Caray, Caray!

Greetings to all Santa Diablitos in Viewerville. Here is the link to last week in case you need to refer back to recap info etc....

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=25394992&postID=5095084287501534644

As I said before, Happy Dia de Los Trey Reyes to all. I have my Rosca de Reyes bread and will be having some with a little Mexican chocolate tonight. Cheers to all of you who are celebrating tambien.
 

DId they finally show Bella Calamidades on Telemundo and I missed it?
 

Audrey, maybe someone else can confirm this, but I believe they did show Bella Calamidades during the day. I think Jean and maybe Mads were watching it. Unfortunately, they aren't around today, so we can't ask them.

Were you hoping to catch it? Bummer.
 

Well, yeah, a few years ago - Telemundo never premiered it in the US, even though it was Telemundo's top selling TN overseas. I saw some bits and it looked hilarious. I always felt robbed......

But I haven't watched Telemundo's for a long time now.
 

OMG! What an episode!
 

Sara, that was quite good, wasn't it?
The moment when Santa went after Santi, practically jumping his bones in the Cano's lobby and then in the office, just so she can forget about her feelings for Humberto - PRICELESS!

 

I am going to go on record to say I do not like Santi. Granted, I haven't seen as much as the rest of you, but his constant air of....I don't know...he just always seems so beat down and on the brink of tears. I don't like it. Not that Santa is my fave either. I think I'm Team Alicia.

I feel really bad for Victoria and Ivan right now. :-(
 

Sara, most of us here have already talked about Santi being so whiny and unlikable. So, even if you didn't watch that much, you are just like us.
And Santa isn't a favorite, either, although I must confess I find her a thousand times better with Humberto than with Santi.
 

Santa Diabla, Monday, January 6 -- just a quick run-through, not in order:

Begoña reproaches Ulises for getting caught and tells him he has to finish what he started. (Oh ho!)

Pancho stands up Lucy, seeking refuge instead with Ulises. Eventually Lucy tracks him down. Thwap!

Santa follows Willy Jr's speech therapist to Bert's office. Aha! She should have known! He is smugly sure she is falling in love with him.

Lisette is just leaving Bert's office when Santa arrives. Lisette has enlisted his help in getting her child back.

Bert must pull some strings because a few scenes later, Lisette shows up at Mara's house with a state's attorney, an officer, and a court order and takes possession of the baby.

Arturo, who has discovered that the doctor who diagnosed his son was a fake -- and that Petra was fired from her last job for stealing drugs -- will have to go to the police with his story of Lisette's crimes. But he has a priest as a witness!

Mara gives her blessing to Elisa's relationship with Lázaro.

Clueless Barbara is still whining to Bert about getting Daniela out of rehab. He isn't listening.

Willy confides to Paula that he is going to use Alicia as a weapon to get at the Cano family, especially Barbara.

Willy is ready to go home from the hospital. He is surprised to learn that his bill has been paid. (We know Bert paid, but Willy and Paula are in the dark.)

Alicia visits Patricio in jail and cons him into telling her what he is holding over Bert's head (Franco's death and Bert's dealings with him).

She later confronts Bert: She has proof of his money laundering (she hacked into his computer) and she knows he swindled Franco out of all his money and then buried him alive. Bert has three choices: he can go to jail; he can kill Alicia; or he can come over to her side and help her bring Francisca Cano to her knees. In public!

Santi and Inés have the strange sensation that someone has been watching them all day.

Santa seeks out Santi at the Cano house. "Bésame. Bésame como la primera vez." The two melt into each other's arms and begin to shed clothing as they make their way to the study. Unfortunately their ardor is cooled when Inés appears on the threshold and vows to see Santa jailed for George's murder.

Santa leaves. Inés still thinks she is being watched. Santi wanders through the spooky house. Is someone hiding upstairs?

Victoria and Iván are happily setting up their new furniture when the first edition of his book arrives. It is called "Mi Victoria." What??? The intimate details of her sad story are out there for all the world to see! She is devastated, as is Iván, who had been certain the names in the book would be changed. He rips the book apart.
 

Thanks NovelaMaven. I know Bert was ruined at one point. Is that why his bufete always seems like it's after hours? That's just an eerily empty office.

Ivan wasn't sent the final draft for approval? Or better, he didn't change the names from the get go? A little odd IMO. Who benefits from it all being out in the open?
 

Sara,

The details of the ruin of G-Cano kind of run together for me. But basically, the Venganza Girls -- Paula, Santa and Begoña struck a series of blows, airing some of the dirty laundry, especially concerning the Willy Sr conspiracy, and the firm imploded.

Iván wasn't writing a novel. He was just recording his raw experience in a journal he kept in prison. For some odd reason, he allowed Hortensia (Arturo's late and unlamented dragon-lady ma) to read his journal. She took it upon herself to send it, as is, to some publishers. She must have done all the negotiating. Iván told HER he wanted the names changed. We have to assume that she, acting as his agent, chose not to respect his wishes.

This particular subplot is particularly weak in all kinds of ways, of course. And even if the names in the book had been changed, the details were so telling that the end result would have been the same.

By the way, as Adriana says, some of us do consider Santi kind of a dud. :)
 

Ok. That explains it. I had remembered that at the beginning he was writing a novel so I didn't realize Mi Victoria was his journal. Why was Ivan in prison?
 

You know how the judicial system works in Marrero, Sara. Iván had been convicted of murdering Victoria's brother, corrupt police chief Carlos Colletti, although, in fact, Patricio was guilty of the crime.

Victoria believed that Iván was guilty and left him mouldering in his cell. It was not her finest hour.
 

Muchas gracias, NovelaMaven, for the recap that is both succinct and covers all the high/low points.

When Lisette rained on Arturo and Mara's celebration, I assumed that she had a forged order. But I suppose Bert could have arranged for her to get a real one. If people can fly across the ocean in an hour (as we've seen in other telenovelas), I guess he could get a legitimate court order in a matter of minutes. Of course, if the whole business goes to trial, that adds several more episodes to this already overextended telenovela (IMHO) and gives Lisette another chance to kill Padre Milton.

Though I wouldn't be unhappy if the telenovela ended sooner rather than later, I think the Alicia thread is still promising, both her wish to enlist Humberto in her venganza against her mother (and his) and her relationship with Willy (both he and she plan to use each other to achieve their own ends, but who knows what might happen?)

My guess is that that VERY appreciative hug that Pancho gave Ulises was prompted by more than Ulises' good advice.

What's not yet clear to me is the plot that Begoña and Ulises have planned. I'm assuming that Begoña is the chief planner, esp. since it's not clear that Ulises has any reason to plot against anyone except perhaps Patricio. Is the plan merely a continuation of "Let's humiliate the Canos"?

 

Santa

thanks so much NovelaMaven!
I really enjoy your take on things,

hmm, I was thinking Humberto was brushing off Lisette, as he did with Barbara, as he creates his new
kinder/gentler image for Santa, oh the happiness he will have with Santa in his arms,

but I guess Patricio's cell was close enough to Franco's to hear it all, (and I guess the police don't keep records of who visited Franco)

and Diabla visits Patricio as Humberto's assistant, and as such is entitled to the confidentiality as a lawyer, or so she says.

I think Humberto will go for choice 3, (while working on choice 2)

I was thinking Santiago went upstairs to look out the window and get a view of the grounds, I too think someone is watching him.

Ines looks desperate to get back into the center of the action, a person who tries to kill themselves and then says they are scared always seems a bit odd, but she does seem to have a hunger for Santiago, as she moved into his arms, timidly, without really pushing, but as close as he would allow.

am I right in assuming that in Marrero no marriage has ever been between two people that loved each other?

 

Thanks for the summary, NovelaMaven.

I think Barb has already suffered quite a lot. She lost her house and money (well, really her mother's), got raped and beaten, her husband got killed, she was humiliated many times. I think her tape was played publicly a while ago. She realizes she has failed her daughter. How much more would Willy want her to suffer?

Fran has also suffered just about as much. All her secrets came out, she's been humiliated repeatedly, her husband and her boyfriend were BOTH killed, she was tied up and threatened, lost her house and all her money, and Alicia wants MORE?

I liked when Santi said to Santa, I want to kiss the Santa who doesn't need revenge anymore. I think that's the Santa we have now. She's gone about as far as she could go with the revenge thing, now she has to get her life back in order, having screwed it up with her Diabla personality.

I'm in the minority, but I like both Santa and Santi. She's strong but vulnerable, a very complex character, beautiful, and filled with emotion she always barely keeps from exploding. Santi is the main hero of this show. It's not surprising he always has a hangdog look, as he has the weight of the world (okay, maybe Marrero) on his shoulders. Sure, Pancho is helping a little, but Santi is trying to make Santa, Fran and Ines (as well as various other) happy, and that's a tall order, as they all hate each other.

Bert's cool, of course. And he has a tough job, making Santa love him despite his evil doings. Unlike Santi, who never resorts to crimes, killing, etc., Bert has no qualms about all that. And he's making progress. The intense rivalry between brothers is one of the best things about this show.
 

Monica Spear (Pasion Prohibida; Flow Salvaje) was shot and killed by bandits, along with her ex-husband, in their native Venzuela. Their young daughter was a witness, but survived.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/07/22216314-venezuelan-soap-star-monica-spear-mootz-husband-murdered?lite
 

NM, Thanks mucho for the recap. I am going to try to type a recap without some autocorrect or typo showing up.... buena suerte, I know.

H de M ...
I see where you are coming from, sort of, re: Fran and Barb. They have suffered, but they don't seem to have learned much compassion or empathy as a result. This may be why others in town aren't satisfied they have "suffered enough". So, here are my two centavos worth of perspective.

Fran is completely unrepentant and seems to completely lack empathy. Re: losing her house, well, seems she expected to and did get that back along with a promise that golden boy Bert will take care of the messy details like working and bringing in money to maintain the lifestyle. I think Alicia is trying to shake up Fran's cold-heartedness towards her pain of being rejected. Unfortunately, getting Fran to desperately ask for mercy does not cure someone who lacks empathy, but I think that is really what Alicia wants. I saw some shock over Gaspar's death, but not too much grief and no grief over Vicente's death. She had zero sympathy for her kids questions regarding her affair or her dumping of one of the twins for having a deformity.

Re: Barb .... she seems to suffer from the same lack of empathy, although a little less severe. She at least, showed grief over the loss of her father and doesn't want her daughter to suffer. But she was indignant about Franco dropping her in the street (rather than be grateful to be free of an apparent thug), scornful of Ivan and Victoria (showing more lack of compassion), demanding (insisting Ivan handle the messy details of detox for Dani), and selfish and cruel (uses men for her own satisfaction and for revenge).

Gee, that is a pretty grim analysis of the pair of Cano ladies! However, I think these personality traits continue to fuel the need for revenge. Not that revenge will "fix" those who suffer or those who cause suffering, but this is a TN afterall so who is expecting too much repentance from the characters?
 

Mena, I really like your analysis of Fran and Barbara. They DO lack empathy. And no matter how much they have suffered, they remain as cold and shallow as ever. Once or twice, Barbara teeters on the brink of humanity; but she never quite makes it over the border.

About Autocorrect -- I disable it on Word or I'd never be able to write anything. Don't ask me how -- I poked around and I figured it out. (You can copy directly from Word into a comment though you can't copy a Word document directly into Blogger.)

Even so, I am the typo queen, especially in comments, which I typically write off the cuff. We learn to live with our imperfections around here.
:D
 

SANTA, Martes, Part 1

Alicia tells Humberto, you have a choice. Either get your Mom to kneel before me and beg forgiveness in front of the whole world, or go to jail for burying Franco alive! Bert appears to favor door number 1. We get some proof of this when, back at the mansion, Barb and Alicia get into a little shouting match, Barb wants Alicia out of “her” house, so does Francisca, but Bert says no, she can stay. And it wasn’t just Alicia there. Willy Delgado gets out of the hospital and immediately goes to the mansion. Barb thinks he’s there to see her, but NO, he’s there to see Alicia! The two of them cuddle up, to the horror of Barb and Fran, but Bert says it’s no problem. Privately, Alicia and Willy tell each other they both know they’re using each other. (I think she’s falling for him more than he’s falling for her). Later, Fran asks Bert why he did that, take Alicia’s side, and he lies, saying he’s always looking out for her (Fran), Alicia could go to the cops with the fact that Fran hid her existence all these years. Fran is relieved, you’re such a good son, Bertie, she coos.

Lucy is destroyed that Pancho stood her up on the day of her wedding. Ulisses and later Padre Milton counsel Pancho to call Lucy, explain things, and he tries, but doesn’t get through. Lucy shares a drink with Tránsito and Vicky, saying she’s gonna KILL Pancho. Tran says we all have men problems, maybe cut him some slack. Tran also tells Vicky she may have been a little hard on Iván, maybe other pages in the book were not so embarrassing. Vicky goes back to the house, picks up some pages, and they ARE loving, she reads from one, and Iván enters, finishing the sentence. Did you memorize every page? She asks. How could I not, when all I was thinking about was you. Awwwww. They forgive each other, and kiss.

Enter Lisette. She had won her battle to get the baby from Art and Mara with her court order, Elisa saying you have to give in for now, Mara reluctantly relinquishing the baby, and Art pledging to use all the force of the law against Lisette the criminal. Art and Mara DO get legal advice, but they get it from BERT, who tells them they have no case, then later tells Lisette how he helped her out with that. However, he’s not quite up to a romantic fling with Lisette. As we know, he’s totally smitten with Santa, and even sends her a bouquet of roses. Despite Santa’s strong feelings for Santiago, she may be developing some feelings for Bert, too, which Begoña asks is it true? Santa’s silence speaks volumes.

Lisette isn’t through, either. She takes the baby to Horti’s house, and of course, she’ll need money to care for the baby there. She also changes the locks, so Art and Mara can’t get in. These developments just about make Art’s head explode.

But back to Vicky kissing Iván, and Lisette walking in. She’s aghast at the two of them openly kissing, and even more so when Vicky brings in some lemonade, since she’s the woman of the house. WHAT? Screams Lisette. Yes, says Iván, Vicky’s on the deed, too, we own the house together, and we love each other. Lisette is going crazy, and tells Iván he’s too immature. He’s a baby. Why, he needs someone to administer all the money from his book contract. Like, ummm, her!! Yes, she tells her son Iván, let me manage your money, I’m really good at that. Iván is not impressed.
 

Santa, Part 2

Inés had caught Santa and Santi kissing, and she’s not happy. Especially when Santiago snubs her, saying they don’t owe her any explanations. Inés gets one of her usual far away looks, like she’s half crazy. But the other thing is, she keeps feeling that someone’s watching them. Santiago felt this, too. And we viewers also see that someone IS watching them. Who could it be?

Pancho never really does get around to telling Lucy (or anyone) his real story (which we’re almost sure is that he’s gay). He does tell Lucy he’s sorry, he didn’t really love her, but this doesn’t begin to satisfy her, she’s still out for revenge. The Padre seems to sense that Pancho wants to make some big confession, but there isn’t time, because it’s almost Friday at 5! Yes, time for everyone to go to the abandoned factory, and find out who’s been sending those notes.

We get a sneak peek at the factory, someone dressed all in black is setting up video cameras and a flat screen TV. And I just can’t figure out who it can be, because I think we see every single one of the cast members NOT in the factory at this point! I could be wrong, though.

Fran and Bárbara go with Humberto (who packs a pistol behind his back) Santa, Begoña (whom we know is in on it) and Paula go, telling Willy they’re going to Paula’s OB-Gyn, women stuff, you know. He’s gotta take care of willy and the (I think unnamed) baby (of Inés and Willy). He goes, what’s that? Men’s stuff? They laugh. Alicia is going, and Pancho, and even Lucy, who wasn’t invited, but found out about it when Ulisses slipped up a bit with one of the notes. Inés is there, too, still complaining that someone’s watching.

The tension builds, and they finally enter (Lucy sneaks in, too). Okay, it’s dim in there, I see things like oil barrels, an open area in the middle, and it’s spooky. What’s going on? The door slams shut. They’re locked in! The lights dim, and a TV screen comes on. As everyone stares in horror, the screen shows its message. It’s a picture of Vicente Robledo’s severed head!!!! It then flashes the words, Murderer! One of you killed Vicente Robledo!!! We see everyone’s reaction (especially Bert’s). Will tonight be the moment of truth?!!!!
 

Santa,

thanks so much Hombre,
another Great recap!

here I was thinking that now Lisette is here with the cops, what a good time to arrest her, but wow, how did this whole thing get turned around, and now Arturo is even locked out of his mother's house, er, Felipe's house.

I would think Transito living all alone in the closed Trebol de Oro, would be just plain creepy, I can almost smell that place, it's nice that the girls have their little parties there, Transito, Lucy, Victoria, what a strange group that is.

ah the guy in the Fabrica, (is this the same place Carlos was killed, and where Santa awoke next to Vicente's body?) all dressed in black, hmm similar to what Lucy was wearing that night, (and she did say she would kill Pancho) , but earlier when the guy was setting up (hmm with the hair covered it could well be a girl) I was keeping a close eye on Ivan, who does this sort of thing for money, but the ten pictures he places on the floor,

Paula, Santa, Ines
Santiago, Barbara, Humberto
Francisca, Begona, Alicia

he places Pancho's pic over the center pic, and crosses a red X through it.

 

Deb, I agree it could be a girl. I sort of thought I accounted for everyone, but maybe it was Ivan, and maybe the x on Pancho means Pancho is not a suspect for the killing of Vicente?
 

HdeM - I agree with you that the red X over Pancho could just mean he is not a suspect. Maybe he is even somehow behind it all. I was wondering about Padre Milton? He has a connection with Begona .... but I am not sure why he is involved with finding out who killed Vicente unless Pancho enlisted his help ... odd way to get to the truth. Pancho isn't into the dramatic so I would be surprised if he orchestrated this drama (but this is TNville). Or maybe Vicente has a long lost someone! Hmmm..... I agree with Santa, let's get to the bottom of who is behind this.
 

Santa,

I hadn't thought that the X meant Pancho wasn't the killer, but his picture on top of the others clearly singles him out as different.

this warehouse thingy reminds me of 'the book' in LCdaL, which in the end, didn't really go anywhere.

so what do we know,

Ines is the only one still concerned about Vicente's killer, and this is more to have Santa punished for something/anything.

Lucy threatened to kill Pancho, but we know she has a good heart (fingers crossed)

Begona and Ulises set it up, but no hint from either,
but I don't trust Ulises, (especially with the theory he killed his boyfriend and his lover).

and with Ines and Santiago being watched, I'm thinking maybe a new character,
like maybe Ines' mother.

but why is Alicia there, she has nothing to do with Vicente's death, but Willy does.

but in the meantime I'm wondering why no one checked out the warehouse ahead of time, and with the doors now locked, why someone (like Pancho) doesn't call the cops. this is the kind of thingy where the lights go out and someone ends up dead.

 

Thanks for this great recap. Seamlessly concise yet filled with all relevant details. I haven't seen the last part, but the whole meet at the factory plot reminds me of Neil Simon's Murder By Death.
 

wonderful job, Hombre. Thanks so much.

Boy oh boy, how this show knows how to keep the suspense going from one episode to the next even when the whole shebang makes absolutely no sense at all.

So who is the figure in black? Not tall. Compactly built. Tech savvy. I vote for Iván. But why?

Is Ulises a techie? We don't know the skinny on him yet. Not really.

Lucy is a loose cannon. But she was busy elsewhere when the factory was being prepped.

Yeah, I say Iván. (Which means it isn't Iván since I am always wrong!)
 

Great recap,Hombre. Muchas gracias. I have no ideas to add to what's already been said. I didn't know what to make of the X over Pancho's photos, but once it was announced that Vicente's killer is among them and will be found out, I assumed, like you and Mena, that it meant he was ruled out. It's not clear, though, how anyone but Bert could rule out Pancho as the murderer, and it's clearly not in Bert's interest to raise this issue at all. All of which is a long-winded way of saying "damned if I know."

deb, I too was wondering why no one checked the fabrica out ahead of time. In fact, I really was expecting Bert to show up, since he's the sort of person who might well be careful enough to check things out before moving ahead. I was surprised when whoever was setting things up didn't get interrupted by Bert or anyone else.

Tonight's episode should be interesting.
 

Who took Vicente's head from the family dinner table?

It can't be sweet Ivan, & I thought I saw a woman's face at the end or avances that I don't recall.

Someone gave a meaning to Tránsito that I have since forgotten & stupidly didn't write down. Could you repost that por favor?
 

Variopinta, According to what I found, Tránsito means passage to another life. It refers to the death of Mary and her passage from life to death and from death to another form of life.

BTW, as I think about it, I'm more inclined to see Ulises as the one who set the scene. Remember how Begoña told him he had to finish the job (or something to that effect)?
 

Ts NM, I think I am going to remember these things, buuuuut
 

Oh, such interesting comments and theories....

Jajajaja to the question of "who took Vicente's head from the dinner table.

Re: Pancho being ruled out. I considered this becauase he never have an ax to grind with dear old dad - not like Ines or Bert.

Willy is also looking a little suspicious... Begona has a weird relationship / connection with Willy. I could see the pair of them planning this to get Santa out of suspicion's way. The plot could have been under way before the coma ... Willy was around when they found Vicente's head on the table.

Hmmmm, I like this idea now that I think about it.
 

Santa,

capítulos culminantes

 

SANTA, Miércoles, Part 1

Murder! Despite my hopes, just about nothing got cleared up. We have more questions than answers, and lots of suspects. But here’s what happened.

Before getting to the factory, let’s look in on our other characters. Arturo and Mara are basking in the glow of “finally!”. They get to sleep together, in her house, they love each other, and they’ve accepted Elisa and Lázaro being together. Yeah, they don’t have the baby, and Art says he’s disposed to do ANYTHING to get him back, but other than that, things are fine. And no more secrets, right? Well.....Art tells Elisa that Mara has a new job, she’s Sales Manager for a chain of restaurants! Elisa’s radar recognizes that Mara is a bit too nervous in her rush to get to work, and she thinks something’s fishy. She follows her. Mara arrives at the restaurant, changes to her cleaning lady outfit, and gets discovered by Elisa in the ladies room. She’s embarrassed. But Elisa says you have nothing to be ashamed of (except lying). As we always say, it’s not the job you have, but how you do the job! Mother and daughter hug.

Vicky tells Lisette, you think I am with Iván for his money? No way! I’ll sign over my interest in the house right now! She stalks out. Lisette isn’t buying it, but Iván reams her out, not everyone is interested in money like YOU! Back at her boarding house, Vicky runs into a nervous Ulises (because of the factory stuff), and he at first snaps at her when she wonders why he’s so weird. But later, they reconcile, and we have a sister-brother hug. Vicky also packs her suitcase to move in with Iván.

Willy is taking willy and the baby for a walk in the park. They stop at his “grave”. He tells little willy that see, I’m alive, and I’m going to be here for you. I love you son. The kid smiles. Willy continues, and I won’t rest until I get revenge on the whole Cano family! The kid’s not so keen on that part.

Okay, now for the abandoned factory. After the group sees an image of Vicente’s severed head on a tv monitor, followed by, One of you killed Vicente - Murderer!, the lights go out. We get a mixture of green screens and dim lights, as we have to see the characters all bumping into one another, but they’re supposed to be in total darkness. Inés screams, Santi calms her down. People try to get out cell phones, to use the “flashlight”app, I guess, but that doesn’t seem to work too well. Pancho’s cell phone is GONE! He gets reamed out for being less than professional (he does seem to lose things, like his gun, a lot). In the meantime, the other police are called. They’ll be here soon. Yeah, right.

Suddenly a shot rings out! The lights come on, and Pancho was hit in the chest! Inés, his sister, goes bananas, screaming, but Pancho’s calling for her, and coughing blood, chokes out his final words, which I forgot, but it was something like find the killer. He’s dead, though (or not, he’s faked this before, but let’s say yes for now).

 

SANTA, Part 2

Off to one side, the square of photos is discovered, with Pancho’s in the middle, a red x on his face. So I guess it wasn’t that he was eliminated as a suspect in Vicente’s murder, he was just eliminated! The police arrive, and lock down the scene, searching everyone, and taking statements from all those involved. NOT!!!!! The idiot police let everyone waltz right out of there, and don’t search anyone. We (and Fran) happen to know that Bert had a gun. A few skirmishes break out, Inés accuses Santa, then she accuses Lucy, and Lucy accuses HER! Then Lucy and Inés fight, pulling hair, and have to be separated. Someone questions Begoña, who says don’t mess with me! It’s a big mess of confusion.

Begoña does try to call Ulises, who first doesn’t answer (Vicky is there, wondering why he has two cellphones), but later meets with her, and she gives him some DVD’s!

Fran pulls Bert aside, was it you? No way, says Bert. She tells him, you can trust me, I’ll do anything for you.

Later, in Bert’s office, there’s another letter, and the family watches as he reads off some cryptic numbers. Are they a birthdate? No, maybe a phone number. He calls, and a disguised voice tells him to come to a secret address. Here we go again!

Alicia gets Bert alone, and tells him that Pancho’s funeral is tomorrow. That’s when I want you to have Fran publicly get down on her knees and apologize for everything she did to me! It’s the perfect opportunity, and it can’t wait. Bert says we have bigger problems, there’s a murderer out there. Then it hits him. Alicia, did you kill Pancho,
just to provide his funeral as the occasion for my mother to apologize????????” Alicia just smiles. But earlier, we saw her take off her jacket, walk up the stairs in the mansion, and she had a gun behind her back stuffed into her pants!! Maybe she DID kill Pancho! But then, what’s up with Begoña and Ulises?

I’ll tell you what. Ulises apparently had installed cameras, and taped the whole thing. Maybe Begoña figured that everyone’s reaction would finally allow them to solve the whole mess of who killed Vicente. Begoña starts looking at the tapes. But here comes Santa, casually walking into the room, Mom, what are you looking at? Begoña goes white as a sheet. Whoops!!!!

And Bert gets his mother alone. He tells her, you said you’d do anything for me, right? Well, I want you, at Pancho’s funeral tomorrow, to get down on your knees and beg Alicia forgiveness, telling the world why you pretended she was dead all these years! Fran is shocked, why would I do that? Bert continues, it’s a matter of life and death. I’ll tell you the truth, since I know you’ll keep mum, Mum. I was in business with Franco Garcia. Yes, that Sebastian guy was really a druglord. I made a deal to get him out of jail, if he gave me all his money. He gave me the money, and now we’re rich! But I double crossed him, and had him buried alive! The problem is, Alicia knows this, and if we don’t do what she wants, she’ll talk and I’ll go to jail. Franco’s buddies are there, and they’ll kill me. So Ma, are you going to do it, or are you going to do it? We see Fran purse her little plump lips, getting that determined look. Tomorrow’s show should be awesome!!

 

This is fabulous, Hombre. Thanks so much.

My favorite part: After Bert tells Fran that Barb's boyfriend was a big narco, that he, Bert, was in a money-laundering scheme, that he murdered the narco and stole all his money --

-- The only thing that Fran processes or that bothers her is that Bert has millions and didn't tell her!

Oh she is a gem!

BTW, It was Alicia who got Begoña's "Don't mess with me." And as tough as B looked, I sure wouldn't, even if I were the Diabla.

Do we think Pancho is playing possum? It would explain the otherwise inexplicable idiocy of the Marrero police. (Why not check everyone for gunshot residue, por ejemplo?)

As Deb said, Capítulos Culminantes...
 

Maybe Pancho has had enough of the whole Cano crap and is playing dead again. Sure, his sister will go a little deeper down the rabbit whole, but she'll end up in a home anyway. And then all the murders in Marrero will stop once the Canos are put away (since Hortensia is also out of commission). It would explain how Ulises got involved in all this. If it's Willy behind everything then why would Ulises help? Had he even met Willy or Begonia before? Or did WIlly seduce him too? Wouldn't put that past Willy.

Kelly
 

Thanks for yet another wonderful recap, Hombre.

Fran learns that Barb was dating a capo, that Bert was in business with him, then murdered him and stole all his money. And the only thing that offends her is that he didn't tell her about the money!!!

Is Pancho playing possum? I hope so.
 

Santa,

Great job Hombre!

so the man-in-black's leaves a blood trail to another Humberto note,
(I guess they'll clean that up and we won't get to know who's blood that was),
and as Humberto writes down the address, could Alicia see?

Pancho was the only one that could put these things together,
and now he's gone,
and where was his phone?
(did Begona ditch a phone behind a barrel, and Ulises has two)

(I think the writer leaves us yearning to jump into the tv to tell the police what SHOULD be done, just to get us in the same mood as everyone else in the story)

and the pictures on the wall, saying who will be next,
this reminds me of the sort of things Santa used to pull,
but this time we are not part of plan.

and then there is the scene where Santa swings by the Martinez house to pick up a few things,
and Willy confronts her,
I can't stay here she says,
it was Humberto that paid the hospital bill, that hired the therapist,
and what did you do in return, he asks Santa,
"smack" as she slaps him hard.

it was an interesting scene at the autopsy,
(since when do people hang out at autopsies)
Santa comes and hugs Santiago,
while Ines quietly sits and glares.

and at the church funeral, I noticed Santa is always dressed for a funeral, wearing the same clothes as the night before, but Santiago has changed his T-shirt from white to black.
and she leaves, as Santiago slides in next to Ines.

so the spy cameras could see in the dark, I wonder if they show who shot Pancho.

 

Thank you, Hombre. I'm hoping to catch this episode today, but it may not be until the weekend that I can watch. I appreciate your detailed recaps so I can keep up here at the end.

Sounds like this is pretty exciting and the writers have rgularly left me breathless with anticipation.
 

I just got finished watching and I am impressed by the casting of Fran and Alicia. There was one shot post Pancho shooting and they looked very similar.

Why oh why does costuming keep putting Santa in those weird sleeveless-yet-with-shoulder-pads jackets? I remember those from the beginning. I'm fine with sleeveless (her arms are fabulous) but I don't get the padding.
 

Wonderful recap, Hombre. I especially liked your remarks about the idiot so-called police. I couldn't believe that they just let everyone walk out (indeed, waited until most of the folks had left before entering the fabrica). I've begun to realize that my problem with this telenovela is that I kept thinking it was a drama. Had I only realized from the beginning that it's a comedy, I'd have enjoyed it more. :-)

I also chuckled over your remark about Pancho, "So I guess it wasn’t that he was eliminated as a suspect in Vicente’s murder, he was just eliminated!"

The scenes between Bert and his mother were rather interesting. First, right outside the fabrica, when Francisca asks Bert "Was it you?" Bert seemed stunned that his mother would think this. I was stunned that he was stunned. Then there's the point that NovelaMaven made--that the only thing that bothered Francisca after Bert told her some of the horrific things he had done was that he hadn't confided in her from the start. Duh.

So was it Iván who put the second note on Bert's desk and spilled what looked like blood on the desk? The person seemed almost surely to be male. I still find it hard to understand why he would have gotten involved in all this. Does he really care all that much that the Canos don't accept him as a Cano?

Kelly, I loved your remark about Willy and Ulises: " Or did WIlly seduce him too? Wouldn't put that past Willy."

I guess we've got another can't-miss episode tonight.
 

Thank you, Hombre, your recap is truly the icing on teh cake for this crazy show.

It's a wild ride, that's for sure. Nothing makes sense with everybody able to go from innocent bystander to vicious plotter between commercial brakes.

Juanita, it might look like Ivan has no reason to plot, but that's what we thought about Ulises, too. And suddenly he's in the thick of things and who is his partner in crime??? 50 years old Begonia, the ex maid!

So, yeah, Ivan, Padre Milton, heck, even little Willy could be behind all of this for all we know.
 

GENERAL
I wanted to post something about the sad, sad death of Mónica Spear. I found out about it from NovelaMaven’s post here on Caray. I just felt gutted. News accounts with interviews of her parents stated that she had been robbed before in Venezuela. Her parents had urged her not to go there any more. But she had a strong love of her country and refused to stop visiting.

I first saw her in Flor Salvaje. I really, really liked that novela and thought she was terrific in it. I recapped many episodes and never tired of watching it. I read La Novia Oscura, the source novel by Laura Restrepo.

I didn’t like Pasión Prohibida quite as much. I watched about ¾ of it and then just stopped. Mónica was excellent in that role as well.

Anyway, a beautiful person and her ex-husband were killed. A child has lost both her parents. The only good that can possibly come of this would be having the Venezuelan government shamed into some crime prevention. I was shocked to read that there were 70 murders in Venezuela the FIRST WEEK of January.
 

Also, I forgot to add:

We'he vad 4 major deaths so far: Carlos, Vicente, George and Pancho (Franco wasn't on enough IMO and Hortie died naturally).
Who do you think will be next? Lucy or Transito come to mind, but nobody would even blink an eye if they died. Victoria might die because of her desease, but I consider her to be the weak link, anyway, so she doesn't really matter to me.

Out of the "important" ones, who could it be? A Cano? Someone from Santa's family?
 

Juanita and Adriana, do we know that was Ivan?

Actually, he has good reason to despise the Cano family, not so much for the way they treated him as for their treatment of Daniela. They have all watched her sinking and done absolutely nothing to save her. With her safely in rehab, it would be the perfect time to strike.
 

Great Hombre, thanks

I think that is a night vision camera, I know the glasses see in green.

Pancho's last words, "busca", but he didn't say look for what. I guess we'll never know if Pancho was gay.
 

The 1st photo is Ximena & Carlos(Inez y Humberto)

http://www.peopleenespanol.com/gallery/fotos-famosos-en-las-redes-sociales-15?xid=pespdaily01092014


 

We have seen seven major character deaths: Vicente, Carlos, George, Gaspar, Franco and Pancho (supposedly), and Hortensia


Five almost or pretend deaths:
Willy, Pancho, Ines, Art and Alicia

and.....

Nine subplot deaths: Hooker 1 (neck cut) 2(neck broken), and 3(shot in back), Cifuentes, Ricardo the Chauffer, the manicurist, the Bayou Lady, Restaurant patron, and Santa's baby-to-be ...

For a small town, the crime rate seems pretty steep!




 

So I wonder if Willy has one plan in one direction Alicia in another direction. Even if Willy doesn't know Ivan, Ivan said he was just following orders from Begona ... "it is just a job"..... who is, in turn taking orders from Willy. He said his plan was already underway. Alicia also said her plan was already underway.

On the other hand, I am going to be surprised if the Pancho and Ulysis story died because Pancho really died. If Pancho is playing possum, then Uly might be involved in trying to search for the killer. Pancho "lost" his phone and Begona was asked to call the police. She was, however, seen tucking the phone behind a random corner. Why would Begona want to know who killed Vicente?

Weird mystery... I can make a case for a variety of angles,but it still doesn't seem to make sense which is what the writers would like right about now.


 

Soory, in the first paragraph I meant to type Ulysis, not Ivan.
 

NovelaMaven,

No, we don't know that it was Ivan. You make a good point, though, about why he might be willing to get involved, and why now (with Daniela away).

It seems that the two most likely people to have delivered the second note to Humberto and left blood on the desk are Ivan and Ulises. But there was also a glimpse at one point of an unidentified woman (not delivering the note, but somehow involved with the fabrica scene). Perhaps just Lucy?
 

Wow! Some crazy stuff going on on this novela. Pancho dead? Ithought he was a keeper for sure. Who is going to be the inept police guy now that Cifuentes is dead, too?

I also want to echo Novelera's comment about Mónica Spear's death. I am actually in Peru and was walking around our hotel near Machu PIcchu when the person I am traveling with said that she had heard that a telenovela actress, Monica something, had been killed in Venezuela. I guessed right away that it was Mónica Spear and I was totally stunned. That someone so young and alive could be killed so horribly is just awful. Mónica was wonderful in Flor Salvaje and had a great career ahead of her. What a terrible waste and a tragedy for her daughter.

My Spanish teacher is from Venezuela and she has told me many times how terribly violent the country has become. I don't have much hope that Mónica's death will bring any changes in Venezuela where people in the government just want to protect their positions and get as rich as they can.
 

Hi, Jean! Hope you're having fun in Peru. I was also shocked by the Monica Spear thing.

Back to Santa. I think that Pancho is alive, and he's working with Begonia, Ulises and Santiago. Didn't Santi keep Santa away from the body, even though she said she was a nurse?
 

SANTA DIABLA... Thursday (epi 104)
part 1

*the little Martinez house
Santa slides into Begona's seat and watches the fabrica recordings,
she decides Santiago must see this,
(before getting to the part where Pancho was shot)
oh no, Begona says, and grabs the disc,

so Santa and Paula leave for the church,
Begona calls Ulises, does this endanger their plan.

*church
Humberto, Barbara, and Francisca arrive,
Barbara wants Humberto to sit with them,
he looks tense, and doesn't,
he sits up front,
Pancho was his brother, Francisca reminds Barbara.

*casa Cano
Elisa is happy to be invited to a party by Alicia,
(doesn't she remember the last party Alicia invited her to)
not a party, a funeral, Alicia says, Pancho's funeral.

*church
Lucy and Transito arrive,
a comatose (but well dressed) Ines' radar goes off,
she jumps up yelling murderer,

Santa and Paula arrive,
and sit toward the back, while Santiago is comforting Ines,

the Padre begins the sermon,
....as we are born into this life...
as Alicia arrives
and slowly walks to the front, and begins her own sermon,
directed at Francisca,
(Humberto looks about as terrorized as a person can get),
Santiago and Barbara try to defend her,
Elisa arrives and is amazed,
Humberto is quiet (and probably praying for the first time in a church)

Francisca swallows her pride,
and tells the story about Alicia, and her empty grave,
a secret she even kept from her husband,
Alicia even gives us some of those one eyed tears,

and when Francisca is done,
and what about the lady you paid to take care of me,
and..., and..., Alicia keeps asking, as her face gets harder
and slowly Francisca gets it all out,
now there is only one word I want to hear, says Alicia
perdón
louder,
Perdón
Louder, so everyone can hear,
PERDONARME
now on your knees Alicia says,
and every last bit of pride is gone as the great Francisca Cano falls to her knees,
tears steaming down her cheeks,
and asks Alicia to forgive her.

(wow, and I'm wondering if the Padre is trying to remember how much gas he has in his car so he blow this town)

Francisca is helped up by Barbara, and walks out,
Humberto follows her,
(as someone in a red car watches)
things will NEVER be the same between us, Francisca spits out to Humberto,
with those evil red eyes of hers.

Barbara comes out and leaves with Francisca
Humberto gets a call, the disguised voice reminding him not to dally going to that address.

the funeral service breaks up,
(no kind words ??, does anyone even bother to bury Pancho?)

Lucy, still standing her ground,
jumps on Victoria,
who later calls Ulises,
I'll show her, her place he says.

 

SANTA DIABLA... Thursday (epi 104)
part 2

*casa Martinez
Willy looks at a pic of Barbara, tears it up.

*casa Ulises
Ulises and Begona work on editing the fabrica videos,
"who knew Humberto had a gun", this will work.

*the mystery address (some garbage behind some buildings)
Humberto pokes around, not knowing what he is looking for,
then his eyes go WIDE,
there is the sword he used to behead Vicente,
"someone knows"
he throws it into his trunk, careful not to touch it with his bare hands,
and takes off.

*casa Vicente
Santiago and Santa return there with Ines who goes to her room,
Santa talks about her mother and the videos,
does she think Begona killed Pancho?

*casa Cano
Willy meets up with Alicia,
he wants help taking down Barbara,
she asks why he rejected her,
she was too easy, he likes a challenge, mystery, as he moves very, very close for a kiss,
but walks away,
Alicia grabs him, kisses him passionately, then lets him walk away.

*casa Martinez
willy plays with the new baby,
Paula sees the ripped up picture of Barbara,
"Willy", she says.

*rehab centro
Daniela lays quietly in her bed,
Ivan and Victoria watch through the door window,
once again Ivan has to explain why this is the right place, right time,
and that she has to get through this.

*casa Vicente
a fully clothed (heels?) Ines rests under the covers in her bed, her phone rings,
it's a video of Humberto at the fabrica, with a gun,
she runs downstairs showing Santiago and Santa,
it was Humberto...

*casa Ulises
finishing up their editing Ulises asks if Begona wants to go through with it,
(pause), she does, he hits the (send ??) button on his laptop.

*Mara's place
Lazaro, Arturo, and Mara agree,
Elisa should forget about working with Alicia,
Elisa says, if you knew her better,
you would see she has a noble side.

Mara rushes off to work
Elisa reminds her to tell Arturo the truth about her job,
what? Arturo asks.

*Trebel de Oro
Ulises shows up to see Lucy
he reminds her she threatened to kill Pancho,
and he threatens to tell the cops.
(does Ulises seem like an amateur when it comes to being a bad guy in Marrero)

*G-Cano bar
it's been a rough day for Humberto, alone he pours himself a drink,
but hears a noise,

in walks Willy,

after all the wrong Humberto has done him, Willy demands to know why he paid the hospital bill, the speech therapist, it's Santa isn't it, well that is never going to happen,
and the fight is on,
with no one else around I figure they'll both be dead in no time,
but there is someone else around,

FRANCO...

(so much for Patricio's blackmail scheme)

 

What a superb recap, deb! Many thanks. There were so many remarks I enjoyed. Among them:
**"Elisa is happy to be invited to a party by Alicia, (doesn't she remember the last party Alicia invited her to)"
**"Humberto is quiet (and probably praying for the first time in a church)"
**"(wow, and I'm wondering if the Padre is trying to remember how much gas he has in his car so he blow this town)"
**"a comatose (but well dressed) Ines' radar goes off"

Actually, I'm not so sure that Ines is "well-dressed" for a funeral, especially the funeral of her brother. The dress seemed to me to show too much flesh in the back. I would have thought something less flashy and more somber would be more appropriate.

I was surprised that Humberto put the sword in his car. Even if he wore gloves when he killed Vicente and was careful not to touch it with his bare hands now, why would he want the blood-stained sword in his car, even for a while? The person who told him to go to the basura could easily be trapping him and have the police pull his car over with the sword inside the trunk.

Hombre, I was intrigued by your idea that Pancho is alive and working with Begoña, Ulises, and Santiago. The fact that Santi prevented Santa from going to the ostensibly wounded Pancho even though she's a nurse supports that theory, though I assumed that Santi was just being his wussy considerate self and shielding Santa from the unpleasantness. But you've made me reconsider.

Adding to the Walking Dead population of Marrero may be Franco. I was/am assuming that Humberto is hallucinating, as so often has been the case with characters in this novela. But who knows?
 

Thank you for the recap.

Any of Pancho's police colleagues show up for the funeral?
 

Deb:

Thank you so much. You are the master of wry understatement. I think this is my favorite part of your recap:

*Trebel de Oro
Ulises shows up to see Lucy
he reminds her she threatened to kill Pancho,
and he threatens to tell the cops.
(does Ulises seem like an amateur when it comes to being a bad guy in Marrero)

Yes! Ulises is not yet on the A-team. And let's hope he never gets there.

Juanita, your remark about Franco being, perhaps, a hallucination, gives me hope. I never liked him -- on any level.

The only one I want UNDEAD is good old Pancho; and we have lots of reasons to hope that it is so. (Not only did Santi hold Santa back from attending to him, but the cops -- all trained EMT first responders -- did nothing for him either; the only one allowed near his 'body' was dumber than dirt Inés; no one was detained at the scene and/or checked for GSR; his coffin at the funeral was closed.)

Thanks again, Deb. It's always fun seeing one of these crazy shows through your eyes.
 

Great recap, Deb, very entertaining!

I never thought that Franco is a dream, but that would be typical for this show. If he IS alive, then he's the guy who's been observing everyone. And Bert is REALLY is deep doo doo!

If Franco is not alive, I have no clue who the person is that was watching everyone. For that reason, and because Bert's fight with Willy certainly fit (and wouldn't be part of Bert's dream, would it?) I think Franco's alive.

I did see some cops at the funeral, just sitting there. If Pancho is dead, we're gonna need a new head cop, SOMEONE has to investigate, don't they?


 

Tks deb
shocked, impactada, Franco esta viva, then who was yelling from his coffin? My mouth dropped on that one?

Humberto can always say, nice sword, just happened to see it rummaging around in la basura & decided to take it. There would certainly be traces of blood in his trunk.

crazy, crazy novela, I love it.
 

Santa

correction: not Franco,
it was Rene,
I think,
maybe.

wait,
did Humberto really ask Santa out
(while Santiago was watching over Ines),
to the morgue.

so do the bodies have little air conditioners in each alcove?

 

Thanks, deb! I'm catching up this weekend, but it's nice to have a recap. It's already been said, but the line about Uli being an amateur bad guy was funny.

I'm dying to know what's up with Rene who insists he only looks a little bit like Franco (and just dresses a little like him.)

I'm with Vario; this seems a little all over the place but is no where near Mejia levels of hot mess circo. I like it!
 

While waiting for the recap (which often is not until late Sunday), I'll just say that although the guy who looks just like Franco says he is a double, that by plastic surgery, Franco's men changed his face to make him look exactly like Franco, isn't it possible that the DOUBLE was buried alive, and this is really Franco? The whole thing makes me realize that the writer of these shows can do ANYTHING.

BTW, I don't think the Mara thing is realistic. I've known people who are out of work. Sometimes they will take "menial" jobs like McDonalds, sometimes they refuse to. But when they do, they don't lie to everyone, they just say, I can't believe I have to work in this menial job, but at least I've got some money coming in. Both Mara and Art are way too sensitive about this. Elisa is more reasonable.

Francisca's humiliation. Yes, it's humiliating to go down on your knees in a church and admit you made a big mistake. But half the cast knew already, and Fran also was humiliated with the revelations about the affair with Vicente, and Bert's parentage. She should be used to it. To me, apologizing on your knees is not nearly as bad as spending years in prison. Let's hope that eventually happens to Fran (although I guess she hasn't killed anyone. Or did she kill the woman who was watching Alicia?).
 

It looked to me that the bartender was dragged off to get plastic surgery, but it looked like Franco & his men doing the dragging. I'm just not getting it.
 

Santa Diabla Capitulo 105

Part 1

Rerun shows Fran on her knees begging forgiveness, Bert digging in the trash bins and Ines sobbing after receiving a video clip of a newly suspect Bert with a gun at the warehouse.

Moving on to newer news, Bert is throwing punches with Willy in the foyer of his office and suddenly, Voila! Franco appears – he has seemingly emerged from grave. Bert, with cara impactada, runs into his office and tries to hold the door closed to shut Franco out. Willy pauses, trying to remember who this newly arrived fellow is? Ah yes! He recalls this was the fellow who dashed from the Cano house the night someone served Vicente’s head up for dinner. Willy recalls shooting him just after they bumped into each other on the doorstep that same rainy night (that gunshot scar may prove to be verrry important – just a thought!)

Ines, Santi and Santa discuss the video that Ines received that showed Bert with a gun the day of the warehouse “get-together”. Ines insists it must have been Bert who killed Pancho. Santa suggests that Bert having a gun doesn’t prove he used the gun. Santi is cara impactada to hear Santa defending Bert. He wonders why Santa was quicker to have suspicions about her own mother than about Bert. Hmmmm. Ines just wants to leave the Robledo house – she begs Santa to take her with him to the Cano place to live.

Over at Lisette’s new mansion, she rehires Petra to babysit the bebe. She assures Petra that there are no worries about Art, that he cannot prove anything against her (for now) and that Lisette has a court order that gives her the rights to live in the house with the bebe without Art’s interference. She needs help from Petra because she needs to refocus on her other son, Ivan, and his new wealth, errr, well-being. She updates Petra on her plot to regain Ivan’s trust for he errrr, his own benefit. Her new strategy is to gain his trust by spewing honey rather than vinegar.

Elisa urges Mara to tell Art the truth about her job. Mara fesses up that she is not working as an administrator of some café, but as the only member of the cleaning crew of her old café. Cara impactada on the part of Art. He insists, after Mara leaves for work, that he will help her find a job more suited to her level of expertise.

Ivan and Victoria get an unexpected visit from a seemingly repentant Lisette. Lisette arrives with many disculpas, chocolates and dollar signs in her eyes. Ivan and then Victoria take the disculpas at face value as viewerville groans over Lisette’s duplicity. Lisette uses the visit to rifle through Victoria’s purse and sneak a copy of the house key. She accidentally discovers a business card of Victoria’s oncologist. WTQ? Lisette wonders. Hmmm. Lisette probes a little by asking Victoria about her weight, suggesting that Victoria has lost weight. Lisette is successful in planting a seed of doubt about Victoria’s general state of being in Ivan’s mind. Upon Lisette’s return home, she seems to wrestle with her conscience about how much to interfere with Ivan and Victoria. Truer to her character, she wrestles just a wee little bit. She plans to investigate more.
 

 

Part 2

Over at the Trebol de Oro, Lucy’s new digs, she and Uly argue over their mutual annoyance and suspicions of one another.

Back at Bert’s office, Bert is poised to call 911 on “Franco2”. Franco2 begs Bert not to do that because he claims he is NOT Franco1, but a surgically altered double of Franco1. Bert is skeptical. Franco2 explains. Back in Guatemala, Franco2 was a regular guy working as a bartender. Franco1, the local drug thug shows up one day and makes him an offer to work for him that Franco2 cannot refuse. Franco2 explains that no one ever says no to Franco1, or else! Much to Franco2’s dismay, he is scheduled for surgery to become a “double” for Franco1. It is Franco2’s bad luck to have enough of a resemblance to the real drug thug that he is to be surgically tinkered with to become identical in appearance to Franco1. WTQ? Bert is still skeptical. Franco2 explains that many narcotrafficantes have doubles “made up” in order to throw off the good guys and the drug thugs’ enemies. Franco2 tells Bert that he was the one who came to Bert’s office with the suitcase of money to invest in Bert’s bankrupt law firm. Bert recalls the very scene that Franco2 describes. Franco2 suggests that the only way to prove that he is double to Franco1 is to go to the morgue and prove that there is really a Franco body there. Franco2 begs Bert to believe him because Bert is the only one that can help save him from Franco 1s thugs. Viewerville scratches its collective chin realizing that it may prove there are two Francos, but not which one is which

Willy returns home with bruises and explains them to Paula as “guy stuff”. Paula wonders if Willy’s scuffle with Bert was over Santa and if Willy is jealous of Bert. Willy claims he doesn’t love Santa, but wants her happiness. He seems certain Santa would never be happy with Bert.

Santa returns to the Diabla digs and receives another video – this time showing Ines had a weapon that fateful day at the factory. Santa must update Santi about this news. Before she can do this, Bert shows up at the digs. He has bad news and good news. Bad news is that Franco is alive – good news is that maybe the live Franco might be Franco2 and that he isn’t really the bad Franco1. He invites Santa to the morgue to prove that at least one Franco is dead and gone. She accepts.

Padre Milton comes to visit Santi. Santi is worried about Ines’ mental health – que novedad! Speaking of the diabla (#3, that is), Ines screams from upstairs. They rush to her side to hear her claim there is someone at the house. Padre Milton goes to investigate and confirms footprints outside the Cano place. Ines is afraid she is the next and final Robledo that is going to end up dead. Padre Milton urges Santi to call the police and to support Ines because she has no one else.

Alicia sits in the Cano kitchen as Fran wanders by. Alicia tells Fran that she is not as bad a mother as she first thought. After all, Fran did the unthinkable – beg forgiveness – in order to save her golden boy Bert. Fran is unmoved by the compliment and goes to smack Alicia with a huge mental blow. Fran leans in, close to Alicia’s face, and sneers at her. She tells Alicia that she deserved to be abandoned and that she is a sicko. Alicia says Fran made her how she is. Undaunted, the unrepentant Machiavellian Fran finishes off Alicia’s soul and hisses that even though it is Alicia’s greatest wish to have a family, that no one will ever be able to love Alicia. She leaves Alicia alone and clearly in emotional pain and devastation.

 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Part3

Over at rehab, Dani plans a family reunion. Viewerville thinks this should be another fun get together!?!

Back at the morgue, Santa and Bert sneak around and play hide-and-seek with the pathologists and the dead corpses. After upzipping various body bags, they discover that there is, indeed, another Franco. This Franco is a corpse. They breathe a sigh of relief, maybe. Franco2 appears at the morgue to confirm that his report that there are two Francos is true.

After a seemingly quick recovery on the part of Alicia, she moves on to complete Willy’s task for her. She is to find a way to get Barbara’s trust and then renew Barb’s friendship with Willy. Willy has plans to befriend and then” wham bam and no thank you ma’am” Barbara. This is Willy’s plan to avenge his imprisonment. Alica pays an ill-tempered Barb a visit to apologize for what happened at the church earlier. She skillfully manipulates Barbara to warm up to her by showering her with flattery. She tells Barb she is beautiful and that she used to brag about this beauty to her friends who would in turn be envious. Alicia goes on and on and Barb responds exactly as planned. By the end of this scene, it seems Alicia has won over Barbara by way of Barbara’s vanity. She asks Barb if she has a boyfriend…….

 

Thanks, Mena! Things are getting crazy! I think Hombre is right and the writers are doing what they want, but the episode count is only at 105 so I'm OK. Of course, I've only watched about 30 episodes of this show. Maybe it feels like torture if you've watched the whole series.
 

Thanks, Mena for another terrific recap! I think Franco2 said his name is René.

I still don't understand how anyone would know that Bert killed Vicente with that sword. The only thing I can think of is that Franco (1 or 2) installed cameras in the law firm, and they recorded the murder.

And if Inés is not hallucinating, who is the person who's watching her and the others. Earlier, we saw someone in a red car, and we later assumed that was René. But I think he was elsewhere when Inés had this latest feeling of persecution (accompanied by footprints).

I'm still hoping Pancho is alive. We never did see him in the coffin. And remember how much Pancho and Ulises were drawn to each other? Well, Ulises didn't even go to the funeral, right? So maybe he and Begoña (and possibly Santi) are in on this whole thing. The last time Pancho faked his death, he recklessly allowed himself to be seen with Santi right outside the police station. If he's still alive this time, hopefully he'll be more cautious.
 

Many thanks, Mena, for your delightful recap. I loved your remarks about Lisette, such as her wanting to focus on Iván's wel...well-being. I also enjoyed your description of Willy's "wham bam and no thank you ma’am" plan for Barbara.

I hadn't understood the business about Lisette's taking Victoria's copy of the house keys. Perhaps Victoria is ditzy enough that she won't realize what happened, but I'm not sure.

This busines with Franco1&2 is one of the more bizarre turns this very bizarre novela has taken. I can't decide which Franco is still alive (which, of course, is the writer's intent).

Hombre, I too wondered how anyone knew that Bert killed Vicente. You suggest that perhaps Franco planted cameras in the law office. Was that where Vicente was killed? I thought it was at his house, as he was preparing to leave.
 

Juanita, I think you're right, Vicente was killed at his house. So much for THAT theory!
 

Tks mena

What is NarcoFranco, if it is NarcoFranco, doing in the morgue? I thought he was 6ft under. Did Pancho have him exhumed?

I repeat, I love this crazy thing!
 

Thanks for the terrific recap, Mena! I didn't remember that Franco1 had been grazed by a bullet outside the Cano mansion on the night they were serving Tête de Vicente. They could use your smarts in the Marrero police department.

Personally, I'm just sitting back and waiting for a house to fall on Lisette.

Oh and maybe Humberto can hire the speech therapist to help out the silent Petra.

Another random thought --
I am more bothered by Humberto screwing over his "best and oldest friend" Arturo by giving him bad legal advice than I am by Humberto beheading his father or drugging Santa and then framing her for murder. Maybe this story isn't good for me…

And could they have found a guy who resembled Franco1 LESS than that skinny bartender in Guatemala with the tiny mouth? Sheesh.
 

Variopinta,

Yes, Pancho had him exhumed. And at the time, he was already putrefying. So the corpse in the morgue should have been in disgusting condition too, though it wasn't.
 

Santa

thanks so much Mena!

I too am hoping Pancho is alive, and was thinking that may have been him in the red car at the church, but René clearly showed us it was he, in his talk with Humberto.

and now that Pancho is gone everyone seems to want to call the cops.

I think Vicente was killed at home, maybe in Ines' bedroom, and yes how did anyone know about that, which drives home to us what Humberto is going through, but then we don't know what happened with the sword, head, or body until they all turn up.

Lisette sure is an animated character, (while Petra continues to just stand there), I was intrigued by her smiling but subtle hints to Ivan that Victoria was old, and after she leaves Ivan is ready to play, but alas, Victoria is too tired, and he notices.

that Ines sure is a handful, she keeps Santiago so busy that Humberto is getting in some Santa time, and they seem to work well together, as Santiago's jealousy builds.

kind of a low budget morgue in Marrero.

Barbara is another character I find interesting to watch, I don't know how she does it but when she is timid and scared she seems to pull her face into kind of a mouse look, especially when she had her raccoon eyes, but I was fascinated watching her melt as Diabla kept telling her how pretty she was.

 

NM and VP,

"Yes, Pancho had him exhumed. And at the time, he was already putrefying. So the corpse in the morgue should have been in disgusting condition too, though it wasn't."

Pancho had whatever Franco that is buried exhumed in order to test for the "drug" that it appears he took before he was found dead.

" I didn't remember that Franco1 had been grazed by a bullet outside the Cano mansion on the night they were serving Tête de Vicente. They could use your smarts in the Marrero police department."

Actually, that detail was pointed out by Willy when he was trying to remember how he knew Franco2's face.