Caray, Caray!

Recapping Schedule for the next two weeks:

Week 27
Capitulo 128 Mon Mar 23 - Anita
Capitulo 129 Tue Mar 24 – Lila
Capitulo 130 Wed Mar 25 – Sara (thank you for volunteering)
Capitulo 131 Thu Mar 26 – Anita
Capitulo 132 Fri Mar 27 – Kelly

Week 28 – Suggested
Capitulo 133 Mon Mar 30 – Anita
Capitulo 134 Tue Mar 31 – Lila
Capitulo 135 Wed Apr 1 – No One
Capitulo 136 Thu Apr 2 – Lila
Capitulo 137 Fri Apr 3 – Kelly

If anyone out there would like to pick up next Wednesday, please come forward!
 

Thank you, Anita, for another clever set up for the goings on in our little fantasy world of QA! Oh, just a little less than 3 hours and I'm there!

Lila
 

Here we go, folks, about 6 weeks left.

My plea to the writers, directors, producer:

Please clear up the mystery of El Doctorcito Guapo very soon and refrain from introducing more new characters (except for a worthy guy for Carolina).

Please get Ivan and Mariana back together before the last half hour. This has been torture.

Please figure out how you are going to decide the fate of Connie and her baby by Max before the last hour (and just before Max and Amaya's boda--if there is to be one in the last 10 min.).

I'm absolutely giddy knowing that Dr. Linares is in the picture. The biggest mystery is who was born first, El Doctorcito or Cesar. Of course it matters not if inheritance is based on nurture rather than nature, but I'd like to see Cesar squirm for a few episodes.
 

Great post Anita! What will this week bring us?
 

Thanks for setting us up for the week, Anita. And what a great theme. I love it!

I can't commit to recap next week because I'm off to Mexico mid next week.
 

Vivi--Oooh, envy. Will you be stopping in Chiapas? Maybe you can help straighten up all these people.

Well, anyway, we'll enjoy the cherry blossoms while you are away.
 

I'll mostly be on the Mayan Riviera-- so no Chiapas for me. But I will be there in the heart of Semana Santa, so it should be fun vacationing will all the vacationing Mexicanos.
 

Sounds lovely, Vivi! Have a great time!

Lila
 

Recap Mon Mar 23 (Capitulo 128) Pt 1

Hospital Continental - Max chases Amaya down the hospital hall to ask her why Cesar said that although she married him, she still loves Max. She looks blankly at Max, then slowly acknowledges the truth, yes, she still loves him. For Max, this opens up more lines of questioning that Amaya tries to deflect. He doesn’t understand how separating was best for both of them. She tries to “pin the blame” on Consta and their baby, but it doesn’t work. In a last ditch effort, she says she “had” to marry Cesar, but doesn’t elaborate. Max believes she is hiding something--someone or something obligated her. For Max it just establishes for certain that something did happen between them while they were lost in Chiapas and it was true when she told him she loved him. He can tell, now, by looking in her eyes.

Max keeps badgering Amaya on her choice to end it with him when they could have worked it out. Why did she destroy what they had between them. She caused him the greatest hurt in his life. He puts his finger on the heart of the matter when he asks why Cesar would have married her knowing she was still in love with him. She answers that those reasons are between Cesar and her—there’s no turning back. “No? Even though you still love me?” Amaya tries to get the last word in, “Someday you will understand why I chose Cesar and not you.” She says there’s nothing more to say. [“She” walks away, leaving “him” standing there all cute, and stuff. Ay Papi! --- Note: This is a quote from Paquita’s recap of D’Andres left standing as Camila turns and walks away from him in Amor Bravío, sometime after their first kiss.]

Back in Juli’s hospital room, Alan talks Juli into giving him permission to go to summer camp (they no longer talk about student exchange, it seems) with Valeria. Juli says to Alan that she’s happy he wants to go and that he’d be safer there. She doesn’t elaborate her reasons either.

Amaya finally made it to the hospital cafeteria. She’s musing, replaying her last kiss with Max as they were making love in the hut in Chiapas. She wishes she could be free again and they could start anew. Meanwhile, Max is leaning his head back against the wall, hands in pockets, thinking he’ll never understand Amaya. She loves him, but she’s with another. He’s just deciding he has to forget her, as Consta, all perky in her red lace shift spots him in the hall. She approaches and he admits he left to talk to Amaya, to clear up some things. Consta wants to know if it had something to do with what they heard Cesar say that morning. Yes, he says. Well, what, she wants to know. Nothing that will change anything, he answers, and draws her to him. Eloisa and Lucio show up just then and off they go to see Juliana.

Everybody is packed into Juli’s room and they discuss Alan and Vale’s trip to camp in the States. Vale leaves to meet her mother in the cafeteria. Max volunteers to take the rest to eat. They leave. Juli notices something different about Eloisa. Elo tells her all about her confrontation with Lucrecia earlier that day. The nerve of her! Elo proudly tells Juli she gave Luce what for and once he was divorced, if she and Mauro wanted to start something, nothing would stop them, so there! Juli is delighted. Elo says of course none of that is going to happen, she just couldn’t resist getting a good one in on Lu.

Juli tells Elo, in answer to her question about letting Alan go to camp with Vale, that if it hadn’t been that Alan was also exposed to whatever Cesar put in her car, she wouldn’t have let him go. Neither can figure Amaya out. She runs hot and cold from one minute to the next.
 

Mon Mar 23 Pt 2

Vale finds Amaya. She’s happy Alan is going. They have a couple of positive mother-daughter moments and Amaya assures her that by the time Vale gets back, things will have cleared up and Vale will get back to loving her the way she did before.

While at lunch al aire fresco, perhaps on the hospital grounds, Consta gets a phone call from Manuel. He doesn’t want to tell her the important stuff he wants to tell her over the phone, but she persuades him, now that he started it. Manuel fills her in on his intention to move Geno and José into his home after they are married. Consta is still resentful—he’s planning to move them into the house he shared with her and HER mother? Well, yes, he had. If he’s asking her permission, it’s not her place to give it. If he’s asking her opinion, he has it, she’s against it. Manuel is a bit baffled. (In some aspects Manuel is very obtuse and insensitive about the effect his prior double life has had on Consta).

Somewhere or Other – Caro is on the phone with her friend, Dario, whose brother works for the airline that goes to Chiapas. He asks her to forgive him for not staying in touch. Caro says same here. Caro wants him to do a big favor for her—it’s not with bad intentions, it’s for good. She wants his brother to verify that a certain person was a passenger on a certain date. He will and will get back to her when he has something. Then they agree to stay in touch.

Finca El Deseo – Mariana is back in her prison/room pacing, wondering if Don Benjamin believed her about the finca coffee plants being infected with the plague. Meanwhile, Uli is showing Don Ben around the un-infected parts of the finca. Don Ben wants to see everything. Uli doesn’t think it’s necessary. He can assure him the whole finca has the same top quality coffee as what he’s showing him. Without an invitation, Don Ben strides off toward the part of the finca Mari told him was infected (the interior part). Don Ben finds the plague-infected plants and says so. Uli tells him it’s not plague, the plant is just sick or something. What it boils down to is Don Ben knows coffee and Uli doesn’t, so no amount of trying to explain his “sick” plants to Don Ben changes his mind. Don Ben learns his lesson—that he shouldn’t have trusted Uli and he deserves his bad reputation. He is cancelling the deal (thank goodness he hadn’t signed anything). He tears up the offer right in front of Uli. Furthermore, he’s going to spread the word around the coffee growers that Uli’s lands are full of coffee plague. He leaves Uli alone. Uli can do nothing except look angry and swat at his plants.

Uli arrives back at the house. He yells at Effer and tells him it’s his fault the deal with Don Ben fell through. He saw the plagued coffee plants. Effer says he told Uli not to take him there. Uli complains he went there anyway. So, it’s Effer’s fault for not keeping better watch on the plants. Effer swears he did his job (when not answering Uli’s beck and call and keeping Mariana under surveillance 24/7, that is). [What’s the personality disorder called when individuals blame others for everything negative that happens because they won’t blame themselves—sort of like Lucrecia. Of course if things go right, it’s their ingenuity and intelligence that made it happen—sort of like Uli and Lucrecia!] YaY! Mariana overhears Uli complaining that no one will buy his property now that it is infected with plague. This buys her some time. Bad news follows. Doña Carmela (or Carmen) tells Mari in private she can’t help her any more. She wasn’t able to reach Amaya directly and she’s not going to try again. Her sister warned her not to do anything to provoke the patron. He has a terrible reputation and she needs the job. She’s really sorry for Mari, but that’s they way it will have to be.
 

Mon Mar 23 Pt 3

El Paraiso – Jorge is worried about Juliana. He’s telling Flavia there was something in her voice that left him uneasy. She said she was fine, but he doesn’t believe her. Flavia urges him to go to see her and set this unease to rest. He says he can’t go for all kinds of finca reasons. Flavia tells him she and Hector can take care of things for a few days, so, go already. Jorge accepts her “permission” to go. He calls her sister-in-law and happily goes off to pack, or whatever.

Lucio’s Therapist’s Office – Mauro has come seeking advice on how best to prepare Lucio for the impending divorce of his parents. He’s afraid Lucio will backslide. She thinks that is certainly a possibility. For now, he should say nothing. The divorce, added to his new school experience might be too many changes for him. However, as long as Mauro and his wife haven’t come to an agreement, she thinks it’s good strategy for Mauro to stay in the house while the proceedings are proceeding, to minimize the disruption. The therapist promises to help lay the groundwork for helping Lucio understand what is happening.

Somewhere in a Shaded Area – Amaya and Vale meet Caro. Caro has volunteered to take care of Chocolate and Taquito until she gets back from camp.

Dinnertime with Manuel and Geno – Over a restaurant meal, they are discussing the meeting Manuel had earlier in the day with José. He’s not sure Geno approves of how severely he dealt with him. On the contrary, Geno is very much in favor of his attitude—José has to either go back to school or work and his position would be determined by himself proper, and not because he is Manuel’s son. They agree they will have to be strict with him, for his own good.

Once that is out of the way, he wants to know what Geno thinks of their getting married in 15 days (remember, the marriage depended on José approving of it, being recognized by Manuel as his son and taking his name). Geno happily agrees and tells Manuel she’s thinking of taking a one-year sabbatical, to keep an eye on José and making a home for Manuel. Manuel reaches for the popular ring-in-a-small-velvet-box proposal and asks Geno if that means now she will accept marrying him. Of course. She gives him a big smile and a laugh—nice to see after all the anguish she’s been through. He slips the ring on her finger. He agrees to a church wedding, which is something she wanted. Smoochies seal the deal.

Nighttime at the MM – Consta is asleep in their bed. Max is awake and torturing himself, going over the recent scene that took place recently where Consta is announcing they are going to be a couple and will be moving to El P. Max knows, as much as Amaya tried to hide it, she was hurt by the news they would be moving away. He’s never going to understand her.

Amaya can’t sleep either. She has come out to sit on the steps to the garden of the MM. She recalls the break-up she forced on Max, followed by Cesar presenting her to the Montesinos clan as his wife—and the look on Max’s face. Amaya knows she is to blame for all this pain. She also knows she has very little time before Max leaves for El P.

Max approaches the window and looks down. He cannot understand why Amaya buried their love, yet he continues to be significant in her life. He decides the best for him and Consta is to leave, get as far away from Amaya as possible.

Amaya realizes how much she needs him close to her. His love has turned to hate, but her love for him will never die. She turns and looks up towards the windows. Max is in the shadows. She probably doesn’t see him, but he sees her. There follows split screens showing how much pain each one is in while their theme song plays quietly in the background.
 

Mon Mar 23 Pt 4

Días Después – Juliana is back home, still recuperating from major surgery; Jorge is at her side and Alan is due to fly out with Vale to camp. Juli gives him his passport and permission documents. Amaya and Vale come to pick him up. Smiles all around until they are gone. Jorge wants Juli to come to El P. with him. He has to return today. If she comes with him, it’ll do them both good. She can recuperate while he acts as nurse for her. What he least expects hits him between the eyes. She drops a Big Baby Bomba (BBB). The operation included a complete hysterectomy. She will never be able to have any more children. They have to break up. It’s her decision. There’s no arguing. No going back. She can’t give him children and she doesn’t want him to blame her and to resent her in the future when he can’t have children of his own. It’s because she loves him they have to break up. Jorge has never heard anything so ridiculous in his life. Who told her he wanted children. Juli says it’s logical. Alan is plenty for him. Juli says it’s not the same. It should be his decision whether he wants children or not. Juliana is intractable. Jorge is getting agitated. He points out this was a decision she made unilaterally; he should have had a say in the matter. Juli says for him not to make things more difficult. Jorge is exasperated. She’s the one making things difficult. He just won’t accept her decision. He wants to be with her, under all circumstances, whether or not she can have more children. He loves her. He wants to make his life with her. He loves her. He leaves her to think it over. Juli cries.

Arrival at El Paraíso – Happy greetings are shared when Max and Consta show up (by the way, speaking of showing—Consta is wearing a cute overblouse, but is not really showing any baby bump). Max learns that Iván is MIA. Hector has heard nothing from him since the day of his wedding. Flavia thinks they are worrying for nothing. After all, Amaya got a call from Mariana, so all must be well (note that they don’t know Amaya never actually talked to Mari). Consta tells the group about seeing someone who looked just like Iván in a wheel chair at the hospital. No one believes it was he. But what is true is that Iván’s long overdue and Hector has not heard from him. He tells them he wants to file a missing person report. Max goes with him. That leaves Consta and Flavia standing in the living room. With a quick “Bye” Flavia wheels and leaves the room—now the Cheese Stands Alone and she knows it.

Awhile later, while Flavia and Consta sit together in the living room, Flavia is concentrating on her studies and Consta feels ignored and bored. She decides to go take a nap. She reaches out and brushes Flavia’s hair. As soon as she’s gone, Flavia brushes her brush cooties away. This also gives Heri an opportunity to come in and interrupt her studies. He tells her about the local gossip, that Uli’s coffee plants have been hit hard with the plague. It’s very strange because there have been no reports of plague in the whole of the Chiapas coffee growing region. Not only that, but it’s strange it could happen with El Deseo being so closely guarded. Hmmm, Flavia thinks back to Vale telling her about seeing her abue carrying costales on his back with sick-looking plants. She shares her suspicion that Cipriano might be involved. They quickly agree since Cipriano has reason to have ill will towards Uli. It might be vengeance. Serves Uli right for making so many enemies. Heri will make sure they keep an eye on their coffee fields to make sure the plague doesn’t spread to them. Flavia thanks him and their eyes meet and linger just a little longer than normal. Flavia has a crooked little smile on her face.
 

Mon Mar 23 Pt 5

Finca La Tormenta WUN – Cecy has brought poor, invalid Iván back to his prison/room and he gets into bed--on top of the covers. Tadeo asks how things went. OK. Cecy starts to slime all over him, but Iván is tired and wants to rest. They’ll catch up later. She sighs, thwarted, and leaves to go to her office. Becca follows her in. She wants to know if Iván is remembering anything. Cecy says no, but asks her—no, tells her, to stay away from Iván in case he recognizes her and starts remembering other things.

A little later, Tadeo comes in to tell Iván dinner is ready. Iván asks him about a dark, curly-haired girl with green eyes he keeps dreaming about. Does he know someone like that? Before he can answer, Cecy practically busts the door down getting in before Tadeo answers (she MUST have been listening outside the door). Caught! They both act guilty as though this was something they are not supposed to be thinking or talking about. (I think Iván is beginning to question Cecy’s motives right about now.)

Finca El Deseo – The passports have arrived. Too bad. Uli recognizes he will be unable to use them as soon as he desired. Effer, thinking incorrectly that Uli is a real coffee planter, suggests starting over, getting rid of the plague, planting new coffee plants. Uli says nay and get thee gone to figure out how to kill the plague so he can sell the place as quickly as possible.

Sometime later, Mari is sitting on the bed, is aware her period is really, really late. It’s never been this late. Is it possible she could be pregnant, she wonders. When Doña Carmen arrives with her dinner tray, she begs her to get her a pregnancy test the next time she’s in town. Mari hopes it’s true. If she has to live without Iván, at least she can have their child and even if the child has to grow up without a father, she will have enough love to make up for his absence.

Mexico City Airport – Amaya is there to say goodbye to Alan and Vale. Amaya and Vale have a genuine love-fest and hug-fest while Amaya thinks to herself this will all be over by the time she gets back and they will move far, far away, where no one can hurt them. Oh, oh, Amaya still hasn’t picked up that she is being followed. The black-suited guy (who ought to be so obvious) checks in with Cesar to let him know his esposa has just put the kids on the plane. Cesar tells him to keep following her.

Comitán Bar-None – At least they haven’t barred Cipriano yet. He’s drinking with Whoracio, aka Güero (or blonde one). Cesar sent him to Chiapas for some dirty work. We’ll soon find out what it is. Whoracio is in a hurry to leave the bar.

Finca El Paraíso – Somewhat later, Jorge is in the living room complaining to Max about Juliana’s decision. If it weren’t for the second harvest, he’d have stayed in the D.F. to talk Juli out of this ridiculous decision. Max admits Juli had talked to him about it and advises Jorge to give her a few days before pressing his suit again. Jorge is talking to the wall—he doesn’t need children to live happily ever after with Juli. He just needs Juli. He’s determined not to lose her. Max wants him to calm down. They chat about Max and Hector filing a missing persons report on Iván and Mariana. Jorge didn’t think it was that serious, but Max says there are things that leave him preoccupied. They are about to join the ladies for dinner when Hector runs in screaming for Max and Jorge. He sends out the alarm: THE ZONA ESTRELLA IS ON FIRE.

Happy Hour at Montesinos Mansion – The bar is open and Cesar is offering Luce her usual martini. He’s gloating that their plans are coming to fruition. They don’t say what they are, but we can guess, because…we are taken to the Zona Estrella at El P. and the whole thing is on fire. We see the astonished and fear-filled faces of Flavia, Hector, Jorge and Max. Freeze frame on Max’s anguished face as he realizes all is lost
 

Anita,

Beautifully written recap as always.
Just checking in briefly before returning to the shadows for awhile.
I have nothing to say except Caro might have a new boyfriend - the guy on the phone. All is most frustrating at this time.

 

Floridia--The gusto es mio. Thanks for checking in. Are you also watching the episodes, or just reading recaps? Just curious.

I didn't want to pin my hopes on Dario for Caro this early, but with this tn, you never know. He seems like a nice guy--in a bit of a hurry.
 

Thanks, Anita! Fantastic recap. But what horrible events. Another harvest ruined at el Paraiso, and a win for Cesar. Boo!

What's up with all these women breaking these guys' hearts and making relationship decisions on their own? Poor Jorge. I thought he stated his case well, however.

I still don't think that Max is reacting to the words Amaya is saying. He has now heard her say and insinuate that she married Cesar for justice and that she was obligated to marry Cesar. To me, his first thought should be that Amaya was under some sort of threat or is being blackmailed in some way by Cesar. His reaction should then be, let me help you with whatever trouble you are in. We can do this together. Whatever issue you are having, I will stick by your side. Instead, he still goes back to making it about him and the Connie situation, when he knows in his heart that that isn't the real issue. Anyway, I am not impressed that he goes into default Constanza mode because he can't figure out Amaya. Keep trying.
 

There were definitely broad smiles on Dario's and Caro's faces. I see couple potential.
 

Thank you, Anita!
 

Thanks, Anita! Well, they're trying to loop us back into Amaya and Max love each other. Well, they made fevered, delirious love in an abandoned shack and now Amaya has declared she still loves Max. In the first instance Max wasn't sure and Amaya denied anything happened between them and in the second instance, as Vivi so aptly put it, Max is missing Amaya's meaning.

I know why she "had" to marry Cesar but this has been such a stretch as the requisite separating dynamic that I'm not feeling the love, even when they cue the QA theme and I'm left wondering, as Reader's Digest used to put it, "Can this (Marriage) relationship be saved?"

That said, a lot can happen in six weeks. I am anxious for Ivan and Mariana to be freed and Ceci to be punished: that would make a wonderful early anvil gift to us viewers!

Glad Vale and Alan have gotten to saftey so we are spared a Vale as hostage for the ZE story line! What will today bring? Hoo boy!

Thanks again, Anita. Always enjoy your thorough, wonderfully flowing recaps!
 

*I am anxious for Ceci AND Uli to be punished!
 

"I know why she "had" to marry Cesar but this has been such a stretch as the requisite separating dynamic that I'm not feeling the love, even when they cue the QA theme and I'm left wondering... "

Well said, Lila.
 

Sara--I think you said it for me..."I'm not feeling the love"...neither am I. Perhaps that is why I'm much more invested in Jorge and Juli's relationship, Ivan and Mari's, and Mauro and Elo's.

Max seems to be giving up on Amaya. Clingy Vine Consta seems to be making an effort to please Max and he sees familial bliss ahead of him. Amaya will just be a memory.

It's looking like it's too late for Amaya and Max. She'll be left with only memories, because ahead of her there is no marital bliss.

She's going to have a very difficult time extricating herself from this arranged marriage to Cesar unless something catastrophic happens--he either needs to be unmasked and sent to prison or killed off, sooner rather than later.

Wow! Six weeks to go and I'm already pondering karmageddons.

Back to the fire. Whatever is Max going to do now that he's lost his and his father's investment. It's too late to start over. I sure hope the fire investigators find the fire was arson. It was spectacular work, for just two guys working alone. I thought El P. was being guarded day and night.
 

Those were Lila's words :)

I'm definitely finding my romance from other characters. I'm over Max and Amaya. I know I haven't kept up with this as faithfully, but Amaya has just failed at almost everything. I don't feel like I can root for her.
 

I like you all am not feeling the love between the two. But my ire is mainly at Max who just gave up and gave in like a rag doll.
 

Vivi--This was not the first time Max heard Amaya talk about doing something for someone's "protection" and some day he'll understand why she chose this path.

When Max ran into her by the elevator, she was crying over Whoracio's refusal to allow Vale to travel to the camp. Her explanation was to keep her safe--to protect her. When he asked her from what--she realized she'd said too much and cut off the conversation. They were both still so vulnerable to each other at that point, she might have been willing to accept his help.

However, Max still believes his mother is a decent person, just tempermental and difficult. Unless he has some concrete proof, he's not going to believe Amaya's story. Sorry, Amaya, I wouldn't either, when you look back on it all, that: Lucrecia is a serial killer (women and babies are not exempt), bomber, arsonist, torturer, schemer, deceiver, adulterer, conniving liar, and probably an alcoholic. In other words, a one-woman crime wave.

On top of that, her relationship with Cesar is not based on real love, it's based on real greed. She's been grooming him since he was a child to become the titular head of a big, important, successful business, while she is the brains behind it. During the last 27 weeks, it has derailed. For 30 some years she's been in control of Mauro, Cesar, Lucio, Juliana, even Max, and the business. She accomplished this, as Cesar accused her, by getting rid of everybody that was an impediment to her life style.

Now she's losing control over everybody, including Cesar and she knows it. That may be why she's downing so many martinis. She will also get more desperate.
 

Lila--Yes, thank you for starting the "I'm not feeling the love." My eyes fell on the Reader's Digest quip. That was good, too. (It's hard for me to admit I read those when I was a teenager. Don't think it helped me make any better decisions.)

Anyway, not feeling the love was worth repeating!
 

Hey thanks, Anita, Sara, Vivi!

Guys, I still feel like this is a top shelf novela but I think they went overboard with the need to separate the two leads. I know that's the formula but this is so extreme! AND, they've got the leading man locked up in a relationship we can't really be angry about: a woman who is really isn't a bitch carrying his baby (Floridia's doubts notwithstanding) who wants them to make a home for their little family and a leading lady who has just committed blunder after blunder in her attempt to get justice.

I don't dislike Amaya and I do want her and Max to be together, I just would rather have been filled with swoonful desire to see them back together instead of "eh, Max and Amaya, meh."

That KISS way back when as she was about to leave Nescafe was what made me a fan of them as a couple and I just hope this crew can do like the Righteous Brothers and bring back that lovin' feeling!
 

Thankfully, one thing Amaya HAS done right is get Vale out of the country!
 

And (indirectly) Alan! As a Montesinos heir I would also think he was in danger. Or did I miss something?
 

Anita,

I am watching the show; just don't have time to read and comment much.
 

Sara--You didn't miss anything there. It's only that neither Juli nor Amaya are aware of the danger to Alan. For Cesar and Lucrecia, he would only be collateral damage because they are not plotting Juli's murder, only that she becomes listless, depressed and non-functioning in the empresa. They can't have too many family members murdered or someone will notice....

Floridia--I remember when you told us about your Spanish book club taking up more and more time. Still, I miss your participation. Glad you are still watching.
 

Good afternoon, how are Uli & Cecy Goldilocks upping the ante in keeping Ivan & Mariana locked up ?


 

Although no one realized it until now (Juliana re the "sprayed stuff"), Alan has, indeed, been in danger. Juli had mentioned at some point earlier that Alan was sleeping more than usual also. She spent more time in her car than he did, plus he spent more time running around in the fresh air, which is probably why it affected her more severely. Amaya has also saved Alan without knowing it, for sure.
 

Anon at 2:29--You are literally correct. I meant Alan was not a direct target of Lu & Cesar. Juli and Elo still don't know what it is or what Cesar's motivation was for spraying it.

I don't think Elo & Juli have connected Alan's extra sleep with what was sprayed in the car. But, I can't remember back that far!

For all they know--until they get the results back--it could be air freshener. But of course, they know Cesar is never up to any good, so it's a prudent of them to get the substance tested.

Steve--Your guess is as good as ours. We just have to keep watching and waiting. Right now Cecy has the upper hand with Ivan and Mariana is working against Uli behind the scenes.
 

Hi, Y'all. Here's our little story for the day, summarized and with some scenes combined. Enjoy!

Quiero Amarte #129 3-24-15 Pt. 1

Let’s get right to it! The Zona Estrella is burning while Lu and her satanic spawn Cesar toast their handiwork: Cesar sarcastically bemoans Max’s loss of his prize crop right at the point of harvest and thus his entire investment in ZE while Lu cackles that news that the ZE is going up in flames should be enough to kill both Amaya and Florencia. Cesar thinks to himself this is also payback for Max having slept with Amaya, HIS wife. Utterly sickening!

In short, there is much flailing around, wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth along with sloshing of ineffectual buckets of water and spadesful of dirt on the unimpressed flames. This goes on for a full forty five minutes (in Univision time) before the firemen finally arrive to douse the flames.

We’ll get back to the fire and its aftermath in a minute; let’s see what else is happening this fateful night.

Sicko Ceci continues to hold Ivan in her web of lies. He is more and more haunted by his dreams of a dark haired, green eyed beauty and asks Tadeo does he know of such a girl. For some reason everyone is afraid of Ceci or this whole charade could be over in two minutes. Anyway, Tadeo says “no” he doesn’t know such a girl and Ceci maintains she is just a figment of his confused mind. Ivan also almost sees “his mother”, Rebecca due to a childish ploy: she crashes a plate and unlocks the door to her room He goes into the room and she sees him but he doesn’t see her but seemed to recognize her voice. Ceci bitches Becca out and tells her she better be more careful. Ceci bristles when Becca tells her she’s “losing her reason.” Ceci shouts “I’m not crazy!” Becca could totally push her off the ledge with a few well-placed and accurate words about Ceci’s mental status and end this nightmare yesterday.

Uli has found another buyer for his finca. This one is a poor sap who doesn’t know from nothing about coffee but is just taken with the idea of owing a finca. Uli spews a bunch of lies about needing to seek urgent medical treatment for his fiancé as the reason he is anxious to sell and at such a bargain basement price. New buyer dude is prepared to close the deal in the morning. This time Uli is not going to allow any tour of the finca until he has the money in his hands! Later in the evening two of Uli’s brown-nosers tell him of the burning of the ZE. Uli is delighted. Mariana finds a rare moment of happiness imagining the peace and joy having Ivan’s baby could bring her: Even though its papa won’t be with them, she will love it enough for two!

Cip and Whor enjoy the camaraderie of fire and whisky on ice. Whor learns from Cip that Negro paid Cip to infect Uli’s coffee plantation. Whor thinks this information could be of value to him and files it away.

Amaya and Caro meet (not sure where they are) to debrief on their investigation. Amaya is glad Vale is on her way to summer camp in the US. Caro shows her proof that Negro was on the same flight as Gustavo and feels certain he is responsible for Gustavo’s death. Unaware of Negro’s death, Caro calls his cell and is taken immediately to voice mail.

 

Pt. 2

Amaya and Caro talk about how much Amaya misses Vale already and how it hurt to know Max and Connie are moving together to El P. Amaya hates being at MM but she’s got to keep looking for the memory to the camera. Amaya is sure Cesar still has it and when she finds it, she’s going to give it to Mauro and get the hell up out of that house!

Old friends Manuel and Mauro are having dinner. Mauro is a better listener than I am as Manuel talks about his arrogant, spoiled, idiot son. That’s pretty much the conclusion they come to. Feel free to add but I’m moving on.

Elo listens patiently to Juli whining how she misses Jorge but tells her she thinks her position on unilaterally firing Jorge is wrong! Jorge is “un hombre hecho y derecho” a sure-enough grown man, absolutely capable of knowing what he wants and if he says what he wants is her, she should trust her heart and trust him. Difficult? So is everything in life that is worth anything!

Well, praise the Lord! He topic of Mariana and Ivan has come up in Caro and Amaya’s little talk! Amaya has been worried and decides to call El P. to talk to Hector. Connie answers and Amaya learns of the finca fire! Holy roasted coffee!! Amaya’s gonna catch the first thing smokin’ (pun intended) to Chiapas!

Over at the swank eatery where Mauro and Manuel are, Mauro gets the same news right after Mauro updates Manuel on the cold Florencia case. There’s a hot fire in the ZE. Mauro will see Amaya in the airport and they’ll take his jet!

What else is going on this night? Well, there’s another kind of heat over at Cesar’s lair. He cuts his phone off; he doesn’t want to hear about the fire: he’s got an ample-hipped honey complete with handcuffs confessing she’s been a baaaad girl! Come on, baby, light my fire. . .try to set the night on fiiiiii-yuuur!”

Back to the fire. Flavia is fighting the flames valiantly alongside all the family members and every worker on staff at El P. The flames are unrelenting and the smoke is thick and choking. Flavia makes a mistake while spading the ground, falls, and can’t get up! She coughs and calls for help but no one hears! Angry flames lick viciously around her, threatening the little patch of safety where she finally collapses! Wait! Wait! It’s Heriberto calling her name and then he sees her, cloaks himself with a jacket he douses in water and then runs through the flames, ignoring a fiery tongue that burns his arm! He scoops Flavia in his arms and carries her away from immediate danger!

Reinforcements come to help Max and the beleaguered El P. staff in their unflagging efforts to extinguish the flames! Heriberto stops for a moment to coax a reaction from the unconscious Flavia. She jerks, wretches and coughs! He thanks God and picks her up once again and runs towards the house. Inside El P., Connie has already covered the sofas with sheets (this little detail pleases me) upon which Heriberto places her. Connie runs to get her water. Through tears and coughs, Flavia asks what happened, she thought she was going to die; she tried to get up, but couldn’t! Heriberto tells her he got her out. What a man! He literally put his hands in the fire to save her! Certain that she is okay, Heriberto retreats to go back to the front of the battle. Flavia notices his burned arm but he waves them off and leaves. Connie also has a first aid kit ready and asks if Max is okay. Flavia supposes he is. Connie looks worried.
 

Pt. 3

FINALLY! Finally the firemen arrive! Max, Jorge, Heriberto, Horty, Hector and Chelo are physically and emotionally spent. Some stand, some sit on the back of the fire truck gasping for breath and numb with despair. The fire quenches the last of the flames but washes away any hope of salvaging any of the crop.

Aboard Mauro’s private jet he and Amaya’s faces reflect the despair of those on the ground. She can’t believe this is happening. Mauro had such high hopes for this first harvest of the ZE. He had such grand hopes of fulfilling the promise he made to her mother to harvest the best coffee produced in all of El Paraiso. Amaya adds that it seems nothing will be born of that land, not coffee, and not the union of any of the people who come in contact with it. Mauro says Amaya is referring not only to him and Florencia but to her and Max. Mauro leans forward and tells Amaya it was not the Zona Estrella that separated him and her Mother, Florencia, and “it was Cesar who separated you (and Max). And it was YOU who decided to break up with Max and marry Cesar. Don’t blame anybody else.” Amaya looks chastened and lowers her eyes.

Cesar shoos his hussy out as he takes a call from his new flunky who reports Amaya went to the airport and took a private flight with Sr. Montesinos. Of course Cesar is pissed that she left without advising him and is on her way to Chiapas where Max is.

Did you ever have a time when you just couldn’t go on; when the thing that you fail to achieve makes everything else in life lose its meaning? Mauro asks if she means as it refers to Florencia? Amaya pleads with some impatience that her Mama is dead. Mauro is not hearing it! There is a woman in Guatemala who bears a striking resemblance to her and he’s not going to give up until he finds her! Amaya tries again and asks Mauro what if someone killed Florencia? Mauro REALLY cannot conceive of this: Who would kill her? She was a great woman! Amaya knows that is a fact. Mauro is definitive: “We are going to find your Mother, and we will recuperate from the damage done in the Zona Estrella. Amaya falls heavily against the back of the seat and weeps, “It’s just that there are so many things.” Mauro’s answer is that yes, there are, both at this moment, they both want the same thing. Having tested the waters and found Mauro resolute, Amaya knows this nightmarish game must be played out to the bitter end.

Max, Jorge, and Hector return to the house. The crop is lost but Max reminds them they are fortunate that nobody was hurt. Connie tells Max that Flavia was almost burned alive. (I’m sorry but Max is even gorgeous when he turns to Flavia with his face full of concern). What happened, Max asks Flavia? She says she was encircled by a ring of fire but Heriberto saved her, she had lost consciousness. She asks where Heriberto is. Hector tells her he is in the kitchen being tended by Chelo, he suffered a bad burn. Flavia immediately goes to the kitchen where Heriberto sits with his bloodied, medium rare arm above a basin with towel in it. The towel is drenched in his blood and Chelo gingerly applies a white salve to the burned area. Heriberto grimaces a smile through the pain and asks how she is. Flavia answers that she is alive, thanks to him. Flavia’s hair is pulled back in a pony tail and her heart-shaped face is smudged with soot and the dried blood from a wound on her right temple but her eyes shine with awe and appreciation as she tells Heriberto he is her hero. He risked his life for her and she is alive, thanks to him! Flavia asks Chelo to let her tend Heriberto’s arm. Chelo yields and Flavia takes her seat and gently applies the ointment. Max comes in and thanks him and shakes Heriberto’s hand reminding everyone once again that what is important is that they are all okay.

 

Pt. 4

Oooooh. Ivan, baby! What I see of your physique I am liking! Oh! Didn’t know you were still with me. Uh, let’s see. Ivan doesn’t know why he’s thinking about his mama. He goes to sleep and has more pleasant dreams: the beautiful Mariana! He doesn’t know if she’s real or a figment of his imagination but dreaming of her is so exciting to him! He sighs deeply and our sigh is interrupted by that uber evil Uli who has come to caress Mariana’s beautiful face. He curses the plague that infected his plantation; they must leave here! He admires her beauty and thinks to himself that though she is pregnant by another, he still desires her and kisses her cheek!

Uuuuuuf! Thanks for the buzz kill, writers!

 

Ooops! I realized later Caro had invited Amaya over for dinner b ut forgot to revise the recap.
 

I was wondering what that box was that Constanza was playing with. It thought it was a sewing kit, but first aid makes so much more sense. I figured she was just bored waiting for everyone to come back, but it was thoughtful of her to cover the white couches.

Can they make vine-roasted coffee a thing?

Kelly
 

Thanks, Lila! That second paragraph of part one was da bomb!

It must be questionable medical treatment week on Uni. In Sombra we had them moving an unconscious patient to a bedroom (no neck brace) and here we have 2nd or 3rd degree burns being treated in the kitchen. And Flavia didn't even wash her hands before treating the wound with that cream.
 

Can they make vine-roasted coffee a thing?

Alas, Kelly! Wouldn't that be perfect! 3-in-1 pre-roasted coffee?

Poor Max! He's putting a good face on it!

 

Hey, thanks Sara! You know I was thinking the exact same thing about Flavia contaminating the balm and the wound with her dirt and soot-encrusted fingers! YIKES!

I think as regards Heriberto, he saved her, but she's a goner!
 

I'm totally Team Flabierto! He's so sweet!
 

OMG, I had the exact same thought about Flavia's dirty hands when she went to treat Heriberto. LOL! Glad to know I can trust you guys to keep it clean and safe if I ever get hurt.

Thanks for the great recap, Lila. Things are looking pretty grim for Max's (and Jorge and Amaya's) business. Ah, but Cesar didn't think about how Amaya would immediately go to Chiapas, where Max is, because of the fire. HA! Serves him right.
 

You're welcome, Vivi! Cesar, that dastardly dummy! It's good to see he doesn't get everything right either though he thinks everything has been going his way.

Anybody with ideas on what Whor could do with the information that (the late) Negro paid (via Cesar) for Cip to infect Uli's fields? Somehow he must figure it will get him out from under Cesar's yoke but I'm not sure how. I'm hoping Cesar having a video of Whor burying Negro is just as damning for Cesar as it could be for Whor.
 

I'm so sick of Cecy's lemon-sucking pout! UGH!! How does she figure she can keep Ivan once he remembers everything? Imbecil!
 

Cause she's kerazy Anon, she's ker-raaazy!
 

I have absolutely nothing to say except I can't wait for today's episode!


 

Cecy Goldilocks is the younger version of Araceli Cosby!
 

Lila--Thanks for the HOT episode. I could just feel the heat. I was also spraying the screen with virtual water hoping it would help. Why *were* the bomberos so late in arriving? Consta was supposed to call them. Maybe the finca is about 45 min. away from town?

Except that this is a telenovela, I would have expected a finca with that much at stake to have it's own water supply and hoses. (I remember Hector kicking at some curled up hose when he discovered the flooding of the bodegas full of coffee.)

Yes, Max is gorgeous under any circumstance--even with a soot smudge on his temple.

First Aid Kit = Botín

Consta was told by Flavia to stay behind, but wasn't given anything to do, so she took the initiative to go get the botín and cover the couches.

Poor Mauro. On the plane when he told Amaya it wasn't the ZE that separated him from Florencia--it was the coming of Cesar. That's when he linked Cesar to the separation of Amaya from Max. But you got the important factoid: She can't blame it on anyone else but herself.

Cecy's crazy tirade, included the phrase, "....like my mother." Ta Dum. We know where she's going, no?

The two henchmen from El Deseo charged with watching El P. returned (making Uli furious) to tell him about the fire. They didn't want to stay around in case someone saw them and later blamed them for starting the fire. Hmmmm. And they didn't see Cip and Whor there with gallons of gasoline? That was a huge fire. Green plants don't burn that quickly---it's just a tn, it's just a tn.

Let's just say somewhere between the living room and the kitchen, Flavia stopped to wash her hands.

One detail I liked was Flavia taking off her long dangly earrings before she put her hair back in a pony tail to rush out to fight the fire. She's a human girl after all; she takes her earrings off one at a time, like the rest of us.

About that memory chip. The last time we saw it, Cesar was putting it in the inside pocket of his jacket. We haven't seen it again. I'm sure he's been careful, but if he's SMART (and that's up for debate) he'd hide it in his hideaway where Amaya isn't going to want to check.

Mauro's advice to Manuel was not to move Geno and Jose into his current house but to get a new one, one with no memories. I think Manuel was going to object on several points, but that's when Mauro got the phone call from Amaya.

Kelly--Vine-roasted coffee. That has potential!

 

I'm about to get started on the recap now. I'm typing right into the comments box as I rewatch, not copying and pasting from another document...so it may be Part one looooooong pause, Part Two. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Good episode today, but frustrating as usual!
 

Parte 1
Oh, before I begin I want to start with an apropos of nothing comment-This TN has some of the best ambient music that I've heard in a TN.

Right to the new
Everyone is tired after an evening of fire fighting. Cons has prepared dinner, but no one seems to be hungry. Flavia is still in awe of Heriberto's heroics and comments how much his injury must hurt. Max's praise of Heriberto's bravery is interrupted by the arrival of Mauro and Amaya. Cons explains that Amaya called while they were firefighting. Amaya explains that she immediately informed Maruo. Max didn't think either of them needed to come to El Paraiso.

Oh poor Teo. Because he feels like he's about to lose her, he confesses to Cecy that he loves her. She scoffs and tells him that he can't lose what he never had. Besides, she's his patrono. Teo reminds her that she was Ivan's patrona too. She tells him that Ivan has a degree (carrera) and dreams and ambitions. Teo is just a common peón. (Didn't Uli say something similar to Mariana waaay back when?)

Max, Mauro and Jorge discuss the fire. They won't know the damages until tomorrow. Mauro makes a comment about seeing the fields ablaze from the plane. Jorge tells him it took workers from El Paraiso, firemen and workers from other fincas to control the flames. An expert (perito cool word) will be there in the morning to investigate.

Teo keeps trying. He knows he can make Cecy happy. She just asks him to pretend the conversation never happened. If he can't, she'll have to fire him. She tells him to get back to work and forget about his feelings for her.

Amaya cries alone. Max catches her and asks if she's crying for ZE. She is. It was to be the first harvest from ZE since she lost her mom. Losing the harvest is like losing her again. Max reminds her that he promised to make ZE productive again. They lost mature plants but they still have the "cerezas" (let me know if you want links to agricultural articles in Spanish about them lol) and they can replant. He also had a lot of hopes in the harvest, but that's life and you have to keep looking forward. Amaya tells him that his never give up attitude is to be admired.

Cesar plucks his nose hairs and talks to Hector. Hector tells him him is suspicions that ZE was intentionally set on fire. The plants weren't dry and it was at night. The sun had nothing to do with it. Hector admits he suspects Uli. Cesar is perfectly happy with that idea. He ends the call and praises himself as a genius.

Max and Jorge lament the loss. Project Nescafe 3 en 1 is kaput. Amaya grasps at straws and suggests the young plants could still yield a harvest. Max tells her it would take too long. Max stops the bickering and tells them they will come up with some solution.

Amaya wants to talk to Hector about Marianna. They are both worried about Ivan and Mariana. Mauro tries to talk Max out of giving up the project. They need to crunch some numbers. Cons pipes up too. Things may look gray, but they can figure something out.

The perito arrives. It's his opinion that the fire was set intentionally. There was gas on the ground.
 

Thanks, Anita! I hope I'm not breaking up your recap, Sara! Thanks for the additional details, Anita! Always welcome!

:D Back to watching my DVR of today!
 

No problem Lila! It really can't be avoided since I'm such a slow typist. LOL.
 

Parte 2
Of course Max immediately wants to know who and why. Hector and Flavia are quick to suggest Uli. Jorge reminds Mauro of Uli's evil dudes. Max agrees that's Uli is capable of anything.

Carmela has gotten a pregnancy test for Mariana. She also tells her all about the fire at El Paraiso, specifically ZE. Mariana is upset and wants to know how everyone is. She begs Carmela again to call El Paraiso, but the woman refuses.

Uli went to see the farm administrator to tell him he wasn't selling. Meanwhile, Sr. Araujo had arrived. Effer tells Uli that he didn't let him walk the grounds. Uli also makes a comment about the losses El Paraiso must be suffering.

The pregnancy test confirms that Mariana is pregnant and she's thrilled (I teared up with joy a little, too.) She tells the baby she loves it and her father is the best man in the world.

Uli sees Sr. Araujo. Seems he ran into Benjamin last night and now he knows about the plague. Looks Like Uli lost a customber. He doesn't look happy.

Mauro is not 100% convinced that Uli is guilty. There's no proof and the investigation of the flooding hasn't yielded any proofs either. Max wants to confront Uli, but Cons and Mauro are against that idea. Mauro suggests they press charges first. Max wants to go with him, but he wants to see the workers that helped with the fire and give them a little payment. Jorge offers to go with Mauro. Amaya wants to go too, but needs to look into the mystery of Mariana. A phone call from Cesar interrupts her. Hector tells Mauro that he's already told Cesar about the fire.

Cesar is angry that Amaya didn't tell him she was leaving and on top of that she is with Max. She defends herself and tells him she's with Hector, Flavia, Cons, Jorge and Mauro as well. Cesar tells her the fire is out now come back home. She doesn't like his attitude. He's acting like ZE, the land her mother left her, is just a piece of paper. And not just the land. The whole 3 in 1 project, a project she's worked on for months, is in jeopardy. Aaaaand another thing...she needs to stay to look for Amaya.
 

I will have to interrupt this recap. Hubs wants me to go walking with him and I can tell he's hovering (he keeps coming in to "check on how the recap is going.") It's stressing me out while I try to work.
 

It's going great, Sara! No problem! My husband competes with my recapping -- I have to make sure I've got all the little chores connected to him done and a few extras so that there is peace when I commune with my peeps in the Caray Nation! Hee hee!

Anwho, love how the good guys are putting things together though it seems like poor Ivan and Mariana have languised in the captivity of the crazies far too long! I am soooo glad it's about to be over. I don't even need gruesome anvils: just lock their asses up and get 'em off the screen. I'm tired of Uli and Ceci! And then, let our two love birds get back together and give us, the love-starved audience, something to swoon about again!

Loving it, Sara, see ya when ya get back!
 

Sara--Take your time. I know what you mean by having someone looking over your shoulder while you try to write. I haven't even seen the episode yet, but I can visualize it perfectly from your description.

I'll go watch, then I'll be back.
 

Parte 3
And please pardon all my deleted comments. I had made some egregious typos that interfered with comprehinsion. I wish we could edit comments.

Effer and Uli discuss the buyer that got away. By now everyone knows about the plaga and no one will want to buy. Effer suggests getting a loan to plant new plants. Uli decides he'll get a loan...but will use the money to leave the country.

Cesar tells Lucrecia about Amaya going to El Paraiso. Luce is not surprised. Amaya has a sentimental attachment to the place. Cesar hates sentimentality. Cesar is please that Max's product will never make it to the market and another good thing is everyone thinks Uli is responsible for the fire. Luce can't believe it, but how fortunate. She beams and tell Cesar he's a genius. He thanks his "maestra." Luce beams some more motherly pride. Blech.

Amaya and Hector discuss the Mystery of the Missing Novios. It's just odd that no one has heard from them. Hector tells her they've filed a missing person report and authorities are looking for them. Amaya isn't moving until they show up.

Uli comes to tell Mariana that tomorrow he will be getting a loan so they can leave the country. Mariana tell him she is pregnant and he asks how she knew? She asks if he already knew and he deflects it with "Don't answer my question with another question." Mariana really should question him more, but she just tells him about how happy she is to be having Ivan's baby. Uli tells her to enjoy it while she can since she won't be with her very long. Mariana asks what he means by that. Uli leaves and Mariana tells her belly she will defend her child with her life if she needs to.

Max pays the workers for their help. Hero-berto doesn't want to take it. The workers from El Deseo thank Max and mention not getting paid when Uli fired them all. Max asks about that and they tell him the rumor was that he had a new novia that was sick or something and that Uli was taking her away for treatment. Hector overhears.

Amaya talks to Vale. We know the child is in the US because there is a picture of President Obama behind her. Vale tells her that she is glad she went on the exchange and glad her mom made her go. Amaya seems happy with this news.

Hector asks when the new novia came around and the workers tell him a few weeks. Hector asks to speak to Max alone. Hector has put 2 and 2 together and thinks Mariana may be the new "novia." The time coincides and Uli was pretty obsessed with her. It would explain why they haven't heard from them and why Uli wants to leave so quickly. Max agrees and says they need to investigate.
 

Parte 4
Mauro and Jorge are at the police station. The police guy tells them that the didn't find any proof against Uli from the last crimes they reported (robbery and the flooding.) Mauro and Jorge insist it's Uli. The report even says the fire was intentionally set. Police guy is not sure it was Uli. Mauro asks him to continue to investigate. Mauro wants justice.

Max and Hector return to the house and see Amaya crying. She explains she was just emotional after talking to Vale. Max and Hector tell her their suspicions about Uli's new "novia." Amaya agrees that Uli wouldn't leave Mariana alone.

Carmela brings Mariana tea (which makes me nervous as hell considering Uli's latest threat.) Mariana tells her about the baby and again begs the woman to help her. Effer interrupts them.

Max wants to use the fire as a pretext for going to see Uli. Amaya wants to go, but Hector thinks it's a bad idea. Flavia wants to go too, but Max wants his sister to stay. Even Cons wants to go, but Max doesn't want her to risk (exponer) her pregnancy.

Teo informs Cecy that a police officer wants to speak to her. He didn't say why. Cecy instructs Teo to have him wait and to tell him she'll be with him in a moment. She goes to Ivan's room and gives him his calmante (it's a double shot.)

Flavia updates Juli and Elo. Flavia assures them everyone is fine. Everyone is out right now so they can't talk to anyone. She feels responsible for bringing Uli near her family. Elo tells her it's not her fault. Juli asks her to have Jorge call her.
 

Parte 5
And I thought I would get a Jose-free episode. Drat.

All the papers have been signed and Jose is officially Jose Olazabal Mendoza. Don Manuel tells him that he is officially his son and Jose responds with "and officially your heir." Genoveva gently reprimands him. Manuel tells Jose that his mom wants them to be a family and for that to work, Jose has to be on board too. The twerp says he is. Manuel wants to take him to the office and show him the ropes since the publicity business will be Jose's one day. Genoveva is over the moon and I feel so bad for her.

The policeman has come to La Tormenta WUN to ask about Ivan and Mariana. Cecy badmouths Ivan. He was her farm administrator and he's left her high and dry. She tells the policeman that she has no idea where they could be. She just paid for the trip. Ivan made all the plans. All she knew was they were planning on traveling all around the state. The policeman resigns himself to searching the whole state. He leaves his card.

Juli calls Jorge. He's pleased. She still cares! He's not going to let her day.

Cesar is pleased with Whor's work. While he gets the money out of the safe, Whor thinks mean thoughts. As soon as Whor has milked Cesar out of his cash, Whor is going to spill all the coffee beans about the plaga and the fire.

Max, Hector and Amaya arrive at El Deseo. They explain to Uli about Mariana and Ivan's disappearance. They want to meet the new novia. Uli refuses. Max asks if that's because Mariana is the new novia. Carmela lurks in the background. Amaya and Max refuse to leave.

Juli walks in to Cesar's office just as money is exchanging hands. She needs to talk to Whor about the 3 in 1 exports. They project will be delayed. Cesar is incredulous. Delayed? Surely the project is cancelled. Juli tells him that Max and Jorge are not giving up and she leaves. Cesar tells Whor to keep him informed of all the plans.

Carmela knocks on Mariana's door and tells her her sister is there. Carmela can't open the door because it's locked. Mariana starts calling Amaya's name and pounding on the door. Max and Amaya hear her. "My sister is here!" Amaya exclaims.

Freeze frame on Uli's angry face.
 

I am so sorry this took so long!!
 

Sara! Girl! This was super speedy and super cool! All the details of an episode we've all been waiting for: Mariana and Ivan are about to be freed!!! They'd better be!

This cracked me up when it happened and again when you noted it:

We know the child is in the US because there is a picture of President Obama behind her.

Cheesy and funny as hell!

Oh, that was rich!

Anyway, I hope they don't prolong Mariana's liberation!

One thing, just before Ceci came in to talk to police guy, Tadeo was talking with him and I hope he told him some things "off camera." Hopefully police guy was gathering intell which he will share with a unit who is right outside El Deseo waiting to storm the joint with the least provocation!

. . .a gal can dream, can't she?

Thank you Sara! This is wonderful and perfectly timed!
 

Sara--Super, super recap. You've given us a lot of hope. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. (I also loved seeing the framed photo of Pres. Obama--and U.S. flag, behind Vale.)

Here are some things I noticed.

When Sr. Araujo came to cancel his offer to buy El Deseo and why, Uli just stood there in silence. This time he didn't argue or tell the guy it was all a lie. He knew the jig was up.

Whenever Consta is close to Max she makes sure there is some physical contact. She just has to put her hands on him, around him, kiss him, lean on him--all to make sure Amaya knows he's HER property and HANDS OFF.

Are liquid sedatives really still in vogue? In unlabeled little brown bottles? Sorry, they slipped on this one. They should have been pills, but then Cecy wouldn't have been able to give Ivan a double dose. (I'm only wearing a thin 100% silk beanie in this telenovela, but this was one time where it slipped over one of my eyes.)

And lastly, when Mauro and Jorge were trying to get the Comandante to believe that Uli was responsible for setting fire to the coffee crops, El Com. said there might not be enough evidence to hold him. I hope the Comandante is good enough at his job to check the local gas stations and farm supply stores for any unusually large purchases of gasoline in the last 24-36 hours.
 

Oh, and didn't you just love it when Juli walked into Cesar's office, just as he was handing over a wad of bills to Whoracio?

Talk about great timing for the good guys. I wonder how he's going to explain it, because Juli will be sure to ask.
 

Yes, I did love when Juli just walked into Cesar's office as he was paying off Whor. I'm sure Juli came in unannounced because of all that was happening at El P. She is smart as a whip and I'm sure she's going to remember this.

It's going to be fun and exciting watching all these different threads be woven into a nice, thick, noose for Cesar and Lu's necks!
 

I ended up having to watch through today on Monday because of the previews. Couldn't wait for today's capitulo! And can't wait to see how Uli explains himself.

Couldn't they have shwon the Statue of Liberty outside the window of Vale's school? Then it wouldn't be more clear as to where she was.

Loved the detail of Cesar picking his nose hair. If this actor is coming up with all these ticks, he's even better than I thought. Better in an icky way, that is.

Kelly
 

Kelly--Remember in Amor Bravio when Alonso (aka Cesar) used to bite his nails when he got nervous and Mama Isadora kept slapping his hands. I'm sure he's got a whole briefcase full of these ticks.
 

Gracias, Sara! I haven't had a chance to watch yet, but I just love that Mariana has been found! Yay!
 

Yes, and I just can't see Uli getting out of this! Hopefully she will be officially rescued tomorrow!
 

I am so happy this mess with Ivan nd Mari is about to end I can't stand uLi in CC. but theres about to be a fight in Uli's house because Mari is yelling her head off, and I don't think max is going to allow her to be stuck there with that crazy person anymore. and that effer person has a gun so theres gotta be some gun fire before it's all over with. and why is that aMaya still talking to Caesar after he raped her, really? I don't think she and Max are doomed to be apart forever once she stops making all of those stupid mistakes. I wish them all well.even consta.
 

Hey, Anon. You are right on all counts! A little more than three hours and we'll see if the nightmare is about to end for our Ivan and Mariana!

Put Ceci and Uli UNDER the jailhouse!
 

I'm thinking that Ivan might take a little longer to find. Unfortunately Mariana thinks he's dead. :(
 

Sara--I laughed at your statement about this not being a Jose-free episode. I hate getting Jose scenes, too, but he doesn't bother me as much as Genoveva does when she's with Jose and Manuel.
 

Sara, I'm counting on Tadeo to have talked to police inspector guy. Poor misguided dude might think he has a chance with Ceci if Ivan is removed from the picture. Plus, I think Tadeo is a decent guy and knows Ceci is doing evil.

Plus, maybe that useless "mother" of Ivan's will get a message to the police.
 

I really hope so and I hope it happens soon! Is it too much to hope it happens this week?
 

I don't think so. Mariana is the only one who thinks he's dead: Ivan's Dad and none of his friends at El P. think so either!
 

But if Mariana tells everyone Ivan is dead? Maybe cooler heads will prevail and remind her he was only left for dead.

I'm so glad I'm watching this. I have less time to wait between the end of La Sombra and the beginning of an exciting show.
 

(which isn't entirely true about the waiting. Having 6 novelas to watch always means there's a backlog on the DVR!)
 

True. My hope is Tadeo and Becca. I'm hoping the "investigation" by the police didn't end with him giving Ceci his card and saying "have a nice day."
 

6 novelas! Lordy! I feel like a glutton doing 2!
 

Well. Yeah. No kids at home and I'm an early riser. I do a lot of watching on the weekends. The only shows I make sure I'm not behind on are Sombra and Tierra, but QA has gotten really good so I've been keeping up with it more.
 

Recap will be up around suppertime.
 

Thanks in advance, Anita!
 

Recap for Thu Mar 26 (Capitulo 131) Pt 1

Note: in this episode we also get a series of heart-melting head shots of Gorgeous Max in a sky-blue polo shirt setting off his tan, framing his deep brown eyes and sensuous lips—the ears and nose in harmony with his handsome, chiseled face, and, to our delight, he’s baby-skin clean shaven too. This manly perfection is finished off by a crown of neatly combed dark brown hair. Be still my heart. Ay Papi! Strut your Stuff for us.

MARIANA IS RESCUED - THE SEQUESTER IS OVER – Gracias to the Virgencita and Doña Carmen (but mainly Doña Carmen) - There is a short repeat of Mariana screaming Amaya’s name from behind her locked prison.
Amaya is quick to recognize her sister’s voice and starts screaming herself. Max goes into high gear, while Hector hangs back for a second. Uli blocks Max advance, but Amaya makes her way past them to search for Mariana. Effer has pulled his gun and Max backs away. Too late, Amaya has made her way to the bed rooms and finally finds which one Mariana is in. She is stymied by the locks. Doña Carmen is there and runs off to get the keys.

Meanwhile, Max grabs at Effer’s extended hand holding the pistol and pushes him away and the gun clatters to the floor. Uli comes at him and Max swings—and connects with Uli’s jaw. Hector gets into the action. He has grabbed the gun and bonks Effer on the back of his head and he’s down and out for the count. As he follows Max out, who is on his way to find where Amaya went, Hector turns Uli over onto his back with his foot.

Max’s training as a fútbolista comes in handy as he kicks in the door holding Mariana prisoner. The lock flies off and the door opens wide. To their relief, Mariana is there, seemingly unharmed. Amaya is the first to hug her. Hector, Max and Carmen are also witness to the rescue of the princess. Hector wants to know where Iván is. Mari has to tell him he’s not being held by Uli because….Uli beat him to death when they kidnapped her. She saw it all. When she admits she didn’t actually see a dead body, Hector holds out some hope he’s still alive. Mari says that can’t be or he would have come looking for her, or contacted Hector.

Hector is furious. He gets away from Max and heads back to the living room where they left Uli and Effer knocked out. They are ready to call the police. Of course, and why wouldn’t he have, Uli has come to and made good his escape. He’s off in his black pickup, leaving only a cloud of dust behind. Effer is still out cold. Amaya calls Chelo to give her some instructions. Mariana has a sweet moment with Doña Carmen and thanks her for her help. If she hadn’t alerted Mari to Amaya’s presence, she wouldn’t have been freed.

Uli abandons the pickup near an old shed, but doesn’t go in it. He takes off on foot up over the hills and through the pine forest. He hates ditching the truck, but he knows the police will be on the lookout for it.

Now we understand Amaya’s call to El P. first, before calling the police. The workers at El P. have formed a posse to begin scouring the countryside for Uli. Heriberto is heading up the posse handing out instructions. He’ll keep looking along the highway in the white pickup and the other men are to search the hills on foot. They come close a couple of times, but they don’t find him.
 

Thu Mar 26 Pt 2

Along comes another pickup laden with bales of straw or hay. We know exactly what is going to happen, and it does. They guy stops at Heri’s request, but the driver hasn’t seen anyone of Uli’s description. The driver watches as Heri and his sidekick move on and while the truck is stopped, Uli climbs in back and hides among the bales.

Meanwhile, back at El Deseo, the police commander has arrived to take Effer into custody. He needs everybody to come to the station to give statements.

Last Will and Testament – Lucrecia calls to make an appointment with the notario. She wants to check the status of the will she and her husband made some time ago. She arrives sometime later and is welcomed into the lawyer’s office. Of course, her real interest is to make sure she gets everything that’s coming to her and that Mauro has not made any changes since Juliana came back with Alan or to include Consta and Max’s unborn child—or, perhaps even leaving something extra to Amaya. THEN, she thinks to herself that “matter” involving Mauro has to be moved up—by “matter” she means dispatching him. The lawyer tells her in the case of Mauro “going” first, she gets 50% of their worth and the other half to his children, to be divided equally. There is one clause benefitting the first born grandchild with the surname Montesinos first (before the mother’s surname) with 2% of the shares in Nescafé. For that to occur, the child would have to be the issue of one of the male members of the family—Cesar, Max or Lucio. She mentions to the lawyer that Max is expecting a baby would be the one inheriting, but hopefully not for a long time (as she lies through her grinning face).

Lucrecia is in a park, walking and texting Cesar to let him know the will hasn’t been changed. It is paramount they not let Mauro make any changes. He agrees. Lucrecia has, in effect, announced plans to kill Consta’s baby because she actually texts that wants a mini-Cesar to be the first grandchild, blood-related or not. She says Max can always have other kids—later. Cesar agrees to continue with their plans. (A double anvil as big as that wagon that sits outside of El P. full of flowers is less than what these two deserve.) Cesar gloats that there exists the possiblility Amaya is already pregnant. Luce doesn’t want to hear that, not even in jest. He can have a baby with whomever he wants—just not Amaya.

And I thought I would get a José-free episode. Drat. (Hmm, where have I heard that before.) – Manuel is showing José around on his first day at work. José wants to see his office right away. What office? Manuel has to explain he’s starting out on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder—in the records department. José is definitely not pleased. Manuel’s advice—in order to manage this business well, as he someday will, he needs to know the business well, seems to register. We suspect if it registered, it’s how to use this information to his advantage sooner rather than later.
 

Thu Mar 26 Pt 3

Finca El Paraíso – Jorge and Mauro return to El P. to tell Flav & Consta they filed the report against Uli being responsible for setting their fields on fire. They are relaxed with the idea to let the police do their job. Consta tells them she hopes that is so because Max called to tell them Uli had been holding Mariana again. Mauro and Consta leave to go call Max for the latest intel. Jorge and Flav are left by themselves to talk about this sicko. Jorge is sure that once they find Uli, they can get him to tell them where he’s holding Iván. Jorge hopes it is another one of his lies that Iván is dead.

This discussion is interrupted by Sal (who’s still looking good, despite the rat’s a** he’s been to Max, Consta and most lately making inroads on Flavia’s feelings). He heard about the calamity that befell El P. and wanted to see how Flavia was. He tried to call her. Flav says there was no reason for him to actually come himself. Just as he gives Flav a friendly little hug (which she welcomed), Mauro comes roaring in like a mama bear protecting her cub. Hands off his daughter. Sal is not welcome here. He’s told to get the h*ll out. Flavia tries to take things down a couple of notches, but it just fires up Mauro even more when he thinks they are seeing each other. Mauro is still furious at Sal for what he did to Max and Constanza and now it looks like he’s consoling himself with Flavia because Consta is back with Max. (Meanwhile, Consta is standing there pretty dumbfounded by all this male testosterone flying around.) Sal decides it’s useless to try to explain his motivations. He leaves and says he’ll talk to Flavia later. She is embarrassed. Mauro urges her to think about Sal. He doesn’t want Flavia hurt any more.

Consta and Flav have a little têtê-à-têtê about Sal. Consta probes a bit. Does Flav like Sal? And if she did, what? Nothing, no reason. Flavia insists that she’s changed, matured and she’s forgiven Sal for what he did to Consta and Max. Consta takes the opportunity to warn Flavia on some of Sal’s negative personality traits. He makes a much better friend than boyfriend.

Sal is seen later mulling over these two women in his life. He crosses Consta off his list. He’s decided Flavia is a keeper.

Jorge has taken Mauro out for a walk-about to cool him down a bit. Mauro is still hot under the collar. Jorge wisely points out that Flav is a big girl now, matured, and it would be nigh impossible to prevent her from seeing someone she liked. Jorge mentions Eloisa’s name as someone Flavia leaned on recently for advice and consolation. Mauro is in wonder over Elo, she always seems to be in the know before he or Lucrecia are. Jorge points out Elo has always been like a mother to Flav. He tells Mauro not to worry about Flav anymore. Later, Mauro and Flavia have a lengthy father-daughter talk. He apologizes for his earlier behavior and gives her advice on love and life and her love-life. He believes she’s worthy of someone better than Sal, who is older, set in his ways. Mauro has known him for many years.

Uli Evades Capture – When we see Uli next, he’s dropped himself off at a pueblo and has taken a room in a hotel. He seems to have brought a wad of cash with him. He immediately calls his finca and finds out from D. Carmen that Effer has been arrested. It’s clear this is not good news. He warns her not to say a thing about this phone call. He dons a hat and a pair of glasses and goes to the bus station to get a one-way ticket the heck out of town. And where does he propose to go? To Tapachula (which is Way Down South/WDS).

La Cantina – Cipriano is back in his game. He seems to be having better luck with the cash Whoracio gave him that what either Negro or Uli gave him. He feels good, until some fellow comes to tell him of the latest chisme. Effer has been arrested as being an accomplice of Uli’s in the sequester of Cip’s daughter. Cippy thinks that’s old news. The guy assures him it’s very fresh and Uli is a fugitive.
 

Thu Mar 26 Pt 4

Headquarters – Efraín rats out Cipriano, even though he truthfully says he knows nothing about the arson-caused fire at El P. Cip has been aiding Uli to carry out all the nefarious activities Uli was involved in. Mari can’t believe how low her father has sunk. She tells the Comandante about his putting her up as collateral in a gambling bet he lost to Ulises. The police are going to go pick him up at the cantina. Mari gives her statement.

COMANDATE—YOU ARE TO BE AWARDED A GOLD STAR. You asked the $64,000 question. How did Ulises know where Mariana and Iván were, when they were getting married and where to find them? Without stopping to wonder, Mariana says she doesn’t know. Comandante wonders if maybe Cipriano knew. Definitely not. Once Uli shut her up in the room, there was nothing more she could do—he even threatened the life of her sister and niece. She was afraid. Comandante goes on to tell Mariana that Insp. Guzmán had been to the finca La Tormenta, but the Señorita knew nothing about them or their whereabouts since their wedding day. Max offers their help in the investigation into Iván’s disappearance. The Comandante is done, they are free to leave.

On their return to El P., Mariana is warmly welcomed by Mauro and the rest who have been waiting patiently. Unfortunately there is no news on Iván. Mariana chooses this moment to tell Hector and the rest of the assembled friends and relatives she’s expecting a baby—Iván’s baby.

Finca La Tormenta WUN or WDS – Becca wants to know what the police wanted with Cecy (I guess it was too much to hope for that Tad said anything to him since it is obvious Becca didn’t.) When Cecy tells her it was about the missing person report Hector made, Becca guesses it means Hector didn’t believe her. That may be so, says Cecy, but she’s content because the police believed HER totally. She accuses Tia Becca of being a Debbie-Downer. She’s not giving up until she has Iván accepting their relationship. But, wonders Tía, how is she going to feel if things don’t work out the way she wants them to. Cecy leaves without answering.

Drat, I was hoping to get a Geno-free episode – Geno comes to see Juli in the Nescafé office and tells Juli of her decision to resign her position to keep an eye on José. Juli agrees with her reasoning. Family comes first.

Later, Juliana is talking business with Whoracio. As he leaves, Juli asks him about that big wad of money Cesar was handing him earlier. He pauses a moment and tells her it was for commissions based on sales. She doesn’t buy his story, especially for Cesar to be paying him in cash. Juli reminds him everything coming in and going out of the business has to be accounted for. He’s in total agreement. He was only following his bosses orders to deliver this cash to someone down on the plant floor. She can check with Cesar if she doesn’t believe him. The roll of the eyes after he leaves tells us she doesn’t believe him—but will she ask Cesar?

Lucio’s School – Directora tells Elo that she found out Armando had been molesting other girls and so he was dismissed based on that information, not Juliana’s accusation alone. The other news is that Lucio is so talented he’s going to enter a contest for artists from all over Mexico and will be representing his new school.

The Cantina – Bartender is talking to Cip about his seeming indifference to his daughter’s sequester and all the other bad stuff he seemed to have his hand in. Right behind him enter some sinister looking guys. Oh, hey! They are the good guys, come to arrest Cipriano. He objects, he knows nothing, he swears on his dead wife’s soul. They pay no attention to his protestations and out he goes with them.

Bus Station Waiting Room – Uli is perfectly disguised sitting in the waiting room, waiting for his bus to Tapachula. He takes the time to call Cecy. He’s on his way to her finca. She says no way. He says, like it or not he’s coming. If she doesn’t receive him, she’ll be one sorry lass. Freeze frame on Cecy’s FROZEN face
 

I think tadeo can do a lot better than ceci. you know she could be Caesar's daughter cuz she's just as psychopathic as he is. and as for Sal hurting consta and max, he did not hurt them by himself, Costanza was a willing participant in this after all she's the one that left the church and hopped in the car with Sal.well she didn't really get to the church he headed her off on the way, anyway she decided she was going to have a life with crazy sal.and she didn't even have all the information before she left max at the altar.talk about a gigantic hypocrite. and she's standing there looking all innocent while Mauro is tearing down sal. mauro shouldn't eat or drink anything in that house, cyco lusatan is thinking murder.
 

Anon at 7:58--Thank you for covering the Consta-Max-Sal WB event for us again.

It was was discussed during the episode in Sal's confrontation with Mauro. But, I already had a lot on my plate (besides watching Max's every move) trying to describe Mariana's rescue accurately.

I concur that Mauro had better hire a food taster to stand by him at meals. Food poisoning is an ideal way to get rid of Mauro without (supposedly) leaving any trace of her hand behind. Maybe she'll try to make it seem like Consta or Amaya did it, tu crees?
 

Awesome as Always, Articulate Anita,

It's time for Constanza to reiterate her story about seeing Ivan in the hospital. The timeline would indicate that he is alive. She should also be able to describe the woman who was pushing his wheel chair. Marianna would figure out that he was with Cecy. All hands on deck! They all need to Storm La Tormenta.... capture two birds with one stone. This whole double kidnapping angle has been ridiculous.

So soon, Seething Sal? - still simmering, smoldering, sizzling, and sweating. You can see why Constanza does not want him to be her Baby Daddy.

Back to my theory - she doesn't know for sure who is the father, but she dodged a bullet and rigged it for certain that Sal would be ruled out. Jorge and Juliana will bring up that child.

I have no idea if this will happen, but I am relishing this theory and clues point to it.

Tender, loving Mauro has always wanted to be a good father - although clueless in so many ways.
 

Thanks, Anita -- GREAT recap, especially love the paean to Max's beauty!

Got a phone call. . .more later!


 

Floridia--Regrettably, Sal is so handsome, well dressed, articulate, intelligent and accomplished--a successful college prof, etc. etc. that it's hard to think of him as a controlling, jealous, manipulative and physically abusive person.

OTOH, men like Sal abound in real life, so maybe Consta did see a way out of her predicament.

Nora and Consta went and got a DNA test for her baby and Sal. The results were a big "negative" for Sal being the baby daddy. At least that is what we heard Consta say. Does anyone remember if she showed the results to Nora or anyone else?

But I agree with you, Floridia, by the time she got the test results back, she'd had enough of Sal's "negative personality traits," that she might have lied, if she could, to make Max be the baby daddy.

She was pretty insistent to Nora that Max needed to know he asap. Nora asked her if it was really so or was she using it to try and get back with him. She could have raised the baby with Sal or on her own. Consta admitted there was truth in wanting to get back with Max.

To me, Consta isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she's 95% honest (because she overheard the first time Amaya and Cesar were having a discussion that he married her knowing she still loved Max--and didn't say anything to Max{of course neither would I under the same circumstances}). She's also nearly transparent, so it would be a long shot for me to believe she lied about the results.

But to try to get her man back, she might have been willing. The jury (mine and Floridia's) is still out on Max or Sal being the baby daddy--but stranger things have happened in tns.
 

Thanks so much, Anita. I read the great recap, then dove in to watch.
ITA about how scrumptious Max was looking in that blue shirt.

Again, I am SO happy Mariana has been saved. I know we are not supposed to tease about Uli's delgado (that's how Heriberto and his companion described him) frame, but all I kept think when he was hiding among those skinny trees was that for the first time I would totally buy a person being able to hide behind one of those trees. Don't throw stones at me. (That's only allowed over on Sombra). :)

I learned a new word this episode: lodo. Mauro used it with Sal: "Estas actuando con dolo (deciet)." He said this after Sal pointed out that Connie had been forgiven, so why not him. I kind of agree with Sal. The only reason Connie was welcomed back into the fold is because she's carrying Max's child and because everyone is ticked off at Amaya.

 

From what I recall is that we saw Constanza hand over a good-sized
lock of hair for the test. My contention is that hair could have come from a student - perhaps sleeping alone unnoticed at a library table - as I often did in college.

Somewhat at risk to the baby, a sample of DNA was obtained. The DNA did not match that of the hair sample.

Correct Conclusion: The DNA was not that of Sal.

Erroneous conclusion I: Sal is not the Baby Daddy. (His DNA was not used in the comparison.)

Erroneous Conclusion II
The DNA is that of Max.
(Max's DNA was not used in the
comparison.)

As the Montesinos noted, Constanza was not a lose woman. She was not running around. Max took her word for it. This is not proof
enough for me.

Throughout this TN, we have seen Constanza to be a master of manipulation trying to make everything go the way she wants.
In all her recent conversations,
she argues against Max's theories and puts forth her own.

Earlier, she was buttering up Lulu.
When she learned of the impending divorce, she backed off. She has manipulated her father her entire life for her own selfish reasons - not for his well being. The best thing she ever did was go see Jose in the clinker...and oh, yes, she threw the covers over the furniture just the other day...and yes, she did warn Flavia about Sal's jealous ways. But she probably didn't want him anywhere nearby in the future for her own personal reasons.

Things backfired when Val's mother called and asked for Hector. Then Cons was forced to tell about the fire. And as was mentioned yesterday, she has converted into a totally, sickening clinging vine trying to bind Max to her a little more each day.

Max, wake up. Start thinking and investigating.
 

Ooo. Interesting thought Floridia! It is kind of odd that Max didn't ask for a second test...just to be sure!
 

I have to say, I loved that Salvador called Constanza and all of the Monstesinos out on their crap.

They call Amaya a s*** and mala mujer because of what she did to Max but that is EXACTLY what Juliana is telling Eloisa to do. I don't know, just my two cents.

Also, everyone says Salvador is a deceitful person but come one, Constanza left Max at the alter to go sack up with his best friend but she's forgiven because she's the baby mamma.

The double Montesino standard does not sit right with me.
 

Vivi,

Thanks for the new word.
I had missed it. I wrote it down for the future.

I was the one who objected to the word "Beanpole" with regard to Uli.
I and my children were beanpoles.
Ojalá, that I could be described in that way now.

He is very skinny; that is true, and you made a funny observation about his being able to hide behind those trees. No stoning needed. (By the way, did you ever read "The Lottery" by Jackson?)

I was shocked by Mauro' behavior toward Sal - overkill, but good that it did happen anyway. He claims he knows Sal, but I don't think he knows the real Sal,the over-the-top obsessive Sal. Nevertheless, he senses something awry with this man. I predict that Sal will self destruct near the end and thus leave his baby fatherless.
 

Sorry for the typo, or maybe it was autocorrect. The word is dolo.

Sal is definitely a ticking time bomb, but the reasons the Montesinos are mad at him have nothing to do with his controlling, possessive boyfriend ways. Only Connie, and a bit Nora, have seen that side of him.
 

In any case, I don't think Sal is a real issue with Flavia. It Heriberto who has Ben making her heart flutter these last many weeks, even though she might not realize it yet. However, Sal likely won't take it well when Falvia finally rejects him.
 

Been not Ben.
 

Nice, Anita, with a very busy episode! And a big thank you to the writers for not cramming the rescue into the last week with everything else.

But what's up with giving the 2% to only the offspring with the Montesino name? If anyone should feel entitled and left out (looking at you, Jose) it's Alan. He's the rightful first heir of Mauro. And after he learns English at his Obama-picture proven American school, he'll be ideal for Nescafe.

Has anyone tried the 3-in-1 coffee, or are we saving that for the finale?

I'll try to get Friday's up in the evening tomorrow. Hopefully it won't be so jam-packed as today's.

Kelly
 

Did Max & Amaya save Mariana from Uli the Stalker ?
 

Thank you so much Anita! I hate business and legal conversations in TNs because I usually can't follow them. My eyes glaze over and I tune out (Hmmm... I wonder if there is a connection there...) so I am especially grateful for your summary of the scene about the will.

I've heard that José-free episode line too. Wonder where.

Kelly-I'm right behind you about Alan! He's getting the grounds, not the coffee!
 

Well, Juli is the majority owner of the land where the Montesinos/Nescafe coffee is grown (inherited from her mother). And Alan is her sole heir, so he'll be ok. And if one day Max's kids want to give him crap, he can throw them off his land and tell them to get their coffee elsewhere. Same with Val and the Zona Estrella that will eventually be hers. If Alan and Val marry some day, those lands will be united forever.

It's Flavia's future kids that are getting left out in the cold.
 

Quiero Amerte, Parte II: Alan and Val marry and become the most powerful family in Chiapas, but with powerful enemies: Max's and Flavia's kids, who got squat.

Maybe they can buy up Uli's coffee plantation, get rid of the plague, and save that for Max and Flavia. Everyone gets something! Except Lucio, but he's on his way to promising art career.

Kelly
 

That's an awesome idea, Kelly!
 

Ok, I will take Floridia's comments about Consta under advisement, since she expanded and elaborated. I can dial back a bit on showing her to be a nice girl. She may be manipulative, but not the way Cesar and Sal are--behind a mask of niceness.

Consta has been drawn by the writers originally as a rather innocent, naïve, privileged, only child, used to getting what she asks for and what she wants, she usually gets. In that sense, she is manipulative, but has probably been quite open about it. That's why I called her transparent.

Don't know about her mother, but her father certainly indulged her every whim and allowed her to stay with him for FIVE YEARS after his wife died instead of pushing her out to go to Max in Italy.

I know, we solved that one, thanks to Nora--who pointed out that perhaps her love for Max wasn't really strong enough to take up life on a finca and really preferred Sal and the academic environment. She hates to lose what is obviously a good thing (Max) and went to her dad to ask him--shoot I can't remember now--once it was to fund Max's project to keep him in town and once to do something else to keep him in town and the latter time, Manuel refused.

When Consta left Max at the altar, she was clearly convinced Sal was telling the truth about Max's relationship with Amaya. She felt alone, trapped (by him), betrayed and made an inappropriate decision to go with Sal--he was very persuasive in that scene by the car. She had acknowledged to Nora that she had some sort of feelings for Sal.

She did not jump in the sack right away. In fact, she tried to hold him off for awhile, but he was using his most manipulative arguments to give him a chance. As I recall, she wasn't really all that into it--especially not after having a last taste of Max at the finca before their aborted wedding.

Max didn't ask for a DNA test using his sample...BECAUSE HE TRUSTED her. So therein lies the rub. With this writer/producer, it could go either way. I would love it NOT to be Max's, but then that leaves an innocent baby in the hands of a delusional mother. So far, except for the excessive clinginess, she's not acting desperate to the point of doing something evil, the way Cecy is.

As I recall, she wanted to join Max at the finca one time after she was recuperating at the mansion, but it was Luce that talked her into staying and "getting to know each other" AND thinking of a way of getting Amaya out of the house. That's the only reason I see, that Luce showered her with baby gifts.

Again, it's Consta reacting, rather than acting.
 

Vivi--I worry about Sal pressing his case on Flavia the way he did on Consta. I hope Flavia is strong enough and learned enough life lessons to realize he's pressuring her. Mauro has some sense of Sal as a person--remember he and Max used to be BBF, so I'm sure he was around the MM a lot. He was telling Flavia straight when he said Sal was already a mature man, set in his ways, etc.

Also, thank you for the new word--dolo. I heard dolor and it didn't make sense. He also used another words just before that sentence I couldn't understand. It was just a lot of anger, as far as I was concerned.

Thank you for reminding us that the will, in effect shuts Flavia's kids out of the will--but not entirely--just an extra 2% of the shares. I wonder if that shows a machista side of Mauro or whether Lucrecia had something to do with it--hoping Cesar would produce a first-born child.

It would have been fairer, just to give each kid 1%, no matter whose issue they were. Surely Mauro wouldn't end up having over 50 grandchildren!
 

Vivi--One small correction. The lands of Elena, Mauro's first wife, went 50% to Mauro and 50% to Juliana. So, Alan can only kick the other Montesinos off 50% of the land.

Land ownership, property boundaries, mineral and water rights have, for eons, been at the heart of many legal issues. We are not sure how the land was divided up between Mauro and Juliana. There may have been a survey done and it was divided physically or some other legal determination.

It shouldn't bother us, but of course, sometimes it does! (It has been bothering me a lot over on Sombra. P.S. I'm only two episodes behind now on the comments now and caught up on the broadcasts.)
 

Anita I have to admit I am excited to hear you are nearly caught up to Sombra. I will be eager to hear your thoughts on the land issues that bother you on Sombra.
 

Ah yes, Anita. I know the land is divided between Mauro and Juliet, but with Mauro's shares divided between all the other heirs (and Juli too), Juli will be the clear majority land holder. Certainly enough to make things very difficult if she ever wanted to.
 

Great discussion guys, thanks!
 

OT I broke down and bough the Amor Bravio Dvd. I know it's edited but it's better than nothing.
 

Vivi--You are talking land. In that, you are correct.

What originally got us started is the percentages of Nescafe stock in the will. Do we know if Juliana has any of those shares? We know she recently started working there, so she may not have any--so neither would Alan.

Do any of the kids have shares in Nescafe? We saw a board meeting with Mauro, Manuel--who said he had divested his shares and wouldn't stay (or didn't come)--Lucrecia and Cesar. The others were there for the presentation. I guess Lucio and Flavia may have shares and they give their proxies to Mauro. Heck, I don't know.

Amaya only has ownership of the ZE lands, no shares. That's all Vale would get.

The four Montesinos kids (3 full-blooded and one not) would be getting 50% of Mauro's net worth after his death, so I guess that would include land and shares.

We've seen Cesar get ahold of Manuel's shares and his mother was given shares recently. I wonder if he would be so vile as to consider bumping off Lu after he helps bump off Mauro (nevva happen, but I wonder if he would consider it), just to get his hands on the majority stock.
 

Sara--Good luck with Amor Bravio. They cut out a lot of how D'Andres and Camila fall in love in favor of the story--which is complicated. The beginning is a bit slow. They have to give you the complete backstory on the two characters before they finally meet.

I would suggest that you "fill in" with some of the Camila/Daniel love scenes available on YuTub.
 

Thanks for the advice Anita!
 

Anita- I too assume that both Mauro' s Nescafe share and his portion of the land would be divided among the kids, spouse, and first male grandchild as the lawyer stated, including Juli, so she would even up with a bit more than the 50% land share that she already has. In any case, WAY more than anyone else in the family, plus shed also had a bit of the company too.

Lu is counting on getting control of Lucio's inheritance and shares, and no one is really considering him a threat because he won't be having kids or ever be in control of his inheritance.
 

I could care less about the shares and the will and the heirs, I would just really like to see everybody with who they''re supposed to be with
 

Amen, Anon! Although it helps to understand what's driving the bad guys to all the murder and mayhem. For Ceci and Uli it's crazy obsession, but for Cesar and Lu it's power and greed. They want all the land and all the shares-- even babies and kids aren't safe!
 

Well, Anon-3:31, in reality, we don't care much either about the nitty gritty of the details.

It was merely a subject of discussion that peaked our interest since so much of what Cesar wants and what Lu wants for Cesar has consumed their lives. It is what has driven them to commit the crimes they have in order to achieve their goal of power and wealth over all the other family members--and Mauro.

And murder isn't holding them back.

I'm enjoying all the aspects of this telenovela and not just the characters who find love. We'll get the right people paired off (or not) by episode 161.
 

Vivi--We are certainly on the same wave length. It just takes me longer to type up my thoughts!
 

:)
 

arrgh
I can't believe this is the week I fall behind

not that I've never been behind before;)

but this week arrgh

 

Sneakytwoshoes--
I know how that feels. This is the week I fall behind, too. Out of town company. arrgh x 2
 

Friday, cap. 132 part 1

Dang, I thought I’d get a Jose-free...oh wait. I did!
Welcome to no-Jose night! May be a teensy bit out of order.

Refresh- Uli calls Ceci, and she’s screwed, not in the way she’s been trying.

Finca El Paraiso/MM-
Everyone is happy for Mariana and her baby, and she wonders what happens to her next. Max offers her a place, but Amaya wants her to come live with her. No way is Mariana is leaving Chiapas while Ivan is missing. She’ll stay in the finca with Flavia, Jorge, Max, Cons, and whoever else they’ve collected. Mariana asks about Constanza’s pregnancy. Amaya asks about a doctor for Mariana, and Mariana mentions the hospital she was in. Amaya realizes it’s the same hospital SHE was in, and Mariana finds out Uli was not really behind the accident. (He had threatened her that he could hurt Amaya). Dona Chelo talks to Hector about how upset he is about Ivan, but happy about the grandbaby. He tries to maintain a positive attitude about finding Ivan, but then he cries. Mauro fills in Cesar at the MM about Uli over the phone. He tells Cesar about getting Uli’s accomplices, including Cipriano. Que!? Cesar looks worried, for himself, of course, not Cip or anyone else. After hanging up, Cesar tells Lu, and she says “Tu suegro?” and then laughs, showing off her fine parenting skills. Cesar is worried that they’ll find out he had something to do with the plague, but first he wants to call Amaya to order her home and away from Max. Lu accuses him of being jealous and he flips out. She smiles.

Finca El Deseo-
The cops are there and want to interview the help, including Carmen. They find the forged passports and want to start investigating, thus making them some of the best cops in novelaland.

Juliana’s-
Lucio and Elo come back with stuff for Lucio (for his art opening?). Juliana is going over contracts for Nescafe because she doesn’t trust Whoracio after seeing the cash Cesar gave him. It’ll be a couple weeks before she gets the results of the spray stuff.

Chiapas Hospital-
Jorge has taken Mariana and Amaya, and the check in Mari with DOCTOR HERMANO. Llamada de sangre smile between him and Amaya. Amaya wants to talk to the doc who previously attended to her after the accident. That guy’s not there, but he points out the nurses who might know something. Mariana recognizes the Blond Nurse as the one who shot her up with a sedative, adns he starts yelling about it. Doc goes to BN and demands answers. He has her escorted to his office for a talking to. The good nurse recognizes both of them. They realize, with some help from Jorge, that they were in the hospital at the same time. Doctor Hermano interviews the BN in his office. She defends herself, saying she believed Uli that Mari was crazy. Doc brings up silly ethical stuff about doing her job properly, rails in to her about being an accomplice, and FIRES HER. Good. She protests, but he’s ignoring her. Mariana gests an ultrasound, and all is well with the pregnancy. Doc Hermano (sorry) later meets with Mariana, Amaya, and Jorge for some reason, about Mari’s prenatal stuff. Amaya immediately feels confident about this guy, for some strange reason. They find out he lived in Guatemala, his mother died (no more question on this), but his origin is Chiapas. (No one seems to mention the suicide attempt, so I guess we’re beyond that now).

 

Friday, cap. 132, part 2

Finca WUN-
Tadeo talks to Ceci about what she’s doing to Ivan. She laughs and accuses him of being jealous. He agrees he may have been, a little, but he doesn’t like what she’s doing. He’s leaving the finca, but in the meantime, she wants him to work. Later that night, Uli gets there, but her guys won’t let him on the property. He calls her, and she tells him she’s not even there. He’s not an idiot and doesn’t believe her. He threatens to calls the cops on her if she doesn’t let him in.He makes it clear that he’s serious, and she has the guys let Uli in. “No one stops me, imbecil”, Uli tells the guys, not really getting his situation.

Finca El Paraiso-
Cons fills in Max about the Flavia-Sal situation. Max wants to talk to Flavia about this because he doesn’t like the two of them together either. Max asks Cons how she feels about it, but she feels nothing for Sal now that she has her suckers on Max. Inside, Flavia apologizes to Mariana, but can’t keep quiet about her father, and tells them about Vale seeing Cipriano with the sick plants. “I’m shocked”, says no one.

Chiapas Jail-
Cip argues with the cops about how he’s not responsible for anything, ever. They think he started the fire, and mention him selling his daughter. “I’m innocent”. The cops, reinforcing their “best cops ever” status, think he’s full of carp and take him away. He’s put into a cell with Effer. Neither one thinks they should be there. Cip complains that he has no one, Mariana and Amaya won’t life a finger to help him. Later, the cop comes in to talk to them. He wants Effer’s help with the photog, but Effer claims not to know anything. The Cop accuses Cip of planting the plague plants. Cip denies this, says the plants weren’t sick, and weren’t even coffee. They were flowers! (Delicious, caffeine-filled flowers). For some reason, the cop doesn’t believe him. Effer backs up the cop, and gets a shove from Cip.

Finca El P-
Mari and Amaya get back from the hospital to find the cops. They want her help finding the photographer who did the passport photo in order to find the forger. Hector looks through a photo album for a picture of Ivan for the cops. Mariana sits with him, and he tells her not to lose faith.

Finca WUN-
Beca goes to Ivan to give him his water (drugged, I assume). He calls her mama. “Are you my mother?”, he asks, bringing that children’s book to life. She answers yes, but he’s already falling asleep. She kisses his head and leaves. Uli meets with Ceci in her office and demands money. She argues, but he again threatens that his silence will cost her. She’ll get it in the morning, and he can go find a hotel until then. He’s like, no, I’ll stay here for the night. He calls her a liar and doesn’t trust her. She says fine, but you can sleep on the chair because they don’t have a room free. He settles in to the office.

 

Friday, cap. 132, part 3

Finca El P-
Amaya gets a call from Cesar as she’s getting Mariana settled in to bed. Cesar orders her home. She’s not going. She’s taking care of her sister and wants him to quit pressuring her. She hangs up on him, and he’s ticked. Mariana asks what’s up with them. She wants to know why Amaya left Max for Cesar. (I think this is the first time they’ve seen each other since Las Vegas). Amaya says it’s time for Mari to know the truth, that she didn’t want Max involved in her plans. She reveals that Dolores’s dying words were to blame Lu for this. Mari is shocked.

Chiapas Jail-
A lawyer goes to see Cip. He’s being paid (by Cesar?), so Cip doesn’t have to worry. Cip can’t believe that ingrate of a daughter of his would file charges against him. The lawyer thinks it’ll be hard, but he’ll try to get Cip out. Cip decides he can call Guerito (Whor) for help.

Nescafe-
Whor meets with Cesar in Cesar’s office. Cesar orders Whoracio to order Amaya back to Mexico. Whor gets up and paces and says he can’t do anything. Cesar wants him to invent something about the divorce or the kid. He thinks he can do something about the divorce. Cesar wants Amaya back the next day.

Finca El P, next day-
Amaya apologizes to Mariana for telling her everything (ish), but Mari is glad she did and will help out any way she can. They join everyone else for breakfast. Hector interrupts to ask Cons about seeing the man who looks like Ivan in the hospital. He asks about the woman this Ivan-lookalike was with. Well, she was blond, blue-eyed, etc. Mariana recognizes the description as Ceci. Anvils are starting to fall! A few anyway.

Kelly

 

Excellent, Kelly! The anvils have indeed started to fall for our two baby villains, Uli and Ceci.

Poor, drugged up Ivan. He looked like sleeping beauty, and he needs his princess to come rescue him. Can't wait!

Last time Hector confronted her, he was thisclose to smacking Becky. This time when he learns she helped Ceci drug and imprison their son, he might just forget he's a gentleman, and I wouldn't blame him.
 

Gosh! I haven't gotten past the first line and I have to praise something.... Or rather tell you I'm jealous of your Jose free episode. Now back to reading.
 

Glad to see B-Nurse get torn a new one by Doc Missing Brother, and lose her job. Glad he will be Mariana's doc, increasing the chances of one of the Montesinos who know what young Mauro looked like seeing him.
 

Comments Part 1
Cecy not getting screwed the way she wants. Ha!

I like the name Doctor Hermano. Rolls off the tongue and it's easy to remember.
 

Comments Part 2
"... but she feels nothing for Sal now that she has her suckers on Max."

“I’m shocked”, says no one.

Loved these lines.

I like how willing everyone is to share information... Well except for Amaya. But she did finally tell Mariana why she married Sleazer.
 

Comments Part 3
So I really don't get why Whor and Sleazer were thinking of using the divorce to get Amaya back to the DF. If she's remarried, isn't the divorce sort of done?
 

Most importantly, thank you for the recap!
 

Kelly--Just started the Jose-free zone recap. Must add this to enlighten our readers:

Doctor Hermano said he was ADOPTED by a Chiapas woman who became his mother and they moved to Guatemala (presumably so they wouldn't be recognized, so it was probably not an official adoption). This adds lots of new dimensions. And yes, this woman died recently, so the "good" guys are not going to be able to get any background information on Florencia and how Doc Hermano's mother got the baby.

Back to savoring your recap with a cup of...wait for it...Mexican Chiapas coffee--medium roast, with a hint of chocolate.
 

Kelly-- Wonderful recap. Nice to relive a satisfying episode.

I also wondered why no one asked Mariana about her bandaged wrists. Maybe they did offstage.

Glad Doc Hermano fired BN, she did much worse than she was letting on. She accepted a bribe to help Uli get Mariana out of the hospital unseen by anyone. I just rewatched that episode and not only did she give her a knock-out sedative, but she dressed her and arranged her in the wheelchair, draped her hair around her face and led them to a back door.

Those laughs of Cecy were not in fun. She was mocking him. I hate her.

About Uli showing up at the finca. Did anyone notice whether he called Cecy on her cell phone or the house phone. (I'm not going to check right now.) Right after Becca made that unfortunate phone call to El P. to try to reach Hector, Cecy changed the phone number to the finca (and had the phone in Ivan's room disabled).

Cip is getting a court appointed lawyer. He didn't give me the impression of being one of the top lawyers in Comitan!

It's dangerous, but I was squeezing with glee when Amaya defied Cesar. It's nice to see him losing at something.

Vivi--baby villains, good one.

Sara--Cesar is ordering Whoraz go to El P., make up something, anything to force Amaya to come home. Cesar is the one that mentioned using the divorce as a reason. We all thought that had been laid to rest as well.

Kelly--Well done. Loved the recap. I also liked the same phrases Sara liked.
 

I can't blame the auto-correct. I meant SQUEEING with glee.
 

Thanks, Kelly! Great recap! Everyone hit the highlights! So gratifying to seeing the petty tyrants being taken down. This was a great ep but I can't wait for Monday to see Ceci and Uli be taken down together, which I am assuming will happen since he's there at the WUN finca. Gosh, I can't stand those two!

Love the lines that Sara noted!
 

Anita-Uli called Cecy's cell. Which is why she could claim she wasn't home.
 

I'm really bummed because I go back to work Monday and I was used to being able to watch in real time. I am going to be very cranky in my afternoon classes knowing that QA is airing and that I'm not watching. *grumblegrumble*
 

It sure has been fun your sharing your spring break with us!
 

OH wait until Summer vacay starts. All patio all the time. (Because I'm not addicted and I don't need an intervention.)

I really hope something good follows this, but I heard a nasty rumor....
 

Oh no! You know what, maybe it will be good for me if something bad follows, then I can take a break and get to some neglected stuff in my house and concentrate on Sombra!
 

I guess so. I just really like having an afternoon TN because it doesn't conflict with anything we record in the evening. One of the reasons it was hard for me to keep up with La Malquerida was the time slot and DVR conflicts. And watching in Hulu is nice but you can't FF through commercials.
 

It IS a good time. I remember Acorralada and Bajo Las Riendas del Amor were afternoon shows and two of my first tns.

Go ahead, dish the dirt, what's the rumor?
 

Ok so someone on another site said Muchacha italiana viene a casarse was coming soon. But I think the source of it was an offhand comment from a host on Despierta América.

I'm not a Jose Ron fan. It's very rosa. It's long and I don't like the theme song. But I do like Livia Brito and some others in the cast.

And I don't like the theme song.

I hope Uni decides to show something else.
 

Ah, I almost see. What does "It's very rosa" mean?
 

Think Cinderella.

I just went and watched the entrada again. I may be able to stand it, but it won't be a priority. It does not strike me as worthy of even weekly posts.

But I will still hold out hope that at the last minute Uni will give us something fabulous.

But you know there's also the slots currently occupied by a rerun of Teresa and that sports show (midnight?) Something could happen there. No DVR conflicts there.
 

So, what happened to Yo no creo end los hombres, and El color de la pasion?
 

They are too good. Can't bring quality into things. *sigh*

Like I said though. It was an offhand comment. The host was talking about Livia and Jose and just said "who are in MIVAC which you will see very soon."

But he said it in Spanish. Lol.
 

I wonder if Uni will decide to put ECDLP or YNCELH after Hasta.

QA ends early May.
Hasta ends mid May.

So we've got two shows ending soon. I always kind of like the anticipation and conjecture of what's next. But I always end up disappointed.


 

It just seems crazy that they are ignoring two shows SO well received in Mexico. I'll never understand the logic of the schedulers at Uni.
 

And while QA is great, it was not well received in Mexico and we did eventually get it.

And how long after it aired did Uni show LVO? At this point I am fine with afternoon or midnight slots if it means we'll get those shows.
 

Any chance of a new recap for this week on Quiero Amarte?


 

Yes Steve. Anita usually puts them up Mondays mid morning. It's been this way for weeks.
 

Sara--LVO stayed south of the border from 2006 until it was broadcast here at midnight in 2010.

Emilio Larossa was the Producer. It was a remake of El Camino Secreto with Daniela Romo & Salvador Pineda.

Someone on CarayCaray explained that this version tried to blend two story lines into fewer characters, confusing everyone.

Steve--We have been recapping QA quite steadily since the first 4 or 5 weeks. Sometimes we have gaps, but for the most part, the whole week is covered.

The Headliner will be posted soon, along with the recapping schedule for the next two weeks.
I'm expecting company this week, so I haven't had time to put on my thinking cap for anything clever, so it's back to Highlights and Discussion.

I'm doing the recap for today, Monday.
 

Thank you,Anita! Highlights and Discussion is just fine!

Lila
 

Ok, Peeps--New Week is up. Let's close out this post.