Caray, Caray!

reina3

I'm back from my trip and hope to post a recap of this final episode later tonight.
 

reina3 Ep. #60 p. 1 of 3

The final episode begins in Mexico City, where the meeting is set to take place between Epifanio Vargas and a group of wealthy, high-placed gringos from the USA. We see members of Our Team, all dressed as caterers and all wearing masks, which makes them harder to identify (even, alas, by me). They're planting small video cameras in the flower arrangements. The cameras will transmit what's being said to Fedor and the others, and ultimately...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Someone identifies Jane Kozar to Fedor and also Owen Whitaker, who owns the house where the group held their meetings. Kozar asks Whitaker whether everyone on the list is present. "As far as I know," he replies. "Where is President Vargas?" asks Kozar. "That's who we're here to meet."

Bebita and Epifanio arrive. Delio tells him that Kozar is asking for him. Epi is pleased. "Let's give her a chance to meet the President of Mexico."

General Arismendi calls Lt. Romo to find out how things are going. He learns that a suspicious vehicle has been spotted on the premises. Arismendi goes to investigate.

In Bogotá, Charlie says he doesn't have time to go on a wild goose chase to catch Faustino. Ruiz (the Interpol guy) tells Charlie that neighbors say that about an hour ago the group left the house Charlie just raided. Charlie's top priority is to make Mateo talk. He claims Mateo is protecting criminals, and so he has no rights. Ruiz points out that Mateo is already in custody. Charlie laughs. Ruiz says that if something happens to Mateo, Charlie will have to answer for it. Charlie warns Ruiz,"I'll take care of Mateo now, but I'lm coming for you later."

General Arismendi returns and shows Epifanio a note that was found on a truck (presumably the suspicious vehicle Arismendi went to find out about). The General and others are concerned that the truck wasn't spotted by security. The General tells Epifanio, "The truck could have contained explosives, and your convoy drove right by it."

Fedor is frustrated that they keep losing the audio from the video cameras.

Owen Whitaker is talking with Jane Kozar. They're both looking at Bebita, who arrived with Epifanio. "I wonder how much she knows about her husband's dealings," says Whitaker. Kozar replies, "I imagine she's the type that doesn't know anything."

Fedor hears them say that the meeting will take place in the Salon Almirante. Oops, Our Team needs another camera in that room. One of the team tries to enter the Salon with food and the hidden camera, but he's stopped and told only authorized personnel are permitted inside. Bebita appears and berates the guy who stopped "the caterer." She tells him this man is authorized, and the food is very important to her husband. So the Team member (I'm not sure who--perhaps General Garrido's aide?) is allowed to enter. Alas, soon after this Whitaker spots Bebita saying something to one of the "caterers." He goes off to investigate, telling Kozar he'll be right back.

Back in Bogotá, Ruiz calls Padre G. He assures him that Mateo is OK but "we need someone who can help us ASAP."

Faustino gets a call from his cousin (probably Sister Margarita) letting him know that Charlie wants to make Mateo talk. Faustino wants to handle this. Sofia insists that she has the right to help Mateo and wants to go with Faustino.

Back in Mexico City, Epifanio asks, "Which one of you is Uriel?" Kozar informs him that Uriel is more than a person. Epi replies, "So all of you are Uriel. No wonder you're so powerful." Jane doesn't want to continue with the meeting until Whitaker returns. But we see that one of the "caterers" has grabbed Whitaker and knocked him out.

In Bogotá, Charlie has spotted Sofia walking alone. He gets out of the car and starts to follow her.
 

reina3 Ep. #60 p. 2 of 3

In Mexico City, Jane is concerned that Owen Whitaker hasn't returned. "Please tell the President that someone has to go look for him. He hasn't returned and he's not answering his phone." Epi tells someone that a man is missing--"tall, with light hair and blue eyes. Sound the alarm and tell General Arismendi." Arismendi is concerned. He recognizes that the description fits Whitaker. Kozar is more concerned. She criticizes the Mexican security. Epifanio replies that Whitaker walked out on his own. Kozar says that "if anything happens to Mr. Whitaker, I will hold you personally responsible."

Teresa calls Epifanio.She asks, "What if I help you find Owen?" Epifanio is astonished. "What do you know about this? Where are you calling from?" She tells him she's calling from "right here" and asks, "Is that a new tie you're wearing?" She tells him, "I need you to get your new friends off my back. Since we're under the same roof, let's meet. Face to face. If you behave, maybe we'll be friends again. [He's got to be desperate and/or delusional to believe this.]

In Bogotá, Charlie calls out Sofia's name. She turns around. Charlie is confident that he's got her now--until Faustino comes up in back of him and puts a pistol to his head. Of course, Charlie tries to subdue Faustino. Sofia makes a few crucial moves to help, but ultimately it's Faustino vs. Charlie. Both are skilled fighters, but Faustino is better. He knocks Charlie to the ground and points his gun at him. Faustino says, "If my sweetie were here, she'd tell me not to do this. But she's not here, because you killed her." Charlie replies, "I pulled the trigger, but you dragged her into this." Faustino shoots Charlie. (Yay!!) Sofia has her back turned when he does so. Faustino remembers kissing the dead Rocio as her body is being lowered into the grave.

Ernie asks Garcia about something. Garcia tells him that yes, he still has it, though he was about to throw it out. Ernie tells him to make sure it's in good shape. "And I hope you're good at selfies." (This completely mystified me at first, but it becomes clearer a few minutes later.)

Faustino and Sofia return to the rest of the crew. He looks very serious and tired.

Teresa tells Epifanio she wants to show him a photo that a friend of his sent her. "And by the way, he sends his regards." She shows him a photo of Garcia, I think. He's holding something. I'm not sure what it is--it's small and my screen isn't very large. However, I think it may be the disk that she saved. She asks him, "You thought I was going to give you all the disks? I was surprised by the explosion. Were it not for your friend in the photo, that disk would not be in my possession and I'd be dead." She tells him she's surprised and disappointed that he's working with Kozar, a perra who has done things that caused a lot of harm. He replies that she's not exactly St. Teresa. She points out that the nasty things Kozar and the others did made them millions of dollars. Epi says, "All Kozar is doing is captializing on a business. If she wasn't doing it, someone else would." Teresa accuses him of being cynical. He says he's not cynical, he's practical.
 

reina3 Ep. 60 p. 3 of 3

Teresa predicts that before long, Kozar will get bored with Epifanio and will throw him overboard. He assures her that won't happen. "They need me. They know with me, their business will grow and grow. It's about time we partnered with these [bleeped], don't you think? From now on, I decide who traffics and who doesn't." As he's speaking, we see a close-up of Teresa's badge that is also recording--and broadcasting--what he's saying.

General Arismendi says to Delio, "If you and I don't take Epifanio down, he'll hang us out to dry. Stopping him is the only way we can come out unscathed."

We see people suddenly turning to their cellphones to watch this encounter. Batman is delighted with all that Epifanio has admitted, and says that 400,000 people are connected here.

Teresa explains to Epifanio, "You've just confessed to the people of Mexico what a rat you are." There's a knock at the door. Epifanio goes to open it. An officer of some soft points a gun at him. "You're under arrest." Epifanio protests, "You can't do that! I'm the President of Mexico!" The officer replies, "Everyone saw you on Social Media. If I don't arrest you, someone else will. The officer starts to lead Epifanio away. Teresa begins to leave. She calls Oleg and tells him that there's only one guard at the south entrance, and she'll meet him there.

Epifanio tries to bribe the officer to help him get away. "Come with me and I'll make you rich." Apparently he succeeds. The officer contacts someone else about a truck, and then he says, "I hope this isn't a mistake." Teresa appears and says "Yes, it is" and she shoots him. Epifanio takes out a gun. Teresa, with her gun pointed at him, tells him to drop it. They exchange insults, and then apparently they shoot each other at the same time. Epifanio's shot goes in her leg, but her shot goes to his stomach. He stands there, in seeming disbelief. She then shoots him again, this time in the head. She says, "Now I've avenged my dead."

To my astonishment, we really do seem to have a Happily Ever After ending. Kozar tries to escape to the United States, but we see her apparently under arrest. Ernie Palermo is shown sitting at his desk, having been sworn in as Administrator of the DEA. Bebita is happily blowing bubbles with her son and Susana. A delighted Batman is holding his new baby. Mateo has been set free and strides off with confidence. Paloma goes back with her son. Sofia and Fedor are shown walking together, but not romantically. Then we see Fedor and Oleg embracing. Whereas most of these events take place in the near future, we see Teresa, seemingly in the present with her wounded leg, driving a truck somewhere. She's having difficulty, and she painfully gets out of the truck, goes around to the back, and succeeds in opening the truck's back doors. What she sees is the entire large truck completely filled with huge packages of bills. Slowly, she breaks into a smile as the episode and the novela end.
 

REINA

Juanita, thank you for your most excellent recap of the final episode. Wow! There was nothing better than seeing that snake Epifanio shot in the head! In my mind, everyone is living happily ever after off the all the money in the truck and Teresa has ended up with Oleg and their kids somewhere enjoying life. . . This was a satisfying ending for the saga.
 

reina3

Thank you Juanita for coming off vacation and providing this terrific recap. I have had a lot of changes in my life the last two months and have not been able to keep up. I finally got some time to binge watch this weekend so I could watch the finale last night.

I enjoyed this fast-paced ending and was glad to see Charlie and Epi with bullets in the head! That was excellent! I would have liked to see the White Witch Kozar in an orange jumpsuit. I just wonder how Palermo became the head of the DEA? He was still way slimy in my mind.

The truckload of money made me smile too. Even with all that money, will Teresa and her family be able to live a peaceful life? I thought there was a lot of openings for a new story line or a 4th season. There has probably been discussion that a 4th season is not in the cards, but I would like to see Tesa and Oleg together and what she does with all that money.

Thanks again Juanita, all the faithful recappers and Patio followers!

 

Reina3

Juanita, Novelera, and Dondi, muchísmas gracias for your superb recaps! Your recaps were musts for me -- for the details, interesting language, wit, and sheer fun of reliving the night’s episode.

Loved all the comments on the Patio, sharing insight, history, culture, geography, guessing games, and humor. All win-win.

Juanita, super recap of the finale. You are a doll to write one just after returning from your trip. “We see members of Our Team, all dressed as caterers and all wearing masks, which makes them harder to identify (even, alas, by me).” – I wondered why Our Team didn’t wear eyeglasses to better disguise themselves, but then Viewerville wouldn’t have been able to spot them. ;>

Going in, I thought the finale really needed 2 hours to wrap up, so I’m surprised I’m pretty satisfied, except no way should Ernie be the head of the DEA.

Great seeing Vargas floored by the turnaround and Teresa literally flooring him.

Yay, Faustino took down Charlie and Sofia helped. Stupid Charlie never read “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” doing just the opposite with Ruiz.

No good guys got killed in the finale. So they’ll be around if there's a fourth season. I guess that depends on the ratings. It has been super to see a woman head an action-adventure franchise, and I still think no one can play Teresa except Kate del Castillo.
 

reina3

wow Juanita, a very nice wrap up !!!

and what an amazing ending squeezed into an hour, our good guys weaving in and out of the bad.

interesting camera in Tesa's badge, did Bebita say in an earlier episode she would supply the badges.

the magic money truck, I thought I got a hint this was placed there by the cartels, I would guess it would be a “plata o plomo” for Epi, Pablo Escobar's policy of offering money first or bullets later.

when Mateo danced out of prison, wasn't it then Fedor and Sofia were shown, with Sofia moving forward, as if to happily meet someone, what an interesting way to keep that book open.

I have to say I really enjoy watching our guys and their interesting lives, shot on location in such amazing places. Still amazed at how the graveyard train in the intro looks like it's rolling along as the camera follows the vehicle along side. I'm up for a fourth.

thanks so much Juanita, novelera, and dondi, super job !!!

 

reina3

¡Brava! ¡Esplendido!¡Excelente! Thank you so much for this above-and-beyond recap after having traveled by plane. And not in one of those planes like Teresa has availed herself of during this telenovela, I'm quite sure.

I did think they could have made the events in the finale take place over two episodes, but 60 is what we get.

I would have liked to see Bebita approach Kozar and let her know that she was NOT one of those first ladies who know nothing on purpose.

Well, Charlie, as the end approached, had actually become a rabid dog. Faustino put him down for the benefit of everyone in the cast. I thought it said something about Sofia's humanity that she turned her back. She'd had that guy after her for months but didn't want to see him killed.

I liked Teresa showing Epi the blinking light on her badge. He also said something, IIRC, about being surprised she'd shot him. He was sure she'd have wanted him rotting in prison. And I think that WAS her plan until he shot her.

I did wonder all along about that young woman who's been Kozar's translator. Kozar apparently was willing for her to be privy to all the dirty dealings that were to unfold at that big meeting. Of course, none of it took place. I did wonder how they'd be able to identify all the bigwigs who were there with Kozar since only Epi's admissions were broadcast.

Yes, it did appear that that truck was from at least one cartel. I had to back up and listen again when Delio and Arismendi were talking about it having gotten past security and, I think, having blocked an exit.

I found myself confused about all of the henchmen. I think that was Romo who switched sides from Arismendi and was helping Epi.

I thought it was great that Ruiz called Padre Gonzalo about Charlie's plans to torture Mateo into speaking. He was shown all along as an honest officer of the law and had seen Charlie for what he was. He called him an SOB at one point.

In short, thank you so very much, Juanita, for staying up late and providing a terrific finale!
 

reina3

MANY thanks, Jarifa, VVS, Niecie in MD, and deb, for your interesting and appreciative comments.

Jarifa, I was delighted that you watched the novela and were able to comment from time to time. I just want to echo what was said a day or so ago, probably by dondi. Though I well understand that your participation on the Univision offerings doesn't leave you much time for Telemundo, I too wish you'd been able to comment more often. Your remarks have always been interesting.

VVS, I'm so happy that you were able to binge-watch in time for the gran final. I've missed you a lot these past few months. I hope the changes in your life have been good ones, and that eventually you'll be able to return to more frequent comments and your terrific recaps. Yes, I think we all were delighted to see that both Charlie and Epifanio were, um, permanently dealt with. I know I let out a cheer both times. And while we didn't get to see White Witch Kozar in an orange prison outfit, I was glad that she didn't succeed in escaping back to the States and seemed to be under arrest. You raise an interesting question about whether Teresa and her family will be able to lead a peaceful life. I like the fact that that possibility remains open, and I'd rather leave it at that. Now that Epifanio is dead, the backbone of LRDS no longer really exists. Yes, the characters are still alive, but somehow I'm afraid that more seasons would turn this wonderful novela into La Reina de los Depends (as was/is? the case with El Señor de los Cielos). However, I could be wrong (what??). I remember well arguing against a Season 2, feeling it would simply detract from the amazing Season 1. I was surprised and delighted to be wrong.

Niecie, as was probably apparent in my recap, I had enough trouble identifying the "caterers" when they wore masks. You're quite right--glasses would have totally done me in! I loved your remark about Charlie's never having read "How to Win Friends and Influence People"! As for a season 4, I guess my remarks to VVS above indicate that I'm hoping they leave the novela with three seasons rather than start a new story line for these characters. I don't have much confidence, though, that Telemundo will leave it at 3, unless they can't get some of the key actors to continue. For them, it's not an artistic decision, it's a monetary one. Sigh.

deb, I love the fact that your comments so often point out interesting things that I've missed or know nothing about. I didn't have the impression that Sofia was moving ahead to catch up with Mateo, but I'm not sure that's what you meant. If you meant that she was moving ahead to got on with her life, then yes, I think you may be right (though I didn't think of that when watching the novela). As for a possible season 4, I've already said more than enough about what I think (including an acknowledgement that I was wrong wrong wrong when I hoped they'd stop at the amazing season 1).

Thanks VERY much to all of you!!
 

reina3

didn't someone recover the discs that Epi had, maybe Danilo?

 

reina3

deb, yes, now that you mention it, I think either Danilo did it himself or was aware that someone else had done so.
 

reina3

You wrapped it up in style, Juanita. And coming straight off of a trip, too. Thank you for all your recaps, they were a pleasure. Great final comments from the patio. I don’t have much to add.

Good to see you at the final, VVS. I missed your comments and recaps. I hope all is okay.

The caterer who entered the Salon Almirante and was followed by Owen was Ernie.

Bravo, Ruiz. An honest cop. A satisfying end for Charlie.

The suspicious vehicle. I think that was the narco “lottery” money there, too. ““plata o plomo” ... I watched that Escobar novela. It was fantastic.

Epifanio: “ [He's got to be desperate and/or delusional to believe this.]” He was arrogant. Pride goes before a fall and fall he did. I’m glad Teresa did the honors.

Bebita and Susana are a couple now?

Not sure but, I thought Sofia was walking towards Paloma and Rey.

Don’t think we saw Faustino in that closing montage.

I don’t know what to make of the ending. We go days, weeks, months into the future, but Teresa does not appear in any of those scenes, only in the present one. The look on Oleg’s face when he embraced Fedor was odd. Ernie is the head of the DEA now. Teresa has the cartel money and ruined their sweet deal with Uriel. I think they left an opening for season 4.

 

señor8

This novela begins tonight at 9PM with a two-hour introduction.

From what we know now there have been no volunteers to recap this one. Telemundo y Más is, of course, open for business. Anyone who would like to recap or simply put up a comment is more than welcome to do so.
 

reina3

Thanks VERY much, novelera and dondi356, for your insightful and helpful comments--both today and with your recaps and comments so many times in the past!

novelera, I like the way you described Faustino's killing Charlie as putting down a rabid dog to protect everyone else. And I too kept wondering what the young woman translating for Kozar thought of what she heard and was asked to say. Also, given Kozar's personality, I wouldn't have been surprised if the translator had met with an "accident" if the meeting had proceeded as planned. Fortunately, it didn't. Thanks for clarifying where the truck came from. I wasn't at all sure. Are you saying that the officer who came to arrest Epifanio was Lt. Romo? As I've said before, I have a very bad memory for faces. I didn't realize that that was who he was. And yes, I too was happy that Ruiz called Padre G about Mateo. And Padre G undoubtedly called Sister Margarita, who in turn called her cousin, Faustino. In the standard telephone game, the message would have been corrupted, but this one came through just fine.

dondi356, before I say anything about your comment today, I want to thank you very belatedly for the spectacular recap you did of Friday's episode! I won't say anything more about it at this point except WOW!

As for your comments about the gran final, thanks very much for clarifying who the "caterer" was who entered the Salon Almirante. And yes, I wasn't sure before the episode started whether Teresa would finally put down Epifanio for once and for all. Like you, I'm very glad she did. And it would have made no sense had anyone else been the one to do it. Both Faustino's killing of Charlie and Teresa's killing of Epifanio felt just right. As for Epifanio, I think you nailed it when you called him "arrogant." The perfect word to describe him. I have no idea whether the writers intended us to see Susana and Bebita as a couple at the end. I can only say that I saw them as very good friends, but not involved with each other sexually. But who knows?. And no, I think Faustino was not in the closing montage. The last we saw of him was when he and Sofia returned to the group after he killed Charlie. He looked very tired and downcast, perhaps less because he'd killed Charlie than because he was remembering Rocio.

La Reina del Sur was a superb three-part series. I'd love to see it available for purchase with Spanish and English subtitles. (I had intended to buy Season 1 when it was released on DVD years ago, but to my astonishment, it was available for purchase only in an unsubtitled version.)
 

señor8

Since El Señor de los Cielos 8 begins tonight (for 2 hours), I wanted to let people know that the label to use when posting recaps or comments about it is señor8. I chose that simply because seasons 5, 6, and 7 used señor5, señor6, and señor7. The label should go in the upper left corner, as you can see with this message.
 

"REINA 3"/"ESDLC 8":

Novelera: On the Gran Final from "REINA 3". I wasn't shocked considering Teresa FINALLY whacked Scumbag Epi & my question is who will succeed him as President of Mexico ?

Dondi356: I watched the Season 8 debut of "ESDLC" last night. Something tells me Cabo's winning streak will end one way or another because the Casillas family will eventually come out on top.

Plus what was up with that creepy female DEA agent fondling Aurelio's body ?

Steve Boudreaux
 

señor8

Steve, as I said in an earlier message, if you (or anyone else) send a comment about El Señor de los Cielos 8, you should use the label señor8, not ESDLC 8. Only comments using señor8 will be archived and able to be found by others in the coming weeks/months/years.
 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who picked up on that expression on Oleg's face when he met with Fedor. He looked troubled.
In the last conversation we know they had as they were leaving the event, Teresa told him she would call him when she got outside.
Maybe she didn't call (unlikely) or maybe she called to say goodbye and that she was going her own way, which is very sad, as like many other people, I always wanted Teresa to end up with Oleg.
I don't want to even think about a third option...we know Palermo is head of the DEA and maybe he betrayed her, had her captured and imprisoned to seal his elevated position with the DEA. I didn’t really trust him when he said he wouldn't betray her. I had the feeling he would only turn a blind eye while they were on the mission to bring down epifanio