Caray, Caray!

identidad

I'll try to do a recap of tonight's episode. As usual, it will be posted very late.
 

Falsa Identidad - Capítulo 74 - Parte 1 de 3

Yesterday's episode ended with Isabel and Diego about to set off to find the Guevara corpses and give them a proper burial. Of course, as they're about to leave, Circe calls. Diego decides not to answer her call. Isabel asks who called. No one, replies Diego. I think Isabel knows it was Circe. She tells Diego it's ok, he can answer. He continues not to do so, even when Circe calls again. "Won't she be angry?" Isabel asks.

As if in answer to Isabel's question, we see Circe furious at Diego's not answering. Circe thinks to herself, "You can't leave me because I killed that old woman" (i.e., Margot Guevara). "I did it for you, to save you." [Hmm...has she forgotten about Eliseo?]

At Babel, Jim tells Gavino that he's fed up. He put up with Joselito, who killed a waiter in front of Jim in Jim's office. And now Jim is fed up with Gavino. He tells Gavino, "I'm turning Babel completely over to you. You can do what you want with it." Gavino replies that Jim can't quit. He needs Jim to keep serving as the respectable front (fachada) for Gavino's business. Gavino points his pistol at Jim. "You can't go as long as you serve me. If you no longer serve me, you can go, feet first (con las patas por delante)."

Ramona speaks up for Jim. She tells Gavino that it's not the right time to kill Jim. In all the time she was at Babel, no one bothered them, not the DEA, not the federales, no one. And now Gavino wants to kill Jim, here at Babel? Moreover, continues Ramona, killing Jim won't do any good, because all the official papers concerning Babel are in his name. Ramona seems to have gotten through to Gavino. He tells Jim he can leave. He warns him, however, that if he makes an accusation to the police, he, Jim, will wind up in prison. Jim leaves.

Mara and Gabi talk as they get ready for bed. Mara says she doesn't want to leave Mexico. She likes it here. She likes the people, such as Chucho. He's super good. And she likes Gabi's novio, Deivid. She tells Gabi that Deivid loves her. Gabi doesn't agree. She says something like "If he loved me, he'd be asking me about the trip to the gringolandia" (i.e., the US). [I have a hard time understanding her, and I'm not sure exactly what she means.]

Amanda is angry that Isabel has gone off with Diego and that she and Porfirio aren't going to be a couple. Amanda sits with her headphones on, tuning out the world. Porfirio wants to talk to her, but she ignores him. He pulls off her headphones and they start to talk. Porfirio explains that he and Isabel tried, but their relationship wasn't working. "What can I do?" he asks Amanda. "Force your mother to stay and be unhappy? Is that what you want?" Amanda agrees that that's not what she wants.

Jim and Ramona are in Jim's office. He asks her why she helped him with Gavino. She replies, "You helped me. Now we're even." Jim gathers together his papers, takes some pictures off the wall, and talks sadly about his dreams for Babel. He tells Ramona that she, too, should leave, because she's a good woman. She says his situation is different from hers.

Jim calls Paloma and warns her not to come to Babel.

Felipa is in full brujería mode. She looks up at the full moon and gets all excited. I have little patience for this nonsense, so I'll not go into detail. As she's in the middle of communing with the moon, her cell phone rings. Joselito tells her that Gavino is in Mexico City, at Babel. Joselito tells Felipa that everything is coming together the way he wants.
 

Falsa Identidad - Capítulo 74 - Parte 2 de 3

Meanwhile, at Babel, Gavino tells his men that although Jim emphasized the artistic part of Babel, he (Gavino) doesn't care at all about that. He cares about the economic part. He wants to restart his businesses: prostitution and drugs. They need to launder money. He also says that he wants to open Babel the next night.

Chucho and Deivid are talking. Deivid tells Chucho he needs him. Gabi appears, Chucho tells her Deivid has been advising him. She says she hopes his advice hasn't been about novias, because he knows nothing about that. Chucho leaves so that Gabi and Deivid can talk. Here,again, I had a hard time understanding some of what they were saying. I think she feels that he doesn't care about her. He says he's not willing to wait around for months waiting for her to return. He tells her that if she leaves, they're through. I think she says that she had thought he was going to come with her. She continues, "My grandma said "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. This isn't going to kill me." [I don't know when this telenovela was written, but surely it was within the last year or so. So why in the world is she planning to go to the United States, given the USA's unwelcoming response to immigrants? She should have watched Al otro lado del muro.]

Porfirio turns up at Babel. Two of Gavino's men bring him in at gunpoint. He explains to Gavino that he worked at Babel as a performer. Gavino informs him that the artistic side of Babel is being revised, and he, Porfirio, is out of a job. Porfirio expresses surprise at seeing Mateo. Mateo gets Gavino's permission to have a private conversation with his son. Porfi does't mince words. He tells Mateo "You destroyed the lives of lots of young women." He asks Mateo why he's involved with the drug cartel. "Where is the commandante?" asks Porfirio. Mateo replies, "You want me to go to prison for the rest of my life?" No, says Porfirio, I want you to be the person I admired and respected when I was a boy. Mateo tells Porfirio, "Open your eyes. I'm just trying to survive. The man you said you want me to be no longer exists. I belong to the cartel. If you're disappointed, get out of here. Leave." Porfirio tells him he's not disappointed, he's embarrassed. "I feel embarrassed to be your son."

Once he's back home, Porfirio thinks about what Mateo said. He pours himself a drink. He then pauses, gets up, and somewhat reluctantly pours the contents of the liquor bottle into the sink.

Jim calls Circe and tells her that Gavino and his men are at Babel. He does this because he's grateful for what she did for the women at Babel. She thanks him for the information.

Isabel and Diego arrive in Alamos. Diego pulls out a gun and tucks it into his pants. He tells Isabel it's just for protection. [Uh huh] Isabel's head is no longer screwed on tightly, so she doesn't question Diego's having brought a gun.

Porfirio is taking care of Amanda and Ricas when there's a knock at the door. It's Paloma, who has come to see Isabel to warn her not to go to Babel. Porfirio says yes, he knows, he saw the narcos there last night. She apologizes for not having thought to warn him. She tells Porfirio that Jim is going to meet with the dancers at Marlene's later in the day. Perhaps he'd like to come? He thinks he might, and he asks for Paloma's phone number, so he can get directions to Marlene's. [Uh huh] He tells Paloma that Isabel isn't at home, she'll be back later today or tomorrow. Paloma leaves. Profi stares at Paloma's phone number and looks very pleased.
 

Falsa Identidad - Capítulo 74 - Parte 3 de 3

Nuria's mother prepares breakfast for Nuria. She tells Nuria that she had a message, something about her not having paid this month's rent. She asks whether Nuria has a money problem. Nuria tells her that she should mind her own business and Nuria will mind hers.

Porfirio thinks about calling Paloma. He remembers his hot session with her at Babel.

José tells Felipa that they're going to blow up (explotar) Babel with Gavino and all his men inside. Felipa is concerned about Circe.

All these scenes are interspersed with scenes of Isabel and Diego looking for and gradually finding the bodies of the Guevaras. They're in a refrigerator room in some official building. Isabel is very cold. She's also taken somewhat aback when they come upon the bodies. She's especially unnerved by Max, who, she realizes, was a boy similar in age to Ricas.

Gavino and his men are in what looks like the cellar, or perhaps the garage, of the Babel building. They're making plans for restarting the business when suddenly two large cars arrive at top speed. Everyone draws their guns, as do the people in the cars. Out steps Circe. Gavino gives the order to his men to put down their guns. He somewhat sarcastically asks Circe whether this is what she intends as his welcome.

Isabel and Diego try to wheel the bodies out to where they've parked their car. However, they're spotted on the security cameras. Just as they wheel the bodies next to the car, a guard appears with a gun, orders them to stop and to put up their hands. Diego tries to talk his way out of the situation. However, the cold refrigerator room seems to have frozen Isabel's brain, because suddenly she grabs Diego's gun, points it at the guard, and tells him to drop his weapon. I dropped my jaw as the episode ended.
 

Identidad

what a wonderful recap Juanita, you really captured the emotions behind the words, especially loved Isa with the frozen brain.

yep, Gavino is going to take the class out of Babel, but what will all the girls do without a job.

Joselito has guys with him but apparently not enough to take on Gavino head first, but he figures Circe has a plan and so is not worried.

I think Ricas' prayers might have helped Porfi to dump the bottle.

so what were Isa's plans, to drive around on a warm day with 3 dead bodies in their little car, maybe stop by a funeral home?

 

identidad

Many thanks, deb, for your delightful comments. I loved "so what were Isa's plans, to drive around on a warm day with 3 dead bodies in their little car, maybe stop by a funeral home?" As I was watching the novela and taking notes for the recap, I kept scrawling INSANE!!! just about every time the scene shifted to Isa and Diego. It was a harebrained idea from the start. And her grabbing Diego's gun at the end and pointing it at the guard... What can I say?

I enjoyed your suggestion that Ricas' prayers might have helped Porfi dump the bottle. Certainly Ricas was in the background witnessing Porfi's struggle.

Yes, Gavino's plans don't seem to include dancers, but I'm less worried about the unemployed dancers than I am about Mateo's new captures, since I'm pretty sure that's how Gavino plans to staff his prostíbulo.
 

identidad

I'm off to get a haircut, but will savor your recap when I get back, Juanita. Thanks so much for putting one up!
 

identidad

Fantastic recap, Juanita. I loved "She should have watched Al otro lado del muro". Yep, Gaby's Las Vegas pipe dream doesn't look like a sure thing.

Deivid has said several times that he needs Chucho's help. I was thinking it was to set up a wedding, but Deivid's conversation with Gaby didn't seem like it was leading to marriage. I believe he said something about being unwilling to settle for seeing her occasionally - once a month. [What, through the border fence like in Al otro lado del muro?]

Between Nuria and Amanda, it's hard to decide who's the sulkier one. I'm hasta aquí with both of them.

Nuria's mom has a good sense of humor. She put a huge breakfast plate in front of Nuria, then moved it, cracking wise, to her own place. And Nuria, when her mother's back was turned, moved her plate with a smaller breakfast completely away, and her mother put it back.

Yes, I think everyone here is in agreement that the plan to get those frozen bodies is just the stupidest thing ever. And, have they already purchased plots? Wouldn't the Guevaras need to be buried in the US? Gah!

I'm not sure how Gavino is going to have that fachada with Jim gone. Every time they've shown a show at Babel, there's a big crowd watching the dancers. And, presumably, some of them watched a while and then went next door for the prostitution. But he's losing the cover charge, alluded to when some character tried to get in there. And the likely significant bar income. I know, I know...compared to drug money it's small change, but he does need enough income to continue to move the drug money through Babel.

What the heck is Circe thinking? What good does showing up and confronting him in the parking garage do?

There's zero chance, in my opinion, of Joselito successfully blowing up Gavino.
 

identidad

Many thanks, novelera, for your insightful comments. I keep wondering whether the writers were getting so sick and tired of this novela that they were having almost all the characters do utterly stupid, pointless things. In last night's episode, Isabel surely wins first prize, but Circe comes in a close second, for the reasons you've mentioned. And Joselito is also in the running. If I were a betting woman, I'd bet all my money on Joselito not succeeding in blowing up Gavino. He's more likely to blow himself up. And we shouldn't overlook Nuria. Most of her stupidities were uttered in earlier episodes, but still...they were stupid enough to qualify her for this competition.
 

identidad

Unless there's another offer, I'll put up something bare bones tonight.
 

identidad

Forgot to say something in my comment that I meant to say. Porfirio has been completely redeemed in my eyes. Can't remember a villainous telenovela character ever doing such a turnaround! He's doing a very good job with his children. He stood aside and tolerated Ricas' warm moments spent with Diego.

His scene where he told his father how disappointed he was (at Babel) was very touching, and Mateo felt it deeply.

Here's hoping for a little somethin', somethin' with Paloma, and soon.
 

FALSA IDENTIDAD – VIERNES

Isabel pulling a gun on the rent-a-cop appears to work. Also, Diego helps out by telling the guy that Isa is crazy and has killed more than 30!

Circe and Gavino exchange expletive-laden insults in the garage at Babel. He kind of offers to lay off her if she gets out of the business.

There’s a long chase by some cops. Don’t understand all the gunfire when nothing particularly valuable was taken. Anyway, Diego has Isa call some state cops about their vehicle being stolen [?].

Fernanda tells Salas she’s going to pick up Augusto’s body and arrange burial, mostly to spare Marlene from this. Salas offers to come with.

Deivid and Chucho shop for an engagement ring for Gabriela. At first the clerk thinks they are the couple getting married!

Chucho wants to run to Diana after reading about what happened with Augusto, but Deivid stops him.

Marlene wants Diana to go to a therapist with her.

We figure out Diego’s plan. He abandons the van with the bodies inside. And later the authorities announce finding the Guevara bodies.

Deivid has gone the whole enchilada. He has hired a mariachi band and goes on bended knee to Gaby in the courtyard of the pensión. At first she runs off, thinking he’s done it to save her from being deported. But later he convinces her he really loves her.

Gavino tells Piochas he’s only giving Diego a few more days to kill Circe. Apparently the reason he hasn’t done anything to her himself is he wants her to have the pain of losing Diego and THEN die.

Flor calls someone about Circe’s hideout, but later we see that it was Felipa.

Mateo and Ramona decide they’re right for each other – both criminals.

Gavino shows up to meet with the Ibarra brothers. He wants the business back, but they tell him they’re sticking with Circe. Gavino tells them le están apostando a la yegua perdedora (betting on the losing mare).

The nastier Ibarra reminds Gavino that he still owes them money.

Diego tells Isa that he knows Circe was involved somehow in the death of Margot Guevara. And when she quizzes him about other murders: La pinche trompuda esa mató a mi carnal. [That miserable thick lipped creature killed my brother.]

Felipa tells Circe she’s going to listen to what happened to her mother. Her mother died; and she died also.

At Marlene's apartment Jim tells the women (minus Isa and plus Porfi) that he’s quit Babel.

Gavino asks the Colombians for a week to pay his old debt. They laugh, thinking it impossible.

Diego and Isa talk. He says he has a plan. She tells him she’s with him on this the whole way.
 

identidad

Many, many thanks, novelera, for this very helpful mini-cap, complete with some Spanish I was otherwise going to have to look up.

I found myself frequently confused while watching the episode. I'm still not wholly sure why Diego called the Mexican police while he was being chased. Was it just so that they'd find the car and not blame him, since he'd reported the car stolen? And how did they identify the bodies so quickly? Hasn't it been months since the Guevara family was killed? Even though the bodies were kept in a refrigerator, I wouldn't imagine they'd be in good shape after so many months. Moreover, if the police were able to identify the bodies so quickly now, why didn't they do so months ago?

I was somewhat diappointed that Chucho wanted to rush off to be with Diana after reading about what happened with Augusto. I had the feeling that he was increasingly being attracted to Mara (and vice versa), and Mara seems in some ways to be a better match.

I guess Ramona and Mateo deserve each other, but I find I have more sympathy for Ramona than for Mateo. I was amused by Mateo's telling her that one day he will be greater than Don Gavino. In your dreams, Mateo. Or perhaps I should say ¡ni que ocho cuartos!

I was struck by how amazingly calm JJ Ibara was (or seemed) when Gavino and his armed men suddenly appear.

BTW, the next episode is apparently going to be next Tuesday. Monday (New Year's Eve) is being given over to the Latin American Music Awards. None of the novelas will be shown.
 

Identidad

thanks so much novelera for your excellent summary!

and Juanita for your comments!

my take on the bodies was, the Feds had them under some kind of deal Eliseo/Salas made, knew who they were (I think Diego identified them by their names on the bags) and would have just taken them back, so Diego called the State police who were looking for them (Diego said the State and Feds never talk to each other) and also called a reporter who all ended up at the scene insuring that the bodies would be disclosed publicly.

I think the Ibarra's were impressed that Gavino can pay them back in a week, and if he delivers they might swing that way.

and as someone pointed out to Circe, everything is going bad, confirmed by the cards, seashells, and cigars.

Chucho and Mara make a nice couple, down to earth, as opposed to our upper class girls (Marlene/Diana) emotional swings.

what?, is Isa going all gangbanger now, will we see some tatoos?

 

Identidad
-Jugar con Fuego

I’m just now catching up on this week’s episodes of Identidad and saw a preview for “Jugar con Fuego” which will start on Jan 22nd and only has 10 episodes. It will be replacing Identidad.
 

identidad, telemundo

Hi all. I've just made this coming week's Telemundo y Más pages. However, since they won't actually be posted until 8 pm on Monday, I thought I would remind everyone that on Monday, New Year's Eve, all the evening novelas will be preempted by Latin American Music Awards 2018.

¡Feliz Año Nuevo a tod@s!
 

Identidad

Thanks, Novelera.

The sexual tension between Porfirio and Paloma is cute. Those two want to finish what they started and it seems everybody's starting to notice something's up there. Could Paloma finally steer herself away from Jim?

Anyway, I like the comic relief.

Speaking of comic relief, Deivid, Chucho, the clerk, and the engagement ring lol.

La pinche trompuda esa mató a mi carnal. Novelera, thanks for the vocab. Pretty colorful words from Diego.

One thing, I can't tell if Diego realizes that Isa and Porf are not involved. Who would've predicted Porf is more accepting of Diego than Amanda is.

Happy New Year's Eve!