Tuesday, June 27, 2017
La Candidata Martes, 6/27/17 Chapter 18: Alonso's Attempt to Win Regina Back
- D.D.
Labels: candidata
Jarifa: Regina dropping out of the Presidential campaign quickly ?
Due to the subject matter of this novela there will be strict moderation of the comments.
Anything about current or past real-world political situations will be removed. Discussion will be limited to the story, the production values, and the actors' performances. Also, episode discussions will be closed once the next episode's recap is posted.
Boy oh boy, Mario sure did make a quick recovery. Went from a cardiac arrest to walking into his own house.
Gosh I thought Omar had surely murdered Natalia. I am glad she is still alive, hopefully she will outlive Omar in the story.
Question for everyone: Did Omar call Magda, "Marta"? Or did I hear wrong?
OT.. Does anyone know of an alternate website where one can watch Yo Compro Esa Mujer?
It has been mentioned numerous times by Caraymates so I thought it would be watching. However, I have yet to find it online.
Thanks one more time for the fab recap.
Ha! It looks like Ignacio's "handling" of Teresa is not going unnoticed by Ximena.
Oh, great, Natalia gets to be ministered to by her husband's mistress.
At least Dr. Contreras will do something legal about the abuse . . . Next time. Geez, Natalia might be dead the "next time".
I'm mainly dropping in today to note the appearance of my favorite TN actress in the role of Lorena. That is of course the gorgeous and talented Laisha Wilkins. She always brings her best effort no matter how small the part. Also I notice that a Caray Caray favorite is here as the driver, José. Fabián Robles is always a refreshing treat to watch.
While I don't care at all for that creepy kid, Emiliano, I don't think that anyone either here or in the show has given him any credit for basically saving the life of his friend by rushing over to his house after he took all those pills.
Carlos
Am I the only one (except perhaps Alonso) getting a creepy stalkerish vibe from Gerardo? At the very least he's apparently not too bright.
Carlos
Parents like Hugo's will blame everyone else -- except themselves -- for anything wrong their children do. I saw this happening with the parents of neighborhood bullies when I was a child. It's not a pretty sight.
I've been sans computer for the last little while so I haven't been able to comment (tap-tap-tapping on a cell phone just pisses me off), but now that I'm able I wanted to come by and put in my two cents here... I'm really loving everybody's comments, and Carlos, it's great to see you back! I was a little disappointed that the patio for this wonderful novella isn't busier, but the group that is here is terrific (it's great to see you back, Carlos!), and the team of recappers couldn't be better- I'm glad that you guys are recapping a novela that's worthy of your efforts!
Carlos pointed out the addition of Laisha Wilkins' Lorena to the cast in this episode... she is a wonderful actress, isn't she? Consistently good in everything that she's in (I thought that she was the best thing in the otherwise disappointing 'Que te perdone dios', in the dual role of the evil twin/crazy twin that was Helena Rojo's (Natalia here)in the original. Much the same could be said about the other actor that Carlos pointed out, Fabian Robles... an actor that does consistently good work, solid supporting work in quality novelas but flies under most people's radars perhaps because of it.
Regarding Helena Rojo, I must say again how impressed I am with her here. Keeping in mind that she was in her 70's when this was filmed (she was born in 1944), she was given a role so different that any of the standards that we find for 'grandmotherly' types in- not just novelas, but pretty much ANY series- a deeply unhappy, frustrated, passionate, sexual, vibrant woman bristling at the constraints she has had forced upon her her entire life. Keeping in mind that she was already into her 70's when this was filmed (she was born in 1944), this had to have been well outside the zone when it comes to roles and characters she thought she would be playing (and, undoubtedly, would also be offered), yet she does a terrific job here in her portrayal of an older woman who is still bubbling just under the surface. For this, full props and kudos should go to producer Giselle Gonzalez and writer Leonardo Bechini for going outside the norm when it comes to telenovela characters, and for coming up with challenging and different roles to offer, not just their actors, but we viewers as well.
I mentioned QTPD earlier... Angelli Nesma Medina's next one has just come onto my horizon- it sounds really good. On the 'La piloto' forum there had been some talk about what might be coming up next on the horizon. Would you guys like me to do another "Upcoming attractions" post to fill you guys in on everything that's coming on the horizon? I'd be happy to!
With my continued best wishes to all, as always.... :-)
This episode had me at the edge of my seat. There was so much going on with Emi and that brat doing the strip tease, Alonso getting his way with Regina, and that sick homicidal maniac.
Jarifa: I'm with you, neither Dr. Contreras, Jose nor Magda are doing the right thing here. Natalia will end up dead and it will be blood on all their hands. I sure hope that Regina finds out about the beating that poor Natalia got and gets her out of there. Omar is one sick bastard.
I don't know what Ignacio's agenda is but he is definitely not looking out for Gerardo or the party.
Carlos, I neglected your other question. As far as Gerardo is concerned he is suffering from Arturo Montenegro Syndrome or Pining Over The One He Should Have Married. Regina is the only sane person in his life right now and/or the only person he can trust. He needs to be rid of Teresa or his career will be down the drain.
I'm also a bit disappointed that this TN hasn't accumulated a larger community here on the patio and I'm guessing that to a large part the fact that not everyone who haunts the patios of Caray Caray has access to Umas and perhaps to a lesser extent the dark nature of this TN. It's my opinion that this show could benefit from a few comedic touches. Not necessarily comedic characters per se, but maybe some quirky traits in one or more of the villains. I don't think there has been a more evil character than Fedra (Azela Robinson) in LldA (she took here adolescent son to a brothel and poisoned her daughter's cat for goodness sake) and yet at times she was downright hilarious.
I agree with you about Helena Rojo. Given Natalia's predilection for younger men, wouldn't it be delightful for her (and us) if she has a little fling with José? They'd of course need to be very careful.
Carlos
However, I don't think that this series would benefit from any comic relief.
The inconsistent availability of Unimas -- and lately Univision -- on people's cable systems has affected the size of each program's community; this much is certain.
What is now concerning me is that each pre-emption makes it more and more possible that Unimas will slice and dice the last dozen episodes to finish before Labor Day.
Urban--Top notch retelling of an intensely complicated story. Thank you for doing this and managing the crew on your team. With all the pre-emptions, it is driving us all crazy--No episode tonight either!!!!!! The backroom machinations are certainly making things politically and romantically complicated for Gerardo and Alonso. I'm surprised they sat down and had a civil conversation, though each one was trying to one-up the other. Gerardo is in a no-win position. If he doesn't back Regina's bill, he loses her; if he backs it he loses the support of his Party and a nomination he doesn't really want but feels he must assume to maintain his position in the Senate. Of course, IMHO, it is desirable for Ignacio to have Regina run against Alonso to split the vote. Is Gerardo up to the challenge of being President? Hmmmm. I think he'd rather have Teresa out of his life and be content with reclaiming Regina--if she'll have him.
Jarifa--I have a feeling the next time Omar beats Natalia to within an inch of her life, he WON'T call Magda and won't permit Dr. Contreras to treat her. We can only hope Jose will step in and stop him. Omar told the truth when he told Magda he lost control and couldn't help himself. He did look worried--only because he thought he'd killed her.
Carlos--So nice to see you back in form. Many of us have missed your droll wit and wisdom. Yes, I did notice who was playing Jose. So different from his role in MEPS, La Verdad Oculta, LQNPA and STuD. He's a very busy guy for a secondary figure. Jose is already giving Natalia the eye, so we can only wait and see--and probably not for very long..... Of course Lorena would catch your eye. But not Teresa? Maybe if we put a headband on her? Although certifiably crazy is not attractive. Ignacio doesn't know what he's getting into. He barely got a taste last night.
As for Gerardo taking on some creepy attributes--he's been pretty straightforward with Regina about his feelings and has respected the distance she's put between them. He couldn't stand it, though that she wouldn't stay to listen to his side of the story in the corridor, but it did seem imprudent of him to drive by and park infront of her house late at night. Regina agreed to meet him and thought Al was safely asleep.
Alonso is now dead to me. When he silently acquiesced to Emiliano asking out loud if Regina had anything to do with Florencia's murder. It was the smirk that got me. This is HIS family he's doing this to. I can see his threats to De La Garza not bothering him a bit, it was dispassionate, it's business, maneuvering to keep scandal away from the evil triumvirate.
BTW--Do you have any idea or knowledge as to why La Candidata didn't become popular in Mexico? Was it too close to the truth and the audience didn't like a mirror being held up to them? Or are they not used to political telenovelas when many who watch want some escapism? I personally like dramas, intense ones, better than the ones we all end up making fun of and have to admit we wasted our time watching.
I happened to see a list of the 50 top favorite novelas in Mexico. I don't even know who made the list or what they based their data on, but La Gata was one of them. I didn't watch it, but as I recall, here on Caray, it plummeted to the bottom rather quickly. At least Alborada, Pasion and Amor Real were up there, along with LANPA, Sortilegio and others we've seen and liked up North.
As to dark stories, I like them. I loved ENDA and MdN. I wish there were more stories like those.
I already embraced Teresa early in this TN. I spoke out in defense of her bangs and pointed out that a nice headband might greatly enhance her look. I really like this actress and enjoy the characters (seemingly often tragic and/or crazy) she portrays. She reminds me very much of both Tracey Ullman and Patty Duke. Unlike probably most here I don't blame her entirely for her current state nor do I see her as narcissistic. I think that she has likely been neglected by a selfish self-important Gerardo who very well may have married her as he rebounded from an earlier rejection by Regina and now he blames her primarily for his unhappiness. (Quite a bit of speculation here, I realize) By the way, I have a special fondness for both the evil and crazy ladies... evil and crazy... wellll...
I don't recall anyone here musing about this, but I'm picking up on a possible impossible romantic yearning for Regina on Daniela's part.
Carlos
Anita, actually LC was very successful in Mexico, much more so than I believe anybody thought that it would be, and this is AFTER the number of episodes got cut (by, I believe, 12) because it had become to be considered as, not necessarily too controversial, but more as something of a 'bete noire' on the television for the network considering that it airing right in the middle of the campaigning for the big election, and it had been bandied about by various political acolytes for their own purposes in their fight against the other (this was actually something that plagued LC from even before it aired, when certain members of a political party accused Televisa of bias even before LC had even aired, assuming that this story (of a female politician attmepting to rise above her scumbag husband to be the leader that the country deserves) was actually nothing but thinly veiled propaganda designed to propel candidate Margarita Zavala (former first lady, now running as a candidate herself) to victory. Total nonsense, of course, but as time continued and every so often mention would be made of this series about the corruption in Mexican politics, Televisa got increasingly nervous to the point where to them it became untenable. Hence, episodes were cut from 80 to (I think) 68. I myself was somewhat buoyed by the fact that- in spite of this- it's ratings in Mexico were pretty stellar (I think averaging around the 24-25 mark, which is pretty damn good... alas, the days of 32 points enjoyed by the likes of 'Teresa' and 'Abismo de pasion' are long behind us, which I believe partially explains how sketchy networks seem to be with what they're airing, when, and then the slicing, dicing, and moving they do after the fact... they're panicking.
Also, a quick aside, if I may... if anybody wants to try and find out a bit more about ratings and the general reception a telenovela got down in Mexico... DO NOT go to the internet! It is LITTERED with forums and websites wherein people can pretty much post anything that they want, and because there's so much sh*t out there, people can just pick and choose what they want to believe. And so a lie travels half way around the world while the truth is still putting its boots on. Every time I try and find out something about the network and the genre using the internet, I come out of it without a f**king clue what is what, something that my friend at the network confirmed for me (it's anarchy out there when it comes to telenovela news online, it really is...)
Anyways, it's obscenely late so I had better head off to bed... but I'll start up on my 'Coming Attractions' post as soon as I can. Thanks all, and everybody have a great Thursday tomorrow (er, 'today' (lol))
With my continued best wishes to all... :-)
As to whether the genre will survive the increasingly shortening attention spans of potential audience members, I can't predict this. However, it does annoy me that many people with seriously short attention spans think they are superior to those of us who can sustain attention.
Sunday you said this:
"Considering that prostitutes are usually frigid I wonder whether Cecelia enjoys sex at all."
Are you referring to some a study that confirms that prostitutes are usually frigid or is that a presumption? As for Cecilia, I am guessing that at some point we'll actually get to see her enjoy sex.
Also, do you think that people with seriously short attention spans even bother thinking about other folks?
Carlos
Anyone who recaps would be happy to post your Coming Attractions with the correct label. I can, too (please, pretty please, I want dibs). I will try to get in touch with Vivi and find out what's going on with her. At her time of life, it's most likely job, travel and family. I'm pretty sure she's ok and just had to pare down her attention to Caray.
Thanks for the run-down on La Candidata. I thought I WAS reading an official website that panned it and that viewers thought Silvia was too bland and preferred Susana and wished she had been the lead. I've tried to wrap my head around a switch like that, but Silvia has always played "the good girl" roles, while Susana has stretched and stood out as both a lead and as the wounded victim who sometimes loses and sometimes wins back her personhood, and not the 100% evil queen we normally see in an antagonist role.
This goes a long way to say it might have worked. I always go back to ENDA as an example of what the switch between the lead protagonist and the lead villiana did. Leticia and Victoria ended up owning the roles they played.
Carlos--whether it's true or not regarding prostitutes being frigid, in the technical sense--we have been led to believe through movies, books and theatre, that a professional prostitute shuts off her own feelings (but maybe not her ability to reach a climax) and becomes the consummate actress. If you've ever watched Klute--that's the character I'm drawing on. When she becomes interested in a man not as a client, she's emotionally confused by what she was feeling. How does she shut off the acting and begin feeling her own emotions. I think Cecelia will surprise us, but with whom--Hernan or Alonso?
P.S. People with seriously short attention spans don't bother reading books or watching series on TV. They "probably" prefer twitter or any social media that gives them instant feedback and instant gratification......maybe???
She mentioned that her ex is a cop, could he be El Cuervo? I believe it is likely.
And after Hugo declared his love for Emiliano, will Emiliano (who to me seemed somewhat affected) now have ambivalent questions about his own sexuality? His previous heterosexual encounters have certainly not been very positive.
Carlos
Emiliano is full of self-doubt and now that all his relations with females have ended badly in different ways... who knows? Maybe he will end up in a seminary.
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