Caray, Caray!

I hope we get to see all the episodes as well. I cannot stand editing.

I'm going to try very hard not to get behind this week!
 

I on the other hand, am going to get so far behind this week. I have an event almost every evening this week (including tonight), meaning I'll get home after Reina has ended. I'll be reliant on the recaps until I can catch up.
 

Hello everyone!

Recap will be up in the morning. But it won't be a long one. Had to be quick this week!

Thanks for covering me last week!!! I had to catch up on 7 episodes over the weekend because I was so behind due to work.
 

I'm gonna be off the grid for a few days this week but I'm THRILLED that I saw this episode. When was the last time you heard a PEDRO ALMODÓVAR allusion in a telenovela, huh?

Oh my. Tie me up, Tie me down -- I think we are all on the verge...
[snort]

[I'm almost positive there will be scissors. Sixty episodes, últimas semanas -- DOES NOT COMPUTE!]

Anita, if you're reading this:

n.b. Evil Doc goes on your list while Christian is still out there!
 

**Please feel free to add since the recap is short but I tried to mention all the important parts**

Boris points a gun at Navier. He knows he is a secret agent. He tells Navier that he let Reina go because he is going to kill her after Navier is dealt with. Navier warns Boris that even if he dies-it won’t end. He will be chased and sought after.

Estefy and Lopez 2.0 are with the doctor. He tries to tell them about Greta’s pregnancy but Lopez strangles him. She tells Lopez to make it look like a suicide.
Boris goes on and on about how the government are killers also. Navier dares him to shoot. Boris hesitates and the dragon takes his gun away.

Victor flashes back to his wedding day with Reina. He is taking to Greta. She questions whether he should marry Reina. She feels that Reina will destroy him. Flashback ends and Cristian is at the mansion to him.

Connie and Izzy are making out. She gets his gun and points at him. Although she threatens to shoot him, she admits that she can’t because she loves him
Navier tries to negotiate with Boris.

Cristian tells Reina and Victor that Izzy kidnapped Connie. He wants Victor help. Victor questions Cristian about Izzy having the diamond-Cristian continues with the lie that Izzy has it.

Susana doesn’t want Juanco to leave her apt-she doesn’t want to be alone tonight. Even though they both know he shouldn’t stay, he does.

Laz walks into Greta’s room. She is missing!

Back at Estefy’s mansion, FELS is waiting for her. She is very upset and hugs him. She needed him so much. She feels very alone. She has him, he says. That’s not true. He has his work and girlfriend. He tells her that they will never separate again. Whoever does try to separate them, Estefy warns, will pay with their life.

Dr Moto shows up at Esmith’s apartment. She is there to talk about FELS. He is a very difficult man-there is a conflict within him, between good and bad. She tells Esmith to save him-to create something with him. Dr. Moto tells Esmith that she loved him like crazy and recounts how she first met him. Then she admits that she literally went crazy over him and checked herself into a mental institution.

Victor agrees to let Cristian know when he hears from Izzy. As soon as Cristian leaves, Victor asks Reina why she gave the diamond to Connie. Because she wanted to get rid of him! He grabs her by the neck and starts to squeeze. Leave her alone, the Dragon shouts. He points and shoots at Victor, hitting him in the shoulder.

Estefy brings FELS to her doll room. She cries about the thought of losing Greta again. He acts very coldly to her. She notices it and asks what’s wrong. He tells her that he was there to speak to her about Victor. FELS confronts Estefy accusing her of framing Esmith and leaving that phone in her apt. He also accuses her of tipping of Victor in exchange for that crown of diamonds that she acquired.

Estefy admits to it and says she would have done it a million times over.

Navier is in Victor’s room. He can help him patch up the bullet hole. He prefers to die rather than have Navier save him. Navier leaves.

Laz finds Greta in a special room-they are separated by a window. She is attached to a ventilator.
Laz takes the bullets out of the gun. Connie asks Izzy if he saw a certain Antonio Banderas movie (couldn’t catch the title). She holds up her wrists and tells Izzy to tie(?) her up.

 

Lunes Part 2

Navier wants to know why Victor tried to kill Reina. Because she had a red diamond and she gave it to Connie. Reina tells Navier that Greta took her original proof against Octavio and Victor but she became ill before she could tell Reina where it was. She hopes that one day she can be free-free with him. He informs her that he will be returning to live in the De Rosas mansion but with Estefy as his wife. Reina understandably doesn’t understand. Reina goes ON and ON about why couldn’t they live in another house where Estefy can install as many stripper poles as she wants so she can dance and build her own private movie theater where she can play her filmography of all her pornos! (I chuckled during that rant!) The Dragon eggs her on by saying he can make private films with Estefy to play in the theater. He accuses her of being jealous-she denies it (ok I don’t understand-didn’t’ they pledge their undying love in that last few episodes) Then she admits it and says that Estefy hates her. Well she has plenty of reasons to hate her-his love, his passion, and his desire are Reina’s!! At that moment Victor walks in and apologizes.

Izzy ties Connie up and they go on about how they are chained, tied, linked together. (Didn’t catch a lot of what they were saying.)

A nurse found the doctor hanging in his bathroom. The worst cop in Vegas is questioning her. He discovers that he was Greta’s doctor. He needs the crime scene sealed off-he wants to make sure it was a suicide and not a murder.

Victor blames his actions on the situation with Greta. Reina doesn’t buy it. Was it because of that or because of the red diamond?

FELS sneaks up on Esmith sleeping. He trusts her so he is suspending the investigation. He knows that she was set up. They passionately kiss.

Cristian calls Victor and tells him that Greta’s doctor is dead.
Navier knows that Victor is threatening Reina with Clarita. He doesn’t understand-Clarita is Victor’s daughter. She tells him to leave it alone-stop trying to figure it out.

Navier approaches a sleeping Clarita and takes a piece of her hair (Is Dragon suspecting something)

Connie tells Laz that she feels bad because she doesn’t want to be free and she feels relieved that she didn’t get married. He says that Connie is the love of his life and kisses her.
Navier gets another hair from Victor’s pillow.

Reina finds out Greta’s doctor committed suicide. She suspects Victor but he denies it. Victor again threatens Clarita and Reina. Asuncion warns Reina that if she doesn’t do something her and Clarita’s lives are going to end in tragedy.

Juanco tries to wake up Susana but can’t. It seems like she overdosed!

Estefy is talking to Greta through the window. She wants her to wake up. Laz tells Estefy about the doctor’s “suicide”. She says that he must have been guilty of what happened to Greta-that is why he killed himself. Cristian barges into the room and announces that maybe someone made him kill himself and this is really a murder! (Wow that is his theory instead of it being staged!!!!)

FELS and Esmith are in Esmith’s office. Esmith is suspicious about FELS’s sudden suspension concerning the investigation. She knows why-he is protecting Estefy and wants to know why!

Navier is at the hospital to see Dr. Moto. He needs a favor from her-he needs a DNA test done! He has Clarita’s hair and Victor’s. He wants her to take his blood-he wants to know if he is Clarita’s father!!





 

Wonderful recap! Thanks Caroline!

Dra. Moto in a mental institution? Wow! This was the shock of the night for me. Interesting.

Victor is shot in the arm and all he needs is a calmante? There wasn't even any blood. Beanie time.

Estefy had Dr. Mathesian (sp?) killed too soon. He didn't even get a chance to spill the beans. Arghh!

I was cheering when Navier stole some of Clara's hair as well as Victor's. I hope he finally finds that Clara is his daughter.

I had a sigh of relief when Estefy admitted to tipping off VIctor and attempting to blame Esmeeth. I wasn't liking that Esmeeth was getting the blame.

Can't wait until tonight.
 

*finds out
 

Who knew that, of all these people, Connie might turn out to be the kinkiest? Good for her in finding a willing partner, I suppose. But they're going to have to give up this fantasy soon, if only to get into some clean clothes. There has to be limits.

Kelly
 

Thanks, Caroline. I enjoyed your recap!

NovelaMaven, I also sat up straight at their mentioning one of my favorite Almódovar movies: Tie me up, tie me down (Átame en español). For those who haven't seen it, a young Antonio Banderas becomes obsessed with a "been-around-the-block", and drug addicted B-movie actress. He kidnaps her, ties her up a good part of the movie, and they fall in love. I know, I know, sounds like a feminist nightmare, but somehow it works.

I was SO happy FELS came out of his coma and figured out what Estefy did. I hope he's not going to be played by her again. And what SISTER is so screwed up that she doesn't want her BROTHER to have anyone else in his life but her?

I loved it that Navier actually shot Victor instead of firing over his head. Yes, there was blood. They showed a bit seeping through what looked like a handkerchief. But Victor said he'd rather die than have Navier touch him.

I also loved that Navier caught on from Reina's being afraid Victor would harm Clarita. He also didn't go where most idiot galanes go: that someone besides him is the father. The dragon is good at math!
 

Thanks Novelera! I must have missed the blood. I'm glad the bullet didn't fly over Victor's head as well. The four main stars (Reina, Navier, Estefy, & Victor) are even now. They've all be shot at least once. Now all we need is for Victor to have a hospital visit. The other three have already had their stay in the hospital.
 

I forgot to mention how creepy I thought the whole "tie me up" thing was.
 

Mauricio, here's my (remember Lucy from Peanuts?) 5-cent psychiatrist visit. Connie can't help herself. She knows a lot of bad things about Isidro, but she loves him. At first she was angry about being kidnapped and tied up. Later she appreciated him taking away her option to flee and to end up married to Christian. So she asked him to tie her up again to guarantee she would stay. Of course, there's also a sex play element as well.
 

I find the Connie/Isidro storyline to be rather disturbing. Certainly doesn't set a good sample for any impressionable young guys who might be watching the show! He's a criminal, a violent criminal.
 

I keep trying to post, but they get eaten :(
 

Thank you, Caroline!!

Like Mauricio, I was frustrated that Dr Matheson (sp?) was killed before he could spill the beans.

And I was also cheering when Dragon did the math and gathered samples for the DNA test. I can't wait for tonight, either!
 

Caroline - Thank you for the recap! I still have not had time to watch this episode. Hopefully I will squeeze it in before tonight's broadcast. :-)
 

Thanks Caroline! I haven't seen the episode yet, but I am SO glad that FELS knows Stefi set Smith up. I'm also glad that Navier has finally begun to suspect Clara is his. I'm not giving him credit for that. He should have figured that out a long time ago. Just like he should have figured out that Stefi lied to him about Reina setting him up for that drug bust and murder attempt.
 

Carolyn, thanks for the recap, much appreciated.

Vivi-he definitely should have figured out by now that Steffy lied to him. Especially since Smith told him the Reina never betrayed him, and he told Reina that he knew that.

Penny
 

NovelaMaven...I fervently hope that we do get all 60 remaining episodes, but I agree that seems unlikely when we are in ultima semanas. But you never know, maybe the telenovela god's at Telemundo will be good to us Reinamaniacs.
 

NovelaMaven...I fervently hope that we get to see all 60 remaining episodes, but I agree with you that that does not seem likely given that we are in Ultima Semanas. But who knows, maybe the telenovela gods will be good to us and let us see all the remaining episodes.

Penny
 

The funny thing about Victor getting shot was that his wound was similar to that of Navier's latest one - in the arm or shoulder. Victor didn't lose consciousness and is now fine except for what appears to be soreness in arm. When Victor shot Navier in the arm in the place Reina was being held he: 1) fell down unconscious; 2) almost instantly developed a fever that he was only able to lower by taking the super ice-bucket challenge. Very different responses to similar injuries.
 

Martes Part 1

- Dra. Moto draws blood from Navier. Navier is sure Victor killed Donna the singer and asks Dra. Moto for Donna's autopsy report. Dra. Moto infroms him about the latest edition to the body count - Dr. Matheson's suicide. Dra. Moto wants to investigate this death.

- Esmeeth tells FELS-PELS that one of the workers confessed. Worker was hired by Lopez 2.0 and it was he who planted the cell phone in her apartment. FELS-PELS comes up with LAMEST reason ever for why Estefy wants to harm Esmeeth. He tells Esmeeth that Estefy wants to harm her because she is her mother in law. Esmeeth is not convinced.

- Juanjo reads over Susana's suicide note instead of getting help immediately. He finishes reading the note and FINALLY goes to get help. The suicide attempt is because of Greta's condition.

- Navier speaks with Boris on the phone. Navier is in his room and Boris is over at the hideout. They each will keep their word. Boris has kept his mouth shut. Call ends and a man points a gun at Boris. Reina comes into the room. She knows Navier isn't telling her something. As usual he tells her there are things he won't tell her because it is best she does not know. He tells her he had a paternity test done to find out if he is Clara's father. Reina tells him there is no need for it because Clara IS his daughter. Victor comes into the room.

- Connie tells Izzy she'll stay with him. She asks to borrow his phone so she can tell Laz she will stay with Izzy.

- Connie calls while Christian is pointig fingers at Laz as possibly being behind Dr. Matheson's death. Susana is wheeled into the emergency room with Juanjo following her inside. Christian hears Connie is on the phone and snatches the phone from him. Connie apologizes to Christian and tells him their relationship can't be. Izzy snatches the phone from her. Izzy and Christian exchange threats - they want to riddle each other with bullets. Izzy makes it clear to Christian that Connie is HIS. Call ends. Connie is sure this will all end in a tragedy. Izzy tells her it will end how it has to end because despite his flithy life she has decided to stay with him. Laz chews out Christian for snatching the phone from him and tells Christian that Connie is an adult and can be with whoever she pleases. Christian will rescue Connie from herself and from Izzy. He leaves. Juanjo comes out and informs Laz and Estefy that Susana is having her stomach pumped. He tells them that for Susana to be cured she'd have to have the sadness of her heart pumped out.

- Victor makes an observation - a married and decent woman like Reina shouldn't be in his brother's room. Navier explains Reina came to tell him about the death of Dr. Matheson. Victor senses Reina is nervous and asks her about this and she replies that doesn't she have reasons to be nervous. She leaves. Victor tells Navier that Reina can't stand being under pressure and can't stand the past even less.
 

Martes Part 2

- FELS-PELS thinks Esmeeth is jealous of Estefy. He lists Estefy's qualities and Esmeeths tells him Estefy is dangerous and capable of seducing even the man who thinks is smarter and superior than everyone. FELS-PELS tells Esmeeth that she can't be talking about him because there is only one woman who drives him crazy and that's Esmeeth. He teases her with a small kiss on the lips and tells her that it's a shame they're working. He leaves the room.

- Reina and Navier continue their conversation in the kitchen. She tells him Clara is HIS daughter and tells him how she found this out via her diary on the day of his wedding. He gets mad at her and tells her she should have told him. She explains she was threatend by Victor not to tell. He tells her she made the worst decision ever. She accepts that she may have made the worst decision ever but at the moment all she wanted to do was protect her daughter. Clara shows up and Navier and Clara share a sweet father and daughter hug. Clara tells Reina she dreamed that she had a Dragon who protected her.

- Dra. Moto compares the two corpses - the bon bon's and Donna's. She tells FELS-PELS they have the same diamond mark and they were murdered by the same person. Dra. Moto informs FELS-PELS that the EMT was found searching Donna's things and confessed he had been looking for the red diamond. EMT also confessed there were others looking for the red diamond. Dra. Moto and FELS-PELS knows the EMT was talking about Estefy and Victor. Dra. Moto tells FELS-PELS that this is where they are at a dead end because both Vicor and Etefy will cover for each other. FELS-PELS tells Dra. Moto to go that route because Victor has to make a mistake at least once. He asks her why Navier was there and she replies Navier was there asking about the lastest reports. FELS-PELS says he understands but doesn't seem convinced.

- Izzy tells Connie she can't call Laz because for sure Christian has wiretapped the phone. Connie laments to Izzy that they'll never have a normal life. But whatever she'll stay with him because she loves him. They hug.

- Clara wishes her dream were true and Navier tells her to close her eyes and imagine her Dragon is by her side. Asuncion comes to get Clara so she can have breakfast. They leave. Reina tells Navier she felt so happy and relieved when she found out he was Clara's father. It all seemed logical. She tells him that of course it had to be him who was Clara's father. He is the love of her life. She tells him she never betrayed him. He is her past and present and she hopes he'll be her future. She tells him she read many things in her diary but not as important as him being Clara's father. She tells him it's a truth that makes her happy and also scares her. He tells her she has nothing to be afraid of because he'll protect his daughter with his life. He tells her they have to wait for the results of the DNA test so they can confront Victor but they'll do it his way. She asks him why he needs the DNA results. Doens't she trust him? He trusts no one.
 

Martes Part 3

- Victor is visiting a comatose Greta and speaks to her from behind the window. He wants her to wake up. Dr. Casola comes in. She was Dr. Matheson's assitant. She knows Greta is two months preggers and knows Victor is aware of this. She tells him she'll have to inform the family and Laz. Victor asks her to name her price.

- Estefy tells Susana she can't abandon her. They have to be in this together and be strong for Greta. Estefy tells her that Navier semi-returned and called her. Estefy tells Susana she needs her and feels so alone. Juanjo comes into the room and tells Estefy that Esmeeth is there to see her. Estefy leaves.

- Izzy returns and finds that Connie has left [or she has been taken].

- Esmeeth questions Estefy about her relationship with PELS-FELS. Victor overhears and says he had no idea Estefy had a relationship with PELS-FELS.

- Reina writes in her dairy how Navier knows it all and despite her fears she feels liberated. Meanwhile, Navier finds Boris on the ground at the hideout. He's been shot I guess. Reina says Navier is the brave Dragon that will always take care of her and Clara. She feels that with him close death will never get to them. Navier asks Boris what happened. He tells Navier that they wanted the name of the traitor but Boris didn't tell them anything. But he did have to say a name and said Reina's name. Boris says that they'll kill Reina. Reina continues writing in her diary says that with their Dragon they'll overcome death that always surrounds them. Boris says Reina has no salvation. Navier helps Boris up and onto the couch. Why'd you tell them? Navier asks him. Boris replies that they were going to kill him. Navier says you should have told on me. Boris says he'd never do that. He says that Reina drives all men crazy. First Big O and now Navier. He says it's better Reina be killed once and for all. Navier wants all the info Boris has on those people because he has to stop them. Boris says that Navier doesn't know those people. No one can stop them.

- Estefy denies having any relationsip with FELS-PELS. Victor says Esmeeth knows something they don't. Esmeeth says she does - she knows Estefy is protecting Victor and tried to frame her. She knows Estefy tipped of Victor. Victor says he could swear it was Esmeeth who helped him. Esmeeth tells Victor and Estefy they are astute but she's more astute. She hopes Greta gets better and hopes Victor gets what he desrves. Esmeeth tells Victor that a new corpse showed up with a diamond mark on the neck. She has a hunch Victor knew her. Donna Sanders, ring a bell? she asks him. Esmeeth leaves. Estefy says the singer turned up and Victor tells her to calm down because they left no fingerprints. Victor will have to find out how they found the singer. Estefy says she can't think of anything that is not her daughter. Victor says but you did have time to kill Dr. Matheson. Esefy tells him it doesn't matter how many heads must roll if anyone hurts her daughter they will have to pay with their life.

- Reina puts her diary away. Asuncion comes into the room. Asuncion says Navier shot Victor. What if he would have killed him? Reina says Navier is no murderer. Reina says Navier will save them all. Reina tells Asuncion that even though Navier doesn't trust her she trust him. You trust him but not me says Asuncion. Asuncion wants her to know how her dad was but Reina doesn't want to listen. She says she knows how her dad was. Her dad raised her and gave her everything. Reina doesn't want to talk about the subject.
 

Martes Part 4

- Susana tells Juanjo this is the second time he saves her. This is the second time you attempt it he says. You don't know the pain I feel she tells him. Didn't you think of the pain you would cause? he asks her. Juanjo tells her that Greta didn't die and is alive fighting for her life and Susana who has health wants to die. He calls her a coward. He tells her it's time for her to want to live because he doesn't know if he'll be there a third time.

- Asuncion tries to tell Reina about her dad but Reina doesn't want to listen. Asuncion doesn't want to tarnish her father's memory but Reina has to hear her out. Asuncion tells Reina that her dad had a hard life in Mexico and got involved with people who offered him easy money. Asuncion got scared. Reina's dad wanted to give them the best. Thats why when Gregorio showed up she cheated on him because her dad did the dirty work for a powerful man. Reina says her dad was the best dad ever. She doesn't want to talk about her dad. Asuncion says Reina is right and she doesn't have the right to crush that image for her and doesn't have the right to ask her anything. Reina decides who to trust and it's clear to Asuncion that Reina decided not to trust her. Ausncion leaves.

- Navier hands Boris some papers. Plane will take him to some Atlanic island. Boris has enough money and must not make a call until he reaches his destination. Boris is a professional and knows what to do. Boris says Navier is risking his life for a woman who isn't worth it. Navier says that woman is the mother of my daughter and I want to save her. Boris wishes him luck because he'll need it. Boris says enemies are like shadows even though you don't see them they will always be there. Boris tells Navier to take care and leaves.

- Victor is in his car in the parking lot and asks someone to find out everything about the corpse of Donna. He wants to know the conditon of the place where they found the coprse. He doesn't want surprises. He asks if there is news on Izzy. Fine keep me updated I'll call you later he says. He gets out of car and removes the battery of his cell phone and throws it in the bushes. Laz sees this. He takes a pic of Victor with a man. Victor pays the man. He will give the man the other half when he delivers Navier to him. Victor holds his arm and says shooting him will cost Navier dearly.

- Reina thinks back to Asuncion telling her that she decides who to trust. She searches Navier's room. In a blue folder she finds the drawing of the woman who was in the diamond book.

- Esmeeth finds Dra. Moto looking under a microscope. Esmeeth asks her about it and Dra. Moto says she's investigating the posion that killed the two victims. Esmeeth asks if she found anything. Dra. Moto hasn't found out anything. No fingerprints were left where they found the corpse. Esmeeth can't believe Victor always gets away with everything and Dra. Moto says PELS-FELS thinks the same. Esmeeth says sometimes she thinks she doesn't know PELS-FELS. Dra. Moto tells Esmeeth she's right. He tells her PELS-FELS doesn't even know himself but he does know what he's capable of provoking. She tells Esmeeth that FELS-PELS knows love can cause an imbalance but unrequited love can drive you crazy.

- FELS-PELS talks with Estefy at the hospital. He needed to see her and imagines how she is. She feels like a tornado passed over her. It is the most difficult thing that has happened to her since she thought she had lost Greta. He knows how much Greta means to her. She's dying for a hug. She tells him Esmeeth was there and suspects Esmeeth knows there is something between them. He says Esmeeth knows that he helped her and she is astute and intelligent. She tells him Esmeeth is dangerous. He says he loves Esmeeth and there is no solution for that. She tells him everything has a solution and we all have a right to make mistakes in life and he is no different.
 

Martes Part 5

- From behind the window Victor tells Greta he does everything for her own good. Laz comes in. Victor tells him he'll have Laz forbidden from coming in to see Greta. Laz threatens Victor and tells him he can be dangerous too when they mess with those he loves. Victor laughs it off and says yeah riiiight!

- Naver talks on the phone with someone. He wants to double up on security and calls a red alert. He receives a text from Laz - "I don't know if this is of any use but this man is up to no good. Take care Dragon". Attached to the text is a pic of Victor with the man he payed off. Navier hears someone coming into the hideout and he gets his gun out and is ready to confront whoever comes in.
 

Mauricio – thank you for the recap! and the snark!

I hope Connie hasn’t signed her own death warrant by staying with Izzy.

I hope Lazaro hasn’t signed his own death warranty by threatening Victor.

Laz’s eyebrows shooting up when Christian promised to riddle Izzy with bullets was one of those subtle nuances of acting that was kind of funny.

It is very disappointing that Dr. Payola (Doc Mathison’s replacement) is so easily bribed by Victor. Gimmeabreak.

WHY would Victor toss his cellphone battery into the bushes? That seems like a random thing to do.
Why not re-charge it? QTH?
 

terrific recap Mauricio!
I love your attention to detail.

hmm, why didn't Javier just give dra. Moto a hair?

and so it seems that Victor is going after Javier as the Belgian bad guys are going after Reina.

with Isidro and Christian going after each other, (will we now see Connie tied up at Christian's place).

and is there even a door into the room where Greta is?

haha doris, "Dr. Payola".

 

Great recap, Mauricio, and thanks for doing NovelaMaven's recap this week.

Are all the doctors (except Dr. Moto, of course) corrupt in this town? Just mention money and they'll do anything including violating medical ethics. I liked Dr. Payola, too, Doris.

So now more killers are coming after Reina? I hope Navier wasn't calling the CIA to top up security at Victor's house because we know that they are the worst security guards ever.

Navier was so sad when he had to tell Reina that he doesn't trust anyone. [Why did Dra. Moto have to draw his blood? Couldn't he have spared one of his curly locks or just some cheek swabs (CSI) or even some spit - that is what we did for the Ancestry DNA test]


 

Thanks so much for the recap, Mauricio!

I hate Victor De Rosas so much! HE knows what's best for his only biological child. To keep her pregnancy secret he puts her far from the comfort of Lázaro. If anyone could coax Greta out of a coma, it's Laz.

They kind of scared me last night. I thought they were going with Victor having overheard Reina and Navier's conversation about Clara's parentage.

Navier sure did throw cold water on Reina by telling her he wasn't willing to accept her word that Clara is his child.

Good for Dr. Moto for NOT telling FELS/PELS about doing the DNA tests for Navier. Especially after her conversations with Esmeeth, I think she's going to turn out to be a good character. I had my doubts for a while there, but I think it was jealousy. This seems to have passed.

I can see why Christian and Victor are old buddies. They're both 100% chauvinists. Victor feels entitled to override his daughter's decisions about who she loves. And Christian feels entitled to get Connie away from Izzy, even though she told him she'd made HER choice. I've got a bad feeling about this triangle.
 

Thanks so much Mauricio! I just watched the epi right before tonight's epi. I have to say I was mighty annoyed with Navier for telling reina that he does not trust her word, after he told her to trust him with her daughter's life. Uhm, ok.
 

Victor just made himself more HATE-able in tonight's episode. The writers better have a deserving ending for him, or I will be one very unhappy viewer.
 

Hi gang!!

Recap will be up in the morning... (hope that's okay with everyone).

See you then!
 

Thank you Mauricio for the great recap of Tuesday's episode. Lots of detail, but there are still things I don't understand. Like for instance, Reina told Javier that Clara is his daughter and that she never betrayed him. So why didn't she also tell him that Steffy lied to her about his death. I don't get it.

Penny
 

Mauricio, thank you. I've taken to FF through Connie and just reading recaps.Your details are appreciated.

Stevey-Thanks for volunteering while Jean and NovelaMaven are away.

I'm really starting to dislike Christian...FELS too. And dare I say it, Catherine Siachoque's portrayal is getting on my nerves. Enough with the anguished, breathy line delivery already.

Thank goodness for Victor and Reina. Yeah, Victor is pure evil...but I love watching.

And can we stop torturing Javier please?

Oh! What's with the test results? Did I miss something?
 

Penny So why didn't she also tell him that Steffy lied to her about his death.

She didn't tell Navier because she doesn't remember and her diary only said that "the woman" told her Navier was dead. Remember that she only saw the diary briefly. She was totally overcome with the information that Navier was Clara's father. She hasn't focused on how Navier came to believe that she had betrayed him or how she came to believe he was dead.

Sara What's with the test results? Did I miss something?
No, you didn't miss anything. That is a mystery. One possible explanation is that Dra. Moto is with the bad guys, another possibility is that superdotado FELS put together Navier being with Dra. Moto at headquarters and Esmeeth telling him that Navier found out he was Clara's father and that FELS somehow messed with the samples.

The interesting thing is that Rocky once asked Esmeeth why they didn't tell Navier that Clara was his daughter so it seems like Esmeeth knew and didn't suspect like she told Navier. So I wonder what Esmeeth's reaction will be if/when she finds out that the test results on Navier's paternity were negative.
 

Thanks Jean! I honestly thought with all my FFing that I had missed something. And also thanks for the thoughts in Esmeeth. It will be interesting to see her reaction. Does FELS know she knows? If so, wouldn't that rule him out since he knows she would figure it out? Does that make sense?
 

In the beginning it was made clear that Smith and Rocky (which I assume meant the whole CIA machine, minus Navier) knew that Reina had never betrayed Navier and that Clara was his child (which would be the normal assumption knowing that there was no betrayal). Smith now saying she suspected it, and FELS not knowing wouldn't make any sense given what we were shown in the beginning. It seemed like the order to keep Navier in the dark about what really happened came from on high (FELS). Now that makes sense, because of course Stefi would have wanted her bro to keep the lie alive that she only ever helped Navier and wasn't part of destroying his hopes and dreams in the first place.

I'm getting really tired of Navier and Reina not taking the time to listen to their mothers' whole back stories. They've got all these shadowy plots overtaking their lives. You would think they would want as much info as possible if their mothers' past with their fathers may be affecting things happening in the present.
 

When Esmeeth said she suspected Clara was his daughter, I took it as a CYA moment. Javier hates her as it is. If she admitted that she KNEW all along that Clara was his, any hope of forgiveness would be gone.
 

Hi gang! Sorry this is so late, but better late than never, I guess...

Anyways... I hope all are well.

This is the recap for Reina de Corazones, Capitulo 77.
Original airdate: August 11(ish), 2014.

PART 1:

The curtain rises on our ever-alert Navier with pistol drawn as a stealthy figure slinks down the stairs. Not to fear- it's Esmeeth. They rehash the latest current events and Javier wants to know if Esmeeth knew that Clarita was his daughter. "Uh..." says Esmeeth.

Now we have Connie & Isidro lounging in bed, looking like a real couple. Isidro does his best to assauge Connie's numerous (justifiable) fears by telling her that there isn't anything that he isn't capable of doing for her, and a bunch of other nice things that I'm sure he MEANS, but am not sure that he's actually capable of.

Over to Susana, again feeling like guilty shit about herself, this time pleading with comatose Greta for forgiveness for not being able to take and bear all of the various slings and arrows that lives hurls at us herself.

Back to Esmeeth and Javier. Esmeeth is admitting some of the truth about what she knew to Javier. He, for his part, is doing a great job acting like a petulant and resentful teenager, venting his anger at Esmeeth and actually telling her that she will never be his mother because she doesn't deserve him ("no me merece")

Now, the useless Cristian is at the De Rosas house visiting Reina. He expresses his useless self to Reina, who basically tells him to watch himself, because she'll always have Connie's back. Go Reina!!

Now back to Esmeeth, this time venting her no-good, very-bad, Bolivar-day to PELS-FELS and his furrowed brow. She wouldn't forgive herself for what she did, either. PELS-FELS furrows his brow further.

 

PART 2:


Over the the De Rosas mansion once again, where Victor is now home and he and Reina inquire about each others days with about as much love and tenderness as one would expect (i.e.- none). As a parting shot before she heads off to bed, Victor tells Reina to sleep well because the days are about to get a LOT harder... for his daughter, for his brother, and for her too. Reina wonders aloud if Victor will ever grant her her freedom. Guess what Victor's response was? More silky evil spews from Victor's mouth, culminating on him ruminating on the new house guests they're about to have: his brother and his 'mujer'... just as Navier and Estefania enter, arm-in-arm...

Now back to Issy and Connie. Issy says lots of sweet, promising things to Connie. A hopeful love-song swells as they kiss and I <> because I know it can't be this easy for Connie, moving forward...

Over to our happy foursome! Estefi is tired, Navier is accommodating, Victor is gloating, and Reina is quietly fuming. Just then Navier's phone rings- it's Dra. Moto, she has the results of the analysis! After a sleepy Clarita comes to fetch Reina and Victor also slinks off we have Estefi & Navier alone. She expresses her sadness at these latest turn of events... will she never be able to have him and love him?

Now Juanjo & Laz over on Connie's couch, pontificating on Victor and his evil. Dra. Moto then comes in... she needs to talk to Laz about Greta.

Back to Connie and Issy now. They're on her bed, eating pizza and positing ideas and fantasies about their ideal future. We are treated to a dream montage featuring Issy coming home as a campesino farmer in lumber jacket and straw cowboy hat, coming in from a day in the fields to greet his loving wife. In reality, there's more sweetness.... and then the cops come bursting the door down, guns drawn. Behind them is Cristian, and we know this won't end well.

Estefi and Asuncion. Estefi has paged Asuncion... she tells her that her brother wants to see her. Asuncion can't believe it.

Reina and Clarita spend a tender moment in bed as Clarita drifts off to sleep. Lots of violins and other stringed instruments tell us that this is a tender moment. Reina leaves and Victor sneaks in, probably dragging a trail of slime behind him... He rages at the sleeping child that this is his daughters room, and that SHE will NEVER again grace the room of his DAUGHTER. He holds a cloth (that I'm sure doesn't smell like cookies) to the childs mouth and looks proud of himself.

Over to Navier and Reina now. The banter over the recent turn of events and then Navier drops his bombshell on Reina- he has the results of the analysis- Clarita is NOT Navier's child, NOR is she the child of Victor... he now has just one question for Reina- WHO is Clarita's father?? Reina is STUNNED! STUNNED! STUNNED, I tells ya!
 

Part 3:

Reina and Navier again: "QTH???" says Reina. Navier looks disgusted. She begs him to listen... he says 'no way'. He says that words lie, but actions don't and these actions tell him more than she can know, none of it good (basically).

Now we have Victor giving 'Typical-Gloating-Villain-About-To-Exact-Revenge-Speech # 2017' to the sleeping form of Clarita, explaining why he's doing what he's doing.

Back to Issy-Connie-Cristian. Connie tries to intervene on Issy's behalf, Cristian won't let her. As he orders Issy taken away, Cristian grabs Connie by the throat and tells her that, while it's not her fault, he won't let her embarrass him like this.

Now back to an elated Asuncion and Estefania. Asuncion agrees to whatever Estefi and her brother want her to do. Estefi tells her not to expect a sympathetic partner from her as she's just doing what her brother wants. She tells Asuncion how much she resents and despises her for everything that her own parents went through before throwing her out of her room. Asuncion brings up what Estefi is going through now with Greta and Estefi tells her that it's very different because they're very different- she is much more- stronger, fiercer, more impassioned- than Asuncion ever was or could be. Catherine Siachoque does her usual awesome job of pointing and spitting out her words (she's always been good at that) before she throws Asuncion out of her room again.

We have Esmeeth and FELS-PELS again. FELS-PELS fills Esmeeth in on the tragic story of the investigator of the Red Diamonds (can anyone help me with exactly what was said here? I gather that it's important and don't want to risk screwing it up for everybody...)

Now Navier, sitting alone in the kitchen, downing a shot of tequila and pontificating on the sad and confusing news of Clarita supposed paternity. Then, swarthy, black-clad extras come in, guns drawn and pointed at Navier. Victor then brings the drugged Clarita in and lays her out on the counter. He tells Navier not to worry, that children shouldn't pay for the sins of their parents. Basically, he wants to trade Clarita for Navier... if Navier will come with Victor and his swarthy extras, then he will leave Clarita in peace. The swarthy extras drag Navier off.
 

PART 4:

Dra. Moto is relating the latest as to Greta's situation to Laz & Juanjo. It's difficult, even grave, but not impossibly dire. Juanjo does his best at trying to keep Laz's spirits up. Reality then sets in as Roman appears, wanting to be fed.

Estefania next, walking into Reina's bedroom. Their conversation starts this way:

Reina: "Didn't anybody teach you to knock, Estefania?"
Estefania: "Didn't anybody teach you not to steal husbands?"

... and we know they're not in their to wish each other 'good night'. Estefi seems to think that the missing Navier is hidden somewhere with Reina which, of course, he's not. Estefi then basically asserts herself to Reina and does the equivalent of a dog pissing on a tree before flouncing from the room.

Now back to Dra. Moto and Laz (and Roman, but who cares??). Dra. Moto better not be trying to establish herself in our (the viewers) eyes as a suitable Greta-alternative! I get mad and <>.

Now over to Juanjo, looking cute in a jaunty white fedora that matches his sweater. He's come to pay a call on Susana, and has brought dinner. Just then, a man's voice- the Marchand! (Wait, he DOES exist???) Juanjo pretends like it doesn't really bother him, but it does, and he leaves, upset. Cara de "I don't know what the f**k I'm doing" of Susana...

Issy & Cristian now, at Cristian's police station. Cristian hides behind his badge avoid facing the fact that he's obviously the losing party in this love triangle. Then, in front of Connie, they go through the belongings Isidro had on his person- VOILA! One red diamond!!

Now Navier with the swarthy extras. They rough him up and tear off his shirt, exposing his rippling body . They seem to be in some warehouse somewhere, apparently, quite a kinky warehouse as they're a St. Andrews cross that they chain Navier to. Now, it's let the torture games begin!

Over to Reina in her bedroom now, as she writes in her diary. Then Victor comes in, with his laptop (this can't be good). He offers to show her the latest motion picture- starring Javier Bolivar!! Cue the torture of Navier, live. Victor gloats and smiles as Reina is sufficiently aghast and horrified.

 

Jean...No, the diary didn't specifically mention what women lied to her, but Victor made a big deal of outing Steffy as the woman. I remember that in particular because Steffy told Reina that Javier would never have been happy with a nobody like Reina anyway.

Which brings me back to my original question: why wouldn't Reina tell Javier about Steffys prominent role in their misery and wipe out Javiers image Steffy as his savior?

Penny
 

PART 5:

The torture continues. We see Navier's rippling biceps as he stretches and strains himself in his fetters as the whipping continues. The swarthy extras even burn a cigarette out on Navier's perfect chest, further enraging all of the Ladies out on The Patio. Meanwhile, Reina, being forced to watch this, begs Victor for mercy. None is forthcoming.

Some sort of "Men Not Having Mercy On The Pleading Woman That They Love" virus must be going around here because now we go back to Issy, Cristian, and Connie, where Cristian orders Issy taken away, and (in front of Connie) calls the CIA to rat out Issy for the red diamond, and Connie begs for mercy. Again, none is forthcoming.

Now, back to Happy Palace (aka- the De Rosas mansion), Victor is feeding Estefi a line about not knowing what's become of her husband but, hey.... isn't he a Secret Agent anyway?? Then, a shaking Reina comes in. Victor baits her a bit by asking if she knows anything about Navier's whereabouts... Reina, knowing that her saying a thing will seal Navier's doom, says nothing and has to endure Victor attempting to 'console' her with a hug in front of Estefania. We are all sufficiently disgusted.

Meanwhile... the torture continues. :-(

END OF CAPITULO
 

Thanks so much, Stevey. What a great recap and well worth the wait. There were so much good snark but I particularly liked, Victor sneaks in, probably dragging a trail of slime behind him...

The torture place looks remarkably like the place Navier got beaten up and almost shot a few weeks ago. After Victor called the cops back then, did the most useless cop in Las Vegas just leave it there ready for future torturing by whosever set it up?

The way Christián grabbed Connie's neck to tell her about his great love for her was Victor-like, i.e., evil and creepy.

The upshot of the story of the investigator of the red diamonds that FELS tells Esmeeth was that he was found dead with his mouth sewn shut TA DUM!

I loved the fantasy scene with Izzy and Connie. She had the biggest pregnancy bump I've ever seen and Izzy with his basket of vegetables that it took him hours to gather.


 

Thanks so much Stevey! Wonderful recap! Loved all the snark. I especially loved "Reality then sets in as Roman appears, wanting to be fed."

Christian has become obsessed with Connie. I hated when he grabbed her by throat and spoke to her in that obsessed tone. Poor Izzy. Christian has set him up and that was after he told Izzy that he was a correct person. He is a corrupt cop for sure.

I hated the torture scenes. They were hard to watch. I especially hated when they burned Navier with the cigarette. That was terrible. I agree that Victor better have a well deserving end.

The DNA results shocked me. I couldn't believe it - just when we thought this would be resolved the writers go the route where the results are changed and now Navier thinks Clara is not his. Poor Reina.

That was funny how both Connie & Izzy and Dra. Moto, Laz, & Roman were eating pizza. They missed an opportunity for a product placement for Dominos. The pizza looked so good. Roman is such a useless character and I have no idea what the point was of having Dra. Moto explain to him what a forensics doctor was.
 

I was shocked with the possibily of the merchand being for real. I wonder what good Juanjo brought. I'm surprised he didn't bring pizza.
 

*food not good


 

Wow! You have been writing some fabulous stuff while I wasn't looking!

Thank you Caroline for Monday's excellent recap!

And a special thank you to Mauricio for taking Tuesday for me and doing a terrific job, as always.

stevey, it is really fun to see your work here. Thanks for filling in for Jean. Beautifully done!

I've enjoyed all the comments as well.

I spent several hours today trying to get my computer working after it balked at an updated OS. While it would probably be better to post my recap tomorrow, I'm going to put it up now just in case my computer acts up and eats my recap in the night. Sorry for the overload, folks. You can pace yourself as you read.
:D
 

Thursday

Part 1

Call for the Dragon on Line One!

The torture session is interrupted briefly so Navier can take Victor's call. Thug One holds the phone to Navier's ear. "I love our relationship," coos Victor. "My father would be proud of you." Victor passes the phone to Reina. She exhorts him to resist. "I'm going to save you!" Victor disconnects the call. Then Thug One nods to Thug Two and the latter raises his whip over Navier's already bloody back...

Reina kneels before Victor and begs him to tell her what she has to do. TELL ME!

Thug 1 calmly drags a knife over Navier's chest. The blade leaves a bright line of red against the stark white of his skin. Navier screams.

Cheep Insurance

Laz tells Dra. Moto he has a hunch that Victor is up to no good. He saw him with two goons and suspects he is planning something against his friend, the Dragon. Now Navier isn't answering his phone and he's getting worried.

Moto says she can find Navier. She has her methods... Laz looks at Moto quizzically.

Flashback: After Moto drew Navier's blood for the DNA test, he asked her to implant a new cheep. He was back to work and he knew what that implied -- he was giving up his freedom.

Oh ye of little faith!

Susana's visitor isn't the cosmopolitan (and probably imaginary) marchand, but a man of the cloth. The priest is an old friend she hasn't seen since the eve of Victor's marriage to Reina. She felt the need for his spiritual guidance.

At first she tries to explain Juanjo as an ex-employee, but soon admits that he's the man she loves -- though she doesn't deserve him, she says.

Juanjo gets back to Reina's old house, still disgruntled by the man he heard at Susana's place. Yolanda shows up on his doorstep with home-made cannelloni and the clear intention of gruntling him.

She doesn't get the chance, though, because Laz and Moto arrive a moment later. Can Juanjo stay with Román? The Dragon needs his help.

He Takes the Queen

Victor lounges in his black satin robe and jammies. Reina knows what she has to say. JUST SAY IT!

She clenches her fists and closes her eyes:
Quiero que me hagas el amor.
(I want you to make love to me.)

Victor makes a face. That's not convincing. Try again!

This time she keeps her eyes open and almost shouts:
TE PIDO. QUE ME HAGAS. EL AMOR.
(I'm asking you to make love to me.)

There's no emotion. It's not coming from the gut, from her sexuality.

Now she roars, her teeth gritted:
TE RUEGO. ¡TE SUPLICO QUE ME HAGAS EL AMOR!
(I'm begging you to make love to me.)

"Your wish is my command!" He carries her to his bed. She sobs. He gets angry. It wasn't going to be like this, he says, but he is tired of waiting. Tonight he's going to enjoy her. Tonight he is going to HAVE her. He throws her on her stomach, and climbs on top of her. "Tonight you're going to be mine."

I will survive!

Navier collapses against the crossbeams, the blood still bright on his chest. He thought bubbles: "I survived loneliness, abandonment, growing up without a mother, the coldness of an orphanage, a murderous love (un amor asesino), betrayal, the cruelty of prison: I'm going to survive you, Victor De Rosas!" The three thugs sit quietly at a round table playing a card game. (Go Fish?)

FELS-PELS -- What the hell? (a)

FELS-PELS is spooning Esmeeth when his phone sounds. He reads a message from Dra. Moto: Navier is in danger. Then Esmeeth's phone sounds and she gets a message. The police have found the diamond, she tells him. Izzy had it. What was his message about? "Nothing. Just routine. (Huh?) Take care of the diamond."
 

Part 2

Moto and Laz are outside the torture place. Over Moto's protests, Laz insists he's going in with her. Does he know how to handle a gun? Please. He was a thief. He knows more than he likes to admit. She passes a weapon to him and watches him attach a silencer. "The agent and the thief. Who would have imagined it?" They prepare to open the door...

...While Connie opens the front door to the Leiva house and calls out her brother's name. Juanjo and Yolando run out happily to greet her. She's free! Was it Izzy who took her? No, Izzy is the love of her life, and she doesn't know how she's going to help him...

...Because Izzy is cooling his heels in a jail cell while Christian stands outside and taunts him. Connie may believe Izzy's story, but the justice system won't. He's going to spend a lot of years in jail. "I want to talk to Victor," says Izzy. "And I want to be a blue-eyed blond -- but it ain't gonna happen," snarks Christian.

Estefi confides her fears for Navier to López 2.0. Does Estefi think Victor is going to kill Navier? No, he can't...he wouldn't...he'd be making the biggest mistake of his life...

Thanks to Surrendering his Freedom, the Dragon is Set Free

Laz sweeps into the warehouse and deliberately makes a noise. One of the thugs jumps up from the card table to investigate. Laz clocks him from behind. Then he and Moto quickly shoot the other two -- Moto takes a moment to stroke Navier's face and ask if he is okay -- and they begin to untie the Dragon.

Can Victor Possibly Go Any Lower?

"I would have liked it to be different," says Victor the rapist. "I would have liked you to let me love you."

Reina sits propped up against the headboard, draped in the black satin sheets. She seems dazed, in a state of shock. "You don't love anyone," she tells him. "Only yourself." Reina knows he only pursued her to get even with Nicolás Núñez. What he felt for her was a morbid obsession.

"Who cares how it began?" he growls, positioning himself on all fours like a large cat. "What matters is that I love you and I want you to be mine."

Reina pulls her nightgown back on and slips out of bed. "I want Javier safe," she says. "If you don't bring him back..."

"If I don't bring him back, what? Are you going to kill me?"

"That's not a bad idea." Reina leaves Victor alone and unsettled.

Victor phones Izzy and gets no answer. He leaves a message: Where is he? Victor needs him! Just then Connie walks in with the answer. Izzy is in jail. Can Victor help?

Does ANYONE believe Christian?

Esmeeth has just listened to Christian's account of the red diamond with a certain skepticism. She wants to question Izzy herself. FELS-PELS appears on the scene and wants to join the interrogation too. Christian leaves the office for a moment, saying he will have Izzy brought in for them. Once they are alone, FELS-PELS whispers that he has bad news about Navier.

Feeling Guilty and Dirty

Reina comes out of her bathroom wearing a terrycloth robe and a towel on her head. She sits wrapped in a blanket, and reaches for her diary. "Forgive me, my love, but I had to do it to save your life. If being with Victor is the price for saving your life, I'd pay it a thousand times over. My love for you is greater than my love for myself, for my own body. I'm more yours than ever before. Forgive me."
 

Part 3

A Moral Dilemma for Izzy

Izzy tells FELS-PELS the truth: "That crooked cop stole the diamond from Connie." And FELS-PELS believes him. He's willing to help him, he says, but there's a catch. Izzy will have to help FELS-PELS get his boss, Victor De Rosas.

Victor walks in at that very moment and announces that he is there to help Izzy. FELS-PELS chases him out -- Izzy is not permitted to speak with anyone right now. Then FELS-PELS stands and leans over Izzy: "Believe me, Castillo -- this is your last chance to be free. Give me that man."

Like nearly everyone else in this particular CIA office, Moto skews to the autistic side of the social adjustment scale

Dra. Moto has brought Navier to the morgue (why?) though she assures him he isn't dead. Navier is still confused. Why didn't Victor simply have him killed? Moto wants to know if Victor confronted him about the DNA results. Navier says Victor confronted him, but not for that reason -- it was because Navier had shot him. Victor was beating Reina and enjoying it. Navier was careful. He made sure the bullet just grazed Victor's arm. He wasn't aiming for his heart.

Moto wants Navier to stay and rest. (In the morgue?)

Esmeeth walks in, visibly upset. What did the bastards do to him? Navier, ignoring Esmeeth, tells Moto he doesn't need to rest. He has to check on Clara. That's why he allowed them to take him -- Victor threatened to hurt the child. Victor must know he's not her father or he wouldn't act that way towards her. But that's another mystery to solve...

Now Navier turns and faces Esmeeth for the first time: Yo tampoco soy el padre. (I'm not her father either.)

Esmeeth says nothing. Navier limps out of the room, showing us the red gashes on his back. Now Esmeeth turns to Moto: "Where did Navier get the idea that he isn't Clara's father?" "From a DNA analysis we did here that turned out negative," answers Moto.

Maybe she was better off in boarding school

Reina brings a breakfast tray to Clara. Clara is usually awake at this hour. Why isn't she stirring? What's wrong? Reina begins to panic. Clara stirs and says drowsily, "Mommy, I want to sleep." Reina is relieved... until she finds the anonymous note -- one of those creepy ones cut out of bits of magazines and newspapers -- beside Clara in the bed: "Take care of her. She's small, weak, defenseless, so fragile she could break."

Jailhouse Blues

Victor makes it clear to Christian that he doesn't believe his accusations about Izzy. Both men watch FELS-PELS leave. "You'll be hearing from me," FELS-PELS tells Christian. Izzy sits alone and miserable in Christian's office.

FELS-PELS -- What the hell? (b)

Greta's two mommies gaze at her through the glass window of her isolation unit. FELS-PELS joins them and tells Estefi he needs a word with her. Susana steps out. FELS-PELS tells Estefi he has to tell her something -- something he did for her -- and he's not sure it was the right thing. He switched the results of Navier's DNA tests so they would show that he wasn't Clara's father.
 

Part 4

Victor plays with his little brother

Back at the De Rosas mansion, Reina rushes to Navier's side. How is he? Alive. He flinches when she tries to touch him. Victor enters with a big smirk on his face. "Do you really want to know why you're alive?" Victor turns to Reina: "Do you want to tell him or shall I?"

Victor keeps talking. It is Reina who saved Navier's life. She absolutely BEGGED him for it. And he, sensitive man that he is, and faced with such a display of affection -- what could he do? He had to pardon Navier's life. So he has Reina to thank. Doesn't Navier like the truth?

"I don't believe a single word," says Navier. "You do well not to believe it," he snorts. "Anyway, I still have an ace up my sleeve."

"The game isn't over," says Navier (continuing an extended poker metaphor that was just too tedious to reproduce in its entirety). "The Queen of Hearts is still in play."

"You're wrong," says Victor, pulling Reina tightly to him. "The Queen of Hearts is mine."

You would do that for little old me?

"You changed the DNA results for me?" asks Estefi, moved anew by her ability to inspire her little brother to completely unethical behavior. "For you and for Bolívar," says FELS-PELS (May he rot in Hell).

How did he know about the DNA testing? Because he knows Jackie Moto very well and he could tell she was lying about the reason Navier had come to see her. He suspected she was up to something and he checked it out. Estefi's eyes are shining. She flashes him a broad smile: "You're brilliant!" She confesses that when she found out that Reina was also his sister, she was so afraid he'd like her better. But not anymore.

Hips don't lie -- and neither does Science

Esmeeth is determined to figure out why the DNA tests came out as they did. As she is examining the results on the magic screen, Moto confronts her: Is Esmeeth doubting her work? She is. She knows everything about Reina Ortiz and she knows who Clara's father is. "Science says otherwise." Esmeeth isn't questioning science -- she's questioning Moto. Moto says there are intimate truths that aren't revealed in investigations. Esmeeth may be brilliant, but there's no way for her to know who passed through Reina's bed eight years ago.

Seriously Victor, have you seen the guy with his shirt off?

Victor marches Reina into his office. "Why didn't you tell him?" she asks. "Because I'm a gentleman. I'm not proud of what happened, but you left me no choice."

"Oh please, Victor -- the hatred you feel for Javier is much stronger that the so-called love you feel for me."

"You think it's easy for me knowing that Nicolás Núñez is the love of your life? I DREAM about him! What does he have that made you pick him over me? That my father preferred him to me? What does he have that makes everyone like him better? For you and Clara, I don't even exist. And to top it off, she's Navier's daughter."

"Clara isn't Navier's daughter," says Reina, stopping Victor's rant cold.

In the kitchen, Clara is wondering why her mother doesn't call Asunción 'mamá' and why, if she's her grandmother, she is an employee in the house. Asunción says the important thing is that she gets to be close to both Clara and Reina, no matter what her role is in the household or how they address each other.

Asunción is startled to get a text message: "Estefanía gave me your number. I'm Gregorio, your son." She looks up, her face suffused with joy: "I couldn't be happier."
 

Part 5

Victor and Reina continue their conversation. "Clara is Navier's daughter," says Victor flatly. "Or what crazy story are you going to tell me now?" "None," answers Reina. "It's the truth. I just found out."

Victor is starting to enjoy this. "So it turns out a new diary has appeared that talks about an ex-lover you didn't know! Surprise me! I love your stories!"

There's no story, Reina tells him. Victor's attitude toward Clara made Navier suspicious. He decided to do a DNA paternity test -- and it was negative. "Do YOU know who Clara's father is?"

Victor cracks up. (We haven't heard a laugh like this since The Story of Big O ended.) "You want me to tell you who you slept with? Are you nuts? When I met you, you were pregnant. I was nice enough to give your child my name. I wasn't policing your bed -- which, by the way, seems to have had plenty of traffic!"

Navier Skypes with Boris.

"The house is in order," says Boris, standing against a tropical backdrop. He got to his destination and new life. Boris warns Navier that the organization is still gunning for Reina. He should keep away from her or he'll end up dead too. "When I want your advice, I'll ask for it," says the Dragon rudely. Boris is undeterred. He repeats: "Stay away from that woman: Reina Ortiz can't be saved."

In the kitchen, Asunción shows Reina the message she received from Gregorio. He wants to see her! How did Asunción find him? She contacted Estefanía. "Oh, great decision," says Reina, dripping with sarcasm. "Estefanía is a person you can really trust. Very intelligent of you, Asunción." Asunción looks crushed.

Victor stares at a photo of Reina as he talks on the phone: "I don't have to remind you of who I am or all the favors you owe me." The smoke from his cigar surrounds him. "You know loyalty is very important to me.... Yes, I know it isn't easy but it's not impossible either. You can go to the organization and get me everything I'm asking for... I want to know who the hell wants to kill my wife! Who the hell put a price on her head?"

Mutually Assured Destruction

Estefi enters Navier's bedroom. She is shocked by his condition. What happened to him? Who did this? It was Victor, he tells her. He threatened Clara. To keep her safe, Navier had to allow Victor's thugs to take him. Navier is still not sure why Victor didn't have him killed.

"I know why," says Estefi. "Victor knows that if he kills you, it would mean total destruction for him. It would be his end."

"Why is that?" asks Navier. "Because your father protected you, even from the grave. If Victor kills you, he'll go to prison for life. So he hasn't killed you -- and he never will."
 

Outstanding recap, NovelaMaven!!

I totally agree about the uselessness of Roman. If they want to cut something, cut that. A kid his age doesn't know that "rama" means "branch" as in a branch of a tree? I can understand him not knowing that just like in English we use "branch" to mean those of trees and those of disciplines. Maybe the kid couldn't do two different responses.

I guessed right on why Navier was told that the DNA test was negative. FELS is playing with fire here. All you need is someone smart enough to have an independent test done and he's toast.

Penny You're right. Estefi did tell Reina that Estefi was the woman who told her Navier was dead. All I can suggest is that Reina hasn't thought about that aspect with all the other stuff going on, which really means that the writers aren't ready for that part of the story yet. ;-) .
 

Thanks, NovelaMaven!

I'm anxious to see how the DNA/paternity thing pans out. Will it be FELS/PELS downfall? Because everyone except Reina and Javier seem to find it very odd that Javier is not the father.
 

Thanks NovelaMaven for the wonderful reacap!

The DNA Test - I hope Esmeeth gets to the bottom of it and finds out it was changed.

Laz and Dra. Moto - It was funny watching them in action and saving Navier. I've never seen two medical professionals doing something like that. I still find it silly that a foresincs doctor is doing the things that the other agents should be doing.

Izzy - What will Izzy do? WIll he turn in his boss? It is his last chance at freedom. Can't wait to find out what he does.

Reina - I HATED how she had to let Victor force himself on her. I HATE how the writers did this.

Estefy and Navier - I'm glad Estefy told Navier that Victor can't kill him because it would be his end. I wonder what he'll do with this info.
 

*recap not reacap

 

More on the author of the diamod book:

He was a diamond collector and collected particular diamonds. He went through tragedies - like losing his wife and his child. He was found dead in a basement surrounded by diamonds admist the gold rush. He was found with his lips sewn shut.
 

What a treat! Fabulous recaps from Stevey and NovelaMaven all in the same morning!

Maybe I'm a cranky pants, but these last two episode annoyed me. I HATE how Navier is so quick to doubt Reina all the time, and can't seem to see alternative reasons for things. His first default reaction is always that Reina is a liar. I was disgusted that the writers allowed Victor to rape Reina. Why now? Why after 8 years of their cat and mouse game? It's just like how they threw in him raping Stefi, with absolutely no follow-up. Why even write that? And I was appalled by how Vic and Navier spoke about Reina as an object to be won, right to her face. Ugh!

I did laugh at the ridiculousness of Dr. Moto and Nurse Laz packing heat and rescuing Navier. OK. :)

FELS is getting on my nerves more and more. And his relationship with Stefi just creeps me out.
 

stevey – Thank you for the recap. It was worth the wait, with the snark, etc.

NovelaMaven – Thank you for your recap and clever section titles.

So, has one of the telenovela rules been broken, with Victor bedding Reina?

I've never seen Juan Soler in a telenovela. He is doing such a great job as a Victor, that I may never be able to look at this Soler as a protagonist.

If Izzy turns “state’s evidence” /CIA/FBI evidence and helps them bag Victor, then this will be his path of redemption and, hopefully, salvation (because he could end up dead in the process) and a life with Connie.

Hubby walked thru the room during one of the Javier torture scenes and said to me, “I thought you hate violence?” Well, yes, I had to ‘splain that this was somewhat OTT for this telenovela. I found it gruesome and not to my taste. At all.

P/F/G/ELS continues to creep me out. I don’t even find the actor appealing.

I can’t help but wonder if Susana’s padre buddy will appear again. His scene lasted a bit too long for just a casual cameo appearance.

 

" Reality then sets in as Roman appears, wanting to be fed."
stevey - this is my favorite line in your recap. So true!!! Makes one wonder who has been watching him while Laz holds vigil at the hospital? Roman is Laz's first responsibility.
 

Stevie, your "editorial comments" had me laughing out loud, not to mention how accurate they were. It's great that you're back doing wonderful recaps.

NovelaMaven, loved your titles as usual, although this was a hard episode to recap, and to watch. Thank you for the fine job.I fast forwarded through much of it and filled in the blanks through your recap. Victor should suffer eternal punishment for his evil. And to actually complain afterwards that Reina didn't love him! His narcissism is beyond belief.


Penny
 

perfect NovelaMaven!

wow, so Reina brings up to Victor how our whole story began,"he only pursued her to get even with Nicolás Núñez (whom he didn't know at the time, for messing with his daughter Camila, that he now knows didn't)

and where is the love?

a dark cloud has moved in over Reina and Javier,
an obsessed Christian stands between kinky Connie and thug Isidro
Susana lives with her hand on the self-destruct button.
Greta is in a coma,

and creepy Patricio the loner,
pursuing the love of a woman that is old enough to be his mother,
(while squashing her son, his competitor),
and bending the truth just to stand next to Stefi.
(such a complex/conflicting and cold character)
no wonder Jackie went nuts!

 

While this was a disturbing episode and I hated the torture scenes as much as everyone else (and hated the earlier ones too), I thought the rape scene was not exactly gratuitous. It made the dramatic point that Victor has moved to a new level of depravity: he can no longer boast that he would never take a woman by force.

Vivi, you mention the earlier episode where Victor "raped" Estefanía. I've kind of avoided discussing that one because I knew I'd be stepping into some deep doo doo. But my take on that was that he was fulfilling her fantasy of being ravished by a hero/rogue, and that she knew all along that el Halcón Negro was Victor. When we saw her later looking victimized, it was not because SHE had been "taken." Rather, it was because she realized that the RED DIAMOND had been "taken."

What happened between Reina and Victor was quite different and quite depressing. But it was an important turning point in the story.
 

"I thought the rape scene was not exactly gratuitous."
YES, and I am so very grateful for this. THANK YOU, TELEMUNDO, FOR SPARING US!!! I have dropped many new telenovelas during the first week, sometimes after the first episode, because of a graphic rape scene.

We knew exactly what was going to happen/what happened, we knew it would not be pretty, and the message was conveyed (and our stomachs turned) without the gratuitous rape scene. Well done, writers and T'mundo!


Oh, and I agree NM that Stefy was not 'raped' by Victor. She knew it was him.
 

Jean, good for you for guessing that FELS-PELS messed with the DNA results. I was stuck on Moto, who always looks guilty of something, even if she isn't. :)

Penny, I'm with you, wondering why Reina is holding back that crucial bit of information from Navier (that Estefi is the woman who lied to Reina and told her Navier was dead). But as Jean says, the writers must be saving that one...

Sara, I agree that his fiddling with the DNA results has made FELS-PELS vulnerable. (He is so arrogant, he thinks he can get away with anything!)

Mauricio, Izzy's dilemma is nicely set up, isn't it? We have all come to sympathize with the sicario and want to see him and Connie living the normal, boring life they long for. I hope Izzy remembers how little loyalty Victor has shown to him (really, to anyone) when he makes his decision.
 

Mauricio, thank you for filling in that bit about the author of the diamond book. I was confused by this line:

"He was found dead in a basement surrounded by diamonds amidst the gold rush."

But that's what they said! I'd say this is one time that it DOESN'T sound any better in Spanish than it does in English.

So now we have to wonder who planted that book in the library for Reina and Navier to find...

And since it is FELS-PELS who is telling the story of the writer, can we believe anything he says?
 

deb, I love the way you sum up the essence of the story in a few words. I am in awe of your ability to see it all and capture it all so perfectly in miniature. Wow.

Doris, I'm glad you saw the rape scene (and the earlier "pseudo-rape"scene) the way I did. As I say, I was a little hesitant to comment on it at all.

Vivi, Navier's quickness to doubt Reina IS frustrating. Of course, we know it's going to come back and bite him in the you know what. [And Reina's cruel treatment of Asunción -- which she seemed to have gotten past -- is both frustrating and ominous. We know she'll come to regret it.]
 

Rape is where the woman does not voluntarily
consent to having sex whether she knows her rapist or not. Victor definitely raped Reina. The Estefi/Victor sex was more ambiguous. She didn't seem happy about it afterwards so it could have been rape.

Unpleasant as Victor's rape of Reina was (and you wonder why he didn't do it earlier by threatening Navier or Clara), I think it happened because as I have predicted on numerous times, Reina is going to end up preggers and this way she won't know if the baby is Navier's or Victor's. Of course, we know that the baby will be Navier's.
 

Jean - and if Reina is preggers and a DNA paternity test is done, let's hope that PFGELS does NOT learn about it.
 

wow, Jean, I try not to think ahead in a fast paced novela like this one, but will Victor ever be smug if he thinks Reina is carrying his baby.

I agree with whoever said it, I don't think I will ever be able to see Juan Soler (Victor) as a good guy in a novela again, he must be practicing at home with his wife Maki, the one-eyed devil in "Santa Diabla".

 

Wasn't able to see Wednesday's episode and watched two last night. Sometimes that gives more of an impact.

Thanks so much to both Stevey and NovelaMaven! What a treat to read two excellent recaps this morning.

Say, maybe we can get Caroline to represent Isidro in his lawsuit against the Las Vegas Police Department for Christián a) framing him and b) denying him food or even water to drink after he's put him in a cell.

Everyone seems to think Victor raped Reina. I didn't like what happened, but technically speaking she consented to having sex with him. It was the awful brutal way he did it that was hard to take. Thankfully, we didn't see much of it. I kept thinking something would happen to prevent it, but no.

Susana is just an incredible dunce. Now I guess they're going with her overwhelming inferiority complex making her push Juanjo away because she's unworthy. So the worthy thing to do is hurt him like that, making him think she's got another man for the night?

Yep, sure looks like they're going with Reina getting pregnant and not knowing the father. And, Vivi, I AM sick of Navier turning on her all the time.

I think FELS/PELS is not going to have a happily ever after with Esmeeth. I hope, hope, hope that Esmeeth finds the correct DNA results, which is what they were hinting at last night. Of course, she may blame Dr. Moto. But his crooked moves to protect his awful sister are going to bite him in the hindquarters for sure. I think he'll lose Esmeeth and his job.
 

I don't know, Novelera. I'm not a lawyer but it seems to me that consent obtained under coercion isn't consent at all.
 

I agree that consent obtained under coercion is not willing consent. Look at it this way --- If I agreed to that to save the life of my child or loved one,I would still feel raped. It's no different than someone holding a knife to my throat. But I'm not a lawyer and that fine line continues to be debated in today's world.


As for our storyline/plot. . . It will be interesting to see where the writers go with it. My money is on Reina's father as the head of the organization.

It's doubtful that even Kinsey Millhone and her index cards could come up with the the outcome, so we will have to stay tuned. Must See TV,
 

Friday

Part 1

In Navier's room at the De Rosas Mansion...

Big O Watches Over Navier from, er, Beyond

Estefi explains why Victor doesn't dare kill Navier. When Big O died, he left a video for each of his sons. In Victor's, he made it clear that if anything happened to Navier, Victor would go to prison.

Flashback: Navier is kidnapped by masked thugs. He is miraculously rescued by his big brother.

Now the Dragon understands: Victor wasn't saving Navier's life -- he was saving his own! But why didn't Estefi tell him before? And why is she telling him now? "Because if Victor goes to jail, I go with him."

Speaking of jail...

Hey, FELS, do you deliver oyxmorons?

Buzzkill Christian won't let Connie deliver the home-made store-bought goodies to Izzy. Fortunately, FELS-PELS is on his way to see the prisoner and agrees to take him the food.

At the hospital...
Laz gives Susana the name of the specialist Dr. Moto recommended. He's surprised Juanjo hasn't already told her about this. Juanjo joins them and explains that he tried to talk to Susana the night before, but she was too busy with her marchand to listen.

In Izzy's cell...
FELS-PELS won't hand over Connie's food unless Izzy spills the beans about Victor De Rosas. "Victor is an honest man," says Izzy unhesitatingly. "He's a good boss and I'm proud to work for him. Now can I have the food please?"

"Of course," says PELS-FELS, holding out the Tupperware box, then turning it upsidedown and letting the contents plop on the floor. "What a shame!" says FELS-PELS as he carefully buttons his too small jacket.

He walks out into the corridor where Connie still waits, hoping to see Izzy. FELS-PELS commandeers Christian's office so he can talk to her.

Living room, De Rosas Mansion...

Literally, dude. Headhunters

Reina says Asunción and Victor are exaggerating. She has to go to the atelier. But the unlikely allies agree it is just too dangerous for Reina to leave the house right now. Reina got involved with the wrong people and now they're looking to take her head as a trophy.

Victor's phone rings. It's Susana calling from the hospital to alert him that his grandmother is with her in the hospital. Somehow she heard about Greta and she's quite upset. Victor is surprised -- his grandmother doesn't even know Greta! He'll be right there to find out what's going on.

Victor shoots Reina warning look and then leaves.

In Christian's office...
Connie babbles. FELS-PELS furrows his brow. He bullies. He threatens. He comes up empty.

Outside Greta's hospital room...

Through the looking glass

Laz swears his undying love for Greta. Juanjo says Greta can't hear him. Why didn't Juanjo tell him he didn't talk to Susana last night? "She was with her boyfriend," grouses Juanjo.

Said boyfriend -- rocking a clerical collar -- now walks into the waiting area. Susana greets him with a hug. Abuela thinks the priest has come to help her pray.

What could Juanjo do? he asks Laz. He was so mad when he heard that guy's voice that if he had come out and shown his face, he could have killed him! But Laz isn't listening. He is staring soberly at Greta. The monitor beeps rhythmically in the background.
 

Part 2

"Would you mind taking off your...um..."

Susana doesn't wait for the priest to answer. She removes his collar and turns him into just another handsome youngish guy in black. She explains that the elderly woman telling her beads is Greta's great-grandmother and her presence here is a mystery.

Juanjo sees the handsome stranger, now introduced as Manuel. Assuming he is the elusive, snooty marchand, Juanjo snubs him, turning away and leaving the priest's friendly hand of greeting extended in the air.

Navier's bedroom...

Would you buy a used car from either of these people?

Navier gets up from the bed and, still moving painfully, looks out the window. He wonders why there is a Reina de Corazones truck outside.

"Victor can't know that I know he can't kill me," says Navier. [Everybody got that one? Good.] Estefi assures him he can count on her silence.

"You're scary when you're with Victor. You and he share a lot of secrets," Navier tells her gravely. "Whenever you can, you save him. You saved his skin with the bracelet. You know what happened with the singer. You know perfectly well who he is."

Estefi isn't giving anything away. "What happened with the singer? What do you know about that?"

"That she was found dead. Now I'm wondering what YOU know. Are you ever going to trust me? Are you ever going to tell me the whole truth?"

Estefi tilts her head. "You? You're a secret agent. I'm a diamond trafficker. Let's be sincere. I can't trust you and you can't trust me. How sad."

Estefi walks away.

CIA Interrogation Room...

Brutal but Ineffectual

Esmeeth sit across the table from one of the thugs who kidnapped Navier. She shows him photos of himself with Victor. He identifies Victor by name. Why is Victor giving him money? "To kidnap someone?" asks Esmeeth. "Or to kill someone?" chimes in Dra. Moto, standing behind Esmeeth. For neither reason. Esmeeth grabs him and bangs his head on the table. "Speak!"

The thug wipes blood from his nose. "I was extorting money from him over some photos I had of his lover."

Esmeeth squints at him. Moto is looking like a pitbull. He continues. "And as to Bolívar, I kidnapped him because I felt like it."

Esmeeth punches his face so hard, he falls off the chair. "And I smashed your face in because I felt like it!"

As Esmeeth's subordinates lead the thug away, she complains that her ring hurt her hand when that animal hit it with his face.

Hospital Waiting Area...
Victor greets his abuela. She surprises him when she says that Greta knows her very well and knows how much she loves her.

De Rosas Living Room...
Reina examines some gowns that a certain Mercedes, one of her employees, has delivered to the house. [The camera lingers a little too long on Mercedes. She looks mean. I think she's up to something.]

Navier's bedroom...
The Dragon's phone rings. He gets this text: Reina Ortiz, her head is worth $500 thousand dollars.

De Rosas Living Room...

Hey, Mercedes, aren't you overreacting a little?

Reina asks Mercedes if the trim was hand-embroidered as she asked. It was, says Mercedes. Reina is doubtful. She asks to see the other dress. Mercedes reaches under the dress...and pulls out a gun! She grips it firmly in both hands and aims at Reina's head.

Before Mercedes can squeeze the trigger, Navier rushes in and shoots her, but not fatally. She falls to the floor and tries to recover her gun. Navier shoots again. Mercedes stops squirming. Asunción and Reina look on in horror.
 

Part 3

Hospital...
Abuela begs Victor to take her to see Greta. They've been seeing each other in secret for years. Remember that time he sent the abuela to Europe? She went to visit Greta in her boarding school:

Flashback: The youngish old woman in the white wig introduces herself to the adolescent Greta and gives her a hug.

Why didn't she tell Victor? "Can't I have a secret with my great granddaughter? It's not the only one we share..."

Susana is relieved to see Victor with his grandmother. She got scared when the older woman wasn't where she left her.

De Rosa's Mansion...
The would-be killer is alive. Navier calls for an ambulance. Reina freaks out. "She said she was a seamstress! She seemed so sweet, so nice..."

"...so murderous," finishes Navier. He chews out the security guy and tells Reina she has to be more vigilant. How did he know she was in danger? He tells her about the message he got. He saw the truck outside and somehow made the connection.

"When is this going to end?" asks Reina desperately. "If you really trust me, Reina, it's time for you to show it," answers Navier. Reina nods.
[SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT!!!]

Outside Greta's hospital room...
Laz gazes at his beloved. Dr. Payola enters with a security guard and informs Laz that he is forbidden to be there. Next comes Victor gloating over how handy it is that Laz has a criminal record.

Once Laz has been banished, Victor leads in the abuela. She wrings her hands at the sight of her beloved Greta.

Outside the hospital...

Product Placement Alert!

Juanjo gets into the driver's seat of his snot-green KIA Soul. Susana hurries to catch him before he can drive away. She wants to tell him the truth! But he is so jealous of the "rich marchand" that he drives away without giving her a chance to speak.

De Rosas Mansion...

Merciless Mercedes is wheeled out on a stretcher

Navier shows Esmeeth an email that was sent to him from Intelligence. He says they're trying to get to the head of the organization. (Están viendo como llegar a la cabeza de la organización.) "That won't be easy," says Esmeeth. Navier knows that. He says Victor wants to cooperate with them. Esmeeth is dubious.

Moto reports that the killer seamstress is in grave condition. Esmeeth says they better save her because she has to talk. "The one who has to be saved is Reina," says Moto grimly. Navier looks behind him and sees Reina on the staircase watching and listening.

And I thought I had problems!

Laz was looking for some sympathy about getting kicked out of the hospital, but his problems seem trivial compared to the Tragedy Sweepstakes in which Navier always seems to hold the winning ticket.

Victor has brought his grandmother back to the house. She watches her grandson kick out Laz. Navier asks the abuela if she's praying. She is. "Pray for us."

Navier tells Victor about the latest attempt on Reina's life. "Why wasn't I informed?" "It was my decision -- I had everything under control." Harumph! Before the boys can get too testy, a uniformed maid hands a note to Victor. She was instructed to deliver it at precisely this hour.

Victor glances at it and says that Reina seems to have left with Clara. Evidently little bro doesn't have everything under control.

Navier doesn't understand. He asked Asunción to keep an eye on Reina. "Asunción went out this afternoon and she hasn't come back," says the maid.
 

Part 4

A hotel room...
Asunción smiles nervously. Clearly, she is waiting for something or someone. She gets a text message: I'm close, very close. G. She hugs the phone to herself, excited.

She hears a knock at the door. Let me in. G. reads the phone text.

She takes a deep breath and then opens the door to... a skinny Lopezy kind of guy, his face concealed under a ski mask. His gloved hand forces a chloroform-soaked handkerchief over her mouth.

Izzy's Jail Cell...
Christian tells Izzy he's being transferred to prison.

Reina's old house...
Connie and Juanjo commiserate and do some competitive kvetching. Yolanda comes to the door looking for Juanjo. Juanjo says he's willing to give it another try. She demands fidelity. He promises he'll be faithful.

De Rosas Living Room...

One of these days, Victor, POW! Straight to the moon!

Victor tells Agents Esmeeth, Moto and Bolívar that he had nothing to do with Reina's disappearance. Navier says security saw Reina return to her room. They have no idea how she left. What Victor wants to know is if she left voluntarily or if she was taken. Navier says Reina would never have put Clara at risk. "She must have been kidnapped," says ever-grim Moto. "Maybe," says Navier, "the killer seamstress was just a distraction, and now the real killer has Reina."

Moto and Esmeeth have to leave. Moto has been notified that the killer seamstress is awake and they have to question her. Esmeeth warns Victor to watch his step. The thug they caught is protecting him, but one of these days...

Victor tells Navier how pleased he is that Clara isn't Navier's daughter.

Late at Night, Connie's Bedroom...
A man climbs in an open window. "Who is it?" calls out Connie from her bed, frightened. "It's me," says Izzy. "I broke out of jail. Victor helped me -- as always. We don't have much time!" He got away during the transfer to prison. He's on the run, but he had to stop by to say goodbye. He can't drag her through the dirt with him, but he wants her to know she's the most beautiful thing that ever happened to him. He begins to steal away. She stops him. "Take me with you." He scoops her up in his arms and heads for the window. "No, use the door!"

Reina's Old House...
Juanjo comes to the door in his red underpants. [I didn't notice his socks. Sorry.] It's Susana and she's got a bag of pastries for their coffee. She wants to talk. "Love, who is it?" calls out Yolanda from the bedroom. Susana heads back out the door. Unlike Juanjo, she leaves the food behind. [Because, hey, she can afford it.]

Estefi's Doll Room/Hotel Bathroom

Estefi gives orders to López 2.0 over the phone:

"Take off her clothes."
As Estefi roughly strips the clothing off a small, dark-haired doll, López does the same thing to Asunción.

"Now put her in the bathtub. It doesn't matter if the water is cold. She won't feel it."
Both the doll and Asunción are placed in tubs.

"Now submerge her in the water. Water is purifying. Hold her down."
As Estefi goes through the motions with her doll, López insanely follows his boss's orders, holding Asunción's face under the water.

"Drown her! Show no mercy!"
Asunción opens her eyes and she thrashes, trying to escape. López is unrelenting. Estefi compulsively batters the doll sunk under the water.

PELS-FELS enters the bathroom, pulls López away from the tub and lifts Asunción's head out of the water. He calls her name. Her lips are blue.

Save her, PELS-FELS! Save her!
 

Part 5

Connie's House...

Return if not completely satisfied

Izzy brings Connie back. He just can't do it. She begs him -- all she wants is to be with him. He says if she's with him, he'll get caught. It would be crazy for both of them. This really is goodbye.

Un Mes Después -- A Month Later

Victor puffs on his cigar and vows to Reina's photo that he will find her if it's the last thing he ever does. His face lights up when his grandmother joins him in the office. She's been thinking about what will happen when Greta wakes up and tells her abuela what she has to do.

Victor is puzzled. "Do with what, grandmother?" "I don't know. I don't remember. But she trusted me. We swore to each other that you'd never find out about our relationship."

Flashback: Abuela visits adolescent Greta at the boarding school in London. They agree it will be their secret. Nobody will know. Greta feels so alone. She can't even trust her mother. Abuela tells her Greta can always trust her. She will never betray her. Greta hugs her.

Back to the present: "And she did trust me. She entrusted me with the most sacred thing. I know she's going to wake up soon, and she'll tell me what I have to do."

"Do with what, abuela? Did Greta give you something -- some documents or papers, something she wanted you to hide for her? Is that it?"

Abuela's face brightens. "Yes, some papers! And if anyone finds them, they'll put you in jail!"

Madrid, España

No importa el tiempo que pase
yo esperaré por ti

In a modest apartment, Reina sits at her sewing machine and works. ¿Me extrañaste, mi Reina de Corazones? a soft voice asks. Did you miss me, my Queen of Hearts? Reina turns and sees Navier. They smile. She runs into his arms.

Too good to be true? Tune in on Monday and find out!
 

wow, NovelaMaven,
your recaps are so rico!

I could only dream of seeing all of the layers you put into them.

like this one,

"One of these days, Victor, POW! Straight to the moon!"

this works so well,

but who in a spanish forum would have ever heard of Ralph, the bus driver?

 

Excellent recap, NovelaMaven. Loved the snark.

So Greta entrusted the proofs against Victor to Victor's beloved grandma. I'm not sure that was such great idea, especially when grandma seems to be losing it.

Does grandma know who Navier is? She didn't seem at all interested in her other grandchild who was standing right there.

Esmeeth is the worst interrogator ever.

Estefi is in trouble now. FELS knows who López is and he saw him clearly so it won't take the superdotado long to figure out that Estefi was behind the attempted(?) murder of Asunción. I wonder why he showed up there? Bad timing, maybe. Estefi wanted him to find Asunción's body?
 

Another amazing recap from NovelaMaven.

I've not yet watched the epi, but am interested to see Granny's return. I'm sure she's got some more mysteries she's hiding. It doesn't make sense that they would create this character otherwise.

Jean- Grandma was Vic's mother's mother. So she is not related to Navier. But to me it doesn't make sense why Vic would have tried to keep her away from Greta all these years? Why wouldn't he want his grandma to know his kids? I mean, if she didn't know Greta, then she wouldn't have known Camila either. Unless Vic took separate trips with just Camila to meet Grams. Wouldn't she want to get to know her great-grandkids,including Clara, despite whatever she felt about their moms (Susana, Reina, and Stefi, whom she adores)?
 

Hi deb,

Thank you so much! I'm delighted you enjoy my House Special Club Sandwich approach to recapping. I don't think the reader has to be able to name every ingredient, down to the last anchovy [though it IS fun when you picture Ralph Kramden next to Victor De Rosas!]

Sometimes I add parenthetical notes to especially obscure references. Mostly, though, I just bumble along, hoping to tickle a reader funny bone or two while keeping myself amused as I write what feels like my gazillionth recap...does that sentence make sense? I hope so.
 

NovelaMaven – thank you for the recap, snark and clever section titles!
”[SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT!!!]” Well, I am so clueless that I completely missed that S.E.A.

My LOL moment last night was when Izzy went to carry Connie out through the window.
["No, use the door!"] Duh!

Obviously Abuelita has the incriminating evidence that Greta hid. At Granny's. The minute Grandma showed up, I knew she was going to be a plot propeller, yet again. It seems to be her major purpose.

Grandma might know Javier is Octavio’s son, but with her dementia, she can just as easily have forgotten that factoid.

Vivi – ITA about the Grandma character. It is very, very strange that she has been kept away from Greta et al, and that Victor continues to keep her away from everyone. It is very suspicious . . . Maybe she also has a son named Pedro Ortiz. (a Crackpot Theory)


What if Padre Hottie is Susana’s brother? Their relationship has not been explained, yet.

Ahhh, el verde Kia Soul invitado makes another cameo appearance. Juanjo is easier on the eyes than the hamsters.


Hhhhmmm…. I’ll have to go back and see if Juanjo was wearing socks. I’m thinking we never saw his feet in that undies scene.

Off-topic, but kind of not: While channel flipping last night, 20/20 had a story on disability insurance fraud. Some guy who was a KIA hamster dancer was profiled:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/kia-hamster-disability-fraud_n_5449870.html
 

Jean and Vivi,

Thanks for the kind words!

I'm also intrigued by grandma's return and how she will figure in the story. I was surprised that she ignored Lázaro, although maybe in her dithering reality, she just didn't notice him. (You can never tell with the abuela.) I would say that:

Laz is to Greta what Estefi is/was to Victor

That is, Laz and Estefi are both underdogs. Why root for Estefi and ignore Laz? (Of course we don't know what Laz and Grannie have been doing for the past month.)

Jean:

"Esmeeth is the worst interrogator ever."

Oh, I don't know. Moto is definitely in the running for the title! :-)

Vivi:

"it doesn't make sense why Vic would have tried to keep [grandma] away from Greta all these years"

Agreed. Maybe we'll get some explanatory flashbacks.
 

Doris,

A KIA hamster dancer involved in insurance fraud? Are you trying to say those aren't actual RODENTS in the commercial? Aaaaack! Now I'm REALLY disappointed!

Pedro Ortiz as a son of Abuela? Padre Hottie as Susana's brother? Who knows? All bets are off!

So do we think PELS-FELS-GELS has saved Asunción?
 

"So do we think PELS-FELS-GELS has saved Asunción?"
Your guess is as good as mine. I guess it depends if they writers need to move someone off the payroll to make room for a new character. It would be a real shame if Asunción doesn't survive. She has more untold information.

Now that you mention it, I noticed and thought it was very odd how Abue ignored Laz, to the point where I fully anticipated her suddenly asking him if he has a sister, were they from Colombia, were they separated and had to go live elsewhere, etc. It made me wonder. So chalk up another point for the writers and actors. I play into their hands so easily! ;-)
 

Ohhh Noes! I'm away for 10 episodes and we're not in Las Vegas any more.

Hmmm. We're on FELS-PELS home territory, but it's our Dragon that pops up. Where is Clara? I have a feeling, just by the look on her face back when they discovered Reina went missing, that Smeeth was the one who helped her get out of town, and not Reina's Dragon.

I'm trying to catch up as fast as I can. One thing that was an ick factor for me a few episodes ago was the huggy-squeezy, hold each other relationship between Gregorio and Estefania. My adult son and daughter love each other and hug hello and goodbye, but he would never kiss her on the forehead like that. SAVE THAT for SMEETH, you idiot.

P.S. The recaps have been great and so have the comments. Welcome back Stevey, your voice has been missed for far too long.

So, there are a few more bodies to add to the Body Count. I'm putting Tio Rodolfo on the important characters list, just because he's family.
 

oooh Anita's back! Now it's a party!

You can put anyone you want on your "important characters list"! I was sure you'd have Christian to add by the time you got back, but no such luck. (Oh dear. Did I just write that?)

I was convinced that Navier engineered Reina's and Clara's escape because of this (from the recap):

"When is this going to end?" asks Reina desperately. "If you really trust me, Reina, it's time for you to show it," answers Navier. Reina nods.
[SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT SIGNIFICANT EXCHANGE ALERT!!!]

(Though as you know, I am forever reading in things that aren't there, so you could well be right here.)

Doris,

"I play into their hands so easily!"

LOL. Me too. I am always getting faked out! (see above)
 

NovelaMaven--
You are probably right. We're dealing with two, regular hot-heads right now. Smeeth helped the first time Reina disappeared. But this time Bolivar has higher stakes in keeping Reina safe and alive. I was just picking up on Smeeth's look. She didn't seem at all surprised R & C were gone. She may have helped facilitate the escape.

 

NM--I was amazed Cristian was still alive, too. Izzy is falling down on the job. His underlings weren't any good. I fully expected the whole hospital routine with broken bones and Connie wringing her hands in despair.

I did get a big kick out of Izzy pretending to be el Cojone Supremo, in Vic's study, sitting in his chair, smoking his cigar with his feet on the desk giving instructions and ordering a hit.
 

One more comment.

ESTEFI is CRAAAAZZYYYY, I mean certifiable. Based on the kill-by-proxy scene, she won't be living in her mansion with all her diamonds at El Fin.
 

"ESTEFI is CRAAAAZZYYYY, I mean certifiable."

Oh my goodness, yes!
 

Oh NovelaMaven you just crank them out and make it look so easy.

"Mercedes stops squirming."

I'm a sick SOB so that just tickled my funny bone. Now off to read the rest.
 

"Tragedy Sweepstakes" and "Competitive Kvetching". I swear every time I read one of your recaps I wonder why I even bother to try and recap with the big dogs. Lol
 

¡Gracias por la flor, Sara! I feel exactly the same way when I look at the other members of this team. It's pretty impressive -- and so are you!
 

Aw shucks.

You know, I haven't even watched the episode yet. Not sure if I will with such a fine recap.
 

Wow! Late to the party as always. But plenty of time to echo all the kudos for that super special recap, NovelaMaven. I also loved "winning ticket to the Tragedy Sweepstakes".

I found that scene of Estefi's murder by proxy in her doll room quite disturbing. I think Asunción is going to survive. I expect her to be fully reconciled with Reina and FELS. Although I frequently wonder if FELS will survive the novela. He's done too many unforgiveable things.

Jean, thanks for answering my question! FELS has seen López 2.0 and can connect Estefi to the attempt on Asunción's life. This was right up there in the Cruelty Sweepstakes with some of Victor's deeds. Having a mother come to a hotel room, heart aflutter, expecting a meeting with a child she hasn't seen since he was a baby, and then...

I was completely caught off guard with Reina ending up in Madrid. But a big clue was Clara disappearing at the same time.

I will be VERY disappointed if our low-IQ Connie now turns to Christian. So FELS knows Christian was the one who stole the red diamond? Can't he drop a dime to Internal Affairs and get the Worst Cop in Las Vegas dismissed from the force?
 

" . . . . . expecting a meeting with a child she hasn't seen since he was a baby, and then..."
I thought she met PFGELSwhen she was questioned by him at the CIA hdqtrs, several episodes ago. Or did she not realize that he was her long-lost?
 

Novelera, you are too kind. (You already know how much I admire your writing!)

"Having a mother come to a hotel room, heart aflutter, expecting a meeting with a child she hasn't seen since he was a baby, and then..."

So beautifully expressed!

Doris, Asunción has met FELS but she had no idea he was her Gregorio.
 

Welcome back, Anita!

I just watched my recording. What was up with Reina's black merry widow/French maid outfit in Spain? Perhaps she should be working as a waitress or something, and not as a seamstress if she's supposed to be hiding out.
 

I just watched the episode as well. Reina's outfit looked like a costume from a Garcia Lorca play.
 

Just now checked and if you have not deleted Friday night's episode, approx. 45 minutes into it we get a brief shot of Juanjo in his boxers and (yes!) crazy socks. :-)
 

"Reina's outfit looked like a costume from a Garcia Lorca play."

Yes, Sara! That's it exactly! I thought it was a good choice on the part of wardrobe. It was the antithesis of the 'Victorian' Reina of towering tacones and clothes shouting wealth. (I liked the Dragon in his fisherman knit sweater too.)

Doris,

Great investigative work on your part! I do have the episode so at some point I'll look back and enjoy Juanjo's footware myself. For now, I'm just glad to know he didn't go barefoot with Yolanda -- it would have meant that he had somehow been more intimate with Yoli than with Susana.

(I know. I'm one of the few people actually rooting for Juanjo and Susana. It's just that right from the start, Yoli has been so desperate, throwing herself at every male entering the Pérez Hidalgo brothel, er, mansion. Maybe it's something in the water? Anyway, the point is that Yoli is indiscriminate. It is Susana who is his media naranja.)
[snort]
 

Footwear, not footware. Sheesh. Can't even blame that on autocorrect.

[what would footware, be anyway? Devices for feet? Feet used as devices? Hmmm...]
 

deb--
You mused on "and creepy Patricio the loner."

I was re-reading some earlier recaps and ran across this information--long forgotten by me, but it might be significant, or the writers wouldn't have mentioned it (oh, I'm so gullible).

Fernando San Juan--what Rocky finds out about him:

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. He fences—the escrima kind. His past is unclear.

Of course, we all know he made it up to fool anyone looking into his records, but I'm intrigued. I would love to see Patricio in fencing gear...or grabbing a blade to defend Smeeth (although guns are so much handier).

Here's what we found out about his background as FELS-PELS:

FELS father worked for the FBI and ended up in Spain accused of being corrupt and was arrested. She [Smeeth] doesn’t think FELS is very proud of that fact. If he is honest, he will be very ashamed. If not, he could be tempted to follow his footsteps.

Of course, they were talking of his adoptive father, while his adoptive mother died in Spain recently and was a wonderful woman according to Dr. Moto.

FELS has now admitted to turning in his father because he was violent, made his life miserable and that of his family's.

We may still find out how a small kid, survivor of a massacre in Colombia, gets adopted by an FBI agent, presumably in the US. Maybe adoptive dad knew Gregorio Perez, Sr. back in Las Vegas.

Anyway, I'm still pulling for FELS-PELS to do the RIGHT thing and turn in Stefi. She is a criminal and a murderess--far more serious charges than being violent and making one's life miserable, no?

It seems unlikely that he and Smeeth will end up together para siempre. I'm with deb on the "loner" label. He's as much said that to Smeeth and she's willing to take him as he is, for some brief happiness.

Only I don't see much happiness in their relationship. They are usually arguing about something, confronting each other about work. He is constantly invading her personal space (including her apartment). They rarely laugh or smile at each other. He looks grim most of the time. There are few loving gestures. They are only passionate in bed.
 

Anita -
I completely agree with you on the FPGELS/Esmeeth relationship. Beyond the physical aspect, there is nothing. At all. I do not see a happy ending for that relationship. One of them may end up taking a bullet for the sake of a loved one.

" I would love to see Patricio in fencing gear...or grabbing a blade to defend Smeeth (although guns are so much handier)."
LOL about guns being "so much handier."
 

Anita and Doris, I see ALL of the main characters as very damaged people without a lot of joy juice. The only NORMALS are Juanjo and maybe Connie.

I had hopes for FELS and Esmeeth. Sometimes two wounded people can comfort one another. But the most recent betrayals, especially the lie about the DNA test (which nobody even asked for!) have made me feel their relationship has no future.
 

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See you over there!