Saturday, March 12, 2016
El Hotel de los Secretos #33, 3/11/16 Friday: Couplings, Uncouplings And Coma
At a glance
-- Isabel and Julio break up and become estranged.
-- Sofía's growing dependence on opiates is becoming problematic and is being fed (intentionally or unintentionally) by Mother Terror Teresa. Sofía's husband rots in jail to protect her lying manic-depressive behind.
-- Andrés is saved from marrying Belén (and from getting killed by the Werewolf Gold Knife Slasher) thanks to a freak accident involving a horse and a strategically positioned wagon wheel. He is now in a coma, blissfully unaware for an entire summer.
-- Time jump!
-- Diego helps Isabel set up a rural hospital and, on the day of its inauguration, he pops the question.
A closer look
Buckle up for this is a bumpy one. Here we go.
Following Alfredo’s arrest, Sofía is having a nervous breakdown. She sits in her bed, crying and shaking uncontrollably. Her barely coherent mumbles of “I can’t! I can’t!” are punctuated by low-pitched wails. Dr. Lázaro Vicario tries to calm her down, to no avail. He asks Isabel to prepare him a dose of morphine but she protests that he can’t inject morphine to a pregnant woman. The Doc snaps at her: “This is an order! I am not asking advice from a student! And tell me once and for all whether you want to carry on learning by following the orders of your superiors!”. Isabel obliges. The Doc asks Matilde to pitch in and help. While all three look after Sofía, Teresa steals a bottle of laudanum from Lázaro’s medical bag and tucks it into the waistband of her skirt. Teresa maintained the most phlegmatic composure throughout this scene but her face betrayed the angst and impotence a mother feels when she can’t alleviate her child’s distress.
Following Alfredo’s arrest, Sofía is having a nervous breakdown. She sits in her bed, crying and shaking uncontrollably. Her barely coherent mumbles of “I can’t! I can’t!” are punctuated by low-pitched wails. Dr. Lázaro Vicario tries to calm her down, to no avail. He asks Isabel to prepare him a dose of morphine but she protests that he can’t inject morphine to a pregnant woman. The Doc snaps at her: “This is an order! I am not asking advice from a student! And tell me once and for all whether you want to carry on learning by following the orders of your superiors!”. Isabel obliges. The Doc asks Matilde to pitch in and help. While all three look after Sofía, Teresa steals a bottle of laudanum from Lázaro’s medical bag and tucks it into the waistband of her skirt. Teresa maintained the most phlegmatic composure throughout this scene but her face betrayed the angst and impotence a mother feels when she can’t alleviate her child’s distress.
Downstairs, the kitchen is buzzing with gossip and speculation as the personnel of the Gran Manicomio discuss the latest happenings. Don Lupe attempts to disperse the busybodies but not before scolding them: “Stop slandering people! Loose lips sink ships (el pez por la boca muere)!” (What Don Lupe said verbatim was: Ya dejen de comer gente que 'el pez por la boca muere'. This literally translates as: Stop eating people because ‘the fish dies through its mouth’. I was surprised to hear him refer to gossiping as “eating people”. There is a similar expression in Arabic, which has its roots in the teachings of Islam. It is believed that people who engage in idle gossip are metaphorically eating the flesh of their brethren because they slander people, sully reputations, sow discord and destroy the harmony of communities. I wonder if this 'comer gente' expression also has a religious basis in the principles and teachings of Catholicism.) Isabel walks through the kitchen and Lupe orders everyone to get back to work.
In Andrés and Julio’s room, the boys are discussing what happened. Andrés thinks that what Julio did, sneaking into Sofia’s room and taking one of her personal objects, was pretty darn malicious (canijo). Julio disagrees: “What did you want me to do? Let my sister’s murderer walk scot-free (impune)?”. Isabel knocks at their door. She ignores Julio, turning her back to him, and proceeds to congratulating Andrés on his upcoming nuptials. Moreover, she lauds Andrés for his loyalty and honesty, indirectly emphasizing the lack of either trait in he who shan’t be named and who is standing right behind her. She turns her head towards Julio and coldly says: “You! Come with me!”. He follows her outside. Literally fuming, she slaps him hard across the face: “My sister is a wreck (destrozada) because of you, Julio!”. Julio takes issue with this accusation: “She is devastated because of her husband, the rascal who killed Cristina! Don’t think that this makes me happy. I would never have wanted this to happen to you or to your sister.” “But that didn't stop you (eso no te detuvo)!”, yells Isabel. “No, but I’m sure that with time, you will understand. If you were in my shoes (si estuvieras en mis zapatos), you would’ve done exactly the same thing!”. He softens a tad and continues, almost pleading: “Isabel, what do you want me to do? My life is in your hands. What do you need me to do?”. She replies dryly: “I no longer need anything from you, Julio!”. “Do you want me to leave?”, he asks. “Do whatever you want!” are Isabel’s parting shots. She leaves him standing there and no doubt wondering whether he’d just been jilted for the third time. Or is it the fourth? Just like us, he seems to have lost count.
Sofía wakes up from her drug-induced slumber and she calls Dr. Vicario “Papá” (and part of me wished for psychological regression, just for the heck of it). A few seconds later, she seems to recognize the Doc and she starts panicking because she can’t breathe. Dr. Vicario rushes to her side. Her symptoms point to an overdose of opium (sobredosis de opio) and he must flush the substance out of her system now! The Doc reckons that someone gave Sofía laudanum without his permission.
And that someone is seeing Alfredo and the police off the hotel premises. She is accompanied by Diego, who is sporting a self-satisfied smirk. Alfredo asks Teresa to take care of his wife. Diego tells him not to worry, prison isn’t that bad and Detective Ayala is an excellent host (anfitrión). Ayala is not amused and reiterates that he does not believe that Alfredo is the killer because the mallet (mazo) used to commit the murder had Sofía’s fingerprints on it. He calls Alfredo a true 19th century gentleman (caballero decimonónico), but in the end, science does not lie. Is Alfredo really sure he wants to put himself through all this? Alfredo insists that his frightened (aterrada) wife helped him move the corpse and discarded the murder weapon in her panic, but the murderer was him! Ayala still doesn’t believe him. Alfredo Vergara doesn’t care because, at the end of the day, a judge is more likely to believe a Vergara than a village detective. Teresa wants them to take this conversation elsewhere, her hotel is not a police station. She calls Ayala an incompetent (hombre incapaz) and orders him to scram (¡lárguese ya!). “Don’t worry, Doña Teresa. I will find the real murderer very soon.” Nena Limantour, who looks like she was going out for a walk with Matilde, hears Ayala’s parting words and asks Teresa: “Teresita, does this mean that the assassin is still on the loose? May La Virgen protect us!”. Nena Limantour leaves, accompanied by Matilde, and Teresa vows to make that flipping detective pay for all his offenses at once (me las va a pagar todas juntas). Diego suggests they give their guests a complimentary bottle of champagne and all this scandal would be forgotten. Teresa doesn’t like how confident and happy Diego looks. The mustached vulture smugly says that she too should be pleased that her hotel director has been changed at the most propitious time. Teresa replies that this pleases her as much as the fact of having two vulgar ex-jailbirds (ex-presidiarios) run her hotel does! Oh snap!
Natalia brings a giant basket of wildflowers to church and cries over dumb Andrés. She decorates the aisle until nightfall and the priest compliments her for the end result: “The church has never looked this pretty, hija. Now we just have to wait.” Poor girl.
Isabel is in her room. She tells Matilde that she has nothing left to do at the Gran Manicomio. The girls agree to write to the dean (decano) and ask to be accepted into the next academic session (período lectivo).
Teresa takes the bottle of laudanum and heads to Sofía’s room. Sofía is having another nightmare, this time about Cristina. She is startled when she feels Teresa’s presence and tells her mom she can’t sleep. “If I give you something to help you sleep better, will you behave yourself?”. Sofía promises she will behave and Teresa gives her the bottle of laudanum, instructing her to only take very few drops. She makes Sofía promise not to exceed the recommended dose. Sofía acquiesces but after her mother leaves, she takes a couple more drops of laudanum than she promised she would.
Belén is in her room. She looks lovely in her wedding dress but she is worried because Don Benjamín is late and he is supposed to walk her down the aisle. She sends her female companion to go look for him.
Diego pays Matilde a visit. She is packing because she is leaving in a few days to resume her studies at medical school. Diego doesn’t want her to leave because if she does, Isabel will follow her. Diego poo-poos the girls’ dream of becoming doctors. He paints a very grim picture: After studying for another 4 years, they need at least 2 years of internship. If they can find a surgeon willing to teach female medical interns, that is. Then what? Open a medical practice where nobody would want to go? Or worse still, work under some male doctor who won’t allow them to do anything other than pass him some forceps (pinzas) or a scalpel (bisturí)? Diego has an offer to make Matilde. Something real and tangible. Not fantasies that will never come true for her or for Isabel.
Outside Belén’s room, the wedding party is getting ready. “Mother, please let me go!”, says Andrés. “The bowtie (pajarita) is askew (chueca)”, protests Ángela. “It doesn’t matter.” Andrés just wants her to let go but she won’t: “What do you mean ‘it doesn’t matter’? No son of mine is gonna get married with a crooked bowtie!”. “I’m your only son!”, exclaims Andrés. Don Lupe comes to the rescue and adjusts the stubborn bowtie. Julio comes over and reports that there is no sign of Don Benjamín anywhere. Belén yells across her door that this can’t be happening; Benjamín is supposed to give her away (entregar). Lupe offers to do it but Belén says she’d rather die than have HIM walk her down the aisle! Lupe is miffed: “Then I’m taking my chocolate truffles elsewhere! I’m leaving!”. Andrés asks his mother to give Belén away at church but she thinks this is a man’s job, something for hombres to do. “But, there are no hombres here to do it.” “¡Hombre, gracias!”, interjects Julio, who was standing right behind him the whole time. Lupe is outraged at this affront: “This is it! I’m taking my truffles!” He storms out in a huff. Andrés decides to go look for Benjamín and asks Julio to accompany the wedding party to church. Belén hollers: “Tell Andrés to hide. I can’t come out of my room like this. He can’t see me. It’s bad luck.” “You don’t say!”, sneers Ángela then she looks sadly at her boy as he rushes out to find the elusive Benjamín.
At the comisaría, Alfredo gives a made-up account of the events that led to Cristina’s death the night of the fashion show. He says that earlier that day, his mother-in-law asked him to help her retrieve a document that Cristina had stolen, a letter written by his late father-in-law and whose contents, according to Teresa, would destroy the Alarcón family. Alfredo recounts that, when the lights went off that night, he heard a noise in the office of Rómulo Alarcón and discovered that Cristina had sneaked in there, no doubt to steal something else. He tried to reason with her but she became violent. He dragged her out of the hotel and, in the service patio, she tried to attack him with the mallet that she had grabbed from Don Rómulo’s desk. They struggled and Alfredo ended up hitting her on the head with the mallet. It wasn’t his intention to kill her but that’s what happened. As Cristina’s lifeless body hit the ground, Alfredo heard a scream: his wife Sofía had witnessed the horrific scene. When he dragged Cristina’s corpse into the ironing room to make her death look like an accident, a panicked Sofía hid the blood-stained mallet where the detective found it. His wife was only trying to protect him. The end. Ayala is not buying this cock-and-bull story. He does not agree with Alfredo’s little stunt but he admires and respects what he is doing to protect his wife. “At least you believe that I love my wife with all my soul?”, asks Alfredo. “I do. So much so that I will let you sleep in one of our cozy (acogedoras) cells. Dagoberto, show the accused (reo) to his accommodation.”
Andrés is looking for Don Relojito (Don Benjamín) but nobody has seen him. In the courtyard of the comisaría, Ayala is contemplating the full moon (oh no!) and quoting Shakespeare's ‘The Tempest’ out loud: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” “Who’s asleep?”, asks Dagoberto. “Shakespeare”, replies Ayala. Dagoberto is puzzled: “Shakespeare is asleep?”. “Shakespeare is in the heavens with the little angels and he’s crying for you, my dear Dagoberto. It’s a full moon tonight and it’s time to make the rounds”. Cipriano, Dagoberto’s subordinate, is going to stay with Alfredo. The other policemen will go out for their rounds. Ayala hopes that evil will give them a break tonight. There have been too many deaths already in this small village. Back at the Gran Manicomio, Andrés is knocking at Don Benjamín’s door but there is no answer. (In Episode 23, during the gala dinner in honor of Javier Góngora, the camera lingered on Benjamín’s face as his eyes darted nervously, perhaps trying to spot a gold knife he could nick. Ever since then, Benji tops my list of suspects as Werewolf Gold Knife Slasher N°1).
Our handsome Dr. Lázaro Vicario is Teresa’s date to the wedding and they’re both looking spiffy for the occasion, even if Teresa considers it just a peasant’s party (fiesta de campesinos). She pumps Dr. Vicario for information about the effects of morphine and laudanum. He tells her he suspects that Sofía has been stealing his laudanum and that she is becoming addicted. These opiates are dangerous and can cause hallucinations, memory loss, manic episodes... If so far Sofía has been on the brink of the precipice, these substances can really throw her over the edge. Teresa listens attentively. She sighs: “I shall talk to her, Lázaro. I won’t allow anything bad to happen to her. Don’t worry.” (OK, I’m worrying. I really hope this isn’t what I think it is).
In church, the wedding guests are flocking and the bride is enjoying being the center of attention. Diego is being his creepy clingy sickly-sweet alter-ego with Isabel. He doesn’t like seeing her so despondent (desalentada), so he is preparing a surprise that will make her happy. He tells Matilde that she too will be pleased with the surprise he’s got in store for her friend. (Hey, what happened to the rest of that conversation between Diego and Matilde? Wasn’t he going to make her an offer she can’t refuse? What was the offer?).
Andrés is fashionably late to his own wedding. He is in his room praying and talking to his father’s picture. He knows his father is looking after him from the heavens. He promises to be a good dad and a good husband. He asks for his father’s bendición and proclaims that this is the happiest day of his life. (I have a bad feeling about this. They’d better not kill my sweet Andrés).
Ayala’s armed posse is ready to patrol the streets of San Cristóbal. He hands them a whistle (silbato) each, to sound the alarm if they see anything suspicious.
Everyone is in church minus the groom. Natalia is bawling her eyes out in the last pew but she pretends it’s only the emotion of being at a wedding. Belén is furious and wants to know where on earth her soon-to-be long-suffering husband could be. Ángela cheekily suggests than maybe her son thought better of it. Julio tries to diffuse the situation and reassures Belén that Andrés will arrive soon.
Speaking of the runaway bridegroom, he’s getting a horse out of the stable. The shadow of a bald head is spying on him. A gloved hand approaches menacingly, holding a golden knife with the tip still intact. The golden knife is brandished ready to strike, just as an unsuspecting Andrés turns around to see who’s sneaking up on him in this dark and empty stable. The horse rears in terror causing Andrés to stumble backwards and hit the back of his head on a nearby wagon wheel. The horse stomps on his upper thigh (or family jewels, I can’t tell for sure). Mission accomplished. Andrés is out cold and out of service. There’s not going to be a wedding tonight.
Julio is writing a letter to his mother. He tells her that Cristina embarked on a new adventure; she left this village that was too small for her and is now happily exploring the vast and infinite sea. He tells his mom how much Cristina loves her and asks that she pray for his sister every night. He apologizes for not returning sooner as he promised her, but he is starting to understand that life is made of purely unexpected things. He recounts what happened to Andrés and how nobody could have imagined what ended up occurring the night of his wedding. In a flashback, we see Don Benjamín banging on a closed door, calling for help: (he pretends?) someone locked him inside the kitchen pantry (alacena) ahead of the ceremony. In church, Andrés is still a no-show and everybody is worried. Benjamín and the footman who freed him from the pantry find Andrés lying unconscious in the stable. Julio continues his epistolary narration as the flashback scenes play out. Andrés had an accident that Julio suspects is due to the wedding jitters because, normally, Andrés is really good with horses. The prognosis is not good: the head injury that Andrés suffered is so serious, he may never wake up. Ángela is devastated that her sweet boy is now in a coma. Belén is bummed out that her meal ticket is now a vegetable. In his letter, Julio hopes his mother understands why he can’t leave the hotel just yet; he vowed to stay by his friend’s side until he wakes up. We see Belén trampling her bridal bouquet and Teresa reveling in schadenfreude, as Julio writes these lines: “Andrés is important to every person in this hotel”. “In one way or another”, he continues, while the camera shows a close-up of Teresa’s gloating grin.
Everyone in the hotel takes care of Andrés and that bizarre head contraption of his. Everyone, from his adoring mother, to the girl who loves him unrequitedly, to the man who may have put him in a coma, to Isabel who is doing a grand job of avoiding his roommate. Julio’s letter contains lies reminiscent of those that his sister Cristina used to write in her letters about the Gran Hotel. He pretends that there is plenty of commodities for all the personnel to enjoy; that they never go hungry or feel cold or lack sleep or get ill-treated. However, the images shown in the flashback are the exact opposite of what Julio is writing to his mother. For example, there is a scene of the downstairs folks scampering to get the measly scraps of food they get for their meals and Julio is shown offering Belén the slice of cured meat he managed to score for himself. There is also a scene of Teresa berating Belén for carrying a heavy load and ordering her to take care of Teresa’s grandchild since Belén’s first option is now in a coma.
Julio is describing San Cristóbal as an idyllic village but we viewers know better. Three more victims got murdered by Werewolf Golden Slasher, which indicates that at least 3 months have passed since the accident of Andrés. At the village cantina, we see Jacinto preventing anyone from approaching the stage where his Violeta sings.
Julio shares with his mother a little gossip about his employers. The eldest Alarcón daughter, Sofía, is expecting her first child and her husband, Alfredo, left the hotel because he was appointed in an important position in the civil service. Again, the reality is otherwise. Doña Elisa is shown pleading with Javier Góngora, her cousin and advisor to the President, to help her son in his predicament but he says that his hands are tied and that she must wait one more month. Sofía is also told to wait one more month as Dr. Vicario fits her with a prosthetic belly that emulates an 8-month pregnancy. Meanwhile, poor Alfredo is stewing in jail.
Felipe is still at the abbey, getting a little moral reformation and some brief shut-eye whenever he can dodge chores. However, according to Julio’s letter, the Alarcón family is telling people that their younger child is studying art in Italy.
As for the remarkable woman that Isabel Alarcón is, she is inaugurating a rural hospital for the village. Diego bought the building and helped Isabel and Matilde convert it into a hospital, with the guidance of Dr. Vicario (so THIS was Diego’s offer to Matilde? Very inspired, indeed. The mustached vulture has a thinking brain after all). Diego invested a lot of time and money into this project or as he put it, into “Isabel’s happiness”. On the day of the hospital’s inauguration, Diego decides to cash in his dividends. He asks Isabel to marry him. The two sweetest couples of San Cristóbal, Violeta & Jacinto and Ángela & Lupe, eye each other during Diego’s “be my spouse” speech. Julio is observing the scene from afar. A beaming Isabel is about to answer Diego’s proposal when she spies Julio lurking and sulking behind a tree. Her jovial expression darkens. Julio walks away. He ends the letter to his mother: “As for me, don’t worry about me, mother. I am always fine. Your son is always happy. Love, Julio.”
A quote from the capítulo
"Somos del material con que se tejen los sueños y nuestra pequeña vida termina durmiendo". *
* Ayala quotes Shakespeare’s The Tempest Act 4, scene 1: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
Your viewing vocabulario
(these definitions are context-specific, unless otherwise indicated)
comer gente = or “comer prójimo” (Thank you, Pablo!). A literal translation of the former is “to eat people”, and the latter variation translates as “to eat one’s neighbor/fellow man”. It is a metaphor to dissuade one from engaging in idle gossip, defaming others and causing conflict within families and communities.
el pez por la boca muere = or “por la boca muere el pez”. Literally translates as: “the fish dies through/by its mouth”. A similar expression in English would be : “loose lips sink ships.” I guess these vivid expressions are an invitation to talk less and listen more.
canijo = can be used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb. As a noun, a “canijo” can be as reprehensible a person as an S.O.B, a jerk or an a-hole. Or it can be as mild as “a little devil” when talking about a mischievous child or “a pain in the neck” when referring to a mildly annoying but ultimately inoffensive person. As an adjective, “canijo” usually means bad, mischievous, unpleasant, difficult and/or terrible. The way Andrés used it fits this meaning. However, “canijo” as an adjective can also mean cool, awesome or badass. For example: If I go on an exotic holiday or win a great prize and I tell my friends about it, they might respond: “¡Qué canijo!”, as in “How cool!” or “How awesome is that!”. As an adverb, “canijo” is used to emphasize an action. For example: “Le pegué bien canijo” (“I hit him really hard”) or “La regaste bien canijo” (“You messed up big time!”). Basically, as Pablo mentioned in the comment section, “canijo” is a milder version of the more vulgar “cabrón”. They offer the same panoply of versatile, albeit confusing, uses; with the difference that “canijo” is the G-rated version.
impune = unpunished, scot-free.
destrozado(a) = destroyed, shattered, devastated.
eso no te detuvo = “that didn’t stop you”. The verb is “detener”, i.e. to stop, to pause, to detain/to arrest (a criminal), to hold up (if you want someone to wait for you, you might say “Détente, por favor” or “Détengase, for favor” if you’re addressing someone formally). Same conjugation rules as the verb “tener”.
si estuvieras en mis zapatos = if you were in my shoes.
sobredosis de opio = overdose of opium.
anfitrión (anfitriona) = host (hostess).
mazo = mallet.
decimonónico = adjective for something or someone of/belonging to the 19th century. "Caballero decimonónico" is a 19th-century gentleman
aterrado(a) = terrified, frightened.
hombre incapaz = an inept, incompetent man.
¡lárguese ya! = “get (the heck) out!” or “scram!”. The informal version of this is one of my favorite Spanish phrases ever and it's a TN staple: “¡Lárgate!”. I like to say it like Soraya Montenegro, the villana of “María La Del Barrio” does, really rolling my Rs: “¡Lárrrgate!” Unfortunately, no situation that warrants an emphatic “¡Lárgate!” has ever presented itself in my life. I lead a boring existence filled with mostly nice people. Just for the fun of it, here is a video compilation of Soraya Montenegro yelling at people to get the heck out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8KHDtsrVY4. Whoever made this video deserves a giant basket of edible fruit bouquets.
me las va a pagar todas juntas = a variation on the classic TN threat: You/he/she are/is gonna pay for whatever offense, real or imagined, that may have happened to the person that utters this legendary phrase. Again, I’ve never had the opportunity to shake my first in the air and mutter with righteous anger: “¡Me las va a pagar!”
presidiario(a) = prisoner.
decano = university dean.
período lectivo = academic session. Academic year is “año lectivo” or “año académico”.
pinzas = Depending on the context, “pinzas” can mean either clothespins for the clothes line or kitchen tongs or tweezers or clips or pliers or the claws of large marine crustaceans. In the medical field, “pinzas” are forceps (those big pincers that are used in surgery).
bisturí = a scalpel.
pajarita = bowtie. Has a variety of synonyms, like: “moño”, “moñita”, “corbata de moño”, “corbata de lazo” or “corbatín”.
chueco(a) = askew, crooked, twisted. In the figurative sense, it means dirty, dodgy, crooked. For example: “jugar chueco” is to play dirty; “un negocio chueco” is a dodgy business (deal).
entregar = to deliver, to hand over, to surrender; but in this context “entregar a la novia (en el altar)” means “to give the bride away (at the altar)”.
acogedor(a) = cozy, snug, homely (not sure if they use “homely” to mean “cozy” in the US or if it’s purely British, but you get the gist of it. I don’t mean “homely”, the unkind euphemism used to call a person unattractive).
reo = prisoner, but sometimes it means accused/defendant. Here, Alfredo is both accused and imprisoned. Poor sod!
fiesta de campesinos = peasants’ party.
desalentado(a) = despondent, gloomy, disheartened.
silbato = a whistle.
alacena = kitchen cupboard or kitchen pantry.
tejer = (from the Shakespeare quote) to knit, to weave.
Your viewing vocabulario
(these definitions are context-specific, unless otherwise indicated)
comer gente = or “comer prójimo” (Thank you, Pablo!). A literal translation of the former is “to eat people”, and the latter variation translates as “to eat one’s neighbor/fellow man”. It is a metaphor to dissuade one from engaging in idle gossip, defaming others and causing conflict within families and communities.
el pez por la boca muere = or “por la boca muere el pez”. Literally translates as: “the fish dies through/by its mouth”. A similar expression in English would be : “loose lips sink ships.” I guess these vivid expressions are an invitation to talk less and listen more.
canijo = can be used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb. As a noun, a “canijo” can be as reprehensible a person as an S.O.B, a jerk or an a-hole. Or it can be as mild as “a little devil” when talking about a mischievous child or “a pain in the neck” when referring to a mildly annoying but ultimately inoffensive person. As an adjective, “canijo” usually means bad, mischievous, unpleasant, difficult and/or terrible. The way Andrés used it fits this meaning. However, “canijo” as an adjective can also mean cool, awesome or badass. For example: If I go on an exotic holiday or win a great prize and I tell my friends about it, they might respond: “¡Qué canijo!”, as in “How cool!” or “How awesome is that!”. As an adverb, “canijo” is used to emphasize an action. For example: “Le pegué bien canijo” (“I hit him really hard”) or “La regaste bien canijo” (“You messed up big time!”). Basically, as Pablo mentioned in the comment section, “canijo” is a milder version of the more vulgar “cabrón”. They offer the same panoply of versatile, albeit confusing, uses; with the difference that “canijo” is the G-rated version.
impune = unpunished, scot-free.
destrozado(a) = destroyed, shattered, devastated.
eso no te detuvo = “that didn’t stop you”. The verb is “detener”, i.e. to stop, to pause, to detain/to arrest (a criminal), to hold up (if you want someone to wait for you, you might say “Détente, por favor” or “Détengase, for favor” if you’re addressing someone formally). Same conjugation rules as the verb “tener”.
si estuvieras en mis zapatos = if you were in my shoes.
sobredosis de opio = overdose of opium.
anfitrión (anfitriona) = host (hostess).
mazo = mallet.
decimonónico = adjective for something or someone of/belonging to the 19th century. "Caballero decimonónico" is a 19th-century gentleman
aterrado(a) = terrified, frightened.
hombre incapaz = an inept, incompetent man.
¡lárguese ya! = “get (the heck) out!” or “scram!”. The informal version of this is one of my favorite Spanish phrases ever and it's a TN staple: “¡Lárgate!”. I like to say it like Soraya Montenegro, the villana of “María La Del Barrio” does, really rolling my Rs: “¡Lárrrgate!” Unfortunately, no situation that warrants an emphatic “¡Lárgate!” has ever presented itself in my life. I lead a boring existence filled with mostly nice people. Just for the fun of it, here is a video compilation of Soraya Montenegro yelling at people to get the heck out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8KHDtsrVY4. Whoever made this video deserves a giant basket of edible fruit bouquets.
me las va a pagar todas juntas = a variation on the classic TN threat: You/he/she are/is gonna pay for whatever offense, real or imagined, that may have happened to the person that utters this legendary phrase. Again, I’ve never had the opportunity to shake my first in the air and mutter with righteous anger: “¡Me las va a pagar!”
presidiario(a) = prisoner.
decano = university dean.
período lectivo = academic session. Academic year is “año lectivo” or “año académico”.
pinzas = Depending on the context, “pinzas” can mean either clothespins for the clothes line or kitchen tongs or tweezers or clips or pliers or the claws of large marine crustaceans. In the medical field, “pinzas” are forceps (those big pincers that are used in surgery).
bisturí = a scalpel.
pajarita = bowtie. Has a variety of synonyms, like: “moño”, “moñita”, “corbata de moño”, “corbata de lazo” or “corbatín”.
chueco(a) = askew, crooked, twisted. In the figurative sense, it means dirty, dodgy, crooked. For example: “jugar chueco” is to play dirty; “un negocio chueco” is a dodgy business (deal).
entregar = to deliver, to hand over, to surrender; but in this context “entregar a la novia (en el altar)” means “to give the bride away (at the altar)”.
acogedor(a) = cozy, snug, homely (not sure if they use “homely” to mean “cozy” in the US or if it’s purely British, but you get the gist of it. I don’t mean “homely”, the unkind euphemism used to call a person unattractive).
reo = prisoner, but sometimes it means accused/defendant. Here, Alfredo is both accused and imprisoned. Poor sod!
fiesta de campesinos = peasants’ party.
desalentado(a) = despondent, gloomy, disheartened.
silbato = a whistle.
alacena = kitchen cupboard or kitchen pantry.
tejer = (from the Shakespeare quote) to knit, to weave.
Thank you for the pleasure of your company. Please join us again for the next capítulo. We’ll be saving you a seat!
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Hello Patio Pals! This was an exciting episode, though the last 15 minutes of epistolary narration and flashbacks was a biatch to recap. I did the best I could for that last sequence but if I missed anything that you feel should be emphasized, please do share it with the group in the comment section.
I watched 9 episodes in the past 4 days and I can't believe how much happened in such a short amount of episodes! My head is spinning, but in a good way! The writing is brilliant and there is real, clever comedy that makes you laugh out loud. The cast is superb, there is not one character out of place or an actor/actress delivering a half-arsed performance. What a treat! This show is so good, it is going to ruin TNs for me.
Enjoy the recap and the discussion! I'll compile the vocabulary some time tomorrow.
¡Qué tengan un excelente día! :)
I watched 9 episodes in the past 4 days and I can't believe how much happened in such a short amount of episodes! My head is spinning, but in a good way! The writing is brilliant and there is real, clever comedy that makes you laugh out loud. The cast is superb, there is not one character out of place or an actor/actress delivering a half-arsed performance. What a treat! This show is so good, it is going to ruin TNs for me.
Enjoy the recap and the discussion! I'll compile the vocabulary some time tomorrow.
¡Qué tengan un excelente día! :)
Thanks Nandicta, for an excellent recap!!!
Holy moly, a lot changed in this episode. I'm not so sure I like the time jump, but I suppose they did need to get to the baby issue sooner rather than later. This almost felt like a new season beginning on a regular yearly TV series. I wonder if the storyline is still similar to the Spanish version (which I think had three seasons?)
Where the heck did Diego get the money for the hospital? Stole it from the hotel? I don't know if I can stomach watching Isabel marry him. I hope she says no, but I have a feeling she will say yes. Ugh.
I still can't tell if Don Benjamin is the killer or not. He is covering his tracks well if he is. Not sure how he locked the door from the outside, but the silhouette of the killer did look like him.
Holy moly, a lot changed in this episode. I'm not so sure I like the time jump, but I suppose they did need to get to the baby issue sooner rather than later. This almost felt like a new season beginning on a regular yearly TV series. I wonder if the storyline is still similar to the Spanish version (which I think had three seasons?)
Where the heck did Diego get the money for the hospital? Stole it from the hotel? I don't know if I can stomach watching Isabel marry him. I hope she says no, but I have a feeling she will say yes. Ugh.
I still can't tell if Don Benjamin is the killer or not. He is covering his tracks well if he is. Not sure how he locked the door from the outside, but the silhouette of the killer did look like him.
Permalink posted by 
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 9:10:00 AM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 9:10:00 AM EST
This was a remarkable episode and a superb recap. I am "vocabulary challenged" and am thrilled with your knowledge. To save you the effort, I am supplying the list of vocabulary words you supplied and I copied and saved. Thanks again!!!
Stop slandering people! Loose lips sink ships (el pez por la boca muere)!” (What Don Lupe said verbatim was: Ya dejen de comer gente que 'el pez por la boca muere'. This literally translates as: Stop eating people because ‘the fish dies through its mouth’. I was surprised to hear him refer to gossiping as “eating people”. There is a similar expression in Arabic, which has its roots in the teachings of Islam. It is believed that people who engage in idle gossip are metaphorically eating the flesh of their brethren because they slander people, sully reputations, sow discord and destroy the harmony of communities. I wonder if this 'comer gente' expression also has a religious basis in the principles and teachings of Catholicism.)
malicious (canijo
scot-free (impune
a wreck (destrozada)
that never stopped you (eso no te detuvo
If you were in my shoes (si estuvieras en mi zapatos),
overdose of opium (sobredosis de opio)
host (anfitrión
mallet (mazo)
19th century gentleman (caballero decimonónico)
frightened (aterrada
an incompetent (hombre incapaz
scram (lárguese ya
pay for all his offenses at once (me las va a pagar todas juntas)
ex-jailbirds (ex-presidiarios)
dean (decano
next academic session (período lectivo
forceps (pinzas) or a
scalpel (bisturí)?
bowtie (pajarita)
is askew (chueca)
give her away (entregar)
cozy (acogedoras
accused (reo
peasant’s party (fiesta de campesinos).
despondent (desalentada
whistle (silbato
kitchen pantry (alacena
"Somos del material con que se tejen los sueños y nuestra pequeña vida termina durmiendo". *
* Ayala quotes Shakespeare’s The Tempest Act 4, scene 1: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
Stop slandering people! Loose lips sink ships (el pez por la boca muere)!” (What Don Lupe said verbatim was: Ya dejen de comer gente que 'el pez por la boca muere'. This literally translates as: Stop eating people because ‘the fish dies through its mouth’. I was surprised to hear him refer to gossiping as “eating people”. There is a similar expression in Arabic, which has its roots in the teachings of Islam. It is believed that people who engage in idle gossip are metaphorically eating the flesh of their brethren because they slander people, sully reputations, sow discord and destroy the harmony of communities. I wonder if this 'comer gente' expression also has a religious basis in the principles and teachings of Catholicism.)
malicious (canijo
scot-free (impune
a wreck (destrozada)
that never stopped you (eso no te detuvo
If you were in my shoes (si estuvieras en mi zapatos),
overdose of opium (sobredosis de opio)
host (anfitrión
mallet (mazo)
19th century gentleman (caballero decimonónico)
frightened (aterrada
an incompetent (hombre incapaz
scram (lárguese ya
pay for all his offenses at once (me las va a pagar todas juntas)
ex-jailbirds (ex-presidiarios)
dean (decano
next academic session (período lectivo
forceps (pinzas) or a
scalpel (bisturí)?
bowtie (pajarita)
is askew (chueca)
give her away (entregar)
cozy (acogedoras
accused (reo
peasant’s party (fiesta de campesinos).
despondent (desalentada
whistle (silbato
kitchen pantry (alacena
"Somos del material con que se tejen los sueños y nuestra pequeña vida termina durmiendo". *
* Ayala quotes Shakespeare’s The Tempest Act 4, scene 1: “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
Hello!
Thanks for the recap and for sharing all this comments.
In my hometown we used ''comer prójimo'' for gossiping, and we also used ''canijo'' instead of ''cabrón'' that I am sure is not allowed even in México.
I think Roberto included a little bit of Shakespeare here in memory of his father, who were considered the ''little Shakespeare'' of comedy, or CHESPIRITO.
So whats's next for Sofía? Heroína? I heard that heroin was created to unhook people from morphin, but turned out worse...
Did you notice the small mound of dirt on Cristina's tomb? Looks like she was buried standing up! That could also save space, LOL!
Julio: I won't go until I find my sister.
He found her. I won't go without her.
She got killed. I won't go until I find his murderer.
Alfredo is in jail. I won't go until Andrés wakes up!
Let's hope he does to see what is the next excuse.
And speaking of irony, Julio, who has never shaved himself, NOW HAS TO SHAVE ANDRES!!! I wouldn't trust him with the butter knife!
Gratuitous shirtless scenes way down the belly button, first Jacinto (for a very long time) and now Julio again.
Diego must have a secret bank account, because I don't think that building, even as old as it looks, came cheap.
I was just expecting to hear Violeta singing ALMA LLANERA.
That was the worst ''papel picado'' I have seen in years.
Don't miss the next episode of HOSPITAL DE LOS SECRETOS.
Thanks for the recap and for sharing all this comments.
In my hometown we used ''comer prójimo'' for gossiping, and we also used ''canijo'' instead of ''cabrón'' that I am sure is not allowed even in México.
I think Roberto included a little bit of Shakespeare here in memory of his father, who were considered the ''little Shakespeare'' of comedy, or CHESPIRITO.
So whats's next for Sofía? Heroína? I heard that heroin was created to unhook people from morphin, but turned out worse...
Did you notice the small mound of dirt on Cristina's tomb? Looks like she was buried standing up! That could also save space, LOL!
Julio: I won't go until I find my sister.
He found her. I won't go without her.
She got killed. I won't go until I find his murderer.
Alfredo is in jail. I won't go until Andrés wakes up!
Let's hope he does to see what is the next excuse.
And speaking of irony, Julio, who has never shaved himself, NOW HAS TO SHAVE ANDRES!!! I wouldn't trust him with the butter knife!
Gratuitous shirtless scenes way down the belly button, first Jacinto (for a very long time) and now Julio again.
Diego must have a secret bank account, because I don't think that building, even as old as it looks, came cheap.
I was just expecting to hear Violeta singing ALMA LLANERA.
That was the worst ''papel picado'' I have seen in years.
Don't miss the next episode of HOSPITAL DE LOS SECRETOS.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 10:11:00 AM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 10:11:00 AM EST
Excellent Nandicta! Good gracious, such events and you gave it a brilliant recap! And thanks sandydoc for all the additional info!
Ok, how can it NOT be Don Benjamin?? That being locked in the closet was right out of Agatha Christie. He who has all the keys and probably knows the secrets of which locks on what doors works how, could fake being locked in very easily. The killer of the young girl later in the flash forward had that larger shadow too. It's always convenient that he is missing with an excuse when a murder occurs. I'm sitting at the Die Benjie Die table until proved otherwise.
And Teresa's absolute glee at seeing Belen NOT getting her wedding...could Benjie the Bald be a pawn of Teresa's? Was he told to do in Andres? The random acts could be to throw police off the trail of the real intent of the killings. Note: I personally was glad the wedding was off, HATED how it happened. But our Andres does look pretty still--horsey did not mar that face.
Diego's evil sidekick did live another day, huh? Why the heck would that idiot still be hanging around is beyond me. Gives new meaning to wanting to stay gainfully employed.
Diego was his slimy best last night, but I smartly had a glass of gingerale at my side and it helped fight the nausea. The whole "I bought you a hospital" and Isa's gullible "oh yeah" had my head hurt. I'm sorry, HOW did he buy this and who paid for all the goodies? Is that her money filling the place once it's getting started or did he front that? 'Cos, geee, most hotel managers don't have that kind of cash. just sayin'. And she never even cared to ask. Mati is becoming worthless.
That starry eyed stare at Diego like he was suddenly a gift from the gods as he proposed made me very disappointed in Isa. So does she accept--bet she does.
Poor Sophia--I think mumsy might be doing to her what she did to daddy? A slow death by addiction and drugs? Was that a clue we got with Sophia crying out for Papa? Clever writers.
Dang, those previews though.
Daisynjay
Ok, how can it NOT be Don Benjamin?? That being locked in the closet was right out of Agatha Christie. He who has all the keys and probably knows the secrets of which locks on what doors works how, could fake being locked in very easily. The killer of the young girl later in the flash forward had that larger shadow too. It's always convenient that he is missing with an excuse when a murder occurs. I'm sitting at the Die Benjie Die table until proved otherwise.
And Teresa's absolute glee at seeing Belen NOT getting her wedding...could Benjie the Bald be a pawn of Teresa's? Was he told to do in Andres? The random acts could be to throw police off the trail of the real intent of the killings. Note: I personally was glad the wedding was off, HATED how it happened. But our Andres does look pretty still--horsey did not mar that face.
Diego's evil sidekick did live another day, huh? Why the heck would that idiot still be hanging around is beyond me. Gives new meaning to wanting to stay gainfully employed.
Diego was his slimy best last night, but I smartly had a glass of gingerale at my side and it helped fight the nausea. The whole "I bought you a hospital" and Isa's gullible "oh yeah" had my head hurt. I'm sorry, HOW did he buy this and who paid for all the goodies? Is that her money filling the place once it's getting started or did he front that? 'Cos, geee, most hotel managers don't have that kind of cash. just sayin'. And she never even cared to ask. Mati is becoming worthless.
That starry eyed stare at Diego like he was suddenly a gift from the gods as he proposed made me very disappointed in Isa. So does she accept--bet she does.
Poor Sophia--I think mumsy might be doing to her what she did to daddy? A slow death by addiction and drugs? Was that a clue we got with Sophia crying out for Papa? Clever writers.
Dang, those previews though.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 11:09:00 AM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 11:09:00 AM EST
I am really disappointed in Isabel too. She knows Diego lied to her (about where he was the night Cristina died), he tried to kill Cristina, and left her for dead in the pond. Even if Isabel doesn't believe that Diego was trying to kill Cristina, he still LEFT HER FOR DEAD. Especially with how upset Isabel was with everyone for talking bad about Cristina, why she does not remember/care about what Diego did?
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 11:37:00 AM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 11:37:00 AM EST
So good Nandicta, missed nothing and well put together
"Belén is bummed out that her meal ticket is now a vegetable"
I liked how the time jump was handled, with narration
Andres is cute but he's too dumb for me and not much personality. Entertain me beefcake. Frankly, I don't see much difference in Andres, pre or post accident.
Let's see. Respect me as a learned woman and open a hospital near my family or life on the lam, living hand to mouth. Well, that's hard.
"Belén is bummed out that her meal ticket is now a vegetable"
I liked how the time jump was handled, with narration
Andres is cute but he's too dumb for me and not much personality. Entertain me beefcake. Frankly, I don't see much difference in Andres, pre or post accident.
Let's see. Respect me as a learned woman and open a hospital near my family or life on the lam, living hand to mouth. Well, that's hard.
Fantastic recap Nandicta, gracias
At one time I thought Ben was the full moon killer but now that it seems more obvious, I doubt it. The writers keep messing with us. Teresa had such a smug look on her face when she ran into Belen, she is probably behind it.
It also seems Teresa wants Sofia to commit suicide, she would be smart enough to know, you can't leave drugs within easy reach of an addict, plus she stole a bottle from the doc's bag.
It looks like Andres saw his attacker, so he is in danger & probably his caretaker at the time & roommate also.
This one sure keeps us guessing.
At one time I thought Ben was the full moon killer but now that it seems more obvious, I doubt it. The writers keep messing with us. Teresa had such a smug look on her face when she ran into Belen, she is probably behind it.
It also seems Teresa wants Sofia to commit suicide, she would be smart enough to know, you can't leave drugs within easy reach of an addict, plus she stole a bottle from the doc's bag.
It looks like Andres saw his attacker, so he is in danger & probably his caretaker at the time & roommate also.
This one sure keeps us guessing.
Yay! I am finally caught up, just in time to read your brilliant recap, Nandicta. Thanks you.
Like Variopinta, now that the writers are pointing to Don Ben, I'm now convinced that he is not the killer. Which just deepens the mystery. Thank goodness being trampled by a horse saved Andres both from being stabbed AND from marrying Belen. Whew! All in all, a good exchange for being in a coma for a while.
Well played, Diego. Well played. But really, unless she thinks he's independently wealthy, Isa (and everyone else) should be asking where he got the money to afford a hospital and all the necessities.
I liked the way they did the time jump, and the fact that the only part of the narration that was truth was the stuff about Andres.
Like Variopinta, now that the writers are pointing to Don Ben, I'm now convinced that he is not the killer. Which just deepens the mystery. Thank goodness being trampled by a horse saved Andres both from being stabbed AND from marrying Belen. Whew! All in all, a good exchange for being in a coma for a while.
Well played, Diego. Well played. But really, unless she thinks he's independently wealthy, Isa (and everyone else) should be asking where he got the money to afford a hospital and all the necessities.
I liked the way they did the time jump, and the fact that the only part of the narration that was truth was the stuff about Andres.
Nice job Nandicta, thank you.
I'm still holding out that Don Benjamin is the killer. It might be obvious because they are going to play with the fact that we know he's the killer but others don't. And that the murder took place right outside of the hotel is another clue.
I'm holding out hope that Isabel says no. Maybe she'll choose to not get married and devote all her time to her hospital.
I liked the way they did the time jump too. It was so sad all the lies he told his mother in order for her not to worry.
I'm still holding out that Don Benjamin is the killer. It might be obvious because they are going to play with the fact that we know he's the killer but others don't. And that the murder took place right outside of the hotel is another clue.
I'm holding out hope that Isabel says no. Maybe she'll choose to not get married and devote all her time to her hospital.
I liked the way they did the time jump too. It was so sad all the lies he told his mother in order for her not to worry.
Excellent work, Nandicta.
I'd also like to see Isabel say now. Dee Eggo is just too slimy and even if he never killed anyone he still has been skimming dinero in the hotel. He'd figure out a way to dispossess Isabel of everything sooner or later.
Something is going to go wrong when Belen and Sofia are both due. I don't think Sofia's mental state will get any better and if Elise comes back she will never leave. Nobody needs a metiche suegra like her and Sofia least of all.
I'd also like to see Isabel say now. Dee Eggo is just too slimy and even if he never killed anyone he still has been skimming dinero in the hotel. He'd figure out a way to dispossess Isabel of everything sooner or later.
Something is going to go wrong when Belen and Sofia are both due. I don't think Sofia's mental state will get any better and if Elise comes back she will never leave. Nobody needs a metiche suegra like her and Sofia least of all.
Could Don Benjamin's son be the killer? Remember when he had to leave to take care of a problem related to
him? Maybe that's who locked him in his room so he couldn't stop him.
Thank you to all for the excellent recaps.
AnonGringa
him? Maybe that's who locked him in his room so he couldn't stop him.
Thank you to all for the excellent recaps.
AnonGringa
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:24:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:24:00 PM EST
Nandicta--Like I said on another post: You are everywhere at once, regularly delivering to our doors an over-the-top recap for us to sit back and consume with gusto. Thank you. (Just "Borrowing," Osorio style.)
Ah, Old Benji. The more he seems the likely serial killer, the more we doubt ourselves. A lot of us thought he was the likely suspect when he asked for time off to see to his son who was in trouble. Interesting that it was the ONLY time he did this (that we know of). The other times, he's slipped away, by the light of the full moon to do his dastardly deed. Ok, so if he is, it's still fun to see how they manage to collar him. Ayala will definitely have a perfectly sound scientific explanation for the urge to kill.
All in all, a very satisfying trip back into early 20th C. crime solving and psychological theories of crimes.
Yes, Diego has been skimming. I think Teresa knew and is in collusion with him (otherwise why would the staff be so poorly fed and treated--they need to form a union). They both have been salting the pesos away, but he needs a way to get at Isa's inheritance, again, with Teresa's blessing.
If Isa has had access to her money, she may have provided some of the furnishings of the "new" hospital as well. What I don't understand is did she and Matilde ever get to go back to school (for 3 months) or are they just going to wing it with a couple of semesters of medical school.
Cathyx--The original plan with Violeta was for her and Sofia to go away on a trip and Violeta "loses" her baby and Sofia comes home with a new baby. I think Teresa told Belen her baby was to "die." I don't think Belen is going to let that happen now. The baby is a great meal ticket (blackmailing both Teresa and Diego). Andres is fortunate to have missed his wedding, but Belen has missed her opportunity to be the legitimate esposa of one of the heirs to the Alarcon fortune (if not the only--at least until we read what's in the letter).
Ah, Old Benji. The more he seems the likely serial killer, the more we doubt ourselves. A lot of us thought he was the likely suspect when he asked for time off to see to his son who was in trouble. Interesting that it was the ONLY time he did this (that we know of). The other times, he's slipped away, by the light of the full moon to do his dastardly deed. Ok, so if he is, it's still fun to see how they manage to collar him. Ayala will definitely have a perfectly sound scientific explanation for the urge to kill.
All in all, a very satisfying trip back into early 20th C. crime solving and psychological theories of crimes.
Yes, Diego has been skimming. I think Teresa knew and is in collusion with him (otherwise why would the staff be so poorly fed and treated--they need to form a union). They both have been salting the pesos away, but he needs a way to get at Isa's inheritance, again, with Teresa's blessing.
If Isa has had access to her money, she may have provided some of the furnishings of the "new" hospital as well. What I don't understand is did she and Matilde ever get to go back to school (for 3 months) or are they just going to wing it with a couple of semesters of medical school.
Cathyx--The original plan with Violeta was for her and Sofia to go away on a trip and Violeta "loses" her baby and Sofia comes home with a new baby. I think Teresa told Belen her baby was to "die." I don't think Belen is going to let that happen now. The baby is a great meal ticket (blackmailing both Teresa and Diego). Andres is fortunate to have missed his wedding, but Belen has missed her opportunity to be the legitimate esposa of one of the heirs to the Alarcon fortune (if not the only--at least until we read what's in the letter).
Thank you for stopping by! I have compiled the vocabulary at the end with more explanations and a little goodie for fans of TN catchphrases and kitschy outrageously over-the-top villanas. Enjoy! Now, let me delve further into the comments! Catch you all in a wee bit!
So much for Matilde feminist and independent actions. Really? Do they have to depend on Diego to get ahead in their future? I know Diego is brainwashing them and like Osorio, borrowing from the spaniards the trick of trading gold for shiny mirrors, but both Matilde and Isabel disappoint me. I know that Isabel is hurt right now and is hating Julio, but Matilde used to be the anchor and now is flying away with her like a kite, where the wind takes them, sad! NOTHING justifies their acts because being as smart as they are, they could have found another solution. Kalimán always said it: There's always a way when you use your intelligence.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:44:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:44:00 PM EST
Pinzas are also the ones mechanics use, pliers, and sometimes the ones women use to curl their hair, also known as tenazas. Pinzas are also the ones on some clothes, to accentuate details. I dont know if I can explain it, but in some dresses, they are under the breast, so the waist can be smaller, tighter. Running vertical or a little diagonally. Shirts could also have them.
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:57:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 1:57:00 PM EST
I don't think Matilde or Isabel think much about where the money comes from, neither I bet, have ever had to concern themselves. It's the outside the box answer Diego provided, who cares who paid. They may be feminist but they are wealthy or have access to wealth first and that makes anything possible.
I mentioned before a university friend and cheerleading squad mate who's family was VERY wealthy and she literally could not make change. She could count but she had never had to touch money. She was smart, sweet and pretty but it was a riot taking her into a grocery store.
I mentioned before a university friend and cheerleading squad mate who's family was VERY wealthy and she literally could not make change. She could count but she had never had to touch money. She was smart, sweet and pretty but it was a riot taking her into a grocery store.
-- J: You are welcome, dear. I didn't the Spanish "Gran Hotel" (not even trailers) but I heard that there were quite a few differences between the two versions almost from the get-go. To be honest, I didn't try to seek more details of the original to avoid spoilers but also to avoid pre-judging this version and not giving it a fair chance. One of the things I'm looking forward for the finale of this TN, is to hear from those who saw the Spanish series and make comparisons.
I too think that Diego financed that rural hospital with money skimmed from Isabel's family! It's poetic justice because, as you rightly pointed out, Isabel disappointed me when she allowed Diego to weasel his way back into her life. She had every right to give Julio the boot but running back to Diego was really dumb.
-- Sandydoc: Thank you for your kind words and for compiling the vocabulary in your post. I don't mind doing it at all. In fact, as a "word hoarder" with a rather sketchy memory, this is a really good exercise for me to reinforce my learning and if these lists can also be of use to my Patio Pals, then that's an extra bonus!
-- Pablo: I really don't know where to start because your comment was increíble! I laughed to tears and I'm going to steal (with your permission of course) that collection of excuses Julio uses to stay at the Gran Manicomio. We can make one big list at the end of the TN as an homage and a fare-the-well to our male protagonist!
Cheers for coming back to me on "comer gente" and for your definition of the word "canijo". In the vocabulary list at the end of the recap, I added my understanding of the various meanings that "canijo" can have in its noun, adjective and adverb forms. As a non-native speaker, these shifty super-versatile words like "canijo" were one of the hardest things to grasp but through observing the way my friends used them, it made more and more sense. It is one of those untranslatable linguistic gems that make me love Mexican Spanish so much!
I too think that Diego financed that rural hospital with money skimmed from Isabel's family! It's poetic justice because, as you rightly pointed out, Isabel disappointed me when she allowed Diego to weasel his way back into her life. She had every right to give Julio the boot but running back to Diego was really dumb.
-- Sandydoc: Thank you for your kind words and for compiling the vocabulary in your post. I don't mind doing it at all. In fact, as a "word hoarder" with a rather sketchy memory, this is a really good exercise for me to reinforce my learning and if these lists can also be of use to my Patio Pals, then that's an extra bonus!
-- Pablo: I really don't know where to start because your comment was increíble! I laughed to tears and I'm going to steal (with your permission of course) that collection of excuses Julio uses to stay at the Gran Manicomio. We can make one big list at the end of the TN as an homage and a fare-the-well to our male protagonist!
Cheers for coming back to me on "comer gente" and for your definition of the word "canijo". In the vocabulary list at the end of the recap, I added my understanding of the various meanings that "canijo" can have in its noun, adjective and adverb forms. As a non-native speaker, these shifty super-versatile words like "canijo" were one of the hardest things to grasp but through observing the way my friends used them, it made more and more sense. It is one of those untranslatable linguistic gems that make me love Mexican Spanish so much!
-- Daisynjay: Thank you, dear. You raised a lot of interesting points and the two that puzzle me the most are the auto-medication of Sofía and Garrido's relationship with Diego.
There has been many instances where we saw Teresa's contort with pain for her two messed up children, especially for Sofía. The first scene in this episode is a case in point. I recapped as I watched the episode, so my impressions are those that any first-time viewer might get. That's why I went from feeling Teresa's pain and powerlessness in the first scene to getting an ominous and creepy vibe during Teresa's conversation with our Doc about the effects of opiates. I don't know what that woman is up to and I'm terrified and fascinated by her in equal measure. Since we got a chance to hang out at the PyP Patio, you might tell by now how much I love my villains. Diana Bracho is interpreting a villana that hits the dream list of how an outstanding baddie should be. Teresa couldn't be more perfect a villain if I picked her out of a catalogue.
As for Garrido, Original Idiot Goon, I don't know if I said this before but I think there is some sinister secret chaining him to Diego. Remember that episode where Diego sent him to tail Isabel, Matilde and Dr. Vicario? I could swear the Doc's ears perked up when he heard the name Garrido. In an earlier episode, our Doc also tried to grill Diego about his last name. Me thinks that either our Doc is in the Gran Hotel specifically for the sake of Diego Montejo or (my preferred theory), he is there for something that's got to do with Teresa but he is also familiar with Diego's name. Could Dr. Vicario be the person Isabel's father was trying to warn and/or reach to for help?
Garrido could be one of the keys to unravelling the mystery of Diego's past, especially now that Jacinto, Lame Imitation Idiot Goon is in the picture.
There has been many instances where we saw Teresa's contort with pain for her two messed up children, especially for Sofía. The first scene in this episode is a case in point. I recapped as I watched the episode, so my impressions are those that any first-time viewer might get. That's why I went from feeling Teresa's pain and powerlessness in the first scene to getting an ominous and creepy vibe during Teresa's conversation with our Doc about the effects of opiates. I don't know what that woman is up to and I'm terrified and fascinated by her in equal measure. Since we got a chance to hang out at the PyP Patio, you might tell by now how much I love my villains. Diana Bracho is interpreting a villana that hits the dream list of how an outstanding baddie should be. Teresa couldn't be more perfect a villain if I picked her out of a catalogue.
As for Garrido, Original Idiot Goon, I don't know if I said this before but I think there is some sinister secret chaining him to Diego. Remember that episode where Diego sent him to tail Isabel, Matilde and Dr. Vicario? I could swear the Doc's ears perked up when he heard the name Garrido. In an earlier episode, our Doc also tried to grill Diego about his last name. Me thinks that either our Doc is in the Gran Hotel specifically for the sake of Diego Montejo or (my preferred theory), he is there for something that's got to do with Teresa but he is also familiar with Diego's name. Could Dr. Vicario be the person Isabel's father was trying to warn and/or reach to for help?
Garrido could be one of the keys to unravelling the mystery of Diego's past, especially now that Jacinto, Lame Imitation Idiot Goon is in the picture.
Thanks! You are welcomed to it, anytime! That is the most sincere flattery, LOL!
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 2:35:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 2:35:00 PM EST
-- Tofie: Many thanks. Your comments made me chuckle, especially the one about material comfort trumping feminism for an armchair feminist who grew up in luxury. I guess Matilde's pragmatic elitism wound up convincing Isabel, especially after Julio messed up. But we mustn't be too harsh on Isabel; marrying that mustached vulture will be punishment enough.
-- Variopinta: Cheers, me dear. For the life of me I cannot figure out Teresa's endgame with Sofía. She was consumed by angst when her daughter was having her nervous breakdown. Then she seemed to be feuding her addiction to opiates then in the time-jump, Sofía looked fine... I really don't know what's happening but I'm curious, intrigued and creeped out. As for Andrés, I don't think he saw his attacker. Bless his heart, the boy is cute as a button, sweet as a cupcake but he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. That dumb grin he had when he turned around to see who was sneaking up on him at night in a dark and deserted stable says it all.
-- Vivi: Thanks, my lovely. I loved the way they did the time jump too. I don't think I ever so a narrator writing a letter but not narrating all the flashback scenes. Some scenes were stand-alone and it was very misleading for me as I recapped. Every time I thought Julio finished his letter, a scene or two later, he would resume talking to his mom and I'd go: "Blimey! This is not a letter; it's an epistolary novel!"
-- Cathyx: You're welcome and thanks for stopping by. Julio's lies in his letter made me think of Cristina's lies and wonder whether bitterness and life at the Gran Manicomio might change our hero the way it changed his sister. As for Isabel, I think that if she were naive enough to trust Diego again and feel anything towards him but an overwhelming sense of creepiness, then she is naive enough to accept his marriage proposal.
-- Variopinta: Cheers, me dear. For the life of me I cannot figure out Teresa's endgame with Sofía. She was consumed by angst when her daughter was having her nervous breakdown. Then she seemed to be feuding her addiction to opiates then in the time-jump, Sofía looked fine... I really don't know what's happening but I'm curious, intrigued and creeped out. As for Andrés, I don't think he saw his attacker. Bless his heart, the boy is cute as a button, sweet as a cupcake but he isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. That dumb grin he had when he turned around to see who was sneaking up on him at night in a dark and deserted stable says it all.
-- Vivi: Thanks, my lovely. I loved the way they did the time jump too. I don't think I ever so a narrator writing a letter but not narrating all the flashback scenes. Some scenes were stand-alone and it was very misleading for me as I recapped. Every time I thought Julio finished his letter, a scene or two later, he would resume talking to his mom and I'd go: "Blimey! This is not a letter; it's an epistolary novel!"
-- Cathyx: You're welcome and thanks for stopping by. Julio's lies in his letter made me think of Cristina's lies and wonder whether bitterness and life at the Gran Manicomio might change our hero the way it changed his sister. As for Isabel, I think that if she were naive enough to trust Diego again and feel anything towards him but an overwhelming sense of creepiness, then she is naive enough to accept his marriage proposal.
-- UA: Thank you kindly. Part of me hopes Isabel would say no just so I can savor Diego's vulture sadface, but I think she'll say yes for the reasons I explained to Cathyx in my previous comment. I really like your theory about things going wrong during Belén's delivery and possibly preventing the baby swap. This brings me to a question that's been nagging me for a while: Why didn't Teresa consider sourcing the nieto from some orphanage instead of risking that more unscrupulous people in her employ blackmail her again about yet another secret?
-- AnonGringa: You're welcome and many thanks for popping in. Benjamín's son as the Gold Knife Killer? Ooooooh! I am really liking this! I haven't heard this theory before but it makes a lot of sense!
-- Anita: Thanks ever so much. You are too kind. The "Osorio" homage bit made me LOL! That oaf is bringing the best of the worst in us! We'll have the most hilarious compilation of "Osorio bashing" by the time "Sueño de amor" is over. May La Virgen de la Paz help us through that circus!
OK, back to EHDLS! "All in all, a very satisfying trip back into early 20th C. crime solving and psychological theories of crimes." I totally agree and I'm really interested in the serial killer angle and the rituals he must abide with.
Thanks for explaining the baby procurement plan. I still maintain that Teresa could've just gotten an orphan baby, y listo!.
-- AnonGringa: You're welcome and many thanks for popping in. Benjamín's son as the Gold Knife Killer? Ooooooh! I am really liking this! I haven't heard this theory before but it makes a lot of sense!
-- Anita: Thanks ever so much. You are too kind. The "Osorio" homage bit made me LOL! That oaf is bringing the best of the worst in us! We'll have the most hilarious compilation of "Osorio bashing" by the time "Sueño de amor" is over. May La Virgen de la Paz help us through that circus!
OK, back to EHDLS! "All in all, a very satisfying trip back into early 20th C. crime solving and psychological theories of crimes." I totally agree and I'm really interested in the serial killer angle and the rituals he must abide with.
Thanks for explaining the baby procurement plan. I still maintain that Teresa could've just gotten an orphan baby, y listo!.
Benjamín as the serial killer is the one thing that was present in almost every comment. I've been convinced he's our Gold Knife Murderer since Episode 23, but many of you think that all these clues pointing to him make you think he is a red-herring. Now, I'm skeptical again. I really like AnonGringa's theory than Benjamín's son could be the killer and I'm going to embrace it as my theory of choice until proven wrong. They made such a big deal about Benji's son that I'm led to believe that he'll make an appearance at the Gran Hotel at some time. Maybe he is already there and he could access the cutlery cabinet because he made copies of his father's keys? Maybe he is bald like his father?
Enough speculation for now. I'll stop hijacking the wall and let you guys take over. I must get ready for party that hopefully won't end in any gold knife slashings or horse tramplings! Thanks for all the kind words and the interesting speculations! You are making this excellent show extra-fun to watch! Have a great weekend! :)
Enough speculation for now. I'll stop hijacking the wall and let you guys take over. I must get ready for party that hopefully won't end in any gold knife slashings or horse tramplings! Thanks for all the kind words and the interesting speculations! You are making this excellent show extra-fun to watch! Have a great weekend! :)
Have fun at your party, Nandicta!
As for a kid from the orphanage, Teresa would have no way of knowing if a newborn was going to pop up at the orphanage right around when Sofia is to give birth. Having the birth mother in house allows her to control the narrative and have Sofia "go into labor" at the same time as the real birth mother.
Belen has to go along with the plan to say her baby is stillborn, if she wants to eventually have blackmail power over Teresa and Sofia, and even Diego if he marries Sofia. All three would pay well to keep it a secret. If Andres had married her, she could stick with her plan B-- whatever secret she learned in the letter that made her so hot to marry him, and made her act to smug towards Teresa. I'm sure we've all figured out what that is.
As for a kid from the orphanage, Teresa would have no way of knowing if a newborn was going to pop up at the orphanage right around when Sofia is to give birth. Having the birth mother in house allows her to control the narrative and have Sofia "go into labor" at the same time as the real birth mother.
Belen has to go along with the plan to say her baby is stillborn, if she wants to eventually have blackmail power over Teresa and Sofia, and even Diego if he marries Sofia. All three would pay well to keep it a secret. If Andres had married her, she could stick with her plan B-- whatever secret she learned in the letter that made her so hot to marry him, and made her act to smug towards Teresa. I'm sure we've all figured out what that is.
I'm going to bet that Belen dies in childbirth, with a little 'help' from Teresa. Dead mamas tell no tales.
Can anyone explain what Andres was doing in that stable? Was he looking for Benjamin? Why did he approach the horse? It seemed like an odd thing to do with a bride and church full of people waiting for him. Couldn't he pet the horsie another time?
Thanks for the outstanding recap, Nandicta. I had a hard time making sense of this episode with all the jumps and things happening so fast. Your recap was a huge help.
I've been following this one but I not a fan of mysteries or period shows (unless they are by BBC) and would like to see better chemistry between the leads. So I am surprised that I'm enjoying it as much as I am. The recaps have been great, thanks to all.
Can anyone explain what Andres was doing in that stable? Was he looking for Benjamin? Why did he approach the horse? It seemed like an odd thing to do with a bride and church full of people waiting for him. Couldn't he pet the horsie another time?
Thanks for the outstanding recap, Nandicta. I had a hard time making sense of this episode with all the jumps and things happening so fast. Your recap was a huge help.
I've been following this one but I not a fan of mysteries or period shows (unless they are by BBC) and would like to see better chemistry between the leads. So I am surprised that I'm enjoying it as much as I am. The recaps have been great, thanks to all.
I assumed, because he was running late from searching for Ben, that Andres was taking the horse to get to the church quickly.
Well, we now know the killer wasn't Alfredo or Diego since they were in jail during a murder. What if Dagoberto isn't as dumb as he seems and he's the one? If Ben is too obvious, then Dago is a good second choice.
Give Diego credit. He's learned from his mistakes with Isabel last time and now he's playing the long con to get on hers, and even better, Matilde's good side. Smart man. Total canijo, but smart.
Kelly
Give Diego credit. He's learned from his mistakes with Isabel last time and now he's playing the long con to get on hers, and even better, Matilde's good side. Smart man. Total canijo, but smart.
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 9:56:00 PM EST
: Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 9:56:00 PM EST
-- Vivi: Thank you. I had a good time at the party, even though it wasn't as "eventful" as the ones they throw at the Gran Hotel. :)
I agree that getting a baby from the orphanage is a lot more complicated, but the logistics could be figured out. I would imagine that, at the turn of the 20th century, there were unmarried pregnant women who were forced to hide in convents or in the homes of distant relatives until their babies can be given away for adoption. Teresa could have found one of these women and offered to adopt her baby. Oh well, I think I should just let this go. It's more exciting to have Teresa and Belén square off over this substitute baby business.
"(...) whatever secret she learned in the letter that made her so hot to marry him, and made her act to smug towards Teresa." Oh. My. Goodness. This just blew my mind! I did not even consider that the secret had something to do with Andrés and I was one of the first commenters to speculate that Andrés was an Alarcón. Doh! I feel a bit dumb for not connecting the dots. I was so convinced the secret had something to do with a past murder that the causality link between Belén reading the letter and her eagerness to marry Andrés went right over my head. I really need to keep up with the recaps and discussions as well as watch the episodes in a timely manner, rather than binge-watch them in blocks of 3 or 4. I always seem to be in a mad rush to catch-up and I end up missing a lot. This week was particularly bad because I had missed all of last week's episodes. EHDLS is the kind of show that needs a lot of concentration and quite a bit of "assisted" viewing; at least in my case. Still, it rewards us with so many exciting twists and turns, intriguing characters, smart and witty dialogue... It's a delightful treat!
I agree that getting a baby from the orphanage is a lot more complicated, but the logistics could be figured out. I would imagine that, at the turn of the 20th century, there were unmarried pregnant women who were forced to hide in convents or in the homes of distant relatives until their babies can be given away for adoption. Teresa could have found one of these women and offered to adopt her baby. Oh well, I think I should just let this go. It's more exciting to have Teresa and Belén square off over this substitute baby business.
"(...) whatever secret she learned in the letter that made her so hot to marry him, and made her act to smug towards Teresa." Oh. My. Goodness. This just blew my mind! I did not even consider that the secret had something to do with Andrés and I was one of the first commenters to speculate that Andrés was an Alarcón. Doh! I feel a bit dumb for not connecting the dots. I was so convinced the secret had something to do with a past murder that the causality link between Belén reading the letter and her eagerness to marry Andrés went right over my head. I really need to keep up with the recaps and discussions as well as watch the episodes in a timely manner, rather than binge-watch them in blocks of 3 or 4. I always seem to be in a mad rush to catch-up and I end up missing a lot. This week was particularly bad because I had missed all of last week's episodes. EHDLS is the kind of show that needs a lot of concentration and quite a bit of "assisted" viewing; at least in my case. Still, it rewards us with so many exciting twists and turns, intriguing characters, smart and witty dialogue... It's a delightful treat!
--Carolina: Pleased to know that the recap helped you fill in the gaps. Many thanks, indeed. As regards you query, I agree with Vivi. I'll just add that, since the wedding party most likely took the servants' carriage to go to the village, Andrés had no choice but to ride a horse to the church. Even if he didn't have to look for Benji, in order to avoid seeing the bride, he would've had to find an alternative mode of transportation. The carriage was out, walking all the way to the village in his fancy bridegroom suit was out, hence the horse.
As much as I dislike Belén and wish someone would assist her down a cliff, I really enjoy her sparring with Teresa and with Ángela. The actress is doing an excellent job, so I'd like her character to make it all the way to the finish line.
-- Kelly: Thanks for stopping by. I don't think Dagoberto is the serial killer because he is too short compared to the killer's shadow. Besides, he was with Detective Ayala when one of the victims was murdered (the man that the killer stabbed when Isabel escaped him, if I remember correctly). Cipriano, the other policeman, is tall enough but he has hair and our killer looks bald, judging from his shadow.
Happy Sunday, everyone! :)
As much as I dislike Belén and wish someone would assist her down a cliff, I really enjoy her sparring with Teresa and with Ángela. The actress is doing an excellent job, so I'd like her character to make it all the way to the finish line.
-- Kelly: Thanks for stopping by. I don't think Dagoberto is the serial killer because he is too short compared to the killer's shadow. Besides, he was with Detective Ayala when one of the victims was murdered (the man that the killer stabbed when Isabel escaped him, if I remember correctly). Cipriano, the other policeman, is tall enough but he has hair and our killer looks bald, judging from his shadow.
Happy Sunday, everyone! :)
Oh yeah, Nandicta. This week we discussed how Belen only tore up the check, broke the baby agreement, demanded Andres get his job back, and started acting like his real novia and nice, AFTER she read the contents of the letter. Then she was eager for that civil wedding, the one that ensures the spouse gets a piece of the pie. I think we can bet that whatever that letter contained, some part of it discussed Andres and his fortunes.
I don't think that Andres is going to die, but I think he's going to stay in the coma until Belen gives birth and the baby goes to Sofia, if that's what's going to happen.
I was thinking that Teresa is using the laudanum to control Sofia. She can threaten to take it away from her if she doesn't do what Teresa wants her to do.
I was thinking that Teresa is using the laudanum to control Sofia. She can threaten to take it away from her if she doesn't do what Teresa wants her to do.
I have thought from the beginning that the Doc is the key & probably the one who should have the letter to carry out Romulo's wishes. Romulo probably told Cristina who should have the letter.
Thanks Nandicta...I love that you recap but also instruct, and I was especially happy that you included the Spanish for the quote from the text of the Tempest. I found it even lovelier en español than in English. Not usually the case for me, not with Shakespeare anyway!
She leaves him standing there and no doubt wondering whether he’d just been jilted for the third time. Or is it the fourth? Just like us, he seems to have lost count.
Always enjoy your eye rolling over the repeated breakups of our tepid main couple. And as always, the unexpressed ardor of Lupe and Angela more than trumps the barely lukewarm heat of our young folks.
Had a hard time believing the lovelorn Matilde could do such a professional job of decorating the church, but did enjoy the overall effect. And Lord! could Belén have looked any homelier!!?? She went from "jolie laide" to just plain "laide" in this episode.
I assumed, from Teresa's leaving the laudanum at Sophia's bedside, that she actually wanted her daughter to overdose, so she could not reveal Teresa's role in Cristina's death. But perhaps that is too cynical of me. But otherwise, why leave the bottle so close to hand? "Here honey, just in case this is all too much, and you want to check out permanently. "
Well, we shall see. As for me, no idea at all who is the Full Moon Killer. Don Benjamin (love Don Relojito) seems genuinely fond and proud of Andres, can't imagine him killing him. But I'm as gullible as dear Andres and usually guess wrong about these things, so I'll withhold judgment.
At any rate, thanks again for a stellar recap and an excellent Spanish lesson. Just a delight from beginning to end.
She leaves him standing there and no doubt wondering whether he’d just been jilted for the third time. Or is it the fourth? Just like us, he seems to have lost count.
Always enjoy your eye rolling over the repeated breakups of our tepid main couple. And as always, the unexpressed ardor of Lupe and Angela more than trumps the barely lukewarm heat of our young folks.
Had a hard time believing the lovelorn Matilde could do such a professional job of decorating the church, but did enjoy the overall effect. And Lord! could Belén have looked any homelier!!?? She went from "jolie laide" to just plain "laide" in this episode.
I assumed, from Teresa's leaving the laudanum at Sophia's bedside, that she actually wanted her daughter to overdose, so she could not reveal Teresa's role in Cristina's death. But perhaps that is too cynical of me. But otherwise, why leave the bottle so close to hand? "Here honey, just in case this is all too much, and you want to check out permanently. "
Well, we shall see. As for me, no idea at all who is the Full Moon Killer. Don Benjamin (love Don Relojito) seems genuinely fond and proud of Andres, can't imagine him killing him. But I'm as gullible as dear Andres and usually guess wrong about these things, so I'll withhold judgment.
At any rate, thanks again for a stellar recap and an excellent Spanish lesson. Just a delight from beginning to end.
Thanks, Nandicta! I love your recaps and vocabulary help. Interesting about the "eating people" phrasing.
Poor Lupe. He should share those truffles with all the underfed staff EXCEPT Belen. What a witch.
So Isabel and Matilde had another four years plus of schooling to go, but now they're running their own hospital? Somehow I had thought they were closing to finishing already. Well, they probably can't be worse than Sofia's first doctor
Re: how close this is to the original Gran Hotel, it's pretty different. I still like the original better and highly recommend watching it, although this is good also. But there are a number of different characters and side plots and even the ups and downs and ins and outs of the main plots are not happening the same way.
Poor Lupe. He should share those truffles with all the underfed staff EXCEPT Belen. What a witch.
So Isabel and Matilde had another four years plus of schooling to go, but now they're running their own hospital? Somehow I had thought they were closing to finishing already. Well, they probably can't be worse than Sofia's first doctor
Re: how close this is to the original Gran Hotel, it's pretty different. I still like the original better and highly recommend watching it, although this is good also. But there are a number of different characters and side plots and even the ups and downs and ins and outs of the main plots are not happening the same way.
Thanks, Nandicta, for the great recap and for including the vocabulary as always.
There has been some speculation about certain situations that the previews seem to address (assuming that the editing isn't wonky). Has it been decided that we will not discuss previews? Wasn't sure I should, which is why I didn't mention that Andres was in danger of being the killer's next victim (that's the part I meant the other day when I said the previews make me gasp.)
There has been some speculation about certain situations that the previews seem to address (assuming that the editing isn't wonky). Has it been decided that we will not discuss previews? Wasn't sure I should, which is why I didn't mention that Andres was in danger of being the killer's next victim (that's the part I meant the other day when I said the previews make me gasp.)
Thanks, Nandicta! Nice job handling several months' worth of story! I liked your comment about "assisted viewing." I don't think I'd enjoy TNs in general without assisted viewing. Especially one that's as intricate as this one!
Nanette, we do discuss the avances (the previews at the end of each episode), but we didn't want to talk about scenes shown during the opening (well, 25 minutes in, LOL) credits because they appeared to be spoilers for things that were (at the time) still a few weeks ahead. (Felipe in robes; Teresa and Sofia in the dark hallway; etc.) However, I think we've now seen all of those things... which makes me wonder if we're about to get a new opening sequence with a fresh batch of spoilers in it tonight.
I still hold out hope that when it really matters, we will be fed red herrings instead of real spoilers.
Nanette, we do discuss the avances (the previews at the end of each episode), but we didn't want to talk about scenes shown during the opening (well, 25 minutes in, LOL) credits because they appeared to be spoilers for things that were (at the time) still a few weeks ahead. (Felipe in robes; Teresa and Sofia in the dark hallway; etc.) However, I think we've now seen all of those things... which makes me wonder if we're about to get a new opening sequence with a fresh batch of spoilers in it tonight.
I still hold out hope that when it really matters, we will be fed red herrings instead of real spoilers.
Thanks, Julie. From the previews, looks like Belen might be in a little trouble.
I'm about to post the lists. They may be missing some items. My birthday was last week and I was a little distracted :)
I'm about to post the lists. They may be missing some items. My birthday was last week and I was a little distracted :)
High Points:
Elisa decides not to do Teresa a favor.
Jacinto tells his dad he doesn’t want to fight anymore.
Lupe tells Jacinto where he can write to his mother.
Felipe walks away from the hotel.
Doc tells Alfie he’s going to supervise Sofia’s visitors (meaning his mother).
Andres/Angela moment (until she tells him it was Belen who got him his job back).
Ayala not letting Diego leave the interview.
Andres won’t make love to Belen.
Isa tells off her family.
Isa being chased through the halls, slamming the door (kind of a funny bit).
Diego sees Benjamin welcoming Andres back.
Belen bests Diego.
Meli keeps some money from Genaro.
Jacinto seeks non-sexual comfort from Violeta.
Felipe “becomes” a monk.
Elisa’s drama queen moment.
Belen/Teresa showdown.
Felipe is visited by the “ghosts” of girlfriends past.
Alfie refuses to underhandedly get the letter.
Jacinto and Violeta have a letter written to his mother.
Teresa pays for the monks to keep Felipe for a bit longer (it will be good for him).
Angela comforting Sofia (especially the song).
Nice Andres/Julio moment (even if Andres did throw something at Julio’s face.)
Angela helps with the wedding dress. Another nice Angela/Sofia moment.
Nice Angela/Andres moment.
At least Julio warns Isa that Sofia is about to be arrested.
Felipe decides to commit to staying with the monks.
We actually see Isa using her medical skills.
Isa congratulates Andres.
Teresa shows compassion for Sofia.
Ayala doesn’t believe Alfie killed Cris.
Isa and Matilde plan to go back to school.
Angela trying to tie Andres’ tie.
Doc warns Teresa about Sofia’s meds.
Angela tells Belen that maybe Andres changed his mind.
Jacinto protects Violeta.
Angela/Lupe look.
Elisa decides not to do Teresa a favor.
Jacinto tells his dad he doesn’t want to fight anymore.
Lupe tells Jacinto where he can write to his mother.
Felipe walks away from the hotel.
Doc tells Alfie he’s going to supervise Sofia’s visitors (meaning his mother).
Andres/Angela moment (until she tells him it was Belen who got him his job back).
Ayala not letting Diego leave the interview.
Andres won’t make love to Belen.
Isa tells off her family.
Isa being chased through the halls, slamming the door (kind of a funny bit).
Diego sees Benjamin welcoming Andres back.
Belen bests Diego.
Meli keeps some money from Genaro.
Jacinto seeks non-sexual comfort from Violeta.
Felipe “becomes” a monk.
Elisa’s drama queen moment.
Belen/Teresa showdown.
Felipe is visited by the “ghosts” of girlfriends past.
Alfie refuses to underhandedly get the letter.
Jacinto and Violeta have a letter written to his mother.
Teresa pays for the monks to keep Felipe for a bit longer (it will be good for him).
Angela comforting Sofia (especially the song).
Nice Andres/Julio moment (even if Andres did throw something at Julio’s face.)
Angela helps with the wedding dress. Another nice Angela/Sofia moment.
Nice Angela/Andres moment.
At least Julio warns Isa that Sofia is about to be arrested.
Felipe decides to commit to staying with the monks.
We actually see Isa using her medical skills.
Isa congratulates Andres.
Teresa shows compassion for Sofia.
Ayala doesn’t believe Alfie killed Cris.
Isa and Matilde plan to go back to school.
Angela trying to tie Andres’ tie.
Doc warns Teresa about Sofia’s meds.
Angela tells Belen that maybe Andres changed his mind.
Jacinto protects Violeta.
Angela/Lupe look.
Low Points:
Julio not happy to be back at the hotel.
Mati has to get permission to borrow the car from Diego.
Andres is pleased that it was Belen that got his job back.
Jacinto in the hot seat about what he was doing on the time of Cris’ death.
Andres/Belen make up scene.
Isa agrees to have dinner with Diego.
Isa finds Diego has read the letter.
Teresa badgers Sofia--again.
Belen wants a civil wedding right away.
Sofia hid the mallet.
Jacinto buys Violeta.
Teresa tries to guilt Isa.
Violeta begins to undress.
First serious Julio/Isa fight.
Isa has second thoughts.
Angela forced to thank Belen.
Angela forced to have her hand kissed by Belen.
Angela forced to congratulate Andres and Belen.
The judge.
Ayala enlists Julio’s help in getting fingerprints.
Engagement party.
Nat not happy.
Julio and Ayala enlist Isa’s help.
Felipe is a drunk monk.
Sofia is caught snooping in Belen’s room.
Julio/Isa have another serious fight.
Sofia steals meds from the doc.
Nat agrees to help with the flowers.
Jacinto has a run in with Genaro.
Julio gets Sofia’s fingerprints.
Matilde won’t shut up.
Teresa lets Alfie knows he’s not man enough to keep his wife from going forced celibacy insane.
Sofia is about to be arrested.
Alfie confesses to killing Cris.
Teresa steals meds from the doc.
Isa slaps Julio for destroying her sister.
Isa couldn’t care less what Julio does.
Nat crying while arranging the flowers.
Teresa gives Sofia meds and expects her to take only the prescribed dose (or does she?).
Diego pours cold water on the med school idea.
Belen insults Lupe.
Don Benjamin is mssing.
It’s a full moon.
Nat crying at the wedding.
Andres is nearly the killer’s next victim.
Andres is saved from the killer by a horse, but now is in a coma.
The employees fight for food.
There are three more murders.
Elisa cannot get help for Alfie.
Felipe is still not with the program.
Diego gives Isa a hospital.
Diego proposes.
Julio not happy to be back at the hotel.
Mati has to get permission to borrow the car from Diego.
Andres is pleased that it was Belen that got his job back.
Jacinto in the hot seat about what he was doing on the time of Cris’ death.
Andres/Belen make up scene.
Isa agrees to have dinner with Diego.
Isa finds Diego has read the letter.
Teresa badgers Sofia--again.
Belen wants a civil wedding right away.
Sofia hid the mallet.
Jacinto buys Violeta.
Teresa tries to guilt Isa.
Violeta begins to undress.
First serious Julio/Isa fight.
Isa has second thoughts.
Angela forced to thank Belen.
Angela forced to have her hand kissed by Belen.
Angela forced to congratulate Andres and Belen.
The judge.
Ayala enlists Julio’s help in getting fingerprints.
Engagement party.
Nat not happy.
Julio and Ayala enlist Isa’s help.
Felipe is a drunk monk.
Sofia is caught snooping in Belen’s room.
Julio/Isa have another serious fight.
Sofia steals meds from the doc.
Nat agrees to help with the flowers.
Jacinto has a run in with Genaro.
Julio gets Sofia’s fingerprints.
Matilde won’t shut up.
Teresa lets Alfie knows he’s not man enough to keep his wife from going forced celibacy insane.
Sofia is about to be arrested.
Alfie confesses to killing Cris.
Teresa steals meds from the doc.
Isa slaps Julio for destroying her sister.
Isa couldn’t care less what Julio does.
Nat crying while arranging the flowers.
Teresa gives Sofia meds and expects her to take only the prescribed dose (or does she?).
Diego pours cold water on the med school idea.
Belen insults Lupe.
Don Benjamin is mssing.
It’s a full moon.
Nat crying at the wedding.
Andres is nearly the killer’s next victim.
Andres is saved from the killer by a horse, but now is in a coma.
The employees fight for food.
There are three more murders.
Elisa cannot get help for Alfie.
Felipe is still not with the program.
Diego gives Isa a hospital.
Diego proposes.
Thanks for the great lists, Nanette! Although Angela was probably having the worst week ever, first with having to bite her tongue and swallow her words with Andres marrying Belen, and then after Andres' accident, she actually had some of the best/most poignant moments with a few of our characters.
Thanks Vivi. When I first started watching this TN, I was afraid that Angela was going to be a villain because, from what I understood, the actress usually plays one. I've enjoyed getting to know and love this character.
Oh, happy birthday, Nanette. Thank you for the high/low points, too. One good thing came out of all of the lows: Andres didn't get married.
So re. the canijo discussion: I was at a movie last night for the Latino Film Festival, and one character exclaimed, "Que Cabron!" (or something like that) and it was translated to "That's awesome! And I was not confused! Nice when these discussions can be put into practice. (Also side note- tomorrow I'm seeing one with our Belen. Will let you know how it is).
I don't really think Dagoberto is the killer. He's too goofy and I like him. But if Benji too obvious, then he's the opposite. But do the writers think they're making Ben obvious or do they think we wouldn't guess?
Diego probably had a point about las doctoras not ever getting to practice medicine. They are just women after all, and maybe they recognized that he had a point and that's why they're supporting Diego's local hospital scheme. If they have the real Doctor V supervising, then this is as good as any residency (assuming they did those back then). And if this is a hospital for the locals (did they make that clear?), it may be the only doctoring that the lower classes get. Everyone wins! Unless Isa marries Diego, then everyone wins but her and Julio.
Kelly
I don't really think Dagoberto is the killer. He's too goofy and I like him. But if Benji too obvious, then he's the opposite. But do the writers think they're making Ben obvious or do they think we wouldn't guess?
Diego probably had a point about las doctoras not ever getting to practice medicine. They are just women after all, and maybe they recognized that he had a point and that's why they're supporting Diego's local hospital scheme. If they have the real Doctor V supervising, then this is as good as any residency (assuming they did those back then). And if this is a hospital for the locals (did they make that clear?), it may be the only doctoring that the lower classes get. Everyone wins! Unless Isa marries Diego, then everyone wins but her and Julio.
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Monday, March 14, 2016 at 4:00:00 PM EDT
: Monday, March 14, 2016 at 4:00:00 PM EDT
Kelly- I think Diego was absolutely correct about Isa and Matilde's prospects for actually getting to practice medicine. That's why Matilde, the realist, accepted. The only problem with this setup is the unspoken expectation that Isa marry Diego in exchange.
Not sure why they both wanted to be surgeons, when it would have been near impossible to be taken on by a senior surgeon, and when the need is greater, and the studies shorter, for general practitioners. Something they can start doing now with just a few years of med school under their belts.
Not sure why they both wanted to be surgeons, when it would have been near impossible to be taken on by a senior surgeon, and when the need is greater, and the studies shorter, for general practitioners. Something they can start doing now with just a few years of med school under their belts.
Julie: Thanks. Loved the wedding didn't go ahead. Hated the reason why. Though, at least this way, Andres has a chance to wake up.
When Andres wakes up: will he have amnesia? Will his personality be altered? Will he still stupidly want to marry Belen? If the latter, I vote that he's put into another coma and wakes up with amnesia.
When Andres wakes up: will he have amnesia? Will his personality be altered? Will he still stupidly want to marry Belen? If the latter, I vote that he's put into another coma and wakes up with amnesia.
Even though I think it's a low point because it came from Diego, he is right about the chances of Isa and Matilde being able to make it as doctors, let alone surgeons, considering society at the time. I agree with Kelly and Vivi. At least they can practice medicine now and at the same time keep learning from the doc.
Good idea, Nanette. Andres can go into a coma and come back with amnesia every time he considers marrying Belen.
Nanette: I don't think he'll have amnesia, but that he'll wake up in a more cautious mood. Either that, or so much other stuff will have happened that he won't be able to pick up where he left off even if he wanted to.
I am on the verge of a meltdown myself. I just saw something in the avances for next week's Gotham that has me frothing at the mouth (in a good way). And I was already tired. It's not good for the recap when I peak early, so I don't think I'm going to make it tonight. I'll put up the recap in the morning.
I am on the verge of a meltdown myself. I just saw something in the avances for next week's Gotham that has me frothing at the mouth (in a good way). And I was already tired. It's not good for the recap when I peak early, so I don't think I'm going to make it tonight. I'll put up the recap in the morning.
Re amnesia. Think of it this way: when you've been out cold for three months, you don't need to have amnesia. You have no idea what's been going on anyway!
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