Tuesday, April 19, 2016
El Hotel de los Secretos #58, 4/18/16: At last, we have a winner.
"Then, I'll have no more reason to stay here... right?"
"Right," Isabel replies.
And it seems that she means it, because in the morning, she makes nice with Diego. She apologizes that this marriage hasn't been what he expected, nor has she been the wife that he expected. Diego is gracious about it, but Isabel admits that she's kept secrets from him. He admits that he's kept secrets from her too. They agree to start over.
But she's full of baloney, because when he goes into the bathroom, she transfers something (I can't see what) from under her pillow to the drawer in her night-table.
Speaking of Bologna, Elisa wants to go there, or to Paris, with Alfredo. "With what money?" Alfredo asks. She insists there must be something left. He counters that Alfredito needs his grandma. Elisa says she just wants to get away from these "pavorosa" (dreadful) people. Alfredo reminds her that these "dreadful" people are little Alfredito's family. And, like it or not, Sofia is his mother. She's not a mistake - she's Alfredo's wife. He made a commitment to her. Beatriz is a nice woman and she deserves to have a good husband of her own. "Please leave her alone," he begs his mother. "Don't involve any more people in this mess."
Teresa doesn't have enough money for Felipe's ransom. Diego suggests using the money from Mimi's benefit concert. Teresa resists. They are interrupted by Andres, who demands that his mother be given a guest suite, away from the servants' "pavilion." Diego leaves. Teresa seriously can't believe that this is literally about getting Angela a new room. But Andres is quite serious. "I don't want anything else from you or your children," he tells her. Just something nice for his mother, to free her from the humiliation of serving Teresa.
"And what about all the years she humiliated me," Teresa asks. Andres sets her straight: Angela didn't humiliate her; Romulo did. He humiliated both of them and his mother has paid for it long enough. He adds, "I'm not asking you. I'm doing the courtesy of informing you."
Andres walks out. Teresa begins to hyperventilate, and she puts her hand to her chest. Downstairs, her bell rings to summon Benjamin.
Ayala tells Julio and Isabel that he has no more leads on the arsenic. And then it is Dagoberto, of all people, who inspires Ayala to go to the bottle factory to find out who ordered the actual bottles. Dagoberto's cousin works there. (Ayala says the police car is out of gas, so Isabel says let's take the hotel car. Why is this significant? I don't know!)
Belen tries to take Alfredito away from his nanny, but Uncle Ollie drags her out of the Vergara suite. She is furious, but he says there are legal channels to pursue. What?? She says they didn't take the baby away from her legally, and they killed the other one. He tries to calm her, and tells her to stick with the plan. She'll have her baby, plus money and power and a life of luxury.
The doctor gives Teresa something for her chest pain. Take four drops every three hours, or she could have a heart attack. She says she's on the brink of losing everything. She never thought it would come to this. She asks him to come with her on an errand to do the one thing that can save them all.
In the bandits' lair, Jorge/Manuela and Felipe exchange soulful, confused looks as she takes from him a bottle of booze, from which she takes a large gulp before giving it to the wounded man. The wounded man is held down and given a big drink. Shouldn't they give it a chance to kick in? Nope, the "surgery" begins right away - Jorge reaches in with her fingers and pulls out the bullet. What a mess! They cauterize the wound with a hot poker. (The man keeps his eyes open through the whole ordeal. I wouldn't!) "This is all happening because of you," one of the bandits tells Felipe. (These guys all seem to be brothers.)
Aside, Felipe admires Jorge/Manuela for not fainting and suggests that she let him go. That would solve everything, else it will just get uglier, because he's pretty sure his family won't pay the ransom. He's the family jackass. But Jorge is pretty sure they'll pay, because she's already sent them one of his fingers. Felipe gazes in confusion at his intact set of ten....
In the kitchen, Lupe offers Natalia any help he can for her and Gabriel, since it was his own son's fault that Gabe was further injured. Nosy Michaela wants to know what Natalia said. He tells her to chop the onions finer.
Angela goes to Diego's office. Diego tells her to get her stuff out of her room. She's no longer the housekeeper and she's moving to a suite on the Alarcons' floor. Since she's not of their "class," she should let him know if she needs a dressmaker or something. But she leaves without the key and goes straight to her son's suite, begging him to let her keep her job. It's the only thing she has left. Please don't take it away. She promises not to get in his way or embarrass him. He reluctantly agrees. And there is no time for further discussion, because Belen is impatient for them to get to an appointment...
Teresa and the doctor go to the Retreat for Nervous Ladies. The imposter tells them that Sofia is living in a fantasy world and can't tell fantasy from reality. Really? The doctor says she didn't have any symptoms like that before. Teresa doesn't care. She wants to take Sofia home because of an urgent family matter. She asks the doctor to give the padre their "donation."
The men file out, and Luisa arrives with Sofia. Teresa sharply orders Luisa out of the room. Sofia says she's doing well, and the "treatment" is helping her. (I bet!) Too bad, Teresa says. Beatriz is in town! Sofia doesn't think it would be such a bad thing for Alfredo to end up with her. He deserves a wife who can give him children. Teresa disagrees. "Vacation is over. We're going to pack your bags." Also, Teresa adds, Andres knows he's an Alarcon.
Dagoberto and Ayala go into the bottle factory. (Or is it an arsenic factory. It seems to be both.) Isabel and Julio wait outside. Isabel won't accept any comfort from Julio and stands away from him.
Inside, the cousin says that Dagoberto is the family hero. (Pity that family!) He tells Ayala how lucky he must be to be working for such a brilliant lawman. He shuffles through disorderly piles of records until he finds his orders from around the time of the fire at the druggist's: someone put in a big order for arsenic. All of the arsenic ordered at that time was ordered by Olegario Alarcon.
Outside, Ayala tells Isabel about the new lead, and about Mrs. L's account of the confrontation between Olegario and Romulo. Romulo did have some big debts. She wants to hear all about it. So do I, but we don't.
Julio tries to put a comforting hand on Isabel's shoulder, but she shrugs him off.
At the cantina, Cecilia wants to talk business with Melibea, but Violeta says Genaro is ailing. Cece tells Mel not to worry; think about the future. Cecilia and the nieces leave to try to get more of the mercury remedy.
Genaro wants a priest. Melibea says he's waiting, and she'll let him in when Genaro tells her where the deed to the cantina is. If he's going to leave her and Violeta with nothing, then he can take his sins with him to the grave. Genaro relents and tells her where the deed is.
At the hotel, Sofia tells Teresa she'll do what Teresa wants, but she won't beg. Teresa says no, she'll just cry and offer Alfredo whatever he wants, otherwise Olegario will take everything away. It's high time she started acting like an Alarcon and "defend what is yours."
At the cantina, Melibea now has the deed in hand. Finally, someone wins! She tells Genaro, "this doesn't pay for even half of the humiliations, broken bones, and scars." Nor all the medicine for all the women he's infected. Genaro just wants to see the padre, but Melibea says no cross is going to keep him out of hell. "It's getting dark," he protests.
"Please forgive me, Melibea," Genaro pleads with his last breath. She says no. The padre comes in, but it's too late.
Benjamin offers his support to Angela. She tells him to hire a waiter to replace Andres. Benji says it would take two waiters to replace him.
Belen and Andres are meeting with Uncle Ollie, who shows them a telegram from Romulo's lawyer. Tomorrow they will sign the paperwork to formalize his status as an Alarcon and heir. Now no one will be able to deny him his rights. Oh, and Sofia is home, will that complicate things at all? Belen is furious... again.
With Andres out of the room, Belen takes a big drink of brandy or something. Uncle Ollie tells Belen that all they need is for Andres to sign those papers.
Teresa gets a phone call from her friend, the judge. Bad news. Tomorrow Andres signs the papers to become heir. Teresa and Angela will have to be there too.
"What else, Romulo?" Teresa asks. "When will this stop?"
Aww. Poor Teresa. Why does everything have to happen to her?
Next time: Uncle Ollie is arrested for Romulo's murder.
Labels: hotel
My favorite scene: Felipe noticeably pale as Jorge/Manuela confidently cauterized the wound and the steam rose around them.
Eitherway I enjoyed Genaro's death so much but from where did he get Syphiliss? Did he sexually abuse his slaves or did he get it from Melifea? It's hard to guess what Cece wants with the cantina if she is supposedly leaving house together with Julio. Her love story with Julio doesnt interest me at all . If I am honest, I am only interested in the love stories of Andres&Natalia, Matilde&Ayala , Lupe&Angela and Gabriel&Violeta. The rest can go and shoot themselves.
It seems to be applied that Ole was the one who did Romulo in but Benjamin is still very suspicious. My bet is that Ole bought the arsenic but Ben stole it before Ole could use it. Or he just manipulated Ben into doing the deed since that is the very nature of the surname Alarcon.
"I'm not asking you. I'm doing the courtesy of informing you." Loved it but want Andres to take Diego's office away and put his brother in-law in his place.
What does Isabela have to whine about, no one twisted her arm to marry Diego? Mrs. Montejo shouldn't care if Julio remains and told him so.
Wonder if Sofia will run away to be with the faux father?
I applaud Lupe wanting to help Gabriel but his son is a monster.
What is her plan, exactly? To be unhappily married for the rest of her life so that everyone else (Diego, Julio, and Cecilia) can be "happy"? Brilliant. Brava, Isabel!
By the way, I forget - does Julio know what Cecilia's been doing with Diego?
I want to know more about Dr V and Diego's past life to be honest. At this point it appears that Dr V is an actual doctor as acclaimed but appearences can be deceiving. I would want Diego to be a government assasin in disguise at first but HE is not that competent so Dr V could be one !
Can someone explain to me what the Jorge/Manuela gang is all about? They just seem so out of place in this story.
It's always about Teresa when all is said and done. She wants to save her children, only to use them as a means to an end. Lord, what a mother.
I still think we're getting a red herring on who actually killed Rom. The fact the brothers and Rom himself meant to keep Teresa out of the will smacks to me that she has some darker past and may have been doing something herself to come out ahead in the money stakes. I keep thinking we are going to have one big AHA moment when we see who was poisoning him. Heck, I'm even starting to suspect Lupe, who always loved Angela, suspected Andres was Rom's son and had access to his food. This show is making my brain twitch.
I had WTH moments with Isa last night. Was that whole sweet talk, blech I might add, with Diego all a scheme to keep him non-suspicious of her? Or was she thinking, well, Julio is leaving, might as well make the most of this. I mean, really? after she found out he's been doing it with CeCe too? Can't buy that. She's keeping that harmonica for a reason but can't figure out why.
The little apprentice was having a moment last night! That was so adorable seeing Ayala almost proud that his little sidekick had learned some lessons and was thinking deductively. Good job "Watson"!
Sophia coming back to the pit of hell is just not a good idea. Run away...betcha she does and let's Alfie go start a new life, and she does too. She has no connection to that baby and doubt she'll go along with a scheme again. If she's smart she won't. For all Teresa's bluster on fighting for what's hers, it's more fighting for what's Teresa's. doesn't look like there's much except a building to fight for (Deigo has most likely skimmed off most of the profits.)
If Teresa had no ransom money, what is everyone inheriting? Belen thinks she will be rolling in dough. Doesn't look like there's enough to make a batch of cookies.
Daisynjay
Daisynjay
Daisynay, I agree. I did say that i felt that the show lost a bit of shine as it focused on including more and more characters. The worst characters for me are Sra Limantour and Cecilia. Felipe is cool but he is just comic relief now thus a filler character for now. They just could have done more for him. There is still mystery about Ximena that is unresolved though. When will he respond about Ximena at all?
I'm pulling for Belen to get the hotel. It would be fun for Teresa (or us anyway) to be pulled down a few rungs on the class ladder. If Belen survives, she'll probably turn in to Teresa anyway and run the place into the ground, assuming the coming revolution doesn't destroy it first. If Natalia sticks around, they could all end up repeating the story of Romulo and Angela.
Kelly
I can't see Belen's greed going unpunished. Whether we see her clamoring for her surviving child or not, she is using Andres, and I wouldn't be surprised to see that her plan was to dump him and run off with everything. Or like I noted yesterday, she is Teresa in the making, and saw herself as the queen bee and the husband became expendable. Would be appropo for her to get the hotel, and the revolution and the Manuela gang rides in and destroys the place as a symbol of the aristocratic abuse of the country.
Daisynjay
Also, J. Thanks for the info about the new Boyer TN. I like HER well enough, but really don't care for Ruilli or Cepeda, so will stick with Yago.
Lots of really interesting plot points bubbling to the surface. I am eager to see this new determined Andres, and to see Belen all gussied up in her new rich gal clothes.
I agree that Belen would be worse than Teresa and would run the hotel into the ground, before the revolutionaries could get to it. She has no clue how to treat people-- even to get what she wants out of them.
High Points:
Nat relents re: Violeta and her brother.
More Andres/Nat kisses.
Isa defends Angela to Ayala.
Gabe kisses Violeta on the cheek.
Violeta knees Jacinto.
Julio is about to spill the beans to Andres.
Violeta stands up to Meli.
Ayala’s awkwardness when he approaches Mati for a favor.
Ayala is Mati’s date.
The look on Teresa’s face when she finds out Ayala is Mati’s date.
Angela explains all to Isa.
Gabe brings Violeta to the hotel to hear Mimi sing.
Nat/Andres have a date for the concert.
Angela explains to Ayala about the poison.
Ayala’s kissing Mati fantasy.
Isa’s knowing smile.
Alfie with the baby.
Rom’s brother becomes a suspect.
Angela forgives Lupe.
Belen’s reunion with Diego and Teresa.
Felipe and the gang.
Sofia rejects Creepy “Priest”.
Matilde and Ayala conversation.
Belan reveals all to Andres (high point he knows, low point it’s her who told him).
Ayala lets Teresa know Angela is exonerated.
Teresa is upset.
Olegario seems bewitched by CeCe.
Violeta sings.
Felipe is disturbed by his feelings for Jorge.
Ben stands guard over Angela.
Mati refuses Isa’s request to help her avoid Diego.
Andres announces to EVERYBODY he is an Alarcon.
Teresa nearly collapses from Andres’ big announcement.
Isa comes to Andres’ defense.
Isa takes Andres to the secret love nest (which is becoming not so secret).
Violeta threatens Jacinto with a knife.
Belen threatens Teresa.
CeCe tells Isa the truth and gives her a prezzie.
Felipe and Jorge dancing.
Teresa/Diego’s conversation has been overheard (but by whom?).
Julio leaves CeCe to help Andres.
Lupe defends Angela from Andres’ attack.
Nat is unhappy about Gabe’s treatment of Violeta.
Investors turn on Diego.
Meli and CeCe become partners.
Isa wants to talk to Julio about CeCe.
Lupe betrays Angela.
Ben eavesdrops on Lupe’s convo with Ayala.
Ben tells Angela that Lupe betrayed her.
Alfie/Sofia awkward visit.
Creepy “Priest” with Sofia.
Ayala suspects Angela.
Elisa’s annulment plans for Alfie.
Ben tells Lupe he told Angela.
Jacinto is a jerk.
Isa tells Teresa that the police suspect Angela of Rom’s murder.
Isa gets the story wrong.
Teresa smirks.
Julio wants to talk to Isa but Diego finds her first.
Ayala tells Andres Angela is suspected of Rom’s murder.
Lupe and Jacinto fight.
Felipe is kidnapped---again.
Teresa finds a ransom note.
CeCe torments Julio.
Evil Jacinto beats on Gabe.
Alfie’s expression when Elisa brings the wet-nurse to babysit.
Elisa invites an old flame of Alfie’s to the hotel.
Diego domineering to Isa.
Julio/CeCe.
Like a bad penny, stylish (damn her!) Belen turns up.
Belen is with Rom’s brother.
Belen gloms onto Andres.
Creepy “Priest” starts making out with an sleeping Sofia.
Elisa disses Sofia to Beatrice.
Isa flirts with Julio.
Ignacio interrupts the very interesting convo between Ayala and Mati.
Igancio imparts TMI to Ayala.
Ayala leaves.
Mati seems bummed when Ayala leaves the table.
Mimi and CeCe shriek together.
CeCe plays Julio’s harmonica in front of Isa.
Olegario had threatened Rom the day before he died.
Nat is heartbroken.
Mimi sings for Nat, which in my opinion, isn’t helping.
Belen is an ungrateful b***h to Julio.
Andres/Angela confrontation.
Angela sobbing in her room.
Isa asks Mati’s help in avoiding Diego.
Diego tries to kick Andres out.
Andres finds out Julio and Isa knew about his birth.
Free champagne for everyone but Viewerville☹
Andres/Belen in bed.
Gabe is permanently blind because of Jacinto.
Sofia comes to the priest.
Elisa starts implementing her “get Alfie an annulment” plan.
Sad convo between Andres/Nat.
Elisa blackmails Creepy “Priest” into writing a letter saying Sofia is insane.
Belen treats Angela and Nat horribly—especially Nat.
Belen and Andres marry.
Ayala and Dag are captured.
Manuela sobbing.
The pharmacy records are burned.
Belen and Andres frantic about the baby.
The baby has been registered as Afie’s.
Jacinto recognizes Manuela.
Jacinto did not die during the gunfight.
The pharmacy owner can’t help.
Gabe decides to be noble and push Violeta away.
Julio promises CeCe he’ll be with her once he gets to the bottom of Cristina’s death.
Teresa sends fake money for the ransom.
Teresa receives the finger.
Andres punches Alfie.
Andres will do anything to get the baby back.
I don't think Belen is planning on running the hotel into the ground. I think she's made a deal with Uncle Ollie to sell it to him, and his plans for the property may not include the hotel.
Count me in on loving the "Jacinto did not die" comment. That little creep needs to see the swinging end of a two by four.
Julie, I can see one way Belen can make money to try and have the finer things...go work for Cece?
But the question mark keeps coming back that Andres married her. Is he stuck like Angela tied to someone who bails on him? Would he try to divorce her? As religious as Angela is, and I suspect she raised Andres that way, he would think till death us do part. Thinking about that, doesn't bode too well for Belen in the future armageddon category.
Daisynjay
It's too bad. For a while there, I thought she showed some promise. I thought maybe the babies would change her. She does seem to have a strong attachment to the remaining child - but perhaps it will come down to choosing between the baby or the money, and we'll see what she does.
I am very fearful for Andres because Belen has all the praying mantis features. Once she gets her greedy hands on that place he is of no value to her. However, once she signs anything Olegario will take it from her and she's toast.
Not sure how I feel about Angela moving "upstairs." I guess she considers that world to be too hypocritical for her taste.
Sooo funny, Julie! Yes, clearly Sofia is enjoying every moment of her treatment and no pressure vacation at the rest home. No desire in the world to return to reality and husband Alfredito. He's clearly a lot more committed to the union and the baby than she is. Interesting twist.
Another passage in the recap that cracked me up was about Romulo's debts. "She wants to hear all about it. So do I, but we don't." Love the rhythm of that sentence.
Daboberto seems to have an endless number of convenient cousins, but it led to the funniest moment of the actual episode for me when his relative is shuffling confusedly around all kinds of dusty tomes and Ayala observes wryly "I see you have a great method of organization." Sweet.
Genaro's death was certainly a treat...especially when Melibea crisply refused to forgive him. A nice shift from the usual preachy telenovela where the wretched villains get forgiven immediately, the minute they ask for it.
Reminds me of a great scene from Heridas de Amor when the very bad bad evil Diana Bracho character is confronted by goody two shoes Ingrid Martz, who says nobly "I forgive you"
"I don't care!" snaps Diana.
do enjoy these twists.
And your recaps, Ms. Julie. Always a delight.
Julie & Daisynjay: I was soooo disappointed that Jacinto didn't bite it.
Count: thanks for the additions to the list. So much going on, I'm afraid I'm missing stuff constantly. I also feel the same about the couples you chose--I would add Julio and Isa, though they're last on my list.
Aything! Mejia, fuget about it!
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