Caray, Caray!

Novela, love your recap! Snarky and detailed. Just the best.

Have to feel for both our little lovebirds. Though I hope we don't get a crying fest in every episode from Mons. I know Boyer does it fairly well, but we know how she feels, hope it isn't drummed over our head day after day.

Mumsy just continues to not make Blackwell's ( or whoever does it now) Best Dressed List. Lord! And honestly, I cracked up at that "clandestine" meeting. Park bench right in town for all the world to see and that envelope wasn't exactly tiny. And then she shushes him and proceeds to start arguing...nice show for anyone passing. Now we know why Dim is not the brightest bulb in the room.

And speaking of which...his attempt to woo Fina. Hysterical, but the poor thing seems to appreciate any little crumb. For a minute there I didn't recognize the actress. My guess is she will be a true ugly duckling and we'll get another Simona ( CI) storyline---the homely rich girl gets a makeover and becomes a knock out.

Daisynjay
 

NovelaMaven: this was a warming ray of sunshine on a cold, blustery day. Detailed yet just a joy to read.

"Adolfo is idling away his useless life", "Those assumptions are all true. So maybe these guys are kind of smart. But they're not wearing cloaks of invisibility. So maybe they're kind of dumb. We'll see" and "She's seeing another dude, dude" were but a few of my favorites. Exceptional!

Of course, I laughed appreciatively at "The young lady has a brow that makes Dimitrio look positively tweezed" - sensational!

Our long wait is over now that Verónica Jaspeado has finally appeared (right Carlos :)?) She is playing a version of the Marianne Levy role from Amor and I think she was perfectly cast. This is gonna be great...Dim will be a goner...

The Ale/Monse storyline is drawing me in largely due to the Boyer/Rulli chemistry. They are magnetically drawn together and the sparks are just below the surface, waiting to erupt.

Can't exactly see Monse assimilating into country life especially as you pointed out "(And she hasn't even met María and Uncle Juventino.)". Hmm, I do not anticipate an idyllic, serene time for Monse there.

Daisy, yes, Graciela is on no one's best dressed list but it certainly is giving us a daily serving of dreadful fashion sense to snark on!

NovelaMaven, thank you. This was great!

Diana
 

NovelaMaven – Thank you for the recap! Well done.

OMG!!! Did anyone else notice the lamp -in the foreground- of the scenes at Josefina’s apartment? It was the bronze sculpture of ivy or somesuch-looking thing with fluted glass shades. I do believe that is the famous Televisa … Lampara Invitada that has been in CS '93, La Mentira, MDV, and other Televisa productions. In fact, it was discussed during the broadcast of AR, in hopes we might see it. (Google it!)

So, they kept Josefina’s name in this version (same character in AR).
Egads, just imagine the eyebrows(!) if Dims and ‘fina marry and have kids.

Seriously, in today’s day and time and the amount of money Josefina has, surely that girl has heard of tweezers and/or eyebrow waxing? Somehow this is not translating well from the epoca of AR.

Oh, my eyes! My eyes!!! Graci’s neon pink shawl worn backwards is a fashion crime, especially paired with a ginormous fabric flower stuck over her heart. Aaaaaack!
And of course, it would never draw attention to her nefarious scene on the park bench with Juve. Netas!


 

Great work, NovelaMaven. I was out last night but just watched the episode.

"What more do you want from me, Mama?" I can answer that: She wants the air out of Monserrat's lungs. Monserrat should be relieved to get away from Graceless, but she probably fears for her father and doesn't realize it. Alejandro certainly will not want to live under the same roof with Graceless.

Love your description of her latest Fashion Felony. A tarantula could hide in her hair and drag its victims there. That skirt looked like she made it out of an afghan throw.

If she expects to control the Almonte fortune she will be grossly disappointed.

Finally, the idea that Josefina is ugly is beyond absurd. There have been other examples of females called "ugly" just because they're 7's on the 1-10 scale that does not make them ugly. This is a disturbing trend I'm seeing in the rest of the internet when totally acceptable-looking actresses are called "ugly" because they don't look like five plastic surgeons have turned them into Ninel Conde or Pamela Anderson (in her prime, of course). What's next?


 

Great recap, NM. Loved your observations and your asides.

Neither Ale nor Monse was buying that tearful speech Gracie made during the toast. Ale did a better job keeping a poker face than Monse did, though.

Monse is having a hard time admitting that she could totally fall for Ale, if she let herself. He, on the other hand, is so blinded by his love for her that he's ignoring some major red flags. She runs hot and cold with him, and she doesn't even want to live in the country, where he has/wants to spend his whole life.

But there was no denying the hotness of that kiss after she accepted his proposal. I guess that would be enough to keep him delusional.
 

Yay! Veronica has arrived. I giggle thinking of the unibrowed babies she and Dim would have. On one hand I hope Gracie finds out about Fina and forces Dim to marry her. On the other, I wouldn't wish that punishment on Fina. Let's hope she asks Nadia her opinion first.
 

Dear Novela Maven,

So enjoyed this fantastic recap! You have a great gift for getting the essence of every scene and condensing it perfectly while getting in tons of incredibly funny details at same time--not to mention useful vocabulary and grammar. I loved your funny recreation of the scene between DIM and Fina. Also, your insightful observation about casting beautiful actresses in roles of " uglies" can feed our

"fantasy that we are all a pair of tweezers and a handful of positive affirmations away from being babes? Sigh."

So witty and observant.

I know I've already declared my inability to see anything wrong with whatever Sebastián Rulli does, but even so I have to say that I think he's incredibly good at playing a good person in these things. He's so sweet and sincere without being sickly sentimental. He has to deliver some potentially ridiculous-sounding lines while declaring his love, but it always sounds genuine and believable to me. Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm buying it completely.
 

NovelaMaven:

Simply superb! This recap is awesome. I too liked the way you condensed this epi, while giving details. Favorite line was dude, dude ; )

I am liking Fina, and I don't think she is ugly either. She's a bit awkward, understatement there, but she is sweet and kind. It seems she has a little thing for Alfonsito, I laughed when she said his name. It's a shame that Dimwit is attempting to get his hooks into her.

Monse does have some feelings for Ale, even though she isn't yet in love with him. I liked it when he told her the story of his life and she had her back turned to him and she touched her heart. That spoke volumes along with the kiss. She is starting to fall for him but doesn't quite realize it yet.

Right now I think Refugio is the smarter of the two. Although I can see why JL wants to find Monse and tell her the truth, how is he going to accomplish this without the two of them being caught?


Don't get me started on Gracie's outfit. Another fashion faux pas and come to think of it, if Monse and Ale get married, what is she going to wear to the wedding? I was thinking of her "fashion sense" the other day and thought of bedraggled. I can just imagine what her outfit is going to look like, my eyes, my eyes!
 

[Huh? Sell the watch, maybe. But the gun? Or is he is going to stop someone who looks prosperous, point to the watch, pull out the pistol and say: Do you know what time it is? Time to give me all your money!]

HAHAHAHA, very well done!
I've been busy and unable to keep up with this tn, but now that the wedding is aproaching, I need to make the time to start watching. I can't wait for Montse to keep pretending that she doesn't love Alejandro while at the same time getting head over heels in love with him - this is my kind of story!
 

Good morning, amiguis!

So lovely to sip my coffee and read this bouquet of comments. Gracias!

I wonder if anyone else has noticed how the Blue Water Boutique™ is shamelessly promoting Graciela's new coffee table book, SHAWLS. (Now you too can achieve her stunning 'LUK' for the holidays!)

Julia R, I have always enjoyed Rulli, even when no one else seemed to notice him. (Though now I realize you were out there too, a member of the Silent Sorority.) But you are so on point with your comment:

"He's so sweet and sincere without being sickly sentimental."

Yes, exactly. Almost any other actor would have us all snarking "Gag me with a spoon!"

Daisynjay,
"I just cracked up at that 'clandestine meeting'"

Wasn't that a hoot? (BTW, it is so much fun to having you back on The Patio.)

Good morning, Diana!

Yes, the long wait for Verónica Jaspeado is over. Whew. And as Sylvia mentioned yesterday,
Alexis Ayala showed up briefly on Monday (as a corrupt cop, natch).

I for one appreciate the pace at which new characters are being introduced. I feel like I get to know who is who and don't have to spend the hour muttering ¿Quién demonios es ese tipo? (Or not too often anyway…)

Doris:
I missed the lamp! Can you believe it? I'll have to go back and take a peek when I get a chance.

Urban:
For me, Fina is like the 1940's mousy secretary in the movies -- she takes off her glasses, lets down her hair and Va Va Voom! I think it's pretty funny myself.

Vivi:
As usual, you capture the dynamic between Montse and Alejandro so well, she " having a hard time admitting that she could totally fall for Ale, if she let herself" and he "so blinded by his love for her that he's ignoring some major red flags"

And yes, let's hope Fina consults Nadia -- but not while crazy Pedro is around!
 

Hi Mads:

"I like it when [Alejandro] told her the story of his life and [Montse] had her back turned to him and she touched her heart."

Ooh yes, nicely observed! Thanks for the kind words.

Adriana:

I was lukewarm about this one before it started but now I have to confess it is sucking me right in.

Welcome to the Robo Support Group! (Especially if you are going to appreciate my lame jokes. Snort.)
 

Thanks for this fabulous recap, NovelaMaven. Your retelling of Dimetrio's awkward encounter with Fina captured it perfectly... it was just so.

Josefina is the reason I started watching this new TN in the first place. Those of us who watched Gancho fell in love with the the gorgeous ditz, Ximena. I've so looked forward to seeing this talented actress again. Fina's response, "I'll get my bag..." was reminiscent of Ximena.

I watched Amor Real but don't remember a great deal about it except for the two primary characters. I don't recall much about the side stories, but I have tons of confidence in Diana and if she says that Verónica is a perfect match for this character, then it is so.

I cracked up last night at our two main characters. When he presented the ring, she asks for time to think about it and he asks, "How long"? "Until tonight." Ummm OK. Then she has doubts about living in the country. I'm afraid that I find myself agreeing with Graciela about not rushing this, but probably for very different reasons. I still think that María is in the long run the much better choice here.

Carlos
 

Oh, another thing that I found to be very amusing was Nadia, of all people, giving relationship advice to Monserrat. Do you suppose that was intended to be intentionally funny?

Carlos
 

Carlos- Well, no one could make a worse choice than Pedro. Ale is bound to be WAY better! :)

She would be helpful in telling Fina how worthless Berto is. She knows that much.
 

Carlos:

We all knew this episode would please you.

"Fina's response, "I'll get my bag..." was reminiscent of Ximena."

wow. I missed that resonance. But you are so right -- that flat-footed childlike literal understanding of what the 'grown-ups' are saying is right out of Ximena's playbook

(In case you are wondering, in the novela Un Gancho al corazón, the same actress played a ditzy 'fresa')

And wasn't it Nadia who described her own husband as 'un buen hombre?' (Unlike Graciela's Rags and Feathers, I don't think this is meant to be funny, though, as you point out, it surely is.)

[Would that I had had your avatar for the Gran Final of La Tempestad! Ni modo. I'm sure you will have plenty of use for it in this crowd.]
 

NovelaMaven, I was hugging myself and shivering with delight while reading your recap. Hilarious!

I couldn't believe my eyes when Josefina's eyebrow(s) was/were revealed. What a perfect match for Dim, at least outwardly.

Montse was excellent after the toast, telling her mother how she felt. Of course Graci would want to play the wedding for all the social benefit she could.
 

Oh my gosh! Ah,what I have been missing from this board and I'm not even done with the recap nor have watched the episode: "The actress who plays Fina, Verónica Jaspeado, is gorgeous, of course. So why cast her as an ugly duckling? Is it to feed our fantasy that we are all a pair of tweezers and a handful of positive affirmations away from being babes? Sigh" HILARIOUS. I'm sure this is another makeover in the making. Sure don't want dimwit to get ahold of her. Thank you NovelaMaven, now back to the recap.

Lila
 

La Paloma:
Thanks so much! Montse WAS excellent after the toast, wasn't she? I've never been a big AB fan but these days I find myself spending more time at her table on The Patio -- especially after she ditched the Virgin Mary's for the real stuff.

Now if only she can keep the telenovela tics to a minimum -- you know: the Betty Boop eyes, the 'moi?' mouth, the little Doris Day back kick during a kiss…

Hola Lila:
Thank you! And yes, somebody SAVE Fina from the Dim bulb -- please!
 

NovelaMaven:

I like AB's facial expressions in this one, I actually like the moue mouth and also that little leg lift she does when she kisses. It's sort of cute and funny ; )
 

Speaking of distorted concepts of feminine beauty, did any of you see this piece that ran in The New York Times last month?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/world/americas/mannequins-give-shape-to-venezuelan-fantasy.html?_r=0

In it, the reporter quotes Osmel Sousa, a familiar figure on Univisión :

“When there is a defect, I correct it,” Mr. Sousa said. “If it can be easily fixed with surgery, then why not do it?”

For Mr. Sousa, beauty really is skin deep: “I say that inner beauty doesn’t exist. That’s something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves.”

Yikes. The really funny thing is that Mr. Sousa himself is a middle-aged toad who seems to have had a bit of work done himself.
 

Oh yeah, definitely cute and funny, Mads. I'm just saying that I like it when AB transcends the cartoonish persona and shows her chops as an actress.
 

Dear Mr. Sousa--think that sentiment is rather prevalent with the actresses--seems a "few" have had that visit to the robot-making surgeon to get that oh-so-pretty plastic look. What a shame!!

And thank NM for the patio welcome--I've been hit or miss on these later night shows, mostly having to watch on weekends and missing recaps nightly. But for Rulli, I just had to make an exception. This one looks like it will be drinking games, fashion critiques and musical chairs on the patio. Can't wait!!

Daisynjay
 

NovelaMaven - Thanks a bunch. Especially appreciate the Dim-Fina dialogue. It was funny last night, but even funnier now that I understand exactly what they said.

It's been a real beanie moment for me that Ale wants to marry so soon, but last night I really did get his desire to start a family after growing up pretty much without one.

Maria’s father is such a sweet man. I like the way he gave it to her straight, “Ale has absolutely no interest in you whatsoever, at all. Move on.” Sometimes, mothers are so soothing, but dads cut to the chase.
 

Novela Maven, you have truly outdone yourself with this recap. Your astute observations and snarky comebacks (a pair of tweezers away from being babes) are over-the-top hilarious. What a great read.

After carefully copying and pasting my favorite lines I see that my pal Diana has beat me to the punch on every one. So let me just say "Ditto to Diana".

OMG I laughed hard when Fina showed up with her unibrow. Whoever decided to throw that detail in is a positive genius!

"The Grammar Nerd table quietly admires Montserrat's effortless Triple Imperfect Subjunctive." Actually my dear NM, the Grammar Nerd table is popping tall to YOU for even knowing what that is.
 

Hmmm...were you watching the regrettable Porque el Amor Manda NovelaMaven? As soon as you said "Know what time it is, time to give me your money!" I had a regrettable slamback into the Avon secretarial universe.

You are absolutely the Queen of Prose.

[...is it to feed our fantasy that we are all a pair of tweezers and a handful of affirmations away from being babes? Sigh.]

That. Is. Just. So. Fine.

And yes, I want to feed that fantasy. Note to self: plan to get exuberant Scottish eyebrows waxed. Who knows what passion awaits?

In the meantime, I'll just enjoy this telenovela, daydream about Rulli, savor NovelaMaven recaps and those of the rest of the talented team, and chortle at the outrageous comments.

Hangin' out on the Patio, enjoying my club soda and dim prospects of plastic surgery.
 

Julia, ITA with you about Rulli. Another thing I like about him is the ease with which he can laugh at himself. It's not really demonstrated in this TN, but I'll never forget in Gancho how he dressed up as some sort of leotarded avenger/luchador and leaped about the room.

There seem to be quite a few actors from Gancho in this one. Good.

The LAMP!! Good eye Doris.

NM, that is a very disturbing article. Thank you for sharing it with us. Ugh.
 

NM- I haven't read the article yet, but heard about the latest comments from Sousa. He's been on my sh!t list for some time for his comments on what is beautiful. He's credited with helping Venezuela have so many Miss Universe wins, and when asked some years back why all of the contestants for Venezuela (with a HUGE Afro and indigenous population) are white, he said those women are ugly. Straight up. Two years ago when the Miss Universe winner was a black woman from Angola, he made a public protest about it, called the girl ugly, and said that Miss Venezuela should have won. By the way, this is her: http://afroeuro.org/magazine/?p=3843

Ugly?
 

Daisynjay:
I've always enjoyed your comments here. When you're not around, people notice. (Well I surely do!)

Niecie:
so glad you enjoyed the recap. María's dad isn't having an easy time of it, is he? He is a good counterweight to sleazeball Uncle Juventino. Too bad María's deaf to what he is telling her. Ah well. She has another, what, 160 episodes for the scales to fall from her eyes.

JudyB:
I'm going to tell Mr. Maven about my new title. He is sure to be impressed.

I always watched the last few minutes of PEAM. It was my strategy for coping with Uni's 'creative' scheduling, especially on my nights to blog. Since they wrote about 100 lines for the show and then endlessly recycled them, I got a good feel for the dialogue.

Sylvia:
The Grammar Nerd Table is popping tall to me? Really? NOW Mr. Maven will surely be impressed!
 

Miss Angola=beautiful. Nice curvy body, sweet face and great smile.
Sousa must fancy himself a genius of the Pygmalion type. There is such a thing as inner beauty.
 

Vivi: She (the former Miss Universe)is lovely.

One of my favorite expressions - raw and true is that you can't fix stupid. Although I generally try to avoid making decisions about people I've heard little of, I will make an exception in Mr. Sousa's case.

Reading your comment along with NovelaMaven's "Mr. Sousa himself is a middle-aged toad who seems to have had a bit of work done himself" has provided all the feedback I need.

Diana
 

Huh? Miss Angola ugly? She is a striking beauty.

Sousa is an a$$.


 

Novela Maven:
Another superb recap, amiga.

Some of my favorite Novela observations:

' [Huh? Sell the watch, maybe. But the gun? Or is he is going to stop someone who looks prosperous, point to the watch, pull out the pistol and say: Do you know what time it is? Time to give me all your money!]

Brilliantly funny, Ms. Maven. I truly LOL.

And on Josefina:

So why cast her as an ugly duckling? Is it to feed our fantasy that we are all a pair of tweezers and a handful of positive affirmations away from being babes? Sigh.'

and,

"A quick phone call confirms that the captain is indeed away. Score one for the slimeball."

Guau! This was a GREAT recap. Bravo to our Novela Maven.

I don't know if it is the edge of high camp, or the actors, or the pacing that has me SO enjoying this TN.

It could be the great company!

Elna June




 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Sorry I’m so late with the HPLP list. I’m playing catch up with this and La Reina del Sur. Add Christmas movie watching (I love Christmas movies) and now The Paradise (thank you very much Vivi and all you Carayers who went on and on about how good it was), and now I’m very behind.

Belated happy birthday to Eli. Hope everyone had a good/safe Thanksgiving holiday.

(When I went to read Thursday’s ep recap, the recap was for some other TN--the comments were all for Robo--so I may have missed something since I’m having to base those on comments only—my memory of this ep having faded).


Week of November 25, 2013:

Highpoints:
Victor’s scene with Graciela.
Ale modes Pedro.
Juv’s brother gives him a beat down.
Vic stands up to Juv and calls him a thief.
Esme’s eyeroll showed how much of a stud she thought Dim was.
Mons has stopped treating Ale rudely.
Gracie has convinced Mons that JL was using her (low point for Mons, but clears the way for our Ale).
Four of a kind beats a full house.
Ale and Mons are getting along fine at dinner.
Maria is going to be sooooo disappointed Ale isn’t coming back to the hacienda right away.
First kiss!

Low Points:
Damn! Demetrio gets off the hook (shouldn’t be too surprised, too early in the TN for him to be anviled).
Lauro saw that Mons was upset after speaking with her mother and didn’t comfort her.
Nadia hasn’t done it with her cold as ice husband. Who else can we pair her up with?
Convincing JL to step up is taking way too much work.
Kind of icky scene between Juv and Maria.
Gracie tries to guilt Mons into marrying Ale.
Dim lies to Ale about Mons not interested in someone else.
Lauro has an inconvenient heart episode.
Pedro is abusive to his wife.
Maria gets Juv the key to Dominga’s bedroom.
Poor Vic loves that skank Maria.
Juv tries to rape Dom.
Gaspar doesn’t tell turn Juv in.
Dom and Gracie set JL up.
JL gets arrested.
Pedro has evil plans for JL.
Nadia murders Moonlight Sonata.
Another jerk joins the party—in more ways than one—Addy.
Juv has taken a shine to Mons.
JL gets another guy in trouble for his escape.

Nanette

I’ll be doing this week’s list off of recaps and comments, exclusively, since I’m blowing Robo viewing off this week to catch up with La Reina (Ana-this one stars Ivan Sanchez).
 

"I don't know if it is the edge of high camp, or the actors, or the pacing that has me SO enjoying this TN"
ElnaJune - Every episode of Amor Real had action. SOMETHING happened. There were no fillers, dead episodes, nada. So far, LQLVMR is staying on the same pace. (fingers crossed that it continues!)
 

Vivi:
I just looked up your link. Ms. Lopes is an absolute knockout.

On Miss Universe 2011—I cannot comprehend why Sr. Sousa would even get to have his estupideces printed by a normally respectable media outlet like the New York Times. Why give bigots an audience?

One of the things that strikes me about the idea of beauty perfection is that everything around us is impermanent. Even if you were to gain an idealized concept of "perfect" today, by tomorrow gravity and time would have begun taking their toll. This is the slippery slope that leads to plastic surgery addiction for folks like Michael Jackson and Sly Stallone's mother.

As to Fina being fea, well, it is simply absurd. As a 'Gancho' alum, I adore the actress, Veronica J. She is a wonderful comedienne and I hope she will get to show us her lighthearted side. Being married to Dimitrio? Lordy, she is going to need a sense of humor.

EJ


 

In Gancho Ximena successfully conquered the unwilling Rolando. I expect a similar fate for Dimwit in this one.


 

It would be awesome if Josie soon has Dimmy jumping through hoops for HER! Maybe she can dip his sleazy self in her own brand of "slime remover" and up pops a clean and decent Dimitrio, falling all over himself trying to please her. Too much to ask?
 

Novelamaven....I am finally home after a loooong day reviewing grammar for next week's final exam. I just started reading your recap, but I had to stop to comment on ..."Do you know what time it is ? Time to give me your money." Hahahahaha NM...I want you to live next door to me. There's an open lot. You could build a nice , little place. We'd have coffee everyday, and you would buoy my spirits with your good natured wit.

Also, I heard a song by Orleans in the radio in the car , and I would like to dedicate it to AleHandsome..." Love takes time, and it's hard to find...you've got to take some time to let love grow...." Just saying'
 

I just read that article and watched the video. Now isn't Sousa the pot calling the kettle black... I wonder how many women rejected his ugly mug to provoke this sort of revenge.

I could rant for hours on this subject but I think we're all on the same page.

 

My Dear Elna June:

I'm betting it's the good company, especially now that YOU are on The Patio.

Nanette:
That's quite a list you've got there. These folks in and around Aguazul have been up to all kinds of mischief.

Anon:

I fear Dim's slime runs right to the marrow. The only slime remover that I can see working for him would be a big fat Acme Anvil.

Susanlynn:

Sounds divine. (Not the reviewing grammar part, the drinking coffee and schmoozing part.)

I'm not looking forward to the dashing of Alejandro's hopes and dreams.

BTW, I was thinking about why Rulli is so charming: he never seems to be the beautiful man who can't avoid stealing admiring glances at himself in the mirror. He acts as if he were oblivious to his own attractiveness. There is nothing quite so appealing as a gorgeous person who seems unaware of his or her own appeal.
 

NovelaMaven,

Finished the recap and the episode: made me anticipate and appreciate the action more! Ah, let's see: Dumb and Dumber, don't know why they weren't picked up immediately. They were as much on front street as Gracie and Juvie! Poor Montse, Carlotta is genuinely excited for her, Gracies excitement is real, too: she's real anxious to get her hands on the Almonte money. She doesn't realize Alejandro only seems malleable because he's weak in the knees in love with Montse. Gracie is NOT going to run roughshod over Ale. Montse looked like she wanted to spit when Gracie came into the room and loved the emotional verbal smackdown Montse gave her, but Gracie had to have the last "word" by touching Montse's face and hair: uuuuh! that pisses me off!

But love how this man projects the deep, almost reverential love he feels for Montse. Please don't let this end up dozens of episodes of separation, frustration, misunderstandings and anguish: I hate when they waste that kind of passion and chemistry!

Lila
 

ITA that Alejandro's sad childhood and lack of a family is a big part of the reason why he's in such a darn rush to get married and start forming his own family. But the lack of time to get to know Monse better, and for her to really fall for him, is definitely going to come back to bite him in the butt. Poor guy. I feel bad for him already.

NM- I agree that the way Rulli plays his galans is that he is totally unaware of how attractive he is. Much different than William Levy's galans, who always know how hot they are. I remember how all of us chuckled when everyone acted as if Rulli's character in Teresa was an ugly, decrepit man, and were shocked that Teresa would be into him (other than for his money). We were like, have you looked at Professor Hottie?!
 

As Doris noted, the Josefina character in Amor Real had the same name and a similar look.....dark hair, dark thick eyebrows. She wore her hair in some kind of odd bun and had a mole...shout out to Simona from CI who lost her mole during her remodeling ...along with her manners. The plot is pretty close to AR.

I think that in the first episode of AR, the galan Manuel confided in his BFF Sixto (Viktor here)that he wanted a wife and children. Alehandsome longs for the family he never had, and that hug from Mon on the beach in the dark followed by seeing that pretty face and curvy, petite body made her a great candidate for a wife.

Carlos...I am so glad that your telenovia has shown up. She has quite an important role if you remember Josefina in AR.

As for the discussion of beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder, verdad ? Sousa sounds like a miserable, sad little man. I feel sorry for him. I loved the maid in The Help who always told the little girl of the family she worked for "You is smart; you is beautiful; you is kind." I say the same (with proper verb tense "are" ) to our three-year-old and five-year-old, and when I ask them which is most important, they always grin at me and say..."kind!"

Finally, doesn't DimUnkempt own a comb ? His cohort was played by the actor who was Estéve in MEPS. These guys bother me more than the two characters in AR.


 

Susanlynn:

You just reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.

-- Henry James
 

Nm...I collect quotes, and I like Henry James. I must write that one in my journal,

Here is one I found a long time ago. " The best portion of a good man's life, his little, in remembered acts of kindness and of love. , ". I cannot remember the author... perhaps, Wordsworth ???
 

Unrembered
 

Unremembered...sorry..I am tired and hungry.. And careless.
 

Ah, unremembered, makes a tad more sense, hee. What a lovely quote by James.
 

It IS Wordsworth, Susanlynn. (No, I didn't know that -- I was curious so I looked it up.)

It's from the poem, Tintern Abbey, which you can look at here, if you are interested:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19411

Sylvia, I just love the Henry James. Easy to remember, hard to live up to (at least for some of us, alas.)
 

Funny that both Wharton and James have come up in our discussions. They are two of my favorite authors in the Gothic/ghost story genre.
 

Love these discussions. I heard a great quote from a friend this morning (who didn't remember the author).

"Just imagine if you woke up tomorrow with only that which you were grateful for today."

Going to stop kvetching and start appreciating right now!


 

Is this a kvetch-free zone? Nobody told ME.

Bah!
 

Novela Maven,

Thanks so much for the wonderfully descriptive recap.

Among the many lines that I loved and that had me laughing was:
"So maybe these guys are kind of smart. But they're not wearing cloaks of invisibility. So maybe they're kind of dumb. We'll see."

I also enjoyed reading all of your titles, like "Dim meets his Brow Mate", For Services Rendered", "Pop!", & "And this evening's award for Unbelievable Chutzpah goes to..."

I love reading all the comments comparing this TN to Amor Real. I did not watch AR, so I really have no clue as to what will happen next. Of course I know that Alejo and Montse will most likely marry, but beyond that I am blind. I don't know if I am at an advantage. Sometimes when a story totally changes from the original, it is a disappointment, but when it stays on course with the original, viewers tend to have high expectations. I think it sometimes depends on the actors portrayal of the characters.

Anyhoo, I am really enjoying this TN. I just got introduced to Josefina, and I already like her. I just hope that Dimibrow doesn't break her heart.

I am very anxious to see what happens with Ale and Montse. What will their reactions be when they find out the truth about one another. Ale thinks Montse is 'un angel', but she is indeed lying to his face. I hope that in the end Montse is able to stand up for herself against her mother. Ale is lying to her as well, but he DOES love her. I think for Ale it was 'amor a primera vista". That is why I feel so bad for Ale, or maybe Rulli has me under his spell with those dreamy eyes, and superb acting.
Julia, ITA that Rulli is 'sweet and sincere without being sickly sentimental." And that can be hard to do, but he is pulling it off, and I am eating it up! So much more to say, but I am out of time...Boo!

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

NovelaMaven,
I completely love your recaps. I have been looking forward to it since this morning! Can't access anything at work, but that's o.k. now at home, I am watching just a little bit behind everyone...

I loved the tweezer comment, the Henry James quote, everything, but especially:
"The Grammar Nerd table quietly admires Montserrat's effortless Triple Imperfect Subjunctive. ¡Salud!]
salud, indeed! thanks, Ana
 

No fear...it's NEVER a kvetch-free zone. Not now...not ever! I'll shoot for batting .500
 

AuntyAnn and Ana:

I don't know if you will see this, but I just had to tell you how much I appreciated your kind words. Thank you.

I haven't seen Amor Real so I just kind of ignore the comparisons.

JudyB:
Well okay then.
[NM mutters something inaudible while closing laptop.]
Snort! Oh. Was that me?