Friday, December 04, 2015

Pasión y Poder #22, Thursday, December 3, 2015: The Fall of Erick Montenegro. (And it's SO not fair!)


A Foundation of Cruelty  – The Letters

Eladio takes the crumpled paper out of Julia's hands, smooths  it out, and realizes it's a letter from Arturo.  So she's still seeing him!  Julia protests.  That letter is 20 years old!  

In Eladio's eyes, that's even worse.  She has kept Arturo's letters with the photos of her precious son, and after all those years, she is still moping over them.

Julia says she was cleaning house – she was going to get rid of the letters.  

"Since you were going to tear up the letters," he says, snatching the small bundle out of her hand, "I'll help you."

He rips each page deliberately, his eyes on Julia's face. Now he looks down at the pieces on the floor.  "And if you ever have anything to do with Arturo Montenegro again..."


Julia tells him to save his breath.  Unlike him, she respects their marriage.  Besides, Arturo is married too.  And now, what's that news he was going to give her about their son?  

Her son is in Querétaro, he says.   He hopes he's there to resign from the project.  Which is a shame – it would have been better to use the Montenegro girl, but he wasn't man enough to do it.   

At the mere thought of Arturo's daughter, the muscles in Eladio's face tighten, and his hand clenches into a fist.  [If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was doing Kegels.]  David had better not be seeing her anymore, he mutters, or there's going to be real trouble.  

"Threaten me all you want," she says, "but leave my son alone."

"I'll never allow David to be close to a Capulet, um, I mean a Montenegro!  If you don't want me to threaten him, then tell him to obey me."

After a final contemptuous glance at the torn letters on the floor, he walks out.  Instead of reaching for the Scotch Magic Tape, Julia weeps silently.  [But beautifully. ] 

Including the boy?

Agustín has checked the bank records of all the employees and has found nothing suspicious.  It's time to check out all the executives.  "Including Erick?" Agustín asks.  "Everyone," Arturo says.

Death Takes a Holiday.  In Acapulco, no less.

Francisco and Clara help Maribel get ready for Acapulco. Maribel flashes her radiant smile of gratitude, which is nearly undimmed by the death mask the make-up folks are giving her these days. 

Luisita takes Francisco aside to show him her bean plant, leaving Clara and Maribel alone.  Maribel thanks her friend – her sister, really – and the two women hug tearfully.

Oh no!  My daughter is getting out of jail and I'm losing my seat on the Gómez Luna gravy train!

Gisela has come to see Eladio in his office.  As she walks in, she pauses to stare at her grandson Franco as he walks out.  Then, with much wringing of hands, she tells Eladio why she is there – her daughter Caridad is getting out of jail in less than a month.

Outside the office, David takes mouth-breathing Marintia aside and tells her to find out who Gisela really is and why Eladio gives her a check every month.

Inside the office, Eladio reminds the old witch that if Caridad gets out of jail, her own allowance gets cut off.  He has no patience for the spate of self-pitying whining that follows.  "Once and for all, get out!" he bellows.  She scurries away.

Now she's outside the building, grumbling about having to take the bus.  Franco dashes down the stairs and catches up to her, and he offers her money for a cab... if she'll tell him what he wants to know: Why does Eladio give her money every month?  She tells him to ask Eladio.  It doesn't matter anyway, she says, because the money has dried up.  He presses a few more pesos into her hand and promises he'll help her out if she tells him.  "Not here... not now," smiles Gisela.  "I'll find you later."  [Who won that round?  And wasn't the mouth-breathing skank supposed to play Mata Hari?] 

Cousin Gabriela shows more than a casual interest in David's love life

As soon as David gets home, Gaby tells him her aunt Julia wants to see him.  But first she wants to know if he's really seeing Regina.  He was, he admits, but they broke up.  He loves her – he's never felt this way about anyone else – but he realizes there can never be anything between them. 

If she loves him back, Gaby says, why don't they give it a try?  He says he did try.  He thought it was possible to forget the hatred between their families but...

"But what?"

"Look at what's been happening lately.  What my father told me about her family is killing me.  Everything her dad did to mine..."

"Listen to yourself," Gaby says.  "You're talking about Mr. Montenegro.  How is Regina to blame for any of this?  And you say you love her?"

David admits he he is torn in two.  With some difficulty, Gaby settles down in her absurdly abbreviated dress (tug, tug, shift, tug)and encourages him to talk – maybe she can help. 


Not fair! When I sold out my daddy, nobody told me you were the buyer!

Eladio makes a call to his lawyer.  "Didn't I tell you to delay Caridad de Herrera's release?  Well then, find a judge who is for sale!"  He hears raised voices outside his office and cuts the call short.  

Erick Montenegro pushes his way past useless Marintia.  "I'm here to talk to you, you miserable crook!"  Callao slips in and stands behind him, just in case.  Eladio looks mildly amused.  He sends Marintia and Callao out, assuring the latter that he is in no danger, sprays whatever that crap is in his mouth, and sits down to listen, the very picture of forbearance.

Erick the Idiot Child demands his money.  He knows that Eladio was the one behind the scheme and he wants what he was promised. 

Eladio steeples his hands and all but drools with pleasure.  "One," he says, "You have no way to prove anything.  Two, you were paid what you deserve."

But Erick isn't giving up so easily.  He wants his 50 million pesos!  They promised!  Eladio asks to see the contract.  

"There is no contract," wails Erick.  

"That's what happens to fools like you who think they're smart enough to play in the big leagues."

Grrrrr!  The boy is mad.  He knows Eladio is just doing this because of Montserrat.  But it isn't going to end here, he says, stabbing the air with an index finger, the big boy equivalent of stamping his foot.  Eladio is going to pay for this!

Now Eladio springs to his feet.  What's Erick going to do?  Nothing!  He can't go crying to his daddy!

"You're going to regret this!" says Erick.  

Eladio chuckles as Erick storms out.   

¡Que Bonito Amor!

Erick walks into his bedroom and finds Miguel hovering at Consuelo's bedside.  The doctor has been called and will arrive later.  ¡Que bonito! he snarks.  Didn't he tell her he didn't want the bastard anywhere near her?  

Before they can tell him about the bleeding, he slugs Miguel, catching him off-guard and knocking him down.  Miguel springs up and defends himself while Consuelo screams at them to stop.  The noise brings Nina running.  Still wearing her unfortunate stripper bumblebee dress, she shoves Miguel, accuses him of behaving like an animal, and orders him out of the room.

Consuelo tries to speak, but Nina drowns her out, telling her she is a bad wife.  It is her fault her marriage is failing.  Then she sails out with as much dignity as a woman wearing that clownish get-up can reasonably be expected to summon.

Now it's Erick's turn to berate Consuelo.  "I absolutely forbid you to speak to that imbecile!"

During a pause in his invective, Consuelo finally has a chance to speak.  She tells him that Miguel was with her because she had a very serious bleed and she needed an injection.

That doesn't shut him up.  She should have called the doctor, not Miguel! [And him?  Certainly not!]  And the way things have been going, lo mejor sería que ni naciera  (It would be best if it weren't even born).  Whoa, dude. Fast track to hell!

¡No te rindes! Don't give up!

"I want to be with Regina," David tells Gaby, "but there are too many things against us."  If he really loves her, Gaby says, he should give it another try.  He promises to think about it. 

When making a death threat, it is best to avoid third party witnesses.
From Death Threats for Dummies, Chapter 1, p. 3.

While the worried bartender listens, Erick leaves an angry voicemail for Montserrat: she is his alone.  "If I have to kill Eladio, I will!"

The slime trails converge

Agustín has finished going through the executives' financial records, including Erick's.  Arturo isn't going to like this but...

The men are interrupted when Eladio enters unannounced, accompanied by his creepy shadow man, Callao.  "I heard you were worried about a bid," Eladio tells Arturo.  Arturo says he has nothing to say to him and orders him to leave.  But Eladio  continues smoothly:
  
Sólo vengo a decirte quién te traicionó¡Fue tu hijo Erick!
(I'm just here to tell you who betrayed you – It was your son Erick!)

Arturo is outraged and refuses to believe his enemy.  But Eladio has come with proof – a receipt showing that Erick sold him out for 200,000 pesos [about $12,000].  He crows about the 700 million pesos [$42 million] he stands to gain for his modest outlay.  "What a great deal, don't you think?"

The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Dresses

It's a good thing that Regina and Miguel are walking in the park, because her dress, like Gaby's, makes sitting a real challenge.  [Budget cuts?  A desperate cry for ratings?  Is Julia the only lady who gets to reliably cover her hooha in this one?]  Anyway, Miguel tells Regina the latest.  They trash Erick a little.  Then Regina sits on a park bench.  Very carefully, of course.  But it's a good thing she's sitting down because now Miguel confesses that he's in love with Consuelo.  Which comes as a huge shock to oblivious Regina.

Junior tried to run before he could walk.

Or so Eladio tells Arturo.  Oh how he is enjoying this, twisting and twisting the knife.  "So much time working for you and he hasn't learned – either he has no ability or you can't teach."

Agustín tries to keep Arturo from exploding.  "He's just baiting you," he warns his friend.  But Arturo doesn't take the bait.  He says Eladio is only doing this because Erick slept with Eladio's whore.  With a wife like Julia, how could he get involved with someone like that?  Does Julia know?

That doesn't concern him, Eladio answers.  "And even though you still love her..." 

He holds up his left hand and points to his ring. 

"... Julia is mine and mine alone."

Arturo contains himself until Eladio and his shadow are out the door.  Then he shoves over a couple of chairs – he is burning, but he is trying hard to keep the flames under control:  

I swear, one of these days I'm going to kill that bastard! 

And then he intones:

I want to talk to Erick!
I want to talk to Erick!
I want to talk to Erick!
I want to talk to Erick!

Benched

Miguel admits to Regina that he has loved Consuelo almost from the time she moved into the house.  He has tried to date other women, but he always ends up thinking about Consuelo.  Brother and sister commiserate with each other.  They have both fallen in love with the wrong person, and are both suffering for un amor imposible

Miguel says that after the fight with Erick, he's going to have to move out of the house.  [And that would be bad because....?]

Busted

With some diffidence, Agustín interrupts Arturo mid-rant: "Remember how before Eladio came, I said there was something I had to tell you?  Well, unfortunately, what that bastard told you is true."

He hands Arturo the ledgers showing that Erick did receive the money, just as Eladio said.  Arturo is incredulous. "My son sold me out to my worst enemy?"

My boy is just like me (I mean, if he really is my boy)

David tells Eladio that he has decided to fulfill his professional obligations in Querétaro – he hopes his father will understand.  "You're stubborn! (necio)" says Eladio.  "But instead of scolding you, I'm going to congratulate you!  You're just like me – stubborn, stubborn, stubborn!  But you understand that you're going to have to get information from that girl... that is, if her father lets her continue working with you – because Arturo hates me more and more every day."

David is puzzled and asks Eladio to explain himself.  But Eladio brushes off his son's questions, saying he needs to go to a board meeting and he wants David to go with him.

How sharper than a serpent's tooth...

Arturo moves about his office like a broken man.  He can't reach Erick by phone, so he decides to look for him at home.  Agustín reminds him that, whatever he has done, Erick is still his son.  But Arturo says he is a traitor.  A Judas.

They made it to Acapulco. Thank God.

Maribel and her family are thrilled with the hotel suite.  Luisita is excited about going to the beach.

Consuelo and the baby are fine.  Thank God.

The doctor has examined Consuelo and the news is reassuring.  All is well, but she needs to rest.  [Tell that to the crazy people who keep crowding into her room.]

Regina comes by to see her.  Consuelo repeats Erick's hurtful words.  She also says Miguel has to stop involving himself in her problems – she doesn't want to cause trouble for him with Erick and Nina.

Still Shrinking

Arturo has scarcely walked in the door when he is accosted by Nina, still in her teeny tiny bumblebee dress.  She tells him about Miguel's fight with Erick – over Consuelo, no less.  She wants Miguel out of the house.  Skanky Daniela, also in a dress that strains to cover the essentials, is there for backup.  They are both outraged that Miguel stood up for Consuelo – why you'd think he was in love with his own sister-in-law! [See, Regina?  Even señora Clueless and her daughter have caught on.]

Arturo brushes aside their estupideces. He tells them to leave Miguel alone and let him know when Erick comes home – he wants to talk to him.

The News from Querétaro – or – what game is Gaby playing at?

When Consuelo asks how things went in Querétaro, Regina tells her she's going to continue with the project, but in secret.  It's going to be hard, though, because she is still in love with David.

In the Gómez Luna house, Gaby tells Julia that David is going to wrap up the project in Querétaro, finish his thesis and then work full-time for Eladio.  Julia agrees with Gaby that both David and Eladio have strong personalities, but thinks the two will be able to work well together.  What worries her is David working with the Montenegro girl.  Gaby says she has a hunch that it isn't going to end well.  [Hmm.  Whose side is Gaby on anyway?]

Amor

Maribel, Justino and Luisita stand on the terrace, their arms around each other, and take in the beauty of the sea.

Desamor

Erick hasn't even called to find out how she is, Consuelo laments.  As Regina tries to comfort her, Miguel comes to find out how things are going.  Regina is about to leave them alone to talk, but Consuelo asks her to stay: she doesn't want Erick to find her alone with Miguel and get angry.  But it is Miguel who leaves after an awkward approach and avoidance dance around his sister-in-law's bedside.

Playing Defense

Petra reports that young Erick has come home.  Arturo sends word that he wants to see him immediately.  But the angry Bumblebee woman shows up first.  She says she wants to hear what he says to Erick – she doesn't want Arturo to treat him unfairly.  That's fine with Arturo.  "Listen and you'll learn about the worst estupidez of his life."

You don't think, therefore you're not

David comes out of the board meeting with a smile on his face.  Eladio impressed him and he was pleased with the way he introduced him to the others.    When David leaves, Franco remarks that it was the first time that Eladio referred to David as his heir and the person in charge of construction projects.  Eladio tells him not to start with the estupideces – Franco knows he's his right hand man and he warns him to play nice.

Then he gestures for Franco to have a seat.  It's time to celebrate!  "You should have seen Arturo's face when he realized Erick had betrayed him!"

Franco gets excited.  Eladio should go public, he says.  He should let the whole world know that Arturo's son turned on him!  Eladio's face darkens.  What a fool Franco is!  Obviously, if everyone finds out, they'll lose the highway project.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think it through," says Franco, who has had lots of practice swallowing his pride and his rage, though lately he has begun to choke on them.  "No," agrees Eladio.  "You didn't think it through."

Then Eladio turns to the Patio and says:

"I loved seeing that moron (estúpido) Arturo like that.  While he's losing faith in his son, I'm getting closer and closer to David."

Behind his back, Franco overacts without even saying a word.

Somebody should punch that guy in the face.

"It's not possible that you gave confidential information to Gómez Luna," begins Arturo.  Erick plays dumb. [Not a stretch.]  What is his father talking about?

Arturo tells him to cut the crap.  "You betrayed the family... "

Erick juts his chin out and stares, mute and belligerent. 

" ... and I'm never going to forgive you for that!"  Arturo lands a punch right on that smug face.  Nina cries out in horror.

"Never!" repeats Arturo.

No joy for Franco

Franco lurks and listens to Eladio's end of a phone conversation: "What do you mean you can't do anything to keep that woman in jail longer?  No, no, no, obviously it's not my fault the people you knew on the inside aren't there anymore.  You have to do something!"

When Eladio slams down the phone, Franco slips back into the office.  "What woman are you talking about, Godfather?"

As usual, Eladio gets angry.  Franco may be his godson, but he doesn't like him asking questions – and he doesn't like him spying on him!

And as usual, Franco fake-apologizes.  He would never betray him.  He just wanted to thank Eladio for everything he has done for him since his parents died.  But there's something he wants to ask: "Godfather, why haven't you ever shown me photos of my parents?  It's just that I don't have anything of theirs.  All I know is that my dad worked here.  I'd like to go to visit their graves at least."

Eladio tells him not to dwell on things like that.  "Stop thinking about nonsense (tonterías).  Besides, it's not a good time – we have a lot of work."

Franco nods and hands over the folder for the latest project.

Not even Mommy can rescue him now

"This is the worst thing you've ever done," Arturo tells his son.  "It makes me want to kick you out of the company and out of the house!"

Erick tries for bravado but falls short.  "Fine, fire me!  I can find work somewhere else!"

"When they find out what you did, nobody's going to want to hire you!"

Now the bumblebee rushes in and tries to rescue young Erick.  It must be a misunderstanding, she says.  Erick would never have done a thing like that.  "Right, honey?"

Arturo grabs the paper proving Erick's perfidy and waves it in his face.  Erick blubbers that he didn't know Gómez Luna was behind the scheme.  Arturo explodes in rage and frustration.  It doesn't matter who was paying – the point is that Erick betrayed him.  And because of that betrayal, he lost over 700 million pesos and his faith in his son, faith that he is never, ever going to get back!

"Don't say that," says Nina in a voice scarcely above a whisper.


"It's the truth," replies Arturo.  Then he turns to Erick. "And worst of all, you probably did it to please the whore you're sleeping with!"

Labels:


Comments:
So Erick DID get caught! Wow! How is this going to play out?
 

Gracias, NovelaMaven. I envy you getting this episode.

Nina will probably show her true colors on Monday when she continues to defend her baby boy. This is contrary to her previous demand that Arturo destroy Eladio because of the near-catfight in the nail salon. I hope that really sets Arturo off. BTW I also hope Nina is still wearing that dress so I can get a screen grab.

Nina has some damned nerve telling Consuelo "You are a bad wife." I've probably said it before but she probably would have hated any woman Erick would marry.

More in a bit.
 

NovelaMaven- Fabulous recap, as usual from you. :)

I loved you commentary on the short dresses on all the actresses. My goodness, the wardrobe department must have gotten some sort of memo. Bet Michelle/Regina will be glad when she finally gets to change outfits and back into her character's more usual slim fit jeans/pants instead of that top masquerading as a dress.

Loved seeing Erick get humiliated by Eladio, and reamed by Arturo. What an idiot. I hope next episode, as the reaming continues, Arturo brings up how cynical it was of Erick to falsely blame Regina for his crime.

So, Eladio making nice with David, is just about getting to feel superior to Arturo whose relationship with his son is unraveling? Hmm...he doesn't seem to get that there is no way David is going to pump Regina for info and pass it on to Eladio.
 

NM--Oh, my, my. What a "delightful" episode and, as UA says, you lucky dog, you got to recap it in your inimitable style. Thank you!

So the "traitorism" was not dragged out for eons. Short and sweet. Somehow, I don't believe Erick is going to be sent to the doghouse. Not if Bumblebee has anything to say about it. She's sure to play the oh, my poor baby card on Arturo. Maybe his office will get downsized. But wait a minute, have we ever seen the inside of Erick's office? Does he have an office? Have we ever seen him actually working? Oh, yes, that's right, he works over at MontseraT's.

Do we still have a double standard operating in the Montenegro household? Arturo didn't seem properly indignant that he had a RAT on the side--just that he'd spent his ill-gotten money on her.

Glad Bumblebee was there for the father-son confrontation. Erick would have had a completely different story and she would have believed him.

NM--You asked about who besides Julia wears normal length hems. Petra does! And that's about it.

Your subject headings are to die for! "Que Bonito Amor" was a stab at my heart, though. It was JS's first tn after LQNPA and he just seemed too old, tired and bored in it. Brilliant application, too, was "You don't think, therefore you are not." Zinnggggg!
 

You're welcome, UA. Thanks so much, Vivi and Anita!

Vivi:

"there is no way David is going to pump Regina for info and pass it on to Eladio."
Maybe so, but I'm worried that David is putting too much trust in Gaby. Regi tells David who tells Gaby who tells Franco who tells Eladio... maybe.

Anita, I think Arturo was disgusted by the MontseRatt , but he was both enraged and heartbroken by the ErickRat. Double standard? Always. But in this case, one offense was more egregious, by far.

Yes, you're right. Petra isn't marching in the Ho Parade either.

UA, sometimes you just luck out. :)
 

It's beyond cynical, it's cold as ice and it's sick.

Arturo needs a major wake-up call that two of his children hate the other two. I will cut him some slack over his traditional breadwinner role to date and a little more for the fact that it is almost impossible for a non-toxic parent to believe that any of his children could hate any of the others, but he needs to pay attention now.

When he finds out that Consuelo is pregnant he will go nuclear at his slacker son. However, as necessary as it would be I'm guessing that it would be impossible for him to convince Nina of the seriousness of this situation.
 

You are so funny NovelaMaven and that takes nothing away for your awesome recap.


"Still wearing her unfortunate stripper bumblebee dress"

Gotta just love idiot Erick and awestruck Alejandro Nones pulled off facial expressions I've only seen in cartoons and at the primate house at the zoo.

It's likely my distrust of Gaby stems from seeing her as Isela in Yo No but if she runs to Franco with information about the relationship it won't surprise me.

Don't think he's a bad guy but Miguel has moved into creepyville.

Though Erick deserved to be smacked silly for what he's done this show is all about boys in suits punching each other, just stupid.

I don't fault a mother wanting to defend her son but Nina needs to think about this. Erick just pissed away years of new wardrobes.

I marvel at the brilliance of Eladio's plan and subsequent end zone celebration.

 

Wow, tofie! That's a huge compliment because nobody's funnier than you!

"Alejandro Nones pulled off facial expressions I've only seen in cartoons and at the primate house at the zoo."
hahahahahaha!

I agree that Eladio's plan was brilliant and his "end zone celebration" was worthy of marvel.

I think Nina was genuinely gobsmacked when she heard the amount of money Erick had just cost the Montenegro family. It will be interesting to see just how far her loyalty to her idiot child really goes.
 

wow! What an episode last night and what an episode this morning---I feel blessed.

Death takes a holiday. In Acapulco no less . What a creative title.

LOL at you're dress description---stripper bumblebee.

NM---Julia is a bit older than Regina y Gaby and so the longer dress. Julia isn't a college girl anymore. This isn't a budget cut at all, it's just a fact of life punto

Erick juts his chin out in defiance and of course sweet momma Nina defends him.

Can't wait to see the fallout tonight.

must see tv
the gringo
 

One of the many reasons I love your recaps so much is the incredible feeling and tone that your words convey. They flow effortlessly and seamlessly.

A joy to read.

"It's difficult to concentrate on the summary as I want to find the next juicy morsel of a title: Death Takes a Holiday. In Acapulco, no less" and "My boy is just like me (I mean, if he really is my boy)" were wonderful.

"He holds up his left hand and pointing to his ring. "... Julia is mine and mine alone." The boastful braggart on the playground blusters...

Anita, it will be interesting to see if Nina's opinion changes. Perhaps the loss of 700 million pesos has gotten Nina's attention. Perhaps a slight scolding for her adored errant son might finally be forthcoming.

The dresses are shrinking NovelaMaven. Too short and too tight (I'm not sure how Regina took hers off. It was molded to her body) - it took away from the prettiness of the dress.

Julia learned a very difficult lesson. Perhaps reading decades old love letters might best be done when your jealous, vengeful husband is no where to be found.

Thank you NovelaMaven!

Diana
 

You are so right Tofie---Erick just pissed away years of new wardrobes. Not only Nina but Daniela will suffer too. Credit card restrictions? A few less Parties? Oh it hurts being rich and on a budget.

the gringo
 

Thank you for the great recap! And to all of the recappers, you are doing an amazing job!!

I've stopped watching the show and just reading the recaps. I'm holding on by a thread. I find this show just completely mean-spirited and dark. Having David and Regina as the only light isn't enough. I desperately need a little comic relief or lightness. It is all doom and gloom.
 

Gringo, thanks so much!

It's true that Julia is older than Regina and Gaby, but she and Nina are supposed to be roughly the same age, so that's not the whole story.

Diana, it always delights me when you enjoy my recap. Thank you!

And yes, poor Julia learned a lesson (that sadly, she won't be able to apply any time soon.) But you have to admit, she tried. The office in her foundation is the closest thing to a private space she has. It's just that Eladio has a nasty habit of invading her spaces and crossing her borders, wherever she sets them.

You're welcome, Carvivlie. I get where you are coming from. If I took this story seriously, I don't think I'd be able to watch it either. Mostly, I just glide on the surface, carried along by its absurdity. I admit that I'd love to have a character who really resonates for me...
 

This tn is like brain cotton candy to me-- pretty people, made up prettily, wearing outlandish clothes, and doing outlandish things. It doesn't seem dark to me at all, but that might be because I watch it right before a truly dark (and quality) tn, Yo No Creo en los Hombres. The war between the Montenegros and Gomez Luna is like child's play, compared to that. For me, this tn is like the big shoulder pad, nighttime soaps of the 80s (when I'd sneak a peek after my bedtime). I'm enjoying it! I also have a soft spot for Regina, David, Clara, and Francisco and they are growing on me more each day.
 

Vivi: I'm not getting the nighttime soap vibe and I loved Dallas and Falcon Crest as a kid. I wish I felt like you do and was enjoying it! I feel like this show takes itself way too seriously. IDK. I've dvr'd the episodes so maybe I'll try to watch and see it thru your and NovelaMaven's eyes. I hate to say but LQLVMR made me vary wary of dramas. I mostly hated the ending to that show, except for a couple of moments.
 

NovelaMaven, thanks so much for your superb recap. There were so many gems with my two favorites being "Death Threats for Dummies" and your description of Nina's dress as the "unfortunate stripper bumblebee dress." And like you, thankfully I can't take this tn too seriously so that bad actions of almost everyone are just sad. I'm just having fun viewing and chatting about this with you all.

I also got a kick out of mentally challenged 'couple'(great observation Vivi) - Nina and Dani being in shock when they could not manipulate Art to kick Miguel out of the house.

I understand that many find Miguel creepy but Art's family is so out of control that I find Miguel's behavior as inappropriate in contrast to his vile step-mother, brother, and Dani.

Erick's downfall was quite fun due to his abuse of his wife and brother. I'll be curious what Nina does. It seems in the preview the announcer was saying that Nina was make a horrible mistake and then we see her slap Art. I could have heard that wrong but did anyone else see that?


 

I am getting the 80's soap melodrama vibe that cannot live up to the shows opening credit theme but there's enough for me to pick at and mock for entertainment. I admit to liking the David and Regina characters who do seem to like each other absent a hissy fit or two and nasty little devil Daniela. Sorely disappointed in Julia and Art especially.
 

Thank you, Karen!

I saw the preview too. We hear a voice offscreen that I think is Nina's (though it could be Julia's, I guess) –

"You've been a terrible father!"

Then we see Nina and hear her yell: "Acknowledge it, Arturo!"

She slaps him and then, yes, the announcer says "Nina made the worst mistake of her life."

So make of it what you will. :)

I never did watch evening soaps (or daytime soaps, for that matter), so the comparison doesn't quite work for me. Frankly, I doubt I'd be watching this show if it were in English. But when you throw in the Spanish, the whole package is irresistibly entertaining. And as Karen says, it's fun coming here and chatting about it with all of you.
 

The Patio company definitely makes it enjoyable. But there are many shows that not even the good company (La Gata) can tempt me to keep watching. It's understandable, Carvivlie, if this one just doesn't do it for you. We all have our limits. :)
 

Wow, NovelaMaven, only you could throw in Cartesian humor in a ridiculous over-the-top telenovela recap. Not sure what René would think. Awww, he'd probably just be glad someone remembered him.

As always, I'm impressed with all your nuggests of humor...Eladio [possibly] doing Kegels, "Death takes a holiday--in Acapulco no less"...Mouth-breathing Marintia, (tug tug, shift, tug), stripper bumblebee dress (and is that really her "trasero" or has she had some sort of abominable plastic surgery?) Death Threats for Dummies, Chapter 1 p. 3 and the winner is:

Erick plays dumb (not a stretch).

Wickedly funny. Now go to your room!
 

Thanks NM for confirming my Spanish is coming back. We know those teasers typically just shock viewers but the look on Art's face was quite menacing. I wonder if he'll use Nina's reaction to move out himself or at least move out of the bedroom.
 

Erick plays dumb. [Not a stretch.] Tee Hee

Thanks for the recap NM! You are so funny!
 

JudyB,
You have such a gift for making us feel heard. I suspect that carries over into your real life and that many people cherish you for it (among many other reasons, of course). Thank you so much. [Do I really have to go to my room? And if so, can I take my laptop? Please?]

BTW, I don't believe Marlene was quite so... quite so a few years back. Just the cost of doing business, I guess. Oh well. Bottoms up!

You're welcome, Karen. Congratulations on your Spanish! See – we really are learning something around here!

I think a rupture between Arturo and Nina is in the cards, making him more accessible to Julia and upping the drama on that front.

Thanks so much, Cynderella! Glad you enjoyed it!
 

NovellaMaven, this was a firecraker of a recape. Good job girl. That 700 million pesos
He lost is what? 42 million dollars? Thats alot of money even in US currency. All for
A woman thats bangin the highest bidder. He
Has a good wife but he wants somebody elses garbage. Some people don't know when they got it good until they loose it. And
He has lost big time.(erick). Now what? Now Auturo Will find out about his daughter and david & The stuff will hit the fan. Again.
Where did all hatred come from? Eladio has that" in your face" hatred thing going on. wouldn't It be strangely good if they became best buds in the end? HA!!!, not gonna ever happen.
 

NovelaMaven! I often try to highlight lines I like but the whole post was getting too long. My dear, your recap truly is delicious! I must save some superlatives for another day because I know your offerings are consistently as exquisite as this one! Your use of headings. . . .um, I will be engaging in that most sincerest form of flattery in my own recaps, that is for sure!

The most satisfying moment of the episode was Erick's betrayal being revealed and not dragged on for 100 episodes. What a wonderful punctuation that slug was that Art gave that idiot son of his. How stupid is Erick:

Arturo grabs the paper proving Erick's perfidy and waves it in his face. Erick blubbers that he didn't know Gómez Luna was behind the scheme. Arturo explodes in rage and frustration. It doesn't matter who was paying – the point is that Erick betrayed him.

My gosh! Can you be that stupid and not hurt or be lethal? The only way he could be a bigger fool would be if he were a bigger man! This is surely going to have a significant impact on how Art looks at his family, himself, indeed his whole world.

Thank you NovelaMaven for adding immensely to an enjoyable episode! I'm in!
 

Bottoms up!! Good one.
 

Lila, thank you! You are much too kind. When I look at what I wrote, all I see are the problems. My finger starts itching for the "edit" button and it's a real act of will to leave it alone. So I appreciate your helping me to live with what is on the page. :)

"My gosh! Can you be that stupid and not hurt or be lethal? The only way he could be a bigger fool would be if he were a bigger man!"
Hah! So I'm guessing you're not liking joven Erick very much, huh?

"The most satisfying moment of the episode was Erick's betrayal being revealed and not dragged on for 100 episodes."
Oh yeah, absolutely. In general, I like the pace in this one.

Anita,
I try. :-)
 

My dear Nina,
I don't know what happened to your original comment, but here it is, copied and pasted:

Nina has left a new comment on the post "Pasión y Poder, Episode 22, Thursday, December 3, ...":

NovellaMaven, this was a firecraker of a recape. Good job girl. That 700 million pesos
He lost is what? 42 million dollars? Thats alot of money even in US currency. All for
A woman thats bangin the highest bidder. He
Has a good wife but he wants somebody elses garbage. Some people don't know when they got it good until they loose it. And
He has lost big time.(erick). Now what? Now Auturo Will find out about his daughter and david & The stuff will hit the fan. Again.
Where did all hatred come from? Eladio has that" in your face" hatred thing going on. wouldn't It be strangely good if they became best buds in the end? HA!!!, not gonna ever happen.

I love your idea of Eladio and Arturo becoming best buds in the end (having a couple of beers, watching the big game together, counting their money...). But I agree – "not gonna ever happen" :-)
 

Thank you, Novelamaven, for that deliciously snarky recap. I made a big pot of chili today ,and I had your recap for dessert. I must say that the excellent recaps are always much more satisfying for me than the actual show. What a terrible waste of mi telenovio Fernando. I prefer him as Don Luis, Manuel, and Pirate Rick..the dashing hero. I like heroes. Que lastima.
 

Thank you my dear for finding my comment.
I didn't even know it was lost. Thank you for
The copy. Now I got it on twice. Yaah me!! :-)

Thanks again my dear, you're a Gem♡♥♡.
 

NovelaMaven- Thank you for another top notch recap. I loved the title and enjoyed reading every single line. It was definitely a joy to read.

I loved watching Erick's downfall. Was cheering Eladio on (for the first time) when he was letting Arturo know that the traitor was his own son- Erick. Great scene between Arturo and Erick. That was definitely a satisfying punch that Erick received.

"Erick juts his chin out and stares, mute and belligerent."
When he did that, it seemed like he was telling his dad "Yeah, I did it. So what?"

It would be awesome if Erick gets kicked out of the mansion, but of course with Consuelo's pregnancy, that probably won't happen. Arturo would never kick him out knowing that Consuelo is expecting his first grandchild. Oh well.

As for the worst mistake that Nina has ever made- I have to disagree with the announcer. Nina does that everyday when she picks out an outfit to wear. For me- the "worst mistake she has ever made" was when she decided to wear the leopard print. :)
 

By the way, tonight's two hours of PyP was a summary of everything we saw this week.

We'll have to wait until Monday night to see what happens next.
 

Yes, Nina, now your comment is double-posted! Ha! It deserves it!

Susanlynn,ooh, recaps for dessert – finally a diet I can live with. So glad you liked the recap. Bummer that FC isn't the stuff of fantasies here (though maybe the stuff of nightmares).

Mauricio,
Thanks so much. And you are so right to take issue with that announcer:

"As for the worst mistake that Nina has ever made- I have to disagree with the announcer. Nina does that everyday when she picks out an outfit to wear. For me- the "worst mistake she has ever made" was when she decided to wear the leopard print. :)"

I'm sitting here laughing like a fool!

And thanks for clarifying the program schedule. Enjoy the night off. (Even though recapping is fun, the occasional holiday is still a treat.)
 

That's what I thought.
 

Thank you for the recap! Sharp with wit and humor!

I love this TN, simply for the cast & the glitz and glamour. It is indeed very prime time 80's, campy & delicious! I agree that it is a great counter balance to Yo No Creo, which is very heavy on the dark, but superbly done. The two don't compare but I could not do two very dark TN's back to back. Still this one seems to be holding a good pace. I am thoroughly entertained and think it's going to get better. Things appear to be gearing up!

Does anyone think that Montse is going to be found dead soon? Or at least presumed dead? There has to be some sort of murder in this TN. This girl is playing w/fire with these two men and her greed is bound to be her downfall.

I'm sorry but I'm tired of Maribel and her constant crying. I'm ready for her death so we can move on to whatever the point is. If there's even one. I just don't have any invested emotion in her.

Im finding Gaby to be a mystery. That's something I love about Fabiola, you never know about her characters, the layers are slowly peeled back. I find her severely under appreciated.

I get a sense that Daniela and Franco would love each other. Im actually hoping these two hook up at some point. That would surely cause Eladio's head to explode.

I can't wait for Cookie...er Caridad to be free so she can start putting the squeeze on Eladio.

Who is dressing Marlene/Nina? The outfits are horrible...especially the flowers and head dresses. Tacky to say the least. I guess this is to highlight that money can not turn a tramp into housewife?
 

Delilah- I have been speculating about Montse getting killed almost from day one. Girl does not play the game smartly, and is messing with a dangerous man (Eladio) and a hot headed fool (Erick).
 

Nina's attire is only to highlight how silly & wrong for Arturo she is.

Nina's wardrobe was cool when she & Arturo were in their 20s. It's cool for a guy to have a hot chick on his arm. They're in their 40s now, but Nina is still dressing/acting/thinking like she's in her 20s.

But Arturo now has children in their 20s and the ramera wear he liked on Nina when they were in their 20s, he's not liking on his 20something daughter Dani. Go change, go cover up, be respectable.

But sir, your WIFE dresses the exact same way. And he's not really liking it anymore.

None of this has anything to do with Julia. Arturo would've grown disenchanted with Nina regardless of if Julia was in the picture or not. He was growing dissatisfaction with Nina before Julia re-entered the picture.
 

NovelaMaven, enjoyed your recap and seeing you take the snark gun and shoot so many bulls-eyes. The subheads, the comments on the wardrobe and our estupido Erick were all a delight.

Also enjoyed the comments from those who watch this more closely than I do. It does have that touch of 1980s big money family drama. Oh well, I guess it beats the drama of people living in the city dump.
 

Eladio would probably love it if Franco would pursue Daniela. She will be the next one to betray Arturo, which is all about him favoring Regina.

Well, Regina finished school, got her degree, works, and doesn't try to steal other women's boyfriends. She also doesn't dress like a slut.
 

Daniela would have Franco chasing his tail and unless it's reveled he is Eladio's son and has money she wouldn't give him a second look. She's crushing on the right brother, David.

Though Regina's relationship so far with David innocuous to her fathers business if she keeps it secret from Art she is the next to betray him.
 

Not in the true sense. She is unable to reveal what she doesn't know because she doesn't work for her father. Daniela, however, would do everything she could think of to make him think so.

This is not feudal times. David and Regina are educated adults who seem to know themselves despite toxic parents' attempts to remold them into their own images. If they go away to another country they could be free, but then we wouldn't have a story to watch.
 

Thanks, NovelaMaven. Delightful, funny recap. My faves:

If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was doing Kegels.

tug, tug, shift, tug

stabbing the air with an index finger, the big boy equivalent of stamping his foot

Squee, Erick is caught already! My favorite scenes: Arturo getting the news from a delighted Eladio, Augustín [with those sexy eyes!) sadly confirming it, and Arturo flying off and punching squirrelly Erick.

So Gaby encourages David to pursue Regina but later tells Julia she’s got a bad feeling. Gaby never rats out Julia to Franco, even though he always tries to pump her for info, so I’m wondering if the writers just flubbed this.
 

Maybe Gaby really does believe her cousin should follow his heart, but is also realistic that when he does, all hell will break loose. The Gomez Luna and Montenegro families certainly aren't going to be singing Kumbaya and holding hands immediately after learning David and Regina are in love.
 

I don't think they ever will. As I see it Eladio and Erick will have to die before that can happen.
 

Vivi- I agree. While Gabriela does want David and Regina to fight for their love, she knows that it won't be an easy thing to do.
 

Delilah63, Anon207, La Paloma and Niecie,

Thanks so much for your comments. I especially appreciate your kind words.

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I think this novela takes reaction shots seriously. In so many scenes, it is the actors in the background who capture our attention, and deliberately so, with their exaggerated mugging. Lately, the camera – and therefore our collective eye – has been lingering on Gaby's face when the big kids are talking. She is kind of inscrutable, but it feels like something is up...

She is, of course, caught between her loyalty to Julia and David and her "love" for Franco. So far, she has resisted Franco's pressure to betray Julia's and David's confidence, but will she be able to keep that up? Especially after Franco passed her "loyalty test" by allowing Julia and Eladio to know about their relationship.

About Montserrat – The Patio has had a death watch going for some time. As a character in LQLVRM observed nastily (in very different circumstances): Tiene la fecha de caducidad en la frente (She's got an expiration date on her forehead). On the other hand, she connects to several plot threads, so the writers might find it convenient to keep her around for longer than some of us would like. Also, what do you do with Aldo when Montserrat is gone? And why create a character like Aldo if you're not planning to flesh out his story?
 

NM--I'm with you on the MontseRATT thing. I don't think she's going to be dispatched any time soon. She's the link between Eladio and Arturo, through Erick. She's already decided to not go away to Paris. Instead she's stupidly going to try to play Eladio (I love only you) against Erick (I really love only you).

Aldo has been witness to several of her beat downs and listened to her trials and tribulations with the men in her life (and Connie). He knows a lot, though Elo and Erick don't know the extent of it. He'd be useful in an investigation.

Then we have Erick telling "someone" on the phone he is going to kill the person on the other end--overheard by the bartender, WE know it wouldn't be Monty. If Eladio really wants to divest himself of her, he will plan it all very carefully so Erick is the prime suspect. He'd take special delight in that. He can achieve the same results, not by murdering her, but with Monty's disappearance (have Callao ship her off to Paris or to the jungle and hold her there).

Erick has financial, family and women problems. He's stupid enough to get desperate and try something really dumb like robbing a bank, all to get out of his predicament and keep Monty.

Does he even realize the confrontation that will come with his threats to Eladio? I think Elo is just laughing at this upstart Beta-male challenging the Alpha-male? Monty, being in the middle means she IS wearing a target on her back, but I'm not sure if it's going to be a game of paintball or bullets.
 

Eladio-Erick, one more thought.

MontseRATT herself is undecided whether she wants to have slimy married Eladio WITH money or a younger slimy verion WITHOUT money. Didn't she already tell Aldo she can't stand to have Elo touch her, but Erick has no Moola.

Since she's willing to tolerate Elo and sent Erick packing, she wants the moola. So, I answered my own question. Also, didn't she tell Erick to not come back unless he could support her in the manner to which Elo had gotten her accustomed to?
 

Thanks so much for another incredibly clever and titillating recap, NovelaMaven. Your wit never fails to entertain and satisfy. My favorite quote:

"You don't think, therefore you're not..."

and predictably this bit of naughtyness tickled me:

"Is Julia the only lady who gets to reliably cover her hooha in this one?"

I'm sorry that I've been absent from The Patio recently... computer problems... but I've managed to watch the episodes and I've kept up with the recaps using my cell phone. The recaps have all been stellar and the comments spot on... even if I don't always agree (but then that's some of the fun of it all, isn't it?)

While I'm enjoying the visuals, I really haven't found a bad girl in this worthy of my support and loyalty. If you think about it, Nina is almost a perfect wife... beautiful, faithful, and devoted. She may be a tad self-centered and frivolous but you don't see her mooning over a former love who is someone else's husband.

Right now for me, Erick is the most fun to watch, sort of like the human embodiment of a rattling pressure cooker barely containing the turmoil roiling away inside. Coni will be well-shed of him but heaven forbid that she ends up with that icky creepy stalker, Miguel.

Carlos
 

Carlos,

What a delightful surprise to see you back on the Patio. It's not the same around here without you.

I won't say I told you so about your defense of Nina... wait, I guess I just did, didn't I?

Miguel wouldn't be nearly so creepy and stalkerish if someone let the actor know that google-eyes under Groucho glasses are double-googles. Well, and also if he stopped creepily stalking his sister-in-law.

Thank you for the vote of confidence!
 

Erick is stoopid because he embezzled from HIMSELF. That was HIS family business, HIS legacy he was undercutting. If you will sell yourself out, you'll sell somebody else out. Big Dummy.

Then again, Erick is stoopid enough to think he is just borrowing from himself. SMH.
 

He also can't see long-term repercussions. He's worse than Fredo in The Godfather.
 

Good point Anon207. Erick DID just steal from himself. #SuxtobeErick

Can't wait until tonight to see what happens next.
 

Hi, Carlos. "Icky, creepy" pretty much describes how I feel about this show in general. I usually support the onetrueloves, but in this case...no..just..no. The lack of ethics over all is depressing.

Also, "reliably covered hoohah" should go on the sidebar. Winter is coming.

Well, in honor of our dear Madeline, I dedicate a favorite song that would be appropriate if I cared about the onetrueloves..which I don't. "Ony You" by Ringo Starr.

Did anyone watch "Telenovela " last night ?
 





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