Caray, Caray!

Wonderful UA. So appreciate all the stellar detail. Not able to watch much with people in and out and the boys home for the holidays. I caught two scenes last night, so this filled in nicely.

Hurray the kids came clean. I do like the fact they aren't going to be sneaking behind everyone's back through the whole tale, and this burst Franco and Dani's balloon, which is icing on the cake. Honestly, these two should have fessed up and then got out of Dodge as they say. But now I can see that Julia will be the hold that keeps David around.

Eladio is still an idiot and dangerous.

Sorry, Nina is a walking mannequin who thinks she's better than anyone without her standing. Get over yourself woman.

Miguel should put his big boy pants on, get gainful employment and move out. Connie should divorce that bug-eyed idiot Erick and then Artie can help her financially, and pull the plug on Erick. THink that would be appropriate.

As for Julia and Artie--I see what the writers are trying to do. They are playing these two as the great loves who were separated by past errors and we are supposed to root for them to once again find their true love. Me, I want to slap them both silly. I think times have changed, and we're seeing this story from a different viewpoint then maybe the way shows were written before. Or maybe the writers just aren't doing a very good job to make us cheer for these two. But right now, I kind of got nothing with these two because of past and current behavior, especially Artie.

Can we seriously start moving Gaby away from Franco. And Augustin needs a plot and some major screen time away from Artie scenes.

Daisynjay


 

Great job, Urban! I hope you're feeling better.

Regina and David did a great job standing their ground and making their case for being together. Eladio looked like he was at the point of telling David that Gina might be his sister at the end of their argument. Guess he'll use that little bomb when he thinks it's convenient. Just like I'm sure Franco will eventually use his info on Art visiting Julia in the hospital when he thinks it's convenient.

Not sure if Art has decided to do what Julia asked and put aside their feelings, in order for their children to have a relationship. Their job now is to help Regina and David have the relationship they didn't, not to try to rekindle their flame.

What Art asked David is if he thinks it's right for his mother to pay for the broken plates (los platos rotos) of his relationship. Meaning, that she pay the consequences (with Eladio). I would argue that it is David and Regina who are paying the consequences of their parents' twisted relationships.
 

Daisynjay- Miguel does have a job teaching at the university, and when he wanted to move out Art stopped him and begged him to stay. But the way things have exploded now certainly means he should move out, for his own peace of mind. Why stay in that house with all those people who despise him?

Connie should just go to Art's office and explain everything to her. Like a sane person, he won't immediately assume she's a who're because her mother was a prostitute, or that it was some great crime that she never revealed she was raised in a brothel until she was eight. They all knew she spent most of her youth in an orphanage. He might have some more questions about her and Miguel once he realizes that Miguel is indeed in love with her. But I don't think he'll believe that they had an affair. Art will make sure she and his grandchild are taken care of.

This will for sure be the next big battle between Nina and Art. And of course the Regina and David relationship.
 

Typos: Explain everything to HIM. And tablet has a problem with the word whore. It's not who're. LOL.
 

Thank you UA.

David and Regina waited a month to see if the relationship was real and see nothing unreasonable, in fact maturity. Julia and Art are fearful the relationship between Regina and David will complicate theirs. Though I don't like Art he is the one parent more accepting of the four but is aware his acceptance will be a poke in the eye of Eladio so right on. Julia needs David around as a human shield. Nina has no valid argument and the odd one out. Eladio is willing to destroy David to punish Julia and David is the one most at risk especially since he helped Regina secure the workers in direct conflict with his fathers plans. How many lives does David have? He foiled Eladio's plan after the accident by telling the truth and now by honestly helping the woman he loves runs afoul his daddy again.

The whole Erick, Connie, Miguel, Ratt thing is stupid.
 

Gracias, all, and to you, Vivi, for that correction.

I don't see these situations as mutually exclusive. Under better circumstances it would still be dicey, but there is no good reason for Julia to have to stay in the prison of a seriously abusive relationship which has now escalated into an abusive household. While Arturo is always blamed for Eladio's rage, I don't think it would be any different if there were no past relationship between Arturo and Julia.

As I've said before, Julia is a trophy to Eladio. She is beautiful and from much older money than he has. Eladio didn't become this abusive psychopath overnight because of any past behavior of hers. He was a sociopath long before this. His flicking of the cigarette lighter is a clue to me that there could be arson in a future episode, probably the construction in Tabasco. He's also an emotional sadist and he acts it out with anyone whom he perceives as weaker than himself. He gets off on this. That's the other reason for marrying Julia: She had already endured years of abuse from her father. That makes her an easier mark than someone who had a good relationship with her father.

We don't know anything about either man's past relationship with his parents. Arturo doesn't mistreat the women in his family or household, so we can safely assume he had a decent relationship with his mother for however long that was. He was a white knight to Julia before the one-night stand that resulted in Miguel. When she broke the engagement ad married Eladio out of spite she had no clue what a snake pit she fell into.

There is an episode of Mujeres Asesinas that I'm thinking of, although the abuse in it is mostly sexual. The woman marries an older man whom she thinks will treat her like a queen, but he begins sexually abusing her in different kinky ways on their wedding night. What Eladio has done is much worse and moreover, her father was an accomplice.

Wouldn't it be ironic if it were Eladio's lighter that caused an explosion with Humberto's oxygen tank?

More later. I have to catch up to YNCELH from last night.
 

Thank you so much, Urban. Your title and photo are especially apt today. This was a joy to read.

I wondered what Franco would do after Gaby took the plunge and confided in him. I was rather surprised that he held back telling Eladio about Arturo's visit, but then, of course, he managed to sow some poison by telling his godfather what he had overheard about David helping Regina organize the workers for the project in Tabasco. I suppose if he had blabbed about Arturo's visit, Eladio would have exploded and Gaby would have realized, once and for all, that Franco is only on Franco's side.
 

I think that Franco is the one who treads the most lightly around Eladio. He's the one who seems to spend the most time with him, so he's the best-qualified to predict his behavior. I'm fairly sure that no matter what or when he would have said about Arturo entering Julia's room he knew there was no way to win that situation:

-- If Eladio had answered the original call and gotten the news directly, he would have shouted "Then what are you waiting for? Stop him even if it means calling security."

-- Had Eladio called back shortly thereafter and Franco told him on the phone, he would have cursed him out and gotten there as fast as possible to deliver more abuse in person.

-- Had he attempted to spy on Arturo and Julia, David and Gaby would have seen him and demanded to know what he was up to. That would have wrecked any chance he'd have to get David's trust and would have destroyed Gaby's.

-- Anything beyond that point would have been worse.
 

Your screen shot was perfect UA. The recap was sensational as always.

“We have to talk.” Regardless of culture or social class, there are no words more effective than these at striking fear in the human heart". Yes, so true and my favorite line.

I cannot believe that I actually felt for Nina yesterday. While Arturo has lied by omission and pulled away without an obvious reason, Nina is contemptible. I was totally horrified by: “No, no, no, no, no,” said Nina. “No way. Relieve yourself of this brat and her spawn.” It's bad enough she hates her daughter in law but to utter such vile words about her grandchild!? Color me disgusted.

There should be some small consolation that Arturo took the news about Regina and David rather well, but hate was pervasive throughout last night and there was very little (if anything) to smile about or rejoice in.

Miguel has been bullied (actually tortured would really not be too outrageous of a word) to the point that he must leave the house immediately. I know he wants to protect Connie but even she now appears to be blaming him for her situation. How very sad. Of course I want Connie to leave but we know that will not happen now. I can't fathom what she is clinging to - it is apparent Erick hates her.

UA, ITA with your assessment Eladio (and why he married Julia), particularly: "Eladio didn't become this abusive psychopath overnight because of any past behavior of hers. He was a sociopath long before this".

This episode left me unsettled. And sad.

Diana
 

Thanks, Urban. Great title and recap. The title graphic was perfect.

Of course, Arturo will side with Consuelo and realize even more what a dope he was to be with Nina when he hears her estupideces against Consuelo for something the poor girl had no control over at age 8.

But Consuelo needs to get some dignity and get out of the mansion. Erick is cheating and hiding behind his mother, could care less about the baby, and told Consuelo he loves Montseratt, not her. At least, unlike Eladio, he is not holding Consuelo against her will.

Loved Eladio taking the edge of the bedspread to wipe the Montseratt cooties off his hand - lol.

First, Montseratt is all fight, then she's going for suicide with Erick's photos adorning her body. That didn't seem to be edited well.

Regina is the youngest of the four kids, right?
 

Niecie- No. Daniela is the youngest. Gina is Nina's middle child.
 

No, Niecie; Daniela is the youngest. Regina has a degree and Daniela would probably be a sophomore or junior if she were attending classes. My assessment of the age order of the younger generation is (oldest to youngest):

Miguel
David
Erick
Franco
Regina
Gabriela
Daniela

As for Monserrat, I actually wondered whether Eladio would have set the blanket on fire.

WTF was that with the lighter in the hospital, anyway? One would think that smoking would be banned in hospitals all over the planet because of oxygen tanks, chemicals, allergies, and any number of other things it's hazardous to.

Personally, I think she did the suicide attempt by half-measure for show. Here's how I would have written that description:

The superintendent unlocked the door and Aldo ran in. He went into shock at the sight of Monserrat Moret, who was sprawled on the couch as though she were being photographed for Vogue. Her makeup was perfect, every false hair was in place, and she was clutching photos of herself with Erick Montenegro. Had Eladio Gómez-Luna found her instead he would have called the tabloids before an ambulance could get there, watched the pieces fall, and gotten a laugh while doing so. This delay would make his future murderous intentions all the stronger next time. Aldo made the ambulance call and cleaned up the scene before it got there. He paid the super a few pesos hush money and then stole Monserrat's copy of Valley of the Dolls.
 

Vivi, thanks for clarifying.

Now I'm thinking about Daniela in a new light. She's never been stupid, but gets all her confidence from her looks and (near-naked) style. Maybe she's intimidated by her older sister's smarts.
 

Urban, thanks for straightening me out on the ages.
 

Thanks for your recap Urban (and for last week's also). I hope you recover quickly.

Diana summed up my feelings for Nina perfectly - "Color me disgusted." While Artie gaslighting her is horrible, her actions toward others are too much; she is so abusive of Regina, Miguel, and Connie while enabling her own wretched kids. And as Vivi noted, her wildly inappropriate conversation with Dani about her marriage are so creepy.

I know the drama with Connie, Eric, et al is the stuff of tns but like tofie said, its just painfully stupid. Until Connie stops being a doormat...she allowed her "husband" to shake her like a rag doll and then justified his terrible treatment of her. Basta! He continues to degrade and humiliate her. Perhaps the writers are trying to give us a glimpse of what Julia went through with Eladio when they were younger though I think that's giving them too much credit.

Niecie, I also laugh when Eladio wiped off Ratt's cooties on her bedspread. Franco is icky but I look forward to him ratting her out (ha) to his godfather.

We need more of Auggie alone with his own plot outside of his silly boss.
 

Niecie, that's hard to say. The only reason I can think of that would cause Daniela to be intimidated by or envious of Regina's intelligence is that it put Regina in their father's favor. A father is the first man a little girl needs approval from because he is the first example of the opposite sex most girls encounter. In absence of paternal approval or that of an acceptable substitute (like another older male relative) she might look for it in all the wrong places and for the wrong reasons. In Daniela's case she got Nina's approval by being exactly like her vs being like Regina. I wonder how old she was when she made that choice.
 

UA I think that pegs Daniela well. Art likely lavished praise on Regina (not Regina's fault) and paid attention to her but when you have parents that have obvious favorites I can see how Daniela may be envious, act out and turn to her mother.

I'm biased though cause Daniela is a favorite of mine, I'd take her shopping.
 

Art doesn't seem the kind of parent who lavished his kids with praise. Don't think he was paying enough attention. But, yeah, I can see him giving Gina a thumbs up when she brought home straight A-s and a pat on the head and kiss on the cheek, as any parent should. Nothing like the constant ego feeding Nina gives Dani about her looks and general hotness.
 

I've thought of another possibility, not to the exclusion of the above:

Nina's children can't be too far apart in age (despite the miscasting of Erick), so when Regina's teen years happened and the others got on her case for the acne breakouts Arturo must have noticed that. He might have stepped in and told her to not worry about it because it would all be over soon but brains are forever.

What I don't think he would have done is compare the kids to each other in front of them. Not that he's Father of the Year, but it may not have been part of his family experience. We're at 34 episodes now with no mention of siblings and if there were any wouldn't at least one of them be at the company? Or can we expect a black sheep younger brother (played by Pablo Montero) to turn up in a dozen episodes?
 

Urban--You should get sick more often. This was a terrific recap and with so much conversation going in different directions and you were able to capture it all, nuances included. (I was just kidding about getting sick more often.)

My lol moment was Aldo talking Eladio into dropping everything and hurrying to TheRatt's side--because she was at death's door. When he walks in, she's beautifully arranged in the bed, hair in place, not too pale and no after-effects of having her stomach pumped--or whatever they do nowadays. Eladio's reactions were perfect (satisfying for me, that and the cootie-wiping gesture.) Yeah, the lighter bothered me, too. If anything it is a perfect example of Eladio's arrogance and elitism. He surely knows about open flames in hospitals. He's so powerful he can ignore simple fire regulations. Is it my poor memory or does he mainly flip his lighter in TheRatt's presence.

There is nothing more to add about that horrid confrontation between those family members in Consuelo's room. She's the perfect victim. She won't win the argument. Well that and what a little DNA test can prove in about 7 or 8 months.

And speaking of DNA tests, I was sure Eladio was going to blurt out the only way he knew with any certainty would break up David & Gina. However, I sincerely hope, if he does, David and Gina are very smart young millennials and don't take some Eladio-fueled accusation at his word. They should run to the nearest lab and take the test. Maybe that's what held Eladio back, or I could be giving him too much credit. It would certainly put an end to the one thing he can continue to torture Julia with.

It bothers me just a bit that Eladio wouldn't WANT a legitimate son to follow in his footsteps (I know, I know, David marches to a different drummer). I mean, from the time David was a little boy. The fact that he won't acknowledge Franco as an hijo de sangre, tells me he wanted a legitimate child.

It's been 20-some years he's been carrying around this notion of David being Arturo's child, torturing himself as well as Julia, that he probably now believes it to be true. There's no valid explanation why he has not taken the test. Don't throw nerfazos at me, I know we've discussed his reasons before....it's just a tn, it's just a tn.
 

Just a note to add to my pen-ultimate paragraph above...

Eladio not recognizing Franco may have had more to do with his fear of losing Julia over an affair, or rather not making her love him. I can't believe Julia has her head in the sand, though. She's denied him her bed for over 20 years. What would she expect him to do? Maybe affairs were ok, but no progeny, please.
 

A few episodes ago I mentioned Duelo de Pasiones and that toxic father's refusal to take a DNA test. The only valid explanation came much later (maybe even post-Karmageddon), which was that he had a brain tumor which affected his behavior. Since David would have been born on or about 1990 there is no explanation here other than Eladio wanting another weapon to use against Julia.

As far as I'm concerned he stole 25 years of her life she won't get back.

Aldo is very clever when he needs to be, but my feeling is that he will be expendable eventually. It's odd that nobody's been murdered yet.

As for the whole Erick/Consuelo/Miguel thing this is a mirror of Eladio/Julia/Arturo but with a different toxic parent (Nina vs Humberto). I do think Miguel and Consuelo need to leave, but this is not the way it should happen. Arturo will be livid over this and it will add more fuel to his fire.

What will be truly interesting is how he will manage the situation of David and Regina's relationship in the face of Eladio's threats to permanently separate David and Julia, which is currently the one piece of information that Arturo doesn't have.
 

Anita- Julia has said she knows he's had many affairs before the Rat. What ticked her off about the Rat is that she found her with Eladio when they were supposed to be giving their marriage a real chance.
 

Anita, just caught your 2:46 post.

There is no excuse for carelessness with contraception in the last 25 years, so I think you have a point. I'm very surprised neither Eladio nor Arturo were more careful at the time since neither of them are stupid. However, this is always a reliable plot point.

One thing that Eladio will never learn is that you can't make anyone love you. Maybe his parents didn't (we don't know), maybe no woman ever did (we don't know) and certainly David is having trouble with it. You can't buy love, either. He will die not realizing this.
 

Sorry to be so late. I had company today.

Urban---I love your recaps as well as your great character analysis.

It's very late I know so that I will only mention one thing. I kept thinking why is Eladio playing with that lighter. Fire in the future, some place some where? Burn down Arturo's development maybe???

must see tv
the gringo
 

Thanks UA. What a thorough and comprehensive recap.

gringo is right, "It's very late..."

I don't have much to add today, but I'd like to say thanks, Karen.

Carlos
 

Thank you Urban. A wonderful and detailed recap.

Well, Regina and David's relationship is out in the open now. A shame that David and Regina didn't get a chance to tell their fathers about it and they both had to hear about it from other people- although that wouldn't have changed Eladio's reaction to finding out at all.