Caray, Caray!

reina3

I'll put up a short recap later tonight.
 

reina3 Ep. 32 p. 1 of 3

The episode begins in Cusco. Anton assures Oleg and the others that even though the schematics they downloaded aren't the same, they're similar, almost the same. He can activate it (or did he say deactivate? Oh well, he can probably do both.) Anton comments that there's a lot of security, with sensors and two guards. It seems excessive for this kind of business. Oleg agrees, and says all this security suggests that they're hiding something very valuable.

We then see a somewhat nervous Paloma assuring everyone that she's up to the task. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." She does mention that someone has told her that there are always two guards, one inside and one outside. Oleg tells her to worry just about the outside guard.

Meanwhile, Mateo rushes over to a public phone and calls his friend Mono. Mono tells him the police are looking for him. Mateo asks how everyone is, especially Padre G. Mono replies that Padre G has been in touch with the priest who replaced him. Padre G is recovering with his family after the kidnapping. Mateo is very happy to hear that Padre G is OK. He tells Mono not to tell anyone he called. What if Padre G calls, Mono asks. Yes, tell him I called and I miss him.

An excited Charlie tells Ernie that Mateo made a call. They've pinpointed the call as coming from Southern Colombia, Peru, or Ecuador. He didn't say anything new. Padre G was kidnapped and is now with his family. Ernie says he still has doubts about the kidnapping. But they should now concentrate on the priest, day and night. "With this new information and the photos, Kozar is going to have to trust us again."

A woman reports to Mortati what she has learned about Elena Bocanegra. She gives an account of her businesses. Mortati wants to know whether she has an Achilles heel. The woman says that some of the businesses have been accused of tax evasion, but nothing has been proven. As for family, she's an only child, heiress of a Spanish mogul who settled in Mexico years ago and died. Mortati says he has a Spanish friend in Mexico. "If the father was a Spanish millionaire, my friend must have known him. Remind me tomorrow to contact him."

Danilo calls General Garrido to let him know that Epifanio has called a meeting. This might be a good opportunity for the General to talk with Bebita. Danilo doesn't want Susana involved. "Remember what happened to Antonio and Vanessa."

Luciano pleads with Mortati not to fire him, but to no avail. Mortati feels Lucho was solely to blame for spilling wine on Elena Bocanegra's blouse. Sheila comes and gives Mortati a bag containing the blouse. I assume he will try to have the stain removed. Sheila also tells him that Sra. Bocanegra would like to speak with him about something important.

The scene shifts to Our Team, waiting for a phone call from Mortati. They're worried that something has gone wrong. But then, of course, the phone rings. Mortati tells Elena he's free to meet with her now. She tries to get him to meet that night, and not at the hotel. Eventually he agrees and says he will be delighted to be her guide.

Susana gives Bebita books that are to be reprinted. I don't quite understand this, but in one of the pages there is a handwritten message: "9 PM 2nd floor. Urgent. He's coming." Bebita claims she has some questions for Danilo about this. Susana offers to phone him. Bebita says she wants to see him in person. Susana then offers to accompany her. Bebita says no, she'd like Susana to go to the infirmary to get a medication refilled. It's almost empty.(It's hard to say whether Susana realizes she's being excluded.)
 

reina3 Ep. 32 p. 2 of 3

Six generals, including Garrido, arrive at the Presidential Palace. Epifanio tells them he has a delicate matter to discuss. He mentions that General Montoya was not able to attend. "In fact, he's what I want to discuss." One of the other generals asks Epifanio whether he has any proof against General Montoya. "Shouldn't we have proof before acting?" the general asks. Epifanio makes some vague answers and then declares, "General Montoya should be discharged immediately. I could have taken this decision alone, but I wanted to work with you." Delio enters the room and shows something to Epifanio. Epifanio asks to be excused for a few moments.

General Garrido meets with Bebita. He explains that he wants to carry out her father's wish. "I'm getting you out of here--you and your son. And I will make sure that Epifanio will never find you."

We then see a close-up of Epifanio's eyes. He's looking at a newspaper. One of its front-page headlines reads, "Presidential Advisor Meets with the Mafia," and the article includes one of the photos that Charlie got. The other front-page headline says, "The United States is denying entry into the country to the president of Mexico and his cabinet." Epifanio and Delio are livid. Delio says "The gringos are f------ us." Epifanio replies, "The gringos can suck my [whatever]." We also see Jane Kozar smiling as she stares at one of the photos.

Someone tells Luciano (Lucho) that Mortati just left. Lucho meets two other guys. One of them gives something to him, but I didn't see what it was.

General Garrido tells Bebita more about her father's death. He was pretty sure that Vanessa had already been found out and was forced to make the call to her father. Who made him call, Bebita asks. The General replies, Epifanio. "Are you telling me that Epifanio killed my father?" General Garrido replies, "I'm certain he gave the order." Bebita is aghast. General Garrido gives Bebita a cellphone. "It's the only way we can communicate. Be very careful." Danilo interrupts. Epifanio has told him he wants him right away. Bebita and Danilo leave. General Garrido will leave 3 minutes later. However, Danilo and Bebita run into Epifanio, who is very upset about the newspaper reports. He first yells at Danilo and then at Bebita, who claims to have a headache.. He wants to know what she's hiding (she's holding the cellphone behind her back). Danilo manages to take it from her just before Epi reaches for her arms. She shows him she's carrying nothing. He tells her he's about to have a major press meeting, and she needs to be there to show her support. She says she can't, and she leaves.

Mortati meets "Elena" and Batman. Mortati tells her there's no need for a bodyguard. Batman says "She never goes anywhere without me." Teresa says, "Well, just for tonight. I trust you" addressing Mortati.

Lucho is sitting on the walkway with another guy. He indicates "Elena" and says, "I was fired because of her. But we'll have to wait until they leave."

Teresa tells Mortati that she Googled him, and she's sure he did the same with her. She loved everything she read, and she wants to offer him a business deal. "What if I offer you a fortune for your connections?"

Lucho sees that "Elena" and Mortati are leaving. He tells the guy he's with to notify the others.
 

reina3 Ep. 32 p. 3 of 3

Bebita tells Susana, "The cellphone is my ticket out of this jail. Someone is going to help me leave with my son, and I'm going to accept that help." A somewhat stunned Susana asks, "You're going to escape?" She asks when. "I don't know," replies Bebita. She pleads with Susana not to say a word to anyone. Susana assures her, "You can trust me 100%." (I'm not yet sure.)

We finally see Paloma in action. She walks alone, with a backpack. Suddenly she "trips," just as she has reached the outside guard. He comes to her aid, and she asks him whether he knows any cheap places where she can stay for the night. He brings her inside some other place.

While the outside guard is busy helping Paloma, Oleg tries to open the door with the key copy he made. He's not sure it will work, and he doesn't want to use force that might break the key. He, Anton, and Faustino get in just before the guard and Paloma come out another door. I'm not sure what exactly they're looking for. Anton apparently has nerves of steel. He calmly works to deactivate what I assume is an alarm, finally succeeding when there are two seconds left.

Teresa and Mortati are strolling across a bridge and talking business. She asks him to suggest a price. He hesitates, then says that the going rate is $100,000 for contacts, and if she closes a deal with one of the contacts...5%. She seems pleased. Both are apparently unaware that Lucho and two others are following them. Suddenly Lucho and company come up directly in back of them and yell at them to stop. Lucho points a pistol at them. Mortati offers to give him his job back and help his mother. An enraged Lucho tells him to shut up and not mention his mother's name. One guy has grabbed Teresa, while Lucho points his gun at Mortati. Suddenly, Elena goes into Teresa mode, disabling all three guys. She manages to get Lucho's gun, and then (somewhat to my surprise and disappointment), she shoots him, and he falls into the water. The other two guys run away. Mortati is stunned. "You killed him!" he exclaims. Teresa tells him they've got to get away from there quickly. She tosses the pistol into the water. She and Mortati walk quickly away as the episode ends.
 

reina3

Terrific recap, Juanita! I really appreciated all the details. Most of this novela is like a Rubik's Cube that has a LOT of twists and turns. I'm trying to just relax and let them tell the story. I'm never going to be able to figure it all out.

Come on! Charlie has somehow bugged Mono's phone? I was pretty sure Mateo made a mistake making that call, and my feelings were confirmed almost immediately. And knowing Mateo called from either Colombia, Ecuador or Peru is part of making Jane Kozar trust them? I thought they already knew Our Team was in South America. I guess intercourse doesn't have anything to do with trust vis a vis the Ice Queen.

What's the point of showing Mortati being so suspicious of Teresa? She's a rich hotel guest, presumably not his first. Why does he pull out all the stops checking up on her?

Maybe we need new shorthand names: Our Team Peru and Our Team Argentina.

I guess many of us thought Epi and Delio's talking about either "the general" or "the generals" meant Epi was planning to get rid of Garrido somehow. Now it seems he wanted all of them. You never know with Epi. When his lips move, he's lying. But he seemed to be calling the meeting because of General Montoya somehow being out of favor or a traitor.

I thought it was Susana who took the phone from Bebita's hands, thus demonstrating another example of her growing loyalty to the First Lady. But maybe it was Danilo.

I have thought since Batman overheard Lucho's angry words with a co-worker about Mortati not giving him an advance for his mother's surgery that Lucho would become part of their plan. I still don't believe that Teresa really shot him. I'm hoping they've gotten him to play along by offering him money. We'll see.

I think we deserve hazard pay for recapping these episodes. They are so full of dialog and so full of events that it's very difficult to be brief.

Again, thanks so much, Juanita, for such a fine recap!
 

reina3

Thanks, Juanita. Terrific recap. I couldn't keep up without it.

I’m glad Ernie and Charlie couldn't pinpoint Mateo's call further than Colombia, Peru, or Ecuador. I was afraid they traced it to Cusco. They must be tracking all calls to Mateo's buds.

Poor Padre G can't catch a break. So now they will track him while he chills with his family.

Uh-oh. Elena went into Teresa mode and defended herself against a guy with a gun. I too was surprised she killed the guy. She not only killed someone she didn't have to kill, but broke her cover. Mortati will surely notice that wasn't the move of a pampered jetsetter.

So Epi tried to get rid of the general but now he's in hot water himself. Great!
 

Reina3

Fantastic recap, Juanita, thank you. Very helpful.

So Garrido wasn’t the general in question? Who the heck is General Montoya? And I guess Epi was so upset with the headlines he didn’t notice that Garrido went missing from the meeting. I thought Delio was going to have a heart attack. Maybe Epi will sacrifice Delio to save his rep with the Mexican people. I don’t have hopes for Garrido either. I’m worried his plans won’t work out well.

ITA, novelera, how did they bug Mono’s phone? And Mateo made a big mistake by calling. And I also think that Our Team used Lucho in their plans. Mortati will give Teresa anything she wants…lol.

Susana sensed something was up with Bebita and Danilo. She wanted in on the action. She took the phone.

 

reina3

MANY THANKS, novelera, Niecie in MD, and dondi356, for your terrific comments.

Novelera, yes, I think perhaps we need to rename "Our Team" to TeamA and TeamP. And I too have no idea who General Montoya is, but my guess is that if Epi is displeased with him, he probably did something honorable.

Niecie, I too fear that "Teresa mode" may make Mortati VERY suspicious. But perhaps Teresa will claim that this isn't the first time she has been attacked, so at first she took self-defense lessons, but eventually she hired a bodyguard (Batman) who always accompanies her.

Dondi, Teresa's shot really did seem to hit Lucho, but perhaps it wasn't as serious as it looked, so perhaps you and novelera are right in suspecting that Lucho has been hired by TeamA. I'm still doubtful, though.
After reading what you said about it being Susana who took the phone from Bebita when Epifanio confronted her, I took another look at the scene. It's quite possible that you're right. The problem is that both Susana and Danilo wore dark-colored jackets, so it's hard to tell whose hand takes the phone from Bebita. Danilo then walks out with a cellphone in his hand that he brings up to his face either to really announce a press conference (if it's his cellphone) or to pretend to do so (if it's the cellphone taken from Bebita). Perhaps we'll get more info about this in tonight's episode.
 

reina3

Novelera, I like your idea that the team got Lucha to play along cause it's sure not like Teresa to go off like that.
 

reina3

Oops, I'm "anonymous.
 

reina3

Wow, all three astute commenters believe that Lucho had been hired by TeamA and just pretended to have been shot! Hmmm....that shot really looked as if it hit Lucho in the chest, but I guess if he was really on TeamA, he could have arranged to have blanks for the gun. That really does make a lot of sense, both because Lucho really did seem to have a legitimate grudge against Mortati and would thus be open to helping TeamA, and because it didn't seem right for Teresa to shoot Lucho. She had the gun and the upper hand. There was no need for her to kill him. OK, I'm convinced. We haven't seen the last of a live Lucho.
 

reina3

I will put up a recap tonight.
 

reina3

#33, Parte 1 de 3

We open with Bebita wrapping the phone the General gave her in a plastic bag. We hear Epi talking to her through the door. He’s saying he wants her more present by his side during this scandal. Now she’s in the bathroom. She’s taped the phone in its plastic protection under the toilet lid. Epi says that he wants her to come to bed; he’s sleepy. [I had no idea they were still sharing a bed.] When she says she’s not sleepy and going somewhere to read, he has the gall to say she should be over her father’s death by now.

In Argentina Teresa hustles the lily-livered Mortati away from the bridge. He wants to call the police and say it was self-defense. She grabs hold of him and says that neither of them can afford to be mixed up in a homicide.

We see Pablo, Batman, and the dripping wet Luciano in a boat. They’ve fished him out, and he says he was surprised by the impact of the bullet on the vest he wore. Batman tells him he smells. Lucho replies that El Rio de la Plata is not fit to swim in. Batman also tells he’s a much better buzo (diver) than he ever was as a waiter. Lucho is curious about the “big show”. Pablo tells him he doesn’t need to know.

In Cusco Team Peru is looking around, after hours, in the gallery in which Anton disabled its alarm. Paloma is chatting with the outside guard. She offers to tell him about when she saw Ronaldo play. [I suspect she means Cristiano Ronaldo, recently benched from the victorious Portuguese World Cup team.] The Team Peru plan is to place a microphone in the gallery and to search for some information about Matos, the owner. They have to be careful about an inside guard.

Teresa tries to calm Mortati as they sit on a park bench away from the bridge. He finally thanks her for saving his life and embraces her.

Pablo hands over a bag of money to Luciano. Batman tells him they’ve arranged for his mother to be treated at a first-class hospital. Some guy named Salva that I don’t remember seeing before is with them. He sort of threatens Lucho to leave Buenos Aires and never return.

Sofia and Mateo see the inside guard watching TV. The scene of Our Team Peru wandering through this gallery brandishing flashlights goes on a little too long for novelera’s patience. They keep talking to each other in whispers. Mateo tells her about calling Mono. Sofia is furious, reminding him what a loser Mono is and that he could put them all at risk. Sofia and Mateo then find a door, partially concealed by junk, to a locked room. Oleg comes down and has a key that fits it.

In this secret room they find some rolled up oil paintings and some Pre-Colombian figures. Oleg has seen some sort of laser light alarm system, but Mateo bumps into it. [Mateo is quite the liability lately.] When the inside guard comes to that room, he’s hit over the head by Oleg. Team Peru climbs out of a convenient window in the secret room, taking some of the art works with them.

In Buenos Aires Mortati talks with, I think, his security guy. Don’t know this guy’s name. He wonders why Mortati didn’t call for his help.
 

reina3

#33, Parte 2 de 3

Teresa tells the others about Mortati’s panic. Batman wonders why they went through this whole thing with Lucho when Mortati had already said he’d help “Elena” with an introduction to influential people in Argentina. She replies that she wants him to trust her more than his own mother.

Fedor is in touch with a hacker that will erase the cameras that show Teresa and Mortati on the bridge and their running away. Fedor says the hacker doesn’t know who they are and will be paid in bitcoin. Teresa calls Mortati and tells him that everything is fixed, including the paquete (package) that was dropped.

Matos, the gallery owner, comes to the “scene of the crime”. He wonders why the door to the “secret room” was opened without being forced. He notices that 5 things are missing. He wonders who called the police when he finds out they’ve come.

Team Peru examines what they came away with. Oleg says that the statues don’t have the marks that copies have from the molds in which they’re made. He also says that the accidental setting off of the alarm means that they could only place one microphone. Because the police were called, Team Peru can hear Matos conversation with the cops. When the cops wonder how the “kids” Matos thought were responsible got in, he opines that they may have come in when the place was open and then stayed hidden. Sofia wonders why Matos lied about nothing of value having been taken, and Oleg responds that what Matos is doing is not legal and he doesn’t want the cops too interested in the robbery.

In Mexico City Danilo is trying to quiet the alboroto (uproar, racket) of the journalists at the Press Conference. Epi comes to the podium and says that he wants to speak to all his fellow Mexican citizens. He owes them an account. He admits that the man in the photo is Delio Jurado, the Secretary to the Presidency. And he won’t say that Jurado was meeting with the lawyer he was shown shaking hands with behind his back. He was on an official and confidential mission that he, Epifanio Vargas, had ordered. And where they met was not in a clandestine place. It was by the Presidential Palace.

He goes on to say that, with regard to the U.S. denying a visa to himself and to his entire cabinet, it represents a lack of respect for all Mexicans. Yada yada.

Jane Kozar calls General Garrido, but hands the phone over to Ernie Palmero when he starts speaking Spanish. Ernie says that they called to say that those photos impacting Epifanio Vargas came from them. And that they prove that the Senator is serious about going after Vargas. He talks about Garrido continuing to work with them, but the general doesn’t reply, saying he has to hang up. Ernie tells Kozar: “He’s in!” This is definitely an exaggeration.

Mateo rises early, plays some wonderful Caribbean music and prepares breakfast for Team Peru. [Mateo, you can come to my house anytime; the food looks fantastic.] But he almost gets shot when he wakes Faustino! When they’re all at the table, Mateo tells them that his friends, when they felt low, had a big breakfast and some great music to raise their spirits. Mateo: “Now for the bad news.” He’s been listening to what’s come over the microphone in the gallery. All the chapas (locks) will be changed and an extra guard on duty from now on. And Mateo has also kept count. Seven days of the 30 Vargas gave them have gone by.
 

reina3

#33, Parte 3 de 3

Team Peru listens to the conversation. Matos says it had to be someone who knew where the most valuable things were. Sofia asks how they will find a clue about Rubén. [I don’t remember this name; anyone?] Oleg says that they know Matos trafficks in stolen art. What they don’t know is his connection to the Horseman. Sofia thinks she knows a way to get back into the gallery.

Mortati eats a hearty breakfast and talks with his two employees, both of whom are suspicious of what Teresa did without asking anything in return.

On a video call Team Peru brings Team Argentina up to date. Teresa doesn’t get it. The Jinete Rojo should be someone who serves the DEA or has something to do with that Uriel Karen mentioned. A seller of Pre-Columbian art doesn’t fit. Faustino pipes up that, when he was trafficking (camellando) drugs, he had guys in Europe moving drugs inside dolls. He made money off both the drugs and the dolls. Oleg wants Fedor to research the paintings they got away with.

Mortati’s security guy isn’t buying Luciano having gotten hold of a gun. And why would he have a silencer when they were going to kidnap him? He’s talking with the female manager of the hotel. He says he has some contacts in the police who are discreet.

Neither team can find anything out about Uriel.

Mortati comes to see Elena and her fiancé. He asks what Elena wants in return for saving him. Teresa does a great job of innocent surprise. “Did you think I was going to blackmail you?” She tells him that, if he’s uncomfortable with them there, no problem. They’ll find another hotel. And, regarding the business proposition, let’s just say she never even mentioned it. Mortati: “Leave? My hotel?” Pablo interjects that they can take their business proposal to Uruguay so he won’t be uncomfortable.

Mortati starts babbling. He says he was very nervous. “Please don’t leave! By the way, my hotel manager told me that you were interested in gaming. I’d like to give you a special invitation.” Pablo and Teresa give each other a “why not” look.

Epi and Delio talk in the hallway. Delio says that “his” lawyer called. “Your friends are worried about what could blow up because of the photo that was published.” Epi; “What does this photo have to do with our deal?” Delio replies that he’s the secretary of the presidency. And he shows up in a picture with the lawyer that everyone knows represents the narcos. And a few days later the President relieves the General of duty who’s fighting the hardest against the narcos.

Garrido is on the phone with Ernie. He says that what Vargas called the meeting about was to say that General Montoya is involved in several cases of sexual abuse. Palermo says that this is serious in these times. Garrido responds that it’s always serious. He goes on to say that they both know this is a pretext for throwing him out, and he asks for help from the DEA. Ernie: “OK, count on us. But, of course, this needs to be mutual." He wants someone infiltrated into Vargas’ closest circle.

Delio tells Epifanio that Montoya is admired by all in the army, and he has lots of good friends.

It was interesting the way these two conversations: Delio and Epi, then Ernie and Garrido, were interspersed. Guess we never want to know how the sausage is made.
 

reina3

Another terrific recap, novelera! You covered everything, and even managed to include some helpful Spanish words. ¡Muchísimas gracias!

Like you, I was surprised to learn that Bebita and Epi still slept in the same bed. Blech! And his saying that she should forget about her father's death--I can't find words to comment.

Well, all the commenters who said yesterday that Lucho was still alive and was working for TeamA were right. I missed Salva's warning Lucho to leave Buenas Aires and never come back, but whether he was advising or threatening, what he said was probably sensible.

I'm glad you mentioned that TeamP's wandering around the art gallery seemed to go on for too long. That echoed my thoughts as well. I also felt that some of their whispering seemed a bit loud, given the presence of an inner guard.

I was very glad Faustino suggested taking a few pieces from the gallery to make it seem that robbery was the motive. That really helped keep the police and even to some extent the gallery personnel from delving deeper.

Like Matos, I too wondered who/what notified the police.

I think I remember someone suggesting a few days ago that Matos' dark-haired assistant might be El Jinete Rojo. Last night, I had that feeling as well, though I can't pinpoint why. I even wondered whether all the horsemen were really horsewomen, and the blonde woman with Mortati's security guy could be the other one (is she the hotel manager? I'm terrible at facial recognition). The woman in Peru even resembles Karen physically, but both women have reasonable but soomewhat subordinate positions, just as Karen did.

I'm finding myself confused even as I write this, so I think I'll stop before I'm even further confused. Thanks again, novelera, for this splendid recap!
 

Reina 3 #33

I didn't know Bebita and Epifanio shared a room. I guess I assumed because during the day Beba is always in bed, Epi didn't sleep in the same bed.

I was relieved team Peru got out without killing anyone. I noticed that one of the pieces they "stole" was the same one Sophia really liked when the gallery lady was showing her around. Will they become suspects in the robbery?
When Mateo was apologising, Faustino told him he's lucky his Suegra wasn't there. Lol

Like Batmat, I also don't understand why Teresa's plans had to go so far. Is it so hard for a person(with money) to get into Mortati's inner circle, and take them to the casino, I'm assuming that's the ultimate goal.

This gallery guy, Bernado Mato? mateo?, IMO, he could just be a front... Like Abel was, and still not be part of our story. So I'll just move on from that. He was even biting his nails. But at least he noticed that the door was not forced, he even lied to the police, what's he hiding?
Novelera, the Name I know and remember Karen mentioning, Is Uriel. We haven't heard of the name Ruben yet.
New locks, but the keys are returned to the same drawers Faustino found them.
Will Sofia start painting? She's good at that. Or what's her idea?

An Invitation to the casino? Por Fin...
I don't think Mortati is a Horseman. He can't handle any strong emotions, not even hiding a necklace(key)

Wow, Epifanio did not throw Delio under the bus. I'm surprised.

Ok, Mateo should stay home and make the meals while the rest go on their missions. What if he makes more calls while they're out though? Aah ... Anyway, he can come to my house too :)

On ep 32, I also thought I saw Susana grab the phone. They talked about it in Genoveva's room later.
I'm yet to figure out Susana's character. I don't know whether to trust her, like her, hate her. I just don't know. There's something about her. Could there be more to the character? Is she hiding something? Is she an undercover cop, or one of the ginetes(far fetched, I know) Who exactly is she? Is he going to be the undercover agent El General Garrido chooses?
Or is it going to be Genoveva? Or Danilo?
Like Novelera, I think I'll just have to wait to see. I'm very confused.

 

AMOUR..

WEL,WELL..WELL[ Mas'Allah.Mas'Allah.Mas'Allah.].I don't see or Well-I -See-that- nobody recapping..AMOUR/TRAC??!!

IS IT BECAUSE OF THE RETURN OF ... Mirran..??

.FOR GOODNESS SAKES..WHY is he the star of this Dizi...he is Still ..HUFFING AND PUFFING... and this soap is on late TOO..Telemundo...WTF!!

Have a great holiday season ya'll
 

reina3

Thanks, Novelera. You cleared up my fog. Squee, I love vocab - much appreciated. "lily-livered Mortati" - ha!

I had forgotten Mono was Mateo’s strung-out friend who even tried to attack Mateo in a druggie stupor. Sheesh.

So now Mortati is very extra grateful to Teresa. I'm guessing now he'll do more over and above introducing her to influential people. But what?

I have no instinct on who is the horseman, but I'm betting it all that it's not Mortati.

Susanna seems scared. Cloak and dagger is not for her. She'll crack.
 

Reina

I thought Susanna took the phone so she may have more moxie than we think. I hadn't been watching because I couldn't stand all the issues with the kidnaped women in Bolivia, and can still barely keep up with who is who. Sometimes forgot the show was even on. I can't even remember why they're in South America except that Epi sent them. Goldfish brain. But I do like seeing the different countries and appreciate the break from all the raping and killing for a bit. Even like this Mortati guy. He's a bit dim but still better than the human traffickers. It's a low bar to goodness around here.

That's a Calatrava bridge, if you're interested in design, and he's built ones along a similar vein around the world. I like them but don't think they'd be great for jumping off of. I hope they paid Lucio well.

Kelly
 

reina3

Kelly, thanks for dropping by and for the mention of Calatrava bridges. I hadn't heard of this architect. I went straight to Mr. Google and found many excellent photographs of his bridge designs.
 

Reina3

Thank you, novelera. Great recap that cleared up a few things for me.

Dropped the idea that the “lily-livered” Mortati could be a horseman. He doesn’t even seem to be a real man.

Lol, Paloma’s comment about [Cristiano] Ronaldo was unexpected. I guess those was his Real Madrid days. [BTW, I think he deserved to be benched]

I think Salva was the guy who gave Pablo the money that Epi sent.

ITA and lol, mwendwaE, Mateo should stay home and take care of the meals.

ITA, on Susana Niecie. I don’t think she’s got the avocados for cloak and dagger work. Danilo and Bebita wanted to keep her out of the action. But Kelly could be right, and Susana might rise to the occasion. And thanks, Kelly, for the info on the bridge.

 

reina3

Juanita: Appreciate your comment, as always. I missed Faustino having suggested that TeamP take a few pieces of art. And, as for Luciano, Teresa Mendoza doesn't shoot innocent people. So I was completely sure the plan was to help him, especially since it was Sheila who bumped his elbow. This caused red wine to spill all over Teresa while Mortati was sitting at the table. Interesting theory about Matos' assistant being the Red Horseman (woman).

MwendwaE: As always, you have the sharpest eye. I had forgotten Sofia admiring that Pre-Colombian piece from the gallery. Of course I assume if it was on display it must be one of those copies Oleg mentioned. An original, probably worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, would not be on a shelf in the gift shop. I trust Susana. She was put in place to watch over Genoveva by Epifanio. But she's had more and more sympathy for the woman. She's still scared to cross Epi, but I think she'll stay on the First Lady's team.

Niecie: Yes, Teresa's plan to win over Mortati is a success, especially considering he had a bad feeling about her in the beginning and had his hotel manager start digging. Whatever Fedor, or whoever, has done to make sure google searches back up Teresa's story seems to be working like a charm.
 

Amor-trai

Nice to see you, HalimaCandy, best wishes for the holidays. I gave this dizi a try when it aired in Turkey. I made it through 5 episodes. I couldn’t take Akın’s Miran-like weepy "huffing and puffing". There might be others watching but not enough interest to recap, especially while LRDS is on.

I saw Lucio’s earlier comment that this reminded him of the first ep of Embajador. I could see that but the similarities end there. And I certainly cannot compare Akın’s acting to Engin’s.

BTW, I heard that Akın’s new show is getting canceled after 13 episodes. I watched the first two and won’t bother to continue.

 

reina3

thanks so much Juanita for Mondays recap!

and thanks novelera for Thursdays, the captions are fast and not always all there so your detail really helps out.

and thanks Kelly for info on the foot bridge, "The Puente de la Mujer - The Woman's Bridge, Buenos Aires", here is a a pic of it opened.

https://calatrava.com/files/projects/buenos-aires-puente-de-la-mujer-216/buenos-aires-puente-de-la-mujer-05.jpg

 

reina3 Ep. 34 p. 1 of 2

As the episode opens, Sofia has come to the gallery to enroll in art lessons. She's told the instructor is not accepting new students. The woman in the gallery offers to set up her with an instructor in a different place. Sofia leaves and goes to see Matos, who is the instructor (in addition to running the gallery). He too tells her he's not accepting new students. He tells her to leave. His phone rings. He walks away from her. He says hello to Ruben (aha, Ruben finally surfaces). He goes inside his office and closes the door. He tells Ruben that he's done everything Ruben asked to improve security at the gallery. He's puzzled, because only a few clients know about the cellar. He's putting together a list of possible suspects. He tells Ruben he's most curious about how the robbers got in. He then notices that Sofia is standing outside the door. He goes out to confront her. She shows him a sketch she made (at the very last minute?), and she again tells him she's not a beginner. He's apparently impressed and tells her to come tomorrow at ten.

Bebita tells Danilo that she slept on the sofa. The pills she's holding are sedatives, which she claims she needs now more than ever. She asks Danilo whether he knew that Epifanio killed her father. Danilo replies, "General Garrido told me, but it wasn't my place to tell you."

Epifanio appears. Danilo tells him they've just finished going over the books. Epifanio says, "Do something useful. In this country, no one reads."
Epifanio then asks whether Danilo has talked to anyone about the speech Epifanio made. Knowing what Epi wants to hear, Danilo gives him accounts of several people who praised the speech, and a public opinion poll revealed that 75% of the population supports him. Epifanio is very pleased.

General Garrido meets with another general. Apparently Epifanio gave this other general photos of several women who had been with General Montoya. This other general says to Garrido, "You know I don't like Vargas, but this time he's on our side." Garrido gets up and leaves. The other general then calls Epifanio and reports that, as Epifanio expected, Garrido wants to support Montoya. Epi tells him, "Continue to act as if you don't like me."

Pablo, Teresa, and Mortati are in an elevator that is going below the basement. Teresa says, "Perhaps I should call my bodyguard." Mortati replies, "From this point on, only my cell phone has service."

They get out of the elevator and go through a metal detector that dings on Mortati. He laughs. He claims that his interest is privacy, not security. For that reason, there are no cameras in the casino. Teresa claims to be VERY impressed. Pablo too. Mortati tells them that people come to this casino not just to play, but also to carry out all kinds of business deals.

Fedor contacts Sofia via some kind of Zoom or video call. He has found one of the paintings she stole. It was for sale for $60,000. Unfortunately, it was impossible to track down the seller. They start talking about art museums. Sofia mentions a painting she especially likes, and he talks about one he saw with his mother many years ago. He starts speaking Italian. Sofia is surprised and delighted. His Italian is very good. Mateo comes in to tell her Oleg wants to see her. Sofia asks Fedor why he gave all this information about the painting to her rather than to Oleg. Fedor replies, "I like you better." It's clear Mateo feels very jealous and insecure.
 

reina3 Ep. 34 p 2 of 3

Mateo's uneasy feelings intensify when Oleg mentions that Fedor speaks four languages and picks them up rapidly, using a system he devised. He got lost in Cologne, Germany, when he was seven. Mateo said it was fortunate that they speak Spanish in Cologne. Oops. A very embarrassed Mateo storms off. Sofia goes after him. He tells her, "I didn't finish school, and I don't know other languages, but I'm loyal." Sofia tries to assure him she cares for him and wasn't trying to make fun of him.

The hotel director tells an employee to bring Mr. O'Campo a cigar and a special beverage. Pablo asks whether smoking is permitted in the casino. No, says the director, but Mr. O'Campo has special tastes. Pablo is impressed with how much she knows. She tells him she makes a point of knowing a lot about all their guests.

Batman knocks on Sheila's door. He tells her he didn't want to sleep by himself. He gives her a present he bought--a stuffed animal. Sheila is NOT pleased. "I'm still trying to make a decision," she tells him. "I call this manipulation." She then races into the bathroom and throws up. In a moment of odd insensitivity, Batman then says, "It must feel so nice to have a baby inside your womb." She repies, "Another comment like that and you'll be sleeping alone in your room for the rest of your life."

Susana says to Danilo, "Tell me what's going on with the First Lady.She told me she's planning to escape. Whose phone was I hiding for her? And who's helping her?" Danilo agrees to answer her questions, but not in the Presidential Palace. He suggests they go somewhere else.

While surveying the scene at the casino, Teresa asks Mortati, "Who would be a good opponent for me, at my level? Someone I could do business with. He has to play poker. A poker table is where you get to know someone best." A short time later, someone whose name I think is Sami comes over to Mortati and asks, "Who is your friend?" Mortati tells him, "Elena Bocanegra. Mexican. A millionaire. Like you, she likes high-risk sports. Sami asks, Married? Single? Divorced?" Mortati replies, "She's engaged to the man you'll see her with."

Mortati leaves, and Sami watches an angry man standing at a table storm off. He comes near Sami. Sami greets him. I didn't catch his name (Griego, perhaps?). He is fuming because he lost badly, so he's leaving. He goes into the bathroom, stands at the sink, rolls up the sleeve on his right arm (as if he knows we want to see it), and sure enough, there's a tattoo that looks like an anchor.

Epifanio tells Bebita that Deputy Cardenas is coming for dinner. He wants Bebita to attend. He suggests that she befriend Cardenas's wife, so she (Bebita) won't feel so alone. Bebita agrees on one condition: "Guicho is with me. I'm his mother." Epifanio says no, she's not in any condition to care for him.

Danilo and Susana go to some cafe/bar. Susana asks about his personal life. She may have known already that he's gay, but he makes it clear that he had a boyfriend but things didn't work out. He then asks Susana about herself. She says she has no one yet, and she says, "I just came out of the closet."

Gallardo, who I think is Mortati's security guy, meets with someone who has something for him. Gallardo explains that he's sick of his ex-novia. She's been harrassing him ever since he left her. And she's scaring off other girls. The guy hands a small package over to Gallardo, "Here's everything the cameras in Puerto Madero recorded. They're from Tuesday, just ask you requested. Gallardo hands over a large envelope filled with money. The guy asks, "What do you hope to gain from the recordings?" "Confirmation," Gallardo replies. "I told her that if she keeps following me, I'd send her to jail."
 

reina3 Ep 34 p. 3 of 3

TeamP has a new operation planned. Sofia has a key role. She's holding a new set of microphones that have good bandwidth but are hard to install. They must be installed in just 3 minutes. Oleg tells her, "If there's any problem whatsoever, abort!" He continues, "This key opens the office. Let's just hope they only changed the outside locks."

Pablo is on the phone with Epifanio. He asks Epifanio, "Why don't you tell us about your contact?" Epifanio replies, "Get moving before your father kicks the bucket. He has only a few more weeks to live." We then see an old, bearded man, clearly very weak. Two men grab him under his armpits and drag him from his cell. Pablo says to Teresa, "If only I knew where he was. He's not in an official prison. A month before he went missing, he called me." Teresa asks, "What did he say?" "Nothing," Pablo replies." I didn't answer. I thought he was going to try to convince me to retire from the CNI. But I wonder whether perhaps he was trying to fix things, to take the step I didn't take. I never thanked him for caring for me as he did, for making me learn everything I had to learn, for warning me the job would kill me." As he's saying this, we see the two men drag the sick old man to a bench against a wall, where they prop him up, put the current issue of the newspaper in front of him, and take a photo. Pablo receives the photo, and we hear Epifanio ask, "how long do you give your father?" as the episode ends.
 

reina3

thanks Juanita !!! excellent recap!

I would think Bebita being constantly drugged would be the weak link.

Sofía Lama (who plays Susana) I've seen in numerous roles and she does the freaking out thing so often and so well that anymore it makes me laugh, yes she will constantly worry us but in the end may save the day.

for the second time Mortati tells Tesa to lose the bodyguard, what?, the last time they almost died.

are we to learn that first loves don't always last forever?

hmmm, wiki on Cusco, "The indigenous name of this city is Qusqu. Although the name was used in Southern Quechua, its origin is found in the Aymara language. The word is derived from the phrase qusqu wanka ('rock of the owl'), related to the city's foundation myth of the Ayar siblings. According to this legend, Ayar Awqa (Ayar Auca) acquired wings and flew to the site of the future city; there he was transformed into a rock to mark the possession of the land by his ayllu ("lineage")."

love the little alpacas.

 

reina3

Thanks, Juanita. Super job.

He [Griego] goes into the bathroom, stands at the sink, rolls up the sleeve on his right arm (as if he knows we want to see it)

Yes, nice of Griego to show us his tattoo.

I'm surprised Griego is so upset about losing at the tables. These are fat cats, so why so down about it?

Deb, interesting info on the Susana actress' roles. When Susana told Danilo that she'd just come out of the closet, I wondered whether this was true or whether she was faking to try to bond with Danilo. Anyhoo, Susana's importance has risen.

Kudos to Ruben for taking Sofia on as a student. He may be dirty but he knows true talent when he sees it. Sofia made that sketch on the fly.
 

reina3

Just a fantastic recap, Juanita! It was just like watching those scenes once again. I enjoyed a violence free episode with lots of cat and mouse going on with both Teams.

If Sofia made that drawing in the time it took Matos to notice her through the glass and open the door, then wow! She was taking notes about his conversation and seemingly flipped the page. Maybe she made the drawing before and had it at the ready. In any case, she gets her "think on your feet" genes in a straight line from Teresa Mendoza.

They mentioned that the Bay Horseman is a poker player. Another example of things in the dialog that I don't remember Karen actually saying.

I didn't catch his name either, but I was struck by the backstabbing in the Mexican army during Epi's presidency. This general seems to be sympathetic to Garrido and then calls Epi immediately to rat him out.

I hope Mateo's jealousy doesn't gum up the works somehow. He's clearly the weak link in Our Team, both cities.

Gallardo, Mortati's security guy, seems like a nasty piece of work. He got nowhere trying to pump Batman for information, but he definitely tried. I wonder if that stalker ex will play any part in events. Otherwise, I don't know why it was mentioned.

Every time Faustino uses "gonorrea" in a sentence, I just laugh out loud.

It seemed to me that the female hotel manager was trying to seduce Pablo. She was flirting like mad. Seriously attracted to him like Teresa (hard for me to wrap my head around) or trying to get some dirt on the two of them? Who knows?

That Sami in the casino was one evil looking dude. For some reason I had the impression he was interested in Teresa not for herself but as as source of income. Gigolo?

I thought Mortati called the sore loser Greg, short for Gregorio, but it could well be Griego.

Epi's disgusting pressure on Pablo about his father is just awful. No idea what will happen there, but I'm hoping for a HEA, with the guy spruced up, healthy, and with a nice haircut and beard trim.
 

reina3

I forgot to include in my comment above my outrage at Epi's statement that Mexicans don't read. Octavio Paz won the Nobel prize.

Novelists of note are Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Octavio Paz, Juan Rulfo, and Laura Esquival. It's probably Epifanio Vargas who doesn't read.
 

reina3

Thanks very much, deb, Niecie in MD, and novelera, for your wonderful comments.

deb, good point about Bebita's being constantly drugged as a weak link. I hadn't thought of that, but, alas, it seems plausible, though I hope it doesn't turn out to be true. And yes, I too have been wondering whether/how long Sofia's love for Mateo will last.

Niecie, I confess that my first thought when [Griego] started rolling up his sleeve was that he was going to shoot up. I guess he still may do that. And you raise an interesting question about Susana's motive for saying that she had just come out of the closet. Of course, it may not be either/or. She may be telling the truth AND be hoping it may bring her closer to Danilo.

novelera, at first it really did seem as if Garrido and the other general (O.G.) saw eye to eye. But I think the O.G.'s phone call to Epi as soon as Garrido left made it clear that Epi and the O.G. were in cahoots, and that Epi had probably asked the O.G. to meet with Garrido to sound him out and confirm Epi's suspicions. As for the business with Gallardo, I bet you're right that his ex-novia will play a part in the events to come. It's the good old Chekhov's gun principle. And I too was disgusted with Epi's phone call to Pablo. I fear his father looked pretty far gone, but I've learned never to discount Telenovela medicine and magic.
 

Reina3

I'm late. Thanks, Juanita for another great recap.

The general that’s setting up Garrido was casting suspicious looks when Garrido left the meeting to use the bathroom and during Epi’s speech when Garrido took the phone call.

I was under the impression that Gallardo used an ex-girlfriend as a cover to get camera footage that could show what happened to Teresa and Mortati. Who would want to be his girlfriend, no less stalk him? But I suppose there could be one.

I've been thinking all along that there would be love trouble for Sofia and Mateo once Fedor showed up.

Thanks for the info on Cusco, deb. You always save me on the research.

 

reina3

Thanks very much, dondi356, for this helpful comment. Your comments are always welcome!

Duh, I can't believe I didn't recognize that the general who met with Garrido and then called Epi was the same general who was standing next to Garrido during Epi's talk. As soon as you mentioned this, I knew you were right. I could clearly picture the same general in both scenes.

I'm afraid the above is not the end of my denseness. I'm not sure I understand what you're saying about Gallardo and "what happened to Teresa and Mortati." What happened when? On the bridge? Are you saying some ex-girlfriend of Gallardo took photos/videos of Teresa and Mortati on the bridge? I hope you'll say more.