Caray, Caray!

HIJAS
Ay de mi. This episode was about as dreary as the weather outside. The only difference is that it’s “hot” in Mazatlan. I’ll come up with something to keep the mini-Patio entertained, if not interested in a couple of hours. Best scene so far? Leo and Petunia, of course. Gotta grab some coffee to re-energize the brain cells before starting.
 

HIJAS

Anita - they certainly did very little to advance the plot. 😜
 

IN HONOR OF HIJAS AND LEO's CHICKEN . . .!

One of the communities in,our county had their Christmas parade this past weekend. In perusing the photos online, this parade participant, a dressed up chicken on a leash, cracked me up. I changed my avatar to that shot. 😊

Lots of pics of people and their dogs, too. Anyone can be in the parade. LOL
 

Hijas de la Luna #43 - Dario is Still Wearing his Ugly Jacket and is Acting Uglier
Monday, Dec 16, 2019 Part 1 of 4

Leo is standing in the living room of the Blue House (with Dario right behind her) in a smart black sheath with white piping (enhancing her curves in the right places), showing off her new, latest model smart phone with all the bells and whistles one would want, thanks to the generosity of Dario. She’s really rubbing it in to Seb and JuanO. Seb is the first to speak up over the inappropriateness of such a gift, while his dad fumes silently. Dario sees nothing wrong, seeing that the …. Seb doesn’t let him finish and whisks Leo off out of earshot. Dario smugly starts to offer an apology, but the two men just stare at each other.

Upstairs there is a little nonsense going on with the J-Pack getting into bikinis, giggling over what J-Inez (definitely no longer a necia) will show up in. Well, it’s an itty bitty black, blue and white bikini (lookin’ good, baby).

Downstairs, JuanO is chewing out Dario for bringing up their financial status in front of Leo. Did he want to provoke a heart attack? Dario just wonders where he expected to make the cash appear, out of thin air, maybe, to buy Leo another phone? JuanO snorts back that it’s his business to take care of his family and Dario just used the opportunity to come to his own home and humiliate him. Never mind that, Dario points out, as of that moment, he has the advantage over Seb and JuanO and furthermore, he has a new weapon and her name is Leonora. He angrily tells JuanO that he is disposed to use that weapon because his daughter’s happiness is his priority—and the sooner he and Seb accept his proposal (well, Seb is the one who has to propose), the better it will go for them. Dario reminds him that Steffi is still in love with Seb. JuanO angrily tells Dario to go to hell and walks out.

Dario has one last weapon to fire on the way out, firing Vicky. Apparently that doesn’t upset her very much—more time to spend with her sisters.

Back upstairs, Seb and Leo are having a difference of opinion over the gift of the phone and from whom. Neither gets the upper hand, even when the matter of infidelity (JuanO’s) and fidelity (hers) comes up. In the end she sweetly asks Seb to set up her new phone. He takes the phone to do it.

Teresa finally makes it to the jewelry store of the owner Xavier says knows something about Leo’s earlier indiscretion and with whom she was indiscrete. To make a long story short, Ingrid Montalvo thinks Leo is the scum of the earth. Over coffee, Tere finds out Leo not only stole one boy friend from her, she stole two. She married the first one, JuanO, and had an affair with the other one. Before we can get a name, we cut to another scene. The NAME will have to wait until later.

JuanO and Seb stew over how to stop Dario from telling Leo about being flat out of funds and causing a heart attack. JuanO wonders if Seb is considering taking Dario up on his offer. Seb looks pensive—trying to make us think he might.

Dario is in his office taking care of some fishing business (probably fishy anyway) with a couple of clients. Seb shows up. Not only does he not accept Dario’s proposal to bail them out, he warns Dario that if he breathes a word of their financial woes to Leo, he will spill the beans to Steffi regarding his bribe. So what, replies Dario, everyone in Mazatlán knows the Oropezas are bankrupt. Check (but not check mate).
 

Hijas de la Luna #43 - Dario is Still Wearing his Ugly Jacket and is Acting Uglier
Pt 2 of 4

Under a beach tent, Vicky and Steffi talk while in the background, Fernando sketches with an admiring crowd around him. Vicky explains that she was fired, but since Steffi is recovering so nicely she won’t need to be there day and night. However, if she needs her, she can just whistle—you know how to whistle,
don’t you? You put your lips together and…(but I digress to something that was far more entertaining). Back to reality. Vick says she can be right over whenever she needs her. Fer is still sketching. Vicky brings him his notebook. She pirouettes and sashays off. Fer sighs at the sight of her back(side).

Steffi engages Vick in some serious talk on how to recover Seb. First order of business is to change teams. She wants to switch with Vick so she can be on Seb’s team. Vick doesn’t know if that would be allowed. Steffi insists. If Vick asks, no one would object. Steffi needs her help, please, please (in English, no less, I guess it sounds more emphatic than por favor.)

Mauricio and Inez are behaving like normal novios on the beach, enjoying the sun and surf and a few kissing lessons in between. She makes it clear who her novio is when some lunk tries to interpose himself between her and Mau. Barb can only watch as the furies rise within her. Or, maybe she’s resigning herself to the idea that Mau chose Inez.

Darkness Falls over Mazatlán (and the Mid-Atlantic).
Seb returns home to find his dad sitting all droopy on the couch, deflated. Seb tells him the good news, Dario’s pie-hole is shut, hoping that will cheer him up. Instead, JuanO marches up to Leo’s room, barges in and demands to know what’s going on between her and Dario. She snickers that she loves it when he wears his jealousy on his sleeve. Exasperated he snatches the cell phone she was waving around and marches out with it. Essentially, he was in Petunia 2.0 mode.

Seb and Vick talk in the kitchen. She tells him about wanting to change teams. Vick gives him all kinds of reasons for the pairing up and pairing down, but Seb is too dense to figure it out until she mentions who’s left—Estefania would be in his group. Fortunately, or not, Teresa returns breathlessly from her gossip hour with Ingrid Montalvo to announce triumphantly that Seb’s putative bio-daddy is none other than….nope we still don’t get to hear it.

Barb and Inez have a little talk of no consequence over who is going to win Mau’s hand in marriage or juarever. I’m sure this was interposed here just to keep up the suspense over the putative bio-dad’s name.

When the name is finally revealed, quite reluctantly by Tere, it’s NOT Jerome, but Ernesto Cifuentes. The look on Vick and Seb’s faces are priceless and we all know why. Even Barb walking in can tell it looks like a wake. Fer arrives with a bag of dinner rolls.
 

Hijas de la Luna #43 - Dario is Still Wearing his Ugly Jacket and is Acting Uglier
Part 3 of 4

Fer announces at dinner time that someone gave him a deposit of 10,000 pesos (about $530 USD) for one of his paintings. He gets more than just friendly hug from Vick, according to the look on Seb’s face as he watches Fer bask in the hug and return it doubled. A little more of this and Seb walks out. Vick doesn’t notice right away. (She’s too busy leading the cheerleaders and aping it up—too much for my taste.)

Octavio and Mauricio share tacos and “intimate” talk about girls—or rather Inez specifically. After promising not to laugh, Octo gets in a good laugh at Mau’s expense because now Inez is quite, how do we put it, frisky. Mau is probably sorry he mentioned it.

Leo and JuanO have an entertaining vignette where he’s trying to decide whether to dunk her phone in a vase of flowers or not. He decides not to, but she scares the bejeezus out of him and he drops it into the vase. He gallantly rescues it immediately and swears it wasn’t intentional. He bends over to pick up the bouquet he put on the floor and Leo takes the vase and pours the water out over his shoulders, carefully missing his head. (I wonder why she missed such a bit target.)

Vick finally catches up to Seb and manages to bring him out of his jealous fog.

Our dear Leonora objects to being served beans on a bun for dinner. Inez starts to tell her why they are economizing and Teresa quickly offers to fix her something else. Leo orders an alternative and Tere will bring it right out.

Up in the Fishing Office, Poor Richard, or poor Ricardo gets a horrific beat-down from Dario because Ric dared to insinuate that Dario had not thought things through well enough with his bribery scheme. Dario feels quite good after the last kick. Ric doesn’t feel quite the same. He’s seething. Aha! A crack in the partnership, perhaps?

Steffi is in bed, reading an on-line help blog for couples. It seems to pacify her for the time being. (Yawn. Go to sleep, honey.)

Seb and Vicky are back talking to Tere about the putative father again. Seb claims he’s having a hard time assimilating all this. Tere and Vick are exchanging views on Leo’s hypocrisy rather heatedly, standing over Seb who is sitting between them. Vick overreacts or is it over-acts. Well, she does have a right to be indignant.
 

Hijas de la Luna #43 - Dario is Still Wearing his Ugly Jacket and is Acting Uglier
Part 4 of 4

Seb has had enough of them and rushes off to confront his mother. Leo has let her hair down, has a robe on, sitting in bed and apparently her phone is working. (Darn!) Seb is furious. If it’s true, he says, he will never forgive her. Then he mentions Ernesto Cifuentes’ name. She looks puzzled, as would I, because I didn’t hear a statement or question in there that needs an answer. What of him, she queries and then lists his unpleasant qualities. No, Seb means….Vick stops him in mid-sentence and pulls him out of the room before he causes Leo to have a heart attack. He backs down, but wants to be left alone.

Now in his own room, his computer starts to make musical noises. It’s Jerome calling for some Facebook time. He was wondering how things were going. Seb is given permission to unload on him. Basically, Jerome tells him not to listen to gossip. It’s better to go to the source.

Fer and Vick—Sorry, this is a FF>> scene of hardly any consequence and it’s getting late. Basically Vick tells him he needs some care and attention and he says he needs her.

Marg picks up the mail for Xavier.—Sorry, another FF>> scene. She notes the letter from “A” in script she can’t read. Xavier takes the mail and won’t discuss anything further.

Next Day
Time-Share Cometition Time. Apparently Vick was successful in switching teams. She and Seb steer a family inside using one of Fernando’s sketches as bait. They close the deal. Later Steffi asks Seb, oh, so sweetly, if they can be friends. How could he resist. I think she has ulterior motives behind her so perfect self.

A different team approaches a couple walking along the beach. Todoelmundo stops them to chat and Juana Sol uses her fortune-telling skills to steer the couple to Xavier. They sign up.

Dario is paying Ernesto a friendly visit. Unfortunately, Ernie is too drunk to appreciate it. After he leaves in disgust, Ernie staggers over to the door, bottle in hand but uses it to knock out the big guy guarding him (so Ernie can’t leave voluntarily). Ernie gets in the big black SUV and drives away.

Leo is visiting Petunia in the laundry room/patio. She has bought her a sparkly necklace which goes around the goat’s neck. No hard feelings about eating her old phone because she has a better one now. Then it rings. It’s Jerome. They need to talk about Sebastian and what is going on with him.

Seb and Vick are stopped in the jeep the middle of the street so Vick can quiz Seb about his renewed friendship with Steffi. She wants to know if it’s friends with or without benefits. Seb doesn’t like the joke. Before this can escalate, they are hit from behind. Seb steps out to see who and what, only to come face to face with Cifuentes, drunk as a skunk.

—And thankfully, here we end.
 

HIJAS

Thank you, Anita, for your recap, or should I say recrap, of Tontas R Us. You really took one for the team today. What a frustrating episode, and yet you managed to make it sound better than it was. Your title is spot on. Dario's jacket is hideous.

I'm rather fed up with Leo after this episode. And please don't let it be true that she "did" Ernesto Cifuentes. Please, no. 😛
And will somebody tell her they are broke and that JuanO is not the father of her son? Who cares if she has a cardio-fart?!?
At least we (well, I did) learned a new vocabulary word at her expense, "resbalosa" = slippery, used by the jewelry store lady to describe her rival, that roba novios Leonora.

If Fernando wants a girlfriend, any girlfriend, he might want to dress more ... um ... masculine. Today's getup left me with questions.

If Ricardo is still working for Dario after being used as a punching bag today, he deserves whatever he gets. Good grief.

It would be interesting to know how this version compares to the original, Las Juanas, which win all sorts of telenovela awards in Colombia. Was this version Telerisa'd? It is wearing in my last nerve. Can y'all tell? LOL
 

HIJAS

Anita, thank you for taking one for the team. This TN has its moments, but way too few of them separated by so much filler. But an excellent recap.

I say Amen to the "hideous" description of that jacket. It's the sort of thing that most people would wear only if they had lost a bet.

Also crazy was using henchie as a punching bag. Completely nutso.

andy
 

MAÑANA [12/16/2019] (part 1 of 2)

New Dreams

[Final week! There may be a little slicing and dicing this week as there are supposed to be five episodes left but only four remaining days after today because a new show starts Monday.
This episode was pretty good, but it had the feel of wrapping things up. Of course, there are a few days left and the villain(s) usually make a final appearance before they are ultimately vanquished. And there are a few loose ends like Pablo and Regis. We'll see.]

Our intrepid band, Monica, Camilo, Iñaki, and Rafa are at the airport waiting to go to Chiapas. Monica is having one of her anxiety attacks, she is worried about Ximena and she is worried about flying and encountering turbulence, which Iñaki seems to find amusing. They hear a PA message that their flight is delayed due to bad weather over Chiapas. This only makes Monica more nervous.

Adrián and Laura agree they will go off to Uruguay, and be honest with each other. [Forgive me, but I'm going to give this tepid romance short shrift because it bores me.]

Killer (named Ángel according to Srta CC) has looked into Regina's pregnancy and the deal with RRRCW (but rich) Maggie to adopt the baby. When Ángel says Regina is going to give Maggie the baby his friend corrects him. Nobody gives anything of value away for free. There must be a large payment from Maggie to Regina. Come to think of it, half that money should belong to you as the father. Killer Ángel is interested.

Meanwhile Regina tells Nico a secret. Ever since the baby started moving she has become more and more attached to him. But she can't allow that or she will never be able to give him up for adoption. Nico thinks that would be a good thing, keeping the baby.

Barbi talks with Dr Germán about her feelings since she found out Malicio never had any interest in her as a woman; she questions her own value, and thinks nobody else will ever find her attractive. Germán disagrees strongly, she is very, very attractive. [I hope he is not still charging her for these sessions.]

Malicio has been almost falling asleep while driving. They pull over to rest for 15 minutes or so, and as he starts to nap Ximena tries to gently and surreptitiously take his cell phone, but he catches her. She says he was about to drop and damage it. Malicio is suspicious.

The intrepid band arrives in Chiapas, safe and sound, though Monica is all agitated from the flight. The police have the car's location.
 

MAÑANA [12/16/2019] (part 2 of 3) [my computer said I was under 4,096 characters but Blogger says over the limit]

Probably the nicest part of this episode:
Regina brings Mercedes to the Sarmiento home. Regina asks her what she should call her and Mercedes replies whatever you want. "Abuela," says Regina. And they hug.
Mercedes is thrilled to hear that, she thought she never would be called that for real.
Regina calls to the rest of the family and they come and see Mercedes. Diana is very emotional and embraces Mercedes. Not a dry eye in the house, unless it was Nico who was taking everything in stride.
Merecedes thanks Regina for convincing her to be open to learning about Diana and her life, and she asks Diana to forgive her for giving her up in the first place.
Lots of sniffling, boo-hooing, and hugs, but extremely well done, and very convincing.

A little later Diana thanks her for the children's books she brought, to her they are fascinating, as is the fact that they are both writers. Mercedes tells her the books are the only thing she could bring, and she didn't want to come with nothing (llegar con las manos vacías) for them. [How many times have we heard or said that?]
Later Barbi arrives and meets her abuela.
Then Eugenia and Chabe arrive to console Barbi after learning about Malicio. Nico introduces "Tita" to his "abuela". There is a little tension there but it passes, and they are both OK with each other.

Malicio and Ximena make a pit stop, Ximena tries to escape by a bathroom window but cannot. She goes back outside to rejoin an impatient Malicio, and then the police roll up and Malicio takes off running.

Malicio runs for his life with Rafa, cops, and everybody else after him, including Camilo, but Camilo has to stop before very long, out of breath and with a pain in his left chest/arm.
They catch Malicio and handcuff him. Malicio is still cocky and tells angry Rafa not to think he has won, he will be out of jail very soon.

Ximena is much relieved to be free of Malicio, but upset about what will happen to her next.
Ximena and Monica talk about Monica's returning to MediaLink. Monica is very happy because she loves her job, but things are different now, especially how she feels about Camilo after the big disillusionment.
 

MAÑANA [12/16/2019] (part 3 of 3) [my computer said I was under 4,096 characters but Blogger says over the limit]


Manuel goes to see Lidia and give her good news about jailing the promoter who tried to abuse her. It's not over yet, but it's a start. Lidia gives Manuel a big hug, much better and nicer than that painful forced kiss. [I'm surprised she even talks to him after that terrible and painful kiss. It must be love.]
Adrián and Laura are planning to take off for Uruguay which will leave Manuel short of help with his pastelerías. They suggest to him that Eugenia take Laura's place, she is great with numbers and a quick learner. Manuel agrees and they pretty soon recruit Eugenia with Chabe to fill in occasionally.

Camilo asks Diana to stay and sleep at home, he will take Cristóbal's room. Everybody is happy thinking that this might be the start of a reconciliation.

Almudena calls Camilo, very annoyed he has not been answering her calls. He shuts her down, says he is at home with his family and not apologizing for anything, and he hangs up on her.

Monica is at home, in bed with Camilo, Camilo the puppy that is, and she is looking over photos of her and Iñaki. Then she drifts off to sleep and has a dream; she dreams a little girl runs up to her calling her "Mami", and then she calls Iñaki "Papi". In the dream she tells them that nothing makes her happier than being with them. Iñaki tells her that he loves her, and she tells him she loves him, the little girl happy between them. Poor Monica wakes and sits bolt upright, shocked.

Very distressed, Monica gets Ximena out of bed so they can talk. Ximena is not impressed with another of Monica's dreams. Monica tells her about being so happy with the little girl and her father... Camilo, of course, says Ximena.

No! It was Iñaki! They are both surprised at this. Monica thinks again just how happy she was in the dream.


== and here the episode ends ==

andy


Counting down, four episode to go!

Won't you miss this TN???

:-P
 

HIJAS

A delightful way to start the day Anita!

I love your recaps. Right out of the gate,"Dario is in his office taking care of some fishing business (probably fishy anyway)…" had me smiling away.

"Well, it’s an itty bitty black, blue and white bikini (lookin’ good, baby)". These young 'uns certainly seem to know how to strike a pose.

"Later Steffi asks Seb, oh, so sweetly, if they can be friends. How could he resist. I think she has ulterior motives behind her so perfect self". Ah, so the protective armor might have a chink after all? I can't say I blame the poor girl. Being nice has gotten her no where.

Great fun Anita. Thank you so much!

Diana
 

MANANA

Grand andy.

"the villain(s) usually make a final appearance before they are ultimately vanquished". Let's add this to the TN "Staples" handbook.

"Merecedes thanks Regina for convincing her to be open to learning about Diana and her life, and she asks Diana to forgive her for giving her up in the first place.
Lots of sniffling, boo-hooing, and hugs, but extremely well done, and very convincing". I love happy endings and would like to have seen this.

Finally a change of mind. And heart. "No! It was Iñaki! They are both surprised at this. Monica thinks again just how happy she was in the dream".

Thank you andy.

Diana
 

HIJAS

A gem of a recap, ANITA, even though I could tell you find some of these characters as annoying as I do. (maybe all of them?)

This was great:

Back upstairs, Seb and Leo are having a difference of opinion over the gift of the phone and from whom. Neither gets the upper hand, even when the matter of infidelity (JuanO’s) and fidelity (hers) comes up. In the end she sweetly asks Seb to set up her new phone. He takes the phone to do it.

I roared at that. Sooo true to life. No way could I ever set up my phone or iPad. Either our son or one of our son-in-law's has to do it.

And I love your quirky style"

Darkness falls over Mazatlan

[Juan] sitting all droopy on the couch

[Juan] in Petunia 2.0 mode

But my favorite, since she's like chalk screeching on the blackboard....

[Juana Victoria] she's too busy leading the cheerleaders and aping it up--too much for my taste

Amen Sister! I'm ready to throw rocks at the screen every time Vicy waltzes into the picture. And okay, December and the dark days do turn me into more of a curmudgeon than usual, but still...this chick is über-annoying.

But not your recap..it was great. Thanks ANITA. I actually got some bathrooms cleaned during the time I would have been pounding out a recap. I thank you and my family thanks you! And it was so nice knowing my day was "free".
 

MAÑANA

Feeling telenovela envy this morning--YOURS IS ABOUT TO END!!!! Wah. Wah. Ours still has a ways to go. Hear that sound?-- it's me gnashing my teeth.

"Germán disagrees strongly, she is very, very attractive. [I hope he is not still charging her for these sessions.]"

That cracked me up. And I'm sure he's still charging her. But hey, if they get married, she'll have access to that tidy bank account some day, so all good.

Loved "our intrepid band" and your description of the boo-hoo reconciliation scene. Glad that it was well done and you were not watching with cynical eyes. We need some sweetness at Christmas.


Looks like we are zooming forward to a HAPPY ENDING. Couldn't come at a better time. You've been a soldier and a treat for all of us five days a week. As Diana, I believe, once said, you've spun straw into gold, day after day. Thanks ANDY.
 

Geez, JudyB--You traded me for a bathroom job? You were supposed to be baking cookies or something more pleasant....(I get you, though, those bathrooms can be tough.)
 

Doris--I loved your comment about Fernando's fashion selection. At that point I was oblivious to him. But think a minute. Don't ALL painters wear white, just so there is plenty of paint on their clothes so no one can doubt their profession (or persuasion)?
 

Manana

Andy..thanks for hanging in there to the bitter end and thanks for the andycaps...andycandy for Christmastime.
HIJAS
Anita..thanks for all the details of Bikinis at the Beach. Does Leo ever just wear capris, teeshirt, and flip flops ?? She lives at the Beach , but She is always dressed to the nines in cocktail dresses and jewelry.

Judyb....I feel like I am hibernating with day after day of rainy, dismal, chilly weather. Uff.
 

MANANA
Andy--Thanks for your perseverance with this telenovela and offering us your skills and humor recapping this (mostly) nonsense. I'm NOT going to miss Manana, but I'm really going to miss you. Please do us the honor of taking on another tn in the near future.

So true love comes in a dream. I wondered how they were going to make the turnaround for Monica to slough off the human Camilo. I do wish she'd change the dog's name, though.

It's a bit unrealistic that she has another beaux waiting in the wings. True life is more like Ximena's situation. I feel for her.

So for our last week--does Camilo have his heart attack? It's been waiting to happen for some weeks now (hint, hint). How is Almudena going to get her put-down. Will she be the cause of it and everyone drums her out of their lives. Yeah, send her packing back to Miami...only she IS Rafa's mother and we like him.

Thanks again, Andy for taking us through this romp of the terrible becoming schmaltzy for you to hone you skills. You are top drawer stuff.
 

MAÑANA

Thank you Andy for another andycap and the snark.

This episode really has that “tying up loose ends” feel to it.

How can there be time for Camilo to have his heart attack between now and the Por Fin? Oh well, telenovela magic.

Am out of town for a funeral so typing on this phone is work.
Thank you again Andy.
 

HIJAS #44 SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO WORDS....

Part 1

Folks, I really wouldn't know what to call this hodgepodge of an episode. There were random scenes of jealousy, random scenes of "here's my sad story" and random scenes of attempts to sell time shares. Plus the Ernesto Cifuentes false claim of paternity. And another big charge on Juan's credit card for Petunia's silver necklace and a couple of vials of perfume. I think the writers knocked back a couple of shots of tequila and left early to get pizza. And the flunkies had to take what was left on the cutting room floor and glue it together for an episode. Fine by me, but just don't ask me to give it a title.

We start with the aftermath of a drunken Cifuentes crashing into the back of Sebastian's jeep. When Seb sees who it is, he leaps out and asks Ernesto if he is his father. The old drunk shouts back "Si! Satisfecho?"

Back at the office Dario is doing his favorite thing--lambasting a wretched employee. This time it's the poor lout who let Ernesto escape. Poor guy is still bleeding from his head wound but Dario shows him no mercy. Find that drunk and bring him back. He has a tracer on his car so it shouldn't be hard!

Meanwhile Cifuentes has stumbled into the jewelry store to confront his old girlfriend. She sarcastically tells him he looks as good as ever. He solemnly tells her she looks like "she was rode hard and put away wet" [that's the equivalent of the Spanish which said it looked like her engine was run without oil]

Nice talk buddy!

Upshot of the conversation. She hates Leonora and that's why she blabbed that Ernesto was one of her lovers. Well, he hates Juan Oropeza and that's why he lied and told Sebastian he was his dad.

Nice couple.

And speaking of couples, we are back to the tedious pair of Sebastian and Hyperactive Vicky. They're rifling through Cifuentes' scant belongings to see if there's anything to prove a past relationship with Mama Leo. They find a photo and look at it open-mouthed (We have another shot of Vicky's huge teeth and gum line. Which we didn't need.) We don't see what it is but it seems to prove, to them anyway, that Ernesto is indeed Seb's father. Still, earlier Sebastian retrieved a soft drink can that fell out of Cifuentes' car. Hopefully a DNA test will sort everything out.

Numerous scenes of pouting in this one. First pout. Estefania calls Sebastian. He doesn't answer. But Vicky pouts anyway. Steffi calls Vicky next. Vick pouts some more. (But at least she has her mouth closed!) When she listens to Steff's proposal for the happy gang to go snorkeling, she pushes the idea over Seb's resistance. He needs to relax and think about something besides the "dad question" and she needs to fish and maybe catch something to supplement their grim diet of beans, beans and beans.

Final selling point: She will slip into a teeny-weeny bikini for the outing and give him a "taco de ojo"--a nice, juicy look! Well, what red-blooded boy could say no?
 

HIJAS #44 SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO WORDS...

Part 2

Barb is on the beach doing a workout with her trainer when she hears Ines' cellphone beep. She intercepts it. Sees that it's a message from Mau about the snorkeling date and texts back that she'll be there. Then absconds with the phone, planning to take Ines' place on the boat...and also in Mauricio's heart. Let's just cut this short by saying the plan fails miserably. Barb is sick as a dog the whole time.

Well, sometimes Karma gets it right.

Inés meanwhile is dosing some old geezer with potent homemade joy juice from the convent. Since he doesn't speak Spanish and she doesn't speak English, no Tiempos Compartidos sales were made. But he leaves happy.

But happy is not our Juana Victoria. Nopis. More full scale pouting as Steff and Sebastian reminisce about their many snorkeling memories in places far and wide. They jump in the water and Vicky is left behind looking muy glum. Fernando sketches a picture of her all "tristona" and when the snorkeling pair gets back on board, Vicky is latched onto Fernando like a barnacle, thanking him for the portrait. This time Sebastian pouts. And snaps they they look "so romantic and caring". And how was your dive, retorts Vicky. "Romantic and caring also, I suppose."

"Wow," observes Mauricio, "if I didn't know you were siblings, I'd say you both were jealous."

How about another couple...this time Margarita and Xavier. Earlier, when he was in the process of selling a time share to a couple, the wife got belligerent with the husband's refusal to go along with it all. The "shut ups" quickly morphed into pillow swats. At this point Xavier wisely said, "Señora, don't mistreat your husband!"

So instead she swats Xavier. And Margarita is suddenly on her like a hellcat, belting her around until Xavier pulls her off. I think we can assume the sale didn't go through. But later, Xavier wants to thank her by offering her a glass of wine. He's sipping happily while she's bursting into tears. And...according to her, she has no idea why.
 

HIJAS #44 SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO WORDS...

Part 3

Back on the boat, Sebastian moves in close to Vicky--very close!-- to help her pull in a fish.

And back at his home, Xavier goes into his universal therapist routine, sagely noting that sometimes, when one is carrying a lot of heavy emotions, tears just erupt.

So we get back stories. Margarita tells her sad tale of Alberto, her husband, abusing Barbara from the time she was 13. And Marg not believing it. She was in love with him, told herself that she was happy, but in truth she was miserable. She tried to please him, but she was always anxious. And though he pretended to love her, actually he just treated her like a slave. And she stayed. Why? Because she was afraid of being alone.

Xavier then shares his sad tale of love gone wrong, showing Margarita his letter from Alisha. She was worried when she heard of the hurricane in Mazatlan. She still loves Xavier like she did the very first day 20 years ago. Marg wants to know why they aren't together. Well, turns out Alisha is the daughter of a "rajput" (well, that's what my closed captions say). And that's the equivalent of a prince in India. And as a princess she had to marry within her class. Had her secret meetings with Xavier come to light, they both would have been killed. And so...Alisha married. As she had to. And Xavier left, knowing only that Time does not heal all wounds. He's still hurting. And so is she.

So now let's jump to Teresa and Juan. They're slumped over the kitchen table--well, he is--she's super perky like Vicky. Juan is loaded down by the latest assault on his credit card. Seems that Leonora has charged an expensive silver necklace, as well as two vials of perfume and there's no money to pay for it. When Teresa shows him who's wearing the necklace--none other that our Petunia--he's not amused.

Let's wrap up this section with a return visit to the Bermuda Triangle of Sebastian/Vicky and Estefania. Steff kisses Seb good-bye. Its a cheek kiss. But it's a lingering one. Vicky gives Seb the Pout Look. He gives her one back.

They're tedious, aren't they?


 

HIJAS #44 SOMETIMES THERE ARE NO WORDS...

Final Part

Ernesto has been located and returned to his hovel. Dario is going to load him down with a lot of whiskey to make sure he stays put. And scoffs at the idea that Sebastian might be his son. You only have daughters!

Meanwhile our tedious couple is still sparring. Vick is explaining her pouty behavior--I felt excluded and like the "naco" I am when you two were reminiscing about your scuba adventures in all those glamorous places. Seb counters with her effusive, over-affectionate thanks for Fernando's sketch. Our Juana Victoria rightly points out that she's never even dated Fer. Whereas Sebastian has gone out with Steff for years and almost married her!

More pouting and hints finally click in and Seb asks if Steff is trying to get back with him. While protesting that she can't gossip or betray confidences, Vicky confirms exactly that. They make up with some te amo's and those vacuum-sealed, unbreakable suction kisses that Andy made famous.

Meanwhile Mau shows up back at the Blue House to find out why Inés never showed up. When she protests that she was the one who was dumped, he shows her his cellphone text. She puts two and two together and plans vengeance on traitorous Juana Barbara. "La venganza es un plato que se sirve frio" [Vengeance is a dish best served cold] Another quote we've heard many a time in these telenovelas. But Barb does her best to convince Inés that she actually sent Mau the message herself, citing the memory lapses of Alzheimer's. In the meantime, she has tucked the purloined cellphone back into Inés purse.

More random scenes: Sebastian has a nightmare about Cifuentes being his dad and stabbing Papi Juan.

Soledad is on the beach reading tarot cards for a lady and telling her that in spite of her recent divorce, there's a childhood friend of hers who's in love with her and will give her a "beso de amor".

Juana Inés, back in a bikini is leading some random tourists in a dance when Papi Juan stumbles in and tries to make a pitch for a free breakfast etc. They're onto him and rush off. All but one woman. Who attaches herself closely and says she's ready for whatever he has to sell.

Back at the Blue House, Vicky and Sebastian have decided a little carnal knowledge is what they both need to wrap up the day. They're well on their way, half-undressed, when Leonora is heard outside the door calling for Sebastian.

Well, what the hey, it's kind of a cliffhanger. Anyway, tune in tomorrow to see what happens. I'm on tenterhooks myself. Really.
 

HIJAS

Judy, as much as I love vocabulary, "Inés meanwhile is dosing some old geezer with potent homemade joy juice from the convent. Since he doesn't speak Spanish and she doesn't speak English, no Tiempos Compartidos sales were made. But he leaves happy" takes top honors tonight and deservedly so.

Close runners up are "rajput" ... the equivalent of a prince in India" and "La venganza es un plato que se sirve frio" [Vengeance is a dish best served cold]". Excellent.

I’m truly sorry I did not get to see Petunia sporting that necklace!

And lastly, "Back at the Blue House, Vicky and Sebastian have decided a little carnal knowledge is what they both need to wrap up the day". Perfect.

From what little I know of this, I was hoping Steffi does have some sort of plan to get her man back. She's gotten the worst of it, and doesn't seem to deserve it.

Thank you Judy - great fun as always!

Diana
 

HIJAS

Judy, thank you very much for a fun read recap. I am so far behind on everything, including TNs (five episodes behind on El Hotel de los Secretos) that I have finally realized that at this point I can't watch everything.

Since your recaps are so much better than the show, I read the recap and take a pass on the actual show. And I get vocabulary lessons with your recaps. The show just makes me wonder what that part of the dialogue actually meant.

:-)

andy
 

MAÑANA [12/17/2019] (part 1 of 3)

Epiphany

[scenes combined both willy nilly and sometimes when it actually helps]

Previously on "MediaLink Blues":

After all the excitement of traveling back and forth to Chiapas and capturing Malicio, Monica drifts off to a well-deserved night's sleep. She soon wakes up, startled by a dream starring herself as a proud, happy mother, and Iñaki as the father!

----

Camilo, in his PJ's once again, is talking with Diana in Nico's room. Camilo is glad that Diana has had a good talk with her bio mom, and he hopes to meet her soon. She hopes so too, and is happy that everyone seems OK with Mercedes, including Eugenia.
And she is happy that she and Camilo are smoothing over things. Here Camilo leans in for a little kiss on the lips and Diana leans in as well. It's an extremely light and short kiss though, because Nico inserts himself between them. There are more important things Diana has to do, like tell him a story.
Kids.

Manuel is with RRRCW Maggie at home at bedtime. A nurse is giving Maggie her meds to take with some water as Manuel watches. Maggie goes to change into her PJ's and when she is away Manuel says to the nurse that he doesn't see much improvement in Maggie. The nurse agrees, and says that's how it is sometimes. She will suggest to the doctor that he might want to increase the dosage.
Maggie, in the bathroom, spits the pill into the sink and washes it down the drain.
The next day she takes one or more pills and crushes them and slips them into the nurse's orange juice.

Regina receives a text message from Pablo, "Hi, Regis, how are you? I have been thinking a lot about you today"
Regina replies "Qué padre", and then thinks, Oops, I didn't mean to be so enthusiastic.
They pass a couple more lines back and forth, all smiles, and then we get a split screen, both of them looking happy and smiling and, just for Judy, a yellow kissy-kiss emoji with a red heart in the center of the screen.


Next day, Monica happily arrives back at MediaLink to a heroine's welcome. Nora runs up to her and hugs her, and then Monica makes her way to her office with everybody giving her hugs and little kisses. Very festive, and a happy Monica even responds with a little curtsy before entering her office. There she takes her nameplate out of her purse and sets it on her desk once again. She is very happy.

But wait! There's more!
Rafa asks her to go with him to the conference room, Camilo and Iñaki are ready to sign the partnership agreement and they want her there. There she mentions she was all tired out the night before after all the adventure in Chiapas, but slept well and even dreamed about Iñaki. He laughs and says it must have been a nightmare, but she says no, it was a very sweet dream. Rafa is watching them with interest.
It turns out they have a surprise for her, they are giving her a 5% interest in the company, she will now be a partner in MediaLink. It was Iñaki's idea, and Camilo and Rafa approve. Smiles all around.
But wait again!
Monica asks for a minute and runs out, to everybody's consternation. But she is soon back with her lucky pen, the one Iñaki gave her. Then she signs the agreement.

Everybody is jubilant, at least for a short while; Rafa pops the cork on a bottle of champagne, and Camilo grabs his arm in pain and falls to the floor...
 

MAÑANA [12/17/2019] (part 2 of 3)

Diana is at home, and all happy smiles after reading some of bio mom Mercedes' children's books. She calls her editor and tells him that there are some books he has to read, he will be delighted with them.

Camilo is transported to the hospital where (who else?) Dr Juan is waiting for him. Camilo's situation is very grave, and everybody is upset.

Malicio, in jail, is visited by a lawyer. They communicate via phones through a glass plate window separating them. The lawyer introduces himself as Lic. Guillén, Malicio's court appointed lawyer. Guillén tells him that all his funds are frozen, he has no money and his only option for legal counsel is him. Malicio, ever the charmer, mutters, Great, I have no money to hire a good lawyer.

Nora informs the Sarmiento family that Camilo is in the hospital with something serious. Barbi is talking with Germán in his office when she gets the call and jumps up to leave. Dr Germán can't let her go by herself in the state she's in so he goes with her, and has any later appointments with other patients (or clients, whatever psychologists say in Mexico) cancelled. Doc Germán is taking excellent care of Barbi-Barbi.

His court appointed lawyer give Malicio lots of bad news about the charges against him.

Ximena gets a clean bill of legal health by the bank officers and there will be no charges against her; she has the full confidence of the bank. She does a little happy dance.

Back with Malicio, he keeps getting bad news. There are still more charges, some of them very serious, he is facing 15 to 42 years in the big house.
Malicio wants to know how much bail (fianza) would cost him. His lawyer reminds him he has no money, and bail would be unlikely in his case anyway.

Regina leaves school with a few of her friends; escaped RRRCW Maggie is hiding nearby and watching; Regina is approached by Killer who wants to know why she didn't tell him the baby was his. Maggie is paying attention.
Regina screams at Killer to leave her alone and goes off with her friends. Maggie approaches Killer and quizzes him, but pretty quickly Killer turns to what interests him, How much would you pay me to deliver the baby to you?

Cristóbal, in a group counseling session, says some seemingly profound stuff because everybody nods gravely. [Not to make fun of this, but it's not as much fun as some of the romances going on.]
 

MAÑANA [12/17/2019] (part 3 of 3)

Barbi arrives at the hospital with Germán and introduces him around. (One helluva way to meet the family.) Later Germán decides to leave and Barbi gives him a long, long hug.
It must have been a nice hug because he doesn't really leave and he and Barbi continue talking and she holds his hand.

Regina arrives at MediaLink and asks Nora if Camilo can see her. Pablo gives her the bad news and takes her to the hospital. But they also talk about Killer. Pablo asks, why don't you tell him he is not the father, that I am the father. We could also fake a DNA paternity test to give him. (Pablo obviously watches telenovelas.)

At the hospital Diana, Chabe, Monica are in the chapel praying and we hear the "Ave Maria" (sung by, well, guess who).

Super Doctor Juan, is in Camilo's room (which doesn't look much like Intensive Care to me). He is wearing the obligatory face mask, but Camilo happens to revive at just that minute and Doc Juan pulls his mask down to talk to him. He tells Camilo that he was somewhat lucky, he has done well with medication and they will see if he is a good candidate for a stent. (vocabulary: according to Srta CC "stent" in Spanish is "stent"; how easy was that, eh?)

Dr Juan gives the family the good news and Camilo will be able to see a few visitors. Almudena, newly arrived, wants to be the first, but Camilo asked for his wife, Diana. Diana smiles, Almudena scowls, and Rafa scolds her.


Iñaki and Monica are having coffee in the hospital cafeteria and Ximena arrives to support Monica. But Ximena is nervous and sweating and they are concerned for her. They take her to see a doctor who finds that she is suffering from low blood pressure. The nice lady doctor asks her if she has had this problem before and if so, what did she take for it. Ximena tells her she took "Carfus Pro".
Whoa! says lady doctor, that stuff has been recalled, over a year ago. It caused all sorts of serious side effects, especially disorientation and being very confused as to location and persons.

Monica thinks back to that night with Camilo, when they made love. He called her Diana. It wasn't just a mistake, he was confused.

Ximena, don't you realize? Because of that pill you gave Camilo for his blood pressure he thought I was Diana. Camilo was hallucinating!

Camilo never made love that night to me, to Monica Rojas, but to his wife Diana!


== and here the episode ends ==

andy
 

HIJAS

Judy, thank you for your recrap. Your title is perfect, too. This show has turned into a massive mess, but we do the best we can with wha we have to work with. At this point, we can only hope Mejía would take the reins and turn it into an entertaining train wreck.

I did not get to watch this last night and won't have time today, so thank you for keeping us updated.
 

MANANA

andy, I needed a bit of cheer this morning and your recap was just that. It was simply great.

"[scenes combined both willy nilly and sometimes when it actually helps]" and "vocabulary: according to Srta CC "stent" in Spanish is "stent"; how easy was that, eh?)" were my favorites.

Reading Maggie isn’t getting better led even me to suspect she wasn’t taking her meds, which you confirmed. “The next day she takes one or more pills and crushes them and slips them into the nurse's orange juice” just took it a step further.

"But wait! There's more!" :)

There appears to be hope for Monica and Inaki especially since “Camilo never made love that night to me, to Monica Rojas, but to his wife Diana!” A bitter blow but but likely the only thing that will get Camilo out of Monica's heart for good.

andy, fantastic. Thank you.

Diana
 

MAÑANA

Another wonderful andycap and thank you, Andy. I missed yesterday's episode so I really appreciate your efforts and labors. I will miss these "andycaps" now that this show is coming to a close.

"Previously on "MediaLink Blues": " made me smile.

So, okay, the writers did have time for Camilo's heart attack. Another PSA. How convenient that it was not fatal. And there is still, time for Maggie to do something RRRRC.

 

MAÑANA

Diana, thank you. And, according to CC, Dr Juan did say "stent", but if I get a chance I have to go back to listen to it again. I don't think Spanish much likes an initial "st" sound.

I think there is definitely hope for Monica and Iñaki. Hope for Pablo and Regina, and lots of others. I wouldn't be too surprised if even Cristóbal winds up involved with Javiera.

Anita recently remarked that it was convenient but unrealistic for Monica to have Camilo's replacement so ready. That real life is often more like Ximena's situation. This TN, despite its rocky start, always wanted to be a romantic story. Even seven year old Nico has a novia.
And Ximena may find a real and decent novio yet. She wasn't much interested in Armando before, but she may change her mind now.

Doris, thank you very much. I'm sorry you missed the episode, because it was a nice one. I think the writers and producers are trying to make up for the very bad start of this TN.
Yeah, Camilo was extremely lucky, and I'll leave it at that.
Unfortunately, RRRCW Maggie probably will do something bad, probably involving the quite heartless Killer. At least Maggie has an excuse, she really is crazy.
By all rights Malicio should not be able to do anything in the next three episodes as he is safely locked up pending trial for very serious offenses.
But has any TN ever devoted three days to HEAs? I doubt it.

andy
 

MAÑANA

Dr Juan, at about 48 minutes in, tells Camilo they will see if he's a good candidate for a stent. Even a half speed I couldn't make out the word he used, but to me it sounded like it began with an "es..." sound.

Now I'm worried. If Srta CC would lie to me about that, what else has she deceived me about? I just thought we had a better relationship.

:-(

andy
 

HIJAS
JudyB--The title works perfectly, but you certainly added a lot of words to illuminate the latest set of predictable nothings. What can I say, no words--except a great big thank you. (Sorry for you that this is going nowhere so slowly.) The guy playing Cifuentes was Espanto, the disreputable, but incapable accomplice of Kendra in Amores Verdaderos. He actually looks a lot better now than he did in 2012.

MANANA
Now with this one is heading toward the finish line in double time. Andy, what can I say, your words are better than mine. You are a peach to keep us up with all the intrigue. Thank you for all the Andycaps, Andycraps, Andycapitos, etc. Fun and entertaining. I won't be here to join everyone in the despedida, so I'm sending you my farewell virtual bouquet as a thank you.

Killer certainly made his entrance (and money-making scheme) at the last minute. Well, if Mau's Great Escape only took two episodes, why not a baby-stealing episode. If this jerk could spend 8 months skateboarding in Australia, it makes me think he probably lives off his parents or maybe even WITH his parents. Don't get me started.

I just want to see Monica's dream come true and she has that little girl of her own and not by IVF, but the regular way. For Diana's sake (although she doesn't deserve it 100%--but only to keep Camilo out of Almudena's hands) I hope there is a reconciliation between the two of them.

Everything else is pretty much wrapped up. I still think Regie is too young to marry (or not), have a child and raise it, but millions of other women have done it and managed. She and Pablo are well suited, if only this had happened a year or two in the future.

Barbi and her therapist? Hmmm, well, ok, if we need to have everyone paired off. How to get Manuel and Lidia together. Nora and Luis are a done deal. Laura and Adrian are off to Uruguay together. That's a wrap.

Maggie needs to be hauled off to the manicomio and the nurse officially sanctioned for not checking that the pills were actually swallowed (she could have been crushing them and putting them in Maggie's OJ without telling her, instead of the reverse).

That leaves Ximena. Is she going to continue playing the field or will one of the more eligible bank employees step up to tame this red-headed wild child.

Loved Malicio's cocky self deflating as he learned that not all the frozen money in the world would get him out. Didn't he look great in prison khaki?
 

HIJAS MAÑANA

Hola everybody. Diana, Doris, Andy, and Anita, thanks for your comments. And Andy, I apologize for never getting around to your recap. I am beginning to be pulled into the Christmas undertow. Too much shopping, wrapping, card-writing, package sending and too much partying with the resulting bleariness the next day. This too shall pass. But in the meantime, I know I'm falling short CarayCaray-wise. Lo siento. Perdoname.
 

HIJAS #45 OUR NOT SO LOVELY LEONORA STEALS THE SHOW

Part 1

Wow...thank God for the old pros in this one. The young 'uns are pretty in their bikinis and bathing trunks, but it's the old guard that make the occasional episode actually funny and worth watching. And Cynthia Klitbo, as Leonora, really hit the jackpot as a comedienne in this one. Looking absolutely gawdawful in a frizzy wig (supposedly the result of bad shampoo) or skulking around in big black hat and shades for a clandestine meeting with Jerome, she was a hoot from start to finish. Otherwise, it was mostly a series of silly, disjointed skits again, but she made it bearable.

We start with coitus interruptus, as Leonora, looking like the Witch of Endor, storms into Sebastian's bedroom in search of shampoo. Luckily Vicky has scampered into the bathroom in time. But Leonora wants to head in. Seb stops her saying that Fernando is in there taking a shower. Which requires that Vick turn on the shower and get soaked. No matter...Seb retrieves the shampoo and Leo heads back out. He and Vick giggle like mad though, and he fobs mom off with a "cosa de hombres" explanation for the hilarity.

Meanwhile, Juan-I'm-a-Married-Man is gently pushing his Tiempos Compartidos client's exploring hand off his thigh. She's hard to discourage however, even stating that she's not jealous and ready to share his affections. (Who knew dear paunchy Juan was a chick magnet?) She finally agrees to buy a time share for one little "besito". And a little besito is what she gets.

Jerome calls, all in a lather (these Frenchies are so emotional) about Sebastian believing Ernesto Cifuentes is his son's father. Since it's a videochat and Vicky is draped all over Seb, he gets to meet the "peor es nada" (a joke meaning "novia") and seems to approve.

Soledad has successfully lured the recipient of her Tarot card reading into the hotel where her "payment" is to attend the sales pitch breakfast given by Xavier. Before that can happen, Margarita is on her like a hellcat, screeching "What are you up to with my husband!?" Believe it or not, Xavier actually makes a sale after that poor beginning. But Margarita needs to be spayed.

We see Inés in her bedroom contemplating revenge. "Ojo por ojo, guante por guante" [An eye for an eye and a glove for a glove] Methinks Juana Barbara is in for an unpleasant surprise.

Estefania calls Sebastian and asks him to have dinner with her--it's personal, not about Tiempos Compartidos. He agrees to meet.

And finally, Barb is on the beach, pretending to train with a limp-wristed Todoelmundo. Supposedly frustrated, she asks one of the tourists to step up and shadow box with her. A big burly guy volunteers, and we can guess he'll soon be recruited for a free breakfast with sales talk.

In the last scene, we see Inés in the jewelry store with Petunia's necklace, returning it for a full refund.
 

Hijas
As Andy would say, real life manages to interfere with our fantasy lives. No need to apologize. Finished the bourbon balls and took a break before starting the mini cheese balls.
 

Oops. I interfered. Sorry.
 

HIJAS #45 OUR NOT SO LOVELY LEONORA STEALS THE SHOW

Part 2

A lot of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth when Leonora, still frizzy and frazzled, finds Petunia with a humble dog collar rather than her lovely necklace. She wastes no time in accusing the "paracaidistas" (literally parachuters, but means people who have invaded your home and hospitality)of stealing Petunia's jewelry. Juan explains the return, but it's Teresa who steps up with some empathy. "You've grown quite fond of Petunia, haven't you?" "Yes," sobs Leo, "she listens, she cares about me, she's a FAITHFUL friend [cue a glare at Juan]and supports me unconditionally."

Teresa puts this knowledge to good use and next morning brings Leonora her breakfast on a tray. Leo grudgingly confesses that she doesn't dislike Terry as much as those "illegitimas". Who knows, maybe this is the start of a gentle thaw. We can but hope.

Meanwhile, Estefania is reading a treatise about True Love. It's pretty much the opposite of what is portrayed in these telenovelas--you know, love at first sight, raging passion, fulminating jealousy, etc. Nopis. According to her source, Romantic Love is not true love. And Jealousy is not a sign of love. True love is when a couple builds a genuine, lasting friendship together and have an enduring "complicity" or "closeness". Evidently, armed with this new, mature knowledge, she is going to re-conquer Sebastian's affection. Stay tuned.

She's not the only one working on a New Start. Juan is in there pitching with his wife Leonora. She's still looking like holy hell, hair-wise, but is displaying an impressive pair of gams, which perhaps motivates his wish for reconciliation. In a nutshell, Papi Juan's pitch is this:

It breaks my heart to see you like this. I want to be with you in the good times and in the bad. Why talk to the goat? I'll always listen to you and care. I love you with my whole heart. And he gently kisses her on the forehead.

When he leaves, Leo looks bemused and whispers..."My husband..." So stay tuned on this one also.

Sol is asking Inés about the aftermath of Barb's trick the other day, and Inés confides that she got back at her. "Oh? What happened to 'turn the other cheek'?" queries Sol. "That changes when you fall in love." Okay then.

Pretty smooth sailing until Sebastian calls Juana Victoria to tell her he's having dinner with Steff. Evidently Vick hasn't read the Treatise on True Love, because she's plenty angry, plenty jealous and pretty much reams him out.

Estefania, on the other hand, is all mature sweetness and light. And proposes that she and Sebastian begin all over again, from ground zero. They made a lot of mistakes in the past. But now is now and the future can be different.

He says nothing. Just gives a queasy smile.

Granted, he could nip this in the bud by admitting that he's in love with somebody else. But he doesn't.
 

HIJAS #45 OUR NOT SO LOVELY LEONORA STEALS THE SHOW

Part 3

Steff's sales pitch continues. Romantic love is a myth. True love is built slowly, step by step. It doesn't just "happen".

"All I'm asking is a chance to be near you, to construct a solid foundation of friendship and closeness [complicidad]that will last through time."

Let's face it, that's not a sales pitch that would excite a hot-blooded young guy who's currently pounding the sheets with Juana Victoria. We may find her annoying. Heck, he may find her annoying in a few years. But right now? Vicky's golden. Steff, you don't stand a chance.

We have a brief scene where Juana Victoria is storming around and Fernando is following her like a bloodhound. She warns him off meddling in her personal affairs, but he concludes that she needs a creative outlet for her stormy temperament. After all, she is sensitive. This earns him a big toothy grin. And he likes it when she smiles. Lord! I'm glad somebody does.

The Steff-Seb dinner concludes, he takes her home, and gets a good-bye kiss on the mouth. And an immediate apology. After Seb leaves, Daddy Dario steps in to hear that Estefania is SURE her former fiancé will soon be as in love with her as before. This is only Phase One. But it's a lock, for certain.

More brief scenes. Inés is with Mauricio, starts to fall, he grabs her and "saves" her. She is totally smitten. More Kissing Practice ensues.

Barb is finding out that the super-glue on the gloves is implacable, and nothing, absolutely nothing will get them off. She'd like to strangle Inés but that's hard to do with boxing gloves on.

And Vicky wraps up this portion with another ugly jealousy scene. She's furious that Sebastian, afraid of triggering another Steff nervous breakdown, has not taken a firm negative stand. "I suppose you're all hunky dory novios again!" she snaps.
 

HIJAS #45 OUR NOT SO LOVELY LEONORA STEALS THE SHOW

Part 4

Seb is patiently trying to explain his dilemma. He'd feel guilty if something happened to Estefania because of a too blunt rejection. And she's talking like a "robot"-- way too calm, as if love is something as neutral like a chair or a fork.

More brief scenes: Teresa happens to interrupt Sebastian and Vicky in a kissing fest and decides maybe she needs to bunk elsewhere. She joins Margarita at Xavier's home. And the two giggle like schoolgirls over Margarita's crush on Tio Xavier. She's got the hots for him for sure, but he's still mooning over a 20-year love. So it's no go.

Meanwhile, Seb and Vicky make up their quarrel with an energetic romp between the sheets.

And Inés is making amends by spoon feeding Barbara who still can't get her glued on gloves removed.

Mundito, with a little song and dance, has lured a couple into Xavier's sales group. In fact all three of our guys seem to be making Tiempos Compartidos sales one after another.

But all is not well. Leonora, back to looking well-coiffed and in charge, is horrified to learn that Jerome is back in town and demanding to see her.

And Estefania, walking along the beach with Juana Victoria, is confiding that she's sure Sebastian is going to fall in love with her again. Uh oh.
 

HIJAS #45 OUR NOT SO LOVELY LEONORA STEALS THE SHOW

Final Part

Leonora, in full stealth mode (big black hat, dark glasses and another smashing dress) skulks into a corner café to confront Jerome. She's horrified to hear that Sebastian believes Ernesto Cifuentes is his biological dad. "How can he believe that!!!???" she yelps. "That's what I want to know!!!!" retorts Jerome.

Quick switch to the beach where a testy Dario in listening to his henchie's latest info report. "But hurry up," snaps Dario, "Time is Money."

Well, that's just it. Juan, Xavier and Sebastian are all busy beavers selling Tiempos Compartidos in the Casa de Cristal. At first Dario is amused and snarky. Hah, how low can you fall!? From businessmen to lowly salesmen. But as he thinks further, he realizes that these guys are experienced and have a certain charisma, dang it! Those dudes might actually be successful! We'd better follow up on this.

And we end with our illicit couple, Leonora and Jerome, at a real stand-off. She's darned worried about Sebastian never forgiving her. Especially if he believes that Cifuentes, that old drunk, is his father.

"Well, if you don't tell him who his real father is, I'll tell him myself!" warns Jerome.

Leonora's reply?

I'LL KILL YOU!

Well, frankly, I like a woman who speaks her mind. How about you?

And there we end.
 

house

Judyb, thank you for providing us with a recap in the midst of all the holiday hooha. I think that too much of the budget was so ent on Leo's wardrobe and Petunia' s jewelry. More money for writers might have given us story!Inez that actually made some sense . I love the beach and sea scenes, but there isn't much of a story to hold our attention.


Andy, you are tenacious and will ride this pony into the sunset. Why so many women want weakwilled Camilo strains credibility for me.

SNow squall and frigid temps here. To quote Camus , " Snow, the leprosy of nature. " stay warm and safe , all.
 

HIJAS

Oh, Judy, you are made of better stuff than I am and were much kinder to this episode than I would have been. Thank you for your labors.

I especially enjoyed:
--- But Margarita needs to be spayed.

--- Evidently Vick hasn't read the Treatise on True Love,

--- Leonora, in full stealth mode…

I have to completely agree with you that Leo stole the show. I FFWD--> thru much of this today, but always watched Leo. Yes, thank heavens for the Old Guard actors who know how to excel in every scene they are in!

Has Cynthia Klitbo ever done comedy before? She really, truly has the talent.

RECAPPER’S ALERT: If tomorrow is more of the same, y’all might get six sentences from me as my recrap. Punto.
 

HIJAS

Rays of bright warming sunshine Judy. You always bring the best because you are the best.

"Ojo por ojo, guante por guante" [An eye for an eye and a glove for a glove", "Margarita needs to be spayed" and "this is the start of a gentle thaw" were among many favorites.

Is Steffi really THAT naïve? Even if she is, has she no pride? She seemed to realize Seb didn't love her quite a few episodes ago. While there is usually hope, there appears to be none in this case.

"Yes," sobs Leo, "she listens, she cares about me, she's a FAITHFUL friend". I found this very touching. I have always felt that way about my fur children.

"Why talk to the goat? I'll always listen to you and care". Perhaps. But then you will likely speak. Our fur children realize the key is in the listening, not in the response.

doris, I think Cynthia has done comedy but for the life of me, I can't remember what. The first time I saw her was in Teresa, and that was my favorite role of hers.

Judy, this was wonderful. Thank you!

Diana
 

Greetings Petite Patio. ANITA, no problems with "interrupting". I've done it myself. Your cuisine concoctions sound wonderful. I'm sure your son and family will enjoy eating all that. Our daughters are so tough on nutritional rules for their kids, that there's no question of making cookies or anything else of that nature. However li'l Will does love my homemade, no sugar applesauce.

SUSANLYNN...So sorry you've got some "leprosy" your way. I have to admit I love snow. Even though I'm the one who shovels the driveway. To me it's beautiful and magical. Even with the challenges it presents driving. Guess I'm a little bit crazy that way. This is a weird show. But the patio makes it worth it.

DORIS...You made me laugh with your "six lines" threat. Actually it's no threat. I love crisp, brief recaps. We're all so laden down with information and "must give immediate attention" solicitations, the brain gets very tired indeed. And Hijas is not terribly inspiring these days.

Cynthia Klitbo has had comic roles. Not out and out comedy but comic turns. There was one show where she ran a "fonda" but was often saying "si, verdad?" in a goofy way whenever someone said something nice about her. She's just a great, all-around trouper who can play evil, pitiable, sexy, funny, whatever. And evidently quite popular in Mexico. As she should be.

DIANA...Estefania may be naive. But the real problem is--she is just terribly in love. That's not unlike "temporary insanity". And when we're in love, we're hellbent on making it work out. Let's face it. So she's giving it one last try. Hopefully, when this runs aground, she'll be able to say to herself--Well, I gave it everything I had. So if it didn't work, no "unfinished business".

Like you, I loved Cynthia Klitbo in Teresa. Everyone in that show was terrific. But I think I have liked every role she's played, except one nearly 15 years ago where she was a baddie and in prison. That's when I first learned the word "lana" as slang for money. Funny the things that stick in your mind. Anyway, Ms. Klitbo taught me that when she was talking about "lana" on the prison grounds!
 

MAÑANA

SUSALYNN ---"Why so many women want weakwilled Camilo strains credibility for me."
I agree!
 

HIJAS

Judy, thank you for another sparkling recap. I very much enjoyed it.

As far as the show itself, not too bad. I don't really devote it much time or attention, I just want some visuals to go with the recap which, long or short, is always better than the episode.

As always, I mostly enjoyed Leonora. I saw her after the bad shampoo, and I immediately thought of the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz movie (Bert Lahr).

But she is also doing other, more touching things, as is Juan in reaching out to her.

What I didn't much like was Juan with the love-struck gringa, trying to get her to sign up for a time share. I thought it was tacky.

Do you think I take TNs too seriously?

:-)

andy
 

MAÑANA

Susanlynn, thank you. This TN has improved a lot. At least I think so.

That said, I am very much looking forward to seeing it in the rearview mirror.

Tonight's (Wednesday's) episode was a hoot, great fun, with Diana and Monica channeling... I'm not sure who. Maybe Lucille Ball.

andy
 

MAÑANA [12/18/2019] (part 1 of 3)

BFFs against La Bizcochito

[I had the various scenes play musical chairs and where they wound up, well...]

[I hope anybody who has an interest in this TN managed to see today's show, it was excellent]

Where we left off:

Monica and Ximena at the hospital:

Ximena, don't you realize? Because of that pill you gave Camilo for his blood pressure he thought I was Diana. Camilo was hallucinating.
Camilo never made love that night to me, to Monica Rojas, but to Diana.
---------------

Monica and Ximena continue this conversation, Monica recalling exactly how things happened that night, that she had begun to tell Camilo that she and Diana were accomplices in Diana's plan for Monica to replace her after she died, but Camilo passed out at that moment.
How Camilo had seemed confused and called her Diana;

Diana is in Camilo's hospital room and holding back tears. Camilo tells her not to cry. She pulls down her face mask (why do they even bother to put them on?) and says that he gave them a great scare.
Camilo admits that he was close to death and he now understands much better just how she was feeling when she learned she had cancer and might well die. Diana admits that fear made her make some very bad decisions. Camilo doesn't want to make any mistakes now that might cause him to lose Diana, but she replies that that won't happen.
Camilo tells Diana that when he made love to Monica he was under the influence of a drug and he thought he was making love to her, Diana.
Diana is made happy by this revelation. (Really, she believes him and is happy. And he is telling her the truth. You do remember that this is a telenovela, right?)
Camilo and Diana are once again a happy couple, hoping to have many years ahead of them as lovers, parents, future grandparents. (hanky time!)

Monica is still thinking back to that night together with Camilo and how he never wanted to talk about it. He didn't want to tell her the truth, he didn't want to hurt her. Monica realizes that Camilo cares for her, a lot, but he doesn't love her. She tells Ximena, "Pero amar y querer no es igual."
OK, class, we have discussed this in the past quite a lot, the difference between "te quiero" and "te amo". Monica is realizing that for Camilo it only ever was "querer".
But she's not sobbing about this, because things have changed for her, Camilo is not a god on a pedestal anymore.
Monica is not hurt or distressed, she actually feels more at peace now, as if a weight had been lifted off her. And she has been feeling this way for a few days now. Maybe now she could have a real love, a love of her own, and a shared love.
Ximena is all enthused and excited, she says "I know! This is because of..." Here the doctor returns and talks over Ximena. Srta CC doesn't say so, but I'm almost sure I heard the start of "Iñaki".
 

MAÑANA [12/18/2019] (part 2 of 3)

Lidia talks with a friend and fellow luchadora in Tijuana who is now a coach. The old promoter is history and the way is clear for Lidia to return and put her luchadora mask back on!


Much relieved about Camilo's condition, everybody leaves the hospital until tomorrow, except for Adrián who will stay and alert them if there is any change in Camilo's status.

Now some real fun:

"Evil" Monica is on the phone with Almudena who goes on about how she loves Camilo but they won't let her in to see him yet. Monica sees a way to be rid of Almudena and boot her out of Camilo's life. She has a plan, a wicked plan. She will need accomplices.

Diana and Regina talk about Regina's baby. The family will help Regina fight any claim Killer might make, they just want Regina and the baby to be well and happy. And the law always supports the mother and the baby over any unreasonable demands made by a father.

Barbi is with Dr Germán, they are sitting face to face in comfortable chairs and talking. And, just for the record, she is showing lots of leg. Germán tells her that he thinks therapy is helping her and he hopes she will continue, but not with him. He leans forward and puts his hand on hers (and not touching her leg :) and tells her he has developed strong feelings for her.


Monica recruits her accomplices and puts her plan into action:

The next morning she calls Almudena who complains she could not sleep the whole night through, thinking about her poor Bizcochito. Monica tells her that nobody else is at the hospital right now, other than Adrián, that this would be the perfect time to sneak in to see Camilo. Almudena is delighted and runs to shower and then out the door to visit Camilo.

Almudena arrives at the waiting room and Adrián tells her that the doctor just left but he said that Camilo wanted to see her. La Bizcochito is all thrilled.

A nurse takes her to a large changing room where she will have to put on a gown and face mask before going in to see Camilo.
Monica and Diana, dressed as nurses, nurse caps and all, are in another part of the room behind a translucent screen and talking and using hilarious nasal voices, like gossipy older women from, well, not Brooklyn, but New Jersey maybe (well, New Jersey's Mexican equivalent, of course :) talking about "poor" Camilo, now practically a vegetable; his poor wife will now have to take care of him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, poor thing. Almudena is listening, horrified.
Another nurse comes along and lets a now reluctant Almudena in to see Camilo.

Camilo is in on it and pretends to be badly affected as if by a stroke. Almudena is fidgety and less and less interested in staying and comes up with various excuses, she signed a contract with a fashion company and has to return to Miami immediately, etc., and finally runs out as if her life depended on it, and books the first flight back to Miami.

Afterwards Camilo thanks Diana and Monica, and tells them that this time he was happy that they were accomplices, and they all laugh.

[The voices and accents that Monica and Diana affected were honestly a hoot, well worth the price of admission to the theater   :-)
If you haven't watched it, but have it recorded, go to somewhere around 33 minutes into the episode to enjoy at least this part.]
 

MAÑANA [12/18/2019] (part 3 of 3)

Rafa and Iñaki are having breakfast, and Iñaki is planning to leave Mexico soon. Rafa says that it isn't really necessary, Iñaki can manage his business interests equally well from Mexico as in Spain. Iñaki admits this, but he has to leave, he doesn't want to make a fool of himself with Monica. He has come to realize that his pursuit of her is a lost cause, she will never give up on Camilo.

Meanwhile, Monica is telling Diana that she withdraws from their "contest", she has completely given up on Camilo. She has come to realize that it was a dream and not based in reality. Diana is supportive and hopes that Monica can find a real love, requited, that she totally deserves.

Pablo meets Regina as she leaves school. He wants to talk to her, he tells her he loves her and would love to help her raise her baby. She hasn't yet decided that she wants to keep the baby.

Monica and Diana do a little more female bonding and BFF stuff. They wish each other the very best.
Monica has only two requests for Diana. One, that she never tell Camilo that she named her puppy Camilo. And two, that she not let Ximena know how close they have become because Ximena gets very jealous. Diana agrees and they both laugh.


== and here the episode ends ==

andy
 

MAÑANA

Andy, another awesome andycap! Thank you.

IF YOU DID NOT SEE THIS EPISODE, Andy is 100% spot on about the hospital scene. I was laughing out loud because it truly was a hoot. Better than Leo talking to a goat in Hijas. If you can pull up the episode ON Demand, do it. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200, etc. ;-)

I think in that scene our "nurses" also talked about or inferred how Camilo would no longer be capable of "pounding the sheets" ever again.(thank you Judy - lol) That, more than anything, IMO freaked out Almu.

This whole episode was a good one and andy described it perfectly.

Regina is a bit young to get married, and she looked like she would bolt when Pablo was talking to her. This might be our final cliffhanger? Killer seems to be a real dirtbag and Regi has already long figured that out.

I still want Moni's puppy. He looks like he is a Shih Tzu pup. Awwwwww!

Well, I'm off to the races today (figuratively) and will see y'all later today when I write todayh's Hijas recrap. I think I will need chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
 

MAÑANA

Oh ANDY, that was one of your best...and you have written some corkers. Most of all I loved your admission that, even though this has improved, you would be happy to see it "in the rear view mirror". That cracked me up.

As did this:

BFFs against La Bizcochito

[I had the various scenes play musical chairs and where they wound up, well...]

Also, totally agree that Barbi was showing lots of leg--and to great advantage. To German's credit, he was not staring at any of her crucial body parts when he admitted he had feelings for her.

And was bemused by Monica and Diana's number. Diana sounded like a 3 pack a day smoker on the verge of lung cancer and Monica sounded like a parrot with blocked sinuses. But it worked.

And how nice that Diana can believe that Camilo never "really" made love to another woman. Ah, only in telenovelas. But so what, we're in it for the Happy Endings, in addition to the Spanish.

Thanks so much amigo mio. You hit this one out of the park.
 

MANANA

Andy, I agree with our Judy. One of your best. Truly.

"Diana is made happy by this revelation. (Really, she believes him and is happy. And he is telling her the truth. You do remember that this is a telenovela, right?)
Camilo and Diana are once again a happy couple, hoping to have many years ahead of them as lovers, parents, future grandparents. (hanky time!)" said it all. Perfect.

You managed to make me care about what was once a ludicrous situation with Camilo, Diana and Monica. You gave the characters heart.

I really hope Inaki and Monica get together. But she better make it speedy!

You have mad writing skillz.

I am sorry this is ending only as I now look forward to reading what you have to say. Thank you!

Diana
 

MANANA/HIJAS

Hello, delightful patio! I am truly sorry for being MIA, but I am wa-a-ay behind on reading the comments and recaps. That "Christmas undertow" (thanks Judy!) really has pulled me under.

I did however, make myself drop in just to see what you all had to say about Leo's hair in "Hijas" and that conversation between Monica and Diana in "MANANA".

"Witch of Endor" and Andy's "cowardly lion" were perfect descriptions for Leo's hair. I don't know about anyone else, but now that I have finally accepted this show as a "slapstick" comedy. it isn't that bad. And like everyone else, the scenes I look forward to are the ones with Leo even though she is a classista and a hypocrite. And I'm always anxious to see what she will be wearing :-)

Andy, you are so right about the conversation between Monica and Diana...just hilarious! Judy, "Diana sounded like a 3 pack a day smoker on the verge of lung cancer and Monica sounded like a parrot with blocked sinuses." Another great description! Don't know why, but I keep thinking that they are the female version of Viruta y Capulina (anyone remember those two?).
 

MAÑANA

Doris, thank you. And I especially thank you for pointing out that Almudena was really freaked out about 'how Camilo would no longer be capable of "pounding the sheets" ever again.'
That very much contributed to the fun of the scene and I don't know how I missed including it. I hope everybody got to see and hear the scene.

"It takes a patio to make a full recap."

:-)

Judy, thank you. "And how nice that Diana can believe that Camilo never "really" made love to another woman. Ah, only in telenovelas."

Absolutely! Through the magic of telenovelas we get glimpses of a nicer, better world sometimes.
:-)

Diana, thank you for sticking with us even through turkeys that you don't get to watch. I think you would have enjoyed at least this episode.

Rgv Chickie, I have no idea who Viruta y Capulina were, but I enjoyed this bit tremendously.
Of course, part of the fun for me was that they did voices and such and I was still able to understand what they were saying.
So I was inordinately fond of myself and my Spanish (it's all about the Spanish, right?), much like a little kid when he puzzles out how to pronounce a big, tough word, one with four letters.

Now if I could just understand Iñaki better.

:-p

:-)

andy