Caray, Caray!

fam2

I plan to continue recapping on Tuesday nights. Any offers for other nights of the week?
 

I’m not able to do this Monday but can start trying again next Monday, although it’ll be like el conde. I’ll get details wrong. This one might be a little harder since some of the vocab seems a little more modern than el conde.
K
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. Here's my super-short recap of last night's episode.

*Praying hard that Ana makes it alive all the way in this Telenovela 100 percent. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

*Marcelo back in Monterrey, Mexico: Big question is whether or not Tania will eventually end up with him in the end ?

*Francisco/Emilio better hope Crazy Goldie Locks doesn't figure out he is Francisco.

*Fermin having marriage problems LOL. His wife is a nagging idiot.

*Brenda & Slippery Alonso doing the hanky-panky again LOL. Gabriel: You are the new Scotty Doesn't Know!

*Sebastian & Monica likely going to face huge roadblocks: Mark my words!

 

Venganza

Steve, thanks for the recap. I haven't seen tis episode yet. Fernando seems very interested in Francisco. Susan
 

fam2

I'll try to post some Monday highlights soon.

 

fam2

Hulya has a punitive prenup planned for Devin. “Make it so she won’t want to sign”. Leyla wonders if her mother fears Devin because she’s not like the others.

Leyla realizes that Tolga is a cheater and doesn’t seem care. She’s more jealous of her ex-boyfriend who died and left this damn world behind. She asks her mother, “would you like to discuss him?” Hulya just walks away.

Devin talks to a fellow psychologist and friend about her encounter with Cihan. “Should I tell Aslan?” Friend advises her to wait and wonders why she’s involved with these people (mafia). Devin thinks Aslan is not like them. He concludes she’s in love with Aslan. He’s worried about her.

Devin gets notifications that Hulya is following her on social media.
Devin drags Aslan to a kiddie birthday party thrown by her married friends, Ezgi and Dani. Aslan also meets Ilkay, Devin’s psychologist friend.

Yagmur is drinking at a bar/café. She calls Devin to ask her for more money. She also asks Devin to talk Aslan into giving her a job. Devin says no and Yagmur steals money from a departed customer’s check to pay her own.

Aslan brings up Devin’s proposal. Ezgi suggests they all go out later to celebrate at a certain club. Aslan quickly makes the reservation because he’s “friends with the owner”. He only makes it for the 4 friends and says he’s too tired to go. They talk him into it.

Aslan sneaks everyone in through the back of the club to avoid paparazzi.
Devin tells Aslan his mother followed her on social media.

Song: Adana Köprü Başı - Evdeki Saat
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7YPAsRS8SE

Aslan spots the cheating Tolga and beats him to a pulp, while guards stand around to prevent anyone from interfering. Devin and her friends are horrified. The friends lead a traumatized Devin out.

Aslan’s men have dinner (it might be at Volta). Eko complains about Aslan attacking him.

Yagmur is at the same place as Aslan’s men. She tells the bartender to put her drink on Aslan’s tab. She’s his SIL. A customer approaches her and suggests she go with him. He’ll pay her well. She goes crazy and smashes him over the head with a bottle. Eko and others move to separate and restrain the two. Yagmur accidentally hits Eko in the mouth.

Eko takes Yagmur outside and after he calms her down, he offers her a ride home. Eko’s car acts up and he stops to take a look under the hood. Before he gets out, Yagmur kisses Eko. Eko checks the car and when he closes the hood, Yagmur is gone.

Ilkay rants about Aslan. The man is a thug! He has bodyguards! He had an insane look. Devin can’t take it and demands to be dropped off in some random place.

Aslan has made his way home. He’s a wreck. He drinks, takes some pills and collapses on the floor. He calls for his dad.

Devin shows up at Aslan’s and breaks a glass door to get inside. He’s having a panic attack and can’t breathe. She calms him down. He apologizes. Don’t leave me, he says. I never will, she replies.

She stays with him even though she knows who he is and knows about his family. She tells him she’s not there to offer therapy or morality lessons, but she kinda does. Did she really say some people deserve a good beating?

Devin makes a big breakfast and they are all smiles as if nothing happened. She blurts out, let’s get married. He smiles and nods. [Does that mean yes?] He gives her keys to the house and a kiss before leaving. After he leaves, she gets a thoughtful look. She looks at the mirror with the writing: “the most dangerous animal in the world”.

 

fam2 #5 part 2

Aysel finds a letter addressed to Cihan from his late father. Start a family, Cihan… find the right woman who will make you a man and turn her into a Soykan. Hamster wheel turns in Aysel’s head. Cihan catches her with the letter. He wants the letter, it’s private father-son stuff. She lies to him about reading it. He tells her his only wish is to be heard. She gives him the letter and apologizes. [I’m glad he didn’t hit her.]

Aslan goes to Ati with some sort of business offer. Maybe to stop the documentary. Maybe to be a partner. But it must remain secret. [I remember someone said Aslan wanted to launder money through Ati.]

Ati asks what will happen if he doesn’t take the deal. Aslan explains that he is a businessman and his uncle is not. One day Ati will walk into his office and find Ibo sitting in his chair and the only place for Ati to sit will be on Ibo’s lap.

Ati isn’t afraid of Ibo. He’s aware of Ibo’s nickname, “titrek”, trembling. A thug afraid to go to prison. Yusuf went in Ibo’s place. He was nicknamed “Trembling Ibo” after that. I’m giving him what he wants, Ati says, we want to make the doc and he’s fine with it. Ati doesn’t care what Aslan thinks.

Hulya is waiting at Devin’s office. In Devin’s chair. Hulya was in the area and thought to return Devin’s clothes. She looked up Devin’s address. Hulya mentions her foundation friends congratulated her on the upcoming wedding. But other jealous people wondered if there was a pregnancy because of the rush. Not to worry, Hulya says, I set them straight. Devin replies, God bless you, Hulya Hanım, always looking out for us.

As a peace offering, Aslan buys Eko the car he saw online.

Hulya apologizes on behalf of Aslan, for the horrible thing Devin witnessed. Devin says no need, she settled everything with Aslan. Hulya gets a text: I’ve delivered the agreement to your driver. Hulya explains that Tolga never got used to being part of the family. Being a Soykan isn’t easy. She asks Devin if Aslan told her about the “family rules”. No, she replies, Aslan and I like to talk about happy things.

Aslan wants to meet with Ibo to talk about the documentary. Ibo is having lunch with Aslan’s “aunt”, a sweet young woman. LOL. Ibo says he’s done talking about the doc. Aslan sends him a message to play. It’s something he might want to include in the doc. It’s the “trembling Ibo” convo Aslan had with Ati.

Hulya turns the convo to Devin’s family, particularly Yagmur. As usual, Devin handles it adeptly. She turns the tables on Hulya and mentions Cihan. Hulya sighs and asks, he came to see you, right? He likes to get involved with the women Aslan dates. There’s a black sheep in every family. Hulya warns, if he ever tries to get in touch with you, don’t tell Aslan. He wouldn’t be able to cope. Call me instead.

Devin appreciates the help but she can’t keep any secrets from her partner. If what you say happens, she tells Hulya, I’m sure Aslan and I will handle it together. You seem to know my son better than I do, Hulya answers. Devin replies, I know myself very well.

Hulya gets up to leave. She tries one last time to bait Devin. You must feel invincible in this office. People tell you everything and it makes sense for you to feel above it all. Those with a tiny bit of power fancy themselves kings. I assume that’s why you became a psychologist.

Maybe, Devin replies, it’s a good analysis. But I think I was motivated by something else. I wanted to protect people from their own family.

And we are out.

 

fam2

Thanks a million, dondi, for giving us something to chew on regarding Monday's episode. It was another VERY interesting one.

I'm trying to be an amateur psychologist and figure out Hulya. Is it that she never wants to lose her "golden boy" and would oppose any woman, or is it that she'd be fine if he married some meek creature who'd be under her thumb? Not sure.

I'm starting to really like Leyla and am very sorry her ghastly mother stuck her with Tolga. Thanks for clarifying what she said to her mother. "Jealous of her dead ex-boyfriend." Did that mean her life is so bad that she'd rather not be alive at all? And now, of course, we wonder what happened to the guy. Hulya?

Thanks for including the names of Devin's friends. I was happy to see she has some. She could easily have been too screwed up to have them, considering her family.

Wow! I completely lost the plot over Yagmur and what she did last night. Maybe if I had a huge television like my son, I'd be able to tell these pretty young women apart better. I thought the woman taking what I thought was a credit card to pay her own bill was Aysel. And...Aysel who had an encounter with Eko. Speaking of Eko, he looks like a weak link, griping about Aslan shutting down his writing about the family. Maybe the gift of the car will put a stop to it.

Turkish meals astound me. In someone else's kitchen Devin prepared enough food for 6 people. Whenever they show a table with food on it in dizis, I can't believe the quantity and quality of what we see.

I thought Aslan offered to by Ati's whole business (TV network, blog, whatever it is) to get him to shut down the documentary about his father. Aslan's cool response to a resounding "no" was perfect. He would let Ati run his business (except for the doc) but Ibo would push him out.

I am loving the way Devin parries every single attempt by Hulya to cause trouble.
 

Fam2

Dondi, wow, thank you for bringing us every moment .

Devin is one tough cookie . It looks like matriarch Hulya has met her match. These Turkish mothers are fierce.

Novelera, Yes, I think Aslan is Hulya's golden boy , and she would like to pick out a nice , meek girl for him whom she could control. Ha .Devin is not meek in any way, shape, or form. Susan
 

fam2

One more thing. I was definitely surprised Devin got over Aslan's brutal beating of his brother-in-law, so quickly. The camera showed her completely shocked when it happened. Yep, she did say that some people could benefit from una paliza (beatdown). I have some sort of spidey sense that another woman, having grown up in a healthy family, would not have gotten over that so quickly.
 

fam2

Thanks VERY much, dondi, for this very helpful recap (yes, I do think it's a recap, not just a list of some highlights).

I was happy to see that Leyla is not afraid to stand up to Hulya. But after who know how many years of life with Hulya, and 17 years of marriage to Tolga, I guess it's not surprising that she envies her dead boy-friend.

I like Ilkay. I'm not sure whether he serves as psychologist to Ezgi and Dani's family or whether he's a psychologist who is also a family member.
Whatever his status, he seemed to reflect my feelings in this episode when, after Aslan beats Tolga severely, a dismayed Ilkay says about Aslan, "The man is a thug! He has bodyguards! He had an insane look." The "insane look" especially resonated with me. Looking at the expressions on Aslan's face both before and after the fight, I wondered if I'd accidentally tuned in to a horror film.

Maybe there was something in the Turkish air that night. Aslan severely beats up Tolga, Devin takes a chair and smashes a glass door to gain access to Aslan's place, and Yagmur smashes a glass bottle in the face of someone who offered her money to come home with him.

The next day, when Aslan asks how Tolga is, he's told the list of injuries includes 1st molar, 2nd molar, cheek, and nose. To Aslan's disappointment, Tolga's jaw remained intact.

I wonder whether Aslan had planned all along to record Ati's remarks, or whether he only pressed record after Ati turned down his offer. In either case, it was a terrific recording to send to Ibo.

For some reason, I assumed that Aslan was at the same hotel as Ibo when he sent the recording. I thought Aslan was on a kind of mezzanine and Ibo on the first floor. I kept expecting Aslan to spot Ibo or vice versa, but apparently Ibo was at a hotel called Sariyer, while Aslan was clearly at the Volta (which he owns, I think).

One of the things I like best so far in this dizi is the mental and emotional combat between Devin and Hulya. And as novelera points out, Devin manages to get the upper hand each time. (So far, at least.)
 

fam2

I was thinking the same thing about all the food on the tables! Do Turkish people really serve up that much? And do they deliver?

When Aslan first met her friends at an outdoor cafe (maybe?), Ezgi wanted to take a selfie of everyone and just before she did, Aslan bent down below the table to remove himself from the phot. She wanted to retake it, but he looked at it (I assume making sure he wasn't in it) and told her she looked good, or something like that so she wouldn't retake it. It wasn't explained so not sure if he's worried about it going to the paparazzi or something more nefarious.

There was also an incident in the nightclub before the beatdown. Aslan had to sit down because of what looked like a really bad headache. So what's up with this? Brain tumor is always a good guess in these things, but maybe less common in Turkey than in Mexico. Some mental issue we don't yet know about related to the writing on the mirror? Why else would he have that on the mirror? It's an odd decoration choice.

But nice to see that at least SHE knows about how glass breaks (looking at you, Mari from El Conde).

K
 

fam2

K...ha. Susan
 

fam2

Gracias, Dondi. Super job. The song clip is terrific. Thanks for explaining the meeting about the documentary and Aslan stunning his tio with the audio recording. I'm enjoying not being able to guess what happens next.

I'm wondering about Aslan's health too. Whatever was causing his distress at the club, surely Aslan knows that's not normal. I thought about poisoning (too much Josie from El Conde?).

I'm not okay with the beatdown of Tolga, but I was impressed with the uniformity and calm of Aslan's men lining up so no one or camera could view it. At the least it's a good sign that Aslan was upset with himself afterward.

Devin is a sharp cookie, but I fear the "stand by your man" no matter what.

Hulya picked Tolga for Leyla. I'd hate to see the female equivalent she would pick for Aslan.

 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
I will post the recap of this evening's episode sometime tomorrow!
Let's just say things are getting jucier 🤔
 

fam2

#6 Part 1 of 3

I’m struggling to imagine an HEA for these two protagonists.

Hulya comes home (from Devin’s office) at the same time as Aslan. She doesn’t say a word. She just hands him that red folder with the prenup inside. He takes a peek and follows her. We see Ceylan griping about having to care for her grandmother.

Leyla steps in front of Aslan and slaps him. Her son looks on. And we can see, in a room in the distance, Tolga covered in bandages. [Leyla better start putting aside some family money for the years of therapy this kid is going to need.] The boy stares at Aslan.

Hulya tells Aslan that he shouldn’t interfere in his sister’s marriage. He starts reading the clauses in the prenup aloud. She’s included the exact sum Devin gets in case of a divorce. The Soykans will control her bank accounts. Aslan gets custody of any children if they divorce, and he gets to say when and where she can see them. He asks her if she’s nuts. Hulya says he shouldn’t break his mother’s heart for a marriage of possibly 3 months. She says that Tolga signed it, and he didn’t complain about it then.

Aslan reminds her that Tolga is un imbécil. He tells her that she’s a control freak. And what really worries her is losing control if he married someone with a spine. He reaches for a framed wedding photo and shows her the innocent bride she was. He asks what happened to her. He says he’s trying to protect Devin from his family. “What would the girl in this photo think of you now?”

Atilla is bidding good night to his employees and on his way out when Ibo arrives (complete with two thugs). He says “Welcome to my channel!”, and says he’s emoting like an influencer. He’s taking over.

Aslan is cooking. Devin arrives. [Has she moved in?] The table is set for two. Aslan hides the red folder with the prenup in a kitchen drawer. All is perfect. They’re kissing on the sofa when she gets a string of texts. They’re from Cihan, but she doesn’t tell Aslan who they’re from. Devin goes to the kitchen, decides to open the bottle of wine on the counter, and opens (of course) that very drawer. She gets the corkscrew but also the red folder. At first she doesn’t look at it, but then she sees the title peeking out.

Devin confronts Aslan about the prenup. He admits that that’s what it is. [Oh boy! Instead of saying his twisted mother drew it up, he says it’s to protect her.] She begins reading it aloud. He tries to speak. She says that his mother wrote it. He replies that she did not [???]. “You drew it up?” She asks if he ever even asked her if she wanted children. The one that really gets her is the clause about her never talking to anyone about what’s in the prenup without his permission. If she does so, the marriage is over.
 

fam2

#6 Part 2 of 3

Devin goes off like a Roman candle. He tries to present it as if she’d have plausible deniability of what his family does. This is apparently what he means by “protecting her”. Devin says that he doesn’t know her at all if he thinks she’d sign that thing. She calls him a narcissist. She throws something heavy and breaks another window! He tells her, and she almost seems to understand, that some of the clauses were to prevent her turning into Hulya. She leaves.

Ibo plays the recording of what Ati said to Aslan about “Trembling Ibo”. Atilla tries to say it was faked. Ibo gives him a folded sheet of paper, saying it’s for their deal. Ati opens it up and sees the Turkish, but the subtitles say tres peniques (3 pennies). Looks like that’s the price for Ati’s TV channel. Ibo gives him a week to decide. He threatens him on the way out. Ibo behaves like he’s the owner and tells the whole staff he wants better ratings.

Devin comes to her office to find Cihan waiting. She tells him that her practice is a clinic. Stop with the texts. Call for an appointment.

We see Tolga sipping soup. Hulya is called outside. Ibo has sent a caregiver for Seher and some guards. She tries to send them away. But the main guy says he only takes orders from Ibo. She calls and tells Ibo she wants the guys gone. He refuses, using his mother’s escape as an excuse. Hulya looks the guy dead in the eye. “Are you leaving?” When he doesn’t, she grabs his gun and shoots him in the thigh.

Apparently, Devin has agreed to a therapy session with Cihan. He starts needling right away, asking why she changed her mind. Maybe they broke up? [Her reason before for not seeing him was it being unethical to see the family member of one’s partner.] She shuts that down.

He begins a story about when he was 9 or 10. The family was in Adana. He and Aslan were out playing. It was night. Aslan didn’t want to go back, and he climbed a tree. Cihan couldn’t get him to come down and fell asleep. Hours passed. It was quite dark. Aslan woke him up saying he was hungry. Cihan took him by the hand, telling him to run. Someone approached saying they’d been searching for the two for hours. Cihan took Aslan by the hand into the plaza. Hulya was there screaming. Hulya embraced
Aslan so hard she might have hurt him. Cihan held out his hands for an embrace and got a slap in the face. “I fell so hard, and she hit me again.”

Aslan was on his way to work but told Eko to turn right somewhere. It turns out he was going to Devin’s office. He comes in and hears voices behind a closed door. He also hears both of Cihan’s hard slaps of his hand on the table, demonstrating what Hulya did to him. Devin’s assistant catches Aslan listening at the door. Devin comes out. She refuses to make time for him, saying she’s with a client. And she also tells him there’s no more “us”. We see Cihan smile from the sofa.
 

fam2

#6 Part 3 of 3

Yagmur calls Devin to tell her that their father put their mother’s house up for sale.

It seems that their mother has been buying thousands of dollars of stuff. [Hmmm. Ergun Akin has remarried and has a teenaged son. It was said, unless I’m mistaken, that the credit card Nase used was his.] Devin confronts her mother about all the stuff she’s bought and confiscates the card.

Her mother says that the things she buys at least make her happy. “And you? You hide behind unhappiness. You can’t even have someone by your side.” [Wow! You’d think Devin would at least have gotten one decent parent.] Yagmur tries to shut this down. Nese calls Devin a coward. Says she was like that as a child, loving funerals instead of birthdays. And her profession gives her pleasure seeing others worse off than she is.

Devin washes her hands of her mother (and I think her sister) and leaves.

It looks like Eko has been tasked with following Devin. She goes into a bar and texts her father to keep his hands off the house. Some rather timid guy approaches and introduces himself.

There’s another miserable family dinner at the Soykan home. Leyla is furious at Aslan, presumably because of the children seeing their father that way. She says that Kaya (the boy) doesn’t speak because he was born in the filth of the Soykans. She says they ruined her life. They shot a man in front of his eyes. [Think she means when Hulya shot Ibo’s henchman.] “You made his father unrecognizable. Where were you, my fine brother, when your wonderful mother married me to this miserable jerk. You’re alike. I hope you don’t both ruin the life of poor Devin.”

Eko texts Aslan to come. Devin is quite drunk, telling the guy at the bar about the prenup. He looks like he’s bit off more than he can chew.

Is this a bar Aslan owns? In any case, while Devin is in the bathroom, everyone is hustled out of there.

The erstwhile suitor knows who Aslan is. We hear his thoughts, thinking he’s doomed. Aslan gets Eko to drive him home, saying he’s had a lot to drink. We get one funny moment right about now. Eko asks if he’s supposed to beat the guy up or give him a normal ride. Aslan: “What are you thinking? Normal, of course.” Eko takes a very cute stray (at least I hope he’s stray) away with him.

Devin comes up from the Ladies. The place is empty. Aslan sits at the bar. [I can hardly wait to hear this conversation!]
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Kat in SC, Novelera, Juanita, RGV Chick, UA, Halimacandy & Co.,: Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. Here's my personal thoughts on last night's episode.

*Daddy del Pino determined to have Ana put back in that awful institution by any means necessary.

*Psycho Goldie Locks hell-bent on wanting Ana whacked. Mirna needs to WATCH HER BACK!

*Gullible Elisa & Tania working out at American Fitness HQ.

*Francisco/Emilio showing his new penthouse apartment.

*Gabriel, Brenda, Sebastian & Co., with the usual blabbing. I cannot wait for the truth to come out.

*Psycho Goldie Locks & Slick Roberto getting it on inside the office when what's her face accidentally saw them. Psycho Goldie Locks give her the death stare! Hmm 🤔
 

Venganza

Additional observations. We noticed a birthmark at the name of Monica's neck. Coincidentally Fernanda has one just like it.

The honeymoon that wasn't. Roberto and Elisa are heading home from Paris. She is not in the mood with her sister missing.

Looks like it is a stalemate among the family on paying the ransom for Ana's return. Alf is still being given the cold shoulder by Fernanda. Emilio is her next intended conquest and he is almost falling for her lies about Ana. Fermin is trying to keep his head straight about her.

Speaking of Fermin, Erika has locked him out of their house since he keeps coming home late with no valid excuse. At least she packed him a suitcase. He shows up at Emilio's needing a roof over his head for the night. In that huge apartment I guess there is only 1 bedroom because fermin is sleeping on the couch when fernanda comes calling.

Brenda was playing musical beds with Alfonso again. Fernanda saw her go in his bedroom.

 

Venganza

Steve and Kat, thank you for the recap. I haven't had a chance to watch his episode . Fernando reminds me of a snake . We is a stone cold killer . She gives me the creeps. I think that the actors playing Roberto and Alonso always play villains .
I have seen the actress playing Moni in many shows as the innocent ingenue .
Susan
 

fam2

Wow, novelera, what a great recap of a rather grim episode of an increasingly grim dizi. I too am wondering whether there's any possibility of a HEA ending for the two disturbed protagonists.

I don't have much to add to what you've said. One thing that surprises me is your saying that in the story Cihan tells about Aslan climbing the tree, Cihan says that he, Cihan, was 9 or 10. Since I doubt that Aslan could have climbed a tree until he was at least 5, that would make him only 4 or 5 years younger than Cihan. Looking at them, I assumed Cihan was MUCH older than Aslan. He looks to be in his late 50s, which would put Aslan in his early 50s if he's only 5 years younger than Cihan. No way!! Aslan looks to be at most in his early or mid 30s. So if Cihan is only 5 years older, Cihan would be in his late 30s. Huh?? I realize that the importance of the story Cihan tells lies in Hulya's responses to her two sons, not in their ages. However, I found their supposed ages quite puzzling.

I was somewhat surprised that Devin agreed to see Cihan. I'm assuming that she wants to understand Aslan and his family better, and listening to Cihan's accounts may help her. I also assume that with both Aslan and Hulya warning her not to have anything to do with Cihan, she's all the more motivated to see him.

Like you, I was dismayed at how Aslan defended the pre-nup to Devin, and his not even admitting that it was Hulya who wrote it. She expresses dismay that Aslan would expect her to sign it, and I certainly agree. I have a very hard time undersanding Aslan, and understanding how the two of them keep coming back together. I guess that's part of what keeps me watching.
 

fam2
Thank you Novelera and Dondi for the recent recaps, and for the music link, Dondi. I have no idea where this is going, but I’m hooked. I find myself rooting for Aslan and “excusing” his scary behavior! That really makes me as scary as they are! I guess I hope those two can escape from the hell of their respective families!
I am worried already about that adorable dog. If something happens to the dog, I may leave!
Anyway, thank you for the wonderful recaps!
Babachita
 

fam2

Gracias, Novelera. I'm finding Aslan and Devin a compelling couple. Why he took credit for the prenup I don't know, maybe self-sabotage. IMHO no way would he insist on sole custody of their kids.

"[Nese] says she was like that as a child, loving funerals instead of birthdays. And her profession gives her pleasure seeing others worse off than she is.

That was pretty cruel from Devin's mom. Mom should analyze herself about why she hasn't gotten over a divorce that happened YEARS ago.

Babachita, that dog is so cute. I am now a fan of Eko for his caring for this sweetie pie.

On the other hand, Eko was willing do no a "not normal" ride with the suitor if Aslan ordered that. So I guess I shouldn't forget he is a mafioso. Novelera, ITA that was a funny scene.

I can't believe Devin will continue with Cihan as a client. Who can trust that Cihan is even telling the truth? How convenient that he is the victim in his tale about sheltering little Aslan in a tree.

Juanita, ITA all you said about the brothers' ages. I was puzzled too when Cihan said he was 10 in the tree story.

I hope Leyla's self-pity gives way to her actually doing something to better herself and her kids. Right now she's a crybaby.
 

Fam2

Novelera, thank you for that excellent, detailed recap. This show is pretty grim , but the sweet , little dog cheered me up.

Watching the rampant dysfunction in both families is awful , and I am still making my way through the final episodes of " Amor Prohibido, "which , at least, has some good characters to balance the bad sad. So far, i only like that dog. Perhaps this show is too dark for me. I don't like all the yelling . However, I will stick with it for now because I enjoy the great recaps. Susan
 

Quite obvious that Monica is Crazy Goldie Locks & Eugenio's biological daughter: I do NOT see this being revealed until somewhere around Summer 2025 LOL (if Telemundo brings this back for a 2nd Season).

Francisco/Emilio getting STUPID: something tells me he'll end up banging Crazy Goldie Locks (she must be one horny woman) & I'm surprised Goldie Locks hasn't slept with any of the del Pino sons yet LOL.

 

I've got a bad feeling the Body Count will be increasing very SOON I'm afraid. Praying super hard for Ana to remain alive throughout this Telenovela & as for Mirna: she knows way too much & I wouldn't be shocked if Crazy Goldie Locks kills her & frames someone for it.
 

So this recap was for Monday's episode. I'm watching it a day late at this point.
 

fam2

Great recap, novelera. Thanks so much.

“I’m struggling to imagine an HEA for these two protagonists.” Well, this is a dizi so it’s possible there won’t be one.

Yes, the prenup. There were differences in what Hulya wanted and what Devin read. There was an edit. Aslan went to see the lawyer, Cagri. He had the lawyer make some changes. They should have included this.

When Devin walked out after the prenup incident:
Song: Küçüğüm/I’m Little (young) - Sezen Aksu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ndSQJtS5E0 with English translation

I checked the Turkish on Cihan’s childhood story. Translation okay. Cihan mentioned he was 8 – 10 years old. No mention of Aslan’s age. TNs and dizis defy reason. That’s why we have beanies. IRL Kıvo is 41 and Nejat (Cihan) is 52.

How I understood it, Ergun was paying for the house and other expenses for Nese. There was no maintenance agreement when they divorced? Shouldn’t that credit card have a reasonable limit?

 

fam2

Hulya is terrible- not sure why Aslan and the siblings out up with this. They aren’t children anymore. But shooting a guy with his own gun was a pretty badass move. Sorry for the guy but Ibo deserves to be told off. Can’t blame Hulya for not wanting him or his people in her house. But she does need a caretaker. Ceylan isn’t wrong to complain. Grannie is a lot to handle.

That puppy! I’m not sure Eko has the fortitude to be a mob employee. He should go work for an animal shelter and be happy.

K
 

fam2

Thanks, all. Juanita, you are much more logical than I am. I just pictured little Aslan climbing that tree and his brother suffering some slaps for not preventing it. Dondi is right; that's why we own beanies, some made of tinfoil and others knitted.

Dondi, thanks for the clarifications. Yes, Telemundo really screwed up omitting that scene where Aslan changed some of Hulya's clauses. But what Devin read out loud still had the part about his getting custody of any children. Why didn't he excise that one?

Welcome aboard, Babachita. This one is definitely holding my attention.

K, ITA, Hulya raises my hackles. My mother was very sweet, and I got away with murder when I was a kid. So I can't imagine living with someone that controlling.

Susan, yep! They found the cutest dog in Istanbul and put him (or her) on a street corner.
 

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Congratulations to Los Angeles Dodgers for winning their 8th World Series Championship this evening after defeating New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series Championship.

 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
I missed last night's episode due to the TV having crazy issues.
Kat in SC: Can you post the recap of last night's episode please ?

 

Venganza #12

Roberto and Fern are seen kissing by Patty. Fern wants Roberto to kill Elisa. Fern butters Patty up by claiming she was acting as a mother figure to Roberto and it was all platonic because he was upset by the cancelled honeymoon.

Alf and Brenda's dad are golfing and arguing. We learn Alf stole Eugenio's half of the family business when their dad died. He made his father's will disappear.

Looks like Sebas is selling condos as his new job. His client is Emilio.

Claudia is caught swimming in the del Pinot pool by Fermin. He tells har to get out before someone from the family sees her. Moni does but she and Claudia bond over being common folk.
Claudia and Erika find a pair of Brenda's underwear in Alonso's bed.

Fern tells Emilio about Eugenio Beltran. Alfredo kind of stole his inheritance, but his father was senile when he changed his will. (Apparently Manuela knew about the other will or Eugenio)
 

Venganza #12 2/2

Fern keeps fantasizing about a relationship with Emilio as she tells Mirna about him.

Of course Erika spills the beans to her sister Claudia about Frank=Emilio, but she tells her to swear not to tell Patty.

More unhappy marital relations between Elisa and Roberto. She tells him she never loved him enough.

Gabriel and Brenda complain about how bad the other's fathers are.

Alfredo puts his foot down, I'm the boss of my house and you are my wife, Fern is dragged back to his bed . he will regret the day he ever met her....

Looks like Brenda's dad wants her to get a divorce or he will disinherit her.

Emilio's Mexican buddy needs to help Emilio determine if Ana is telling the truth about her mother's murder. Fern is messing with his brain and he is starting to believe her lies. He now thinks perhaps Alfredo is the guilty party.
The ransom plans progress. The "kidnapper" demands that Fern deliver the money.

 

I didn't have my cheat sheet of names. I type this up on my phone so it is hard referring back to wiki to get the characters straight.
 

"VENGANZA" HIGHLIGHTS DISCUSSION
Kat in SC; Thanks for your recap of last night's episode. My personal thoughts:
26.) Alfredo is a bigger SCUMBAG than I thought: having Daddy del Pino's will changed & cutting Eugenio off, etc., no wonder why Eugenio wanted to destroy your ass.

27.) Francisco/Emilio OMG: Are you STUPID ? Just as I was afraid would happen: He got hooked by Crazy Goldie Locks' lies about Ana (whom I am scared for her safety at this point) & Marcelo better get over there ASAP to maybe sort things out.

28.) Brenda's father threatens to disinherit his own daughter ? LOL: just wait until Brenda is PREGGERS LOL.

29.) Gabriel: You are still the Telemundo version of Scotty Doesn't Know!

30.) The assassin hired by Crazy Goldie Locks is something else. I mean, really ? Body Count increasing in 84, 83....

31.) Alfredo dragging Crazy Goldie Locks to his bed ? Let me guess: He will violently rape her in order to force her to get pregnant ?

32.) I'm guessing Claudia is the Telemundo version of Gardenia (see MEPS) with the BIG ASS MOUTH: You & I both know that Erika & Claudia will keep Francisco's secret safe to themselves because somebody else will find out.

33.) I would like to know what was Claudia doing swimming in the del Pino family swimming pool ? That girl has some screws loose.

34.) Patty gets the brainwashing treatment from Crazy Goldie Locks: I'd rather see her get FIRED from her job.

35.) Sebastian selling condos: that's your job sir ? He has no idea that Crazy Goldie Locks is concocting an evil plan in destroying Sebastian & Monica's relationship & the trends I've been seeing from Slick Alonso: it's NOT good at all.

36.) Gabriel & Brenda's marriage will be lucky to make it to Ultimos Capitulos.

37.) Marital problems betwen Slippery Roberto & Gullible Elisa escalating ? I wonder how long before Elisa starts getting thirsty for Francisco/Emilio soon ?

38.) Doesn't Slippery Roberto have some nefarious family members who will help in looting the del Pino family business ?
 

fam2

The plot wasn't complex last night. It was great to see happy familia for awhile. Here's what I remember.

- Devin and Aslan make up. Next morning she awakens him with a written stipulation for the prenup. He agrees to it.

- To Cihan's delight and surprise, Devin will continue as his psychologist.

- Following Hulya's request, Aslan invites Cihan to his wedding.

- A week later, Devin awakens to gay music and Cihan dancing among other revelers in the street. He's there to carry her to their wedding at the mansion.

- Eko is taken aback to find out Yagmur is Devin's sister. (He and Yagmur kissed that night he carried her home drunk and adopted the puppy.) Looks like it's a no-no for him to have a thing with a Soykan in-law. She laughs at this -- as there's like nothing between them. Anyway, later Eko gets interrupted before he can confess to Aslan.

- Nice to see so many happy people this epi. Yagmur, Devin's mom, and Leyla are all excited at the pre-prenuptials. Tonga looks healed and happy too.

- Big scare. When Devin arrives at Hulya's for the start of wedding festivities, Hulya, looking stern, faces has her with a hand in a white cloth bag (a gun? I think). After a stare down with Devin, Hulya throws customary beans at Hulya. Nobody noticed amidst their cheers, but Hulya aimed those beans hard at Devin with venom.

Finally we and Hulya find out what Aslan agreed to in the prenup: Devin will not take his last name. Hulya is mortified. Even Layla and her teen sister are shocked.

That's all, folks!
 

fam2

Oops, when I last looked, no one had commented about La Familia's last episode. I decided to try to get things started with just a few things I remembered. As I was putting this together, Niecie came through with a much better version, really a short recap. I thought of not posting what I'd written, but decided there might be one or two details it adds, so....

I don't recall enough to write a recap or even a lengthy set of highlights fo last night's episode. However, in the hope of getting things started, I will mention some things I do remember from that episode.

Devin asks Aslan, why do you make things so complicated? He says it's the only way he knows. She tells him she can't stand it. I think it's in this scene that she then hands Aslan some paper. He asks what it is, and she tells him "It's my conditions. We can either sign this, or not get married.
Aslan replies, "I accept."

We see Devin with her mother, who is very happy that Devin is getting married. She also apologizes to Devin for the things she said to her a few days before.
Hulya, of course, wants the wedding to follow the conventions and send the right message about the family. Thus, she insists that Uncle Ibo be invited. Aslan is not pleased. He says, "What? After you shot his man?" She insists, since Uncle Ibo is family. On the other hand, they shouldn't invite Aunt Nedret, since Grandma doesn't want her. "And you must invite Cihan. It's the only thing I ask." [The only thing??? The only thing this second, perhaps.]
Aslan caves.

There's a scene where Hulya expects Devin to come to her, but the two women seem to be having a contest as to who will move first. Eventually, Devin moves toward Hulya, and Hulya reaches into a white bag she's carrying and takes out small white dots of paper (I think), which she tosses more or less in Devin's direction. I think this is supposed to be a welcoming gesture, but it doesn't come off that way in this scene. At least, not to me. Nor, I think, to Devin.

The only other thing I remember is that Devin announces that no, she is not to be Devin Soykan, she is keeping her maiden name: Devin Akin. Hulya is shocked. I think she consults a lawyer as to whether this is even possible.
She is told "It's rare, but it can be done."

Obviously, there's a LOT more. I hope other viewers will jump in with additions and corrections.
 

fam2

Thank you, Niecie and Juanita for getting us started. I have a few notes. Sorry if there’s some overlap.

The song that Aslan said should be their song:
Sensiz Olmaz/Impossible Without You – Nilüfer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyUu0phZuHQ&list=PLj6Ch-HMTuhmN1xd4lP3Ro-nS08QyK5rg

Hulya isn’t happy that Aslan and Devin will live at his bachelor pad, not at the Soykan estate. Leyla might be slightly envious that Aslan is breaking away.

Nese was thrilled that Devin is getting married. What should she wear to the wedding? Not that ratty bathrobe.

Cihan finds out about the wedding from Devin. He doubts he will be invited. She’s sorry but she can’t keep treating him. It’s too bad. He tells her their session helped him. He slept soundly for the first time in years. Someone finally listened to him. Devin decides to continue with the sessions. She will deal with it if Aslan finds out.

Hulya gossips about Devin with her society friends.

I couldn’t make out all the letters of Cihan’s tattoo when he was scratching his neck.

Cihan continued his childhood story. After she slapped him, his mother called him “cibiliyetsiz” – bad natured, which was translated as “loathsome”. Everyone in the town square heard.

Then at a soccer game, he got in a fight and he was called that name again. He was also called “kâfir”, infidel. Hulya witnessed this and afterwards, held him close. His blood got on her. It was the only time she held him like she held Aslan.

Bad editing and translation of that scene. Cihan says he closed his eyes, he didn’t want that moment to end. He pretended he was dead. He wanted that loving, beautiful darkness to continue. That was the happiest day of his life. Devin answers him, you didn’t really want to die, you just wanted your mother’s love.

I have no idea about the page Aslan ripped out of his book and burned.

Hulya gets a report with pics that show Cihan leaving Devin’s office.

Aslan comes to the kebab house to invite Cihan. He writes invitation for one on a napkin. There are conditions: First, you won’t make a scene. Second, you won’t make a scene. Third, you won’t touch a drop of alcohol. Cihan thanks him for the invite and asks if this is Devin’s idea.

Hulya is with Seher. Hulya talks about her wedding night. Apparently Seher ruined that night somehow. Hulya says she learned how to be a wife and mother from Seher. Seher just babbles about family members. She mentions Nedret—she’s a snake.

Hulya threw a combo of grains (usually contains rice, wheat) at Devin for good luck, happiness, etc. [there’s not enough grain in the world for that.]

Leyla gives her brother a pre wedding talk. He should value Devin, who is worth her weight in gold. She wasn’t as lucky. Mommy comes in to spoil the moment with the last name issue.

I can do a short recap for tonight's show, to be posted on Friday. And I will do my usual Friday, posted on Saturday.

 

fam

Niece and Juanita, thank you . .I don't know what they are sauing, so I only go by the visual.

I guess the writers wanted us to think that weird, ruthless July's was going to pull a gun put of tat white bag. She threw something white rather From in the face . it wasn't rice , but it seemed hard .

When are we going to find out what it is wring with Aslan..those headaches .

Did Devin only have one condition..not taking Alan's last name

What was up with Emo handing bills to Yadmur one at a time before she let him into the apartment?

I liked the dancing in the street.

There was a tender hug between Asian and Leyla. Susan
 

Fam2
Can't wait to meet Nedret, the snake. What a family. Aren't we all just thanking our lucky stars that we are not part of this dysfunctional family...or Devin's.

I think that Devin feels sorry for cihan and truly wants to try to help him.
Susan

Dondi, thank you. Wow, this wedding ceremony should be epic.

 

fam2

Gracias, Juanita, Dondi, and Susan. I thought this was a rich episode and your details and commentary helped me enjoy it all over again.

I'm glad to see Devin's mom get her groove back -- at least for a week. I couldn't quite see all of her dress, but I thought her midriff was showing and was afraid Hulya might look down her nose at her. She didn't exactly but did mouth some BS about not remembering Devin's mom was divorced.
 

fam2

Thanks very much, dondi, for adding substantially to the account of what happened last night. I didn't realize that Hulya was getting a report with photos of Cihan leaving Devin's office. How many miliseconds will it be before she shows this to Aslan?

I loved your comment that followed your saying that Hulya threw a combo of grains at Devin for good luck and happiness: " [there’s not enough grain in the world for that.]"
 

fam2

Susan, I'm not sure, but I think that Devin's "conditions" had just that one condition, about her keeping her name and not take Aslan's. This seems to relate to the beginning of the episode, where she asks Aslan why he always makes things so complicated. Her version of a prenup--containing just that one issue--seems her response to the one Aslan had shown her.
 

fam2

Wow, like in baseball, we got a triple. Thanks to Niecie, Juanita, and dondi for all the great descriptions.

Hulya clearly wants Cihan there to mess with the wedding. Maybe she'll slip him of the alcohol Aslan forbade to get him talking about his new therapist.

From what we've seen of Hulya's relationship with her eldest, it looks like his initially being refused entry to the birthday party for his dead father wasn't only about his supposedly not preventing his father's suicide (or murder). I suspect it will take them a while to explain her feelings about Cihan.

I loved hearing the real Turkish music in the street instead of a sappy ballad.

I know loyal servants are common in both telenovelas and dizis, but after my admittedly small sample size, I think Turkish servants go above and beyond. Eko seems terrified about having kissed Yagmur.

Yep, those were vicious throws of the traditional good luck message from Mommy Dearest. And Devin seemed taken aback at the outset. Is she unfamiliar with this tradition?

So, I have a big question. Niecie said that Devin agreed to the prenup if she kept her name. I don't remember that. Just that she said she'd marry him if he agreed to that, and he did. Are we sure she signed the prenup? I thought not and wondered when this would raise its head.
 

Fam2

I think that Devin was shocked by how forcefully Hulya threw the " good luck" handful right into her face up close . It probably hurt . Guests threw rice at our wedding, and I held up my bouquet to shield my face as we walked out of the church, but Hub was hit in the face . ouch. Hulya is surely going to be a nightmare MIL.
Where's our dog? The bright spot in this grimness . susan
 

fam2

The money stuff, tossing it to the dancers in the streets, giving some to the kids, and to yagmur to be let in looked like tradition. Or maybe that’s just for rich mobster families? I can’t find it online.

I thought those were flowers being chucked at Devin, but I laughed at how she had to duck them and how unhappy they both looked to be in front of each other. This will be a fun wedding.

Especially after the name reveal, although Devin should have asked for more. It lived Leyla’s amused glance back at Aslan as she dragged Ceylon out of the room so he could be yelled at by mom. I like her and hope she gets something good in this show.

K
 

Fam2

Hip hip hooray! We are reconnected to the internet and I can now watch on a TV and not my tiny phone screen. I just finished catching up with this series. Even with a larger screen I wasn't able to see what Hulya was sent on her phone. ( Still can only see out of one eye well so there is that going on to o)I thought it could have been photos of cihan or Aslan. Aslan and Eko mentioned something about being followed so I thought maybe mommy dearest was spying on him.

Now I am getting a better feel for the show perhaps I can do a recap one night a week. Wish it was on an hour earlier though. I enjoyed working with the Conde crew.
 

fam2
Wonderful recaps and comments! I am also feeling fondness for Leyla and hope she finds some happiness!
IIRC there was a very traditional wedding at the beginning of The Ambassador’s Daughter (Seferin Kizi). The groom went to the bride’s house on horseback. There a festive crowd formed outside as the groom tried to gain entrance. The bride’s brother wouldn’t open the door until many bills had been given by the groom. I think the scene in La familia was a modernized version of this custom.
Thanks again for the excellent recaps, etc. Yes, it was thrilling to hear music in Turkish!
Babachita