Caray, Caray!

fam2

Tomorrow (Tuesday), a new Turkish dizi (novela), La Familia, will begin in the 10 PM time slot. People wishing to post messages about La Familia should use the label fam2 (just as we used the label conde when writing about El Conde: Amor y Honor). Because it is important to use these labels, I will probably repeat this message tomorrow and/or the next day.
 

conde

Monday, pt. 1 of 4

To recap-
Most the bad guys are dead: Ramiro, Vicente, Lucrecia, Ramon, Antonio, Felipe. Probably someone else I forgot about.

Some are in jail of a sort: Pedro, who is paralyzed and also probably going to JAIL jail what with all the murders and fraud and stuff. Josie, who is likely headed for the manicomio even though she deserves JAIL jail.

Alive and headed for redemption?: Dolores? She wasn’t really a bad guy, just a spoiled brat, but no evil people stayed alive long enough to get redemption.

Some people seemed like they might be bad at first but aren’t and are exempt from telenovela karmic justice: Cayetana- unreasonably jealous but she never really did anything bad about it. Bombshell with a heart of gold. Violeta- seemed like she might be a stereotypical trophy wife but actually a good stepmother, even to Dolores. Cuban with a heart of gold.

GRAN FINAL!

Ale found out he is David’s father. David found out he is Ale son. Ger is threatening to shoot the boy he raised. But Ale shoots as well as Ger does and shoots the gun out of his hand so David can run away.

He runs into his mother in the hall who tells him to go with Gabi and Nanny.

Ale is about to choke the life out of Gerardo but Mari stops him for some reason. She says then he’d be as bad as Ger but I don’t agree.

The police come in and find out Gerardo has locked himself in the office. He remembers his horrible father telling him he cries like a girl and he’s a coward. It’s no wonder so many murdered live in SJ given the parenting style around here.

And not even 5 minutes in, the cops have arrested Gerardo and lead him out. He tells Mari and Ale that they’ll never forget him and he doesn’t mean that in a good way. So now what???

Ale recounts it all to Memo and Ric, that Ger called David a traitor. They feel bad for him. David feels bad for himself as he talks to Mari and the atelier family. He refers to Ger as “Gerardo Villareal” and says he’ll always feel something for him even though he’s not his real father. Although he doesn’t seem nearly as upset as you’d think he’d be to find out his dad is not his dad. Maybe because of the whole “former dad tried to kill me” thing.

Ric asks Ale what he wants now. What was it all for. Ale still doesn’t feel happy. He’s not sure what he feels but he wants to get Mari and David back.

Mari tells David he has to put this behind him, that it’s not his fault, which duh. It’s her fault for lying to him and el conde’s fault for putting him up to all those articles. David should probably get therapy but instead he gets Lorena, which is fine too. She gives him a big ole hug.

 

conde

Monday, pt. 2 of 4

Raquel comes to see Pedro and he says he’s glad to see her. She doesn’t look glad and asks if he was really lying. He tells her tough because they’re married. She points out that she married the marques and he’s nothing. He wouldn’t even scare a cat. She calls him the devil and Hey! Maybe she’ll meet Brendan! She’s dull but seems nice enough, since no one seems to like my idea of Brendan and Dolores.

David goes to see Ger in jail. Ger is less than grateful and tells David that now he knows why David always seemed weak. Not his kid. David tells Ger that he’ll always care for him, which is so much more than Ger deserves. As David leaves, Ger tells him not to return.

Ale chats in his office with the president (Miguel) and accepts his thanks. And Miguel thanks him for finding out who really killed his parents. And asks why El Conde is so interested in justice and San Jacinto. Ale tells him his name wasn’t always el Conde de Montenegro. He fesses up to his real name and Miguel is shocked. And nothing more comes of this.

Josefina hangs on to the bars of her cell crying for her son. Pau and Amaranta have come to see her to tell her there wasn’t a funeral for Felipe because no one was around to cry for him. He was always a shadow to his mother. Jose yells at her and Pau tells her that Sofia is alive and happy so suck it (or something to that effect). The voices talk to Jose again and she begs for help to Pau, who refuses, and then Jose yells at her to leave as the voices take her to the infierno of her own making.

Caye tells el conde to not give his enemies the power to stay with him (something like that). She tells him not to worry for her anymore. She’s ok and doesn’t want him to give up a chance to be happy with Mariana. They hug.

Nanny and Mari cover furniture at the house. Well, Nanny does. Mari just watches and they talk about leaving the house, memories, etc. Nanny wants her to go to Alejandro

Ale visits Pedro who tells him he’s paralyzed. Ale says he’s sorry but he doesn’t sound all that sorry. Ale reminds him about all the deaths and says he did it all for himself. Pedro points out he was lied to as well by Lucrecia about him being the killer of Beatriz, so not his fault? Pedro doesn’t know why Josefina and Felipe haven’t come to see him. He may not be a marques but he is a Zambrano. Ale lets him know Felipe is dead and Jose is in jail and no one is coming for him. He cries out but no one cares.

Ale comes to see Mariana and gives her something of her father, I think. He lets her know that the marks on the photos she saw were done by Lucrecia. He asks for her pardon and she (I think) apologizes about not telling him about David. Their theme song plays slowly in the background as she tells him she just can’t now. He is sad but says goodbye. I miss the details of this conversation.

Josi calls over the guard and tells him how handsome he is. He’s like, yeah right. She tells him her family is super rich and he says they says she’s crazy. She gives him a flirty smile and tells him she can make him rich. I hope he’s not buying this.

Meanwhile, the lawyer guy that has been investigating goes to see Gerardo and finds that he has hung himself in his cell with sheets. And that's it for Ger.

 

conde

Monday, pt. 3 of 4

Ale reads about Gerardo being dead and says so to Memo. The only thing Ale wants back now is time. Time to get to know David, to get back with Mariana. Ric joins in to tell el conde that he survived and needs to live. They ask about the suitcase Ric has and he says he’s off to Madrid with the woman he loves- Caye! They’re out of there with Ric Jr. Pau and Amaranta are on their own. Carmen and Teresa found a nice place to live. Lots of room now at the Hacienda de El Conde if anyone is looking for a new place.

David comes to Mari with an article that Gerardo is dead. She asks for forgiveness from David for all this and he cries on her shoulder.

Ale later comes to the house to talk to Mariana and finds Nanny, who tells them they all went to the capitol after what happened to Ger. Nanny asks him to please give them time. He gives her a hug but doesn’t say anything.

ONE YEAR LATER

In what looks like a shack that is barely standing. Inside there is a newspaper on the floor with an article about David and Lorena. Fingers flow over that and other papers. They pick one up and the camera pans up an old unfashionable dress to the very unmade face and hair of Josefina.

A big ole dinner at el conde’s where someone toasts the great actresses. They are celebrating Cayetana and Violeta (and her new movie) with champagne. Nice to see that big house not going to waste.

Vio gets a minute alone with Memo and apologizes for not being in touch while she’s been in Spain with Caye and Luisito. She invites him to visit and then says she has something more important to give him. A big ole kiss! He’s in heaven.

Mari is back from D.F. and greeting Pau and Amaranta and Nanny. Pau tells her that Sofia is pregnant! They’re all happy.

Back to the dinner. David comes in while they are eating, which seems a bit rude. But Ale gets up and shakes him hand and leads him into the office so they can talk. David says he wants Ale to accompany him at something and calls him “papa”. All happiness here too.

Ric, Jr. is with Teresa again. He’s back from Europe and brought with him a surprise. Dolores! She hugs Teresa and calls Carmen “mama”! All is well here too! Carmen is so happy!

David proposes to Lorena in front of all the parents. Yay!

Mari is pensively staring at the moon when Ale enters and tells her she’s beautiful. He says he’s waited long enough. She’s like but so much has happened but he doesn’t care. He wants her to think about it and touches her face. He leaves. She smiles as he leaves. Too much happiness all around. It’s a bad sign.

 

conde

Monday, pt. 4 of 4

And guess who is there waiting when Ale leaves? Josefina! With a gun! And a terrible ugly dress! And bad hair! Also the gun.

Josi tells Mariana that she destroyed her life and is going to kill her. Mari asks her to put the gun down but she shoots as Ale runs in just in time to take the bullet. Everyone yells for help instead of actually helping (typical telenovela medicine), thunder rolls, Ale passes out.

Day at the hacienda. Memo plays with Luisito while Vio fusses in the kitchen. Memo wishes Alejandro could be with David like he’s with Luisito. IS HE DEAD?

Josi is back in jail but she says he can’t be there. The voices come out in the dark. She sits against a dark wall, shaking, all alone.

Rainy day. Clouds clear. Caye and Ric are having breakfast with David and Caye tells David to perk up, it’ll be ok. WHAT WILL?

And then we go to the house where Ale is in bed being watched over by Mariana while he gets doctoring from the good doctor. Then suddenly they are horseback riding in a flowery meadow while their theme song plays in a more upbeat way and former scenes of them together run by while I wonder if he’s really alive or this is a death dream. And fade to the bright blue sky and the ending credits. Pretty sure he’s alive? They really should have made this more clear.

But let’s say he’s definitely alive. Josie probably flirted her way out of jail (because they never really made that clear either). Raquel runs into Brendan and they fall in love and have lots of rich bilingual babies, and Gabi grows up and becomes a militant feminist hippie (because it’ll be the 60’s and she's sick of poofy dresses). David becomes the press secretary for whoever follows Presidente Miguel, who has cleared up Mexican politics of all corruption and all is well in the Republic. Happy endings are good!

This was fun. A good old-fashioned telenovela is just what is needed sometimes. I appreciate the darker ones too if they’re well done but it’s nice to see everyone getting what’s coming to them in the end. Sorry to see this one go but we’ll have to leave it in the past, as they all kept saying, and move on (to La Familia?).

K

 

conde

Monday, pt. 4 of 4

And guess who is there waiting when Ale leaves? Josefina! With a gun! And a terrible ugly dress! And bad hair! Also the gun.

Josi tells Mariana that she destroyed her life and is going to kill her. Mari asks her to put the gun down but she shoots as Ale runs in just in time to take the bullet. Everyone yells for help instead of actually helping (typical telenovela medicine), thunder rolls, Ale passes out.

Day at the hacienda. Memo plays with Luisito while Vio fusses in the kitchen. Memo wishes Alejandro could be with David like he’s with Luisito. IS HE DEAD?

Josi is back in jail but she says he can’t be there. The voices come out in the dark. She sits against a dark wall, shaking, all alone.

Rainy day. Clouds clear. Caye and Ric are having breakfast with David and Caye tells David to perk up, it’ll be ok. WHAT WILL?

And then we go to the house where Ale is in bed being watched over by Mariana while he gets doctoring from the good doctor. Then suddenly there is a scene of horseback riding in a flowery meadow while their theme song plays in a more upbeat way and former scenes of them together play while I wonder if he’s really alive or this is a dream. And fade to the bright blue sky and the ending credits. Pretty sure he’s alive. They really should have made this more clear.

But let’s say he’s definitely alive. Josie probably flirted her way out of jail (because they never really made that clear either). Raquel runs into Brendan and they fall in love and have lots of rich bilingual babies, and Gabi grows up and becomes a militant feminist hippie (because it’ll be the 60’s). David becomes the press secretary for whoever follows Presidente Miguel, who has cleared up Mexican politics of all corruption and all is well in the Republic. Happy endings are good!

This was fun. A good old-fashioned telenovela is just what is needed sometimes. I appreciate the darker ones too if they’re well done but it’s nice to see everyone getting what’s coming to them in the end. Sorry to see this one go but we’ll have to leave it in the past, as they all kept saying, and move on (to La Familia?).

K

 

conde

Part 4 might have been duplicated. Or it's gone again. Who knows. I just hope La Familia doesn't require the cheat sheet of characters that this one did. My paper has names all over the place and lines connecting everyone to their parents and their beau. It was complicated. But I liked most of the actors and hope to see them again.

K
 

"CONDE" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
GRAN FINAL:
K: Awesome job with the recap of last night's episode.
1.) Scumbag Villarreal took the cowards way out by offing himself.
2.) Ric & Cayetana are endgame HORRAY!
3.) Ricardo, Jr., went to Europe with Ricardo & Cayatena too.
4.) Carmen & Teresa got their own house too.
5.) Rodrigo & Leticia were barely scene in last night's Gran Final.
6.) Slippery Pedro likely going to prison for the crimes against humanity.
7.) Buji Joise going to the crazy house LOL.
8.) Nobody showed up at Slick Felipe's funeral LOL.
9.) Wondering what happened to Chloe ?
10.) I wonder whatever happened to Margarita ? I'm surprised that was a loose end never resolved.
11.) Miguel becoming the next President of Mexico wasn't shocking. Surprised that the Mexican Secret Service agents weren't guarding the Zambrano House.
12.) Nice seeing Bratty Dolores showed up at Conde Mansion: She hugs Carmen, Teresa, etc., It was nice seeing Memo & Violeta getting their happily ever after including Paulina & Amaranta being together (most likely living in France) & David & Lorena getting married.
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Novelera, Juanita, Darcy, Niecie, K, Dondi356, Susan & Co.,: Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. Here's my personal thoughts on last night's episode.
13.) Francisco & some backup crew successfully managed to get Ana out of the institution.

14.) Daddy del Pino gets pissed off thay Ana escaped & so is Crazy Whacky Fern.

15.) We see Sebastian with Redhead Girl (presumably the daughter of Eugenio & Crazy Whacky Fern) in Cambridge, MA.

16.) Gabriel & Brenda still having issues LOL. I strongly think Brenda will have an affair & get preggers.

17.) I still do NOT think Eugenio is dead because it's way too early in this Telenovela.

18.) Surprised there hasn't been any opening musical credits yet.

19.) Jackass Alonso still Jackass Alonso.

20.) Gullible Elisa is still Gullible Elisa. She has no clue Moocher Roberto is banging Crazy Whacky Fern LOL. Neither does Daddy del Pino have any clue either.

21.) Mirna still better watch her back. I'm worried she might NOT be among the living when all is said & done.

22.) Brenda speaking with her father at his residence about the del Pino family NOT trusting or liking her. Hmm: I wonder why.

23.) Marcelo is Steve Norton 2.0

24.) Assuming Manuela's funeral was held off-screen.

25.) Marcelo & Francisco arrive at del Pino HQ: Francisco introduces himself as Emilio Montenegro to Gabriel, Crazy Whacky Fern & Gullible Elisa.

 

Conde
K, great job. .I love all your asides. I almost thought Josie was in Ale and Mari's old shack.

#4 hasn't reappeared yet but I'm sure someone will retrieve it. Let's just say Josie has a deserving date.

He's all around. The only storyline that sort of confused me was the Dylan one. I really thought he and Ale were pulling the wol over Josie's eyes. Ale's remarks about Dylan being no saint early on sure made it seem like something was fishy with him.

Oh, the folder Ale gave Mari was the titles to all her father's properties which Josie stole from her.

I enjoyed this TN and they certainly kept us on tenterhooks up until the very end!

OT. Post surgery visit #1 today. Currently wearing an eye patch. Probably a good thing as the eye is itching me somewhat. My back is killing me from laying face down. Osteoarthritis is no fun.
 

"CONDE" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Kat in SC: Nice finding out Sofia was preggers again. HORRAY!

My question is whether or not Margarita got her Karma anvil off-screen ?
 

conde

K, thank you so much for that final snappy recap as well as all your snappy recaps .The writers tied everything up quickly and handed out HEAs, I wish the happy happy joy joy had started a bit earlier .

Gee, no wedding ??? After all that Ale and Mari have been through, we don't get to see a happy ceremony ? Bah.

OT..Kat, you are a warrior. Good thought and prayers going out to you.
If you liked Fernando, you must watch him in his historical novelas.. Amor Real, Alborado, and Pasion. Susan

 

OT
Susan, the historical novels are awaiting my increased Spanish proficiency. I started amor real and Pasion when they began the reruns a few months back. They are in my library. The first had no Caray recaps so I quit after a dozen or so episodes.
 

conde

Thanks, K, for the fine gran final recap. A great read as usual. I’ll miss your entertaining recaps and clever comments. I hope to see you again on the Telemundo patio.

This was more about revenge than romance. Appropriate endings for the good and the bad. A typical TN ending, thank goodness not a Turkish dizi one. But they did try to fake us out.

IIRC, the novel had a bad guy suicide, a HEA lesbian couple, someone went insane, and “Mari and Ale” didn’t end up together, but not because of death. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Steve, it was a quick mention, but Memo said Margarita had died. And at the end, she regretted betraying Ale.

Guessing that the prison guard took Josie up on her offer and helped her escape from prison?

The article Josie read: “David Villarreal y Lorena Aguilar la hija del presidente celebráran su petición de mano”. Translated as: David and Lorena, the president's daughter, will celebrate their marriage proposal. I was curious as to how this made the paper beforehand. Pedir la mano:

https://togetherforlifeonline.com/wedding/traditions/pedir-la-mano/

Would have been nice to see a big TN church wedding for David and Lorena. I think a private ceremony would be more appropriate for Mari and Ale.

The other article (we didn’t see the whole headline): “Alejandro Gaitán inaugura se llamará hospital”. Alejandro Gaitan inaugurates the hospital that will be called...

I’m glad Dolores came to her senses. I hope it wasn’t just because she had no means of support. Let Carmen be happy!

Happy for Caye. Ric got his girl! Looks like Ric Jr will get his, too.

Vi and Memo get the well deserved HEA. Luisito was sooo cute!

Kat, Dylan couldn’t wait to get out of SJ and who could blame him. “Ale's remarks about Dylan being no saint early on sure made it seem like something was fishy with him.” I thought so, too, but Dylan turned out okay. Maybe Ale doesn’t care for gringos. I hope all goes well with your recovery.

 

conde

Dondi- I thought it said something about asking for her hand, but then they showed the proposal and it didn't make sense that it would be announced in the paper beforehand so thought I got it wrong. Maybe it was a 50's thing?

The writers seemed to have plans for Dylan but gave up on them. Maybe he was just a little too likeable to make evil,. or they had enough of that going on and had to balance the scales.

K
 

conde

Monday, pt. 4 of 4 (trying again- sorry if it's a duplicate again)

And guess who is there waiting when Ale leaves? Josefina! With a gun! And a terrible ugly dress! And bad hair! Also the gun.

Josi tells Mariana that she destroyed her life and is going to kill her. Mari asks her to put the gun down but she shoots as Ale runs in just in time to take the bullet. Everyone yells for help instead of actually helping (typical telenovela medicine), thunder rolls, Ale passes out.

Day at the hacienda. Memo plays with Luisito while Vio fusses in the kitchen. Memo wishes Alejandro could be with David like he’s with Luisito. IS HE DEAD?

Josi is back in jail but she says he can’t be there. The voices come out in the dark. She sits against a dark wall, shaking, all alone.

Rainy day. Clouds clear. Caye and Ric are having breakfast with David and Caye tells David to perk up, it’ll be ok. WHAT WILL?

And then we go to the house where Ale is in bed being watched over by Mariana while he gets doctoring from the good doctor. Then suddenly there is a scene of horseback riding in a flowery meadow while their theme song plays in a more upbeat way and former scenes of them together play while I wonder if he’s really alive or this is a dream. And fade to the bright blue sky and the ending credits. Pretty sure he’s alive. They really should have made this more clear.

But let’s say he’s definitely alive. Josie probably flirted her way out of jail (because they never really made that clear either). Raquel runs into Brendan and they fall in love and have lots of rich bilingual babies, and Gabi grows up and becomes a militant feminist hippie (because it’ll be the 60’s). David becomes the press secretary for whoever follows Presidente Miguel, who has cleared up Mexican politics of all corruption and all is well in the Republic. Happy endings are good!

This was fun. A good old-fashioned telenovela is just what is needed sometimes. I appreciate the darker ones too if they’re well done but it’s nice to see everyone getting what’s coming to them in the end. Sorry to see this one go but we’ll have to leave it in the past, as they all kept saying, and move on (to La Familia?).

K

 

conde

I am anxious to read part 4.
I saw photos of Mari in a wedding gown in YouTube , so I expected a wedding !! Nope.
Susan
 

conde

Wow, K., thanks for a terrific recap of the gran final. A little earlier, I tried to find your part 4, but as far as I could tell, it simply wasn't there. And that may have turned out to be a good thing. I don't know how much the part 4 you finally put up after rightly giving up hope of the original part 4 being found, but I LOVED your "duplicate"! It captures the craziness of the final part of the final episode so well! I mean, I doubt that the guy Josie tries to confince to let her out did so, but... And then, one year later, we get this very blurry image which finally becomes Josie, free and with a gun. Uh oh. But is this happening? Apparently yes, but.... So I loved your "Let's say that he's [Ale] is definitely alive," followed by your envisioned futures for Raquel, Brendan, their bilingual babies, Gabi, David, and Miguel, "who has cleared up Mexican politics of all corruption and all is well in the Republic." Wow! Not just a happy ending--a delightful, ecstatic one! Why not?

Actually, I really did feel that Ale survived and that he and Mariana are finally together again, riding out on horseback into the future as the novela ends.. Works for me. Again, many many thanks.
 

"CONDE" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
GRAN FINAL HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION:
Dondi356: Ricardo, Jr., & Teresa were obviously endgame. Too bad that Carmen didn't get some lucky fellow too.

Bratty Dolores came to her senses, but I NEVER warmed up to her for obvious reasons.

Paulina & Amaranta getting their happily ever after & most likely living in France with Javier & Sofia, who's preggers again.

Gut feeling Raquel married Brendan.

Now, on to "VENGANZA".

 

conde

Such a fantastic recap of the finale, K! I’m sorry Part 4 didn’t come up right away and I’m grateful you reposted it. Your fantasy HEA’s for the characters who didn’t get one were just perfect. I agree completely that it was so refreshing to lean into an old fashioned novela. The people had to use big old black land lines. The clothes and old cars were a joy to see. I had forgotten how women wore hats everywhere in the 50’s (totally giving it away that I was alive then).

I got a kick out of Cayetana “being exempt from karmic telenovela justice”. The writers toyed with her being a classic “other woman”. Instead, she was portrayed as another victim of greed and injustice, just like Alejandro Gaitán.

Ale’s choking Gerardo Villareal to death would likely have broken the TN golden rule: A protagonist must never harm another character who’s helpless, no matter the provocation.

Yes, there was awful parenting on display. And grandparenting as well (Josie’s treatment of Sofia). And, speaking of Sofia, I would have liked to see Javier and her at the big dining table. I suppose Sofia, being pregnant, couldn’t fly back like Ama and Pau.

I hope to see the young actor who portrayed David again. I thought he was very good. And I suppose they were saying that genes triumph over bad parenting. David never, ever took after his “father” Gerardo.

I have to say I really enjoyed Ale breaking the news to Pedro that he was probably going to be in a wheelchair in prison, maybe wearing that fedora that would look tattered.

I’d have preferred Gerardo imprisoned at La Isla de los Dolores, but Josie being there was a nice touch.

Yep, Josie completely lost the plot. The old Josie would never have shown up at the hacienda with her hair a mess.

I was not happy with the ending. I really felt jerked around with their not showing Ale for several scenes while other characters made noises that could be interpreted as his having died. Then they showed him alive, his eyes opening, and Mari’s joy. But that horseback ride could have been a scene in heaven down the road or reality. I choose to think it really happened.

Sorry to see this one come to an end.
 

venganza

I'm sort of hanging on by a thread with this one. Still haven't seen last night's episode, and I assume Eugenio is really dead. I just feel like I've seen people like the Del Pinos a few too many times. And I'm not feeling patient enough to wait for the worm to turn.
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Novelera: I'm still watching all the way 100 percent.
 

Venganza

Steve, thank you for the recap . I still am trying to figure out all the names.
Susan
 

Venganza
I watched last night's episode today. I don't think the redhead is Fernanda's 14 year old daughter. That is when her birth and death supposedly happened, right? I think she is just the younger Del Pino's son's girlfriend.Steve, we have to forget the stories that preceded this remake.

It does seem odd for the bad guy, Eugenio, to be killed off so early but sure looks that way. Perhaps the house has a sprinkler system that doused the fire after Fernanda left. And he wasn't suffocated by the flimsy plastic bag. If he is dead, then the police will discover he did not die of smoke inhalation. Just like they discovered in Manuela's autopsy.
 

Conde

K, super recap of the gran final. This cast was huge and it seemed like every single good guy turned up. Thanks for giving all their due.

Yay! Ale and Mari and Memo and Vio together forever. Works for me.

The Sendel stand-in for the suicide just did not look like Ger. But I quibble. There was really no other ending for Ger. He knew he could never bribe his way out.

I happened to watch the Drew show today, where all the actresses daringly did not wear makeup. On Conde last night, though her hair and clothes were ratty, Josi looked fine without makeup. Maybe one day Chantal Andere will play a salt of the earth woman, rather than a rich bitch.

 

fam2

Any takers on a recap? Or recaps going forward? Offers have been conspicuous by their absence. My plan was to switch from El Conde to La Familia this week. Sed de Venganza isn't doing it for me. I really liked the main actor in the upcoming Turkish one and assume he'll be good in this as well.
I
 

Fam2
I'll give this one a try. Is it a sequel to fam1?The only Turkish TN I've watched is Toda por mi hija. It was a bit distracting since it was dubbed and I do watch lips as people talk, preparing for lip reading if my ears fail me.....I'm still hindered in my ability for the rest of this week though with my face down positioning.
 

Fam2

Kat, I have no idea whether Fam2 is a sequel to any other dizi/novela. I needed to come up with a label, and I found that "familia" was already taken. I thought about using familia2, but decided that "fam2" was shorter and didn't imply so strongly that "La Familia" is a sequel to anything. The few things I've read about the dizi that's starting tonight made no mention of its being a sequel to anything.
 

fam2

novelera, I wasn’t sure if we would have a patio for this. There seems to be more interest in Venganza. I will watch Familia and l can recap Fridays. Anyone else interested?

No dizi sequel, Kat. I figured, and Juanita confirmed, familia was already taken. There are a lot of TN titles that contain "familia".

 

fam2

I will put something up. I couldn't find a wiki with the cast, my usual crutch for identifying the cast for the premiere. I don't promise to be thorough.
 

fam2

La Familia main cast

Aslan Soykan (Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ) - nightclub owner

Devin Ayden (Serenay Sarıkaya) - psychologist

Hülya Soykan - Aslan's mother

Leyla Soykan Sayici - Aslan's older sister

Tolga Sayici - Leyla’s husband

Cihan Soykan - Aslan's older brother

Seher Soykan - Aslan's grandmother

Ibrahim Soykan - Aslan's uncle

 

fam2

Thanks, dondi, for this helpful listing. If we want more as things develop, imdb has a "full cast and crew" listing at
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21764804/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm
 

fam2

These two leads are so obnoxious. I like them! But showing midriff to meet your 10-minute boyfriend’s monster family seemed a little inappropriate.

This one looks like a keeper so far, although the Spanish is a little harder to keep up with when it’s more modern.

K
 

fam2

La Familia #1 – Part 1 of 3

I’m a bit confused about where we are. We begin in Istanbul. Aslan Soykan, the male protagonist, narrates about how mealtime was everything in his family. It was forbidden to ever be late. We see a portrait of the patriarch and some rather miserable people having dinner.

Aslan and Devin Akin do not meet cute. They’re on a flight to Smyrna (what Telemundo calls it; apparently the Turks call it Izmir). Devin is nervously making some kind of noise with a piece of plastic. Aslan asks her to stop. Rather rudely she asks him to mind his own business. The plane is descending, but Devin keeps looking at her phone. He tells her she has to turn her phone off during descent and tells the stewardess to get her to do so. Then he gets a call and picks up!

They’ve arrived in Izmir. The woman, Devin Akin, is desperately trying to insert herself at the front of a cab line. She says it’s urgent. Aslan offers to give her a ride. She’s rude, but gets in. She says she wants to go to a hospital. The driver of the big black car hears this and off they go. She says a quick thanks and runs into the hospital.

Curious, he follows her. He sees her at the foot of the bed of a laughing woman. Devin jumps on her, furious. The woman is her sister, who thought it was funny to have someone call to say she was near death.

Aslan has run back to the car, not wanting to be seen snooping. He tells the driver to leave, but she’s jumped into the car. She only says to go straight. He gets a call from his mother, Hulya Soykan. We see that she’s looking at photos on her laptop of a woman who has bruises all over her body.

Devin falls asleep in the car. Aslan has arrived at a meeting with his uncle, Ibo. There’s some nastiness about business that I’m not bothering to write. Anyone else, feel free. Devin wakes up, leaves the car and sees Aslan on a big yacht. When the uncle gets nasty, Aslan breaks the glass on the table with the side of his hand and leaves.

His hand is bleeding. He invites Devin to eat something. She tells him her sister, Yagmur, the bad sheep, gets into fights and uses drugs. Devin got a call saying Yagmur was very ill. She rushed to the hospital to have her laugh in her face. She makes some philosophical comments about love either being too much for a person, or not enough at all.

I gathered the older brother, Cihan, is persona non grata at the Soykan house. He’s parked outside wanting to be let in. Aslan tells Devin he has to be at a birthday dinner for his father. He takes a selfie of the two of them.
 

fam2

La Familia #1 – Part 2 of 3

Aslan gets a message, and they race off. I’m very confused. We see Aslan break a window, and they find Yagmur unconscious, having OD’d. They bring her to the hospital for realz, Aslan carrying her in. Devin says it’s her fault, probably because of what she whispered in Yagmur earlier in the day. Aslan comforts her.

Mommy Dearest has made Aslan’s favorite dish with her own hands, refusing to let the cook do so. Big brother is let in. His sisters welcome him, but Hulya refuses to even touch his hand. She keeps calling Aslan. He doesn’t pick up.

Uncle Ibo has sent a big wreath and calls to say he can’t make it. Hulya says he wasn’t invited. He’s called to tell Hulya that Aslan is with his girlfriend, a real beauty, and that’s why he’s not coming to the birthday dinner. Aslan eventually texts his mother he can’t make it.

Devin tells Aslan that her father is a narcissist and her mother bipolar. She tells him she survived this by recording things as if she were writing up a documentary.

At the family dinner we are treated to a bitter (vicious, really) monologue by Aslan’s paternal grandmother. She insults Hulya over and over. Hulya ignores her. Eventually Hulya bursts out that the woman’s son is dead. Yusuf Soykan blew his brains out with a shotgun. Maybe grannie is not all there because she looks shocked. Turns out this happened 5 years ago. Somehow Hulya blames Cihan for the suicide. He was there when it happened but wouldn't or couldn't save him.

Aslan comes home at dawn. His mother is still waiting at the table. She gets up and leaves. He eats the special dish she made.

Devin looks up Aslan and finds out he comes from a sort of crime family, something about online gambling. Everyone expected Cihan to take over since Aslan had distanced himself from the family businesses. [Shades of Michael Corleone, maybe.] Devin’s annoying sister says maybe she’ll be the therapist for the crime family.

Devin has found Aslan at his office. She thanks him for his help. Looks like she had his jacket dry-cleaned. They joke about when to meet. Sunday is selected.

Aslan is at some club when a mysterious woman in a red velvet cape shows up and starts singing. A henchie tries to get her to leave. Aslan says to let her be. She starts saying he’s a monster right into the microphone. She also says she won’t ever quit.

We see Aslan telling his mother to butt out. That woman just wanted attention, but Hulya threatened her and made everything worst.
 

fam2

La Familia #1 – Part 3 of 3

Aslan picks Devin up on the appointed Sunday. She’s dressed to the nines, highly slit skirt and all. He starts laughing, but then apologizes. She’s bored at the best restaurant in Istanbul. These two are great at witty repartee. They leave without eating and end up dancing with some guests at a stranger’s wedding near the restaurant.

They are joking about her being his therapist when she asks how he gets along with his mother. Kinda stops him in his tracks. He lies and says they get along well.

Hulya is with the woman from the club. Hulya spits on her hand and wipes away one fake bruise. The woman says something about Aslan destroying her life. Hulya spells it out. “You had sex a few times and thought you were in love. You thought he’d marry you. But that didn’t happen. You decided to attack him with lies to ruin him.” Looks like she’s right. But the woman fires back that her son hates her (Hulya).

Some henchies look like they’re planting a bomb. Aslan sees the placement on his phone and approves. [Hmm. Is he Michael Corleone or Sonny Corleone?] He and Devin leave the wedding after a very nice kiss. It looks like someone is following them in the car. He drives recklessly and seems to get away.

She’s angry about the speed and tells him she knows about his family. He takes her home. They have a big fight in the car. It seems he’s done his research as well. He mentions Ergun Akin and talks about his perfect family. Even the dog seemed to be smiling. He says she was the problem and Ergun left. She bashes her head into his face and leaves.

Aslan runs back to some car, smashes the window with his foot and starts beating the guy. He brings him to some lair where he’s beaten some more. They get into his phone, and Aslan sees that the guy was sent by his mother.

Aslan comes to visit Devin. He tells her his father killed himself. And he hasn’t been able to say this out loud to anyone until now. His father was cold and unloving. He loved him anyway. He brings out a flask and wants to toast her for her head butt. He says he deserved it. He says what they have in common is that neither of them was loved, and they feel alone. He says he’ll come for her tomorrow. He wants just one chance with her. He’ll take her where she’ll know him better. Turns out where he takes her is for dinner at Hulya’s. He’s called ahead requesting a special dinner. We see him enter, Hulya smile, and then she sees he has Devin by the hand. Her face falls.

I was confused about the plane ride I thought was to Smyrna. The rest of the show was in Istanbul. Oh well. I guess I got the gist. Please fill in details about the big business deal that I just didn’t have the energy for.
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. Here's my personal thoughts on last night's episode.
26.) The del Pino family is still gullible & incompetent.

27.) Elisa seemed to recognize Francisco, who introduced himself as Emilio Montenegro.

28.) Crazy Whacky Fern & Daddy del Pino arguing again OMG.

29.) Crazy Whacky Fern wants to know who visited Ana at the so-called "clinic". One of the orderly nurses said someone did visit, but she didn't tell Goldie Locks who.

30.) We see Private Detective visiting Ana at some secret clinic facility. The woman running the facility looks suspicious, gut feeling she'll blurt her big mouth.

31.) Somewhere along the way, we see Francisco visiting Ana.

32.) Gabriel & Brenda still having issues LOL.

33.) Slacker Alonso still a Slacker: He's based off of Jackass Camilo Elizalde from "MEPS".

34.) We see Sebastian with Redhead Girl in Cambridge, MA.

35.) Following a steady diet of commercial breaks, Fermin's wife & cousin doing their usual yapping.

36.) Elisa & Tania discussing Francisco during lunch.

37.) Marcelo & Francisco/Emilio run into Elisa & Tania.

38.) Crazy Whacky Fern speaking with one of Eugenio's cronies on the phone.

 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Fam2

Oops forgot to list the TN so I deleted my comment and trying again.

Novelera

I certainly appreciate your initial recaps. It is especially difficult when we are learning all new characters. I don't have anything to add, and anything I might comment on would be pure speculation this early in a series. As expected, I get thrown off by the dubbing and watching on a small phone screen is not helping matters. Wonder how long my husband will go without Internet before he beats a path back to spectrum. He will most likely wait to see if they give us any credit for the lost service - we pay in advance....


 

Mobster. Mobster family. Although maybe monster works too.

K
 

fam2

I wasn't sure if Aslan was in on the bombing or not. But there was a scene later of the Uncle and his henchmen outside looking at the ruins of a building. So maybe this is what Aslan was blowing up? Maybe. Seems the family cartel is in construction as well.

K
 

Fam2

Novelera, thank you. You did am outstanding job on recapping this jam packed first episode . It was a lot. I have seen this galan in other dizis , including Amps Prohibition which I am now at the end of . He is a very good actor.

I like the scenery in dizis and the peek into Turkish life that they give us .

The leading lady is quite a firecracker. I don't recognize any of these actors.
Susan
 

fam2

Wow, novelera, I'm amazed and humbled by how you were able to make sense of this opening episode. I kept scratching my head and wondering "where are we?" "who was that?" "what just happened?" "huh?" Needless to say, your recap helped A LOT, and I was at times reassured by your admitting that some things left you puzzled as well.

I have usually found Turkish dizis to be a little easier to understand. Perhaps because they are dubbed, the Spanish tends to be a bit slower and make a lot less use of slang. However, for whatever reasons, I did not find it easy to understand people speaking in La Familia. Perhaps as I get to know who's who and what's what, I will also understand more of the Spanish. ¡Ojalá!

I'm afraid I have nothing to add to your excellent recap. I haven't decided what I think of the characters, with one exception. I developed an almost instant dislike of Aslan's mother. Other than that, the jury is still out. Is Aslan a good guy, or is he a mobster and perhaps a bombmaker like, apparently, others in his family. Does he have a death wish or is he just an immensely skillful driver? Devin too sent me very mixed signals.

Well, thanks to your recap, I'm ready to stick with this dizi, at least for a while. (As I was seemingly being teleported from place to place last night, I wondered whether there was a connection between "dizi" and "dizzy.")

Again, many thanks, novelera, for this immensely helpful recap!
 

fam2

Gracias, Novelera. Amazing job guiding us through the premiere.

Aslan and Devin together were fun to watch. I'm guessing she majored in psychology to better handle her own personal psych issues. I hope she's less brutal with her clients than she is with Aslan. ;>

Aslan's mother is a trip but a sharp cookie. I was totally fooled by the woman with all the bruises and shocked when Aslan's mother wiped them off and dismissed the woman's foolishness.

Cute scene when Aslan arrived at the family dinner table after everyone had left and sat alone before that special dish prepared for him. It was pretty substantial and I was wondered if one person would normally eat the whole thing.
 

fam2

novelera, you are the premier recapper of premier recaps. You covered it all. I appreciate your references to the Corleones. “The Godfather” is a favorite book and movie of mine.

The flight came into Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. Smyrna is the ancient Greek name of the city. It’s one of the Seven Churches of Asia as written in the Book of Revelation. After Turkish independence, the name was Turkified to Izmir. Spanish translation is Esmirna. I was surprised they traveled from Izmir to Istanbul by car. It’s about a 5-hour drive.

From what I understand and remember, the Soykans were/are mafia. Aslan wanted to take the family business legit. I don’t know how well that’s going, but he’s got issues with old school Uncle Ibrahim (Ibo Amca). Aslan spoke about keeping their business dealings separate. They were arguing over a building that Ibo is constructing. Somehow that crossed a line of separation. Aslan wanted him to stop construction. BOOM.

ITA, Juanita, on the instant dislike of Mommy Dearest, Hulya.

Unfortunately, I think we’re not going to get the Turkish soundtrack. Too bad.

There were some edits but nothing of great importance.

 

Fam2
Novelera, your recap was so helpful! I am definitely going to follow this one. I like the main actor who has progressed from being sort of a pretty boy to being a very accomplished actor!
The story is already fascinating with the two leads’ toxic families, and with the psychological input as well! Looking forward to following this with this patio.
Babachita
 

Venganza #6

Closing scene has Fernanda calling Eugenio's lawyer? She hasn't heard from him in a while and she is concerned. The lawyer tells her there was a fire in his house and he burned. She feigns shock and grief. Then mentions that he had told her she was a beneficiary. Is that true? Lawyer says she wasn't mentioned at all. He left all his money to a home for unwed mothers in Dallas.

I'm not convinced he is dead, but so much for her plans for his money.

The young lady in Boston is adopted and has (had) wonderful parents. She feels it would be a disservice to them to search for her bio mom. I still wonder about the 14 years that Fernanda mentioned since her daughter was born and supposedly died. Maybe I heard the #wrong. Anyone else have any insight?

Unlike Steve, I don't at this time have any ominous feelings about the workers at Ana's new sanitarium. I am concerned she may get confused and let her real name slip to the staff. There was quite a backstory to her being drugged that she may not know or remember clearly, especially if they have to wean her off the drugs.

Still wonder if there is a patio for this TN and if it is worth my time recapping, or if I should just enjoy it in the moment.

OT I read some old recaps of Pasion, I believe, where the patio took on pirate names. Just call me One eyed Kat for the foreseeable future....at least I can see shadows out of the one eye now, but with the stitches it is easier to keep the eye closed. I hope doing so protects it from infection.
 

fam2
I agree, Dondi, that, although the music in Spanish is ok, we miss so much without the original Turkish music! I don’t even speak Turkish, but I love the music, especially Toygar Isikli (spelling?)!
Babachita
 

Fam2

Dondi, thank you for all tat information . Here we go.......
Susan
 

SED VENG

I am 'ALL-IN'....with this novela.. [SO-FAR]

I HOPE She stops killin people...!!

So OLD-BOY= Eugenio..??... the BIG-PIMPIN/Mack Daddy'.. is dead...I call him a real pimp ,because.... he 'pimped -Fernanda.....'-all-the-way-out'....He.. ' RAN-SERIOUS-GAME-ON HER -MIND'...I hope he is not dead....Cause we needed to see how he...found,Groomed, dick-ma-tized[sexed] and slowly... 'pimped-walked -her into this life of crime..I bet her parents are alive..[Shades of psycho Katy-East-of-Eden ]....
what is the thrill.. to pleased him..or she just nuts... the lawyer is lying too...
ther is no she can 'choke-out' a 180 pound man ..por favor...something ain't right??
....team Franciso and old girl friend...
..team poor sick..strung out sister in manicomio /hell..

Team ; who ever is doing recapps..!! appreciate it!!!

Turkish dizi...10pm..i dont know..but will check out!! if i can..


 

SED VENG

I am 'ALL-IN'....with this novela.. [SO-FAR]

I HOPE She stops killin people...!!

So OLD-BOY= Eugenio..??... the BIG-PIMPIN/Mack Daddy'.. is dead...I call him a real pimp ,because.... he 'pimped -Fernanda.....'-all-the-way-out'....He.. ' RAN-SERIOUS-GAME-ON HER -MIND'...I hope he is not dead....Cause we needed to see how he...found,Groomed, dick-ma-tized[sexed] and slowly... 'pimped-walked -her into this life of crime..I bet her parents are alive..[Shades of psycho Katy-East-of-Eden ]....
what is the thrill.. to pleased him..or she just nuts... the lawyer is lying too...
ther is no she can 'choke-out' a 180 pound man ..por favor...something ain't right??
....team Franciso and old girl friend...
..team poor sick..strung out sister in manicomio /hell..

Team ; who ever is doing recapps..!! appreciate it!!!

Turkish dizi...10pm..i dont know..but will check out!! if i can..


 

OT

Kat, I neglected to wish you well on your surgery. I had cataract surgery some years ago, but it was not anywhere near as serious as what you had done. I'm glad you're keeping up with the patio during your recovery. Loved "One-Eyed-Kat" for Pasion. I just rewatched the whole thing on UniMas. Can't ever get enough of Fernando Colunga!
 

fam2

Thanks for the kind words, all. And special thanks to dondi for explaining what I missed. I saw them get in the car in Izmir, Devin fall asleep, and then later on they were in Istanbul. Did I blank out on a return flight? She was probably exhausted from the ordeal with her sister and might easily have slept the whole way.

Also, if Aslan is bombing something really shady that Uncle Ibo was doing, then maybe he's off the hook for bombing it. I assume we'll find out the place being bombed had no living persons in there.

Like Juanita, I also find dubbed dizis easier to follow than rapid native speech in the ones recorded in the original Spanish. I could almost get by without Spanish subtitles. Almost, but not quite.

Niecie, I am also enjoying the snappy back and forth between our protagonists. The Turks seem to be immune to really sappy, moony lovers.

Babachita, I'm glad you're joining us.

And, since we do seem to have a patio, I hope we can come up with some recappers. We did pretty well on El Conde. It's been my observation after many years on this blog that, without recaps, the whole discussion dies down.

I've said it many times, but it does bear repeating. It's not necessary to write down every bit of dialog. One could easily put some highlights in one page of Caray to get the comments flowing.
 

fam2

Just a quick reminder that all comments about current Telemundo novelas/dizis should have a label at the top, before you begin your comment. For "La Familia," the label to use is fam2. Using the label helps people find comments about the novela they're watching, and it ALSO means that the comment will be included so that people searching for discussions of a specific novela/dizi will find all messages that have the correct label at the top. Comments without that label will not be incuded. (P.S. For anyone just joining the discussion of "Sed de Venganza," the label for that work is venganza
 

fam2

I'll try to put something up later today. I'd really like to keep the patio going for this. I can recap Fridays. I can't commit to more right now.

 

Fam2
Dondi, I need your recap! I'm soo confused. Who was the girl in the car accident. Are all the scenes in real time or flashbacks, in which case was the girl Devin or her sister, or the girl who claimed physical abuse by Aslan? I'll try to help on recaps when I get a better feel for the cast. I never saw the Godfather, and Mafia stories aren't my thing so this is way different for me.
 

fam2
Kat, I was also confused, but I think it was the girl that faked the abuse.
Hope you are recovering well!
Babachita
 

fam2 #2 part 1

Soykan dysfunctional family dinner. Did Hulya say “all we are missing is the ice”? Plenty of ice at already at that table. Brief introductions. Devin extends her hand to Hulya and Hulya puts her hands on Devin’s face and tells her she’s a beautiful girl. Weird.

Hulya questions Devin—what do you do? I’m a psychologist, Devin replies. Ceylan asks, do you offer family discounts? A little laughter to break the tension. But it doesn’t last long.

Aslan does a complete family introduction. BIL Tolga, the family accounting manager, Grandma Seher, Mommy Hulya, Ceylan (IIRC, the little sister), Sister Leyla, and the grandkids, Kaya and Zeynep. Aslan mentions Aunt Nedret, who is currently in Adana.

Seher asks Devin’s help for her son, Yusuf. He’s depressed. Please speak to him. Deafening silence.

Aslan obsessed girl, Aysel, wakes up in her car, gets out, and calls someone.
Hulya asks Devin, what do your parents do? Aslan steps in to stop the interrogation. Devin realizes that Huyla won’t be stopped. She decides to give a family “summary”. Mother unemployed and bipolar. Devin doesn’t see her father unless it’s urgent. He’s a pediatrician who doesn’t care much for kids. He’s remarried and has a kid, who maybe he loves. Sister Yagmur has borderline personality disorder. She recently attempted suicide but she’s ok now. Stunned Hulya replies, get well (“geçmiş olsun”, literally, may it be in the past).

Devin then turns the tables on Hulya—what do you do? Besides running the household, Hulya is on the board of the Sevdem Foundation that helps orphaned children. She’s a founding member. Devin is impressed and Hulya invites her to come an event they are hosting tomorrow.

Aslan immediately speaks up, “she can’t go.” Devin is ticked, she can answer for herself. She tells Hulya she’ll go.

The someone who comes to get Aysel, is brother Cihan. She sobs in his car.

Aslan explains later to Devin that he was just trying to save her from his sometimes irritating mother. I think she realizes he brought her to dinner to irritate Hulya. Anyway, she warns him not to speak for her again.

Hulya and Devin arrive at the foundation event. Hulya stops to speak with the press. A reporter gets personal and asks about Aslan’s love life. What do you think about your son being a womanizer? Hulya scolds the reporter and walks. We find out Hulya asked this reporter to do this so Devin could hear.

Cut to a burial for Atilla (Ati) Ozyilmaz’s uncle. One of Aslan’s guys complains about coming. Apparently, the families are rivals of some sort. The other guy says to think of this as an opportunity. Ati is inheriting a big position and Aslan is calculating a move. Ati has something to do with TV broadcasting and/or streaming.

Aslan gives his condolences and Ati invites him to a party that night. They can talk business. Aslan is surprised. Ati’s not cancelling the party just because his uncle died.

There’s some tension at the burial between Ibo and Aslan over the building explosion.

 

fam2 #2 part 2

One of Ibo’s guys tells him that Aslan intends to use Ati’s company to launder money.

Hulya knows how Devin and Aslan met and calls it a romantic story. Devin doesn’t quite see it that way. Hulya takes credit for getting Aslan to bring her to dinner. She is happy that Devin isn’t a part of their “world”. And what is that? High society life. A hypocritical world.

Hulya talks about coming from a humble background, like Devin. She met and fell for Yusuf. It cost her, but it was worth it, thanks to the family she has now. She tells Devin, my biggest wish is for Aslan to marry and have a family [she left out: but not with you].

Hulya gives Devin advice, warning her about Aslan. At first, he’ll be pleasant and give you the stars, then later you’ll find yourself alone in the dark. I don’t want you to fall victim to my son’s promises and suffer. [Have you noticed Devin’s body language and facial expression? Arms folded, unsmiling. I think she’s in psychoanalytic mode.]

Devin thanks Hulya. All mothers should be as conscientious as you. I encounter all things in my profession, she says. Some mothers respect their children, but others shamelessly meddle in their relationships. They worry about someone stealing their son.

Devin continues about unhealthy mother - son relationships creating toxic males that commit violence against women. But she snidely adds that Hulya is not that kind of mother. She will keep Hulya’s advice in mind. [She’s got Hulya’s number and let her know it.] Devin gets an appointment reminder and is off. Hulya is left steaming.

Aslan spots Cihan at the family plot. Cihan mentions Aysel’s accident. Two cars tried to run her off the road in the middle of nowhere. He says to tell mom he’s still trying to protect their honor. Aslan accuses Cihan of messing with all the women he’s been with. Cihan replies, I’m just trying to keep hell from breaking loose.

I think Aslan accuses Cihan of not being there in the years since the father has died. Cihan says it’s only been 5 years for Aslan but he’s been around for 30. Aslan begs to differ. If Cihan had been around, maybe their father wouldn’t be in the ground.

Aslan complains to his mom about her and Cihan’s involvement with Aysel.
Hulya rants about Devin. She’s rude. She doesn’t come from a normal family. [pot, kettle, black.] The women you choose are a reflection on you, she tells Aslan. How could you choose that girl? Aslan shuts her down.

Devin has a therapy session with a married couple. They talk about marriage filling an emptiness created by family. Devin might be thinking of her own relationship with Aslan. After the session, she calls Aslan. We need to talk. Aslan senses a breakup coming.

Aslan takes Devin out on a boat. She tries to tell him the relationship is doomed. It’s impossible for two psychos like us to be happy together. They have to shout at each other to hear over the sounds of the boat. Aslan isn’t taking it seriously.

 

fam2 #2 part 3

Aysel is trying to flag a taxi, when Hulya pulls up in a van. Hulya questions her about the accident. She blames the girl for getting in over her head. Greed blinded her. Consider what happened, she warns, you’ve seen what I can do for my son. I’d burn the world for him. Stay away from Aslan. Aysel remains silent. Door opens and Hulya tells her to disappear.

The boat has docked at a yalı (waterside mansion). Ekrem (Eko) greets her. He hands her a dress, and shoes to go with it. Aslan explains he has a business meeting tonight and he wants Devin with him. They can discuss everything afterwards.

Aslan and Devin arrive at Atilla’s party. [she’s not wearing the dress Aslan picked but she’s wearing the shoes.] A party on the same day as a funeral? Aslan says Ati is a bastard. Aslan introduces Devin to Ati. Ati thinks Devin must be special, Aslan doesn’t bring girlfriends around.

Devin gets a call from her stepmother, Sevilay. Sevilay wants Devin to come to her father’s birthday party and apologize over some father-daughter fight. Come, she says, but don’t tell Yagmur. Dad doesn’t want to see her. Devin makes it clear she’s not happy but she will come. Oh, and Sevilay is not telling dad that Devin is coming.

Devin proceeds to down a lot of alcohol. Aslan joins her. She tells him about the birthday party. Aslan invites himself, after all, she met his family.

Ati comes over to discuss business with Aslan. He’s proposing a mafia documentary. People will love it like “The Godfather”. A documentary about Yusuf Soykan, his crimes and good deeds. Aslan points out that Godfather isn’t just about guns, money, mafia. It’s about a family dealing with deep wounds. Aslan asks, do you think it’s appropriate for someone who throws a party after burying his uncle to voice an opinion on family?

Aslan continues, as long as I have breath, I will ensure that no one will cowardly say anything about my father’s life, nor will I allow any documentary. Ati takes it as a threat. Aslan isn’t threatening but warns him if he messes with the mafia, odds of surviving are less than one percent. Aslan and Devin leave the party.

Devin is amused and impressed. They are both in a very good mood. They flirt. He gives Devin a little nibble by the ear. Back on the boat, she sends him a text: your house is closer than mine. They arrive and Aslan excuses the place by saying he’s still settling in. She puts on some music. He goes to get her water.

Aslan returns with the water and finds Devin’s shoes on the floor, but no Devin. He heads up another level and sees Devin’s arm appear from behind a door, holding her dress. She drops it to the floor.

As Susan likes to say, “here we go…” And we are out.

 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Halimacandy, Babachita, Dondi356, Susan, Kat in SC (get well), Novelera, Juanita & Co,: Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family.

*Sebastian & Redhead Girl arrive at the del Pino Mansion & right on cue: the hostile stares begin: Crazy Whacky Fern is openly hostile towards Redhead Girl (whom I think is Eugenio & Fern's biological daughter).

*Slick Alonso is eyeing Redhead Girl: if history is any guide (see "PURA SANGRE" & "MEPS"), he will do something to bust up Redhead Girl & Sebastian's relationship.

*Elisa & Crazy Whacky Fern still hating each other for obvious reasons, but I think Elisa can't get "Emilio Montenegro" out of her mind. I wonder how long before she figures out that Emilio is really Francisco.

*Noticed that Marcelo & Tania were eye-googling each other. Wondering if it means these two MIGHT be together down the road: we'll see.

*Erika, Claudia, Patricia eating lunch at Fermin's house.

*I'm still NOT convinced that Eugenio is dead. I think the sprinklers came on & he managed to escape the fire.

*Mirna: WATCH YOUR BACK YOUNG LADY because when Crazy Whacky Fern wants you dead, you're dead.

 

fam2

Fill in any details. There were cuts to the party. Interaction between Devin and Aslan. Music and dancing.

There were other edits that seemed more important, but I won’t mention them. They might be saving them for the next episode.

Of course, they replaced the Turkish songs. I don’t have time today to track them down for you.

 

Venganza
Great highlights, Steve. I’m sure Eugenio is still alive but wasn’t sure how. Good point about sprinklers. I’m also sure his lawyer is beckoning her to come to a meeting (will reading???) so that Eugenio can spring a trap to catch her. Interesting that Sebastian is close with Eug/Fer’s daughter.
Thanks for the summary.
Babachita
 

fam2

Gracias, Dondi. "She tells Devin, my biggest wish is for Aslan to marry and have a family [she left out: but not with you]." -- lol.

Devin is certainly bold. I love that Hulya doesn't intimidate her in the least.

Two on a boat, so romantic. Funny and realistic that they have to shout to hear each other.


 

fam2

Thanks so much, dondi. I know you have a much busier schedule than I do. I really appreciated the excellent recap (and the asides...spot on).

After, I think, having 3 dizis under my belt, I'm starting to see some similarities. The dizis are much more subtle about characters being all good or all bad. I haven't quite figured out where Cihan falls in this spectrum. And I appreciate reading what Aslan said to Cihan about his propensity for taking up with Aslan's "leftovers". I missed that. But, from what we saw, it's not clear to me that Cihan has any relationship with Aysel other than saving her from Hulya's attempt on her life (or attempt to scare her off, not sure which it was).

I didn't include what Seher (Aslan's grandmother) said to Hulya at the dinner with no Aslan. But it was a total takedown, calling her a greedy social climber who ruined her son's life. So far Seher's description seems accurate. But maybe Hulya does have a good side and the foundation for orphans is not a total front.

Loved your description of the way Devin looked at Hulya, psychoanalysis. And the way she described a toxic mother, all the while saying she's sure Hulya isn't that, was just PERFECT.

I thought Aslan only pretended to not hear Devin on the boat. He was bound and determined to have her come to that party.

Very surprised by Devin's bold move about coming to Aslan's place. For some reason I have a hunch this is not when they'll consummate the relationship.
 

fam2

Is Ceylan the teenager in the house? I wasn't sure if she was a sister to Aslan and crew or the niece/daughter of sister Leyla.

Certainly they all seemed bemused by Devin since Aslan clearly hasn't dated anyone like her before. They know he's met his match.

But the fashion is more revealing than I would have expected. I wouldn't expect complete covering up in Turkey but the thigh-high slits are quite revealing. And those shoes! I'm impressed she could walk in them. But apparently she likes Eko's taste in footwear better than his dress selections.

I look forward to meeting Dad. I think Aslan does too.

K
 

Fam2

Dondi, thank you for the excellent recap and all your insights .

Looks like Aslan is a player like the character the actor played in Amor Prohibido. Type casting?

I have three friends who our therapists , and you have to wonder if they are analyzing you as they listen intently! Devin certainly isn't intimated by Asian or his mama .
Yes, here we go.... . Susan
 

fam2

#3 Wow! These are some incredibly damaged people. Here's a quickie.

As I suspected, there was no sex. Devin took off the black dress and put on the red one he bought for her. They just cuddle, joking about how the worst error of their lives would be marrying each other.

All during the whole episode they keep playing the most awful, sappy ballads in Spanish I’ve ever heard. They should have gotten Christian Nodal who sang the song that ran over the credits in El Conde. I really enjoyed that song.

Hulya storms into a party where Ceylan is swimming with friends. It looks pretty harmless to me, but when Ceylan doesn’t pay attention to Mommy Dearest, she pulls a shotgun and shoots a couple of rounds outside the door.

Aysel is furious, somehow having a video of Aslan and Devin on her phone. It looks like Cihan really is into Aslan’s leftovers because he kisses Aysel.

The next morning Aslan changes up and tells Devin that this is the end of this relationship. He’s only willing to have, maybe, a superficial sex thing with her. He cares about her and doesn’t want to hurt her. She blows up. He says he knew she was going to tell him it was over on that boat. She calls him an idiot and leaves.

Aslan comes to see Seher, his grandmother. She’s all in on Devin and wants him to take her to meet his father.

Aslan seems to taunt his mother, making her believe that he and Devin are a real thing.

Devin argues with her sister, who says she wasn’t invited to their father’s birthday dinner.

Ati, the guy who Aslan threatened at the party after the funeral, has come at Uncle Ibo’s request to meet with him. Ibo does want to participate in the documentary about Yusuf Soykan.

Devin reluctantly goes to her father’s birthday dinner. We see that he didn’t invite her at all and is furiously whispering to his wife about her being there at all. Aslan shows up, all smiles.

Cihan tries to reason with his mother, saying he misses her very much. She’s cold as ice and tells him to stay away from Aslan.

Devin’s stepmother asks about her mother and then the house where her mother lives is mentioned. Devin blows up and goes right after her and her father. She’s irate that, after the terrible father and husband he was, the two of them seem to want to take away the house where her mother lives. Then her father goes off. He rips into her and eventually says he wishes his daughters would disappear.

Aslan slams his hands down on the table. [Fortunately, it’s not glass this time.] He tells the stepmother and son to leave the table. They kept trying to do so when Daddy Dearest was raving, but he wouldn’t let them. Aslan says he doesn’t like to interfere in family relations, but he’s in love with Devin. He goes on a bit about how much she means to him and then leaves.

He’s driving off. Devin runs after the car, catches up. And when he gets out of the car, she asks him if he wants to marry her.