Thursday, January 28, 2016
El Hotel de los Secretos #3, 1/27/16 Wednesday: One Baby Gone, Two Still in Play
Sofia tries to prevent Alberto from leaving, grabbing his suitcase
as they argue at the top of the last landing on the stairs. She loses her
balance and tumbles down the stairs. The noise brings Isabel and Doña Angela,
who were at reception going through the guest log. They run to Sofia, who,
despite being in great pain and semi-conscience, still has the presence of mind
to maintain appearances and say she was just going for a glass of water in the
kitchen and fell. Isabel rushes to get Dr. Santamaria in Room 36. Seconds later, Julio, who was down in the kitchens with Felipe when he heard the ruckus,
rushes to the staircase to help. A very
worried Alberto probably makes everything worse by picking Sofia up and taking
her to their room. Angela orders Julio into action—light the stove, get water
boiled, and bring it up to the room for the doctor. Upstairs, Doña Teresa is
informed by Isabel and actually looks concerned. Doña Angela informs Felipe and
tries to break through his drunken haze to convince him to go up and support his
sister and family. He stumbles upstairs.
The family gathers in the outer room, while the doctor
attends to Sofia in her bedroom. Her skirts are soaked in blood, and it’s
evident for all to see that she is miscarrying. Alberto is distraught, and Doña
Teresa doesn’t pass up the opportunity to lay all the blame firmly at his feet.
It’s decided it would be best if they all went and waited in Doña Teresa’s
rooms while the doctor does his work. Isabel offers her services to the doctor
as a medical student. He is condescending about the work nurses do. She
corrects him that she is actually a surgical student, and he becomes even more
condescending and closes the door on her so that he can continue to butcher
poor Sofia. Isabel goes to wait with her family.
Later, when Julio brings up the hot water to the doctor,
while Angela brings the towels, he is visibly stricken to see pale, weak Sofia
bleeding out in the bed. Angela says a heartfelt prayer to the Virgin for Sofia
and her baby. For the rest of the night, the family waits for news, locked away
in Teresa’s rooms, and Julio is able to keep his identity a secret from Isabel
one more night.
Diego, meanwhile, sneaks down to the kitchen with the
blood-stained clothes of Cristina. He lights one of the burners, and then
hastily stuffs the clothes into it. He barely has enough time to get away
before Julio returns to boil more water. He discovers the uniform, sees the
blood, and sees his sister’s name embroidered in it. He quickly looks up and
sees the ajar door and runs in that direction and down the various hallways. He
sees no one. He has just enough time to stuff the clothing into a basket before
Angela returns to the kitchen. She kindly thanks him for his help and sends him
off to bed. She’ll stay up to attend to the family’s and doctor’s needs. He
grabs the bloody uniform when she’s not looking and rushes to his room, where
Andres is fast asleep. A bit later, Diego sneaks back into the kitchen and
wakes Angela. She informs him of what’s happening with Sofia. He sends her off
to bring hot water to the doctor, then checks the stove to make sure all
remnants of the uniform are gone. He smiles to himself when he sees nothing.
Once sitting on his bed, Julio silently begins to let out
his fear for his sister and grief. He clutches the uniform to himself with one hand, while
pounding his fist into the bed with the other. He stifles his sobs, but Andres
still awakes. Julio shows him the uniform, and without a word, Andres
understands and comforts Julio by giving his shoulder a hard squeeze. Julio
cries all night and doesn’t sleep a wink.
Dawn breaks. The mining town that surrounds the hotel is
already bustling. Minerva (the older prostitute) and Genaro (the cantina
owner), finally let Minerva’s daughter, Violeta, out of the storage room. Minerva
tells Genaro how annoyed she is that the girl is going to make her a grandmother.
He’s not pleased by this news either—she’ll need to get rid of the baby. He
sends the girl off to the market to buy provisions for the cantina. In a brief
scene later, we see her bump into Jacinto, the soulful eyed son of the Gran
Hotel’s chef, Lupe. No sparks yet, but keep an eye on these kids…
The Alarcon family is still up waiting for news on Sofia.
The Butcher/Doctor brings Teresa to see her. Teresa wants her awake and back to
her routine. The doctor says this isn’t a good idea, and further explains that
Sofia lost the baby (it was a boy) and the ability to have any more children.
Teresa orders the doctor not to tell anyone this. He is to tell them that he
saved the baby, and Sofia is fine. She coolly blackmails him, saying she’s
going to let Mrs. Santamaria know about the woman he recently spent the night
with, if he doesn’t go along with the plan.
Angela and Lupe have one of their regular arguments in the
kitchen, as Jacinto and one of the maids looks on. He’s annoyed she didn’t wake
him last night when the accident happened. He points to all the healing herbs
he has hanging in the kitchen, which he knows would have been of help to Sofia.
Diego leverages the near-tragedy to gain points and show
Isabel that he’s there for her and her family. Meanwhile, in the bedroom,
Teresa is coldly giving poor, distraught Sofia the real scoop on the loss of her
baby and her sterility. She orders Sofia to fake a pregnancy and put on a happy
face. Sofia thinks Alberto should know he lost a child. Teresa points out that
Sofia can no longer have children, but Alberto CAN. He can get another (fertile) wife,
and the Vergara family fortune will go to those children. “All women can handle this. That’s what we’re made for. To survive all
the things we lose.”
It’s time to serve breakfast, and Don Benjamin orders Julio
to deliver a breakfast to Room 22. Unfortunately, Isabel happens to be chatting
in the hallway in front of Room 22, so he ducks into the room across from it,
delivering the eggs benedict breakfast to an older couple who are not pleased
that he just waltzed into their room without knocking—they don’t care if the
breakfast is on the house. In his nervousness, Julio pulls out his handkerchief and
doesn’t notice that his picture of Cristina falls to the floor in their room.
Belen goes to see Diego in his office and gets right to the
point—she’s pregnant. He knows perfectly well, who’s the father! Diego goes to his
secretary desk and takes out a wad of notes. He orders Belen to go to the city
tomorrow, and have an abortion. Belen stands her ground. She refuses to abort,
and he WILL take care of her and the baby. If not, then he can forget about
marrying Isabel, the Alarcon wealth, or managing this posh hotel. He doesn’t think they’ll believe
her over him. “Please! I’m not the first
maid that you’ve slept with. You don’t think I know about Cristina Olmedo and
how she became floor manager?” Diego doesn’t give in, and neither does
Belen. He grabs her shoulders and tells her nobody messes with him! He then
throws her out of his office.
Unable to find Teresa, the photographer from the reception
the evening before gives Isabel the proofs from his shots so that she and
Teresa can approve which ones should appear in the paper. Isabel spots Julio in
one of the pictures, and then goes in search of the answer to the mystery of
his identity. After asking around to a few of the employees, she finally finds
out that Julio is a new waiter! Free-breakfast couple is still annoyed about
the waiter barging into their room, and they tell Isabel about it. She takes them to
Diego. The couple really can’t describe the young man, but they hand over the
photo he dropped to Diego. They leave, congratulating Diego on being so lucky
to get a great catch like Isabel. Isebel
leaves, and Diego examines the picture of Cristina. He is not pleased.
Downstairs, Benjamin is giving Julio grief about not
delivering the breakfast. He wants an explanation now, or Julio is out on his
nalgas delgadas. Julio thinks quick, and takes Don Ben up to Felipe’s room. Felipe
is barely awake, but catches on to what his new buddy needs. He confirms to Ben
that he just took the eggs benedict tray from Julio and ate them himself. Ben
can’t really argue with the patron, although the story sounds fishy. Felipe
tells Julio that now HE owes Felipe the favor.
Diego tells Angela that there have been many complaints
about one of the maids, and she needs to be fired. The maid is Belen. A bit
later, in the servants’ dining room, Andres overhears two of the maids
gossiping about Belen being fired and crying. He finds her in her civilian
clothes, packing and crying in her room. She admits she’s pregnant, and that’s
why she’s being fired, and that the father abandoned her. She hugs Andres and
cries on his shoulder, and laments why she can never fall for a good man like
him. I’m not sure if this isn’t deliberate manipulation, but it certainly does
the trick. Next thing we see is Andres telling his mom Angela that HE’S the
father of the baby, and they can’t run Belen off. Angela slaps the taste out of
his mouth and says she didn’t raise him that way. He says he thinks Belen is
about 4 months along.
In the nearby woods, a little boy runs with his small dog.
The dog finds a collapsed abandoned well, and begins to bark sharply. When the
little boy catches up and looks, he’s horrified to see the bloody corpse of a
beautiful dark-hair young woman below. He runs all the way back to town. Unseen
to us, he’s notified the police, but he then stops in the cantina to tell
Genaro and Minerva that Ximena is dead! Minerva has the decency to look
affected to hear that one of her working girls is dead. Genaro is all smiles.
He puts on his hat, and tells Minerva that Ximena is worth three times more
dead than she was alive. He leaves Minerva in charge of handling the police,
then goes out…And goes to visit Felipe at the hotel. He wants Felipe to get
Julio to fight for him. Otherwise, he’ll have to tell the police that Felipe
was the last person with Ximena, who’s just been found stabbed to death. “Speak
to that waiter.”
That waiter, Julio, gets a visitor below stairs in his room—Isabel.
He checks to see if anyone spotted her in the hall, then locks the door. He
turns to face her and addresses her as Isabel. “Señorita Alarcón, para Usted!”
Her face is a picture of dignified fury. She steps forward, and slaps him
across the face.
Labels: hotel
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Can't thank you enough Vivi.
"Isabel rushes to get Dr. Santamaria in Room 36" How in the world do you catch so much detail? My head was still at the bottom of the stairs.
I don't feel sorry for deliberate fools like Andres.
At least Julio Montiel Collado is no more
I thought there may have been something between Diego and Christina, the extent of which still unknown. Whatever it was her roommate Belen thought so and perhaps more of the staff. Did she reject Diego? Was she pregnant?
"Isabel rushes to get Dr. Santamaria in Room 36" How in the world do you catch so much detail? My head was still at the bottom of the stairs.
I don't feel sorry for deliberate fools like Andres.
At least Julio Montiel Collado is no more
I thought there may have been something between Diego and Christina, the extent of which still unknown. Whatever it was her roommate Belen thought so and perhaps more of the staff. Did she reject Diego? Was she pregnant?
Argh, I couldn't make it through the episode last night. After 5 conference calls and two reviews for people, I was toast last night. Reading your fantastic recap Vivi I feel all caught up and honestly, maybe glad I didn't have to see the horror of poor Sonia that manipulate witch of a mother of hers.
HAVE to tune in tonight to see how the rest of the Julio/Isa confrontation goes.
Reading how the story played out, I'm wondering if there was also a parallel tofie on the blood and sorrow of what happened with Sonia, and the blood stained clothes of Cristina's, and then put that together with Belen's pregnancy. Seems to be purposeful to me.
Daisynjay
HAVE to tune in tonight to see how the rest of the Julio/Isa confrontation goes.
Reading how the story played out, I'm wondering if there was also a parallel tofie on the blood and sorrow of what happened with Sonia, and the blood stained clothes of Cristina's, and then put that together with Belen's pregnancy. Seems to be purposeful to me.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by 
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6:39:00 AM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6:39:00 AM EST
Wow Vivi you are so talented I could choose to read your review over watching the novela.....except that I love the time period solo much and the set and costumes transport me to a time I sense to know so well.. A tus pies.. Lol
Permalink posted by : Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6:45:00 AM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6:45:00 AM EST
Thanks for the great early comments! This was an action packed episode.
Didn't dead Ximena look so much like Cristina? I was sure it was her at first and I think that was done on purpose.
I'm not sure if Belen is the most accurate witness about Cris. I can't see Diego promoting someone just for having sex with him. Now, blackmailing him over something serious...that I do see.
Tofie- I watch without captions of any kind, so I have to only rely on my ears. Since there's no full character list anywhere, I'm going by what I think I hear. If you guys ever spot a name I got wrong, just let me know.
Didn't dead Ximena look so much like Cristina? I was sure it was her at first and I think that was done on purpose.
I'm not sure if Belen is the most accurate witness about Cris. I can't see Diego promoting someone just for having sex with him. Now, blackmailing him over something serious...that I do see.
Tofie- I watch without captions of any kind, so I have to only rely on my ears. Since there's no full character list anywhere, I'm going by what I think I hear. If you guys ever spot a name I got wrong, just let me know.
vivi...I have not read one of your excellent recaps in awhile. Thank you for all the details. I am watching the episode right now. Love the setting and the clothing. I want Isa's beautiful nightgown.
Yikes, I am eating breakfast , and the blood is making me a little queasy.
Yeah, Diego and Belen, it's all fun and ganes and spanking and biting and slapping until someone loses an eye...or gets pregnant.
The bald Butler looks and sounds familiar , but I think the lack of hair is throwing me off.
Well, off to teach five-paragraph essay form.
Yikes, I am eating breakfast , and the blood is making me a little queasy.
Yeah, Diego and Belen, it's all fun and ganes and spanking and biting and slapping until someone loses an eye...or gets pregnant.
The bald Butler looks and sounds familiar , but I think the lack of hair is throwing me off.
Well, off to teach five-paragraph essay form.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7:57:00 AM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 7:57:00 AM EST
Vivi, I just watched this. Loved your recap. Especially "Angela slaps the taste out of his mouth." Thanks! I never heard that one before! am enjoying Diana Bracho. I had only seen her in "Cuna de Los Lobos". I am glad that Julio found out early on the fate of his sister. Quite the slap fest! Too bad Julio could not keep his double identity longer.
Heh, well, actually Julio was maintaining a triple-identity, so now he's just down to two: his own name, and the name he's using as an employee at the hotel. He'd better level with Isabel about that one, though.
Thanks, Vivi. This story is certainly moving along. "I’m not sure if this isn’t deliberate manipulation" I'm pretty sure it was. But I can't blame Belen for trying. And even if it's a manipulation, that doesn't make it a lie. Like Cat said on Gotham: "The best liars always tell the truth." "Why can't I fall in love with someone like you" combines shameless flattery with a pretty clear statement that she won't be falling in love with him. (As irresistible as he is, she obviously prefers jerks.)
I'm now upgrading my baby sale prediction with an attempted baby theft. Teresa will plot with the midwife to steal Belen's baby, letting Belen think her own child died. But something will happen to Belen's baby too (born with horns and cloven hoofs, perhaps), and some resourceful person will have to cough up some cash for a quick substitute - Violeta's baby.
That almost seems too obvious, though, so perhaps it will be something more convoluted.
I'm now upgrading my baby sale prediction with an attempted baby theft. Teresa will plot with the midwife to steal Belen's baby, letting Belen think her own child died. But something will happen to Belen's baby too (born with horns and cloven hoofs, perhaps), and some resourceful person will have to cough up some cash for a quick substitute - Violeta's baby.
That almost seems too obvious, though, so perhaps it will be something more convoluted.
Great work, Vivi.
I would think that Felipe owed Julio for bailing him out of the cantina de mala muerte.
Susanlynn, Don Benjamin is portrayed by Luis Couturier who was also in PEAM, Amor Bravio, Ramona, El Color de la Pasion, and a bunch of other series. In all of these he has a full head of hair and variable facial hair.
I'm wondering whether Diego is a serial killer.
How is Julio going to be able to fight without getting visibly hurt? It will be very difficult for him to avoid being hit in the face.
More later.
I would think that Felipe owed Julio for bailing him out of the cantina de mala muerte.
Susanlynn, Don Benjamin is portrayed by Luis Couturier who was also in PEAM, Amor Bravio, Ramona, El Color de la Pasion, and a bunch of other series. In all of these he has a full head of hair and variable facial hair.
I'm wondering whether Diego is a serial killer.
How is Julio going to be able to fight without getting visibly hurt? It will be very difficult for him to avoid being hit in the face.
More later.
A very good read, Vivi! "...he becomes even more condescending and closes the door on her so that he can continue to butcher poor Sofia." Now that was a veritable statement and a half. It gave me pause, as they say.
I certainly loved the way Dona Teresa manipulated the situation with the doctor to keep him quiet not to mention the way she tied Sophia into knots emotionally and preyed on her weakness, not to mention the cruelty of waking her physically debilitated daughter up against all good common sense and decency. Selfish and scheming doesn't quite say it all about this woman, does it?
I certainly loved the way Dona Teresa manipulated the situation with the doctor to keep him quiet not to mention the way she tied Sophia into knots emotionally and preyed on her weakness, not to mention the cruelty of waking her physically debilitated daughter up against all good common sense and decency. Selfish and scheming doesn't quite say it all about this woman, does it?
I still can't imagine Diego getting his hands dirty... but somebody killed Jimena, and Diego certainly had the opportunity. If it really was Diego, "serial killer" seems like the only plausible motive.
The cantina owner has a much clearer motive, and he's extremely vile, so I'd put him at the top of my list of suspects.
We should also entertain the possibility that Jimena's killer was a woman. Possibly ridiculous, but maybe one of the hotel guests or maids has a crush on Felipe and is a little squirrelly.
I enjoy the little squabbles between Lupe and Angela. Their disagreements are so petty, it just has to be love. :-)
I did eventually recongize Daniela Romo from Alborada. I didn't think I could remember her face, but I saw it from a certain angle in a certain light and then I remembered. This is quite a different role for her!
The cantina owner has a much clearer motive, and he's extremely vile, so I'd put him at the top of my list of suspects.
We should also entertain the possibility that Jimena's killer was a woman. Possibly ridiculous, but maybe one of the hotel guests or maids has a crush on Felipe and is a little squirrelly.
I enjoy the little squabbles between Lupe and Angela. Their disagreements are so petty, it just has to be love. :-)
I did eventually recongize Daniela Romo from Alborada. I didn't think I could remember her face, but I saw it from a certain angle in a certain light and then I remembered. This is quite a different role for her!
I have another suspect for Cristina and/or Jimena; who has access to, and is handy with, lots and lots of knives? Someone from the kitchen staff.
Okay. I'll get back to work now. I'm not totally obsessed with this TN. Really.
Okay. I'll get back to work now. I'm not totally obsessed with this TN. Really.
I'm itching to know production details. Where is the building that serves as the hotel? Is it actually restored to the correct 1908 specifications? Will they keep this for a future series?
Great cinematography and use of music, too.
Great cinematography and use of music, too.
Tks Vivi
Genaro is none other than Pedro from La vecina, Luis Gatica.
Julie, good prediction, substitute baby, true TN story line. Plenty of pregnant girls to go around.
Genaro is none other than Pedro from La vecina, Luis Gatica.
Julie, good prediction, substitute baby, true TN story line. Plenty of pregnant girls to go around.
Urban at 11:07: I too am interested in production details. I offer a minority opinion. While that hotel may exist somewhere in the world, perhaps in Mexico, in terms of actual production details if you look closely all shots of the exterior of the hotel seem to be photo-shopped. The exterior shots of the actual building look sort of flat and lack depth. The stairs up to the hotel and gardens are real but not the hotel as seen. (The original version in Spain did the same thing with shots of the facade of the hotel; if you look closely it's a backdrop.) Of course I love to be wrong. (One could argue that there are shots of persons inside the hotel at the window at night with a light showing a shadow but that's easily brought off with photography.)
The interiors are I think set designs and the kitchen is certainly made to 1908 specifications I think. It looked like the stove was lit from the bottom by gas jets. Home version of that stove were usually coal fired.
The interiors are I think set designs and the kitchen is certainly made to 1908 specifications I think. It looked like the stove was lit from the bottom by gas jets. Home version of that stove were usually coal fired.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 11:44:00 AM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 11:44:00 AM EST
Ah, so do you all think Cristina's disappearance (and likely death) is linked to Ximena's murder? All I know is that Belen better watch her back.
I can't guess if Cristina's and Ximena's fates are linked, but if they are, then UA is probably right about the serial killer (or almost-killer). Whether it's Diego or someone else. I mean, we don't know exactly what kind of dirt Cristina had on Teresa (and maybe Diego too), but we know that she had enemies. (I wouldn't rule out Belen just yet!) It's not as easy to think of a motive for the same person, whoever it was, to kill Ximena.
Unless Ximena was mistaken for Cristina in the dark.
If they're not linked, then we've got two different killers running around this place. This doesn't really seem like that kind of telenovela, though.
Do we know how long ago Isabel's father died? (That may have been one of those things that I missed in the first episode.) Was it, say, a month ago, around the same time Cris disappeared? I'm wondering if there's any chance he was murdered too - something that looked like an accident or natural causes.
Unless Ximena was mistaken for Cristina in the dark.
If they're not linked, then we've got two different killers running around this place. This doesn't really seem like that kind of telenovela, though.
Do we know how long ago Isabel's father died? (That may have been one of those things that I missed in the first episode.) Was it, say, a month ago, around the same time Cris disappeared? I'm wondering if there's any chance he was murdered too - something that looked like an accident or natural causes.
I don't recall anything about the timing of Romulo's death, but I'm guessing it's within the last six months or so. No cause identified yet. I'm not ruling out the possibility of Teresa being a Black Widow with a secret stash of arsenic. The doctor she is currently blackmailing could be an accomplice.
It's almost as if Diego is too obvious as the culprit. These type mysteries seem to always embrace someone not so obvious, that Agatha Christie type twist. If that turns out to be the case, we would have to watch for those characters not necessarily played as the definite good guys, maybe a side character, someone who increasingly seems to whittle themselves into the plot lines of the characters killed.
I would bank on the idea that Papa's death is part of the big picture.
Daisynjay
I would bank on the idea that Papa's death is part of the big picture.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by : Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 1:22:00 PM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 1:22:00 PM EST
As to the interior settings, the staircase looks just like the one in Amor Real.
Permalink posted by : Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 1:32:00 PM EST
: Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 1:32:00 PM EST
If Papa's death had been anytime within the past few months, Isabel and family would still be wearing mourning colors, no? Or was that an England-only tradition?
The interiors definitely look like sets. They're nicely done, but don't look entirely real. Partly because they just have a Televisa stock pieces, reconfigured, look to some of the elements. Ditto to some of the exterior views. They have gone to some pains for period details, like the old style light bulbs and switches, since electric lighting as a new thing is part of the story and setting. I wonder how they did the train. Was that a real train?
The plot seems to be moving pretty fast. Poor Sofia. I'm not sure I'd want to keep that petulant husband, but then it was a different time with different prospects for women, and so far she seems pretty spineless herself. The two of them would probably be far better off and much happier if they sought their destiny elsewhere. Her mother is so toxic.
Teresa seems to pride herself on her shrewdness, which makes it all the more laughable that she can't see how Diego is using her. Did she even ask how he had the money to help the business?
The plot seems to be moving pretty fast. Poor Sofia. I'm not sure I'd want to keep that petulant husband, but then it was a different time with different prospects for women, and so far she seems pretty spineless herself. The two of them would probably be far better off and much happier if they sought their destiny elsewhere. Her mother is so toxic.
Teresa seems to pride herself on her shrewdness, which makes it all the more laughable that she can't see how Diego is using her. Did she even ask how he had the money to help the business?
I don't know what the mourning period was, but you're probably right, Rain. Though to be fair, Teresa's idea of widow's weeds is probably a party hat and sequins.
I don't know about the actual train, but the train station was very definitely a set. Especially the platforms. A very surreal, dreamlike appearance.
Hey, Vivi--Add this one to your long list of literary masterpieces. With all the activity going on pushing this story on as fast as those locomotives...Kudos on keeping all those folks straight. If I heard, it didn't register that Bad Gramma and Pregnant Teenage Daughter even had names.
I thought I recognized the outside of the hotel as the clinic in MEPS where Lili (Dominika Paleta) spent a lot of time drugged up. The main staircase from the garden is the same and so are the sloping walkways leading off to the side. The outside does seem to change a bit when they look up from the balcony below, or from a close up of the stairs going up to the door. I think they use different locations for different scenes.
I thought I recognized the outside of the hotel as the clinic in MEPS where Lili (Dominika Paleta) spent a lot of time drugged up. The main staircase from the garden is the same and so are the sloping walkways leading off to the side. The outside does seem to change a bit when they look up from the balcony below, or from a close up of the stairs going up to the door. I think they use different locations for different scenes.
It seems to me that electrifying the hotel was Romulo's project and Dona T. was kvetching that it was one of the costs that ran them into the red (supposedly).
I don't think he's been dead very long or Mama would have called Isabel back to the nest long before this. Mourning periods are set lengths, but some widows ditch them early or choose to remain in black the rest of their lives (with the addition of party hat and sequins). Perhaps Dona T. felt that it would be too morbid to be at the head of an important resort hotel to be seen in black all the time.
Wearing black was still serious business for widows and daughters in Spanish-speaking countries (and Italy, too) at least 50 years ago. I don't know what progressive countries are doing these days.
I don't think he's been dead very long or Mama would have called Isabel back to the nest long before this. Mourning periods are set lengths, but some widows ditch them early or choose to remain in black the rest of their lives (with the addition of party hat and sequins). Perhaps Dona T. felt that it would be too morbid to be at the head of an important resort hotel to be seen in black all the time.
Wearing black was still serious business for widows and daughters in Spanish-speaking countries (and Italy, too) at least 50 years ago. I don't know what progressive countries are doing these days.
I think Papa must have been dead at least a few months. Isabel wasn't making the trip home as though in recent mourning, having just found out he had died. When she arrived, she didn't greet her family with condolences or seeking comfort. They all seemed used to the situation. I would guess that she had previously traveled home for the funeral and then gone back to school and some time had passed, maybe as much as a year already, given that everyone seemed excited to have her back like she'd been away awhile. It probably took some time for mourning (or making a show of pretending to mourn, more likely in the case of Teresa and Diego) and then her getting a handle on the accounts and some time to seek a solution and settle on Diego as the highest price she could get for her daughter.
I don't think Teresa would want to announce an engagement TOO soon after her husband's death, only because of appearances.
I don't think Teresa would want to announce an engagement TOO soon after her husband's death, only because of appearances.
Julia, that's what I kind of assumed was happening too. It would take time and energy to go over the books, realize they were in trouble, and summon Isabel home to solve it.
This site says a few interesting things on the subject.
I'd like to think that this example is extreme.
I'd like to think that this example is extreme.
All good points, Julia et al... it had to have been a lot more than a month ago, then. Come to think of it, if Cris knew that Teresa had Diego kill (or arrange for the killing of) her husband, that pretty much explains everything that's happened so far - even Ximena's death, since X looks so much like Cristina.
That's much too easy, though, isn't it?
I'm just as curious as to who put Cris's bloodstained uniform in Diego's room. I think someone suggested Andres late yesterday. But then it would be very odd for him to continue to hold his silence after the uniform wound up in Julio's hands, wouldn't it?
I also wondered if it could be Cristina herself, if she survived and has been lurking around the hotel unseen, waiting for a chance to make her move (whatever that might be). She might not realize her brother is there yet. But such a scenario seems much too farfetched, even for a TN, doesn't it?
Finally, I am curious about Lupe's son, the quiet fellow who doesn't enjoy cutting onions. They always say that you have to watch out for the quiet ones! They see and hear everything without anyone noticing.
That's much too easy, though, isn't it?
I'm just as curious as to who put Cris's bloodstained uniform in Diego's room. I think someone suggested Andres late yesterday. But then it would be very odd for him to continue to hold his silence after the uniform wound up in Julio's hands, wouldn't it?
I also wondered if it could be Cristina herself, if she survived and has been lurking around the hotel unseen, waiting for a chance to make her move (whatever that might be). She might not realize her brother is there yet. But such a scenario seems much too farfetched, even for a TN, doesn't it?
Finally, I am curious about Lupe's son, the quiet fellow who doesn't enjoy cutting onions. They always say that you have to watch out for the quiet ones! They see and hear everything without anyone noticing.
Ooh! Julie! I love the idea of Cristina lurking around, driving Diego crazy and planting her bloody uniform. I don't think it's too far-fetched at all.
Thank you, Vivi, with your attention to detail I can half watch this while doing chores around the house and still be up to date with everything.
Daisy, you took the words out of my mouth - Diego looks too guilty right now, so it can't be him, right?
Maybe Ximena and Cristina's fates are not connected and this is Just a red herring - who Knows?
It is getting quite intriguing and since the original was so well received I'm almost sure we will go through several theories until the end.
I, too, believe that Romulo died in the last year or so. I think traditional mourning lasts a year and none of the characters are wearing black anymore. Plus they would have to wait a socially acceptable amount of time before announcing an engagement.
EE does nothing for me as a galan, but I think he was well cast. He lost some weight, enough that he can play a starved nobody rather well.And he looks nice with "Isabel ", too.
Daisy, you took the words out of my mouth - Diego looks too guilty right now, so it can't be him, right?
Maybe Ximena and Cristina's fates are not connected and this is Just a red herring - who Knows?
It is getting quite intriguing and since the original was so well received I'm almost sure we will go through several theories until the end.
I, too, believe that Romulo died in the last year or so. I think traditional mourning lasts a year and none of the characters are wearing black anymore. Plus they would have to wait a socially acceptable amount of time before announcing an engagement.
EE does nothing for me as a galan, but I think he was well cast. He lost some weight, enough that he can play a starved nobody rather well.And he looks nice with "Isabel ", too.
In her letter(s) to Diego, Cristina seemed very familiar with the hotel's operations - far beyond the scope of what a typical chambermaid would need to know. (How many flowers delivered each day, how much milk, etc.) She sounded like she knew the property well, too, and was very proud and excited to be part of the staff of such a grand place. So maybe she could pull off a campaign of horror against Diego.
She could also have friends in the village nearby to help her stay out of sight while her wounds healed. Hmm, I'm warming up to this idea. I haven't seen a good haunting in a while - I think the last was in PESE. The question is, can a live person haunt as effectively as a dead one? I'd like to see that!
She could also have friends in the village nearby to help her stay out of sight while her wounds healed. Hmm, I'm warming up to this idea. I haven't seen a good haunting in a while - I think the last was in PESE. The question is, can a live person haunt as effectively as a dead one? I'd like to see that!
EE definitely has made the most sacrifices of the main cast to play this part. I saw one of the interviews with him, and in addition to the 20+ pounds he lost, he also had to work hard with a trainer to be a convincing boxer, AND he has to maintain a strict, low-calorie diet during the whole run of the series to maintain Julio's wiry frame.
EE looks a lot different without the facial hair he had in PEAM. (That can probably account for an entire pound of weight loss right there, LOL.) I thought he looked really good (and young) in the first episode when he was wearing the hat. Somehow it flattered the shape of his head. Oddly enough, though, I don't think he looks as good without the hat! Maybe he just needs a different haircut. I thought he actually looked older in a couple of the scenes last night.
He's no Thor, but he's a handsome enough man. Alas, I keep noticing his adam's apple. I don't feel very strongly about that one way or another, but it would be better for him if his most striking feature were something more popular, like dimples.
He's no Thor, but he's a handsome enough man. Alas, I keep noticing his adam's apple. I don't feel very strongly about that one way or another, but it would be better for him if his most striking feature were something more popular, like dimples.
Julie- Well, Cristina had become a floor manager, so it's not totally surprising that she had made an effort to learn all the ins and outs of the hotel. But yes, that would certainly make it easier for her to sneak in and out and make mischief.
About poor Ximena (the dead whore)... Wish we had been there when Felipe arrived home to keep an eye on things. Felipe felipped and the spotlight was on him while Ximena was hustled out. I can't remember who pushed her out or took her out of the room, but there was a great deal of commotion. Where was Diego?
I guess we'll find out why Ximi was offed sooner or later, but it could have been something as simple as an accident with the last person she was with, he or she freaked out and dragged her to the old well in the woods. Well the boy called it a pozo, but it didn't look like a well. A real well would have kept her hidden for a long time.
Also, why wouldn't Genaro or Minerva have wondered about her absence before the boy came in and announced it.
I guess we'll find out why Ximi was offed sooner or later, but it could have been something as simple as an accident with the last person she was with, he or she freaked out and dragged her to the old well in the woods. Well the boy called it a pozo, but it didn't look like a well. A real well would have kept her hidden for a long time.
Also, why wouldn't Genaro or Minerva have wondered about her absence before the boy came in and announced it.
Anita- Perhaps the just thought she spent the night with her rich client? They said she was stabbed, so that doesn't sound like an accident to me.
Thank you Vivi, terrific work as always.
I wonder if Sofia will tell Isabel about losing the baby and pretending it's still alive. They seem close enough and Sofia doesn't seem like the type who could hide something like that from her.
Diego's reaction to Cristina's bloody clothing was not the reaction of someone who was surprised to see a bloody dress. He was only surprised that it appeared. So with his reaction to take it and burn it, that tells us he knows why it was bloody.
Cristina threatened Teresa with exposing the truth of something, I"m guessing it had more to do with their insolvency than anything. I don't think she had a relationship with Diego. Teresa was directly involved with whatever Cristina wanted to expose, and Teresa may have told Diego to get rid of her. He may have a direct line to a killer who gets rid of unwanted people in his life.
I wonder if Sofia will tell Isabel about losing the baby and pretending it's still alive. They seem close enough and Sofia doesn't seem like the type who could hide something like that from her.
Diego's reaction to Cristina's bloody clothing was not the reaction of someone who was surprised to see a bloody dress. He was only surprised that it appeared. So with his reaction to take it and burn it, that tells us he knows why it was bloody.
Cristina threatened Teresa with exposing the truth of something, I"m guessing it had more to do with their insolvency than anything. I don't think she had a relationship with Diego. Teresa was directly involved with whatever Cristina wanted to expose, and Teresa may have told Diego to get rid of her. He may have a direct line to a killer who gets rid of unwanted people in his life.
Vivi--I missed it and it was right there in your recap. We jumped right from the boy running in to tell Minerva and Genaro his tale to finding out he also notified the police on the way. Clever boy.
Vivi: great recap. Thanks so much.
Julie: I like your idea of Cristina gaslighting Diego.
Adriana: I agree about the leads. Neither of them is what I would call classically pretty/handsome, but they are attractive and do look good together.
Vario: They do seem to repeat the first week's eps during the day. I've noticed that in other TNs.
I'm enjoying this one. The first ep was a little slow for me, but the last two have been fast paced. I love the cinematography, story, acting--and especially Isa's costumes.
Nanette
Julie: I like your idea of Cristina gaslighting Diego.
Adriana: I agree about the leads. Neither of them is what I would call classically pretty/handsome, but they are attractive and do look good together.
Vario: They do seem to repeat the first week's eps during the day. I've noticed that in other TNs.
I'm enjoying this one. The first ep was a little slow for me, but the last two have been fast paced. I love the cinematography, story, acting--and especially Isa's costumes.
Nanette
cathyx--It's very plausible. Does that also tell us Diego asked someone to get rid of the clothing and he/she didn't? It doesn't seem Andres would have, but Belen, possibly.
Here is my theory I wrote about yesterday. There has to be a reason that Cristina's dress has surfaced now. She's been missing for a month, I think, so why did her dress appear right now? I said that it could be because Julio is here now and talking to Andres about her missing and therefore Andres put it there, or it could be Alfredo because Diego is getting the job he wants and he's mad about that and wants to mess with Diego. I don't think it's Andres though. And it could be a coincidence that it surfaced now that Julio is here.
Anita, Belen wasn't fired and hadn't talked to Diego at the point that the dress had yet appeared.
Anita, Belen wasn't fired and hadn't talked to Diego at the point that the dress had yet appeared.
My thought at first, it was Belen but now I don't think so. She is a conniving little tart & I think she would have blackmailed Diego & he couldn't have had her fired. Belen has very interesting looks.
Maybe someone who taped it could ck to see who was missing from the big lighting event. I'm sure Teresa had sth to do with the disappearance, after all it's Diana Bracho.
Maybe someone who taped it could ck to see who was missing from the big lighting event. I'm sure Teresa had sth to do with the disappearance, after all it's Diana Bracho.
I knew the uniform appeared right after Diego left Belen and returned to find it. She had not been dismissed at that point.
I think Diana Bracho is one of the royalty of novela toxic mothers. She was in Cuna de Lobos as a victim whom I think later got revenge and she once played one of the daughters of Bernarda Alba. I could see her as Bernarda now.
Diana Bracho was evil in FELS. She and Guillermo Garcia Cantu were the only thing that made the novela tolerable.
I wouldn't say that, but I'd say that she was at the top of her game as the evil mother. She must have been reading La Casa de Bernarda Alba before production began.
Now that I'm almost old enough that's a role I'd love to play if I'd had the guts to have the career I wanted.
Now that I'm almost old enough that's a role I'd love to play if I'd had the guts to have the career I wanted.
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