Caray, Caray!

Bahar

I was able to watch Timur’s multicultural shopping trip! He is a real hoot! I was glad to see him clean shaven again. Now we know that manicure buddies share a special bond! New Boss Lady doesn’t miss much! Watch out, Evren and Bahar!

Babachita
 

velvet #78 part 1

Slight rewind. Albert goes to Türkiye speaks English. Neyse… Ana calls him and tells him she’s coming to join him. Looks like all is forgiven. Then… earthquake! The connection is dropped. Ana tries calling back. Pepita interjects, poor guy, maybe the building fell on him. [Nice, Pepita.] Why would Raul think there would be an instantaneous mention of this online? Give it a minute or two. Panic sets in.

Barbie tries to stop Cris from leaving for the Keys. Barbie doesn’t trust Gloria. Nope, Cris is going. Nope, Marina reads the news on her phone. There’s been a powerful earthquake in Turkey! Cris grabs Marina’s phone. Her eyes pop—Alberto?

Ana and the others inform Mateo. Clara says the quake was near Antep [about 2hrs from Adana.] Where was Albert? Was he safe in Istanbul or in danger in Adana?

Enrique gives Valeria the news about the 7.8 quake. Val tries calling Albert. No luck.

Carlos shows up and Ana rushes into his arms. Carlos, Alberto is there in a city called Adana, near the epicenter. I’m trying to reach him, but he doesn't answer. Please help me. Carlos says that the group has offices in Istanbul and Ankara, and he’ll make some calls.

Pilar gives Marga a big assignment. She’s sending her out to several places… Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia. This will take a few months. Pilar is looking to transfer some of her production to one of those countries. Marga asks, what will I do there? Pilar replies, this will help you understand what Pima Fashion is all about. [the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion?] And unfortunately, after the earthquake in Turkey, I need to consider alternatives. It could affect the company.

Marga is stunned and asks, what earthquake? Pilar explains and then asks, do you know someone there? Marga replies, your nephew flew there yesterday. To Adana. Pilar is shaken. Is she actually worried about Albert?

Clara tries to keep Ana calm. She knows Albert took a flight to Istanbul, but she doesn’t know much else. Albert made all the arrangements himself. Clara tried calling hotels in Adana but can’t get through. Maybe he stayed in Istanbul. Ana doesn’t think so. She was on the phone with Albert and heard the commotion. People screaming, running… a horrible sound.

Cris shows up and immediately starts a verbal assault on Ana. Albert went to Turkey because of you, so you could be the great designer that everyone expects you to be. Happy, Anita? Are you happy Albert is dead because of you? Cris works up a head of steam. She screams, don’t come to me with your little Miss Innocent seamstress face!! I know exactly who you are! Gold digging slut! Barbie tries to pull Cris away.

Ana shouts back at Cris [finally.] That’s enough! Stop insulting me! Cris shrieks—I’ll insult you as much as I want!! ¡Eres un estupida! [English subs said, “dumb bitch”.] Know your place! I am the wife! Ana goes back into nice mode. She won’t argue out of respect for Cris’ baby. Cris is ready to physically attack, and Barbie holds her back.

This brings Enzo and Marco out of their office. Cris’ tirade against Ana continues. She thinks she would have been happy with Albert and baby if it wasn’t for Ana’s existence. She hisses, why don’t you drop dead? You’re the one who should be buried in the rubble in Turkey! Cris shrieks—die!

 

velvet #78 part 2

Enzo wants an explanation. [The explanation: Cris is BSC.] Clara explains about the quake. Enrique rushes to Cris. He scolds Barbie for bringing Cris to Velvet. Cris threatens to kill Ana. Cris doubles over and Enrique and Barbie take her away. Ana holds on to Clara and cries.

Cris has calmed down to a quiet simmer. Enzo tells her, I’m sorry for what’s happening. I didn’t know Albert was in the quake. Marco is on his phone. He says, the images are troubling, the city is destroyed. Most of the victims are in Adana. Cris says this is killing her. I need to know where my husband is. Enrique says we will look for him. Go home and rest. She can’t until she knows about Albert.

Marco notes, when tragedies like this happen, it’s always chaotic. He says he was in Japan during the quake and tsunami. It took days to get info in or out. Enzo recalls they didn’t hear from Marco for over a week and thought he might be dead. Marco calls himself lucky. Let’s hope that Albert has the same luck. Enzo says he has a friend in Istanbul he can ask for help.

Carlos says he couldn’t get through to his people in Turkey. Ana wants to go there to look for Albert. Carlos tells her that the only flights in are for aid. Ana asks if she can take a Sahgun private jet. Carlos thinks it’s too dangerous. Mateo volunteers to go to Turkey. He doesn’t care if it’s dangerous. Clara objects. Carlos says he will try to get a plane to Adana.

Clara asks Mateo to promise he will be careful in Turkey. Marco walks in. Mateo Andrade? Mateo replies, Marco Cafiero. I had hoped to never see you again. [so, there’s history here…hmm.] Mateo tells him he’s going to Turkey to find Albert. Marco doesn’t think this is a good time for the company. It’s during a change in management. Mateo calls it an emergency, he’s going to look for his best friend. Marco notes that Mateo always acts on impulse. Just like at university.

Marco asks if Clara and Mateo are in a relationship. They try to explain the weirdness. Marco doesn’t understand. Mateo makes it plain, Clara is his girlfriend. And he’s going to Turkey. He will let Enzo know. No need, Marco answers, notifying the company president is enough, and you have. Mateo replies, you?

Val tells Ana she contacted the embassy in Istanbul. They don’t have a list of American victims yet. Ana tells her she was speaking to Albert when the quake hit. Ana says now she realizes what Albert did. He sold his stock to Enzo so she could be a designer and creative director at Velvet. I was going to see him, she says, I wanted to go to Turkey and bring him back and tell him how much I love him. I was too late. I didn’t get the chance. They hug and cry. We see Gloria lurking and getting info she can use.

Cris gets Carlos into her office to talk privately. She complains about Enrique following her around. She wants Carlos’ help to find Albert. Carlos laughs, what can I do? Get a plane, Cris answers, do something. Carlos explains, Adana is destroyed. Lots of deaths. They are not letting commercial or private flights in. Nothing I can do.

Cris insists. I’ve kept up my side of our bargain, she says. Carlos answers, and I haven’t? We are even. Cris continues, I’m desperate and I need your help. I’ll pay. Name your price. Carlos says he doesn’t need or want money. He really can’t do anything.

Gloria barges in. Carlos doesn’t look happy to see her. Cris tells Glo she was asking Carlos to help find Albert. Glo puts on an act. Yes, this is terrible. Carlos explains he can’t do much. He can call contacts in Istanbul and ask them to go but no one will put themselves at risk. Let’s wait for news from Mateo. Cris doesn’t want to wait. She wants to go. Glo steps in, you’re pregnant. You can’t take the risk.

 

velvet #78 part 3

Glo turns to Carlos. We have to do something. I don’t trust Mateo. But I think I know someone who knows how to get around in situations like this. If anyone can find Albert, it’s him. We just have to pay expenses. [bet it’s the creep Alessandro.] Cris is ready to pay whatever. Glo promises to find Albert. [I’m sure Glo has a nefarious plan.] Carlos looks annoyed at Glo’s interference.

Rick breaks the earthquake news to Sofi.

Angi and Dad talk. He wants her to go to a church service with him. Long story short, they come to an understanding to try to understand each other.

In the elevator, Glo tells Carlos, I suppose you know the consequences of Mateo finding Albert. Carlos says he doesn’t understand. I know you want to do this for Ana, she replies, and you’re helping Mateo find Albert. But if Albert is alive and Mateo finds him, he will bring Albert back to Ana. Carlos thinks it doesn’t matter because Ana and Albert broke up. Gloria says not so, they made up. Carlos asks, how do you know? Glo says she overheard Ana. Ana knows about Albert’s sacrifice to make her a designer, and she decided to go back with him. She almost flew to Turkey. Hopefully, Albert turns up dead under some rubble.

Carlos wonders why when Glo said she wanted to find Albert alive. Glo admits she wants to know what happened to Albert, but it doesn't benefit them for Albert to come back to NY for Ana. She adds, I loathe seeing them together as much as you do. What do you suppose I do, Carlos asks. Stop Mateo from making it to Adana, Glo replies, and help my man get to him. He will handle it. Trust me. I’m on your side.

Gloria tries to convince Alessandro to go to Turkey. She tells him, I’ll send you on a private jet. It’s a disaster, he answers, what about aftershocks? She shrugs that off. I need you there and I will pay you extremely well. Cris authorized a huge amount. Find out what happened to Albert. The hotel where he was staying. He could be alive. If he’s fine, there’s nothing we can do. But if he’s in serious condition, it’s time to get creative.

I can’t believe you are insinuating getting rid of your stepson, Alessandro says. [really? Did he forget what they did to Isabel?] Get rid? I never said that, Glo replies. It’s a disaster zone and people can easily die. The best thing that can happen for us is for him not to come back alive. Sadly, if he dies, it will be in our favor.

Alessandro doesn’t agree. If you think you’ll get your shares back, he sold them long before he left. I know, she answers, but Albert’s death would drive Cris insane, and she would be completely under my control. I can get much more out of her than my Velvet stock was worth. Now do you understand why I need you to go to Turkey? Looks like Alessandro is in.

Enrique addresses the Velvet staff. He informs them the Cafiero Group is now a part of the Velvet board and Enzo Cafiero is the new majority shareholder. Not everyone applauds, notably Blanca and Emilio.

Enzo takes over. I’d like to talk to you about family. The nucleus of everything and where the most important things are loyalty and respect. Why am I telling you this? Because to me, this company is much more than a business. It’s a family. One with a common objective, for the brand to grow stronger every day. For all of us to feel proud of what we do here. Every family needs a leader and this is no exception. I’d like to you to meet my son, Marco, Velvet’s new president. Again, applause from some but not all.

 

velvet #78 part 4

Marco speaks. Thank you. Rest assured that if we all do what we’re supposed to with discipline and dedication and always in search of excellence, Velvet will reclaim its place as the biggest fashion house in NY. You can be certain that every day of my life will be spent trying to attain that goal. Everything I set out to do, I achieve. [what a blowhard.]

Carlos already has a guy in Adana. He reports in. We have news about the hotel where Alberto Marquez was staying. The building completely collapsed. They only managed to pull out a few survivors. Carlos asks if he’s sure. The guy says he’ll send pics of some who haven’t been ID’d yet. And of course, the first pic is of a bandaged and unconscious Alberto. Bad news for Carlos. Carlos asks, does anyone know who he is? Guy answers no, he didn’t have an ID on him. Carlos directs, here’s what you do. Don’t give anybody any information and wait for my orders.

Carlos’ guy observes the medical team doing CPR on Albert. We don’t know the outcome.

Ana and Raul are in the atelier. Carlos walks in. He is asked, did you find Albert? He nods. And? Where is he? Ana… I’m so sorry. Albert didn’t survive. Ana cries, I don’t believe it. Alberto can’t be dead. I feel it. I know he’s alive. She wails. Carlos says he was informed that Albert was one of the victims from the hotel where he was staying. The building collapsed, there was a gas leak and a fire. No one survived. Raul hopes there was a mistake. Carlos wishes it were true, but no. Ana is inconsolable. Blanca enters and is told.

Marga tells Pedro about her job assignment. Months? He tells her she shouldn’t leave Ana at a time like this. Marga realizes this but says she wants to grow. Pedro says he will support whatever she does but he doesn’t know what he’ll do alone in NY for so long. You won’t be alone, she says, we will video call and text. We will be together. Rick walks in and says there’s news about Alberto.

Gloria rushes into the Velvet offices and pretends to be devastated when she hears that Albert died. Marco asks Carlos if he can trust the person who gave him this information. Yes, Carlos replies, they work for the Red Cross. Marco asks if they can see a list. Carlos says his contact didn’t send a list because if people access these records it will lead to more chaos. But he sent a picture. And it’s better not to see it.

Ana insists on seeing the pic. He hands her the phone. We don’t see the pic. From the looks on Clara and Raul’s faces it must be bad. [unidentifiable? Hmm…] Glo pulls the phone from Ana. She asks Carlos, help me coordinate with my lawyers to have Albert’s body brought back for a proper funeral. He agrees. Glo asks him to come with her. Marco gives a look that makes me think he’s suspicious of Carlos. Ana is devastated.

Pedro and Marga are on the administrative floor. Glo and Carlos walk over. Glo tells them that Albert is dead. The building collapsed, etc. Enrique appears and insists on speaking with Glo privately.

Enrique gets right to the point. I need you to give me the POA to manage Cris’ affairs. Why would I, Glo replies, Cris made me her proxy because she trusts me. I know, Enrique answers, but you know my sister’s emotional state. When she learns Alberto is dead, she will lose what little reason she has. No one will be able to control her. She needs professional help.

Glo says she will handle that. She’s fond of Cris and will always be there to support her, be with her and help her in her time of mourning. Enrique says Cris needs much more than affection and understanding. You don’t understand, he says, my mother took her own life. The doctors warned us that Cris could suffer from the same mental problems that led my mother to suicide.

 

velvet #78 part 5

Cris made me her proxy to prevent you from having her committed against her will, Glo responds. No way will I betray her trust. Enrique replies, I don’t buy you’re doing this because you’re a good person. I’m aware you lack scruples. That’s why Albert didn’t want you at the company. Glo questions Enrique’s morals and reminds him of his affair with Val. Enrique warns, if anything happens to my sister, if she tries to take her life, I’ll hold you directly responsible. I won’t rest until you’re behind bars. Glo mocks, look how I’m shaking.

It looks like Albert is still alive. Carlos’ guy approaches his bed. A medic asks, burada ne yapiyorsun? (What are you doing here?) I’m looking for a friend, he says in English. She doesn’t know English, but she knows a little Spanish. [que coincidence.] He explains he’s looking for a friend, this isn’t him, but he looks like him. What is his condition? He doesn’t look good. We don’t hear an answer in Turkish or Spanish.

Ana cries to Tio Emilio, I was on the phone with him. He looked good, he looked happy. Emilio replies, this is a very sad day for all of us, especially for you. Believe me, I share your immense pain but Ana, you need to be strong. She doesn’t think she’s got strength. What will I do without Alberto?

Marga is with them. She encourages, don’t say that, Anita. You have us and we love you with all our hearts. We can take you home. Ana wants to stay at Velvet. Being here is like being with Alberto, she says, I feel like he’s going to walk through the door at any moment and smile and hug me. And we’ll walk to the terrace together.

Ana breaks down. Cris told me it was my fault. He went to Turkey because of me. Emilio tells her not to listen to Cris. She’s a frustrated, bitter woman. [that’s too kind.] If anyone is to blame for Albert leaving, it’s her, because of her lies and evilness. What she did was unforgivable. Ana cries in Tio’s arms.

Barbie and Cris are at the high-class Velvet hangout place. While Barbie is away from the table, she gets a call from Enrique. She asks if there’s news about Albert. Enrique replies, Carlos just told us that Albert is dead. Barbie is shocked. Are you sure? Yes, he’s sure. Carlos had a contact in Turkey who found him. They are working on bringing the body back. Enrique tells Barbie to listen carefully. Under no circumstances can Cris find out yet. Keep her distracted while I find a way to keep her under control, understand? Barbie understands. She will call him later.

Barbie returns to the table. Cris asks about the call. Barbie tells her it was Enrique, he wanted to know how you were doing. Cris asks if he had any news. Barbie lies and says no. [I don’t know how Cris didn’t pick up on her nervousness.] Cris wants to go to Velvet right away. Barbie tries to talk her out of it. Let’s stay and eat. They’ll call us if they hear anything. Then we can go home and rest. Cris relents and says we can eat here but then we go to Velvet. Let’s make it quick.

Mateo is in Istanbul. He’s talking to Clara. He found a seat on a plane to Adana. Marco is listening to Clara’s side of the convo. Clara tells Mateo they already have news about Albert. Mateo asks, is he okay? Did he call? Where is he? No, Clara replies, he didn’t call. She struggles to say the words… Alberto… he died. Mateo is stunned. No, no, Clara. He has to be here. I have to find him.

 

velvet #78 part 6

Carla asks Mateo to stay calm. Carlos managed to locate Albert. She tells him about the hotel, etc. Mateo is devastated. How is this possible? Clara says it’s been confirmed. They are bringing the body back. Mateo laments, he (Albert) traveled all this way just to die here? Clara notes that sometimes life ends inexplicably.

Mateo cries for his best friend. Clara wishes she was with Mateo to comfort him. She asks him to come back, she’s scared something will happen to him. I don’t want to lose you, Mateo. [foreshadowing?] Promise you’ll come back. I don’t hear Mateo’s answer. They both cry.

Carlos meets with Gloria. She doesn’t believe that Albert is dead. He claims it’s true. Glo reminds him she sent her assistant there, so she can prove if he’s telling the truth. Carlos says he received his information from an unofficial source. It could be days before the names of the victims are released. The poor man’s body was unrecognizable. [That explains the pic he showed everyone. It’s not Albert.]

Glo says that’s what DNA testing is for. You’re lying. Either you haven’t found him, or Albert is still alive. Carlos gets smug. Why are you so worried? You said it yourself, “I don’t want Alberto to come back.” Glo demands the truth. I’m on your side. What do you want? To deceive Ana and everyone else? I can help but you have to trust me.

Carlos asks, why do you think I’m lying to you? Glo replies, entre gitanos no nos leemos las cartas. (Gypsies don’t read each other’s cards.) Lol, the English subs were blocked out. I think they translated this as don’t BS a BS’r. You couldn’t wait to give Ana the terrible news. But there’s one thing you didn’t consider. She has the Cafieros’ support now and she could ask them to corroborate your story. See why it’s important to have an ally to support you?

Glo asks again, now tell me, is Alberto alive? Carlos nods and it looks like it could be a yes…

And we are out!

 

"VELVET"
Dondi356: Awesome job with the recap of last night's episode. Super long, but lots of intriguing stuff happening.


 

Bahar

Poor Rengin! She has my sympathy. She wants to make a grand entrance into the big event hand-in-hand with Timur. He detaches as quickly as possible. Then she makes a cringy speech about true love and announces they’re going to get married. Rude, considering Bahar is there, but poor desperate Rengin. He’s still trying to postpone the marriage.

I don’t really see Timur’s new look. He looks about the same to me, just with better clothes. And showing his chest hair – Sureya tells him to button up, but she’s hardly one to talk. Her blouse is open down to there.

Bahar’s mom finds out about the house loan! I enjoyed the fight in the hallway.

I wonder if Aziz Uras will still go to England now that he knows Seren is pregnant. And of course she didn’t have an abortion. They never do in TNs.

 

velvet

Another fantastic recap, dondi. And your asides were, as always, spot on! Thanks so much.

Does Pilar really need to send the new girl away for months? This just seems odd to me. And it also seems that Marga was hired for her design and creative skills. Wouldn't Pilar send some sort of person who scouts factory locations for Pima Fashion?

Both Enzo and Marco get a good look at Cris, the former head of Fashion Design at Velvet. I can't see how Cris survives this novela at the end. To me there's zero possibility she'll ever get over her obsession. They keep teasing us with her bending over in pain, but Valentin's kid just keeps hanging in there.

Thanks for mentioning that Marco and Mateo have a history. The actor portraying Marco seems to be typecast as a baddie. Rodolfo Salas also played the horrible Fausto who conspired to get our female protagonist's son kidnapped to somehow be sold in the U.S.

I hope Mateo doesn't buy that Alberto is dead and goes on to Adana.

Gloria needs a 500 lb anvil. She and Carlos are vile. And Carlos's sinister looking guy is right beside Alberto's unconscious form, awaiting some sort of orders.

I'm ready for this to be over, but my DVR seems to think there's two more weeks.
 

velvet

¡Muchísimus gracias! dondi, for this spectacular recap. I found last night's
episode rather difficult to follow, but your recap made things much clearer.

I don't really have a lot to say. I absolutely HATED Cris when she lit into
Ana. And when a bit later in the episode, when Cris doubled over, I was
hoping she was having a miscarriage (I never claimed to be a nice person).
Alas, that seems not to have happened. I think you described Cris most
accurately when you referred to her as BSC.

When Cris says to Carlos "I've kept up my side of our bargain," I'm unsure
what she's referring to.

I was amused when Cris said to Carlos "Name your price." That's the way she
deals with the world. Everyone has a price, and she has the money to pay.
Though I dislike Carlos a lot, I was glad when he told her he neither
needed nor wanted her money.

So are there two people believed to be Alberto? Am I right that the guy
lying unconscious in what's probably the hospital is indeed Alberto? Was he
also the guy they were doing CPR on earlier? If it is Alberto, why would he
not be carrying all kinds of identification? A passport? Driver's license?
Health insurance cards? Admittely, not all of his IDs would be useful in
Turkey, but wouldn't he have taken them with him?