Caray, Caray!

Wonderful recap, Marta, thank you. " El Chapulín Colorado" ! Funny!

Great pace and loads of action. I did not like María going off with La Pantera. That was just stupid but all in all I liked this one a lot especially:

Florencio with La Pantera's lipstick smeared all over his mouth.
Esteban as the shiekh with his excessive black eyeliner.
Corina ( Isabel's' mom) back from Italy widowed, wealthy and happy with investment accounts set up for her grandchildren.
Facundo praying for Facundo the horse.
The billiards on horseback tournament and all of Facundo's fancy shots.
El Panzón and his vuvuzela (stadium horn). Jacinto and his vuvuzela. I love saying "vuvuzela".
Francis on the bus with the chickens, being made to dance on the bus, running into a piggy experience.
María actuality saying "la sangre llama" . (the blood calls)
Estefany ready to get out of town and up to Monterrey while the going is good.

Guess we will not find out more about Mr. Malena.
As somebody mentioned a while back, the actress cast for La Pantera did look like she could have been María's sister.
Will the kids call La Pantera "Aunty Pantera"?
 

Marta, loved the title. The recap was sensational - I could tell you enjoyed writing this! "Francis huffs and puffs ..." was one of many lines that had me smiling away.

I am so happy that a few of the storylines have kept up the theme of this TN - sweet and fitting. So, a fall and a hit of the head eradicates vengeance and brings the two sisters together just like that?? Excellent! Francis comes from working class folk and flees to be "assaulted" by chickens and pigs on the bus?? Perfection. Kudos to the writers...

Jarifa, I also loved Florencio wearing La Pantera's lipstick like a clown mouth! I had to smile.

I have to digress to say Facundo looked so handsome last night, I thought I would swoon. When doing those daring stunts while playing pool, those bulging muscles were hard to ignore. So I resigned myself and enjoyed the view ;) I am glad Facundo the horse will be making a full recovery.

I applauded Francis' Big Bus Adventure. Jarifa, yes! Her having to dance was great fun. Really fun and very fitting.

Just when things appear to be rounding the corner for the Velascos, tragedy. I have no doubt our family will escape but the fire is sure to cause tragedy.

If anyone has been watching but not commenting, please take a minute to do so now. Marta, Jarifa and Sara have diligently recapped this and given us the gift of laughter and insight for lo these many months. Please tell them that you have enjoyed their work!

Marta, excellent job! Thank you so very much.

Diana
 

Diana , "Big Bus Adventure" is perfect! Very funny!
 

Thanks, Marta. It’ been fun getting your recaps every Saturday morning. Great coverage of the crazies going on here.

I think La Pantera honestly is attracted to Florencio. Now that she’s miraculously done a 360 due to Maria saving her, I hope Pantera changes that RAWR! lipstick. I hate it. Such a hoot seeing Florencio smeared with it too.

So Francis is secretly from the working class and hid it from everybody all this time? Right. But it was hilarious seeing her suffering on the public bus.

Diana, I second Jarifa’s comment: “Big Bus Adventure" is perfect.

Loved the shot of the horse with his whole head leaning atop the pool table. Hope on Monday we get to see horse Facundo fully recovered from colic and prancing around.

Ooh-la-la, Facundo did look good in his short-sleeve shirt -- and leaning way over the pool table.

When Perpetua protested to La Pantera that she never would have abandoned her child, I thought too bad Martina was no where around to hear that.

I’ve enjoyed the whole cast and was interested in every storyline. The writers sometimes fell down on the job, but not the actors. I would definitely watch ACT again.

 

"When Perpetua protested to La Pantera that she never would have abandoned her child, I thought too bad Martina was no where around to hear that". Excellent point Niecie. Martina's failure to contact her child leaves me cold and while I'm glad her family has accepted her, she is and will remain a loose end for me.

I'm willing to forgive Santi's philandering but a mother leaving her child for a perceived slight (without searching high and low), seems so much more difficult to forgive.

Diana
 

I agree that the revelation of working class Francis and her subsequent adventures in the bus were the highlite of the night...
Didn't Estefani give us hints of the same at the beginning when she had someone drive her home and it turned out that the people there (where she asked to be dropped off) didn't even know her? she was even running away to avoid the house's dog... anyone remember that? i wonder if she has any other relatives than the lady who read the cards...
yes EY did look good in this one... and although at first the 'turnaround' of La Pantera was so sudden i did not buy into it... now that i remember the novela is supposed to be lighthearted and funny now it makes more sense... and that together with Francis' adventures made this one of the funnier episodes of the novela for me.
 

Marta, I remember Estefy and a dog in the beginning. Wasn't she on the roof of the house she was pretending to live in trying to escape?

Did she know it was Esteban's intention to actually burn down the house?? I'd like to hold out hope for her, (even until the last minute), but if she did, I suspect she will not be redeemed.

Diana
 

Another great recap!

The Francis thing was confusing bec I thought for sure that her minions would have been to her house. And where was she off to with her luggage? But seeing her suffer was good. I guess that's the best anvil we will get.

I was confused again (was I drunk watching this episode?) by Santiago when he held Rocio after birth. His reaction was as if he knew Rocio was his child but ( and Malena wasn't sick then bec Feli came next) we know he didn't know. If he didn't know and Malena wasn't sick yet so him being guardian wasn't on table yet, why the reaction?

Wow la pantera turned quick! Are we going to find out more abt Maria's dad? Did he divorce pan's mom or was it an affair?

Fac and Flo were fun!!

Well Isa's mom got what she wanted, more money from dead hubby. Glad she is giving the kids some but she could use an anvil. What she did with Malenas inheritance for kids was awful.

I'm worried for Feli. When he described Hilde to Fran he said something abt her being honest and all I thought was he really doesn't know the depths this girl would go to. I mean she was nearing Francis territory. Feli really does have bad taste in girls and is easily fooled.

Can't believe just on more!
 

Absolutely wonderful!! Thank you!

I could not stop laughing at this aside of yours "yeah scratched record sound… anyone buy this ‘bump on head turnaround’ thing?

Right? She's been after Maria for weeks and suddenly everything is ok?? Big scratched record sound. But I was kind of relieved that La Pantera did survive. I was shocked when she fell and hit her head. We've been spared violent death and I didn't want them to start in the last two episodes.

And you are so right about this starting with a lot of promise and kind of getting chaotic. I still enjoyed it, though.

I feel like the Francis thing was very odd. In the early episodes, Feli went to see her after she claimed to be pregnant...and that scene was in a very nice house. Did the writers forget that?
 

Good catch Sara!!! I kept thinking we had seen her house but then I couldn't think of an example. And doesn't Diego know her history? What did he say abt her that one time he went after her, revealing secrets? I can't remember what he said now.
 

Hmmm. I don't remember either Carvivilie. Drat.

As much as I enjoyed watching Francis in the taqueria and on the bus, I didn't like this vague feeling that her hard-working and honest parents were the butt of the shadowgirls' jokes. Was I misunderstanding the scene?
 

The houseguests is asleep, so I finally get a moment to read this fabulously detailed recap, and to thank you, Marta. I know this has been a particularly busy time for you with family and with moving house, so I really appreciate that you took the time each week to provide these recaps for us.

I've not yet seen the episode, and not sure I'll get as chance to until next weekend, when I have my home and tv back to myself. But I will drop in on the finale conversation Monday and Tuesday, nevertheless, even if it's late at night. :)
 

Since Fac wind the bet, does that mean Florencio has to move away? Doesn't really seem fair, since he had given up his pursuit of Maria some time ago, and has been nothing but helpful since. It's Fac who can't seem to get over it.

The Francis thing also doesn't make sense since we have seen her house a few times. It could be possible that her parents are well off and the restaurant does very well, or they are living above their means. Instead of always traveling as she says, they are always working round the clock to provide her with a rich lifestyle. You would think that would be hard to keep secret all these years from Feli and her friends.
 

Typo: Won the bet.
 

Sara, I thought the shadowgirls were definitely making fun of Francis' parents in addition to her obvious embarrassment over the situation.

Inconsistencies in her family's financial situation and home are evident. And while I loathe how Francis treated Carmen from day 1, I am still relieved that the show decided to not to punish her in a deserved manner, but rather used her snobbishness and airs to bring about her downfall. I still smile at seeing her cringe at the fowl on the bus. Hilda is getting a picture perfect ending she doesn't deserve either so...

The tears Rocio, Santi and Isa shed have been enough sadness for me.

Vivi, have fun with your houseguests!

Diana
 

I agree, Diana. People are learning their lessons, but we aren't being subjected to violence or truly horrible things. I just can't take that any more.

My favorite parts of this show:

The dance contest
The talking animals
Playing billiards on horseback
MARGARITO
Porfirio
Conchita

This was such a crazy, over-the-top, absolutely insane production...but never quite annoyed me the way some shows-gone-circo usually do.
 

Duh! And the theme song! I really like it. I wish it was available on iTunes.
 

Sara, looking forward to (hopefully) Margarito and friends having a main role in the finale.

This delighted me daily.

Diana
 

Marta, Jarifa and Sara, thanks so much for your delightful and diligent recapping of ACT. I never intended to watch this, but I just peeked in at the beginning and could never give it up. Crazy, sometimes silly, but always entertaining and interesting. I really enjoyed the cast, including the animals.
 

Back from vacay and spent all day yesterday catching up. Thanks so much Sara, Jarifa, Marta and all the commenters. This has been a fun one, all-in-all.

Am confused about Santi and Rocio. I thought that Isa was keeping the secret from Santi, too. Did he know this whole time and was keeping it from Isa? Did he not know? Is Rocio older than Feli?

You can tell Pantera is nicer now. Her hair isn't as wild.

Wouldn't it be a hoot if Frances fell for the pig farmer?

Wish they would have had the GF on Friday so we'd have all weekend to discuss. Not a whole lot of time between the GF and Lichita for a big GF discussion.
 

Call me the hopeless romantic, but I hope Rocío and Beto tie the knot in typical last capítulo telenovela fashion. Somehow just the vow renewal just does not do it for me. Also, hope to see where everyone is a year or so down the line. Love it when they do that!

Now, I need to think of food to enjoy it all with. What all are you guys having?

It will be a fine time on the patio tonight! I will make sure they put out the heat lamps just on case we need them when the sun goes down. : )
 

Nanette - Yes, Santi knew the whole time that Rocio was his daughter, and Isa never told him before now that she knew.

Jarifa - I'm going to send off the show with tequila and popcorn. I am okay with Rocio and Beto tying the knot tonight, but I'd be especially glad if we get a bit of a time jump before they do it. They're so young, and Beto (unlike Rocio) has no income.
 

Thanks, Niecie.
 

La Paloma- This has been a fun ride hasn't it? (I don't know if I've said so before, but I've always loved your avatar.)

Nanette- Glad you're back for the Fin! Are you going to keep your piggy for Lichita? Or will we be enjoying old movie posters again?

Jarifa-hmm...I'll have to think about what I'll be eating. I also hope we get some sort of epilogue. I really can't believe everything will be wrapped up in just one episode! Will they leave us with loose ends?

Niecie-I would like to see Beto be a stay at home dad!

Now about these Monday Gran Finals...

I really don't like them!! They did the same for Sombra. I need time to let go and deal with the loss. I especially need it with this show. I know that sounds sappy and corny, but I have really so enjoyed the show and the company. I am so thrilled that many of you are staying for Lichita.
 

Sara, I will be pleasantly surprised if we ever find out about Rocío's dad and why Isabel wanted her out of the picture. With "the secret" having been revealed I feel that all has been forgotten.

The writing with all of the jokes and country dialect has really been enjoyable. Now if they can deal with the loose ends it, it will be so much the better.

All in all, I am sorry to see this one end.
 

I'm finally getting to watch the episode. Yay! I think it's funny how whenever someone says Pantera is Maria's sister, the assumption is that Perpetua is her mother and gave her away. And then Perpetua keeps having to deny it. LOL!

There are a ton of inconsistencies about Feli and Rocio's ages and how old they were when their mom died. Earlier in the tn it was very much implied they were little kids, not babies, when she died. And one of the things that hurt Rocio was the fading memory of her mom. Obviously, if Rocio was a tiny baby, she couldn't have any memories of her at all. And of course all the mystery around why Isa was trying to get rid of Rocio by a certain date is still very cloudy.

Francis' expensive house has been brought up as another inconsistency. I LOVE that her parents actually do call her Pancha. Ha! Yoya was right on the money.

The other dropped story/inconsistency is whatever secret there was between Perpetua and Porfirio about something that happened between their spouses. Looks like the writers decided not to go that route. Wouldn't it have been something if Pantera had turned out to be the daughter of Martina and Mr. Sanchez-- then she'd be both Maria's and Facundo's sister. Too complicated, I guess.

I love the idea of Beto as a stay at home dad, while Rocio builds her fashion empire! That's what I'm going to imagine if the finale tonight doesn't tell us what he ends up doing with himself.
 

Sara: I'll probably go back to the movie posters, unless Lichita has a pet pig in it. OT: Discovered a promising K-Drama (Identical Affair), but found out it's over 40 eps. There are a couple starting in October to try out.