Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Lo que la vida me robó, Cap. 51, Tuesday, 1/21/14: Ale Get Your Gun!
Labels: robo
Who knew?
The Bunks of Ironic Detachment are getting crowded, my friends...
This is a true masterpiece, your best recap ever! I loved the "interview" you did with BM. You so nailed her!
BM is like a snake, a true viper. Funny how she left out the shower part with the Padre. BM and Addled are a lot alike. I wonder if he is starting to feel something for her.
We just knew that Ale would find out about JL being at the hacienda. Ale is very smart and basically figured it out for himself with the identification of the real Antonio Olivares' body. I didn't like where his thoughts went and then he went for that gun. I wish he had thought about it some more and calmed down. This will not be good.
Monse should have told Ale the truth, but I think she knew deep down he would react this way. This is so not good. He is going to believe all kinds of nasty things that never happened. Sigh!
Poor Fina, but she is making Dimwit work at it. I really liked the kissing she made him do, so cool! I hope she keeps up with this little game and makes him really pay for what he's done to her already. I don't want her to make this easy for him.
In the scenes with Gracie's flashbacks, that hair on DC, is her real hair. They are using some kind of horrid wig on her. And the convent, hmmmmmm....... there are lots of reasons she left out about going to a convent, like maybe a pregnancy, just a guess, not a spoiler, or wanting to be a nun, nah, not that. Hmmmmm..... a point to ponder.
Nadia really let poor Victor have it, and she's still protecting Monse. I wonder what she'll do when she finds out that Ale knows all. I hope she is a good defender of Monse. Monse is going to need all the help she can get.
Ale's rage is so uncontrollable, I fear for anyone in his path, especially Monse. Will be looking through my fingers at tonight's epi.
Thanks again, so much, NovelaMaven, for this most excellent, splendid recap!
I really had to do a double take of Gracie spending time in a convent. Of course there is a big lie hidden in there somewhere. Mads, a pregnancy was the first thing I thought of too. Or maybe it was an asylum instead of a convent? (I'm obviously influenced by last night's comments.) Whatever, it will be fun to find out The Secret.
NM, I almost snorted my Dark and Stormy when you said "He's like a GIRL." about Addled. He did get clingy all of a sudden, but he doesn't know that Maria was fantasizing about Ale while she was with him.
Obviously I'm worried about Ale and his gun, but he does get points for figuring things out on his own. He didn't even have to listen at a door.
I love the title and all things musical. Now you've got me humming "I Cain't Say No", LOL!!
This recap has to go down in the 'Best of Novela Maven' collection that Anita is editing over at La Tienda Robo. Yes! Great work.
People on the Patio got a great interview with the serpent Maria. It seems her asp-eration is to slither her way right back to Ale. She wasn't even subtle about it, but Padre Alselmo gave her a little truth telling--at last. I think it is a hoot that she is wrapping Adolfito around her little finger. As Montserrat said, those two are perfect for one another.
I thought I heard just a little thought prompted by the wise Rabbi Jacob in this line:
"Oye, Padre, you may want to ask Job about that..."
I LOL at your (Rabbi Jacob's?) pragmatic wisdom and memory vs Father Anselso's mystic misplaced optism.
And hey! For whom did Ale get his gun? JL's long gone and it would hardly be worthy of Ale to kill a man who three times saved his life. Just a thought...
Sebastian Rulli was very good tonight as the devastated and duped husband. His shame was palpable and his rage will equal his shame, hurt and disappointment, I predict.
What a great recap of a wonderful/terrible capitulo.
The Gong of Doom has sounded amiga, mia.
I am headed for your bunker with my food offering of roasted artichoke with olive oil, lemon and garlic, lemon pepper aioli and almond flat bread AND a couple of decent bottles of Bella 2009 old Vine Zinfindel for those who are interested.
I hope the Bunker has a commercial kitchen. i think we are in for a siege.
Again, great recap, NM. You are a master of the art and craft of TN recapping. OK, I am raving, I know.
Abrazos a ti,
Elna June
I am always in awe of your recaps, and tonight was no exception. And what an interview you had with BM on People on The Patio, I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
These are a few memorable lines:
"Anyway, I looked inside and there was my love, naked, alone, eyes closed against the slippery sudsy soap that covered his perfect body."
"Until then, you had never let Alejandro see your ugly side -- your cruelty, your lies, your ruthlessness, your -- let's face it -- whorishness."
"But now the spell is broken -- it's only greasy-tressed Adolfo."
"Alejandro's handsome face is contorted with fury and sorrow."
I knew that Ale would find out the truth about Jose Luis, but I honestly thought the writers would stretch it out. It seems too soon for him to know. We all kept wondering who would tell Ale the truth when all he needed was a little nudge to put 2 & 2 together. All those looks, and excuses to visit the capataz, and pleading for him not to leave, and falling apart at the news of his death are coming back to haunt Montse. Ale's suffering was hard to watch. There was pure heartache and disbelief on his face. He has every right to feel betrayed. His wife lied to him for months, and nothing Montse says will make him believe otherwise. I just wonder what the gun is for. Can't wait for tomorrow's epi!
Fun scene between Fina and Dimi. I just know that Dimi is going to fall for Fina, even without the money. I felt a spark between them when they kissed, even though Dimi will deny it. I think they will drive each other crazy for a while, (no spoiler) and then Dimi will get scared when he realizes he is in love with Fina. I hope that Garcie leaves them alone, because if she intervenes, I'm afraid Dimi and Fina's relationship will suffer instead of flourish.
I see more trouble for the Arechiga family. Amelia and Joaquin are being selfish parents. Ignoring Virginia will not bring Angie back. I hope that Virginia doesn't end up hating Angie.
Way to go Tomas! Nice punch. Well deserved. Even though I did not like Tomas making Fina cry over his harsh words, I am glad that he apologized.
Nadia is going to feel like a damn fool when she realizes that she sacrificed herself for nothing. She should have known that Pedro would find a way to let Ale know the truth. Now Nadia, Victor, Montse, Ale, Jose Luis, and Angie have to suffer the consequences. Maybe Nadia will finally learn her lesson. BTW, Nadia was pretty cruel to Victor; he was so sad.
What? Que? Gracie spent months in a convent before she married Lauro. Madelaine & Cap'n Sylvia, I too thought of a hidden pregnancy, but then Lauro said he was the first man in her life. Of course we don't know if they had pre-marital sex. Maybe she did have a baby. Maybe she's BM's mother. That would explain a lot!
back to sleep...hasta pronto!
EJ, "asp-eration", snort! Just for that I'm following you with my wine glass and my appetite.
Not one episode after lauding Amelia's mother bear stance for Angelica and then she turns around and spurns her youngest. Sigh...telenovela mothers.
NM, how is Rabbi Jacob? You know he's welcome on The Patio any time. I'm sure glad The Patio is open 24/7. Looks like I'm in good company with my fellow night owls, insomniacs and/or early risers.
The easy availability of firearms is something I will never get used to or understand.
Love how the padre didn't take Maria's crap.
But enough of that. I've come to praise this recap which was superb, starting with the title. Heck, it even had the same "beat" as Annie get your gun. Love every song from that show.
Little things delighted me like
"Let's give a warm welcome...". So perfect.
and
"What man wants to snuggle after sex? He's like a GIRL."
[Oye, Padre, you might want to ask Job about that]
and
Nightmare Alley version of Memory Lane
There was a shoutout to James Joyce, a whiff of philosophical logic, the requisite Nerd Note, and a jab at our modern day culture with "the modern politico's sign language for I love you man."
So much to savor and enjoy. Alas, I am, without a doubt, the wussiest member of the Hell in a Handbasket Club (Okay, maybe Fatima is right down there with me) and I am in agony that our young couple's happiness was so short-lived. How can I get so hooked this way? Is it one's basic, primitive Fear of Abandonment at work? Tell me, Elna June. I need some therapy STAT.
In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the well-crafted recap and the wonderful comments. And maybe....just maybe...watch this with my eyes and ears half-closed later on. Whilst repeating, I'm doing this for the Spanish, it's just a telenovela, I'm doing this for the Spanish.....
Elna-June, "asp-eration" : very funny.
AuntyAnn, I like your speculation on Graciela being Maria's mother.
Nadia did what she had to do to dissuade Victor and facilitate her agreement with Pedro. What will she do
when she finds the truth about JL is out?
I felt sorry for Virginia who is invisible to her parents in light of Angelica's absence.
Poor Ale. Looks like one sad episode ahead. But then again poor Montse. She did't ask to married off to be the familial cash cow--so to speak--or for JL to find a job at the hacienda. I hope that this sad situation doesn't embolden BM to try to make a comeback.
Jarifa
I loved loved watching Fina play Dimwit with those kisses. Poor girl, she was shaking, but kept it together. I absolutely agree that this bottle crawler is going to wind up falling for our lass...but he better do something to deserve her.
And when Rulli seethes...lord, he does it so well. Sexy seether. And tonight that manure Dimwit fell in hits the proverbial fan. This will not be pretty--Monse had her moment and blew it. Going to be hard to watch. Kleenex boxes and some nice TALL drinks are ready at the tables to help us all.
Daisynjay
Nadia, I am so over you heffa. I know she's supposedly making this huge sacrifice to save her bestie but it certainly did feel like she was getting even for Victor's cruel dumping of her. He had a gun to his head, she did not and told the lie about Pricko being a better lover with too much gusto. Seriously, did you have to go there?
NM the recap was full of delightfully descriptive passages and many that evoked immediate responses in this reader. Here's one: Lauro confides that it wasn't merely her beauty that he fell in love with, but also her innocence, her purity. This time I was the one who wanted to projectile vomit!
This description has all Ale fans wailing, moaning and clawing at each other to see who can get to him first to enfold him our ample bosoms (one benefit some of us experience after losing our girlish figures): Alejandro's handsome face is contorted with fury and sorrow.
Aye, Aye, Aye! Yes, what a cloud of anvils awaits the fair Montserrat! Girl, you have really messed up when you've done something Graciela wouldn't even do.
You and JL shat in the nest and now it's hit the fan!
Lila
It's nice to wake up to a gathering of night owls and early birds trying to assimilate the latest developments in Aguazul and environs.
Mads:
Gracias, amiga! And I must admit, a pregnancy was the first thing I thought of too when Graciela and Lauro talked about the some mysterious months she spent in a convent just before they married.
AuntyAnn, it never occurred to me that María might have been that phantom child. Ewwwww. But it would indeed explain a lot!
Sylvia:
I hope you realize that THAT INSANE BITCH was a small homage to the master (that means YOU, just in case you're wondering).
The convent was really a manicomio? I'd buy into that too. The only thing I don't buy is several months in Italy during her formative years -- If that were true, she would have much better fashion sense. If there's one thing Italians know about, it's looking good.
Elna June:
Serpent Maria's asp-eration? Snort!
How funny you heard echoes of Rabbi Jacob in the aside to Padre Anselmo, hearing the 'oy vey' in the 'oye' as the source of its home truth. As you know, I've been looking for the right time to invite the Rabbi to Campeche…
Oh the gong of doom has sounded, all right. The question is how long it is going to reverberate. In the meantime, the eats in the bunker get better and better. The kitchen, by the way, is luxuriously appointed. (Alejandro Almonte has agreed to underwrite all the expenses.)
AuntyAnn, It's true that Ale put 2 and 2 together. But we should remember that this was all orchestrated by Pedro -- it was all his way of technically keeping his promise to Nadia while still making sure Alejandro knew that José Luis had been living on his hacienda.
"Way to go, Tomás!" -- agreed! Now if he could just learn to be a little kinder when he talks to his sister...
Dear JudyB:
You are the Founding Mother of the Hell in a Handbasket Table and you may be as wussy as you like. Frankly, I had the write the whole recap in the Bunker. Thank the lord that EJ roasted artichokes and Zin got there in time.
Jarifa:
"I hope that this sad situation doesn't embolden BM to try to make a comeback."
Oh yeah. Count on it. The big question is how Alejandro will react to her attempt. I'm hoping that's one grudge he can hold onto, at least for a while.
DaisynJay:
"Sexy seether." hee hee.
I'm a little worried that Josefina is going to rebel against Tomás and refuse to grant him power of attorney, leaving herself vulnerable to Dim's predations.
Lila:
"Girl, you have really messed up when you've done something Graciela wouldn't even do."
Now that's the truth!
As for Nadia, I can't help feeling sorry for her. She has been had. The tax on stupidity is very high in Aguazul apparently. (But looking on the bright side, perhaps Victor will get out of this alive, something I serious doubted a few episodes back.)
Pedro got by on a technicality by having Bazurto deliver the evil news.
Victor should also be able to add 2 and 2 to understand Nadia's rejection was just as false and forced as his was.
Tomas needs to learn how to treat Josefina. Brothers have such capability of cruelty to their sisters (see Dimwit and Monserrat).
Pedro will have Alejandro almost where he wants him. Although we know it won't happen we know that if he killed him Monserrat would inherit his property so Pedro would have to kill her, too, and possibly the rest of her family.
Daisynjay
But now Alejandro may have had the altruism beaten out of him…
Is he going to become more and more like Benjamín?
Maybe taking Pedro's money sounds like a better deal than spending his own money on good works.
The excellent entree, seasoned to perfection by: "Surely the thinly disguised genius of this ensemble", "ecclesiastical purple" and "(though we will not be drawn into logical fallacies from that observation)". Another masterpiece...
I smiled somewhat sadly and indulgently at Prudencia’s notion she could include Angelica’s parents in the wedding festivities. Poor delusional dear.
The saddest scene of the night involved poor Virginia: “She reminds them they still have one daughter at home. Besides, Angélica is okay -- she's with the man she loves. Both parents make their excuses and leave Virginia to weep alone”. That was simply painful to watch.
“When Tomás sees how devastating his words are to his sister, he apologizes. He didn't mean to hurt her”. Really? His palpable anger toward Dim is understandable, his hateful words to his “beloved” sister are not. I can't condone such harsh words even with the intent of protecting his sister. He shows no warmth in his words and demeanor. Could he try to be a little kinder? Ack.
That said, I agree with Madelaine and AuntyAnn in that it was fun to watch Fina toy with Dimwit, pulling his strings like a marionette with Dim obviously oblivious.
Elna June, Rulli was superb last night. I believed he felt every raging emotion that stormed through his head last night. I share everyone's concern for what he plans to do with that gun. The previews show him raging at Monse and like you Madelaine, I will be watching but with my hands ready to shield my eyes when necessary.
Still snowing here and took a break from shoveling the foot and a half of snow amassed so far.
NovelaMaven, loved your relating the translated phrases. You never fail to delight! Another treasure.
Diana
Good morning, everyone. We got about 6 inches of snow yesterday, and now it is very cold , so the local schools are closed for the second day in a row . The college is opening late and classes are on a compressed schedule...better than a depressed schedule. I have to get to work , but I enjoyed the recap and comments with my oatmeal. I will be thinking about all the goodies on the buffet table in the bunker, and I think that is where we will all be for awhile. Fasten those seat belts.
MALria whining to the padre was unbelievable. She left out all the nasty parts in the tale she spun for the good padre. That was the Disney version that padre heard.
Add me to the list of those who think that a pregnancy may have been the reason Gracie spent some quality time in a convent. Why else..spiritual enlightenment? I think not. if so, it did not work. Maybe she did not stay long enough for the good sisters to help her see the light.
I giggled when Addled's face morphed into Ale's in MALria's twisted , murky , horny mind.
well, I must run to teach past and past progressive tenses and the culture if time. Stay warm and cozy wherever you are.
I just don't think I can bear to see the sadness, sorrow, and rage on dear Ale's face. I do think this will mean the return of Maria and I think this will mean that Maria will be even stronger in her filthy, dirty ways and Montserrat is going to pay dearly for her STUPIDITY (yes, I know, the story had to be written this way)in not using the many opportunities she had to tell the truth.
Telling the truth would have neutralized JL's presence,but no...
One wonders what effect JLs marriage to Angelica will have on everything.
JudyB, I just can't bear to watch. I am a WIMP of the First Order!!
Fatima
Thank you!
Fatima
What a great episode, though I cringe that it ended with many anvils (as Diana once put it) floating in the breeze.
Auntie Ann, the first thing that occurred to me when the convent conversation was...
"Wow! How neat is this? María and Montserrat are sisters... what great irony."
Of course there are a lot of reasons to doubt that but I do think that Montserrat and Dimitrio do have an as yet unaccounted for sibling. I think that most likely suspects that we know (with a nod to Daisynjay) Victor (but not likely Adolfo) and Esmeralda.
From what we've seen of Capitán Robelado, think that JL is dreaming if he thinks that he is going to help him clear his name... there's a dead naval officer to account for, is he willing to toss Refugio under the bus?
My favorite scenes were Josefina's initial training session with Dimitrio and the post-boink scene between María and Adolfo.
UA, I agree with you that Nadia has a virtual loaded and cocked gun pointed at her head all the time... not to mention Victor's pretty head. How she treated him was hurtful, but he is a persistent lad and needed to be diverted.
Carlos
This is going to be very, very difficult to watch if Montse is driven away and Maria is able to slime her way back into the hacienda and do her "I told you so. . .she doesn't love you. . .I've loved you all my life bit" and Ale accepts it. I just can't see that, especially with her now hooking up with Aldofo. It will be awful as well if he forces Montse to stay and figure out some cruel way for her to pay him back for her lies as this seems to be the m.o. around here.
Lila
This probably has been mentioned, but I see Alejandro's biggest problem is his reactive, impulsive behavior. So immature for a grown man, but not unusual.
I see Monse as a serial liar, similar to her mother. She withheld the truth when it was convenient. She's also a coward, like the others she accused of being. If she had told the truth at the right time, things could've gone better.
I'm assuming they will learn a few lessons along the way. I'm enjoying the novela because they are humanly flawed and more believable. Because so much of the novela is unbelievable!
Marea Primavera
What a wonderful, smart, entertaining recap--and brave, considering you took the risk of being embedded with the ever-raging, self-abosrbed,and deluded B. Maria!
There were so many great, laugh-out-loud lines. I will second everything everyone has noted and add to the list two more favorites:
1. That you included "shiftlessness" among Maria's many crimes!
2. And this really funny observation: "Oh no. It is EZ Basurto. And he is armed with a folder."
So true. Folders and large manilla envelopes tend to cause more damage than guns in TNs.
In an odd way, last night had me proud to be sitting at the Adolfo rusty bistro table. In his way, he really is very devoted to Maria. Actually, it says a lot about her bad character that she doesn't even deserve to be with him.
Am anticipating the end of days to begin in this TN tonight and am deep in the bunker with you all.
Thanks again, NovelaMaven. Your wit, creativity, imagination, and sense of fun are making me love watching this TN even during these most difficult episodes.
To all of the patio peeps, as I watch the snow start to fall yet again and as the temperatures plummet, I am grateful there is always the patio where the temperature is just right, the amenities excellent and the company muy genial!
Things should be jumpin' tonight at the "hell in a handbasket" table.
Jarifa
As horrible as the fallout is going to be, I'm strangely relieved that it's out now. Ale knows the truth. Of course, he'll embelish the truth with his own assumptions about Monse and JL doing the dirty in his house, and there will be many tears and lots of yelling. But Monse is free! OK, Ale will likely keep her prisoner in the hacienda to punish her, but at least no one can blackmail her anymore.
I also immediately thought pregnancy about Gracie's months in the convent. Whoever the mystery child is, they would have to be at least a year or two older than Dim. How many skeletons does Gracie have in her overstuffed closet?
I am really starting to doubt Madrina's sanity if she really thinks they can convince her brother and Angie's parents to accept, and be a guest at, Angie's wedding to JL. Does she have mind control powers or something?
I really felt so sad for poor Ginnie. She lost her BFF/sister, and her parents all at the same time. I hope her parents snap out of it and realize how they're hurting her.
Julia R, "Actually, it says a lot about her bad character that [Maria] doesn't even deserve to be with [Adolfo]." How very interesting. I had not thought of their relationship that way. But now I will.
I'm very excited to hear that The Patio has a fantastic kitchen. I will arrive with knives, tongs and whisks in hand!
And to my friends in the cold and snow, stay warm and be careful!
I'll join the rest of you who find it incredible that Graciela spent any time in a convent reflecting on life's imponderables. She is just too evil to have done that. Lauro must be a real thorn in her side. It's a wonder she hasn't tried to do away with him.
So, Ale finally connects the dots with a little help from Basurto. No surprises in his reaction although I had hoped that he would have been a little more circumspect in his reaction and done a little research before he pushed Montsy to the floor.
She's got a lot of explaining to do. But, puleez - no more Maria in the hacienda!
I will think about what other comida we will need. I make very good fresh salsa which I just know you would like. My Bruschetta is equally good. I'm not much of an alcohol fan, so we are in good company, JudyB!!
Fatima
THANK YOU!
Fatima
[NM rises and, stepping cautiously around her surly guest, picks up the glass pitcher, pours herself a generous serving of Sangría in a paper cup, and then nods to an assistant who carries the pitcher out of reach.
OMG soooo well written! And lol funny! I always look forward to your Wednesday morning recaps.
DaisynJay: "Sexy Seether" is perfect.
And put me down for one who enjoys the scenes between Dim and Tia Carlotta. I thought it was hilarious when she was trying to do that cross/blessing and he ran away from her like she was going to hurt him!
Thanks again, NM. Your interview with Maria was great and I love how you called her on letting her mask slip in front of Ale.
Tonight's gonna' get bumpy....
Maybe Macario and Rosario will be voices of reason. Hopefully he will believe them when they say they knew nothing of this monumental deception.
Lila
Diana and Susanlynn, do try to stay warm and safe. Diana, I hope you are not out on the road today of all days.
I share your reaction to Tomás, Diana. No matter how ditzy poor Fina is, she doesn't deserve to be bullied. Big brothers are quite a liability to Aguazul, judging from the sampling here (Dim and Addled and now Tomás the Terrible).
Susanlynn
"twisted, murky, horny mind"
What a nice turn of phrase. Someone should write a little rhyme around it! [Too bad Vita has moved on to better things.]
Fatima,
"Interview with the Vampire" -- hah! Don't worry. You're safe with us. I have a feeling we may all be calling on EJ for some counseling after the we see the aftermath of the big reveal.
Carlos,
I was concerned about your reaction to my aggressive questioning María about the Psycho Shower Scene. Forgive me if I offended you. I appreciate your gentlemanly, if measured, applause.
[NM curtsies modestly. Next!]
Lila:
We don't know for sure when Gracie's affair with Ben started. The writers have been deliberately coy on this point, I suspect.
As I recall, Padre Anselmo does know Graciela. Just about everyone on the Hacienda Almonte knows her as Ben's squeeze.
I did not go into work today - I still am not completely shoveled out. I hope everyone else stays safe and warm.
Looking forward to tonight. Well, sort of. I fervently hope all the hurt and anger is unleashed tonight so that the healing process can begin. I suspect that will not occur in the immediate future.
Diana
How many of the details he knows is yet to be disclosed.
If there was a baby prior to Graceless' marriage to Lauro, Maria is a strong possibility:
1. She speaks of knowing Alejandro since childhood, so she could be the same age as he is.
2. She has never spoken of her mother, which means she probably never had one.
3. Dimwit is 28, the right age to be the child of Lauro but he might not be.
On #3, Lauro made a comment in an earlier episode to the effect that he couldn't understand how he could have a son like Dimwit, who is nothing like Monserrat.
Speculation, not spoiler:
Monserrat is the only true child of Lauro. Dimwit and Maria are the children of Graceless and Don Benjamin. This makes Maria the half sister of both Monserrat and Alejandro, which could drive her into the manicomio.
Cynderella...happy to pass the hat for bail. A gorgeous guy like Alejandro should never be behind bars. Unless I'm in there with him!
Fatima...I LOVE bruschetta. Sign me up, partner!
The more I think about tonight, the more I think replay may be the way to go...fast forward is a WUSSIE'S best friend in situations such as this.
Daisynjay
I really don't want to see Ale waving pistols at women in his rage. I know he's been duped but as Maria P states his reactive, impulsive behavior is his downfall.
These are the times in a tn where I love wandering the patio, chatting w/our amazing group and reading the recaps before possibly watching the horror-fest. Since Maria is hovering around, (this is conjecture) she may return possibly to Ale's bed and he'll keep Monse there to watch.
Lila, you calling Maria a heffer was funny. Are you from the south?
As Diana, Vivi, Sylvia and others mentioned, the most heart-breaking scene was neglected Virginia. Yes Cap'n, just when we were admiring Amelia being a good mother, she pulls this along w/her husband. Sigh.
Carlos and Vivi, yes, both JL and Madrina are completely delusional if they think they can convince Captain R (there is still a dead officer) and Angelica's parents of JL's goodness. It just provides another way for Angie's heart to be broken b/c JL WILL be in jail or the lackey of Pedro if not dead by the end of this. Again all a guess on my part.
Thanks for stopping by. I agree that the very human flaws of our protagonists make them interesting to watch. The "reactive, impulsive behavior" of Alejandro vs Montserrat's "serial lying."
Nicely said!
Julia R:
"Actually, it says a lot about her bad character that she doesn't even deserve to be with him."
That is a great line, my friend! I'm not so sure, however, that Adolfo really cares about María. Did you listen to the line he was spinning for the girl in his bed when María arrived unexpectedly? I mean, he really does say that "to all the girls." He is a love the one your with kind of guy.
I am so glad you caught the menace in a folder -- he's armed with a report and he's not afraid to use it. Hee hee.
Vivi:
I agree that it feels somewhat liberating to have the secret finally out. (Maybe it will free Nadia as well as Montserrat.)
Personally, I'm glad to see our boy Rulli cutting loose after all those months of stoic jaw-clenching on Amores Verdaderos.
I suppose we'll find out what kind of brother Ignacio Robledo really is -- and what kind of influence his sister Prudencia wields over him. It still sort of feels like JL is standing out there and yelling "mátame, mátame."
Pasofino, I think your plea is worth repeating:
"puleez - no more Maria in the hacienda!"
"lost in the memory of her trespass"
"we see naked shoulders hinting at naked bodies under sheets, so we can assume attention has been paid"
Ale needs to use his mind --> eye to remember the ogre he was when he first brought Montse home and put this thing in perspective. It's not like JL was staying in the house -- he was near the barn somewhere. And JL left and Montse stayed.
I vote Gracie had a baby in the convent. But it's interesting that she didn't flashback to her younger frisky days, and instead flashed back to her older frisky days with Benjamin.
I should feel bad for Lauro. He is so blindly in love with Graciela. But his silliness about her being "pure" back in the day bugs me. How pure was he to evaluate her pureness?
Heading for the Bunker.
Also, going with the TN trope that DNA determines personality, Monserrat is the one person in that lot who has any sense of empathy. Dimwit and Maria have none and I don't think there is any changing that.
Now if you all will excuse me, I will be out front shoveling, keeping my eyes peeled for a Rulli look alike to come to my aid! ;)
Diana
Yes the previews certainly gave us a taste of Alejandro's rage. I'd feel a lot easier if he were armed with a folder (like Basurto) instead of a loaded revolver.
Aw shucks, Katy. Thanks. And I always look forward to your comments. "Bumpy" is putting it mildly!
Cynderella:
I'm hoping Alejandro manages to stay out of jail, but it is nice to know his friends are looking out for all eventualities.
Diana, I'm glad to know you're home today. Take it easy with the shoveling, okay? Around here, the worst part is after the plows come through and leave frozen mounds of snow at the end of the driveway. Even the guys with snowblowers have to take out their shovels for that stuff. Ufff.
Paquita:
It's nice to see you in this barrio. So glad you enjoyed the recap.
Daisynjay:
"fast forward is a WUSSIE'S best friend in situations such as this."
Isn't that the truth?
Karen:
I am touched by your concern for my safety. But you know how it is in journalism -- you do what you have to do to get the story!
The needle on the poignancy meter was indeed going nuts last night. Is there anyone that we AREN'T worried about right now? The only people who seem secure are the ones already dead. Yikes.
Did someone mention chocolate?
I can see the following scenario: Gaspar and his wife either just lost a child or couldn't have any. Graceless -- or Benjamin -- abandons baby Maria and Gaspar finds her without knowing where she actually came from. His wife dies not long thereafter.
Born in Arkansas, raised in Michigan but sometimes a good old down home word or phrase just has more "umph" to it!
Lila
"But [Lauro's] silliness about her being "pure" back in the day bugs me. How pure was he to evaluate her pureness?"
How funny. I had the very same thought when he said that. It makes me feel he almost deserves to be deceived. (But he doesn't deserve a lifetime next to a harpy like Graciela. Nobody does.)
Demetrios and Urban:
I see you are both suggesting the possibility that Gaspar took in María and raised her as his own daughter. That would fly.
the medical registers to cover their tracks.
Don't forget that DNA testing has only been around for a little under 20 years as a routine procedure. Alejandro and Maria are about 30 years old with Alejandro having been born in the women's prison shortly after Rosario was sent there. That would mean that he and Maria would have been around 10 or 11 when such testing was first possible. Unless there was some compelling reason, I doubt that she would have been tested.
That could have happened if this tale were city-based, as in D.F., but not in a rural area like Aguazul (as it was spelled in Pedro's political signage).
Why would Graceless have cared, anyway? She would have had too much to lose from that disclosure, as she was by then married to Lauro and had Dimwit, who is two years younger than Alejandro. She could also have been pregnant with Monserrat.
If Benjamin was her great love and she threw Maria away that easily, she is every bit the monster I have dubbed her.
Yes, please be careful with all that snow shoveling. I too hope there is a Rulli to help you out, or take over the shoveling duty.
We got snow here overnight, I live in a region in the Mid Atlantic that hardly ever sees snow. We only got four inches, but it was a blowing snow, and accumulated and now it is frozen over. It is only 17 degrees here and that is also rare. Now we are having power outages right and left. Poor Mr. Mads did the shoveling duties, as in clearing the sidewalks and the back driveway. They don't use chemicals here so it's sand and salt only. The roads are a mess and people really don't know how to drive in snow here. Hoping everyone is safe and warm where you are.
Now... Maria is potentially the half sister of both Alejandro and Monserrat and the full sister of Dimwit. This opens up the question of whether Juventino knew this because it would certainly explain his sense of entitlement over the estate.
As to incest? He wouldn't worry his greasy head over anything as trivial as that.
If this scenario turns out to be the case, Maria doesn't know a thing about it.
Here's hoping she dies shortly after finding out so Alejandro doesn't feel obliged to give her half of his inheritance.
Muchas Gracias, NovelaMaven. I applaud your bravery in confronting that two-bit strumpet for our enlightenment.
Poor Fina. With a brother like that, who needs an abusive husband? I'm no psychologist, but it seems to me that her attraction to Dim is specifically BECAUSE of the way her own family has treated her. I think she is subconsciously using him as a proxy because her inner child still has a need to make her parents finally love her.
Tomas is an overbearing jackass. He needs someone to knock some sense into him and get him to see that he is contributing to his sister's problems. I don't disagree with him that she needs to keep Dim's greedy paws off her money, but he should still try to convince her with reason. There are lots of reasons. Such as, she will never know if Dim really loves her if she's dangling money in front of him, so in order for HER plan to work, to get what SHE wants, she needs to make Dim think he can't get her money. But I have no patience for Tomas telling her that she has to do what he says, whether she likes it or not. So abusive. He isn't much better than Dim.
I'm not a drinker, either. Shall I bring some rocky road ice cream to the bunker?
I agree about Tomas. He is probably doing the same number on Josefina their parents did and Josefina is attracted to what she knows. It sounds like a good friend of mine.
This recap was just plain great. Your interview with Maria is even more amusing the second time around:
'NM raises her laser pointer and a list appears on a white screen, readily visible to the audience and María herself:
Lying, snooping, scheming, slandering, fomenting misery, abusing fruit, stealing underwear, stealing money, whoring, cruelty, disrespect, shiftlessness]
...but you were never more repulsive than when you stripped down and stepped in the shower with your boss and former BFF, Alejandro Almonte.
That is a fair indictment of Maria's crimes. But her biggest failure in her criminal career was, as you pointed out, this:
"
YOU TOOK OFF YOUR MASK WHILE HE WAS WATCHING!"
Dare we hope that our devastated Alejandro will retain a non-selective memory of this event?
OT - Fatima and Judy B:
May I have an honorary seat with the Hell in a Handbasket group? I would be honored to find myself amongst such lovely empaths. I truly believe that empathic people are gifted with the deepest quality of humanity. The work there is, for the Blessed empath to develop boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.
The desire to help is a fine one, but taking a good look at what we are ACTUALLY able to accomplish in our human engagement is essential to balance our true desire that others should be happy. Then we must remember not to morph into another person, not to mistake empathy for others for our own unfinished business, not to encourage sad or beleaguered others in their own bad choices; "therein lies the rub."
The latter behaviors are often referred to as 'idiot compassion' by Pema Chodron. End OT.
EJ
I hope Virginia has some really good friends wherever they live when they aren't at the hacienda, or her own caring godmother.
You said:
"I'll join the rest of you who find it incredible that Graciela spent any time in a convent reflecting on life's imponderables."
So Graciela spent time in a convent just before her marriage and she did regular spiritual retreats at the Hacienda with Don Benjamin?
If we make Maria her daughter then it explains the similarities the writers have given us in the characters of Dimitrio and Maria.
But I still have to wonder if Dimitrio is Don Benjamin's son. There are many possibilities,¿no?
Graciela was pregnant when they got married, Graciela went to a spiritual retreat soon after teh wedding, Demetrio was born in the convent and raised by the Admiral and Graciela...y mas.
I seem to remember that in Graciela's interactions with Lauro she often tries to remind Don Lauro that Dimmy is his SON, a bit forcefully.
During the trouble with Tomas the Admiral asked Graciela, "What kind of a son have we raised?".
I thought that was odd phrasing at the time.
EJ
I had not read your comment when I wrote mine. ITA.
Yes, I agree that Maria may be Montse's half sister. That also fits a regular TN trope—sisters hating one another and competing for the attention of the same man.
Cynderella: Alejandro is only one in a long line of galans who need friends and help while inside teh big house. There probably should be a 'Tip Jar' on the Patio that can be used to bail out our handsome galans.
Someone help me think of lead males who have been in jail in recent TNs. I'll start with Capitan Damian Fabre from la Tempestad.
Others?
EJ
Of course I have trouble with boundaries. Actually, I have NO boundaries. None, nada, zilch, bupkus. But I'm ready to learn.
Julia...that is such a sad story. I'm glad your friend could share it with you, but so sorry to hear how her parents, in their grief, were so blind to her and her sisters' needs. One always hopes for noble family behavior in a crisis. But usually, in a crisis, one's worst characteristics come out. Stress does that. But it sure is a bummer. And leaves scars. An intelligent, empathic listener (hopefully with a boundary or two) can be very healing though. I'd sure feel comfortable telling you my sad story. But I won't! But I could, I'm sure.
Lila
Yola
The story of one sibling who is inadvertently neglected when tragedy strikes another sibling is, alas, not uncommon. What is remarkable here is the inclusion of such a carefully drawn "small" scene for a third-tier character.
Elna June:
I am so pathetically grateful when you reassure me I did a good job. If you had gotten close, you would have seen that NovelaMaven was covered in flop sweat. (Or maybe just regular sweat -- we were doing the show on location in Campeche.)
Thank you for the lovely aside on empathy and boundaries. I didn't know the term "idiot compassion" but I am grateful to add another arrow to my quiver. BTW, would you say our bunker might be a metaphor for boundaries?
Galans in prison? Let's not forget Emiliano, the hero of La Hija del Mariachi (or his best friend, who languished in prison for a very long time.)
My guess is that these scenes write themselves, and are cheap to shoot on the lot. Ditto for hospital scenes.
Urban:
NovelaMaven has been known to answer letters in recaps now and then (although her tone is a tad more prickly than Dear Abby's ever was).
Oh and a Viking's Kiss sounds divine. Where did you say you were sitting?
Big yuk. Thank heavens Ale and Maria have never done the deed if they are half sibs. It seems more likely that Maria is Gaciela's daughter, perhaps by an unknown man?
Laouro's idiotic ramblings about Graciela's innocence at the time of her marriage sounded portentous to me, perhaps beyond just her long time affair with the non-marrying Don Benjamin.
Lauro had a gleam in his eye when he talked of being the first to get Graciela's 'prize'. His face resembled that of the smiling smug photos one sees of mountaineers after they bag an innocent/important summit.
EJ, vexed over the problem of Maria. May she stay with Adolfito!
"His face resembled that of the smiling smug photos one sees of mountaineers after they bag an innocent/important summit."
…like MontSerrat?
Thanks Urban! I may poke my head out of the bunker and join you for a moment.
Yola, Thanks for stopping by! (I knew JudyB and the gang would welcome you)
I thought Lauro sounded more like he knew or strongly suspected he wasn't the only and probably not the first, and he was trying to goad Graceless or maybe see if she would confess.
Julia..Your friend's story is very sad. I think that having a child who is sick often takes the parents' attention so completely that siblings are sometimes neglected.
As for empathy , I had two thoughts on this subject. First, I remember an episode on Star Trek in which an inhabitant of a planet of empaths took on the feelings of others to such an extent that it almost killed her. Strangely, I never forgot that episode. Secondly, when my baby son died, my older sister was so upset that her daughter's teacher thought that she was the one who lost a baby.
I do not want to say too much about your speculations about secret siblings. Let me just say that I do not know what will happen because the writers have changed a lot of the Amor Real storyline. Plot points and characters have been added and subtracted.
Finally, I am impressed with all the delicious treats coming into the bunker. I have decided to bring my best dessert..chocolate eclair cake. Life is short , so let's eat dessert first. ..right after we toast with our favorite beverage.
I'm glad the storyline is being changed enough that we don't know what will happen.
On the neglect of the sib, autism is not cancer but in a sense a parent does deeply grieve with the diagnosis of a disability. . .the whole death of the child you thought you'd had and even of the kind of parent you imagined you'd be. . .I felt guilt about the quality of the time I spent with my older daughter after having had my heart and gut ripped out by autism. I was lucky to be able to leave work to care for them both and she assures me she didn't feel neglected. It can be a difficult challenge but not impossible.
I wonder how this will play out with Virginia.
Lila
Gracie has always preferred Dimi over Montse. Since it seems Benny was somewhat important to her, even if only for his money, it would make sense that Dimi is Benny's son. And since we are guessing that Gracie married Lauro to have a social position, and not love, it would make sense that Montse is Lauro's daughter, because Gracie does not love Montse. Now, if Gracie was pregnant before she married and gave birth in that convent I am going to make a bold assumption and say that if Benny is not BM's daddy, then maybe it was Juventino. It would make sense that Gracie would not care what happened to that baby if Juvie was the daddy because he was poor. Maybe Gracie's family didn't even know she was preggers. And it would make sense that Gaspar would raise his niece because Juvie would have been too young. Any thoughts?
Back to work...hasta pronto!
Judy, I'll join you in the bunker and I'll bring snacks.
Julia, what an sad story about your friend.
Pasofino, yes I think if Gracie could have made claims using she would have. She'd make up some lie about coming into money.
THEN we get a smashing good recap to boot.
So far, I don't think there have been any red herrings. Gracie's stay in the convenient "convent" for months, could be a first, but I'm with those who are speculating an unwanted pregnancy (unwanted by her family, that is). If from the time she would start showing--4 mos + enough months for Lauro not to have said a couple, leads me to suspect 5 = 9 mos. That might lead even the most naïve watchers counting up on their fingers.
Vivi, I was going to point out, but you did it first, that if there had been a live bebe, it would have to be older than Dimwit. It wouldn't matter whether Benjy was the father or not, her affair with him could have started after she got married and bored with Lauro.
I think Lauro was deluding himself when he stated that it pleased him to know he was the first and only. It was just like his assuming that Montse and Ale's child would naturally be named after him...at least he backed down after not hearing any positive reactions.
I think Ale's biggest hurt will be to wonder whose bebe Montserrat has growing in her belly. As I recall from other tns, a DNA on a very young fetus is never performed, too dangerous. So Ale will have to wait until it is born--several agonizing months in which to stay angry and speculate.
At this juncture, there is NOTHING Montse can say in her defense that he will believe. All she can do is to remind him of his promise to always believe in her, HA! Rosario is her only defense and right now she is only a servant whose loyalty is with Montse. Geesh, I wouldn't want to be in Montse's shoes for the next 7 months.
Since I'll be in the BID for the forseeable future, I've just learned how to make Krispy Kurly Kale, if anyone is interested. I also make a garbanzo bean snack, crunchy like popcorn coated with East Indian spices (but not really sweet). How about some freshly squeezed Honeybell orange juice served in the blue-rimmed glasses (although I caught sight of some green ones awhile back) for the non-alcoholics among us?
Oh, NM, when did we go from being a Bunker of Ironic Detachment to just Bunks of Ironic Detachment? There'll be rows and rows of them, no? Will it be lights out at 9 and reveille at 5?
Thanks for all the giggles and laughter from the commenters before the storm breaks over us (and I'm not talking about the 5" of white stuff we got yesterday).
The Bunks of Ironic Detachment? It was late. I was tired. Perhaps I was thinking of my very own Bunk far away from The Patio.
I'm glad you enjoyed the latest episode of People on The Patio. As you know from the Balzac [heh heh] days, NM prefers interviewing perros when possible; this time she made an exception and invited a perra to be her guest.
-----------
Yola,
De nada :)
Aunty Ann I like your theory. Remember that scene when Juvie was whispering and blowing in Gracie's ear how she was just smoldering and melting. Seems he said something to imply that they had gotten it on before? What episode was that? Sickening though it was, that's worth reviewing.
I'm going to break my gluten-free, limited-carb, paleo diet and have some of y'alls grub at the HIAH table and BID! Yuuum!
Lila
Santos/Jorge Alfredo in Que Bonito Amor spent a good long time in prison in LA.
Jeronimo in Cuando me Enamoro did a short stint in the local jail (as did the Dirty Doc AND Agustin, but they aren't galans).
And it really speaks to your relationship that you ASKED your daughter how it affected her, and she reassured you.
None of us have been perfect parents. Or even close! At least I haven't. Just hoping that when and if my second two have children, they will understand and forgive my errors. I know my firstborn (who now has two of her own) has done so. And will do so even more when those two scamps turn into teenagers!
Novela: loved your recap. UA, loved your recap, too. The talent here blows me away.
Vivi: Re: yesterday’s comment--Gracie just seemed so slimy, nasty about it.
I’m glad it’s happened. Now that shoe has finally fallen. How much you want to bet that Ale won’t even attempt to listen to Mons. If she were allowed to explain why she kept the secret at first—love for JL, not wanting him to be sent to jail (and you know Ale wouldn’t have hesitated) and later, when she did want to tell him, afraid of how it would react (partly his fault) (I see Vivi and I are on the same page with being glad the secret is out.
I think Virgie is being ignored by her parents partly because she kept Angie’s plans a secret from them.
It looked to me like Dim knew his last kiss affected Fina, even though she tried to be cool about it.
Here’s a scenario. JL gets his name cleared and marries Angie right before Ale kicks his wife out. Their timing sucks on.
Speaking of folders, I was surprised it wasn’t the usual dark mauve ones that I’ve seen in most of my TNs.
Fina could be a couple of years older than Dim.
Nanette
Dear Elna June, really appreciate your thoughts on boundaries for us empaths and for all the kind words you said about "us". Boundaries is the hardest thing I have had to learn. Sometimes, the feeling part of me doesn't turn off, but it is getting better.
JudyB and welcome you to our HIAH table, Wussies division! Yola and anyone else to asked to join us, by all means do so! I just brought home a fresh French baguette and will make up the Bruschetta asap!!!
Can you believe that there I was at work pondering this TN?!? Unbelievable!
NovelaMaven, thank you for the reassurance that this wonderful group offers.
Sometimes, this novela seems to real. I know I will have to read the recap first tonight as I haven't ventured yet to see yesterday's episode.
Elna June, again, Thank you!!!
Fatima
That scene with Juvie and Gracie in the church that you talked about is the exact one I was remembering. I would not put it past her to have had a fling with Juvie. I don't recall the episode number. It will take some research to find out. BTW, didn't they both work together to get Benny to an early grave? For them, it's all about the money.
You said:
'Or the gleam in the eye of an angler being photographed holding the big cold fish he caught?'
LOL! Absolutely the same. And Lauro caught himself one stinky day-old tuna when he snagged Graciela.
'I thought Lauro sounded more like he knew or strongly suspected he wasn't the only and probably not the first, and he was trying to goad Graceless or maybe see if she would confess.'
You are giving him much more credit than I did. I hope your version is correct. Smile.
NM: Our bunker is absolutely a metaphor for boundaries. However 'ironic detachment' in itself is, alas, only a tool that covers some of our anxiety about the difficulty and pain in our world.
Ironic detachment happens to be one of my favorite defense mechanisms, but I like to remember that were I truly healthy, should I really have compassion + good boundaries, I would rest in compassionate tranquility. I would not be operating from an anxious or fearful state of mind.
I am not there yet, but I am still working to live in such a state. See you in the Bunker, my friends.
Anita: Thank you for the reminder that not everyone drinks wine or alcoholic beverages. I live in the Wine Country, it is our largest industry in my area, and I am a wine geek (I am currently undertaking a somewhat formal study of wine) and so I always want to share what I love with my friends. When I suggest a wine and food pairing, consider it done that there will always be water and soft drinks at my tables for others to enjoy.
EJ
Aunty Ann, you're right! They did help Bennie to cross over! Gracie's a skank and I could see her hooking up with Juvie and maybe it wasn't just at the end to get at Bennie's moola.
Lila
That would prove what a skank Graciela really is. Wouldn't that be nice?
A quick belated thank you for your kind words as well as for your High/Low list from the other day.
Elna June;
What can I say? We're all working on it -- though you, my dear, are a lot closer than I to the goal.
[sheepish smile]
Julia, that's quite a sad and touching story about your friend. We humans can be so clueless, especially at times of high emotion. I had to accept long ago not to hold grudges against people for what they did during weddings (I'm looking at you brides!), and funerals or times of grief. Still, your friend's story is extreme and so very tragic.
I'm ready for Josefina to take control of her life. I wouldn't be surprised if she plays Dimwit and the Tominator against each other.
Can't wait for tonight's dreadful drama. Just another 30 minutes.
Sylvia, no longer singing Cain't Say No and now humming Can't Get a Man With a Gun.
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