Caray, Caray!

Good Morning Y'all.

I hope I did this one justice. There are also a couple of earworms I have included. Please enjoy the recap, just as this epi was ; )
 

The episodes are getting more and more interesting as the TN comes to an end sometime in the next 1-1/2 months or so.

Who would have believed that Gracie would go to the judge and admit to all the lies she told and blame everything on Sandro. What a stroke of genius! With him dead and covered up somewhere by Adolfo, no one will be able to check her story out. Great twist by the writers! Now we can guess what might happen with Maria's character.

For all of you who have been bad-mouthing Maria's pole dancing and can put up with watching a 240p YouTube TN, please watch "Mas Sabe el Diablo - Remix" with girls who really know how to pole dance. Plus it features the gorgeous JenCarlos Canela of "Pasion Prohibida" fame. This guy is so gorgeous and this TN falls in my top 5. It's the first TN I've ever seen with action packed scenes to complement the love story. Great telenovela!


 

Wow MADS...I get such a kick out of your breathless style of recounting the events. I can imagine you across the table from me (we're out having a beer...or maybe some iced tea, who knows) and you're ripping along with an occasional "and then you know what happened!!??..." and then more lickety-split events.

Just a pleasure in every way. And I will look forward to listening to those earworms later...especially the French one!

Hopefully our cable box will get fixed today and then I can actually watch the episode when it airs. I miss the closed captions in Spanish which always teach me something new. But I was out with two sisters from Columbia last night and from 6 to 10 pm it was nothing but rapid-fire Spanish. Four hours of chisme and some naughty jokes (most of which had to be explained to me) but hey! what a tutorial!
 

Good work, Mads.

Gracie is about to commit her own perfect crime: She will clear Alejandro, who promised to give her his entire inheritance if she did so. However, Monse is now JL's prisoner the same way that Nadia is Pedro's and Gracie will continue to get dinero from him. This also takes care of Maria because she ends or dead or in the slammer if all goes to plan.

Unlikely, but brilliant.

No matter what happens with Monse and the two men in her life, only death or prison would get Gracie out of her life.

I thought JL would laugh at Pedro's little problem, but I had hoped that EZ (who was smart enough to solve that equation) would explain about the conversation he had with Alejandro in which he explained that he had taken the non-existent fall for Benjamin. Not that it would matter except in our opinion of him.

I don't think Dimitrio and Monica are going to last now. The Navy and its rules are her great love and Dimitrio needs a new CO after this.

Props to the writers for leaving quite a few possibilities still open at this stage. I think we're all going to experience some whiplash in the ultimas semanas.
 

Madelaine, thanks for the entertainment. You are such a good story teller I could picture it in my head as I was reading it. And then, there was your well placed sense of humor.

There was an important lesson here: in problematical situations, don't jump in: let your adversary speak first.
Montse sure put herself in the hole by giving up Ale in exchange for his freedom when she didn't have to. I wonder what JL's offer and conditions were going to be. He sure must be feeling all smug now.

Esme should not sleep too easily because that dog Refugio looks like he would do WHATEVER he could to help comfort Monica now that Dimitrio seems to be out of the picture.

Graciela sure has chutzpah to go see the judge! I loved her plan to get Ale out and then wait for that "cat (BM) to start howling from where she is hiding." As for Fabiola, can't Graciela just shut her up already??

The most uncomfortable scene was Pedro leaving Poor Blind Nadia with his luggage.

My favorite scene was Carlota telling Ezequiel: no laundry, no good home cooked food, no SEX unless he gets Ale out. I didn't know she had it in her! After seeing him talk to JL we know who rules that roost.

I hope they keep up this pace until the end.

Jarifa
 

Madelaine, Graceless did A Semi Amazing Thingy and you did a Simply Amazing Thingy. An excellent recap. Also, thank you for your always stellar muscial selections.

Oh, looky here, it's Peddy come home to greet, er, chew up the scenery, pobrecita Poor Blind Nadia!Carly has ways of dealing with EZ, such as making his life, how shall I put this, oh, yeah, Porca Miseria (Holy Hell)!

UA and Victoria, you are spot on in that Graciela's plan is genius. She is quickly able to adapt and rise to meet every challenge, formulating and executing whatever brillant contingency plan is called for.

I was also cheering Carly. I had to laugh - EZ appeared to have the typical husband's sheepish reaction when Carly stated what he needed to do. There is no doubt he is the dutiful husband albeit a monster in all other aspects of his life.

Monica's reaction was understandable but as an officer, she dealt with it in an inappropriate way. I'm frustrated with Dimitrio. He clearly initiated the love making with Fina but then retreated. Fear of rejection? Guilt? Feelings for Fina not quite what he expected? I miss the man who clearly came to love Fina and would go to the ends of the earth for her. Seeing her crying was heartbreaking. She has done so much for others, so selfless. And, although I still like Adolfo (sorry, can't help it), I fear he may not make it out of all this alive. He lost his chance for Fina with the first trigger he pulled.

Judy, hoping your cable gets fixed so you can see all the action first hand!

Madeline, you always do these episodes stunning justice. Thank you for your grand wit and style!

Diana
 

Jarifa, our comments crossed.

"The most uncomfortable scene was Pedro leaving Poor Blind Nadia with his luggage".

Yes, you are so right! Isn't he horrid? Thanks for reminding me, that was really cringeworthy.

Diana
 

It was so unexpected that Gracie would see the Judge to clear Ales name but now she will most likely go to jail too for false testimony. Liked seeing Carlota standing up to EZ but as we know well he is very cunning and he found the solution for it immediatly,he is one of the smartest male villians i have seen but nobody is as smart and brilliant as Fevier.

Gracies goal has always been money and always will be,even if she tells Fabiola she is her mother ,who can guarantee that she wont be backstab her in the back. If Gracie was always throwing shit at Monse and Dimitrio why whats the guarantee that she wont throw it at Fabiola as well? I highly doubt Gracie went to the Judge because of her concience but because of the Money. She is the Queen of Hypocricity ,she never loved Benjamin or Lauro nor she cared for the happiness of her own children ,why would she begin feeling love now?
 

That's what I say. Graciela is all about money and herself. She thinks she can get both Alejandro's inheritance and the monthly checks from JL. She doesn't care of Monserrat rots in hell.

It's hard to say whether she cares more or less about Fabiola. As for Fabiola, she'd probably still be living in the bottle if Gracie had raised her.
 

Yeah,she really does not care about anything but herself ,she could give two figs about Fabiolas happiness ,Gracie is just mad that she did not get to raise her so she would become good enough to make deals with. If Ale didnt offer Gracie the inheritance she wouldnt never have attempted to visit the Judge. I wonder what will happen when Peddy gets notified of whats happening,hopefully he wont come to jail mocking Alejandro..

And jesus Monse atleast wait for a day,grab a tea,sleep for a while before making stupid decisions ,atleast then Gracie would inform her on what she was doing while Monse was spewing utter stupidity,Le ase falta jesus!
 

Thanks, Mads,

Terrific - detailed and creative as always. I record all the episodes and when I went to watch later, my screen went black every time --altho other programs I had recorded were fine. So, like other viewers of late,
I was on the phone with Comcast and they will be visiting me Monday with a new box.

Like you, I have been in JL's corner for a long time. It is sad to see what has happened with this noble character. I fail to see any nobility in the person of Ale.'
The best scene with him to date was when he finally accepted this second child, and SR's acting was sensational in this. I don't see any depth in the relationship between Ale and Monse - there's no "there, there."

On the other hand, there is great depth in the relationship of Dim and Josefina. They are my favorite characters. After their romantic interlude, when he said it was an error, he was not at all convincing. He meant that on the surface it was a mistake because of
his involvement with Monica, but he knew it was not in reality a mistake. He loves Josefina y punto.

In that scene, we see Josfina revert to her previous insecure self. Because of her extreme vulnerability in the presence of Dimitrio, all her years of striving to find her identity went out the window. And that's a good thing, because loving Dimitrio is still a huge part of who she really is.

Both Dimitrio and Josefina demonstrate a blend of the use of reason --- along with being attuned to their hearts and a sense of what is truly right and just -- as opposed to things strictly legal. This works on several levels -- including that of protecting Ale.

I have no doubt that they will be together para siempre.


Thanks again, Mads for keeping me up to date. Thanks to all for their impressive comments.
 

Floridia: "Because of her extreme vulnerability in the presence of Dimitrio, all her years of striving to find her identity went out the window. And that's a good thing, because loving Dimitrio is still a huge part of who she really is".

How beautifully phrased. And true. Thank you.

Diana
 

Thanks Madelaine, what a great job you did with this episode. I'm almost breathless. Your recap matched the pace and the mood of the episode itself. Once more, very well done.

You didn't mention it, but I was gratified that Dimitrio didn't hesitate to throw Refugio's murder of the innocent Lt. during JL's escape right into Refugio's face. So much for Refugio's professed noble sense of duty.

So Monica is disgusted with Dimitrio's unfaithfulness so to get back at him she is going to repay him by enticing Refugio to be unfaithful to his pregnant wife? What a noble lady she is turning out to be.

I was riveted by Graciela's revision of her testimony about past events. The judge seemed similarly enthralled. My only quarrel was with her needless (and false) implication of María in the poison plot.

By the way, when EZ reminded JL that he looked the other way during JL's escape that second time with Angie, I remembered that it was Ale's money that she used to bribe him with. I wonder if JL was ever aware of that little detail?

Carlos
 

Dear Madelaine, yet ANOTHER action packed, well paced recap with more ear worm gems! You are mah-velous!!

We know that in real life, no female Navy Captain would cry her heart out and bare her soul in front of a subordinate nor would she dare to trust said subordinate with those feelings. I intensely disliked BOTH Monica and ReFOOLio last night. Monica is a skinny, hard jawed, rigid woman. I think she is one dimensional and would never fit well with Dimitrio. Dimitrio has shown himself to be a multifaceted personality with depth.

I loved it when Dimitrio pushed back to ReFOOLio...especially that little reminder of how he shot and killed Lt. Ave what's his name. Right on, Dimitrio!!

I was shouting at the TV when Monica kept telling Dimitrio to address her by her rank and to SALUTE her. GIVE ME A BREAK, you idiot, is what I yelled at the screen. You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

In my view, and I think Madelaine would agree, MONICA is the one who needs to be dismissed from her post by her CO.

Moving on...

Wasn't it laughable when the DISGUSTING JL sauntered in to arrest Alejandro?! To see Monica and ReFOOLio and the entire swat team point their massive gunpower at the unarmed Alejandro was laughable. JL looked like a clown.

Urban, JL DID laugh at EZ Basura telling him about Pedro's anatomic malfunction. He did this nasty, slimy laugh which highlighted his thin, pink lips up against his horrible, filthy, dirty beard. I hate the way this man looks. He looks like a filthy...monster.

As for Graciela, my only thought watching her was that this woman must NEVER get a good night's sleep as she has to be constantly one step ahead of the action. That must be very mentally fatiguing. I love her phony tears. Not so sure the judge was buying all of it and I am sick of her "lost my bebe" story, but we know she has something more up her sleeve with this one.

Montserrat has now dug herself into a huge hole. To watch JL order her to stop talking and behave made me turn away from looking at him.

I want Esme to leave this fool ReFOOLio. He has taken his emotional cheating one step further. I hope he loses big time.

Fatima
 

Carlos, I think we were cross posting, but I have to agree with you on how Graciela was freely tossing about Maria's name. My thought was: Graciela, you are going to pay big time for this as this has moved you to the number one spot on Maria's hit list.

Glad you, too, loved the way Dimitrio shoved that very convenient killing of the LT. right back at ReFOOLio. The jerk didn't have an answer, did he?

Fatima
 

Fatima,

I love your description of JL, it is spot on.

"Montserrat has now dug herself into a huge hole."

For a very brief moment I was alarmed but then I remembered that Monteserrat's strong suit has never been staying true to her word or keeping promises... awkward, but don't worry, she'll be fine.

Carlos
 

Madelaine - Enjoyed both earworms. De la Mota such a cutey. I've never heard the French singer before but what a gorgeous voice. The "maldad" theme of her song fits JL to a T - poor man has destroyed himself with this sickness. My favorite lol: Oh, looky here, it's Peddy come home to greet, er, chew up the scenery,...

ITA Carlota was so cute giving EZ what for. He's evil but he loves that woman in his own way.

Poor Monse could use some of Carlota's negotiation skills. No way should she have offered to get back with JL in exchange for Ale going free. At the least, it wouldn't be good for Laurito to witness his mom bouncing like a yo-yo from JL to Ale and back.

Poor Monica is hurt and angry but has to keep it together on the job. Refugio seemed appropriate with her to me and I think he's got his crush in perspective now. But I was worried that Esme might just happen to walk in on him and Monica and misunderstand.

Hmmm, if JL was thinking clearly, he'd realize that if Pedro offs Ale, Monse will have no reason to put up with him (JL).
 

Ay, Carlos! How true, how true! :))

Fatima
 

Niecie in MD, you really think Refoolio has his crush on Monica in check? I'm not so sure. I think he offered a tad too much supportive help.

From the get go, he should have somehow excused himself from listening to her heartbreak nor should he have been willing to let her cry on his shoulder. It's those little actions that I do not trust. I think Esme would agree. What do you think?

Fatima
 

Fatima,

You and I seem to be on the same wave-link today. When Monica told Refugio that she plans payback with the same coin then plunged into his shoulder... well... Refugio, looks to me like you're... Next!

Carlos
 

Fatima, ITA. Refugio looked ripe for the picking--so to speak.

Jarifa
 

Im dissapointed in Monica,for a woman in that is in a job promoting dignity,she really has none to offer.

Also im glad Dim pointed out the murder of the Teniente ,If it wasnt for Angelica,Refugio would be rotting in jail alongside JL ,they both done crimes that dont justify their positions in the marina, a murder and a identity taker in the Modern Navy would mean a straight kick to the curb to the loyalty of the people and it would be a national embarrassment for the country if it was ever found out but this is Novelaland of course
 

murderer*
 

Fatima, Carlos, and Jarifa - I didn't see Refugio up for giving Monica that kind of comfort. Yep, he shouldn't be the one consoling her because of his crush, but she has no friends and this is a TN so of course he doesn't do the sensible thing and tell her to talk to a Navy counselor.
 

Yes, my dear amigo, Carlos, we ARE on the same wave length today!

Jarifa, ripe for the picking, indeed! ITA. :)

Demetrios (aka Count Alacran), I, too, was very glad Dimitrio reminded Refoolio of what he had done with the LT. Actually, I was a bit surprised to hear him say it. I take it as a foreshadowing of things to come in that both JL and Refoolio will have to answer for their actions (chief of police or no chief of police!).

Carlos, one more thing, Maria is deteriorating mentally, but she is not a stupid woman. I think Graciela has met her match in Maria.

Fatima
 

Thanks for the recap Mads!

Monica gets on my nerves, but not for the Refugio thing.

1. A b*tch was able to walk up into her house and take her man out of it without an explanation. Her man basically told her that he would be home when he gets home. She should have had his stuff waiting for him out on the lawn. Monica should have capped somebody right then or at least threw a fit.

2. Moronica has been calling her man all night long...worried. While Monica was in possession of a gun, she catches her man red handed at the other woman's house. May I add that the other woman is in a nightie. Again, no one gets shot.

Cynderella
 

Madelaine thanks for the great recap, am only able to touch base once in awhile.
The genius in Gracie's hair shirt she has spun for herself is that it is partially true.
Does anyone know who actually killed Sanho?
 

Adolfo,Fabiola and Gracie only know ,Emarie.The rest think Sandho took a hike back to the Miami Hills or something. I wonder where did Adolfo bury the body of Sandro and Ricarda( if she is even dead) ?
 

Thanks, Madelaine, for your excellent recap.
I don't need to duplicate the excellent comments, but wanted to ask--was Gracie's outfit her most hideous yet?
 

CountxA,

Even though Graciela told her that it was María, Fabiola still thinks that it was Montserrat who killed Sandro. Besides, Graciela only strongly suspects (correctly) that it was María. I'm guessing that it will suit Graciela's purposes to go along with letting everyone believe that he's returned to Miami.

I think that it is safe to say that Ricarda is definitely dead. When one of his cleaners asked Adolfo if he needed anything else, he told him to take out the people (gente). Of course I suppose that Ricarda could turn up cleaning toilets at La Escondida, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Carlos
 

Thanks Madelaine for a very funny recap.

Fatima: Don't hold back, please tell us how you really feel about JL!! LOL

Carlos: Your remark about not worrying about Monse because she breaks all her promises was too funny --but true!


 

Victoria L, I know! Today, I just can't seem to help myself re how I feel about JL. If he didn't have Angelica's money and the "power" of being Chief of Police, he would still be the same ole wimpy JL...initially a good soul, but...there you have it.

:)

Fatima
 

Madelaine, your recap was as fast paced as the episode itself. It feels like we are picking up speed once again, like it felt at the beginning of the novela. Not as much fillers, and pure action. I also enjoyed your two earworms, especially the one in french. it describes JL's state of being perfectly.

Fatima, I too felt disgusted when JL arrived with the navy to arrest Ale. He had this look on his face that was so despicable and smug.He gets worse and worse with each episode. And then taking Ez's advice is like taking advice from the devil himself. This union doesn't look like it will end well.

It was funny to watch Ez squirm, under Carlotta's threats. And its funny to hear her call him Eze. I almost expected him to snicker behind her back at her threats, but he didn't. Could this mean he really takes her seriously and feels something for her?

I missed the end scene, my dvr cut off a few minutes, eventhough I have it extended after the show. Thanks Mads for filling us in on what Monse's deal was with JL. I can't beleive she would do that! How come nobody thinks to get an attorney right away, before making any dumb deals? So frustrating!

Fatima and Carlos, I'm glad you brought up the Dim/Refugio scene:

"Dimitrio didn't hesitate to throw Refugio's murder of the innocent Lt. during JL's escape right into Refugio's face. So much for Refugio's professed noble sense of duty."

I applauded Dim for that, so much talk of obeying the law, following procedures, arriving with a bunch of heavily armed marines to arrest one unarmed man? When we go back to JL and Refugio's strict obedience of the law, we don't see it. Refugio attempted to help JL escape from prison twice, the first time, they let the marine that was first watching JL take the blame and be sanctioned.

The second time, Refugio shot and killed Avellaneda who was only doing his job. And the third time JL escaped from prison, it was with Angelica's help and Ale's money. How can they go on and on about upholding the law if they don't follow it themselves?

Also, I think that even if Dim hadn't spent the night with Fina, Monica would have still sanctioned him for keeping Ale's hiding spot a secret.

Maricruz


 

I don't consider anything JL does is good or noble, unselfish when he constantly brings up those things to people he help and expects them to help or owe him in return.


 

Maricruz, I agree that Fina or no Fina, Dim not telling the Capitana (barf) about Alejandro's whereabouts would have trumped everything.

However, the Capitana bid "3 No Trump". A gamble if you really want to know where the Aces and Kings are on the opening hand (i.e., she found King Dimitrio the next morning by accident).

She is a Stepford chick.

Fatima
 

Yeah Carlos i too think Ricarda is dead ,this adds another victim count for Adolfo :( I kinda like Adolfo but i really do not see an happy ending for him,well atleast he is a good brother and a good uncle . His relationship with Fina will not last anyway,he was corrupted too much under the influence of Pedro,Ezequel and Maria who pretty has him like her lapdog.

And Maricruz,the EZ and Lotty relationship is quite awkward its like quantum physics to me,he seems either to have a liking for her or he pretends to ,if the latter then he is quite a damn cunning invidual . I pretty much see him as a manipulative man with huge political ambitions ,he never gave a good vibe to me especially after seeing what he has done to Maria. He is pretty much a perfect husband on the outside but on the inside he is a very intelligent manipulative man who aspires to continiue Pedros dirty deals ,to build his own drug empire.
 

I'm surprised more people didn't comment on the interaction between Gracie and the judge. I think he, like Robledo, fell for her story completely. I mean, really, all those croc tears!
I liked the Demi and Josefina scene but can't wait to see Monica's reaction at home once she is with Demi there. The writers are doing an exceptional job with the secondary characters
 

Victoria G,

and what is amazing is that she admitted that she was lying before (which pretty much led to all the catastrophes that happened 7 years ago and since including a pilot's death, Alejandro's coma, and Nadia's blindness, and Alejandro's latest incarceration) and yet he seems to be willing to buy this revised story without question.

Yikes!

Carlos
 

Carlos, don’t you think Graciela was a genius in how she interwove her story (especially since she knows Sandro is dead and gone) to fit all pieces together so nicely. She was incredibly smart in how she set everyone up (Peddy and Fabiola aren’t to blame) but Maria is. I still can’t get over this portion of the show. Fabiola has to find out sometime soon that she is Gracie’s long lost daughter. It seems as if Gracie is setting things up to tell her. I appreciate your comments re my post.
 

Victoria G,

as I mentioned in my first comment today, I was riveted by her performance in revising her testimony for the judge. Sandro's demise was fortuitous, so now she won't have him around to challenge her new version of things.

Isn't it unfortunate that Montserrat didn't inherit any of her wiliness and adaptability even though the lying does seems to come to her rather effortlessly? I think that Dimitrio did get his share and since Fabiola is always drunk, who can tell if she did?

I have to admit that it's immensely easier for me to listen to her as she spins her outrageous yarns than to endure Alejandro's seemingly interminable declarations of his undying love for Montse.

Carlos
 

Madelaine,
I have not had a chance to read your recap, but I'm sure it's awesome. Thanks amiga!

I just finished reading the comments from Thursdays epi. I am behind. I have yet to watch Fridays capitulo or read the recap or comments. I hope to catch up yhis weekend.

Cynderella & Victoria Gomez,
I have always believed that the first time Ale and Montse had sex wasn't great, but she didn't try to fight him off either. She just accepted having sex with him, but wasn't into it. She wanted Ale to think that she would never enjoy sex with him because she loved another. But afterward, deep down she must have enjoyed it because the second time she gave in pretty quickly. And they can't seem to get enough of each other. Montse herself said she can't help herself. And Ale wants it all the time. I don't blame them. When it's good, it's awesome.

Will comment on this epi after I watch it, read the recap and comments.

Oxnard, Feliz Cumpleanos!

Back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Carlos, loved your comment re rather Fabiola inherited any of Gracie's wiliness!. This is just getting interesting again. I hope the writers keep up the pace. Too many issues left unresolved. But I definitely don't see how they will redeeem J.L. I think his madness and depth of ego leave him hopeless. Don't see any similarity with the same character in Amor Real who always had a sense of honor (except the scene in the barn with Matilde).
 

I think the judge seemed to be buying everything Graciela was telling him. And since she said she was being blackmailed who knows if she will even get any jail time for lying. The judge didn't seem to find it important to let her know the consequences her perjury. But when he decides to call in Sandro for questioning and he doesn't show, will he just leave it at that like he seemed to have done with the no show of Maria and Padre Anselmo?

And although Gracie covered for Pedro, I don't think the Governor will be too happy she took back her testimony pointing the finger at Ale as Ben's murderer. I have a feeling he is also about to find out Maria is still alive and all hell will break loose in Aguazul!

Maricruz
 

Cynderella,
Correct me if I am wrong. On Thursdays epi, didn't Montse tell JL "No, no quiero.". I don't remember her saying that with Ale. But I could be wrong.
 

AuntyAnn, I'll have to review it again. I think you're right. I'll get back to you.
 

Graciela is really smart (and really greedy). She's helping Ale out to get ALL of his inheritance. Even if he has to split it in half with Fabiola (which he won't legally have to, but his generosity will lead him to split it with his sister) - Gracie is cultivating her relationship with Fabiola, then will probably get her drunk and make her sign over HER half. And she'll still pretend to be helping JL and continue to get HIS money. I've no doubt she'll probably also help Pedro get rid of Maria somehow in return for some $$$ from him!
 

For me, and as Maricruz has already commented, the most stunning part of the Graciela/Judge convo was that the judge NEVER once mentioned there would be a price to pay for her perjury.

The dude is just accepting her story lock, stock, and barrel? Seems a tad off to me, but then...

It was amazing the way Graciela wove that story. She is such an incredibly smooth liar. It just seems to come so very naturally to her.

Fatima
 

Gracie's motive for implicating Maria is that she is sure Maria is Sandro's killer and therefore has the will. This is about getting her arrested and getting possession of the will.

As to whatever Maria says at that point, who will believe a junkie whore?

Brilliant.
 

UA,

while I agree that María may deserve to be arrested for the murder of Sandro, I certainly hope that it's not solely on the basis of Graciela's accusation. Although Fabiola was something of a witness, she never saw María's face nor was Graciela even present. I realize that the judge is either corrupt, stupid, or both, but surely there will need to be more evidence for a legitimate arrest.

I'm thinking her lawyer might make a credible case for self defense. As far as María's previous crimes, I would guess that a statute of limitations may come into play soon and that may also apply to crimes committed by some of the other characters, except for murder.

By the way, is anyone else seeing a parallel between JL and María?

Carlos
 

Oh, yes. JL is just as obsessed as Maria. He seems headed down the same slippery slope.

I don't think there is a statute of limitations on attempted murder and there was no self-defense in Maria's confrontation with Sandro.

You also know she's not going to stop until somebody stops her.

And for Pedro to demand that Adolfo kill Victor in Nadia's presence? That is beyond the pale.
 

Urban, I agree re Pedro's request to Adolfo. He is another one on the slippery slope only I think he might be slipping faster than the others.

He has what I call "the inappropriate smile". He is flashing that more and more.

Fatima
 

Mads thanks so much for this great recap and earworm. I'll be back to comment more later.

Daisynjay, please forgive me for not responding earlier as I haven't been able to post regularly. Thank you for your thoughtful response about Cleveland fans and LeBron. I find the intelligence of those like you on our blog refreshing when broaching sensitive topics.
 

To someone's point about the bribe money having originally been Alejandro's, there is no evidence that JL knows that. I thought that Angelica would tell him eventually that she stole this money from Dimitrio whom she knew had stolen it from Adolfo who stole it from Alejandro. It also makes me wonder why she didn't leave that money to Alejandro in her will.

This is a definite writing fail because Angelica was the sort of person who would have seen to it that Alejandro got paid back. That money could have made a huge difference.
 

AuntyAnn,

He came into the room and told her that wanted "some". I suck at Spanish, but he starts telling her something about a contract, wanting children....he kisses her and she wipes it off slowly... like his kisses disgust her. She tells him that she feels nothing for him. He backs off and continues to talk to her. Then he shoves her on the bed. She demands that he let her go and then tells him that she hates him. I think he tells her that he doesn't need her to love him in order to make love. He starts kissing he again, and then she turns her head so he can do what he wants to do.


 

Cyndrella,What episode was that scene in,i want to watch the episode again.

And i really hope nothing happens to Victor ,as much as i would love to see Victor trashing Peddy to pieces ,it would just cause unecesseary anguish for PBC( Poor Boind Cutie)' Nadia and Victoria. Hopefully Adolfo or Alejandro finish him off though death is not punishment enough for Peddy ,he needs to rot in jail,tortured by inmates and being visited by all of the deceased ( Benny,Juvie,Loreto) .Him being visited by Ezequel would also be an adoration.
 

Poor Blind Cutie*
 

CountXAlacran,

Episode 16.
 

P.S. Maria acts the same way with Adolfo in episode 40.
 

By the way, is anyone else seeing a parallel between JL and María?

Carlos, I see a parallel, but I just don't get the why behind JL but I do with Maria. At an early age Maria got warped by Juventino starting when she was about 7 (he had her killing innocent animals) and she fixated on Ale as her only happiness. But JL seemed normal and principled and was a grown man when he met Monse. Surely he had girlfriends before her. For JL not to question his ownself about how he's changed is unbelievable. Maria not questioning her ruthlessness, I get cause she's never cared about anyone else (maybe her pop, she cried over him 1 or 2 days I think).
 

It doesn't seem logical for JL to go off the rails like this. It doesn't seem that there is anything in his backstory that would make that happen.

Of course, spending 7 years in prison can do it despite having done the time of his own free will. We don't know what happened to him in there, but something about that may have set him off. It's like he's hell-bent on having what he couldn't have before at any cost.
 

I agree that JL is angry. I agree that the writers have given us nothing in JL's back story to account for his emotional disintegration.

However, the mere fact that he spent 7 years in jail when he KNEW he didn't have to, is probably the basis for his anger. JL is angry. Anger is a powerful emotion. I think it has completely engulfed him to the point that he no longer knows his true emotions.

I never saw JL as a man with a strong character. Yes, he has done good things, but I think the personality and character that we see is one that can easily succumb to his base emotions.

JL is blinded by anger. He needs a time out. His one good friend, ReFOOLio is hardly one to offer JL advice at this point.

Fatima
 

Cyn,
So Montse does not say "No" to Ale. That is how I remember it too. But she does say "No" to JL on Thursdays capitulo, right?
 

To clarify: It would be in JL's best interests to have someone to guide him regarding his decisions. He calls Refoolio his best friend, but right now, Refoolio is not a good choice when it comes to giving advice.

Sorry, my thoughts were going quicker than I could type!

Fatima
 

Nothing can help Jl now not even that douchebag Refugio,he needs a serious time out,i pretty much wonder how can Refoolio stay friends with a person who tried to rape the wife he claims to love?! I wonder if the sweet JL also told that he commited the deal with Graceless,the very same reason why he hates Ale so much,he now did the same thing,what a damn hypocrite...


 

You all may know this already --

Angelique Boyer's mother died last week at the age of 49 after open heart surgery. Funeral was in Mexico City with several cast members attending.
 

Yeah we all know Floridia,its sad news indeed:( ?Its been said that the filming of Robo was stopped for a while because of the tragic news.Its been a huge hit for AB which is understandable,glad the cast members came to the funeral,while they can all act despicable but in real life its a pleasure that they can all step together to consolate AB at this tragic loss,they are very nice people .
 

while acting*
 

Aunty Ann,

She does not say "No"! She doesn't not physically fight him. She turns her head and goes to a happy place. Maria was the same way with Adolfo in episode 40.
 

Good Afternoon Y'all and thank you most kindly for all your very kind words. This TN really hits some personal things doesn't it? Sometimes I just have to sit down, after the epi, and do some relaxation exercises, think about the episode and then recap it.

Carlos Amigo:

I truly missed what Refug and Dimi said about LT Avelleneda. Even though Dimi and JL have settled their difference now over Bruno Gamboa, Refug still harbors a bit of resentment over that situation. Remember Y'all this is why JL was in the prison when Monse married Ale the first time. Graceless and Dimi had set him up for that death. The reason that JL escaped, with the help of Refug cause he really thought he'd be in the prison for at least 30 years for something he didn't do. He was truly innocent there. Remember Refug shot the LT.

Fatima:

Yes, JL chose to go to the prison so Ale wouldn't have to go. I think at that point, JL had resigned himself to never having Monse the way he wanted her. This was before Graceless did her song and dance about Ale having "killed" Benny. I really think JL wanted to distance himself from Monse and Ale to avoid this constant pull and push, and since he knew, as he has always known, Monse isn't happy without Ale in her life. He wanted her happiness and so went to the jail. He never imagined he'd be there for seven years. His sentence, they figured, would be a lot less, like two to three years. To give Ale credit, he wanted to get JL out of the jail, but his lawyer was murdered by Sandho. I also like that Capitan Robledo never abandoned JL either. Refug right now has too many problems, and Amelia is on a mission. They were always his biggest support. To give Rosy credit she has tried with him. But you are very right, that he needs to have some type of guidance to show him he is just not doing the right thing. He has always been noble to me, because he warned Ale about Peddy, even when he didn't like him much, and always looked out for him until now. But then again, who says he isn't? I wonder.
 

Madelaine, I think in many ways, we do agree about certain aspects of JL. What I really do wish is that he had a sounding board or a wailing wall to whom he could turn.

I agree that Rosario tried to get through to him, but I'm sure that JL might have tuned her out a bit. I would expect that nor would I fault him for that.

Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy. I just wish he had a good friend and someone to support his own feelings of anguish.

Fatima
 

Cynderella:

I do like Monica. I didn't like what she did, because Refug works directly for her. In the real world that is fraternization. I also didn't like the fact that she knows darn well that Refug is married, and how Esme feels about her. Yet she looked directly at him and said she wanted to get Dimi back in kind. If I were Refug I'd ask for a transfer. I like Monica cause she is by the book. She has no idea if Ale is innocent or guilty. She was doing her job as she always does. Oh, and BTW Dimi works for Refug. As Dimi's CO, Monica had every right to suspend Dimi. He did know Ale was a fugitive, he spent the night in the home, and didn't say a word. It doesn't matter who he spent the night with. That isn't why Monica suspended him, course she is pithed about that. I'd like to see the aftermath at home.
 

"...the Judge says that can be fixed by exhuming Benny's body and running a new test."

So, just like that, let's dig poor ol' Benny up again and do more testing, this time using Laurito's DNA. No mention of an investigation of how the last test was supposedly fixed by (according to Graciela) Sandro (even though we know it was Pedro). Let's hope that they at least use a different lab and there is impartial oversight.

Surely at some point the judge will also learn that Alejandro is still alive and maybe get him tested again rather than (or as well as) Laurito, and heck, while we're at it let's test Fabs and María too.

Carlos
 

I still am trying to figure out what is happening with JL. I picked "Je Suis Malade" because it is the most gut wrenching loss of love song I have ever heard, and it made me cry. I have never seen a character wear his heart on his sleeve like JL has. I hate that he is spiraling downward into darkness. I hate what he tried to do to Monse. I hated what Ale did to her too. Locking her in the house, not allowing her to go anywhere and constantly asking where she had gone. JL has been constantly asking Monse where she's been, but he hasn't locked her in the house. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that both men, JL and Ale, are much the same where she is concerned, except for the fact that JL will not let her go. It took Ale a long time to let her go too.

It's also interesting that Maria has been the catalyst for both of these men. Remember she showed Ale those planted panties in JL's house at the hacienda, and she told JL that Monse was meeting someone.

What I miss the most about JL is the bromance he and Refug had. They were a heck of a team on the run. Vic and Ale have been a yawn on the run. Vic and Ale have been too impulsive on the run. Refug and JL were much better. Refug and JL overheard lots of good info and passed it on. I understand the pining away of Vic and Ale, but for goodness sake, get your head out of your pants, sorry, and DO SOMETHING! Jus' sayin'.
 

Madelaine, I also believe that MONICA needs to face the consequences of what she has done (Dimitrio). Where is her superior in all of this? At the very least, they should be BOTH transferred out of the unit. Of course, it doesn't suit the story, but Monica and Dim were consenting adults and they knew the military rules. Monica needs some of that suspension directed right back at her. Given that Monica is so by the book, then she should darn well know that she is not an innocent party in the fraternization, either.

Carlos, absolutely agree with your excellent observations.

Fatima
 

Mads, I agree with Fatima. Monica isn't by the book if she is screwing and living with her subordinate. She should be punished as well. My ex-husband was in the military and officers were often caught with subordinates. That is not a by the book person. That's a I'm gonna follow these rules, but not these rules soldiers.

I know why she suspended Dimitrio. If I found my man red-handed with another chick, you can believe that there would be a scene made.
 

Carlos:

Don't you think the DA Judge is gonna find out that Ale's been arrested? Seems to me Aguazul is a little town, and news travels fast : )

Victoria Gomez:

Thanks for the heads up about the pole dancing ; )

JudyB:

I much prefer a Bloody Mary, but not spicy as Carlos likes his ; ) I do like to tell a good story. I hope your cable box is fixed now and you have fantastic reception : )

Urban:

Oh, I so agree with you about Graceless she never met a wallet she didn't like. She will try to bleed everyone dry as much as she can.

Jarifa:

Thanks so kindly. My favorite was the scene with Carly and EZ too. I actually giggled when she gave him what for, and I couldn't resist the porca miseria line ; )

Diana:

Thanks most kindly Amiga. I too am frustrated with Dimi. He is clearly still in love with Fina as she is with him, why oh why is he holding back? She is the best thing that ever happened to him. Why can't he see that?

CountxAlacran:

Yes, Graceless is a backstabber. She smells money, she's in like Flynn. That is the only thing she really loves, not anything else.

Floridia:

I am so very happy to see you back. Thank you so very kindly. I too hope you get a good reception from your new box. My cable company is odd (Cox) I can go right down the street, pick up a new one and install it myself. Saves the service call : ) I agree with you about Dimi and Fina. They do protect the ones they love and I do agree they still love each other very much. I too would like to see them together by the end of this TN.

Carlos:

Thank you most kindly. Let's face it DA Judge is an idiot. Graceless conquered him tout de suite didn't she? He was absolutely enthralled by her shenanigans. To top it off, he didn't even ask the right questions, que????? He was putty in her most capable hands ; )
 

I agree about Monica. I was amused when she went to La Escondida on official business and was mistaken for a job applicant with an original idea. She is nowhere as "by the book" as she thinks she is. She does need to accept consequences for fraternizing with a subordinate.
 

Mads, thanks for that detailed recap of an episode filled with some new twists and turns.

Gracie is a remarkable liar. She can spin lies into whole cloth. The judge who is probably both corrupt and stupid seemed mesmerized by Gracie's tale and her crocodile tears. She is Scheherazade. The scene of Carlotta and Gracie was telling. Carlotta looked so elegant in her peach top and tan slacks compared to Gracie in those yards of floral fabric. Donde the hell does she even find these clothes ?

As for JL , he is a tragic figure doomed by his own inability to give up his obsession to possess Mony body and soul..or at the least her body..and move on. If life teaches you anything , it is that you must adjust and adapt to survive. Also, if you find yourself posed on the edge of that slippery slope we are always talking about, you must try to take a step back from that dangerous place. What happened to the old wishywashy, pseudo noble JL ? I bet that we all can think of a friend or relative who seems to be his or her own worst enemy and who starts down a bad path after a normal beginning. I am thinking of a guy I dated as a teen. He was very smart, an athlete, and popular despite being quite quirky ..he wore red patent leather shoes to school as if everyone should . He was a bit arrogant. However,his freshman year at a big , well known northeastern college (famous for its popular football coach) , he got involved with drugs. He went to jail, and after that, he just kept sliding down that slippery slope. He wound up up back in jail for writing bad checks. His best friend from high school became a minister and visited him in jail to try to help him. Such potential..all wasted. Likewise, jail seems to have set something off in JL that has led to this new , damaged person headed for a bad ending. It is very hard for me to watch the monster that he has become just as it is hard to think of the boy I knew who had so much going for him and threw it all away. Que lastima. JL is doomed. I don't think people usually come out of jail better than when they went in.m
 

Finally got to listen to the songs, MADS. Excellent choice. I love Laura Fabian. She did a beautiful song en español that was used in a youtube video for La Fea Más Bella and I fell in love with her voice then.

I'd already downloaded Lo Que Siento Por Ti after the first time I heard it in Lo Que La Vida Me Robo. But I'm glad I saw the linked video you gave us because it was lovely.

You are such a great music resource, crazy lady. A gazillion thanks.

We can take our old box down to Time Warner also, and it's not too far, but turns out there were more problems than the box. Luckily we had a great tech yesterday. He spent four hours working and was super-helpful. I'm back in business!
 

I just resd about the recent shooting in America about Lori Moore who was shot multiple times in the head alongside her boyfriend by her ex husband at a gradutation party,really sad indeed people are really demented instead of moving on they turn into killers,i dont want Jl to turn into that sick monster,overwhelmed with despair and in the end transformed into a killer..
 

read*
 

Fatima:

Thank you most kindly : ) I always look forward to your take on things. I know it was overkill with JL and the whole Navy posse, but in truth, he went by the book, as the Navy was also looking for him. He made it above board even though he knows darn well Ale is innocent. Now I want him to do the right thing and let Ale go. JL had his moment. But will Monse really live up to her word? I highly doubt it. She'll continue on as she always has. I do agree somewhat about Monica being transferred. The only way would be for Refug to file a sexual harassment charge against her. Oh, and I liked what Dimi said to her the other day, to leave work at work and be themselves at home. Good words!

Emarie:

Thank you kindly Amiga, and I am so glad you are able to keep up. Maria killed Sanho. She wanted that will he stole from her, ya know, Don Benny's original will naming Ale the heir, so she shot him dead for it.

Niece in MD:

Thank you most kindly. "Je Suis Malade" is such a gut wrenching loss of love song I have ever heard and fits JL so much to a T. I agree! Yet, he continues to hold on. I too wish Monse had the negotiating skills. I am worried for Lolo too. I don't want him to be caught in the middle of all of this and I don't want him to hate JL. They have such a nice relationship. Oh, and I agree about JL and Peddy. It makes me think that maybe what he told EZ about agreeing to let Peddy handle Ale will eventually bite Peddy in the butt. I can't imagine JL aiding and abetting Peddy in his venganza.

Maricruz:

Thank you very kindly. You have to remember the reason JL and Refug escaped was because Graceless and Dimi set JL up for the killing of Bruno Gamboa. If he hadn't escaped with Refug's help, he would have been in the prison for 30 years for a crime he absolutely did not do! Yes, Refug killed Lt Avellenda, which have been over and over. They were both pardoned by Capitan Robledo after he found out the true story from Graceless. It was determined to be an accidental shooting, but to set JL up for murder, not right! Graceless is so good at following the money, so to speak. I don't think Peddy will much care she took back her testimony as it doesn't implicate him. He'll just find another route to off Ale.

Aunty Ann:

Thank you most kindly and I hope you are able to catch up : )

Anon 7:01:

You are right about Graceless, but it will be interesting to see what Peddy does when he finds out Addled didn't kill her as previously thought. I really wonder if Maria will be Peddy's karmageddon? Ya never know.

Karen:

Thank you most kindly.

Cynderella:

I know about fraternization, I was active duty military for 20 years. Junior Officers can date ranks above them, if they keep it on the down low and they don't work directly for the Senior Officer. Happens all the time. While Refug is Monica's right hand man so to speak, Dimi doesn't work directly for her. That was the point I was trying to make. Oh, and so far she hasn't given Dimi any extra bennies so to speak, just cause they are living together. Neither has she done that with Refug. But this being a TN, a lot of the real life regs are out the window : )

Niece:

I see more of a parallel with Ale and JL, than Maria and JL. If you remember in the beginning Ale was just as obsessed with Monse, as JL is now. I also remember from the beginning of this TN, that Monse and JL did the deed in that little creek, before she married Ale. Ale could never stand that, cause Monse told him all about it. Ale and JL, to me, are like the same coin. Flip it one way, there's Ale, flip it the other way, there is JL. They almost have the same intensity for Monse as the other.
 

JudyB:

I am so very glad you are back in bidnez! I had never heard of Lara Fabian until recently. She is magnificent doing this song with the emotion clearly on her face. It must take a lot out of you to sing that song. She looked so tired out afterwards.

Susanlynn:

JL's plight just makes me sad and frustrated. I too am guilty of thinking him whimpy in the beginning. That was because he wouldn't talk to the Admiral, but then again, JL was a lowly cabo (Petty Officer) at the time and he must have thought what Admiral is going to let his daughter date some lowly cabo? Hence the timidity. He wasn't whimpy about anything else. JL still has a degree of sanity, and I'm hoping, as Fatima so greatly put it, JL finds a wailing wall and lets it all out and deals with it. Remember it took Ale a long time to deal with Monse being loved by another.
 

JL and Refugio,by my opinion should have not been pardoned ,what about when he shot Loreto and took on a new identity,that was not the part of any mission,who gives a fig if he was corrupt,i thought you could only do killings in a job only under authority of the superior " catch the criminal,bring him either alive or dead" ,these words by Robledo would satisfy me but JL operated without Robledos authority,took on a name of someone else and he also killed the guys who wanted to shoot Ale the first time. And sorry if im cruel but in the real world no authority would give a fig if Angelica has cancer or not,law is the law its cruel,horrible but we have to abide by it ,no matter what. JL should have never have commited the stupidity of breaking out of prison but his obsession for Monse was too hard for him to handle and he took the matters in his hands .

 

About Maria, to Graceless she is a means to an end to get that will. Graceless has thrown her own family under the bus for money. The one Maria has to worry about is Peddy. He's the one that wants her dead, as she is a witness to what really is going on at Ale's old place. No one yet has figured out that Maria tried to kill Monse, as Ale was leaving. Now Maria has killed Sandho. Maria has had nine lives, like a cat, for awhile now. I wonder how she can possibly avoid this accusation and not end up in jail?

Victoria L:

So glad to see you back and thank you most kindly.
 

CountxAlacran:

Loreto was about to kill Ale! Would you rather he had done that, instead of JL killing him? That's what Loreto wanted, JL to kill Ale! As I said before Graceless and Dimi set JL up for a crime he didn't commit! Was it fair for JL to be sitting in prison for 30 years? This wasn't all about JL's obsession for Monse either. Capitan Robledo only pardoned JL and Refug for the set up that Graceless and Dimi did. JL saved Ale's bacon more than once, and on top of that JL let Capitan Robledo know all about the evil Peddy and EZ in Aguazul and how corrupt they are. Without JL, no one would have figured it out, or it would have taken way longer. Would you have had JL pay for all of that? When he saved the day? The taking of Antonio Olivares' identity wasn't right either, but it was just a means to an end and JL found out who Monse really loved. JL and Refug didn't kill Antonio Olivares, that was Juvie and his gang.
 

Madelaine,

"JL still has a degree of sanity..."

I guess he does. He's releasing Alejandro from jail (after EZ explained things to him) so that Pedro can kill him. I suppose then he can arrest Pedro for Ale's murder. With Ale dead, the gullible Montse will have no alternative but to resume her plan B and love him... or at least like him enough to jump back in the sack with him. The man's not just sane... he's a flippin' genius.

Carlos
 

Does anyone remember whether JL or Refugio saw Juventino kill the real Olivares?
 

Mads..Good points about JL's journey. If only JL could have just moved on with his life after Angie died. As in real life, people make decisions every day that either builds a good life or sabotages any chance for a happy life. JL could have had a good life , a successful career, a wife who loved him, children, if he had just been able to accept the fact that Mony no longer loved him. At the beginning of this telenovela, JL was definitely the victim of the unscrupulous Gracie's lust for money and her relentless desire for Mony to marry money. He was certainly framed and hurt by Gracie and the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but Angie saved him, his career, his life. If he had only moved forward after she died and gratefully accepted the chance she gave him for a new life with his name cleared and money to do whatever he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Instead, he could not get over his obsession with having Mony and his gjealousy of the man who had her heart. To quote the Rolling Stones, "you can't always get what you want..." What happened to JL at the beginning of this novela was certainly not fair, but life is not fair. Sometimes, you just have to accept that fact and try to move forward and do the best you can to have a good life. I get frustrated watching novela characters wasting their lives pining over people who do not want them instead getting on with things.
 

Susanlynn,

Couldn't pretty much the same things you said about JL be said regarding María?

Carlos
 

I don't think so, Carlos.

She knew that Juventino was a slimeball. Granted, she wouldn't have been able to do anything about it when she was a child, but she was already about 30 when the curtain went up on the story. More than old enough to get the hell out of there and make a better life for herself.

Maria has demonstrated that she isn't stupid. She could have easily gone to business school and Alejandro would have happily paid for it. Her mistake is her obsession with him after being repeatedly told that he will never be to her what she wants him to be.

She is also guilty of hubris in thinking she is all that and a bag of chips with salsa. My guess is that will factor into her Karmageddon.
 

Wow, my very dear old friend, Carlos, I have learned a lot about you in the last few years as we have both indulged in our own obsession as telenovela devotees and fellow charter members of Caraycaray.Your unfailing loyalty to whatever flawed female you hitch your wagon to is well known here. I must admit that I believe that there are always reasons for people becoming who they are. Maria seems to have had some good influences (her dad, we suppose was a good dad) and bad ( creepy Uncle Pervie..Nasty Boss Ben). I suppose she could have gone either way. Perhaps, she did not have many good women to influence her development. We know nothing about her mother and Rosario was in jail. Unfortunately, her whole raison d'être became Ale. Hey,..many have been there....I want..need...love...HIM. But...one cannot always have HIM, the object of one's affection , and at some point, one has to snap out of it and let it go and search for a different him or a different raisin d'être of some kind. Viktor was a nice, handsome dude who really liked Maria, but SHE WANTED ALE . She committed all sorts of crazy , evil acts to this end, including murder and attempted murder and bad pole dancing and general nastiness to anyone and everyone. Can we think of even one person , besides Ale, that she has been polite and civil , too. Besides being evil and inflexible in her thinking, she is a very cranky person. She wasted her whole life pursuing a guy and went down a dark path to that same slippery slope that JL is now slipping and sliding down. I will give you the fact that unlike JL, she did not have an ally like pure, sweet, positive, spunky, rich Angie. Instead, she became involved with the wastrel Fofo who did nothing to help her out of her obsession but rather enabled her in her bad decisions. Maria is a tragic figure..her own worst enemy because like JL , she was not pragmatic enough to say , "Well, this is going no where..Perhaps I should learn a skill and go in a different direction."
 

OT Anyone else watching World Cup Soccer? Heartbreaker. We were beating Portugal until the last second of the game. Ended in a tie. Dang!
 

Urban Anthropologist ...no. JL and Refoolio did not see the actual murder take place.
 

Carlos:

No, that is not what I meant at all! I don't want Ale to die by the hands of Peddy, not at all. I want JL to inform Capitan Robledo and then both can deal with Peddy. JL doesn't trust EZ either. As I've said before, I don't want Monse with JL at all. I have hope, as Elna June said, I am the eternal optimist, that JL will eventually see no one is happy, including himself and let her go already.

Urban:

I don't think that Refug and JL saw Juvie and the gang kill Antonio Olivares, but they heard the shots. They went to investigate and found Antonio dead. I think it was later they figured out it was Juvie, when Juvie attempted to kill Ale.
 

JudyB:

We aren't quite out yet. We just have to stay at the level we are, and if we win another game, we advance on. Keep the faith ; )
 

I thought so. They heard the shots and got there just in time to not see the perps.

37 episodes left and so much to resolve. However, I think we are already seeing the villains turn on each other.
 

JudyB, amiga, my heart broke at the end of our guys' game, but WHAT A GAME!!! They made a huge statement. That, is good enough for me!!

Susanlynn, excellent commentary re Maria; excellent!

Someone please remind me, but Amelia is aware that Pedro forced Joaquin to commit suicide, correct?

I wish Angelica had not been killed off the show. I miss her smile and her kindness. Not too many kind people in this little show.

Holy Cow, can you all imagine what we are going to do when this ends?!

Fatima
 

Amelia knows. Both Alejandro and JL knew and we've heard her discuss this with JL.
 

Thanks, Urban. There are so many little details. Like you, I wonder how this will all get resolved with 37 episodes remaining.

Fatima
 

Fatima:

I think Amelia knows that Peddy was behind everything that Joaquin did. I think she is also trying to find something to bring Peddy down. It would be great if Admiral Robledo, Amelia and JL along with Refug and Monica helped set Peddy up and then take him down. But they all need some concrete evidence to stick to Teflon Peddy. I hope Peddy's anvil is poised and hanging ever so just above this monster's head! One can hope ; )
 

Urban

Our comments crossed ; )
 

The Admiral would be great as a voice of reason for JL. But he may be too far gone already and it didn't take long.
 

Susanlynn, she committed evil acts...like bad pole dancing. Hahahahahah
 

Madelaine, thank you for your additional details! Yes, Pedro is definitely of the Teflon variety!

Urban, you are right! Robledo would be just the man to possibly stop JL's downward spiral. If the writers hinted that Carlota might just end up with Robledo, why aren't we seeing more of him?

I can't wait until we see the TRUE EZ Basura.

Fatima


 

It is great to see the writers have gotten the adrenalin going with last few epis.
I would like to see if anybody remembers way back to the first or second episode when Ben was barely alive or just died. Juvie asked ale for a moment with his "patron." He went in and stole dead Ben his watch. Immediately after that Juvie goes to his room and is totally enraged because Ben acknowledged Ale as his heir. He was livid and kept saying something like "why him, why?????"
I was like hmmmm, maybe he is so upset because he is his son too and not acknowledged. Of course, it sure doesnt point that way now. But maybe, just maybe he knew something about Maria and was upset because she got passed up and always acted like he was entitled to something, perhaps by way of Maria. Does anyone remember that part? Thx everyone, have a great week. Leticia
 

Leticia:

What a great comment. I do remember that, and we also speculated about what happened to that watch : ) As far as Maria maybe being Benny's we've speculated on that. Hopefully by the end of this TN we will find out if she is related to Benny. Juvie always felt entitled to Benny's money. I think Juvie was too old to be his son, but Maria now, that could be.
 

I think that Maria will eventually try to kill Alex. Of course we all know that she won't be able to kill the protag. I'm not planning her death list, but a murder suicide would make sense because there is no way she is getting Alex to give up his Monsebear. When a man won't have sex with you to literally "save his own life", you should take the big hint. Cynderella
 

Still Madelaine,murder is murder and werent JL and Refugio demoted from the Navy before they went to jail? Also ,no matter how desperate i was i would never dare to escape jail,atleast Daniel from Amor Bravio didnt do any questionable activities as far as i remember,,he did fake his identity but he didnt do illicit activities like JL .

How JL should have done with Gracie and Dim would be by using evidence,witnesses,im pretty sure that the Navy had some cameras to show Dim blistering evidence into JLs room. Anyway im off for a vacation for around five days maybe i will go to Aguazul ! (joking) see you soon!
 

I have been speculating for a while regarding Maria's possible parentage. Juventino would just be perverse enough to want Maria to marry her half-brother. Juventino was old enough to remember the rape of Rosario. It wouldn't surprise me if he helped facilitate the rape of his sister-in-law that led to Maria.

If I'm right about this Maria will probably commit suicide when she finds out.
 

Perhaps when Juvie was fuming after Ben left everything to Ale , it was because he was in league with Gracie whom he helped poison Ben. She expected to benefit from Ben's death and Juvie as her evil henchman would have gotten a share.
 

That, too. Gracie would have paid him something for his services. but not as much as he would have demanded.
 

CountxAlacran:

There was no evidence showing Dimi hiding that gun in JL's room. It wasn't until JL and Refug told Capitan Robledo what happened and he confronted Graceless was JL in the clear. There were no cameras in the halls on the Navy Base. In the barracks living area at least nor in the rooms. Like I said, if Refug hadn't helped JL escape, he would be sitting in the prison for 30 years for an accidental shooting he didn't commit.

As far as AB goes, different TN, different story. Oh, and P.S. Daniel on AB broke out of prison in Chile too.


 

Susanlynn,

what a well thought out (although painful) analysis of María. Thanks for recognizing that she is indeed a tragic figure.

Watch? What watch? I thought that Juventino took a rather heavy gold ring. I can't recall anything about watch and haven't we lost track of that ring?

Carlos
 

Yes Carlos, it was a ring. After Juventino's death it passed on to Loreto but was never brought up again after Loreto's death.
Maricruz
 

I am obsessed with the gun fight between Alex and J.L.! Maria's parentage does not bother me. Ben's ring doesn't bother me. A person getting shot where it is forensically impossible irritates me. If I knew how to take stills of that episode, I would send them to the show and make them prove to me how Alex did it. He would never be convicted in a court of law.
 

Susanlynn and Carlos:

Juvie had a pocket watch he was constantly fiddling with. I think this is where the confusion came in about the watch. I believe he did take that watch from Benny when he was dying and also the ring. The ring he wore openly and it was funny no one noticed.
 

Cynderella:

Duels are weird things. Shots go wide, shots go straight, and besides, even though Ale was arrested for shooting JL, JL wanted those charges dropped and so they were.
 

P.S. I'm surprised that even J.L. and NCIS didn't pick up on that one. Alex's chest was facing the ocean and J.L.s chest was facing the shore. Alex shoots shoulder high, but J.L. gets shot in his lower stomach on his left side. He should have shot on the right side and it should have been through the side of his body since his entire torso was facing the shore. J.L. didn't even turn from the force of the bullet. He fell straight to his knees. He was shot by someone who was on the shore. And that concludes my Sherlock presentation.
 

Hi Mads!

Thanks so much for the terrific recap and great ear worms! I had no idea that our Refugio was the voice behind that song, so I was really happy that you included the video.

Loved your title!

I actually like Mondays now since it means our show comes back.

Best to all and thanks again, Mads!
Julia R.
 

Julia R:

Thank you most kindly. I too look forward to Mondays to see what else these writers come up with!
 

Yes; telenovelas make Mondays far more bearable.

Tonight is Must-See TV. My entry will post automatically after the episode ends. I'll be out at a concert in the park.
 

Mads,
Thanks for the recap! I am finally caught up. I watched Friday's epi last night and just got through all the comments right now. And what fascinating comments they were. So insightful and surprising.

I am glad that the parentage of BM was brought up again. I have a thought. I have always thought that BM was Gracie and Ben's daughter. Then Fabby showed up, and it seems as though she is the missing child. Everything is pointing to Fabby. Even Gracie has admitted that Fabby is her daughter. In fact, she is helping her. And in helping Fabby, Gracie is throwing BM under the bus. Gracie hates BM and doesn't mind accusing her of murder and telling a judge that BM is guilty of poisoning Benny. Wouldn't it be interesting if BM DID turn out to be Gracie and Benny's daughter. The irony. Gracie would be condemning her own child. To me it makes sense because Gracie and BM are more alike than Gracie and Fabby. Just a thought.

Back to cleaning...hasta pronto!
 

Cynderella,
Thanks for going back and letting me know about that scene between Ale and Montse. Thanks for the confirmation amiga!
 

AuntyAnn, Cynderella, and CountXAlacran:

Going back to Episode 16 that so many bloggers have commented on: I re-watched it on HuluPlus, and read the captions, along with the dialogue; and the actual events don’t match what some bloggers have posted about the sex (or as some have called it “rape”) between Ale and Monse. He doesn’t say anything about a “contract” or “wanting to have kids” as a previous blogger posted.

The scene starts off with Ale kissing Monse very ferociously and Monse not kissing him back as they stand up. After the kiss, he says he feels terrible that she is so “cold” or better frigid. Monse then says he should understand because she doesn’t feel anything. This is when she wipes his kiss off her lips with her hand.

Ale then says he isn’t asking for anything that she hasn’t done already (with J.L. supposedly). Ale hugs her hard again, but then backs away and says that all this time she pretended that she really liked him (te gustaba), that she was interested in him, and led him to believe that she was not indifferent. So all he is asking of her that she continues her great acting skills with him.

He hugs her again and pushes her down on the bed. This is where she says “let me go”. Monse tells him how much she hates him. Ale responds that even though she may never love him, he will settle for her hate because it’s a feeling more intense than love and her hate is fully corresponded (all the while he is on top of her on the bed). As Ale starts kissing Monse, she turns her head to the side (with eyes wide open and tears rolling down) to avoid his kisses on her lips; but it seems that she resigns herself that the “act” will take place, which it does. She never says “stop” or “let me go” or anything along this line.

When Ale gets up afterward, he asks her, “aren’t you going to say something”, and she replies that he has just proven to himself that he isn’t the “first” one in her life; and she’s sorry for him that this is so but by force he wanted to buy a woman that in body and soul belongs to another man. The whole time she is saying this, Ale is standing by the bed with what, I think, is truly a look of regret for his actions. Finally, goodnight, and then the next morning he isn’t in bed with her when she wakes up.

The important thing about this episode, besides the re-counting above, is, I believe, that we truly see the first true signs of J.L.’s madness, as he and Refugio are escaping in a car and come to a roadblock. J.L. guns the engine with malicious pleasure and a smile or smirk on his face, as he doesn’t seem to care that he is about to run over several police officers. He runs through the barricade with such a sense of malicious pleasure, it really made me see his true personality (underlying madness and narcissistic behavior).

It’s truly an important episode. Sorry for the long recap but there has been so much blogging about the “rape” scene, I wanted to re-visit it myself. For all who can, please re-watch J.L.'s smirk as he drives through the roadblock trying to run over police officers and tell me isn't already "gone" in this scene.

 

Uhm...Victoria-- What you just described is rape. If that scene was shown in a college course or high school health or social studies class, it would be discussed as a rape. Boys and young men are getting in trouble all the time for doing crap like that and then pointing out that the girl didn't say no, or say it forcefully enough/scream, which is why they didn't think they were raping her-- even as she cried or looked scared or froze up.
 

Vivi:
I didn’t mean to comment on whether it was “rape” or not, just on how things truly unfolded. And yes, what boys and girls are doing in school, as early as perhaps 12 or younger, is despicable and appalling.

I have two adult children in their mid-30s and still remember that my daughter was about the only virgin in her senior high school class at a large high school and boys notched their belts with their number of conquests. While at the same time, my son, a freshman, was, as he said, deeply in love, and having sex with his girlfriend despite his strict Latin (Catholic) upbringing and home values. I even had to call the girl’s mother to make sure she was on birth control. We finally sent him off to boys’ prep school to separate the two, which worked wonders. The “true” love turned out to be “puppy” love with no unfortunate consequences. He is now happily married to a wonderful girl.

But most important, when re-watching the episode, I was amazed at what I thought to be J.L.’s showing of madness in this episode while running through the roadblock.

I’m still confused on why some bloggers think Maria may be Gracie’s long lost daughter but will blog about that tomorrow.


 

By the way, after Monse tries to escape with Juvie's help, Ale does ask that Monse forgive him; he is really not like what happened last night, but she seems to bring out the worst in him and promises that it will never happen again. To me he looks really repentant (although nothing excuses his behavior).

This is where Monse starts in and tells him to absolutely not touch her again. That he disgusts her.

Until tonight's episode, thanks to all.
 

I saw JL barreling through the roadblock as a boys will be "Dukes of Hazzard" kind of thing. I miss that old sane but daring JL.
 

I went back and reread NovelaMaven's excellent recap of episode 16 which she cleverly titled:

Let's celebrate Human Rights Day with a sympathetic look at rape!

Her description closely parallels Victoria's retelling.

Opinions at that time were much the same as they are now. The general consensus at the time was that this was rape. I thought that AuntyAnn's comment at the time was interesting as well as prescient:

"So strictly from a legal standpoint, the jury might set Ale free, because technically she never said NO. Still, I hate what he did. It was wrong, and my guess is that the caray caray jury will be in session for a while."

and so we are.

Carlos
 

Niece:

That was my recollection too, about Refug and JL barreling through those police officers, like the Dukes of Hazzard ; )
 

Doesn't necessarily have to be the word "no". Her telling him to let her go. Her crying. Her behaviour makes it obvious that she doesn't want to have sex with him. In other words, he raped her.
 

Also her body language. Her not fighting him?: she's petite. He's big and he was a rage monster.
 

Urban Anthropologist:
When you say your recap will post automatically after the episode airs, what time zone is that?
 

Victoria as I said before, I suck at Spanish. It's hard for me to here it. I have to read it. I thought I heard the words contracto and hijos. My comment was that I conceded that she did not want to do it.
 

I don't think that anyone would say that she "wanted it". I joke a lot because I have a sick and juvenile sense of humor, but I do know the difference between what is consent and what is non-consent. So does AuntyAnn and CountXAlacran. This show is fantasy. It's fun. If it were a real situation, we could not turn a blind eye to everything he does just because he's cute.
 

Cynderella,

ITA, "This show is fantasy. It's fun. If it were a real situation, we could not turn a blind eye to everything he does just because he's cute."

Nanette,

You said, "Also her body language. Her not fighting him?: she's petite. He's big and he was a rage monster."But the same scene happened recently with JL, and Montse fought him off. Hmmm. Are the writers trying to tell us something?