Monday, April 21, 2014
Lo Que la Vida Me Robó #114, Lunes 4/21/14
A
Foreword from Edith Wharton
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
It
has thus far been my peculiar pleasure to guide you through the
social quagmire of Aguazul. In the process we have identified the
genuinely noble members of our society, those who only present
themselves as such (with varying levels of success), and the
demi-monde, the one set that never deceives itself about what it is
or can be. Sadly, their honest ways have had no effect on those who
present a face to the world so false that the most observant of us
are obliged to look for the degradation it hides.
Since
our tale has taken a path away from the masquerades of drawing rooms
and the minuets of manners, it would be foolhardy of me to lead where
I dare not follow. While I am infinitely familiar with even the most
naked greed the world of cynicism, corruption, and brutality requires
a guide with greater knowledge than mine and a manner more direct
than I am accustomed to assuming.
It would also be remiss of me to leave you adrift without a proper guide or mentor in this dangerous world. With hope that the enormous wrongs can be righted, I now leave you in the care and company of a gentleman who is an authority on these matters. From this chapter forward my pen yields to the typewriter of Mr Dashiell Hammett. I wish you all well in the remainder of this odyssey.
Prologue
to Part II:
Aguazul
Prison: José Luis Álvarez's jaw was long and bony, his chin
squared under the straighter, decisive line of his mouth. His
nostrils curved back to make a small v. His dark eyes were
horizontal. The high, wide forehead and firm jaw made him look very
authoritative in the naval officer's uniform he had worn until only a
couple of weeks before. Now he was in prison khakis approaching the
visiting room, thinking about how he had come to be there. He had
taken the entire rap for burning planted evidence that would have
sent an innocent man to prison for drug trafficking and could be in
stir for at least seven years.
He
was a man of principle who knew that there was no justice in the
cesspit of corruption that was Aguazul, for he had been victimized by
it before. Gracie Mendoza and her once-worthless son had framed him
for another crime to separate him from her daughter, whom he had
loved. His best friend had almost been killed helping him to escape.
They had been on the run from two sets of pursuers when he had hit
upon the idea of assuming a dead man's identity, a man murdered by an
enemy of the wealthy Alejandro Almonte, the man who had married
Monserrat Mendoza. But for the fact that both men loved the same
woman, they could have become good friends. He had never forgotten
his youthful passion for the beautiful Monserrat despite having
married the equally beautiful Angélica Arechiga, whom he had come to
love. She had died only two weeks before. She had been young,
beautiful, positive, and optimistic in spite of the ticking clock
that would ultimately strike the hour of her last breath.
The
bells had tolled and he had been brought to this place where he
encountered the brutality of henchmen in the employ of Pedro Medina,
the mayor of that town. They had beaten him badly enough to leave
bruises and he knew that was only a preview of what more they were
capable of doing. He was beginning to wonder whether he would
survive his prison sentence to inherit his young wife's fortune. He
was also wondering whether he cared.
The
guard opened the door and he saw his visitor. She was average
height, hour-glass shaped, and wore a black and blue dress that
could have been painted on. The hair was long and platinum like Jean
Harlow's in an old movie on the Late Late Show. She wore very
dark glasses and had turned in a way so as not to face José Luis
directly.
“I
never thought you would come to see me,” he said to the woman's
back.
She
turned around, saying “Hello, José Luis,” and he recognized her
immediately as Maria Zamudio.
“Why
are you dressed like that? Are you crazy or what?”
“I
dressed this way for you, José Luis. Don't you want to see
Monserrat for the last time?”
“You
are crazy. You are insane, Maria. You are not and can't be
Monserrat. Get that out of your head.”
“With
this wig I hoped to confuse you, but crazy? No.” She laughed in a
manner she thought would be seductive. “Thank God I'm not her,
especially right now. I would think you'd be very annoyed with her.”
“Why
do you do these crazy things? Please....”
“Pedro
Medina wants her dead. He's put a high price tag on her life. He'll
pay someone big money in exchange for.... you know what I'm referring
to, don't you?”
“Don't
lie to me. You're lying to me.”
“No,
José Luis. The sure thing is that today at any moment he's looking
to clip her and you are in this prison and can't do a damned thing to
save her.” She clearly took pleasure in delivering this blow.
“How
much is he offering?”
“You're
a loser. You lost your chance to be with Monserrat. If you had
cooperated with me and helped Pedro Medina you'd have her, but no.
Look how you ended up: completely alone and in the joint.”
“How
much money is Medina offering for Monserrat's life?”
“What
good would it do you to know that?” she asked while playing the
cheap coquette. “You can't do anything to prevent it.”
“I'm
prepared to pay double. I'll pay double to stop them.”
“Who
told you I could do anything? I'm not going to do anything. I'm in
the same position as you, waiting for her to die. I'm not interested
in your money.” She pounded on the door. “Guard!”
The
guard let her out of the cell, leaving José Luis to throw the chairs
against the wall and ponder this encounter. Had he been in a more
lucid state of mind he would have asked himself if Monserrat's life
had really been in danger, why was Maria disguising herself as her.
A
little later when Refugio Solares visited him, he was panicked by his
helpless situation. Refugio offered to help, but José Luis insisted
on handling this personally.
“The
only person who can do this is me!”
“Then
explain something to me. How are you going to help when you're
locked up in here?”
José
Luis yelled for the guard. The one who had allowed the other
prisoners to turn him into a punching bag entered.
“How
much do you want for letting me escape?” he asked him.
“More
than you can pay,” he said.
“Try
me.”
“It'll
cost you.”
“It's
only for 24 hours. How much?”
“One
million pesos [I think that's about $ 77 thou US at the moment] and I
still need the right head count.”
“I'll
stay here in your place till you get back.” said the loyal Refugio.
The
guard shook José Luis' hand and told them to change clothes. He
would see to it that all went smoothly. They hoped.
Chapter
114: Man on the Edge
Judge's
Chambers: Alejandro Almonte stood in the office of a judge who
clearly was in the pocket of Pedro Medina. The corrupt mayor of
Aguazul had taken an unusually personal interest in his ruin. The
judge opened the envelope containing the lab test results that would
decide the outcome of this case. He read out “It is official. You
are not the son of Benjamín Almonte.”
Alejandro
was shocked, disbelieving. “This is not possible,” he said.
“There is something wrong.” He looked his enemy in the face.
“You know this, Medina. You have the lab test about Dimitrio
Mendoza. You were in my home when Cevera read the results.”
Pedro
Medina was smugly pleased at the corner into which he was backing his
victim. “That test proved was that you weren't half-brothers, not
that you were the sons of Benjamín Almonte. You also have no proof
that those results weren't completely false.”
“Dimitio
and his mother were attempting to defraud me.”
“Because
there is no proof you weren't trying to falsify the results, that
test is invalid.”
“Mayor
Medina is correct,” said the judge. “This time we exhumed the
body of Benjamín Almonte to get a tissue sample for his DNA. We
compared it to the specimen you gave us and it proves definitively
that he was not your father. The tests speak for themselves.”
“Then
you need to talk to Father Anselmo. He was present when my father
died and was told that he would recognize me as his son.”
“We
intend to hear the priest's testimony,” said the judge. “He is
an important witness.”
“Your
Honor,” said Medina, “we have been looking for the priest to
bring him here but he is not to be found. He has disappeared”
This
got Alejandro's full attention. “He wouldn't be here; look for him
in the community he serves. He's been there for several weeks.”
“We
did. We didn't find him. Nobody there has seen him and nobody knows
where he is. The police in the area visited his house and it's
completely empty.” When Alejandro sat down asking himself whether
the priest was dead and why Medina gloated “Out of fear he would be
accused of being your accomplice.”
“Accomplice?”
“Yes.
Isn't it absurd that after five minutes' conversation Benjamín
Almonte recognizes a 'son' he was denying his entire life? You got
him to lie and the priest would benefit from this for the rest of his
life. Don't try to lie to me, Alejandro.” He turned to the judge.
“Your Honor, in his area is a community with schools, a medical
clinic, and roads, paid for with money given to the priest.” He
then looked at Alejandro. “From money he helped you steal. Not to
mention the lands. And the drug money from Joaquin Arechiga.”
Alejandro
had been doing a slow burn as he said he would hear no more lies.
Pedro
Medina accused him of killing Benjamín Almonte and passing himself
off as his son. The slow burn exploded.
“I
am not a killer! I am not a killer, Your Honor!”
Medina
continued, mentioning the death of the previous police chief, Efrain
Loreto and the shooting of José Luis Álvarez, and the heart attack
that killed Lauro Mendoza. He accused Alejandro of deliberately
provoking the late Admiral's death. He said that the suicide of
Joaquin Arechiga – that he had specifically ordered him to
do under threat of harm to his family – was due to Alejandro's
accusations. He announced that by a strange coincidence his
accomplice, the lawyer Cevera, died in a fire that was believed to be
arson. Finally, he accused him of attempting to kill him the
previous evening by hitting him in the head with a blunt object.
Although he was not speaking in a courtroom tone, he had obviously
spent much time preparing this speech.
“I
want to make this very clear, Alejandro. Nothing is going to prevent
you from spending the rest of your accursed life in prison. Your
wife and your child will lose the right to the name Almonte. This
little boy will endure what you endured all your miserable life:
Being the child of a peon like any other, a damned bastard.”
Alejandro
threw a punch that seemed to almost knock Medina onto the couch. As
soon as his fist connected with the smug face of this devil in human
form, Alejandro realized his mistake in allowing this man's arrogant
accusations to provoke him. He apologised to the judge and left his
chambers. Medina rose, triumphantly displaying his bloody lip with a
smug grin, as though it were all one big joke.
Almonte
Beach House: Alejandro wasted no time going home and calling out
to his mother. When he asked where his wife was, she replied that
she had gone out with the baby and hasn't yet returned. She could
see he was agitated and asked what was wrong. He told her what had
happened in the judge's chambers, including that the DNA test results
said that he did not have the right to the name Almonte, and that the
judge had been convinced that he was the son of Jacinto Sanchez, the
man whose murder Rosario did time for. It would be an understatement
to say she was horrified. She cried as she told him that Jacinto had
never shown her anything less than respect and that Benjamín Almonte
had robbed her of her innocence. He had been the only man to
brutalize her in that way.
Alejandro
listened with no facial expression, so she cried as she repeated that
Benjamín Almonte was his father. She was not sure he believed her,
but he finally told her he did. It was that Pedro Medina had proof
to the contrary and that they were planning to arrest him for the
murder of Benjamín Almonte. When she mentioned Father Anselmo he
explained what he had been told. In the time it had taken him to get
home he realized the possibility that Medina had sent a hit man to
rub out the priest to prevent his testimony. The long-suffering
Rosario did not want to believe this was happening.
Alejandro
was determined not to be arrested again, not to be separated from his
family. He told her that they would need to escape that day. She
was to pack immediately and only the barest necessities. He called
their servant, Dominga, to help. While the ladies attended to that
he opened the safe in his study and removed vast amounts of cash,
which he placed in a small metal briefcase. He then called his ranch
house to tell his friend Victor Hernandez to wait for him and his
family. The doorbell rang and he said he would explain later. The
plane meant to take Victor and Nadia, the abused wife of the mayor,
to Argentina would also take Alejandro and his family.
Alejandro
took the briefcase and entered his living room to find José Luis,
whom he knew to be in the slammer. José Luis explained that he
escaped for twenty-four hours to warn him that Monserrat's life was
in danger from Pedro Medina. He wasn't sure his information was
correct, but had to do whatever he could to protect her. Alejandro
explained that Monserrat had bashed Pedro with a bronze statue to
help Victor and Nadia escape from his prison of a house. This motive
made sense to José Luis, who then promised to help them escape.
Alejandro explained how, but also that when he had tried to call
Monserrat on her cell she didn't answer. She was supposed to be out
with her Aunt Carlota but he didn't know where. José Luis told him
there was no time to lose, that he should drive out immediately to
the ranch and he would take care of finding Monserrat and the baby.
For a moment they stared into each other's eyes as though there was a
question of trust.
Outside,
Dominga placed the suitcases in the back of the pickup truck with the
aid of Macario, Alejandro's faithful foreman. Both knew some of the
reasons why they were doing this and hoped that what they were afraid
of wouldn't happen, that their boss would lose his inheritance. As
Dominga told Macario that the boss's wife had taken their SUV to
spend the day shopping with her aunt, neither of them saw Maria, who
crouched just behind the steps listening.
As
Alejandro headed for the door he stopped himself, remembering that
Monserrat was unlikely to trust José Luis because of how he had
deceived her in order to distance himself from her. He handed his
cell phone to José Luis and told him to record him telling Monserrat
about this deception. She would believe him. As José Luis played
cameraman, Alejandro told her they had lied to her and to forgive
them. Now José Luis was going to help them escape from yet another
trumped-up charge. When they finished recording José Luis asked him
for a gun, which he took from a decorative chest in the study. When
they got into the living room Rosario told Alejandro that the cases
had been packed and loaded onto the truck. She wasn't sure she could
trust José Luis, but Alejandro assured her that he did. She
insisted that he leave immediately while she waited for Monserrat to
assure her that she could trust her former lover. She could not
stand for Alejandro to be arrested again. She gave him a mother's
blessing and kissed him goodbye as José Luis handed him the
briefcase and he was out the door.
Almonte
Ranch: Nadia Argüelles de Medina sat nervously in the living
room, her nerves as tight as the bun in her hair. The maid served
her some tea as Victor returned to the room to explain that their
departure would be delayed against the arrival of their friends. She
was frightened at the possibility that Pedro could come through the
door at any moment. Victor tried to reassure her that there were
people guarding the house and watching the roads and that they would
raise the alarm if anyone suspicious were to come.
Mendoza
Mansion, Exterior: While all this was going on, Maria was
executing her plan. She skulked near the hedges surrounding the
house, looking around to make sure she wasn't seen before slipping
inside the garden gate. Monserrat Almonte de Mendoza then arrived
with her aunt, who pushed the stroller holding Monserrat's son.
Maria watched carefully for them, listening to their conversation
about Carlota's bridal gown and the diet she hoped would make her
look better in it. Monserrat was trying to reassure her aunt all
would be alright since it would still be several months before the
wedding. Maria stared carefully as Gracie Mendoza exited the house
to spit her usual poison at her daughter. Carlota excused herself to
enter the house so she could prepare the baby for his nap.
Monserrat
was prepared to hear nothing good from her mother. She knew that
Gracie Mendoza had tried many times to manipulate her and she steeled
herself for yet another round in that battle. Gracie then told her
that while she was not able to get much information from Sandro
Narváez, she did learn that an autopsy had been performed on the
late Benjamín Almonte and a DNA test taken. She smugly announced
the same grim tale as that of Pedro Medina, that Alejandro was not an
Almonte and that he was now a suspect in the murder of Benjamin.
Monserrat could not believe this.
Almonte
Beach House: Police Chief Ezekiel Basurto arrived with six
uniformed cops to arrest Alejandro. Dominga told him that wouldn't
be possible because he was not at home. He had left a short while
ago. Basurto wanted to laugh in her face, asking where he had gone.
She told him she did not know, nor did she know how long he would be
gone. He appeared confused.
Highway:
Alejandro and Macario were driving out toward the ranch when
Alejandro told him to stop for a moment. He was feeling ill.
Macario – who was never a man to mince words – was concerned
about possibly being followed and also about whether they could trust
José Luis. He knew the backstory of the situation and worried that
José Luis would try again to steal Monserrat from his boss.
Alejandro was certain he could be trusted and was no less determined
to never be separated from his wife and child ever again.
Mendoza
Mansion, Exterior: Maria continued to watch Monserrat over the
barrel of her pistol. She had never been so full of hatred before at
the sight of another woman, but Monserrat Mendoza de Almonte may as
well have been the devil as far as she was concerned. It wasn't just
the blonde hair, high heels, and pencil-thin capri pants that made
her look like the Barbie doll Maria never owned and it wasn't even
the money she had grown up with; it was that she had won the heart of
Alejandro Almonte and was the mother of his child. She kept staring
as she waited for the best opportunity for a good shot. During this
time Gracie taunted her daughter with the consequences of the murder
accusation and the DNA evidence. “Your marriage will be invalid
because you married a man who doesn't exist,” she told her. “May
God forgive you.” She moved aside just enough for Maria to shoot,
landing the bullet just north of her target's heart.
José
Luis and Rosario arrived just as the shot rang out. The blood from
the bullet wound began as a neat hole in Monserrat's white blouse and
began a narrow trickle straight down. José Luis cried out her name,
she looked in his direction, and collapsed onto the pavement. Gracie
cried out her daughter's name as José Luis and Rosario ran over. He
shouted for someone to call an ambulance. Gracie noticed Rosario and
shouted at her to get out of there, which Rosario did not do.
Carlota came running out of the house as José Luis picked up
Monserrat to carry her out to the SUV. Nobody saw Maria escape.
Gracie once again demanded that Rosario leave, but all she did was
stare in shock at the woman whose grief was likely about the loss of
a valuable asset she would try to sell yet again.
Street:
Maria walked away as quickly as she could on those towering high
heels. She was giddy with delight as she whispered to herself “I
killed her! I killed her!”
Highway:
Alejandro took a deep breath and got out of the truck. He was
not feeling well and asked Macario to give him five minutes. Macario
told him they had no time to lose; the police were likely after them.
Alejandro told him they would first need to stop at Father Anselmo's
shack. He needed to know whether he had been told the truth or a
lie. When Macario realized what his boss was implying he hurried
back behind the wheel.
Hospital:
While at the Almonte house Dominga was explaining to Dimitrio
what was going on and while Rosario held baby Lauro at the Mendoza
house, José Luis carried Monserrat into the hospital, followed by
the hysterical Gracie. Carlota could barely restrain her for a
moment before she approached José Luis demanding to know who had
shot her daughter. He looked the same kind of sick as Alejandro had
as he replied that he did not know because he had gotten there too
late. Gracie wanted to call Alejandro although anyone who knew her
well would wonder why. José Luis took out Alejandro's cell phone
and told her to listen to him for once in her life. He explained he
was to protect Monserrat and the baby and to help them escape. That
they were to meet at the ranch. Carlota left them to call after José
Luis begged her to explain what happened and to ask his forgiveness
because he couldn't do anything. Gracie demanded that José Luis
give her Alejandro's cell phone. He did so, reluctantly, and she sat
down with it and her crocodile tears. José Luis watched her
carefully, remembering that she had done much to ruin his own life.
Almonte
Ranch: The phone rang and Victor answered so it wouldn't go to
any answering machine. It was Pedro, telling him that he had no
chance of escape. “The police are on their way and they are
ordered to use violence if necessary. They're to surrender Nadia
dead or alive and I didn't care which.” Victor slammed the
receiver on the desk, possibly breaking it. Nadia entered the study
and seeing his reaction to the call, knew what he knew.
Father
Anselmo's Shack, Exterior: Alejandro and Macario arrived to a
grim sight. Several dead chickens lay in the pen outside the shack,
dead from starvation. Macario became agitated, certain that Father
Anselmo would have to be dead because he never would have abandoned
the chickens to this fate. Alejandro entered the shack and found it
unoccupied. The windows were wide open, pottery on the table, but
the Padre was not there. Alejandro sat down briefly and remembered
sitting at that table as a child. Father Anselmo had given him a
full plate of simple food, all that he had for that day. Alejandro
knew that he had given up his own meal for him and put half of it on
another plate to hand back. The good priest then said they would
pray before they ate. Alejandro cried at this memory, for while he
was in fact the biological son of the late, unlamented Benjamín
Almonte it was Father Anselmo who had been a real father to him. And
he was gone.
La
Escondida: Maria sat in the dressing room among the feather boas
and cheap makeup and removed the blonde wig. As she stared into the
mirror she thought back to a day in her own childhood when she told
Alejandro that her uncle Juventino was going to teach her how to
shoot. He thought this wonderful and hoped also to learn. She told
him that it would be alright if they were novios. She had not
seen it then and no more saw it now that he was never to be that for
her. He had tried to walk away but she barred his path with the
intention of kissing him in a way too adult for their age at the
time. This did not happen because Juventino arrived and obviously
did not approve. He chased Alejandro away. When Maria told him that
they were friends but would get married when they were grown, he told
her no. She wouldn't marry anyone with no money who lived in a shack
with his grandfather. She would be beautiful and get someone with
money. He combed her hair to emphasize his point.
She
carefully changed the subject, asking him if he was going to teach
her to shoot. He finally agreed to and took out his pistol, one like
in old cowboy movies. She admired it and asked how many shots it
fired. He demonstrated that it wasn't loaded at the moment and that
it wasn't a toy. She would use it when she learned how. He showed
her how to cock the hammer and hold it, saying that when the time
comes it would help her to kill. As she remembered her delight in
that moment she picked up the more powerful gun she had just used,
murmuring to herself “I share that with you, Uncle. I'm like you.
A killer.” No kidding.
Hospital:
Carlota had been unable to reach anyone at the ranch, but Victor
couldn't have possibly damaged the only phone. Gracie whined that
she had to know what was happening to her daughter.
José
Luis had just asked and was told that the situation was critical.
Gracie collapsed on the couch with Carlota nearby.
Almonte
Beach House: Dimitrio opened the door to Esmeralda, who was
looking for her husband. She and Refugio had argued the night before
and she was unable to find him. He wasn't answering his phone. This
wasn't like him. Dimitrio didn't know either, but told her that they
had both been relieved of duty for a week due to a fight with several
others. He suggested that maybe she shouldn't have married a guy as
jealous as Refugio, but one like himself whose morals were a little
more flexible.... His cell phone rang in time to stop him from being
any less discreet. It was Gracie telling him that his sister had
been shot and was in surgery. He ended the call and they were out
the door at full speed.
Almonte
Ranch: Victor wanted to make a call but Nadia was afraid to let
him. They were about to argue when Alejandro and Macario arrived.
Both were disturbed that Monserrat had not arrived yet.
Hospital,
Operating Room: Several doctors worked on Monserrat as the
equipment read out numbers that varied too much for reassurance.
Monserrat, although lying on the operating table, wandered for a
moment in her dark blue hospital gown before seeing her father. A
nurse wiped the sweat from the surgeon's brow.
Almonte
Ranch: Two workmen rushed in to tell Victor and Alejandro that
the police were approaching. Several vehicles. They didn't know
what to do. Victor said they could not wait. Nadia was pregnant and
they could not take any more risks. The plane was waiting, the pilot
ready, and the airport was thirty minutes away. Alejandro asked for
fifteen minutes. Victor said they could not wait, that Monserrat,
Rosario, and the baby could follow, but Alejandro lost his temper.
He refused to leave without his family. Victor reminded him that
Pedro wanted to kill them all.
Labels: robo
Comments:
Victor and Nadia should have flown out of there immediately after the escape from Carcel Medina. That they went to the Almonte hacienda made no sense at all except to serve this plot point.
EZ in some ways is a classic noir character in the sense that he could have started out well-intentioned and got corrupted along the way.
Carlos, I don't think you can separate the two combing scenes when you realize what they symbolize.
Juventino was grooming her to do his bidding at some point, whether that was sexual or becoming the sort of killer she now is capable of being. While we haven't been told this yet I think he may have used her sexually when she was just barely old enough to be legal and somehow kept Gaspar from finding out. Nothing happened between her and Alejandro at any time in the past, she didn't come off as a virgin when she first boinked Adolfo, and there have been no other guys we've been shown.
Carlos, aren't there free colleges in Mexico? According to Teresa there were. Perhaps free to a qualified candidate.
CUNY was free in NYC when I attended; it isn't anymore.
Anyway, the Padre might have pulled some strings to help make that happen for Alejandro. Since agriculture is so important in Mexico I imagine his degree is in something related.
As for whether someone should have taught Maria that she shouldn't let Juventino comb her hair, I doubt that she had a mother much past toddlerhood, if even for that long. She never talks about a mother.
It is absolutely obvious that Gracie sees Monserrat as an extension of herself rather than as a separate person in her own right. Why else does the idea of Monserrat being in love with Alejandro offend her so much? It is a figurative slap in the face because Monserrat dares to be different in any way.
Especially this way.
Glad you all approve of the new tone for Mondays. I bookmarked some pages with 20s-40s slang and hope that there can be more noirist screen shots.
Gracie might also have just realized that Pedro is a man who just mows down whoever is in his way. I can't wait to see her next encounter with him.
Julia, all these good folks are brainless indeed!!! I was hoping Doming would throw EZ off Ale's scent by telling him he would return soon, or sending him in the opposite direction, not just saying he left and won't be back for a long time! She could have bought them a bit of time by just having EZ wait for Ale with a nice cafecito in hand!
Maricruz
Julia, you have a great point about multiple evasive maneuvers. However, Victor isn't a former military man with the instinct to plan such a thing. JL could have thought of that if Victor had been willing to trust him. Esme might have supplied the wigs for Nadia.
She might need to get out of Dodge also.
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Sorry to spring this so suddenly, but the streets of Aguazul got meaner and with Maria packing heat this had to happen.
I hope you all noticed that her gun and the one Alejandro gave to JL wouldn't match in a ballistics test.
I hope you all noticed that her gun and the one Alejandro gave to JL wouldn't match in a ballistics test.
HOLY COW, URBAN!! You had me on the EDGE of my seat!! This was fantastic writing!!
This whole story feels like a funeral dirge. Can you hear and fee the muffled drums in the background?
What a writer you are, Urban!!! Thank you SO much!!
Fatima
This whole story feels like a funeral dirge. Can you hear and fee the muffled drums in the background?
What a writer you are, Urban!!! Thank you SO much!!
Fatima
Permalink posted by 
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:58:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:58:00 PM EDT
That should have been "feel"...my fingers were going to fast.
Fatima
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:59:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 10:59:00 PM EDT
The truth is I had been thinking about this for a couple of weeks. It was a necessary change and will require a little adjustment on my part. Unfortunately it will not contain the amount of dialogue I would prefer because that would make each entry longer than this one, so I will choose those scenes carefully.
UrbanAnthropologist, you are such a gifted writer. Thanks for the fantastic recap.
My question: "Why don't these characters have any sense of urgency to get out of town since they know now what Pedro is capable of?" The actions of the main characters were too stupid for words. Victor and Nadia delaying their escape so Ale and Montse could join them as if they were all going on vacation together. Ale asking for 15 more minutes knowing that Pedro is on his way. Ale going on a trip down memory lane stopping by Padre Anselmo's on the way back to the hacienda.
Another stupid move: JL giving Graciela Ale's cell phone. Why? Because she asked?
This episode left me shaking my head in disbelief.
Jarifa
My question: "Why don't these characters have any sense of urgency to get out of town since they know now what Pedro is capable of?" The actions of the main characters were too stupid for words. Victor and Nadia delaying their escape so Ale and Montse could join them as if they were all going on vacation together. Ale asking for 15 more minutes knowing that Pedro is on his way. Ale going on a trip down memory lane stopping by Padre Anselmo's on the way back to the hacienda.
Another stupid move: JL giving Graciela Ale's cell phone. Why? Because she asked?
This episode left me shaking my head in disbelief.
Jarifa
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:19:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:19:00 PM EDT
"This episode left me shaking my head in disbelief."
Jarifa, I'm right there with ya on this one.
Fatima
Jarifa, I'm right there with ya on this one.
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:24:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:24:00 PM EDT
Urban, I didn't meant that YOUR writing felt like a funeral dirge. It's the story that feels like a funeral. I'm sorry. I wasn't clear on that point.
My gosh,Urban, you should be writing these novelas!!
Fatima
My gosh,Urban, you should be writing these novelas!!
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:30:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:30:00 PM EDT
I was also wondering why JL didn't immediately tell Alejandro that Maria was the source of his information.
Nadia and Victor should have left within hours of the escape from the Medina house.
Nadia and Victor should have left within hours of the escape from the Medina house.
What a beautifully written recap!
I have nothing to say because I'm so baffled by Alejandro's stupidity and selfishness in expecting Victor and Nadia to keep waiting.
I have nothing to say because I'm so baffled by Alejandro's stupidity and selfishness in expecting Victor and Nadia to keep waiting.
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:34:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:34:00 PM EDT
Alejandro was certain that Monserrat's life was in danger.
Had JL told him that it was Maria who told him that one of them might have figured out that Maria and not Pedro was the immediate source of danger.
Had JL told him that it was Maria who told him that one of them might have figured out that Maria and not Pedro was the immediate source of danger.
Urban, I don't think you will mind if I "interrupt" with this link to the latest NPR story on Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I wish I knew how to set this up so you could go directly to the link, but I'm barely learning how to use the HTML.
I will also post the wonderful hour long show Tom Ashbrook had on NPR's "On Point" today about GGM.
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/21/305704865/thousands-line-up-to-bid-goodbye-to-garcia-marquez
Fatima
I will also post the wonderful hour long show Tom Ashbrook had on NPR's "On Point" today about GGM.
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/21/305704865/thousands-line-up-to-bid-goodbye-to-garcia-marquez
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:41:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:41:00 PM EDT
From Tom Ashbrook today:
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/21/gabriel-garcia-marquez-obituary
You can both read and listen to the story. It was wonderful!
Fatima
http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/04/21/gabriel-garcia-marquez-obituary
You can both read and listen to the story. It was wonderful!
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:43:00 PM EDT
: Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:43:00 PM EDT
What a fabulous recap, Urban! The tone, the urgent pace, the vivid details all contributed to a complete picture of the action on screen.
It was especially useful for me, since I chose the lighter world of Dancing Stars for my fantasy of the hour. I did see the shooting scene and the events around that.
Would a vigilante group of Alejandro, Victor, Macario, Dimetrio, Refugio, and JL be enough to storm Aguazul and take down Pedro? If not, I guess we have to keep living in suspense and misery.
It was especially useful for me, since I chose the lighter world of Dancing Stars for my fantasy of the hour. I did see the shooting scene and the events around that.
Would a vigilante group of Alejandro, Victor, Macario, Dimetrio, Refugio, and JL be enough to storm Aguazul and take down Pedro? If not, I guess we have to keep living in suspense and misery.
Is the priest really dead? I haven't watched this in so long, I don't know what the heck is going on.
Good job, Urban
Good job, Urban
Ugh Pedo is realy the Devil in human shape and is even smart that,nobody can catch him,i cannot wait for his Humoungus Anvil for Pedro as well for the anvil of Fevier! I dont even know who is the bigger Devil here yuck.All the villians in Robo are just over the top crazy,greedy,manipulative.Just when you think they cannot psssibly get more evil ,they do.SATANOS
Wonderful recap Urban!
Wonderful recap Urban!
Urban:
Thank you so much for this wonderfully written recap. I very much enjoyed the Dashiell Hammett. One of my favorite authors. I missed this episode except for the last five minutes.
Ay, yi, yi, what an episode. I'm sorry I missed it now. Peddy really is a demagoge thinking he can just rule over, and take lives willy nilly whenever he feels like it. That Judge is so very dumb I must say. There should have been an unbiased party to the tissue taking and the ADN test. Someone not on Peddy's payroll, but this is a TN so, this is the way it is.
Ale is being made out to look like a serial killer, really??? Que???? And Ale still can't figure things out or how urgent it is that he leave. I understand he doesn't want to leave with Monse and Laurito, especially after hearing that Monse is a target, but he really needs to go. He should trust JL once and for all. I loved the description of JL you put up Urban, it was fantastic.
I agree about Vic and Nadia should have left already. Their self life is slowly eroding. I really hope they make it out alive.
I'm glad I didn't see Gracie and her fakey self with the tears. I quite agree she will want to sell her daughter once again if she gets the chance.
I hope Monse makes it through this surgery. Her meeting her Papa was very eerie.
BM needs a huge anvil. She'll get away with it, cause no one will bother to investigate this. They think she's dead as a door nail, or disappeared, all except EZ of course. Will EZ bother connecting the dots? Hmmmmm.......
The Padre has been missing now for nine episodes. I won't count days now as the time in this TN is one day over several epis. The Padre, if he is still among the land of the living, would not have gone back to his abode. If he was smart he would have gone elsewhere. We will see.
Thanks again Urban, for this delightfully written recap and all the beautiful convos you put in here too.
Thank you so much for this wonderfully written recap. I very much enjoyed the Dashiell Hammett. One of my favorite authors. I missed this episode except for the last five minutes.
Ay, yi, yi, what an episode. I'm sorry I missed it now. Peddy really is a demagoge thinking he can just rule over, and take lives willy nilly whenever he feels like it. That Judge is so very dumb I must say. There should have been an unbiased party to the tissue taking and the ADN test. Someone not on Peddy's payroll, but this is a TN so, this is the way it is.
Ale is being made out to look like a serial killer, really??? Que???? And Ale still can't figure things out or how urgent it is that he leave. I understand he doesn't want to leave with Monse and Laurito, especially after hearing that Monse is a target, but he really needs to go. He should trust JL once and for all. I loved the description of JL you put up Urban, it was fantastic.
I agree about Vic and Nadia should have left already. Their self life is slowly eroding. I really hope they make it out alive.
I'm glad I didn't see Gracie and her fakey self with the tears. I quite agree she will want to sell her daughter once again if she gets the chance.
I hope Monse makes it through this surgery. Her meeting her Papa was very eerie.
BM needs a huge anvil. She'll get away with it, cause no one will bother to investigate this. They think she's dead as a door nail, or disappeared, all except EZ of course. Will EZ bother connecting the dots? Hmmmmm.......
The Padre has been missing now for nine episodes. I won't count days now as the time in this TN is one day over several epis. The Padre, if he is still among the land of the living, would not have gone back to his abode. If he was smart he would have gone elsewhere. We will see.
Thanks again Urban, for this delightfully written recap and all the beautiful convos you put in here too.
No dead body was found, so I believe the Padre is still alive. The flashback is new footage, so Eric del Castillo is still involved in the series.
As to the amount of time of a real flashback, that can happen in a lot less time than this footage ran. Alejandro's mind can run that by in a nanosecond.
Basurto still mystifies me. The phone conversation was to "make it look like an accident" but no specification about killing. I'm not getting where he is at this point. He seems to be a double agent. I have no doubt that at some point in the future he will use Pedro's secret against him, but how long is it going to take before we find out who's side he's really on?
As to the amount of time of a real flashback, that can happen in a lot less time than this footage ran. Alejandro's mind can run that by in a nanosecond.
Basurto still mystifies me. The phone conversation was to "make it look like an accident" but no specification about killing. I'm not getting where he is at this point. He seems to be a double agent. I have no doubt that at some point in the future he will use Pedro's secret against him, but how long is it going to take before we find out who's side he's really on?
How do you do it? You can do anything!
You even chose a film noir screenshot!
Loved the description of Nadia, "her nerves as tight as the bun in her hair"
And of Maria's view, "It wasn't just the blonde hair, high heels, and pencil-thin capri pants that made her look like the Barbie doll Maria never owned and it wasn't even the money she had grown up with; it was that she had won the heart of Alejandro Almonte and was the mother of his child."
Jarifa, I was also shaking my head in disbelief. Watching those people get ready to leave was like a bad dream where you are trying to run away from something and you can only move in slow motion!
Then, all of a sudden, Nadia is crying at Victor, saying they had to leave right away as if she had been concerned about this all along, not languidly getting up that morning like she was staying at an Inn.
That was a sweet memory Ale had of Padre Anselmo.
At the hospital with Carlotta and Graceless-the wailing that I can only call The Anvil Chorus, now that's something you'll only see in a Telenovela.
You even chose a film noir screenshot!
Loved the description of Nadia, "her nerves as tight as the bun in her hair"
And of Maria's view, "It wasn't just the blonde hair, high heels, and pencil-thin capri pants that made her look like the Barbie doll Maria never owned and it wasn't even the money she had grown up with; it was that she had won the heart of Alejandro Almonte and was the mother of his child."
Jarifa, I was also shaking my head in disbelief. Watching those people get ready to leave was like a bad dream where you are trying to run away from something and you can only move in slow motion!
Then, all of a sudden, Nadia is crying at Victor, saying they had to leave right away as if she had been concerned about this all along, not languidly getting up that morning like she was staying at an Inn.
That was a sweet memory Ale had of Padre Anselmo.
At the hospital with Carlotta and Graceless-the wailing that I can only call The Anvil Chorus, now that's something you'll only see in a Telenovela.
Monse isn't going to die-at least her interview in that article she was saying she welcomed the chance to be 'creative' I can only wonder what that meant. She is the star, so I don't think they'll kill her off.
Urban, how many episodes will it take to reveal who EZ really is (if he isn't just a garden variety scumbag)? How about 390 one half hour episodes or 185 hour episodes?
Urban, how many episodes will it take to reveal who EZ really is (if he isn't just a garden variety scumbag)? How about 390 one half hour episodes or 185 hour episodes?
Rushing off to work...only had time to read the first few paragraphs...but they were exquisite! Looking forward to savoring the rest of the recap when I return. You have outdone yourself, lady!
All I can say is that if they continue to produce half-hours only in Mexico there will be a problem when we catch up, if that happens.
Of course Monse isn't going to die but all bets are off on other characters. What I'm hoping is that with so much going on they won't do what happened in the last version of Velo de Novia. I think we can safely predict that we'll be stuck with Maria, Pedro, and Gracie until the end. Can't be too sure about Sandho and Fabiolush.
Of course Monse isn't going to die but all bets are off on other characters. What I'm hoping is that with so much going on they won't do what happened in the last version of Velo de Novia. I think we can safely predict that we'll be stuck with Maria, Pedro, and Gracie until the end. Can't be too sure about Sandho and Fabiolush.
Urban Anthropologist: Incredible. I was mesmerized by your writing and detailed laden account. Your choosing to include so much dialog was marvelous and so appreciated.
"The masquerades of drawing rooms and the minuets of manners"; "He was a man of principle who knew that there was no justice in the cesspit of corruption that was Aguazul, for he had been victimized by it before" and "for while he was in fact the biological son of the late, unlamented Benjamín Almonte it was Father Anselmo who had been a real father to him" were among my favorites.
I was touched by the flashback of the dear padre and Ale as a boy. The young actor tugged at my heartstrings and I teared up. Father Anselmo MUST be alive - we need Eric back.
Was less excited to see Juvie but delighted to see the fantastic Alberto Estrella. He is riveting...
When Graciela screamed after Monse got shot, I saw the anguished face of a mother who loves her daughter. Am I totally off base?? I know she has been conniving, evil to the core, etc. but in that one moment, I saw real palpable pain. Not saying that she might think her meal ticket had been prematurely cashed once the shock wears off but I thought her reaction was genuine.
Poor JL. He tried everything and was too late to prevent the shooting. What else could possibly go wrong for this man??
Jarifa, it was totally frustrating that Victor and Nadia did not leave sooner although a part of me realizes I might not leave either if Ale and Monse had no other means of escape. Loyalty with a high price certainly.
Emarie, I also grimaced when Nadia was leisurely sipping her coffee instead of getting out of Dodge.
We know Monse will live to see another day but it may be a long road to recovery.
UA, thank you! Sensational. Every bit.
Diana
"The masquerades of drawing rooms and the minuets of manners"; "He was a man of principle who knew that there was no justice in the cesspit of corruption that was Aguazul, for he had been victimized by it before" and "for while he was in fact the biological son of the late, unlamented Benjamín Almonte it was Father Anselmo who had been a real father to him" were among my favorites.
I was touched by the flashback of the dear padre and Ale as a boy. The young actor tugged at my heartstrings and I teared up. Father Anselmo MUST be alive - we need Eric back.
Was less excited to see Juvie but delighted to see the fantastic Alberto Estrella. He is riveting...
When Graciela screamed after Monse got shot, I saw the anguished face of a mother who loves her daughter. Am I totally off base?? I know she has been conniving, evil to the core, etc. but in that one moment, I saw real palpable pain. Not saying that she might think her meal ticket had been prematurely cashed once the shock wears off but I thought her reaction was genuine.
Poor JL. He tried everything and was too late to prevent the shooting. What else could possibly go wrong for this man??
Jarifa, it was totally frustrating that Victor and Nadia did not leave sooner although a part of me realizes I might not leave either if Ale and Monse had no other means of escape. Loyalty with a high price certainly.
Emarie, I also grimaced when Nadia was leisurely sipping her coffee instead of getting out of Dodge.
We know Monse will live to see another day but it may be a long road to recovery.
UA, thank you! Sensational. Every bit.
Diana
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 7:47:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 7:47:00 AM EDT
UA, I can't even think of the right words to describe your amazing recap--this was magnificent. And though it will be sad to say farewell to Edith, I think Dashiell is a wise choice as our next stage story teller. I am in awe of how you thought of this, and captured the style. Brava!
On a whole, the episode didn't seem as thrilling as your great recap. Was almost predictable as it unfolded...we need Ale to lose everything, and it looks like that means even his family. It will also throw JL and Monse together again. The confession on the phone will assist in getting JL ( and poor Refugio) our of the clink, though maybe kicked out of the navy for the antics they keep pulling. Welcome to Part II of the triangle?
Graceless left me cold with her wailing. (And why are people in TN's so inept in a crisis? And again, EMT apparently not available.) Anyhoo, my thought at her wailing was yes, in a twisted sort of way she's upset. But I kept thinking more upset that she's losing her future meal ticket. I know, I know...maybe deep deep deep down there are some motherly emotions, but hard for me to buy into that. Kudos to Daniela though for doing those scenes looking like the wrath of whatever. There are some other TN actresses I've seen that won't go there except for a few tears falling down their carefully makeup'd faces and hair oh so coifed.
Will be interesting to see who of the Scooby Gang stays to fight Pedo another day. Dim is slowly taking on lead Scooby, JL is too emotionally tied up in Monse. I'm guessing, only a guess, that Ale and co. take off and he'll need to stay away for awhile. Again, cue the triangle. Blech.
Daisynjay
On a whole, the episode didn't seem as thrilling as your great recap. Was almost predictable as it unfolded...we need Ale to lose everything, and it looks like that means even his family. It will also throw JL and Monse together again. The confession on the phone will assist in getting JL ( and poor Refugio) our of the clink, though maybe kicked out of the navy for the antics they keep pulling. Welcome to Part II of the triangle?
Graceless left me cold with her wailing. (And why are people in TN's so inept in a crisis? And again, EMT apparently not available.) Anyhoo, my thought at her wailing was yes, in a twisted sort of way she's upset. But I kept thinking more upset that she's losing her future meal ticket. I know, I know...maybe deep deep deep down there are some motherly emotions, but hard for me to buy into that. Kudos to Daniela though for doing those scenes looking like the wrath of whatever. There are some other TN actresses I've seen that won't go there except for a few tears falling down their carefully makeup'd faces and hair oh so coifed.
Will be interesting to see who of the Scooby Gang stays to fight Pedo another day. Dim is slowly taking on lead Scooby, JL is too emotionally tied up in Monse. I'm guessing, only a guess, that Ale and co. take off and he'll need to stay away for awhile. Again, cue the triangle. Blech.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 8:31:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 8:31:00 AM EDT
In view of all Gracie's past behavior and past treatment of Monserrat it's an insult to our collective intelligence for the writers to even imply that she has any real maternal instincts. I'm more inclined to think that she's putting on an act that's over the top for the benefit of anyone who might have been looking in their direction.
After all, she was always running her mouth about gossip and what the rest of the town says about them. What she's really upset about is her plans being messed up.
One of the advantages of my change of voice for this blog is going to be the privilege of saying incredible things about Gracie without having to be polite about it.
After all, she was always running her mouth about gossip and what the rest of the town says about them. What she's really upset about is her plans being messed up.
One of the advantages of my change of voice for this blog is going to be the privilege of saying incredible things about Gracie without having to be polite about it.
Gracie has no real emotions,she is a skilled manipulator who only desires money,and power.She said she loved Benjamin but i doubt it,if she really loved him she would stop the affair when she married Lauro.Instead they continiued the affair.She is just a manipulative social climber.
Demetrios, she admitted in a confession to Padre Anselmo that she didn't love Benjamin. She was his mistress for over 30 years for his money.
Although the question will never be answered I wonder what Lauro would have thought if Benjamin had left all his a$$e$ts to Gracie.
Although the question will never be answered I wonder what Lauro would have thought if Benjamin had left all his a$$e$ts to Gracie.
"In view of all Gracie's past behavior and past treatment of Monserrat it's an insult to our collective intelligence for the writers to even imply that she has any real maternal instincts. I'm more inclined to think that she's putting on an act that's over the top for the benefit of anyone who might have been looking in their direction."
As much as I want to see this mother care for the daughter she has tried to sell and has sold, I think you are correct, Urban.
I've read this again this morning and I STILL had the same edge of my seat feeling as I read it.
Urban, why in the world are you not writing books and publishing?!
You've made a wonderful choice of author to channel as we go into this new setting of the TN. I love it!
Fatima
As much as I want to see this mother care for the daughter she has tried to sell and has sold, I think you are correct, Urban.
I've read this again this morning and I STILL had the same edge of my seat feeling as I read it.
Urban, why in the world are you not writing books and publishing?!
You've made a wonderful choice of author to channel as we go into this new setting of the TN. I love it!
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 10:46:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 10:46:00 AM EDT
Urban, I was intrigued by your recent comment about changing your style of recapping to align more closely with the (new) story you were now telling. I wondered what direction you would go in and how you would make the transition. Today I have the answer to both questions (noir and with remarkable finesse). The Wharton foreword and the Hammett prologue are certainly among the best I have read from you. Excellent work!
As for the episode itself, though I was a little bothered by what seemed a disconnect in one of the plot lines (suddenly Victor and Nadia are nervously ensconced in the hacienda -- what happened to the road chase that seemed imminent when we saw them last? Did Toyota frown on a fiery crash?), I actually found it very exciting, with events tumbling upon events.
I also believe Graciela's grief and rage as she faces Montserrat's possible death. Gracie has been in conflict with her daughter but has never been indifferent to her. She is deeply involved with Montserrat, perhaps as an out-of-control extension of herself. She simultaneously loves, hates, possesses, resents and feels tied to her daughter in ways twisted and profound.
Though she may be doing the calculus of potential economic loss in some part of her brain, I don't doubt that her pain is real.
I was yelling at my tv when JL meekly turned over Alejandro's cellphone to Graciela. This is a guarantee that Alejandro's recorded message will never reach Montserrat (just as her earlier letter never reached him). (Not my favorite plot device.)
Padre Anselmo's fate could go either way -- whatever best drives the plot. (I speculated here that someone would notice that his chickens had died!)
Nice flashbacks last night. I wonder if the boy playing young Alejandro will later play Laurito. I'm anxious to hear what the One Man Band Known as María's Fan Club makes of the glimpse into her childhood.
As for the episode itself, though I was a little bothered by what seemed a disconnect in one of the plot lines (suddenly Victor and Nadia are nervously ensconced in the hacienda -- what happened to the road chase that seemed imminent when we saw them last? Did Toyota frown on a fiery crash?), I actually found it very exciting, with events tumbling upon events.
I also believe Graciela's grief and rage as she faces Montserrat's possible death. Gracie has been in conflict with her daughter but has never been indifferent to her. She is deeply involved with Montserrat, perhaps as an out-of-control extension of herself. She simultaneously loves, hates, possesses, resents and feels tied to her daughter in ways twisted and profound.
Though she may be doing the calculus of potential economic loss in some part of her brain, I don't doubt that her pain is real.
I was yelling at my tv when JL meekly turned over Alejandro's cellphone to Graciela. This is a guarantee that Alejandro's recorded message will never reach Montserrat (just as her earlier letter never reached him). (Not my favorite plot device.)
Padre Anselmo's fate could go either way -- whatever best drives the plot. (I speculated here that someone would notice that his chickens had died!)
Nice flashbacks last night. I wonder if the boy playing young Alejandro will later play Laurito. I'm anxious to hear what the One Man Band Known as María's Fan Club makes of the glimpse into her childhood.
UA,
Thanks for this well-written, entertaining recap. You certainly captured the mood of this episode.
Diana,
"...I saw the anguished face of a mother who loves her daughter... in that one moment, I saw real palpable pain... I thought her reaction was genuine."
I saw the same. No doubt that Gracie has done some terrible things to and with her children... she is a very bad mother, but I think that a dim maternal spark was revealed in her raw unguarded reaction. Clearly opinions vary...
Notice that it didn't take long for JL to not only embrace but commence using the fortune that Angelica left him... so much for that particularly noble intention of rejecting it... I guess it was the thought that counts.
Interesting that he didn't think twice about putting his best friend in jeopardy... again. His concept of friendship parallels Gracie's sense of motherhood.
I'm afraid that the length of the message that Alejandro left on his cell phone for Montserrat cracked me up. He droned on and on and on...
Yes, I'm disappointed in María's decision to shoot Montse... not her best moment although she pretty much hit what she was aiming at. It certainly doesn't enhance my hope for her redemption.
The plane that Victor purchased must be quite a bit larger than what I had imagined.
I'm not the least bit confused by Zeke... for goodness sakes, he killed at least one man, he beat Barajas senseless, and he participated in María's near-fatal poisoning. Add to that that he pulled the trigger on a pistol aimed at his own head and I come up with both evil and stupid... Next!
Carlos
Thanks for this well-written, entertaining recap. You certainly captured the mood of this episode.
Diana,
"...I saw the anguished face of a mother who loves her daughter... in that one moment, I saw real palpable pain... I thought her reaction was genuine."
I saw the same. No doubt that Gracie has done some terrible things to and with her children... she is a very bad mother, but I think that a dim maternal spark was revealed in her raw unguarded reaction. Clearly opinions vary...
Notice that it didn't take long for JL to not only embrace but commence using the fortune that Angelica left him... so much for that particularly noble intention of rejecting it... I guess it was the thought that counts.
Interesting that he didn't think twice about putting his best friend in jeopardy... again. His concept of friendship parallels Gracie's sense of motherhood.
I'm afraid that the length of the message that Alejandro left on his cell phone for Montserrat cracked me up. He droned on and on and on...
Yes, I'm disappointed in María's decision to shoot Montse... not her best moment although she pretty much hit what she was aiming at. It certainly doesn't enhance my hope for her redemption.
The plane that Victor purchased must be quite a bit larger than what I had imagined.
I'm not the least bit confused by Zeke... for goodness sakes, he killed at least one man, he beat Barajas senseless, and he participated in María's near-fatal poisoning. Add to that that he pulled the trigger on a pistol aimed at his own head and I come up with both evil and stupid... Next!
Carlos
Victor and Nadia should have flown out of there immediately after the escape from Carcel Medina. That they went to the Almonte hacienda made no sense at all except to serve this plot point.
EZ in some ways is a classic noir character in the sense that he could have started out well-intentioned and got corrupted along the way.
NovelaMaven, the dead chickens bothered me, but I didn't want to mention it for fear that my fear of losing Padre Anselmo would come to life.
Fatima
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11:47:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11:47:00 AM EDT
NovelaMaven,
"I'm anxious to hear what the One Man Band Known as María's Fan Club makes of the glimpse into her childhood."
OK. What a cute little girl. She certainly knew what she wanted early on in life. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but the first thing that occurred to me was... I wonder where they found an orthodontist for her and who in the heck paid for it? The position of capataz must pay better than I imagined.
I don't know which was creepier... Juventino combing young María's hair or when he did that for the older María.
Carlos
"I'm anxious to hear what the One Man Band Known as María's Fan Club makes of the glimpse into her childhood."
OK. What a cute little girl. She certainly knew what she wanted early on in life. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but the first thing that occurred to me was... I wonder where they found an orthodontist for her and who in the heck paid for it? The position of capataz must pay better than I imagined.
I don't know which was creepier... Juventino combing young María's hair or when he did that for the older María.
Carlos
Carlos, I don't think you can separate the two combing scenes when you realize what they symbolize.
Juventino was grooming her to do his bidding at some point, whether that was sexual or becoming the sort of killer she now is capable of being. While we haven't been told this yet I think he may have used her sexually when she was just barely old enough to be legal and somehow kept Gaspar from finding out. Nothing happened between her and Alejandro at any time in the past, she didn't come off as a virgin when she first boinked Adolfo, and there have been no other guys we've been shown.
Holy Cow, Urban, yet another excellent analysis.
Fatima
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:02:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:02:00 PM EDT
I enjoyed the episode last night, the first time in a while. It managed to mix in a good bit of humanity, all well-needed after all of the recent,incessantly violent episodes.
I loved the vignettes, particularly the interactions with the Grecian-formulated Padre and Alejandro the joven (with the biggest head I’ve seen on a boy).
Even Juventino got in on the act, teaching his niece how to shoot. (Didn’t the gun have one bullet in it, though? I thought that I heard him say “una bala”, so I thought he was teaching her the basics of Russian Roulette.)
Then he combed her hair. He never stopped doing that to her, did he, the pervert.
Did anyone every tell Maria not to let him do that? She never knew where that comb had been.
I loved the vignettes, particularly the interactions with the Grecian-formulated Padre and Alejandro the joven (with the biggest head I’ve seen on a boy).
Even Juventino got in on the act, teaching his niece how to shoot. (Didn’t the gun have one bullet in it, though? I thought that I heard him say “una bala”, so I thought he was teaching her the basics of Russian Roulette.)
Then he combed her hair. He never stopped doing that to her, did he, the pervert.
Did anyone every tell Maria not to let him do that? She never knew where that comb had been.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:10:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:10:00 PM EDT
If Alejandro was college educated, how in the world did that occur? You would think that might have come up during his confrontation with the judge.
Carlos
Carlos
Yeah I agree with Carlos in that I also have no confusion about EZ. He's completely evil. He's just not the level of megalomaniac that Pedro is.
He held back the info about Maria because Pedro would have had his head over it and she is after all someone he can use in his favor when the moment comes that he wants to come out from under Pedro's thumb.
He held back the info about Maria because Pedro would have had his head over it and she is after all someone he can use in his favor when the moment comes that he wants to come out from under Pedro's thumb.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:32:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 12:32:00 PM EDT
Carlos, aren't there free colleges in Mexico? According to Teresa there were. Perhaps free to a qualified candidate.
CUNY was free in NYC when I attended; it isn't anymore.
Anyway, the Padre might have pulled some strings to help make that happen for Alejandro. Since agriculture is so important in Mexico I imagine his degree is in something related.
As for whether someone should have taught Maria that she shouldn't let Juventino comb her hair, I doubt that she had a mother much past toddlerhood, if even for that long. She never talks about a mother.
UA,
Since we got a glimpse last night of Alejandro and María as children and since there is so much time left, perhaps they might take us back in time to give us a better idea of how Alejandro, María, and perhaps some of the other characters came to be as they are today. Both María and Alejandro must have attended a pretty good school as children. There is a stark contrast between them and Rosario who wound up illiterate.
Also, I thought that Alejandro was reared by his grandfather and yet that flashback made it look like he was living with the padre. I wonder if grandpa had already died by that time and the padre had taken him in?
Carlos
Since we got a glimpse last night of Alejandro and María as children and since there is so much time left, perhaps they might take us back in time to give us a better idea of how Alejandro, María, and perhaps some of the other characters came to be as they are today. Both María and Alejandro must have attended a pretty good school as children. There is a stark contrast between them and Rosario who wound up illiterate.
Also, I thought that Alejandro was reared by his grandfather and yet that flashback made it look like he was living with the padre. I wonder if grandpa had already died by that time and the padre had taken him in?
Carlos
Urban:
You outdid yourself. Bravo, bravo!
I am out for most of this week but please know that my brief words of praise are heart felt.
Thank you for this great recap! I so appreciate your commitment to our community here at Caray Caray.
Elna June
You outdid yourself. Bravo, bravo!
I am out for most of this week but please know that my brief words of praise are heart felt.
Thank you for this great recap! I so appreciate your commitment to our community here at Caray Caray.
Elna June
Urban--Thank you for Dashiell Hammett's take on all the action. I can just picture the cover of this pot boiler--two beautiful ladies in blonde wigs and dark glasses, tops pulled tight over heaving bosoms, and a dark figure in between them holding a gun across his manly bared pecs and abs; in the background we see palm trees, an elderly priest and an unshaven taller, leaner, specter in a ship-shape naval uniform; at the bottom an older woman in a bun leaning over a bassinet with an infant in it......
WOW--This was an edge of your seat episode--Action AND Dialog. You got it all and kept the suspense up til the very end.
Now on to the comments. Congrats on a new genre that fits your style as well as our genteel medieval bodice ripper.
WOW--This was an edge of your seat episode--Action AND Dialog. You got it all and kept the suspense up til the very end.
Now on to the comments. Congrats on a new genre that fits your style as well as our genteel medieval bodice ripper.
Carlos, we were never told how old Alejandro was when his grandfather died or how old Maria was when Gaspar's wife died.
I had the impression from the first few weeks that Gaspar's wife died when Maria was a baby. The only time Maria ever mentioned her was in conjunction with the fake suicide attempt. I also don't recall any mention of her by Gaspar or Juventino. This tells me that the writers may not have made a decision about this in the early weeks and are possibly preparing a shocking reveal about Maria. I've previously speculated on this and came up with the following possibilities:
1. Maria's mother died in childbirth, making her either the natural daughter of Gaspar or
2. ...Maria's mother died via suicide right after giving birth to Maria because she was the result of having been raped by Benjamin. She never told anyone or -- if she ever told Gaspar -- the secret died with him.
3. Maria is the daughter of Gracie and Ben and was switched by Gracie with the baby of another convent inmate who was there at the same time.
4. This does not exclude the possibility of Fabiolush also being the offspring of Benjamin who never cared if a woman tried to say no to him. This also applies whether or not there was a switch.
We may not know the answer until the final week.
I had the impression from the first few weeks that Gaspar's wife died when Maria was a baby. The only time Maria ever mentioned her was in conjunction with the fake suicide attempt. I also don't recall any mention of her by Gaspar or Juventino. This tells me that the writers may not have made a decision about this in the early weeks and are possibly preparing a shocking reveal about Maria. I've previously speculated on this and came up with the following possibilities:
1. Maria's mother died in childbirth, making her either the natural daughter of Gaspar or
2. ...Maria's mother died via suicide right after giving birth to Maria because she was the result of having been raped by Benjamin. She never told anyone or -- if she ever told Gaspar -- the secret died with him.
3. Maria is the daughter of Gracie and Ben and was switched by Gracie with the baby of another convent inmate who was there at the same time.
4. This does not exclude the possibility of Fabiolush also being the offspring of Benjamin who never cared if a woman tried to say no to him. This also applies whether or not there was a switch.
We may not know the answer until the final week.
Ah UA, finally got a chance to read the whole masterpiece. Simply amazing. An excellent pastiche of the Hammett stye...nerves as tight as the bun in her hair... Wow. And this:
"It wasn't just the blonde hair, high heels, and pencil-thin capri pants that made her look like the Barbie doll Maria never owned and it wasn't even the money she had grown up with; it was that she had won the heart of Alejandro Almonte and was the mother of his child."
Knocking it out of the park, lady.
Now, since opinions vary as the wise Carlos always reminds us, I have to side with Diana and NovelaMaven. I believed Graciela's anguish was genuine. Yes, it means the loss of a possible avenue to José Luis' inherited fortune, but I also saw genuine maternal pain there. Of course, it may be that Daniela's such a good actress, she was more effective than the relentlessly conniving Graciela ever should be, were she faking it.
Now, sad to say, Montserrat's supposedly dire situation left me peaceful and relaxed. I know she's going to survive and be as exquisitely Barbie-doll beautiful as ever. What really broke my heart was the chickens. I felt so heartsick and sad thinking how they starved to death. Ugh.
Again, thank you for a superb recap. Kudos and mega-Kudos.
"It wasn't just the blonde hair, high heels, and pencil-thin capri pants that made her look like the Barbie doll Maria never owned and it wasn't even the money she had grown up with; it was that she had won the heart of Alejandro Almonte and was the mother of his child."
Knocking it out of the park, lady.
Now, since opinions vary as the wise Carlos always reminds us, I have to side with Diana and NovelaMaven. I believed Graciela's anguish was genuine. Yes, it means the loss of a possible avenue to José Luis' inherited fortune, but I also saw genuine maternal pain there. Of course, it may be that Daniela's such a good actress, she was more effective than the relentlessly conniving Graciela ever should be, were she faking it.
Now, sad to say, Montserrat's supposedly dire situation left me peaceful and relaxed. I know she's going to survive and be as exquisitely Barbie-doll beautiful as ever. What really broke my heart was the chickens. I felt so heartsick and sad thinking how they starved to death. Ugh.
Again, thank you for a superb recap. Kudos and mega-Kudos.
My take on Graceless grief was a narcissistic fear/anguish reaction, with Monserrat being an extension of herself, but goodness, we have to be assuming this is well thought out on the writers part and not just a knee jerk reaction written by a group of under aged and underpaid and overworked staff.
It is absolutely obvious that Gracie sees Monserrat as an extension of herself rather than as a separate person in her own right. Why else does the idea of Monserrat being in love with Alejandro offend her so much? It is a figurative slap in the face because Monserrat dares to be different in any way.
Especially this way.
I have been Pedros theme,Maldad-Los Guereross for about an hour and guess the results.. Pure epic weather disaster,a storm formed with hail,heavy rain and the sky is pure black!! Ay dios mio this is the cursed music i couldnt have imagined it can manipulate the weather! You know when the skies went black in Aguazul ,its like the skies know there is a disturbance in the Force!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVJjsdTApU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVJjsdTApU
UA, thank you for the time that I know you must have put into this excellent recap. I must admit that this novela has become so dark and frustrating to watch that I just surf in and out as I am watching the stars dancing and listening to the voices singing. Life is dark enough . One of my best friends has a daughter-in-law with Colin cancer. I need done dancing and singing. However, I am curious to see what happens next. The show has certainly spun far and away from Amor Real.
I was shocked to surf in just as Malria shot Mony Watching Malria in her Mony disguise trying to run away in those high heels was a little amusing. Watching creepy tio combing Little MALria's hair was super duper creepy.
Well, I am anxiously waiting to see the anvils fall in Siempre. That villain is a very sick guy. I am enjoying watching my telenovio Marcelo Cordoba kissing and dancing in Te Quiero. ...what a relief to see a little kissing and dancing. I invite you all to join us there for some joy and light...at least for the time being.
I was shocked to surf in just as Malria shot Mony Watching Malria in her Mony disguise trying to run away in those high heels was a little amusing. Watching creepy tio combing Little MALria's hair was super duper creepy.
Well, I am anxiously waiting to see the anvils fall in Siempre. That villain is a very sick guy. I am enjoying watching my telenovio Marcelo Cordoba kissing and dancing in Te Quiero. ...what a relief to see a little kissing and dancing. I invite you all to join us there for some joy and light...at least for the time being.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 2:27:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 2:27:00 PM EDT
Truly amazing recap, UA.
I haven't been able to comment lately, but I have been reading the recaps and comments. Thanks so much everybody for keeping me in the loop. Still recording this TN, so I'll have an opportunity to watch this ep tonight.
Susanlynn: I'm watching Te Quiero, too. I'm really liking this Marcelo Cordoba (my first TN with him). He's definitely on my list of actors to follow.
Anyone who needs a break from Robo, I highly recommend Te Quiero and Flaco really likes Que Ricos.
Nanette
I haven't been able to comment lately, but I have been reading the recaps and comments. Thanks so much everybody for keeping me in the loop. Still recording this TN, so I'll have an opportunity to watch this ep tonight.
Susanlynn: I'm watching Te Quiero, too. I'm really liking this Marcelo Cordoba (my first TN with him). He's definitely on my list of actors to follow.
Anyone who needs a break from Robo, I highly recommend Te Quiero and Flaco really likes Que Ricos.
Nanette
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:17:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:17:00 PM EDT
Urban, what a spectacular writing style! I was really drawn into your vivid descriptions and couldn't put my phone down until I finished your recap.
I can definitely see we are going into part 2 of this story and your recap helped us slide right into it.
I think I'm going I agree with Novela Maven, Diana, Carlos and Judyb on Gracie's reaction to Montse's shooting. I don't remember if Gracie was actually facing the direction JL and Rosie were coming from. Although she was spewing her venom at Montse, the moment the shot rang out and she realized Montse was hit, there was real anguish and panic in her face. Perhaps hidden deep down inside she does love her kids, although she loves herself more, and with Montse there may be jealousy as well that she was closer to Lauro.
Understandably JL was there to protect Montse and was horrified at arriving too late but as a trained navy man, who has been on dangerous missions, I would have expected him to use his training and at least see who had fired the shot, even if he had not attempted to stop them in order to save Montse.
Sad to see the dear Padre's dead chickens too Judyb. Hopefully this isn't a bad omen for him.
Maricruz
I can definitely see we are going into part 2 of this story and your recap helped us slide right into it.
I think I'm going I agree with Novela Maven, Diana, Carlos and Judyb on Gracie's reaction to Montse's shooting. I don't remember if Gracie was actually facing the direction JL and Rosie were coming from. Although she was spewing her venom at Montse, the moment the shot rang out and she realized Montse was hit, there was real anguish and panic in her face. Perhaps hidden deep down inside she does love her kids, although she loves herself more, and with Montse there may be jealousy as well that she was closer to Lauro.
Understandably JL was there to protect Montse and was horrified at arriving too late but as a trained navy man, who has been on dangerous missions, I would have expected him to use his training and at least see who had fired the shot, even if he had not attempted to stop them in order to save Montse.
Sad to see the dear Padre's dead chickens too Judyb. Hopefully this isn't a bad omen for him.
Maricruz
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:40:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:40:00 PM EDT
And although I loved the flashbacks, especially the one between Ale and Padre, I too was creeped out by Juvie and Maria's relationship. There definitely seems to be more there than meets the eye. Wonder if we will be filled in to more details on how Maria became who she is. Having Gaspar as a father should have been a positive influence, but Juvie probably had a more negative influence on her.
Maricruz
Maricruz
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:58:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 3:58:00 PM EDT
Glad you all approve of the new tone for Mondays. I bookmarked some pages with 20s-40s slang and hope that there can be more noirist screen shots.
Gracie might also have just realized that Pedro is a man who just mows down whoever is in his way. I can't wait to see her next encounter with him.
Good point, UA. Graciela may have just realized that she has thrown in her lot with a bunch of rabid dogs. When she was the only one pulling deals and negotiating betrayals, it was to her liking. But she's in over her head now.
Urban and Judy B: I did wonder that this was fear more than grief over the attempt on Monse's life.?
Those who know Pedro should know this is NOT his style of hit, when they are calm enough to consider it.
Well, actually, some of his hits haven't been totally successful since he does send others to do his bidding.
And like I said, since we are dealing with how the writers think and not actual human nature, they may have meant to show Graceless with real caring/grief over what happened to Monse. Hard to imagine, though.
Those who know Pedro should know this is NOT his style of hit, when they are calm enough to consider it.
Well, actually, some of his hits haven't been totally successful since he does send others to do his bidding.
And like I said, since we are dealing with how the writers think and not actual human nature, they may have meant to show Graceless with real caring/grief over what happened to Monse. Hard to imagine, though.
My respect and admiration to you Mr. Urban Anthropologist. Do you have a novella published that I can read? Brilliant writing!!!!so unlike the tn writers.
I am just a quiet reader but I thought I have to really respond and rave about your recap. Thank you very much. And to quote Fatima: "HOLY COW!!"
Anne
I am just a quiet reader but I thought I have to really respond and rave about your recap. Thank you very much. And to quote Fatima: "HOLY COW!!"
Anne
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:09:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:09:00 PM EDT
Alas, I am not a published author. There was a time in my life when I wanted that but realized that I was not qualified to write romance novels (the easiest way for a woman to get published).
Mysteries are harder to write in the beginning because one can't be a really good judge of whether clues are good enough or too obscure.
These days I wonder whether anyone reads books anymore.
At any rate, I'd be up for a noir novela. If my written Spanish were better I'd pitch the idea.
Mysteries are harder to write in the beginning because one can't be a really good judge of whether clues are good enough or too obscure.
These days I wonder whether anyone reads books anymore.
At any rate, I'd be up for a noir novela. If my written Spanish were better I'd pitch the idea.
Urban - Wow! Incredible recap. My favorites:
Had he been in a more lucid state of mind he would have asked himself if Monserrat's life had really been in danger, why was Maria disguising herself as her.
Nadia Argüelles de Medina sat nervously in the living room, her nerves as tight as the bun in her hair.
I vote Gracie's anguish is real. She's got an ownership/envy thing with her daughter, but there's some sick love in there too. But Gracie's selfish to the core and will use the shooting somehow for her benefit.
Had he been in a more lucid state of mind he would have asked himself if Monserrat's life had really been in danger, why was Maria disguising herself as her.
Nadia Argüelles de Medina sat nervously in the living room, her nerves as tight as the bun in her hair.
I vote Gracie's anguish is real. She's got an ownership/envy thing with her daughter, but there's some sick love in there too. But Gracie's selfish to the core and will use the shooting somehow for her benefit.
Maria is proud to become a murder like her uncle? Doesn't she remember that Juventino murdered her own beloved father? I see Maria in a manicomio at the end. No redemption for her.
Surely Adolfo will be the first to figure out who shot Monse. Too bad he's so damn weak.
Surely Adolfo will be the first to figure out who shot Monse. Too bad he's so damn weak.
UA--gotta quote your "the social quagmire of Aguazul," and "the cesspit of corruption that was Aguazul." Take out the folks in the tn and you probably have a pretty good town.
Carlos, How long do you think it will take for the docs in the operating room to remove the bullet that pierced Montserrat on the left side of her upper chest, by digging around on the right side. Will they have to dig a tunnel? OR, were we seeing all this in a mirror? I know you scrutinize medical scenes as much as we do, but you *know* more than we do.
I was concerned after seeing the dead chickens, too. Surely the Good Padre had someone taking care of them while he was "on business" in Aguazul. Wouldn't that person have continued to feed and water them until he saw the whites of Padre's eyes? To me, that means Padre showed up, told the person thank you, I'm home, and THEN disappeared. Stupid kidnappers-cum-assassins to forget about removing the chickens to a nice stew.
Either that or the writers have fallen down on the job. We last saw Padre alone with EZ in Aguazul after Fofito ran away from the job.
Interesting how Pedofito was able to turn everything Ale had done against him. This is the first I heard of all the construction going on in the pueblo. I only remembered about the school where Monse was going to get involved.
I wonder if they put in telephone lines. Deceiving the Padre to go with Fiofito was done so quickly, I doubt he had time to call anyone earlier to say he was on his way home. Did he know anyone's new phone number? Geesh, overthinking these events certainly forces one to get mired in the mud, or being in Aguazul, it would be quicksand.
I agree with those who side with Graciela's overdone anguish. I think it was a small part of motherly concern, but a big part to put on a good show for anyone watching that she was only concerned for her daughter's recovery.
Of course, she needs the recovery part, though, to ensure matching her up with JL to get her hands on his inheritance. Hasn't she already arranged to get part of Ale's through Peddo? Still don't know how Peddo thinks he can get his hands on Ale's fortune unless HE divorces Nadia, marries Flobush then kills her and Sandho. Not too difficult with EZ still on the payroll.
Carlos, How long do you think it will take for the docs in the operating room to remove the bullet that pierced Montserrat on the left side of her upper chest, by digging around on the right side. Will they have to dig a tunnel? OR, were we seeing all this in a mirror? I know you scrutinize medical scenes as much as we do, but you *know* more than we do.
I was concerned after seeing the dead chickens, too. Surely the Good Padre had someone taking care of them while he was "on business" in Aguazul. Wouldn't that person have continued to feed and water them until he saw the whites of Padre's eyes? To me, that means Padre showed up, told the person thank you, I'm home, and THEN disappeared. Stupid kidnappers-cum-assassins to forget about removing the chickens to a nice stew.
Either that or the writers have fallen down on the job. We last saw Padre alone with EZ in Aguazul after Fofito ran away from the job.
Interesting how Pedofito was able to turn everything Ale had done against him. This is the first I heard of all the construction going on in the pueblo. I only remembered about the school where Monse was going to get involved.
I wonder if they put in telephone lines. Deceiving the Padre to go with Fiofito was done so quickly, I doubt he had time to call anyone earlier to say he was on his way home. Did he know anyone's new phone number? Geesh, overthinking these events certainly forces one to get mired in the mud, or being in Aguazul, it would be quicksand.
I agree with those who side with Graciela's overdone anguish. I think it was a small part of motherly concern, but a big part to put on a good show for anyone watching that she was only concerned for her daughter's recovery.
Of course, she needs the recovery part, though, to ensure matching her up with JL to get her hands on his inheritance. Hasn't she already arranged to get part of Ale's through Peddo? Still don't know how Peddo thinks he can get his hands on Ale's fortune unless HE divorces Nadia, marries Flobush then kills her and Sandho. Not too difficult with EZ still on the payroll.
UA: what a great idea for a novela. I was wondering if Mexico could do noir. Apparently so, I found this link to one. Sorry—don’t know how to post as link.
http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/salon-mexico-mexico-1949-noir-south-of-the-border.html
Nanette
http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/salon-mexico-mexico-1949-noir-south-of-the-border.html
Nanette
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:47:00 PM EDT
Anita: Padre was home when Alpo came to take him for a ride.
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:50:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 5:50:00 PM EDT
There are noir films and hard-boiled detective novels in other languages.
I can easily see Jorge Salinas in a trenchcoat and fedora driving a 1950s car along the rain-soake mean streets of D.F....
I can easily see Jorge Salinas in a trenchcoat and fedora driving a 1950s car along the rain-soake mean streets of D.F....
Hello,
Magnificent recap and such a perfect match to the turn things have taken.
Re Gracie I thought her anguish was real until I thought I saw her grinning maniacally through her tears when she got Ale's cell phone. What the heck is she going to do with that?!
I fear (as someone said before me) that Ale will get on the plane and we will have more triangle drama. I'm bored thinking about it!
Finally, the longer they go without showing us the padres dead body, the more certain I am he's alive. This is only my 4th rodeo-- ahem, TN, but I haven't seen any where we don't see the death of such a major character. I think the writers are trying very hard to convince us so we'll be surprised when he saves the day.
Becky
Magnificent recap and such a perfect match to the turn things have taken.
Re Gracie I thought her anguish was real until I thought I saw her grinning maniacally through her tears when she got Ale's cell phone. What the heck is she going to do with that?!
I fear (as someone said before me) that Ale will get on the plane and we will have more triangle drama. I'm bored thinking about it!
Finally, the longer they go without showing us the padres dead body, the more certain I am he's alive. This is only my 4th rodeo-- ahem, TN, but I haven't seen any where we don't see the death of such a major character. I think the writers are trying very hard to convince us so we'll be surprised when he saves the day.
Becky
UA: Jorge Salinas would make a great film noir "hero". What about the femme fatale? And the big bad part of the triangle?
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:24:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:24:00 PM EDT
Nanette--Are you sure he was home-home in his pueblo jacal or was he just getting ready to leave Ale's beach casota when Dolfito came for him.
Thanks, UA! And thanks to all the recappers! I've just caught up on this show and enjoyed the recaps immensely.
Oy, Aguazul. The agua may be azul, but I think it's also full of lead and mercury because these people are BRAINLESS. They have NO strategic skills and a highly underdeveloped sense of urgency. Why would they go to Ale's hacienda to escape? Why not tell the pilot to meet them at some airstrip someplace in the OPPOSITE direction from town, where it won't be quite so easy for Pedro to find them? And how about leaving more covertly and maybe doing some driving maneuvers to lose anyone who might be following? Plus switching means of transportation multiple times and changing clothes and wigs and stuff, and switching to burner phones. Have they even checked themselves and their belongings for bugs and tracking devices? They should at least be making this more of a challenge for Pedro!
But now the plan's off anyway since Montse is in the hospital. I wonder if dimwits Nadia and Victor will trot right back to town to visit. Surely Pedro will hold off on murdering them while they pay their social visits to the hospital, right?
But then again, Pedro swore to terrorize Esme, and we thought she needed to run and never come back, and she just hung around and seems to be fine.
Oy, Aguazul. The agua may be azul, but I think it's also full of lead and mercury because these people are BRAINLESS. They have NO strategic skills and a highly underdeveloped sense of urgency. Why would they go to Ale's hacienda to escape? Why not tell the pilot to meet them at some airstrip someplace in the OPPOSITE direction from town, where it won't be quite so easy for Pedro to find them? And how about leaving more covertly and maybe doing some driving maneuvers to lose anyone who might be following? Plus switching means of transportation multiple times and changing clothes and wigs and stuff, and switching to burner phones. Have they even checked themselves and their belongings for bugs and tracking devices? They should at least be making this more of a challenge for Pedro!
But now the plan's off anyway since Montse is in the hospital. I wonder if dimwits Nadia and Victor will trot right back to town to visit. Surely Pedro will hold off on murdering them while they pay their social visits to the hospital, right?
But then again, Pedro swore to terrorize Esme, and we thought she needed to run and never come back, and she just hung around and seems to be fine.
Nanette--Asked and answered. I found the passage and I quote from NM's recap of 4/8**:
"The padre, now back to his little house in the country, is not pleased when Adolfo shows up at his door. * He knows that Adolfo and María played him for a fool in the hospital. And he is angry with María for stealing the only real evidence of Alejandro's innocence....
[*It is duly noted that the padre's driver Macario, in response, perhaps, to Carlos' repeated censure, announces his intention to check out the hacienda before returning to Aguazul since Alejandro has been neglecting the property shamelessly of late.]"
**My, my, it amazes me how much I forget and how little I remember!
"The padre, now back to his little house in the country, is not pleased when Adolfo shows up at his door. * He knows that Adolfo and María played him for a fool in the hospital. And he is angry with María for stealing the only real evidence of Alejandro's innocence....
[*It is duly noted that the padre's driver Macario, in response, perhaps, to Carlos' repeated censure, announces his intention to check out the hacienda before returning to Aguazul since Alejandro has been neglecting the property shamelessly of late.]"
**My, my, it amazes me how much I forget and how little I remember!
Julia--You are back and it fine form with a LOL moment in an otherwise noir episode: "But now the plan's off anyway since Montse is in the hospital. I wonder if dimwits Nadia and Victor will trot right back to town to visit. Surely Pedro will hold off on murdering them while they pay their social visits to the hospital, right?"
Julia, all these good folks are brainless indeed!!! I was hoping Doming would throw EZ off Ale's scent by telling him he would return soon, or sending him in the opposite direction, not just saying he left and won't be back for a long time! She could have bought them a bit of time by just having EZ wait for Ale with a nice cafecito in hand!
Maricruz
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:51:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:51:00 PM EDT
Dear Urban Anthropologist,
I'm very late in making a comment today, but I just wanted to thank you very much for the wonderful recap. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
Best to you and all,
Julia R.
I'm very late in making a comment today, but I just wanted to thank you very much for the wonderful recap. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
Best to you and all,
Julia R.
So true! It would not only have helped Ale possibly, but also Dominga herself to play like she knew nothing. "Oh, I think he just went to the pharmacy for something. He should be back soon. Sit down and have some coffee!"
Likewise with Nadia and Victor. If you don't want people to follow you, don't act like you're making a big escape. Leave separately. Carry only your handbag like you're just running an errand. Don't take luggage. Make subtly conspicuous plans to meet someone for lunch at a nearby restaurant later. And then just leave and don't come back.
Likewise with Nadia and Victor. If you don't want people to follow you, don't act like you're making a big escape. Leave separately. Carry only your handbag like you're just running an errand. Don't take luggage. Make subtly conspicuous plans to meet someone for lunch at a nearby restaurant later. And then just leave and don't come back.
Julia, you have a great point about multiple evasive maneuvers. However, Victor isn't a former military man with the instinct to plan such a thing. JL could have thought of that if Victor had been willing to trust him. Esme might have supplied the wigs for Nadia.
She might need to get out of Dodge also.
You are right Urban, Pedro had only backtracked from taking revenge on Esme because of Nadia. Now there is nothing holding him back.
Maricruz
Maricruz
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 7:06:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 7:06:00 PM EDT
Anita,
I noticed a few incongruities in that OR tableau, not the least being (as you observantly point out) the surgeon standing on the wrong side of the table aimlessly poking at something on the right side of her chest with a long clamp, as well as no noticeable surgical assistant present, and no retraction or suction. No wonder he was sweating profusely (or was he just having an ill-timed hot flash?). His light (just one?) was focused on the blue drapes rather than the surgical field. Less important perhaps were the cuff of the gowns were pulled over the latex gloves rather than the other way around.
I for one was somewhat relieved that the bullet apparently just missed her left bubi.
By the way, I wouldn't want to eat chicken soup made from birds which died from natural causes.
Carlos
I noticed a few incongruities in that OR tableau, not the least being (as you observantly point out) the surgeon standing on the wrong side of the table aimlessly poking at something on the right side of her chest with a long clamp, as well as no noticeable surgical assistant present, and no retraction or suction. No wonder he was sweating profusely (or was he just having an ill-timed hot flash?). His light (just one?) was focused on the blue drapes rather than the surgical field. Less important perhaps were the cuff of the gowns were pulled over the latex gloves rather than the other way around.
I for one was somewhat relieved that the bullet apparently just missed her left bubi.
By the way, I wouldn't want to eat chicken soup made from birds which died from natural causes.
Carlos
Anita,
I'm sorry, I'm sure you clearly meant that the live chickens be harvested before being turned into stew.
Carlos
I'm sorry, I'm sure you clearly meant that the live chickens be harvested before being turned into stew.
Carlos
Emarie,
"My take on Graceless grief was a narcissistic fear/anguish reaction, with Monserrat being an extension of herself, but goodness, we have to be assuming this is well thought out on the writers part and not just a knee jerk reaction written by a group of under aged and underpaid and overworked staff."
I LOVE it!!!
Fatima
"My take on Graceless grief was a narcissistic fear/anguish reaction, with Monserrat being an extension of herself, but goodness, we have to be assuming this is well thought out on the writers part and not just a knee jerk reaction written by a group of under aged and underpaid and overworked staff."
I LOVE it!!!
Fatima
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 8:14:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 8:14:00 PM EDT
Urban A,
Exquisite! Simply magnificent! Your recap should be published as a short story. Thank you for writing this, and for allowing us the privilege of reading it.
I am halfway done with the comments, but I had to put in my two cents in before it gets later.
I did like last night's epi. At least for the most part. I hated Peddy's impromptu interrogation of Ale, and that idiot judge swallowing every bit that Peddy was feeding him. Bleh!
Loved the flashback of the Padre, disturbed by BM and Juvie's.
I am pretty sure Montse will survive, but it might take a few episodes for her to be back to Barbie shape. This will coincide perhaps with the time that Ale will be on the run. I am not sure what to think about Rosario staying behind. I guess it's better for Ale to be alone if he's going to be in hiding for a while. The thing that bothers me is that Gracie will use this time to bring Montse and JL closer (that is if/when JL gets out of jail) because Gracie wants some of JL's newfound fortune. Even though we saw a glimpse of pain in Gracie's eyes when Montse was shot, let's not forget everything she has done to make the viewers dispise her.
Back to work...hasta pronto!
Exquisite! Simply magnificent! Your recap should be published as a short story. Thank you for writing this, and for allowing us the privilege of reading it.
I am halfway done with the comments, but I had to put in my two cents in before it gets later.
I did like last night's epi. At least for the most part. I hated Peddy's impromptu interrogation of Ale, and that idiot judge swallowing every bit that Peddy was feeding him. Bleh!
Loved the flashback of the Padre, disturbed by BM and Juvie's.
I am pretty sure Montse will survive, but it might take a few episodes for her to be back to Barbie shape. This will coincide perhaps with the time that Ale will be on the run. I am not sure what to think about Rosario staying behind. I guess it's better for Ale to be alone if he's going to be in hiding for a while. The thing that bothers me is that Gracie will use this time to bring Montse and JL closer (that is if/when JL gets out of jail) because Gracie wants some of JL's newfound fortune. Even though we saw a glimpse of pain in Gracie's eyes when Montse was shot, let's not forget everything she has done to make the viewers dispise her.
Back to work...hasta pronto!
I've watched this novela SO MANY times since it first aired, in fact, I'm watching it again as I type this. How the heck do people like Pedro get away with crap?? And all because he no longer has balls!?!?! Both him and Grace, act like they don't answer to anyone, but I can't wait till they get theirs! Excellent recap.
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Permalink posted by : Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 8:41:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 8:41:00 PM EDT
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