Caray, Caray!

Thanks Vivi, thanks so much for writing this so soon after the tn ended. I find myself liking the recaps better because it includes the side remarks. Such as when Este's note says who could ever be upset w Acacia and you very correctly admitted several among us in the audience. Sooo funny.
Anyways, Acacia's hugs are full frontal body hugs. She is torturing him, not defending Este but those are not paternal hugs. Not being gross, but since Este is so passionate and he is so tiltilated by her, it makes me wonder how she cannot feel his "excitement"? Those are very close embraces, and I noticed she cools it with those tight full body hugs when Chris is around. How about that pitiful sad shot of Ale in the back of the truck as it was driving sway?
 

Thank you, Vivi, awesome recap, as always!
That was some escape last night! I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Ale gets caught. She did manage to leave the hacienda territory, but I'm afraid she just got herself into more trouble in town.

Novella Lover - YES to everything you said! Esteban is already a horny dog; Acacia throwing himself at him all the time IS NOT helping him stay faithful. His mind is still struggling with it, but I, too have to wonder about his body's reactions to all those close hugs and how in the world Acacia can't feel anything! Is she that innocent? (ahem)

 

HAHAHA, Vivi, I'm only now noticing your title. You took the words right out of my mouth.
Acacia is in dire need of some trousers, some sweat pants to be more precise (you just know her choice of clothing would be very skinny jeans).

Talking about character ages (following up on yesterday's comments):
I suspected that Esteban was younger than Cristina (since he was only a simple peon when the show first started, while she was already married and had a 12 year-old child). But I didn't know about the 10 years age difference. That does put things in perspective. Falling for the mature, gorgeous woman when you're young and inexperienced and pinning over the sexy young skimpy dress wearing vixen when you're older and NOT wiser. MEN!!!

Quick math: Cristina had Acacia soon after she got married, which she did right out of college. Acacia is now 18, that would make Cristina early 40's and Esteban 35 tops. Christian Meier is 44, old enough to make the ick factor stand out. I think they kind of went overboard with the gray hair, did they think we wouldn't get the big age difference between Esteban and Acacia?
Sure the actors aren't that far apart in age (I think Ariadne is about 28), so I don't mind seeing them get down and dirty, if this ever happens. Of course it will be shocking to see because of the story in itself, but I do wonder how their chemistry will be like.
Am I wrong for wanting this to happen? At this point I think Cristina deserves so much better than the daughter and the husband that she has (if Acacia ever falls for Esteban's charms openly).

I've been also wondering if we are to expect a time jump at some point. Every once in a while they keep mentioning Acacia going to college (she's having quite a big summer break, don't you think?). Luisa needs to finish cooking school, Manuel needs to fix his hand (and his character, but that's another story), Ale needs to find a new life for her wherever she ends up. Most importantly, Acacia needs to grow up (not only age wise). Maybe if we stop seeing her as such a clueless baby a hookup with Esteban would make more sense.
 

Thanks, Vivi. I also enjoyed the comments by Adriana Noel and Novella lover concerning those warm hugs.
 

Thanks for the early comments Novella lover, Adriana, and Susanlynn.

Novella lover- You are not the only one who has wondered if Acacia's hugs have had immediate, and detectable, effect on Este.

Adriana- Yes. Ale might have just jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. First off, Dan isn't the one running the San Jacinto brothel anymore, and I doubt she'll be able to get in touch with many of the working girls there or get them to testify against Dan. Second, Dan's old bosses are still really ticked that she stole their merchandise. She's got a target on her back!
 

Yesterday we were running a day long training session for our students on a local college campus. The name of the restaurant next to the building we were in was Acacia Cafe. I couldn't help but smile.
 

Vivi, “He Should Have Given Her Pants” - perfection. Your endless creativity never fails to impress me. This was simply splendid.

"(Hey, maybe they’ll have a pajama party, like the girls…except they should be shirtless!" - ahhh, if only! ;)

"Then he realizes that Manuel’s one good hand is perfectly capable of dialing a phone, and makes him do it" and "the small town version of FedEx-Kinkos" were only a sampling of my favorite lines.

"Uli eyes him suspiciously". I am having a difficult time fathoming that Uli is the only person who is wary of the fawning, obsequious Danilo. I am hoping that he and German will concoct a plan. Cris is usually very intuitive and of course, Esteban is so consumed with dealing with his inappropriate feelings for Acacia, he is hardly thinking clearly. What a mess.

I also find it difficult to accept that Ale left without any food or money (she appeared to be famished and dehydrated). I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Danilo to see her - yes, the writers are certainly toying with us.

The woman who recognized Ale was the one who was there when she managed to leave the first time. German is certainly not the only one who had a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day". Sigh.

And Vivi, Arturo is hitting it out of the park, isn't he? Loved the business cards and the fact he had some done for Rosa. A smart man.

"Rubio listens unhappily from the doorway and fondles his machete". In his own way, Rubio is as obsessed with Luisa as much as Este is with Acacia. Perhaps that is why he understands what Este is going through as well. I am very afraid for Arturo if his relationship with Luisa crosses over from the friend zone.

Novella lover, "Acaia's hugs are full frontal body hugs". You are so right - excellent point.

Adriana Noel, "Manuel needs to fix his hand (and his character, but that's another story)" was great.

Danilo is almost feverish in his desperation to get Ale back. Why are we the only ones noticing??

Vivi, thank you for another fine recap. You've made my day.


Diana
 

Vivi, "Acacia Cafe"??

What a happy coincidence!

Diana
 

Diana-I always love your comments, amiga.

I think Ale had some weird thing about not taking what isn't hers, hence not taking any food or drink with her from Benavente. I hope she was able to take some of her pay, but I'm guessing Norb took most of it for her rent, and didn't give her her final check after he fired her. All in all, I don't think this escape was well planned. She just ran on instinct and fear, like a cornered deer.

I'm hoping that more people become suspicious of Dan's sketchy story. Cris' very first gut reaction to him was distrustful. But she's also a very fair person and believes in giving everyone a chance until they prove to deserve your distrust. Dan helping with her education project further put her guard down.

I can't believe Acacia wouldn't question if Dan isn't the abuser Ale mentioned had shown up in town, since Ale never mentioned him to her as an old friend.
 

The more I think about how Art is handling Rosa and Luisa, the more impressed I am. Not only is he creating the opportunity for him and Luisa to get to know each other and share in a common passion, he's also allowing Rosa to get to know him, AND helping to heal the rift between Rosa and Luisa by including Rosa in a piece of Luisa's new/future life. It's just brilliant. It also wasn't lost on Rosa that he was rushing back to Uli's house to cook dinner for his mom and Andres who were driving down to eat with him and his brother. How long before Rosa herself starts telling Luisa she better snap that boy up, before someone else does?
 

Vivi, yes, one of the most frustrating things (of many) is that Ale didn't tell Acacia her captor and abuser was Danilo.

And Cris is staying true to character as you noted by giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I can't begin to put myself in Ale's position but "cornered deer" is right. I would imagine her fear and desperation overtook any practical planning she might have done. But really, everything that can go wrong is. For both Ale and German.

Diana
 

Vivi, "Not only is he creating the opportunity for him and Luisa to get to know each other and share in a common passion, he's also allowing Rosa to get to know him, AND helping to heal the rift between Rosa and Luisa by including Rosa in a piece of Luisa's new/future life. It's just brilliant. It also wasn't lost on Rosa that he was rushing back to Uli's house to cook dinner for his mom and Andres who were driving down to eat with him and his brother".

This needs to be added to your recap Vivi. Some of Arturo's honest ingenuity was lost on me, but thankfully not to you. Wow.

Diana
 

Aww, thanks Diana. But I try not to include too many of my own opinions on the motivations of the characters in the recap. That's what the fun of the comments discussions are for! I might go back and note that Art mentioned Andres and Carmen arriving to Uli's that evening, since that means German and his bio dad may be under the same roof that very evening!
 

Done. I added the bit about Art leaving to cook for Andres and Carmen.

Will German and Andres continue to feel the call of the blood as they hang out in close proximity? How will Juliana react? How will Manuel react when he learns German is staying with his rival?
 

Estebone ? sorry..I Could not help myself.... novela lover started it.
 

Susanlynn- You bad girl! Now, let's see how I can work that into a future recap...;-)
 

Susanlynn- Your comment disappeared again! I hope you didn't erase it because you though it was too saucy.

For those who missed it, Susanlynn suggested Estebone as a nickname...:)
 

Susanlynn: Good one! You go girl! ;)

Diana
 

Vivi – Your title is a knock-out. Thanks for a thoroughly delightful recap. There are so many great lines I could call out, but I loved the deadpan of this one:

Norb's plan consists of yelling and threatening the capataz to get it all done, regardless of the lack of any real management of the hacienda.

I agree that in real life Acacia would notice her tight clenches are causing a bio reaction in Esteban. But the innocence in Acacia’s face and those delicate feathery eyelashes that costuming has fitted her with make me think Viewerville is supposed to believe that Acacia is totally clueless to what she's feeling (inside and outside).

Sometimes mothers have to have a gentle talk with their adolescent girls to let them know they are now beyond the age of, say, running and jumping in a dad's or uncle’s lap. It’s time for Cris to set that kind of boundary with Acacia.

One thing that's bugging me is if/when Cris realizes the mutual attraction between her husband and daughter, she may blame herself for not being a good mother. She's already feeling bad about letting Acacia stay with her gramps for years. As others have said, it’s the mother-daughter relationship that I don’t want to see ruined. If the marriage goes down the tubes, so be it.

I got the feeling that folks were starting to get suspicious of Danilo when there was that awkward silence after he said he had known Acacia from before.

I'm interested in every storyline at this point. Kudos to the writers.

Susanlynn - Too funny.
 

Estebone!!! LOOOOOL Susanlynn, you rock!
No need to erase that. That should go in our permanent Caray Caray records.

 

VIvi..no..I did not erase it. I hate my iPad. Ever since I did the update , it erases most of my comments.
 

Brilliant title, brilliant recap, Vivi! My faves: the shirtless pajama party, viewerville’s mini-heart attack, and Acacia “leaving a discombobulated Este in her wake.”

And I’m loving the comments too. Estebone! All this reminds me of that Mae West line “Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you glad to see me?”

Yesterday there were comments about obsession, with some commenters wondering if by now Acacia’s being such an immature little snot at times wouldn’t have cooled Esteban’s jets.

I’m thinking that this show takes on a very uncomfortable topic: obsessive lust. We have two men suffering from it, one evil (Dan) and one good (Este). I don’t count Rubio because he probably actually likes Louisa for herself along with any lustful feelings he might have.

When I watch all this, I think of all the stories we hear of marriages and families destroyed, and careers, sometimes political careers, destroyed as well by this kind of blind sexual obsession which drives people to do things they know very well are wrong. I’m sure that very often the luster looks around at the wreckage a few years later wonders what the hell he/she was thinking. But of course, they weren’t thinking.
 

Maggie- I just loved your whole comment. Really profound thoughts on obsessive lust, the damage it does to people and families, and the aftermath.

Isn't it interesting that it's the older men who seem to have so little control of their passions. While most of the younger men (German, Uli, Art) are shown to be very respectful, patient, and in control of their sexual urges with the same young women the older men are salivating over.
 

Vivi, yes the title went over my head lady might, now I see what a great point you made. She sorely needs a set of bottoms, just like Juliana needs her knitted top finished off. Susanlynn, Estebone is perfection, I know I gonna be laffing everytime Estebon makes an ppearance from now on. Hmmm, though I kinda like Manuel only because he loves German. I cant help but wonder how his parents buying him a video arcade is supposed to now make him suitable for Acacia??? He is very much like "happy days", a little kid at heart. Immature and spoiled, wait, maybe he is perfect for Ms. Pout. One more thing, dont forget the time Estebone and Miss Innocent went out of town to talk to angry client about cotton cancelled delivery that after much rubbing, I mean hugging, at one if their hotel rooms, after their goodnights, both were in their own room fighting urges to go to the others room. Luckily they didn't act on it, but like Rubio says "theres desire between both of you". I will not forget that and buy that Acacia is little girl and she doesnt know better. Better name for her would be "Lolita."

Oh, Yes May West's line was very appropriately mentioned by Maggie. Perfect illustration,
 

Excellent comments Maggie!

As Niecie said "I'm interested in every storyline at this point. Kudos to the writers". Exactly! Intriguingly written scripts, no second tier characters and first rate actors.

Diana
 

How has Acacia not connected some of the dots between Ale and Danilo yet? She knows Ale was kept prisoner from the time she was 13 to the day Acacia saw her running away in San Jacinto. So how or when was she supposed to have had encounters with Danilo? Acacia should at least think of the possibility that Danilo would have been a client of Ale and knows at least that part of her past.
Also Ale has told her that her abuser is now near them right around the time Danilo shows up in town. What more clues does she need to at least become suspicious?

 

Anon...I think that ACKacia might be thinking about herself and her stepdad , and she is not thinking about connecting those dots. I I I ME ME ME HIM HIM
 

VIvi...two words for your comment about older men vs younger men.....midlife crisis...manopause . I think that Este had to work hard when he was young. Now, he wants to play and recapture his youth.
 

Excellent recap Vivi---Although unlike the majority, I'm not sure about your title. Pants? The only pants that I have seen the young goddess in have been skin tight hip hugging ones which if we are honest, are just as lustful as a skirt or dress. Remember the key word is goddess and a goddess is desired/desirable in whatever she wears.

Wow! Last night is really bringing
the comments today. Put me in the Maggie column too.
Maggie---Your last paragraph was right on.

Acacia was all over Este last night. I will not buy into the little girl theory. Acacia is young but not a little girl anymore. She knows what she is doing and what it's all about. Like Maggie's last words, she would regret it later--the pain and hurt that may never heal but she does know what she is doing.
Esteban also knows and has been fighting his lustful impulses. Will he win? We will have to stay tuned.

I do know that Acacia, Cris and Esteban are the three stars of this novela but for me---I am more interested in Alejandra and the Arturo and Luisa romance. Also I really want to know what Nuria's game is. However she isn't
in very many episodes so we may be through with her soon.

I'm not a novela beginner. I have seen a few but no villain has made my skin crawl like DanEvil and I'm a man. I can just imagine the loathing that the ladies in the La Malquerida audience feel. Damn the writers for making us suffer last night. I
thought that Alejandra would be caught for sure. Anyway it looks like she may have gone from the pot into the fire. She destroyed the drugs and the old ring leader might be very near. Can this woman
have some peace please!

One last thought---I think that German was very close to death last night, he never saw the knife that was ready to be plunged into him.

Must see tv tonight.
the gringo


 

I am excited about German possibly having dinner with dad tonight. By the way, that drug guy Damn is dealing with seems like a scary, nonsense dude.
 

Maggie, I think you captured Estebone's feelings perfectly: obsessive lust is the best way to describe him.
Novella lover, your rubbing/ hugging comment made me laugh out loud.
How long before whatever is going on during those hugs won't be left to our imagination anymore?
 

Thank you for this fabulous recap! I especially loved "Hey, maybe they will have a pajama party like the girls...except they should be shirtless" and "Yes! He's in your friggin' living room!"

I have to complain a little. I know German is Big Sexy and all, but whoever did his hair for the scene with Uli at the beginning needs to remember the hair products: gel or whatever.

Dan is really something. He just easily finds his way into the situation of Ale's disappearance. I hope the others find her before he does because I'm sure he will find a way to go on the search all by himself.

Adding to what Diana said, the woman who recognized Ale/Turquesa is Olga. I hope this opened Ale's eyes to see that Dan hasn't changed.

I agree with Gringo that the other storylines are more interesting than what's supposed to be the main one with Acacia/Esteban/Cristina.


 

Gringo- LOL! I know you'd no sooner put goddess Acacia in (non skin tight) pants, than you would take her out of bikinis. :)

I saw an interview with Osvaldo/German when the tn was just starting and he said what interested him was that the story was written with three main couple protagonists, not just one. Cris-Este, Acacia-Uli, and Ale-German. And I am also equally interested in knowing how Luisa-Art, Manuel-?, and all of our villains and gray characters will end up. I agree the writers did really well.
 

TF- So glad you liked the recap. The thing about Ale trying to link the San Jacinto brothel to Dan is that he's not associated with it anymore. His bosses kicked him out. I'm betting in addition to not being pleased that he's now cultivating and selling drugs, they won't be pleased that he's opened up his own brothel, even though it's miles away in El Soto.
 

You know, even if the writing quality from this point on totally fell, I would still watch till the end because I want to know how things turn out for all of these characters. The fact that the ratings in Mexico finally started going up later in the story tells me this is only going to get more engrossing. Unfortunately, the ratings in the US continue to suck and I am so worried that Uni will start hacking it again, or move it to midnight or midday.
 

You're right, Vivi. Dan is doing things on his own now. I've sort of been keeping track of the Mexican broadcast. I know tonight is episode 100 and I read somewhere that the finale will air over there on November 9 which is a Sunday so we shall see what day the finale falls on here in the US. I find this TN to be slow paced. Maybe I'm just impatient since I've watched many TNs over the past 7-8 years or so. This is one of the few TNs that I have no idea how it'll end. With most TNs it's obvious that the main couple will end up together and that the villain(s) will die or go to jail, and a few characters may get redemption, but this one is different. I'd be surprised if the writers just have Acacia and Uli end up together.
 

TF- This is definitely not some big showy tn, and that's ok. The writers are taking time to delve into each character and doing it well. This one of my two current favorite tns. And they are as different as night and day. My other fave is Reina de Corazones (Telemundo), and something crazy happens in each episode, usually doesn't make a lot of sense, and it's a blast! It is also not doing well in ratings, and never picked up an audience in Mexico.

I compare this tn to Hasta el Fin del Mundo. They are both serious dramas, with forbidden passion and evil intrigue, and multiple couples. They are also currently at the exact same capitulo (Mex). Yet, the storyline here feels tighter and more coherent and I actually care about most of the characters and couples. The villains here are also much more clearly realized.
 

That's true Vivi. I too feel attached to certain characters in this TN. I said before I would like to see Osvaldo de Leon (German) in a lead role one day.