Caray, Caray!

OT:

Daytime Telenovelas will NOT be airing this Thursday on Univision.
 

QT 102/103

This story is a multiple-level PSA disguised as a perverted fairly tale:

Abuse: Abusive fathers are Don Patricio and Artemio Cabrera. We haven't had any flashbacks to Leonel's childhood that showed how Minerva treated him. I suspect that once Leo hit double digit age Don Patricio took over being the primary parental influence, leading to turning him into the abuser he is now. Artemio's short speech about his parents is self-explanatory. He is also resistant to seeing his daughters as adults and is chafing at his inability to control them. His threats at Berenice – his honorable daughter – demonstrate that he barely sees her as a person.

Now for the Toxic Mothers. We don't know how Minnie treated the young Leo, but we see how Sabina treats Angelita. She is inconsistent, alternating between being over-protective, neglectful, and punitive. Her own selfishness distracts her from her proper duty as a mother. Minnie is now leading Leo into greater depths of abuse and cruelty in the name of her own greed.

Abusive spouses include the same two men and we can also add Chacho Moreno, whose insecurity is partly from being unemployed while being married to a politician's daughter. Berenice is educated beyond his level and that is likely to help fuel this insecurity. Sounds like he came from a patriarchal family. Sandy is equally abusive which comes from her narcissism and from being the Golden Child of her narcissistic father. She has been toxically jealous and a nag, which can only push Matt farther away from her with or without Valeria being anywhere nearby. She is just as manipulative as her father.

Child Abandonment: Leo was emotionally abandoned by Minnie at some point, although we have not been specifically told that they were estranged later on. Mateo, Valeria, and Tito -- and possibly Lorenzo -- were physically abandoned by their parents. All suffered for their losses, although Matt was fortunate enough to get Dalia as a mother. Don Patricio probably realized that Matt was his son as he got older and showed affinity for ranch life and thus treated him as he should have treated Leo. Magdalena did not intentionally abandon Valeria and suffered cruel misfortune. We can assume from current information Dorotea did not abandon Tito before meeting with tragedy. We can hope that she will be avenged.

Police and Political Corruption: Art and now Leo are the guilty parties, along with various policemen (excluding Victor Basurto and Chacho Moreno). This is a small-town cliché on both sides of the border. Art fancies himself a tin-pot dictator for life whose personal fortune (whatever it is) likely comes from bribes and other ill-gotten gains. Leo embezzled money from Val's earnings and likely bribed the judge that let Servando go free. He is also looking to steal the $4 Million US his father designated for Angelita that was not even mentioned in his will. Considering how Aaron and Esmeralda handled it, it should be safe.
 

ECDLP #43

- Lucia gets a bad feeling in her chest.
- Marcelo is stuck in traffic and tries to call the cafe where Lucia is waiting for him but can’t get through.
- Lalo is still at the factory. Amador is there too and offers to close up.
- Marcelo arrives at the cafe but Lucia has already left. He calls Casa Gaxiola but Lucia isn’t there yet. He tells Tere that he’ll go over to see Lucia.
- Nora wants to know what Marcelo wanted and offers to pass on the message to Lucia.
- Nazario arrives home to find Trini has died. He cries over her body.
- Lucia gets home and Nora pretends to conclude that Lucia was stood up. Lucia cries in her room.
- Amador berates Vinicio for killing Trini. Vinicio maintains it was an accident.
- Nazario lays Trini’s body on the bed. He questions why she left him.
- Rebeca remembers Trini’s words. She goes to a bar.
- Alonso asks Nora if she knows where Rebeca is. Nora was looking out the window to see when Marcelo would arrive but claims she was looking out for Rebeca.
- Marcelo arrives at Casa Gaxiola and Nora goes outside to greet him claiming Lucia isn’t home. She suggests maybe Lucia went to see Rodrigo. Marcelo says he’ll come back another time. Nora smiles to herself.
- Lucia is in bed crying.
- Sergio and Leti talk. He can’t believe how obsessed he was over Nora. Leti asks him if he knows who Mario’s girlfriend is. He doesn’t know and wonders why Leti cares to know.
- Sara is waiting for Leti. She asks Leti if she had ever wanted her (S) to marry so she could have a father figure. Leti says she wants to know who her real dad is. She wonders if Sara is interested in someone but says Sara is too old to be thinking about romance.
- Magdalena and Mario are out together. They talk about Alonso and Rebeca. She says that Rebeca had always been in love with Alonso and Mario concludes that Rebeca never cared about him (M) and used him to hide her attraction to Alonso. Mario isn’t upset about it anymore and focused on the present.
- Nazario is still talking aloud over Trini’s body. He has a big knife and points it to his chest. Magdalena arrives at that moment and tells him to give her the knife. She hugs him and they cry together.
- Marcelo arrives back at his apartment and tells Rafaela he couldn’t meet up with Lucia. Rafaela hopes Lucia doesn’t find out from someone else.
- Milagros wants to know what they’re talking about.
- Reb returns home. Alonso says that she claims to want to fix their marriage but does the opposite. The phone rings as they’re talking.
- Nora comes in and says that Magdalena is on the phone and is crying. Alonso takes the call and she tells him that Trini died. She doesn’t know what happened. He gives Rebeca and Nora the news. They’re actually shocked.
- Alonso wakes up Lucia and gives her the terrible news about Trini. Lucia is devastated.
- Amador returns home. Brigida is worried about Rodrigo and his mystery friend. Amador still doesn’t care. Rodrigo walks Ligia to her apartment. She tells him that she was in a relationship with a married man. Rodrigo meets Daniela.
- Daniela notes that Ligia seems to know Rodrigo more than she initial let on. Marcelo calls her and wants to meet up.
- Alonso and Lucia arrive at Casa Treviño. Magdalena tells them that Nazario tried to kill himself.
- Alonso asks Lucia to leave him alone with Nazario. Lucia goes back out with Magdalena.
- Nora mentions how Trini never liked Rebeca and blamed her for Adriana’s death. Rebeca doesn’t like to hear that.
- Sara arrives at Casa Treviño. Nazario reluctantly leaves the bedroom.
- Nazario tells Lucia he doesn’t think he can live without Trini.
- Marcelo has asked Daniela to return to the city and take Milagros with her. She thinks he’d getting rid of them.
- Sara tells Alonso and Magdalena that Trini died of suffocation. They need to call the police. Nazario says he thinks Amador is responsible.
 

QT #102/103

Thanks for the analysis, Urban. We see a number of people following similar patterns of toxic behavior. Needless to say, they don't seem willing to change.
 

"MEPS" Episode 143 (Part XLVIX):
624.) Eposide 143 picks up where we've left off last week with the so-called engagement party between Jackass #2 Camilo & Lovely.

625.) The announcer calls both Jackass #2 Camilo & Lovely/Venus over to the stage to address the guests.

626.) Nagging Gardenia, Florecita & Tomasa in their outfits LOL.

627.) Body Language of some of those in attendance like Redhead tells us she doesn't want to be there.

628.) In the meantime, Creepy Vlad is riding in the taxi with Accomplice Dude.

629.) Over at the party, Priscila's cell phone rings which Jackass #1 Anibal notices. Priscila excuses herself to go talk with Creepy Vlad.

630.) When Tomasa starts clapping after Jackass #2 Camilo spoke, Nagging Gardenia goes ghetto by roughing her rough telling her to stop it.

631.) Lovely/Venus then addresses the guests about Jackass #2 Camilo's secret playboy lifestyle....with being on the DL.

632.) Franco keeps that pokerface, while Steve, Jr., is trying not to giggle; Jackass #1 Anibal gives Steve, Jr., the Perry Mason stare, Daddy Elizalde, Psycho Barbara & Redhead are astonished by Lovely/Venus' allegations.

633.) Commercial breaks ensue on Univision OMG.

634.) Opening credits including the musical theme from Alejandro Fernandez ensue following the commercial breaks.

635.) Jackass #2 Camilo is furious with Lovely/Venus & tries to ask both Natasha & Clingy Erika to refute these DL allegations, both decline to help him out; even his posse of Buji friends don't bail him out at first.

636.) Steve, Jr., & Venus get into an argument outside before Martina alerts Steve, Jr., on the chaotic situation inside.
*Stay tuned for the 2nd part of this recap!
 

QT #102/103

Art and Sandy are full-blown, manipulative narcissists. They will never change. Everything they do is only in their own best interests, due to insecurities they don't acknowledge. Both are emotionally sadistic. He has killed, perhaps more than once. She hasn't... yet, but that could still happen.

Sabina certainly has narcissistic tendencies and has been guilty of narcissistic projection. She uses her sexuality to manipulate men, especially the ones with money. However, she has her limits. What just happened to Angelita could be her wake-up call.

Minnie also seems to have her limits, but so far she is enabling Leo. She needs to break up with booze and keep her eyes and ears wide open.

What differentiates Leo from the other narcissists -- including his father -- is that he is now spiraling into severe mental illness. His first two murders made him physically ill, but he got over that too quickly. He enjoyed killing Surem and Remi in front of Valeria after further gaslighting her. He can only get worse from here and my current prediction says he will either end up in the manicomio or commit suicide.

Narcissists make impossible psychiatric patients because they don't believe there is anything wrong with themselves.
 

"MEPS" Episode 143 (Part L):
625.) Back in the ballroom after Venus/Lovely's bombshell allegations, Jackass #2 Camilo had to be held back by his buddies from jumping & attacking Franco/Eduardo. We can see Jackass #2 Camilo wants to retaliate on both Lovely/Venus & Steve, Jr., for humiliating him.

626.) Redhead is very brave by slapping her EVIL Big Bro in front of everyone at the ballroom. Jackass #2 Camilo plans to retaliate because in his eyes, it's NOT over until it's over (WATCH OUT VENUS).

627.) In the meantime, Daddy Elizalde is embarrassed by the aftermath of Lovely/Venus blowing up her "engagement" with Jackass #2 Camilo & how the allegations have made the Elizalde's the laughing stock of Mexico including damaging the partnership between Grupo Lactos & Power Milk Corp.,

628.) Hitman Dude comes back to "report" to Cousin Jacobo & Mooching Damian about the details. We all know that Priscila payed off Hitman Dude with jewelry, watches & lots of $$$$$; Cousin Jacobo gives him some blood money, while Mooching Damian advises him to lay low for awhile.

629.) Clingy Erika drops Redhead off home, but we can see the body language of Clingy Erika (AKA Crazy Ivana from "ACUERDAS") is raging inside.

630.) Las Animas: Steve, Jr., is upset about Venus bailing on him & everyone while he's explaining to Eduardo how he was congratulating her on a job well done about her strategy when Martina showed up. Eduardo's figured out that Martina's at her father's crib.....

631.) Over at Don Silvestre's, Venus is determined to head over to Zacatecas where she's got family members living there & will be able to get a job working there; just when Martina assumes Steve, Jr., had knocked on the door, Venus gets up to open the door when the look on her face screams horror as Jackass #2 Camilo fuming & angry at her while he drags her outside.....

632.) J&M's: Nagging Gardenia telling Jacinto & Mags about the party turning into a TMZ expose special while Florecita laughs.

633.) While we're outside of Don Silvestre's: Jackass #2 Camilo pulls an OJ Simpson by screaming at Venus, launching insults at her when she kicks him in the keyster; Jackass #2 Camilo barges inside the house & knocks out both Martina & Don Silvestre. He grabs Venus by the hair, dragging her outside & punches her twice in the STOMACH (OMG) & launches more derogatory insults at her as he was going to brand her face with the HOT IRON.

634.) Just in the nick of time, Franco/Eduardo & Steve, Jr., FINALLY show up to the rescue; Franco/Eduardo grabs Jackass #2 Camilo by the arm screaming at him NOT to lay another hand on Venus. Forcing the red hot iron into a bucket of water, he throws Jackass #2 Camilo onto the ground, but Jackass #2 Camilo ups the ante by threatening "This is going to cost you dearly, Santoro!"

635.) Martina & Co., rush Don Silvestre to the hospital (seeing Dr. Carlos for medical observation).

636.) Clingy Erika still obsessive compulsive about marrying Franco Santorro LOL. Stalker Girl is getting crazier!

637.) Las Animas: Taunts & insults launched by Jackass #2 Camilo at Redhead & Franco; Redhead threatens to file criminal charges against Jackass #2 Camilo for raping Gullible Aurora. We get to see Jackass #2 Camilo stopped dead in his tracks!

 

QT #104/105, Part 1

- Mat plays Dalia the recording of Sandi telling Uriel she needs to figure out whose baby it is so she can secure her inheritance. Dalia is incensed. She'd like to box Sandi's ears, but she's still hamming it up in her hospital bed, so she takes it out on Sabina instead, telling her she's a crap Mom and if anything happens to Angelita it's her fault. Which it is.

- Val spitfires into Leo's office demanding to know if he kept Tia Nadia locked up with the money he stole from her modeling earnings. Haha, yes! And Remy was in on it! He forces a kiss and she gives him a vicious bite on the lip.

- Sandi confides in Art about the taped conversation, and he's all QUE QUE QUE? How DARE your husband record you admitting infidelity, mendacity and greed??? These people are too much. Art assures her that this is a problem money and power can fix, and fortunately he has both.

- Dalia calls Aaron in the clink to tell him about Ange. He says he recommended further tests at the time of the snakebite, but Sab blew him off.

- Facundo consoles Came after Juan stands her up. She kisses him but regrets it and rabbits off.
 

QT #104/105, Part 2

- Alberto says he won't press charges against Chacho for Bere's sake, then invites her out for tacos. Bere frets about where Chacho can possibly have got off to but doesn't notice him standing behind a tree directly across the road.

- Everybody turns up at the hospital (again.) Esme and Carlo arrive together and he looks like he just rolled out of bed, so I guess they're back on. The doc tells them that Ange's kidneys are too small to keep up with her, so they must be microscopic. If she is ever to go off dialysis, she'll need a transplant. Sab and Tirso will be tested first, then everybody else in the cast.

- Padre G shows Mat Remy's letter. They both suspect that Leo had something to do with Remy's disappearance.

- Mat tells Sandi that he knows what it's like to grow up without a father, so he will take care of the baby no matter whose it is, but the two of them are through: he will start divorce proceedings immediately. In response, she reneges on the DNA test.

- A repentant Sab begs Tirso's forgiveness "for everything," and he tells her he's already forgiven her. (Does either of them remember that she KILLED HIS WIFE? That seems as if it should require a slightly more protracted atonement.)
 

QT #104/105, Part 3

- Leo agrees to sign the papers to release Nadia from the psychiatric facility after Val points out that the scandal could blow up in his political face. He professes his undying "love" for her but refuses to give her her freedom and reminds her that he could take her any time by force. What a charmer. Oh, and by the way, Art's returning Tito with the tags still on because he wasn't a good fit.

- Mags is teaching Luisa how to be an Avon Lady, I think. How many of those does El Rosario really need?

- Mat demands the truth from Val and even manages to kiss her a little, but she won't budge. Those pleather gauchos are making her really cranky.
 

QT #104/105, Part 4

- Padre G sees Chacho moping on a stoop and tries to draw him out, but Chacho says they can't be friends because he feels too guilty about how badly he treated him in the past. The Padre says that's water under the bridge.

- Mat confronts Leo in the street, shouting that he knows he must be threatening Val. Leo calls her and says she better not have said anything -- because if Mat learns the truth, he will absolutely kill him.

- Val and Mags talk on the phone. They will go together to visit Nadia, and hopefully she will be able to help them put Leo in the carcel. They agree that it's crucially important that Mat doesn't find out anything about their secret plan.
 

"MEPS" Episode 144 (Part LI)
638.) Las Animas: Jackass #2 Camilo doubling-down on justifying raping Gullible Aurora suggesting he did Dumbass Santiago a huge favor; Redhead: "You drugged her!", Jackass #2 Camilo: "You can't prove that!"

639.) Elizalde Mansion: Useless floorspace of Daddy Elizalde & Psycho Barbara: Fast Foward.

640.) Franco calls Psycho Barbara explaining that he kept Jackass #2 Camilo from violently branding Lovely/Venus & mentions that after everything has occurred, Power Milk Corp., will eschew the Elizalde's unless they kick Jackass #2 Camilo to the curb.

641.) Jackass #2 Camilo throws more insults at both Redhead & Franco. Franco retaliates by sucker-punching the JACKASS playboy, bloodying the lips of Jackass #2 Camilo, who steals Redhead's jeep & drives home, where he threatens EVIL StepMommy: keep Redhead from blowing the whistle on him or else he'll snitch on YOU. Psycho Barbara mentioned that Daddy Elizalde is considering writing him out of the will entirely, so she'll try to smooth things over OMG.

642.) Nagging Gardenia (sleeping on the bed) nagging at Florecita for not bringing up Jackass #2 Camilo throwing her like a ragdoll at the party. Florecita responds that Jackass #2 Camilo will get what's coming to him.

643.) Bravo HQ: Artemio realizes that his late mother's diary is gone. You know what that means.....

644.) Elizalde Mansion: Daddy Elizalde admitting he's a worthless father & horrible crappy family members to show for it LOL.

645.) Bravo HQ: Artemio scolds Liliana for giving Franco the diary. This is NOT going to end well folks.....

646.) Over at the apartment of Mooching Damian's, Jackass #1 Anibal shows up & dumps the contract hit money to him & leaving by saying "Hasta Nunca!", but Mooching Damian muttering to himself he'll be the one to decide what's up & up.

647.) Don Silvestre's crib: Venus & Martina freaked out by the loud knocks on the door, but it's Steve Norton, Jr., who is greeted by outright hostility from Don Silvestre, Martina & Venus (whom are holding up weapons, etc.,).

648.) Steve, Jr., begging Venus to marry him. Venus accepts & they're kissing as Martina & Don Silvestre show up from the "shopping" & rejoice. Just wait until Jackass #2 Camilo retaliates on Steve, Jr., because it's coming!

649.) Colegio Buena Esperanza: Mooching Damian visits Gullible Aurora. While that's going on, Artemio tells Psycho Barbara that he doesn't trust Franco Santorro anymore & will be investigating on his own (uh-oh watch your back Franco/Eduardo).

650.) Artemio uses aggressive intimidation & death threats launched towards Padre Bosco. Artemio even plots to exterminate all of the Elizalde's if Bosco doesn't come clean & tell the truth!

 

QT #104/105

Great work! That looks like all of it.

If course Sab is responsible for Angelita's condition. She should have had this checked out ages ago. Small kidneys, BTW, can occur in all species.

Love the line about returning Tito with th e tags still on; we knew somehow that would happen. Art doesn't even see him as a human being. What a tool.

I am also wondering how Tirso could have forgotten that Sab killed Amara. What drugs were they giving him in that place?
 

QT #104/10

Thanks for the kind words, Urban. It's getting increasingly difficult to follow the plot in this goulash -- conversations seem to start and stop suddenly, relationships spring full-formed from the foreheads of the monkey-writers, and sometimes people just pop up in the middle of a scene and I have no idea how they got there. I have enjoyed this show, but frankly I'm ready for it to be over.

OT

Just saw the lineup for the upcoming season at the Met, and it looks promising. Still no word on which ones they'll be doing Live in HD, though.
 

OT

Did you check the Met's website? It identifies them. The question now is what theatres will carry them.
 

OT

Oh, I see; thanks. I wasn't scrolling down far enough below the summer repeats, all of which I'd seen.

I'm looking forward to Lucia and Don Carlos, neither of which I've seen. I like Rigoletto, but it's hard to imagine a better staging than the Rat Pack production. (Wasn't Beczała the duke in that one, too?) I'm sorry they're not broadcasting The Magic Flute -- I never get tired of it, although again Julie Taymor would be a hard act to follow.
 

ECDLP #44

- Nazario says that Amador is the only one who is capable of killing Trini. Magdalena notes he’s making a serious accusation.
- Alonso wonders why Amador would want to kill Trini. Nazario says that Amador has always detested him. Alonso acknowledges that Nazario and Amador have had their differences but is that truly a motive.
- Nazario doesn’t have proof but he just knows it was Amador. Alonso says that regardless, whoever did it will pay.
- Amador is drinking and Rodrigo wonders what’s wrong. Amador says he did something stupid and is paying for it.
- Lucia takes Alonso home. Magdalena notices the cross is gone.
- Alonso wants to go see Amador before going home. He calls him and tells him to go to the house. Brigida notes that Amador is acting strange.
- Magdalena, Mario and Sara talk about what happened. Sara thinks it was a robbery gone wrong.
- Two detectives arrive at Casa Treviño.
- Amador arrives at Casa Gaxiola. Lucia tells Rebeca that Alonso wanted to talk to him.
- Amador pretends to be shocked about what happened. Alonso asks him not to go to the funeral because Naz thinks he’s responsible for Trini’s death. Alonso asks if something happened between him and Nazario.
- Amador says he was at the factory working late and Lalo can attest to that. Alonso says that he’ll do anything so that the person responsible is found.
- The next day Marcelo goes to the factory and Lalo tells him that Trini died.
- Amador tells Vinicio to leave town because Nazario suspects Amador was involved.
- Milagros thinks Marcelo is hiding important things from her. Daniela wonders if it’s about Federico’s death.
- Marcelo confronts Rebeca thinking she killed Trini. The timing is very strange because of what Trini found out. Marcelo says that he’s not the one with a death on his conscience and Rebeca should know exactly what he’s talking about.
- Marcelo asks Alonso more details about Trini’s death. Alonso encourages him to go see Lucia who is in her bedroom.
- Marcelo hugs Lucia and gives his condolences. Nora walks by and pretends to be sad about Trini. Marcelo leaves to go change clothes.
- Rebeca asks Teresa if the woman who came to see her days ago has come by again. Teresa says no.
- Rodrigo wants to go to the funeral to give his condolences to Lucia.
- Marcelo tells Milagros that he’s going to a funeral.
- The viewing takes place with everyone giving condolences to Nazario. Trini’s casket arrives at the church.
- Marcelo feels guilty about Trini’s death because of the timing. Rafaela thinks Milagros is closer to finding out the truth about why Marcelo came to Puebla.
- Daniela calls Casa Zúñiga. Brigida thinks she’s Rodrigo’s mystery friend and tells her to leave him alone.
- Rodrigo arrives at the church. He gives his condolences to Lucia. Nazario isn’t happy to see him there and Rodrigo soon realizes why.
- Lucia tries to make him understand why Nazario is upset. Marcelo walks up but quickly enters the church and goes to hug Nazario.
- Trini is buried. Lalo sees Vinicio there at the burial.
- Amador is at the factory alone when Rodrigo shows up. Rod asks him if he’s involved in Trini’s death. Amador says no. Rodrigo can’t trust his father.
- Everyone is leaving the cemetery. Lucia stays behind at Adriana’s grave. Marcelo walks up to her. He tells her that he’s returning to the city. She tells him that she has fallen in love with him. She doesn’t want him to leave. They kiss.
 

"ECDLP":

TF: How did Trini die ?
 

She was choked to death
 

QT #106 Part 1 of 3

Valeria and Magdalena talked about seeing Nadia to get evidence that would get Leonel arrested.

Luisa spoke with Vicente about investigating Artemio with regard to Dorotea's disappearance. He needed all the information she could get. She sat down in pain as she ended the call.

Minnie and her shot glass bothered Corina for a new bottle of tequila. Corina told her she had to take care of the family meeting Patrón Mateo was having that day. Minnie laughed at what she considered absurd as Corina left in a huff.

Matt and Sandy argued again. She proposed to not try to stop the divorce if Matt agreed not to insist on the DNA test to please Val. She would also agree to let him see the child if he and Dalia signed over a third of his inheritance to her. He told her she was loca and would not give in to her demands. She said he would have to fight for every last one of them in court. He left her room...

...and ran into Val in the corridor. He tried again to get her to talk but she would not tell him anything about Surem and Remi.

Minnie stumbled through the town square. She fell and someone helped her up; Padre G was also there to help. She tried telling him she was alright. Except she was “suffocating in that house.” She called everyone there a bunch of [???] and stumbled off.

Artemio was at Eva's breakfast table bitching about Luisa. Eva told him he needed a lady: Herself. Further, that this had to be Official.

Matt told the entire household they needed to be tested for compatibility with Angelita. Val was first to volunteer. Sandy mocked her only to have Leo tell her to shut up. Esmeralda and Matt also said they would be tested. Sabina thanked them but was concerned about not being able to pay the medical bills. Tirso started to say something and Leo said how could he pay those bills on his paltry wages [Ironic that it was Leo who dictated those paltry wages]. Matt said he would find a way. Minnie said she would also be tested; Leo told her not to talk nonsense. Matt thanked Minnie, when then told the truth at last. She told Leo he was Ange's father. Everyone except Sandy stared at him.

Magda tried to help Luisa, who feared what would happen when Art found out she was pregnant. She also feared he would kill Vicente.

Minnie admitted to manipulating the DNA test results in order to kick Sab out of the hacienda. Sab became angry, Esme asked Minnie how she thought she could conceal such a thing. Minnie dodged the question by saying that this was no time for moralizing and she almost begged Leo to get tested. Leo said he would never forgive her for this. He demanded to see the test results. Tirso was upset. Matt said this was a good thing because it proved he was also Ange's uncle so now her chances would be better. Sandy looked annoyed while everyone else was trying to take all this in.
 

QT #106 Part 2 of 3

Art and Eva continued to argue.

Sandy looked at the wedding photo in Leo's study and made a sarcastic comment about “It's too bad your wife is in love with my husband.” He didn't take the bait and asked what she wanted. It was about her baby, which she thinks is his. She teased him about whether he would be impregnating others and said that her baby was a game changer. Her divorce could go in his (Leo's) favor or against him. He didn't get it. She said that Matt has to recognize the baby as his own. If there is a DNA test and Leo is the father he is on the hook and Val would not like being a stepmother. Leo laughed, called her a harpy, and said he was getting his own lawyer. She demanded to be present for that but he said “No way.” She told him that it would be in his interest for there to be no DNA test to prove he was the father or he would have to pay big. She walked out.

Luisa talked with Padre G. She had taken a home pregnancy test and was going for blood tests. She wanted the baby but not Art. Padre G went into the This-Child-Is-a-Gift-From-God speech, similar to Magda's from before. He also told her that Art had to know the truth. Luisa was justifiably afraid Art would use the baby to threaten and control her. He had tried to use Tito for his image and this would be no better.

Tirso visited Ange but did not tell her the truth. Leo and Sab arrived and got him to leave. He then told Ange that he was her father.

Vicente came to see Luisa to ask her to dinner. She accepted but did not tell him she was pregnant.

Sab stalled on the explanation of the news and Leo told Ange she would lack for nothing. Ange said she didn't understand anything; “You grownups are too complicated.”

Sandy returned to a coldly angry Dalia who called her on her lies and deceptions. Sandy was non-plussed. She continued lying about having been pregnant at the altar and did not react to Dalia's accusations about her motives. Dalia asked how many weeks she was along and she said “That is of no importance to you.”
“It is, greatly. It is because you pressured Matt into marriage using this baby.”
Sandy shrugged. “I knew it wouldn't be easy.”
“Sandy! Are you going to be tested? That will require an apology.”
“And what are you going to do? Put my baby out on the streets.”
“You know me better than that. I would never turn a child out on the street.”

Tirso vented to Magda. He felt like a fool. For a woman once forced into sexual slavery she talked like a priest, telling him he was Ange's father in his heart.

Tito, Val, and Matt were visiting Ange. Tito tried to get her to eat. Matt promised they would find a donor for her. Flavio came in to check up on her. Tito faced him and offered to donate his kidney. Dr Flavio told him he could not, as he was a minor. He started crying. Val hugged him.

Sab and Leo had a quiet argument about her motives for that scene in Ange's room. He now seemed determined to take full custody of Ange.
 

QT #106 Part 3 of 3

Dalia prayed to the Virgencita in the chapel to protect Matt from his father's bad blood. Esme came in and said not to worry. Matt would not become a duplicate of his father “because you taught him the difference between good and evil.” She spoke of Matt's goodness and now that the truth is out everything will be alright.

Night.

Leo talked with his nameless lawyer who told him that Sandy's baby is yet another heir to claim part of the estate. Leo wanted control of that part. The appeal would be heard in the morning and the probability of winning was good. Leo wanted a sure thing and was willing to bribe the judge. The lawyer warned that this could backfire. Leo didn't care what this would cost. The lawyer recommended that he legally recognize Angelita to get control of her inheritance.

Vicente and Luisa ate at La Familia. He proposed marriage to her.
 

"MEPS" Episode 145:

I'll be posting recap on today's episode sometime tomorrow morning.
 

QT #107 Part 1 of 3

Luisa told Vicente she needed time for this. She did not want to become dependent on him as she had been with Artemio. She owed herself the ability to become independent.

Esmeralda and Mateo talked about recent evenets. She was concerned about Angelita whose heart was more noble than all the other Montes' put together. Matt explained he would fight for his child. He asked about her and Carlo and she told him she was unsure of the future of the relationship. She said she was being practical abou it. However, he made her happy and she would fight for this as long as she could.

Artemio drank to himself repeatedly, saying no woman would ever get the better of him. He called Camila and said to quit work and come over to his place for a drink. When he said he was cold she told him to get a heater and ended the call.

Vicente understood. Luisa told him about her upcoming speaking engagement and that it was getting revenge on Art.

Art called Magda next. She called him ot on his drunkenness and ended the call.

Sabina explained her absence from work to Carlo who understood. She asked about Esme and looked a bit disappointed when he told her that things were going well.

Nadia told Magda she had been in this place for seven years “because my only relatives didn't care. Besides I was the guardian of your daughter before she became famous.”
“So now you're playing the victim. The only victim here is Valeria.”
“Why did you abandon her?” Nadia slapped the table and stood. “Why did you ruin my life and the life of a girl who isn't mine? Your daughter, Lucia. Our mother was ill. I couldn't do it all. And you're trying to come off as a saint.”

Minnie and her shot glass were getting jiggy when Leo arrived home. She wanted to talk to him but he told her off for keeping the paternity secret from him. She did this for selfish reasons so she was dead to him. She said she saw the demonic look in his eyes. He said she should not worry; he would soon prove that. He pushed past her on his way out.

Nadia accused Magda of pursuing a party lifestyle; she had seen this on a web page. Magda told her she was wrong and followed up with explaining what had happened to her. She had finally escaped from the sex traffickers and went back to Patchuca where she did not find Valeria or anyone else. She could not find out where they had gone. Nadia asked why she did not help her and Magda's answer was that it was because of the addiction. :”You would only have spent the monet on drugs.”

Berenice and Chacho continued arguing. She finally said she wouldn't have married him if she had known he would be like this. He walked out [leaving us all hoping she isn't the next woman to get knocked up].

Nadia said that addiction was terrible and perhaps Leo had put her in the right place because she was not a good person. Both started to cry. Magda said she and Val were alone and needed her help. She revealed what Val had told her about the murders and asked her to help. Nadia refused and told her to leave.
 

QT #107 Part 2 of 3

Dalia and Guillermo visited Aaron to tell him he was now free due to lack of evidence. He was not pleased, as neither Esme nor Matt had forgiven him. Nor had he forgiven himself. He began coughing. They asked if there was anyone who could help. There apparently was a woman who could.

Nadia walked the grounds. Old color print flashback to her being dragged into this facility while Leo talked to the director about her addiction. She broke free, walked back, and confronted him. He had renamed her niece Valeria and said he would take care of her [He had no grey n his hair at this point, in case that means anything]. She said she would escape and get revenge. He accused her of abusing Val, who was now his. “Forget everything and prepare to be alone,” he said. The attendants took her away. Back in the present she said to herself “Nobody looked for me. I meant nothing to anyone.”

Montage (possibly to cover some time passage):
Sab sat by Ange's bedside, crying.
Val prayed in the hospital chapel. Matt joined her.
Minnie looked at a photo as Leo entered the room and ignored her.
Leo went to Sandy's room and bedded her.
Tirso and Sab reacted in anguish at the test results.
Matt and Val returned home looking like they had argued again.
Corina and Lorenzo were still having differences.

Matt was stacking hay bales in frustration. Val tried to talk to him about Ange but he still tried to get her to tell him the truth about Leo. He was also anxious about the test results. She told him to have faith in the possibility that he and/or Leo would test positive. He was not so sure that Leo would be a willing donor despite being the more likely match. She was trying to be positive but feared that Matt would be the donor and something would happen to him.

Morning.

Matt prayed for a positive test result. Tirso entered behind him and heard this. They should have the test results that morning. They hugged. Val's text came in to Matt's phone saying that Dr Flavio wanted to see them.

Leo and Art met in the office. Art thought they were going to talk politics, but Leo had set a trap. He showed a binder containing information about Art's embezzling over the years he was in office. Art lost his temper, then clutched his chest as Victor and Cipriano entered to arrest him. He then collapsed on the floor but remained conscious. Leo looked down with a small smile of cold satisfaction. Cipriano ran to call for an ambulance.

Dr Flavio handed the file to Matt and Val, saying that two donors were identified. He said that Matt and Leo would have to have further tests to determine who was the better match.

Magda wnet into the church to pray to the Virgencita to not abandon them. First for Ange's health, then for Nadia changing her mind. She also prayed for her mother, who had been ill for a long time.
 

QT #107 Part 3 of 3

Val told Matt she would have to talk to Leo about this. Since he is Angelita's father he would have the last word. Matt was sure she was worried for him(self) in case anything would go wrong in the operating room. He asked if she was worried for him or for Leo. She would not answer this, but told him not to mess with Leo.

Sandy told Uriel everything that had been said about her pregnancy [which is now showing, so how much time has gone by?]. She could not take it anymore. Her cell rang. She answered when she saw it was Matt. He was calling after they took a blood sample and explained what was happening. Sandy was not happy at this, saying that he needed to be strong and healthy to work for the baby. She cut the call short. Uriel told her that if he died she would get his share of the inheritance. This pleased her.

Someone bald and familiar-looking must have propositioned Camila just as she walked away from Tirso. He stared at Tirso, who flashed back to the false DNA test results. Manuel (the bald man) said he had to go. He did not want to be among killers or thieves. Of course this was intended to provoke Tirso and it worked. Tirso had him on the floor and began pounding him into pulp.

 

QT #106/107

Many thanks, Urban -- what a wild ride. I can't believe Minnie wanted to be tested. Her internal organs are probably pickled in place.

I have completely given up on trying to follow the inheritance/parentage ramifications and am just waiting to see who ends up in the carcel/morgue/manicomio/nunnery.
 

QT #106/107

I doubt anyone will end up in a nunnery. Sandy is more likely to end up in a brothel. I will give additional thought to the other characters later since e I am now posting from my phone.

I predicted a long time ago that Matt and Val would end up with Sandy's baby. It also looks like they will have Angelita and Tito, whom Val said she would adopt if they didn't find his mother. Have to think more about everyone else.

 

ECDLP #45

- Marcelo agrees to stay in Puebla. Lucia asks him to swear in front of her mother’s grave that if one day he stops caring for her fo tell her. He says that will never happen
- Sara tells Leti that Mario and Magdalena are a couple. Leti isn’t impressed.
- The detectives are waiting at Casa Treviño to question Nazario. Nazario wants to get it over with.
- Rebeca asks Alonso why Nazario kicked Rodrigo out of the funeral. Rebeca thinks it could be a possibility that Amador is involved.
- Nazario recounts everything to the detectives. He says that a cross was taken. He doesn’t tell them about his suspicions concerning Amador.
- Nazario remembers that Trini was nervous that night due to the reappearance of Clara. Magdalena explains to the detectives who Clara is.
- Clara tells her friend about Lucia’s generosity towards her. Clara alludes to wanting to talk to Lucia more about Adriana.
- Marcelo takes Lucia home but invites her to dinner later and wants to introduce her to someone. He says it’s not his mom.
- Nora thinks Lucia got over Trini’s death quickly since she convinced Marcelo to start dating her. Nora sarcastically tells Rebeca to congratulate Lucia because Lucia stole Marcelo from her (Nora).
- Daniela is waiting for Rodrigo at his house. She wants to talk to him and suggests they go out for coffee. He agrees.
- Marcelo tells Rafaela that he’s not leaving Puebla because he and Lucia are officially dating. He hasn’t told L everything yet though.
- Marcelo invites Rafaela to have dinner with him and Lucia.
- Lucia tells Alonso that she and Marcelo are officially a couple. Alonso is happy to hear it and tells her not to listen to Nora.
- Daniela and Rodrigo talk about Lucia, Nora and Marcelo.
- Lucia is getting ready for her date with Marcelo. She tells Teresa that she and Marcelo are together.
- Marcelo and Rafaela arrive to pick up Lucia. Rebeca sees them arrive and calls Marcelo to threaten him with telling Lucia about their multiple rendezvousing at the hotel.
- Rebeca wants to talk to Lucia before she leaves. Marcelo baits Rebeca into telling Lucia why she doesn’t want Lucia to date Marcelo. Lucia says whatever Rebeca has to say won’t stop her from dating Marcelo. They leave.
- Lucia and Rafaela acknowledge that they’ve already met.
- Nazario and Magdalena talk about what he told the police. He doesn’t think Clara is responsible. He doesn’t have proof it was Amador but will find it.
- Mario and Samuel talk about Trini. Samuel tells him about seeing Trini at church before her death. She was nervous about something but it couldn’t have been about her impending death.
- Lucia asks Marcelo about Federico and why he committed suicide. Marcelo says it was because of a woman who humiliated him. He says he hasn’t confronted the woman yet. Lucia thinks he should.
- Alonso thinks it’s good that Lucia is distracting herself. It’s not Lucia’s fault that Marcelo prefers her over Nora.
- Ligia calls Rodrigo but it goes to voicemail. Daniela returns and tells her that she was with Rodrigo. Ligia wants to why Daniela is interested in getting to know Rodrigo.
- Marcelo and Rafaela return. Milagros is upset.
- Mario tells Magdalena about Trini going to the church the night she died. Leti brings Mario some papers and he notices she’s in a foul mood.
- The detectives question Alonso. Lucia asks Alonso why they were there. She tells him that she met Clara and about the money she borrowed from him to give to Clara. He encourages her to tell this to the police.
- Lalo tells Marcelo that he saw Vinicio at the burial.
- Rebeca confronts Marcelo about what happened between them and how he’s now dating Lucia. Marcelo says he’s only interested in Lucia to which Rebeca replies “we’ll see about that.” Amador overhears this.
-
 

QT #108/109

- Luisa speaks movingly about her escape from an abusive relationship to a group of local women, with a public apology to Eva and the girls for damaging their family. Bere and Luisa make peace and plan to work together as a team for Avon.

- Basurto & Tirso snarl threats at each other inside (why?) the cell. They both think Magdalena deserves better, and so do we.

- Eva talks her way into Art's hospital room, where she learns that he faked the heart attack to buy some time. Of course he says the charges are fabricated, and of course she believes him.

- Leo can't donate a kidney because -- surprise! -- he has herpes. JAJAJAJAJAJA. The doc suggests Val get tested as well, but she serenely replies that she doesn't sleep with her husband, although he does sleep with practically anyone. I'm not sure this meets the spirit of "acting like the perfect wife outside the bedroom," but I guess Leo's got other things on his mind.

- Chacho brings Bere flowers and a gift laptop and tells her he overreacted in Mexico and wants to totally support her career. They exchange te amo's. But when Rebeca & Alberto show up in town for an unannounced two-week consultation, he acts like a total tick again. Sigh. Why couldn't they edit out Chacho and let us watch the pretty horsies instead?
 

QT #108/109, Part 2

- Basurto tells Mags he wants to keep Tirso locked up even though the victim isn't pressing charges, but she says she knows he's a better man than that. He relents and releases him from custody.

- Eva drugs Cipriano's food and smuggles Art out of the hospital...to her cousin's house in Santa Rita, where no one would think to look. He tells her he's wiring a bunch of money to her account and needs her to get some important papers for him. She is really enjoying the whole Bonnie & Clyde thing but keeps wrecking the moment by bragging how she's a much better moll than Luisa. Relationship tip: If you want him to forget about that other girl, STOP TALKING ABOUT HER.

- Val visits Guillermo in secret to enlist his help in the plot against Leo, but it all goes down the drain when Mags calls and says Nadia refuses to help.

- Val confesses her love to a sedated Mateo before he is wheeled into the operating room. He mumbles after her as she walks away.

- Dalia apologizes to Val for treating her badly when all the time she should have been treating SANDI badly. In fact, Dalia hopes to see Val & Mateo together some day. Val demurs that this is impossible; she's married to Leo. Dalia replies that Val doesn't have lying eyes like Sandi -- she can tell just by looking at her who she really loves.
 

QT #108/109, Part 3

- Sandi asks Uriel what she can slip Mateo so he never wakes up after the operation. At first he's shocked, but she promises him a substantial piece of the inheritance. He says he'd rather have a substantial piece of HER.

- Tito chats Minerva up as she morosely sips tequila out of a water bottle in the waiting room. Why doesn't she love Angelita, if she's her grandmother? Min says that she doesn't know how to love like other people do. Didn't her mother teach her how? No...no one taught her. Tito says his mother taught him really well, and he can teach Minerva if she wants. Some other time, she whispers. (Luz Maria Jerez totally OWNS this scene.)

- Lorenzo tells Corina he doesn't want to be married, and she says he broke her heart and dumps his ice cream on his head. See "why can't we watch horsies?" above.

- Leo accuses Sandi of giving him herpes, and she calls him a man-whore just like Val did and in almost the same words.
 

QT # 104-107 & 108-109

Blue Lass and Urban, I always enjoy reading your recaps. Thanks for all the skill you put into these.
Had to laugh--Tito returned with the tags still on and Val's pleather gauchos. I've been noticing her pleather pants all the way through and they never look quite comfortable.

I had hoped for more cooperation from Nadia. Maybe later.

I wasn't quite prepared for the doctor's bald announcement of Leo's herpes, although I burst out laughing. Thanks, Karma, he deserved this.

I also noticed how much Eva enjoyed being the gangster's moll. She'll do anything to bind Art to her side.

Tito had a sweet little scene with Minnie, trying to help her. She might morph into a real granny somewhere down the line.

I also had to laugh at Sandi's facial expression when Leo accused her of infecting him with an STD. I wonder what Uriel will think about this? Maybe not so quick to want a piece of Sandi?
 

QT #108/109

Gracias, Blue Lass.

I hope the writers don't fall down on the job about the herpes thing. It isn't as contagious as many people think; it's normally only contagious during an outbreak. Uriel hasn't said anything about it yet and if he is actually acting as Sandy's doctor he has to find it sooner or later if she has it. Will she be stupid enough not to tell him? I am amazed he isn't smart enough to see what she really is: a user of others. He knows she is married to one man and boinking his brother on the side, so isn't that enough?

If this were a less traditional story I would predict that Uriel would be on her Hit List if she succeeded in killing Matt. He should be thinking about that. Or maybe... he would off her once he got the dinero?

Nobody knows yet that she messed with Dalia's medication and almost killed her.

Since you didn't mention Aaron, I guess his scenes were cut. Matt visited him before entering the hospital and all was well between them when Matt left the jail. Aaron is now in the hospital for blood tests because he still has the lung infection.
 

OT

No novelas at all today on Univision? That will give me time to catch up on ECDLP.
 

OT:

UA: Yes, there will be no Daytime Telenovelas on Univision on Thursday afternoon, which means I'll be recapping yesterday's episode of "MEPS" & today's episode soon.