Friday, January 03, 2014
Weekend Discussion: Fix This Novela!
Holà, Caraymates!
We've
seen quite a few series that had something going on to make the
ratings department happy but... a serious flaw or two that earned
derision from critics or unsatisfied viewers. Some of these got
really bad – like Corazón Indomable. Others just
needed a tweak or two, like Doña Barbara,
If
you could fix a flawed novela, how would you do it? What general
things would you do to fix the series to get it on track? We will
assume that any and all continuity errors would be corrected but what
general changes would you make?
I'll
start with one some of you really hated, Fuego en la Sangre.
It had excellent production values, photography, music, actors, and
a good basic story premise, but the writing didn't come up to the
rest. What I would have done with it:
- Make it a novela de epoca, setting it in the 1930s. This would have fixed many issues about this series, including making the story premise more believable. It would have jived with the overall look, still allowed for mariachi music as we hear it today (Brass instruments were added in the 30s), and provided an environment in which Fernando's body count would be more credible. It would also fix certain details that were inconsistent, such as Ximena's clothing being inconsistent with Gabriela's control-freakiness and show of propriety.
- Make it a straight-up melodrama with occasional gallows humor. The excess of comedy relief in a series with a high body count is inappropriate both to the story and the effect you want the story to have on its audience. You can't have it both ways.
- Retakes on the music when needed and not so many repeats of the same two or three songs (a problem not unique to this series). Better yet, have Pablo and Ninel lip-synch to their own recordings to solve that problem.
- Eliminate most of the parade of “guest” characters. Leave in the uncle and the cousin either with better explanations of their earlier absences in the Reyes brothers' lives or better yet, rewrite the brothers' backstory to have their tragedy take place when they all were teens. This would have trimmed the series by about 40 episodes, made it tighter, and given a stronger impetus for our heroes to avenge their parents. It would also have given the brothers better boundaries between each other so the male TV critics would have had fewer objections.
Duelo
de Pasiones
- Make it a novela de epoca, with a start date of 1909. This solves two major issues: the story premise and Emilio's three-year absence (due to war) becomes more credible.
- Make Orlando more evil so he is not overshadowed by Thelma and to get him a bigger Karmageddon.
- Eliminate the digression with Alicia Villareal.
- Eliminate the epilogue with the horrible medical cliché of “Do we save the baby or your wife?” The protagonists of this series had suffered enough by this point; let them have their Felizes Para Siempre.
How
would you fix Corazón Indomable or El Talismán,
or any other novela you thought was somehow flawed?
Labels: barbara, duelo, Fuego, Indomable, Talisman, telenovelas, weekend
Comments:
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How spoiler-y can we be? I wrote a comment on Amor Bravio but I realized it included various spoilers and I know there are some in the forum that are just getting around to it for the first time. Thanks.
Permalink posted by 
: Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:22:00 PM EST
: Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:22:00 PM EST
Guess that answers my question, great topic Urban!
Amor Bravio
While this is still one of the most enjoyable and exciting novelas I've seen post-The Golden Era (anything after 2004) it had a lot of pacing problems in its second half and that's mainly because of the extension.
Originally conceived as a 110-120 episode novela, the extension ruined everything so that in the first four months everything moved quickly and you were always excited to see the next episode and in the last four it'd be huge lulls, an exciting week, then another lull and that ruined the second half for me.
Having said that:
1. Make it shorter! 120 episodes would have been perfectly since everything slowed down around episode 70. With only 50 episodes left till "Fin" all the action would've happened a lot faster.
2. Get rid of Miriam. Not that I hated the character or the actress (they were both a welcome addition) but she was part of the problem the second half didn't work. It was always Camila and Daniel against the world and that was the best part of the novela. It was still interesting after the main couple got together! If Miriam does indeed die it makes Daniel's revenge all the more rewarding and it doesn't interfere with his happiness with Camila.
3. Don't get rid Alonso! While he was a supporting villain, it would've been great to see him align himself with the heroes and help take down his mother (even if he died in the end via sacrifice) that would've been more enjoyable than what we got.
4. Have Camila find out about Daniel a lot later, closer to the final start of "ultimo semanas" so that we still retain a lot of tension and the writers can get one final separation into the story (cause they're always dying to) before they get their happy ending.
Overall though Amor Bravio was a great viewing experience.
Amor Bravio
While this is still one of the most enjoyable and exciting novelas I've seen post-The Golden Era (anything after 2004) it had a lot of pacing problems in its second half and that's mainly because of the extension.
Originally conceived as a 110-120 episode novela, the extension ruined everything so that in the first four months everything moved quickly and you were always excited to see the next episode and in the last four it'd be huge lulls, an exciting week, then another lull and that ruined the second half for me.
Having said that:
1. Make it shorter! 120 episodes would have been perfectly since everything slowed down around episode 70. With only 50 episodes left till "Fin" all the action would've happened a lot faster.
2. Get rid of Miriam. Not that I hated the character or the actress (they were both a welcome addition) but she was part of the problem the second half didn't work. It was always Camila and Daniel against the world and that was the best part of the novela. It was still interesting after the main couple got together! If Miriam does indeed die it makes Daniel's revenge all the more rewarding and it doesn't interfere with his happiness with Camila.
3. Don't get rid Alonso! While he was a supporting villain, it would've been great to see him align himself with the heroes and help take down his mother (even if he died in the end via sacrifice) that would've been more enjoyable than what we got.
4. Have Camila find out about Daniel a lot later, closer to the final start of "ultimo semanas" so that we still retain a lot of tension and the writers can get one final separation into the story (cause they're always dying to) before they get their happy ending.
Overall though Amor Bravio was a great viewing experience.
Permalink posted by : Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:32:00 PM EST
: Friday, January 3, 2014 at 2:32:00 PM EST
It might be best if we keep to recent productions still in people's minds rather than going back to ones people are seeing in reruns for the first time.
I'm rewatching FELS because I can now see the real picture; the TV set that died on me had a major brightness problem. It's much more colorful and looks better than I thought originally. I deliberately kept my revision ideas general so as not to put in spoilers or small details.
I'm rewatching FELS because I can now see the real picture; the TV set that died on me had a major brightness problem. It's much more colorful and looks better than I thought originally. I deliberately kept my revision ideas general so as not to put in spoilers or small details.
Im not that good of an english speaker to elaborate but pretty much everything Mejia or Lartilleux can definitely use some improvement.
Triunfo del Amor and Mar de Amor im looking at you..
Triunfo del Amor and Mar de Amor im looking at you..
Permalink posted by : Friday, January 3, 2014 at 3:04:00 PM EST
: Friday, January 3, 2014 at 3:04:00 PM EST
Another great topic, UA!
I can't really elaborate either because honestly I think my understanding of the genre isn't that deep. It's very superficial and "gut" driven.
That being said, I think I am safe in saying that an extension NEVER works. Whenever a novela seems to go "off the rails" at least one person says "this could have ended x episodes ago." (where x usually = 40.)
I'm looking forward to hearing from the "experts" on this topic. :-)
I can't really elaborate either because honestly I think my understanding of the genre isn't that deep. It's very superficial and "gut" driven.
That being said, I think I am safe in saying that an extension NEVER works. Whenever a novela seems to go "off the rails" at least one person says "this could have ended x episodes ago." (where x usually = 40.)
I'm looking forward to hearing from the "experts" on this topic. :-)
I'm also not fond of extensions that aren't planned in advance. The first version of Corazon Salvaje was only 30 hours, the second was 60. In the 11 years between them I think novelas just got longer because the audience wanted longer stories. The third version was 79.5 hours (one half-hour episode) and it didn't feel to me like it had much "filler."
The last version of Velo de Novia, however, was so radically changed in the middle as to be two separate stories with only two or three characters in common. Will someone who remembers that one better comment on this?
The last version of Velo de Novia, however, was so radically changed in the middle as to be two separate stories with only two or three characters in common. Will someone who remembers that one better comment on this?
Urban:
Thanks so much for this interesting weekend topic. I deleted my first comment, all the spoilers, so I will try to be general. This is how I would have written El Talisman
1. More history of the Aceves and Negrete families. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of what they are showing on "Por Siempre Mi Amor" as a back story.
2. This one was short, barely 100 episodes but it could have been written better. Make it more of a mystery. The potential was there, but never really used. It was cut short because well, it wasn't working.
3. Too many extraneous characters. They could have whittled the cast down some. The main characters where all good, they just needed better lines and better usage of their time.
4. Senseless body count. Especially for two of the characters. It had great shock value, but story wise it didn't really need to be done that way.
5. One of the villains should have been redeemed. There was potential for that too, but it didn't happen.
6. To sum up, I would have written this as a mystery, with an Agatha Christie reveal at the end. That could have worked splendidly, there was so much potential that they just didn't use.
Just a note, but if you ever get a chance to see "La Madrastra", please do. I think it may be on Youtube. I get a Uni telenovela channel that shows old TNs on my cable and I tell you what, it is the best Mystery TN I have seen. Very Hitchcock and Christie rolled into one. It keeps you guessing the whole way.
Thanks so much for this interesting weekend topic. I deleted my first comment, all the spoilers, so I will try to be general. This is how I would have written El Talisman
1. More history of the Aceves and Negrete families. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of what they are showing on "Por Siempre Mi Amor" as a back story.
2. This one was short, barely 100 episodes but it could have been written better. Make it more of a mystery. The potential was there, but never really used. It was cut short because well, it wasn't working.
3. Too many extraneous characters. They could have whittled the cast down some. The main characters where all good, they just needed better lines and better usage of their time.
4. Senseless body count. Especially for two of the characters. It had great shock value, but story wise it didn't really need to be done that way.
5. One of the villains should have been redeemed. There was potential for that too, but it didn't happen.
6. To sum up, I would have written this as a mystery, with an Agatha Christie reveal at the end. That could have worked splendidly, there was so much potential that they just didn't use.
Just a note, but if you ever get a chance to see "La Madrastra", please do. I think it may be on Youtube. I get a Uni telenovela channel that shows old TNs on my cable and I tell you what, it is the best Mystery TN I have seen. Very Hitchcock and Christie rolled into one. It keeps you guessing the whole way.
AMOR BRAVIO:
They should've turned Miriam villainous or at least highly suspicious after finding out about Daniel/Camila & had her join forces with her brother or Mariano to bring them down. She wouldn't have had to commit any crimes; just refuse to divorce Daniel (until the end when she realizes she can't win, gives Daniel divorce papers & flies back to Chile). Baby Agata would be a non factor b/c in my revision, the baby never would've been born, so Miriam would have to deal with the loss of her husband and baby.
FUEGO EN LA SANGRE:
Have Fernando kill Sofia to stop all that crying instead of killing Ruth.
LA FUERZA DEL DESTINO:
Ivan had much more chemistry with Merry Piece than boring Lucia. I would've had Ivan/Maripaz marry for convenience like on the show, but end up truly falling for each other. Lucia would be matched with David in my version & Ivan's friend ends up with Judith.
ABISMO DEL PASION
I didn't like Gael & Paloma getting together. She was too screechy & pathetic. I would put Enrique & Paloma together & Gael & Altair Jarabo's character together. Gael only wanted Paloma for the sex anyway. Gael ending up with Paloma seemed like punishment.
TERESA:
The Johnny/Pati/Gramps storyline could've been axed.
QUE BONITO AMOR
1) All the scenes in the United States should've been in English. I could understand the Garza family speaking Spanish in their home but Michael Johnson should've been speaking English. Wendy should've been speaking English to Michael. Arnold Smith should've been speaking English. Everybody in the courtroom should've been speaking English. LAPD & the black shady prison guard should've been speaking English. In LFDD when the Maguires were in LA, they spoke English when they needed to. If the actors can't learn a few lines in English when necessary, don't set scenes in the United States.
The characters were too old to be acting like they were.
Amalia got on my nerves, she was not a good mother, she was a controlling busybody.
Irasema's wig was a distraction. (RIP Irasema)
They should've turned Miriam villainous or at least highly suspicious after finding out about Daniel/Camila & had her join forces with her brother or Mariano to bring them down. She wouldn't have had to commit any crimes; just refuse to divorce Daniel (until the end when she realizes she can't win, gives Daniel divorce papers & flies back to Chile). Baby Agata would be a non factor b/c in my revision, the baby never would've been born, so Miriam would have to deal with the loss of her husband and baby.
FUEGO EN LA SANGRE:
Have Fernando kill Sofia to stop all that crying instead of killing Ruth.
LA FUERZA DEL DESTINO:
Ivan had much more chemistry with Merry Piece than boring Lucia. I would've had Ivan/Maripaz marry for convenience like on the show, but end up truly falling for each other. Lucia would be matched with David in my version & Ivan's friend ends up with Judith.
ABISMO DEL PASION
I didn't like Gael & Paloma getting together. She was too screechy & pathetic. I would put Enrique & Paloma together & Gael & Altair Jarabo's character together. Gael only wanted Paloma for the sex anyway. Gael ending up with Paloma seemed like punishment.
TERESA:
The Johnny/Pati/Gramps storyline could've been axed.
QUE BONITO AMOR
1) All the scenes in the United States should've been in English. I could understand the Garza family speaking Spanish in their home but Michael Johnson should've been speaking English. Wendy should've been speaking English to Michael. Arnold Smith should've been speaking English. Everybody in the courtroom should've been speaking English. LAPD & the black shady prison guard should've been speaking English. In LFDD when the Maguires were in LA, they spoke English when they needed to. If the actors can't learn a few lines in English when necessary, don't set scenes in the United States.
The characters were too old to be acting like they were.
Amalia got on my nerves, she was not a good mother, she was a controlling busybody.
Irasema's wig was a distraction. (RIP Irasema)
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 9:04:00 AM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 9:04:00 AM EST
For Amor Bravio the only change I would have made is cutting the last part, Miriam' s return, by 20 episodes. But considering the long extension, they still did a great job of keeping me interested in the characters.
I would not have preferred that Miriam be stereotypically bad. I love that the writers made this a genuine moral dilima by having her be a true innocent victim. But I would have liked for Dan to find out the truth about her health more quickly so that he could focus on bringing the bad guys down.
Although I would have loved for Alonso and Ximena to be redeemed and survive, their deaths were shocking and surprising, and added to the action. Al's death in particular, set other plot points in motion. I did really miss the character afterwards, but that just shows what a great job he and the writers did.
I would have liked a bit more time to see everyone's happily ever after once the villains were put away.
I would not have preferred that Miriam be stereotypically bad. I love that the writers made this a genuine moral dilima by having her be a true innocent victim. But I would have liked for Dan to find out the truth about her health more quickly so that he could focus on bringing the bad guys down.
Although I would have loved for Alonso and Ximena to be redeemed and survive, their deaths were shocking and surprising, and added to the action. Al's death in particular, set other plot points in motion. I did really miss the character afterwards, but that just shows what a great job he and the writers did.
I would have liked a bit more time to see everyone's happily ever after once the villains were put away.
Talking about AB. They had to enlarge it. Mejia hadn't enough material to start with QBA.
About CI. They need to rewrite it according to nowadays. Or keep the act in 70's. And chsnge the second part of novela.
QBA can't be better at all. It went wrong from the start.
Alegria
About CI. They need to rewrite it according to nowadays. Or keep the act in 70's. And chsnge the second part of novela.
QBA can't be better at all. It went wrong from the start.
Alegria
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 10:42:00 AM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 10:42:00 AM EST
Alegria-Yep. We heard at the time that AB had to be extended since Mejia's tn was behind schedule, so I'm sure as originally planned, the last part would not have felt so drawn out. The writers did the best they could, given that they had no choice in extending it. But even given that, I still was hooked on the story and wanted to see it each day. So I guess we can blame Mejia for AB not being even better than it already was. :)
Didn't AV also get extended because Mejia wasn't ready to start La Tempestad??
I still have no idea why TdA got extended.
I still have no idea why TdA got extended.
Sara, because they had problems with Dos Hogares. Dos Hogares also was enlarged, because Abismo couldn't start in time.
As far as I remember, Mejia started La Tempestad in time. They enlarged seriously QBA at that time.
As for me, it's the main problem. Televisa enlarge novelas not because they popular, but because they have problems with others.
Alegria
As far as I remember, Mejia started La Tempestad in time. They enlarged seriously QBA at that time.
As for me, it's the main problem. Televisa enlarge novelas not because they popular, but because they have problems with others.
Alegria
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:07:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:07:00 PM EST
Half the time its because they don't have enough actors which I can't fathom since they have a school of acting but they don't give newbies as much of a chance as they should.
some producers have been very vocal about extensions like Mapat who flat out said she was forced to extend la mujer del vendaval. Glad to see at least they're not just bobbing their heads and saying yes sir.
I wonder how Carla Estrada and Maria zarattini get away with short stories nowadays. I also wonder why el privilegio de Amar is the only Carla novels that went pass 100 episodes. Maybe she thought they had enough material?
some producers have been very vocal about extensions like Mapat who flat out said she was forced to extend la mujer del vendaval. Glad to see at least they're not just bobbing their heads and saying yes sir.
I wonder how Carla Estrada and Maria zarattini get away with short stories nowadays. I also wonder why el privilegio de Amar is the only Carla novels that went pass 100 episodes. Maybe she thought they had enough material?
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:19:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:19:00 PM EST
Superalfie, oh really? So why here Mapat said, that she is very happy? http://televisa.esmas.com/entretenimiento/telenovelas/la-mujer-del-vendaval/noticias/536043/mujer-del-vendaval-se-alarga/
As usual they didn't enlarge shot novelas. I guess because they start to prepare new one very early.
Alegria
As usual they didn't enlarge shot novelas. I guess because they start to prepare new one very early.
Alegria
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 1:51:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 1:51:00 PM EST
#1, put a hit out for los Mejias. That would solve 95% of the problem.
#2, never extend because it is popular, it ruins an otherwise good novela.
FELS, they could have stopped our suffering by having Fernando & Gabriela killing everyone in chapter 1 except Capricho. Then have a novela with these 2 excellent actors / villains, by Carla Estrada or Carlos Moreno.
#2, never extend because it is popular, it ruins an otherwise good novela.
FELS, they could have stopped our suffering by having Fernando & Gabriela killing everyone in chapter 1 except Capricho. Then have a novela with these 2 excellent actors / villains, by Carla Estrada or Carlos Moreno.
Enlarging novelas because the ratings are good only ruins the end product. Pasion de Gavilanes is an excellent example of this. It was the highest-rated program Telemundo had ever had in the 7PM time slot and they didn't want to lose that. The end result was that the last leg of the story ran too long to be logical even by TN rules. They reran the series twice after that and edited this part down.
Another thing to remember is that with the production budgets down Televisa saves money by producing fewer series but making them longer in order to make the same total number of new hours per year. Make one of those a mostly studio-bound comedy and you've saved big bucks on locations, costumes, furniture, and set building.
There hasn't been a novela de epoca in almost 5 years now. I really miss those.
Another thing to remember is that with the production budgets down Televisa saves money by producing fewer series but making them longer in order to make the same total number of new hours per year. Make one of those a mostly studio-bound comedy and you've saved big bucks on locations, costumes, furniture, and set building.
There hasn't been a novela de epoca in almost 5 years now. I really miss those.
Oh I didn't seen that one. I read an article that said she wasn't happy with the extension and wished it wasn't happening. Either one came after the other or they were trying to cover their tracks. Thanks for sharing though. I guess you can't believe everything you read.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:42:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:42:00 PM EST
Alegria
Because they have problems with the following.....
I think you have right partly. Now the situation with DQTQTQ. It will last at least april ( it will reach the 200th capitulo, so quality ????????), now there is January, and there isn't the following story, but the Qa or PSMA's deputy it is: La malquerida and La gata remake. And the last two arrives later than DQTQTQ deputy. I think it is a big fault.
ALEJOP.
Because they have problems with the following.....
I think you have right partly. Now the situation with DQTQTQ. It will last at least april ( it will reach the 200th capitulo, so quality ????????), now there is January, and there isn't the following story, but the Qa or PSMA's deputy it is: La malquerida and La gata remake. And the last two arrives later than DQTQTQ deputy. I think it is a big fault.
ALEJOP.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:01:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:01:00 PM EST
Variopinta, YES!!! No more novelas from Mejia family!!!!
Superalfie, this interview was after 30 episodes or near this. So they decided to enlarge it in the beginning and ratings were not so great. After Cachito I guess they tried to choose new novela carefully, so they needed more time. But in the end, when LMDV started to lose audience Mapat tried to explain. Novela became boring long before they started to enlarge it. But who will blame himself.
I also don't like when they use guest stars. As for me, this always ruins the plot.
Alegria
Superalfie, this interview was after 30 episodes or near this. So they decided to enlarge it in the beginning and ratings were not so great. After Cachito I guess they tried to choose new novela carefully, so they needed more time. But in the end, when LMDV started to lose audience Mapat tried to explain. Novela became boring long before they started to enlarge it. But who will blame himself.
I also don't like when they use guest stars. As for me, this always ruins the plot.
Alegria
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:09:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:09:00 PM EST
Lmdv for me: the first 40 episode very good, the following 20 enough good, the last 15 also very good, but with the other capitulos in the dustbin, boring episodes.
AlejoP.
AlejoP.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:35:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:35:00 PM EST
I'm not convinced that long=bad. The trick is to plan for it early. In the extensions I've seen it just seemed like a pretty organized, well planned story went to pot because things are forced to linger instead of playing out to their logical conclusions. I'm willing to watch a show for a while if it's well planned. Por Siempre is an example. They have taken a lot of time setting up and there are tons of possible story lines.
There are exceptions. For example I loved all of 181 capitulos of ENDA. For me it is the best TN of Carlos Moreno.
AlejoP.
AlejoP.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 4:48:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 4:48:00 PM EST
I think that if the producers and the network kept their productions on time there would be better results. It's not just producers failing here, La Tempestad was cut before its time which made Lo Que la Vida Me Robó start two months earlier and you could tell that pissed off Angeli Nesma from an interview she gave when the novela was going to premiere.
I don't know what to do with FELS but I wish there could be a remake of the original story in Las Aguas Mansas instead of the first remake Pasión de Gavilanes.
I think that if novelas spent more time on exploring the nuances of the characters and their relationships instead of jumping from action to action to long periods where nothing happens they would have better spent screentime.
Anon207:
"LA FUERZA DEL DESTINO:
Ivan had much more chemistry with Merry Piece than boring Lucia. I would've had Ivan/Maripaz marry for convenience like on the show, but end up truly falling for each other. Lucia would be matched with David in my version & Ivan's friend ends up with Judith."
I liked this idea. I think the lack of chemistry between the leads in this novela was the biggest trouble I found in it. I also felt Iván fell too quickly for Lucía once he met her again as a grown up. Maybe I would have cared more if they had allowed them to slowly fall in love.
I also liked you idea of Paloma ending with Enrique in Abismo and Gael with Altair Jarabo's character.
I want more novelas to have the lead couple falling for each other mid-way through the story. Let us see them falling in love so we can root for them.
Jarocha
I don't know what to do with FELS but I wish there could be a remake of the original story in Las Aguas Mansas instead of the first remake Pasión de Gavilanes.
I think that if novelas spent more time on exploring the nuances of the characters and their relationships instead of jumping from action to action to long periods where nothing happens they would have better spent screentime.
Anon207:
"LA FUERZA DEL DESTINO:
Ivan had much more chemistry with Merry Piece than boring Lucia. I would've had Ivan/Maripaz marry for convenience like on the show, but end up truly falling for each other. Lucia would be matched with David in my version & Ivan's friend ends up with Judith."
I liked this idea. I think the lack of chemistry between the leads in this novela was the biggest trouble I found in it. I also felt Iván fell too quickly for Lucía once he met her again as a grown up. Maybe I would have cared more if they had allowed them to slowly fall in love.
I also liked you idea of Paloma ending with Enrique in Abismo and Gael with Altair Jarabo's character.
I want more novelas to have the lead couple falling for each other mid-way through the story. Let us see them falling in love so we can root for them.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 8:23:00 PM EST
: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 8:23:00 PM EST
Urban Anthropologist- Velo de Novia was one of my first novelas and I only caught the segunda etapa but have heard about it. It really could use some retraction on the violence and a sooner anvil and/or pie cart for Raquela. I hated her strectched out karmageddeon's disgustingness. Something elaborate but quick and simple.
More novelas that require tweaking are CS2009, Cuidado, Soy tu Duena, TONTAS, Porque el Amor Manda Abismo de Pasion and in only 1 aspect ENDA.
Untouchables for me are Mi Pecado, Cachito de Cielo, PARA VOLVER A AMAR(!!<3!!) LFMB, Pasion, La Verdad Oculta, Amor Bravio, Cuando me Enamoro, Querida Enemiga, Guapos, Las dos caras de Ana and Llena de Amor. There are some more but yeah that's it for now.
More novelas that require tweaking are CS2009, Cuidado, Soy tu Duena, TONTAS, Porque el Amor Manda Abismo de Pasion and in only 1 aspect ENDA.
Untouchables for me are Mi Pecado, Cachito de Cielo, PARA VOLVER A AMAR(!!<3!!) LFMB, Pasion, La Verdad Oculta, Amor Bravio, Cuando me Enamoro, Querida Enemiga, Guapos, Las dos caras de Ana and Llena de Amor. There are some more but yeah that's it for now.
BTW the one aspect for ENDA was Inaki and Paloma not ending up together. Something like this- Carlota accidently killing Paloma and feeling dissatisfaction at this but remaining in prison realizing that she killed Inaki and Paloma whom are most likely together in heaven with Macarena.
BTW how does a novela by both Carlos Moreno and Carla Estrada sound? Ikind of love anything by Roberto Gomez Fernandez and Giselle Gonzalez.
BTW how does a novela by both Carlos Moreno and Carla Estrada sound? Ikind of love anything by Roberto Gomez Fernandez and Giselle Gonzalez.
Anon, I just read on the Spanish-language Wikipedia site that there was a version in Spain of the Reyes brothers' story in 2010. I wonder if they saw all three previous ones.
I never saw Las Aguas Mansas although somebody here said that not all three brothers made it to the end. PdG changed that and gave them all their FPSs with the Elizondo sisters. I thought that FELS improved in some ways:
-- Having three actors with compatible accents and coloring as the brothers
-- Giving Franco a personality
-- Improving the production look
-- In general, better music
-- Padre Tadeo
PdG had better writing most of the time and some of the comedy was genuinely funny, like the part with Oscar and Jimena starring in a TV commercial together. However, there were some inconsistencies in the acting and the ending was too drawn-out.
As to overall novela length, I will agree that long is not always bad. The Reyes brothers' story needs at least 150 episodes to give the important characters adequate screen time. In this example there are -- effectively -- three pairs of protagonists. In that vein, I thought that Nina Amada Mia could have been a little longer.
I never saw Las Aguas Mansas although somebody here said that not all three brothers made it to the end. PdG changed that and gave them all their FPSs with the Elizondo sisters. I thought that FELS improved in some ways:
-- Having three actors with compatible accents and coloring as the brothers
-- Giving Franco a personality
-- Improving the production look
-- In general, better music
-- Padre Tadeo
PdG had better writing most of the time and some of the comedy was genuinely funny, like the part with Oscar and Jimena starring in a TV commercial together. However, there were some inconsistencies in the acting and the ending was too drawn-out.
As to overall novela length, I will agree that long is not always bad. The Reyes brothers' story needs at least 150 episodes to give the important characters adequate screen time. In this example there are -- effectively -- three pairs of protagonists. In that vein, I thought that Nina Amada Mia could have been a little longer.
CS 09 needs its own post.
I agree with the majority who said that this didn't need a remake. The 1993 version was perfect in every respect. I did think that Yo Compro Esa Mujer was probably due despite the excellence of the 1991 version with Eduardo Yanez and Leticia Calderon.
What I would have done from scratch:
Although the combination of CS and YCEM isn't sacrilegious, I would have remade YCEM on its own. I would have cast Cesar Evora as Rodrigo, Leticia Calderon as Mathilde, Laura Flores as Blancaflor, and Altair Jarabo as Ana Cristina. Sebastian Rulli would have been great as Alejandro.
Given the script and general production it had:
I would have never cast Aracely Arambula. Although she looked like she was having a good time playing the nasty Aimee, she lacks the depth to play Regina, the good sister. She could never compete with Leticia Calderon or Edith Gonzales. I would have cast Altair Jarabo as both or had a second actress (probably Angelique Boyer) as the other sister. There is a plot point that required the sisters to be twins, but they didn't need to be identical.
Given that situation I would have cast Sebastian Rulli as Juan del Diablo. (That, of course, would have had a domino effect on casting Gabriel, as Sebastian Zurita looks too much like he could be related to Rulli).
Aimee's dresses wouldn't have looked so slutty because a father like Rodrigo Montes de Oca would never have allowed her to dress that way.
There would have been no modern pop music (I'm talking about the title song and the love themes) intruding on the Victorian-period story. The period music used in this series was excellent and correct to the period of the story.
Length was OK; making it longer wouldn't have improved anything.
I agree with the majority who said that this didn't need a remake. The 1993 version was perfect in every respect. I did think that Yo Compro Esa Mujer was probably due despite the excellence of the 1991 version with Eduardo Yanez and Leticia Calderon.
What I would have done from scratch:
Although the combination of CS and YCEM isn't sacrilegious, I would have remade YCEM on its own. I would have cast Cesar Evora as Rodrigo, Leticia Calderon as Mathilde, Laura Flores as Blancaflor, and Altair Jarabo as Ana Cristina. Sebastian Rulli would have been great as Alejandro.
Given the script and general production it had:
I would have never cast Aracely Arambula. Although she looked like she was having a good time playing the nasty Aimee, she lacks the depth to play Regina, the good sister. She could never compete with Leticia Calderon or Edith Gonzales. I would have cast Altair Jarabo as both or had a second actress (probably Angelique Boyer) as the other sister. There is a plot point that required the sisters to be twins, but they didn't need to be identical.
Given that situation I would have cast Sebastian Rulli as Juan del Diablo. (That, of course, would have had a domino effect on casting Gabriel, as Sebastian Zurita looks too much like he could be related to Rulli).
Aimee's dresses wouldn't have looked so slutty because a father like Rodrigo Montes de Oca would never have allowed her to dress that way.
There would have been no modern pop music (I'm talking about the title song and the love themes) intruding on the Victorian-period story. The period music used in this series was excellent and correct to the period of the story.
Length was OK; making it longer wouldn't have improved anything.
UA:
Interesting that you think Franco lacked a personality in PdG. He was a villain in Las Aguas Mansas so maybe by turning him into a good guy they made him one that was to generic?
I'd like to see that version of YCEM. I think Rulli would be great at the part.
I didn't like ENDA much but that's because Cadenas de Amargura was one of my favorite novelas and my favorite part of it was how not over the top it was for the most part, it was just such a believable story.
ENDA did bring a very novela OTT quality to the story, with making Carlota go full psycho with guns and all and having Emiliano believe that he had fathered Romina's baby among other things.
I would have kept certain elements from CdA in ENDA: like keeping Emiliano and Paloma as acquitances until Iñaki's death made them friends and them having them fall for each other and Emiliano wouldn't have married Romina either. This would have made the Emiliano character more likeable to me.
I would have recasted Macarena because Victoria Ruffo annoys me and the role was originally played by Delia Casanova (Carlota in LFDD) who's leagues above her. Then with a capable actress I would have kept her death like in the original to give Carlota more depth as a character.
At the end, Emiliano and Paloma would have ended up together but not gotten married. I didn't like that switching the groom thing they did because those two were certainly not ready for marriage yet. In Cadenas de Amargura they do get married but she never gets a third galán that she's about to walk on the aisle with so I don't mind that marriage.
Jarocha
Interesting that you think Franco lacked a personality in PdG. He was a villain in Las Aguas Mansas so maybe by turning him into a good guy they made him one that was to generic?
I'd like to see that version of YCEM. I think Rulli would be great at the part.
I didn't like ENDA much but that's because Cadenas de Amargura was one of my favorite novelas and my favorite part of it was how not over the top it was for the most part, it was just such a believable story.
ENDA did bring a very novela OTT quality to the story, with making Carlota go full psycho with guns and all and having Emiliano believe that he had fathered Romina's baby among other things.
I would have kept certain elements from CdA in ENDA: like keeping Emiliano and Paloma as acquitances until Iñaki's death made them friends and them having them fall for each other and Emiliano wouldn't have married Romina either. This would have made the Emiliano character more likeable to me.
I would have recasted Macarena because Victoria Ruffo annoys me and the role was originally played by Delia Casanova (Carlota in LFDD) who's leagues above her. Then with a capable actress I would have kept her death like in the original to give Carlota more depth as a character.
At the end, Emiliano and Paloma would have ended up together but not gotten married. I didn't like that switching the groom thing they did because those two were certainly not ready for marriage yet. In Cadenas de Amargura they do get married but she never gets a third galán that she's about to walk on the aisle with so I don't mind that marriage.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 2:34:00 PM EST
: Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 2:34:00 PM EST
The thing with PdG was probably because of either or both of the following:
-- Michel Brown wasn't that much of an actor (he was originally a model)
-- The writers may have begun without a clear vision of what they were going to do with the character and made the decision later.
By the time we knew he was going to marry Eduvina, they had to have made the decision as to how that would play out. I also think that because Telemundo was hoping that this series would appeal to Mexicans that they made the decision to turn him good because what could be better than having three good brothers marry three nice, respectable sisters.
BTW, what happened to Sara in the original? I wonder whether she became a nun or the Tita of that family.
I wonder what the writers in Spain did with this story.
As to CdA, I never saw it, but plan to when I have the chance. I'd love to see Diana Bracho as the Carlota character.
-- Michel Brown wasn't that much of an actor (he was originally a model)
-- The writers may have begun without a clear vision of what they were going to do with the character and made the decision later.
By the time we knew he was going to marry Eduvina, they had to have made the decision as to how that would play out. I also think that because Telemundo was hoping that this series would appeal to Mexicans that they made the decision to turn him good because what could be better than having three good brothers marry three nice, respectable sisters.
BTW, what happened to Sara in the original? I wonder whether she became a nun or the Tita of that family.
I wonder what the writers in Spain did with this story.
As to CdA, I never saw it, but plan to when I have the chance. I'd love to see Diana Bracho as the Carlota character.
Oh, I see. I don't like Michel Brown much either. He was in TV Azteca in an adaptation they made of Dallas two years ago playing Patrick Duffy's character and he was the weakest link of the cast (well, he and his wife).
Sara dies in Las Aguas Mansas. She had poor health from the beginning (heart problems) and she becomes obsessed with finding out who the Reyes brothers actually were so the anguish eventually leads her to a series of heart attacks.
I can't remember well what her condition was but Las Aguas Mansas was set in the 40's so I think she didn't receive the best treatments for it.
Eduvina was the rich lady? Was she turned evil in PdG? In LAM she wasn't evil but Franco did marry her and was poisoning her to get her money after her death, then she realizes what he was doing and she poisons him. He dies and she makes her servant lay him on the bed, then she poisons herself and dies next to him. Juan and Oscar inherit her money. How was that changed in PdG and FELS?
Jarocha
Sara dies in Las Aguas Mansas. She had poor health from the beginning (heart problems) and she becomes obsessed with finding out who the Reyes brothers actually were so the anguish eventually leads her to a series of heart attacks.
I can't remember well what her condition was but Las Aguas Mansas was set in the 40's so I think she didn't receive the best treatments for it.
Eduvina was the rich lady? Was she turned evil in PdG? In LAM she wasn't evil but Franco did marry her and was poisoning her to get her money after her death, then she realizes what he was doing and she poisons him. He dies and she makes her servant lay him on the bed, then she poisons herself and dies next to him. Juan and Oscar inherit her money. How was that changed in PdG and FELS?
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 4:30:00 PM EST
: Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 4:30:00 PM EST
In PdG Eduvina dropped dead at the wedding reception. She had been in poor health, wasn't taking her medications, and was drinking heavily. Just as someone was telling Franco to stop her from drinking any more she climbed onto the dining room table and started dancing. She had a stroke and fell.
The guests all left and the main male servant tried to keep Franco locked up on the assumption he had something to do with the patrona's death. Franco called his brothers and they gave the servant what for. The autopsy removed all suspicion.
On what seemed like the next day two lawyers visited Franco and told him that under state law he inherited everything because Eduvina didn't have any children or other surviving relatives. He was totally clueless about what to do next because he felt weird about accepting. Juan told him "Then give it all to charity and be done with it." Oscar almost had a conniption, but Eva told the guys to think carefully because God sometimes has strange ways of providing restitution. Juan took a deep breath and said he needed to think about it.
When he went outside and saw the beautiful horses in the corral, he sort of changed his mind about this and promised to manage the lands; he didn't want ownership for himself. Oscar was quick to say he would manage the businesses and all finances.
So the guys got a ranch and some very profitable businesses. It wasn't the ranch stolen from their parents, but they got back more than they lost.
This did not happen at all in FELS; there was no Eduvina. They discovered that the Uribes had the property stolen from them and got it back. Ricardo Uribe (who is much younger than Calixto in PdG) was the original leader of the murderers who killed the Reyes brothers' parents. He met an appropriate end.
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The guests all left and the main male servant tried to keep Franco locked up on the assumption he had something to do with the patrona's death. Franco called his brothers and they gave the servant what for. The autopsy removed all suspicion.
On what seemed like the next day two lawyers visited Franco and told him that under state law he inherited everything because Eduvina didn't have any children or other surviving relatives. He was totally clueless about what to do next because he felt weird about accepting. Juan told him "Then give it all to charity and be done with it." Oscar almost had a conniption, but Eva told the guys to think carefully because God sometimes has strange ways of providing restitution. Juan took a deep breath and said he needed to think about it.
When he went outside and saw the beautiful horses in the corral, he sort of changed his mind about this and promised to manage the lands; he didn't want ownership for himself. Oscar was quick to say he would manage the businesses and all finances.
So the guys got a ranch and some very profitable businesses. It wasn't the ranch stolen from their parents, but they got back more than they lost.
This did not happen at all in FELS; there was no Eduvina. They discovered that the Uribes had the property stolen from them and got it back. Ricardo Uribe (who is much younger than Calixto in PdG) was the original leader of the murderers who killed the Reyes brothers' parents. He met an appropriate end.
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