Saturday, June 07, 2014
Lo que la vida me robó, ep. 148, Fri., 6/6/14: Alejandro Domínguez -- Wanted Dead or Alive!
Almonte Mansion on the Beach
Sandro insists he said nothing to María about the fake will. Fabiola -- never relinquishing her glass of red wine -- warns him he'd better figure out how to shut that woman up.
Mónica and Dimitrio's new place
Did someone ask for a definition of chutzpah?
Gracie pays a friendly visit to Mónica, insults her six ways to Sunday, and ends up wangling a dinner invitation out of her.
Graciela, with a dazzling display of dentition -- upper and lower -- insults Monica's TASTE (and just about everything else about her). When she finally goads the young woman into standing up to her, Graciela somehow squeezes out a couple of tears and launches into a self-pitying bleat: She may have made some bad decisions, but she never intended to hurt her children. It breaks her heart that her actions may have been misunderstood.
She came here naively hoping that Mónica would help her be part of her son's life. She was wrong, it seems. She wishes Mónica luck in her new life (although she should take the price tags off her things -- so tacky!)
Mónica stops Graciela and invites her to have dinner with her and Dimitrio that night. Nothing would make her happier, Graciela assures her.
[Sucker! Final Score: Graciela 1, Mónica 0]
Josefina's Garden
Fina wonders what Adolfo said to Alejandro that bothered him so much. The question puts Adolfo on the defensive. Here he is risking his own neck and look at the thanks he gets -- Alejandro ends up threatening him. Fina calls Adolfo a grouch. Adolfo deftly changes the subject by stealing a kiss from Fina. Now who was she calling a grouch?
Medina Estate and Prison
Montserrat enters the room where Nadia is playing the piano. When the piece is over, Montserrat applauds loudly. Nadia is momentarily startled, but her alarm turns to pleasure when she realizes who her visitor is.
Nadia explains the prison rules: as long as she is on good behavior, her friends may visit her; but she, Nadia, cannot leave the grounds. Today Pedro is working in his home office and Victoria is at school. (It's her first day!) The two friends should be able to talk in the garden.
On the Bench
Laurito breaks off from his game with the other kids at school to join Victoria on the bench where she sits alone. She says she's happy her mommy is living with her now, but she's still a bit sad because her daddy isn't with them. By the way, she met his mommy when she came to visit her mommy.
Laurito wants to know if she scolded Victoria for the lie she told him about his daddy. Victoria is kind of miffed. Yo no digo mentiras, she says. (I don't tell lies.) Laurito's daddy was asleep in a hospital for a long time. Then she kissed him and he woke up. But nobody in Aguazul knows that yet.
Laurito is still skeptical. If that's true, then why hasn't his daddy Alejandro come to see him? Victoria doesn't know. Then she repeats: Yo no digo mentiras.
Josefina's House
Adolfo gives Victor an update about his girls: Nadia is still confined to Pedro's house but Victoria has just started school. And Uncle Adolfo is the one who gets to take her there and pick her up. Would Victor like to come along this afternoon when he meets her after school? Of course he would! Adolfo's offer earns him a warm kiss on the cheek from Josefina.
Medina Estate and Prison -- the Gardens
Montserrat and Nadia find a spot at a good remove from the house where they are least likely to be overheard. Montse says she knows that Nadia lied to her the last time they spoke. She forgives her for saying that Victor and Alejandro were dead. She knows her friend had no choice.
Tanto Amor, Tanto Dolor
Montse tells Nadia how Rosario arranged for her and Alejandro to see each other for the first time after all those years, how fraught with emotion that meeting in the church was for both of them, and how they cleared up so many misunderstandings.
Nadia describes Alejandro's suffering at waking up to a world without Montserrat: he thought she was dead and he knew nothing about his son and his mother. Because Nadia and Victor were terrified that Pedro would hurt Victoria if he found out where they were all living, they never called anyone in Aguazul. Nadia feels guilty about that. And what good did it do? In the end, Pedro found them anyway.
Nadia leans forward across the garden table: Has Montserrat talked to José-Luis yet? Is he going to give her her freedom?
"No!" She asked him for a divorce and he refused. And she can't even tell him that Alejandro is alive because he'd put him in jail. Besides, when he finds out everything she's done behind his back, he's never going to forgive her. Even so, Montserrat doesn't care. The only thing that matters is being with Alejandro, being part of a family with him, and never being separated from him again.
Nadia understands. He's the love of her life.
"They talk about me in Aguazul," says Montserrat. "They say I was unfaithful, although I was never untrue to Alejandro when he was my husband. And now we're lovers..."
--Montserrat pauses, smiles and shakes her head as if in disbelief...
"And I've never been so happy!"
Nadia smiles back at her friend: "Victor has always been my lover," she says. "And I don't regret any decisions I made to be with him."
Casa Mendoza-Basurto
The Garden
Graciela summons María to her presence for the pleasure of humiliating her, and finds out that María still has a dangerous ace up her sleeve.
María got her message, she tells Graciela. Well here she is. Graciela leads María into the chapel where they can talk privately. She kneels before the altar and then, as usual, begans the conversation with a string of insults: She used to think María was shrewd, but now she sees how inept she is. The idiot knew Alejandro was in Aguazul and she did nothing with the information. She is so stupid that she let Montserrat win again.
"Montserrat is married to José Luis Álvarez," sniffs María.
Graciela tells her not to be a fool. Now that Montserrat knows that Alejandro is alive, the marriage to José Luis means nothing to her.
María shows she is seriously out of the loop when she claims that Montserrat never really loved Alejandro, that she was always more in love with José Luis.
Graciela is enjoying this now. María is so wrong: "Your Alejandro is the love of Montserrat's life. She'd do anything to end up with him."
María says she can keep that from happening.
Finally Graciela reveals her actual agenda. She didn't call María here to warn her, but rather, to ask her a question: what will it take for her admit that she has been defeated?
Medina Estate and Prison -- the Garden
Victor taught Nadia what it meant to love and be loved. She misses him terribly. Montserrat is sympathetic. And she has just realized something, she tells her friend: she was never really in love with José Luis. Their time together was just a dream (una ilusión) of a first romance. Until now, she never understood how she felt: Alejandro is the only man she has ever really loved.
Mendoza Chapel
María is thoroughly confused. Didn't Graciela want Alejandro to keep away from her daughter?
She did, admits Graciela, but her priorities have changed.
But Alejandro has lost everything and José Luis is made of money these days, says María.
Graciela knows that. It's just that she has an incredible offer -- not only will she come out ahead, but she has the chance to make her children happy by allowing them to do what they want. She is in a position to have everything, and she isn't going to allow a zorrrrrrrrra like María to ruin her plans.
[And nobody can do an aggressive r-roll like Graciela.]
"Look who's talking," says María. She starts to raise a smacking hand, but Graciela intercepts it on its way to her cheek. "When Alejandro comes looking for me," María snarls at Graciela, "I'll tell him how you and my Uncle Juventino were in cahoots."
She knows very well that Juventino was poisoning Benjamín -- and he was acting on Graciela's orders.
María, thinking she has the upper hand, leaves Graciela to pray for her sins. Very soon, she says, the señora will begin to pay for them. Graciela stares at her with her scary dead eyes.
On her way out, María flounces past Carlota, who is busy cutting flowers in the garden. "How dare you show your face in my house again!" harumphs that good lady. "Why are you here?"
"Ask your sister-in-law" replies María, smirking slightly.
A moment later, Graciela strides out of the chapel without a backward glance.
[Quick. Someone call an exorcist!]
School is out!
Victoria runs joyfully to her Uncle Adolfo. She introduces him to her friend, Laurito. Adolfo recognizes the boy -- he's Montserrat's son, right? But right now he has a huge surprise for Victoria.
A cinematic symphonic theme swells as Victor descends a staircase in sloooooooow motion and Victoria runs to his welcoming arms. Victor nods his gratitude to Adolfo.
Josefina's House
Fina can just imagine the happiness that Victor and his daughter must be feeling at this moment. And it's all thanks to Adolfo. Alejandro admits that so far Adolfo seems to have acted in good faith. Then he gets wistful as he thinks about his own child and how much he wants to be with him.
The doorbell rings -- could it be Montserrat with Laurito?
Oh crap. Josefina opens the door to none other than sourpuss, stubble-faced, hobbling José Luis. He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red vee-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline). He needs to talk to her. Can he come in?
As a matter of fact, she says, he has caught her at a bad time. She is quite busy right now.
But he ignores her words and he and his cane push right past her and into her house. He says he wouldn't have come to see her if it weren't important. He has learned that she was the one who first found Alejandro in Buenos Aires. She corrects him: she didn't actually find Alejandro. She was invited to a concert and it just so happened that Nadia was the pianist. Later, Nadia and Victor filled her in on everything that had happened.
[Alejandro conceals himself around the corner of a wall and listens to the conversation.]
"But you saw Alejandro, right?"
"Of course. I visited him at the hospital."
She confirms that the doctors disconnected Alejandro from life support. She hasn't had a chance to discuss this with Montserrat, she tells him. He finds that strange. Even though Montserrat has visited her, they haven't talked about Alejandro? In any case, his wife knows the truth now, he says.
"How did she find out?" asks Fina.
[Alejandro listens intently, perhaps wondering, as are we all, which particular version of the truth Fina will assume that JL is referring to.]
How she found out is unimportant, says JL. What matters is that his wife is mad at him for keeping the truth from her. He begs Josefina to help convince Montserrat that his motives were the same as hers -- he wanted to keep Montse from suffering and he wanted to give her a second chance at happiness.
[Alejandro silently clenches his manly jaw.]
It was better for Montserrat to believe that Alejandro was dead, says José Luis. But Josefina isn't so sure. She thinks they made a very serious mistake. They should have allowed Montserrat to evaluate the situation and make her own decision.
José Luis allows his sanctimonious mask to slip a little with what he says next: It took him many years to win back the woman he loves; and he is unwilling to lose her again.
[Alejandro tightens his lips. I bet he's doing Kegels too.]
The Bench
Victor sits beside his daughter on the bench outside the school, apparently unconcerned about someone seeing him and reporting back to Pedro. [How has this guy survived as long as he has? Seriously.] He tells Victoria how much he missed her, how much he loves her, and how brave she is. And one day very soon, their little family will be together again.
Laurito joins father and daughter. Victoria asks her father to tell Laurito that she wasn't lying, that her Uncle Alejandro is alive.
Meanwhile, the very much alive Uncle Alejandro is still listening to Fina's conversation with his nemesis.
Fina says it's true that she kept silent for Montserrat's sake. But she did it for another reason too: she decided to trust José Luis himself. She and Nadia chose to keep silent on his wedding day because they believed that if, one day, Alejandro were to wake up from his coma, José Luis would do the right thing -- that he would give her up again.
JL says there's no reason to talk about that possibility. After all, they have already pulled the plug on Alejandro.
But Josefina thinks the point is still important. She needs to know that she and Nadia weren't wrong:
Si Alejandro hubiera despertado del coma, ¿tú habrías renunciado a Montserrat?
(If Alejandro had awakened from the coma, you would have given up Montserrat, right?)
JL's face takes on a pugnacious expression. He bangs down his cane and stands up:
¡No! ¡Esta es mi vida ahora¡
(No! This is my life now!)
[Cue the Male Chorus of Doom. Alejandro scowls deeply as José Luis stakes his claim.]
"Montserrat is my wife now. And after everything I did for Alejandro, if he showed up today, he's the one who would have to give her up, not me!"
Fina stands up too. And she reminds JL of what is, for him, an uncomfortable truth: the man Montserrat loves is Alejandro! And it's not just about the two of them; there's also Laurito to consider.
José Luis says he loves Laurito like a son, and Laurito loves him like a father.
[Alejandro shakes his head in mute misery and fury.]
"But you're NOT his father, José Luis," Fina tells him.
"What are you getting at with all of this?" asks José Luis. "Alejandro is dead, right?"
"You're right," she answers. "There's no point in talking about these things."
Back at the Bench
Victor tells Laurito that his father was...er...is a very close friend. Laurito shows Victor his photograph of Alejandro. Is it true that his father was asleep for a long time?
"Yes," says Victoria. "And he woke up when I kissed him!"
Now Montserrat approaches Victor and the children. Laurito rushes into her arms with the happy news. It wasn't a lie! His daddy is alive! Right?
Adolfo stands several feet distant, taking in the scene.
"Yes, my love, yes," Montserrat tells her son, seemingly relieved that he knows the truth now.
Josefina's Not So Safe House
As soon as pink-jacketed, broken-toed, stubble-faced JL hobbles out the door, Alejandro bursts into the room. "That bastard, let him say that in my face and I'll beat the snot out of him!"
Fina chides him. Violence isn't the solution. Besides, Alejandro should try to put himself in JL's place.
"I spent seven years in a coma!" says Alejandro.
"Yes, the same seven years that José Luis spent in prison for helping you," she replies. [Josefina is Alejandro's friend, but she is neither irrational nor unfair.] "He is also fighting to get back his life just like you, Alejandro."
"By stealing my wife!" says Alejandro.
"You took her away from him once," she reminds him. Even so, she agrees that José Luis was wrong to conceal the truth when he married Montserrat. But she herself kept silent too, and for the same reason: to give Montserrat a chance at happiness with José Luis.
Montserrat's happiness is with him, not with that imbecile, says Alejandro. Josefina agrees. But it's because the circumstances have changed, and Alejandro has recovered from the coma. But if that hadn't happened? Alejandro shouldn't judge him so harshly.
She also reminds him that there was a time when Montserrat didn't want to be with him and he wouldn't let her leave.
"Whose side are you on, Josefina?"
"On the side of the truth," she says.
All Alejandro knows is that he is going to take his wife and his son and go far away and nobody is going to stop him.
Abuse of Authority, Military Division
The Naval Base
Lieutenant Refugio Solares assembles his best men and orders them to hunt down the dangerous fugitive, Alejandro Domínguez aka Almonte. They are authorized to use force, if necessary, but only for self-defense. (It is doubtful that his superior officers know about this special mission.)
The Office of the Chief of Police of Aguazul
Abuse of Authority, Civil Division
José Luis has his men lined up too, and is preparing them for the manhunt. They should not hesitate to shoot. He wants the fugitive Alejandro Domínguez captured, dead or alive.
The Bench
Victoria starts to cry at the thought of leaving Victor and going back to Pedro's house. Adolfo reminds Victor that Pedro will get suspicious if Victoria is late in getting home. Victor tells Victoria that she and her mommy are like two princesses in a fairytale, imprisoned in a tower by a terrible dragon. "And he is the prince who will rescue them, right?" He is. But he has to find the weapons to defeat the dragon. Meanwhile, Victoria and Nadia have to be very strong.
At last, Victoria agrees to go with Adolfo. She waves and blows kisses at Victor who now sits alone and desolate on the bench.
Blowback -- Civil Division
EZ bursts into José Luis's office. "Who do you think you are, Alvarez? You're already hiding things from me?"
EZ is furious that JL has put his men on a mission so "discreet" that they are unwilling to tell HIM what it is about. JL doesn't give orders unilaterally! He works for EZ! And EZ demands to know what he is up to!
JL says he suspects that Alejandro is alive and in Aguazul. That is precisely what he is investigating.
EZ, like María, is out of the loop, so the news takes him by surprise.
The Café
Montserrat is nervous about the conversation she is about to have with Laurito. She and Rosario are finally going to tell him the truth about his father. She's afraid she won't have answers to all his questions.
Finally, she joins him and Rosario at a table. She begins by saying that what Victoria told him is true. His daddy couldn't be with them before because he was in another country far away. There had been a terrible accident many years ago. Everyone in Aguazul thought his daddy had been killed when his plane crashed into the sea. But all those years, he was actually asleep in a hospital in Argentina. When he opened his eyes -- Laurito knows about this part, how Victoria kissed him twice and he woke up! -- the very first thing he wanted to do was come to Aguazul and find his son.
And when can he see him? asks Laurito. He can see him right now, if he wants, his mother tells him. Dominga and Macario will close the shop and they will all go as a family to see daddy!
Almonte Mansion on the Beach
Graciela tells Fabiola that stupid María came to see her too and she also tried to threaten her. Fabiola thinks María knows too much. Graciela pooh-poohs her concerns -- María doesn't know who she's messing with. Fabiola thought Sandro might have given María all that information. Graciela says he only did what she asked him to do -- find her.
Well Sandro has promised Fabiola that he'll do whatever is necessary to get that woman out of their hair. He was going to talk to Pedro Medina.
Graciela thinks that's a terrible idea. She hopes he hasn't done it yet. Let Pedro amuse himself playing family man. They don't want him involved in their problems.
OOPSIE! Too late, Graciela!
Sandro calls on Pedro Medina and shares his concerns about Alejandro.
Pedro repeats what he told him earlier: Sandro and Fabiola are worrying unnecessarily. Alejandro is dead.
But Sandro says he's not the only one to suspect that Alejandro is alive. And he doesn't appreciate being made a fool of. What does Pedro actually know about the guy?
Josefina's House
Victor returns to Josefina's house and recounts his bittersweet reunion with Victoria to Alejandro. Alejandro bemoans the fact that, up to now, he has only been able to see his son from a distance. There are so many things they have to talk about, so much to learn about each other. Victor assures him that he'll have his chance soon, sooner than he thinks.
The doorbell rings. Victor opens the door to a broadly smiling Montserrat.
She enters the house, kisses Alejandro and tells him that there's a little guy waiting to meet him.
Now Rosario leads Laurito inside. The little boy looks up at Alejandro. "Daddy, you're so tall!" he says. Alejandro kneels down and embraces his son.
Avances:
José Luis shows his dark side. Uh oh.
Labels: robo
Comments:
BTW, who else thinks that Gracie will cook her own goose at the dinner table when her bebe calls her out on her supreme rudeness?
<< Home
NovelaMaven:
Thanks so much for this outstanding recap. Loved all the Spanish phrases and your attention to detail.
I am loving Fina. I am glad she gave the bidnez to both JL and Ale. About time they heard a voice of reason. But will they heed it? Hmmmm.....
I liked the reunions of the children with their Papas. It was very sweet.
BM has more than Graceless thinks and I had to laugh about calling for the exorcist, too funny. That Chapel needs a cleansing after the two of them were in there. I'm surprised no one has told Peddy that BM is alive. Interesting.
I still don't like all the subterfuge with the lying and sneaking around, and the cheating. I have to say JL will be blowing up, when he finds out, just a guess not a spoiler. What bothers me the most about the lying is the children. How long will it take for either Vicky or Lolo to accidently spill the frijoles? That is my main concern.
JL is looking rough, but I have to say, I don't like his state of mind. The venganza is starting to set in. He is acting like the Ale of old. Ale is still acting like Ale. I also didn't like that dead or alive part either. Maybe Refug will get to Ale first. Refug gave better orders for the capture.
Maybe Ale and Monse and familia will make it out of town and on the run, but I'm not holding out much hope. Too many people know Ale is alive and well in Aguazul.
I really think if Monse had been honest when she found out Ale was alive, JL wouldn't be so pithed off now. But that's water under the bridge now. Even if JL had let her go, there wouldn't be much of a story now.
Thanks again, NovelaMaven, for this very marvelous recap.
Thanks so much for this outstanding recap. Loved all the Spanish phrases and your attention to detail.
I am loving Fina. I am glad she gave the bidnez to both JL and Ale. About time they heard a voice of reason. But will they heed it? Hmmmm.....
I liked the reunions of the children with their Papas. It was very sweet.
BM has more than Graceless thinks and I had to laugh about calling for the exorcist, too funny. That Chapel needs a cleansing after the two of them were in there. I'm surprised no one has told Peddy that BM is alive. Interesting.
I still don't like all the subterfuge with the lying and sneaking around, and the cheating. I have to say JL will be blowing up, when he finds out, just a guess not a spoiler. What bothers me the most about the lying is the children. How long will it take for either Vicky or Lolo to accidently spill the frijoles? That is my main concern.
JL is looking rough, but I have to say, I don't like his state of mind. The venganza is starting to set in. He is acting like the Ale of old. Ale is still acting like Ale. I also didn't like that dead or alive part either. Maybe Refug will get to Ale first. Refug gave better orders for the capture.
Maybe Ale and Monse and familia will make it out of town and on the run, but I'm not holding out much hope. Too many people know Ale is alive and well in Aguazul.
I really think if Monse had been honest when she found out Ale was alive, JL wouldn't be so pithed off now. But that's water under the bridge now. Even if JL had let her go, there wouldn't be much of a story now.
Thanks again, NovelaMaven, for this very marvelous recap.
Superb recap! Thank you Novela Maven! I missed this episode tonight and needed this excellent recap! I loved your comment about Ale doing Kegels lol! And your description of JL "pink-jacketed, broken-toed, stubble-faced JL".
I'm glad we have Fina keeping it real with these cavemen but I wish she would stand up for Monse more and make that point that Monse should get to make decisions, she's not a piece of property that belongs to either of them. If she's asking JL for divorce he should recognize that his dream is over and concede defeat! I know the same could have been said for Ale but I feel like it was Ale who was tricked into marriage because he believed Monse loved him up until their wedding day.
I don't get just what Gracie is up to.
I'm glad we have Fina keeping it real with these cavemen but I wish she would stand up for Monse more and make that point that Monse should get to make decisions, she's not a piece of property that belongs to either of them. If she's asking JL for divorce he should recognize that his dream is over and concede defeat! I know the same could have been said for Ale but I feel like it was Ale who was tricked into marriage because he believed Monse loved him up until their wedding day.
I don't get just what Gracie is up to.
Ouch ,are the writers turning JL into a Hernan? ..He has became so undesirable to watch,at this point i prefer EZ.. Im glad that both Ale and Victor got their family reunions. And Graciela is so badass,she just wants Ales fortune and i bet that when she gets Bennies goodies she will turn on Ale again. Both Ale and JL are acting like hypocrites,they both have stolen Monse,back when JL was the amante,Ale was the husband,now the roles have reversed.
Ahh I don't think Montse was stolen from JL. He choose not to talk to her father and Alec didn't know anything about him. JL on the other hand knew he was alive and with held the info so he could hold on to Montse.
Nice to see Laurito reunited his dad. That was a sweet scene at the end. .
Nice to see Laurito reunited his dad. That was a sweet scene at the end. .
Permalink posted by 
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 3:44:00 AM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 3:44:00 AM EDT
Great work, NovelaMaven. My favorites:
Graciela, with a dazzling display of dentition …
[And nobody can do an aggressive r-roll like Graciela.]
[Quick. Someone call an exorcist!]
He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red vee-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline).
I took a screen shot of that awful pink-and-red combo for a future Crimes of Fashion gallery. To make matters worse, the jacket has tan leather elbow patches.
Did it never occur to this man that killing Alejandro would only make Monserrat hate him? He could be as delusional as Pedro over this. As it is he's becoming as corrupt as EZ.
I have no doubt that if Alejandro got his fortune back and handed it over to Gracie that this would not be the end of her schemes. She would be right on board with JL getting him killed. She would then bleed him dry and arrange for someone to off him, leaving Monserrat widowed. However, since Monse is wise to her mother there would be No Sale. And if the writers were consistent in so many of their favorite outdated notions she would be regarded as Damaged Goods for which Gracie couldn't get the price she'd demand.
Too bad....not.
Padre Anselmo has to be alive. We need him to help clear Alejandro and to write to the bishop for Gracie's excommunication. Not that she doesn't have enough hubris to not have that bother her.
BTW, I can more than match her for those rolling R's. We did once speculate that her daughter's name is "Monserrat" because of how she pronounces it and I totally buy that idea.
When Victoria talked about her Tio Alejandro I was remembering the episode when she said she had to kiss him twice because she is only a little princess. I normally have little patience for children but that was cute.
Graciela, with a dazzling display of dentition …
[And nobody can do an aggressive r-roll like Graciela.]
[Quick. Someone call an exorcist!]
He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red vee-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline).
I took a screen shot of that awful pink-and-red combo for a future Crimes of Fashion gallery. To make matters worse, the jacket has tan leather elbow patches.
Did it never occur to this man that killing Alejandro would only make Monserrat hate him? He could be as delusional as Pedro over this. As it is he's becoming as corrupt as EZ.
I have no doubt that if Alejandro got his fortune back and handed it over to Gracie that this would not be the end of her schemes. She would be right on board with JL getting him killed. She would then bleed him dry and arrange for someone to off him, leaving Monserrat widowed. However, since Monse is wise to her mother there would be No Sale. And if the writers were consistent in so many of their favorite outdated notions she would be regarded as Damaged Goods for which Gracie couldn't get the price she'd demand.
Too bad....not.
Padre Anselmo has to be alive. We need him to help clear Alejandro and to write to the bishop for Gracie's excommunication. Not that she doesn't have enough hubris to not have that bother her.
BTW, I can more than match her for those rolling R's. We did once speculate that her daughter's name is "Monserrat" because of how she pronounces it and I totally buy that idea.
When Victoria talked about her Tio Alejandro I was remembering the episode when she said she had to kiss him twice because she is only a little princess. I normally have little patience for children but that was cute.
The Padre is a mystery,enough said.We all hope he is alive but as the episodes pass,i think EZ really did kill him,even if he could use it as a tool to destroy Pedro.I would be glad if he was alive though and it would be a pleasure him testifying against Gracie because Juvie was poisoning Benny under HER orders.
I'm surprised that Maria knew this. It implies that she was closer to Juventino than we previously thought.
Which is creepy because even if there is no blood tie between them she still grew up thinking he was her tio.
WARNING: The Wikipedia page for this series now has spoilers.
Which is creepy because even if there is no blood tie between them she still grew up thinking he was her tio.
WARNING: The Wikipedia page for this series now has spoilers.
NM, this was an amazing recap! And the title gave me hoot. I suddenly started hearing on Jovi in the background.
Cue the pink!! So we are seeing JL's further descent documented cleverly in his clothes? He struts in with a pair of pink pants, and well, that is the end of the man as we knew him.
I still hate the conversation on either side of these two men talking about the woman they "love" as a piece of property that one wins. Nothing about her feelings or her choices. JL seems to think that staying married to Monse, even if she wants nothing to do with him, will still be some long sought after fairy tale. The more he sees that dream go up in smoke, the more dangerous I suppose we are supposed to see him become. Maybe at that point, we get the pink pants and a long scarf. Horror!
The scenes with the kiddies were so sweet and I admit, I had to sniffle and grab a Kleenex. Knowing what that poor little Victoria is going thru especially is difficult. Thought little Laurito's comment to his daddy was adorable.
Still not sure about Adolfo. Why does he have to look so suspicious even when doing something good?
Daisynjay
Cue the pink!! So we are seeing JL's further descent documented cleverly in his clothes? He struts in with a pair of pink pants, and well, that is the end of the man as we knew him.
I still hate the conversation on either side of these two men talking about the woman they "love" as a piece of property that one wins. Nothing about her feelings or her choices. JL seems to think that staying married to Monse, even if she wants nothing to do with him, will still be some long sought after fairy tale. The more he sees that dream go up in smoke, the more dangerous I suppose we are supposed to see him become. Maybe at that point, we get the pink pants and a long scarf. Horror!
The scenes with the kiddies were so sweet and I admit, I had to sniffle and grab a Kleenex. Knowing what that poor little Victoria is going thru especially is difficult. Thought little Laurito's comment to his daddy was adorable.
Still not sure about Adolfo. Why does he have to look so suspicious even when doing something good?
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 7:22:00 AM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 7:22:00 AM EDT
Novela Maven, thank you for a very complete and excellent recap. You sure called it with Monica, just when we thought she had won Graciela of the rolling rrrrrrrrr had come out on top! There is no stopping Graciela!
Looks like Fabiola is on the road to become a head thumper: she actually touched Sandro's temple to make a point when talking to him.
What a bad decision was that to let Victoria see Victor. Adolfo and Victor not thinking --as usual--of how much more pressure this now places on Victoria in her difficult and dangerous interactions with Pedro. I am so sick of Victor and Ale whining about not being able to see their children but not doing anything to try to solve their particular situations like finding a lawyer outside the control of Pedro. If they made the trip all the way from Argentina they could make a trip to DF to find legal advice.
Josefina told JL that it was not a good time to visit her and JL forced his way in. Why did she not throw him out? Refuse to talk to him? So much bad behavior is ignored or rewarded. Ever hear of boundaries, women of Aguazul?
Loved Josefina telling Ale to look at things from JL's point of view.
Well, now we know that JL will take Ale dead or alive and when sufficiently motivated by revenge, he can walk good enough to get the job done.
Jarifa
Looks like Fabiola is on the road to become a head thumper: she actually touched Sandro's temple to make a point when talking to him.
What a bad decision was that to let Victoria see Victor. Adolfo and Victor not thinking --as usual--of how much more pressure this now places on Victoria in her difficult and dangerous interactions with Pedro. I am so sick of Victor and Ale whining about not being able to see their children but not doing anything to try to solve their particular situations like finding a lawyer outside the control of Pedro. If they made the trip all the way from Argentina they could make a trip to DF to find legal advice.
Josefina told JL that it was not a good time to visit her and JL forced his way in. Why did she not throw him out? Refuse to talk to him? So much bad behavior is ignored or rewarded. Ever hear of boundaries, women of Aguazul?
Loved Josefina telling Ale to look at things from JL's point of view.
Well, now we know that JL will take Ale dead or alive and when sufficiently motivated by revenge, he can walk good enough to get the job done.
Jarifa
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 8:46:00 AM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 8:46:00 AM EDT
I haven't watched the episode yet, but enjoying your recap so much, Novela Maven.
Your titles were great, the Offices of Abuse of Authority and the Not So Safe House.
And the imagery:
Loved "And nobody can do an aggressive r-roll like Graciela." No doubt again with her "...dazzling display of dentition."
But you are over the top with,
"Oh crap. Josefina opens the door to none other than sourpuss, stubble-faced, hobbling José Luis. He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red v-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline). " LOVE IT!!! Now I'm going to have to watch the episode.
and "[Alejandro tightens his lips. I bet he's doing Kegels too.]" "que Male Chorus of Doom".
JL really ordered his men to shoot Ale?? Wow, he wasn't wearing that PINK JACKET for nothing, he really has gone to the dark side!
So can't wait to see your Crimes of Fashion Gallery, Urban. Do feature Graceless in this also, won't you please?
It seems Maria is the only one alive that can clear Ale; am I the only one who thinks she is toast now? It sounds like Pedro will any moment know she's alive, if Sandro knows and is talking to Pedro.
Then Pedro will know EZ and Fofo have betrayed him all these years.
Your titles were great, the Offices of Abuse of Authority and the Not So Safe House.
And the imagery:
Loved "And nobody can do an aggressive r-roll like Graciela." No doubt again with her "...dazzling display of dentition."
But you are over the top with,
"Oh crap. Josefina opens the door to none other than sourpuss, stubble-faced, hobbling José Luis. He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red v-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline). " LOVE IT!!! Now I'm going to have to watch the episode.
and "[Alejandro tightens his lips. I bet he's doing Kegels too.]" "que Male Chorus of Doom".
JL really ordered his men to shoot Ale?? Wow, he wasn't wearing that PINK JACKET for nothing, he really has gone to the dark side!
So can't wait to see your Crimes of Fashion Gallery, Urban. Do feature Graceless in this also, won't you please?
It seems Maria is the only one alive that can clear Ale; am I the only one who thinks she is toast now? It sounds like Pedro will any moment know she's alive, if Sandro knows and is talking to Pedro.
Then Pedro will know EZ and Fofo have betrayed him all these years.
Monse has made her choice clear to both of them. She loves Alejandro y punto. However, JL isn't listening.
He needs a shrink. In fact, all three of them do.
Monse needs a shrink about her mother. She knows what Gracie is all about but needs to be stronger in dealing with her. I would recommend a restraining order, but I doubt that would work.
Alejandro needs to deal with his insecurities due to his early losses and his feelings about his recent ones (esp. the 7 years).
JL needs to learn to accept what he doesn't want to.
Both guys need help with anger management.
How far away from DF are they? They would need to leave yesterday to beat the possibility that a photo of Alejandro is being circulated.
He needs a shrink. In fact, all three of them do.
Monse needs a shrink about her mother. She knows what Gracie is all about but needs to be stronger in dealing with her. I would recommend a restraining order, but I doubt that would work.
Alejandro needs to deal with his insecurities due to his early losses and his feelings about his recent ones (esp. the 7 years).
JL needs to learn to accept what he doesn't want to.
Both guys need help with anger management.
How far away from DF are they? They would need to leave yesterday to beat the possibility that a photo of Alejandro is being circulated.
Emarie, go to the front page; the article on the Crimes of Fashion starts there.
There will be later editions.
There will be later editions.
NovelaMaven: A sumptuous feast for the mind and heart. You interspersed wry observations and sharp wit throughout which were marvelous.
"Graciela, with a dazzling display of dentition -- upper and lower", "[Quick. Someone call an exorcist!]" and "A cinematic symphonic theme swells" were among my many favorites.
Everyone has now discovered the truth that Ale is alive and well(even Laurito) except for JL. Isn't it a little late for Ale, Monse and Laurito to be spirited away without notice? JL is many things but gullible is not one of them. And now a full blown retribution plan has been laid and activated.
Victor. So foolish! He is tempting fate again and I agree, it is amazing the man is still alive at this point. Further, what dangers he has now exposed Nadia and Viictoria to!
I love Fina. "Yes, the same seven years that José Luis spent in prison for helping you," she replies. [Josefina is Alejandro's friend, but she is neither irrational nor unfair.]".
Madelaine, once again you have mirrored my feelings" " The venganza is starting to set in. He (JL)is acting like the Ale of old. Ale is still acting like Ale". Like you, I am dismayed and disappointed with JL's quest. The character is writing his likely own tragic end.
NovelaMaven, thank you for this excellent summary.
Diana
"Graciela, with a dazzling display of dentition -- upper and lower", "[Quick. Someone call an exorcist!]" and "A cinematic symphonic theme swells" were among my many favorites.
Everyone has now discovered the truth that Ale is alive and well(even Laurito) except for JL. Isn't it a little late for Ale, Monse and Laurito to be spirited away without notice? JL is many things but gullible is not one of them. And now a full blown retribution plan has been laid and activated.
Victor. So foolish! He is tempting fate again and I agree, it is amazing the man is still alive at this point. Further, what dangers he has now exposed Nadia and Viictoria to!
I love Fina. "Yes, the same seven years that José Luis spent in prison for helping you," she replies. [Josefina is Alejandro's friend, but she is neither irrational nor unfair.]".
Madelaine, once again you have mirrored my feelings" " The venganza is starting to set in. He (JL)is acting like the Ale of old. Ale is still acting like Ale". Like you, I am dismayed and disappointed with JL's quest. The character is writing his likely own tragic end.
NovelaMaven, thank you for this excellent summary.
Diana
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 10:11:00 AM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 10:11:00 AM EDT
On JL and Sandro's wardrobe fashions:
It seems the writers have directed those in charge of costumes to revert to hideous bright and outlandish color combinations to indicate the degenerate state of their souls. Now we just have to wait until Pedro starts sporting a blood-red jacket (or dress).
And I like the self justifications of Monse and Ale. What do they care about conventional morality? Their luv justifies all and they sail above the common norms of society which in this village is fairly low and quite degenerate. So their Nietzschean sailing "Beyond Good and Evil" needs no further justifying or moralizing from the rabble, including the despicable Graciela.
I cannot wait until I see Victor get his knockdown.
And Ale did not rape Monse in their first encounter. There are bloggers who maintain the Mexican audience saw her embrace that first seduction with enthusiasm, something Univision did not show.
Oh the humanity of it all!
It seems the writers have directed those in charge of costumes to revert to hideous bright and outlandish color combinations to indicate the degenerate state of their souls. Now we just have to wait until Pedro starts sporting a blood-red jacket (or dress).
And I like the self justifications of Monse and Ale. What do they care about conventional morality? Their luv justifies all and they sail above the common norms of society which in this village is fairly low and quite degenerate. So their Nietzschean sailing "Beyond Good and Evil" needs no further justifying or moralizing from the rabble, including the despicable Graciela.
I cannot wait until I see Victor get his knockdown.
And Ale did not rape Monse in their first encounter. There are bloggers who maintain the Mexican audience saw her embrace that first seduction with enthusiasm, something Univision did not show.
Oh the humanity of it all!
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 10:28:00 AM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 10:28:00 AM EDT
NovelaMaven, thanks for another fun recap from the title to your observations about our characters (Gracie's chutzpah and the fact that hapless Victor is still alive were great zingers).
Mads I'm with you on the lying and sneaking around. Basta! But it seems to be a set up for Mr. Pink Jacket to go completely Darth Vadar.
The fact that Maria knows Gracie was in on the poisoning is new isn't it (we only thought Gracie and the now dead Juvi knew)? Regardless, it makes her inconvenient as our Carlos would say.
Anon 10:28 am, based on what you are saying about Ale and Monse that sounds like their SECOND encounter. The first one, even with edits, appears to be rape because when it was over she told him I've been with someone else first. Moreover, Ale admitted to taking her by force to JL. Yet another reason why even Rulli's finest (and he is very FINE) cannot make me like this character.
Daisynjay so eloquently states my feelings on both this neanderthals, Monse is a person who has feelings not a trophy to be won.
Mads I'm with you on the lying and sneaking around. Basta! But it seems to be a set up for Mr. Pink Jacket to go completely Darth Vadar.
The fact that Maria knows Gracie was in on the poisoning is new isn't it (we only thought Gracie and the now dead Juvi knew)? Regardless, it makes her inconvenient as our Carlos would say.
Anon 10:28 am, based on what you are saying about Ale and Monse that sounds like their SECOND encounter. The first one, even with edits, appears to be rape because when it was over she told him I've been with someone else first. Moreover, Ale admitted to taking her by force to JL. Yet another reason why even Rulli's finest (and he is very FINE) cannot make me like this character.
Daisynjay so eloquently states my feelings on both this neanderthals, Monse is a person who has feelings not a trophy to be won.
I don't recall that Maria knew anything about the poisoning. If she did wouldn't she have warned Alejandro that he could be her next target (which we all know would have been a distinct possibility)?
NovelaMaven - Terrific recap. Love the riffs on JL's attire.
When EZ lit into JL for the secret mission, I was almost expecting him to chastise his new employee for letting his personal grooming go into the crapper. I see JL as The Big Sad, not The Big Bad, despite that horrible "dead or alive" order. Hoping soon JL will look into Monse's eyes and see there is nothing there for him and move on. I don't see how the writers can drag out JL's obsession much longer without LQLVMR becoming a cartoon.
Anon @ 10:28 - Backing up Karen on the fact that Monse's first time with Ale was rape, when later Monse told Ale she was pregnant he expressed chagrin that she conceived when he forced her. She reassured him that it [getting pregnant] happened later [when the sex was mutual].
When EZ lit into JL for the secret mission, I was almost expecting him to chastise his new employee for letting his personal grooming go into the crapper. I see JL as The Big Sad, not The Big Bad, despite that horrible "dead or alive" order. Hoping soon JL will look into Monse's eyes and see there is nothing there for him and move on. I don't see how the writers can drag out JL's obsession much longer without LQLVMR becoming a cartoon.
Anon @ 10:28 - Backing up Karen on the fact that Monse's first time with Ale was rape, when later Monse told Ale she was pregnant he expressed chagrin that she conceived when he forced her. She reassured him that it [getting pregnant] happened later [when the sex was mutual].
Niece and Karen:
I stand corrected about the first encounter between Ale and Monse. An observation: Your comments suggest that Ale thought he took her by force in the first encounter and he did; but did Monse find it so appalling? I think Ale awakened in this ingenue a desire to be utterly taken. Hamlet's quip about sexual desire seems instructive: 'appetite grows upon what it feeds'. Monse certainly has not held it against Ale all these years.
Anon 10:28
I stand corrected about the first encounter between Ale and Monse. An observation: Your comments suggest that Ale thought he took her by force in the first encounter and he did; but did Monse find it so appalling? I think Ale awakened in this ingenue a desire to be utterly taken. Hamlet's quip about sexual desire seems instructive: 'appetite grows upon what it feeds'. Monse certainly has not held it against Ale all these years.
Anon 10:28
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 1:29:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 1:29:00 PM EDT
Thanks, NovelaMaven, for another wild and witty recap .
I especially enjoyed all the adjectives you chose to describe JL. I agree that the new wardrobe , stubble, and the cane are signals of his decent into a darker place. Now, he has taken a stand. He wants Mony ...no matter what. Again, I am fascinated by characters who WANT people who WANt someone else. Why would you possibly want to be with a person who does not want you and and who has strong feelings for another ? The only result of holding on to someone who does not want you is heartache...for everyone involved. Well, I just answered my own question...heartache and unrequited love are the cornerstones of telenovelas. So..here we go then....off on the Heartache Rollercoaster . I am afraid that JL will jot make it off the ride alive.
I especially enjoyed all the adjectives you chose to describe JL. I agree that the new wardrobe , stubble, and the cane are signals of his decent into a darker place. Now, he has taken a stand. He wants Mony ...no matter what. Again, I am fascinated by characters who WANT people who WANt someone else. Why would you possibly want to be with a person who does not want you and and who has strong feelings for another ? The only result of holding on to someone who does not want you is heartache...for everyone involved. Well, I just answered my own question...heartache and unrequited love are the cornerstones of telenovelas. So..here we go then....off on the Heartache Rollercoaster . I am afraid that JL will jot make it off the ride alive.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 5:56:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 5:56:00 PM EDT
NovelaMaven, you are always so reliably clever. Every recap is perfection and this is no exception. What a special treat.
Well, JL continues to deteriorate and disappoint. For me he has always been rather creepy, but now even his most ardent supporters seem to be having trouble defending this oily guy. Alejandro is certainly no paragon, but at least he isn't constantly trying to justify and explain his missteps and shortcomings. He owns his mistakes. On the other hand JL is constantly trying to come up with one lame excuse or explanation after the other for his less than honorable behavior. And by the way, I can't possibly be the only one who's getting weary of hearing how he sacrificed 7 years of his life in prison for Alejandro's benefit and Montserrat's happiness so now it's his turn. Enough already.
"María shows she is seriously out of the loop when she claims that Montserrat never really loved Alejandro, that she was always more in love with José Luis."
Perhaps that's because Montse made it clear initially that she had been made a victim of Graciela's business negotiation with Alejandro, going so far as to enlist María's help in escaping captivity.
I'm really liking the new improved María. She's a lot like Honey Badger. She ain't afraid of nobody and is focused on exactly what she wants. I sooo hope that she gets a chance to bed Alejandro. She may not be much of a dancer but according to Adolfo, she certainly has a special skill.
Carlos
Well, JL continues to deteriorate and disappoint. For me he has always been rather creepy, but now even his most ardent supporters seem to be having trouble defending this oily guy. Alejandro is certainly no paragon, but at least he isn't constantly trying to justify and explain his missteps and shortcomings. He owns his mistakes. On the other hand JL is constantly trying to come up with one lame excuse or explanation after the other for his less than honorable behavior. And by the way, I can't possibly be the only one who's getting weary of hearing how he sacrificed 7 years of his life in prison for Alejandro's benefit and Montserrat's happiness so now it's his turn. Enough already.
"María shows she is seriously out of the loop when she claims that Montserrat never really loved Alejandro, that she was always more in love with José Luis."
Perhaps that's because Montse made it clear initially that she had been made a victim of Graciela's business negotiation with Alejandro, going so far as to enlist María's help in escaping captivity.
I'm really liking the new improved María. She's a lot like Honey Badger. She ain't afraid of nobody and is focused on exactly what she wants. I sooo hope that she gets a chance to bed Alejandro. She may not be much of a dancer but according to Adolfo, she certainly has a special skill.
Carlos
In Amor Real, Manuel definitely raped Matilde on their wedding night. He was furious because he found out right after the wedding that she was planning to run away with her novio.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 6:00:00 PM EDT
: Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 6:00:00 PM EDT
Carlos, why? Maria doesn't deserve him.
Not to mention the serious possibility that they could be related. The writers didn't have him use the word "sister" a half dozen times for nothing.
Adolfo was a real idiot for involving her in any of this knowing that he once stopped her from killing Monserrat. He now knows she has tried again and this time almost succeeded. No good can come of this.
Not to mention the serious possibility that they could be related. The writers didn't have him use the word "sister" a half dozen times for nothing.
Adolfo was a real idiot for involving her in any of this knowing that he once stopped her from killing Monserrat. He now knows she has tried again and this time almost succeeded. No good can come of this.
UA,
If they are sibs, then perhaps not.
"The writers didn't have him use the word "sister" a half dozen times for nothing."
I'd initially thought the same, but I think that the currently known facts suggest that Fabiola is the genuine sister. I'd be thrilled if it turns out to be María.
Adolfo did not stop María from killing Montserrat. María seemed poised to stab Montserrat but when Montse shrieked out as she went into labor, María scurried away. She ran into Adolfo who asked her what she was doing and took the knife from her and then he pitched it into a waste barrel. Her crime on that night... taking a knife to Nadia's recital.
Carlos
If they are sibs, then perhaps not.
"The writers didn't have him use the word "sister" a half dozen times for nothing."
I'd initially thought the same, but I think that the currently known facts suggest that Fabiola is the genuine sister. I'd be thrilled if it turns out to be María.
Adolfo did not stop María from killing Montserrat. María seemed poised to stab Montserrat but when Montse shrieked out as she went into labor, María scurried away. She ran into Adolfo who asked her what she was doing and took the knife from her and then he pitched it into a waste barrel. Her crime on that night... taking a knife to Nadia's recital.
Carlos
I've said this before: Fabiola may be Gracie's daughter, but that does not exclude the possibility that Maria is the result of Benjamin boinking -- or raping -- someone else. Like Gaspar's wife, who was never spoken of by Maria, Gaspar, or Juventino. We never even found out her name.
The scenario I imagine is this: Benjamin raped or fooled around with Gaspar's wife. She became pregnant and either died in childbirth or committed suicide during PPD because it occurred to her that Maria could be his rather than her husband's child and she couldn't live with this possibility. Had she told Gaspar he would have ended up dead like Jacinto, Rosario's fiance. We don't know which happened first, but I'm sure that Benjamin's rep was already pretty bad.
The scenario I imagine is this: Benjamin raped or fooled around with Gaspar's wife. She became pregnant and either died in childbirth or committed suicide during PPD because it occurred to her that Maria could be his rather than her husband's child and she couldn't live with this possibility. Had she told Gaspar he would have ended up dead like Jacinto, Rosario's fiance. We don't know which happened first, but I'm sure that Benjamin's rep was already pretty bad.
UA,
I like your scenario (as horrifying as it might be) and we know that don Benny was certainly capable of just such a thing. So how would this ultimately be revealed? Macario? I just can't picture it.
Maria did briefly mention her mother as she awaited death (which would have taken awhile) after nicking her wrists.
Carlos
I like your scenario (as horrifying as it might be) and we know that don Benny was certainly capable of just such a thing. So how would this ultimately be revealed? Macario? I just can't picture it.
Maria did briefly mention her mother as she awaited death (which would have taken awhile) after nicking her wrists.
Carlos
There were many episodes before that fake suicide attempt. We heard her say nothing about her mother, which made me conclude that she never knew her.
Macario might remember something or there could be a DNA test for any possible reason down the road.
Or a medical screw-up.
Fabiola has never submitted herself to a DNA test that we know of. There might be a reason for her to be sopaenaed for one... and for Maria to be involved. With 47 episodes to go, anything is possible.
Macario might remember something or there could be a DNA test for any possible reason down the road.
Or a medical screw-up.
Fabiola has never submitted herself to a DNA test that we know of. There might be a reason for her to be sopaenaed for one... and for Maria to be involved. With 47 episodes to go, anything is possible.
Though I doubt I'll change any minds or win any converts, here are some of the horrible and painful events in María's tragic life which are certainly enough to make a case that she might now be suffering from PTSD:
Her mother apparently died when she was a child
Her uncle Juvie butchered her pet calf when she was a child
Her uncle treated her with inappropriate familiarity
She was thrown from her horse and was knocked unconscious (by definition at least a concussion) injuring her ankle
Her father was murdered by her uncle
Her childhood sweetheart married Montserrat without any notification
Her uncle was murdered by Loreto
She cut her wrists and bled at least a bit
Adolfo tried to rape her in the hospital (OK , one could say she asked for it... literally)
She was poisoned by Pedro and was near death (really)
Adolfo held a gun in her face and pulled the trigger firing the pistol (fortunately it held blanks)
She was forced to do menial labor at La Escondita
She thought that Alejandro had been killed in a plane crash
She was addicted to drugs by Zeke who made her his sex slave, abandoned her which forced her into prostitution
Not to mention that Alejando gave her renewed false hope by making her his companion and then kicked her out
Carlos
Her mother apparently died when she was a child
Her uncle Juvie butchered her pet calf when she was a child
Her uncle treated her with inappropriate familiarity
She was thrown from her horse and was knocked unconscious (by definition at least a concussion) injuring her ankle
Her father was murdered by her uncle
Her childhood sweetheart married Montserrat without any notification
Her uncle was murdered by Loreto
She cut her wrists and bled at least a bit
Adolfo tried to rape her in the hospital (OK , one could say she asked for it... literally)
She was poisoned by Pedro and was near death (really)
Adolfo held a gun in her face and pulled the trigger firing the pistol (fortunately it held blanks)
She was forced to do menial labor at La Escondita
She thought that Alejandro had been killed in a plane crash
She was addicted to drugs by Zeke who made her his sex slave, abandoned her which forced her into prostitution
Not to mention that Alejando gave her renewed false hope by making her his companion and then kicked her out
Carlos
NovelaMaven, this was another impeccable and entertaining recap. Loved all the snarky bits/section headings.
It made me happy to see a reunion with Laurito and Ale. It made me unhappy to see Montse in her same ugly skirt and top. Maybe it doesn't matter what you wear when you're dealing with two husbands.
I'm afraid I've switched over to superficial viewing mode this past week. There are so many different collusions and conspiracies among so many different people that my brain is becoming weary trying to evaluate them all. I'll keep watching, but may not comment on a frequent basis.
Carlos, you're the Maria expert. Was her stage performance truly dancing or merely posing?
It made me happy to see a reunion with Laurito and Ale. It made me unhappy to see Montse in her same ugly skirt and top. Maybe it doesn't matter what you wear when you're dealing with two husbands.
I'm afraid I've switched over to superficial viewing mode this past week. There are so many different collusions and conspiracies among so many different people that my brain is becoming weary trying to evaluate them all. I'll keep watching, but may not comment on a frequent basis.
Carlos, you're the Maria expert. Was her stage performance truly dancing or merely posing?
Cynderella, I am inclined to agree with your diagnosis of Maria. Also, she has a bad case of nastiassitis. I am watching a show on PBS about ADD...maybe that is Maria's problem.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 12:05:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 12:05:00 AM EDT
NovelaMaven,
Another great recap! Witty, funny and insightful. Thank you! Also, so many great lines that have already been quoted. Here are some of my favs:
"Oh crap. Josefina opens the door to none other than sourpuss, stubble-faced, hobbling José Luis. He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red vee-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline).",
"[Alejandro silently clenches his manly jaw.]"
"Josefina's Not So Safe House",
I am really hoping that Ale, Montse and family get out of town. I don't want to see Ale go back to jail and be in JL's hands. I don't think they will get a chance to escape because JL is on a mission to find Ale and has the Marina's help. JL is out for revenge. When Ale and Montse talked about JL planning how to marry Montse and possibly knowing about Ale still being alive, I think they were right on one part. JL had 7 years to plan how to convince Montse to marry him. He did think that Ale was dead, and he probably figured that after 7 years Montse would be over Ale. He had 7 years of strategy planning. Remember, one of the first things he did when he got out of jail was to ask Gracie what her price was to stay out of his business with Montse. That wasn't a spur of the moment kind of thing. He had a strategy to marry Montse, and everything was going his way until Ale woke up from his coma.
Adolfo is in the DOGHOUSE! Punto! How can he profess his love for Fina, then have sex with BM. WTH! Someone mentioned that it was just sex, and that Adolfo and Fina were in the pre-relationship stage. I don't think so. Fina accepted his request that they start going out as a couple. Adolfo is a DAWG! He is a very confusing character. He steals Ale's legitimate Will, but then hands it to BM? The only reason he is still alive is because he knows the bad things BM has done. Like shooting Montse, with the intent to kill. I want to like Adolfo, and I am pretty sure he will help Nadia, but I don't like what he does at times. He is a bad decision maker.
Can someone please tell BM to stop walking around that stage at La Escondida and pretending that she is all that. OMG!!! Before I was FF through those scenes, but now I have decided to watch them as comedy relief. I just LOL while she "dances" around. Even my mother told me today that she thought BM was a bad dancer. And my mother wanted to know why the poles were there, when BM didn't even know how to use them! (I told my mother that I would add her comments to mine today). HaHa!
The kids scenes were so adorable. Those kids are great actors. I loved the reunion with Vic and Victoria. So sweet!
The reunion scene with Ale and Laurito brought tears to my eyes. Can't wait to see the rest of it next week.
OMG! I had to rewind some of the scenes with my Ale last night. He sure looked fine in those jeans and blue t-shirt. I know Cynderella agrees with me. I don't blame Montse one bit for her midnight outings.
Off to bed...hasta pronto!
Another great recap! Witty, funny and insightful. Thank you! Also, so many great lines that have already been quoted. Here are some of my favs:
"Oh crap. Josefina opens the door to none other than sourpuss, stubble-faced, hobbling José Luis. He is wearing a pale pink jacket over a red vee-neck pullover (as if anyone needed further confirmation of his moral decline).",
"[Alejandro silently clenches his manly jaw.]"
"Josefina's Not So Safe House",
I am really hoping that Ale, Montse and family get out of town. I don't want to see Ale go back to jail and be in JL's hands. I don't think they will get a chance to escape because JL is on a mission to find Ale and has the Marina's help. JL is out for revenge. When Ale and Montse talked about JL planning how to marry Montse and possibly knowing about Ale still being alive, I think they were right on one part. JL had 7 years to plan how to convince Montse to marry him. He did think that Ale was dead, and he probably figured that after 7 years Montse would be over Ale. He had 7 years of strategy planning. Remember, one of the first things he did when he got out of jail was to ask Gracie what her price was to stay out of his business with Montse. That wasn't a spur of the moment kind of thing. He had a strategy to marry Montse, and everything was going his way until Ale woke up from his coma.
Adolfo is in the DOGHOUSE! Punto! How can he profess his love for Fina, then have sex with BM. WTH! Someone mentioned that it was just sex, and that Adolfo and Fina were in the pre-relationship stage. I don't think so. Fina accepted his request that they start going out as a couple. Adolfo is a DAWG! He is a very confusing character. He steals Ale's legitimate Will, but then hands it to BM? The only reason he is still alive is because he knows the bad things BM has done. Like shooting Montse, with the intent to kill. I want to like Adolfo, and I am pretty sure he will help Nadia, but I don't like what he does at times. He is a bad decision maker.
Can someone please tell BM to stop walking around that stage at La Escondida and pretending that she is all that. OMG!!! Before I was FF through those scenes, but now I have decided to watch them as comedy relief. I just LOL while she "dances" around. Even my mother told me today that she thought BM was a bad dancer. And my mother wanted to know why the poles were there, when BM didn't even know how to use them! (I told my mother that I would add her comments to mine today). HaHa!
The kids scenes were so adorable. Those kids are great actors. I loved the reunion with Vic and Victoria. So sweet!
The reunion scene with Ale and Laurito brought tears to my eyes. Can't wait to see the rest of it next week.
OMG! I had to rewind some of the scenes with my Ale last night. He sure looked fine in those jeans and blue t-shirt. I know Cynderella agrees with me. I don't blame Montse one bit for her midnight outings.
Off to bed...hasta pronto!
NM
I forgot to mention that my previous comment included Thursday & Friday's episodes. I had not had a chance to comment on Thursdays capitulo, so I hope you don't mind my rant from that epi.
ElnaJune,
Thanks for your Thursday night recap. It is so appreciated, especially since you are still busy unpacking. Glad to hear that you are settling into your new home.
BTW, is it me, or have we not heard from JudyB in a while? I hope everything is ok.
Back to bed...hasta pronto!
I forgot to mention that my previous comment included Thursday & Friday's episodes. I had not had a chance to comment on Thursdays capitulo, so I hope you don't mind my rant from that epi.
ElnaJune,
Thanks for your Thursday night recap. It is so appreciated, especially since you are still busy unpacking. Glad to hear that you are settling into your new home.
BTW, is it me, or have we not heard from JudyB in a while? I hope everything is ok.
Back to bed...hasta pronto!
Carlos, I'm not in the mood to argue about Maria. She deserved to be kicked out after Alejandro discovered what she had said and done.
Nothing excuses her attempts on Monserrat's life. When she ran into Adolfo after the knife incident she revealed her intent. (Nothing excuses his not telling anyone about it and I'm not letting him off the hook for that).
Nothing excuses her shooting Monserrat, including her intent to set Pedro up for the crime. I'm not letting JL off the hook here either because he should have been asking himself why Pedro would do that. We know that Pedro likes to threaten people with harm to their loved ones, but JL doesn't know that.
Alejandro was never her novio and she should have had no such expectations. His biggest mistake was in not having her committed when he had the chance.
She is a sick bitch y punto.
Nothing excuses her attempts on Monserrat's life. When she ran into Adolfo after the knife incident she revealed her intent. (Nothing excuses his not telling anyone about it and I'm not letting him off the hook for that).
Nothing excuses her shooting Monserrat, including her intent to set Pedro up for the crime. I'm not letting JL off the hook here either because he should have been asking himself why Pedro would do that. We know that Pedro likes to threaten people with harm to their loved ones, but JL doesn't know that.
Alejandro was never her novio and she should have had no such expectations. His biggest mistake was in not having her committed when he had the chance.
She is a sick bitch y punto.
Carlos and Cynderella - You're both hilarious and probably right about Maria. Her formative years with Juventino no doubt did her no good, but Gaspar was a wonderful father and she had an opportunity to follow his good ways. Maria aiming a big fat knife at Monse wasn't nice, but what really bugs me is her nastiassitis {thanks, Susanlynn!] with everyone.
La Paloma,
"Was her stage performance truly dancing or merely posing?"
I'm not sure what that was. It almost looked like she was having some sort of bizarre atypical seizure. Her movements and gestures didn't seem to coincide with the music (which seemed a curious choice in itself). However, none of the dancing that we've seen at La Escondita has been very inspired, stimulating, exotic, or erotic. Of course this could be a cultural thing and such performances may in fact drive Mexican men wild with desire.
Carlos
"Was her stage performance truly dancing or merely posing?"
I'm not sure what that was. It almost looked like she was having some sort of bizarre atypical seizure. Her movements and gestures didn't seem to coincide with the music (which seemed a curious choice in itself). However, none of the dancing that we've seen at La Escondita has been very inspired, stimulating, exotic, or erotic. Of course this could be a cultural thing and such performances may in fact drive Mexican men wild with desire.
Carlos
The poles must only serve as supporting beams; pole dancing requires far more skill and athleticism than we've seen in anyone who works at that place.
Unless the pole is meant to serve merely as a phallic symbol.
Unless the pole is meant to serve merely as a phallic symbol.
re: pole dancing...and by the way, I'll bet Hub never imagined that I would be typing those words on this Ipad when he got it for me as a Mother's Day present . Anyhoo, I saw a girl on TV who gives pole dancing lessons (yes, Maria, you could actually take lessons to improve your present pole dancing expertise. This chick was amazzzing. She could hang upside down and twirl around the pole. She had terrific upper arm strength. I kept thinking of climbing ropes in high school gym .
Permalink posted by : Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 11:22:00 AM EDT
: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 11:22:00 AM EDT
Dear Robó Fans:
Thanks for stopping by this weekend and leaving your thoughts about the story. And thanks especially for your kind words.
Usually, when I hear that a telenovela has been EXTENDED, it is as welcome to me as one of those ROAD CLOSED -- USE DETOUR signs on the highway. But I confess that the writers have managed to keep me engaged in the story here, in all its lunatic vicissitudes. To those of you with more refined dramatic sensibilities, what can I say? So sue me. :)
I love how loyal some of you are -- and not just to particular characters, but also to pet theories and punchlines -- supporting the 'insoportable,' defending the indefensible.
Hi Mads:
I'm also loving Fina and her role as the voice of reason. And involving the kids in all the lying bothers me too. I was thinking about that when little Victoria said "I don't tell lies." Yes, Victoria, you do, all the time -- because your mommy tells you to!
Dear Lily:
Thank you so much! (Glad you liked the Kegels crack!) And yes, talking about Montse as chattel is pretty obnoxious.
I know there are people who will disagree with me, but I think Ale has grown since the bad old days. I see him as a fundamentally good man who behaved very badly and then lived to regret it. When he GAVE Montserrat a divorce, he showed he had turned a corner. Unfortunately, we can't say the same thing for José Luis. Or at least, not yet.
Thanks for stopping by this weekend and leaving your thoughts about the story. And thanks especially for your kind words.
Usually, when I hear that a telenovela has been EXTENDED, it is as welcome to me as one of those ROAD CLOSED -- USE DETOUR signs on the highway. But I confess that the writers have managed to keep me engaged in the story here, in all its lunatic vicissitudes. To those of you with more refined dramatic sensibilities, what can I say? So sue me. :)
I love how loyal some of you are -- and not just to particular characters, but also to pet theories and punchlines -- supporting the 'insoportable,' defending the indefensible.
Hi Mads:
I'm also loving Fina and her role as the voice of reason. And involving the kids in all the lying bothers me too. I was thinking about that when little Victoria said "I don't tell lies." Yes, Victoria, you do, all the time -- because your mommy tells you to!
Dear Lily:
Thank you so much! (Glad you liked the Kegels crack!) And yes, talking about Montse as chattel is pretty obnoxious.
I know there are people who will disagree with me, but I think Ale has grown since the bad old days. I see him as a fundamentally good man who behaved very badly and then lived to regret it. When he GAVE Montserrat a divorce, he showed he had turned a corner. Unfortunately, we can't say the same thing for José Luis. Or at least, not yet.
Re Maria and her pole "dancing" - I think she thought she was going to be pole GLANCING, because that's all she does - walks around all off-beat and glances at the pole and the crowd. This is the fault of the producers, director and the actress herself. Even if the scenes at the Escondida were added (which I doubt, since it's been a part of the story from the beginning), they (producer/director) could've required all the actresses who were going to dance to REALLY be able to dance. And any actor/actress worth his/her salt would research the role and do whatever it takes to do it justice. As they say in the industry, there are no small parts, just small actors. I can hear my director friend now, "CUTT!! You call that dancingggg????"
Permalink posted by : Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 2:03:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 2:03:00 PM EDT
Demetrios:
Agreed. This is not JL's finest hour. I have to go with Anon 3:44 and agree that Montse wasn't really STOLEN from JL in the first place for all the reasons that commenter cites.
Urban:
I so hope you are right about Padre Anselmo and that he shows his face in Bluewater very soon.
As for the rolling r's, I'm impressed. And I admit to having over-rolled my own r's a bit in the beginning because I studied Italian before I tried to learn Spanish. (In those days, my Spanish had a definite Italian flavor.)
Daisynjay:
Yes, we have to keep an eye on the color of JL's pants. If they turn pink, WOE IS HE! (I don't think we'll see a long scarf. He's already got the frou-frou pocket handkerchief. But I guess you never know.)
To me, Adolfo is beyond redemption. He may be able to compartmentalize better than some of the other villains (in this way, he's a bit like Joaquín Arechiga), but he is still a murderer, a drug kingpin, and a manwhore. That he loves his sister and would like to be worthy of Josefina doesn't change the other truths about him.
Jarifa:
Ooh, I missed Fabiola's near head-thumping. I'll have to take another look at her scene with Sandro. So do you think it's genetic or what?
And yes, given sufficient motivation, JL can walk well enough, can't he? Maybe it's time for someone to drop another piece of furniture on him. Bwahahaha.
Emarie:
So glad you enjoyed the recap!
"It seems Maria is the only one alive that can clear Ale; am I the only one who thinks she is toast now?"
She is certainly at risk. But then again, she has been for the last seven years. And then there's Pedro, Ale, Victor, and JL who are also walking around with targets on their backs. And of course, now María wants to take down all the people she believes have hurt Alejandro -- starting with Montserrat, but also including Graciela, Fabiola and Sandro.
Personally, I would be relieved to see María out of the picture for good. We could all stop by Carlos's table on The Patio and offer our 'más sentido pésame,' but secretly many of us would be thrilled to know she had smirked her last smirk.
Let someone else find the authentic will. Let Alejandro have another DNA test done without Pedro's interference. [Or let the government seize the entire Almonte estate because it all derives from illegal activities. Ale and Montse don't need to be rich -- they just need to have the bad guys off their backs.]
Agreed. This is not JL's finest hour. I have to go with Anon 3:44 and agree that Montse wasn't really STOLEN from JL in the first place for all the reasons that commenter cites.
Urban:
I so hope you are right about Padre Anselmo and that he shows his face in Bluewater very soon.
As for the rolling r's, I'm impressed. And I admit to having over-rolled my own r's a bit in the beginning because I studied Italian before I tried to learn Spanish. (In those days, my Spanish had a definite Italian flavor.)
Daisynjay:
Yes, we have to keep an eye on the color of JL's pants. If they turn pink, WOE IS HE! (I don't think we'll see a long scarf. He's already got the frou-frou pocket handkerchief. But I guess you never know.)
To me, Adolfo is beyond redemption. He may be able to compartmentalize better than some of the other villains (in this way, he's a bit like Joaquín Arechiga), but he is still a murderer, a drug kingpin, and a manwhore. That he loves his sister and would like to be worthy of Josefina doesn't change the other truths about him.
Jarifa:
Ooh, I missed Fabiola's near head-thumping. I'll have to take another look at her scene with Sandro. So do you think it's genetic or what?
And yes, given sufficient motivation, JL can walk well enough, can't he? Maybe it's time for someone to drop another piece of furniture on him. Bwahahaha.
Emarie:
So glad you enjoyed the recap!
"It seems Maria is the only one alive that can clear Ale; am I the only one who thinks she is toast now?"
She is certainly at risk. But then again, she has been for the last seven years. And then there's Pedro, Ale, Victor, and JL who are also walking around with targets on their backs. And of course, now María wants to take down all the people she believes have hurt Alejandro -- starting with Montserrat, but also including Graciela, Fabiola and Sandro.
Personally, I would be relieved to see María out of the picture for good. We could all stop by Carlos's table on The Patio and offer our 'más sentido pésame,' but secretly many of us would be thrilled to know she had smirked her last smirk.
Let someone else find the authentic will. Let Alejandro have another DNA test done without Pedro's interference. [Or let the government seize the entire Almonte estate because it all derives from illegal activities. Ale and Montse don't need to be rich -- they just need to have the bad guys off their backs.]
Diana:
Thank you, my kind friend.
" Isn't it a little late for Ale, Monse and Laurito to be spirited away without notice? JL is many things but gullible is not one of them."
Hah. Closer to paranoid than gullible, I'd say. And they are trying to spirit away Rosario too! Don't you think that BEING A LITTLE LATE FOR ... is one of the dominant motifs of this story?
Karen:
"The fact that Maria knows Gracie was in on the poisoning is new isn't it?"
Yes, it IS new. That's makes María a big threat to Gracie, a threat that María doesn't seem to take seriously at all.
As for Montse's first sexual experience with Alejandro, the one most of us consider marital rape no matter how the scene may have been edited -- I was very struck by its echo in the JL/Montse honeymoon scene. Montse had the same disengaged expression on her face, her head turned away from her husband. I know it wasn't identical. In the second case, she consented; in the first, she did not. But she seemed quite detached in both cases.
Niecie:
I love this: "I see JL as The Big Sad, not The Big Bad".
It reminds me of how he spent much of the first third or so of the novela running around telling various people: ¡Mátame! Kill me!
I think there is a deep streak of masochism and melancholy in this character. The only time it wasn't obvious was when he was married to Angélica and had finally told her aloud: Te amo.
Susanlynn:
Yes, without unrequited love, how could we have a telenovela? The Heartache Rollercoaster Nice one! And JL is the guy who, in defiance of all the posted warnings, keeps standing up in his car, trying to grab onto the little blonde snuggled next to the Adonis in the car ahead of him.
Thank you, my kind friend.
" Isn't it a little late for Ale, Monse and Laurito to be spirited away without notice? JL is many things but gullible is not one of them."
Hah. Closer to paranoid than gullible, I'd say. And they are trying to spirit away Rosario too! Don't you think that BEING A LITTLE LATE FOR ... is one of the dominant motifs of this story?
Karen:
"The fact that Maria knows Gracie was in on the poisoning is new isn't it?"
Yes, it IS new. That's makes María a big threat to Gracie, a threat that María doesn't seem to take seriously at all.
As for Montse's first sexual experience with Alejandro, the one most of us consider marital rape no matter how the scene may have been edited -- I was very struck by its echo in the JL/Montse honeymoon scene. Montse had the same disengaged expression on her face, her head turned away from her husband. I know it wasn't identical. In the second case, she consented; in the first, she did not. But she seemed quite detached in both cases.
Niecie:
I love this: "I see JL as The Big Sad, not The Big Bad".
It reminds me of how he spent much of the first third or so of the novela running around telling various people: ¡Mátame! Kill me!
I think there is a deep streak of masochism and melancholy in this character. The only time it wasn't obvious was when he was married to Angélica and had finally told her aloud: Te amo.
Susanlynn:
Yes, without unrequited love, how could we have a telenovela? The Heartache Rollercoaster Nice one! And JL is the guy who, in defiance of all the posted warnings, keeps standing up in his car, trying to grab onto the little blonde snuggled next to the Adonis in the car ahead of him.
Carlos:
I appreciate your generous comment and careful reading. (I know I was a little long-winded on this one.)
"I can't possibly be the only one who's getting weary of hearing how he sacrificed 7 years of his life in prison for Alejandro's benefit and Montserrat's happiness so now it's his turn. Enough already."
No, you're not alone. I'll admit that I always thought JL's motives were mixed when he volunteered (because NO ONE ASKED HIM TO DO THIS) to assume the whole blame for burning the drug money.
-Angélica was dead and her money was his, but he probably could not have brought himself to use it for his own benefit at that point.
-Montserrat was with Alejandro and the two already had a child together.
-He went into jail the way another man might have entered a monastery: it was a retreat from the world and from his feelings for Montserrat.
-He was the one who concocted the lie about being Alejandro's enemy as a way of keeping Montserrat from interacting with him in any way.
-He never expected to be sentenced to seven years. He -- and everyone else -- thought he might have to serve a year or at most, two years.
-He was, in fact, guilty of the crime he was accused of. Yes, he covered Alejandro's guilt, but we saw him sit down and feed the bills into the fire.
It was very consistent with the whole MÁTAME shtick from earlier on in the novela.
"I'm really liking the new improved María."
Oh, dear Carlos. You must be a very loyal friend and a doting father. You have the gift of seeing light when all the rest of the world sees darkness.
It is, perhaps, worth pointing out that Alejandro was NEVER María's childhood sweetheart. It was Victor who tried to woo her (and thank goodness, was rejected.) And though María's mother seems to have disappeared from her life very early on, she did have a good and loving father.
I have to go with the diagnosticians, Cynderella and Susanlynn, on this one, I'm afraid.
La Paloma:
I see that Carlos has given you his considered and culturally thoughtful response to María's inexplicable prancing in her long underwear. Personally, I was reminded of all those ads we get for the special leggings and tops -- what are they called? Levanta-pompis below and Wonderbras on top?
AuntyAnn:
I completely agree about JL using his time in jail to formulate his strategy to get Montserrat to marry him, although he had no inkling at the time that Ale might have survived the crash.
Adolfo IS a dog. A very attractive and engaging dog, but a dog nevertheless. When Fina decided to USE him to help her friends, she knew exactly who she was dealing with. We can only hope that, under the spell of his charm, she hasn't forgotten.
I've been missing JudyB too. I'm hoping we may have the pleasure of seeing her around here next week.
I appreciate your generous comment and careful reading. (I know I was a little long-winded on this one.)
"I can't possibly be the only one who's getting weary of hearing how he sacrificed 7 years of his life in prison for Alejandro's benefit and Montserrat's happiness so now it's his turn. Enough already."
No, you're not alone. I'll admit that I always thought JL's motives were mixed when he volunteered (because NO ONE ASKED HIM TO DO THIS) to assume the whole blame for burning the drug money.
-Angélica was dead and her money was his, but he probably could not have brought himself to use it for his own benefit at that point.
-Montserrat was with Alejandro and the two already had a child together.
-He went into jail the way another man might have entered a monastery: it was a retreat from the world and from his feelings for Montserrat.
-He was the one who concocted the lie about being Alejandro's enemy as a way of keeping Montserrat from interacting with him in any way.
-He never expected to be sentenced to seven years. He -- and everyone else -- thought he might have to serve a year or at most, two years.
-He was, in fact, guilty of the crime he was accused of. Yes, he covered Alejandro's guilt, but we saw him sit down and feed the bills into the fire.
It was very consistent with the whole MÁTAME shtick from earlier on in the novela.
"I'm really liking the new improved María."
Oh, dear Carlos. You must be a very loyal friend and a doting father. You have the gift of seeing light when all the rest of the world sees darkness.
It is, perhaps, worth pointing out that Alejandro was NEVER María's childhood sweetheart. It was Victor who tried to woo her (and thank goodness, was rejected.) And though María's mother seems to have disappeared from her life very early on, she did have a good and loving father.
I have to go with the diagnosticians, Cynderella and Susanlynn, on this one, I'm afraid.
La Paloma:
I see that Carlos has given you his considered and culturally thoughtful response to María's inexplicable prancing in her long underwear. Personally, I was reminded of all those ads we get for the special leggings and tops -- what are they called? Levanta-pompis below and Wonderbras on top?
AuntyAnn:
I completely agree about JL using his time in jail to formulate his strategy to get Montserrat to marry him, although he had no inkling at the time that Ale might have survived the crash.
Adolfo IS a dog. A very attractive and engaging dog, but a dog nevertheless. When Fina decided to USE him to help her friends, she knew exactly who she was dealing with. We can only hope that, under the spell of his charm, she hasn't forgotten.
I've been missing JudyB too. I'm hoping we may have the pleasure of seeing her around here next week.
"Adolfo is a dog"?? No way!
He simply gave Maria what she asked for. For crying out loud, he's the one who get her into rehab and cleaned up.
She was nervous before her set and of course he did want to see her relapse. It was a perfectly justifiable and honorable action on Adolfo's part, an action between two consenting adults, I might add.
Having said that, who knows how long it takes a scorpion to reload his venom. Is there an entomologist in the house?
He simply gave Maria what she asked for. For crying out loud, he's the one who get her into rehab and cleaned up.
She was nervous before her set and of course he did want to see her relapse. It was a perfectly justifiable and honorable action on Adolfo's part, an action between two consenting adults, I might add.
Having said that, who knows how long it takes a scorpion to reload his venom. Is there an entomologist in the house?
Permalink posted by : Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 4:18:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 4:18:00 PM EDT
Novela Maven, your recap is so thorough and so deliciously witty and snarkful. Your fashion linking to the state of the soul is something we can all learn from.
I always appreciate Carlos' gallant defense of the badass pretty things. ( I still would like to know what the good doctor thinks of Naughty Nurse on DQTQTQ.) It adds a depth of compassionate amusement to any character analysis of someone like Maria. Alas, she seems bent on aiding her worst enemies while numbly clinging to her childhood fantasies about Ale ever being interested in her as anything more than a little sister. I personally would find it satisfying for Ale, Maria and Fabiola to be told by Father Anselmo emerging from the swamp that they are all indeed half siblings.
Where is JudyB, why hasn't that baby been born yet so we can get past the whining preggers lady making everyone in her wake dread her presence including her long suffering husband who at least can get his mind off it while trying to do a humane capture of Ale without iron jawed traps or big ass bullets. I think I didn't lose as much of this story in my recent travels as some of the others.
On the conquest of Montse by Ale the first time. It seemed to me that what started out dislike or disengagement very quickly turned to satisfied sighs and hopes for more encounters when Montse realized how skilled Ale was at lurving his wooomaaann.
I always appreciate Carlos' gallant defense of the badass pretty things. ( I still would like to know what the good doctor thinks of Naughty Nurse on DQTQTQ.) It adds a depth of compassionate amusement to any character analysis of someone like Maria. Alas, she seems bent on aiding her worst enemies while numbly clinging to her childhood fantasies about Ale ever being interested in her as anything more than a little sister. I personally would find it satisfying for Ale, Maria and Fabiola to be told by Father Anselmo emerging from the swamp that they are all indeed half siblings.
Where is JudyB, why hasn't that baby been born yet so we can get past the whining preggers lady making everyone in her wake dread her presence including her long suffering husband who at least can get his mind off it while trying to do a humane capture of Ale without iron jawed traps or big ass bullets. I think I didn't lose as much of this story in my recent travels as some of the others.
On the conquest of Montse by Ale the first time. It seemed to me that what started out dislike or disengagement very quickly turned to satisfied sighs and hopes for more encounters when Montse realized how skilled Ale was at lurving his wooomaaann.
Hi Cheryl,
"Your fashion linking to the state of the soul is something we can all learn from."
I can't take the credit for the idea. This is kind of a group think thing that really became noticeable during La Tempestad. Sartorial Metaphysics? The Theology of Pants? Men in Pink?
[I love the GROUP THINK PHENOMENON of these recaps and discussions. After a while, it's like a game where each player adds a sentence to the story. Or maybe a form or Madlibs -- "I need an adjective here!"
"Your fashion linking to the state of the soul is something we can all learn from."
I can't take the credit for the idea. This is kind of a group think thing that really became noticeable during La Tempestad. Sartorial Metaphysics? The Theology of Pants? Men in Pink?
[I love the GROUP THINK PHENOMENON of these recaps and discussions. After a while, it's like a game where each player adds a sentence to the story. Or maybe a form or Madlibs -- "I need an adjective here!"
Maria's delusions are likely to be her downfall.
I am rather amused at the idea of Padre Anselmo telling her, Fabiola, and Alejandro that they are all half-siblings. He's the only person likely to know that without a DNA test.
I am rather amused at the idea of Padre Anselmo telling her, Fabiola, and Alejandro that they are all half-siblings. He's the only person likely to know that without a DNA test.
"I am rather amused at the idea of Padre Anselmo telling [Maria], Fabiola, and Alejandro that they are all half-siblings. He's the only person likely to know that without a DNA test."
Urban, early on, there was a flash-back scene showing Graciela in confession with Padre Anselmo within days of her giving birth in the convent. She strongly hinted to him that she had MURDERED her baby.
Later, we found out that he had officiated at the baby's burial, unaware that there was no body in the coffin because, in fact, the baby had not died.
Did Padre Anselmo ever learn that Graciela's baby actually survived? I can't remember that he did, but maybe someone else recalls.
Amelia, Macario and Ben knew. Later, Pedro guessed after hearing Amelia's guilty confession. And then Graciela herself learned that her daughter had not only lived, but had been given to Ben's childless sister to raise as her own. But did Anselmo know?
Urban, early on, there was a flash-back scene showing Graciela in confession with Padre Anselmo within days of her giving birth in the convent. She strongly hinted to him that she had MURDERED her baby.
Later, we found out that he had officiated at the baby's burial, unaware that there was no body in the coffin because, in fact, the baby had not died.
Did Padre Anselmo ever learn that Graciela's baby actually survived? I can't remember that he did, but maybe someone else recalls.
Amelia, Macario and Ben knew. Later, Pedro guessed after hearing Amelia's guilty confession. And then Graciela herself learned that her daughter had not only lived, but had been given to Ben's childless sister to raise as her own. But did Anselmo know?
Good morning, all. I am looking out in a gray day here.
I cannot wait to see what happens tonight. We know that JL is not going to let go of Mony. I have no idea what will happen next, but I think the good padre will eventually surface. I also think that in the end, JL will redeem himself by sacrificing his life for Mony. I think that Fofo will be redeemed in death for saving Nadia and Victoria from Ped. . Dim and Fin will eventually be together. I have no idea.what anvils will hit Gracie, EZ, Fab, Sandy, and Pedro ...one big anvil or individual ones. Of course, Mony, Ale, Lary, and Rosie will be one happy family.
I cannot wait to see what happens tonight. We know that JL is not going to let go of Mony. I have no idea what will happen next, but I think the good padre will eventually surface. I also think that in the end, JL will redeem himself by sacrificing his life for Mony. I think that Fofo will be redeemed in death for saving Nadia and Victoria from Ped. . Dim and Fin will eventually be together. I have no idea.what anvils will hit Gracie, EZ, Fab, Sandy, and Pedro ...one big anvil or individual ones. Of course, Mony, Ale, Lary, and Rosie will be one happy family.
Permalink posted by : Monday, June 9, 2014 at 8:31:00 AM EDT
: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 8:31:00 AM EDT
No Novelamaven,Padre Anselmo did not know that the baby lived ,only that the baby died.Macario himself told that in the confrotation with Gracie.The Padre only knew that the baby was supposedly dead.
Good morning, Susanlynn,
I like your guesses about how it will all turn out. I agree that both JL and Adolfo will die as heroes. I also share your hope that Padre Anselmo turns up alive.
These writers have been good at catching us off guard, though. So we should also expect the unexpected:
-I suspect one or more, 'good' characters will die unexpectedly, shaking up a whole chain of relationships and expectations.
-I have a hunch that Fabiola may yet be redeemed (María too, though you didn't mention her in your anvil list.). So far, she hasn't killed anybody. Theft, fraud, a nasty mouth, bad hair and worse hats, wasting perfectly good wine -- these things may keep you out of the country club, or even send you to jail and or rehab, but don't necessarily send you to hell. We'll see.
Hey Demetrios,
Thanks! That's what I thought too, but I didn't remember the part about Macario's conversation with Gracie.
I like your guesses about how it will all turn out. I agree that both JL and Adolfo will die as heroes. I also share your hope that Padre Anselmo turns up alive.
These writers have been good at catching us off guard, though. So we should also expect the unexpected:
-I suspect one or more, 'good' characters will die unexpectedly, shaking up a whole chain of relationships and expectations.
-I have a hunch that Fabiola may yet be redeemed (María too, though you didn't mention her in your anvil list.). So far, she hasn't killed anybody. Theft, fraud, a nasty mouth, bad hair and worse hats, wasting perfectly good wine -- these things may keep you out of the country club, or even send you to jail and or rehab, but don't necessarily send you to hell. We'll see.
Hey Demetrios,
Thanks! That's what I thought too, but I didn't remember the part about Macario's conversation with Gracie.
Padre Anselmo would have told Ale and Maria they were siblings (if, in fact, they are and he knew) way back in the beginning. He was really angry at Ale when he let Maria move into the "big" house when he brought Montse to the hacienda as a newlywed.
Permalink posted by : Monday, June 9, 2014 at 9:14:00 AM EDT
: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 9:14:00 AM EDT
Good point, Anon 9:14. And even if Padre Anselmo were bound by the secret of the confessional, he would have done something to keep Alejandro and María apart if he knew or suspected they were siblings.
Dearest NovelaMaven,
Thanks, as always, for a superb recap. What a delight to read it this morning! I haven't had time to look at all the comments, but I'm sure others have already quoted and requoted the many fabulous lines. Among my favorite is this, for sure:
"Did someone ask for a definition of chutzpah?
Gracie pays a friendly visit to Mónica, insults her six ways to Sunday, and ends up wangling a dinner invitation out of her."
And this comment gave me a big laugh: "[Alejandro tightens his lips. I bet he's doing Kegels too.]"
He's is a multi-tasker, that Alejandro!
Probably this has been commented on by others and you noted it in your recap, too, but why would anyone involved think it was a good idea to have the reunion between Victoria and Victor happen on a public park bench in the middle of Agua Azul? It made no sense to me at all even by TN standards. I loved the scene of them together, but this decision to have it in public annoyed me and nearly ruined my pleasure in seeing father and daughter reunited at last.
I am still enjoying this TN a lot, but I have begun counting the days until it ends. I think at least one other person has commented on this, too. This will actually be the first TN, I've watched entirely from start to finish. With others I've seen I only caught them from the middle or so, or didn't watch them as religiously. I'd be curious to know if this is a typical feeling for others at this point in a long show.
Thanks so much again, NovelaMaven. Your recaps are always so smartly-observed, well-written, and amazingly entertaining.
Best to you and all!
Julia R
Thanks, as always, for a superb recap. What a delight to read it this morning! I haven't had time to look at all the comments, but I'm sure others have already quoted and requoted the many fabulous lines. Among my favorite is this, for sure:
"Did someone ask for a definition of chutzpah?
Gracie pays a friendly visit to Mónica, insults her six ways to Sunday, and ends up wangling a dinner invitation out of her."
And this comment gave me a big laugh: "[Alejandro tightens his lips. I bet he's doing Kegels too.]"
He's is a multi-tasker, that Alejandro!
Probably this has been commented on by others and you noted it in your recap, too, but why would anyone involved think it was a good idea to have the reunion between Victoria and Victor happen on a public park bench in the middle of Agua Azul? It made no sense to me at all even by TN standards. I loved the scene of them together, but this decision to have it in public annoyed me and nearly ruined my pleasure in seeing father and daughter reunited at last.
I am still enjoying this TN a lot, but I have begun counting the days until it ends. I think at least one other person has commented on this, too. This will actually be the first TN, I've watched entirely from start to finish. With others I've seen I only caught them from the middle or so, or didn't watch them as religiously. I'd be curious to know if this is a typical feeling for others at this point in a long show.
Thanks so much again, NovelaMaven. Your recaps are always so smartly-observed, well-written, and amazingly entertaining.
Best to you and all!
Julia R
Dear Julia Rold:
Thank you for your generous and gracious comment.
While the bench was outside and plenty exposed, it wasn't exactly in the middle of town. I believe it was right outside the school. So all the teachers and maybe some parents and certainly alll the children could see Victor. But it wasn't the zócalo or anything. So it risky, but maybe not completely suicidal to meet Victoria there.
I think you have a lot of company at the Antsy Table on The Patio about now. :D
Thank you for your generous and gracious comment.
While the bench was outside and plenty exposed, it wasn't exactly in the middle of town. I believe it was right outside the school. So all the teachers and maybe some parents and certainly alll the children could see Victor. But it wasn't the zócalo or anything. So it risky, but maybe not completely suicidal to meet Victoria there.
I think you have a lot of company at the Antsy Table on The Patio about now. :D
Actually, it wasn't even outside of the school. It was in the middle of the school courtyard. So Victor was visible to the students, the teachers, and any parents who came inside to get their kids, like Monse, instead of waiting outside at the gates. Still not smart, but not as public as being outside the school.
Thanks to all the recappers, it is always a joy to read your stories. I think the writers drop by Caray to read our take on their plots, then twist the story just to keep us confounded.
Yola
Yola
Permalink posted by : Monday, June 9, 2014 at 11:25:00 AM EDT
: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 11:25:00 AM EDT
Did Padre Anselmo ever meet the nasty Fabiola? Did he even know that Benjamin's sister ever adopted a child?
He did object strongly to Alejandro even considering taking Maria on as a mistress. However, if he knows anything from the confessional he said nothing.
No redemption for Maria. No way in hell. When Monserrat finds out that she was the one who shot her I want her to kick her across Mexico to the other coast.
He did object strongly to Alejandro even considering taking Maria on as a mistress. However, if he knows anything from the confessional he said nothing.
No redemption for Maria. No way in hell. When Monserrat finds out that she was the one who shot her I want her to kick her across Mexico to the other coast.
Nah Anon ,the writers dont care about us,sometimes it i seen as they do but in reality they dont. If they did they would not have extended the telenovela.Its the least what people wanted.The actors might be aware of the website though :)
Yola,
It would be fun to think the writers were eavesdropping on The Patio, wouldn't it? And maybe they would be if they weren't always ahead of us in the story. They have at times seemed to take social media opinions in Mexico seriously, maybe too seriously. (I'm thinking of Triunfo del Amor and the weird changes that reportedly were a reaction to public opinion, possibly orchestrated by a cast member.)
I wouldn't be surprised, though, if Univision had somebody keeping tabs on the gringo blogosphere. And as Demetrios suggests, some of the actors might take a look at this one occasionally.
It would be fun to think the writers were eavesdropping on The Patio, wouldn't it? And maybe they would be if they weren't always ahead of us in the story. They have at times seemed to take social media opinions in Mexico seriously, maybe too seriously. (I'm thinking of Triunfo del Amor and the weird changes that reportedly were a reaction to public opinion, possibly orchestrated by a cast member.)
I wouldn't be surprised, though, if Univision had somebody keeping tabs on the gringo blogosphere. And as Demetrios suggests, some of the actors might take a look at this one occasionally.
I wouldn't say extending this novela is the least of what most wanted. Initially I was wary because usually when it is extended they add more crazy and unnecessary stuff to the story but I am happy to have more episodes. I am looking forward to what happens in each and everyone. Even if I get frustrated or annoyed sometimes I wouldn't miss it.
Permalink posted by : Monday, June 9, 2014 at 12:45:00 PM EDT
: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 12:45:00 PM EDT
Triunfo De Amor was a mess so the writers must have thought that the public opinion would be their saving grace and in the end it was still a mess anyway. They dont take the public opinion seriously unless the novela is a mess and there is desire to change. For La Tempestad there must have been many people demanding some changes to make the watching experience better but the writers did not care,the story was lame as always and in the end it became one of the worst novelas to hit the screen. It all depends on the writer himself and on his confidence to trust the public on important decisions such as actor changes or important script modifications.
Anon,so far the writers have been very brilliant as they always keep me on the edge,bring up to many good theories ,discussion and its full of action..Its what makes novelas what they are. But i have seen many complaints on the extention on Televisa.com,the tears are infinite from mexicanos.
As im also an anime watcher ,from experiences ,extendtions dont matter as long as there is enough action( Good fights,,good fillers( not to the point of being annoying),enough good dialogue etc.As long as the writer has enough willpower he can continiue making huge profits,even so that when his work ends he will still earns millions.. If you look at Bleach ,it started well but the fillers ruined it and causing the anime to drag,losing popularity and now the people are just waiting for it to end,just like Naruto which has the issue of too many overpowered characters and bland fights. They became so popular they stopped caring for public opinion and it saddens me because when a writer loses its will he loses the show and is actually forced to give it closure,in the process he is not 100% and his work is not as perfect as before.
As im also an anime watcher ,from experiences ,extendtions dont matter as long as there is enough action( Good fights,,good fillers( not to the point of being annoying),enough good dialogue etc.As long as the writer has enough willpower he can continiue making huge profits,even so that when his work ends he will still earns millions.. If you look at Bleach ,it started well but the fillers ruined it and causing the anime to drag,losing popularity and now the people are just waiting for it to end,just like Naruto which has the issue of too many overpowered characters and bland fights. They became so popular they stopped caring for public opinion and it saddens me because when a writer loses its will he loses the show and is actually forced to give it closure,in the process he is not 100% and his work is not as perfect as before.
I think that most of the writing in this series has been good. There was one major issue in the beginning and a dropped ball somewhere but it's better when extending a story in a remake to write a longer story with new action as they are doing here rather than putting in filler scenes.
I'm not impatient for it to end, but want to see some things resolved sooner so the big stuff is better-done later.
BTW, it seems that Erik del Castillo was in a movie that is now in post-pro. I have no idea what will happen with Padre Anselmo, but hate the idea that he is dead.
I'm not impatient for it to end, but want to see some things resolved sooner so the big stuff is better-done later.
BTW, it seems that Erik del Castillo was in a movie that is now in post-pro. I have no idea what will happen with Padre Anselmo, but hate the idea that he is dead.
Cheryl,
how great it is to hear from you. What an exciting life you lead and your photographs... well... masterpieces. I was delighted to read on the Pobres blog (I'm always several days behind there) that Willa is thriving. She is such a beautiful treasure.
Yes, for some reason I usually tend to gravitate toward the bad girls. Generally, as far as I'm concerned, they are much more complex and fascinating than the vacuous and vapid (though always beautiful) so-called good girls.
Carlos
how great it is to hear from you. What an exciting life you lead and your photographs... well... masterpieces. I was delighted to read on the Pobres blog (I'm always several days behind there) that Willa is thriving. She is such a beautiful treasure.
Yes, for some reason I usually tend to gravitate toward the bad girls. Generally, as far as I'm concerned, they are much more complex and fascinating than the vacuous and vapid (though always beautiful) so-called good girls.
Carlos
I have to add that recappers are not only generous with their time and talents, but also kind and gracious in responding to those who comment on the recaps. Thanks again.
Yola
Yola
Permalink posted by : Monday, June 9, 2014 at 2:46:00 PM EDT
: Monday, June 9, 2014 at 2:46:00 PM EDT
BTW, who else thinks that Gracie will cook her own goose at the dinner table when her bebe calls her out on her supreme rudeness?
Dear Yola,
Since this was my day to recap, let me say on behalf of Team Robo that the pleasure is entirely ours!
Urban,
It's too bad Graciela can't take Sandro with her everywhere she goes. At this point, he seems to be her only fan. Oh well, good for us, right? She'll should put on an entertaining show tonight, I expect. And I'm sure her wardrobe will take our collective breath away.
Since this was my day to recap, let me say on behalf of Team Robo that the pleasure is entirely ours!
Urban,
It's too bad Graciela can't take Sandro with her everywhere she goes. At this point, he seems to be her only fan. Oh well, good for us, right? She'll should put on an entertaining show tonight, I expect. And I'm sure her wardrobe will take our collective breath away.
Thanks Novela Maven.
I enjoyed the "kegels" part. That was good.
One thing to say about BM's pole dancing, maybe she ought to watch Natalie Portman's pole dancing in that movie, "CLOSER".Haha!
I really was turned off but not surprised by the dead or alive order of JL and the way he called him criminal.
Anne
I enjoyed the "kegels" part. That was good.
One thing to say about BM's pole dancing, maybe she ought to watch Natalie Portman's pole dancing in that movie, "CLOSER".Haha!
I really was turned off but not surprised by the dead or alive order of JL and the way he called him criminal.
Anne
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 12:06:00 AM EDT
: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 12:06:00 AM EDT
<< Home
© Caray, Caray! 2006-2022. Duplication of this material for use on any other site is strictly prohibited.
