Monday, March 21, 2016

Un Camino Hacia el Destino-Week 5 (Mar 21, 2016)

The Three Hombres and The Women Who Love Them

Luis Montero--The man with a plan
  • Amelia Altamirano del Alamo de Perez, younger daughter of rich rancher, Fernando Altamirano. She fell in love with Luis (older, but contemporary in age), sometime after finishing her prepa 19 years ago. They had at least one encounter al aire fresco and she ended up pregnant. He left her in the lurch, saying neither she nor the bebe were in his plans for the future. She pined for him for the next 19 years while married to Pedro, the Altamirano estate gardener (whom she had treated as an older brother to have fun with), who saved her from the disgrace of having a bastard child. Although always his favorite, her father kicked them out of the house anyway.
  • Mariana Altamirano del Alamo de Sotomayor, older daughter of Fernando. She's Amelia's envious sister, primarily because she was not the favored child. She fell in love with Luis, probably from seeing him with Amelia. He never showed any interest in her. Her father later forced her into a convenient, but loveless marriage to a rich (but ambitious) widower, Hernan. He has a daughter, Camila, from his first marriage. Mariana doesn't like her around. The couple is childless. Her interest in and immediate obsession with Luis is rekindled by a visit to his law offices with her father. She claims she's been in love with him for over 19 years. He is not interested in her amorous advances, but makes nice because she has information on Amelia he wants.
  • Marissa Gomez Ruiz de Montero, widowed rich bank president, considerably older than Luis. She seduced him into marriage 19 years ago by offering him a trip to Europe with her and her then 10-year old son, Carlos, to live and study to become a lawyer. He accepts without hesitation--it was his plan. She is now cognizant of her age and is afraid to lose him to a younger woman. She's still in love with this jerk. He has cooled to Marissa's bedroom advances. (P.S. Her son, Carlos, hates him.)
  • Andrea, leggy, young, blonde assistant to Isabela, the owner of a beauty/spa academy. Where she met Luis is not clear, but she fell in love with him and is blind as to what he is really like. He, on the other hand, knowing where his pocket change comes from, uses her for some afternoon delight and either thanks her or argues with her on the way out of the bedroom. She has decided that getting pregnant would be the ideal way to get him to leave his wife. So far, we've only been privy to one jealous temper tantrum from her when she caught him in his office with Mariana hanging all over him and looking like a kiss was happening.


  Carlos Gomez Ruiz--The man without a plan
  • Isabela de Leon, frizzy-headed blonde who has had an intimate relationship with Carlos for some time and considers he pretty much belongs to her and almost her bridegroom (she can already taste the wedding cake). His position as a doctor at a local clinic has him coming in contact with a variety of folks. Isabela is ok with this arrangement because most of these people are poor, uneducated types. She is a successful business woman, but she needs THAT man to round out her position in society. She's annoyed he spends more time looking after his patients than looking after her. They had a seemingly good relationship, but there was always an undercurrent of vicious jealousy that suddenly bubbled up to the surface when he met a young girl just graduating from high school, at the clinic after a supposed car accident.
  • Luisa Fernanda Perez, daughter of Amelia (and Luis) but raised as the daughter of Pedro Perez. She is bouncy, bubbly, pretty, happy, talkative, a charming young girl, innocent in the affairs of the heart, but wise beyond her years. She plays the violin. She was attracted to this handsome young doctor and falls in love with him, succumbing to his attentions as he falls in love with her. Their relationship is fraught with obstacles dealing with close friends and interconnected family members. They are trying to find a way for their sets of parents to learn and approve of their relationship and for Isabela and Camila to accept that for them it is not to be.
  • Camila Sotomayor Williams, daughter of Hernan and his deceased wife. She is Fernanda's best friend before the rivalry for Carlos' attentions began. This has put a strain on their friendship. Fernanda has tried to navigate around it without damaging it. Camila was hoodwinked by Carlos' best friend, Felipe, into believing Carlos really liked Camila and wanted to go out with her, which has propelled her into acting on that misinformation. For now, Fernanda and Carlos have solid relationship and have avoided most of the conventional pitfalls of miscommunication and jealousy.
  • Marissa, Carlos' mother and his nanny, Rosario, both love Carlos unconditionally. Right now, Marissa is a little exasperated by what she thinks is Carlos' infatuation with a schoolgirl to the point of breaking up with Isabela, whom she regards as a much better match for her son. Rosario worries about Carlos' relationships, but short of supporting the one with Fernanda, is happy for his new state of mind.

Pedro Perez--The man who doesn't ever plan
  • Sadly, there are no romantic relationships or entanglements for this wonderful and attractive man. His whole life has been devoted to working hard to provide a living for his beloved Amelia and his darling daughter Fernanda. During the 19 years he and Amelia have lived together, she neither loves him, appreciates him nor thanks him for anything he does. She has not let him engage in conjugal relations. She also doesn't mend his shirts.
  • Luisa Fernanda loves her father very much, but with coming revelations of her true identity, she will find her world turned upside down. She will learn her biological father is the man she is suing in a minor accident case. She has, since the initial filings, wanted to withdraw the suit, but both her lawyer, the said Felipe, and Luis himself are propelling it forward without regard to her desires.
  • Sister Rosaura, Pedro's sister and headmistress of the school is one of Pedro's outlets for discussing family problems. She loves him in a Sisterly way and tries to advise him from within the confines of Catholic doctrine.
  • Marissa has had contact with Pedro on several occasions while he works on a landscaping project at her estate. They seem compatible, sharing notes on children, life and plants. She seems contented and relaxed in his presence, unlike her tense, unraveling relationship with Luis. Pedro smiles a lot more when he is with her than when he is with Amelia. There is hope that more contact will lead to mutual attraction.

Felipe Montiel--The extra man
  • He's been trying too hard to get Fernanda to be interested in him, to the point of building up unreal fantasies about her liking him. He really lost any chance with Fernanda at the doctorcito's "Hello" in episode #2. Unfortunately for Carlos and Fernanda this situation only calls for doubling his efforts. His godmother, Blanca, the Altamirano nanny, however, does love him or she wouldn't have helped him financially to get through law school.

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Comments:
Delightful Anita!

I smiled all the way through - what a wonderful way you have with words - "He, on the other hand, knowing where his pocket change comes from, uses her for some afternoon delight" was a bit sly and utterly savvy.

Thank you so much for explaining these rather complicated relationships which I'm trying to comprehend so I can follow along.

I laughed out loud at "She has not let him engage in conjugal relations. She also doesn't mend his shirts". Excellent.

Carlos (always Renato to me) is a sweetheart...

I really like the actress playing Marissa, and did notice she seems to genuine smile at Pedro. Of course, I don't blame her and laud her for her good taste. What I don't understand is what any of these women see in Luis! Totally escapes me.

Thank you again Anita!

Diana

 

ANITA, thank you so much for this juicy up-to-date menu of all our main characters! A joy to read, and further proof that this TN (so far) is not the train wreck that many predicted it would be. Of course, time will tell, but I'm so liking it.

One thing: has anyone else noted the street dogs hanging out around the quesadilla stand? Do you think they are paid animal talent, or just local dogs photo-bombing the show during filming? Fortunately most of them look fairly well fed.

Thanks again Anita!

J in Oregon
 

Thank you so much for this, Anita! You did a great job describing all these relationships and characters!

It is true that both Pedro and Marissa seem genuinely happy and relaxed when they are together. I think we are going to see a Marissa makeover in the next episodes. I read an interview of Eugenia Cauduro where she said she was planning to lose all this weight as her character becomes more self-confident.

Regarding Luis, I personally find Rene Strickler good-looking, but I think it's his character that doesn't help much in this novela. It's just not believable that all these women would be so much in love with him. He doesn't have an attractive personality at all.

 

Anita you have a way with words. Thank you for summig up this very complication conundrum of characters. I don't know why this loving man pedro continues to even sleep on the floor in the same room with this cold dead hearted wretch. This is very humiliating for him, but I think he might be staying to protect fernanda. With a mom like amelia and an aunt like mariana, and a bff like camila shes gonna need it. What a colossal mess this is about to be, and more than what it already is.

I suppose if amelia would have gotten the job she thought she was going to get she would have changed her hair style. Shes had the plat on the side for 19 Freaken years, time for a change. I guess a lot more hijinks gotta happen before an
All out blow up. And the drama continues.
 

Anita, I completely agree with Diana. Your recap was wonderful! You broke it down perfectly for anyone who isnt watching but might be considering giving it a go. I am enjoying the plot and the cast is doing a great job. I am excited to see where we are headed with Amelia and Marissa, both women appear to be on a collision course that will alter things dramatically.
 

A lot happened in tonight's episode. The recap is coming, sometime before dawn at any rate.

Diana--Thank you for reading and commenting. Feedback is such sweet treats. Carlos has moved up in the world, though. He's a doctor not a lawyer. And an honest one, too. I like how Susanlynn calls him Sweet Baboo. I'm sticking with that one. (And what parent in this day and age names his child Horacio anyway. Maybe in Spanish it doesn't carry the same association Horace does in the U.S.)

J in Oregon--Yes, I noticed the dogs. They are ubiquitous in many countries, even on the downtown streets of Montevideo, you have to watch where you step on the sidewalks. What I have to laugh at is the flock of sheep that are right there at the taco stand milling around. I guess it's hard to run a lawn mower around the railroad track.

Delilah--I fear more for Fernanda and Carlos being in between Amelia and Marissa when they collide. Marissa has nothing to worry about Luis turning his eyes towards Amelia (unless more money talks to him).

Lucy Lu--I think Rene is also very nice looking, always has been, but even as a young galan in Privilegio Para Amar, he didn't move my tapete the way some other leading men do (Jorge Salinas, Cristian de la Fuente, Juan Soler....and lately Susanlynn's Sweet Baboo).

Nina--There has to be a reason why Amelia would still wear a working-class hairstyle. She could have easily had it cut and worn shoulder-length. She wasn't doing anything that required her to keep it out of the way. But even as a teenager in the first episode she wore her hair in a pony tail, so maybe she doesn't know what else to do with it (I'm not convinced she hasn't noticed Lupe's hairstyle as something more modern--even though it's really a wig.)
 

CAMINO EPI #20 (Mon Mar 21) Pt. 1
Horrible Hernán is in the process of pimping out his own daughter, Camila, to hurry up and snag Carlos Gomez Ruiz and his fortune as soon as possible. He gets furious with her because she hasn’t seen him lately. He tells her to hop to it, forget about lunching with him and to largate.

Carlos finds Pedro leaning against a tree near the Gomez Ruiz mansion. He would like to talk about his and Fernanda’s relationship if he can spare a couple of minutes. He wants to do things right and not be seeing Fer behind her mother’s back. He’s sure if she gets to know him, she’ll change her mind about him. Even if it’s only Pedro laying the groundwork and telling Amelia that he and Pedro have met each other and puts in a good word. It is now that Carlos learns Fer’s mother is now working at the bank with his mother. Pedro invites him to the house for dinner that night. Another friend is coming over and he’ll have a chance to present himself to Amelia in a neutral setting and speak honestly and directly about his intentions toward Fer.

Fernanda refuses to help Camila trap Carlos. Camila insults Fer’s parentage and walks off in a huff.

Luis has a tête-a-tête at a bar with his old friend Harry Geithner (sorry I didn’t catch the character’s name), the best man at his wedding 19 years ago (and hasn’t been seen since episode #1). Luis is updating him on the child of the woman he left pregnant 19 years ago, his child. The irony is the old grouch (cascarrabia = what a lovely new word) of the grandfather has asked him to help find her.

Chef Hawt is whipping up a one-pot meal for his family and his two guests, neither of whom Fer and Amelia know are coming. Guest no. 1 arrives. It is Felipe. Fer is shocked when Pedro introduces him as a friend. Felipe and Fer pretend this is the first time they have met. As soon as that shock is over, Guest no. 2 arrives. It is Carlos. He kisses her at the door, but I don’t think Felipe noticed. It’s all very awkward. Pedro didn’t realize the two young men knew each other from university days (and still doesn’t know Felipe is Fernanda’s lawyer in the suit against Luis) and are good friends. Carlos and Felipe glare at each other (as friends who are rivals in love would). The situation only gets worse when Amelia walks in and wants to know what the hell these two are doing in her house, and she picks out Carlos as the one who was kissing Fernanda the other night in the yard.

Pedro asks, insists that Fer take the young men out to the garden while he explains the situation to Amelia. Outside, Carlos and Fer try to figure out what Felipe was doing there. He explains that José, his godfather, introduced them and (he lies) Pedro knows how he feels about Fernanda. Carlos sputters—he thought he and Felipe had left things settled (to stay away from Fer). Felipe proceeds to drop the love-bomb. He’s in love with Fernanda and wonders if she feels the same way about him. This is way more than awkward. Carlos lunges at Felipe and Fer holds him back. Fer and Carlos are standing together as Fer tells Felipe that the only thing she and Felipe have between them is friendship (and a lawsuit). She tells Felipe that she and Carlos are in love, they are novios, and to leave them alone.

Meanwhile, inside, Pedro and Amelia argue about Fernanda even having a boyfriend, much less that one. Pedro says he invited Carlos to the house to show her he’s not some delinquent, but an upstanding young man who wants to do things the right way. She cuts him off and goes outside where Carlos is still trying to tell Felipe to stay away from Fer. Amelia dismisses them both and forces Fer back toward the house. Carlos mouths, “Te amo,” as Fer looks back at him.
 

CAMINO EPI #20 (Mon Mar 21) Pt. 2
Mariana and Horrible Hernan have a little dust-up over where he spent the night and with whom. His excuses don’t hold water for her. She has a bigger problem. Her father’s granddaughter could show up at any moment and Luis has been contracted to find her. If he does, there goes the inheritance she was anticipating. HH reminds her what’s hers is his and what’s his is hers. She laughs at him since what’s his amounts to nothing other than a salary. (I guess he’s not rich now, but maybe he had some money and social position when Old Fer married her off to him.) Nana Blanca walks in on this tumult and wants to talk to Mariana in private. HH leaves. Mariana later goes to Nana Blanca’s room. She tells Mariana that she told Luis the whole truth about Amelia’s baby, even though she doesn’t like the guy. Blanca wants to know why she told all those lies. Mariana insists it was to protect Old Fer. A shock in his delicate condition might cause him to die. Blanca is sure the girl is going to show up one day, whether they like it or not. She’ll not only learn Luis Montero is her father, but the heir to all of Old Fer’s fortune.

Prof. Martinez is going to help Lucero with her math so she can pass her exams. (Storyline? >>FF. Prof. Martinez? <<SloMo and Rewind. What a captivating smile.)

Carlos and Felipe have repaired to the nearest watering hole and are debriefing each other on Fer’s mother’s character. Such a bitter woman. No wonder Fer has so much trouble going out. Felipe wonders why on earth Pedro doesn’t want to be divorced from her. They move on to Fernanda. Carlos reminds him he heard it right from Fer; they are in love. For the sake of their friendship, he must accept it. Felipe grins, clinks glasses with Carlos, but you know he’s not about to accept it. Felipe is goading Carlos about having Fer and Isabela at the same time. He’s surprised when Carlos tell him they broke up (or better said, he broke up with Isy).

Pedro and Amelia continue their argument in front of Fernanda. Fer wants to know what’s wrong with having a boyfriend, being in love. Amelia scoffs, what does Fer know about being in love. Fer insists she does know and even though she has forbidden her to see Carlos, she can’t forbid her loving him and she will continue to see Carlos, even if it’s behind her back. Pedro catches Amelia’s arm as she’s about to strike Fernanda and tells her she’s not to touch her again. So Pedro gets a slap instead and blame for being Fer’s go-between to facilitate her meeting with Carlos. Pedro accuses Amelia of being envious of her own daughter.

Luis has returned home in a bad mood, with Nana Blanca’s words sloshing around in his head. Marissa hasn’t had a good day either. She had to loan her shoulder for Isabel to cry on. Carlos broke up with her. Luis thinks that scheming schoolgirl has bewitched him.

Pedro goes to Fernanda’s room to comfort her. She tells him about her visit with Carlos to one of his patients, an elderly gentleman who wanted to meet her. Pedro sounds pleased until he hears the man’s name and that he mistook Fernanda for his daughter. Pedro’s demeanor changes instantly. He keeps trying to make Fer promise never to see this man again. Amelia interrupts before he can tell her why, although he really can’t tell her the real reason. She lets loose additional invective on Pedro. Each day she can stand him less and less. Fer looks on upset realizing for the first time her mother no longer loves her father and they are heading for a divorce. Pedro follows Amelia back out. She turns and says she never loved him, he isn’t the man she imagined being with nor the life she wanted to live. He’s nothing but a gardener. Yes, replies a riled up Pedro, a gardener who gave her everything when everyone else turned their backs on her.
 

CAMINO EPI #20 (Mon Mar 21) Pt. 3
Pedro returns to Fer’s room. She wants to know why he didn’t tell her Carlos was coming that night. Pedro admits he wanted it to be a surprise. That and the opportunity for Carlos to talk to Amelia about his intentions toward Fernanda. Fer is convinced her mother will never accept Carlos and a relationship with him. It seems as though her mother doesn’t love her. She just doesn’t understand why.

Amelia has heard her through the door to her bedroom. Yes, she says to herself, she does love her, because she’s her daughter, because she’s Luis’ daughter, too. But it’s true, she is jealous of how Carlos loves her and is willing to give her everything. Why couldn’t she have had a love like that, why is Fer so lucky and she was not.

Fernanda, still talking to Pedro, feels if her mother really loved her, she wouldn’t treat her the way she does, making her feel unloved. She’s always been obedient, never done anything wrong, but she’s no longer a child and she’s not going to let her mother ruin her happiness. She asks her father for a hug.

Amelia reduces her anger quotient a bit as Pedro beds down on the floor, as she learns the other young man with Carlos was there to talk about their divorce. Pedro wants things to end cordially. He only asks for one condition—that Fer never learns Pedro isn’t her bio-dad. Amelia says she will never separate them. She recognizes he’s been a good father. They put their heads down on their separate pillows and Pedro thought-bubbles that he’s not going to tell Amelia that Fernanda and her grandfather have already met. It’s something she could use against him to take Fer away from him.

The next morning Isabela has come to the school and is strolling the patio with Carolina looking for the girl she saw Carlos with at his house. She can see now it wasn’t Camila after having her pointed out. She stops Camila and Camila does her the favor of telling Isy the name of the girl who is after Carlos—Fernanda Perez.

Fernanda asks her father not to let Amelia know Marissa, her boss at the bank, is Carlos’ mother. Pedro thinks it might work in her favor to know. That might be so, answers Fer, but she’s more worried that Amelia would insult her.

Nana Rosario gives Carlos some bad news followed by some worse news. The bad news is that Luis has banned Carlos from ever bringing Fer to the house. Carlos is incensed. The worse news is that if Carlos continues with this relationship, Luis is going to kick him out of the house. Carlos heads off to confront Luis. Carlos says, how dare he presume. This is his house, left to him and his mother by his father. Luis reminds him he is now Marissa’s husband and head of the household, so he can do whatever he wants, with Marissa’s blessing. That’s how much in love with him she is. Carlos is fuming but he has no recourse other than to turn and leave after saying Luis may be the one leaving.
 

CAMINO EPI #20 (Mon Mar 21) Pt. 4
Old Fer shows up for breakfast in fine fettle. He’s chipper and dapper and better than ever. Nana Blanca wants to know why. It’s because Carlos found his granddaughter. He’s sure now the reason he mistook the girl for Amelia is that she is none other than Amelia’s daughter. Nana Blanca tries to dissuade him from being so certain. Mariana, of course, has been listening to this conversation. Nana Blanca warns him to go slow because if Fernanda knows her own backstory, she probably hates him. If he can turn that hate into love, then he can tell her who he is. Of course, she may not be his granddaughter at all. He’ll put Luis on it right away. Nana Blanca warns Old Fer not to trust that shyster lawyer. Mariana sees that Blanca is turning Old Fer against Luis. She can’t let that happen. She will have to find a way to make Old Fer dismiss her soon.

At work, Amelia is dusting in Lupe’s grandiose office. Lupe has to leave to get some documents from Lic. Ordoñez and leaves Amelia to hold down the fort. The phone rings. It’s Marissa. She needs to contact her husband right away. Amelia doesn’t even know his name. Fortunately Lupe returns and informs her Marissa’s husband’s name is Luis Montero. Cara de impactada de Amelia.
 

Hey, Anita, welcome back, and thanks so much for both the overview and the delightful recap!

So many evil doers lurking about behind partially closed doors who are plotting things for their own benefit.

Poor Camila being told by her father to grab Carlos at any cost. Luckily, this isn't as traumatic for her as it might be because she genuinely likes him, but she won't listen to reason from her best friend Fer about her prospects.

I guess I can understand Pedro's fear at learning that Fernanda had met old Fernando. What a shattering experience it is going to be when everything is finally exposed to her.

Amelia is a completely unlikeable person. She has single mindedly pined for what she WANTED, and totally ignored the blessings she RECEIVED.

I was proud of Fer for standing up for her rights as a maturing young woman who has feelings for a very respectable young man.

It's going to be rich when Amelia finds out that her boss is Carlos' mother!

Thanks again, Anita!

David
 

the character break-down and last nights recap, priceless! I don't know how you do it, but thank you all the same! The list of crazy people just keeps growing on this show. Amelia, Mariana, Felipe, Camila, Isabela (bat-s**t crazy), anorexic chick, now Lucero (I think that's her name). When professor fine touched her shoulder...I'm like, oh no!

This TN has me turned in!
 

oops! **tuned**
 

EPISODE #21 (Tue Mar 22) Pt. 1
Amelia learns Luis is Marissa’s husband. My, she just can’t get a break. She feels even sorrier for herself today than she was yesterday, especially as she has to live through her flashback of Luis and Marissa’s outdoor wedding. She tells Lupe happiness will never be hers. Amelia then complains about having to wear a charwoman’s uniform on orders of Marissa. Lupe explains it’s not personal, there are regulations to follow.

Camila shows up at Carlos’ clinic office and declares her feelings for him. She won’t take no for an answer. She puts her hands on him. He moves away from her, she follows him. They do this little dance until she just kisses him and says she doesn’t care if he has a novia or not. She’s available. Carlos tells her, her behavior is unseemly and to stop it. Carlos wants to know why she told her father they were novios. Cam says she didn’t exactly say that, she told him they were going out together, getting to know each other and he must have jumped to that conclusion.

Carlos asks Camila not to cause any problems for him. She tells him she couldn’t help it, she fell in love with him. He says he thinks she’s attractive and can have other boyfriends, but he’s only interested in his novia. He’s sorry to be so blunt about it, but he tells her straight out there can never, ever be anything between them.

Camila is still hanging around the clinic to see if she can get Carlos to drive her back to school. She sees Felipe and gives him a good dressing down for being a jerk and making her the laughing stock in front of Carlos, all her friends and her father, saying Carlos was interested in her. Felipe apologizes. Yes, it was a jerky thing to do, but it was the only way he could get to see Fernanda. She’s the one he’s interested in. Cam says Fer isn’t worth it and she isn’t even her friend any longer anyway.

The singing nun in the school patio tells Fer someone named Isabela was looking for her. Of course she wouldn’t give her Fer’s address, but the lady was talking to Camila about some accident and a scam and Camila said it was Fernanda. Fer jumps to her own conclusion and thinks it must be a lawyer Luis has gotten for the countersuit. She immediately goes to see her aunt Rosaura, the head Sister about the law suit and Carlos. Fer tells her about the major argument she had with her mother over having a boyfriend. It just seems her mother doesn’t want her to be happy. Fer makes Rosaura promise not to tell Pedro anything. Rosaura agrees to help if that woman shows up again.

Andrea and Isabela are waiting for Marissa so they can lunch together. Isy is pumping Andrea for more juicy details of her affair with the married man. Andrea prefers not to tell her. Isy has her primed, though. Isy promises to zip her lip and throw away the key (and you just know she has a spare key tucked in her bosom). Here it comes, a gusher—it’s Luis Montero. Cara de impactada de Isy. Marissa shows up and the conversation in mainly about man problems.

Marissa promises to help Isy recoup Carlos’ love and see her all the way to the altar. Isy is convinced Carlos will come back to her. Marissa tells Andrea she’s reconsidered her advice from yesterday to fight for the love of that man. He’s not worth it. If he cheated on his wife, he’ll cheat on her. Andrea tells Marissa she’s already decided to break up with him.
 

EPISODE #21 (Tue Mar 22) Pt. 2
Fer takes solace in her violin. She has an appreciative audience of one—Carlos. They are in their favorite tree enjoying the sunshine. He talks love-talk. Then he mentions Felipe and his declaration the night before. Fer says she was embarrassed and ticked-off, but that wasn’t the worst as she recounts the terrible argument she and her father had with her mother. Carlos tells her he doesn’t want her fighting with her mother over him, nor let her hit her again. It’s not right. He’ll go see her and talk to her. Fer doesn’t want him to.

Carlos says if her mother doesn’t accept him, he’ll just steal Fer, he loves her that much, to go far away, get married and come back with children and she’ll just have to accept them. Fer thinks that kind of talk is hilarious. She reminds him that he knows she has to finish school and her university studies. Carlos says that’s what he loves about her. She has both feet on the ground. He insists he wants to do things right. So does she, but she asks him to wait until after graduation and then decide what to do. He agrees. They declare they are each other’s happiness. They kiss on it.

As they sit on the bank putting their shoes back on, Carlos says to Fer that since they have no secrets between them, he wants to tell her about Camila showing up at the clinic earlier. Before he can tell her any more, Camila herself shows up, boasting about the kiss she and Carlos shared that was so intense and passionate. Fer gets riled up, but Carlos steps in and straightens out the story for Fer’s benefit. Camila kissed him. Fer asks if he let her. With a smirk and a twirl, Cam has done her damage and flounces off to let them discuss the outcome. Carlos explains exactly how it came about and begs Fer not to go after Cam. It’s not worth being angry with each other, Felipe and Camila aren’t worth it. Fer agrees, especially since she and Cam aren’t friends any longer.

Cesarín is asking Clarita for a date. They are outside near the patio. They are talking about Carlos and Fernanda seeing each other and how Luis is so upset he’s forbidden Carlos to bring her to the house. They don’t realize Marissa is within earshot. Cesarín says it’s a shame they feel so antagonistic toward Carlos’ novia just because she’s the daughter of the gardener. Ooops. Marissa heard that. She questions Clarita and she confirms what Cesarín said.

Felipe is at Pedro’s cottage discussing the terms of the divorce settlement. Amelia gets home to hear some bits and pieces of what they have to split up. She can’t believe the divorce will take six months before it’s final. Pedro says for her to suck it up. Pedro leaves to go back to work. Amelia wants to talk to Felipe about Fernanda’s involvement with Luis Montero and how angry he is with her daughter. Felipe tries to set aside her fears. They won a judgment. That’s good. It means money. Amelia doesn’t want him to say anything about the case to Pedro. On leaving, Felipe wonders why Amelia is so afraid of Luis Montero.

Pedro arrives back at the job site to find Marissa waiting for him. She just found out her son is dating his daughter. Pedro is clearly nervous, but he soldiers on. He just found out himself and was quite surprised. Carlos has already come to speak to him about his intentions. Pedro was concerned it might be a passing fling, but he can see Carlos is serious about her and she is about him. They both agree the young folks should take is slow and get to know each other.
 

EPISODE #21 (Tue Mar 22) Pt. 3
Rosario appears on the patio and interrupts Marissa and Pedro’s conversation. She must speak to her urgently. Once inside, Rosario tells her she knew all about Carlos and Fernanda. Carlos did worry what attitude Marissa would take regarding their relationship, knowing Fernanda was Pedro’s daughter. On its own, Marissa says she’d have no problem, but this girl has too many strikes against her. She’s the cause of Carlos breaking up with Isabel, Luis will have to pay her a big sum in a judgment and she’s the daughter of one of their own employees. Marissa is decidedly against this relationship.

Old Fer has come to see Luis about the same thing—Amelia and her daughter. He tells Luis about the visit with Carlos’ girlfriend and her likeness to his daughter. Luis reacts immediately. She can’t be his granddaughter. Carlos’ novia is a lying, cheating scam artist. Old Fer says nothing but it’s obvious she didn’t give him that impression. Luis tells him the whole story to inform him. But not to worry, Luis will keep on looking for them. He thinks now they never left Mexico. Old Fer has no photos of Amelia. He so regrets throwing her out of the house, but so help him, he’s going to kill the sorry ass that got her pregnant. Luis looks as though he swallowed a pile of dung.

Mariana wants a divorce.

Carlos drives Fer home. Fer wants to be sure he’s never told anyone where she lives. She doesn’t want anyone like that Isabela to show up on her doorstep. Carlos stops the car short. Does she know this Isabela? No, Fer is pretty sure she’s some lawyer Luis got. Carlos is so rattled he forgets to kiss her goodbye. She has to remind him. [My Sweet Baboo, for a man who says you have no secrets from your beloved Fernanda, this Isabela thing is a big whopper you are holding back. Fer thinks she's a family friend, remember?]

Fernanda gets all excited when Pedro tells her he talked to Carlos’ mother. She’s good folks and Pedro is sure she will like Fer a lot after they get to know each other.

Marissa breaks in on Carlos’ thoughts on who could have told Isabela anything about Fernanda. Marissa wants to know what on earth is wrong with him. Isabela is a basket case after he broke up with her. Carlos defends himself. Marissa herself said it was wrong to keep stringing her along. Marissa in a soliloquy wonders how Carlos could trade a sophisticated, educated, well-travelled successful woman for a girl who is the daughter of a gardener who can’t possibly measure up to Isy’s qualities. Carlos can’t believe she is judging Fernanda without ever meeting her or knowing her.

Luis gets a visit from Isabela in his office. She proposes an alliance to squash Fernanda Perez. Luis momentarily perks up at the name, but lets Isy continue. He defers at first, but she has the goods on him and makes him an offer he can’t refuse. So much for zipped lips (or unzipped pants). Luis tells her she doesn’t need him to get Carlos back. She can invent a pregnancy.
 

Hi, Anita. Gee, you just keep cranking out these wonderful recaps all by yourself. Thank you so much!

I was surprised at Marissa's attitude toward a lower class girl whom she has never even met. We got no hint of this in her demeanor. I guess when she finds out that pretty young Fer-a is the granddaughter of old Fer-o she will come around.

Luis has no clue what he is doing. His daughter is apparently living right down the street from him, yet he is sending his private investigator to all kinds of far away places. His position is getting increasingly precarious because his step son hates him and has his number, and his mistress has just spilled the beans to a manipulative sociopath who will use that information in the most damaging way possible.

Mariana wants a divorce? Yawn.

Invent a pregnancy? How much time has passed? This is like the oldest, worn out trick in the history of worn out tricks. I can think of several ways this could be disproved within the course of a month.

Thanks again, Anita. I appreciate your work!!

David
 

Kendra and David--It's a pleasure to see you posting here. I don't feel quite so alone....

So far, it's been a pleasure to recap this telenovela. I get to watch it in real time, then watch it a second time with pad and pen--and rewind often. I would love to capture all the conversations, but I'd be up even later than I am now.

On Marissa's "coming around" when she finds out Fer's background. That doesn't say much about her egalitarian social attitude, one even Carlos assumed she had, does it? OTOH, she did admit to Rosario that it isn't so much Fer by herself, it's the disruption and harm she's already caused in her family.

I can't wait for her to turn more and more to Pedro as her nice, secure socially correct world falls apart. Will he be there to pick up the pieces?

Typically, I would expect her to blame herself, for that "aging" process that's been introduced one or two episodes ago.

I have a feeling Isy can still use the pregnancy trick. The trick is we don't know how much time has really passed since their last encounter. It seems to me that in telenovela time only a couple of weeks have passed, making it likely. Isy will have to find a sympathetic doctor, because Carlos will be all over her for test results and sonograms. False test results have been known to work in telenovelaland, but maybe in this case it was said more for Luis' desire to get rid of having Isy as a partner in crime.
 

You are certainly not alone on this site. I enjoy reading the recaps and appreciate your dedication.

Thank you, Anita!!
 

Anita, I just came across not one, but two of your amazing recaps.

I am very thankful and so appreciative of the obvious care, time and effort you put into crafting these perfectly written summaries.

"She turns and says she never loved him, he isn’t the man she imagined being with nor the life she wanted to live. He’s nothing but a gardener" and "(Storyline? >>FF. Prof. Martinez? <<SloMo and Rewind. What a captivating smile) were my favorites. And yes, the smile was irresistible.

I want to comment on just about everything you wrote but had to pare down the list.

"Fernanda, still talking to Pedro, feels if her mother really loved her, she wouldn’t treat her the way she does, making her feel unloved". Oh, dear girl. How you continue to try and love/hug your mother only to be coldly rebuffed at every advance. It is beyond painful to watch.

"Why couldn’t she have had a love like that, why is Fer so lucky and she was not". How utterly sad that a mother would resent her daughter's love and good fortune. She has woven a cocoon of isolation and bitterness, wearing her badge of unhappiness for all to see.

Perhaps Pedro will be free to find not only love, but at least the merest token of true affection which he had likely not received his entire married life. And David, I totally agree that Pedro is shielding his daughter from her true parentage for all the right reasons.

Thank you so much Anita! Stellar...

Diana
 

Oh Anita! Thank you so much for the wonderful recaps! I just love coming here and reading them. There's something in your writing that is so charming and light with just the right romance and nuance needed for this TN.

I can totally see Marissa's pov. As soon as Fer came into their lives her husband and son have not been acting right. The underlying tension that was always there but largely dormant has now exploded and it's has upset her. Marissa strikes me as a woman who is cool and collected. She enjoys a calm setting in her surroundings and serenity in her life. Fer is upsetting the balance of her home in negative ways. I think once she meets Fer she will be as charmed by her as Carlos and as charmed as she is by Pedro. I see love blossoming between Pedro and Marissa and I could not be more thrilled.

Amelia's woe is me have gotten old. I felt pity for her in the beginning. She came from a beautiful life, beautiful pampered surroundings only to cast out by her unforgiving heartbroken father. Time, poverty and hard work have caused her to become bitter. Understandably, but her treatment of Pedro a man who has put everything on the line including his own happiness for her, is what I find so unlikable about her. It's one thing to not love him, we can't make ourselves fall in love with someone we don't love, but he doesn't deserve her scorn or to be treated like a dog. The rejection of her daughter is just hateful. I want to root for Amelia to find some sort of happiness but right now I think she deserves to be alone. I will enjoy watching her see Pedro move on and be appreciated and loved by Marissa.

Camila is a young girl, I think she has issues that stem from her father. She wants to be loved and accepted and get approval. She is not in love with Carlos. She will realize this later but perhaps too late. It will be on her father's head.

Felipe is annoying. He sees Fernanda's lips moving, but doesn't hear the words. "I'm not into you Felipe"

Isy is proving to be a nut job. I see Isy and Luis getting horizontal before long. This could be how Isy gets her pregnancy.
 

Thanks Anita! To be clear (I didn't feel uncomfortable), but I feel more comfortable coming into the beginning of a TN and making comments...than to sneak up into the ending when I wasn't there for the back and forth initial discussions.

I too understand Marisa's view on Fernanda upsetting her household. She is so enamored by Isa (what is it with folks trying to marry their sons off to this hairball?) that she can't believe in some supposed love that he hasn't had the decency to introduce to her. However, when she went in on the gardener's daughter social status stuff - I was a little disappointed.

Trouble making - way too damn old (or at least he looks it) for Fer, Felipe is just a pain in the aspirations. He is on the same batshiggity train as Isabela, Mariana, and Amelia.

I'm holding out hope for Camila, Anorexic chick, and goo-goo eyes Lucero. They are still young.
 

Deliah--I'm so glad you posted today. I love your sage comments. The way you described Felipe is soooo perfect. I wonder what he did with that little necklace. Is he still planning to use it to make Carlos doubt Fernanda after they both stood their ground and told him what's what about their relationship? Mmmm, probably! So far, it pleases me that Carlos and Fer are presenting a united front. I don't like that Carlos hasn't told Fer who Isabela really is.

Kendra--Ah, to be young, beautiful and believe in romance till the end of the world. The young ladies hold their future in their hands. I hope they see life has some bumps, but they do not have to end up like the Amelia's of the world, or just plain mean like Carolina and her sister Isabela.

Any prognostications on who will link Fernanda and Old Fer first? Luis has the money and professional resources, Mariana is pretty close, but now Felipe is in the game.
 

Anita...oh, the only person who has done it, but isn't certain is Old Fer. I was like, OMG! He did it! However, old jerkoff talked him out of it. I don't know, everyone is so close. I'm going to think about it. Maybe Blanca?
 

Thanks, Anita, for continuing to create this little space for us Camino fans. We may be few, but we are appreciative. I'd forgotten about the necklace until you reminded us. There are sure to be some bumps in the road for our novios.

Delilah--Isabela and Luis, eewww! But then again, they deserve each other. The actress (Candela Marquez) seems to be getting typecast, but she's great at playing crazy.

I hope Prof. Martinez turns out to be a good sort. If he does, I don't think he's using good judgment. A male teacher that I know is always careful to have a female teacher in the room when he's having a one-on-one conversation with a female student. Things are going to get interesting, and maybe not in a good way.
 

"Hairball" Too funny! She does sort of have an appearance of an alley cat caught in a fight. Who won? ;-)

Anita, kind words thank you. Back atcha! I am really digging the chem between HP and PG, I am reminded of his role on Sombra w/MR (Aldonza), those two left me flat. I find myself grinning every time Carlos and Fernanda are together.

I think we are still early days in this TN and not all of our villains have been fleshed out. I think we know Isy is batshiz crazy and Luis is a all about his status and money. Right now my eye is on Felipe, I think he has several more layers that will be peeled back. I think concealing who is Isy is, is going to cost Carlos big time. Felipe will be there waiting..I'm sure enflaming things further as more stones are turned over.

As to who makes the big connection on Fernanda and Fer? I think the old man has already picked up the scent of the sangre, he won't be dissuaded.

One of two scenarios:

1. During one of his health checkups, Fer simply asks Carlos some questions regarding Fernanda. Her background? Parents?

2. Fernanda herself reveals the info during a visit to Fer.

I don't see this dragging out too long. We need Fernanda in her rightful family and battling the evil Isy for Carlos. I see old Fer being a huge ally for his grand daughter. We were already teased with a glimmer of the sweet relationship that could exist between the two. Fernanda will need her grandfather as she battles tough days ahead in her relationship with Carlos which is sure to be fraught with problems, involving Isy and then there will be the blossoming romance between her Papito and Carlos mother. There's also the matter of Mariana's greedy husband wanting to do harm to Old Fer.

There are tough days ahead for our Carlos/Fernanda.
 

Aleta and Delilah--Great comments. Will expand on them tomorrow. I'm ready to post Wednesday's episode. You, too, Kendra, with the predictions.
 

EPISODE #22 (Wed Mar 23) Pt. 1
Fer is fixing a humongous breakfast sandwich, worthy of Subway. She is asking all about Amelia’s job, what exactly does she do. Amelia answers shortly and inaccurately that she works in the head office for the president of the bank. Fer hopes she’s getting along with her boss. That’s so important. Amelia walks out on her.

Marissa is talking to Carlos again about his relationship with Fernanda. She doesn’t like it, but she would never throw him out of the house because of it. Carlos is sure it was Luis that spoke badly of Fernanda to her. Marissa doesn’t deny it., but even if he asks her to, she would never go through with it. Carlos takes the time to remind her that his father left him the house as part of his inheritance. She acknowledges that.

Carlos shows up at Isabela’s spa. He wants to know why she went to Fernanda’s school looking for her. Fer has nothing to do with their break-up. Isy says she just felt like seeing who it was he traded her in for. Carlos wants her to leave Fer alone. She dismisses him coldly—he’s not in a position to ask her anything or to come looking for her any longer, either. (Somehow, I don’t think she means it.)

At school Fer is at her locker when the Head Sister tells Fer she’s worried about Camila. Is everything ok between them? They have such a good relationship, it would be a shame for something to happen to it. Fer blames their distance on exams. After she leaves, she calls Carlos on a borrowed phone and tells him she’s free for the rest of the afternoon. They’ll see each other at the same place as always.

Fernanda goes home to change and Felipe shows up with the indemnification check from Luis. He wants to take her to the bank right away and then go celebrate. He’s not easily persuaded that she can’t. She already has a date with Carlos and she isn’t going to break it. It will have to be another time.

Marissa and Luis are having their breakfast out on the covered patio. Ordoñez arrives and Luis, in his best sarcastic tone, says to Ordoñez he is always showing up at the most inopportune time. This time he’s come to tell Marissa about the completion of the bank merger involving their bank and she has to go to Spain to formalize the merger. They must leave in the morning. She tells Ordoñez she can’t. Luis volunteers. All she needs to do is sign an authorization so he can represent her. Ordoñez reminds him of the clauses in the bank rules that forbid him to take part in any of her bank’s business. Luis throws a fit. He’s sure if Marissa wanted to she could change the rules. Marissa informs him that the board of directors might not be so disposed.

Marissa shows up at the clinic. She tells Carlos he has to go to Spain tomorrow on some banking business and she can’t leave Isabela and her fashion show in the lurch. He doesn’t buy it. Why him? He’s a doctor with patients to care for. She doesn’t take his noes for an excuse. He also needs to familiarize himself with the business that some day will all be his. As he caves, she hugs him and thought bubbles this is the first step to separate Carlos from Pedro’s daughter. She hopes this will be the only time. Carlos suspects she’s sending him to Spain to separate him from Fernanda. Marissa says she wouldn’t think of doing that. This event is very important. Ordoñez will be there to assist him.
 

EPISODE #22 (Wed Mar 23) Pt. 2
At the spa, Andrea is following Isy around the halls while Isy rants, when she gets a call from a very angry Luis. He tells her to show up at the apartment. Luis is furious that Andrea dared tell anyone, let alone Isy, about their affair. She swears she didn’t and too bad if he doesn’t believe her. Luis says Isy herself came to his office and used the information to try to blackmail him. Andrea is very convincing in her denials. She even tells Luis to ask Isy where she got the information.

Luis backs down and tries to sweet talk her into a better mood. He loves her, he only has eyes for her, she’s the only one who matters in his life. And how would she like a 15-day, all inclusive, paid vacation somewhere, to Spain maybe, with him, pinky promise. Andrea is all smiles, as she says to herself that he is so going to have to keep this promise to be with her, because she already knows from Isy that Marissa isn’t going to Spain.

Camila tries again. She shows up at the clinic and is sitting on an examining table when Carlos comes to her. She says she has a pain in her chest. She thinks it’s her heart. It must be love. He’s annoyed with her taking up his time with tonterías when there are real patients who need his attention. He tells her this obsession has to stop or he’ll have to have her barred from the clinic.

Later Camila’s daddy wants to know how it is going with Carlos. Camila says he wants nothing to do with her. Horrible Hernán tells her she must redouble her efforts to snare him because he’s heading for bankruptcy and she’s the only one who can save them. (And he’s telling this to an 18-year-old schoolgirl? He deserves to be charged with abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor and prostitution.)

Carlos is waiting for Fer by the lake. She runs into his arms. She’s bubbling over with news. Yes, she’s going on the graduation cruise—she received the money from the judgment—and, it turns out her mother works for his mother at the bank. How is that for a coincidence since her father is also working for his mother. Then she notices how serious Carlos is. He tells her about the trip to Spain as a stand-in for his mother. He explains how it happened. She’s incredibly sad. Carlos wonders if she believes him. Yes, she does. He’s now a doctor AND a banker. What about the clinic? Carlos says they gave him 15 days leave. What is she going to do without him for 15 days. He urges her to study. They embrace and hold each other tenderly. Water ripples behind them, ducks float past. Carlos wants to cheer her up and offers to do anything her heart desires the rest of the day. She wants to go visit the old gentleman who is Carlos’ patient.

Nana Blanca warmly welcomes both Carlos and Fernanda, but Old Fer hasn’t lost any of his vitriolic bluster in 19 years. He throws her out, using all of Luis’ vocabulary in a character assassination. Fer and Carlos are taken off guard completely and both try to defend her, but he’s not having it. He tells Carlos he can stay, but Carlos excuses himself and says he’ll be leaving, too. Blanca is disgusted with Old Fer’s behavior. Carlos runs after Fer and reminds her Old Fer is sick and probably doesn’t know what he’s saying. Fer is pretty sure he does and it was Luis turned him against her. She didn’t do anything to Old Fer so she just doesn’t understand why he would do that. Carlos holds her tightly.
 

EPISODE #22 (Wed Mar 23) Pt. 3
Luis has called P.I. Orsano into the office to repeat what we heard him tell him on the phone in order to find Amelia and Pedro Perez. On the way out of the building, Orsano runs into the guy who would be helping him look into all the registries, etc., as he gives out way too much TMI in quite a loud voice. Of course in a huge coincidence, Mariana happens to be entering the building, she walks past them, hears them, stops, backs up and listens. When the guy leaves, she approaches Orsano, tells him she is Amelia’s sister and asks if she can speak to him privately. In the middle of a busy restaurant, Mariana asks him how much he would take to NOT find Amelia and Pedro Perez, EVER. He smiles. He can smell money.

Marissa is having a wonderful time packing Carlos’ clothes for his trip. (C’mon, mama, he’s not a 10-year-old going off to sleep-away camp.)

Fer takes solace in her violin. Pedro hears her sighing and asks what’s wrong. She’s sad because Carlos will be away for 15 days. He chuckles. No, to her it’s very serious. She does NOT tell him about the incident at Old Fer’s house that has her bothered, because, of course, he told her not to see him again.

Luis and Marissa are in their bedroom. She’s almost ready for bed. He’s still got his knickers in a twist over Ordoñez. Why is he still at the bank after all these years? Marissa says he’s not there because he’s charming, but because he’s the best head of finance there is. Luis is still smarting from the put down Ordoñez gave him about his being a lawyer and not a banker, and lawyers should know that a law is a law. Marissa wonders why this bothers him so much now, those clauses were always there. So then, when does she leave? Oh, Marissa isn’t going. She’s sending Carlos in her place. Cara de impactada de Luis.

Isy is tromping around the spa, maddern’ a hornet. She’s ready to sting Andrea. Where has she been. She can’t just walk out on company time without at least advising Isy. Uh oh, I think this is the end of a beautiful friendship. Isy treats her like a common employee rather than a friend. Andrea is just as mad. She knows it was Isy told Luis all about their affair. How could she? Isy is right back at her. If she doesn’t shut up about this, she’ll just go to Marissa and tell her the whole sordid story.

All his bags are packed, he’s ready to go, the copter’s waiting and Carlos is about to leave on a jet plane to Spain. Ordoñez is giving him last minute instructions. Marissa is standing by proudly. Then they hear a plaintive violin solo hidden off to the side. Carlos turns and sees Fernanda approaching. As soon as she finishes, he takes her in his arms and they start to kiss each other. They both tear up. Marissa watches the young lovers in their embrace and thinks to herself that she’s a mother and the last things mothers want to do is hurt their children. She can see how much Fernanda cares for Carlos and he, her, and is she doing the right thing trying to separate her from Carlos.

Carlos introduces Fernanda to both Ordoñez and then Marissa. Ordoñez leaves. Could Marissa’s heart be softening a bit towards Fer as she watches their last farewell embrace and kisses. Fer and Marissa are left together to watch the helicopter lift off. Fer tells Marissa how much she’ll miss Carlos. She shyly admits Carlos is her first boyfriend and her first kiss was from him. Fer tells Marissa Carlos was going to bring her to the house for a formal introduction after she graduated, but things obviously got a little ahead of schedule. She guesses Marissa has already learned something about her from her husband. She wants to explain it all to her, but Marissa gently but firmly says she doesn’t want to talk about that. She excuses herself to go to work. She says goodbye to Fer. As Fer walks away, she wonders why it was goodbye and not see you again.
 

EPISODE #22 (Wed Mar 23) Pt. 4
Pedro is whipping up breakfast but Amelia only has time for coffee. She wonders where Fer is. Pedro tells a whopping white lie that Fer went to school early because of exams. The white lie is exposed by the Sister in White who is there wondering where Fer is because she’s not in school. Amelia is furious at Pedro and Rosaura. She’s sure Fer is probably seeing that good-for-nothing fellow again and accuses Rosaura of aiding and abetting. She stomps off to work.

Rosaura apologizes for getting her brother in trouble. He says it’s his fault for making up that lie. He knows he’s in the doghouse—where he’s been for 19 years.
 

Hi, Anita! Thanks once again for your stellar reportage and witty asides.

I can't believe Marissa's attitude. Everything she seemed to be is being crushed by her acting on the advice of manipulative people. She is going to be so humiliated when the full weight of what her husband is, and what the horrible Isy is comes to light.

I was surprised the old Fer-o flew off the handle last night, and that Blanca didn't at that point jump in and tell him what a jerk wad Luis is, and what he did to Amelia. She's been chomping at the bit to tell him, and that would have been a very good time.

Luis investigator is corruptible? Does anyone believe that Luis draws to himself the best, the brightest, the most virtuous? Luis seems to be all about coming out on top of any arrangement, and in any group of people. That's why he is so angry at Ordonez, and why he resents Felipe so much.

There must be something sinister to his trying to get control of the bank. I don't know why he just doesn't try his best to build his law practice, but then we wouldn't have much of a tn, would we?

I may be unable to comment for a while, but really appreciate your work, Anita.

David
 

Thanks Anita...I love reliving this tn the next day with your recaps.

I wasn't sure what to make of the investigator (Felipe, I think is his name also?) and Mariana's proposition. Take her money as long as he finds nothing. That's what I would do. LOL! What is she going to do? Tell someone that she paid for him to NOT look for Pedro and Amelia? The only one that will be glad is that 'pimp out his daughter' husband of hers. No one else will like it at all.

Old Fer, I had hopes for him and that initial interaction with Fer, but alas...he treated her like crap and he doesn't even know her. You can be cautious about a suspected con artist w/o being rude.

I don't know about anyone else, but I will be so glad when she graduates. This school thing is getting on my nerves now. I know they have a few school girl things going on, but I'm over this school and I wish it would go away.
 

David--Hope to see you back soon.

Luis is all about social status and money. Right now he has both, gotten by turning his back on a pregnant girl he seemed to like. If it was never his intention to have children with her (unless he just said that to reject her), he should have been more careful what he did with her.

Yes, why need more money? Could it be that he still sees himself as a kept man, under the control of his wife and his wife's money. She bought him his law practice and he lives in her mansion--excuse me, Carlos' mansion. It probably irks him no end. He would like to be with a flashier woman, like Andrea, out in the open, but he needs the cash to do it. Hence his interest in the bank's assets.

Kendra--The school thing doesn't get on my nerves that much because it's the only time Fernanda wears something that doesn't have holes in it. Please, we get that they are poor. But that's what's getting old to me. If Amelia wasn't going to mend her shirts, Fernanda should have learned how to mend. It takes a needle and thread and a careful hand. Does she really have such a poor self-image as to go into public places looking like a 19th Century homeless street urchin? I guess we'll have to wait for the "new luke" when she goes on the cruise with all the other graduates.

Luis calls the P.I. Orsano. Don't think I've ever heard that name before and we know how they recycle names in these tns (Camila is one of the overused ones).

It was not too long ago in Quiero Amarte the main female antagonist paid several investigators her husband would hire to never find his first love. So that storyline is being recycled as well. I can live with it here.

Delilah--Sadly, it only took last night's episode to dash our hopes that Old Fer might be the one to make the connection between Fernanda and himself. I think Blanca has put 2y2 together but it takes a lot to get her dander up. She may be the "forever nanny" but she can still be dismissed. Mariana is trying to see to that.

As to that chemistry between HP and PG. It works for me. Aldonza in Sombra had zero chemistry with her leading man, PL, and even less with the two galans in her new role in Pasion y Poder. I don't think it is entirely the fault of the men.
 

Anita, I will just add to my comment of yesterday in heaping praise and gratitude for single handedly bringing this to life in such vivid, living color.

"Old Fer hasn’t lost any of his vitriolic bluster in 19 years" was my favorite but I also loved "Isy is tromping around the spa, maddern’ a hornet" and "He says it’s his fault for making up that lie. He knows he’s in the doghouse—where he’s been for 19 years".

I am with you and Delilah in being sad that Fer wasn't able to reach the hoped for conclusion about Fer. Your "I think Blanca has put 2y2 together but it takes a lot to get her dander up. She may be the "forever nanny" but she can still be dismissed" was spot on. I love the actress, barely recognizable from her FELS days!

Fer is sweet and genuine. I credit her lovely demeanor to her father (although not the bio dad, he is her father in every sense of the word!). It's amazing how mothert and child can bear so little resemblance (personality wise) to each other.

Thank you again Anita!

Diana
 

Diana--Wouldn't this story be different if Fer had been raised by an unhappy, permanently post-partum depressed Amelia and a lying, two-timing jerk like Luis? Yes, Pedro deserves all the credit.

There is something that bothers me right now. Why would attending an event to witness the merger of two banks require 15 days? You fly in one day, rest the next, go to the event and the reception the next day, the fourth day visit the two banks, eat, go to the Prado, and fly out the next afternoon. Geesh, that's all of, five days, six days tops.

I can only see some horrible mischief being cooked up that destroys Fernanda and Carlos' love in 15 days. Then it takes months and maybe years to get them back together again. [Well, the avances gave us a hint. They are always overstated for dramatic effect, but hey, something has to keep us coming back for more.]
 

NOTE: The recap, in whatever shape it is, will be late posting, probably tomorrow. There is a Maryland-Kansas basketball game late tonight and I have a stake in BOTH. Oh, dear. I'll just root for both of them as long as I can.
 

Yes! Anita - what is with all of the holes in all of her clothes. It is ridiculous. Not because I wouldn't expect that she would have some clothes like that, hell I do (and refuse to get rid of them), but basically all of them. The are poor, not penniless and homeless. Her dad works, her mom had a food stand (and now a job at a bank), they can afford needle and thread.

Even her dad doesn't have holes in all of his clothes and he works outside. Why is she soooo neglected.

Maybe, the other guy that he meet on the way out of Luis' office was named Felipe and I got it confused, but he wasn't important anyway.
 

Anita, I totally agree with your thoughts but suspect it would simply be harder to break the couple up over a weekend then over the course of several weeks Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder? Misguided advice IMHO...

Am disappointed Marissa seems so easily swayed. I'm not writing her off yet as I have high hopes she will one day be Fer's stepmother.

Kendra, yes, I dare say needle and thread would not break the bank! Neglected is the perfect word...

Diana
 

NOTE: There is no Camino tomorrow, Good Friday, so I will take my time--we have all weekend. Stay tuned.
 

Thank you Anita! Looking forward to reading your recap this weekend.

Peace on today, Good Friday and a joyous Easter all!

Diana
 

EPISODE #23 (Thu Mar 24) Pt. 1
Carlos has arrived in Madrid. We know this from the big sign superimposed on the scene and the vaguely gypsy-flamenco-pop music in the background. The dutiful son calls home, then the man in love calls his beloved Fernanda. She misses him, he misses her. He loves her and he’s going to call her every day to tell her so.

Just as they hang up, Amelia walks in on Fernanda and guesses she’s talking to that muchacho again. Where was she this morning, since she wasn’t in school. Fer offers up another little white lie. Felipe came by with the check. She shows Amelia the check. She’s impressed. They will go immediately to the bank and open an account and deposit it. Fer says that some of it will pay for her graduation trip. Amelia tells her to forget about it. She isn’t going.

Pedro has stayed late at the Gomez-Ruiz place. Marissa sees him and tells him she met his daughter earlier. Pedro starts chattering about Fer, how she’s graduating at the top of her class and has a scholarship to the local university, but she wants to study music at the best school in the country. Marissa is really surprised to hear Fernanda attends her alma mater. Pedro says Carlos is lucky to have fallen in love with Fernanda. Marissa is processing all this conflicting information about Fernanda.

Carlos is dining with an old family friend. He knew Carlos’ father and has been working with his mother for years, since before Carlos was born. Carlos has few memories of his father since he died when he was still very young, but they are all good ones. The Spanish banker friend is happy that Marissa remarried and provided a role model for Carlos growing up. Carlos bristles. That man can in no way measure up to the level of his father.

Said role model is enjoying candlelight, wine and a woman in a red shortie negligée, who is blonde and not Marissa. It’s Andrea and she’s looking forward to an uninterrupted night of passion. He’s looking forward to a little bunny hop on, hop off and hop on home. He can never not go home at night. She’s pretty pithed.

Mariana and Hernán—he wants a little nookie. His bed is cold. >>FF

Camila ponders who Carlos’ novia might be. She can’t ask him, not after the way he treated he at the clinic. Felipe interrupts with a cell call and she meets him at the gate. Does she forgive him? No answer. Did she know Carlos left for Spain? No, she didn’t. He asks if Fer is around. No, she isn’t. She wheels and leaves.

Amelia has taken off with the check, Fer following her, trying to reason with her mother about the graduation trip. She deserves it, she’s graduating with good grades and since it was only money she was lacking, she has it now. Amelia stuffs the check back in Fer’s hands and tells her if that is what she wants to use the money she scammed out of Luis Montero, she should just go ahead.

Camila catches up with Fernanda. She apologizes for the things she said yesterday. Could they be friends again? Fer needs a friend, but it is doubtful Cam is the right one. They hug and go off happily to Fer’s house to do things young girlfriends do—talk about boys. Fer doesn’t quite say why Carlos is not interested in Camila, but she tells her she should forget him and concentrate on her studies. Camila, in turn, doesn’t tell Fer about Horrible Hernán’s ultimatum. Pedro interrupts. Cam goes home. Pedro tells Fer about sharing with Marissa all of Fer’s wonderful qualities. He has no doubts she’ll come around and who knows, she might even become Fer’s mother-in-law.

Lucero and Prof. Adorable meet for a math lesson. She can’t concentrate. We can’t blame her, neither can we. >>FF
 

EPISODE #23 (Thu Mar 24) Pt. 2
The woman who waits at home for Luis to return is telling Rosario all about her unexpected meeting of Fernanda, the gardener’s daughter. She’s quite pretty, charming, and would clean up well to pass as someone from a higher social rung (actually she said “a good family,” but we know what she really meant). But if she opens her mouth to talk, it’s a dead giveaway which side of the railroad tracks she comes from (actually she said “zip code address”). Rosario gently rebukes her for speaking like that. Marissa accepts the rebuke but she’s just not with the program where Carlos traded in such a refined model for one with no education. (Wait, Marissa, Pedro just told you she’s graduating at the top of her class from an exclusive school she herself attended. So much for meritocracy in love, business and politics.)

Marissa won’t quite admit she likes Fer for Carlos, but she can see she’s in love with him. Rosario adds that he’s in love with her, too. True, and Marissa never saw Carlos so affectionate and attentive with Isabela. Maybe she’s made a mistake opposing the relationship, but she can’t get the things Luis said about her out of her head. And, by the way, Marissa says, Rosario is never to tell Carlos things she overhears her and Luis talking about. (Rosario denies it, but Marissa was referring to telling Carlos about Luis not letting Fer in the house and kicking Carlos out if he persists in the relationship.)

Carlos has made his daily call to Fernanda. The next time he comes to Madrid, she’s coming with him. He te amos her and says goodbye. Ordoñez has arrived to help Carlos take care of business.

Lucero and Prof. Adorable are strolling along the school’s arcade. She understood math for the first time, all thanks to him. In a spontaneous gesture, she hugs him. He puts his hand lightly on her back. Just then the school Police in White reprimands him and tells him hugging students is grounds for dismissal. Well, we’ll see where this goes.

Time passes slowly for our chaste pair of lovers. Fer finds solace in her violin. She helps Cam with her studies and thinks about Carlos. He passes his time doing business in Madrid. The signing takes place. He calls his mother to let her know it’s done and he and Ordoñez are returning tomorrow. He can’t wait to get back to his three women—his mother, Rosario and (sighing deeply) his Fernanda.

Old Fer is in Luis’ office. He’s pithed that so much time has gone by and the P.I. has no news of Amelia and her daughter. Luis convinces him they are working diligently, but Mexico is a big country.

Orsano, the P.I., meets with Mariana. He plays his cards well. He ups the ante. The amount of money she offered isn’t enough to offset the damage to his sterling reputation and potential loss of a string of important clients who would desert him for failure to deliver. He tells her to take it or leave it.

Luis is visiting Isabel at her white cave to hand over some documents signed by a gynecologist affirming she is pregnant. (I guess he changed his mind about not helping her.)

Fer proudly tells her father, who is working on the school grounds of her latest exam results. Carolina watches in the distance with anger and jealousy. (This can’t be good.) She’s super excited because Carlos is returning today and she’s to see him that afternoon. Fer manages to involve her aunt, The Top Sister, in a little lie, if necessary, so she can see Carlos—it’s been a long two weeks without seeing him.
 

EPISODE #23 (Thu Mar 24) Pt. 3
Carlos arrives home. Everyone is excited to have him back except Luis. He makes the mistake of saying he guesses Carlos has good news for “us.” Carlos reminds him he has nothing to do with the bank business, the one his father left to him and his mother. He basically tells him to butt out. It seemed like an unnecessary dig, but Carlos’ only weapons against Luis are words (and an occasional busted lip). Marissa waves it all off and calls for a celebration.

Carlos moves away to call Fer. He can be heard telling her he’ll see her later. Suddenly, an ill wind blows in, in the form of Isabela. Carlos is surprised to see her there. She wants to see him privately. They repair to the home office. She drops the baby-bomb on Carlos. He doesn’t believe her or the certificate or the tomography (maybe it’s too early for a sonogram at 3-4 weeks). He reminds her they were taking precautions. He insists on doing his own gynecological exam or a blood test he is there to witness. She’s offended. He’s not a gynecologist. But, he counters, he is a doctor and can tell if a woman is pregnant. My goodness, Isy is good. She says she’s merely informing him. She finally wears him down into accepting there is a baby. She intends to take care of this child herself without his help or support. Carlos tells her he’ll be a baby-daddy, but not an Isy-hubby.

Carlos is left wondering how he is going to tell Fernanda. Isy returns to the living room, very agitated and crying. Marissa is very concerned. Luis is watching the show, invisibly clapping for her performance. Isy whispers out loud to Marissa that she’s going to be a grandmother.

Marissa immediately goes to Carlos’ room. She wants to talk about Isy’s pregnancy—if indeed that is his baby, interjects Carlos. Marissa doesn’t know who else’s it might be, they were novios until just a few days ago. She thinks it’s time for Carlos and Isy to have a good talk. Not now, says Carlos, he’s on his way to see Fernanda. Marissa looks askance. She's certain that with Isy pregnant he’ll be ending the relationship with Fernanda. Carlos looks her straight in the eye and tells his mother he’s the one who decides. They leave it at that.

Nana Blanca suggests to Old Fer that he put a big notice in all the newspapers that he’s looking for Amelia and her daughter. It might get quicker results than the P.I.’s investigation. Of course, could we expect any less of her, Mariana is passing by and stops to listen. Old Fer thinks it’s a great idea.

Isy visits Luis at his office. He’s laughing because Carlos didn’t buy her story the way she had planned. He would have loved to have been a fly on the wall to listen in. Isy is quite mad because he keeps chuckling. She snaps she’s going to have this baby, that much is certain. Luis points out she can fool Carlos up to a point, but as for raising a child (he said criar, not parir), that’s another thing. Isy figures she has a few months to think of something. Luis, the malevolent mongrel, tells her she can have a miscarriage along the way, but only after she’s safely married to Carlos. He’s sure she can make it work out.

Meanwhile Carlos, still chilled by that ill wind swaddling him, puts on a happy smile as he waits for Fernanda to reach him at the gate. He loves her. She missed him. He wants to look at her, kiss her, hold her. She slips through the gate and into his arms. They are together again. Fer then asks him to come to her graduation, just three days away. He hugs her again but the joy on his face and in his soul is tempered by the knowledge that what he has to tell her might mean the end of their relationship.
 

Well, folks, there it is. What we didn't want to happen, happened. A fake pregnancy.

How long will the ruse last and what ramifications will it have on Fernanda and Carlos' relationship. One thing I believe is that Fer will be totally disillusioned with Carlos. Not only did he have sexual relations with a woman, albeit before she entered his life, but it's the selfsame Isabela, who he described as a family friend and came looking for her at school.

That may be enough to cause a break up, but she loves him so deeply, she can't see herself without him. We shall have to wait and see if they continue to present a united front.

I'm sure she sees Carlos through rose-colored glasses and has built him a pedestal to stand on. What they have is a pure and chaste love. He has never pressured her or even talked about the next step in their relationship--becoming a physical one. I don't think she's thought about that aspect either.
 

Anita, thank you so much for this!

A fake pregnancy, oh my God!! I hope the truth is revealed soon, this type of plot device is just so uninteresting. I´m glad Carlos didn't seem to buy Isabela's story and told her he needed more proof. One thing is certain, Fer will be very disappointed with her novio when she finds out. He didn't play it straight with her, let's be honest.

I think that when Marissa was talking about Fernanda's "no education" was referring to the way she expresses herself, using all these "lower class" words in her speech. Speaking of which, how come Fer talks so much like that? Is it something realistic? If she attends such an expensive and exclusive school why hasn't she been taught to talk in a bit more refined way?

I personally like the realism with which Marissa's character is being depicted. She's a good-hearted woman who doesn't have social prejudices, or to put it better, she doesn't want to have them. She understands it's not the right way of thinking, but when it comes to her son, yes, she can't avoid wanting a woman who is a bit more sophisticated in his life. I mean, is there any mother of Marissa's social rank (or even of a lower one) that wouldn't at least think of it? Are things in real life so idealized that this particular thought wouldn't even cross her mind? I don't think so. But Marissa is not insensitive, and my guess is that when she sees her son is truly suffering without Fernanda she will come around. Let alone when she herself falls in love with Fer's wonderful dad.
 

Anita thank you for this heartening recap.

I hate that they are using ye old" pregnancy trick".They'll drag it through and bore us to death with it. Why couldn't they have thought up something else? Well here we go. Maybe they should sepetate so they can come back stronge. Maybe by then marissa and pedro will be together. Amelia is a mean hateful Heffa. I don't care where she goes. Maybe her and luis will end up in the same place. Ok I had a long tired day. Yall have a happy easter.
 

Lucy Lu and Nina--I don't like the old "pregnancy trick" either. But these are wonderful actors and it seems like a slightly new twist--Carlos wants more proof. Let's sit back and speculate on how and when Isabela gets unmasked. So far, over on Hotel, Sofia, Teresa and Doc Vic kept it going for Sofia's whole pregnancy, at great risk to Sofia's mental health. I bet Isabela is not going to want to wear a fake baby bump for very long. She's too vain about her body image.

Lucy--I accept your view on Marissa's comment of Fernanda's "no education." Let's leave it at another plot device. Most children learn language from their parents. Amelia speaks "proper" Spanish, even after 19 years of living with Pedro. Pedro also has a good command of his language, although we hear his rapid fire delivery. He doesn't use as many colloquialisms as Cesarin does, so where DOES Fernanda get hers? Methinks teenage girls speak a different language altogether.

We all have different ways of speaking, whether to our children, friends, work colleagues, supervisors, defending dissertations, giving lectures. All may be correct, it's the occasion that would make it different. That goes for writing, as well. I'm sure Fernanda doesn't turn in literature assignments written the way she speaks, for her to get such good grades.

So, I'll give Fernanda the benefit of the doubt. She's just an energetic, happy, fast-talking teenager.
 

"Pedro also has a good command of his language, although we hear his rapid fire delivery. He doesn't use as many colloquialisms as Cesarin does, so where DOES Fernanda get hers?"

Yes! I was going to mention that too. Even Pedro speaks better Spanish than Fernanda, and he is not supposed to have attended such an expensive school as Fer, so where does Fer's way of speaking comes from? I guess you are right-it's just a plot device. Let's leave it at that.
 

I think its cool that yall notice the difference in speech, I might would too if they were speaking english. Maybe when fer finds out that carlos may have knock up said x girl friend croo-ella isy, she'll go away to college and come back talkin all educated. But I wont be able to tell, she'll just be sweet little fernanda to me. In spite of her mean ol momma she turned out to be a sweet little girl/young lady, but then theres the lying, she should really stop that. That seems to be a pattren with these people. Now shes got her auntee the nun joinin in. I SURE HOPE NOT. A lying nun is not good. NOT!!!

I'll be glad when the explosion happens. there's always an explosion when that many lies are floating around.

I hope you guys are having a good holiday♥♡♥♡♥♡
 

Nina-- I think you may be right, college or a music school like Julliard or Peabody is in her future.

I assume you depend on CC's for translations? If so, could you share with us how they make Fernanda sound as compared to her mother, father and Carlos.

We also left out of the language equation, Pedro's sister, The Sister, headmistress of an exclusive girls school. You don't get there by speaking barrio. (Neither do any of the other nuns we've heard speaking.) Well, that may be a little judgmental, pardon me, but I hear Fernanda use "pues" a lot.

Inez over on Quien es Quien, working-class mother of one if not both of our "twins," puts in a lot of "pueses" in her speech. The two boys are also clearly differentiated by their speech patterns. The working class boy's speech is much more colorful--and I'm not speaking of a foul mouth.

Maybe in Fernanda's case it's a filler, like "and" and "uh" in English, while the literal translation is "well" or "yes."
 

Anita, the cc's that I read from, its like whoever is in charge of them is not diong a very good job. They're missing words
Or putting the wrong words up to not even finishing the sentence before moving on to the next one. Is it like that with anyone elses cc3? I can't really tell whose speech is better or worst. Like said if they were speaking english I could actaully hear it. And what are "pues"?
 

Nina--From the above: Maybe in Fernanda's case it's a filler, like "and" and "uh" in English, while the literal translation is "well" or "yes."

It's sort of a place holder. The folks I hear using it in the telenovelas stick it in anywhere and everywhere. Most popular seems to be, "Pues, si" or "Pues, fijate."
 

Nina--I should add, that yes, there's a limit to what subtitles can do. They don't help with nuances, slang or accents. I don't use CCs. It's a shame you can't watch it with CCs and then rewatch without them. It helps train your ear and you begin to rely less and less on the subtitles.
 

Anita, your summary was fresh, fragrant and joyful.

"So much for meritocracy in love, business and politics", "Methinks teenage girls speak a different language altogether" and "Carlos, still chilled by that ill wind swaddling him..." were among many excellent lines.

I am dismayed as much as everyone else by the false pregnancy plot, but we surely suspected Marissa's far from solid support was not going to be the only issue. I was also surprised Carlos didn't seem to be accepting of this assertion at face value. I can only hope that he doesn't insist on a test only to have the results falsified! Suppose we will have to wait and see.

Kendra, She is so enamored by Isa (what is it with folks trying to marry their sons off to this hairball?). I totally agree (smiling as I nod my head).

Anita, you are a gifted, thoughtful writer. Thank you, thank you.

Diana
 

Diana--By fragrant, I hope you were referring to hyacinths and not skunk cabbage. Ni modo, a bouquet of words from you is always a pleasure to receive.

The false pregnancy is a camino we didn't really need to turn onto. There was enough tension and intrigue in the Amelia-Luis-Mariana-Old Fer...well, just about everybody, who is bound and determined either to find or not find Amelia and Fernanda.

I'll be putting up the new weekly discussion page later this afternoon. Can't wait for the new week to start.
 

Yes Anita, there was no need for a fake pregnancy. I also have lost all concept of time on this show.

He was gone 15 days, but last month he would have been happy about the pregnancy? So his falling in love with Fer was only 2 weeks ago? OR is she so delusional (yes, he's been trying to break up with her - I think forever - but she won't listen) that she says that he would have been happy last month.

He and Fer meet at that tree like everyday and there have been quite a few of them. Maybe I missed something. Not hard to do. I normally didn't use the CC's at all, but when it didn't look as if there would be a recapper - I turned to them when the show started, now I'm glued. I need to stop because it's taking away from my trying to hear what they are saying and watching. I'm too busy reading.

Now that it's being re-capped, I can go back to trying listen for words and sentences and then looking up the ones that I don't know. the only show that I didn't need translation towards the end was Por Siempre...they spoke slow enough and there were enough children (HA!) speaking that I was able to follow along nicely.


 

Ha!! I came here looking for corazon miente and I find the gardners daughter!!! Omg.. How can they insist this is not a remake??? I read the first line of the synopsis and I was like I know this telenovela but hoing back to the namr it was different!!
And so I had to ask uncle google and OMG ...it's the gardners daughter. Since its based on some elements of the origins I wonder what the outcome ll be. I know it will be a year or so before we get to watch it here in Africa but I ll peek in everyone and wstch it via your comments and recaps. By the way thanks to all recappers for the work you do.

So I noticed there is Manuel the guy never disappoints. And Rocio loved her in Cuando as for Lissete she just never does it for me. Am glad she is playing the role of Amelia cause its unlikable character I can simply just trance out during her scenes. I have watched her in three novelas now and I always feel like she just nevet gives her characters their all. Oh well hope am wrong about her this time.
okay now, I go back to reading the comments.


 

The wiki page says its not a remake but from what I hqve read I would swear I was rewatchin g the gardners daughter.

Hoping to see it soin onbpur African screens. Thanks for the recaps. Hope it gets its own page.
 





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