Caray, Caray!

Welcome back from Thanksgiving festivities all.

Let's discuss also, why Amaya is still hanging on to this bit of information and not letting Max know?

Is it altruism? She doesn't want to hurt Constanza, who is starry-eyed about her upcoming nuptials?

Is it self-preservation? Is she afraid if Max knows, breaks off his compromiso with Consta at this late date to be with Amaya, Horacio will have more ammunition to use against her in the up-coming custody fight.
 

Nice set up Anita! See ya after work!

Lila
 

From what I gather, Amaya does not want to break up Constanza and Max, despite her love for him, so she's kept quiet about the divorce.

The piece that is most grating to me, at this point, is Constanza's turn for the worse. She's always been a little too much "daddy do this for me" but when she asked Manuel to fire Amaya because she felt threatened, I hated her for a second.

Amaya, if anything keeps running away from Max and respecting the distance. Her insecurities are massively blinding her.
 

Thanks, Anita! This is great!
 

Welcome Superalfie!

Anita, how about Amaya herself benefitting from Max not knowing she's divorced. She is conflicted about telling him but she is getting a chance to catch her breath, to deal with the realization that her marriage is over. This is time she needs, witness her thoughts just before Max appeared in the sunny yellow sweater. She needs time to accept the wonderful reality of her financial independence and to establish a new home with Vale.

Independence is the key concept. She needs some space and some time to get her head, heart and home together. Plus, even though Max said he would drop everything for her, I don't think she wants him that way.

As I mentioned before, I think Vale will spill the divorce news. Since she and Lucio have become chums, Lucio could innocently tell but I think it will be Vale.

Which way would be more fun? Hmmmm. Hey, how about Sal? I don't think he realizes how deeply Max is in love with Amaya but if he even gets an inkling he might tell Max hoping he'll leave Const for her and he will be there to pick up the pieces.

Ok. Well, time to watch my recording of today's show! See ya later!
 

I love the questions.

As for the recaps, write as much or little as you wish. Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow than to edit down to the bone while making sure to leave in the important stuff.

I've tried to comment a few times from my mobile, and the computer eats my homework, but only sometimes. Very frustrating.

Constanza has me baffled. She was "in love" with Max. He goes off to Italy just after her mother dies and she stays in Mexico to comfort her father, (yet giving him enough space to be oblivious to the ongoing comforting being provided by Geno).

FOR YEARS? With his father having a corporate jet available 24/7 and both families apparently well able to afford commercial flights.

For five(?) years she is tending to her father (who unlike Mauro seems to have gotten over the loss just fine, thank you very much, no deep depression here). For five years she and Max apparently exchange polite birthday and Christmas cards while she is comforted by his bestie?

Then he returns home and, voila, she's glued to him like a barnacle. Or the idea of him?

She doesn't just ignore her feelings for Sal, she consciously represses them over her own internal monologue and the best efforts of Caro. She is now so intent on immediate marriage that apparently the only reason she hopes Juliana's husband recovers is so that the wedding can go on as scheduled.

For five years Max, who looks like C de la F remember, is on the loose all alone and lonely in Italy, and she's content to remain home in Mexico with no apparent concerns about his fidelity. Now he's back in country and she's consumed with jealousy?

And over what? What has she seen? The coincidence that the same woman Max rescued ended up being hired (by someone else) to work for her father on Max' project?

Now it is true that WE know that Amaya's "the one," the one in the opening credits, the one with the special music, etc., but the character doesn't know that -- unless by way of some mystical analog to the call of the blood.

But if she does sense that Max is not "the one" for her, why the heck isn't she running for comfort straight to Salvador?

I know Lucrecia's visceral hatred of Florencia doesn't make much sense either, but she's proven to be a murderous psycho/socio-path.

Cesar is a twisted soul, nurtured by his mother, and while he is sane enough to act rationally to achieve his ends, I can easily accept that his dreams and desires have been corrupted by Lucretia to the point that his take on reality is a little tenuous.

But, except for this sudden obsession with making Max hers despite her own feelings for Salvador and the good advice of her friend, and growing evidence of Max's lack of enthusiasm, we've seen nothing to suggest Constanza is a walking case study in abnormal psychology.

Now I'm also finding it difficult to buy Max's willingness to go back to plan Constanza after recognizing the depth of his feelings for Amaya, but I'm rolling with the "she's married, I can't go there, and besides, despite what I feel, she's got to be a bit of a skank for leading me on and not having told me about hubby Whoracio, and I do still like Connie, even if she doesn't make me feel, erm, well, I like her" line of reasoning overcoming his desires.

He seems a rather passionate fellow, but if he did remain faithful in Italy, he's probably used to suppressing his desires, after all, Juliana probably wasn't the only mother at soccer practice watching the coach instead of the ball.


 

Continuing:

Anyway, back to Constanza, I suspect lazy writing. This is a remake. Does the original go back before the days of long distance and cheap air fares? To the days of novelas de epocha where when you sent someone on a sailing ship, or even an ocean liner, to Europe, they were gone right out of the picture for however long the plot needed?

As it is, it's making me dislike the character for acting irrationally despite not having the excuse of being bsc. Now if she'd been in a coma, in prison, suffering from amnesia, held hostage by Maoist guerillas, or had some decent excuse not to go to Max for all those years while ardently burning for him and cursing the nameless Italian floozies
she imagined he must be dallying with, I could buy it, but this sudden possessive jealousy, this proustian amour fou just doesn't ring true.

Chris in FL
 

Chris--Short Answer:
Get yourself an aluminum- or titanium-, or even a yellow cake uranium-lined Beanie, screw it on tight and go with the flow. Some things you have to accept from the writers even though totally unbelievable in real life.

Consta's Bestie is Nora and she HAS tried to tell Consta she should have gone to Italy to be with Max years ago. We think Consta liked Sal's company too much. He's like her on so many levels. Max, on the other hand is just a delicious bowl of hunky, done just right. He's super rich, socially prominent and has a name that will open doors. Sal is a poor, but distinguished university professor, so, she's hanging on to Max in the hopes they can still make it.

More later.

 

Chris--You make so many valid points. Just wanted you to know I appreciate it.

I see Consta as a spoiled only child whose every desire has been met by doting parents. The world revolves around her. So she thinks it's perfectly normal to have a poor sap that's in love with her (Sal) close, because *she* wants him available.

Max, in a very short conversation very early in the tn, told Sal (or Jorge) that he had many "experiences" in Italy, but it never made him doubt his feelings for Consta, whereas just the little time he knew Amaya (just from the cabana affair), has turned his whole world upside down and has made him doubt his feelings for Consta.

Shortly thereafter, he saw her in the restaurant with Hub & Val and he wrote her off and tried to reconnect with Consta.

Ok, gotta watch the episode carefully and get busy with the recap. It'll be up before midnight EST.
 

Max, on the other hand is just a delicious bowl of hunky, done just right

YAH BABY!!
 

Post Script to Chris--

When Max saw Amaya in the restaurant with Hub and Val, his first reaction was disbelief, then he internally accuses her of betrayal. Well, golly gee, neither of them had talked about their marital status beforehand. We thought that was what that first coffee hour was going to be all about.

I agree 100% on Cesars' twisted soul having been shaped by Lucrecia. We have two major villains related to each other. What fun! (And here I thought Omar was going to be one of the longer-lasting ones.)
 

Superalfie--
I like your take on Amaya's reasons--independence. It wasn't long ago she was facing a very uncertain future--fighting for her daughter, needing a smaller place to live, Horacio menacing her, having to stifle her feelings for Max. It didn't seem like independence at that moment.

With the munificence of Mauro, she's sitting pretty financially, but now the sharks and the sleaze-bags are going to start circling. She'll need someone on her side. Right now, I think that is Max. I wonder if she will let him.

Ok, recap is ready.
 

Recap for Mon Dec 1 (Capitulo 50) – Part 1

Val’s room in the hospital
Max confronts Amaya not telling him that Horacio working at Nescafé and being César’s right hand man. Amaya stammers, I don’t know. It’s something that never came up between them. Max doesn’t believe her. What, Amaya, he and Horacio working at Nescafé and something that important never came up? Amaya seems to think he just started working there, but Max corrects her. Max muses that it would seem that if they have such a happy marriage, it’s something she would know. Furthermore, that’s what her husband said to him, and Max didn’t believe him either. She’s surprised Max talked to Whor. Max explains Whor came in to please excuse his behavior the day before in the hospital. Max thought it would be through Horacio that she met Cece. It wasn’t. It was through the purchase of the house. Well, Max get’s a bit stereotypical thinking it would naturally fall to Whor to take charge of things like that. Amaya protests that she also makes decisions in their household. Max is still probing. He thinks it’s odd that between them, a married couple, they know so little about what the other is doing. He also wonders if Cece also knows Whor is married to Amaya. Amaya doesn’t think so, but she’s getting tired of this conversation and doesn’t think it’s correct for Max to be judging her. Max assures her he’s not. It’s just that with her, everything about her surprises him.

Phone Call from Venice
Mauro calls César from the hospital to see how he’s doing. Primarily, he’s ok, but secondarily, he’s pithed Max told him about the incident. He hadn’t wanted to upset Mauro, particularly with what is going on with Juliana and Franco. Mauro insists he should have known, at least César’s mother should have told him. Never a chap to let a dig go by undug, César says, that would have forced Mauro to decide whether to accompany Juliana or stay with him. Mauro, sees the truth in that. While father and son talk, César is restlessly pacing back and forth in his room. [This man must suffer from some form of ADHD, without the Attention Deficit part, because we know he is able to concentrate on the most minute details of whatever his latest malevolent scheme is.] Mauro thanks him for what he did for Amaya’s daughter and lets him know how important Amaya is to him. Of course, he doesn’t see Cece screwing up his nose with distaste over the phone line. Mauro changes the subject to ask Cece to tell everyone about the seriousness of Franco’s open-heart surgery. Cece seems only mildly interested, but asks to send his fond wishes forwarded to Juliana. [César must keep some flash cards with well-turned phrases in his back pocket for use with sham, insincere, sentiments like this one.]

At El Paraíso
Hector and Iván compare management styles between César, who is a micro-manager needing to be kept informed of everything and Max, who gives Iván free rein to do as he sees fit. Hector explains that it’s because Max is just like his father. Hector is not going to tell César what Ulises is up to until after they have a chance to talk to Uli.

 

Mon Dec 1 - Part 2

Dolores’ Place
Dolores and Cipriano are discussing Amaya’s recent inheritance. She doesn’t want Cip using it as an excuse to beg her for money. Cip says Amaya owes it to him for all the years he provided room and board. Dolores reminds him Amaya continued to send her money long after she left them. Cip complains she didn’t send any to him. Dolores says he didn’t deserve it and she’s going to make sure Amaya doesn’t give him a single centavo. He still thinks she should be sharing her new found wealth with them. In fact, he’d like to nominate himself to manage her lands. Dolores says he won’t be able to do that because Amaya has already signed a contract with the owners of El Paraíso to manage her lands. Besides, she reminds him, he himself said it’s not possible to serve two masters and the very one who was ordering Mariana to resign her job at El Para for that very reason. He says this is different. No, it’s not because she’s not going to let him rob Amaya the way he steals from Dolores. He pulls the innocent act until she details his activities, stealing her bits and pieces of saved cash from the cans of flour, rice, beans, or soap. He has no come-back. Dolores says to hurry up they can’t be late to get to their jobs at El Deseo.

Venice Hospital
Alan and his dad have a heart to heart talk [no pun intended] about the future. He gets to give his dad a tearful goodbye. Mauro and Jorge try to lift Juliana’s spirits. Mauro also has a chance to see Franco before his operation. He hasn’t known him very long, but it’s obvious this dad and his son-in-law got along very well. Franco makes Mauro promise if the operation doesn’t go well and he doesn’t make it, he is to take Juliana and Alan to Mexico; he also wants to go to Mexico, dead or alive. He wants to be buried near his loved ones.

Juliana sees Franco for what sounds like the last time, before they take him into surgery. He gives her an oral love letter and she replies in kind. They kiss. The anesthetist is waiting.

Hospital Continental
Max tells Lucio it’s time to go. When they find out Vale can be released as soon as the paperwork is done, Max offers to drive them home. Amaya is reluctant to accept, but with a little nudging from Lucio and Max, she agrees.

Hacienda El Deseo
Cip and Dolores arrive at work. They are walking up outdoors when she sees Uli and wants to talk to him, but he blows her off, too busy, some other time. She mentions Mariana’s name and he does a quick Uli-Turn. What is it with Mariana. Dolly tells him she and Mariana want to be paid separately. Just then, before she can get an answer, Hector and Iván drive up. Uli ushers them into his office and H & I tell him why they have come—re the coffee growers in the region being offered more money by one or some of his workers to sell to El Deseo. Ulises claims ignorance and says he wouldn’t do such a thing. They decide it must be gossip. Uli agrees, leave gossip to the “viejas.” [A pejorative term for women.] He excuses them.
 

Mon Dec 1 - Part 3

Hacienda El Paraíso
Mariana is chatting and having coffee (and lunch?) while Doña Chelo cooks. Mariana is wondering how could Cipriano be the one buying up the coffee at a higher price when he doesn’t have two centavos to rub together. Chelo says, maybe Cipriano no, but his patron yes. Well, from Mariana’s point of view, that puts a new wrinkle on things. She still can’t figure out why he would be doing that. Chelo tells her that’s why H & I have gone to talk to Uli. They hope it’s just gossip.

When the two men get back, Mariana wants to know how it went. Hector says Uli knew nothing of it and swore he wasn’t behind it, so it must have been gossip. Mariana is relieved that her father wasn’t involved. Hector mentions that Mariana works at El Deseo as well as at El Paraíso. He doesn’t think that is correct. It may look as though she’s gathering information to pass on to Ulises. Mariana says she knew how it looked and wouldn’t do that and to believe in her. Hector leaves. Alone, Mariana tells Iván she thinks she will have to give up one of the two jobs. Iván wants to know which one. The anguish he feels at that moment for fear of losing Mariana from the hacienda is clear on his face. But then she tells him she’s going to resign the El Deseo job. She wants to stay on at El Paraíso. Overjoyed, Iván rubs his hands together and runs around the desk to hug Mariana and lift her off her feet. When he realizes what he’s done, he puts her down quickly and backs off. She’s not offended, just surprised and momentarily speechless. They look at each other; he says he’s glad she’s not resigning the job at El P.

Mansion Montesinos – César’s Room
Lucrecia wants to know where Max took Lucio. Isn’t it his day for his hypnosis therapy? Eloisa doesn’t think it’s going to work out. Lucio doesn’t like the doctor very much. Well, says Lucrecia somewhat sarcastically, at least they tried, and isn’t that what everyone wanted? Cece gets to dig again, accept it, he tells his mother, nothing will ever function right with Lucio; he’s a lost cause. Elo doesn’t like his words or his tone. She’s off to church to pray. Luce sneers at her.

Kitchen at El Deseo
Cipriano is furious at Dolores for disobeying his order and going over his head to confront their patron. It doesn’t look good to undermine his authority. Dolly doesn’t give one fig for his authority. She can see he’s just a toady. He screams that she’s only a woman and without a man, she’s not worth anything. [Oh, man, them’s fightin’ words out there in Viewerville. It looks like Dolly is also ready to take up arms against him. Ooops, she takes up vegetables against him.] She’s had it with him. She’s going to stand up for herself and for Mariana, since he won’t, and if she can’t fix things with Don Ulises, she’s leaving El Deseo. Before she can get in another word, Uli comes storming in yelling for Cip. He wants to talk to him in the despacho immediately. Dolores tries to approach him again about the pay, but he blows her off again. In her frustration, she throws vegetables across the room. [Exactly how Viewerville reacts, only with Nerfazos aimed squarely at the TV screen.]

El Deseo – Uli’s Despacho
Uli tells Cip he is to go ahead and buy up all the coffee he can at 10% more than the other processor is offering (meaning El Paraíso). He’s not to tell anyone he’s doing it on Uli’s orders. He’ll give Cip the money under the table. If he breathes a word of this to anyone, he will deny it, dismiss Cip, and see that he goes to jail. Only Uli and Efer will know the coffee is for him. For this he will pay him well for the job, if done well.
 

Mon Dec 1 - Part 4

Church Vestibule
Eloisa has gone to church (it’s pretty empty) to pray for everyone that needs it in the Montesinos household. On her way out, she runs into, wait for it…..her despicable ex-husband, German. This is the guy who framed her and she had to do 5 years hard time for fraud and embezzlement. [I’m sure we’ll hear more of this along the way.] She wasn’t hard to track down. He wanted to see her and ask her forgiveness. [I don’t think she has any left to give this a-hole.] She wants him gone and out of her life. He refuses to get out of her life until she forgives him. She turns around and leaves him in the church doorway.

Amaya’s Apartment
The gang arrives home. Max is carrying Vale in and plops her into bed. Lucio is impressed with her room. He asks where her daddy is. Vale says she doesn’t know. Does he even know she’s been released, she asks Amaya. Amaya says she left him a voice-mail because he wasn’t answering his phone. Vale hopes he gets there soon so she can tell him about the doggie Max gave her. Max corrects her. It was Lucio. Lucio wants to come back to visit Vale and Amaya says of course.

Amaya gets a phone call. It’s César. He’s checking up on Vale. He learned she had been discharged. He cuts his conversation short. She’s very sweet to him on the phone. Max notices and remarks on the friendliness with him—and with his father. By the way, he sends her greetings, but couldn’t call because he went to Venice with his sister when her husband suffered some serious heart trouble. Amaya is sorry to hear that.

They must leave. Lucio gives Amaya a big hug and she hugs him back. Max gives her a tentative sort of hug and brushes her cheek with a goodbye peck. Lucio is out the door first. Max turns back when Amaya calls out his name. She starts to make small talk. Making sure Lucio is out of earshot, Max leans in toward Amaya. He looks in her eyes and states, “You have no idea how hard it has been to control myself to keep from kissing you again. I would have loved knowing you when you were single. Then, nothing would have kept me pursuing you, until you fell in love with me.” Amaya reminds him, not even his upcoming marriage? The only thing that is holding him back is that he has no hope of something real with her, since what she feels for him is not the same as what he feels for her. Lucio comes back looking for him. He makes Lucio wait while he places his hand gently on her cheek and kisses the edge of her lips. Lucio is impatient. This time Max leaves. All she has left is a fleeting feeling. She touches her fingers to her lips, hoping to keep that kiss she remembers there forever.
 

Mon Dec 1 - Part 5

University Courtyard
Consta is stepping along briskly with Nora. Consta is irritated by how Amaya pops up everywhere. It’s not just Cesar, it’s everybody in that family surrounding her. Even her future father-in-law loves her. Nora has never seen her so insecure in the presence of a woman. Nora wonders if she shouldn’t change her plans with Max. Consta thinks it’s just a matter of spending more time with Max. [What she really means is never letting him out of her sight.] Nora reminds her that every time they go to the hacienda she will be very close to Tuxtla, where Sal is. Consta doesn’t need to be reminded. She’ll have to take the risk.

Speaking of Salvador (Yummy) Romero
Salvador has arrived in Tuxtla, the capital and biggest city in Chiapas (see Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuxtla,_Chiapas in the center of southern Mexico, a bit closer to the Pacific than the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures average between 74 F. and 84 F. year round.) He’s planning to stay indefinitely, he tells the concierge, but not at the hotel. He’ll be looking for an apartment. Maybe she can help him. He also needs assistance in finding a retreat with cabañas his friend recommended, but sadly he didn’t get the name. The concierge lady finds two not too far from there. He’ll need to visit them to see which one it was. [Remember he has made finding out what Amaya and Max were doing there together a priority.]

Amaya’s Apartment
Carolina has come for an update on Vale. She gets an earful from Amaya on what happened with her and Max. The one thing that stood out was how differently Max reacted to Vale’s lost dog than Whoracio. The Whor couldn’t be bothered looking for the dog. In contrast, Max and Lucio went looking for the dog. When they couldn’t find him, they bought Vale another one so Vale wouldn’t be so sad. She also admits to Caro she had no idea Whoracio was César’s right hand man at Nescafé. When Max confronted her with it, she just stood there and wished the earth would swallow her up. She had no way of justifying that she didn’t know what her husband did. Max probably thought she was stupid or something. Caro also mentions that she may not be able to keep up this farce that she and Whoracio are a happily married couple. It took all her will power not to tell him the truth; that she was a free woman. Caro thinks she should have. No, because now he’s not free. In a few days he’ll be the husband of Constanza.

An El Paraíso Stroll
Mariana and Iván seem to be going nowhere and going slowly. He wants to know when she’s going to tell Uli she’s resigning. She’ll do it tomorrow, before she comes to El P. Iva offers to take her. He’s willing to wait in the truck outside the entrance since Uli doesn’t want him around her on his property. Mariana accepts. They go on talking about the situation. Iva swears if Uli doesn’t respect her, “le parto la cara,” (split his face). Mariana thanks him for being such a good guy. She was afraid when she told him she didn’t want to be his novia, things would change and she really values what they have. Iva tells her his sentiments won’t change. He just hopes that someday she will change her mind about being his novia.
 

Mon Dec 1 - Part 6

Unsolicited Phone Call
Cipriano coaxes one of Uli’s servants to let him use the house phone to make a call. The call goes to Whoracio. Emma is sitting in the office with him telling him about César Montesinos selling Amaya that house she was buying and was with her when the car exploded. Cece saved Valeria’s life. The phone rings, Whoracio doesn’t want to accept it, even when it’s not collect. He tells Cipriano not to be asking for any more money. Cip begs him not to hang up and listen. It’s about Amaya. Ok, Whoracio is willing to listen. She has indeed inherited those lands they thought had been sold. Now she’s very rich since the patrones of El Paraíso have paid her back rent and has just recently associated herself with the owners. Whoracio smells money. He had no idea the coffee for Nescafé came from El P. Emma confirms.

Brunch at the Mansion
Lucrecia, Max and Lucio are eating a meal together. (I’m not sure of the passage of time, it’s mostly dark green, so I’m going to assume it’s lunch.) Eloisa isn’t joining them because she has a headache. Flavia comes in. Max wants to know how her exam went. She believes it went well. Luce mocks her, “Creo? Siempre creo?” Flavia picks up the gauntlet. What does she care whether she passes an exam or not. As long as she gets that degree. Their voices get louder, upsetting Lucio. Max tells them to tone it down. Flavia thinks Franco’s operation should be over, so Max calls. He reaches Juliana. She is hopeful.

Call to Venice Brings Bad News
Regrettably, Franco doesn’t make it. He cannot be revived after flatlining. The doctor emerges after a long and laborious effort to tell the family they lost him. Max is still on the line when Juliana is given the news. She shrieks and drops the phone, but Max can still hear the news. Franco is dead, (no, not the Spanish dictator, he’s been dead a long time). Mauro rushes to embrace his daughter and grandson while Jorge looks on.
 

THANKS ANITA!

Poor Juliana and Alan. Such a major loss for them. Franco seemed like such a nice man. One bit of clarification. Franco said he wanted to be buried near Juliana's loved ones, not his loved ones-- hence Mexico.

Amaya's quest to keep up the farce of her marriage to Max is getting funny and ridiculous. I felt poor Max's frustration during that hospital room conversation.

Cip and Whor both smell money, like sharks smelling blood in the water. Get away as fast as you can, Amaya! How interesting that they are both being set up by their neighborhood villains (Uli and Cesar) to take the fall for shady biz, and it's their greed that will cause them to fall.
 

Vivi--
It's what I meant. I guess it wasn't clear.

"Franco makes Mauro promise if the operation doesn’t go well and he doesn’t make it, he is to take Juliana and Alan to Mexico; he also wants to go to Mexico, dead or alive. He wants to be buried near his loved ones."

His loved ones are Juliana and Alan. Mauro is to take J & A to Mexico and he wants to go, too--dead or alive.

 

Well, Vivi--
Both your translation and mine makes sense. Buried near Juliana's loved ones (in the Carmona crypt), insures she will visit him there. Being taken to Mexico and buried at El P. (I think he requested El Paraiso rather than Mexico City) or anywhere Juliana & Alan are, means they won't forget him.
 

Thank you Anita! I really can't decide who is more despicable - Whor or Cip. Right now Cip has a slight lead.
 

Thank you, Anita! Delightful and satisfying as usual!

Re Amaya's independence, that was my comment above.

Anywho. I like how Max is so upfront and honest, none of this leaving important questions as thought bubbles which we see so much in novelas! [He could give Esme and Pablo some relationship counseling!]

I wonder what kind of nasty scheme Cesar, Cip and Whor are going to come up with to try to separate Amaya from her money. She certainly has a strong ally in Delores, but I agree that she's going to need Max! Of course Mauro will also be on her side. Now Constanza plans on becoming Max's shadow but we all know if Amaya is in trouble Max will be there and Constanza's whining wont matter a whit! Neither will Max stand for her efforts to manipulate him.

Rest in Peace, Franco. We hardly knew ye. He WAS a nice man but we knew it would happen. I still want Jorge for Carolina unless they're going to rehabilitate Ismael. Can't see why they brought him into the picture if that's not what's going to happen. Or maybe Carolina will be happily independent and free. We shall see.

Later!
 

Anita,

Detailed and fabulous as usual.
Fully enjoyed all the comments.No time to say much today except that I appreciate all of your dedication and excellent writing.

It is refreshing that Max expresses his feelings so well and continues to probe the many unanswered questions regarding Amaya.

Surprised to see a new wrinkle added - that of German.

Well, I guess we will be seeing a touching funeral service, and perhaps will have a long overdue wedding postponement.

Loved the scenes with Max, Amaya, Lucio, and Val. Mauro shone as well as a loving father and father-in-law. A. Barros, an excellent actress portraying grief.

Thanks again.
 

Apologies to Lila--You were answering Superalfie re Amaya's need for independence.

Amaya actually comes off as a fairly independent thinking woman already. It must have been her years in training not to depend on a man--especially one like Cipriano, living in the household with Dolores and later Mariana. We have to remember she's at least 34 or 35 and Mariana is about 20, so she was with Cip and Dolly alone at least 10 years by herself before Mariana came along.

We have already wondered how she got together with Horacio in the first place and was he really so different from what he is now (as she says). I think money has been on his mind for a long time.

We mustn't forget Ulises as someone who is going to bring grief to Amaya, probably by way of Mariana. He's up to no good already and he maybe he'll decide to try to grab Amaya's land somehow. At any rate he's planning to outperform El Paraiso and he's using underhanded means and skullduggery from the git-go.

Yes, they don't have characters like Ismael and German show up for one episode and erase them without further explanation. I don't like either of them much right now.

Well on to today's show, folks! I cry at weddings, baptisms and funerals, so there may be a few virtual drops on the page tonight.
 

Thanks, Anita! I'll be there! Hope we get some warm fuzzies amidst the death and circling sharks!

Lila
 

Anita,

I was fortunate to have a reliable, honest, faithful husband,but he was on the high seas most all of our early and middle years married life.

Resultingly, I was forced to be independent and conduct most transactions alone, including buying two houses without him....which he liked.

I agree that Amaya seems independent. I can still, however, see why Max would be puzzled why Horacio knew little or nothing of the house deal.

There are also those haunting words of Amaya to Max in Chiapas when she reveals to him that
no man has ever treated her as kindly as Max.

When is Amaya scheduled to move to the new location?

Thanks again
 

Floridia--

Who knows if Amaya will ever want to move into that house. Every time she goes out the front door she will relive the explosion and fire where she could have lost her daughter and recall constantly how she lost her father in an explosion and fire and subsequently lost her mother.

I don't know if the writers will feel this way, that was just me musing on how I would feel!

In today's episode (no spoiler, the recap is ready) Vale wants to know if she can have both dogs. Amaya says having them in the apartment would not be possible, but in their new house, yes.

You were fortunate to have a wonderful husband return to you after periods of absence. Many of us were not so fortunate and found ourselves in Amaya's shoes, but with no Max to yearn for. I was a single divorced mother raising two children starting at a very young age. I was fortunate to have had parents who were there for me and their grandchildren. I learned the value of independence before I was 30 and have placed a high value on it ever since.
 

Recap for Tue Dec 2 (Capitulo 51) – Part 1

Montesinos Mansion
Juliana gets the news of Franco’s demise while Max hears her anguished cry on the other end. Jorge picks up the phone and he tells Max that Franco is dead. Lucio is visibly upset. So is Flavia. Lucrecia not so much.

Eloisa thought-bubbles while recalling her painful relationship with German in her room. He was nothing but a miserable so-and-so who took advantage of her. Lucio bursts in on Eloisa and tells her about Franco.

Luce is in César’s room discussing the little relevance Franco’s death has on their lives. But Juliana is a different matter. Luce envisions Mauro over-protecting her, maybe even moving her and her child into the Mansion, instead of the little house she bought. That Italiano-Ese died at a most inopportune moment. To the contrary, Cece tells her. Juli will be at her most vulnerable now, that is very much to their advantage.

Cece and Luce continue their conversation. Juliana will be depressed, worrying about her son and their future. Everyone will be consoling her, protecting her. That’s where Luce needs to step in, to “help,” well, help keep her depressed. Luce doesn’t quite buy into the part where she has to have anything to do with Juliana. [Remember their past relationship was anything but loving.] Cece wants her occupied with her house and her son and not business matters. Sort of how she stepped in with Mauro’s depression after Florencia died. [What Cece and Luce aren’t factoring in is Juliana’s fortitude and the close relationships with Mauro, Max and Jorge.]

Amaya’s Apartment
She and Vale talk about what she got for the dog for his needs and how he’s going to have to get used to their work and school schedule. Vale is a little sad because her daddy hasn’t called her at all. She left him a message but he hasn’t responded. [I can see Whoracio is a fair-weather father—he’s only attentive when it suits his purpose. What a cad.]

Nescafé Plant Offices
Whoracio discusses Amaya’s inheritance with Emma. He was so sure the money she used to buy the house came from a lover. But that she has a lover, he has no doubt. He wants Emma to help him uncover her lover. Emma casts suspicion on Mauro because he rarely takes on a business partner. Whoracio wonders why he never knew about those lands. Emma says maybe his wife never told him that her parents were the administrators at El Paraíso and a friend of Don Mauro’s. Whoracio makes the mistake of thinking out loud that here he is getting divorced. He wished he had known about this earlier. Emma gets her dander up, “Y qué?” And so? He’s not going to say he’s going to stay with Amaya at this late date. Emma reminds him he was leaving her because she had a lover. No, he’s not saying he would have stayed with her; simply, it would have been to their advantage and kept things a lot calmer—for him and Emma. [He says this with crossed fingers, toes, hair, eyes, whatever else could be crossed.]

 

Tue Dec 2 - Part 2

Venice Hospital
Juliana is grieving. Mauro tries to tell her that life goes on despite her great loss. Maybe so, but she will never be able to love anyone again. Mauro tells her that he felt the same way when her mother (Elena Carmona) died, but he had Juliana; she has Alan and all the good memories.

Jorge is trying to lift Alan’s spirits in the cafeteria. He does a good job consoling him. He tells him about his own father’s death from cancer at age 8. He assures the boy that his dad will always live on in his heart. He reminds Alan that there will always be someone there to give him a father’s love, like his uncles, Max, César, and Lucio and he offers himself, too. Alan hugs him. Juliana comes to them.

Mauro calls home and talks to Max about the final arrangements. He tells Max that Franco wanted to be buried in Mexico, near Juliana, because Franco assumed there would be nothing to keep her in Italy. They will have the body cremated and bring the ashes home for burial.

Max volunteers to make all the arrangements to get the whole family to Chiapas and Mauro will fly directly into Tuxtla. Mauro reminds Max that no one can predict the end of life and he begs Max to remember that and live every second to the fullest.

Alan is afraid they are now alone. He is also afraid Juliana might die. Yes, maybe some day, but not for a very long time, she replies. Mauro touches her head lovingly.

Montesinos Mansion
Constanza has arrived—as soon as she heard the news. She wants to be with the family. [She probably wants to find out first hand how Franco’s funeral will affect her wedding day]. Flavia feels so sorry for Juliana—her husband dying so suddenly. Max looks back on theirs as being a happy marriage. Luce being regularly inappropriate, shrugs it off as in that’s life; the only sure thing in life is death. Eloise is offended by her caustic and ill-timed comment.

Max decides to head for the hacienda tomorrow. Everyone in the family wants to join him, except Luce. Consta wants to be included and she’s sure her father wants to be there, too, for Mauro.

El Deseo Coffee Groves
Uli and Efer are out looking over the coffee plants. Efer wants to know why Hector & Iván were there. Uli tells him that they found out about the coffee buying ruse. Since he denied it to their faces, he will have to change his strategy. Would that involve firing Cipriano, Efer wants to know. Well, something better than that. He wants Efer to rent a small warehouse not far from El Deseo, but well outside the property. Just don’t use their names, use Cipriano’s.

Montesinos Mansion – A Moment Alone
Consta wants to know exactly what the funeral plans are. Even if they go and return right away, it’ll only be a few days before the wedding. Max is aware of that. They’ll make it back a few days beforehand. Max is sure Juliana, in her state, may not want to attend, but wouldn’t want them to cancel their wedding plans. Well, nor Constanza. Max suggests she not go to the finca, then. Consta is surprised at him, she definitely wants to be wherever he is.

Meanwhile, Eloisa is urging Lucrecia to go—it was the husband of her step-daughter, after all—even though she knows Luce doesn’t like being at El P. After all, they managed to end up with Juliana’s family’s lands, so if she knows what’s good for her, she ought to behave like the good wife and step-mother. Luce sneerily reminds Elo not to meddle in her affairs.
 

Tue Dec 2 - Part 3

~Moonrise over Mexico~

Sal Finds What He Was Looking For
The young lady employee remembers Max and Amaya being there, arriving together and having separate cabañas. Is she sure of that? Yes, the employee answers, for several days, but the young gentleman spent most of his time in her cabin. She even saw him leaving her cabin very early one morning, so they must have spent the night together. They didn’t leave the retreat together, though. She left first, right after the young gentleman’s father arrived. She apparently knows who Don Mauro is and assures Sal that Don Mauro was fully informed of everything. Sal does a quick “Recalculating.”

Coincidences Aren’t Coincidences When Someone Else Is Writing Your Story
Amaya calls her Neena to tell her she and Vale are coming to the pueblo that weekend to celebrate her birthday. [I still can’t decide where they live. It turns out there is a city called Comitán, quite a ways southeast of Tuxtla, too far away for Mariana to walk to the finca. There is also a neighborhood in Tuxtla called Comitán. I thought at one time I heard someone say Dolores lived in San Benito, which is a neighborhood just north of Tuxtla. Oh, well, Striped, Knitted Beanie time.] She informs Amaya that Cip already knows about the inheritance and the business relationship she made and is sure he will try to profit from that. She doesn’t want her to let him take her for a ride. Cip gets home and she warns him about asking Amaya for any money.

Montesinos Mansion – Another Meal (more green stuff on the plates)
Elo has joined them this time. Flavia wants to know what the plans are and who all is going to the hacienda. César says he’s in. Luce reminds them how much she hates the hacienda. Lucio observes correctly that everyone is sad about what happened except Lucrecia. Flavia notes that as well. Things get a bit heated until Cece steps in and tells Flavia not to pressure her mother. Ok, guess who changes her mind about going.

Mariana Resigns Her Job At El Deseo But That Wasn’t In Ulises’ Mis Planes
Iván and Mari have arrived at El Deseo. He’s going to wait for her, even though she doesn’t think he needs to. He tells her good luck. Mari explains her reasons for leaving to Uli. First, she doesn’t think it’s proper for her to be working at El D. as well as the competition. Another reason was how he treated her mother. He denies treating her in a despotic manner. It’s all the same to Mariana, she’s still resigning. She laughs at him when he says the reason he hired them was as an example of an integral family unit to set for the rest of the workers. That doesn’t describe her family. Doesn’t she care that her father might lose his job over her whim? No, she’s not and it’s not a whim. If Cip can’t keep his job on his own, too bad, but she refuses to be part of a “paquete” of a happy family when they aren’t. She shoves her resignation letter into his crossed arms. Uli likes her better than ever and is sure she will fall for him in the end.

Iva is so happy to see she was successful, he repeats his hug and lift off the ground from yesterday. Mari is just as surprised as yesterday, but she doesn’t miss a beat. She’s so happy he came with her after all. Knowing he was there gave her a little more courage. So, Iva remarks, he’s good for something after all…he winks at her. Mari sees the wink on his wonderfully lit up smiling face, standing there all guapo. [Girl—how on earth can you resist this bon-bon? I would have eaten him up already.] She doesn’t know how to react, so she just says they’d better get going and get to El P. before they scold him for taking off from the finca.
 

Tue Dec 2 - Part 4

El Paraíso Kitchen
Hortie and her mother, Chelo, are talking about Juliana’s husband’s passing. Hector comes in, just about breathless, but angry. Someone over at El D. spilled the beans about the coffee ruse. Uli lied. He is behind buying coffee at a higher price and Cipriano is right in the middle of it. Hector is going to talk to Iván. He doesn’t think Mari should continue working at El P. when her own father is interfering improperly with arrangements long-held with the coffee growers in the region.

Amaya Gets The News
Caro tells Amaya about Juliana’s husband’s sudden passing. She heard it from Don Manuel. Amaya wants to be kept informed of any plans, assuming he’ll be buried in Italy. She will want to express condolences to the family, especially to Max (of course).

The Family Gets Ready To Leave Venice – For Good.
Juliana knows she’s never coming back. She’s leaving the life she had with Franco and everything she loved about him. Mauro is affected. He’s no doubt remembering the loss of his two great loves, Elena and Florencia. Antonella comes to let her know not to worry about the house, she’ll keep an eye on it and make sure it’s packed up. There is a flashback to happier times and Viewerville gets to see the family album of Juliana and Franco’s marriage. It’s sweet and touching and there seems to have n’er been a discouraging word between them.
 

Tue Dec 2 - Part 5

Uli’s In The Kitchen With Dolores
She thinks it’s in reference to what she was trying to talk to him about earlier—her salary. He, on the other hand, is giving her her walking papers. He blames it on her daughter who claimed he had disrespected Dolores. He doesn’t want her there under those circumstances. As for Cipriano? He’s out of a job as well. Ah, it’s evident this news doesn’t seem to bother Dolores very much. She doesn’t beg for another chance. She merely says she will pick up her things and leave right away.

Hector And Iván Talk About The Big Coffee Scandal
Iván learns Cipriano had everything to do with the big coffee ruse. For that reason Hector doesn’t want Mari at El P. any more. The fact that Mari resigned from El Deseo doesn’t change the conflict Hector has with her working there. Iván is not in agreement and he’s going to fight for her right to work there. He’s in charge of Max’s project and Mari is part of the project. Hector says he’s going to talk to Max about her. Iva declares he’ll not do anything about Mari that would result in an injustice, so he asks his father, not quite politely, but forcefully and yet respectfully, to butt out. Mari has heard it all. [For once listening at the door, a good character is hearing another good character say something good!] Mari thinks to herself no man has ever defend her like that.

Salvador (Yummy) Romero Places A Long Distance Phone Call
Call not accepted, not even when it involves “Max, Amaya and the Cabaña.” She doesn’t want to talk to him about anything. She doesn’t want hear from him or about him—ever again. Slam. She hangs up on him, leaving him totally frustrated with the piece of delicious news he had.

The BIG FAKE Perdón
Whoracio—and he definitely deserves the name—comes in to Amaya’s place of work hoping his pretending to be a puppy who peed on the rug and is sorry, oh so sorry, could reverse the divorce. He tries to tell her he was a jerk [he still is], he jumped to conclusions over the money [par for the course] and he just wants to be a good father [yeah, and tell us the Pope isn’t from Argentina.]. Amaya tells him it’s too late. He didn’t believe her and had to corroborate the story of the inheritance elsewhere. That doesn’t say much about trust, or that he took out his anger saying things to turn Valeria against her. Even so, we see a couple of tears in one of her eyes. [I’d like to think it was a bit of dust and not his insincerity trying to sound like sincerity.] He begs her forgiveness, it won’t happen ever again, he just wants them to be together, start over being a family. He continues to make a fool of himself begging to give them another chance. [Viewerville hopes his performance makes no inroads on Amaya's resolve.]

 

Sorry--too many "she's" and "he's" in this recap. Of course in Sal's phone call the she refers to Consta.
 

Thanks so much Anita. This recap was perfect.

I was really touched by the scenes of Juli and Alan with Mauro and Alan. I especially liked the little details like Juli wearing Franco's ring on her necklace, taking off her watch and putting on his, and Alan wanting to keep his dad's cell phone because it has his dad's pics and voice on it.

I also noticed how the scene shifted right from Juli saying she would never find another man like Franco, to Jorge doing an excellent job comforting Alan and telling him he'll learn to be a father for him. Hmmm...

ITA about Ivan. He was looking mighty scrumptious and cute, and that wink sent him over the top in hotness. Mariana must have a steel will. Snap him up, girl!

Loved Mariana and her mom not giving one fig that Cip had lost his job after Uli fired them/they quit.
 

That's Juli and Alan with Mauro and Jorge.
 

Anita! Thank you so much! This great bunch of players did an excellent job portraying the shock and pain of Franco's death. I really felt for them all. Poor Alan! Jorge, though, provided some excellent comfort and has pretty much declared to us that he and Juliana are going to be together. Not saying that's why he comforted Alan as he did, that was totally genuine and gave us some back story on Jorge.

Lu and Cesar sink deeper each episode don't they? Calculating how they can take advantage of a newly bereaved widow! Wow!

So glad Flavia AND Lucio have Lu's number!

Sal's got his work cut out for him. Constanza is determined to become Max's shadow and she seems to almost feel contempt for Sal. He needs to remember what Max said to him a few weeks ago: that if his strategy was to win over Constanza by exposing his (Max's) defects and errors, then it's a pitiful strategy. It really won't work if she won't listen!

But the award for pitiful strategy goes to Whoracio! That scuz-bucket! Please, please novela gods, don't let her seriously entertain this crap he's talking! PLEASE!

Once again, thank you Anita!
 

Anita,

Thanks once again for another beautifully written, fact-filled
summary. Although sadly, there were no romantic scenes with Max and Amaya, the episode covered a lot of ground.

Congratulations for being an independent woman. I AM WOMAN. HEAR ME ROAR! Like you, I was
fortunate to have my parents and another set of grandparents who played a big role in my children's lives.

One thing I did not see mentioned
is Max's comment that Franco would most likely be buried near Juliana's mother.


RE Jorge, he said just the right things to Alan, but I think that it is all too convenient that he step in as a Dad. I still see him with Caro even though he has a close relationship with Juliana.
I think it is more brotherly or that of a close friend. The stage has been set for him and Caro, but we must wait for the magic moment to occur.

Excellent point about the new house. I wasn't that impressed with it. Supposedly, it had a garden but I did not see it.

Alan did a great job...good actor.
Writers had him ask very typical questions for a child in that situation.

I did not like the way Max smiled at Constanza at the end of their private talk. She is getting on my nerves anyway. All of a sudden, she has done a complete about face with Sal. A short time ago, she was all teary eyed about him not being in her life anymore.

Sal is getting on my nerves too.
His role to date involves too much anger. I don't recall seeing him smile once. I liked him in Ni contigo ni sin ti, but he looks different in this novela - too much hair -- not so yummy to me.

Iván is very cute; Uli is becoming more attractive altho evil. I read that his grandmother was the "Marilyn Monroe" of Mexico, a beautifully provocative blonde, Kitty de Hoyos. She died in her 50's.

Thanks, Anita, for keeping me up to date on the negotiations at the fincas. Sometimes, I skip over those parts seeking only the more romantic moments.

All the best to all .....
 

A few more stray thoughts,

Amaya appears intelligent.
She ought to be able to see through Horatio's ploy to get back together.

On the good side, Valeria has calmed down with respect to the divorce, and she has begun to see some big flaws re her father's parenting.

Val knows that her mother remained by her side almost constantly when she was in the hospital.

Amaya knows how little time Horatio spent with Val while she was in hospital, etc. etc. I certainly hope she can see through that (perfectly executed) swagger.
 

I certainly hope that Max takes his father's words of wisdom straight to his heart.
 

Grammar correction:

About "HIS" not being in her life.
 

Revelations! 12-3-14 Pt. 1

Welcome back everyone! We pick up where we left off with Whoracio’s sudden realization of what a wonderful woman Amaya is and his desperate need for them to start over again. Amaya has an answer for every pitiful plea, his being missing in action when Valeria was injured being one major point. The short and sweet of it is she’s not buying it! It’s too late, there’s nothing to discuss and she underlines her resolve by introducing him as her ex-husband when Manuel stops by to tell her he wants to talk to her. She leaves him begging mid-sentence.

Bright sunlight streams through the windows of Max’s office in stark contrast to the chilly tone between the two brothers as they spar over Genoveva’s firing by Cesar and rehiring by Max. Max wins this round effectively defending Geno’s efficiency and his right to hire her. When Max asks Cesar whether he knew Whor and Amaya were married, Cesar lies and tries to make a subtle dig disguised as a compliment about how loveable Amaya is. The two eye each other carefully, each acutely aware of the hostile undertone of the conversation. There is an awkward moment when Genoveva enters the office to inform Max about his flight to Chiapas. Cesar makes a crack about cancelled tickets. Max and Geno roll their eyes after Cesar leaves.

Over at El Deseo Ulises fires Cipriano but rehires him as a private contractor of sorts. Cip is going to continue to buy coffee at a higher price from all the local growers and have it stored in a warehouse far away from El Deseo. Everyone is to think he is fired and has no association with Ulises who promises to pay Cip well enough to keep him pickled. Oh, and he wants Cip to make his wife and daughter feel really badly for making him lose his job.

Amaya has joined Manuel in his office now. They briefly discuss how well the 3-in-1 campaign is going but Manuel gets right to the point. He asks Amaya why she and Max denied knowing each other when she started working with him on the campaign. Amaya has no justification. This deliberate deception is something he will not tolerate. He does not like to have things hidden from him. Amaya apologizes and offers to resign. No, Manuel doesn’t want that but neither does he want anything like this to happen again. Amaya promises it won’t.

Remember previously, Delores was fired by Ulises. We all liked how well she took it. Well, Delores is at Paraiso looking for Mariana. Delores tells Hector what a delightful young man his son, Ivan is.

At this same time Cipriano gathers the workers and tells them he was fired over the false rumors that he and by association Ulises was involved in the cornering the coffee market scheme.

 

Revelations! 12-3-14 Pt. 2

Ivan and Mariana are together in a big room with coffee processing machinery. Mariana tells Ivan how much she was surprised and appreciated his defense of her. Ivan smiles and gently rubs both of Mariana’s arms and takes her hands. They look into each other’s eyes as he closes in for a kiss….aw shoot! It’s Delores and Hector. Well, at least Mariana looks frustrated. Ivan is making progress! Hector and Ivan leave mother and daughter to talk. Delores tells Mariana she has been fired. She thanks her daughter for having stood up for her with Ulises and demonstrating strength that she herself didn’t have. Delores dreads how she knows Cip is going to gripe, moan and constantly complain about their having made him lose his job. Mariana resolves that they will not give Cip the pleasure of making them feel guilty. They are going to look forward to and enjoy Amaya and Val’s visit to celebrate Delores’ birthday.

Efrain and Ulises debrief about Cip’s announcement to the workers that Ulises fired him. Ulises is pleased. This kills two birds with one stone: He has earned the respect of the workers and no one with associate him with Cipriano. As for Mariana, Ulises is going to make her eat her words and come back to him begging!

Cesar is talking to his “right hand man”, Whoracio, lying to him that he didn’t know Amaya and Vale was his wife and daughter. Puzzled, Whor reminds him that he had looked at the pictures in his office in detail. Well, Cesar is not good with faces. He presses Whor with an outright inflammatory statement that Amaya didn’t seem like an easy woman. Didn’t Whor say she had a lover? Whoracio says he was wrong about her lover having bought her a house: turns out that Amaya had inherited some lands from his mother in law, and now she and Mauro and Max Montesinos are in a partnership together. He’s asking her for a second chance. Whor says Amaya’s always loved him and getting back with her won’t be a problem. Cesar asks for the export report and smirks as Whor leaves his office.

Mauro, Jorge, Juliana and Alan are aboard Mauro’s private jet heading back to Mexico. There is a very sweet scene in which Alan is asleep, his head on Jorge’s shoulder. Juliana thanks Jorge for his tender care and affection towards Alan and indeed, taking care of all the processes and paperwork related to her husband’s death and transport of his remains. Jorge tells her they have been his Italian family, there follows mutual expressions of affection. Juliana clutches the urn with Franco’s ashes as Jorge encourages her to give vent to her grief now. One day they will understand, accept, and even laugh again. Juliana weeps.

Amaya and Vale arrive at the airport excited to fly to Chiapas for Delores’s birthday. Lucio sees them and runs to Vale, greeting her with a big hug! Amaya meets Eloisa, Flavia and greets Lucrecia who looks none too pleased. Max and Cesar approach at the same time and pronounce her name with surprise, in unison: Amaya? Cheek kisses all around. Max kinda gives Cesar the stink eye as he greets Amaya. Vale greets Cesar, she thanks him for all he’s done for her, they compare burns. Amaya explains she is on her way to her Madrina’s in San Benito and just found out they are going to a funeral. She extends her sympathy. Vale tells Cesar that Max and Lucio bought her a new dog, Taco. Lucio asks if Vale can come to Pariso, Amaya begs off, maybe some other time.

Manuel and Constanza have now arrived to the gate where the Montesinos are waiting. She kisses Max. Manuel is surprised to see Amaya. Amaya introduces Vale to Manuel and Constanza.

 

Revelations! Pt. 3

Back at Nescafe Emma’s excited chattering about synchronizing vacation time is falling on deaf ears, Whoracio is lost in thought. He thinks he and Emma out to take a break. Now that Amaya is a big shot at Nescafe, if he and Emma’s affair is discovered they could both lose their jobs! Emma’s got his number and knows Whor wants to get back with Amaya because of her sudden windfall. She thought Whor left her because she had a lover. Oh he still believes she has one and suspects it’s Mauro Montesinos. It all makes sense in Whor’s pea brain. They just have to chill out and see how things shake out.

Constanza wants to know if Max knew Amaya would be on the same flight with him. Of course not! Isn’t it funny that all of a sudden you’re a fixture in our family, Amaya, Cesar quips? Yes, it’s just crazy she answers not as amused as Cesar. Lucrecia is not amused at all and thinks to herself: “It won’t be for long Amaya, I may not have gotten your car to explode but I have thought things out carefully and I’m going to get you out of our lives. I definitely don’t want you alive!”

Amaya has gone to the ladies’ room and is talking to Carolina on the phone about the awkward situation with the flight. Caro thinks they will probably be in first class and so there shouldn’t be any problems. Caro asks her to greet Jorge, she misses him.

Constanza enters the bathroom and tells Amaya she needs to talk to her.

“I don’t know why you two acted like you didn’t know each other when he’s the one who saved you in Chiapas. Now that it’s all out in the open, don’t think I’m a fool. Stay away from Max, from us; of course I don’t want you at the wedding.”

“Of course I’m not going to the wedding. I will stay as far away from your husband as possible, believe me, I don’t want to cause you any problems.”

“I know you are in a partnership with him but you let others do the transactions, not you. Even though you denied it, I know you’re divorced. I do not want you to not tell Max that you’re divorced, that you are a free woman.”

As Constanza stamps down the hallway Cesar stops her. She gives him the low down on Amaya being the woman Max saved, AND spent several days with in Chiapas. Cesar is genuinely surprised. She makes him promise he won’t let Max know that Amaya is divorced. He swears he will tell no one. Hmmmm.

At this same moment Tia Eloisa is questioning an innocent/confused-looking Max about Amaya. Isn’t this the woman Max told her about when he returned from Chiapas? Yes. What do you feel for her she asks? It’s complicated. She still provokes feelings in him. Max doesn’t know why destiny has interwoven their lives. Why do you say that, Eloisa asks, because of what happened today? No, because Amaya is the daughter of the former Administrators of El Paraiso. And her mother and Papa were partners. Tia Eloisa’s eyes get big as saucers!

Eloisa thinks back to the conversation she eavesdropped on between Max and Mauro in which Mauro explained that he and Florencia’s plans to be married were squashed by Lucrecia’s announcement that she was pregnant with Cesar. So we’re united in the present and the past continues Max.

 

Revelations! 12-3-14 Pt. 4

Cesar reports back to his jefa, the heffa, Lucrecia. Cesar shares that he’s been sure Amaya is Mauro’s lover but now he doubts it. Remember that Max saving a woman in the river thing? Well, that was Amaya. My own son saved that woman from drowining? Lu asks with horror. Yes, though I’m sure at that time he didn’t know who she was.. Constanza is dying of jealousy and well, something could’ve happened. Lucrecia then asks a curious question: Why is Max marrying Constanza? Well, it was probably just a fling but now that he knows Amaya is duena of the lands in el Paraiso, it has become complicated. Lu insists Cesar investigate: “There is no way this woman is going to get my husband OR my son! Over my dead body!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Cip is fulfilling his duty to dig out Mariana and Delores. He gets into a back and fourth with Mariana about why she quit. They treat me better at El Paraiso! You’re a bad, arrogant, egoistical daughter! She’d never put up from her boss what he puts up with! She confronts him with the monopolizing the coffee deal. Cip is indignant! With what money is he buying coffee? My own family believes this gossip; I’m going to the bar! I’ve got real reasons to drown my sorrows!

The Montesinos arrive at El Paraiso. Lu is too hot and bothered with this hot smelly place full of so many bad memories to play hostess. Max and Ivan show the family to their rooms and help with the bags. Juliana, Alan, Mauro, and Jorge arrive. Max embraces and comforts Juliana and Alan in turn and the rest of the family consoles them as well.

Amaya has now arrived at her Madrina’s to a much-deserved and needed warm, loving reception. After Mariana and Vale have gone to Mariana’s room Amaya shares something with Delores she has remembered and wanted to wait to share in person: Amaya saw the explosion perfectly well. Her father’s car was parked at the airport. She remembers mentioning it to her mother who didn’t realize it was there. What’s strange about that Delores asks? Well, my father died in the explosion but remember I told you somebody in my father’s car followed us until we crashed into the river. That means that person was there in the airport! That person knew my father was dead and they chased us until we crashed into the river! I think the supposed accident was intentional! Somebody wanted me and my mother dead! Delores is open-mouthed impactada!

 

Revelations! 12-3-14 Pt. 5

The next morning Amaya, Vale and Delores are at the cemetery. Amaya prays at her parents common grave, asking her mother to help her discover if the accident was intentional and whether somebody was trying to kill them so that whoever did it pays.

Delores meets Amparo also at the cemetery. Amparo has a dozen very long stemmed calla lilies (alcatraces) for Delores. A somber group of mourners solemnly make their way down the brick pathway near Delores and Amparo who asks who they are.
It’s the Montesinos, owners of El Paraiso. The husband of Mauro’s oldest daughter died in Italy. They’re coming here to inter his ashes.

And who is the lady taking up the rear in the hat?

It’s Lucrecia Montesino, the wife of Mauro.

Well who would’ve thought that that dirty and muddy woman who bought my coat that day at my juice stand would end up married to a wealthy coffee magnate?

She bought your coat at your juice stand?

Yes, it was many years ago, but I’ll never forget her face.

We see the airport where firemen are still dowsing the burned out plane. Lu, wet and muddy, asks to buy an apple juice and the coat of the vendor, a young Amparo. Amparo says the coat is used. That’s okay, Lu says, she’s very cold. Lu offers her 3 bills, the top one says un mil pesos. (250 dollars?)

When was this? It was the day of the explosion of the plane in which died the husband of your friend, Florencia. What was Lucrecia doing there? Delores asks, her face a combination of anguish and fear. Amparo repeats she was dirty and wet as if she’d fallen in water!

It can’t be! Delores then goes back into flashback mode:

Amaya is at lunch with Caro and Delores when she was telling them about a long ago overheard conversation between a woman and her Papa. The woman was telling her Papa that her husband was sending her Mother, Florencia, a plane so she could escape because they were lovers.

Next Delores remembers talking to Padre telling him that when she tried to rectify the situation with Florencia’s lands she was threatened by the Montesinos lawyers that if she didn’t leave things as they were that Amaya and her own family would pay with their lives.

Back in the present we are face to face with the horrified expression of Delores as she nearly cries: This confirms what I have suspected for many years! Y esta cambia radicalmente el rumbo de esta historia. This radically changes the course of this story!

Freeze! The end for today!

 

Okay guys, hoped to have it up earlier! Great episode. Even if we don't get smooches, the action is moving along intelligently and at a nice pace. This was indeed an episode of revelations, some sought, some stumbled upon! Let's chew on this y'all!
 

Yeah, the money thing was that if it was 3,000 pesos, was that about $250?
 

Lila--
I will have to read this tomorrow. Been out ALL day and scarcely got through the episode without falling asleep.

So after a wait at the airport to board, just about everybody knows Amaya is divorced--except Max!

 

No worries, Anita. Life's a blur!

Lila
 

Awesome, Lila! This was an interesting episode with all the tension and awkwardness at the airport where time seemed to move at a glacial pace for poor Amaya caught between all the Montesinos and their in-laws. But then ending with a bang with Dolores putting all the jigsaw pieces together about the murder of Amaya's parents and the threats afterwards, and correctly placing Lucrazy right in the center! Seems a little too soon for such an epiphany and revelation, so I am now very worried about her longevity.
 

Hi, Lila,

Awesome as usual. Is your name
pronounced LYE LA or LEE LA?
I want to get your name right in my mind.

Thanks for all the details. In other novelas, I usually do much better in picking them up. Perhaps, I am not concentrating enough. Everyday, I listen in my car to CNN en espanol, and I understand almost everything.

Yes, things are moving along. There is much to anticipate and much to fear.

I get a kick out of Manuel being so adamantly against people in the office hiding things from him, the
Cowardly Master of Deceit for all these many years.

Constanza really showed her bad side in fighting for her man.

I wish Eloisa would learn of the divorce. She would enjoy spilling the beans to Max. Flavia seemed to like Amaya instantly. Did Juliana and Amaya ever meet in the past?.


Chris in FL,

I meant to comment earlier about what you said about Constanza not visiting Max in Italy. You are so right. In this day and age, it makes no sense. And it's not as if her father were alone and helpless in a convalescent home.

Valeria is adorable, and I loved the realistic scene where Carolina
was dutifully feeding Taco while talking to Amaya. A very cute touch.


With much appreciation, Lila...

All the best to all.
 

Lila--

Brilliant recap. My old brain had forgotten that wonderful phrase pea-brain. Will have to remember it for future use.

Also, loved "his jefa, the heffa"

About the money--Thirty years ago the Mexican economy was very depressed and 1,000 pesos might not have been as much as $250. But, it also may be all the set designers had in the play money cash drawer.

I don't like skank-cougar Emma very much but what Whoracio, the pea-brain, said to her was so misogynistic and cruel I could have bashed him through the screen. --To wit--If the two get fired from Nescafe because their relationship comes to light, he'll be ok, it won't be hard for him to get another job. On the other hand, Emma, well at her age...and he stressed the "her age." Grrrrr! Actually, as a long-time manager in HR, Nescafe might want to keep Emma! It costs money to retrain a good HR person. OTOH, a do-nothing pea-brain might be easy to replace at a much lower salary, no?

 

Floridia--
Your question: "Did Juliana and Amaya ever meet in the past?"

Good question!

The answer is yet to be determined. They were both children. Once Juliana, at age 4-5, was taken to Mexico after Mauro had to marry Luce, she may not have had an opportunity to return very often.

It was probably only a month or two after Mauro left Florencia that she married David. As we recently learned, she was pregnant with Mauro's child. David knew it, married her, but she lost the baby. It was probably a year or two more before Amaya made her appearance.

By this time, Juliana would be about 6-7 and probably didn't see infant Amaya as a playmate even when she did visit El Paraiso. It seems to me in some of her conversations with Mauro recently she did remember going to the finca with him.

Amaya left El P at age 4, after the explosion of the plane and death of David and the river accident. Mauro hired a new administrator and who knows if Juliana, by then age 10 or 11, might have been aware of the accidents to Amaya's families.

It will be very interesting to learn if she does have any memories of Amaya.

 

Thanks, Vivi! Yes, Delores has a key piece which she should keep to herself until she can talk to Amaya. The last thing she should do is tell Amparo or really anyone else. I felt like she was speaking to the audience as much as to herself and Amparo when she said "Y esta cambia radicalmente el rumbo de esta historia. This radically changes the course of this story! Wow! And it's only Thursday!

Hi, Floridia! I pronounce my name LEE LAH. Thank you for asking?

Manuel is quite the hypocrite, isn't he? Agree that Flavia did seem to receive and send a good vibe to Amaya. Flavia warned both Sal and Constanza about hurting her brother, I wonder how Flavia's vibe would change when she finds out who Amaya is? We know Flavia doesn't like Constanza. Would Constanza confide in her about Amaya the way she did with Cesar? Will she end up being an ally helping Max and Amaya get together if she learns from Max how he feels about her!

Thank you Anita, you know I should have put in that dig Whor made against Emma but it ended up on the recap editing room floor. Thanks for mentioning it. He's a piece of work, isn't he? He has no idea what sick Cesar is cooking up for him!

Lila

 

Lila--OT--I do remember you from days past when your name was much longer! Which tn was it when we were commenting at the same time? I've gone through two names, now, both of which I'm a little embarrassed by.
 

I am also bugged by how hypocritical Manuel is, when he has had a long term affair for YEARS! I guess that's why he's so suspicious.

I haven't seen enough of the Constanza-Manuel relationship, so I'm still trying to figure out why she was so attached to him that she couldn't part from him for the five years after her mom died. But clearly, he spoils his little princess and does whatever he can to give her what she wants. And right now, that's Max.
 

Vivi,

We don't have much more, if any, info on the father/daughter relationship than you do.

Anita,

Are you bilingual?

I don't know if you or Lila care to share your old names. If I knew them, I have forgotten them, but am curious.

Thanks to both Lila and Anita for your detailed and HUMOROUS coverage of our delightful melodrama.
 

Vivi, Manuel does have limits with Constanza. Once when Manuel was still partnered with Max before the engagement party and the rupture of that partnership, she wanted Manuel to stop Max from working in Chiapas because she didn't want to be based there. She doesn't like the finca, she likes the big city: kind of a Green Acres kind of thing! Manuel refused and essentially told her if she wants to manipulate Max, she's going to have to do that on her own. Is that right, Anita?

Anita. OT - Yes, my full name is Kha LEE Lah - Khalilah which is a lot for people on a blog to right so I shortened it. I have commented and sub recapped a few eps on CME, commented only on so many others I'd have to sit down and try to write them down. FELS was one, Destilando Amor another. I started with La Fea but didn't know about this board and used to visit a board in Spanish and tried to comment. It must've been pretty funny but I got a few responses back! I was so glad to find Caray! Caray! Oh yes, there was Pasion, and the recent William Levy one. . .

:D Lila


 

Lila/Vivi--
Yes, you got Manuel tagged correctly. I think I mentioned earlier that Constanza is an only child and both parents would have spoiled her and the father-daughter relationship is always very strong anyway.

Lila--I didn't want to use it unless you mentioned it. Of course I remember you--hello amiga! It must have been during CME that we first exchanged comments. Ah, those were the days, weren't they? Vivi was there, too.

It was during Mi Pecado that I came out of the Anonymous shadow to comment using a name. I watched Sortilegio & ENDA, but only commented on "clarificaciones."

Floridia--I do not consider myself fully bilingual. I do have a good ear and can understand most Spanish on tv that doesn't involve a lot of slang or barrio talk (I'm definitely not up on the latest.) I can get along speaking Spanish, as long as they are simple, declarative sentences (ha). It throws people off because my River Plate accent is still perfect after all those decades of non-use.

I spent my formative years in Montevideo, Uruguay. After nearly 30 years of living in a monolingual society here, I began to need Spanish more and more and had a growing desire to refresh it.

So, about 15 years ago I joined a Spanish conversation group at work (I was waaay ahead of them). Then I joined another group about 6 months before a planned, first return visit to Uruguay, taking my son with me. Some of group were familiar with CarayCaray and the rest is, sort of, history (The history of a telenovela addict.) The first name I used was Newbie in MD--really imaginative, no?
 

The recap will be up before midnight!
 

Lila, Beautiful name.

Limited research states that it was at the height of popularity in 1976.


I may not be able to comment until Monday night. Getting ready to leave for the weekend; return Monday evening. I'll look forward to catching up.

Thanks to all for insightful comments.
 

Anita,

I remember that name I watched all of those novelas you mentioned, but didn't comment all that much. I am only commenting now because I like this novela so very much and there have not been many people watching, and I appreciate all the work that you and LIla do.
 

Floridia--We appreciate and enjoy your comments. We look forward to them. Ok. On to the recap.
 

Recap for Thu Dec 4 (Capitulo 53) - Parte 1

At the Cemetery – Various scenes
Dolores and Amparo are still together at the cemetery, having watched Franco’s funeral procession pass. Dolores didn’t know about Amparo’s chance meeting with Lucrecia the day of the “Great Accidents” [the term I’m going to use from now on]. Dolores doesn’t tell Amparo what suddenly struck her and bothered her [but WE know]. They are her business she tells Amparo. Amparo insists on staying with her. She’s obviously upset.

Dolores is recalling to herself, as they walk, that Lucrecia wasin Chiapas the day of the Great Accidents. Amaya remembers being followed in the car that belonged to David and now Amparo is telling her Luce came to her booth all wet and dirty. She is convinced Lucrecia not only had something to do with the River Plunge, but was instrumental in all of the Great Accidents. She’s demonic. She’s an assassin.

The Montesinos family gathers around the priest who is praying for Franco’s soul and for heaven to watch over Juliana and her son. Juliana then has a chance to say a few words about Franco, since most of the family didn’t know him. [There is a sentimental flashback of the last times they had together as a couple.] Mauro and Max step forward to give her and Alan comforting caresses.

Amaya is talking to Mariana near her parents’ tomb. Mari wants an update on Max. Love is wonderful when the feeling is returned. Their love was just not meant to be. Mari knows from Iván Max is getting married in a few days. Mari wonders if it is because his feelings for Amaya weren’t really as strong as what she herself believed. Amaya doesn’t answer that one.

Amaya changes the subject to Iván. She’s happy to learn Mari does feel something for him and is willing to open herself up to the idea of loving someone. She speaks from experience when she tells Mariana it’s better to have suffered for love than not to have felt it at all. Vale interrupts. She thinks this is enough chit chat. Here come Amparo and Dolores. Amp lets the cat out of the bag that Dolores is sicker than she’s let on. Dolly still blows it off—she’s taking the medicine the doctor prescribed.

Vale and Amaya arrange the flowers around the Serrano gravesite. Vale doesn’t want what happened to her mother to happen to her. Amaya says it won’t, for a long time. She knows how difficult it is to grow up without parents.

Luce, black-hatted, black-glassed, black-rag’d and probably wishing SHE were the widow, is standing off to one side at the interment service with César, dressed in something he must have picked up at Biker Madness Consignment Shoppe. They are commenting to each other how “cursi,” or shoddy, commonplace this event is. Luce thinks Cece is correct—they must work to keep Juli depressed and not let her restart her life.

Jorge congratulates Juliana for her words about Franco at the burial. Juliana says it was only the truth about their loving relationship. She doesn’t know how she’s going to live now, she feels so alone. Jorge tells her she’s not alone. Her family is with her; he is with her; he and she will always be together. They share a loving embrace—as friends.

Lucio wants to cheer up Alan and suggests a walk around El P. when they get back. Alan thinks that would be ok, as long as his mother lets him.

The mourners are leaving the cemetery. Consta and Don Manuel talk about how it feels losing a partner. She doesn’t know if she would be able to endure it. She sees Manuel hasn’t as yet started to see anybody [ya, and tell us something we really didn’t know].

Max and Mauro fall behind. He asks Max to take everyone back to the hacienda while he sees to final arrangements for the care of the crypt and to stop by Florencia’s tomb. Max reminds him it’s empty. Yes, Mauro knows that, but the Zona Estrella and the empty tomb is all he has to keep alive those wonderful memories. He wants to tell “her” that thanks to Max and Amaya they at last will have their dream of their lands being together has become a reality.
 

Thu Dec 4 - Part 2

The other group at the cemetery is getting ready to leave in a taxi. Vale forgot her doll. Amaya insists on their going ahead in this taxi and she’ll go back and get the doll and take another taxi.

They Montesinos mourners pass Amaya standing in the gravel drive. Lucrecia is the first to recognize her and says to herself, no, it just can’t be that woman. César stops to greet her with a friendly hug and a kiss. Luce keeps walking on by with no greeting or even a nod of the head. [Did we expect anything different from her?] Don Manuel sees Amaya and greets her. Max, arm in arm with Consta walk on by. Amaya looks at him, but he doesn’t stop to greet her. Amaya explains her presence to Cece. He didn’t know her parents were buried here. He offers his condolences. He is happy to see her. When they return to the city, they will get together regarding the house. Amaya says that is perfect.

Standing by one of the funeral procession cars, Lucrecia is complaining to Max that Mauro would feel it necessary take it upon himself to arrange things with the caretaker in person. Why did he need to do it at that precise moment? Max points out the obvious—Mauro is worn out. He tells his mother she can go on back to the hacienda.

César stops at the car long enough to say something about Amaya to Max, knowing Don Manuel and Consta were inside. “That Amaya, she’s really lovely, vibrant, guapa, isn’t she? Don’t you think so, Tío?” Max looks disgusted as Cece saunters on by.

Mauro is talking to the caretaker and hears the story of only one body in the tomb. [Somebody, help, here—Hector learned about the single body, but how, when and by whom did it reach Mauro? Was it through Max?] Mauro wants to know if anything has been learned since then? No, not until today, then he nods toward Amaya, who is approaching. Mauro turns to see her. Mauro is holding the doll. They hug and engage in small talk over what brought Mauro and his family to Chiapas. Mauro dismisses the caretaker and continues his conversation with Amaya. Amaya gets Vale’s doll back. Mauro explains his presence near David and Florencia’s tomb, that he came back to visit his friends since it’s been some time since he has. Mauro invites her to come with him to see her lands. The Zona Estrella? Yes, before they have to go back to Mexico City. Aside from how short their visit is, he urges her to make some time today or tomorrow and she agrees.

Amaya leaves him. He remains momentarily at her parents’ grave telling Florencia, “Who could have believed your daughter and me, associates, eh? How different our lives would have been had we been together.” Then finds the grave of his infant son. The grave is unkempt and full of weeds. As he brushes them away, he breaks down, puts his head on top of the gravestone and cries.
 

Thu Dec 4 - Part 3

Emma’s apartment
Whoracio is brooding in Emma’s apartment. He reaches a momentous decision. [We can tell by the change in tempo and timbre of the tympani.] He jumps up from his seat and starts packing. [Hmmm. Where can he be going?]

She’s excited about going out to a Polish restaurant together. They have very good food. Then she sees Whoracio rolls in with his suitcase. He lies and tells her he’s going to spend the rest of the weekend with Valeria. How is that? He and Amaya talked by telephone and arranged it. Emma wants to know why he can’t do that *next* weekend. Because he doesn’t want any problems with Amaya. Emma is pithed because this would be their last weekend together, alone. Tough Toenails, Baybee [if he were speaking English, that is]. She objects and whines it was bad timing the Montesinos crossed paths with his “mujercita,” just as his and Emma’s relationship was getting good. She reminds him she wasn’t helping his career just because he had a pretty face. It was because they had something going. She’s being ridiculous, he retorts. He tells her to stop being so dramatic. He’ll see her at the office on Monday and with that, he’s out the door, before Emma can fling the issue of “Dining Out Adventures This Week” at him. He’s a man in a hurry to go somewhere fast. She calls him, “Estupido,” under her breath long after he’s departed.

El Paraíso – The Living Room
Most of the Montesinos family is now back at the hacienda. Juliana wants to be alone in her room and asks Max to keep an eye on Alan. Lucio wants to take him on that walk around El P. Flavia volunteers to go, as long as Iván accompanies her and asks Max to give his permission. Max agrees when Alan says he’d like to go out with them.

César orders Chelo (whose name he bungles) to have Hector present himself. He wants to go over the monthly reports.

Consta and Don M. leave to change. Consta turns to her dad and tells him she can’t believe they ran into Amaya at the cemetery. Did he notice how she was looking at Max? Don M. tries to blow it off. She doesn’t think it’s normal. She thinks there’s something to it.

Mauro returns. Luce is ready to go back to the city that instant. Max tells her it will be tomorrow. Luce is displeased at the news. So, what is she supposed to do with herself. Max offers to show her around, all the improvements, the new machines, his project. She can go into San Cristóbal or Comitán. There’s lots to do around here. That’s not entertaining, she laments, it’s just killing time. She doesn’t understand what they all find so great about being at the hacienda. Max tells her to do whatever she wants. He and Jorge leave to check on e-mails from some of their suppliers.
 

Thu Dec 4 - Part 4

That leaves Luce, Eloisa and Mauro in the living room. Elo thinks she should have shown some interest in Max’s project. She was when he showed her around. Well, Luce replies, scoffing, “No soy tú,” and nothing about the countryside interests her. Mauro watches his wife’s behavior, as if he’s seeing her for the first time for what she is, a selfish, self-centered b*tch.

She continues by insulting Eloisa [I need help here. She said something like Ojalá hubiera sido tus propios hijos para que no le ¿ataque? a los míos—I rewound it so many times, but still didn’t catch the second half of her dialog -- about wishing it had been Eloisa’s own children so she wouldn’t be attacking(?) Luce’s. If anyone has a better idea, please correct.] Eloisa stands up offended. She says that was uncalled for and leaves.

We hear Luce trying to clear her throat. She thinks the country air is bad for her throat. Recovering quickly, she lights into Mauro for not returning with the rest of them. She thinks it was very discourteous behavior. He didn’t value her sacrifice to come here for the funeral of what’s-his-name, oh, yes, Franco. Mauro says he does value her presence, but why does she want him with her if the only thing she does is look for an opportunity to argue. In order to argue, one needs two people and right now he’s not in the mood. Count him out. [Aha, he is willing to confront her, bless his heart. He doesn’t know her very dark side, though. From the look on her face, he’d better be careful and watch what he eats and drinks from now own.] Mauro leaves. Luce is left with a frog in her throat.

Iván finds out he has to take charge of taking the “niños” for a “paseo.” He wonders, why pick him? Hector is just as annoyed because he has to meet with César.

Flavia calls Uli and sets up a date for that night. [Excuse me, but I’m quite conflicted, I like Flavia when she’s with Lucio or Max and going up against Lucrecia. I don’t like her when she’s playing with both Iván and Uli. Of course, we heard her tell her little friend she just intends to have a fling with Iván, because he’s not her social equal, whereas Uli is. But we’re not sure if Uli is supposed to turn into the love of her life or whether she’ll make another try for Jorge or Sal—long shots though they may be. We should start calling her Señorita Picaflor.] As Iván approaches, she hangs up and restates that Max gave permission for him to accompany them. She grabs his arm and off they go. [Who in Viewerville is not ready to predict that Mariana will surely see the two of them together and think the worst of Iván? Oh, and did everyone get a chance to check out Flavia’s 5” stiletto heels walking across the natural turf? Must be bone dry up there for her not to sink into the dirt.]

Cipriano shows up and rather than greeting Amaya with some kind of pleasant hello [which we know just isn’t in him], he sarcastically greets her with, “Well, here’s the new owner of the El Paraíso lands.” Dolores tries to shush him up. He won’t. He lays his cards right out on the table. He wants compensation for all the years he cared for her, starting with a share of her inheritance. Especially since Mariana and Dolores are at fault he’s just lost his job, Amaya should be taking care of him, now that she’s rich. He suggests she give him a part of the land if she doesn’t want to give him any money. He demands she think about it—it would only be fair. He storms out. Dolores goes to rest and Amaya tells Mariana and Vale they are going to go see her lands at El P., regardless of how many Montesinos are there. She’s Amaya Serrano, daughter of Florencia Martinez and she won’t bow her head to any of them.
 

Thu Dec 4 - Part 5

Mauro is in the hacienda office and pulls out a photograph of Florencia and a very young Amaya. He reflects that had his son lived, he would represent the union between her daughter and his children. He also reflects on the irony that what he loved most about Flo, was what also kept them apart, her honesty. She sacrificed their love as a couple for their children’s sake. He never saw her again, only spoke to her by phone until the “Great Accidents.”

BIG FLASHBACK BY MAURO—WE’VE SEEN ALMOST ALL THESE SEGMENTS ANTERIORMENTE – Now they have been put together, sort of a stream of conscience for him, beginning with their meeting again after five years and Florencia introducing him to 5-year-old Amaya. We relive the sacrifice Florencia made in not telling Mauro about her pregnancy. He now understands why she was so quick to marry David. Flo tells him that if it hadn’t been for the pregnancy, she would never have married *anyone* that wasn’t Mauro. She insists on having him see that they both must stay with their respective spouses for their children’s sake.

As he reflects in the flashback, the young Mauro is telling a frightened, panicked Florencia on the phone that someone must have told David of their plans or he would never have been waiting for her at the plane. She feels so guilty about his death. Mauro says she shouldn’t, it could just as easily been her with Amaya in the plane along with David.

Still sitting in the office, looking at Florencia and Amaya’s photo, he thinks quietly that her daughter is here with him; the only one missing is Florencia and he’s sure she will appear. He kisses the photograph. [After these scenes, I want Mauro to find Florencia and have some happiness with his true love, however brief, after all these years. I’m such a hopeless romantic….]

Freeze frame on Mauro’s anguished face.

[The backstory of Mauro and Florencia being repeated so often can be explained because 1) Viewerville has a short memory, 2) Viewerville’s Spanish is shaky and needs constant repetition, 3) Televisa is hopeful they are picking up new viewers and they will need the backstory, or, 4) the budget is tight and re-using the “Love Story That Ends With The Great Accidents” can be used as filler—instead of unnecessary side stories or comic relief. I for one am glad we’re not getting any extra side stories or comic relief, so far.]
 

Anita,

Time only to say thanks again for another terrific recap to appease our
romantic souls.

I am in full agreement with you. I
too want Florencia to appear -- to enjoy both romance, a happy family life, grandchildren, and a most handsome son-in-law.

Will return to comment on Monday.
 

Floridia--
If you don't see this until Monday, I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

I'll be out all day today, will check back in tomorrow.

Lila is our recapper for tonight.
 

Thanks Anita for another fab recap! Since I came into this late, I'm actually enjoying seeing the backstory of the stuff that happened in the past. I think you're right about why they are doing it. I believe this one built its audience slowly in Mexico, so new folks needed the refresher.

Loved Amaya asserting her rights to visit HER land. I'm sure Cons and Luce won't be so happy about seeing her wandering through the hacienda though. :)
 

Thank you Anita! Oh, what a treat!

I am sooo glad Delores didn't respond to Amparo's probing. I should've known she wouldn't: in order to protect Amaya, her own and her family's life she has guarded the secret about La Zona Estrella!

Luce wishing she was the widow and Biker Madness Consignment shoppe! Love it!

Re the single body in the tomb, let me see. I think Delores told Mauro that day he met her at her house and she tried to throw him out at first but finally listened. It was the first time Mauro had spoken about the events leading up to and the aftermath of The Great Accidents. I think this was the first time Mauro realized that Florencia's body was never found and she could still be alive. Delores told him she put Florencia's name on it so Amaya would have a place to grieve, etc.

Anita. In Lu's digs at Eloisa was the ver "latir" but I didn't totally catch it:

Existir algo ocultamente, sin manifestarse con claridad:
en sus palabras latía el odio.
Producir una herida un dolor molesto y punzante:
me laten los puntos.

I love what Mauro told her when he refused to argue. My Mother always used to say "it takes two fools to fight." With him leaving, we know what that makes her.

I agree with you, Anita, on Flavia. She does have her two sides which is like so normal and realistic! She's got some bitch genes from Lucrazya: her "attraction" to Iván is heightened because she knows he and Mari are interested in each other. She so fiercely wants to protect Max from having HIS feelings toyed with, but she doesn't mind playing with the feelings of others! No, Flavia's not perfect. She doesn't walk on water but she CAN walk on turf in 5" stilletos.

Unfortunately Mari will probably think the worse.. .tired but true!

Loved Amaya's declaration of pride and independence! You go girl!

I want Mauro to find "true love" as well. Anybody else want Florencia to appear? Where could she have been all these years? Why would she never have tried to contact Mauro? Does she have amnesia? Would it be too corny for her to appear? I've seen a show where the actor did such an outstanding job of playing identical twins that I still find it hard to believe he's a singleton. Would the actress playing Mother and Daughter be a "jump the shark" moment?

Finally, Anita, love your explanations for the frequent flashbacks. It makes a LOT of sense and Thank Goodness there is no filler or comic relief!! Though I thought that exaggerated cough by Lucrazya was funny!

Thank you Anita!

Have a great trip Floridia, be safe!
 

Hey QA peeps! I may not have Friday's recap up til tomorrow morning. We'll see! Thanks!
 

No worries, Lila.
 

I was thinking "vampires" when I saw Luce and Cesar. It fits.

Subtlety, thy name is not Cipriano. Sheesh.

Kelly
 

Quiero Amarte 12-5-14 Desagradable Encuentro Pt. 1

We have a brief overlap of Mauro’s memories of day of the “Great Accidents”. Thanks to Anita for that descriptive title. Please see the end of her wonderful description of these events in yesterday’s recap.

It’s a bright early morning at Delores’ home. We come upon Amaya giving big sister advice to Mariana that she can concentrate on her studies and doesn’t have to work. Mari thanks her but she likes to work and do for herself. Amaya, Mari and Vale head out to look at Amaya’s lands, the Zona Estrella (ZE).

This same early morning Delores lies in bed thinking that Lu provoked both of the Great Accidents. She prays for enlightenment.

Juliana in the room she’s staying in at El Paraiso is crying, she looks out the window through the pouring rain.

She sees herself and her Dad 35 years ago. They are carrying urns containing the ashes of her Mother and Maternal Grandparents, walking through the heavy rain going on their way to the cemetery. Mauro stops to tell little Julie that although she’s very sad and he would’ve done anything to prevent this terrible sadness. Even though her Mama and Abuelitos are no longer with them he reassures her that he knows they will always be with them. He points to a beautiful rainbow (arcoiris). They say that a rainbow is the point of connection between man and God and says he asked her Mother for a sign and God has sent it. He is sure that her Mami will always take care of them from heaven wherever they are.

Back in the present Juliana looks at pictures of herself as a child with her parents and a later one of her and Franco. She briefly flashes back to a recent memory and I think she puts a packet of ashes from Franco’s urn into another little pouch that contains her Parents ashes. Silently to herself she thanks her Mother for sending her a sign that Franco is with her and is fine. Even though he didn’t know the finca, his ashes also have to be here in the land that they both loved so much. All of them will be with her and Alan, taking care of them from heaven. In a final act of tearful closure she goes out to the front yard and casts the ashes into the pond.

Mauro and Manuel share breakfast outside this beautiful sunny morning. Manuel shares what he the private detective investigating the whereabouts of Florencia has discovered thus far. Nothing about Florencia but it’s curious that on the record it says that Mauro was notified 30 years ago when Amaya was found. Mauro is astounded and says it’s not true.

Max and Jorge walk along the side of the house on their way to ZE, talking about the surprise at finding Amaya at the cemetery. Yes, Max notes they were surprised she was at the airport before they flew here. Max remarks that Const (Connie) got really jealous but no more than he did when Amaya greeted Cesar first and more enthusiastically than him. Even at the cemetery she immediately went to greet Cesar and hardly gave him the time of day. [Max is forgetting about the Connie-shaped growth he had on his arm.] Jorge good naturedly chides him: How are you going to be jealous, she’s married plus you don’t think she feels anything for Cesar as a man do you? Max accepts that Amaya has a husband whom she met before him but something about this relationship with Cesar he just doesn’t like. Jorge tells him what he really doesn’t like is that he and Amaya’s love affair stopped before it could even begin. Accept it. Max sighs.

 

12-5-14 Pt. 2

Manuel and Mauro continue to try to understand the Investigator’s puzzling information. Manuel wonders if anyone in Mauro’s house would remember having taken a message. Mauro reassures him no one will. Lu didn’t have the least bit memory or interest when he asked her about lawyers having threatened Delores about the lands. How about any servants or a note? No, Mauro says, that kind of message you don’t leave just once. Mauro says 30 years ago he talked daily to the Investigator in charge of the case, daily for months and was told neither of them had appeared. Manuel states definitively: It’s obvious he lied to you, that he didn’t want you to know the truth. Why? Asks Mauro. Manuel says I don’t know, we may never know, 30 years have past and what we have is a double manipulation of information. That much is ver clear. Manuel gives Mauro some papers.

Amaya, Mari and Vale approach the casa at El Paraiso and is met with the pretty Hortensia who welcomes Amaya and lets her know she has full access to El P and ZE without the need to seek permission. Mari is proud to guide Mari and Vale through their lands. [This is a key moment as early in the story Amaya and a reluctant Mari entered the property with permission from Ivan and Jorge but entered the house without permission sparking long lost memories in Amaya of having been there as a little girl. They ended up having to run out being pursued by Ivan. The tables have turned!]


Jorge and Max continue on their way and talk about the regional fiestas that are approaching. Max would like to return after his honeymoon. They all can though Julie might not feel like it. The appendage named Connie approaches. She would love to go to the fiestas too! Connie has decided she will be with him where ever he is and even wants a tour right now of the lands where his embryonic coffee is planted. [Oh boy, I feel the approach of some awkward moments!]

Now Manuel wants to address another matter. He asks Mauro if he knew that Amaya was the woman that Max rescued in the river. Yes. Yes. Why didn’t you tell me? Because Max is my son and I’m not going to be broadcasting what he tells me. But I’m your friend. But you’re his father in law. Manuel is sharp and gets to his point. He wants to make sure than Mauro doesn’t encourage anything between Max and Amaya. Manuel fells that because of Mauro’s obsession with Florencia he might see that relationship reflected in Max and Amaya. Mauro quickly responds. No, no, no, he doesn’t try to influence his children’s decisions, especially in those matters of the heart. Manuel continues. He doesn’t want what he’s about to say will affect their friendship or their future relationship as consuegros (Fathers whose children are married to each other). He doesn’t like how Max and Amaya pretended not to know each other when they first met. Connie, is very jealous!

Cesar and Hector are touring the coffee fields. Cesar asks for reassurance that the lands will be productive enough for both Nescafe’s needs and those of Max’s new product. Hector reassures him it will be, Max’s coffee will be grown on ZA he shouldn’t worry. Well, you know gourmet coffee is very fragile and this is the first harvest, who knows what could happen. Hector offers to show him the ZE.

Manuel is not finished. Connie is so jealous she doesn’t want Amaya near Max and wants her fired from Nescafe. No, no this would be unjust Mauroo protests. I know, but understand she’s my only child and I don’t want her to suffer or feel displaced by Amaya, or you, or Max Manuel. Manuel acknowledges that Mauro loves Amaya like a daughter and that in defense of his own daughter’s sentiments he wants to ask Mauro a favor. They both know Amaya is divorcing her husband. Max does not know and he is asking Mauro that he not tell Max. Mauro says Max will not hear it from him, he will remain quiet and neutral as he has but he wants to make it clear that he, Mauro, has always respected the intimate lives of his children.

 

12-5-14 Pt. 3

Another important conversation is taking place at the church. Delores is in consultation with the Padre about what she has learned about The Great Accidents. She is sure that Lu and David were allied, it was she that warned him that Flo was about to leave him and maybe she killed him so he wouldn’t speak. You don’t have proof says Padre. Before you speak to Amaya you need to have more than suspicions: you’re opening old wounds that could be very painful and won’t bring back Flo or David. Where will I get such proof when they’ve been dead over 30 years? Perhaps you won’t get proof. You just have to remain silent and don’t poison your Goddaughter’s soul. And what if Lu is responsible for the deaths of David and the disappearance of Florencia, what then? These are only conjectures, suspicions. Delores says but everything matches up. Lu was in Chiapas when the plane exploded, Amparo saw her near the airport, she was dirty and muddy, and that’s because she was at the river bank when Flo’s car went into the river. It’s your word against this (powerful) senora and what’s more, your Goddaughter is a partner with the Montesinos. But she would believe me. Padre repeats all she has is suspicions and to accuse someone of homicide or attempted homicide, she must have proof. I feel so impotent, like my hands and feet are tied. Amaya is among wolves and could be in greater danger than ever. More endangered would be you if you confronted this woman without proof. The fact is right now your GD has a business relationship with the Montesinos, not a personal or emotional one which she might have had; this puts some distance between them and is thus beneficial at this time. This is of some comfort to Delores. Max is going to marry in about a week and he will be far away from Amaya’s life. You see why it’s better to not say anything? She agrees with the Padre but vows she will get to the truth if it’s the last thing she does in her life because what was done to Florencia cannot go unpunished! [Yikes! Delores, I wish you hadn’t said that!]


Mari, Amaya and Vale are in an abandoned coffee processing building, the first one from back in the day. Max is going to rehab and revive it. Amaya explains to Vale that the Montesinos knew the land belonged to her abuela but they didn’t know where to find Amaya but now that they have, everything has been made right.

Cesar and Hector come upon Max, Connie and Jorge touring the ZE. Cesar greets Connie. So Max has brought you to his prize property, the ZE? Connie was expecting something more impressive. Max says to them it IS spectacular with all the seedlings planted for their first harvest. Hector agrees but maybe it’s only beautiful for those who can appreciate it. [This obviously does not include Connie] The happy sound of a laughing child is heard: Amaya is whirling Vale around. Mama, look who’s here! Amaya sees the group. Connie turns to Max and asks “What is this woman doing here?” The only time Cesar truly smiles is when A is around which he does broadly as he goes to greet and kiss her and Vale. Max gives Cesar the stink eye and Connie gives the evil eye to Amaya who smiles coolly behind amber shades.

 

12-5-14 Pt. 4

Back at El P the sisters spar in an appropriately hued red room at the finca. Lu, of course, is in a bad mood, fanning herself and drinking ice water that Eloisa brought her. Elo has figured out why Lu doesn’t like the finca. Everybody knows the heat puts me in a bad humor. No, says Eloisa, it’s because of what this place represents for Mauro. Then Elo speaks words which are like digging her own grave with her teeth: This is not only the place where Mauro lived with and loved his first wife but where he fell in love with another woman who was very important to him. It’s certain that is why you got pregnant to keep him by your side and away from this other woman. Think what you want, says Lu, not missing a beat with her fan. The fact is that whether for me or this other supposed woman, Mauro’s heart never pulsed one beat for you. If there’s anyone who is important in his life, it’s me. [Give it up, Eloisa, this is an old argument and Lu always wins with variations of this line.] We’ve been together for 35 years. I haven’t forced him; he’s here because he wants to be. Isn’t that pretty evident? Elo shakes her head yes and Lu gives a DEEP eye roll. [I think Elo is too pious and sanctimonious. She does not do cat fight very well!]

Back in ZE. Amaya runs over and greets Max with a hearty Coach! Vale shares
her newly acquired understanding that the ZE in his land is also that of her Abuela. Uh, yes he knows and looks at Connie awkwardly. Connie looks uncomfortable. Do you like it? Max asks Vale. Yes, a lot she answers. Amaya steps over confidently and addresses Connie directly. Connie, I hope this answers your question. These lands belonged to my Mother, I have inherited them and I came to look them over and Don Mauro has told me I can come whenever I wish without asking anyone’s permission. Well, Connie answers with a pasted on smile, that being the case, I have nothing to say.

Cesar senses the tension and adds: Did you know Amaya grew up here on a coffee plantation? Yes, I lived here before my Father died, El P was my home and all of this is very familiar to me. Max: well, it continues to be your home and you are welcome to come here as much as you like. Cesar: Well, plus you’re in partnership with Max in Nescafe right. Yes that’s right. Cesar asks if they want to accompany them. No, but she introduces Mari as her sister, Max kisses her. Mari works here in la finca. Connie’s head is down and she looks very uncomfortable.

Vale says see you at soccer practice. No, I won’t be there nor next two weeks. Why? Connie gets to recuperate and hold her head up. She remembers she and Max should be joined at the hip and grasps his arm. Because we’re going to be married in a few days! Now it’s Amaya’s turn to look uncomfortable. [Max, baby, you rockin’ straight HELL outta that black shirt! Look at those pecs! Umph!] Oh, so you’re Max’s novia? Vale asks. Can I come to the wedding? Ok Vale, don’t be imprudent, let’s go! Amaya hustles Vale away and Max watches her leave, transfixed. Jorge looks as if he wants to laugh out loud! Cesar looks after the group with a smile. [I know the buzzard was gathering intel.]

 

12=5=14 Pt. 5

Lucio and Alan are in n a sunny field talking about life and death. Lucio offers Alan comfort by saying that his Tia Eloisa told him when someone dies you keep them in your heart. This brings up the distinction between broken hearts in the literal and figurative sense. Alan’s Dad’s heart broke literally. It stopped beating. Lucio’s heart was broken figuratively, or emotionally. He says he will tell Alan who broke his heart if he promises not to tell. Alan promises. My Mama, Lucio pronounces with a boom. Your Mama scares me says Alan. [Yes, sweetheart, she scares us, too] But don’t worry you have a good Mother, a very good Mother. She will never break your heart, never.

Flavia is working on getting her hooks into Ivan. I don’t understand why you don’t have a girlfriend. Cause I don’t want to have one just to have one. He picks at the coffee leaves to try to disentangle himself from her. I like you, what do you think about me? You really want to know, at first you made me feel – sangrona—but you’re different this time. What do you think of Ulises? Not too much. I don’t like people who think just because they have money they’re better than others. Is he like that? Yeah. I like him because he does things that people don’t expect. I guess that’s one way to look at it. Most people don’t like him around here because he’s arrogant and pretentious. He walks away and she runs to grab his arm. [Hmm, trying to mark territory a la Connie?]

Amaya and Mari in the sunny coffee fields are talking about how Amaya can’t believe that as big as this place is she has to run into Max and Connie. Mari really likes how Amaya straightened Connie out about how these are her lands. Mari thinks Amaya has even MORE right to be there than Connie. Well, says Amaya she’s going to be the wife and she will have rights. Fiesty Mari counters, Amaya, you have more rights because you are the owner, not the wife of one of the sons. You have more rights whether you like it or not!

Vale runs upon Lucio and Alan and gets one of his signature full of love and life hugs. Lucio introduces her to Alan, his nephew. Lucio cheerily notes her red hair for Alan. Lucio explains Alan is sad because his Dad just died in Italy. V ale shares that her Mom lost both Parents when she was very young and she was sad too, like he is now. Lucio proposes that she and Alan become friends so he won’t be sad anymore. Alan asks why is she here. She says because her Mom owns land here and so it is also her finca.

We whisk quickly over to the cantina. Maybe Cip is there for coffee. Cip’s compadre, Baldomero, can’t understand why he let the boss fire him when he knows good and well it was the boss who was buying up the coffee from all the growers! He’s pretty loud! Cip asks him to simmer down, he doesn’t want more problems. Ulises comes in, he and Cip stage a mock argument over his firing. But to show what a good sport he is, Ulises invites him to share a copa and a poker game. [So much for the coffee theory] I think this interchange is full of poker terminology which I don’t understand in any language. The long and short of it is there is much not subtle winking and nudging between Ulises and Cip. Cip and Baldomero sit down to play. . .and drink.

Ah, here is Efrain making arrangements to lease space in that warehouse on the outskirts of town. They will seal the deal tomorrow. Efrain says is name is “Cipriano Valdez.” Ominous music.

Delores is back home now. She seems to feel some discomfort but is more lost in worried thoughts: I’ve got to find proof, how can I find proof against Lucrecia Montesinos. All I have is the word of Amparo and that doesn’t serve for anything. She prays to God to help her find proof so justice can be done. Flo deserves it! She was just the victim of the jealousy of David and that woman who horrifies me just to think of her!

 

12-5-14 Pt. 6

Back to the now appropriately overcast coffee fields where Connie is ragging Max about Amaya being everywhere: she’s his Partner, he is her daughter’s soccer coach, and her sister works in this plantation. Don’t you think that’s too much? Look, I was Val’s soccer coach before I knew she was Amaya’s daughter, her sister was hired by Jorge and Ivan, not me, way before I knew these lands belonged to her. Well, even if that’s so she’s everywhere and your father has told her she can come and go as she pleases! As well he should, she’s got that right!

Cesar and Hector have completed their review. Cesar is grilling and threatening Hector for information to support his theory that Mauro and Amaya are lovers. Pressed, Hector has no choice but to answer: No, Mauro and Amaya were not together in Chiapas but Max and Amaya were. Cesar is surprised. They were together in some cabins near San Cristobal. He saved her from drowning in a river. She was injured and he was caring for her. Yeah, I can imagine what kind of care he was administering, smirks Cesar. What did my Papa say when he found out they were together in the cabins? He didn’t know they were together. Don Mauro thought something bad had happened to him, he and Ivan looked for him until they found him. From there Max and Don Mauro went to the airport, neither one of them returned to the finca. Amaya stayed in Chiapas. Max sent Ivan to look for her because he couldn’t find her. Satisfied, Cesar tells him this is what he wants, for Hector to tell him everything that happens, not to make him have to get it out of him like pulling teeth.

Connie is now trying to smooth things over with Max. He doesn’t look as into it. They’re supposed to have dinner all together. She wants to be alone with him. [No, TN gods, please, can you all guess what I fear?] Uh oh. Max gets her drift and finally smiles.

The tours are done for the day. Jorge, Lucio, Flavia and Alan are back at El P. Ivan takes his leave. Lucio thanks him for the tour. Alan has cheered up. Jorge observes that Flavia is acting mysteriously. She blows him off when he suggests it’s about a man and flounces away. Julia has joined Jorge, they watch Alan and Lucio playing around the fountain. She remarks on the resilience of children. She wants to remake her life and Alan’s so this smile will be permanent. She is sure Franco is well, and is in peace. Why are you so sure? She saw a rainbow.

Lu has been holed up in the red room all morning. Her cell hone rings, it’s Emma. Emma tells Lu all about the break she and Whor are forced to take and how they have to be careful not to let the affair be discovered or they’ll be fired. Lu tells her that probably won’t happen. Amaya is divorced. Emma is not really listening. They were supposed to be together this weekend but he’s spending the weekend with his daughter! Emma is pissed and expresses jealousy and resentment for Amaya. She’d better not try to go back to Whoracio because he’s mine! I’m not going to leave the way free for her! Go right ahead honey, thinks Lu, stoke the fires of that jealousy. A jealous woman is capable of anything, at least the police will be convinced of that, my dear friend!

The color drains from this little scene and cut!

 

Well, my editing was a little wobbly! Sorry! Here's a question I forgot to ask: What is the meaning of sangrona in the context I used it above?

Also, I have an important point to add about Max and Manuel's heart to heart over breakfast! Later!
 

This is the context of sagrona

Conversation between Ivan and Flavia: "I like you, what do you think about me? You really want to know, at first you made me feel – sangrona—but you’re different this time."


 

Lila--Great recap. So much was going on.

I don't know if this helps with the exact meaning of sangrona in this context. I had to look it up, and the definition fits in this instance--he thought she was conceited, stuck-up. Well, she asked for the truth, no?

From Cesar's question, "What did my Papa say when he found out they were together in the cabins?" and Hector's answer, "He didn’t know they were together."

Hector may be telling the truth or hedging a bit, but Mauro certainly saw Max and Amaya cavorting in the river water when he arrived with Ivan. He was royally pithed because the family hadn't heard from him and they were all worried. If Ivan didn't mention it, then Hector is telling the truth.

In the very last scene, I think Lu catches Emma when talking about Whoracio spending the weekend with Vale. Lu knows Vale and Amaya are in Chiapas. Don't know what advantage that information is for her. But she definitely has murder on her mind.

Loved all these excellent phrases:

The label for Connie as Max's appendage...and her pasted on smile.

Cip is in the cantina for coffee--yes indeedee!

...and the reference to Elo about giving it up, it hadn't worked in 35 years...and she doesn't do cat fights well.
 

Lila- This was just stellar!

Once again, I loved Amaya being strong and staking her claim on HER land. Take THAT, Connie! :)

Dolores was baiting some mighty anvils with all this "last thing I do" talk. I don't know how she can find any evidence. Lu seems to have covered her tracks pretty well.

Yes, Eloisa. Stop trying to debate the devil. You're not cunning enough to win the argument.

Loved Vale meeting Alan through Lucio. He could really use a friend his age.
 

Anita and Vivi!! Thank you. Here's that little bit I promised yesterday:

All through the story Mauro has daydreamed about Florencia and their great love so when he saw this woman that looked exactly like his Florencia, he had a heart attack. While Max was visiting him in the hospital, Mauro asks why Max wanted to know if he recognized the woman who accompanied him in the ambulance. Max says it’s because she is the same woman you saw me with in Chiapas. He says Amaya is the woman I rescued from the reiver, that’s why she thought that you recognized her. She’s the one? Mauro wonders how they found each other again. Max doesn’t know, somehow destiny has brought them together again.

Mauro wants to know if anything is going on between them. No, no. He asks Max if she feels anything for her?

Max rhapsodizes: “Amaya me movió la vida como nadie lo habia hecho. Ella me ha hecho sentir cosas que ninguna mujer me habia heco sentir antes.” Amaya has moved my life like no one has done before. She has made me feel things no woman has ever made me feel before.

Max nearly cuts him off: Hijo no te cases! Son, don’t marry! If you are thinking about another woman, your marriage is going to be a hell. It’s not fair to you or to her (Connie). Mauro continues after Max tells him Amaya is not free. Mauro says that despite this, and despite the fact that there has not been anything between them as yet, don’t marry someone that it’s not even worth it to live to be by their side.

Pretty strong words Mauro for someone who does not try to influence his children’s intimate lives. W’ell cut Mauro a break, though: we know he had just had a brush with death AND he was talking about his marriage to Lucrecia. Guess that makes two brushes with death.

I thank y’all for comments. Busy morning. Back later to comment more!
 

Lila--Thank you for the memory tic. It was indeed that conversation between Mauro and Max in the hospital where Amaya became the same person for both of them.

I think Mauro is sincere in his conversation with Manuel--that he won't interfere in Max's personal life because he did that already--at a time when Max could have taken a different path. By now, Mauro knows Max is going ahead with the marriage and probably won't say anything about the divorce to Max.

But he has also told Manuel that he sees Amaya as a daughter and he certainly doesn't want her hurt either. We just have to wait and see.

OTOH, Jorge is also privy to Max's innermost feelings, musings and guilt over Amaya. I don't think Consta will be able to shush him up, if or when he learns of Amaya's divorce.

After the meeting in the airport and in the fields of coffee, Amaya has gotten an earful and an eyeful of Consta. That's where things are going to heat up. I'm glad she gave as good as she got.

I wonder where Max and Consta's time alone will lead. We have been presented with such a tight parallel of Mauro and Florencia's love, that I can't help believing Consta will end up pregnant, Max married and unhappy, Amaya marrying someone else, unhappy and...more mayhem and murder coming soon to a pantalla near you!
 

Lila et al.--We need to talk about the next two weeks of QA. Are you still willing to recap?

Next week is really tight for me, but I can do Tue & Thu for sure.

The week after I have all week free and can do either 3 days or 4.

If anyone is willing (Floridia????) to give us a hand with some highlights for one of the days next week, we sure would like to keep QA going as long as possible.

I'll put up a new front page tomorrow morning. We can comment here until then.
 

I sent you an email Anita.
 

Sara--Got it. I'm just on my way out the door. Will reply by e-mail later. Thank you.
 

Hello, Anita and friends!

First of all, I can do "highlights" for Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week but would also happily share these if someone else wants to pitch in. I tend to be verbose in speaking and writing so my "highlights" end up being quite a bit more than that. I know Christmas week is going to be very busy for us all so if we could either do a tag team thing for highlights or decide to do discussions with commenters welcome to be as comprehensive in their comments as they wish, maybe this is what we'll need to do.

I love this novella and I treasure the faithful 4 or 5 wonderful folks who comment but maybe a discussion group is more suited for the kind of interest we're able to generate for a 3 o'clock show. It's nobody's fault. Well, maybe Univision's for their dopey decision to put this gem on in the afternoon instead of another show that shall go unnamed. Anywho.

On our story, this episode made very clear who, between Connie and Amaya, feels more at home at the finca. I don't think there was really any doubt and Connie is making an effort but I know Max has noted how natural the life of the finca is for Amaya.

So, almost everybody has been sworn to secrecy about the divorce:

I still have Vale at the top of the list for innocently letting that cat out of the bag.

We haven't seen Sal for a while. He's somewhere in Chiapas isn't he, "investigating" what Max and Amaya were up to? He's a contender for letting it out in anger and an offensive move to break Connie and Max up.

Another possibility for an angry reveal is Emma. She's got a vibe about her that I wouldn't be surprised if she engaged in a loud confrontation with Amaya or argument with Whoracio that Max overhears and thus, BAM, the secret's out.

Can't see Jorge telling. He knows how Max feels about Amaya but I can't see him interfering and being almost "catty" by revealing this.

There are other possibilities but I agree, Anita, Mauro will not tell but I just felt he wasn't being totally honest about not getting into the matters of the heart with his children. Kinda like his friend Manuel not liking folks keeping things hidden. . .the while he hides Genoveva.


 

Lila-I let Anita know that I'm on vacation from Dec 22 to Jan 5 and will help out if y'all want me to, but as you know I am a very terse recapper.

I keep up with the show and the comments (sometimes I'm a day or two behind), but usually I don't have much to add to the conversation beyond "I love this show!" so I mainly lurk.
 

Lila- Thank so much for going back and detailing the Max-Mauro conversation post heart attack. Those are all episodes I did not see so I appreciate it.
 

Sara, my dear! I wish I could do terse, seriously! I can do Monday and Friday. Would you like Wednesday? We can talk further in email. I've got yours but not Anita's. What say ye?

You are welcome Vivi! That memory jumped right out at me when Mauro said he didn't get into his kids' love lives.

Another interesting bit Vivi and others is that Max was so moved by Amaya that he even broke up with Connie, telling her there was someone else in his life! He was all in, ready to make a new life with Amaya! Max, of course, found out Amaya was married, made up with Connie and well, here we are. Early episodes are really good.
 

Feel free to shoot me an email Lila. Can't really jump in til Dec 22 but if you and Anita approve I'd be glad to help ease the workload for a couple weeks.

Vivi- when new novelas start do you mind letting me know if you plan to watch? I think you tend to follow good ones and I need your guidance lol. I'm still kicking myself for getting so behind in La Malquerida
 

Big DUH moment for me Sara! You even gave the dates, I'm sorry! Yes, I will email you. So yes, I am on for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sorry!


 

No problem! I wish I could help sooner but we're gearing up for exams.
 

Sara- LOL! I think a good rule in general is to stay away from anything Nathalie Latoodle does. :)
 

Yeah. I've learned that lesson. (I avoid Mr Latoodle-oo too.)
 

Has anyone else besides Alan heard Lucio say that it was his mother who broke his heart? If not, that might be a nice clue that Alan can let slip to his mom or Eloisa.
 

No, Vivi. Juliana has tried to gently coax and cajole it from him. She strongly suspects it but has no confirmation. Alan promised not to tell but Alan may share it with his mom because, you know, mom's are not just anybody, they're mom! (Except for Lucrazya). Both Juliana and Eloisa, having been on the receiving end of Lu's vitriol, would certainly believe him!
 

Ok--Here's what the week of Dec 8 looks like:
Lila--M,W,F; Anita T,Th

Week of Dec 15:
Anita--M,T,W; Lila Th,F (I can take Friday if you feel worn out.)

Week of Dec 22:
Lila
Anita
Vivi
Sara
Vivi and Sara, since you are "guest" recappers, you may pick your days first.

Does anyone know if there will be a broadcast on the 25th? I don't want to assume there won't be and then there is and we don't have coverage.

I will be leaving for a two-week visit to my son's place in Boston on the 27th, returning on the 10th.

Don't know how I will be able to recap from up there, but as the date gets closer, I'll make a plan.

Vivi--I think Eloisa and/or Flavia have heard Lucio say something about having a broken heart. That took place at home, right around his last major crisis (when he heard Omar on the phone) and he had a home visit from the therapist. Maybe it was just the therapist heard him.
 

Sara--Ignore my question by e-mail. Of course you are watching! I should have remembered your landscape avatar.
 

Anita- Yep, I know he's mentioned the broken heart to the family. Just wasn't sure if he had mentioned who broke his heart until he just did to Alan.

Since I'm recapping La Malquerida on Tuesday and Wed, I think a Friday recap would work best for me.


 

Any day is fine with me. If they are broadcasting on Christmas I can take it.
 

Good morning all. Schedule duly noted. Thanks, Anita!

Lila
 

Front Page going up momentarily. See you all there. I'll put the Dec 22 week schedule there.