Caray, Caray!

Hi Everyone,
Hope you enjoy--and please pardon what must be thousands of typos!

I've been away on vacation with my family over the holidays and wasn't able to watch our show or comment easily, but I want to thank Gloria, Urban Anthropologist, Novela Maven, Eli, Elna June, Mads, and Elvira for their fabulous recaps which I have been reading since I got back to catch up.

Once again, Happy New Year to everyone on Caray Caray! Finding this website was one of my greatest pleasures in 2013. I am so happy to read your recaps and comments and am looking forward to spending more time watching this wonderful telenovela with you in 2014!
 

Happy New Year Julia and thank you for your marvelous recap. I'm not done reading it yet, but I wanted to give you a shout out for the huge laugh I got from "It's an inner eyeball dilemma". I'm so glad you found Caray Caray! and have decided to share your wit and insight with us through your gifted recapping. Gracias! (And now...back to the recap.)
 

Dear Julia R:

Happy New Year to you too, and what a fabulous first two hour recap you have done and on New Years Day too! You rock!

Ay, yi, yi, the misunderstandings continue! I so feel for Monse and Ale is so starting to get on my nerves. He listens too much to the bitchy one and Dimwit, are you kidding me???? He knows Dimwit is a big fat liar, scammer, and MURDERER to boot and he is taking his word? Que, Que, What????? Monse isn't in the clear either, but if you want info from someone a little honey, goes so much farther than a heaping, helping of vinegar. At least she was truthful and told Ale, si.

I am glad Padre A came and fought for Rosario, the poor lady. I think Rosario, needs to tighten her apron, and fess up. After what she has already told Ale, if she does admit it, he may be angry at first, but he'll think about it and bring her back, I'm thinking. He does need some sage advice from his Mama. I do like the fact that Monse also stood up for her.

BM (Bitch Maria) needs a comeuppance as in being sent to Aguazul and the factory. Ale already knows that she wants him, she needs to go. Enough of her already!

Poor Victor and Nadia, I feel for them too. If I were Victor I would be really scared of Pedro.

IMOHO I think Pedro is going to do some fiddling with some papers to claim that Ale is not the heir. He is bound and determined to get that land of Ale's. And now Don J is gonna help him, more's the pity.

I hope Dimwit and Addy get what is coming to them, threatening poor Monse constantly, demanding money. I hope they get caught by Tomas or Josie. Then their jig will be up.

Juvie the perv is just, just I have no words for him. Disgusting, evil, he needs a major comeuppance too. Don't get me started on BM. I can't stand her either.

When Pedro (Sergio Sendel) had that cell phone in his hand, I really thought he was gonna toss it. I had memories of Destilando Amor for a second there ; )

Thanks again Julia for this most marvelous, detailed recap.
 

I think the Victor-Nadia live scene was removed. Typical Uni philosophy.
 

thanks, JuliaR, for that excellent and speedy recap.

Malria and UncleIcky have no respect for anyone's personal space. They both feel entitled..she to Alehandsome and he to Ale's stuff and wife.

I get a kick out of cheeky Malria strolling into Mony's bedroom and using her brush. yikes..Malria cooties. I guess that she couldn't wait for uncle to comb her hair. What a weird pair.

Mads.....Thanks for the early morning giggle...."Rosario needs to tighten her apron." HA

That cam seems to be a favorite gimmick of this director.

Have a good day , everyone.
 

..That EYE cam.
 

Julia R., thanks for the wonderful recap. The second episode recap was just as good as the first. I liked your new word "googlenth".

Juventino rubbing his niece's feet and massaging her shoulders, really? Yuck!

My favorite line of the episode by Montse after her conversation with Juventino and his allusion to other forms of payment than money: " I don't know who is worse. You or your niece."

Madelaine, yes, it is time for Maria to go up to the factory already. Right now it feels like an empty threat: especially seeing her in Montse's room again. Ale should have sent her packing after her reaction to him and Montse kissing.


If this were someperiod piece/ bizarre movie, I'd be betting on some war or natural catastrophe(hurricane, volcano, locusts, giant ants) that would force/bring Ale and Montse together in a fight to save their lives and the hacienda and its lands. But it is not, so they both remain with one foot in and one foot out of the marriage. Sort of like the hokey pokey.

Jarifa
 

Julia, a vivid, splendid recap. Savored every delicious, juicy word. It was evident the time, care and attention you spent on this!

"Juventino fondling petulant Maria's feet", "... purrs, pleads", "since oral fixations seem to be his THANG, Juvie picks up the glass she was drinking from and drinks from it, too" (most cringe worthy event of the night), "It's an inner eyeball dilemma" (as Sylvia already noted) and "slams down a a tray of what else--FRUIT!!!—(should be present in the credits as a supporting player) were my favorites.

I sense (perhaps wrongly) that Alberto Estrella is doing a bit of improvising in most of his/Juvie’s scenes – the lascivious looks, embellished bits of feet fetishes, I hope he and the other actors are having as much fun with their roles as we are with watching them.

I was shocked and disappointed that Ale fired Rosario. That was simply cruel. A side of him we are seeing far too often now. The good Padre is right, he is becoming more like his late father every day. "...and he says she is always asking special favors--her Tia and brother staying, for example--and gives nothing in return". Really Ale? Asking him to tolerate her family and bring devoted Rosario back are special favors? How selfish you are.

Susanlynn, I chuckled at "Malria strolling into Mony's bedroom and using her brush. yikes..Malria cooties. I guess that she couldn't wait for uncle to comb her hair". So odd and so true!

Madelaine, it would have been great if Sergio had indulged us in a cell phone smashing, wouldn't it? Ahh, the good old DA days...

Monse is now trying to do the right thing - she knows she and JL have no future but he seems determined to play the charade out. To what likely will be the bitter end.

Most of my disgust is reserved for Dimwit for what he is doing to Josie and for the blackmail and pain he is causing Monse. He is reprehensible.

Diana
 

Great work, Julia.

Juventino is easy to figure out: He only wants what belongs to others, particularly Alejandro. Alejandro may have been ostensibly of low birth, but he is educated, handsome, and now rich. He could have Maria for the asking, he has Monserrat, and he has the money Juventino felt entitled to, but had no chance of getting. The only thing I can't figure out in that scenario is what made him feel entitled to the property in the first place.

Take this to the next step and we get the mind of a rapist: It's not about sex, it's about power and fear-mongering. Apparently, buying sex at the place Esmeralda works doesn't work for him because he gets off even on the prospect of taking it from women who don't want to give it to him. Starting with Maria and going up the ladder through Monserrat, her mother, Nadia, and Angelica. The latter at least has his number.

I am really disappointed that Joaquin is as corrupt as Pedro. His wife is a piece of work, but Angelica doesn't deserve two evil parents and Alejandro needs a friend because Victor can't be there every minute.

Speculating now that Rosario's identity as Alejandro's mother will be revealed by herself when Pedro attempts to steal his estate. Padre Anselmo will have to take some heat for his silence, but that will blow over.

One more point and then I will have my morning caffeine: Any mortal sins Monserrat may have committed in attempting to leave Alejandro are the domino effect of the mortal sin committed against her to be forced into marriage with him in the first place. Or as they say on Law & Order, they are fruit of the poisonous tree.
 

Happy New Year!

Oh, Julia, on this cold, windy and snowy morning your recap just warmed my heart and gave me massive chuckles. Brilliant!! What a treasure we gained when you found us on Caray.

Felt like I was watching a tennis match last night with the accusations flying back and forth. Both our little cupcakes are just being stupid, but considering the shenanigans of those around them, can see where they are coming from at times. But I draw the line at Little Gorilla (sorry, but he harkened me back to that--for awhile there in his rages I expected him to start pounding that chiseled chest of his)firing Rosario. It was stupid, uncalled for and plain pig-headed. Boy, when he finds out she's his mother...

Speaking of which, at this point, Rosario, what do you have to lose? If anything, maybe you can save this dude some heartache. Apparently he is out their floundering...nothing like a mom to slap you back to reality and they give such great hugs. He needs that right now.

I'm starting to dislike J-L. That apple eating was a page out of Juve's antics. Are we suppose to start getting a negative vibe with him?

Love love love Vic and Nadia, but this is so not going to go well. (And that was cut too? Heck I saw some pretty heavy stuff on the major networks recently. Uni is getting stupid now.) Happy they had a chance for some happy time before Pedro starts messing with them...I was scared there for awhile when he caught Nadia. He seems always on the edge of hitting her.

That tea time was hysterical. With friends like that...what a twosome. The actresses did a great job of doing the frenemy dance.

They had better NOT show cockfighting at the fair. Would figure that Maria and Dim would like it. Despicable.

Wonder who came up with the idea of the Eyecam for flashbacks. Weird, but effective.

Daisynjay
 

Julia! What a fantastic, detailed, thorough and hilarious recap! Thank you sooooo much for this double duty on New Year's night! Oh my word, a great couple of episodes! My question is, is anyone a good Catholic in this little world? Well, maybe Dominga, Tia? Rosario? Why doesn't she tell Alejandro who she is, or let the Padre do it? How can she possibly know there is a dramatic moment in the future when this revelation will carry more weight? (just kidding).

Victor and Nadia! OMG! While I'm glad she has sated her gnawing carnal cravings I fear Pedro is going to kill Victor probably after she comes up PREGNANT! What are you two thinking? I guess they were thinking what you said, Julia: "Whomp! Get you some!"

And my favoritest line of them all which is howling funny is Maria's declaration at the dinner table that she "LOVES COCK FIGHTS." Lord, that is FUN-NY! I hope Montse is going to take some action against this shameless hussy soon: the way she waltzes in and out of Montse's room! Uuuuf! She and her uncle are two pervs cut from the same slimy, dirty cloth.

And my Ale. My Alejandro. You give me a reason to want to slap your beautiful face every episode. This time it was you calling and trying to run after Maria when she saw you kissing your wife! Ale, Ale, Ale! Anyway that was one of two flaming hot kisses this double episode so I'll cut you some slack. Can't wait to see how Montse tries to shut Maria down.

JL's masquerading right under Ale's nose in his own home is a major time bomb. Perhaps when this truth is finally known and Ale really explodes, perhaps this will be the dramatic moment when Rosario's revelation and intervention might be most weighty. No spoiler, I just know Rosario's got to come back in the picture and Ale's going to be royally pissed when the JL gig is up. Await y'alls comments!

Lila




 

If anything should be censored it's cockfighting because it's illegal here. Then again, there are a whole bunch of prudes in this country who want to make sex illegal, so Univision is pandering to them so as not to come under their guns. Que estupides. If I were into science fiction....

I love the flamenco-influenced music in this series.

For what he's doing to his own sister I now want Dimwit to have a worse Karmageddon than Maria.
 

Julia- Excellent, excellent recap! Happy New Year to you, too!

First day back at work, so not much time to comment. But I did want to point out something quite chilling that the police chief said to Victor-- Pedro would much rather be a respected widower, than a cuckold husband, or something to that effect. I can't believe that clear threat to Nadia's LIFE didn't give Victor more pause. What is up with these guys and their pursuit of these women, no matter what the cost to the women?! JL going after Monse, into the house, to argue with her out in the open about kissing her husband, is case in point. Doesn't he understand that he just gives other people more ammunition to blackmail Monse and to get her into hotter water? Monse is surrounded by enemies on all sides, and the people who claim to love her (JL) or should love her (Dim), are just making her like more hellish.

I can't even with Ale. I wish Padre had told Ale that he's turning into his father, instead of saying it to Rosario. That might have given the dunderhead some pause.

 

Julia: I'm glad you discovered this blog - your recap is fabulous.

I really don't know what Rosario has to lose by revealing to the world that she is Alejandro's mother. Maybe she doesn't want to disgrace him? Just don't know. It's just another irrational subplot.
 

Pasofino, I think you hit it on the head: Rosario is afraid of disgracing Alejandro. Time to move into the 21st century.

Jarifa
 

My dear Julia R:

The pleasure is entirely The Patio's. It is wonderful that you have joined us and chosen to contribute your talent to the mix here.

Thanks so much for today's superb recap. I like your swings from literary to earthy and, of course, your occasional excursions into grammar.

Double episodes of a terrific novela are double the pleasure for the viewer. Double recaps by a terrific writer are double the pleasure for the reader. But for the recapper -- not so much. Should we think of this as your hazing ritual? You definitely passed. You are in!

And my, what insightful comments this morning. What have you all been eating for breakfast -- si se puede saber...
 

Great comments y'all. I like the comparisons to the hokey pokey and tennis match. How true. The patterns are pretty clear now, Montse has to cry every day and Alejandro has to blow his stack every day. He gets enraged at Montse over any little thing but then wonders why she keeps trying to leave? What a dysfunctional household. Vic and Nadia were a breath of fresh air, but I'm definitely not liking the Pedro threat, he who would rather be a respected widower. Yikes!

I recognize that BM (Hee!! Great initials) is bad, but I do admire her refusal to back down from being the alpha bitch. I can kind of identify with that. Not to mention all the mixed messages that Ale is giving her. However I definitely do not LOVE COCKFIGHTS, heh.

Diana, I also think Alberto Estrella is improvising. He is doing a terrific job of creating a complete character with great depth. As Julia noted, poking his head around the door after his "meeting" with Ale was just so perfectly Juventino. It's those little things...
 

And yay for Nadia! Girlfriend finally got some. I hope that sweet memory stays with her, when Pedro eventually pins her down with a cold, hard stare, just before doing something scary, after he finds out the truth. *gulp*
 

I think that JL is naive about this stuff or he doesn't think that Alejandro would hurt Monserrat and Victor is just The Playboy Who Finally Got Caught.

Dimitrio doesn't care about Monserrat at all. He cares even less about her than their mother does and nobody even sees this.

Somebody should call Lauro to tell him about Dimwit's activities, but he is also likely to have JL hauled in...
 

Doesn't Dim think that it would be way easier for Monse to get money from her husband if he's happy and content with her? Telling Ale about her latest escape attempt, has only made her job of getting money out of him harder. Just like when Monse pointed out to Maria that it would benefit her to keep her mouth shut about Monse trying to leave, because Ale would let his guard down, making it easier for Monse to leave, and leaving Ale to Maria. These dopes shoot themselves in the foot, getting the short-term gratification of seeing Monse squirm in the face of Ale's rage, but what does it get them in the long-term?
 

The key word is "dopes." Neither of them is smart enough to understand the cause-and-effect of their actions. This could be panic and desperation over Tomas' threats. However.....

Dimwit was smart enough to trick Josefina into "marrying" him in the name of a big swindle toward his longer-term security. Therefore, ratting Monserrat out to her husband was him "punishing" her for not complying with his demands.

Alejandro needs to call Graciela and blackmail her into fetching Dimwit or he will rat out her affair with his father to Monserrat and Lauro. Although she hasn't faced it yet, Graciela is so high on Monserrat's shit list now this won't really make it any worse.

Angelica needs to tell someone about Juventino's creepy stare.

JL needs to get out of there, but we can only dream about that.
 

Here is the list for last week. I thought about not posting it at all since we’re nearly done with this week, but my OCD won’t let me skip ☺. Some of the things that I put are moot now after viewing this week’s eps, but I’m going to leave them as is. Some of the last points might be a bit off, I’m going by scatty notes I took last week.

Week of December 23, 2013:

Highpoints:

Rosario puts JL in his place.
Mons calls JL a coward.
Rosario puts Mons clothes back in the closet.
Wedding tableaux.
Esme and Nadia talk.
Rosario/Mons talk re: taking chances.
Grace is mad that Lottie went to the hacienda.
Mons slaps Maria.
Mons is upset Ale has been shot.
Mons comforts Ale—tells him not to die.
Mons doesn’t want Ale to hate her.
Mons stays with Ale all night.
Dim doesn’t remember whether he consummated his marriage or not.
Mons doesn’t want to leave with JL.
Mons almost declares her love to Ale.
Ale tells Mons he’s going to clear things up once and for all by inviting a few people to the hacienda.
Rosario and Lottie take charge.
Fina gets to Alpo.
JL meets a potential love interest.
Nadia defies Pedro and goes to the hacienda.
Rosario starts to stand up to Maria.
Mons gets information from Rosario.
Dim plans to leave are thwarted.
Ale brings everyone to the hacienda.
Ref doesn’t give Rosario JL’s letter but tells her they are leaving for good instead.
Angelica is interesting.
Mons talks with Robledo about JL’s guilt.
Mons learns that Rosario is Ale’s mother’s name. She isn’t going to take the coincidence lightly.
Esme talks to Mons and clears her part up.
Mons admits to some feelings for Ale.
Vic disses Maria.
Lottie gives Mons some home truths re: JL gone.
Esme disses Amelia.
Fina finds out her marriage is a fake (low point for her but high point for viewerville for this most interesting storyline of the TN).
JL and Ref learn Loreto and Juvie are in cahoots with Pedro.
Lauro is going to make Demetrio pay for what he’s done to Fina.
Esme realizes Mons loves both JL and Ale.
Vic is in love.
Lottie give a few home truths to Nadia.
Vic disses Maria
Mons walks away when Maria starts dancing with Ale—instead of engaging in a cat fight.
Mons see JL kiss Angie.
No rape.
Vic gives Nadia a cart full of flowers.
Ale learns who met at the choza.
Ale and Mons reconcile.
Esme lies for Mons.

Low Points:

Nadia interrupts Ref and Esme and Ref misunderstands.
JL is becoming a freaky nuisance.
Gracie is turned on by Juvie.
JL threatens death.
Ale refused to see what’s going on re: Maria.
The priest is fake—would have liked to have seen a real marriage dynamic—also Dim’s face when he found out.
JL acts like an asshole with the Padre—I’m really getting sick of this guy.
Ale is shot!!
JL almost shoots Ale.
JL is more obsessed than in love.
Josefina has a sucky wedding night.
Mons DID NOT pull Maria away from Ale’s bedside by her skanky hair.
Mons jumps to all sorts of conclusions—all of them wrong.
Ale asks Vic to befriend Nadia.
Vic—worst pick up line ever.
Dim disses Fina--again.
JL browbeats Refugio.
Juvie and the undies.
Loreto and Juvie plan to meet at the place that JL and Ref are hiding.
Dim is mean to Josefina.
Angie is sick (cancer).
Amelia is a bitch.
Juvie and Esme scene—ewww!!!
Vic wanting to be friends with Nadia is going to back fire when he falls for her (not a spoiler—speculation on my part).
Esme and Ref have another argument.
Nadia rejects Vic’s advances.
Tomas is mean to Fina.
Gracie intimidates Fina.
Maria’s behavior at the dinner table.
Maria and Ale dance.
Ale looses his temper.
Ale burns down the choza.
Ale starts to take his wife by force.
Vic and Nadia say goodbye.
Ale tells Mons he will never forgive.
Vic is not leaving the hacienda.
Juvie tries blackmailing.
 

Hi Everyone,

It's snowing here big time, but it's been a joy to eat left over Christmas cookies this morning (my breakfast, NM) and read your funny and insightful comments.

Cap'n Sylvia: Thanks for you early morning eyeball shout out.

Mads: Thanks for your praise and great comments. Love your moniker for Maria--BM she will always be to me now.

Susanlynn: Thanks so much and I agree that Maria and Juvie are really weird. I forgot about the hairbrush. That was a great detail.

Jarifa: Thanks to you! It was really great to see Montse call Juvie out and even surprising to me that it got to him so much. He's not that tough, is he?

Diana: Thanks heaps for noticing all the detail and appreciating the time it took. I confess it did take me a while, but your enjoyment in it is more than worth it.
 

Nanette: The 2 most pivotal and important items (IMHO) on your list were: "JL and Ref learn Loreto and Juvie are in cahoots with Pedro" and "Esme realizes Mons loves both JL and Ale".

I loathe anyone hurting Fina, and she has experienced from family, friends and foes alike. Ack.

Diana
 

Urban Anthropologist: Thanks for reading and comments. I was also disappointed to see Don Joaquin with Pedro. Actually, when I first started recapping that scene, I was so surprised I actually thought it was the evil police chief at first and had to revise my first notes!

Daisynjay: So glad you enjoyed the recap on this snowy day. It's near-blizzarding away in my home, too. Thanks for welcoming me to Caray Caray.

Lila: Thanks for your kind compliments. I agree--when Maria said that Cock fights line, it had me laughing out loud. So awful but perfect for her character.

Vivi: Thanks to you--and also for adding that great line about Pedro preferring to be a widower than a cuckold. I loved that line.

Pasafino: Thanks for welcoming me--yes, I agree I don't really get why Rosario won't tell Ale the truth. She says it's not to shame him, but it's a real stretch for me to believe this.

Novel Maven: Yes, that double recap felt like a trial by fire, but your praise makes it all worth it. We all love your recaps, and I am honored to have you enjoy mine.

Nanette: I always love reading your lists! NO RAPE was especially insightful. This telenovela setting seems especially dangerous for women. They need to call in some UN Peace-keeping troops.
 

I freely admit that I will never understand misogyny. Since women are one half the human race it makes no logical sense.

Rosario's refusal to out herself to Alejandro or even to Monserrat when she got so close to the truth is equally illogical because she hasn't met Graciela.

Also, when the truth does come out does anyone think Maria would be any more respectful to Rosario? I don't.
 

Right before Monse laid a big wet one on Alex, he told her that she was free to go? Right? That's why he paused when she asked him to kiss her. That's why she had to kiss him first. Or are my cc's crazy?

Cynderella
 

Thank you Julia for your hard work.

1. I think the Victor character is so hot. If I would have seen him like this in that Por el Amor Manda crap, I would have kept watching it. I think he's my new boyfriend once I find out his real name.

2. Ok, I thought Rulli was so boring in More's Verdaderos, but I LOVE HIM in this show. He is so crazy! I love everything about him. I'm sick! I know.

OK, no I have the hotsn for a psychotic gala and his horndog friend. I feel so dirty. LOL. CYNDERELLA
 

The first time I saw the guy playing Viktor was in Duelo de Pasiones. He played a military guy, and I recall that Captain Sylvia was very impressed by him. Since then, I have seen him in many novelas. However, I think that this was the first time that I've seen him do a love scene. He seemed excited and eager to have this chance to show his skilz.
 

Is it just me or does Nadia often seem to put her head back and her nose in the air ? ...
 

Cynderella:

The actor's name is Alejandro Avila. He has been in plenty of TNs but now is coming into his own. He was also in LQNPA as a Doc.
 

He wants me. BAD!

Cynderella
 

I believe Juventino feels "entitled" because he did a lot of dirty work for Benjamin and was promised compensation, which, with the patron's death, flew out the window. Now he not only feels entitled, but wants some type of revenge for being left out.

Victor has seriously dropped in my estimation. He should've offered Nadia his friendship and advised her on how to dissolve her marriage, THEN help her get away and take her out of Pedro's reach. He's not being that much help to Ale just now, so he and Nadia can easily be written out of the tn once they go away to "live happily ever after." All he's done now is put a gigantic target on both of their backs.

Sometimes in some productions, when an actor/actress adlibs something that gets a great response (such as Juvie's fruit molestation), other actors inadvertently pick that up. I think this is what happened with JL and the apple. I bet every time Juvie has a scene with some fruit, cast and crew are ROFL - and the JL actor (forget his name) wants some of that reaction. He's not a very good actor plus he has a very whiny voice.

Juventino probably enjoys the fear reaction most women get when he accosts them (makes him feel powerful), which is why he was nonplussed when Montse snapped back at him.

I always expected that Don Joaquin was a bad apple. All of Benjamin's "good friens" seem to be cut from the same cloth as he was. And they all expected Ale to continue the dirty business dealings.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!

Naima
 

Julia...you must have labored hours over this. The detail was incredible, something I especially appreciate now that I don't have Spanish cc's anymore (and I refuse to use the English ones).

I especially loved your riff on Oral Fixations. There are lots of little delights in the way the actors are playing this. And the man playing Juventino is actually injecting some playful humor into his role, which makes it bearable. Icky, but bearable.

Like Cynderella, I am hopelessly smitten with Alejandro even while he behaves like a complete idiot. Those eyes! Ohmigod, they are so green. So gorgeous. And those kisses! Just kill me now.

Thanks for putting in the pic, Julia. I'm ready to use it as a screen saver. Hubba hubba!

I do hope Montserrat will follow through on her decision to commit to the marriage and thwart Maria. How about inviting Alejandro back into the bedroom so he can make sure you don't escape again? Works for me!

Oh and Julia, it's snowing like blazes here too. Driving into work early skidded twice, once going up on the curb. Doesn't help that right now the anti-lock brakes on my '94 Honda aren't working. But hey, life's an adventure, no? LOVED YOUR RECAP. THANKS.
 

Susanlynn you remember correctly; I have always had a bit of a crush on Alejandro Avila. I'm so glad to see him being a lover in this one. I adored him in PEAM where he got to let his comedy skills shine. I want to see more lovin' from AA, aka Actor Who Plays Victor. (I got a good laugh when Julia R wrote that in her recap.)
 

Cynderella- Alejandro Avila (Victor) and Cythia Klitbo heated things up as a couple in Teresa. Here is a compilation video someone did of some of their scenes: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhizqp_juana-y-cutberto-usted-teresa_shortfilms
 

Thank you Vivi. I loved those two characters in Teresa and I really enjoyed that video.
 

Ditto...Just watched the video. It was sweet. And so was the entire courtship in Teresa. He had to work so hard to win her over!
 

I haven’t read the recap or comments. I need to do Monday’s ep first, but just wanted to comment on a few things that bothered me (this TN is frustrating me to no end):

1. Why on earth did Ale stop kissing his wife to go after Maria?!!!!

2. Why doesn’t Mons just tell Ale that she wants to build a life with him, learn to love him, but that it will be impossible with Maria, who is obviously in love with him, hanging around?

Why on earth did Mons ask Juvie about his niece? Why would she trust him? She’s had two incidences with him that shows he’s a freakazoid?

Jose Luis has to be the most selfish man on the planet.


Nanette

I was watching Notorious yesterday and thought that Ale was a lot like Devlin. Thought the worst and caused Alicia to almost be killed because of his stupidity and pride.
 

Hi again--

Cynderalla--Thanks so much. I like Victor, too, and was glad you asked about the actor. Your comments had me laughing. I'm in love with SR, too!

Mads: Thanks for providing Alejandro Avila's name. I should have looked it up but just couldn't find the energy in the weeks hours.

Judy B. Thanks to you for your kind words. So glad you enjoyed the recaps--they did take a while but I had fun doing them. And stay safe out there in the "tormenta de nieve!"
 

Sitting here watching "Fantasia, with the six-year-old and waiting for the snow to start. We have a prediction for 4 to 6 inches. BAH . I hate driving in the snow and ice. we did a 360 the other day in hub's big SUV. Luckily, no other cars were around on the sleepy village road, but it was still scary .

Nanette..I have the same questions as you stated. I guess the answer to all three is the same..in novelas people make a lot of bad decisions.

AA does not do it for me, but he could be a close friend. Alehandsome, on the other hand, is doing it for me....except for his bad temper and macho attitude....not attractive. I watched "Le Divorce" yesterday. it is a fav of mine because it takes place in Paris...a dream destination for me since I first studied French with Miss Grace Moore when I was 16. The older guy who took a young mistress quoted Emerson ...something like "In the end, every hero is a bore." Do you agree ?
 

Whose worse as a galan re: the treatment of the women they profess to love, Geronimo in CME or Ale in Robo?
 

Julia: That was such a great and detailed recap. You recappers are truly admirable. I know it's already been mentioned, but I just loved the "inner eye dilemma" reference. That camera trick is novel at first but it can get old pretty quick. I also thought the priest admonishing them for not being good Catholics was pretty hysterical(really, ya think).
 

Nanette- I'm going to answer Ale was worse than Jero.

- Jero thought Renata had caused the death of his baby brother. What's Ale so p*ssed about? Really, he's just mad that someone beat him to Monse. Both men were manipulated by their mother-in-laws to believe the worst, but Renata's imagined crime was way worse than Monse's imagined crime.

- Jero never raped Nata. He withheld sex from her. Cold and frustrating, yes. But not as morally shady as what Ale did.

- Both men tried to cut the woman off from family and friends and keep her as basically a prisoner. I hate you, but I can't let you go either. Nata was much better about sticking up for herself and not taking crap, and leaving his butt once he went too far.
 

Ok, can someone answer my question? Did Alex tell Monse that she was free to go before she inhaled his lips?


Cynderella
 

Cyn- I don't remember what exactly they were arguing about just before the kiss. If he said she could leave, it was more in the sense of "you may leave my presence now, and go to your room until I'm ready to yell at you again." Not in the, "you are free to leave this hacienda whenever you want like any other adult", sense.
 

In Ale's favor, he didn't deceive Monse about WHY he wanted to marry her. Jero wooed Nata with the intent of getting revenge once she married him. Ale just used deceit to be able to approach and woo Monse.
 

Another thing I liked was the expression on Alex's face when the priest was telling him that he has gone over to kookooville. It was like he was clueless. What are ya talking about? So I scream all of the time, imprison my wife, kick puppies, and commit arson...who doesn't?
 

Malria is upset because "Tia Carlotta treats her like a servant." (insert pouty face here.) WHAT ???? I so wanted Ale to say, "that's because you ARE a servant...what exactly do you think you are ?" Just because they have known each other since they were young doesn't mean that she inherited the place, What nerve this chick has. I see no redeeming qualities in this nasty package.
 

Another comparison in favor of Ale over Jero. Monse has often lied to Ale, and has run hot and (mostly) cold with him. I get some of his frustration. (Although, once he knew the story of how she was robbed of her first love, he should have been more understanding.) Nata was always open, warm, and honest with Jero. A total open book. Yet the dolt still was inclined to believe the worst, based on other people's lies and speculation. In this way, Monse is more like Jero, and Ale is more like Nata.

However, the first two strikes against Ale that I mentioned before, put him ahead of Jero in the jerk department for me. He's still hot though. :)
 

Cynderella....you are too funny! I'm also loving Rulli in this role. I saw him in AV too and was not impressed. He looked gorgeous but the role he played didn't give him too much to work with. I first saw Alejandro Avila in Corazon Salvaje 09. He played a doctor and I remember thinking he was kinda cute, however in this tn my eyes are only glued to SR. You can keep AA and I'll take SR.
 

Julia Rold:

You did a grand job on this two-fer episode. You write so well that I enjoyed the recap as much as I enjoyed the capitulos.

I really do not know what to make of the selishness of several of our Key male characters...

1. Ale is absolutely humorless (I know, I have said this before) and without any ability to observe his own behavior or how he might bear a little bit of responsibility for his hideous life situation. He is utterly self-absorbed.

Cynderella, I know he does it for you, but I just cannot like him or even feel his sexy vibe. All I get from the character is insecurity and control issues.

SR, the actor, is doing a fine job.

2. What is Victor thinking? He has just seduced the lonely and desperate wife of the town's municipal President? Pedro has to have a reputation as a bad dude—how does Victor imagine that Pedro is NOT going to find out about the tragic Nadia and her new lover? He has no chance to keep Nadia safe from her sadistic husband. Victor, how are you going to take care of your true love Nadia???

3. JL/Ant. I am so put off by this character. He is brave and determined but also stupid, rigid and stubborn. If Montse were to leave with him, how could he protect her from the hail of bullets that would be rained on them by the Navy investigators, if not the police when they are discovered? Think, JL.

And those are the good guys.

So glad to see everyone commenting today. Happy New Year to all, and thanks again, Julia Rold, for a wonderful double-recap. I am so glad you have joined us here on Caray Caray.

Elna June


 

"Is it just me or does Nadia often seem to put her head back and her nose in the air ?" Susanlynn, I'll have to watch for that. Someone has asked a couple of times if JL was getting less appealing. I agree he is and that apple-assault just adds to his odiousness!

Naima, agree with you about Victor. When I saw him carry her into the bedroom I actually screamed "oh no!" Vivi really nailed it: " What is up with these guys and their pursuit of these women, no matter what the cost to the women?!" Now as for Juvie feeling entitled and cheated because of Don Ben's death, that would be just like pervie Juvie. Didn't he and Gracie "facilitate" Ben's crossing over to the other side?

Impressive list Nanette! If anyone wanted a list of all the jerky things men do to women, you'd just have to say "watch the show!" All these comments help so much on those bits one misses. Love it!

Lila
 

Yes, Nadia does put her head back and her nose up in the air a lot. I especially noticed it during her farewell with Victor.

Agree that he is heedless and reckless in his seduction of her. And I notice he said last night "Yeah, it started as just a challenge (reto), but then I fell in love with you." Those are NOT reassuring words. Particularly when you're risking as much as Nadia is doing.

But hey...we're here for the drama and there WILL BE DRAMA.
 

EJ- ITA about how self absorbed Ale is. Monse has had many moments of genuine sympathy for Ale, when she has learned bits and pieces about his past. And last night we saw her not only acknowledging that he was duped, but apologizing for her part in it.

He, meanwhile, has seen firsthand that she is nothing more than a commodity for her horrid mother. He has learned that she was made to believe that the man she loved, her first love, was a criminal, and then that he was dead. And all of this was a result of lies, deceit, and the manipulation of her mother and brother. She also feared for the health of her beloved father. Her heart has been broken, she has been used and abused, and the girl is just 19. Does this touch his heart? Does he feel any sympathy for the crappy and heartbreaking situation that Monse has been put in? NO!

It’s all about Ale, his feelings, his heartbreak. Even bringing all those people to the hacienda, and forcing Gracie to come clean, was not about giving Monse peace of mind about JL’s innocence. It was all about clearing his (Ale’s) name. He rails about her deceiving him. Excuse me, but I never once heard Monse tell him “te amo” or even “te quiero” before they got married. She agreed to marry him, and she did. She held up her end of the bargain. I think he was the one declaring love and making all kinds of promises, and he has not lived up to them. He didn’t even take the girl on the honeymoon he promised. That European vaca would have been the perfect way to keep her away from JL, and to woo her. Stupid, but handsome, idiot

 

Susanlynn...you are totally right about Nadia's nose in the air. I thought it was just me, but I'm getting kind of tired of seeing a birdseye view of her nostrils all the time.
 

Even if Ale would be proven (doubtful) to NOT be Benjamin's son, how would that help Pedro? Isn't it the right of anyone to leave anything they want in their will to whomever they please? And even if they brought other so-called "bastardos" that may be Benjamin's, how would they be able to lay claim to the fortune? If the will stated, "being of sound mind I leave everything to (him who I have recognized as) my son Alejandro" - it shouldn't matter how many other "sons" are out there, should it? People can leave their fortune to adopted children, other relatives, charities, friends, even cats - or is this not the case in Mexico?
 

Ouch! Vivi! You've really socked it to our Ale! Ale is really showing who is sire is, now Rosario needs to come back, confess she is his mother and help our Ale become a better man, help his humanity catch up with his hotness!

Lila
 

A European honeymoon would have been great, but I wonder how much more Juventino could have embezzled from the estate in their absence.

Jose Luis is a time bomb waiting to explode. Sounds like a Scorched Earth approach as in "If I can't have her at least he will kill both of us and end up in la carcel."
 

Elna Alex is sexy because he is in a continuous rage. All that pent up "I haven't had sex in at least 6 months and I am ready to explode" energy is building up. I would love to be on the other end of that explosion. He'll probably be a animal and then as calm as a kitten. Oh yeah, baby. Oh don't tell me that I'm the only one with that particular fantasy.
 

Don't worry Cynderella...you're in good company.
 

Cynderella - actually, Alex HAS had sex with Montse (twice that we know of) and although we didn't get to see her reaction after the fact the first time, she was thoroughly smiley and looked smugly satisfied the second time! :-)

UGH! If they don't want us to be robots, why don't they make the thingies easier to read? Trying for the 3rd time!
 

Lila..."Help his humanity catch up to his hotness. ". yeah, baby...well said. !! Kindness and hotness is an irresistible combination for me.

Cyn..I know that you are just waiting for the prepositional phrases to begin...on the bed...under the dining room table...in the stables.......
 

Judy and Susanlynn,

LOL

Anon 4:42, that only proves my point. Monse enjoys his pent up rage/frustration as well. She's a little dirty girl behind closed doors. LOL
 

Okay then...Let the Prepositions Begin!!!!!
 

As you can see, I'm feeling a little "pent up" myself.
 

Judyb....Is it still snowing there ? it started here about 2 hours ago.. To quote Camus...." Snow...the leprosy of nature." It looks like we are going to have a long, cold winter. Who said " if winter comes, can spring be far behind"
 

Cynderella: You are not alone.
 

Still snowing a bit. And it's heavy wet snow. The kind that sticks to your shovel after you've scraped it to the side. But I can't help myself. I think snow is really beautiful. I'm a lousy driver, I scare the beejesus out of myself when I'm driving in it...but I love it. Even don't mind shoveling. Which is a good thing as it'll be a cold day in May for my husband to ever do it.
 

And now the temperature is dropping and it's icy. That's why I love looking at all that lush, rich green around Alejandro's hacienda. Heck, I'm even enjoying watching them sweat! It's down to 10 degrees here now and dropping.
 

Truth. It's not his fault that he worked with an unknown actress who rose to fame thanks to her overacted and overly feigned performance and no chemistry with Rulli.
 

Agreed. He had to work with an unknown actress who had ZERO chemistry with him. I don't know how he managed to deal with those nonsensical humiliations in AV.
 

Hi again--
Just wanted to thank Elna June and Victoria L for reading and their enthusiasm and kind words about the recap!

And, Cynderella, also to answer your question about what Ale said to Montse, I agree with Vivi in DC and believe he was just telling her that she could go from his presence at that moment, not leave the hacienda. They had been arguing about how impossible each other were and she wondered why he'd asked her to have coffee with him. He said something about Montse not being able to stand breathing the same air as him. I think I heard him use the verb "retirarse" with her, which means to be able to withdraw or excuses oneself from someplace. Thanks!
 

Thank you Victoria L. You have indeed passed the "freak club orientation". Please pick up your card at the door and have answers at our table "on the patio".
 

Thanks Vivo and Julia for clearing that up for me.
 

I absolutely abhor auto-correct! Who invented this obnoxious piece of crap?

Victoria L: have a seat at the patio table.

Vivi. ...not Vivo!
 

Cynderella, girl, you are kerazy! I love it. I like Ale so much and he is sooo hot, and I am so shallow I find it hard to really cut him up even when he deserves it. Total eye candy. Montse is going to have to work some real magic when he finds out JL has been right under his nose all this time. That oughta be good for some "sustained rage."

;Lila

 

oops, forgot the mouth in my smile!

;D Lila
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

(I keep posting before proofing.)

OK. Next question.

Does hotness excuse bad behavior ;)

 

Judy B., that weather system along with lake effect snow left me with 13 " of snow in 48 hrs. Finally stopped snowing a couple of hours ago. At least our snow was light and fluffy. Take care shoveling!

Jarifa

 

Nanette,

Yes!
 

Yeeeikes! The most I've ever dealt with is 10 inches, Jarifa. Are you up in the Cleveland area?

My favorite woman hero is the mother of one of my students. She's in her 90's. Still lives in her own home in a small town in Wisconsin. Still goes out to shovel her driveway. Fortunately, the 85-year-old man next door comes out and helps her!
These are my kind of people!!!

Even though I kvetch about my husband not helping, part of me knows that having an unhelpful spouse keeps me strong. Kawabunga!!!! (It's be nice, though, if at least he looked like Sebastien Rulli.)
 

Oh, and ditto to what Cynderella said.
 

Judy B, I am in the Chicago area. I don't mind shoveling if the weather gives you a break. This didn't. :( How far east are you?

Jarifa

 

Thanks so much for the recap. What a lot of work these double episodes take, but it's so enjoyable to read!

I kind of miss shoveling snow, in a way. It was good exercise. I do not miss driving in snow even a little tiny bit, though!

I don't mind looking at Ale at all, but his behavior is grating on my nerves. He is so hotheaded! I do enjoy the Padre calling him on his crappy deeds.

JL is a terrible friend. He is so so so self-absorbed, he doesn't even see or care how his obsessions are affecting his ridiculously devoted buddy Refugio.
 

Judyb....HA..As long as you are daydreaming , you might as well picture your hub looking like SR...AND shoveling the snow,

Cyn...you are out of control tonight. !!!!
 

Hotness is the reason why Alex hasn't choked Monse yet. She's hot and he allows her to get away with murder.

All she has to do is bat her eyelashes or snuggle with him and she gets whatever she wants. If she brushes up against him, Rosario should be back shortly. He'll probably let her bring a goat with her and sleep in his bedroom.
 

Well, thanks for that detail about the goat, Cynderella. Ye gods!

Jarifa--Wow. Chicago weather. You've got me beat, lady. That's a tough place to live. Exciting though. Occasionally we have flown to Chicago and I can feel the difference in energy as soon as I step off the plane. I'm in the Midwest. Columbus to be exact. Our biggest problem, usually, is just day after day of gray skies. The rumor is that we're the Zoloft capital of the world.

Again, if we had a few more menfolk roaming around who looked like Sebastien Rulli, our depression would probably lift.
 

They are predicting 4 to 8 inches of snow for us. Hub is predicting a snowday tomorrow.
 

Judy B., I never knew that Columbus suffered from gray days. Sure wish we had more menfolk like that around here just for the heck of it! Thank goodness for telenovelalandia!

Jarifa

 

Thanks for reading and commenting, Julia!
You're right that these double recaps are tough. I'm glad I've only had to do it one time since the show is going back to one hour next week and am especially grateful it was over a holiday break.
 

Jarifa...years ago, I taught at a small college in Wisconsin. Winter was great there because even with all the snow, the skies were usually a bright clear blue. And then there was the Friday night fish fry tradition! Good times.

But Columbus is gray, gray, gray. I often think that's why OSU's school colors are scarlet and gray. So bring on the Sebastien Rullis please, we need day brighteners desperately.
 

Cyn: I actually meant Ale. :)
 

Nanette, I know that you were referring to Alex. I think that the hotness thing goes both ways. He is letting her get away with murder because he thinks she's pretty.

1. She lies to him EVERYDAY.
2. She tells him that she hates him.
3. Her entire family mooches off of him and now they (and their friends) are in his house like roaches and he can't get rid of them because she asked him to let them stay.
4. She often runs away and all his servants and her family members are aware of it.
5. She argues with his "BFF" and in his eyes has turned his staff against him (Rosario).
6. Lastly, she won't put out.

Cynderella

 

I think he'd be getting a lot more cooperation on that last thing if he spent more time wooing her and less time yelling at her.
 

Ale needs remedial lessons in the fine art of seduction.
 

Cyn: Now that I see her behavior listed (I'm very fond of lists), I see where you are coming from. However, I think Ale is "worse".
 

Nanette, the answer to your question is YES! YES! YES! Cynderella, I'd love to answer your question but to be honest I can't remember because I was too busy just staring at him(happens a lot). BTW, I almost died laughing when you mentioned the goat....what a mental picture!
 

SR doesn't really do anything for me. I'm into Fernando Colunga, Juan Solar, Jorge Salinas, and Alejandro Ruiz.
 

Nanette,

One more thing...she's a tease. She kisses him and them tells him that he's a loser all in the same breath.

I do agree that he's worse. But he's still atomic hot. Since I have no desire to sleep with her...he wins.

Cynderella
 

Cynderella & JudyB:
ITA about Ale's hotness factor. I saw AV and thought he was cute, but in this TN he is totally hot! Don't you love the way he wears his shirts with the top buttons undone? You can see part of his chiseled chest. Wow! I look for that every night. You might think I'm crazy, but his rage adds to the hotness! I think he is so angry because he really wanted to woo Montse to fall in love with him. He didn't want her to marry him out of obligation (even though he made a deal with Gracie). That deal was the only way Gracie was going to allow Ale to get close to Montse. Anyway, I feel for both of them, but you know that any affection from Montse will make Ale turn into a kitty cat. Will comment more later.

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Yessssss AuntyAnn...we've noticed. Believe me we've noticed. Looking forward to more noticing tonight. (Well, actually for me...tomorrow.) When you get up at 5 am, the 9 and 10 pm shows don't get seen very often.
 

I give Mons a bit of a pass because she's supposed to be a young 19 year old. Ale is an older man.
 

Aunty Ann....You're not crazy.
 

Nanette, great lists! Thanks. Yes, hotness can excuse bad behavior, but of course it depends on how hot and how bad. Please see definition of BAD* below.

Cynderella, good thing he wants you BAD because you are. BAD that is. And I mean that in the nicest way, the Mae West way, "when you're good you're very good but when you're BAD* you're better."

I hope all of you in the Midwest and on the East Coast are managing to stay warm and comfy in the midst of your crazy cold weather. And be careful driving! I'm looking at you Susanlynn.
 

Cynderella ...Thanks for the invite. I think we're going to need intensive therapy on the patio to get over our SR addiction when this is over. Judy & Susanlynn.....I think I'm going to try your suggestions...next time my husband tells me to get off the computer and make him dinner, I'm going to pretend it's Sebastian R asking me and then maybe I won't feel like hitting him over the head with a frying pan. Gotta Go.
 

Julia:
Thanks so much for all of your hard work in recapping the two epi's from last night. I love your style of writing, and I could not stop laughing when you said that BM "LOVES COCK FIGHTS". LOL!!!!!!

Thank God for Padre A. Once again he is the voice of reason. Even though I love Ale, I was so happy that Padre told it like it is. Yes, Ale might be a good person (and absolutely HOT!), but he often acts like a jerk! And I'm glad the Padre told him so. Somebody needed to. It only makes sense that Montse will be more open to Ale if he treats her better. And vice versa. If Montse stops lying and trying to run away, maybe they can have a civilized conversation, and clear some of the misunderstandings.

Victoria L: Thanks for reassuring me that I'm not crazy. I think that is sound advice from Judy and Susanlynn about pretending that SR is asking you get off the computer and make him dinner. Are all of us on the patio invited to dinner with Sebastian? Count me in!

Right now, it's 40 degrees where I am. I live in South Central Texas. Hope you guys keep warm up there. Be safe!

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Hi AuntyAnn,

Thanks so much for your compliment on my writing style and happy you enjoyed the recap.

I just checked the thermometer and it's 3 degrees outside while the storm is hard upon us. But I am warm inside with my family and cats.

Thanks again and best to you all!
 

Okay....I am going to have to give some of you time outs.

Cyn..I liked your list. I have a feeling that if #8 was taken off the list, old Ale would not care about the first seven. Just saying'.
 

Maybe too late to comment, but my current messed up schedule is the cause. Enjoyed your detailed recap, Julia, and appreciate all the work it takes for even one, let alone a double.

So much plot action and inter-weaving here, it takes attention to keep up with everyone. I think I'll plunder in my linen storage and pull out some tablecloths to create a Graciela look.