Caray, Caray!

All:

I hope you can tolerate the recap. The episode was hideous, esp at the bitter end.

Ay, Caray!

Maria got all she ever wished for and more. I am telling you guys. She has missed her true calling. She would be a GREAT Dominatrix.

Carlos may be the only one of us on the Patio or in the Bunker who think that things are looking up.

EJ
 

EJ,
Thanks for the recap. Have not seen the epi yet. I will need a stiff drink at the Ale table to watch this one.

Seems to me like Ale is out for revenge. He wants to get back at Montse for everything she did, and what better way to do that than with a woman she can't stand. He wants Montse to know how it feels to have the person you love betray you.

What BM does not understand in that obsessed pee-sized brain of hers is that Ale is only going to use her. For Ale, it's not about WANTING to be with BM, it's all about getting back at Montse. Will comment more later.

Back to sleep...hasta pronto!
 

Thank you for the stellar recap, EJ.

I just love JL and Angie, they are so cute together and JL looks so much better in his tender moments with Angie than he ever did in his desperate ones with Montse.

I don't think that Ale is only thinking about revenge. I think he is just lonely and broken hearted and still in shock.
When he was alone in the bedroom and he found Montse's nighty, I was crying along with him - I could really feel the emptiness that he was feeling. In my 20+ years of tn watching, a galan never made me cry!
After yelling and screaming and destroying the furniture all day long, when all was said and done he realized that he was alone and he still loved his cheating wife.
So I guess he went to Maria because in his mind she is the only person who didn't lie to him and who loves him and can fill some of the void he is feeling.
When the love of your life makes an idiot fool out of you, you tend to forget that your childhood friend stole some money. Now everything that Montse ever said looks fake to him, so believing Maria is not that unexpected.

Having said that... Asking her to be his mujer - WTF!!! He must really be blinded by his pain, because this is a stupid, STUPID decision.

And because he did the most idiotic thing I could have ever imagined, I feel even worse for him and I submit my member request at the Ale table. I have a feeling he needs all the Viewerville support he can get right now, because he's about to elevate the stupid to new highs (or lows, depending how you look at things).

So, do I have to pass a test or something? COnsidering the dire conditions, I think new members should be accepted, no questions asked :)

 

Hello to all. I have been lurking but I need to vent. I am so mad at Alejandro right now. Alejandro, what are you doing?!?! Is Maria going to make this mess any better? The answer is NO! QUE HORROR!

Caryn
 

The poor bastard has not been able to catch a break for 50+ episodes. He has lived rough and greasy with his buddy Refugio. He has had severe problems in his love life, but his love horoscope right now looks excellent, but unstable.

Tell it like it is! Elna June. Got this far in the recap and wanted to note that fabulous sentence. Back again later.
 

Thanks, Elna June. I think your best lines were:

The various servants scuttle around the Hacienda like cockroaches trying to avoid RAID.

But Adolfo is smiling. I think Maria has helped Adolfo discover that he likes being A Bottom

I agree with Aunty Ann; Alejandro is only going to use Maria like a blow-up doll. He'll dress her in the fine clothes she doesn't deserve and won't feel right in but it is Monserrat he will see in his head when she's in his bed. He'll say her name during that delusion somewhere down the road and then what? Will Maria douse him with cold water, too?

The whole thing is making me go off my feed. I hope he has the sense to use condoms.

Maria is only going to try to queen it over the servants and make their lives miserable because she can theoretically do so with impunity. That will not last long.

It should only last long enough for Monserrat to find out and get good and mad.

Angelica and JL should have some happiness before she faces the final curtain. I think Capitan Robledo will be understanding.

Here's hoping he also gets Monserrat's money back for her so she can get out of the hellhole of her mother's house.
 

Yes, yes to the other great lines Urban quoted.

And loved the description of Prudencia as a sort of Auntie Mame with deep pockets who believes in love with a capital L.

Other favorite-- HOUSE OF CADS...oh, man, so good I can taste it!

Well, I knew this was coming but sure isn't any easier to swallow. Our handsome Alejandro is now circling the drain. His negative spiral is going to have all kinds of ugly consequences. Of course I am still at his table, unless Cynderella has kicked me out. Never sure of my status there.

I will nevertheless look forward to savoring the sweet scenes between Angelica and José Luis, who looks so much better now that his Miami Vice look has given way to a clean shave.

Once again, you dun us proud, Elna June. Thank you.


 

Thanks, Elna June for an excellent recap of a very depressing and disturbing episode. All the comments have also been interesting as we try to analyze DamnAle's mood and thought processes. Aiyiyi.

Even though I saw AR and knew this was going to happen, that final scene and the advances turned my stomach...urp...burp...oof. ..meh. In AR , the housekeeper and her nana were only banished to the capataz's cottage, her former home. Therefore, she was still on the property and able to slither back on her own into the big house with the heartsick, heavily drinking patron.

I think that we are going to have to borrow Sylvia's remodelers and put an addition on the bunker....a spa. We could call it The Spa of Suspended Disbelief, It should be a full service spa offering manicures, pedicures, facials, massages. We need more than beverages and munchies to get through this part of the novela .

Ale..Ale...Ale....revenge always bites you in the butt...and not in a good way. I must say that for those of you who watched Highlander, the nighty scene reminded me of Duncan holding Tessa's nighty after she was killed. That big guy curled in the fetal position on the bed holding onto his blanket..I mean Mony's nighty...was heart wrenching....then, he retrieves Malria. Uff. The ****eating grin on her face when he told that she was going back to the hacienda was ....I have no words.
 

Yes...Pru is Auntie Mame. I loved that movie and still watch it when it is on TV. I also think that Pru knows Ang is very sick and she wants her to experience life and be happy for as long as possible.
 

Susanlynn...I like your spa idea, although I have never been comfortable with massages, pedicures or the like.But I know it works for my oldest daughter! so your idea gets my full endorsement.

I am going to soldier through this by repeating ad nauseum:

This is just a Temporary Setback. A Temporary Setback. A Temporary zzzzz

Years ago, when I was visiting an older fellow in the hospital, who was discouraged by his frequent medical crises, I watched a friend of his reassure him so gently and wisely. The man just said quietly, "Jack, this is just a temporary setback."

This fellow was a doctor, and had cancer himself. Also married to an alcoholic. So his life was no sleigh ride. But he knew what to say to comfort and reassure. And as it turned out, he died before Jack did. But I always remembered how he helped his friend through a tough time.

So I'm going to use those words. THIS IS JUST A TEMPORARY SETBACK!!!!
 

So sorry EJ that you not only had to watch but then rewrite the horror that was that schlock with brain-dead Ale last night. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it would happen and I still was just nauseated and furious. Cripes sake, take a day to think man. The woman is BSC and you have seen that. And poor Dominga going to be under the thumb of that b**** and knowing what Maria had said about her. And of course, Ale will turn a blind eye to whatever Maria does now.

No surprise from Graceless with Monse, and Dimwit, lord love him is such a dreck, but the actor plays him with that edge of being an amusing lout. I still see him at some point turning on his mother...or I hope.

I'm no fan of JL, but I do enjoy him with Angie. He better stay true to her and not break her heart if he hears about Monse or he will suffer that wrath of the patio. We are not in a good place right now...we could be dangerous if pushed.(Someone move the darts away from the HIAH table please). I haven't signed up yet for that anger management seminar, complete with tacos and tequila shots, being offered.

Daisynjay
 

Good Morning, EJ and friends. Before I start freaking out let me thank you for this most excellent, crystal clear, delightfully smooth and entertaining read!

Yes, I was one of the ones screaming! Even my gin and tonic in the bunker didn't help the horrendous ending and it's all I can think about.

Please let this be Maria's wet dream sequence! Don't do this!

Maria is a lying whore: "Maria told him that they (Domingo and Juvie) hooked up and spent many nights together." Filthy bitch. I now think all the hair-combing and spit-swapping in the liquor and foot-massaging is to clearly imply incest with Juvie. That's how low this ditch-born slut is!UUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuf!

"Ale insists that Montse has had her lover with her the whole time, and that she is pregnant with JL’s kid." Ok, I know you're mad, but you really believe this shit so you'll certainly believe Maria's spawn (and I can't believe she won't become pregnant) is really yours even if your peter peters out and never hits pay dirt as it appeared to do in the previews. I hope for your sake you have psycho-emotional-situational impotence. I do NOT want you boinking Maria!

"Maria Gets Fitted With Black Leather, Rubber, Spiky Dog Collars and Chains" Appropriate since is already a BITCH!

"She swears to get even with Montserrat. (uh, for WHAT???)" Amen and Ale is going to help her inflict a whole lotta hurtin' on Montse.

I may comment later on JL but gosh, I'm so distraught over "From this day on you are going to be my mujer.” It's a nightmare! One hundred episodes of Ale being dominated by Alpha Bitch! Nooooooooooooooo!

Lila
 

I don't find Dimwit amusing at all. He is useless, destructive, malicious, and deserving of a serious Karmageddon. If Pedro hadn't known about JL Dimwit would have lowered this boom sooner or later despite the financial consequences.

However, the one hope I do have is that he someday turns on his mother, who will suffer an even more serious Karmageddon for the sins she has committed against every member of her family. I was hoping that this wouldn't have followed AR in having Monserrat return to her mother's hellhouse but here's hoping that Monserrat doesn't take her crap.

The worst risk at the moment is that her father will learn all the ugly truths that nobody thinks he can handle. If he has a stroke or heart attack we know Graceless will blame Monserrat.

I seriously hope that before too many more episodes go by she will demand that Graceless explain her hatred of her.
 

Yes, EJ, this is a most excellent recap. I, too, loved the line "...Hose of Cads.."

Ale's behavior was so predictable. We knew he was going to do it, and he did it. There lies Maria wearing Montse's nightie in Montse's bed. Ale just isn't down in the dumps feeling betrayed. He has gone off the edge to the other side into complete madness.

If his revenge is Maria, is that going to be enough? So, where does he go from here?

Montse tried to hide the truth about JL, but, it is out now (except for Lauro). So, what else does anybody have to hold over her head?
 

Meant House of Cads.
 

There is nothing else to hold over her head now, but Alejandro has lost any moral high ground he had before by having revenge sex with Maria.

That is, unless he develops situational ED when the time comes.
 

Thanks for this excellent recap, Elna June. Well done. I agree that it was a very disturbing episode.

Unfortunately for María, her new situation is already off to a very shaky start not entirely unlike Montserrat's. I believe if she would be truthful at this point with Alejandro, she might just make it work. She should own up to every lie that she has told him, including her dalliance with Adolfo and their theft of the money. Of course she won't.

Unlike pretty much everyone else here, I don't think that María is a bad or evil person. She has been in love (obsessed?) with Alejandro since she was a child. For some reason she seems to have been indulged and spoiled by the workers at the ranch. Maybe as the daughter of the capataz she feels a sense of entitlement. If fate hadn't thrust Alejandro into his current position of status, I don't doubt that he and María would have likely ended up together and it would have worked just fine.

Understanding the María that we have been presented with as I do, it's only a matter of time until she blows it.

I thought it was a sad contrast that Montserrat arrived back home with tons of luggage and when María asked for a little time to pick up her few things, Alejandro told her to forget them, he'd buy her all new stuff.

Unlike the rest of you, I like María, but I agree that at this point she doesn't belong with Alejandro. He and Montserrat deserve each other, for better or worse.

Carlos
 

Elna June, great recap. I loved "house of cads" and the bifurcation theme. Thank you.

I almost headed for the bunker ( of ironic detachment) last night. As someone already said, I didn't know BM's return would be soooooooo bad. Anyway, the avances that show BM and a very upset Ale in bed give me hope. UA, maybe ED is why he was so upset . Wouldn't that just be great?? Nothing else to say today on that disgusting turn of events.

I still don't trust Robledo. I think Angelica should have married JL before auntie Prudencia contacted Robledo--if at all. I guess it all comes down to who will Robledo ultimately answer to? Especially if Angelica dies.

Jarifa

Sitting closer to the bunker entrance all the time. :)
 

I haven't read all what are sure to be wonderful and thoughtful comments.

Elna June, this was a beautifully written STORY of a sad and depressing episode.

We each deserve to have our moments of happiness in this story. I suspect that Carlos must be exceedingly happy at this point! :)

As for myself, it feels like a punch in the stomach. It is sickening and something beyond what I even imagined would/could happen.

Fatima
 

Elna June, you filled my heart with hope and laughter "almost farcical in it’s optimism and relief", "The various servants scuttle around the Hacienda like cockroaches trying to avoid RAID" and especially "think Maria has helped Adolfo discover that he likes being A Bottom" (sidebar worthy). A work of art.

Like you and so many others, I loved the JL and Angelica scenes. Are they available for a spin off? A couple who are happy and whom we can truly root for. What a novel idea.

My joy in your recap was tempered by "The screams of the denizens of the Patio and Bunker None of us dreamed it would be this bad."

No. Proof positive his anger and grief have propelled Ale off the deep end so to speak. Craziness - utter craziness pure and simple.

I must confess that for one moment I did not hate Maria. That was when she doused Dim and Dumber much to their surprise and chagrin (I thought I detected the actor playing Dim smiling a bit broadly - perhaps not expecting to get quite as drenched?) Not to worry - I reverted to disliking her immediately thereafter.

Judy, I am clinging to your temporary setback theory and praying this sordid tale has at last reached rock bottom.

I felt for Monse having to go home, hanging her head. At least Graciela made no pretense of sorrow or empathy. It is clear she hates her daughter.

Elna June, bless you for capturing this horrid episode so beautifully.

Wonderful comments all.

Diana
 

EJ thank you so much for this great recap of a horrific episode. Thankfully the writers did give us a little bit of hope w/JL and Angie.

The thing that is the most appalling to me about Ale turning to Maria is how evil she is to others. Thank goodness Rosario is gone but poor Dominga and Macario.

 

What wonderful comments today!!

Carlos, what is it that you like about Maria?

Fatima
 

I thought it was a sad contrast that Montserrat arrived back home with tons of luggage and when María asked for a little time to pick up her few things, Alejandro told her to forget them, he'd buy her all new stuff. Amen, Carlos, that was sad and adds to the horror of this development.

Jarifa re ED, that's what I meant by "psycho-emotional-situational impotence". Docs and Psychologists, is there such a thing! I hope the pairing with Maria will bring a whole new definition of hell to Ale so he can wake up.

So. Novela veterans. Has there ever been a novella where the main couple stay together during the whole thing with physical separations only but remain true to each other and just fight off various threats to their happiness? This would yield a couple with lots of hot and even tender scenes in between fighting the various foes. Is this too boring. Do we have to have bitches and lies about parentage and. . .hell?

With the things he said to Montse and this going to get the bitch the next day and if he boinks her. . .can a galan go too far such that he spoils the believability of the eventual reunion? Octavio kinda did that for me in CI. Please, don't let that happen again!

In terms of JL and Angie. What will happen with that little matter of the murder of Loreto? Angie knows about it, does Anti-Prudencia? (love that EJ)

Lila
 

Dear Elna June,

Thanks so much for this wonderful recap of a very painful episode. I found humor and comfort throughout the entire recap MOST ESPECIALLY in your lovely summary of the scenes between J-L and Angélica. Other favorite lines and observations were these:
"He is on the run, a fugitive from in-justice and corruption."

"She swears to get even with Montserrat. (uh, for WHAT???)"

My favorite was your last line, which perfectly expressed my own feeling in the moment:
"None of us dreamed it would be this bad."

I figured it would be bad, but I didn't think ALE would go seeking María. Jeez, writers, did you really have to do that to us?

The only thing I found slightly a relief was that when she asked if he had forgiven her, he didn't say yes. He just moved on to other things and didn't apologize for his behavior before. He's not bothering to woo her or anything because he knows he doesn't have to and also he doesn't love her. So different than his courtship of Montse and the loving European honeymoon he planned and also his desire to help those that she loved.

María may be happy now feeling like she's getting what she wants, but it should be painful for her as she is forced to realize again and again that he is JUST NOT THAT INTO HER.

Still, it's going to be hard to watch for a while.

In one corner of the Bunker of Ironic Detachment, I have set up a large, flat screen TV with the COMPLETE 6 MINUTE UNEDITED LOVE SCENE BETWEEN MONTSE AND ALE playing on a constant loop. You can stop by anytime and watch with me. Even a few seconds helps!

It's not exactly Ironic Detachment. I think of it more as Desperate but Sincere Reattachment, but it works for me.

Thanks again, Elna June, for your excellent writing, wit, and wisdom.


 

Lila...in Alborada and Pasión, the lovers were separated by physical circumstances, but remained true to each other. And were targets of evil, but joined forces, off and on, when possible, to fight off those forces. These were Carla Estrads novelas and much appreciated here on CarayCaray (although a lot of people didn't care for the casting of the heroine in Pasión).
 

Lila, agree: "Maria is a lying whore".

Elna June, I had to reread the scenes with JL/Angelica/Auntie Pru/Robledo. You wrote these scenes with such tenderness and loving care. You are such a wonderful storyteller. :))

Urban, I am absolutely 100% in total agreement with you re Dimwit.

Re Lauro: I think this man has long suspected that all was not right in his world. He knows so much more than he is letting on. I am almost sure of it.

My biggest hope is that Alejandro (I can no longer call him "Ale" or "Alejo" as that implies some degree of familiarity and right now, I want to distance myself from him as much as I can) has ED for the ENTIRE time he allows that lying whore to be his so called "mujer".

Somehow, I cannot fathom 100 episodes of never ending revenge. I honestly do not know if I were Montserrat if I could ever return to Alejandro. Trust was never part of their relationship, but I wonder what it would take for then to even trust each other so that they could have a meaningful relationship? His words and his actions would have been like arrows in my heart. We would have no story if Montserrat were to walk away, but those arrows in my heart would cause me to walk away for good.

Dear JudyB, somehow, I just know that if I ever had the opportunity to meet you in person, I would immediately see you as a friend! Thank you for the "Temporary Setback" story. I appreciated that today more than you can know. :))

Fatima
 

I saw this coming because that's how it played in AR.

As for Alejandro spending mucho dinero on clothes for Maria this is going to really hurt Monserrat. She hasn't had the time to figure out that money means almost nothing to him. Why else would he pay off Tomas on behalf of Dimwit and get it out of Dimwit's hide despite how much time that would be at minimum wage? Why else isn't he getting someone after Dimwit and his accomplices in the theft of the cash that was in his desk?

Is he really that rich or is he just clueless?

Also, not having been raised by a mother he doesn't know women's hearts. He isn't Rogelio Montero so he doesn't have his moves. Maria is going to end up royally disappointed... and she deserves to be.
 

Ah yes, JudyB. I saw Pasion. Loved it! They did stay together! Didn't see Alborada. Did these get good ratings? Oh to find someone who writes stories like this. . .sigh.

Lila
 

Carlos..I have to disagree that Ale and Malria would have had a happy ending together if he had never inherited the hacienda. There is a big difference between true and unconditional love and obsession. True and unconditional love means that you want the best for the person you love in addition to standing by him or her in bad times and good. Malria is obsessed with Ale. When he fell in love and married another woman, he became even more desirable to that twisted mind. Women like Malria are never satisfied with what they have. ...and let's face it, I think that we have all known a few MALria's in our time. Malrua's love is a selfish, tainted love. sorry, amigo, I see no redeeming qualities in Malria. I can think of no positive adjectives to describe her...oh well, she is neat. She always has her hair combed. Thanks to the comb that she inherited form her Uncle Pervie. Here's the visual tree>>>>>Apple.
 

Thanks EJ! Anti-Prudence - haha - RAID - bwahhaha!

I agree UA, Dimwit is a useless leech.

Also agree Alejandro is looking for revenge on Monse and JL.

Monse would grow more quickly if she quit wanting answers/anything from her Evil Mother. She would be better off if she stayed out of Graci's hateful reach. Monse has serious trouble dealing with undesirable realities. (So much for 'protecting' our children from the problems of life.) Monse doesn't have coping skills and so she avoids dealing with problems or the truth. Sure, she has an Evil Mother, but she did have a loving father, money, education, etc. Unlike Alejandro, who grew up in worse circumstances and had a big heart until it just imploded. Not to say that he handled bad realities well.

IMO Alejandro will never love Maria. He never would've loved Maria. She just doesn't do it for him. But now, she sure is going to try to do it for him in all sorts of ways.

And I didn't think it would get any worse after Alejandro's meltdown.
Marea Primavera
 

Susanlynn, EXCELLENT observations re obsession vs true love; EXCELLENT!!

Agree. Maria's hair is neat and tidy.

Fatima
 

Some questions:

At what point should/could Rosario reveal her true identity? Right now, short of a DNA test, I doubt that Alejandro would believe her.

Secondly, what is the Padre's role in revealing that truth. He's not given JL the same Consideration of the Confessional. Looks to me that he has been somewhat selective in citing that rule.

His evasive answers have played into this whole scenario. I hope this gives him some pause once he sees the devastating damage that has occurred here.

Fatima
 

UA,

"...money means almost nothing to him."

I disagree. Money has changed his life. It gave him the means to purchase a wife (does anyone believe that Montserrat would have given him a second thought if he didn't have money?) and pretty much become a petty, albeit somewhat benevolent, despot.

Say what you will about María, she loved him before he was rich and powerful. I still have fond memories of her standing (with a cast on her leg mind you) on those steps like a loyal hound awaiting his promised return. If she would just get a leather headband...

Carlos
 

Judyb..I have never been to a spa . I have never had a massage, and I paint my own toenails...but only in the summer. For the last two summers, I have favored electric blue polish. However, I think we all need some special attention....and those big! fluffy robes and slippers.

I loved your "temporary setback" philosophy. Hub's goto advice for the family members is always "Let things unfold." That is what we must do with this storyline no matter how painful it gets...and there will be pain.
 

EJ- Wow! Things went from bad to worse very quickly. But your recap's light tone made it bearable. I'll check out this episode this weekend, if I can bear to watch Maria smirk about her victory.

Carlos- I have to disagree with you. Monse would have absolutely given Ale a second look if he didn't have money. He would have been her type. The times she softened with him when he was wooing her was when he showed he wasn't money-focused like the other rich guys in her circle. After she learned the story of his humble beginnings, she softened even more, and even told him that she would have thought differently of him had he revealed his origins when he was courting her. There's a reason why she was attracted to JL in the first place, and not to Sebastian or the other men in her social circle.

 

Excellent points (as usual) Vivi in DC.

Fatima
 

Ah, okay...Fatima, you and I and Susanlynn are going to hunker down in the bunker of Temporary Setback and Let Things Unfold.

We will drink chamomile tea with honey, and if Elna June will join us from time to time, we'll also comfort ourselves with some wise Budhist wisdom.

But wish this telenovela weren't so darned long because it's clearly going to take a loooooonnnnnnngggggg time for "things to unfold".

But I like that, Susanlynn, I like that. Please give ol' Hub a hug from me for that extra bit of homespun wisdom.
 

Fatima,

"Somehow, I cannot fathom 100 episodes of never ending revenge.

You must have missed out on the CI experience.

Carlos
 

Carlos, querido amigo, I never know if you are serious in defending the Bad Girls, or if you are just being that puckish guy we all knew in grade school who loved setting the girls off with artfully dangled bugs, snakes and a frog or two. YOU DO KNOW HOW TO GET US GOING!!!!!

Maria did have a wistful girl-he-left-behind charm whilst awaiting Alejandro's return. But her casual acceptance of Juventio's plans to eliminate Montserrat, as well as her really really gratuitous lies about Dominga's relationship with Pervie Juvie, pretty much finished any sympathy I had for her. Liked the way she kicked Dim and Addled's butts though. The girl does have chispa.
 

Carlos, yes, I missed the "CI EXPERIENCE"! :))

Fatima
 

Carlos: Loved "It gave him the means to purchase a wife (does anyone believe that Montserrat would have given him a second thought if he didn't have money?) and pretty much become a petty, albeit somewhat benevolent, despot".

I'm not sure if money would have made a difference but you summed up succintly how I feel about Ale's character. And although I don't feel about Maria as you do, I appreciate your staunch support.

It is not Ale but Monse who touches my heart. But, I respectfully agree to disagree with my esteemed colleagues here who feel very differently.

Diana
 

Marea P. ..."she is going to try to do it for him in all sorts of ways" LOL ..yes, indeed. I am sure that Malria is going to pull out every trick on her book to do it for Ale. Maybe we need to take notes.

Carlos..."a loyal hound"...ah, Malria, you ain't never caught a rabbit , and you ain't no friend of mine, you hound dog. She is like a dog with a bone as they say around here.

As to Ale and money, I think he has no idea about money because he never had any and his new found wealth just dropped out of the clear, blue sky. Remember Mari and the money in CL. I think that his degree must be in agriculture, not finance or accounting. Accountants are very good at keeping track of the flow of money.
 

JudyB, absolutely agree with the name you chose for our section of The Bunker. :))

Susanlynn, I also like your husband's phrase re letting things unfold.

Sometimes, I feel like that "letting things unfold" business seems like an eternity!!

Fatima
 

Judyb...or those junior high guys who said things just to get you going....Carlos is our devil's advocate....we always need one to have a good debate. thanks, Carlos.
 

I haven’t been able to comment in a timely fashion since Monday. Not that I haven’t been glued to the TV for each and every episode this week, but never get to the comments until late and others have hit the most salient points.

Thanks to Novela Maven for Tue, Eli Perez for Wed, and Elna June for Thu. Wonderful recaps, each and every one, with distinctive approaches. Loved reading them and the comments that shed light as the horrendous events exploded/imploded on our screens.

I really must give Rulli credit for his performance. Great acting of an appalling development in the story, frightening in his rage, poignant as he clutched the mauve nightgown of happier days, and obtuse with his kneejerk retrieval of Malria.

I think I was looking for Montse to be more of a firebrand and less of a wounded bunny in their confrontation. Didn’t care for her orange and aqua outfit (Miami Dolphins fan?) She should have left that one behind for Maria to wear.

While our protagonists are separated, I’ll try to find satisfaction with the secondary couples.

 

JudyB, people remove themselves from the table by not being loyal to Alex. I just provide the documentation that ends their relationship with the Alex table. Based on our records, you are still on probation. :-)
 

EJ:

Thank you so much for this splendid recap and thanks for taking one for the team.


This was a depressing epi. Sigh! But the upside was that poor JL finally, finally got to tell his side of the story. I am just glad that El Capitan listened for a change and asked pertinent questions and found out how far Gracie went to get what she wanted. I hope he does the right thing.

JL and Angie are really precious together. I am hoping against hope that there is some kind of cure for her. I don't want her to die anytime soon. I am really liking Tia Pru here too. I'd like Tia Pru and Tia Lottie to have a little chin wag sometime. I bet they'd be a hoot.

Poor Monse from one hell house to the other. I'm just glad that now Monse has backup in the form of Rosie and Tia Carlotta and her Papa. This is a really bad time for Monse to be coming back cause Gracie's fav just got kicked out of the house. Poor Monse.

Ale is so DEAD TO ME! What a jerk. Ale has lost his mind and is so revenge filled he can't see what he is doing. BM is so filled with glee it's sickening. Ah, well, I get to recap this aftermath. I will have to watch with my eyes open ; )

Addled's home as a refuge, too funny. Addled does look very taken with BM. And he does like being ordered around by her. It's kind of kindred spirits in a way.

Thanks once again for this most splendid recap EJ.
 

Fatima...Usually after Hub says "Let things unfold"...I add "Let the dust settle." I tend to want to "fix" things as quickly as possible , but he is very patient and tolerant and calm. He has taught me to be positive and not to panic. We are both problem solvers, but he has a calmer style, whereas I am the fool who rushes in and tries to repair the damage as fast and efficiently as possible.

P.s. I am frustrated with Ipad trying to make words out of the anti robot ID..it just changed the letters to,,,night fruit ...which made me think of juvie
 

Vivi: After she learned the story of his humble beginnings, she softened even more, and even told him that she would have thought differently of him had he revealed his origins when he was courting her.

Amen, Vivi. I remember that episode and it was a real bonding moment for Ale and Montse. She was touched and I think he felt touched as well as surprised and encouraged at her reaction. I felt that moment in my heart as surely as I felt an opposite, visceral churn at their raging at each other and, oh my gosh, Ale's crying and clutching that nighty curled in on himself as if to simultaneously shield and comfort himself.

Rosario. I hope you think long and hard about keeping your motherhood a secret from him. Do you see the disastrous consequences of not telling your truth yourself? Do you see the life-threatening pain that can come from letting vital truth be spewed out and spun by one's enemies instead of spoken frankly by one's self from a foundation of love? You could have helped Montse and Ale and maybe you will in the future. I suppose by taking refuge with Montse you can help each other to grow and heal but you are not blameless.

What will the hyper excitable Padre Anselmo do when he hears the latest? He knew the fuse was lit but was he supposed to be under some religious vow of secrecy? Umf. Umf. Umf.

Lila
 

Susanlynn,

I've conceded that María is obsessed, but,

"True and unconditional love means that you want the best for the person you love in addition to standing by him or her in bad times and good.

I submit that María meets those criteria. She certainly believes that she is best for the person she loves and has consistently stood by him. I've no doubt that she would sacrifice her life for him. It would not surprise me to see her recognize at some point that his Destiny is Montserrat and help make it happen.

Am I the only one who sees the similarities between María and Gardenia from MEPS and María and Matilde from CME. Didn't we all eventually come to adore those two?

Vivi,

OK so maybe Montserrat would have taken a second look at a poor Alejandro... would a poor Alejandro have ever dared to pursue a Montserrat?

Judy,

I admit that María has a few character flaws and that mistakes were made, but I suggest everyone take a closer look at Alejandro and Montserrat.

If Alejandro is able to perform tonight I think we can pretty well reject the María as everyone's sister theory. If not then I think that the odds are that she is, although if so, I can't imagine why Padre Anselmo hasn't spoken out on the subject.

Carlos
 

Good Witch, Glenda...that's cute. I'm sorry. I like Angel and Jose Luis together, but I don't like her. I don't know why. Again, I think they make a cute couple, but she bugs me.
 

Mads..I had the same thought about poor Mony going from the frying pan into the fire when she had to return to her parents' home. Even her papa, Tia, and Rosario are not going to able to completely shield her from Gracie's scorn and abuse. I hope that she at least gets smart enough to stay at a safe distant to avoid those head pushes and slaps that crazy eyed Gracie loves to give her to relieve her own pent up frustrations and disappointments. Mony should try to stay away from her and with one of those three protectors as much as possible.
 

Carlos...say what ????? Malria?...Sacrificing ??? ..nunca jamas.
 

Carlos, Maria sacrificing?! Aye, Carlos, POR FAVOR!!!! This is where I need to remember Tomas' wonderful dicho the other day about "en que cabeza...??!!""

Fatima
 

la Paloma...I just LOVED your description of Mony as a "wounded bunny". That is a perfect description. I will think of her as "wounded bunny" from now on...maybe just "Bunny" for short. We used to call one heroine "Cupcake" I think it was Ana Brenda.
 

Mads, when you write tonight's recap, judge Alex's responses to his wife's deception and betrayal rationally. Think...I am a dumb cuckold who has been financially supporting my wife, her lover, her brother, her aunt and her brother's best friend. Everyone ate at my table, slept in my beds and "sh*t in my toilets" and smiled in my face. What did I ask for in return? I wanted my wife's honesty, loyalty and love. What did I get? Freeloaders who assisted my wife and her lover and kept their secret. Ever since the lover showed up, I have been robbed by her guest and there were several attempts on my life. Now my wife is pregnant and claiming that the baby is mine. Even the priest lied to me. Only one person stood in my corner and that was Cynder. ..I mean Maria. Please take that into consideration when judging his relationship with Maria.
 

Cynderella, POINT TAKEN and well written.

Fatima
 

Susanlynn and Fatima,

lots of episodes left and like it or not we are captives of the writers' whims. Over at MPV a drug-addled child rapist is transforming right before our eyes after being stabbed in the belly and a dose of HIV. I was almost ready to hug Sebastian last night. People change... at least in TNs.

Carlos
 

Judyb.....Hub told me to thank you for the hug. I just read an article about hugs increasing longevity. I will take any excuse for a hug.

Let's face it. When things are bad, all we really want is for someone to say "Everything will be okay"....even if they know it won't.
 

Carlos, your point taken as well and understood. :)) I do appreciate the male perspective you bring. I try to search for the middle ground, but I'm afraid your dear Maria drives me to the limit! :)) I am a looong way from reaching any kind of equilibrium with her, I'm afraid. :)

Fatima
 

I agree with those who thought Bunny would have given Ale a second look before he was rich. A) She gave JL a second look , and he was not rich or from her social class which is why he knew her family would not accept him. And B) Ale is gorgeous and would get a second look from most mujers.
 

Remember the photo I posted on the opening night recap? She definitely liked what she saw.

I wish they'd take the pink out of her wardrobe. It's a stupid cliche to dress blondes in pink to make them look delicate. Monserrat will ultimately prove to us that she's really made of steel.
 

Cynderella, girl, you bring new meaning to the concept of "Alejandro doesn't know what we know." You stated clearly and plainly what he knows and it ain't pretty. Well said indeed. I still don't want him boinkin' that 'ho' Maria.

Lila
 

Lila, amiga! "I still don't want him boinkin' that 'ho' Maria."

I am laughing out loud, but agreeing right along with you!!!

I'm sure we will have 100 comments by the end of the day. Yippee!!

Fatima

 

Thank you for this lovely telling of a distinctly unlovely tale, EJ. As usually happens when I arrive late, my favorite parts of your recap have already been cited. But let me repeat that I love the attention you lavished on the "Auntie Mame" and the "fugitive from in-justice and corruption" and the real bond of love that has formed between JL and Angélica. (And "House of Cads" was perfect, as was your dominatrix riff on María.)

Did anyone else notice the scene on the malecón where Alejandro truly lost contact with reality for a moment, thinking that Adolfo was in fact Jose Luis?

Alejandro: Te abrí las puertas de mi casa, te ofrecí mi amistad, y tú, ¿qué hiciste, desgraciado? ¡Llegaste ahí para robarme a mi mujer, para revolcarte con ella en mis narices!
(I opened the doors of my house to you, I offered you my friendship, and you -- what did you do, you bastard? You came here to steal my wife, to screw her right under my nose!)

Adolfo: Alejandro ¿de qué hablas?
(What are you talking about?)

Ale: Para verme la cara de imbécil…
(To make a fool of me…)

Ado: ¡Alejandro, por dios!
(For god's sake!)

Ale: ¿Quieres saber de qué hablo, JOSE LUIS ALVAREZ?
(You want to know what I'm talking about, Jose Luis Alvarez?)

Alejandro punches Adolfo. Adolfo runs away saying:

Ado: Pero yo no soy…
(But I'm not…)

Maria: ¿Quién es Jose Luis Alvarez?
(Who is Jose Luis Alvarez?)
 

Cynderella, very good description of Alejandro's reality.

Jarifa
 

Carlos...You have to understand that when a guy says that he will buy you" new things"....no matter what things you are leaving behind...this is a GOOD THING....not sad...new things...wheeeee !!!! The Can -we -stop- at- the- mall- on -the- way- home kind of happy . Yay yay..happy dance. Didn't you see the sparkle in MALria's eyes when Ale uttered those words? ... sheer joy...and malice.

Well, at least we won't have to look at her wearing her headband beneath her bust anymore. That look got old really fast for me. Maybe she will even buy herself a sparkly headband or seven...maybe a tiara for her new reign of terror at the hacienda. The princess is gone...here comes the Queen of Mean.
 

Can we all at least agree that we don't want those pesky censors taking their scissors to any protracted love-making scene between Alejandro and María tonight? I'm guessing that there won't be any rose petals, candles, Champagne, or chocolate-dipped strawberries. Do they even have a song?

Carlos
 

Wow, Cynderella...Tough Love, baby! I'm still on probation, am I? Sure happy you're not head of my cell block. Sheeesh! I thought I was rather eloquent defending Alejandro's meltdown yesterday. "How soon they forget!"
 

Novelamaven...I still do not understand enough Spanish , so I did not get the conversation between ale and Adolfo. Hmmm..Ale was really out of it at this point.
 

If they do I hope it's a funeral dirge. As to the censors I've said all I can say about them.

Has it occurred to anyone that Juventino's pervy pawing of Maria might be because he knew she isn't a blood relative?

Also, while Padre Anselmo might know that Graceless abandoned a baby he might not know Maria is that baby (if my theory plays out).
 

Carlos...hmmm...a theme song for Ale and Mal. Are you familiar with the song "Super Freak" by Rick James ? I think that it might be a good fit .
 

Didn't Carlos mean it was sad for Montse that he made Montse pack her shit posthaste and earlier forbade her to go shopping for new duds (yeah, I know, it was in the not-so-long ago bad old days before she loved him) but told Maria he'd buy her new stuff. He's hurt and confused. He is turning to Maria for solace and revenge. He knows how Montse felt about Maria so he's gonna dress her up like "see, I can get a fancy dressed woman who loves me and I don't need you." I hope she shows him what a sow's ear she is.

And NovelaMaven! I wondered about that scene! I thought. . is he blaming Dopey for not telling him. . but he actually like freaked out for a minute and thought he was JL! That's deep! Let him freak out on Maria's ass! (No. I don't get tired of bashing this bitch!)

Lila
 

How tragic that after spending most of his life as an orphan, Alejandro has just banished three generations of his family --

His mother

His wife

His child
 

Cyn....I think that you need to visit The Spa of Suspended Disbelief in The Bunker of Ironic Detachment. You and I will get a sandwich, mix up a batch of whiskey sours, have a mani and a pedi, get a massage and a facial. We'll wear those big, fluffy robes and listen to Pitbull. ..or maybe Enya...or Bruno Mars..or Robin thicke....your choice. Everything will be okay.

P.s. I do not want any prepositional phrases happening between Ale and Mal tonight. If there are prepositional phrases other than Malria getting OFF the bed and OUT Of the bedroom , I am going to need more than a fluffy robe tonight.
 

NM...excellent accounting of the three generations expelled from the hacienda....tragic.
 

Maria's theme song could be that old standard that goes "I'll be around, no matter how you treat me now, I'll be around from now on/Your latest love can never last, and when it's past, I'll be around from now on..." And Alejandro could have another Sinatra classic "When I'm not with the one I love, I love the one I'm with..."

But a theme song together for those two?!! NUNCA JAMáS!

Unless it would be that funny "Strange Things Are Happenin' Everyday"
 

EJ: Thanks for the recap, especially the JL telling his story in bullet points.

I was only able to stand watching bits and pieces of this ep until I could read the recap, makes it easier to watch the ep already knowing what to expect. However, I do watch the last five mintues and the avances. Last night was tough, since I was trying to avoid the Maria/Ale scene I saw in the avances for this ep.

I am a little encouraged by the avances for tonight's ep, though.

Welcome, Caryn. As you well know as a lurker, best group ever.

Nanette
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Thanks to all for the kind comments about the recap.

Boy are we an active group this morning! Just finished a little work and I will jump right in as soon as I read comments.

EJ
 

Cyn..."only one person stood in my corner and that was Cynder.....Maria". HA ..I want you in my corner, girl. You are loyal to a fault. But my question to you is....can you stay loyal to Ale if he does some prepositional phrasing with Malria tonight ?
 

At times like these, I remind myself that there will be a happy ending for our couple in Ultimas Capitulos. It helps--not much, but any port in a storm.
 

NovelaMaven, absolutely so well said. Oh my yes, so well said!!!

Fatima
 

Susanlynn:

I too hope Monse keeps someone with her at all times. I want Monse to have a healthy, pregnancy, but it looks like it won't be a happy one. Sigh! I don't want to see poor Monse subject to slaps and head dings anymore for that witch! I wish Lauro could see Gracie do that to Monse. Then maybe he'd kick her out. Here's hoping.

Cyn:

I will take your words under advisement, but as you know, my recap is my own and I will do as I see the episode and as I see fit : )

And by the by, the tables on this Patio are open and free to everyone sans commitments and pledges. We are free to roam wherever we please and paper bags are available to those that wish to use them ; )
 

Dearest Elna June, your recap is a brilliant brew of objective observation, scintillating snark, and your uncanny ability to find HUMOR in a frustrating episode. That said, I really enjoyed this episode for the cathartic scenes at Aunti Mame Anti-Prudie's house, and the insertion of dark humor throughout.

I loved: "At The Good Witch Glinda’s House" because any reference to the Wizard of Oz is appreciated. Thank you.

"House of Cads" is also hilarious. I like to say it with a Boston accent.

Some (but definitely not all) of my fave quotes: "but his love horoscope right now looks excellent, but unstable" and "The various servants scuttle around the Hacienda like cockroaches trying to avoid RAID." LOL!!!

"The screams of the denizens of the Patio and Bunker can be heard all the way to DF." Yes, I was screaming all right, but it was mostly in laughter. 1) How stupidly predictable of Ale. I for one can't wait for the moment when he hands Maria Montse's precious nightie and asks Maria to role play. Where will our misguided Dominatrix be then? Dominated by the memory of Montserrat, that's where. Couldn't happen to a more deserving BM.
2)The scene between Ale and Ado (as so well explained by NovelaMaven). It truly was hilarious. Am I going to have to start calling Ale "addled" as well?

Susanlynn, the boys are already on their way over to construct our Spa of Suspended Disbelief. I'm not a spa sort of girl either, so our spa will feature soothing music, calming teas, and neck massages upon request. Oh, and dark chocolate of course. If anybody wants a mani-pedi or a seaweed wrap I'm sure we can work something out.
 

Mads, is having a senior moment! Don't listen to her. Unless undying loyalty for Alex is first declared, you may not sit COMFORTABLY at the Alex table. Keep it moving folks. I've explained why the poor boy has trust issues. He doesn't need forewarned fans at his table.
 

Sorry, I can't wait until I read all the comments before I start posting my own. I'm impatient on my best days--but today I've gone epic.


I’d like to think that Ale stops himself because he’s still in love with Mons and doesn’t want to use Maria. I want him to take the moral highground.

I know that there is baggage from our rearing that stays with us all our lives. But we also have to do our best to overcome or at least not let it rule us in order to be the great person we can be. Maria hasn’t done that and that’s why I consider her bad. I don’t care how spoiled or cossetted she may have been and how much she loves Ale and circumstances beyond her control closed the door on them being together, that ship has passed and she needs to accept it and move on (I’m into nautical sayings today, it seems). I’m sure UA and Vivi could explain it more eloquently than I can.

I’m wondering if Dim is Ben’s son (the love of Gracie’s life—as much as she can be capable of love) and Mons is Lauro’s daughter, a man she despises, and that’s one of the reasons why she hates Mons. Of course, there’s also the whole Mons is young and pretty thing.

 

I am starting to think of our beloved recappers as first responders now that this novela is getting so hard to watch.
 

Fairweather not forewarned. Well, maybe forewarned would be the appropriate word.
 

"But Refugio walks in, at just the perfect moment, to say to Robledo and JL, “Fui yo.” He was the one who killed the officer—in self-defense. It was a set up. The cop shot him first, to kill."

Well yes, but the officer who shot and was shot was doing his job escorting JL to Mexico City when Refugio (part of the escort) got the drop on him in an attempt for JL to escape. The officer was murdered during an escape attempt. I don't see how Robelado can cut him much slack because it was self-defense since it was during an act of mutiny.

Carlos
 

Taking your fine comments in order...

Judy B: I am so glad you enjoyed some of the recap even if the episode was rotten. Gracias for your appreciation. From you, it means a lot.

UA: You are very kind to appreciate those little bits of my work. I though you might get a little smile out of my reference to Adolfo's possible preferences. Big smile. Praise from a fellow recapper is the highest,¿No?

AuntyAnn: Yep, Maria is about to be objectified as Vivi warned us might happen yesterday. I am not sure she will care at first but it will cause her great pain down the line.

Adriana Noel: Funny how Alejandro's behavior made some of us want to shake him until his teeth rattle while others of us want to offer him real support. I think he would be lucky to have you at this table—supporting the man, Alejandro, not his idiotic and (self) destructive behavior.

Susanlynn: I'll try out the spa. I keep being told that I need to take better care of myself and I would be very anxious to go to such a place alone, but maybe I could learn to like pampering. Like JudyB, I am not too comfortable with the mani/pedi/massage scene. but I am always open to learning and I cannot think of a more fun group with whom to practice 'receiving'. I am quite able to separate television from 'real' life, but this TN has taken my television-watching anxiety to an all time high.

I love your concept of temporary setback. It allows for all the changes that are sure to come. Wise, wise JudyB. Thank you.

Daisynjay: You are so welcome. Like you, I have been a very harsh critic of JL. But I enjoyed him last night, both with Capitan Robledo and with the lovely Angelica. She has lent him true courage rather than just macho bravado.

Lila: Thanks for your kind words. Like you, I hated hearing the words, "From now on you will be my mujer." I did not translate 'mujer' as 'wife' in this context, even though he is making Maria dueña of la hacienda.

I remind Alejandro—You already have a wife, mister,even if you don't much like or trust her right now.

Pasofino: Thanks for your comments. I cannot think of what is left for anyone to use to blackmail Montse, BU she could be manipulated by all who use Lauro's health as a weapon over her head. I hope she gets sick of this and just starts telling it straight.

EJ

 

Susanlynn, yes I can and will remain loyal. I understand that she is the only person that he he has...he thinks.
 

Sylvia...thanks for sending the remodeling guys over speedy quick. Hey,, maybe if we don't want the full massage , we could have a small area like in our local mall where you can just take a seat and get your shoulders, neck, and back massaged. I have always been too chicken to give it a try. I am a little shy about strangers touching me. also, I am afraid that a former student will pass by and yell "Hey , Mrs. **** , what are you doing there ?"...like my last mammogram where the technician was a former high school student of mine or my dentist..also a former student. Anyway, only Caraycaray members in the spa, right ? Then, I can relax and let my guard down.
 

....but , Cyn...Are you really going to be able to still support her if he prepositional phrases her?....I mean???Eww and Ick.


Remember the way Addled morphed into studmuffin Aje in MALria's little mind when they were prepsitioning? Does that mean that tonight when Mal dons Bunny's tiny nighty that AddledAle will see Bunny's beautiful face while doing the deed ? Oh noes.
 

..whoops..that was ..support Him...I know that you do not support her. I need to proofread.
 

Susanlynn, if everyone has betrayed him, he will return to the Most trusted of the untrusted. She is first on his list. Hopefully his mother will reveal herself soon.
 

Susanlynn, Hopefully he'll start throwing his wife around a little more.
 

Carlos, I also seem to recall that Refugio's victim was only doing his job and was not part of the cover up, nor had anything to do with jailing JL in the first place. Ah well, the story must move forward and we (most of us anyway) like the Refu/Esme story line.

Susanlynn, I've heard acupressure on the hands can be very pleasant and not too scary. And you are correct, only patio denizens allowed in our spa. Your stories are hilarious. My sis teaches high school French and has similar stories.
 

Fatima: you are so right that trust was never part of their relationship. In order for them to be a strong committed couple, they are going to have to start over and build trust first. Lay all cards on the table. Tell the complete truth of everything that has happened before now and what is going to happen in their lives before they reconcile. Otherwise, this is a relationship I can’t see surviving past the Gran Finale. And I like to imagine my TN heroes’ and heroines’ lives after the GF.

I always wondered why everybody else’s conversations with Padre A are kept confidential except Virgie’s.

I don’t want Ros to tell Ale she’s his mother any time soon. Another woman lying to him would be too much for him.

Susanlynn: The last Saturday of the month I get a reflexology massage—love it. I used to get regular pedicures, too. Loved that. I like having my feet massaged—it’s a Pisces thing.

Someone mentioned about Maria and Pervie maybe having an incestuous relationship. I’m sure it was a joke. But does anyone think that could really be a possibility?

Wondering what the Ale/JL first meeting after the truth is out is going to be like.
 

Susanlynn, in college, my ex co-worker got drunk with a complete stranger, went streaking with people and ended up doing some freaky things with the stranger. My friend has a very unusual name. She left a message for one of our customers. He called back and reminded her of where they had met and what they had done. MOR TI FIED! She got off of the phone in tears because he was her client on a big commercial real estate deal. Funny!
 

I don't think that Maria actually did the deed with Juventino. She has demonstrated better taste than that. I'm sure that if he would have tried anything more than we saw with her she would have doused him with ice water the first time and bashed him the second.

What I think is that she is an adopted foundling so Juve knew she wasn't his blood relation. He just couldn't do anything about that until Gaspar was dead.
 

Nanette..I have never had any type of massage except a foot massage from Hub after standing and teaching for several hours. I enjoy that very much. I know two people who went into the practice of reflexology. I do my own pedicures.

Sylvia, when I told my friend Pat who was an English teacher at our high school about the mammography person telling me over and over again that I looked familiar, she told me that I was her worse nightmare.

Cyn..and the moral of that story is...never ever get drunk and go streaking and freakin with strangers no matter how perfect they may be...streaking and freaking should only bed done with close personnel friends.

life is just as strange as fiction. This morning in our local newspaper' advice column ,I read a letter from a 22 year old who was having an affair with her mother's sister's husband .
 

No..."I" am not my friend Pat's worst nightmare..."it" is her worst nightmare...although, sometimes, I probably AM Patsy's worst nightmare....I MUST proofread.
 

On worst nightmares, picture this. A guy scootched way down on the surgical table for his vasectomy, and the nurse assisting, saying "Ohmigosh, Bill, aren't you OUR mailman?"

True story. Happened here. Guy chose to change his route afterwards.
 

Judyb...YIKES
 

UA: I'm liking your idea about Maria and Ale being sibs iand hope it's true. Means Ale won't do the nasty with her (TN rules) and it's got to be HER worst nightmare when she finds out. The love of her life, her brother. I'm laughing.
 

Oh, Blogger ate a very long comment and then kept me off teh site for one half an hour.

Bad behavior, Blogger.

Please consider that I send you my thanks for any comments you made. I cannot retrieve my long message so I guess I will just join in the comment stream.

Lo siento,

EJ
 

Elna June - Thanks. Loved it all. You gave us the details and buffered our hurt feelings as well.

My highlights: Montse taking Rosario with her and Tia knowing she is Ale’s mother; they’ll find strength in each other. That kiss JL gave Angie was special - shows that while he may not be in love with her yet, he certainly does cherish her.

Ale just had THE BOMB dropped on him, but he's always been more insecure than I thought he should be. He grew up poor and good-looking and worked hard on the estate and to get a degree. Yes, Montse was out of his league cause she comes from old money, but the day the Arechigas first came to visit Ale was TOO proud of Montse for me. So now Ale feels all the fairy dust Montse sprinkled on him was a lie and everybody is laughing at him. I know he's hurt, but he just cares too much about what others think for me. But then maybe not, cause folks will certainly talk about the lowlife that tossed his pregnant wife out yesterday and replaced her with the maid the next.

 

Nanette that was me saying outright that I think Juvie and BM had an incestuous relationship. I said it in the heat of anger and outrage at the previews. I don't take it back. The writers maybe wouldn't be so bold as to outright state it but I loathe her so much I suggested that the foot massaging, hair-combing and swapping slob in the liquor were meant to imply it as strongly as they dared.

You know what, does the character Maria have to be such a bitch? couldn't she have been the childhood friend who loved Ale since they were knee-high to chickens but warm and sisterly to the other house staff? Not perfect but written more sympathetically? She could still appeal to her and Ale's friendship and try to seduce him even but just not be a lying, conniving, thieving 'ho'? Then maybe some of us besides Carlos could defend her and have a real debate as to who should get Ale. Just a thought.

Lila
 

JudyB:

I would be delighted to join you at the table in the Bunker of Temporary Setbacks.

I do not know that I have any wisdom to impart but I am sure we will share a deep and lovely conversation. Some hugs would be good, too.

EJ
 

EJ...I could not reach Caraycaray for about half an hour, too. Sorry that you lost your post. I will bet that it was filled with great observations.
 

Lila, I sense that you are feeling animosity towards Maria. ;-)
 

Carlos and Diana:

I feel for the character of Alejandro's pain. Such a betrayal would be hideous to experience or heal from.

But I also completely concur with your assessment of Ale's overall behavior:

'He has acted the part of a petty, albeit somewhat benevolent, despot.'

I can feel for Alejandro pain and still reject his destruction behavior. We humans have the capacity to hold ambiguity. I believe there is a Christian maxim that encourages us to "Hate the sin but love the sinner."

Hate is a bit of a strong word here for me and I cannot call Ale's behavior 'sinful', but I think the idea is similar to the one I am trying (poorly) to express.

If Alejandro was my friend I would feel very sad for him right now, but I would also feel sad for the experience of Montserrat.

I do not see wither of them as true victims. They each have command of far too many resources for that to be true, IMHO.

EJ


 

Lila: I agree with you. I think there's a distinct possibility there was some hanky panky going on there. Doesn't make it any better if Maria is Ale's sib, which I think is an even greater possibility. She wouldn't have known that she wasn't blood related to Juvie. I think she's very capable of getting that down and dirty.
 

EJ: well said. Neither of them are villains, but both of them are culpable.
 

I had some site problems, too, but just used that time to get some stuff done for my opera group.

This story is the stuff of opera.

Even if there is no blood tie between Maria and Juventino that relationship could have been socially and emotionally incestuous. As this indicates, the legal definition of incest also includes relations of affinity (via adoption or step-siblings).
 

Lila,

I have yet to actually see this episode, but I can feel your pain. My heart does not want to watch, but my head knows I have to.

After laughing at some of the comments, and gasping at others, even my husband said, you have to watch, you know you're going to watch it. My husband is not watching this TN with me, but he knows that I am hooked.

Several commented on a scene where Ale is crying while clutching one of Montse's nighty's. I am definitely going to need some Kleenex, and a shot of something, whether it's espresso or tequila. I really hope, like some of you, that all of this with Ale is just a dream. He just needs to wake up from the nightmare that is BM. I will have a double dose tonight (watching Thursday's epi, then tonight's), Cynderella, I might need you to hold my hand...

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Just joined the Six Minutes Club (sans audio since I'm at work). Phew!!! Steamy stuff!!!
 

EJ...I think that sometimes you can love someone and not necessarily like them or their actions, behavior, decisions, ideas, words, attitudes. Unconditional love doesn't mean you have to like everything the person does or is.

I think that Rosario loves Ale unconditionally, but she does not like the way he is behaving right now.
 

Carlos,
When you said this, "It would not surprise me to see her recognize at some point that his Destiny is Montserrat and help make it happen." I thought you had gone off the deep end, wait you ARE off the deep end, with BM right beside you! Wake Up, and smell the crap that comes out of BM's mouth every time she opens it. BM will NEVER help Ale get back together with Montse...NEVER!!!

BTW, I have the perfect song for Ale and BM. The 'Imperial March' from Star Wars. They play it every time Darth Vadar or one of the evil Emperor's is on the screen. How fitting!
 

Cynderella, I'm still waiting for my membership card at Ale's table. Have you not seen me begging in my first comment, up the page?

Elna June, yeah, I mostly feel pity for Ale, even if asking Maria to be his mujer was a bit much.
His entire world has been turned upside down, he's all alone, so he goes to the only person he thinks will love him unconditionally.
And, because he is a man, he has to tend to his ego by basically using a very willing Maria as a warm body. Not pretty to see, but he wouldn't be a telenovela galan if he didn't make stupid decisions.
 

I just began watching this telenovela a few weeks ago as sort of my advanced Spanish tutorial. I look at this blog the day after the show so I can find out what sailed past me. Then I go view/listen to the recording again to try to understand what I missed.

Some impressions of the novela are:

Real gut-wrenching anguish from the protagonistas. Reminds me somewhat of similar scenes of Tony and Carmela from the Sopranos.

Refugio and Jose Luis remind me of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne from Dumb and Dumber. ‘Nuff said.

Does anyone believe that Angelica is really sick as she has the body of a Pilates instructor?
 

Hey y'all I had trouble to around 2:00 EST. Maybe we crashed the site. . .the posts were coming in pretty rapid fire! Hee Hee! Poor Mr. Lila, when I groaned "oh no!" he thought something was really wrong. Ah, guys, love the range of opinions and the rich and varied ways they are expressed, like this: "So now Ale feels all the fairy dust Montse sprinkled on him was a lie and everybody is laughing at him. " Nice, Niecie! I think back to how Ale held his temper in check with the extortion/loans to Gracie, covering Dim's betting loss and other details I'm not as good remembering. He clenched his jaw and swallowed the gall many times. This was just too much. I'm glad Macario and Dominga are still at the hacienda: they and perhaps the ADD-d Padre will bring our boy around. . .but not for a long while. ED! ED! ED!

Lila
 

I hope Nanette is right: "I’d like to think that Ale stops himself because he’s still in love with Mons and doesn’t want to use Maria. I want him to take the moral highground."
And I think the advance shows a hesitation on Ale's part when he is about to complete the union with Maria. I hope he pulls back and throws Maria out of the bed!
 

Cyn..I just found your comments over at the Mentir table. I get confused , too, as I bounce from one novela recap to the other.

For the first time ever, I am interested in three novelas. I really just surf into and out of Mentir and Siempre, and I sometimes get the characters and plots confused. I watch the whole episodes of Robo , so I do not miss much of the action there except the dialogue. I still only understand bits and pieces of the conversations.
 

Loved this very creative re-cap!!

Does Jose Louis have a table, if so I've been at it from the first episode, and I've never forgotten how Ale treated Montse from the very first day of their marriage. I think she should be glad to be out of there, and she be looking for a good alternative to returning home to Mommie Dearest!

I think Ale deserves Maria personally....Good looks just don't go very far with me when I find a character controlling, ungrateful and arrogant.
 

Amen anon at 4:19. I'll take moral high ground or ED!

Welcome Oxnard Huero. Yah, Angela has a smokin' body! I believe she is really sick but maybe true love might win her a long remission. That would be great.

EJ, Urban, anyone . . .isn't the Loreto murder an anvil hanging over JL and Angie. It's like everybody's forgotten it.

Lila
 

Welcome Oxnard Huero! Your comments and perspective are interesting, especially about our poor Angie. So far she only looks sick when she cries.

Anon, Jose Luis DOES have a table. It usually has a lot of seats available, but lately it has been more crowded. In fact, I think a couple of days ago we moved the JL and Angie tables together.

I for one am not going to hold my breath hoping that Ale takes the moral high ground, so to speak. I think he's been a right jerk to both Montse and Bitch Maria. BM is just too stupid to know it.

ITA that Montse should be looking for alternative digs. She should make her own life which would be a first for her. Come on woman, get some independence!
 

Dear Oxnard Huero:

You are so welcome to the blog. We are a diverse bunch with some strong opinions but we treat one another with great humor, kindness and respect. On an open Blog? Amazing, isn't it?

I love your comments about Angie's physique. When JL was carrying her the other day, I noticed a solid lean slab of muscle around her waist. She DOES have the body of a Pliates instructor or a dancer.

(EJ hums the Wizard of Oz, song, "If I only had a waist...". Or was that a brain? Hmmm.

Do comment often. We enjoy ourselves here very much.

Elna June
 

Sylvia:

Just fantasizing here, and I think Vivi and/or Julia said it already, but..

Let's get Montse sent to University. It would get her out of both poisonous houses, give her some purpose and allow her to support her expected hijo.

I am pretty ready to leave Ale to Maria for the time being.

EJ


 

Lila:

The Loreto murder (some here have called it a justifiable homicide)is absolutely an outstanding ACME anvil.

Should Ale really go to the dark side, he was a witness to JL killing Loreto. That act saved Ale's life, but he is pretty destructive right now and he wanted to kill JL.

This is a major anvil hanging over JL's head and that is on Pedro's watch.

Let's just say I am not sanguine about this little situation.

Carlos, have you seen any new Telnovela Miracle Cancer Cures out there? I want Angie to LIVE!

EJ


 

Yes! Higher education for Montse as previously motioned and seconded here.

I feel confident if we just let Ale and Maria have at it they will eventually become bored and disillusioned with each other. Maybe I'm just being optimistic.
 

I go to a few meetings, and when I finally get a chance to read the comments, there are 130?! Is this the most consistently hot-topic show we've ever had?

Thanks ever so muchisimo for the recap, Elna June. A perfect antidote to the poison and pain of the episode itself. I plan to appropriate "House of Cads". Loved your divination of Maria's true calling, also. Maybe she can get a job in the basement of Esme's club?

I have nothing to add, except that Ale has outed himself as a LIAR. All this time he claimed he saw Maria as a sister. Well, if that were true, he would NEVER have thought to make her his mujer, not for revenge, not as a substitute/blowup doll to pretend is Montse, not for anything. Maybe he would have found someone else for that role, but not Maria. So apparently he doesn't consider her really a sister and Montse was right to be worried that the possibility of that affair wasn't entirely in Maria's mind.
 

Telenovela Miracle Cancer Cures: I have one wacky acquaintance (who is studying to be a naturopathic physician and will surely bring no credibility to that profession) who is always suggesting "earthing" as a cure for all kind of ills. Basically it is just walking on the grass barefoot. She seriously suggested this as a cure for a friend who was suffering from SEVERE stress and gastrointestinal bleeding.

I guess it could work in a telenovela.
 

Thanks EJ! Sylvia, optimism is good! Maybe it's best for the two of them to explore this aspect of their relationship and get this out of the way so it's no longer something between him and Montse. I'm feeling better! Notice I didn't even call Maria a bitch!

;D Lila
 

Welcome Oxnard.

I like someone's idea of Mons moving in with Fina.

Amor Bravio got quite a lot of traffic, but I don't know if it got consistently 100+ comments like this one is starting to get.
 

Julia:

Whoa. Earthing. This just goes to show that folks in Seattle are way cooler that folks in Northern California. I have never even heard of 'earthing'.

The cure would definitely favor the suburban and rural telenovela dweller. It's cheap but for the millions who live in high rises in DF the grass might be a bit hard to come by in their apartments.

Would Astro-turf serve as a reasonable substitute? Would that then be "plasticing" and not earthing at all? But if plastic is a petroleum product and petrol comes from the earth does that make 'plasticing' a possible healing practice? Should I get out some old Tupperware and try it right now?

Do you think it might work for chronic migraine headaches?

EJ
 

Earthing...OK that is a first for me.

EJ, who knew we in NCal were so far behind? I thought we were ahead of the game with "spacing". I guess we (as in me not you) space cadets are now passe.
 

Sylvia..Three local school districts are putting on "Wizard of Oz" , and I personally know one of the ompaloompas.
 

Wow EJ..your musings about high rises and DF just brought back a miserable memory of Paris. Mind you, most of my memories are great. But by the time I got ready to leave, after a year, I was sick of the 24 hour noise, the crowded grope-mobiles called Metros and most of all, I missed grass! The kind you walk on. There are some lovely parks in Paris but you aren't supposed to walk on the grass, ever.... but rather keep to the pathways. I was soooo ready to come home (it was my second year in Europe, though only one year in Paris, which might have been a factor also). But yes, give me forests, give me grass, gives me some hills and dales. Happy to be able to "earth" a little in my backyard when I please.
 

Same woman (who actually lives in Portland) also claims that if you have a "strong constitution", you can't get HPV or cervical cancer. She is an interesting character. And she makes fun of anyone else who suggests a treatment for someone else's problems, because they are not doctors like her, silly them, so they don't know anything (even if their advice is "this is what my doctor told me to do for the same problem you are having, and it worked for me").
 

What is "spacing"? Will it cure my aching joints?

The lack of nature is something I acutely feel every day when I'm downtown at work. Not only that, but the lack of COLOR. So much of downtown is gray and beige. It's always a relief when I go home to my residential neighborhood and everything is different colors.
 

Julia, "spacing", as in "spacing out". I think it's the NCal way of getting grounded but in the other direction. (And, ahem, I just made it up.)

Susanlynn, Do you mean munchkin? Aren't Oompaloompas part of the chocolate factory? Juarever, I would happily go see three versions of The Wizard of Oz.
 

Julia..Lack of color is what is affecting me right now. I live in the country, but everything outside right now is white, grey, and brown. I need color. I need warmth. I need spring. I need to wear less than three layers of clothing . Barefoot? I usually only see my feet for a moment as I quickly pull off my socks before getting into the fleece sheets. Sorry......I just heard that more snow is predicted tonight, and The Farmers' Almanac is predicting a cold and snowy February. Maybe Ale will have a little ED tonight and cheer me up.
 

Loreto's death is part of what's hanging over JL. The first shooting, and.... I'm blanking on the one in between.
 

That's with regard to the three times he saved Alejandro's life. There is also the military lieutenant shot and killed by Refugio.
 

Oh, spacing out. I do that all the time. Now that I know it's therapeutic, maybe I can get a prescription for it and justify doing it at work!

Susanlynn, sometimes in the winter I go to the gym and sit in the sauna just to get out of the layers of clothes without freezing. And it isn't even really all that cold here. I need to move to the tropics, clearly. Warmth and color every day.
 

"Maybe Ale will have a little ED tonight and cheer me up."

Oh my, that's why I come here. I'm going to be smiling about that deep thought all night. Regardless of what goes up or down with Alejandro!
 

yes, Sylvia...I got my little people mixed up, and sadly, I know no munchkins. One of the local groups is putting on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and I do know one of the oompaloompas personally. ---Susanlynn, watching a news report on S.A.D. And coping with the winter blues and blahs

Hey, on top of everything else , Ipad just changed my spelling to oompah oompah.

As to your explanation of "spacing out"..please see above.
 

I agree; that would be a downer that is really an upper.
 

EJ, I agree that at this point neither Ale or Monse are victims. In fact, they have caused most of their (adult) problems. Yet they whine and cry about how unfair it all is. I hope it doesn't take all the remaining episodes for them to grow up.

Did someone say there was chocolate? Where? Count me in!
Marea Primavera
 

Julia...Please join us in the Spa of Suspended Disbelief...I think that we will add a sauna at your suggestion. Sylvia...Can your guys do saunas? Wow...I will have so many new experiences...reflexology! pedis! manis! facials, sauna...I have never had any of those things...wow.....I am really pushing the envelope..well! at least in cyberspace. In reality..mostly the same old same old..but I am not complaining . ..I like foot rubs. Realitywise, I usually stay with what I know.
 

Hmm..okay..university for Mony. What will her major be ? She is going to need some career counseling. A double major , perhaps, to cover more bases.
 

Adrianna Noel, tonite I will forward you the requirements for members of the Alejandro Ride or Die club. I am not at a lap top right now. JUNEB or Aunty Ann might have the swearing in documents that you will have to sign and attest to. Please don't share the paperwork or the secret handshake with others. Certain people get upset in this phorum. There initials begin with Mads and Novella Maven.....don't tell them that I said that.
 

I still have a supply of Russell Stover from the Christmas sale; one box is sugar-free. Also some Ghirardelli squares. First-come, first served.

It's about time we found out more about Pedro's nefarious schemes. The nearly double-length of this story vs the previous versions has to be because of this and the stories of the other couples.

The title definitely refers to JL's losses, the lack of proper parenting of our protagonists and Josefina, the losses felt by Rosario, Nadia, Victor, Angelica, and Refugio.

Sounds like the padre should send for reinforcements.
 

I have heard great things about hammams and Korean spas, where you get a SERIOUS scrubbing and then you get to soak in a nice warm pool as long as you like. I've never been brave enough to try one, but maybe I could get up the nerve, especially if we have the cooties of seeing even an ALMOST Ale/Maria pairing to get off. Perhaps we could add one of those to the spa?
 

Thanks UA! Russell Stover, Ghiradelli chocolates - so good! Chocolate will make almost anything better.
Marea Primavera
 

Plain Hersey's chocolate bar is my fav though, now that I'm vegan, I can't have it anymore.
 

Back when I still ate chocolate, I would always get Endangered Species dark chocolate mint bars. Those were my favorite. I also loved Frangos and truffles from Seattle Chocolates.

I worked in a candy and frozen yogurt shop in the summer when I was in college. We sold a lot of kinds of truffles that were made right there in the shop. The best ones were madademica fra angelico in white chocolate. I don't normally even like white chocolate that much, but those were so good. I will bring some to the bunker/spa.


 

Julia..sure??we can add that to the sis. I will contact Sylvia's guys. I think I saw one of those serious scrubbing spas in a James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice., or was it Richard chamberlin getting the scrubbing and soaking in "Shogun?"

The nice thing about dark chocolate and red wine is that now they say they are actually good for you. win..win.

I love Hershey's chocolate bar with almonds. When I was a young mommy on a tight budget!, I would take ten dollars on my birthday and stretch it as far as I could in personal decadence and luxury....a Hershey bar, a magazine, and a pair of very cheap earrings. Lifestyles of the rich and famous. That ten dollar splurge made me feel like queen for a day...and a little selfish. Hershey's has a big amusement park with everything Candy . You can tour the factory. I went there with Girl Scouts when I was a kid and the intense chocolate smell for the half hour tour gave me a stomachache. the park is especially fun at Christmas....Candy Kane Lane...rides! lights! Candy! Santa.
 

Sis...???...spa...I forgot to proofread again.

I can't concentrate wondering if Ale and Mal will do the nasty orAle will have a failure to launch. I am hoping for the second scenario.
 

I'm with ya Susanlynn! And I actually do feel better thanks to the Caray Nation!

Lila
 

Maybe a pregnancy could put Ange's cancer into remission. I feel like that is possible in Telenovelalandia. And JL would realize he is really truly in love with her, and her parents would be so grateful for the pregnancy saving her (and the bonus grandbaby) that they would be JL's biggest fans.
 

Susanlynn: I remember seeing a documentary when I was in grade school (60s) about a school kids tour of the Hersey factory. They used to show it every year. It was my fav.
 

Nanette, thank you for the shout out! :))

To all who have recommended that Montserrat go to school, etc., I wholeheartedly agree!

She needs to do something for OTHERS so that she can stop thinking about herself. She needs to do this not only for herself, but for that baby she is carrying. I do not have children, but I think that one's state of mind during pregnancy can affect the health of the child (I think I read this somewhere, too).

Anywho, she is going to have to do something to get her mind in focus and to foil every one of the Serpent's (her mother) evil tricks.

Fatima
 

Nanette...It is a paradise for kids and chocolate lovers.There is also Hotel Hershey, a grand old hotel with a spa . Everything is centered on chocolate.
 

Wow, a chocolate factory! I thought that was just a movie. I must have been living under a rock. I've got to go there as soon as it warms up.

We learn so much with this blog - thanks Susanlynn!
Marea Primavera
 

Susanlynn, my guys can definitely build a sauna. I helped my father build one years ago and it's still going strong.

Julia, I remember you telling us once before about your great summer job. I can get behind chocolate and frozen yogurt. Our local famous chocolate is Ghirardelli, but no hotel and no spa. Maybe we can add chocolate facials to our spa menu.
 

Wow; 169 comments? I think last night's episode should get at least as many.
 

Yes, Hershey is a happening place. There is also an arena next to the park where we saw a hockey game, Disney princesses on Ice, Hall and Oates, Stevie Nicks, and Don Henley, and Michael McDonald . I think someone once told me that the street lights are shaped likeHershey kisses....or maybe I just dreamed that. Milton Hershey was also a philanthropist who founded a school for orphans.

Can't wait to read the Friday recap. myohmyohmy.
 

Ditto Susanlynn. I thought of you last night when Alejandro made some decisions. Normally I wouldn't even be up to watch it but my friend came over....she fell asleep several times during the episode but I was WIDE AWAKE and on the edge of my seat!