Caray, Caray!

velvet

Thanks for the recap, novelera. An unexpected treat.

Isabel dropped a bomb last night. Wow. And Emilio had no idea. Benjamin professed to love Isa so much, but he didn’t believe her when she said she was innocent.

I think that the woman from Saghun was TWW at the bar.

I loved Gerardo dressing down Enrique.

I’ll can post a short recap for tonight's show. It will be up tomorrow.

 

jefa #89 part 1

Those kisses were enough to make Gloria forgive Mateo.

Fercho calls Mateo. Laura was kidnapped. Over everyone’s objections, Glo goes with Mateo to help find Laura. Glo uses one of those clever TN disguises.

Yadi mentions the prenatal test. Gael is willing to do whatever Yadi wants to do.

Fercho informs Yadi and Gael about the kidnapping. Yadi contacts the others to help. She also calls Mauricio.

Dani hopes Glo and Mateo get back together.

Glo calls Estrada while in a taxi. The driver begins to get suspicious and pulls up the wanted info on Glo.

This was difficult to watch. Laura is taunted, threatened and then branded! Nacho made threats to harm Miguel. Mono makes contact with the pushers in juvie to grab Miguel and they show Laura a video call. Miguel begs for his mother’s help.

Mateo becomes suspicious of the taxista and pulls his gun on him. He demands his phone.

Yadi, Gael, Violeta, and Alina meet with Fercho. Mau and Dario arrive. Mau asks everyone to see them as part of the group, not DEA. They want to help.

Some of our friends walk the neighborhood showing Laura’s pic to random people. No one has any information. Yadi stays behind with Fercho and calms him down.

Mateo and Gloria strip and tie the taxista and place him in the back of his cab. They warn him to keep quiet and tell him they will send someone to get him.

Glo and Mateo walk up to Laura’s place and find Yadi, Gael, Violeta and Alina out on the street. Glo is told that Mau and Dario are in the apartment and that they are on their side. You can’t tell them I’m here, she says.

Yadi and Alina try to get Mau and Dario to leave. The men become suspicious, but they decide to leave without asking more questions.
Mau wants to stay in the area. He thinks something’s fishy.

Nacho wants Laura to make a call on a phone that even Mateo can’t trace. She’s willing to do it and follow exact instructions. Nacho says, your son will live if you give me Gloria. He claims he won’t kill Glo, he wants to marry her.

Gloria comes to the apartment and assures Fercho she will help. He’s like a brother to her.

 

jefa #89 part 2

Nacho holds the phone and Laura talks to Fercho on speaker—don’t say it’s me. Tell everyone it’s my mom. If you don’t do what I ask, they will kill Miguel, and kill me, too. Fercho complies with the request and heads to the bedroom. Mateo looks suspicious.

Don’t hang up, Laura says, who’s with you? Laura’s friends are visiting, he replies. Laura asks, is Yadira there? Yes. Gael? Yes. Mateo? Yes. Is Gloria there? Fercho hesitates. Laura pleads for his answer. Is she there or not! Yes, he replies.

Fercho asks, tell me where you are and I’ll come get you. She can’t tell him. She asks him to make everyone except Gloria leave. He says he can’t. Laura sobs, I’ll be killed and my son will be killed!

Nacho whispers to Duque, I’ll go after Gloria, you stay here. The call continues. Laura asks Fercho to go back to the living room and talk to Gloria. Pretend you’re done talking but don’t hang up. They want to make sure you won’t do anything stupid.

Duque shows Laura the video of Miguel. She shouts at Fercho, they’re going to kill Miguel!

Fercho does what Laura asks. He tells everyone that Laura’s mom is worried. They were supposed to go to Colombia. He didn’t tell her what happened. We have to find Laura, let’s split into groups.

Glo wants to go. Fercho says it’s too dangerous. She needs to stay. Everyone agrees with him. Yadi says Glo can go out at night. Glo agrees.

Mau and Dario see everyone leave the building. They have no idea Glo is inside. Looks like they follow Fercho and Mateo. Not sure if Fercho still has his phone on.

Miguel is still being held by the bad boys. He shows the video to Laura to keep her quiet.

Nacho is disguised as pizza delivery guy. He enters the premises as someone exits. He goes through the garage and up the stairs.

And we are out.

 

velvet

I get home late wednesdays but did catch a little of both Enrique and Lorenzo getting the grief they deserves. Or maybe I imagined Lorenzo getting fired? I hope not because Raul is back!! Yay!

Unfortunately I missed Gloria being told she could lose her inheritance. Smart thinking on Isabel’s part to leave evidence in Mexico. Or to lie about it. But I hope she doesn’t get weird about Blanca and Max. Those two could use some joy.

And also good for Raul not immediately forgiving Cris. I don’t like when that is done without any show of change or understanding. I don’t think Cris is evil but she is still very selfish.

K
 

velvet #34 part 1

Please, let’s not think about an Albert & Cris baby….

In the not so secret storage area, Blanca offers up a “this isn’t what it looks like” to Isabel. No worries, Isa replies, you don’t owe me an explanation. Ana asked me to get something from here. I didn’t think I’d find you here.
Someone else is coming, and of all people, it’s Pepita. Isa raises her voice—Max, thank you for showing me where the fabric is. Isa addresses Blanca, now I know I need your permission to be here, Sra. Blanca. Let’s go, Max, you’re a nice kid.

Blanca asks Pepita, what do you want? She replies, they’re looking for you in the atelier, Sra. Blanca. Blanca leaves and Pepita looks upset.

Pedro comes down to the lobby and tells a man standing there that the store is closed. That man is Dr. Pants. He’s waiting for Marga. Pants gets a call and steps away from Pedro to take it. Pedro eavesdrops. Pants tells the caller that he has an emergency surgery, he will be late tonight. What do you mean he won’t do chores? Put him on the phone, make it a video call. Son, what’s with not doing chores? We hear the kid—I’m playing, Dad. Pants orders, you have responsibilities, son, do your chores. The kid answers, okay, Dad.

Ana and Raul talk in the atelier. He tells her he’s not going to waste his second chance. She asks, will you show me your sketches for a new collection? No, he replies, I’m going to show you your designs. He made some slight modifications to some of them. She loves them.

Ana gets a message, Carlos is waiting for her. Is it a boyfriend? Raul wants the details. Ana tells him it’s someone from Sahgun Global. But, shhhh… Raul is shocked.

Blanca asks to speak with Isabel about what she saw. Isa says she doesn’t have to explain. Your private life is not my business. All I say is be more careful. Thanks for helping me, Blanca replies, if not for you, Pepita would have caught us… Pepita and Max…

Isa starts, well, that’s the heart… it’s capricious. At our age, we know what’s best for us and what isn’t. We can tell the difference between passion and love, right? Blanca, I’d love it if we could be closer. That’s why I’d like to tell you the truth. It was favoritism that got me this job. I didn’t deserve it. But I have a very good reason why I need to be here. I’m a good seamstress. It’s true I know nothing about haute couture, but I promise to study. I’m sorry to have taken the job from someone who deserved it. But it won’t be for very long. I’ll be at Velvet a short time. Blanca replies, alright, again, thank you for not betraying me. You can count on me, Isa says.

Pedro rushes up to Marga and Pants. This guy’s lying to you! He’s fooling you! I overheard him call someone “darling” and another person, “son.” Your boyfriend is married with children. Pants chuckles, I was talking to my nephew, and the woman is my sister. [so why did the kid say “Dad”?] He says Marga knows this. Pants shows his phone to Marga as proof. We don’t see what he shows her.

Why are you doing this, Marga asks Pedro. Pants jumps in, he doesn’t want to see you happy. Pants asks Pedro about his girlfriend, Susan. Isn’t she living with you? Pedro mutters, girlfriend…no… Marga is very disappointed in Pedro. I thought you wanted me to be happy, she says, but you don’t.

Enrique is still at the office. He’s drinking. Val enters. Celebrating Raul’s return? Enrique says his father forced him. Gerardo always does whatever makes his sister happy. Val commiserates, Alberto was always more important to my father, and my mother always thought I’m a nobody. They both state they hate their families.

 

velvet #34 part 2

Val takes Enrique’s glass and starts to sip in a very flirtatious way. I thought you wanted nothing to do with me, he says. Val answers, that hasn’t changed. Oops, she spilled a little on herself. Enrique approaches Val. He wipes that drop of whiskey off her and licks his finger. They start to get busy but are interrupted by a call from Barbie. He doesn’t answer. They get back to business all over his desk.

Carlos tells Ana that Sara is still in the city and agreed to have dinner so she can see your designs and see the difference. She mentions that Raul helped her with the designs. He says he will do all he can to convince Sara. They kiss and Albert shows up. It’s uncomfortable.

Carlos shakes Albert’s hand. I have great news. Ana interjects first, Carlos and I have been dating for a few weeks, before you signed the contract with Sahghattan. Carlos explains they met on Albert’s wedding day. A coincidence. Ana adds that Carlos mistakenly received Cris’ dress. Carlos hopes this news doesn’t affect the business deal. Not at all, Albert replies. Carlos gets back to talking business and says Sara agreed to see Ana’s designs. He proposes the three of them go to her.

Emilio and Isabel come home. Ana won’t be with them for dinner. She has a meeting with Carlos to help close the deal with some stores. Emilio is happy she’s seeing Carlos. Isa is not so happy. And she doesn’t think Ana is over Albert. Emilio points out that Albert is married.

Isa notes, Alberto isn’t happy with Cris. Do you see how he acts when Ana is near? He got married out of self-interest. She adds, I don’t like Carlos. Emilio thinks she’s only defending her son. No, she replies, there’s something about him. There’s an emptiness, it’s like he’s playing a character instead of a real person. Emilio likes Carlos. Isa counters, not me. He’s too perfect. I don’t trust him. [I think some of us on the patio have wondered about Carlos’ sincerity.]

The three meet Sara at the restaurant. She didn’t expect Ana and Albert. Carlos explains what happened in the morning was a misunderstanding. The designs you saw were not Ana’s originals. Albert adds, Lorenzo Spinetti altered them without my consent. Ana says, I have the originals and Raul de la Riva made improvements. She hands them to Sara. She doesn’t let any of them sit at the table.

Ana asks, do you like them? Sara replies, whether I like them is the least of it. I canceled the contract with Velvet. Only my father can renew it. The best I can do is schedule a meeting with him. He’s only available the day after tomorrow…in Miami. Is that a problem? Albert answers it’s no problem. Sara tells Ana she has to be there, too. Albert immediately agrees to everything. Carlos and Sara look at each other and it seems suspicious to me.

Sara says they cant bring digital or paper sketches. They need to be actual models. My father only buys concrete ideas, she says. He doesn’t understand fashion concepts. Ana notes they only have one day to make everything. Sara says she has no doubts it can be done. Now if you don’t mind, I’m having dinner with Carlos. Ana and Albert leave. Carlos sits. [I don’t know what those looks between Sara and Carlos mean.]

Gloria is at home, drunk and crying. She’s looking at something on a tablet. Val arrives. What’s wrong mom? Time, Valeria, Glo replies, I was like you once. My whole life ahead, filled with dreams, believing in the promises of love. Look how I ended up.

Val takes the glass from Glo. Glo continues, at your age you think time won’t catch up with you and you won’t make the same mistakes as your parents. We’re alone, Valeria, you more so, because you have nobody who loves you. You only have me.

 

velvet #34 part 3

Pedro vents to Rick about that “infeliz”. I bet he has a family and is making a fool of Marga. Susan appears. Peter is asleep, she’s going to take a shower. She asks Pedro, can I have a massage when I get out? He agrees! [Pedro is a fool like Marga.] Pedro admits to Rick that he loves Marga. Rick asks if he’s in love with Susan too. No, Pedro replies, I’m only helping my son. Rick warns, if she’s here, it’s because she’s serious about you.

Pedro explains his father left his mother when he was very young. He doesn’t want Peter to experience the same. Rick asks, how will you do that? Be with a woman you don’t love? Stop doing what others want. [and get a DNA test, too.]

Ana and Albert have a drink at the bar. Albert says, I didn’t think it would be so hard to convince them. Do you think you’ll have everything ready? Ana says she can do it. She’ll work on patterns tonight and tomorrow the girls will help.

Albert places his hand on hers—thank you for your dedication. Winning this contract will be a relief for the company. She thanks him for giving her the lead on the project. He’s going to give her a raise. Albert starts to look at her in that certain way. She pulls away and says, let’s wait until we meet with Mr. Sahgun. Hopefully, he’s not as “special” as his daughter. They laugh.

Albert starts “looking” at her again and she says she should go. He wants her to stay and talk some more. He asks her how she’s doing outside of work. She says she’s good. He asks about Carlos. Does he treat you well? Are you happy with him? She replies, why are you asking these questions? He responds, I thought we could still be friends.

Ana snaps back, you expect me to tell you about the person I’ve just started dating? Do you think that’s right after everything we’ve been through? Albert explains, I only want to know that you’re doing well. Don’t worry about my personal life, she answers, it was hard enough to get you out of it only to drag you back in as a friend. I won’t do it. Good night.

Isabel asks Emilio about Blanca. Emilio says Blanca is a complex woman. She closed herself off from the world. Isa thinks that Blanca is opening up again. She says, I had a very interesting conversation with her today. Emilio recounts, Blanca started working at Velvet at a young age. She met Esteban and fell in love with him. Isa knows he’s Benjamin’s brother and Ben always said his bro was a little irresponsible.

Emilio laughs, a little? Back then he (Esteban) was young and handsome, and she (Blanca) easily fell in love. Isa says she knows how that story goes. Emilio says this is different. Esteban never returned to Velvet. He wanted wealth without working. He found a British heiress and left. Isa asks, he left Blanca alone and pregnant with his daughter? Emilio says yes but quickly corrects himself. She’s not Esteban’s. We never knew anything about her son. Later, Blanca fell in love with a firefighter, married him and had Jennifer. He died in 9/11.

How sad, Isa says. Blanca became a tough, bitter woman, Emilio says, but she’s the best manager that Velvet has ever had. Isa thinks, it’s unfair. It’s as if Blanca was frozen in her pain. I understand her better now. Emilio asks, what do you understand? Nothing, Isa replies, just women’s stuff.

 

velvet #34 part 4

Max is back with Blanca… in bed. She still has misgivings about their relationship, about their age difference. It’s no problem for him. She tells him he has so much to experience yet. He says he wants to experience it all with her. Max asks if she’s afraid Isabel will out them. Blanca says that isn’t the case, but she warns Max to be very careful, especially with Pepita. She is obsessed with him. Max asks for forgiveness and says he won’t mess with Pepita anymore.

Luisa is panicking again and Rick is there for her. She’s only heard what’s on the news reports. Francisco died of a gunshot. They suspect a crime of passion. Nothing about the blow to the head. Rick reasons that’s because it wasn’t the cause of death. Was anyone else in the apartment? Luisa says no and there was no gun either. Rick says don’t worry anymore. You had nothing to do with it. Forget that bastard.

Teresa calls Luisa. She doesn’t take the call. Rick assures Luisa it will be okay. He’s with her. Get some rest and forget this. I’ll stay on the couch, so you won’t be alone. She hugs him.

Ana comes home and Isabel asks how it went. Ana says they might be able to close the deal. We were given the chance to present the designs but I only have one day to make everything. We must present prototypes. And I also have to travel to Miami to present the designs in person to Fernando Sahgun. Ana adds, I’m not going alone. Alberto is going, too. Isa is happy, Emilio is not.

And Cris isn’t happy about Albert going to Miami. She wants to clear her schedule so she can go with him. He says there’s no need. He will be busy all day, and he won’t have time for her. Besides, it’s only for one day. She asks if he’s going with Mateo. He tells her Ana is going. She’s the designer and Sara asked her to be at the meeting. Cris isn’t pleased to hear this. Albert says if she wants to go and spend the day in the hotel, that’s fine, but he won’t have a minute for her, not even dinner. Cris thinks she can help if she goes. Albert thinks it’s better for Cris to say. He tells her not to make a big deal of it. He gives her a little kiss.

Isa is convinced that Ana and Albert are still in love. Emilio calls Albert a spoiled brat who got everything he wanted. He doesn’t know what love is. Isa responds, if he had it all, he wouldn’t be in love with your niece. Do you know what love is? It’s what we’re missing in our hearts. We fall in love because the other person has the piece we’re missing. The other person makes us feel complete. We fall for one’s soul, for companionship.

Emilio looks lovingly at Isa. But he’s sorry, he can’t support a relationship that has no future. How sad, Isa replies, I feel bad for them, and for us. Impossible love doesn’t just make the main parties suffer, it affects the people who love them, too.

Alessandro tells Gloria not to believe Isabel. It’s just a destabilization strategy. Gloria doesn’t agree. You think she’d threaten me if she didn’t have something? She suspects me. She knows somebody sent a hitman to her house to kill her before she could run away with Benjamin. What she doesn’t know is that it was me. She should have died that afternoon.

Ale replies, at least we passed her off as that hitman’s lover who was planning to manipulate Benjamin and was only with him for self-interest. Glo switches to Albert. He doesn’t belong to this world. He’s not like us. He shouldn’t even be living here. He should live in that filthy town with her. I can’t let Alberto or that woman take my inheritance.

 

velvet #34 part 5

Teresa comes to Velvet and requests to see Luisa. She came because Luisa didn’t answer any of her calls or texts. She starts, I think you know the tragedy that occurred. We see the flashback of Tere shooting Fran. She asks, aren’t you going to give me condolences? Luisa gets nervous. Tere warns her to act normal, don’t draw attention. Luisa responds, Sra. Teresa, I swear it was an accident. Tere stops her, she doesn’t want details. He’s dead, Luisa. I’m a free woman and you are not guilty.

Luisa doesn’t understand. You didn’t do anything, Tere replies, you were never there, and this conversation never happened. Luisa still doesn't understand. Tere continues, you get what you deserve in life. And my husband deserves the best dressed wife. I want something special made for me. I need this same dress (what she’s wearing) but all in black. If you do that, I’ll be eternally grateful and indebted to you. We’d be even. Can you do this?

Isabel speaks with Blanca in the atelier. This is not coming from me personally, but Ana asked me to have the seamstresses ready to sew immediately. Blanca says we’ll split the atelier into two teams. I’ll give you the privilege of choosing first. Blanca and Isabel explain the circumstances to the seamstresses. Marga speaks up. She can’t go with Isa. Raul interjects that Marga belongs with him. Luisa walks in and Isa immediately chooses her. [I wonder who will take Pepita.]

Barbie stirs the pot with Cris. Alberto is taking the seamstress instead of you? This smells fishy. Cris says it’s only for one day. Barbie replies, it’s 24 hours next to that “resbalosa” (slippery, manipulative one). Cris tells her not to say that, it turns her stomach when she thinks of them together.

Barbie says she wants Cris to analyze this objectively. The seamstress proved how loose she is. She tried it with Mateo and when that didn’t work, two weeks later she was with… Cris answers, Carlos. Barbie asks, do you know anything about him? Cris says no.

Cris and Barbie agree this is suspicious. Barbie pieces it together. We found out that Ana was with Mateo after she was caught alone with Alberto. And then we find out Ana and Mateo broke up. Mateo was with the secretary and Ana has a “new novio”. And Ana wouldn’t introduce him to us at the restaurant. You think she’s lying, Cris asks. Let’s find out right now, Barbie replies. Enemies must be directly confronted and not given the chance to escape.

Luisa tells Rick what happened with Teresa. Rick asks if Tere asked for anything in return. Luisa tells him about the dress. And that Tere said she would not return to Velvet. Whatever debt would be paid. Rick thinks this means that Tere will protect Luisa. You didn’t kill her husband. Luisa cries happy tears, it means she won’t be separated from her son.

Luisa thanks Rick for his support. He replies, I’d do anything for you. He quickly qualifies, and for any woman in trouble. You remind me of my sister. [yeah, right.] I don’t know if Luisa is relieved or sorry he added this. She responds, I’ll tell you something kid, the woman who ends up with you will have won the lottery. You’re a great man, Rick. Thanks, thanks, thanks. She’s gotta run. It’s obvious Rick has more than friendly feelings for Luisa.

Carlos meets Ana out on the floor at Velvet. He won’t take much of her time. He gives her encouragement. She thanks him for helping with Sara. He says Sara is dramatic, but she recognizes a good deal when she sees it. Isabel spots Ana and Carlos and watches them. I’m not sure if she can hear them. Carlos tells Ana he has to fly to Portland. He can’t see her tonight but promises to celebrate with her when he returns.

 

velvet #34 part 6

Cris and Barbie show up at Velvet. Cris is ready to kill Ana if Barbie’s theory proves true. Oooh… they spot Ana and Carlos… Carlos Aristizabal, making out right there in the store. Barbie says this is better than a novela. She can’t take her eyes off them. Cris tells her not to look.

Barbie and Cris gossip in the elevator. Ana and Carlos Aristizabal? So unexpected. Barbie snarks, at this rate, she (Ana) will be first lady in two years. Cris is relieved. Barbie apologizes for worrying Cris. But better safe than sorry.

Cris understands why Ana would want to keep that relationship under wraps. But she wonders why Ana is with such a rich guy. Barbie calls Ana an olympic level social climber. Let’s hope she doesn’t fall from on high. Cris just hopes they are happy and never break up.

Barbie recommends that Cris let Alberto go to Miami alone as a show of trust. You don’t want him to think you’re jealous and possessive [like she really is].

Gloria has called Val to the conference room. Her lawyer is there, too. Lawyer Javier shows Val a document. Property Transfer Agreement. A big list of properties. Val asks, what is this? You have an apartment in the Bahamas? Among other things, Glo replies. Why didn’t I know, Val asks. Nobody knew, Glo says, not even Benjamin. Up until now, only Javier and I knew.

Val asks, why tell me now? Glo answers, because from now on, everything I have will be yours. I want to put the entire inheritance in your name.

And we are out.

 

OT/"JEFA"
Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. Happy 4th of July!

Dondi356: Looking forward to seeing your recap of last night's episode.
 

velvet

So Sara and. Carlos are siblings? (Guessing because they don’t seem married). Not sure why this has to be kept secret but I’m sure Carlos would have a good explanation if it’s true.

Valeria. Girl. Enrique offers nothing. Go to YOUR real Bahamas apartment and find someone else. Also, how did Gloria get all these properties and why didn’t she sell one to save Velvet and become majority shareholder? Seems like it would have been a smart move to pass the store on to Valeria and stick to Alberto at the same time. Would have a boring novela though.

What, exactly, does Luisa owe Teresa? There says they’d be even but seems like she owes Luisa way more for the whole “you need to get with my rapist husband” thing”. But if this protects Luisa, then fine, I guess. But Luisa still needs to be careful around this one.

K
 

velvet

Wow, dondi. MANY thanks for this, um, "short recap." :-) Seriously, I found it immensely insightful and helpful.

To my surprise, Mr. Pants seemed well-prepared for Pedro's accusations about the phone call. Except, as you note, he said nothing about the boy calling Mr. Pants "Dad." Oops.

So Isabel is on Team Alberto while Emilio has chosen Team Carlos. I have had good feelings about Emilio up til now, and even his rooting for Carlos didn't change that. But, as you note, later in the episode he looks lovingly at Isabel but says "he’s sorry, he can’t support a relationship that has no future." That seemed an uncharacteristic and cruel thing to say to Isabel. (It's clear to me that he's talking about Isabel and himself, not about Alberto and Ana, since he regards Alberto as "a spoiled brat who got everything he wanted" and "doesn’t know what love is.")

Thanks very much for your discussion of Blanca's history. So Jennifer is the child of Blanca and the firefighter she married. Am I right that we still don't know who fathered the son Blanca gave up soon after he was born?

I've never been sure what to think of Carlos. Mostly, I've liked him, but last night's episode raised a bit of doubt. I saw what I decided was a smirk on Carlos' face as Ana and Alberto were leaving Carlos and Sara after meeting with Sara. And Carlos also tells Ana that he has to fly to Portland and can't see her that night. (Gee, Carlos, thanks for all the advance notice.) The plot thickens.

Rick is turning out to be a one-person help squad. He not only offers to sleep on the couch in Luisa's apartment so she won't be alone, he also gives very good advice to Pedro (who certainly needs all the good advice he can get). Now if only he'd push Pedro to get a DNA test.

What's with Marga's saying she can't be in Isabel's group, and Raúl immediately saying that yes, Marga belongs with him?

Hmmm...two nights in a row, I've been surprisingly impressed with Cris. Though Barbie is just spewing snobbish judgments about Ana, Cris apparently understands that a relationship between Ana and a major player in the company Velvet is trying to impress is a relationship best kept under wraps.

I'm still a bit uncertain about Gloria's wanting to put all her inheritance in Valeria's name. I assume she's trying to protect it from Isabel's claim to it, but the details are still somewhat murky. Will the plan succeed only if Isabel is dead?

Again, muchísimas gracias
 

velvet

Hi K. Interesting thought about Carlos and Sara being siblings. But if that's the case, why would Carlos have a different last name (Aristizábal) from Sara's?

I assume that Gloria stole money from Benjamin for years after they were married, and she bought properties with the stolen money. Good question, though, about why she didn't sell one or more of the properties to save Velvet and become majority shareholder.

By the way, I keep thinking of your "sucks" and "doesn't suck" categories, which I love, and I find myself wishing we had one worse that "sucks" and one better than "doesn't suck." Sort of like the grades F and A+. Any thoughts?
 

velvet

Thanks K and Juanita. Great comments. I know I venture into tl;dr territory but when the story gets interesting and they start dropping bombs, I can’t help myself. I’m also trying to help myself remember details for later. Anyway…

K, you do have an interesting theory about Sara and Carlos. They are keeping us off balance there.

I thought that Teresa was going to frame Luisa, but it doesn’t look like it right now. She must want something more than a dress. And Rick is getting in deeper.

I’ll also guess that Gloria is trying to protect her ass—ets by giving properties to Valeria. Val may be out of wedlock but she’s still Benjamin’s daughter… or is she? What’s her whole history with this Alessandro?

I can’t quite remember but Gloria might have tried to get more company shares. That might have been when she was colluding with Pilar. Maybe someone else remembers.

Juanita, I have mixed feelings about Emilio, but I think he really loves his niece. I also think he’s conflating his history with Ana’s situation.

“What's with Marga's saying she can't be in Isabel's group…” Not sure, but maybe she and Raul don’t like how Isabel showed up out of nowhere and got a job. They are Team Blanca. But they don’t know the whole story.

Dr. Handsomepants keeps getting a demotion. Dr Pants, Mr. Pants, Pants. Where’s that anvil when you need it?

Waiting for K’s answer to the suck/doesn’t suck question.

 

jefa #90 part 1

Gloria is on the phone with Mati. Mati is worried it’s dangerous for Glo to be out. What if one of her friends betrays her? Glo doesn’t think that will happen. Nacho busts into Laura’s apartment during this call. He points a gun at Glo. Did you miss me? Because I missed you. Do you have the nerve to insult me here as you did on the phone?

Mati hears what’s happening and she calls Erna to listen. Nacho found Gloria.

Glo asks will you kill me in Laura’s apartment? He tells her he’ll take her someplace special. He has a surprise there. Glo wants to know how he found her. A loving bond, Nacho replies. Did you forget we were supposed to marry?

Glo thinks back to Fercho asking everyone to search for Laura and wanting her to stay behind. She realizes Nacho threatened Fercho. You used Laura to scare him?

Mateo assures Fercho they will find Laura. I hope so, Fercho says, because I’m doing the unthinkable for her.

Cut to Duque holding the phone with Fercho and the phone showing Miguel. Laura cries, Fercho would do anything for me and my son. Please don’t kill my son. I won’t, Duque says, but he could die and it will look like an overdose.

Nacho’s not wearing his pizza delivery disguise anymore. He tells Glo he branded Laura but she’s okay. You can invite her to our wedding. As for her kid, I’m not sure. I used him to apply some pressure, but he’s still breathing. How dare you, Glo says, what kind of person are you? Don’t blame me, Nacho replies, you’re the one with the toxic friendships. It took her seconds to betray you.

Glo defends Laura. She did it for love. But you don’t know what love is. You only love yourself. Nacho says maybe it’s because the person I love tore my heart out. Glo says that’s not love, but obsession. You told Duque to kill my father, kill my husband, to kill the baby in my womb. To get close to me? You’re a psycho.

Erna calls Mateo and tells him not to put it on speaker. Don’t say it’s me. She fills him in on what Fercho did and now Nacho has Glo in the apartment. Mateo tells Fercho that his father is sick, and they need him to send money for his treatment. He tells Fercho he will catch up with him later.

Mau and Dario see Mateo split with Fercho. They decide to follow Mateo.
Nacho says let’s go. Glo asks him to let Laura and Miguel go. You have me. Glo says you gave them your word you’d let them go. Nacho calls Duque to let Laura and the kid go. Laura realizes Nacho is with Gloria. She shouts, Gloria, I was deceived! I’m sorry! Glo leaves with Nacho.

Mati is scared Glo will be killed. What can Mateo do? Let’s call the police. Erna says no. They cops are out to get Glo, too. Mati doesn’t care, at least Glo would still be alive. Erna says if Glo goes to jail the cartel will kill her there. Have faith that Mateo will rescue her.

Duque gives the order to let Miguel go. But warn him to keep his mouth shut. Warning is delivered.

Laura thanks Duque. She will also keep her mouth shut. Duque says he’s not letting Laura go. Gloria wanted it and he won’t take orders from her.
Nacho leads Gloria through the garage. There’s a man there and Nacho points his gun and warns him to stay away. He tells Glo he’ll marry her and lock her away. They will have the best night of their lives.

Not so fast. Mateo comes running up the street and points his gun—let her go! Nacho turns and uses Glo as a shield. He holds his gun to her head. I’ll shoot her. Mau and Dario pull up and draw their guns. Nacho declares, I’ve never been caught and today won’t be the exception.

 

jefa #90 part 2

Nacho starts to drag Glo away. She hits him in the gut and runs towards her rescuers. She also pulls out a gun. Nacho is outnumbered. Not so fast. Cars pulls up behind Nacho. An army of men appear. Look who’s outnumbered now.

Fercho begs Duque to let Laura go. Laura yells that they let Miguel go. Duque smacks Laura and hangs up. The others catch up to Fercho and ask what happened. He’s frantic—Duque is going to kill Laura! He comes clean about the betrayal and says Nacho has Gloria.

Miguel manages to jump into a dumpster when the guard steps away for a moment.

Fercho and the others show up to the standoff. Shooting starts. Fercho overtakes a thug and grabs his gun. He starts shooting wildly. Nacho shoots Fercho. Nacho makes the call to retreat. Dario gets shot. The narcos leave. Mau runs to Dario. Alina is there, too. Poor Fercho lies in the middle of the street alone.

Miguel is taken out with the trash.

Ambulance arrives for Dario and Fercho. Fercho says he’s a traitor, he should be dead. Yadi tells him not to say that. Gael adds they know he did it to save Laura and Miguel. Gloria will understand. Yadi and Gael tell the cops they didn’t see anything, they came afterwards. Gael worries about Yadi and the baby.

Dario is still alive. He’s loaded into the ambulance. Alina is distraught.

Nacho returns empty handed. He’s livid. That Colombian show up to save Gloria. And then the two DEA agents. Nacho notes that Duque hired that Colombian. Duque cops to that but Gloria fell in love with Mateo. Now Duque is sure that Glo is working with the DEA. Duque tells Nacho he didn’t let Laura go.

Laura is locked in a spare bedroom. Nacho enters. He grabs her by the hair—Gloria got away. I had her in my hand, and thanks to your damn friends, I lost her. Laura answers, I did everything you asked. Nacho tells her that her boyfriend betrayed her. The Colombian, the DEA, Yadira and her boyfriend all helped Gloria. Laura can’t believe it. He tells Laura he shot Fercho.

Laura starts to scream, and Nacho chokes her. Nacho is so delusional, he thinks he’s choking Gloria. Duque comes in and stops Nacho. It’s not Gloria! It’s Laura and she’s of use to us if she’s alive. She’s the bait to catch Gloria and her people. Nacho comes to his senses. They leave Laura. She cries for Fercho.

Hospital vigil starts for Fercho and Dario. They are in surgery.

Yadi can’t believe that Duque is still alive. No wonder they didn’t mention it on the news. What if he learns about the pregnancy? Gael says he won’t let anything happen.

Duque gets word that Miguel escaped. Nacho thinks the kid will go home. Duque says he’ll contact Mono to check it out and pick up the kid.

Miguel does head home but he sees the cops around. A neighbor sees him and asks why he hasn’t been around. Miguel says he was at a cousin’s house. He asks the woman what happened here. She says there was a shootout. Miguel asks about Fercho and his mother. The woman says let’s ask the cops. Miguel runs away.

Glo and Mateo have made their way back to the safe house. Dani asks if something bad happened. He’s told nothing happened. He says that Aunt Erna said you and Mateo might be patching things up. Or at least on speaking terms. Mateo says that’s true. He’s doing what he can for Glo to take him back. Erna tells Dani to go check on the baby. Dani realizes they just want him gone so they can talk about adult stuff.

 

jefa #90 part 3

Glo says that Fercho was shot. She doesn’t know if Laura was released. She can’t stop thinking about Miguel. Erna thinks Laura and Fercho got what they deserved for their betrayal. Glo scolds her sister. They did what you or I would do to save our children. Erna says Glo is right. Glo laments how everyone around her get hurt or dies. Mateo tells her he’d give his life to save her.

Yadi and Gael speak with a doctor about a paternity test. She wants to do an ultrasound first to confirm the pregnancy.

Miguel wanders. He bumps into a guy and takes his phone. Miguel video calls Dani. He’s out on the streets. I looked for you online, he says, but you weren’t connected. Dani says he’s connected to a neighbor’s Wi-Fi but it doesn’t always have a signal. They don’t really want me to go online or make calls.

Miguel asks for Dani’s help. My mom was kidnapped, he says, I came home, and no one is there. I have nowhere to go. Dani says, I’d give our location, but I don’t want to ask my mom. She doesn’t want anyone to show up here. Miguel says he has no money. Dani says he will try to come meet Miguel and bring him back. Then his mom can’t say no.

Yadi has the ultrasound. They see the baby. Doc says it’s about 6 weeks. They hear the heartbeat. Doc says everything appears to be normal. I think they are falling in love with the baby.

Anderson is at the hospital and he’s annoyed. What the hell? What happened to Dario? Mau explains they were about to capture Nacho Perez but his army showed up. Anderson asks, how did you know they were in that building? Were you tracking him? Why didn’t you notify the agency? Mau says they were just investigating a lead. It turns out a friend of Gloria Guzman lives in that building.

Anderson says, Gloria and Nacho were together? She’s still working for him. Mau clarifies, Nacho was trying to kill Gloria because he knows she made a deal with us. Anderson notes that Mau always defends Gloria. He asks, are you interested in her on a personal level? [we say, yes.] Mau denies it. Anderson reminds him about Esther and now Dario is in serious condition. If he doesn’t make it, you’re fired.

The doctora returns. She says if you are still thinking about terminating, just take this pill.

Anderson meets with other DEA agents. He tells them he’s now in charge of capturing Nacho, Duque and La Jefa. They are working on hacking into narcos’ phones. It’s just a matter of time. They are having trouble with Gloria’s.

Gloria calls Dani. He doesn’t answer. Dani is gone. Looks like he went through a small window.

Dani walks down the street. He finds Miguel. He says let’s go. Miguel worries that Gloria will kick him out. Dani is sure she will let him stay. Miguel asks, did you tell her? Dani replies, no, then she wouldn’t have let me go. Miguel asks if he knows anything about his mom. Dani doesn’t know.

Mono is searching for Miguel. He spots the boys and make the call to Duque and Nacho. He found Laura’s kid and Gloria’s kid is with him. Nacho is thrilled. He says forget the other kid, bring me Gloria’s kid.

And we are out.

 

velvet

Dondi, I've never come upon anything you've written that was tl:dr. ¡Para nada!

I loved your observation that Dr. Handsomepants is getting demoted. Repeatedly. From Dr. Pants, Mr. Pants, Pants (and then perhaps P. and then p.).
 

velvet

That was such a good recap, dondi. Thanks a million. I agree with "let's not think about a Cris/Alberto offspring".

Pepita is supposed to be obsessed with Max? He was drunk as a skunk and yearning for Blanca. How good could that one-nighter have been?

It was good to see Blanca off her high horse with Isabel. [Of course, Chantal Andere has had decades upon that high horse.]

Marga and Pedro and Pants. [¡Ya basta!]

The Spanish word for how I feel about Valeria is better than the English translation: decepcionada. By this I mean STILL having her bones jumped by Enrique.

What's with the arrogant, almost sociopathic female designers? Is this meant to be a feminist statement that women can be as nasty as men? First, we have the Alondra woman who initially sent Ana packing for arriving 5 minutes late. And now we have Sara, apparently the heiress to a big chain store empire...who also treats Ana like crap.

I haven't been crazy about the Carlos actor, but I wasn't suspicious of him until Isabel was. I can't really imagine what his ulterior motive is for courting Ana.

Serious about Pedro? I think Susan is serious about living in an apartment in New York City rent free. They keep saying she can't stay there if she's not an employee, but I assume a spouse could do so. Pedro's kind of too dumb to live. Someone needs to walk past him 20 times a day with a huge white sign saying, "DNA TEST, DUMMY".

Cris is so needy and desperate and, down deep, kind of understanding "he's just not that into you" that anyone would go off her.

Juanita, the father of Blanca's child who died in foster care was Esteban, the kind of ne'er do well brother of Benjamin Márquez.

I hope they're going with the "other shoe already dropped" by Teresa's conversation with Luisa.

I keep thinking Telemundo is pulling my leg with Barbie. That frozen, perfectly made-up face. Have they shown her feet ever flat on the floor or are they curved like Margot Robbie's in the movie.
 

jefa

I caught up. Thanks so much for the terrific recaps. But your writing seems to be putting lipstick on a pig, dondi! I felt like gagging through that long torture porn sequence with Laura. I was thinking: Oh for Pete's sake, just kill her off if you're going to do so anyway.

Are they really going with Nacho getting his hands on Dani?

That actor playing the gringo DEA boss is intolerable. I have a teeny, tiny bit of curiosity about what he's going to say, so I force myself to listen to that ruptured Spanish. If Dario, Mau and Anderson are supposed to be norteamericanos, then why don't they just have all the DEA guys speak English and let us hear Mau and Dario sound weird?

It will be a big relief when this one is over. I like the actor who will be appearing in Bahar, but I don't know if I can commit to anything. I'm already watching Velvet, Karsu, and maybe will be watching Amanecer, the new one with Fernando Colunga on Uni.
 

"JEFA"
Novelera: I believe Telemundo will bring this back for 2nd Season since this is a Super Series.

I agree with you on Annoying Laura: Kill her off & get it over with!

Dondi356: Super excellent job with the recap of last night's episode!

 

velvet

Thanks for your comments, novelera.

I thought the best scene of the episode was between Blanca and Isabel. Well done.

ITA ¡Ya basta! for Marga, Pedro and Pants (lol, we can demote him to P., Juanita!) And I can't stand Emilio when he's around Isabel.

The Velvet apartment building has floors for non-employees. I have no idea what the rent is, but it could be stabilized. Whatever her reasons, Susan is a leech. I wonder if she’s tried this with other guys. I feel sorry for the kid. Or maybe the kid knows it’s a scam? How loud do we have to scream before Pedro gets a DNA test?

lol Barbie’s frozen face and possible curved feet!

I hope Val doesn’t get pregnant.

“Cris is so needy and desperate…” I don’t think she’s evil, maybe spoiled. I think she tries to be good, but she is clearly not well and needs professional medical help. Enrique told Gerardo at the beginning of the novela.

 

jefa

Friday’s episode was an “edición especial”—a recap of what happened this week. I suppose it’s because of the holiday and because we are heading into the final week.

I didn’t need to see any of the horrible scenes again. I have no stomach for extended torture or rape scenes. I hate recapping them and I think readers get the idea, so yes, novelera, I put lipstick on that pig. ITA this will be a relief when this is over. If they bring this back for another season, I might casually tune in, like I do with ESDLC.

ITA on Anderson’s Spanish. It reminded me of Mayor Mike Bloomberg trying to speak Spanish. Twelve years of that. Well, he tried.

After Jefa, I will stick with recapping Velvet on Friday and filling in where I can. I already saw the first season of Bahar in Turkish. I didn’t watch the second season and it’s going into a third season this fall. Yes, it has actors we know and like from other dizis. I probably won’t recap but I will be around to comment if there’s a patio.

 

Jefa

Thank you very much for the recaps. For a few weeks now the signal from Telemundo during Jefa has been really choppy. 5 or 6 times a minute the picture freezes & then returns. The english caption is semi-jibberish. I get the jist of what’s going on but it’s painful to watch. My spanish is very basic. Fridays episode had no chop! Yay!

This is my first time posting to this blog. I’ve been looking at it (lurking - what it used to be called) on & off since Pasion de Gavilanes.

Ellen
 

jefa

Welcome, Ellen! It's always nice when a lurker comments! I'm sorry about your bad transmission problems from Telemundo. Pasión de Gavilanes! That's been a while. Hope we'll hear more comments from you. Is La Jefa the only novela you're watching?
 

"JEFA"
Novelera: I'm watching "LA JEFA" & I feel like Telemundo needs some Daytime Telenovelas.
 

jefa

So glad you joined us, Ellen! I hope you stay with us after Jefa ends. This is a great place. I had trouble with Telemundo this week, too. The sound was messed up on a couple of episodes. I heard the musical soundtrack, but not the actors’ voices. Thank goodness I had working subtitles.

 

OT

Hi, Steve. Telemundo in my area has a subchannel called TeleXitos. They show Telemundo novela reruns and some TV Azteca series in the daytime. I realize this channel might not be available in other areas. I first saw Fatmagul in the daytime on Telemundo as well as some other Turkish and Brazilian shows.

 

Jefa is the only one I watch right now. I tried watching Velvet but a few months ago PBS had a version of Velvet that took place in Madrid during the ‘50s & ‘60s. Loved this version so much that I couldn’t get into the Telemundo version. If Telemundo had waited to air Velvet till the fall or next spring, those Madrid characters might have faded into the background & I’d be watching the Telemundo one. The last novela I watched was El Conde. And before that Vuelve a Mi.

Thank you for the welcome Novelra!
 

Oops I meant Novelera… sheesh
 

Thank you dondi. I need to see if I can find TeleXitos so I can rewatch some of the oldies but goodies.

Ellen