Caray, Caray!

Hey Guys!!

Can anyone help to recap tonight? I am ACTUALLY in trial and won't be done until tomorrow and won't be able to watch.

I can recap the rest of the week if someone wants to switch with me!!

Thanks!
 

Thank you NovelaMaven, for starting our new weekly page for us, and including the current version of the Wisdom of the Dragon.

I had a white Kia DragonMobile sighting today. Be still, my heart. . . . .
 

Caroline

I can do tonight for you. I think EJ is doing tomorrow, so that should give you the week off. I'll let you know if I hear differently. (Or I can do tomorrow too.)

Thanks for letting us know ahead of time. Good luck in court!
 

Doris,

"I had a white Kia DragonMobile sighting today. Be still, my heart. . . . ."

We LAUGHED at the Kia product placement, but now we see Kia in a whole new light!
[snort]
 

Thanks, NovelaMaven . I can watch tonight but not record so I can't really do it justice.
 

Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!! Let the week begin!!!!!
 

Thanks NovelaMaven! Let the fun begin!
 

"Any bets on the longevity of OBD or OBM (Odious Bitch Miriam)?"

Both will probably be like mildew---impossible to get rid of.
 

We got quite a few mysteries solved in the last two weeks which have been moved off the list. Perhaps we'll get a few new ones to add on this week.

Updated Mysteries List:

1)Who really is El Supremo? Is he good or bad?
2)What was Reina doing in those 7-8 years, why didn’t she contact her friends, and why the heck did she marry Victor—Partially solved. We know she was investigating Victor, and Clara might have been used to threaten her. But was 7-8 years really needed?
3)The mystery of what/whom Reina was investigating and what she discovered before the wedding—partially solved. We know she discovered Vic’s and Octavio’s dirty business (but not the details), and discovered who killed Andres’ father.
4)The mystery of who killed Stefi’s husband/Andres’ father and why.
5)Who keeps trying to kill/kidnap Reina and why?— Partially/mostly solved. Big O was behind the recent attempts and kidnappings and used Fico, Carmen, and OBD (people with grudges against Reina) to do his dirty work. We don't know if Big O was behind ALL the attempts, however.
6)The Mystery of the Curse of the Red Diamonds-- Mostly solved. Big O has 2 of them (and passed them to Reina). Victor has 1. Stefi, Vic, and Big O all want to steal the 1 coming up for auction. Who are the goddesses/queens who are protected from the curse?
7)Why did Big O pass the 2 red diamonds on to Reina and why does he want Stefi to steal the other? Is it because of the curse?
8)The mystery of who killed Stefi’s parents, and who the little boy with her was—Partially solved. We know her parents were drug traffickers killed by other drug traffickers (who?) and the boy was her brother, who was adopted by a family—but who is he now?
9)The mystery of who killed the 13 people in the Camila video. Solved! As we suspected, Vic did it.
10)What’s the virus connection between Victor, the scientists, Stefi, and the assassin model?—This seems murkier than ever with Betina/Fico also having access to the virus and able to kill Andres and nearly kill Reina and Navier. Seems that Big O must have access to the virus too.
11)Who killed Carmen? – Big O says it wasn't him, but he's the #1 suspect.
12)What happened between Asuncion and Reina’s dad, and why did Asuncion leave him and Reina? Why did she call him “special?”
13) What was Nimoy going to tell Vic about Big O (after he already told him about the 2 diamonds), and did Big O kill him?

 

Is it possible that we need to open up our definition of "queen"?

 

Anita- The Wisdom of the Dragon was really great this week. This one really got me because it's what I was thinking when I watched the episode.
"A Dragon can reassure a damsel to not believe everything other people say about her; but he is likely to ignore that advice when it comes to what people say about her to him."

So true! Navier automatically knows Big O is lying about an affair with Reina, yet he swallowed hook, line and sinker Stefi's story about Reina betraying him with Victor, and setting him up to get planted with drugs and killed! Huh?
 

Sara- Like a drag queen? Vegas is filled with those. :)
 

Thanks Novela Maven!

Let me know if you need me to do any other day this week!

trial is no bueno but there is only so much I can do:0(
 

Lunes, Part 1

Father and Son Reunion
Big O and the Dragon hold their pistols nose to nose, big O in a gray flannel suit, the Dragon considerably sharper in little more than his birthday suit. "They say blood isn't water, sir" says Navier, "and you don't steal what you inherit; and there's nothing more beautiful than a family united." (ISBIS) Big O lowers his gun. What is Navier playing it? "It can't be YOU!"

"And yet you lowered your gun? Why? Paternal instinct? I heard you were looking for your son. Well here I am. Agent Esmeeth -- or Sara -- is my mother; and sadly, you're my father."

Reina finds Victor waiting for her in her bedroom and wanting to exercise his rights of ownership over her. Reina has grown weary of the game. It's not fair to either of them, she says. And it's not healthy. Victor hired Navier, knowing how she felt about him! "Let's get divorced once and for all!"

"That's not an option," replies Victor with something between a smirk and a scowl. He won't let up until she loves him, even if it's the last thing she does in her miserable life.

Victor's interesting logic is interrupted by a phone call. Christian informs him that the Putz is dead and that Laz has been arrested on suspicion of Putzicide. He passes the news to Reina. She's sure Laz is innocent. Victor thinks she probably right, but waxes philosophical about how death is all around them and they don't know who is good and who is evil (y nosotros sin saber quien es el bueno y quien es el malo).

Big O is slack-jawed at Navier's revelation. Navier doesn't want anyone else in the house to know. He only spoke up to keep Big O from killing him -- or from discovering later that he had killed his own son, as he nearly did when he disabled the brakes on Navier's car. He wants absolutely nothing from his father. He is willing to submit to any tests to prove his claim and do so in absolute secrecy.

"If you don't want anything from me," asks Big O, "then why are you in this house?"

"Because I wanted to know you. But now that I've met you and Victor, I realize I don't want to be part of this family."

Big O wants to do the tests although he is sure he is who he says he is, Sara's son, the son of the only woman he ever loved. Navier apologizes for not turning to mush in the face of such romanticism: that's just how he is -- he doesn't get excited [no me emociono], he doesn't feel pity or compassion; it's been a while since he's felt anything at all. And he doesn't want that to change.

"For me, everything has changed...son."

A masked thug in black, a gun tucked into his pants at a reckless angle, gets the word over the phone from Big O: Set Balboa free. But before he can act on the order, Esmeeth, who has just emerged from the background, crouches, takes aim, and shoots him in the thigh. The agents storm the hide-out and shoot a second masked man. Rocky sits, tied to a chair, barely conscious. It's hard to tell how badly he has been hurt.

Greta, informed of the fate of the Putz and of Laz's arrest, is more affected by the fate of the latter than the former. She implores her father to help him.

Navier puts on some clothes. (Move along now, folks. That part of the show is over...) Reina bursts into his room and tells him about Laz. He tells her about his strong ties to Laz and their shared history. He won't turn his back on him. In fact, Laz is one of the few people who know that he is really Nicolás Núñez.
 

Part 2

Esmeeth begins to untie Rocky, grateful that the team has escaped unscathed. She doesn't notice one of the fallen thugs reaching for the gun left lying on the ground...[Navier would have kicked it well out of reach!] He picks it up and aims it at her back. A shot comes out of nowhere and takes out the thug before he can shoot Esmeeth. The team covers her as she finishes untying the groggy but conscious Rocky and then helps him out to safety.

Big O and Victor needle each other over breakfast.
Big O looks like he didn't sleep well, notes Victor. He doubts the Putz's death was keeping him awake. Maybe he was thinking about the auction of the red diamond. Maybe he's afraid of Victor finding out something he shouldn't... Big O assures him that nothing about Victor scares him.

Estefi joins the two men at table. Victor asks if she'll be bidding for the red diamond. It's too rich for her blood, she says, but she'll be there. She wants to see the face of the winner... and the loser.

Izzy walks in with Reina and says she insists on going out. Victor says that for her own safety, Navier must accompany her everywhere. Reina and Izzy leave, both a bit disgruntled.

Estefi smiles and chides Victor: he puts the apple in front of Reina and then gets mad when she takes a bite. Although in the end, they'll all end up in hell because sooner or later, they'll all take a bite of the apple. "The forbidden fruit, no?" agrees Victor. "Lord, lead us not into temptation," intones Big O over a piece of buttered toast. "Amen."

Rocky is safely back at headquarters. He phones Navier and tells him how Esmeeth rescued him. He also says he has sent a lawyer to help Laz.

Juanjo is also trying to help Laz. He thinks the Putz's laptop might provide valuable clues -- if only they could get access to its contents! Navier (being a CIA-trained Dragon and all) immediately gains access to its contents. He rapidly realizes that the Putz had more than one enemy -- someone was blackmailing HIM about the video. That's why Susana got a copy! Navier will figure out who it is...

Esmeeth's office
Rocky has arranged a new identity for Reina and her family. He has also discovered who just saved Esmeeth's life. It was one of them. He gives her a small box containing a bullet and accompanied by a note:
A bullet like this made it possible for you to read this message. Be more alert, Smith. Always watch your back.
Your Boss
(or as you all call me, El Supremo)

Esmeeth has a hissy fit: "What does that guy think he's doing? I hate him! He's so arrogant! Is he trying to be mysterious or enigmatic or what?" She tears up the note. "Maybe," says the phlegmatic Rocky, "he's playing at being God."
 

Part 3

Navier is surprised when Reina tells him she wants to go to a bank -- to a safe deposit box, to be precise. She rankles at how coldly and formally he addresses her.

Reina enters the safe deposit area of the bank, unlocks a drawer, and removes a jewel pouch and a letter from it. (No locked box in the drawer -- just the loose stuff.) She empties the black pouch on the steel table...klunk klunk...two gigantic red diamonds. She holds them up and stares at them. She reads the letter (which really should have a Mr. Yuk sticker on it):
Two red diamonds, red like passion, desire, fire. All I think about is having you, barely covered by these red diamonds (apenas cubierta por estos diamantes rojos), in my bed.
Octavio De Rosas

Back at the Mansion, Big O asks Victor what brought Navier to the house in the first place. He has changed his mind about him and wants to keep him around. "Finally we agree on something," says Victor.

Susana wheels Greta in. She is taking her to the police station so she can see Lázaro.

At the Police Station, Connie has been waiting to see her brother. Now Christian brings poor Laz, in handcuffs, into his office. Connie hugs him and tells him that she believes in his innocence. Laz doesn't understand why he was arrested. Connie says it's because he was the last person seen with the Putz. He wants to know about Greta -- does she know? Does she think he's a murderer?

Juanjo goes looking for Connie and has the misfortune to meet up with OBM (Odious Bitch Miriam). OBM rants about being stuck with the kid (i.e., her own son) with Laz and Connie gone who knows where... Juanjo fills her in. She changes the whine track: "Just my luck, my husband in jail!"

Her lament is interrupted by the arrival of two men in khaki uniforms: "Miriam Fuentes? You'll have to come with us." OBM agrees politely. She just has to get her purse, she says. Then she grabs her bag, turns around and gets set to make a run for it.

Bridal Workshop
Reina has a question for Navier: Could someone else rent a safe deposit box in her name? "No." Could someone rent one for her without her consent? "That's impossible." "Then I rented it," says Reina. "What was in the box?" "The proof (las pruebas) of the woman I was -- the proof of my ambition, of my greed; the proof that Big O is right -- I was his lover. Two red diamonds." She hands Navier O's nasty letter. She waits for a reaction: "Tell me I'm garbage, a disgusting, despicable woman."

Navier remains silent.

"Now it all makes sense! That's why I betrayed you, that's why I betrayed Victor. I'm worth nothing. Everything fits. The puzzle is finally solved. Please... say something."

"I don't know if you could take it because it's even hard for me," says Navier.
 

Part 4

Handcuffed Laz is once again escorted to Christian's office. This time to see three members of the De Rosas family await him: Victor, Susana and, most importantly, Greta. Victor says -- and with a straight face, mind you -- he only came to see the face of a murderer. Laz declares his innocence. The Putz was dying and he sounded the alarm. He only came to see him because he (the Putz) was giving OBM drugs so OBM would bad-mouth him to Greta. ¿Qué? says Greta. Christian confirms that OBM and the Putz were in cahoots. "They were trying to separate us," says Laz to Greta. Then he tells Victor that, whatever he might think of him, he is profoundly in love with Greta.

Esmeeth calls on Big O at the mansion. He's glad to see her, but unhappy with the way she treated his people. He promised he'd spare Balboa in exchange for the identity of his son. She says she found Balboa on her own, even if none of his goons is alive and there's no evidence linking them to him. He's not going to force her to give him her son's name.

"So I guess you haven't heard," says O with a slight smile. "You're a little late -- because I now know that Javier Bolívar is my son... our son."

At the workshop, Navier wants to get going. He'll hold onto O's note. It would be dangerous for Reina to keep it. She is still sunk in self-loathing. "Tell me what you're thinking," she demands. "Aren't you disgusted that I slept with the father and the son?"

"With both sons, Reina," Navier corrects her softly.

Reina is puzzled. What other son? "Me," he says. "I'm O's other son." Reina is incredulous. Octavio's son? Victor's brother? Navier must be lying! "No," he says, "unfortunately, it's true."

She still can't take it in. Navier must be making this up to punish her. It's part of his revenge, isn't it?

He'd love to tell her it's all a lie, a nightmare -- but it's not.

Meanwhile Esmeeth tells Big O that she didn't want him to know her son's name, that he doesn't deserve a father like O. O says the son wanted to meet HIM; that's why he came to the mansion to work. He didn't want anyone else in the house to know; for now, Big O will keep his piehole shut. But he wants to know about Javier's life; he wants to recognize him as his son; and he doesn't want him to use the name "Bolívar," wherever the name came from. He wants him to assume the De Rosas name; he expects a brilliant future for him; and that future cannot be with Reina Ortiz or with Estefanía Pérez Hidalgo.
 

Part 5

"When you were Nicolás, you had an affair with Camila De Rosas," says Reina to Navier. "Your niece." "Camila wasn't my niece!" retorts Navier angrily. "That's enough questions! I told you too much. It's enough for you to know that there was no family relationship between Camila and me."

Christian's Office
"Do you really love me?" Greta asks Lázaro. Victor says it doesn't matter -- a nurse with a criminal record and now accused of Putzicide? Not boyfriend material! He'll never allow it!

Susana jumps into the fray, standing up to Victor and defending Greta's right to happiness. "I love it when you get mad," says Victor insinuatingly. "I hardly recognize you." "Me either," says Susana.

Izzy brings a hot beverage and cold comfort to Connie and their "free" relationship.

The uniformed officers we saw earlier now drag OBM into the police station, right past where Connie is seated outside Christian's office. Juanjo hopes Miriam doesn't make things worse for Laz.

As he drives her home, Navier confides to Reina that he is concerned about Laz. Would she mind staying home so he can help his friend? She doesn't answer him. She doesn't even seem to hear him. Her cell phone sounds several times before she picks it up. It's Rocky. He has her new identity ready, but he has to know: should he include Bolívar or just her daughter? "Just my daughter," she tells him.

Navier has only heard her end of the conversation. Reina asks him not to ask her any questions. She also asks him to return Octavio's note. He refuses. He tells her to keep the diamonds -- they are her life insurance policy. He will investigate and find out what is true and what is false. He can do it! After all he had two lives just like she did -- except that in both of his, he loved and respected her.

Visiting hours are over for Laz. He says a tearful goodbye to Connie and Greta. Greta promises not to abandon him. He promises he'll never stop loving her.

Reina is greeted by Big O at the mansion.
Did she go to the bank to see the diamonds -- the proof of his obsession for her? Does she have any idea of their value or how crazy she made him?

She can't remember what she did in the past or why; but at this moment she can assure him that she wouldn't have anything to do with him -- not for ten of those diamonds, not for a hundred, not for a thousand, not for all the diamonds in the world. She storms out of the room, crossing paths with Estefi, just entering.

"What wicked thing did you do now?" she asks O. "A wicked thing you'll love," he tells her.
 

Part 6

Big O leads Estefi into his study. He boasts that he made Reina believe he and she (Reina) were lovers.

Flashback in the Bridal Workshop:
Reina: If it were up to me, you'd be in prison, or even worse, tortured until you die.
O: It won't happen because I brought you what you asked for in exchange for your silence.
R: I want to see them. [O hands over a black pouch.] I'm not going to accept fake diamonds. I learned to recognize them very well. And if you're thinking of killing me, forget it. You wouldn't get out of here alive.

Back to the present day:
Estefi finds it strange that Reina didn't have O arrested for the business with the diamonds.

Flashback:
R: They're real.
O: Of course. Tomorrow, you're going to marry my son.
R: Tomorrow is a long way away.
O: I feel like an idiot. You made me believe you desired me, you made me crazy, you wrote romantic notes to me, making me believe you'd be mine one day...and what did you do? You stole all the evidence and now you're manipulating me.
R: You're so naive. I don't have such bad taste, old man. I'd rather die than go to bed with you.

Present day:
Estefi laughs: "So the poor amnesia victim thinks she's the villain in the story, that she slept with you and Victor, the father and the son." "Well I left out the Holy Ghost," says Big O. Then he guffaws loudly.

That's why he wants Estefi to rob the fourth diamond -- so Victor doesn't get it. He has no idea that Reina has the other two. And if Victor gets the fourth one, he'll be very close to having them all. Is Estefi still reluctant to partner up with him?

Tonight they'll all be together at the showing of the diamond, she says. May the best person win. Not the richest, not the most powerful, not the oldest, but rather the most intelligent.

Esmeeth is furious that Navier spilled the beans to Big O.
She should send him on a mission somewhere far away. "So why don't you?" asks Rocky. Esmeeth ignores his question and turns to a discussion of the evening's event. "All the millionaires will be there -- the ones who came by their fortune legally, the ones who got their money illegally, the good and the bad. El Supremo suspects that the diamond will draw them all like a magnet -- terrorists, traffickers, and this would be a great opportunity for us to catch them all."
[You can tell by the haunted look on her face that not even Esmeeth believes what she is saying.]

Navier sits at the De Rosas kitchen table with Juanjo and a couple of cans of Dr. Pepper™...

[Don't get mad -- you can't expect Kia to do all the heavy lifting.]

...and updates him on Lázaro's situation. He's sure the lawyer working on the case will bring them good news. Too bad the computer lead didn't pan out. Now they'll never know who else knew about that fateful party since all the rest are dead...

But perhaps they WILL know...

OBD crouches over OBC's gravestone (so I think we can assume that Carmen is, in fact, dead). "Everything ended with the Putz's death," she says. "Now I can't get money out of him. Maybe you can help me from the great beyond, mommy. No one can know I was extorting money from the Putz. And above all, I need you to help with Victor -- he's my only hope."

The Gang is Ready to Party!
Reina is gorgeous in shimmery gold, Estefi shines in silver, Victor is a vision in a tux. Navier is supposed to be the chauffeur tonight, but when Estefi asks to borrow him as her escort for the evening, Vic is glad to oblige. Navier protests. He is not an object that one loans out. Besides, he is working and it isn't appropriate.

Victor smilingly gives Navier his permission. Navier isn't an object, but how can he refuse the lovely Estefi? He sends Navier to change into something fit for the occasion.
 

Part 7 (and the last part, I promise!)

The Exhibition
Esmeeth enters, glammed up in a one-shoulder black sequined gown. She approaches the case holding the single red diamond. Big O walks up to her. He is dying of jealousy, he says, when he sees the way men are looking at her. But he knows what she's trying to do -- outshine the diamond! She sighs and turns away.

The quartet from the De Rosas house enters next. Big O is surprised to see Navier in the group. He takes Esmeeth by the arm and "introduces" her to the others

A tall thin figure, a young man with a beard and mustache, walks up to the six who are now clustered around the red diamond. "Good evening," he says. "Are you contemplating the diamond that's very soon going to be mine?"
 

Caroline

You're very welcome. I'm sorry things didn't go well. But you're right, there's only so much you can do.

I'm going to assume that EJ is writing tomorrow's recap. If I hear otherwise and it is early in the day, I'll ask you. Would that be okay?
 

terrrrrriffic recap NovelaMaven!

where do they get those black leather masks, (do the sell them in the Telemundo gift shop?), like in "Corazón Valiente", where "El Verdugo" had this big masked ball and all of the men wore them.
(any one remember the "Beagle Boys" from the old Scrooge McDuck comics?)

I was thinking Miriam was being pretty easy going about the arrest, till she beat feet for the back door, Ha!

ah, so it's el Dragon de Rosas, eh?

the safety deposit box thingy was a bit irregular, usually they have two keys, and Reina didn't seem to have one of her own.

ok, so Reina was clever enough to talk big O out of his diamonds, but why did she then marry Victor?




 

NovelaMaven - Thank you for the great recap!

I was confused when Navier denied his relationship with Camila as a 'family' one. Does this mean she really is ~not~ Victor's daughter? Qué???

Did I see straws in those Dr. Peppers?

I did not recognized Esmeeth at first, at the diamond auction, with her hair done differently.

WHAT did she ever see in Big O that she went horizontal with him??? QTH? He makes my skin crawl.

deb - you're right about the safe deposit box scene. It's rather surrealistic, anyway. I've never seen a bank vault that looked like that one, and I've been in a LOT of them. Two keys are always required. And then, one pulls out the long metal box for the contents. You never just open the door and reach in to remove stuff. But, this is telenovelaland . . . and our beanie hats are firmly planted on our heads.

"Telemundo gift shop" --- LOL!!!
Whether we remember this story takes place in Vegas (HOT desert!) or filmed in Miami (HOT and humid!!!), those masks would be very hot to wear. Both leather and knit versions. Eeew.

Laz took a big risk in standing up to Victor and declaring his innocence and love for Greata. I hope he won't be the victim of Lazicide©.


 

Thanks for the great recap NovelaMaven! I liked "Kia can't do all the heavy lifting."

Your details helped keep this Reinamaniac in the loop!
 

Awesome, NovelaMaven!

I'm seriously ready for Reina to start remembering stuff or at least to stop believing the worst of herself. I liked the flashback and hope we get more. I still don't believe Big O gave up the diamonds because he was hot for Reina and she was blackmailing him about whatever she found out about him. He gave them to her way too easily, so he already had his ulterior motives back then. He says to keep them out of Victor' s hands, but I don't totally buy that either. It was nice seeing flashback Reina being a badass. She sure was busy just the day before her wedding to Victor.

New mysteries:

Who had Reina's back? How was she able to threaten Big O with retribution if he hurt/killed her?

How is Navier getting all this info about people's real moms and dads? He knew Asuncion was Reina's mom, and somehow he knows Vic isn't Camila's dad. Or is that just wishful thinking on his part that he didn't boink his niece? Yet, he still somehow doesn't know that Clara is his child.

I had forgotten that someone was blackmailing the Putz. Well, I really didn't care about him anymore, now that he's dead. Well, mystery solved. OBD was blackmailing the blackmailer.
 

Oh and did I miss something? How did Navier know Camila was not his niece? For me this is more proof that the writers know exactly what they are doing.
 

Super stupendous recap, NovelaMaven.

I particularly liked:

pistols nose to nose, big O in a gray flannel suit, the Dragon considerably sharper in little more than his birthday suit.

A masked thug in black, a gun tucked into his pants at a reckless angle,

Navier (being a CIA-trained Dragon and all) immediately gains access to its contents.

She reads the letter (which really should have a Mr. Yuk sticker on it):

Victor says -- and with a straight face, mind you -- he only came to see the face of a murderer.

Victor says it doesn't matter -- a nurse with a criminal record and now accused of Putzicide? Not boyfriend material! He'll never allow it!

Navier sits at the De Rosas kitchen table with Juanjo and a couple of cans of Dr. Pepper™...

[Don't get mad -- you can't expect Kia to do all the heavy lifting.]

There was food at the table, too and Juanjo was stuffing his face but not Navier, of course. He was only drinking the Dr. Pepper.

So Navier knew that Camila wasn't Vic's daughter. The same way he found out that Asunción is Reina's mother?

The scene with Big O in a suit with a tie and Navier in his underpants, guns nose to nose was very funny. More than that, the ending scene of Friday's showed Navier actually sleeping like a normal person - something we've never seen before.


 

Navier seems to know the parental lineage of every character on this telenovela, except Clara's. Dragon Blind Spot? Information Fail?
 

"The scene with Big O in a suit with a tie and Navier in his underpants"
Whaaaaaaat??? I missed the undies sighting? I was too busy looking at the gun. Waaaah.

 

What's up with El Supremo stalking Smith? It's getting creepy. I wouldn't have gotten mad like she did when he sent the bullet. I would have been weirded out.
 

Maybe it wasn't accurate to say that Navier was sleeping like a normal person - he was lying down alone in a bed in a bedroom but he was sleeping with a gun handy and with a finely tuned sense of danger. What I meant was prior to this we have only seen Navier horizontal when unconscious, in the hospital or having sex (and not always for the latter ;-) ). So now we know that he occasionally eats (dinner with Vic, Big O and Stefi), drinks Dr Pepper and sleeps albeit very lightly.
 

Vivi said, What's up with El Supremo stalking Smith? It's getting creepy. I wouldn't have gotten mad like she did when he sent the bullet. I would have been weirded out.

I would have gotten out our policy on workplace violence or sexual harassment. El Supremo's conduct is clearly not appropriate for the workplace.
 

Magnificent recap, NovelaMaven! It was a delight, and it cleared up a number of points I misunderstood. I won't cite passages I especially enjoyed, since others have already covered most of them.

One thing I'm puzzled by is Navier's statement "Camila wasn't my niece." Niece? Shouldn't he have said First Cousin? I guess he was too busy using his Secret Knowledge that told him Camila was NO relation to him. Hmmm.... Yet another addition to the Unsolved Mysteries list--who was Camila's father? (Or is it Navier's father that's still in doubt?)

Like other commenters, I found the safe deposit scene rather strange.

Did you really think Reina looked gorgeous in that long gown? I thought she looked much less attractive than she is. I didn't like the dress, and I especially disliked her hair. Oh well....
 

could it be that Camila is his niece,
but since Navier didn't know at the time, he dismisses it?

because Victor and Susana looked pretty convinced that Camila was their daughter.


Juanita- I thought Reina looked more like a 'queen', with the tiara.

 

and doesn't Victor always choose what Reina wears when they go out?
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Juanita- Yes, niece. Victor is Navier's brother. The child of your sibling is your niece or nephew. He must have some strong evidence that Victor wasn't Camila's father. But where in the heck is he getting this info. Susana has not for an instant shown any cracks in her armor about Camila being hers and Victor's child. But everyone in this tn has secrets, so...
 

Thanks for the nice words, folks!

Deb,

Those black leather masks are impressive, aren't they? (but they must be suffocating to wear, especially in Miami, Las Vegas -- oh, I just read Doris's comment and see that she had the same concern! Great minds, huh?)

I guess we still don't know WHY Reina agreed to marry Victor. Stay tuned...

Doris,

I guess we have to assume that Camila WAS NOT Victor's kid.

Vivi,

How is Navier getting all this info about people's real moms and dads?...Yet, he still somehow doesn't know that Clara is his child.

Here's my theory:
1. Navier is a CIA operative.
2. Esmeeth probably has extensive personal dossiers on the targets of her investigation, the De Rosas family, maybe even including DNA analyses. She probably knows things they themselves are unaware of.
3. Esmeeth has similar dossiers on her operatives. She knows more about Navier (and everyone else) than she has chosen to reveal, including the true nature of his past with Reina and the fact that he is Clara's father.
 

Vivi, I just assumed that he got the information from Smith as part of his original briefing for the mission. Smith knows everything about everyone (except El Supremo) so I think it's reasonable to assume that she knows everthing about Victor and the people around him.

Incidentally, another mystery to me is why Victor and Octavio have always seemed to hate each other even before Stefy came along. How did that start?

Penny
 

Jean,

"So now we know that [Navier] occasionally eats (dinner with Vic, Big O and Stefi), drinks Dr Pepper and sleeps albeit very lightly."

And we are oddly pleased to add this arrow to our quiver. :-)

"The scene with Big O in a suit with a tie and Navier in his underpants, guns nose to nose was very funny."

Oh yeah. Hilarious! Doris, you need to go back and look again!

As for the concerns about El Supremo's conduct in the workplace -- isn't everyone in that particular workplace a little off? I'm not sure what rules they are following, but they're not the ones the rest of us know. There's a whole lot of blurring of boundaries going on...

Juanita,

I was more struck by how absolutely miserable Reina looked than by how attractive she was. I was being a little sarcastic in my descriptions -- in reality I thought she looked like a shiny ornament, polished and ready for display.
 

NovelaMaven- So, do you think when Smith handed Navier the dossiers on everyone he would be encountering in the De Rosas house, she gave him real files for everyone else, and a totally fake/doctored file on Reina (and Clara, by default)? I'll buy it. I'm still disappointed that the Dragon continues to fall for such lies about Reina.

Oh, and the file on Stefi would have to be doctored too, since he seems to know so little about her and her shady businesses.
 

Penny,

I see we were posting similar ideas at the same time!

Vivi,

Yes, I assume Esmeeth acts on a "need to know" basis and sees lying to her operatives as a legitimate strategy. If Navier had been told the truth about Reina, Clara, and Estefi, he wouldn't have been useful to her in this particular mission. Of course, this will all come back to bite her in the ... uh... trasero.
 

Penny,

"Incidentally, another mystery to me is why Victor and Octavio have always seemed to hate each other even before Stefy came along. How did that start?"

Great question! I see more flashbacks in our future!
 

In Vic's flashback to his younger days (full hair instead of slicked back), when he was with Grandma and she gave him a flask, he said some things that made it clear he and his father were not on good terms-- so the hate goes WAY back with those two.
 

I agree with you, NovelaMaven, about Esmeeth operating on a "need to know" basis with her agents. But I don't think the CIA knew (or knows) that much about Stefi's diamond trafficking business. They knew about the murder of her parents.

But Stefi swore to Navier that the crown was a gift from her hubby and the only other diamonds she has are the one in the doll's eyes. Stefi has carefully kept Navier ignorant of her plans for stealing the red diamond and he has never seen her diamond storage room.
 

Of all the beanie-worthy things in this tn, for me Navier believing Stefi is an innocent lamb and believing everything she says about Reina, is the hardest to believe. Navier is suspicious of EVERYONE. Yet, he sees Stefi easily socializing and living with Victor and Big O, saw diamonds and a diamond crown in her possession, and he suspects nothing? Hmmm... Same with the CIA not having her on some sort of watch list since THEY know she lied to Navier about Reina.
 

Navier has never seen Vic or Big O with diamonds. The ONLY person he has seen with diamonds is Stefi. No matter what story she spins, that alone should raise his (and the CIA's) suspicions.
 

Vivi, thanks for reminding us about the flashback with grandma. Do we know whether she is Victor's maternal or paternal grandmother?

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Big O had treated his wife -- Victor's mother and grannie's daughter or nuera -- very badly. That might be the root of the hatred between father and son...

We may not know all of Navier's suspicions about Estefi. After all, a Dragon knows how to keep his own counsel.
 

A Dragon is loyal, too.
Estefi convinced Navier of her devotion to him way before he became a CIA agent. That kind of loyalty is hard to give up. Navier seems to trust Estefi the same way he trusts Laz and Juanjo.

I'm not saying that he shouldn't be more suspicious of Estefi but it makes some sense why he is not (unless he is keeping his own counsel) as NovelaMaven suggests.
 

Juanita – I did not care for Reina’s dress color, at all. It did nothing for her skin tones. The hair was meh.

Vivi – But Navier has figured out that Estefy isn’t quite so innocent. I forget what it was, but last week(?) he learned that she’s a bit crooked, and there was a scene where he decided to manipulate her, then the hug and his weird little smile before the camera panned out.

"Incidentally, another mystery to me is why Victor and Octavio have always seemed to hate each other even before Stefy came along. How did that start?"
---I still wonder if Big O is truly Victor’s father, which could breed resentment. If he is not N's dad, then perhaps N knows this and is why Navier doesn’t think Camila is ‘family.’
That's my Crackpot Theory™ du jour.
 

Your recap was such a treat, NovelaMaven. I love the way you write. One I liked that hasn't been mentioned was directed at our mostly female Viewerville about leaving the scene with Navier in his undies: "Move along now folks."

I was kind of surprised OBD was revealed as smart enough to have been blackmailing The Putz. She certainly doesn't demonstrate much brain power in her fruitless quest to land Victor de Rosas.

I also was surprised about Navier stating that Camila was definitely NOT his niece.

I'm getting tired of the scenes where Reina finds out one more thing and then berates herself for being a complete asshat.
 

Caroline

I just heard from EJ that she will NOT be recapping tonight (she's out west and still dealing with aftershocks, though she's safe and her home is fine).

If you want to recap tonight, please let me know before the show begins (8pm E, 7pm C). Otherwise, I can do it without any problem. Thanks!
 

"I'm getting tired of the scenes where Reina finds out one more thing and then berates herself for being a complete asshat."

Amen, novelera! Unless she finds out she got a brain transplant in the last 8 years, Reina should know herself enough to not believe this crap. Plus, mostly the only people telling her this are people trying to get into her bed or who hated her even before her memory loss. The others who were her friends/lover (Navier, Connie) haven't produced any real evidence of her treachery either. Her daughter thinks she's fabulous, and Asuncion (he only ally in the house) has told her not to believe the negative hype. That should be good enough for her.
 

Jean, you are so right: A Dragon is loyal. But I remember the scene(s) that Doris is referring to; we definitely saw some DOUBT/SKEPTICISM on the Dragon's handsome face.

Thanks, Novelera!
For some reason, I don't mind Reina's self-flagellating angst, though, like Vivi, I enjoyed seeing her as a 'badass' in the flashback with Big O.

No, OBD doesn't impress us with her brainpower. But it wouldn't take much to pressure the Putz. (Of course she would have needed help sending emails from untraceable sources. Who could have been her ally?)
 

Novela Maven,

Yes I can recap tonight!!

My trial is over and (SHOCKER!) I got a not guilty! Not sure how it happened but I'll take it! I'm running home now so I can watch last night's episode and prepare for tonight (and drink a big bottle of wine because trial is exhausting!)

Thanks for the help!
 

Caroline,

So glad for you! And thanks for taking on tonight's madness. ¡Salud!
 

Thank you NovelaMaven for your entertaining recap!

I agree that Reina always berating herself can be a bit repetitious, but being totally transplanted to a whole new life in what seems like one day to another must be disorienting & confusing. I wonder how much time has passed since the accident. But like ya'll I enjoyed watching her tell Octavio no way in hell was she sleeping with him, both in the flashback and present.

The breakfast scene between Octavio, Victor, & Stefi had me cracking up! The actors played the scene just right. Also laughed when Smith just walked away with a sigh after Octavio came up to her with his chessy lines at the party.

Can't wait for tonight's episode! Especially since I love scenes where the power players are dressed to the 9s, and are all under on roof for an event/ party. Those are the best to get some drama going.

jlk
 

NovelaMaven. Thanks for your recap. It was nicely snarkey while helping me clarify some things I didn't get when I watched the episode.

As you probably can tell, I am really enjoying being in the Crackpot Conspiracy Club so here is my latest. Victor keeps insisting Reina will fall madly in love with him because he's the only one who can make her happy. I'm betting that old Nimoy, when he predicted that Victor's torment will end when Victor has all the red diamonds also predicted that a queen could only love the son of Octavio de Rosas. That meant of course, Victor as he was the only son. Well, all of the queens love the son of Octavio de Rosas, but it is not Victor. I think that Victor in for quite a surprise!

Penny
 

Penny, great theory!
 

Thank you for recaps Novela Maven. I missed some of the conversations. Well here is my crack pot theory. What if Reina has the backing and has been working for El Supremo? What if he came to her to get revenge when Nicolas got killed? I also believe and willing to bet a quarter, that there is another safety depose box with Reina's name on it. Inside that box has a lot of evidence against the De Rossa family. Just my one cent. lol Nia
 

Nia-I'll support your theory. Reina was certainly acting like she had someone powerful in her back pocket when she was speaking to Big O in the flashback. Why not El Supremo?

Penny- That's as good as any theory on why Vic is so sure Reina will/has to love him eventually.
 

jlk,
I'm glad you mentioned how wickedly funny that breakfast scene was. The dialogue is priceless. (I liked the scene with O and Stefi in the study too.)

Penny,
I like it. I'm also open to the possibility that Victor isn't even O's son (because either that's so or Camila wasn't Victor's daughter).

Nia,
ooh, Reina backed by El Supremo? Nice. She certainly had SOMEONE backing her up, and it had to be someone very possible.

I'm delighted all of us Crackpot Theorists™ are coming out and showing our faces here!
 

Recap will be posted in the morning. Til then feel free to discuss the episode!
 

Nia- It looks like your theory is right! Great deduction!

Penny
 

Penny - Did I miss something last night? I'm confused by you saying Nia's theory is right.

(maybe I need more coffee...)
 

I was pressed for time so I condensed some details when it came to the lessor characters. I also tried to organize them into events so it would be easier to write. Enjoy and feel free to correct or add!
 

TUESDAY PART 1

DIAMOND EXHIBITION
A mysterious new character is introduced. His name is Fernando San Juan. He seems to know Octavio and greets him warmly. He introduces himself to Victor. He invites the group to the opening of his jewelry store where he will display the red diamond.. Tomorrow is the auction Estfy announces, maybe he will get his chance at the diamond. He introduces himself to both Estfy and Reina. He walks up to Smith and says to Octavio, “ Wow! I didn’t realize that you and such a beautiful woman! I’m not his woman,” Smith exclaims.

Smith approaches Navier. Smith is still upset that Navier told the Big O about their connection. He had to do what he had to do. It’s too late to go back and undo what is done. Navier has gotten a drink for Estfy. Estfy tells the both of them that they are too serious for a party.

Reina is by herself when she is approached by Fernando. “ You don’t remember me but you can’t tell anyone about the red diamonds in your safety deposit. (Oh the plot thickens!) Reina looks stunned. Victor joins the two.

Fernando talks about all the property that he has all over the world. So he is the man to talk to about jewels, Victor asks. Yes but only if he won’t bet against him in the auction. Victor can’t promise that! Victor explains that he wants to give Reina the red diamond as a present. Just than, OBD walks in and greets Big O.

Estfy looks over and tells Navier that is nothing compared to what could happen tonight. Like what? Diversion. Revenge. Estfy wants everyone to suffer. Navier wants the same. Navier than kisses Estfy while Reina watches seething with jealously. She storms out of the room.

Estfy loved the kiss and missed Navier’s mouth. But she is patient and she will wait. She has suffered in her life but the cards always fall in her favor. Navier has also suffered and dreamed of revenge. For the end of everyone that destroyed him. But he wonders if it’s worth it.

Victor went after Reina. Reina accuses him of being happy and getting exactly what he wanted. Yes he did get what he wanted. Bolivar is like any other man who will fall at Estfy’s feet. It happened to all men. She is jealous and says it should have been her kissing Navier. Victor likes her being out of control. He can’t have her but she is never going to have Navier’s love. He then says something I can’t make out and kisses her while Bolivar watches.

Smith is looking at the diamond. Fernando approaches and asks her if she is interested in diamonds. She is interested in their investors(?) So she is interested in him? He looks at her intently and walks away.

Reina breaks away from Victor’s kiss. Victor calls Navier over-is everything ok? Yes sir that’s what I’m here for. Victor likes how he works…and so does his wife! Reina and Victor than walk away.

Victor is alone and approaches OBD. You are happy when you betray someone? Well much happier than with your humiliations! Fernando observes this interaction and smiles (who is this guy?)

Smith tells Reina that everything is in place for her to leave. What does she have to do? Just obey and not make any mistakes. Estfy walks over-oh your friends? Smith doesn’t have any friends and walks away. Estfy wants to give “Antiojos” some advice. She needs to take some acting lessons because she cannot hide her jealousy. She hands a husband and daughter-how ugly? Ugly is being with someone who doesn’t lover her. Is that what Navier told you? That’s what I like the most about him-his intelligence. Ok no she was kidding-what she loves most is him in bed! Navier interrupts and tells Reina that Victor is leaving. Estfy has a better idea.-let all go the casino!!

 

TUESDAY PART 2

OTHER STORYLINES

Laz and Greta
Laz gets out of custody-thanks to a lawyer and Miriam who told the truth about Putz! He wakes Greta up with a kiss. She is very happy to see him. They speculate who could have killed the Putz. She tells him how the Putz and her sister were lovers. It happened at a party where 13 other people attended and they are all dead. She think he person who killed Putz was the same person who killed those people (Greta is one smart cookie!) Greta tells Laz how her mother and Camila were very close and very similar. She always felt left out. At times she felt that Susana wasn’t her real mom. Don’t say that, Laz says!

Connie/Izzy/Christian
Connie some home after the police station and Izzy followed her. He asks if they are alone. Yes! But Izzy says they are never alone-there is always 3 of them-her, him, and his desire for her. They fall on the couch and passionately kiss. There is knock on the door. It’s Christian. Izzy hides. Christian tells Connie that Laz is free. He tells her that he wants someone in his life that’s serious-he doesn’t want a fling. She says that she wants a love story! But one that is not hidden. She gets upset and pulls Izzy out of his hiding place. Izzy stakes his claim and says Connie is his woman. Tell Christian to leave. He does but warns Izzy not to hurt her. Connie that wonders if being his woman means marriage? He tells her that they need to be in a “free” relationship right now but he loves her and can’t stand the thought of someone else being with her. He says that his biggest gift is her being alive! She is the only woman for him, the only and last! (I’m getting a feeling they won’t end well!)

Susana and Juancho (I’m pressed for time so I’m condensing this!)
Susana approves of Laz and Greta because she can tell that he really loves her. Juancho and Susana try to part ways since he doesn’t work for her anymore. But they can’t Juancho really likes her! Back in her apt, Susana calls Juancho to come over and he happened to be outside of her door. They kiss passionately on the bed and start taking off clothes when Susana faints? Falls asleep? She then comes to but doesn’t feel better. They start to kiss and she feels nauseous and runs to the bathroom. He stays and takes care of her. He wants to be her man! He wants to be her love! She never had a love before. Neither has he. She is scared. Of him, Juancho asks. No of me! Susana says

 

TUESDAY PART 3

CASINO

Victor, Reina, Navier, Big O. Estfy and Fernando are at the casino. Victor wants Reina close to him for good luck. Octavio says if Victor needs a woman for good luck, that’s’ not good and cackles!

Fernando loves family reunions and wishes his dad could be here. Is he still alive, Victor asks? No. Well you’re lucky! HA!
They are all at the poker table, they need one more player. Estfy volunteers Navier. Poker is kid’s game to him!! Oh Snap! He is always prepared to win.

So the poker table consists of Big O, Victor, Fernando, and Navier. Right before Victor shows his hand, he calls Reina over. He shows his card (don’t play poker but I guess what he has is good) It’s my lucky night thanks to Reina!

Then there are cuts back and forth of the characters gambling. Stakes seem high. Everyone is staring at everyone!

So while everyone is gambling, Estfy has managed to sneak away. She is dressed all in black. She has 45 mins to take the diamond.

Fernando calls it a night. As he leaves, he walks by Reina and tells her to stay calm, they will talk soon when they are alone. Stay calm? Her life is a nightmare and he wants her to stay calm! He ignores what she just said and says to remember not to mention the diamonds. It will be death to her and anyone who knows about it.

Victor asks Navier to take Reina home. Be careful what you do Reina, Victor warns. The walls have mouths and ears! They leave.
Big O makes a comment about Navier beating Victor in poker. Victor wonders why Big O was ready to fire Navier not to long ago and know he likes him. What’s up?

GREAT DIAMOND HEIST!
Lopes 2.0 poses as a security guard and creates a diversion for the guard watching the security cameras of the exhibit. While the guard is gone, Lopez 2.0 rewinds the security tape.

Victor and Izzy are in the car all dressed in black. Izzy asks Victor is he is nervous. No he is never nervous. But it’s been a long time? He isn’t nervous because he knows what he is doing. This is Izzy’s first time. It’s going to be awesome says Victor. No one is going to realize that it’s gone until tomorrow. Nothing is going to go wrong but the first person who crosses his path will die.

Estfy and Lopes enter the room that contains the red diamond. There are red lasers zigzagging the whole place. Estfy has 15 minutes before the system goes off. He wishes her luck. Luck is always on her side. Don’t forget who she is! Lopez leaves her. It’s not a question of luck but of destiny. She stares intently.

 

TUESDAY PART 4

LAST SEGMENT OF EPISODE

Big O is still at the casino on the phone. He says’ “Oh she’s doing it? Well when she is done doing what she has to do, kill her!” (Can we get any more cryptic?) OBD walks up to him showing him her winnings. Yeah her winnings with his money. Big O wants to leave and even though she protects, the leave the casino.

Reina and Navier arrive home. The following is the conversation between them:
N: You were quiet on the way home.
R: I didn’t have much to say.
N: Well I had a lot to say. For one you look gorgeous! Every but the queen.
R: And Estfy what category is she in? Don’t repeat the story of how she helped you because I have heard already!
N: (smiling) SO what do you want me to say? That you are the only important one for me. That despite everything I love you more than I want to. I don’t care that you’re my brother’s wife and you may have been with my father (no words for that past statement) All that doesn’t count for you?

He then leaves and goes to the kitchen where Clarita is playing on a cell phone. A dragon game! (Yes we get it..she is fascinated by dragons. He is a dragon. They are father and daughter! We understand TM!) He tells her its bedtime and then puts his phone number in her phone, under for “D” for Dragon…Awww

Smith answers the phone. It’s Balboa. I know who Fernando is! Doorbell rings and SURPRISE its Fernando! With a bottle of champagne. Rocky tells her that Fernando is one of Europe’s most important jewelry traffickers!

Navier is in his room. Reina enters with only a night gown. She says she is acting a little crazy and out of control. But wants them to be out of control together and kisses him passionately!!She wants him to make love to her like it’s the last time! I think Navier is going to get her jealous more often!

Smith asks how did Fernando know where she lived. She interests him and he knows everything about what interest him (Is Smith going to be getting some in the near future?) They banter back and forth and Smith doesn’t want him in her house. If he wants to see her make an appointment. He acts very cocky which I think she likes! He leaves but not before he tells her that he always gets what he is interested in!!

Victor and Izzy are in the building with masks on. Something is not right, Izzy says. The alarm system is off. Victor says he will investigate. Victor peers into the room that contains the diamond and sees Estfy going through her dancer yoga poses to get to the diamond. At that same time, you see armed men going into the building (On Big O’s orders??)

Then it cuts to Reina and Navier in bed. There is a knock on the door. It’s Big O! He needs to talk to him about Reina Ortiz! Uh oh!






 

Thanks for the great recap, Caroline and congrats on winning your case!!

Okay so now we have this Fernando guy who is much taller than anyone else in cast. He knows Big O. He knows Reina has the two red diamonds so presumably she communicated with her before she lost her memory unless, of course, he's lying.

Doris asked if she missed something. Nia's crackpot theory was that Reina was working with El Supremo. After watching last night's episode, Penny speculated that Nia was right. That would mean that Fernando is El Supremo. That would also mean that Esmeeth has never met her boss since she didn't know Fernando (and wasn't pretending that she didn't know him, which you can always tell). That would make the CIA like Charlie's Angels, where agents get orders from an unknown boss and I suppose it is not beyond the realms of possibility. We have never seen or heard El Supremo and he did make a great effort not to reveal himself at the scene of Rocky's kidnapping.
 

Caroline,

Thanks so much! I actually enjoyed the way you organized the recap by events. It made for a very fun read.

So the mysterious (and VERY TALL) Fernando knows Octavio and knows that Reina has the diamonds in the bank. Rocky says he's an international jewel trafficker. Is he? Whose side is he really on?

I loved the way Smith set Fernando straight when he (pretended to??) think she was O's mujer: I'm no man's mujer!

When Laz appeared at Greta's bedside, I thought she was dreaming (so did she!)

Susana seemed to be very drunk when she called Juanjo, so maybe that's why she fainted and later got sick (unless, of course, she's pregnant, in which case she's going to have to stop with the binge-drinking).

So now we have two episodes that end up in Navier's bedroom, clearly the most interesting place in the house...
 

wow, thanks so much Caroline,
dazzling recap!

hmm, while Greta was talking about Putz's killer didn't Laz have a flashback to the hospital with a hazy Victor in the background.

ah yes Connie/Isidro, short couch love interruptus.

so Susana is living at her apartment, she moved out of the big house?

at the poker game, I think everyone won big hands, but in the end I think Navier was the big winner, Reina smiles.

hmm, didn't Rocky tell Esmeeth that el Supremo is concerned about a possible diamond heist, but Esmeeth is thinking the auction isn't until tomorrow, so I think these are Rocky's guys swarming the diamond place, odd that both lopez 2 and Isidro are off wandering around somewhere, while Victor watches Stefi, and I would guess that big O has his own thing going on (maybe with Fernando) to recover the diamond from Stefi, and I don't think Navier minds not being there, that was so hot.

 

Excellent Caroline!

So we have a new (and VERY tall) character in the form of Fernando. I like the theory that he's actually El Supremo (under deep, deep cover?).

I'll add another to the Crackpot Theory table-- he's (also) Stefi's long lost brother. Think about it. He's younger than Stefi, but not as young as Navier and his friends, and Stefi hardly gave him a second glance. I know she's hot for Navier and all (who isn't?), but really, Stefi didn't give TALL, dark, and handsome more of a once over? He's also got that arrogant, I'm too sexy, thing going on, like Stefi. They have to be related. :)
 

Deb- Yes. Laz did have a hazy flashback to seeing Vic at the hospital. I'm sure he now also suspects Vic of killing the 13. Yep. That's the father-in-law he has to look forward too. *gulp*

I also believe the guys swarming into the building at the CIA, per the conversation between Smith and Rocky regarding El Supremo's info about the heist going down tonight. But Big O also seems to have people waiting in the wings to kill Stefi and snatch the diamond.
 

Thanks, Caroline, for the great recap. I enjoyed your organizing it as you did.

I am running late, so I can't comment much now, but I did want to say that I think the reason Fernando knows about the two diamonds in Reina's safe deposit box may be that he's in cahoots with Big O. (Given my track record for predictions, that almost surely squashes that one.)
 

Vivi - I like your theory that Fernando is Stefi's brother. Both sibs in the illegal jewel business.

Deb I was puzzled about where the Juanjo/Susana abortive tryst took place, too. When Susana decided to investigate the video, she got what I recall as a hotel room where her meetings with Juanjo could be private. They have met there several times. This looked like the same place although she did tell Juanjo on the phone that she was "at home." So who knows. Of all the female characters on the novela, she and Esmeeth would be the least likely to be pregnant since neither of them has had sex with anyone recently that we know about. But the fainting and sickness are time-honored indications of pregnancy on novelas.
 

Susana's symptoms are odd. Quite a few times now she's passed out or vomited. The other times she had been drinking or popping pills or whatever, but this time it didn't look like she had been drinking excessively. When she passed out in the middle of nookie, I thought perhaps she's narcoleptic! But then she woke up and got nauseous, and I don't think that's a symptom of narcolepsy. Maybe she's just really scared and nervous about having a relationship or having sex and this is her nervous reaction?
 

I watched most of the episode again at lunch and I noticed a couple of interesting things.

First, Stefy did not include herself in the poker game. It was all guys. Now I can understand why Reina would not want to play and the slot machines were clearly OBD's speed but you would think that Stefy would demand to play with the boys. I understand why she didn't play - she went off to rob the diamond and got the jump on Victor. I still find it strange that no one questioned why Stefy wasn't playing. Going to the casino and gambling was her idea after all.

Second, Fernando told Reina several times not to tell anyone that she has the red diamonds and if she did tell someone, that person's life would be in danger. We know that she already told Navier. Is our hero in peril again? (Of course!)

Finally, the last time, Big O just walked into Navier's room. This time he's knocking on the door. Did Navier and Reina have the sense to lock the door? Is Big O being polite now that he knows Navier is his son? Or is he knocking because if he just walked right in, there would be no opportunity for Reina to hide.

Navier and Reina have advanced from having sex the shower and on the short couch to a bed in a bedroom! Wow!
 

Thanks so much, Caroline, for the fine recap. And I echo the congratulations about your trial going so well.

Late to the party, but I also noticed Lazaro remembering seeing Victor at the hospital just before he went into The Putz's room.

And, Deb, you beat me to the punch with your comment about the short sofa action at Connie's house.

I was just about cheering when Connie appeared to be leaning toward Christian after he declared that he wanted a true, faithful love. But no. She drags Izzy out and I'm hoping she's booting him out. But Connie has zero will power. I could not STAND Izzy's declaration. "You're mine; I'll kill anyone who touches a hair of your head." He's just a dog in the manger. He won't commit because he's Victor's lap dog but doesn't want anyone else to have her.

I'm also confused by Susana. She can't be pregnant. It appears to me she's got some kind of psychosomatic thing going on that causes her to be ill at the approach of sexual intimacy.

Ok, I thought Fernando was extremely hot. He made me think of some actor, so I backed up the recording and looked at his close-ups a few times. To me he looks like a taller, thinner Eric Bana.
 

Thanks guys! Have this Fernando actor been in other novelas? He seems familiar to me!
 

The Fernando actor is Sergio Mur. He's Spanish. I don't recognize any of the novelas he's been in according to IMBD.
 

Thanks Caroline for your very funny recap. One of my fav lines was Clarita is playing on a cell phone. A dragon game! (Yes we get it..she is fascinated by dragons... I was totally thinking the same thing.

Novelera, I agree. I'm so over Connie/Izzy. Too bad Christian is not much better. It's funny how Connie is being paired up with guys closest to Victor, seeing how she thinks he's the worst.

I like the theory of Fernando being El Supremo, he seems to like to tease Smith just like her boss does.

I think Navier is going to get her jealous more often! Haha, I don't think those two would of noticed if the sky started falling. For a minute there I think think Reina scared Navier with her intensity.


jlk
 

Miércoles – Parte Uno

Navier's bedroom
Navier and Reina frantically get their clothes on while Navier makes excuses to Big O. Reina is afraid of what Big O might tell Nav. Nav says that he doesn't trust Big O and Reina shouldn't be afraid of lies. Reina replies that she isn't afraid of lies, she is afraid of the truth that Big O might tell Nav. He knows everything about her.

Greta's bedroom
Laz tells Greta to relax and not think about Damián, Camila or the 13 dead people. Let the dead rest in peace. Greta says that she understands that Damián blackmailed Camila and caused her death but what she can't figure out is who took justice into his own hands and killed for Camila.

Greta is asleep. Laz calls Juanjo. They both have big news. Laz is with Greta and JJ is “muerto por la mama,” “is dying for the mother.” Laz can be his hijastro, his son in law.

Red Diamond Place
Stefi successfully makes it through the lasers protecting the diamond. She is then able to turn them off. Victor in his ridiculous Black Falcon (BF) mask is watching from the doorway giving her encouragement but not loud enough for her to hear. Stefi cuts a hole in the glass case, takes the diamond and puts it in her cleavage. She leaves by a different door than the one where Victor is hiding. Stefi runs from the hotel using good arm pumping technique. Victor, still in his BF mask, follows.

Some security guys come into the control room. They tell the guard that the tape has been frozen. The diamond is gone. Red Alert!

Lopez 2.0 is waiting in the getaway car. Stefi comes running up but Victor grabs her and pulls her down just as someone shoots. Other people shoot back. It's dark – who knows what is going on. Victor gets Stefi in a car and puts handcuffs on her. The car peels out of the jewel thief getaway car cell phone parking lot.

CIA headquarters
Esmeeth has shown up at headquarters. She wants the poop on Fernando. Rocky reads her the information that they have. He is a jeweler with businesses in several European captitals, he buys collections of jewelry and resells them, he has done business with Big O and his associates but nothing important. He has a large fortune but no one knows where it came from. “Esgrima,” “he fences.” His past is unclear. “His future, too” says Esmeeth, “I will make his future obscure.”

Navier's bedroom
Navier lets Big O in. He says that he can't understand why this can't wait until tomorrow. Big O says that he is worried about Navier. “Don't pretend to be the concerned father, says Nav, I don't believe it. Big O says that he meant that he is concerned about what is happening with Navier. Nav knows that his mother was the love of Big O's life. “Qué romantico,” says Navier sarcastically. Big O says that it doesn't matter if Nav believes him but that is the big difference between Nav and Victor. Big O is concerned about Navier's relationship with Reina. Nav replies that she is just his employer. Big O says that Nav might fool Victor with that crap. Men in love only see what they want to but he has been watching and he knows that Nav is head over heels in love with Reina. “¿Y si fuera así qué?” replies Nav, “What if I am?” That would be a bad thing because that woman is very dangerous. “Vaya,” says Navier, “el lobo se asusta de caperucita,” “Wow, the wolf is afraid of Little Red Riding Hood.” He continues, “Let get real, Octavio, the only dangerous person here is you.” Big O goes on to tell Navier that Reina is an evil, ambitious person. She is capable of anything to get what she wants. A Reina with no limits, a Reina de Diamantes. Navier reacts to this accusation since he knows there is “Reina de Diamantes.” We see Reina peeking out of the closet where she is hiding.

 

Miércoles – Parte Dos

Big O tells Nav that the Reina de Diamantes is the biggest trafficker in gold and precious gems in the world. No one knows her face or who she is. She is capable of anything, has no respect for human life, etc. Nothing matters to her but her ambition. That is why someone is trying to kill her, to drive her crazy but it's not him. She is so evil and perverse that he, Big O, is afraid of her. He tells Navier that Reina is pretending to have lost her memory. It's a trap because she is surrounded and threatened. Since Navier knows that there is a “Reina de Diamantes” and he is the hero of a novela and therefore programmed to believe the evil spoken by those who obviously have bad intentions, he seems to be buying this load of crap.

Big O is gone and Reina is out of the closet. The human lie detector says that Big O appeared to be telling the truth but he doesn't believe him. Reina tells Navier that he can “soportar” “bear, endure” that she betrayed him, that she was involved in ordering his murder, that she was the wife of the son and the lover of the father but he does not have to, he must not bear that she is the Queen of Diamonds, a trafficker in gems that are stained in blood. She picks up a phone and demands that Navier turn her in to the police. Nav says that he isn't a guy who repents or makes snap decisions. He has to investigate and discover the truth but if he finds out that she is lying, that she is playing with all of them to escape her destiny, if she is really pretending to have lost her memory, that this is all a trap that she has been “tijiendo como una araña,” “weaving like a spider” then she shouldn't have the slightest doubt that he will make her pay even if it is the last he does in this life. [Where is the human lie detector now?]

Navier gives Reina back his cross. He says that this is where it should be. She says that she is afraid of what will happen to him because of her. Navier says that it can't be worse than what has already happened to him [this probably isn't true]. There's a knock at the door – Nav's bedroom is a busy place – it's Lazaro and he can't wait until the morning even though Navier says that he is very tired. It's back in the closet for Reina.

Laz says that there is something that he hasn't told anyone – not the police and not Greta – but he has to tell Nav. He says that he saw who came out of the room at the hospital – it was Victor de Rosas, the “assasino,” “murderer” of Damian. Laz moves so that he is facing the closet. Reina opens the door of the closet slightly and Laz sees her. Once again, she comes out of the closet. She says that it is confirmed then that Victor is a killer. Mr. “I don't jump to conclusions” tells Reina that all they know is that Vic came out of the room, not that he is definitely the killer.

Laz apologizes for blabbing when Reina was in the closet and Navier asks him to escort her back to her room so that no one suspects that they were together. Reina gives Navier a last passionate kiss. She tells him, “Because don't forget that every time I leave, I will return, because don't forget that I love you, you stole everything from me, everything, my heart, my soul, my reason.”

 

Miércoles – Parte Tres

Red Diamond place
Esmeeth and Navier watch a security video of Victor in his BF mask peering into the room where the diamond is. Esmeeth can't believe that it is the BF. She says that it's been 20 years since the BF was active. [There couldn't be two guys with the same mask – a copycat?] Her phone rings – it's Fernando. He knows that she is at his hotel. Did she come for the red diamond or for him? She tells him that she is working and not to bother her. She tells Rocky that she doesn't like this Fernando guy. Maybe she and the FBI can work together. Her phone rings again and oops, she doesn't look at the caller id and snaps at El Supremo. She apologizes and tells him that they are collecting evidence. They know that thief was the BF because one video camera wasn't deactivated. They haven't found the diamond but they will. Rocky says that one call from El Supremo has put her in a bad mood. Esmeeth tells Rocky to use “usted” with her. She leaves and says that she will be right back.

Lair of the Black Falcon
Victor/BF brings Stefi someplace that looks like the studio of a very bad artist. She asks if she should thank him for saving her life or is he going to kill her for the red diamond. Victor holds up the keys of the handcuffs, then tosses them away and pushes Stefi down onto a big table.

Susana's house
Susana has a nightmare and calls for help. Juanjo comes in. Susana tells him that it wasn't a nightmare. She was being held in a house, naked and was repeatedly raped by a man. JJ says that he gets nightmares, too. Susana replies that it wasn't a nightmare – it was a memory – the worst memory of her life. She has never told anyone about this. JJ asks if she knows who it was. Did she report him to the police? Susana replies that she was newly married to Victor and was afraid of the consequences if she revealed what had happened. JJ suggests that telling someone about bad things can start the healing process. Susana tells him that this happened when she and Vic were newly married. They had been on a trip but she came back early to go to a charity event. Renovations were being done at the house. She went there to see how the work was going. The person she least expected was there. He attacked her, was very brutal, she tried to defend herself but he was too strong, he tied her up, stripped her and raped her over and over, for hours, for days. [So in one neat package, we have the explanation for Susana’s reaction to intimacy and Camila’s father. Susana and Victor didn’t have sex for 20 years after this?]

DeRosas Mansion
Vic comes into Greta's room where Laz is watching her sleeping. He says that he doesn't want Laz near his daughter. Laz replies he only wants good things for Greta. He loves her. Vic replies that if he does Greta harm, he will... “What, kill me?” asks Laz. Laz says that he saw Victor coming out of Damián's room at the clinic. He hasn't told the police. He has told someone though and if anything happens to him, that person will go to the police and Victor will be arrested. Vic leaves. Greta is awake. “Who was it,” she says, “Who killed Damián?”

Lair of the Black Falcon
Stefi is naked. Victor has evidently raped her. He puts a sheet over her. She says that he didn't kiss her, he doesn't wear perfume, he didn't speak and she could hardly see his eyes but she knows that it is him - Victor de Rosas, the BF. Vic takes the diamond and leaves. Stefi is trying to unlock her handcuffs when Lopez 2.0 comes in. He got a call about where to find her. She tells him everything went wrong and she lost the diamond. But she will get it back if it is the last thing she does in her life. It doesn't matter if he is the father of her daughter, that he saved her life that “haya vuelto” he has returned.

 

Miércoles – Parte Cuatro

Navier's bedroom
Nav gets a call from Rocky that the red diamond has been stolen. Navier tells Rocky that he can't leave the house right now but to keep him informed. Rocky tells him the thief was the Black Falcon. Nav looks up newspaper reports about previous thefts of the BF on his computer.

DeRosas Mansion
OBD and Big O are kissing on the couch. OBD tells him how happy she is that she has his support with the terrible problems in her life. “How much?” says Big O and gives her some money. She wants to make him happy the rest of the night but even Big O can't pretend with OBD that long. He tells her to leave and buy something. Then he gets a call from someone, “What do you mean she isn't dead,” he says, “and the diamond?” He doesn't like what he hears. “Curses!” Asunción comes in and says that she heard noises. Big O tells her that this is a special night when no one sleeps. He asks if Vic has returned. Asunción replies that Victor has not returned and neither has Stefi. “I don't like this at all, says Big O, “Yo me entiendo.” I understand [I’m not 100% sure on how to translate this since “I understand” doesn’t make much sense. “Yo tambien,” “Me too,” says Asunción.

In her bedroom, Reina tells the sleeping Clarita that they are going to start a new life. It will be hard but they are strong. Very soon all this will be over. She will leave without telling anyone, without saying goodbye to anyone, including Navier.

Navier is searching Victor's study. He finds something in a drawer. He hears noises. Victor has returned. Is Nav trapped in the study? No. Nav follows Victor out onto the lawn. Vic takes out his BF mask and says that he has done with (ya tuve) his robbery, his plan, his mask. Now he is going to start a fire and burn it in full view of anyone to eliminate suspicion and avoid arrest. Nav is watching from the bushes. Victor looks around as if he thinks someone is watching. Not surprisingly, Big O comes out to see what Vic is burning. He says that they are love letters. He is an incurable romantic. You inherited that from me, says Big O. One of the few things I inherited from you, says Vic. Big O asks Vic what he knows about the red diamond. Vic says that he is going to bid on it tomorrow at the auction. Is the diamond keeping Big O awake? Big O replies that lots of things are keeping him awake but he will tell Vic what they are at the appropriate time – after he is dead. Vic asks Big O to leave him alone with his memories in case he sheds a tear.

Vic comes into Reina's room. She immediately puts on her robe. He wants to give her a goodnight kiss. He says that she smells of desire and passion. He wishes he could know what she does when he can't see her. He can guess what she's been doing. She smells of sex. Clarita wakes up. Victor tells her to come to his room when Clarita is asleep and not to keep him waiting.

Reina comes into Vic bedroom where he has black pj's and black sheets so we know, if we didn't already, that he is an evil guy. He says that it is a pity she has lost her memory because she knew everything about him, well almost everything. “Really,” replies Reina, “did I know that you are a murderer?” “I'm a murderer,” says Vic but you are one too. Does she know the expression that everyone has a skeleton (he says “una muerto,” “a dead person” in the closet? “Tu muerto está en el jardin,” “Your dead person is in the garden” [Qué?? I have no idea what he means here. Is he referring to Navier? Reina didn’t know he was in the garden. Is he referring to his BF past?]

 

Miércoles – Parte Cinco

Fernando's hotel room
Fernando is now shirtless. There's a knock at the door. It's Esmeeth and she is going to conduct a warrantless search of his room. She says that she doesn't need a warrant. Everyone in the hotel is a suspect. “I didn't steal any diamond,” says Fer. “How did you know a diamond had been stolen?” asks Esmeeth. Fernando says that he heard the police talking in the hall. Does Esmeeth think that she will find the diamond in his room? Esmeeth replies that she is sure that he is guilty of something. Fernando says that he is all hers and calls her by a whole lot of cover names she presumably used on missions. Her phone rings. It's Navier. He says that he knows who the BF is – it's Victor de Rosas. Esmeeth tells Fernando that she is going to investigate and find out how he knows so much about her. She doesn't like him. He replies that he likes women with lots of aliases and secret lives. Esmeeth leaves Fernando's room. Fernando calls someone and wants to know what is going on.

Navier's room
Nav is skyping Esmeeth. He tells her about what he saw on the lawn. Esmeeth says that she never guessed that Vic was the BF. She wonders why a rich guy would do something like that. There's more, says Nav. Circumstantial evidence indicates that Vic killed Damián. He tells her what Laz saw. Esmeeth speculates that Vic is a jewel thief, a serial killer who has ties to arms trafficking and terrorism. She tells Nav that the latest information indicates that Vic had “uno o una complice” a male or female accomplice. [We know what Nav is thinking.]

Stefi's house
Stefi is crying. She flashes back to Vic mistreating her. She calls for Lopez. She says that she needs a “coartada,” an alibi. He phone rings. It's Navier. She doesn't take the call.

 

In the beginning of Part 3, it should be Esmeeth and Rocky are watching the video, not Navier.
 

Excellent Jean! You had a lot to cover in this episode.

"So in one neat package, we have the explanation for Susana’s reaction to intimacy and Camila’s father. Susana and Victor didn’t have sex for 20 years after this?"

Yes, I'm pretty sure this means that Vic and Susana never had sex again after their honeymoon (and she has never had sex since then), and that the mystery rapist is Camila's bio dad. But how in the heck would Navier know about that since Susana never told anyone or reported it to anyone?!!! Still have no idea how he would know Camila wasn't his niece.

Interesting that they had Vic raping Stefi as Susana was recounting her rape.

Let me get this straight, the entire CIA (juaever) are shocked, shocked! that Vic is a jewel thief and a murderer? Remind me again what exactly they are investigating and why they are focused on the De Rosas household and Vic's wife, if they had no suspicion that Vic is dirty? They are as stupid and Cristian the Cop- BFF of Vic.

I just had to shake my head at the total failure of the Dragon's lie internal detector when speaking to Big O and Reina. He disappointing me. He's going to have to do something awesome next episode to get back on my good side.
 

typo...as stupid as Cristian...
 

The only possible explanation is that the CIA did DNA testing of the people in Vic's house. That would presumably be how Navier knew that Asuncion is Reina's mom and that Camila wasn't Vic's daughter. The CIA knows that Clara is Navier's daughter too but of course they haven't told him that.
 

Jean, I love your recaps! They're informative, insightful, and delightfully snarky. Indeed, you even make questions about logic into a kind of snark. Also, muchas gracias por el español.

"[Where is the human lie detector now?]" is becoming a refrain. Perhaps we should give it a shortcut, a la ISBIS. WHLDN? Hmmm, it doesn't have a memorable ring. Oh well....

I loved your referring to "the jewel their getaway car parking lot." There must have been 4 or 5 cars. Who were all those guys?

So Nav knows there's a Queen of Diamonds but doesn't know that it's Estefi? I thought he did know.
 

No, Juanita, Navier doesn't know that Estefi is the Queen of Diamonds. Navier believed her story about how she got the crown from her husband (another failure of the human lie detector). She told him the crown and the doll with the diamond eyes constituted her entire diamond collection. She told Esmeeth that her husband trafficked in diamonds but she didn't know about that until after he died and didn't continue the business - another lie.
 

Victor has bad luck with wives. He hasn't gotten much sex with either of them - none for Reina and apparently none post honeymoon for Susana.

When Victor had the chance to have sex with Reina, he told her that he wasn't a rapist and he wanted her to come begging to him. He doesn't seem to have had the same scruples with Estefi. Vic is always going on about how much he wants Reina but I don't think he is really that attracted to her as a woman - she is more of an object - an uttainable goal. He clearly has a strong physicial attraction to Estefi though, not the least because he is in love with her and they actually had a relationship with her in the past.
 

super recap Jean!
I really got turned around in some of the long conversations and your details really helped.

"weaving like a spider", wow
(Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive).
- Sir Walter Scott (Marmion, 1808

cracked me up when Laz spills about Vic being a murderer, startling Reina and the closet door popped open, and then she tries to quietly close it again as if she wasn't there, busted!

did Susana indicate that she knew who raped her?
(big O seems to be fascinated with Victor's women)

Victor's office is a bit strange in that it is big O's office when he is around, and yet Vic has all of his personal stuff there, like the horseshoe, and earlier the letters.

Navier's lie detector seems to be flawed when it comes to family, and love.

Reina is so obviously an innocent person, but who knows, maybe Vic convinced her that she did kill someone, someone who is buried in the garden.

and in the midst of all of Reina's confusion, I'm really touched by the scenes where she professes that she could only have one love, and that is Nicolas, like when before leaving his bedroom she returns and kisses him, and like Jean quoted, "because don't forget that every time I leave, I will return, because don't forget that I love you, you stole everything from me, everything, my heart, my soul, my reason."

 

I think that Susana did know her rapist. She says, "the person I expected least was there..."

It can't be Big O since that would make Camila and Navier half siblings instead of niece and nephew.

Presumably, it is someone who is not around now since Susana was so emotionally damaged by what happened that I am sure she couldn't be calm if this person were near her. Most likely, this person will turn up. I suppose that it could be Fernando although he seems too young. The fact that Susana suddenly tells Juanjo this and Fernando turns up at the same time is probably significant.
 

Jean, thank you so much for this absolutely splendid recap! There were so many great turns of phrase, sharply observed details, and flat out hilarious (though deadpan) lines that it's hard to single out a few, but here goes:

"Stefi runs from the hotel using good arm pumping technique."

"The car peels out of the jewel thief getaway car cell phone parking lot."
(For some reason, this one reminded me of Garrison Keillor)

"Since Navier knows that there is a “Reina de Diamantes” and he is the hero of a novela and therefore programmed to believe the evil spoken by those who obviously have bad intentions, he seems to be buying this load of crap."
(This one is interesting. He does his human lie detector thing and comes up empty, much as a mechanical polygraph does when the subject is a sociopath and practiced liar. But let's give Navier credit for recognizing that O is a phony who has learned to fake his body language too. The one who is really buying the load of crap is poor Reina!)

"Mr. “I don't jump to conclusions”-- "Nav's bedroom is a busy place" -- "It's back in the closet for Reina"
I love how you captured the farcical in this scene, but also the sweetness at the end. Reina has been saying goodbye to Navier from the moment she entered his bedroom. Unfortunately, he doesn't know that.

"Victor/BF brings Stefi someplace that looks like the studio of a very bad artist."
Exactly! And the paintings of the big-eyed pouty-mouth girl kind of echoed Stefi herself.

Okay, just one more and I'll stop:
"he has black pj's and black sheets so we know, if we didn't already, that he is an evil guy."
So funny!

Is it time for the next episode yet????
 

OK, I'll admit to buying cheapo beanies, because mine completely crumbled during this episode. First of all, if nobody knows who the queen of diamonds is then how would Octavio know that someone (not him??) is tormenting Rena because she's the queen of diamonds? Secondly, I too am wondering about the total failure of the human lie detector with both Octavio and Reina. Navier can't tell that Reina is sincere about her memory loss? Three, I can't believe Victor's never noticed that Javier was wearing Reina's cross and now suddenly Reina has it back! He would have to be totally blind, dumb, and deaf not to notice that.

This episode makes it clear that however cheap I am, I'm going to have to make the investment in industrial strength beanies, like everyone else.

Penny
 

Vivi,

I'm not sure the entire CIA is shocked that Victor is a jewel thief and a murderer. The surprise is that he is the Black Falcon. They know he is INVOLVED up to his eyeballs, but they never figured him for a hands-on kind of guy (or at least that was my take on it). And The Black Falcon, we are led to believe, is the stuff of legends.
 

Oh, and thank you so much for the great recap, Jean. It makes me feel better to know that I was not the only one baffled by some of these goings on!

Penny
 

"She wonders why a rich guy would do something like that."

This makes it seem that Smith thought Vic's riches came from legit means up to now.

"There's more, says Nav. Circumstantial evidence indicates that Vic killed Damián. He tells her what Laz saw. Esmeeth speculates that Vic is a jewel thief, a serial killer who has ties to arms trafficking and terrorism."

Smith's surprise made it seem that she's only NOW suspecting that Vic is all these bad things.

Unless Smith is faking her surprise to keep Navier in the dark, then it seems she's been pretty clueless about who her target is.
 

I looked back at some notes I had jotted down from episode 2:

Smith talks to Navier about the mission:

"We're talking about trafficking in precious stones and gold, connections to terrorism, corrupt judges, politicians involved in all this -- and it's Victor de Rosas who's going to lead us to them."

So Smith has known that Victor is a link in the chain, but hasn't fully appreciated his ACTIVE role until now.
 

NovelaMaven- Thanks for looking back for us, because that surely had me scratching my head about what they thought they were investigating. I am still not impressed with Smith's team for just thinking Vic was a link (to his dad?) and not at the center of a lot of these nefarious deeds.
 

Penny,

Save your money. With this telenovela, industrial-strength beanies don't work any better than the cheapo kind.
 

De nada, Vivi. I agree that Smith's team has had its problems.

What I am not so secretly hoping is that Rocky has a BREAK OUT role, that he is either a bad guy or a more important good guy -- even El Supremo himself -- than we imagine him to be. I mean there has to be a reason why the camera keeps coming back to and lingering on his carefully composed poker face, right?
 

Grammar Nerd Note

“I don't like this at all, says Big O, “Yo me entiendo.” I understand [I’m not 100% sure on how to translate this since “I understand” doesn’t make much sense. “Yo tambien,” “Me too,” says Asunción.

This is from A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish, 4th ed, p. 372:

"In colloquial language in Spain, but not in Latin America, the reflexive meaning of a few verbs may imply that the action concerns or is important for the subject only and no one else: ...yo me entiendo 'I know what I'm talking about' (i.e. even if you don't)."

So the fact that neither Vic nor Estefi is home yet is not to Big O's liking. He doesn't feel the need to explain himself to Asunción; it's enough that he knows what he means. What he doesn't realize is that so does she.

By the way, even though the textbook says this usage is only heard in Spain, it pops up in telenovelas now and then. Of course the Telemundo novelas have very eclectic language compared to the very Mexican language on most of the Univision novelas we see.
 

Thank you Jean for your recap! I so did not know that Vic raped Stefi. I thought that he was just very roughly taking the diamond from her body suit. But her being that visibly upset at the end of the episode makes more sense now.

NovelaMaven, those closeups of Rocky's poker face intrigue me to no end. What do they mean???? I agree, they show them too many times for them not to mean something....or maybe I'm taking all these details a little too seriously.....

Juanita, what does ISBIS mean? I've seen that a couple of times now and I can't figure it out. & what about WHLDN?

I don't ever expect much from Tn police enforcement/agencies, but seriously what did Smith expect to find barging into Fernando's room at night? Maybe they just wanted to show us a shirtless Spaniard. It's probably the accent, but I just love the way he talks. Too bad I'm not a rubia.

jlk
 

Jean, that was an A#1 recap! So many good lines. I also liked the one about Navier believing all the BS because he's the hero of a novela, and these guys are ALWAYS lied to by the bad guys and believe it.

NovelaMaven, thanks for the grammar lesson. Like Jean, I did not understand what Big O meant by Yo me entiendo.

jlk, ISBIS means "It sounds better in Spanish".
 

Thanks all for the nice words and especially for the grammar lesson - ahora, yo me entiendo. How great are novelas - comprehension of spoken Spanish, grammar, literary references (Martín Fierro), snark and hunky guys - not necessarily in that order.

One part of Big O's diatribe against Reina that I didn't include was where he wondered if medical science had recorded that a person with amnesia could have a personality change into from a grasping ambitious person to a seemingly nice one.

We have commented before that Navier knew Reina BEFORE she had amnesia and she was a nice, humble person so that what Big O says would seem to be a lie. He could always say that she was pretending then but still...


 

I gotta say Juan Soler is really selling the evil in his scenes with Reina. He's bordering on likeable in some of his scenes; i.e., the ones with Estefy (pre-rape). And I love when he jabs Big O.

But the scenes when he grabs hold of Reina and paws her and/or drools on her shoulder just creep me out. I keep wanting her to punch him in the chops. Why, oh why did she even go into his bedroom, as ordered. After his behavior in her own, I'd have locked the door and stayed there.
 

I JUST PUT UP PAGE TWO. PLEASE CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION OVER THERE.

Thanks guys!
 

NovelaMaven,

I don't see a PAGE TWO or a listing for one. And when I clicked to leave a comment, it just came back to the first page with no indication that there was another one. ??
 

jlk,

Novelera answered your question about ISBIS (it sounds better in Spanish). As for WHLDN, that was meant to indicate Where is the Human Lie Detector Now, a phrase that has been occurring with some frequency. But, as I noted, it doesn't have the memorable ring of ISBIS. :-)
 

Juanita,

Here's the page:

http://caraycaray.blogspot.com/2014/08/telemundo-y-mas-reina-de-corazones-week_28.html

I posted it last night but forgot to tag it. It's tagged now. If this ever happens again, you might want to check the blog itself. Sorry for the confusion.