Caray, Caray!

Bahar

A few observations before going to bed. Bahar makes friends everywhere she goes! Her cellmates are her new besties. Fortunately Rengin dropped the charges, her stipulation being Timur moves in with her in his former house. She's throwing out all traces of Bahar's existence. Gülçiçek did manage to get some of Bahar and Umay's clothes at least.

Seren has awful parents. Mom is trying to force her into an abortion, dad says she is dead to him (his ex wife's advice. Why is he listening to her?). Now she is mad at Uras and tells him to go to London.

Blondie reports Bahar and is hopeful the board will terminate her. Her hopes materialize.

Nevra gets invited to live with Rengin also. No surprise, she accepts. I thought she was staying with her in her former house. Did Rengin sell it?

Some 18 year old without id collapses in the hospital parking lot. He has a severe infection in his arm. Bahar is working in the ER when he's admitted. Timur and Evren are called and they bump heads on treatment. Blondie is the tiebreaker siding with Evren. They work closely debriding the infection. Bahar looks a bit suspicious.

The kid wakes up while Evren is with him. He asks who is he. Can he call his family. The kid says Evren ...(Whatever his last name is). Is he a long lost son? That question isn't answered. But the kid is worried so Evren calls security. 2 bad guys had seen the kid earlier. While Evren is hugging Bahar, who just got the sack, the guys in blue throwaway scrubs, go into the kids room with a gun. Evren rushes in after them and gets shot in the stomach. The bad guys flee as Bahar rushes to Evren. She tells him she loves him. He is bleeding from the mouth and things don't look good for him.
 

velvet

Here’s a quickie. I have to get up early tomorrow. A beaming Cris tells Alberto she has a plan for the next step in his recuperation. She’s brought his best friend, Felipe, to visit. [It’s not Carlos, as we suspected.] The actor who did a pretty good job of being his buddy is paid double, probably to ensure his discretion.

Clara/Mateo/Marco…Pfft! Mateo sees them canoodling. He brings up a society woman Marco is supposed to be dating. Marco surprises me and goes public in a big way.

Barbie is dating one Theodore Sterling, heir to a banking empire when Enrique shows up at the same bar. He goes into a frenzy and punches Ted.

Valeria seems to at last be ready to move on from Enrique [I know, I know; we thought that SO many times]. He doesn’t help his cause by focusing on Barbie taking half his big bucks.

I’m glad to see Raúl, Ana, and Emilio work on Blanca about getting treatment.

Oops! Valeria steps out of the back of their chauffeured car and drops her pack of birth control pills on the sidewalk. Valentin is very upset. He seems to say that she had tried to infer he was the infertile one.

Alberto realizes that the painting of “the dress” should be red.

Cris gives me chills when she stoops to introduce herself to Albertito.

Lao shows up at Velvet and warmly meets Ana. He gets a rather reluctant apology from Raúl. Later on, Lao comes into the atelier shirtless, and Raúl’s jaw drops.

Enrique tries to convince Cris that Gloria is a parasite. Cris has come to NYC at her brother’s request, probably to get Valeria to change her mind.

Tania has helped “Gabriel” bring his paintings to town. He’s happy to be out and about. After the two leave, some rando walks up and asks if the paintings are for sale.

Sofi is back at Velvet. She gets a warm welcome back from Valeria. She has a meal with Rick and is furious with him for his coldly cutting her off (for her own good, he says). She throws a drink in his face.

Tania’s husband (Jacinto??) is shaking her. He’s furious she put their well-paid gig at risk by taking Alberto to town. He raises his fist, but Alberto intervenes and threatens him.

Barbie and Cris are not as tight as they were before. Cris tries to get her to return to her sociopath brother.

Cris meets with Carlos. She wants to make Mrs. Jones go away.

Cris rags on Tania for letting Alberto out of his cage. Later Cris wants some action, but Alberto is clearly “not that into her”.

In all the gin joints in all the world, Valentin walks into the one where Enrique is drinking. Valentin confides in the worst guy in the world. At first Enrique thinks he knows about the infidelity, but what Valentine discloses is his discovery of the pills.

Barbie, I think, got Cris’s location in Florida off her phone when Cris left the table for a call. She shows up in Florida via Telenovela Express. The evil nurse tries to stop her, but Barbie’s not having it.

Cris has accompanied Alberto to where his paintings are to placate him. There’s a convenient television on a stand in the outdoors and it’s showing an interview with Ana. Alberto is transfixed. Cris is terrified.
 

Bahar

Thank you so much for recapping, Kat!!!

Boy, another jam-packed episode. What rotten parents Seren has. Well, it turns out dad was acting under her mother’s instruction and he’s reluctant about it, but still, he went along with it, and he sure gave poor Seren a major freeze. Why she even cares what the two of them think is beyond me. They’re obviously useless as parents. She should stick with Uras and his mom.

I liked that the women in prison weren’t like the scary ones in the Spanish TNs who are major threats. No, it was the sisterhood, giving counsel and support.

Why would Rengin want Timur’s mom to move in with them? She’s really negative and annoying and also pretty stupid. She’s the one who brought on this whole house disaster.

Bahar had a very bad day. She did get out of jail (poor Evren waited for her all night, and then she wanders off without him) and then she gets let go from her job at the hospital, her life dream.

And then Evren gets shot! I’m worried because Bahar finally said te quiero. Often when there’s a big expression of love like that, tying up a loose end, somebody dies. I can’t imagine this show without Evren, though. And why was the beat-up patient looking for him in particular?

 

Velvet

Things are starting to unravel for Chris. I can't remember her alias, F something. Did you notice all the origami cranes in Al's paintings? I wonder if he also makes them from paper as in the past.

Go Barbie, figure out what Chris is up to. I can't believe she wants the real Gabriel's wife to disappear . We know what that means in Carlos mind. I can't believe he has waited 3 years for Ana. Does he still hire prostitutes to dress like her to fulfill his sexual desires? I know all the deaths won't be attributed to him, he probably dumped the bodies at sea, but it sure would be nice if he is found guilty of the murders.
 

velvet
Kat, I found your comment and it's now posted. A great comment, by the way.
 

velvet

Wow, novelera! Your "quickie" is terrific! It really tells me all I need,
with clarity and humor.

Yes, I think several of us on the patio were surprised when "Felipe" turned
out not to be Carlos. In retrospect, I guess there may have been too much
possibility that seeing Carlos might trigger memories of Alberto's past,
even if he doesn't yet remember who Carlos is.

I too was very uneasy when Cris sees and talks to Albertito. I was even more
uneasy when Gloria saw him (in a previous episode)

I'm glad Sofia is back, and with a hair-do I much prefer to her old one.
I'm hoping she plays a role in defeating whatever ugly business Ana and
Alberto have to deal with before the novela ends.

wow, how convenient to have a moderately large screen TV outside near
Alberto's paintings, and have the TV showing an interview with Ana! That
did seem to me a bit much.

One thing I don't understand is how Barbie could get Cris's address in
Florida without even touching Cris's cell phone. I saw Barbie pointing her
phone at Cris's, which Cris left lying on the table, but I had no idea what
Barbie was trying to do. I'd love it if this telenovela wound up teaching me
something about cellphones.
 

Velvet

I'm not sure Barbie got the info from a cellphone, didn't Chris walk away with her phone to have a private conversation. I'm thinking there was something that pointed to the house in the Keys in her bag. I may have to rewatch that scene.
 

Velvet

Cris walked away to take a phone call but left her purse on the table, slightly open. Barbie, being the smart one in the family, saw something with an address (presumably) and snapped a pic of it before Cris got back. Don’t think she even had to open the purse to do this. She should skip the fashion design nonsense she tried and failed at and be a private investigator. Might more in her wheelhouse.

K
 

velvet
Many thanks, Kat and K, for clearing up the mystery of how Barbie might have obtained Cris's Florida address.
 

velvet

Thanks, Kat and K. Obvi, it makes no sense that Barbie could get something off Cris's phone when she was in the process of speaking to someone on said phone (was it Evil Nurse, can't remember). Rushed to get the recap up and off to bed. I had a contractor coming for an estimate today. Those guys start early!

Also spotted an error in what I wrote. "Cris has come to NYC at her brother's request, probably to get BARBIE to change her mind."
 

velvet

Sorry, I fell behind again. Friday recap will be up tomorrow.

 

Bahar

Whew, Evren survived. And Timur patched him up without complaint. He fetched out the bullet and they said Evren lost a lot of blood. I’m thinking if he was shot at such close range that the bullet would go right through and he’d have a huge hole blasted in his back. No? Looks like that didn’t happen.

Seren’s mom is a piece of work. I loved that she insulted Bahar the whole episode and then at the end when she visits Bahar at her mom’s place to insult her some more is hugely offended that Bahar tells her here’s your hat and there’s the door. It was funny how she kicked off the house slippers in a tantrum.

What do you think Seren’s dad was telling Timur? He said that his ex is somebody to be feared and that it’s best to do whatever she wants. Did he mean that just the way he said it, or was it a strategy to get things going her way and the way he wants too?

Sureya is starting to be creepy. I had the feeling the staff is starting to think so too, including her henchwoman. Did she see Sureya stroking unconscious Evren and kissing his cheek? I like Bahar’s small smile and steady sideways look at her when she’s saying her dastardly stuff. (Bahar applies that look to Seren’s mom too.) And the looks from Bahar’s mom – she’s great. She looks like she’d like to slug somebody.

Grateful for the really sharp writing!


 

velvet #83 part 1

Oops, Albert sees Ana on TV. He hears her tell her story. She came from Mexico when she was 10 and went to NY. Cris sees her, too, and she knocks a tray out of a waiter’s hand to cause a diversion. Ana mentions Velvet, but Albert doesn’t hear that. He tells Cris he feels like he knows the person on TV. The reporter? No. The girl with the big brown eyes being interviewed. Cris tells him he’s just confused.

Raul and Rick are working in the atelier. Lau enters, offering the best bagels in Manhattan. [That’s always up for strong debate.] Raul cooly answers—I don’t do carbs. Rick jumps in and adds—without coffee. He doesn’t do carbs without coffee. Me neither. I’ll get us coffee.

Lau takes the opportunity to move in quite close to Raul. He looks at the drawing. Is that me? Raul gives an uh-huh. Nice Raulito, Lau replies. He coos into Raul’s ear, I like that you are thinking about me. He adds… for the designs, I mean… Raul asks Lau if he is familiar with the concept of personal space. Lau takes a step back and says, if we’re going to work together, we should get to know each other better. I’m on the road team, so you have a home field advantage. To balance the schedule, you come watch me play.

Raul scoffs, me? At a soccer game? Yes, Lau replies, that way you can see me in my natural habitat, doing one of the two best things I know how to do. Raul takes the bait—what is the second? That’s private, Lau says with a sly smile. Let me show you my world. You might find some inspiration. What do you say? Raul is speechless. [Trying to figure out Lau’s game. Is he gay and interested or just toying with Raul?]

The Vals have an apology lunch. He shouldn’t have pressured her. Will you forgive me? Of course, she answers, but what made you change your mind? Not “what”, he replies, but more like “who”… Enrique. She is surprised. He says they had drinks last night and told him about what happened. I know I shouldn’t have told him something so private, but he made me come to my senses. I realized a husband should pressure his wife. Especially not for something like having a child if his wife isn’t ready.

Val1 asks, Enrique said that? Yes, Val2 replies, and now I feel terrible about not respecting what you want or the time you need. But at the same time, there’s a voice in my head telling me that you don’t want children with me because you don’t love me. My mom says the same thing. [took him 3 years to figure that out?]

Val2 continues, I know she’s wrong though. I’m seeing her tonight. She says she has something important to tell me. But I’ll tell her not to say that again. Val1 says, thanks for defending me, but she’s never wanted me by your side. That won’t change. She reaches out and takes his hand, but who cares as long as you and I are okay. That’s why I wanted to apologize about the pills. I got rid of them. [really?] He’s happy. She says, you and I are going to have a baby.

Stunned Barbie is inside the Keys house. Cris walks in. Cristina? Is it true, you live here? Cris is alarmed, how did you find me? Barbie tells her about the envelope she saw with the address. Cris orders Barbie to leave immediately. Barbie won’t go until she knows Cris is okay. Why are you hiding here? Why do your employees call you Fiorela? You can trust me. Tell me.

 

velvet #83 part 2

Fine, Cris replies, I’ll tell you everything but not here. Let’s go for a walk. Too late, Albert enters the room looking for Cindy’s unicorn. Oops, he didn’t know she had company. Barbie’s eyes pop. Cris goes into full damage control. She asks her former bestie—doesn’t Gabriel look completely recovered? Surprise! Barbie can’t answer. I don’t even think she’s blinked yet. Albert just smiles.

Valeria shows Sofi the Cafiero’s Queen Gloria handbag collection. Sofi can’t believe Glo got a collection named after her. Val snarks, she might have gotten more than that from the Cafieros. She asks Sofi if she will come back to work at Velvet. She’s concerned that Pilar will try to steal her. Sofi accepts Val’s offer.

Val is thrilled but senses something is up with her cuz. Sofi says that she’s worried about her dad. Pilar told her he stole money and disappeared. Val notes it isn’t easy to be a Marquez. Sofi just wants to know if her dad is okay. He hasn’t answered texts or emails.

Barbie still hasn’t spoken or blinked. Albert asks Barbie if something’s wrong. Cris jumps in, Barbie’s in shock because she can’t believe how good you look. Albert asks, do you know me? Cris explains that they’ve been BFFs their whole lives. Albert is sorry to say he doesn’t recognize Barbie. Albert asks Barbie, have we known each other for a long time? Barbie begins to sputter…Alb…

Cris quickly interrupts, Gabriel, I almost forgot… the unicorn. She gives it to Albert, and he leaves. Cris turns to Barbie—wipe that look off your face. Now you know everything, are you happy? Dumbfounded Barbie finally speaks. Cristina… but I went to his funeral. Albert’s dead. Cris shushes her. He’ll hear.

Yes, Cris admits, he was in the earthquake in Turkey, and I saved his life and brought him here. He was in bad shape. I had to teach him to walk, to eat. He couldn’t even talk. Barbie notes that Albert didn’t recognize her. Yes, he lost his memory, Cris says. [Duh, Barbie.] Barbie answers, so you decided to create a new life for him? Give him a different name. Cris says she created a happy world for the both of them. A world in which he’d have peace. [And Cris would have her piece—of Albert.]

Barbie calls Cris by name. Crazy Cris hisses—Fiorela! My name is Fiorela and he’s Gabriel. Please don’t ruin what’s cost me years to put together. I’ve poured everything into Gabriel’s recovery. Wipe that panicked look off your face and get a hold of yourself and please help me. [Barbie, stop being Cris’ enabler. Do the right thing and finally get off the suck list.]

Pilar confronts Marga. Why did you ask Chi to ask my assistant for information? What makes you say that, Marga asks. You’re very talented, Pilar tells her, and you can’t deny I’ve delivered all I promised. Marga agrees. Pilar notes that Marga has made strides in sustainability and producing a line that even she didn’t think possible. But I will not tolerate industrial espionage [she left out: unless I’m doing it.]

Marga replies, I was curious. I saw Gloria and Marco with you and thought… Pilar replies, so you felt you had the right to investigate? I don’t know who you think you are, but you work for me. I can be tyrannical as I can be generous, and you know it. Marga tries to explain but Pilar doesn’t want to hear. If you want to keep working for me, she says, be careful with the information you have. Not only is your job at risk, but also Chi’s. Don’t mention this to anyone from Velvet, understand?

 

velvet #83 part 3

Cris, Barbie and Albert have coffee. Cris explains to Albert that Barbie wanted to catch up and see him. Barbie tries to play along but still looks rattled. It’s been so long, Gabriel. Not since… Cris interrupts—since the hospital. I remember how you’d visit every day to check. Albert asks Barbie why didn’t you come afterward? Cris answers, the doctors stopped allowing visitors as part of the recovery plan. But now that you’re getting better, you’ll be seeing more of our friends.

Cris mentions the fake friend Felipe who spoke about the business in LA. Albert asks Barbie, are you familiar with my company? She says yes… uh… the import one. Barbie still can’t completely put her eyeballs back in her head, but she says she’s glad to see he’s doing well. I can’t believe… you’re alive. Cris shoots her a look.

Albert smiles, I’m happy to see you too. Cris laughs, oh Barbara, you’re always so emotional. It’s normal. All our friends were shocked you survived that tragic accident. They are overcome with emotion. Barbie brings up the paintings. Albert says all the paintings of cranes are his. I also have some being shown at an outdoor bar nearby. Barbie has such a pitiful look.

Blanca is in the hospital with Emilio by her side. She speaks to Jenny before her operation. Emilio will keep her informed. Emilio takes the phone to reassure Jenny. Blanca is scared. Emilio wants Blanca to think positive and reminds her she’s a fighter. You can do this. I’ll be here for you.

Raul is humming a happy tune while he works. Rick takes note. I thought the mood would be tense with Thunder around, but I see it’s not. Raul admits that Lau is less insufferable than he thought. Rick didn’t think the two would get along so well. Stop there. Raul clarifies that they tolerate each other. Getting along is a different matter. Rick says they make a good team. There’s chemistry, even when they fight. Raul considers it for a second and then waves it off as Rick’s imagination. Rick seems to know better.

Ana comes to the hospital and speaks with Emilio. She tells him to be brave for Blanca. Emilio is worried. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else.

Pepita comes into the atelier like the boss from hell. She’s handing back the employee’s cell phones that were confiscated. She states that lateness is not acceptable from now on. Shifts begin and end on the dot. Furthermore, we will hold your phones while you are working. Understand? She calls out one woman—don’t smirk at me like an old gossip. Know your place! It’s not like you have anyone at home missing you. You’re here to do one thing. To sew! Get moving! The ladies leave.

Pepita turns her sites on Rick and says, good work. She hands him his phone. Marco walks in and compliments her—very good, Pepita. I’m happy to see you’re restoring order. Now that Blanca’s gone, I have a few changes I’d like you to make. Blanca is too soft on the team. We need to maximize production. I’m expecting great results with your leadership. Who knows? Maybe the atelier will get a new manager. Rick takes note. [I guess this is the reason they gave Blanca a medical problem.]

Raul is at the hospital. He tells Ana about Lau inviting him to a game. Surgery is over and Emilio has good news. They removed the myoma (uterine fibroids), the doctor is optimistic. Blanca will spend the night. Raul volunteers to stay because Blanca was like a mother to him during his recovery. Emilio says he will watch Albertito and says now Ana can go to Miami to get her award. Ana doesn’t want to go but Emilio insists. [Yes, how else would she find Albert?]

 

velvet #83 part 4

Sofi brings Rick a peace offering, chocolate with dried fruit, just how he likes it. She thought things over. She blames her dramatic Latino genes. She realizes he did what he did for her own good. He nods. She says, even though I don’t forgive you, I will thank you. I needed to go to London to take care of loose ends. University helped me get a clear picture. It gets very flirty. Rick asks, like what? Your eyes, Sofi replies, they are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I feel a sense of calm with you, but I still get goosebumps when you talk to me. They kiss.

Barbie and Cris are alone. Cris thanks her for not saying anything. Barbie is unsettled. I don’t understand how you could do this? Cris just shrugs it off. Barbie continues, do you realize how much pain you caused us all by making us believe Alberto was dead? [Barbie was in pain?] Delusional Cris replies, no, no, you should be thanking me for saving his life. If not for Carlos and me, Albert wouldn’t exist.

Carlos? Cris explains that Carlos helped her with the bureaucracy, etc. to bring Albert from Turkey. Barbie is really perturbed. Do you two not understand the gravity of what you’ve done? How could you partner with Carlos to..? Look, I understand why you’d do it, but Carlos? What did he gain? Cris replies, Ana. All he cares about is being with her. [yes, he’s even sicker than Cris.]

Barbie tells Cris this is wrong. It’s horrible. Cris doesn’t think so. She asks, so what would be right? Letting Albert be with Ana? Ana doesn’t love him. She’s going to marry Carlos. Barbie says it’s only because she thinks Albert is dead. What would happen if Ana found out he was alive? But she doesn’t know, Cris replies, this way Ana can be with Carlos, I get to stay with Albert and raise our daughter together and be happy. Barbie asks, you don’t care that Alberto will never find out who he really is? Cris says he doesn't need to know. And if you care about me as much as you claim, you’ll keep this secret, won’t you?

Esteban shows up at Velvet, in a T-shirt and jeans. Rick approaches him. Esteban asks if Sofi is there. Yes, she came back to work. Esteban doesn’t want Rick to tell her he is here. He really shouldn’t have come. He asks about Blanca. Rick informs him that she’s in the hospital and had surgery, but he doesn’t have any details. Esteban says he’s got to leave, don’t tell Sofi. She doesn’t deserve a father like me.

Albert is sketching a pic of Ana on a canvas. Their theme plays. Tania enters the room. Who is that pretty lady? The woman I dreamt of, Albert replies, I saw her on TV today and for some reason I felt it was her. I remember her face now. Tania says to remember to hide it, so his wife doesn’t find it.

Rick comes to Sofi in the break room. He was just thinking about her father. Have you heard from him? Yes, she replies, but the last I heard made me sad. Tia told me he stole money from her and left the job. Rick asks, would you like to know how he’s doing? She would but she’s also scared. What if he’s not well? He hugs her.

Blanca wakes up. Emilio is there. The operation was a success, they will run some tests, and they expect it to be benign. Blanca is anxious to go home. Emilio tells her she has to spend the night. She thanks him. Raul comes in with flowers. Emilio has already contacted Jenny. BFFs forever.

 

velvet #83 part 5

Pre press conference meeting in conference room. Val says it’s important that the press is clear on Lau not only being the face of the collection but an important part of the collaboration, and that Raul and Lau are working closely as a team. As long as my designing career is still recognized, Raul states. Lau adds, which has been essential throughout the process. Val says she will give a brief introduction and then open it up to the reporters.

Sofi opens the doors, while Lau straightens Raul’s collar. [still wondering about Lau. And I think Raul is, too. And BTW, he looks more like an NFL player to me than a fútbol player.] Val begins, today is a very special day for Velvet. I have the honor of announcing a historic collaboration between Raul de la Riva, our designer, and the great Lau Pontes, start player for… Lau interrupts—don’t worry about it, babe. Everybody here knows who I am.

Lau steps between Val and Raul and hijacks the presser. Here’s what you need to know. Marco Cafiero wanted a different kind of collection. Something fresh, unique. Raul is clearly annoyed. Lau continues, so he picked me to help put a fresh spin on my friend Raul’s designs. He puts his arm around Raul’s shoulder. I’ve always put 110% into everything I do, whether it’s playing guitar, modeling, and of course, out on the pitch. This won’t be an exception. Because creating this collection could be the beginning of my career as a designer and maybe even my own clothing line. Any questions? Lots of side eye from the Velvet group.

Pepita is getting coffee in the break room. Pedro walks past her and says hello. His back is turned to her, and she gives him the once over, complete with the horny lip bite. Pedro? He turns around and she’s in a flirty pose. She asks, can you do me a favor? Can you get napkins? They are up way to high for me. He turns toward the cabinet, and she makes her move right up against him. He’s surprised and she plants a big kiss on him. Que rico besas, Pedro. Pues si nos van a dar pan pues vamos a comérnoslo. (Well, if they're going to give us bread, we'll eat it). She goes in for another kiss. Pedro isn’t sure what to do but he can’t really get away. She’s all over him.

Uh oh, they are interrupted my Maria from HR. You two, in my office, now! I’ll speak to each of you separately.

Ana and Marga arrive in Miami. [How did Marga get time off?] Marga feels that Miami is the place they should be. She’s happy here. Ana says her best memories are of being with Albert in Miami. I dreamt of him last night. I was on the beach and guess what I was wearing? Crimson 76. Silly Marga says, how can you wear that on a beach? It was a dream, Ana replies, the point is I was there, and out of nowhere, Alberto came up behind me and started whispering in my ear. “I’ve always been with you. I’m still here, I never left.”

Jacinto calls Carlos and tells him that Barbie came to the house. He’s sure. She was talking to Gabriel. Carlos says not to let them out of his sight. If anything weird happens, call me. Carlos gets the crazy look. Ah, Tania overheard the call.

Back in the atelier, Raul rips into Lau while keeping his back turned to him. Who do you think you are to come here and let your ego run out of control and say whatever you want? What’s more, you claimed to be a designer, as if you have what it takes. Lau claims he was just generating content to get people talking.

 

velvet #83 part 6

Apparently, Raul and Lau walked out of the meeting because Val, Sofi, and Rick have followed them in. Val orders them back to the presser immediately. Raul refuses. Val says the reporters will suspect something is wrong. A bad article could tarnish the collection. I don’t care, Raul replies, besides it’s the bandleader’s collection. And since you (Lau) want all the credit, you’ll have to do all the work yourself from scratch. He hands over scissors. There’s the fabric. Have fun.

Lau calls Raul a drama queen. Yes, I am, Raul answers. Lau calls this strategy. Raul de la Riva designing is nothing new. Everyone expects this from Raul. But a soccer player who’s never seen a sewing machine designing a collection? People don’t expect it, and they like the unexpected. [This guy must have taken one too many headers in his career. And I think his ego is more pumped up than his muscles.] Count me out, Raul says, this isn’t a soccer pitch and I’m not a ball you can play with when you feel like it.

Enrique meets with a lawyer recommended by Valentin. Enrique tells Valentin it was a big help. Val is sure that it will be almost impossible for Barbie to get half of the shipping company. Val asks the lawyer if he has papers for him. The lawyer is hesitant to do this in front of Enrique. It’s okay, Val says, I trust Enrique. [yeah, should be about as far as he could throw him.] Val signs papers to make Valeria his legal heir. After all, she will be the mother of his children. She will be protected if anything happens to him. What’s mine is hers. It’s all thanks to Enrique’s advice. Enrique smiles.

Carlos meets with Gloria. She thinks it must be serious if he couldn’t tell her over the phone. He starts, you and I had a deal. We were supposed to share anything that came up with Cris. Glo says she has. Carlos drops the Barbie bomba. Glo can’t believe it. Cris would have told her. Carlos says Jacinto informed him. Barbie showed up out of nowhere. Carlos worries what Barbie will do when she finds out about Albert.

Glo tells him to calm down. Barbie cares a lot about Cris. She won’t do anything. Carlos asks, and if she does? We didn’t just fake Albert’s death. We’ve been practically… no, not practically… keeping him hostage! He slams the table and gets some looks from other patrons. Glo asks him again to calm down. Barbie will handle it, and Cris can deal with her.

Carlos can’t rely on that. I won’t go to jail because of her, he says, I’m going to Miami right now. Glo thinks Barbara shouldn’t know he has a part in this. [ha, too late!] Glo volunteers to go check it out. Carlos was going to take a private jet to Miami anyway because Ana is getting her award tonight. Glo says okay, she’ll go with him to Miami and then to the Keys. He gives her a distrustful look that she doesn’t like. Trust me, she says. I don’t lose my mind like Cris does. You and I are together in this.

Barbie thinks it’s weird that Albert paints all these paper cranes. Cris supposes it a memory of all the paper ones he made after his trip to Japan with his dad. Barbie notices a locked armoire. Cris says they lock up painting supplies so Cindy can’t get at them. Cris wants to put something away and unlocks it. She notices a covered canvas in the back and takes it out.

Cris uncovers it. It’s Ana. Barbie says, you told me he doesn’t remember anything. Cris replies, do you see what’s happening? He still remembers her. She recalls they saw Ana on TV. BSC mode loading.

And we are out.

 

velvet

Dondi, you've done it again. And again! And again!! MANY THANKS for this
superb, marvellous, amazing recap.

I was especially struck this time by your asides. I took note of one in
particular: "[And BTW, he looks more like an NFL player to me than a fútbol
player.]" I had a very similar thought. I've always been impressed with how
normally built most soccer players are, unlike the behemoths of American
football. Lau definitely looked to me more like one of those behemoths. It's
hard for me to picture Lau outrunning an opponent (or even keeping up with
him). Anyway, I was delighted to see that you, too, felt this way.

And staying with Lau for a moment longer, I too found myself wondering
whether he is gay or is just playing with Raúl.

Of course, it's not just your asides that sparkle. I also enjoyed your saying that "Barbie still can’t completely put her eyeballs back in her head" after seeing Alberto.

Hmmm...so Tania overhears part of the conversation between Jacinto and
Carlos. She may turn out to play a more important role in all this than
was at first apparent. I think she's Alberto's only ally in the Florida
Keys, and she's no dummy.

I'm hoping this novela is coming to an end, but I'm a bit concerned that
there has been no announcement of what will follow it. I sure hope that
doesn't mean we still have weeks more to go. ¡Ya basta!
 

velvet

Thanks, Juanita! Nice to know when we are on the same page.

Albert is the only one who's nice to Tania so it makes sense she allies with him.

I looked ahead in the tv listings and there's a 2 hour Velvet on Sept 24. Top Chef covers the 9 -10 slot on Sept 25. That's as far as my listing goes. Could that be the end? I've been seeing promos for the ESDLC spin off, Dinastia Casillas. It says starting October but it has no date or time slot.

 

velvet

Fantastic recap, dondi! Enjoyed every word.

So...Marco can go public with having a relationship with another employee, even a subordinate and he doesn't get a dressing down like Blanca did when Pepita ratted them out to HR?

I chuckled at the debate about bagels comment. Here in the Bay Area I've run into a few transplanted New Yorkers buying bagels in one of our many bagel shops and comparing them unfavorably with the NYC ones.

I also can't tell if Valeria plans to stop taking the pill and give Valentin a child.

"And Cris would have her piece of Alberto" Nice play on words. ITA about wishing Barbie'd get off the suck list by telling people at Velvet about Alberto being alive.'

I will say this show breaks some of the older rules. Clara is apparently sleeping with Marco, even though she still loves Mateo. And Marga has something going on with Chi. Only Ana still fits the mold of good guys never having sex outside of their star crossed lovers.

I can hardly wait to see Pepita on the unemployment line.

Yep, Lau (my Sp. subtitles said Lao) looks waaay too beefy to be a soccer player. I had high hopes for his being a love interest for Raul, but he's too full of himself by far.

It's pretty pathetic how gullible Valentin is. Is it the result of his overbearing, controlling mother? Is Enrique planning to put out a hit on him and have his money along with Valeria?

Looks like everyone is heading for Miami. Carlos wants his hindquarters covered in case the living Albert is revealed.

I'm wondering how they'll engineer Alberto and Ana finding each other. Isn't the place he's showing his art also in the Keys? Would Ana go there?
 

velvet

I had mentioned I liked the theme song. Here is an article from People in Español.

https://peopleenespanol.com/lucero-habla-experiencia-mijares-cantando-tema-musical-velvet-11781572

I never pay much attention to the credits and thus did not know who the two vocalists were. So today I googled it.
 

Velvet

Thanks Dondi. I think the 24th is the last day of this show. I sure hope so. And of course it happens to be my night to recap, wah...a 2 hour show. On top of that I'm having 3 teeth pulled and hopefully the start of an implant done that day. A bone graft is also on the table. So if anyone wants to jump in and offer to do the hopefully finale I'm willing to pass the torch...

Pepita definitely is a miserable person. I'm in agreement she belongs on the unemployment line.

I also like the song for this show.
 

"VELVET"
Kat in SC: I've heard that the Gran Final of this Telenovela is going to be on September 24th. Any confirmation of this speculation ? 🤔