Caray, Caray!

A.MAR #51 Parte 1 Notes from the Couch . . .

Fabián Strikes Out with Estrella
Fabián tells Erika he doesn't understand how they would have had sex. She informs him that after a couple of beers, he consumed a bottle of tequila. It was like old times. In tears, Erika says she couldn't help herself. Above all else, she still loves him. He protests saying that he never let himself go in a situation like that. She feels like he is blaming her for taking advantage of him. He needs to own his part in the situation She thinks she needs to go see Estrella and explain it all to her. Fabián says there is no need. He will talk to Estrella on his own.

After calling Gabriel that he will be a few minutes late, he goes to talk to Estrella. Before he arrives, Estrella makes it clear to her mother and sisters that after it all, she has landed on her feet. They are not to discuss her situation with Fabián with anyone. She is done talking about it. Her family makes it clear that they are there for her.

Estrella answers the door. It is Fabián who tells Estrella she needs to listen to him so he can explain what happened. She is not interested and tries to close the door. He continues asking for a few minutes. Meche intervenes incensed that he would have the nerve to come to her home after what he did to her daughter. He should be ashamed. Meche throws him out and slams the door in his face.She tells Estrella she is proud of her in how she handled Fabián. Estrella says she needs to get back to work.

Fabián asks his father if he heard anything last night when Erika was over. His father says not really. He tells his father about how he doesn't understand anything that happened to him last night. He would never betray Estrella's love and trust. Gonzalo knows that BUT "Where once there was a fire, ashes remain." Fabián cannot believe that his father would make that comment. He would NEVER put his love for Estrella in this kind of jeopardy.

At a break in Gabriel's trial, Brisa verbally attacks Fabián about what he did to her sister and has to be calmed down.

Gonzalo runs into Meche. She has no interest in talking to him after what his son did to her daughter. Gonzalo insists that their children's problems have nothing to do with them. There must be an explanation. Meche sarcastically comments: A father covering for his son! How tender! That is why the world is like it is!!! She is out of there.

The red tide restrictions are going to be lifted tomorrow and Estrella is on the beach readying her boat and nets. Erika appears. Estrella ignores her the best she can but Erika wants to apologize to Estrella for what happened. She knows that Estrella is aware that she is still in love with Fabián. After some drinks and being honest, Fabián got romantic and they got carried away. Estrella asks her when she got to be such a toxic person or has she always been that way. Erika insists she just came to apologize. Estrella has no interest in her apologies or excuses. She has no intention of ever talking to her again. She turns and walks away. Erika smirks.

Gabriel in Court
Before Gabriel leaves for his hearing, Nemesio and the fishermen drop on by to give Gabriel a religious statue of the patron saint of fishermen for good luck.

In court, Porfirio accuses Gabriel of having abducted a minor. Gabriel explains how he found Iker as an infant in the sand as he was helping rescue people after a hurricane. Porfirio insists that he stole the child. Gabriel counters with saying that at that time, the authorities were overwhelmed but he continued to search for Iker's family for years with no success. Nobody ever stepped forward to claim Iker. Porfirio insists that only the state can establish custody.
 

A.MAR Parte 2

Next, there are statements from character witnesses. Fabián testifies that ever since he has known Gabriel, his priority has been his son. As a matter of fact, Gabriel was only twenty when he found Iker on the beach and took responsibiity for him. Iker also loves Gabriel who is his only family as well as his friends and school. Brisa says that Gabriel would give his life for Iker. He is the best father in the world. Marina adds how generous and what a protector Gabriel is. Gabriel would never refuse to help anyone.

Iker has his own time with only the judge, his social worker and foster mother.
Gabriel gives him the statue of the saint before he goes in for good luck. The judge asks Iker how his life is with Gabriel. He says he takes care of him, he teaches him things, plays pirates with him. Sometimes, he gets angry but he is always good to him. Once he broke a window with a ball and Gabriel and he repaired it together. That was great! The judge asks if he loves Gabriel. Iker answers that he loves him a lot and Gabriel loves him. The judge asks how he knows that. Iker explains that when somebody takes care of you and worries about you, they love you. The judge wants to know why he didn't want to talk to Gabriel. Iker says it was because he was angry because he had lied about his father and his mother. He felt very sad and for that reason, he didn't want to talk to him. The judge then asks him THE question: Would he like to continue living with Gabriel?

EVERYTHING ELSE
Erika notices that Yazmín is in a bad way. Yazmín tells her she just wants to take a pill and sleep. Erika asks what the problem is and Yazmín tells her about Javier and his threat with the videos he has of her. Erika tries to calm her down and tells her they can have him prosecuted for posting the videos. Yazmín could not take the shame of that happening. Erika tells her that she will come up with an idea to get her out of that situation. In the mean time, she needs to keep away from Oliver.

Oliver tells Nemesio how it looks like he and Yazmín will be breaking up when she leaves town to go study to be a doctor. Nemesio suggests that he go where she is going to be. He has his bonus money.

Azul's teacher is willing to delay the installation of containers to collect rain water until Iker returns. Azul is overjoyed.

Dolores meets with both Perla and Valentín. Supposedly her legs are swollen but they aren't. She says she is dying form kidney failure. She asks Valentín for a pain killer and then plays the martyr complaining how it bothers her stomach. She makes them both promise not to tell Pascual and to to be there for him. He needs his best friend and his novia. Valentín buys her whole tale hook, line and sinker. She ahs been like a other to hm!!!! Perla thinks she is lying and gives ehr the side eye. . They are both sad that they are going to have to wait even longer now before getting together. Couldn't hurt Pascual or disappoint a dying woman . . . (YAWN!!!!!)
 

A.MAR

Jarifa, your recap was excellent as always. Your wry wit was threaded throughout.

I laughed at "Couldn't hurt Pascual or disappoint a dying woman . . . (YAWN!!!!!)" Perfect! Valentin fell for Dolores' histronics hook, line and sinker. Perla was all the wiser.

The look that Estrella gave Fabian when he came to apologize was a mixture of anger, contempt and disgust. It would have withered the strongest soul. And Meche was right there to back her up. Fabian was already dead in the water!

I liked the statue of (what I think is) St. Peter that the men gave to Gabriel. He can certainly use any heavenly intervention that chooses to come his way. Brisa, buzzing around like a hornet at the proceedings was annoying as usual. Iker was his sweet, honest self and I'm sure he will proclaim he wants to stay with Gabriel.

Doesn't Yaz have any friends? One friend? Watching her blurt out her heartache to Erika (whom she doesn't even like) was hard to watch. She is despondent and depressed and desperately needs someone who cares about her. Erika is a whirling, destructive force aned as you pointed out in your comment on the previous post, a loathsome carbon copy of her mother.

"A father covering for his son! How tender! That is why the world is like it is!!! She is out of there". Good luck Gonzalo. Looks like father and son are both frozen out. At least for the moment.

Jarifa, this was such a wonderful read. Thank you.

Diana
 

Karsu

Things are starting to get implausible. I’m kinda sorry about that. I know that that’s usually the case with telenovelas, but this show has been so beautifully written. Here’s Hasan, who is so fearsome that Atila is scared of him, the prison people give him all kinds of perks, and his youngest hides from him. This is the same guy who just for fun scared Atila into marrying Lale, and thereby also messed up things for Lale, whom he’d never met before, too. And now he’s suddenly decided to give the whole mafioso thing up and even has a nice picnic outside where he’s vulnerable to attack (or was it just Kadir who was an enemy?). It’s hard to imagine a mafioso without bodyguards. Next thing we know he’s happily marching with protesters. Soon he’ll be skipping through a field of daisies.

Mert tells Atila about Hasan’s visit to him, and Hasan’s saying he’d rather shoot himself than his son. That was quite a switch from ordering Atila to kill Mert.

Irmak is working on her revenge, but doesn’t seem too shattered by this sudden turn in her life. Lale is seeking revenge on Atila – just why? Yes, her pride is hurt, but I’m thinking it’s just to stir up a storyline.

The whole first part of this show had Karsu completely focused on Deniz. Now we barely see him. She seems to be paying her children almost no attention, and dumping them on Reha.

I did enjoy the writing in the scene where Tilsin fights with her mother, “He cheated on you, not on us!” and Filiz’s talk with her afterwards.

A couple of questions: Karsu tells Atila he needs to keep his promise. What promise? Also, she apparently knows that Mert is his brother. Did we hear Atila tell him that, or did that come out in the big telling at the hotel, the one we didn’t get to hear?


 

Karsu

Thank you for getting us started, Maggie. I actually enjoyed this episode, for the most part.

First of all, I’m of the impression that the promise Karsu reminded Atilla about was that he would get divorced before anything could happen between them. Perhaps her grouchy demeanor is to avoid being charmed by Atilla, who is attentive, funny and charming. Hard to resist.

I thought the picnic/protest scene was a sign of where Hasan wants to go. He and Filiz are going to enjoy life in the light, not in the darkness. Joining the protest (not that they actually had a choice) was very out of character for both, but they seem to be relaxed and willing to try something new. I laughed when he changed the words to Ibis are from Urfa. I wonder if pictures of this in media will expose him to enemies.
They do look ready to skip through the field of daisies! Fresh, new love is such a lovely experience. We tend to forget reality when under that spell. BUT, Hasan has done terrible things, especially to his sons. And he turned Atilla from a nice young man into a killer.

Pretty soon Karsu is going to recognize Atilla and that will snap things back to reality. I don’t trust Lale/Reha. Every time they get involved, things go bad for Karsu/Atilla.

Tilsim is such an unhappy child. I wonder if there’s any way to help her. It is true that we no longer see the kids much. It might be because Karsu is working and has less time.

So Adnan is up to no good. Irmak is brave to go after him, but I wonder if she will be in danger. And, will Reha be involved in anything?
I guess the password bothered Irmak. I just thought he was careless and never changed it.

Babachita


 

A.Mar

Thanks so much Jarifa, great recap. I’m glad Fabian’s instincts are on track. He seems to know he would never betray Estrella. I hope we don’t have to wait for the very end for the truth to be discovered.

I’m wondering about Erika and Yazmin. Erika has helped her before, but not in a helpful way. Giving her drugs or helping her get them by giving her a room is not helping the teen. So I can’t be sure if she would really help Yazmin in this situation. Plus the ex boyfriend can get Erika in a lot of trouble. Yazmin needs to find someone else to trust, like her dad.

I did not realize it was Porfirio that was accusing Gabriel. He’s in charge of the port but I didn’t think he was an officer of the law. He came down so hard on Gabriel it was like he was out to get him. It will be interesting to see that relationship after all this ends. It certainly doesn’t look like Gabriel will be arrested. And Brisa was fine in the courtroom. Only scene was against Fabian. I do wonder what will happen to her in the end.

From the picture of Marina with her husband and baby I’m thinking they were all separated in that hurricane. I wonder what she’s been doing for 10 years.

So Nemesio can make sense when he’s sober. A good suggestion, that Oliver can leave when Yazmin does.

I’m not surprised that Valentin believed Dolores. He doesn’t strike me as being too bright. But it looks like he and Perla will end up together. Your (Yawn) was so fitting.

Liz
 

Karsu

Another fun episode. I’m wondering how long the lightness will last. It doesn’t seem like you can walk away from the mafia. Still was in hiding and now he’s out there. Same for his dad. I’m wondering if Mert was never involved in the family business.

Reha seems to think he has some power over Hasan. I think he’s a fool to think he can get his way with Atila or Hasan. And Lale is where she is because she had to tell her brother. I was never a fan of hers but now she’s pretty much the same as her brother. Will Hande ever wise up. But also, do we care what happens to someone who went after her best friends husband.

I loved the face on Atila when his father turns to him. This should be fun!

Liz
 

A.MAR

CORRECTION

A big thank you to Liz for bringing up the fact that it wasn't Porfirio accusing Gabriel but it was Víctor.
 

A.MAR

Liz, I was scratching my head as I didn't think the accuser was Porfirio either but I didn't realize it was Victor. Thank you Jarifa...

Diana
 

A.MAR

Diana, Excellent point: "Doesn't Yaz have any friends? One friend? Watching her blurt out her heartache to Erika (whom she doesn't even like) was hard to watch." I find it rather odd that a teen age girl wouldn't try to make connections with other girls her age at school if nothing else. It was hard to tell if Erika was having some real sympathy for her or just scheming on how she could use her vulnerable state to her advantage.

Liz, "From the picture of Marina with her husband and baby I’m thinking they were all separated in that hurricane. I wonder what she’s been doing for 10 years." That would make sense and if there were a series of unfortunate events, so to speak, she might have never found him. I wonder how Adriana ministered to the widowed Nicolás unless he was involved in the attack on Marina.

If Gabriel found Iker when he was 20, that would make Gabriel around 30-31. Pedro Moreno is 44 and looks like he is in his forties. They should have changed the age when Gabriel found Iker to maybe something like 30. One of my pet peeves in productions when the age of the actors do not match those of the characters.
 

A.MAR #52 Notes from the Couch. . . Just the Facts Vacation Edition. . .

Iker Gets to Go Home
Iker tells the judge that although señora Francisca and her family have been very good to him, he loves Gabriel and doesn't want to lose him. He is his father. He is his family. Brisa is still blaming Marina for the whole mess. Víctor takes the stand and turns the table on Gabriel saying he was the one who wanted to pay him off for his services. Gabriel insists that he was being shaken down by Víctor for his silence. The judge listens to it all and says that Gabriel keeping the baby was wrong but he also did enough right. He is now Iker's adoptive father. Gabriel is overcome and cries in Marina's arms. They kiss. Brisa looks on disappointed and retreats.

Fabián Strikes Out
Fabián still cannot believe that he would have had sex with Erika. He tells that to Erika and she feels insulted because he came onto her. He knows he would have remembered something. Erika enjoys his confusion. She turns on the waterworks playing the woman he took advantage of. He tries talking to Estrella one more time but she has had it with him. She decided ten years ago, after her relationship with Sergio, that she would never cry over a man again. She has kept that promise until now. She tells him to leave. She doesn't want to see or hear from him again. Meche reminds Estrella she will have to see Fabián and deal with him every single day since he is the head of the union.
Estrella thinks not. She will not continue to depend on a man like him.

Sergio Has a Very Good Day
Sergio and Azul are getting along. He tells her she is fulfilling a need he never even knew he had (what a liar!) They are going to decorate her room together! Adriana calls Sergio to let him know that Gabriel got to adopt Iker. Sergio is pleased because now Gabriel owes him and he has his signature on those papers.

Oliver in a Quandry
Oliver tells Yazmín his plan for going with her when she leaves town. She is not convinced. She is also concerned what he would do. He is a fisherman. What if they end up some where that isn't on a coast? It would not be fair to him just as it would not be fair to her if he asked her to stay in town. Oliver has to admit that Javier is right. They are from two totally different worlds. He agrees that it is best to let things end here. She doesn't think that he really loves her no matter what he says becasue he really doesn't know her. If he did, he would feel differently. In tears, she tells him that he is the most sensitive and nicest boy she has met. That is why she fell in love with him. She hopes he finds a woman who deserves him. She leaves. He discusses his decision with Gonzalo who tells him that Yazmín loves him and he needs to fight for her. She deserves a boy like him.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Teresita is not pleased with Erika's latest escapade with Sergio. Her soul is getitng darker and darker all the time. Erika sees it as only getting back what was hers to begin with. It doesn't matter if Fabián is in love with her or not. Teresita says she is getting to be just like her mother. Erika sees that as a a good thing. Her mother is currently living a great life on Ulises Contreras' money. Teresita offers her a prayer on a piece of paper. A grinning Erika puts a note on the prayer. She better really pray for her so God has pity on her little soul.

After a great time with her father, Azul tells Estrella that she will try to get along with Fabián if that makes her feel better.

Dolores invites Perla to supper. She tells Brisa she is sure Dolores islying about her condition. Brisa says she has to prove she is lying. Sooner or later Dolores will slip up and Perla will be the one to see her do it. Then she can tell everyone. Perla arrives at the house and finds out that Pascual and Valentín were also invited. Pascual says Dolores said it was going to be a very special supper.
 

Amanecer

I know not many are watching but I'm happy to report that this is indeed getting more interesting as I was hoping. Even the weird parts are getting more intriguing and less disturbing, but mostly the dynamic between Alba and Leonel is getting more nuanced and fun to watch. Colunga is still giving off plenty of anger and aggression but we're getting a little more than just that now and Alba's got a little curiosity and rebellion mixed in with her fear and reluctance.

I'm also seeing potential in doctor psychopath's character (not surprising considering who he's being played by!) He's one fascinating multi-layered dude and Alba's grandma? Definitely not your grandma next door!!! Thankfully!
 

A.MAR

Jarifa, this was excellent in that it wasn't only what you said, but how you said it and finally, how you organized all of tonight's rather surprising events.

One of the many reasons I like this novela is that not everything is as anticipated. Expect the unexpected. "Iker Gets to Go Home" was admittedly a surprise. As relief flooded through me, all I kept thinking of was the photo of Marina, the child we suspect is Iker and Nicolas. May Gabriel and Iker enjoy their joyous reunion despite the sword of Damocles swaying in the breeze above Gabriel's head. Finally, there are the unknown ramifications of Sergio's paper that Gabriel signed.

Gabriel and Marina's obvious love and joy after the verdict STILL has not deterred Brisa. Angry, sulking and skulking, stubbornly refusing to accept she has lost, Brisa crawls off, but remains likely to pounce, once another opportunity presents itslf.

"Sergio...tells her (Azul) she is fulfilling a need he never even knew he had (what a liar!)" was exactly right!! All is going splendidly in Sergio's world which can't come crashing down fast enough for me...

Teresita's admonishment that "Her soul is getitng darker and darker all the time...she is getting to be just like her mother" was the brutal honesty Erika needed to hear. We need more of Teresita's wisdom and sensibility as well as brutal honesty.

I'm slightly heartened that Gonzalo is going to help Oliver win back Yaz. He and Yaz are clearly miserable without each other.

It was hard to watch such a heartbroken Estrella although it's clear Fabian is also suffering. I can't even hazard a guess as to how they are going to reconcile.

What does dastardly Dolores have up her sleeve now???

Jarifa, thank you for all the time and attention you give to these so selflessly.

Diana
 

AMANECER

Daisy,

My husband & I still watch this if only for the sheer mock ability. This is like the Vincent Price marathons my local TV station played when I was a kid. You never knew why Vincent was so crazy or why the stupid people didn't get the Hell outta Dodge. The lightening at just the right time. The shock treatments. This one has everything. Every bad Trope. I forget what his much put up on wife's name is but just give her the blonde wig and she would go into basement with the one flickering light.
 

Karsu

I really enjoyed this episode! It put so much in context. We saw that Hasan had decided to retire a while ago – it wasn’t a new decision. He had wanted to open a kebab place, so his transformation wasn’t sudden. (I seem to recall that the big restaurant he took Filiz to as a first date was his restaurant, so he’s not new at that biz.) Atila comments to Mert that Hasan has a lot of money, which we guessed. Atila is concerned that his father wants to do something to Karsu. He sees the kebab place’s location as an implied threat. Real customers are coming into the book store. All these businesses are going to lift the little commercial area.

We see it’s Reha urging Lale to take revenge. It sounds like Irmak as chosen Filiz as a girl’s baby name, though the captions said Phyllis. Adnan is on board with that. She very cooly has dinner with him and then the cops come. She tells him she outed him. I wonder how you can see tax evasion in just a few documents, but apparently it’s there.

Poor Reha, scared when he’s being picked up by Dilaver. Reha’s talk with Hasan was a hoot. I didn’t know he thought Hasan was still in prison. Anyway, Hasan squashes his fawning ego and Reha ended up cowed – I loved the action with the skewers. The Reha actor is terrific.

Filiz will get her generator, which will have to be huge if it’s going to serve the whole complex. I love her and her sister together.

 

Karsu

Yes, Maggie, the backstory always enlightens us.

Expecting a working mom to come read to the class the next day sure puts Karsu on the spot. If course with her new terms she can take a day off whenever she wants. The class will get a field trip to the store in equally short notice it appears. Schools must operate differently in Turkey. Even more customers will come once the kids tell their parents about this neat bookstore that gives out cookies!

The whole generator story doesn't make sense to me. Why is Filiz responsible for keeping the lights on when the grid goes down? If someone needs a generator they get to buy their own! Of course, it is a rental property for most so maybe the manager is responsible.

There are a lot of stairs getting up to that kebab place. Hope they also have an elevator. I wonder what the significance of 63 is in it's name.


 

A.Mar

Thanks so much Jarifa, another excellent recap as we seem to have some rough times ahead.

I was surprised, pleasantly, that the judge gave Iker to Gabriel. I feel that both Brisa and Marina should have been allowed to speak regarding the bribery. As of now we don’t know if Victor will be punished for the bribery.

Sergio is such a creep. I do have more hope that Estrella will never consent to being a family with him. I was afraid after Fabian, or Erika’s, betrayal she would end up with Sergio. But it sounds more like she’s done with men.

Erika is very much like her mother, but she seems to feel that’s a compliment. At first I thought Teresita knew the real truth, but I guess she has the same story as Estrella. But I believe she’s more aware of what Erika is capable of than either Estrella or Fabian.

I thought Brisa seemed ready to accept she lost Gabriel for real. At least I hope so! I guess until her husband, or ex-husband discovers her. I hope he’s not a nice guy but I’m afraid he is.

I’m looking forward to the dinner with Dolores tonight. And I was surprised that Azul was willing to give Fabian a chance. Boy was that bad timing!

Liz
 

Karsu

These episodes are fun. I enjoyed Atila and Mert just being two brothers surprised by their dad. And wondering what he’s up too. I missed the fact that he still has money. He and Atila are good at spending it!

Reha at the restaurant was good. I don’t know why he thinks he can go up against a mafia leader. Hopefully he’s backed down for good. And Lale going after Atila is the same bravery, or stupidity.

I wondered how Irma’s could even understand all those papers. Also, I’m guessing the house on the water is Adnan’s. And I figure he bought Filiz her house. So does the government take all his assets. That would be bad for almost all our woman characters!

Liz
 

thank you darcy. I was going to give up on it, but kept watching, and its getting good
 

A.MAR

Diana and Liz, thank you for your comments. You always get me thinking about things I hadn't considered.

Diana, I so agree with "One of the many reasons I like this novela is that not everything is as anticipated." I also like the pacing. We didn't have to go on episode after episode wondering if Iker was going to be returned home or not.

Liz, "And I was surprised that Azul was willing to give Fabian a chance. Boy was that bad timing!" For me, that was the shock of the night. I NEVER saw that coming. "Bad timing" is the understatement of the year.


How long until Fabián and Estrella are reunited? (Who sang that old song? "reunited cause it feels so good . . .")
 

Karsu

Kat – I hadn’t noticed the stairs! I’ll look next time.

Yeah, I don’t get this generator thing. Just last year I got a generator for my house and believe me, they’re not cheap. And not small. But I live in the fire zone next to the mountains (it was the town next to mine that burned completely down some months ago, and a few houses in my town. I had to evacuate) and when the winds come up, the power company shuts off the power for days. Well, I was the only person in the neighborhood who didn’t have to throw out the contents of my freezer. Another problem with their turning off the power is how to get your garage door open. I understand the concept, but don’t know if I’m strong enough.

Anyway, a generator big enough to power all those units would be absolutely enormous.


 

A.MAR #53 Parte 1 Notes from the Couch . . . The Longer Than Expected Edition

Estrella Fishes on Alone
Estrella, Meche and her sisters all decide to quit the fishermen's union.Estrella presents their resignation to Fabián. Fabián says she can't do that. Estrella says of course she can. They want nothing to do with HIM. Porfirio gave them permission to fish without being members of the union. Fabián suspects Sergio is behind that somehow. Estrella denies that. On her way out, she tells him to tell Erika that she said "hi!". She doesn't want to hear from him again.

Sergio Doesn't Miss a Beat
Sergio talks to Juanjo and asks if the permits are in order. They are. He thinks that with them he will have an easier time convincing Estrella to buy into his plan. Estrella is a sensible woman. He only needs her to believe that his plan will help her and the town. Juanjo thinks the best thing would be if he could marry Estrella and get his father off his back.

Sergio picks up Azul and brings her home with a huge orchid for Estrella. He remembered it is he favorite flower. Sergio tells Estrella that he heard about what Fabián did. He wants her to know that he is there for her. She thanks him.
He then suggests that since the Fabián thing is over, why not come work for him? It would be an easier job. He thinks not only of Azul's well-being but all of hers. Estrella makes it clear that she likes what she does. Sergio helps Azul with her homework.

Fabián Tries to Make Sense of His Night with Erika and Sergio's Activities
Gonzalo tells Fabián that Sergio is buying Irma's son's house. Fabián knew that the whole school enlargement thing was a front to hide something else Sergio was up to. The house is not near the school. Gonzalo is going to ask Irma if she has heard if Sergio is interested in buying up property. Gonzalo advises him to expose Sergio ASAP because now that he and Estrella have broken up, Sergio will be going after her.

Fabián tells his father he still cannot believe what everyone thinks he did with Erika. He loves Estrella with his whole being. Gonzalo is there for his son. He advises him to give Estrella time and space to rebuild her trust. Fabián says this situation with Estrella is killing him.

Gonzalo talks again to Irma and gets no new info on Alpha Sur purchases of property. Fabián finds an article on line about Alpha Sur securing several spots at the dock. Fabián is sure this is more proof that Sergio is up to no good.

Gabriel comes in with bad news. Since their largest boat was lost, they can't catch enough fish to be profitable. Fabián says they will have to make do with what they have. Gabriel cannot help financially with all that he paid Víctor and the the legal expenses he owes. Fabián understands and is sure he himself will come up with something.
 

A.MAR Parte 2

Iker is Welcomed Home
Gabriel thanks Brisa done having done the impossible by getting him to see Iker. He thanks Marina in a special way for her support and guiding him to get Iker back the lawful way. They kiss. Iker arrives and runs to hug his father who promises him they will never be separated again. (Uh, oh)

As Gabriel puts Iker to bed and they express their love for each other, Nicolás is looking at a photo of himself, Marina and their newborn. He hides it when Adriana comes in. She tells him about her case today where a father was reunited with his son. He comments that his son Nico would have been 10 years old today. Adriana knows it has been hard but she tells him the time has come to let it go. He angrily remarks that it might have been ten years ago that he lost his family but there are days where the pain feels like it just happened today. Adriana says it hurts her too.She lost her sister and her nephew. She reminds him they are there for each other and kisses him.

Gabriel is grateful to wake up without having to worry about anyone taking his Iker away from him. Marina is ready to move in.

Iker decides he wants to call and thank Adriana for helping his father. Marina makes the call for him. Adriana thinks it is the bank and asks Nicolás to answer it for her. He does. When Marina says she wants to talk to Adriana, Nicolás hears something familiar in her voice. Marina is aware of knowing his voice some how, too. Marina is silent. Nicolás asks who she is. She says her name is Marina and she is one of Adriana's clients. Adriana discovers Marina is on the line and snatches it out of Nicolás' hand. Adriana tells Iker it is not a good time and she will stop by their place to talk tomorrow. Nicolás asks if everything is okay. Adriana explains it was a call from the boy that she helped return to his father. Nicolás is preoccupied thinking about the voice on the phone he just heard.

Oliver's Whole New World
A smiling Oliver Oliver visits Yazmín telling he he has decided to fight for the love of his life. He will meet her on a mutual social level. He has saved his bonus money so he has decided to finish secondary school on line, then prep school ASAP. Then, he can be a university student like she is and study with the person he loves. She is happy he is taking a new path but that changes nothing. He insists that she is the one that he loves and it will all work out. She doesn't know if she has the energy to fight on anymore but she does love him and doesn't want their relationship to ever end. He hugs her.

Oliver tells Nemesio of his new plans to pursue an education. Nemesio makes fun of his desire for "book learning" since he has done very fine without much schooling. Nemesio says he can hang his diploma on the wall when he gets it. Now they need to get to work.
 

A.MAR Parte 3

Oliver meets with Yazmín in the restaurant where she is working on a physiology assignment. He shows her a document proving that he has enrolled in secondary school on line.He says he is not doing it only for her but for himself. She is so happy and excited for him. They kiss.

Javier invites himself to join them and kills their joyful mood. He tells them he has some bad news for Oliver and good news for Yazmín. He will be doing his community service at the medical center in town so they will be seeing a lot of him for a good while.

Perla Proves Dolores' Deception
The "special" dinner proves to be a total debacle when Dolores gets out her own set of wedding rings. They are a family heirloom used over the generations. She presents them to Perla. She compliments Perla over and over again. Life is short. She want to know her grandchildren before she dies. Perla is no spring chicken either and she should be having her children ASAP. Perla refuses to take the rings or be forced into anything. Perla leaves saying she is tired of Dolores manipulating them. Dolores plays the martyr twisted up in sudden pain. Pascual and Valentín run to her aid. Perla tells Valentín she is certain Dolores is putting on an act. Dolores "gets ill" when it is to her advantage. Valentín admits he does find that odd but not enough to lose trust in Dolores. Perla will prove that Dolores is healthy

Perla sneaks into Dolores' house and secretly gets a video of her happily cleaning and dancing in her room. Dolores never sees her. After Perla leaves, Dolores has a moment of conscience and flagellates herself with her cleaning rag as she asks God for forgiveness.

Perla runs into Pascual on the way out. He asks what she was doing in his house. She lies and says she came to see him. He doesn't believe her. She says her problem wasn't with him but with his mother. Surprise!! Dolores comes out to greet her with a hug and apologizes. She invites Perla to dinner. Perla turns down the invitation

Perla goes to see Valentín and shows him the video. He now understands what Perla was saying. Perla says it is time to put an end to this once and for all. They need to confront Dolores about her lying.
 

A.MAR

Jarifa, you captured tonight's crucial events that reflected a gamut of jarring emotions ranging from hidden to overt, perfectly.

Adriana murders (or so she thinks) her own sister and marries her hermana's husband. By chance she finds her sister, alive and well except for that pesky amnesia that may or may not be permanent. Instead of immediately dropping Gabriel's case and making a run for it, she somehow denies or dismisses the real possibility Nicolas (who does NOT have amnesia) may well run into Marina. Nopis, she inexplicably stays. Why?

"Iker arrives and runs to hug his father who promises him they will never be separated again. (Uh, oh)" was exactly right. Right on cue, Nicolas and Marina end up talking, familiarity resounding with both of them. Now of course it is just a matter of time before the truth comes out. Well some of it as I suspect Iker being Nico will be the last piece of the puzzle to be revealed.

Estrella's ice has not thawed in the slightest (not that I blame her). Good luck Fabian! Even though Sergio is slithering in the background ready to pounce, I like that Estrella still isn't giving him the time of day.

Credit to two of our characters for their dogged determination. First Oliver who keeps the peddle to the metal, determined to win Yazmin. I admire his gumption. If only Javier (who gets creepier each successive episode) would only go away. Next, Perla who followed her intuition and caught Dolores "in the act". What nerve flourishing her rings in front of Perla's face. Time for mama to pack her bags and return home.

Jarifa, your recaps are such a treat; so informative and impeccably written. Thank you so much!

Diana
 

Karsu

I was thinking while Bahar gave her modern liberated woman speech that the women, and also the men, were nodding in agreement, so I was surprised when she was leaving the group that two of the women in the background tsked that she was a divorced woman and they didn’t want to invite her again. I guess the idea was that they disapproved of her lifestyle. Later Filiz said she’d lost a lot of people she thought were her friends when she got divorced. I’ve heard though from divorcees that a single woman can be a threat in a group where everyone is coupled up. And Bahar is a looker! Great top she had on – I wonder how she affords fashionable clothes on her bookstore clerk pay.

It seems Adnan thought he was just being brought in for questioning and was very surprised when his guy told him there was nothing they could do, and he got handcuffed. Imak was quite cool about the whole thing, and unimpressed by his threats. I loved when she said to her mother “this is OUR revenge.”
Filiz brought up a good point when she worried whether Irmak had signed anything that might make her complicit too. Let’s hope not!

Who was knocking at the door? That must be a bit that got cut.

Did you get the feeling that Reha has invested all of his money with Adnan? Now what’ll he do? If so, will Kande leave him? She should leave him anyway.

Early in this show, one of the main storylines was the attachment between Deniz and Atila. Lately they haven’t interacted at all. Did Deniz lose interest? Atila? When Deniz saw him in the bookstore, he just acted like Atila was somebody he knew. Yes, he called him the Black Knight, but that was it. He didn’t run to him and hug him.

The girls trying to pry information about Hasan out of Tia Turkan was fun.