Caray, Caray!

Here we go, folks.

Recapping Schedule

Week 25
Capitulo 118 Mon Mar 9 – Anita
Capitulo 119 Tue Mar 10 – Lila
Capitulo 120 Wed Mar 11 – No One
Capitulo 121 Thu Mar 12 – Anita or Lila
Capitulo 122 Fri Mar 13 – Kelly

Week 26 – Suggested
Capitulo 123 Mon Mar 16 – Anita
Capitulo 124 Tue Mar 17 – Lila
Capitulo 125 Wed Mar 18 – No One
Capitulo 126 Thu Mar 19 – Anita or Lila
Capitulo 127 Fri Mar 20 – Kelly

 

Thank you, Anita! Whew! I'm dizzy! I just don't know what to expect this week but one thing I want to happen for sure:

FREE MARIANA!!
 

Hi everyone!!

Well, the 33rd annual Premios TvyNovelas awards show came and went last night, and I thought I'd share the results with you all. If it's okay, I'll post this on more than one page, so that it can hopefully reach the eyes of all who are interested...

Basically, in total 'Yo no creo en los hombres' led the awards with 7 wins (out of a total of 14 nominations), followed by 'Lo que la vida me robo' with 5 (out of 13), then 'Mi corazon es tuyo' with 4 (out of 10), and 'Que pobres tan ricos' with 2 (out of 8).

Interestingly, 'El color de la pasion' was shut out, despite its 12 nominations and, though 'Mi corazon es tuyo' (which, personally, makes my stomach churn) only won 4 awards, it did take home 'Best Telenovela'. ('La Gata' sufferers will also happily note that it was shut out of all 4 of its nominations... :-)

All of the winners are as follows:

Mejor Telenovela: Mi Corazón Es Tuyo (Juan Osorio)

Mejor Actriz Protagónica: Adriana Louvier (Yo No Creo En Los Hombres)

Mejor Actor Protagónico: Sebastián Rulli (Lo Que La Vida Me Robó)

Mejor Villana: Daniela Castro (Lo Que La Vida Me Robó)

Mejor Villano: Flavio Medina (Yo No Creo En Los Hombres)

Mejor Primera Actriz: Rosa María Bianchi (Yo No Creo En Los Hombres)

Mejor Primer Actor: Manuel “El Flaco” Ibáñez (Que Pobres Tan Ricos)

Mejor Actriz Co-Estelar: Fabiola Guajardo (Yo No Creo En Los Hombres)

Mejor Actor Co-Estelar: Luis Roberto Guzmán (Lo Que La Vida Me Robó)

Mejor Actriz Juvenil: Paulina Goto (Mi Corazón Es Tuyo)

Mejor Actor Juvenil: José Eduardo Derbez (Que Pobres Tan Ricos)

Mejor Actriz De Reparto: Cecilia Toussaint (Yo No Creo En Los Hombres)

Mejor Actor De Reparto: Osvaldo Benavides (Lo Que La Vida Me Robó)

Mejor Tema Musical: “Mi Corazón Es Tuyo” (Mi Corazón Es Tuyo)

Mejor Guión o Adaptación: Lo Que La Vida Me Robó

Mejor Director De Escena: Yo No Creo En Los Hombres

Mejor Telenovela Multi-Plataforma: Mi Corazón Es Tuyo

Mejor Reparto: Yo No Creo En Los Hombres

Mejor Programa De Variedades: Hoy

Mejor Programa Unitario: Como Dice El Dicho

Mejor Programa De Concursos: La Voz México

Mejor Programa De Entretenimiento: Me Caigo De Risa

Mejor Programa De Televisión De Paga: Está Cañón

Mejor Programa Especial: Grandes Temas De Telenovelas
 

Thanks, Stevey. Could you add this comment to the Las Proximas page (under Producers Novelographies)? That is where I'm also keeping a cumulative list of Premio winners in the Best Novela category.

I'm more bummed that Yo No Creo En Los Hombres hasn't even been shown here and not that Mi Corazon es Tuyo won best in show. But the bummiest is that the song for MCET won over LQLVMR--infinitely better theme.
 

Lila--
AMEN!
 

Just flying by so I can get all subscribed to the comments. I will read the post and comments later. What a Monday it's been!
 

Let me guess, Goldilocks Country slept with Ivan ?
 

Steve--Not yet.
 

Steve--I'll take that back, maybe so, but not as Goldilocks Country, maybe as Universal University Slut.
 

Unless Ivan has had some miraculous recovery in today's episode, I don't think he's up for sleeping (unless you mean in a coma) with anyone. He was convulsing the last few episodes
 

Vivi--I meant he might have slept with her while they were novios at the University. Knowing what a straight arrow Ivan is, I much doubt it, but we didn't see him at the University with Cecy in those days.
 

Anita- I just got the chance to read this. Thank you! It doesn't matter what TN I watch, after 100+ episodes I always need reminders. Even more so if I've watched a show on and off.

Today's episode was not cool.
 

Anita- I know what you meant. My response was to Steve, if he thought Ivan and Ceci would be up for hanky panky this episode.

Sara- I just watched my recording and I agree, 100%. I cursed the writers. Trying to think of what was good about the episode... seeing Whor humiliated; seeing Amaya and Val united again; and seeing how happy Lucio is with his new school. Jorge and Juli making out was ruined for me by poor Caro's breaking heart.
 

Juli and Eloisa had a nice conversation.
 

Recap for Mon Mar 9 (Capitulo 118) Pt 1

To refresh everyone’s memory, big-mouthed Max not only gave his dad TMI about having made love with Amaya back in the shack, but he’s busily having a late night têtê-à-têtê with Jorge on the self-same subject. Jorge’s advice to forget about Amaya, she’s with Cesar now, is filed away in the back of Max’s mind—you’ll know why he goes back to that file later in this episode and pulls it out.

At the Finca El P. - Cesar runs into Whoracio somewhere in the living room. He tells him the finca is for family only and he’s to largate, even though it is very late at night. Whor complains there are no more flights at this hour. Cesar tells him to take a bus, or get a hotel room, whatever, just git. Whor says he doesn’t know what he’s done for Cesar to take this attitude, but he’s there for his daughter. Cesar doesn’t care—he’s to remember he’s HIS employee, he’s not to forget his place, nor what could happen if he doesn’t obey. Whor is not a happy El P. camper.

The Mother and Child Reunion involves lots of kisses. Caro looks on. Vale wants to spend the night beside mommy and Amaya says it’s ok. Cesar enters the bedroom. Vale goes to say goodbye to her papi and Caro also leaves the room. Cesar (he’s inwardly crowing at his staging the perfect encuentro) says that at last they have a few moments alone. He begins to embrace and fondle her. Amaya avoids his caress. She ducks out of his embrace and tells him she feels a bit dizzy and sits down on the bed. Cesar sits down next to her and tells her she has no idea how much he wants to kiss her, be “with” her after everything that happened. Amaya, on the other hand, just wants to go to bed (to sleep, for real). Cesar is rubbing her leg, trying to get close, then she tells him Vale is going to spend the night with her. Cesar jumps up, his shorts are in a twist—isn’t she a little old to be sleeping with her mother? Yes, admits Amaya, but given the trauma of not knowing if her mother would be found, it’s understandable. He reminds her she was supposed to be more “cariñosa” with him (including side-benefits). Cesar is unhappy and it shows. He relents, reluctantly and stops insisting.

Valeria and Whoracio have a tender goodbye out in the living room. He doesn’t tell her the real reason he’s departing so late that night. Instead he indicates that he’s superfluous, she has her mother and everything. Vale asks if he minds if she stays with her mother. It’s whatever she wants. To himself, he bubbles that Vale prefers her mom and he’s tired of the situation.

In Amaya’s bedroom, Caro comes back in. She admits to Amaya that she felt sad when she saw Jorge with Juliana. Vale overhears this and says it was the same for Max when Amaya married Cesar. And, she’d rather she’d chosen Max over Cesar.

Jorge and Max continue their conversation from last Friday in the finca office. Max is happy to hear things are going well with Juliana and is overjoyed at the prospect of having Jorge as his BIL. Jorge says it was a bit awkward to have both Caro and Whor at the finca. Caro’s ok with it, no problema. The problema is Whoracio, who likes Juli. Max screws up his nose at the thought. It’s enough to have Amaya as an in-law.
 

Mon Mar 9 Pt 2

In a different bedroom, Juli starts “The Talk” with Eloisa. (It’s a little different from the guys’ têtê-à-têtê--same theme, different characters.) Juli apologizes if it makes her uncomfortable, but she’s absolutely positive Eloisa is in love with Mauro. Elo denies it. Juli keeps pointing out how obvious it is, from the way she hugged him and looks at him. Elo finally admits it, but swears she’d never act on it. Mauro is “un hombre prohibido” (forbidden). Juli is telling her this only because if she wanted to keep this hidden, she’s not doing a very good job. Also, Juli is positive Mauro has feelings for her in return. She can’t say for sure it’s love, but yes, it’s far greater than love. Elo denies it could be the kind of love a man has for a woman, Juli must be confused. Juli replies that she doesn’t know if she’s the one confused or it’s Elo.

There is a montage of reveries that follow the party’s last night at El P. before returning to Mexico City. There is Max, hobbling across the room—is he thinking of Amaya or of Constanza; Amaya is holding Vale—is she thinking of Vale, Lucrecia or Max, or heaven forbid, Cesar; Caro is watching Jorge and Juli in a lovers’ embrace, kissing passionately—is there going to be someone for her, or is she just sad she lost Jorge; and finally, Eloisa and Mauro sharing a split screen, apart but each contemplating their feelings for each other with big happy smiles on their faces.

Montesinos Mansion - The rescue party returns with the rescued. Luce is the first one out of the house to welcome them. She’s upstaged by Constanza who comes running up to Max and smothers him with kisses while Amaya has to watch silently. Amaya takes Vale into the house. Consta pulls Max up to “their” room. She wants to hear all about his adventure. Luce gives Cesar her kissy-face greeting and notices his battered cheekbone. Mauro goes up to his room and leaves them in the garden.

Upstairs, Vale tells Amaya she wants to live in MM with her. Amaya is cradling her, thinking what a bad idea that is and how to keep her away from Lucrecia. She suggests again she go on the student exchange. It would only be for a few weeks and when she returns, she won’t be living in this house any longer and they can be together somewhere else. Vale insists on staying with her mother, at least for the time being. Amaya wonders how she can convince Vale to leave without having to tell her the real reason why.

Meanwhile, out in the garden, Lucrecia is catching Cesar up on all the goings on while he was away, first about the DNA test Amaya was having done. She’s not sure whether she was checking up on Max or on Cesar’s paternity, but regardless, it’s under control. She’s made sure by submitting new samples with Max’s hair. Luce wonders if Florencia is mixed up in all this and somehow is in contact with Amaya and put her up to it. They continue to discuss the DNA test. Cesar finds out the one he did to prove Omar’s paternity was not destroyed. Luce tells him it’s in his room. Furthermore, Luce wants him to get the papers signed transferring the Zona Estrella to Cesar, so then they can get rid of Amaya. Cesar looks at her, but his demeanor doesn’t give away how he really feels about what she just said. He calls the IT guy and tells him to put cameras and microphones in Amaya’s office, that night, just like he did when it was Whoracio’s office. He will. Luce looks satisfied.

Cesar and Lucrecia move into the living room. She’s telling him about Reyes wanting more money. She can’t do anything to him because he’s somewhere outside of Mexico. If he talks about impersonating Dr. Barrieta treating Lucio, they’re sunk. Cesar doesn’t like being blackmailed, but he has more important things on his mind. However, he’ll give the guy half—just to show who is in control.
 

Mon Mar 9 Pt 3

Consta has corralled Max in “their” bedroom, gushing about how much she needs him, and their baby. Max asks how she’s feeling. Ok, now, after a little episode with her blood pressure dropping. Max says suggestively that perhaps soon the doctor will let her do “everything.” By “everything” echoes Consta, it’ll be what we like, as she leans in for a K*ss (dang). Mauro interrupts and invites them to attend José’s judgment. He’s going for Manuel and wants to persuade Consta to go. Max says if she goes, he’ll goes with her. Consta says yes. Mauro will see them later. Max says he needs a shower and starts to get up, but before he does, he gets close to Consta and says, now, where were they, and HE leans in for a K*ss (double dang). She responds. They both kinda liked it. (Remember when I said Max would go back to that file Jorge put in the back of his head? This is where he pulls it out and looks at it again.)

Briefly at the Nescafé Office - Whoracio has made it back to the office and is running off his mouth to Negro on how he was run off the finca by Cesar. Negro is enjoying his little outburst. Whor complains that Juli fell for a guy, a lesser man than he is, so all he needs or wants is money and it had better be sooner rather than later. Negro tells him in about a month. (Aaron/Negro, for my money, could be a very close relative of Ben Affleck’s.) Negro gets a phone call and steps away from Whoracio. It’s Cesar telling him to drop everything and start following Amaya (he must want to catch her with Florencia). Negro reminds him he still has to give him the memory chip from the photographer’s camera. Yes, yes, Cesar tells him to put it in an envelope and leave it with his secretary, Nuria. (Oh my word, can it possibly fall into Amaya’s hands after all?)

In the park at Comitán (or is it Tuxtla, where Sal should be) - Flavia and Salvador are out in the park, ostensibly to pick up with the mentoring session she missed the day before. He tells her he likes the new Flavia, the one who isn’t coqueteando all the time. He remembers that there was always a spark of attraction between them. Yes, but, she answers, when he liked her, she didn’t pay any attention to him and when she liked him, he liked Consta. Sal wonders if that would be an obstacle for them. Flavia says she’s not ready, she’s still very hurt from what happened with Ulises. Sal is willing to help her and moves in a little too close. Flavia backs away from the intrusion on her personal space, but doesn’t entirely dismiss him. He wants her to know he’s interested in her. Flavia says nothing, but is secretly pleased.

Padre H. runs into the trio of ladies from El P. He learns Uli dismissed everybody that worked for him, even ones that had years going back to Don Ignacio. They can’t tell him why. He’s all set to give Uli a piece of his mind. Hortie is sure he’s not going to listen and it’s a waste of his time. Well, he’s going to go speak to him in person, whether he likes it or not. He’s glad Sonia is now working at El P. (Did anyone see the gorgeous black squirrel run down the tree?)

La Finca El Deseo - Mariana is back in her prison cell at El D. She’s been beaten down. Uli enters the bedroom bringing her some books. She tells him she gives up. She doesn’t want any more fighting, she doesn’t want anything to happen to Amaya and Valeria. She's here; isn’t that what he wants? What he wants is for her to love him, to be HIS mujer. Mari says it’ll never happen, she’ll never love him and she can’t be his mujer because she’s Ivan’s mujer—they are married. Uli says face it, she can’t be the mujer of a dead man. She responds that he may obligate her to do many things, including telling him she loves him, but it will be a lie, she’ll never love him. He slams the door as he leaves, scatters some coffee beans in a shallow dish in the living room and has two stiff drinks.
 

Mon Mar 9 Pt 4

Various Locations Back in Mexico City - Lucio gets to visit his new school. He likes it. While they are waiting in the director’s office, Juli and Elo are discussing their suspicions about Lucrecia and Omar and whether she was really the victim of sexual assault or he was her lover. They don’t know whether to keep investigating. With Omar dead, they can’t prove anything. Juli swears if Luce hurts Lucio again, she’s going to tell Mauro everything. Elo wonders if that would be the right thing to do, now that Lucio loves his mother. Juli says that always and ever, Eloisa has been Lucio’s real mother. As they talk, someone comes in with some music. Juli recognizes him as Armando, her old (and I do mean old as in looking pretty old as well as being her former) teacher and lover, the one she ran away with and later cheated on her. They are both shocked to see each other.

Geno and Manuel are waiting for the judgment in José’s case. Geno doesn’t trust Chino to tell the story Manuel is paying him for. Manuel tells her to relax, it’s a lot of money. Max has bathed, but shows up at the courtroom in the same clothes. Maybe he just changed his socks. Consta and Mauro are with him and they greet Geno and Manuel.

Amaya has come to the clinic to pick up the results of the DNA test. Negro watches from above while Amaya looks at the results. As expected, the outcome shows that there is 92% likelihood that there is a biological match—the individuals the samples came from are related.

Comitán Hospital/Clinic, Nurses Station - DHN is talking to BHN about the patient Mariana, who was dismissed. BHN reminds her that DHN was the one who didn’t want her released, even though the doctor had signed the discharge papers. Well, ni modo, she wanted to talk to Mariana again, because she left without knowing something very important. She’s pregnant. Cara de impactada de BHN. (I’ll bet she feels a little guilty now, or I hope she does.)

La Finca La Tormenta, WUN - Iván has come to, with the curandera at his side. He wants to know what happened to him, where is he. She tells him he was in an accident. She leaves to go tell Cecy and Becca. The curandera asks Cecy not to go in just yet. A little at a time, so it’s not so much of a shock. Cecy and Becca are still arguing over Ivan. Becca tells her she won’t be able to keep Ivan there when he wants to go find his wife. Cecy says that won’t be a problem as long as Uli has Mariana. By then, she will have thought of how to keep him with her, even if she has to keep him sedated.

Cecy enters the bedroom where Ivan has been dozing. She leans over him and gently removes his wedding ring. He wakes up to the Kiss of the Spiderwoman (apologies to a great movie). He wonders why he’s at her finca, he hasn’t finished his degree yet. He calls her “mi amor.” Cecy instantly thinks of all the possibilities if he really thinks he’s living out his days at the university.

 

Anita, I really can't thank you enough! The pest control guy came for our annual inspection today and he and my husband were getting chatty and loud so I missed some scenes and I didn't have time to go back and watch.

I missed the squirrel! Crud.

I am so not happy with the turn of the events at El Deseo and La Tormenta.

I'm hoping you are right and that the memory card does make it into Amaya's hands... And that it has pictures on it. I can't remember if we decided if it was THE memory card or not.
 

Thanks, Anita! And yes, I did see that cute black squirrel running along the truck of that tree. :)

Sara- Since Caro found nothing out while in Tuxla, I figure the pictures must indeed be on the memory card Negro has. Oh, please, please, let Amaya or Caro get hold of the memory card. But how will they be able to have any of the conversations about the plan they have been having, now that their office will be bugged?!
 

I was NOT pleased by how easily and effortlessly Max fell into smooching and flirting with Connie. I am also VERY disappointed in him for not thinking about Amaya's speech about marrying Cesar for justice. How can he not be turning over those words in his mind?
 

Trunk not truck.
 

Awww helllll.

After I watched today I just wanted to come here and say AAAARRRRGGHHH!

They are upping the frustration levels!
 

Ditto. Ugh I hated their canoodling.
 

Ugh! And then she can't decide to go to her brother's hearing on her own, until Max says he'll go with her. Is she five? Why can't this woman be independent for once? Seriously, I don't hate Connie, but her clingyness grates on my nerves.
 

I just couldn't write the word KISS and attach it to "those" two. AARRGGHH is right.

You know what I can't wait for? Of course it will be at the end...for Lucrecia to find out she's been taken for a glorious ride by Amaya and there is no living, breathing Florencia. Mauro will have to realize he's been searching for a ghost from his past and see Eloisa, who is right there in front of him in the present. AAAAHHHH!
 

Vivi: watching Michael punk Sonny & Carly on GH was HILARIOUS & I love watching Michael upping the ante in his quest for revenge!

He's the male version of Amaya!
 

I shudder to think what Greasy's gonna do when he finds out Mari's pregnant. Free Mariana NOW!!!

Give me a break Whor, Jorge is three times the man you are, and has better hair to boot. Walk away, scrub.

Cassandra G.
 

Thank you, Anita! Marvelous and thorough as usual. I got a phone call and missed the scenes with Max and Connie getting cozy: glad I did! I guess Jorge's yelling at him that Amaya was a lost cause did the trick. Man, he, like the young Mauro is a randy bloke isn't he? He just left Amaya's charms (even if he's ot sure) and he's ready to pester his pregnant GF? Of course, she wants it too. Maddening!!!!

You guys have said it all: This is the most frustrating episode this show has ever had! Well, maybe second most frustrating after Friday, 3-6! As Marvin Gaye said, "makes me wanna holler; throw up both my hands!"

And so are they teasing us with Padre going to Uli's? I know men of the cloth are supposed to be humble and all, but I've seen fiery priests and this Padre AIN'T one of them! Uli probably won't let him on the property! So if he sees Mariana (which I doubt) what is going to do? Nothing. And he'll believe whatever Uli says like everybody else!

Agree, Vivi, that Jorge and Juli's smooching was killed by that scene of Caro moping in the background. Jeesh! Why'd they have to stomp the one bright spot?

And Ceci. UUUUuuuuf! What a creepmeistress SHE is! She and Uli are a couple of sick puppies, that's for sure. They have taken the old Supremes/Temptations song literally: I'm gonna make you love me!"

See y'all later and thanks again, Anita!
 

FREE MARIANA!!!
 

Lila, did you notice that Mocha Quartermaine of GH is going on an Amaya-like revenge quest against Sonny & Carly ?

He IS the male version of Amaya: revenge is a dish best served COLD!
 

Cassandra--I fear what Mariana will do when she finds out she's pregnant. Will she try again to get away or will she allow Uli to advertise the child is his (this is soooo tn Trope).

So far, everyone who knows Uli is a rotten egg in the Easter basket (and has knowledge of his first sequester of Mariana), believes Mariana and Ivan are happily away on their honeymoon.

BUT--time marches on. How long has it been, 4-5 days? Ivan still hasn't called home to tell his dad, Chelo, Jorge, anyone what the wedding was like. It's not like Mariana either, she would *want* to share all that stuff with Amaya and Hortensia. You'd think Amaya would be the one most concerned about not hearing from her (although she had her own problems there for awhile).

What story will Cecy think up to explain his absence after 10 or 15 days? I hope our writers don't let it go on that long.

I'm still waiting for the coffee plague to take effect. That should provoke some maddening activity. Uli will be quick to blame his fired workers (I hope--did I say that? Wanting Cipriano to avoid being blamed?)
 

Anita, I am soooo not liking this Mariana storyline. I just don't think it's necessary! I know it doesn't matter that I feel this way, it's just so painful! The negative feelings are predominating right now and I just never think this is necessary! Suspense, intrigue, yes! Fear, desperation, crushing grief, no!

I know, wah, wah, wah! Thanks for listening!
 

Lila--Does that mean you'd rather not do double duty this week? I can still do Thursday this week, but I just can't keep it up much longer! Sadly, we will have two days without a recap next week.
 

Steve, I like to chat with everyone but I just don't get your constant references to American daytime soap operas! I haven't looked at any of these shows for literally decades and have no idea what you are referring to. I asked you a question once about the GH parallel you were referring to but you didn't respond! So, I don't know. If you want to talk about QA I'm with you, but the references to the American soaps just go right over my head. Cool?

:)
 

NO! Anita, I'm just fussing and complaining! That doesn't refer to recapping at all! Sorry, I'm just spanking the writers!

I can do both Thursdays. Anything I miss or don't give enough detail on, we always fill in and remind one another!

:D
 

I can't commit to a recap this week because each day after work I'm taking care of a friend who just had surgery. But I should be able to help next week.
 

I think when Mariana finds out she's pregnant, it will give her another boost and the will to live and fight. It makes me hopeful.

Amaya doesn't know that Mariana hasn't tried to call her because her cell phone went up in flames in the car. But yes, soon, Ivan's and Mari's friends and family are going to start asking questions.
 

Yes, Vivi! I hope they don't drag this out! After some time somebody needs to go to La Tormenta and see what the hell is up!
 

Vivi--I forgot about Max and Amaya's phones getting incinerated. Once she gets a new phone, unless we are served another tn trope, she should get her old number back. Didn't Cesar call her on a cell phone while she was at the clinic picking up her DNA? (Continuity lapse or she got a new phone....now about those lost phone calls....)

Lila--Good thinking, about someone actually going to La Tormenta. But first they need to figure out something is wrong.

If padre sees or hears Mariana, that should start the ball rolling, dontcha think?
 

Lila--I'm already mentally prepared to do the recap this Thursday, but next Thursday, I'd love it if you take it.

Vivi--If you could take next week on Wednesday, Mar 18, that would fill a big hole.

Thank you, both.
 

Didn't Cesar call her on a cell phone while she was at the clinic picking up her DNA?

Oh, yeah! That's right! I guess they decided not to make a big thing out of her getting her phone replaced. O_o

Re Padre, see my rant above. He's kinda wimpy. If he does see something I hope he keeps his mouth shut with Uli, come back and tell Max and Mauro and then THEY call the police. Yah. Right. What am I thinking. The police are useless in these stories!

Re the recap. I can do a quickie for Wednesday!
 

Yeah, I figure she got a new phone once home. Time to check those voice messages!
 

Lila--You're IN for Wed. We love your quickies.
 

One more thing I just thought of. At the WUN finca, Tadeo and the other workers who rescued Ivan all know he is there, recuperating. I'm sure Cecy will put the fear of firing into all of them if they say anything, but Tadeo will surely note something is wrong that he's not with his beloved Mari and doesn't even remember her (I'm projecting). Will he be a man and come forward, or will his crush on Cecy keep him from doing anything. He might, though, after that put down by Cecy in the church.
 

I hope Tadeo takes down Ceci, and pronto. The whole amnesia thing is a little silly, but I forgive them if they don't drag it out. What happened to Candelaria? I liked her. Maybe with a push by Beca she can herbally fix up Ivan's brain and cure him before this goes too far. Hopefully her annoyance at Ceci's stupidity is greater than her need for clients.

Clearly, Max learned nothing from his last relationship with Connie. He should know that if he gives even an inch, she'll start planning the wedding again. (I was going to delete this line because my mind immediately went to a dirty place, but meh. Better than thinking about Uli more!)

Kelly
 

Okay, guys. Hold off for a few minutes. Here comes the recap. I forgot to program my DVR so the first 15 minutes are from memory. Feel free to fill in blanks or correct. Thanks!
 

#119 Tuesday, 3-10 Pt. 1

Ceci takes Ivan’s ring off and feeds him lies to support his confused state. Later she brags about it to Rebecca. Ceci sees no problem in maintaining the farce. The sick and cynical heffa declares that she is happy.

The other psycho-suitor, Uli, tells Mariana that nobody will find her because nobody suspects she is with him in El Deseo and he’s going to take her far away where nobody knows them. The lives of Amaya and Vale guarantee that!

Padre – what’s his name? – shows up at Uli’s ready to put the fear of God into him about firing all his employees without severance pay. He refuses to let the Effer throw him out and parks in a chair to wait for Effer to go get Uli.

Juliana tries to confront Armando, her toothless former lover, now music teacher at Lucio’s new school. He basically tells her he doesn’t owe her squat and to buzz off! Juliana is consumed: she must find out why he was so cruel to her. (Uh, he’s a jerk?) She tries to get Armando’s address and phone number from the Director who declines but says she will look into if there is any way she can help her.

Flavia gets Sal’s opinion on her going with Salvador. He is totally against it. Sal’s values are in the basement and he proved that with his betrayal of his best friend, Max. Two lonely people together is one thing, but he knows she would be accepting him because SHE is lonely instead of that she loves him and THAT is a poor reason. Flavia is frustrated: Jorge sounds just like Tia Eloisa! she says, but she does listen.

Effer runs out to the fields to get Uli. Seems he might have been looking at the coffee plants but this matter of Padrecito’s arrival has distracted him. Good. Let the plants all rot to hell before he notices! Uli sends Effer to Mari’s room to keep her shut up while he attends Padrecito.

Well, the good Padre let’s Uli have it: How dare he fire all his employees and leave them without severance pay? Paying them severance is not a courtesy, it’s the law! Padre tells him the workers, many of them who had been with Uli’s uncle (or whatever) for years not only deserve better, but can sue!

Over at the joint, the snotty (and now bloody) nosed brat is about to have his hearing. Jose, Chino and Flaco, his accomplices are all caged before an audience which includes Manuel, Geno, Connie, Max and Mauro. Jose is the first to testify. He pleads innocent and says he’d never seen Chino and Flaco in his life; the first time was at the party when they tried to get him involved in a crime. Chino and Flaco go ballistic, calling him a liar and the hearing has to be recessed for 10 minutes so folk can cool down. You can just hear the bottom of Manuel and Geno’s stomachs drop out with this unexpected turn of events. Manuel is hoping when the hearing resumes the vast quantity of money he offered those crooks will remind them of what their testimony should be.

 

3-10 Pt. 2

Juli is in the parking ramp of Nescafe on the phone with Elo catching her up on how she’s got to find that no good so and so, Armando and MAKE him explain why he dissed and dumped her! Elo doesn’t think that’s a good idea and tries to dissuade her but Juli’s hell bent on giving him a piece of her mind and making him answer some questions!

Whor shows up in the parking ramp and, correctly sensing that Juli is upset, tries to get his rap on. Never one to let a conversation go uneavesdropped upon, Cesar darts behind a wall and listens. Juli is quite the civilized lady as she could have crudely told him where to stick the line he was laying on her. He actually has the nerve to question what she sees in Jorge and that he and she have more in common! She reiterates that she NEVER intended anything other than friendship with him and she knows she made that clear. Furthermore, she does NOT owe him ANY explanation for anything she does! He finally seems to get it through his thick skull, wishes her well with Jorge and excuses himself and walks away. For once we can agree with Cesar on something: he thinks Whor is an imbecile trying to rap to Juliana!

Back at El D, Uli tolerates Padrecito’s tirade with a look of smug amusement and finally tells him it’s HIS finca now and he will do as he darned well pleases and Padre needs to save his sermons for the church! Mariana is listening to this and fires questions at Effer, which he ignores. Finally, she recognizes Padrecito’s voice and breaks to the door, screaming, “Padrecito, Padrecito, help me! Help me!” Padre asks what the noise is, Uli says he doesn’t know, it must be the television and Padre lets himself be hustled out without further questions or apparent suspicion!!! AAAAARRRRRGGHHHH!!!! Effer muffles Mariana’s screams. I didn’t muffle my own! Mariana breaks away from Effer and bots to the door and is met by the other effer, Uli. He tells her she might as well give it up, she is his and soon they will go far away.

Back to the caged criminals, Chino seems to have had his memory refreshed during the recess and he sings the right tune: he’d seen Jose before but didn’t really know him and thought if he threatened Jose he could get him to pull off a heist at the rich folks house.

Let’s take a break for a flashback of something that just happened: Juli’s eyes bugging out when she sees her old (emphasis on the old) lover, Armando at Lucio’s new school. She thinks to herself how Armando destroyed her life. She wonders why did he isolate and take her from her family just to abandon her?

Back to the joint. There are a few awkward moments when Chino’s story is obviously full of holes but despite Chino’s stumbling the Lawyer makes a dramatic statement that represents the conclusion all are supposed to come to out of this jumbled testimony: “You mean to say that Jose had NOTHING to do with the theft of military weapons nor with the robbery of the Montesino’s home?” Chino says that is right, he had nothing to do with it but he threatened Jose if he didn’t help, his mom would pay dire consequences! Collective sigh from the upstanding audience at the zoo.
 

#119 Pt. 3

Now. For some real action! Some real movement we have come to expect from the denizens of our little drama! Juli catches Cesar spraying her car with the mercury depression spray!! Of course, he lies, saying he found her door open and was just making sure nothing was taken. She even asks him what he was spraying and he tries to laugh it off. . .he doesn’t know what she’s talking about! He eventually has to retrieve the spray and she sees it. He openly shows her the little bottle and claims it’s a topical treatment for his bruises [sustained in a not profound enough a** whipping!] He tries to be smooth but his face looks guilty as hell and she doesn’t believe him for one minute! She thinks to herself what the heck was Cesar doing to her car and what could be in the little flask he carried! YES!!

Uh oh. The judge has found that due to the inconsistencies of the testimony, no verdict is given and the hearing will be adjourned until tomorrow! Oh crap! Looks like Mr. You Owe Me gotta go back in the cell with his thug friends. Infirmary time is all over. . . .or, he’ll be back in there again before night fall. Well. Better there than the morgue!

Max and Connie leave the hearing and I’m going to make this fast cause I don’t like it. She tells him she’s going to go back to her Papa’s house; he asks her not to go and agrees he’s asking her because he wants them to give being a couple another go. There. I said it! Awkwardly, but I said it! All he asks for now is that they get the heck out of the D.F. He wants to go to El Paraiso. Connie is over the moon!

Amaya and Caro chat on the phone. Amaya is at MM in the bedroom she shares with Cesar. Vale is on the bed with her eating popcorn. A subdued Caro is at the Nescafe office. Amaya shares the disappointing results of the DNA test (according to the rigged samples Lu provided): Cesar is Don Mauro’s son. Amaya is very disappointed and frustrated. They’ll talk later in the office with some calm and privacy (or so they think: remember, there are mics and cameras in Amaya’s office) as Vale is with her now and she can’t talk.

Ah. Now for something we all deserve: a possible romance. Night has fallen and Flavia is tooling down the walkway at the University when a piece of sidewalk jumps up and assaults one of those killer heels these young whipper snappers wear nowadays. Down she tumbles and who is right there to symbolically pick her up? Heriberto, the cutie pie El P worker who has been a-pining for her! She is surprised and wonders what he’s doing there. Surprise turns to wonder and smiling admiration when she finds out he has just taken his credentialing exam to be licensed as an Agronomic Engineer. [Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fibre, and land reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. – Wikipedia]

Nighttime finds Juli in bed back at her home talking to her new main squeeze, Jorge. It’s been a not great day for her. Awww, but he gets her to smile when he tells her how much he misses her already. Oooo, she didn’t know he was so romantic and attentive. Neither did her: he awakens this passion and romanticism in him. [Work it, Jorge!] I love these two’s openness. She tells him about the old fart, Armando, who dumped her when she was a tender young thing. She also tells him that, darnit, he’s going to tell her what was up with that! Jorge wants to be by her side when she confronts him. Juli appreciates that but she must do this alone! [To bad you and Amaya aren’t friends: you could ask her how that’s working out for HER!] Jorge concedes and Juli will keep him informed.

 

#119 Pt. 4

Back to Flavia and Heri. She had no idea. Well, he has a scholarship plus he supplements this with what he earns (and learns) by working at El P. She admires his drive and hard work and tells him so. Well, Heri says he’s not comfortable just staying in the same place all his life, he wants to better himself: working at El P and studying agronomy satisfies both needs. Not trying to play her at all (which is refreshing) Heri excuses himself to go. Heri usually hitches a ride on a truck to get near the finca then he walks the rest of the way. “Not anymore. From this day forward you can accompany me, that way I won’t be alone.” More sweet symbolism. He happily takes her book and off they go to the strains of an upbeat pop tune!

Let’s get back with Jorge and Juli. Running into Mr. Poligrip wasn’t the only unpleasantness today. In another move we love, she tells Jorge all about catching Cesar spraying something in her car; how guilty he looked; how shaky his story was about her having left her car door open and how she didn’t believe him for a nano second! She says she is almost certain she didn’t leave her car door open. She doesn’t believe the so-called bruise spray and is likewise almost certain he was doing something to her car. What can she do? Jorge suggests she look for the atomizer Cesar held, look all around the house, in his office, everywhere. She thinks that’s a good idea. She has to find out what Cesar is trying to do to her!

Amaya pulls off another successful c**k block on Cesar, using the wild-haired Vale as her human shield. Cesar has a hissy fit. This is HIS bed, THEIR marital bed and she’s going too far. He loses this battle. Too bad, so sad! Cesar charges from the room, royally pissed with Amaya on his heels calling to him. They meet the newly re-coupled Max and Connie on the way to their room. Connie is only too glad to tell them that she and Max once again are a couple. Amaya tries to play it off like, so, what else is new. Connie rubs it in some more. It’s official and soon they are going to live at El P. Cesar carefully monitors Amaya’s reaction and makes her congratulate him after he offers his phony well wishes. Amaya flatly and hastily congratulates them, turns on her heel and closes the door on the other three. She falls against the door and lets out restrained but pained sobs.

 

Well. There you have it! I usually don't see previews because my DVR cuts off when I program it. Since I recorded manually I got all the previews and MAN! La ca ca (or parts of it) hit the fan tomorrow and oh GOODY, I get to recrap it! (Yes. Pun intended!)

Have at it guys! Gotta go get dinner started. Back in a flash!
 

Lila--The funniest thing in your recap was referring to Armando as Mr. Poligrip! It was a real guffaw moment. Thanks for the laugh.

Glad Juli is still able to keep her wits about her. The fresh air (and Jorge's freshness) really did her some good. I just wish she'd have an accident in the car--just a minor one, so she'd have to rent a different car or catch rides with Amaya.

Have a good time with tomorrow's episode. Cesar is quite the controlled gentleman, isn't he--not.

A slight correction, which makes absolutely no difference in the outcome...about the judgment (which we Norte Americanos all laugh at), but ni modo, Chino WAS going to go along with the fake story but Flaco was the one who started denying its veracity. That's when there was such an uproar they had to recess for 10 min.
 

I should have thanked you for the whole recap. You find it hard to hide your feelings behind a neutral delivery, eh? No criticism because it's always a joy to read your recaps.
 

Here's an example:

Sonny killed Michael's father, AJ

Luc killed Amaya's parents, etc.,


 

You are welcome, Anita! I usually try for a neutral delivery but these writers have made me so stressed with the Mariana situation, I had to just let my self go!! The gloves are off!

:D
 

Thanks, Steve. Ok, I get you. I guess I'm dating myself cause I haven't seen General Hospital since the Steve Hardy and Jessie Brewer days!
 

Oh yes, Anita, thanks for the correction on the court room action -- that IS important!

I just wish she'd have an accident in the car--just a minor one, so she'd have to rent a different car or catch rides with Amaya.

That's a great idea! Something needs to happen or they need to recall the visit in the Dr.'s office. But a little crash would be more immediate and, er, impactful!
 

Anita and all! What do you think since they dragged Armando into the story that we might not see the appearance of Ismael, Caro's (almost) ex? If they bring him back, let him be renovated. Don't let him still be a jerk like Armando. Let him be attentive and ready for a relationship of mutuality and respect with Caro. Poor thing has suffered enough!
 

Lila--If Caro's ex comes back renovated, I will be a mite disappointed. First because their backstory was hurried and done in flashback. Second because she doesn't need a retread. Third because the QA CFO will have been too cheap to hire a new stud for her.
 

Steve--Thanks for your participation, we're glad you are here, but maybe GH can stay on Anglo Commercial TV for the duration of QA. There's plenty of fodder for comparing QA with real life--or other telenovelas.

Lila--Thanks for your comments to Steve. Not all of us on Caray ever watched GH (me for one), so all his parallels go over my head.

 

I don't mean this as a criticism. I still like this show...mucho.

But I'm a little annoyed that they've introduced the Methuselah Music Man so late in the game. Why? There are so many other stories they can focus on.
 

Sara--I'm with you there. If they had to have someone from Juli's past reappear, couldn't they have found someone a little more seductive? I can't see Juli falling for him, even 20 years ago and end up running away with him. He should have been a bit more like Lydia's Mr. Wickham (with apologies to Adrian Lukis who played him in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice).

This actor, Alfonso Iturralde, has been around a long time as a good character actor. All actors want work. But still....this character just isn't good enough for our Juli, past or present. OK Rant over.
 

I don't know. Alonso was pretty cute in 1995. ;)
 

I only got to watch up to when Juli catches Cesar in her car (yes!), so thank you so much for the recap, Lila. I'm going to fall behind the rest of the week, but look forward to catching up over the weekend.

You guys are cracking me up making fun of how old Juli's old suitor is. Ha! I can see how he was hot 20 years ago. Time is no one's friend. The writers must have some reason for bringing him in. Maybe we and Juli will find out that Lucrazy originally paid him to seduce and dump Juli?
 

Vivi--I think you are onto something regarding Lucrecia. Time will tell--and currently time is on the side of the story-tellers. They love to string these things out.
 

Third because the QA CFO will have been too cheap to hire a new stud for her.--Anita

Hahahahahaha! Didn't think that deeply. She's just dragging around with that hang dog look: I feel sorry for her!
 

Oh my Gosh! Vivi!

I think this is exactly what the old fart is about to say! I'm halway through today's episode! I'll let you know in a minute!
 

Damn, Vivi! You're good! Pardon my French, but you're Damned Good!

That's all I'm going to say!
 

Ha! I swear I have not watched ahead. In fact, I'm behind! Looking forward to seeing how my prediction panned out.
 

Luc got SLAPPED hard LOL!

Loved every minute of it!!!!!!
 

Recap hopefully up soon!
 

Oh I can't wait to watch!
 

I hope they don't drag the story line with Ivan and Mari these people just got married they need to be happy with their new baby just go ahead and end that story line this is kinda ridiculous anyway.how does he intend to get Marri to fall in love with him he's just really evil and mean and cruel, uli and_ceci deserve each other.
 

I agree, Anon, it IS ridiculous and unnecessary! We'd watch without that eeevil!!

Ok, hold off posting. Here it comes!
 

QA #120 3-11-15 Pt. 1

We open with a review of the forced congratulations Amaya delivers to Max and Connie, her almost slamming the door in their face and sobbing.

Next we see Cesar’s in house flunkie installing cameras and mics in Amaya’s darkened Nescafe office.

At MM Cesar and Lu complain about Vale: he can’t stand her sleeping in his bed and she doesn’t want the little annoying drama princess in the house at all. As a matter of fact, Lu thinks there are too many people in the house period. Soon Vale will be abroad in her exchange program and Max and Connie will be moving out going to El P. Lu is glad of that because Connie snooped in her purse and found the lab receipt for the DNA test Amaya was having done. She wants Amaya to leave too, but feet first. Cesar reassures her this will happen but NOT before she redoes her will naming him as heir to the Zona Estrella!

This next scene is so upsetting it’s getting just the bare facts. Ivan looks much better, is sitting up in bed and drinking liquids, talking to Ceci. He is troubled and frustrated that he cannot remember the accident and he wonders why he is so beaten up. The first thing he wants to do is talk to his Father. That evil, batty bitch tells him Hector is dead! Of course Ivan is shocked and deeply hurt! [Ceci must die. She must die slowly and painfully.] Ceci tells him that is why he is working at La Tormenta, because everything at El Paraiso reminded him of his Father. Ivan cries tears of shock and pain. Ceci says they will go to Mexico and get studies done to see what has happened to him. Ivan says he feels lost and he’s afraid of what other surprises await him. Bitch offers cynical words of “comfort.”

Meanwhile, the satanic psycho Uli has Effer bring Mari some breakfast. She is feeling dizzy and gets up to go to the bathroom and faints. Uli carries her to bed and tells Effer to bring alcohol to revive her. Mariana is having chills. Uli covers her and sends Effer to the hospital to get the crooked nurse who helped them re-kidnap Mariana.

Here’s another quickie for snot nosed situation. His thug “friend” Flaco asks for and gets paid the same as Chino for his “cooperation.” Chino and Flaco get ten years each, Jose is set free immediately. He continues to act like a little prick toward Manuel. Manuel wants them to all live together in his house, especially now that Connie will be with Max at El P. Geno tries to pull Manuel’s chain some more but they finally come to the deal: He will marry her, recognize assh. . .I mean, Jose, and all live as one happy family.

Speaking of thugs demanding more money, Reyes has a failed blackmail phone conversation with Lucrecia. She cuts him off as he mouths his threat and tells him to stuff it! He’s not getting one more cent out of her and hangs up on him! [Good! I hope he goes to the right authorities to plant this anvil!]

Connie tells Mauro of her and Max’s recoupling and move to El P. He is happy for them. Later they also tell Manuel who is pleased as well.

 

Pt. 2

At Nescafe Cesar pays his flunkie for the mics, cameras and silence. This is about as close to happy that Cesar gets. Invasion of Amaya’s privacy will soon turn that smile upside down.

Lu goes off to his first day of school with normal first day mariposas! Elo (his REAL mother) sees him off with a blessing, a hug and a kiss! The Teacher wants to know if Juliana got her message. Elo answers yes and Juli thanks her VERY much!

We don’t have to guess what the message was from the Teacher: it was Armando’s address. Juliana charges in when he opens the door. She lays into him: how could he be so base with her, to make her fall in love with him, entice her to run away with him and then abandon her? Since this is a quickie, let’s cut to the chase: Lucrecia paid him to seduce her and run away with her to get her away from Mauro and the whole family. Armando thinks it was a pretty good deal in which they both gained! How dare he, what gain! Well, he got paid and got laid and she got to leave her dreaded stepmother’s home. Juliana is equal parts shocked, hurt, disgusted, furious, repelled and indignant! She storms out the same way she stormed in and NEVER wants to see him again!

Now. To the blockbuster which was interspersed with the Armando reveal above. From the intake air vent where the camera was placed Cesar has a bird’s eye view of Amaya and Caro and learns:

1. That Amaya overheard him and Lucrecia talk about his origin.
2. Amaya’s frustration of the DNA test that shows he is Mauro’s son.
3. That Amaya and Caro suspect the paternity deception had to do with Lu seeking to separate Mauro and her mother, Florencia. They do not speak of her in the past tense.

Cesar wonders aloud what Amaya is up to and why she is interested in his origin.

At this same moment mommie dearest is demanding that her private investigator leave no stone unturned until he find Florencia!

Back to our little peep hole session. Amaya tells Caro of Max and Connie’s recoupling and move to El P. Caro thinks this is good since it is such torture seeing them together in MM. Yes, it is, especially after what happened between her and Max! Cesar alerts and leans in to the his computer screen as Amaya tells Caro that she and Max made love! It was so wonderful being in his arms again, kissing and loving each other as they did. It confirms for her that his love for her is just as strong as ever! Cesar quickly goes from a low simmer to a rolling boil and begins flinging things around in his office. Amaya says it was a beautiful gift of life to make love to Max again. Now Cesar is shifting into involuntary twitching while his eyes remain glued to the screen. He beats his hand against the wall. Caro didn’t think Max would make love to her while she was married to Cesar; she must have confessed her love to Max. Yes, she did! Caro is glowing: she is SO happy Max and Amaya’s love continues alive and as strong as ever! Amaya gushes that yes, and Max loves her as much as she loves him. Cesar is a deeper shade of crimson now and is breathless with rage.

 

Pt. 3

Caro wonders why they aren’t together then and why Max is reconciling with Connie. Is this part of a strategy? [Now, I was all hyped about them making love, but this sounds REALLY bad]. No, Amaya says that actually Max was delirious, feverish and not totally conscious when they made love. Afterwards he couldn’t remember if it was real, fantasy, hallucination or what so she told him nothing happened. Cesar slugs his chair and throws some more papers. Amaya says she was carried away by emotion and by the love she feels for him. She had to tell him this because if not, he would be at risk. “Can you imagine how Cesar would react if he found out what happened between Max and I?” Cesar yells at the screen, “Well now I know, stupid! You hypocrite! You sleep with my brother with the slightest provocation while with me you play hard to get, like you’re so pure!”

Now for the rubbing of the salt into the wound. Briefly Amaya describes how she’s been using Vale to c**k block Cesar and she’s not sure how long she can keep him away. In no uncertain terms she tells Caro that Cesar disgusts and repels her, she cannot stand his hands all over her; she can’t stand him being near her, just the thought of making love to him makes her nauseous. As Cesar begins to hear this part of the talk he turns again, his eyes burning into the screen as he begins now rhythmically hitting his body against the wall over, and over, and over. His face fills the screen, his eyes glassy with tears of shock and pain.

Uuuuf. More unpleasantness. The low down crooked “nurse” (cn) examines Mariana and tells Uli she is pregnant. She has learned quickly how to whore herself out and didn’t tell Mariana herself, claiming that Mariana’s “nerves” are so bad. Cn supposes the baby is by the novio she left. Uli answers yes, he supposes it is. We can hear the wheels cranking in the demon’s head.

Cesar leaves his office after chewing out and berating his Secretary simply because she wanted to be clear that he wanted all his appointments cancelled for the day. In the parking ramp Cesar walks in circle, his hands clasped in from of him, his eyes fierce and fixed blindly, on nothing. He replays Amaya’s words in his heads as he walks his circuit, at each turn his eyes are redder and more filled with tears. Finally he breaks the pattern and roars!

Ivan is still sitting up in bed, this time talking to the curandera, Candelaria. He shares his confusion over what really happened to him. She cautions him to take it slow and easy: recovery takes time. She thinks there’s a reason why the angel of death did not take him. He must have some unfinished business in life. He’s so confused. He has questions about the accident, the death of his father, his decision to come to La Tormenta. Candelaria repeats her counsel that he should be patient; she has never seen anybody whose memory was totally erased. He must keep the faith.

Ceci (the whore of satan) is talking to Tia Rebecca who thinks the whole situation is a time bomb: little by little Ivan will start remembering things. Ceci bitches at Becca for being “negative.” Becca says she is realistic. Ceci has told Ivan his Father is dead. What is she going to do now, kill all his friends? Becca thinks that Ivan’s friends will look for him, like that Maximiliano Montesinos, for example. Arrogant, classist bitch that she is, Ceci doubts the Montesinos have any attachment to Ivan at all. After all, he is just an employee! [Ah. We love this miscalculation!] Becca tells Ceci she is living in an alternate reality, full of lies and tells her she can’t control the whole world. Ceci has had enough and flounces out with a wave of her hand. Becca, with a look of worry and surprise, as if it is just occurring to her, asks aloud if Ceci is losing her reason, the same as her mother!

 

Pt. 4

Finally some good news! Over at El P. Jorge announces they are ready to begin production of Max’s specialty coffee product, Nescafe’s Tres en Uno! The lands of the Zona Estrella are as generous as those of El Paraiso. They can’t wait to tell Max! In a later scene Jorge gives Max the good news by cell phone. Max is super pleased! Jorge wants them to get the first cherries for their product, 3 in 1. Whether Connie can travel next week or not, Max will not miss the beginning of the harvest of ZA for anything in the world!

Juli is back at her place and fills Elo in on Armando’s confession of having been bought by Lu to separate her from her family. Juli is as vividly angry as her blouse is red! Elo tells her that The Director of Lucio’s school is very concerned with what Juli shared with her and they are seriously thinking of firing Armando: they do not want anyone with his shady reputation anywhere near the students! Juli answers that that is a great idea because if he did that to her, imagine what he could do to the student’s at Lucio’s school! [Remember, the school is for children with disabilities. Yikes!]

Cesar has made it home and resumed his mad circular pacing. He talks to himself and is whipping himself up into frenzy with the help of liquor straight out of the bottle. He sends the bottle crashing to the floor. He takes the pacing atop the bed; the bed in which Amaya would not surrender to him.

As Cesar’s Secretary cancels his appointments, Negro walks up. Amaya and Caro overhear him tell the Secretary he has an important envelope that must be delivered personally to Cesar: it contains the memory stick of a camera. She promises she will get it to him and puts it in a pile of other correspondence. Amaya and Caro decide they must investigate. [Hoo boy! What you bet they bungle it?]

Juli’s rage has not diminished: She has never seen anybody as cold-blooded and Machiavellian as Lu in her life! Elo very evenly says Lu has always been like that: she only cares about herself and anyone who is a disturbance in her life or who confronts her, she seeks to make them disappear. Juli can’t believe it: Lu separated her from her Father, from her siblings and from Tia, whom she sent to prison! Elo says sooner or later life puts people in their place. Well, Juli is not waiting for sooner or later, this s** t is NOT stopping here and with a red blur and her long brunette locks flying behind her, she’s headed for MM!

Connie’s spreading her good news. She calls Nora who is happy but will miss her! Nora wants to know what will happen if she runs into Sal. Nothing. Sal is history. Cut to a scene where some random runs into Sal who tells him he and Connie broke up. Random dude invites him to his birthday party on the weekend. Sal immediately texts Flavia that “this weekend we have a party.” [Presumptuous much?]

 

Pt. 5

NOW. The scene that Steve enjoyed so much and which we’ve been waiting for! Lucrecia is enjoying her afternoon martini and smiling to herself no doubt thinking about how she’s got everything and everybody juuuust where she wants them when Juli bursts into the MM. Juli calls to her, “LUCRECIA!” and without another word leans back, her right hand raised and swings around delivering a firm and fully packed wallop right upside Lucrecia’s face, sending her martini flying. [<<Rewind 10 times!] Lu grabs her face in pain. [The look of shock and horror on her face is as priceless as the belting! Go back and rewind it slo mo to the moments just after the slap as Lu is hurled forward by the force of the blow. After what the baddies have been getting away with, it’ll do ya good!]

“Lucrecia, I always suspected that you were the worse human being in the world but now it’s been proven that you have no limits! You actually paid Armando Perales to deceive me, pretending to be in love with me so you could get rid of me!”

Freeze frame on Lucrecia’s face. [We all know her, she’s trying to think of a cover story!]

 

There ya go! MAN! I LOVED that slap!! Pow! BAM!! BANG!!

But oh, my, gosh! Amaya and Max's lives are in danger! What is he going to do the first time he sees Amaya?!

This is about the most exciting novela I remember in a while. I think Pasion was exciting but that's been years ago and, well, you know. . .

. . .Anyway. Come out of lurkdom, y'all! As I like to say: Let's chew on this!!
 

Good for Juliana! Might not have been the best thing considering how murderous Lu can be, but good for her anyway.

Less good for Sal. I thought he was changing after the Connie fiasco, but nope! Looks like he's back to his controlling ways. On the plus side, this opens things up more for Heriberto. Sal can be by himself.

Kelly
 

I'm watching now. You definitely took one for the team, Lila! Can't wait to read the recap!
 

Oh hot damn! Best slap ever!
 

Lila--OMG Girl. That was a doozy of an episode. And your recap? You let loose of (nearly) all the frustration that has building up in you. I bet you feel a bit better now with that SLAP.

Are you sure Cesar is in the room at MM? I think he's at his private little hideaway. Flavio Medina sure knows how to chew up the scenery--from his satisfied smugness overhearing Amaya's disappointment with the DNA results, fading into...well, you nailed it with every adjective and adverb you threw at him. Glorious verbiage. Congratulations, amiga.

Cecy does flounce a lot doesn't she. Becca is telling her everything we are from this side of the screen--is she going to kill all his friends? We do get a hint at what anvil awaits her--her mother went crazy. Now, in this case, it would be more fitting if she's just manipulative and evil, but it's such a crazy stunt they shut her up in a manicomio anyway to rot.

There are no words left in my pitiful mental dictionary to describe how I feel about Ulies at this moment. I may think of something tomorrow, though. Let's see what he does during my recap!
 

Such a great recap, Lila! I agree with all your frustrated asides. Ugh I don't think I have the strength for this.

I really hope Caro and Amaya DON'T bungle the memory card operation.
 

Hey, Kelly! Didn't that slap feel good? And Sal. Yah. He just doesn't seem genuine to me. He's looking for another living doll to play with. Sheesh!
********

Love your excited updates, Sara! This show is so exciting!
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Anita, yes, I feel better after that slap. I am not kidding about rewinding it. That was one of the best executed slaps I have ever seen, novela, tv, movie, whatever. The only thing they haven't been able to simulate is the sudden red palm print. Oh well, it was still great!

Yeah. Cesar might be in his apartment, Anita. I forget about his little den of iniquity.

Uli and Ceci. . I just. . I wish. . .Oooh! They're just killing my warm and fuzzies! Please don't let this horrible situation go til the end! I want super, red hot anvils with spikes on them for Ceci and Uli!
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Thanks, Sara and thanks to you all. Man! They're raking us over the coals, aren't they?

Serves Cesar right for spying on Amaya. With so many episodes left, I just cannot imagine what will happen nor do I imagine Cesar sitting on his rage for too long!

Holy Guacamole!



 

Both Ceci & Uli are the DEVIL'S SPAWN: murderous, sadistic, manipulative, evil, controlling!

I've got a bad feeling Mariana will miscarry!
 

Lila- Wow! This was such a fantastic recap that I felt I had watched the episode. Your description of Cesar's meltdown, and THE SLAP, was extraordinary.

I just can't even talk about Max and Connie. I am so disappointed that he's not thinking over Amaya's words in the shack.

But what I'm really upset about is Cesar hearing all from Amaya's office. Ananya is in danger!

Free Mariana and Ivan!
 

Steve--Please, not another painful misfortune for Mariana. She's too young to be going through all of this alone. A baby on the way might give her the strength to keep fighting against Uli.

Lila--I agree it served Cesar right for his spying. He didn't expect to have himself featured so prominently. He put the cameras and microphones there to find out if Amaya and Florencia were in contact.
 

Vivi--Fortunately, Amaya and Caro haven't said anything, so far, directly related to "the vengeance" angle. Today's another day!
 

Steve, we beseech the novela gods not to let Mariana miscarry!

Thank you, Vivi! Vivi and Anita, this is a BAD turn for Amaya. Please let her have the sense not to discuss the venganza further in the office but doesn't Cesar have her cell phone tapped, too?

Lila
 

Lila--I don't think he could go that far. What the IT guy told him is that with the cameras in place and the microphones, he's set it up so he can view and hear everything from his computer. I didn't hear him say anything about the cell phone.

He was pissed the other day that Amaya lied to him on her whereabouts because Negro was watching her, not because her phone was tapped.

I wouldn't put it past him, though, after finding all this out about Amaya's feeling for him.

OTOH, I may have missed something, because it would make sense for Florencia to try to "contact" Amaya by phone.

Time will tell.
 

Before the recap comes up, I just want to say Lu's paying somebody to entice Juli away from the family with a supposed wild and crazy love affair was a shoe that dropped that we didn't even know was in the air!

I bet that's not the last of surprise evil from that witch!
 

Recap for Thu Mar 12 (Capitulo 121) Pt 1

This episode had a lot of information flying back and forth. Sorry for the length and detail. It will help put future action in perspective, I hope. We’ll start right in with today’s new action.

For Lila, especially—Uni repeats the Slap Heard Round Caray.

Nescafé Office – Caro and Amaya had overheard Negro leaving a memory chip with Nuria for Cesar. In the “privacy” of her office the two discuss the possibility this is THE memory chip from Gustavo’s camera, proof positive that Lucrecia was deeply involved in trying to locate the body of Florencia—where Lucrecia had left her. It’s just too big a coincidence that the memory chip was missing from his camera after he died and here is Negro handing over a chip to Cesar. But Amaya has to see for herself. They strategize on how to accomplish this. Caro is going to distract Nuria. Amaya will go into the office and if anyone catches her in there, there will be no suspicions aroused, she’s Cesar’s wife.

Montesinos Mansion – Lucrecia is still bitching to Juliana about her accusation. This woman is a genius for turning any story reflecting negatively on her inside out and deflecting blame onto the accuser. She does this to Juliana now. How *dare* Juliana accuse her. Juli is the one that left the house with her lover. She didn’t force her. But Juli has the goods on her. Armando has just told her the whole story of how Luce bought him to carry out the deed—woo, seduce and take Juliana far away from her family in exchange for a princely sum. Caught momentarily, Luce comes back with—Armando is only trying to justify what he did. Juli doesn’t think so. It is too similar to what Luce did, or tried to do, with Ulises to separate him from Flavia. Luce retorts that was different. She was trying to save her daughter Flavia from an undesirable match. Juli reminds her she is *not* her daughter. Luce is seething now. She points out that Juli never treated her like Mauro’s wife. Juli retorts that Luce never treated her with the slightest modicum of affection. She continues, hoping this will hurt Luce, that anybody would have been a better mother than she. Yeah? Who? Mauro didn’t have many options. Juli reminds her of Florencia, the love of his life. If Luce had really cared for Mauro, she would have let him be with the love of his life.

[Ed. note: At this juncture, Juli doesn’t know Luce HAD to marry, anybody, because she was young, single and pregnant. Omar had rejected her and their future child and even suggested she snag a rich guy like Mauro. Luce didn’t want to be a single mother–and in those days, a social outcast—so she set about ensnaring Mauro by showing up at El P. just as Mauro and Florencia were planning to be married. She assumed correctly, that Mauro would do the right thing and marry her, although she had to use a little blackmail on him. If he didn’t marry her, she’d leave and take the baby with her and he’d never see the child ever again, and, she’d make sure the child knew his father had abandoned them. Florencia couldn’t bring herself to tell him she was also pregnant. He more recently learned this. If he had known about Flo’s baby first, he would have married Flo and supported Luce’s baby.]

Upstairs in “their” bedroom, Consta puts down a book and leaves the room. She either heard the commotion going on downstairs or was just going for juice. The commotion stopped her at the head of the stairs (of Doom—not used yet) and listens.
 

Thu Mar 12 Pt 2

So, says Luce, Juli also knew about the existence of Florencia. Yes, not only did she know about her, she *knew* her, spent time with her. She was loving, warm, affectionate, all the things Luce never was—except with Cesar. And she made it clear Juli was to keep her distance from Cesar and that she was an intrusion in their lives. Luce tries to make it sound like those are distorted childhood memories. Maybe, but that’s how she was made to feel. She destroyed Juli’s life and is a threat to her siblings and her father. Luce is going to pay for all her cruelty dearly. For Juli, she’s a loathsome, mean, vile person.

But Luce isn’t through yet. She tells Juli she has no right to judge her. She says she can’t be blamed for Juli’s frustrations, not even woman enough to hold onto her maestrito, and now here she is a widow, hanging on to her son through her listlessness and depression. BTW, Consta is still listening at the head of the stairs.

Juli, hoping to have the last word tells Luce she doesn’t deserve the family she has. She’s never been a good mother to her children with the exception of Cesar. Her world revolved around Cesar. Luce tells Juli to shut up. It was Juli’s decision to leave the house; she didn’t put a pistol to her head. Juli tells her that if she left the house it was because of her and furthermore warns her not to try hurting her again. BTW Consta is still listening.

[Ed. note: Luce’s red left cheek is still quite prominent—I hope for Lila’s sake it is still stinging and later turns purple.]

Luce says she’s not afraid of her threats. Juli says that one by one, all of her evil misdeeds are coming to light. Juli swears that one day Luce will be on her knees begging forgiveness. Luce, in turn, swears, never will she see that. Oh yeah? That’s what she might believe. With that, Juli turns her back and walks away from Luce. The camera turns on Luce and we see her covering up a distraught, angry, woeful woman with her hands. Is there a crack in that formidable personality of hers, masking all her manipulations, evil intentions and cruelty, as Juli so aptly described?

Nescafé Office – Max, in a bright yellow top and deep sky blue pants is talking to his dad, dressed in a conservative business suit. He’s off to El P. next week. Consta hasn’t been given the high sign to travel, so he’s going alone. They are both pleased that the first Zona Estrella harvest is ready. Max wants to be there for the first pickings.

[Ed. note: According to what I’ve read, a newly planted field of coffee plants is not ready for harvest for 3-5 years. Remember they just started that spring from scratch, clearing the ZE fields of weeds and preparing them for planting, after lying fallow for 30 years. As I recall they planted seeds, but ni modo, this is telenovelandia and anything goes and so we also go with the flow.]

They chat about Max changing places with Jorge once Max is at El P. Mauro teases that the real reason is for Jorge to be closer to Juliana. They wonder where Juliana is. They haven’t seen her. They surmise she went to take Lucio to his first day at his new school. Max tells his dad he’s decided that any business having to do with his proyecto 3-en-1 is to be conducted through Jorge and Mauro. He wants to limit any contact with Amaya. Mauro is sorry it all ended up this way. From now on, he declares, half teasing, there is to be complete separation between love and business.
 

Thu Mar 12 Pt 3

Nescafé Office, the Great Cheep Heist – Everything seems to go off as planned. Caro distracts Nuria with an excuse that the printer is jammed. Just as Amaya finds the envelope with the cheep (gracias, Reina de Corazones) and heads for the door of Cesar’s office, Mauro and Max approach her. She learns Max will be having nothing to do with her even for business purposes. Max is pretty abrupt with her, which even surprises Mauro.

Amaya heads into Cesar’s office. We see a lot of plugging in and replugging, lots of wires and shots of computer hardware and peripherals. Amaya finally brings up the images on the screen. *Bingo!* It’s just what they thought. There are the guys gathered around the pozo Florencia’s remains were found in earlier on by Amaya’s forensic investigator. Lucrecia clearly visible. Amaya quickly pulls everything back out, slips the cheep back into the envelope and leaves the office, just as Nuria reappears. Amaya is caught red handed before she can put the envelope back and Nuria sees it and takes it back. FOILED. Time for Amaya and Caro to regroup. They are lucky Cesar is out of the office nursing his wounded pride. Amaya decides she can steal the cheep after Cesar looks at it, but hopefully, before he destroys the photos. [Ed. note: Amaya, you are leaving a lot to chance. Why didn’t you take a flash key in with you.] Caro muses that the guy that brought the cheep is either an accomplice or a messenger, or perhaps even the person who killed Gustavo. Amaya agrees. Alone in her office, she remembers better times as Max’s business partner and lover.

To find out who the guy was that left the cheep, Caro goes to Nuria, pretending to want to know who that cute guy was. She’s interested in him. Nuria thinks so, too, and tells her his name is Aaron Mendez. Caro is surprised to learn he’s not a friend of Cesar’s, but an employee in the plant. Nuria has seen him talking to Whoracio several times. Caro tries to get his phone or e-mail from her.

Amaya talks to Whoracio in her bugged, but currently unmonitored office. They are talking about Valeria. He’s tired of her telling him what to do where Vale is concerned. He’s not going to be Amaya’s trained dog, at her beck and call. That’s not it. If she could she would keep her at her side. Vale is not a nuisance for her, but she is for Cesar. He doesn’t want her in the house. So she is asking him please, to take her back to his house to stay. (That is, at least until she can arrange that student exchange, but she doesn’t mention that just yet.)

Juli’s House - Eloisa, who’s been waiting for Juli to return from her confrontation with Luce, can’t wait to hear what happened. Juli, clearly upset, tells her what we already know, that Luce can lie with a straight face. Nothing bad that happens is ever her fault. Juli never wants to see her again. She can’t believe Elo and Luce could possibly be sisters. Elo says, well, like oil and water—like Cesar and Max. Juli wants to runtelldat to her dad, about the Armando caper, at least for now that’s all she can prove.

Cesar’s Hideaway - Is Cesar, this epitome of abomination, vile excrement of Satan actually shedding tears? Give me a break. He probably choked on his own saliva or his booze. He tries out using his necktie to strangle himself. He stops long before he could lose consciousness (too bad, we say). Instead he is silently deciding vengeance is the best dish served hot or cold, roasted or very dry iced. For that he needs to be alive and alert.
 

Thu Mar 12 Pt 4

Mauro’s Nescafé Office – Juli finally arrives at work. Max can tell she’s a bit agitated. She has something to tell Mauro and wants Max to hear it too. She tells her dad about the argument she had with Lucrecia and why—the whole Armando caper. The men look incredulous. When we pick up again, Max and Juli are in her office. He tries to get her to calm down. She shouldn’t be so agitated over something that happened so long ago when her decisions were being made by a young 18-year-old. She’s looking back now on a decision from a mature woman’s point of view. She shouldn’t be so hard on herself. Everyone makes mistakes, especially where love is involved. He uses himself as an example with his choice of Amaya.

Finca La Tormenta WUN - The Verizon man has finished changing the number of the finca. It’s a private number that only Cecy will have control over. [Ed. note: Wouldn’t it be great to have that kind of personalized service again? It’s all DIY now and it costs more.] Oh, and has he also disconnected the phone in her husband’s bedroom? Yes, he has, on her orders. Becca has been present and hears all of this. Tadeo enters with some information for Cecy. He wants to know, innocently, what is going to happen when Ivan recovers completely. She tells him it’s none of his business and he is not to have any further contact with Ivan or talk to him about Mariana or his wedding. Why not, he asks, again innocently. Because Cecy says so, she runs things here and if he doesn’t like it he can just leave the finca. Becca noticed that she referred to Ivan as her husband when talking to the phone man. How can that be? Cecy says that soon he will be. First, though, she’ll be taking him for some medical exams in Mexico City. She wants Becca to tell anyone who comes looking for him that due to taking an excessive number of days for his honeymoon, she fired him and he no longer works at La Tormenta.

Ivan wakes feeling a bit better and tries to use the phone in his room. Of course, it doesn’t work. Cecy rolls a wheelchair into his room. She will be taking him to Mexico City in the morning for his tests. He’s oh, so grateful for her attentions and ministrations. Of course, Cecy oozes, it’s only because they are novios and she should be by his side. He does think it strange no one has come to see him. He’s anxious to contact his friends. Cecy says it’s probably because they haven’t heard about his accident. Ivan thinks it’s time, then. He tried to call El P. to find out when Max was returning from Italy, but the line doesn’t work. Cecy tells him that indeed, there is a problem with the phone lines.

Finca El Deseo - Uli is pondering the news that Mariana is pregnant. He wanted to be the first to pick her cherry, but it seems Ivan got there first. He’s pithed. When Mariana wakes after her fainting spell and being attended to by the BHN (the one Uli bought), Uli is there. Mariana wants to know what happened to her. Uli tells her it was a normal reaction to her having cut her wrists. He has decided, thinking to himself, that he’s not going to tell her yet she’s pregnant—by that imbécil de Iván. Luckily he’s dead. (Ya, go ahead and keep thinking that way, Uli. Iván is probably safer with Cecy right now, than he would be if you knew he was alive and recuperating).

Nearby, Padre H. is talking the fired El Deseo workers into filing a wrongful termination suit to recover what is due them in severance pay. Reluctant at first, they finally agree, thanks to Sonia speaking up. And off they go.

Comitán Main Park - A little boy runs up to Flavia who’s walking with her books in hand. He hands her a rose, but can’t tell her who it is from. She only has two likely galans, Salvador and Heriberto. She’s pleased, but curious. It’s no secret to us. We see Heriberto in the background. [Ed. note: I feel sorry for Heri, because he doesn’t know Sal is pressing his suit so insistently. He’s sure Flavia will know it’s from him.]
 

Thu Mar 12 Pt 5

Montesinos Mansion - Lucrecia is recovering from her confrontation with Juli, imbibing her favorite 80 proof vodka martini—probably her 2nd or 3rd. She has calmed down a bit, until a second tormenta roars into the house. Mauro is on the warpath, screaming her name. She’s all sweetness and light, lovey and dovey. He rebuffs her caress. Their marriage is over. After what he learned what she did to Juliana, he wants a divorce. [Ed. note: We heard him say this once before and he ended up bowing, scraping and apologizing to Luce. Please, Mauro, go through with it this time. You deserve to move ON.]

Luce thinks he isn’t serious. Oh, indeed he is. While he’s going over her sins, she’s thinking, thinking, how to change the direction of this conversation. She starts out with her usual turn-about-is-fair-play. She understands how he would believe Juliana, but how could he believe that good-for-nothing patán (Armando) over his own wife. Of course, the patán invented that to come out being the innocent party. Mauro doesn’t buy it. No, Mauro says he doesn’t know the patán, but he does know her and he knows his daughter. He just doesn’t believe Luce. He brings up her trying to buy Ulises to leave Flavia. She regurgitates the same spew—that was different. He was no good for Flavia and she was right. Mauro says, maybe so, but she should never have interfered by trying to buy him off. Luce is getting more rattled by Mauro. He isn’t going to take it any more. She accidentally swings and the martini glass goes flying out of her hands. He’s sick of her claiming she never does anything. He starts enumerating what he knows: 1) Eloisa and German; 2) Lucio and (I didn’t catch it, but hypnotist could go here—he had learned about that); 3) Omar; and now 4) this—meaning Juliana and Armando. He tells her his tolerance is at a limit. It’s over. Their marriage is over.

While this conversation proceeds, Juliana is at the office, venting to Jorge by phone. He’s glad she told Mauro. She feels sorry for Mauro and Max. He reminds her she’s involved, too. She feels humiliated and vulnerable. Jorge wants to be with her. He’ll come to Mexico City. Juli tells him it’s not necessary, just talking to him was what she needed most.

In another part of the mansion, Consta calls Max. She wants to be out of the house because of the uproar. She invites him out to a nice restaurant to eat. She wonders if Max believes Juliana’s story. Max says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He’s more troubled by his mother each day. So is Consta. They agree to go out somewhere.

Back to Lucrecia and Mauro. She’s finally thought of a strategy to avoid a divorce and Mauro leaving her high and dry. She says they need to think about Lucio. A divorce right now might set him back seriously. He’s just started school, he’s happy. Mauro agrees, but the “air” Lucio might breathe in the house would be worse. She tries the “broken” family on for size. If they divorce, it will break his heart. Mauro can be heard saying, sí, sí, in the background. Luce thinks her strategy is working. Mauro comes back with, she’s probably right, but he, Mauro will assume the responsibility, with his love, along with Lucio’s siblings and Eloisa. Desperate, she tries a different tactic. If they divorce, she’ll take Lucio with her and he will only get him on weekends, as dictated by the law. He laughs at her. He can show she’s never been a good mother.
 

Thu Mar 12 Pt 6

Mauro claims this divorce should have taken place a long time ago. He tells her she’d better cooperate for her own good. Luce is scrambling to retain whatever she can of her family, her house, his business, his wealth. Mauro, with eyes wide open tells her to keep it. Keep it all. He doesn’t care. OK, that didn’t work. Now she tries the poor-me, I love you, love my family. She gives in (or so he thinks) and asks only that he doesn’t go for one of those quickie Divorce Expres, where just one party can file and get a divorce in Mexico City. That way there is no scandal, they can go slowly, step by step, and come to an amicable arrangement. Furthermore, until the divorce is signed, she wants Mauro to stay in the house so Lucio can see they are separating on good terms and not as enemies. He doesn’t agree nor disagree. He merely instructs that as of that night, they will sleep in separate bedrooms. Luce looks as though she’s lost Round One.

Nescafé Office – Max spies Amaya in the hallway outside the break room and starts to turn away from her. She tells him she’s sorry he can’t separate business with the personal. He says she was the one that chose to do that. Her decision drove him to separate himself from his own project. Amaya tries to tell him her decision to marry Cesar has nothing to do with his project. On the contrary, says Max, maybe not for her, but for him, yes. He regrets his decision now to have made her a partner. It would have been easier for her to have just rented him her lands. He can’t go back on it now, and just because they are associates, doesn’t mean he has to see her. She pulls the childish behavior card on him. It doesn’t work. He’s going to go to El P. so he never has to see her again.

Montesinos Mansion/Cesar’s Hideaway - Lucrecia isn’t about to cry uncle. She’s recomposed herself and ready for Round Two. She tells herself Cesar must be advised of this new wrinkle. Somehow they have to prevent this divorce. She can’t reach him and leaves him an urgent message. A very disheveled Cesar is seen telling the silent phone that he doesn’t want to talk to Luce or anybody just then. He mumbles to himself that Amaya has no idea who she married. He jumps up on his bed and starts his pacing, kicking pillows, messing up covers declaring Amaya is going to pay for ever one of her caresses with Max.

Cesar texts Amaya and tells her to meet him at an address he’s going to send her and he won’t take NO for an answer. Amaya gets the text and realizes she’s trapped. Cesar is replaying in his mind Amaya’s revulsion of having Cesar’s hands caressing her. Freeze frame on Cesar’s, cold, cold lips—made colder by an ice cube he’s holding up to them

P.S. I don’t like tomorrow’s avances one bit.
 

Wow! Anita! I'm not done watching yet! You got this up super fast, must be good! I'll see you after I'm done.

THANK YOU for the recap and the repeat of THE SLAP!!!

:D
 

Lila--I must confess. I had the opportunity to see the epi ahead of time. I started work on it this morning. Had to wait to see what was broadcast to make sure we were in sync.
 

Wow, Anita! Super! Super! Super recap! There was a lot going on today! I am especially appreciative of your coverage of the goings on at the two hell holes where our Ivan and Mariana are being held prisoner. I don't think I've ever heard of both members of a couple being kidnapped! How I wish Ceci and Uli could be together and get lost in a sick S & M relationship, in an attraction that ends fatally for them both.

Is Cesar, this epitome of abomination, vile excrement of Satan actually shedding tears? Whoa, Anita! Way to tag 'em, Girl! I agree, I am so afraid for Amaya! Oh my gosh, please, no rape! It's not looking good, though!

And yes, the girls did bungle the heist of the thumb drive, or cheep. I knew it. They are just out of their league! They know Lu has killed, but neither suspects Cesar could as well.

Phew! What a ride and are we even half way yet?

Thank you, Anita. Maybe more tomorrow!
 

Thanks all for your recaps!

Not a wasted scene today or any other. Those anvils for Lucrecia keep htting closer and closer to their target. I especially loved how Mauro listed all the instances thqt have brought him to his decision. And oh was thwt slap so satisfying. I feel diana bracho was crying because her ears were still ringing.

I was so happy when Amaya found out qbout the camera and Juliana abput the music teacher...it was the perfect balance to Cesars spy tactics and all the information he found out.

Kudos to QA for keeping both sides balanced.

As for Mariana and Ivan, Cecy is one step away from invoking her inner Kathy Bates and breaking Ivans ankles. When Becca can filly walk hopefully she gets him out and they go rescue Mariana. That nurse is the worse. What a big mouth.

I think this is the forst time I am unhappy with a not guilty verdict in a novela, Jose needed to pay for what he did. And hes already providing hes still a brat.

And Constanza isnt any better. When she announced that she was back the love she would've never goven up I was so mad. Her audacity after SHE let Max go and called him a liar and cheater.

Side note: Salvadors conquest of Flavoa looks mote shady by the minute.
 

I just caught up! And now I'm sleepy.
Excellent recap, Anita!

Quick comments. LOVED THE SLAP! And I'm so glad Mauro believed Juli. But I'm not yet convinced Mauro will stick to his guns since he's backed down so many times before. I'll believe it when I see it.

I was really hoping that Amaya would see her bugged office on Cesar's computer and realize what's going on, but nope. And she lost control of the memory card again. I don't trust her non-plan for getting it back. How does she know Cesar won't immediately erase the photos while he's looking at them, or that he won't just set it on fire as soon as he gets his hands on it? I'd just pull the fire alarm and get everyone out of the building while I took the memory card and copied it.

Not looking forward to tomorrow's episode.
 

Me either. It'll probably be up on Saturday to give me time to edit out all the swear words that might end up in the recap. Blerg.

Kelly
 

Am coming from lurkdom. Thanks for the invite. Forgive me but due to 7 hrs of watching telenovelas- yep, the prime time 7pm-10pm and then QA at noon, sometimes Teresa, and Refugio, the last two are 2nd time but I do enjoy rewatching them again, I just have to skim thru the Caray blogs and just lurk most of the time.
But I do enjoy watching QA (DVR),before I go to sleep. And last night was really exciting that my husband woke up. He heard me say Hot dog!!!damn!!! when I saw that Cesar was watching and hearing everything from his room. And that slap!!!.
Good acting from Flavio. I remember his Alonzo character from AB and no wonder he won the best antagonista award.
I am so afraid that Uli might order the abortion of Mariana's baby and I think Cecy is so dumb and crazy if she thinks that her crime will remain in that room. Can't hardly wait for the end of these tns for the anvils that await these crazy people. I think Lucrecia tops the evilest and vilest mom of tns she being a serial killer,
Please forgive my writing, these are my thoughts jumping out all over the place because I'm in a hurry. Thanks everybody for all your insights and contributions and recaps. Anne

 

hearing and watching, I meant.Anne
 

Vivi,

I was thinking the same thing about Mauro before the big blow out but watching his anger as he listed everything he now knows about her makes this break up more definite. The trouble is that he isn't kicking Lucrecia out and that gives her the tools, ample opportunity and time to plan her comeback.

The fact she's still in the house is what makes me worry, especially close to Lucio.
 

Superalfie- Actually, my first worry with allowing Lu to stay in the house was Mauro himself. Is there now any reason why Lu wouldn't prefer to be a widow?
 

I just hope Mauro takes all his meals and drinks at Juli's house from now on...
 

Welcome, Anne--I'm so happy to know we have reached one more person willing to comment. It gets lonely here at times.

Superalfie--I agree with the one time there was a not guilty verdict. But, for the sake of the tn, if he had been sentenced to 10 years as his pals were (and he was the one actually holding the gun on Consta), he wouldn't last another few days behind bars. Then where would it go....Geno and Manuel break up, end of storyline. This way there continues to be more tension among all four characters while they try to rehabilitate Jose.
 

Luce is only down in Round One. Remember, she called Cesar to let him know, saying to herself that they have to prevent this divorce.

She has reason to be concerned. If she goes down for the count, she may believe Cesar's patrimony might be in doubt.

I've been reviewing old episodes before deleting them. In the episode when Lucrecia met Amaya at the restaurant, Cesar was on his way to have lunch with, WAIT FOR IT, Negro. This was the episode where Amaya manages to get some valuable statements recorded regarding Cesar's plans for Amaya.

That's not what surprised me. It was very obvious Amaya saw Cesar lunching with Negro. She looked at their table several times. SO, she should have recognized Negro when he brought the chip to Nuria. (I used his name in the recap so readers would know, but not that Caro and Amaya knew.)

"Caro muses that the guy that brought the cheep is either an accomplice or a messenger, or perhaps even the person who killed Gustavo. Amaya agrees.".

It was just curious to me that Amaya didn't say to Caro in her office that she'd seen him with Cesar before.

Of course, they didn't know WHO he was, so Caro did the right thing trying to find out his identity.
 

Oh dear, Vivi--that would be a horrible solution for the Mauro-divorce problem. Luce may not have access to the Omar-death-causing-bio-chemical anymore, but Cesar has something lethal hidden he might be willing to share if he goes along with such a plan.

As I recall, we don't know yet who he wants to use it on. We do know he wants to rid himself of his nearest competitor--Max.
 

Superalfie--Cecy was already trying to keep Ivan from becoming mobile by telling him the curandera said he had to stay in bed to heal. She admitted to Becca it was a lie when Becca questioned her. Grrrr.
 

Guys, today is going to be so stressful. Hopefully this is the deepest depths of the darkness before things start to look up but somehow I know this is just wishful thinking on my part.

Yesterday Ceci AND Uli looked crazier than ever. Now, there is no way to talk about "Uli" without talking about the actor. This is not a criticism, just an observation on how he is excellently portraying the dark, disturbed Uli. Uli looked really scary in a close up yesterday. His thick, dark hair seemed to grow even as I looked at him, eyebrows and all! Ceci has a wild-eyed crazy look: she is spinning more out of control in her own private wacked-out orbit around Ivan whom she wants to own. Sheesh!

Tadeo is taking all this in and it seems pretty apparent that he is going to be Ivan and Mari's salvation. But it sure won't be this week!

Lila
 

Im going to focus on the positive because if not not I'll go crazy because of this most recent development:

1. Mariana is safe from sexual abuse because of novela rules

2. Amaya now knows the kind of monster shes dealing with

3. When Amayas head is clear she will realize there was no logical way Cesar cpuld know about what happened in Chiapas and start investigating

4. Amaya may want to take legal action against Cesar and be one step closer to destroying him

5. Most importantly, I'm glad Amaya knows her rights as a human being and woman and is fully knowledgeable that even if she married Cesar that doesn't give him any right to force himself on her

This episodes was dark, sprinkled with some sunshine from Juliana and Jorge.
 

Hi, Superalfie and all!

Oh my gosh, he did it! I guess I should have realized it would happen. There was nothing to stop it and it is a vehicle for a PSA on rape within marriage. The scene of the aftermath when Amaya was with Caro was so well done. Amaya was cringing even at Caro's touch.

It was also striking that while Max and Connie; Jorge and Juliana were having romantic evenings, Amaya was being terrorized and raped. You know what? From the beginning of the show, other than a brief interlude of freely shared love with Max, Amaya has caught hell in this show! I don't know. Nothing is working out for her and now the position within the inner sanctum of the Montesino household has ended tragically: Cesar knows she after something, any trust she'd earned is gone and now he has raped her.

She doesn't have the pictures of Lucrecia and her DNA test has been subverted. What in the world is she going to do?

Kelly, I don't mean to step on your recap, I just had to react. This has been a ROUGH week in QA. Whew!
 

Hey guys
I've been behind this week
Actually after last week I was putting off watching, I couldn't stand so much darkness, but having the page here helped.
Its good to know I'm not the only one why wants to Free Mariana!(if I knew how to put it in bold I would) and the recaps fill in the blanks when I ff the parts that are too sad or creepy (or Jose- cause life's too short)
Thanks for being here

I started watching this show, not because of CdlF but because of Renata Notni.(although CdlF has won me over in this and now I'm a fan) I saw her in something else and wanted to see her grow as an actress in this. She doesn't disappoint, but its too hard watching bad things keep happening to her:(

But I was rewarded for hanging in with that beautiful slap. I too rewound and watched again both times, cause hey I needed something good before the darkness closed in again- and it did

So even when I don't comment as often as I'd like
I,( like Elaine Strich ) am still here.
 

Just got caught up.

Oh.

My.

God.
 

Friday, cap. 122, part 1

Blech. It is way too hot for this episode. But here goes, minus some of the details that you can all fill in as needed, a little out of order:

Office:
Cesar text Amaya that he has a surprise for her tonight, and he won’t take no for an answer. She grumbles to herself that she can’t get out of this, while we see Cesar getting ready for his “date” and rehashing in his head all the terrible (and deserving) things she said about him.

El Deseo:
Uli orders a fake passport for Mariana. She wakes up in the middle of the night crying about Ivan, that he can’t be dead. She just wants to be with him. Meanwhile, back at El T in the WUN, Ivan dreams about “some woman” that he can’t really remember but can’t get out of his head.

Vale’s School:
Amaya drops off Vale and tells her papi is picking her up, and she’ll stay with him until she leaves for the intercambio school. Vale is still opposed to this and yells at Amaya. Amaya is not having this, and tells her she’s going and that’s final. Later when Whor picks up Vale, she asks him about agreeing to send her away. He says he’s not in agreement but can’t do anything, since her mother has become too powerful and awful. Vale thinks it’ll be a good school. But she feels like her mom just doesn’t want her around anymore. Whor helpfully agrees that she’s probably right. Jerk.

Chiapas:
Sal and Flavia talk about classes, and she mentions Heriberto studying there. Sal isn’t interested and changes the subject to the party he wants to take her to. Heriberto is there and he interrupts to say hello. Flavia introduces the two boys to each other, and Sal doesn’t really look happy to meet him. Heriberto brings Flavia back to the finca, and she suddenly remembers the secret admirer flower in the car. He gets it for her, but she still doesn’t know it’s from him. Sal calls her later to ask her out for dinner, and to the party the next day. She hedges about the dinner and doesn’t want to be pressured. He agrees and will call her the next day, which seems like pressure to me. There’s also a scene with Hector and Chelo. They mention the honeymoon, and Hector feels like something is wrong.

Manly Dinner:
Manuel and Mauro are at a restaurant, and Mauro fills in Manuel about the divorce. Manuel totally understands and supports the decision. Mauro just wants peace with his kids, and he can’t get that while she’s around. Manuel suggests that it might be time to give up on the whole Florencia is alive thing, and start anew. What if she’s not still alive? Mauro can’t accept her death without proof. They drink.

Montesino Mansion:
Lu gets ready for bed and puts on some silky red pajamas. Not the sexy kind, but she’s thought-bubbling about not permitting the divorce. Mauro gets home, enters the bedroom, and she lets him know she was worried. He reminds her that they won’t be sleeping in the same room. She tries to get close to him and kiss him, and he doesn’t want any part of this. He mentions some of the bad things she’s done to Juliana nad Lucio, and it’s over. Se acabo. Fine, she thinks, if he wants it over, todo se acabo. He leaves the room. “And when I say todo, I mean todo”, think Lu. Mauro goes in to see Lucio. Lucio knows they fought. Mauro apologizes him for waking him up. Lucio asks why they fought. Mauro tells him that things will be changing, but no matter what, he’ll always be with Lucio. (I don’t like where this is going). Lucio tells his father that they’ll always be together, him, Juliana, Flavia, Max, Elo, etc. Lucio says, “if I go, you’ll go with me. I’ll take care of you”. Mauro cries in that softly heartbreaking way men do, and Lucio holds him and says again that he’ll care for him. (I really don’t like where this is going).

 

Friday, Cap. 122, part 2

Max and Connie:
They’re out for dinner, and talk about the kid someday loving the land and the cafetales, etc. They dance. Connie wants him back, nothing else is important as long as they are together. Max is glad they can talk about his honestly and openly, and asks if she really thinks this will work. Duh, Max. Of course she’s sure. They kiss. Definitely too hot to detail these two.

Cesar’s Apartment:
We see Cesar dragging Amaya by the arm into the bedroom. She demands to know why she’s there. He looks drunk. She’s not impressed with his attitude, but he roughly insists on talking to her. She demands respect as his wife. He demands other spousal “rights”. He grabs her face, growls some things at her, tosses her on the bed and says he knows she was with Max. She tries to run out but he grabs her, whisper-yells at her, and holds her down on the bed. She tells him that he can’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to do. He disagrees. She starts to say fine, and “give in”. He doesn’t back off, and she has to try to get away again, but can’t as he forces his “spousal rights” on her. The next time we see them, it’s after the rape. Cesar is off the bed, and Amaya is sitting at the head with her arms around her knees, yelling at Cesar that he’s an infeliz, etc., and that he raped her. He brings up the wifely obligation again. She tells him he knew she was still in love with Max when they got married, but Cesar was done waiting for her. He lays down caveman law and she cries. She later gets dressed. He asks her where she’s going while holding his camera on her and filming. She says she hates him. He just laughs and tells her she’ll learn to love him. He’s still angry that she messed with Max. (He’s mentioned her and Max a couple times, but I can’t tell if he’s made it clear that he’s talking about what happened recently in Chiapas. She doesn’t seem too shocked that he knows, so it seems like she thinks he’s referring to the more distant past. Little help here). She finally gets to leave. He swears that Max will pay for this. They both will.

Caro’s:
Amaya has gone to Caro’s to tell her what happened. She cries about feeling dirty and gross. She can’t do this anymore. We later see her getting out of the shower again, crying again. I couldn’t tell if she was still at Caro’s or has gone back to the mansion.

Juliana’s house:
Jorge shows up to surprise Juliana, bless him. He’s “lo maximo”. He tells her he’ll be there for her whenever she needs him. He wants to take her out for the night. Elo comes in the room to greet him, and Juli starts to talk to her, but Jorge interrupts. It’s his place and he’ll do this right. He takes Elo aside, and properly asks permission to take Juliana out for dinner and dancing. She smiles, and naturally offers to care for Alan. They go out, and walk and talk and kiss and are happier than anyone else right now. Jorge surprises Juliana with a serenade from some musicians he knows. We don’t get to hear, but she liked it and she’s ready to love Jorge. As are we all, Juliana. As are we all.

Kelly

 

Thanks Kelly. Wow. You had a rough one to recap. Thanks for soldiering through.
 

Has there ever been a novela that did NOT have a rape in it? All I could come up with was Refugio, until I remembered the one character who was having an affair with the father, who handcuffed her to a bed at one point. Can't remember what happened, but I'm assuming it counts.

This better mean that Mariana is safe.

Kelly
 

Thank you Kelly, getting dinner so will read it later but thanks in advance.

Hey STS, Renata Notni is a beautiful woman. I had never seen her before but she is also a wonderful actress. The kidnap of her and Ivan is so painful to me and now Amaya's been raped on top of that. Like you, I am glad you all are here!

Back later!
 

Cesar raped Amaya ? WTF ????

Is he that sick in the head?
 

FREE MARIANA AND IVAN!
 

Just got back from the Met in HD (La Donna del Lago with my heartthrob Juan Diego Florez and Joyce DiDonato - yes, I know, we went to see him live in NYC last month, but there's nothing like the HD close-ups).

Haven't even finished the recap, but when I got to Kelly's part where Mauro is being comforted by Lucio, I broke down all over again. I was choking up and tearing up yesterday. It just killed me. I wanted to be there and do some comforting myself.

More tomorrow.

Kelly--You remembered Refugio correctly. It was Vicky who got the handcuff job. Maximino gave her something and she passed out. When she woke up she was handcuffed and was left there all day.

Have I mentioned I'm watching the rebroadcast? Well, not live, taped at 1:00 am on Uni and see it the next day. I'm enjoying it a lot more this time around and it's fun to re-read the recaps and comments as each chapter (or double chapter) is finished.

Will have more to say manana.
(P.S. Kelly, the broadcast version had Juli and Jorge's whole song on it sung by Carlos Macias and a female singer. It was very good.)
 

Kelly- Fantastic job with a really hard episode. Damn! Amaya has had such scrappy luck throughout this whole tn. Let's hope she and Caro realize that Cesar didn't just casually overhear their conversation about the love shack and investigate some more.

Loved Juli and Jorge this episode. Loved the symbolism of Juli removing Franco's watch from her wrist, his ring from her neck, and her own wedding rings from her fingers. She freed herself physically and emotionally to love Jorge.

Sal isn't showing his possessive jealous stripes again. Jeez! Run, Flavia, run!
 

Crappy not scrappy. Tablet insists on correcting my foul language. :)
 

Gosh! These typos. Sal IS showing his possible and jealous stripe again.

And he's kind of scary too.
 

Good grief. You know what I'm trying to say.
 

Gotcha, Vivi! Yah, Sal is ramping up his possessive thing. Flavia seems to be picking up on it.

Wasn't that scene between Mauro and Lucio heart rending? Oh, my gosh! I hope it is NOT foreshadowing: we know Mauro is in it for the long haul. . .wait, surely they wouldn't. . .or Lucio. No!

Regarding rapes, I think this one and the one in my 7 p.m. novela are the first, except.

Hey Vivi, what show had "Meester James"? In that one a young girl that Meester James was in love with was raped by her uncle if I remember correctly.

At any rate, I haven't seen a whole lot of novelas and this whole rape thing is hard to take. I know it's real life, but I don't look at tv for real life if I can help it: I want fantasy, tell me happy lies!

Well. I'm in now so the best thing about this and my 7 o'clocker is all of you cause these things are getting dark!
 

Lila- I didn't see it, but it's been mentioned by those of you who have, so I believe Meester James was in Destilando Amor.

OMG! Yes, the scene with Mauro and Lucio was so heartbreaking and touching. Those two actors together are superb. The writers better not let Lucrazy hurt either of them.

Oh, and can I get a Tia Eloisa? She cooks, coddles, brings you tea and cookies while you work...
 

Lurking but rushing.

Thanks to all for your recaps, comments, and dedication to this TN.

I am still very upset by the cockeyed decision of Valeria's mother to take matters into her own hands and marry Psycho Cesar and in so doing cause irreparable harm to her loved ones and herself.

As several of you mentioned earlier, she is no match for this vile individual. All of what happened is predictable. She has money. She could have hired a private detective to follow his every move...but alas, this is a novela. And, please, after all her foot injuries, let her wear some stylish low-heeled shoes or a pair of colorful sneakers. Max knows how to dress comfortably.


Although my hopes about Florencia were destroyed, I am happy about the relationship brewing between Mauro & Elo.

I still think that Obsessive Sal is the father of Constanza's baby.
When she realized his true nature, she found another hair sample to use. Eventually, she will become independent and begin raising her child without a husband. There is no doubt that she is a master manipulator of Max.

I watched Destilando Amor. The episode mentioned here was indeed a dark, horrible part of that novela, which was excellent in most other aspects.

How many more episodes do we have remaining? I will be back at the finale - a bit overwhelmed now with several projects.

All the best to All ....
 

Hi, Floridia!! Good to hear from you, again. And thanks to you and Vivi for recalling that it was DA where Meester James was in love with a girl who was not only raped by her uncle, but who was raped repeatedly as the victim in a involuntary incestuous relationship. It was awful and ugly and what's so killing about it, they dropped her as a love interest for Meester James. I think the uncle was eventually killed. Ugly and unnecessary!

And yes, Vivi, Tia Eloisa is a dream come true! I love her! Our other novela has a loving, selfless Tia as well. What I don't get is why these wonderful women have to forego love and friendship and just become almost like nuns rendering lifelong service to a family they almost worship! Can't they have love AND do all these wonderful things.

Oh well. Stock novela character I guess.
 

Kelly, you were immensely careful in how you described Cesar's disgusting attack. We are immensely grateful for that and for the whole recap. Thank you.

Lila and Vivi--Meester James was also in CME and MEPS (I think MEPS is where he got the name). In CME he fell in love with Matilde-of-the-ever-present head band and there was no rape of Matti. Our current Genoveva, though was raped in CME by her husband--who also tied her up and manhandled her until she got herself free and escaped.

In MEPS, Mr. James fell in love with the young girl Aurora. Her great uncle was a nebbish and her grandfather was an oger--he raped Aurora's mother.

Of course we are reminded of the rape in Amor Bravio by the virginal young Luzmaria by her old uncle--the despicable Tio Leoncio (who has done a 180 D. turnaround as Mauro!).

I see several of you commenting here are also watching La Sombra. Might I say here, rather than on that forum, just yet, that I'm only 5 days behind. Oh, man, does Susana G. crush, shred, chew up and spit out the scenery. She was made for this role (she practiced for the part on LQNPA). Also, I just deleted all 21 episodes I saved from Que Perdone dating back to February. I'll miss Zuria Vega and Mark Tacher, but no one else (Brandon Peniche departed waaay too early. I just can't bring myself to keep watching it--La Sombra is 10x better.

Floridia--happy you checked in, we've missed your voice. Unfortunately, I think Max is the father of Constanza's baby. But, as tn endings go, Max and Amaya will be together. So, either something happens to Consta and they raise the baby (as she suggested herself early on) or something happens to the baby (I hope not). Remember in CME what Jeronimo and Renata did with all the extra babies!

Sometime way back, we had a brief discussion over the birth control practices of several of our QA women. I believe I surmised Amaya would be on the pill. However, being a somewhat-predictive tn, I see a different path. It would complicate and extend the story and provide more tension, for Amaya to get pregnant by Max in the love shack and for Cesar to crow the child is his by threatening Amaya with doing something against Vale.

I don't know how Amaya is going to defend herself from Cesar from now on. She has to. I don't think she will have the courage to go to the authorities now. Would she go to Mauro and ask for a transfer to another Nescafe subsidiary? Probably not, as long as she is in charge of the publicity campaign for 3-en-1.

The scene with Mauro still has shuddering with sorrow when I think of it and I don't even know the guy!
 

The "However" sentence came out wrong, I changed the intent and forgot to come back and edit where I said this tn would take a different path. I meant, that being semi-predictive, this tn *would* have Amaya get pregnant...
 

Hey, Anita! More later, just a couple of things:

In MEPS, Mr. James fell in love with the young girl Aurora.

Okay, Aurora was the girl's name, she called him "Meester James". I'm not sure of the actor's name but that's the only time his character was called that. I saw both MEPS and DA but my memory is getting fuzzy.

Anywho, the other thing. I know we have used the term "pivotal episode" before and maybe we need another term. The rape of Amaya and essentially the blowing of her cover feels pivotal to me. This whole going it alone thing HAS NOT worked out for her! Vale is not out of the country and now she knows her life, Vale's life and Max's life are all in jeopardy. It's been a big mess from the word "go."

All I can think of is how right Delores was when she told Amaya to STAY AWAY FROM THE MONTESINOS!

Later! :D
 

Carlos de la Mota is the actor, but the nickname Meester James did not come from MEPS, where we called him Curls next to Aurora's Sniffles. I think that nickname came from his gringo character in DA.

I have often wondered what the Mexican audience thinks of all these rapes in tns. Do they really serve the purpose of educating the audience, or is it all just shock and titillation?
 

Thanks, Vivi. That sounds right. You know, I wonder as well what the Mexican audience thinks of the rapes. I don't think all of the violence and violation is necessary. It does feel like shock and titilation! Is it just easier to throw in sexual assault than flesh out a complex character with ulterior motives and hidden agendas. We all know, unfortunately sexual exploitation and violence is real but are there stories anymore that don't contain those? Is it possible to tell a good story without it sounding like the latest installment of fox news?
 

Vivi--I was reviewing some notes on earlier tns. Boy, did I get our English-"speaking" characters mixed up. I was imagining Franco/Eduardo's side-kick. He was Esteeve, played by red-headed actor Mario Ivan Martinez (who was also in Amor Real).

Of course it was Carlos de la Mota who fell in love with Aurora. He did have those wild curls. He was supposed to be a Spanish hippie-artist, no? Didn't the curls get tamed toward the end?
 

Lila--As with Fox News and other media outlets (including on-line ones with videos attached), it seems as the more outrageous and despicable the crimes, killings, sexual assaults, the more they tend to lead the broadcasts or headline the on-line articles. As the population becomes more inured to violence, it has to be escalated to new heights...all fodder for 48-hours and other docu-dramas and crime shows. Sad but true.

I don't watch Hallmark or Family channels, but if someone wants G-rated, that must be where one goes for sanitized romance (or is it?).
 

Oh, Anita, you nailed it! Several years ago I stopped watching the "news" but can't help but hear from time to time about certain insane and heinous acts human beings commit against others and which the "news" seems to glorify. I don't watch network tv anymore, hardly go to the movies and am going to try to reestablish reading as a regular part of my life. My love for Spanish has always pulled me to novelas and while not a voracious watcher, I've seen a few but had not seen such direct sexual assaults as those against Amaya and especially that of Aldonza in Sombra.

That of Aldonza was so unexpected and vile I nearly bailed even though I am on the recap team. I stayed and i do enjoy the show but maybe we've crossed a line and I shudder to think what's next, not in that show but in novelas overall. I know Urban Anthropologist had a discussion on this not too long ago. I should go read it to help me vent some of my frustration about this trend.
********

So, Anita. I'm a Tuesday regular and can fill in on Wednesday if you don't have coverage.

 

Lila--If you can do next Tue and a highlighter for Wednesday, that would be great.

I can't do Thursday because I will be out of the house from mid-day on until very late. I can try to do something ahead of time--if it's available, then put it up on Friday morning. That's the best I can offer.

Since Kelly normally gets her recap up on Saturday, the gap won't be too long.
 

Okay, Anita. That sounds good. Thanks!
 

Thanks for filling in the gaps. My regular viewing site wasn't working, so I went with the back up. Sorry i missed the song! Those two, Jorge and Juliana, are the only things keeping this show from getting too down. When do Uli's crops get destroyed? We need something else good.

Seems to me that every one of these has a rape in it somewhere. This one is a little different in that the girl is usually a girl. young, and more easily taken advantage of. Amaya is older, and just didn't know who she was getting involved with. I'll be interested to see how she handles this. She either leaves him and all this was for nothing, or she gives in to her rapist in order to get more evidence against Lu. Tough choice knowing what she gave up (Max) to punish the woman who killed her mother and madrina.

Kelly
 

I'll put up a short Headliner tomorrow, again around noon, along with the recap schedule for the next two weeks.

Sara--I just got to the epi in La Sombra where you got your new AVATAR. Now I understand it. It's hilarious! A ripe, roasted melon in a leopardskin belt. Too bad there couldn't be two melons, just to balance things.
 

Lila and Vivi
I just looked at my schedule.

Lila, you volunteered for the next two Thursdays - ("I can do both Thursdays. Anything I miss or don't give enough detail on, we always fill in and remind one another!") - see your comment on Tue Mar 10, 12:08:00 PM

Vivi volunteered to recap one day this week and I plugged her in on Wednesday.

If you and Vivi want to switch, it's ok with me, just let me know ahead of time.
 

Yes, I did say that so that would have me up for

Tuesdays 3-17 and 3-24

Thursdays 3-29 and 3-26

How's that?




 

Anita- Wed is still fine with me.
 

Floridia said:
"I am still very upset by the cockeyed decision of Valeria's mother to take matters into her own hands and marry Psycho Cesar and in so doing cause irreparable harm to her loved ones and herself."

Word.

I've never really watched this show for Max and Amaya. That relationship just doesn't seem to hold my attention and I think it's because of Amaya's character.

She takes matters into her own hands which can be good...but she also does it without really thinking.

I wish there had been some other way to keep Max and Amaya apart without this "I'll marry the psycho" plot twist.

For me, Amaya is coming off more as stupid than anything else. For example: she lost the memory card because she didn't put the envelope in the folder she was holding. She just had it out in plain site. DUMB.
 

Amaya is making some really stupid rookie mistakes for the stakes being so high. Having the envelope in plain sight when she came out of Cesar's office was one of them. Continuing to wear those crazy high impractical stilettos, when she might need to get away from psycho Cesar or Lucrazy and their henchies at any moment is another (but I think that has more to do with the wardrobe people). I still understand her reasons for marrying Cesar when she did (the iron was hot and she saw an opportunity to get "in" with her enemies), but since then she hasn't stepped up her game to match the level of her enemies.

But at the end of the day, I still find myself more supportive of her go it alone attitude, than Connie's I can't wipe my butt alone attitude.
 

I can't argue with either you or Floridia, Sara. Amaya's marrying Cesar was a tremendous shock to everyone on the board here and generated some vigorous discussion. I won't rehash my position but I have this vision of the lovers in my mind and there are certain things that they should NOT do (for me) in order to keep that lovin' feelin' like the Righteous Brothers sang about. Marrying your lover's brother is one of those, no matter WHAT the reason.

She was going to keep herself "chaste" for Max and now, well, we know what happened to that. And it's not just the woman who can kill that lovin' feelin'. Knocking up another woman, whether married or not kind of tarnishes the leading man for me. I guess with sexual mores being so different it's impossible to keep a couple apart unless things like marrying someone else, procreation with other than the beloved and now sexual assault are invoked.

What's next, death of one of the lovers, preservation through cryogenics and then resurrection? Sounds stupid, but the stories are getting stupid and I feel more like I'm being assaulted than captivated by love, romance and a little suspense and intrigue!

But back to QA, yeah, like I said yesterday, this seems more like a story about how one should listen to one's elders. Delores was absolutely right: Amaya should have stayed away from the Montesinos!

Max is fine and all that but I haven't seen, THEY haven't shown us why this love is worth going through what she has gone through. I guess it is as Amaya said in a double entendre answer to Lucrecia as to why she married Cesar. She said for love, meaning (as she and we knew) for the love of her parents and madrina. Well, as Floridia said, she is rich, she could've hired her own P.I.s as well as given the information she had to the authorities and let THEM figure it out.

BUT. We would not have a novela. So, yeah, Amaya has made a fine mess of things, now she could end up with contested fruit in her womb on top of the scorching memory of Cesar raping her.

The body count will surely go up before this is over. Let's see how Amaya emerges out of this latest mess! Lord, have mercy!
 

LOL, Vivi. I agree that Constanza's constant whining is annoying as well.

I just wish they had come up with some other way to keep Max and Amaya apart. I would have been fine with Amaya telling Max her suspicions and that being the reason they are apart. Eventually, after all had been revealed, they could have forgiven and forgotten.

I wish Amaya would team up with Juli and Elo!!!!!!!!!!
 

Sara, she needs them. Her and Caro's little collabo is toast!
 

Yeah, Amaya needs a Tia Eloisa in her life to tell her what's what. Dolores was absolutely right that Amaya needed to stay away from the Montesinos. Although, by that point it was too late. Max was determined to have her has his wife, and Cesar was determined to have her land (as part of his grand master plan to take over Necafe), and her along with it. And Mauro, was he found her, was determined to fulfill his commitment to Florencia through her. So either way, she was going to be on Lucrazy's and Cesar's radar. Just the fact that her land is being rented by them would have put her in all of their sights.

Definitely, the best option would have been to hire a few private investigators. Not just one who can easily be bought off and deceived like Mauro's poor investigator chasing phantoms in Guatemala. She was on the right track with the forensics investigator (big win), and the photographer (temporary win). She needs even more experts on her team, and they all need to be aware that they are dealing with killers and are in danger themselves. She needs to assemble a TEAM. Where are the Scoobies (Amor Bravio) when you need them? :)
 

Honestly, I'm still a little fuzzy as to why Amaya hasn't at least asked Juli about her relationship with Lu. Didn't Max ever mention the tense relationship between the two? (A symptom of not having seen every episode. Sorry if it's been covered before.)

Didn't Amaya and Juli have a conversation kind of like that? I kind of thought that the two would pair up and crime-fight together weeks ago (I think others felt the same.)
 

They did, Sara, but right after that Amaya came back married to Cesar and thus went on the s*it list.

Vivi, do you have a different recollection. Or Anita or anyone else?
 

Thanks, Lila.

I really hope we get some sort of happy news soon. I do enjoy this show, but...


AAAARGHHH!!!
 

Lila- Yep. Amaya and Juli had just started to get to know each other and open up. Then she came back married to Cesar, so Juli and Elo won't give her the time of day now.
 

One more thing for Sara before I put up the headliner.

Sara--The problem with the shift to Cesar, it was a last ditch effort on Amaya's part. Max wouldn't take NO for an answer. She wanted to break it off with him because she saw that his feelings for his mother might betray her investigation. He kept badgering her and telling her he wasn't going to give up. It was at that point she went to Cesar in desperation. They cooked up the scheme that another man had come into her life. She wouldn't tell him who it was--until they came back from LV married.

We also discussed that it would be very hard for Max to forgive Amaya at any point in their relationship, if they had stayed together, to find out that the whole time they were together she was trying to find his mother guilty of a heinous crime.

Now, however, the atmosphere has changed with Mauro's pending divorce. But in these middle episodes, it's too late for Amaya to backtrack and say she wants to get back with Max.
 

That's give HER up.
 

Keep discussing while I work on the Shoe-Dropping Issue. I hope you like it.
 

Anita, I agree with most of what you said about Amaya's marrying Cesar, except this:

It was at that point she went to Cesar in desperation

I took her going to Cesar as a calculated part of her strategy to turn Max away from her. She feigned desperation with Cesar and he readily proposed the story that she left Max for Cesar. At this point, that day in Cesar's office, I don't think Amaya had any idea he would eventually propose marriage as both Amaya and Caro were supposed to go to the Vegas coffee conference. Cesar, however, had every intention of being alone with Amaya and perhaps proposing marriage after her acceptance of the using him as the other man scheme. He lied and had Caro's plane ticket and reservation cancelled for this purpose. Also, if you go back and look at that scene, Amaya's affect was artificial, it was clear she was "playing" Cesar.

So. What I'm saying is her going to Cesar was not an act of desperation but her attempt to use him to keep Max at bay. Sadly, as Cesar told her just before he assaulted her, "I am more intelligent than you" -- if by intelligent means he is more crafty, devious and ruthless than her, he is right. Amaya miscalculated her ability to manipulate the situation, and Cesar, to her advantage. Again, she is waaaay out of her league.
 

Lila--
Well put. I'm going to copy this over to the new page, so everyone can savor your additional comments.

It's up.
 

you are right about amaya, she is in over her head. I'm sure she didn't plan on getting raped by the psychopath. can somebody please get some guts and go to that place in Chiapas and tell somebody about Ivan and mari. maybe Mari will be able to talk to amaya on the phone before uli come's back and grab the phone out of her hand. On this TN the good guys seem to be batting zero, they need help but it is almost coming towards the end so maybe it just looks like it's really bad but it isn't. we shall see.
 

and I think they should put Mauro and Eloise together they make a great couple if they're not going to bring Florenca back and she is ashes so that's not going to happen. mauro needs to be happy in his life he is such a miserable man he's been married to the she-devil for years, way too long. he settled. that is the same thing max is doing, history is repeating itself.