Wednesday, February 03, 2016
El Hotel de los Secretos #7, 2/2/16 Tuesday: In Search of Sofia's Truth
Lo de Antes:
As stalwart Mama Angela and the rest of the Downstairs staff look on, Ayala tells Julio to can it and Mama to back off while Justice, which must be served, takes precedence. La Ama de LLaves [head housekeeper] Angela has just raced into the staff dining room and demanded her son, Andres, be let loose! El Dective Ayala brusquely elucidates that the gold dinner knife that was used to kill the recently deceased town trollop was found among her son’s personal belongings. (Viewerville sucks in another deep breath. Not the naively noble de Andres!!!) Thus El Inocente de Andres is dragged away to the catacombs which, in this bantam berg, serve as the city calaboose.
Lo Del Nuevo:
Housemaid Natalia races to the ladies’ dormitory and yells for Belen. She tells Belen what’s up and Belen races out in her dressing gown to view the proceedings for herself. She runs to the carriage just as it is about to carry away the only man she knows with a heart as big as the Grand Hotel itself and gives him a sweet kiss good-bye. She looks over at Angela with disgust. “—You have a heart of stone!” “—And yours is a collection box!” Angela fights back her tears as Belen and the others head back inside the hotel to begin the daily grind once more.
Julio brings a tray of lemonade which she supposedly ordered up to Isabel’s room and delays in pouring it while he waits for the maid to leave the room. He relates what’s just happened to Andres and begs her to convince her brother, Filipe, to clarify things so Andres will be released. Isa say’s that’s useless since he’s terrified and Mama would never permit such a scandalous thing to touch the reputation of her family. Julio scolds her for allowing thus an innocent to pay for something he didn’t do just to save a bit of shame from touching the Alarcon family name. The only other choice then is trying to convince the chambermaid who found the knife to tell the truth about where she found it. He softens a bit before leaving and tells her how sorry he is (about all of this sad mess or for insulting her upper-crust background?) as she sobs in the corner, once again emotionally distraught.
Meanwhile, Angela has paid a visit to Dona Teresa’s rooms. “—If I brought you that knife it was to help protect your son, NOT to sacrifice my own!” DT replies haughtily that it is an unfortunate occurrence but it’s quite out of her hands. Angela stands her ground with Teresa. “—Don’t push me to do things I’d rather avoid doing. If my son’s life continues to be in danger, I won’t be so kindhearted again!” DT pushes back and tells her to do what she thinks she has to as a mother—that’s their duty, right? Angela delivers her final warning: if Andres isn’t back safe and sound at the hotel by tomorrow at the latest [a mas tardar], she’s going to tells the truth. “—And who’s going to believe a servant of mine, anxious to save her son, over me? You know you’ll lose.”
Oh, Angela isn’t talking about Andres and Felipe. No, she’s talking about Sofia! She was in the room during the entire night and was the one who got rid of all those blood-soaked sheets--and what was wrapped up in them!! It would be some sort of scandal for the hotel and the Alarcon’s now wouldn’t it? Dona Teresa accuses Angela of blackmail. Not at all, Ange replies, just asking for once in her life to be fair towards Andres…..”—And if I haven’t the desire to do so?” “—Well, that’s your choice, but I didn’t want it to come to this. However, it’s like you’ve said: ‘it’s my responsibility as a mother.’” (Game-set-match!! A communal cheer goes up in Viewerville!)
Just then, Sofia races into her mother’s rooms to squeal about the arrival of Alfredo’s bigger-than-life-bitch of a mother. They end up in the lobby with Alfie to greet his mama, Elisa, as custom commands. Alfie’s affluent mama is charmingly cutting. Elisa shoots off a number of sly insults about her son’s not-so-well-being in the hands of Sofia and Los Alarcon. Isa greets Elisa, who in turn compliments her for having inherited her father’s charm and good looks—“unlike Sofia, who… takes after her mother, darling girl…..” Elisa’s companion interrupts the conversation with a comment about preparing her sheets for her. Elisa makes a big to-do about using only sheets from Holland, then turns to her companion and rudely comments in French that “we have to be patient with country folk.” (I believe I remember enough French I got that right!)
All this feline persiflage goes over clueless Alfie’s head. He rushes into telling the news that he and Sofia are expecting. Yes, she’s four months’ along now. Elisa comments that Sofia looks anything but preggars. (Sofia gulps big time.) “—Trying to make me feel like an old woman, Son?” “—Nothing that the truth might prevent us from, eh deary!” replies Teresa. “—Oh, well! An heir! Or, it could be a girl and then all of this would be such a waste!” Elisa chuckles with her companion as the rest look on.
Downstairs, the staff are told a list of Elisa’s demands. All her things are to be separate from the rest of the guests, including meals, food, laundry, shoes and shoe polish…..AS the staff go off to begin their duties, Belen gripes about having to share a room with the companion and Dona Angela’s means of humiliating her because she and Andres are a couple.
Upstairs, Dona Elisa, Sofia and Alfie are attempting civil conversation…well Elisa not so much. They chat about Sofia’s pregnancy and her supposedly being four months along. Elisa tries patting her belly to see if she feels preggars, but Sofia yells and she jumps back. (Suspiciosa, ¿no crees?) Sofia explains she’s just still rather tender after taking a fall down the stairs and hurting her hip [calera]. Uh-huhhhhhh. Sofia leaves a bit after and Mama and Son share a “tender” moment together. (Gag us all with a ton of spoons!)
Downstairs again, Angela shuts the curtains on her suite of rooms/ office area and has a decent cry.
En parte 1~~~
=================================
Parte 2~~~
Across town at Genaro’s Saloon and Sporting House, he asks Melibea if she and her daughter have gone to the back alley butcher of a midwife and gotten that abortion taken care of yet. She lies and says she gave the girl a draught of something with chocolate which took care of the little problem. Genaro buys it for now. Then later on, she and her daughter go to a local “dressmaker” to get fat clothes and to wrap the girl’s belly up good enough to hide the pregnancy. While the daughter is walking through the town, Lupe’s son is buying veggies at the market and spies her. It’s luhhhhhv at first blight.
Back at the hotel down in the kitchen area, Julio tries getting Natalia to speak with him about the knife she found. Dona Angela stops their chatter and sends her off to iron Dona Elisa’s sheets. However, she and Julio have a small confrontation in her office. He doesn’t understand how she can let this travesty take place knowing who left that knife in Andre’s things. She explains that much worse than sitting in jail could happen to Andres if he opens his mouth any more. He doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself involved in nor what those people are capable of if pushed. “—Do you really think I’m fine being here just cleaning the Alarcon’s toilets [escusado]?” She will swallow this and more to keep her son out of harm’s way and nobody knows better than she does about what’s necessary to keep her son safe in this place. So if their friendship matters at all, he needs to fight the urge to be Mr. Big Hero or he’ll make things worse than they already are.
At the same time, Sofia has gone up to Mama’s to scream and cry hysterically that it’s plain that Dona Elisa suspects something and doesn’t quite believe she’s really pregnant after all. Mama tells her to control the hysterics or everybody will suspect something! Mama has to understand that Alfie is her entire life and if his mama learns the truth she’s liable to ask for an annulment and Sofia would die—not just of shame….(¡Brava! Dominika Paleta has grown in her acting abilities over the last couple of decades since La Usurpadora days—not that she was so bad in that one, either.) Mama tells Sofia to take care of Alfie and she’ll take care of her MIL.
A bit later in her own suite, Sofia has an attack of nerves and then starts to make mad passionate love to Alfie. Unfortunately, she has to stop because she’s still cramping and sore from the fall and the butchery that passed for a d’nc.
And, speaking of the butcher himself, Dr. Santamaria is lunching in the hotel’s dining room. Dona Elisa spies him and smoothly interrogates him till she gets a hint of the truth which has something to do with the hotel registry. As for the doctor, in regards to her grandchild, the doctor “did all he could” and the rest is “in God’s hands.” She whispers a command to companion Victoria after the doctor abruptly finishes his meal and leaves the table. Ms. Companion sweet talks to Pasqual at the front desk. He leaves under some supposed problem outside and she takes a quick gander at the guest registry, finds what she needs in the guest list (pretty damned quick researchin’ if ya ask me).
During the fracas outside, Isa runs into her brother. He’s drunk as a smelly skunk AHHHHgain and they retire up to his rooms. She chats with him over Andres’ plight and tries persuading him to discover a conscience. He cannot. Or, at least he prefers drowning it with booze.
Diego, meanwhile, is giving the bad news about the blackmailer and the note he left for Diego, how Isa followed him but didn’t get a look at his face. The one thing she did note was that he wore a cape similar to the ones used by hotel employees. “—And you’ve waited to tell me this now?” Diego admits he thought he could resolve things on his own. Well, sayzzzz she, the only thing he’s done is made things worse!! Anonymous letters, blackmailers, bloody maids' [doncella] uniforms that appear in closets—oh, and a detective from the capital who’s here every other day!!” She orders him to check through every one of the staffers’ rooms but to do it carefully, lest the culprit in her employ escapes. Not to mention, she also wants her money back! He’s dumped the same amount down a black hole twice already! He is at her command he tells her and takes his leave………..
That evening, Isa goes looking for Julio. He asks if she spoke to Felipe and if she convinced him at all. Nopers. He flies off the handle and she stops him by stating the obvious: he won’t solve a thing acting like a bull in a china shop. Well, diplomacy, the both agree, has gotten them nowhere either at this point. He’s going to have to talk to someone who’s got more to lose than either Felipe or Diego. He heads over to Pascual, but before he can ask him anything, Pascual notices a page has been ripped out of the registry and races off with the registry to see Diego. They go into tell DonaTeresa together.
In Dona Elisa’s suite, the doctor and Eisa are chatting. He holds the page from the registry in his hands as Pascual enters. The doc is thanking Elisa for her assistance. “—All the better to allow you to speak freely, sir.” Pascual says DT has sent for him and it’s urgent. They arrive at DT’s suite and enter. She asks if he realizes that hotels are obligated to hand in their guest lists weekly to the police. Usually they ignore the things—unless they’re investigating some incident or one of their clientele, she explains. (Ooops.) Don’t forget the police are investigating the death of a young woman from around here. So, hand it over, Bub! “—Give back what belongs to me!” He hands back over the sheet Elisa had given him moments before. Then he’s called out on a supposed emergency. He must leave the hotel, hat (and bags) in hand.
Dona Elisa looks out her window and sees the doctor is packing. She tells Victoria she doesn’t believe anything about that so-called emergency and tells her to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
At the same time, Diego’s private Dick is rooting around in Julio and Andres’s room. The PI hides behind the door just as Julio enters. Julio looks around the moonlit room and tries to make sense of what he heard in there as the private Dick holds an ice pick in his hands and is about to jab it into Julio’s jugular…..
end parte 2~~~~~~~~~`
As stalwart Mama Angela and the rest of the Downstairs staff look on, Ayala tells Julio to can it and Mama to back off while Justice, which must be served, takes precedence. La Ama de LLaves [head housekeeper] Angela has just raced into the staff dining room and demanded her son, Andres, be let loose! El Dective Ayala brusquely elucidates that the gold dinner knife that was used to kill the recently deceased town trollop was found among her son’s personal belongings. (Viewerville sucks in another deep breath. Not the naively noble de Andres!!!) Thus El Inocente de Andres is dragged away to the catacombs which, in this bantam berg, serve as the city calaboose.
Lo Del Nuevo:
Housemaid Natalia races to the ladies’ dormitory and yells for Belen. She tells Belen what’s up and Belen races out in her dressing gown to view the proceedings for herself. She runs to the carriage just as it is about to carry away the only man she knows with a heart as big as the Grand Hotel itself and gives him a sweet kiss good-bye. She looks over at Angela with disgust. “—You have a heart of stone!” “—And yours is a collection box!” Angela fights back her tears as Belen and the others head back inside the hotel to begin the daily grind once more.
Julio brings a tray of lemonade which she supposedly ordered up to Isabel’s room and delays in pouring it while he waits for the maid to leave the room. He relates what’s just happened to Andres and begs her to convince her brother, Filipe, to clarify things so Andres will be released. Isa say’s that’s useless since he’s terrified and Mama would never permit such a scandalous thing to touch the reputation of her family. Julio scolds her for allowing thus an innocent to pay for something he didn’t do just to save a bit of shame from touching the Alarcon family name. The only other choice then is trying to convince the chambermaid who found the knife to tell the truth about where she found it. He softens a bit before leaving and tells her how sorry he is (about all of this sad mess or for insulting her upper-crust background?) as she sobs in the corner, once again emotionally distraught.
Meanwhile, Angela has paid a visit to Dona Teresa’s rooms. “—If I brought you that knife it was to help protect your son, NOT to sacrifice my own!” DT replies haughtily that it is an unfortunate occurrence but it’s quite out of her hands. Angela stands her ground with Teresa. “—Don’t push me to do things I’d rather avoid doing. If my son’s life continues to be in danger, I won’t be so kindhearted again!” DT pushes back and tells her to do what she thinks she has to as a mother—that’s their duty, right? Angela delivers her final warning: if Andres isn’t back safe and sound at the hotel by tomorrow at the latest [a mas tardar], she’s going to tells the truth. “—And who’s going to believe a servant of mine, anxious to save her son, over me? You know you’ll lose.”
Oh, Angela isn’t talking about Andres and Felipe. No, she’s talking about Sofia! She was in the room during the entire night and was the one who got rid of all those blood-soaked sheets--and what was wrapped up in them!! It would be some sort of scandal for the hotel and the Alarcon’s now wouldn’t it? Dona Teresa accuses Angela of blackmail. Not at all, Ange replies, just asking for once in her life to be fair towards Andres…..”—And if I haven’t the desire to do so?” “—Well, that’s your choice, but I didn’t want it to come to this. However, it’s like you’ve said: ‘it’s my responsibility as a mother.’” (Game-set-match!! A communal cheer goes up in Viewerville!)
Just then, Sofia races into her mother’s rooms to squeal about the arrival of Alfredo’s bigger-than-life-bitch of a mother. They end up in the lobby with Alfie to greet his mama, Elisa, as custom commands. Alfie’s affluent mama is charmingly cutting. Elisa shoots off a number of sly insults about her son’s not-so-well-being in the hands of Sofia and Los Alarcon. Isa greets Elisa, who in turn compliments her for having inherited her father’s charm and good looks—“unlike Sofia, who… takes after her mother, darling girl…..” Elisa’s companion interrupts the conversation with a comment about preparing her sheets for her. Elisa makes a big to-do about using only sheets from Holland, then turns to her companion and rudely comments in French that “we have to be patient with country folk.” (I believe I remember enough French I got that right!)
All this feline persiflage goes over clueless Alfie’s head. He rushes into telling the news that he and Sofia are expecting. Yes, she’s four months’ along now. Elisa comments that Sofia looks anything but preggars. (Sofia gulps big time.) “—Trying to make me feel like an old woman, Son?” “—Nothing that the truth might prevent us from, eh deary!” replies Teresa. “—Oh, well! An heir! Or, it could be a girl and then all of this would be such a waste!” Elisa chuckles with her companion as the rest look on.
Downstairs, the staff are told a list of Elisa’s demands. All her things are to be separate from the rest of the guests, including meals, food, laundry, shoes and shoe polish…..AS the staff go off to begin their duties, Belen gripes about having to share a room with the companion and Dona Angela’s means of humiliating her because she and Andres are a couple.
Upstairs, Dona Elisa, Sofia and Alfie are attempting civil conversation…well Elisa not so much. They chat about Sofia’s pregnancy and her supposedly being four months along. Elisa tries patting her belly to see if she feels preggars, but Sofia yells and she jumps back. (Suspiciosa, ¿no crees?) Sofia explains she’s just still rather tender after taking a fall down the stairs and hurting her hip [calera]. Uh-huhhhhhh. Sofia leaves a bit after and Mama and Son share a “tender” moment together. (Gag us all with a ton of spoons!)
Downstairs again, Angela shuts the curtains on her suite of rooms/ office area and has a decent cry.
En parte 1~~~
=================================
Parte 2~~~
Across town at Genaro’s Saloon and Sporting House, he asks Melibea if she and her daughter have gone to the back alley butcher of a midwife and gotten that abortion taken care of yet. She lies and says she gave the girl a draught of something with chocolate which took care of the little problem. Genaro buys it for now. Then later on, she and her daughter go to a local “dressmaker” to get fat clothes and to wrap the girl’s belly up good enough to hide the pregnancy. While the daughter is walking through the town, Lupe’s son is buying veggies at the market and spies her. It’s luhhhhhv at first blight.
Back at the hotel down in the kitchen area, Julio tries getting Natalia to speak with him about the knife she found. Dona Angela stops their chatter and sends her off to iron Dona Elisa’s sheets. However, she and Julio have a small confrontation in her office. He doesn’t understand how she can let this travesty take place knowing who left that knife in Andre’s things. She explains that much worse than sitting in jail could happen to Andres if he opens his mouth any more. He doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself involved in nor what those people are capable of if pushed. “—Do you really think I’m fine being here just cleaning the Alarcon’s toilets [escusado]?” She will swallow this and more to keep her son out of harm’s way and nobody knows better than she does about what’s necessary to keep her son safe in this place. So if their friendship matters at all, he needs to fight the urge to be Mr. Big Hero or he’ll make things worse than they already are.
At the same time, Sofia has gone up to Mama’s to scream and cry hysterically that it’s plain that Dona Elisa suspects something and doesn’t quite believe she’s really pregnant after all. Mama tells her to control the hysterics or everybody will suspect something! Mama has to understand that Alfie is her entire life and if his mama learns the truth she’s liable to ask for an annulment and Sofia would die—not just of shame….(¡Brava! Dominika Paleta has grown in her acting abilities over the last couple of decades since La Usurpadora days—not that she was so bad in that one, either.) Mama tells Sofia to take care of Alfie and she’ll take care of her MIL.
A bit later in her own suite, Sofia has an attack of nerves and then starts to make mad passionate love to Alfie. Unfortunately, she has to stop because she’s still cramping and sore from the fall and the butchery that passed for a d’nc.
And, speaking of the butcher himself, Dr. Santamaria is lunching in the hotel’s dining room. Dona Elisa spies him and smoothly interrogates him till she gets a hint of the truth which has something to do with the hotel registry. As for the doctor, in regards to her grandchild, the doctor “did all he could” and the rest is “in God’s hands.” She whispers a command to companion Victoria after the doctor abruptly finishes his meal and leaves the table. Ms. Companion sweet talks to Pasqual at the front desk. He leaves under some supposed problem outside and she takes a quick gander at the guest registry, finds what she needs in the guest list (pretty damned quick researchin’ if ya ask me).
During the fracas outside, Isa runs into her brother. He’s drunk as a smelly skunk AHHHHgain and they retire up to his rooms. She chats with him over Andres’ plight and tries persuading him to discover a conscience. He cannot. Or, at least he prefers drowning it with booze.
Diego, meanwhile, is giving the bad news about the blackmailer and the note he left for Diego, how Isa followed him but didn’t get a look at his face. The one thing she did note was that he wore a cape similar to the ones used by hotel employees. “—And you’ve waited to tell me this now?” Diego admits he thought he could resolve things on his own. Well, sayzzzz she, the only thing he’s done is made things worse!! Anonymous letters, blackmailers, bloody maids' [doncella] uniforms that appear in closets—oh, and a detective from the capital who’s here every other day!!” She orders him to check through every one of the staffers’ rooms but to do it carefully, lest the culprit in her employ escapes. Not to mention, she also wants her money back! He’s dumped the same amount down a black hole twice already! He is at her command he tells her and takes his leave………..
That evening, Isa goes looking for Julio. He asks if she spoke to Felipe and if she convinced him at all. Nopers. He flies off the handle and she stops him by stating the obvious: he won’t solve a thing acting like a bull in a china shop. Well, diplomacy, the both agree, has gotten them nowhere either at this point. He’s going to have to talk to someone who’s got more to lose than either Felipe or Diego. He heads over to Pascual, but before he can ask him anything, Pascual notices a page has been ripped out of the registry and races off with the registry to see Diego. They go into tell DonaTeresa together.
In Dona Elisa’s suite, the doctor and Eisa are chatting. He holds the page from the registry in his hands as Pascual enters. The doc is thanking Elisa for her assistance. “—All the better to allow you to speak freely, sir.” Pascual says DT has sent for him and it’s urgent. They arrive at DT’s suite and enter. She asks if he realizes that hotels are obligated to hand in their guest lists weekly to the police. Usually they ignore the things—unless they’re investigating some incident or one of their clientele, she explains. (Ooops.) Don’t forget the police are investigating the death of a young woman from around here. So, hand it over, Bub! “—Give back what belongs to me!” He hands back over the sheet Elisa had given him moments before. Then he’s called out on a supposed emergency. He must leave the hotel, hat (and bags) in hand.
Dona Elisa looks out her window and sees the doctor is packing. She tells Victoria she doesn’t believe anything about that so-called emergency and tells her to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
At the same time, Diego’s private Dick is rooting around in Julio and Andres’s room. The PI hides behind the door just as Julio enters. Julio looks around the moonlit room and tries to make sense of what he heard in there as the private Dick holds an ice pick in his hands and is about to jab it into Julio’s jugular…..
end parte 2~~~~~~~~~`
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Jardinera- I just love Part 1 and how you relate Elisa's arrival. As the kids say, Elisa was throwing all kinds of shade on Teresa and Sofia...and I LOVE it! She's a different kind of b*tch than Teresa, but one all the same. Between Elisa and Angela, Teresa has her hands full with ladies just as strong willed, and protective of their sons, as she is.
Elisa's assistant looks like she will be stirring things up below stairs, and above stairs at her mistress' request.
Elisa's assistant looks like she will be stirring things up below stairs, and above stairs at her mistress' request.
Vivi: Just taking a short break and I do enjoy that astute observation: "...ladies just as strong willed, and protective of their sons..." Right on point, querida!
Jardinera, thanks you for a wonderful recap of another outstanding episode.
Elisa's arrival just adds another interesting layer on this already frenetic mystery. Loved Sofía's reaction to her. Great jump!
Elisa's arrival just adds another interesting layer on this already frenetic mystery. Loved Sofía's reaction to her. Great jump!
Ahh! Part 2, just as good as the first part. Thanks so much, Jardinera.
I wondered during this episode if Teresa would pin the murder of Ximena on the doctor, to kill two birds with one stone. She better do something, before Angela blows up one of her lies.
Looks like Teresa and Diego are walking hand in hand in this Cristina cover-up. Whatever happened to her, or led to what happened, they are both hip deep on the doodoo.
Loved Angela telling our hero to stop trying to be a hero and messing things up. Nice little wink to the audience.
One of our two young would-be lovers has finally spotted the other. Violeta was singing one of Mexico's most famous and beautiful haunting tunes, "La Llorona": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona_%28song%29
I wondered during this episode if Teresa would pin the murder of Ximena on the doctor, to kill two birds with one stone. She better do something, before Angela blows up one of her lies.
Looks like Teresa and Diego are walking hand in hand in this Cristina cover-up. Whatever happened to her, or led to what happened, they are both hip deep on the doodoo.
Loved Angela telling our hero to stop trying to be a hero and messing things up. Nice little wink to the audience.
One of our two young would-be lovers has finally spotted the other. Violeta was singing one of Mexico's most famous and beautiful haunting tunes, "La Llorona": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona_%28song%29
A perfect lunch time break Jardinera! Thank you for a wonderful recap.
"Alfredo’s bigger-than-life-bitch of a mother". Ain't she ever. My word, contempt just oozing from every pore. Fun to see another TN vet, Silvia Mariscal, pop into the show. I did love the embroidery on her dress. at the window scene, I found myself staring at the beautiful detail.
Her assistant is sure a piece of work. Maybe Belen will put her in her place.
What fun to watch the two great dames go at each other. I don't know if we can call game, set and match yet for Angela on that one, but I did strangely hear a loud BOOM as she turned out the door.
Something is seriously wrong with Sofia, and wonder if they will play it she has to be on bed rest and can't move around. That butcher most likely did a number on her...I wonder if isabel's skills and learning will come into play to reveal the secret with the doc gone.
Loved the closeups last night, in fact I love the cinematography as a whole on this, but last night it really came to my attention with some of the scenes. That scene, directed, shot and acted by Angela alone in her office...exquisite. There's acting children---don't need to say a word.
Daisynjay
"Alfredo’s bigger-than-life-bitch of a mother". Ain't she ever. My word, contempt just oozing from every pore. Fun to see another TN vet, Silvia Mariscal, pop into the show. I did love the embroidery on her dress. at the window scene, I found myself staring at the beautiful detail.
Her assistant is sure a piece of work. Maybe Belen will put her in her place.
What fun to watch the two great dames go at each other. I don't know if we can call game, set and match yet for Angela on that one, but I did strangely hear a loud BOOM as she turned out the door.
Something is seriously wrong with Sofia, and wonder if they will play it she has to be on bed rest and can't move around. That butcher most likely did a number on her...I wonder if isabel's skills and learning will come into play to reveal the secret with the doc gone.
Loved the closeups last night, in fact I love the cinematography as a whole on this, but last night it really came to my attention with some of the scenes. That scene, directed, shot and acted by Angela alone in her office...exquisite. There's acting children---don't need to say a word.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by 
: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 12:39:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 12:39:00 PM EST
Great work, Jardinera.
Sofia is really stuck in a vice, isn't she? Nasty, toxic madre and suegra... she'll never catch a break. I'll be very shocked if she isn't a suicide case by the end.
What's with Felipe in the bathtub in his clothes? There has to be more to that than him just being drunk.
It's hard to determine which of the two toxic mothers is worse, Elise or Teresa. The latter insults her children while the former helicopters hers and is willing to pimp out her personal assistant to get what she wants. And Victoria gives all women a bad name.
Sofia is really stuck in a vice, isn't she? Nasty, toxic madre and suegra... she'll never catch a break. I'll be very shocked if she isn't a suicide case by the end.
What's with Felipe in the bathtub in his clothes? There has to be more to that than him just being drunk.
It's hard to determine which of the two toxic mothers is worse, Elise or Teresa. The latter insults her children while the former helicopters hers and is willing to pimp out her personal assistant to get what she wants. And Victoria gives all women a bad name.
Thank you Jardinera. Boy, Teresa is turning out to be some piece of work.
I like Elisa, she's another sleuth. She knows that the doctor was bribed by Teresa to keep quiet about something to do with the baby. I don't think it will take too much for her to figure out that Sofia isn't pregnant, if she hasn't already.
When Angela said to Teresa " just asking for once in her life to be fair towards Andres…..”, it makes me wonder if Andres isn't actually Rudolfo's son after all.
Interesting that Filipe didn't choose Julio's bed to put the knife under instead of Andres's. If he had put it under Julio's, then Ayala would be more confident that Julio did the killing since he already is suspicious of him. I'm sure that Ayala knows that Andres didn't do it, but he took him in to get someone to speak up about where the knife really came from in order to save Andres. But since the knife was under Andres's bed, now Angela, who knows where all the bodies are buried will work against the Alarcon family.
I like Elisa, she's another sleuth. She knows that the doctor was bribed by Teresa to keep quiet about something to do with the baby. I don't think it will take too much for her to figure out that Sofia isn't pregnant, if she hasn't already.
When Angela said to Teresa " just asking for once in her life to be fair towards Andres…..”, it makes me wonder if Andres isn't actually Rudolfo's son after all.
Interesting that Filipe didn't choose Julio's bed to put the knife under instead of Andres's. If he had put it under Julio's, then Ayala would be more confident that Julio did the killing since he already is suspicious of him. I'm sure that Ayala knows that Andres didn't do it, but he took him in to get someone to speak up about where the knife really came from in order to save Andres. But since the knife was under Andres's bed, now Angela, who knows where all the bodies are buried will work against the Alarcon family.
I'm not sure that the doctor did anything wrong to Sofia. He told her to get bed rest for a few days but Teresa told her to get up and get dressed and act like nothing is wrong with her. So I blame Teresa for Sofia not getting healed internally properly.
Just a couple of comments before reading the recap/comments.
Loved how Teresa moded Elise by answering her in French.
Feel sorry for Sofia. She has not had a moment to mourn her loss.
Nanette
Loved how Teresa moded Elise by answering her in French.
Feel sorry for Sofia. She has not had a moment to mourn her loss.
Nanette
I was glad to see that Belen seems to be taking her role as Andres' novia seriously. He needed that kiss for fortitude before being taken off to prison. But Angela is right-- Belen has a fickle heart.
Cathyx- "just asking for once in her life to be fair towards Andres" Yep, that line jumped out for me too when Angela said it. Why would Teresa have any need to be less fair to Andres than to any of the other staff/children of staff? What is special about Andres? I too vote for him being Don Alarcon's love child, if we have any "real/bio" parent drama in this.
Strong possibility of that in an age when contraception was not as available and nowhere near as reliable.
What is Angela's status, anyway? Is she a widow or a spinster masquerading as one?
What is Angela's status, anyway? Is she a widow or a spinster masquerading as one?
Thank you so much Jardinera, it is good to read your wonderful recaps yet again!
Hmm , so now we have finally met the suegra and she is NOT fooling around. She sounds a bit too caring for my ears but miles better than Teresa. Besides I love a show in which powerful dames clash like gladiators in a battle because it's hard to know the outcome. Teresa pretty much has the rough edge as of now. I believe this is the last time we are seeing Ole Doctor ever again or do we? I don't think that it benefits our villians for Det. Ayala to get too suspicious..
The word "discreetly" is slowly losing its meaning so I just chuckle at it . The only times that the word is mentioned is when there's an inevitable screw up coming.
I loved Daniela Romo tonight, she really showed everyone why she was chosen for this role. I couldnt help but cheer when she told Julio who holds the balls in the house . Her scenes with Teresa and her solemn cry behind closed doors won the night for me .
Julio pretty much doesnt know yet into what kind of problems he has got himself into but I hope that he learns his lesson soon enough.
Julio reminds me of Icarus, the boy who tried to fly towards the Sun . He tried too hard to fly but got burned in the end, he was too close to the burning flames
Hmm , so now we have finally met the suegra and she is NOT fooling around. She sounds a bit too caring for my ears but miles better than Teresa. Besides I love a show in which powerful dames clash like gladiators in a battle because it's hard to know the outcome. Teresa pretty much has the rough edge as of now. I believe this is the last time we are seeing Ole Doctor ever again or do we? I don't think that it benefits our villians for Det. Ayala to get too suspicious..
The word "discreetly" is slowly losing its meaning so I just chuckle at it . The only times that the word is mentioned is when there's an inevitable screw up coming.
I loved Daniela Romo tonight, she really showed everyone why she was chosen for this role. I couldnt help but cheer when she told Julio who holds the balls in the house . Her scenes with Teresa and her solemn cry behind closed doors won the night for me .
Julio pretty much doesnt know yet into what kind of problems he has got himself into but I hope that he learns his lesson soon enough.
Julio reminds me of Icarus, the boy who tried to fly towards the Sun . He tried too hard to fly but got burned in the end, he was too close to the burning flames
Julio isn't just playing around though. He has very good reasons for wanting to root out and expose any and every secret that these people have-- his missing sister.
Thank you, Jardinera. I get really lost during the scenes in the puebla especially. I'm lucky I haven't had to do any yet - and you're 2 for 2. Extra-special thanks for that!
Alfredo's mother is... well, "piece of work" doesn't begin to cover it. In any other context, I'd feel sorry for the people she was insulting; but when she turns her acidic charm on Teresa, I can only laugh!
I wonder about Sofia's cramps. Is it possible that she was pregnant with twins, and there's still another bun in the oven? That doctor thought he was done after removing just one, but maybe he was wrong? I realize the odds of this happening in real life would be virtually nil, but in a TN maybe it's not so crazy.
Whether there's another bun or not, if she needs to see a doctor again soon it's going to make it harder to hide the non-pregnancy. Especially if they have to bring a second doctor in on the charade.
Alfredo's mother is... well, "piece of work" doesn't begin to cover it. In any other context, I'd feel sorry for the people she was insulting; but when she turns her acidic charm on Teresa, I can only laugh!
I wonder about Sofia's cramps. Is it possible that she was pregnant with twins, and there's still another bun in the oven? That doctor thought he was done after removing just one, but maybe he was wrong? I realize the odds of this happening in real life would be virtually nil, but in a TN maybe it's not so crazy.
Whether there's another bun or not, if she needs to see a doctor again soon it's going to make it harder to hide the non-pregnancy. Especially if they have to bring a second doctor in on the charade.
Thanks, Jardinera! Well done. And thanks to Julie for Monday's.
Hmmm, the doctor. I DO think he did wrong. A fall-induced miscarriage should not have rendered Sofia sterile. She may have lost that baby through accident, but I think it's the butcher's doing that she can't have children in the future.
Since Ayala seems smart, I'm going to assume he doesn't believe Andres is actually guilty. Why would a guy stab a woman and then hide the weapon under his own bed? Seems someone else was trying to frame Felipe before Felipe switched the framing to Andres. I'm not sure even Felipe would be stupid enough to kill someone and then hide the knife under his own bed. He'd probably just chuck it in the water or bury it in the woods.
Hmmm, the doctor. I DO think he did wrong. A fall-induced miscarriage should not have rendered Sofia sterile. She may have lost that baby through accident, but I think it's the butcher's doing that she can't have children in the future.
Since Ayala seems smart, I'm going to assume he doesn't believe Andres is actually guilty. Why would a guy stab a woman and then hide the weapon under his own bed? Seems someone else was trying to frame Felipe before Felipe switched the framing to Andres. I'm not sure even Felipe would be stupid enough to kill someone and then hide the knife under his own bed. He'd probably just chuck it in the water or bury it in the woods.
In the middle of the recap, but just had to stop and comment re: Diego.
First off, the actor is doing an excellent job. He kind of reminds me of a combination of Renfield, that creepy kid from The Wedding Crashes, and T1000 from Terminator 2 (the way he holds his head).
First off, the actor is doing an excellent job. He kind of reminds me of a combination of Renfield, that creepy kid from The Wedding Crashes, and T1000 from Terminator 2 (the way he holds his head).
Madre Elisa is a god-awful snob, but I like her anyway. Don't care for how she treats Sofia, but that snide remark about how Isabel got her beauty from her father while Mama Teresa is standing right there is priceless shade that no one else could get away with. Wonder why she allowed Alfredo to marry into this family in the first place?
But mostly I loved Isabel's lace dress over the green. I'd wear it.
Kelly
But mostly I loved Isabel's lace dress over the green. I'd wear it.
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 3:07:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 3:07:00 PM EST
Thanks Jarifa. I love your recaps.
I'm loving the dresses in this one. I agree, Kelly, about Isa's green dress. Beautiful. I also loved Elisa's dress, too (not so much her hair, though). I won't like Elisa being a witch to Sofia, but she can go for Teresa any time. That will be fun to watch.
UA: I agree about Sofia and the chance of suicide. She's just too fragile, and to be stuck between two formidable women and her mourning and guilt for lying, I think she can easily be pushed over the edge.
Can't stand Victoria!!! Smirky Girl.
I'm loving the dresses in this one. I agree, Kelly, about Isa's green dress. Beautiful. I also loved Elisa's dress, too (not so much her hair, though). I won't like Elisa being a witch to Sofia, but she can go for Teresa any time. That will be fun to watch.
UA: I agree about Sofia and the chance of suicide. She's just too fragile, and to be stuck between two formidable women and her mourning and guilt for lying, I think she can easily be pushed over the edge.
Can't stand Victoria!!! Smirky Girl.
Elisa was shocked when she was told Sofia was pregnant. Is it just that she doesn't want to be a grandmother? Does she control the money until Alfredo inherits? Does it have to be a boy for him to inherit?
Alfredo had said his father didn't think he'd ever have a child. Did Alfredo have some illness or accident when he was younger that they thought may have made him sterile? And then Alfredo's dad made his inheritance contingent on having a child? What a jackass move.
Jardinera: a thousand pardons. So many letters match both yours and Jarifa's name and I was in too big a hurry to post and didn't pay enough attention.
Thanks, Jarifa, for pointing out my error.
Thanks, Jarifa, for pointing out my error.
Now that we've met Alfredo's mom, I'm surprised that he was so willing - even if only briefly - to take off on Sofia to be with his mum.
Actually, the best thing for Alfredo and Sofia would be to get far, far away from both families. Alfredo might have to get a job or something, but it would be worth it to be able to live in peace. (Yeah, I know it would never happen. But it's always sad to see someone living in a pool of emotionally toxic goop.)
And speaking of pools, I don't know why Felipe took a sudsy bath fully clothed, but I didn't see any importance in it at the time - just seemed to me that he felt like being his usual "outrageous" self. However, after UA questioned it, I got to thinking. Maybe he did in fact feel "dirty" for what he did to Andres. (Not self-aware enough to understand why he felt dirty, but just dirty enough to need a dunk. Wasn't he loafing in the pool earlier?)
Actually, the best thing for Alfredo and Sofia would be to get far, far away from both families. Alfredo might have to get a job or something, but it would be worth it to be able to live in peace. (Yeah, I know it would never happen. But it's always sad to see someone living in a pool of emotionally toxic goop.)
And speaking of pools, I don't know why Felipe took a sudsy bath fully clothed, but I didn't see any importance in it at the time - just seemed to me that he felt like being his usual "outrageous" self. However, after UA questioned it, I got to thinking. Maybe he did in fact feel "dirty" for what he did to Andres. (Not self-aware enough to understand why he felt dirty, but just dirty enough to need a dunk. Wasn't he loafing in the pool earlier?)
Maybe Felipe knows something about Cristina's disappearance that he can't handle, and that explains his drunken idiocy. Isabel seemed to think this was new behavior for him, even if his baseline personality is "complete jerk".
Kelly
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 4:40:00 PM EST
: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 4:40:00 PM EST
Jardinera--Thank you so much. Talk about a cliff-hanger. I really wanted you to follow it with Parte 3. Shoot, will have to wait for tonight. I can't get enough of this wonderful novela. I guess I'll satisfy my hunger and re-read your tasty essay, sprinkled with English nuggets.
I recognized Victoria as Marlene Kalb, who played Cece in Quiero Amarte. She looks lovely in period pink.
I can't believe Pablo Cruz as Felipe was Daniel in CME--a bit of a nerdy push-over, hopelessly in love with Adriana. He's really showing his drunken chops in this one.
I recognized Victoria as Marlene Kalb, who played Cece in Quiero Amarte. She looks lovely in period pink.
I can't believe Pablo Cruz as Felipe was Daniel in CME--a bit of a nerdy push-over, hopelessly in love with Adriana. He's really showing his drunken chops in this one.
Nanette @4:03: There have been past novelas in which inheritances were contingent on such things. I've only ever seen the early episodes of Cuna de Lobos but there is a reading of a will that dictates that the entire estate will go to someone who isn't born yet, namely the first son of either son of the decedent. In the real world I don't believe this is legal but inheritances in the past could be contingent on who has the first grandchild or other insane things like that.
In the modern world you can make an inheritance contingent on an heir(ess) attending a certain college, entering the military, or going to medical school or such things. What is illegal in the US is forcing an heir(ess) into a particular marital status.
In the modern world you can make an inheritance contingent on an heir(ess) attending a certain college, entering the military, or going to medical school or such things. What is illegal in the US is forcing an heir(ess) into a particular marital status.
cathyx and Julia--We did notice Felipe's hesitation before stashing the knife under Andres' bed. I even thought he smirked when he saw the Bible with Andres' name on it as he slipped it under the mattress. We know why he didn't put it under Julio's bed, they are already co-dependent. Why he didn't put it under some other unsuspecting male staff member is a mystery.
I do like cathyx' theory that Ayala took Andres in (being fairly certain Andres couldn't be the killer) and is waiting for someone else to come forward with information on the knife. Remember Ayala heard Andres give him a run down of all his duties he performed that evening and concluded Andres would have been too tired to commit murder.
Daisynjay--I'm wondering if Sofia's symptoms get worse whether Dona Tere would be willing to let her die of a uterine infection rather than let Isabel take a look at her. The doc is gone. Isa will know right away there's no baby and I'm not sure her mother could persuade her to keep the lie to put one over on Elisa.
Jar--Elisa catches that what Sofia hurt in her fall was not her hip (cadera), but her stomach. The doc suggested she may have heard wrong, but you can tell Elisa doesn't think so. That makes her more suspicious of Sofia's state.
Also, what the registry showed was that Doc Santamarina was registered with a lady, not his wife. I was confused at first why on earth Santamarina would do that at a high class resort hotel, run as a tight ship. He'd have been better off at el Moto-Hotel Numero 6.
I do like cathyx' theory that Ayala took Andres in (being fairly certain Andres couldn't be the killer) and is waiting for someone else to come forward with information on the knife. Remember Ayala heard Andres give him a run down of all his duties he performed that evening and concluded Andres would have been too tired to commit murder.
Daisynjay--I'm wondering if Sofia's symptoms get worse whether Dona Tere would be willing to let her die of a uterine infection rather than let Isabel take a look at her. The doc is gone. Isa will know right away there's no baby and I'm not sure her mother could persuade her to keep the lie to put one over on Elisa.
Jar--Elisa catches that what Sofia hurt in her fall was not her hip (cadera), but her stomach. The doc suggested she may have heard wrong, but you can tell Elisa doesn't think so. That makes her more suspicious of Sofia's state.
Also, what the registry showed was that Doc Santamarina was registered with a lady, not his wife. I was confused at first why on earth Santamarina would do that at a high class resort hotel, run as a tight ship. He'd have been better off at el Moto-Hotel Numero 6.
UA--That was also true in Café Con Aroma de Mujer and its remake, Cuando Seas Mia. I didn't see Destilando Amor, so I don't know about that one. CCAM and CSM pitted two cousins against each other to produce the first grandchild to meet the terms of the grandfather's will.
Superb recap Jardinera.
Great to see 2 real pros interact, Diana Bracho & Daniela Romo. They are wonderful.
Great to see 2 real pros interact, Diana Bracho & Daniela Romo. They are wonderful.
About the three sibling's ages.
If the casting director wanted to be accurate, then Sofia (DP at 43) is the oldest. Isabel (IA at 36) is the middle child and Felipe (PC at 32) would be the youngest.
I don't know we've ever been told their birth order.
If the casting director wanted to be accurate, then Sofia (DP at 43) is the oldest. Isabel (IA at 36) is the middle child and Felipe (PC at 32) would be the youngest.
I don't know we've ever been told their birth order.
Remember The Cat and the Canary? The old man dies and stipulates no one can inherit for 20 years and the heir is whatever relative has the same last name.
Yes, Destilando Amor also had the cousins competing to produce a varon. Funny, it sounded as though the old man had been reasonable and nice in every way except for this one incredibly obnoxious, strife-inducing condition.
I know I've seen in other TNs where it was crucial to produce a male heir, but pitting cousins against one another to reproduce in haste is an extra-special kind of jerkassery.
I know I've seen in other TNs where it was crucial to produce a male heir, but pitting cousins against one another to reproduce in haste is an extra-special kind of jerkassery.
Thank you Jardinera, great recap.
All the villains in this drama are fascinating, i wonder who is truly the greater evil of them. I'm loving this telenovela even more.
Elorej
All the villains in this drama are fascinating, i wonder who is truly the greater evil of them. I'm loving this telenovela even more.
Elorej
Permalink posted by : Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 3:10:00 AM EST
: Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 3:10:00 AM EST
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