Caray, Caray!

esconder

I'll do a recap of the primer capítulo later this evening.
 

esconder

NO TE PUEDES ESCONDER – LUNES – Parte 1 de 3

La Fuga

We see a dark, empty parking garage. There’s some pounding blues music playing throughout this scene. A man with a grey-streaked beard and sort of haunted eyes opens an envelope and counts a big wad of money. He gets a gun out and puts a silencer on it. He takes a quick drink and looks at a photo of a woman on his cell phone.

MADRID

Mónica is a nurse who is joking with another nurse in a hospital. She gets a call from a guy she addresses as Alex. They have some racy back and forth, but then Alex gets distracted by a television announcement about the missing wife of the candidate Alberto Torres, possibly the victim of a serial killer. Mónica says she’ll see Alex at 6:30. The television announcer goes on, while Alex sits rapt. She says that Beatriz Prats was the wife of the Social Democrat and candidate for mayor of Madrid, Alberto Torres. And that the woman has been missing for two months

Crime Scene – Madrid

We see a pretty ghastly corpse with ropes criss-crossing the body. There are three detectives there, the guy who heads up the unit, another guy and a female names Urrutia. [She’s pretty and tough so I suspect she’ll have a major role.] The guy in charge tells the other two he hates crimes against famous people.

Mónica comes home from work and mildly chews out her daughter, Natalia, for smoking. Natalia fires back about her mother saying ¡joder! all the time. This time it’s because her zipper stuck. You can see this is a good mother-daughter relationship. Mónica tells her daughter she’ll have coffee (!!) with Alex and be home by 10 PM for dinner with Natalia.

The guy from the parking garage follows Mónica through the streets. He pulls the silenced gun from under his coat at one point, hears sirens, and puts it away.

A young guy names Humberto calls Natalia and asks her to meet him. She agrees. He hangs up before he hears her say: “Eli won’t be there, right?”

Crime Scene – Madrid

Apparently Alberto Torres has come to the crime scene. He’s with another guy, I think a political advisor. They both gag and walk outside. The advisor, Gabriel, tells Alberto they have to be prepared to give the press something.

Inside the boss detective tells the two underlings that if there are filtraciones (leaks), he’ll cut off their huevos. Detective Urrutia says she doesn have huevos. Like every detective squad on any TV show, in English or Spanish, the boss is CYA all the way. The boss goes outside to speak to Torres and his companion. Torres realizes he must be a suspect and is more than willing to be interrogated. The boss assures him that Urrutia is a psychologist as well as a criminologist.
 

sin-senos4 #35

Alf is released from the hospital, in a wheelchair to the awaiting reporters, he spits out the usual politico, and is asked about this girl that is always with him, Val, first lady? he doesn't answer.

but wait, Leticia watching on tv recognizes Val, it's her daughter who disappeared, hubby Luis isn't so helpful, she's going to Alf's campaign banquet tonight to face her.

CG has a sitdown with her commandos, goes over the situation and assigns tasks,
1) Natalia will get Calvo (Val wants the job but gets overruled)
2) Val will work Alf's security. (Natalia objects but gets overrulled)
3) Vane is to find Paola and Jota.

Val asks about this new info on the candidates, CG keeps it close to her chest.

also CG will look into the rumor of Titi's death.

Santos is over excited developing xy5, Hand fills him in, only one person has survived the drug, Santos wants him alive, it's the key to controlling the drug.

CG and crew raid Cardonito's, (business as usual for Cata, no one's there) they find hard drives (with old debts etc.) and bloody rags (DNA is Dayana) but what is the connection? Nat thinks someone tipped the bad guys (looking at Val), and chief CG has to rein them in again.

Hand is thinking of the Babes and Dayana's guys Kike and Manotas for the Jota job.

(why do I keep thinking Jota and Al will meet for a cage fight)

I guess they gave Mariana's make-up crew the week off, she sends her boy Moncho out for food and diapers, Dayana spills Titi's funeral is at dusk.

Titi's farewell party are in the final stages, nice Titi mask, they got a fresh corpse, and the DEA was leaked to, Moron wonders how CG will take it? Titi thinks it will make Bobeiro happy (Al's new name gets around)

Al's been taking a beating, his trainer spills, tomorrow is your first fight, it will help with your training he adds, later Calvo asks about the fighter, best in the school, he's deadly, and adds we need to acquaint Al with the cage, there is no way out (is this fight Calvo's planning)

little Al is wrecking Marcela's place and she's loving it, Sandra brought him a little gavel so he could be a little judge, oh yea Jota's case, all we have is a body, need some forensic experts and go to the scene of the crime (guess we will never see these guys again)

Zoraya is all nines to meet with Alf at the banquet, nope, Shadow wants her in as a waitress.

Sal is in love for the first time in his life, Jo is busy putting the business together (we wish), but wait Joaquin the PI has a lead, a guy who saw CM grabbed, they have a list of possible vehicles and are on there way to see if any have criminal connections.

CG swings by the DEA torture er training center, Liset is on the ground, everyone gets 5, it's tough CG reminds her, he hates me she says, he likes you CG counters, he's the best, and Conde, CG has catalogued all the dvd's and will get with the Colombian authorities.

nervous Conde reflects on how he is trying to keep Alf from being assassinated, he gets an invite to debate 2.

Hilda spills to Sal about the yellow line.

Alf has lost the wheel chair as he swings by to surprise Val at her hair appointment, lets find you a nice dress for tonight.

dead Titi is in the casket, complete with a wad of American Dreams courtesy of Pilar, and off in the limo, Hyena and Tonal will record it all and pass it around.

Mari is going to the funeral, Dayana warns against, we all have bad days, they'll be looking for you, then things take a turn, Mari wonders how she will be able to tell her daughter she killed her papa, Dayana says something about you can find a papa anywhere, Mari pushes about Dayana being with him, guns are out, give me a reason (for killing him).

 

esconder

NO TE PUEDES ESCONDER – LUNES – Parte 2 de 3

At Alex’s place Mónica has come out of the shower and is looking at some photographs Alex is preparing for an exhibition. Apparently he’s a professional. She asks the question Viewerville has running through our heads. “Why so much death?” He replies: “this is when we’re most authentic; when we sleep and when we die."

Alex also has a picture of his daughter Eli, side view, screaming. He tells Moni that her mother just died. He’s tried to get her away from the world’s miseries and she turns out to love politics! [I got the impression that he found the girl when she was younger, maybe 12 or 13 and hadn’t been in her life before then.]

Some guy with a longer, darker beard than our would-be assassin (who Wikipedia says is named Daniel) appears to be ritually washing himself in a hotel room.

The three young people: Humberto, Natalia, and Eli, get together in a cafeteria. [So Moni’s daughter and Alex’s daughter know each other.] There’s some obvious hostility between the two girls. They’re talking about the discovery of the candidate’s wife’s body. [I got the impression that this dead woman might have been part of their “movement” whatever it is.]

We see the two bearded guys from the back, at the same bar. One drinks several whiskeys and the other an espresso. Then Daniel sees Mónica leave Alex’s place and follows her.

Natalia leaves Humberto and Eli. Humberto wants to know why they’re mad at each other. Eli doesn’t say.

Natalia goes into a shop; she’s out of cigarettes. Some shady looking guys in a black van watch her go in. We don’t see the passenger but do see a silver ID bracelet. Don’t know if this will mean something later.

There’s some kind of massive music event in a plaza. There’s a big screen showing the female singer who’s performing. We see the young people dancing, arms in the air.

Mónica is walking toward the plaza. Daniel pulls his gun, presumably thinking the music will mask the silenced shot. She bumps shoulders with the guy with the longer beard and knocks his jacket to one side. We see he’s wearing a vest with explosives. He shouts ¡Allahu Akbar! raises his arm over his head with, I assume, the detonator, and looks wildly around. I’m sort of hoping Daniel shoots him before he can blow himself up, but no. The bomb goes off and there are wounded and dead.

Weird Alex looks at the wounded. He takes a video of Monica giving CPR to the guy who was about to kill her.

MEXICO

Three years before… Monica is meeting with an American guy who goes back and forth between unaccented English and Spanish. He’s apparently DEA and tells her that the information she provided has been verified. She’ll leave the country the following day. She must completely follow her normal routine. She can’t tell anyone, including her daughter, of her plans to leave. When she asks why she can’t leave today, he says that they have to capture Sánchez first.
 

esconder

NO TE PUEDES ESCONDER – LUNES – Parte 3 de 3

I don’t think we ever hear what Monica’s name was in Mexico, but the daughter is named Amalia. She has long hair, rather than the bob three years later. She’s in a sulky mood, with headphones. Moni tells her that her father is coming to pick her up. When Amalia objects, Moni says that there’s a custody battle. She has to go or her mother will be accused of avoiding his visitation rights. A driver named Charlie comes for Amalia, and she agrees to go. We see the big black car drive into a house, passing the usual hefty bodyguard outside.

While Amalia is in another room Sánchez calls Moni with a veiled threat. He tells her that the gringo is a bad influence. She swears at him and hangs up.

It’s the next day, I think. Two guys are watching the house from a car outside. Monica tells her daughter they have to leave and right now. Monica gets a call. We see those two guys who were outside shot dead. [I’m unsure if the guys in the car were DEA shot by the bad guys or vice versa.] Moni tells Amalia they’re running from her father. Two guys in black with silenced guns break in. Moni and Amalia run to a neighbor’s house, who lets them in. Some other guy tells (I assume) Sánchez that no harm will come to the girl.

Moni gets to her car, puts it in reverse, and guns it smashing the front of, I think, the thugs’ car so they can’t pursue. She’s driving and Amalia is freaking out when a bunch of vans block her in. We see a news announcer saying that Alejandro Sánchez died in a car crash, being pursued by the DEA. He was an impresario who was discovered having been involved with a criminal organization.

We see that Moni and Amalia are safe. She asks the gringo if it’s true her ex is dead. He says it’s true. And she says that now they don’t have to leave. But he says that the ex had contacts that could come after them. He tells them their new names and that they must begin to use them all the time, even in private.

Back to the present – Madrid… Monica leaves Daniel, who’s now conscious. Natalia calls her mother. They’re both thrilled the other is OK. Moni says she has to go to the hospital and that Natalia should go home and wait for her there.

Natalia hangs up with her mother and also takes a call from Humberto. After she hangs up, she’s grabbed up and put in the black van we saw earlier.

Daniel wakes up in the hospital. He says to the nurse’s back that his chest hurts. She tells him that his heart stopped and getting it started again is the cause of the discomfort. She turns and he recognizes her! She says he’ll be all right. “Was it you who saved me?” She replies that she was there and luckier than he was. After she leaves, he cries.

The guys who grabbed Natalia are Russians. She’s in the back of the van screaming through a gag as best she can and kicking her feet into the door.

Monica comes home, concerned that Natalia isn’t there and isn’t picking up.

There is a roadblock, possibly looking for accomplices to the bomber. One Russian snarls at the other that they should have waited a couple of days to try to leave; this bombing has made things more difficult. They’re about four cars back and realize they must hide their guns. Then Natalia’s phone goes off and the driver chews out the passenger for not having gotten rid of her phone. The driver tells the passenger to shut that girl up. She’s managing to yell and really bash the door with her feet. One of the Russians goes back and hits her hard enough to knock her out.

I’m, of course, very curious to see if these Russians are connected with the Mexican crowd or just regular traffickers of young girls.
 

esconder

Wow, novelera, what a terrific recap! I find opening episodes especially challenging, and you did a superb job of describing and clarifying what was happening.

It took me a while to differentiate between the two men with dark hair and dark beards. Shades of Emanuel and Ricardo in Preso. I don't think I ever fully succeeded in telling E and R apart. Fortunately, as you say, in Esconder Daniel has considerable gray in his beard. Also, with any luck, the bearded suicide bomber won't be around after this episode.

I also enjoyed your sayng that Mónica was going to Alex's place for "coffee (!!)".

When I first saw/heard the DEA guy, I thought "Oh no, not more imperialist American involvement." But so far, that seems not to be the case. And we've again got some Russian thugs to deal with. As you say, it will be interesting to see just who they are, what they want. It hadn't occurred to me that they might be run-of-the-mill human traffickers. Since international interference, political corruption, and human trafficking are all high up on Telemundo's plot list, it's clearly too early to tell where the Russians will fit in. :-)
 

Esconder

Thank you, novelera. Fantastic job with the premier episode, very thorough, great descriptions.

Monica and Alex had “coffee(!!)” with dessert!!

Daniel looked like the reluctant hitman from the beginning and now that Monica saved him… But did they have to script a terrorist attack just to connect the two characters?

Stopping for cigarettes might have saved Natalia from the explosion but not from the Russians.

Do Humberto and Eli work for the Torres campaign?

Tonight we got more show with fewer commercials. Since this is only 10 epis, we are in for a wild ride. And we won’t have to wait long for our questions to be answered!

I wonder how this did against the Uni premier?

dondi356
 

Sin-Seños4

El Final del Paraíso

Thank you, deb. Great recap of an interesting episode.

Berrio mini press conference: Of course someone has to ask about the beautiful young woman by his side. Beautiful young woman? LOL Diabla’s trashy ugliness shows right through Valeria. (The actress does a good job with this and tons of makeup help, too.) That’s what smart people like Natalia and Lucrecia sense and dummies like Catagrande cannot. Berrio is just a lonely old fool.

Wow. I bet Diabla didn’t count on getting spotted by her face donor’s family. This will be interesting. Another piece of the Diabla puzzle. The family couldn’t go to the police because the father had a “problem”? Dad is trying to talk mom out of pursuing this. I wonder if he knows something?

So Diabla’s plan did not work out how she expected and might have backfired a bit. They found Dayana’s bloody bandages (biohazard) and a connection to Las Babys. Doesn’t anybody take out the trash in that house?

Did Vanessa sense something? She quickly interjected that CataG should do the Calvo investigation, not Valeria. Vanessa also shot a look when Valeria mentioned the Liseth video. Also, Natalia wanted a word with Vanessa after the meeting. Hmmm….

How many people get to see their own funerals? Is the livestream for Titi’s benefit? I can’t wait to see this funeral. Titi ripped “Bobeiro”, explaining to Cardonita, he doesn’t work, stirs the pot (cizañero) and is a liar. So shameless, he slept with CataG’s mom and got her pregnant.

Who’s in the picture that Calvo was talking to on his phone? He said I just want you to be ok. It looked like an old picture of a little kid.

Hang in there, Liseth! If Vanessa and Paola can become agents, you can too.

Moncho as the henpecked husband…what’s with this idiot?

Mari has a rare moment of clarity: maybe she was not cut out for this life after all. Dayana tries to talk her out of doing something foolish. Dayana’s dicho: you only have one mom…. And she killed hers! Really?

Doesn’t Mari realize there’s only one way out of this business….?

dondi356

 

sin-senos4

dondi, thanks so much for your additions!

the funeral should be fun, will Titi be in disguise?

and who in a novela ever has their mother killed, still wondering why Dayana is holding off on Liset, hmm, Dayana threw in with las Babes at Titi's place all the while in a deal with him to get rid of everyone else (including Mari) so only they could rule, but Diabla popping in and throwing in the Hand has complicated things, I can see why she is missing Titi.

 

esconder

I won't be able to do a recap tonight of Esconder as I often do of Tuesday episodes. I could probably do Wednesday's episode, but novelera and I are questioning doing recaps of this very interesting short novela without any other folks who visit the blog lending a hand. If no one volunteers for even quick and dirty recaps, novelera and I will sit this one out. If you've been watching/lurking, this is your opportunity to try your hand at recapping for a very short commitment of time (the novela has a total of only 10 episodes).
 

"SIN SENOS 4":

Dondi356: What are the chances of Catalina getting the happy ending we've been waiting for since forever ?
 

SIN SENoS #4 FINAL

DEB:

ALF is OUT and the REAL ‘Valeria’s mother sees her daughter on TV..

Poor momma is heading to town and I hope she survives the meeting, maybe Natalia and Vanessa, will intercept/hear and see this mammi /child reunion..

The big meeting.. when Valeria volunteer volunteered to get
Calvo ..fortunately CG , blocked -her- cop ..

Vanessa's and Natalia's Antennas went up and they linked onto the same vibe ..
Vanessa is getting hip to Valeria.. Vanessa’s Spidey sense are on blast/tingling

Yes!...CG ,plays the video abt- the- sex- johns -close -to-her- chest- oh -yes!!

That funeral is going to be a real -wing- ding!!!all the widows are going to be THERE!!

But the Marijuana [ no disrespect to hemp] and Dayana have a Mexican stand off .. they had me rolling out of my bed.. hilarious!!

Dondi:
CG, has finally, upgraded her dresses .. abt time!! The raid yielded the DNA abt Dayna presence..okay??

Santos wants Jota as a wha!! Gnome baseline

Lisbeth fight and get tight

Titi busted on Albireo , he tried to kill him at least twice,On CG's, Sugar Daddy's orders
Moncho is ready to support ungrateful Mari
Marijuana [ no disrespect to sesa-melia]
Dayanna tells her there is no leaving B.H
And I -had -your-man- and -there’s-nothing-you-can-do-about-it..
[ Lady Saw. Dance hall]

 

Sin Senis #4 Final

TITI'S FUNERAL WAS LIT!!!
ALL THE WAY LIVE !!! THE WIDOWS TURNED IT OUT!!...THE BEST EPISODE EVER!
Marijuana ( no disrespect to brownies ) left the kid with auntie Dayanna, n Moncho went into a crowd of putaslindas to get his woman

Come on with the Repass meal.. n drinks !
 

sin-senos4 #36

Dayana confesses, she slept with Titi once, twice, three times... Mari plugs her dead, or maybe knocks Day's gun away, she already knew, we all have our crosses to bear she says.

CG gives cadet Liset a pep talk, she's ready to give 1000%.

Vane reports, she finds the Japanese narco connection and with help gets a pic of Paola ?? in a narco/hooker district but she looks more dead than alive, the DEA has no jurisdiction there but CG has her pursue the lead. (hmm, widow Paola missed the funeral, her reason for going with Heng)

Natalia checks out Calvo on the net, but with the help of CG's driver Rafa, finds an informant, Calvo has a son, soon we meet.

CG hanging at a similar cafe, dives into memories of her near death, calls over Lucrecia to tell the story to, I was bored you know, oh and Diabla is alive, wants her help finding her, (but does Lucrecia already suspect who Diabla is), she chokes it back, sure aaa... I'll help.

Leticia is dressed and off to find her daughter, Luis can't hold her back.

Val does a fashion show for Alf, dresses for tonight, (their sweet love is cracking my tv screen), ah a magazine in the change room, is that Hilda and CM in that wedding dress at Fashion Week on the cover, Val was too quick to rip it up.

Val tips Hand, Alf is a goner, Hand tips Conde, the next debate is in the bag.

Dayana tells the Mari circling Moncho about Hand's orders, find Jota and send the rat off to the lab, but why is Mari so quiet, he checks, she is gone, only cute Titica remains, momma?

Shadow has his crew dressed like waiters, the doc has gotten the real waiters route where Art fakes a moto crash, and they are hijacked.

Santos is stuck, the Hand rides him, he has some purple pills they need to test.

the waiters show at the banquet, Art has joined them, Jota wants to test the food, the chef wants them gone.

the funeral is in full swing, good music, Titi in a car nearby watching on a tablet, is reveling in the widows convention, how many does he recognize, Pilar's ears are smoking, he cools it, calls them all hags.

Cg arrives with Francisco replacing Rafa as her driver, she verifies it's Titi with the open casket, a tear runs down her cheek, let's go, but wait Fran spots Mari, who arrives with an attitude, pushing people out of her way, she is Titi's woman, or maybe just one of them, one girl confesses to having 2 kids from Titi, Cg is also having trouble getting to Mari, a gun gets no respect since everyone has one, catfights abound, Moncho with Kike and Manotas snatch Mari and she is gone, did she even get to see him? (was the casket still open when they were lowering it into the grave)

Pilar is no fun, Titi's becomes all business, they roll.

Zoraya is faltering again, Jota thinks the tutorials they watched on the internet will help.

beat up Al is home, Val slithers into his room, she apologizes for what he will see on tv, they made me do it, she loves him and the kiss doesn't seem to help the fact he is going to die in his first fight.

Diabla tells Calvo to be Al's friend, (somebody give Calvo a gun, I think he is finally ready to blow his brains out) he might tell you where my son is.

Val and Alf get mushy on the way to the banquet, (slime is now dripping from the tv).

 

ESCONDER
First I want to say I'm sorry to novelera, Juanita and deb for bailing on Preso #1, but not sorry I bailed.

I was torn between Esconder and Dragon so I recorded both of them. I'm still torn. Esconder drew me in, in the first 10 minutes--even when it went to 3 Anos Antes and I realized Monica is none other than Eva Luna and Camila from El Talisman. I didn't watch her progression into tough lady roles, but she certainly has come a long way and improved her acting skills. The WOW factor is quite present. Loving Ivan Sanchez, too. Wonder who he really is.

Now I have to say I'm sorry I'll be away for 2 weeks and hope my DVR churns away since I'll be with my daughter in Western Canada where not Uni nor Telemundo come across the border to their cable box.
 

Anita: I'm waiting for the return of "ESDLC".
 

ESCONDER
Now that I've read the recap and the comments, I'm more interested than ever. Thank you novelera for getting this one started.

Once most of the characters are introduced and the storyline established, I wouldn't have to have recaps. I would miss them, though, and the comments they engender. Didn't know this was only 10 epis.
 

esconder

Nice to have a visit from you, Anita. Yes, Esconder is compelling. Iván Sánchez is quite the hunk. This is the first thing I've seen him in since Reina 1 and I miss all the hair! And, of course, he must be a good actor since Alex is cool and contained and nothing like the fiery Santiago.

I do not like the kidnapping of Natalia. But they have our attention. Last night seemed to lean more toward human trafficking than something coming from Mexico. The boss guy, who shot the Russians, said she was on her way to hell.

And Alex is not only creepy but apparently a womanizer as well. He creeped Urrutia out when he had the nerve to sort of kiss the back of her neck in front of the elevator.

I have trouble with the Spanish accents. But I thought Eli said something about her fight with Natalia being about some tío, a guy in Spanish slang.

I liked Det. Urrutia telling the police commander that, if he wanted special treatment for Torres, he'd have to put it in writing.

And Torres was the opposite of a grieving husband during the interrogation.
 

Esconder

I'm liking this show. There are a lot of interesting little details in this episode that I didn’t have time to include. Please add what you can. I don’t know if I will be able to do a recap every night, but I will do what I can.

Morning after: Daniel wakes up in his hospital room. A nurse brings him his things. His phone was ringing all night long. The nurse mentions his angel, Monica, you’re a lucky guy. Daniel looks at his phone—a ton of missed calls.

Flashback: Daniel needed the money. Client gives him Monica’s info and 3 weeks to complete. One third now, one third when the job’s done, final payment when it’s confirmed and he’s far away. This is his first time. Don’t worry, relax, have a few drinks (he’s got a head start). It gets easier and in time you’ll like it. Daniel wants to know who she is. Don’t ask…

Monica calls Alex. Can’t find Natalia, haven’t heard from her. This is not like her. Is she with Eli? He’ll talk to Eli. Alex goes back to looking at explosion pix.

Checkpoint: The Russians are asked to get out of the van, they are searched. Open the back of the van, please. A fight breaks out at a nearby car. The police let the Russians go without checking the van.

Captain calls in Urrutia. What’s your plan with Torres? Be careful. He could be the next mayor or president. I don’t want him as an enemy. She says the husband is always a suspect especially if there are lovers involved. She will politely, professionally, question Torres at his office.

Monica calls Humberto. He has not seen or heard from Natalia since last night. He mentions that Natalia and Eli have had a recent argument.

The Russians talk about climate change, beer shortages, some statistics—we’re ruining the planet! Very interesting considering how they make a living. But in the meantime they will continue to enjoy their beers as they drive along, unaware the back of the van was not closed properly. Natalia manages to free her bonds and makes an escape when the van slows due to a lane closure. She takes off into the woods.

Daniel buys a gun, illegally. He knows the shop owner who says, what happened? Tired of playing for the wrong side?

Natalia wanders onto a road and flags down a car. Help, they kidnapped me! The driver can’t talk; he writes on a pad. He will help her, she gets in.

Monica goes to Alex to speak with Eli. Eli has no idea where Natalia is. While there, Monica gets a call from Natalia. Mom, I’m in the country, I’m ok. I’ll come home when I feel like it. Turns out that driver was another Russian who forced her to make the call. He destroys her phone. Monica wants to go to the police and Alex goes with her.

We hear gruesome details about how Beatriz died. After 2 months of decomposition, there wasn’t much to work with. Urrutia comments on how everything was harmoniously arranged.

Eli leaves a voice mail for Natalia. Why’d you run away? I’ll dump that guy if you want. Come home, they’re going to the police. If this comes out his career is over!

dondi356

 

Esconder #2 part 2

Sorry I forgot to put episode number on part 1. I can't go back to fix.

Monica and Alex arrive at the station. Daniel is following them. The policewoman is reluctant but in the end says file the report. There’s a lot of paperwork. Alex leaves Monica to it.

Alex walks up to the elevator where Urrutia is also waiting. She recognizes him from a magazine article, “The Photographer of Death” She’s also been to one of his exhibits. They continue their convo on the way down and out the door. She says, you have an obvious attraction to death. He says, well, you’re a criminologist. My reasons are aesthetic. Death can be a beautiful aspect of life, like a sunset or a naked body… (I think he’s going to charm the pants off of Urrutia.) He gives her his card and maybe coffee sometime? I’ll show you my work and you will give me your opinion as a criminologist. Weird, he sniffs her hair on the back of her neck and leaves.

Torres questioning: Do you know why Beatriz was in the cabin? No. Did she enjoy the mountains? No. Why do you think she was there? I don’t know. Could she have been having an affair? I don’t know. Was everything ok between you? Well you know, after a while things cool off in a relationship. Any mistreatment? I am staunchly against domestic violence! We will be investigating all incoming and outgoing calls, personal and work. Uh, oh… Torres called the examining magistrate…

Alex leaves Monica’s apartment; she wants to be alone for the night. Daniel is watching him leave.

The head Russian (driver who picked up Natalia) is very upset with the van guys. There were strict orders not to harm Natalia in any way. They get paid in lead while Natalia is taken to a room and chained on a bed.

Daniel is in Monica’s apartment. Monica is asleep on the couch. Daniel stands over her with his gun pointed. Cut to him leaving, making a phone call. It’s done. He meets with the client. The final payment will be made when he confirms. Daniel wants to know what this woman did. MYOB. Daniel gets a warning not to screw up or else.

Client goes to Monica’s to confirm. He’s standing at her door with his gun. And we’re out.

dondi356


 

esconder

Whoops. Thanks so much for the recap and for jumping the gun with comments before you posted it. I'll have time to thoroughly read it later this morning.
 

esconder

dondi356, thank you for this superb recap! You really have a gift for writing clear, concise, and complete accounts.

I got home late last night and watched the recording of the episode. I was half asleep, but I was eager to know what had happened. I was surprised when a fight broke out just as the police were to search the back of the Russians' van. For a second, I wondered whether the fight had been staged to help the Russians, but it clearly had not been. Just a gift from the Powers That Be (a.k.a the script writers).

Perhaps because I was so tired, I missed the guy say to Daniel "Tired of playing for the wrong side." I'm thus very happy you mentioned that. It suggests that Daniel was originally some kind of cop.

When Natalia stopped the car and asked for help, I was immediately suspicious of the guy's indicating he couldn't speak. I assumed at first that he might be able to speak only Russian or with a very strong Russian accent that would signal that he was likely allied to the Russians who had kidnapped her. I may not have been right about his accent (I can't really distinguish foreign accents in Spanish, except for those from gringos), but my suspicions, alas, were on target.

Wow, Alex is weirder than I had realized. That became clear when he either sniffed or tried to kiss the back of the female detective's neck. Since Iván Sánchez played Santiago in Reina 1, I somehow expected Alex to be a good guy. I don't know whether he's truly a bad guy, but his weirdness syggests he might be, or at least be a very bad choice for Mónica.

You mentioned that Torres called the examining magistrate. Perhaps I was asleep, but all I recall is his buddy/advisor/whoever warning him not to do so, that it would raise all kinds of red flags. Did he go ahead and do so anyway?

After watching last night's episode, I'm thinking that the Russians are part of a human trafficking network. The boss emphasized the importance of Natalia's being unharmed, intact, and his anger that that wasn't the case. That makes me think her kidnapping was by human traffickers rather than, say, political operatives, though of course the politicians could very well be connected to the traffickers, as we've seen in other novelas.

Again, MANY MANY THANKS for this superb recap!!
 

SS#4..

DEB:\

YES!!..THAT FUNERAL HAD EVERYTHING BUT THE WIDOWS FALLING OVER THE COFFIN AND PASSING OUT!!

HALIMACANDY ON QT
 

seconder

Thanks so much for the terrific recap, dondi. Yep, this is really good. I recorded El Dragón in case I wanted to jump ship to Uni, but I haven't really watched any of it. Rulli has never been one of my telenovios (to quote susanb IIRC).

I was wondering why Daniel needed a new gun, but, of course, when he was in cardiac arrest, the gun he'd had in his hand before the bearded one detonated the bomb would have fallen from his hand and probably will show up as evidence in some future crime in Madrid.

I did not like Eli one bit last night. She should have spilled everything she knew to Mónica. But...teenager. Something in your recap made me wonder if my theory that the girls were interested in the same boy was false and that Natalia had been trying to get Eli to dump a bad boy instead.

I sort of had the impression that Urrutia was interested in Alex's work but got a bad vibe upon actually meeting him. I can't figure out if his weird behavior is a red herring or what. My having watched serial killer movies (even one Telemundo TN: Alguien te Mira where Rafael Amaya plays the serial killer) makes me suspect Alex. But it could just be the writers playing with us.

Being a veteran TN watcher, I'm 100% sure Blanca Soto...er Mónica... will be fine and not shot tonight. I feel the same way about the charming Natalia.

We believe Natalia was grabbed up by traffickers. What we don't know is whether the Russians were just driving around looking for a beautiful young woman or if she were somehow the target all along for some reason we don't yet know.
 

Esconder

No apology necessary, novelera. My faux pas. I should have mentioned earlier that I was going to attempt a recap. I’d hate to promise something and not follow through. And I usually can't post until next day 12ish ET.

Thank you for your kind words, Juanita. Your example and encouragement, along with novelera’s and deb’s gave me the confidence to step up my contributions.

Juanita, it sounded to me like Torres made that call to the magistrate. He was in a panic.

The interesting thing about Eli’s call was she said if this gets out it will ruin his career! I think they are not just messing around with some kid. This is an adult with something big to lose.

Could traffickers want Natalia? Sure. Crockpot theory: could Natalia’s father still be alive and he wants her? Remember the title: You Can’t Hide!

dondi356

 

esconder

My aging brain finally kicked in. What Torres was so panicked about was that Urrutia told him that she'd gotten approval for the phone records of both the decedent and his own. Again, difficulty when Spaniards speak, but I wasn't sure if those phone records would reveal political corruption or an affair. He did say something to his henchman about why this was bad but I don't remember or didn't understand what he said!
 

esconder

Great comments, novelera and dondi! I can't wait to see what happens tonight. Thanks to dondi's stepping up to the plate, I won't crawl back under my rock but will instead try to recap tonight's episode. (Sorry for the clichéd mixed metaphors; I'm hoping my mind clears before this evening. :-) )
 

Sin-Seños4

El Final del Paraíso

Thanks so much, deb for another great recap.

Las Viudas: There’s no denying it, Dayana had to admit Titi turned her out. Mari trying to lay a guilt trip on Dayana. Hah!

Last time we saw Paola, she was getting busy with Meng on his plane. IIRC she asked him to kill Titi, a common enemy. I wonder what she will do when she finds out Titi is “dead”?

Why the hell did they include Jota on the wait staff gig? I’d want him out of my kitchen, too.

So Lucrecia and Catagrande agree on Diabla. Except CataG has a blind spot when it comes to Valeria. Lucrecia, don’t hold back!

Poor little actress playing Titica. The kid had to hear all that screaming and cursing. She started to cry and said mama.

Titi’s farewell. A fun, strange mix of Catholicism, mariachis, putas and guns, rounded out with a brawl. CataG had a mini panic attack when she saw him in the coffin. So many people in attendance, Titi was a narco but beloved. Cata called it the paradox of life.

Why couldn’t Pilar let Titi enjoy his funeral? He deserved to enjoy every minute. Caleña better watch out.

OK. So that pic on Calvo’s phone was his son. Yes, let’s meet him. I get a kick out of Calvo when he gets annoyed with Diabla—rolling his eyes, last night he made a hand gesture behind her as she walked out the door.

I really want to FF through all Valeria & Berrio scenes. That was a pic of him with Valeria in the TV ad. Zoraya said, my replacement, she’s DEA! Berrio asks Valeria if she minds being exposed. LOL She’s overexposed, if you know what I mean.

What did Black Hand mean Berrio is going to lose it tonight? Is he going to try XY5 out on Berrio?

dondi356

 

sin-senos4

thanks dondi, great comments as usual!

I have a meeting tonight so won't be doing a recap.

 

esconder
No te puedes esconder - Ep. #3 - Parte 1 de 3

Mónica is lying on the couch. We expect the guy from the end of episode 2 to shoot her, but instead the doorbell rings. She gets up, opens the door, sees no one. Calls out "Natalia?" Nope. Suddenly Daniel appears. "I just wanted to thank you again," he says. "One of your co-workers gave me your address." She tells him she's glad he's OK, but this isn't a good time. He apologizes and leaves. We then see him standing next to a car with an unmoving body in the driver's seat. It's the guy who hired him and who, at the end of the last episode, seemed about to kill Mónica. Apparently Daniel stopped him, killed him, and put him back in his car. Daniel now goes back to the car, finds the guy's cell phone with a message asking whether he'd confirmed that Daniel did his job. Daniel then goes to where he's left a gasoline can, pours gasoline all over the car, and sets it afire. Boom!

The next morning, Alex comes to see Mónica, bringing croissants. Mónica is focused only on finding Natalia. She has made posters with Natalia's photo and wants to spread the word. Alex advises her torest and to let the police handle things. Mónica insists that Eli knows something. Alex tells her that Eli grew up in a violent environment, so sometimes she doesn't show her feelings, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care. He offers to talk to Eli again.

The scene shifts to where Natalia is being held. A woman, whose name we later learn is Dasha, brings her food and urges her to eat. If she doesn't eat, she'll get sick, and that will just make matters worse. Natalia grudgingly starts to eat.

Alex asks Eli again whether she knows anything about Natalia's whereabouts, and also what they argued about. Eli says she knows nothing, and their quarrel was about tontería (silliness, nonsense), nothing more. After Alex leaves, Eli calls Humberto and tells him "We have to talk. I'm worried."

Detective Urrutia listens to some phone conversations recorded by Torres' wife in which she says accusingly to Torres that he's screwing girls who could be his daughters. Urrutia tells her fellow detective that it's clear she was afraid of her husband. That's why she recorded the call.

Dasha tells Natalia to take off her clothes. They have to check on the wound. Natalia starts to undress. Maxim, the boss, comes into the bathroom as Natalia is partly undressed. She's clearly unnerved. He starts sniffing around her neck. Dasha asks him to stop (¡Ya basta!).

Daniel returns and tells Mónica that he can help her find Natalia. "I'm a police officer. Or, rather, I used to be. I can help you." Mónica tells him that people aren't taking the matter seriously, but she's sure something is wrong. Natalia always hated when Mónica said joder (fuck). Natalia never used that word, but she did in the phone call to Mónica. Mónica is sure that Natalia is trying to indicate that something is very wrong. Daniel believes she's right, she knows her daughter better than anyone else. He asks Mónica whether there's anyone who would want to hurt her or Natalia.

Daniel's question prompts Mónica to call Pete, the DEA agent in Mexico who helped her with her move to Mexico and her new identity. Pete isn't pleased to hear from her. "I'm a DEA agent, I don't do missing persons." She asks whether it could have anything to do with someone connected to her husband. Pete tells her that her husband died three years ago, and he (Pete) doubts that Natalia's disappearance has anything to do with her husband. He ends the call, saying "If I learn anything, I'll contact you."
 

esconder
No te puedes esconder - Ep. #3 - Parte 2 de 3

Eli and Humberto talk. They both seem to be employees of Alberto Torres, who has an office in the same building. Making sure no one is around to hear, Humberto and she discuss Natalia's disappearance. Apparently both she and Natalia had slept with Torres. Perhaps Torres was scared that Natalia would go to the police? Eli tells Humberto, "When Natalia found out I was sleeping with Torres, she didn't take it well."

Daniel comes to see Urrutia. They used to be partners (I'm not sure whether he means professionally or personally). Anyway, she's very surprised to see him after all this time. He introduces her to Mónica and explains, "She saved my life at the bombing. If it weren't for her, I'd be dead." He then tells Urrutia that he needs to ask a favor. He reminds her, "You owe me one." He explains that Mónica's daughter is missing. He needs to locate a phone. [I'm not sure what he means. I suspect he wants to find out where the call from Natalia was placed, but I'm not sure. All the telenovelas have taught me that if the connection is broken, the call can no longer be traced. Urrutia asks him to come with her, with Mónica remaining where she is. They go to see another police officer, one who deals with missing persons. After a short while, Mónica hears fragments of a heated conversation, and she walks over to the room where they are. She sees a wall covered with photos of missing children, and she also sees that the woman they've gone to see is the same one she spoke with when she reported Natalia missing. She enters the room and says accusingly to that woman, "You're not going to do anything, are you? Where's the picture of my daughter?"

Dasha offers Natalia some pills for pain. Natalia asks what they're going to do with her. "You're going to sell me, aren't you?" she asks. Dasha says she's likely to command a very high price. However, perhaps she'll manage to get out. Some do get out. Natalia takes the pills.

When Urrutia is alone with Mónica, she tells her "I believe you. I always trust my intuition. But try to be less emotional. You need Ana (missing persons police officer) on your side."

Urrutia and her fellow male officer meet with the boss (the commissioner), who is very wary of doing anything to get on the wrong side of Torres, since Torres may be the next mayor, perhaps even the next president. Urrutia is puzzled by the fact that they're dealing with a highly ritualized crime, not a crime of passion. Still, Torres has a lot against him, and his wife was terrified of him. The commissioner tells her that yes, she should investigate Torres, but do so very discreetly, in the shadows. As she's about to leave his office, the commissioner asks, "Who were the young women on the call?" Urrutia tells him she doubts that a young woman killed Torres' wife. But no, they don't yet know the identities of the young women.

Daniel tells Mónica for the umpteenth time, "You saved my life." She replies, "I was doing my job." Daniel says, "Well, I'm doing my job, too."He leaves her apartment and sees a man in the hallway. Daniel suddenly pulls out his gun, points it at the guy, and demands to know who sent him. The frightened guy is saved when his mother calls out something about his coming for dinner. Daniel apologizes and leaves.
 

esconder
No te puedes esconder - Ep. #3 - Parte 3 de 3

Urrutia calls Alex and asks whether he'd like to get together for a drink. [There's no accounting for taste. Perhaps she gets turned on by guys who sniff her neck?] At the bar, she asks him about his fascination with death. She also tells him that many years ago, she protected the wrong person. She was sure he was innocent. Then he took her hostage. Were it not for her partner, she'd be dead. She then asks Alex what near-death experience affected him most. He talks about the Chechen war, which was ending. He was about to get on a bus. Suddenly, shots rang out. He saw a woman dragging herself toward him. He took photos of her, over and over again. And then he saw her daughter, screaming. He took photos of her as well. [This guy is more than weird!] Urrutia asks what happened to the girl. Alex replies, "She lives with me. Eli."

We see an exchange of text messages on Eli's cell phone between her and Alberto Torres from the day before. The first one says, "Hope we weren't seen in the elevator." He replies by saying she's very attractive. He sends another that I can't quite read but seems to say he wants to kiss her. She then sends a more urgent message that says, " We need to talk. Tell me where and when I can see you." She picks up the phone and says out loud, "Why won't you answer?"

Daniel finds Urrutia at the bar. He tells her he doesn't drink any more. She wants to know whether he's sleeping with Mónica. He insists that he's not. She then tells him, "If anyone finds I gave you information, that would be my downfall." She then gives him a piece of paper (or perhaps more than one piece), and she tells him, "I don't owe you anything anymore."

Perhaps using the information Urrutia gave him, Daniel and Mónica find the last location the GPS picked up before losing track of Natalia. They decide to look for cameras in the neighborhood. They find one. The guy behind the counter says that yes, the young woman came in. She seemed worried. He then remembers one more thing. After his shift was over, he found an unopened pack of cigarettes on the ground outside. He thought they might be hers. They ask to see the coverage from the camera outside the store. He says he's not authorized to show them the footage. Daniel pulls out his old police badge. "OK, follow me," says the young man.

Dasha takes Natalia to a room where she will be filmed. "Tell us about yourself." Evenually she says that her name is Natalia Saldaña, she's 19 years old, Mexican, lives in Madrid with her mother.

Daniel and Mónica watch the store camera's footage. They see a van that was parked and starts to move when Natalia disappears from view. The van's license plates are covered over. They also see a tattoo on the hand of someone from the van. Daniel recognizes it as one used by criminals from the east, but they don't usually wear it there.

Alberto Torres' agent Javier sees something on Alberto's cell phone. I can't make out what it is. It's not impossible that it's a photo or video of Natalia. When Alberto comes into the room, Javier shows him the cell phone and asks, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

The next thing we see is Maxim holding his cell phone and saying "Confirmed. Message sent." He tells Dasha to take Natalia away. Natalia asks, "Where am I going?" As the episode ends, he replies, "Al infierno, querida" (To hell, dear).
 

esconder

Wow, Juanita! You outdid yourself on this fantastic recap.

I wonder if there's the same correlation between the new world and Spain as there is between the US and England. The "old country" seems to produce fantastic actors. They are very good in this novela.

We did learn that Urrutia's name is Laura, easier to type!

Alex may be a red herring, but he's very convincing as maybe a sociopath or narcissistic personality disorder. He can't really manage to be very convincing that he cares that Natalia is missing. And, while the woman he seemed to be passionate about is suffering, he's off for drinks with someone new.

So, I was wrong about Laura's "intuition" finding something off about Alex. Unless she's playing him, which I doubt.

She said that the guy she was protecting when she should have been doing her job as a policewoman was in the Mafia and that she's not liking Italians any more.

The commissioner mentioned Torres maybe being president some day. That didn't sound right to me and google confirmed it. Spain is a constitutional monarchy and the head of the government is the prime minister.

When Laura said she was saved by her compañero I assumed she meant Daniel. And that, when he said she owed him when asking for help for Mónica, the favor was saving her life. She said she was a rehén (hostage) of this Mafia guy.

This is the second time Maxim has told Natalia that she's on her way to hell. What's the purpose of that? You'd think he'd want to keep quiet about that, like telling a child the dog had gone to live on a nice farm in the country.
 

esconder

I'm not liking the over use of music in this novela. I'm not crazy about the tunes they've chosen and the English distracts me. It just seems like more pop music than just the normal background music in telenovelas.
 

Sin-Seños4 #37 part 1

El Final del Paraíso

Berrio and staff arrive at the event. The chef is watching on his phone, unhappy Zoraya looking on. She sees the report—he’s getting out of the car with the “beautiful DEA agent”. Santi gives Zoraya a brief pep talk, do it for Mateo and your love for Berrio. She says you should understand how I feel; you still love Catalina.

Hilda and Catagrande at Sal’s place. A lot of deep conversation between the two over the course of this episode. They start with an update on Liseth, she’ll be ok. Today was a really tough day for CataG…

Meanwhile, Natalia and Rafa go out to find Calvo’s son. Francisco stays behind to monitor. Natalia is doing this without CataG’s knowledge. They are in the car waiting for Rafa’s informant to give the signal. Can we trust your informant?

Calvo and Albeiro are in the car. Typical convo between the two. Calvo says he has a win-win proposition for Al. Give me the kid and you’ll get the meds you need. Albeiro says, my son’s life is more important than anyone else’s including my own. And you don’t understand because you are not a father! Calvo grabs him, shouts, what do you know! I’ve got a son! Al is surprised.

Hilda says, Titi’s dead? CataG says I went to his funeral because I had to see it to believe it. With tears in her eyes, she goes over their long story. He was the first man to reject her and this started her on her road to ruin. She became the most prized prepago in the country. I am what I am because of him. Cata is convinced that what happened 20 years ago had to happen to lead her to today.

Hilda listens, then says, I am very proud of you. Because you haven’t forgotten where you come from and what you have been through to get where you are. Let the past go. No, CataG says, it’s not that, (she struggles to get this out) I have mixed feelings, Titi was very important to me.

Widow #3, Dayana, is watching a report on Titi’s funeral, one of the last of the Colombian drug lords. She can’t watch anymore. Dayana’s crying and drinking. A rare twinge of guilt for Dayana: Oh, Titica, if you only knew you will grow up without a father because of me. If you only knew Titi died hating me. It’s my fault he’s dead.

CataG wants to talk about Sal. Mom, do you love him? Hilda says, love is a strong word, it requires time and experiences but she cares about him more each day. Cata sees an opening—does that mean you’re over Albeiro? No, says Hilda, I spent 20+ years and we have a daughter together, I will always care about him. Cata says she saw Al and he said he was going after Diabla. What, wait? Diabla’s alive? Yes, according to Albeiro. Let’s not talk about her now. So how is Mari taking Titi’s death?

dondi 356

 

sin senos#4 epsi.#37

Deb: great recap... this episode was off-the-chain!!I loved LOVED LOVED the funeral..

THE three fugitives as waiters was funny as heck!! jota was eating everything that wasn't tied down!!

poor Zoraya, you blew Berrios 's mind and set Diabla off.. but when Diabla rejected Valeria's mom.. its the beginning of the end..
lucrncia you are a blood hound!1

Berrios cover for that phoneno# hook up and classic cheating move/ made-a-slide was interesting , he has axed his feeling/obsession for Valeria by his actions already..

Cg and hilda was a real talk, and they need to communicate more often.. Vanessa n Cg abt time.. I see the web is linking now...

Calvo's son is gangster..

Al is going to get his aszzz whupped!!

BH has towers/disco clubs .. Santos has found a labrat...poor girl..


HALIMACANDY on THE QT
 

Sin-Seños4 #37 part 2

El Final del Paraíso

Mari’s not taking it well. She arrives home with Moncho and they are fighting. Moncho can’t understand why she cries over the idiot who cheated on her. Dayana reminds them they need to be united at a time like this. Yes, Moncho says, we still need to get rid of Moron, Cardonita, Pilar and CataG. And, BTW, CataG was at the funeral, mourning the love of her life.

#eltitisemuriohoy: he’s trending and enjoying every minute of it. Everyone’s pleased except jealous Pilar because of the widows, particularly CataG. Titi tries to downplay the widow thing—this is good because it gets the DEA off our backs. Next step—producing and sending xy4 to Moncho’s rival cartel in Mexico. Apparently his rival is a woman. Hey, let’s toast to the dead guy. Pilar doesn’t look happy.

Black Hand and Santos show up at a club, owned by Hand, to find a tester for XY5.

More mother-daughter: CataG says she gets it now, why you warned me off friends, said I should study. I understand because I’m a mother now. What she doesn’t understand is, unlike herself, Mari had every advantage growing up, including loving parents. Where did Cata go wrong? Hilda says sometimes there is no good explanation but it’s not your fault. Bad influence can destroy in a day what a mother has built in a lifetime. Hilda gives Cata hope, says I lost you for 20+ years but look at us now. Stronger than ever together. They talk about Catamedia, the PI has a lead.

Moncho and Dayana finally got baby Mari to sleep. Dayana is annoyed at Mari’s craziness. Moncho thinks Mari will be fine. Dayana has her doubts. She tests the waters: Mari will be the end of us. We need to get rid of her! We need to kill her! Hey these things happen in business especially when you put your partners in danger. Moncho says if you lay a finger on Mari I will go after your whole family, Dayana (and us) get a good laugh out of that one. Anyway, Dayana only wanted to know if Moncho really loves Mari. So, Moncho find a way to help her before it’s too late. How to help? Send her back to her mother!

Still more mother-daughter: Hilda says you’ve been looking for Mari the criminal, not Mari your daughter. No, Cata corrects her, it’s just the opposite. I’ve had work issues over this. I don’t see her as a criminal, I just want to save my sweet little girl. Santi always had the good relationship with Mari as I had with Sebas. Hey, maybe Santi can help you with Mari. Good idea, if Cata can find him first. Oh no. Cata is thinking of bringing Sebas back to Colombia? That didn’t work out well the first time!

Back to the Berrio event: He’s talking with the press, he’s very confident to regain his standing. Is it because of your new relationship? Why, yes it does... Just then Leticia shows up. Carla! Carla! You’re my daughter, Carla! Valeria doesn’t know her. Leticia realizes It’s not her daughter, but she’s puzzled. Where’s my daughter? Valeria and Berrio walk away. Leticia calls after them. Valeria brushes it off maybe there is a resemblance and she’s a crazy woman. Berrio is a little more sympathetic.

dondi 356
 

Sin-Seños4 #37

El Final del Paraíso

Part 3 is coming in a little while, sorry.

dondi356
 

Sin-Seños4 #37 part 3

El Final del Paraíso

Leticia is escorted out of the hall. If she doesn’t leave they will call the police. She quickly leaves and finds a cab. Lucrecia shows up and asks what’s going on. Security fills her in. Lucrecia rushes to speak with Leticia but it’s too late. She's gone.

Cata leaves HIlda. Sal calls. Let’s go out for dinner tonight I’ll pick you up. Uh oh, plans are on hold, a bloodied Jo rushes in to his office--I was mugged they took my computer and phone, the buyers, the designs, everything. My nose! (I might enjoy this more if I didn’t suspect this is staged) Sal takes Jo to the hospital.

Berrio is shocked when he sees Zoraya. They speak briefly. What happened to you?! Zoraya makes her case: please listen. We need to talk but it can’t be here. I will explain everything. I never wanted to go. Please. He gives her his card, call me. Valeria sees what’s going on. She tries to go after Zoraya but Berrio stops her to introduce her to someone.

Zoraya and Santi are in the hallway. She’s crying, she doesn’t know if she can follow through.

Vane and CataG are at the office. They talk about Titi. CataG never imagined this. She feels bad. Vane understands. Mari was at the funeral too but Cata couldn’t get to her. Santi could help with Mari but Cata doesn’t know where he is. But Vane knows and she explains. Vane will try to get Santi to call Cata.

Santos has found his guinea pig. He’s been working her all night. Now he slips her the pill and says, it’s brand new and it will take you to another world. She’s excited and takes the pill…

Sal and Hilda at the hospital: Doc says Jo has minor injuries, she’ll be ok. Sal is worried because Jo’s computer was stolen and the collection is in danger. It’s like someone is trying to hurt us... (I wonder who that could be?) But poor Jo is suffering the consequences! (Really, Sal, really?)

Stakeout for Calvo’s son: Natalia and Rafa get the signal and approach. Hey, you got any coke? Yeah, I got what you want right here—he pulls a gun on them.

Vane and CataG with little Nanita in the car. The ladies are bemoaning that women always get the short end of the stick, in work, in parenting. There is a double standard in society.

Marcela, Gabriel and Sandy are talking about finding Paola and setting up a meeting with Vane and CataG. And BTW, Albeirito is doing great, handsome like his dad. Sandy picks up on this, you like Albeiro?

Albeiro is at the fight venue. He’s going to watch and learn from some fighters before he steps in to spar.

Valeria questions Berrio about that woman (Zoraya). He plays it off—I thought she was someone else. But you gave her your card. Berrio is pleased, Valeria is jealous?

Lucrecia shows up says, you make a beautiful couple. Berrio says a beautiful family. Talking about family, Lucrecia has never heard Valeria talk about hers. Are your parents alive? It’s a sensitive subject for Valeria and she declines to comment. But you know we are in a campaign now and these questions will be asked when you become First Lady. Did you think about that? Close up on Valeria, deadpan. And we’re out.

dondi356
 

esconder

Thanks very much, novelera, for your incisive and helpful comments.

I smiled when I read your comment about "Laura" being easier to type. I had exactly the same thought last night, but by then I had typed "Urrutia" several times, and I was too tired to suddenly switch. (My brain seems to go on automatic pilot when I'm writing a recap late at night.)

I haven't yet decided whether Laura is interrogating Alex, playing him, or genuinely interested in him (either romantically or as a psychological case study). I suppose it doesn't have to be either/or. I guess since I like her, I want to think that her intuition won't fail her (again).

Good point about "president" being the wrong aspiration for someone in Spain. I guess the writers are all from the New World.

The rapid juxtaposition of the message appearing on Torres' cell phone and Maxim saying "Message sent" seems to indicate that Torres is involved in the human trafficking business. My guess is that his participation gets him his pick of the girls, but I suppose he could also be benefitting financially. In any event, a true scumbag and one of the characters trying to hide, a la the novela's title.

BTW, I found it strange that much of the music was in English. I have the feeling that Telemundo is trying to encourage its Spanish-speaking audience to learn English. I've had this impression from several novelas, and even from some of the ads.
 

esconder

Thanks for the further clarification of what was going on with the cell phone messages. I've reached the point that I only get up off the sofa to read texts if I'm recapping. Otherwise I just stay there and hope the dialog will fill me in. It wasn't until reading your recap and later comment that I gathered Torres could be part of the ring Maxim runs.

It sort of fits with his panic about his phone records being viewed by the cops. After all, this is Europe, not the US. An affair with a 19 year old might not sink a candidate in Spain.
 

sin-senos4

dondi, you do such a wonderful job with these recaps, thanks!

Dayana has no problem getting rid of Mari, she already had Titi lined up for the job and was working on Moncho, smooth way at turning it into a joke, cracked me up when Moncho threatened her family, she said something like you'll have to rent me some relatives first.

Valeria's mom sure is a twist.

I can't imagine a big banquet like that with only those 4 being the waiters.

 

Esconder

Thank you so much, Juanita. That was an outstanding recap with nice detail. Thanks for adding some very interesting insights, novelera.

There was a fly buzzing around Natalia that landed on her crappy sandwich. Yuck factor.

On further investigation, Spain has a prime minister but they refer to him as presidente del gobierno, presidente for short.

Torres erased Natalia’s info from his phone. And he’s still hot on Eli. He’s definitely playing with fire, hooking up with multiple young women. What’s his connection to the traffickers? He didn’t find Natalia or Eli through them. Does he sample them before turning them over?

They’re keeping us guessing and I like it. Hard to tell a red herring from a legit clue or how any of the seemingly separate story lines will fit together.

Juanita, I get the feeling that Telemundo is looking to grab onto a younger, bilingual and/or native English speaker audience with the non-traditional stories, amount of English spoken in many shows and the CC3 English caps available. Univision briefly had English caps but they don’t have them anymore; I wonder why.

dondi356

 

esconder

dondi, thanks VERY much for your illuminating comments. You consistently notice important things that I miss. For example, I didn't realize that Torres erased Natalia's info from his phone. If the message Maxim sent was the Natalia video and was sent to Torres, I wonder how Torres will feel about Natalia's being caught in Maxim's net. Compassion? Regret? Panic?

I agree with you that the so-far successful attempt to keep us guessing is part of what's appealing about this novela.

And you may well be right about Telemundo's going after a younger, bilingual and/or native English speaking audience. My guess is such an audience might be financially better off and thus more attractive to sponsors.