Caray, Caray!

Dolores getting killed off was horrible!
 

The more I think about it, the more I think Dolores needed to be killed off.

Within the context of the story, nothing else would've propelled Amaya into action but Dolores' death, not even her own. The mother of the man she loves is a cold blooded murderer but she could not think about it (or thought it was just Dolores' imagination) until the moment when she lost her.

Just in Friday's episode, Amaya's anger was visible, the person who raised her was gone and she used her last words to tell her all about what Lucrecia had done. Nothing else weighed more heavily than that.

So far, Amaya has been pretty proactive, mostly reactive though. Dolores' death will propel her into action, vengeance and I couldn't be anymore excited.

Now that the whole truth is out, there is no other way this story can go.
 

Thank you all for hanging with us. Steve, I agree with Superalfie in her assessment of Dolores' fate. I along with her daughters and friends (specifically, Amparo) will miss her dreadfully. She had a physical connection to what had happened in the past to Florencia. It wasn't just hearsay. Now, that's all we're left with. Lucrecia has covered her tracks very well.

Amaya is also in a difficult situation, learning from a dying woman that Max's mother AND Mauro's wife were accused. Amaya owes Mauro a great deal and is obviously very fond of him. How can she "betray" them. She can't go to the police with anything regarding Dolores' murder. Caro can, regarding Lucrecia's involvement with Emma's death, but somehow, I think Amaya will keep her from doing it, out of respect for Max and Mauro--at least for the time being.

About the coffee situation. There seems to be a step missing, or one we haven't been privy to. If we assume these coffee berries are picked by hand, after the red cherries are picked, the skin and pulp have to be removed. The seed then has to be dried. It is still considered "green" coffee beans. It's the dry "green" berries that get roasted to perfection.

I'm not sure why Cipriano has a bodega full of bags. If they are bags of the red cherries, then they will wilt and start to rot before long. We saw him paying the other coffee growers for their bags of coffee. These bags may have contained dried berries, ready for shipment.

In the latest caper, we see Cipriano and his paid accomplices running away with bags full of freshly picked cherries.

If they had time to remove the hulls and fruit pulp, it would have required equipment and time on a large scale. We saw them stripping the branches of the cherries at El Paraiso. Hector and Jorge decried the results because stripping all the cherries from the branches will prevent them from harvesting them later on. According to what I've read in Wikipedia (Thank you Wikip--I donated), the coffee cherries ripen at different times on the same tree, even the same branches. That's why there are several pickings over the weeks of the harvest if they are being picked by hand.

There are two known methods of drying the coffee beans. One is the water process, where coffee is cleaned, the skin and pulp are removed, they still have to be dried. We saw equipment at El P. for processing coffee cherries. Don't know if that was for the water process or not. But it's massive.

The dry process, the more primitive method, requires spreading the beans out in the sun to dry. Where Cipriano would have done that is questionable.

Jorge is amazing. I love him more every day. I think he will be among the few that figure out Lucrecia has been behind a lot of the despicable action aimed at her own family.

The way Cesar continues to torment Lucio is unforgivable. Yes, he told Lucio, but more talking to himself outloud, that he would like to keep Lucio sedated and immobilized so there'd be no risk of his talking.

Interesting that he believes his mother that the only thing Lucio knows is that Omar was seen talking to Lucrecia in their own house and that is what he is protecting her for. I guess Cesar can also be deceived.
 

With Dolores' death based on telling Amaya how Lucrecia killed her mother will result in Amaya getting revenge!
 

Thanks, Anita for starting us off this week. I just caught up and watched today's episodes.

Some thoughts after watching the last few episodes:
Not happy with Juli looking like she's falling for Whor's b.s. He obviously has set his sights on her

Even though Uli is a jerk, everything he was saying to Flavia was on point. I was disappointed in her flippant reaction to learning that Dolores died. Sometimes, I really want to slap her, and other times I like her.

Not sure if I understand why, or am in agreement with, Amaya not telling Val about Dolores or bringing her to Chiapas for the funeral. Can someone enlighten me? All I see is a very distraught and ticked off Val when she is told.

Boohoo Cipriano. Cry me a river. Every good memory he had of Dolores was her doing something for him. Not a single one of him doing something for her.

Finally, love vengeful Amaya. I'm excited to see how she goes about getting close to her enemy. But don't see how this cannot affect how she feels about Max. He already picked up on some coldness from her.
 

Anita & Vivi,

Thanks for all of your reporting.

Just watched today's episode.
Re Val, its' possible that Amaya thought that the shocking news of Delores' death and then a funeral in Chiapas on top of that would be overwhelming for Val. She's still reeling from the news delivered in Lucio's letter. There would be some very uncomfortable moments, likely more scenes or tantrums that would take away from the Mariana's grieving process.

Furthermore, Amaya is not in good shape now. She can deal with Val's reaction later when she has time to get herself together and be able to explain the death to Val when she herself becomes more composed.

Did you all see the very funny scene in today's program? Horacio had burnt the toast, scraped some of the black of it, and then went back to his own breakfast. The hilarious part was when Val, after rejecting a very burnt slice, without saying a word, looked through the stack of toast and found one that was less burnt ..and went on with her conversation with her Papa.

Part of the irony here is that Don Mauro asked Lulu to try to be on good terms with Amaya, and Amaya's plan is to keep her enemy close in opposition to the warning by Caro to stay far away from her. There should be some riveting scenes with these two women.

Caro also advised Amaya to confide in Mariana re her mother's death. I agree with Amaya's decision, however, to keep the truth from her now. As Amaya said,
"Mariana is very impulsive at times" -- many times. She would likely let the cat out of the bag too soon and hinder the investigation.

Cesar learns more about his nefarious mother. Constanza will take a test. The plot indeed thickens.

Flavia is not aware that it was Mariana's mother who died. Nevertheless, she was a callous
snob in her attitude.

Thanks for all the comments and accurate information. Keep em coming.

All the best.....

 

Sorry, meant to delete "the" before Mariana's grieving process
 

Just caught up also. Man the funeral scenes were tough, I don't know how Amaya is keeping it together. While Mariana lost her mother, Amaya has now lost both biological and adoptive parents, all because of the same woman.

Favorite scene of the episode was Cesar learning all about Lucrecia and turning on her. I hope this precedes an intense future rivalry between where there used to be an alliance.

Second favorite was Valeria, Horacio and the toast (what a hoot).

Amaya's proving to be a very capable person, if she wants to stay ahead of the game, she needs to keep what she knows under wraps. For once Lucrecia does not have the upper hand and she doesn't even know it.
 

I had to laugh when WhoreAssio was telling Val to scrape the burnt off the toast.
 

Great episode. Thanks for the set up, Anita. It is sad but true that it took Delores murder and her dying words accusing Lu for Amaya to believe Lu a psychopathic killer. Her waving Delores off and talking about her obsession was hard to take. Poor Delores, having cornered Lu in the bathroom thought SHE had the upper hand as she knew Amaya was going to meet her there at the hospital. She thought she was going to unmask Lu. Pobrecita. She didn't realize how evil Lu is.

I also liked the burnt toast scene. I love the subtle, natural comedy in this show. There was a scene a few episodes back after Lu had shot Amaya and thought she was dead where Lu tried to break out in song but a croak came out instead. THAT was hilarious. Nice, natural, light moments without useless, idiot characters.

I also noted how Lu thought to herself that what happened to Delores needed to happen to Elo after Elo told her she would never as long as she was able let Lu be alone with Lucio again! I already speculated that she was capable of killing her own sister. YIKES!

Finally. Ironic that Cesar may end up being the one "protecting" Amaya from another murder attempt. Cesar's figuring out the whole chain of events and Lu's guilt was gratifying. He even threatened his own mother with death! These two are so evil, I could see them taking each other out or being smashed together by one huge anvil.

Great show.
 

Oh, Anita. On the coffee. Didn't Uli tell Cip to flood the coffee warehouse and thus spoil the beans/berries? I think that was on Thursday or Friday's show.

Also. Anybody else think the detective has Lu's number? He certainly has nailed the m.o. on how Amaya was shot and doesn't believe it was Emma. I hope he noted Lu's bandaged hand!
 

Yes, I too enjoyed the showdown at the end between Cesar and Lu. With Cesar on guard and ready to attack, and Amaya on guard, I think Lu trying another attempt on Amaya's life will be difficult. I do worry that she'll try to hurt Val though.

Is that guy a detective, or just the lawyer Lu hired for Emma? I thought he was her lawyer, and he believed she was innocent. Hopefully he'll dig some more, but he really has no reason to. His client is dead and Lu isn't paying him anymore.

Lila- Yes. Uli told Cip to flood Paraiso's coffee beans, and Cip has to do it by himself since his henchmen were scared off by Paraiso's guards with guns. Let's hope Cip dies in the process. Yeah, I know it would be another blow for Mariana, but he is a useless father who does more harm than good to Mariana.
 

Still with you, just chronically behind. Thanks to all for keeping up the commentary.
Just wanted to let you know that there are others out here following along, even if Delores is still alive and unwell "when" I am.

Not that the confirmation of her impending demise was much of a surprise. But since the real-time discussion is all a big spoiler in my outdated universe, hope you understand that my silence does not reflect lack of appreciation of your efforts.
Chris in FL
 

And thus Delores was reincarnated into Greta Bandy de Ripoll.
 

Vivi, you know I started to say "lawyer" for that guy that interviewed Lu. I'd have to go back and re-watch. I definitely get the impression that he suspects Lu in the shooting of Amaya and set up and murder of Emma. Back on the day when Emma was being transferred and dropped dead fro Lu's heart attack drops I remember commenting on "an official" that seemed to be giving Lu a curious look as he talked to her and Monica. I remember that in addition to the autopsy "they" were going to also look into who had visited Emma in prison. Well, they don't have to look too long to see that the only other person who visited her was Lu.

Thus, I am hoping that quietly in the background there are people on Lu's trail and this was just a little strategic surfacing and gathering of supporting evidence. I don't think they're done with her.
 

Good Day all. Yes, Uli did tell Cip to flood the El P. warehouse. I must have missed it. And yes, he has to do it alone.

Luce met with the lawyer she had gotten, to settle Emma's "estate." He looked honest and probably didn't suspect anything, not that Emma left anything. I'm surprised Monica didn't do it herself, but she's also so upset she's glad to have someone else do it an pay for it.

When will the issue of the missing money come up again and Emma's "role" in the theft. The amount is significant. Mauro and Max have told Amaya they will replace it. Poor Whoracio, eh? He was counting on it. He wasn't counting on Emma dying before he could get at it.

I'm a bit like Chris in FL right now, going over the episodes I missed while I was away, or that I couldn't concentrate on. Loved the scene where Jose is buying a new cell phone. He had to have the one everyone else had, regardless of the cost. Since Geno has spoiled him and given in in the past, he probably assumes she has the money. He feels entitled. He and Consta are obvio made from the same cloth, hehe.

I'm in the mood to do a full recap. If no one objects, I'll do it for Wednesday afternoon. Maybe afterwards, we can get enough folks together to do recaps two or three times a week. (I'm just dreaming if I said 5.)
 

Little tidbits:

Cesar, who has a stone for a heart and doesn't understand what love is, thought his pitiful little ploy to cause tension between Max, Amaya and Vale (a la the note he forced Lucio to write) would be enough to break them up.

Elo now fully knows that Cesar is responsible for his crisis and muteness.

The person wanting to meet with Lu was Licenciado Arias. Yes, he is the lawyer Lu hired to settle Emma's estate. I guess his speculations are innocent but his words are just curious: He talks about how Emma's name has been dirtied, and "You don't know how much I would like to find out who shot Amaya. I am very sure that besides Sra. Emma and yourself, there was someone else who knew that Sra. Serrano was going to this apartment and at this specific time." Perhaps his words only served to do what they did: make the penny drop for Cesar and thus lead him to figuring out mama's whole murdering scheme! I just hope there are others thinking like Arias and that she is under suspicion and being watched.

**********

So you're feeling like recapping Anita? I'll throw my hat in the ring if this is what the QA peeps really want.
 

*his most recent crisis and muteness.
 

Lila--Yes, I'm serious. We need to do it when we can. I've noticed that the hits on QA increase by one or two each week for all 17 prior weeks, so someone is starting out fresh or reviewing for content. We can't disappoint them!

Maybe Vivi and Sara would like to join us here once in awhile for a full recap.

I misunderstood Lic. Arias' role here. He came to the house to get paid. This is the attorney Lu got to "defend" Emma. He was regretting he didn't have the opportunity to do so in open court. Yes, Emma's name was left dirtied and he wanted more than anything to find out who really shot Amaya....etc. you got it right....and Cesar was listening.
 

Referring back to Monday--I'm surprised Mauro didn't see Lu's bandaged hand. She never goes in the kitchen, so how otherwise would she have cut herself......

That was quite a performance Luce gave Mauro. I almost believed her. She probably loves Mauro for all the things he was able to provide to keep her living in the lap of luxury.

If Omar had been willing to marry her and be a father to the baby, she would have missed all that. He probably was the only one she loved--or at least had a good physical relationship with for it to last until Lucio was a 7 or 8 year-old.

Yes, history repeats itself. Connie is pregnant. I hate to contemplate where this is going.

 

Anita- Not ready to make a commitment yet. Still recuperating from the last weeks of LM. But happy to help when called up and when needed.
 

I'm ready for the part about Dolores's death to be over. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't be good to gloss over it or skip past it, its just getting to me. I don't want to tear up every day. I'm even starting to feel sorry for Cipriano and he doesn't need it he feels sorry enough for himself.
The song played during the funeral was beautiful though.

 

I can help out on recaps, Friday maybe? Can't promise they'll be thorough since I have to watch online and miss stuff without my Spanish subtitles, but it'll be a start for the discussions until someone with better Spanish jumps in.

Kelly
 

I laughed too at the burned toast, what Horaciao did with the burned toast was just what my grandma used to do "just scrape the burned part off the rest is still good"

I'm so relieved Eloisa knows she has to protect Lucio from Cesar too now and not just his mom.

 

Anita and all: Do bullet points help? I seemed to have learned to do a quick, down and dirty summary if people find that helpful.

**********

Reactions for today. I'm going to make a confession. Y'all can throw nerfazos at me if you like but I was kinda feeling sorry for Cip. Yeah he was jerky but even Delores knew he loved her "in his own way." There. I said it! I hope they're done with the funeral but now we have to see Vale grieve. It will be touching but less intense, I'm sure.

Cesar was so gross, having the nerve to call Amaya while he was with his little tart. Disgusting but so in character.

Amaya suddenly needed to get air when Amparo was telling her about remembering seeing Lu at the airport on the day of the Great Accidents. Amaya went outside and threw up in the hedges. Hmmmmm. Looks like Max may be about to have "twins" by two different women! Of course, Connie's could be Sal's but she's not sure!
 

Hey! Just got home and my QA recording isn't there. :( I'll have to look for it somewhere else.
 

That majorly sucks! Episode 84.
 

Oh, hey Sneaky, didn't see your comment. Glad to see I'm not the only one feeling sorry for Cip!
 

Thanks for the episode number. That will make the search easier.
 

Kelly--YES! YES! We accept your offer for a Friday recap. You can take your time. It has to last us until Monday. We're just a bunch of "coffee" lovers.

Lila--Your highlights are sincerely welcome. Do what you can, whenever.

Vivi How about picking one night next week? (Week 19)

Sara--How soon could we get you to do another recap? The week after? (Week 20?)

Tonight seems to be Epi 85.

I did feel a twinge of sorriness for Cip. He did have a right to some input as to what service and where Dolores' wake was to be. Mariana and Amaya were just so angry and bitter about how he had treated Dolores over the years that I understand their wanting to leave him out. But, it's like wanting to or not wanting to have an ex at his/her child's wedding after a particularly messy divorce. The kerfuffle was particularly odd, with no one stepping in before it escalated to an embarrassing situation. Dolores would have been mortified.
 

Oh, and did anyone watch the first couple of episodes of Que Te Perdone Dios? What a world of difference between the two fathers, no?

Mauro tells Flavia he loves her, unconditionally, regardless of any impulsive or socially incorrect, wrong-headed decisions she makes and the door of HER home is always open.

Bruno is undescribable in his old-fashioned attitudes toward social class and virginity. He thinks everything can be resolved with a gun (or arson) and his daughter, who crossed a social and sexual line, can be put away like a cloistered nun or forced into marriage.
 

Lila--Amparo didn't see Lu at the airport. She came by Amparo's stall in the market and bought a used cover-up. Amparo thought it was strange because she was all wet and muddy--as if she had been in the water (and we see that now it is true, she was in the water fighting with Flo).

Amparo is not the one that connected Luce to the airport disaster. That is only in Amaya's memory, that it was Luce who was there and then followed them in David's car. Who else would have known the three of them were at the airport. Amaya has figured that out.

Two people have now identified Luce by her large brown discoloration on the back of her left hand. Amparo confirmed it to Dolores and Caro confirmed it to Amaya (When "the bag" walked by outside Emma's apartment, it was in the direction when it would have been on her right shoulder. Ni modo.) Caro definitely saw the brown spot when Luce opened her bag at Nescafe offices and swore it was the same bag she saw walking by Emma's.

Amaya seems to have remembered the brown spot as well--I'm foggy on that one.

Interesting they incorporated her birth mark into the story. Diana B. had it in Fuego and it wasn't hidden by make-up or anything.

Also, I was mistaken about what Luce did with Florencia's knocked out body (not dead....IMHO). We heard Luce say she buried her in a pozo (or hole) near the river. She doesn't think it will ever be found. Luce might be lying. I could have sworn I saw her drag Flo down to the water and push her in.

On to today's episode. Chau.
 

Anita, I didn't mean I wouldn't do a full recap, just that I would be happy to take a day but would it be ok if I didn't go all out with a 6-page number like I usually do.

In short, I can take a day every week. What's open?

Going to shovel snow. Be back later.
 

Lila--You have already done so much to keep QA alive and well, you can do anything you like!!!!!

Full recap or highlights, your choice.

I'll be happy to take next Wednesday, again. Everything else is open wide.

Or I could do Tuesday and you Thursday, so we pretty much cover the whole week and "guest" recappers can do Fridays.
 

Hi, All,

Thanks for all the reporting and comments. I am cold hearted.
I could not feel one bit sorry for Nasty Ol Cip. I haven't seen one redeeming quality in him since he was introduced. Bad relationship with his wife, and his daughter, and Amaya, and is engaging in clandestine, subversive, activities with regard to the coffee business.

Simultaneous upchuckings! Am I correct in saying that there was about a week between Constanza's roll with Max and her interlude with Sad, Self-centered Sal?

Hopefully, it is Sal's offspring, and her sickness manifested itself later than Amaya's malady.

Amaya will be a fighter.

Do not like Juliana's friendship with Horacio.

Jorge seemed indecisive in his
lovemaking. Both he and Caro are excellent friends to Max and Amaya.

Amaya and Mariana were fortunate to have strong, caring men supporting them at the funeral.

Big Trouble in Little China ahead.
 

Lila--I see you are still on La Gata on Thursdays. You can pick any night you want next week.
 

Floridia--Glad to see your comments. Cip deserves what he will get in the end. My sorriness was very temporary.

If we are counting, according to nighttime shots, Amaya and Max making love were only a couple of days apart from Sal and Consta's. But she does have a right to be worried. One can only be "nearly" precise as to when conception takes place, except in tns, when it only takes making love once.

I'm going to hold out on Amaya being pregnant. She was visibly sickened by what Amparo told her, but if it parallels the earlier story, they both have to be pregnant. Oh Dear!


 

I can see myself being up for recapping sometime next week. Any day except Tuesday next week should be fine.

I didn't see yesterday's episode, but I can't believe anything moving me to feel sorry for Cippy Cup.

Two pregnancies, huh? Well, let's hope Max has learned from his father's mistakes, and doesn't choose to dump the love of his life for a clingy baby-mama he doesn't love. Plus, Con's instantaneous dalliance with Sal would immediately put paternity in doubt in everyone's eyes.

I never understood why Maura is SO adamant that Lu knows nothing about Flor. She has eyes, doesn't she? She saw the lady cuddled up to his side when she came and told him her pregnancy news all those years ago. He really doesn't think she picked up on that?
 

The birthmark:

Caro didn't see the birthmark on shooting day (wrong side). She only saw the purse. But when Lu came to the office she saw the purse and the birthmark. It was Amaya who asked her if Lu has a birthmark because Amaya had another flash of memory of Lu smashing her mama's head in a rock and throwing her down a hole/well. She saw the birthmark then.
 

Isn't it time for Amaya to see that hypnotist? Time to really try to get the full picture of what happened the day of the Great Accidents.
 

Lila--You were correct about where Amparo saw Luce. Her fruit juice stand was near the PRIVATE airport. Ok. Almost showtime. See you folks later.
 

Hi, Floridia! I hear you about Cip. I agree with, I think it was Sneaky Two Shoes, who said she's done with the funeral cause anytime you start feeling sorry for Cip, well. . .

Yep, I think you're right about a week between lover boy's encounters with Connie and Amaya. I hope it's Sal's too.

Agree Jorge did NOT seem to feel the earth move!

********

Vivi! "Cippy Cup"! That's great! And, no, he wouldn't DARE repeat his father's mistake! Oh, please novela gods, no!

Totally with you on why he thinks Lu didn't know. That really DOES NOT make sense. I guess Mauro just has absolutely no instinct or sixth sense or whatever you call it. Weird.

Yeah, let Amaya see the same hypnotist that worked with Lucio. Ethically the Dr. couldn't discuss her work with Lucio (unless she does because this is a telenovela) but revelations from Amaya could help the Dr. with her treatment of Lucio!

**********

Thanks, Anita, on that correction. I went back and the whole flashback is in episode 52, air date 12-3.

I can do Tuesday. What does our line up look like for next week?


 

The Line-up, so far for next week:
Lila - Tuesday
Anita - Thursday
Vivi - Friday

That should cover us with discussions in between.
 

We've just had the most magical, beautiful snowfall of the past few--trees, bushes, grass are all heavy with about an inch of white clumps of fresh snow, EXCEPT on the streets and sidewalks. How's that for good luck.

Now I can fill you in with a little backstory from Tuesday which is likely to be important in the near future, before I start on today's recap.

Manuel-Genoveva-Jose
Manuel has come to Nescafe to see Mauro, who has gone off to Chiapas. He gets all friendly and nuzzly with Genoveva, who sits out front of Max's office. The employees in the background begin to titter. He continues. He tells Geno that Consta will be arriving in several days and he plans to tell her then about their relationship and their plans. He's also planning to tell Jose that night. He isn't sure whether it is the right time to tell him he's also his bio-daddy, but does intend to tell Jose that he and Geno are going to get married. He says it loud enough for everyone within earshot to get an earful.

That evening at Geno's, they have their dinner planned and Manuel does tell Jose the way things are between him and Geno. The kicker is that he tells Jose that he and Geno are going to get married and afterwards he'd like to adopt Jose, so he never has anymore worries about his future. Jose thinks that's great.

Earlier, in between Manuel's visit to Nescafe and Geno's dinner, Jose meets up with a couple of young guys he calls coates, or associates. They can see that his being away has done him some good. We learn Jose has been mixed up with these guys whose main occupation is burglary with opportunistic robbery. Jose admires on of the guy's wristwatch. They invite him back into their venture.

He's willing to get back in the game, but not the way he was before. He can give them the names and addresses of clients, but that's all. He's willing to take a smaller cut of the take for that.
 

Mariana and Amaya
This warning is also going to figure later on.

After the funeral, when Mariana and Amaya are getting ready to sleep, Cesar calls Amaya with one of his creepy, short conversations (because he was busy tying up his bimbo's hands with his necktie). Amaya on her end is very pleasant with him.

Mariana warns Amaya about getting too close to Cesar. He has a reputation of making people fear of him, he's gross and bad, like his mother. He's his mother's favorite. Amaya says Cesar has always been nice to her. Again Mari warns her that since he and Max don't get along, she's just asking for trouble if she lets him get close to her. Amaya says she's aware they don't get along, he and Max are like oil and water, but she still doesn't believe Mari totally.
 

Recap for Wed Jan 21 (Cap 85) - Pt 1

Repeat of yesterday: Caro and Jorge in bed—Jorge seemed to have been less than enthusiastic and Caro probably realizes this. Amaya is on a guilt trip of her own. If she had only heeded Dolores’ warnings earlier about Lucrecia, Dolores might still be alive.

Consta’s Dilemma
Nora learns why Consta is so freaked out about having her pregnancy test turn out positive. It’s not just because having a baby with Sal would be inconvenient. Consta admits to having had relations with Max a few days before the wedding and with Sal a few days after, so she doesn’t know whose baby it might be. Nora sounds more freaked out than Consta at this news. She’s probably thinking about Sal at this point. Wasn’t Consta taking precautions? Of course she was, but she doesn’t know how this could have happened. They agree to go find a gynecologist immediately and get a DNA test right away. Nora knows this will make Sal deliriously happy, but if it turns out to be Max’s? Consta says the right thing to do is to tell him, it would be his child. Nora wonders if telling Max would be because it’s the right thing to do or because she wants to get back together with him. Consta’s look tells it all.

The doctor tells them there are risks this early in the pregnancy because they have to draw amniotic fluid from around the baby. He tells her she is between 3-8 weeks of pregnancy. Consta tells him to do it and she’s willing to pay extra for an expedited test. She brought some hair to use for comparison. The results will be available in 2 or 3 days. The doc tells her she must assume the risk to the fetus. She agrees.

After the funeral
The funeral party at El Paraíso are getting ready to go back to Mexico City. Amaya tells Mariana that she’ll wait for her decision to join her in the city or stay in Chiapas. She’ll back her decision, whichever it is. Max assures her that she’s not just an employee of the finca, she’s the sister of the woman he loves, so she should consider this her house, too.

Jorge, Mauro and Hector come out to the front, still discussing the coffee thefts from the plantation. Mauro wants everything done to finger the thieves and make them pay. (They found out yesterday that they are the only ones who have suffered thefts, although they aren’t sure if they are merely the first or if someone has it in for them. Mauro says that in all the years he’s been in the business, this had never happened before.) Mauro wants to put out a notice of a reward for information. Max agrees. At least they have enough coffee to fulfill their business requirements and they won’t have to buy more from elsewhere.

Jorge promises to come to the city to celebrate the coffee anniversary. He wouldn’t miss it for anything.

Mauro takes his leave of Mariana and essentially tells her what Max told her about being a part of the family now. Mari is genuinely moved by his kindness.

Flavia Gets Ignored
Uli is twiddling his thumbs at El Deseo when Efraín comes in to tell him everyone is leaving but probably not Mariana. He assumes she’ll go back to live with her father, but Effer says he heard she’s going to stay at El P. because of the bad feelings between Amaya, Mari and Cippy Cup (thanks, Vivi—teehee, he’s hardly ever without one, or a bottle). This upsets Uli. He doesn’t want her near Iván. Flavia enters, not having heard any of the conversation and is upset herself when Uli tells her he has business that will take him out of the finca. She pouts. What is she going to do alone. Uli tells her do whatever she wants, whatever she does in the city. Effer is charged with taking her into Comitán to find a gym.
 

Wed Jan 21 (Cap 85) - Pt 2

In the garden of the Montesinos Mansion
Lucio has set up his easel in a quiet corner of the garden. In the background, Elo and Juli are talking about Lucio’s current personality change. Elo tells Juli that she learned César was behind the note Lucio was forced to write to Vale. She also shares with Juli that it was César threatening Lucio which made him stop talking. Elo is convinced Luce is behind this one way or another. Luce never wants Amaya to be part of the family, or, she knows that Amaya is Florencia’s daughter and that’s why she wants Max and Amaya to be separated. Juli wants to share this with Max right away so they can protect Lucio from César and his mother. Elo begs her to wait. She promised Lucio it would stay between the two of them and she doesn’t want to break his confidence.

Investigator #1
Lucrecia meets with “her” investigator over coffee in an al fresco café. She wants him to renew the false leads on Florencia’s whereabouts to keep her husband’s expectations alive and hop to it, vite, vite. (All fireside watchers, please note this guy’s dark hair, dark eyes and carefully coiffed goatee—I’ll need to refer back to him later on.)

Leaving Chiapas
At the Chiapas airport, waiting for their plane to be readied, Mauro gives Amaya the report from all those years ago on the results of the investigation into the plane explosion. Yes, it was intentional, with some combustible accelerant. Amaya wants to get to the bottom of this. Mauro and Max both convince her that even though no one could be found guilty, there’s nothing more to be done about David. Instead, they should concentrate on finding Amaya’s mother. They give her another report on the exact location of the last whereabouts of Florencia and where they found one of Amaya’s shoes. Caro is with them and listening intently.

Nescafé Offices
Manuel is back talking to Geno at her desk. They agree things went well the night before. She gets a little up close and personal, just as Max and Mauro walk in. Congratulations all around. Mauro wonders how this all happened without his knowing a thing. César tries to put a damper on all the joviality by insinuating that he’d heard this relationship was long-standing. Manuel tells him out loud, that he heard wrong. The couple leaves. César tries to denigrate the relationship by pointing out Geno is nothing but a servant. Father and other son get on him for being so prejudiced.

José Makes a Deal
Jose is talking to one of his coates on the phone. He’s got a lead for them. The guy his mother works for is giving a big party at their place in a few days. Coate #1 (the shorter one without the watch) tells him to make it possible for them to get an invitation and not to fail them. It seems they are going to have something to do with music and Jose is going to make sure his mother contracts them. Coate #1 wants him to be there, too, but Jose tries to beg off.

Cipriano has a Visitor
Cippy Cup has returned home with a couple of bottles to find Uli sitting in his living room. It nearly frightens the daylight out of him. Uli explains he wants him to make sure Mariana comes back to live with him. Cippy says he can’t deal with her anymore after what went down at the wake the day before and wants to know why. Uli says he’s interested in her and doesn’t want her at El P. Cippy wishes he had known of his interest earlier—then he wouldn’t have opened his mouth. How so, Uli wants to know. Cippy says he’s sure Mariana isn’t his biological daughter and told her so. That created problems between them. Uli says he’s useless. Cippy says, on the contrary, with or without Mariana, he’ll prove his worth. Uli’s last words is that anyone could have done what he’s doing for Uli, the reason he picked him was that he was Mariana’s father and leaves him to his Cups.
 

Wed Jan 21 (Cap 85) - Pt 3

In the Bodega, a Romantic Proposal
Iván proposes marriage to Mariana at El P. away from everyone. He’s a sweetheart and very persuasive. He puts a thin suede tie around her finger and asks her to be his wife. Her protestation of not having finished her degree is cleared away. He tells her as his wife, she won’t have to go to Mexico with Amaya nor go back to her father’s house. Mari says she’s not going to accept for those reasons. He knows. He’s not being impulsive. He’s talked to his father about it. He just wants to spend the rest of his life with her. He asks her to accept him, accept to be his wife and the mother of his children. She's dazed and dazzled. She accepts. He picks her up and swings her around and they give each other happy kisses.

Vale Gets the Sad News
Back in Mexico City, Val gets home from school and Amaya sits her down to tell her about her Abuela. Val is very upset that she’ll never see her grandmother again. Vale is still in the dumps over dinner. She wanted to know if her Abuela knew she and Max were novios. Yes, although Amaya has to admit Abuela wasn’t happy about it. Vale wants Amaya to break up with Max for her and for her Abuela. She leaves the table. Amaya sits there when the doorbell rings.

It’s César, come to give Amaya his condolences over the passing of her godmother. Just as he’s getting as friendly as he can, the doorbell rings again. This time it is Max, who gets his dander up when he sees César with Amaya. The brothers snipe at each other, as they always do. Amaya watches the show. Finally, Cece “graciously” leaves the field of battle, taking leave of Amaya with an extra tight hug and kiss on the cheek. Max bristles. Cece gives Max a brotherly punch and a kiss on the cheek as he leaves. Amaya can’t believe he treated Cece that way. Max can’t persuade Amaya that César doesn’t do things for the good of others. What he does must always benefit himself. He always has an agenda. Max wishes Amaya would recognize that. What he can’t figure out is what César’s interest is in Amaya. She seems a little distraught.

A little later, Max tries to talk to Vale. She wants to hear none of his explanations and walks out on him after she hears him say that he wants to marry Amaya and for them to form a family. She blames Amaya and Max for breaking up the marriage between Horacio and Amaya. Max tells Amaya not to follow her. Nothing is going to change her mind right now.

Consta Wants to be Left Alone
Sal returns home from work to find Consta in bed. She feels tired. He has just the remedy. A little roll in the hay. She defers and insists she’s tired. He insists making love will take care of that as he tries to get frisky. She finally pushes him away and he backs off. She turns over and faces away from him.

Mariana and Iván are Going to Get Married
Mariana and Iván go back to what they think is her empty house to gather up her things to take back to El P. They have a run in with Cippy Cup, who thinks she’s coming home to stay.

The next day Mari calls Amaya to tell her she’s not coming to the city and why. Amaya respects her decision, but wants her to make sure it’s what she wants. She’s young, she hasn’t seen much of the world….Mari says she and Iván want to do that, together. They haven’t talked about a date yet.

At Nescafé with Mauro
Max and Mauro are in Mauro’s Nescafé office waiting to start the presentation of the campaign (which includes the videos they took in Chiapas) for the special anniversary celebration. Max is trying to explain that his head understands that Amaya needs time to get Valeria to accept him, but his heart wants to be with Amaya all the time.

Mauro shares with Max that he’s told Luce all about his earlier relationship with Florencia and there should be no further impediment of Lucrecia’s to their being together. (Wanna bet, Mr. Cuddly but Clueless.) Max can’t wait to tell Amaya. Mauro asks if he can be the one to tell her. It’s his story.
 

Wed Jan 21 (Cap 85) - Pt 4

Investigator #2
A neatly dressed, white-haired gentleman walks up to Amaya in the café where she had just been talking to Mari. He introduces himself as Mr. Aguilar, the investigator she has contracted to look into finding her mother’s remains. She gives him the reports Mauro gave her at the airport with the last known location of her mother. She wants definitive proof and gives him her toothbrush and some hair to use for DNA tests (goodness, what would we do without DNA tests nowadays…).

Where is the Money
Whoracio is called in to be confronted with the strange disappearance of the large deposit made by Emma and subsequent withdrawal from Amaya’s account and transferred to an unknown account. They’ve just received word that at the hour the withdrawal was made, Amaya was in surgery at the hospital and Emma was at the police station, so someone else had to have had a hand in this. Whoracio gives his best “Who, ME?” look and encourages the investigation into the matter. He’s as interested as they are in getting to the bottom of this travesty against his ex-wife.

César is listening to all this. He later calls Aaron (Negro) and tells him to go ahead with embroiling Whoracio with the next fraudulent shipment. (Remember folks, César had told him to take him off the fraud and embezzlement caper because he had other plans for him. Cece has probably figured out the Whor did have something to do with the money stolen from Amaya’s account and now he’s in dire need, since Emma died and he can’t get his hands on it.) It's not clear if Max & Mauro know whether this unknown bank account was Emma’s. At one point they asked Emma’s daughter Monica if she knew of any other bank accounts her mother might have had.)

Juliana and Jorge
A tired Juliana gets a call from Jorge at the office. He wants her to get some fresh country air at El P., but she just can’t get away. If she won’t come to him, he’ll come to her and if necessary, take her to the doctor himself. She teases that he sounds like her father or Franco. A very animated Jorge, says no, not like Mauro or Franco, but she has to believe he querers her.

Investigator #3
Mauro is talking to someone (using the familiar tu) on the phone and tells the person to do whatever is best. Max comes in to get Mauro for the presentation. They are interrupted by Mauro’s investigator (This guy doesn’t look like the one Luce had hired, but I need some verification or reassurance it is NOT from some eagle eyes out there, sitting around the fireplace. Remember, Mauro had the investigator Manuel had working for them to report directly to him—after their temporary break-up. This investigator doesn’t look as smarmy, his hair is a lighter brown and he doesn’t have a full goatee.) He has good news. He thinks he has a lead to someone with Florencia’s description in Guatemala. Mauro wants to drop everything and go. Max and the investigator hold him back. He’ll go by himself. They all agree not to tell Amaya so as not to get her hopes up.

Pre-presentation Fright
Amaya arrives in the board room in a rush, but so far, no one has showed up. They start arriving and take their seats around the table, ready to see the final version of the coffee campaign for Mauro’s anniversary festivities. When Cece arrives, he makes a point of walking over to Amaya and giving her a big squeezy hug and a kiss on the cheek. Even Amaya looks a little uncomfortable. Mauro wants to wait a couple of minutes for someone to arrive. The unknown guest sweeps in. It’s Lucrecia, in a leather dominatrix overcoat. She has shown up at the Nescafé board meeting. She grins and bows, kisses Mauro lovingly and welcomes Amaya into the family. No hard feelings, ok? Amaya looks as though she’s being forced to eat a plateful of dead cockroaches.
 

Forgive if I left anything out. This recap is from watching an on-the-line version rather than in vivo. Sorry.
 

Anita,

Thanks so much. At times, I miss a great deal. I appreciate all of your details.

I just wrote a significant amount, and it all got lost, so I'll retire for the evening.

I believe the word for "buddy" or "pal" in the case of Jose is spelled "cuate." I've seen it in reading.

I cannot figure out why Lulu would want Mauro to think Florencia is alive. I would think she would want to close the case and have Mauro move on.

Cesar continues to be despicable.
Val is contrary.


Chat later,

Thanks again to all for your input.
Not much bright on the horizon.
 

Anita- No need to apologize. This is wonderful. I won't get to catch up until this weekend, so I loved getting the recap.

I'm very disappointed in Val for giving Amaya crap after she's just lost her madrina. Very selfish of her. That's her daddy's genes/influence showing through.

And I'm surprised that after learning the hard way to trust the words of people you love about a person, Amaya is poo pooing what everyone is telling her about Cesar. Looking forward to seeing how she deals with Lucrazy.
 

Vivi,

Agree completely about Val.
She has a very short memory when it comes to her father - she had two very bad nights with him (and without him - when he left her alone for hours), but she continues to fall for his pandering.

Excellent point about Amaya and Cesar. The main thing, however,
with her is that he saved her child's life, and I am certain that we would be in debt to anyone who did that for us - no matter what the reputation of the person.

But speaking of being in debt,
didn't Cesar tell Amaya that one day he would need a favor from her, and she responded quickly that she would be happy to oblige.

I have one nagging question. When Cesar was following Amaya way back when, did he intentionally hit her car, or was that an accident because of other circumstances that occurred simultaneously?

Thanks for the scoops.

All the best.......
 

I watched the broadcast version after posting the recap. A couple of things need correction.
1. The doc told Consta she's 6-8 weeks pregnant (that was probably a typo).
2. Cesar HAS figured out that Whoracio probably was the one who robbed Amaya's account. He's testing him. If Whoracio did it, he won't need the money (that means Whor is not stupid and put the money somewhere he CAN access it) and will decline getting back into the fraudulent shipment game. If Whoracio didn't do it, he needs the money and will happily get back into doing fraudulent shipments.

Floridia--Cuate or coate both appear in my ancient hardcopy dictionary. Apologies for only looking there. The original meaning--in Mexican Spanish is twin! Buddy or pal is a better current definition than associate, but I was trying to use it in a criminal sense. Just another example of the evolution of language to slang or everyday usage.

Floridia--Luce is so mad at Mauro for admitting to her his great love for Florencia that she most likely wants to keep torturing him. That is why she originally was doing it(she said so early in the tn). Later she suspended the fraudulent investigation. I think it was when Amaya showed up and thought she was Mauro's lover--misinformation fed to her by Cesar.
 

Floridia--From my recollection, when Cesar ran into Amaya's car is was accidental. He was upset, distracted and following too closely. He knew who it was--he thought it was his father's lover. He turned it to his advantage, assuming it could get him closer to her without raising suspicions.

You are so right, Amaya is in debt to him, for paying for fixing the car, for saving Vale's life, helping find her a suitable house. And she did say she would repay the favor whenever he asked.
 

OK. I'll give Amaya some slack because of all Cesar has done-- saving Val's life the most major of those. I would like to see things play out where she has to try to convince Juli that Whor isn't as nice as he seems, while Juli tries to do the same to convince Amaya that Cesar isn't as nice as HE seems. Maybe in doing so, it will open both of their eyes.
 

Oh, these are great comments! Just glanced at a few but first of all, a big THANK YOU to Anita for that wonderfully detailed recap! I've missed those!

Have to run for a bit but will comment later. My recollection is that Cesar purposely set up the accident with Amaya so he could gather all kinds of intel on her. I'll try to get some proofs instead of just my opinion.

Later!
 

Okay, just this little tidbit, more on the wonderful recap of 1-21 and comments later.

Episode 29 Air Date 10-30-14 On hulu+ the title of the episode is "Accidente Provocado" and the description reads, in part:

César provoca un accidente y choca contra el automóvil de Amaya para conocerla.

This is right after Mauro has the heart attack after seeing Amaya for the first time and thinking it's Florencia. Cesar sees Amaya visiting Mauro. Mauro had asked her to come in to thank her for accompanying him to the hospital. This was a time when visitors were restricted so since Amaya was allowed in he assumes Amaya is Mauro's lover and he wants to investigate her. So he provokes a car accident.

Cesar sets the whole thing up, he follows her and perposely hits her from behind. He gives her the card to his automechanic shop, pays for the repair and the rental to use while it's in the shop. As she talks on the phone to the mechanic to give him her information Cesar learns where she works, and her address. He thinks to himself that since she works for Manuel, he must have introduced her to Mauro.

During the exchange of cell phone numbers he gives his name as Cesar Ugarte. He then calls the mechanic and from their conversation the mechanic knew of the whole set up beforehand.

Just like Max says, Cesar NEVER does anything without an ulterior motive!
 

Lila- Since that all happened before I started watching, nice to have that background. Thanks!
 

Lila--You are a gem to search this out for us. I was just going to leave it alone. It wasn't adequately covered in the recaps for that night, I don't have the episode saved any longer and I didn't feel like searching through You-Tub.

I'm ready to sit down and watch this afternoon's episode. Can't wait to find out if they drag out the DNA test.

Vivi--I like your strategy of having Juli and Amaya talk about each other's interpretations of Whor's and Cesar's personalities.

Juli is probably more savvy than Amaya at this point. She knows Amaya divorced Whor and it wasn't just because she fell in love with Max.

Flavia lied to Max about Uli asking for her hand in marriage and she's the one who wasn't ready to accept. Uli never proposed marriage--she did and he's the one putting her off. I wonder where this is going.
 

Hi guys, haven't seen today's yet. Anita, I loved you "Cuddly but Clueless" for Mauro! So appropriate! I agree that Juli is pretty savvy, having grown up in the same house with Lu and Cesar. I think she fully knows what a jerk Cesar is and is being civil to him for the sake of Vale.

Did y'all see that little spark when Jorge was talking on the phone with Juli? Jorge is a total gentleman and when he tells Juli he "cares for her" he is being honest and is not planting seeds or trying to manipulate her into intimacy. I think it will dawn on both of them to their surprise that they are in love. I will enjoy it when it happens but I just hate to see Caro hurt. I also think she knew that Jorge wasn't into the lovemaking. I hope she'll be honest with herself and back off. We don't know anything about Ismael but maybe they will rehab him and he'll come back and, as our novela friends say, conquer her!
 

There have been quite a few little moments now showing Jorge's evolving feelings for Juli (from friendly to romantic), as well as the stagnation of his feelings for Caro. I really like Caro, but it's becoming clear that Jorge isn't the man for her.

Watching the Wed episode right now. Love Amaya's black dress.
 

Anita,

No apologies necessary whatsoever.
I had only seen the word spelled "cuate," but it is interesting to know that there was another spelling of the same word, and I believe that the pronunciation is veritably the same. I checked in my Baron's 2006, just now, and I find only the spelling with the "u." But it is possible that many countries still use the word spelled with the "o."

I was inclined to agree with your version of the accident because I was thinking that Cesar had registered surprise when it occurred. Lila, however, has certainly done her "extra credit" homework for checking this out.
I wonder if the mechanic will ever reveal the truth of this incident to Amaya or Max.

Vivi, I too like your idea of sharing and comparing with regard to Amaya, Juli, Cesar, and Horacio.
The relationship of Juli and Horacio is just one more layer being added as the TN continues to develop.
 

Anita- You were correct. We saw three different private detectives. A dark haired weasely looking one that Lu met with. A silver haired older gentleman that Amaya met with. And a middle aged guy (who just played a dependable police chief in Malquerida) who met with Mauro and Max. This Guatemala clue is interesting. If Flor is there, how the heck did she get there?
 

Ok. Just finished watching today's epi. Well, tomorrow in telenovela time is going to be a craptastic day for a lot of our characters. Connie's news is going to turn Max's life upside down, and that wet coffee is going to ruin a lot of people's days.

Loved seeing Mariana tell Cippy off though. Other than that, things are looking dark indeed for our characters. Even Jorge' s realization means heartache for poor Caro.
 

With the body in the well, where Amaya saw it go down, the Guatemala thing becomes less realistic.
 

Cesar reminds me of Rowan Pope of Scandal (Olivia's CIA father), who has an ulterior motive!
 

Oh dear! I don't see any way that the human remains in the well are not that of poor Florencia! Dang it all! I know there are some out there who are as hopeful as Mauro that she's still alive and novelas being what they are, I may be one of the hopeful!

Could there be the slightest chance that they are not human remains, or that Lu or some other demon has used that well to stash a body before and Flo IS in Guatemala?

What's the Lucrazy body count so far:

David
Florencia (maybe)
Omar
Emma
Delores

Am I missing anybody?

And yes, Vivi, today is going to be AWFUL for a lot of our friends! Heck, almost everybody! How is Amaya going to react to Connie's "news"? How about Sal? How about Max? Oh, it's going to send ripples everywhere!

I was pleasantly surprised to see the surprising dawning of love take place so soon for Jorge! He's a whole lotta good looking man and it was swoon-worthy seeing him sprawled on his back on the bed and that big old smile lighting up his face as he realized yes, he is in love with Juliana! Ahhhh! Sorry Caro, but you must've seen it coming. It's going to be a bad day for her as well: she's gone home to fix a romantic dinner and all. Shucks!
 

Lila- It was so painful seeing Caro find out about Jorge being in Mexico City through Amaya, and then to see her get her hopes up that he wanted to surprise her and planning a romantic night. Meanwhile, Jorge hasn't given her a second thought and is stuck on Juli. Ay yay yay! This is going to be rough.
 

Yah. It IS painful. It's refreshing though to have two women interested in a man and one of them is NOT a bitch, isn't it? I'm thinking they wouldn't have bothered to show Ismail, the man she almost married, to just drop him. His "only" fault was he was self-absorbed. He did see Caro and wants back into her life. He's not a very exciting or handsome guy but maybe he's seen the light and she'll take him back.

Or, maybe Caro is gonna be singing "I a Woman!"
 

In La Malquerida, we just saw Lizzy step aside willingly and break her engagement to hot German who querer-ed her, but didn't amar her, so that he could be with the woman he did love. Both women were nice women. There was no fighting or drama. Lizzy just realized that SHE deserved to be loved as much as her rival, and that they deserved happiness together. Let's hope Caro gets to that place sooner rather than later.
 

I like that. Getting tired of over the top negative theatrics.
 

Yesterday was certainly a set up for a big downer today. The white haired investigator Amaya met with is a forensic investigator. When I heard that, I thought it was part of his name. It was cute to see them in their white lab coats rummaging around in the rocks and mud by the stream (it was a rushing river in all the flash backs). It was probably meant to impress us that they are genuine.

I'm not totally convinced Luce dragged a body over to a manhole and threw Flo in it. A "man"hole is just that--something men may have to come and inspect. She would have done much better to throw Flo back into the swirling river.

Lila--You have the body count right, so far. Wonder who is next. Maybe it will be Cesar who steps up to the plate. Cesar seems to be sinking deeper into craziness, talking to himself as he preens in the mirror (he's been spending a lot of time looking in mirrors--remember he was even watching himself while he was talking to Whoracio). He went so far as to threaten his mother if she got in his way.

Luce reminded him that he's where he is today because of her manipulations and efforts, so there! I got a perverse chuckle when she waited for Cesar to open the car door for her in the parking garage. He didn't catch on and she had to silently nudge him with a nod of her head.

Cesar will probably be upset that El P.'s whole coffee harvest gets ruined. He only wanted Max's harvest to be ruined. It will represent a financial loss he isn't expecting.

Flavia is also in for a big letdown. She's beginning to suspect Uli is not all that into her but she doesn't want to admit it to herself or anyone else, least of all, Mariana. I hope she doesn't take it out on Mariana. I just re-watched the episode of the aftermath of her drunken encounter with Uli. Both Hortie and Mariana are forced to tell her they don't think much of Uli and Max also tells her not to debase herself with just any guy.
 

Anita, you are so right. Looks like EVERYBODY is going to have their world rocked today!

Did you notice after Lu put Cesar in his place, made him open the door, she also commanded him to give her a peck on the cheek. Another one of those unexpected but natural comedic moments. Masterful!

Looks like the only person who is going to be happy today is Cippy Cup! How pitiful is that!
 

Flavia, cont'd. She's trying to justify to Jorge, Uli's abandoning her to his work schedule. She claims Uli has to do all the work himself, including the paperwork, while at El P. it's all divided up. Jorge suggests that perhaps it would help if she took a greater interest in country life and maybe he will start delegating some of the work to her.

Then she gets the phone call from Uli where he reams her out for not telling him where she went if the help doesn't take her. She has to pretend he didn't hang up without sending her kisses.

Cesar guessed correctly. Whoracio doesn't want to participate in the fraud any more, so Cesar is convinced Whoracio stole Amaya's money.

Meanwhile, Whoracio feels pretty smug about getting closer to Juli. (This was on Cesar's orders--it was also in that epi I rewatched. He wants Horacio to report on all her doings.) Independently, Horacio has figured Juliana is a good catch.
 

Anita, anybody summarizing or recapping today? I'm not volunteering but if someone is I don't want to step on any toes with my over-excited bullet lists!

Same question for Monday, 1-26. Thanks!
 

Anita- I believe after Amaya had her flashback SHE is the one who said she saw Lu throw her mama down the manhole/well, which is why she had the investigators look there. Perhaps you are thinking Lu threw Flo into the water because they did have that tussle in the river. So unless someone else is disposing of bodies in that particular manhole, Flo is a goner.
 

Anita- Yes. That whole scene with Flavia and Jorge was sad, and her pretending to still be talking to Uli after he had hung up on her. Just pathetic. What will it take for her to admit her mistake and dump Uli? Juli, Mauro and Max all will accept her back with open arms.

For my info, where does Max live? Does he live in the main house? We only ever see him there for family meals but he doesn't seem established there.
 

Lila--Kelly volunteered. (See her post Tue Jan 20 at 8:07. I accepted the next day.). We gave her some leeway as to when to post.

You are committed to doing a recap Tuesday, 1-27. No one is doing any recap for Monday. (See my posting for Wed Jan 21 at 4:21.)

Vivi--About Flo, whose flashback was it where we see Luce whacking Flo and then start to drag the body towards the river? Was that Amaya's flashback or Luce's? The manhole makes tn sense, because Luce wouldn't have had the time, strength nor shovel to dig a pozo to hide the body. It was never clear in the flashback that it was a manhole. I'll have to go back and check.....(darn).

Max lives in the Montesinos Mansion. When he returned from Italy, he got his old bedroom back. Elo helped him move in. That's where we saw him flop back on his bed wondering why he couldn't get Amaya out of his head. We haven't seen much of him spending time in his bedroom since.
 

Vivi--I do remember the tussle in the river. At the time we thought that was the end. Apparently Flo climbed out of the river (in another flashback we saw later) and started calling for Amaya. That's when Luce whacked her.
 

Does anyone out there think Constanza lied about the results? This would be a sure way to tie her to Max forever, even if he doesn't marry her. Nora did not see the paper. Consta just told her the results.

It wouldn't be the first time a putative daddy was lied to. OTOH, Max might demand a DNA test and Consta would find herself in situation where she would need to falsify some results. She's not devious enough, but wanting Max as much as she does, might drive her to it.

 

Yeah, the flashbacks reveal more and more as time goes on. You all are right, the most extensive one was little Amaya seeing Lu crack her mom in the head with the rock and throw her into the pozo. Could there be a later flashback (though I don't know who could have it) where Flo climbs out or cries out and is helped out and we have invoked the tired old saw of amnesia?

They just keep insisting so much on this speculation that she's alive and multiple investigations. Would they just dash Mauro's and our hopes like this and have her a skeleton in the bottom of a well?

Anita. I hadn't thought of it but Connie could well be lying about the results. That sounds like her. Seems she's only distraught over the baby if it's Sals: she wants away from that control freak! This trying to pin the baby on Max if untrue would be history repeating itself. Gosh. It would be so refreshing if Max insisted on a DNA test, it was done honestly, they find out it's Sals and close the book.
OR, if it is Max's he assures her he will financially support the child but not do anything as foolish as what Daddy did!


 

Lila--What made me think of it was rewatching the little talk Max and Flavia had. Not the one on the bed after her drunken night with Uli, but an earlier one where Flavia learns about Mauro and Flo and she speculates that if they had married, she, Max and Lucio wouldn't have been born. Max is cute as he says or, we would all look like Amaya.

Anyway, in the course of that conversation, Flavia and Max both agree they would never marry under pressure, without love. Max states that if he ever had a child out of wedlock, he would care for it, give it his name, but would never marry just for that reason.

Let's see if he is going to live up to them.

Also in yesterday's episode, Cesar's plan for Whoracio is to tempt him with a sure-fire investment scheme. Aaron is to offer a double or triple return, guaranteed, but the investment has to be sufficiently big for Cesar to know it's Amaya's money he's putting up.

Aaron wanted to know if this is for real. Cesar says of course not. AA wants to know why he's so interested in the Whor. He says he isn't, he's interested in his ex-wife, but it's to his advantage to keep Whor under his control.

Sometimes bad things happen to bad people. I hope Whor loses his investment!
 

Thanks, Anita for that refresher on Max's position on babies "born outside the blanket" as some say. I also hope he keeps his word.

Oh, today was good! Nuff said!

You know what? Cesar reminds me of "The Brain" in Pinky and The Brain. He is so serious. Check out his facial expressions when he's scheming which he's doing a lot more lately. He and The Brain have the same self-absorbed scowl!

Now, I didn't really watch the show but the little I know of it, didn't his schemes always fail? (Duh. I guess so, we don't have a hydrocephalic, genetically enhanced laboratory rat running the world, so I guess he plans DID fail.) :D

Anywho, I think that Cesar will forever scheme but thankfully will never be as successfully evil as Lucrazy is, which is satisfying. I hope all his schemes fail as miserably as we know taking Amaya from Max will!
 

Hola! I'll be watching the show in Sat. morning and will then post a recap. As much as I can understand anyway. It'll be good practice.

In the meantime, Whoracio is a clueless idiot is he thinks Juliana will fall for him.

Kelly
 

Kelly- Looking forward to your recap! Just watched the epi. Lots of heartbreak. Caro, Flavia, and Sal.
 

Friday, cap. 87, pt. 1

Refrito- Nooooooo, not the coffee! Cip is watering down bags of beans. (Is this the stuff they stole from El Paraiso?) Whatever it is, destroying this much coffee should be proof that he doesn’t deserve to survive this show.

Jorge goes to see Caro. She’s all happy to see him until he breaks up with her. He tells her this isn’t working, and at first she thinks he’s talking about the distance, but nope. He can’t love her. Caro says she understands that it takes two to tango and he doesn’t want her as a partner. There’s nothing else to do. I don’t think she wants to be friends for now, and asks him to leave. She cries as she shuts the door.

Mauro and Lucrecia are talking like they’re a normal couple. Mauro is so impressed with her change in attitude of late, that he gives her a share in the company! Ugh, Mauro. It’s everything Lu could have hoped for.

Cipriano is being a drunk jerk per usual, griping to his empty house about how useless Mariana is. Then he gently picks up a framed photo of Dolores, and cries to it about how much he misses her. I feel sympathy for 2 seconds, and then remember what he’s really like. Sympathy gone.

Ulises gets home and Flavia is on the couch, watching tv and drinking. He nags at her about the drinking and she nags back about his working all the time. They bitch at each other and she lets slip that Mari and Ivan are getting married. Ivan makes evil face.

The happy for reals couple are telling the rest of the El Paraiso crew that they are getting married. Mari is asked if she’s told her father, and she says nope. And she’s not going to. Hector says that she has a father in him. Awww.

Flavis and Uli are still at it. She just wants to be a happy normal couple, like Mari and Ivan. Uli is really not happy about the comparison to Ivan.

Max and Amaya are also happy, and she’s willing to work here or Chiapas or wherever. She asks if he wants to sleep, and he’s like “Dormir, dormir (actually sleep) or dormir, dormir (with a sexy look)”? But then Caro comes over to cry about Jorge. Max excuses himself.

Whoracio stops by Juliana’s to pick up Vale. The kids (her son, Vale, Lucio) are all playing and making noise. The kids and miscellaneous adults all leave, leaving Juli alone with Jorge.

 

Friday, cap.87 part 2

Meanwhile back in Chiapas, Constanza, Mora, and Sal have just come back from something. Nora excuses herself from dinner, giving Connie a knowing look as she leaves. Sal asks Connie what’s up, since she’s been quiet. She tells him she’s going to Mexico the next day and doesn’t know if she’ll be back. Sal gets angry and a little physical with her. She tells him this is what’s best for her and the baby. Baby? But then she tells him it’s Max’s, and he’s really grouchy about this. She says Max has to know and she didn’t want to lie to him (Sal). He gets physical again, demanding answers. First he yells and then he begs her to stay and not say anything to Max. He tells her how much he loves her as he crushes her in a hug. She looks worried. In the next scene, she’s gotten free of his vice grip. They yell at each other. Sal tells her that Max doesn’t love her; he loves Amaya and why can’t she just get Max out of her head already (as he pokes her in the head). She doesn’t know if her come back to her, but she has to tell him. Sal is angry, a chair gets shoved. Connie says that she intended to love him, but doesn’t. This is goodbye. She’s going to stay with Nora tonight, and she’s sorry. He ominously punches the table.

Uli is now talking to his right-hand man about Flavia being there not because he wants her there. He’ll still marry her for the family land, but in the meantime, he’ll have to keep pretending that he likes her. She is really not the woman for him. Flavia overhears this whole convo.

Caro and Amaya are talking about Jorge. Amaya is telling Caro she’ll find someone who is right for her. Caro is in doubt. (And if she can’t find a good man then what hope is there for the rest of us? Give her someone good, writers!) She leaves.

Jorge and Juliana chat. Jorge tells her she is the primary reason he came back to Mexico (but she doesn’t read this as a flirt, so maybe I missed something?) She asks how things are going with Caro. He tells her it’s over since he wasn’t’ going to love her. She like, Oh, really? Is there someone else? (but still doesn’t seem to get that the someone else is her).

Cesar is with one his prostitutes, thinking out loud about his murderous mother and wondering what his position would be with his father and the company if Max were gone.

Break for some smooth-time, etc. with Max and Amaya.

Uli comes out of the office and see Flavia with her suitcase and asks what’s up. She’s leaving! She overheard the conversation. He tries to convince her that he was just angry at that moment, but her drunk self isn’t buying it. She calls him a bunch of names and leaves.

Mari and Ivan have a little smooth time, but without the etc.

Elo, Lucio, and Juli’s kid whose name I just blanked on are visiting Mauro. He gives Lucio a gift of art supplies and the boys runs off to Lucio’s room. Elo tells him that they were with Whoracio, and Mauro is not happy about this.

Horacio and Vale are at his house now, and Whor asks Vale what she thinks about Juliana being his girlfriend. Novia?? She tells him to wait, still hoping he gets back together with Amaya. I miss what he says, but it’s probably bs. Maybe he’d be nicer if he wore looser clothes he could breathe in.

Mariana excuses herself from Ivan to go to bed, and he stays to put out the fire. Flavia is driving herself and her bottle of alcohol that she’s spilling all over the car. She’s on her way back to El Paraiso, and crashes into a tree. Ivan hears and rushes over to help. He tries to see if she’s ok, or even still alive. And that’s where we end. Rough day.

Kelly
 

Kelly, Kelly--
You should have been doing this for us ages ago. You hit every highlight and left plenty to discuss. Thank you. Great recap.

Loved your line,"Mari and Ivan have a little smooth time, but without the etc."

Juliana's kid is named Alan.

Yes, what hope is there for us if Caro can't get a decent guy. Please don't bring back Ismael.

Too bad Heriberto (??) is too young for her. He's the new guy sitting at the table with Mariana, Ivan, Hector and the rest. I didn't know Ivan had any buds. We've never seen him with anyone before. He's played by someone named Zadkiel Molina.

The coffee Cippy was ruining was the harvest from El Paraiso in the Paraiso bodega. That's why he had to have an excuse (talk to Mariana) to get onto the property. I noticed he was relieved when the conversation was over and he could get to his "operation ruin the coffee." Morals do not enter his decision-making where money is concerned. Uli had that self-satisfied look on his face the other day when he said he'd get someone else to do the deed and turned to walk away and Cippy changed his mind when he realized the money was walking away.

I found out from another tn, that the word "costales" refers to the burlap sacks they put the coffee in. That's why Uli, in his two-faced insincerity, offers El P. some costales of his that weren't spoken for after he "learned" of the stripping and theft from the coffee plants.

Costales must be used either after the fruit pulp is removed and the bean is dried or for the whole fruit. It's more likely that the cherries haven't been processed and that's why they are still stored in the bodega. Otherwise, wouldn't they have started shipping bags of dried cherries to the roaster?

It was odd to see Flavia deliberately spilling the alcohol all over the front of the car as she drove home. She was obviously mad, but wasteful. I was glad to see her stand up and give Uli a piece of her mind and leave, rather than have Uli play victim and give in to him. When he accused her of still being drunk, she retorted that she was very sober. For once in memory, the right person overheard a significant conversation and acted on it.

It was too hard to watch the Sal/Consta confrontation. I guess we are supposed to see Sal for what he really is, not just an obsessive, controlling jerk, but potentially aggressive. (Remember how he jumped (attacked) Consta when he was drunk and declared his love to her and kissed her just as Max came back into her living room, way back when?) I can't see him being walked out of the novela, so maybe Nora will come back to comfort him.

I'm not ready to feel sorry for Consta for her situation. Nora and Sal are right, Max is in love with and with Amaya now, so her hopes of getting back with him are slim. Consta is right that Max needs to know. I hope she doesn't play the helpless, poor me, do the right thing, card at lunch on Monday.

Also, Consta showed Sal the results of the DNA test, so, unfortunately, the baby has to be Max's. I stand corrected.

Yep, rough day.

I fear for Max now. Cesar is not above removing him from the scene to make sure he stays on top.

I fear for Lucrecia now (really). With Mauro giving her some of the shares in the company and a voice at the table, she's going to come into direct conflict with Cesar.

I fear for Mauro now, too. A long time ago, Lucrecia announced (to viewerville) that Mauro was a disturbance in her life, but she needed him around in order to achieve what she wanted for herself and Cesar. After that, she was going to "deshacerce de el," or get rid of him.
 

Thanks, Kelly! A much st excellent retelling of all the heartbreak in this episode. But really, all three of these relationships needed to come to and end for their own particular reasons. It was just painful to watch.

Whor wasn't picking up Val. He and Val were dropping off Juli, Alan, and Lucio from their day at the fair. Which was also why Jorge was all kinds of jealous. I don't think Juli picked up on Jorge's feelings at all. They have been cold friends forever and I don't think she's in that headspace yet to be thinking of romance. I was proud of Jorge for immediately ending things with Caro, even as painful as it was, as soon as he realized how he feels about Juli.
 

Close friends, not cold friends. Ack, so many th is!

Anita- My immediate worry when Mauro gave Lu shares, was that she and Cesar now have between them to make decisions at the company and overruling Mauro. But I didn't even think of them bumping hmm off. Yikes!
 

Vivi--You are right in observing that Jorge's remarks are going over Juli's head and why. I hope he recognizes this and takes it very slowly.

After Mauro's first heart attack, it wouldn't be hard for Luce to induce a fatal one with the stuff she used on Emma. I hope that for the next run of episodes, Lucrecia sees it is to her advantage to keep him alive--maybe to get more shares out of him.

Interesting to note that quite awhile back, during one of their major arguments, Mauro told Luce that she knows nothing about the business and he's the one who makes the business decisions. Then she reminded him that during his episode of deep depression, she had been managing the company affairs--with the help of the attorneys. He apologized.
 

My tablet just wants to act up today with all the typos.

One other thing this episode (or was it last) is that Lucio spoke to Val and Alan in full sentences, as he tried to convince Val that Max is good. He asked them not to tell anyone else that he spoke. Later, when Mauro gave Lucio the gift, you could tell how disappointed Mau was that Lucio didn't speak, and Alan noticed.
 

Vivi--I did notice that little detail. Alan was just about to blow the whistle on Lucio, but someone caught him in time.
 

Kelly,

Terrific recap; you filled me in on many details. So generous of you to offer to help our lovely and stalwart
casi full timers, Anita and Lila,
who definitely need a break.

Vivi, I too, thought that Jorge acted quickly and nobly when he realized that he was not in love with Caro. Not ideal for Caro to make love with a "friend."

How about Ivan's friend for Flavia -- if she survives? The impact didn't appear too harsh. She might have to eat a little humble pie, but, she got out while the getting was good, and she knows that she has strong support from the majority of her family.

As far as I can determine, the only thing viewers know for sure is that Connie brought locks of hair for the DNA test.

Supposedly, it was Sal's, and if the DNA matched that in the hair,
Sal would be the father. This might be far out, but she could have substituted someone else's hair, knowing that it would not match Sal's, nor Max's. This could be a strategy to get away from raging Sal and back with Max.
She knew by then that Sal would be a less than charming life companion. She appears frantic,
realizes she made a mistake with Max, and wants to reunite with him.
She says that Max has the right to know about his child, but she might be duplicitous and desperate enough to deprive obsessive, possessive, potentially dangerous Sal of his right to know of same.
Being tied to him in any way would not be fun.

In this day and age, Max has every right and reason to request a DNA test - especially since there have been two men in Connie's life almost simultaneously.

Additionally, in this day and age, it would not be unusual if -- should the child be his -- he did not marry his Baby Momma. He can provide most comfortably for the child for life -- unless the Montesino fortune is suddenly
depleted. So marrying Connie would not be that relevant -- unless he should decide for old time sake to marry her until the child is born and then get a divorce.

Another point is that the doctor advised Connie that getting the DNA test could be dangerous to the
child...especially as time goes on.
In light of this news, she and Max would be reluctant to get another test, and this would also bide time for Connie if she had used a faulty Hair Supply.

Just raving on ... still enjoying all the comments and the novela with all its nuances. Thanks again to Kelly for taking up the torch and enlightening us.

All the best ....
 

Thank you Kelly! Thank you sooooo much! Great, thorough recap of an episode full of heartbreak but all for the good of those who took the initiative and cut the tie!

Anita, Vivi and Floridia have all summed it up perfectly and it is so refreshing to have people act in a forthright manner and speak up instead of dragging things on and deceiving the partner while making shifty eyes and smirks at the camera!

Good point, Vivi, about Juli not being ready for romance and I also hope that Jorge will note this: he is so sensitive to others and respectful, I can't see him doing otherwise. Now. If Whor makes more overt advances toward Juli I am sure he will speak up, not to protect her as if she were helpless, but to make sure she's fully aware of the kind of scum he is.

I hope the topic of Juli's fatigue comes up and he does get her to the Doctor. I know this mercury-based depression spray is supposed to be undetectable but Jorge's pretty swift. Somehow I hope he can figure it out!

Agree totally with you Anita that for once a conversation was overheard, and fully, by the person who needed to hear it. So gratifying that Flavia didn't fall for Uli's "don't believe your lying ears" ploy. What Uli pulled is excactly what Lucrecia has warned Flavia about all through this story. BUT, that doesn't mean that she can't find love. And PLEASE don't let her start bitching around Mariana and Ivan!! I know he's a gentleman but his johnny on the spot courtesy and now rescusing of Flavia are worrisome.

All of you are so right about the Connie and Sal situation. The theme of not having to marry the mother of one's unborn child is a theme not only openly stated by Max but way back Mauro mused how he and Flo's story could have been so different today without the pressure of marrying out of obligation as he did with Lu. Max, stick to your guns on this but do as our friends have suggested: get your own DNA test once the little tyke is born!

If we're going to have parallels and Amaya is pregnant, I hope that baby survives. I could see Lu making another attempt on Amaya causing a miscarriage. I know preganancy hasn't been declared yet. Just thinking of how Mauro's real son died.

Yes. Cesar is capable of murder. Let it not be so. Unless it's Lucrecia!

Thank you again, Kelly!


 

*That is Mauro's real son by the woman he truly loved!

If Connie's baby is his, he will love and care for that son, too. I know Connie showed Sal the test results but whose hair was it really? Leave the poor little fetus alone, let him/her grow and be born and then let's have a real DNA test.

Add to the fears my long-ago expressed fear for Max if Connie tries to go back to Max. Sal is a nut case but I love how they have allowed this to play out slowly but consistently with the nuttiness bubbling just beneath the surface. Yes, Anita, that aggressive, drunken kiss way back was the first evidence of the nuttiness! Regardless of Max's reaction (and whether she's lied about whose hair she supplied), she is so over Salvador!!
 

Now that it was mentioned by Floridia, Consta could very well have taken someone else's hair. She didn't have much time to think she'd need a man's hair and might have taken Nora's. Isn't that what sunk Gracie in LQLVMR, when she tried to pass off some female hair as male? I guess it's not happening here.

Agree that she is so over Sal, Lila, so it is all she was considering at the time. Well, time will tell.

On Mauro's musing about marrying or not marrying Luce. We heard him say much earlier that if he had known Flo was pregnant, he would have married her before marrying Luce. However, in one terrible flashback, Luce threatened Mauro with taking his child far away and he would never see the child again and she would make sure the child grew up knowing he (or she) had been abandoned by his father. She wanted all the benefits that marriage brought, especially a legitimate name for "their" child. That was the convincing argument. Mauro did not want to be separated from a child he had fathered.

If the story is parallel, Amaya won't tell Max she's pregnant (if she is and I don't think she is yet--or if she is, not as far along as Const) and will want to move away or marry someone else.

I don't think that is going to happen in this tn. I think what Floridia said is more likely to happen (which keeps them apart for another 30 episodes), that Max and Amaya do talk about Consta's pregnancy; Max suggests he marry Consta and divorce her after the baby is born, so it won't "manchar" her reputation. Amaya concedes.

 

The Gracie in LQLVMR--sorry, it was the other way around. She tried to pass off male hair as female.
 

Lila,

Enjoyed your comments.
I also agree with Vivi's theory that Juliana is not ready for romance now, and with mercury poisoning, she is not thinking as rationally as she normally does. One example, she forgot that Jorge was coming to town. She is being worn down gradually in more ways than one.

I like the idea of Jorge discovering the Mercury. I guess that Juli is in the car more than the children because she uses it to go to work, but I would imagine that the children could be even more sensitive to the chemical's poison because of their age. Lucio especially could be severely damaged.

Thanks for the provocative dialogues.

All the best
 

Anita,

If Connie did switch hair,
she had opportunities - students at the university or even day laborers in fields. She could have given them a nice compensation in exchange for a lock of hair and eternal silence.

Who knows? It will all enravel in due time. The most scary thing of all is if Cesar convinces Amaya to marry him.

Then there would be two brothers vying for the same women
instead of two sisters Lu & Elo
vying for the same man.

Chat later ...


 

Yes, Anita on Lu's blackmail over "Mauro's" unborn baby. Another consistent character! We could all strangle her but I'm sure we appreciate the consistency!

Re Amaya's potential pregnancy, I hope she would break with the past as she did when she accepted her role as heir to the Zona Estrella. I don't remember her exact words but she, Delores and Caro were at lunch together and Amaya said something about breaking with what she thought her mother would've done. I hope she holds that attitude and NOT concede to Max marrying for Connie's "honor." Que horror!

Amaya has gone through so much to defend this love, even to holding on to Max even though his Mother killed all three of her parents. I don't think she'll back away from this fighting stance for a dubious claim of paternity against Max.

Okay. Later. Got to do some stuff!
 

Hi, Floridia! Good point! That IS why Juli forgot about Jorge coming! I hope he not only notes the fatigue but sees other instances of her not being quite herself. Uuuuuf! That Cesar and Lu! Cold-hearted doesn't even come close for those two!
 

Just read your second comment, Floridia:

The most scary thing of all is if Cesar convinces Amaya to marry him.

What a nightmare that would be for Amaya and for us to watch!
 

Floridia--Normally, I would agree with you about opportunities for getting someone else's hair (and that's what I would want). The problem is that Consta was so freaked out by the stick turning positive she wanted to go find a gynecologist and do a DNA test right away. I don't think she ever left the house before going to the doctor. Certainly Nora was with her the whole time--she was even in the doc's consulting room with her when Consta pulled out the baggie with the hair sample. (Of course we out here in real-ville know you need the hair-root for an infallible test.)

Oh well, so much for speculation based on what we've been able to see and know about.
 

I can't see Juliana ever going for Whoracio. She's just being nice for the kids. And even if the drugs prevented her from thinking clearly, Jorge and Max would step up to help. Also don't see Amaya sacrificing her and Max's happiness AGAIN, even if there is a baby. Surely Max can take care of his parental duties without marrying Connie. Amaya looks like she's had just about enough of this (mostly Lucrecia). But who knows? Carlos Moreno (the producer) doesn't seem to go for the expected.

I admit though to liking when Cesar comes on screen. The character is horrible but the actor is so dang good. I like to think he's getting all his evil out with his smarmy characters, making him a really nice guy in real life. Or maybe he's a complete jerk, but he'd still be fun at a party.

Kelly
 

Kelly re Cesar. Ha! That's great. He IS good. I like to look the actors up after the show is over and see what I can find out about their real personas. I used to love Christina's novela wrap-up shows. Those were great!


 

Flavio Medina (Cesar) is a fabulous actor who has blown me away in every role I have seen him in so far. He has a short telenovela resumer, and has mainly been a stage actor. The first tn I saw him in was Para Volver a Amar, as the deadbeat, slob, baby-daddy of Africa Zavala. In that role he was flabby and his hair was long and full of wild curls. Imagine my surprise when he then showed up as the slender, buttoned up, germ-aphobe, full of ticks villain in Amor Bravio- a complete transformation, and even more brilliant than the last role. We were all sad to see his character die fairly early in that. It would have been easy for him to play Cesar the same as he played his role in Amor Bravio (they are similar on paper), but he is playing it totally differently. While Alonso (AB) was full of self-loathing and nervous ticks, Cesar is narcissistic and serpentine in the way he carries himself. Alonso could barely stand to touch or be touched (always using his hand sanitizer), Cesar is always touching people and invading their personal space. I have to list him as one of my favorite tn actors and I look forward to whatever will be his next role.
 

Thank you Vivi, what a wonderful character review! This is my first time seeing this actor and he is so absolutely believable! I know I've said it a gazillion times, but this whole crew from "Vale" all the way up are professional and top notch! How wonderfully fulfilling it is to be told a story and the characters are all consistent and authentic and truly bring the story to life which lends itself to a discussion of their loves and woes as if they were real! AND your mind is free to get the wonderful language goodies as well!

This is in stark contrast to some novelas which are so poorly conceived and constructed that even fine acting can't save it and you end up mocking every aspect of it and being highly annoyed to boot!

Everything may not unfold in this story the way I would wish but I certainly am enjoying the little world of Quiero Amarte every episode!
 

Two crazy "Alonso" moments when he tries to get intimate with women and fails:

Alonso & Camila: http://bit.ly/1Jtzyo5


Alonso & Ximena: http://bit.ly/1BrJCu7
 

Whoo boy! I'll have to watch these when I get home. Thanks Vivi!
 

A good Monday to everybody--
The New Front Page will be up soon. See you there.