Caray, Caray!

MIRADA #91 DARK SECRETS ARE COMING TO LIGHT: NOW WHAT?

Part 1

This was one of those "oh boy" episodes, where a lot of hidden motives leaked out and we're on tenterhooks to see how the characters will handle this new knowledge. Especially Prudencia and that accidental-on-purpose overheard schmoochfest between Luis and Susana. But we're also curious to see if Doc Mask will go ahead with the proposed surgery, now that he knows Lucrecia's true motives. And what about Beto? Did he really see Doc Sotero in his room there at the end? Wow. This story is picking up speed. Fasten your seatbelts, Patio, it's going to be a rough ride.

We begin with a brief re-hash of the Aw c'mon, be an Ocaranza! conversation with Pru, Luis and Marina. Luis, playing Repentant Papa to the max, says "Oh Pru, let's not force things" and lumbers off, head down, shoulders slumped, doing his best to soften Marina's heart. (Didn't work. But it made our Nina laugh so all good.) When Pru stays behind to apologize for inviting Beto to the disaster dinner the other night, Marina explains that for her every kind offer Luis makes hides something sinister.

Then we have a little flurry of short scenes. Damiana tells Beto they need to talk. Ramona learns from a nurse that Marina and Ricardo Bazán are novios. And Luis now bursts into Margarito's hospital room, terrifying wee Anita, to congratulate him on coming through the surgery.

Down the hallway Beto and Vanessa are walking and talking and she's pretty much telling him what Prudencia did--You blew it, Beto. There's no getting back with Marina now. Stick with Lucrecia who's a good person [How wrong you are, Vane!]and she loves you. He notes that she's more "centrada" and she tells him how good Hilda is for her--and how guilty she feels for benefiting from the family inheritance.

Erasmo has the misfortune of seeing Erick and Yola cozying up after the hospital visit to Margarito. Erick is cajoling her to come to the bar tonight and gives her a kiss on the cheek good-bye. Slow burn by Erasmo. Sorry dude, she's slip slip slipping away.

And we see Prudencia and Angustias chatting about her time in the hospital and especially her coffee date with Fernando. And yes, she did tell him about her problems in the marriage. And will probably talk to him some more. Angy approves. Uh oh!

But the big Uh-oh comes when Chooch slithers in to the Boogie Nights office (which she calls a "pocilga" [pigsty]to try and wangle total control of Vanessa's half of the money. "So you can blow it, like you blew Dad's money?" snaps Vane. -We both spent it, snarls Mama. Vanessa dismisses her (yay!) because she has work to do, turning her cheek coldly for the good-bye kiss.

Last scene is when Yola grabs the notebook of Lino's doleful lyrics before Waldo can walk off with it. Too sharp for you fella! She's going to register the songs under Lino's name herself.
 

MIRADA #92

Part 2

Now a little bit of Same Old Same Old. Doc Mask is as nasty with his sweet nurse as he is with Ramona. And he's in an absolute lather because neither Lucrecia nor Doctor Zamudio will answer his numerous phone calls. And even more irritated because the one person who keeps phoning him is yes, you guessed it--tedious Ramona herself. Plus she gives him the terrible news that Marina is novios with Ricardo Bazán, for realz. She saw them kissing on the lips, and Alberto is novios with Lucrecia for realz as well. The whole hospital knows it. We have a little fun watching Doc Mask get the wind up, wondering if he's fallen into a trap and Beto's planning a surgical revenge. That. Would. Be. Sweet. But we know Alberto would never sink so low. Would he?

Elsewhere in the hospital, Marina is flopping around like a sulky, petulant teenager while Ricardo tries to talk some sense into her. -Don't let your pride keep you from accepting your family name and your heritage. -It's not pride. It's bitterness over how don Luis treated me. -Well, that bitterness is harming you. The desire to punish him and get revenge is doing you more harm than it is him.

And there we have our Moral Lesson for the day Patio. Write it down because that will be on our Ethics Quiz at the end of the semester.

Now we get to the juicy part. Pru and Angy are wondering what Choocha does all day (well, we could tell them couldn't we!) and Pru decides she must be lonely, even though Angy wryly notes that she encouraged Vane to live with Hilda rather than with herself. Pru calls and Susana picks up, while grappling and smooching with just arrived Luis. He catches her at it, but not before Prudencia has heard some very suspicious cries and whispers indeed. Susana manages to allay Luis' suspicion that she did it on purpose and down they plunge into another adulterous romp 'n stomp in the sheets.

We happily go to ads rather than watching any more of that.
 

MIRADA #91

Part 3

Oh great..we get to see Doc Mask squirm some more as once again as his umpteenth call to Lucrecia is again sent to voice mail. But he leaves a whale of a message. COME TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. OR ELSE!

But our sweet Lu has other plans. She wants to steal Beto for a little lunch Thailand-style. Or even better, let's skip lunch and just er, enjoy each other, hmmm? Nope. Turns out he's ravenous. But for food. Not her.

Let's pause a moment and note something. Today Beto is looking really sharp. A nice, light blue shirt and eggshell sports jacket. Soooo much better than he did for the Disaster Dinner. Lucrecia, on the other hand is looking unattractive in some kind of dark ensemble, that makes her skin look even more sallow against her aggressive eyebrows and depressing lips. (Okay, I may be a wee bit biased here. But really, she's very plain looking today)

No wonder Beto would rather lunch than linger.

Dang, here we are again with Luis and Choocha. Their Nooner Only Sooner has now devolved into a litany of Luis' very bad day at attempting reconciliation.-Yeah, it bombed, he confesses. -If I'd only just accepted Marina when I first learned she was my daughter, I'd be with my grandson now. Chooch doesn't like where this is going. -Can you imagine the scandal if you had!? -Well Beto has already told people at the hospital that he's adopted. -I thought you had a deal to keep it quiet? -I did. But evidently I don't deserve anyone's loyalty. But if you could have seen Marina at the fiesta! All the doctors were admiring her--her beauty, her carriage, the lovely way she conducted herself. Chooch tries to cast a little shade but it's useless, so she switches to a direct attack: You're stupid to open up your billfold just to get to your grandson.

Falls on deaf ears of course. Chooch can only get his attention one way. And that part's over for now.

We now turn to the vecindad and some short scenes. Yola is registering Lino's "cursi" [sentimental] lyrics. Anita is chopping onions for the tasty dinner Chole is preparing for Baldomero and Damiana's engagement dinner. Toribio is quizzing Baldo to see if he's bought the ring. Poor Baldo doesn't know whether his dinner is going to be a Break Up or a Make Up so he's hesitating. Toribio advises having the ring "por si las moscas" [just in case].

And now the ads. Do you know they're now trying to use sex to sell Clorox as a bathtub cleaner? Clean that tub baby because afterwards you can have a little tea for two in it. Doesn't strike me as romantic but maybe it works. Romantic showers a deux seem a lot more appealing. But don't quote me!
 

MIRADA #91

Part 4

Lunch isn't going well. Beto's grilling Lucreepy about the mystery patient. -How come she doesn't know anything, he's her dad's patient. Lu gives him her pat story about discretion and professional ethics but on he goes. I'm studying the case and how to repair the damaged ligaments, but it's strange that the patient has waited 5 years before considering reconstructive surgery. And it reminds me of that horrible Doc Sotero and the dreadful damage he did to me and Marina. -But that man has disappeared! Lucrecia interjects hurriedly.

Uh oh. Her phone rings. She sees who it is and scoots off. The dear doc IS on the phone screaming GET HERE RIGHT NOW. I DON'T TOLERATE BETRAYAL. AND I JUST FOUND OUT YOUR ALBERTO'S GIRL!

Well,lets' take a little breather. We're back at the vecindad and Toribio is weighing in on the apellido [family name] question. Don't take the Ocaranza name Marina. It's a curse! Lino and Damiana appear to be on the fence. Marina admits to her ongoing bitterness. Prudencia arrives and joyfully hoists the strangely calm little baby in the air. He is looking more and more like Beto I must admit. He may have Marina's eyes but that's definitely Alberto's scruffy hair.

Marina is still hesitating about her "sentimientos encontrados" [mixed feelings] Pru admits to her own mixed feelings about her marriage, but she agreed to stick with it "for better or for worse" and she reminds Marina that now Luis is very proud of her. And as for her, she's told everybody at the hospital--well, everybody she cares about, including Muñoz--that Marina is her daughter.

Okay. Back to our Odd Couple. Mask is reading the riot act to Lucreepy. Are you and Beto conspiring to leave me in an even worse state than before!? -No. He doesn't even know it's you. -Hah! I'm burned. Not stupid. Of course he knows. -No, no, I really want to help you. Finally, Lu realizes she's going to have to come clean about her motives. -Yes, I figured out who you were obsessing over. And she's a roadblock in Alberto's and my relationship. He keeps yearning for her. And of course I really do want to give you a better life. With her.

Sotero is not impressed. How can I possibily trust a manipulative person like you!? You say you want to give me a better life--but it's not out of kindness, but rather self-interest! AND I DON'T LIKE BEING USED!
 

MIRADA #91

Part 5

Marina promises to think a bit more about the apellido and Prudencia, in a surprise move, calls Susana and invites her to dinner. Our Pru has been strangely calm since that curious overheard smooching. Has she figured things out? Or is she doing some more investigating? Really having a hard time waiting for the next episode tomorrow to find out.

And "tomorrow" is also on Lucrecia's mind. Doc Sotero's first surgery is scheduled for tomorrow and he's still sulking and resisting her frantic assurances that nobody knows about his true identity but the two of them.

Okay. Gird your loins. Painful scene coming up. Doña Toolbelt is looking sad and blue as she surveys the beautifully set, pre-nuptial table she's arranged for Baldo and Damiana. They arrive and she scoots off to get the chilled and iced champagne. They sit. And both look supremely uncomfortable. Okay. Damiana always looks that way. But tonight it's worse. Baldo doesn't know how to begin. So she helps him. I know you want to ask me to marry you. But I can't. You're a wonderful man and so I accepted being your companion. But marriage? That's something else.

All kidding aside, this was beautifully acted by both. He looked devastated and crushed. But tried to maintain his dignity. She looked truly pained and regretful at having to hurt him. Basically it was the first time I've seen this actress display any emotion more significant than mild irritation.

Well done on both their parts. And very poignant.

When Chole hesitantly approaches with the bubbly, Damiana get ups and quietly says "If anybody deserves to be at this table, it's you Chole. Take care of him please."

As Chole settles in to comfort Baldo, she queries..."It's what you wanted, isn't it? For Damiana to break up with you?"

"Yes," he admits sadly. "But some victories are too painful to enjoy."

Back to the hospital. Beto, still looking mighty fine in his sports jacket, is now grilling the private nurse about the mystery patient. And learning nothing.

So after the nurse walks off, Beto continues down the hall. Opens the door. And looks in.

Good evening, he says solemnly.

And there we end.

Hurry up tomorrow! So we can find out if Beto's discovered Doc Mask and if Prudencia has lowered the boom on don Luis. Must see TV.
 

JudyB, I was anxiously waiting for you to finish the recap to see what ingenious commentary you would add and you did not disappoint!

Well, I didn’t laugh as loud as Nina when the Louse walk away as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulder, but I did think “Oh, puh-lease!” Talk about trying to pull at someone strings to get some pity. Mister, your pulling on the wrong strings!

Thanks, Judy, for pointing out that the overheard smoochfest was not accidental. As I’ve stated before, I multi-task during the show, so I miss a lot of the visuals, but I did suspect it was on purpose.

Absolutely loved Vanessa for telling it like it was. I hope she kicks Sudoodoo to the slimy sewer where she belongs.

“Ethics Quiz” Oh, I feel a long-term bout of something coming on, so I’ll probably be out that day :-)

“Lucrecia, on the other hand is looking unattractive in some kind of dark ensemble, that makes her skin look even more sallow against her aggressive eyebrows and depressing lips.” Yes! I noticed the look…had she dyed her hair black, she could have been a double for Morticia!

“Sotero is not impressed. How can I possibly trust a manipulative person like you!?” Uhhh, kettle -> black Someone suggested that Lucreepy fall for the monster when he comes out looking like an Adonis…well just the face…these two deserve each other; may they live miserably ever after!

Now this was my favorite –

Baldo and Damiana. They arrive and she scoots off to get the chilled and iced champagne. They sit. And both look supremely uncomfortable. Okay. Damiana always looks that way. But tonight it's worse. Baldo doesn't know how to begin. So she helps him. I know you want to ask me to marry you. But I can't. You're a wonderful man and so I accepted being your companion. But marriage? That's something else.

All kidding aside, this was beautifully acted by both. He looked devastated and crushed. But tried to maintain his dignity. She looked truly pained and regretful at having to hurt him. Basically it was the first time I've seen this actress display any emotion more significant than mild irritation.

An exquisite rendition of the scene and ITA with your interpretation, JudyB. Excellent portrayal by both actors!

Notice that I didn’t comment on any of the relationships? That’s because I’m joining TF at the “Team Nobody” table which has plenty of Zinfandel, coolers, cocktails or whatever your heart desires…and there is plenty of it!

Thank you, JudyB, you R-O-C-K!!
 

MIRADA

Ugh. As usual, I can't correct the typos: YOU'RE BETO'S GIRL, NOT YOUR....

And on one section I put #92 instead of #91

Well, I never said I was perfect!
 

MIRADA

Ah, thank you in return dear Rgv Chick. You always make me feel very appreciated. But don't think you can get out of the end of semester quiz! I'm on to ya, sistah!

In the meantime though, we'll all get through Ultimas Semanas with lots of Zinfandel, tequila or Chardonnay. Or in my case, maybe ice cream and some of Nina's homemade cherry muffins.
 

MIRADA

“Nooner Only Sooner” was simply wonderful Judy. Can you trademark that? TOTALLY sidebar worthy.

“Tenterhooks” and “aggressive eyebrows and depressing lips” were beyond.
You were on fire!

Judy, your vocabulary is consistently stellar as was the case today with "por si las moscas" [just in case].”, “pellido [family name]” and "sentimientos encontrados" [mixed feelings”.]

Lastly, “Well, that bitterness is harming you. The desire to punish him and get revenge is doing you more harm than it is him”. This appears to be a prevent TN theme and is certainly the case with REINA-SOY. The problem with revenge is when the anger never cools and the blind all=consuming pursuit continues. Innocent people are hurt and it is never the perpetrator who seems to pay the highest price.

Most excellent Judy – gracias amiga.

Diana

 

MIRADA

Thank you again, Judy, for your great recap! Aw, gee, I FFWD-> thru the ads and missed the sexy Clorox one. I was working while … “watching”… so missed a lot until the final Baldo/Damiana scene, which was heart-breaking.

” And he's in an absolute lather because neither Lucrecia nor Doctor Zamudio will answer his numerous phone calls.”
Seriously! Don’t these people know how important Doc Nut Job’s phone calls are? How important HE is? Even though he is not paying one red cent for this operation??? Gah.

” -Well, that bitterness is harming you. The desire to punish him and get revenge is doing you more harm than it is him.”
Yep, more of the old drinking poison and expecting it to kill the other person. I’ll ace that quiz, Judy. lol

Yes, Judy, Beto’s jacket actually fit him well, not tight in the biceps today, like that shirt last week.

Rgv Chick --- ” “Sotero is not impressed. How can I possibly trust a manipulative person like you!?” Uhhh, kettle -> black” Spot on!
 

MIRADA

Hah Diana, Nope, can't trademark "Nooner only Sooner". I suspect it's military slang. At any rate, I heard it from an old Air Force buddy back in the sixties. But it's always struck me as very funny. And like you, I do enjoy the wise messages interspersed with all this mayhem and romantic musical chairs that these telenovelas serve up. It's a helpful reminder and hopefully, hearing it on such a regular basis, we can all stay "centrada" and "ubicada" like Vanessa seems to be.

Doris...you really didn't miss much with the Clorox ad. Frankly, sitting in a tub that was just swabbed down with that stuff strikes me as....uncomfortable. Not romantic. But if it sells the stuff, fine.

And glad you enjoyed Doc Sotero's frustrated histrionics. He is one of the most detestable villains ever. Although I'm certainly not a fan of Lucreepy either. At least our Beto was looking spiffy today.
 

Oh JUDY JUDY JUDYB, You are hilarious
Girl.

What had me laughing out loud:
"They sit. Both looks supremely uncomfortable. Okay Damiana always looks that way". And,this one was very
Sad "yes but some victories are to painful to celebrate". I would not consider that a victory, lets say just
Letting go of old baggage. And that is
Always painful especially when you've
Gotten so attached to it. Attached at
The heart, as he was not dami. But he
Will recover cuz hot moma toolbelt is
Ready to tighten his nutz n bolts and
Do a complete renovation. When she's done fillin his tool chest he'll never
Need another tool again.

" Sotero is not impressed, how can I possibly trust a manipulative person like you? you said you want to give me a better life but it's not out of the kindness but rather self-interest. And I don't like being used."Now aint that the Charred pot callin The dutchoven
Burnt to a crisp?

JudyB I think we may be on the edge of a truth explosion. Pru is not far from
Catchin those 2 num-nuts. Baldo is free to love freely, and soon vane and
Lino can finally breath without chooch
The mooch suckin All the love outta the room.

Maybe that was some good advice Ricky
Gave marina, if luis wasn't such a big lousey louse.

Lucreepy should just suck it up cuz beto will never stop yearning for the love of his life. Marina and Alberto r
Endgame. And She's a cold fish.
Beto was dressed rather nice today.And
That sexy nose.

Just thinkin of lousey walkin away the
Way he did makes me laugh. My brother saidviz he serious? Apparently he was.
And they weren't even lookin at him so
He wasted that performance on them.

Thank you JudyB. This was perfectly so
Much fun to read.

 

"MIRADA":

Judy: Good Job on the recap. I see the Antagonists are upping the ante even further.
 

MIRADA

Great recap, JudyB!

I might have to go back and watch again but was the nurse who told Doc Mask about Lu and Beto and same one that didn’t wanna give Beto info about the mystery patient? If so, weird logic to gossip about one thing but not another.

Since Marina only had a close call with Doc Mask maybe Beto will too. Beto might have to be in the operating room when Mask goes under the knife so if he found out now Doc Z will probably get the whole story of Beto/Marina/Isauro and he doesn’t actually really need to know.

Hopefully Marina won’t take Ocaranza as her last name. She could always use Pru’s name and keep Rios.

Rgv Chick, welcome to the Team Nobody club haha


 

MIRADA

Thank you, JudyB, this one was quite something! Thanks also for the vocabulary lessons which are always great. Sorry I'm so late to the party.

Poor Luis sure looked defeated and dejected walking away from that conversation with Prudy and Marina. Right. Nina's not the only one who laughed. This TN continues to delight.

There are advantages to being late to comment. I was fascinated by the reactions to Beto's appearance and Rapunzel's. Agreed that Beto did not look bad, but I can't agree that Rapunzel did. I think she looked absolutely fine. And I loved every second of her with Doc Mask. She never once flinched or looked the slightest discomfitted. A really fun Dragon Lady villainess with ice water in her veins. I hope she and Doc Mask do wind up together so she can torture him the rest of their lives. But no bunnies harmed, children kidnapped, good girls raped or framed for crimes and sent to prison, so it's all great fun so far.

Yola is the Good Witch. No stealing Lino's songs or anything else while she is there and in charge. I wonder what TN she's been watching :-)

Those Clorox commercials are a bit much. There's one so schmaltzy that it could make susceptible people cry. This "two in a tub" was not so bad, especially when doggie tried to jump in and join the fun.

:-)

andy
 

Thank you once again JudyB. This episode was fun! Progress on several fronts

OT. Is anyone watching Amor Eterno? I had recorded it and decided to try it last weekend. I liked it a lot! Spectacular scenery, appealing protagonists. If you like black hair does the galan ever have some for you! He convincingly plays youthful and poor and tough businessman
Story is not too original for a novella but it’s presentation seemed fresh. I can’t even watch my favorite novella back to back but I managed to power through 7 episodes since Friday!

Mely

 

"MIRADA":

Andy: I'm assuming LuCrazy still causing trouble ?
 

MIRADA

The thing about Doc Nut Job's surgery to "win Marina" that has me SMH is that she will know his voice, no matter what. How convenient that our villains have not thought this through. ~ massive eye roll ~ 🙄
 

MIRADA

Well our Nina was cookin' with gas last night. Get this:

But he
Will recover cuz hot moma toolbelt is
Ready to tighten his nutz n bolts and
Do a complete renovation. When she's done fillin his tool chest he'll never
Need another tool again.

What can I say, crazy lady.... You've got the gift of gab and then some. Thanks for my morning laugh!

TF...You bring up an interesting point. All I remember about the two nurses were they were both brunettes. But of course everybody indulges in hospital gossip. I used to be friends with a nurse at one of our fine institutions here and oh boy, the stuff I heard. But Doc Mask's personal nurse had been FIRMLY INSTRUCTED by the eminent Dr. Zamudio to reveal nothing about that particular patient. So no casual gossip permitted. Did you actually go back and re-watch. I'd love to know. But too lazy to do it myself.
 

Andy, Andy, Andy...Love how you softened me up with those thanks for the vocabulary before slyly jumping in to defend Lucrecia's lovely looks and exemplary arch-villain machinations. I'm on to you boy! Not going to bite. Not. Going. To.

So let's talk about Clorox commercials: One tear-jerker is when the tired mom comes home from work and sees that her daughter has swabbed down the tile floor of their dwelling. Made me wish I had a daughter like that. And also a tile floor like that. Instead of endless carpeting and a heavy vacuum to push around. But the other tear-jerker is when the good lady cleans the bathtub and then cares for an aged relative, bathing her, washing her hair, brushing it out etc. Both can make one feel misty-eyed. Like those Thanksgiving and Christmas commercials.

Mely...Ah, so you've been watching Amor Eterno. I've avoided it simply because I don't like dubbing. I want people's lip movements to go with the actual spoken words. But there's certainly a lot of Eye Candy. And those dark Kirghiz eyes are beautiful. Like deep, dangerous pools. Our Susanlynn has also been watching a bit. But since no one is recapping, she hasn't gotten a lot out of it. Glad you're enjoying it.

Doris...You are so right about voices. At my age, old acquaintances' appearances often change dramatically. Weight gain or loss. Hair color change. Or loss. And sometimes the only way I recognize them is when I hear their voice. Of course next, I have to rummage frantically through my brain to retrieve their actual name! BUT...absolutely right. Marina will know Doc Sotero's voice. And that trumps any change in appearance.

Steve...Yes, the antagonists are upping the ante even further. Typical for Ultimas Semanas. We're all going to have to monitor our blood pressure as the bad events pile up and our favorite characters suffer even more. But Good Will Prevail!!!!!
 

MIRADA

I just went back and watched and it was the same nurse.

Now that Doc Mask knows Lu’s motives will he get over not knowing until now and return the favor, if you will? Lu is obviously following his thinking that the surgery will help him win Marina back and she obviously wouldn’t let Beto go so easily. However, with Bazán in the picture, that complicates Doc Mask’s plan.
 

MIRADA

What a wonderful treat you all give me after my morning chores! Each of you has such an interesting and delightful outlook on the show. Isn"t it amazing how this show has brought out such humor and camaraderie...and I attribute it all to our snarktastic and expert patio leader who encourages active participation and such creative comments.

Andy, you have really shown us your true colors...and I love it! You add so much to the conversations and I just love how you and JudyB tease each other!

Doris and Nina, you two are masters of gab and snark. You tell it like it is...no holds barred...and I luurved that too!

TF, you have such an eye for detail! So it was the same nurse! It could be that the nurse didn't gossip to Beto because she was specifically told not to reveal any information about the Mask; conversely, she was never told not to gossip about anyone else.


 

Rgv Chick, you’re right. I’m sure gossip about personal lives happens anyway. I mainly asked the question about if it was the same nurse because it was precisely Beto who asked but does he know that everyone gossips about his relationship? He seems to know what got into by dating Doc Z’s daughter but he probably wouldn’t appreciate the gossip.
 

Rgv...We have a great Patio but I can't take credit for it. Not one bit. You created the recap site for Mirada and wonderfully nurtured the Patio-- until I weaseled my way in for personal reasons. But I am delighted to have this wonderful group to share with and laugh with after each show. Virtual family rooms are the best!

TF...Thanks for doing due diligence and finding out it was indeed the same nurse. Glad she took Dr. Zamudio's stern instructions seriously. Institutions are always hotbeds of gossip. But hospitals seem to be especially juicy and doctors seem to be especially, ahem, active on the romantic front. Certainly Beto wasted no time moving on.
 

OT

JudyB: Re commercials, "But the other tear-jerker is when the good lady cleans the bathtub and then cares for an aged relative, bathing her, washing her hair, brushing it out etc."

That's the one I was talking about. It's perhaps silly, but touching. And I find it a little annoying to be manipulated like that.

andy
 

MIRADA #92 SNOOKERED AGAIN!

Part 1

Well, dang it...I was all set to see Prudencia tear Chucha a new one, and for Beto to find out Mystery Patient was the infamous Doc Sotero. And nada! So I was going to title this "Move on Folks, Nuthin' to See Here" but then the writers DID surprise me--with the big blow up at the bar, Papa Fernando's mea culpa visit to Erick and whoa baby! Doc Sotero showing up at the vecindad. So color me vexed and perplexed but still on board.

So the big reveal in the Mystery Patient's room is an empty bed, an empty bathroom and a nervous nurse trying to find him before Doctor Zamudio finds out.

And then there's the sad fallout from Baldomero's even sadder engagement dinner. He's weeping as he looks at the tiny diamond he was able to afford as a ring. Somehow the modesty of that ring just pinched my heart. You know he gave all he had, peso-wise and emotionally--to win Damiana. And he came up empty.

Let's consolidate some scenes and wrap this up. Marina asks her mother to persuade Baldomero to stay in their cramped quarters. Dam looks pissy and irritated as usual. But agrees. But Baldo can't. Too painful to see her and Marg together. However in spite of his not wanting to be a nuisance, Chole and Anita (at Toribio's urging) talk him into taking Anita's room for a while (she'll bunk with mom). And suddenly things seem brighter again (at least to me). Chole is a very warm person. By morning she's offering him coffee and chilaquiles for breakfast and hey, no problem, we'd love to have you! And I think Baldo's landed in High Cotton, even if his poor heart is still bruised and broken. Will Mama Toolbelt get his motor running again as Nina predicted? Sure hope so.

In other small scenes, Erasmo is persuading Yola to come to the singing cantina tonight so we figure he's about to spring his Dump Erick plan. And he does. And Doc Mask arrives home to Ramona's surprise, explaining that he lost confidence in his surgeon and the staff around him.

On to the big house where Luis and Chucha have arrived. He scoots off; Prudencia dismisses Angustias; and I'm all settled in waiting for the fireworks. BIG FIZZLE.
Prudencia lets Chooch know what she heard and that it's obvious she has a romance going. Chooch admits there's a new man in her life. But evidently Pru still has no idea it's her very own husband don Luis! And confides in her NOT BESTIE that she has also rekindled her friendship with Fernando Muñoz, even though Luis doesn't like it. Chooch laps up this new info like a cat lapping up milk. You know she's going to use it to downgrade Pru some more in Luis' eyes.
 

MIRADA #92

Part 2

Chooch keeps on schmoozing the unsuspecting Pru and admitting that she wants to keep her new romance a secret because she's not sure how Vanessa would react. Vane was so devoted to her father, you understand. Ugh. This woman is smooth as silk.

Now more of a rough cob is our Hilda. But what a dear! She's slurping down a Bloody Mary and offering Vane one. But our Vane is feeling guilty and tells her she really doesn't deserve half of the business that Hilda and her husband sacrificed so much to build. -Nonsense! You made my "pimpollo" so happy those last few days! And I WANT to share it with you!

Oh boy. What a contrast to greedy, abusive Mama Chooch.

Lucrecia is as good at casting shade as our Susana. She's blaming the nurse for Doc Sotero's disappearance and reaming her out royally. Never mind that the actual reason--as well she knows--is that Sotero found out Lu's hidden motive for getting him to undergo surgery.

And he's explaining exactly that to dear, dumb, devoted Ramona. After ordering her to make dinner (and then not eating it) he rants that he's not going to undergo months of recuperation from surgery while Doc Bazán makes time with HIS Marina! Ramona makes the mistake of advising him to let Marina remake her life and move on with his. GET OUT! he screams.

Gosh, that went well.
 

MIRADA #92

Part 3

We're at the bar and feisty Yola has already bristled because Beto just walked in. "Ya le cayó la mosca al pastel" [literally, a fly just landed on the cake. In other words, get this creep outta here!] Beto orders a whiskey, Lino is singing his usual tuneless dirge, Waldo is now on the receiving end of Yola's ass-whipping comments and then....

Claudia arrives.

You remember her. The sadder but wiser nurse who'd like to see Erick's latest romance blow up in his face. But Erasmo staves her off for the moment as Yola is back to reaming out Beto again.

Our hapless galan is explaining he'd do anything to get Marina back. But Yola dismisses him as a hypocrite. She knows about the bouquet (he swears he didn't send it) and his ongoing relationship with Lucrecia. We even have a brief segue to Marina, remembering those very words of Beto's.

Does she still love him? Is this new romance with Bazán just cotton candy? I give up trying to figure out these folks.

Yola wraps up this little numerito by informing Beto that Marina is now with a Real Man, Ricardo Bazán. Take that! And she ditches the line and trots off to the bathroom. Don't mess with Yola!
 

MIRADA #92

Part 4

But Claudia does mess with Yola. Very effectively. Big Scene, Loud Scene at the bar. You lured me in, promised me love eternal, and then when you got what you wanted, you dumped me!

Yola, hearing all this, looks crestfallen. But manages a feeble "this is neither the time nor the place".

Who are you???!!! His latest doxy?

That does it. Yola has tears streaming down her cheeks and Erasmo steps in to note what a great guy Erick is..NOT! Lino adds his bit. I'll kick your ass if you ever show up at the vecindad again!

One last word from Yola: I knew you were an "ojo alegre" but it's not right to trample women's hearts. Forget about me!

Back at the vecindad, Erasmo assures her that not all men are faithless bastards like Erick. For instance, there's good ol' Himself! Yola seems to be giving this serious consideration, after admitting she didn't value his devotion enough before. Oh my.
 

MIRADA #92

Final Part

Damiana is at the hospital telling Marg that she turned down Baldo's marriage proposal. Marg says Thanks. Now I know I have a chance.

Damiana looks irritated. (What is it with this woman!?)

Well, turns out she thinks they should wait to get busy until Baldo's heart has healed. Marg points out that neither one of them is a spring chicken. But relents and decides he admires her even more for being so selfless.

This is another romance I can't get excited about. Not even sure they can. But whatever.

Marina and Yola are debriefing the cantina catastrophe. Marina thinks Yola should hear Erick's side of things. Yola sez NO!

Next!

Erick is back at the apartment, looking curiously calm despite the bar disaster. Papa Fernando arrives in sackcloth and ashes, wanting to make up. He has the keys to the car because he doesn't want Erick riding in the "pesero" [bus] or on the metro. Erick graciously refuses. He's doing fine on his own peso but thanks. -Well then sell the car and use the money for whatever you want. -No Dad. When I start my own business, I want it to be with money I've earned myself.

Dad tries a new tack. I may have been too rough on you, wanting you to be strong and self-disciplined. But I didn't know how to listen to you. I don't want us to continue to be estranged. Off goes Dad, but he leaves the keys. Erick smiles. I'm sure he has a fine Plan B for getting Yola back.

What about Lucrecia? How's her Plan B going? Not so well. She's lying through her teeth to Beto, pretending to know nothing about the mystery patient. And the bouquet? What bouquet? Oh that? Receptionist didn't water it and we threw it out. Huh?

Okay. Final Scene. It's a doozy. Marina has left the baby with Lino, who's eyeing the diaper bag like it's a time bomb. She rushes off to work, only to find....waiting for her like the Grim Reaper....none other than Doc Sotero.

Hola Bonita.

And there we end.
 

MIRADA

JudyB, thank you for this excellent recap. I don't know how you keep doing this.

I can't say I much liked today's episode, it was a very down day in the vecindad.

Erasmo must really believe "all's fair in love and war". I was never very fond of Erick, but Erasmo did him dirty with this and I'm now reluctantly joining Team Erick.

Team Ricky didn't have a great day either. I don't like the way that Marina keeps thinking back to times with Beto, nor the way she does not light up when talking on the phone with her new novio. Every day it's a struggle for Ricky, and that @#$%! rat fink Beto just won't quit. Curses!

Not a good day for our Great Blonde Evil One either. This came as a surprise to me, I really thought we were going to see some truly miraculous cosmetic surgery on Doc Mask, and then the Evil Blonde Doc fall in love with her creation. Maybe.

And poor Baldo! I do feel for him, but not as much as perhaps I should. I just can't understand how anybody could have the hots for Damiana, let alone two guys. It can't be her looks, so maybe her personality? No, no, no! Maybe the fact that she doesn't capture small animals and torture them for fun? Well, that we know of...

:-)

andy
 

MIRADA

Thank you for your recap, Judy!♥♥♥
And, wow, what a cliff hanger for the end of this episode!

The whole Baldo/Damiana/Margo story is filler, IMO. Next!

Pru is still clueless about ChuLu, and probably will be until it smacks her in the face.

I’m glad Erick’s father is being nicer to him.

I’m hoping Vane doesn’t have too many Bloody Marys, get drunk, and tell Hilda about her problems with Edson. Yikes.
 

MIRADA

JudyB you are my snarktastic idol.

" BIG FIZZLE" You got that right! What a big disappointment. Even my beanie could not comprehend that Pru was able to clearly hear what Chooch was saying, but didn't recognize the Louse's voice. Aww, c'mon! And then Beto finds out about the bouquet of flowers that he did NOT send and does nothing with it. Well, color me purple!

Damiana wants to keep Baldo in her life because he's her bestie...and she won't start her relationship with Mago till Baldo is over it...PFFTTT!

I agree with Andy, not a good day overall. Onward we go, Caraymates, to battle the surprises and unravel the HOT MESSES.

I need to rest my eyes; they are overworked from all the eye-rolling.

Thank you, JudyB, you keep whipping these out and they are so sweet!
 

MIRADA

Yikes Andy. This is getting scary. For the second day in a row, I'm in complete agreement with you. I too thought this was rather a blah, downer of an episode. Lots of meh, or totally unpleasant things happening, and not off-set by anything righteous and outrageous.

Only fun moment for me was Lino's terror-stricken look at the Diaper Bag. That's scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Damiana's allure eludes me. Maybe she has some special herb that gives off pheromones that drive men crazy. Only possible explanation. In which case, I can only hope she and Lucrecia don't connect.

I shall keep hoping for a Prudencia-Susana knock down drag out fight. Or a Hilda-Susana knock down drag out. Or a twofer. We still have many episodes to go. A gal can dream, can't she?
 

Rgv Chick...Wow, love it that your eyes are tired from from all that rolling around! I feel the same way. Disappointed. Frustrated. Bummed. But the Patio keeps on humming. All good.
 

Whoops Doris. Missed your comment. If Vane start drinking and spills the beans, I think she'll feel a lot better, honestly.

But Hilda won't.

So I hope Vane keeps her lovely little trap shut.

What good would it be for Hilda to know her beloved son was not only unloved but positively detested? Hoping our Vane sticks to Virgin Mary cocktails and saves her confession for a priest.
 

I thought the lady helping the sweet
Elderly lady after scrubbing the tub was a caregiver. But the tub was clean. You want to kill germs, bleach the hell out of em. Use bleach.
 

MIRADA

Loved "Snookered Again"!

I totally agree with andy in that I don't know how you do this every day Judy. You make each recap different but delectably fresh.

Your vocabulary is always outstanding as was "Ya le cayó la mosca al pastel" [literally, a fly just landed on the cake. In other words, get this creep outta here!]". Just great...

"High Cotton" and "reaming her out royally" were excellent.

Rgv Chick, I hope your eyes are all right from all the eye rolling! Too funny.

And last but certainly not least "dear, dumb, devoted Ramona". A great line that could and should be used often, just switch the name! :)

Judy, you are the best! Thank you.

Diana



 

"MIRADA":

Judy: Praying the Good Guys win in the end.

 

Thanks Diana. You always find things to highlight and appreciate. I'm still laughing about Rgv Chick's eye-rolling. Might be a good exercise actually.

Steve...from your lips to God's ear, in case He's concerned with these telenovelas. But then, if He were, He'd already know the outcome.
 

"Damiana wants to keep Baldo in her life because he's her bestie...and she won't start her relationship with Mago till Baldo is over it...PFFTTT!"
It is all just so . . . high school!

"Damiana's allure eludes me. Maybe she has some special herb that gives off pheromones that drive men crazy. Only possible explanation."
I agree!
 

MIARADA

Humdrum episode,but fun snarkity RECAP I only saw part of it and that was at work.
I think there will be fireworks and a
Big slap when Purdy finds out that her
So-called bff has been stretchin the
Sheets with her bigO stupid husband. I
Shall wait for this day to come with
Anticipation. Until then I'll watch the youngins screw up their lives.

Damiana, just what is the attraction!
Can you imagine goin through life not
Knowing if she's happy when shes happy
Or mad when she's not? Well Margorita don't smile much either. At least with
Baldo you could actually see the smile
O well maybe Margo n dami are meant for each other.

Lucreepy the bold faced liar. What else is new. I don't care if she is dressed nice or not, as dumb as beto is he deserves better.
As do ricky, you should not have to fight this hard for someone who claims
To love you. Cuz she don't. And he is
A nice guy, just not nice for marina.
Dr beto calling doctor beto, you're needed in The heart wing of marina's heart. STAT!

The only person I want vane to talk to
Is lino bout what"pimpollo" did to her
At the spa. And don't need to be drunk
To do that. Good she didn't tell her mother cuz she probly would have said "He's Your husband, be a wife and Do what he wants. I need a check for $50,000.00 Now shutup and write it".

Ok these people are hopeless.
Ok thank you judyB.



 

Thank you JudyB! What a fine job of keeping us clear and engaged with these goings on!

I had mentioned in the post I lost (twice!) that the actress playing Marina is doing a great job showing the remaining effects of her blindness. Looking closely at what she is reading, putting her hand on door jambs before she walks through and now the look of confusion when she saw and first heard Doc Mask, then dawning recognition as he spoke again

In the real world (but I jest) there would be many fotos of Doc Mask the day before surgery. I guess Doc Z was going to fly blind in the morning

Erasmo managed to move himself off the couples list with his trick and wicked little grin

Mely


 

MIRADA

Ah Doris, you and I are both mystified by Damiana's appeal. But there it is. She could make a mint selling that magic Love Perb if indeed that's her answer. It certainly isn't her sparkling personality that draws them in!

Classic Nina..."Dr beto calling doctor beto, you're needed in The heart wing of marina's heart. STAT!"

At the risk of raising Andy's ire, I have to agree with you Nina. Ricardo is a nice guy and has been a wonderful friend and mentor for Marina. But he doesn't ring her chimes. He's already a little shop worn and needs an equally mature person who could be happy with, let's say, a more temperate love. Marina, at her age, still needs some sizzle.

Ms. Mely...So glad you rewrote your insightful comment. As I said, you're our Visual Reporter, along with Doris, and the truth is, I had not really been conscious of Marina putting her hand on door jambs before she walks through. That is an excellent point. Equally for her slow, horrified recognition, once she heard Doc Mask's voice and was not just relying on his appearance which was new to her. Makes the scene even more horrifying.

Also,good point about the necessary photos of Doc Mask's face before the surgery. Of course nothing could be attempted without studying those extensive photos first. You've got your thinking cap on lady!

As always, I love my Patio. Smart. Sassy. And insightful. Such fun to check in throughout the day and evening for your comments. Mil gracias.


 

Love Perb!!!!???? Hmmmm, well you know I meant Herb.
 

"Ah Doris, you and I are both mystified by Damiana's appeal. But there it is. . . . . . It certainly isn't her sparkling personality that draws them in!"
Gah, no. So . . .

- Well, it can't be her wardrobe that does not exactly scream "do me" and looks more like a nun's habit.

- So maybe it's her "low maintenance" factor? She seems okay with wherever she lives, including that Three Little Pigs stick shack that burned down. Minimal hair maintenance.

- Maybe her magical version of Damiana tea?, which really is a thing, after googling tea in Mexico last week.
 

Hah! Doris...I'm voting for Low Maintenance. That's definitely a positive for Damiana, so thanks for pointing that out. Tell us more about "magic tea" now.
 

Well done JudyB--Please don't wear yourself out on our account (but we beg you to keep it up until the bitter end--ooops, the end is not supposed to be bitter). Hope sunny and cooler days are ahead.

I'm all caught up with Mirada, minus yesterday's episode. After reading your skankillicious recap, is there really any need? (Well, I guess I need the visuals as much as Doris and Mely.

We, who are spaced around the Lipid Pool at the Patio of Lowered Expectations lifting a glass of whatever x%-alcohol we lean towards, need to be reminded that the story is about 30 years old. Updating is difficult without changing motives around. Let's give the story a little slack, tighten the old beanies and enjoy the bumpy ride (if it doesn't make us woozy).

Are there still people IRL that do what Erasmo and Lucrazy do? Still more, Doc Mask? Ricky? Luis and ChuLu? You bet for these last two! 48-Hours and Dateline are filled with couples like them. It usually ends in death for the third wheel. Pru--you need Angustia all the more. She's a great bodyguard.
 

Another vote for Low Maintenance. At least she's around whenever Rafi needs a babysitter. Doesn't she still work at the fresh food market?

I don't think I've ever seen Baldo and Tori leave for work in the morning. Marina is the only one who seems to have a job with a destination. We never see Anita going off to school. Aaah, bless Dona Toolbelt, though, always on the job, 24/7, for broken light bulbs and broken hearts. Let's raise one for the most rational gal in the bunch (followed closely by Hilda).
 

MIRADA

What a delightful turn of phrase, Anita "always on the job, 24/7, for broken light bulbs and broken hearts".

Yes, Chole has become one of my favorites, along with sassy Hilda. Angustias is a little too self-righteous for my taste, but she makes a great guard dog for Prudencia...who still needs one. And I love the fiercely upright posture of the actress. Ana Martin will never have a curved spine or slumped shoulders like so many of the aging. Quite a gal.

Glad you're caught up and back with us. You always add a little snap, crackle and pop to the proceedings.
 

DAMIANA TEA

https://www.rxlist.com/damiana/supplements.htm

Here is one link about Damiana. Makes me wonder is there is any hidden message in the character's name. LOL
 

Love this Patio! My two cents:

Black and Margarito suffer from old-age myopia. When they look at Damiana, they don't see the sourpuss we see. They see the pretty, feisty (which she was) interesting healer she was before Marina was born. Once her mother saddled her with the responsibility of raising a frail newborn, which had certainly not been in her plans, she became sober and serious. Probably even more so once she discovered Marina was blind.

IT - the Clorox Ad
When new ads first come out, they are usually 30 seconds long. As they are shown over and over, they are reduced to 20, then 15, and finally 10 seconds. The time depends on how much air time the product wants to pay for. And, if course, the more ads for different products they can squeeze in, the more the tv station/channel makes.

The original Clorox commercial with the elderly woman starts out with a young mom cleaning the tub (with Clorox, of courde) and bathing her child, then shows time passing to where it is now the grown daughter taking care of her elderly daughter. And, yes it could be very touching (if it weren't for the Clorox part) and it does get your attention.

Thank you, Recappers, you all do an awesome job.

Just a lurker
 

BALDO and Margarito! Auto-correct, I don't like you!
 

MIRADA

Doris—thanks for the link. I’ll check it out on our big computer. I’m on my dinky iPad at the moment.

Just a Lurker—How wonderful to hear from you...and what an insightful comment. There’s a certain beauty in being able to see the young carefree woman Damiana once was. These two men see with their forever young hearts—not their aged eyes.

And your analysis of the Clorox ad was great. You must know the business. I hope you will join in more often. We love hearing from all our readers.
 

MIRADA

Wednesday's episode. ...... I won't be able to comment until later tonight or tomorrow morning, but ... OMG. Today's fireworks made up for yesterday.
 

MIRADA #93 YESTERDAY WAS MEH, TODAY IT HIT THE FAN

Part 1

Ye gods, be careful what you wish for. No more complaining about blah episodes, today was a perfect storm of horrid events. Only bright spots were little Rafa, who's getting cuter and more responsive every day; and Hilda's incredible jewelry. She had an entire store's worth of gawdawful gaudy, hanging from her earlobes, around her neck and encircling her wrist. Love that woman. But not sure if we'll be seeing any more of her.

Well, let's get right down to the Horror, shall we? Doc Sotero is at the gates of the vecindad, there to reclaim his maiden and his child. Yes, they're his. Because he wants them to be. Marina and her boys see it differently. Baldo, Toribio and Lino all run to her aid. The first two are pretty ineffectual but Lino punches him out and deposits him decisively on the sidewalk outside. Undeterred, the creep comes back, entreating "Bonita" to talk, let him see his son and show her that he has changed. When she screams that Rafa is not his...things get nasty. "Show me contempt and there will be consequences," he warns. "I can take him from you."

"I sold my home," he continues, "and now have enough money to support you and the baby. And I'll forgive you for everything you did to me."

"Well I won't forgive you for what you did!"

"You'll be sorry," he promises. "We'll see each other again." Boy, if that isn't the Voice of Doom!

Marina, very frightened, and rightly so, brings her wonderfully squirmy little baby to work. And I almost switched over to Team Ricardo folks. He was so tender and kind, comforting her and assuring her that they would get organized to keep Rafa safely there ...well, I just kind of melted.

However, Beto shows up later, looking rather fine in his blue sweater and lab coat, and I thought Nah, she belongs with this young buck. What can I say? Keep the young'uns together.
 

MIRADA #93

Part 2

Yola and Damiana are rehashing the horror--How could Evil be so close and we didn't realize it? but also nattering about the breakup with Baldo and what's next for her and Margarito. Dam does her usual, "Can't move ahead for now until all wounds are healed" and Yola gives her own explanation of Damiana's mysterious allure...It's because she's "de una sola pieza" [has great integrity, standards, character--the dictionary says "straight as a die" but I like my definition better] Anyway, discuss among yourselves students.

The receptionist nurse is giggling and cooing over little Rafa (can't blame her) and Beto comes up and asks if he can take a look at the little fella. You can tell just being near Marina gives her the shivers--the good kind. So I'm back on Team Beto. Especially when he rumbles "Take good care of your mama, little Rafa." He also wants to clarify that he only gave Lucreepy flowers ONCE. When he first met her. That other bouquet was. not. from. him. He was ready to break up and offer her and little Rafa a future, but she was already with Dr. Bazán! Marina doesn't care and shoos him off. The only help she wants from him is to Leave Her in Peace!

Something Doc Sotero is not going to do. He's back discussing his evil plans with a horrified Ramona, and assuring her that if Marina is not his by choice, he'll force her. And then sends Ramona off to work even though it's her free day. What a lad.

Next comes all sorts of consultations with lawyers. Prudencia has one idea. Ricardo has another. And Luis is talking to his lawyer, telling him to send a fake registration over, one that lists Marina as the "madre soltera" (rather than the one Luis finagled naming himself and Prudencia as the parents). And Sotero's lawyer arrives and listens to Doc Mask's web of lies about the accusation of rape (the sex was consensual!) and the attempt to keep him from knowing about the baby. He's sure deep down that the mother loves him, but she's started a new relationship with another doctor who is turning her against him.

Lawyer recommends a DNA test. Oh dear. We know how this is going to go. More scurrilous switching of the results. I feel sick. How about you all?
 

MIRADA #93

Part 3

The writers throw in a little comic scene. Guess they know we're wringing our hands right now. Luis is yelling at Lino for showing up late. Lino, for some reason, doesn't tell him the real reason. Just that there was an emergency at the vecindad. Finally he says an Animal showed up. "Well tell Toribio to fumigate, fumigate, fumigate! My grandson lives there! Get rid of those spiders, creepy crawlies, whatever!"

Okay. Back to our Horror Show. Vanessa, Hilda and intrusive Chucha at the Notary's office. Starts off well. Bejeweled and bedecked Hilda makes Susana stay out in the foyer. This visit is just for me and Vane. Butt out. And it almost seems as if it's going to go well.

But Vanessa remembers the dreadful events that led up to the accident and decides to tell Hilda she can't accept the money. I'm okay with this so far. But when Hilda insists, Vanessa spills the beans. And it's ugly.

I'm bad. I married your Ed for his money--to save me and my mom from ruin. I never loved him. And he didn't love me. He bought me for my "family name" and to show me off to his friends. I tried to fall in love with him but couldn't. Another man had my heart. The last day at the spa was awful. He forced me physically. And I told him how much I hated him and wanted a divorce. He said Never! And I ran, and he followed me, we struggled, he lost his balance, and we both fell.

Hilda is destroyed. And enraged. Understandably.

And we certainly have a perfect example of Too Much Information.

Tell it to a priest, Vane, tell it to a priest!
 

MIRADA #93

Part 4

The writers decide to give us a wee break again. Erick goes to see Yola and of course he can't even get a word in before the classic: QUE HACES AQUI? He suggests she say Buenos Dias first but she's not amused. However, Erasmo is delighted to see the damage he's caused and whips Yola off to visit her dad. After locking the door behind Erick. You're down and you're out! riquillo!

Back to our dreadful Vane-Hilda discussion. Hilda wants to know why Vanessa didn't tell the truth to the police. And regrets closing the investigation. But have no fear, she's going to make sure that it's reopened. And Vane won't get a single peso of her dear son's money.

Vanessa begs forgiveness but Hilda refuses. Never! And get your stuff out of my house! I never want to see you again!

I'm just dying here but the writers throw us a bone. When Hilda charges out in the waiting room, she gives our greedy little Chucha a walloping slap and a Vibora Asquerosa [disgusting viper] for good measure. Of course Susana then returns the favor by going in the office and beating Vanessa to a pulp. Even throwing around some furniture. The notary is stunned when he returns. All told just a horrible scene.

So which do you think is worse? This or Doc Mask showing up and threatening to get custody of little Rafa? It's all just too horrible for words. Bring back the boring!
 

MIRADA #93

Final Part

Finished with the physical brutality, Chooch Mooch switches to emotional cruelty. "From now on," she tells Vanessa "you're on your own. [te rascas con tus proprias uñas]. You're no longer my daughter."

Actually, this may be good news to Vanessa. If she can just find a place to bunk and another job. But on we go...this time to Lino.

He's meeting with Waldo who has found someone to write music for Lino's lyrics. And what a treat that will be. We've heard Lino's one monotonous dirge way too many times. Of course Vanessa will no longer be able to pay the freight, but...well, wait and see. Who knows?

Now we're at the hospital in Margarito's room. Erasmo has taken over his Yola, massaging her shoulders like the novio he thinks he is. Marg wants to know where Erick is, because he's coming home tomorrow and Erick promised to help with his rehab.
They both tell Marg what a lowlife our riquillo is-- but Papa doesn't look convinced. He sends Erasmo off for some juice (thank you!)and tells Yola she may think she's over Erick, but he knows that she's still in love with him. Good to know solid old Marg is on Erick's side.

But not Claudia. She's still steaming when he comes to ask her why she staged such an awful scene at the bar. -You lured me in and then just tossed me away like old clothes!-No way. I told you from the get-go that we had nothing in common. You were just looking for a good-time Charly to take you expensive places and buy you expensive things. I didn't know what I wanted-- but now I do. Yola. But you ruined that for me.

What we have here is a slight difference in opinion. We'll leave them to sort it out.

Lucreepy has had a frustrating day trying to find Doc Sotero. But he eventually contacts her. To her nefarious delight.

And the lawyer Ricardo recommended, meets with Prudencia, Ricardo, Marina and Rafa to discuss how to proceed-- if indeed Sotero demands custody.

The episode wraps up back in the vecindad. Thunderous knock. Is it Luis? Nopis. It's our Alberto, still looking good, and suggesting they keep ahead of whatever evil plan Sotero has in mind by getting the DNA test on Rafa right now.

Caras impactadas all around. Including ours. Whew! what an episode!
 

MIRADA

You said it Doris! I was in shock. Could hardly eat my peanut butter sandwich. But I managed. Have to keep the old blood sugar up to deal with this carnage.
 

MIRADA

Wow!

JudyB, what you said yesterday. "If Vane start drinking and spills the beans, I think she'll feel a lot better, honestly. But Hilda won't. ... What good would it be for Hilda to know her beloved son was not only unloved but positively detested?"

You got that absolutely right! I was expecting Vane to come clean and tell Hilda the truth, but the partial, edited version.

Now everybody is miserable.

more later...

:-(

andy
 

MIRADA

JudyB, excellent retelling of today's perfect storm. Did the writers hear us complain about how blah the story was getting?

Agree with your bright spots...and I would add Lino, who looked like a fragile little puppet, punching out the Oh-not-so-mighty Mask and the walloping slap Hilda gave Chooch...YESSSS!!

Chooch was horrid. How I wish Vanessa would have unleashed all her anger right at that moment. And poor Hilda, what a disappointment for her. Vanessa was helping her get on without her pimpollo and now she has no one. Then there is Lino--now that Vanessa no longer has money, who will pay off Waldo to give his "free" services to Lino. My, my...Hot Mess #???

So the Mask called Lucreepy...for what? Should I even dare hypothesize? All I can think of is that he has some goods on her...what is he up to?
 

MIRADA

Awesome recap, JudyB! I forgot to comment on yesterday’s episode lol

Despite Marina’s overall stubbornness, at least she accepts that Rafa could be Beto’s. However, Doc Mask is capable of anything so I don’t even wanna guess what he might do. The actor playing Doc Mask’s lawyer seems to always play a lawyer or detective in telenovelas haha

And Doc Mask isn’t the only one who’s lost his mind concerning Rafa. Luis is one desperate man. His Karmaggedon shouldn’t be death or jail, he deserves to lose everything.

Marina is lucky that she doesn’t just have her two potential suitors willing to defend her but also her (male) friends. Loved seeing Lino giving Doc a good shoving around.

I think Vanessa did the right thing. She needs to take control of her life and not let Chucha pull the strings. At least Hilda slapped Chucha and not Vanessa hehe I’m hopeful that Vanessa gets her happy ending but regardless she’s taking a step in the direction by helping Lino even if it’s in secret.
 

MIRADA

"She had an entire store's worth of gawdawful gaudy, hanging from her earlobes, around her neck and encircling her wrist. Love that woman" was my favorite.

This seems like a dreadful episode Judy yet you made cream out of curd.

"Voice of Doom", "scurrilous switching of the results" and "Bejeweled and bedecked" were excellent

And of course your vocabulary was stellar: "de una sola pieza" [has great integrity, standards, character]”. I will always go with your definition Judy Always. "Vibora Asquerosa [disgusting viper]" and "you're on your own. [te rascas con tus proprias uñas" were excellent.

Thank you Judy! Always a pleasure reading anything you write.

Diana
 

"MIRADA":

Judy: I'm still waiting for LuCrazy to get her BIGLY anvil.
 

MIRADA

Judy, thanks again for your great recap. This was one heck of an episode and it left me worried about Vane, our little hothouse orchid who no longer has a hot house to call home.

Where will little Vane wind up now that Hilda wants her out and Chucha just wants her gone? Anita would certainly not like her in the vecindad. Back with tío Luis, Angsty, and Prudy? Wouldn't there be some uncomfortable questions?

I suppose there are questions about everything in this episode. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's (hopefully) answers.

andy
 

OT

Lurker at 2:23, thanks for the fill-in information on the Clorox commercial. I was talking to someone today about the commercial and neither one of us had seen the entire thing, or perhaps we just forgot the first part.

Sheesh! Watching these TNs is having a bad effect on me, here I am now commenting on cursi commercials.

:-)

andy
 

Another gem, JudyB. I loved “Tell it to a priest, Vane”
Needed my beanie for taking the baby to work in a hospital. No place for anyone who doesn’t have to be there, much less a baby Too many germs.

Little Rafie sure smiled and lifted his arms to Doc B

Touched by Vane’s trying to put the lawyer’s office to rights before she staggered out.
She did say Edson forced himself on her. Do we see a grandchild for Hilda?

Mely
 

Good morning to my favorite folks. I love breakfast but I also love reading your comments and seeing your reactions to the telenovela uproar of yesterday.

Rgv Chick--How right you are! Lino looks like a fragile little puppet so it was funny to see him tossing Doc Mask around like a rag doll. Funny and very satisfying!

TF--"I think Vanessa did the right thing". I'm with you, insofar as refusing to accept half of Hilda's wordly goods. But if this were real life, rather than "just a story" I would say this:

Brutal Honesty has more brutality than honesty.

By sharing parts of the story Hilda didn't need to know, Vanessa savaged her memory of her son (he didn't love me, he raped me etc.) and also left her without the comfort of a daughter-in-law she had come to love and a person with whom to share her empty house and empty heart.

To what end? She could have refused the inheritance simply by saying their marriage had been too brief and she would prefer simply to go on working for Hilda and helping build the business as a way of "inheriting".

Okay. Rant over. I know you were applauding Vanessa for her honesty, not her brutality. But that's an issue that always sets me off. Nothing personal! LOL And of course for the purposes of telenovela drama, she did need to go off the deep end. But....

Diana--Thanks as always for your careful reading of the recap and your appreciation of the vocabulary. We both love words don't we!? And it shows.

Steve--I hope Lucrazy gets her anvil soon also.

Andy--"Our hothouse orchid no longer has a hothouse to call home" That would have made a wonderful title for the recap amigo. Can I call you before I start writing? Thanks.

Mely--How right you are. Hospitals are germ-laden and the more we stay away from them, the better. I'm going on the advice a young doc, former classmate of our son, told me. Safe for the very healthy, and inevitable for the very ill. But otherwise, avoid if humanly possible. Hospitals are dangerous places
 

MIRADA

Whoops, posted too soon. More on Mely's comment:

Rafa lifting up his arms to Beto. That was sweet. And reminds me of an old telenovela with Lucio and Fernando Colunga. The baby in that one, supposedly Lucio and Fernando's love child, did not appear to like Lucio at all. But he went crazy whenever Fernando came on the scene. You could tell he adored the actor. Evidently with these long filmings, the actors play a lot with the child actors and clearly those two got along like a house a-fire.

But I surely do hope Vanessa is not pregnant. Chilren resulting from rapes are hard on everybody. Whether in real life or telenovelas.
 

MIRADA

Thank you for another excellent recap, Judy!

We were out late last night, reliving our high school years at a Happy Together Tour concert. The music made me feel 15 y/o ... until I had to stand up and my knees reminded me of my real age. ��

Good on Vane for being honest with Hilda AND refusing her inheritance. Yes, it was T.M.I. But without the counsel of an older adult and a mother who only sees her as a cash machine, she did the best she knew how. Honesty was not learned at her mother's knee. And I also realized immediately that Vane is now homeless. And who will pay Waldo's fee? More mierda to hit the fan when it gets back to Lino.

I doubt Vane is pregnant.

Hilda's smackdown on Chu was gratifying. I guess we won't be seeing much of Hilda anymore. I really like her!

Doc Nut Job is truly honest-to-God nuts. ""Show me contempt and there will be consequences," he warns. "I can take him from you.""
Awwww. Such words of love to woo his adorada. ��. There is nothing like threats to win a girl's heart, right? Barf.

Who else was amazed that Pru was able to reach right down into her ginormous tote bag of a purse and grab her cell phone without having to root around for it? lol

Looking forward to today's capitulo. Must see TV
 

MIRADA

Good morning Doris. Glad you had such a lovely evening. Yes, we're all teenagers inside but when we try to get up after a long sit-down, we're reminded that the outside has been seriously aging.

Isn't it wonderful how we advocate for these characters as if they were real?! I agree, our Vane did the best she could without a wise, compassionate mother to guide her. But oh my, the pain she caused....

And loved your observation on Prudencia's instant retrieval of her cellphone. Yes, I root around frantically for mine, and often realize that ONCE MORE, I have left it at home. Of course I am perfectly capable of losing it at home as well.

Off to an early morning meeting. Will check back with my feisty, opinionated, beloved Patio later.
 

Judy, IIRC Pru's phone was ringing, which made it so remarkable to me.LOL
 

In case I don't have time to write any more, Judy, THANK you for all the lively retelling of an otherwise dull, kinda stretched thin story. You packed a wallop in just today's title. I had been thinking you might come up with that sort of contrast to Tuesday's!