Caray, Caray!

NovelaMaven--Yes, I noticed you mentioned Juan Soler. I will miss his genuine, playful self and his grand sonrisa from Cuando Me Enamoro, but I'm ready to see him try to stick it to Reina and Nicolas.

I'm in on this one. So glad La Impostora is over. Raquel drowning in an empty ship-container wasn't very satisfying.
 

Thanks, Novela!! I am all over this one. I can't wait to see it. (Although I've already seen sneek peeks and it looks good. Juan Soler is going to be a good villain I think.)


 

PS: Anita- I think this looks a little better than La Impostora. I thought it looked like they invested more in sets/costumes/actors with facial expressions.

But I could be wrong. I have rather wonky TN tastes.
 

I'll give it a try although I am eagerly waiting for Kate del Castillo new show. It looks very good so far.
Romy
 

"actors with facial expressions"

LOL, Sara!
 

NovelaMaven, thank you!

This has a few of my favorites - Eugenio Siller and the stellar Laura Flores. Your description of Juan Soler in a World of "Dazzle and Deception"..."Dizzying Wealth", etc. was so perfectly descriptive, it certainly has me intrigued!

I am going to have to stay with Televisa (where I am in way over my head trying to watch what I can from 7-10) but it sounds like those watching will be in for a treat.

Diana
 

Ok, so Eugenio really only has 2 facial expressions tops, but that's two more than Lisette dispalyed in LI.

Romy-I've seen pictures of Kate in that new one. She looks fabulous. I am really torn since I don't want to support narconovelas, but I have it on good authority that they are usually good productions.

 

Reina de Corazones

Hi Anita, Sara, Romy, Vivi and Diana!

It's great to see a little flurry of interest in this novela.

A reminder folks -- we are sharing this page with El Señor and En Otra Piel. That's why we label our comments with the name of the show we are talking about.

If the number of comments gets unwieldy, we can go with a separate page. But right now, we are on THE FRONT PAGE and we have to play nice. Ok?
 

REINA de C
Omigosh. I've been on the LI/Uni threads too long.

My apologies.
 

Reina de Corazones
I can do a quick run down of tonight's episode if it's needed.
 

Reina de Corazones

Sara, that would be great! Thanks so much!
 

Reina:

Sorry. Got carried away. :)
 

Reina--
--I'll try to mind my manners. On with the shewww!
 

Reina de C
Other than labeling the show, is there anything I need to know about mini-recaps? Y'all DON'T list avances in these threads, right?
 

Reina

No, Sara, nothing special.

That's right, we don't do "avances" here.

I like to include the day of the episode (Reina de corazones, lunes).

If I know I'm going to have to divide the recap into 2 or 3 parts, I'll usually write "Part 1 of 3," "Part 2 of 3," etc just in case someone else happens to be posting at the same time.

But not everybody does that -- half the time, I forget to do it myself.
 

REINA DE CORAZONES

Thanks NovelaMaven! I'll be tuning in to watch RDC tonight. It does look like fun. :)
 

REINA

Thanks, NovelaMaven, for the mini-synopsis and cast info. I plan to watch this, and if it's as good as I hope, it will replace one of the other two TNs I've been half-heartedly watching (either En Otra Piel or El Señor de los Cielos 2).

I'm afraid my Spanish isn't good enough to volunteer to do recaps. Sigh.
 

Reina de Corazones
PART ONE
Las Vegas 2014
Our heroine, Reina Ortiz (played by Paola Nuñéz) prepares for her wedding. She wears a cross and kisses the Queen of Hearts. She writes in a journal. They say a bad wedding is better than a good funeral. Could that be true? Love isn't the only reason a woman says "I do."

Our hero Nicolas Nuñéz/Javier Bolivar (played by Eugenio Siller) enters a high security office. He receives items for his new life: a watch, a vehicle and credit cards. He comments that Reina Ortiz is only into millionaires. His boss (played by Laura Flores) warns him to stick to the plan. He likes his new name: Javier Bolivar.

Victor (Juan Soler) and Reina's wedding while Javier rides the streets of Las Vegas.

Victor: I do.
Reina: hesitation, but the smile of a young girl encourages her. She says I do and they kiss. She sees Javier and runs after him....

...and gets smacked by a limo. Slow mo flower toss and the clock rolls back to 2006.

Las Vegas 2006
Estefanía (Catherine Siachoque) does not like the dress. More glamour! More bling! She's marrying a multimillionaire! Reina has an idea and in record time creates a mega train for the dress. Estefanía wants Reina to come to the wedding as the special dress helper.

Nicolas and his dragon tattoo get ready for work. His barely legal lady friend wants him to stay. She's crazy for him, but he's not a commitment/love kinda guy, so chiquita can just forget it.

Reina is given some EXPENSIVE earrings, so she better not lose them. Also, she's to be invisible. Estefanía is the only star of this party. Turns out she's an actriz. An actriz from erotic film. Yup. Porno.

For whatever reason the writers decide Reina should fall and is knocked unconscious. Which has no bearing on the rest of the episode.

Estefania arrives. A man greets her warmly: Slut, Gold-digger. They walk away together, leaving Reina to mess with her hair and dislodge an earring. She is almost hit by a car when she bends to retrieve it. Nicolas is driving. Corny pick up lines about brides being jealous of the guests. Both Nicolas and Reina assume each is an invited guest. Turns out he's just working his valet parking gig.

Estefania and Artemio Hidalgo get hitched.

Uh oh. Camila (Nicolas's barely legal lover) has come to talk him into ditching work. Nicolas works for Artemio, the owner of a casino. Camila's dad is also a high-roller, but Nicolas isn't interested in her dad's money. He turns her down. She gets mad and tells him he will pay.

Nicolas wants into the party. He asks his friend to cover for him and he takes advantage of a pregnant musician to get in. He and Reina dance.

Nicolas makes his way into the house and runs into Estefanía. She's had her eye on this valet parker that works for Artemio for a while. She busts some moves and he wiggles his way out of them.

Reina is dismissed from the party. She can drive the company car. Just take the dress and earrings back to the shop. Nicolas sees her one last time and they officially introduce each other.

Camila cries, drinks drives and swears vengance. Don't text and drive Camila. Ooops. Too late.

Reina leaves. Nicolas takes the yellow Miata(?) and follows.

Susanna (Wanda D'Isidrio) watches dirty videos of Victor. He interrupts and tells her he has better ones for her enjoyment. I'm thinking this is not a functional marriage. A phone call from a police officer informs Victor of Camila's accident.

Reina admires her dress one last time when there is a knock at the door. It's Nicolas. He's come in search of her "sí". He gets a "no" and door slammed in his face. There are worlds she just can't be a part of.
 

Reina de Corazones
PART TWO
Luckily Camila is not hurt. She was just upset about the jerk that rejected her. Victor gets a name. The shady henchman takes note.

Nicolas continues to stalk Reina. He gets his "sí". He'll pick her up tomorrow.

Motorcycle race. Good luck kisses.

Camila and family return home. Mom should have bee watching the girls. She lives for the girls. It's the reason she puts up with Victor's crap. That and the secret they've kept for years. Victor heads out to the party.

Race is over. This girl (Miriam) is preggers. Cops show up and everyone scatters.

Cigar smoking porn star, Estefanía recognizes Victor de Rosas, but they play it cool. Victor disappeared 12 years ago and it's not a good time for him to be showing up in her life again...but he says he never left.

Motoboy runs into Reina. He'll have to find a real job kow that Miriam is pregnant.

Reina's step-mom and half-sister are lazy adn expect Reina to do everything. You've read Cinderella. They laugh at the idea of a prince.

Pole Dance of Death.

Hideous dress. Again Reina has sewn this up in record time. Half-sister eavesdrops.

Camila will get a new car. She skips out to pick one out. Victor owes the little sister a bike. He is underwhelmed to hear Artemio is dead.

Estefanía and the Hijo de Artemio argue. No, she didn't love him, but she didn't kill him. She thinks it must have been him.

Someone stole Reina's dress. She makes another hideous dress out of her friend's curtains. No. I did not make that up.

Nick takes Reina to "his" hotel so she'll feel like a queen. Smoochies and them song.
 

Reina de Corazones
PART THREE
Reina isn't into smoochies if she doesn't know who her smoochie partner is. She asks insignificant questions about his life: pets? siblings? favorite season? What's your favorite side of the bed? He confesses he's not the commitment type, but she could change all that. He gives her the Queen of Hearts. Love, like luck, arrives only when it wants to. She tries to clear up her financial status, but he ignores her to tell her she's his Queen of Hearts.

Tour of Las Vegas.

Santa Barbara 2006
Nicolas tells Reina he loves her. Reina likes his sexy tattoo. Reina tells him she's a virgin. He'll take care of her. (Paola was really cute in this scene.)

Las Vegas a few days later
Camila has written "I love you Nicolas" on her mirror in lipstick. Someone sends her a video of herself being drunk, drugged and slutty. Everyone will know who she really is.

Artemio has left Estefanía and Andres Hidalgo (the son) each 50% of the current and future fortune. Andreas now calls her partner. Frankly, I think this is going to be fun.

Random wedding. Reina and Nicolas each get busted while carrying out their real jobs.

Camila has killed herself.

Nicolas and Reina make their confessions in the desert. Reina is relieved to be able to be herself. Nicolas asks her to marry him. She says yes. He gives her the cross. He's had it since he was born and now he hopes it stays with her forever.

Camila's funeral. Susanna swears to live for Greta. Victor orders shady henchman to take care of Nicolas. The maid overhears.

Nicolas plays cards. Estefania watches in secret.

Reina's friend is happy for her. She understands why she can't come to the wedding. Reina explains they don't want Delfina and Carmen (half-sister and step-mom) to find out. Reina will introduce her buddy to Nicolas after they are married.

Nicolas is called to Estefanías office. He thinks he's in trouble for playing on company time. On the contrary, she loves his card playing. He confesses it's all for his future wife. They are marrying tomorrow and he wants to give her everything. He runs off. Estefania looks a little annoyed and follows him. She gets to witness his being shot in front of the hotel. The shooters throw some drugs in his car.

Flash forward to 2014.

Back to the hit by a limo scene. Turns out the little girl is Reina's daughter. Estefania recognizes Nicolas now Javier. I forgot to mention she was at the wedding.




 

Reina de Corazones
Ugh. Typos abound.

I liked the first episode and I want to see more. Eugenio is the same in every role, but that kind of mediocrity always hypnotizes me and I can't resist.
 

REINA DE CORAZONES

Thanks Sara for the wonderful recap of the first episode!

What was the point of having Reina fall down the steps and be knocked unconscious? Were they trying to tell us that she doesn't look where she's going? That would explain how she was almost hit by a car in 2006 and then actually hit by one in 2014.

So Estefania's sexy pole dance killed Artemio -- too funny.

I loved Victor's reaction to finding out Artemio was dead "oh how sad. good man. pass the croissants please". LOL

So will Camila's Girls Gone Wild video show up again?

How in the world did Reina make the dress out of curtains and in such a short time?

This novela will be a lot of fun. I can't wait until tomorrow.
 

Reina de Corazones
The only other reason I could think of for her falling would be to explain why she was rubbing her head which made the earring fall out.


 

REINA DE CORAZONES

Sara:

That explains it. Her earring had to fall off so she'd meet Nicolás.
 

REINA

Sara, I LOVED the recap. I'm amazed that you put this together so fast. So funny!

I actually like both your and Mauricio's theory to explain Reina's fall. (I invite you both to have a copa at the Crackpot Theorist™ Table on the Patio. I think you'd both feel very comfortable there.)

What a jumpy, crazy start to the story. Am I the only one with whiplash?

I agree that this could be a lot of fun. And one thing about many Telemundo productions -- they're not too heavy on dialogue, which is a blessing to a recapper.

Do we think Catherine S was doing her own Pole Dance of Death or were they using a body double?

Thank you so much!
 

REINA

And I think this is the kind of show where you could insert after nearly every scene you describe:

And I am not making this up!
 

REINA
Well, I'm just going to have to rewatch to see if it's a body double. Honestly, she looked pretty fit when she was tending to Artemio while he had his infarto.

It really did seem like a lot happened and I was a little anxious because I wanted to keep things brief. The further into it we get it will be easier to decide what's important or not. If I didn't have the 2 hour DQTQTQ episode to recap, I would do tomorrow's, too.
 

REINA
Forgot to say that I don't have anything to compare, but Juan Soler was a great villain. What a bastardo.
 

EN OTRA PIEL – LUNES – Part 1

Refried from Thursday’s episode we see Diego right up in Selma’s face demanding to know why she didn’t tell him that she and Mónica Serrano were friends. [Could it be that it’s none of his freakin’ business?] I like Diego when he stays in the barrio befriending Rodrigo, Doña Lupe, Maite, Gabriel, and Valeria. Not so much when he’s behaving like a stalker. He yells at Selma some more: “Not only are you a friend of Mónica Serrano but you’re a friend of MY Adriana?” He says she knows more than she’s telling him.

Back on the high seas with Gerardo at the helm, Mónica shrieks from below. She runs up telling him this was his wife’s boat wasn’t it? [I think when they first got on he told her the boat was named for her.] She says she felt a prick in the back of her neck and heard Mónica Serrano say that Elena killed her! She pretends to be hysterical, saying she can’t stay here because Mónica knows she’s betraying her with Gerardo. He tells her they’ll get to Rosarita and then take a plane. She tells him to head right back to LA or she’ll jump in the water.

Back to more Diego rants. He asks again why she didn’t tell him she was friends with Mónica. Selma logically replies that he never asked that; he was always asking about Adriana! He keeps firing questions at her. How did she meet Adriana? He says he knows perfectly well that Adriana and Mónica met by accident when her limo almost ran her over. She gave Adriana a bottle of champagne. They shared it, and he proposed that same night. But that same night everything changed. He asks why Adriana changed her name. He asks why she’s the friend of a woman who could be her mother. [If I were Selma, I’d have called the cops by now.] He asks if Adriana was the lover of Gerardo Fonsi at the same time she was with him.

Maite, Valeria, and Doña Lupe are passing out flyers and talking to girls outside of a clothing factory. They tell them they shouldn’t go anywhere with someone they don’t know. And they should never go out alone at night. Maite tells them what happened to her and Valeria: being sold into prostitution. Some guy watches from a distance.

Selma finally caves under all the pressure. She blurts out that Adriana is Mónica Serrano. They are both one person.

Ricardo has come to Larrea Wineries to confront Elena about what she told Cami about her mother. “How could you be so ungrateful to someone who gave you everything? Why did you tell those lies about her mother to Camila?”

Selma goes on trying to explain to Diego. She tells him that the soul of Mónica was born again in the body of Adriana. “Now do you see why this whole thing is so complicated?” Of course, he refuses to believe a word of it. He asks if she thinks he’s an idiot.
 

EN OTRA PIEL – LUNES – Part 2

Elena isn’t playing nice with Ricardo anymore. She keeps on baiting him. She tells him that now that he can’t be a lawyer, he’s defending dead people. Rick tells her to leave Camila alone. He tells her that Camila might have been in Paris, but he lived under the same roof with Elena and Mónica. He knows what went on. Elena counters with Mónica having behaved at home but found all her young lovers on her musical tours, and she knows because she went along. Rick isn’t buying it. He asks her if she’s thought about where she’d be if Mónica hadn’t rescued her. She laughs in his face and accuses him of having been one of MS’s young lovers.

Selma tries to convince Diego. She tells him that she also doubted the truth of Mónica being alive. She says she even insulted her. But Mondriana kept telling her things that only the two of them knew. He refuses to believe it and says he’s decided she’s not a good person for telling him such a whopper.

Rick tells Elena she’s an aberration. She goes on grinning at him and says he’s trying to get from the daughter what he couldn’t get from the mother. That he’s a fortune hunter. Rick leans toward her and says: “You know what was Mónica Serrano’s only mistake? Rescuing you. She raised a crow in her own house without knowing said crow would never be grateful. He tells her she is surrounded by a lot of garbage. She asks him what he means, and he says: “Raúl Camacho for example. How could you not know about his owning 30% of the company if you’re in charge of financial operations?" She’s yelling back at him when Camila comes in.

The guy who was lurking in the distance, who we haven’t seen before, tells Maite and Valeria to buzz off from the factory. Valeria is scared, but Lupe gets right in his face.

Elena starts her usual whining about Rick insulting her. She also says she’s sure he was going to hit her. But it doesn’t work this time. Camila says Rick only came to say that Elena should not say such things about Mónica. Camila asks Rick to leave. He takes this the wrong way and tells Elena she’s won again. After he leaves Elena says she’s happy Cami put him in his place and that she knew the reconciliation would not last. Camila: “¡Basta, Elena! She tells her that all Rick is doing is defending her mother’s memory. And that Elena ought to be doing the same. [Yippee!]

Elena asks how Cami could believe the idiot Ricardo more than her. Camil tells her to stop speaking about her boyfriend that way. Cami gives her a cold look and tells her not to blame Ricardo. She tells Elena she doesn’t like the things she does. She doesn’t like the overbearing way she treats employees. Cami says she doesn’t know if what Elena said about her other is true or not, but she’s asking her to never say it again – to her or to anyone. And, if she ever finds out she lied about that, she’ll never forgive her! She leaves the office and we get one of Elena’s evil stares into the middle distance.
 

EN OTRA PIEL – LUNES – Part 3

Carlos, El Pachuco and Rottweiler are in their villains’ den with some more poor girls there with gags in their mouths. Carlos is thrilled with the way “business” is working out. He says he’s looking for more “providers” which does not make Rotty happy. Carlos says he wants to expand using polleros (the guys who bring undocumented people across the border). He wants these guys to alert him when pretty girls cross the frontier alone and without papers. He tries to mollify Rotty by telling him he’ll still have work watching them and hunting them. [Geez, I hate this part of the novela!] Carlos also tells him to get rid of any of the puppy gang he thinks might betray him.

Gerardo has docked the boat. After they get out – in Los Angeles- he tells her they still have time for lunch or a glass of wine. She gets all jumpy and tells him she doesn’t want to make the soul of his deceased wife angry. She says Mónica’s soul can’t rest. He insists that his wife died of natural causes. Mondriana: “And if it were true that Elena killed Mónica Serrano? What would you do? Hide it or tell me the truth?” He asks why in the world he would cover for Elena. She replies that it would be for the same reason he sleeps with her. He insists that Elena is a lot of things, but she’s not a killer. He says he has no reason at all to cover for anyone. She asks him to swear it. He does. She tells him the only way they will have peace to leave together is if he returns everything to Camila and Emiliana. She says she won’t leave with him until the girls are protected.

Pacho has dug up the burned doll. I’m sure it will scare Elena sometime soon.

Elena rants to her favorite whipping boy: Ernesto. He basically asks what did she expect when she said terrible things about Cami’s mother. With a menacing look she says that her little cousin is getting perilously close to the blind alley of death. Ernie is shocked.

Turns out the new guy who was spying on Maite and the others passing out flyers wants to join the Perros gang. They laugh at him and tell him they’re not hiring. But he pulls out a copy of the flyers to show Rottweiler. Uh oh.
 

EN OTRA PIEL – LUNES – Part 4

Lorena is upset with Mondriana for being gone all day. Mondriana swears it won’t happen again. Emiliana sticks up for her, saying Selma is in pain and needs her. Sneaky Susana eavesdrops on this.

Diego goes to his father confessor, Rodrigo. He says it’s mighty rare what Selma told him. [OK, when he talks to Rodrigo, he’s all Don Ro and respectful. But he yells at Selma with a complete lack of respect. This does not please me.] Rodrigo suggests that maybe the supernatural program she’s doing has affected Selma. Diego says that Selma has been keeping him away from Adriana. WRONG! It’s Mondriana herself who has been pushing him away; he just doesn’t want to own that. He says he was about ready to give up until he held her and kissed her a few days ago.

Eileen tells Gabe that she made a terrible mistake and left her script for the telenovela at the bookstore. Gabe says it’s too late. His father already read it. Gabe tells her that, if she wants to help, to try to get the contact information for the guy who stole the screenplay. She agrees and says, when they get it, they’ll ask Ricardo for advice.

Ernesto is remembering what Elena said about Camila and death. Gerardo shows up saying he had to postpone his plans. Ernie tells him Elena is getting dangerous. She’s threatened to send Ernie himself to jail about the adulterated wine if he doesn’t do her bidding. Gerardo tells him, if he were Ernesto, he’d take his share of the money and run. Ernesto tells Gerardo he screwed up by coming back to LA. He should have left Mondriana and gone to NY or to Europe. Gerardo waves this off saying he can settle Elena down with a half hour in bed. Ernie tells him she’s furious about the fake trip to Paris. Gerardo tells him that since she suggested killing Mónica to get her money he’s known she’s capable of anything. He says he had to learn to control her. Ernie asks why he came back. G says he found out that Elena is not the only possessive one who won’t let him be with Mondriana. Mónica Serrano herself doesn’t want this to happen! He tells him all about what Mondriana said on the boat, that she felt the prick of the injection in her neck in the same place.

Ernesto asks how she could possibly know about that. Gerardo says that if Mondriana really knew what they’d done she’d be in Dubai with the blackmail money. Or else she’d tell Camila and they’d be in jail. Ernesto tells him he thinks Elena suspects he has another lover. Gerardo replies that, if things were reversed, and that if Elena were the one with a lover, she’d kill him in a minute to get him out of the way. Ernesto looks at him speculatively: “You aren’t thinking…..?” Gerardo replies that it costs nothing to dream. Elena calls again. Gerardo is annoyed. He says he’ll have to sneak back into the house and put his phone there so he can say he forgot it.

Ernesto tells Gerardo that Elena lied to Camila about why Camacho has the 30%, but it didn’t go so well for her. Gerardo asks him why he gives a rats patootie about Camila, and Ernesto admits that he’s fallen I love with her.

Mondriana tells Selma about Gerardo practically kidnapping her. She says she was SO upset that Gerardo was taking her away from her daughters. And then she found the perfect path to vengeance.

Camila calls Rick, but he thinks she’s called to fight with him and doesn’t pick up.

Susana, who gets rottener by the day, comes to tell Elena that Mondriana was gone all day without having arranged it ahead of time and was being upbraided by Lorena. Elena gets that far away look in her eyes. She gives Susana some money. It looks to me like Susi is only getting $20 for each of her rat-outs.
 

En Otra Piel
Many thanks, Novelera, for the terrific recap. I agree with all your comments about Diego. He's getting on my nerves, too, especially in the scene with Selma. The point you made about the difference in the way he treats Rodrigo and Selma hadn't occured to me, but I think you're right.

I was especially glad that you explained the conversation near the end between Gerardo and Ernesto. I understood when Gerardo said "I can dream" (or something to that effect, but I completely missed what he was referring to. So now perhaps we'll see Gerardo and Elena trying to kill each other. However, when it comes to killing, I don't think Gerardo is in the same league as Elena.
 

Reina
Sara, you're a lifesaver! I enjoyed the first episode, but I was constantly suffering from the "whiplash" NovelaMaven so perfectly described. Your recap helped a LOT!

I was reassured by your comment that Reina's falling down the steps had nothing to do with the rest of the episode, although I like your idea about the tie-in with her losing the earring. I kept wondering whether I had missed a key bit of dialogue.

I loved your comment "No, I did not make this up" and NovelaMaven's noting that that same line could follow just about everything that happened in the episode.

I think I'm staying with this TN. I just hope that you and others will provide frequent recaps. Again, many thanks!
 

REINA
Thanks Juanita! I think there will be plenty of "I'm not making this up." I like that quality in a novela.

It might be to early to tell, but I think the Estefania/Andres business pairing will be entertaining. I liked Estafania the best last night.
 

REINA:

Thanks so much, Sara! I forgot to record the episode, but then saw that Telemundo is repeating it in the afternoon, so it will be recorded by the time I get home.

So, are they really filming in Las Vegas, or is Miami filling in for Las Vegas, as it fills in for every city Telemundo tns are set in (if filmed in the US)? :)

Looking forward to watching Juan being a villain.
 

REINA
I've never been to Las Vegas, but it looked like the actually filmed there. Especially the ride in the desert scene. This may change as we get further along in the novela, but for now it does not look like Miami passing for Las Vegas.

Though there were some scenes that seemed a little green screeny and the closing credits still have the Film in Florida logo.
 

--Reina

Sara, we're right out of the gate and racing towards the finish and it's only the first episode. Thank you for the well-paced recap--and for No I did not make this up and Ooops. Too late. Too Funny. Wish I were watching DQTQTQ just to read your recaps.

Sara--At Victor and Reina's wedding, I got confused. "Turns out the little girl is Reina's daughter." Was this actually mentioned?

Maybe my eyes blurred or my ears shut down, but if she and Nicolas got it on in Santa B. in 2006, she'd be between 7-8. (Ay de Mi, if this is true, then Nicolas not only didn't take care of her as he promised, he didn't take care of himself before picking her cherry.)

The child at the wedding looked a little older than that, even though she looked like Greta. I thought it was Greta, but Greta would now be about 18, so I concede.

BTW, no spoiler, but Victor, Susana and Estefania gave us a GREAT BIG HINT--Victor and Susana have a 12 year-old secret......Estefania and Victor have not been together for 12 years. TA DA! I leave the rest up to your own speculation.

 

REINA
Omigosh that 12 year secret went right over my head! I'm never good with subtleties.

I mentioned the 7-8 eight year old because she encouraged Reina to say "I do." Then after Reina was hit and the bouquet went flying, the girl ran out and screamed "mama." So I hope it's not a spoiler to say Reina has a child.
 

REINA--
Sara--Thanks for the "mama" information. That went right past me! It certainly isn't a spoiler at all that Reina has a daughter.

At the wedding, I did see Reina's half/step sister Delfina (I last saw her in Eva Luna as Bruno's nasty accomplice) and probably her mother next to her, but now I wonder which one was Greta or was she shipped off to boarding school in Italy, as in AV, or the current favorite vacation destination of Graciela on Robo!

Boy does clean shaven, luxurious maned Juan Soler ever look good in a tux. Eugenio, on the other hand, needs a shave (IKIK, younger women think it's a cool macho luke) and needs to reduce the big "little dab will do ya" hair goo to get me interested.
 

Reina (sorta)

Anita, I don't think there's any hairdo or look that would make me prefer Eugenio Siller to Juan Siller.
 

Reina

Oops, my mind was already thinking of Juan, but my fingers were focused on Siller. Obviously, I meant Juan Soler no matter what my foolish fingers wrote.
 

Reina
The annoyed looking older girl next to Victor at the wedding is Greta. She's played by Geraldine Galvan who was last seen in Mentir Para Vivir. She didn't say anything last night so I didn't mention her.
 

CIELOS:

44 comments already. That Reina must be good!

In Cielos, the action continues. Ximena kicks AC out, but knows AC will not rest until he has Bert back in the drug business, whether it's good for him or not. Xime then snaps at Ruti about Ernie. Ernie has sworn Victor to silence about the the fact that Ernie was doing more than watching at that bordello. And Ruti seems to be falling for his charms again.

Ignacio gets suspicious that Vicky is helping Leo, and points out Leo is his WIFE, he has the right to know. So Vicky admits she's helping Leo find Ximena, in return for Leo helping bring down Elsa. Vicky tells Leo on the phone that Ig knows. But it's not all bad, Ignacio makes some calls, and DOES locate Ximena at one of Don Cleto's former houses. Leo goes there, confronts Xime, who won't say a word about Bert's whereabouts. When Leo asks about AC, Xime says he's dead. Leo shoots back "I'm no idiot. I SAW him. Aurelio Casillas is alive!"

He sure is, and Chema is out to prove it. He DOES ask Monica about meeting with "Francisco". Monica's smirk goes away. Bigotes, on orders from Chema, violently HITS Moni in the face, and when she falls down, she says wait, I'm pregnant. This makes Chema even more suspicious, although she says it's Francisco's. Chema wants to call him, and at first Moni says you can't, he's in Guatamala.

But after some pressure, she calls AC, and gets the hints in about Guatamala. Chema grabs the phone, and says who is this? AC thinks fast, covers the phone, hands it to Trino, tells him what to say. Trino pretends that he's Francisco and that they're in Guatamala. Chema says fine, I'm coming to meet you!

So off they go in the plane. AC now has some fast planning to do. He calls Chacorta. Chacorta has just visited Pepe Johnson and told him to cancel today's show. Pepe says no way, each show costs $70,000. No problem says Chacorta, I'll give you $500,000 if you cancel the show and set me up with Irma. Which he does. Chacorta is just about to force Irma to go off with him on some "date" when AC calls and says we need to go to Guatamala and set up a trap for Chema.

Trino wants revenge on Chema, because AC tells him that Chema killed his cousin Ronnie. This is a lie of course, AC himself killed him so Ronnie could be his dead double. And he may be ready to do the same thing to Trino. The only thing is, Trino can't just kill Chema, because Chema has Monica, and will keep her away from the meet until he gets what he wants. AC and Chacorta meet with a guy they know in Guatamala and give him some drugs and the promise of business if he goes along. This could be very sticky for Chema when he gets there!

Bert and Santiago are both happy with each other, and Bert's getting ready to go back to Europe. When he calls his Mom, she says stay away from this house! Good thing, since AC has the heat on her, and then Leo showed up, too.

Lai is going to Spain. Matilde is going off the deep end. She's worried that either Chema or AC will find out that she's playing them against each other. Lai says if we keep quiet, we'll be okay. But Mati can't help drinking to stop her worries, and Alba is so disgusted with the drinking (and some insults), that she kicks Mati out! Mati goes back to the club, where she meets her General, Antonio. He says if you go with ME, I'll give you all the weapons and protection of my entire army! Tempting.....
 

Cielos

thanks SO much Hombre!

when Monica hit the ground from Bigotes punch, I think he was stepping up to kick her in the gut when she blurted out she was pregnant, seems like she always has a split lip which doesn't seem to bother her that much.

Mati is always doing things wrong, but she gets by, but now I think Chema has told her if she is lying, he will take out carlitos and then Chacorta, this worries her.

Leo's story is strange when we remember that she lived in the Casillas' house as an informant and knows everyone, even sleeping with Aurelio.

Leo, hanging out looking for the family, big Ernie picks up on it and starts hitting on her, and doesn't she put out that he is dealing drugs, and when she gets a call he scurries off.

 

Reina
It is on right now 1PM
 

REINA

Wow, I'm pleased to see so much interest in a new novela. Eugenio Siller has never done a thing for me, although his smile in this one is quite winning.

I had never seen Paola Núñez in anything before. Wow, she's absolutely gorgeous.

I'll probably stick out the week, but three novelas is too much for me. I am watching En Otra Piel and El Señor de los Cielos. I was on vacation most of last week so El Señor is stacked up on the DVR. I have to scroll carefully here at Telemundo so as not to read spoilers! Since I recap En Otra Piel I had to be current on that one to do my Monday recap. Thank God they skipped Friday!

Anyway, back to Reina. I thought the production values were excellent. I was surprised to see a novela take place in Las Vegas. It's the first one I've seen in that locale of the US.

It was interesting that both our protagonists were pretending to be rich to keep the interest of the other. I'm very glad they got that out of the way in the first episode.

It's going to be interesting to see how they get from the sweet seamstress to the woman who chose to marry Juan Soler's awful character.

The actress who portrays Reina's jealous step-sister seems to be typecast as a jealous woman. She played that role in Pasión Prohibida and in one other novela that slips my mind right now.

I didn't read all the comments yet, but was anyone else thinking of Cinderella with the evil step-mother and evil step-sister? They left her all the chores to do as well.
 

Cielos
Many thanks, Hombre, for the recap. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to give up on Cielos. I've decided I want to watch Reina de Corazones, and I can't handle three TNs. I had to choose between dropping En Otra Piel or Cielos, and I decided to stay with En Otra Piel, both because it's on right after Reina and because I think it will be more helpful for my Spanish. Too much of the dialogue in Cielos is blipped or goes right by me. I'm still interested in what happens in Cielos, and so I'll continue to look forward to your recaps.
 

Reina
Novelera, I think the evil step-mother explicitly mentioned Cinderella when speaking to Reina. Reina pointed out that Cinderella winds up with the prince, which made both the step-mother and step-sister burst out laughing.
 

REINA
I guess I will risk the public humiliation and confess that I like Eugenio. Do I think he's a good actor? No. He seems know different to me here than he was in Al Diablo con los Guapos. But he seems to be trying so gosh darn hard. He seems to sincerely want to make the director and get his little scooby snack. I can't dislike someone like that. :-)
 

REINA
But not really.

"no" not "know" (I've been doing that a lot lately and I'm staring to get concerned.)
 

Reina
Watched at 1PM today

It looks good even though Eugenia Siller does nada for me & neither does Juan Soler. He just might make a great villain though. There was zero to draw me to this one.

Paola Núñez is beautiful & so far seems quite good. I recognized Susanna, Victors wife, (Wanda D'Isidro) from Santa Diabla.
 

Reina

Sara, you cracked me up! First you apologize for "know" instead of "no", saying doing that worries you. And then you say "staring" instead of "starting"! Please know (or no) that I'm affectionately teasing you!
 

REINA
Ay por dios...

I didn't even notice "staring".

Vario-I started with Santa Diabla, but didn't finish. I did really like Wanda D'Isidro,though. But I have to ask, Am I the only one that get her and Ximena Duque confused?
 

Reina

I don't get Wanda & Ximena confused but I do get Eugenio Siller confused with Zurita Jr. & IMO neither have much talent. Now papa Zurita has mucho talent.
Ivan Sanchez & Humberto Zurito look so much alike, they could easily play father & son.
 

Sara,
Who is your avatar?
 

REINA
Eugenio and Zurita Jr. definitely look alike and I used to confuse them as well.

I am kind of wondering what will happen to Susanna (Wanda D'Isidro.) Clearly something will since Victor married Reina.

What am I saying? Surely Victor will have her killed? Is conjecture ok? Cause it's just conjecture based on the first hour.
 

It's my abuelo.
 

Ah, Sara, love it.
 

REINA--

--@Novelera
About the actress who plays Reina's step/or half sister. She's Priscila Perales. Did you watch Eva Luna? She was Liliana Solis, Creepy Bruno's evil accomplice. She's good as evil!

About Paola Nunez. I'm watching her on TV Azteca in a tn called Destino with THE Mauricio Islas. She plays a sweet, innocent, but well educated, young thing who falls for this older man as they are constantly being thrown together by "Destiny." Of course he falls for her himself, but it seems "Destiny" is also determined to keep them apart. I certainly feel for them when they look at each other--all they've been able to do in the last few weeks. I like her.

Sara--Tienes un abuelo muy guapo. I thought at first he was a scientist, author or poet or even Presidente de la Republica (you can name a country of your choice). Very distinguished.

I didn't realize until the very last scene that Eugenio had washed that goo right out of his hair and those curly locks frame his face handsomely. Yummm. But before you say anything, my heart belongs to Juan Soler (or maybe it's Cristian de la Fuente, can't decide).
 

REINA DE CORAZONES

I can do a mini recap of tonight's action packed episode.
 

REINA
That would be awesome, Mauricio. My cable is being a jerk tonight and NONE of my shows recorded. I hope Telemundo puts this up tomorrow morning.
 

REINA DE CORAZONES
But really off topic.

Anita, thank you for your kind words about Abuelo. I may be premiering other pictures of him. He's been gone 14 years and I still miss him.
 

Reina de Corazones

Sara - Thank you for the recap! I recorded and watched the first episode last night, and pretty much caught everything -sin los CC's- but your recap helped fill in some of the holes in my Spanish.

This telenovela looks promising, so can I book a seat on the Patio?


 

REINA
You're always welcome on any patio, Doris! I will enjoy seeing your puppy avatar :-)
 

REINA DE CORAZONES - TUESDAY CAP 2

Title: The Misfortunes of Reina Ortiz and Nicolás Nuñez

Estefania has spotted Nicolas (now Javier Bolivar). Nicolas realizes he’s been spotted and rushes over to his motrocycle and gets on. Estefania follows. Still in shock she tells him “You’re dead” (Tu estas muerto). Nicolas doesn’t answer and flees on his motorcycle throwing the boquet of flowers he had been holding in his hands as he rides off.

Nicolas arrives at the agency and storms into Smith’s office. He believes the agency planned Reina’s accident. Smith assures him that the accident WAS really an accident. He’s not sure if he can continue with the mission. Smith won’t tolerate any weakeness from him. The agency did everything to kill Nicolás Nuñez. Smith won’t allow a love interest to get in the way. Their target is Victor De Rosas.

Meanwhile, Reina is being wheeled into the emergency room.

Breaking News: Telemundo has decided not to make the villain a narco.

Victor De Rosas is a trafficker of precious gems with connections to terrorism. Corrupt judges and politicians are involved. Gasp! Victor will lead the agency to those involved. Nicolas is now an agent and knows what the mission is about. He can’t get over how Reina is now Victor’s wife. Smith makes it clear to him that even if Reina dies he still has a mission he must complete.

Estefania visits Nicolas’ tomb. Nicolas shows up. Are you ghost? she asks him. Nope it’s me, he tells her. But my name is now Javier Bolivar.

Reina’s in a coma and who knows if she’ll ever wake up. Gasp!

Time passes

During that time, Nicolas (disguised as her doctor) visits her. Victor brings Clarita to see her mother. Nicolas (still disguised as her doctor) is there the day Reina opens her eyes. They stare at each other.

 

REINA DE CORAZONES - TUESDAY CAP 2
PART 2

We are taken back to 2006

Cinderella..errr Reina awaits her Prince Charming at the entrance of the church. Her Prince Charming is being wheeled into the emergency room victim of a shooting. He asks Estefania to let her Cinderella know what’s happening. The doctors do everything they can to save Nicolas. Estefania goes to see Reina at the church. She recognizes her as the seamtress who made her dress. Estefania tells Reina that her Prince Charming is dead. Reina is devasted.

She awakens at the hospital still in her wedding gown. Wicked stepmother and evil stepsister come in to see her. They know of Reina’s plans to marry in secret. They are nasty to Reina. Reina is preggers. Gasp!

At the hospital, delusional Estefania is at Nicolas’ bedside. She believes she’s the woman for Nicolas. Oh brother. Nicolas will never know why she lied to Reina. Cops come into the room.

Victor De Rosas is pissed off because Nicolas is alive. He wants the pig dead. Isidro assures Victor that Nicolas’ life will be a living hell. Isidro tells Victor about Nicolas’ wedding plans. “Perhaps my daughter found out and couldn’t bear it”, says Victor. Isidro tells Victor the name of the bride - Reina Ortiz.

Reina speaks with Andres at the casino. She needs to see Estefania. Andres could care less about the misfortune of Reina. He tells her that there was a drug releated shooting the night before. Reina can’t believe this. Her Prince Charming was a decent man. She needs to speak with Estefania so Estefania can tell her what happened. Are you still here? asks Andres.

Cops handcuff Nicolas to the bed. Estefnia tells Nicolas about the drugs found in his car. It is all a setup, says Nicolas. Where’s Reina? he asks. Estefania lies and tells Nicolas that Reina doesn’t love him.

Reina cries and prays in church. What will she do without her Prince Charming? As she leaves, she runs into Victor who behaves like such a gentleman with her. She tells her she lost the love of her life. He tells her he too lost a loved one. Reina leaves. Victor tells Isidro that he wants to know all about Reina’s past and present. Victor will take care of her future.

Wicked stepmother has prepared a tea that will make Reina have an abortion. Reina left her cellphone at the house. Nicolas is able to call Reina thanks to the help of a nurse. Evil stepsister answers. Nicolas says he’s Reina’s financee. Evil stepsister tells Nicolas that Reina doesn’t fall in love. She loves to use men and then she dumps them. Nicolas is shocked. Evil stepsister hangs up. Reina arrives and wicked stepmother gives her the tea. Reina drinks. Gasp!

Connie and Lazáro’s grandma is dying. They must go see her. She raised them when their parents died. They had been seperated and their grandma brought them back together. Lazaro was in Mexico and Connie in Colombia. Thanks to grandma they grew up as siblings. Miriam is heartless and could care less about the dying grandma. They will tell Reina about this later.

Reina writes in her diary “What I most want in this world is to take care of my baby. It’s all I have left of Nicolas, my love.” She gets a pain in her belly. She screams for help. Wicked stepmother and evil stepsister come into the room. They stand and watch Reina in pain. “You’re such a drama queen” says wicked stempmother.

Estefania pretends to speak with Reina on the phone while in Nicolas’ hospital room. Nicolas tells her to hang up. He wants nothing to do with Reina.

Fight between Nicolas and another inmate. Nicolas receives a beating from the evil guard.

Reina and the baby are fine. She must not drink things that will make her sick.

Evil guard hoses down Nicolas. Split screen of Nicolas as a kid getting the same treatment. Nicolas is angry. Evil guard gives him the nickame of Dragon. Nicolas meets his roommate - Juan Balboa aka Rocky.
 

REINA DE CORAZONES - TUESDAY CAP 2
PART 3

Reina is fired from her job. Victor is behind this.

Lunchtime at the prsion. Some inmates steal Nicolas’ food and he stands up to them. A fight ensues. Evil guard takes Nicolas somewhere else and has someone beat him up. Nicolas fights back. Someone else shows up and Nicolas gets kicked by both men. We see evil guard grinning.

Two men await Reina outside her home. They want the money Nicolas owes them. They steal Reina’s purse and cross. Victor comes to the rescue and gives Reina back her cross. Reina invites him into her home. Victor was behind this attack too. Reina remembers Victor from somewhere. We met at the church, he tells her. Victor tells Reina he was in the neighborhood visiting a sick woman who works for him. He offers Reina a job as a seamstress at Camilee, a lingere company. Turns outs Victor is the the owner. Reinat tells Victor she’s preggers. He congratulates her. She accepts the job. Victor loves to drink black cofee. Gasp!

Another guard finds Nicolas and he’s taken to the infirmary.

Victor introduces Reina to her new co-workers.

Inmates steal Nicolas’ food. He wants to fight. Rocky tells him to calm down. Nicolas is now part of a group. There is a basketball game. A fight again.

Estefania visits Nicolas. She telked to a lawyer. He asks her why she’s doing this all for him. She tells him she hates injusticies and believes him. He asks her if she always does things like this. She tells him no but she also suffered an injusice and no one did anything for her. He tells her that when he gets out he’ll pay her back because he doesn’t have a family who he can ask for her. She knows what that’s like because she did have a family and had a happy childhood until one day everything was tainted with blood. One day she’ll tell him her story and one day he he’ll tell her his story. But that will be when he gets out. She asks him to let her be his friend. He doesn’t know how his life will from now on. He doesn’t even know if he has a famiy.

Time passes. Reina works. Victor gives her a gift. Nicolas wins at poker in prison. Nicolas’ friend visits him. Estefania is there too. Nicolas wins at arm wrestling.
 

REINA DE CORAZONES - TUESDAY CAP 2
PART 4

Nicolas draws a dragon. He’ll get his sentence tomorrow. He tells Rocky he was abandoned and grew up at an orphanage. He’d get adopted and abanoned again. He’d return to the orphanage. He never had anything except for the cross which was left along with him when he was abandoned. He tried to escape from the orphanage but he was caught.

Nicolas is found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Victor tells Reina she should think about taking her maternity leave. Susana shows up. Susana and Victor are getting a divorce. Susana is nasty with Reina. Reina goes into labor. She gives birth. The baby doesn’t cry.

Estefania tells Nicolas that Camila is dead. The day he was shot was the day of her funeral. She killed herself because she was so in love with him. Victor De Rosas is her father and she knows who he is very well. He’s an unscruplous man. She’s sure Victor set Nicolas up and ordered his death to avenge his daughter’s death. And that’s not all. She lies and tells him that Reina was in cahoots with Victor. They are lovers and are having a baby. She shows him a photo of them together. Nicolas is shocked. Shocked. All Nicolas can say about this is - OK. Nicolas feels nothing. He wishes Reina and Victor the best. He hopes they take advantage of the time he’s locked up because he’ll be back.

Reina gave birth to a daughter. Baby Clarita was born with a minor heart infection. It is serious. Victor will do what he can to help baby Clarita. He’s called the best doctors. He tells Reina he loves her.

Nicolas has nothing left. He doesn’t even mind being locked up anymore. Lawyer will try to reopen the case to show it was all a setup to avenge Camila's death.

Reina prays. If baby Clarita surives thanks to Victor she’ll forever be indebted to him and will always be grateful to him. She’ll do whatever he asks her to do. Gasp!

More time passes. Baby Clarita is ready to go home. Reina is so grateful to Victor. Ask me anything you want, she tells him. You know all I want is you, he tells her. He invites her and baby Clarita to come and live with him. Baby Clarita will have everything she needs. If Reina agrees, Clarita could be Clara De Rosas, Victor's daughter.

Nicolas defends the fresh meat who turns out to be Lazaro.

Connie returns home. She sends Reina a text.

Victor pretends to be Reina and lets Connie know she wants nothing to do with them. She’s starting a new life with the father of her daughter, Victor De Rosas. Victor erases Connie’s messages. Reina shows up with baby Clarita in hands. Victor tells her that they’ll be a great family.

Miriam holds a baby in her arms. Connie finds out from Miriam that Lazaro stole, escaped, and was caught. Miriam is heartless.

Nicolas is taken away. Lazaro must not be worried about him. Dragon gets out of everything. Lazaro owes Dragon one.

Victor welcomes Reina and baby Clarita to their new home. Victor thinks it will only be a matter of time before she loves him. Maid will show Reina to her room. Victor doesn’t want Reina to have contact with anyone from her past. He asks Isidro to keep an eye on Reina. Reina is his prisoner.

We are taken back to present

Reina believes she’s in the hospital due to the fall down the stairs. She has no memory of anything else from that point on. She believes she’s still in 2006. Gasp!
 

REINA DE CORAZONES

Victor pretended to be Reina by using her phone to send a text to Connie letting her know she wants nothing to do with her and Lazaro.

I forgot to add the part about sending the text in the recap. Sorry.
 

REINA
Thanks Mauricio! Fabulous stuff. I loved the newsflash and the gasps.

I guess we know why they had that scene with Reina falling and hitting her head.

Capítulo 2 didn't disappoint either! I got to watch online this morning.
 

REINA - TUESDAY

Mauricio, what a firecracker of a recap! Gasp! Just brilliant! Between Sara's recounting of Episode 1 and yours of Ep. 2, we now have the set-up clear for this kind of complicated back and forth story.

I liked this episode even more than the first one. The actors on Monday -- except for Reina and Estefania -- seemed a little stiff in this opening chapter. But last night, everyone, especially Juan Soler, really seemed to have settled into their roles.

Thank you so much for doing this, Mauricio. You are amazing!
 

CIELOS:

After Leo tells Ximena she knows AC is alive, she saw him, Ximena replies he's dead to me, I wish all of you would leave us alone! Xime says not so fast, your husband and son committed many crimes, they have to pay for that. Xime says I'm a mother, I'll NEVER turn in my own son. Rutila shows up, sees Leo, remembers when she lived at the house years ago. After Leo leaves, Xime tells Ruti Leo is a cop, and is after your brother and your father.

Leo calls Vicky, and also speaks to Ignacio. Ignacio still wants her to stop this revenge/obsession thing, but Vicky agrees to make some calls to send Leo some backup police while she stakes out the place. At the end of the episode, Leo goes back and offers Ximena a deal. If Xime will turn in AC, Leo will let Bert be free to live his life. She gives Xime 8 hours to decide.

Matilde's General Antonio says her really means it when he says he'll protect her. But of course he wants sex in return, and Mati grins and bears it as they do the nasty.

Macario and Pantaleon are plotting to retake the drug stash that Tostao got. Macario wants to take the stuff for themselves, but Pantaleon says no, we can't cut out the Mexicans.

Ernie gives Vic a backpack to hold. Vic later looks inside and sees guns and wads of cash! If the Padre sees that, look out. But what REALLY worries the Padre is that Ernie has a statue of Malverde, the Saint of Evil. That's BAD news :) Ernie says maybe I'll be like Chacorta, he seems to be doing fine. Padre is appalled, later tells Ximena he shouldn't have accepted drug money. She wants him to help hide Bert. Bert's upset he can't go home, but is making plans to go to Europe. He spares Santiago the details, since Santi wants to be totally within the law.

As Chema approaches AC and crew in Guatamala, AC tells his guys the plan. We'll get back Monica, and then I'll turn in Chema to Interpol. Chacorta thinks it won't work. Then, says AC, we'll go for plan B. Kill em all! In the meantime he tells Trino to act like "Santiago".

Chema and Bigotes arrive with a bunch of guys. Monica is not brought into the warehouse. Chema is surprised to see Chacorta, was does most of the talking, not letting Trino (pretending to be Santiago) say much. Chema says 1) we want our drugs back, and 2) we want Monica. Chema isn't going for either one. Then Trino lunges forward, pulls his gun, points it at Chema, screams, I want back my
Monica back. Before Chema can respond, Chacorta shoots Trino dead! This supposedly saved Chema, but it looked staged to me. However, Chema now agrees to give back Monica, but they don't even HAVE the drugs. But they can do business.

AC is watching all this from a high up hiding place. He calls the Guatamala Interpol to tell them how they can arrest the famous Chema. Chema tells Chacorta he won't turn Monica over here, it has to be in Mexico, but Chacorta says I thought we were going to bury the hatchet now, we'll respect each other's turf, can't we work together. Okay, says Chema, and Monica is released.

Chema and crew leave, but are stopped on the highway by about 50 Interpol guys, with lots of trucks! Chema tries to bribe the head guy, but it doesn't look good!!!

 

Reina

wow, thanks so much for the recap Mauricio!
and thanks Sara for yesterdays,
there is way to much hopping around here for me to get it all.

loving Catherine Siachoque (Estefanía), did she tell Nicolas that Reina didn't even show up at the church for the wedding?

so smooth George, or was it Jorge, from Santa Diabla, didn't die after all but ended up in prison like we knew he would, and changed his name to "Rocky" Balboa.

this story is like we are starting at the beginning and the end and working toward the middle, and it could be that Estefania and Victor are working together but it seems more like Estefania is looking out for Nicolas in some kind of scheme to get back at Victor, and there is the part where she saw the shooting and the drugs being planted in Nicolas' car but she must not of revealed any of this at his trial.

and I guess technically Estefania is Nicholas' boss as half owner of the casino.

 

REINA
I am loving Juan Soler as a villain. It is creepy to see the sweet, caring face and in a split second he goes to cold and calculating.

Deb-yes I do think that Estefania said that Reina wasn't even at the church and that she had to go to her house. And Nick was an employee of the casino Estefania's husband owned so I guess she is technically his boss.
 

REINA - Tuesday

Mauricio--Gasp! Juan Soler can still smile like the old days, only this time it's with evil intent. Dang! I wished he'd actually fallen for Reina.

P.S. Reina needs to do something about her hair. She looked quite fetching in her pretend high-society days. First order of business for Victor is to get her contacts or laser surgery.

I wasn't altogether happy with the level of violence in and out of jail, but as this is only my 4th jailhouse rock tn (La Temp, Que Bonito Amor, La Imp), I'm a novice. Someone said they are glad Victor is not a narco-kingpin, so in that case, are we to expect LESS violence?

Victor has the money and the power to do anything he pleases. Despite Estefania's treachery, she's the only one on Nicolas' side. I can't wait to find out how he gets into the spy business.

So, Reina can't remember anything after her fall....that means she won't even remember who Nicolas/Javier is, giving him another chance to woo her. Since she's now married ante Dios (and did they go through the Civil I wonder) to Victor, that will make it nigh impossible. Can't wait to see that part of the story develop either.
 

Oh, BTW, Isidro is unmistakable as Juan Pablo from Marido en Alquiler. I thought he was intriguing then, despite his faithlessness and aversion to fatherhood. I expect great evils from him here.
 

Reina

thanks Sara!

say, does anyone remember what that word is that Estefania uses when referring to Reina, does that relate to her wearing glasses, and how belittling is that?

 

REINA
Is it anteojitos? I guess it's like little four-eyes?
 

REINA

Deb, she calls her "anteojos" -- eyeglasses. So it's like "you with the glasses" or even "four-eyes."

Anita, since this story takes place in the U.S., there is no need for two wedding ceremonies. The church wedding is all it takes.
 

Cielos

thanks again Hombre!
you sure can make these complicated stories so simple.

I don't remember the term but was Leo tapping all of the phones and how was she doing this, and what right does she have making a deal with Ximena, because all we see is that Leo is working alone, with a little help from Vicky.

it was interesting watching Chema and Chacorta face off, I had a feeling Trino was toast from the beginning, did Chacorta say he would take care of his family, but I'm wondering why anyone would work for these guys.

not quite sure why Chema gave up Monica, Chacorta made it clear that returning their drugs was top priority and Monica was just extra, I thought a better plan would have been to attack the car Monica was in, maybe with snipers, then snuff out Chema and crew, but I guess Aurelio didn't want to risk it.

 

Reina--
@NM--Couldn't keep my beanie on straight, it fell down over my eyes while the lights of Las Vegas were blazing and all I could hear was Spanish. (Except, of course, for Reina's mother's English insertions.) Disculpame.

So, if it's the States, then getting a divorce won't be that difficult, except where Victor is concerned, who will make it impossible for 100 or so episodes.
 

Reina
I like this TN so far. I love Juan Soler and I also like Eugenio (nice bod). I also like the theme song by Enrique Iglesis. I just downloaded it.
This should be fun. If I see any Miami sites I'll let you know.
Sue in Miami
 

En Otra Piel

Thanks, Novelera, for your thorough recap.

Looks like Reina reigns right now. :o)

spanish student
 

REINA
I would appreciate that Sue in Miami. I had said yesterday that I thought a lot had been filmed in Las Vegas, but watching this morning I had my doubts.
 

REINA

So does Victor really love Reina? Some here seem to think his sole motivation is getting back at Nicolás. All that stuff about isolating her could be either revenge or obsessive and potentially abusive love.

I don't know. I get a bit tired of how the villains outwit the poor protagonists at every turn until the last week. In this one, at least, there's some hope since Reina has lost all memory of Nicolás' "betrayal" and having left her at the altar (per Estefania). So they may re-boot the relationship.

The violent prison beatings don't do a thing for me. And the supposed "power" of the bad guy to make sure he suffers in prison seems over the top.

Sorry to sound a negative note.

I'm still liking Paola's acting quite a lot. She's quite refreshing. And Catherine is doing an amazing job as Estefania.
 

REINA

Whoops, what bad manners, Novelera! I forgot to thank Mauricio for that terrific recap.

I especially liked the News Flash that Victor is NOT a narco!
 

CIELOS:

Deb, Leo was actually bluffing about bugging the phones, she even admitted that to Vicky. She just used it to manipulate Ximena. Also, she has zero authority to make a deal, it's just her little private deal. But since no one else is after Bert, and no one believes that AC is even alive, this could work.

But it probably won't.
 

Mauricio – Great recap! Thanks!

”Breaking News: Telemundo has decided not to make the villain a narco.”
ROFLOL!!!

Oh noes! The old amnesia plot device ... for CindeReina! Oh noes!

Well, at least we've got our mandatory telenovela hospital scene (per the telenovela rules) out of the way. One down.... and how many more to go?

NovelaMaven - good point about the wedding being here in the U.S. We are *so* programmed to think “Mexico”.

WHY would the limo run Reina over? Still trying to figure that one out. It seemed to come from a complete stop.

 

REINA

So no way was I going to be able to watch a third story every night. And then I did. And since this offers the chance to see (formerly) Juan Pablo some more, I'm in. But I'm confused. Why is Reina living with her evil step-mother? She works. She should have been able to get out. And why would Estefania fall so hard for a mere (but super good looking) peon like Nicolas? A fling would be understandable, but to hang on while he's in jail seems odd. She shouldn't be that bored with all her dead husband's money. And do we know why Victor is doing all this to Reina? He thinks the guy who (isn't really) responsible for his daughter's death is dead/jailed, so what's the point? I don't get it, unless these are all things I should just write it off as novelaness and ignore. There seems to be some odd, choppy editing to the story, but I'm willing to give it a go. Because of Juan Pablo.

Kelly
 

REINA

About tonight, ep. 3 --
I'm recording it and hope to watch it later. If no one else can do it, I'll write a quickie tonight. If YOU want to do it, sing out!
 

REINA
I know I would appreciate it, NovelaMaven! I will be back in town Saturday and I don't mind doing Friday's episode, but it wouldn't be up until Saturday afternoon. Just let me know.

Kelly- I sort of felt like Victor had it out for Reina and didn't really live her. I felt like he also blamed her for his daughter's death as well.
 

REINA

Sara, I'd love it if you did this Friday! Thanks!

Ok, I'll do tonight.

Anyone want Thursday? We're not talking commitment here, just one single night. Once we've seen a full week, we'll see if anyone wants to sign on to do minirecaps.
 

Reina de Corazones, ep. 3, miércoles
Part 1 of 2

Let's try this thematically, rather than chronologically, okay? You guys can let me know if I missed something important.

Reina

Reina has lost all memory of the last eight years. She believes it is now October 12, 2006. (This is the precise day she met Nicolás, but her memory cuts off a few hours before that time.) The last thing she remembers is tripping on some steps -- she was wearing high heels and she wasn't used to them. And then she woke up in this hospital room.

She remembers her friend Connie and her job as a seamstress. But she knows nothing about her husband or her daughter or her career. The only person she recognizes is her predatory half-sister Delfina, who somehow squeezes past Victor and his embargo on Reina's past.

Doctora Alzoagui? Reina can't believe it! She has been so near-sighted all her life, but she can read the small letters on the doctor's nametag. Could a bump on the head cure myopia? No, it's laser surgery that can do that.

Maybe that's the turning point. Reina comes to understand that people are telling her the truth, and that a big chunk of her memory is missing. She is diagnosed with severe focal retrograde amnesia, and it's anybody's guess as to whether those missing eight years will ever come back.

Victor thinks that's not such a bad thing...

We learn that Reina has been living in Victor's house for eight years and is a hugely successful designer with a reputation for being somewhat remote and inaccessible privately.
 

Reina, part 2 of 2
Nicolás

Five years earlier, Agent Smith (Laura Flores) spirited Nicolás away from prison so he could work for her in the CIA. He was given a new identity, Javier Bolívar, and underwent intensive physical and mental training. His few friends were told he had died. Estefanía mourned him and left flowers on his empty grave.

After three years of successful missions for the agency, Javier is ready for his greatest challenge: he is to make Reina Ortiz fall in love with him. Smith intends to use Reina to get at her husband, Victor de Rosas.

Javier still believes that Reina did him dirty. He tries to turn down the mission, but Smith won't allow it.

Javier is instructed to install cameras on the grounds of the de Rosas mansion. He manages to do it successfully, though he does have a skirmish with several security guards.

Estefanía

Stefi's partner Andrés is in Europe and she is flying solo in her casino. Nicolás explains his return from the grave by feeding her a line about escaping from prison and establishing a new, well-documented but illegal identity. He tells her his purpose in life is getting vengeance on Reina. Curiously, she has a similar and compatible life-goal -- getting vengeance on Victor. They decide to join forces. Inexplicably -- and hilariously -- she has the hots for Javier. They writhe and pose on a pool table together.

Stefi also befriends Victor's ex-wife Susana when she meets her in the casino one evening. Stefi tells Susana that she had a daughter who died at birth.

Victor

There's not much new about him tonight. We get to see Victor with his friend, the honest cop. We also get some glimpses of Greta, his mouthy adolescent daughter.

Victor reams out Isidro for the ineptness of the home security team.

Lázaro and the homeboys

Lázaro doesn't realize that it was Nicolás/Javier who got him out of prison. He believes that Nicolás is dead.

When he steps outside the prison gates, his son Roman runs up to greet him. Juanjo and Connie are there too and obviously happy for him. Miriam, Roman's mother, stands apart from the others and kind of sneers. We recognize Miriam as one of Estefanía's employees at the casino.

Later, Lázaro tells them all that he was trained as a nurse in prison and he's going to look for work in that field. Miriam kind of sneers.

Connie thinks Reina snubbed her years ago (though she didn't -- it was the odious bitch Delfina). She misses the old Reina.

The End of the Episode

Reina's homecoming is watched intently from CIA headquarters. All the phones in the de Rosas house are tapped. And Javier is ready for his mission!
 

Reina
Oops... forgot to put the telenovela header ... adjusting to the T'mundo format here at Caray...


NovelaMaven – Thanks for the recap!

Victor is one sick puppy, to een want to control Reina as revenge for his daughter’s suicide. That video HAS to show up somewhere in the future, most likely during Ultimas Semanas or Ultimas Meses.

I love Laura Flores, but don’t love her hairstyle in this telenovela. Her face …. it looks like she “has had work done.” Maybe it’s the hairstyle, but she’s barely recognizable to me.

I’ll never look at a pool table the same way. Gasp!
That final camera shot/pool table pose looked reeeally uncomfortable for the actors. LOL

Odd that Stefi doesn’t already know Susana. I don’t care for Wanda D’Isidoro’s dark hair color. She was a red head in Frenesí and that color suited her better.

Seriously, the CIA does not think Victor’s family will recognize Nicolas? Puh-leeze.

 

REINA
Thanks you NovelaMaven! I did not recognize Miriam as a casino employee. Thank you for your keen eye!
 

REINA
(Forgot the tag)

NM--Will be back to read your "E-Entertainment Last Night" episode after finishing some errands.

However, back to the wedding ceremonies: Is this a 2 in 1, 1 in 1 or 2 in 2....

You said that being in the US there would only need to be either a church or civil wedding to be legal.

It seems Agent Smith forgot she was in Las Vegas last night--and I didn't see her wearing a beanie. She was telling her new recruit that soon (this was somewhere in 2009, I think) Reina would be married por la iglesia y por el civil.
 

Reina
Good catch, Anita. Maybe Agt. Smith forgot she is in the U.S. instead of Mexico. LOL
 

REINA - miércoles

Anita & Doris
Hah! I heard Smith say "por lo civil y por la iglesia" too. You'd think the Miami gang would know better, huh?

Sara
Miriam was the woman who apologized to Stefi for arriving late. Luckily, Stefi was in a forgiving mood.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Rocky, who helped Nicolas when he was in jail, turns out to be CIA and becomes Nico's mentor.

BTW, Sorry the recap was crap. I'm counting on the rest of you to juice it up.
 

EN OTRA PIEL, Wed. pt. 1

Mondriana continues to Gaslight Elena at the piano. She runs off to the office hideaway when Elena comes downstairs. Elena follows and sees the dug-up doll hanging from the ceiling. Mondri plays from the basement piano and now Elena gets pissed. She yells to the air that she’s not afraid, but get out!

Head Rottweiler shows Carlos the flyer from the barrio warning the girls about the kidnappings. He wants to investigate and find out who’s doing this. Rottweiler got the flyer-from Eddie- and Carlos wants to see the guy, but blindfolded. Eddie is to be blindfolded that is.

At Lupe’s, Jennifer has put on Marta’s old dress, and she’s so excited to be wearing it even though it has gigantic poofy chiffon sleeves. Better than the sun dress I suppose, but just as short. The other women enter the room and they fawn all over her, except for Susanna, who shouldn’t have even been invited. Eileen greets the ladies from the good side of the tracks and tells them they look great, even Camila “in her style”. Cami gets back by thanking Eileen for helping her and Ric get back together. Emi thinks they’ll be good friends.
Mondriana continues to play the piano while Elena continues to scream at Monica’s picture.

Barrio wedding! Everyone is waiting, Gabe is nervious, when Rodrigo walks Jenny down the stairs to the Wedding March that Eileen has on tape (or mp3). Emi and Susanna look less than pleased.

Elena is STILL yelling and tells Monica to shut up or she’ll kill her girls! This stops Mondri cold. Elena threatens to kills the girls right there in front of her (Monica) and Monica knows she’s capable. Then she tosses something at the pictures and breaks the glass.

The wedding happens while the pop song theme plays. Seriously, why is Susanna here? She pouts the whole time. They make personal vows to each other, exchange rings, and done! Rod toasts the love of the couple and Eileen bursts out with her excitable self. Lorena hands over Elena’s gift and Marta takes it for the couple.

Meanwhile, the dog gang has a hood over Eddie’s head while they question him about who gave him the flyer. Carlos and Pachuco listen in. He tells details about the girls but it’s not much, but I’m sure Carlos knows who it was. Then Eddie wants to know if he’s in the gang. Carlos thinks he’d be good to help find the girls, and the gang beats him up. Hazing I guess, so he’s in. The hood finally comes off and they welcome him.

Elena yells some more and dares the picture to keep playing the piano. But Mondriana has gone outside and texts Selma to come get her. Selma drives her away and thinks Elena won’t do anything since she already has all of Monica’s money. But Mon knows she wants more and that her crazy is about more than just the money.

 

EN OTRA PIEL, Wed. pt 2

Ger shows up at Ernesto’s and helps himself to a drink. Ernie wisely thinks Elena is behind ger’s bad mood. Ger tells Ernie about Monica Serrano being “back” since the note he has is in her handwriting, etc.

Back at the party, Susanna tries to get the name of the guy after Jennifer from Maite and Vale, but they aren’t having it. Go away, Susanna. Eileen provides some entertainment for the guests, and then turns on some music and people dance. Susanna helps Lupe in the kitchen and tries to get the name from her now. But she’s terrible at this and it doesn’t work. Rod talks to Marta about how emotional he felt seeing Jennifer in that dress. They reminisce a little.

Diego finds out from Ric that Elena is, in fact, the devil. Ric tells him that she’s two-faced, etc., then Camila comes out and introduces herself to Diego. She recognizes him from the house and is actually pleasant to him.

Meanwhile, Susanna has found the flyer and asks Maite and Vale about it. They tells her WHY the girls are being kidnapped, and she’s like, why not just call the cops? But they can’t because the girls are illegal and cops won’t help. Susunna is all, whatever, and doesn’t get the problem. Vale goes off on her (she should do this more, it might help). But when maite follows, she drops the name of “Rottweiler”. Susanna is finally happy.

Ger and Ernie talk and Ernie suggests that Mondriana is behind the note, the tape of the judge, etc. he might not be as stupid as he looks (although he probably is). He says that Mondri knew Monica and could have faked the note. Ger is sure this is wrong because he knows that Mondri loves him. Pffft.

Mondri and Selma finally show up at the party and greet her girls.

Jenny opens gifts, even the ones inappropriate (lingerie from Lupe, naturally) to open in front of the in-laws. Then she opens Elena’s gift. It’s a knife, which Vicki says is bad luck. The box makes it look like a really nice knife though, and Gabe isn’t worried.
Anselmo talks to the guys in the bar about how he’s worried from “their” chavas. He should be, because Carlos wants Rottweiler to go to the good barrio to get more girls. But Rott can’t because he has a pact with Chelado. He doesn’t want to start a war and Carlos basically calls him a sissy.

Cake! And Diego tells Mondri that he spoke to Ric about Elena and it sounds like he’ll go along with her for now. She calls him an extraordinary man and he says he hopes he could say the same of her.

Gabe struggles to carry Jenny all the way down the hall of their hotel to their room. He’s not chancing luck with just a single threshold. But he needs help opening the door.

Elena is sitting at the piano all pensive when everyone gets home from the wedding. Lorena asks if she’s feeling well. She makes a threat (again) about finding out who is behind all the tricks, and it looks like she’s walking towards Mondri. But is she really? Hard to know with Telemundo.

Kelly

 

Reina
NovelaMaven - !@Ni modo!!! Great recap and I 100% appreciate it.

 

CIELOS:

With all the people watching Reina, I feel as if I'm missing the boat. I'm not too happy with Cielos these days anyway. If they drag it out to a third season, NO WAY will I watch. I just despise AC so much. But the funny thing is, that's making me hate a bunch of other people less (Andrews, Elsa, Tijeras), because they're working against AC!

Leo gets some backup, Governor Pedro (Vicky's Dad) sends two officers to help her with her stakeout of Ximena. Ximena is nervous, sends Ruti to her grandma's to call AC, since Xime thinks her phones are bugged. AC tells Ruti not to worry, he'll save them from that cop lady, tell Mom to go to the place we went to "last time". AC adds that Mom knows how to give the cops the slip.

Macario and Pantaleon are closing in on Tostao's camp, readying an attack to retake the drugs.

Lai arrives in Spain, surprises her ex, says she has a business deal for him which doesn't involve drugs.

AC is getting plans ready to rescue Ximena. When others suggest killing Leo, AC says know, we need her alive to convince Bert to come with me (I guess the menace will force Bert to do this, but if Leo is dead, he could go on with his new life).

Chema tries to bribe the Interpol guys, but it looks as if they won't do it. So he and Bigotes start firing weapons. They're outnumbered, and they make a run for it. Bigotes is shot, Chema runs into the woods with his backpack full of cash. He momentarily eludes the guys, meets a hiker, asks him how far to the border. Only about 2 kilometers. But before the guy can show him the way, two Interpol guys show up and point weapons. He tries to bribe them. They take the money, then call in all their friend, and Chema is arrested.

He and Bigotes (whose wound was not much) get sent to a Guatamalan jail, soon to be transferred to Mexico. It's all over the news. Matilde's friend, General Antonio Garnica hears about it, and says his buddy, Colonel Ramos, head of the Anti-Drug Unit, will be overjoyed. Mati isn't too happy to hear that her buy is so tight with a sworn enemy of druglords. And she's REALLY upset because Chema was her gravy train!

However, Chema has other allies. Andrews and Elsa (and Tijeras). Chema tells Bigotes that he's sure Chacorta turned them in, and one day he'll kill all of Chacorta's family. Andrews tells Elsa that Chema has helped her so much (with several murders), now it's time to pay him back, by getting him out of jail. She'll have to be the prosecutor. Andrews visits Chema in jail. First, Ramos is there, but Andrews gets some private time with Chema, tells him they're working on getting him out.

Tijeras hears about Chema, and is distraught. Tostao thinks it's okay, now THEY can be the bosses. I doubt Tijeras will agree.

After a long day, Leo goes back to Ximena's door, and asks her, okay, do you want to do our deal to turn in AC and save Bert, or not? What's an ex-wife of the most powerful evil guy in the world to do? Stay tuned.
 

REINA
You are nuts NovelaMaven! Your recap was great!
 

REINA--
NM--If that was your label--recap is crap--then the rest of us are at the bottom of the mulch pile with the worms. With all the quick action taking place on several fronts, you deserve a Swarovski crystal star to hang on your beanie.

It still leaves me breathless how much has happened and how much of the story has been revealed to us. I hope Telemundo isn't in the habit of stretching these out midway through or cutting it to shreds the last month. THIS IS A GOOD START and I like all the actors and how they play their characters.

I hope we get to see a lot of Agent Smith and Rocky.

I think the outdoor shots of Las Vegas are stock footage and there are probably casinos in Florida where they can do the interiors. As to the de Rosas mansion, the outdoor shots could be anywhere, even Las Vegas. They pump enough water in to turn the desert landscape into mid-Atlantic lawns. But the trees on the estate....hmmm let me think about that.

We only saw Javier get into the yard and climb a few trees before he was caught by security. But by the time he got back to headquarters, there were cameras all over inside the house. He's a genius.
 

REINA--
When Javier reports back to headquarters that Stefie could be very helpful because of wanting to take vengeance on Victor, Agent Smith accepts her help. If this were real life, there would be no way she would be allowed to help. Granted they could keep her out of the loop and make it seem as though this was just one man against one woman, but sooner or later, someone is going to slip up....and thereby hangs the tale.

--doris-- LOL! You will never look at pool tables the same way. Good one!
 

I listen to a pop radio station. The radio station I listen to has been playing "Bailando" for 3 months now. So the song isnt new. I do like it however.
 

En Otra Piel

Thanks, Kelly. So Ernesto figured it out before the others. If Gerardo were thinking straight, he'd remember that Monica is the only one who speaks of protecting Emi and Cami's interest, not to mention that she expressed fear about the Perv getting near them. Then there's all those coincidences...

Spanish student
 

Reina- Can someone help? I feel so dumb! Did Reina lose her memory twice? I understand that she lost it after tripping and therefore doesn't remember Nicolas
and their time together, but why wouldn't she remember
the events after that such as marrying Victor? Thank you
in advance if anyone can help.
 

EN OTRA PIEL

Thanks so much, Kelly! Super recap. By the way, I'll do one tonight in Jean's place. Hope she's having a WONDERFUL time in Spain!

Ugh, Susana. How in the world could anyone watch that wedding of two people so deeply in love and the love for both Jen and Gabe by Gabriel's parents and still want to see Jennifer taken away by Rottweiler? One thing I'm unclear about is whether Jennifer is still supposed to be working at Casa Serrano. Supposedly Gabriel's savings from drawing caricatures has enabled him to rent a room. Hopefully the room he's referring to is NOT a hotel room, which he wouldn't be able to afford for long. And the new location was to be away from either barrio, removing Jennifer from danger. But it doesn't seem like the writers are going that way.

I just can't stand Susana, and there's plenty of villains around without having her do such an awful thing. Plus, does she think she'll get to console Gabriel and win him when his WIFE disappears? Blech.

I'm still enjoying the novela, but Mondriana's revenge is not working out very well. I guess she figured that out when she realized she'd successfully convinced Elena that the ghost of Mónica Serrano was haunting her. But Elena's response was to torture the ghost by killing said ghost's children so she'd see it!

I sort of feel the novela has stalled a bit. I plan to watch all of it, but I HATE the kidnapping girls part of it and I HATE likely seeing Jennifer snatched away.
 

REINA

No, don't feel dumb, anonymous. The story is nuts.

Here's the deal:

Reina lost her memory only once. It happened just after she married Victor and ran out of the church after Nicolas, whom she had not seen in eight years. She was hit by a limo.

When she woke up in the hospital, she had no memory of the past eight years. In her mind, she is the little, near-sighted seamstress whose best friend is Connie, and who has never had a boyfriend. She doesn't remember Nicolas or having a baby or marrying Victor. She is living in 2006, although her mind is otherwise completely normal.

I hope that helps.
 

REINA

Thanks so much, NovelaMaven. I've missed your stylish recaps since you deserted us for Univision!

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but Agent Smith basically told Rocky last night that she knew Reina didn't betray him with Victor and not show up for their wedding. She keeps this from him to stoke the flames of his resentment. Cold.
 

REINA

Oh Novelera, way to rub it in! :)

I missed that exchange between Smith and Rocky. Thanks for adding it. (Laura Flores is such a wonderful chameleon of an actress and totally believable here as the driven, humorless Smith, even if all the CIA stuff is as real as the science in Aurora.)

Thanks, guys, for the reassurance.
 

NovelaMaven, thank you so much!!! I was confused by her tripping on the steps. Now I think I have it straight.
Thank you also for all the amazing recaps.
 

Cielos
Many thanks, Hombre, for your terrific recaps. I too have been disappointed in Cielos 2, which made it somewhat easier for me to drop Cielos in favor of Reina. The fact that there's been talk about a Cielos 3 also helped me decide to bail out. I have the feeling that after the success of Cielos 1, Telemundo looked upon it as a cash cow that they could keep milking, even if there was little milk to be had.

Anyway, I'm continuing to follow your recaps, but if you decided to jump ship and join the Reina crowd, I wouldn't blame you. Of course, Reina has its flaws, too. I still am not sure who some of the characters are or why some things are happening, and I've been watching from the start AND reading the recaps. I suspect that one of its sponsors must be a beanie manufacturer.
 

En Otra Piel
Great recap, Kelly! Many thanks. I appreciate all the detail, and I enjoyed your observation that Ernesto "might not be as stupid as he looks (although he probably is)."

I'm relieved that Gabriel and Jennifer managed to get married (but who married them?). It seems likely, however, that she's still in danger, as are Maite, Vale, Camila, Emi, and Mondri (esp. since Carlos thinks she's Adriana). I'm definitely not looking forward to watching more scenes of violence toward women.
 

Reina
Many thanks, NovelaMaven, for your exceedingly UNcrappy recap.

I'm needing more help with this TN than I had expected. At least with Cielos, I could blame the tons of unfamiliar slang and blipped words, plus an at times incomprehensible Colombian accent, but none of that applies to Reina. Still, it's got a surprising number of challenges. Why did the CIA pull Nicolás out of prison to be a special agent? What's the relationship between Lázaro and Nicolás? What does someone like Estefania see in someone like Nicolás, other than a well-toned bod? Oh well, I guess I'll just buy a good supply of extra-strength beanies and stay for the ride, especially since you're along as well.
 

Reina de Corazones

Juanita - I was confused, too, as to why Nicolas was pulled from prison to be made into a CIA agent. ???

Do we know why Stefi hates Victor? (did I miss something???)


 

Juanita,

I'm not sure I can answer all your questions, but let me give it a shot (and everyone, please correct me if I'm wrong):

Why did the CIA pull Nicolás out of prison to be a special agent?

CIA Agent Rocky, working undercover in the prison, had the chance to observe that Nicolás had the right stuff -- he was strong, brave, smart, and socially isolated-- to make the ideal agent-warrior.

Since the CIA knows EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYONE (Ask Angela Merkel, if you don't believe me), he knew that Nicolás was innocent, that he had been framed by Victor de Rosas, and therefore seethed with hatred for said bastard. Maybe Smith and Rocky tucked that information away carefully, waiting for the day to cash in on our boy's thirst for revenge.

What's the relationship between Lázaro and Nicolás?

When Nicolás had been in jail long enough to establish his place in the inmate hierarchy, he helped out the new kid, Lázaro, in for robbery. They were cellmates and came to respect each other. During this time, Lázaro met Juanjo, (Pablo Azar) Nicolás's only visitor.

After the CIA "Rapture," both Lázaro and Juanjo believed the cover story that Nicolás was dead.

What does someone like Estefania see in someone like Nicolás, other than a well-toned bod?

Okay, you got me with that one, Juanita. Everything about the combination is wrong and thoroughly anti-erotic. Their scenes together are a hoot.
--------------

Doris, we don't know for sure why Stefi hates Victor, but we suspect it has something to do with the daughter she claims to have had years ago after an affair with a married man (Victor?). Stefi told Susana the baby died at birth. I suppose we'll get to fill in the details bit by bit.
 

Reina
"Everything about the combination is wrong and thoroughly anti-erotic."
I so totally agree!
 

Reina
Muchísimas gracias, NovelaMaven, for your very helpful and enjoyable responses. (I loved the "Rapture"!)

I still find the CIA stuff a bit of a stretch, but I guess that's what beanies are for.
 

REINA

"Ask Angela Merkel if you don't believe me." NovelaMaven, that was a gem!
 

REINA

First, I would like to thank all of the recappers for their amazing recaps and dedication - avid readers like myself really appreciate it! I am a regular reader of the recaps here on Caray, but a first time commenter.

I am really enjoying the villains in Reina so far, way more than the protagonists - is that wrong? Eugenio Siller doesn't really do much for me - but I love Juan Soler, ever since I saw him in La Otra. He is fantastic! I also have to admit that Paola's acting is pretty good and WAY better than Lisette's in La Impostora.

One thing that I have been thinking about since Estephania mentioned it in last night's episode, is the dead daughter. Could that be part of the secret that Victor and Susanna alluded to in the first episode? I am curious to see if anyone else has thought about that angle as well.

Thanks again to all of the recappers - y'all are great!

Jessa
 

EN OTRA PIEL – JUEVES – Part 1

Mondriana is hyper-protective of her daughters after last night’s threats from Elena. She decides to spend the night with Emiliana. They are very affectionate together.

Elena is in her room pondering last night’s gaslighting. [How long are they going to grow Vilella’s hair extensions? They seem to grow 6 inches per week – Rapunzel time.] Shitty Susana brings her an envelope that’s been sent by messenger. She also tells her Rottweiler’s name, looking like she’s expecting pats on the back and lots of $$$. She gets a brusque dismissal instead. What’s been delivered are some photoshopped pictures of Mónica Serrano with some hot looking younger men. She calls Gerardo and orders him to meet her at the Lake House.

Later Elena gives Camila the photoshopped pictures, saying that Mónica’s husband, Julián had a private detective following Mónica, who took the pictures. She pretends to be sorry. Camila runs out and Elena shows off her self-satisfied smirk.

Ricardo tries to tell Jorge about Elena. He says that Camila found the books of Larrea Winery suspicious. Jorge seems to have lost his spidey sense about Elena and just says Ricardo doesn’t have any proof.

Diego, as usual not working a lick, is in the kitchen asking Vicki about Elena. Vicki tells him that Elena was a very odd child when she arrived. Vicki says her eyes were scary. Diego asks if she’d be capable of killing, but Vicki, as usual, clams up.

Emiliana has discovered the broken glass and damaged photo of her mother in the office at Casa Serrano. She is completely upset.

The new gang guy (who also played a crappy wannabe gangsta in Dama y Obrero) is spying again on Maite and Valeria. They’re playing it safe and only passing them out in El Chalado’s territory because they’ll be protected.

At the Lake House Elena fronts Gerardo and asks him if he wants her to turn him over to the cops. She says she has all the evidence to do so. Gerardo: “Do it! You don’t have any idea how much I want to tell the cops what I know about you!”

Diego hears Emi crying and comes to comfort her. He says he’ll fix the photo so it will be like new. Emiliana goes on to say that the photo is so important because her mother was pregnant with her when it was taken and that Mónica told her to come and look at the photo when she missed her.

Good! Mónica is looking for Camila, finds her, and Camila shows her the photos of her mother with young guys. Mondriana loses it. “How dare that desgraciada slander me that way!” Camila is shocked by the “me” in that statement. Mondriana wiggles out of that one and says right away: “Elena gave you these, right?” Mondriana says that she heard things about Elena that bothered her. Mondriana goes on to tell Camila that, while her mother had her defects, she would never have wasted money on young men. Mondriana finally tells Cami to forget what Elena said. Mondriana shows her the photos again. “Is this really like your mother?”
 

EN OTRA PIEL – JUEVES – Part 2

Back to the “loving couple” at the Lake House. [I’m enjoying every minute of Elena’s suffering.] Elena tells him he must fear jail. Gerardo just tells her to go right ahead. He has outstanding warrants; go ahead and make sure they find him. Elena says he won’t even have money for a lawyer. Gerardo tells her that, of all the bad things he did, Elena herself was up to her neck in them. Does she think he won’t tell the cops? That she killed Mónica? That she associated with Figueroa and Ricalde. [This might be a writer’s error; I thought he still didn’t know “Camacho’s” real name.]

Elena pulls her trump card. She doesn’t care. If she doesn’t have him, jail or heaven are the same thing to her. She gets increasingly hysterical. She says he’s changed. She says she killed her own aunt because she loved him. Gerardo: “No! You did it for ambition and greed” Elena: “Who is she? Women know when someone is stealing the love of their man.”

Elena keeps pitching. “Didn’t I make you rich?” He says he’s grateful for what she did. But she ruined everything that they had. She tells him not to use the past tense. She says that she can accept the new lover as an adventure, a mistake. He just looks at her sadly and tells her it’s over. “I don’t love you any more”. Tears stream down her face. He says he doesn’t feel anything for her. She sobs that they’re never going to separate. “You’re mine and will always be mine!”

Back in the office, Emiliana tells Lorena, Camila, Vicki, and Mondriana that it was Elena who ruined her mother’s photo. She says that Elena was the only one in the house when it happened. Lorena, who reminds me of a cat flinging litter over the evidence with her hind legs, tries to talk Emiliana out of what her instincts tell her is the truth. Emi says that Elena was involved in every bad thing that has happened in the house. She was involved when Gabriel had to leave. It was her fault when Vicki was accused of stealing her bracelet. She asks why they don’t all realize it.

Back at the Lake House, Gerardo tells Elena that he did have an enormous passion for her but the money and the business mattered more to her. She says she wanted it for his sake. She tells him he’s the only person in the world she doesn’t hate. As a parting shot, she tells him he’ll regret every tear she’s shed. [Again, I’m lovin’ it. The villain usually doesn’t suffer until the last two episodes. But Elena is getting PART of what she deserves right now.]

Cleaning up after the wedding, Rodrigo and Marta have some fond memories of their own wedding.

Oh, nuts! Gabriel gets a call at the hotel that the room he has rented for them can’t be occupied for a couple more weeks. Jennifer bravely says she’ll go back to the mansion until it’s ready.

Camila wants to confront Elena about the photos, but Mondriana desperately tries to talk her out of it. Camila says that at least her mother had both Ricardo and Mondriana to defend her. She tells Mondi that Ricardo was furious about the allegations of younger men. Mondriana tells her that she needs to just think a bit about how much her parents loved each other. Mondriana goes on to suggest that Camila and Emiliana should go to Paris for a while to get away from the stress.

Crap! The new Puppy guy has followed Maite and Valeria to where they live. But Diego has noticed this and confronts the guy about why he’s following them.
 

Reina de Corazones, jueves
Part 1 of 2

Reina returns to her palace and meets her subjects, a small group of strangers who seem anxious to please her. She is dazzled by it all.

From a remote location, Javier watches her every move through the cameras installed outside the house. He has seen her take his cross and put it around her neck.

At Victor's urging, she tries on a pair of towering heels, and is amazed to discover she can walk in them easily.

Even though she doesn't remember her little girl, Clara, she feels an instinctive tenderness for her. Reina is polite to Victor, but keeps him at a distance.

She finds out that her wicked half-sister Delfina is now living in the house as Victor's personal assistant. She doesn't find out that she is Victor's personal whore and that she is funneling money to keep the wicked stepmother quiet about the past.

The next morning Reina asks the housekeeper, Asunción, to call a taxi for her. She wants to go out and explore her past. The housekeeper reluctantly agrees to do so, but Reina has to promise her she'll come back.

A white taxi pulls up in front of the mansion with Javier at the wheel. She looks at him curiously. Doesn't she know him from somewhere? Wait -- he's not a taxi driver...

Just then, they are ambushed armed men in two black vans. Javier executes some fast manuevers to evade them. The commotion draws the police, but the assailants escape.

Delfina tells Victor that she knows what he did to Reina's true love. She also knows that the boy wasn't responsible for his daughter Camila's suicide. Victor threatens to kill Delfina if she tells anyone.

Javier impresses the policeman who questions him (Christian, Victor's friend) with his detailed account of the attack. "You should be a cop." Reina tells Christian that Javier has saved her life. She opens up to Javier, confiding her fear and bewilderment and her distrust for those around her. She feels like she's going crazy.

Victor comes to the police station to pick up Reina. She tells him Javier saved her life and begs him to do something for him. Victor gives Javier his card and tells him to come see him. Then he asks Christian to investigate Javier. A short while later, Christian reports that Javier is clean.

Isidor comes on to Connie in the produce aisle of the local market. Connie plays easy to get.

Lázaro has an interview for a nursing job. Connie says he's gonna knock 'em dead. Juanjo thinks that's an unfortunate metaphor.

Estefanía finds her long-lost partner Andrés in her office at the casino. He has left his wife in Paris and is back in Vegas to stay.

Susana has lunch with Greta. Stefi happens by and is introduced. We learn that Greta has a degree in economics and speaks five languages (I'm fairly sure that one of them is Klingon), but she wants to be an acrobat. Susana, who probably needs to have her meds adjusted, doesn't approve.

A reconnoiter at the shrink's office --
Greta drives through a puddle and splashes mud on Laz's white shirt just before his interview. He sees her inside what seems to be a psychiatric clinic. (I'm not sure if she's waiting to see her doctor.) Laz tells her he was like her once -- when he was fifteen!

In one consultation room, Stefi reclines on a couch and tells the doctor her story. The bastard got us both pregnant at the same time. My daughter would have been the same age as Greta. That's why he didn't care that my daughter died. Victor has to pay for what he did. She does a little horizontal pole dance on the couch -- not unappreciated by the doctor. She's not sure what excites her more -- her desire for her new lover or her thirst for vengeance.
 

Reina de Corazones, jueves
Part 2 of 2

Javier reports back to Smith. Smith says someone must be trying to kill Reina to keep her from remembering something. [Whoa. Deep.] Smith and Bolívar must change their strategy -- the taxi gig isn't going to work now. [They speak in affectless, choppy prose. Are they TRYING to parody Sgt. Friday?] He managed to snatch the cross from Reina's neck; returning it will be an excuse to approach Reina again.

Victor yields to Reina's desire to return to her old neighborhood. She sees a woman with a little boy. It's Connie and Roman! Connie wants nothing to do with her. Victor watches with quiet satisfaction. He told Reina it was a mistake to come here.

Laz doesn't get the job. He complains to Juanjo about the rude rich girl.

Susana comes to visit Greta at the theatre where she is rehearsing with a troupe of acrobats. Greta is bitter because Susana allowed Victor to send her off to boarding school. Her mother is a failure. She's dead to her! When Greta brings up Camila's suicide, Susana slaps her.

Isidro shows up at Connie's house and asks her to mend his jacket. He tries to pump her about Reina, but Connie won't talk about the past.

Laz DOES get the job after all!

Victor takes Reina to her old house. She sees her Spanglish stepmother and rejects the woman's smarmy suck-up act. Reina remembers how badly the woman treated her. Victor tells her that is all past. They have since reconciled.

Javier uses a visit to the de Rosas house to plant microphones. While he waits for Reina, he meets Clara. He offers to help her with her homework. She has written a story and is going to draw a DRAGON! (So I guess the dragon obsession is genetic.)

Stefi phones Javier and invites him over.

Her business partner/stepson Andrés spies on her as she orders the maid to prepare the candles, the bath...


Reina finds her old diary hidden in what was once her bedroom. The last entry is from October 12, 2006. It reads:
A wedding changed my life. It was a day like any other, but a wedding invitation changed everything because I met him -- my handsome prince, one of those men who convince you that every story can have a happy ending -- a man like no other. My man.
 

REINA

Jessa

We got more about Stefi's secret tonight. Check out the last paragraph of Part 1 of the Thursday recap.
 

Reina

Is there a betting pool on the Patio? My money is on the ever-enduring Telenovelaland baby swap, with Susana's baby having died and Greta will really be Stefi's baby that allegedly died.
 

Reina
NovelaMaven --- Thank you for the Jueves recap! I can't wait to watch the episode.
 

REINA
Just discovered last night our hotel has Telemundo! (but not Uni which I find odd.)
Anyhoo, did I also hear Delfina tell Victor that he put an innocent man in prison and that she knew the real reason Camila killed herself?

Connie was dazzled by Isidro's avocados. We can't judge her too harshly for playing easy to get. Plus he can cook.

Did anyone else get a plot twist vibe from Smith when she saw the cross that Nicovier had?

II hope it's still OK that I wait til Saturday for tonight's recap. I can't

 

Sorry.... I can't manage a recap from my phone.
 

REINA

Sara,

Of course it's still okay if you do Friday and post on Saturday!

"Connie was dazzled by Isidro's avocados". Hahahah! Sometimes an avocado is just an avocado.

"did I also hear Delfina tell Victor that he put an innocent man in prison and that she knew the real reason Camila killed herself? "
Yup, you did. thanks for adding the details.

"Did anyone else get a plot twist vibe from Smith when she saw the cross that Nicovier had?"
oooh. Could be.

Doris,

"My money is on the ever-enduring Telenovelaland baby swap, with Susana's baby having died and Greta will really be Stefi's baby that allegedly died."

I like it, Doris. If there's not a betting pool already, you could start one.

Gotta go -- I think I hear blood calling...


 

REINA--

NovelaMav--You are pulling extra duty but certainly not flagging on the retelling. Gracias for the detailed review.

To Jessa et al. That Baby-Swap hint that Stefie dropped was so obvio it could have been an anvil falling in the middle of the Patio of Rising Expectations for it not to have been recognized as such.

Especially when Stefie went into her reverie to Greta about being a ballerina, although she hedged on what type of "ballet" she did.

But guess what....that's what I'm liking about this tn. I'm glad it's out there so any of The Crackpot Theorists™ that may have drifted over here haven't much to discuss to derail us from THE TRUTH.
 

REINA again--

I do have a puzzlement, though. How would Delfina have figured out the real reason for Camila's suicide? I'm not a card carrying member of the Crackpot Theorists™ but I'll wade in anyway.

Now that Delfie is living in the Big House, she may have gotten her hands on Camila's laptop and seen the video. OTOH, wouldn't the police or the family have wanted to examine the contents of the laptop for any possible references to her reasons for suicide?

Hmmmmm. Maybe Victor already did that, hid it from Susana and it was too late to undo his vengeance toward Nicolas. That could be why he was so angry at Delfie for bringing it up.
 

REINA--again

Good cop Cristian did follow up on the license plate numbers Javier gave him but they belonged to owners who checked out as not having had a hand in the assassination attempt. They did find the two SUV's abandoned later.

Maybe I'm asking myself too many questions, but how did this gang know precisely when Reina was going to decide to leave the house and need a taxi....someone IS keeping tabs on her (or Javier's) movements. That's why at first I thought it was another one of either Victor's pretend set ups to keep her scared and in the house or Agent Smith & Co. doing the same thing/or to make the taxista a hero in her eyes.

When real bullets started flying, I ducked, too.
 

CIELOS:

Ximena tells Leo No, she won't turn in AC. Leo tries all sorts of arguments to persuade her, but Xime is firm. Leo ends up saying something like you'll be sorry. Back in the truck, we see that they apparently CAN now listen in on conversations. Xime is very careful about what she says, and tells Ruti to go to Alba's house and call AC again. When Ruti gets there, AC's already there. I think the plan is to have Ximena lead Leo on a wild goose chase while AC escapes with the children.

Bert has also flown back. They all meet at the former house, the one Ruti took Ernesto to for fun, the one where Ernie found the cash, guns and drugs he's been dealing. Bert checks for the stash, and it's gone. Ernie arrives, and wants to see Ruti, but Victor tells him to leave. He PRETENDS to leave, then watches, and sees Ruti hugging AC! He's not sure of this, but at the end of the episode, he confronts Ruti, wasn't that the Lord of the Skies himself?!!

In other developments, Macario and Pantaleon sneak into Tostao's camp, and set fire to the drug lab. Tijeras is going back to civilization, to help out Chema, and maybe Tostao was in the SUV with him, so they missed this attack.

Mati is going to sing at her club. She's also telling the famous singer who works there they could both go to Europe. But she's a little too drunk for her performance.

Speaking of Europe, Lai's ex husband DOES decide to go along with her drug deal. He wants to seal the deal with sex. She says no, and his girlfriend also frowns.

Elsa tells Max she wants to be appointed prosecutor in Chema's case. Max says could it possibly be that you want to convict him to boost your rep, but with a short sentence, and when he gets out, you two work together? This is totally true. She tries to deny it. He says he's never broken any law (hard to believe, he's so cynical in his affair with Elsa, openly cheating on his wife who has cancer). But after they have sex, he's on board.

Chema's impatient as Andrews tells him they're working to get him out. At least Chema seems to have a lifetime supply of cigarettes, and they haven't started the no smoking thing yet, back here in the 90's.

Ignacio is also now a newspaper columnist, writing stuff against the druglords. Vicky asks if he's doing this because he really wants to stop the druglords, or to impress Leo. Both, he says.

AC gives Bert a gun. He wants Bert to kill Leo, that way he'll really be part of the family business. But Bert's reluctant to take it. And if he does take it, what if he's reluctant to use it? A big showdown seems to be coming up. What will happen???
 

En Otra Piel
Great recap, Novelera! I especially loved your comparison of Lorena to "a cat flinging litter over the evidence with her hind legs." Perfect!

Wow, Mondri really slipped up last night, saying "me" instead of "her". I don't think she ever managed to come up with an even semi-plausible excuse.

And has it never crossed Camila's mind that the photos of her mother with various young men could have been photoshopped?

While I've often been impatient with Emi, last night she seemed the most sensible one of all, connecting the dots of the bad things that have happened because of Elena. (And there are so many dots she doesn't yet know about.)

Things are not looking good for Jennifer, at least not in the short run. Once Rottweiler learns where she is.... And, of course, Mondri is there, too, Carlos can't wait to get his hands on her--i.e., on Adriana.
 

CIELOS:

Also, Pepe Jones tells Irma to report back to him everything Chacorta says or does. Information is power. She initially is reluctant, but inexplicably changes her mind. The next time she sees Chacorta, she acts nice and sexy, unlike last time. She also charms him by giving him back most of the cash she gave him, saying she bought clothes, but had money left over. Chacorta's never had a girl do this before. I'm not seeing Irma with a long life line.
 

Reina
Loved your recap, NovelaMaven. I especially enjoyed your suggesting that one of Greta's five languages was Klingon, and your describing Stefi's "horizontal pole dance on the couch."

I'm wearing out beanies faster on this novela than on any other in recent memory. How come the taxi that arrives is driven by Javier? How does Delfina know that Nicolás was wrongly accused and imprisoned? Why did Reina have such difficulty putting on the high-heeled shoe? (I immediately thought of the Cinderella story gone awry.) And if she has such difficulty even getting her foot into the shoe, how can she then walk so effortlessly in them? (Indeed, I've never understood how ANYONE can walk effortlessly in such heels.)

Anita, I liked your questions and your theories about the apparent attempted assassination when Reina is in the taxi. And I loved your comment "When real bullets started flying, I ducked, too."
 

Reina: I am on board with Greta being Steffie's child. Reina's instincts are right every1 is lying to her. Delfina is a slut.com. So far I like the show.
Romy
 

REINA

But Juanita and Anita, isn't the writing deliciously bad? And isn't that why we are loving it?

I can imagine Laura Flores and Juan Solares convulsed in giggles between takes. With a less engaging and experienced cast, Telemundo would never get away with this dreck.
 

Reina De Corazones-


I figured that Greta belongs to Estefania. That's the twelve year old secret, since they made it pretty obvious.

Also, Laura Flores looks like she had a ton of work done on her face. She looks good, though. However I do agree that the haircut doesn't suit her. I know she likes to wear it short, but maybe she should style it differently.

Also, I think Agent Smith is Javier/Nicolas' mom.
 

REINA

Well I caught the Greta is Really Stef's Child Because Victor Switched Them at Birth, because duh. They made it pretty obvious that that's where Greta gets her desire for freedon, and dancing skills I guess. Although neigh one is actually a dancer, but whatever. Close enough.

But I totally missed the Smith is Secretly Nicovier's (Javolas?) Mother. I was just glad they explained what happened to the necklace that suddenly disappeared off of Reina. Nice to see it wasn't just poor continuity.

So once the Silvia Navarro one starts over on Uni, I'll have 4 to try to keep track of. I may have to quit my job. Or hope that En Otra Piel is coming close to the end.

Kelly
 

Oh, the whole Agent Smith being Javier's mom is just a theory of mine.
 

REINA

But it makes perfect sense! In a telenovela context, that is.

Kelly
 

REINA--NovelaMaven--After suffering through La Impostora, this is a hurricane of fresh air.
 

Reina

There are quite a few Que The ???? and telenovela beanie hat moments, but for some reason RdC appeals to me. I'll stick with it for now.
I keep telling myself it was written by the same person who wrote Amor en Custodia/Amores Verdaderos. I loved AV!
 

REINA
Hey that's interesting about the writer, Doris! Thanks for that info.

Like Anita, I'm coming off LI which makes RdC look like top quality.
 

En otra piel

Great recap Novelera.

Im not sure what to make of the new gang member. Hope he betrays them or is a cop.

spanish student
 

Reina De Corazones-


I thought it was pretty cute when Juanjo was just posted up listening to Greta and Susanna's conversation like a chismoso. But the expression on his face was endearing.
 

Reina

I liked that too Thelma,
also Susana's looks back at him for spilling the beans.

 

En Otra Piel

thanks all for your recaps and comments this week!

my favorite scene tonight was Emi grabbing Elena as she walked by, spinning her around and getting in her face, it reminded me that she played high school soccer but was thrown out of school for fighting.

 

REINA
I'll get the recap up this afternoon but I had to leave a few comments.

I loved the Juanjo/Susana scenes! Budding romance? I hope so!

I have got to get me a Big Bird sweater like Greta.

And I have to let go of the idea that stories should be told in concurrent and linear fashion. Yesterday it felt like days would pass in the Reina story and a two hours in the Susanna story.
 

REINA--
Sorry to have to leave this budding story of romance, intrigue, mystery, lies and fornication. It's only for two weeks, but it will take me awhile to catch up. Have fun with Reina.

Sara--I'll be sorry to miss your recap. So here are my comments as I put my bags in the trunk.

So now we have Victor telling little white lies....to Reina that it was love at first sight when they met at the church and they were alone. Reina is right when she ponders that there was another one before Victor, so he's not her Principe Azul. Then, I loved Victor telling both Reina and Navier that he gave Reina the cross. This will definitely come back to bite him.

P.S. I don't think we can stretch our theories so far as to think Agt. Smith might be Navier's mother, but we've had stranger happenings in tns. I reviewed the scene and I think she was just a little taken aback that Navier was perhaps getting a little too drawn in emotionally, rather than recognizing the cross. She was pretty far away. But--I leave the option of a mother and son reunion open.

I wondered where I had seen Lazaro before. If anyone saw Eva Luna, he was the poor sap, Carlos, who tried to help Alicia and got caught and spent most of the tn forgotten and in jail. Although he played a rather desperate character when he got out, I liked him and wished he'd been given a bigger part.
 

REINA
I also meant to say that it may be wrong, but evil Juan Soler is getting me all kinds of hot and bothered.

Have a great trip Anita!
 

REINA

Sara---LOL! Evil Soler as Victor in a tux reminds me of Anthony Hopkins in Meet Joe Black.
 

CIELOS:

Due to the fact that very few people are still watching this, plus I'm not too happy with it, I will probably only be doing a few summaries per week, not every day.

Lai's ex says don't worry about my girlfriend, we have an open relationship. He invites the girl over for a menage a trois with Lai, but she's not into that.

Mati's singer criticizes her for being drunk, but she doesn't listen.

Vicky and Ignacio get along great, they could be more than friends if he weren't married. He tells her he's married "without benefits".

Irma wants a home cooked meal with Chacorta, he takes her to the mansion AC bought for Monica, where he's now living, and she cooks him a Mexican meal. Despite some extra spice, it's really good. He gets a call from AC (more or this later), and sort of signals it's time for Irma to go home. But she wants sex. He's suspicious, how come she changed her attitude so much (good question, maybe she' spying for Pepe). She bats those big eyes, and he's a goner, apologizes, and they go off for some great sex. Monica is amused at Chacorta's new love.

But in the morning, when AC arrives, Monica has blood on the sheets, she apparently miscarried!

Elsa visits Chema in jail, tells him she'll try to help, but he'll have to get at least a light sentence. He tells her, no, give me the maximum! I think he's sure he's getting out anyway.

Tijeras and Tostao hear that Macario overran their drug stash and burned the lab to the ground. They're pissed. But Chema wants Tijeras in Mexico for another job. Revenge on Chacorta!

As we predicted, Ximena leads Leo on a wild goose chase, into some abandoned building. There she meets with Trino's cousin, AC's latest double, who had his doubts (the last 2 doubles died), but has decided to go with AC anyway). Leo corners them at gunpoint, sees that it's another double, leaves in disgust. But she knows exactly where AC must be. The old ranch.

This is true. Ernesto confronts Ruti, says he knows her Dad is alive, he saw him. Ruti denies. but then Xime comes back, Ernie hides. Xime tells Ruti "call your father, tell him the Colombiana is heading out to the ranch, she knows!" Ernie hears this, and it of course confirms that AC is alive.

At the ranch, AC is there with Bert, and gives him a gun. He's set this all up, knows Leo is on her way. He says son, do you want to kill her, or should I? Bert refuses, he won't ever kill anyone again. So AC says then we'll let her live, to remind you of your choice. Now Bert pretty much has to go with AC, first to Colombia, then to Spain. They speed out past Leo's car. Leo tries shooting, and is surprised, when no one shoots back. Ernie happens to be on his moto and clearly sees AC in the window of the SUV. The next morning, he goes up to Manotas (Chacorta's guy) and requests a job, saying he knows AC is alive, but he'll keep the secret.

Bert calls his mother, knowing Leo is listening in. He says I know you're listening, Ballesteros. For five years, I turned my life around. I studied, I wanted to do the right thing. But now, he continues, his voice dripping with sarcasm, because of YOU, I have to go back into the life. Thanks a LOT!
 

Cielos
Hombre, I'm watching, I'm watching. I agree its not a good as #1, but I am enjoying it. Sorry I haven't been thanking you for keeping things straight for me. ¡gracias! mil veces!
 

Reina de Corazones-VIERNES-Part 1
Reina reads her diary from Oct 12, 2006. It's just vague enough that it *could* be describing Victor. She met him at a wedding and he's a millionaire. (I seem to remember she was writing about her pregnancy at one point, but those pages seem to be missing. On purpose? Or did the writers forget?)

Navier helps Clarita with her dragon and asks why she likes dragons so much. Her mother always told her dragon stories.

Reina gets to the end of her diary and appears as confused as I am that it's over. She looks for another notebook, but the cubby is empty.

Clarita is sad that her mother can't remember he and wonders who will tell her dragon stories now. Navier offers to tell one. Navier also plants another mic.

Susanna visits Good Cop. She's the worst mom ever. Her daughter hates her. She doesn't even feel sorry for her mom. They are like strangers. Susanna laments having never had a career, or learning to swim (seriously? Or is that a metaphor?), or standing up to Victor. She most regrets not choosing Good Cop (what was his name?)

Victor is mad that Carmen never realized the existence of Sofia (QUE???? Cara de confusion de recapper.) He's maintained her for 8 years. She claims his maintenance is lacking and he thinks she's doing ok for a bum who never works. She better do what he says or things will not go well for her. Reina comes in and says her past is still just as lost.

Good Cop takes Susanna home. She confesses that Greta is not her daughter.

Navier listens from HQ. Victor and Reina return home. They get the message that the taxista came and will come back later. Clarita shows Reina the dragon picture. Navier declares that the mics work perfectly and he leaves headquarters.

Andres and Estefania snipe at each other. He decides to leave before her Client(?), lover(?), Boyfriend(?!) arrives. Estefania informs him her love is arriving.

Victor informs Reina of her habits: only white or beige pajamas. Closet organized by color. Reina asks how they met and he says in a church and it was love at first sight. She started working for him, he was getting a divorce, she got pregnant and there you go. She asks about a wedding and he says there was no wedding. She realizes that there must have been someone before she met Victor.

Navier arrives at Estefania's for the booty call.

Lazaro is the nurse for Solange, Greta's friend. Solange likes what she sees and tells Greta she can go. Greta says she had a stray puppy named Lazaro once, but he died.

Susanna cries and wonders how she was supposed to tell the child she wasn't really her child? Even Good Cop never agreed with hiding that truth from Greta. Susana always loved the girl even if it was a child from Victor's infidelity and the mother abandoned her.

Pillow talk. Estefania met the ex-wife by coincidence and Greta, too. Maybe she can learn something that can destroy Victor. Then again, maybe they should forget the whole thing and run off together. Navier tells her not to get any ideas about them.

Navier arrives at Reina's to return the cross. He confesses they had met each other before.

Rocky is worried about Navier. Smith says Navier will coldly carry out the mission. Rocky meant what will happen when Navier finds out they lied and that Reina never betrayed him. Smith says it was for the good of the country.
 

Reina de Corazones-VIERNES-Part 2
Navier explains to Reina that they *did* meet at the clinic. His girlfriend had been in an accident and he snuck into the hospital like a doctor to see her. He almost got caught so he ducked into Reina's room. Coincidence? Nope. Destiny. The girlfriend died, though. Clarita interrupts telling Navier that she hopes she gets a "10" on her dragon. Reina goes for a cookie, but Clarita reminds her she never eats cookies. Victor arrives to tell her about her carb-restricted diet. Sounds like Victor has been controlling her and I want to know that part of the story. Reina asks Victor to give Navier a job. He returned the necklace that she feels is important to her. Victor lies and says of course it is. He gave it to her.

Then Victor goes and tells Navier that he was the one that gave Reina the cross and to thank Navier for returning it, he wants to offer him a job.

Susanna thinks of Camila and tries to drive herself over a cliff.

Reina sits in what she's told is her favorite spot.

Estefania enters her bat cave of jewels. Someone might be the queen of hearts, but SHE'S the queen of diamonds!

Navier tells Reina he's going to be her chofer.

Reina thinks having a chofer is a ridiculous idea. Navier explains the doctor doesn't think she should drive and he really needs the work, so he hopes she doesn't reject the idea. She mentions that someone is trying to kill her and they don't know who. Isn't he afraid? He's not. Only one person makes him feel vulnerable and that person is dead.

Juanjo is on the scene of Susana's suicide attempt. He pulls her out of the car.

Greta tells Victor she's upset with her mom for trying to control her life, but deep down she does love her. Her dad is so different! He's like a hurricane and fights for what he wants. Victor comforts her and she regrets telling her mother that she wished she were dead.

Estefania continues to fondle her diamonds and to talk about secrets that can bring you life, or death.

Navier tells Clarita he'll be her mom's chofer. Clarita likes him. Isidro needs to meet with the new chofer. Navier assumes he doesn't need any references and Isidro informs him they already have them. Navier is to start right now.

Navier magically appears in Smith's office to inform her. He's going to live with the De Rosas. Smith reminds him that someone is trying to kill Reina and even Smith doesn't know who. Reina is in danger and as chofer, Navier is too.

Reina is still not happy about the new chofer, but Victor does whatever she asks and she asked him to give Navier a job. Victor needs to know she'll be protected. She balks at the idea of police protection. Victor would die if anything happens to Reina. She reminds him she needs some more time. Victor looks evil.

Susana is not happy that Juanjo saved her life. Not the reaction Juanjo was expecting.

Lazaro tries to matchmake Juanjo with Connie. Connie rejects the idea. She hasn't found anyone, but she' been fine taking care of Roman. Besides, maybe she already met someone.

Delfina taunts Isidro with the new taxista/chofer. Isidro reminds her that girls like her are a dime a dozen. Delfina is in charge of Reina's business right now. Reina agrees to go with her and Clarita to the shop. Delfina tells Reina that she can tell Vic she doesn't want to go out. Vic loves to go out, drink and make love to Reina.

Isidro calls Navier and tells him there's been a change of plans.

Juanjo talks a lot. There are other ways to die. What he means is life is too important. He tells her to look around, but not that way since her car is totaled. She wants his cell, but he must have lost it saving her. She realized her wallet is gone, too. Juanjo says she doesn't have to worry about his reward. She's not going to reward him for saving her life when she didn't want him to.


 

Reina de Corazones-VIERNES-Part 3
Reina arrives at her store. She's dumfounded. Clarita tells Reina that she may not remember, but she's the best.

Isidro informs Vic that Navier is on his way and everything for the evening is ready. He also tells Vic to watch out for Delfina. Vic thinks he's got her under control.

Susana is forced to ride in Juanjo's car. He needs to help her with her door. His sparks fly. Hers; not so much.

Navier receives his chofer suit. He also receives instructions from Vic to protect Reina. Vic doesn't know who could be trying to kill her either. He also asks Navier to be his eyes when he can't be around Reina. Oh, and he's planning a surprise for tonight that he needs help with. Isidro needs to talk to Vic privately. Izzy informs Vic that the seller is in the country with the merchandise and hasn't contacted them. Vic doesn't like that at all. Smith and Rocky listen in.

Estefania meets with a Middle Eastern man. She inspects a rather large, red gem.

Greta is in Susana's room and leaving a voice message. Susana comes in and tries to play off her state of dishevelment. Juanjo blabs about the suicide attempts.

Navier in his chofer suit and reading his phone. He bumps into Izzy and pickpockets his phone. He downloads the info from Izzy's phone and slides it across the floor. Izzy comes in and picks up the phone, but doesn't remember dropping it.

At the shop, everyone overwhelms Reina with questions and requests.

Juanjo tells Greta he saved her mom and that she needs to talk to her mom and help her. He gets all up in their tender mommy/daughter conversation. So funny. The leave him alone. He leaves.

Navier sends the info from Izzy's phone to Smith and heads out.

Estefania buys the big red jewel.

Clarita asks Reina if she remembers what they used to do on Saturday's. Reina can't remember.

My recording cuts off, but I remember from watching last night that Delfina whispers evil in Clarita's ear and Clarita accuses Reina of not loving her. Reina gets really overwhelmed and wants to go. Did Navier show up? I can't remember.
 

CIELOS:

Thanks, Variopinta. I still don't know if I'll do a recap every day, but I will definitely post one at least several times a week to update things. I'm watching this show til the end, in the hopes that AC finally gets his due, but if doesn't, and they have season 3, I won't watch it.

BTW, I forgot to add that Ximena got arrested by Leonor at the end of the episode. They have her on tape doing obstruction of justice. I think they also taped AC's voice!
 

Cielos

thanks Hombre!

I agree about it slowing down, (at least we didn't have to watch Mati sing the whole song), I don't see anything ending well for anyone, so I guess the question is who will survive this season and where is Cabo.

not sure why Leo gets to boss everyone around.

when they burned the lab it didn't look like they got the drugs but burned everything, the guerrilla fights are always strange because everyone is dressed alike.

and how many times will Ernie confirm Aurelio is alive, and his wink, wink, "I know he is alive" to his NOT compadres should have warranted him being drug off, never to be seen again.

and then Ximena makes Ruti promise that she will never go with a narco guy, like she did with Aurelio, and Ruti seems to agree, I would think with all Ximena and Ruti have been through together they would be best buddies but it doesn't always seem like that.

that was a bit of a turn around for Irma, she should have played it cool and let Chacorta court her, now I'm wondering if she is planning on launching her career by working for Pepe.

I'm always amazed at how smart Aurelio is, he coolly set up the Leo thing to swing Beto his way, (and I think he prompted Beto's recorded call to Ximena and Leo to let them know he won) and he's picked up on Ruti's boyfriend and now knows his face.

 

Cielos
Thanks, Hombre, for another excellent recap. As you know, I've bailed out in favor of Reina de Corazones, but I'm still very interested in knowing how things develop, so I'm most grateful for your recaps.
 

Reina
Thanks very much, Sara, for the very helpful recap. I was relieved to see that you, too, were not sure who "Sofia" is. I've gotten so used to being confused with this TN that I assumed I'd simply missed something everyone else knew.

The scene in Reina's shop was so nightmarish that I was sure it wasn't really happening. Oh well....

In spite of my fairly constant state of confusion, I'm enjoying this TN. I'm especially impressed with Paola Nuñez and Juan Soler. I've seen Soler in several other TNs and have always liked him. I'm impressed with how well he plays the villain, a very different role than I've seen him in before. I don't think I've ever seen Paola Nuñez before, but she reminds me a bit of Silvia Navarro, not in looks but in her ability to suggest so many different things by small changes in her expression.

I'm still not sure what I think of Eugenio Siller. At first, I thought I had seen him in other TNs, but then I realized I was confusing him with Sebastián Zurita. The two do look quite similar, and both seem to have a somewhat limited range. But I'm keeping an open mind.
 

Reina

wow, terrific recap Sara!

there are so many bits and pieces that I don't seem to be getting and they don't seem to fit together anyway.

say, are Isidro's eyes on Connie on orders from Victor?

so no one recognizes Nicolas because he changed his name, right?

I think the show ends with Reina being TOTALLY overwhelmed and confused, everyone in the shop are pleading with her, and Delfina has thrown Clarita into the mix, and in a panic, Reina is desperately trying to explain that she doesn't remember, and no one is getting it, when the new chauffeur coolly enters the room behind her (let's her know that he gets it) by calmly saying, you don't have to explain anything to me.

 

REINA
Yes! That was it, deb!

Also, I love the idea of Connie and Isidro. Unfortunately I think he's only carrying out Victor's orders.

There are lots of bits I think I'm missing and I'm hoping I either get used to it and that it all becomes clear. If not then we are talking REALLY bad writing.

Juanita - I am completely loving Paola Nuñéz!
 

REINA
And yeah, what is up with NO ONE recognizing Nicolas/Javier? Had they really never seen him before?

And I can't remember who suggested it, but I also feel like there's a closer connection to Smith and Nicolas/Javier than what we see.
 

Reina
Sara asked "And yeah, what is up with NO ONE recognizing Nicolas/Javier?"

Perhaps everyone thinks he's Sebastián Zurita. :-)
 

REINA

Juanita,

Sara asked "And yeah, what is up with NO ONE recognizing Nicolas/Javier?"

Perhaps everyone thinks he's Sebastián Zurita. :-)

NIce one!

Here's a less witty answer: Victor outsourced the hit on Nicolas so he and Isidro et al never actually saw him. All they had was a name.

Stefi knew him then and boy does she know him know.

And Reina memory gap includes her meeting Nicolas.
 

REINA

Sara, thank you for the wonderful recap! I think this may be my favorite line:

"Estefania enters her bat cave of jewels. Someone might be the queen of hearts, but SHE'S the queen of diamonds!"

I think we are supposed to fill in the details gradually. We get hints, then more hints, and then we learn the thing for sure. So I don't think we need to work our poor telenovela-addled brains too hard trying to figure everything out.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Gah, had to delete my post due to bad typos... so here goes again....

Reina

SARA – Thank you for the recap!

I wondered about the diary ending so quickly and wondered if those pages were removed.

I caught that bit, where Victor told Reina she got pregnant after she met him. BUT … wasn’t she “showing” when he “hired” her at the dress shop? Lo confuso.

Okay… this is why I appreciate recappers! I totally did not catch that part where Susana and Good Cop are discussing Greta not being her real child. I should not be baking while watching telenovelas (banana bread muffins w/choc. icing, dairy-free, for our DDIL)

Uuuyyyyy! Nico still has it bad for Reina. ~sigh~


I thought Susana tried to drive off the cliff because of Greta’s rejection. ??? (I really should not be baking while watching . . . )

LOL when Susana yelled at JuanJo for saving her life. So much for JuanJo’s reward…

deb --- that’s right. Nobody recognizes Nico due to a simple name change. This is why we wear telenovela beanie hats.

OF COURSE there is more to the relationship between Smith and Nicolas. They were mother and son in ADCLG. ;-)



 

REINA

Oh and Sara,

The Good Cop is Christian. No, seriously. That's his name -- Christian. Christian Palacios.
[snort]
 

REINA
Thanks for the name, NovelaMaven.

Juanita-Too funny about Sebastian Zurita.

Doris-You are right, Susana drove herself over the cliff because of Greta's rejection and also (I assume) lingering grief over Camila. Sorry I didn't make that clear. I meant to add the voice over, but got distracted.

Now from the way and when Vic phrased it:
"We met, you needed work and didn't want any favoritism, I was getting a divorce, "Te quedaste embarazada luego luego" (you got pregnant right away)

I got the impression that he was setting up the idea that she got pregnant very soon after they met.
 

Reina

Sara, if that convo was in the second episode, I haven't deleted it. Tomorrow I'll have time to check it. I could swear she looked preggers but I might be wrong because he moved in on her as soon as he had Nico sent to jail.
 

REINA
Oh! I was thinking of last night's conversation.

Let us know what you find out Doris! I've already deleted the episode :-(
 

Cielos
Leo arrested Ximena?, I didn't know she had the authority to do that, shooting yes, arrest, no. I do love Ximena's quite resolve.
 

Cielos
Quiet resolve
 

REINA DE CORAZONES

NovelaMaven & Sara - Thank you for the wonderful recaps!

Victor was mad at Carmen for not knowing about the existence of the diaries.

We have three possible relationships:

Connie & Isidro - This one should be interesting. He's a bad guy right but could he be redeemed?

Greta and Lazaro - This one should be fun. I can see them having a love/hate relationship.

Juanjo and Susana - This one should be fun too.
 

REINA
I love all those possible pair ups!!!

I swear I heard Vic say "sofia" and the CCs even said it. I figured it was the diaries, so where did "sofia" come from?
 

REINA

Thanks Sara for the great recap and doing it on a Saturday morning! Will everyone keep doing mini recaps of this novela? Or will it go to just comments like La Impostora? I'm just curious. I am really loving Juan Soler as a bad guy. I agree with you Sara - all hot and bothered. Yes!

Jessa
 

REINA
I'm so glad I'm not alone in my lust for Bad Juan Soler (Good Juan Soler never did a thing for me.)

I think we'll have to wait and see what NovelaMaven and Jean decide about the thread.
 

OT

Here's a piece in today's Sunday NY Times that might interest you. It's about how Univision and The World Cup and more generally, about Spanish language programming. It's worth a look, guys.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/business/media/biggest-scorer-in-world-cup-maybe-univision.html?ref=todayspaper&_r=0
 

REINA
I don't know Sara - I definitely like good Juan Soler in La Otra but I suppose that was really only near the end when he kept yelling and screaming at Carlota, whom he thought to be Cordelia ( who was the the evil one). And it did get boring at the end when they two pro tags got together.
So maybe you're right I didn't like the good Juan after all. Ha ha ha.

Jessa
 

REINA

Sara and Jessa -- and everyone else interested in Reina de Corazones:

All Jean and I do is put up the page for you. It's the TELEMUNDO community who decide whether there will be recaps or not.

a) If the comments tend to exceed 200, we'll probably give Reina a separate page and keep the Front Page for Cielos and Piel, etc.

b) There will be mini-caps if people step up and volunteer to write them.

(At the moment, I'm up to my eyeballs in Univision's Lo que la vida me robo and therefore hesitant to commit. I will agree to fill in as I can -- for example, next week I can pick up a day or two, as long as its not Friday.

I will do this Monday, if you like, but that doesn't imply that I am taking on Mondays.)
 

Reina
I also think Siller & Zurita are similar in appearance & acting ability. Seb didn't get any of his dad's acting skills. Humberto is excellent & Ivan Sanchez looks like him.
 

OT
Thanks for the link, NovelaMaven. I was surprised to see that sometimes Uni still gets more viewers than English language television. When you compare numbers from 2011-2012 to know, there are fewer viewers (Example: LQNPA would get 4 million+ viewers. LQLVMR hasn't hit 4 million yet.)

Also, I feel that in Uni's desperation to be number one, they sometimes make ridiculous decisions and forget about viewers.

Meh. It's just TV.
 

REINA
I'm willing to recap next Wednesday and Friday, BUT

**The recaps will most likely just be one "comment" long. One part (two tops) and just a run down of the main events.

**Friday's recap won't get done until Saturday (possibly late.) I have a commitment to DQTQTQ.

**Like NovelaMaven, I can't commit past next week.
 

OT
"Now" not "know"
 

REINA
Interesting article from Mexico about Reina:

http://www.milenio.com/firmas/alvaro_cueva_elpozodelosdeseosreprimidos/buena-duele_18_299550086.html
 

Reina:

I just watched the whole week on fast forward. I too am loving evil Soler. But I love him good too-- remembering the great playful scenes he and Silvia Navarro had in CME.

The conversation between Vic and evil stepmother was about the diaries, her making sure that there was no trace of Reina's old life, and not wanting Reina to know that he's not Clarita's father-- so he was purposely being vague about when Reina got pregnant because he wants her to believe they were lovers from the beginning.

Many thanks to Sara and the other recappers. I likely won't get to catch up on these epis until each weekend, so my comments will be limited. But I did enjoy the first week, although there are some glaring weaknesses in the writing. I also really like the lead actress - her expressive.

Yes, Laura Flores and Eugenio already played mother and son in Guapos, so wouldn't be a stretch here. :)
 

Reina:

*very expressive, not her expressive.
 

REINA

Sara,
That is so nice of you to offer to do Weds and Friday, especially since you still have a recap to do over on Uni. Don't ever ever ever worry that your recaps are too short. A short recap -- often a super-short recap -- is what we try for over here in TelemundoLand.

I know it's hard to do that in the early days of a novela when there's tons of new exposition every day. But PITHY is the goal. And this isn't a passive community -- we all get to put our two cents in, adding bits we think deserve mention.

Thanks for the link to the piece about Reina. I was quite surprised by the writer's wild enthusiasm for this show. I mean, it's great fun and all, but I wasn't expecting his argument that "It's so good, it hurts."
 

Reina:

I also just read the article, and although I enjoyed the first week, I'm not seeing the work of art the author seems to feel this is. I do agree with him that Mexico needs to allow for more original stories and writing in their tns, but I think the filming, locations, and styling is much better in the Mexican tns-- they feel richer and have more depth (but would also be much more expensive in the U.S.)
 

REINA
Yeah, maybe it's not a work of art, but the author does make some good points too about Televisa artists bailing for Telemundo.

I'm quite taken with this one. Granted it's only been five episodes, but it feels fresher to me than the Televisa productions I've seen lately. (And I'm not sure "fresher" is the word I mean, but I can't think of anything else.

NovelaMaven: I will go for short and sweet.
 

REINA/GENERAL:

Yes, the original stories makes it feel fresher. And that's what Televisa needs to invest in more. But Azteca, from what I understand also does tns based on new stories, and their actors are also coming to the U.S. From what I have read about Televisa and Azteca, they are very restrictive with their contracts-- a bit like the old studio system in the U.S. With Telemundo tns now having more global reach, they can take advantage of better pay, less contract restrictions, possible access into the English entertainment market, and STILL have the global reach that being with Televisa/Azteca/RCA/etc. allowed them before. This is definitely good for Televisa that gets the benefit of actors already well known among the Hispanic US community and internationally, while they are trying to deepen their presence overseas and at home.
 

CIELOS:

I'm not sure if Leo legally "arrested" Ximena. She definitely had her men grab her. BTW, she is working with regular cops, supplied by Vicky's Dad, Governor Pedro. So maybe they could arrest Ximena. We should find out Monday.