Caray, Caray!

This was probably my most difficult episode to date. I went through three eyeglass wipes on that last scene with Adolfo and Refugio.

I certainly don't want to see Dimitrio fulfill Pedro's "prophecy."
 

Urban, thanks for yet another wonderful recap tonight.

They just keep falling, don't they? What a downer of an episode! Pedro is getting around a lot these days, isn't he? Nothing else to say.

Jarifa
 

UA, thank you. I feel for you having to write this recap so evil. Thanks for the pictures and posting tonight.

I was in festive mood, Refugio dying is hard to take. He was such a good man, Bit silly, but I hated what happened. Adolpho has killed so many friends and acquaintances, he has lost it. He will keep killing to hide his secret, being a small town, he will keep killing people if tjey come across his true identity. Tsk tak I really dont know if I can continue watching even the recaps. too dreadful for words.

Thank you for hospitality at the patio. God bless all of you, bye
 

I didn't like Refugio or Esmeralda, but I don't understand why they killed him off. What purpose does it serve? It's like they just killed him to keep us busy.
 

Monse continues to be a sucker by letting her mother manipulate her, yet again. I am definitely at the “Gracie is faking table!

EZ was smarter than we believed, as he left a second letter with Esme revealing Adolfo’s identity.

How do the producers get baby Romania to cry “Mama” on demand?

To me, Adolfo is the most interesting character of this novela, and the most complex. The writers have done wonders to explore the depths to which he is willing to go to have a “normal” life like his friends, all the while being grief-sickened by the wrong choice he made to go into cahoots with Pedro and become the tormented assassin he is today.

I believe that at the beginning the writers tried to develop Ale’s personality in such the same way but went off on the insane 7-year coma gap.

 

Urban:

Thanks so very much for this awesome recap and the screeshots you put up!

I was so sad when Emse and Refug were having their chats and then Refug was shot. It was so very sad. I really liked them as a couple.

I felt badly for Romina, poor little girl is missing her Mama. Although I understand why JL took her, his attitude has become crappy and I don't like how this is effecting Romina at all. I don't like him torturing Monse either, it isn't right.

Ale actually said the right thing to Victor, I'm surprised. About Peddy making them toe the line, just so Peddy can get his stupid venganza.

I also don't want to see Dimi fulfilling Peddy's "prophecy".

Adolfo has become much like Peddy hasn't he? Just the person he didn't want to be. The only difference seems to be Addled actually kills people, he knows too, whereas Peddy has someone else do his dirty work. I can't wait for the anvils for the two of them, they can't come soon enough.
 

I'm confused as why some bloggers think that MDA took baby Romina in order to keep her safe from Peddy?

I don't remember this being the case. Instead I understood that MDA took his daughter only because of his selfish behavior and because he didn't want to share her with Monse, and more so to let Ale have a part in Romina's life.

This is in keeping with MDA's character as he always has seen everything in light of what others have "taken" from him--not cause and effect of his own actions, or lack thereof.
 

Oh, wow! Now we're going to have all the "if only"s from Esmeralda. She will feel so much guilt for wasting all this time without her husband. Well, at least we aren't in Capitulo 50 or we would have over 100 episodes of her "mea culpa"s!

For some reason, I feel bad for what happened to Refugio, but worse for what's become of Adolfo.
 

UA thanks so much for this recap which was a bummer as Jarifa and Novella lover.

We finally learn Eric's horrible secret (which was bad but I guess since this tn has gone so dark I thought it would be much worse) and why he's leaving town and then they kill Refugio. What is going on? He and Esme may have gotten annoying but no one needed to die as Anon@1:26 am said.

Mads, remember a while back when Adolfo asked Dim if he would ever jail his friend? So if this comes to pass, the writers hinted at it long before Pedro's "prophecy."

Victoria, I don't know if people think JL took Romina for her protect; most felt it was him being selfish. The irony was with Ale and Montse's poor decision making skills (let's have a romantic weekend alone and leave our family as sitting ducks for Pedro), Romina may have been safer with JL. But since the writers have made Pedro omni-present, no one is safe from him.
 

Ale told Victor he forgave him for letting Pedro live and helping him get away, that he would probably do the same thing in his place. I believe him. He would, too, because he's just as stupid. It probably wouldn't occur to him either to finish Pedro off and thus cut off the head of the snake. Imbeciles, los dos. No wonder they're best friends.

Poor little Romina. I hope the director wasn't making the baby cry for effect. It looked to me like the little baby actress wanted her mother, who was probably just off camera range. She kept crying, pointing and saying, "Mama." It seemed cruel to me.
 

Wonderful recap,a very sad episode,i cant believe Refugio and Esme reconciled then bang,Adolfo comes in and ruins everything! I really liked Adolfo but now,he is dead for me! Victor is incredibly stupid and it irked me when Ale said that he would do fhe same thing,,we finally learn Erics past which is quite a sad one i must say..

Oh and since nobody noticed ,yesterday i made these photos for you:)

http://imgur.com/a/z2GaJ


http://m.imgur.com/0eV34w0,xWugtrL,GMSckfl,E3F3V7w

Enjoy:)
 

Eric's little brother was 12 (doce), not 2 (dos). He was crying, so it was difficult to tell what he was saying.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Countx:

Oh how funny those pics were, especially at 3:20 am in the morning EDT when one can't go to sleep. I loved them. What creativity!

I've never heard of any of the web sites bloggers send us to view. Unfortunately, life as an engineer, only lead me to learn mudane mathematical engineering programs--not any fun stuff.
Please keep up the humor as this novela winds to an end (which I hope doesn't end on dark note).
 

Well, this may have been your most difficult recap to date, but I think this also may have been your most magnificent recap to date, you held me spell bound. You are very good at dialogue. If you ever decide to write a book do let me know, I'd love to read it.
 

UA...I tip my hat to you. You wrote this one from the heart. And put in an incredible amount of effort to translate all the poignant dialogue. You made sure we could feel the sweetness and passion, the tenderness and the trust of the Refugio/Esmeralda reunion before he lost his life.


[Victor]"He held it out to Alejandro as though it were a katana for him to assist in sepukku."

Amazing image, my friend. And I also liked

[Refugio] "cried more than his uniform would forgive him for."

Don't know whether I can stand to watch this episode. Refugio's death would bother me, and Romina's very real crying would break my heart. But kudos to you for a truly extraordinary recap.
 

Thanks, guys.

We all had the same sense of foreboding during the beach scene last week. We knew that something was going to happen to either MDA or Refugio. So now we have our sacrificial lamb, a young man who probably had nobody from a family of origin (as none was ever mentioned) who leaves behind friends, a regiment, and a wife and son to mourn him.

Will this be enough to get MDA back to Aguazul to help finish Pedro off? Because the ultimate blame for this is his. Pedro forced Adolfo to become The Scorpion, which has slowly been killing him as he kills to both stay alive and to avoid arrest. We didn't see where the bullet hit and it's likely that this was an accidental shooting when Refugio charged in. Adolfo was in physical pain from the leg wound and that was what I believe was making him clench his teeth.

The great Shakespeare described this scene perfectly:

Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 2.
 

Thank you UA. This recap, written so much care and pathos was what we all needed after last night.

The writers couldn't have telegraphed that something was bound to happen to Refugio any better. I wondered why so much time was devoted to him lately, but that whole make-up scene with Esme was the clincher. I'm with everyone else, I don't see the purpose except to fully seal the doom of Adolfo and make him realize he can never have what he's been so desperately trying to hang to--this dream of a normal life.

The news should perhaps snap JL out of the stupidity he's also living under. How could he love his daughter and see her crying for her mother like that. Nothing there for her either. For some reason I wanted to see a doll, a teddy bear, anything. Selfish idiot. Be what you will, but using a child as a bargaining chip or as a means to stick it someone....hateful.

So Eric's "crime" was sad and yes, he was reckless, but not what I expected. So is Esme now destined to be back with him with Refugio gone? Unnecessary plot point, but the writers seem to be pushing this.

These next episodes are going to be hard to watch. I have a feeling that the guess I had of a Dim/Adolfo confrontation is being set up. That's going to be hard to watch. Well, this whole TN is becoming hard to watch.

Daisynjay
 

I don't cringe from normal levels of violence in novelas, but the psychological warfare that Pedro has waged on the good people of Aguazul beats almost anything I've seen yet.

The music that underscored Refugio's final scene with Esmeralda really signaled that he was doomed.

All this makes me wonder if Adolfo will go out with a bang... as in suicide.
 

UA, your amazing screencaps and incomparable conversation translations brought last night's desperate events to life in searing,agonizing, mesmerizing detail.

I cried last night and did so again this morning. It was a tidal wave of grief, phrased in the most beautiful fashion.

"He held it out to Alejandro as though it were a katana for him to assist in sepukk" was incredible.

And as Judy noted "You made sure we could feel the sweetness and passion, the tenderness and the trust of the Refugio/Esmeralda reunion before he lost his life".

I am surprised and shocked that Refugio was shot (I did not see this coming at all). Any lingering sympathy for Adolfo dissipated the second that shot was fired (although I agree with you Victoria, he is the most complex character here). How many people will he kill trying to keep a secret that will never be buried?

And Anon, I do fear Romina's mother was being kept off to the side (although a hand appeared out of nowhere giving her a toy). It was terrible seeing the child cry. They could have dubbed in her calling for her mother. It seemed cruel to me as well.

Karen, I thought Erik's secret would be far worse as well. His brother's death was an accident and while it was tragic, it was unintentional. I'm sure the guilt is terrible especially as his parents did not forgive him.

Your final "the psychological warfare that Pedro has waged on the good people of Aguazul beats almost anything I've seen yet" was indeed true UA.

Daisy, ITA, we are going to have some more very difficult moments to watch and bear.

I keep thinking, as everything is such a disaster, what kind of end result could possibly atone for this madness? Ale and Monse and their children together and happy? Sorry, but that will not do it for me. There will need to be more. Much more.

Diana
 

Diana, I couldn't agree with you more. It hit me the other night, and last night seemed to enforce more for me, that all this TN can do is just end the evil of Pedro and the web he has woven for so many years. From there, what we won't see, is the years of recovery that would be needed for a lot of these characters. They may not have to live looking over their shoulder, but the traumas, betrayels, confusions...those will live on.

And especially, which makes me tear up thinking about, is the affect all this has had on the children. Victoria and Laurito, bless them. They are old enough to understand this mess. If there is one thing that bugs the daylights out of me with TN writers is that they paint kids as this cast-iron little beings that can go through hell and back again and when all is over, they are smiling and well and no ill affects. You all know me well enough that the plots with hurting kids is one I would like to see gone, but if they insist on having those, they need to do better in showing the care, love and understanding from the adults needed to make them whole again.

Daisynjay
 

I was disturbed with the scene of Romina pointing towards her real Mother behind the scenes as she is crying and desperately in need of her real Mother's care and attention. This was almost a form of neglect or abuse on their end. The poor child. And we wonder why child actors grow up to have addiction problems! This was too much trauma for this young child. As adults, we need to be the voice of all the innocent children in the world. This scene was completely uncalled for. If I were the actor, I would have felt uncomfortable.
 

I dont know if thats appropiate but i kinda laughed when Romina was crying out " Mama,Mama,Mama,Mama,Mama" ,it sounded like she is actually an Alarm Ringer! And yes i agree i dont like young kids getting pulled into novelas unless they are already grown up a bit like Laurito or Victoria but i cant stand when they make a 3months baby crying in a room just to fit for a dramatic scene where other people yell at each other,from do they even get the babies ,at an orphnage?
 

UrbanThis has been your most powerfully written episode to date. You have so amazingly captured all of the pain and suffering of this tragic episode.

I know that I cannot watch this. Your words are enough. I fully agree that the psychological warfareimposed upon the characters and the viewers has been substantial and sometimes too difficult to bear.

The death of poor Refoolio was almost too difficult to bear. The character has driven me to utter frustration, but to have a tender (and so beautifully written by you) reconciliation scene followed by a senseless death is really pushing the limit.

Diana said: "I keep thinking, as everything is such a disaster, what kind of end result could possibly atone for this madness? Ale and Monse and their children together and happy? Sorry, but that will not do it for me. There will need to be more. Much more."

I could not agree with her more. In the few remaining episodes, there will be no resolution of the emotional abuse that the characters have suffered. That alone, is enough for a new story for the people of this little Blue Water town.

I had one of the worst days ever in my office yesterday. It was a spirit breaking day. So many times, this wonderful community of intelligent posters and lurkers have lifted my spirits.

gringoyou have NO IDEA how much your kind words from yesterday cheered me up. Thank you so much, dear gringo.

Fatima
 

Since my first tour of duty at Caray I always seem to catch most of the episodes with weddings, divorces, births, deaths, and revelations. I don't mind this one bit. However, Refugio's death is still upsetting me and I finally realized why.

Poor Refugio wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he was a loyal friend and a good father. He had a lot of growing up to do in this story and he almost made it. He was becoming the husband Esmeralda needed. There is almost nothing more tragic than the loss of human potential.

Dimitrio will be devastated when he finds out about this.
 

"There is almost nothing more tragic than the loss of human potential."

I could not agree more, Urban. I could not agree more.

Fatima
 

Fatima, I am so sorry you had a bad work day yesterday.

Sending you a virtual hug. You are a birght spirit and very valued here. I hope the rest of your day is happier!

Diana
 

Dear Diana,

You are a gem. Thank you so much as I needed that hug. I am still feeling the effects of such a horrible day, but I hope to shake it off soon. Thank you huge bunch, amiga!

Fatima
 

Diana, this perfectly sums up how I feel about this tn as well - "I keep thinking, as everything is such a disaster, what kind of end result could possibly atone for this madness? Ale and Monse and their children together and happy? Sorry, but that will not do it for me. There will need to be more. Much more."

And UA this too - "There is almost nothing more tragic than the loss of human potential."

Fatima, you are such a kind person. Sorry you had a bad day, sending you a virtual hug.

I know we're mourning the lose of Refugio but now that we know Eric's secret, I feel he was being a bit hypocritical. Eric accidentally killed his brother b/c he was drunk. Refugio deliberately killed a man (to save his friend). But for him to act like Eric was some kind of monster was not cool.
 

"Dimitrio will be devastated when he finds out about this."

Us, something about that statement suddenly made me cringe. Though Dim is somewhat a main character, I feel sometimes because he himself tries to lose himself within his own grief, it gets lost in the story just how many losses this man suffers and continues to grow and mature. He lost his father, he lost his belief in his mother, he lost Fina's love, he lost Monica, he lost Adolfo friendship once, he now loses Refugio, and of course, we know he will have to deal with Adolfo again.

yes, maybe JL spent time in prison ( his idea, but whatever), but maybe he should have a talk with Dim on how to handle LOSS.

Forgot to add before... there was something creepy about Gracie being all lovey dovey with Monse after her redo. Laying it on a bit thick--maybe you guys who believe in the faking are on to something. But I still keep going back to the dark room, lack of eating, that whole period. She does make one think....

Daisynjay
 

Fatima:


<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>. Hugs.Been there. I know it feels like a spirit breaking day, but when that happens remember though your job does not appreciate your worth or efforts, many others do. hang in there.

Daisynjay
 

Fatima:

I too am sending you big hugs and warm thoughts. You are a treasure here and a wonderful voice. I hope your day today is just wonderful.
 

So depressed.

I'm hoping that Esme got to Ref before it was too late. And in the previews when it showed him about to tell Esme who the Scorpion is, I hope he sees Adolfo in shadows and stops.

Only watched the end and read the recap. Not sure I can stand Romina crying for her mother and seeing JL being such a b*****d about it.

Nanette
 

Sad that Refugio is gone, and at how it happened, but I agree with Karen. He knew Eric's story. Knew it was an accident. He saw Eric's hurt look when he confronted him about it (although he may have interpreted it as plain guilt) ... so I don't get why he told Esme, "I don't want a man like that around you ... around my family."
 

Victoria Gomez

I will try to explain about JL. JL has trust issues with Ale and Monse. His flashbacks were very telling. Being on the beach with Monse on the day of her wedding to Ale, Monse thinking JL had abandoned her, but come to find out he was locked up in the Navy Brig for a crime he didn't commit, losing Angie, and then catching Monse and Ale in the bed. Also when Monse went into labor, Amelia was the one that called him, and Monse named Romina on her own, he never got a say. Yes, he was being a world class putz in his treatment of her. Bottom line JL doesn't trust Ale or Monse. To his mind, he feels he will lose Romina too and that is why he took her. Was it right, no! But that being said, Monse should have told JL exactly why she wanted Romina with her. Remember the promise she gave to Peddy to save Ale's life. JL has no idea about that. I still think Romina is safer with JL, seeing as how Peddy just appears and disappears at will all over Aguazul. I agree with Urban, that maybe what has happened to Refug will wake JL up and get him to straighten up and fly right.
 

Fatima--Glad you told us about your very bad-no good-rotten day at work because we can surround you with virtual hugs. That's the great thing about CarayCaray "where everybody knows your name" and they DO care. There's lots of funny mouthing off and commenting here, but also lots of love. So just lean back and enjoy all those hugs everyone is sending your way.
 

Daisynjay, Karen, and Madelaine, thank you for lifting me up with your thoughts and kind words. I admit to a wee bit of a struggle this morning. Daisynjay, you summed up my feelings perfectly.

Re Refugio. I, too, am perplexed as to why he painted this picture of Eric to Esmeralda. I was worried that he was a child molester on the loose. Instead, he is another in a long line of suffering souls who feel alone in the world.

Fatima
 

JudyB, amiga mia, I have tears in my eyes right now. Thank you so much for your support. The really hard part is holding in all emotions and feelings until the end of the day. Our community here is such a blessing. Thank you so much, amiga mia.

Fatima
 

JL may have trust issues with Ale and Montse, but does he have trust issues with his own daughter? I get it. He doesn't trust them, but why is he torturing his baby? SHE doesn't know his issues. SHE doesn't know he thinks they're trying to keep him from her (which is totally not true and he knows it). SHE doesn't know he taunts his cheating ex with the crying baby. SHE doesn't know he's hell bent on venganza. All this baby knows is that she wants "MAMA" ... and this cruel, sadistic game of his is repulsive. What would all you JL advocates be saying if it were Pedro doing this to Romina ... and he's not even her real father!
 

Urban, thank you for this recap with all the dialogue. I missed a lot of what was being said during my fight with Mr. Sandman.

The whole Erik, Esmeralda and Refugio thing has gotten on my nerves and I think last night was the last straw. Hopefully, the tragic events with Refugio last night can move us forward a little. The whole Erik thing is just nonsense to me (or maybe I am just a little more grumpy than usual today).

Urban, you said, "There is almost nothing more tragic than the loss of human potential." This may be true for Refugio but I think it is also very fitting for Adolfo. He has a lot of talent ability and has wasted it on the wrong things and for the wrong people. I think he truly has a desire to do good things and live a good life but he squandered the opportunity with his past choices. A shame. He needed to do what the Padre told him to do that evening on the beach. I think it would have gone better for him. He would have gone to jail but it would be better than what has already happened and what might be coming now.

Caryn
 

Anon 12:45:

I understand what you are saying, but Monse went back on her word, and this I really think set him off. When Monse told him he could have Romina for the whole weekend and then went back on her word a couple of hours later. Monse and JL should have sat down and had a chat, about exactly why she wanted Romina back, she didn't do that. I also didn't like the fact of Romina crying for her Mama and JL basically ignoring that. It is all kinds of wrong. And being rude to Monse and being a royal putz also isn't the done thing, so to speak. I see his point of view, all alone now, he's lost everything and thought this was a good way to go. He is so wrong. I want him to straighten himself out and fly right and find out he really isn't as alone as he thinks he is. Even the Padre said he felt that deep down JL was a noble guy and that he would return Romina. We'll have to wait and see.
 

Dear Urban Anthropologist,

Thanks tons for yet another stupendous recap! I loved all the photos, the dialogue, your smart asides. You always do so much with your recaps and give us such excellent summaries plus extras. It was a pleasure, as always, to read your work this morning, especially as it was a very difficult episode to watch, let alone have to recap.

Fatima: So sorry to hear about your struggles at work. I send you best wishes, too, and am so glad comments here supported you in the moment when you most needed it.

Judy B. I send you a very belated condolence on your loss. I am very sorry and am thinking of you.


Thanks again, Urban Anthropologist!
Best to you and everyone,
Julia R.
 

UA: such a great recap. How can you stand recapping such a depressing ep? Oooh!!! And thanks for the pic of Raymond Burr!

I don’t blame Novela Lover for bailing. This TN is so depressing. It sets a sad tone for my whole day. I know it’s only a TN, but we do invest a lot of time (in this case a LOT of time) getting to know the characters. Besides, isn’t the whole point of any TV show/movie is to manipulate our emotions ☹. I can’t believe this thing still has 10 days to go. Please let this be rock bottom and our characters will start climbing out of the abyss.

 

Oh and JL still not bringing Romina home is getting on my nerves too. JL, bring her back to her mama! Did he give up his job as police chief? How is he able to run off and neglect his duty to the people of Aguazul? SMH! Pedro and the Scorpion are on the loose causing havoc and he's kidnapping his daughter to get back at Montserrat. Ridiculous!

Caryn
 

Fatima, I'm so sorry you had a dreadful day. I hope today and all days thereafter will be better for you. I'm sending kind thoughts your way.

UA, Thank you so much for the recap. The effort shows. And the quote from the great Shakespeare was so apt.

A couple of tiny points:

In the fake letter from Ezequiel, you wrote "That is what your Aunt Carlota asked of me."

Es lo que tu tía Carlota me hubiera pedido.

I think that's probably a hypothetical, something like:

"That's what your aunt Carlota would have asked me to do/would have wanted me to do (had she known I was a worthless POS drug kingpin).

And the house that Adolfo visited was Esmeralda's. (Or at least I think it was). After reading the REAL EZ note, he knew she had the other letter and he was determined to find her. (Though someone should have come to the door. Wasn't Amelia supposed to be arriving to take care of Angel?)

The anonymous commenter who quoted Alejandro as telling Victor that he, Ale, would "probably" have done the same thing is interpreting Ale's words ungenerously: He said:

Yo en tu lugar posiblemente hubiera hecho lo mismo
"It's possible I would have done the same thing in your place."

It's true that sometimes 'posiblemente' means 'probably,' but here, since it is followed by a subjunctive (hubiera hecho), it is much more likely to mean 'possibly,'

Alejandro was trying to make Victor feel better, but he couldn't bring himself to say he would have done the same thing as his gullible friend did. In this scene and in this episode, Alejandro is beginning to remember that he is the hero of the piece and he is starting to act like one.
 

Fatima: sorry to hear about your horrible day. Surrounding you with protective white light.

Daisy: I also thought they made Eric's "crime" not so bad in order to set up an eventual Esme/Eric hookup.

When I saw the previews of the shooting, I assumed it was Ref. I think Dim is meant to take Adolfo out.

There was a scene in Amor Bravio (I think it was AB) where a bunch of women were talking while the baby on the bed was screaming. I was furious. But they had to say their dialogue. That's way more important than comforting a sobbing/hysterical baby.

Here they could have faked the "mama" thing so easily by having the child face away from the camera and dub in the crying.
 

I don't care what anybody says, the grungy mad dog is abusing that baby and it needs to stop - NOW!!
 

Oh, forgot to say thanks for the photo of Raymond Burr, UA!
 

I agree with all comments about the abuse of the baby with JL. I think the mother was off stage. Where is "child protection" in TN land? Way over the line just to get a few "mama, mama.." for story line. They could have shot the child from behind and dubbed the voice.

Are we sure Refugio is dead and not just shot? The Scorpion has been known to miss the mark; EZ and Pedro for example.
 

That's the Scorpion's trademark: Miss or fake with the criminals (EZ, Pedro, Maria) but really kill the good guys (Monica, Robledo, and now Refugio). So not fair.
 

Julia R and Nanette, thank you so much for thinking of me. Nanette, I especially thank you for that white light.

Well, I've just had a good ole cry which is rather a relief. Sometimes, as hard as it is, you just have to do it.

You have all lifted my spirits so much. You have NO idea!!!

Fatima
 

I think that Refugio was concerned about the possibility that Erik was an alcoholic and therefore not safe for Angel to be around. A police report (or whatever he received) wouldn't have the details he told Esmeralda.

Maybe a bit overcautious on his part, but definitely an improvement over Monse's willingness to have Gracie in her home near her children.
 

UA, thanks for another excellent, incredibly detailed and illustrated recap of this shocking episode. You certainly managed to capture the somber lugubrious mood. What a contrast to the rollicking mood you created in your equally excellent recap of MCET today. Amazing.

Fatima, please accept my offer of comfort and support for you after the beastly day you endured yesterday. I hope the coming days are much improved... please know that we are always here for you to lean on.

Like the rest of you, I was very uncomfortable watching that unhappy child crying and reaching out for her mom, however, I don't think that she will suffer any ill effects from that and expect that she received lots of coddling and reassurance immediately afterwards. It does appear that she is more closely aligned with those of us who've had our doubts about JL than she is with his supporters... Hmmmm?

Refugio? Really? So which mildly annoying but relatively innocuous character is next? Macario, I'm looking at you.

As for Romina being safer with JL, didn't Pedro tell Alejandro that he knows exactly where JL and Romina are? Also I hope that she gets more than just some chicken soup and applesauce.

Carlos
 

UA: I thought the same thing about Ref's reaction to Erik.

So no one here thinks that Ref might be saved?
 

Nanette, it didn't appear that Refugio had any chance of surviving. He was shot at such close range. I really hope I am wrong...

Diana
 

Urban, that was an excellent summation of a difficult episode. As others stated, Refugio wasn't the most brilliant guy, but he had loyalty and a mostly willing heart. The look of disbelief in his eyes matched the feeling I had.

Gracie's looking better, thanks to Montse's help. She may still be faking it somewhat.

Waiting for Fofito's anvil to drop. Pedro has cast such a shadow over the town that they may never completely recover.
 

I cannot wait until the anvil on Fofito drops as well,he is lost to me he is only capable shootong goons and good hearted people but not the real bad guys. I hope Pedro gets some really good anvil,something that hits hard..

I mean no one can sit on the Iron Throne for too long http://imgur.com/198QBkz :)
 

I think there needs to be a new psychiatric facility in Aguazul. Didn't I see Otto Sirgo's name in the credits? He often looks like he should play a shrink someday.

If I were writing this I'd have Alejandro sell every business and all the real estate he owns and take his family far, far away at the end.
 

This isn't the first time, and probably not the last, I've seen screaming babies in a TV. I remember a few years back it was a discussion point on another show we were discussing and it seems after digging we found that the child labor laws are not as strict as the US with kids on set. Not to say they are horrid, but they do allow for children on set longer, later in the day and well, really crying babies more than I think we normally see on a comparable show in the states. Wasn't it CI where we could swear that poor little girl had top be on Benadryl so was in such a stupor?

I agree with Carlos, I'm sure as soon as someone yelled for the scene to cut that mother was right there, but it doesn't mean I like seeing it on my TV screen. It could have been faked, it could have been written different and still proved the point. Anything, it was too much!

Call me a sap when it comes to kids. Last week, when a little one started fussing badly on the plane while Mom was busy with the other child, I went into "Poor baby" mode (my sons call it), offered to take her and we had a grand time watching out the window as the plane took off. I had to turn off that scene last night, I couldn't take it because I felt helpless watching it. we have enough darkness in this TN, stop with the kids.

Daisynjay
 

Thanks, QUA, for this most excellent and detailed recap of a very dark and depressing episode.

I agree with those who expected Erik's secret to be much darker. He seems to be suffering as he carries the burden of the tragic death of his brother due to his drinking. I also agree with those who feel Refugio did not deserve to die, but I guess the previous scenes between Ref and Esme were signs that he would not get his happy ending. I wonder how JL will react when he finds out. Maybe this will be the catalyst for him snapping out of his nasty funk. Watching him keeping Romina away from her mother strikes too close to home for me. On a positive personal note, our own villain got a firm talking to from the judge at the last custody hearing. I do not know if it will help because like JL, this guy thinks that no body can tell him what to do.

Adolfo is just falling deeper and deeper as he reaches for "a simple life." Nothing will ever be simple for him again.That ship sailed a loooong time ago.

OT..for anyone who is a fan of James Brown, Hub and I went to see his biopic "Get On Up" and it is quite good...and sad. The actor who plays him also played Jackie Robinson in the movie "42."

((((Fatima))) so sorry that you had a dismal day. I hope that you are being gentle with yourself today and doing something that makes you feel better...blue nail polish on your toenails (This always works for me.)..a swim (another mood lifter for me) or a nice walk....a little dancing....your favorite magazine...a Hershey bar with almonds...or anything that makes you smile .
 

Urban---A sad story last night for sure but you did a great job nevertheless.
The line that you wrote--He cried more than his uniform would allow
was outstanding.

Madelaine---I thought that I was the only one that liked or cared about Esme and Refugio. So there actually would be two of us sitting at their table. I was glad to read your post and realize that I won't have to sit there all alone.

Yes it was so very sad that after they finally worked things out and came to realize that love conquers all and they were ready to start anew again, that it was all for not.

I love these love story novela dramas and just hate it when the good people die. But-- isn't that the way life is? I mean, do only the bad people suffer and die in real life?

So will Eric now be waiting for Esmeralda or the other way around?

Fatima---I had no way of knowing about your bad day at your work yesterday but I meant what I said and so I am glad that those brief words helped you make it through an unhappy day.

Ok---Now I am going to make some people angry. I don't always agree with Carlos. I don't know, maybe we are opposites or something but I agree with his statement concerning little Romina. No she isn't hurt, no she won't "suffer" any psychological
or long term affects from being held by MDJL and kept away from her mother for a couple of minutes. And yes as Carlos said,
she was probably coddled more even she had expected to be afterwards. IT WASN'T CHILD ABUSE. GOOD GRIEF!! Babies cry when you tell them to eat their vegetables. Do you give them the candy that they want instead?
the gringo

 

Babies WHINE when you tell them to eat their vegetables and some parents DO give them candy (which is a whole other can of worms). However, THIS baby was obviously crying for her mother and surely she's not old enough to understand, just wait, baby, for "Take 5" or "Take 25" or however many takes it took. So maybe there won't be any long-term effects, so what? Right here, right now, the baby wants her MAMA - why make her suffer? The same goes for the fictional Romina - take her back to her mommy, you (JL) inconsiderate jerk!
 

To the earlier comment about why the writers killed off Refugio, there are at least two reasons:

1. It's not engraved in stone but many Televisa dramas have a Sacrificial Lamb, a good person who dies within the last 10 episodes.

2. He killed another naval officer early in the story and never paid for that.

We are all hoping that this loss causes MDA to become the original JL again.
 

Ah the debate over the small child's discomfort and longing for her mom. I think this mostly divides along sex lines. We women carry all kinds of hormones that make us frantic when we hear babies or small children crying. We MUST respond. That is what ensures that babies get fed even at 2 am when we're dying to sleep. If you're nursing, just hearing a cry will make your milk "let down". Mother Nature knows what she's doing. And if feeding doesn't do the trick, then we will continue to frantically look for the reason for a baby's discomfort. Again, survival of the species depends on it.

So fellas, of course you're a little more sanguine about the whole matter of Romina's misery. And I hope you're right. But that scene tore my heart out. Not the fictional drama, but the actual drama of a distressed child wanting Mom...rather than the drudgery of acting in a telenovela.
 

So what does that say about the child's real mother - that she would let her baby become so distressed? Is whatever they're paying her worth it? Ahh ... stage mothers!
 

Nice job, Urban. You got everything!

I was quite surprised that they killed off Refu. I don't know why I didn't see this coming. It seems an odd plot twist.

Fatima, I am so sorry to hear of your dreadful day. You give such light and joy it is hard for me to imagine anyone giving you a hard time. Please know that I am holding you in kindest thoughts.

EJ



 

Well said Judy B but I'd be willing to bet that little baby
name? while today surrounded by
her toys, stuffed animals--and
oh yes mother, doesn't even remember yesterday.

Keep mother away for take5--up to take25 or however long it takes.
Ridiculous! that would never happen. What do you think? Televisa has a trained staff of child molesters?

In CI our friend Carlos wanted Maricruz's baby to get a
"required" fifteen minutes. LOL
Well, little Romina must have gotten close to that last night.
the gringo
 

How many Pedros are there? There can't be just one. No one could make it around place to place so quickly and so often.

Maybe Pedro did the same as what happened in the Three Amigos movie, where the Amigos had the residents sew many amigo costumes and wear them to confuse El Guapo and his henchmen.
 

Sorry, I meant to say does Televisa have a staff of child abusers not child molesters. I'm
so upset over some of the comments today I can't even think strait.
There were some comments a
few days back about public schools
vs. home schooling. I had to hold back because I didn't want to be the one to start WW3 and I would have been in the middle of it for sure. Today however, I couldn't stay silent.
the gringo
 

Whoever is on Televisa's staff, it's clear it doesn't include a child advocate.
 

Fatima- ABRAZOS!!!!! :)

Urban- Wonderful job, as usual. I couldn't bear to watch after a sad DQTQTQ episode.

Poor Refugio! I agree with you that the police report Refugio got didn't go into all that psycho babble Eric gave Esme. It likely gave the facts-- a drunk Eric behind the wheel or a car, killed a child. Certainly enough for ME to not want that person around my child.

Let's hope JL gets news of Ref's death, snaps out of this madness, forces Ale and Monse to get all the kids to a safe place, and then goes after Pedro for realz this time.
 

Urban, thanks so much for another great recap! So Alejandro has finally realized that the best defense is a good offense.

Nanette, I don't think Refugio is dead nor will he die. But I've been proven wrong before so we'll see. ;) As long as the writers put an end to the "you don't love me for who I am" nonsense I'm good.


 

Terrific recap UA. I greatly appreciate all the detail as I missed most of this episode. Unfortunately I did catch the end. I started to get worried when Refugio and Esme made up because something bad usually happens to one of a couple after they "see the light" so to speak.

Yep UA, sacrificial lamb. I hope there aren't too many more of those.
 

Hello everyone, can't believe all that has happened in Aguazul, as I went off for the weekend with my family. First of all, thanks Urban for another great recap and NovelaMaven for yesterday's recap.

This novela has gotten so dark, it's hard to know we still have more days of Pedro lose and wreaking havoc. The good people of Aguazul seem to be too dispensable. And while I sympathized with Adolfo and his wonderful eyelashes, last night was just too much. It took me totally by surprise. Like others have said, although not too bright, Refugio was a noble and loyal person. It seemed that the Solares family would finally get reunited only to have that hope dashed by the Alacran. I don't know if Dimi will have it in him to kill him, but if he gets his hands on him, he will go to prison for the rest of his life.

JudyB, I read the comments from yesterday and wanted to also express my deepest sympathies for the loss of your friends.

Fatima, although we don't know each other in person, I have grown fond of you and your wise comments. I truly hope you get over your tough day, and like Susanlynn said, do something for yourself.

Also, thank you for keeping such a tight tally of all of us at the "Graciela is Faking it" table. I'm still there too! Like some of you mentioned yesterday, you can see it it Graciela's eyes and her expressions, that she is still trying to manipulate those around her. Knowing her and her so called "devotion to Jesus" all she has to do is claim a miracle or some sort of medical error to clear herself.

Well, I'm taking out the tissues for tonight's episode and the aftermath of Refugio's death. Hope we won't see any more of Romi's "real tears"

Maricruz
 

Xlntperuvian: I fear it will just be you and me at the Ref Survived table.
 

Urban A,
Thank you for writing this recap. It was great reading, despite the dark episode. And the screen shots just add to the fullness of your recap.

I can not stop thinking of that scene with Addie and Refu. I am hoping that Refu is not dead. I am hoping for a miracle. I am sorry, but I have had enough of Addie and him killing and hurting people for selfish reasons. Enough already! BASTA! I hate the fact that Vic is keeping his mouth shut about knowing that Addie is el Alacran. He kept his mouth shut about Peddy being alive, and look what that got him. NADA! Vic apparently did not learn his lesson. He needs to give Addie up to Dimi, Punto!

I still think that Gracie is faking it. She is nice with Montse and Dimi, but a witch with everyone else. Has the padre had a chat with Gracie? Maybe he would be able to see through her deception.

back to work...hasta pronto!
 

Nanette- I think the crying baby scene you describe was in Cuando Me Enamoro, not Amor Bravio.
 

As a female, I agree with the men folk here. Although I don't think it was necessary to have the child cry. It isn't that big a deal, in duration or occasion. I do think it's sad that a 'child star' may be exposed to this over and over throughout their young life.

Marea Primavera
 

My dear amigos, Carlos, Susanlynn, gringo, elna june, Vivi in DC, and Maricruz,

How very wonderful of you to think of me and to send me kind thoughts and wishes. You have all lifted my spirits today a thousand times over!!

Words can cut to the bone, as you well know. I have dealt with this situation for a long time and have handled it very well, but sometimes, people can be just cruel.

I DID do something for myself today. I always postpone that, but today, I didn't.

elna june, you absolutely are sitting at the "Graciela is Faking It" table. I don't remember if I replied to your question from a day or so ago. I temporarily lost my focus, as you can see. :))

I think I can handle the show tonight and I will think of all of you somewhere out there watching right along with me!!

Virtual hugs to all of you who sent me well wishes today. You have warmed my heart.

Fatima
 

Urban:

Re a shrink in AA. I remember Otto Sirgo from Sortilegio where he played a mad shrink and JB's stepfather. He had such ugly teeth in that novela that I can't stand to watch him act.
 

Monse comes off as very entitled. She should have allowed JL to keep the baby for the weekend just as they had initially agreed upon. I don't buy this Romina crying for her Mother crap. Romina spends the majority of her life with Mama Rosario. If anything, she would be crying for her Abuela.