Monday, March 03, 2014

Lo Que la Vida Me Robó #79, Lunes 3/3/14: The Dead Can Say Nothing




Medina Manor: Refugio approached Pedro Medina from behind and held him at gunpoint to protect Lady Nadia. Lieutenant Alvarez entered from behind him, demanding to know what was amiss. Refugio replied that the Lord Mayor was about to abuse his lady wife and he was protecting her. Her own fear clearly showing in her expression, Lady Nadia went to her husband's side, saying he would never hurt her. Lieutenant Alvarez then ordered his friend and subordinate to cease. Reluctantly and with an inaudible word of frustration he did so, not removing his eyes from the couple.


Almonte Estate: Maria watched through the foliage, clad in green as she watched two unfamiliar men at some unsavory activity. However, before she could flee the scene one of them approached from behind and forced her toward the other. In an attempt at looking innocent she told them she had been riding and her horse wandered away after she had briefly dismounted. She claimed not to know where she was. She could not have misinterpreted their expressions, vocal inflections, or their implicit intentions as they addressed her in a most caddish manner. One gestured with a pistol, implying his readiness – or eagerness – to use it. She attempted to bargain her way out which quickly became an academic matter upon the arrival of Constable Basurto and the hapless Adolfo. They exited their vehicle with the Constable demanding to know what was taking place. One of the men while addressing him as “Patrón” told him in a deceptive tone that they were helping the young lady who had a riding accident. However, when Adolfo made the Constable aware of Maria's identity he stepped in, telling her he has been waiting to speak with her.

Medina Manor: Lieutenant Alvarez specifically told Pedro Medina that he was there to speak with him and he wished to speak with him privately. He agreed and ordered Refugio to wait for him. As they exited to the study Refugio remained behind, looking toward the frightened Lady Nadia.

Almonte Estate: Constable Basurto struck the armed man, calling him out on his incompetence and accusing him of intending to abuse Maria. He struck him hard enough to knock him to the ground and draw blood. He went on that this action must be dealt with. Adolfo, surprised by the violence, told the Constable to be calm, that nothing had happened. The Constable, however, would not be prevented from carrying out his evil intentions, planned to each move. He ordered the other man to escort Maria to his vehicle, which he did in a manner unnecessarily forceful. When they were out of sight and hearing, Constable Basurto then seized Adolfo by the neck and, while pointing his pistol into his face, telling him he needs to see this cold-bloodedly. Finally he placed his pistol firmly in Adolfo's hand and ordered him to kill the man. Adolfo reacted silently with an expression of disbelief.

Medina Manor: Outside by the still waters of the pool, the Lord Mayor began by enquiring into Lt Alvarez' earlier circumstances. Upon confirmation that Lady Angelica had aided his escape, he commented in an amused manner that Lt Alvarez married her out of gratitude despite being enamored of another. Lt Alvarez would not answer this, stating that his private life was not up for discussion. He was there to address some questions. Medina was somewhat taken aback, but did not hesitate to accuse him of the murder of Constable Loreto. Lt Alvarez was not intimidated, stating pointedly that the corrupt Loreto was in the Lord Mayor's employ and that he had killed him in defense of Lord Alejandro Almonte. In an attempt at inciting anger, Medina laughed at the irony of a man saving the life of his rival, who later tried to kill him. However, Lt Alvarez persisted in his enquiry regarding the activity on the Almonte property, the very lands that Medina had earlier attempted to purchase.

Almonte Estate: Basurto continued to force Adolfo to shoot, but in the end he did not succeed. Basurto took the pistol away from him, then after a pause shot the man dead. Maria cowered in the back seat; it was evident that she knew not what quicksand she had stepped into. Adolfo returned to the vehicle in a mild state of shock as Basurto coldly told the other man that he knew what had to be done and that no one was to know what happened. He then entered the car on the driver's side as the surviving criminal dragged away the dead body. Adolfo leaned far back into the seat, speechless at the horror he had witnessed, with Maria touching his shoulder. Basurto smiled as he watched the intimidated survivor carry out his orders.

Medina Manor: Refugio told Lady Nadia that he was seeking to protect Esmeralda from the brutal treatment of Pedro Medina, and herself by extension. That she could trust him. She told him that nothing had happened and that he was confused. She then forced herself to face him and say that Pedro Medina was a great man and he is surely mistaken. But Refugio knew he was not. He had been in Esmeralda's apartment when the two women had spoken and knew what he had heard. She attempted to convince him that she was seeking to learn whether there had been any lustful union between Esmeralda and her husband and was assured that there had not been. Refugio then told her that he knew not why his superior officer was there to speak with her husband but that he was there to deal with him over the recent brutal attack on Esmeralda. This shocked Lady Nadia into rising from her seat and saying “Another one?” causing him to realize she had been attempting to conceal the truth. She realized then what she had done and told him there was nothing to say as she went upstairs to the bedchamber. She lay on the bed and remembered her conversation with Esmeralda after the first beating, realizing that she was to blame for the second.

At that same moment Lt Alvarez was enquiring as to the reason that Medina desired the Almonte property, only to be told that it was for the construction of a country house. He was not convinced, knowing that that is not a reason any man would kill to own the lands. Medina attempted to warn him about his accusations, but Lt Alvarez perhaps overplayed his hand, speaking of the conversation he once overheard between Medina, Loreto, and Juventino. He reminded him that it was in a shack on the Almonte property. Medina smugly commented on what a pity it was that the other two men were dead and therefore could tell no tales, ending his comment with the accusation that Lt Alvarez had killed them both during his masquerade as Antonio Olivares. Alvarez, of course, was certain that Juventino had been killed by Constable Loreto. This did not phase Medina, or at least not obviously, as he continued to style Lt Alvarez as a man who does not allow anyone to get in his way. He spoke of an arrangement between Lord Alejandro and Lord Joaquin, knowing that Lord Joaquin was Lt Alvarez' father-in-law. He claimed to know nothing of their affairs, but that he had promised Captain Robledo his full cooperation in his investigation of the use of that property. Lt Alvarez then concluded their conversation and bid him good evening. After shaking hands with him in the least sincere manner he could get away with, he stated that he would speak to Captain Robledo. As he departed he looked over his shoulder at Medina, whose back was turned to him. He therefore did not see an expression of utter pique and frustration.

Almonte Townhouse: Lord Alejandro and Lady Monserrat arranged to retire for the night, beginning with a toast to their remarriage. Many declarations of love were made during their slow dance to the bed.

Esmeralda's Apartment: Esmeralda's relief at seeing Refugio was ended quickly as he and Lt Alvarez began to argue over the wisdom of confronting Pedro Medina. Refugio told her that he had arrived in time to prevent Medina from beating Lady Nadia. He had been ready to kill him. Lt Alvarez told him that they needed to manage this matter within the law lest they become just as corrupt as Medina and his henchmen. “Do you want to end up in prison or a fugitive once more? Is that what you want?” he asked in an impassioned voice. Refugio's expression indicated that this was indeed a reasonable question.

Medina's Office: In what had to have been a meeting called in emergency – in fact, panic – Medina told Basurto of his conversation with Lt Alvarez. The most important issue was clearly that the naval officials were becoming suspicious. Basurto told him he would mobilize their men, but Medina advised him not to. Nor would they inform Lord Joaquin. His plan was for their people to lie in wait while the suspicion of business association between Lord Alejandro and Lord Joaquin would build.

Constabularly Cellblock: Maria sat in a cell, crying, pleading with Adolfo to help her. She was afraid. Basurto entered before she could say more, telling Adolfo that the Lord Mayor wished to see him. He escorted him to his office where Medina verbally expressed his contempt for his cowardice, punctuating it with a slap hard enough to nearly knock him from his seat. He told him that would be the last time he would allow him to disobey him. Adolfo said that he did not wish to work for him. This provoked a derisive laugh and a repeat of a previous insult. Working for him would not be like working for anyone else: The only exit would be to be carried out feet first. After warning him not to bother his sister with any of this he ordered him to leave. Basurto shut the door behind him and enquired as to whether he wished to speak to Maria. He told him no, but that he should leave her in the cell for a few days. No one would know that she was there.

Valverde Manor, Garden: Adolfo sat remembering the horrors of earlier that evening. Lady Josefina arrived right after the shot rang out in his mind, asking him what was amiss. He would not tell her, merely saying he needed her to embrace him. She did so, in a manner best described as maternal. He began to cry as she did so.

The Following Day

Almonte Townhouse, Garden: Music was played as Lord Alejandro and Lady Monserrat arrived carrying their son. The couple was dressed in complementary shades of cream and the guests applauded their arrival. Countess Graceless was uncomfortably seated between her sister-in-law Lady Carlota and her consuegra [I lament that there is no word in English to describe this relationship] Lady Rosario. The former commented on the handsome appearance of Lord Alejandro, which Countess Graceless had to uncomfortably acknowledge. There were words exchanged regarding the civil marriage ceremony, set to take place before the baptism. Countess Graceless again displayed the appropriateness of her name as she stated her opinions of the situation and her narcissism by insisting that Lady Carlota refrain from being vulgar. Basurto showed himself worthy of that name by being present in the same clothes worn the night before, not even bothering to wear a suit he could certainly then afford.

As Sir Victor looked longingly at Lady Nadia, Medina took his own pleasure watching Captain Robledo reproach Lt Alvarez for involving himself in an investigation he had firmly in hand. Lt Alvarez apologised for his presumption, saying he was preparing to speak with him on the matter, after the baptism. Captain Robledo informed him that he would ultimately undertake the investigation also under the orders of the Lord Mayor. Medina then announced that his first order of business would be to interrogate Lord Joaquin and Lord Alejandro on this matter. With an expression unreadable to his commanding officer Lt Alvarez made no reply as he looked at Lord Alejandro, who was happily sitting with his wife and child.

Almonte Estate: Refugio led a group of navy men into the area, surrounding a car on the road to the property. They shouted orders to stay in place, and the shooting began. Several of the criminals fell.

Almonte Townhouse: The music continued as the couple prepared for the ceremony, handing their son to his godmother. Captain Robledo received a call indicating the outcome of the operation. After ending the call he commented that his suspicions were confirmed regarding the involvement of Lord Alejandro and Lord Joaquin. Lt Alvarez indicated that he had hoped he was mistaken about this matter. He commented that this needed to be handled with discretion, as Lord Joaquin was his father-in-law and that Lord Alejandro was important to many people. Medina then told Captain Robledo he would address Lord Joaquin and Lt Alvarez that he would handle Lord Alejandro. He then quietly approached the table where Lord Alejandro and Lady Monserrat were speaking with the magistrate. He asked His Lordship if he might have a word with him and he whispered to him quietly. Lord Alejandro took the matter calmly, returning to a concerned Lady Monserrat to tell her not to worry. He then went inside and after a long look at Lady Monserrat, Lt Alvarez followed him inside. He then informed him that this was regarding illegal cultivation on the property leased to Lord Joaquin and that he was under arrest.

Lord Alejandro first concluded that this was a ruse to challenge him again over Lady Monserrat. However, after some more words were exchanged Lt Alvarez revealed that a naval operation discovered the cultivation of illegal crops. He was merely doing his duty by arresting him. Lord Alejandro replied that he had been under the impression that Lord Joaquin had planted tobacco on the property and that anything other than that was being done without his knowledge. Lt Alvarez calmly told him that he would be considered innocent until otherwise proven. Lord Alejandro replied that Lt Alvarez knew him better than the reverse and therefore knew what sort of person he was. Lt Alvarez agreed, but enumerated their recent past. He told him calmly that if he were proven guilty he would lose everything.

Outside, the party continued as the guests awaited some announcement or other word from the parents of baby Lauro, who slept blissfully in the arms of Lady Rosario. Uncomfortable expressions were worn by Lady Josefina, Adolfo, and Dimwit; all stared at each other from separate tables. Lady Nadia and Lady Angelica became concerned over what conversation might be happening inside the house.
Alas, that conversation was interrupted when Lady Angelica noticed the arrival of her father, who spoiled her happiness at his presence by telling her he was there at Lord Alejandro's invitation. Not for her and not for her unworthy husband. She left the table without reply, leaving her father to the wrath of his estranged wife, who could not restrain her own ire. She left the table as well, leaving her younger daughter alone with Lord Joaquin. Lady Virginia also reproached him for his ill-treatment of her sister. When it almost appeared that he was understanding the tenor of her message, Pedro Medina arrived and after superficially greeting Lady Virginia told her father he needed to speak with him.

Inside the house Lord Alejandro declared his innocence again, demanding to know whether this accusation was in revenge. Lt Alvarez sincerely told him it was not. His Lordship reminded the Lieutenant that he knew what it was to be falsely accused of a crime. To the enquiry he received in return he further declared that he would not attempt to escape. He had every intention to face this matter clearly and directly. He only asked that he wait to arrest him after the marriage ceremony and the baptism. He would then turn himself into the naval authorities. Lt Alvarez reluctantly agreed.

While that transpired, Lord Joaquin and the Lord Mayor spoke in the garden. Lord Joaquin was told he was to allow himself to be arrested and never mention Medina's or Basurto's names. He forced him to look at his older daughter, the beautiful intelligent young woman who had little time to live, cruelly reminding him of how she would take the news of his dishonorable deeds. He forced him to look at Lady Virginia, who was being approached by Basurto, saying that could also lose his other daughter. His choice was to spend the rest of his life in prison or see his entire accursed family die. Lord Joaquin – realizing he had been royally duped – said he knew what he had to do. In the presence of Captain Robledo he asked to take his leave of his daughters, but that privilege was denied him. Medina ordered Basurto to escort Lord Joaquin directly to the naval authorities. He said nothing as he passed Lady Amelia during the otherwise quiet exit.

Lady Monserrat sensed that something was gravely amiss as Lord Alejandro and Lt Alvarez returned. His Lordship told her not to worry, that she would know later. She asked Lt Alvarez, who avoided answering her questions. His Lordship told the magistrate to prepare for the ceremony in fifteen minutes, then spoke to Sir Victor so that he might contact an attorney immediately. Sir Victor told hiim not to worry, then turned to go back into the manor. Lady Nadia stopped him briefly to enquire on Lady Monserrat's behalf. He only told her that there was a serious matter requiring his immediate attention and not to worry. As he went inside Medina coldly seized his wife's arm and asked why “that dog” was speaking to her. She replied “The only animal here is you.”


Lt Alvarez told Lady Monserrat that he was not the person to inform her of this matter and that she should speak with her husband. After his repeated refusals to tell her anything she finally told him to say nothing, that the only thing that mattered to her now was that Lord Alejandro love her as much as she loved him. She left him speechless as she entered her beloved's arms in front of the magistrate's desk.

Labels:


Comments:
Ay, Dios mio! The only thing I'm wondering about now is how much Graceless knows about Pedro's evil plan.

For the record, regardless of her own evil I think Maria was genuinely scared.
 

Wonderful recap! I was only able to catch last 15 minutes so I appreciated the details. Does anyone else see Pedro Medina channeling Horatio Cane with the sunglasses? I had such a hard time taking him seriously after watching CSI episodes over the weekend.
 

Urban, beautifully written, as always!

What a harrowing tale. Honestly, I don't know if I can see this episode. There seems to be nothing but evil everywhere.

Who is worse? Basura or Medina? Basura is disgusting, evil, and cruel. He has no soul.

I fear more for Carlota than ever before.

Elvira, thank you for your wonderful recap today of Friday's episode. You gave us some really beautiful still shots! Glad your internet is back in working order.

Fatima
 

I'm also not sure which is worse of that evil duo. All I do know is that Carlota deserves much better.

I'm also not sure whether JL is really seeing the light here. Can we trust him to be truly objective? I want to believe so.
 

Urban Anthropologist, thank you for yet another beautifully stylized recap. It was very enjoyable.

What a disturbing episode with the exposure of the ugly underbelly of Aguazul through the machinations of Pedro Medina. Very creepy.

So sorry to see that the setup on Alejandro worked so easily.

Yes, it was a Toyota TUNDRA! How could we miss that?

My favorite part was in the avances for tomorrow where Montse gives JL a good strong slap in the face.
It was so satisfying I certainly won't mind seeing it again tomorrow.

Jarifa


 

One more thing, it is so good to know that BM will be off the streets for a few days cooling her heels in jail.

Jarifa


 

Jarifa, this is good to know about the avances! I mentioned for the Friday episode that Montserrat had not been clear enough and forceful enough when it comes to telling JL what he NEEDS to hear. It will be interesting to see what provokes the slap (though we probably have an idea, no?)

Urban, re your question about whether or not JL can be trusted to be objective in this set up situation; honestly, I don't know. JL cannot let go of his notion that he was "robbed" of Montserrat. He has been single minded in trying to win her back.

Maria was the one to put many ideas in his head. I don't think he is exactly coming from a "noble" position here (in terms of getting the bad guys).

Nadia is very frustrating to me, I have to say. She was indirectly responsible for Esmeralda's beating. She is married to a pathetic excuse of a man.

Is it her fear of what Pedro will do to her that makes her stay with him?

If ever Nadia and Adolfito needed their parents to come home, it is now.

Fatima
 

Urban:

Thank you so much for this stellar recap! Always so wonderfully written.

I just knew Addled didn't have the guts to kill anyone. I am so glad he didn't but now he has to deal with the wrath of Pedro. I too felt Fina held him as a Mama holds a troubled child.

I really thought, for a minute there, that we would have a bodas interruptus. I am glad they at least will continue with the ceremony.

I don't think that JL is going on what BM said. He is going on what he saw the other day. It did look fishy and they investigated and found things to be not right. JL is a man of honor. I think he took no pleasure in having to arrest Ale at all. Yes, he still does have lingering feelings for Monse, and she does keep telling him that she only loves Ale. I wish he would get that.

Nadia didn't provoke this second beating of Esme. Esme did that herself with letting slip to EZ about Pedro. The first time Nadia didn't feel guilty but this time I think the point was driven home to her. She finally gets it.

I'll bet Joaquin won't take this lying down. I bet he finds some way to sing like a bird. I think if Capitan Robledo really checks into Pedro he will find out all kinds of things, and Joaquin can point him in the right direction, as can Ale.

I agree BM did look really scared. She does deserve to be locked up, but not in a jail cell, in the manicomio! It's interesting that EZ didn't like the fact that BM might have been abused if he hadn't come along. I wonder what he would do if he knew what Pedro did to Esme and attempted to do to Nadia? I wonder if he could stomach that? EZ is very power hungry. I'll be curious to see what happens if he ever found out about that?
 

Caray Caray! The novela keeps getting better and better.

great recap! i missed the episode but thanks to this i was able to catch up! :)

as for Aunty Carlota, she doesn't deserve patan de EZ. Hopefully she does not fall in his game!

To many troubles for one novela!

Can someone verify that this novela will be 250+ capitulos long??

Nataly
 

Thanks UA. As always, a most marvelous and unique turn of phrase. I loved "looked at her in a caddish manner". CADDISH! Yes, indeed. And I agree that "consuegra" is a marvelously efficient word that doesn't exist in English. I call my daughter's mother-in-law "Co-Granny" but that doesn't have the heft, meaning or elegance of "consuegra"

I must say, the writers are piling on the drama right now.Whew! I'll look forward to the Josefina scenes at least.
 

Great recap UA. I caught bits and pieces last night, but what I saw was quite amazing. They sure did ratchet up the plot lines and bad guys. I guess we are going to center of TN where bad guys rule for awhile. Yikes!

Good for BSC Maria to be scared. Little dose of the real dark side might be good for her. And if Ale does have to spend some time in the slammer, who will ride in to save the day for her? Burned a few bridges too many.

Wedding was beautiful. Might be the last serene, beautiful scene we see for awhile. Not sure I want to see an overdose of violence, so hope things are balanced as far as plots time goes.

daisynjay
 

Anita, I agree that JL isn't coming from the best place now. However, when he does all the math on this he will come out with the right sum. He did witness that conversation between Pedro, Juventino, and Loreto. The problem is that both of the others are dead and JL should not have put his cards on the table during his conversation with Pedro. I am trying hard to remember whether Refugio overheard any of this but I don't think so.

It really upsets me that Nadia isn't taking action against Pedro. There is nothing to protect her at this point except her money unless he has any control over it; I don't recall that we've been given any information about that. I agree that Adolfo couldn't kill that man no matter what he might have done. It just isn't in him. I also don't think he will tell anyone about this out of fear, which also means nobody will ever hear about Maria's near-attempt on Monserrat's life.

Both Alejandro and Joaquin probably can point the Captain in the right direction, but at this point I'm not sure what the Captain will believe.

At least now that Alejandro and Monserrat are legally married his assets are protected. I would love for the DNA results to come back as "inconclusive" because Dimwit can't be allowed to get what isn't his. That's just as much about Graceless' endless greed as it is about his fecklessness. He doesn't realize what a bad dude Pedro is.

I suspect we still won't know about Pedro's problem for a while yet.
 

UA, how eloquently you summarize, conveying emotion and intent perfectly: "Reluctantly and with an inaudible word of frustration he did so, not removing his eyes from the couple" and "She could not have misinterpreted their expressions, vocal inflections, or their implicit intentions as they addressed her in a most caddish manner". Two stellar examples of the evocative and clear menal images your powerful words evoke. Wonderful as always.

JL has not lost sight of his duty. Granted, if the tasks at hand dictate life is uncomfortable for Ale for a while, he is not adverse. However, I think his fairness is still evident, although his yearning and desire for Monse is still unabated.

Thought the most pathetic character last night was Adolfo. Clearly out of his league, he has become esconsed in the middle of Pedro and EZ's nefarious deeds. Fatima, I'm not sure who is worse, Pedro or EZ, but EZ is a stone cold killer. I think Pedro is content to have others doing his dirty work, except of course for beating up and terrorizing defenseless women. At that, he excels.

And yes Fatima "If ever Nadia and Adolfito needed their parents to come home, it is now".

I do not feel too badly for Maria. At least she can't do any further harm from her jail cell.

Madelaine, I think Nadia has not taken Esme into consideration at any point until now. She did indeed cause the initial beating and seemingly had no remorse. She knows first hand what a monster Pedro is but was callous to Esme and the terrible retribution she suffered. She is a good friend to Monse but blind where Esme was concerned.

Thank you again UA for the lovely fan and marvelous recap.

Diana
 

EZ is so ruthless,he killed that guy for no solid reason,it proves how loco he is and he is definetly not the best partia for Carlota..
 

Both are pretty terrible equally evil but Ez shows more that he actually enjoys doing the deeds which makes him crazier.
 

UA: Another great recap. Thank you.

Frankly, I was surprised to see Adolfo at the wedding after seeing the murder of a "relatively" innocent man and after being read the riot act by Pedro. When he got up and ran out of Pedro's office, I thought he would head for north of the border and remain nothing more than a rumor in this story.

As to Basurto, he is dead to me. Carlota is definitely in danger of being drawn into this spider's web. She is so deserving of a good partner, but, she ends up with an evil murderer. That man is capable of anything.

I'd like to see a shoot-out between Pedro and EZ with no winner.
 

Thanks so much, Urban. You got a tense episode last night.

Indeed, both Nadia and Addie could use the help of their parents right now. The Nadia storyline, like the early storyline between Monse and Ale, doesn't work in the 21st century setting. Two, well-to-do young women, with powerful families, should not feel like they have no choice but to stay with these violent brutes. Pedro has threatened Nadia with her own and Victor's lives, and that's the only excuse I see for her sticking around. But it makes no sense that she would not have called her parents up in Europe and had them come help her, or send her a ticket to meet them.

I don't think Addie was too much of a coward to shoot. I think he's not evil enough to shoot a man for no reason. The scene between him and Fina was moving. I think we've seen the last of carefree/happy-go-lucky Addie.

The audience no longer has to ask why two such high profile actors are in roles where they don't do much (Pedro and Basurto). They are both showing us more of their evil souls each episode, and it's scary.

I think JL will still stay on the side of justice and fairness, despite his feelings for Ale (he wants to believe Ale is guilty). JL even wanted to delay the investigation until after the wedding and baptism. It was Pedro who alerted Robledo, who then sped up the investigation and the arrest warrants. I sure hope Victor finds Ale a very good lawyer.

I'm happy Maria didn't get raped, but even happier that she's had the bejeezus scared out of her, and has to sit in jail for a while.
 

True, Maria can't harm Monserrat from the cell. She could, however, harm Alejandro if she still wanted to. We'll see, since she'll probably be in that cell for most of this week.

I also agree that Adolfo isn't a true coward; that was meant to frighten him. Since we haven't seen Pedro kill anyone personally I have to wonder whether he is. Also whether he would have had the guts to slap Adolfo had the latter been on his feet instead.
 

What if the parents actually forced Nadia to marry Pedro? A smowehat good family would looks after her,call her once in a while not stay all quiet or perhaps they are afraid of what Pedro might do to their daughter if they would be messing around and threatened to kill her parents.
 

Thank you so much Urban, your flowing tone was soothing during what should have been a most disturbing episode. As usual your attention to detail is highly appreciated as well!

My overall impressions are:

Sorrow for Adolfito. Yes, I feel sorry for him. He's a free-loading, lying manipulator and thief but cold-blooded murder is way out of his league. He looks absolutely soul-sick and if he survives I'm sure this will change his ways!

I could probably have substituted Maria's name above as well. Although she spoke lightly of offing Montse and wielded a knife in an attempt to murder her while pregnant, I think seeing a human life snuffed out so callously shook her as well. I don't think it will change her lustful greed for Ale though.

I feel fear for Carlotta. EZ is beyond basura and douchebaggery, he is outright EEEVIL, a sniveling, rear-kissing devil! He's definitely going to bite the dust before this is over but I hope Carlotta has seen through him and kicked him to the curb long before that.

JL, you self-righteous, obsessed idiot you! Maria easily set you up and Medina has reeled you in. Of course, it has to be him informing Ale of the wrong-doing done on his lands and he has to tell him before he can renew his vows and baptize his son. So glad Montse stood up to him and by her man. If he is so noble and so loves Montse he should let her go. Oh, yeah, and he should remember that his sterling character requires him to honor his vows to Angie. Thanks again, Urban, as always, a special treat.

Lila


 

Thanks, Urban, for your charmingly nuanced account of some chillingly evil deeds.
Adolfito is in waaay over his head. I'm wondering if he'll escape or go under. Sometimes I think Pedro's brain is going to explode from the internal pressure.
 

Madelaine, I do understand that Nadia was not responsible for Esmeralda's second beating. I think you said it best in that Nadia finally understands how she was responsible for the first beating. Nonetheless, Nadia is a frustrating character. She needs to snap out of it and do something to save herself.

As for JL, I will grant you that he saw something fishy and was, therefore, obligated to investigate, but The Whore Maria is very efficient at putting ideas in these men. She is a "minor" serpent (as compared to Graciela's "major" serpent status), but so very effective in her work of poisoning. I go back to that scene when Maria was showing JL the activity on Alejandro's lands. My personal take on JL's facial expressions was that there was an undertone of excitement at the possibility of something to take down Alejandro. H would also win some Brownie points with Robledo.

I have to agree with Lila here. There is a part of JL that is very self righteous at this moment. He has hungered for Montserrat too long. He sees a secondary opportunity here. I'm sure he feels obligated to take it.

Diana, thank you so much for the shout out! Basura is the most frightening of all of these dysfunctional men right now. Maria should be afraid of him as well.

Maybe the jail time will be like a little electroconvulsive shock therapy for Maria. What she witnessed with Basura and what she will witness in jail would scare any normalperson. Maria is not mentally 100%, so it will be interesting to see how this affects her.

Fatima
 

Thank you for the shout out Fatima!

I'm going to give Adolfito credit for his (unspoken) commitment not to abandon his sister to this monster. I think this is why he didn't just high-tale it outta town! He may suspect Pedro is a prick but surely did not know the depths of his depravity. His seeking refuge in Fina's arms was touching and I hope her offer of comfort was maternal. I want her for the slowly redeeming Dimmie. Hey, where was Dimmie during the wedding/baptism ceremony?

Have Adolfito and Dimmie broken up? Will Adolfito tell Dimmie what's happening. . .that his brother in law has been framed? Or is he pretty much scared crapless right now? Dimmie and Adolfito joining to fight the forces of eeeevil would be totally kewl!
 

Thanks, Urban, for an excellent recap of a troubling episode. Things are getting very dark. I thought that EZ might just be a clown lackey , but he is as evil as Pedro. Yuck . I am worried about Carlotta .

I suppose that we are in the portion of the novela where the villains always seem to win , and the good guys are constantly in jeopardy. Hang on in there, baby.

P.s. did anyone see Pharrell Williams perform "Get happy" at the Oscars . I should dance to that upbeat song every day.
 

Susanlynn, I didn't see the Oscars (I know!!), but I did check out your link to William's "Happy" song. I love it!! Thank you. :)

Fatima
 

Fatima

I like your idea of la carcel being an electric shock therapy for BM. Now wouldn't that be something? We'll have to see.

Lila

I must learn not to drink coffee when I read your comments ; ) You gave me such a good laugh about Dimmy and Addled being a Scooby Duo to ferret out the bad guys. Thanks so much!

Nataly

This TN is roughly 165 capitulos give or take a few more. Amores Verdaderos ended up being 180. I don't think this one will be 250 capitulos.
 

Susanlynn that song is so freakin' infectious I too have the urge to listen to it daily but I resist so it stays fresh. Love it! An equally infectious one for me is the Brothers Johnson classic Stomp!
 

Madeline! ;D
 

I agree Vivi, the lack of seeking help by Nadia has been a head-scratcher for me. She doesn't seem to be characterized as someone who has been beaten down and cowed into total submission. If anything, she has really let him have it at times and he always seem to fall short of the type behavior he let loose on poor Esme. There is a reluctance in him to do anything to her, I'm guessing because of her family connections and the money he might lose.
She has admitted in the past that she was in love when she married him, so I don't think this was "forced" on her. If anything, could it be the parents weren't happy about the match - could she be afraid of the "told you so" that might come back at her. Boy, that's a sorry excuse for letting this idiot run wild, especially now that she knows what he did AGAIN to Esme. Gees, use your cell and record one his threats and send it them. Technology people!

I also have to agree on everyone's worry on Carlotta. I am curious how "Bezerko" will play his responsibility of having Ale locked up? He's walking a fine line here to keep himself ingratiated with the family. I can see Graceless though selling out her sister-in-law with glee. The take-down on these three will be most likely be a long way off, but will be interesting to see. Who turns on who?

Daisynjay
 

I can see Graciela hoping to get the hacienda too,since everything failed,nobody will be maintaining her and that drives people like Shameless mad.
 

Daisynjay, you were reading my mind. :)

Once Graciela figures out just how evil and cruel Basura really is, I think she would gladly sell her sister in law down the river for purely spiteful reasons. Carlotta's beautiful smile is like heaping burning coals on Graciela. I think Graciela is jealous of Carlotta which would be a good excuse (no matter how flimsy), in Graciela's mind, for payback.

Fatima
 

Thank you for a beautifully written description of a disturbing episode, Urban.

PS: Maybe English has no word for consuegra, but Yiddish does:

machetayneste = consuegra

machuten = consuegro

I'm sure you've heard these words before. I remember how delighted I was to discover that Spanish had a word for 'machetunim' (consuegros).
:D
 

Graceless would sell her own daughter to a brothel for the right price and complain it still wasn't high enough.

Basurto will burn in hell right next to the man he is toadying up to. Now we add another crime to his rap sheet. I hope someone can wake up Carlota to his twisted nature.
 

Whats a consuegra anyway?
 

Demetrius...my daughter's mother-in-law is my consuegra. Luckily, she is a sweet lady and not anything like poor Rosario's dreadful consuegra GRacie.
 

Thanks for the marvelous recap, UA, nicely done.

Wow, I didn't fully realize how dreadful Zeke is until last night. I had truly underestimated his potential for evil and had thought that he might even find his way to redemption with Carlota's help. Guess not. That was a senseless cold-blooded murder. However, I don't think that Pedro is any less bad.

Poor Adolfo. I'm so glad that he held firm. I felt so sorry for him last night. I'll go so far as to say that he showed real courage by placing his own life at risk by resisting Zeke's order to shoot that guy.

Poor María. Locked away without makeup... let's hope that at least she's allowed to shower.

Poor Joaquín. What kind of choice was he given... rest of his life in prison or total destruction of his family? I think Joaquín will be looking for door #3.

Carlos
 

Dear Urban Anthropologist,

Thanks for great recap! I loved your many wry and astute observations, and especially about the way J-L shook Pedro's hand in "the least sincere manner possible," María finding herself in "quick sand" and, best of all, your comment about Basurto wearing the same clothes to the wedding that he'd worn the night before when he killed one of his henchmen!

Yikes! Basurto is looking like the craziest character on the show now.

This TN just keeps piling on the awful, but at least Ale and Montse have been happy together for a stretch.

I also appreciated the actor who plays Adolfo's performance last night--I've forgotten his name. I've always really liked him, but last night he was especially strong when he had to show the shock Adolfo felt as he realized how far he is in over his head

Thanks again, Urban Anthropologist--it's always great to read your recap!
 

Its very dreadful that Pedro and Ezequel could be so evil,what kind of past did they have for them to be so wicked?, they better have jaccuzis in hell with Gracie joining them as an guest of honour but they better act soon before Juventino contaminates the jaccusis.

Seriusly its even more depressing that evil like that also walks upon the Planet,we have these sort of insects in real life too.
 

Lila...I love music. I always listen to the radio while I am driving or in the shower. in the summer, we take the satellite radio out to the patio. I am always dancing.

I love "Get Lucky, by Pharell Williams and Daft PUnk, especially the version sung by the Russian Police chorus at the Olympics.

Get happy !!!!! Hope that it is warming up where you are. The snow missed us this time , but it was zero last night and still very cold today. However, this weekend temps are supposed to go into the 40s and 50s. YAY
 

I had to laugh at the band pretending to play their instruments.
 

I think the only Door #3 Joaquin would want would have to be a way to bring down Pedro. He doesn't know what Nadia suspects about Pedro but even if her suspicions are completely wrong they would be enough for him.

However, there will not be a way for him to find out. Nor do I think he would be intelligent enough to use this information effectively.

My guess is that he is now expendable to Pedro and he will think of some way to get rid of him.
 

Urban Anthropologist:

Thank you for the excellent recap, delivered in your inimitable style! Wonderful work, Urban. Your writing softened the terrible events of last night's capitulo.

Honestly, I feel a little speechless at last night's events. I think we had all guessed by now that Ale's lands were going to be used for illegal cultivation, but I never heard the cultivar specified. Coca only grows in Columbia, Peru and Bolivia so I must assume that Joaquin was planting marijuana.

But EZ's execution of the bandito seemed, excessive, even by narco T. standards. I guess EZ is just proving himself worthy of Pedro using hims as a pawn—until Pedro condemns EZ for his unspeakable crimes. Pedro is pretty careful to hide behind a front man.

Pam: I had the same thought about Pedro last night. I grinned and chuckled when I saw Sergio using his sunglasses like Horatio Caine's favorite CSI prop. And welcome, I do not think we have met before!

Jose Luis would have no problem taking Ale down, but I do not see him setting Alejandro up with false evidence. If Ale has to fight to get his lands back from Pedro's minions I could see JL teaming up with Alejandro to protect the Hacienda, this time under his own name.

Novela Maven:

Thanks for the Yiddish lesson in response to UA's delightful comment:

"...Lady Carlota and her consuegra [I lament that there is no word in English to describe this relationship] Lady Rosario."

Like so many others on teh Patio, I really enjoyed your observation there, UA.

I have not read all the comments yet but I cannot recall seeing Ale and Montse ACTUALLY remarried. Did I miss that at the very end of the show?

EJ
 

Urban - Thanks. Your attention to key details is exquisite. I didn't even notice that EZ wore his murder clothes to the wedding.

EZ sure surprised me too. I thought he was shrewd and calculating, but nonviolent. But he's a nut case on a power trip. Granted, the thug was going to take Maria off somewhere and rape her while he should've been doing his narcoharvest job. But EZ took delight in killing him in front of everyone and berating Adolfo for not being a killer.

After being Ale's capataz, JL knows in his heart of hearts that Ale is not guilty. Though clouded by his feelings for Montse, I'm sure JL will do the right thing. Both men can get stupid when it comes to Montse, cause it's pitiful that neither Ale nor Macario checked on his lands. Joaquin is not his friend and even dissed him when he first found out he was Benjamin's illegitimate son.

Maria needs therapy and I don't trust her one bit, but I feel sorry for her cause she's locked up and no one knows it except Adolfo. And at least she was resourceful enough to check out Ale’s lands.

Robledo seems to be blind to the thought of corruption in high places. But his sister, Angie's godmom, is much sharper. She never trusted Joaquin.
 

EJ:

JL was going to arrest him before the ceremony, but Ale talked him into arresting him after the ceremonies were completed and JL is going along with that. When we left them last night, Monse and Ale, were about to restart the ceremony.
 

Yeah i miss Prudencia too,she definetly has Joaquins number and his one of my favorite women in the story ,whatever he was doing in his past life,he probably was a conman.
 

The Scoobies in Amor Bravio were awesome! We need a set of them here also. Up for membership: Ale, Macario, Victor, Montse, JL, Angie, Refugio (must control his hot head, tho'), Esmeralda, Nadia and junior members Adolfito and Dimmie with backup from Tomas. Josefina, Carlota and Rosario can help with emotional support and sustenance, but don't anyone tell Carlota anything - she'll blab (although inadvertently)!
 

Anon 1:29:

I like the way you think : )
 

Amelia also knows that Joaquin got at least half his assets from something that's not kosher. She is royally peeved at him over his rejection of Angelica, so she might say or do something eventually.

We need Prudencia now, too. But no matter what these two ladies do I'm sure Graceless will do anything in the world to get the money she keeps throwing away.

Not intended as a spoiler but one of the actors from AB comes back to tonight's episode.
 

I already seen that episode but i wont reveal anything important only that expect a lot of tasty "refreshments"! :)
 

Seems we have a fair share of the secondary villians finding themselves in a rough spot thanks to the top-gun evil minions. Perhaps the story now will hinge on who takes what course: save their neck and align with the top dogs, or realize their try to rectify their past behavior ( a la Dimwit) and start helping out the good guys. Hard to feel sorry for the likes of Joaquin, but he has a chance to redeem himself before Pedro has his head blown off ( no spolier--but honestly, do we see this man making it through this TN?)

And of course, how will JL play the game. I just can't see him turning to the dark side either and hanging Ale out to dry just so he gets Monse back. I'm still a bit WTH on how all this was happening on the land and no one had a clue until Maria "stumbled" upon it. I guess when you're not REALLY running your property, just owning it, rather comes back to bite you. Cough cough, Ale.

I think a few characters need that antidote to reverse the affects of those Stupid Pills they were taking.

Daisynjay
 

UA thanks for the recap. I hope you do write a novel or whatever your genre of choice is but happy we get to enjoy your wonderful prose.

Mads, though EZ going crazy was a shock, his delight in Esme's possibly death let me know he was a malevolent jerk.

I also feel badly for Adolfo. He didn't know he was surrounded by such evil.

And they should bring Tia Prud back quickly.
 

....and the moral of the story is...if you are renting out your land or allowing someone to use it, you had better take a stroll around your property every so often to see what is growing there. CI taught us all what happens when nobody picks the oranges.

I have not heard what is happening around this area since people have been sneaking into the local corn fields and planting marijuana. I will have to start asking around to see if anyone knows if the police caught the people responsible. One of the cornfields happened to be next to my friend's son's house , and he is a state policeman. I wonder if most people would recognize marijuana plants. I have only seen pictures. It looks like a lot of weeds that grow here.
 

Marijuana does look like weeds; are we sure he didn't plant poppies, which have so much more potential for harm?

Alejandro hasn't been back to the hacienda for at least three weeks by my calculations. He should have sold the property and the townhouse and taken Monse, Laurito, and Rosario far away without a forwarding address so they wouldn't have to deal with Graceless anymore. But of course, that will likely happen at the end of this tale.
 

Susanlynn, loved your comment about CI and the oranges. LOL

Jarifa
 

Urban:

My understanding is poppies need a hot, arid climate. In Campeche it is too humid for them to thrive.
 

Daisnjay, no, I don't see Joaquin making it out alive, thankfully EZ is not going to make it either. I hope Aldofito has learned his lesson and gets a chance to clean up his act rather than falling victim to EZ who kills people like swatting flies.

Susanlynn be careful asking about plants posing as corn in the fields -- yikes! And thanks for the "Get Lucky" link. I reckon I don't get out much and had never heard of this catchy tune. And I must say it's the first time I've seen the Russian Army belting out a tune with such a soulfull groove! Who'dathunk?
 

Week of February 24, 2014:

Low Points:

JL longs for Mons.
Mons wants to visit JL.
Gracie does a switcheroo with the DNA test hair.
Pedro wants to see Dim.
Maria hits Tia and takes the baby.
Gracie tells Virgie Dim left Fina and she likes V. for her son.
Pedro proposes a deal to Dim to get all the inheritance.
JL still doesn’t know that Ale/Mons reconciled.
Maria acts like she owns the hacienda.
Virgie is still after Dim.
Ale skirts responsibility for Lauro’s death.
Alpo keeps smarming on Fina.
Padre A. calls Maria’s kidnapping attempt a “foolishness” and brushes off Mac’s distrust of EZ.
Seeing Ros’s anguish then and now as she relates her story to Ale and Mons.
Looks like Maria is plotting to make Ale poor so he’ll love her. Huh?!
JL is delusional (no surprise there).
Pedro wants to talk to Maria.
Mac is upset about his promise to Gracie.
Gracie suggests JL and Angie as godparents—and Ale and Mons consider it!
Gracie schmoozes JL.
Gracie wonders how much JL would pay her for breaking Ale and Mons up (once his wife DIES of course).
Ale and Mons ask JL and Angie to be godparents.
That whole Ale/Mons/Angie/JL thingy going on at JL’s and Angie’s.
Ale/JL conversation re: Mare, I mean Mons (condensed since I’m too tired to list all the crap that went down—I’d never make it as a recapper).
Ale’s blind defense of Maria.
JL has become a bore—again.
Maria/JL drivel.
Angie passes out and Mons goes into stupid mode.
Dim tells Tomas he’s not the man for Fina.
Angie refuses to try any new treatments.
Angie asks Mons to take care of JL.
Ale doesn’t want Maria jailed (actually, I’m in the minority, but agree. She does, however, need to be committed to a psychiatric hospital.)
Maria plots against Ale.
JL is listening to Maria.
Tomas is a d*** to his sister.
Padre A. blindly defends Ale to JL.
Ale gives Joaquin partial control of the hacienda.
Joaquin and Pedro plot against Ale.
Pedro asks Vic if he wants to be Nadia’s “pet”.
Alpo teams up with Pedro.
Angie’s going to be sorry she pushed JL to include Mons and Ale in their lives.
Vic agrees to Pedro’s deal.
Esme spills the beans about Pedro.
Pedro gets physically abusive with Nadia.
Ref pulls a gun on Pedro
 

Highpoints:

Ros tells Ale Maria cut her wrists for attention.
Ros tells Ale he must get Maria out of the house as Mons and she do not get along.
Ale asks Mac to bring Dominga and Padre A. to town.
Ale wants the baby baptized at the end of the week and also remarry Mons at that time.
Ale takes Ros to see Little L.
Mons says she’s making her own decisions from now on.
Ale believes Mons still loves JL, but is going to fight for her love (I hope he means non-violently, otherwise this would be a low point).
Mons tells Gracie she doesn’t have to explain herself to her.
Mons tells Ale she won’t live with Maria in the house and comes up with a compromise that may satisfy them but doesn’t satisfy Viewerville.
Finally some of the good guys know what Maria is capable of.
Amelia gets under Gracie’s skin.
Esme is alive and at the hacienda and Viewerville heaves a sigh of immense relief!!
Dim punches Alpo and appears to be jealous.
JL swears to stand by Angie’s side (lucky Angie).
Angie tells JL that Mons did not divorce Ale for him.
“Mama Rosario”, “Hija”.
Ale putting the shoes on Ros.
Fina has Alpo’s number.
Ros tells Ale she never regretted giving birth to him (though sometimes Viewerville does).
Group hug.
Dim vows Gracie will not see a peso of the money he’ll inherit.
Ref feels bad about his last call with Esme.
Esme’s face as Maria talks at the dinner table.
Padre A’s cute wolf whistle.
Ros shocks the Padre with the happy divorce news.
Ref reminds JL he’s known to do stupid things with regards to Mons (foreshadowing?).
Tia tells Ale and Mons about the kidnapping without a clichéd TN interruption.
Nadia/Pedro/EZ scene.
Ale doesn’t lose it when Gracie suggests JL and Angie as godparents.
Dim wants to begin again.
Dim zings JL with the divorce news and what Angie said—Mons did not divorce Ale for him.
Fina tells Alpo he’s boring.
Fina zings Dim (re: because of him, she realizes she’ll have to buy love) and Dim seems sad.
Dim’s revelations to Fina about how he wishes he were a better person.
Ros told Ale to give Mons her freedom so she could be free to choose.
Dim talks to Tomas.
Ref and Esme reunite.
Dim wants Fina to be happy.
Dim disses his mom about Fina’s money.
Maria stuns JL when she says she’d rather have Ale in jail than with Mons.
Mons finally gets it through to JL that she is no longer in lover with him and that her declaration to him at the hospital was out of pity for a sick/dying man.
At least Vic will be involved with the hacienda, too.
Dim’s reaction to hearing the godparents news.
Dim’s continued dissing of his mama.
 

UA, in the style you are narrating your recaps shouldn't Adolfo be accorded a title since his sister is Lady Nadia?

Carlos
 

Carlos...Maybe we could refer to Adolfito as Little Lord Fauntleroy . He is such a spoiled little boy and a wheeler dealer. However, , I do hope that he will turn over a new leaf since his recent dust up with Pedro and EZ who are playing for real. Maybe he will grow up now and become a man who tries to do the right thing. I think that he could be redeemed.
 

Urban A,
Just finished reading recap and all the comments. Thanks for your writing style. Your recap was detailed and elegant. I feel like I am reading a Jane Austen novel every time I have the pleasure to read your recaps.

I did feel bad for Fofito last night. I am glad that he is not a cold blooded murderer, like EZ. But he just stepped into something he can't get out of. He is in a heap of trouble. OTOH, I don't feel so sorry for BM. I almost did, but then I remembered all the evil things she's done. Someone mentioned that she avoided getting raped. I must have missed something, because I didn't get the feeling that those men that found her were going to do that. But if that had been their plan, I know that BM would have physically fought her way out of it. I may not like BM, but she is a strong woman, and I would pray that she would not have allowed either of those men to rape her.

Back to BM getting caught by EZ. I don't feel sorry for her. She has done, thought and suggested evil deeds. She needs to be in jail. At least for a while. I hate to say this, but I hope what happened to BM in last nights epi doesn't mean she will be redeemed. NEXT!

As far as JL goes, he has to be somewhat relieved that Ale is going to jail. If he wasn't happy about it, he wouldn't have told Montse not to get married. JL is torn between wanting Montse to be free of Ale (so he can try to convince her to get back together with him) and sending an innocent man to jail. Just like JL at the beginning of the TN, Ale is probably going to have everything stacked against him, and only his 'word' to prove his innocence.

I am still worried that Ale and Montse won't be able to marry. I hope they do so that Ale's estate can be protected by Montse. At least Pedro will have a harder time taking over.

BTW, I thought Ale and Montse looked really good at the Baptism/Wedding. They always look super hot when they are together.

More to say, but too busy.

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Nanette,

Thanks for the Low/High Points List. Awesome as always and much appreciated.
 

I love when Monserrat said at the dinner table that Alejandro is not obligated to support the entire family. Once things get back to what they should be, Monserrat should disown Graceless immediately.
 

I have jumped in here to comment without having read yet since by the time I read all of the comments everyone else is on to the next day's episode. So I don'tknow if this has been addressed yet but I agree that consuegro is one of the words I find I have to use in English because of the lack of an equivalent one. And my consuegro is Korean. Another Spanish word that has no good English equivalent, I think, is simpatico. "Nice" doesn't convey the full meaning of the word.
 

Urban A, thank you for the beautifully written and wonderfully detailed recap. Wow, so many critical things are happening!

Nanette, your lists are a great reminder of events, especially since I can't actually watch the episodes. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
 





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