Caray, Caray!

QT #56

UA, now that you mention it, Carlo *does* kind of look like Artemio...

No, I never saw MI PECADO, and now I'll make sure I don't. :p
 

QT #56

Eugenio Siller is the best thing about Mi Pecado.

We need to know more about Carlo and his restaurant plans. Does he want to create something like the Italian restaurant in MIVAC? If so I can't wait to see local reaction to it.
 

"MEPS" Episode 104:

The recap on today's episode will be posted sometime tomorrow morning.
 

QT #57, Part 1

- Mat & Sandy argue about whether the Padre is a good 'un or a bad 'un. Mat literally trips over a chicken.

- Art & Luisa have a screaming match that spills out into the street. Art catches Vicente watching and tells him to go see what the pig put on. I love that expression.

- Vicente goes after Luisa (are ALL the men in El Rosario duck-footed?) and fesses up to being the lingerie fairy. She does not take it well.

- Art pulls a pistol on Mateo and tells him he'd better not leave Sandy at the altar OR ELSE. Mateo looks singularly unimpressed.

- Padre berates Sandy for telling everyone that HE was the lingerie fairy. He says she's as bad as her Dad, and she responds that she is WORSE. She'd even be capable of telling everyone that he hit on HER, too. Yikes.
 

QT #57, Part 2

- Mat confesses to Carlo that Valeria really moves his rug. I love that expression, too. Carlo in turn confesses that he's been hopelessly in love with Tia Esmeralda since they were 15. Mat finds this highly entertaining.

- Sandy hunts up an old HS biology teacher who had the hots for her back in the day. He's now a doctor, and she wants a favor...fortunately we don't have to see what she gives him in return.

- Luisa tells Basurto she wants to press charges for domestic violence.

- Magda shows Val a baby picture of her daughter -- i.e. herself -- and her memory comes back just like that. Poof! She makes Mags promise not to tell anyone. This should be fun.
 

QT #57, Part 3

- Sandy artfully arranges herself in a fainting position on Mat's floor with a (presumably fake) pregnancy test clutched in her fist. So that's how it's going to be, is it?

- Sandy calls a family meeting but before she can share the news that the wedding's back on, Basurto calls Art with a heads-up about Luisa's accusations. He clutches his arm and collapses.

- Val delivers Angelita and a reluctant Tito to school. Even HE'S duck-footed, or maybe it's the shoes.

- It turns out Art didn't have an infarto, he had a PRE-infarto. Whatever that is, it provokes Eva to try to feed him steamed vegetables, which he gags on. Luisa comes by to see if he's okay, and Eva and Sandy run her off. Sandy lies that Luisa fell and hit her cheek, but Bere is suspicious.
 

QT #57

Gracias, Blue Lass.

Is Sandy really pregnant? I predicted several weeks ago that Leo would knock her up, but did she get a fake test result from Uriel to pull a pregnancy entrapment? Aaron should be getting to the bottom of this. She can't be allowed to get away with it.

Uriel Saldaña [Who is that actor? He's hot!] was her biology teacher in high school and they vo-dee-oh-doh-dohed? That's a major ethics violation anywhere. She almost derailed his medical career, so she likes to leave a path of destruction in her wake.

He also saw the racy photos. This could derail her plan if he has a shred of conscience.

Art's pre-heart attack is likely to be real as well as deserved. He would never fake this on the assumption that it would make him look weak. Since Eva doesn't take any crap from him, he is unlikely to have abused her as he abuses Luisa.

How is it that Mexico has such strict firearms laws while Art has a pistol like this and threatens Matt with it out in the open? Is he losing his mind or does he think he is above the law? It doesn't look like Matt took him seriously.

Finally, I have just about had it with Luisa. She has become so pathetic. She needs to get away from Art. Vicente sending her the black lace thing was a stupid move on his part and I don't blame her for being creeped out by it, but she does need serious help. She is so convinced she is worthless. Eva should actually thank her for showing her who Art really is and help her instead of treating her like trash.

Prediction, since we still have a long way to go and there have been two DNA tests already: If Sandy turns up pregnant for real and Aaron gets a DNA test done on the fetus (or baby after it's born) he will find out that Matt is not the father, but that it's a relative of his because of common DNA. At some point Minnie will have to tell him that Leo is Angelita's father. If he sees that test, voilà!
 

"MEPS" Episode 105:

I'll be posting recap on today's episode later this afternoon.
 

"MEPS" Episode 104 (Part VI)
65.) Over at the Elizalde Mansion: we see Dr. Obregon & Psycho Barbara speaking somewhere on the grounds, presumably at the private family crypt.

66.) Franco, Redhead & Santiago are driving around in the middle of nowhere, while they're passing the area of where Liliana was sleeping a few days earlier.

67.) During the ride to Miraflores, we see Franco talking to Clingy Erika over the phone.

68.) Back at Casa Santorro: Steve, Jr., talks with Venus over the phone about the latest update regarding his recent meeting with Jackass #2 Camilo.

69.) While Steve, Jr., was talking to Venus (AKA Lovely Norton), he noticed Nagging Gardenia being the NOSY brat she is, listening in on the conversation, Steve, Jr., tells Venus he'll talk to her later & hangs up.

70.) In the meantime over at Miraflores: Adolfina informs Eduardo/Franco that Dr. Obregon called her this morning & she assured him that Psycho Babs is dead according to Obregon's accounts. Eduardo/Franco says perfect!

71.) Borja has Liliana right where she wants him as he stalks the poor weakling woman.

72.) Liliana, still distracted with the fantasy of searching for Ciro Palafox.... Borja grabs Liliana from behind & drags her into his SUV, where she'll be taken to Bravo HQ.

73.) Trevino driving with Liliana in the back seat, calls Artemio that he has Lili. Artemio tells Trevino to bring her to him personally.

74.) Franco & Redhead looking for Liliana, little did they know Trevino kidnapped Liliana & drove her to Bravo HQ.

75.) Over at the Elizalde Family Mansion's private family crypt: Psycho Barbara threatens Dr. Obregon once again.

76.) Back at Grupo Lactos: Jackass #2 Camilo tells Jackass #1 Anibal about the situation with Lovely Norton & how her "uncle" Steve Norton, Jr., is crazy & obsessed.

Jackass #1 Anibal snaps at Jackass #2 Camilo about the situation & he tells the receptionist to find Franco for some assistance.

77.) Back at the Elizalde Mansion: Mooching Damian still nagging at Redhead about the so-called affair with Franco Santorro. In the meantime at Casa Santorro: Steve, Jr., shrugs when Clingy Erika brought up wedding plans with Franco, etc.,

 

QT #57

UA, your plot twists are always so much cleverer than anything the writers come up with. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone will think to question Sandy's condition as no one in a position to do so seems to realize what a nasty little liar she is. Mateo and Dalia will be shocked, shocked when they find out she's been deceiving them all along.
 

QT #57

I don't know how when Matt and Sandy began having sex or how frequently they have it but shouldn't he wonder how she got pregnant now if he had been taking the responsibility for contraception by using condoms? The first time she boinked Leo wasn't planned and the second time was too recently. i don't know if he carries condoms in his wallet but I bet he doesn't.

She may have had Norplant and it expired; I can buy that. We also know that she had previously been unfaithful to Matt, as in Who Took Those Photos?

It woul make total sense if this turns out to be a scam. However, knowing how much novela wrters love this pregnancy plot point, that she actually is equally likely. What makes me think she isn't is that she acts happier about it than we think she would be.
 

QT #57

HAHAHAHA good point.

She told the padre that she'd been unfaithful a number of times, and it sounded like it was with different guys. As she always has her eye on the main chance, and the main chance seems to vary with circumstance, I assume she would take precautions until she was absolutely sure she would get what she wanted.

The time that elapsed between Mat postponing the wedding and her turning up "pregnant" was much too short -- especially considering she's still lobbying Leo to help with her modeling career.
 

Sandy told her parents she was pregnant. Art hoped for a grandson.

Esmeralda and Camila looked through a rack of clothes for something to wear to Matt and Sandy's wedding. They talked about Don Patricio and about Carlo buying the saloon and Esme's doubts about working with him.

Aaron confronted Minnie about her talking to a genetics lab. She said she was merely looking out for her own best interests. He accused her of not trusting him and she said she trusted nobody but herself. He told her that this attitude will cause her regrets in future.

Remi took a call regarding a new modeling gig for Val. He told the caller she was resting but the dinero sounded very generous so he stalled the decision very professionally, then called her. Matt approached just as the call came in. She said she would meet him in town and prevented Matt from telling her the latest development in his relationship drama.

Sabina was helping Leo distribute campaign posters and had the idea she would be First Lady after his election. He clearly stated she would be his side chick after he marries Val. Unsurprisingly, Sab was not pleased.

Sandy told Berenice about her pregnancy and that the marriage would take place. Berenice told her that “such marriages don't work” which caused Sandy to end the call.

Eva served Art a salad for lunch and he reacted negatively again. She said “Doctor's orders” before answering the doorbell to admit Vicente. Art had called him to discuss Luisa's charges, which he said Vicente was to report as lies. Vicente told him he will only print the truth and Art shouted “In this town the truth is only what I say!” Vicente challenged him and Eva came back in at the sound of Art's shouting. Eva told Vicente that Art was sick and needed rest; he left politely. Eva told Art he needed to stay in bed for a few days. Regarding Sandy, Art said he would make her apologize.

Remi made coffee and told Val about the new offer. She was not interested. She also said she would probably leave in a few days because she had broken up with Leo.
 

QT #58 Part 2 of 4

Basurto came to the pensión to question Art about Luisa's charges. Sandy got bitchy (as usual) and Art said that these were lies. She lied about what she saw, saying that Luisa did this to herself. Basurto said he would report this but there still would be questions. Eva said Art never did this and Basurto left. He looked like he had doubts, since he had seen Luisa's bruises. Art looked like he believed his own lies. Eva still sees Luisa as a harpy.

Val told Remi she remembered almost everything. He was so happy he cried. She told him not to tell anyone. She had doubts about Leo, thinking he had been hiding things from her. Remi had no doubts. She was sure Leo had removed pages from her diary but needed to know why. She was also sure he hid info about her past. Remi assured her that this would all come back in time.

Sab sat in the square crying, which got Carlo's attention. She flirted with him more subtlely than her usual way upon hearing that he had bought the saloon. They exchanged contact info.

Remi and Lorenzo helped Padre G and Val at the church distributing food to the poor children. Matt texted Val that he had something important to tell her.

Vicente talked to Luisa, who is a textbook example of a domestic abuse victim. She said she didn't know what to do. He embraced her and it looked lik he was interested in more than her story.

Art thanked Eva for what she was doing. He sounded sincere for a change. Eva actually asked if they would get back together and be a family again. She would also help his campaign. He didn't answer, but the wheels in his very selfish brain were turning.

Servando met with Basurto about the injury caused by Tito.

After a short preamble, Matt told Val that Sandy was pregnant.

Art told Eva he couldn't change horses in mid-stream, especially in view of recent events. Eva took out her anger on some of his clothes and then ordered him out, even marching him out the door.

Val congratulated Matt, telling him he will be a good father. She hid her own feelings very well.
 

QT #58 Part 3 of 4

Eva's ejection of Art became a public spectacle as people stopped to eavesdrop. Luisa also saw this.

Sandy visited Uriel and said the plan worked. Until Aaron does a DNA test she expected to collect serious dinero. Uriel wanted to get it on with her but she said he would have to accept cash for his help. She took a thick wad of 50s (or 500s) out of her purse and handed it to him before leaving his office.

A man named Ponciano (?) told Leo something he didn't want to hear: That the boy called Mateo living with the Garcia-Duráns was believed to be the son of Don Patricio. Dalia was just outside the den and heard this. She stood in shocked silence. Leo was also struck dumb.

Matt apologized to Val in case he had done anything that hurt her. Servando then arrived with Basurto. Both Matt and Val denied that there was any child on the property other than Angelita. Basurto asked to speak to her. Angelita was nearby and looked as though she had heard all this.

Dalia entered Leo's den to ask if this was true. Leo emphatically denied it but Ponciano said it was true. Leo said this was extortion, ordering him to leave and never return. After he left Dalia said this was not clear when Matt was given to her so she suggested that he and Matt get tested. Leo refused. Dalia then said that she had no choice other than to have Don Patricio's body exhumed for a DNA test.

She later told Esme about this. Esme got upset at the idea of another woman having another son of Don Patricio.

 

QT #58 Part 4 of 4

Matt and Val watched as Basurto questioned Ange. She told him she had an imaginary friend named Tito but no more because her mother disapproved of such things. Basurto's reaction was that of a man who knew about kids' imaginations and he was ready to close this. Matt and Val smiled at Ange's very convincing performance. Tito – who was hiding in the nearby stall – listened to the whole thing. Leo came out demanding to know what was going on. Servando became angry, accusing Tito of hitting him to prevent him killing his pet tarantula. Val asked “What tarantula?”

Art yelled at Luisa, blaming her for his infarto. She told him it was Sandy whose attack on the small business owners and that everyone noticed he had not delivered on his promises. He tried the old apology trick but she said it was too late. She was going to leave him. As he tried to leave the café Vicente appeared and returned the money Art had tried to bribe him with. He told Art he would not lie for him. Art took it and said the classic “This is not over.”

Basurto told Leo, Matt, and Val that Servando said that there is a child living there illegally. He demanded the truth.

 

"MEPS" Episode 105 (Part VII):

78.) Back from the confrontation between Mooching Damian & Redhead inside the Elizalde Mansion at Redhead's bedroom, he dares his estranged wife to deny she's having an affair with Franco Santorro.

79.) Saved by the bell, Mommy Gallardo shows up for a visit to her nagging son. She even flings a set of crutches right at Redhead.

80.) Over at the dinner table, Santiago is still moping over Aurora: DUDE GET OVER IT BUDDY!

81.) Tomasa told Santiago the MOPE that she hadn't seen Aurora since earlier in the previous day & as a matter of fact, she told him that Psycho Barbara gave her the rest of the day off (keep an eye on that clue Santiago).

82.) In order to give some proof to keep Mooching Damian off Redhead's back, Santiago suggests the marriage between Franco & Clingy Erika would be Redhead's best proof of evidence.

83.) In the meantime over at Casa Santorro: Steve, Jr., & Clingy Erika discuss the upcoming wedding between Franco & Clingy Erika: Fast Forward!

84.) Grupo Lactos: Franco meeting with Jackass #1 Anibal & Jackass #2 Camilo inside Jackass #1 Anibal's office. We see Franco trying his best attempt on discussing the proposed project of the community center.... doesn't work.

85.) Jackass #1 Anibal makes some excuse regarding Mooching Damian being cranky while Jackasss #2 Camilo makes another insult crack about Redhead.

86.) Over at the Elizalde Mansion: Mommy Gallardo fixing up her mooching son's bandages: OMG Fast Forward.

87.) Psycho Barbara giving marching orders & intimidation to Dr. Obregon & then after some insults for not following instructions on calling Daddy Elizalde, she insults Obregon some more.

88.) Back at Grupo Lactos: Jackass #1 Anibal brings up the situation regarding Steve, Jr.'s "niece" Lovely Norton to Franco. Franco in response asked how long has the situation between Lovely & Jackass #2 Camilo been going on & no surprise to anyone, Jackass #2 Camilo gives Franco a lamest dumbass response.

89.) Meanwhile at Bravo HQ: Liliana is still dozing off in one of the bedrooms (must have like 64 bedrooms over there in that mansion), as Artemio walks into the room & mutters to himself on what is he going to do with Liliana Elizalde: what could possibly go wrong ?

90.) Now back at Grupo Lactos: Franco offers to help out Daddy Elizalde in the search for Liliana; while Jackass #1 Anibal nags about the $3 million supposedly being "extorted" by Dr. Obregon (LOL).

Meanwhile we see Aurora once again riding in the bus: she starts remembering those flashbacks on the night that Jackass #2 Camilo pulled a Bill Cosby & raped her at the Elizalde Mansion.

 

QT #57 & #58 Thanks, Blue Lass & Urban Anthropologist Thanks for the recaps.

Sorry I didn’t get to the patio Mon. There were several big events—Val regaining most of her memory, Sandy’s “pregnancy”, Artemio’s pre-infarto. Also plenty of other drama, which I fully enjoyed.

Yes, Urban! I had some of the same questions. If and when Matt and Sandy were having sex and what about Sandy’s other sex partners? She does give that smirky smile when people can’t see her face, i.e. “I’m just as smart as I am pretty and look how I can get my way!”
Also agree with Blue Lass’ comment about Sandy and the supposed pregnancy.

Sabina had to face the truth from Leo—she’ll never be the #1 lady. I bet Sandy would be willing to lobby for that position.

Art making a face at his vegetables, just like a toddler. Also his insistence that the truth is only what he says. There will come a time when he has to learn that’s not going to work.

Sab connecting with Carlos was interesting. A possible lead for a new relationship?

Eva was a little pathetic, hoping that Art would come back home. She might as well give up on him. Her angry scene in the street isn’t helping his reputation. And Luisa isn’t going to stay with him, it seems.

Whoa! So Don Patricio’s body needs to be exhumed for a DNA test. Wasn’t it already exhumed earlier? I’m feeling confused and in need of a beanie.
 

QT #58

The earlier "exhumation" of Don Patricio's corpse was a theft with intent to get blackmail money out of Leo. He brought the money, but killed both of the body snatchers after recovering the corpse, which was reburied. Leo buried the body snatchers' corpses in the woods an took back the money, which I think was originally provided by Esmeralda. This is yet to be discovered.

The only qualification Sandy could ever be said to possess is that she is currently a "First Daughter". However, that is all. She is certainly not qualified in any other respect. She is not a college graduate, doesn't work, doesn't do volunteer work, doesn't dress respectably, and is a bitch in public. That viral video scrapped any chance she ever had for respectability. She also looks too much younger than Leo. Valeria was a fashion model and is much more socially mature than Sandy. There doesn't need to be any dialogue on the characters' part for viewers to recognize this.

Carlo should be looking elsewhere. If this story is to have the just ending common in the 90s Sab will either die or do time for killing Tirso's wife. Carlo deserves someone decent if he doesn't turn out to be a failure or a con man.

Leo killed two men in cold blood. If he doesn't completely lose his mind due to his mirages of his father, he will have to be caught and do time for those killings.
 

"MEPS" Episode 106:

I'll be posting recap on today's episode tomorrow morning. 54 episodes left in this Telenovela!
 

QT

BTW, in Mexico they are up to capitulo 100 and have started trumpeting "ultimos capitulos." I think that usually means about 4 more weeks, so maybe a total of 120 or so?
 

QT #58

That number makes more sense to me based on where we now are with the story. This is much shorter than the original.

I had another thought this morning about the whole DNA thing. Due to the popularity of things like Ancestry.com and 23 and Me, this could lead to future stories or updates during the next generation of remakes. Advice columns and Reddit are getting floods of stories and questions about the fallouts resulting from unexpected discoveries and disclosures. This has also been a subject on episodic television in the US, often in criminal cases. The 1995 Law & Order episode Seed concerns a narcissistic fertility doctor who used his own sperm to impregnate over 30 patients in two or three contiguous zip codes. Can you imagine a novela beginning on such a note?

QT is deep-diving into DNA right now. What if Leo turns out not to be the son of Don Patricio, especially if Matt is? It doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone yet that Minnie might have cheated on him back in the day. I certainly wouldn't put it past her.
 

QT

I *love* the idea of Mat being the real son and Leo being the imposter. There could even be a double-fake-out where they test them and find out they're NOT related, which would then lead to the wrong conclusion when they paternity-test Sandy's baby, and...drag the whole thing out to 120 episodes. ;}
 

GENERAL

I can recap or post highlights of the El Color De La Pasion rerun which starts/started today replacing La Doble Vida.

I can have the first one up later tonight or tomorrow.
 

QT #59, Part 1

- Leo denies the existence of Tito to Basurto to score points with Val, and Servando looks like an idiot. Leo tells him to never, ever bring the police to HIS hacienda again.

- Vicente tells a dithering Luisa that as the mayor's wife, she is a role model, and how she handles the abuse will send a message about domestic violence to all the women of El Rosario. But hey, no pressure.

- Dalia's lawyer tells her that if Mat is indeed Patricio's son, he would have a claim to the inheritance. Dalia says all she cares about is giving him a knowledge of his origins -- and his true name.

- Art's staff go through all the relevant birth records at the hospital. There is nothing for Mateo, but there IS an empty folder. And it turns out the only other person with access is...Aaron.

- In the empty saloon, Esme tells Carlo that she will be neither his lover nor his coworker: she's turning the page. He's so upset that he completely loses control of his Castilian accent, which ricochets off several bare walls and rolls under the bar.
 

QT #59, Part 2

- Aaron finally tells Minnie he's not taking her to bloody Italy. Por fin!

- Chacho assumes he's Bere's date for the wedding, but she sets him straight with her usual lack of charm.

- Sab drops by the not-yet-restaurant to ask Carlo to be her plus-one for the wedding. She also offers to help him decorate, which is a scary thought.

- Padre Gabo thinks they may have located Tito's Mom. Tito is excited.

- Vicente's boss (Pepe) refuses to publish his expose, and on top of that he fires him. Art has him backed into a corner, and he has promised to cover the wedding favorably and try to salvage Sandy's reputation.
 

QT #59, Part 3

- Art tries once again to wheedle a blank-faced Luisa, but there's a knock on the door and it's a sheepish Basurto and Chacho with an arrest warrant. They even cuff him! It's awesome.

- Dalia quietly suggests to Leo that voluntarily participating in the DNA test will be much less disruptive to his campaign than having his father's corpse dug up again. JaJA! (Lorenzo laugh.)

- No one can get Val on the phone because she's getting on a bus. Adios para siempre! Supposedly.
 

"MEPS" Episode 107:

I'll be posting recap on today's episode sometime this afternoon including recap from yesterday's episode of Episode 106.

As of now, 53 more episodes left in this epic Telenovela.
 

QT #59

Gracias, Blue Lass.

Vicente needs to either start his own paper, go to the Big City, or write a book. Just when we think Luisa is getting her head on straight about Art he wheedles her back into his clutches. Tragically, this is a fairly accurate portrayal of an abusive marital relationship.

Mateo Montes... has a nice ring to it. Not to mention he should be smart enough to know how to manage the place.

I don't think Esmeralda will leave town any more than Valeria will.

Carlo can do better than Sabina.

No idea or prediction about Berenice and Chacho. She is still hung up on the padre.
 

QT #59

Do you think Leo will try to sabotage the blood test? I really have no idea what he might get up to. I wouldn't put it past him to get blood from Servando.
 

QT #59

Thanks, Blue Lass. Excellent summary.

I don’t have much sympathy for Servendo, but Leo treats him like trash.

I will watch Esme’s future with interest. She has limited herself so far.

“He's so upset that he completely loses control of his Castilian accent, which ricochets off several bare walls and rolls under the bar.” ROFL. Prize for best description of the day!

Yay Aaron! Finally sees the light and stops letting Min tell him what to do.

Bere’s “usual lack of charm”. Snort.

Sab as scary decorator. Maybe she’s a better decorator than a person? Or more opportunist than decorator?

Too bad Vicente loses his job. Maybe he’ll fight Artemio some other way—viral videos? Pepe can publish all the favorable press he wants, but Art is teetering on the brink. Art’s arrest was a satisfying momentito.

Val’s lucky to have Remi to support her. Couldn’t tell if they were leaving to take up the offer of the modeling gig or just to salve Val’s broken heart.

I didn’t realize the wedding is supposed to be the next day. Somehow it seemed a little more distant.

 

QT #59

I doubt that Aaron would not find some way to prevent that. He had witnesses for the bucal swab be did on Tirso, but it was Minnie who bribed someone at the lab to have the positive result. I think she used a different lab for the test on hairs she took from Leo's and Ange's hairbrushes which resulted in a Positive.

What I am still wondering about is why she hasn't explicitly told him about this when sober. Is she looking to off the child somehow so the money would all go to Leo? How else could she benefit from his ignorance?

Art's arrest was amusing. He really deserves any fallout from this.