Caray, Caray!

Thanks for getting us started, NovelaMaven!
 

No internet for hours today. Just read the fabulous recap, Jean. I adore your titles!

They're going to have to pull out all the stops to keep Reina and Navier apart for the telenovela required long, long time.

I'm not too happy with Connie. She should never have accepted Christián and now she can't seem to tell him the truth. I guess Izzy has a jet pack to get him from the mansion to Connie's street so that every time Christián leaves, Izzy knocks on the door.

I must be a totally weak pushover, but I can't hate El Supremo. He's too attractive to me. I know, I know, what he did to Esmeeth was pretty despicable. But I think he really has a thing for her. And I also think she has a thing for him. I don't think she could have faked so much enthusiasm when they got it on.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Jueves Part 1

Hi all. This will be a quickie recap. Sorry if I miss anything.

- Esmeeth made some imporant vague revelations to Navier - Reina always loved him, never betrayed him, and was set him. She can't tell him more because it would put him in danger.

- Reina is in deep doo. Victor has contacted the best hematologist in the USA and he'll be coming to Las Vegas next week. Reina has to get some studies done tomorrow.

- Connie needs more time to find the right moment to break things up with Christian. She couldn't bring herself to break his little heart while he talked about their honeymoon. Izzy reluctanly agrees to give her the time she needs to under the condition she doesn't kiss him. Only he can do that and he kisses her right then and there. Laz catches them and Izzy tells him Connie and him are back together. Chrisitan calls and tells Connie he needs to umm sleep with her tonight. Connie pretends to be tired and Izzy asks for a kiss before he leaves. Connie gives him a small peck on the lips leaving Izzy with a cara de this isn't the kind of kiss I wanted. Izzy leaves and Laz wants to talk about Connie's boyfreinds. Christian arrives and Laz leaves them alone. Connie explains she can't go out because she's with Roman [weak excuse since Laz is at home] and he tells her that he loves her.

- Susana invites Juanjo on a weekend escapade to her apartment in NY. It will be there little secret. Juanjo asks if it will always be a secret and she tells him that it will as long as it lasts. Bummer. Later on during a conversation they had Juanjo tells her that he wasn't born to suffer so he has forbidden himself to fall in love with him.

- Estefi chews on Victor for reavling that she's the QoD. She threatens to reaveal he's the Black Falcon which he denies. He reveals to her the reasons he had to save his little bro. Everything about him will be discovered if anything happens to his little bro and he'll go to prison and by consequence Estefi will too. She has to take care of Navier. If Victor goes to prison he'll drag Estefi too.

- Navier wants info from Rocky about Reina and Nicolas' past. Reina calls and tells Rocky about the doctor and the studies. The agency will be on it. Navier overhears the convo and asks in exchange for what Reina is doing all this. For her freedom, Rocky tells him. Fernando wants to talk to Navier.

- Fernando tells Navier he can't abandon his mision. Is he threatening Navier? Does Fernando have to?

- Victor as usual lies to Reina about her past and tells her she always wanted luxueries. There is a flashback to when Reina moved in where we can clearly see that Reina refused to accept the gifts that Victor wanted to give her.
 

Jueves Part 2

- At Miriam's funeral, Roman makes peace with Greta.

- During a therpay session, Greta tells Laz that Christian is no good. He was Camila's lover and tried to seduce Reina.

- Reina goes to get her studies done. As she yaps away about her fear of needles Navier shows up. They talk and Reina tells him she can't be selfish and ask him to give his fortune. He asks her if money matters to her. She tells her that what matters to her is him. They agree to get hitched in secret and run away togehter.

- Victor talks to OBD on the phone. He apologizes for yesterday - it wasn't his best day. Today is a litle complicated for him. He tells her he'll call her again and tells her they have to talk business.

- Reina tells Victor she wants to go back to work. She wants for him and Victor to be a normal couple. He tells her that he can be the loving husband but if she lies to him then she'll meet the worst man on the plant.

- Fernando plans to seduce OBD to get info on hte diamond exhange. Esmeeth finds out about this new plan.

- Fernando tells Esmeeth he doesn't always act and pretend. Esmeeth tells him that unlike him she does act and pretend. There isn't a man out there that will make her give up her duties. Not even her son? Fernando asks her. Fernando asks her who she chooses between her job and her son.

- Navier hands a shady finger some cash and in exchange for new identities. He'll give him half now and the rest later.

- An excited Reina tells Connie about her upcoming nuptials with Navier.

- Time passes as Reina designs her wedding dress.

A week later

- Connie still hasn't dumped Christian. He's off on a police convention in Boston. Izzy gives her an ultimatum - either she breaks up with Christian when he returns or they are finished forever. Laz tells Connie that Christian was Camila's lover and that he was in love with Reina.

- Fernando has seduced OBD. OBD hasn't been answering Victor's calls. He'll call her to talk to her about the business deal. Fernando threatens to leave OBD if she keeps secrets from him. OBD loves how he has treated her and she's in need of some true love I guess so she'll tell him the truth.

- Estefi and Victor realize something could be up between Reina and Navier.

- Reina and Navier meet at the bridal shop. Esmeeth shows up and she knows about their plans to get hithced. She offers her help. Navier tells her that he'll never forgive her if she betrays him.
 

Thanks Mauricio. I think you got everything except that the CIA has gotten access to OBD's phone so they are listening in to her calls to Victor.

Except for the fact that we are obviously going to get a repeat of the first time Navier and Reina tried to get married, it doesn't make sense to get married and then run away. Run away first and then get married. But whatever. The laws of telenovelas say that Reina and Navier have to be separated again.

Navier and Reina's faces when Esmeeth interrupted their planning session were priceless. They looked like two guilty children, which was only emphasized by the fact that they were sitting and Esmeeth was standing so that she was looking down on them.
 

Mauricio - thank you doe the recap. Your "cara de this isn't the kind of kiss I wanted" had me giggling.

So, Reina and Navier are going to elope? Did I read this right? I spite if the fact that she is already married to Victor? Bigamists 'R' Us?

I hope Fer had his shots before he did OBD. Oh wait. I hope Esmeeth had her shots before she did Fer. That guy gets around. Eeew.
 

Thanks Jean! Yes I completely missed that part. I just remembered they also said they were able to do this because OBD's phone isn't encrypted.

My specualation: If OBD spills the beans, I suppose the end is near for her. Betrayal is paid for in blood after all.

To add the the recap:

- Navier accused Esmeeth several times of always choosing her job [over him I guess]

- Connie thinks Christian is so nice - that's why she has been having trouble breaking up with him. This will change I guess now that she knows that he was Camila's lover and in love with Reina.

- There was also a funny moment when Reina was telling Connie that she and Navier were getting hitched - Connie told Reina she can't get married because she's already married and if she gets married twice it will be considered bigamy which is a crime. Connie says she knows about this because she looked into it since she has two boyfriends after all.

- Esmeeth also told Navier she didn't know how to treat him - should she treat him with the formal usted or tu. He told her to treat him like she has always treated him - like when she kept everything from him or like when she would speak to him as if her were another agent or when she locked him up or when she followed him when he ran off with Reina. She told him that him running off with Reina was dangerous. She also said that she tried to do the best she could. [This all happened before she made her vague revelations which I don't see why she made at all if she wans't going to tell him the whole story]

BTW I meant to say "shady figure" not "shady finger".
 

Yes, Doris. Reina and Navier are going to get married even though she is already married to Victor. Navier told her that she was going to get married under a false name so that wasn't bigamy. Right.
 

I also recall Navier handing Reina the new passports and there was a pic of a woman with a different hair color. Will Reina dye her hair?

Also, Reina told Connie to take care of Clara. No, she's not abandoning her! She wants Connie to take care of Clara while she elopes with Navier and then she will come to get her.
 

terrific recap Mauricio!

it's funny watching a once desperate Connie juggle her two boyfriends.

and Juanjo shutting down Susana with his refusing to fall in love statement, I'm not quite sure why Susana wants to keep their relationship a secret.

did Reina explain away the bigamy thing by saying they will be married under different names/identities?

ooo and was Esmeeth getting jealous watching Supremo and OBD in bed, are his actions prompting her to help Reina/Navier?

did the famous doctor come and go during our jump ahead?

and I like the part where Victor and Estefi are chatting, that things are going along too normal with Reina and Navier, hmm, are you thinking what I'm thinking, yep, something must be up.

 

Good point about the famous doctor, deb. I assume that the CIA arranged for him to be sent false blood test results but wouldn't he want to meet with the patient if he was coming to LV especially? Hmm, maybe that will cleared up later.
 

Thanks Mauricio!

I really don't get why Reina and Navier need to have a illegitimate marriage, when their new identities are fake anyway. (Will Reina wear a blond wig?) If the passports and fake docs say they are married, then what's the point? And is that really what they should spend the week before their escape from the mob (Victor) and the CIA planning? Seems that there are other finer details that should be sweating about. Whatevs! It gave Reina something tangible to do in the time lapse sequence-- design and sew her wedding dress. Whee!!
 

The whole fake identity & bigamy wedding make absolutely no sense. Maybe the writers finally got their own telenovela beanie hats on waaay too tight.
 

Hola everyone. Back for the End of the Week fun and games. Thanks to all the recapping that went on and for NovelaMav for doing double duty. I hope Caroline is in good shape for Monday.

Oh, and for all those who were scratching their heads on Esmeeth's employment status, I think I figured it out, from reading all the recaps at once.

FELS had Navier not fire her, but remove her from her position and the missions she was handling. That's why she was still able to show up at Big O's in an official position, and other actions. That also explains why she's still around, then after FELS reveals his real position, she goes to him and RESIGNS. So, she was never fired as in clear out your office and never come back.

Just one little queja. After Reina has her fake blood-drawing session, she comes out with no bandage over the needle mark. If I had been Victor, I would have insisted on going in with her to make sure it was done--especially if he has any doubts at all of her veracity.
 

Thanks so much, Mauricio! Never apologize for the length of your recap. It's not like we're paid by the word...or at all!

Yep, what could possibly go wrong with these wedding plans? Almost anything.

I think OBD IS going to spill some beans. She looked pretty sincere when she told Fernando she'd never been treated by a man the way he was treating her.

And, speaking of Fernando, this whole being the head of the LA Region CIA and boinking women as a strategy is waaaaay ridiculous.

Esmeeth was definitely a bit huffy about Fernando and OBD on the spy screen. I'm pretty sure she has a thing for him, although she's fighting it.
 

Regrettably, Our Dragon has less good wisdom to pass on this week, but last week? Here goes.

THE WISDOM OF THE DRAGON
Subtitled: I Am Incapable of Making This Up

WEEK NINE – Mon Sep 1

It only takes a dragon a few seconds to brush up on lock-picking skills (see last week).

Removing one’s shirt after sex only excites directors, producers and viewers.

A Dragon always finds what he is looking for (even if it’s desperately).

A Dragon can hear a sleeping dragona daughter stir in the next room before a mother can (and it is universally acknowledged that mothers have all-powerful radar-ears).

Sometimes a damsel forgets dragons are good at everything. It is good to remind them.

A Dragon sometimes must choose between loyalty to one’s country or fleeing said country to live with your true love (don’t ask how I know; it’s a tough one).

When faced with an impossible choice regarding your damsel, the prudent tactic is to look enigmatic (similar to saying something enigmatic—see last week).

A Dragon can take care of himself, unless he’s busted by his boss right at her front door.

A Dragon can act like a child occasionally; this allows a dragon to let off steam without burning down the boss’ apartment (similar to doing it in an office).

A Dragon has personal knowledge of dragon anatomy, useful in drawing anatomically correct dragons.

A Dragon’s human secret-detector is also inoperable if a dragon has had sex with the subject (this bears repeating frequently: the wisdom, not the sex; well, maybe the sex, too).

A Dragon will care for and protect a dragona daughter with his life, even when he thinks she is his niece.

A Dragon is very observant.

A Dragon has ears; contrary to past artistic renditions of dragons by others.

Sometimes a speeding motorcycle isn’t enough. Sometimes a CIA-placed cheep is necessary.

When picking a lock, you can’t be noisy (don’t ask how I know).

A Dragon is never subdued initially by a blow from the butt of a gun; he can rise up with his own gun in nanoseconds.

A Dragon knows his place in the presence of the Supreme Boss (especially if said boss is taller than you are and has armed, black suited men aiding him).

If you have to attach a new cheep to a damsel, a dragon hug will do the job.

It’s tough enough for a dragon to have a mouthy mother; it’s tougher if he has to remove her from her current position.

A Dragon has a keen sense of smell; he is able to distinguish chloroform from Old Spice.

A Dragon’s arms are very gentle when carrying an unconscious dragona daughter.

A Dragon looks cute and vulnerable when he sleeps; thus he sleeps very little, or with one eye open.

A Dragon is always there to rescue his damsel, even if it freaks her out.

An orphaned Dragon has difficulty expressing maternal/filial sentiments (See the Abortive Mother-Son hug--or--when inadequately programmed robots try it. Thank you, NM.)

A Dragon should not win at Scrabble every time; even if he can.

A Dragon does not sleep with the fishes; he eats them for breakfast.

A Dragon with a damsel-induced mission does not like it when taken off said mission and given a cougar-induced mission.

Being thrown through the glass window of a high-rise hotel onto the roof of a parked van way below, does not necessarily mean death; a dragon can sustain multiple injuries imperceptible to the naked eye.

Thirteen years without a birthday cake and candles to set on fire can build resentment in an otherwise gentle dragon.

 

Mauricio,

Thank you! I really enjoyed your recap.

Like everyone else, I am waiting to see how this locura of a wedding plays out. I was, however, delighted by the proposed new names: Will the Dragon Family become the ADAMS Family?

One little addition: When FELS asked Navier if he had learned anything about Estefi, he said no. WE know that was a lie: Not only did Estefi confess to him that she was the Q of D, Victor referred to her as such in his presence. So at this point, Navier is feeling loyal to and protective of Estefanía.

For her part, she is pretty sure of herself. When Victor, towards the end of the episode, suggests that Navier is a danger to her and she could end up in jail because of him, she brushes that thought aside. She says something like "He's been in my bed -- from there, there are only two paths: to the altar or to the tomb. Not to prison!"

I'm waiting for Navier to find out that Estefanía was the reason he and Reina were separated in the first place. But I guess we have to live through a few altibajos before that happens.
 

Anita,

Less wisdom? Really? From your list, I'd say the Dragon seems wiser than ever. And of course YOU are as funny as ever!

¡Gracias!
 

NM--The Dragon hasn't provided me with much to work with THIS week (week 10). I'll do my best to listen to what he says and hope what he has to say is worthy.

I also agree that this fake wedding business has Failure written all over it. We know the two lovebirds, can't just fly away and leave our villains empty handed for 40 episodes.
 

Thanks for a an excellent recap Mauricio!

BTW I meant to say "shady figure" not "shady finger". HA, I actually thought "mmmm, never heard of the term shady finger before, I guess you learn something knew everyday"

Anita, another great addition to the WISDOM OF THE DRAGON. My fav was A Dragon with a damsel-induced mission does not like it when taken off said mission and given a cougar-induced mission..

OBD is so desperate for affection/caring she is bound to spill the beans. It's kind of gross how you can play the "6 degrees of separation: the sex edition" game with the characters. I hope EVERYONE has gotten their shots.

jlk
 

wow, what a heartbreaking show,

the Dragon family were broken apart and thrown to the ground,
to suffer alone,
thought to be betrayed by the other.

Reina, who wore wedding dress white all week,
made love to the Dragon in a giant pile of wedding dress material,
so excited,
and what a wonderful dress she made,
to stand alone at the chapel,
again,

and then the call,
venganza complete.

Esmeeth, breaks the code she has lived and died by,
to be a mother,
only to be the prime betrayer,

Navier, following orders, thinking it best for all,
or should we now call him Nicolas Nunez,
as he told Victor, (and how does Vic make that steam come out of his ears)
stepping on a plane to leave forever,
on orders from Supremo,

with the one thing the Dragon has never been able to confront,
hurting the ones he loves.

 

Thanks, deb. I love your free verse comments.

So if it wasn't Esmeeth (and I believe her denial), who betrayed Navier and Reina? Estefi?

I noticed when Navier and Reina were having sex among the wedding dresses that Reina was uniformly tanned but Navier's skin was corpse white with only the faintest tan line on his arms. His skin did not show the slightest evidence of his many perils either. I guess all the scars are on the inside!


 

I just finished catching up and my be is on Rocky as the traidor.
 

PS recap will be up this afternoon. Discuss and let the theories (crockpot and otherwise) fly.
 

I just loved the scene at the end with Victor and Navier. I've already watched it a couple of times. Navier is so cold but you can tell he is dying inside. And Vic, as deb says, what he can express without saying a thing. I had forgotten that Victor didn't know that Navier is NN. If he hated Navier before, he really hates him now but he can't do anything and, of course, he has Reina.
 

Damn! Just watched my recording and of course the very end was cut off, so I didn't get to see the words come out of Navier's mouth about his real identity (just the lead up), or Vic's reaction. I really hope it's shown Monday!
 

Vivi- I'm sure they will show it again either as escenas anteriores or right at the beginning.

Here's a question - If Esmeeth cares so much about her son and wants to protect him, why did she get him into the spy business where he is in danger all the time? She could have gotten him out of prison and sent him to accountancy school or something. He could have even worked at the CIA - they have analysts who don't go on missions. But what fun would that be?
 

Jean,

Here's a question - If Esmeeth cares so much about her son and wants to protect him, why did she get him into the spy business where he is in danger all the time?

Just a rhetorical question, right? As you say, the alternative career paths would have been no fun at all (and probably unsuited for our Dragon) :D

What a sad episode! Of course the whole premise made no sense at all, as many of us have been saying all along: why get married at all? why wait a week? why change your attitude dramatically when so many pairs of eyes are watching you? The marriage plan was doomed from the start. The Dragon family should have slipped away quietly without sending up big Flaming Flares of Alarm.

Deb, you described the trail of heartbreak much better than I could. Ay Ay Ay!

And now Estefi has shown her claws -- "You can't kill Navier, but nothing's protecting Reina!" I can't wait until Navier learns that Estefanía is the source of all his travails, that she is as guilty as Victor, if not more so.

WHAT WAS ON BIG O'S CD FOR NAVIER?

And what's this about Camila being a MURDERER? Did she kill Christian's wife Mirta? Is this secret going to break up Greta and Laz?

This was the episode of HEARTACHE for all: Reina, Navier and Esmeeth, Susana and Juanjo, Connie and the suitors, and perhaps Greta and Laz.

Hey, Reinamaniacs, it may not always make sense, but no one can say it doesn't keep moving along!
 

Jean and Deb,

About the famous doctor --

He was supposed to be in Vegas one week after the tests were done on Reina. That would bring us to the present time. We should be meeting him on Monday or Tuesday, I imagine. We know the CIA has already falsified Reina's labwork. Perhaps they've got the doc on their side; or else they have an agent posing as the doc.

If we are left to assume that the hematologist has come and gone, then we know Telemundo is screwing us over big time. You can't set up a thing like that and then forget about it.

 

NovelaMaven, you are right the Dragon family should have just gotten into a car and driven away immediately. But the week's wait might be understandable. They had to wait for the passports and other papers to be forged and arrange untraceable transportation out of the country, since Javier's plane could be tracked. However, their changed behavior and all the rest you mentioned makes no more sense to me than it does to anyone else.

Penny
 

Good point, Penny. The Dragon Family had to wait for their new identities and Navier had to arrange transport. They couldn't leave immediately, though they could certainly have been more discreet about their plans; and if they needed to get married, they should have planned a private ceremony once they were safe somewhere far away (on Pluto, say).
 

Viernes Parte 1
Gonna be short and sweet today!

Reina tells Esmeeth they will let her know how they are doing and Navier reminds her that they will have to cut off all contact with everyone after they leave. Esmeeth hugs Navier and leaves. Reina hugs him and tells him she will cure all his wounds.

Estefy can't believe Victor is no naive. Victor informs her that he's had Reina's story checked out and that she really is sick. If she's not, she's going to wish she were! No one makes a fool out of him!

Love among the tulle.

Juanjo comes to Susanna's hotel room. She stood him up at the Salsa contest. He'd wanted to change the 13 they gave him, but then he thought that she would surely change the bad luck that usually went with it. She had a panic attack. He says they call that fear where he comes from. He thinks she's ashamed of him. He breaks up with her. He hopes she'll be happy and find someone she won't be ashamed of, but she won't find someone who loved her as much as he did.

Reina is ready for her doctor's appointment. Vic notices she's nervous. She says she's nervous about what the doctor is going to tell her. Vic assures her he'll ALWAYS be there for her; to watch her EVERY move. He's ALWAYS got his eyes on her. Reina asks Asuncion if she will do her a favor. Asuncion agrees immediately. Reina can count on her.

Juanjo tells Navier about his troubles with Susanna. When he asks Navier how things are with him, Navier cryptically responds by telling him he will never forget Laz or Juanjo. Juanjo figures out it's a goodbye. He asks Navier to take care of himself. He can't lose his friend twice.

Laz doesn't approve of Cristian or Izzy. Connie doesn't approve of Greata. Laz leaves in a huff. (I loved Connie's outfit in this episode.)

Cristian visits Greata. He asks her not to tell anyone what she knows. Greata informs him that he's too late. Laz already knows everything. Cristian asks if he knows that Camila is a killer. Does Greata want that to become public knowledge?

Navier comes to see Estefy. He knows he owes her big time. He asks her to watch her back. She wonders why he's telling her these things. What does she have to watch out for?
 

Viernes Parte 2
Yay! Theme song!

Navier just meant that he knows she has enemies. She tells him that it often seems like he knows more than it seems he should know. Estefy thinks this all sounds like a good bye. Navier says one never knows when a moment is "good bye" (ISBIS), but he wants her to know he loves (querer) her. Estefy assumes that he's just confused by circumstances. He's got this fortune, a new brother, and a woman that's destroying his soul, but Estefy knows he'll come back to her and she'll be waiting. Navier leaves and she calls Victor and alerts him. Navier just gave her want sounded suspiciously like a good bye. Vic better find Reina.

Reina is at Connie's and she's excited about getting ready for her secret boda.

Greata notices that Susanna looks apagada (subdued). Susanna brushes it off and Laz arrives to take her to the doctor. Greata tells him not to tell Connie about Cristian. She was exaggerating. Laz doesn't think so and he wants to know why Greata is back tracking.

Reina looks fabulous. I love the color of her bouquet. She's nervous. Connie wonders if this is the last time they'll see other. Reina tells her when she least expects it, she will surprise her.

Greata doesn't want Laz mad at her. He doesn't want her lying to him. She doesn't want to sully her sister's name or worry her mom. There are secrets she knows about Camila. Secrets she will take to her grave.

Reina arrives at the wedding "chapel". The groom has not arrived yet. She'll wait.
 

Viernes Parte 3
The wedding chapel officiant is getting antsy. Without a word he manages to convince Reina to call the groom and see what the delay is about. She gets no answer.

Asuncion drops Clara off at Connie's. She asks Connie to take care of Reina and Clara. They are everything to her.

Vic can't find Reina anywhere. Estefy just knows they are escaping together. Navier has money now, he can buy anyone. Vic reminds her that he has money, too and he hopes they wouldn't dare defy him. Lopez 2.0 whispers in Estefy's ear.

Reina receives a call from Navier. He's not coming. This is the end of the story that started more than eight years before. That was his plan. Make her fall in love. Drive her wild...and then leave her at the altar like she did to him. This is his revenge, Reina Ortiz!
 

Viernes parte 4
FELS tells Navier he did the right thing and asks him why he didn't tell him what he was up to. Navier tells him he didn't want to hear what he had to say. Navier's phone rings. It's Reina. FELS takes the phone and pockets it. He tells Navier that he saved Reina from hell.

Flashback
FELS stops Navier on his way to what we assume is the wedding. FELS tells Navier that he found out what he was up to and that he will not put up with betrayal. Navier asks him if he's going to kill him. No, but he's going to definitively put an end to his relationship with Reina. Navier is going to record a lovely little good-bye message or Reina will end up in jail. Reina probably didn't tell Navier that FELS had broken into (allanar) her shop and found those diamonds. It would be a shame if FELS were to open up that investigation again. Reina would go to jail and Navier knows what jail is like. Worse, Reina would be apart from Clarita. And poor Clarita! She's got that congenital heart problem and she would be stuck with the less than caring Victor. Navier reluctantly climbs into the car with FELS.

Esmeeth asks about the jefe and where he is. She is surprised to hear he is with Bolivar.

A deflated Reina arrives at Connie's. She tells Connie "Se vengó."

FELS tells Navier he will depart for Europe to investigate Octavio de Rosas business dealings. He tells Navier that he wasn't meant for romantic escapes. He's been trained (adieastrado) for the most dangerous missions. He's the best agent they have.

Reina tells Connie Navier just wanted to make her suffer.

FELS tells Navier that in a few hours he'll be taking a private flight. Navier asks FELS to take care of Reina and Clara. FELS says he can consider it done. Esmeeth enters. Navier wrongly assumes she betrayed him.

Estefy gives Vic the information on Navier's private flight to Belgium. Vic is impressed with the info...but not so impressed with Izzy's. Estefy reminds him he can't kill Javier, but he can kill Reina.

Esmeeth says she didn't betray him and FELS asks if she know about Navier's plan. Navier tells them to cut the theatre. They are both the same: Robots. Incapable of feeling. They can't love anyone. FELS assures Navier that Esmeeth was not the whistle blower. It was someone else.

Navier doesn't believe them. She is the same woman who was capable of abandoning him for all those years and then pulling him out of jail and turning him into what he is. What was he worth? A medal? Praise? A higher position? Esmeeth turns and says she aspired to be a mom for the first time, but she failed.
 

Viernes Parte 5
Connie thinks that one good thing has come out of this: Reina can now leave Vic. Reina tells her she can't. Connie tells her Clara won't be the first child to grow up with separated parents. There's a knock at the door. Reina hides. She can't face anyone. It's Juanjo. He's destroyed. Reina shows herself. Your friend has given me the final blow. Tell him he's succeeded. He's destroyed me and I'm never going to recover.

Navier says goodbye to Rocky (I still think he's sketchy.) FELS arrives and Navier says he's willing to follow orders...but he doesn't like to travel alone.

He is taken to the private jet and Victor arrives. Vic wants to know if he's traveling alone. Navier tells him no, but it's not with Reina...even though she's the woman he's loved more than anyone in his life.

Reina has to confront her destiny. She calls Vic.

Vic always knew Navier loved Reina, but he's surprised he told him. Navier thought it was the moment to show all his cards. Vic says so you've shown me that ace up your sleeve. Navier tells him no. He's going to keep that hidden. Reina's call interrupts their metaphoric musings.

Reina tells Vic she couldn't return his calls. He tells her he was looking for her everywhere and managed to run into Navier. He's with him know. Vic asks if she wants to say good bye to him. She tells him yes. Ask Navier to wait. She's on her way.

Navier seems anxious to leave. Vic tells him he'll get Reina over his dead body (hmm. Awkward sentence. Sorry.) Navier tells Vic not to tempt him. Vic hopes Navier never comes back. He's been a thorn in his side ever since he came into his life. Ha! Navier tells Vic "you don't even realize when I came into your life. You can't even imagine who I am!"

FELS berates Esmeeth for betraying him. Esmeeth admits it and says she'd do it again. FELS can't understand because he doesn't have kids. She's given everything to the job, but she's not going to give up her child's life.

Navier thinks it would be a bit much to hug, but they can shake hands. He turns to leave, but comes back. He's decided to show Vic all his cards. He wants Vic to say goodbye to him knowing that he came into his life not months ago, but years ago--when he sent men to kill him. When he took his life, his wedding and his woman. When you took the one thing that meant the most to me. Do you know who I am? I am Nicolas Nuñez!
 

Ok. I need some clarification. Why on earth did Vic every get involved with Reina to begin with. I've forgotten and it's fuzzy now.
 

Also, is there anyone who wants to share Fridays? That way I don't have to do two recaps EVERY Friday.
 

Sara,

I'd be delighted to share Fridays with you -- I love writing about this show!
 

Sara,

How did Victor get involved with Reina in the first place?

He found out she was the woman that NN was going to marry, the woman for whom NN had jilted his poor daughter Camila and driven said daughter to suicide -- or so he believed. He sought her out in order to hurt her. Remember how he approached her in that church where she was weeping over NN's death and he told her he had just lost a daughter?
 

Ah! That's right!!

And thanks for sharing Fridays! Do you want to take next Friday? I really appreciate it. I'm doing two a week for La Gata (and sometimes I'm putting up some things on Wednesday's) and also Reina. Plus I'm trying to keep up with one on TV Chile and I have to check out Sra Acero and Los Mis.

I love recapping, but I HATE when I have to be a little late with a recap.

 

Sara,

I can do next Friday or any Friday when you are in a time crunch.

[Guys, I don't want to be a recap hog. If someone else has time and wants to alternate Fridays with Sara, speak up!]

Thank you so much for the recap. It turned out to be not so short and rather bittersweet. Excellent!

Reading through it, I'm impressed by Navier's round of goodbyes -- he did everything but rent a blimp announcing the Farewell Tour of the Dragon Family!

I can see why you're suspicious of Rocky, but I hope you're wrong. I want very much to continue liking Rocky...

Reina gave Esmeeth a spontaneous hug and then Esmeeth turned around and hugged her boy, maybe for the first time. And he stood there like a statue. So sad.

I hope Esmeeth and Reina can turn to each other, although I'm sure FELS will do what he can to keep that from happening.
 

Thanks to all the recappers. I have finally caught up to you all this morning. I started about 3 weeks ago after reading some of your early postings about this TN.

So imagine the whiplash that I have after watching (via Youtube and Telemundo’s website) all the episodes in about 3 weeks. I’ll be glad for a breather of a couple of days, because I have to be honest – I’m not really loving the way they are developing and separating the leads, nor am I loving the Nicolas/Javier character especially his treatment of Reina and Smeeth. He is incredibly unsympathetic, but, of course, wonderful to look at.

I like that this is a fasting moving show, but there have been so many switch ups and false declarations of love (yes, some are true but those are clouded in so much mystery) that I can see why many viewers left the show, for me it isn’t fun to see the lead character constantly tortured by not knowing who to trust (no one) nor when someone is telling her the truth (rarely). I think it might have been a good idea for the writer(s) to have thrown out a few twists and slowed up the pacing a bit.

I have noticed on the recent episodes, they are starting with a replay of the high points from previous episodes. I only noticed this very occasionally before. I wonder if this is a bid to keep those of us that have stuck with the show?

I will make it to the end, as we are about half way there, but for me it’s getting harder and harder to care about what’s happening especially with the way the character of Nicolas/Javier is acting. I know we are in for a happy reconciliation between Navier/Smith and Navier/Reina, but by the time we get there will I care? Perhaps, if they interject some of the humor that were in the earlier episodes? It’s nice to know that the whole show is in the can, and they will not be adding filler to pad the length. I know many will be outraged by this, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them cutting out some of the various machinations of the characters and just getting us to the happy ending!

I guess now I will be a pariah on Carey, Carey, but I hope the show surprises me in a good way and very soon.

 

Brava, Sara!

A heartbreaker of an episode, but you managed to make it into a winner, ending on an upbeat note. Great recap--it was just right, though bittersweet.

Three cheers for Navier, who put several of his rivals and opponents square in the cross-hairs of his vitriol. Will we be calling him Nicolas from now on?

I felt worst for Smeeth, who never got a chance to tell Nicolas that she saved his life by abandoning him. (Should we add this to the Perils of the Dragon?)

Is this worthy of Vivi's mystery list? Thanks to BDO's curiosity, how he got the name Nicolas, is it what Smeeth gave him or someone in the orfanato?

And, who squealed on the couple to FELS? If Smeeth swore it wasn't she, then the only ones with suspicions and motive were Stefi and Vic. My money is on Vic. Fernando San Juan was interested "in doing a little business" together and Vic might have shared that little bit of info.

Gotta love this show!

 

...he did everything but rent a blimp announcing the Farewell Tour of the Dragon Family!

Ha!! Thanks for the laugh!
 

NM--Bittersweet....I swear I didn't copy.
 

Hi Miguel in SD!!!
Wow! I admire your stamina!! I can't imagine such a high dose of Reina! I'm a lightweight I fear.

I agree with you about the light humor. I wish they would bring some of that back.

And I definitely share your opinion about filler. I hate it. I don't mind TNs that are short and to the point. I can't wait for the happy ending either.

Navier has been awfully cruel to Esmeeth, but perhaps I am just seeing it from her point of view.
 

Miguel in SD--Thanks for joining the Reinamaniacs. Are you a seasoned telenovela watcher?

If you care to share, are you in San Diego or South Dakota!!!

Welcome. Please continue to comment, we need additional viewpoints.


 

Upon further thought, I should add to my screed above, if they kill off Smith before her happy ending (I would say very probably in this TN), then I think that I might just have to bail on this one. I don’t think, I’ll be able to make it to the end.
 

Miguel in SD-
1. I love the word "screed".
2. Is your comment about a possible Esmeethicide a conjecture? Gawd I hope so! I would hate that too!
 

Anita,

NM--Bittersweet....I swear I didn't copy.

I believe you. Me, I never swear -- unless I'm lying.
[sound familiar?]
 

Miguel en SD,

A pariah on CarayCaray? Hardly! We're glad you're commenting and happy to hear alternative opinions.

I can't resist saying that as much as I love Breyer's all-natural strawberry ice cream, if I ate a quart in one sitting, I might be rethinking my dessert preferences, at least in the short term. :-)

As Sara has said, watching all those episodes in three weeks shows real stamina. I suspect that binge-watching may color a person's reaction to a show. Ah, what do I know?
 

Sara, don't feel bad about posting late on a weekend. It mitigates withdrawl symptoms between Friday night and Monday night.

NM & Sara--I wouldn't mind trying my hand at a Friday once in awhile, if you get bogged down. I'll be gone for 3 Fridays in October and will need time to catch up, but I'm free next Friday, the 19th, the 26th and Oct 3.
 

Anita and Sara,

How about this:

Anita: 9/19

Sara: 9/26

Anita: 10/3

I can fill in if needed. [It IS nice to have a recap posted early-ish on Saturday when we can manage it.]
 

I'm game for 9/19 and 10/3.

Thanks for trusting me. I'll do my best to come through. Sometimes I don't understand every phrase, its impact or importance because I don't use CC's. Subtitles always distract me from the action and anyway, I have no clue on how to turn the CC's on.
 

Sounds great!

Anita- find CCs distracting as well.
 

Anita,

Thanks so much! Of course we trust you!

I go back and forth on CC's. When I'm recapping, I like to use the Spanish captions just to make sure I'm not leading you all down the garden path (though that happens anyway). But sometimes, the dialog is too fast for captions and I can HEAR faster than I can read; in those cases, I have to turn them off.

And sometimes -- especially with Univision shows -- the CC's are worse than useless, trailing the spoken word by a few seconds or anticipating it by a scene or two.

Of course the occasional howlers in the CC's are fun too (well, if you have that kind of mind -- you know).

On the other hand, I sometimes use English CC's when I'm watching British shows on TV. I hate missing words.
 

Welcome Miguel in SD. I know you watch En Otra Piel as well.

I agree with my fellow Reinamaniacs - let your binge digest a little bit.

I'm totally besotted with this novela as you might have guessed. I usually watch each episode several times and I see a little bit more each time but you don't have to do that to enjoy Reina.

I know there isn't as much humor as there was at the beginning but there is enough. Just watching Soler and Siachoque play off each other makes this worth watching by itself. Don't worry about the plot. The writers, so far anyway, have tied up most of the loose ends even if we forget how they got loose. If you have a question, we'll be happy to answer it for you. We love speculating about what is going on too.
 

I'm on my cell phone for the next few days so sorry for typos and short answers.

Sara,
Yes, it was a bit of a chore but the beginning episodes were a delight and I found myself watching 3 or 4 in an evening. (Yo sé ... soy Miguel y soy un addicto de Reina de Corazones.). They were so fun and over the top - a guillotine, a meat locker with cadavers, injecto 3000! What a great time. The last couple of weeks seemed to have lost the fizz and over the topness. Probably about when Big O appeared.

And I know nothing about what's to come. I've only watched the US shown episodes. So I don't know what happens to Smith. Purely thinking about the amount of killings there have been to date, and I would hate for that to happen to Smith without at least resolving something's with Navier. For some reason, Smith is my favorite character - really like what Laura Flores is doing with the role. Every time something doesn't work out for her, I kind of flinch. For some reason, I'm really empathetic to her plight and want a good resolution with her son.

So much for a short answer.
 

Anita,

I've watched several from beginning to end. I think my first was Una Maid en Manhattan. I usually watch Telemundo shows, I've tried a couple on Univision but dropped them after a week or two. Right now, I'm watching 3 - Reina, En Otra Piel, and Mi Corazon es Tuyo (but I'm a few weeks behind on this one). I tend to get behind and binge watch to catch up. I guess I'm a bit shallow, but there seems to be more eye candy on Telemundo. ;)

Oh, and I'm in San Diego.
 

NovelaMaven,

Thanks for not kicking me out of the Reinamaniacs! You guys are probably right, so many intense episodes in such a short period time is bound to wear down even the most spirited of TN watchers. Dark doesn't really bother me, I think I'm one of the few that made it through El Rostro de la Venganza (and actually liked it).

Not sure that I followed the ice cream analogy as I believe I could eat a half gallon of ice cream in one evening, especially strawberry - one of my favorites. ;) just kidding - of course my waistline says otherwise.
 

Sara, thank you for the recap! I really liked "Love among the tulle. ". :-)

Hubby's convention is winding down and hopefully I'll start to get caught up on episodes tomorrow night, after we get home. Yay!

Interesting that the idea of Esmeerh getting killed off has come up, because I've had the same foreboding. I keep having some sort of deathbed reconciliation in my imagination, mostly because the hope of warm & fuzzy between her and Nicolas seems impossible.
It's a crockpot theory, but time will tell.
 

Welcome Miguel in SD. If you are a pariah, then I am too, because you just very articulately expressed some points that I had speculated about last week.

I love the fast pace and complexity of this novela, but then I have always loved tangled mysteries. Some people don't like complicated mysteries. For them, the constant switches may just be frustrating and baffling.

And I agree there our star crossed lovers Reina and Nicholas have had very little happy time together. From the first episode they were torn apart. That too may frustrate some people.

I also agree with what you and some other commenters on this blog have said: it's past time Reina stopped believing that she did all the terrible things people tell her she did. Her horror at hearing these things and her belief that she should be punished for them should tell her that unless she had some sort of multiple personality disorder, those acts are just not in her character.

But please stick with us and Reina anyway, Miguel. I think our happily ever after will be well worth the wait.

p.s. I really doubt they'll kill Smith. Too much of a downer. I see the reconciliation of Smith and Javier as part of our happily ever after.

Penny
 

Jean,

Thanks for your welcome over in Reinalandia. I, also, am enjoying the scenes with Stefi and Victor, especially those between the two if them. I have to say the actress playing Stefi (spelling) is wonderful. She is doing great work in what could be very unsympathetic part. I'm, also, really enjoying Paula Nuñez (also spelling?) as Reina. Eugenio Siller is wonderful to look at (and I really don't want anyone else in the role), but his range seems to consist of wet eyed ardent lover and steely agent with little in between. Somehow it works for the part, though.
 

dynamite recap Sara!
and spanish words as a bonus...

I love how your recaps are late,
first, they are well worth the wait,
second, it strings out the comments over the weekend.

ah, so once again we are sitting at a poker table,
Nicolas has laid down his hand,
(does Victor fold, not likely)
and when they met before across the table,
Estefi declined to play, but stood back,
where she could see everyone's cards.

 

TELEMUNDO... independence.

MIAMI - September 11, 2014 - The Telemundo special "Viva Mexico ... El Grito" will broadcast live from Mexico City's Zocalo on Monday, September 15 at 11:58 PM / 10: 58C. Produced by News Telemundo and hosted by acclaimed actress / singer Laura Flores,

I've come to like this lady.

 

Penny,

I sure hope you are right. It would be a major downer to kill off Smith.

A question, you you think we'll see Frank Marino again? I know he was supposedly killed by Smith, but I keep thinking it was him that killed Reina's evil step mother. For a while I thought is might have been FELS, but now that he is mixing it up with Delfina. I don't think it was him. Of course, it could have been Big O, but somehow I feel like Frank Marino will be back.
 

Above question should start, "Do you think ..."
 

Miguel in SD. I was wondering the same thing about Frank Marino. Telemundo publicity made such a big deal about Gabrial Coronel's appearance in the telenovela and he disappeared after a week. I think he's coming back too, though how or why I don't know. Maybe as the third son of Big O, LOL.

Penny
 

Sara- thank you for the fine recap. As many others have commented, this was a heartbreaking episode, but you did justice by it.

NovelaMaven explained how Reina and Victor got together but what I am wondering is why are they still together? Why is Victor so obsessed with keeping her?

After all, he clearly found out years ago that Nicholas Nunez had nothing to do with his daughter's suicide. He killed all of the 13 people at the party with her. But he has never given up Reina despite the fact that apparently for years has made it clear that she doesn't love him.

I still go back to his late great Maestro's comment about the red diamonds releasing Victor from his torment (whatever the torment is). My crockpot theory is that somehow there's a connection between keeping Reina and being able to use the red diamonds. Hopefully we'll find out soon if that is true and what that connection is.

Penny
 

I also think that Gabriel Coronel might return unless that was part of the story that was axed when the prodution was shortened. The reason I think so are the things already mentioned and something that Coronel said when he talking to the daughter of the doctor that he was holding hostage. He said something like, "Your father must really love you. I wish mine had loved me that way." People don't say things like that on novelas unless it means something. It seems likely that Fico is someone's son. Let's hope we find out.
 

Thank you, Sara. The recap was definitely worth the wait!

Welcome, Miguel!

The whole 8 years of not much happening doesn't make sense to me. Reina only realized Vic (and Big O) was a bad guy just in the last year, after FELS found/planted those diamonds in her boutique and made her become a spy.

Does that mean for 7 years she lived with Vic and his family and never had a clue that Vic was a bad guy? Really? When she came back with amnesia he could barely go one day before the sliminess and controlling behavior started. No way he kept up the Mr. Nice act for 7+ years. And did they become engaged before or after she became a spy? After she got on her feet financially, there should have been no reason for her to keep living in Vic's house, since we know she never slept with him. I just don't get it.

As for why Vic held on to her even after he found out NN had nothing to do with Camila's death, I figure he just became obsessed with the woman who could not be seduced or corrupted by him. Vic hates not getting his way.
 

Vivi- The 8 years don't really make sense except that the writers wanted a child who was old enough to bond with the Dragon. BUT at one point, Asunción told Reina that Victor had made her life a living hell so it clearly wasn't all sunshine and roses living with Victor for 8 years. He probably invested in her business and may have controlled it. Who knows.
 

I've always had the impression that Reina's business was financed by Vic. I assume that by the time Reina figured out what Vic was like, she was in too deep.
 

Yes. Reina's business was financed by Victor. But was that really enough to keep her living in his house all those years before they were married, and not contacting her old friends to get some help or at least talk about her situation?
 

I will soon put my beanie back on, but the number of years it took for Reina to take action just bugs me.
 

Clara did have that congenital heart problem. The surgeries/therapies for that could have eaten up a few years.
 

More flashbacks would help clear all this up. The writers seem to be pretty good at not keeping us in the dark too long.

Like all of you, I want to know:

How did Asuncion end up in the De Rosa's house and how is it she is Reina's mother and who was that "special" father.

Why did Asuncion allow so much time to go by before telling Reina she was her mother (on the day before her wedding to Victor). She would have been a good ally for Reina, unless she didn't want to reveal who the dad was.

Sara--We've all pushed the congenital heart problem into the background, but you may have something there. Reina always wanted to do things on her own, independently and probably felt indebted to Victor. OTOH, her successful bridal boutique business would have long ago paid Victor back.

Vivi--Victor went to a lot of trouble to keep her away from her old friends and her old neighborhood. He had OBD and Carmen to keep the venom flowing both ways.

It just HAS to have to do more with the red diamonds and the fact that she is named Reina.

We all talked about this long ago, but WHY did FELS and Smeeth send Navier to Reina's wedding to Victor--or did THEY send him? We haven't had any more hints. Someone must have known he would be there and someone must have known that Reina would run out of the church when she saw him. Someone had to have had the car at the ready to run her down and WHO was the sniper on the roof that Navier saw later.

(Sí, yo también soy una adicta. Me llamo Anita y estoy plenamente loca por Reina. Soy incapaz de resistir.)

 

Currently at ORD/o'Hare on layover and checking the posts here. But I can quit any time. Really . . .

Anita, IIRC, Esmeeth sent Navier to Reinas wedding. I have vague memory of some later convo in Esmeeeth's (LOL-my iPhone has her name in the autocorrect) office.
 

Drat, Doris. There are 10 weeks to cover, but I'll start looking. I can't quit anytime soon.
 

...but do we know WHY she sent him? ...well...here's lookin'.
 

Finally Home! Yay!

Anita - I don't think we ever figured out WHY Esmeeth sent Navier, if she indeed did send him (and that's if my memory is serving me correctly). It is one of the unanswered mysteries, like the sniper on the roof of the church.
 

Welcome back, Doris!

Let's see what it looks like when we put together what we recently learned from FELS with what happened at the beginning of the novela.

1. FELS blackmailed Reina into getting evidence against Victor for a year before she married Victor.'

2. FELS expected her to give him the evidence and not go through with the marriage.

3. Reina did not give him the evidence and she goes through with the wedding.

4. The day of the wedding Navier reports to Esmeeth, gets a new identity and immediately goes to the church.

5. Reina sees him in the church, runs out and is hit by a car.

6. Navier's assignment is to somehow use his desire for revenge against Reina to investigate Victor's diamond trafficking activities with possible ties to terrorism. The CIA knows but does not tell him:
a. about Reina's previous work for FELS;
b. that Reina did not betray him or order his murder;
c. that Clarita is his daughter; or
d. that Victor is his half brother.

At this point, Navier knows about d. He has been told b by Esmeeth but without telling him that it was Estefi who lied to him. He still does not know about a or c.

Navier knows that Estefi is the Queen of Diamonds but he hasn't told anyone at the CIA.

Does it make sense? Not really but it's fun.
 

Anita and Jean- Thanks for taking a look back. I only half paid attention to the early episodes, so I never did know why Navier was sent to Reina's wedding. I guess it wasn't really clear from the beginning either. I still don't know why Smith, Rocky and FELS can't just come straight out and tell Navier that Reina didn't betray him, Stefi is a liar, and Clara is his daughter. It's not like he's been acting with a clear/cool head in regards to these three women in his life anyway.
 

Jean--This is a great memory stick for us.

One of the things that FELS and Smeeth didn't count on was Reina's accident and inconveniently (but not for the story) losing her memory.

At the moment the wedding took place, Reina had NOT lost her memory.

Even with a new identity, Reina would have recognized Nicolas.

Maybe he was sent there to stop the wedding.

Fels & Smeeth must have counted on her reaction to seeing him after thinking him dead to bring them together, then use Navier's feelings of betrayal and desire for vengeance to get the goods on Victor. Maybe it was as much getting the goods on Reina's "betrayal," too.

By the time of the wedding, Big O. (unless he was lying through his teeth) had given Reina the two Red Diamonds and the CIA knew she was deviating from the mission (Or, am I GETTING IN TOO DEEP).

All in all, not a very well thought out plan by masterminds. I guess robots do not take true love into consideration. Reina and Navier couldn't help falling in love again and complicated the mission.
 

I might need to edit (d) above in my list about what the CIA knew but didn't tell Navier.

Obviously, Esmeeth knew that Vic and Navier are half siblings but I don't think anyone else at the CIA knew officially. I went back and looked at the recap for Monday in week 7 in which Esmeeth received two anonymous emails, the first one of which asked, "WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF EVERYONE KNEW THAT YOU AND OCTAVIO
HAD A SON?" and the second was the verse from The Return of Martin Fierro about the brothers uniting.

We don't know who sent those emails. The obvious suspect is FELS. But it seems clear that unlike the other items on the list, the fact that Navier is Vic's half brother was not in the official file of information on this case.
 

We also don't know *why* Reina was marrying Victor. The opening scene had a cryptic voice-over where she said people marry for reasons other than love, IIRC, thus giving us the opening to our story. If she was working with the CIA, something made her change her mind and we're going to have to wait it out. Ack.
 

I seriously hope the writers of this telenovela haven't had any Post-It notes fall off the story board. I like loose ends that are tied up by the Gran Fin.
 

I seriously hope the writers of this telenovela haven't had any Post-It notes fall off the story board. I like loose ends that are tied up by the Gran Fin.

Hear hear!!