Tuesday, May 03, 2016
El Hotel de los Secretos #67, 5/2/16: Movie Night!
Julio is looking for Ayala. Dagoberto hasn't seen him. (He's still locked in that room.) Julio needs permission to search Benjamin's room. Dagoberto gives it.
In Benjamin's room, all Julio finds is an empty cough syrup bottle.
Alfredo and Sofia are talking about starting over. She says she'll be the best wife and mother ever. He says he'll resign and get a new job - he has friends, and maybe Gongora can help him. Sofia expresses doubt - his criminal record might get in the way, plus he owns the adjoining lands, so why not stay here? Alfred says no no, he'll sell the land and they'll go far away. Sofia pretends to agree, and says he'd better find a good buyer.
Olegario (a good buyer) is imposing two more conditions on Elisa for her sale of the land: 1) It's no longer enough if Alfredo resigns. Now that Sofia's out of jail, Oleg needs Alfredo to be gone entirely - so he wants a copy of the papers for the annulment of the legal marriage. 2) Belen makes a dramatic entrance: "I want my baby back!"
Angela confides to Lupe that she's absolutely gobsmacked about Benjamin. She worked with him since she was 16 and considered him a close friend. It's weird not to see him now or hear his voice. Lupe asks Angela's permission to be absent for a few hours. "Things aren't going well with Jacinto, are they?" she asks. Lupe weeps. Angela loudly says that she has errands to do in town, and Lupe will have to go with to "help" her.
Isabel and Julio catch a moment alone. She admits that seeing him from her window last night was like a salve for her soul. "Thanks for saving my life," she says. He takes her hand and replies, "if you died, there would be nothing for me here or anywhere." She reluctantly takes her hand away. He tells her about the empty cough syrup bottle that he found in an envelope addressed to Angela. Isa thinks they should give it to Ayala, in case it's evidence of what happened to Romulo.
Someone is at the door. Julio and Isabel freeze. In the hallway outside, Dr. Vic intercepts Natalia with her cart and asks her to unlock Teresa's door. He says he left his bag in there and he needs it to go to the hospital. Natalia says okay, because you did me such a big favor before (filled out her questionnaire/handwriting sample card in his own handwriting). Natalia leaves the door, and Julio and Isabel are able to escape.
Sofia meets with her mother. Sofi wants Alfredo to stay on as director. That way, his land will eventually become their land. Teresa warns that Elisa is trying to get the marriage annulled. Sofia scoffs. She was exonerated for that crime, and as for her time in the so-called manicomio, the padre is a fraud who sleeps with the patients and the nuns who are fake nurses. He even got in her bed, but she resisted him (liar!). If necessary, she can get the other patients to back her up. So Elisa Vergara is benefactress of a brothel and a corrupt priest. They now have the power to throw that annulment out the window and ruin Elisa forever.
Supported by her nieces, Cecilia saunters up to Isabel in the lobby and pulls the shoulder of her gown aside to reveal bruises on her neck and chest. She won't say who did it, but warns, "be careful what you do and don't do. The stakes are getting higher. You may not be able to afford the price. The person who did this to me won't hesitate to act if he finds out what's going on in front of him. And don't mention this to our mutual friend - neither of us wants to see him harmed."
What's Vicario up to in Teresa's room? He's using the phone. "It has to be tonight," he insists to the other party. Teresa comes in just as he is finishing up. He says he needed privacy to arrange a surprise for Isabel and Diego and he doesn't want anyone to know it was him. Amazingly, this explanation satisfies her.
Ayala is in that room where he was locked up before. Dagoberto is with him. They are playing bad-cop/worse-cop with Jacinto. Ayala is tossing Jacinto around and asking about the night Cristina Olmedo was killed. "You know the car left with Garrido and someone else." (Interesting - the way I remember it, Ayala already knows that Jacinto took Diego for a ride.) After that, Garrido was missing for a few days and came back looking like he'd been beaten half to death. Jacinto feigns ignorance. Ayala produces something of the baby's and places it on the table in front of Jacinto. "Something unthinkable happened in that car and in this room, and you're the chauffeur," Ayala says. He adds that Jacinto is foolish to remain silent. "The powerful have everything available to protect themselves, and you have nothing but your skin."
Felipe finds his new flame crying. She says it's because of her book. He impresses her by proving his familiarity with the novels she likes by reciting trivia.
Julio and Isabel are in Romulo's study. He can tell something is bothering her. She pretends it's only her frustration about the ongoing mysteries. They go to the secret room.
Jacinto reports to Diego: he hasn't collected all the questionnaires/handwriting samples from the staff yet. Diego throws a fit: "you're as useless as Garrido, and you'll meet the same fate." Jacinto whines that he needs help getting that policeman off his back. Diego responds with a punch to the solar plexus and warns that if Jacinto can't take care of some two-bit meter maid, then he's useless trash.
The numbers from the sheet music (18-0-8) don't open the safe in the secret room, either. (By the way, where is this room supposed to be, because I don't see these windows when we view the building from the outside!) Julio says they just have to hang in there a little longer.
They are in kissing range. "I can't," Isabel protests, and leaves the secret room. He follows her into Romulo's study. She admits that all she wants is to stay here with him. Again they almost kiss. He says he's loved her since the day they met, and loves her more every day since. Isabel can't deal with this now - the hotel is filled with blood everywhere. Julio asks, when can we have our own life?
There's a knock. Diego is looking for Isabel. Isa rushes into the hallway and locks the door behind her. This makes Diego very suspicious. She says she only went in there to think. He doesn't believe her. "All afternoon?" he scoffs and grabs her arm. "You're hurting me!" "Open the door!" "Let me go!"
He lets her go. She gives him the key. He snoops around the office, but finds no trace of anyone else. "I should be asking the questions," Isabel scolds. "You didn't come to bed last night." Diego claims that he didn't feel well and spent the night in his own office, thinking about how she cared for him these past few days. He wouldn't have survived without her! "Never leave me, Isabel!" He kisses her forcefully. She seems to like it for a moment, then pulls away. "Diego, please."
Diego sobs, "Isabel, I can't exist without you. I need you by my side, I need you to say we can start over." He goes on and on, crying. "I'm sorry. Your mother is waiting, and she has a surprise."
Doctor Vicario sits in the lobby, pretending to read a newspaper. It might as well be upside-down. He watches as Diego and Isabel leave the office and go up the stairs. A moment later, Julio also exits the office and continues down the hallway.
Ayala is questioning one of the groundsmen or groomsmen about Garrido. "It's as if the earth swallowed Garrido up," Apolinar tells Ayala. Any time anyone messed with the Alarcons, Garrido always took care of it. But now he's gone.
Julio finds Ayala and gives him the empty cough syrup bottle. Ayala says the Alarcons are worse than the Borgias. "They'd find a way to kill with butter."
Elisa gets an invitation from Teresa for an event this evening. Of course she'll go. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," she counsels Victoria. (I think better advice would be to stop making enemies.)
Teresa calls Padre Vergara, Elisa's cousin. We don't get to hear what they talk about.
Isabel is getting ready for the big thing tonight. Diego gives her something in a little box. "Oh, you shouldn't have," Isabel says, and she means it; she doesn't even take whatever it is out of the box. She gets up and says she's going to invite all the employees to tonight's event. She leaves the room. Diego looks in the box and snaps it shut in frustration.
After Isabel meets with the staff and invites them to the event, she goes looking for Julio.
In the lobby, the chairs are arranged. It turns out we're going to see a movie. Mrs. L remarks to Teresa that someone gets killed every time Teresa organizes an event! Olegario invites Elisa to sit with him; she declines. Mrs. L loudly asks Diego where Isabel is. LOL.
Isa is standing outside Julio's room, which he apparently shares with Felipe now. Julio isn't there, but Felipe is. He hears Isabel say at the door, "we can't going on doing this, we're both with other people now, this is madness Julio!" and a host of other things. "I don't want to end up like my father," she says. Felipe accidentally makes a noise. Encouraged, Isabel goes on, giving Felipe the whole breakup speech meant for Julio's ears. Felipe looks thoughtful as Isabel walks away.
Isabel finally makes it to the lobby with an excuse that she was changing her outfit to match her earrings. The movie is: THE BIG WEDDING. Yes, Isabel's wedding. Why does the film look 100 years old? It's only a few months old; it shouldn't look dirty and scratched up like that. Never mind. Watching in the wings, the maids are excited to see their hotel on film. (Belen rudely shushes them, much to Olegario's amusement.) Then footage of the reception, with Isabel dancing but not looking at Diego. Ignacio and others in the audience notice that she doesn't look happy in the film.
Mrs. L sees a plaque or something in the film and starts talking about the architect who built this place in 1808. Isabel hears it: 18-0-8. The number from the sheet music. She walks right out of the lobby while the film of the fireworks begins. Speaking of fireworks, Olegario loudly asks do they have a theme yet for the centenario celebration. Diego grinds his teeth. Now there's more footage of Isabel looking sad. "Why are we seeing this?" Teresa asks rhetorically. Diego is embarrassed.
Julio and Isabel are outside, looking for a big stone plaque on the ground that says "1808". They find it. They brush aside leaves and debris and find a drawing of the Orion constellation on it.
Inside, Diego is drinking heavily. He tells the projectionist to run the film again. He doesn't care if the projector needs to cool off first. He wants to see it NOW. The projectionist turns the lamp back on; the film is jammed at that last image of Isabel's sad face. Diego bellows. The projectionist says it's stuck. Before he can turn the machine off, it overheats, and the unhappy bride's face dissolves in a puddle of molten celluloid.
Isabel and Julio lift the heavy stone plaque. Underneath is a cloak soaked in blood. Isabel's had enough with the blood! But Julio says, "When this nightmare is over, it'll just be us." They kiss.
Jacinto sees.
Next time: Julio and Isabel spend quality time in the secret room. Diego flips a table.
In Benjamin's room, all Julio finds is an empty cough syrup bottle.
Alfredo and Sofia are talking about starting over. She says she'll be the best wife and mother ever. He says he'll resign and get a new job - he has friends, and maybe Gongora can help him. Sofia expresses doubt - his criminal record might get in the way, plus he owns the adjoining lands, so why not stay here? Alfred says no no, he'll sell the land and they'll go far away. Sofia pretends to agree, and says he'd better find a good buyer.
Olegario (a good buyer) is imposing two more conditions on Elisa for her sale of the land: 1) It's no longer enough if Alfredo resigns. Now that Sofia's out of jail, Oleg needs Alfredo to be gone entirely - so he wants a copy of the papers for the annulment of the legal marriage. 2) Belen makes a dramatic entrance: "I want my baby back!"
Angela confides to Lupe that she's absolutely gobsmacked about Benjamin. She worked with him since she was 16 and considered him a close friend. It's weird not to see him now or hear his voice. Lupe asks Angela's permission to be absent for a few hours. "Things aren't going well with Jacinto, are they?" she asks. Lupe weeps. Angela loudly says that she has errands to do in town, and Lupe will have to go with to "help" her.
Isabel and Julio catch a moment alone. She admits that seeing him from her window last night was like a salve for her soul. "Thanks for saving my life," she says. He takes her hand and replies, "if you died, there would be nothing for me here or anywhere." She reluctantly takes her hand away. He tells her about the empty cough syrup bottle that he found in an envelope addressed to Angela. Isa thinks they should give it to Ayala, in case it's evidence of what happened to Romulo.
Someone is at the door. Julio and Isabel freeze. In the hallway outside, Dr. Vic intercepts Natalia with her cart and asks her to unlock Teresa's door. He says he left his bag in there and he needs it to go to the hospital. Natalia says okay, because you did me such a big favor before (filled out her questionnaire/handwriting sample card in his own handwriting). Natalia leaves the door, and Julio and Isabel are able to escape.
Sofia meets with her mother. Sofi wants Alfredo to stay on as director. That way, his land will eventually become their land. Teresa warns that Elisa is trying to get the marriage annulled. Sofia scoffs. She was exonerated for that crime, and as for her time in the so-called manicomio, the padre is a fraud who sleeps with the patients and the nuns who are fake nurses. He even got in her bed, but she resisted him (liar!). If necessary, she can get the other patients to back her up. So Elisa Vergara is benefactress of a brothel and a corrupt priest. They now have the power to throw that annulment out the window and ruin Elisa forever.
Supported by her nieces, Cecilia saunters up to Isabel in the lobby and pulls the shoulder of her gown aside to reveal bruises on her neck and chest. She won't say who did it, but warns, "be careful what you do and don't do. The stakes are getting higher. You may not be able to afford the price. The person who did this to me won't hesitate to act if he finds out what's going on in front of him. And don't mention this to our mutual friend - neither of us wants to see him harmed."
What's Vicario up to in Teresa's room? He's using the phone. "It has to be tonight," he insists to the other party. Teresa comes in just as he is finishing up. He says he needed privacy to arrange a surprise for Isabel and Diego and he doesn't want anyone to know it was him. Amazingly, this explanation satisfies her.
Ayala is in that room where he was locked up before. Dagoberto is with him. They are playing bad-cop/worse-cop with Jacinto. Ayala is tossing Jacinto around and asking about the night Cristina Olmedo was killed. "You know the car left with Garrido and someone else." (Interesting - the way I remember it, Ayala already knows that Jacinto took Diego for a ride.) After that, Garrido was missing for a few days and came back looking like he'd been beaten half to death. Jacinto feigns ignorance. Ayala produces something of the baby's and places it on the table in front of Jacinto. "Something unthinkable happened in that car and in this room, and you're the chauffeur," Ayala says. He adds that Jacinto is foolish to remain silent. "The powerful have everything available to protect themselves, and you have nothing but your skin."
Felipe finds his new flame crying. She says it's because of her book. He impresses her by proving his familiarity with the novels she likes by reciting trivia.
Julio and Isabel are in Romulo's study. He can tell something is bothering her. She pretends it's only her frustration about the ongoing mysteries. They go to the secret room.
Jacinto reports to Diego: he hasn't collected all the questionnaires/handwriting samples from the staff yet. Diego throws a fit: "you're as useless as Garrido, and you'll meet the same fate." Jacinto whines that he needs help getting that policeman off his back. Diego responds with a punch to the solar plexus and warns that if Jacinto can't take care of some two-bit meter maid, then he's useless trash.
The numbers from the sheet music (18-0-8) don't open the safe in the secret room, either. (By the way, where is this room supposed to be, because I don't see these windows when we view the building from the outside!) Julio says they just have to hang in there a little longer.
They are in kissing range. "I can't," Isabel protests, and leaves the secret room. He follows her into Romulo's study. She admits that all she wants is to stay here with him. Again they almost kiss. He says he's loved her since the day they met, and loves her more every day since. Isabel can't deal with this now - the hotel is filled with blood everywhere. Julio asks, when can we have our own life?
There's a knock. Diego is looking for Isabel. Isa rushes into the hallway and locks the door behind her. This makes Diego very suspicious. She says she only went in there to think. He doesn't believe her. "All afternoon?" he scoffs and grabs her arm. "You're hurting me!" "Open the door!" "Let me go!"
He lets her go. She gives him the key. He snoops around the office, but finds no trace of anyone else. "I should be asking the questions," Isabel scolds. "You didn't come to bed last night." Diego claims that he didn't feel well and spent the night in his own office, thinking about how she cared for him these past few days. He wouldn't have survived without her! "Never leave me, Isabel!" He kisses her forcefully. She seems to like it for a moment, then pulls away. "Diego, please."
Diego sobs, "Isabel, I can't exist without you. I need you by my side, I need you to say we can start over." He goes on and on, crying. "I'm sorry. Your mother is waiting, and she has a surprise."
Doctor Vicario sits in the lobby, pretending to read a newspaper. It might as well be upside-down. He watches as Diego and Isabel leave the office and go up the stairs. A moment later, Julio also exits the office and continues down the hallway.
Ayala is questioning one of the groundsmen or groomsmen about Garrido. "It's as if the earth swallowed Garrido up," Apolinar tells Ayala. Any time anyone messed with the Alarcons, Garrido always took care of it. But now he's gone.
Julio finds Ayala and gives him the empty cough syrup bottle. Ayala says the Alarcons are worse than the Borgias. "They'd find a way to kill with butter."
Elisa gets an invitation from Teresa for an event this evening. Of course she'll go. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," she counsels Victoria. (I think better advice would be to stop making enemies.)
Teresa calls Padre Vergara, Elisa's cousin. We don't get to hear what they talk about.
Isabel is getting ready for the big thing tonight. Diego gives her something in a little box. "Oh, you shouldn't have," Isabel says, and she means it; she doesn't even take whatever it is out of the box. She gets up and says she's going to invite all the employees to tonight's event. She leaves the room. Diego looks in the box and snaps it shut in frustration.
After Isabel meets with the staff and invites them to the event, she goes looking for Julio.
In the lobby, the chairs are arranged. It turns out we're going to see a movie. Mrs. L remarks to Teresa that someone gets killed every time Teresa organizes an event! Olegario invites Elisa to sit with him; she declines. Mrs. L loudly asks Diego where Isabel is. LOL.
Isa is standing outside Julio's room, which he apparently shares with Felipe now. Julio isn't there, but Felipe is. He hears Isabel say at the door, "we can't going on doing this, we're both with other people now, this is madness Julio!" and a host of other things. "I don't want to end up like my father," she says. Felipe accidentally makes a noise. Encouraged, Isabel goes on, giving Felipe the whole breakup speech meant for Julio's ears. Felipe looks thoughtful as Isabel walks away.
Isabel finally makes it to the lobby with an excuse that she was changing her outfit to match her earrings. The movie is: THE BIG WEDDING. Yes, Isabel's wedding. Why does the film look 100 years old? It's only a few months old; it shouldn't look dirty and scratched up like that. Never mind. Watching in the wings, the maids are excited to see their hotel on film. (Belen rudely shushes them, much to Olegario's amusement.) Then footage of the reception, with Isabel dancing but not looking at Diego. Ignacio and others in the audience notice that she doesn't look happy in the film.
Mrs. L sees a plaque or something in the film and starts talking about the architect who built this place in 1808. Isabel hears it: 18-0-8. The number from the sheet music. She walks right out of the lobby while the film of the fireworks begins. Speaking of fireworks, Olegario loudly asks do they have a theme yet for the centenario celebration. Diego grinds his teeth. Now there's more footage of Isabel looking sad. "Why are we seeing this?" Teresa asks rhetorically. Diego is embarrassed.
Julio and Isabel are outside, looking for a big stone plaque on the ground that says "1808". They find it. They brush aside leaves and debris and find a drawing of the Orion constellation on it.
Inside, Diego is drinking heavily. He tells the projectionist to run the film again. He doesn't care if the projector needs to cool off first. He wants to see it NOW. The projectionist turns the lamp back on; the film is jammed at that last image of Isabel's sad face. Diego bellows. The projectionist says it's stuck. Before he can turn the machine off, it overheats, and the unhappy bride's face dissolves in a puddle of molten celluloid.
Isabel and Julio lift the heavy stone plaque. Underneath is a cloak soaked in blood. Isabel's had enough with the blood! But Julio says, "When this nightmare is over, it'll just be us." They kiss.
Jacinto sees.
Next time: Julio and Isabel spend quality time in the secret room. Diego flips a table.
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Oy. That was a lot of typing. It took me much longer than usual to watch the episode and take notes last night. I'm not sure if that was me, or if the episode really was that busy. It certainly seemed busy.
Interesting that Isabel thinks Julio heard her whole speech about "we can't go on like this" and then they end up making out on the lawn anyway.
Yes, no one's been murdered yet, but for a minute there I thought Diego was going to kill the projectionist!
Interesting that Isabel thinks Julio heard her whole speech about "we can't go on like this" and then they end up making out on the lawn anyway.
Yes, no one's been murdered yet, but for a minute there I thought Diego was going to kill the projectionist!
Thank you, Julie. The recap covered it all! Sure right about Diego and the projectionist.
Glad we are in últimas semanas: Isabel is getting more and more on my nerves. She needs to wake up already especially after her encounter with Cecilia and Diego's hands on approach with her. She and Julio deserve each other.
The highlights for me: Ayala questioning Jacinto and Isabel's face disappearing in the melting film in the face of Diego's embarrassment and anger.
Glad we are in últimas semanas: Isabel is getting more and more on my nerves. She needs to wake up already especially after her encounter with Cecilia and Diego's hands on approach with her. She and Julio deserve each other.
The highlights for me: Ayala questioning Jacinto and Isabel's face disappearing in the melting film in the face of Diego's embarrassment and anger.
Julie- I've only just dived in to the recap, but wanted to make one small correction. Angela said she has worked with Ben since she was 16 years old.
OK, back to the fun...
OK, back to the fun...
Awesome Julie and a big thank you.
"where is this room supposed to be, because I don't see these windows when we view the building from the outside!"
Am I supposed to believe Isabel is playing the happily married spouse to save Julio? It isn't working. If she was that concerned she would tell Julio to leave instead of playing with both of them and placing Julio in more danger. If she is unhappy it is her fault for marrying a monster everyone knows is a monster. Diego barks, he bites, he manhandles and manipulates and he always has. It makes me angry when she draws a comparison to her relationship with Diego and the intermittent sexual relationship between CeCe and Julio. Isabel is a spoiled, pampered princess.
"where is this room supposed to be, because I don't see these windows when we view the building from the outside!"
Am I supposed to believe Isabel is playing the happily married spouse to save Julio? It isn't working. If she was that concerned she would tell Julio to leave instead of playing with both of them and placing Julio in more danger. If she is unhappy it is her fault for marrying a monster everyone knows is a monster. Diego barks, he bites, he manhandles and manipulates and he always has. It makes me angry when she draws a comparison to her relationship with Diego and the intermittent sexual relationship between CeCe and Julio. Isabel is a spoiled, pampered princess.
Oooh! Julie, this was not too wordy at all. In fact, it just flew by at an exciting pace.
I think the writers were listening to us, and so had multiple people give Jacinto a beatdown yesterday. Heehee!
It did make me start wondering, why has Jacinto kept his mouth shut about Diego to the cops (ok, maybe he’s scared for his life), AND kept quiet to Diego about Isa and Julio? He has seen Isa and Julio together more than enough to give Diego a starting point to find out who Isa’s ex-kindacurrent-lover is. Yet, under extreme threat from Diego he still plays dumb. Why?
Isa is asking to be beaten by Diego, AND to have him murder Julio at this point. Ceci couldn’t have been more clear about who did that to her. Isa’s had a few bruises herself (when he was being “loving”). Isa’s seen Diego shoot a man dead without even saying boo first. Does she really think a few desperate sad tears mean that he couldn’t possibly hurt her? I’m afraid she has a very rude awakening coming.
A cape covered in blood! Yet another killer, perhaps?
I think the writers were listening to us, and so had multiple people give Jacinto a beatdown yesterday. Heehee!
It did make me start wondering, why has Jacinto kept his mouth shut about Diego to the cops (ok, maybe he’s scared for his life), AND kept quiet to Diego about Isa and Julio? He has seen Isa and Julio together more than enough to give Diego a starting point to find out who Isa’s ex-kindacurrent-lover is. Yet, under extreme threat from Diego he still plays dumb. Why?
Isa is asking to be beaten by Diego, AND to have him murder Julio at this point. Ceci couldn’t have been more clear about who did that to her. Isa’s had a few bruises herself (when he was being “loving”). Isa’s seen Diego shoot a man dead without even saying boo first. Does she really think a few desperate sad tears mean that he couldn’t possibly hurt her? I’m afraid she has a very rude awakening coming.
A cape covered in blood! Yet another killer, perhaps?
Thanks for the correction, Vivi. I fixed it.
Does Isabel not know who did that to Cecilia? How can she possibly not know? And yet, she still seems not to know. Can she be that dumb? I am confused. If I had one complaint about this show, it would be the characterization of Isabel. She's seemed wishy-washy all along: sometimes smart, sometimes dumb; sometimes confident and sometimes indecisive; sometimes sharp and sometimes clueless. Is she hot for Diego or isn't she? Why is Julio attracted to her? None of it is clear.
I don't think it's the actress. For a while I thought it was the director. After seeing a few eps of the original, though, I think it's just the way this character was written because that Isabel seems poorly defined as well.
(Actually, I have another, very minor complaint: I'm not crazy about the music.)
Jacinto has seen Julio and Isabel together before, but not kissing I don't think. I can see why he's kept quiet about them to Diego up to this point. Isabel is the one Alarcon who treats the employees like human beings; so as long as there was any doubt as to what was going on, it made sense for him to hesitate throwing her under the wagon. But now he has no excuse. If he wants to be good to his master, he has to tell him. We'll see if Ayala's little speech (about the people who have all the power vs. Jacinto having only his skin) made any impression at all.
And I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop on Natalia's/Dr. Vic's handwriting sample.
Does Isabel not know who did that to Cecilia? How can she possibly not know? And yet, she still seems not to know. Can she be that dumb? I am confused. If I had one complaint about this show, it would be the characterization of Isabel. She's seemed wishy-washy all along: sometimes smart, sometimes dumb; sometimes confident and sometimes indecisive; sometimes sharp and sometimes clueless. Is she hot for Diego or isn't she? Why is Julio attracted to her? None of it is clear.
I don't think it's the actress. For a while I thought it was the director. After seeing a few eps of the original, though, I think it's just the way this character was written because that Isabel seems poorly defined as well.
(Actually, I have another, very minor complaint: I'm not crazy about the music.)
Jacinto has seen Julio and Isabel together before, but not kissing I don't think. I can see why he's kept quiet about them to Diego up to this point. Isabel is the one Alarcon who treats the employees like human beings; so as long as there was any doubt as to what was going on, it made sense for him to hesitate throwing her under the wagon. But now he has no excuse. If he wants to be good to his master, he has to tell him. We'll see if Ayala's little speech (about the people who have all the power vs. Jacinto having only his skin) made any impression at all.
And I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop on Natalia's/Dr. Vic's handwriting sample.
Oh, Isabel knows but chooses to stay. Matilde tried the other day to discuss and Isabel shushed her. Is she confused? Is she somehow attracted to him, likes it rough, feels sorry for him or believes she can save him? Is being in love with a poor man so horrible Diego is the alternative? She cannot play the long suffering wife. No one, including Diego, twisted her arm to marry him though she ignores his arm twisting now.
Does Felipe's pensive face mean he may seek his forbidden love? I hope not for Jorge's sake. Felipe is bad news and I like Jorge and hope next time the gang kidnaps for ransom it is someone deserving of Jorge she falls for.
Does Felipe's pensive face mean he may seek his forbidden love? I hope not for Jorge's sake. Felipe is bad news and I like Jorge and hope next time the gang kidnaps for ransom it is someone deserving of Jorge she falls for.
Great work, Julie.
Could the Gold Knife Killer be a second-generation serial killer? Enquiring minds and all that...
I am so not understanding Isabel lately. She looks like she's sleepwalking through almost everything as though she is deluding herself about Diego. She might be taking the advice about recognizing her marital responsibilities, but she's not showing us very well that it's all an act. She did show fear in this episode when Diego caught her in her father's study but I'm sure he saw it, too.
Isabel is anything but a spoiled princess. If we can trust her flashbacks about Romulo, he was the only member of that family who ever loved her. Teresa sees her only as a means to an end, Felipe is immature and selfish, and Sofia is too wrapped up in her own issues.
I agree about Felipe; if I were superstitious I'd say he is cursed with regard to the women he gets involved with.
Elise Vergara will soon learn how much of a bitch Karma really is.
Could the Gold Knife Killer be a second-generation serial killer? Enquiring minds and all that...
I am so not understanding Isabel lately. She looks like she's sleepwalking through almost everything as though she is deluding herself about Diego. She might be taking the advice about recognizing her marital responsibilities, but she's not showing us very well that it's all an act. She did show fear in this episode when Diego caught her in her father's study but I'm sure he saw it, too.
Isabel is anything but a spoiled princess. If we can trust her flashbacks about Romulo, he was the only member of that family who ever loved her. Teresa sees her only as a means to an end, Felipe is immature and selfish, and Sofia is too wrapped up in her own issues.
I agree about Felipe; if I were superstitious I'd say he is cursed with regard to the women he gets involved with.
Elise Vergara will soon learn how much of a bitch Karma really is.
Lets see.
Isabel lives in a suite of rooms larger than my parents house growing up. She wears the latest fashion and a hotel full of servants that cook her any dish, clean, wash and iron her clothes and drive her where ever she wants to go. She was educated on her parents dime when most of the population cannot read or write and even a private film of her wedding when most of the world never saw a film. She had playmates, free run of gardens, Angela as a mother stand in while being her fathers favorite and though Teresa not pleasant she has shielded all her children from unpleasantness.
Isabel lives in a suite of rooms larger than my parents house growing up. She wears the latest fashion and a hotel full of servants that cook her any dish, clean, wash and iron her clothes and drive her where ever she wants to go. She was educated on her parents dime when most of the population cannot read or write and even a private film of her wedding when most of the world never saw a film. She had playmates, free run of gardens, Angela as a mother stand in while being her fathers favorite and though Teresa not pleasant she has shielded all her children from unpleasantness.
That still does not amount to being spoiled. Material things in that family seem to be a trade-off for not being able to exercise her own free will as an adult.
That still does not mean that every whim was indulged. I also do not regard being shielded from "unpleasantness" as evidence. This eventually translates into a liability for which any resentment is justified.
That still does not mean that every whim was indulged. I also do not regard being shielded from "unpleasantness" as evidence. This eventually translates into a liability for which any resentment is justified.
I would describe Sofia, Felipe, and Isabel as privileged, certainly.
I would describe Felipe and Sofia as spoiled because they do very little for themselves and don't aspire to do any more. When they do have to exert themselves, they whine, feel sorry for themselves, screw up, and generally fall apart. Not because what they're being asked to do is wrong, but because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
I would NOT describe Isabel as spoiled, because she is willing to study and work even though she doesn't need to do anything at all. She knows that she is lucky to have the privileges that she's had, and she shares whenever she can. (Even her husband. Ugh.) She is not the best-defined character I've ever seen in a TN, but she's not so poorly defined that I could make a case for her being spoiled. Privileged, for sure. Pampered, maybe. But spoiled? No.
I would describe Felipe and Sofia as spoiled because they do very little for themselves and don't aspire to do any more. When they do have to exert themselves, they whine, feel sorry for themselves, screw up, and generally fall apart. Not because what they're being asked to do is wrong, but because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient.
I would NOT describe Isabel as spoiled, because she is willing to study and work even though she doesn't need to do anything at all. She knows that she is lucky to have the privileges that she's had, and she shares whenever she can. (Even her husband. Ugh.) She is not the best-defined character I've ever seen in a TN, but she's not so poorly defined that I could make a case for her being spoiled. Privileged, for sure. Pampered, maybe. But spoiled? No.
I think all the children were spoiled and pampered and took full advantage of privilege (Felipe more so for being the baby boy)and not one so far has decided to leave the big house for good. Isabel and Felipe flirted with it but they are right back where they feel comfortable.
Simply because Isabel volunteers at a hospital her husband built for her doesn't mean she is capable of feeding herself nor wants to. Isabel spends most of her time playing detective with her poor waiter friend and hide and go seek with her husband.
If any of the children have paid the price for all the spoilery it's Sofia. Teresa's demands of Isabel pale compared to what Sofia has suffered.
Simply because Isabel volunteers at a hospital her husband built for her doesn't mean she is capable of feeding herself nor wants to. Isabel spends most of her time playing detective with her poor waiter friend and hide and go seek with her husband.
If any of the children have paid the price for all the spoilery it's Sofia. Teresa's demands of Isabel pale compared to what Sofia has suffered.
I was mad at Sofia last night (and not just because she's a killer and a liar). She has for the umpteenth time been given another chance with the man she loves, Alfredo, and she once again balks at leaving with him, and the baby he's lovingly accepted as his own, and starting over away from her toxic family and hotel. And then she goes and works against him behind his back! What will it take?!
I used to feel sorry for Sofia, but during the last few arguments with Alfredo we learned that their relationship was like this from the beginning. He has always wanted to "save" her from her mother, and she has resisted, kicking and screaming the whole way.
I used to feel sorry for Sofia, but during the last few arguments with Alfredo we learned that their relationship was like this from the beginning. He has always wanted to "save" her from her mother, and she has resisted, kicking and screaming the whole way.
Good burns from Mrs. L. Twice! We should see more of her.
If Jacinto didn't learn from that punch in the gut that Diego will never have his back, even after he kept quiet to the cops, then he's an even bigger idiot than we thought. Time to fess up and get some help. As it is, he makes me hope there is still a gold knife killer.
Kelly
If Jacinto didn't learn from that punch in the gut that Diego will never have his back, even after he kept quiet to the cops, then he's an even bigger idiot than we thought. Time to fess up and get some help. As it is, he makes me hope there is still a gold knife killer.
Kelly
Permalink posted by 
: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 1:02:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 1:02:00 PM EDT
True, Kelly. But my heart broke for Lupe when he broke down thinking about the wrong path his son is going down.
I know a lot of you don’t like Isabel’s character, but I am very much enjoying her role. I see her character is just trying to keep up appearances for appearance’s sake. She is going through the motions because she does not want to rock the boat and stay under the radar. She is doing everything she can to slip under the radar unnoticed, even if it means having to romance Diego to manipulate him so he doesn’t suspect too much of anything. She knows exactly what Cecelia was talking about and know exactly who did that to her. She is just playing dumb because she does not want the spotlight to be on her. She wants to continue to do her detective work to get to the bottom of everything. I see her as pretty smart.
Cynthia- I don't dislike Isabel. And in fact, my respect for her grew last week when I realized she IS playing Diego. But she has got to start acting like he's a real threat. She seems to think she can handle him.
I don't exactly dislike Isabel. I just don't like the inconsistent way she's written. And I am frustrated that I don't see more clues as to her disdain for Diego (until her reaction to Diego's gift last night - that was priceless). Like, discreetly wiping her mouth after a kiss.
As for Sofia - yes she is very disappointing. I still can't help feeling sorry for her, but I know she's done bad things and I'm sure there's an anvil with her name on it. I just hope she'll be able to witness and savor Elisa's downfall first.
As to which of mother is worse, Teresa or Elisa, the tie-breaker for me is that Teresa was annoyed with Diego for not having killed Belen, and indicated that she had expected him to. Elisa has never done anything like that as far as we know.
Of course that's more a reflection of what kind of people they are than their mothering skills specifically, and maybe you could argue that Teresa's the better mother for being willing to kill in order to protect the family interests; but really even that is all about protecting herself too.
Also, some of Elisa's manipulations have been constructive. She tried to get Alfredo a really good job and a nice new wife. Granted, the point of those were to break up his marriage. But Teresa's bag of tricks contains mainly threats and horrors, rather than positive inducements.
All of this is to say is that they are both dreadful people and terrible mothers. I find Teresa slightly more appalling, but I am grateful for the mother that I have and won't be sending either of those women a Mother's Day card.
As for Sofia - yes she is very disappointing. I still can't help feeling sorry for her, but I know she's done bad things and I'm sure there's an anvil with her name on it. I just hope she'll be able to witness and savor Elisa's downfall first.
As to which of mother is worse, Teresa or Elisa, the tie-breaker for me is that Teresa was annoyed with Diego for not having killed Belen, and indicated that she had expected him to. Elisa has never done anything like that as far as we know.
Of course that's more a reflection of what kind of people they are than their mothering skills specifically, and maybe you could argue that Teresa's the better mother for being willing to kill in order to protect the family interests; but really even that is all about protecting herself too.
Also, some of Elisa's manipulations have been constructive. She tried to get Alfredo a really good job and a nice new wife. Granted, the point of those were to break up his marriage. But Teresa's bag of tricks contains mainly threats and horrors, rather than positive inducements.
All of this is to say is that they are both dreadful people and terrible mothers. I find Teresa slightly more appalling, but I am grateful for the mother that I have and won't be sending either of those women a Mother's Day card.
I actually like Isabel but expect more of her and agree if she thinks she can manage Diego, despite the warnings to the contrary, she is mistaken. He chewed up Cristina, Belen and CeCe.
Maybe I'm overlooking something or just being dense, but why doesn't Belen just tell Ayala everything? Either directly, to his face, or if that's a bad idea she could explain it all in an anonymous letter. Leaving little clues in the car is cute and of course it helps to stretch out our ultimas semanas, but is Belen taking such a slow and exasperating path?
Wonderful Julie as always!
Oh, how much fun watching Jacinto get the crap beat out of him. He's such a mealy little worm. Must be what Diego was like when younger.
I was frustrated as well with Isa as Diego did his schizophrenic routine with her: one minute manhandling her in the hall, the next crying like a baby. After the warning from Cece, she should have a clue what she is dealing with, and I do think she does. But in her mind, keeping Diego placated keeps him pacified and out of her way to explore. She feels she needs to find out the truth and that keeping up the pretext with Diego bides her time. I think the bug-eyed look as Diego was bawling was just her reaction to his see-saw behavior. He is one sick puppy, and it is becoming more apparent to her daily.
The other aspect to look at is that each of the kids deal with their screwed up childhood differently: despite the cash and standing, each had a parent who withheld affection or messed up their head. Isa may have had the least issue since at least her father gave her the time of day, but now--is her image of him being betrayed. Sophia dealt with her issues living in delusion and being insecure to the point of break-downs, Felipe fled to the bottle and debauchery, Isa just keeps wanting everything to be ok and perfect, just like her perfect white dresses. She may take the biggest fall of all dependent on what we find out about dear old dad.
Interesting that Felipe overheard her confession to Julio. If Felipe cares for anyone in his family, it's Isa. Will he now help her? say what you will as he still is chasing skirts, but he isn't drinking as much and seems to be doing his job.
Did Teresa not view that movie before showing it? That whole thing was so stupid.
Ok, so who's bloody cape? How far does this go back? Do we have some secret society that murders since 1808? Or was that cloak only hidden there and belongs to someone more current? The doc's daughter was the first thought that crossed my mind.
Daisynjay
Oh, how much fun watching Jacinto get the crap beat out of him. He's such a mealy little worm. Must be what Diego was like when younger.
I was frustrated as well with Isa as Diego did his schizophrenic routine with her: one minute manhandling her in the hall, the next crying like a baby. After the warning from Cece, she should have a clue what she is dealing with, and I do think she does. But in her mind, keeping Diego placated keeps him pacified and out of her way to explore. She feels she needs to find out the truth and that keeping up the pretext with Diego bides her time. I think the bug-eyed look as Diego was bawling was just her reaction to his see-saw behavior. He is one sick puppy, and it is becoming more apparent to her daily.
The other aspect to look at is that each of the kids deal with their screwed up childhood differently: despite the cash and standing, each had a parent who withheld affection or messed up their head. Isa may have had the least issue since at least her father gave her the time of day, but now--is her image of him being betrayed. Sophia dealt with her issues living in delusion and being insecure to the point of break-downs, Felipe fled to the bottle and debauchery, Isa just keeps wanting everything to be ok and perfect, just like her perfect white dresses. She may take the biggest fall of all dependent on what we find out about dear old dad.
Interesting that Felipe overheard her confession to Julio. If Felipe cares for anyone in his family, it's Isa. Will he now help her? say what you will as he still is chasing skirts, but he isn't drinking as much and seems to be doing his job.
Did Teresa not view that movie before showing it? That whole thing was so stupid.
Ok, so who's bloody cape? How far does this go back? Do we have some secret society that murders since 1808? Or was that cloak only hidden there and belongs to someone more current? The doc's daughter was the first thought that crossed my mind.
Daisynjay
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 3:11:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 3:11:00 PM EDT
The problem with Isabel is that she is barely keeping Diego placated some times and at other times not at all; however she thinks she has him under control: big mistake. She is in la la land.
Thanks Julie, I always enjoy your recaps. Loved this:
He even got in her bed, but she resisted him (liar!).
And clever Sofia...coming up with the accusation of Elisa funding a brothel instead of a retreat. Superb. One smart cookie when she's not drugging herself.
Surprised though when you wrote that Cecilia "sauntered" up to Isabel. To me, it looked like she was limping painfully. As one would after being violently raped.
But I understand the recapping bias...one is so busy taking notes, certain visual cues slip by. I remember missing a very funny moment in Gancho, just because I was madly scribbling notes.
Recapping is very tough, demanding work. And you do it beautifully. Your writing flows smoothly and the details are always crystal clear. Enjoying this show and the resumens immensely.
By the way, OT, watched Yago last night. The first episode was riveting. Fast-paced, classy and lots and lots of sizzling tension.
He even got in her bed, but she resisted him (liar!).
And clever Sofia...coming up with the accusation of Elisa funding a brothel instead of a retreat. Superb. One smart cookie when she's not drugging herself.
Surprised though when you wrote that Cecilia "sauntered" up to Isabel. To me, it looked like she was limping painfully. As one would after being violently raped.
But I understand the recapping bias...one is so busy taking notes, certain visual cues slip by. I remember missing a very funny moment in Gancho, just because I was madly scribbling notes.
Recapping is very tough, demanding work. And you do it beautifully. Your writing flows smoothly and the details are always crystal clear. Enjoying this show and the resumens immensely.
By the way, OT, watched Yago last night. The first episode was riveting. Fast-paced, classy and lots and lots of sizzling tension.
Thanks, Julie! Also, thank you for reminding me I needed to mail my mother's Mother's Day card this morning. ;)
I wondered about the windows, too. I'm just assuming they face the back, or sides of the house.
Is there really a secret society? Has it been mentioned after that first time when the Scoobie made their discovery?
I thought that Isa walked up to CeCe concerned because she was obviously hurting. I do like that CeCe warned her.
Nanette
I wondered about the windows, too. I'm just assuming they face the back, or sides of the house.
Is there really a secret society? Has it been mentioned after that first time when the Scoobie made their discovery?
I thought that Isa walked up to CeCe concerned because she was obviously hurting. I do like that CeCe warned her.
Nanette
Well, to be fair, when Padre Horndog got in Sofia's bed, she actually did resist him! Only later did she join him - and I believe in his own bed.
Judy: Yes, Cece was limping - but she was also making a point of showing her bruises in a public place. I thought her approach to Isabel was very cool and deliberate and pointed...
...wait, did I really say "sauntering"? Yes I did. I must be losing my marbles. I was thinking "stalking." Yes, it was purposeful. Not leisurely. Sorry.
Judy: Yes, Cece was limping - but she was also making a point of showing her bruises in a public place. I thought her approach to Isabel was very cool and deliberate and pointed...
...wait, did I really say "sauntering"? Yes I did. I must be losing my marbles. I was thinking "stalking." Yes, it was purposeful. Not leisurely. Sorry.
Ah yes, "stalking" makes sense. What the hey, it was in the "s" part of your brain. Totally understand.
The reason Belen doesn't tell Ayala everything is because she is just not that bright but thinks she is. If she were smarter, she would have tried to get Angela and Julio on her side. They know what happened, know about the twins and would have stood by her, even if she is a brat. But nope! She has to prematurely be a snob. Wait until you have the money/Hotel, Belen!
And if she had been nicer to the staff (didn't even have to like them), she could've used their help to convince Andres to stay and. Take over his hotel. He might not need the money, but the staff would be much better off working for him than any Alarcon, and I think Andre's is totally susceptible to guilt. Belen just doesn't think long-term.
Kelly
And if she had been nicer to the staff (didn't even have to like them), she could've used their help to convince Andres to stay and. Take over his hotel. He might not need the money, but the staff would be much better off working for him than any Alarcon, and I think Andre's is totally susceptible to guilt. Belen just doesn't think long-term.
Kelly
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 4:25:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 4:25:00 PM EDT
I hope Olegario thinks he's getting his money's worth for all the money he's invested in Belen's wardrobe. I noticed a couple of times last week she was wearing sunglasses. They won't be fashionable for quite some time. Nobody's looking at her sunglasses and saying "ooh, she's so on-trend." They're saying "is there something wrong with her eyes?"
(In fact, according to Wikipedia, among the few who wore sunglasses before the 1930s were people with syphilis, because their eyes became sensitive to light. Hah!)
And I'm curious as to why Oleg is so sure there's oil on the Vergara property. Alfredo's lawyer didn't seem to think it was worth anything. Did they not used to check property for oil, metal, and mineral deposits?
(In fact, according to Wikipedia, among the few who wore sunglasses before the 1930s were people with syphilis, because their eyes became sensitive to light. Hah!)
And I'm curious as to why Oleg is so sure there's oil on the Vergara property. Alfredo's lawyer didn't seem to think it was worth anything. Did they not used to check property for oil, metal, and mineral deposits?
Belen doesn't go to the cops because her main priority is the money. While she's aligning herself with the rich folks who are also out to get the money, she can pretend that her main interest is the baby. The wrong the Alarcons did her is just a carrot she uses to motivate Andres (who would just be happy with the baby).
Julie- Oleg had his people do studies. I'm guessing they'd started with the hotel lands but also checked nearby. Until they became flat broke and desperate the Vergaras paid them no need.
1808 was a leap yr.
Mex independence began 1808-1821
I think Hotel takes place in 1908, so maybe the 100 year thing means sth.
Mex independence began 1808-1821
I think Hotel takes place in 1908, so maybe the 100 year thing means sth.
Daisynjay: Sorry, neglected to answer before - no, Teresa didn't see the movie beforehand. It appears that Dr. Vic is the one who arranged the viewing, and he did it in a hurry. He didn't even have the film yet when he made the phone call, and he insisted it had to be ready that very night.
How or why Dr Vic should have access to it in the first place is unclear to me, but then he's also the one who paid off with the padre at the manicomio when they got Sofia out. So, apparently, in addition to being the doctor he also does some very odd jobs for Teresa.
I guess Teresa just assumes that he's being a swell guy because his manners are so nice, but I'm sure he knew exactly what they would see on that film. He must have noticed how miserable Isabel looked at her wedding, even if it Teresa was too full of herself at the time to notice. (Plus, isn't that the night the babies were born? And then the explosion in the mine. Yeah, Teresa really knows how to throw a party.)
How or why Dr Vic should have access to it in the first place is unclear to me, but then he's also the one who paid off with the padre at the manicomio when they got Sofia out. So, apparently, in addition to being the doctor he also does some very odd jobs for Teresa.
I guess Teresa just assumes that he's being a swell guy because his manners are so nice, but I'm sure he knew exactly what they would see on that film. He must have noticed how miserable Isabel looked at her wedding, even if it Teresa was too full of herself at the time to notice. (Plus, isn't that the night the babies were born? And then the explosion in the mine. Yeah, Teresa really knows how to throw a party.)
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