Caray, Caray!

Thank you for the intro, Sara. I hope I can live up to the hype! The recap will be up per usual later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Jarifa
 

You always live up to the hype. Can't wait to read the Jarifa-cap!
 

Capítulo #73 7/8/15 "A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That"

Part 1

María is in her boutique and just got a call from Facundo. She tells Rocío she is going home to talk to him. María is curious about seeing the mysterious place Rocío is preparing at the boutique. Rocío tells her that she will let her know when it is ready. Frederick drops by to tell María that they are still publishing the article leaving out the cave . . . (man) part. The editor will publish it without mentioning the incident.

Back at the bar with Florencio and El Panzón, Florencio has drunk himself into a semi stuporous state. The topic of the conversation goes from taking a break from drinking and having some food to Florencio and his loneliness and pain being separated from María, the woman God put on this earth for him. El Panzón suggests that he resign himself to the situation. Florencio gets angry and says he will not resign himself to the situation. He has made a decision. María only needs only a few days to realize that she loves him; so he will give her the time and rest she needs: he is going to kidnap her. El Panzón tells him he is crazy. Florencio tells him it will all be forgiven because he is doing it in the name of love. He is going to snatch María out of Carmona's hands as he snatched her out of his.

María talks to Facundo in their bedroom. He has made her a little flower out of paper. She tells him how she was on her last nerve and worried with him going off and not letting her know where he was. He says he thought she didn't want to be bohtered about him.. She tells him not to be a blockhead. He wants things to be as they were before and for them to be husband and wife. She is not finding it very easy because of all that has happened. He asks if she is sitll in love with him. Yes, she is. He asks that she give him a chance. She agrees. They kiss and makeup. Red animated hearts rain down.

At the Velasco's a mystery man makes a delivery of 2 bottles of pills to a mystery hand from behind the door that turns out to be connected to Santiago. He wants to be sure nobody human saw the delivery man and pays him. Maybe an ox or some foats we see vut no people. Santiago tells the goats in English "I am watching you."
 

Part 2

Back at the bar, Florencio is finishing eating a bit and is ready to pay the tab for everyone at the bar. He is anxious to get to D.F. El Panzón asks him if he is sure about what he is going to do because there won't be any turning back. El Panzón is concerned about his double café to go with his pan dulce (sweet roll). All Florencio knows is that María is driving him crazy. He will not let anyone stop him from marrying HIS María. Florencio is off to D.F.

María and Facundo have a "reconciliation bubble bath." All is forgotten. He would die if she were not with him.

At the university, Felipe asks Carmen how things are going at home. Carmen tells Him her parents are stranger than ever and that her dad didn't sleep ar home last night. She is visibly upset. Felipe tells her maybe her dad just needed a little space to think it all through. He tells her it will all turn out okay. Diego passes by and says nothing to her or Felipe. Francis and her posse are coming up the stairs in hot pursuiit of Diego. Framcis make a point of noticing Felipe and Carmen and then goes to ask Diego what Carmen ks doing with her Felipe. Diego does not know and does not care. Francis tells him he has to stay with Carmen because she wants her far away from Felipe. He says that is a shame because what he had with Carmen is over and that is is her choice not his. Francis has a plan to get Carmen to get onterested in him again: make her jealous.

At the Velasco's, Isabel wants to know if Santiago is going to get together with his girlfriend. Look at his face, eyes he says. Does she thknk he would be capable of cheating on his wife.? The answer is yes. His girlfriend must be somebody they know. Santiago says certainly not one of her friends: they all have had plastic surgery and are 65 at least. She asks if his lover is María. He immediately changes that to "doña" María and says she is a saint. She wants to know where he is going. He is going to the supermarket to buy food,run errands. He asks if she wants to go with him. But then wait he has forgotten that she is enbarrassed to be seen with her husband. He relaxes at the supermarket with his cart, he touches the grapefruit, he remembers, he touches the watermelons, he remembers . . . Isabel wants to know what exactly he is remembering anyway. She then decides she will go with him. He is so excited since he has not heard "I'll go with you" for so many years from her. She wants to buy things. Afterwards he says they can eat together alone but she insists on picking the place. They do their nose rub thing.

In the university parking lot, Francis is talking to Diego when she sees Carmen coming to her car, She gives Diego a big kiss on the lips. He pushes her aways saying he cannot do this as Carmen looks on. Diego goes to explain it all to Carmen but she is in her car and tells him to leave her alone. Francis is so happynwith the results. Diego says the only reason she wanted to kiss him in front of Carmen was to hurt her. She agrees: hurt her just a little bit. He tells her she is the worst and almost knocks her over trying to get past her to his car. Francis did enjoy that kiss.

Isabel is getting her purse and asking nerself what she is doing. He is her husband. Why not? She is off to go shopping with Santiago.









 

Jarifa,
Just read your Part 1 of the recap. So far, it's great.

I have not seen this capitulo yet. I will when I get home. Will comment more later, or tomorrow.

Hasta pronto...
 

Part 3

In the Carmona's kitchen, Conchita asks Granpappy Porfirio about what happened to Facundo's mother. Granpappy says it was vey painful. Estefany comes in and gives GranPappy a kiss on the cheek and offer to help them. He is Very happy to see her. She says she has noticed that Conchita and Granpapph were having a conversation and that she will be back later to make her green juice. Granpappy likes the idea of two real cute "soldaderas" (female soldiers of the revolution) fighting over his "esquelito" (his bones): just like in the old days. Estefany says she is fighting with no one. She just wants to be part of the family. Conchita looks surprised. She offers to help Conchits again and Granpappy just grins.

Diego is chasing Carmen to the doorway of her house trying to tell her the kiss was not what it ssemed and that Francis onlyndid it to make Carmen jealous. She doesn't believe him a d has a lot of turmoil going on in ner own house and doesn't need more. No she does not want to discuss the turmoil with Diego. Diego counters that she can discuss it all with Felipe though. She says he does not get it that Felipe is just a friend and that he could have had a place heart but after that bit with Francis she does not want to see or hear from him again. He has lost her for good. Granny Perpétua has been listening to it all and congratulates her for putting Diego in his place. Carmen asks if she didthe right thing, why does she feel so bad

Santiago visits Dr. Mireya in her office. He is just there to chit chat. He says she knows that Isabel suspects he is cheating on her. It scared Isabel that after so many years her husband could have another woman. It scared her so much she went shopping with him. They went out to eat as a couple. They ate together, looked in each other's eyes and chatted. He had forgotten how it used to be. Mireya tells him not to be confused. Isabel just does not like to lose. Santiago thinks that he may be just in time to save his marriage. Dr. Mireya tells him his relationship woth Isabel is just a sick dependency and he needs ot get out of there. Dr. Mireya gets up to talk to Santiago closer. Santiago explains he is a lilttle old man, not a ladies man, he has no money, is not powerful, etc. and how hard it is to meet someone at his age. She smiles and asks if he is not exagerating. He almost kisses her; she pulls back. He also wonders why after all the time they have known each other nothing ever more "hirviente" (boiling)has every happened between them. Dr. Mireya"s answer is that things arrive when they have to: Not a day sooner or a day later.She puts her reading glasses on Santiago's face.

At the Carmona dinner table, Carmen is upset and doesn't want any food. Granpappy asks her what is wrong. María and Facundo tell her they have made up so there is no reason for her to cry. Of course Granny has to open her mouth and tell Carmen's business (how many ways can we say blabbermouth) Facundo pounds on the table and laughs when he hears Carmen broke up with Diego. This is just another reason to celebrate and they all get up and toast. Carmen is just more upset and tells them not to play with her.

Santiago is still chit chatting with Dr. Mireya. He puts her glasses back on her face. He decides that things are not going in the right direction. She is his wife's therapist. He cannot do this. She says if he says so. Would she really say nothing to anyone? He talks about her white teeth and they end up kissing. They have not locked the outer door so they do not know that Esteban has arrived and is watching them. Esteban talks to himself in his head: telling himself to be calm, think and not to wring Dr. Mireya's neck. As Santiago and Mireya kiss and giggle and squeal (Margarito still has the best squeal) Esteban retreats and thinks about how Mireya has betrayed him. What will Isabel think when she finds out her husband is going out with her psychiatrist?
 

Thanks, Jarifa.
Consider me a member of the Ernesto LaGuardia fan club!
 

Part 4

Back at the dinner table, Susana encourages Jacinto to give the family the good news. When he doesn't do it she does with obvious pride in her little brother: he has been selected to go to the Math Olympiad with the most intelligent kids in the whole school. He is just embarrassed. Estefany immediately hugs him, kisses his head and offers to help him of he needs it. He then says that in the midst of all of the havoc in the house he thought it wasn't going to matter to anyone. The only one who is really interested in him is his aunt Estefany. María is clearly not happy as he goes to give Estefany a hug and pulls him back. Of course Facundo orders him over and asks when wasn't he ever important to anyone in the family. They all support him a lot and he is very important to all of them. Facundo says that he and his mother María adore him. They all toast.

Santiago and Mireya are still going at it but Santiago has misgivings because Mireya is his wife's therapist. She asks him if it felt good. It felt really good. Dangerous things feel good. Prohibited things feel no . . .he is worried if Isabel his "Puchis" finds out she will be so angry that she will even cut his . . . desire to live and Mireya , too. Mireya says he should not exagerate because it was just a kiss but it but perhaps it could be something more. He wants to know what. He finds out when she sits on his lap. He turns around a couple of monkey statues so they won't see like them just his Puchis can't see them.

At the Velasco's, Esteban is paying a visit to Isabel. She wants Him to tell her is Santiago is cheating on her. He says Santiago is so afraid it would be impossible for him to cheat on her. She brings up Estefany but she is part of the past. She is interested if there is someone right now in his life. Esteban tells her to calm down. Has she seen or heard anything? Well, Esteban has told her that she has to take care of Santiago because he is acting llike an adolescent, etc. etc. Sure he did but he finesse's it away saying he and Santiago aren't the friends they used to be. Does she know he misses her? She is trying to avoid at all cost problems. She has a wonderful psychiatrist . Isabel has some pills. Esteban thinks: poor thing if she only knew I was behind all this. Suddenly Isabel is all happy and talking about how good her psychiatrist is, etc. Esteban then plants the seed of doubt telling Isabel how when they were all at university together how Santiago and Mireya they tried going but nothing ever became of it. He just wants her to be careful so that that love story does make a return. Isabel is upset.

María is at the house talking with a bank representataive explaining her business account to her and how to access it, etc.

Florencio has arrived and is hiding behind a tree on Carmona's property. He will either return with María to San Bartolo el Chico or his name won't be Florencio Gallardo.

In the house Granny is giving María a hard time over her having her own account if Facundo has always managed the money. María says she has sher own store and wants to manage her own money. Granny doesn't bellieve her that she set things straight and is on good terms with Facundo. She still believes she plans to pick up,and leave for the country. (Can someone send Granny on a vacation out of this story permanently-María cannot win) that is why she wants to mange her own money. Facundo comes in wanting to know what Is going on: Is she planning on leaving him? .
 

Part 5

Isabel is getting more and more upset thinking about Santiago and Mireya her psychiatrist maybe getting together. Esteban says it would not be ethical for her to get involved because Isabel is her patient. Seems Santiago never mentioned that he knew her the first time he brought her to be seen by Dr. Mireya. She knows he did not mention it for a reason. She wants to know what Esteban k ows about her. Esteban says not much because he has not seen her in hears. She did have a pretty body. Isabel says she still has. She accuse Esteban if lying because of the way he is grimacing. He denies. She asks if he Esteban has somehting going on with Mireya. If he is telling her now about this supposed relationship between Santiago and Mireya it is for a reason. She promises she is going to find out what he is hiding. That was the reason Santiago made her go back to the psychiatrist: to keep her under control. Isabel just gets more and more upset and Esteban just watches her. She get up to get more pills.

Facundo wants to know if what Granny said was true. Granny has to whisper I told you so. María says that yes she was planning to leave with her younger children but not anymore. He now knows why Granny went to see him at the office to talk tomhim about something urgent. FINALLY! María says this disagreement is vetween my husband and me, you mind leaving us alone?????? Granny was just rying to make things better. . . She is offended and leaves the scene yellkng "just run me off!" "I'll run off on my own!" "She wants to go home to her town". What money were you planning on using? asks Facundo.. Granpappy is now listening. María says the money from the store. She reminds him he asked for a chance and she is giving it to him so he does not have ot worry. Right now she opens a bank account? What is he to think? He leaves and won't let her explain anything else. Granpappy comes out and says if she is going back to the ranch, he will be going with her, okay? She has to smile.

Isabel is in the bathroom getting rid of all of her pills because she now thinks that Mireya wanted to drive her crazy. Of course Esteban is disagreeing with it all. Isabel is taking more and more pills as she is throwing them in the garbage. She tells Esteban she wants to talk to him in the living room.

Facundo gets a call from El Panzón. He calls El Panzón a gossip and tells him he has no time for him. They argue, then El Panzón tells him that at this very time . . . Facundo looks like his head is going to explode.


El fin

Jarifa
 

If we have to have a grandparent die in the story, can it please be Perpétua the Blabbermouth?


Jarifa
 

Oh Jarifa, that's soooooooooo funny, "can it please be Perpetua the Blabbemouth?"

Thanks for the detailed recap ... need to reread to get all fine points. I did not understand at all that Florencio was talking about kidnapping Maria nor what he was doing sneaking behind the trees.

Lola
 

Thank you so much, Jarifa. I always love how much detail you give us.

I cracked up when Santi told the goats, I'm watching you, in English. LOL! He just doesn't learned and is going to be in such big trouble when Isa catches him red handed with the redhead.

My theory about the mystery pills he had delivered is that he replaced Isa's pills with placebos. Otherwise, not sure what they could be. He certainly doesn't need Viagra.

I'm so mad at Perpetua I could spit. I like Porf telling Maria he would go with her, but I need him to go knock some sense into his son and tell him to stop acting like a macho idiot or he'll lose his wife. Porf seems to be the only person Fac listens to.
 

Ooh boy, did Florencio turn dark quickly. It's all fun and games until someone starts talking about kidnapping.
 

Jarifa, muchas gracias for all the details. That was a terrific episode and reviewing it through your superb recap was great. Facundo's head did indeed look like it would explode.

El Panzon has the worst timing and is a buttinski, but I think he did the right thing alerting Fac that Florencio is heading to his home. As for that other buttinski, "Perpetua the Blabbermouth [thanks, Jarifa!], I just wanted to smack her. Poor Maria. How can she say "I love you and I've decided to keep you as a husband, but you are no longer the boss of me." I actually felt sorry for Fac. Maria is doing the right thing, but after all his years of being in charge, this needed to be handled delicately. Thanks, Perpetua for putting your need for the status quo above Maria's need to blossom. A pox on you!

Well, at least Isa is on to the fact that those pills might not be legit. But, Santi, macking on your wife's psychiatrist is so wrong. But turning the monkey statues away from facing you was so funny.

Hmmm, Florencio, how can you win over a married woman with four kids in just a few days? Seems Maria really did drive you loco.
 

Thank you, Jarifa. Like you, I am done with Granny. It is scary to me that both Granny and Fac don't want Maria to control her own money.
 

Perpetua and Fac don't seem to realize that Maria forgiving Fac doesn't mean she intends for things to go back to the way they were before. Maria's still moving forward, and they are trying to hold her back.
 

It's overdramatic of me, but sometimes it feels like the Fac/Maria dynamic is abusive. He doesn't beat her and he doesn't say abusive things outright but he and Perpetua have a way of making her feel small.
 

I am glad you all enjoyed the recap.

Sara, you are not the only one that feels that way. There is something inherently psychologically abusive about machismo. It bothers me when everybody is afraid to tell bellowing Facundo what he needs to hear. Sort of like he is judge, jury, and executioner. Again, María did nothing wrong. It was goofball Facundo who was/is playing with Isabel. Why should María be blamed for devising a survival plan for herself and her children? I have said it before: he treats her like one of the kids which is another ther reason Beto and Carmen don't always treat her with as much respect as they should. I cannot wait for Florencio to make his presence known.

Lola, I am old enough to remember from my childhood Jackie Gleason on "The Honeymooners" calling his mother in law "The Blabbermouth". I was thinking about his delivery when I wrote it.

Vivi, interesting theory about the mystery pills. I never expected a kidnapping but if you are dealing in tit for tat payback, Florencio probably sees it in his own twisted way as the equivalent to María being stolen from him (eventhough she willingly left him at the altar).

Niecie, very well put about Perpétua's need for the status quo trumping María's need to blossom, especially the "pox on you" part!

Jarifa
 

"Why should María be blamed for devising a survival plan for herself and her children?"

THIS! Maybe I'm trying to inject too much realism, but every woman should be able to function if, God forbid, something should happen to her husband. As things stand now, Maria would be alone with never having managed a bank account. No, it's good for her to know how these things work.
 

ITA with you, Sara. It is sort of hard for me not to "inject realism" also when "machismo" has become a major theme of the novela even though it is not a drama. Just one of those topics that I could go on and on about, but I won't! : )

Jarifa
 

I'm not going to express myself well, but I almost wish we did have some crazy, over-the-top darkness and mayhem. This situation with Maria is making me very uncomfortable.

I'm going to have faith that it will all be OK in the end.
 

Oh and comment bomb.

I was glad Diego decided not to put up with Carmen's half-hearted attempts at being a couple. But now Carmen is all upset. Not to mention Francis made it sound like Diego has been playing all along. I'm so confused by this relationship.

And Fac is a macho dimwit, but more EY in the tub, please.
 

Jarifa, thank you so much for the comprehensive retelling.

To his core, Facundo believes a woman should remain barefoot and pregnant.
 

Now if Diego would just give Francis the old heave ho. That could make me happy.

Jarifa
 

Amen, tofie! Hopefully something will change his thinking. Maybe a head injury.

Jarifa- Francis worries me because she just doesn't quit!
 

Perfectly put, Tofie!

Sara, I hope she and Hilda never join forces. That would be a disaster.

BTW, love the good manners reminder above the comment boxes.

Jarifa
 

One of the many things I like about ACT is that it's not black and white. Fac is a macho, probably by upbringing by Porfirio and his little town, but moved to the city so that Carmen (as well as Jacinto and Susanna) could get good college education (presumably to do more than cook), has a tomboy daughter who gets no pushback from him, and at one time put the house up for sale because Maria demanded it of him. Maria, with Perpetua, grew up in a macho environment and took it for normal.

Fac's foolishness with Isa helped open Maria's eyes, but after a lifetime of macho Fac changing overnight to be okay Maria opened a bank account he knows nothing about wouldn't be realistic. Too bad after the reconciliation bubblebath that Maria didn't have time to get the message over to Fac in her own way that things have changed and why. First up in that discussion would be that in fact their financial holdings and property are 50-50, so that store he "bought for her" was actually purchased with both their money.
 

I can see your point, Niecie. There's just a lot of meddling and I think it hurts the husbad/wife dynamic. Are you listening, Perpetua?
 

If Facundo knew how to interact with Maria as an equal instead of a brainless possession he would ask before a knee jerk reaction. He threw a little fit when he didn't get his way, Maria placated him, which unfortunately reinforced his behavior. He isn't changing, just using all the tricks in his macho toolbelt to keep his woman in line. Sulking, bluff, intimidation, derogatory comments, leverage of her mothers views to acquiesce always to the man, etc. He's been able to keep her stupid and dependent for 20 years and he a happy man. She now is aware.
 

I was hoping with Florencio we were going to get a half-sane male role model. He's as loco as the other "adult" males.

Totally agree with the "macho attitude abuse" being abuse, period.

Lola
 

I just hope Stefi sets her sights on Florencio and he takes her off to his ranch in the county. All he has to do is add "Esther" in front of Maria on the ranch sign, and it's a go. :)
 

Vivi, that is so funny!

Jarifa
 

Jarifa, you always live up to the hype. Your reputation as a stellar recapper is now very firmly in place. Your detail is astounding. I miss so much of the dialog and you always relate the conversations and action to perfection. Gracias.

"reconciliation bubble bath" and "Granny has to open her mouth and tell Carmen's business (how many ways can we say blabbermouth)" were my favorites. And, thank you for the reminder about Jackie Gleason's famous "blabbermouth" line. Most excellent.

"Florencio gets angry and says he will not resign himself to the situation". Hmm, stubborn and won't take no for an answer. Who does this sound like??

Florencio seems single mindedly dedicated to "possessing" Maria. Both he and Facundo predicate everything on what they want, not what Maria wants. And also, yes, kidnapping her seems like a great idea. That ALWAYS works so well. I will have to see Florencio when he isn't inebriated but stealing Maria "back" because she's "his" isn't giving him much credence in my book.

I absolutely loved the scene where Santi spoke to the goats, replete with motions that he was watching them. It made my night.

Niecie, I totally agree that El Panzon did the right thing (in this instance) by telling Facundo that Florencio is on the way. I say let them fight each other, knock each other out and have Maria ride into the sunset. Alone!

Vivi, I hope Facundo warrants Maria’s believing (and desire) for things to be different. Perhaps he really needs to believe Maria will leave him before he can stop his macho posturing and blustering.

Sara, "And Fac is a macho dimwit, but more EY in the tub, please.." Amen, sister. Amen.

Jarifa, stunning.

Diana
 

Lola- I was for something different with Florencio as well, but nope. We got another macho loco. Augustin is pretty funny as a ranchero though. It seems so unlike him.


 

Diana, so glad someone got the Jackie Gleason reference. I think María could learn a lot from Alice Kramden. I can still Alice with her arms folded and a pissy look on her face as Ralph would throw a tantrum. It is still funny.

Anyway, I am hoping Florencio makes his big move tonight. Just love the idea of him skulking around the Carmona property. Without knowing it, Facundo just might have pushed María towards his competition. Sure hope so!

Jarifa


 

Great recap, Sara and Jarifa!
heading for a sleep study tonight but will be back tomorrow to write my recap.
i will second sending Perpetua if any granny has to go.
 

Looking forward to your recap tomorrow. Yay, another vote to send Granny packing if some granny as to go to the great beyond!

Jarifa
 

As much as I love EL, I am a bit perturbed that Santi made the remark about women "over 65". At 60, I'm almost there and I think I speak for my generation when I say the fire is still roarin' and Santi honey, you don't know what you're missin'.
:)

Diana
 

Recap will be up per usual.

Jarifa
 

Looking forward to it!
 

Capítulo 74 7/9/ 15. "You Can Batten Down the Hatches; You Can Circle the Wagons BUT You Can't Go Home Again (Someone Needs to Tell Facundo)"

Part 1

Quite an episode that starts with

Susana, Alejandra, Andrés and Jacinto in a corral where Andrës is taking a video of Jacinto talking about how the corral is the best place to study natural science: lots of biology studies use a set up similar to it. Ale adds that those studies have cute little animals in them just like they have here. Jacinto says they call them their "study subjects" and not "cute little animals". Andrés adds it is a part of nature in the city. Susana adds all of their class ates will be dying of jealousy when they see the results of their work. Ale guves Jacinto credit for th idea in the first place. Andrés says thanks to them he and Ale have experienced things they never would have. Susana says that is friendship doing something gladly for somebody with no self interest. They end up talking about how grownups get so crazy and strange with the love thing that just complicates everything. They all will be friends forever.

At the same time Facundo is on the search for Florencio. He is bellowing Florencio Gallardo as he goes striding around his property with María on his heels. He is yelling for that damned rat to get out of his hole. María does not jnderstand why he is yelling for Florencio who is not close at all. Surprise for María: Florencio pops up quite quickly and the nastiness escalates. He tells Facundo he is there to take María to his ranch where she has always belonged. Facundo asks her if she is in agreement so she can leave him. Facindo and Florencio fave each other.

At the Velasco's Esteban is still with Isabel who is completely out of it from the pills and is snorting and clucking. She is having a hard time getting her thoughts straight but she does know that Dr.Mireya is in love with Santiago and she plans to report her so she loses her license. She put her trust in her. What she did was unethical, immoral. Esteban wants her to calm down. That is not happening. Santiago smelled like perfume. It must have been from her and they have no idea with whom they are dealing. They are going to pay dearly for what they did to her. She feels bad and goes to sit down. She is dizzy. She needs Esteban's help in all of this. He wants to know why she is so jealous of Santiago when she said he didn't matter to her. She answers that of course Santiago matters to her . . . a little. She is a mess.

Back at the showdown, María is sick of Facundo treating her as if he does not know her: she is his wife not just anybody. She would not be leaving with anybody because she has a husband. Things are bad between them, but good or bad, he is her husband.mFlorencio syas he is not asking Facundo's permission and so the argument goes with them trading insults. Facud o tells María to go inside because they are going to settle things like men. She won't go unless he is coming woth her. He is not going until he plucks the feathers off that scarecrow. He tells her to go inside and she goes. The two rivals just stare at each other.

Inside the house, Estefany is thinking how she would rearrange th furniture to march the advice of her card reading and to facilitate the "chi" energy in the living room. María comes running in to tell Estefany about the standoff. María explains who Florencio is and she never thought he would be crazy enough to come looking for her here. Of course, Granny Perpétua pops up accusing María of keeping secrets from her mother and insulting Estefany. María tells her that Estefany is her friend and she should have not told Faciundo all of jer secreta about her going or not. Granny says she did it just to help her. Estefanynis off to see what is going on outside.









 

Part 2

Facundo and Florencio are still exchanging insults. Facundo does not want to forget how they were friends when they were little kids. Florencio said he already forgot that years ago when he stole his intended María away from him right in front of the house of God. So why would he not do the same thing to him right in front of his house? Facundo does not want his house to get splattered by blood so why don't thing go a few blocks down and have it out. They keep postering and trading insults but nobody is moving very far and nobody knows where they are going. (their reluctance to really do anything is funny). It looks like they might actually trade a few punches when Estefany arrives and kicks off her shoes. She runs in between them and tells them that that is enough. She tells Facindo that María's mother is very upset and might have a heart attack because of all of this (sure). Estefany gets in with her fists up to help Facundo. He pushes her aside.florencio cannot believe that she is defending Facundo. He has his hat in his hand and looks like he is retreating. Estefany tells him to go. They start almost to fight again and on it goes.

At the same time Santiago is having the time of his life in bed with Mireya. Both of them regret not having gotten together earlier in their lives because it was just so good. Their lives would have been so different. All they do is smile and giggle under the covers together.

Facundo tells Florencio to fo. He says he is already gone. All Estefany to know is if Facundo has Florencio's phone number.

Back in bed, Santiago wants to know how he did on a scale of 1-10. Mireya would give him an "11"!!! He is in heaven.. She says he turned into a bull. A bull? He says he turned into an ox. More giggling and rolling around in the sheets.

Estefany is seated by the animal corral with Susana, Jacknto, Alejandra and Andrés. She is talking about how ner granny had talked to her about the importance of friendship when she was a little girl. When friendship is real, it is eternal. Her aunt quoted a poem from

Pablo Neruda ( 20th century poet from Chile;) "Algunas amistades on eternas" ("Some Friendships are Eternal") Algunas veces encuentras en la vida una amistad especial; (Sometimes you find in life a special friendship)/ ese alguien que al entrar en tu vida la cambia por completo. (that someone who upon entering your life changes it completely)/Ese alguien que te hace reír sin cesar; (that someone who makes you laugh without being able to stop)/ese alguien que te hace creer que en el mundo existen realmente cosas buenas. (that someone who makes you believe that really good things do exist in this world)/Ese alguien que te convence de que hay una puerta lista para que tú la abras(that someone who convinces you that there is a door ready for you to just open it.) Esa es la amistad eterna./(That is eternal friendship.)

María has been listening and watching from the background. Estefany says that María is her eternal friend because there is not a woman as good as she is in the entire world. María smiles. She wants all all of the kids to oromise to ne each others eternal friends somthey will never be alone and they can always count on their aunt Estefany.







 

Part 3


María finds Facundo stewing in their room and tells him that they have ton talk to that what they have is not lost. He is still not sure about her wanting to go back to the country. Was she planning on going back to be with Florencio? Facundo is reallly over the edge. How can he be sure of himself with all of this stuff going on with her (but she hasn't done anything-Jarifa) María has to remind him that she made those plans to go back because he had hurt her. He seems to have lost track of that fact. Nothing to do with Florencio. (It is all about him as usual-Jarifa). He goes into a tirade about how bad things have been since they came to live in the city with so much lying, nonsense, etc. Facundo is at the point of tears he is so frustrated. He wants to have a family meeting to tell them all what he has been thinking about which will change their lives forever. María looks worried.

At the boutique, Rocío shows Beto their special place. The theme of the special place/room is "fire": because he "lit" something inside of her; he filled all of her sadness with light; their love was a powerful flame,; despite all of the obstacles, she remained on fire; when they are together she feels that their hearts let loose like a fire. He saved her life. They now have a magical place for just he two of them. It isa beautiful space decorated with candles. They are having a fine old time when Hilda pops in to drop off more knitted articles and get her money. She is her usual obnoxious self but Rocío is not having it. Rocío tells her there is no money because not one of her items has sold. Beto throws her out. Beto gets a phone call from his mom that his dad is having a family meetimg to make an announcement.
He has to go.

Santiago is trying to sneak into his house. He sees Isabel in a sort of Yoga pose and asks himself if it is one of Botero's (Colombian artist/sculptor) fat ladies or his Puchis not looking so good. She suddenly jumps up and scares him. She wants to know where he has been all afternoon. He has a thousand and one of stupid excuses but she does not believe him. Turns out his hair is wet, too. She starts sniffing him and he just gets more nervous. Then he turns it back on her saying that she is strange, a bad wife. Her conscience must be bothering her because she is hiding something she did so she is turning it on him. Je has to be a saint to put up with her. He will leave her alone so she can do her penance.

Esteban is drilling Mireya about how things are going with Isabel and he wants no more lies. He wants to get all of Santiago's momey before it is all allocated to his new business. He tells her he knows what is going on with her and Santiago. He saw them kissing in her office. Why did she kiss him? Did she fall in love with him?

The family meeting is indeed a Facundo fiasco (my description) Everyone is there even some of the little animals. Facundo is at his worse telling everyone about how many problems they have had in everything they have been involved in since they moved to the city. He has a plan so there will be no more problems. He is just roaring. He wants them to be more of a family like they were back in the country: helping each other, comfiding in each other, respecting each other, etc. So some changes will be made. First of all there will be no further contact with ANY of the Velasco's except (especially directed at Beto) at work. Susana and Jacinto are up in arms. So much for their eternal friendships. He and María have talked about it and they are going to take care of that situation with a firm hand. Beto reminds him he and Rocío are getting married. Facundo tells him that if he insists on getting married to that girl he will have to stop calling himself a Carmona.


 

Part 4

Esteban is till interrogating Mireya. He wants to know if she fell in love with that imbecile Santiago. He wants to know when she got confused. What happened to her? Their plan was ready to go. Santiago likes to deceive, to steal. His worst vice is swindling everybody. She is ot so sure. He tells her she doesn't know where Santiago comes from. He got his degree by copying the exams and buying assignments not like Esteban who had to do double the work always having to work up from the bottom. That is why he wants to take everything away from Santiago. He reminds her that she and he Esteban had it good. She wants out of the plan. He tells her she isn't getting out of it so easily.

Back at the Carmona's Facundo is raging on. Facundo tells Beto he will not be getting married to Rocío "por ahora" for the time being. Beto tells him he will marry Rocío with or without his permission. Facid gives a sarcastic laugh and tells him that he nor his mother María ever approved of him marrying Rocío. He tells María to tell him theynwere never for it. She does. Beto calls his mom on changing her mind. They do not want him jumping into anything. Facundo informs him that this is how things are going to be run in their house from now on. Beto says it is not fair. Facundo's response is that he is not fair for him not wanting to see his family united because he os selfish. All of their oroblems have been caused by the Velasco's and now he wants to marry one and bring her knto their house??? Beto tells them Rocío is ready to give up her family. María reminds him when you marry you marry the family. "Muerto el perro acabó la rabia" (If the dog is dead, no more rabies). Granpappy Porfirio makes the comment that there are plenty other cute girls out there. Beto pleads. Facundo tells him once he has a career and can support that so and so, then he can have that attitude with him. Of course Granny Perpétua is with the plan and says it should have been this way from the start. Beto does not want to disresect his parents, so he is out of there. Comchital in tears stands up for Rocío as being a good girl. Facundo being his ignorant self says she might be but then she might not having an aunt and uncle like that. He does not want her with his son, because he KNOWS he is a good boy.

Mireya decides that they should take out Isabel so then she can end up with Santiago. Esteban starts in again on how rotten Santiago is. He wants to know if she likes Santiago or is inlove with him. She is in love with Santiago. She fell in "love's traps".

Estefany sees Beto outside and tries to give him some hope. Facundo is just trying to do what he thinks is right. Beto says he is of legal age to do what he wants. She says not to press the issue and just let his parents cool down and she as his aunt will help him fix things. Also probably better not to tell Rocío so she does not suffer needlessly.

Esteban tells Mireya he wanted to take care of this situation in a good way but since that is not working they will have to take care of it the bad way. She is not sure what he means. She will not leave the game. If she can ot take care of things in a good way, she will take care of things the bad way and she knows he can finish her off. She is very nervous amd upset. Esteban doesn't want to hear it. She begs him to talk. No way. He tells her to finish that craziness with Santiago. She has to separate Santiago and Isabel he says caressing her face. They will put Isabel in a mental hospital so he can weaken Santiago. If she does not do it, he reminds her that he can finish her off easily.

Isabel is outside with her laptop trying to make sense of the whole Esteban, Mireya, Santiago situation(s).

El Panzón is having a great time in the bar with the trio of thiieves until Florencio arrives and punches him out for having given Facundo a heads up about his trip to D.F. He tells him he is a traitor and traitors don't belong in this town.


 

Beto tells Rocío what went on at the house. She doesn't want "that woman" Estefany involved on their business. Beto does not know why his father is doing this to him. Rocío said she always expected something like this to happen and getting married is not that important as long as they are together. Beto gets upset asking her if she wants to marry him. Of course, she does. He tells her she is worth her weight in gold and he will marry her even if it is secretly or even if he has to steal her away as His father did his mother. Rocío smiles.



El fin


Jarifa
 

The name of the poem is " Algunas amistades SON eternas".

Jarifa
 

Jarifa- I have to run, but before I do, a BIG thank you for covering such a difficult episode with so much great detail.

Quick thoughts:

Funniest moment- Stefi asking if Fac has Florencio's number.

Stefi was racking up the points this episode. Loved her with all the kids.

I HATED Facundo this episode. No you jerk, YOU are the cause of all the problems. Perpetua came in second on my hate list, and Maria came in 3rd for letting Fac get away with this foolishness.


 

Jarifa – Terrific title and recap. My favorite: They keep posturing and trading insults but nobody is moving very far and nobody knows where they are going. -- perfectly captured that farce of a fight. Another favorite: Facundo fiasco. Thanks for taking the time to translate Pablo Neruda’s poem.

Let’s see. The only Carmona to run amok since coming to the city is Facundo. He gave money to Santi (despite Rocio’s noble and brave warning that her family was scamming him!) and kept cavorting with Isa. Carmen ran amok a bit too if you count her chasing another girl’s boyfriend and deliberately ramming into her car. So the whole Carmona family has to be on lockdown from the Velascos? I too am sad to see Maria going along with Fac’s cockamamie decision.

Funniest moment- Stefi asking if Fac has Florencio's number.

Vivi, that was hilarious. I felt chemistry between Florencio and Estefany when she tried to break up the “fight.” Hope something happens there. They both got left at the altar, so they have at least one thing in common. Plus she likes money and he has money.

Will Estefany become the Carmona’s Auntie Mame? I hope so. I did enjoy Fac and Florencio circling each other and trading insults. I could watch them trade insults all day.

All in all not Maria’s best day. Going along with Fac’s decision and those high heels on the grass slowing down her normal stride.

Rocio’s special place – Such a lovely romantic sentiment, but all I could think of was that candles burning in a clothes store is probably against DF’s fire code. But Rocio and Beto do sizzle, and I’m glad Beto isn’t listening to his dumb ole dad.
 

Thank you, Jarifa. Your recap was the perfect accompaniment to my coffee. Special thanks for poem and translation.
 

Every time I think that an episode is just going to be so so, this show blows me away. Last night was a perfect example of that. Now if my fingers would just hit all the right keys. . .

One of my favorite things is when the writers use literature (especially Hispanic literature) and in this case also art references in novelas. It just adds to the depth of the writing and storytelling.

Vivi and Niecie, I also agree that the funniest moment was Estefany asking for Florencio's phone number. They would make a good couple. My second favorite funniest part was anytime Santiago and Mireya were giggling in the sheets together.

Niecie, that would be cute if Estefany did become an "auntie Mame" of sorts.

What bothered me last night was that Facundo was so hateful and cruel. An example was when he just had to rub it in telling Conchita how he was sure about Beto but not about Rocío. Granny was right behind him spewing her own special brand if hatred. They clearly could be mother and son.

María got ZERO points from me last night just going right along with Facundo as he raged on and going back on her acceptance of Rocío. Will she ever get a backbone when it comes to demanding respect for herself or even others from Facundo or from her own mother? I am really wondering after last night.

The whole Beto not getting married thing was odd. First Facundo declared that he was not going to marry Rocío. Then he was not going to marry her "por ahora" (right now); then he wasn't marrying her "ahorita" (right now). Here is hoping Beto does what Rocío was willing to do for him: give up his crazy parents and marry her. If he isn't willing to do it, Rocío should dump him.

That is all for now.

Jarifa






 

I like when they reference art an literature, too. One thing I've noticed about Televisa is the artwork they use in the set dressing. There have been many times over the years where I have wondered if Televisa supports new artists by using their work. I'm not explaining myself well.

There were some pieces in LQNPA that I loved and I know I've mentioned the art in Santi and Isa's bedroom. There was also a piece I believe in Mireya's office that I liked. And I recall someone loving the work in Rocío's bedroom.

I wish the end credits would include the artwork.
 

I've been off the reservation for a while so thanks to all of the recappers.

I was hoping that Fac had turned the corner but last night proved his cluelessness. He was horrible and again has taken no responsibility for any of their problems. What's funny is that now that Isa has backed off the only problems have been the lingering ones bet Fac and Maria.

I was more angry with Maria going along with her controlling brute of a husband than he himself bec that's what I expect from him. I feel like Maria went along with it to help herself after Florencio arrived than thinking of the kids.

And why couldn't Perp have had a heart attack?! I'm so sick of her.

Really hope Estefy and Florencio get together.

I'm confused with the whole Mireya thing and her being in love with Santi. Did they know each other previously? I didn't think so. Did one night of passion seal it? I'm confused on her motives from the beginning.


 

"Perp" - HAHAHAHA!

Good to see you again, Carvivlie.
 

Carvivlie, I "think" that Santiago knew Mireya back from his university days.??? That being said, the whole Esteban-Mireya-Santiago-Isabel thing makes my head hurt . . . But in a good funny way.

Jarifa
 

Sara, I still wonder who painted that weird painting in the Velasco's bedroom with the old guy holding a mask in front if his face.

Jarifa
 

I think its weird that the meds seem to be making Isa feel more for her husband lately and totally forget abt Fac.
 

Those meds are definitely not having quite the intended results on Isa. She's been loopy, but she's actually been nicer. She threw a bunch away last episode, but she was popping more this episode. I assume she had extra stashes elsewhere in the house. I still wonder what those pills were that Santi had delivered.

Yes, it appears the whole gang (Santi, Isa, Stefi, Mireya) knew each other back in college-- some better than others.
 

Jarifa, how can you not love anything that starts with "You Can Batten Down the Hatches; You Can Circle the Wagons BUT You Can't Go Home Again (Someone Needs to Tell Facundo)"? I so enjoyed your poem translation and the entire recap was wonderful.

I missed this and am nonplussed at Facundo, bellowing out his self centered “rules”. What an obnoxious tyrant (ITA Vivi).

“He tells Facundo he is there to take María to his ranch where she has always belonged”. I’m still stunned these men are so selfish and self absorbed. It’s always what they want, not what Maria wants. "María is sick of Facundo treating her as if he does not know her”. And what is so sad that he has had years of wasted opportunity – the thought of psychological familiarity and intimacy never occurred to him.

Niecie, I liked the idea of Est and Florencio together and laughed at your “They both got left at the altar, so they have at least one thing in common”. Very true!

Facundo going to the dark side (as much as a "galan" can) was disturbing. If I have time, I might try to watch this On Demand - I'm really starting to life Este.

Diana
 

...starting to like Este.

Diana
 

Sara- I remember in Sortilegio that their house had amazing artwork all over the house, and in most of the other houses we were shown. I later found videos online of bumpers shown right before commercials in Mexico where the cast advertised the various pieces of art. The names of the artists were shown and much of the proceeds for the sales were going to a childhood cancer charity.

The pieces shown in La Malquerida were by a young artist. In Mexico there were articles about his work, and his piece of Africa Zavala was auctioned and the proceeds went to a charity that works with women who have been trafficked.
 

Thank you for that info, Vivi! I remember that art in La Malquerida. I liked it too.

 

Diana, this is well worth the watch if you can see it On Demand with all of the drama, comedy and poignant moments, too. Estefany was so good/kind to everyone in this one. I hope she has changed completely for the better and does not have a moral relapse.

Jarifa
 

Thank you Jarifa !!! You had so much to cover last night. Wow !!

I like Stephie with the kids, but Rocio is right; Steph should butt out of Rocio and Beto's relationship. If the boutique is closed (assuming it is since R and B are smooching in the private space capsule), locking the door might keep the riffraff (Hilde) out.

Loved the Botero reference too when Isa was all curled up on the ledge with her cheeks puffed up ... and the poem too.

So is this Esteban's plan? Ruin Santi, get his money before he blows it on his new endeavor, save Isa after he rescues her from the manicomio (she will be eternally grateful), and still have his little side flings with Stephanie and Mireya whenever he wants. A mystery.

Facundo is one scary dude.

Lola
 

Way behind, though I do try to catch the end and read bits of the recaps.

I'm seriously PO'd at Fac. So the family is not as tight as it used to be? Who's to blame for that you . . . ?! Fac was the one who moved them to the city. Fac was the one who let Santi cheat him out of his money. Fac was the one who didn't discourage Isa and in fact pretty much encouraged her by NOT discouraging her. Hypocritical jerk!!
 

Jarifa, I took your advice and watched this. I'm so glad I did. Gracias amiga.

I wish Florencio had come in smooth and sweet. I think introducing a character possessing calmness and quiet passion would have posed a more glaring contrast to Facundo's screaming and explosive nature. I just can't take him too seriously as both are volatile and selfish. Now again, if it had been Arturo Peniche. Sigh.

I loved Esty trying to break up the two bulls and her scene with the children. I am cheering her redemption! I did not love seeing the evil Esteban taking obvious pleasure in the drugging of Isa or Santi cheating with the reprehensible doctora. Ack.

Lola, your questions were good ones. Esteban has confounded me for some time. I don't know why he seems to be engineering Isa's total decimation to swoop in at the last minute. He obviously has a very warped sense of "love".

I love that Conchita gave Profirio a hard boiled egg as Fac's tirade began. Everything went downhill thereafter. Poor Beto - he was devasted! And Susana and Jacinto losing their dear friends was so sad. Let's hope this ban is short

No sympathy for Mireya. She and Esteban can rot in jail interminably as far as I'm concerned.

Shut up Perpetua. Please.

Diana