Caray, Caray!

All:

This was a terribly sad capitulo.

I hope that this recap provides a chance for all of us to reflect on loss and new beginnings.

I also want to celebrate a story that is good enough to move us to tears.

It is a gift to have our hearts touched.

William Blake said,

"If this is yours,
If this is what you are
Then I am yours
And what you feel
I share.

Elna June
 

Good morning, all. Thank you, EJ, for that sensitive analysis of a sad, painful episode. It was very hard to watch, so I had to surf away from time to time. As NovelaMaven noted yesterday, Angie evidently wanted to say goodbye to you.

Aw..William Blake, a talented, complicated ,and interesting person.

I just read about the four things people want to hear at the end.."I love you." "thank you." "forgive me., ,I forgive you." However, I am hoping to live my life so that I will not hear the words "I forgive you" at the end.
 

My DVR stopped and left out most of the episode, I am so thankful to have this recap or I wouldn't know what is happening.
You really captured the mood, and from reading the comments on recent days I wonder if many of us have gone through the loss of a loved one just lately.
Loved, your sensitive interpretation of the scenes, "l The room is quiet. People are crying those dry hot salty tears, their eyes are burned red, but the rivers of tears that may bring some release to Angelica’s friends and family are being held back..."
I am forgetting what Ale promised JL he would do after Angie is gone, can someone remind me?



 

Ah Elna June, this one was written from the heart. Your opening meditation on why we are so affected by these scenes was wonderful, as was your reflection on how you would keep vigil and comfort a dying friend.

It also reminded me of a comment you made last week regarding empathy and how it was a sign of our interconnectedness.

It was truly your destiny to have this episode to recap, and I thank you for all the loving sensitivity you brought to it.

A book I read and re-read when going through the loss of a family member or friend is:

Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley.

They were two hospice nurses in the DC area and this book is really a blessing when you are struggling with losing someone dear to you.

I'm sure there are many wonderful resources for this time, but this book especially touched my heart. As did your recap, dear Elna June. When I go, I pray there is somebody like you at my bedside. I will then be twice blessed.
 

And I liked the sober simplicity of your title. Again, thank you.
 

Elna June, you have moved me to tears. I feel sadness but feel lightened due solely to your beautiful, poignant, sensitive narrative. I am touched beyond words.

"People are crying those dry hot salty tears, their eyes are burned red, but the rivers of tears that may bring some release to Angelica’s friends and family are being held back" was wondrous.

"Then I would hold her hand with gentle but focused unconditional kindness, and, matching my breath to hers I would breathe with her and breathe with her through the gasps and stutters of the end of life" was staggeringly lovely.

Thank you. No superlative comes to mind that would adequately convey how I feel about your summary.

Diana
 

Beautiful EJ. Your touching and poignant recap brought me to tears all over again. I especially loved your additional lines by Blake, some of my favorites. I do think they gave Angie a respectful ending and one full of the love she deserved.

I was able to watch some of the DimFine scenes and I have to say those brought me to a few sniffles as well. As sad as it was to see Dim realize he would be without his love, I believe Fina choose so wisely and when she returns they will be the better. I suppose this is the logical way for us to see her expected transformation. The fact he relived how he treated her at the start of their relationship hopefully takes him on a further journey of maturing. He needs to know who he truly is and what he is capable of as well and I think he sees that. I'll miss her on our screen...maybe we will get a fast forward?? Please...

Ale is going to be so busted on that promise one day.

Daisynjay
 

Diana, thanks for the well wishes for my son's visit. The surprise of having his girlfriend waiting here for him went off brilliantly ( and she and I had a fun "girl's day" before we knew he would be driving in). He was speechless when he saw her. That first big hug felt so good. I think he was the happiest smelling the big pot of homemade chicken soup on the stove (his favorite meal).

Tonight another surprise with a big homemade pasta meal with all the fixings and a bunch of his close friends suddenly appearing to join in.

I'll be exhausted by Sunday, but having a blast doing it all.
 

daisy, I am so happy that the surprise went so well, that you had fun with your son's girlfriend and that the visit is off to such a splendid start.

Your planned dinner tonight sounds delicious.

Diana
 

EJ- You were really the perfect recapper for this sad episode when we lost Angie. Your reflections on love, death, and loss were beautiful and profound.

The only sore spot for me in all this was this continued absurd lie about JL to Monse, and the stupid pissing contest between JL and Ale. But now I see this is all part of a setup for Ale to eventually be tested to see if he keeps his promises.

While we have seen and continue to see growth in Dim, and real reflection on his past misdeeds, our hero Ale has struggled with this. He's not quite ready to accept his faults and misdeeds, move past them, move on, and become a better man. His journey will be a long one.

I'm so pleased and surprise that Fina did what I hoped she would. Told Dim how she feels, and chose to work on herself. She also broke off with Tomas and demanded her money back. She's going it alone. No man, and no Tomas breathing down her neck either. I can't wait till we meet up with Fina 2.0.
 

Great work, Elna June.

I cried my eyes out last Saturday watching La Boheme but this did it all over again. No miracle for Angelica who now actually becomes an angel.

The way this novela has been jerking our chains I am hoping that Alejandro's payment for JL's latest efforts isn't what just occurred to me.

What has been bugging me all along about Josefina is that she has been a bride twice, both times with beautiful hair and a flattering dress and she still didn't see the great disservice she has done herself by not having the makeover she needed become permanent. We can only hope now that when she gets away from Dimitrio and Tomas for whatever time she needs she does that along with getting her career together.

Tomas, to his credit, saw this.

Dimitrio's retrospective made me angrier than when I saw those scenes before, and I covered the second wedding. Graceless' theft of the bridal kiss looked even more shameless than when that episode aired in view of Dimitrio's recent confrontation with her.

In contrast, remembering how radiant Angelica looked on her wedding day made her long goodnight even sadder.

On a more detached note, did anyone else notice Esmeralda's and Refugio's reactions to Fabiolush's arrival and her taking possession of JL? They have her number.
 

Dearest Elna June,

Thank you so very much for this beautiful, sensitive, and wise retelling of the story last night. I know it must have been very sad to write, but, as others here have said, I also feel that somehow this episode was meant to come to you.

The care and love you put into your writing was evident in every line. Most especially, I admired the long paragraph about what YOU would have said to Angélica. This was very moving and lovely.

I was really happy for Fina last night. She was magnificent, and it's great to see her finding her voice at last.

I've been troubled for a while at Alejandro's willingness to let J-L go to jail for him, and I know others have, too. Originally, I was just happy to see him get out of the carcel, but as I think more and more about it, it seems incredibly cowardly and low on his part to do this. So what, if he's honoring J-L's request? That's such a lame reason to let another man take the fall for him. J-L is right that there will be a big payback.

Thanks again, Elna June. We are all so lucky to have you to recap this sad episode.
 

Elna June, thank you for a great recap of a very well done episode.

Along with the death of Angelica we had the rebirth of Josefina. I loved how Josefina has taken back control of her own life insisting that now she will be independent of Dimitrio and her brother Tomas. I loved that she demanded that Tomas return her fortune to her or deal with a lawyer and tore up her "wedding" pictures. It was as if she were finally waking up from a nightmare. I hope that this character is a success with or without Dimitrio.

Fabiola was at her swarmiest hanging all over JL. The looks on Esme's and Refugio's were priceless. It was good to see someone have the appropriate reaction.

Jarifa



 

Dear elna june,

You have deeply touched my heart this morning. Your words came to me with such power and meaning for which I cannot thank you enough.

I am so proud of Fina for she had the courage to speak the truth and to say what she FEELS.

Elna June, your beautiful spirit shines through your words.

JudyB, amiga, thank you for being here. You are a treasure.

Fatima
 

Son is off to an appointment and I get a few minutes to relax. Enjoying the insights today. Especially about Ale...I find myself actually zoning he and Monse out, which is bad since we may not see some of the more interesting characters for awhile. His supposed hero behavior is anything but. Sure he's being made the target of a certified nutjob, but his own behavior whether it's his over-the-top jealousy, his disregard of his property and businesses that others rely on for their livelihood or ongoing "agreements" with JL makes me more than frustrated with him. He doesn't have to be a goody two-shoes, but right now let's say it really is a help having SR in this role. At least he is showing the man for what he is and not glossing over his behavior.
Vivi, I think you reasoned it out brilliantly that Ale hasn't gone through that look at himself as Dim has done. I don't think he honestly feels, at this point, that he's done anything that can be construed as cowardly or wrong. And it doesn't help that everyone around him seems to make excuses or enables him. I thought the time in the big house would be a turning point, but guess we need one more big fall for him. Maybe he does need to lose it all again and be a working stiff without the prestige to realize what he has and who he is.

Someone needs to realize the Padre is missing.

Daisynjay
 

Daisynjay, good point about missing Padre Anselmo.

Jarifa
 

Dear Elna June:

Thank you so much for this very beautifully written recap.

Ah, Angie is now an angel. This whole epi was so very sad. I too cried like a baby, when Angie drew her last breath.

I am glad that Fina has come to a decision. As Vivi pointed out before, the girl really needs to find and love herself before she can have any type of relationship. I hope she and Dimi end up together after she finds herself. I am glad she also told Tomas she needed this time by herself and surprisingly he actually listened to her. I will be curious to see how both Fina and Dimi grow while they are apart.

Fablush is really inept. I couldn't stand the way she draped herself all over poor JL and the dressing in black already!

Thank you again Elna June for the marvelous, and sensitive rendition of a very sad episode.
 

Elna June - Thanks for the beautiful recap. Every word was a fine jewel and very comforting.

Angelica got under my skin. This is the first time I've seen Ilithya Manzanilla in anything but she nailed this role from Day One through the end.

Strange, though I can't stand Fab, I didn't mind her draping herself around JL. I'll put up with anything not to go back to that triangle.

On a funny note, it's so cute when the baby actors don't cooperate. Laurito lit up like a Christmas tree, crying in the scene with Dominga telling Ale and Monse about Rosario. And Monse sure took her sweet time retrieving him from Dominga.

Yay to Fina's decision.

Agree Ale is not looking too brave right now. Also, at City Hall, he was pretty restrained with Pedro. I was expecting him to just barge through the door to see what the hell they were up to with his mom.
 

Niecie- LOL! I laughed too when it looked like Angelique was not too keen on taking that crying baby off Dominga's hands, although it made perfect sense that a mom would immediately do that. I did think it was appropriate for Laurito to be crying as the news of his abuelita being dragged away by the bad men was being recounted. Just like the time he was crying when Ale finally came and begged Monse to forgive him after he knew the results of the paternity test.
 

My dear Elna June:

Thank you so much for this eloquent piece of writing. Your own reflections and the perfectly chosen words of William Blake manage to raise this from a simple retelling of a story to something very like a community experience, even a community prayer.

You have, my brilliant friend, understood perfectly the elegiac mood on The Patio of late. You are talking to all of us; and we are all listening attentively and feeling a bit better for the experience.

I can't help but quote this whole paragraph because it is so moving and so telling about the writer:

"If I were Angelica’s friend, if I had the privilege of seeing her in her last moments, I would tell her that she had lived a fine life and had been an example to all in courage, beauty, resilience and spunk. She had mostly lived her short life on her own terms since she escaped the treatments that could perhaps have prolonged her life. I would congratulate her, and smile and sob a short laugh and remind her that she had aspired to do her death ‘her way’ and that she had, indeed, succeeded. Then I would hold her hand with gentle but focused unconditional kindness, and, matching my breath to hers I would breathe with her and breathe with her through the gasps and stutters of the end of life. I would just be there—present for her, still, praying, loving.
And I would cry, grateful that she let me walk with her in this lifetime."

As for Josefina, in my eyes, she has already had her make-over. I almost gasped in delight when she stood up to Tomás in a way that DEMANDED respect. (I found this much more dramatically convincing than just about every 'by the book' declaration she made to Dimitrio.)

I am sad about her separation from Dimitrio, though it will probably be good for both of them. Is it too much to hope that they will stay in touch by exchanging letters and we will hear those letters read aloud?

I'd like that. But I'll be more than happy as long as we continue to get these weekly letters from the astonishing mind of Elna June.
 

I guess this storyline has hit a little too close to reality. We would rather not be reminded of our mortality and ponder death and dying.

Last night, Hub came home shaken from a friends house. He lost his wife a few months ago. He is grieving , and he told hub that he just couldn't eat for awhile and lost 15 pounds. He and his wife had been together since they were teens,and hub says this guy is just lost. You must understand that guys around here do not cry or hug much...he did both. Hub said "At one point, he even hugged me.,". Hub being a pragmatic kind of guy, encouraged him to "keep busy, keep going." Easier said than done when you have lost the love of your life said I.
 

Alejandro seems to have learned that losing his temper doesn't bring good results. He does know that Pedro has it in for him personally, but thus far only Nadia knows that Pedro was the accident victim.

Wouldn't it be interesting if either she or EZ knew what they don't now know about that accident?

Rosario is probably freaked out by the interrogation and she might easily be intimidated. I can't read the judge yet and the fact that he's being played by the actor who was the easily duped (and alcoholic) CEO of a crooked company in MPV doesn't help that.

It's an interesting coincidence that little Laurito cries when something bad is happening to his closest relatives.
 

Thanks for the awesome recap!

I realized at the end of this epi that I really can't stand Ale and Montse anymore. Montse for not being smart enough to put 2 and 2 together when it comes to JL. And most importantly for capitulating to her jealous husband and letting him control where, to whom she sees and speaks.

For this same reason am I done with Ale. Angelica is on her death bed and he doesn't want Montse to see her bec of JL. The man that is going to freaking jail for him! Basta!!

I'm tired of Rosario too and her big eyes of innocence. You spent 30 years in a Mexican jail, where is your strength and smarts? You had to have both to survive. Stop crying already!!

The only thing that saved this episode was Josephina! Amen girl!! I hope she comes back having a Bette Davis Now Voyager moment!

Now with Fina gone, Angelica dead and JL soon going to jail, the only person left I care about is Dim. Even Tia has been driving me crazy.

Gosh, you think I need a break from this TN?
 

Buenos Dias:

I am so glad each of you made time to come by and comment on our very sad capitulo.

It becomes personal for me when I write of love and death. It was easy for me to use personal experiences to inspire the recap of last night's episode.

Susanlynn: Thank you for commenting. You said yesterday that it seems many of us in our Caray community have experienced recent loss. Emarie mentioned this as well.

I suspect that this is true, my friends. Although death is ever around us, as I age I am more and more closely connected to it. In the last few years Mr. June and I have sat with a number of family members and friends as they have passed. Because I do meditation groups for people with cancer and their families I have occasion to regularly support folks in their passages.

And, on the subject of William Blake, ITA. He wsa a strange and interesting man—and a wonderful poet.

JudyB: Final Gifts was a wonderful book, I agree. I truly appreciate your awareness that I wrote this recap from the heart.

On a lighter note, I forgot to chime in and say that back in the day,when I lived in San Francisco, Jeff Campbell and his Speed Cleaning team were my house cleaners. I loved him and his principles. Eventually the company moved its HQ out of the City and into the California Foothills but even now I live 35 miles north of SF, I still use the lessons I learned from Jeff. I got the whole set of books for each of my children when they first moved into their own places.

And Red Juice! I could not live without it. Smile.

Diana: Thank you, as always, for your kind words. I am glad you were touched.

Daisynjay: Wonderful to see you. I, too, was glad that the writers gave Angelica a respectful ending. the Pedro scenes felt especially dirty and incongruent with the other happenings in the episode.

Vivi: Thank you so much for your kind words. As usual, I am in total agreement with you on both Alejandro's cowardice and the idiotic lying to Montse scheme. (I think you and I were twins in a previous lifetime—you so often express opinions and ideas that I thought were my own. Foolish me.)

Urban: I cry at La Boheme and I too cried last night. Wasn't it just awful to watch Dimitrio's reflections on his past behavior? I think he has not earned his wife's trust and I am delighted to see Josefina head out a journey of self healing. Good on you, Josefina. May you come back with a healthy sense of self and some rightous anger at how poorly you have been treated. Dimmy has MUCH self reflection and repentance to do before he is deserving of Josefina's forgiveness.

JuliaRold: You are so welcome. And I am glad you found the work to e sensitively written. Perhaps I was supposed to write this recap.

As you say, Alejandro is no hero. He is not a stand up kinda guy.

I cannot imagine being inside the head of this character who seems to have no capacity for self observation or gratitude. Jose Luis has saved his life on three occasions, not prosecuted him for attempted murder, and now, helped Ale get out of jail free with NO benefit to himself.

Elna June



 

Angelica and Padre Anselmo were my two favorite characters.

The rest are mostly a bunch of self-absorbed, insecure douchebags.

When that chubby priest came out after giving last rites, not one person inquired about Padre Anselmo's whereabouts.
 

Jarifa:

I am glad you appreciated the recap. Thank you for your compliment. I love how your describe Josefina's sea change as a 'rebirth'. What a wonderful way to frame the hard but positive change in this character.

Fatima: If I have touched your sweet heart today, I can only be grateful. You give us the gift of your transparent caring for humankind every time you write. I'll bet your friends are so happy to have you in their lives.

Carvivlie: I hope you do not take a break from the Patio because we love your company! I completely share your sentiments about this "subversive" (to quote our beloved Novela Maven" little story.

Starting from the beginning most of the men in Robo have been involved in homicide or murder. Yikes! There is almost no one left to like, is there?

My Dear Novela Maven:

Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for walking with me.

Elna June


 

Thanks for this touching recap, Elna June. As I watched last night I tried to imagine how you would handle this somber episode... the sensitivity with which you described the somber scenes and the tender tribute you paid to Angelica was exactly what we needed. While I'm not a JL fan, I found myself grieving with him as well as her family.

I had a bit of hope for this judge, but when he allowed Pedro to insert himself into her interrogation, that hope evaporated.

Was anyone surprised that neither Victor nor Macario were there when Rosario was taken away?

Carlos
 

Nobody asked about Padre Anselmo because as far as anyone knows he's back at the hacienda in his outdated little shack (Did anyone ever notice whether it has electricity? He doesn't even have a phone).

I was't surprised at Victor or Macarario's absence for Rosario being shanghaied because Pedro would have had people watching for that.

The judge is very sketchy for even allowing Pedro to be present in the room.
 

EJ, your recap of this sad episode was beautifully written.

I cried my eyes out watching her last moments in the arms of the man she loved.

I also cried during dim/fina's scenes. I'm glad she's choosing to learn to love herself first before she can love someone else.
 

EJ: Thank you for the beautiful recap. I’ve not seen the ep yet. I’m feeling a little low right now so have to wait until I’m “up” since it will just be too sad to watch—Angie and Fina’s goodbye, for that matter. Reading your recap makes it a little easier when I do see the ep since I’ll know what to expect and can prepare myself.

EJ: That paragraph that Novela quoted from your recap has me crying again—first when reading it in her comment and now while I’m reading the recap.

I just finished the recap. So sad. So eloquently told. Elna June, you are an amazing writer. Thank you.

Such a wonderful character Angie is, I’m so sad to see her go. I would like to have seen Angie and JL grow deeper in love—or at least JL to grow deeper in love—have children and grandchildren.

I think killing off Angie is going to clear the way for a JL/Fab hookup, but I could be wrong.

I’m not very happy with what JL did. Angie stayed alive so she could talk to Monserrat and make things right and JL had to taint that by telling them to lie. I get that it’s for plot reasons, but it disgusted me. And Mons promising a dying woman to take care of her husband after she dies. Will she keep her promise to Angie? Or will she spit on her grave? Sorry really po’d about that. JL should feel tons of guilt for not trying harder to make Angie the only woman in his life. He doesn’t love Mons, he’s just obsessed with what might have been. He should now be obsessed with what might have been with Angie.

In a weird way Fina has Dim, Alpo and even Tomas to thank for her epiphany. It took their horrible behavior towards her to get her to see what the real problem was. The question is, will “new and improved” Fina still want Dim? Will Dim still want “new and improved” Fina? Will they introduce a new character for Fina and make another triangle. They certainly have enough time. I am glad Dim fell for her the way she was and the writers didn’t have him suddenly fall for her after a major transformation. Can’t wait to see what happens to our galan and protaganista. Oh wait, the galan and protaganista of this thing isn’t Dim and Fina, it’s Ale and Mons (yawn).

Carvivlie: thanks for the Now, Voyager shout out. As a film historian, I love lots of movies, but when pressed to name a favorite, I always say Now, Voyager.

From yesterday:

Susanlynn: This funny, deadpan comment had me cracking up. Has me cracking up now (which I need after all the sadness). Re: Antonio from Alborada, “He took several episodes to die and gave many speeches.”

Fatima: I’m glad I put a smile on your face because it’s reciprocal. Misfits of the world unite!!!

Nanette
 

Elna June, as others have commented, your recap was truly touching and heartfelt. I am glad Angie went in peace, with all those she loved around her. Just not looking forward to the rivalry starting all over between Ale and JL.

I was hoping for Fabs to change for the good, even thinking as she seemed liked she was really hurting at the thought of Angie dying, but last night with her draping herself all over JL, and dripping venom into his ear about what Montse "truly thinks about Angie", I don't think it will happen. Can't wait to see how she reacts when she finds out Ale, Dim and Montse are her half siblings. Could that make her have a change of heart?

Rooting for Fina to find and love herself!!!

Maricruz
 

Oh my, a shout out to Now, Voyager. I can hear that splendid theme song now. I absolutely love that film and yes, I can see Fina coming back an erect, savvy and confident woman. Graceless fills the role amazingly as the demanding mother, only in this case, make it as the former in-law (if they truly get divorced in the interim). I can see Graceless frankly hating her even more if she comes back rich, confident and successful. Bring out the popcorn, margarita's and reserve my front row seat for that.

What I don't want to see is Fina coming back as a painted Barbie doll like Nadia or Monse. Writers do that and they have insulted that character beyond reason and I would most likely throw my hands up in despair and fill by 9:00 hour with baseball.

Daisynjay
 

I find EZ very puzzling,i dont know what to think of him,he is manipulative,cold and evil ,i hope he is an undercover cop because the police of Mexico found something suspicius about Pedros evil deeds..I think of him as an undercover cop gone wrong..

I dont believe Anselmo is dead,dios mio! In Eva Luna the almost the same thing happened with Julio( Marcelas husband) all thought he was dead but he was used as witness fodder in the end

Im so sad seeing Angelica will die,she was one the best persons in the telenovela and now we are seeing her go:((

I literally was jumping to the air when Dimitrio shouted to the whole pueblo how he loves Josefina but fell straight down when she rejected him... I just facepalmed how can you reject a guy like Dim,ok he acted as a big idiot and a manipulative jerk in the past but past is past.



 

Nanette and DaisynJay: Now Voyager is one of my favs too and Josefina's eye brows reminded me, a little, of Bette Davis' at the beg. of the movie. Though Fina's beauty is much easier to see than Bette's was!
 

Daisynjay-i wish you could be right about EZ

ITA about Fina. she's had her makeover- wow. Yes, don't want her coming back glammed up. Maybe a bit if refinement to bring her special qualities out.

Loved the comments about EZ's witness protection program for Maria and the Padre-
 

Josefina is like my best friend( she is like a sister to me) ,has absolutely no self love. I met the poor 14 year old girl a week ago,she is bullied in school and everyone just hates her,like she lives on the wrong side of the world,not even her own parents respect her.She has the history of trying to cut herself.Saved the poor girls life 3 times,one time while she was laying on the train lines and the two times from cutting..She has a noble heart ,knows 5 languages ,it is just sad and frustrating i cannot help her more.. Had 3 diffrerent boyfriends all let her down,its a true shame idiots only respect what they see is if she has a good body instead of a good heart..I would totally be her bf but she is just 14 and im nearly 18 so it would be restricted by law.. Crazy world
 

Sorry, that was Demetrios on EZ
 

EJ thank you so much for your lovely rendition of such a sad capitulo. Sorry I missed you last week as well. And to answer your question some weeks back on media violence, I do think excessive exposure to on-screen violence can make us more insensitive to it in general. Recently I have been a bit shocked at the violence in some films and tv shows and am wondering if its part of my maturing (in lieu of aging) process ;)

Vivi, thanks for such an insightful assessment of Ale. While I appreciate how this tn has been well-written for the most part and well acted, I don't understand why they have made Ale such an unlikeable galan. As someone else pointed out, I don't expect a goodie-goodie but his flaws and lack of introspection are really off-putting.
 

Carlos:

I am so pleased that you found the recap to be sensitively written. That means a great deal coming from you.

Gloria: Hello, my dear! Your sweet compliment touched my heart. Thank you so much for coming by to say hi. I know just how busy you are.

Nanette: You are so kind to compliment my writing. I am honored that you were moved by it.

I completely understand stepping away from dark stories when they start to get us down. But I am SO happy you still come by to hang out with us the Patio.

Like you, I HATED the ridiculous plot point of having JL tell Montse and Ale to lie to Angelica. It seemed so disrespectful of Angelica's character. I find the whole JL making Montse hate him plot to be imbecilic.

If JL has a problem with obsessing about Montserrat, then he should find a good shrink, not set up an elaborate manipulation to outwit himself and then be pissed at Ale because he is playing along. Alejandro will always do what benefits Alejandro.

Honestly. I guess that is why we call this a melodrama.

Maricruz: So nice to see you. Thank you for your kind words. The writers are certainly keeping us in the dark about their intentions for Fabi's character, aren't they?

Last night, she was, once again, inappropriate and insensitive at best. If they are going to redeem the character I would like to see some signs of a good heart as well as hear about her sad story of abandonment.

Demetrios:
I am glad to see your comment. It seems that EZ Basurto is on your mind. I do not know what to make of the character either. I hope you are right, that he is a good guy in a bad disguise.

But I think the writers are going to have to do some fancy storytelling to get me past his cold blooded murder of Maria's attacker and his sadistic enjoyment of her pain.

Right now, I don't buy it. And, I fell terrible for poor dim Tia Carlota.

EJ
 

Demetrios:

Your young lady friend needs some professional help with her problems. It sounds like you are being a caring friend, but if she is cutting and making suicidal gestures she, and those she cares about could be in real danger.

The very best help you could give her is to help her find some immediate professional support. If she has a local physician,or a priest or rabbi, or other concerned family member that person could refer the young woman to get immediate help.If she speaks five languages and is living in a particular ethnic community in your town, there may be support from local not for profit community advocacy institutions.

Your care for her is commendable. What she needs right now is immediate help as opposed to a romantic connection. If she is in danger, please call 911.

Good luck in supporting her to find help, Demetrios! Please let those of us on the Board know if you need any assistance in supporting her.

Kind Regards,

Elna June


 

Dear Elna June,
You were meant to write this recap. I thank you for your kind, sensitive and understanding words during these dark times. We as a community are mourning the loss if a beloved character. With your delicate writing, you gave Angelica a respectful and deserving farewell.

We also said goodbye to Fina. I was sad to see Dimi and Fina part, but it is for the best. Sometimes love between a couple is not enough. There also has to be respect between them. Even though they love each other, they need to be whole individuals before they can have a successful relationship. Dimi is still in the process of redeeming himself, and Fina is on her way to self respect and loving herself. It won't bother me if she has a beauty makeover. Dimi fellin love with her as she is. If she has that makeover now, it won't be for anyone but herself. I agree with the person that said it was harder to watch those Dimi flashbacks now. Reliving them was painful. I am sure that remembering those moments for Dimi was hard too. It might have helped him understand why Fina needs to be alone.

Did not like Faby rubbing up on JL. And she said she dressed in black because she didn't know if Angie had already died! WTH! She's her mothers daughter, no doubt about that.

About the scene with Ale, Montse, Dominga and Laurito. I don't think it was scripted for Montse to take the baby. But AB improvised to maybe help the baby calm down, and it worked. I think the baby looks like AB.

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Maybe because I'm not actually watching Fab's scenes, just reading about them, that makes me think she's redeemable. It's her drinking that's making her do the inappropriate things she does. Or her drinking is a big part of it--I think there are other things going on with her. If JL does start to act as if he's interested in her, I can see her seeing a chance at being happy and starting on the road to redemption. Here's hoping if that happens, JL falls in love with her, too. But not too soon. He needs to mourn Angie big time.

Demetrios: I agree with EJ. Your friend needs professional help--as well as your support. Her situation is beyond something a friend can fix alone. I know that you care about her and will do your best to help her find the professional help she needs.

Nanette
 

Fabiola is a %#$@(*&) vulture. She is looking at marrying JL to get Angelica's bequest to him. Sandho was even shocked when he became aware of this.

She is irredeemable as far as I can see.

If JL feigns interest in her he will risk looking like a fortune hunter of the kind she really is. I'm betting that with the number of episodes left we will see Alejandro temporarily lose his fortune which I don't believe he deserves.
 

EJ thank you so very much for this. wonderfully written tale and powerful words of life and love. I like you, feel the pain of others, real or imagined. Ask not for whom the Bell tolls - John Donne. To the Caray community, thanks also for your words and insights.
Yola
 

Please add me to the list of "Now, Voyager", fans!

Elna June, I've been thinking about this on and off throughout the day. I truly believe YOU were meant to write this recap. It was waiting for you. Thank you again for making this incredibly sad episode a little bit easier to bear.

I am still so very sad at losing Angelica. Losing her is going to leave a huge hole in this story. I fear that FabuLUSH is going to get more air time which simply does not seem fitting.

Fatima
 

Nanette, Misfits R Us. :))

Fatima
 

I now know how Carlos feels when he defends the bad girls that no one else can stand. I'm in Fab's corner.
 

Nanette, I forgot to add that I think it is absolutely fantastic that you are a film historian!

Fatima
 

Aunty Ann: I am very glad you enjoyed the recap. You are right, we did say goodbye to the old Josefina. And, as others have said, I thin any makeover on the outside will only reflect the works she does to find herself.

I am not persuaded that in real life, should such an unlikely set of circumstances occur to a woman like Fina, she would choose to ever come back to her emotionally abusive husband, however much she may have loved him once.

She would have to be changed indeed in order for such a reconciliation to be healthy for her.

Yola: Thank you for coming by to comment. You are most welcome. It is wonderful to see so many kind and empathic people on Caray Caray.

Fatima: I very much appreciate your thoughts. As far as the story goes, I think Angelica's death and Josefina's leavetaking will leave a huge hole in the story fabric. Let us hope the writers do not attempt to patch this up with more of Pedro's evil doings and woeful tidings to Alejandro.

I am so impressed that you are a film historian. I am putting "Now Voyager' on my must-see list at your recommendation. I have never seen the film. You must have a very long favorite film list, having such knowledge on the subject.

I will have to think about my short list of film favorites to ask you about.

FAtima: I suspect that self defined misfits can make very fine friends.

EJ
 

Nanette:

Clarification. That 'film historian' comment was meant for you.

Smile,

EJ
 

Elna June, I AM concerned that the story is now going to focus on the evil Pedro and his associates. This is going to be one very long haul. Montserrat and Alejandro have almost completely lost my interest and attention.

It is difficult losing Fina and Angelica.In real life, I would choose to be friends with these ladies.

You also said: "I am not persuaded that in real life, should such an unlikely set of circumstances occur to a woman like Fina, she would choose to ever come back to her emotionally abusive husband, however much she may have loved him once.". I think this is a very astute observation. I am looking forward to Fina's Adventures in molding her new life.

This misfit thanks you for your wonderful support. I do believe that I am a good friend, but it takes a very special friend to understand the misfit that I am. :)) Those few people are people I treasure very much.

You have to see "Now, Voyager". You will simply love it. Get it in your Netflix queue asap!!

Fatima

 

Another vote here for "Now, Voyager" (and for TCM, one of my favorite tv channels). And I am also intrigued that you are a film historian, Nanette. I hope you will bring some more of your favorites to the conversation from time to time.

Elna June:

"I am not persuaded that in real life, should such an unlikely set of circumstances occur to a woman like Fina, she would choose to ever come back to her emotionally abusive husband, however much she may have loved him once."

Yes, I'm sure that in real life, you are right. But this is a bit of a fairy tale; and I so want to believe that our Dimitrio's change is so profound that it might actually makes sense for Josefina to choose to return to him.
 

Demetrios, I hope you take Elna June's advice re your 14 year old friend to heart.

Fatima
 

I would but our country doesnt care,it is retarded because in any other country this would not be happening,the school does not expel the bullies,and for proffesional help what does it help when you see your bullies everyday triggering traumas again? The inspectors should have shut the school down 3 years ago but they didnt because they are corrupt too,as long as money is on the table they dont need to care.. Not to mention her retarded parents ,they keep pressuring her and dont support her enough..I hate my country with a bloody passion and i live in Slovenia,a paradise of idiots ,parasites and useless people
 

Questiond In real life, do you think that someone like Dim can actually turn over a new leaf and become a good person?

As for Now, Voyager, I remember my mother talking about that movie . She was a fan of Bette Davis, but I never was. I am a big fan of TCM, but I blush to admit that many of my fav old movies star Doris Day and Sandra Dee. There,,,,I have admitted it. I am a lifelong teenager and probably will be forever. I still long to be Gidget with Moondoggie on the beach.
 

Demetrius...So sorry . I hope that things improve there.
 

Elna June, as everyone said, you wrote a beautiful recap of a very painful episode. Angelica seemed to be the only spot of brightness and purity and now she's gone.

Sorry Nanette but I'm with the crowd that thinks that Fabiola is bad to the soggy alcohol drenched bone.

I also think that with no body, it's possible that the good padre is alive somewhere.

Did anyone refresh our memory about Ale's "promise"? What was it? I'm a little lost on that one.

Can't wait for the next recap-- I missed quite a bit and am therefore confused....

Till then,
Becky
 

Demetrios, you sound like an extremely compassionate young man. I am sorry that your country is not what you had hoped. I do hope for better things for you.

If the 14 year old is harming herself, then she does need help the presence of the bullies not withstanding. I hope you can guide her to that professional help.

I am sure that this is a sad time for you, but please know that we always enjoy your input into the TN! I still think you and Oxnard Huero would make a great comedy team.

Fatima
 

Susanlynn, I am hooked on the romantic stuff, too. My fave is "Moonstruck" with Cher. I could see that one a millions times. I makes me happy!

Fatima
 

Oy! "IT makes me happy!"

Fatima
 

Susanlynn

"In real life, do you think that someone like Dim can actually turn over a new leaf and become a good person?"

Good question. I think that after an epiphany such as Dim's, a person CAN change, but it isn't common and it isn't easy. Insight and knowledge don't necessarily lead to changes in long-entrenched patterns of behavior.

But I am quite happy to believe in the power of such an epiphany in art. I want Dimitrio to have changed. I want him to be a better man now. I want him to feel his father's influence and to rid himself of his mother's malice.

About nostalgia...

I love the black and white melodramas and screwball comedies of the 1940's. I'm not such a fan of American movies in the 50's, though there are exceptions.

As for "Moonstruck," oh my, yes, Fatima! That is one of the great ones.

Rebecca
I'm not sure which promise of Ale's you mean. He promised JL to make Montserrat happy. Is that it?

"Sorry Nanette but I'm with the crowd that thinks that Fabiola is bad to the soggy alcohol drenched bone."

I don't know. I think she is DAMAGED "to the soggy alcohol drenched bone" -- great phrase, by the way -- and she is very hard to like. But I think she had no idea of what she was in for when she struck up an alliance with Sandro. I think she is in way over her head.

Hey guys,

Would you like a brief summary (from memory) of Friday's episode while we are waiting for the official recap?
 

Yes, that would be lovely NovelaMaven. I can tell people are dying to talk about the episode.

And yes, also, Moonstruck is one of my favorite films. I have the videotape and re-watch it often. My parents loved it also.

And yes, to all the kind and encouraging words to Demetrio. I hope, in spite of the situation in your country, that there exists some kind of professional help for your friend and that she can find it, with your support.

And in the meantime, I will pray for her protection and safety, and that she knows she is beloved and precious.
 

NovelaMaven, I would LOVE a brief summary of Friday's episode!! Chomping at the bit over here. :))

Demetrios, you have our support. I hope you know that.

Fatima
 

JudyB, yet ANOTHER thing we have in common!! MOONSTRUCK!!

"Don't do it, Loretta!!"

Fatima
 

Spoiler Alert: A brief summary of Friday's show (episode 108)

Pedro and the bent judge finish their brutal questioning of Rosario. Every question is an accusation. They try to get her to admit that Alejandro's father is really the late Jacinto and that Rosario was a slut who was sleeping with both Benjamín and Jacinto. She is forced to tell them her horrific history -- how Benjamín Almonte ripped away her innocence, killed her fiancé, and then had her accused of the crime; how she gave birth to Alejandro in prison a month and a half early and entrusted the baby to her father, and asked him to tell everyone she had died; how Padre Anselmo guessed the baby's parentage but didn't know that Rosario was alive until she had finished her 30 year prison term and appeared on his doorstep one night.

Next, Alejandro is brought in for questioning. He is asked about the details of the will making him Ben's only heir. He agrees to undergo DNA testing to prove he is Ben's son and to hand over both wills to the judge -- the one in his favor and the earlier one leaving everything to Fabiola. He now knows that Fabiola is his enemy and is trying to take everything from him. He has no idea that Fabiola has been in his safe and replaced the original will in his favor with a counterfeit document.

Pedro, however, doesn't know that the REAL document is now in Adolfo's possession.

Adolfo tells EZ all about it. How can they sink Pedro without Pedro taking them down with him? Neither one wants to end up the way Joaquín Arechiga did. EZ thinks there's only one way to do it -- kill Pedro!

Pedro discovers that the original Almonte will has been taken from his safe. He accuses Nadia of stealing it and attacks her viciously, nearly strangling her. Victor arrives just in time to save her. But Pedro overpowers him (his hormone supplements must be working, huh?). Nadia grabs a gun from a desk drawer and waves it at Pedro, but can't pull the trigger. Pedro easily disarms her. Finally he leaves her and her hapless galán, knocked out, but alive. He tells her she and Victor are through. He'll find another stud for her.

Fabiola tells Angélica's lifeless body that she is going to accomplish what Angélica could not -- she is going to make José Luis forget Montserrat.

Everyone gathers around Angélica's casket at the funeral home. In accordance with Angélica's wishes, they are all wearing white. Black-clad Fabiola enters and is annoyed that no one sent her the memo. Virginia welcomes Fabiola's hug. Amelia tolerates it.

Dim returns to the Mendoza house (where both Graciela and Carlota DID get the memo and are both dressed in white). He catches Josefina's brother Tomás in the act of handing his mother a huge check as payment for successfully separating Josefina from Dimitrio. Dim throws out Tomás and then packs his bags. He is moving out. Graciela pleads with her baby to stop. She did it for his own good! She blocks him with her body, forcing him to push her out of the way. She'll do anything to keep him from leaving her -- well, except tear up the check. What would she live on?
 

I believe that Ale's promise was that he promised to try to go outside his comfort zone a buy a couple shirts that weren't blue..maybe try green, purple, or go crazy with orange.

While I was running up and down the stairs doing laundry and cleaning, I had on a fav movie "Something to Tslk about". I love Dennis Quaid, especially when he dances as he does in this movie and also in "The Big Easy" The guy has the moves.

And yes, NM, I would love a quick recap of Friday's episode. That confrontation between Nadia and VIk and Pedro was awful.
 

That's it -- just the highs and lows from memory. If I forgot a biggie, please add it, ok?


 

This was a miserable, sad episode to watch. I hated the interrogation of poor Rosario; hated Pedro's gloating, and hated Alejandro's blithe (though understandable) assumption that the true wills were in his safe. Didn't like the gory close-up of Victor's face either.

On the plus side, found the actor playing Adolfo very effective with his jittery leg and hand trembles. A bundle of nerves indeed.

And did enjoy seeing Dimitrio definitively reject his mother's machinations and attempted guilt trips. The best part was when he challenged her to tear up the check.

I find the wearing of white at funerals very peaceful and right-seeming. Wasn't it Diane de Poitiers or somebody like that who changed the traditional white at velorios to black because SHE looked gorgeous in black? Anyway, I wish we would all go back to white. The dark, somber colors people wear only add to the sadness and gloom. In our church, people sometimes wear bright red to symbolize the resurrection but white seems best to me, somehow. That was a beautiful effect during the episode.
 

Thanks for thd summary NovelaMaven.

I really hated Pedo last night. I wanted to wipe that stupid joker smile off his face. I hope his anvil is slow and painful. The Rosario interrogation was intimidating. It felt like she was on the witness stand being questioned by a couple of high-priced, cruel, and ruthless lawyers. Which is essentially what happened. She should have had a lawyer of her own, but she probably wasn't aware of her rights. I am really getting sick and tired of Pedo's ability to get away with everything. His anvil can't come soon enough.

Faby is on my last nerve too. Did anyone catch what she said at the end of Thursday's epi? When she asked why Montse was with Angie (RIP), JL told Faby that Montse cared about Angie. Then Faby said out loud in front of everyone that she had seen a different Montse at the Almonte house, and that Montse did not care for Angie. I am guessing that Faby is trying to dirty up Montse's reputation, especially in front of JL. And then last night promising to make JL fall in love with her and make him forget Montse. I know she hasn't killed anyone, but she still rubs me the wrong way.

FINALLY! Dimi has left his mothers house. I was so relieved that Gracie got caught receiving that check from Tomas. Little by little Gracie is pushing people out of her life. Eventually she will be alone.

BTW, did I mention how much I hate Pedro!

Thanks again NovelaMaven!
Back to work...hasta pronto!!!
 

JudyB, I also loved seeing everyone in white at the velorio. And of course it made Fabiola's appearance in black that much more loathsome. I don't really know the history of funeral colors, only that they vary from one culture to another.

As hard as it was to watch Pedro's gloating, evil smugness, I did like seeing the circles of rebellion and betrayal all around him. Is there anyone not planning to stab him in the back?

AuntyAnn, yes, I heard how Fabiola tried to plant the seeds of "Montse isn't who you think" on Thursday. It's going to be hard to watch if everyone does the usual telenovela thing and believes the lies that an obviously resentful and ax-grinding character tells about another.

And yes, I was THRILLED to see Dimitrio finally leave his mother's house. I do have high hopes for him.

Let's hope that Adolfo doesn't let anything happen to the original will. At this point, he isn't planning to use it to help Alejandro. He says it is his "insurance" against Pedro. But at some point helping Alejandro might be in Adolfo's own interest (and against Pedro's).
 

Thanks NovelaMaven.

Pedro either isn't very bright or he's even more certain of that judge than I realized... or maybe the writers are just sloppy. Earlier the judge asked him if he had seen the wills and he said yes of course, Fabiola had gotten hold of them and showed them to him. That will certainly come as a surprise to Alejandro when he finds that out. He would certainly have a legitimate complaint and can allege that what actually happened... happened. He never gave the wills to her.

And about the DNA testing of samples taken from Fabs and Ale... what will they be compared to? Will don Bennie be dug up to get a sample to compare to? And what about that original DNA testing? Might those results come in to play at some point?

Carlos
 

Carlos,

I agree. The "Pedro and the pilfered documents" plot is messy, and the DNA plot is even messier:

No one has said anything about digging up Ben's body, but unless his DNA is in some official lab, they would have to begin there, no?

If they compare the samples they already have, will they find that Fabiola matches Fake Dimitrio, proving that Fabs is Gracie's daughter and Alejandro's sister? That still wouldn't prove either of them is a child of Ben's.

Fabiola and Sandro believe that she is NOT Ben's blood relative, so they are going to protest any demands for testing her DNA against Ben's or Alejandro's.

Meanwhile, Pedro seems confident that the objective truth about the DNA won't matter because he'll be able to pay the lab (any lab?) to produce the results most harmful to Alejandro.

It's going to be a challenge to keep this story coherent. It could be kind of fun though, if the writers can pull it off.
 

NovelaMaven,

You've nicely summarized my thoughts and the facts of the matter exactly. I think Fabs (although I think until she was recently otherwise informed, she believed that she was the natural daughter of Ben's sister) and Sandro are relying on Pedro to take care of the DNA results in their favor.

Carlos
 

Thanks, NM. I was wondering why everyone was wearing white to the funeral except Fabulush . There's some symbolism for you. I am sure that some cultures wear white to funerals. I think in Vietnam people wear white.

If Pedro is going to look for a new studmuffin for Nadia, I guess she will have to tell him that she is already pregnant unless she and VIk can escape, and I don't think that they will get away from CrazyPed..
 

NovelaMaven - Fine mini-recap. Thanks.

Scratching my head on how Pedro got the jump to beat Victor to a pulp. Victor landed the first punch and never came back.

Fab pretty much doomed herself when she said she would do what Angie couldn't and make JL forget Monse. Angie was her own woman and didn't consider herself in competition with Monse. That's how they could be friends. Fab's got misplaced anger at Monse and Ale. They didn't take anything away from her. Her parents did. It'll be a great day when Fab finds out they're each her half-sibling.

Glad Dim left home but hated him grabbing his mother by the neck. I know Graciela is the mother from hell, but Dim's physical agression with his mom made me glad he and Fina are taking a break.

Madelaine - As a new recruit, shouldn't Dim be living in the quarters at the Navy anyway?
 

Carlos,

Ultimately, it really doesn't matter what the DNA test shows about Fabs because both Sandro and Pedro are likely to cut her out of the deal anyway. (And of course, Sandro and Pedro will doublecross each other.)

Susanlynn,

I'm hoping that now Victor and Nadia will stay away from their bugged playhouse. Maybe they WILL get away while Pedro is obsessively screwing over Alejandro.

Niecie,

I think I may have fallen into the trap that Karen has warned us about. I'm so desensitized to violence that I didn't mind Dimitrio's roughness with his mother one bit. In fact, I admired his self-control. Thank you for reminding me that it's not nice to choke your mother, even if she is a harpy from hell. :)
 

NovelaMaven, thanks so much for the recap and yes it was just to easy for me to not be horrified about Dim's interaction w/his mom. In real life, that would not be OK for me but in the world of this tn w/Graceless as the "harpy from hell" its supposed to be part of her comeuppance. By Monday, she's back to spewing more venom and hurt to others. The fact that we know toxic people like her can increase a possible fantasy of those type of people being put in their place through violent anvils.

And the violence can be a slippery slope b/c then other acts of physical violence for other bad guys become OK or expected. After all the beatings Pedro has handed out and to women, its easy to hope for a beat down as part of his anvil.
 

Dear NovelaMaven,

Thank you so much for this brief summary.

I am finding it very difficult right now to find "good" in Fabiola. I am still wondering if her "love" for Angelica is/was real. She is a con artist and a grifter. There is nothing that seems sincere about her.

It looks like the writers are going to use this "dry spell" to bring Pedro, Sandro, and Fabulush to center stage.

Somehow, I find that to be so very disappointing.

Fatima