Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Yo No Creo en los Hombres #116 Martes 12/29/15
Chapter
116: Life and Death
Leo
entered Alma's hospital room and kissed her forehead. When she
didn't react he instinctively ran and called for the doctor. When
the doctor felt Alma's pulse he looked back at the nurse, who nodded.
They looked at Leo, who realized what this meant. He cried out
“Mama! Mama!” many times. He stayed at her bedside, embraced
her, and cried.
The
church was nearly empty. Few people sat together, with one or two
people in each pew. Everyone stood as Padre Juan began the service.
Clara and Esperanza stood with Alma's sons. The service began with
pleas of forgiveness for all sinners by Christ and God. The irony
was that none of the attendees noticed that one of the biggest
sinners of their acquaintance walked back and forth outside the
doorway of the church, looking inside. Hosefa Cabrera did not dare
to enter. Maybe she was afraid of being struck dead on the spot.
Too bad. Especially because she looked back over her shoulder before
leaving with a look of some contempt and certainly no pity.
Claudio
thought of the letter Alma was holding at the moment she died:
The
last months of my illness did not go as I had planned but I am
grateful for having more time with you and have the time to
appreciate the most simple things in life. It's curious but when I
was so close to death is when I felt more alive than ever. My
granddaughter is left with only one grandmother, but one who is worth
two. Take good care of her and tell her how I wanted to be with her
to take care of her Clara, Leo loves you. Many times I found him
kissing your photo. I give you the cushions you sent me to sleep on
in the hospital when he had the accident. Leo, you have become a
noble person with firm convictions, a lover of truth, and I feel so
proud of you. I only ask you to look at Clara's values because
despite everything I did because of Maleny's actions and all the
shameful things her done to her family she has always been firmly at
your side. And now, she needs your understanding and your help.
Max, take good care of your brother. Watch over him, advise him.
Don't leave him alone. The only pain I feel is that I can't be with
you now when you need me so much, but I'm sure that this nightmare
will soon be over and that you will be very happy with Maria Dolores
and little Alma.
Claudio,
you asked me to forgive you but until this moment I couldn't do it.
Now I tell you I forgive you, but this will not free you. What will
put your conscience at rest is to make reparation for the hurt you've
caused.
I
don't want anyone to suffer for me. I go to a place to rest that is
without suffering or pain. I believe I have raised two marvelous
sons.
He
could only think. There isn't enough life left for repentance.
Alma, I only want you to know that I didn't just love you as the
mother of my children. I loved you very much. But more than that,
you were always a heroine to me. Your rectitude, your high ideals.
He
watched his sons standing over the coffin sprinkling the holy water.
Max shot back a look he knew was one of reproach.
The
next day Max told Esperanza over the phone that Leo didn't want to
see anyone. He would only get up in the morning to go to school.
Esperanza had wanted to stop by the house to see him on the way to
the hospital, but Leo didn't want to see anyone. Max had instructed
the staff to call him if anything happened. Esperanza wasn't sure
what to tell Maria Dolores on her next visit, but Max told her this
was his responsibility. He ended the call and went into the hospital
where he was to receive more bad news.
Danny-Boy
was nervous and Úrsula knew it. She was confused that he was
suddenly uncertain. He couldn't understand why she wasn't. Max's
arrival made him even more ill at ease. If looks could kill,
Danny-Boy would have been six feet under. Max approached the desk.
A female prison guard stood nearby. Mama Bear and her cub approached
the desk. The judge present for the results invited them to sit.
“We
will now proceed with the results of the test regarding the
possibility of paternity of Daniel Santibañez of the minor –”
“Alma
Morales,” said Max. This met with stares from Danny-Boy and his
Mama Bear.
“You
dared to name her that?” she asked.
“How
dare you do that, Max? She's my daughter, she has to have my name,”
mumbled Danny-Boy.
“Little
Alma will be recuperating –”
“'Little
Alma'? What is this 'little Alma' –”
“It's
not possible to revise the civil regisitry –”
“What
is this 'civil registry'? –”
“Gentlemen!”
said the judge. “We are going to resolve this here and now once we
are all together.” Said just as Victor ran into the office. He
apologized for being late. Then it was read.
“In
the matter of Mr Daniel Santibañez and the daughter of Mrs Maria
Dolores Morales the results of the DNA analysis show that the
probability of paternity is 99.9% positive.”
Before
the last word was said, Mama Bear hugged her cub. Max studied their
reactions.
In
the prison yard Maria Dolores retrieved a ball and handed it to a
little boy. The child's mother immediately took his hand and led him
away. Maria Dolores was hurt and confused.
“But
I didn't do anything!” she shouted after the mother.
“It's
not that,” said another prisoner. “It's that we're more careful
here. There are drugs, dangers, bad people. They have to learn that
life isn't easy.”
She
got up and walked away. Maria Dolores looked around. She knew that
her fellow prisoner was right.
“In
the name of my client and of justice I petition for custody of the
child, Your Honor.”
“She's
in prison,” Danny-Boy said. “No –”
“This
is still in progress,” said Max. “She has not been sentenced.
She also has a family.”
“You
need to understand,” said Mama Bear, “that her mother is ill and
lives in great financial difficulty. And besides that, in a
neighborhood full of delinquents.” Max tried to interrupt but she
then insisted. “And her mother is in prison.”
“These
people may be poor, but hardworking,” said Max.
“And
you think that neighborhood is good for this baby? At least the
prison –”
“And
what about your house, Úrsula? With instability but a big bank
account? Your honor, this woman's husband and her daughter have
committed suicide.”
“After
you were in a relationship with my sister for years?”
“It
was an accident!” Úrsula insisted.
“That
is not true!” said Max. “It was not an accident. And despite
being in the prison, Maria Dolores is perfectly sane and will use her
mental faculties to care for the baby. To the contrary, Daniel
Santibañez is a drug addict.”
“He
was in a rehabilitation clinic and there are witnesses.”
“Very
well,” said the judge. “Therefore each of you will present your
arguments during the relevant proceeding. Remember that this
audience was only to prove paternity.”
“Therefore,
we are soliciting conditional custody on behalf of the father while
the child is hospitalized because someone needs to make decisions on
her behalf,” said Victor. “This is to be effective immediately
while she is without contact with the rest of her family, because of
the father's rights over the child. Had paternity been disproven he
would not have these rights.”
Nayeli
and Maria Dolores talked about how difficult it was for prisoners who
were mothers. She worried about her own children. She had felt
helpless all this time. She was missing important milestones in
their lives. She had heard nothing for a long time and only hoped
that her children were well. Maria Dolores wanted to protect her
child. For the moment she could only try to comfort Nayeli.
Corina
approached Nayeli's old home. She had recent photos of the children
in hand as she saw the two boys playing on the sidewalk. She
approached them and asked if they wanted to see their mother. The
younger one was eager, but the older one stopped him, accusing Corina
of being a kidnapper. She quickly explained she was a friend of
their mother, identifying her by name. She wanted to bring them to
see her. One said that it had been a long time. The other said they
were forbidden to see her by their father's new wife. She had just
persuaded them and was walking off with them when Aldo came out of
the house. He demanded to know where she was taking his children.
Max
left the hospital. Danny-Boy followed him out saying “How does it
feel to lose, Maximiliano?” Mama Bear stopped him from saying
more.
“Paternity
doesn't mean you've won, idiot,” Max said to him.
“You
are nothing. I'm going to get Maria Dolores out of the prison. I
will take her away from you. I will have it all. I have won! Don't
you get it?”
Max
walked away rather than throw him down the stairs.
“The
baby is only the beginning, Maximiliano!”
“I'm
just taking them to the store because they're hungry,” Corina said.
“Yes,
we're very hungry,” said the older boy.
“So,
go in the house,” Aldo said. He threw his keys to the boy and told
them to go inside. “So what are you doing here?” he asked
Corina.
“I've
been waiting.”
“Ah,
Nayeli sent you to look for me,” he answered.
“Who
is she?”
“Nobody
to you. She's in prison.”
“Look,
I'm looking you up because some friends said you were asking about
me. If this is what you want, I'm not interested. I work in a
respectable office. I'm not the sort of 'friend' you're used to.
Apart from your wife,” she said. She turned away. When he tried
to grab her she shoved him back and walked away.
Claudio
paid Monterubio a visit at his office. The banker gave his
condolences about Alma, but knew that Claudio was there for another
purpose. He knew Claudio was there about Marta Ramos. He sat down
in his chair and put his feet on the desk.
“We
agreed a long time ago that Marta committed suicide in prison.
Period. With respect to the latest death we discovered that her
boyfriend beat her to death in the office. There was no mistake
about it but we didn't want to involve the authorities and we didn't
want a scandal, you know. Except for that Hosefa the other wouldn't
have been revived.”
“If
you think I'm going to agree with this, my answer is No. You're
mistaken, Marcelo. She wants revenge. I want justice.”
Monterubio
laughed. “Justice? Justice? That's a good joke.”
“You
should be grateful that I've done nothing yet. I'm here to find out
what really happened to Marta.”
Hosefa
somehow got hold of a a set of scrubs. She sneaked into the
intensive care unit past several other patients until she found
Isela's room. She went inside and saw her lying still as death,
being kept alive by a ventilator and other machines. She took off
the surgical mask and sat down on the chair to the left of the bed.
She picked up Isela's hand.
“You
never wanted to see me again. You made your point,” she said. “It
was written from the beginning. You should know Alma's dead. We
planned on separating her from Claudio.” She sobbed a moment, then
looked up. “You failed me. Twice you failed your mother. How
could you be so annoying? You left me with a broken heart. Why,
Isela? Not only a ruined affair you're here like a vegetable where
nobody takes cares about you.”
She
paused for a second and looked up. She then rose from the seat and
looked around through the glass walls and door. Then she placed her
elbows on Isela's abdomen and leaned hard. “I will kill you, too,”
she whispered. Her upper body weight was not enough she placed her
left knee on the edge of the bed for more leverage.
Orlando
confronted Ivana in the reception area. She tried to tell him she
was planning to move Isela so she would have better care. She would
be moved into Ivana's home alone with round-the-clock nurses to see
to her every need with the supervision of doctors. She pointed out
that he wouldn't be able to afford that. Orlando didn't need that
reminder. He told her that while Claudio Bustamante could also do
that Isela had given him and Esperanza the responsibility for her
child. Gerry arrived in time to hear this. He brought up the health
insurance issue; everyone at the company had it. Orlando didn't
understand that completely, but Ivana began explaining that the
insurance wasn't just life insurance. It took care of healthcare
during incapacity and included a pension. She finished by telling
him that Isela had designated him to be the sole beneficiary.
Hosefa
had ditched the scrubs and heard this. Instead of sneaking out she
attacked Orlando.
“Oh,
so now you're staying with Isela? Not with that fatso? Because what
you want is the money!” She shoved him and he pushed her back,
more gently than she deserved. She continued to accuse him of this
deadly sin of her own when his cell rang. He answered.
Gerry
and Ivana had left the scene of that argument and he confronted her.
“So
Maria Dolores' baby isn't enough? Now you want Isela's, too?”
“I've
told you I'm not going to explain any more,” she said.
“Oh,
no. You're going to explain this one to me.”
“What
bad would it do to help Isela's baby girl when it also helps her?”
“Ok,
if that's how it is, perfect. But there better not be an ulterior
motive behind your generosity. And what about Orlando? Could he
really be in charge of this?”
“It's
true, Gerry. And the insurance doesn't pay for everything. To have
her cared for in my home is only to help. You wouldn't deny that to
anyone? It was what Isela wanted. I was just about to tell him when
you barged in.”
“Oh,
yes, of course,” he said.
“Look,
I'm not doing anything wrong,” Ivana said. “And neither to Maria
Dolores. I do want to help her.”
“I
hope so, so you can move on to other interests.”
“Yes.
Life, or God, or whatever puts me in a position to care for the baby
why wouldn't I do it?” Her cell rang and she answered. “I'll be
right there,” she said. She turned back the way they came and
Gerry followed her.
Leo
lay on his mother's bed, holding one of her blouses. Clara knocked
on the door and entered. From the doorway he seemed to be in a fetal
position.
“Go
away, Clara. I want to be alone.”
“No,
I am not leaving you,” she said. “I am not going to leave you
alone.” She climbed onto the bed from the other side and lay next
to him face to face.
Hosefa
hid behind a supporting post in the hospital waiting room. A doctor
came out to tell Orlando that they had found a cardiac arrhythmia in
the baby. This meant an emergency C-section.
Elsewhere
in the hospital Max arrived to find Esperanza upset. Danny-Boy was
coming for the baby and she feared for the baby. Max gave her the
bad news about the DNA results and that the judge had permitted
provisional custody for Danny-Boy until the case was resolved.
Clara's
cell rang. She looked at the screen and left the bedroom to take the
call. It was the pimp who called himself a talent agent. He didn't
like it when she left work without notice the other day. She said he
didn't have to pay her for that day and that it wouldn't happen
again. He tried to make her feel guilty and she said she needed the
work. He then tried telling her he had a different kind of job for
her that would pay more for one night than she would normally get in
a month. He started to talk about entertaining clients and conversing
with them if that was what they wanted. Clara realized that this
meant something he wasn't telling her. She told him she was no fool.
She questioned his vague description of what would be expected of
her and said to look for someone else. She did not know that Leo was
listening on the other side of the door.
Corina
went to Orlando's shop. She talked to the two barrio boys from whom
she had gotten the information, then went back to work. Doris came
looking for Orlando. She was not happy when they told her he was at
the hospital with Isela.
Max
arrived at the hospital just in time to hear Danny-Boy brag that he
was taking the baby home. The same doctor who had insulted Maria
Dolores when she was a patient told him he was releasing little Alma.
She had gained enough weight and would be in an incubator as a
precaution to maintain her body temperature. A baby needing an
incubator shouldn't be released. He should have his license yanked.
“She'll
be looked after by the best doctors,” said Úrsula. “And by her
mother.” Ivana walked in, followed by Gerry. “We've been given
custody, Ivana. Let's bring her home.”
She
grinned at Ivana. Danny-Boy smirked. Gerry was speechless as he
watched the nurse enter with the baby. Little Alma looked at
Danny-Boy and immediately began crying. Esperanza stepped forward
and took the baby from the nurse. Úrsula began to protest, but
Ivana told her to stop.
“Don't
be afraid, little one,” Esperanza said. Max looked over her
shoulder and tried to caress the baby's face.
“Don't
say such things to her!” Úrsula demanded.
“Don't
you touch the baby!” Danny-Boy demanded. “Don't touch the baby!”
He
barely took a step. Max closed in on him and seized his lapels.
Gerry took Max's shoulder and prevented him doing any more. Ivana
stood in front of Danny-Boy as he continued to demand “Don't touch
my daughter!”
Max
had taken little Alma from Esperanza. He kissed her and said “Very
soon you'll be with your mother, little one.”
“Her
mother is Ivana!” Úrsula shouted. “Hand her over to her and
there will be no problems.”
Esperanza
protested quietly as Max turned around. He looked directly eye to
eye with Ivana.
“Remember
your promise, Ivana,” he said to her, quietly. “You gave me your
word.” He handed the baby to her.
“Let's
go,” said Mama Bear. She led the way out.
Esperanza
continued to protest until she collapsed into the chair. “You
can't do this to my daughter! You can't do this!” She cried and
began shaking. Max sat next to her.
“Why
did you let that imbecile hold my daughter?” Danny-Boy demanded.
“Why?”
“Oh,
please,” said Gerry. “Stop pretending that this is about
anything other than money.”
“Who
told you that?”
“What
do you care?”
“Shut
up!”
“Stop!”
said Ivana. “If I let him it's because Max has the right.”
“What
rights?” asked Mama Bear.
“It
was also for compassion. Max's mother just died.”
“Well,
I'm glad,” said Danny-Boy. “That starts paying back everything
he did to me.”
“You
miserable –” Gerry started.
“Alright,
alright,” said Úrsula. “Enough of this. Alma's death was
announced. Besides that's not important. What is important is what
you promised Max,” she said to Ivana. “Tell me exactly what you
said because I heard you tell him you gave him your word.”
“I
said to tell Maria Dolores that just in case I would take care of his
daughter.”
“But
that is not his daughter!” yelled Danny-Boy.
“Gerry,
we're taking your car because I can't drive with her in my arms.”
“Just
a minute,” said Mama Bear. You aren't taking the baby. The baby
is coming with us to her father's house. You will come to complete
the transaction we agreed upon to get her. Now hand her over to me.”
“Give
her to me,” said Danny-Boy.
“We're
leaving together,” Ivana said. “I'm not leaving her alone with
you.” She quickly headed for the door with the others following
her.
Monterubio
stood on the roof of a building, looking out toward the edge. He was
far enough in that nobody on the street would have been able to see
him. Marcia arrived.
“Tell
me what you need,” she said. “I'm not taking any chances on being
seen in a place like this.”
“Don't
give me that look. You're here for money, aren't you?”
“I
deal with criminals every day,” she said. When he looked away she
knew he understood. “I know very well it's better to regret
dealing with a smart man than a judge.”
“That
imbecile Claudio won't be helping us any more. I need you to get this
out of the way.”
“That's
not going to be so easy,” she said. “Marcelo, there are a lot of
people behind this. Like the Santibañez. Úrsula is investigating
everything. She could tell Marta's friend to threaten --”
“Don't
tell me that! I want nothing to do with her.”
“If
this is in multiples we're
behind the 8-ball. Bustamante's future daughter-in-law is in the
prison I manage. The Granny tried to abort the baby she was
expecting.”
“I
don't care.”
“You
can threaten me all you like, do what you want. Just hope it doesn't
come back to bite you on the ass. Get it? It's not just Claudio
who's putting his nose into this. It's also Maximiliano, his son.
And Maria Dolores, because she's in there due to a deal with the
Santibañez for some reason of theirs.”
“That's
her problem, not mine. Why don't you do to her what you did to
Marta?”
“Don't
treat me like an idiot, because I'm not, Marcelo. You think I'll get
her out of your way and you can wash your hands of this? It's not
that easy. We solve this together or we both fall.”
Orlando
stood around the hospital waiting room. Claudio came in.
“Do
you know anything yet?”
“No.
All I've done since calling you is wait.”
“Thanks
for calling me.”
“You're
the father, so we need to talk.”
“I
want to talk, too. Alma died yesterday.”
“Yes,
they told me. Believe me that I'm sorry.”
“Alma
told me something very important before she died. That I have to
right every wrong I've done.”
“Well,
I hope that includes completing Isela's last wishes. I'm not sure
what to do. I can't pay her hospital bills and I'm worried that
Hosefa will do something to her.”
“The
doctor will get the police report about this. I'm not sure it's a
fact that she fell accidentally. There is an investigation and I'm
giving it my full attention. If Hosefa did anything to Isela, she
will pay.”
“In
that case, I will have the doctor release Isela's baby to me.”
Claudio
stared in shock.
Isidro
was awaiting the arrival of his masters. He told Úrsula that Arango
and Jacinto were waiting for her in the study.
“Ivana
is not going to sign anything until the company lawyer is here,”
Gerry said. He and Ivana exchanged a brief glance.
“Let
us know when he gets here,” Ivana said.
“Yes,
Madam,” he said.
“Isidro,
that's not necessary,” said Danny-Boy. “Give her to me,” he
said to Ivana. He reached for the baby. When he had her in hand he
looked at Ivana and said. “I won't give you my daughter for all
the money in the world.”
Labels: no-creo
Comments:
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A great recap, Urban.
I wonder if Ursula was ever able to get falsification of Dan's DNA. I can't believe that creep is the father. Did Max ever submit his DNA? I don't seem to recall it.
Ann-NYC
I wonder if Ursula was ever able to get falsification of Dan's DNA. I can't believe that creep is the father. Did Max ever submit his DNA? I don't seem to recall it.
Ann-NYC
Permalink posted by 
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 12:06:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 12:06:00 AM EST
If she did, we weren't privy to it.
Wouldn't surprise me, though. We aren't privy to other machinations going on. Too many evil and crazy people in this story.
Wouldn't surprise me, though. We aren't privy to other machinations going on. Too many evil and crazy people in this story.
Thank you so much Urban.
There are very few telenovelas that make me want to break something. I hope Dan, Ursula, Josefa e.t.c get the worst punishment.They are just evil, wicked, and one of the worst villains I've seen in novella land.I do admit that the writing in this telenovela is pretty great
Ivana is plain crazy. What is with her obsession with other people's children when she can adopt. I don't understand why she would want to take another person child without recognizing the pain it is causing.
Esperanza's scene made me so sad and angry, i despise so much having those crazy bunch of people take away a little child from sane people, and cutting away bonding time with her real mother.
I'm curious of what Claudio reaction will be to Orlando's plan to take his baby, although i never really liked Isela some part of me feels sorry for her and mostly her child.
Elorej
There are very few telenovelas that make me want to break something. I hope Dan, Ursula, Josefa e.t.c get the worst punishment.They are just evil, wicked, and one of the worst villains I've seen in novella land.I do admit that the writing in this telenovela is pretty great
Ivana is plain crazy. What is with her obsession with other people's children when she can adopt. I don't understand why she would want to take another person child without recognizing the pain it is causing.
Esperanza's scene made me so sad and angry, i despise so much having those crazy bunch of people take away a little child from sane people, and cutting away bonding time with her real mother.
I'm curious of what Claudio reaction will be to Orlando's plan to take his baby, although i never really liked Isela some part of me feels sorry for her and mostly her child.
Elorej
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 1:06:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 1:06:00 AM EST
Wow, what incredible, intense fallback we get in the wake of Alma's tragic demise.
For starters, the two female arch-villains of this story, Ursula and Josefa, certainly showed their worth (or lack thereof). Josefa- for whatever rationale turned her this way- is nothing but a black hole of negativity, designed to suck in and destroy anything and anybody unlucky enough to cross her path. Ursula, on the other hand, is a complete sociopath... a woman completely devoid of any sort of moral compass and who views any and all other human beings as either tools or impediments to her achieving whatever ends she has.
Daniel, thus, is Dr. Ursula Frankenstein's monster. His character is beneath contempt yet still, incredibly sad. I have no idea that he loves Maria Dolores, the tragedy is that his version of 'love' and how he should approach such things is based on what his mother taught him, which is perverted, corrupt, and evil. I've sometimes wondered, through the duration of this magnificent telenovela, if there might be some goodness in Daniel, but there isn't.. his mother hasn't fostered any. What a sad, miserable excuse for a wretch of a human being.
Max has to be one of the most magnificent, truly 'heroic' galans I've ever seen in a telenovela. Forget Yanez galloping in on his might white steed to save the fair Adela Noriega... give me this most human and valient individual anyday!!!
I am confident that life will, indeed, begin biting Claudio in the ass. He lost the best and most moral, decent thing in his life and that which he sacrificed it for is knocking on heavens door as well. He deserves all of the contempt that Max and Leo choose to throw at him, and I hope that they do.
Monterrubio is shaping up to be a character with his hands dirty beyond comprehension. Ditto for Marcia. Corrupt and evil, and desperate to cover their tracks- this is, truly, a dangerous and deadly combination. Though their addition to the fray is relatively recent, this particular story line arc doesn't (to me at least) feel contrived in the least, and I am anxious to see what becomes of it, and of them.
So many possibilities! So much depth!! So much that COULD happen, and so much that WE HOPE WILL happen! This show, really, exemplifies everything- and all of the power- that a telenovela has to offer us.
For starters, the two female arch-villains of this story, Ursula and Josefa, certainly showed their worth (or lack thereof). Josefa- for whatever rationale turned her this way- is nothing but a black hole of negativity, designed to suck in and destroy anything and anybody unlucky enough to cross her path. Ursula, on the other hand, is a complete sociopath... a woman completely devoid of any sort of moral compass and who views any and all other human beings as either tools or impediments to her achieving whatever ends she has.
Daniel, thus, is Dr. Ursula Frankenstein's monster. His character is beneath contempt yet still, incredibly sad. I have no idea that he loves Maria Dolores, the tragedy is that his version of 'love' and how he should approach such things is based on what his mother taught him, which is perverted, corrupt, and evil. I've sometimes wondered, through the duration of this magnificent telenovela, if there might be some goodness in Daniel, but there isn't.. his mother hasn't fostered any. What a sad, miserable excuse for a wretch of a human being.
Max has to be one of the most magnificent, truly 'heroic' galans I've ever seen in a telenovela. Forget Yanez galloping in on his might white steed to save the fair Adela Noriega... give me this most human and valient individual anyday!!!
I am confident that life will, indeed, begin biting Claudio in the ass. He lost the best and most moral, decent thing in his life and that which he sacrificed it for is knocking on heavens door as well. He deserves all of the contempt that Max and Leo choose to throw at him, and I hope that they do.
Monterrubio is shaping up to be a character with his hands dirty beyond comprehension. Ditto for Marcia. Corrupt and evil, and desperate to cover their tracks- this is, truly, a dangerous and deadly combination. Though their addition to the fray is relatively recent, this particular story line arc doesn't (to me at least) feel contrived in the least, and I am anxious to see what becomes of it, and of them.
So many possibilities! So much depth!! So much that COULD happen, and so much that WE HOPE WILL happen! This show, really, exemplifies everything- and all of the power- that a telenovela has to offer us.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 3:09:00 AM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 3:09:00 AM EST
Thank you UA. In awe of this complex retelling.
"Max shot back a look he knew was one of reproach"
Generational consequences, lies, alliances, and competing agendas, every character up to their neck in it right to the end.
I'm crushed Dan is the happy pappy.
I was giving him a hard time last week, but agree Stevey, that Max is a magnificent galan. I know MD is the star of the show and Dan's obsession heaped havoc on her life but Max never waivers even when given gut punches that would crush a mortal. Who has his back? Who bandages his knee and tells him it will be better tomorrow? Yes, Espy does show motherly concern but is otherwise leaning on him too.
Fooled me, I thought Josefa would unplug Isela not try to kill the unborn child. Very, Josefaesque, her method.
Doris made a good point, Chelita's investment is at risk with Orlando at hospital with Isela all the time. I will respect Doris more if she takes a pass on Orlando's new condition for being together.
"Max shot back a look he knew was one of reproach"
Generational consequences, lies, alliances, and competing agendas, every character up to their neck in it right to the end.
I'm crushed Dan is the happy pappy.
I was giving him a hard time last week, but agree Stevey, that Max is a magnificent galan. I know MD is the star of the show and Dan's obsession heaped havoc on her life but Max never waivers even when given gut punches that would crush a mortal. Who has his back? Who bandages his knee and tells him it will be better tomorrow? Yes, Espy does show motherly concern but is otherwise leaning on him too.
Fooled me, I thought Josefa would unplug Isela not try to kill the unborn child. Very, Josefaesque, her method.
Doris made a good point, Chelita's investment is at risk with Orlando at hospital with Isela all the time. I will respect Doris more if she takes a pass on Orlando's new condition for being together.
In my long experience of watching telenovelas I've come to realize that most of them are morality stories. Most characters are exaggerated versions of good and evil people in the real world, like in fairy tales. The difference is that most novela mastermind villains -- male and female -- look like average-to-beautiful humans rather than witches and ogres and they do truly horrific things that seem completely out of the norm in most people's view.
However, many of them do things that make headlines when they're found out.
My latest guilty-pleasure viewing on YouTube is TV series on true criminal cases. Some of those are so shocking as to be the stuff of nightmares. Some truly are beyond belief. On their best Days Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Patricia Cornwell, Patricia Highsmith, Agatha Christie, and Dominick Dunne couldn't invent this stuff because they were not evil people. I think some authors write out of compulsion, to exorcise evils from their minds or protect themselves from attacks on their souls from this. I'm sure that a number of novela writers had toxic parents, especially the ones whose characters are well-drawn.
Some of the true crime stories I've seen in recent weeks display such vileness that one would think that Satan is walking the earth. Josefa and Ursula could easily have come out of stories depicted in the series Deadly Women which show fonts of unspeakable evil. The comments that follow each episode attest to the thankful situation of people still being shockable.
Monterubio could be a character our of Behind Mansion Walls, which I watch for more crimes in Dominick Dunne territory. Marcia is a type that can be found in either as an enabler or a full killer in her own right.
More later. Time to feed both that and the caffeine addiction.
However, many of them do things that make headlines when they're found out.
My latest guilty-pleasure viewing on YouTube is TV series on true criminal cases. Some of those are so shocking as to be the stuff of nightmares. Some truly are beyond belief. On their best Days Dashiell Hammett, Mickey Spillane, Patricia Cornwell, Patricia Highsmith, Agatha Christie, and Dominick Dunne couldn't invent this stuff because they were not evil people. I think some authors write out of compulsion, to exorcise evils from their minds or protect themselves from attacks on their souls from this. I'm sure that a number of novela writers had toxic parents, especially the ones whose characters are well-drawn.
Some of the true crime stories I've seen in recent weeks display such vileness that one would think that Satan is walking the earth. Josefa and Ursula could easily have come out of stories depicted in the series Deadly Women which show fonts of unspeakable evil. The comments that follow each episode attest to the thankful situation of people still being shockable.
Monterubio could be a character our of Behind Mansion Walls, which I watch for more crimes in Dominick Dunne territory. Marcia is a type that can be found in either as an enabler or a full killer in her own right.
More later. Time to feed both that and the caffeine addiction.
Fantastic job, Uban!
I think Josefa trying to kill her great granddaughter in utero might have been the most evil thing I've ever seen a tn character do. It was horrifying.
I loved Alma's letter to her family, Morales women included, and the way they filmed it with both flashbacks to her son's reading the letter, and then during the funeral. Also very striking to see Clod sitting in a pew by himself, while the rest of the family sat together.
Great comment, Stevey. Ditto the whole thing.
I think Josefa trying to kill her great granddaughter in utero might have been the most evil thing I've ever seen a tn character do. It was horrifying.
I loved Alma's letter to her family, Morales women included, and the way they filmed it with both flashbacks to her son's reading the letter, and then during the funeral. Also very striking to see Clod sitting in a pew by himself, while the rest of the family sat together.
Great comment, Stevey. Ditto the whole thing.
I have some difficulty measuring Hosefa's action against Ursula's 30-year abuse of Maleny. We only saw glimpses of what these maternal monsters did to their daughters when they were children, so while Hosefa definitely abused Isela physically Ursula is guilty of massive mental and emotional abuse right up to the suicide she masterminded.
The only thing that has never been adequately explained is Ursula's contempt for girls, but I doubt we'll find that out.
Both of these women need to burn in hell.
The only thing that has never been adequately explained is Ursula's contempt for girls, but I doubt we'll find that out.
Both of these women need to burn in hell.
Thank you UA. Another sad episode with big disappointments mixed in. The way Ursula asked Dan why he was so nervous made me think that she did have something to do with the results with Dan being the father. There's so little time left in the show that I don't have faith that that is true though.
That odd hugging by Monterrubio and Claudio was cringeworthy. Claudio sure did get some fleas lying with that dirty dog.
I wish we could figure out Ivana. She's such a wildcard. Did she truly plan to help Max when she took the baby? And now that Dan has declared his intent, I would guess that she will align herself with Max now, even if it wasn't her initial idea to do so.
How far along is Isela? 5 months? Can the baby survive that young?
That odd hugging by Monterrubio and Claudio was cringeworthy. Claudio sure did get some fleas lying with that dirty dog.
I wish we could figure out Ivana. She's such a wildcard. Did she truly plan to help Max when she took the baby? And now that Dan has declared his intent, I would guess that she will align herself with Max now, even if it wasn't her initial idea to do so.
How far along is Isela? 5 months? Can the baby survive that young?
Thanks, Urban. Two great recaps from you today. Don't know how you do it, but I certainly enjoy it.
Alma wrote a lovely letter. Beautifully done funeral scene.
Josefa is totally mad desecrating Isela's body and trying to kill her own greatgrandbaby like that. She surely will be stopped one day, but there's no punishment great enough for the horrible things she's done.
But there are many ways Ursula can pay. Loss of Dan, wealth, lackeys, power and prestige, freedom, etc.
Yuck, Dan is the daddy. Well, at least it won't come as a blow to MD as it did for some of us in Viewerville. She figured this all along.
Yay, Clara is not made dumb for plot purposes. She's always been a pretty bright girl, so I'm glad she's figuring the "talent agent" isn't leveling with her about this special event.
Alma wrote a lovely letter. Beautifully done funeral scene.
Josefa is totally mad desecrating Isela's body and trying to kill her own greatgrandbaby like that. She surely will be stopped one day, but there's no punishment great enough for the horrible things she's done.
But there are many ways Ursula can pay. Loss of Dan, wealth, lackeys, power and prestige, freedom, etc.
Yuck, Dan is the daddy. Well, at least it won't come as a blow to MD as it did for some of us in Viewerville. She figured this all along.
Yay, Clara is not made dumb for plot purposes. She's always been a pretty bright girl, so I'm glad she's figuring the "talent agent" isn't leveling with her about this special event.
I'm not sure how far along Isela is. MD's baby was a little early and her pregnancy was known before Isela's, so you might be right.
One trend I'm seeing in novela writing in the last year is the constant twists and turns for the sake of creating more incidents of suspense, especially in the last 20-30 episodes. I don't think this is necessarily a good thing when it affects character behavior. Ivana is the writers' victim here. She has been so inconsistent that I have to wonder how the actress reacted to each new script.
One trend I'm seeing in novela writing in the last year is the constant twists and turns for the sake of creating more incidents of suspense, especially in the last 20-30 episodes. I don't think this is necessarily a good thing when it affects character behavior. Ivana is the writers' victim here. She has been so inconsistent that I have to wonder how the actress reacted to each new script.
Thank you, Urban. This episode was so depressing.
It seems we have two recaps for #116. I left a comment on Jardinera's version. Both deserve to be read and savored.
It seems we have two recaps for #116. I left a comment on Jardinera's version. Both deserve to be read and savored.
I thought Isela's baby was 6 or 7 months along?
I think the star of the show is Claudio, followed by Maria Dolores & Max.
Dan was correct when he said if Ursula had not interfered, he and Maria Dolores would be married right now. They'd be married & they'd be raising little Daniela together.
Yes it was striking, Claudio exiled by himself. And that will be his ultimate punishment, to be exiled by himself. He forfeited any rights to be with Bustamante Family #1 by how he treated Alma & Maria Dolores, and probably won't have any second chances with Bustamante Family #2, since his lover is in a coma, his daughter's great grandmother is determined to kill her in utero & Orlando and Ivana are determined to take her for their own.
Doris needs to leave Orlando for a while. He is abusing Chelito's trust & money and telling Doris that he, Isela & Claudio's baby are a package deal, take it or leave it. If Isela's baby were also Orlando's, that would be one thing. Doris wouldn't or shouldn't expect Orlando to abandon his child. However, Isela's child is NOT Orlando's child so Doris shouldn't have to take this package deal where she would come out the loser.
Doris will never have any peace in her relationship with Orlando unless Isela & the baby are no longer a factor (death, adoption, Orlando letting go, etc).
Max, Maria Dolores and Almita will never have any peace until Daniel and Ursula are dead or locked up in jail for life.
Claudio will never have any peace until he corrects the wrongs he's done and as Alma said, clean it up for himself, not for others.
I think the star of the show is Claudio, followed by Maria Dolores & Max.
Dan was correct when he said if Ursula had not interfered, he and Maria Dolores would be married right now. They'd be married & they'd be raising little Daniela together.
Yes it was striking, Claudio exiled by himself. And that will be his ultimate punishment, to be exiled by himself. He forfeited any rights to be with Bustamante Family #1 by how he treated Alma & Maria Dolores, and probably won't have any second chances with Bustamante Family #2, since his lover is in a coma, his daughter's great grandmother is determined to kill her in utero & Orlando and Ivana are determined to take her for their own.
Doris needs to leave Orlando for a while. He is abusing Chelito's trust & money and telling Doris that he, Isela & Claudio's baby are a package deal, take it or leave it. If Isela's baby were also Orlando's, that would be one thing. Doris wouldn't or shouldn't expect Orlando to abandon his child. However, Isela's child is NOT Orlando's child so Doris shouldn't have to take this package deal where she would come out the loser.
Doris will never have any peace in her relationship with Orlando unless Isela & the baby are no longer a factor (death, adoption, Orlando letting go, etc).
Max, Maria Dolores and Almita will never have any peace until Daniel and Ursula are dead or locked up in jail for life.
Claudio will never have any peace until he corrects the wrongs he's done and as Alma said, clean it up for himself, not for others.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 12:29:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 12:29:00 PM EST
Anon207 I happen to agree with you that had Ursula not messed with the relationship, Dan and MD would be married and setting up house with new baby girl Daniela. He would have made MD's life a living hell but she would have stayed with him.
I hope Max and MD can beat Ursula and Dan head to head and not win only by default with their death.
I hope Max and MD can beat Ursula and Dan head to head and not win only by default with their death.
Urban--It was a fantastic read. I didn't want it to end. That said, I want this show to hurry up, but not end. This is one of a kind novella that isn't going to tie everything up in a Happy New Year sash. I want to see how these characters develop over the next months, years.
Anon207--Lest we forget, Dan wanted to get into MD's pants so much that when the tryst in the country house guest cottage didn't work, he and Victor devised the fake wedding. At the time his intention was to spoil her and leave her. He definitely did not want to marry Ivana--at any price. So, yes, without Ursula's manipulations, he and MD would probably have gotten married. But I'd like to think it would not have taken too long to see the true nature of the man AND his mother. MD would have wanted a divorce--the last thing he would have permitted (are we perhaps seeing Eladio and Julia????)
Anon207--Lest we forget, Dan wanted to get into MD's pants so much that when the tryst in the country house guest cottage didn't work, he and Victor devised the fake wedding. At the time his intention was to spoil her and leave her. He definitely did not want to marry Ivana--at any price. So, yes, without Ursula's manipulations, he and MD would probably have gotten married. But I'd like to think it would not have taken too long to see the true nature of the man AND his mother. MD would have wanted a divorce--the last thing he would have permitted (are we perhaps seeing Eladio and Julia????)
Oh, and about the paternity test--we might have gotten a little clue when Dan was surprised that Ursula was not worried before the results were read. True, we didn't see her arranging to have the results altered. If it had been any other telenovela she would have, but that is such a tn trope and this just isn't that kind of story.
Max was not involved in the paternity test, although for curiosity he might have had one done. The paternity test was ONLY to determine if Dan was or was not the father of this baby. It was to clear up confusion over legal rights to the baby. Now, if the results had come back negative, then Max would have had the opportunity to step in--he's the only other man in MD's sexual life.
Max was not involved in the paternity test, although for curiosity he might have had one done. The paternity test was ONLY to determine if Dan was or was not the father of this baby. It was to clear up confusion over legal rights to the baby. Now, if the results had come back negative, then Max would have had the opportunity to step in--he's the only other man in MD's sexual life.
True, Anita, but when one considers Hosefa's slander and how willing so many people outside the nabe were to believe it, Max would have needed the test.
As to why the writers would make Danny-Boy the sperm donor, it's probably going to be about the inheritance when Danny-Boy and his Mama Bear are dead or in prison.
My prediction is that MD will foolishly refuse it and Ivana will talk her into accepting it for her pain and suffering.
As to why the writers would make Danny-Boy the sperm donor, it's probably going to be about the inheritance when Danny-Boy and his Mama Bear are dead or in prison.
My prediction is that MD will foolishly refuse it and Ivana will talk her into accepting it for her pain and suffering.
I wouldn't accept any Santibanez money either, if I were MD. Almita will have plenty of Bustamante money. They can donate the Santibanez money to mental health, child abuse, and substance abuse charities and be done with it.
Right, if the test came back that Dan was not the dad, Josefa & Honoria's slander that Maria Dolores was a sleep around slut would've rang more true, because even though Max is MD's only other sexual partner, she did get up and claim that Julian was the father.
And that would've given her more motive to kill Julian, to get rid of him so she could live the high life with Max.
The only way this theory could be disproven is to make Max take a DNA test.
Almita is the heiress to the Santibanez fortune...if/when Dan & Ursula die, she gets it all (unless they kill Almita first).
And that would've given her more motive to kill Julian, to get rid of him so she could live the high life with Max.
The only way this theory could be disproven is to make Max take a DNA test.
Almita is the heiress to the Santibanez fortune...if/when Dan & Ursula die, she gets it all (unless they kill Almita first).
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 4:08:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 4:08:00 PM EST
We don't even know what Hector Santibanez did to get all of that money.
Yes, they should donate the Santibanez money to helping women in prison connect with their children. They could set up a foundation and Corina & Nayeli (when she gets out) can help run it.
Yes, they should donate the Santibanez money to helping women in prison connect with their children. They could set up a foundation and Corina & Nayeli (when she gets out) can help run it.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 4:09:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 4:09:00 PM EST
Hector probably inherited something and grew it larger. He didn't look like a dishonest man in the flashbacks; he just had the bad luck to end up with a Deadly Woman.
Money is money. What matters is what you do with it. It would be no sin for MD or Almita to inherit it but to give it all away and completely depend on Max would be ludicrous to me.
Money is money. What matters is what you do with it. It would be no sin for MD or Almita to inherit it but to give it all away and completely depend on Max would be ludicrous to me.
FELS did get a lot of action for the villains including a murder scene that many thought the most perverse to date (2008).
OT but important for a future weekend discussion
There are a few Televisa novelas that I've missed in the last couple of years and it's almost time for another toxic mothers gallery. If there were any in the following series, will someone please e-mail me the stats so I can assemble one for a few weeks from now:
Lo Imperdonable
La Malquerida
Quiero Amarte
Que Te Perdone Dios (I know this had one)
The stats should follow the pattern in the original gallery of toxic mothers.
OT but important for a future weekend discussion
There are a few Televisa novelas that I've missed in the last couple of years and it's almost time for another toxic mothers gallery. If there were any in the following series, will someone please e-mail me the stats so I can assemble one for a few weeks from now:
Lo Imperdonable
La Malquerida
Quiero Amarte
Que Te Perdone Dios (I know this had one)
The stats should follow the pattern in the original gallery of toxic mothers.
Thank you for the great recap Urban!
Daniel may have been right that he would have been with MD if his mother hadn't intervened but I agree that he still would have been the villain of a different story.
Anita:
"MD would have wanted a divorce--the last thing he would have permitted (are we perhaps seeing Eladio and Julia????)"
Except MD would have started loving him and then would have ended up hating him, because developing something after being abused for years is not something I see this show going for.
Jarocha
Daniel may have been right that he would have been with MD if his mother hadn't intervened but I agree that he still would have been the villain of a different story.
Anita:
"MD would have wanted a divorce--the last thing he would have permitted (are we perhaps seeing Eladio and Julia????)"
Except MD would have started loving him and then would have ended up hating him, because developing something after being abused for years is not something I see this show going for.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 7:55:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 7:55:00 PM EST
MD's parents were good and loving to her. Being insulted and abused by Daniel after years of that would not be the same as it was for Julia.
Also, Danny-Boy doesn't understand long-term planning the way Eladio does. He's a spoiled trust-fund brat who doesn't understand work. Eladio does understand work because he has worked hard even though half of it is in dishonest dealings. He knows there is no easy money.
Also, Danny-Boy doesn't understand long-term planning the way Eladio does. He's a spoiled trust-fund brat who doesn't understand work. Eladio does understand work because he has worked hard even though half of it is in dishonest dealings. He knows there is no easy money.
I accept the criticism, I wasn't trying to equate the two couples, only trying to make a tenuous parallel between them. No, MD would not have tolerated years of abuse, but most likely that is what Dan would have turned into--an emotional and a physical abuser. He had never learned how to treat women properly. He only saw what his mother did to Maleny. I think down deep he was jealous of Maleny's relationship with their father. On the surface, he didn't care, because he had his mother's undying devotion and support (and manipulation).
What also got me was how soulless the young Daniel looked when he shot his father. I'll never forget that.
Makes me feel like the police being interviewed for those ID true crime cases.
Makes me feel like the police being interviewed for those ID true crime cases.
Oh, I agree on Daniel's character Anita, and the simmilarity of the abusive nature that would end up creating some simmilar scenarios of violence.
I have a bit of problem with PYP is their treatment of the Julia and Eladio relationship as anything less than horrible. I feel sometimes like they want the audience to both hate them and root for them and I really can't stand it.
Jarocha
I have a bit of problem with PYP is their treatment of the Julia and Eladio relationship as anything less than horrible. I feel sometimes like they want the audience to both hate them and root for them and I really can't stand it.
Jarocha
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 9:14:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 9:14:00 PM EST
UA, great recap, a horride episode. Calling
These people vultures would be doing those
Birds a horrible injustice.
That poor little girl is stuck with being in all that Blackness. Ivanna is just pathetic. There a Reason why she can't have kids. She needs
To have a child at any cost. Its like these two
Babies are on stand by. If the other don't pan
Out the other one will. She don't give a rats
patootie about isela she just wants the baby.
She wants to help, what liar. And gerry is no
Help, he wants her to sign something. This
Woman is just wrong. These people are so souless, dannyboy don't care about that little girl he just wants to get one over on max Maximiliano. You heard him bragging about winning he wants to get MD out of prison. Don't give a damn about anybody he just wants to win. He's not hectors kid, he's
Satans spawn. he has to be, look at the way he murdered his hector, no feeling at all.
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These people vultures would be doing those
Birds a horrible injustice.
That poor little girl is stuck with being in all that Blackness. Ivanna is just pathetic. There a Reason why she can't have kids. She needs
To have a child at any cost. Its like these two
Babies are on stand by. If the other don't pan
Out the other one will. She don't give a rats
patootie about isela she just wants the baby.
She wants to help, what liar. And gerry is no
Help, he wants her to sign something. This
Woman is just wrong. These people are so souless, dannyboy don't care about that little girl he just wants to get one over on max Maximiliano. You heard him bragging about winning he wants to get MD out of prison. Don't give a damn about anybody he just wants to win. He's not hectors kid, he's
Satans spawn. he has to be, look at the way he murdered his hector, no feeling at all.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 9:59:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 9:59:00 PM EST
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