Caray, Caray!

HIJAS #19 TWO OF OUR LITTLE HAMSTERS COME TO GRIEF

Part 1

I'm sure the grief will be temporary--this is a happy little daytime show after all. But for the moment Juana Victoria and Juana Inés are woeful indeed. How did this very distressing state of affairs come about?

Well, it started off wild and crazy. Vicky is out of her mind happy learning she's not Sebastian's sister. She leaves the big Juana Fiesta to jump up and wrap her legs around Seb's pelvis, Paloma-style, and lay some vacuum-sealed kisses on him--er, may I say Andy-style? He's the one who came up with the term anyway. I assume he knows whereof he speaks. Anyway, it's pretty solid and passionate. But she hears Dad calling her name and romps back, floating on her pink cloud-- to jump on the stage and celebrate the new era of the Juana's business and charitable programs getting off to a great start. Her giddy glee is only dampened somewhat by looking out and seeing a sad little Steffi in the crowd, mascara melting through her tears.

Meanwhile, our resourceful and curious Leonora is trying her darndest to pry open the mysterious briefcase. She hurts her wrist using a screwdriver for the job but Eureka! she gets it open and those big eyes get even bigger eyeing all those dollars. You might even say she looks a bit greedy. But her better self prevails, and so she goes and changes into a discreet, black "church outfit" and tells the weary parish priest all about it. Padre refuses to believe that Juan could be involved in anything like this--"He's an honorable man."
-"Honorable!--With four illegitimate daughters!?"
-"Infidelity is one thing. But quite another to be involved in illicit activities."

Interesting how the priest separated those two out. Anyway, that's the last word he gets in edgewise. Leonora flounces out, declaring that she's going to make like a private detective and get to the bottom of this. (Methinks she's getting more and more intrigued by the dough. But we shall see.)

The fiesta continues but neither Mauricio nor Fernando are getting anywhere romance-wise. Inés refuses Mau's invitation to dance, because she'd be "condemned to a gazillion years of purgatory" if she accepted. -"Is that a 'no'?" he asks. Indeed it is.

Fernando, following up on Sebastian's hint that he's not the man for Victoria, asks her about her ideal guy. Well, he's tall,well-built, muscular, successful, mature and gentlemanly. He thinks she has someone specific in mind. She sure does Fernando! And it ain't you.

The fiesta comes to a sudden halt when a crowd of angry middle-aged women show up to denounce the Juana Pack for breaking the heart of the honorable, "intachable" long-suffering Leonora. Here they are, swanning [pavoneando] around , while our dear Leo weeps alone. Outraged middle-aged shrieks and denunciations. And that's it for the party.
 

HIJAS #19 TWO OF OUR LITTLE HAMSTERS COME TO GRIEF

Part 2

Time for that long overdue heart to heart twixt Steffi and Vicky. The former is deeply disappointed that her "sister" didn't even text her to let her know she and Seb were off to Mexico City. Vicky is unfazed. Yeah, well I thought Sebastian told you.
-" Nope, he sent a message through his uncle."
-"Well, perdoname, si?"

Rather casual, given that Vicky is planning to make off with Steffi's intended. But you know the saying, No Rules in Love and War. (unless you're Juana Inés)

Meanwhile, Sebastian is ready to break a few rules himself and confront his mom about the DNA information. But first he mentions how the townswomen broke up the party in defense of the "honorable and 'intachable' Leonora Oropeza."
-"About time!" snaps Mom
-"But have you ALWAYS done the correct thing?"
-"I've always loved you and your Dad. From the first moment. And I dedicated my life to you both."

At this moment, heavy, agitated breathing ensues. Leo feels her blood pressure rising and reminds Seb that the doc said another heart incident might kill her.

Well, that pretty much puts a damper on any further questioning. Especially when Sebastian starts reminiscing about what a tender, devoted mama she was.

Juana Victoria, meanwhile, is still floating on air. She rushes in to crush Javier with an exuberant hug and to announce her plan... Now that she knows Seb is not her brother-- she's going to LOVE LOVE LOVE the guy.

Javier tells her she needs to stay grounded.
-" Why!? Let me enjoy this!"

But she doesn't get to. Because the next thing Vicky knows, Sebastian is telling her that THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE DNA RESULTS SECRET!

Oh boy. Trouble ahead.
 

HIJAS #19 TWO OF OUR LITTLE HAMSTERS COME TO GRIEF

Part 3

Our star-crossed couple continue their discussion on the beach. She can't believe that he dragged her all the way to Mexico City to find out they're not related, and now they can't follow up on it. And all to protect a woman (Leonora) who hates her guts! And what's wrong with spilling the beans on her, if she was unfaithful to Papa Juan? After all, everybody knows about his little slip-ups.

Sebastian points out that the world judges women more harshly. And especially the world in a small, conservative community like Mazatlán. He just can't do that to his loving mom. Well, Juana Victoria can't believe that she has to smother the overwhelming love she feels for him-- and all because of her arch enemy.

Meanwhile, Arch-Enemy is back skulking around the office and giving Margarita the stink-eye. Marg is fielding a business call and Leonora wants to know what it's about. After all, she's JUAN'S WIFE!
-And HE'S MY BOSS! And his business is confidential.

Feisty look from Margarita. Intimidating look from Leonora.

It's a draw.
 

HIJAS #19 TWO OF OUR LITTLE HAMSTERS COME TO GRIEF

Part 4

Gotta love these scenes between Leonora and Dario. Lots of Hand Porn and lots of Fan Porn too. Honestly, the words don't matter. But the upshot is that Leo confides in Dario about the wads and wads of cash she found in a briefcase destined for Juan. He eagerly assures her that Juan probably has a secret bank account in the Cayman Islands with billions of dollars. Leo doesn't look shocked. She looks delighted. Yum, yum, all for me and the hubby.

Every time Dario tries to make time, he seems to only strengthen Leo's determination to hold onto her wayward spouse.

Anyway, the whole scene is played for laughs as Leo grabs his napkin to wipe her eyes, flips her fan open and shut to make her points, and manages to extricate her mitts from Dario's frantic hands at every opportunity. These two old pros are having a blast playing this scene.
 

HIJAS #19 TWO OF OUR LITTLE HAMSTERS COME TO GRIEF

Part 5

Well, Juana Victoria's love life is in the dumps; but Juana Inés is determined to kick over the traces and cut loose. Yes, folks, she's going to break out of those rigid convent rules about behavior and go out and gaze upon the object of her affection to her heart's content. Alas, her vantage point to spy on Sebastian is on a rooftop under the harsh burning sun.

As Sebastian and Javier bicker about repairs and finances, and then segue into his worries over his parents' separation, Inés turns pinker and pinker. Seb takes his time explaining how his dad learning of Leonora's infidelity would be the "last nail in the coffin of their marriage". Javier points out that there's another little problem--Estefania.

At this point, a very very pink Inés collapses. Sebastian, muscular and gentlemanly as he is, carries her off to Soledad's nursing station. Gradually coming to, Inás happily stares some more at "St. Sebastian" and confesses that she's been observing him blissfully all the way to Hell. Fortunately, this is dismissed as pure delirium.

Brief scene of Fernando painting seaside, and remembering Vicky's description of her perfect man. He checks his shoulders, comes to a decision (what? to work out more?) and packs up his gear.

Meanwhile, Sebastian has gone to Steffi's house. As he sits waiting for her, he finds her diary and--after the briefest of hesitations--starts to read. Fortunately Steff writes in GREAT BIG CAPITAL LETTERS so we have no trouble learning, first, how rapturously happy she is to be marrying him. And then, how broken-hearted and dejected she is at his growing distance from her. LIFE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT HIM!

Well, that's the last nail in Seb and Vicky's Romance Coffin. He leaves, goes to his erstwhile sister's hotel room, and tells her
-" It's Over. I'm Marrying Estefania!"

And there we end.

Oh dear, oh dear. Lots of woe for our hamsters today, but have to say I really loved the scenes of sand, sea and sun. Because IT'S SNOWING HERE!!!!! Okay. It's not sticking. BUT IT'S SNOWING!!!!

Send me to Mazatlán. Sure, it's a conservative small community. But I'm too old to get in trouble and I just want to luxuriate in that seaside warmth. Anyone want to come along?
 

HIJAS

Judy, I will go with you to Mazatlán! We have mild threat of snow flurries down here...for next week. Gah. Good thing I don't need bread or milk. Or beer. Must check the toilet paper inventory. Because....flurries!!! LOL
Thank you for your recap!

And the wheel in the cage goes round and round . . .

Leo and her fan were a hoot. Her face often reminds me of Carol Burnett, who had good expressions, too. Dario's face was so melodramatic, too, during that convo. Great actors!

The priest's eyerolls, again, were funny, too.

Oy, Ines, standing out in the hot sun in all those clothes. Silly goose. Did not seem to bother Seb, though.

And of course he has to protect his mother's reputation. It's too early in the story for our lovebirds to be together. There also would be jilting St. Stefi.

Fernando seemed to stand taller when Vicki told him her ideal man is tall. And about those mandatory muscles, well, time will tell. Bless his heart.
 

HIJAS

BTW, Seb was wearing long navy pants on the road trip to Mexico City, and when he was talking to Stefi upon his arrival back home.
Our crazy Comcast DVR always records the early morning repeat and I cannot make it stop.
 

HIJAS

Judy, your enthusiasm is showing and is contagious. I really do want to watch this, particularly with "swanning [pavoneando] around". Just excellent.

"Her giddy glee is only dampened somewhat by looking out and seeing a sad little Steffi in the crowd, mascara melting through her tears". Sounds like Steffi is a pretty crier too, just to add to the perfection, am I right? Huge sigh.

"Sebastian points out that the world judges women more harshly". Yes So true. "And especially the world in a small, conservative community" - yes, here, there and everywhere.

I'm with you and doris for Mazatlán. I'm already yearning for warmth and sunshine though it's barely left us.

Thank you for the excellent recap Judy. Great fun.

Diana
 

MAÑANA

At breakfast Diana tells the family that she and Laura were adopted. Everybody is stunned for a few moments but then they ask questions. Do you know who your biological parents are/were? Do you want to find out more about them?

Diana says she wants to and is looking into it. Laura says she has no interest in the mother who didn't want her, who just gave her away for adoption. Regina is discomforted by this, no doubt thinking of her own baby and her plan to give it up for adoption.

Malicio is suffering with a hangover from his night out drinking with Ximena, then gets obnoxious with Rafa and insinuates that Rafa is, or should be, taking advantage of his house guest Paloma. He has a few nasty things to say about Paloma too. They almost get into a scuffle but are kept apart.

Lidia arrives to start working for Diana; she calls Diana "doña Diana" but Diana thinks that makes her sound old, Señora would be fine. Barbi is just Barbi, and she shows Lidia around. She also tells her that Nico is bringing over his girlfriend later. Lidia asks, "Isn't Nico just seven years old?" Barbi says yes, but he's a very romantic boy.

Diana checks with Laura and, yes, she's going to work today. Diana tells her that last night Monica told her that she and Camilo were going to have dinner together tonight. Laura, no friend to Monica, says Diana needs to find out if it's true, and if so, put a stop to it.

At the MediaLink office Monica goes in to see Camilo and they chat and laugh together about the exchange of photos. Definitely buddies now. But the spell is broken when Camilo mentions that it was Diana who took his old hippie pictures, and then goes on to say that "Almu" his old girlfriend is so very "genial". Monica doesn't say anything but is annoyed that his wife and old girlfriend keep popping up in their conversations.   :-)

Camilo admits to her that he misses their morning phone call, and Monica laughs. Pablo arrives as Monica is leaving and he thanks her for helping him get out of a jam. Pablo and Camilo talk. Camilo is not going to fire him but gives him a lecture on responsibly trying to improve the world, on not stealing or damaging other people's property, etc., etc. All is conditionally forgiven, depending on future conduct. Camilo also wants Pablo to reduce MediaLink's eco footprint, and perhaps work with clients to help them do the same. There is a bit of hemming and hawing, but Camilo eventually decides that Pablo and Regina can still see each other, but no escapades, ever.

Next, Almudena arrives at the office and wants to chat with Monica, become friends with her. Monica is rightly suspicious, but polite. Exit Almu.

A busy day at MediaLink. Paloma arrives next, and Malicio tries his luck with her; he's hot, hot, hot for her. Paloma advises him to take a [cold] shower. Ever sleazy, ever desperate Malicio then gives Ximena a call, but she's not answering.
Paloma finds Rafa and gives him his wallet, found on the apartment floor. He thanks her and then starts flirting with her. After she leaves Rafa's friend notes that Rafa has feelings for Paloma; Rafa admits to some interest, which surprised me.

Diana gets good news, she is clear of any cancer!
Poor not-so-slowly-going-crazy Maggie yells at Regina; Regina yells at Maggie; Regina rolls her eyes. This adoption is not going well.

Cristóbal continues recording with Javiera and her band, but keeps missing school to do so.

Nico and Eli, holding hands, go up to his room to play. Diana asks Lidia to keep an eye on the precocious pair, and up she goes. She starts to read them a story, but winds up making up her own story about a lucha libre "luchadora". Diana is listening outside the door...

Anyway, it's the inspiration Diana needed; she thinks, "A story about a luchadora... why not?"

Almu now visits Diana to sow a little more discord, starts making belittling comments about Monica, and tries to invite herself to dinner. And there the episode ends.

andy
 

I’m taking out my luggage and ready to go to Mazatlan :-) Temps in the RGV reached the low 90s today but tomorrow they won’t even reach 60 (cold front arriving tonight). So sunny beaches sounds good to me.

I’ll comment on the grief-stricken hamsters mañana. Cuna is starting! Have a wonderful evening!
 

HIJAS

JudyB, thank you for another great recap.

Leonora and Dario are definitely stealing the show, especially Leonora.

I did have to wonder about the way she opened the case, popping the locks off. What if it contained something perfectly innocent and important?
No, forget it, I'm overthinking this.

Somebody here suggested there might have been a baby swap at some point.
The more I think about it, the more I like that idea. Leonora might just be "intachable" after all.

:-)

andy
 

Very funny recap Judy.

Everytime I see leo, I'm like, she is protesting waaay to much. What is she hiding? I want to see who seb's papa is. Somebody we least expect. I was thinkin Xavier but he would Have some of juan's DNA so that would not have worked. Man this gonna be a humdinger of a situation. And funny.

So now he wants to protect mom, who is
As pure as the driven snow with mud on
It.

Bring on the makeovers. Especially for
Sister Inez & vicki. The wig, the big black shoes, the shapeless nun frock. And all the other stuff that's crazy about this fun story of love in the after noon.

Where did Dario get that money? Is it
His? Probly. So jvick has to sqwash her Love fer seb. She should take this time to get an angry makeover, it will
Make her feel better. And the patio too.

Thank you judy, you're a fun recap person.
 

OT

Rgv Chickie, or anyone who watches "Cuna de lobos", did I see Michelle González in one of the recent promos?

If so, does she get enough screen time to make it worth my time to try to get a decent screenshot or two?

:-)

andy
 

HIJAS

Good morning fellow observers of the Hamster Cage. It's 20 degrees here, so while I'm trying to feel sorry for Rgv Chick dealing with 60 degree weather, it's not working. The frost is on the Midwestern Pumpkin, that's for sure!

DORIS...You make some good points--Cynthia Klitbo may indeed be channeling Carol Burnett with some of her outrageous comic faces. Enjoying every little bit of her performance. And "Saint Steffi" is perfect. "Mandatory muscles" as well. Keep 'em coming.

DIANA...Estefania is indeed a pretty crier. Do you remember Ferro's Ugly Crying Scale? There were a number of actors who got rated, but Steffi would never make it. Those pure and "intachable" tears just slide gracefully down her perfect cheeks.

RGV CHICK...Boo hoo...60 degrees. I'm weeping and wailing for you amiga! And I'm an ugly crier. Get all squinchey, red-faced and snotty.

ANDY...Like you, I've been trying to come up with a plausibly innocent reason for Sebastian's parentage. Baby swap is one. Or perhaps Leonora doubted that Juan's "swimmers" could ever get up to speed, and accepted some in vitro fertilization from an anonymous donor (probably her gynecologist!). Well, anyway, it would be nice to keep her "intachable" if only for loving son Sebastian's tender feelings.

NINA...Love you suggestion for An Angry Makeover. Yes, women have been getting Angry Makeovers for years. Therapeutic shopping, therapeutic plastic surgery, or just therapeutic haircuts. I'm ready to see THREE makeovers, since I don't much care for Barb's hairstyle either. But definitely Vicky and Inés! The sooner the better!
 

MAÑANA

ANDY...Thanks for the continuing update on the Misery that is Mañana. It just sounds horrible, so I really appreciate you watching and keeping us abreast of the dreary, absurd goings-on. I hope that the Nico romance is adorable and that they start showing more of that and less of everything else. There just is dearth of likable characters in this story. For me, at least.

But I like the Recapper!
 

OT

Oh, and we probably won't see much more of Michelle González in Cuna. She was not the rollicking, adorable lass that she was in Papa etc. Though the same lovely figure. Nopis. More a sadder but wiser gal, with emphasis on the sadder.
 

Hola, Patio!!

HIJAS

Muchos thank yous, JudyB, for such a snarktastic recap.

I have to say that I am starting to look forward to the Leo-Dario exchanges...with the hand porn and now the fan porn LOL

Don't know about anyone else, but I also look forward to seeing what outfits Mundito and Todo are wearing....just like I would look forward to seeing what pajamas Robert and Julieta would wear on MMTF.

My crockpot theory on Seb's parentage is that Leo had an affair. I would really luurve to see that thrown in her "intachable" face.

MAÑANA

Andy, thanks for the Andycap...it's just about the only thing I enjoy about this TN. So what happened with the wallet? It seemed that they had made a big deal of emphasizing it.

JudyB, if I tell you that it is a very cool 53 degrees, will you still wail and boohoo? J/K, keep warm and drink lots of hot chocolate, my friends :-)
 

RGV CHICK...53 degrees huh...I'm not sure I can manage any boo-hoos but I'll serve you up a few sniffles, how about that? Do be sure and watch the Dario/Leonora scene. It's a real treat with the snapping fan and the hand-wrestling. I'm sure the cast parties on this one were fun too.
 

MAÑANA

Judy, thank you. I'm actually enjoying this TN. Definitely not my all-time favorite, but it's not bad now. The first half or third was awful, just miserable.

Someone suggested that there might be different takes on this TN's story because of different male/female perspectives. Maybe, I don't know, but I find it OK now.

Rgv Chickie, so far it seems the wallet was just a way to get Paloma to visit MediaLink and interact with Rafa and Malicio.

OT

I'm watching El Hotel de los Secretos and I'm enjoying it very much, with the usual caveats. For those who watched Sin tu Mirada and remember Prudencia and her assets displayed in that little red dress, you should see her in Hotel!

:-)

:-)

andy
 

HIJAS--
Shout out to all hamsters. Come to the aid of your two little kin whose wheels have come off the bus. Well, not so much to them as to JudyB who is keeping hamsters in our heads whenever the four Juanas are on the scene. Thank you for the romp.

Of course we all knew the money in the suitcase had to come from Dario, who was trying to make JuanO look dishonest. Now we know for sure and he CAN'T get his money back. Yay for small victories--and he's not getting anywhere with Leo no matter how hard he tries. She's an expert with that fan. ITA the two of them are having a blast with this. She's a very different character over on El Dragon, for sure.

Poor Seb and JuanaVic. What can I say. Seb was not expecting to have to push back because of his mother's "delicate" condition, fan and all. But JV should have known that the results, any results would affect Estefi. In this case it was the unexpected--Seb is going to marry Estefi anyway.

Premise No. 1 - If Leonora is truly intachable, I go for Nina's En Vitro Virtualization. Leo may not know whose sperm she got (or she might). The way she expressed herself to Seb on his birth and holding him, I think he is hers. Getting pregnant, she said, made JuanO the happiest man alive. She obviously didn't want to disappoint him and she'd been to so many other treatments for infertility. I remember once she told someone (Dario) that her inability to conceive was due to his low sperm count.

Premise No. 2 - If Leonora is not truly intachable, then who impregnated her. Was it a dalliance while JuanO was off tasting other little flowers or was it someone she knew back when?

I don't think Xavier is the culprit in either Premise. I don't think Dario is the culprit in Premise No. 2.
 

HIJAS

" I remember once she told someone (Dario) that her inability to conceive was due to his low sperm count."
Anita - well, it wasn't all that low when he sired the four hijas. LOL ;-)


MAÑANA

Andy, thank you for another great andycap!
I think we all thought that Maggi would go off the rails at some point, with a front row seat on the crazy train. The actress usually plays unstable/crazy people.
 

HIJAS #20 JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IS HAVING A BAD DAY, EVEN YOUR RECAPPER

Part 1

I was supposed to co-babysit with the other granny today but due to street closings throughout downtown, and blocked exits on the freeway I drove around Columbus fruitlessly for an hour and a half and could never make it to the house. Fortunately the other granny is totally competent, but it was soooo frustrating. Plus, I miss my little don Juan in diapers. So it goes sometimes.

And I was not the only one running into a wall. Juana Victoria, Juan, Javier, Barbara, Steffi, Fernando, Sebastian and Mauricio were all suffering in one way or another. Hopefully all their snafus will get resolved.

We have an extension of Seb and Vicky's sad acceptance of keeping the secret of his birth. The discussion moves from the hotel room to the beach. Juana Victoria laments that Love chose her, but she's was Born to Lose.(Sing it with me now) All to the backdrop of the silvery waves rolling into shore. The vast, indifferent ocean seems immune to her deep grief.

Well yeah, Nature is like that.

Meanwhile Dario is working on his own romantic plans, feeding Leonora with some more false info about Juan's secret Grand Cayman account. Our little Leo does show a bit of smarts, asking How--if these accounts are so secret--does Dario knows about 'em? Well, he has a contact you see. Oh? Well then where's the paper trail? We see Dario's piggy eyes darting around worriedly as he tries to come up with his next false proof. Anyway, he sends our greedy Leo off with the "knowledge" that her hub has at least a million dollars in cash. 'Cause that's how much it takes to even open an account in those islands. She's definitely interested. Later, Dario's henchie creeps into the office at night, and plants the supposed financial accounts under a blotter on Juan's desk. Leonora finds it the next day and is now even more excited. ALL THAT MONEY! Leverage leverage!...how to use it?

Speaking of romance,(well, we were a while back) Fernando has hied himself off to Barb's gym, ready to undergo some instant Buffed and Beefcake Transformation. It doesn't go well. Reminds me of a friend of mine who got too ambitious doing the bench-press and ended up with the barbell on his Adam's apple. He survived. But sounded like a frog for several weeks.

Fernando is not doing much better. Luckily, he's spared from doing another set of reps, when Barb learns that eight of the "polainas" (leg weights) are missing. She flies into a rage and is ready to beat up any fella who's been near the gym until she finds out the culprit.

Have you been wondering about Javier's sad, secret love? You haven't? Well too bad. We're going to fill you in anyway. The picture of his lovely heartthrob certainly looks Indian. But who knows what that script could be. Possibly she is Pakistani? And the script is Arabic? Just wild guesses here. Sorry. Guess we didn't "fill you in" after all. But anyway, Javier's sad tears are interrupted by Sebastian who also wants to cry on his shoulder. Tio Javier agrees that Seb CANNOT confront his mom about his mysterious biological father--the danger of a real heart attack is too great. We get a look at him though. When Juan arrives home and gaily calls out "good night" through the door, Leonora scrambles to hide the bank account info in the closet. And out pops another box. And from thence, out pops a photo of a good-looking guy. Hmmmmm. Maybe she's not so "intachable" after all.
 

HIJAS #20 JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IS HAVING A BAD DAY, EVEN YOUR RECAPPER

Part 2

We see Inés staggering around like she's carrying a walrus strapped to her knees. Actually she's wearing 8 different leg weights as penance for her impure thoughts gazing at our handsome Sebastian. Never mind that she stole 'em. She justifies this with the explanation that they are only "borrowed". Well, we've heard that one before.

Whatever, she's done a beautiful job scripting the invitations for the Steffi-Seb Boda and Estefania is thrilled. As a thank-you gift, she gives Inés a pair of gorgeous, sexy sandals and insists on lifting those voluminous skirts to check if they'll fit. Whoops. Inés secret is revealed. And who wants to bet it would take a Papal order to get our wee nun to wear that wicked, sexy footwear? Well, we can hope!

What else went on in the troubled little world of the Juana Hamsters and their Mates. Well, Javier has reminded Sebastian that his "real" father is the man who raised him, who held him from the very first moment, loved him and taught him to be a man of valor and honor. Done! Seb rushes right over to give Juan a great, big loving hug. Which cheers Juan considerably. Even though he's still downright sad over the rupture of his once happy marriage. Well, Leonora has a fix for that. She swans in later to inform him that if he wants a reconciliation, he has to buy her a big, expensive, luxurious, imported car! Got it? Now get it.

Alas the price is indeed quite high. And Juan has already spent his last peso on that total failure of a fiesta. Too bad.

No reconciliation there, alas. But with Steffi and Sebastian? Well, it's complicated. She's thrilled he's helping her pass out the invitations. And even willing to help with the "despida de solteros" party. But his kisses! They're not the same! In fact, they changed after the Juanas came to town. Kisses don't lie, she reminds him.

Stay tuned. Looks like choppy waters here.

Our weary Javier is consoling yet another Unlucky in Love Hamster. Our ratty-haired Juana Victoria has sassed her way into being named the "madrina de lazos" (the one who wraps the wedding ribbon around the bride and groom) and she just does. not. know. how. she. can. do. that. I mean, it's not that she's selfish! but how can she sacrifice her own love when she KNOWS that Steffi and Seb won't be happy together. She's so sure of it, she actually dreams that night of strangling sweet Steffi with the wedding rope. Wish Fulfillment for sure.
 

HIJAS #20 JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IS HAVING A BAD DAY, INCLUDING YOUR RECAPPER!

Part 3

Oh me, oh my. Sebastian has one request for ol' mom and dad. He wants them to be reconciled on the day of his wedding to Sweet Steffi. Well, guess we'll have to see if Juan can rob a bank and lay his hands on some serious cash. Ms. Leo ain't giving up that hot car. In fact she's already bragged to one of her friends that a new luxury ride is in the works.

So that's not going well.

How about the Despida de Solteros plans? Those are running into a roadblock also. They've decided to make it a boy-girl thing and Octavio has already volunteered to be one of the strippers. And of course it will be held at Mauricio's place, la Dolorosa. Except it won't. Dad Dario steps in and wants it to be a grand affair where he can invite all his business contacts etc.

Mauricio dares to tell him he's not invited. Oh yes he is! And it will be a big deal! So Mau backtracks and says it should be held at the house. For once, Dad approves of sonny boy's idea. With that settled, Dario contents himself with a few warnings for Sebastian. As in, if you ever disappoint or hurt my daughter, I will hunt you down and.... Well, you get the idea.

Meanwhile lovelorn Juana Victoria sulks and Barb scares the bejesus out of Inés implying that a Despedida is pretty much an orgy.

Sebastian goes off to once again cry on Javier's shoulder that he doesn't love his bride to be, while Javier reminds him that Steffi is suffering also.

Ack. Kind of a downer on a Friday night, no? Hope your weekend will be a bright one Patio. Columbus is holding its collective breath, now that we have learned our ferocious top defender is out for the next football game. And maybe forever! Serious alleged NCAA violation. That's what shivers the timbers around here, folks.
 

HIJAS

Thank you for another great recap, Judy! My favs:

”but she's was Born to Lose.”
Channeling Bruce Springsteen . . . .

”The vast, indifferent ocean seems immune to her deep grief. Well yeah, Nature is like that."

Again, Ines proves she is dumber than a rock.

Aaaaannnnd, who can that mystery guy in Leonora’s brown box be? Writers are throwing us a bone, hopefully not a red herring. But Leo took a few seconds too long to look at that piccie.

At least we got our minimum RDA of shirtless scenes. Thank you Octavio. And writers. :-)

Seriously, Dario? Bachelorette party at your house that is co-ed, and business associates invited? Really? Gimmeabreak and let the girl party hearty (because that wedding is so not going to happen if this follows the standard telenovela rules).
 

HIJAS

Excellent Judy.

Like doris, I loved "The vast, indifferent ocean seems immune to her deep grief."

"madrina de lazos", "polainas" (leg weights)" and "Got it? Now get it" were among other favorites.

And yes, it was Chris Ferro's ugly crying scale that made me think to comment yesterday on Steffi's seemingly perfect crying!

I'm sorry that you weren't able to see Will today but smiled at "little don Juan in diapers". He sounds like a treasure! As are you amiga, for your very generous time and dedication to crafting these wonderful summaries...

Thank you.

Diana

 

MANANA

"Monica doesn't say anything but is annoyed that his wife and old girlfriend keep popping up in their conversations". So, is Monica now third choice? Ack. Get a life. Pease.

"Almu now visits Diana to sow a little more discord, starts making belittling comments about Monica, and tries to invite herself to dinner" Someone else I need to get a gander at :)

andy, I am enjoying your andycaps with great enjoyment. Thank you.

Diana
 

MAÑANA (1 of 2)

Today's episode is sponsored by the semicolon [;], a much under-appreciated punctuation mark.


Monica arrives home with everything she needs to make a special meal for her special dinner at home with Camilo. She gets busy in the kitchen and gets everything ready, including the wine, and then she goes to make herself beautiful, wrapping her hair in plastic wrap and applying several chemical masks to her face.
Úfa! The price of beauty is awfully high!
She calls Ximena and confirms that Ximena will leave her the apartment for this night.

Almudena has dinner with Diana and the rest of the family except Camilo. She doesn't eat much though, ever the slim fashion model. Almudena somewhat reminds me of Morticia Addams, but not quite as pretty. Anyway, she should pair up with Malicio because she's quite sleazy herself. She attempts to bribe Lidia to be her spy in the Sarmiento home. Lidia refuses, but Almudena warns her not to say anything, no one would take her word over Almudena's.

There is a scene or scenes that I don't quite understand. Regina has an ultrasound exam at the hospital to determine the sex of her baby, and Diana, Barbi, and Nico are with her. The doctor asks her if she's sure she wants to know the sex. They all want her to say yes, and she does. The baby is a boy. This seems to be cause for jubilation.
I don't get it. If it were a girl, would they be disappointed? Hopefully and probably not. So why all the excitement? They knew it would be one or the other.
But I don't understand "Gender Reveal" parties either.

The word gets around fast, and Loopy Maggie is delighted. She tells Manuel, and hopes this news will help them get back to being a happy couple. But it looks like Manuel has really had enough of her.
[Meh. I've never been a fan of Maggie, but I suspect that Manuel is going to dump her and, perhaps, restart his romance with Lidia once they clear up some misunderstandings.]

Oh, no! Monica is quite upbeat, dancing around and singing the show's theme song while she gets dressed for her dinner at home with Camilo. The end result is nice though, she looks really good. She is ready!
There comes a knock on the door! All set and smiling she opens the door wide to greet Camilo. But it's actually Luis. There then follows a scene hard to believe. Luis is there to take her up on her offer to lend him some books and because they are friends. He sees the table Monica has set (for two) and helps himself to some of the food. Quite a lot, and he keeps eating.
Naturally Monica tries to shoo him out, but he won't take a hint. In fact he seems totally, totally oblivious. Unbelievably so, and Monica never just asks him to please leave. So he doesn't, until she finally loads him up with books and food and helps him to the door. [An unbelievable, worthless scene I thought; it was probably meant to be funny, but it wasn't, and Luis came off as extremely boorish.]

Rafa on his way home stops to buy a nice bouquet for Palomita. We know it's for Paloma because when he continues on his way he sees her in the park with some man, embracing him and kissing him. A disgusted Rafa looks at the bouquet and throws it away.
When Rafa arrives home he finds them both there, and Paloma introduces him to her father. I hope it wasn't a very expensive bouquet.

Laura tells Adrian that she will probably go back to Brazil if Paloma goes, because she needs to be a good mother to Paloma. Adrian says he might have to visit Brazil in that case.
Later, Adrian receives a text message from Manuel and shares it with Laura and Diana because it affects Regina. Manuel is thinking of separating from Maggie.
 

MAÑANA (2 of 2)

Camilo finally makes his appearance at Monica's, even though most of the special dinner is now gone. Monica is looking really good, but she's wearing what must be seven inch heels. Is Camilo truly worth that?
Monica offers him a drink, but he will have to make it himself because she's not much of a "barwoman". He investigates their tiny liquor closet and decides he could make a vodka and tonic, or perhaps a Mojito if she has any mint. Monica asks if cilantro would do, and Camilo decides they will have to improvise. If they invent a great cocktail they should patent it, says Monica, and name it a "Monilo" for Monica and Camilo. "Socios!" and they shake on it.
It's going well but Monica is obviously a little nervous.

Finally, Monica just looks and smiles at Camilo a bit. He asks her why she's looking at him that way. She replies that they are having a friendly, fun conversation, but they are not talking about what they need to talk about. He says OK, but she interrupts him to say "Please don't start with 'I'm sorry; I love my wife and my kids.' That's why you went back to your home, isn't it?"
"It's a cliché, I know, but I went back for my kids." He goes on to say that Diana pushed him away when she was sick and he became resentful [he said "rencoroso", but I have to think that the English "rancorous" would be too harsh]. He's not sure how this will play out, but right now he can't make any plans, not with Monica, not with anybody.
So he said what he came to say, now what does she think?

A little sadly she tells him that she is not surprised, he has always been a good father, and she likes that. But he's here with her tonight and that gives her hope. She loved him for 20 year without saying anything, she can wait a while longer, and hope some more.
Cute and touching scene: Camilo takes her hand and tells her she's marvelous. She thanks him but asks him not to repeat that until he can tell her it again and much, much more that she would love to hear him say.

OK, this TN has some icky parts but it is a love story; and it is just a story, after all.

Ximena, good friend to Monica that she is, is out, giving Monica some space to wine and dine Camilo and maybe offer him dessert.
So she goes off to find a bar in which to pass some time. But of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into the one where Evil Malicio is lurking. She sees him and turns to leave, but he calls her name.

Meanwhile, Laura urges Diana to go to Monica's to see what's happening. They have to be there, she says, because Monica would not want to be seen out in a restaurant with a married man. So off they go. But soon enough they have a flat tire and try to change it. This is a comical little bit, two women who don't know how to change a tire but give it their best. And they succeed, although I cringed a few times watching what could have been a disaster and an accident.

Back at the would-be love nest a love song comes on the radio and Monica asks Camilo to dance. What, me dance? This will certainly break the magic spell.
But they dance anyway and Monica happily rests her head on his shoulder... and the bell rings. Camilo asks if she is expecting anyone. She says no, and she is not interested, she just wants to dance. Whoever it is [we see it's Iñaki] rings another couple of times and then leaves. Gee, he used to know how to use a cell phone.
After a little while they say good night and Camilo leaves.

Laura and Diana finish their car repair and then have another brilliant idea: they need a spy at MediaLink, someone to keep them informed of any goings-on involving Camilo and Monica -- Nora!

:-)

andy
 

OT—breaking news!! “RINGO” is finally coming on December 2nd at 8pm!! Diana, I know you’ve been waiting for that one just as I have . Wooohooo!!
 

MANANA

"He's not sure how this will play out, but right now he can't make any plans, not with Monica, not with anybody".

So Camilo now has three women on the string rather than 2, 1 too many. How does this man find time to do it all?

"She loved him for 20 year without saying anything, she can wait a while longer, and hope some more". Talk about a wasted life. Rue the 20 years you lost rather than pining for someone you will never have. Be careful what you wish for.

Always fun andy. Thank you.

Diana


 

OT

OMG Rgv Chick - I am SO excited!!! I just saw the promo on Cuna!!

Ringo. At 8!!! Thrilled. Cannot wait!!!

You know, sometimes I wonder if someone, anyone at Univision actually reads the comments here. If so, gracias...

Diana
 

Hijas

Judy, thank you for another excellent recap, though I didn't much appreciate the downer ending. You are way too honest, if things are going badly and sadly, just fudge it, make up a better version. Not that I would ever do that...

:-)

"Have you been wondering about Javier's sad, secret love?" Well, maybe I'm the only one, but yes, I have been wondering. I hope we get to find out more soon.

I am not yet ready to believe that Leonora is not "intachable". It could be, but I keep thinking there has to be another, probably very hokey and almost unbelievable, explanation. Well, of course, time will tell.

As for Babyface, I would like to hit him over the head with a bat. OK, a nerf bat, but still. And tell him it's time he graduated to long pants.

:-)

andy
 

MAÑANA

Diana, thank you.

"She loved him for 20 year without saying anything, she can wait a while longer, and hope some more". Talk about a wasted life. Rue the 20 years you lost rather than pining for someone you will never have. Be careful what you wish for.

This is the thing that has annoyed me from the very start. I can see how it could happen to start with, but 20 years?

"Talk about a wasted life." Absolutely right. 20 years she will never get back.

Hopefully Iñaki will save our poor Monica and make her an honest woman again.

andy
 

MAÑANA

Wow ANDY, you were on fire with this one. Starting with "Today's episode is brought to you by the semicolon. I agree. It's a great bit of punctuation. Since I tend to run on and on and use "..."like someone I shall not name, I try to stop myself and use a semi-colon instead. Of just end the dang sentence and start a new one.

But was also cracking up over these ANDYQUIPS:

Almudena looking like "Morticia Addams but not quite as pretty"

Seven-inch heels--is Camilo worth that? NOOOOOO. Long after the infatuation has faded, she'll have foot problems. Those last forever and get worse with every passing year. As someone who traipsed all over Europe in high heels, and continued to wear them when I was a reporter and very pregnant, I can tell you that No Man is worth that. But I learned too late. Now where are those Dr. Scholls?

Ah, but of course my favorite was "but of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world..." Yep, stupid Ximena had to end up in the joint where Malicio was waiting like a coiled serpent. Ugh.

So glad I'm not watching. So glad that you are. You are very very funny Mr. ANDY.
 

HIJAS

DORIS..."Writers are throwing us a bone, hopefully not a red herring." Oh my, love that mixed metaphor. And sure do hope it's a hint of a lurid Leonora past. Or at least a little moment of indiscretion.

DIANA...I guess we both share sweet memories of Ferro's Ugly Crying Scale. And then there was the weird crying of Lucero who always sounded like she was laughing or hiccuping when she wept. Silvia Navarro was the best though. She REALLY looked like she was crying. And it was ugly. But impressive. Truly a terrific actress.

ANDY..."time he graduated to long pants". I admit to being a "leg man", so I really don't mind getting a regular dose of Sebastian's nicely developed calf muscles. One of the reasons I love basketball is you can contemplate some really, really great legs. But I agree, it's time he grew up and put on long pants. And there are still those beach scenes to look forward to. And Octavio, as DORIS noted.
 

Judyb...thanks for another great recap of all the weirdness.

I remember Ferro and the crying scale. This year , I was went right off that ugly crying scale... Embarrassing. Went through a lot of tissues.

Leonora doth protest too much, I think. Goose and gender scenario here.

This cold is just not letting us go. It feels like January instead of November. I think that this is going to be a long winter.Sigh.
 

SUSANLYNN...I suspect most of us are Ugly Criers. Probably the actress playing Estefania cries ugly when she's by herself. Grief is such a powerful emotion.

I agree with you about the cold. It feels like January and I'm already longing for Spring...which is very far away, alas.

I guess we will just have to get our sunshine on this silly show...and in our imagination.
 

Judy what a funny sad episode. And ur
Funny antic filled recap just added to the "I'm Havin a bad day" recap. Little Don jaun in a diaper sounds precious. And he probly missed nana too.

Yes them writrers are throwin them bones at us, gettin us all worked up.
Leo has guarded this secret for some decades. Two decades cuz he's what 24?
And has the nerve to keep the photo of
The sperm king. She probly thinkin it wss the best sex she's ever had. From that look on her face.

Tio Javier needs some much needed help
He is boohoo cryin over this lady. I wants to see her. What if he has a lil
One? That seem to be a pattern in the
Family jaunas. They have kids they don't know about yet.
I remember the actor that's playing this character, He's gotten even more
Attractive with age. Frank Sinatra and
Sean Connery got more attractive with
Age. That don't happen with everybody tho. Looks arent everything. And on a lighter note:
What's going on inez's nunny head.
Weights tied to her shoes. She needs a
Change. In a hurry.

Bottomless steak frys, has nothing to
Do with this story, except maybe jvick
Could eat herself into a stooper.

Ok now I gotta watch my hallmark movie
Fa la la la la la la la la la!

Thank you JudyB. Stay warm yall.
 

Ah NINA....Only you... "Has the nerve to keep the photo of the Sperm King"

That's a keeper, as we say.

Do hope we get to meet the Sperm King, if that's what he is, and get to know him better. That actor played a smallish role in Destilando Amor, as the owner of an Italian restaurant in Paris, who rescues la Gaviota and helps her get to London searching for Rodrigo. And he shows up again later in Mexico. So maybe he will show up again in our "intachable" Leonora's life. She may have had a light leg somewhere in the past, but she's certainly resisting Dario's advances right now.

Hope your Falalalalala Hallmark movie was good. I think my husband was also watching one last night. And probably DORIS too!

I was reading a wonderful book The End of Your Life Book Club. I know. It sounds horrible. But it's a beautiful book about an adult son who accompanies his mom to many of her chemo treatments, and while they're there (these procedures take hours) they read books, exchange them, and discuss them in a Book Club for Two, so to speak. It is a wonderful story in every way, in spite of the fact that is about the end of one person's extraordinary life. And a reminder too, that the end of a life is not the end of a relationship. Far from it.
 

HM (HALLMARK MOVIES) - Definitely OT

Nina and Judy - I had one on last night, but couldn't really tell you what the plot was. Our remodeled bathroom is finally done and we're spending the weekend moving back downstairs, including closets. The new vanity is 36" high and I really like it! The larger shower stall will be nice, too. Old one was 27"W x 41"L. Measure that out. Smaller than a phone booth. But I digress.

I recorded an old fav on HM channel yesterday: The Nine Lives of Christmas. It has hunky firefighters (bomberos bombones?) and is a cute watchable story about kitty cat, of course. It's all about the cat. ~wink~

(Another one DH and I like is Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas, with Faith Ford (Murphy Brown) and Tom Cavanaugh (old TV show Ed). The humor is quirky; not the usual syrupy HM norm.

Going to the Container Store today with hubby, to look for organizer bins for the linen closet shelves. Our new one is a tall cabinet with roll-out shelves, like in the kitchen, so that things won't get lost in the very back and not be seen for years or ever again. I discovered that phenomenon when emptying out the old one framed & drywall one, back in June. :-p

Ooooh, there's a nice HM movie on right now, with Henry Winkler. I started recording it, because it's pretty good, but housework calls first. Will watch on my "break" later today. Delayed gratification. Too many HM movies; not enough time. LOL
 

Good day Patio!!

HIJAS

JudyB your snarktastic recap is as entertaining as ever. Sorry you had to drive around and got nowhere...or at least not to get to see your precious little Don Juan in Diapers. Like Doris and Diana, I was impressed with...

"but she's was Born to Lose." and "The vast, indifferent ocean seems immune to her deep grief. Well yeah, Nature is like that."

So who is our mystery man who made our "intachable" Leo "tachable?" Was it really a romantic fling or did Leo just slip on a "banana?" O.O And who is the mystery woman who brings our priestly Javier to tears. So many mysteries!

MAÑANA

Andy, thank you for the Andycap and Andyquips. Boy, am I glad I'm not watching this; my TV would be in pieces if I had to look at delusional Monica and dimwit Camilo. So do you have to take a lot of Emetrol to watch this? J/K I know you are enjoying this much more than any of us...well, maybe Anita...MAYBE :-)

OT-Hallmark

Doris, I really like that movie with Henry Winkler. And there are a lot of HM movies which are not the usual syrupy norm...a lot of them are aired on HallMark Drama.

 

HIJAS

FYI-- "Hijas" will be preempted by "Latin Grammy Extra" on Friday, Nov 15th.
 

Mañana, Hijas, Emetrol; everything but the kitchen sink


Rgv Chickie, thanks for the info re "Latin Grammy Extra" on Friday, and for all your other comments. They are always interesting, very often informative, and always fun to read.

Re Mañana, yeah, I'm now enjoying it; enjoying it much more now than before.
Mostly, except for Malicio. I often don't care for the male villains in these TNs; I would as soon do without them, or have Snidely Whiplash type villains, much more over the top and humorously lecherous.

Right now I prefer Mañana to Hijas, which I find uninteresting. It's a strange TN. Four attractive young women who often enough prance around in bikinis and yet the only real eye candy is Leonora, an often beautifully packaged Leonora.

Now if the girls would just drop the bikinis... but that would never get on the air, especially not at 3 PM. But if they would wear some pretty, sexy dresses or skirts or (never gonna happen, I know) lingerie, that would be great. But largely they don't.

Don Juan is brain dead and the lightning strike did not revive said brain. How he earlier spent a year traveling Mexico impregnating women and how now nobody other than Leonora seems to care... that I can't figure out at all.
According to Judy the young Juan, even in his boxers, was not eye candy at all. That menjuje must have temporarily increased his attractiveness as well as his sperm count and libido.
[BTW, while young Juan wasn't especially attractive, young Leonora very much was, but I see there was an amazing eye color change for Leonora over the years.  :-]

And in the willing-suspension-of-disbelief department, I find it less taxing to believe that a "hallucinating from medication" Camilo could think he was making love to his wife rather than to the much better upholstered Monica... I don't find that so hard to believe.

But scrawny Juan traveling around Mexico, becoming a lady killer and being unable to control himself at least four times with four different women? Oh, please.
OK, it sets up the story of the four Juanas. But this makes him better than Camilo? I don't think so.


I had to look up Emetrol. Nope, don't need it.

:-)

andy
 

HIJAS

WHAAAAT, Andy??? You expect me to believe that you are not glued to your TV anxiously waiting to see the Inez-sized outfits and let your imagination run wild?? I just can't believe it! LOL
 

Thanks RGV CHICK...Glad to know I'll have a night off on Friday. And Doris is subbing for me on Thursday. Monday's recaplet will be later than usual as I am having dinner with a friend.

Neither Mañana nor Hijas is "must see TV" but I love our cozy, friendly little Patio and our many off-topic discussions. All good.
 

Judy B, I read The End of Your Life Book Club and liked it very much. I've read several books dealing with grown children making connections with their aged parents near the end of life. And don't ask me the names, because so many words and names fall through the holes in my brain!

Thanks to everyone who keeps the updates going on this candy fluff drama. It makes a good afternoon break on the days I'm able to see it.
 

LA PALOMA...Ah, yes, those holes in the brain. Mine is like Swiss cheese. At other times, I think of it as Teflon-coated. Facts and data slide right off, leaving no trace behind.

One of the extra delights of End of Your Life Book Club was the list of all the books read and cited at the very end. A great laundry list of future books to read, or re-read.
 

Well, I am still watching "Hijas" ...mostly for the sun , sand, and surf not the rather odd storylines and wardrobe choices as I fret in our deep freeze weather that won't seem to go away. Is it January? I find that I have the cabin fever that usually descends on me after Christmas. I feel the need for cotton candy.

Well, today will be our warmest day this week at 59 , so I have to finish my leaf raking and paint my garage door trim. The rest of this week will be in the 40s and 50s. Stay warm and safe, all.
 

Hi JudyB

I see you are recapping this. I will try to join the patio. Just need to decide if I am going to binge watch, set recaps to catch up or just set my tv to record starting tomorrow and jump in

Mely
 

MELY...Hi amiga. I admit that I was secretly hoping you'd come back. But didn't want to nag.

It's a silly show, no doubt about it. Not sure if you want to binge watch all this fluff. Maybe read a synopsis of the plot and watch the last couple of episodes.

Basic story: Juan Oropeza, a sweet, somewhat naive guy (but good dad and successful businessman) managed to nail four other women when juiced up by a powerful herbal concoction [menjunje] meant to raise his testosterone level and encourage his little "swimmers".

He adored his wife (the well-dressed Leonora) but she kept putting him off because she was not ovulating (they were desperately trying to conceive a child). So instead, he ran a-foul of four different, impulsive women in four different cities. And unbeknownst to him, engendered four lovely girls...all named Juana. Juana Victoria, Juana Soledad, Juana Inés and Juana Barbara.

These little chickens have now all come home to roost. In Mazatlán. And Papa Juan is thrilled. Leonora not so much. And it's messing up the engagement of Juan's alleged son Sebastian to the seemingly perfect Estefania, daughter of arch-villain Dario. Because Sebastian has fallen madly in love with Juan Victoria. And they've found out they really don't have the same DNA, so...theoretically, they could mate. As they REALLY REALLY WANT TO DO! OH BOY, DO THEY WANT TO!

Still, the sweet, loving Estefania doesn't deserve this.

So, what to do? what to do? The characters are wringing their hands. But we're not. We're just coasting along, enjoying the lovely scenes of sea and sand, star-filled nights, rolling, frothy waves, and the occasional shot of buff lads and curvy gals, depending on our inclinations.

And Doris and I are enjoying just about every single bit of Leonora's wardrobe.

As I said, we find our joy where we can.

And we'd be very joyful if you'd rejoin us!