Caray, Caray!

Loved the ending, although I wasn't a MDA fan, I wish he wasn't killed since the writers went to such length to paint him dark then redeem him.

More later.
 

Thanks, ladies. You did a great job writing and coordinating this. I have five pages of comments about this finale and series but won't burden you with all of them at once. However, the first ones I will post are these:

Final Scenes

José Luis was destined to die, although a spirit in infinity would have endless patience to wait for him to die of natural causes. It was foretold by his dreams. He lost two of the most important people in his life – Angelica and Refugio – and now he would be with them. Alejandro had to live to take care of Romina as well as Lauro, Monse, Rosario, and any future children. I am just so angry that the writers played with us about which of the two of them died until we saw Alejandro take Monse's hand at the door of the church. The whole staging of that was wrong and was done in the name of shock value. The writers played with our heads just as Pedro played with his victims. I hope the original Mexican audience sent a lot of angry e-mails over that.

Someone else said that this story would end with a sense of survival and that's what we get when the word ¡FIN! came up on the screen. Alejandro and Monserrat look shell-shocked. We can't be sure if the happy scene on the beach occurs later or in their imaginations.
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia R, and NovelaMaven - Thanks for a terrific recap. Watching the gran finale, I felt bad for the recapper so I'm glad you joined together to share the "wealth." You all brought considerable skill, wit, and gentleness to telling this odd episode. For that I am grateful. Last night I left the screen thinking "what the hell was that?" But with your help, I can now bring closure to these 10 months.

Hated it. Good acting by AB and glad Dim and Fina are together again. JL's death had been foreshadowed a zillion ways so even though I hoped he would live, I can accept his eternal peace with Angelica and Refugio. Eric and his dad took up way too much screen time. If Esme chooses to be with Guitar Boy and be swing on the pole till Angel graduates college, so be it. The whole episode just felt like a stunt to me.
 

Niecie, I completely agree. I really hate that they had us worrying for a whole episode about who lived or died. The gunshot wounds looked like the ones on Adolfo so we worried about Alejandro. When JL said that he was dead I was prepared to believe that he lied to fool Pedro. He was thinking like a cop, as he should have been.

It didn't look to me like JL was close enough to be killed in the explosion. I thought he'd suffer some second- and third-degree burns and need a lot of recovery time. However, his death had been foreshadowed (as it was in previous versions of the original story), so it was a slender hope.
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia Rold and NovelaMaven:

I'm could write a recap of accolades for all of you. You have been our rocks, friends, translators and source of humor and pathos through this long journey. All the commenters have been superb and so much fun to check and read every day. I feel like someone who has been away in the final year of college for 10 months and now must say goodbye to all the gang, hoping to meet up again in the future. It's been wonderful!

I won't comment much on the initial scenes. I found them disgusting and still want to slap someone for putting those kids in cages. I was not entertained in any way and it was stupid and unnecessary.

"For my money, the best moment of the entire Gran Final"

Julia, I couldn't agree more. It seems I was only waiting scene after scene for them to see how things resolved and when they were done, well, almost turned off the show because I had pretty well figured out where things were going and had the resolution I cared about.

I didn't get spoiled for the ending, only knew there were three shot ( now know it was JL dead, Ale dead, both dead), so as events progressed to me it was too apparent that Ale was the one to live. Too many of the characters more associated with Ale were sad, but not nearly as upset as if it was Ale in that coffin. Padre, Mac, Victor...I would have expected much more emotion from them, though I know the writers wanted to keep us hanging.

Esme/Erick, Mac and Kevin, Nadia forgiving Dim ( nice, but whatever), all predictable. I felt a bit of a heart tug for Amelia and Carlotta. Wish they had a more than each other for consolation. Amelia has her daughter to make up time with. Carlotta gets to be Great Auntie. Bless Rosario through this whole TN.

The whole Gaudy thing left me Meh. Appropriate but left me cold. Pedro, the new boy toy for the prison seemed rather fitting. Glad they didn't spend more than what they did to give us an idea of what is in store for him. Imaginations did the rest.

Not sure I actually understood those walks in and out of the church. Maybe supposed to be dramatic. I suppose Monse was given the stand up as the former wife? otherwise, that made no sense to me except for the writers wanting to yank people's chains for a few more minutes. And on the way out, Ale staring straight out the whole way versus her starting to smile, look at him and you could sense her feeling of letting it all go as well, odd. I guess we were suppose to take away he was regretting the death of his former nemesis and now looked on him again as a friend.

Anyway, got to have a final "aren't they gorgeous" scene on the beach...ending with a shirtless moment. That was worth hanging around after the Dim/Fina scene.

Off to a crazy day out and about, so I'll check in later.

Daisynjay

 

Countx, you guessed right. That was a spoiler for anyone who wanted to watch the alternate ending online, so I deleted your comment.
 

Just the idea of Alejandro dying should never have come into the writers' heads. That would have given Pedro a win even if he did end up in prison as I hoped. My comments on the series and the finale, Part I:

For the most part, LQLVMR was well-written. There were a few details that should have been different in the first half:

1. The matter of marital rape. Alejandro should have been drunk during this incident and possibly sworn off alcohol altogether afterward or limiting himself to two glasses of wine with dinner. When we consider the Scarlett / Rhett dynamic we have previously witnessed between AB and SR this would have been the best solution. However, I'm sure that the controversy over this incident as well as the actors' popularity kept this series on the top of the ratings chart.
2. Unless I missed something said about Nadia and Adolfo's parents, there should have been some closure on whether they were still alive or not. It seems wrong that they would go off to Europe and never contact their children.
3. The actress who played Carlota was far too young to be the sister of Lauro unless they had different mothers or other siblings in between.
4. Benjamin Almonte's ring should have been handed off to someone after the death of Efrain Loreto. There were great implications of a curse here. Writers dropped that ball, too.
5. Angelica didn't look at all like a cancer patient. Let's have some medical verisimilitude for a change.
 

Anyway almost forgot,here is the synopsis of my fanmade telenovela,Amor Como Un Infierno if anyone wishes to read info on my upcoming project which i hope i could do it successfully and that time will allow me to give it full attention : http://amorcomoinfierno.blogspot.com/2014/08/amor-como-un-infierno-synopsis-and-main.html
 

Part II:

The second half provided quite a few more stretches of credibility:

-- The writers seemed to have forgotten Pedro's unique problem when they started saying he had no testiculos rather than he had nothing (as Pedro himself described in episode 84). At the time of his accident there were methods to reconstruct what he lost even if it wasn't going to be fully functional. He would then at least have been able to survive a locker room. The inconsistency in later episodes describing him just as being without his huevos did not jive with his version of the story. Had that been the case, he could easily have gotten prostheses and testosterone injections would have taken care of the rest. If he still had the tamale he would have been sexually functional, but sterile. Not the end of the world.

-- The events that accommodated the 7-year time jump, such as Jose Luis' prison sentence. He should have served time in the Navy brig instead because he was a Naval officer at the time of the offense that happened within the course of his own investigation. That would have been a year or two followed by discharge from the service. Admiral Robledo should have seen to that. The 7 years was necessary to serve the plot point of anyone being declared legally dead.

-- The likelihood of a person waking up from a 7-year coma without brain damage is very slender, as his body would be after a long period of no activity. But – por supuesto – nobody would want Sebastian Rulli to become a toothpick for that part of the story (and he'd be foolish to do that).

-- Kevin isn't Macario's son? What kind of BS is that? Why go to the trouble of casting a teen who so resembles the adult actor and have him speak the same way? This was ridiculous.

-- Pedro's genius at advance planning may actually reflect what drug kingpins are all about. However, once anyone knew that they should have gotten smarter.
Victor recovered too quickly from the attacks on him. He should have been in the hospital longer both times.

-- Why weren't Alejandro and JL wearing kevlar when they went to rescue the children? Oh, wait; because then Pedro would have shot Alejandro in the head and that would have been the end of him. Or the writers would have needed to think of a different way to continue that scene.

-- No way in hell should Monse have been wearing a dress like that for such a funeral. Not to mention that Alejandro should have been dressed in black and in a wheelchair if he just got out of the hospital. Those were serious gunshot wounds.

-- Homeless Gracie. It didn't seem likely she would survive that fall, but apparently she did. Did Monse and Lauro recognize her when he handed over some coins to her at the beach?

-- I realize that courtroom scenes are not routine in novelas but it would have been satisfying to see Pedro not only humiliated at hearing “life without parole” but for him to see Alejandro and Victor staring him down on the way out. Otherwise he got the Karmageddon I wanted for him. My, how fast word got out about his shortcomings.

-- While I don't like “X Años Despues” at the end most of the time I would have accepted it here for one thing: The prison warden calls Dimitrio to tell him that Pedro is dead. He would then insist upon being present for the autopsy to make sure.
 

Okay ,Novela Maven then i will rephrase it differently:
The things i did not like the most was JL dying,i hated that he did not throw the bomb to a bit longer distance,he threw it so close it angered me.I liked Pedros punishment though but i did not like Gracies because it was a bit too easy for her and i cannot believe the authorities cannot find her on the streets.What i wanted for her was a psychiatric institution or prison. Atleast Pedro will get tortured every day from now on but Gracie is still a hazard for everyone.I dread the possibility that some family might take her in but i think that wouldnt happen because there must be some newspaper outlet in Aguazul,they are like in the Stone Age. We seen only once that they actually have a broadcast in Town!
 

Urban
Loved your comment about not letting Ale die because it would be seen as a win for Pedro. Didn't think about that.
 

Count:
They never found JL, Refugio, Ale, or Victor when they were on the run and hiding in plain sight on the streets of AA, so why should the cops be any better at finding homeless Gracie?

Love the comparison--or lack thereof--of DC here homeless and in Pasion, homeless, broke, etc. DC doesn't mind going without makeup!
 

I know Victoria,i know i should think it is just fantasy but the incompetence of law enforcements is on a high scale in Robo. The police were corrupt under Pedro .It got a bit better when JL stepped in,now JL is gone.The Navy did the most work in the novela ,law enforcement wise but they are still lacking in cameras( When Dim put fake evidence in JL's room,The Robledo assassination case) .

And yes it is funny how DC's villians always end up on the street ! But still her performance was fantastic:)
 

Thanks, Victoria. As I said in that same rant I wish Alejandro and Victor would have had the chance to give Pedro a few dirty and sarcastic looks so he would have known he lost.

At the same time it wasn't right for JL to die when he had redeemed himself.
 

Thank to all the recappers once more. Great way to end the show-- especially as I didn't think the writers of the novela had a great way to end their show!

UA, I have to say while I agree on many of your points, I think I said yesterday or the day before that I wanted exactly the ending they gave us for Macario. They must have cast it like that to throw us off, but, to me, how wonderful that Macario realized that he loved Kevin like a son, whether or not they shared blood. On the other hand, does Kevin have a right to know? What if he wants/needs to find his real father for other reasons, such as medical history, etc? I know, I'm thinking real life and this is TN land. I liked that Macario found out and accepted him anyway.

So, as I've said, this is only my 4th novela but the one with THE MOST disappointing ending. I know you guys told us from the start that they couldn't let JL live, but why?! Why not let he and Ale have a bromance to fill in for Refugio? But forgetting what I would prefer to see, I didn't appreciate being played with for an hour. Really? An entire hour to wait to find out that JL died and Ale survived? And UA, you were right: Ale shows up dressed like he's ready for the beach in the LAST moment of the show. I would have vastly preferred to have him shown in a hospital bed as he surely would have been after the wounds he suffered.

Oh well. It's over now. Many thanks to all the recappers and all the patio visitors!
Rebecca
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Graciela's punishment was fitting. Keep in mind, this was a woman who spent nearly her entire life placing money before anything and everything, including her own children. Having to live homeless and as an outcast is the worst punishment for her.

Pedro's.worst fear was ending up in prison. Countless times we heard both Pedro and Adolfo say they would rather die than end up in prison. Adolfo found eternal rest, Pedro found a much different and seemingly horrible fate. Death would be too easy for him. The writers made the right choice here.

The children trapped in cages was disturbing. Although I am sure Laurito had a blast, little Romina did not understand what was taking place and she was crying for her real Mother. Shame on her parents for putting her into these roles at such a young and tender age... Newsflash directors, 2 year-olds do not get the concept of acting! You are setting this poor girl up for abandonment issues as well as other psychological issues.

How could Alejandro get shot in the heart but return with only an arm cast? What? Did I miss something?

What on earth was Monse wearing? We understand she has a perfectly skinny body, but can you wait to show it off at the beach? And what was up with her dreadful hair-style and over abundance of make-up? She looked 40 years old in the final scenes.
-Kat
 

Kevin does have the right to know, but that could have been handled by the Padre telling Macario that he better tell him soon and Macario agreeing. Telling this kid now when he's just out of the hospital after surgery wouldn't be right.

While JL was being an ass about Monserrat I agree that he needed to die or disappear. The writers didn't want to be predictable but that messes with good storytelling when you make characters do things that don't fit them as people.
 

Kat, the producers wanted us to wonder whether she was mourning Alejandro or JL. Except that they seemed to have forgotten that Monse would have worn a veil if it had been Alejandro and she would have needed to be escorted by Dimitrio for moral support.

The dress was to make male viewers drool.
 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for reading the recap! Thanks to Eli, Gloria, Mads, and NovelaMaven for writing great sections and including me on the team.

Also, everyone should give an extra round thanks to NovelaMaven for getting the group recap organized and up on the blog.

Thanks, NovelaMaven!!!!!

Urban Anthropologist: This was very well-said regarding that final scene and expressed much of my feeling, too:

"The whole staging of that was wrong and was done in the name of shock value. The writers played with our heads just as Pedro played with his victims. I hope the original Mexican audience sent a lot of angry e-mails over that."

I had a little looksie at the Gran Final the day after it aired in Mexico. The comments I saw from the viewers there were nearly all negative.

People were writing things like, "Worst gran final EVER," and "What????"

They wondered why Montse came in like the grand widow and criticized the sexiness of the dress, (although I have to say she looked amazing.) People were also wondering why Alejandro and Laurito were wearing white and what that meant, too. When, I saw it I worried that it was supposed to signify they were ghosts or something, but Laurito seemed alive and interacted with others, so I guess wearing white was just some form of respect for J-L. But it was confusing.

I did think that last scene was very beautifully filmed, and the music was fantastic. But it was so unsatisfying after all the awfulness. Give me the cheesy end of Amores Verdaderos anytime with a double wedding and even a birthday party several years in future when everyone is happy and having fun.

Also, if anyone wants to read something funny to cheer up, check out this article on the Latin Times:

10 Things We Learned from Lo Que La Vida Me Robó:

http://www.latintimes.com/10-things-we-learned-lo-que-la-vida-me-robo-following-finale-univision-201304

Some of the highlights of what we learned, according to this:
1. That it was actually José-Luis and Alejandro who made the perfect couple on the show.
2. That if you get shot in the heart, you will survive and only have an injury to your arm (in reference to the final scene where Alejandro has his arm in a sling)

Looking forward to reading all the comments!

I'm glad it's over, but I will miss this wonderful on-line community!
Best to all,
Julie R.
 

Part III of my Closing Thoughts:

What We Will Never Know

-- Backstories of Pedro, Ezekiel, and Refugio. None of them had any relatives and never spoke of any. We can make a few assumptions about Refugio, that perhaps his situation was similar to Jose Luis', but Pedro's and Ezekiel's origins are a complete mystery.

-- What happened to Gracie's fortune and her jewels. Will Dimitrio recover the money she gave to that unethical doctor?

-- Whether Maria was actually related to Alejandro, which means the writers handed us a red herring or forgot to pay off on the clues.

-- Whether anybody ever saw a shrink.
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia R, and NovelaMaven, your voices were a finely tuned chorus of light, of resiliance and of hope amidst an array of utter despair. Your different styles, all amazing, blended in symphony to herald the only joyous news here, that the human spirit can never truly be vanquished.

I was too stunned to cry last night, but am doing so now.

Madelaine, you made the unpalatable bearable by stating the facts, yet cushioning the blow: "Ale doesn't want the children to pay for something Peddy thinks Ale did all those years ago. What is Peddy's answer? He shoots Ale in the chest". I know you will miss JL as much as I will. I am proud that he passed so valiantly. Thank you for your wise words and wonderful earworms.

NovelaMaven "Using her cane, Poor Blind, (but quite glamorous) Nadia..." was perfect. "Rosario rises from the front pew; she, Romina and Laurito follow the couple back into the stream of life" was exquisite. I'm simply in awe.

Eli, "Erick won't let a little thing like a dead person keep him from telling Esme that he cares for her and that he is willing to wait as long as is necessary for her to care for him too. This seems like a bad way to start a relationship, also I'm pretty sure this is how stalkers are born, Im just saying". Wonderful!

Julia, "Here we go again," he says, smiling. [For my money, the best moment of the entire Gran Final]". Indeed! And you related it lovingly and beautifully.

Gloria, than you for relating "No one knows what will happen later. Don't commit the same mistake I did. Don't bury your heart in that grave". Your purely translated words are and were always a joy.

Urban, elna june and Elvira, my sheer appreciation and thanks for your carefully constructed, superb summaries throughout.

Urban, I had to laugh out loud at "But – por supuesto – nobody would want Sebastian Rulli to become a toothpick for that part of the story (and he'd be foolish to do that)". No, you are certainly right! Thank you for that badly needed moment of levity.

Rebecca, you are not alone in your disappointment in JL's death. In my heart, I knew it would happen but the evilness of the children's plight being caged and him forced to choose which to save was unmerciful. May he find more happiness in heaven then he did here on earth. I am still stunned and unsettled.

Niecie, I was fuming at Erick's eating up so much time last night. Were we really supposed to take comfort from him for Esme? Refugio will never, ever be replaed. I was yelling "NEXT" (kudos to Carlos)...

I had said some time ago that Monse, Ale and their family together would not be enough for me. I must admit that I was happier than I had thought I'd be. We must take what we are given, correct? And while Dimitrio and Fina together will provide some joy, it was but a sliver of hope.

Thank you for the camraderie, the support and the sharing. The recapers were stellar every single day and the bloggers comments were sharp and sensitive. What an amazing community.

Diana




 

Oh my...watched this at night and sure 'nough, could NOT sleep afterwards. However, I was annoyed rather than troubled by the "which one died?" schtick because no way would the writers let Alejandro die. No way. (Although maybe he did in the alternate ending but they didn't use that so....)

My sense was that death was the redeemed JL's reward. He was happy in the afterlife where there is no sorrow, only love and peace. He was reunited with his one true love and knew his daughter was in good hands. Clearly he was happier there than in his life on earth.

But, as always, the recaps were much better than the episode:

"Fittingly, it is Pedro Medina who ends up locked in a cage."

and

"It is not Montserrat's fault that someone chose to put her in a low-cut cocktail dress."

Yes. That whole scene was bizarre. She didn't attend the Mass evidently. Only did the big walk down the aisle, the bizarre open-up-the-casket bit and then another slow exit. Still, I forgive the writers because they played such beautiful music. Thanks Julia of the "Shiny Happy People" part for identifying it. Simple spellbound by the singer.

Eli, got a kick out of your "How old is Eric? He still needs daddy to help him land a girl? And your intuition about future salking behavior.

And speaking of uncomfortable children, little Angel clearly wanted nothing to do with the actor playing Erik's dad. He pushed so firmly against the guy's chest and squawked so loudly, I was relieved the old codger put him down.

And the burial sites for this one have been bizarre. They all seemed to be in a messy, unkempt woods. Like where you might bury a pet. Not just Refugio's but others as well, earlier in the story.

NM, also loved "For a moment he looks like an aged child on the verge of tears." Well, yeah, Macario IS an aged child, but I guess that's why I like him. He's made some terrible mistakes, hurtful ones, but there's no malice in him IMO.

And of course I had to love your Hell Is Other People. Brings back memories of grad school and French language and literature. m "Yo si tuve veinte años." Sigh.

And your quip about the long time the writers had to figure out an ending was right on target. AFTER ALL THIS TIME the ending seemed rushed and sketchy. Maybe everyone was exhausted and just wanted to get it over with. We certainly did.

Still, it's been a marvelous ride. Not because of the story, the gorgeous actors or the production values, but because of the recappers and the community. Truly sterling. Thanks to all. You're a great group and you're all marvelous writers. Outstanding. And unforgettable.



 

Montse and Ale (Take 1)
Jose Luis and Angelica
Montse and Ale (Take 2)
Montse and Jose Luis
Jose Luis - RIP

Four Weddings and a Funeral ...

Didn't like that JL had to die. I couldn't stand him as Mr. Hyde, but they converted him into Dr. Jekyll with quick finger snap. Oh, well.

I DID like that this didn't end in the cliched, the-whole-town-goes-to-the-wedding happily ever after ending, because after all that happened to everybody, there's no way they (almost the whole town) are going to be happy for a LONG time.

To me, the whole hour was a big waste of time because they telegraphed (IMO) right away that it was JL who had died:
1. Montse "felt something" when Ale was shot, but Rosario's "corazon de madre" didn't tell her a darn thing.
2. As someone else mentioned, everyone else around Ale was less emotional than they would be.
3. Throughout the whole time it was Rosario who was holding things together, getting things done. She freaked and fell apart when the plane went down and she DIDN'T know Ale's fate, so I would expect her to do no less if she KNEW for sure he had died.

And, yes, what a totally inappropriate dress Montse was wearing!

Also, how rude of Montse and Ale not to stay for the funeral mass. Really?
 

Good Morning Y'all:

Thanks to NovelaMaven for going the extra mile and organizing this last recap. Also thanks to NovelaMaven, Eli, Gloria and Julia for the wonderful parts of this finale.

I was satisfied with some of the finale and with others not so much. I too read some comments around the web about this finale. Several insisted that Ale had died, whichever ending aired. They kept pointing to the fact that Ale was wearing white, not speaking. I really thought Ale had died when Monse was keening in the office when Dimi was speaking to her.

I have to give kudos to AB. These scenes were shot shortly after her Mama died. I'm surprised she could work at all. I blame the wardrobe people for putting her in that dress.

I loved the Fina and Dimi scenes. It was way past time for those. I have another Crackpot Theory, could it be that Kevin really is Mac's son, and Padre made Mac think he wasn't? I think the Padre wanted Mac to accept Kevin whether or not he was his biological son.

I have an issue with JL dying too. The writers could have done better. Why couldn't he have lived and gone on to be the Mayor and then the Governor, a true and noble man? They really didn't need to kill him off. He had come to terms with Monse and Ale. A lot of the negative comments were about how the writers killed him off.

I also think that Dimi is now head of that Naval Base. They never brought in another superior and if you remember, at the beginning of this story, Robledo was a Capitan, he hadn't made Admiral yet.

I'll comment more later.
 

Part IV of my Closing Thoughts:

95% of the acting was brilliant, perhaps the best quality of this series.

Character Development: The Good Guys

Alejandro & José Luis: Both macho fools about half the time. I have to wonder whether the periods of their nasty name-calling of Monserrat was the writers acting out their own misogyny. In my personal world that is never forgiven. I have yet to hear of a misogynist being reformed. Please let's drop that stuff in the future and let male protagonists have their appropriate nobility (absent a bout of depression like Rogelio Montero of LQNPA).

Monserrat & Nadia: Both too sheltered by wealth and/or convent school to be ready for marriage or anything else. Outdated in the 21st century, but the flip side of what the writers did to the men. I find it curious that in the original Bodas de Odio the heroine was old enough to be flirting with spinsterhood but her counterpart in LQLVMR was too young to marry in most modern eyes.

Lauro (father of Monserrat), Victor, Admiral Robleto: Smart about their work most of the time, but not very bright about people.

Rosario: Close to sainthood most of the time, frequently naïve. Not too unrealistic because she was locked away from most of normal life for so long. So relieved she survived (She was a sacrificial lamb in at least one previous version).

Josefina, Esmeralda, & Angelica: Good, faithful, and true to themselves and their men. All role models.

Carlota: Really, she should have been smarter as well as a little older.

Dimitrio: Didn't see his about-face until his father died. Good stuff going with his long, dark, tea-time of the soul. Believable.

Padre Anselmo: Mostly realistic about human nature. Noble in his willingness to risk excommunication in the name of a greater good. Glad he survived.
 

Thanks to Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia Rold and NovelaMaven for this joint effort... what a nifty surprise this morning.

I have to admit that I think that I was more bewildered than disappointed by this final episode. I guess the TN folks are so accustomed to ending these things with a wedding that they simply altered things a bit by substituting the groom with a dead guy in a box, having the bride stroll down the aisle stunningly dressed in black, and lowering the volume on the wedding march.

For me the most glaring wart was the return of Eric accompanied by his even more pitiful dad. Why? Esmeralda should have dropped him off at Eli's Puppy Lake.

Elna June,

How sweet it was of you yesterday to step between UA and me in our little dispute over Dimitio's role as a killer. You made excellent points about the many moral ambiguities and inconsistencies we have encountered during this TN. Thanks.

UA,

"Homeless Gracie... Did Monse and Lauro recognize her when he handed over some coins to her at the beach?"

They were face to face... how not? I thought it was incredibly cold-hearted, cruel, and cynical to give her those coins without saying a word. Better to have just walked on by.

Carlos
 

I would have thrown those coins at her. She more than deserved that treatment.
 

Ah, I see I should have put Dominga in the group with Josefina and the others. Macario belongs with Lauro, Victor, and the Admiral.

Part V:

Character Development: The Bad and the Ugly

Primary Villains

Graciela / Gaudencia: She came to the top of the toxic mother list with her actions in the final week. Allowing the kidnapping of a child and attempting to kill that child's father so he couldn't tell anyone of her complicity or that she was faking her illness is as low as it gets. Then continuing to fake this illness after Dimitrio called her out on it and trying to justify her actions to the person she hurt the most was the capper. She deserves to rot.

I'm not sure how I feel about Gracie's Karmageddon. She should be in prison. Her crimes – especially the ones against her grandchildren – would earn very violent treatment from the other female prisoners and not a few of the staff. She has not paid for the crime of killing Benjamin Almonte either (despite his death being no loss to anyone) and I doubt anyone else ever found out about her guilt in that. It seems that Maria took that secret to the grave. If Pedro knows he's unlikely to tell anyone.

Pedro: He may be Televisa's most evil, perverse male villain to date. He exceeded Fernando of PSMA. We don't know how many deaths he was ultimately responsible for but I'm sure he outdid Fernando of FELS (I think that body count was about 20) even if we didn't witness them.

The constant insults coming out of his mouth made me want to reach into the screen and put his eyes out. His insults to and about women and his violence toward women clearly came from his shortcomings and resentment that he couldn't have them as other men could. Note that the physical violence toward Nadia didn't begin until she was blind.

While he got the Karmageddon I requested at the outset I'm not sure it's enough. For his surviving victims to get closure he needs to be dead. Of course, only after a few years of this torture.

Carlos, love your point about switching out the traditional wedding for a funeral. Monse's black dress looked more like either a 1950s cocktail dress or the top part of a bridal gown dyed black. AB must have been too shell-shocked by her own mother's death to have protested about that dress. Monse as we knew her wouldn't have worn that dress.

As for Monse being cruel to Gracie over the coins, I applaud her for that. I'm not a parent but I would never forgive anyone who did what Gracie did. I will have to look at that scene again to see whether Gracie allowed Laurito to see her face. I knew it was her before she showed her face to the camera because this fate befell other toxic mothers in the past.
 

The recap and comments are much better than the actual episode.

I have to agree with the viewer in Mexico who said it was The Worst grand finale ever in TNs. It was.
A lot of the side stories could have been done in the episode before the last one; it was annoying.
But the most annoying was the funeral scene. It was surreal.
Especially the part where Rosario clops down the aisle, followed by the ridiculous death march of Monse with louder clops. In a funeral, especially in a Catholic church, the congregation would have never turned to face the "widow". (Usually that is done in weddings). Obviously, neither Monse nor Ale were staying for the funeral mass. Director: you get a big "F" for thinking up the staging of this segment.
In short, I hated this episode.
 

Hello everyone!

Somehow I loved the final, I mean how every person ended up (with some objections) but I would prefer not to end with the funeral of Jose Luis. It would be better a couple of years maybe with all the characters celebating. It's a shame because LQLVMR is probably the most succesful telenovela from Televisa and it shouldn't disapoint its audience.

Here are my comments about the end.

Refugio: I was so sad about his death. I wished he was with Esmeralda in the end. I don't agree she started up with Refugio and ended up with Erick someone else. Moreover his death was not necessary. (Everyone was about to know the truth about Alacran, it was about 5 episodes before the final. Pedro knew it, Graciela knew it and Victor and Nadia knew it)

Adolfo: I felt so sorry for Adolfo. I disliked him in the start but when he became Alacran he did it to protect his sister and his niece. Everyone was pressured him to tell the truth He shouldn't kill Refugio. He could gain some time to fake his death and then leave forever.

Fabiola: She was not that bad as Graciela, Pedro and Maria. She just felt the rejection of her biological parents and tried to find some consolation in alcohol. (The opposite of Graciela, who had her mother but she did'nt have the luxury life she wanted) When she left from jail she should have rencocile with Alejandro and Montserrat and form a family altogether.

Rosario: I'm happy that she didn't die like Ana Martin in Amor Real.

Jose Luis: He did'nt deserved death but it was so nice that he sacrifised himself for Montserrat hapiness proving he was not evil. His end reminded me of Gustavo in LQNPA. It would be better if Angelica hadn't died but then Jose luis's existance would not had anything new to give throught the telenovela. At least he was seen with Angelica in heaven.

Maria: Her end was so silly and easy. She left very early in her supposed Romeo & Juliet fairytale. I wanted her to end up crazy in a clinic forever bucause her obsesion for Alejandro was insane.

Pedro: I enjoyed this end the most. SO FAIR! It was what I wanted for Pedro from the first episodes. He used to abuse and harm inocent people and now he tasted some of his own medicine.

Graciela: I disagree with that final. At least she didn't end up like Bernarda from La Otra (2003). Graciela was more evil than Augusta in Amor Real. She actuallly commited crimes. She killed Benjamin with Juventino's help, she declared lies against Alejandro, she stealed the Almonte fortune, she helped Pedro to kidnap the kids, she tried to kill Victor. For all these she deserved death or prison like Rosaura from LQNPA. From the beging of the telenovela I wanted her sick in the end. Having all the money she wished for but being ill and weak to spend them (that would hurt most). Right now she ended up like she started, poor. And I think that what hurt her most was being poor and homeless rather than her children's rejection. Nevertheless it was so sad to see a beautiful woman that has everything becoming like this.

Billie
 

Thank you, Novela Maven, Mads, Eli, Gloria and JuliaR:
You all did a fine job retelling a crappy ending.

I guess nine months wasn't long enough for these guys to come up with a story ending worthy of the actor's performances.

I cannot get off of this subversive theme, I know; it's all Novela Maven's fault for being so percetive and naming the pattern we were seeing early in the show.

So was this an ultimate subversive statement by the writers:

"Only The Dead Are Happy".

It sure seemed so to me. The writers spent an inordinate amount of time on the side stories. I especially resented how much time they gave to the Erik story. Honestly, it was really too much to introduce this new character and uncomfortable romance in the last month of the show and then give 10 minutes to its resolution in the final 42 minute episode. Pah!

I am utterly horrified that they put the kids in cages for that last scene. Perhaps they put them in cages only to take them out again, and they were not inside when the rest of the scenes were shot. Still, horrible, horrible image.

I think Montserrat recognized her mother when she gave the coins to Laurito to give to the homeless woman.

It makes no sense that Graciela BE homeless unless she has lost her memory. She had a pile of money in her accounts. It she doesn't know who she is, then why the tragic long look at Montse and Lauro as they walked away? Bah!

Alejandro in the sling was just stupid. Bah!

Why was Rosario SO broken up about JL? They reconciles, sure, and she comforted him when Romina had been kidnapped but they were not portrayed as that close during the long show. Pah!

A most unsatisfactory ending, indeed. No wonder the Mexican viewers raised such a fuss. Even though I had Lowered Expectations I was disappointed.

Yours In Grouchiness,

Elna June


 

Urban Anthropologist, Carlos

In some spoilers I read that they didn't recognized her because of the disfiguration. But how couldn't they? She was familiar with what she was when she neglected her look after Fabiola's death exept the scars. When I saw this scene I was thnking of Graciela beacause we didn't heard anything about her and her face was hidden so I assume that it would be a big surprise. But I also noticed an expression of disgust from Montserrat and I suppose it wasn't for the poor people but for her mother who she recognised.
 

Carlos, you thought that Monse recognized Graciela?

When Graciela straighted up after they left, I thought her hair had been shielding her face. Laurito looked somber but I didn't think there was a hint of recognition in his face. If Monse did know it was her, I agree, she should have kept going.

I've been wrong in so many things here, I really hope I wasn't here. I'm even more unsettled as UA even posed the question and you are right 99.9% of the time (if I have that equation right :)

Diana
 

Niecie in MD:

ITA. What you said!

EJ
 

Part VI:

Character Development: The Bad and the Ugly, continued

Secondary Villains

Maria: She was in many ways the Mean Girl type most girls encounter in school. Her reverse snobbery came from her jealousy and her obsession with Alejandro escalated through the story. Her delusions were pathetic. She could have been sexually abused by her uncle, the pervy Juventino, but we don't have the hard evidence (although we all had a creep vibe about it). There is a lot about her past we will never know. The fact that she never spoke of her mother (except during the fake suicide attempt) says that her mother died before Maria was old enough to be fully aware of her. And as good a father as Gaspar tried to be he couldn't teach her how to be a woman. She completely lacked any sense of empathy. A definite sociopath, just like her pervy uncle. Agreeing to serve Pedro brought about her downfall and she was too blinded by her obsession to even consider the possibility.

Adolfo: He is truly a tragic figure, like in Sophocles or Shakespeare. He started out as a spoiled rich kid with no sense of responsibility. He was emotionally immature and lazy. Pedro exploited his weaknesses and lured him into his world with the promise of easy money. That was a trap door because there was no escape after that. Killing Pedro might not have solved the problem because of the likelihood of reprisal. He tried to protect his sister and niece, but because there was no escape and he was too cowardly to turn himself in he killed three innocent people before his end came. He fell for the evil Maria and in trying to make up for the time he almost killed her he unknowingly enabled her to do substantial damage of her own. It bothered me that he didn't seem to have an attack of conscience over that. As I previously mentioned, his plea to Josefina to marry him and he would then go to prison was horribly selfish.

Ezekiel: He spent most of the series as a mystery to us. We couldn't figure out for a long time whether he was undercover or a real criminal (Here I think the writers didn't decide that at the outset). His treatment of Maria and his money dealings told us he was a criminal. His enjoyment of killing was disturbing. His cowardice at the end when he bolted, leaving Carlota alone with Pedro, was disgusting. Good riddance.
 

Part VII:

Tertiary Villains

Joaquin Arechiga: He was a bit of a puzzle. He seems to have built his fortune from drugs and thought that was OK until his family ended up in danger. In some ways he was an older version of Adolfo while being as much of a snob as Graciela. That he tried to kill JL was not cool; perhaps he mistook the danger from his own criminal activities as being connected to JL or he was afraid that JL would find out too much.

Sandro Narváez was a basic grifter who was willing to kill if he had to to accomplish his objectives. Very cold and calculating with a polished exterior. Had he been born Italian he would have done well in the Mafia.

Fabiola Guíllen may have gotten a bad break, but she did nothing to redeem herself from it. She was in and out of rehab, hung with the wrong crowd, and did nothing useful with her life. She could have accepted Alejandro's offer to split the inheritance with her but she demanded it all. She ratted out the burning of the drug money that would have framed Alejandro. She participated in the fraud that stole Alejandro's rightful identity and inheritance. She was monumentally cruel to Monserrat and her family when she threw them out of the beach house. Not sure if she was ever redeemable, but who could blame her taking her own life after the discovery that she was Gracie's daughter. That was perhaps the cruelest punishment that could have been inflicted on her.

The sleazebag villains (Juventino, Loreto, Benjamin Almonte) were boilerplate and without nuance. But this class of villain usually doesn't have it. They typically echo the evil of their paymasters (the Primary villains) and die when they outlive their usefulness.
 

Diana,

well, we recognized her and Monse is her daughter after all. I replayed that scene and it was shot in a way that we never see Monse look directly at her but Laurito clearly does but does not appear to show recognition. Monse seems to almost be directing her gaze away from her mom which seems strange since the Monse we came to know is generally very compassionate. If indeed she recognized her mom and wanted to shun her because of all she had done... I'm fine with that... but to recognize her and then have her son hand her a few measly coins is more like taunting. Don't forget, she wept when she thought that Gracie had perished even in light of all she had done. It all just seemed very odd and inconsistent.

Carlos
 

Thanks again to all recappers for months of enduring labor. I echo the sentiments of Elna June.

Mads, your earworm was perfect.

I thought the whole thing about Kevin was a waste of time and an obvious filler near the end of the show -- just too phony...although I liked the part about the secret, another dilemma for Macario.

The very end with Fina and Dim
was satisfying in a way, but we didn't get to see them living in the aftermath a few years later under far more normal, healthy circumstances. It was all just wishful thinking for us.

Fina smiled for the first time in a long time during the kiss. The only other time I remember her truly smiling was at her house when she and Dim unexpectedly did the deed. At that time, she was almost laughing.

Everyone was left in the midst of enormous grief.

Carlos, with all due respect,
Dimitrio was not a fighter. He could not have possibly killed Adolfool with his bare hands. He
knew that. Do you remember in the beginning of the TN, Dim was in a couple of fights, and each time, his hand was smarting? It was quite realistic - not an over the top, hero type punch. On that same topic, once Adolfool had dropped his gun, Dim could have killed him outright - in a true, cold-blooded vein. I believe that he wanted to be the one to subdue Adol. and then get help to rein him in.

HOW MUCH TIME ELAPSED BETWEEN
GRACIELA'S SUICIDAL LEAP AND THE DAY OF JL'S FUNERAL? ALSO HOW MUCH TIME PASSED AFTER THE SHOOTING OF ALE AND THE DEATH OF JL BEFORE THE FUNERAL?

In Mexico, does a widow normally walk the long aisle alone? I've never seen that in a Tn. I've only seen wakes and graveside ceremonies. In the US, a widow would be supported by family or close friends.


Thanks again to all for your dedication, intelligence, and humor.

 

Carlos, I interpreted Monse not meeting "the woman's" gaze thinking she was preoccupied with her grief.

In running the scene through again in my mind's eye and after reading what you wrote, I'm a bit unnerved.

Monse was always kind. Perhaps though everything that occurred was too much to bear. If she did indeed recognize Graciela, averting her gaze and shunning her would have been enough and in keeping in character. But the lingering tragedy here is that the psychological wounds here are deep and perhaps Monse may never recover. The pitiful pittance seemed beneath her. Again, if she did recognize her.

Like Judy, I did not sleep well last night - this was devastating and has preoccupied most of my thoughts today. I suspect it is the same with many of us.

Thanks Carlos.

Diana
 

Could be Montse saw the beggar from afar and as they neared she gave the coins to Laurito to give to her, but averted her eyes as most people are wont to do in those circumstances. Laurito, in keeping with the sadness of their destination, just didn't pay attention to the homeless woman either. This made it worse because Graciela - who was all about, "ME, ME, ME" - has now become invisible.
 

Carlos, I'm also thinking that Monse was upset when she thought her mother died but that was before her children were caged and almost killed. Also prior to Ale's shooting and JL's death.

Again, it might have been simply too much to bear and she felt she had to steel her mind and heart. It appears she has met that goal.

Diana
 

UA,

I'm not going to quarrel with you over María, she turned out badly, but let me add that her downfall was significantly contributed to by the ambivalent and inconsistent manner in which she was viewed and treated by Alejandro. Add to this Monse's initial disgust with her marriage and virtual imprisonment even going so far as to enlist María's assistance in escaping... is it any wonder the poor girl was confused?

"A definite sociopath, just like her pervy uncle..."?

A bit strong... but then of course opinions vary.

Carlos
 

Anon, what a thoughtful comment "Could be Montse saw the beggar from afar and as they neared she gave the coins to Laurito to give to her, but averted her eyes as most people are wont to do in those circumstances". True, but that isn't (or wasn't) in keeping with Monse's demeanor.

The Monse we'd come to know would surely have given a smile and a nod.

I guess we will never know for certain.

Diana
 

Thank you Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, NovelaMaven and Julia. Your joint recap was a terrific way to end this mess.

I'm sorry, but I really have to rant now. What an utter and colossal disappointment of a finale. There was nothing original about it. Most of it was predicted by our own dear commenters. A few days ago I wrote that what I thought would be an appropriate anvil for Gracie was for her to live out her life penniless and alone in the tin shack where she grew up. But that was before Gracie let Pedro in the house and she shot Victor. After that her anvil should have been nothing less than death. Pedro and Gracie got far lighter anvils than either of them deserved for the pain and destruction they caused. Pedro's end was similar to Damian's end - the character SS played in MEPS who died from a beating in prison.

Good grief. We had to grit our teeth and endure yet another appearance from "Guitar Boy". I was so hoping we'd never have to see him again. Eli, I got a big laugh at "wow, how old is Erick? He still needs daddy to help him land a girl?" and "...he is willing to wait as long as is necessary for her to care for him too. This seems like a bad way to start a relationship, also I'm pretty sure this is how stalkers are born, Im just saying..." There was just something so needy about this guy that pairing him with the independent Esme seemed weird.

Macario ain't the daddy. So what? Whether Kevin was his blood or not, was Macario ever going to kick Kevin to the curb knowing how Dominga felt about him?

I knew as soon as they started dancing around with the identity of who died that the dead man was Jose Luis. Yes, JL's death was foreshadowed but there was no real reason to kill him off other than as a device to keep the audience guessing for the "trick" ending. Ale, Montse and JL had worked things out and all was forgiven. They were functioning as an extended family. JL could have/should have been paired with Esme instead of having Esme end up with lame-o Guitar Boy - a guy Refugio didn't even like. Then Refugio's best friend could have raised his son. Or JL could have been paired with Virginia. (Why was Virginia even in the last few episodes other than to say, "My mother is missing?")

What would have made a better ending, if they absolutely *had* to kill JL off, would have been to make it plain that he died and to have some flashbacks of JL from Alejandro's point of view. It would have showed how their relationship changed and grew over time and finally maturing into mutual trust and respect. Guaranteed to be a tear-jerker.

What was the point of having Rosario clomping up the aisle of the church? Was it to raise the tension or was the episode too short and they needed to stretch the scene to fill time?

The ending was the weirdest scene of all. Everyone gathered in the church, Monste lifts the lid of the casket and then she and Ale just walk out? They leave the funeral? And what was Monste doing wearing what could only be described as a dress Anna Nicole Smith might have worn to her ancient Sugardaddy's funeral? Shame on the wardrobe people. They should have known it was neither respectful nor appropriate.

And finally I have to thank Univision for bringing in the 'd' team to do the closed captioning these last two episodes. Thursday night the captions were non-existent for the first (long) segment and in the finale the captions lagged way behind the conversations. These shows are taped and edited ahead of time so there is no reason that the CCs should ever be missing or lag behind. Way to serve your audience Uni. Okay. I feel better now. Rant off. :)

The crappy ending of this TN was far outweighed by the work of all the recappers and the observations of the commenters. Your voices are what kept me coming back. Thanks to all of you so much!
 

I agree with all of you about the Eric/Esme storyline. After Esme left him in the D.F. with his Papa I thought that would be the end of Eric in the story. I have to say the strongest women in this TN ended up being Esme, Fina, Carlotta and Amelia. Especially Amelia. She went to great lengths to get the goods on Peddy. Esme didn't need some man to be with. She was great on her own.

While on Youtube the other night I came across a clip. It is about 15 minutes long but well worth the look. It isn't a spoiler. It is a scene from the start of this TN. This TN was based on the original Bodas de Odio, Amor Real was a remake of Bodas de Odio. Robo was the second remake of Bodas de Odio. This clip involves a comparison of a scene done towards the beginning of these TNs. Take a look and see which one was the more powerful of the three.
 

Ooops. Forgot to give you that link:

http://youtu.be/-Kt37FpOsel

Sorry about that.
 

Part VIII: (last part of the thesis but not the last comment)

Another General Note on the Writing

Back when there were three Law & Order series on the air it appeared that the writers were competing to see who could come up with the most lurid cases. This now seems to be happening at Televisa and other Spanish-language networks. There are no names common to these three series on IMDb, but all of the following novelas from the past year and a half had villains who nearly murdered children:

Lo Que la Vida Me Robó (Pedro; three other men's children)
Por Siempre Mi Amor (Fernando; his own)
Porque el Amor Manda (Verónica; her own)

Fernando also tortured the women he had been bigamously married to, but Pedro exceeded him in both physical and emotional abuse and over a more prolonged period of time. He also had a longer list of victims.

The children in these series also took verbal abuse from the adults. While this was disturbing to watch keep in mind that the very same such verbal abuse was dealt out to Monserrat since she was five years old (the age at which female narcissists begin emotionally abusing their daughters).

I'm sure someone can come up with some Telemundo titles for comparison on this issue. However, I'm sure that there is inadequate protest about this or these networks want to deliver the message that we all have to work harder to protect our children.
 

Madelaine:
Maybe I typed in the YouTube link wrong but it appears that the video is blocked and not viewable.

I think the writers ruined COMPLETELY RUINED a wonderful story. I didn't see BDO but thought AR was in my top two best Telenovelas of all my two years of watching Novelas non-stop on TV and YouTube.
 

I think that the writers did a good job until the whole airplane drama happened,I think what really happened is that the World Cup was approaching and the writers got struck with the flawed mentality that their show will not be as commonly watched as the Cup itself which was of course flawed.The show had high ratings and so in order for the show to remain popular the director forced the writers to write the additional capitulos.I think the writers lost their motivation from that point on.
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia R, and NovelaMaven – thank you for your superb recap! Much better than the Gran Final.

I liked that the villains got their comeuppance. But I have to say the scene with Pedro and those goons in his cell was over-the-top creepy for me. These types of endings always make me wonder what our society has come to when prison rape is so expected/accepted that it is commonly the stuff of jokes or melodramatic TN justice.

I won’t go into all the new characters added in Ultimas Semanas, especially Eric and his creepy father.

I really resented having to wait 45 minutes to know who died. It kind of ruined my Gran Final viewing dinner. I absolutely “knew” JL had to die, but then again what if they threw a wild twist on us? hmm? (as JL would’ve said). I also resented that Alejandro was reduced to the role of bystander in the last few days. And on the Gran Final – he had NO LINES after this almost fatal gunshot! Very weird.

All the drama leading to the funeral: Really, why would Rosario carry on about JL? I don’t believe she cared for him, after everything he put her son and grandchildren through? Unless she was crying in relief that it wasn’t Alejandro that died, this didn’t make sense. I agree with everyone saying that the cocktail dress for the funeral was inappropriate. That solitary walk down the aisle, what was that all about? Why did everyone stand when she walked in? Why wouldn’t Alejandro be by her side? ugh.

What I did like about the ending is that the Big Reveal was just as it was in Teresa, when Fernando walked in at the last minute to be with Teresa. Now that was a Gran Final, and with the same actors!

On to the next TN!
 

I think his name was "Arturo" in Teresa.

The rationale for Rosario's tears had to be that she was grateful that JL saved the children's lives and was in on Monse's rescue.

Honestly, what the writers did -- in addition to sadistically making viewers worry about Alejandro -- was the equivalent of casting a currently-hot actor in the wrong movie for the sake of instant box office dinero. Instant ratings now but it ruins a potential classic.
 

This time I copied and pasted the link. I don't know to do the link in the comment section.

http://youtu.be/-Kt37FpOseI
 

The story was doomed when they made Pedro so prominent and turned him into the Joker of Aguazul, terrorizing its cuidadanos. That was real stupid and kind of insulting.

I was hoping that it was JL who had survived. That would have turned everything on its head.

It seemed to me that Monse was just about fondling that casket. Maybe it was done that way to throw us off a bit further.

Ale turned into a non-entity after the 7 year coma. Fofo took over as co-male lead, which is surprising because Fofo's face was never even shown in the credits roll.

My favorite characters (actors) were the Padre, Fofo and Esme.
 

Hi guys,

Thank you all for reading and commenting, and as always, thanks for your generosity. I'm feeling a little burned out right now, but will be back later to pick up on a few themes introduced. I did want to answer Floridia though:

HOW MUCH TIME ELAPSED BETWEEN
GRACIELA'S SUICIDAL LEAP AND THE DAY OF JL'S FUNERAL? ALSO HOW MUCH TIME PASSED AFTER THE SHOOTING OF ALE AND THE DEATH OF JL BEFORE THE FUNERAL?

I believe six months elapsed between Graciela's leap and the day of the funeral.

There couldn't have been more than a few days between JL's death and the funeral.

Later!
 

How funny now that Pedro is in prison,now he can star in my fanmade telenovela alongside Dionisio Ferrer and Fernando Cordova as protangoists:)) Isnt that genious? "Evil laugh"
 

PaquitadelBarrio:
Oh I so agree about the ending of Teresa where SR picks AB up off the floor and hugs her to the wonderful background song of Marco Antonio Solis.

Just about my favorite "Gran Final" of all time. I watch it over and over and cry every time!

 

Thanks for the recap, an excellent team production. The episode had its annoying moments along with some satisfaction.

I KNEW they wouldn't kill off Alejandro. It was a little sadistic to play the suspense game all the way to the end. If Ale was well enough to join Montse in the aisle, why not just be there sooner? I know, not dramatic enough.

I wasn't surprised to see Gracie as a homeless mess. Never could decide if Montse knew her identity or not. Pedro's ending was pretty predictable, although he may not last too long.

UA, enjoyed your insightful analysis, but must differ on one point just for fun. "Sleazebag villains without nuance"--perhaps, but not in the case of Juventino. He had a special way with fruit! And so carefully brushed Maria's hair! I can't forget him. (Or maybe it's leftover love from his Mario role in Pasion.)

I'm not sure how the people of Aguazul will ever get back to normal life. Maybe Erik can lead happy songs on the square every day.

The overall casting and acting was good to great. The artificial extension brought on by the World Cup schedule was a pity.

 

Madelaine
Thanks for pasting the link. Is that really Christian Bach from "La Patrona"?

After seeing Amor Real, I will skip BDO. I don't want to mess with my love affair with AR!

Since I've only been watching novelas for two years now (not including the few I saw while living in Latin America), I'm not that familar with the remakes of one novela to the next.

Some say they are better than the original, some disagree. But in the case of LQLVMR, the writers ruined a great script and story.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Wanted to post before reading everyone else’s comments.

Thanks Mads, Eli, Gloria, JuliaR and Novela the tandem recap. It was great.

Not knowing Spanish very well caused me to have a different viewing experience than I might have had if I had realized one of them had survived. I knew that Ale was dead because of Mons’ reaction to the news and also Rosario’s grief before the funeral (though later I realized the kind of person she was, I could kind of buy it)—but not Mons’ reaction. If they hadn’t done a personality change on JL and there had been an amicable divorce, then yes.

Best parts for me: Pedro’s anvil, Dom/Mar/Kev scenes, JL reuniting with Ref and Angie, and the ultimate best, Dimitrio and Fina. I think the writers fell down on the job a lot in this TN and in this GF ep, but Dimi’s last line to Fina was pure gold (and so Dimitrio).

Dimitrio, for me was the best character. I thought they did a great job of realistically showing his growth from punk to respected captain. Not a perfect character, but strong, responsible, but with the same Dimi sense of humor.

Lastly, would it have KILLED Ale to wear black. Except for the military and Erik, who was a last minute invite, all the adults were in black. It was jarring and disrespectful.

I want to thank Gloria, UA, Novela, Eli, JuliaR, EJ, Mads and Elvira for recapping this very long and often frustrating TN. You all did a stellar job. It was a treat to get a variety of different styles. I know that I will have the pleasure of reading recaps from you all in the future and with UA and Eli presently, as they are doing MCET.

Victoria: would love to have a copy of your spreadsheet when it’s finished. Don’t know if you’re watching MCET, but I’ll be over there for the duration. Would never bail on an SN TN even if it turns out to be bad.

Nanette

 

Madelaine - Thanks for the clip. I think AB is one of the best actresses of her generation and scenes like that one with her and LG are what kept me watching, but I got chills during AN's performance - AN's got some acting chops and I'm a total fangirl.

I wondered why Univision wasn't planning to air the gran finale on Saturday afternoon too, as has become their custom. But now I realize it's too dark for afternoon fair.

I don't think Monse or Laurito recognized Graciela. For all she's been through, Monse is still a sweet person. She was smiling as she and Ale exited the funeral, but Ale had a grim look on his face. Maybe Ale was realizing that Monse would wear a hot sexy number to his own funeral when his time came?
 

Good morning all. I have so much to say but I don't know where to start. I suppose I can start by telling you all that I thought this ending was crap. I thought from the start that JL was going to die but towards the end, especially when he was redeemed I thought maybe he had a shot, I think its time Televisa acknowledged that blended families can work and would have loved to have seen JL helping Esme raise Angel and be with his daughter.

I cried when he and Refugio met up, a bromance till the end!

I know sexual abuse is a terrible thing but I'm glad that Pedro is the new prison bitch. He treated women with such disrespect that he kinda deserves it. Also, I still can't get over the fact that Nadia once loved him, how was he able to fool her-wait, I just remembered that Nadia was never too bright.

Carlos-you remember puppy lake!


 

Novela Maven,

Thank you for your Generosity.
Take a well deserved break.

I'll comment on that info tomorrow.

All the Best,

Floridia
 

Forgot to mention how much I liked Dimitrio's character and give Osvaldo Benavides praise for his acting. His character development was completely believable and drew me in. It made me happy to see him and Josefina reunite at the end.

The same with Ferdinando Valencia as Adolfo, growing into a character with compelling issues. Two guys who started out as lightweight louts and ended up as heavyweights. Veronica Jaspeado grew from a victim and a joke into a woman of dignity and wisdom. Their triangle held the most interest for me throughout.
 

Oh, yes; the Produce Abuse! How could anyone forget the laughter when people were writing "Hide the fruit!"

Hilarious.

Eli, that's why convent-educated girls were often so coveted by older men... because they really knew nothing of life. Nadia should never have reached the age of majority without knowing that you don't buy a car without test-driving it.
 

Ha, good point Urban!
 

Nanette

Here is my email address where you can send me your email address so I can send you the rough draft of the spreadsheet.

vwgomez2003@yahoo.com

I've yet to list all the leading actors, producers, and number of episodes (per Wikipedia).

I believe I was able to capture almost all of the novelas recommended by Caray, Caray bloggers. Even some foreign ones.

I'm at the beginnning of "Zorro, la Espada y la Rosa" on DailyMotion; but it is a relatively short novela(less than 125 episodes) so I will get back to the spreadsheet thereafter.

Just send me an email, and I will reply with the spreadsheet as an attachment. It has come in very handy for me, since I haven't seen that many novelas. I use it as a reference for what to watch next on YouTube.

I'm delaying watching the highly recommended "La Reina del Sur" because I've never seen a Narco novela and tend to want to stay away from this genre. However, it has been recommended many times, so I'll probably give it a shot after I take a break from the darkness of LQLVMR.
 

Hi Everyone,

Great comments today!

Does anyone know why Alejandro and Laurito were in white when everyone else at the funeral was in black?

Was it supposed to symbolize their near death experience since the dead characters were all in white?

Or was it just because Alejandro wanted to recycle the outfit he'd worn to Angélica's funeral?

Best to all,
Julia R.
 

Nanette: I agree that Dim's hand clench and line to Fina was the best. Seems the writers gave both of them some of the best dialog consistently in this show and they carried out their roles wonderfully.Frankly, to me they were the two best, most interesting characters in this show. I'm sure the ADMIRAL and his lady will live long and prosper.
With them, Ferdinando, as Adolfo, was probably the other standout who handled a very difficult character and made us all deep-dive into his psyche. AB truly shown in the last half of the TN. Face it, her character was rather vapid at first, on purpose I'm sure.

I have to say I didn't take that Monse recognized or was even aware that the homeless woman was her mother. She seemed to motion to Laurito that she wanted him to give something to give to the poor and dug out probably whatever she had in her purse. On her way to a funeral, don't think she was carrying much in there. It seemed more a moment to teach Laurito kindness than anything else.

Now Laurito may have seen more of Gaudy's face through the hair, but his interactions with Gaudy in the past were few. If you were a small child, probably had been told your grandmother, the one who didn't care for you, was dead, it isn't going to register that this haggled, dirty stranger is one and the same person. He was close to JL, and I'm sure that is where his little mind was at.

I talked to a friend of mine this afternoon who watched the show but doesn't blog and she said she took that god-awful church moment like this: through the whole wrapping things up part of the hour, we got people, noticeably the three main women saying goodbye to their former husbands/fiancé's at their places of burial. By doing so, they each moved on with the person they truly were meant to end their lives with. In Monse's case, since JL had just died, her goodbye happened in the church with the coffin. Her last time there with JL was at their wedding, this time ist was a black wedding ( maybe why the ridiculous dress), a final closure that their supposed nuptials that had once happened there were really over and Ale was her husband now and forever. That's why she thought they played it up like a wedding.

I just looked at her over our Vanilla Lattes, shook my head and said: bet these writers also think the Twilight books are awesome and wouldn't know "symbolism" if it hit them in the head. But heaven help me, it made sense. Frankly, more than anything, I pray after each of these disasters for extended TN's that producers and the production companies would realize: stick with the plan, don't extend. Every time they do, the show and the ending hits the dumpster.

Daisynjay
 

I want to thank the LQLVMR recappers for all their work with this telenovela. I couldn't follow it with you but I did get to see your brilliance from time to time Urban, Madelaine, Julia Rold, Novela Maiden and Eli. Thank you all very much.

The finale left me a bit bewildered, I got to see the episode you saw the say before with this one you saw today and I remember liking the first part and feeling tired with the end. It was odd to me how much time they spent trying to makes us guess who died, for example I don't doubt Montse had some nice feelings for him after all he did for her but I don't think she'd be this devastated by Jose Luis' death. And Rosario would be solemn but not this sad either.

I'm gonna pretend there's no chance for Pedro to escape that prison.

Jarocha
 

I think everyone was in such a state because of all the things they had been put through.

1.Being lied to about your mother having a fatal illness only to find it was a lie.
2.Having your mother "kill" herself
3.Having your children kidnapped and then be rescued only to have someone die in the process.

I could go on but you guys get my point.
 

Wow!! Thank you recappers for this most satisfying final recap. The episode itself might have been lacking, but the authors of this recap certainly were not. I feel like you ladies took us by the hand and helped us negotiate the rocky terrain of this gran (and I use the term loosely) final.

Novela Maven, thank you for starting our journey with those humorous tidbits from Yogi Berra and Mafalda. The funereal humor was certainly apropos!

So JL was the unlucky sucker who ended up dying. Alas, that was not too much of a surprise, and at least they gave us the feeling that he is "better off" spending eternity with his lovely Angelica as opposed to being inconveniently inserted into the lives of Montse and Ale. But the way Montse wept over his coffin makes me wonder if she will compare Alejandro to the heroic JL every time they have an argument, hmmmmm?

Her funeral dress has been mentioned. I will only add that it felt very Tim Burtonesque to me.

ITA with y'all that the biggest satisfaction was Dim and Fina. Finally!!

As for Graciela, I do not believe she has her wits about her. At least I hope she doesn't, otherwise she will definitely "be back", so to speak. I do not think Montse or Laurito recognized her.

El Gran Final was a bit of a bewildering bust but the recap was top notch and the pot-luck and nerfazo launching on the Patio of Lowered Expectations was most excellent.

Thank you recappers for hanging in there and delighting us with your creative prowess day after day, week after week, month after month.
 

Thanks Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia Rold and NovelaMaven for your great recaps.

ITA w/Eli, this was a horrible ending. As UA noted, the writers deliberately tried to mess with us regarding who was dead (though one could have guessed) and tried to throw us with Montse and Rosie's performances as well. Yes, they would be upset about JL but that much, ...really.

Thank goodness we got Dim and Fina together, as Julia R., noted it was the best part of the finale.

More time could have been spent w/Carlota and Amelia instead of Eric and Esme, though I love her.

Thanks to all the great commenters as well. I hope to see you on other blogs.
 

Thank you to all the recappers for a fine job. Having already found and watched the finale some time ago, I understand it is difficult to grasp for a lot of people. However, overall I thought it was a decent finale.

First, I agree with Carlos I think Montse knew it was Graciela. I'm pretty sure she and Dim probably saw Gracie again as she was recovering and maybe even made a deal with her to not turn her into the police and in exchange she would have to give up whatever she had left of Fabiola's money. I think having Laurito give Gracie money was her way of teaching him kindness towards others. He probably never knew that Gracie was partly responsible for his kidnapping so maybe it was Montse's way of showing Gracie that even though her grandchildren are safe that she will never be able to see them etc.

I too was surprised that Rosario openly grieved for JL. Maybe it was just a ploy by the writers to still keep us guessing as to who died.

My favorite part of the episode (and I'm sure I'm not the only one who enjoyed this part) was the scene with Dim and Fina. It was nice to see them get a happy ending.

When I first found and watched the finale I never noticed that when Montse entered the church everyone stood up. I wouldn't exactly say she could be seen as JL's widow since she didn't love him. So that was interesting to me.

I'm glad that Mac accepted Kevin as his son even after learning the truth. That was nice to see.

Well everyone I don't know if I'll tune into Hasta El Fin Del Mundo, but I will try to stick around for the last episodes of Pobres so maybe I'll see some of you over there.
--TF

 

I would have liked the last beach scene to have been Ale on the beach and Mons coming up behind him and hugging him—like their first meeting.

One of the reasons I didn’t think JL was dead was because Amelia wasn’t as grief stricken as I would have expected her to be.

UA: thanks for your analysis of what went on in this TN.

Count: looking forward to checking out your fanfic.

Mads: I like your idea about the padre lying to Mac that Kevin wasn’t his son so that he would accept him. Also, thanks for the link.

JuliaR: thanks for the Mexican audience’s comments and the link.

Victoria: thanks so much. I’ll e-mail you. As for LRDS, it’s great. And short—about 65 ep.

I thought it was two months since Gracie’s death that they found the kids.

It would be great if there was a brave TN producer who said, I don’t care if the rating are through the roof. My story is written to be played out in 150 eps and I’m not going to ruin it by trying to extend it.
 

I also thought Mons recognized Gracie and got the impression that she had given her money like that before. But that only makes sense if I'm wrong about the time and it has been six months and not the two that I thought it was.
 

Pedro's rape scene was cut a teeny bit. There were about 8 men. I kinda felt sorry for him.
 

To All Recappers

I know others have, but personally I don't know how to individualize compliments for the absolutely fantastic recaps each of you have posted over these long, long 9-months. One can easily tell that each of you put your heart and soul, along with a great deal of your free time, into this labor of love.

Being a part of this enlightening community has changed my life over the past eight months or so that I have been blogging on Caray, Caray—my first foray since “Alborada”. Each day or night (depending on my erratic sleep patterns) I looked so forward to reading each comment one by one as they came across my phone, which I have kept faithfully by my side here in bed in order to capture each and everyone’s personal take on the previous night’s episode. The camaraderie expressed by those blogging has, at times, made me feel “fuzzy”, fortunate, and lucky to have an outlet to the outside world that isn’t available to me otherwise.

I have been amazed by the length and detail of each recap. Also, the varying styles each of you posted has been a delight. I enjoyed the Spanish grammar lessons, as previously I learned Spanish not only phonetically but with the “whole language” approach. This helped me greatly while living in several different Latin American countries, as one word would mean something in one country while something totally (and sometimes vulgar) in another. As someone married to a great Latin guy, I must say that Spanish is so much easier than English!!!

And Peddy with his missing avocados and banana, OMG I still can't stop laughing; although I think my husband didn't find it funny!

Fantastic screen shots and earworms never ceased to astound me because I couldn’t see how you had the imaginary ability to pull something so obsolete and obscure into the recap. The juxtaposition of each, along with captions, was brilliant!

The fairytale style brought back memories of nights I read to my children years ago. In my mind, I could see Monse reading to the children. Also, I remembered fondly the scenes when Alejandro was able to meet Laurito after the (STUPID) 7-coma, and his helping his son with his homework, sports, and reading bedtime stories. These scenes were sweet and lightened some of the darkness portrayed in the other scenes.

The recaps with bullet items were sharp and to the point, helping us get through the terrible scenes with psycho Pedro.

The classical film noir recaps brought back memories of watching old classic black and white movies with my now deceased mother when I was young. The screen shots added to my fond memories, as they were so well-connected to great, enduring films.

My apologies if I forgot anybody’s particular style.

My gratitude to each of you, and bloggers alike, for making my life vibrant and luminous each day of the week.

I look forward to catching up with the episodes of MCET so I can continue to enjoy this community of intelligent, witty women and men (yes CountX, Carlos, and Steve—to name a few)!

Oh, and let me not forget to mention how the back-and-forth comments (i.e., self-defense vs murder vs suicide by cop and Esme’s right to pole dance) were a joy to read and really had me reflect on my own individual views.

 

Thank you Nanette! And regarding the producer,the Director almost never writes his own story ,the writers are rarely given credit for their script.The director is the one who puts it on the small screen while the writers create the script. The director ,the actors and the writer from what i know form a contract together to determine their shares and their duties.If the director wants an extention ,all the writer or writers can do is to obey the director and write additional chapters or step out and risk losing filming rights and leave the fate of the novela hanging.
 

It was pointed out during a previous series that a lot of times extensions happen because the next series isn't ready to shoot. Whether that's a set problem or an actor not being available yet or whatever, it points to poor management at a very high level.

Anyway, another thing to say about Gracie: Her "suicide" was designed to make her children feel guilty. Perhaps also to avoid facing the legal consequences of her actions. If I were Monserrat I certainly would never forgive her and I would never want to see her again as long as I lived.

In fact, I wouldn't want her anywhere near the children.

BTW, that was Alejandro's money because Fabiola had defrauded him of it.
 

Thank you to all of the recappers. You are so appreciated by me!!!!!!

I have not had a chance to read all of the comments but wanted to give my impressions.

1. Sad JL didn't live. After all that he and all 3 of them have been thru I think it would have been amazing if they all came thru it stronger than ever.

2. I never believed that Angelica was his true love. It shouldn't take him 8 years after her death to realize it. But even if she was he still deserved some happiness in this life.

3. Anyone else thankful it was Ale that got shot bec his smarts would have left both kids dead? Thank you for JL being the one left to save them.

4. Pedros end was just what I hoped it would be, tortured in prison.

5. To good of an ending tor Gracie. She killed Ben, tried to murderer Vic and was responsible for the suicide of Fabs. If she had stood by her I do believe she could have been saved.

6. Glad for Dim and Fina but wish there was more to see.

7. Another reason to keep JL alive was so that Esme had him yo turn to for Angel. His love came without conditions for both. Uncomplicated unlike Eric. Too much time for his story in the finale.

8. Hated the who died game. We all knew it would be JL.
 

My favorite scene of the entire novela is when Poor Blind Nadia came out of the room screaming for Victor and Gracie laid down on the floor. I thought that was so funny! That was almost the best villain scene ever!
 

Alejandro would never have known how to disarm a bomb; prior to this he wouldn't have needed to know. That didn't make him stupid. JL would have known from his military life.

JL should have been alive for Angel's sake. Esmeralda had no family of origin anymore so who else does she have?

It still rankles that Gracie said she "sacrificed Fabiola to save Monserrat." That was pure manipulation designed to make Monserrat change her mind about taking the will. Had she not taken it Alejandro would have had a harder time proving he was the son of Benjamin Almonte and Pedro could have finished him off. Gracie would have still found a way to defraud Fabiola of the money.

 

Stupid question! Angel and Esmeralda become a family with Erik. She gets knocked up by Erik. She decides that Erik is the love of her life. They all die years from now. In heaven, she would have to dump one of them right? Reductio would end up heart broken because Angel won't know him since Erik raised Angel. Esmeralda won't want to be with him in heaven since she's Erik is her soul mate. So won't this mean heaven will be like hell for Refugio? Throw Me in the Shallow Water if I'm Getting Too Deep. Edie Brickel.
 

I must say it would be great to see a novela where there wasn't an antagonist(s) and life was hunky-dory! I guess that would be too much to ask.

Probably the best thing about LQLVMR was the fact that Ale and Monse didn't have to wait until the Gran Final to be together.
 

Victoria you have an email!
 

Urban, sure Ale wouldn't have known how to disarm but his prior stupidity makes me doubt his decisionmaking skills in times of stress let alone the decisions he has made when he has time to think! :)
 

Stress can affect the most intelligent of people who are not practiced in maintaining their cool. That is a skill learned in the military and in the business world. JL would have also needed that skill in prison.

I just wish that Alejandro and JL had worn kevlar to the meeting with Pedro. They writers would have had to have an actual fight happen in which Alejandro would have beaten the crap out of Pedroa and both his goons. Or maybe tell them that their boss has neither avocados nor tamale and watch them scrag Pedro.

After which they would have said "Go away and leave the country forever. We didn't see that."

 

Thank you recappers for this final episode, and for all your hard work for lo, these many, many months! Fine, fine work all of you!!
I didn't think it was the worst ending of a TN, but then I've only been watching them 5 years.
I find all the endings kind of disappointing because they are usually a bit anticlimactic.
ITA, funeral weird, music beautiful.
Her dress had a bustle for crying out loud.
It would be a stunning dress if different color and different occasion.
Glad it didn't end with a Boda of the main characters.
I thought possibly Soy Tu Duena may have been the worst ending. Not the events, but the timing.

Urban: I also am concerned that the writers are pushing the limits of ethics/decency.
What I found charming about Telenovelas were the remnants of morality (of some sort), and justice. Also that they END. If they keep being this long I probably will not want to watch them.
Don't like the general trend.
 

Uh, Pedro had no tamale, either??
 

Right, Emarie.

When he described the accident to Nadia he told her that he was left with nothing. He then opened his robe so she could see. Of course, we couldn't but the look on her face said it all.

 

By the way, it just struck me now that the name Refugio means "shelter"
 

Another EXCELLENT job by the recappers on a rather blah finale. Thank you all!

I began watching LQLVMR about halfway through, so a lot the of foreshadowing for JL was over my head. I was upset with his ending, but it actually seems like the best ending for him, considering. The other option would've let Pedro win, as Urban pointed out.

I was truly fooled by the writers when Montse reacted so emotionally to Dimitrio's news (I actually cried, too) and when Rosario wept before the velorio (this made me cry again). Yes, I'm a bit gullible.

Still unhappy with how weak Alejandro's character was (JL seemed like a stronger hero) and with him wearing white to the church. I too think it was rude that the protagonists didn't attend the final funeral.

Pedro did deserve a life sentence, attended by the people he terrorized, then to be killed in prison. The writers let me down all around. :-(
 

Alejandro was looking stern at the end because his wife dressed sexy for her ex (so what if he's dead) and he was ready to drag her home to remind her, "For the last time, I'm your LAST, got that?"

Her response? "Oh, Ale, my one and only true love, how romantic you are!"
 

Ladies- What a fabulous joint recap! I loved every word of it! Thank you all for your hard work, dedication, and talent.

As for the finale, not the worst I have ever seen, but certainly more lacking in joyous moments than most. Like the rest of you, the Fina-Dim scene was the highlight for me. Those two have had the most growth as characters, and the two of them coming together as strong, confident, emotionally healthy adults (which they weren’t the first time around), is an exciting prospect. Wish we could have seen them happy together with some kids at the end, instead of Monse and Ale making out in front of the church where they were still conducting JL’s funeral (!) and frolicking on the beach (yawn).

The ploy to keep us in doubt about who died, we silly. It meant they had to exaggerate the reactions of Ale’s friends and family (including Monse), and downplay the reactions of JL’s friends and pseudo-family (Amelia, Virginia- who should have been there, and Esme). Esme would have NEVER stopped along the way to listen to guitar boy in the square before JL’s funeral. JL was like a brother to her, and like a second dad to Angel. Ridiculous! Amelia and Esme should have had the primary roles at JL’s funeral, not Monse. Lauro wearing sunglasses in the church! Ale and Monse leaving before the mass was said! Ale wearing white! (Children always wear white to funerals, so Victoria, Lauro, and Romina were dressed appropriately.) Bah! I just felt the whole ending was disrespectful to JL.

I think the writers/director deliberately made it vague as to whether or not Monse knew who the beggar lady was. Monse purposely taking the time to walk to the church and detour to the malecon, and then pointing out the woman Lauro should give the money to, makes it seem that she went there knowing who she would see there. I don’t really care. I am just disappointed that Gracie wasn’t more busted up and disfigured. She should also be in jail for her crimes.

In any case, I’m glad that at least one of the bad guys went to jail. Pedro deserved to be locked up. I’m glad he’s having a hard time in prison, but I could have done without the rape overtones.

 

When Eric asked Esme who had died, she replied, "A great man." That told me it was JL. She never would have referred to Alejandro like that and, yes, it should've been Esme (his almost sister-in-law) and Amelia (his mother-in-law) who should've been front and center. Hated it.
 

Eli
I replied!
 

camiocanIt seemed Alejandro was shot in the heart by Pedro but I think he survived due to those pecs we've been admiring these last ten months with Ale on the beach, in the shower, rolling around in bed.
The firm hard surface of his pecs deflected the bullet into his arm thus the sling. The blood was apparently from just from the force of the speeding bullet, an abrasion. Otherwise I have know idea why Ale is alive except that the galan usually does die or there is no happy ending.
 

Esme liked and respected Ale too. Remember, he let her hide out at the hacienda after Pedro beat her, so she could have been talking about him. But she should/would have been bawling for JL. Not just simply pulling a sad face and saying a great man had died, after hanging out in the square listening to Eric play.

By the way, was Esme's decision to quit pole dancing final? What was the point of the years of fighting with Refugio about it then? What were the writers trying to tell us? If she is going to be with Eric, who loves her pole dancing, then why not have her go back to that? If not, what was the point of killing Refugio and bringing in Eric? I also don't believe for one second that Eric's rich papa would be accepting of a pole dancing daughter-in-law.
 

Urban- Love your overview of each of our characters! I have one correction though-- we did see Pedro beat Nadia at least once before the time jump/blindness. I think he only avoided doing it more often back then because he wanted his perfect, pretty wife to show off to the public. He also enjoyed to psychologically torture her more.
 

Anonymous:
PECS Love it!
 

Have just returned from what seems like a long week away. I need to see the episode; read the recap, and then the comments. I can't wait!

Getting ready to hit Hulu Plus. I hope the episode is up now. I stopped off at Novelas y Series to see, if by chance, they put the Gran Final there, but noticed that they put an ALTERNATE ending (what the heck?!). I have not seen it, but will check it out after I have seen and read everything.

I feel like I have missed so much since Thursday, but what a treat for a late Saturday afternoon.

Fatima
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia Rold and NovelaMaven thank you for coming together and finishing off this final recap with your own distinctive voices. Thanks too, to Urban, Elna and Elvira for the months of creative recaps. All of you ladies brought this group together for the last 10 months to talk, discuss, debate and agree to disagree over one of our favorite pastimes. So sad that is is finally over. But hoping to see you all, as well as my fellow commentators on other recaps.

For me, who loves having happy endings, the grand finale, if you can call it that, left me feeling pretty low last night. I know we had foreshadowing of JL dying heroically, but I wish the writers had taken a different route, and let him save the children and live to see them grow and prosper. If Esme, could potentially fall in love with Eric, after Refugio was the love of her life, I don't see why JL couldn't have found someone too.

At least he got his nobility back for the end, and instead of running off with Romina, which is what Pedro would have expected him to do and leave Laurito, he gave up his own life to save his god-son, knowing that Romina would be ok with Montse and Ale. I think he felt peace, realizing that Ale would love Romina unconditionally, as JL loved Laurito.

Like so many of you, my favorite scene, although too short, was the re-union of Dimi and Fina. I think we definitely could have done without the Eric and dad coming back to Aguazul, and more time for a future shot, of everyone finally having found peace and happiness.

Also hated the guessing game of who was alive and dead. Erin Ashley and Anon, I too thought it was rude of Ale and Montse not to stay for the funeral. It didn't make sense, for them who were lucky to have survived, to have spent one hour of their lives, to be at the funeral of the man that gave his life, so that their children might live.

Feeling so bummed out!

Maricruz
 

A million thanks to the fantastic and talented re-cappers as well as to the brilliant and deep commenters. Over the months I have tried to post comments using my phone, but they never appeared on the blog. I'll blame NSA.
I also could have done without Eric, he was too immature for a woman like Esme. Adolfo, Dim, Fina and Esme stole the show with their acting abilities.
I think the final was written to give AB a break. No words spoken in the church. She was in mourning and she looked like she was working hard to keep it together. Imagine just being at your mother's funeral and then acting in one immediately after? Kudos to her.
I will miss you all here, thanks again.
Yola
 

I am late to the party, but I wanted to send a big beso and thanks to our wonderful recapping team for this finale. A sending ovation to all the recappers for your time, talent, effort, and humor. I will miss you all. Sniff

I was not able to watch the show, but to tell you the truth...I am glad that I did not see it. I really do not like to see people battered and broken no matter how awful they are.

DC had an even more horrible end in Pasion.

I think that the scene a few episodes ago of Rosario comforting JL when he said that he had no one to talk to was supposed to set us up to believe that she would be grief stricken at his death. After all, Rosario is the earth mother who offered solace and motherly love to any and all around her.

I will surely miss this community of smart, funny folks. When you think of it , we have connected despite the fact that we never see each other or hear each others' voices. It has been a meeting of
the minds ...just our thoughts and opinions and beliefs sent out into cyberspace. Surely , this way of communicating has to the truest of all forms of communication.

I hope to find a new novela to watch . Till we meet again. Love from me to you.
 

End of my day and I'm still thinking of what a let down that final was! So enjoyed reading all the comments (ITA Neicie " Maybe Ale was realizing that Monse would wear a hot sexy number to his own funeral when his time came?") and will miss this group! I am also switching over to MCET-- LOVE SN's acting and find JS easy on the eyes as well. Usually don't like comedies but so far it's #supercharming ;) and SUCH a welcome levity post Robo.

Just wanted to say, IF Padre lied to Macario because he wanted him to accept Kevin, surely he would have told him after Macario had the right reaction. Plus,uh.... is the Padre allowed to lie?

Re Gracie, I did not think that Montse saw her, but I think, had the writers been THINKING, they would have snuck in several random scenes throughout where Montse gave change to the homeless. I think that was what was so annoying is that the writers so clearly didn't bother to figure out the trajectory of this story in advance.

After 10 months, we deserved better.

I found the end with Pedro could have been a little less graphic. It was super lewd, and while I know this stuff goes on in prison, they could have suggested it without showing so much. We knew he was going to enjoy a living hell. We didn't need that-- at least I didn't.

Back to Gracie, I'm sure the writers thought this the most fitting end for her. All that mattered to her were money, her looks, and her status in society, so they took all of those things away. I, however, would have preferred she have the same results by suffering as Fabiola did: rotting in prison with nobody even caring enough to come visit.

I think I heard them say in the avances leading up to the final that it would be a great surprise. For me, a great surprise would have been to let both JL and Ale live. As many have pointed out, he would have been able to raise Romy and Angel and probaby gone on to find great happiness. Phooey. I hate those writers.

I wonder if the title referred to any one character? In the early parts of the novela it would have seemed to have been Ale, but then it applied to them all. Perhaps most of all JL...


 

Which is why I didn't care about the other half of Robó, I fell asleep from time to time and not worry about what I missed.
 

My favorite finale was Alborada...a big outdoor party with
lots of happy couples and babies and pregnancies. in reality, it was a big party for the cast, crew, and their families. What a joyous ending. Carla Estrada knows his to do a finale and how to throw a party. I felt like I was right there celebrating.
 

It was Nacandro's fault because he was too worried that his crap novela would flop during the soccer matches. Obviously, Robó proved him wrong with those 30s ratings. Mundo is doing so poor in MX and he deserves it bc he is the reason why Robó became crap.
 

At least the prison scene could have been about Pedro being attacked by a group of psycho Amazonian women prisoners, like you would find in a Quentin Tarantino movie like Grindhouse.

Wait. That's my fantasy!
 

My TV must be wacky because it looked to me like Ale was wearing a light blue shirt, which p****d me off because, I know he likes to wear blue and I felt that his personal preference should have been put aside because black was more appropriate. But, to be fair, his wardrobe color probably wasn't his decision.

Count: in US filmmaking, the producer calls the shots on production decisions. The director, and actors, and sometimes writers, do have input, but ultimately it's the money that talks and it's the producers who put up, or find, the financing for the production. I assumed the same for TNs.
 

Yola:
I agree that the final scene to me seemed to be more about Angelique than about Montse. They all stood up as she walked into the church, which I think was the cast paying tribute to AB and recognizing her loss. The fact that there was no dialogue, including at the end with Ale just added to the poignancy of the scene (for the actress, not the character). She definitely looked like she was trying to keep it together and finish her job, like the professional she is.
 

Oh, Naima (Anon 10:19)
 

I for one liked the ending. Not realistic but the perfect ending for a novela that was over the top and lacked in realism itself. It is was what kept me coming back: an action filled twisted plot. I came to dislike most of the characters (the kids were okay) but was always curious about what bizarre path the writers would lead us down next: mother selling her daughter twice/a castrated psychopath hellbent on revenge/children in dire periI in cages/ and on and on it went. (Add me to those who do not think the children/baby actors were hurt in their participation in this novela) Then there was the outstanding acting, the beautiful people, beautiful locals, and beautiful fashion. (Almost forgot the beautiful Toyota Tundra!)

I watched both endings last week and think that the one that was shown best matched the novela in tone and had the possibility of a happy ending. It was beautiful, artsy and stylized. I loved Montserrat's dress even though it would never do for a funeral in the real world. I liked her paying homage to José Luis the father of her daughter and the man who sacrificed himself for her children and then stepping out with Ale into the light of a new life.

I don't think Montserrat saw Graciela or much of anything on her way to the church. I for one would hope she would never be bothered by that b*tch again.
It sounded like Pedro was going to be getting his due with the prisoners calling him a "señorito defectito" "princesa" and "zorrita" and wasting no time in beating him up. Graciela and Pedro got exactly what they deserved.

I want to thank all of the recappers for their great teamwork on this last wonderful recap. You are a special group of people! I also want to thank the recappers and my fellow commenters on keeping the discussions lively and fun. I will continue on with my comedies QPTR and MCET and maybe add one of the new dramas. Unfortunately after the wild ride of LQLVMR, they don't seem to be too interesting. Guess I will just have to give them a try. BTW, weren't the food and refreshments just fantastic last night? ; ) See you on the Patio!

Jarifa
 

Regarding Ales outfit at the end, I was just glad he wasn't wearing a tshirt (two sizes too small) like he wore to Refugios funeral.
 

Madelaine, Eli, Gloria, Julia R, and NovelaMaven, thank you for this FINAL recap. The joined effort is simply spectacular. I barely finished reading it and just started on the comments. Long story short, I worked on Saturday, I can only read the blog on my phone, and my phone was having technical difficulties. Grrrr!!!! Anyway, enough about me. Thank you for writing this amazingly creative, emotionally driven recap. My hates off to each of you, as well as the whole Robo recapping team.

I was a little "What the hell?" when the episode finished. First of all the writers had me fooled, and I should have known better, as I have been watching TN's for 20+ years. I really did not know if Ale was dead. I kept telling myself, "but he's the galan, he can't die, right?" But in the back of my mind I was thinking that the writers have done some things I haven't always agreed with, or that are not traditional for a TN.

For example, shouldn't Nadia have gotten her sight back? Where is the miracle? Shouldn't Nadia be rewarded for surviving the wrath of Pedro? I really thought that she was going to regain her eyesight.

Another example was Romina not being Ale's biological child. I know there was speculation among the commenters that somehow Romina would turn out to be his, because that is what happens a lot in TelenovelaLand. But that wasn't the case. And personally I did like that twist from the writers. I liked the fact that Ale accepted and loved Romina as his child. I don't know if anyone noticed that when they were looking for the children, Ale referred to Laurito and Romina as "mis hijos", "my children", and not "mi hijo" "my child". I thought that showed how much Ale had grown.

All in all I "liked" the Gran Final. It was very fitting for this story. Although, after all the darkness, it might have been nice to see everyone (that survived) gathered at the end with smiles all around.

I do wish that Ale had paid his respects to JL in that last scene. If Ale wasn't going to go up to the casket, I don't think he should have been there. They could have said that Ale was recovering in the hospital. I was confused at first. When I saw him in white, I thought, "is he dead?" Oh, wait, he's has a sling on, I don't think they wear those up there. I think the writers put him there for the shock factor. And I didn't like Ale and Montse kissing outside the church. Wait til you get home, or at least wait til you're inside Trusty Tundra. I liked the beach scene at the end, but I didn't like the credits rolling over those scenes. Thanks Televisa!

More later...hasta pronto!
 

My hats off to each of you
 

Elna June,
I did not forget about your fabulous recap of Thursday nights capitulo. That was exquisite. I just did not have the time to comment until now, plus I also just finished reading the 119+ comments from that episode. Anyway, mil gracias for your recaps for these past 10 months. It has been a pleasure to read them.
 

My Gran Final would go something like this:

First, take out the scenes with Erik and Esme. To me, they were not needed. Esme does not need someone "waiting" for her to finish grieving. In place of the Erik/Esme scenes, the following happens.

We see Montse enter the church. She makes her dramatic entrance and makes it up to the casket. She opens it, cries a little, then closes it. She then, goes and picks up Romina, takes Laurito by the hand, and leaves the church with Rosario in tow.

Time Lapse of at least 2 weeks:
The whole family is gathered at the Almonte Beach House. Everyone is talking about what a great man he was. There is a close-up camera shot of Montse. She has a pensive look on her face, as if she is remembering this man. Then she says, yes he was a great man, and a great father. The camera zooms out, and we see Ale standing next to Montse. HE'S ALIVE! Everyone raises their glasses to toast Jose Luis Alvarez. We then see Jose Luis in his white outfit, on the beach where he firsts runs into Refu, then Angelica (basically the same scene that was shown on Friday).

We then flash back to the Beach House. Now everyone is gathered outside for a celebration. This is the happy part. Everyone is talking, drinking and enjoying the day. The kids are playing, and Rosario is keeping a close eye on them. Here we learn that Ale was not at the church because he was still recovering in the hospital. Also, Ale says that the first thing he did upon leaving the hospital was to visit JL's tomb. Dimi and Fina are together. They don't announce any wedding plans, but they make it known that they are in love. Vic and Nadia are happy, and so are Esme (without Erik) and Virginia. Carlotta and Amelia talk about taking a long trip together. They think it's time for a change of scenery. Padre Anselmo is getting after Mac about something he did, and Dominga and Kevin are watching and smiling.

We then go to the beach scenes with Ale and Montse (without the credits rolling over the video). FIN.

p.s. I would change Ale's swim trunks. The striped ones he had on were hideous.

p.s.s. I wouldn't change what happened to Pedro and Gaudencia. I am glad that they did not die. That would have been too easy for them.

back to reading comments...hasta pronto!
 

Exactly AuntyAnn that would have been the perfect non-cliche ending.Its not overly sad nor it is just a "Its a 5-times wedding day and oops 3 of them have labour today!!!" It seems i was not the only one who couldn't stand Erik,he was a very unceccesary addition,maybe he was added so we would suspect that he was the one who helped Pedro escape. When Refugio confronted Erik about his past,i immediately began thinking that he is some sort of villain but then it was Victor.. After that Erik lost purpose for me.

 

I like your ending Aunty Ann!
 

Aunty Ann I'm going to just pretend that your ending WAS the real ending!
Rebecca
 

Aunty Ann- That would have been a much better ending. The writers would have had there fun with their little "who died?" game, and the audience would have gotten the more joyous closure we wanted.

Did anyone post the link to the alternate ending? Kat posted it over on the DQTQTQ comments feed. All I can say is that the writers would have had an audience revolt to deal with. I do wonder if some countries will choose that sadder end like some South American countries chose the sadder ends for Teresa?
 

CountxAlacran, you have company! I could not stand Erik either. Useless, pointless.

Jarifa


 

I am having trouble posting hear the last several weeks. Thanks to the great recapping team for this fantastic written finale. The commenting patio is fab too.
 

AuntyAnn

I loved your ending! It was superb, wrapped up everything so much better than the one that aired, or especially the terrible alternate ending. You should have been in charge of the writers.
Your ending paid homage to all!
 

So that finally posted from my phone! So to add my 2 cents: Cheap tricks from the writers and I am still having nightmares of babes in cages. So much needless violence in this whole TN, to what end? I thought Televisa and other programmers were trying to tone down the violence. Apparently not.
This has been a very thoughtful and insightful community. Until we reassemble for more fun, adios amigos. Gracias
 

Vivi in DC
I can't believe some countries actually aired the alternate endings for Teresa! they left so much to be desired. The one here in the YD was wonderful.
 

US
 

Vivi:

I agree with you about Amelia and Esme should have been front and center at JL's funeral. I am still miffed that Monse didn't stay for the Mass and Ale too for that matter.


I also think that Rosy was grieving for JL because she had come to think of him as a second son. Rosy hugged him and consoled him too before he died. JL had been through so much I wanted to see him continue on. Everyone had come to terms with him.

AuntyAnn:

I too liked your ending. What you put was way better than what we saw. And it was wonderfully balanced. These writers could have taken a lesson from you!


Another thing that chaps my butt is that they should have shown the ending they showed and then the alternate ending. They also should have shown the Finale all together, not like they did here, with Thursday being Part I and Friday being Part II. They could have rerun this Finale at 11:00pm. Univision has done that before.

Carlos:

I agree with you about Monse knowing that Guady was there and this is why she gave Laurito those coins to give to her. It did seem, as someone noted that Monse went out of her way to go to the Church this way.


I too think the theme for this TN "El Perdador" was about JL. After he started losing Monse, Angie etc. I thought this song fit him way better than Ale.

Victoria:

I have only been watching TNs since 2009. I have heard of Christian Bach but haven't seen her in anything. While doing some research, before this TN started, I found out that it was based on "Bodas de Odio", which I had never seen or Amor Real either. I think now I will watch them and see how they compare. In those contrasting scenes I thought AB and LRG were very powerful in their performance.

Urban:

I too like how you broke down the characters. Very insightful.



Now about Guady. I wonder if she experienced going to the other side after her fall off that parapet? I wonder if she was shown her descent into hell if she didn't change her ways? Maybe she chose to live this poor life, sort of atoning for what she had done before? Also I remember that she told Dimi, just before she jumped, that in her will he would inherit everything. Since everyone thinks she's dead, Dimi got whatever was left, and probably gave it back to Ale.

As far as Peddy, he got exactly what he deserved for all the murder, mayhem and hate he created with his stupid venganza that lasted from all those years ago.
 

Good morning all,

When I first saw the scene with Montse giving the coins via her son to her mother, I was positive that she did not recognize her - that she was, as others have said, too preoccupied with her grief.

Upon looking at it again, I can see it from a different perspective. When Montse continues walking, her expression is not that of grief -- rather that of bitterness and determination, i.e.,
"You've deceived me one too many times. Never again."

Graciela's appearance was not much different from the front. She was always wearing something weird.
The beggars garb was not that different from her usual, table cloth type preference. As Carlos
said, it was her mother after all, and she was extremely close when she took the coins out of Laurito's hand. She was clearly recognizable -- although I doubt that her perfect teeth could yellow
that quickly.

Who knows? There could have been a 'Graciela at the beach' sighting
a few weeks prior to the funeral.
Montse could have easily known she was hanging out there and made a weekly trip to give alms and strengthen her resolve. Laurito might not recognize her. He never saw much of her anyway.

AuntyAnn,

Your ending was far superior to that of the writers.


Once again, thank you to all recappers - with great appreciation as usual....and to all thoughtful and lively commenters. You all have a very special bond.

I'm signing off and swearing off TN's for awhile. I'd like to find a decent, sophisticated thriller
without over the top scenarios.

 

Love your alternate ending, AuntyAnn! Thanks for sharing with us. What a great way to wrap things up.

And I agree with what you said, Vivi, about how this ending would have allowed the writers to have their fun but still have been satisfying to us, too.

AuntyAnn, I also laughed out loud at your observation about Alejandro's swim trunks. They were pretty awful. But Montserrat's swimwear looked great in that beach scene with the credits.

Best to all!
Julia R.
 

I was wondering as I got up this morning if anyone would think that Gaudy Gracie would choose this homelessness as a way to atone. Let her children think she's dead because it's better for them? No way. Everything was always about herself.

Her mind is probably unhinged at this point. That was the fate of Aurelia in La Esposa Virgen. She was the toxic mother of Fernando (interestingly, Sergio Sendel) who tried to murder a young boy who had inherited the estate of a relative.

If they truly think she's dead then Dimitrio would have inherited everything in her possession. He would probably have given the jewels to Monserrat and Carlota to do with as they pleased, kept enough money to buy the apartment from JL's estate, and given the rest back to Alejandro (or what Alejandro would take back at this point).

However, I still want to believe that Pedro will be murdered in prison after two or three years -- or driven to suicide -- and Dimitrio would be notified. He would want proof. Then he could tell Monse, Alejandro, Nadia, et al that they are all finally free of Pedro.

I suspect that the prison rape scene was censored a little although the full version wasn't graphic. Then again, I watched HBO's Oz back in the day so scenes like that don't shock me as much.
 

There's always a priest in these stories (well, almost always), and a lot of emphasis on charity and forgiveness, but I'm never sure how much the religious symbolism is put in by the writers. Still, this morning in church, the scene of Graciela's new dwelling on the beach came back vividly.

The reading was from Matthew 7:24 when Christ said, "Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock....But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON SAND. THE RAIN CAME DOWN, THE STREAMS ROSE, AND THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT HOUSE, AND IT FELL WITH A GREAT CRASH."

As the pastor read those words, I just saw Gracie in my mind's eye again, destitute and in rags,alone and friendless, huddled under a canopy on the sand. Everything gone because she spoke the word, but never lived the word.

Was that image the intent of the writers or just happenstance? I don't know. But I can' help wondering...Certainly added a colorful dimension to the sermon this morning!
 

I mean that Aurelia tried to kill the boy. Her son was an honorable man.
 

Madelaine:
I don't know what others think (and I sound like a broken record) but I wouldn't watch BDO (YouTube video quality is terrible) but rather, watch Amor Real via DailyMotion or YouTube and the uploader of "66Angelanna" who is a FC fan and has uploaded all his Novelas on both sites. I've seen AR now about a dozen times. I'm addicted and the story never gets old. So different from LQLVMR crap.
 

Victoria...Good morning . I am with you. I love AR. I think I will have to rewatch when I get time. However, It looks like I will have one class this semester, but it is an upper level reading class that I have not taught in a few years and there is a new edition for the textbook, so I will have to do more class planning than usual.
 

Susanlynn:

My sister-in-law was a Spanish teacher in elementary school until she couldn't take it anymore. She loved the kids dearly, but couldn't deal with the pathetic attitude of most of the parents who could have cared less for their kids (she taught at two inner-city schools) and could have care even less whether or not they learned a second language.

I have have praise for you and all the other teachers who, day in and day out, give so much to the betterment of our children and their place in society and the world.

Many thanks for all you do for your students, as I'm sure you are a fantastic, loving teacher.
 

Victoria...I am hoping that soon Amor Real will make it to Hulu Plus. After all, Alborada did. And then maybe Pasion as well.

On the subject of teachers, one of my students just retired from teaching. First grade.Not inner city, but not cushy suburb either. But her students were always changing during the year. Kids these days are yanked out of school constantly because the parents, or one parent anyway, has been evicted or is seeking work elsewhere or has a new boyfriend/girlfriend to live with. For a while. A good percentage of these children are on meds as well. It is truly chaotic and discouraging and even the most dedicated teachers are disheartened, exhausted and ready to give up. So sad for all involved.
 

Yeah,teaching is quite hard today because the students always have more rights than obligations and if most of the parents notice that the teacher doesnt "treat them right" a lawyer would be knocking on the teachers doors.In my high school the two of the most strictest teachers teach Geography and Slovene.They put quite a lot on discipline ,there is always silence in the class while they are lecturing and to be real i learned a lot more while being under them than some other teachers who give in to the pressure and let the class to the loudness.
 

JudyB and CountX:

That is so sad about kids being yanked out of class. This is one of the reasons my sister-in-law couldn't take it anymore. The kids did have more rights than the teachers; and there were so many rules: don't touch the kids (even if they have a bloody nose); don't look Native Americas directly in the eye as they take that as a gesture of disregard; don't report that a kid is abused even if you see whip or burn marks on their backs, as the lawyers will have a field day, etc., etc..

I am so thankful that my husband and I were educated in military and boarding schools, respectively; and that we were able financially to send our two kids to private and/or Catholic schools. My father, an orphan, taught me that a good education was one of the most important things in life. How right he was.

CountX: Strict (but not cruel)teachers, for the majority, are the best. They keep order and allow their students to absorb the richness of a true education.

Sorry, I'll get off my high-horse now.
 

The amazing recappers on this team deserve a huge amount of credit for going above and beyond to entertain us nightly. The level of commitment to these recaps is considerable. I continue to admire all of you and to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the recaps an educational, enjoyable, entertaining, and truly lovely experience.

We have learned so much from each other in this community and I know we will continue to do so.

As someone who is plagued by feeling things too much most of the time, it is hard to say good bye to the good citizens of Aqua Azul.

There are things about the TN that I still have difficulty comprehending. I suspect that there are cultural subtleties at work here that I do not yet understand.

The most frustrating thing for me is in trying to understand the writers' goals and approach to a story. I know I am repeating myself here, but this came to mind again after watching a final episode that really was not quite satisfying for me. NPR (you all know by now that I am an NPR addict) did a wonderful story about the writers of the "How I Met Your Mother" show. Before the show even aired, they had developed the arc of the story and its characters to cover a time period of SEVEN YEARS. The producers, writers of the show, had no idea how long the show would run, but they wanted to go in fully prepared. The show ran for 9 years (if I am remembering this correctly) and it was at this point that they became a little worried. They wanted to make sure that there was PLAUSIBLE continuity in the story lines.

With that said, how is it that the writers of a 10 month long novela could not do the same?

How is it that the galan of the story seemed to carry less importance than the other so called "minor" characters?

How is it that the galan seemed to have less and less lines as the conclusion of the story was approaching?

How is it that the horrible villian was treated to a predictable demise when there could have been a much better way to bring about closure of all of the horrific things this character had done?

Most importantly, how is it that the writers FAIL to recognize and BELIEVE in the intelligence of their readers/viewers?

While I enjoy these TN on so many different levels, I do not think that I am asking too much of the writers.

It was interesting to hear the sound bites of the (you will have to tell me their correct titles)director/producer in the short clips found on Novelas y Series. When asked why they would even consider an alternate ending (which was NOT good), the reply was that this was what the audience wanted.

I find that incredibly hard to believe.

Perhaps in the future, I can try to better understand the "whys" of the TN so that I don't feel quite as let down as I felt while watching this final episode. There are some things in that happened here that I don't understand and perhaps never will,but I thank our recappers for a wonderful final go at it. It was super!

Aunty Ann, I love your ending and wish it could have been that way.

Fatima
Member, Crackpot Theorists™
 

As of late last night I had read the recap and all, close to one hundred comments. This morning because of the time difference between the East and the West, there are at least fifty more posts. I will read each and every one of them but first a comment of my own.

To start I want to give a BIG thank you and a big loud exuberant round of applause for the members of the Robo recap team. I'm not going to write down all of the great lines from this final recap, they have already been mentioned many times over. Instead I'm going to get right to my comments or rant if you will. As some of you may have guessed, the gringo is going to go against the grain. WOW! Most of you 90/95% were unhappy with the ending---not me. I liked it overall. Yes overall, but I did wonder about a few things. First I must say that I have not tried to pick the novela apart or analyze it's ending as some have.
That's ok if that's your style. I
have/will read all comments and enjoy them but the why this or why that or they should have done
this---example, why spend so much time on Esme and guitar guy Eric
and not Amelia, or well, you guys fill in the blanks. I have seen several novelas, at least fifteen and I haven't found many to have the "perfect ending." Myself, I don't want to analyze every move, I just want to sit down and enjoy the show. You can call me a simpleton if you want, I won't get angry but that's just me.
Take CI. People were furious with the writers for ruining the story.
I didn't like how they took Marycruz's character from a smart business women to someone who couldn't seem to do anything right. When people told her what was going on, she refused to listen or accept it. But, in the end she was reunited with her true love and I was happy for her.
It was good enough for me. It's the same thing here. Would have, should have, could have but it didn't turn out that way. JL found
happiness in the next life, Esme was about to find happiness in this life, Peddy was paying for his evil as was Graciela. The children were all rescued and were safe from harm and Montse and Alejandro were well on their way to living happily ever after.
That was good enough for the gringo. I'm sorry that most others were not happy with the ending but for the most part, I was.

I have to go out with my wife so this is all that I can write for now but the gringo will be back for round two later.
the gringo






 

Gringo:

But at least this ending was much better than the alternate one that left me almost sleepless for a few nights.
 

Thank you to all for your comments on my version of the Gran Final. I will comment more later. I am having internet issues. I am posting this from my phone. Wish me luck.

Grrr...hasta pronto
 

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the team, I thank you all. Personally, I want to say that I am grateful for EVERY comment, but especially those that recognize when we have taken a little risk or used a device or reference that may not fly: so thanks to Cap'n Sylvia for appreciating Yogi and Mafalda; and thanks to JudyB for catching the Jean-Paul Sartre allusion.

I have had a little time to mull over the gran final, and I've decided that, on balance, especially after reading your comments, that I'm satisfied with the ending.

I felt, when I saw it, that it was gorgeous visually (in keeping with much of this novela, in fact). And I also felt that the death of José Luis was inevitable for the many reasons you've already cited, though I will add another that I know will upset a few of you: he was a loose cannon; he had experienced a period of madness from which he had recovered; but I will submit to you that he would have been susceptible to a relapse at some time in the future. Was he noble? Yes. Was he heroic? Yes. Was he potentially dangerous? Yes.

What I objected to was the trickery: Guess who died? This kind of plot device was consistent with Montse in the dunk tank, but not with so much of the rest of this sporadically -- but frequently -- brilliant novela. Even though most of us were PRETTY SURE that JL had died, the uncertainty made us uneasy until the very end. As several people pointed out, it forced inconsistent reactions on the part of characters we thought we knew very well. And worst of all, once we learned the truth, we had no time to assimilate it. The story was over.

That's why AuntyAnn's brilliant alternative ending would have been so much easier to accept. It would have left the viewer with a "life goes on" message.

I really liked what Yola and Naima suggested -- that the ending was tailored to AB's real-life needs and grief; and the congregation rose when she entered the church as a tribute to her professionalism.

Did Montserrat recognize that the beggar was her own mother? When I watched the scene, I thought she did not. Reading the comments here, I can understand why others felt differently. On reflection, I have decided that the scene was deliberately ambiguous.

I watched what Univision showed on American television. If they cut the scene of Pedro's prison, then good for them!

Jarocha, I appreciated your wry aside that you were just going to assume Pedro would not escape. Indeed, there is ambiguity in his ending as well. If I allow myself to think about it all, I imagine Pedro ending up the way Joaquín Arechiga did.

This has been quite a trip!
 

AuntyAnn: count me in on wishing your excellent ending had been the one the writers came up with.

Fatima: the "we did it because the audience wanted it" is standard show bulls***. There are exceptions. I watch a show (can't remember which one now) where the producer actually said he didn't care what the audience wanted, and it was said in an arrogant "I know better than the audience what they should be seeing." Which is weird since it's the audience that keeps a show on the air. How many shows have been critically acclaimed and cancelled because the viewership was small?
 

The gran finale? It stunk!

But I should not have been surprised, because this TN had been going downhill long before that.

Its deterioration began with the Esmeralda/Refugio malarkey, which was so boringly senseless. Once began, it continued ad nauseum. Until this kind of stuff, I had been considering this TN one right up there with Amor Real.

And then came the last critical chapters, jammed with just too many implausible events, even for a TN.

Yet the real belittling of our intelligence, came with the illogical flow of the Gran Finale. And to top it off, as someone pointed out, Univision screwed up the closed captioning’s sync, making things extremely difficult to watch……..geez, doing this on a gran finale of all chapters.

So, ten months of watching only to end up with that kind of a substandard professionalism, both substantively and productively.

Shame on Televisa and Univision!

Regards to all,

Farmer
 

I Just want to thank all the recappers for the amazing job they have done during this series. I have definitely appreciated all the work! And this final recap was splendid and a wonderful way to finish the show. Although I'm thankful that the show is finally over, I'll definitely miss checking in for the latest recap on LQLVMR. On to the next telenovela!

Like everyone else, I think the final episode did spend too much time on Esme and Erik. Those minutes could have been used for Dim and Fina; they weren't given enough time.

Thanks again!
 

Thank heavens the Tundra survived. It did not end up over a cliff, in prison, or begging for spare change.
 

NanetteReally appreciate your thoughts/comments as I know you understand that business (show business).

NovelaMavenAgree that JL could have easily been a loose cannon. I think the writers gave us that "hint" when JL started to go downhill during the wedding scenes. If JL could have found another Angelica, I think he could have survived any potential bad emotional spells.

gringo, you are NOT a simpleton. I do understand your points, dear gringo and I appreciate and enjoy your point of view. I know I can certainly be over analytical, but that's just me, I'm afraid. :)

Am I so "out there" to ask a wee bit more from the writers? If the writers of "Downton Abbey" can give us an amazing story in just 6 or 7 episodes, shouldn't the writers of a 10 month TN be able to do the same?

DQTQTQ is slipping off the rails and I am not sure why. This is why I have these questions about the writers. They are a puzzlement.

Fatima
 

Susanlynn:
You remembered the Tundra!

Fatima:
So glad you were able to see the Gran Final. Did you see the alternate ending? If so, what did you think?
 

It's mid Sunday afternoon here in LA and I have time for a few more thoughts. I know that it is moving into early evening on the East Coast and with 148 comments already posted most people are now finished with Robo but I must add a few brief thoughts that I had missed earlier, so here goes.

First---like most everyone [I'm finally with the majority on this one] I really liked the scene with Dimitrio and Josefina. That was sweet.

Angelique is a goddess with nary a flaw. And so I wouldn't object to hardly anything connected with her. However---when I saw the dress that she was wearing to attend the funeral, my eyes were saying yes but my brain was saying
WHAT?? Oh well, that's what the director put her in but I really didn't feel that it was appropriate.

Neither was ale's white shirt at the funeral. And what was that with his arm in a sling? He was shot in the heart or near the heart so his arm ends up in a sling? WHAT?? Also, why didn't Ale and Montse stay for the service? What was up with that?

Most everyone was angry that Televisa made us wait to see who died--SO WHAT?? A lot of Robo viewers said that they had figured it out anyway. The show was only an hour long, just wait,
the big reveal is coming soon enough.

Why did all the people turn and face Montse when she entered the church?

These were a few things that I wondered about but these questions
to me were relative minor. As I stated earlier I was rather pleased with the ending. There was no last minute boda this time
and no big party to celebrate that the bad people had met their fate and the towns people can finally live in peace. Yes this ending was a little different but I enjoyed it.

I'm now going to read the fifty or so comments that I haven't gotten to yet and if I find something that I can't keep quiet about, I'll be back for a third time, if not it was most enjoyable spending time with the Robo group.
the gringo








 

Fatima

"If the writers of "Downton Abbey" can give us an amazing story in just 6 or 7 episodes, shouldn't the writers of a 10 month TN be able to do the same?"

While I am in awe of "Downton Abbey," I wonder what the writers of that brilliant series would come up with if they had the same time and budgetary constraints as telenovela writers and producers. I'm a great fan of both genres, but I judge them by a different set of criteria.

gringo
What Fatima said!
 

Fatima: so true about DQTQ2. I liked it so well, I relegated Robo to second TN status. Now it's going the way of Robo. Bottom line: if you're going to have a long TN, then make sure you've completed your bible for that many eps. If you're going to do an average length TN (and what is that, now-a-days, anyway?) do not extend it.
 

NovelaMaven, Absolutely agree that the writers of "Downton Abbey" live in a rarefied atmosphere, but maybe their budget constraints call for just six episodes. They still get the job done. Yes, I made an apples to oranges comparison, but the Robo Writers have some 'splaining to do.

Nanette, DQ is really kind of goofy now. I agree with your points.

Victoria Gomez, yes, I did see the alternate ending. I am VERY glad that they did not use that one. I actually wondered if both men had died, but I think that after 10 months of the bad guys always seeming to win, that ending would have been too much for an audience to bear. Bringing in my fave "Downton Abbey" again, when they killed off the dashingly handsome "Matthew", that episode was shown during the Christmas Holiday in the UK. Viewers were shocked, irate, and angry. Dan Stevens, the actor who played Matthew, has said that people STILL stop him on the street to express just how upset they were at his death.

Somehow, I don't think the death of both men would have been fair to anyone including the viewers.

Can someone tell me if there is any significant to Laurito wearing sunglasses during the funeral? I found myself really distracted by that. Did it have some meaning that I missed?

Fatima
 

Fatima- The sunglasses bothered me too. I mentioned it in my first comment. Perhaps the kid had pink eye, although it would have been appropriate for him to have red, puffy eyes at the funeral.
 

I don't think JL was any more of a loose cannon than Ale was-- both men went through some really dark periods. JL had turned a corner. I didn't see him going back to his Monse obsession after Romina's near death and Refugio's actual death. That was behind him. There was no need for him to die. He had a very real purpose to serve as Romina's dad, Lauro's godfather, and Angel's father-figure. With time, he could have also found a woman to love. But the writers decided to take the easy/cliche way out and avoid the blended family.
 

Vivi in DC, thank you re the sunglasses comment. For a few minutes, I couldn't take my eyes off of Laurito!

I so agree with you that a blended family would have worked very well. I think that it didn't happen is what really saddened me.

Fatima
 

Absolutely agree with Vivi re JL
and also re more time needed for Dim and Fina who, many viewers believe,
were the highlight of the show.
The writers needed to follow through with the good writing and character development they had created for them.
 

I think I would rather enjoy a Dim/Fina sequel.

Fatima
 

Vivi---Why did Esme quit pole dancing after years of fighting over it? Because after Refugio died she just didn't have the heart for it anymore. I think for that reason and also for out of respect for the one that she really loved.

Why didn't Montse stay or speak at the funeral?
Yola---Great thought on this. She probably was still suffering her own mothers death.

Jarifa---I agree with you and a few others that the children were not "harmed" in any way punto.

AuntyAnn---Great ending. Mail a resume to Televisa. They could use some good writers.

Susanlynn---The Tundra survived. LOL

A lot of talk about, did Montse recognize Gracie? I have read all
posted comments and there are good arguments on both sides. I myself think that Montse didn't recognize her. She was looking down and her hair covered most maybe all of her face. I will look at that one again.

One last thought---I had thought that Agua Azul was a small sleepy town. I guess that I was wrong with a Navel Base located there but I was quite surprised when I saw how large the church was.

If there are ant final comments, I will read them tomorrow.
the gringo
 

I do not think that Monse and Ale left the church for good. They just went outside for a bit.

They had to check on the Tundra to either see that no one had vandalized it like Maria did to Monse's crappy Toyota SUV or they had to feed the parking meter. It's that simple.

Once they did that I'm certain that they returned because if they had not either Monse, Rosario or Carlota would have had Ale's ass in a sling.
 

I always felt that Esme stopped dancing because that is what caused the rift between Ref and her and lost them all that time they could have been together. As Gringo said, she lost the heart for it.

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but could Ale's arm be in a sling to keep it still so as not to pull at his injury?
 

Nanette- Yeah, the arm in a sling makes sense. Ale up and walking around so soon after being shot near the heart doesn't.
 

I get why Esme wouldn't pole dance anymore. What I don't get is what the writers are trying to say, after they had her fight so long and so hard for her independence and freedom to pole dance.
 

Mind you, I was always on Refugio's side on the matter, but I know opinions vary. It also seemed like the writers disagreed with me and Refugio, which is why I don't understand them having her give it up after all.
 

I think that was also about the fact that Refugio was murdered in the club's office. She might have felt differently had it happened anywhere else but that -- compounded with what their fighting lost them -- was the last straw for her.
 

First of all big thanks to Madeline, Eli, Gloria, Julia R and NovelaMaven for the excellent recap. I agree with other comments that the recaps were much better than the show itself throughout. I sometimes feel embarrassed to admit that I watch novelas, but there are some thought provoking conversations on this blog that add an extra something to these shows and I think that is a great thing.

As for the finale, not a big surprise, but I was not a fan for a lot of the reasons that others have already pointed out. Too many loose ends (what motivated all the villains?), too much filler (who cares about Macario/Kevin or Esme/Eric?), and too much nonsense (Alejandro's arm sling, Monserrat's dress). Oh well, at least our suffering is over. On to the next one! Thanks again Robo crew!

Estrella
 

CountxAlacran, JudyB, Rebecca, Vivi in DC, Victoria Gomez, Madelaine, Floridia, Julia Rold, Fatima, NovelaMaven, Nanette & Gringo,
Thanks for your wonderful comments regarding my version of the Gran Final. I really appreciate all of your thoughts and observations.

JudyB,
Awesome viewpoint with the sermon reference. I totally agree with you.

NovelaMaven,
ITA with what you wrote: "I really liked what Yola and Naima suggested -- that the ending was tailored to AB's real-life needs and grief; and the congregation rose when she entered the church as a tribute to her professionalism." I had thought the same thing myself.

I am still a bit puzzled about Ale wearing white at the church. Then I remembered the same thing happened in LT. When Damian's madrina died I think I remember he was wearing white, and so were some other characters. Vivi in DC, do you remember this? I just don't know what it symbolizes. I'll have to google it.

Even though Robo had it's ups and downs, it has to be one of the best telenovela's I've ever watched. It's Sunday night, nearing 10pm where I am, and I just realized that there will be no new episode of Robo to watch tomorrow night. I am sad.

back to watching the Gran Final again...hasta pronto!
 

I have not been watching comments regularly so maybe this is old news, but isn't it great that medical care in Aguazul is so good that Montserat was able to wear that revealing funeral dress and have no scar show from her disparo from Maria!
 

AuntyAnn - I can't bear to watch Televisa's ending once more, but I would definitely watch yours again and again.

If Monse realized that homeless woman was Graciela, she'd pay to put her in a nursing home or something. She wouldn't due it for love but out of a sense of duty. Carlota would do the same.

I am sore that the writers didn't go the blended family route. I don't see JL as a loose cannon. The only thing that made him crazy, which I never bought, was Monse not loving him again. All the other stressors in his life -- trump murder charges, fugitive status, killing Loredo, Angie's death, incarceration, Refugio's death -- did not drive him off the deep end. Oh well, he will not be around to help out Monse and Ale when Romina starts to date and wants to borrow some of mom's old sexy clothes.
 

Aunty Ann, it should come as no surprise to you that I am sad we won't be seeing Aqua Azul tomorrow night. :(

It even surprises me that I say it as I had to leave this TN for a good while, but I am glad I came back to see it with all of you.

I hope we don't see another villain like Pedro ever again.

I wonder if the show "Sal y Pimienta" will have any follow up to the Robo ending?

Fatima
 

Niece in MD,
Thanks for your comment. I too would rather watch my version of the gran final, but I am watching what we were given to see if I missed anything.

Fatima,
I know you had problems watching, especially when the story became very dark. But I am glad you came back. I always love reading your comments and theories.

Urban A,
I want to thank you for your awesome comments and in-depth analysis of our story. Your insight into unresolved issues is spot on, and I guess we will never get our questions answered. My favorite line was, "But – por supuesto – nobody would want Sebastian Rulli to become a toothpick for that part of the story (and he'd be foolish to do that)." Yes, foolish indeed!
 

To the Re-cappers:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Loved coming to read such entertaining posts and all the comments too. I'm a Caray Caray lifer!

I share many feelings with so many here about the Fin but let me just say, I loved this Novela! I also think the writing was great 95% of the time, the ending was looking for shock value - stop that! Maybe rushed, too much Erik, Esme & his Dad. All I remember is Angel wanted nothing with new Grampa.

I REALLY didn't like Alejandro's incredibly reduced screen time in the Gran Final. WHAT THE HECK? Lo echo, echo esta...

Dimi and Finita, yay. Peddy refered to as Princesa & Senorita = Giggle. Gaudencia the Homeless, very fitting. JL in the coffin, sad, but I knew it was going that way. Ale in white, BEAUTIFUL and unfitting. Shot in chest, Arm in sling, I created a twitter account just to ask Mr. Rulli how? He hasn't answered me yet. Hmm....

Montse's outfit: GORGEOUS. For a party, the Emmy's, Tia Luisa's and Tio Tono's anniversary party at the Odyssey, Funeral of hubby #2, not so much. But she looked amazing, the dress! The Hair in a French Twist was such a throwback to Bridget Bardot circa 1950's, loved, loved, loved it! Again, maybe not for a funeral.

Anyway, Thanks again for letting me come here and throw my 2 pesos in! Will miss these postings. Off to the next!

Santi


 

I forgot to add that I was sad to see JL die. He went bonkers for a while, but he managed to redeem himself before the Gran Final. I guess it had to be that way, and we had been warned about a week ago that he would be back with Angie soon.

Also I think that JL thought Ale was dead after Pedro shot him. The look on his face said it all.

It has been a pleasure reading every recap and comment over the past 10 months. Gracias a todos!

off to bed...hasta pronto!
 

I don't recall anyone saying this before, but if any of the women had ever kicked Pedro in the bazanzas and realized that they felt none, his game would have been over a long time ago.
 

Aunty Ann, thank you for your lovely and kind words. You have absolutely made my day!

Santi, you are absolutely right! Montserrat was a dead ringer for the young Brigitte Bardot.

In the interview with Rulli, Boyer, and the two producers/directors on "Novelas y Series", Jessica Koch is interviewing Boyer and made a comment about the funeral dress. She said: "Que barbara!"

I loved it!

Fatima
 

I'm pretty sure JL knew that Ale was still breathing when he took his pulse, but announced to Pedro and his goons that he was dead only so they wouldn't shoot him again. For a change, the camera even let the audience in on this inside information, when it showed Ale still clearly breathing on the ground.

I'm going to put LQLVMR to rest, but the producers let down some of the characters when it chose style or substance for the final. Monse could've still been beautiful and more discreetly sexy in another dress. For the most part, Monse dressed appropriately throughout the show. Ale had come to respect JL and probably would've have given JL a Premio-worthy speech at the funeral thanking JL for saving the kids.
 

Recappers:

Many thanks to you all for making Robo a very pleasant journey in the midst of some of the turmoil and darkness.  You are all very talented and dedicated.  Many have stated beautifully and in greater detail your unique abilities so all I can do is add my thanks and appreciation.

Everyone:

What a ride we had!  I am grateful to have been able to share this experience with you.  This is especially so as I had not a single person to discuss the show with.  Thanks for letting me vent and whine on occasion.  I know my comments weren't always that intellectual or thought provoking but you put up with me anyway.  Thanks. :-)

I am late responding because I had no words.  The show ended and I was left thinking, "What kind of ending was that?"  In a sense, the ending may have been fitting considering the mayhem that had led up to that point.  But Ale popping up at the last minute and Ale and Montserrat walking out of the church was just awkward for me.  For me, there seemed to be a disconnect of some sort with the whole last episode.  As I think others stated, this probably had something to do with the passing of AB's mom and possibly a change with the production schedule etc.  

Esme and Eric - *snore*

Pedro ended up in the company of his peers with no where to run. Nice.

I think Graciela's fate was appropriate.

Dim and Josefina's reunion was the best part of the night.

Thanks again to everyone.  The best part about this Robo adventure was that I learned a lot of new Spanish words.  I think my ear is getting better too.  I think I am starting to understand a little more.  

I will not be watching any of the current novelas.  I started watching Teresa on youtube.  AB has grown on me and the novela has Ana Brenda - I like her.  With SR in the novela too so I can get over my Robo withdrawal a little easier.

Best regards,
Caryn



 

I too am done with this TN now. I want to thank each and every recapper, Urban, NovelaMaven, Gloria, Julia, Eli, Elna June and Elvira for going all the way with this TN in all their unique and insightful writing styles.

I would also like to thank every single commenter for providing us with all the theories, especially the Crackpot Theories, how you really felt about things and for making us all think. Thank you so much.

This has been a wonderful group and I hope one day, this team can recap all together again! It has been a wonderful ride.
 

Strangely enough, the final scene seemed more coherent in the Alternate Ending version. Montse's behavior made a little more sense, and the staging seemed more appropriate.
 

JudyB, I agree with you regarding the alternate ending.

Caryn
 

Caryn:
Teresa is great! I loved SR in this novela!
 

JudyB and Caryn,

I'd love to know what the writers envisioned as the ending of the story when they set it out in the first place.

If anyone comes across an interview, written or in video, with one of the writers or anyone in the know about this show, please let us know.

Personally, when I watch I telenovela I don't sign on for BLEAK endings, however artful they may be. I put up with all the dreadful things that happen on the way with the expectation of a little joy at the end of the road. So I'm quite happy that we weren't completely devastated at the end.
 

Victoria, excellent! I just finished the 3rd capitulo last night.

Caryn
 

I vote we keep the Crackpot Theorists table going for other recaps. Loved it!
 

Watching the Gran Final on Friday was very disappointing:

Montse looking at Jose Luis' casket and leaving the church BEFORE the funeral evern begins was a bit pathetic.

At least JL and Angelica are together again in Heaven though.
 

Monday morning and I'm still on Robo, what a novela! I wish that I had started this one little sooner than I did but still, I had a great ride.

Great comments are still coming in on Robo. Great novelas fade slowly.

Santi---I agree with you, Fatima can see it too. Montserrat as a young Brigitte Bardot. I didn't think of that but you are right, there is a resemblance.

MollyC---Montse without a scar after being shot? Angelique is a goddess and a goddess doesn't have scars.

Niecie in MD---You cracked me up when you wrote that when Romina gets older and starts dating, she probably will want to borrow some of moms old sexy clothes. That comment was good for a morning laugh.

Recappers---You are so important.
When Peddy was getting beat up by the prison tough guys, I thought that they were just letting him know that he wasn't top dog anymore. I wasn't thinking male rape. The Caray recappers are always a BIG help.

Well it's on to the next. As I said it's been a great ride but all good thing must come to an end. I was waiting for La Gata but it must have gotten lost somewhere along the way. La Malquerida looks good to me but 10:00 to 11:00 every night? I don't know. However it works out for me, I'm sure that I will be reading some of you guys great comments at some point in the future. Until then, happy trails to you all.
the gringo


 

i actually found it very apporpirate that montserrat and alejandro walked out of the church and didnt stay for the misa ...i mean jose luis was nothing to them he caused a lot of problems between ale and mont.....what bugged the crap out of me was montserrats dramatic entry and the painful look on her face i mean come on as if she loved the guy...it was well acted by AB but the scene was silly...Eric should have started to date Virginia...Esme should have opened a dance studio for kids and dedicated herself to angel...Dim+Josefina were completely wasted during the second half of this TN the actors have such great chemistry the writers completely butchered their story..but at least they got back together..
 

Alejandro had no lines WHATSOEVER in this finale..It's sad how his character faded away especially in the second half of the story
 

Thank you to all recappers for giving their precious time in order for us to enjoy this novela. I am glad they chose this ending instead of the other one. Sorry, Mads I did not like JL not even the first time I saw him. I thought he looked too old for Monse. I am watching some other novelas but I'll miss you all.
Romy
 

The extension of this TN ruined it in all ways...It was so inconsistent.. the first place i'll start is after the 7 years..Honestly Montserrat lost all credibility..i stopped watching all those episodes when she got back together with jl because it was just ridiculous...even AB said she felt like she was being disloyal to her character...JL was no longer the noble honest man which he was known for being and which you rooted for....Ale's character lost force in the story and was just a loser the whole time who didnt do anything it was just lame i mean he was a jealous and dominating man thats just who he was and then all the sudden he allows his wife wed another man and lets her go on a honeymoon honestly it would have made more sense if he robbed her
 

I too hated the extention,it was nonsense and bollock.By then i rooted more for EZ ,Gracie and Adolfo because i simply stopped caring for the protangoists,other than Rosario and Dimitrio.
 

My favorite episode of this TN was the epi before the finale. I loved Dim walking over furniture to push Gracie out of her wheelchair. I loved the Fina/Adolfo flashback and then her dream of him saying "olvidame". I found it very touching.
 

Angelique Boyer looks so much older than she is. I thought she was in her mid to late 30's! The funeral scene made her look even more mature. She does have a perfectly skinny body that anyone would die for though. I think her make-up artists need to go easy on the make-up and false lashes, they are aging her if anything. Those implants already add to the matronly look. I think she looks adorable when she hardly has make-up on and her implants are made to look smaller.
 

Angelique Boyer's bio:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelique_Boyer
 

Currently showing in Kenya and so far incensed

Ruined talents for Angelique boyer, Sebastian Rulli n Margarita Magana - TERESA TEAM

I will blame it on writers/producers - the casting is aberrant

Lead role/secondary character - Luis guzman - too old for monserrat wish they had cast Aaron diaz and to make the matters worse their chemistry is wanting.

SR- did he change his voice? Great actor

AB - whats with the hair dye? Great actress

MM -How I wish you were Maria?

The plot - unrealistic and heading nowhere, we are in episode 19 and cant imagine 17... episodes to go. GEEZ

All the same your recaps will keep me glued to this tn but to be sincere this is total waste

AB & SR work with Jose Alberto Castro, Carla Estada & Carlos Moreno, very terrific producers with lots of suspense, humour and drama

wish me the best

SHINAMUM
 

Those of us in Nigeria have just watched Episode 116 on AIT(Africa Independent Television)on November 5, 2014. I love the soap opera.