Caray, Caray!

Wow, what an episode. A lot going on. Sorry if it's too long.
 

Excellent, Mauricio!

Running out the door, so quick comments for now.

Love that Franco knows the truth now. Even if he pretends to go along with Eladio, I'm sure he'll still be plotting his revenge.

I guess Gina had assumed David and Dani only swapped spit and not other bodily fluids in Cancun. Now there isn't enough brain bleach to erase the images Dani put in her head. At least she ended things with David on good terms. But Art and Eladio could barely contain their glee. They've been chomping at the bit for those two to break up so they can go back to open warfare. Kids' happiness be damned.

I thought that scene where Art kicks all the kids out of the nest was hilarious. The looks on Dani and Erick's faces. And Erick has a penthouse Art bought him to go to. Oh, the horror! The struggle!


 

Mauricio, PLEASE don't apologize- this is perfect. There WAS so much going on, and you've covered everything perfectly!

I don't know how I feel about this one. I think I may be screwed up...

I can't stand Artie. In fact... I like Eladio better than I do Artie (not that I'm giving him a pass for the whole 'rapey, rapey' thing...). But Artie is just reprehensible to me.

I like Nina MUCH better than Julia. Julia and her long-suffering hypocrisy bugs the hell out of me. I find Nina both a much more interesting character, and I'm incredibly sympathetic to her.

I like Regina and David (okay, that's normal)

I want something violent to happen to Daniela (I think this may also be normal).

Gabriela and Consuelo bore me. I like Gabriela more but I wish Consuelo were more interesting. Whenever she comes on the screen I roll my eyes.

Am somewhat disappointed that they've dispatched Gisela. I got a kick out of her and was hoping she'd figure more prominently in the story (read: 'do more damage' or 'stir things up more')

Am hoping Caridad makes it to the end of the story. Don't know why she'd want anything to do with Franco (he also annoys me).

Is Miguel supposed to be sympathetic? He's not. He's creepy. #GoAwayMiguel.

Also roll my eyes whenever cookie-cutter-henchman Callao comes onto the screen. Haven't we evolved beyond such two-dimensional stock characters? I'm surprised he doesn't wear an eyepatch and be named 'Tuerto' (or 'Alacran', although I guess 'Alacran' wouldn't be good in the world of business... still, same basic character).

I raise my eyebrows at the therapy scenes. These are new, at least (did the original feature therapy? I forget.... I can't really see Enrique Rocha on a couch, though...).

I'm just amazed at how much I want both Artie and Julia to go into a hole somewhere. But not together. I just really DON'T like them, and even when I say these characters 'annoy' me, it's not like 'love to hate', kind of thing... they just really, physically ANNOY me. Like, I want them off my tv screen!

Am I normal here?
 

Vivi- love "brain bleach"! Classic! :-)
 

Thanks, Mauricio. Terrific recap of this jam-packed, multi-episode. Fanny obviously hasn't seen the tattoo. Just saying. - ha!

I found the scene between Caridad and Franco very moving, and Franco's confrontation with Eladio too. Kudos to the actors. Hopefully, Caridad will be able to bond with Franco and de-Eladio him.

Funny moment: Franco pleading with Eladio not to have to go out with party girl Daniela again. Dani, you're hot but you also have this Dennis the Menace thing that drives people away.

David was straight up with Regina about Daniela early on. Regina should’ve known her little sister would go there just to get a rise out of her. Surprised to see Regina so unprepared for it.

I saw a show once where a drunk thought dead was actually in a coma or something. I'm hoping the same thing for Gisela. Even though she's a pain, I get a kick out of her.
 

Hola Mauricio...taking a break from extensive birthday dinner cooking to just SIT DOWN and read a recap and relax. (And where's the red wine while I'm at it? Thanks for all your hard work and wow, what a rip snorter of an episode this was.

You had me laughing with "mouth to mouth resuscitation" and your PG variation on "out out damn spot". Also loved "Fanny obviously hasn't seen the tattoo. Just saying."

Not sure that would put Fanny off. She looks a little hungry to me. I suspect she might happily take Eladio on in a consolation move.

Oh boy, I am such a sucker for a sob story (and Fernando Colunga)that I'm rooting for him to win annoying Julia, if that's who he wants.

(He had me in the palm of his hand during that therapy session. I know, I know, I'm "easy", but damn, that was a good sob story.) But if he changes his mind and wants the bumptious, hot-blooded Nina, well...go for it lad!I'll be your cheering section.

Gobsmacked that Caridad revealed the whole story to Franco within seconds of realizing who he is. Guess Eladio's threats didn't intimidate her at all. She must have a lot of Gisela's grit.

Arturo continues to leave me cold (sorry UA) and Stevey, I'm pretty much with you. But that doesn't mean you're normal!

Thanks Mauricio...enjoyed the recap and enjoyed the break!
 

Gracias, Mauricio. These triple episodes are exhausting.


Callao made a colossal mistake; he should have left Gisela dead in that place rather than dispose of the body. He should have called Eladio on the spot and Eladio would have told him to just leave her there and come back. Nothing else would have needed to be said after that. A heart attack after years of heavy drinking would not have been questioned. Now she is officially a Missing Person and her body will turn up eventually.

Eladio and the shrink... I'm still not buying it. We never know when he's telling the truth. I can believe that his father was abusive because Eladio is repeating behavior learned from him, but Eladio is much too selfish to love anyone in any real way. I wonder when he found out that Julia had previously been abused by Humberto. I also wonder whether he would have been interested in her in the first place if she had not been originally engaged to Arturo and Eladio's real obsession is just getting the best of Arturo in whatever and however many ways he can.

The fact that Arturo is not an abuser is the real reason Humberto objected to him (We have previously heard that Arturo is actually wealthier) and not that he had an incident of infidelity, which Humberto wouldn't give a damn about. This suggests that Arturo knew about Humberto's treatment of Julia, something the writers should have told us.

Boinking a pair of half-brothers would only amuse Daniela. We know Franco is a bad boy but he's cute and she likes living dangerously. He's at least smart enough to know she's bad news so he may not go for the hat trick (or birdie). He's got bigger fish to fry for the moment. Anyone else notice that he poured out most of his last shot behind her back?

Nina chooses to believe Daniela's version of the triangle of her, Regina, and David because Nina will always favor her mini-me. She can say she loves Regina, but she doesn't. And neither does Erick.

If Caridad killed her husband to defend and protect Franco; she should not have gone to prison. Eladio must have bought somebody off to make that happen so he could take him.

So Arturo's father saw Nina for what she is and insisted on a pre-nup! Smart man. If the marriage ends before the silver anniversary Nina gets nada. Makes me wonder if she watches Mujeres Asesinas or if ID's Deadly Women is visible in Mexico.

Miguel flew the coop and Arturo is ready for the others to, also. I think he's trying to get them on their own because he is anticipating a very ugly divorce. While it might still not be statistically abnormal for employed unmarried young adults to still live with their parents I still don't think it's healthy.

Arturo is too young to be King Lear, which this scenario seems to be leading up to. If 25% of the company is in Nina's name, what are the other shares? Has Arturo kept 30% in his own name to protect his personal interests? As it is his two nasty children have already betrayed him and now his Cordelia (Regina) is hurting because of her sadistic sister. Miguel has ghosted out for the moment and may have to save the day later.
 

Mauricio, thanks for all your detail, you mastered all the ironic scenes. I particularly enjoyed, "In an awkward scene, Julia crawls on the bed and seductively wishes Eladio a good night." What in the world was that? Also, Julia and Art, why have your clandestine meeting to discuss nada in a high profile (TMZ worthy) restaurant? I don't understand Julia. Thanks Mauricio, loved the recap.

Stevey and JudyB, I'm with you on our main couples and I raise the ante, I'm thrilled that Regina and David have broken up and that David exploded on Artie and Regina. I couldn't really understand all he was saying, but I was happy he was saying it with such animation. Like mother, like daughter Regina doesn't deserve a fantastic guy like David! And further, Arturo is SANCTIMONIOUS, and I hate that quality. Ok, after having gotten all that off my chest, I feel better.




 

Mauricio. Thanks for an excellent and detailed recap of that epic tale!

Is it possible that Eladio might be redeemed? Now, we can feel sorry for him because of his badsad chldhood. This is reminding me so much of Amor Real in which we had a very flawed galan who also raped his new wife on their noche de boda after discovering that she had planned to run away with her beau. She and said beau also met secretly . Like Eladio, Manuel manhandled Matilde when he thought that the baby she was carrying belonged to the beau. He threw her out of the hacienda , went on a drunken bender, and finally succumbed to the skanky housekeeper. And , guess what, he was redeemed in the end. The way Art's part has been written does not make me want to cheer for him and Julia as onetrueloves.

Julia seems to be sending out mixed signals to Eladio...and to us. I am not a fan of her goody two shoes personna.

Most of these characters have made their own problems. That's why people send their kids off for the day with the words "Make good decisions." Most of this group didn't. And most of them have no concept of risk management and cutting their losses.

I am with Regina in having that nasty visual of Dani and David doing the bunnyhop firmly planted in the brain. Yuk.

Watching Franco and Dani smarm all over each other made me feel a little gritty. What a matchup. Both pretty and lacking any kind of moral compass .

I like Caridad...finally someone to actually like in this bog of deceit and despair. I feel sorry for the hand that she was dealt.

Well, now we know that NIni has a badsad past like Eladio. They both hitched their wagons to stars.

OT..Does anyone watch Black Sails? Starz is rerunning episodes , and I have watched a couple without any idea of what's happening or who's who. Is it worth watching?
 

Sandy in TN- I know, RIGHT??? I just don't see much of anything in regards to positive qualities in Arturo. Whereas Eladio at least TRIES with Julia (even though, I admit, he's got a lot to make up for), Arturo is openly verbally and emotionally abusive to Nina. He treat's her like s**t!!

Some of the things both Arturo and Julia have in common-
1) they're both sanctimonious and holier-than-thou
2) they're both snobs
3) they're both INCREDIBLY selfish, thinking primarily of themselves and their own thwarted loins
4) they're both hypocrites

HELLO!!! You're BOTH still married TO OTHER PEOPLE!! And, in BOTH cases those other people are REALLY TRYING THEIR BEST to salvage their marriages! Julia is just paying lip service to Eladio's efforts, and Artie isn't even trying with Nina (the only time he was was when he wanted sex from her...)

(Okay, like you, Sandy in TN... having gotten that off my chest, I feel better too! (lol))
 

Niecie..ha..Dani the Menace .perfecto!!! Love this anaology.a
 

Long day of running around and now relaxing with your great recap Mauricio. This was wonderful!!!

Seems this TN is taking a turn. The truths are spilling faster than poured water and pretty much everything is spilling out into the open. I love your King Lear reference UA - sort of like the idea of Art telling the kids to take a hike and get independent. Unusual with most rich kids in TN's-- they always seem to go the DALLAS route with everyone under the same roof. Having the characters on their own opens a whole lot more plot and scene potential.

So are they trying to make excuses for Eladio and soften him up? Sort of defeats the whole bad guy vs. good guy we were set up with. Leaves me confused how this progresses if getting nasty with Artie would defeat anything good he's trying with Julia. Only thing I can think of is Franco becomes the loose cannon to take them BOTH down? Or it becomes a David vs. Franco fight.

Can't stand Daniela and what she winds up doing for a job should be interesting. She's use to the big bucks, cleaning house didn't teach her anything or humble her up. No spoiler...no clue on this TN, but boy, I could see her heading into high pay call girl or prostitution territory.

Julia is starting to bore me and honestly, I don't care anymore who she winds up with. As for Nina, that whole one year until she can get divorced was telling for future plot points. Wonder if we hang in for the year or we get a fast forward to get closer to that time frame.

I get Gina has a brain worm now regarding David, but he was at least up front with her. Being naïve is her only issue on why it NOW affects her so badly. She'll get over it is my guess before the show ends. Do we think either her or David will hook up temporarily with someone else?

Daisynjay
 

Regina probably had to endure having Nina take her toys away from her when Daniela wanted them. She has endured her mother's preference for Daniela ever since the differences between them became evident which would have been when she was too young to even speculate why. Daniela has resented Regina for being their father's favorite and I guess in combination with her being exactly like their mother she is retaliating by taking away the men who pursue Regina. She will never have David's heart but she can certainly poison the relationship.

It must have been several weeks ago but Daniela made a nasty remark about how Regina looked when she had acne at 15. She accuses Regina of envying her but she is the one who envies Regina's place in Arturo's heart and has turned this into a zero-sum game.
 

Sandy- I don't think Gina was being mean to David or even accusing him. She was even trying to tell Art it wasn't David's fault. She gave it a try, but she just can't get the image of her boyfriend and her sister having sex out of her head. I can't blame her. She was honest with him about why she was breaking up with him. It wouldn't have been fair to keep him hanging on, when she's the one with the (understandable) problem.
 

Thank you everyone so much for reading and joining in on the discussion. I'm glad that you enjoyed the recap.

I can understand Regina. Now that she has that image in her mind it will be hard for her to get over it. She did expect that something like that could have happened but hearing the details about how it happened is what made her start imagining something that she did not even want to think about. David should have been more understanding and try to put himself in her shoes and how he would felt if it would have been the other way around.

The reveal about the prenup and that Daddy Montenegro didn't like Nina caught me by surprise. So she'll have to stay married to him at least for a year more if she wants to be able to take Artie for what he is worth.

Wasn't expecting for Franco to find out so soon who his parents were. Now that he knows who his dad is things are sure to get more interesting when it comes to his relationship with Eladio.

Poor Gisela. If she is indeed dead then I will miss her. I enjoyed watching her. Callao disposing of the body was a stupid move.
 

Thanks for this snappy whambam recap, Mauricio. It's so clearly written and easy to read and enjoy. This very first line sucked me in:

"Which Montenegro sister is better in bed?"

Good thing that David never had to answer that.

UA,

"So Arturo's father saw Nina for what she is and insisted on a pre-nup! Smart man."

and every bit as big a jerk as Arturo.

About Julia's self-righteousness:

When Nina was volunteering to work with the foundation in Thursday's episode(s), Julia asked her why and Nina replied that she wanted to do something for the orphans and Julia said that, "We don't call them orphans here, we call them our children."

Well la ti flippin' da!

I adore Nina's friend Fanny. She likes her friend but has no false illusions about her. This was one of my favorite scenes as Nina and Fanny were discussing Nina possibly divorcing Arturo:

Nina..."El Padre de Auturo juraba que me casaba con su hijo por interes."

Arturo's father swore that I married his son for money."

Fanny (chuckling)..."Bueno, conociendote, seguro hubo algo de eso. ¿No?"

"Well, knowing you, surely there was some of that."

Susanlynn♥,

As you might guess, I'm watching Black Sails. Very swashbuckling and very very steamy.

Carlos
 

Great scene with Eladio at therapy and finding out more about his past.

Can't wait until we find out more about Nina and her past and what was so terrible about it that she doesn't even want to remember it.
 

Vivi, in other scenes previously, Gina has been accusatory, many times she has had David squirming trying to explain that the"hookup" with her evil sister, who was after him and has been an aggressor, meant nothing. He has been very honest all along. Why should he do all the squirming? She has a right to her brain worm, but not to blame David for something that is essentially the fault of her agitating Montenegro sister. Gina was very quick to side with Erick over David in PV as well. You're right that she's honest, but David is taking the fall, he's a victim in all this as much as she is. Haven't liked Gina's Montenegro TONE!

Go Chiefs!
 

Carlos- Now, now. Even you have to admit that the tone Nina used when addressing the orphans was as is she were referring to head lice. I think Julia was objecting to the tone more than anything else. You, and I, and Julia know that Nina doesn't give a flying flip about those kids.
 

Vivi,

I don't recall lice coming up in the conversation. You are aware that Saint Julia is planning to steal Nina's husband of nearly twenty-five years, aren't you.

Another example of Arturo's fecklessness was permitting his father to coerce such an unfair and onerous prenuptial agreement onto Nina.

Evidence of Nina's commitment and love (yes UA, L. O.V. E.) for Arturo was her willingness to agree to such a thing. Good thing for Arturo that Nina isn't murderous.

Carlos
 

Or is she?

Carlos
 

That sentence should end with yet, Carlos. :)
 

OT...Carlos..I have never watched it,but I am trying to figure the plot out now that I have watched a few episodes. I've already decided to back Vane. Are you surprised? That breathy growl. P.s. Check YouTube for three great Outlander season two trailers.
 

Excellent Mauricio. Laughed at "she prefers not to get his saliva on her cheek, thankyouverymuch".

Caridad seems so sweet. I'm thinking the joy of seeing her son obliterated how nastily he rejected her. If she thinks she will enjoy any tender mother-son moments such as Julia and David enjoy, what a disappointment she is in for.

Susanlynn, I am also getting the unsettling vibe that there might be a chance the writers will redeem Eladio. At least in their eyes.

While Julia is the only one of the 4 principals I like, I am uneasy because as you noted Carlos, she did appear ready to break up a marriage. Granted, a deteriorating marriage but one of a quarter century duration nevertheless.

Is Arturo's father still alive? A 25 year pre-nup? I've never heard of such a thing. Hang in there Nina, whatever happens, you deserve your piece of the pie. Perhaps you can use part of it to buy a soul.

Diana
 

Diana...uhoh..."buy a soul." ....or a while lot of lipsticks.
 

Thank You much much much Mauricio. As usual the recap is far more entertaining than the show.

Our 'Good Guys' and our 'Bad Guys'. ? ? ?
Reading the comments lately, many of us are not exactly cheering Art and Julia on.
It is thus far not known how sincere Eladdy boy (Eldaddio)is with this new focus on being good. But what if it is real? What if these two swap places on our good/bad charts? Would that be unheard of in TN Land? I mean, Art hasn't been that bad, but if Eladio could stop cheating on his wife, stop killing people, stop bribing people, stop treating almost everyone like a junkyard dog, stop manhandling women, well, there is hope for the boy. Could he swap places with bad, mean, selfish old Arturo who half of his kids are monsters?
 

Thanks ever so much for a comprehensive and witty recap, Mauricio! I appreciate the meticulous effort you put into recounting all the details and the frenetic action of this exciting PyP triple bill! Many thanks to NovelaMaven as well for Thursday's recap, which was chock-full of astute observations and funny asides; a delightful read indeed! :)

It's 04:35 in the a.m. here, I just finished catching up by binge-watching 6 episodes in a row and my head is spinning! I still haven't fully assimilated the sheer amount of happenings and revelations we got in two nights' worth of "episodes"! ¡Ay, caramba! ¡No lo puedo creer!

I was as impactada as Eladio when Callao revealed that Gisela died!(I believe my exact words were: "F*****g Hell! No way!") I loved that pesky whingy manipulative drunk and I'll be mourning her by wearing a headrag all day Sunday!

Basically, so many surprises have been packed into Thursday's and Friday's triple-bill episodes, I'm totally impactada but oh-so-grateful to the writers for the emotional roller-coaster! They could've dragged that Franco drama and milked it for all it's worth over many episodes but instead they set off the fireworks all at once! In fact, before revealing the truth about Franco to her daughter, Gisela prophetically told her: "¡Pues que truene el cohete de una vez!" ("Let the fireworks explode once and for all!") And man, did they explode! (P.S. I thought about our very own Gringo, when I heard her say that!)

There were many brilliant scenes, especially the ones involving Franco, Caridad, Eladio, Humberto and the late and great Gisela but the one that stuck with me was definitely Eladio's scene with the therapist. It was absolutely magnetic, raw, uncomfortable yet moving! This intimidating business magnate who projects such confidence and such arrogance; who is capable of being manipulative, calculating, conniving, implacable, fearless and controlling revealed his vulnerability and inner fears to us and we felt uneasy witnessing such a private moment. In earlier episodes, we caught very furtive glimpses of some of the hidden facets of this complex and conflicted character. However, in this scene, Eladio bares it all: we see the other side of him, that of a wounded, scared, insecure, lonely man. A physically abused child who grew up without a home or a family and turned into a man deprived of love, hungry for affection, repulsed by his own flaws and incapable of demonstrating the empathy, the trust or the selflessness required to truly love someone. Just goes to show... Mean people also have feelings!

I can't wait for the next episodes! No amount of therapy will save my favorite baddie from the looming anvils! ¡Pues que truene el cohete de una vez! ;)

 

-- A triple dose of quotes from the triple capítulo --

“Bueno ya, ya. Es obvio que (David y Daniela) no estuvieron de manitas sudadas en Cancún. ¿Para qué te pones así, Regina?” *

* Miguel tells Regina to quit throwing hissy fits over a fact she already knew but deliberately disregarded in order to get herself some hot David-loving: “OK, cut it out. It’s obvious they (David and Dani) weren’t just holding hands in Cancún. Why are you getting all worked up, Regina?”
P.S. (I think this scene from Episode 56 may have wound up on Uni’s cutting room floor)

Estar de manitas sudadas = also “Andar de manitas sudadas” and “Ser novios de manitas sudadas”. As far as I can tell, this is a typically Mexican expression (may other native Spanish speakers please enlighten us on this?) and it means to have a romantic relationship that only involves holding hands - and maybe gentle pecks - but does not allow for any horizontal mambo whatsoever. “Manitas sudadas”, literally means “little sweaty hands”.


¿Para qué te pones así? = Why are you getting upset? Why are you getting all worked up? Why do you act like this?
Other variations are “¿Por qué te pones así?” or if you don’t want to say it as a question: “¡No te pongas así!” or “¡No te pongas en ese plan!” (i.e. Don’t get angry / upset).

-----------------------------------------------

-- Caridad: “¡A mí no me interesa tu dinero asqueroso! (...)”
-- Eladio: “Bueno pues, ¡allá tú! Lo que sí te recuerdo es que, hasta este momento, no conozco a nadie que viva de dignidad, que coma de orgullo...”
-- Caridad: “¡Eres la persona más desgraciada y asquerosa que hay en este mundo, Eladio!”
-- Eladio: “¿Algo más?” *

* Excerpt from a great scene between Jailbird Momma and Charming Rascal:
-- Caridad: “I’m not interested in your disgusting money! (...)”
-- Eladio: “OK then, it’s up to you! Though I’d like to remind that up until now, I haven’t met anyone who would live off dignity or would eat pride...”
-- Caridad: “You are the most vile and revolting person there is in this world, Eladio!”
-- Eladio: “Anything else?”

Allá tú = it’s up to you.

Orgullo = pride, self-esteem.

Desgraciado(a) = wretched, loathsome, despicable, vile.

Asqueroso(a) = disgusting, revolting.

-----------------------------------------------

“La única manera de traerte a la casa era esta. Y así fue como me volví tu padrino. (...) Aunque no te guste la manera en que lo resolví, creo que lo importante es que no te abandoné para que vivieras con una borracha y vividora como Gisela. ¿No? Bueno, ¿Por lo menos sí puedo tener ese crédito?” *

* Now that the chickens have come home to roost, Eladio tries some damage-control: “The only way I could bring you to the house was this one. And this is how I became your godfather. (...) Although you don’t like the way I resolved it, I think what matters is that I did not abandon you to live with a drunkard and an opportunist like Gisela. No? So, can I at least get credit for this?”

Traer a casa = to bring home.

Volverse = to become.

Resolver = to solve, to resolve.

Borracho(a) = drunk, drunkard.

Vividor(a) = freeloader, opportunist, moocher, parasite.

Por lo menos = at least.
 

I thought that Julia's dark blue/white print dress was a knockout. Classically beautiful lines, and the skirt part of the dress was especially interesting. Wish I could buy my wife a dress like that one.
 

--Gobluefan: Totally agree on the dress. I think Julia looked gorgeous in that one. To be fair, I have yet to see her wearing anything less than classy and elegant since PyP started. Now Nina on the other hand... Let's just say I'm still doubly traumatized by the Marge Simpson painted-on nude-colored number and by the black shiny dominatrix dress with the giant booby gap! Yikes! Love her to Reese's pieces but I'm tired of doing double takes at almost every wardrobe change!
 

I left something off my list. Franco should have sobered up and controlled himself so he could come up with a strategy. If he really wants to get revenge he needs a much cooler head.

This whole business of not knowing who your parents are and this kind of concealment makes me wonder whether things like this still happen in the world.
 

Arturo surely doesn't know about this pre-nup. If he did, he would dump Nina so fast...

He and Augie are trying to figure out ways to dump Nina without being taken to the cleaners. If he knew about the pre-nup his daddy made Nina sign, Nina would be served already.

Why does Dani know Montenegro business? She's not at the office. Is she lurking and eavesdropping on Arturo?

Although Regina has a right not to want to be with David after learning he slept with Daniela, she doesn't have the right to punish him for it. This is not new information. She knew David and Dani hooked up before she decided to start dating David.

But what is most ridiculous is running to Arturo to cry about it. Grow up. Dani is not another kid who took your toy. You knew before you started dating David that he & Dani had hooked up. Grow up.
 

Who, please tell me who, is dumb enough to live in the same building with Dani and think some boy she spent the weekend with in Cancun did not get, LUCKY, if we take the liberty to call it that. With Dani that's a misnomer.

Dani even knew David's name, so they were practically going steady. Regi, if your little sister ever goes to confession she will be there the rest of her life.
 

And somewhere out there a priest would be writing a paperback...

From my perspective, Regina is really tired of the constant insults and other venom that comes out of that nasty little brat. On some level she knows that Dani is only getting off on taking what she has. It's not actually having the guy afterward. Dani has no sense of relationship responsibility and is very likely to cheat on anyone she's involved with for longer than a week. If this novela were made 15 years ago she'd be knocked up by now and David would have to marry her.

Regina is tired of putting up with this. If she had her own place it would be a little harder for Daniela to pull this crap. Anyone in her position -- stuck between a narcissistic mother who devalues her and two narcissistic siblings -- is usually advised to fly the coop and have as little contact with them as she can.
 

Nandicta, thanks for the dichos, I'm going to keep a list and practice them!

Agree UA, Franco should have kept a cooler head as well as Caridad, a strategy was needed for both. Remember our lovable drunken granny Gisela was dragging little Lucita (?) around leaving her outside in the street as she got hammered in the neighborhood cantina, that could have been Franco's life too. For Franco, the plans made for him were the best in a really bad circumstance. Caridad should have realized that just have been released from the reclusorio for a (justifier) murder, it might be better to try and build a relationship first, not throw herself at Franco on the first day. Both needed a strategy and cooler heads. I was surprised at Caridad, she maintained her composure around Julia.

Our friendly character disagreements show that the writers have done a better job of creating them, they aren't cardboard evil and goodness, they all seem like real people who have made ordinary mistakes. The fact that they are wearing normal, even beautiful clothes and not strange theater costumes as in other novelas helps set a more realistic stage.

I'm in Florida with storms and no power, wish me luck!
 

Anon207- The break up is what's hurting David. But I don't see what else Gina can do if she can't get past picturing him having sex with Dani. It's not like she's going out of her way to punish him or hurt him. She didn't run to Art. He came into her room and saw she was upset. She, unlike the other kids, actually has a good relationship with her father and speaks to him. That's a good thing. Notice she did not tell her father the details. She kept it vague, while also telling Art it was NOT David's fault. He's the one who flew of the handle for his own reasons. No dad likes to hear that some dude dated both his daughters.
 

Good luck, Sandy! Hope you have power back soon.
 

It's funny when you can't have a cup of coffee, how badly you want one! I'll survive!
 

Sandy, I hope you get your power back soon. That is the worst!

It occurred to me after my last post that if Consuelo flies the coop next Arturo will be the only person in that mansion that Regina can trust but he might end up defenseless if she leaves and we all know what ultimately happened to King Lear.
 

The writers have gotten rid of or sidelined quite a few characters since we started.

Maribel- dead
Joshua- exiled abroad by his parents
Montserrat- dead
Francisco- sent to Tabasco
Aldo- ordered to disappear by Eladio
Gisela- dead

Who's next?
 

Maribel got on all our last nerves; I'm wondering whether the Mexican viewers felt the same way about her. Joshua was a spoiled brat and the actor wasn't hot. Francisco is kinda vanilla; this actor is cute but will probably always be cast as a younger brother, best friend, or a priest. Monserrat was disposable to Eladio and Aldo was her hanger-on. Gisela got an early Karmageddon for her sins against so many people, especially her own daughter and grandson.

Humberto could be next because his death would be a test for Julia. Since David has repeatedly stated he doesn't care about Eladio's wealth Julia shouldn't worry about securing his inheritance. Her undeserved sense of guilt over Humberto's care and comfort needs to go away for her to break away from Eladio.
 

Nandicta, thanks for the translations and that clipped scene where Miguel tells Regina to quit pushing David away because "It’s obvious they (David and Dani) weren’t just holding hands in Cancún." I'm glad somebody said that to her. I still don't like Miguel breathing down Consuelo's neck, but I'm sorry they're cutting his scenes. He's (or was) the smartest one in the Montenegro household.

Sandy, sorry about your power. Hopes it's back soon. ITA about Caridad and Franco. But after years in prison, Caridad just snapped and probably felt like she had nothing to lose by telling Franco the truth. My guess is they will pull it together and quietly work a strategy. But will Franco work his alone because he thinks Caridad's not good enough to be his mother?

So Eladio told Franco he did the best he could under the circumstances? Really? How about helping Caridad get a decent lawyer and get out of prison so she could raise her kid herself? I'm guessing Eladio knew Caridad well enough to know killing the guy (was it her husband? - I thought Franco's birth certificate said she was single) was an act to protect little Franco from violence.

I never realized before that the actress playing Caridad is so short. Everybody towers over her. Or, maybe it's just that she's not wearing high heels.
 

Caridad likely married the guy after she had Franco/was dumped by Eladio. When she and Eladio were speaking she mentioned how Gisela tried to sell her to Eladio. It all made it sound like she was single at the time. The guy she married and murdered was likely Franco's stepfather. The fact that Eladio worked actively behind the scenes to KEEP Caridad in prison proves that all he's saying to Franco is bs. Just wait till both Caridad and Franco learn how he bribed and blackmailed people to keep her imprisoned.
 

Niecie, we've seen less believable stuff than that sort of thing on a birth certificate. However, as I typed that something occurred to me:

There was no DNA testing at the time that all our younger set were born. Under Presumptive Paternity Caridad's husband would have legally been regarded as Franco's sperm donor unless he was proven to be sterile (which probably tipped him off to her cheating on him). Had his name been on the birth certificate:

--Caridad would have lost any chance of getting anything else from Eladio (Gisela's thinking)
--Eladio would have had no right to Franco and would not be able to control him.

If Caridad gave birth in a hospital and represented herself as single she was leaving the door open to the possibility that Eladio could be hit for child support. If she didn't then it's possible that Eladio had the birth certificate changed (not as large a bribe to accomplish this as others he's paid before) to leave himself the possibility of claiming Franco legally if the dead man had family who could have done so.
 

My thoughts:
1.) Purple Lips' dark past she's trying to run away from will be interesting. I'm intrigued to see if Daddy Montenegro dug up dirt on her.

2.) Glad that Miguel moved out of the Montenegro Prison. However, I still think he's got something to do with Montserrat's death considering his whereabouts were unknown on the night in question.

3.) Regina breaking up with David :(

4.) Daniela needs to go down HARD because I strongly HATE her & her life.

5.) Not shocked that Arturo bought Counselo those baby gifts.

6.) Erick needs an anvil too.

7.) Looking like Old Goat Humberto will get whacked since he's been blabbing too much.

8.) Caridad should be a key factor in bringing down Eladio IF she lives to tell it.

9.) Julia is confusing me.

10.) Clara is HOT!

11.) Gaby & Franco's wedding moving up ? This has epic disaster written all over it.

12.) Franco will likely get an anvil sooner or later!

13.) The mystery of who whacked Montserrat is still unclear right now!
 

Mauricio, incredible putting this together and a big ole thanks.

With you Stevey, JudyB and Sandy. Art & Julia are turds and got news for them their turds stink too.

Oh, Art knows about that prenup, hence his timing, it is unfair the duration and at least in the US could easily be challenged. Nina, if you are listening, I have a good friend & former colleague in NY and she eats guys like Art for supper. Smack, smack.

I don't blame Regina for not being able to do the relationship thing with David, even get the on/off again. I also appreciate David's maturity in accepting her decision but really wanted him to punch Art in the nose.

Love Caridad is confronting this head on and betcha she got some teeth.

 

No lawyer in the US would ever draw up a prenup like that. It could easily be thrown out here. I wonder whether it would hold up in other countries.

I think Arturo's reaction to the David/Regina/Daniela situation is normal. That kind of a triangle has "Ick Factor" written all over it under better circumstances than in this family. Things were never good between Regina and Daniela and Arturo has his own sense of guilt to deal with about himself/Julia/Susanna in terms of past regrets and now his issues with Julia vs. Nina.

Until Regina can completely distance herself from Daniela this is going to bother her because I don't think Daniela will ever stop trying to take away any man who shows the least interest in Regina. Regina should move and not leave a forwarding address or Daniela will do this for the rest of their lives.
 

In light of Daniela's claims about Can Coon if I were Regi I would be heading S T R A I G H T to my OB/GYN for a complete work-up. And ask David to do the same before I shared any more milkshakes with him.


 

Regina knew before she dated David that he hooked up with Dani. He was upfront about this. Acting shocked and awed is silly. She knows what a Ho Dani is. Unless Regina moves away or Dani dies/is jailed/moves away/reforms, EVERY guy Regina gets with, Dani will come after. The only way Regina prevents this while things remain the same is to not date. Period. Dani is not going to stop and Arturo & Nina are not going to stop her. It's too late.

Both Art & Nina need to drag Dani to counseling but we know that neither one of them cares enough to do so. Plus Dani is an adult so they can't really force her. The sleeping around, the drinking, the drugs...it's all too much. Regina & Augie are doing Dani a disservice by not telling Art & Nina what happened in the hotel room.

Nina was probably employee of the month at the prostibulo. How do you think she learned all of her sexual tricks?


 

Which is making me wonder about Nina's past (although anyone who can read can buy sex manuals). Why else would she be so judgmental about Consuelo for having been born and raised in a brothel? That wasn't Consuelo's fault. There has to be stuff in Nina's past that Arturo doesn't know and she is putting on a sanctimonious act about Consuelo to cover that up.

Arturo has been too trusting up to now. The fact that Nina enabled Daniela to avoid counseling before says that Nina doesn't believe that there is a problem. As far as she is concerned, Daniela is her success because she is exactly like her. She regards Regina as a failure because she is not like her and therefore -- in her mind -- is less of a woman.

Nina regards herself as being too young to be a grandmother. For that I have two words: Elizabeth Taylor.
 

WOW. Glad these are not real people. Some of us have probably run into a couple Danis along the way though.

I suppose it is his 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' attorney background based on that attorney/client privilege. But our boy Augustino should have taken phone pictures and sit his BFF down for a serious chat. He could possibly save his BFF's daughter's life.

Unfortunately, some people are so badly 'damaged' there is no hope for them, like when the insurance company totals your car. Daniela may already be there. Thank You Nina.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

What if these pending DNA results reveal that Arturo is indeed David's dad? It's the incest issue (David/Dani David/Regina) that makes us all think that is unlikely, but then why is there such intrigue over the whole issue? If Nina is as slutty as Anon207, UA, and I'd guess a few others here believe (with absolutely no supporting evidence) then that problem is possibly solved.

Carlos
 

They can't. There is an earlier episode indicating that Julia and Arturo did not have relations during the relevant time period. That is why Arturo had no concern about the request for his DNA and why he didn't freak out over Regina getting involved with David.

There was also no "llamada de la sangre" between either of the girls and David. This novela didn't give that cliche up entirely because Caridad had it with Franco.
 

Urban, I've been mentioning that Purple Lips has some dark secrets about her past.

I still don't know why does she hate Regina so much!

I'm going to believe Daddy Montenegro likely had people digging up dirt on Purple Lips. Information that Arturo doesn't even know!

 

Mauricio---Don't be sorry foe excellence. Your weekend recaps are the best--A+++

I have read all of the comments and must admit that a few of them caused steam to come out of my ears but overall, this novela has brought on a fantastic discussion.
I guess that the writers have really done their jobs in getting us viewers involved as much as we are.

Stevey---No positive qualities in Arturo.--- Me. Well he doesn't physically attack the bruja, manhandle her, and throw her around as Eladio has done on many occasions to Julia.
Arturo is emotionally abusive to Nina. He treats her like s**t!---Me. With the bitch, piss poor attitude that Nina has, always butting in and trying her very best to defend her worthless son and daughter for their despicable actions while at the same time being as mean and nasty as she can to her other daughter who has gone to school, earned a degree and is trying to make something decent and respectable out of her life. (Urban has explained this narcissistic attitude to us) Arturo should be coming down harder on her than he has. Someone needs to put this bruja bitch in her place. Nina has been a ROTTEN, ROTTEN mother. Arturo is weak. He's trying to play nice and she, Nina walks all over him.

Some things both Arturo and Julia both have in common--they're both holier than thou. They're both snobs. Stevey, I think that you got Julia mixed up with the bruja nose in the air Nina. Nina could win the nose in the air snob of the year award.

Both are incredibly selfish, thinking only of themselves. Both are hypocrites. Don't know all that much about Arturo, he's always working but Julie---well she has a foundation to help the less fortunate. Would Nina ever be able to break away from her high society social lunches and gatherings with her snooty friends? No, I don't think so. So who really is the most self centered and selfish?

We don't call them orphans here, we call them our children.
Carlos---Well la ti flippin da!
Carlos---I would expect something like that out of you. In today's Politically correct society if anyone would DARE to use the word crippled, he/she would be hounded unmercifully. Crippled, a word that had been used is today considered to be heartless and cold. Maybe even cruel. Today, we must say--physically challenged. So tell me wise sage---what is so wrong/offensive in referring to orphans as our children?

Oh yes---Vivi is 100% correct in that Nina puts orphans into the same category as head lice. Thinking that way is her nose in the air nature.

I am not a physic but I can see both Stevey and Carlos flat out plastered drunk on Nina Cocktails at the Patio Bar. Both unable to walk and having to be carried out. It would be fitting.

must see tv
the gringo
 

I think the biggest problem that many here have with Nina is that she is such a lousy villana! She hasn't done anything truly evil, she hasn't killed anyone and she hasn't lived up to any of the wild speculations made about her and thrown around the Patio since PyP started. The nerve of this "witch"!

If we review her sins, we will find out that:

1) She is a vain woman who takes excessive care of her looks to please her husband. She also showers him with affection, fulfills him sexually and dutifully plays arm-candy at all his business and social events.

2) She stayed devoted for 25 years to the same guy rather than fleece him and be on her way to prey on the next randy millionaire (she should have been on her fourth marital victim by now).

3) She tolerates too many humiliations from her capricious, ungrateful hubby when any woman in her situation with half her beauty and a shred of dignity would have dumped his sorry behind and married another rich honcho who would put her on a pedestal! Egotistical, self-centered people don't typically enjoy rejection and keep coming back for more.

4) She overindulges her kids and gives more special attention to the screw-ups among them rather than to the straight-A student.

5) She has more affinity towards her youngest daughter because they have the same interests but that does not automatically mean that she hates her older daughter. The same way that when poor put-upon Arturo confesses to Dani that he is closer to Regina because they have more things in common, it doesn't mean that he hates Dani. The Montenegro couple are not "Parents of the Decade" but they don't hate any of their children.

6) She ignores, sidelines and mocks her stepson (who gives as good as he gets) instead of imprisoning him in a dungeon like any self-respecting wicked stepmother would do. (There exists many stepmothers who are unkind to their stepchildren. It's very bad but not totally unheard of).

Based on all the above, I'm revoking Nina's Narcissistic/Gold-digger/Toxic Mother/Evil Stepmother card and banishing her from the Baddies Table! Yes, I said it! I set up the table and I reserve the right of admission! Fuera, you lousy villana!
 

Julia is not a snob or she wouldn't have given either Arturo or Eladio the time of day. Neither of them come from Old Money. Arturo is not a snob or he would not approve of Consuelo (although he probably objected to her and Erick getting married too young, which is more than reasonable).

Nina is almost another Anne Grenville. She tried to become One of Them and in the process became a bigger snob than the class she aspired to be. The problem is that she doth protest too much.
 

Dear Mauricio--
THANK YOU for the recap. Yeah, 2-hr + sessions in front of the idiot box, but what you deliver is pure entertainment.

Haven't finished the comments yet, but one thing got me thinking. You said, "The reveal about the prenup and that Daddy Montenegro didn't like Nina caught me by surprise." Me, too. Then I wondered it Artie even knows about it. He's the one that's hot to trot and has told Nina he's not going to put her out on the street, she'll have the house and adequate support. Can he countermand a pre-nup his FATHER made her sign? Hmmmm.

More later (NFL takes precedent this weekend).
 

Nandicta, she belittles Regina every chance she gets and as the daughter of a narcissistic mother like Nina I can tell you that she takes the fact that Regina is not like her as a personal insult. She has enabled Daniela's nastiness toward Regina and puts her own bad traits on Regina. She is a narcissist and narcissists have no business becoming parents.

She fails to understand what Erick's betrayal meant and tried to sweep it under the carpet.

Her constant verbal abuse also hurts much more than any spanking or slap because nobody can unhear that stuff. It's never forgotten.
 

-- UA: I see where you're coming from and I appreciate that you know more / read more about the subject so you're perceiving subtle underlying signs that I'm not getting yet, but based on what I've seen so far, I feel that the word "hate" is too strong to refer to Nina's relationship with Regina. What I'm seeing is that Nina preaches the way Mamas preach when they think they're totally in the right and nothing you can say will dissuade them; so all you can do is tune them out and that's what Regina does.

A few episodes ago, Nina was telling Dani as well that marrying well was her best option as a woman of social standing and that Erick would be the one in charge of managing the Montenegro womenfolk's inheritance when the time comes (Ha! As if! Wave that money bye-bye as soon as Chimp Boy gets his paws on it!). If anything, she is delusional! Nina is an old-school vain socialite with obsolete ideas on gender roles who also happens to be a very permissive parent (when she is not an absent parent).

Furthermore, I've seen Nina show affection to Regina and it wasn't for anyone's benefit because nobody was around. They don't get along but I personally don't see hatred there or Regina would've left that nuthouse long ago. As to the sisters' rivalry, Dani is a spoilt biaaaatch and her poor little rich girl act is getting unbearable as are the stunts she's been pulling to lure David back to her bed. However, I feel Regina should not have gotten involved with David, knowing he dated her sister beforehand. I for one I'm glad the two broke up. That's purely a personal opinion from someone who would never consider dating a girlfriend's ex; not in a million years! So dating a sister's ex (even if it was a one-night stand) is a betrayal as far as I'm concerned, even if that sister is Dani!
 

Nandicta LOL---Yeah right. Let's get some action out of this snooty witch.

the gringo
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

-- Gringo: That's exactly what I'm saying! Either she goes evil or she goes out! I'm tired of feeling sorry for her!
 

Nina is a manipulator, like all narcissists are. Like Eladio is. She will make a show of affection that is designed to fool the victim in absence of an audience. That's also gaslighting because it sets up the victim for more of the same just in time for the narcissist's about-face and slap to the ego. Regina has lived with that her whole life. She had Miguel and Arturo to try to offset that, but that wasn't enough.

I didn't even have that much, but at least I didn't have a sister like Daniela and my worthless brother was younger than I.

Nina is completely delusional about Erick; no question of that. After his betrayal of Arturo and the family business he would embezzle all that dinero and then play dumb afterward. Just wait until he goes to another strip joint.
 

-- UA: There's an old Arab proverb that says: "Every monkey is a gazelle in its mother's eyes." :D
I think it would be sweet justice if Nina helped her chimp baby become universal heir only to have him squander the family fortune in record time. In the same vein, I think it would be a fitting anvil for Franco to be his Papi Dearest's / Padrino's perdition.
 

Maybe, but I don't think Arturo would allow that. Erick would definitely squander the family fortune without consideration even for Nina. He's totally selfish and immature.

As to Franco, I'd like to see him become Eladio's worst nightmare. David has made it clear that he wants no conflict and would be more likely to walk away to a career away from GLA. However, Franco has to be more careful if he is going to do this.
 

Hi gringo,

"So tell me wise sage---what is so wrong/offensive in referring to orphans as our children?"

No, the question is:

"What is so wrong/offensive in referring to orphans as orphans?

Why not join us here at the Nina Table for a spell? Perhaps a Nina Cocktail will clear your mind.

Carlos
 

Anon207--I see you had the same thought I did earlier. Just now came back to the comments. Hope your toes didn't hurt when I stepped on them.
 

Everyone has been saying that David has been very up front with Regina about Daniela. I'm not so sure about that. He did tell Regina that he had met her sister in Cancun and that they briefly dated but I don't think that he told her that they did the big nasty. Am I right about that? If he didn't tell Regina the "whole" story, then I can understand Regina's hurt. It seemed to me like she was blinded by Daniela but if she had already known the whole story, I don't think that Regina would have been so upset. When the little bruja tried to cause trouble with her question, Regina would have told her to go pound sand, that she already knew.

Anon207---Regina didn't go running to Arturo to cry. Arturo found her crying and asked her what's up. Her reply was something like she didn't want to talk about her hurt but she finally gave in and told her father.

Do we REALLY know that Gisela is dead. Callao thinks so but he isn't Dr. Carlos. We haven't seen a body bag yet or her in a morgue. I hope that she was just deeply passed out and at some point resurface. I hope that she makes a miracle recovery because I liked the feisty old biddy in her doo rag. I also that that certain aspects of her acting were first rate. Such as---when she was desperate for some pesos, or when she was being threatened by Eladio or Callao. Or that look of pleasure, greed and satisfaction after she received a payoff. I did it ONE MORE TIME, I'm good. Now where did I put my bottle? She was great. If the writers really did take her out, I for one will really miss her and her sharp cutting attitude.

Eladio is really going through with the consoling sessions. Boy, I didn't see that coming. Maybe he really does want to improve and save his marriage. Now if he can just be honest in his business dealings??? I guess that we will have to wait and see on that one.

the gringo

 

The actress playing Gisela is excellent. She had a major role in the telenovela Teresa, playing a rich, high society matron who was snobbish and dismissive of anyone not of her class. Particularly scornful of the arribista Teresa. I have trouble seeing her as a down and out drunk since she was so impressive playing the other end of the society spectrum. But she's highly skilled, that's for sure.
 

Carlos---It was nice wording on Julia's part. Too bad that your mind has already been clouded by too many long hours at the Nina table.

the gringo
 

Nandicta,

Thanks for your observations about Nina. Notice that no one is able to dispute your facts. Would you like to join gringo and I for a Nina Cocktail?

Carlos
 

tofie--I'm not so sure Artie knows about the prenup. He and Auggie have never mentioned it in any of their conversations. In fact--I think we were all surprised that he even HAD a daddy who didn't like Nina until Nina herself mentioned it. It's a wait and see situation--although none of us on the Patio even know WHEN the wait and see is revealed. This is one of the little details that makes me want to keep on keepin' on with this novela.
 

Mauricio, kudos to you for having the patience to do two recaps at once. And so full Of details. You're good. Thank you for not
Missin a beat.
Eladio is gonna cook a really good lie. And if
He does manage to tell the truth, he's gonna
Spin it so he comes out lookin like he made
The biggest sacrifice. Caridid killed that guy
To keep him from harming her son. She did
What a mother does, protect her child. I guess Eladio did too. In his own twisted fatherly love giving way.
I wouldn't give up my boyfriend without a good fight. especially since I know my sister Is a skank. Regina just left him out there for
Her sister the skank to go after. Like danny is
Going to obey her two timin daddy. And why
Would she? Shes takin her que from her over
Made up moma. Oooo!!!! these people!!
How many episodes left?
 

It seems to me that Art doesn't know about the prenup, and if he did, he certainly went around that by giving Nina 25% of shares in the company! Come one now, people. She's not going to walk away poor if she left before the 25 years were up, even if Art didn't give her anything beyond that 25% he ALREADY gave her. Plus, as mentioned before, he's already told Augustine that he plans to leave her with the house and a generous settlement. Sounds pretty good to me, added to all those shares.
 

What is the Nina cocktail? I'm interested in a seat at the table and the possibility of a high fashion drink from the Cantina mixologist. (In Nashville we used to have bartenders, now we have mixologists!)

Carlos, are you completely retired now? If so, congratulations!
 

Nina- Dani would go after David, whether or not he and Gina were dating. She needs no encouragement.

Gringo- I'm going to miss Gisela too. I was kind of looking forward to her interaction with Franco once he knew she was his grandma. She was a fun character to watch.
 

Vivi, the pre-nup is a legal document, anything Arturo says, like his marriage vows, is an empty promise. (I've learned this from my divorced friends!!!!)
 

But she already has the 25%. That's not chump change. It's a done deal.
 

Gringo, you don't need to attack me on what is solely my opinion (and which i am entitled to), but I got a kick reading your vociferous defending of our protagonists. And regarding such- you're undoubtedly right, but I don't recall ever saying that either Eladio or Nina were fabulous people, only that I am drawn more to them than to either Arturo or Julia, neither of whom- for whatever reasons (and I am not a sadist)- appeal much to me. I just see too much coming out of both Arturo and Julia that rubs me the wrong way, and- for all their faults, I DO believe that both Eladio and Nina really LOVE (even if it is in their own warped way- it's the only way they know) their partners, and want their marriages to WORK (and, I'm sure they will eventually wind up going down various moral black holes in order to try and affect this so, at which point I will happily give up on them. But UNTIL then.....) ;-)
And, as to your arguments that both Eladio and Nina are WORSE... well, they're the antagonists!! They're supposed to be worse!!

Perhaps it's just that I just don't like seeing Susana Gonzalez in a role that I consider to have very little depth, almost milquetoast, whinging, and passive. I like her in roles that have a little fire, edge, and depth to them.

Respectfully speaking, you and your soapbox can have fun being moral and sanctimonious, and criticizing other people for their opinions at the Julia Patio Bar. It's not a place I think I'd enjoy myself at much anyway. Now, who's up for another drink with me???

But, best wishes to you and everyone on here! And thanks to all for this lively discussion!!

 

Arturo is trying to marginalize Nina. Long term wives are due half. All this discussion of percentages is due to that fact that Arturo wants to dump Nina. It is my feeling that presentages didn't matter to her, she agreed to an onerous pre-nip in the beginning. Now that she is being pushed out, she's looking at her options. Both Julia and Nina have made decisions based on finances....
 

Raquel Olmedo (Gisela) is consistently terrific. Anyone remember her as the evil, religious fanatic arsonist Jacinta in 'Barrera de amor'?? She was terrific in that.

Fun fact- she was the villain in one of the previous versions of 'Lo imperdonable' (the 1975 version)

Fun fact 2- her real name is fabulous- 'Siomara Anicia Orama Leal'
 

Like Stevey, I'm enjoying our lively conversations. Just wish Carlos would start making our drinks!
 

And, Nandicta, I whole-heartedly agree with your wonderful treatise on Nina. I hope she ratchets up the evil/crazy soon. I don't like having these middling feelings on characters, but that's sort of how I feel about everybody on here.

Unfortunately, I recall in the original that Claudia Islas's 'Nina' wasn't very interesting. She was upstaged in every way by Enrique Rocha's towering Eladio in the villany department. Let's hope that the writers will bring this into 2016!!
 

Nandicta--Not every son or daughter of a narcissistic, emotionally abusive parent (mother or father), can just up and leave when they turn 18--money, education and independence being a factor. That parent has had years of practice in obliterating any self-esteem the child has. The child only knows that this is his/her mother and is supposed to love her, flaws, warts and all. They may not know they CAN leave.

It is a very unusual child who grows into early adulthood able to sort all this out without professional help. It takes years and we see the evidence in the real world in the memoirs, autobiographies and tell-all interviews of fully adult persons who have been successful, but have been dealing with narcissitic parent(s) in their childhood.

I think Regina falls somewhere in the middle. She's still very young and hasn't had much experience with "normal" young adults. Isn't Miguel sort of in the same boat as she is--victim of Nina's treatment? David is also flawed through his treatment by his father, but to me he seems more well-adjusted.

Dani has certainly learned her craft from her mother and as we have all noted is quickly learning to become a narcissistic parent (if she ever gets to that level).

Regina reminds me a lot of Renata in Cuando Me Enamoro, who doesn't understand why her mother treats her so despicably when all she wants is a mother to love her and she to have a mother to love and has an equally abusive sister.

I don't pretend to have any clinical knowledge--but based on what we have been discussing of Nina being an EVIL villana or not, I'm leaning toward the villana role--she just hasn't done anything criminally liable (and as Vivi says, YET).
 

Now that Gisela and the Rat are gone, both Nina and Dani have to step up their level of evil and mischief to keep things interesting. At least, let's hope that's what the writers are thinking.
 

Enjoyed reading all the comments and I'm glad the show is inspiring such a lively (and funny) conversation!

-- Vivi: Thanks for "brain bleach", I'm adding it to my vocab! I also liked your summary of benched characters. I hope the next in line is Justino. Doesn't Francisco need help in Tabasco?

-- Stevey: I share your disappointment at Gisela's untimely passing and I'm equally annoyed by the Consuelo-Miguel-Gabriela-Arturo quartet but I would keep Julia, with her bouncy luscious locks, her pretty crying and her adorably confusing flirtations with Eladio. I would also keep El Callao and wish they would reveal more about this ferociously loyal henchman.

-- Niecie: You're very welcome for the vocab. Anytime! :)
Those scenes where the truth about Franco's origin is revealed and he confronts his parents about it were masterful in every sense. Great acting by everyone involved!
As for Miguel's scenes, I was particularly disappointed that Uni cut off the scene where he and Art visited his Mama's grave and had a nice father-son conversation while walking arm in arm. For once that both characters are depicted in a favorable light, Uni takes out the editing scissors! ¡Chin!

-- JudyB: Same as you, Eladio totally had me in that therapy session but I won't elaborate any further than the lengthy post I already dedicated to that. I'm boring my fellow Patio peeps to distraction with so much gushing over the emotionally-scarred rascal!

-- UA: As far as I can tell, Callao had to move Gisela's corpse because she collapsed near the GLA warehouses (I think it's the same location where Aldo got his ass-whoopin'). I also loved your King Lear reference!
 

-- Sandy: I'm sorry about the power cut and I hope it gets resolved as quickly as possible!
I'm glad you like the vocabulary and expressions; you're very welcome! As regards the Regina-David breakup, chalk me down as another supporter of their uncoupling. And you were right, Regina did blame David for seducing her and told him he could've avoided that (in the scene when she asked him to leave after Dani interrupted their steamy makeout session with her nasty question). With respect to that awkward Julia-Eladio good night scene, it is quite possible that Uni did some "creative editing" there as well. In the unedited episode I watched, Eladio comes in to wish Julia good night, she asks him "Aren't you going to sleep here tonight?", he gives her his best puppy eyes and sheepishly says: "No, I want you to get your restful sleep. I will only come back to this room when you ask me to", so she sprawls her satin-clad lovely self on the bed and seductively wishes him good night. OK, I admit the full scene is perhaps even more awkward than the edited one!

-- Susanlynn: You were the first to pick up on the similarities between Manuel (from "Amor Real") and Eladio, and I for one completely agree. Like I told you before, Eladio seems like Manuel would have turned out after 25 years of rejection by Matilde, 25 years of Matilde despising him and overtly pining for another man, 25 years of AdolfoSolís relentlessly accusing him of embezzlement and fighting him for every business deal, 25 years of raising Manuelito as his own despite having serious doubts that the kid might be AdolfoSolís's "Junior"... Then after all that time, AdolfoSolís wants to divorce his sexy mamacita wife of 25 years and actively pursue Matilde! Basically, both AdolfoSolís (Arturo) and Manuel (Eladio) are colossal jerks in this "25 años después" version of "Amor Real" ("Amor Venenoso") and they both need to pay through the nose in order to earn any semblance of happiness by the end of this.

-- Diana: "The truths are spilling faster than poured water and pretty much everything is spilling out into the open." I could not agree more! I'm thoroughly enjoying this frantic pace too! Though I feel we never had a "good guys" vs. "bad guys" premise beyond the first two or three episodes. If anything, I feel the writers worked overtime to paint both Arturo and Julia in a negative light. In PyP, we have a bunch of flawed characters who are plotting and counter-plotting for our entertainment. I love the grey zones and I love that I have zero clue of where this thing might be heading; a welcome change from the classic formulaic TNs we're accustomed to watch.

-- Mauricio: It was brilliant that the writers revealed the whole truth about Franco's parents AND they had him confront Eladio about it, all in one single episode (Episode 58)! I don't think I've ever seen this in a TN before. TNs tend to drag plots like this on and on and on until the viewers start pleading with their screens that someone please spill the beans already and put them out of their misery! Here's hoping we hear more about Nina's past as well in the next episodes.
 

-- Kirbo: Can't stop laughing at "Eldaddio"! Cheers for that one! And yes, for health and safety reasons, anyone who comes in physical contact with Dani needs to get a full medical check-up.

-- Anon207: I think that Art or at the very least Auggie must know about the pre-nup. If Daddy Montenegro made Nina sign it then he would have had a copy safely guarded by the family attorney. It won't take long before the pre-nup (or rather post-nup) emerges in the divorce negotiations.
As for your question regarding Dani's knowledge of her father's business dealings, it is quite possible that Uni edited out a scene where Art and his Junior are talking about the "automotriz" deal while Dani collects empty coffee cups from her Dad's office. She asked them whether they wanted her to buy them some coffee from the shop because there was something wrong with the office coffee machine. That's how she wound up in the café where Franco deliberately bumps into her (he was actually stalking her social media accounts where she posted a photo of her having coffee precisely in that café).

-- Steve: I'm also very intrigued by the mysterious past of "Purple Lips" (Good one!). It also seems very likely that all the mistakes Eladio made vis-à-vis Caridad and Franco will come back to bite him in the derrière! And very soon!

-- Tofie: I find it odd that a contract like that signed AFTER the wedding would have legal weight as a pre-nup, especially since it covers such a long time period. No dime until after 25 years of marriage? QTH? I say give your lawyer friend a call and let's help take Randy Boy Arturo to the cleaners! ;)
 

Hi Sandy,

Yes, thanks. I'm fully retired from active practice although I maintain my license which requires CME.

You are always welcome at the Nina Table and I'd be honored if you joined us in enjoying a Nina Fresa. Here at the Nina Table we substitute Patron Platinum for the vodka, leave out the sugar, and rim the glass with a mixture of crushed lemon drop and black salt instead.

Stevey,

and of course you are welcome at the Nina Table. Contrary to what gringo may think, no one has ever gotten falling down drunk here... I tripped.

In fact, everyone is welcome here at the Nina Table. Plum lip gloss is optional, describing one's positive personal attributes is encouraged, compliments are welcomed.

Carlos
 

Carlos, If Dani or Rick stop by at Mommy's table, a round of penicillin might be suggested. Slainte !
 

-- Nina: "Eladio is gonna cook a really good lie. And if he does manage to tell the truth, he's gonna spin it". True, but then again he's the master puppeteer and we can't expect any less from him.

-- Anita: I agree that extricating oneself from a hurtful emotional relationship is easier said than done. Yours and UA's analysis of narcissism and narcissistic parents is definitely piquing my curiosity on the subject. Thanks for your insights on this subject! :)

-- Stevey: Glad you liked my vindication of Nina. I'm expecting my large collection of designer lipsticks in unwearable colors any day now. She said she put it in the mail Friday! :D
Love Raquel Olmedo but this is the first time I see her play such a despicable (but thoroughly entertaining) character. Sad to see her leave PyP. She will be sorely missed!
Thanks for the fun facts about this great veteran actress! Did you know Fun Fact #3? She is also a singer and has a lovely voice!
 

By the way, does anyone know of a real life situation in which someone carried a torch for a first love like Art and Julia have done? We saw the same thing happen in Sombra . When you attend high school reunions, You discover how much people change over the years, but sometimes , a tiny spark is still there when you see an old flame. I have heard that Facebook has allowed old girlfriends and boyfriends to reconnect, sometimes leading to divorces . Art and Julia seem to be drawn towards each other even though so many years have passed. I am afraid that they will end up together because the writers are surely playing the onetrueloves card . Sometimes , when you see your puppylove again, the years just disappear. I think that we are supposed to forgive everything because they are supposed to be soulmates, star crossed lovers even though they made a lot of bad decisions that hurt themselves and others.
 

(This got left over from all the cutting and pasting. Maybe Uni's scissor-happy editing is contagious)

-- Carlos: Glad that Fanny is a real person as opposed to being confined to the role of invisible phone confidant like "Lulis". I also thank you for your kind words and your offer of a Nina Cocktail! I hope it's sickly sweet and purple in honor of our not-so-villainous-after-all villana! ¡Salud!

-- Gringo: "Eladio is really going through with the consoling sessions. Boy, I didn't see that coming. Maybe he really does want to improve and save his marriage." I know, right? That scene at the head shrinker's office took me off-guard as well. Even baddies can have their feelings hurt; even they yearn to be loved... Oh well, it's not easy to be mean!

 

-- Susanlynn: The only case of young lovers reconnecting I can think of is that of an ex-boyfriend's father who became very good friends with an old flame. They reconnected 15 years after their romance ended and they started writing each other letters. Then that private correspondence converted into a weekly phone call. The surprising thing was just how blasé this man's wife seemed to be with all that. I witnessed the lengthy phone calls in a foreign language several times when I was at their house, so one day I asked who he was talking to and his wife replied matter-of-factly: "Oh, it's Annalise!". I was like: "Who (the heck) is Annalise?" (I didn't speak the language they were yakking away in, but I know flirting when I see it! Flirting is flirting in any language!). Again, very matter-of-factly, she told me it was an old girlfriend of his.

On another occasion, when it was just me and him in the house one afternoon, he told me his story with Annalise in great detail and I'm pretty confident my ex's Mom does NOT know the unabridged version because no woman in her right mind would allow that kind of closeness between her man and someone that meant -and continues to mean- that much to him. Long story short, the man and his wife are still married to this day despite of the weekly calls to Annalise but Annalise's daughter came to stay with them a while to improve her English, she caused a bucketload of problems between my boyfriend and me and we wound up breaking up a couple of months later. Damn you Annalise! :D
 

Nandicta. Wow...That story would make a great telenovela. I guess some wives can turn their heads. Not me. I tend to be on the jelly side! Sometimes, a person may be smiling at hubby and complimenting him, and he is a little oblivious about women. I, on the other hand, am thinking..."Hey, I am standing right here!"Meow.

As to the flirting even when two people speak different languages, I totally see that in my classes in which I have students who speak Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, etc.However,you can recognize when someone is flirting.

It sounds as though the apple did not fall far from Anneliese's tree if her daughter was a troublemaker, too.
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

** OT **

-- Susanlynn: Oh, wait it gets even better! Out of the blue, my ex pulls an Arturo on me and says he is confused and isn't sure how he feels about us anymore. "What do you mean? In what sense?" *Crickets chirp*. "Where did this come from?" *Crickets chirp some more*. "What can I do to give you the time and space you need to figure things out?" *Crickets feel uneasy from so much chirping*
After two weeks of awkwardness (we had just moved in together 4 months prior), I tell him I'm done and I move out. We broke up amicably, though I suspected Annalise's spawn had something to do with it. I move into my new place and on with my life. I meet a lovely man and we go out on a couple of dates, nothing serious, just getting to know each other. Ex-boyfriend comes back from work trip 6 weeks later, shows up unannounced at my door just after midnight, on a week day, talking about how I'm the love of his life, the one he always thought would be the mother of his children, yada-yada-yada... I tell him I can't trust someone who would have an existential crisis the minute some pretty girl flutters her eyelashes at him, that I'm moving on with my life and dating someone else! He goes super-mega-impactado! "How could you do this to me! How could you go out with some other guy! We were on a break!" I swear I'm not making this up! We had the whole "We were on a break!" / "We were broken up!" argument! Moral of the story: Damn you Annalise! :D

So, yeah, watch your galán, amiga! Draw them shiny claws whenever danger approaches, kitty cat! :)
 

Nandicta,

from the picture you paint of your ex, I would think that rather than, "Damn you Annalise!", perhaps, "Thank you Annalise!", although painful, might be the more appropriate retort. Sounds like she helped spare you a world of disillusionment and eventual hurt.

Carlos
 

-- Carlos: You are absolutely right! I definitely dodged a bullet there, but I have no hard feelings towards him, Annalise or her daughter. It wasn't meant to be. Besides, it's water under the bridge and I'm actually able to laugh about all this now that I recall it. Thank you Annalise and Mini-Annalise! :)
 

Nandicta...Carlos is very wise. I agree that it sounds like you dodged a bullet there! Many years from now, you might have been listening to him cooing on the phone with some chicky.The guy was not worthy of you, girl. Prince Charming is still out there somewhere. Sometimes, you have to kiss a couple frogs to find him.

Julia really has strong mojo. Arturo has never gotten over her, and in his own odd, obsessive way, Eladio is hopelessly devoted to her despite not much bunnyhopping for the last 25 or so years. That is a lot of lost time..tick tock.


 

SusanlynnHeart--I thought Julia was aware of Eladio's infidelities over 25 years. As long as she was not sharing her goodies with him, she didn't care what he did as long as he was discrete. I thought this came out at the very beginning, but I may be making it up.

Trapping the Ratt and getting her to admit the relationship was Julia needing proof to use as ammunition in a divorce. She knew Eladio would never just give her a divorce.
 

Hi, Anita. In a way, I have to feel sorry for Eladio because Julia married him even though she did not love him. Likewise, Art gave NIni his body but not his spirit. Yikes...25 years of this...que lastima. Bad business all around and so many lives affected by decisions made so long ago. Now, Art and Julia are reconsidering and saying "Je regrette." I don't think that Eladio and NIni are just going to give up and go away. Uhoh
 

Thank you Mauricio,great recap for the cumulative episodes. I appreciate it.

I'm happy the Franco/Caridad/Eladio secret did not drag out too long. The honesty and pace makes the telenovela more interesting. Can't wait to see how Eladio will deal with Franco's new knowledge. I already feel bad for Caridad, it will not be exactly happy times with her son from now on.

I still don't understand if the viewers are supposed to be rooting for Art and Julia because they are going about all of this the wrong way. I feel a bit of pity for Eladio and Nina despite all the evil things they have done.It looks like it will also be a while before Dan and Regina get back together considering the damage done by Daniela

Elorej
 

Anita, you're not making that up. Julia has known about his infidelities prior to the Rat (which went on for the past three years). What will be interesting is when she finds out about Caridad and that Franco is Eladio's by-blow.

I don't think she will hold this against Franco, but I think a secret like this would be grounds for divorce whether or not Franco gets any inheritance (which I think he is legally entitled to).

The comparison of Manuel of AR to Eladio was missing something very important: Manuel became a doctor and he mostly treated the poor. He didn't become a person who made dishonest business deals or get cooperation through intimidation. Also, he was still young enough to learn from the mistakes he made with Matilde.

I absolutely remember Raquel Olmedo from Barrera de Amor. She was one sick bitch, even helping to cause the death of a priest. Her Karmageddon was thoroughly appropriate. Maybe her role was cut short here because she is needed for another novela.
 

Mauricio,
I just started reading your recap and so far it's awesome. I am still playing catch-up from Thursday's epi. I hope to be caught up reading and watching by Monday night. Anyway, thanks for all your hard work.

NovelaMaven,
Thanks for Thursday's recap. Your dedication to writing your unbelievably unique and entertaining recaps are an honor to read.

Gracias a Los dos.
Hasta Pronto
 

Ooo Susanlynn, I got a lost love story but gotta try not to disclose too much. BF is ballplayer senior year high school, he gets a scholarship to play at state university. Me, a private university but we try to make it work even talk marriage in year two and nothing seems amiss. Time is a wasting, no ring, distance and I meet Mr. tofie in all his anti establishment glory so I force an ultimatum on my chiseled jaw jock. He's not ready so I, heartbroken and proud, say fine but see ya. Move on, fall for Mr. tofie, marry, great career and life but every time I read about or see CJJ (chiseled jaw jock) I pine. 13 years later our social circles overlap, he wants to meet and we have a little talk in private.

CJJ - you hurt me why didn't you wait?
Little me - you were non committal and proved it but admit at times I may have been hasty, I thought we'd have 8 kids by now, but why are we having this conversation?
CJJ - uh, guilt. Remember X & Y & Z? You always were a little jealous, well you had reason, remember the time.......&.........&.........
Little me - you low down SOB and here I thought I was the bad girl all these years.
CJJ - hurts don't it but thought you should know, see ya

 

Tofie...That seems like another bullet I dodged. Sometimes a heartache turns out to be a lucky break. Love is blind, especially young love.

I do not like NIni , but she seems to have used her assests and kept her end of the bargain with Art...Beauty and the Bank. Now, Art wants a do over to reclaim his onetruelove.

UA...Yes, I pointed out at the start of this show that the difference between Manuel and Eladio was that Manuel pulled himself up by his bootstraps and with the help of the padre who befriended him and became a doctor and a caring person. However, like Eladio , his sadbad childhood caused him to react to his bride not loving him because of her young first love with anger, booze, and infidelity.
 

WOW girls. After those stories I feel almost guilty being me.

Did I tell you about putting spark plugs in the boat the other day?

 

Good riddance, CJJ! Life gave you the opportunity to be happy and fulfilled with someone who truly values you as the wonderful woman you are, Tofie. Like Susanlynn said, this was a lucky break indeed!

On a different note, I forgot yesterday to join the chorus of Caridad fans. The more I see this character and the actress playing her, the more I like them both. Also, I'm still mourning Gisela's untimely passing and lamenting the fact that the wonderful Raquel Olmedo won't be gracing our screens regularly. I found this video of her singing a song called "Mitad mujer, mitad gaviota" (Half woman, half seagull). Hope you like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m9UVsj9kGs
 

Sandy in TN---Your question -- What is a Nina Cocktail? Actually I didn't even know
myself. All that I knew was that they seemed to be very popular at the Patio Bar. Since then Carlos has informed us that it is a Nina Fresa and he even told us what it consists of.

As you know, Carlos had invited me to come over to the Nina table and enjoy a Nina Fresa with him, Stevey and others. I have been considering it--just to be socially friendly but I have to admit that I have a fear of choking on the drink.

Wild Speculation---Wouldn't it be a BIG surprise if Gisela had fallen into a drunken coma (don't know the medical term or even if there is such a thing--ask Carlos) and miraculously reappears in the next episode or two? Hey, I'm trying everything to bring her back.

What will Franco do now?

Will the mirage counseling be successful?

Will Nina and Daniela up their game?

What will Erick be up to now that his Rat has died?

So many questions and so little time.

must see tv
the gringo
 

Wow..loved the Mitad muher, mitad gaviota clip, Nandicta. Her husky voice and the song itself seems very very French in tone. And bless the lady, her diction is so clear one can understand every word. Awesome. Wish the younger singers and actors like William Levy had that kind of diction, I wouldn't need closed captions.
 

Oh and Gringo, don't know if it was deliberate but "mirage" counseling is great. Alas, sometimes marriage does seem to be a mirage, and certainly appears so in these characters' lives.
 

From what I understand, Arturo is old money, he is the third generation of Montenegro wealth (Erick being the 4th). He was not a handyman with a dream who built Montenegro from the ground up, Daddy & Granddaddy Montenegro did that. Arturo is the beneficiary of that. I doubt seriously Hummy would've allowed Julia to court Arturo otherwise.

And yes, Hummy allowed Eladio to court Julia but by then, Hummy was in financial ruin and Eladio had the bucks to save him.

I don't think Nina hates Regina at all. They're just very different and she relates better to Daniela and thus is closer to Daniela. Now, this may change if Regina is actively doing things to accelerate the demise of Nina's marriage or prejudice Nina in any way. But hate? No, I don't think Nina hates Regina at this point.

Daniela's actions are those of someone who is screaming for attention. But she has Nina's attention...more than Erick & Regina did. Perhaps it's Art's attention that she's screaming for. At any rate, both Augie & Regina need to tell Art & Nina what went down in the hotel room, and Art needs to open his eyes to what a party girl Daniela is.


 

Anon207---Hate? How about despise of Regina?
 

Anon207--I agree with you about telling Artie what Daniela did in the hotel room. She begged them not to, and I went along with it, but if we know Daniela, she *will* do it again, maybe the next time the guy actually dies, or she overdoses and lands in the hospital. Artie will be devastated. He needs to know what Daniela is up to--to sober *him* up--and get her some real help before it's too late.
 

Arturo is actually wealthier than Eladio. Although we don't know their exact net worth, both are wealthy enough to suit any man's requirement for a wealthy son-in-law. Humberto preferred Eladio because Eladio is also an abuser and a worse one than himself. Humberto could not crush Julia's spirit completely and Eladio has come much closer to that.

Arturo was also beyond the point where he had to kiss up to anyone to grow his business and Eladio wasn't quite there yet. Eladio kissed up to Humberto until after the wedding. The irony is that I think that Humberto is now starting to get on his nerves, too.

It is Arturo's attention Daniela is screaming for. They deleted the scene from last week where that was obvious. Although she constantly accuses Regina of envying her she is the one who actually envies Regina, who is Arturo's favorite. She is retaliating by going after the other men in Regina's life and laughing in her face about it every time.

If Regina were to not date for a year Daniela would still get off on that. There is no way for Regina to win this other than to make up with David, elope, and leave D.F. without a forwarding address.
 

Gringo--I agree, hate is too strong an emotion to use here.

Fina hating Renata in CME--*that* was hate.

Here I think Nina abdicated parenting Regina long ago. She probably treated Regina as she would a servant in favor of Dani who probably made a louder noise (and is most like her, as UA reminds us). She probably abandoned her to her father and only on the occasions she needed to interact, her sarcasm and criticism came through--as we witnessed her early treatment of Regina over Joshue. My thoughts only.
 

Yes Arturo needs to know about the hotel room and the drugs. Dani is spinning out of control which usually leads to doom. She needs help, a lot of tender help before it's too late.

the gringo
 

We're probably at the halfway mark now so if Daniela is to make it to the end of this tale she will need to shape up and grow up. However, I am not optimistic about this.
 

Anita,

"My thoughts only."

How refreshing and endearing.

Carlos