Thursday, October 10, 2019

La Usurpadora - Capitulo 18 - Booze and Drugs and a Funeral

Paola is still asking Olga to say her name when the episode starts, but she turns it around quite drastically by the end, channeling her inner Maleficent. She instructs Tina to proceed with the funeral arrangements and tells her that she will contact Paulina. Naturally not only is that a lie, but she also calls Manuel to tell him of the news and orders him to prevent Paulina from finding out. At her command he tells Paulina that Olga and Paola left the city for a while and are incommunicado. For some unknown reason Paulina, who spent the better part of the episode looking for a cell phone (there seems to be a shortage of those in their residence) to call home and then dialing non-stop, seems to have believed him. Additionally looks like no one questioned Manuel’s giant black eye, so Mexico must be lenient on such things in Presidential households. 


The funeral does go on without Paulina. Many people show up and say some nice things, but Paola dropped all pretenses and snaps at mostly everyone or asks them to leave. 


Our compartmentalizing champ Paulina is able to fit in other great items this episode, despite the apparently crippling, but arriving in short timed bursts, worry about Olga. She manages to perk up Lisette’s spirits some more and engage her in a project she is working on, receives flowers from Carlos and gushes about their trip to Montse (who, like us, wonders – what about Nava?). She also spends some time locked in a smoochie with said Carlos, right after he discusses their recent trip and confesses her all these feelings he is having that are completely new to him. 


So really, what about Nava? Well, he is back in Mexico right in time to unseal Gonzalo’s house and start looking for evidence with Irene. Dogs lead them to the body of the sniper buried in Gonzalo’s backyard, and with some detective work and Pedro’s help, by the end of the episode Nava preliminarily identifies the body as the sniper. During one of her worry spells Paulina calls Nava to ask about connecting with Olga. Well, Nava gives her the latest – he is in Mexico and involved in investigation. Manuel returned and, yes, Nava had a part to play in prettying up Manuel’s face. He can’t help with Olga, as he is not in Colombia, but he has some in-person news. Someone enters Paulina’s room and she has to hang up, so Nava is left high and dry again. Irene wonders if this Paulina is the reason he has been avoiding her, but Nava denies it. Irene asks him to prove so, and we are treated to a gratuitous sex scene. (Side-note, during one of their chats as Irene was flattering him with the title of the best detective ever, did anyone notice Nava replied: “If I was the best, Paola would be in jail”. Very curious, because I think Irene doesn’t know about Paola/Paulina.)


The never-sleeping Pascual found out that Molina and Diego are related and tells so to Carlos. Carlos asks him to continue investigating, so our sly Pascual wants to hit all his deliverables with minimum effort – he asks Carlos about bringing Pedro in to help and also obtain info on Nava from him. Carlos agrees, so Pedro gets a new job – with Nava’s approval too, because he also needs someone on the inside. 


Pedro’s first assignment is to interrogate Molina and do “whatever it takes”. I guess we see now where Nava picked up some of these methods. Pedro gets in a fight with Molina, both of them plant and receive some hits, and at the end Pedro tells him he knows he used Diego to get to Lisette. Molina admits that they are relatives, but contends that the whole affair with Lisette is pure coincidence. Pedro hits him again for good measure and leaves. (We are left really unsure what the purpose of this was. Seems to be all highly inadmissible evidence, if you can even call it evidence…) 


Paola also asks Manuel to get her an apartment in the city, as she is returning back. He outsources this task to Terry, who very obediently (for her) takes it up. She spends some time conferring with her crew outside, while being watched by Pedro. (Smart Pedro told Nava that Manuel lives with a woman and Nava sent him on a spying mission to find out about Terry… Oh Pedrito, better be careful.) 


Let’s chat about our today’s queen of efficiency Gema, who just put Paulina’s spectacular efforts to shame. I am actually uncertain how she was functioning in this episode, because every time we saw her she was holding a drink in the middle of the day. She started drinking with Carlos in the morning, where they discussed his refusal of Fanjul’s business. Gema moved to the same dude, who originally gave the information, and drank some more with him, while pumping him for info on names of Fanjul’s enemies. She then went to one of those enemies and secured his collaboration, while sipping on a Modelo. She came back to Carlos to tell of her daily escapades over yet another drink, where he – dizzy from trying to fit an image of such productivity into his one dimensional think tank – declared she is fit to be a President. (Oh dear Carlos, yes – one of the two people in the room should be the President. It not the one who currently is.)


Back in Bogota, Tina is still expecting Paulina and is beginning to suspect Paola never called her. She asks for a phone number, but is denied that and asked to leave. Paola, in the meantime, is throwing everything that Paulina had, touched or is pictured on – all over Tina’s protests. Tina finally finds Paulina’s number, but no one picks up. 


Another person, who did not lift his head from the vat of alcohol and controlled substances all episode, was Emilio. He continued drinking in his room, made an excuse when Juana came to confront him and tell that Demetrio stopped by. He then went to see Fero (the girl from the music school). They had a good time and shared a sweet kiss. (Diego seems to be free of any bodyguards this episode, which seems unlikely. However I am sure it better fits in to the script that way, so beanie is on and at the ready!)


He goes back to his friend’s house and, a great pal that he is, the friend offers him a beer. After drinking that one they go to a party and partake in all sorts of entertainment – liquid, powder, you name it. Emilio ends up calling Fero in a panic from the party, asking her to pick him up. She comes and does that, and Emilio can barely walk. They get in her car and drive off. Fero here has been having some pains all episode (appendix if I had to guess?), so she ends up doubling up in pain and stopping right in the middle of the road, with Emilio passed out next to her and unable to help. Again, conveniently for this plot point – no secret service around. And that’s the end for today. 

Labels:


Comments:
Another incredible recap Ria. They just keep coming.

"dizzy from trying to fit an image of such productivity into his one dimensional think tank: was my favorite but also loved "channeling her inner Maleficent".

Paulina has assumed the mantle of mistress of the house and as you noted, doing an impeccable job. The only problem is that it is not her house! I would love to know what is going through her head. On some level, is she trying to supplant her sister, trying to eradicate the havoc Paola has done to her family? Yes, she has seemingly cast Nava aside and seems to actually be on the edge of entering into some sort of relationship with Carlos. For no reason whatsoever, other than it fits in with her role.

Irene's jealousy was clearly evident. I still think these two are a good match.

I'm not too sure if Gema or Terry is the smartest one here, but it's close. Gema was playing everyone like a fiddle, and masterfully too. I can't wait to find out what Terry is up to now. Like you, I hope Pedro is careful.

Emilio, "who did not lift his head from the vat of alcohol and controlled substances all episode", didn't stumble, he fell.

I'm not sure what Pedro's smackdown of Molina actually accomplished but he totally deserved it. I suspect this will end badly for him.

Paola's trashing all of Olga and Paulina's memories was sad to watch. Her anger and wrath are heightened, and like any strong storm, will increase as she reaches her destination. Home.

Ria, this was wonderful. Thank you for providing us with all the critical details in such vivid and clear fashion.

Diana
 

Ria, thank you. I so enjoyed the recap. “. . . so beanie is on and at the ready.” Perfect beanie usage description for this and most novelas. Good point: where are the bodyguards with Emilio out and about?

Diana, great description of Paola “ . . . any strong storm, will increase as she reaches her destination. Home.”

It will be interesting when Paulina finds out that her mother has died and that Paola has kept that secret. At the end, will Paulina end up as First Lady? She sure is suited to the role as well as a mother to the kids and a wife for Carlos. So glad I only have to wait a little over a week to find out.

Makeup did a good job on Manuel’s beat up face. Looks like he will cast his fate with crazed Paola but Wilson is also vying for the same position. How will she handle that? Juggle both?

Guess we will find out more tonight.
 

Wonderful as always RIA. I especially appreciate your transitions and how you manage to write a smoothly flowing recap of a telenovela which, like all of them, bounces around from one disparate scene to the next.

For instance there was this:

She came back to Carlos to tell of her daily escapades over yet another drink, where he – dizzy from trying to fit an image of such productivity into his one dimensional think tank – declared she is fit to be a President. (Oh dear Carlos, yes – one of the two people in the room should be the President. It not the one who currently is.)

And then later, transitioned nicely with this:

Another person who did not lift his head from the vat of alcohol....

Writing a cohesive, readable recap takes a lot of thought, energy and time. Thank you as always.

DIANA...Your storm imagery for Paola was awesome. If Ria and Jarifa are the Titlemeisters, you're the Commentmeister.
 

Ria, outstanding recap! I just luuurve your descriptions of Carlos (i.e., the one-dimensional think tank). And as JudyB has already noted, your writing style is to be commended.Thank you for leading us through the turbulence.

We had seen Emilio's falling coming, but it was just so disappointing that he didn't just fall off the wagon, the wagon dragged him on and on. Had there been any indication that
Fero is ill? And while Emilio was visiting her, she got a call, but she cut it short. I thought it was from some other guy she may be seeing, but could it have been from a doctor? I guess we shall soon find out.

I can't believe Pau is actually "forgetting" Nava and setting her sights on Carlos. Diana, "Paulina has assumed the mantle of mistress of the house...The only problem is that it is not her house! I would love to know what is going through her head." Might she have a bit of Paola's personality? Hmmm...

I did enjoy seeing Pedro smacking Molina, but I can't believe Molina sang so quickly. Pedro should have continued the wallops to get Molina to sing the whole song.

And Diana, I agree with JudyB, you definitely have earned the Golden Globe Award for Commentmeister. I sure miss your prologues :-)

 

Great work, Ria.

Molina certainly deserved what Pedro was dishing out and then some. He really needs to suffer for what he's done to Lis and to Diego. The way he treated and used Diego was beyond disgusting. This is a true sociopath.

Paola is a psychopath and not even an effective one at this stage; she is unraveling. She never stops to think about what it means to impersonate Paulina or does it disgust her beyond belief to pretend to be a decent human being? I think she will try to juggle Manuel and Wilson to see what she can get out of each in terms of dirty work and this isn't going to go anywhere good.

Carlos needs to finish his term and go back to practicing law or something. It looks like he came from money so maybe he can retire and learn to be a father. The big unanswered question is whether he will have Paulina or Gema at his side for that. At least we won't have long to wait for the answer.
 

Ria: Good Job. I agree with you on Pedro needing to be very careful because Teresa is flat out CRAZY. Speaking of Aurora Gil, who portrays Crazy, Dark Gothic Teresa, I KNEW I recognized her from "Infames".

UA: 100% agree with you on Molina getting his Karma. That man is a blatant PSYCHO. How long is Carlos into his term as President ?

RGV Chick: Not shocked Emilio fell off the wagon. I don't see Fero making it since Emilio is drunk passed out.


 

Great recap, Ria! I loved "compartmentalizing champ" about Paulina. Nailed it! Burying the sniper in Gonzalo's backyard was dumb. And what a coincidence that Faro was taken ill just as she was trying to rescue Emilio
 

Thanks, Ria. Loved it all, but especially the rundown of activities of “queen of efficiency Gema."

Gees, the night before, I was horrified at Nava’s beating that scud Manuel, but last night I cheered as Pedro gave Molina what for.

Paulina has become the ‘usurpadora,’ taking over Paola’s life, while Paola is totally being her evil, wretched self in Colombia.

I guess Nava cannot compete with the nuclear family and the power that Paulina feels now. She’s giving Carlos every reason to believe he’ll be reconciling with his "wife."

Nava had “I’m going to wash that girl right outta my hair” sex with Irene, but he’s still into Paulina.

did anyone notice Nava replied: “If I was the best, Paola would be in jail”. Very curious, because I think Irene doesn’t know about Paola/Paulina.)

Ria, I didn’t notice. I agree Irene doesn't know.
 

Hi everyone! I started my day unusually early today and only now getting a chance to catch up!

Diana - your comments are always so insightful, I find myself nodding along with you. I agree with JudyB on the Commentmeister title! I especially appreciated one on Paulina assuming her new role and making adjustments to her (fake) life even to fit in even better. Exactly right!

Jarifa - I wonder how long Paola will keep Olga’s death quiet!

JudyB - thank you very much. As usual you are very kind. I also wanted to repeat myself that your dubbing Diana “Commentmeister” is spot on!

Rgv Chick - yes, Paulina forgot Nava so quickly. If they gave it a bit more time and context, maybe it wouldn’t have seemed to sudden. But this seemed just as abrupt as her initial relationship with Nava.

Urban - Indeed, not sure who Carlos will keep by his side. Not entirely sure he deserves anyone :)

Steve - actress playing Teresa is doing a fantastic job!

SpanProf - definitely a nice coincidence that Fero is ill driving passed out Emilio. Will see where this goes!

Niecie - I wonder if Paulina is attracted to Nava, but it is that nuclear family appeal that keeps her close to Carlos. Intriguing - which do you choose...

 

Princess Juju - if you are out there reading: I am assuming your cable troubles have cleared up, since I haven’t heard otherwise. Please let me know if anything changes, but I am planning to post a page for you tonight! Thank you and hope all is well by now on your end!
 

Thanks Ria.

These people in This administration are so careless. No bodyguards no cia-
ish people at every opening of the presidential residence. Very unusual.
Terrorist,assassins,dusgruntled mad workers, Even mad postal workers can just walk In there and have a shootin good time.

I don't think Paulina knows what the heck she's doin. I haven't seen the episode for tonight or read any of the comments. I forgot it was on. So I don't know if Tina is still alive or if Paulina has found out that mom"s gone yet. I'll probly watch it the weekend.

Paola is insanely jealous of her sis.
And throwing away all the photos and
Everything else that represents Pauly
Won't change a thing. She was raised
By a selfish mindless boob and Paulina
Wasn't. Paola is a psychotic psycho narrsassitic sick twisted woman. What
Would Manny be. He now wants to work for free, and Terry dutiful obeys.How
Sick is this getting?

Ok, I'm done for tonight. Thank you
Ria.
 

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