Caray, Caray!

Acero
Is anyone watching? Just curious if Blanca is as bad as I thought she would be.
 

Señora Acero
I'm watching. Blanca is just as bad as she was in the first season and I'm not going to miss a minute of it :D
 

Sara
I admire your fortitude, I watched season 1, enough for me
 

Señora Acero
I find Don Teca, Indio, Miriam and Araceli so fun to watch. And I forgot how much I liked Quintanilla, too. And now we've added the grown Salvador and Pepe. And the narco novelas are a shorter investment time wise.
 

Bajo

Running late this week. I'll have something up in an hour or so.
 

BAJO – LUNES – PARTE 1

Carlos is in line to board the bus to be deported. The writers torture us a bit as he tries to plead his case. Ugly bald ICE guy really seems to dislike him, perhaps beyond his desire to catch Rodrigo.

Adela, Luis and Rodrigo go down to where they’ve discovered he’s been detained. Rod comes even though Adela warns him he’s the one they’re really after. Rod even ignores a call from El Colmillo.

EC isn’t happy Rod isn’t answering. Jay starts to pipe up about Rod and his family, but EC shuts up the blind tattletale. Jay goes on to explain about using Felicia’s bar and that she was involved with “the gardener”. Willy can’t contain himself and pipes up that they aren’t together any more.

Cristóbal tells Felicia that her being pregnant could perhaps keep Carlos from being deported.

Someone has given EC a picture of Felicia and he drools over it a bit. He says she must be crooked if she’s allowing this. Willy speaks up once again saying she’s not doing it because she wants to. He goes on to say that Rod is forcing her because he knows she wanted someone killed.

Rodolfo almost gets to sneak out of the house, but Maria has come home. She jumps on him for not having given Cris the message in time to help her brother.

Still in the line, Carlos tells Baldy that it’s not part of the law that they be humiliated, detained without beds and let freeze. He sees a highlighted piece of paper and realizes they’re being sent to Texas. Adela, Rod and Luis arrive outside the fence. Adela shouts to Carlos, but Rod tells her to be quiet or they’ll have La Migra on top of them.

At Casa Sanders Susy wants her father to find out who denounced Carlos. He pretends there’s no way to find out. Suzy says karma will get this bad person.

Carlos has been put on the bus. He pushes another guy down and says that he’s having a heart attack as a delaying mechanism. And, right on cue, Andrés jumps on the bus and says that Carlos is his client! Carlos tells the guy he pushed down that he has his phone number already and that he’ll try to help in any way he can.

Rodolfo comes to the hotel and brings hamburgers with cheese on them for Chabela and Alex. Chabela says he knows his son so little that he doesn’t know he hates hamburgers and is allergic to yellow cheese. Alex pipes up that he wants to go to Cristóbal’s for some pancakes!

The Carlos Fan Club are delighted Andrés got him off the bus. Adela is ready to go inside until Rod reminds her she can’t go in a building belonging to ICE! Adela tells Luis to tell his father that she adores him and is waiting outside. Maria, Luis and Padre Domingo go inside. Rod: “I used to have my doubts about you, but now I realize you love mí jefe, machín, machín, verdad." (an awesome amount, right).

Andrés tries to win over Evil Baldy. He tells him the law favors someone here more than 10 years and has children who are citizens. Baldy brings up his covering for his criminal son and also says they suspect him of being involved in the prison escape.

Cristóbal and Felicia arrive at the ICE building. [They’re almost enough to jinx the whole thing by being 13 supporters!] Felicia tells Rod that Mati stole her phone and made calls to an old drunk who’s the mother to a gangbanger dead in Lancaster!
 

BAJO – LUNES – PARTE 2

Fang rags on the gang for not having caught Adela Morales. Jay tells him about her having come to the hideout. Having that villain sixth sense, he grabs Willy by the little ponytail and asks him what he knows about Adela. But Willy remembers that Rod told him Mati was not Adela.

Rod narrows his eyes and asks Adela if she knows Lancaster. He tells her he’s looking for a family there and shows her the photo of she and Matías that he took from Laura’s refrigerator. She grabs it from him, starts crying, and runs off.

Chabela tells Rodolfo that he doesn’t love Alex. He admits that he didn’t want another child. She insists again on having the same sort of house as Maria. He finally shows her his bank account on his cell phone. Chabela: ¿Solo eso?

I guess the pill bottle they showed Friday was a red herring because Deborah is up and yelling for Ramona. She asks why Jacob’s clothes are not there. She doesn’t remember what happened until Ramona tells her. She sinks down. “What did I do?”

Padre Domingo tells Felicia that she isn’t sure whose child she’s carrying. Like every telenovela villain does automatically, she reminds him that she said that in the sanctity of the confessional and he can’t tell anyone.

Evil Baldy is stunned when Felicia arrives. He looks like he’d like to ask if the Mayor is coming next. She says they can’t deport him because she needs him more than ever. She’s a citizen and her child cannot do without its father!

We see Adela running through a number of streets, crying. She finally stops. That’s enough. No more running. Rod approaches. Adela: “Are you going to kill me?” Rod: “Why did you let me catch you?” Adela: “Because I’m tired. I don’t have anywhere else to run to.” He says she’s tamer than the Mati he knows. Adela: “My name is not Mati as you well know. I am Adela Morales!” She offers to show him the brand on her stomach.

He turns his head away. He says he didn’t see any scar. “For me you’re Mati, my father’s woman, who saved Gracie, mí carnal (Luis) and my son. Listen carefully. You are NOT Adela Morales, understand? She asks if he’s playing a game, trying to drive her nuts. He says he wants to save her. He pressured her a lot to put an end to the farce and so that she’d trust him. He says there’s things she doesn’t know. El Colmillo escaped. He’s close and looking for vengeance for Noemi. You have to trucha con esta cicatriz. (Watch out, or be very careful about that scar.)

Alone with Carlos Feli tells him she was about to tell him about the pregnancy the time she found that Mati had moved in. She wants his help with the high-risk pregnancy. But she says he has to stay away from Mati; she doesn’t want her around.

Evil Gringo offers Juana money to send to Mexico after overhearing her conversation. In his debt! Uh oh!

Rod shows up at the gang hideout, finding El Colmillo in bed with two women. [Why are narcos always shown in bed with multiple women? It’s like a cliché!] EC chews him for not calling back and then asks what he’s hiding. Yikes!
 

Senora

I'm watching and really enjoying it. Of course it's ridiculous, but very funny at times and quite entertaining. The main villain, Don Whatever,
is hilarious. I just wish that I understood more.

AnonGringa
 

Bajo

terrific recap novelera !!!
the captions have gone away again so your recap was a tremendous help.

wow, what a show, so many bombs going off but nothing was resolved, with everyone not knowing which way to run.

another one being when Cristobal comes upon Rodrigo and Adela, knowing Rod as la Colonia he met while searching for Laura.

and all Baldy had to do was look up to see Rodrigo, whom he would have recognized from his mug shots.

and isn't Colmillo a little old to be in a gang, this guy is creepy, and I'm not seeing him putting together a gang based on trust and loyalty, this guy has to go.

oh yeah, our blind comedian Jay meets Sharon.

 

Bajo. Great recap, novelera! Another very exciting episode. It was so cool when Lawyer Andrés arrived just in the nick of time! And of course Felicia must have known that she was risking Mati's life by strongly hinting to Rodrigo that she is Adela. Good thing he didn't want to know that and, besides, has multiple reasons to conceal her identity--including his very obvious love for her. Now it's just a question of how long before he sacrifices his life. I would guess this tn is about a third over. Whether Felicia's baby is Carlos's or Willy's, it's keeping Carlos in the US, and that may be the important thing. I suspect that Adela may disappear again for Carlos's and Luis's safety, and who knows?, Carlos may even marry Felicia. Perhaps on her death bed? But I don't think that's very likely. One additional quibble about El Colmillo. Has no one told him how Noemí actually died? Would it make a difference to him? I'm with Deb, this guy has to go, the sooner the better! And again, since Cristóbal was near gang headquarters questioning Rodrigo about Laura Morales, why hasn't he been there to try and find EC?
 

BAJO

Many thanks, Novelera, for the marvellous recap. My VCR (yes, VCR) didn't record last night, so I missed the first five or so minutes (until I realized what was[n't] happening. As always, I'm very happy that you've included some Spanish, especially machín and trucha (I knew trucha only as "trout"--my local Mexican restaurant makes a terrific trucha asada).

I too have found myself wondering about El Colmillo. I could understand his being older than everyone else in the gang if people really felt immense loyalty to him, but he seems to me far too violent to inspire loyalty. And like SpanProf, I'm surprised that neither Cristóbal nor anyone else has looked for EC in the gang's headquarters.

I was happy to see that Rod's primary loyalty is not to EC, at least not when it comes to killing Adela Morales. I agree with others who have said that Rod is likely to wind up sacrificing his life for someone he loves--most likely his father or Mati. And I think it's likely that Cristóbal will wind up with the widowed Greicy and her baby. I haven't yet figured out what's in store for Felicia--perhaps her high-risk pregnancy will do her in.
 

Bajo. Good predictions, Juanita. I too think that Cristóbal will wind up either with Greicy or a very reformed Chabela. After all, little Alex adores him, and he would make a wonderful stepfather, though the same would be true for Greicy's child. Like Floridia, I will be gone for a few days, to a conference. I hope I can get Telemundo on the hotel tv--since the conference is in Texas, it's fairly likely.
 

Bajo

the way I understand the clubhouse, after Adela broke in, Jay wanted to get out of there before the cops showed up, but Rodrigo decided it was ok because Adela won't go to the cops, so I'm thinking only Adela and Carlos know exactly where it is.

I think Cristóbal would make a good match for Maria.

 

Bajo: Great recap, thanks,
@deb, that would make Felicia(until the baby dad is sorted out) and Cris each dating a sibling Maria and Carlos. Plus Maria is his cousin's wife. I don't like Carlos being indebted to Felicia. I see a break up in the horizon.
Romy
 

Bajo
Fire has a heart, who knew?

Fang instills fear, so he controls.

Cris, probably will end up with Chabela because of the kid, that not being the reason, but Chabela will prove herself somehow (what am I thinking?) .

Felicia, hmmm, she did kill her husband, so I don't see a good ending. I really don't see DNA here, so Carlos is the appointed padre.

Greicy, that is a real puzzle, but I hope for a good ending for her.

The pervert & Juana are also a puzzle.

At least this TN keeps your attention.

Tks to ALL the recappers, don't know what I would do w/o YOU ALL, Muchimos gracias!!!!
 

Señora Acero
I'm glad I'm not alone, AnonGringa. Despite the flaws, I also find it very entertaining. I could watch Don Teca all day long. It is a comprehension challenge, though. I have the Spanish captions on and still miss stuff.

 

Bajo

Maybe Cristóbal can become a Mormon and marry all the ladies who need a kindly husband.
 

Bajo. @Novelera: :)That would be most of the female characters.
 

Bajo. And now it looks as if El Colmillo is actually courting Felicia--of all things! Though when you think about it, maybe it's not such an unfitting match. They're both pretty ruthless. And now Rodrigo knows that Noemi died of an overdose, and that Mati tried to save her, but he tells her that it won't matter to El Colmillo--he'll still want her dead.
 

Bajo el mismo cielo... tuesday, epi 43

Mati takes off to Juana's place, calls her at work, and later in person explains Rodrigo had her figured out before she showed him the scar, but he said Colmillo is out and other members might know where she is, so she doesn't go back to Carlos' place, but she has found true love and is done running.

Apparently Felicia's pregnancy in risking her and the babies life might swing things Carlos way, but for now at least he'll be detained in L.A. while his case is decided.

Felicia prods everyone to help Carlos decide, after all it would be in his best interest, everyone seems to agree.

Sharon flirts with Jay, as Willy gets him out of there, later asks Nick if he likes her, why?, because I'll help you Willy says, and gives him a new hairdo. Rodrigo shows up, Nick (with what Sharon called bird's nest hair) is shoved out the door with her, is this a date? Rod tells Willy to forget everything about Mati being Adela, I looked and there was no scar, and if there's a problem, your sister pays, emphasis on the broken bottle pushing against his neck.

Deborah sits all alone, neither Jacob or Susi have called.

Carlos is offered a voluntary deportation, which means he gets back to Mexico right away to sort things out, rather than being detained for weeks/months, but he knows if he signs it he can't legally return for ten years.

Colmillo wants to meet Felicia, she brings up how gang members protect there families, but your not family Rod tells her, she tells of her pregnancy, and gets a hook into Rod, she wants him to buy the bar, can't, we need your name on it to do business, Rod says, he advises her to do what Colmillo says, and don't let on you are pregnant to the gang.

Adela is pacing around trying to figure out what to do, she calls Rodrigo for a meet, while Juana keeps Greicy busy, and they get down to it, nothing personal Rodrigo says, I was just following orders, you killed my brother Adela screams as she launches into him,, you got revenge by killing Noemi, I tried to save her Adela throws in, she overdosed. I don't think Colmillo will accept that Rodrigo always cool says, he wants you dead, and so do you Adela adds bringing up those first phone calls he made to her from prison, you sentenced me that day, well here I am, Rodrigo grabs the defiant Adela, and calms her down, I can't hurt you, know why, why? "because my feelings for you won't let me" as he turns away, rubbing any emotion from his face, he has already said too much, leaving Adela in shock, this was a whole new angle for her.

Colmillo has his gangbangers set up the bar for a romantic candlelight dinner with Felicia, and turns on the charm, nice threads, a rose and all, Felicia is wtf?

Carlos makes it to his cell, his roomy has been there 5 months, he says to sleep with one eye open, they will do everything they can to get you to sign that paper, and in the middle of the night the guards come for him...

 

Bajo

so what was Adela's plan,
she would die or...

and I don't think Rodrigo's answer was in that equation.

 

PERLA--
I see Perla Preciosa is seriously outnumbered by Bajo commenters, HA!. But WOW, I finally got to watch Monday and Tuesday's episodes. Poor Perla is certainly being pulled in three directions. Shame on Zefa for agreeing to trade Perla for a job.

AND--Wooohee, not only did we get a David sighting, but he was front and center with some serious making out with Aurora going on. (He certainly brings out womanly feelings in me.) For his sake, I hope Aurora's feelings for him are serious and she's not just playing with him to get him out of his depression. I didn't think Joel would do what he did, but it didn't work.

I've finished the recap for last Thursday's (2-hr) episode. I'll be posting it in a couple of hours on LAST WEEK'S Telemundo (Week of Sep 21) where it belongs, if anyone cares to read it.
 

PERLA--
....and Hilda's wedding? What a triumph for her and Toni. She looked lovely. I don't think there is anything Ernest can do to Yolanda for helping her run off with him--in her wedding dress. This part was both throat-tightening and hankie worthy. Decio was certainly blasé about being left at the altar, bless his heart.
 

Bajo

Thanks so much for the fine recap, Deb. Every night this novela just absorbs me. The show seems to go by in about 15 minutes. Zero boring repetitious exchanges between the characters.

I had these thoughts:

Regarding the scene Monday at ICE, I was thinking this: Why would the same guy that arrested Carlos be in charge of making decisions about whether he’s sent to TX? Wouldn’t the guys who drive out and pick up undocumented persons be a step lower in hierarchy that those who decide whether to deport immediately?

I was thinking that El Colmillo both needs and fears El Fire at the same time. While he likes the money, you could see that it bugs him how well Rodrigo managed things. He’s probably worried about a “hostile takeover”.

Willy wants his sister to have a better boyfriend than ghastly Jay. That’s the first positive thing I’ve had to say for him this whole time. Oh, and the writers made him, of all the gangbangers, the one who was standing by watching EC’s elaborate courting of Felicia.

Are ICE really that awful? The new guard tries to get him to voluntarily deport and then tries to harm him in the middle of the night.

When I saw how happy Jacob was about the meal Maria was preparing and how wistfully he was looking at her affection for Luis, only a nephew after all, I was thinking: Maria and Jacob, why not?.

Gracie doesn’t trust Mati, as she told Juana. But it’s not Adela’s fault. Gracie senses somehow Rod’s feelings for Adela.
 

Perla,
Yes we are a small bunch. But I like the show vey much. Zefa is a heiffa, lol, for doing what she did but karma is a.. you know the rest
Bajo,
Novelera, probably not all at ICE but horror stories abound. I would be surprised the same person gets to decide who stays. Usually, a judge orders a deportation unless, you volunteer to leave like they're pressuring Carlos to do.
Romy
 

PERLA--
Thursday's recap is up. Deb did a nice highlight of Friday's episode, so we are letting it rest there. Sorry that last week's headliner got bumped off the front page. You'll have to use the sidebar index to get back to it.

I'm not sure I can do any more as detailed as last week's, but I'll continue to put in my 2cents and do a recap once in awhile.
 

Perla

Even though I'm not watching this novela, I'd like to thank both Anita and Deb for all the hard work putting up recaps for this novela. I'm sure it's a good one, many Brazilian ones are, but I'm worried about turning into a couch potato if I add any more hours in front of the old TV set.
 

PERLA/AVENIDA B/GENERAL
Thank you, novelera. A bit selfishly, I'd like the recaps to continue. This is why. I started watching Avenida Brasil when the rebroadcast started earlier this year. It was very confusing at first with so many characters in play. There was little chatter from viewers on the second go-round, but I found "Mostly Madelaine's" recaps of AB back in 2014 on the TM thread. If she hadn't done them, I don't know that I would have continued watching. It would have been a great loss. So, thinking of the next time they broadcast PP, it would be wonderful to have new viewers be able to follow the story, especially if they need the English translation.

P.S. I'm already a couch potato--in between gardening, opera, family and trips.

I'm looking forward to joining some of you on Quien es Quien, whenever it airs here, principally to watch Laura Flores deliver. I'm rewatching Un Refugio Para el Amor and she is just out of this world (and out of her mind). Of course, loved, loved, loved her in Reina de Corazones (and everybody else, too).
 

Bajo
I believe there are plenty of people at ICE that are SOB's, just like there are at the DMV. The power of the bureaucracy!.
 

BAJO

Belated thanks, Deb, for your excellent Tuesday recap.

Earlier I predicted that Cristóbal would wind up with Greicy, but having seen last night's (Wed.) episode, I agree with Novelera that a match between Jacob and Maria looks like a distinct possibility. Both of them deserve much better spouses than they currently have. I wonder, though, what will happen to the desgraciado/as they're presently stuck with.
 

Bajo
Not exactly a recap.

Willy puts his life in danger spilling red wine on Felicia and giving her a way to escape Colmillo’s courtship. It was kind of funny the vast gulf between his idea of what to say and do to win a woman and Felicia’s more refined sensibilities. Aunque la mona se vista de seda; mona se queda (You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.)

Yikes. I hope they are throwing around some red herrings. They showed Rodrigo digging a big hole and then, for a cliffhanger, the police said something about finding Laura Morales. Also, Adela confronted Rodrigo and asked where her mother is. He appeared to look shifty, not meeting her eyes.

The ghastly ICE guard was choking Carlos and the other guy saved him by reminding him if there were marks on his neck, they’d be in the soup.

More encouraging signs that Jacob sees Maria as the type of woman he should have. Maria’s daughter put her messy hands on her clothes and Maria just laughed. I think Jacob needs two more children in his life and some good home, Mexican cooking!

Rodrigo, slurring his words drunkenly, describes his world view on relationships with women to Cristóbal; i.e., once your wife has children, she’s not sexy any more. And sexy women shouldn’t have children. Can they please get this guy out of Maria’s life! I think he’s irredeemable.

Cris spends the night in Chabela’s hotel room, on a chair, to please Alex. Now I think these two will end up together. There’s only been a nice smile between Cris and Gracie. Maybe Gracie is just going to end up without a man, but with a nice child.

I’m glad Adela came back to Carlos’ house. I really like her relationship with Luis, more like an older sister than a mother. And she gave him the “use protection” lecture once more.
 

Bajo

I will do a recap tonight.
 

BAJO


Thanks, Novelera, for clarifying many things that are a bit unclear.
I returned yesterday from my trip to MA and NH. I watched no TV whatsoever while I was away, so I caught up yesterday afternoon and evening with this week's
episodes.

I am very excited about the budding romance between Jacob and Maria. She is everything that Deborah is not. Deborah cannot die now until we learn the deep, dark mysterious secret regarding her aunt.


For me, the parts with Chabela are one big YAWN, very repetitive. I am waiting for her to morph into someone productive as suggested by Cristobal.

The rest of the novela is action packed. I am wondering if the body of Laura
will be found after Rod's marathon digging project.....and to see that when they determine the cause of death, it will be of natural causes.

Rodrigo presence dominates the action.

All the best to all,
 

Bajo

Correction: Rodrigo's presence
 

PERLA--
Mon Sep 28 Part I

Manfred has come up with a plan to take Perla’s custody away from Amelia and shares it with Ernest. As an underage child, she cannot be on the premises of a cabaret. He will make sure it happens on a night when there is a show on. No, Ernest doesn’t want anything that will put Perla at risk. He wants to do it his way, legally. Manfred backs off.

David sighting. (Oooh la la, no wonder Aurora is drawn to him.) The monks try to raise David’s spirits, but it doesn’t work. What works is Aurora barging in, ripping the covers off of him and with the help of the other pension gals, get him dressed and out of the house. He’s still grumbling as she steers him down the sidewalk to a restaurant. David loosens up and they begin to have some fun with the food. He has a dazzling smile and Aurora seems to look less coquettish and her interest in David seems to be genuine.

Aurora brings David back to his room. They’re both laughing and happy. He thinks it’s time for her to leave. Aurora says he ought to know by now that she does the opposite of whatever he says. She takes his hat off and closes the door. She gets on his lap, in his wheelchair. She looks at him, eye-to-eye and says, “I thought the problem was just in your legs. Aren’t you going to put your arms around me?” He does. She wants him to embrace her more tightly. He does. She looks him in the eye and says, “Do you have a problem with your lips? Aren’t you going to kiss me?” He does. They take a break to look into each other’s eyes with such tenderness. They smile at each other and some really deep kissing begins. (Aiy Papi, be still my heart.)

Lama Sonan talks sense to Franz. All the goodness is within him. He needs to discover his own path. Franz remembers Ananda Rinpoche’s words that a son is not the shadow of his father which echoes what Sonan is now telling him. Franz thanks him and goes off to confront his father. He points out that contrary to what Ernest spouts off about making his family happy, he’s doing just the opposite, none of his children are happy and he’s been the cause of it. He’s leaving the factory and leaving the house and if he continues to interfere with his life, their relationship is over. Ernest is stunned. When Franz leaves, he shows his desperation for maintaining control by ripping the table cloth and all the dishes off the table. He’s pithed. He goes to see Manfred and tells him to go ahead with Manfred’s earlier plan. Manfred engages Benito to get close to Amelia’s cousin, at whatever cost. She’ll be part of the trap they are setting for Amelia to lose custody of Perla. He’s sure it will work because Zefe, the cousin, is ambitious and will not hesitate to walk over Amelia to get ahead.

Manfred and Benito contract a goon to snatch Zefe’s purse and Benito recovers it for her. He’s her hero and she accepts having a cup of tea with him. Zefe succumbs. Later on, he promises her a job at the factory in return for helping him with something Ernest has asked him to do. She must tell no one. We hear him tearing Amelia’s reputation to shreds.

Franz moves out, over Silvia’s protestations—she pregnant, he has no job, no money, no decent place to live. All those issues will resolve themselves and she needn’t worry about the baby. In fact, he thinks Silvia should move out, too, for her own good—except he knows she has all the comforts she could wish in the Hauser House of Horrors. Hilda, Viktor and Ernest watch while he says goodbye to his siblings.

Decio continues to pass notes back and forth between Toni and Hilda. Toni tells him it won’t be long, he has a plan to get Hilda out of the house, but he’ll need Decio’s help. Decio loves the idea.
 

PERLA--
Mon Sep 28 Part II

Franz come to the barrio to tell Amelia he’s left the house, his job, without Silvia and is out from under his father’s domination, ready to lead his own life. Amelia hates to disillusion him, but she wonders for how long. Ernest will find a way to manipulate him again. He wants another chance with her. He pushes her against a wall and kisses her, but she pushes him away. She tells him it’s too late. He follows her and takes her face in his hands. For a moment it looks as if she might respond, but Perla appears down the circular stairs. Franz finds out she’s not in school and why. Amelia won’t accept his money as he points out that her pride is keeping Perla out of classes. Perla silently urges her mother to accept the money, out of Franz’ sight.

Viktor comes to Silvia’s room in the mansion. He says she doesn’t look very upset that her husband just walked out on her. He knows it’s because she doesn’t love Franz, she loves him. He kisses her and she responds. Things get a little hot. She asks him to leave. His parting words are, “That is my child and you know that very well.” Silvia is left to reflect on her situation. Remembering that she has some investigating to do regarding her father, she uses a simple deception to get into Gertudis’ room, just off the kitchen. She finds some pictures and a note in a box in the closet. The note is from her father to Catalina. He promises to get her and her children out of the Hauser House of Horrors as soon as possible. Gertie almost catches her outside the door. Later she’s sure the box’s location has been disturbed and she realizes it must have been Silvia.

Aurora and David aren’t done yet. Aurora is still on David’s lap. He wants to know why she kissed him. It’s simple. She kisses when she feels like it. He’s a man, she’s a woman and she was in the mood. He says she knows very well he’s not a normal man. Aurora insists he is. He says for her to stop pretending he is; he’s not a whole man. She begs to differ with him—he’s more man than many she’s met around. She gets up because Dalia interrupts, but I don’t think she saw the sitting on the lap part. Aurora promises to come back again and invite him out—no, on the other hand, she’s just going to come by and get him and take him out. David is smiling as she leaves. He admits to his sister that Aurora is good for him. Now he wants to be alone to think about things.

The night of the entrapment arrives. On cue, Zefe arrives at the cabaret with Perla. Amelia sees them and tells them to get out—Zefe knows perfectly well Perla is not supposed to be there. She doesn’t see them out because Lola needs something, so she doesn’t see them withdraw to where they can watch the show. Perla has gotten into some make-up and is all dolled up. Perla wants to go, but Zefe persuades her to stay and watch Aurora, the star of the show. Benito calls Manfred to let him know the plan is on schedule.

Ernest shows up at the cabaret with the children’s social worker in tow, just as Aurora begins a very provocative and suggestive rendition of “Fever.” She’s shocked—then she sees Perla all made up, watching the show with Zefe. Ernest is sure that this is sufficient evidence to take custody away from Amelia. He’s sure she brings Perla here all the time. Perla steps in and says it’s her fault. She disobeyed her mother. Amelia is furious at Ernest for this entrapment and furious at Zefe, who shrugs it off. The social worker won’t take the child away right then, but Amelia will have to answer to a judge. Ernest sneers at her as he leaves, “I told you so.”

Decio comes to visit Hilda, with another note from Toni—this time with a promise to get her out of the house as soon as possible. She hands Decio a note to take back to Toni that says she’ll follow him anywhere. She loves him.
 

PERLA--
Mon Sep 28 Part III

Back home in the barrio, Mundo is with Amelia and he figures it was much too much of a coincidence that the one time Ernest comes to the cabaret with a social worker, Perla is there. How did he know? Zefe turns away from him. The monks and the lawyer arrive. The lawyer is afraid this time Ernest will get his way and take custody away from Perla. Zefe “looks” chastened.

Back at the mansion, Franz confronts his father about Perla and the cabaret. Like Mundo, he has his doubts it was just a coincidence. Ernest retorts that a friend called him to tell him she was there. Viktor has to intervene when Ernest yells at Franz that neither he nor that washerwoman are fit to raise his grandchild. He insists she will live here with him. Yolanda enters the fray on Franz’ side.

Manfred has gone to Amelia’s apartment to give her his “condolences.” She’s sure Ernest was behind it, but Manfred has a great lie to deflect it. She breaks down and Manfred rushes to take her in his arms while she is sobbing—and sniffs her hair, the creep. Franz walks in on this scene and wants to know what’s going on. He asks Manfred to leave, he will speak to his wife about this family matter. Amelia is shocked when he tells her he also believes it was a trap of his father’s. He’s so glad he’s away from his father and out of the house. Amelia begs him to return because the lawyer is pretty sure she will lose custody. He needs to be there for Perla and for her.

A few days later, Perla’s things are being packed up. She doesn’t mind going to abuelo’s for a visit, but she wants to live with her mother. They tell her it’s a judge’s order and they must comply. Franz promises to let her see Amelia whenever she wishes. Franz holds Amelia and then takes Perla and leaves. Amelia dissolves into tears and Mundo holds her.

A month later, Amelia is still despondent and Perla is not happy. Zefe is happy. She’s got a job, although she can’t tell them what it is. She’s off to live at Doña Concepción’s pension. She can’t leave fast enough.
 

PERLA--
Mon Sep 28 Part IV

HILDA’S WEDDING DAY
Yolanda is helping Hilda get ready for her wedding. She’s already dressed. She looks beautiful. She looks too happy to be marrying Decio. Yolanda warns her not to look so happy when she sees her father. Ernest comes in to wish her every happiness. She looks as beautiful as her mother did on her wedding day to him. Hilda sadly says it’s too bad she didn’t get to choose her husband, the way her mother did, and not forced to by Ernest. Ernest says someday she’ll thank him. Once he leaves, the smile comes back to her face. Yolo and Hilda are seen running towards the gate where Toni is waiting for her.

Meanwhile, at the mansion, Hilda’s escape is discovered. Decio, with great glee tells Ernest that yes, he helped them and he hopes they are far from here and end up giving him lots of children.
Silvia sits, unperturbed. Perla slips by behind her, unnoticed.

Hilda and Toni get out of the taxi and start walking—he wants to take her some place first. It’s the party headquarters. Benito sees them go in. Toni surprises her with an impromptu wedding—to him, if she’ll have him. Of course she does. It’s a lovely ceremony, religious and civil and the celebration begins. Ernest arrives, too late. Ernest announces he’s her father and he’s taking her home. Toni steps up and says he may be her father, but he no longer has control over her, he’s her husband. Ernest leaves saying she’s dead to him. The sour moment passes and they get back to partying and having a good time. Toni and Hilda have a beautiful “noche de amor,” their first as husband and wife—which we are privileged to watch, as their more intimate moments fade in and out.

Perla startles Amelia by showing up at her door. She took advantage of Hilda’s escape and made her own escape. Perla wants to stay with Amelia, to sleep with her, regardless of the judge’s decree. That will not be possible, Amelia tells her. She and Mundo will take her back. Before that happens, Gertrudis finds pillows instead of Perla in bed. Perla is not in the house. Ernest raises the roof—call the Police! He’s sure Amelia kidnapped her. The house is still in an uproar when Mundo, Amelia and Perla show up at the door. The tables have been turned. Now it is Ernest who isn’t fit to care for Perla if she was able to leave the house so easily. He still thinks Amelia perpetrated the incident, but Perla tells him it was her idea because she missed her mother so much. Ernest has nothing more to say. Perla goes upstairs with Gertie.

Amelia takes her leave. Manfred rushes to see her out, but Franz steps in and says he'll do it. Amelia tells Franz Mundo is waiting for her, but before she can say more, Franz pulls her into him. There’s no question who is kissing who. They are kissing each other, madly, passionately, hungrily.
 

BAJO – JUEVES – PARTE 1

At the gang hideout we learn that Colmillo was in the military. A classic sociopath with delusions of grandeur, he tells Rodrigo that he wanted to become a general, but “they” wouldn’t let him rise.

He calls Felicia mí senorita linda, una cosa sabrosa. He says that Rod’s jefe has good taste. He knows that Carlos and Feli were together and that they broke up. He says he would have hated to have to kill Rod’s father. He goes on to talk about Carlos being detained. He thinks it’s an interesting coincidence that they came after him at the same time that Rod helped him get out of prison. Rod says that his father doesn’t even know he’s in the gang.

EC says that Adela grew up in the gang. She knows the rules. She’ll want vengeance against Rodrigo when she discovers her mother is dead. He rags on Rod saying that Laura was more useful alive.

[We now see what happened to Laura Morales as Rod remembers it. We see him grabbing her when we all had hoped she might escape. He asks her where is her daughter. He tells EC he only wanted to scare her. We see him pointing a gun at her. She breaks free and runs in front of a car and is hit.]

Adela has a sweet dream about her mother being alive and healthy.

Cristóbal comes to say that they found a cadaver, and that it appears to be Laura. He shows a hysterical Adela a necklace that Laura always wore. Adela sobs on Luis’ shoulder. Cris tells Adela that the person they found died from being hit by a car. Adela insists on going to see the body, hoping she’ll see something to prove it’s not Laura. Cris suggests testing for a DNA match instead, and takes a swab from Adela’s mouth with him.

Rod tells EC that Laura Morales preferred death to telling them where they could find her daughter. EC says Adela won’t believe that about the accident. She’ll take vengeance on his woman and his child.

At the ICE detention center the detainees are outside. The walkie talkie squawks that Carlos’ lawyer is here. Some detained guy goes ballistic, screaming. The other detainees say the guy is like that a lot because they won’t provide his anti-psychotic medicines. Carlos grabs hold of him to keep him from climbing the fence.

Back to Rod’s flashback. He runs up to Laura in the street. She tells him that she’s giving her life in the place of her daughter’s and then dies.

EC gets a call. It’s a pitazo (tip, heads-up) from one of his sources that they found Laura Morales. He says that there must be a traitor in the gang or how else could the body have been discovered.
 

BAJO – JUEVES – PARTE 2

Cristóbal tells Adela that she has to stay inside. She wants to go where they found the body to see if she can find some clue as to what happened. Luis tells her that, if she leaves, he’ll go with her. Of course she doesn’t want to risk his life, so appears to calm down.

EC makes the announcement about the body turning up. Jay never misses an opportunity to try to undermine Rod and says he should have left her in the street. Rod calls him an idiot. He buried her so that Adela wouldn’t leave town, thinking her mother would show up. EC says that, since Adela reported her mother missing, surely she’ll come to the morgue to identify her. Even though no one really knows what she looks like, they’ll know her when she comes.

Felicia tells Jimena about meeting EC. She says that guys like that aren’t used to being turned down. But she’s going to be the first. She can’t stand to be around him. Jimena: “And if he discovers you’re pregnant by Carlos?" Feli: “He cannot know! If this guy is infaturated with me, he’s capable of killing Carlos or causing me to lose my baby.”

Back in the detention yard, Evil Guard Carmona sends the crazy guy to solitary and tells everyone that, because Carlos argued with him, there will be no visits today.

We see a flashback of EC with more hair where he’s telling little Noemí that she’s the love of his life. She says she wanted brothers and sisters. He says that something bad happened to him and he’ll explain when she’s older. [So he’s sterile! Wonder if the gang knows that? And all the more reason to hate Carlos if he finds out Feli is carrying someone else’s baby.]

Chabela has to leave the hotel because Rodolfo hasn’t paid for more nights. Chabela: “I gave you plenty of time. You want two families? OK, you’ll have your two families, but under the same roof!”

Rod shows up to check on “Mati” but Luis tells him that Adela told him that she’d told the truth. They go to talk with her and discover she’s gone out the window. Rod figures out she likely went to see Cristóbal because she’d have to have ID to go to the morgue.

Andrés confronts Carmona in his office. He says he waited a long time and he wants to see his client. When Carmona tries to brush him off, Andrés demands to see the director of the facility.

Back in the cell Carlos rags on the other detainees for not trying to help the crazy guy.

Jacob comes to get something from his bedroom. Deborah wants to talk about “their problems”. She says she did it for Susy (while Susy listens outside the door) Jacob asks how could she think doing such harm to the boy she loves could help. He outright says that she was the one who called immigration. Susy then leaves after speaking with Ramona.

Chabela arrives at Rodolfo and Maria's house bringing Alex and her suitcase. She says she doesn’t have anywhere else to go and families need to help each other.

Adela arrives at the police station, sees Cristóbal, but Rod clamps his hand over her mouth before she can call out. He shows her all the gang members lurking around.

Gracie whines some to Felicia about Rod being cool with her. She asks Feli for some makeup tips.
 

BAJO – JUEVES – PARTE 3

Rodolfo comes to ask Felicia for some money. She absolutely refuses and says he needs to tell his tale to Maria.

Maria sends the kids to play in a bedroom and starts talking to Chabela, trying to convince her that she needs to be seeking out Cristóbal. Chabela says that her problem is not with Cris, rather with Rodolfo. She says that he deceived them both for many years. She says that Rodrigo is the father of Alex and that she is his other woman. Maria tries to argue about this. But when Chabela says that she lived in Hermosilla, Maria connects the dots.

Carmona comes to tell Carlos that his lawyer spoke with the director and that he’s been granted a visit. He goes on to say he got the address of Carlos’ house from his file. And don’t even think about mentioning what happened to him here to the lawyer. Carlos realizes his family is being threatened and agrees not to say anything.

I didn’t quite understand the conversation when Adela and Rod come back to the house. She starts to rant that it was them (the gang). Rod says that it wasn’t. [Why would she necessarily believe this?] He goes on to say that at least she will be able to bury her mother and cry at her grave, like they did for their mother. She goes into his arms for comfort. Wow! She has forgiven him.

Andrés tells Carlos that Jacob would like to interview him for his magazine about the conditions in the detention facility. Listing all the reasons why Carlos’ case is so good, he also mentions that they need space for the undocumented guys who are bad eggs. Andrés says he’ll have his case heard before a judge tomorrow and, if all goes well, Carlos will be free to go!

Susy tells Luis about what Deborah did. Luis says that he and Mati suspected her mother. But he didn’t tell her because he didn’t want to see her sad and ashamed of her mother.

Rodolfo comes home, calling his wife Maria Bonita. He asks where the kids are. She tells him they went to the park with the babysitter, and with Alex! Chabela comes out of the other room. Rodolfo’s eyes bug out of his head.
 

Bajo,

thank you so much novelera, for wonderful recaps for Wednesday and very detailed Thursday, I've been having technical difficulties, but they may be all fixed now.

they seem to give us a long shot of the silver hit-and-run car with the license number, could it be Deborah, the Perv, or...

hmm, Adela's dream was like the spirit of Laura coming to tell her everything is all right, (well, you know I am watching Perla)

so I guess those scenes we saw earlier at the clubhouse when Rodrigo had bloody fists were about the guy they had in a cage,

Rudolfo sure is a case, only paying for one night at Chabela's hotel and leaving her there, I'm glad this is out in the open, hope he gets to find himself that apartment he can't afford.

hmm, from what everyone is saying about ICE just having room for hardened criminals, does that mean those are the people in with Carlos?

Ramona's arm was all healed on Tuesday.

I think Carlos is an expert at middle of the road, he tells Carmona he will not say anything and doesn't, because he is a man of his word, as noticed by his cellmate earlier that he is not a sapo, I would have thought he would have told his lawyer in confidence in case something did happen to his family.

interesting pair, Adela and Rodrigo.

 

BAJO

Thanks, Novelera,

A most complete recap loaded with details.
Nice scene between Luis and Susy.
Rodrigo shows his compassionate side.
Felicia is very sweet with Greicy.
Insecure Greicy asks Felicia for a makeover.

Jimena is a good friend to Felicia, an excellent sounding board.

No episode tonight; must wait until Monday.

Novela Maven,

Haven't heard from you lately. Hope you are okay. Perhaps you are traveling
to visit family. I recall how you shared lovely details of your daughter's
wedding last year.


All the best to all,
 

TELEMUNDO... rumors

"Quién es quién", which I believe began production in Miami on the 18th of August, is set to debut 26th of October on Gala TV. Mexico.

"La Trailera" (working title), Edith González returns to Telemundo to star with Jorge Luis Pila and Erika de la Rosa, to begin in the coming weeks.

http://masquetelenovelas.blogspot.com.es/search/label/Telemundo

 

Perla,

thanks so much Anita, your recaps are superb !!!

(this has been a rough week for me Perla wise, missing captions and no picture, I've missed a lot, I'll see how it goes today).

loved the part where Perla was off to the side making faces to urge her mother to give in to Franz.

this show is pretty easy to watch, but the storyline seems to go in circles, Ernest has a problem, Manfred has a solution, someone is hurt, somehow the good guys get through it, which gives Ernest another problem, and it's a hard life for the work-a-day people, but sprinkled with little bits of happiness, and I'm really loving this insight into Buddhism.

 

Deb, thanks so much. Wow. I can't wait to see Edith Gonzalez again. I loved, loved, loved Doña Bárbara. And Jorge Luis is a total hunk.
 

BAJO

Novelera,

Totally agree about JLP. He is extremely handsome and very intense.


 

PERLA--
Tue, Sep 29 Part I

In the vestibule of the Hauser House of Horrors, Franz is reluctant to let go of Amelia. There seems to have been a reconciliation of sorts, based on the smiles, hugs and kisses. He promises to watch out for Perla and tells Amelia he loves her.

Amelia has left her job at the cabaret.

Mundo learns Volpina has returned. He finds her and takes her to the station to give a true statement of his “accident.” Once there, Volpi refuses to tell what Mundo knows is the truth. Mundo is exasperated and shakes her. The police pull them apart, but she won’t change her story. Mundo approaches her outside the office and tries one last time, appealing to her goodness. He tells her any future harm Ernest causes others will be on her conscience. She relents, goes back in and tells the whole truth, including Ernest’s hand in it.

Walter catches up with Volpina in his car. When she confesses she told the truth, he is furious and tells her she’s on her own now. He throws her out of the car. Volpi turns to Mundo for help. She’s afraid of Ernest now that Walter isn’t going to protect her. He and Fabricio agree to hide her in the party headquarters.

Toni wakes Hilda from their “noche de amor” covering her with kisses. She smiles up at him dreamily and he smiles down on her. They share a room-service, hotel breakfast. Hilda is looking forward to her new life. He warns her it will be difficult and perhaps full of deprivation she isn’t used to. She doesn’t care as long as they are together. They are both going to look for work.

Aurora comes to get David to take him out for breakfast. He’s in a happy place with her. Joel is spying on them. His jealousy gets the better of him and he drops an anonymous dime on Manfred to tell him where his girlfriend is and with whom. Aurora and David are lingering over their meal, enjoying each other’s company until Manfred shows up, just as they are about to kiss across the table. He invites himself to sit down with them and the mood suddenly becomes chilly. Aurora tries to ignore Manfred but he insists on conversing, annoying both of them with his very inappropriate questions regarding David’s paralysis. He derides Aurora for wasting her time by trying to animate this wounded warrior. Aurora retorts she is not wasting her time, David is everything Manfred is not: educated, intelligent, fun and good company. She gets up to leave with David, but Manfred grabs her and tells her she is coming with him. She and David both order him to let go of her. Manfred turns to David, easily pushes him over and out of his wheel chair. Aurora rushes to his side. Manfred throws a few bills on the table and leaves.

Silvia overhears Ernest telling Gertie that Hilda is just like her mother, in every way, including betraying him. Silvia shares with Pilar what she overheard Ernest say about Hilda and Catalina. Silvia was surprised he spoke of Catalina with such venom. Pilar says Ernest loved Catalina in his own way—a possession, a trophy to be shown off. Silvia responds yes, a precious jewel that was wrenched from her father’s arms. When she asks about Catalina’s death, Pilar says she only knows what was reported in the news. The staff of the company was not permitted to talk about it.
 

PERLA--
Tue, Sep 29 Part II

Silvia wonders if Ernest himself killed Catalina. Pilar thought it might have been possible, since Catalina was about to leave him, but doesn’t think so as he was on a business trip when it happened. All the evidence pointed to Heitor. Pilar recalls that after Ernest discovered their affair, Catalina suddenly took ill and was not seen again outside the house. On the fateful day, her lifeless body was found on the pavement inside the courtyard by Heitor. He was trapped by the police as he tried to flee the compound. Only the gardener testified against him. He swore he saw the two of them arguing on the balcony and saw Heitor push her over. The gardener was someone by the name of Salvador Suarez. Silvia actually searched for him for many years, but he’d just evaporated. Pilar also thought it odd that not one of the employees heard anything, but most of all, neither Gertie nor Manfred were in the house.

Franz brings Perla to the barrio on a surprise visit. Perla goes off to play fútbol with her friends and Franz and Amelia have a few quiet moments together. They coyly flirt with their eyes.

Aurora brings David back to her suite of rooms and makes Joel leave. She’s sure he’s the one who called Manfred. Once alone, Aurora wants to check David over for any injuries. One thing leads to another, beginning with that kiss they were going to give each other in the restaurant. He leans down to kiss her while she unbuttons his shirt.

Aurora has taken David to bed. In the afterglow, she’s relaxed, content. He’s not. He was not able to make love to her. She doesn’t want him to worry about it. David doesn’t want to talk about it. She reminds him this was his first time since his injury. He still doesn’t want to talk about it. He wants to leave. Aurora can’t believe he’s willing to give up so easily. He tells her he thinks it would be better if they don’t see each other anymore.

Walter is in a hurry to get out of town, ahead of Ernest’s anger. He doesn’t make it. A process server catches up with him and informs him he must go to the station to testify as to his involvement in the attempted murder plot against Raimundo Fonseca. Ernest is served next. He tells Manfred this has to be fixed right away and wants to see Walter asap. Once admitted to Ernest’s inner sanctum, Walter gets a stern lecture on loyalty and not being able to control his mistress. Ernest wants to know where Volpina is. Walter doesn’t know. Well, then, Manfred and Ernest will have to take care of her.

Franz has taken Perla up to bed and sees a photo of the three of them in happier times. He gets an idea. He recreates for Amelia the first time he came to her house and kneeled down outside her window beckoning her to come down. She does and he takes her to a hotel so they can spend the night together. She notices it is the same room they were in the first time they were together. They trade “Te amos” and make love—turning the clock back to a time when there was no rancor between them. They wake happily in love again.
 

PERLA--
Tue Sep 29, Part III

The next morning, David is reluctant to tell Dalia anything about his time with Aurora, but she helps change his mind. She gets what he means when he says nothing happened—it wasn’t only his legs that didn’t work. Dalia reassures him that it will take time, the doc said so. He’s convinced he’s no longer a man. Dalia says that’s not true.

Joel fires himself and Aurora does nothing to take him back. In fact, she helps him pack, to his great protestations of love for her. He has no recourse than to seek shelter at the pension. We’ll see how that turns out. He runs into David on his way up to his room. David smiles to himself when Joel tells him he was run off because of him.

Volpina is up and Fabricio wants her to eat something. She’s so afraid. Fab gives her a hug, just as Lola walks in. She wants to know what’s going on, but doesn’t want any explanations (how like a telenovela woman). Volpi leaves so they can talk. Of course, Benito has been lying in wait for her and is going to work her over when Wenceslau interrupts. He gets beat up instead as Volpi runs away. She comes back to help him when they are gone. He takes her to his home and tells her not to open the door while he’s gone on an errand. Lola and Fabricio patch things up. She calls him her Pastelito de Belém (a popular Portuguese egg tart pastry).

Wenceslau heads straight to Ernest’s office to tell him and Manfred to lay off Volpina. They will do so, as long as she changes her statement at the police station. Back again at home, she agrees. Mundo, Volpina and Ernest’s lawyer are back at the station. Mundo can’t believe she’s withdrawing her statement and saying her previous statement was extracted by threat—from Mundo.

Julieta interrupts Mundo at a café where he’d been talking to his buds about what went down. She tells him Yolanda is in a bad way and was just taken to the hospital. He heads right over there and gets there before Ernest does. She’s unresponsive. Franz watches as he tenderly strokes her hair and talks to her. She wakes and tells him she was afraid she would die without saying goodbye to him. Ernest arrives and the men start a rumble right in the ward. Franz sends Mundo home.

Now Juliet heads for Wenceslau’s house to tell him his daughter is in the hospital and may lose her life and her child. He arrives at Yolanda’s bedside. He and Ernest trade words over whose fault it is that Yolanda is here. He tells Ernest Yolanda and himself are both Ernest’s victims. Yolanda loses the baby, despite the mantras Perla and the monks recite for her from the distance of the mansion.

Wence consoles his daughter. She wants to die. She can’t stand living with that man any longer. Just then, “that man” appears and tells her he’s going to take her on a long trip and produce a real Hauser and not a communist bastard. She’s shocked he knew. He knows everything, he reminds her.

Perla finds out the baby didn’t make it. She has accepted the monks explanation that this baby probably achieved an illuminated state while still in the womb and didn’t need to be born. Franz feels better, too.
 

PERLA--
Tue, Sep 29 Part IV

Aurora can’t get David out of her head. She’s going to fix things. She arrives at the pension later. David asks her to leave him in peace. She chucks him under the chin and says, doesn’t he know she always does the opposite of what he asks? She brings in Dr. Rubens to help. She’s not going to leave or leave him. Dr. Rubens feels sure the latest treatments and exercises will help him recover “certain” functions. He accepts. Doc leaves. Aurora leaps into David’s arms and starts kissing him all over. He’s grinning, happily accepting her kisses and giving her back some of his own. That done, she heads back to her suite, only to find Manfred and champagne waiting for her. She’s upset he gained access to her suite and orders him to leave. Manfred can’t believe she’s kicking him out—over that cripple. He tries to shame her—a man in his condition would never get interested in a woman like her. Aurora retorts, that Manfred doesn’t understand a thing about a woman like her.

Laura has come to see Yolanda in the hospital. She sends Wence home and asks Laura to stay. She wants to get up. Laura thinks this is crazy. What she wants to do is go see Mundo. They arrive at the party headquarters. Once they are alone together, she tells him, in her weakened state, the baby she lost was theirs--hers and his.

 

Perla,
Anita thank you so much. Please be assured we are very grateful for your help. Your recaps are very detailed and valuable.
 

Bajo

Thanks so much, Novelera, for the wonderfully detailed Thursday recap. You helped me understand a number of things that eluded me when I watched.

I found it amusing that Telemundo showed Adela about to call out to Cristóbal when someone puts his hand over her mouth. I think we were supposed to conclude that someone in La Colonia had caught her, but we had to wait until the commercial break was over to find out who it was. Of course it was Rodrigo, putting his hand over her mouth to save her from being spotted by the various La Colonia members who are staking out the police station hoping to catch Adela when she comes to see her mother's body. (For once, I wasn't fooled.)

Deb, I too was impressed with telenovela medicine's ability to completely heal the nasty burn on Ramona's arm in just a couple of days.
 

Perla,

ah, thanks again Anita, wonderful recap !!!
(above and beyond)

hmm, if I could add a little bit on Volpina, I think Wenceslau was standing firm with Ernest, until Ernest pulled out his checkbook and said, ok how much, everyone has a price, how much for Volpina to change her testimony? but we didn't get to see who actually got the money.

what keeps this story going is that Ernest's gang of Manfred and Silvia, are actually out to get HIM. Silvia tracking down the wrong done to her dad makes her a sympathetic character (dream on) and there is no doubt about how Manfred has been wronged by his real father Ernest, of course in the opening scene he cut Franz's rope letting him sail down a cliff in the Himalayas, so no hope for this guy, even his karma brought an avalanche down on him.

 

PERLA—
Wed, Sep 30 Part I

Yolanda finishes telling Mundo the baby she lost was theirs. He says she should have told him. She couldn’t. She was afraid of what Ernest would do to Mundo. They cry and kiss over their lost child. Yolanda gets cramps and he takes her back to the hospital, where they run into Ernest and his security detail. Yolanda screams that she left the hospital to tell Mundo the child she lost was his. They throw Mundo out. Ernest looks down on an unconscious Yolanda and tells her she going to pay a high price for humiliating him like that. Back home, Ernest seethes with anger and hate over Yolanda’s betrayal, sounding a lot like he might have discovering Catalina’s betrayal. Manfred feeds the fires of his hatred.

When Mundo tells Amelia about the baby, she agrees with Yoyo. [ed. I’ll call her Yoyo when she’s with barrio friends, otherwise she’s Yolanda or Yolo.] If it had become known Yoyo was carrying Mundo’s child, Ernest could have retaliated by charging her with adultery, a crime punishable by being sent to prison. Still, Mundo thinks he should have been told. He could have protected her and the child—maybe run away together—maybe their child would have lived. All pure speculation, but is now in the past.

Mundo turns back toward his election campaign. He and the party regulars are elated when he gains the backing of an important ex-minister. When Ernest reads about it in the paper, his anger at Yolo is transferred to Mundo. He and Manfred plot on how to be done with this communista. [ed. I think Ernest calls him that for effect—remember Ernest was a fascist during the war. Mundo represents a “workers” party—similar to what communists espoused, though.]

For the umpteenth time, Manfred promises, guarantees, swears to his mother that it won’t be long before they take their rightful place in the Hauser Household. Gertie is quite pleased the baby was not Ernest’s.

The plot against Mundo progresses. At the club, Ernest, Walter and Manfred are waiting for someone. Decio shows a familiar [to us] woman and a pigtailed child to their table. Decio is dismissed, but hangs around to listen, just out of sight. The woman is Rosa. The men agree that she is believable. She is Amelia’s fellow laundress from the barrio is also known to Mundo. The young girl, Rosa’s niece, is perfect for the part. On with the Shew. The plan is to ruin Mundo’s reputation by having her present herself at an important campaign rally as a victim of assault by Mundo, who left her pregnant and alone.

Franz brings Perla to the barrio to see her mother. It’s really an excuse for Franz and Amelia to spend some time together since Perla is on her way to school. Amelia is now wearing her hair down loose, more in the style of the later 1940s. The two double back to watch Mundo’s rally. He’s doing great until Rosa’s appearance and her statements change the mood. She wants everyone to know what a cad Mundo is. He talks about helping poor and working people to a better life, but he left his own child, whom he never recognized, abandoned and unsupported. She actually says he raped her and left her. This child she’s been calling her niece is really her daughter, Mundo’s progeny. Mundo is dumbfounded. He knows it can’t be true, but he has nothing to fight back with except his hot-headedness. Amelia is just as dumbfounded. She knows her brother. All through the years he only had a relationship with Yoyo. She knows Rosa is lying. Mundo gets off the platform and menaces Rosa. He yells in her face and wants to know who is paying her to say these things. His campaign workers have to pull him away from her. The people begin to believe Rosa. She flees the scene.
 

PERLA--
Wed, Sep 30 Part II

Ernest is pleased with Rosa’s performance. She was very believable. He’s ready to pay her off. Franz, Mundo and Fabricio have followed Rosa in a car to the club. They wait while she pays off the cab driver and then follow her into the club just in time to see Walter hand her a big wad of bills. Mundo immediately accuses Ernest as the mastermind and tells Rosa he’s not finished with her.

Walter calls Ernest to tell him Franz was with Mundo and Fabricio. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Ernest tells him to go on with it, as planned. [ed. “It” will be revealed in a later paragraph.] He tells Walter to meet him at the club later to discuss Rosa. She will need to disappear. [ed. Right about here, there is a significant exchange between little Otavio and his mother. Walter has just had an altercation of his own provocation with Otavio. He tells the boy to stop calling him dad—Otavio is not his son. Laura has to sit him down and have “the adoption talk” with the boy. He’s taken back but feels safe in his mother’s embrace.]

Back at campaign headquarters, Franz points out to Mundo there is nothing that ties Rosa to Ernest. Maybe Manfred could help. Lola speaks up and tells them they shouldn’t but won’t say why. She tells Fabricio in confidence that talking to Manfred would ruin everything; he’s too close to Ernest. That is all she will say.

Franz is a little rattled that Amelia and Mundo are so confident that Ernest is involved up to his mustache in this. Amelia urges Franz to open his eyes about his father. He *is* involved in this and lots more evil deeds. Franz promises to investigate. He goes back to the mansion and talks to Yoyo about the Rosa affair. Yoyo says it’s a lie and if Walter is involved, then Ernest is, too, in planning to end Mundo’s political career.

Back to Walter’s living room the next morning, Decio “accidentally” rats out Walter in front of his wife. The newspaper headlines feature Rosa. He recognized her as the same woman Decio saw with Walter at the club. Walter denies knowing or ever seeing that woman and says Decio is delusional. Decio assures him he’s not—even Ernest was present. Laura begins to reflect on it. She goes to see Yola. Laura is the one that needs consoling now. When Yola asks about Ernest meeting with Walter and Rosa at the club, she admits the truth. Decio just confirmed it. Yola is furious and is going to do something about it, if she can count on Laura’s help. She will.

[ed. Here is the “it” from above.] Walter arranges for Rosa to give a radio interview spinning ever more lies to ruin Mundo’s reputation as a man and as a candidate to represent working people. A crowd has gathered around him. Yoyo shows up and tells them Mundo is innocent of all those accusations that woman is making. It’s defamation pure and simple. Once inside Doña Miquelina’s place, she tells them everything she knows. Laura won’t be able to say anything because of Walter. Mundo thanks her and everyone else tells her to be careful of Ernest. Mundo and Yoyo are looking at each other with those unmistakable looks of love, while Dalia looks from one to the other. She knows what those looks mean.

Mundo sees Yoyo out. They have a tender exchange where they are both asking each other’s forgiveness: she for marrying Ernest to save her father; he for not marrying her when he could have years ago. He wanted her to avoid any suffering for his activism—and look who ended up suffering the most, Yoyo. She wants to help clear his name so she can hope to one day have his forgiveness and be able to live by his side. They almost kiss when Dalia interrupts and tells Mundo he needs to come back inside and listen to what they are saying on the radio. Yoyo leaves. Political support falls away after the broadcast. He might lose the election.
 

PERLA--
Wed, Sep 30 Part III

Ernest is overjoyed as he and his buds listen to the broadcast. He thinks they’ve won—one less communist to cross their path. His only concern, he tells Manfred, is that Franz saw Walter speaking to Rosa. Manfred will talk to him.

Viktor, having been ordered by his father to work in the factory finance office, has finally discovered that Wenceslau and Manfred have been defrauding the company—big time, falsifying invoices for more than supplies cost, pocketing the difference and cooking the books. He goes to Silvia to tell her he’s going directly to see his father. She would rather he talk to Manfred first. Maybe, as Wence’s supervisor, he’s unaware and innocent. She can’t change his mind. Viktor leaves. Silvia puts in a call to Manfred.

Viktor learns Ernest has left the office for the club. He heads for the club but gets “kidnapped” by two thugs so Manfred can suborn him. He threatens to tell Daddy-O all about his dalliance with Silvia, right under Franz’s nose and that maybe that bebé in Silvia’s belly is not Franz’ at all. That wouldn’t be good for Silvia—or him. They argue. Manfred reminds him he’s seen the naked drawings Viktor made of Silvia. If Viktor tells his dad about the fraud, how does he think Franz will take the news that Viktor has been sleeping with his wife.

[ed. There is some Matilde, Serena and monk stuff here. I’d rather concentrate on Aurora and David. Sorry, folks. I always rewind and watch them twice, or maybe thrice.]

Aurora comes to see David. He’s in his wheelchair doing the exercises Dr. Rubens recommended. She draws a deep audible breath. She’s happy to see him like that. David got his mojo back and sweeps her off her feet and into his arms as they greet each other with lots of kisses.

Perla and Franz are doing schoolwork together. It’s about how an oyster makes a pearl—ME! says Perla. She is able to explain how a beautiful pearl can come from a grain of sand that hurts the oyster, just as something good can come out of something bad. (Is this prophetic on her part?) Yolanda comes to speak to Franz alone. She confirms Decio’s story of seeing Walter and Ernest contracting Rosa to defame Mundo. It’s hard to tell how Franz feels: disillusioned by his father or realizing the woman he loves was telling the truth about his father.

Just a bit later Franz overhears Ernest telling Walter to pay Rosa the rest of the money and take her to Teresópolis (a real place) and for her to stay there. Franz has now heard the truth from his own father’s words. Manfred happens to see Franz listening on the phone and reports it to Ernest. They must act quickly before they are caught. They devise an elaborate scheme to have Walter whisk Rosa away right under the noses of Mundo and Fab by using a decoy woman, which the two good guys follow. Once they realize the ruse, Mundo is angry for having been fooled. Meanwhile, Manfred takes the real Rosa away. Mundo and Fab return to headquarters empty handed. No Rosa. Someone had to have seen Franz listening on the phone to the arrangements, or there would have been no need to change tactics. They guess it was Manfred.
 

PERLA--
Wed, Sep 30 Part IV

Silvia and Pilar have a quick meet at the jewelry store. Silvia now suspects Gertie of possibly killing Catalina. Pilar says Gertie would do anything for Ernest. Silvia thinks Salvador the gardener is the key. Pilar will help her track him down. On Silvia’s way out, Viktor, who has been waiting to way lay her, takes her forcibly to his hotel/art studio suite. He is now sure she’s somehow involved in the fraud because she wasted no time to runtelldat (this is a Madelaine-ism—RIP, amiga) to Manfred what Viktor had uncovered. He pushes her up against the wall and face to face, asks, how could she, the woman he loves, the woman he fell in love with. Silvia swears she wasn’t personally involved, but wouldn’t say anything because she was pregnant and scared she’d be left without any support for herself or her child. Viktor says he would never let that happen. He begs her to tell him if that child is his. After begging several times, Silvia nods and says a barely audible yes. Viktor kisses her. She finally gives herself in to his kisses.

Amelia and Franz walk on the beach where they had been when they were first falling in love. They sit down, close to each other. He feels like an idiot for being so blind. Amelia says not to; it’s natural, he loves his father. Franz says that yes, and his father is someone who doesn’t deserve any respect. He believed his father’s lies and not the truths of the woman he loves. His eyes start welling up with tears. He wants Amelia to forgive him for all the suffering he put her through. Though his father may have succeeded in separating them physically, he was not able to separate their hearts. Franz repeats he never stopped loving her. Franz keeps asking for forgiveness as she looks at him. Through his tears, he asks her to come back to him, please come back to him. Amelia doesn’t “say” yes, but her smile, embrace and kiss say it for her.

Franz goes back to the mansion. He and Yoyo realize they are on their own now. Gertie and Manfred can’t be trusted. He wants to leave this house, but won’t until such time as he can return custody of Perla to Amelia.

Just a little later, Franz sends Perla up to bed and walks out leaving Manfred and Ernest in the living room. Ernest knows his son, he tells Manfred. If he did not confront him about Rosa directly after he hear it, it can only mean he’s gone over to that communist’s side. He feels betrayed by his own son. Manfred is inwardly elated.

Rosa shows up at the club. Walter is trying to hustle her out. She should have called first. She points out she tried, many times, but he never called back. She wants more money. Walter tries to tell her she was paid plenty for what she did. She states things have been tough since the ruse. Decio sees this, but sneaks away. Laura, on the other hand sees him ushering Rosa out, with promises to find Rosa later at her hotel, and confronts Walter.
 

deb--
Thanks for the extra commentary. My bet is Wence kept the money, just from past experience with him!

Speaking of avalanches, Manfred even used the word itself in his conversation with Gertie (which I didn't report) telling her near the end of the episode that when the avalanche comes, he will be the one standing to reach down and save Ernest....She had told him she didn't want him harming his father in any way.
 

Perla,

wow Anita, thank you ever so much!
I wasn't able to watch the second half of Wednesday's so this was great.

 

PERLA--
Thu, Oct 1 Part I

Here we go again. Can anyone tell how much I like David and Aurora? By the end of this episode, everyone is with the person they are supposed to end up with--well, Mundo and Yolanda are almost there and Silvia and Viktor might or might not make it, but here's hoping.

Mundo and Fabricio find Rosa, thanks to Laura having heard Walter, at the club, asking Rosa where she was staying. Laura then saw Walter leaving with Volpina and take her to a hotel—from whence they failed to emerge for awhile (we believe). She was so angry at his betrayal she went and told Yoyo where Rosa was. The two men burst in on Rosa and let her have it. She’s afraid to tell the truth for fear of retaliation from Ernest Hauser. Mundo and Fab tell her that defamation is a crime and punishable by time in prison. Mundo tells her if she retracts the whole story, he won’t press charges. She agrees.

In a confrontation with Walter, Laura wants to know if it is worth throwing away his marriage and his family for a fling. He sputters that a man has “certain” needs and she hasn’t been behaving very wifely since they adopted the boy. That just makes her angrier so she tells him she squealed to Mundo about Rosa’s whereabouts and the whole sordid plan—so there! “Gotcha!” Now it’s Walter who gets furious for what she’s done. He assaults her but Decio steps in to save her.

After the call from Walter, Manfred rushes off to get Rosa before the Mundo gang does. It’s too late. They guys have her and they bring in a journalist to do an interview. She fools them by not retracting her story. Mundo talks sense to her and finally wears her down telling her all the bad things Ernest has done to all her friends and acquaintances—and for what? For crumbs from his table while he pockets all the money they have worked to provide him with. Rosa spills the arroz con leche and the journalist gets his story and pictures.

Benito and his two thugs know where Rosa is and what she is probably doing. He instructs the thugs to do the job when the reporter comes out.

Since it’s too dangerous for Rosa to go back to the vecindad, Mundo takes her to Doña Miquelina’s to stay temporarily. While there, Fab sees Lola, who again says he deserves someone better; she’s done some terrible things (like giving Manfred information on where Mundo and Amelia went when she was pregnant with Perla). Fab says he loves her and wants to marry her, that is, if she loves him. She does. She agrees.

Franz and Amelia talk about the risks Yoyo is taking by helping Mundo. She had told them she was doing it for love. Franz begins to understand now why Yoyo married his father—fear of what Ernest would to her father, Wenceslau. He finally can admit to Amelia that Ernest is a monster.

Pellizquito will need to tell them the name of the orphanage he was in so the lawyer can get official documents. Toni and Hilda will need them before they can adopt him. Trusting Toni, he tells them, but doesn’t remember his own real name. In the coal mines, he was just a number. Toni swears no one will ever hurt him again.
 

PERLA--
Thu, Oct 1 Part II

David sighting—Dr. Rubens is making a house call to check on David and his therapeutic exercises. Aurora is also there, sitting in David’s wheelchair, rolling back and forth. David is sitting up in bed, discouraged. Doc tells him to have patience. These things take time. Doc leaves. Aurora chooses to continue the therapy by massaging his legs and talking. David tries to get her to stop. He thinks it’s useless. She shushes him and says she’s not talking to him, she’s talking to his legs (cute scene). The two keep trying. He needs to concentrate. Then he tells her he was just able to move his big toe. Aurora is beyond excited. She calls him “mi amor” and that he’s going to recover. She jumps on him and hugs him. He thanks her for all she’s done for him. It’s all due to her encouragement that he’s come this far…and then utters those fateful three (two in Spanish) words…he loves her. She’s startled and asks what was that again? No, not the part where his progress is due to her, the last part. David repeats, “Te amo.” He has to repeat it several times before Aurora hears it right. She finally whispers that she loves him. Then she asks him to tell her again. They trade te amos and seal them all with many kisses.

Franz has brought Perla to spend the night with Amelia. He expects no problems from his father. Perla and Amelia happily go off to play. Meanwhile, the journalist knows now he’s being followed and runs into the street. A car knocks him down. The driver is Franz. The guy is ok and takes off. He only gets a few steps down the sidewalk when the two thugs attack. Franz sees this and goes to the rescue. The plot is foiled and the journalist keeps the camera. He has to hurry, though, to meet a deadline with his hot story—the Rosa affair, but shares what he knows with Franz, not knowing Franz is Ernest’s son.

Viktor turns in his first financial report to Ernest. Manfred and Silvia are standing beside him. Ernest asks if everything is in order and Viktor confirms it. He looks terribly guilty, but Ernest doesn’t catch it. Later, Benito tells Manfred the journalist got away; the story will be published in the morning. Manfred doesn’t want to give up. Benito tries to tell him it’s all over.

The next morning, the newspaper account ruins Ernest’s breakfast and he ruins another china and crystl table service. Franz appears and challenges his father on the story. Ernest claims it’s all a bunch of lies invented by Mundo to discredit him. Franz indicates that doesn’t make any sense. Ernest tries to tell Franz that he doesn’t know anything. Franz says that on the contrary, he knows everything. He’s the one that stopped the assault on the journalist who had conducted the interview with Rosa. Ernest says Franz is supposed to believe *him,* his father, not those lying poor people. He demands Franz’ respect. Franz rebuts. He knows all about the pay off to Rosa and overheard Ernest in his own words telling Walter to send Rosa far away. He no longer has *any* respect for Ernest. Manfred watches the scene unfold, tight-lipped, but delighting in it.

Franz tells Ernest it is all over. He enumerates the other crimes and actions against Amelia and Mundo. Franz is deaf to Ernest’s entreaties. He’s leaving the house at once. And, when he has enough documentation to prove he’s not a fit guardian for Perla, he’s coming to get her. He goes upstairs to pack. Ernest tells Manfred to go up and talk to him; keep him from leaving, somehow. Ernest begins to cry and tries to stop, but can’t. Upstairs, Manfred can’t convince Franz not to leave (throwing in a pregnant wife as a persuasive tactic). In fact, Franz wonders what secrets Manfred has with Ernest. After all, he is Ernest’s right-hand man. Manfred is offended by the notion, but has nothing more to say. Franz continues packing. He has decided to take Perla with him. He wants to start over with his child and her mother. The last thing he does is take his family crest ring off his finger and lays it on the dresser.
 

PERLA--
Thu, Oct 1 Part III

In the vecindad, everyone is rejoicing over the newspaper article exonerating Mundo. Support for his candidacy is returning. Rosa comes out and asks everyone for forgiveness. Meanwhile, Mundo talks to the lawyer because he wants to press charges against Ernest for defamation.

Perla sees the paper and can’t believe her abuelo would have done something like that. Amelia takes her aside and tells her all the facts, including his hand in separating her parents. She wants to go see her abuelo right away. When they arrive at the mansion, Perla goes in by herself while Amelia and Yoyo talk in the courtyard. She confronts Ernest with all the information she has. He tells her they are all inventions and lies. Perla says he’s the one lying, she can feel it. He keeps on assuring her everything her mother has said abut him is a lie, he doesn’t hate her, she’s the one that’s inventing things to make Perla hate him. Perla knows her mother is not a liar. If abuelo really loves her, he needs to change. She doesn’t like this house. She wants to live in the vecindad with her mother, uncle and their friends.

Franz comes down the stairs with their suitcases and is surprised to see Perla there. She tells him that she’s just made a deal with abuelo. He must stop lying, abusing her mother and interfering in other people’s lives. When he does, she’ll come to visit him. Franz takes her hand and they walk out. Amelia is waiting for Perla when she sees Franz. He tells her he’s leaving the house and recommends Yoyo leave, too. Back inside, Ernest may or may not be acknowledging to himself that everyone he cares for (or at least could manipulate) has left him. He looks like a defeated old man. He begins to cry again.

Silvia tells Manfred in private she’s glad that idiot is gone. She played house with him for more than ten years. It’s over. She assumes Manfred is glad Franz finally had it out with his father. Isn’t that what he wanted? Manfred looks somber. Aha, Silvia guesses, it’s Amelia isn’t it? He’s in love with her, isn’t he? And his chances are diminished if she and Franz are getting back together. He calls her ridiculous to think that and denies it. Left alone, he knows what she said is true.

(There is a fairly long scene at the pension with Matilde and the monks and Lama Sonan fasting. I like the monks and especially Lama Sonan, but my hand gets tired of writing—first draft is always in longhand. Besides, David and Aurora are more interesting to report on.)

David (speak of the handsome devil) has spent the night with Aurora. Aurora is languishing deliciously, stretched out by his side, while David is sitting, propped up against the headboard. He tells her he wants to leave. She wants to spend more time in bed with him. Again, he’s in a bad humor because “nothing” happened. He assumed that because his toes moved, other things would, too. Aurora is not discouraged. It’s early days yet. David wonders how long a woman like her would continue to tolerate this situation. She retorts that the worst she has to tolerate is his bad humor. She wants to see him smile. He won’t. She starts to tickle him to make him smile and he can’t resist. They tumble into each others’ arms.

Later, back at the pension, Doc has come by to see David. David is honest and tells the doc he was with Aurora the night before, but wasn’t able to perform the act with her. He wants to know the truth. Will he ever be a whole man again? Doc can’t give him any guarantees, but without trying, the outcome is worse. Aurora walks in and David sees her bouncy spirit and gives her a warm loving smile. No, he won’t give up; it’s back to the exercises. Aurora announces she has a surprise after he’s done.
 

PERLA--
Thu, Oct 1 Part IV

Viktor is having lunch with Hilda and tells her about his affair with Silvia. He loves her and the bebé might be, or probably is, his. Hilda is shocked. She’s disappointed in him, she would never have believed he’d do something like that. It’s his brother’s wife. When he gets back to the mansion, Viktor goes to Silvia’s room. He begs her to leave the house, as Franz did. She can’t. He begs her again, for the sake of their child, so the child can be raised far away from this place. He knows she loves him. They kiss (but she didn’t say yes). Gertie sticks her nose in where it doesn’t belong and catches Viktor sneaking out of Silvia’s room after she’s left to take a phone call. She wants to know what he was doing there. Vik tells her they were just talking and to stay out of his business.

Perla is back in the vecindad. Her parents are content to be together again. Franz says it was hard to recognize all the evil his father perpetrated. The only certainty in his life right now, he tells Amelia, is that he loves her and hopes that time has not erased all her feelings for him. They hug and kiss. The kissing lasts long enough for Perla to come in and see them. She doesn’t interrupt. When Franz is ready to leave for his hotel room, Perla confirms she saw them kissing. He asks if she thinks he has a chance to get back with Amelia. Perla says it’s more than a chance. It’s a sure thing.

David sighting—Doc Rubens is wheeling David down the sidewalk with a blindfold over his eyes. That’s so he can’t see Aurora’s surprise until the last minute. It’s a motorcycle with a side car. She takes him for a ride high up in the hills above the city to see the ocean. David thanks her. It’s been a long time since he’s seen the ocean. He’s glad she brought him. Back home, they are sharing a meal in her hotel room. He thinks her parents named her well. They talk about all the meanings of the word aurora and how it fits her. Before her, David’s life was dark. Then she came into it and brought the light, heat and colors. He sees the world differently, because of her. She gets up and comes around to sit on his lap. They hug each other.

Lic. Silveira tells Toni he found the orphanage and got the necessary documents relating to Pellizquito. His real name is Irineo. It’ll take him some time to get used to it. Toni says everything will turn out right. Pez wants to know if he can call Toni papa now. Of course he can.

Franz and Silvia meet over a restaurant meal. He wants to discuss the terms of their separation. She nearly causes a scandal. He reminds her they haven’t lived as man and wife for a long time. Their marriage wasn’t valid anyway since they got married in Uruguay (Whaa? If you get married in Uruguay, you aren’t married? Since when?) Oh, and she’s not to worry financially about the child she’s carrying. Their marriage was based on a lie—she knew he didn’t love her and he’s sure she doesn’t love him and furthermore, he *never* stopped loving Amelia. Now can they talk about their separation?

Franz heads for the vecindad. He brings Amelia a single white rose. He tells her he’s now officially separated from Silvia. They kiss on it.
 

PERLA—
Fri, Oct 2 Part I

The action continues from yesterday. Franz and Amelia find themselves alone in her apartment and they run off to the bedroom to make love. Some other day (cause he’s wearing different clothes), he’s looking for a job. He finds one in a bookstore as a sales clerk. He’s happy to be making his own money.

A month later Mundo is elected as a delegate to the legislature—the first worker to be elected. They celebrate at headquarters. Ernest, on the other hand, is furious. This can’t be allowed to happen. Viktor makes the mistake of saying it was about time and the election was fair; change is good. Silvia thinks he’s doing it to provoke his father. Ernest accuses him of being a traitor—just like his brother.

The monks continue with Perla’s instructions in Buddhism. Franz runs in to share the news of Mundo’s win. All are happy. At the Hauser House of Horrors, Yola also gets the news. She’s in her room shouting, she’s free, she’s free. She calls Julieta. She’s leaving, but only what she came with. She wants nothing from the Hausers. She takes off her jewelry, lets her hair down and puts on one of her old dresses. This is who she is. She’s free. Yolanda comes downstairs, where the men of the household are still discussing the election results. Ernest sees her and asks where is she going looking like that, she looks ridiculous. With passion in her voice, she tells him her days as his prisoner in this house are over. She’s leaving. He tries physically to stop her, but he gets another attack of nerves. Silvia is loving it.

Mundo receives felicitations from his supporters. He heads for Amelia’s apartment. She tells him someone is waiting for him in the bedroom. It’s Yolanda. There is a happy reunion and plenty of time to talk and make love. She reminds him that before they can be together permanently, she has to separate from Ernest. Yoyo wants him to swear they’ll get married after she’s done with Ernest. He plays with her for a moment, looking very serious, then smiles and says of course he’ll swear. Dalia is nervous about Mundo’s absence from his own victory party. Her face seems to say she suspects something, but doesn’t quite know what.

Yoyo next goes to her father’s house. She’s back to live in the vecindad. She thinks ten years of her life and giving up the man she loves is sufficient to pay back his gambling debt to Ernest. She will never let happen to her, what Wenceslau did to her. He’s ashamed of the man he was. He’s changed and asks her forgiveness. There is a father-daughter reconciliation.

Ernest is moping about his and Yola’s bedroom, missing her, crying over her picture, sniffing the dress she left behind. [ed. He’s an arrogant, selfish man who doesn’t know how to treat females, not as children, not as adults. Any remorse he might seem to have cannot be genuine, he still thinks he must be believed, respected and obeyed no matter what. Thank goodness Franz and Viktor are not cut from the same cloth.]
 

PERLA--
Fri, Oct 2 Part II

Franz receives an anonymous message and a key to Silvia’s secret life. Intrigued, he goes to the address indicated and ends up in Viktor’s hotel/art studio suite. He finds all the drawings of Silvia that Viktor made. [Is it Manfred who squealed on him, or is it Viktor taking the initiative away from Manfred, who knows about the naked drawings?] It’s Viktor who steps into the room and acknowledges the work to be his. He sent the note. Franz can’t believe his brother did this. Never mind he never loved Silvia, he still considers it a betrayal, carrying on right under his nose. To top it off, he learns the bebé might be Viktor’s. Vik says it was time for Franz to learn of his romance with Silvia. Viktor tells Franz he’s been in love with Silvia since she first stepped into the house. He tells him how the relationship evolved. Viktor says they both, the two brothers, are responsible for Vik’s betrayal with Silvia. Franz has a lot to think about and leaves. However, he goes straight to Silvia to confront her and throws Viktor’s drawings on the table in front of her. He really doesn’t care about her relationship with Vik; he only wants to know if the child is of that idiot or the brother of that idiot. Silvia says not to be like that. Franz laughs angrily. She lies and says she never had anything to do with Viktor; the drawings came out of his own imagination, then she swears the child is Franz’. He says she’s lying. Her word is worthless and pushes her down. He storms out.

Silvia is furious at Viktor for saying anything and heads straight to Manfred’s rooms. Manfred says he warned her off that little brother, what did she expect. They trade not so thinly veiled blackmail threats. Manfred has the last word, though. She’d better make Franz believe that child is his if they don’t want to cause a scandal with Ernest that will ruin their planned vengeance. [ed. It’s Manfred who is cut from the same cloth as Ernest.]

A flaming mad, red-headed banshee descends on Viktor, pummeling and screaming at him—how could he have done this to her. Oh, now we recognize Silvia behind the flaring nostrils, glaring eyes and fangs ready to bite. Viktor calmly says he did it because he loves her and could no longer continue to betray his brother. He takes her face between his hands and asks her to tell him she loves him. If a kiss signifies a yes, then Silvia said yes several times. Then she backs off and says she can’t back out now. She can’t permit herself and her child to be abandoned. He scoffs. He reminds her he knows she’s been stealing money from his family for years, with Manfred and Wenceslau. She flounces out.

Mundo has finally come around to see Dalia. She’s been waiting and waiting for him. He has the grace to let her down gently—he and Yoyo are going to be together again. Dalia doesn’t stay down easily. She is angry and upset by what she considers a betrayal. Mundo says he never deceived her; she *knew* he’d never stopped loving Yoyo. Apparently Dalia doesn’t think it is a good enough reason, after all she did for him.

Hilda and Franz meet for lunch this time. The topic of conversation is Viktor and Silvia. Hilda swears she just learned of it a day or so ago. Franz wants to know if she thinks Vik made up the story of a romance with Silvia, because Silvia denies having had a relationship with him. Hilda presumes Vik fell in love with Silvia. Hilda believes that because they were brothers, he would never have started anything with her if he hadn’t seen that Franz didn’t love her. Franz still thinks it is a betrayal. His biggest worry now is not knowing whose child Silvia is carrying.
 

PERLA--
Fri, Oct 2 Part III

David sighting—Aurora and David are passing through the pension on the way to his room. They have to run the gauntlet that includes Cleo, Doña Concepción and Joel, who sneers at Aurora for slumming in the vecindad. Doña C. is offended. Dalia is waiting for him in his room, so Aurora discretely stays in the kitchen with the others. Some clever banter ensues. Dalia, though, is unburdening herself on David. David reminds her Mundo never deceived her about his feelings for her. Dalia wants to know whose side is he on. The conversation doesn’t end well for either of them.

Franz and Amelia are dining in his hotel room. He wonders if Silvia manipulated Viktor in order to get pregnant. Amelia wonders if she would really do that. Of course she would, he wouldn’t put it past her. He and Silvia had not been together for a long time. He never figured out what was going on because he was always thinking of Amelia. They get up from the table and head towards the bed. They sleep together in both senses of the word.

Gertrudis tries to cheer Ernest up by tearing Yola down. She gets talked down to for her trouble by Ernest. He tells her she’s just a run-of-the mill employee and to get out of his sight. She leaves and goes to cry on Manfred’s shoulders. He’s pithed that she was treated like that.

Ernest is so consumed by his state of humiliation he shows up where Yolanda is staying to assert his marital rights. She refuses to return with him. She’s no longer afraid of him. He gets physically aggressive with her and Mundo steps in just in time. He throws Ernest out of the apartment. He shoves him into the courtyard. Ernest falls down. A crowd gathers and jeers at him. Someone throws a bucket of water on him. His driver Josué carries him off. Mundo is no longer afraid of him either. Just let him try to retaliate. He’s going to move forward with the charges of defamation.

Ernest is furious. He fires Wenceslau from his job in the finance office and is also throwing him out of “his” house. After all, he paid up the mortgage. It’s his to do what he wants with the property. He has 24 hours to move.

Perla and Amelia visit Franz at the bookstore, unaware that Manfred is spying on Amelia’s happiness.

Wenceslau shows up at Manfred’s to ask for help. Manfred doesn’t want to, but when Wenceslau reminds him Ernest would be very unhappy to know Manfred and Silvia have been stealing from the company for years, he agrees to let Wence stay in his downtown apartment until other arrangements can be made.

Their lawyer tells Yoyo and Mundo a separation that is not mutual is not impossible, but will be very difficult. They must be able to prove domestic violence, adultery or something serious like that. He also reminds them they must not be seen together in compromising situations—no PDA for awhile. Ernest has more motivation than ever to go up against them. Adultery is still considered a crime.

The process server hands Ernest the papers to present himself at the police station to give his statement in the defamation case Mundo has brought against him. Ernest looks slightly bothered. Walter gets his. He looks more than a little bothered. He practically bites Laura’s head off, saying she’s to blame for the pickle he’s in for ratting out Rosa’s location. Laura doesn’t like that he’s involved in Ernest’s dirty doings.
 

PERLA--
Fri, Oct 2 Part IV

Franz gets served with his papers, too. He is truly bothered because he has to testify against his father. Franz comes to talk to Lama Sonan about the defamation suit and his dilemma. Sonan gently asks Franz if he doesn’t think it’s time for Ernest to pay for his crimes. True repentance purifies the spirit. Yes, agrees Franz, but it also may signify prison. Sonan and Franz become more philosophical about truth and verity of actions. The truth of what happened is done. The truth cannot be changed. He hopes that helps Franz make the correct decision.

Another David sighting—He and Aurora are at her hotel room, sitting at the table. They have a little game of hot, cold, salty, sweet while he’s blindfolded again. She rubs his legs with an ice cube but he feels nothing. When she puts it down his neck, he feels the cold. When she kisses him and asks what that is, he takes his blindfold off and tells her that is the sweetest kiss in the world.

Wence tells Yoyo he was fired and they will have to move. She’s not to worry because he’s got them a place in the center of town with money he’s saved up. Yoyo talks to Mundo while they are relaxing on the bed at his place. Mundo doesn’t believe Wence has any money saved. Mundo will be able to help her, though, now that he has a steady salary. When she’s ready to leave, Mundo warns Yoyo to be careful not to be seen.

It’s moving day. Uh, oh, Dalia has her eye on Yolanda. It’s also testifying day. Ernest hears Franz has just given his statement against his own father. He looks at Franz incredulously. Franz repeats to his face what he knows to be the truth. Ernest is sure Franz is under Amelia’s influence and wants everybody to know it. He has another nervous attack. This time, Franz doesn’t believe him. He’s faking it, he’s sure; just another one of his lies. Ernest is taken in to give his statement, with Mundo sitting in the same room. Mundo gives his testimony. The two of them get testy.

After Franz tells Amelia about the testimony against his father. He said it was the right thing to do. He wants to know if he’s forgiven. Amelia tells him he’s forgiven—and has been. They kiss right there on the sidewalk.

Wenceslau shows Yoyo around their “new” living quarters, which are, in reality, Manfred’s. Manfred is all twisted up that Wence managed to blackmail him into this predicament.
 

PERLA--
Fri, Oct 2 Part V

Ernest is sure they will prevail in the suit because of their social position. He tells Walter to buck up. He trusts his lawyer. Walter leaves. The lawyer says, that even if the decision goes against him, it’ll be ok since he has a clean record. Ernest confesses he killed a man once. The lawyer is stunned. He should have been told. [In a flashback, Ernest tells how he was a lad of 18, back in ‘ought three’ when he runs into a gal named Gertrudis in the street. She tells him she’s pregnant. He responds there’s no way to prove the child is his so forget about it and him. He dismisses her. She was just a company employee. He was having a fling with her. He tries to give her money. She rejects the money and says she loves him. He gets aggressive with her. Some young kid intervened and Ernest beat him up. The kid was Gertrudis’ brother and he died in the hospital. He was taken in by the police, but his father fixed everything and the girls testified in his favor. Ernest was sent to Europe for a few years.] The lawyer says the girl must have loved him a lot not to testify against him. He’s curious about what happened to the child. Ernest convinces him it’s not part of the story.

Dalia comes to see Ernest. She divulges what she knows about Yolanda running around with her former boyfriend, and being married and all that. She knows Yolo could be charged with adultery, couldn’t she. She’s willing to help him. She can set it up so Ernest can catch her in flagrante delicto and she’ll go to prison—where the hussy belongs. [ed. Oh, Dalia, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned—or desirous of getting her rival out of her way by any means. You are so good to your brother. How could you. What will he think of you then. You aren’t thinking straight, woman.]
 

Thanks, dear Anita, for the summaries. For me, they are always SO very helpful and add to the pleasure of watching the novela, even more. I love your narration style and you have me laughing, giggling or chuckling when reading your summaries. Some of my favorite quotes of yours:
1- David sighting
2- Hauser House of Horrors

Few comments from the past episodes:
1- Manfred continues to show what kind of person he is -- one that pushes an invalid in a wheelchair. And he did it in public! OMG!
2- Thanks for explaining Pastelito de Belém. I'd love to try one now.
3- Ernest actually told Yolanda that he would give her a "real Hauser and not a communist Bastard?" Wow! LOL!
4- I liked the monks explanation to Perla about Yolanda's baby.
5- I like your nickname for Yolanda -- Yoyo/Yolo. :-)
6- How will Manfred guarantee being or sitting as the Hauser Head. All the other Hausers would have to be dead or something, wouldn't they? First and foremost Ernest. Manfred's mom is so blind. Seems like she has wasted years serving at the Hauser Home, waiting for Ernest to come to his senses for her. Ugh!

I send you Pastelito de Belém thanks and hugs for the summaries.

~ Paz xox