Monday, February 24, 2014
TELEMUNDO Y MÁS: SANTA DIABLA -- ¡Gran Final!
Gran Final
Sue in TN - you get the prize for having your prediction of the ending be the closest to what actually happened. Let's see how you did:
SUE- Humberto comes downstairs to find Santa is gone. He drops off willy with Willy at the hospital and then somehow figures out where Santiago is and heads to the warehouse.
ACTUAL - very close. Bert comes downstairs, finds Santa gone and takes willy to Begoña's house. Willy is at the hospital with Barb and Begoña is tied up in the warehouse with Santi but Paula is there.
At the warehouse, Santi is in a tux with his hair slicked back. He has made Santa put on a wedding dress and tells her to stop telling him that he is sick. Santa finds Begoña's phone and manages to mute the sound and call Bert with the phone behind her back. She gives Bert some clues about where she is but when she keeps asking Santi how he found this place, even he gets suspicious and finds the phone.
SUE - Pancho also heads to the warehouse.
ACTUAL - Bert heads off to the warehouse and Paula calls Pancho and gives him the information.
SUE - As Father Milton is about to pronounce Santiago and Santa husband and wife, Bert arrives. He and Santi have a life or death struggle. Bert loses. Bert lies Pietà-like in Santa's arms. She forgives him all his sins. He dies, redeemed at the end.
ACTUAL - Very close, again. Bert comes in just as Father Milton has said, “you may kiss the bride.” Santa uses her Diabla skills to elbow Santi in the neck and run towards Bert. In excruciatingly slow motion, Santi raises his gun, Bert pushes Santa away and takes the bullet. Bert just dies on the floor, doesn’t say much and Santa just calls for an ambulance. Very undramatic. Maybe they didn’t think Gaby Espino could handle a scene like you describe.
SUE - Meanwhile, Pancho - who has lost the most as the result of Santiago and who is the real hero of our story - ends up killing him. Then, he disarms the bomb by cutting the right wire.
ACTUAL - This was wrong. Nobody kills Santi, he is arrested and the whole bomb part of the story is ignored. Lucky that Santi didn't keep his finger on the detonator. Zero drama there.
SUE - Willy arrives. Comforts Santa. She goes back home with him and Begoña to pick up the pieces of her life shattered by the Canos. Pancho is done with police work and decides to leave Marrero
ACTUAL - The last part is right. It’s “meses despues,” “months later,” Pancho tells Lucy that he is leaving the police force and Marrero. He tells her that he doesn’t like women and thanks to Ulíses, whose grave they are at, he now understands his true self. Lucy is pretty calm about losing her chance at marriage. They say that they will always care about each other.
SUE - Other characters
Lucy joins Tránsito in the restaurant business
ACTUAL - Novela Maven was closer on this one. We see Tránsito singing her version of the Santa song in the restaurant (with improved decoration). I don’t know if the video has gone viral but maybe. Pancho asks her if she has seen Patricio. “No,” replies Tránsito, “it’s as if the earth (or her customers) have swallowed him up.” Lucy does not seem to be involved.
SUE - Ivan gives Victoria the Christmas she never will see. She dies in his arms
ACTUAL - 100% correct although that was pretty easy to predict.
SUE - Elisa decides to use the plane ticket and leaves for Canada, since there’s nothing there in Marrero for her anymore
ACTUAL - Elisa didn’t make the gran final.
SUE - Paula and René leave for Guatemala and a new life with René’s family
ACTUAL - Much weirder. In the “meses despues” we see Paula with a baby, presumably her baby. Willy is there but no René. Santa is pregnant. She is sad that Bert never knew that he had fathered yet another child but she is happy in her flat affect way.
SUE - Father Milton reschedules the baptisms and weddings he missed due to having a bomb strapped to his chest.
ACTUAL - I'm sure he did but we don't see that.
SUE - Francisca cannot accept that Barb is disfigured. Newly sainted Lisette says she can live in her home. There's plenty of space. Daniela decides to keep her baby because, in her mind, she doesn't want to reject her child as Francisca did hers.
ACTUAL - Not quite. Barb’s face is so damaged that even Alicia’s surgeon can’t repair it. She and Fran are living in the Cano house. Fran is annoyed at having to wait on Barb who has wrapped herself up in black, stays in the dark and keeps saying over and over, “Fui bella,” “I was beautiful.” This is driving Fran nuts. Those two deserve each other.
Daniela gives up her baby for adoption to a couple we’ve never seen before. [Too bad Arturo and Mara]. Padre Milton looks on approvingly. Daniela gives a little speech saying that when she saw her baby, she loved her but she knows that she is not ready to be a mother, etc. etc.
SUE - And speaking of Fran, she's all alone - her family either dead or gone. But at least she has that big home to keep her warm.
ACTUAL - see above.
Other stuff not in Sue’s prediction.
Ivan writes another book called, “Immortal,” about his love for Victoria and that also will warn women to get mammograms to get early warning of breast cancer.
Willy goes to see Alicia. He says that it is too bad she let her desire for vengeance be stronger than their love. They could have been happy together. Alicia asks if he will wait for her. Willy seems to indicate that he will but that seems unlikely.
Santi is locked in an asylum. He says “Santa” over and over. A nurse brings him food but he doesn’t want to eat - actually he can’t feed himself since he is in a straight jacket. The nurses carelessly leave the door of his room open ...
Santa and family have ordered pizza at Begoña’s house. The doorbell rings. Santa goes to get it. For some reason, the pizza guy is standing about 10 feet from the door. How did he ring the bell? Santa has to go down the walk to pay the guy. She looks up and there is Santi standing by a tree across the street. A car goes by. She looks again and Santi is gone. Begoña comes out and asks what is wrong. “Hug me, mother,” she says, “Todo esto debió ser un mal sueño, nada más” “All this had to be a bad dream, nothing more.”
“All this” what? The pizza guy? With this sort of enigmatic ending, we get the Fin and it’s over. I give this gran final about a C- . It had less drama than one of Carlos Ponce’s State Farm commercials. Aaron Diaz managed to make what my sister calls, “fierce face” but Carlos Ponce looked like he was just phoning it in. On to the next novela. I’m going to watch (and probably recap) En Otra Piel. Thanks for all the great recaps and comments. It was fun.
Sue in TN - you get the prize for having your prediction of the ending be the closest to what actually happened. Let's see how you did:
SUE- Humberto comes downstairs to find Santa is gone. He drops off willy with Willy at the hospital and then somehow figures out where Santiago is and heads to the warehouse.
ACTUAL - very close. Bert comes downstairs, finds Santa gone and takes willy to Begoña's house. Willy is at the hospital with Barb and Begoña is tied up in the warehouse with Santi but Paula is there.
At the warehouse, Santi is in a tux with his hair slicked back. He has made Santa put on a wedding dress and tells her to stop telling him that he is sick. Santa finds Begoña's phone and manages to mute the sound and call Bert with the phone behind her back. She gives Bert some clues about where she is but when she keeps asking Santi how he found this place, even he gets suspicious and finds the phone.
SUE - Pancho also heads to the warehouse.
ACTUAL - Bert heads off to the warehouse and Paula calls Pancho and gives him the information.
SUE - As Father Milton is about to pronounce Santiago and Santa husband and wife, Bert arrives. He and Santi have a life or death struggle. Bert loses. Bert lies Pietà-like in Santa's arms. She forgives him all his sins. He dies, redeemed at the end.
ACTUAL - Very close, again. Bert comes in just as Father Milton has said, “you may kiss the bride.” Santa uses her Diabla skills to elbow Santi in the neck and run towards Bert. In excruciatingly slow motion, Santi raises his gun, Bert pushes Santa away and takes the bullet. Bert just dies on the floor, doesn’t say much and Santa just calls for an ambulance. Very undramatic. Maybe they didn’t think Gaby Espino could handle a scene like you describe.
SUE - Meanwhile, Pancho - who has lost the most as the result of Santiago and who is the real hero of our story - ends up killing him. Then, he disarms the bomb by cutting the right wire.
ACTUAL - This was wrong. Nobody kills Santi, he is arrested and the whole bomb part of the story is ignored. Lucky that Santi didn't keep his finger on the detonator. Zero drama there.
SUE - Willy arrives. Comforts Santa. She goes back home with him and Begoña to pick up the pieces of her life shattered by the Canos. Pancho is done with police work and decides to leave Marrero
ACTUAL - The last part is right. It’s “meses despues,” “months later,” Pancho tells Lucy that he is leaving the police force and Marrero. He tells her that he doesn’t like women and thanks to Ulíses, whose grave they are at, he now understands his true self. Lucy is pretty calm about losing her chance at marriage. They say that they will always care about each other.
SUE - Other characters
Lucy joins Tránsito in the restaurant business
ACTUAL - Novela Maven was closer on this one. We see Tránsito singing her version of the Santa song in the restaurant (with improved decoration). I don’t know if the video has gone viral but maybe. Pancho asks her if she has seen Patricio. “No,” replies Tránsito, “it’s as if the earth (or her customers) have swallowed him up.” Lucy does not seem to be involved.
SUE - Ivan gives Victoria the Christmas she never will see. She dies in his arms
ACTUAL - 100% correct although that was pretty easy to predict.
SUE - Elisa decides to use the plane ticket and leaves for Canada, since there’s nothing there in Marrero for her anymore
ACTUAL - Elisa didn’t make the gran final.
SUE - Paula and René leave for Guatemala and a new life with René’s family
ACTUAL - Much weirder. In the “meses despues” we see Paula with a baby, presumably her baby. Willy is there but no René. Santa is pregnant. She is sad that Bert never knew that he had fathered yet another child but she is happy in her flat affect way.
SUE - Father Milton reschedules the baptisms and weddings he missed due to having a bomb strapped to his chest.
ACTUAL - I'm sure he did but we don't see that.
SUE - Francisca cannot accept that Barb is disfigured. Newly sainted Lisette says she can live in her home. There's plenty of space. Daniela decides to keep her baby because, in her mind, she doesn't want to reject her child as Francisca did hers.
ACTUAL - Not quite. Barb’s face is so damaged that even Alicia’s surgeon can’t repair it. She and Fran are living in the Cano house. Fran is annoyed at having to wait on Barb who has wrapped herself up in black, stays in the dark and keeps saying over and over, “Fui bella,” “I was beautiful.” This is driving Fran nuts. Those two deserve each other.
Daniela gives up her baby for adoption to a couple we’ve never seen before. [Too bad Arturo and Mara]. Padre Milton looks on approvingly. Daniela gives a little speech saying that when she saw her baby, she loved her but she knows that she is not ready to be a mother, etc. etc.
SUE - And speaking of Fran, she's all alone - her family either dead or gone. But at least she has that big home to keep her warm.
ACTUAL - see above.
Other stuff not in Sue’s prediction.
Ivan writes another book called, “Immortal,” about his love for Victoria and that also will warn women to get mammograms to get early warning of breast cancer.
Willy goes to see Alicia. He says that it is too bad she let her desire for vengeance be stronger than their love. They could have been happy together. Alicia asks if he will wait for her. Willy seems to indicate that he will but that seems unlikely.
Santi is locked in an asylum. He says “Santa” over and over. A nurse brings him food but he doesn’t want to eat - actually he can’t feed himself since he is in a straight jacket. The nurses carelessly leave the door of his room open ...
Santa and family have ordered pizza at Begoña’s house. The doorbell rings. Santa goes to get it. For some reason, the pizza guy is standing about 10 feet from the door. How did he ring the bell? Santa has to go down the walk to pay the guy. She looks up and there is Santi standing by a tree across the street. A car goes by. She looks again and Santi is gone. Begoña comes out and asks what is wrong. “Hug me, mother,” she says, “Todo esto debió ser un mal sueño, nada más” “All this had to be a bad dream, nothing more.”
“All this” what? The pizza guy? With this sort of enigmatic ending, we get the Fin and it’s over. I give this gran final about a C- . It had less drama than one of Carlos Ponce’s State Farm commercials. Aaron Diaz managed to make what my sister calls, “fierce face” but Carlos Ponce looked like he was just phoning it in. On to the next novela. I’m going to watch (and probably recap) En Otra Piel. Thanks for all the great recaps and comments. It was fun.
Comments:
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Unless everyone has already been killed by Santiago and this whole thing has been a shock therapy induced dream.
Because why not?
Kelly
Because why not?
Kelly
Permalink posted by 
: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:12:00 PM EST
: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:12:00 PM EST
Kelly - or neck syringe induced dream!
Permalink posted by : Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM EST
: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM EST
How is Aaron Diaz supposed to be the protagonist when he's killing people?
Wiki also had Carlos Ponce as an antagonist on this TN
Wiki also had Carlos Ponce as an antagonist on this TN
Awhile back, I said I didn't necessarily need a happy ending, but I did need a satisfying one. Right now, although I liked certain parts, I'm not so sure about the satisfaction level. I'm going to have to think about it for awhile.
Permalink posted by : Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:11:00 PM EST
: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 11:11:00 PM EST
This has been a pretty crappy ending. So depressing, really!
Santa living in the same house as her ex husband, who used to cheat in her with her mother, who is living with them, too. And she's pregnant with Humberto's child. And he is dead. And Santi is out of the manicomio.
I enjoyed this tn very much but now I feel like I wasted my time with it.
I totally agree that Aaron Diaz did his best work at the end, but I didn't feel Carlos Ponce one bit. Maybe he managed to get into the dark side of Humberto so much that when he turned good-ish, I just couldn't believe him in the role. Or maybe he was just bored and couldn't wait for the crazy to end.
Santa living in the same house as her ex husband, who used to cheat in her with her mother, who is living with them, too. And she's pregnant with Humberto's child. And he is dead. And Santi is out of the manicomio.
I enjoyed this tn very much but now I feel like I wasted my time with it.
I totally agree that Aaron Diaz did his best work at the end, but I didn't feel Carlos Ponce one bit. Maybe he managed to get into the dark side of Humberto so much that when he turned good-ish, I just couldn't believe him in the role. Or maybe he was just bored and couldn't wait for the crazy to end.
Jean, I loved the format you concocted to tell this story and at the same time, give Sue in TN recognition for her uncanny ability to think like a Telemundo writer.
Thank you so much, Jean, for this and for every one of your recaps. I always love your "sane person trying to make sense of what she just saw" perspective:
"Santa and family have ordered pizza at Begoña’s house. The doorbell rings. Santa goes to get it. For some reason, the pizza guy is standing about 10 feet from the door. How did he ring the bell?"
How did he ring the bell?
Yes! That can stand for every question we have about this story: How did he ring the bell?
The good thing about such a lousy finale is that it makes it much easier to walk away.
The bad thing -- I doubt there will be much enthusiasm for those Marrero Tram Tours now. (Sorry, Variopinta.)
Thank you so much, Jean, for this and for every one of your recaps. I always love your "sane person trying to make sense of what she just saw" perspective:
"Santa and family have ordered pizza at Begoña’s house. The doorbell rings. Santa goes to get it. For some reason, the pizza guy is standing about 10 feet from the door. How did he ring the bell?"
How did he ring the bell?
Yes! That can stand for every question we have about this story: How did he ring the bell?
The good thing about such a lousy finale is that it makes it much easier to walk away.
The bad thing -- I doubt there will be much enthusiasm for those Marrero Tram Tours now. (Sorry, Variopinta.)
I'm just glad someone untied Begona from that chair.
I think Carlos Ponce wanted to complete this thing as the antagonist, but it was taken away from him so he really didn't care.
I think Carlos Ponce wanted to complete this thing as the antagonist, but it was taken away from him so he really didn't care.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 9:52:00 AM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 9:52:00 AM EST
Adriana, as I was watching Aaron Diaz last night, I found myself thinking of a young Jack Nicholson -- the mocking hipster thing (which, by the way, I always despised). Then I noticed that MIguel Varoni was listed in the credits as "guest director" for the last few episodes.
So…maybe Miguel Varoni (who is is some ways a Latino Jack Nicholson) was giving AD some pointers on the sneering and mocking school of villainy.
So Kelly, it seems the writers were hinting at your ending after all. All a dream? Whose dream? Maybe Santiago DID kill everyone. Or maybe he didn't kill anyone. Maybe Bert was just acting and that was fake blood on his shirt front.
Oh well. At least Pancho came out of the closet.
Juanita, I am so looking forward to hearing how much you loathed the ending!
Hombre, Deb, and Mena -- you guys, along with Jean, really made this a fun ride. (I always love it when the recaps are better than the novela.) ¡Muchísimas gracias!
So…maybe Miguel Varoni (who is is some ways a Latino Jack Nicholson) was giving AD some pointers on the sneering and mocking school of villainy.
So Kelly, it seems the writers were hinting at your ending after all. All a dream? Whose dream? Maybe Santiago DID kill everyone. Or maybe he didn't kill anyone. Maybe Bert was just acting and that was fake blood on his shirt front.
Oh well. At least Pancho came out of the closet.
Juanita, I am so looking forward to hearing how much you loathed the ending!
Hombre, Deb, and Mena -- you guys, along with Jean, really made this a fun ride. (I always love it when the recaps are better than the novela.) ¡Muchísimas gracias!
Tks so much to all recappers, such fun & muchas carcajadas.
After all the entertaining locuras, it sure did fall flat. Many times writers just don't know how to wrap it up, also happens in books.
What was Lucy doing at Ulises' grave, did she even know him, or was she still stalking Pancho?
Carlos was so much better as the bad guy & so was Santi. With his slicked back hair, AD made me think of old silent movie villains.All he needed was a mustache to twirl. Gaby Espino was a consistent zero from start to finish. Her best scene is the opening scene in the red dress where all that is expected is to look beautiful & sexy.
¡¡Annnnnd they never found the bayou ladies body!!!!
Onward to "Camelia, la texana"
Hope to see our recappers there.
After all the entertaining locuras, it sure did fall flat. Many times writers just don't know how to wrap it up, also happens in books.
What was Lucy doing at Ulises' grave, did she even know him, or was she still stalking Pancho?
Carlos was so much better as the bad guy & so was Santi. With his slicked back hair, AD made me think of old silent movie villains.All he needed was a mustache to twirl. Gaby Espino was a consistent zero from start to finish. Her best scene is the opening scene in the red dress where all that is expected is to look beautiful & sexy.
¡¡Annnnnd they never found the bayou ladies body!!!!
Onward to "Camelia, la texana"
Hope to see our recappers there.
I never watched this tn, but I have enjoyed reading all your recaps and comments on what seems like it was a crazy ride of a tn. I felt like I did watch, through your eyes.
How interesting that the writers chose to turn Santi bad. Do you think that was the plan from the beginning, or were the Telemundo writers just flying by the seat of their pants (and listening to Twitter suggestions) as usual? In any case, I'm glad Aaron Diaz got to strut his stuff as a bad guy in the end. One of the worst tns I watched (part way), El Talisman, starred him as one of the main bad guys. He and his crazy over the top meltdown (and escaped curls), were the best things about that tn's finale. I feel bad for Carlos Ponce that he wasn't the one given the chance to chew the scenery in the finale, though.
How interesting that the writers chose to turn Santi bad. Do you think that was the plan from the beginning, or were the Telemundo writers just flying by the seat of their pants (and listening to Twitter suggestions) as usual? In any case, I'm glad Aaron Diaz got to strut his stuff as a bad guy in the end. One of the worst tns I watched (part way), El Talisman, starred him as one of the main bad guys. He and his crazy over the top meltdown (and escaped curls), were the best things about that tn's finale. I feel bad for Carlos Ponce that he wasn't the one given the chance to chew the scenery in the finale, though.
Vivi, I think this is EXACTLY the final that the writers had planned from the beginning, except Humberto was supposed to be the loco one.
After Santa revealed her true identity to the whole world Bert was nearly crazy, still calling her Amanda Brown and showing all the signs of full blown obsession. And then he cut off his father's head.
He was definitely the villain and Carlos Ponce was loving every minute of it.
But the leads had zero chemistry together and their acting was mediocre at best. Twitter reaction might have had something to do with the change, too, since the entire cast and part of the production team were always chatting with fans and answering their questions.
So they came up with this unbelievable Santi is crazy plot. I think AD was really hot in his last scenes. I can only imagine what Carlos Ponce would have done had he been allowed to play those scenes as the villain, and not the weepy rescuer that ends up dead.
After Santa revealed her true identity to the whole world Bert was nearly crazy, still calling her Amanda Brown and showing all the signs of full blown obsession. And then he cut off his father's head.
He was definitely the villain and Carlos Ponce was loving every minute of it.
But the leads had zero chemistry together and their acting was mediocre at best. Twitter reaction might have had something to do with the change, too, since the entire cast and part of the production team were always chatting with fans and answering their questions.
So they came up with this unbelievable Santi is crazy plot. I think AD was really hot in his last scenes. I can only imagine what Carlos Ponce would have done had he been allowed to play those scenes as the villain, and not the weepy rescuer that ends up dead.
Jean, thanks for your excellent account of a very meh gran final. I thought it was a truly inspired touch to include Sue's predictions and how they fared. I especially loved your remarks about the pizza guy. As NovelaMaven observed about that remark: "Yes! That can stand for every question we have about this story: How did he ring the bell?"
I don't have much else to say. C- seems a bit generous.
I'm really at a loss for what to watch now. I've been watching La Impostura, and I may well continue, but I'm lukewarm at best about it. I watched the first episode of En Otra Piel and decided it seemed too dark and unpleasant. I'm also not wild about a premise involving the supernatural in such a major way.
That leaves Camelia la Texana. I hated the theme corrido when I saw the previews, and I thought I'd give narconovelas a rest for a while. But I think I'll watch the first episode tonight and see what I think.
Thanks once again to all the recappers and commenters who made watching a mediocre novela so enjoyable.
I don't have much else to say. C- seems a bit generous.
I'm really at a loss for what to watch now. I've been watching La Impostura, and I may well continue, but I'm lukewarm at best about it. I watched the first episode of En Otra Piel and decided it seemed too dark and unpleasant. I'm also not wild about a premise involving the supernatural in such a major way.
That leaves Camelia la Texana. I hated the theme corrido when I saw the previews, and I thought I'd give narconovelas a rest for a while. But I think I'll watch the first episode tonight and see what I think.
Thanks once again to all the recappers and commenters who made watching a mediocre novela so enjoyable.
I'm with Juanita. C- is generous. I decided to tune in for the finale and was underwhelmed. I WAS sorry I missed them killing off Inés!
The ambiguity of maybe Santiago having escaped from the nuthouse (wearing, of course, his strait jacket) and showing up at Santa's was SO lame.
I'm sorry I missed all the snark with you all, but I jumped ship early on.
The ambiguity of maybe Santiago having escaped from the nuthouse (wearing, of course, his strait jacket) and showing up at Santa's was SO lame.
I'm sorry I missed all the snark with you all, but I jumped ship early on.
Jean, thanks for another wonderful recap, and it worked well to compare with Sue's predictions.
I think the problem with this show is that they switched gears in midstream. I'm not sure about this, but I still think it would have worked better with Santi and Santa united at the end, Santi being good, Bert being bad. I got the feeling that because viewers seemed to like Carlos Ponce better, he was changed to good, which made Santi have to be bad. But this ruined the flow.
I also didn't like all the plot holes and omissions at the end, and found this to be a weak gran final.
I did enjoy the various crazy twists and turns of the first 2/3 of the novela.
And thanks to all the recappers!
I think the problem with this show is that they switched gears in midstream. I'm not sure about this, but I still think it would have worked better with Santi and Santa united at the end, Santi being good, Bert being bad. I got the feeling that because viewers seemed to like Carlos Ponce better, he was changed to good, which made Santi have to be bad. But this ruined the flow.
I also didn't like all the plot holes and omissions at the end, and found this to be a weak gran final.
I did enjoy the various crazy twists and turns of the first 2/3 of the novela.
And thanks to all the recappers!
I give the finale a C-, too. And the overall tn a B-, I guess. It was mostly ridiculous, but it was also very entertaining.
No matter how great a writer is (and this one really had the ability to shock us all the time), it is very hard to change the story like he did and wrap it all up smoothly. I don't think anyone can ever pull it off perfectly and fans always have long memories about stuff like that, we always find the loopholes.
That being said, I still prefer Telemundo novelas over the ones from Televisa. I've really noticed a great improvement over the last few years, especially when it comes to the quality of the story. Telemundo manages to pull off some things that Televisa doesn't have the guts to try. I say kudos to them!
No matter how great a writer is (and this one really had the ability to shock us all the time), it is very hard to change the story like he did and wrap it all up smoothly. I don't think anyone can ever pull it off perfectly and fans always have long memories about stuff like that, we always find the loopholes.
That being said, I still prefer Telemundo novelas over the ones from Televisa. I've really noticed a great improvement over the last few years, especially when it comes to the quality of the story. Telemundo manages to pull off some things that Televisa doesn't have the guts to try. I say kudos to them!
Where was Rene? I thought he and Paula were going to raise her baby together. And speaking of that, Paula must have the longest pregnancy in TN history. We see Santa months later looking like she's going to have that baby any minute and nothing was said about Paula's baby except in an episode or two before where she was told she was having a girl. I don't even remember her looking pregnant at any point.
Not wanting to be ghoulish here, but I think Barbara should have committed suicide after seeing her face. With as obsessed as she was about her looks over all other things (including the fact that her daughter was raped and now pregnant), I thought that she wouldn't bear having a disfigured face.
And was I the only one who noticed that the pizza delivery guy vanished at the end? He was there when Begonia came out the house and said something to Santa, but in the long shot of Santa and Begonia hugging, you don't see the delivery guy.
Not wanting to be ghoulish here, but I think Barbara should have committed suicide after seeing her face. With as obsessed as she was about her looks over all other things (including the fact that her daughter was raped and now pregnant), I thought that she wouldn't bear having a disfigured face.
And was I the only one who noticed that the pizza delivery guy vanished at the end? He was there when Begonia came out the house and said something to Santa, but in the long shot of Santa and Begonia hugging, you don't see the delivery guy.
Disappointing! Santi and Santa should have ended up together, or it should have all been a dream.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 1:09:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 1:09:00 PM EST
I liked the novela & agree with the B rating, have you seen Televisa lately?
C- on the final, what a shame. Frankly, I think it was Santa missing the spark with anyone & Santi was tiresome until the last few episodes.
If that is what happened, writers should never listen to the viewers. They have sth in mind & should stick with it.
C- on the final, what a shame. Frankly, I think it was Santa missing the spark with anyone & Santi was tiresome until the last few episodes.
If that is what happened, writers should never listen to the viewers. They have sth in mind & should stick with it.
I stopped watching this one the EP when Santa and Humberto got married and Santi played the sax and Santa fainted because the acting was so bad. I have, however, read the recaps with gusto and thank everyone, Mena, Sue, Deb, NovelaMaven, novelera and the others who took the time to make sense of this literally crazy novela.
I commend the writers on listening to fan feedback-it shows humility-and trying new things, but the problem wasn't the original, venganza story line, but the casting. Gaby Espino was so wooden, and Aaron Diaz does galan badly. I heard others on Latin social media say Carlos ponce was also too old to be vying to break up Santa and Santi, and I sort of agree, but he was a better actor than the galan and prota. Because of these defects, which showed up very early in the Tn that viewers noticed it quickly, they had to play up Aaron Diaz's strength as a villian and make Santi evil, and put Ponce's Humberto as heroic because he had better chemistry with Espino's Santa.
I get the sense that Aaron Diaz doesn't like the whole galan idea from what I saw of him in Lola, erase Una vez, a teen novela, so he just always looks weird in a galan role. He has galan looks, but not the acting, while Carlos can play smug, arrogant redeemable galan and villain. Just my two pesos.
I don't know what to watch either since I can't get Uni's novelas online, and as much as I love Jorge Luis Pila and Martin Barba, who were amazing in La Patrona, the supernatural elements in Otra Piel aren't my style. I'm also 'meh' on La Impostora and I'm morally opposed to narcos. I'm basically watching old novelss like Cuna de Lobos-amazing and noiry-and El Manantial-traditional but drama-filled and entertaining with a galan who isn't stupid.
I commend the writers on listening to fan feedback-it shows humility-and trying new things, but the problem wasn't the original, venganza story line, but the casting. Gaby Espino was so wooden, and Aaron Diaz does galan badly. I heard others on Latin social media say Carlos ponce was also too old to be vying to break up Santa and Santi, and I sort of agree, but he was a better actor than the galan and prota. Because of these defects, which showed up very early in the Tn that viewers noticed it quickly, they had to play up Aaron Diaz's strength as a villian and make Santi evil, and put Ponce's Humberto as heroic because he had better chemistry with Espino's Santa.
I get the sense that Aaron Diaz doesn't like the whole galan idea from what I saw of him in Lola, erase Una vez, a teen novela, so he just always looks weird in a galan role. He has galan looks, but not the acting, while Carlos can play smug, arrogant redeemable galan and villain. Just my two pesos.
I don't know what to watch either since I can't get Uni's novelas online, and as much as I love Jorge Luis Pila and Martin Barba, who were amazing in La Patrona, the supernatural elements in Otra Piel aren't my style. I'm also 'meh' on La Impostora and I'm morally opposed to narcos. I'm basically watching old novelss like Cuna de Lobos-amazing and noiry-and El Manantial-traditional but drama-filled and entertaining with a galan who isn't stupid.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 2:43:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 2:43:00 PM EST
I guess I'm just very visual, and these Miami-filmed Telemundo tns just feel flat and look cheap to me. If the script falls flat, the acting falters, and the chemistry between the protagonist is off (problems I have seen on both Telemundo and Uni/Televisa), I want to at least be visually stimulated. I think it's good when Telemundo partners with foreign production companies (Mexico, Colombia, Spain) because it gives their tns a richer feel and look, that these Miami tns just don't have.
I am really enjoying three two Globo (Brazilian) and one Argos (Mexico) series that are currently on- Avenida Brasil, La Vida Sigue, and Infames. Very different from the norm storylines and great acting. I try to catch recorded episodes on the weekend. A new Brazilian one starts soon after La Vida Sigue (which ends soon) called Lado a Lado and it's a novela de epoca. I'm going to set my dvr.
I am really enjoying three two Globo (Brazilian) and one Argos (Mexico) series that are currently on- Avenida Brasil, La Vida Sigue, and Infames. Very different from the norm storylines and great acting. I try to catch recorded episodes on the weekend. A new Brazilian one starts soon after La Vida Sigue (which ends soon) called Lado a Lado and it's a novela de epoca. I'm going to set my dvr.
Thanks Jean! Gran Final recap says it all. You are welcome to all for my short stint as recapper. It really is loads of fun to recap these TNs.
Final thoughts ....Yes the finale was underwhelming. I wish the writers had joined in on our comments (not to be presumptuous) because I think we could have given them a better more believable story line.
Aaron Diaz was HILARIOUS as the villain (and much better looking with slicked back hair). The wink to Begona and the little snide facial expressions and comments. Bravo! His final speech about how Santa "defies" a devil is the closest the writers got to capsulizing the theme of the story IMO.
Just about every character's development remained totally uneven, unfinished and unsatisfying. The really bad stuff was actually amusing to notice...
British fan... I also noticed that the pizza man disappeared on the wide shot with Begona and Santa hugging.
Padre Milton with the rigged bomb was left on his own, I guess, to de-wire himself.
The police and Bert magically found the one warehouse with the macabre wedding among the entire street filled with warehouses.
The new Trebol de Transito appeared to be frequented mainly by men. When Pancho showed up, I actually thought it had become a gay bar. Really! And there is still a gun under Transito's mattress.
Elisa, Rene and disappeared and no one discovered (apparently) Dr Murray being murdered.
Others? Please comment.
How about we also comment on how we would have liked the TN to end?
Final thoughts ....Yes the finale was underwhelming. I wish the writers had joined in on our comments (not to be presumptuous) because I think we could have given them a better more believable story line.
Aaron Diaz was HILARIOUS as the villain (and much better looking with slicked back hair). The wink to Begona and the little snide facial expressions and comments. Bravo! His final speech about how Santa "defies" a devil is the closest the writers got to capsulizing the theme of the story IMO.
Just about every character's development remained totally uneven, unfinished and unsatisfying. The really bad stuff was actually amusing to notice...
British fan... I also noticed that the pizza man disappeared on the wide shot with Begona and Santa hugging.
Padre Milton with the rigged bomb was left on his own, I guess, to de-wire himself.
The police and Bert magically found the one warehouse with the macabre wedding among the entire street filled with warehouses.
The new Trebol de Transito appeared to be frequented mainly by men. When Pancho showed up, I actually thought it had become a gay bar. Really! And there is still a gun under Transito's mattress.
Elisa, Rene and disappeared and no one discovered (apparently) Dr Murray being murdered.
Others? Please comment.
How about we also comment on how we would have liked the TN to end?
Mena, I think Elisa probably went to Canada to be with Mara and Arturo since there was no reason to stay in town since Alicia went to prison. Still a shame Rene wasn't there eating pizza with the rest of the family.
britishcomedyfan, the disappearing pizza guy was the most interesting part of the whole final! That was hilarious!
I've only been watching occasionally, mostly keeping up with this one via recaps (thanks, cappers!!). I have to agree that AD was so much better as an antagonist, and you can really tell he enjoys it more.
Vivi, where do you watch your other tn's? I know Avenida Brasil is on telemundo, but the others? Do you know if they'd be available online? Are the brasilian ones dubbed or subtitled? I just can't do dubbed.
I have to say that the scene pulling away from the mansion with Fran and Barb screaming at each other was a close 2nd to disappearing pizza guy. I actually laughed out loud.
I've only been watching occasionally, mostly keeping up with this one via recaps (thanks, cappers!!). I have to agree that AD was so much better as an antagonist, and you can really tell he enjoys it more.
Vivi, where do you watch your other tn's? I know Avenida Brasil is on telemundo, but the others? Do you know if they'd be available online? Are the brasilian ones dubbed or subtitled? I just can't do dubbed.
I have to say that the scene pulling away from the mansion with Fran and Barb screaming at each other was a close 2nd to disappearing pizza guy. I actually laughed out loud.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3:52:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3:52:00 PM EST
BritishFan - I think you're right. She gave Elisa the morality speech, but she didn't go find Santi to give him his for having killed Lazaro.... that seems unlike Elisa. With Alicia, we got her promise to find out what happened to Lazaro and you are like a mother to me speeches, but zero regret for having been indirectly responsible for his death. Either she is capable of having real fondness (and thus regrets) for Elisa and Willy and Jr or she is not, which was it?
Vivi, ditto on the Miami-filmed tns looking flat and unstimulating. I don't who does the cinematography on those tns, but they all look vague and anywhere USA, even Marido end Alquiler that was in Miami.
One of the reasons I loved La Patrona which was an Argos production as that the cinematography looked like a traditional cinemascope type epic, like an old but richly colored storybook. I actually noticed when that one had a reshoot in cap 76 where they explained why Gabriela chose Alejandro because the cinematography looked different.
Even the old and well-done Televisa novelas had a better look to them because they were filmed on location in a Mexican state or city and not in a back lot in LA. A strong sense of place is important to make a good novela.
One of the reasons I loved La Patrona which was an Argos production as that the cinematography looked like a traditional cinemascope type epic, like an old but richly colored storybook. I actually noticed when that one had a reshoot in cap 76 where they explained why Gabriela chose Alejandro because the cinematography looked different.
Even the old and well-done Televisa novelas had a better look to them because they were filmed on location in a Mexican state or city and not in a back lot in LA. A strong sense of place is important to make a good novela.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:10:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:10:00 PM EST
AnotherAmy- La Vida Sigue, Infames, and Lado a Lado are all on MundoFox. The Brazilian tns are dubbed, unfortunately, but they do a good job. I do agree it would be nice to hear the actors' real voices.
The final scene was a ripoff of LCDAL where Pilar sees Gonzaki. I didnt see anything wrong with Santi as the galan (though many of you did).
When this novela started someone commented that he thought this would be like LA PATRONA(Honestly i thought the same way) with Santa taking out the Canos 1 by 1. Only 3 would survive (Gaspar, Santi, and Daniela). It started out with Gaby Espino dressing sexy but that changed really quick!
I still think that Pat got an easy death.
Anyone wanna make bets that Alicia escapes from prison?
So many loose ends but I wasnt surprised.
When this novela started someone commented that he thought this would be like LA PATRONA(Honestly i thought the same way) with Santa taking out the Canos 1 by 1. Only 3 would survive (Gaspar, Santi, and Daniela). It started out with Gaby Espino dressing sexy but that changed really quick!
I still think that Pat got an easy death.
Anyone wanna make bets that Alicia escapes from prison?
So many loose ends but I wasnt surprised.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:31:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:31:00 PM EST
Now for my biggest complaint. Didnt Alicia teach Santa how to fight? She shouldve been able to disarm Santi in the first place. The same thing happened in CORAZON VALIENTE. The women were supposed to be the heroes but it was the men doing the work in the gran final.
And Im dissapointed that there was never a Santa/Ines smackdown with lost of slapping, punching, and hair-pulling!
And Im dissapointed that there was never a Santa/Ines smackdown with lost of slapping, punching, and hair-pulling!
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:36:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 4:36:00 PM EST
Variopinta- I think Lado a Lado will be on at 8pm to replace La Vida which is in ultimate capitulos.
'Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.' - quote attributed to Confucius.
My final thought on ‘Santa Diabla.’
Anyone who was rooting for a happy ending for this story was bound to get his or her heart broken. Yes, this was far from a well-written tale. But it was one about the cost vengeance - how it destroys the person seeking vengeance as much as the person he is trying to bring down. From Hortensia to George to Alicia to Franco to Patricio to Vicente to Humberto - they all sought revenge in one form or another, and none came out victorious. They dug their own graves.
And then there’s Santa, also a seeker of vengeance. In the end, she has her family, and she can hang on to that. But her baby will not have its father, and she will have to sleep with one eye open for as long as a lunatic obsessed with her lives. She, too, has paid a price.
I found ‘Santa Diabla’ through a tweet I just happened to see last summer. This story was starting around the same time my beloved 'All My Children' was dying for a second, and final, time. I thought I’d give it a shot to fill that time and am glad I did. It was a fun - albeit bumpy - ride.
I am also glad I found this blog during the final month of the story, so that I would have some people to share it with. I don’t know anyone in my “real” life here in Tennessee who watches telenovelas. Many thanks to all of the terrific recappers and everyone who posted.
Now, I’m off to ‘En Otra Piel.’ Several of the actors are compelling, the storyline is moving along and - unlike some here - I do like supernatural stories from time to time. :)
Cheers! ¡Salud!
Sue
P.S. One of my Captcha words is 'tasting.' How appropriate.
My final thought on ‘Santa Diabla.’
Anyone who was rooting for a happy ending for this story was bound to get his or her heart broken. Yes, this was far from a well-written tale. But it was one about the cost vengeance - how it destroys the person seeking vengeance as much as the person he is trying to bring down. From Hortensia to George to Alicia to Franco to Patricio to Vicente to Humberto - they all sought revenge in one form or another, and none came out victorious. They dug their own graves.
And then there’s Santa, also a seeker of vengeance. In the end, she has her family, and she can hang on to that. But her baby will not have its father, and she will have to sleep with one eye open for as long as a lunatic obsessed with her lives. She, too, has paid a price.
I found ‘Santa Diabla’ through a tweet I just happened to see last summer. This story was starting around the same time my beloved 'All My Children' was dying for a second, and final, time. I thought I’d give it a shot to fill that time and am glad I did. It was a fun - albeit bumpy - ride.
I am also glad I found this blog during the final month of the story, so that I would have some people to share it with. I don’t know anyone in my “real” life here in Tennessee who watches telenovelas. Many thanks to all of the terrific recappers and everyone who posted.
Now, I’m off to ‘En Otra Piel.’ Several of the actors are compelling, the storyline is moving along and - unlike some here - I do like supernatural stories from time to time. :)
Cheers! ¡Salud!
Sue
P.S. One of my Captcha words is 'tasting.' How appropriate.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 8:36:00 PM EST
: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 8:36:00 PM EST
This was the worst piece of garbage I have ever had the misfortune to experience in a telenovela. I curse all of the Carlos Ponte fans who were forever whinging about him being cast as the villain and lamenting (justifiably, I will admit) about the wooden acting and zero chemistry between the two Sants (SantI, and SantA) as I really feel that the writers must have paid attention to all of their hormonal complaining and done an about face with the storyline, subsequently turning it into a mess so shallow that insulted its viewers intelligence. It COULD have been what could be considered to be something along the lines of a modern-day "revengers tragedy" a la Thomas Middleton or John Webster. INSTEAD, it wound up being a shallow and baffling mess starring actors who (perhaps excepting the atrocious leads of Diaz and Espino) deserved more, and better.
Does anybody remember the VERY beginning, when voice-over Santa 'introduces us' to the hated Cano's? The bit about Francisca being "the one she fears the most"? The bit on Barbara?? Well, really... WHAT impact did Santa actually HAVE on... well, pretty much ANYTHING in regards to the Cano's other than waffling (continuously) between Humberto and Santi? IMHO, Gilda Haddock and Wanda D'Isidoro were completely WASTED in this telenovela. Likewise, Frances Ondiviela (wasted as a one-dimensional weakling), and why the hell would they waste the great Zully Montero on a character that died half-way in?? WHO were the 'first actors' and 'first actresses' in this novela?? What a waste...
Yes, Carlos Ponce (again) proved his worth as a leading man but in many ways saying this is like preaching to the converted... I seriously doubt that he could ever have done ANYTHING wrong for his viewers but even he, still, like with everybody in this novela, had a character that was all over the place and back again (drugging Santa? Sending Willy to jail? Murdering witnesses? Beheading Vincente?).
In all- this was weak, shallow writing that I am disappointed to have kept the faith with. TOO many loose ends went unexplained and unanswered and, if you ask me, especially considering the POTENTIAL the story HAD at its conception... the viewers deserved much better than what they got. Seriously, can anyone name me a Telemundo telenovela that could be considered WORSE than this???
Does anybody remember the VERY beginning, when voice-over Santa 'introduces us' to the hated Cano's? The bit about Francisca being "the one she fears the most"? The bit on Barbara?? Well, really... WHAT impact did Santa actually HAVE on... well, pretty much ANYTHING in regards to the Cano's other than waffling (continuously) between Humberto and Santi? IMHO, Gilda Haddock and Wanda D'Isidoro were completely WASTED in this telenovela. Likewise, Frances Ondiviela (wasted as a one-dimensional weakling), and why the hell would they waste the great Zully Montero on a character that died half-way in?? WHO were the 'first actors' and 'first actresses' in this novela?? What a waste...
Yes, Carlos Ponce (again) proved his worth as a leading man but in many ways saying this is like preaching to the converted... I seriously doubt that he could ever have done ANYTHING wrong for his viewers but even he, still, like with everybody in this novela, had a character that was all over the place and back again (drugging Santa? Sending Willy to jail? Murdering witnesses? Beheading Vincente?).
In all- this was weak, shallow writing that I am disappointed to have kept the faith with. TOO many loose ends went unexplained and unanswered and, if you ask me, especially considering the POTENTIAL the story HAD at its conception... the viewers deserved much better than what they got. Seriously, can anyone name me a Telemundo telenovela that could be considered WORSE than this???
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 1:38:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 1:38:00 AM EST
DeborahB, I understand your frustration and I share most of it, too.
I'm sure there were Tm novelas that were worse, but not by a long shot.
Sue in TN, I'm happy you found us. I only found this site last year, but it has become the most important part of my viewing experience.
I'm watching En otra piel, too, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other there :)
I'm sure there were Tm novelas that were worse, but not by a long shot.
Sue in TN, I'm happy you found us. I only found this site last year, but it has become the most important part of my viewing experience.
I'm watching En otra piel, too, so we'll be seeing a lot of each other there :)
Deborah B
ITA. This is why I stopped watching weeks ago and just followed the recaps. They were so much more entertaining than the switched around mess the writers provided. The writers should not have listened to the Carlos Ponce fans. And besides, this novela should have gone to ultimos capitulos soon after George and Hortensia died.
Penny
ITA. This is why I stopped watching weeks ago and just followed the recaps. They were so much more entertaining than the switched around mess the writers provided. The writers should not have listened to the Carlos Ponce fans. And besides, this novela should have gone to ultimos capitulos soon after George and Hortensia died.
Penny
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 3:24:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 3:24:00 PM EST
Deborah B,
I share some of your frustration about this telenovela. I stuck with it by switching from caring to simply enjoying the lunacy, though I'd have preferred the lunacy to end weeks earlier. I don't agree, though, that the changes the writers may have made in response to complaints ruined the novela. I don't think it would have succeeded even if Humberto had remained the villain and Santi and Santa remained the protagonists we assumed they were at the start. No matter what, I don't think Gaby Espino and Aarón Díaz were well cast.
I share some of your frustration about this telenovela. I stuck with it by switching from caring to simply enjoying the lunacy, though I'd have preferred the lunacy to end weeks earlier. I don't agree, though, that the changes the writers may have made in response to complaints ruined the novela. I don't think it would have succeeded even if Humberto had remained the villain and Santi and Santa remained the protagonists we assumed they were at the start. No matter what, I don't think Gaby Espino and Aarón Díaz were well cast.
Finally getting here to comment. I think this novela was just like Humbeto: Flawed but still likeable.
I enjoyed most of it, although I wish there had been more Elisa at the end and less Paula. Paula was a horrible person and should have been given a one-way ticket to Guatemala. But I look forward to more Humb...I mean, Carlos Ponce.
I can't do too many of the narco ones (and I'm waiting for El Senor part 2), but I'll see you over at En Otra Piel! I'm cool with the weirdness for now, and I'll save the traditional for when the Christian de la Fuente one comes out.
Kelly
I enjoyed most of it, although I wish there had been more Elisa at the end and less Paula. Paula was a horrible person and should have been given a one-way ticket to Guatemala. But I look forward to more Humb...I mean, Carlos Ponce.
I can't do too many of the narco ones (and I'm waiting for El Senor part 2), but I'll see you over at En Otra Piel! I'm cool with the weirdness for now, and I'll save the traditional for when the Christian de la Fuente one comes out.
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 12:14:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 12:14:00 PM EST
Kelly, waiting for you on the Otra Piel discussion thread.
And totally looking forward for CdlF's next tn!
And totally looking forward for CdlF's next tn!
What happened to Mara? Ivan and Hotensia
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Permalink posted by : Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 12:17:00 PM EST
: Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 12:17:00 PM EST
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