Caray, Caray!

reina3

Niecie, yes, to be honest, I really thought Faustino put the gun in a neutral position, so that either Sofia or Mateo could take it. Neither one of them reached for it, but Mateo seemed especially hesitant, so Sofia took it (or, so Faustino offered it to Sofia, who took it.) So I think you and I are more or less in agreement.
 

reina3

#38

As I said, bare bones. Please fill in the blanks. First of all, I can imagine the producers of this novela putting out a casting call. Bring me every evil looking guy in South America (plus Charlie)!

Juanita, I think you gave Gallardo too much credit after all. He shows up at Stefi’s house, looks resigned, and starts to take a baseball bat out of his car. Then he jumps back in after seeing Sheila bidding farewell to Stefi and her kids.

Montaño brings a gift to Cárdenas in a parking garage. It’s an enlarged photo of he and Danilo in flagrante delicto.

I’m still wishing for a stray bullet to find Eloy Bravo. Is he the biggest misogynist in Peru, or what? When Teresa shows up in the nick of time, he’s disappointed. Teresa, Oleg, Batman, and Anton board a train.

Delio is always nervous about Epi’s plans. “What will the “amigos” ask of Epifanio Vargas in return for the $30 million?"

Epi tells Danilo to arrange an immediate presser. Then he tells Danilo: “I owe you one.” What an evil grin he gives the bewildered Danilo!

Pablo spends some quality time with Sami, trying to get as much information as he can. When he asks him what is in Paul Higgins “evidence”, Sami replies that one half of the country (the USA?) would be ruined and the other half tremble. He says that Higgins did money laundering for Uriel.

And Rubén? Sami says he only met Rubén briefly once in Lima. And Paul Higgins was scared of him, saying he killed for pleasure. Pablo’s lip sort of curls, saying that Higgins hired killers (meaning Sami as well) Sami’s response is full on sociopath. He doesn’t kill for pleasure, but then he isn’t that upset about it.

Gallardo and Julieta are trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on with TeamA. She owns up to sleeping with “Felipe”.

Cárdenas reads a statement prepared by Epi, in which he fully supports his re-election. Something is also said about changing some law. Can someone fill in the blanks on that one?

Oleg figures out that Rubén’s guys don’t know where they’re going.

When Danilo confronts Epi, outraged, Epi replies that no one made him do what he did. And he should keep his mouth shut.

A folkloric group boards the train, and we hear that distinctive sound of the Peruvian pan pipes. Teresa goes to the back of the train to take a call from Pablo. She shows some jealousy, and Oleg overheard.

Evil Sami tries to goad Pablo. Ew! He wants to make a bet on how many missed calls are on his deceased friends’ phones.

Gallardo gets into, I think, Fedor’s room. He finds the key TeamP got from Karen, a suitcase full of money, and a gun. They are suspicious, but leave everything there.

Oleg and Teresa are forced to get off the train without Batman and Anton. Their phones are also confiscated.
 

reina3

Thanks very much, novelera, for getting the discussion started with this helpful concise account of Episode 40.

I'm still liking Gallardo, or at least respecting his intelligence and dedication. Yes, it's true that in keeping with Lorenzo's order, he has brought a baseball bat along and seems intending to use it to frighten Stefi. However, when Stefi and her children come out, he seems to abandon the baseball bat. As I was watching the scene, I had the feeling that the children were what finally got to him. I should also mention that he notes that the taxi apparently is the same one that took Julieta away. Gallardo jots down the license plate number. I think he may also recognize Sheila.

When Gallardo and Julieta are searching Fedor's room, Julieta remembers Lorenzo saying that he has a friend in Mexico who may know Elena's father. I think either she or Gallardo are planning to follow up on this.

I'm rather confused by the Horsemen plot. What has Sami got to offer Pablo that's worth $30 million? He tells him very little about Higgins, and even less about Rubén, who apparently is the Red Horseman??? Sami has only met him once, and the only thing he tells Pablo is that Higgins was afraid of Rubén, who is a psychopath who kills for pleasure. Does Sami have the "evidence" Our Teams are after? That wasn't clear to me.

Teresa rattled off a rather detailed account that supposedly Oleg had given her of the site and the artifacts. Eloy Bravo is impressed. When they are alone, Oleg thanks Teresa for saving his life with that account. I'm not sure, but I think she may have said that Fedor helped put it together.

Since people are so often asked to turn over their cell phones (at least in this novela), I'm surprised Our Teams haven't figured out a way to provide phones without information they don't want other people to have. A new project for Fedor?

Poor Danilo. He now realizes that Epi knows he's gay and has used him in a very nasty way. And Cardenas angrily accuses Danilo of being part of Epi's plot.

Again, many thanks!!
 

reina3

Too many evening work obligations this week. I fell behind. Many thanks to Juanita and novelera for keeping me up to date with wonderful recaps. Thanks to all commenters, too.

I also have doubts that Bebita will escape. If she meets with the psychiatrist, she won’t even make it to the TV show.

I’ll bet that Mateo is going to screw up somehow and Matos will escape.

So, Garrido has witnesses that placed Montaño. What will he do with this info? There’s that other General who is supposedly keeping tabs on him for Epi. I don’t know if Garrido will be around much longer.

I first felt sorry for Danilo when Epi threw him to that wolf, Cardenas. Danilo did not want to be alone with him. But I was disappointed when he gave in. More reason for Danilo to turn against Epi.

deb, that interesting phrase “about Danilo not being a person that "bites the pillow" of just anyone.” is how they translated “que a Danilo no le gusta andarle soplando la nuca a cualquiera” -- what if Danilo doesn’t like to go around blowing on just anyone’s [nape of the] neck. IIRC, in season 2, Epi was translated as saying he didn’t know that Alejandro was a “pillow biter”. It’s derogatory.

novelera, I believe Epi wants to change the Mexican Constitution so he can get reelected. The Mexican presidency is limited to one six-year term. That’s why he needs the support of all the politicians in office.

Gallardo is like a dog with a bone. He won’t give up until he gets what he’s after. I’m not sure if he’s bad or good. I don’t think he really wanted to hurt Stefi, though.

I don’t know if Sami has evidence in his possession, either. But if Sami is a Horseman, he has a key with a price tag of 30 million. I wonder if he will end up dead like Karen.

Yes, Teresa praised Fedor’s skills to Oleg with good reason. He is a great addition to the team. Where was he when Gallardo and Julieta broke into the room?

I have tonight’s recap. It will be delayed by the World Cup 3rd place match on Saturday morning.

 

reina3

thanks so much novelera !!! You did an excellent job of sliding the pieces of our puzzle into place!

who is Uriel, I'm still drawing a blank on some of these names.

did Julieta say the key was white gold, wow!

thanks dondi for the info on pillow-biter.

Tesa was talking about an earlier dig at Huaca Rajada in 1987 where "the main tomb was found intact", containing the remains of The Lord of Sipán, "the first of several Moche mummies", (Moche refers to a pre Inca civilization). [from wiki]

from the pic of Machu Picchu in the intro, is this where we are headed?

 

reina3

Gracias for the rundown, Novelera. Bring me every evil looking guy in South America (plus Charlie)! -- lol.

Juanita, Dondi, and Deb, thanks for the additions.

I think Gallaro and Julieta searched Teresa and Pablo's room. Teresa's passport was in the safe. They found two guns wrapped in towels. We haven't seen Fedor handle a gun.

In the car ride, Sheila complains about the heat, even though the driver (forgot his name) says the air conditioner is on "high." So now I'm wondering if the two pregnancy tests are wrong and Sheila is actually menopausing. Or maybe Sheila is just too hot-blooded for her own good - I think the driver teased her in that vein.

Eloy says Ruben doesn't usually deal with women and they're not good at numbers. Teresa says times are changing. I can't wait for her to show how good she is at numbers, yet again.

Danilo is shocked at Epi's using him and Cardenas. This is a beanie moment for me because Danilo is smarter than this. But maybe this means "Now, it's personal!" and Danilo will be even more determined to help Bebita.
 

reina3

Will say more about the excellent comments later, but I wanted to mention that I racked by brain and finally remembered enough to get this from Mr. Google. I knew there was a popular song that had the sound of those pipes. It is El Condor Pasa by Simon and Garfunkle.

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/simon-garfunkel/el-condor-pasa-if-i-could

Thanks, dondi, for commenting about what I knew but couldn't seem to come up with in my recap. Yes, the Mexican president is limited to one term. What's odd is the way this novela has sort of adopted the US idea of "of course he'll run for re-election". And the impediment would be his not being such a great president with low approval ratings.
 

reina3 #41 part 1

Bebita has her hypnosis session. Dr tells her to slowly return to that moment…. And Bebita begins to recall. Epifanio. We were fighting, she says. We see fuzzy memories flashing back. What were you feeling, the Dr. asks. Anger, lots of anger, she replies. He asks why. She answers, because of him. The Dr. is looks somewhat surprised. What do you see now? We see flashbacks of Bebita getting into the tub…. There’s blood…. Her wrist is cut. She opens her eyes and catches her breath.

The train has arrived at Aguascalientes, Peru. Teresa and Oleg walk. Samuel doesn’t know where the evidence is, she says, at least that’s what he told Landero. Oleg thinks Sami might be lying. Teresa doesn’t think so. Samuel is greedy and if he knew where it was, he’d be asking for more money. Let’s hope Ruben knows, Oleg replies. Teresa starts to worry about negotiating with Ruben with so much security around. We need to keep up the lie, Oleg says.

Eloy is annoyed that Teresa and Oleg are walking so slow and chatting. We were wondering where the meeting is going to be, she tells Eloy. Not in this town, he says, we are only halfway there, so you better hurry up. Eloy walks away. Oleg asks Teresa if she spoke to Landino about Faustino. She didn’t have time.

Well, Faustino is renting a van in Lima. He asks Paloma if she’s found the bar. [sorry, I don’t remember what or who they were looking for. A reminder would be greatly appreciated.] I think these pictures match the entrance, Paloma says. Faustino compliments her, you’re doing a good job. You’re learning quickly. Next he says they need to find a gun. He tells her to look up “hottest neighborhoods in Lima”. Hottest? Yeah, he replies, the worst ones, the most dangerous.

Faustino makes a call to Sofia. How’s it going? No problems so far, she says. Mateo is making him (Matos) something to eat. Faustino says just relax and follow what I told you and everything will be fine. Call me if anything.

Mateo feeds Matos. Matos starts a conversation. Tell me why they sent you to feed me. Where is your boss? He got tired of visiting you, Mateo snarks and adds, he’s not my boss. You’re not family, Matos notes…. you and the guy you say isn’t your boss. What’s his name? The guy who made you bury all those men. Why are you with them? You’re a good kid. You don’t like what you’re doing. Shut up and eat, Mateo snaps.

Matos continues to work on Mateo’s conscience. You’re doing it for the girl, aren’t you? To protect her. You know there’s another way to save her, don’t you? Come on, let me go and we can all run far away from here. Don’t be stupid, Mateo replies, if I let you go, my friends will suffer. Matos assures Mateo he won’t say anything. You know where I live, he says, it wouldn’t be smart. I can’t go to the police either because my business is not exactly legal. Please let me go. No one will know. I just want to save myself.

You’re right, Mateo admits, I don’t like what I’m doing and I don’t feel right doing it. But I also know who my friends are. And I also know when someone thinks I’m stupid and tries to manipulate me. Of all this ---, that’s what I like least. Let me tell you something, it’s best if you keep your mouth shut before I make you change your mind about me. Mateo shoves a spoonful of food in Matos’ mouth.

Susana barges into the hypnosis session. Sorry, but we’re ready to go. Dr. tells a shaken Bebita to relax and take deep breaths. You can tell me what happened during the next session. He reminds her to take her medication and he leaves. Bebita goes with Susana.

 

reina3 #41 part 2

Bebita says as soon as the news of my disappearance gets out, Epifanio is going to suspect everyone. You know what to say so he doesn’t suspect you. Don’t worry about me, Susana replies. Danilo suddenly appears and tells Bebita he’s going along with them. Bebita wants him to stay there and not take the risk.

Danilo wants to be with her—today more than ever. She asks him what’s wrong. What happened is your husband is a *bleep* and an SOB and I’m going to get back at him with your escape. I’m going with you.

Sofia speaks with Fedor. She’s grossed out by the rat idea Landero had. She asks if cloning the phone was Landero’s idea too. Fedor says that was his idea but it was no big deal. Sofia thinks he doesn’t sound optimistic. I’m tired of being locked in this hotel all day, he says, at least you have a job. Mateo comes back and listens in. He hears Sofia tell Fedor, you don’t look like the type who wants to be in on the action. He answers that anything is better than being cooped up all the time. Sofia agrees. I hate being shut in, too.

Sofia realizes that Mateo is there and she closes the call. She asks Mateo, how’s Matos? Mateo gives a short answer. She starts to tell him about Landero finding a rat, but Mateo cuts her off— really? I don’t care. He walks, she grabs him. She thinks he’s being jealous. He claims he’s not jealous, it’s just everything that’s going on.

Sofia asks him to calm down. Mateo raises his voice. What does Fedor think? What do you think? We’re holding a guy hostage and you’re talking about a rat. Sofia responds, this isn’t a game, no one says it is. They continue to argue, and Matos hears. It’s very different to be kidnapped than to be the kidnapper, he tells Sofia. I’m not stupid, she replies, calm down and stop exaggerating. Mateo says, how can they leave us alone with this guy! Sofia tells him to shut up. Matos takes note.

Mortati has told Gallardo that he is not getting calls on his phone. Even Clarita, Gregorio’s wife, had to call the hotel, Mortati says. Her calls never came through to my phone. Clarita said he didn’t come home last night. She also tried contacting Hugo and Samuel, and nothing. Gallardo asks if the three amigos came to the casino last night. Mortati says he didn’t see them, and they didn’t call. Very strange. Seems Clarita thought so too, and she filed a police report.

Gallardo discovers that Mortati’s phone has been cloned. Mortati laughs, who would want to clone my phone? Gallardo asks, what was the last call you received? The last thing I received was a picture in a text message, from Felipe, Mortati answers. Gallardo’s spidey sense tingles and he tells Mortati he thinks he knows what’s going on. Mortati tells him to throw out the phone and buy a new one.

Teresa and Oleg follow Eloy through the brush. There you have it, Eloy says. Teresa and Oleg gaze in awe. Is this your first visit to Machu Picchu, Eloy asks? Teresa nods, yes, this is incredible. Much more beautiful than the photos. It’s a wonder… it’s breathtaking. Eloy explains, I’m sure you know that this is where the Inca Pachacutec defeated his enemies with the help of the god Inti. Teresa replies, this is some place your boss chose to meet. Eloy says he’ll be right back and leaves them.

What now, Teresa asks Oleg. He says, if this is where we’re going to meet, at least we know Ruben won’t show up with an army. There are so many people here with cameras and that is in our favor. Teresa replies, but if we want to catch him, it doesn’t help us. Oleg is more worried they don’t have their cell phones. This is going to be difficult, she says.

 

reina3 #41 part 3

Julieta has called Mortati’s Mexican contact. He says he doesn’t know any Bocanegras. Pablo approaches her as she ends the call. How are you, he asks, Lorenzo told me something happened to you but didn’t say what. I really don’t know what happened to me either, she replies. The night we were here together, after I left the hotel, someone drugged me on my way home so they could rob me. Pablo acts surprised. Juli continues, I woke up confused the next day and I didn’t know where I was.

Pablo asks if she needs anything. No, she’s feeling better, but she still has questions. Now that you mention it, she says, maybe I’ll call you a little later. There’s a void in my heart I think you can fill. That’s what I’m here for, Pablo replies, I’ll be waiting. He walks away and Juli mutters under her breath, “hijo de puta”.

Gallardo comes over to Juli. She shares the information from Mortati’s contact. He’s never heard of the Bocanegras. It’s strange.

Sofia and Mateo take Matos to the bathroom. Sofia holds her gun on him. She warns him not to try anything. They close the bathroom door. [Mistake. Remember Faustino watched him go] Matos opens the toilet tank and works to remove a metal piece. He complains, I hope you never find yourselves in this situation. I wouldn’t treat a dog the way you treated me. The kids look a bit guilty. Sofia tells him she’s been in worse situations.

Matos continues, it’s a pity a girl like you is doing crap like this. He tells Sofia she has talent and that’s why she caught his attention. She talks back to him. He slides the metal piece up his sleeve. You should be studying, he tells her, studying portraiture or whatever you want. You could do anything you want instead of kidnapping and killing people.

Sofia shoots back, what happened to you then? When did you quit art to become a thief? Matos carefully replaces the top on the toilet tank. You don’t know what you’re talking about, he replies. Sofia tells him to hurry up. Sofia and Mateo come in just as Matos sits on the toilet seat. Gun pointed, Sofia notes she smells nothing. She asks, what were you doing? He claims he couldn’t go. She tells him to get out. They take him back.

Back to Machu Picchu. Oleg wonders where Eloy went. Teresa says he knows we can’t move from here. She asks, what do you call it when you feel you already had an experience before? Oleg says that’s déjà vu. Being here is amazing, she tells him. Back in Culiacan, when I used to exchange dollars on Juarez Street, there was a bar that had a poster of this same mountain. I would stare at it. And I would end up telling myself, “You’re never getting out of Culiacan.” It’s unbelievable that I’m here right now. Standing here with you after having seen half of the world.

Teresa says, Güero always told me, “Baby, I’m going to show you the whole world.” She looks up and says, well, here I am, Güero. What do you think? She continues, sometimes I feel if I hadn’t met Güero, I’d still be exchanging dollars on Juarez Street. Or worse, naked and selling my body to survive.

You don’t know that Tesa, Oleg replies, life takes many turns. Maybe you would have seen the world in some other way. She answers, it’s a pity that I’ve only seen it always on the run, hiding out… just surviving. And burying those I’ve always loved most. Oleg reaches out and puts his hand on her shoulder. She recounts, my Gallego, Teniente O’Farrell, Fatima…

 

reina3 #41 part 4

Teresa’s fighting her emotions and says, anyway, look at where we are. We are standing here in front of this marvel. How many places have we been together, she asks. Many, he replies and he asks her, what do you think today’s Tesa would tell the Tesa that was Güero’s girlfriend if they met? She laughs and answers, the first thing that comes to mind is, “Teresa, don’t be stupid, stay away from Güero.” But then I think about it, and if chamaca Teresa listened to future Teresa, some of the most beautiful things in my life wouldn’t have happened nor the ones I love most, like you and my daughter. [notice the look on Oleg’s face?]

Teresa continues, I wouldn’t have shed so many tears either or met the bastards I’ve met… Güero, Teo Aljarafe… Lupo… and now Landero. [lol, she added Landero!] She clarifies, he (Landero) still hasn’t made it to my blacklist though. Oleg would rather not talk about Landero [and I can’t blame him]. Teresa answers, really, Oleg? You still don’t like him after everything we’ve discussed? It’s not about Landero, Tesa, he tells her, I don’t really care about him. He takes a breath and says, my problem is with you, Tesa. He goes to get some water and leaves her stunned.

[Wow. It’s scenes like these that make LRDS more than just a narconovela. Kudos to Kate and Antonio.]

Ana and a cop show up to the house where Team P were taken. The cop says he was here once before with Matos. It’s strange that no one is at home. They enter and look around. The cop asks Ana if she’s tried calling Matos. A few times to ask about his supposedly sick mother, she replies, but his phone is off.

I think Ana sees bullet holes in the wall and then she uncovers what the cop says is dried blood. They also find shell casings. Terrible things happened here. Ana is sure this has something to do with what happened to Matos. What now? The cop says Ruben must know, this is his place. Ana says it will be difficult to get in touch with him, she’s never had access. She wasn’t allowed. Matos might have the number in his office. They leave.

Sofia says they need food. Mateo reminds her that Faustino said not to leave. She tells him to go and she will stay and watch Matos. This starts another argument. Matos hears this while he works on cutting his ties with the piece from the toilet.

A snack truck clears the gate to the TV station. Meanwhile, Bebita and Cecilia do their cooking segment. We see Garrido watching the show. The truck driver calls Garrido. He’s at the meeting point. The show should be done in 10 or 15 mins. Garrido says, send me your location and keep me informed.

The cooking segment continues and Bebita says that Epi’s favorite dish is chiles en nogada (considered a national dish of Mexico). And of course, this would be his favorite. While Bebita slices some strawberries, she begins to have flashbacks to her hypnosis session and that fateful night of her “suicide”. She tells the host to let Cecilia take over because she’s the better cook. More flashbacks and Bebita steps back to get some water. The flashbacks continue.

Danilo releases Guicho, who runs to his mother. The scene is cut for a break. Bebita asks to go back to her dressing room for a moment. Cecilia offers to go with her, but Bebita says to stay and watch the cheesecake they prepared. She walks with Susana and Danilo. He tells her that the transportation is ready at terminal 34F. He wishes her luck and she thanks him.

 

reina3 #41 part 5

Sofia is drawing at a table when she hears a noise from Matos’ room. She takes the gun and calls out, are you ok? What was that noise? She opens the door, the ropes are on the floor and Matos is not there. He jumps out of hiding and whacks Sofia with a plank. She aims her gun but doesn’t shoot. Matos knocks her out, takes the gun and a phone off the table and makes his escape.

Back to the other escape. Susana helps Bebita and Guicho get ready with some clothing she’s brought along. Bebita is grateful for all that Susana has done. Guicho is told that they are playing a game. A staffer is sent to go look for Bebita, the break is almost over.

Bebita and Guicho head to the meeting point. She’s almost there when some workers spill a can of red paint. This triggers another flashback and Bebita realizes what really happened that night. She whispers in horror…Epifanio… and she freezes. What about dad, Guicho asks. The driver sees her and calls Garrido. She’s staying put, she won’t walk out.

And we are out.

 

THANKS, everyone, for the excellent recaps. I am doing my Sat. marathon catch up for the week and I am finding them so enjoyable to read as I watch.

Every time, Faustino calls someone a “gonorrea” I still do a double take. It makes me laugh.
 

REINA

Best line of Season 3: “My problem is with you.” FINALLY!
 

reina3

Again, dondi, you've knocked my socks clean off with another splendid recap.

I could just have slapped Bebita for standing there. I guess we'll have to wait until Monday to find out what stops her from getting into the waiting vehicle. I have zero confidence that she'll snap out of it and get away. This whole flashback of Montaño cutting her wrists while Epi calmly and dispassionately looks on was well done. But I find it hard to believe she thought she cut her own wrists until she experienced it.

Amen, dondi, that Machu Picchu scene with Oleg was just fantastic. That's my dream place to go that I've never managed to get it together and do. I loved the call back to characters she's lost, including Fatima. The death of Fatima and her son was one of the darkest things in the original novela.

I enjoyed Sofia and Mateo fighting. IMO she needs to lose the guy. Sofia's life has always been both magnificent and very precarious. I remember her in that little performing group while Batman looks on, planning to kidnap her. She outwitted Lupo and got away. Mateo's inferiority complex about the very true gulf between the life both she and Fedor have lived is just tiresome. At least he didn't cave in during that feeding Matos scene and realized what the guy was trying to do.

I'm pretty sure Sami is going to turn over the Bay Horseman key. Epi definitely plans on getting the $ from his narco "amigos", despite Delio's worries.

The hardest one will be the one the paranoid Rubén apparently has.

There's threats all around! I worry about Fedor should Gallardo and Julieta get even more information about the fake Bocanegra wiki that's been created. I worry about TeamP now that Matos has gotten away. And I worry about Bebita.

Again, a million thanks for another fine Friday recap, dondi. Were you rooting for Croatia or Morocco?
 

reina3

Wow, dondi, yet another superlative recap. Reading it is like watching the episode again. You've covered everything so splendidly that I don't have anything to add, just a few observations. One is that I was a bit surprised that when Mortati said he hadn't received any phone calls, Gallardo didn't try to call him on his cell phone. That would have comfirmed that the phone's silence wasn't caused by an absence of people trying to reach him.

Yikes, I knew that Julieta had muttered something under her breath as Pablo was leaving, but I hadn't heard what she said. Thus, I wasn't sure that she was aware of Pablo's role. Now, of course, I'm wondering whether she will try to harm/kill him when he comes to see her to, um, fill the void in her heart.

You're right, dondi. Sofia and Mateo should have left the bathroom door open. They also shouldn't have talked so loudly earlier, thus letting Matos know that he was being watched by just the two of them.

I loved the views of Machu Picchu! I was fortunate enough to have been there some years ago. It really is spectacular! The only difference is that when I was there, the place was crawling with tourists, so much so that there was talk of the government possibly changing the policy, so that people would no longer be able to wander among the ruins. I'm not sure whether that policy was ever implemented. As I was watching last night's episode, I marvelled at how delightfully empty Machu Picchu was, and I wondered how much it had cost Telemundo to arrange that.

YES! I strongly agree with you that scenes like the one between Tesa and Oleg at Machu Picchu make this more than a narconovela. I think there were more of them in Seasons 1 and 2. The characters and their lives seemed fuller, more complex. I think even the pacing of the action was different. I'm enjoying Season 3, but it doesn't seem to me as rich, as satisfying, as Seasons 1 and 2.

Again, MANY MANY thanks for this amazing recap!
 

OT World Cup

novelera, what a final! Especially thrilled for Messi and DiMaria. Three stars for La Albiceleste!!!

There were reasons to root for either Croatia or Morocco, but Luka Modrić is a tremendous talent with an unbelievable work ethic and a favorite of mine. I’m glad they got 3rd place.

 

Reina3

Now that I’ve recovered from the WC final…

Thanks for your very kind words and great comments, novelera and Juanita. I think we are pretty much on the same page with what’s happening.

On pins and needles to see if Bebita makes her escape. I’m afraid of what will happen if she’s caught.

I think Sofia and Mateo are doomed to fail, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to Mateo. He’s a good kid.

Wow, Juanita, it sounds like you had a trip of a lifetime at Machu Picchu. Were you affected by the altitude on your trip? I’m wondering if the site was less crowded because this was filmed during the pandemic. And ITA, with your thoughts on season 3 as compared with 1 and 2. I’m blaming some of it on Landero ;) Maybe they better stop with this season or we will be talking about La Reina de Depends someday. That would be a shame.

 

OT

I just finished watching the World Cup Final. I recorded it, and thankfully put on an extra hour of time. My thinking was that the extra time would allow me to watch the ceremony at the end. I needed the whole time my DVR recorded to see the final. Just amazing! I imagine fans on both sides had their nails bitten until they bled. It looks like Argentina was going to run away with it. But Les Bleus kept coming back. I do rather hate penalty shootouts to decide. The announcer even said that, if it came to that, Argentina had the advantage.

Of course, watching so late I couldn't open up my emails or go online. Sometimes I've gotten an email with the results of something I was watching an hour or more after it finished. I've learned my lesson.

I was fairly neutral, but glad France wasn't just blown out.
 

reina3

thanks so much Dondi for the excellent recap, (are you sure you don't have a copy of the script)?

Sofia tends to shine using all her mom taught her, when Teresa isn't around, I hope this is the case, and hopefully she will get Mateos through it as well, or, well Mateos is pretty streetwise and he is there for his girl afterall... he's already saved her once.

I think Bebita is seeing that she did not try to commit suicide, that it was Epi's doing, now what will she do? I don't think she is going to walk away.

Montaño is sure a ...., of course he just does what he's told so it's not his responsibility, and smug Epi, well his hands are clean, he's not actually doing the deed..., what a pair.

Looks like 4 day weeks, this and next.

thanks all!

 

reina3

Thanks, Dondi. Riveting, detailed recap. Just like a good novel I can't put down.

I've been wondering how long it would take Fedor to feel cooped up. He's been holed up with adults with computer and phone for a while now.

I hate that Matos escaped under Sofia and Mateo's watch. Damn, Matos has the gun. I hope the kids can recover him. My hope is at "el fin," Sofia and (alive) Mateo part as friends. 15-years-old is no age to commit.

Pablo, you're an intelligence agent. Can't you see Julieta suspects you? Who wouldn't after bedding a guy and right afterward not remembering anything?