be swept off my feet. I am not so big on the noble savage archtype. Thanks for coming by.
EJ
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