Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Lo que la vida me robó, cap 6, Tues. 26 Nov. 2013: Alejandro suffers buyer's remorse, and the cash cow breaks out of the barn.
Let's start the evening with a little pop quiz to make sure you're all awake.
1. Why do both Dim and Montse wear their hair swept forward over their brows?
2. What does Graciela like to call her daughter privately?
3. What does Graciela call her daughter when she is wheedling or when Lauro is present?
4. What does Graciela call her son?
5. If Graciela were one of The Simpsons, which Simpson would she be?
The following is a two-part essay question and is worth 20 points:
I. Why does Graciela have glow-in-the-dark teeth?
II. In your opinion, do they make her look more or less scary than Carmina Bouvier in Abismo de pasión? Why?
(Answers will be found at end of recap)
Let's skip the rehash and get right to the new stuff:
At Casa Mendoza -- Guilting the Lily
In spite of Graciela's pleas that only Montserrat can save the family from financial ruin, Montse is not going to marry Sebastián. In fact, she is going to tell her daddy right now about the man she really loves...
Hacienda Almonte -- Dream on, María
María, hoping he'll drop everything and run back to the hacienda, calls Alejandro and tells him she fell off her horse and hurt her ankle. "Well take care of yourself," says Alejandro politely. Just then someone knocks on his door. "Gotta go. Bye!"
"I'm guessing the boss isn't in a hurry to get back," observes Gaspar.
"Sometimes I can't stand you, dad," responds our petulant María and thinks: If only I had a headband...
At Casa Mendoza -- Are you trying to kill your father?
The family has no health insurance. If daddy Lauro had another heart attack, he'd have to go to that crappy Health Center where he'd probably be dead in five minutes. Is that what Montse wants?
Um...no.
And Lauro's cardiologist says any stress is harmful. If they lose the house and the hacienda, it would kill her father. Is that what Montse wants?
Um...no.
As grandma used to say:
Cuesta lo mismo enamorarse de un pobre que de un rico.
It's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as with a poor one.
Montse says it's too late -- Sebastián wouldn't take her back anyway. He knows she's in love with another man. Well thank God someone else is interested in her, says Graciela. He's a great catch (un partidazo)-- he's rich, young, guapísimo. In short, Alejandro Almonte!
Casa Almonte -- A Dim View
Hmm...If I marry the girl, this fool will be my cuñado...
Per his mother's instructions, Dimitrio pays a call on Alejandro. Alejo gets angry when Dim reveals that he knows about his deal with Graciela -- she promised to tell no one. Dim swears that his father and his sister will never be the wiser. Besides, if they knew the family was resolving its financial problems in exchange for..."you know what"...they'd be upset.
"They would take it as a simple sales contract" (contrato de compraventa), says Alejandro.
Not that there's anything wrong with that...
This sort of arrangement occurs all the time among gente bien, Dim assures him. That Alejo can't count himself in that group doesn't matter. No one else in Aguazul knows he is a bastardo.
[The Patio is getting irate. "There's a bastardo in the room, all right, but his name isn't Alejandro," mutters gentle Diana in an uncharacteristic fit of pique.]
"And your father and sister know nothing about this?" repeats Alejo.
"Nothing," swears Dim. Besides, the Admiral speaks very favorably of Alejandro.
And Montse?
Well she's so shy (penosa) that she hasn't said anything herself. But she blushes when his name comes up.
Alejandro couldn't bear it if Montse were to marry him for his money.
Dim's sister would never do that. She has already turned down one rich suitor because she didn't love him.
Is there any other man in her life?
Hahahaha. His sister doesn't love any man. Yet.
Casa Mendoza -- It's all your fault!
If Montse had married stinkin' rich Sebastián, the family wouldn't be broke. What an ingrate she is! How selfish!
Montse isn't drinking the Kool-Aid, at least not today. She breaks free of Graciela's grating, insinuating, accusatory grasp. She is going to tell her father about José Luis. Right now. She's sure he'd never try to sell her to save the family from ruin.
Montse runs through the house with shrieking Gracie chasing after her -- but slowly, as if hobbled by her footwear (which we don't get to see. Drat). Montserrat is horrified to find her beloved daddy in great distress, clutching at his chest. Now what do they do?
[Nice timing, Lauro. Or maybe Dim slipped something extra in your Metamucil? This feels ominous, but it's hard to say. In Amores verdaderos, Aníbal Balvanera faked us out many times; and in La Tempestad, Fulgencio Salazár would probably have lived forever if Hernán hadn't gunned him down like the dog he was. But the admiral's not a villain -- he's just a tad ineffectual. And the relatively good do tend to die relatively young...]
The next day
José Luis skulks outside the Casa Mendoza. He stops the servant Manuela, on her way to the pharmacy for Lauro's medicines, and asks her to deliver a letter to Montse. The girl refuses.
Inside, Lauro is resting. He didn't have a heart attack, but he is in frail health. He's a little better today, especially with Montse to keep him company. He feels very guilty for his poor stewardship of the family fortune. He wanted her to study, to travel... Montse pooh-poohs his concerns -- all she wants is for him to get better.
Gracie meets with the family lawyer and then announces that she is taking care of their mortgage problems. Montse looks alarmed.
[But maybe she is reacting to her mother's astonishingly ugly Christmas tree dress paired with mid-calf high-heeled black boots. Hard to say.]
Outside the house, José Luis takes a deep breath and tries again, this time at the front door. It is Dim who answers and then tries to get rid of him, dismissing him rudely. But JL stands his ground. The two men scuffle until Gracie appears and says bluntly that she and her husband will never accept him as Montserrat's suitor. JL replies with equal bluntness that Montse is the only one with a say in the matter. He will keep knocking on this door until she is his!
Once Gracie has slammed the door on JL, Dim remarks ominously: He's dangerous!
(Though The Patio knows it is these two who are racking up points for theft, murder, betrayal and capital crimes against fashion.)
Hacienda Almonte -- Bite me!
Juventino tries to give Dominga the gold bracelet that once belonged to Graciela. He even bites on it to show her it's the good stuff. She rejects it ("Who did you steal it from?") and him, along with his crude advances. She knows his regalitos come with a price tag.
Juventino stares as Dominga walks away. The ominous woowoo soundtrack kicks in to keep him company.
["That is one very bad dude!" whispers Niecie admiringly. Several heads on The Patio nod in agreement.]
Casa Almonte -- You're like family!
Graciela pays Alejo another visit. Even though the Admiral isn't well, she still wants Alejandro to join them for supper. After all, he's practically family. Alejo thinks that's a little premature. He and Montse aren't even friends, much less boyfriend and girlfriend. And what's the story about this Sebastián guy she almost married?
Gracie smiles delightedly: "You know what? Montserrat decided to break off her engagement just after she met you!"
The Mean Streets of Aguazul
José Luis tells his buddy Refugio he's afraid that Admiral Mendoza's ill health will keep Montse from running away with him. Refugio wonders if Montse is just using that as an excuse. JL doesn't think so. And he isn't giving up.
Unibrow-->Eye-->Inside Dim's dim mind:
JL is a suspect in Gamboa's shooting...Mummie would love it if he were guilty...putting him in jail would take care of the problem.
Dim retrieves his gun from its hiding place behind his chest of drawers. He looks at it appraisingly.
Casa Almonte --Alejandro Proves a Nimble Sparring Partner
Graciela has started to think of Alejandro as the man of the family (her husband is so sick, her son is so...young). And now she needs a big honking sum of pesos to pay the mortgage...
Is the señora looking for advice? Or for cash? Because he agreed to settle her debts when he married Montserrat. That hasn't happened and maybe it never will. Besides, maybe when he gets to know her daughter, he may find she's not the right woman for him. You never know.
Gracie, undeterred, dabs the corner of her perfectly dry eye with a hankie. This all started because Alejandro was attracted to her daughter. And he won't find a better package of beauty, refinement, character and spark anywhere in Aguazul.
Alejo objects. If he gives the family money, Montserrat will feel obligated. And no man wants to feel he has bought a woman's affection.
Gracie insists that Montserrat need never know.
Alejo makes a counterproposal: He'll lend her the money to pay the mortgage due on the hacienda. But she'll have to give him the deed to her house. If he marries Montserrat, he'll return the deed. If not, the loan will be strictly business, just like a bank loan.
And one more thing: If he finds out that Montserrat knows about their agreement, he won't marry her. The deal will be off.
Casa Mendoza
Montserrat is going to church. To confess. Carlota has no doubt her niece has some whopping sins to tell, but she's going to have to put up with her aunt's company. Graciela has left strict orders that Montse goes nowhere alone.
[Her church-going outfit is interesting, a deceptively virginal pink midriff top and a mullet skirt that climbs high in front, made more for sinning than confessing. But it's hot in Campeche. And who are we to judge?]
Casa Almonte -- Would I lie to you? (Are my lips moving?)
Graciela repeats: She already promised that Montse would never know about their deal.
But Alejo says her promises are worth as much as her morals. She is selling her own daughter to get her hands on Benjamín's money, the money she expected would come to her.
Gracie deftly puts him in his place. Who is he to claim the moral high ground? A few weeks ago, he was a lowly worker shoveling out stables. Now he's dying to have a society wife. Montserrat would be the perfect stepping stone (escalón) for a bastardo like him, no?
She'll have the deed to the house ready. Harumph!
Casa Mendoza
Nadia invites Montserrat to the party she's planning the following Friday. It's in Pedro's honor -- he's going to be the new municipal president. Sadly, because of her dad's health problems, Montse won't be able to go. But would Nadia do her a favor? Could she get a message to José Luis? Montse will write a note and be right back...
Nadia, left unattended for a moment, almost breaks under Graciela's interrogation and stutters something about borrowing a book. Montse comes back bookless and clueless. ("What book?") Gracie knows they're up to something...
What have I gotten myself into?
Alejo asks his friend Victor to accompany him to the bank and then go to the Mendoza house, exchange the agreed-upon notes and documents with Graciela, and make his excuses for dinner tonight.
Does he have another engagement? asks Victor. Or isn't he interested in Montserrat anymore?
Alejo admits he regrets getting involved with Graciela. He's ashamed of lending himself to an arrangement he now finds asqueroso (disgusting). The way that woman put her daughter up for sale...
"You started it!" Victor reminds him. Anyway, Graciela is going to sell her daughter to some rich man so it may as well be Alejandro. At least he's a good person and he is attracted to Montserrat.
Casa Mendoza
Lauro is distraught when he learns that Alejandro is lending them the money to pay off the mortgage. What will he think of them?
The Municipal President and his Beard...er...Wife
Crazy Pedro spies Nadia giving José Luis the letter from Montse. JL opens the letter and begins to read it. Suddenly Pedro pounces, snatches the letter and tears it up. Then he sends JL away telling him never to darken their doorway again. José Luis doesn't argue with Pedro, but he makes a nasty little tsssssst sound and leaves.
Once alone with his wife, Pedro smacks her hard. THWAP! Then he drags her toward the house, all the while accusing her of making a fool of him with that corporal.
She finally convinces him the letter was from Montserrat. Pedro is completely unremorseful. He's glad it was just a misunderstanding -- but let it be a lesson to her just in case she ever considers deceiving him.
The Lowly Cabo Conquers MontSerrat
José Luis must have read enough of the letter because here he is, waiting on the boardwalk for Montse. She approaches, they embrace, she squeals, they kiss, she does the little leg lift thingie that reminds me of a kickstand on a bike. And they walk off, arms around each other and heading for a very special place. Deeper and deeper into the woods they go, delighting in one another. She wears his cap. He picks her up and spins her around in his arms.
At last they reach the place he wanted to show her -- a gorgeous cascading stream and waterfall.
"It's just the two of us here," he tells her. "Let's forget our problems."
She's the happiest woman in the world, protected in his strong arms
He promises to protect her and care for her forever!
She is completely his. Now and forever.
[The other theme song plays now, Por la fuerza del amor. ]
♪ Hoy tu cara me lo dice todo ♪♪
Slowly they undress.
♪♪ Yo me entregaré en el alma ♪
They stand, nearly nude, and kiss.
♪ Si vas en caida libre ♪
They smile happily, together in the cascading brook. Then we see them in the still water, wrapped around each other, obviously oblivious to Montserrat's plummeting market value and to the anvils poised over JL's head.
Oh Graciela is going to be so very upset.
Avances: After the Fall -- would Graciela be willing to send an innocent man to jail?
Answer key:
1. To cover the bruises from the fingertip noogies their mother gives them.
2. Niña estúpida.
3. Princesa.
4. Bebé
5. Any answer is correct if you can make an argument for it. [Suggested answer: She would be Marge's sister Selma because, like Selma, she is mean and frowsy and has a gravelly voice. Also, she is kind of yellow.]
Answers to essay question will be graded individually, capriciously and unfairly.
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Good work with plenty of snark!
My first thought was that Alejandro has to be dreading having the suegra from hell, but of everyone in this story he's the one best qualified to put her in her place.
Pedro is one evil dude and we don't even know where it comes from. More tomorrow; need to get some zzzz's.
My first thought was that Alejandro has to be dreading having the suegra from hell, but of everyone in this story he's the one best qualified to put her in her place.
Pedro is one evil dude and we don't even know where it comes from. More tomorrow; need to get some zzzz's.
NovelaMaven:
Wonderful, superb recap! I so loved your little asides : )
I like the way Ale and Gracie parry and thrust, sort of like a fencing match. Right now it's about even. Even though it looks like Ale may be getting the upper hand here.
I do like Ale's feelings of guilt. He so doesn't want to "buy" Monse, he'd rather she fell for him on her own. I want to see how that works.
Gracie is the mama from hell. She'd sell her own soul to the devil for money, and she has no qualms about selling Monse downriver for money either. Ale is very nice, a real gentleman, the only one so far, and I think he'd treat Monse decently.
Dimmy is a world class idiot. I like the fact that Ale sees right through him. We all just know what Dimmy is gonna do with that gun.
Loving Lottie, her frank speaking and her tendency for the chisme. Such a fun character.
Gracie treats poor Monse like the ladies in Spain treated their daughters many years ago with the duena mentality, they would have chaperones follow their daughters everywhere. Poor Monse. I do like Monse's spunk though and she isn't sitting and crying her eyes out every five seconds.
Monse and JL together are, how shall I say this, borrrriinnnnggg. I'm not feeling any passion between them at all.
Now to the essay questions.
Gracie's teeth are white and glow in the dark cause she got Ross' technique from "Friends" ; ) As far as Gracie's teeth making her more scary than Carmina, I think Gracie's are way scarier with class of course. Something Carmina never had ; )
NovelaMaven:
Amiga you have made my night. Thank you, Thank you!!
Wonderful, superb recap! I so loved your little asides : )
I like the way Ale and Gracie parry and thrust, sort of like a fencing match. Right now it's about even. Even though it looks like Ale may be getting the upper hand here.
I do like Ale's feelings of guilt. He so doesn't want to "buy" Monse, he'd rather she fell for him on her own. I want to see how that works.
Gracie is the mama from hell. She'd sell her own soul to the devil for money, and she has no qualms about selling Monse downriver for money either. Ale is very nice, a real gentleman, the only one so far, and I think he'd treat Monse decently.
Dimmy is a world class idiot. I like the fact that Ale sees right through him. We all just know what Dimmy is gonna do with that gun.
Loving Lottie, her frank speaking and her tendency for the chisme. Such a fun character.
Gracie treats poor Monse like the ladies in Spain treated their daughters many years ago with the duena mentality, they would have chaperones follow their daughters everywhere. Poor Monse. I do like Monse's spunk though and she isn't sitting and crying her eyes out every five seconds.
Monse and JL together are, how shall I say this, borrrriinnnnggg. I'm not feeling any passion between them at all.
Now to the essay questions.
Gracie's teeth are white and glow in the dark cause she got Ross' technique from "Friends" ; ) As far as Gracie's teeth making her more scary than Carmina, I think Gracie's are way scarier with class of course. Something Carmina never had ; )
NovelaMaven:
Amiga you have made my night. Thank you, Thank you!!
NovelaMaven, I'm THANKFUL for your recap. You lightened the burden of my late-night holiday cooking spree with some good belly laughs.
Sorry to hear Monse has adopted the mullet skirt fashion. (Not that her mother is giving her any example to follow.) That was one thing that annoyed me recently in CI--MariCruz wearing a new mullet skirt every day.
Hmmmm. Is Gracie more scary than Carmina? Carmina was all orange and crazy with a heat factor. Gracie is scary, but cold rather than hot--one cold b!tch, in fact.
Sorry to hear Monse has adopted the mullet skirt fashion. (Not that her mother is giving her any example to follow.) That was one thing that annoyed me recently in CI--MariCruz wearing a new mullet skirt every day.
Hmmmm. Is Gracie more scary than Carmina? Carmina was all orange and crazy with a heat factor. Gracie is scary, but cold rather than hot--one cold b!tch, in fact.
I have many things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving and this creative, hilarious and clever recap is certainly one of them.
"Alejandro suffers buyer's remorese, and the cash cow breaks out of the barn" had me laughing heartily. NovelaMaven, this was one of but many priceless gems. Loved every single word - just didn't want this to end.
"Guilting the Lily", "If only I had a headband...(sure to be one of Carlos' favorites too I suspect" , "Cuesta lo mismo enamorarse de un pobre que de un rico" (this is in all mother’s handbooks, correct? It was in my mother’s!), "Montse isn't drinking the Kool-Aid, at least not today astonishingly" were amazing.
Also enjoyed your homage to the lack of fashion sense: "ugly Christmas tree dress", "capital crimes against fashion" and " mullet skirt" had me chortling away.
Favorite was "obviously oblivious to Montserrat's plummeting market value and to the anvils poised over JL's head". Most excellent!
NovelaMaven, you captured my feelings about Dimi perfectly. Reprehensible and repulsive. Period.
"Hacienda Almonte -- Bite me!" Oh my. Could Juventino be any cruder?? And his biting the bracelet was so cringeworthy. Poor Dominga.
"What have I gotten myself into?" I am not too sympathetic to the mess Alejo now finds himself in. He opened the door and walked through it, now he has to find a way to untangle the Dimi/Graciela viper nest he has ensnared himself in.
"José Luis doesn't argue with Pedro, but he makes a nasty little tsssssst sound and leaves". Why is it that JL is able to stand up to Dimwit and Pedro but faltered and cowered in asking Lauro for Montse's hand?
Madelaine, "Loving Lottie, her frank speaking and her tendency for the chisme". ITA!
UA, agre that Ale is the one best qualified to put Gracie in her place. And, the only one.
NovelaMaven, you have made my day. Your nod to Selma was spot on and your "Answers to essay question will be graded individually, capriciously and unfairly!" was well, the perfect ending.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Diana
"Alejandro suffers buyer's remorese, and the cash cow breaks out of the barn" had me laughing heartily. NovelaMaven, this was one of but many priceless gems. Loved every single word - just didn't want this to end.
"Guilting the Lily", "If only I had a headband...(sure to be one of Carlos' favorites too I suspect" , "Cuesta lo mismo enamorarse de un pobre que de un rico" (this is in all mother’s handbooks, correct? It was in my mother’s!), "Montse isn't drinking the Kool-Aid, at least not today astonishingly" were amazing.
Also enjoyed your homage to the lack of fashion sense: "ugly Christmas tree dress", "capital crimes against fashion" and " mullet skirt" had me chortling away.
Favorite was "obviously oblivious to Montserrat's plummeting market value and to the anvils poised over JL's head". Most excellent!
NovelaMaven, you captured my feelings about Dimi perfectly. Reprehensible and repulsive. Period.
"Hacienda Almonte -- Bite me!" Oh my. Could Juventino be any cruder?? And his biting the bracelet was so cringeworthy. Poor Dominga.
"What have I gotten myself into?" I am not too sympathetic to the mess Alejo now finds himself in. He opened the door and walked through it, now he has to find a way to untangle the Dimi/Graciela viper nest he has ensnared himself in.
"José Luis doesn't argue with Pedro, but he makes a nasty little tsssssst sound and leaves". Why is it that JL is able to stand up to Dimwit and Pedro but faltered and cowered in asking Lauro for Montse's hand?
Madelaine, "Loving Lottie, her frank speaking and her tendency for the chisme". ITA!
UA, agre that Ale is the one best qualified to put Gracie in her place. And, the only one.
NovelaMaven, you have made my day. Your nod to Selma was spot on and your "Answers to essay question will be graded individually, capriciously and unfairly!" was well, the perfect ending.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Diana
Permalink posted by 
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 7:49:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 7:49:00 AM EST
Loved the recap and loved the quiz, NovelaMaven. I think Carmina was scarier. Whiter, bigger teeth. More orange face. Bulging blue eyes. Crazier blonde hair. Yikes!
I am so glad than more tns are breaking the rule that the main galan is the only person the heroine can ever make love to (the first, the one, the and only). But we know this is going to bite Monse in the butt big time-- either when Gracie finds out, or if Monse ends up pregnant and isn't 100% sure about who the daddy is.
Poor Nadia. No good deed goes unpunished. First Gracie's interrogation, then her husband's slap down. Pedro won't touch her (and I get the impression she's a virgin), yet he'd kill her if she even looks at another man. OK. Something's gotta give.
I am so glad than more tns are breaking the rule that the main galan is the only person the heroine can ever make love to (the first, the one, the and only). But we know this is going to bite Monse in the butt big time-- either when Gracie finds out, or if Monse ends up pregnant and isn't 100% sure about who the daddy is.
Poor Nadia. No good deed goes unpunished. First Gracie's interrogation, then her husband's slap down. Pedro won't touch her (and I get the impression she's a virgin), yet he'd kill her if she even looks at another man. OK. Something's gotta give.
Wow. I can't type this morning. Typos galore!
ITA with you guys and Victor that Ale was the one who started this and got himself into this sordid mess. He's trying to pull away from it somewhat now, but Gracie and Dim won't fail to remind him just how dirty this "deal" is. They'll also always be able to hold this over him. Of course, he has dirt on them too, so they might be even.
ITA with you guys and Victor that Ale was the one who started this and got himself into this sordid mess. He's trying to pull away from it somewhat now, but Gracie and Dim won't fail to remind him just how dirty this "deal" is. They'll also always be able to hold this over him. Of course, he has dirt on them too, so they might be even.
Madelain. I don't think Graciela has class at all. No matter to what level of society she was born her behavior is as declasse as it gets, right along with her wardrobe.
She is more frightening than Carmina because she is as cold-blooded as a python.
I;m sure Lauro won't last long now.
She is more frightening than Carmina because she is as cold-blooded as a python.
I;m sure Lauro won't last long now.
Loved the recap/asides/pop quiz. Your so creative with your recaps!
Some favorites include
"But maybe she is reacting to her mother's astonishingly ugly Christmas tree dress paired with mid-calf high-heeled black boots. Hard to say." You read my mind.
"Unibrow-->Eye-->Inside Dim's dim mind"Haha...is there anything in there??
Graciela is just pure mean...I wish writers would tone down the evil mothers a bit in novelas. It borderlines cartoonish but Castro does a good job nonetheless.
Some favorites include
"But maybe she is reacting to her mother's astonishingly ugly Christmas tree dress paired with mid-calf high-heeled black boots. Hard to say." You read my mind.
"Unibrow-->Eye-->Inside Dim's dim mind"Haha...is there anything in there??
Graciela is just pure mean...I wish writers would tone down the evil mothers a bit in novelas. It borderlines cartoonish but Castro does a good job nonetheless.
Dear NovelaMaven:
I loved this very funny recap--thanks so much! You capture the whole wonderfully and summarize it in a strong narrative and also have a great gift for picking up on small details and making them even funnier:
I loved the stuff about G's crazy Xmas tree ensemble and also how you noticed the slow chase OJ Simpson-style she was doing after Monse and commented that she (Gracie) might have been hobbled by her foot ware. I was laughing out loud.
My favorite riff was this since one it was such a smart observation of the various ways the old infarto has been used for dramatic effect in TNs:
Nice timing, Lauro. Or maybe Dim slipped something extra in your Metamucil? This feels ominous, but it's hard to say. In Amores verdaderos, Aníbal Balvanera faked us out many times; and in La Tempestad, Fulgencio Salazár would probably have lived forever if Hernán hadn't gunned him down like the dog he was.
It was all just great and so fun to read! Thanks so much.
I loved this very funny recap--thanks so much! You capture the whole wonderfully and summarize it in a strong narrative and also have a great gift for picking up on small details and making them even funnier:
I loved the stuff about G's crazy Xmas tree ensemble and also how you noticed the slow chase OJ Simpson-style she was doing after Monse and commented that she (Gracie) might have been hobbled by her foot ware. I was laughing out loud.
My favorite riff was this since one it was such a smart observation of the various ways the old infarto has been used for dramatic effect in TNs:
Nice timing, Lauro. Or maybe Dim slipped something extra in your Metamucil? This feels ominous, but it's hard to say. In Amores verdaderos, Aníbal Balvanera faked us out many times; and in La Tempestad, Fulgencio Salazár would probably have lived forever if Hernán hadn't gunned him down like the dog he was.
It was all just great and so fun to read! Thanks so much.
Thank you for your entertaining recap. :)
Urban, ITA with your comments re Graciela. The woman is a shrew.
Really enjoying Alejandro/S Rulli. Jury is still out on Montsie.
Mullet skirts. I don't see these in the stores. Is this a TN fad?
Fatima
Urban, ITA with your comments re Graciela. The woman is a shrew.
Really enjoying Alejandro/S Rulli. Jury is still out on Montsie.
Mullet skirts. I don't see these in the stores. Is this a TN fad?
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 9:48:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 9:48:00 AM EST
Fatima- I saw young women wearing the mullet skirt and dress all summer. Thank goodness it's winter now and they are put back in the closet.
Fatima, I've seen mullet skirts around here, but most aren't as extreme as the one from last night which -- compared to others I've seen -- was tame.
I've seen some in photos and on the red carpet that are truly scary, real fashion crimes.
I've seen some in photos and on the red carpet that are truly scary, real fashion crimes.
A quick Google image search shows the many variations of this look that's popular among young women. I give it another year or two before it's phased out: http://bit.ly/1aV2pCj
Niki in Amores Verderos wore the look, so did Marina in La Tempestad, and the heroine in Pasion Prohibido (Telemudo). I think it looked much better on these three ladies because they are tall. As beautiful as they are, I think Ana Brenda (CI) and Angelique B. are too short to really carry it off without looking a bit silly.
Niki in Amores Verderos wore the look, so did Marina in La Tempestad, and the heroine in Pasion Prohibido (Telemudo). I think it looked much better on these three ladies because they are tall. As beautiful as they are, I think Ana Brenda (CI) and Angelique B. are too short to really carry it off without looking a bit silly.
Thanks NovelaMaven for yet another treasure. I enjoyed the quiz, although I don't find Graciela scary at all, but then I pretty much adored Carmina... at least until she started getting a bit mean and a little crazy. Even then I wept at her death. I see Graciela as pragmatic, proactive, and a bit assertive, but then she pretty much has to be, married to a rather feeble loser like Lauro.
My favorite line of course is:
"If only I had a headband..."
Indeed, that's all that's missing. Alejando would do well to give her a second look... I think that she'd not be nearly as high maintenance as Monserrat.
Carlos
My favorite line of course is:
"If only I had a headband..."
Indeed, that's all that's missing. Alejando would do well to give her a second look... I think that she'd not be nearly as high maintenance as Monserrat.
Carlos
NovelaMaven, what a treat this recap is, wow! I can't wait to see the actual episode but even if I didn't this retelling is all the way live! Love the quiz, too. Novelas and recaps should be part of the curriculum in a college Spanish course. Love. It!
Pedro's problem is NOT sexual preference, he is a bonified, card-carrying, dyed in the wool a$$hole. Don't want blood on Nadia's hand. . somebody's got to bump this guy off!
Lila
Pedro's problem is NOT sexual preference, he is a bonified, card-carrying, dyed in the wool a$$hole. Don't want blood on Nadia's hand. . somebody's got to bump this guy off!
Lila
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 11:04:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 11:04:00 AM EST
I knew once I saw the appearance of Montsie's mullet skirt it would spark comments here. I don't mind the mullet skirts but as I've said before I tend to fall for trendy styles. I do agree that it looks better if you are taller.
I dont get Pedro...i flinched when he slapped Nadia. I feel bad for her since she has to keep appearances that she is happy when it is quite the contrary. From the prior episode it seems that she actually loves him....wonder what qualities she saw in the guy before she married him.
I dont get Pedro...i flinched when he slapped Nadia. I feel bad for her since she has to keep appearances that she is happy when it is quite the contrary. From the prior episode it seems that she actually loves him....wonder what qualities she saw in the guy before she married him.
In the bedroom scene, Nadia said that since the honeymoon he has changed with her and wn't touch her. So I assume up till then, he put on a loving/caring act with her. We haven't yet seen them in the company of other society people, but we may get a clue about his public face with her then.
In a quick bingo update, R la O and Blue have snatched the lead on Card #8 with KISSING ON BEACH, THEFT OF IMPORTANT OBJECT, and GUN FIRED, but probably because no one else is playing yet. If anyone wants to join the fun, the cards are here:
https://sites.google.com/site/telenovelasdesquiciadas/bingo
https://sites.google.com/site/telenovelasdesquiciadas/bingo
I'm baaaaack from my working vaca, ready to join in the fun. Is there room for me on the DamPatio? I don't mind a seat in the corner. Promise not to cause too much trouble.
I'm so sorry I missed the Finale of LaTemp--just something else to catch up on. More on that later.
Oh, and what is this DamDim, usage anyway? I thought any DamThing was reserved for DamFab's world. This one, isn't he DimDim? More later after I restock the fridge and the pantry. Need that half 'n half for coffee.
Anita, Thankful to be Home
I'm so sorry I missed the Finale of LaTemp--just something else to catch up on. More on that later.
Oh, and what is this DamDim, usage anyway? I thought any DamThing was reserved for DamFab's world. This one, isn't he DimDim? More later after I restock the fridge and the pantry. Need that half 'n half for coffee.
Anita, Thankful to be Home
My oh my, The Patio is in absolute fits over this crazy-clever recap. NM, I was howling from your perfect title, through "Guilting the Lily",
"Montse isn't drinking the Kool-Aid", "the relatively good do tend to die relatively young", all the way to your quiz answer of Selma. I LOVE the quiz, what fun! I never cease to be amazed by how imaginative you are. Thank you.
Graciela or Carmina...so hard to choose. Carmina's hair was scarier (not that Gracie's is far from it). Gracie's fashion sense (as in lack of) is WAY scarier than Carmina's. I'm finding myself giddy with anticipation for what Gracie will show up in next. Just when I think it couldn't possibly get worse she shows up in that "astonishingly ugly Christmas tree dress paired with mid-calf high-heeled black boots".
Anita, welcome back, and your chair on The Patio is always reserved just for you.
Blue Lass, you and R la O are on a roll with the Bingo. I seem to recall R la O having great luck with #8 in the past, if I am remembering correctly. Can't you use "Protaganista engaged to someone other than galan"? Montse was engaged to Sebastian in the first episode.
"Montse isn't drinking the Kool-Aid", "the relatively good do tend to die relatively young", all the way to your quiz answer of Selma. I LOVE the quiz, what fun! I never cease to be amazed by how imaginative you are. Thank you.
Graciela or Carmina...so hard to choose. Carmina's hair was scarier (not that Gracie's is far from it). Gracie's fashion sense (as in lack of) is WAY scarier than Carmina's. I'm finding myself giddy with anticipation for what Gracie will show up in next. Just when I think it couldn't possibly get worse she shows up in that "astonishingly ugly Christmas tree dress paired with mid-calf high-heeled black boots".
Anita, welcome back, and your chair on The Patio is always reserved just for you.
Blue Lass, you and R la O are on a roll with the Bingo. I seem to recall R la O having great luck with #8 in the past, if I am remembering correctly. Can't you use "Protaganista engaged to someone other than galan"? Montse was engaged to Sebastian in the first episode.
NovelaMaven - Great recap, great snark, great Pop Quiz (I failed miserably, but, oh well...) I was watching my recording of this with one eye and ear, and putting together four different dishes for tomorrow's dinner. Your descriptions gave me the visuals I missed. :-) Thank you!
P(i)edro is so nasty! I do not remember his equivalent (Ramon a/k/a jamón) in AR being physically violent, but it has been a few years...
Carmina was crazy scary.
Gracy is calculating-evil scary.
Not sure which is worse.
Alas, poor Jose Luis has watched Amor Real and knows what he is in for but will soldier on, nonetheless.
P(i)edro is so nasty! I do not remember his equivalent (Ramon a/k/a jamón) in AR being physically violent, but it has been a few years...
Carmina was crazy scary.
Gracy is calculating-evil scary.
Not sure which is worse.
Alas, poor Jose Luis has watched Amor Real and knows what he is in for but will soldier on, nonetheless.
Welcome back Anita! You've been greatly missed.
Your seat is ready and waiting for you....
Diana
Your seat is ready and waiting for you....
Diana
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 2:08:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 2:08:00 PM EST
What was with that hissing at Pedro? That just looked plain silly to me. Was that supposed to show him that JL isn't afraid of him? It looked more like what a little, frustrated kid would do as the bully walks away.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 2:14:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 2:14:00 PM EST
NM thank you for the witty recap and quiz. What fun! I also enjoyed your asides.
As for your essay, while I wouldn't put murder past Gracie, she hasn't crossed that line yet. Hence Carmine, the crazed killer w/bad hair, and orange countenance wins.
Though Gracie's abuse of Monse is horrible, her outfits are as Sylvia noted something to look forward to for their outlandishness. And her willingness to sell her daughter and negotiate w/Ale are amusing as well b/c she thinks he's as dumb as her husband and son.
Welcome back Anita. I hope you had a nice vacation.
As for your essay, while I wouldn't put murder past Gracie, she hasn't crossed that line yet. Hence Carmine, the crazed killer w/bad hair, and orange countenance wins.
Though Gracie's abuse of Monse is horrible, her outfits are as Sylvia noted something to look forward to for their outlandishness. And her willingness to sell her daughter and negotiate w/Ale are amusing as well b/c she thinks he's as dumb as her husband and son.
Welcome back Anita. I hope you had a nice vacation.
doris, Pedro's counterpart in Amor Real, Ramon, was also a nasty piece of work and definitely smacked poor Pilar around.
Thanks for the new square, Cap'n! I wasn't thinking. (Well, it helps not to think too much.)
I'm not sure whether we've had a verdadero fistfight yet, but I'm sure one will turn up. Also "que haces aqui?" is pretty much shooting fish in a barrel.
I'm not sure whether we've had a verdadero fistfight yet, but I'm sure one will turn up. Also "que haces aqui?" is pretty much shooting fish in a barrel.
Blue, the "fight" between Dimmy and JL was laughable and definitely NOT a fistfight. It was a slappyfight.
NovelaMaven – Muchas gracias. I laughed all the way. And blushed when I saw my cameo - Oh no, you know of my perverse admiration for dirty-to-the-bone Juventino. My favorites:
“Unibrow-->Eye-->Inside Dim's dim mind:”
“capital crimes against fashion”
“Montserrat's plummeting market value”
Yay, Monse will enter her (presumed) marriage with Alejandro as a non-virgin! Things don’t look to good for JL, so he’ll probably need to hang on to the memory of this tryst for a long time.
JL ain’t too shabby when he gets his anger on. I used to watch Luis Roberto Guzmán in "El Pantera," so I was almost expecting him to kickbox Dim at the door.
“Unibrow-->Eye-->Inside Dim's dim mind:”
“capital crimes against fashion”
“Montserrat's plummeting market value”
Yay, Monse will enter her (presumed) marriage with Alejandro as a non-virgin! Things don’t look to good for JL, so he’ll probably need to hang on to the memory of this tryst for a long time.
JL ain’t too shabby when he gets his anger on. I used to watch Luis Roberto Guzmán in "El Pantera," so I was almost expecting him to kickbox Dim at the door.
NovelaMaven--You started me off with quite a kick. Wow, fashion sense gone wrong. I thought Gracie looked like a playing card, the Queen of Spades, maybe?
Haha, Maria needs a headband. If she did manage to get one, we wouldn't be able to tell her apart from Matilde, especially since they are dressing very much alike.
Montse and mullet skirts. All she needs to do is raid MC's wardrobe and she's done for the run.
Could it be that Gracie's extreme wardrobe is indicative of the extreme measures she will gladly take to ensure her financial happiness, with or without poor Lauro.
She's scary to us because her worst behavior (so far) is tightly controlled and limited to when she is dealing with her daughter or her son and now JL. On the surface she's a society matron holding up the family's social position and seems normal.
Speaking of normal, I feel so sorry for Nadia. I wonder if P(i)edro (I liked that) just needed a trophy wife and has no intentions of ever having relations with her. I'm waiting for her to confess her situation to Monse.
As for the Gracies everywhere in telenovelaland, the mother figure (evil or benign) rarely has any other friends. The writers give her a sounding board (Carlotta and to some extent Lauro in this one), but we don't see her interacting with anyone else at her level. I guess it's a matter of Televisa's budget.
All in all, if the writers keep this up, I'm going to like this one after all. To echo everyone's opinions, Studly Alejo is easy on the eyes and the heart.
Thanks to all the LaTemp recappers and happy to find them hard at work here. I still have to go back and watch the last two weeks to get all the nuances of the end of LaTemp and the beginning of Robo.
Haha, Maria needs a headband. If she did manage to get one, we wouldn't be able to tell her apart from Matilde, especially since they are dressing very much alike.
Montse and mullet skirts. All she needs to do is raid MC's wardrobe and she's done for the run.
Could it be that Gracie's extreme wardrobe is indicative of the extreme measures she will gladly take to ensure her financial happiness, with or without poor Lauro.
She's scary to us because her worst behavior (so far) is tightly controlled and limited to when she is dealing with her daughter or her son and now JL. On the surface she's a society matron holding up the family's social position and seems normal.
Speaking of normal, I feel so sorry for Nadia. I wonder if P(i)edro (I liked that) just needed a trophy wife and has no intentions of ever having relations with her. I'm waiting for her to confess her situation to Monse.
As for the Gracies everywhere in telenovelaland, the mother figure (evil or benign) rarely has any other friends. The writers give her a sounding board (Carlotta and to some extent Lauro in this one), but we don't see her interacting with anyone else at her level. I guess it's a matter of Televisa's budget.
All in all, if the writers keep this up, I'm going to like this one after all. To echo everyone's opinions, Studly Alejo is easy on the eyes and the heart.
Thanks to all the LaTemp recappers and happy to find them hard at work here. I still have to go back and watch the last two weeks to get all the nuances of the end of LaTemp and the beginning of Robo.
Novela Maven:
Awesome recap! And I loved the quiz and essay.
Two things took me by surprise on last night's epi. First, I was not expecting Gracie to tell Lauro that Ale loan them the money to save their home. I thought she would keep that a secret. Second, I wasn't expecting Montse and JL to have sex. Especially since we all know (no spoiler here) that somehow she will end up with Ale, the Stud.
Not surprised by the slap that Pedro gave Nadia, but still hated it. What is this guy all about? So far, Pedro is the most intriguing character because I don't know his background story, or why he treats Nadia the way he does.
Gracie's wardrobe needs to be burned. I think Carlotts dresses a little better, but not by much. Maybe it's a regional thing.
I think Carmina was worse than Gracie, but this TN has just started. We'll see if I change my mind as the story progresses. Can't wait to see what happens.
Back to work...Hasta manana!
Awesome recap! And I loved the quiz and essay.
Two things took me by surprise on last night's epi. First, I was not expecting Gracie to tell Lauro that Ale loan them the money to save their home. I thought she would keep that a secret. Second, I wasn't expecting Montse and JL to have sex. Especially since we all know (no spoiler here) that somehow she will end up with Ale, the Stud.
Not surprised by the slap that Pedro gave Nadia, but still hated it. What is this guy all about? So far, Pedro is the most intriguing character because I don't know his background story, or why he treats Nadia the way he does.
Gracie's wardrobe needs to be burned. I think Carlotts dresses a little better, but not by much. Maybe it's a regional thing.
I think Carmina was worse than Gracie, but this TN has just started. We'll see if I change my mind as the story progresses. Can't wait to see what happens.
Back to work...Hasta manana!
Dear Patio:
Thank you all for stopping by and thanks especially for your kind words. It sounds as though we are settling into this one nicely.
Hola Anita! It's good to have you back. We've kept your place nice and warm for you.
As for Gracie's crimes, let's not forget that in episode 3 we found out she had hired Juventino to hasten Don Benjamín's death, expecting that she would make out like a bandit in his will.
Juventino did SOMETHING to speed his boss into the next world and he expected Graciela to pay him. Since Don B fooled her and left all his money to that bastardo, she had to pay him off with a gold bracelet -- the same gold bracelet Juventino was trying to foist off on Dominga last night.
[We can guess the bracelet was originally a gift from Don B -- he apparently was a man who always paid what he owed for services rendered.]
In other words, Gracie has already taken a life!
As for fistfights, do beatdowns count? Gamboa's goons beat up Dim early on. Dim got knocked down and kicked around and stumbled home with a bloody lip. No furniture was involved, though, because it was on the street.
Thank you all for stopping by and thanks especially for your kind words. It sounds as though we are settling into this one nicely.
Hola Anita! It's good to have you back. We've kept your place nice and warm for you.
As for Gracie's crimes, let's not forget that in episode 3 we found out she had hired Juventino to hasten Don Benjamín's death, expecting that she would make out like a bandit in his will.
Juventino did SOMETHING to speed his boss into the next world and he expected Graciela to pay him. Since Don B fooled her and left all his money to that bastardo, she had to pay him off with a gold bracelet -- the same gold bracelet Juventino was trying to foist off on Dominga last night.
[We can guess the bracelet was originally a gift from Don B -- he apparently was a man who always paid what he owed for services rendered.]
In other words, Gracie has already taken a life!
As for fistfights, do beatdowns count? Gamboa's goons beat up Dim early on. Dim got knocked down and kicked around and stumbled home with a bloody lip. No furniture was involved, though, because it was on the street.
Nm..thanks for yet another smart, funny recap. Heck, I am still giggling over your LAST recap...."cute , blonde on the beach....blonde on the beach...blonde". I cannot get it out of my head...probably because it is such an accurate description of the workings of the mind...or maybe just my mind.
I am enjoying the bits and pieces of Amor Real that I recognize in the modern day version. Indeed, the Pedro character (Ramon) was nasty and abusive , much older than the Nadia character (Pilar ...played by Ingrid Marz). He was a police chief , and it seemed that Pilar was a young, pretty trophy wife. Also, the maid was often used to take letters to and from Matilde (Monserrat, and like Monserrat, Matilde would use going to church as a cover to meet her onetruelove. However, Matilde and Antonio never had sex. Theirs was a pure , sacred love. I think that the Carlotta character was the mother's sister, but she was also very close to the daughter and had no use for the son. She was outspoken and loved gossip and her sweets. In the past, it made more sense to have an unwed sister living with the family.
I am enjoying the bits and pieces of Amor Real that I recognize in the modern day version. Indeed, the Pedro character (Ramon) was nasty and abusive , much older than the Nadia character (Pilar ...played by Ingrid Marz). He was a police chief , and it seemed that Pilar was a young, pretty trophy wife. Also, the maid was often used to take letters to and from Matilde (Monserrat, and like Monserrat, Matilde would use going to church as a cover to meet her onetruelove. However, Matilde and Antonio never had sex. Theirs was a pure , sacred love. I think that the Carlotta character was the mother's sister, but she was also very close to the daughter and had no use for the son. She was outspoken and loved gossip and her sweets. In the past, it made more sense to have an unwed sister living with the family.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 7:29:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 7:29:00 PM EST
NovelaMaven, what a clear, snarky, yet expressive recap!
I loved the way you showed how Graciela manipulates Monse, the "uh no" dialogue.
Loved, [The Patio is getting irate. "There's a bastardo in the room, all right, but his name isn't Alejandro," mutters gentle Diana in an uncharacteristic fit of pique.]
And, "Nice timing, Lauro. Or maybe Dim slipped something extra in your Metamucil?" And, "And the relatively good do tend to die relatively young..." so funny.
I need to go and watch the rest of the capitula now before tonight's comes on...I'm getting behind. Lately I only have time for either watching the capitula or reading the recap.
I loved the way you showed how Graciela manipulates Monse, the "uh no" dialogue.
Loved, [The Patio is getting irate. "There's a bastardo in the room, all right, but his name isn't Alejandro," mutters gentle Diana in an uncharacteristic fit of pique.]
And, "Nice timing, Lauro. Or maybe Dim slipped something extra in your Metamucil?" And, "And the relatively good do tend to die relatively young..." so funny.
I need to go and watch the rest of the capitula now before tonight's comes on...I'm getting behind. Lately I only have time for either watching the capitula or reading the recap.
I never really liked Carmina from ADP ,she was kind of too boring,Carmina is nothing like LC from Nombre Del Amor. I like DC more she doesnt fail to impress.I dont even know why i watched ADP,probably because of Salvador or Davis Zepeda.
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