Friday, June 26, 2015
La Vecina- Highlights and Discussion #1-10 June 22-July 3 2015
The first week is over. Here are some highlights and information. It felt like a mind-boggling amount of stuff to digest. Please feel free to add anything in the comments.
The Players
Progreso and San Gaspar
Sara Granados(protagonista), Merce(Sara's mom), Juancho(Sara's brother), Cheo(Sara's Ex), Roque(friend of Cheo) Simón(Sara's uncle), Bruno(Sara's friend and I assume Simón's business partner), Pedro(Bad Guy stealing gas from Conatrol), Marina(Secretary at Conatrol), Pepe, Ramon, Rafa Padilla the actor formerly knows as Morales(Workers at Conatrol),Fidel(Policeman and atheist), Magda(wife of Fidel and professing Catholic), Vladimir(their son, wants to take his first communion on the sly), Padre Vicente(the priest and another uncle of Sara's)
The DF
Antonio Andrade(the galán), Lic Uribe(Antonio's boss), Isabel(Antonio's fiancee), Sebastian(Antonio's friend), Nameless female who has a name I haven't caught(Friend of Isabel and girlfriend to Sebastian, Ricardo(rival to Antonio), Antonio's mom(didn't catch her name. She's pushy and metiche.)
The Distilled Version (As much as can be recalled)
Sara's trials and tribulations
Sara and her fellow employees are dismissed from their jobs at the hotel in Progreso. She also catches Cheo flirting and breaks up with him. She's so upset with Cheo that she goes to visit her Uncle Simon in San Gaspar. He knows Ingeniero Lopez (aka Nachito),the branch Manager at the petroleum processing plant (Conotrol). He gives his friend a call and Sara is asked to come and interview.
Sara is hired on the spot in the PR department. All they have to do is send the paper work to the head offices in the DF. Sara is thrilled. The only bummer is she will have to say goodbye to her mother and Juancho and live in San Gaspar.
Antonio's New Assignment
Unbeknownst to Sara and her uncle, trouble is afoot at Conotrol. There have been gasoline robberies and they've actually gotten worse since Ingeniero Lopez has been the branch manager. They are sending Antonio to investigate. Lopez takes offense and quits.
But this new assignment is a problem for Anontio and his girlfriend, Isabel. They are supposed to get married. Antonio thinks they should go ahead with the plans before he leaves. Isabel couldn't come stay with him because she has an art exhibit coming up and can't cancel it. Antonio says she can just stay in the DF. She doesn't want the two of them living apart. SHE decides to postpone the wedding, much to Antonio's mother's consternation.
Before leaving for San Gaspar, an administrative assistant informs Antonio of the HR request for a new employee at the San Gaspar office. He just tells her to file it.
About The Gasoline Robberies
It's probably pretty important. It seems that employees inside Conatrol are being paid by Pedro to help. So far it seems to only be the actor fomerly known as Morales and maybe Ramon?
A Not So Happy Welcome
Due to a communication snafu, no one at Conotrol knew Antonio was arriving. So the first impressions are not so great on either side. They are too relaxed and informal for him (not to mention they never got the AC fixed) and he is too straight-laced and stuffy for them (not to mention that he's investigating shady dealings that some or the employees are involved in.)
The Conotrol folks seem to be a little more willing to accept him the he is to accept them.
Antonio will be staying at the company apartment during his stay...which is conveniently next door to Simón (Sara's uncle.)
The First Night
Antonio makes himself at home. He steps out onto the patio and finds a pair of underwear. They've blown over from the balcony next door. It's Sara's laundry. She comes out and Antonio stuffs the underwear in his coat pocket. They introduce themselves.
That night at Simón's an impromptu party begins. The music disturbs the new neighbor, Antonio.
When Antonio goes to complain, he locks his keys and cell phone in his apartment and they have to call the Super (Chepo?) Antonio is also forced to call Isabel from the neighbor's apartment. Isabel overhears Sara offering him a beer.
Needles to say, Antonio has a bad night. Which leads him to sleep late. Which makes him cranky when he gets to work.
Imagine his surprise to discover that Sara is the new employee.
The Lost Weekend
Most of this premiere week was spent on the misadventures of Sara and Antonio.
Antonio does not immediately hire Sara. He needs to think a few days and get the company back in order. But it's not a no, right?
His car is delivered. Ramon tampers with it. It doesn't start when Antonio wants to go home. He plans to take a taxi. Sara pulls up though and offers him a ride. She just needs to run a quick errand nearby and she can drop him off a the apartment.
The errand is in Progreso (1 1/2-2 hours away) and it's to pick up her severance check from the hotel. Her friend picked in up and delivered it to Merce, but Juancho gave it to Cheo. That way Sara was forced to go see Cheo when she got there. She finally gets the check from Cheo.
But Juancho is giving Cheo all kinds of information about Sara, like she arrived with Antonio. And Juancho tells Cheo where Sara and Antonio are. So Cheo goes to them and punches Antonio. Sara makes Antonio go to the doctor. Antonio and Sara spend the night at Sara's in Progreso.
Bear in mind that Antonio has told a few fibs to Isabel and Sebastian covers for him when Sara's mom picks up one of Isabel's calls.
Sara and Antonio are heading back to San Gaspar, but Simon had asked Merce to send some paperwork to some other guy on the way back. So...one more little errand "nearby." Antonio has basically been kidnapped (shout out to sneaky two shoes!)
They take the paperwork and Antonio is super anxious by this time. Sara is told about a shortcut and Antonio insists she take it. She tries to warn him, but he doesn't listen. It turns out to be a dirt road in the backwoods. The brakes fail and they crash, but no one is hurt. They are forced to walk to the next town...if you want to call it that.
The only hotel is really a brothel. But they get a room and buy some interesting clothes at the local tienda. The local mechanic will be back later.
There are all sorts of adventures, mostly played for laughs.
Antonio is becoming more and more attracted to Sara. They are not doing the "love at first sight" ploy. It's nice.
All the while, everyone in San Gaspar and the DF are looking for Antonio.
The mechanic finally arrives, but the part he has doesn't work. Wow. I can't even remember how Friday's episode ends.
The Other Big Stories
Fidel, the local police authority, thinks his wife is cheating. Turns out she is just sneaking around trying to arrange Vladimir's first communion (at the child's request.)
For most of the week Fidel thinks the worst of his wife. He finally asks for a divorce. Vladimir comes clean and Fidel agrees to the communion and a party.
Bruno and Simon have some sort of agrarian thing going on. They're growing something. Fruit? They decide to go into business and cut out the middle man. Bruno convinces Simon to invest his savings (that were intended for a...boat or a rocket? The blueprints were confusing.)
There was so much other stuff going on. It was dizzying. Please feel free to add your thoughts. Next week is still up in the air.
Names and Faces
Sara-Our protagonista. A sweet girl looking for work. Thanks to her uncle, she finds a job with Conatrol.
Antonio Andrade-Our galán. He is very straight-laced. He's been sent to San Gaspar to investigate gasoline thefts from the company.
Merce and Juancho-Sara's Mom and brother.
Eliseo/Cheo-Sara's sleazy ex-novio. She caught him flirting!
Isabel-Antonio's novia. The wedding was postponed because of his trip to San Gáspar.
Sebastian Morales-Antonio's friend and confidant.
Ricardo-Bad guy. Doesn't like Antonio.
Simon-NOT Hank Azaria. Sara's Uncle. Merce's brother.
Bruno-Friend of Sara(?)
Pedro-Bad guy. I have to rewatch his part.
There are a ton of other people, too. It's going to take me forever to sort them all out.
Next: Episodes 11-19
Labels: la-vecina
I laughed aloud at several parts. I'm a little confused about where everyone is so I will have to go back and rewatch. Cause it seemed like Sara was already pretty close to San Gaspar and Antonio was in the DF...but then the guy that hired Sara was suddenly in the DF. It seemed like everyone was getting places pretty quickly.
I had read a review of the first episode where it said there were a lot of scenes, but not a lot happened. I thought a lot happened!
I loved the music, too!
but how thin are those apt walls?!
I think I already love her uncle.
JDC already seems better in this than in DQTQTQ.
Those were thin walls! They didn't even bother to try and make it seem muffled. The music was crystal clear.
Roque - Cheo's buddy. (aka Big AL from DQTQTQ)
Marinita- secretary at Contaron (aka Suzy in AC)
Are you talking about El Color de la pasión? I want to see that too.
So, who will discover Sara's underwear in our galan's pocket? Probably his fiance. Trouble ahead for sure.
All the young guys in the DF office look like kids in suits to me.
I'm going to try and put some highlights up later.
San Gaspar and its environs
Sara lose her job and breaks up with her boyfriend in quick succession. She goes to visit her Uncle Simon and Bruno in San Gaspar. Simon knows the regional manager of the gasoline plant: Ingeniero López (aka Inge and Nachi)
Sara goes to an interview and she's hired in a PR position. Inge Nachi asks that Marina send the HR request to the home office in the DF. Sara is happy, but not about having to live in San Gaspar. She will miss mom and little bro.
Cheo the Creep tries to waylay her on her way to San Gaspar. He is a jerk and tells her if she's going to San Gaspar for any other reason than to work, she's dead (or did he say he'd die?)
Marina informs Inge Nachi that he's been called to the DF for an meeting the next day. She booked him a flight.
The DF-Conatrol offices
Lic Uribe calls a meeting with Antonio Andrade. The gasoline robberies at the San Gaspar have gotten worse. He's sending Antonio to the regional office to take care of it. The secretary who's name escapes me is told to inform the regional office via fax to have Antonio picked up at the airport in San Gaspar. She also tell shim of the HR request (for Sara.) He just tells her to file it.
Antonio shares this news with his buddy Sebasian. Ricardo the baddie eavesdrops. Ricardo will take advantage of Antonio's absence to move up in the company.
Antonio tells his novia Isabel about the temporary relocation. He should be back in a few months. She's upset because she has an important art show (of her work.) He suggests they continue the wedding as planned and just live apart for a little bit. Isabel doesn't want to be married and live apart. She suggests they postpone the wedding. Ok, honey. It was your idea. You just remember that.
The next day Inge Nachi arrives and refuses to take the demotion. He quits.
San Gaspar
Luis Gatica is paying off a Conatrol employee. I can't remember what exactly happened.
The Conatrol folks never got the fax. Antonio arrives. He's hot, sweaty and pissed. He is not pleased with the laid back ways of San Gaspar. He calls a meeting in the patio. His message is basically "Work. Work. Work."
There's a company apartment he can use. Too bad the neighbors are loud and like music. Confrontations ensue.
He is late to work the next day. He is met by balloons and employees trying to make up for his uneventful arrival the day before. He is not pleased. He tells Marina it's work. work. work. from now on.
Sara arrives to report to work. Marina is not sure the new boss is in the mood to meet with her (or even if she's still hired.)
Surprise! La Vecina is your new employee!
It's weird seeing the Ricardo actor as a bad guy.
I'm not impressed with Isabel though. She left me meh.
Of course, I don't believe her chill-ness, because I'm used to seeing her character end up as the irrationally jealous thorn in the side of our couple. *sigh*
After today, I'm still not fond of Antonio, but at least he admits that he's a sourpuss! Now that we've met his mother, I can see where he gets it from--yikes! He seems to be warming up to Marina, at least.
Hmmm...secret First Communion for the cop's son? That seems like a terrible idea. I'm wondering what the rest of the story is there. And now that I see what a suspicious jerk he is, it seems like an even worse idea. I'm most offended by him flinging her knitting all over the place. Okay, yes, and the trying to check her cell phone. But mostly the knitting.
Speaking of jerks, Cheo can take a hike. As can little brother Juancho.
I need to go back and watch the episode. Hubs interrupted a lot (His first impression was "This one doesn't seem as cheap." Then he called the Police guy an idiot for looking at his wife's phone.)
Then I think I lost consciousness when the police guy (name?) just started PULLING OUT NEEDLES AND YARN AND HALF FINISHED PROJECTS from the bag. Duuude. No. You NEVER DO THAT.
Day 2 Thoughts
I don't hate it. I'm a little afraid to admit how much I actually like it.
Esmeralda needs to stop trying to be nice and perky and just be normal.
Am I at a table alone? I like Antonio.
Ay! More faces and MORE people to keep up with. (Hotscar is Ramon?)
Juancho, stop being a jerk brother.
It's so nice to see Big Al again. But Root Beer? Really?
I do plan to try and put some highlights up tonight.
Antonio is just too grumpy for my taste, but I like the little flashes of humanity we're starting to see from him. If Sara was trying to use the trip to convince him she'd make a good employee, I'm not sure she succeeded!
I love the guy playing Cheo's friend. I just hope he's not as big a jerk as Cheo.
The more I think about it, the more annoyed I am and Juancho for giving away his sister's check. Not. cool.
I wish we were done with Cheo, but since he shows up in the credits, I guess he's going to be sticking around. I'm not happy with him at all. And not happy with little brother. He says Cheo's his favorite of Sara's boyfriends? I wonder what his criteria is. Considering Sara told her mom "you know how jealous he gets, I'm trying to keep him calm" I don't think Juancho cares whether Cheo's any good for his sister.
I agree about not have the love at first sight plot, makes a nice change.
So I'm definitely getting hooked on this tn. All the shenanigans keeping Antonio from getting back to his apartment had me laughing. I saw the male galan in only about 2 episodes of DQTQTQ & and I wasn't impressed but I'm really liking him in this tn.
His friend Sebastian was quick on the uptake & and in misleading Isabel. I wonder if she's going to be a true villain (as jealous galan gfs usually are) because she doesn't seem that antagonistic.
jlk
Things that bother me:
-Sara constantly telling Antonio to lighten up. I mean, I want him to lighten up, too, but she's practically kidnapped him for the weekend.
-The fiancee being nosy, but also that he's lying to her.
-The fact that it seems like Sara and Cheo didn't actually break up!?
-Sara telling Antonio that he had it coming getting punched by Cheo because he didn't keep his mouth shut like she told him to.
Things I like:
-That Antonio is starting to smile more.
Ummmm...I'm gonna have to keep working on that list....
Good obsesrvation about Isabel not seeming very antagonistic so far. I get a much stronger antagonist vibe from Ricardo...and Antonio's mom.
And I have to disagree. When a jealous guy shows up, don't mess with him. Sara tried to warn him.
LOL.
I hate that you are more bothered than enjoying, Diva. Although a dissenter always makes for good conversation.
I'm the kind of viewer that almost doesn't care what's going on, if there are actors I like I can enjoy their performances.
I haven't caught her character name yet, but I love watching Bibelot Mansur. I think it was Julia that first pointed her out to me?
Somehow I'm not enjoying it, but it's not so awful that I don't want to watch at all...does that make any sense? It still feels like we're getting everything set up and it hasn't really gotten going yet and I'm waiting to see what it's like when it does get going.
I am liking it better than the beginning of DQTQTQ. They are trying to cram too many people in. I agree with that.
jlk
I am so forgiving with TNs. I wish I had more discerning taste. I find myself liking it more and more.
Is it at least better than La Gata?
jlk said:
"His jealous notwithstanding I don't get a bad vibe from Fidel."
I don't get a bad vibe either. I can't really figure him out. I don't like him being so suspicious, and the way he handled her project bag and crochet project yesterday just left me traumatized.
Speaking of past shows, I think I noticed 2 recycled sets...The bedroom where Antonio woke up looks like the girls' bedroom in DQTQTQ. And the priest's house looks like the priest's house in DQTQTQ
One thing to add to the Like list is that Sara and Antonio both know where they stand relationship wise. So maybe no hidden gf/bf back home plot hurdles will come our way.
I'm already getting enamored with this one too Sara. (No I'm not weird, I just like my tns!) Do you know how long this one is suppose to last?
jlk
I do love hearing you say you are becoming enamored of this, jlk because I am too. Lucero Suarez is one of those producers that I am very forgiving with.
I hope to keep up the weekly posts, but it's a play it by ear thing.
Because costuming is more likely to annoy me than anything having to do with plot. Lol.
Sooooo, appreciate any little recap I can get. I will be out all day so will miss it again.
What I have seen looks cute.
Is it on the side bar?
Sara, love rabbit in sombrero
Also I'm kind of on Antonio's side so far I mean yeah he's grumpy but ProtaSara (maybe that will help w/the confusion) has really done a number on his life in the two- three days he's known her. She did practically kidnap Antonio. I mean what kind of person says 'I just have to run one little errand first' and then drives to another town after offering someone a ride home? I'd be pissed too, and then he gets punched by her sorta ex (that bugs me too- either they're broken up and he's a psycho, or they aren't . ProtaSara seems kind of wishy-washy on this) and then she takes him to a place where they feed him ants, and then her death-trap of a car breaks (or doesn't brake, tee hee) and then they have to spend the night in a love hotel - so yeah he has a reason to be mad.
I do get the whole 'he never used the a/c so we didn't get it fixed' thing. I work in a small office and stuff you don't use just doesn't get the attention, even though this is a branch of a larger company they seem really relaxed here so I can see that falling by the wayside
Thanks for keeping track of the characters and giving us a place to comment too
Also Fri's ep ended with Antonio's boss telling his parents and novia he's MIA
It is madcap! Perfect word.
I think I'm going to have to suck it up and watch with the Spanish CCs. I feel like there are a lot of mumblers.
MCET, Hasta, and Robó were beasts too.
Sorry you won't be joining us. Maybe next time.
I'm loving the give and take between our two leads! Antonio with his grumpiness,with fair reason, & Sara with her (almost too) cheerful smiles. It's cute to see how he is starting to fall for her. And despite his attitude towards her how he tries to protect her. Too bad they couldn't find a stress ball in that little corner store, Antonio definitely needs it. Cockroaches, ticks, less than ideal bathrooms....who knew that's what is needed for the start of a romance.
I'm still trying to figure out Simon and Bruno's relationship. I thought they were father/son but now they kind of feel more like roommates/associates. & that little kid, Vladimir, is a cutie. Glad his parents finally got their misunderstanding cleared.
jlk
We are both on the same page with Antonio and Sara. I am loving how the romance is starting slowly and amidst crazy misadventures. You've perfectly described what I enjoyed this week. A stress ball would be good for him. Sara was funny telling him he was going to have a heart attack.
Esmeralda does need to turn down the perky sweet level, though.
Vladimir sort of looks to me like he could be related to the little girl that was is Mentir para vivir.
She needs to stop being so cavalier about everything and/or Antonio needs to stop being so uptight. The sooner these two reach some kind of middle ground, the happier I'll be!
has improved a lot.
I think telenovela world has recaps, so I'm going to try & fill in what i missed.
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have smoochies!
That made up for the last six episodes.
I'm behind too but sneaking looks at today's ep anyway:)
hope to catch up and then I'll be commenting (hopefully something interesting)
And oy vey the names!!! I'm still calling Nelson "the actor formerly known as Morales" in my head.
Talk to me peeps.
So did we ever decide--Did Sara actually break up with Cheo or not? Because she's not the one who seems to feel like there's anything for her to resolve or be feeling guilty for cheating on anyone...but last time we saw him she didn't exactly remind him it was over, either.
Sara's uncles are also some of my favorite characters. & I liked Simon's analysis of Sara's sudden romance with Antonio. They seem like good dependable guys with sense.
And I find it hilarious that despite Antonio trying to keep his weekend private EVERYONE now seems to know about it & drawing their own conclusions.
5ftLatina: I think she did break up with Cheo. I can't exactly remember but I know I've heard her say it in recent conversations. But of course she fails to be clear with Cheo to stop his nonsense.
jlk
jlk
I am so sold on the romance. I say it, I swooned and sighed.
It's going to be long one and I think the action reflects it. It's 10 episodes in and I feel like not a lot has happened...just a lot of people not doing a lot.
I had always assumed that Cheo and Sara were broken up. I don't think he would have been chasing her if he thought he still had her. That's just me.
Well, I'll put up a post around noonish on Monday which will be for episodes 11-20.
Until then we can chat here.
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