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MIRADA #13, Part 1

Limbo

We see a glass of ice being filled with an amber colored liquid. Eloisa’s interview plays in the background as Octavio scowls, sipping his drink. We hear Eloisa’s repeated doting remarks regarding her children, then talking about Pablo. Octavio has a drunken flashback about Pablo and Eloisa writhing on the floor as he walks in on them. He recalls the ensuing argument, him saying he is Eloisa’s husband and the angry retort he is her ex-husband.

Eloisa walks as a worried Pablo calls her asking “are you all right”. Yes, I love you she affirms, smiling serenely; buenos noches. She walks into Antonia’s building and seeing her adored daughter, drops to her knees. She smiles encouragingly and without uttering one word of recrimination, simply hugs her crying daughter. Antonia blurts out she is confused but Eloisa soothes that “it’s normal”. Antonia frets about her father; all of this is out of his control Eloisa allows, she holds her daughter close.

Octavio has left home and is drowning his sorrows further with Bernardo who dispenses words of advice as they have another round.

Karen and Pablo talk about Octavio and Eloisa. Karen belts down a shot as Pablo drinks beer. I believe he fills her in on Octavio walking in on him and Eloisa.

Octavio is totally inebriated and can’t even stand up. So where does Bernardo dump him? Gabriela’s of course! She follows him down the hall lecturing him as he sits then lies on the bed. The next morning he looks at his watch and sees something from Carmela (an imperious demand no doubt).” Bernardo?” Gabriela asks. Yes he lies as he hoists his workout bag over his shoulder.

Eloisa, Antonia and Tomas arrive at Carmela’s; Fernanda greets them. Eloisa has to remind her sister that Octavio is her ex-marido and that he cheated on her for two years. Matilde is there too as well as a coffee drinking Octavio. It appears all have been summoned as Samuel soon arrives; he and Octavio immediately sniping at each other. Everyone makes their way to the table.

Gabriela has a visitor, Karen. Problems with Pablo? Gabriela asks. Karen fills her in on Octavio and Pablo’s confrontation, much to Gabriela’s chagrin.

At Carmela’s, everyone has their game face on, making small talk. All of a sudden, Antonia blurts out “I’m embarazada!” Stares and gasps follow and after a pregnant pause (sorry, I couldn’t help myself 😊) everyone starts talking at once. I believe Samuel is pleased for his sister. Octavio exacerbates the situation and cuts Tomas off when he tries to talk. Octavio snarls and Antonia and Tomas end up leaving; Samuel follows suit (Matilde had already left). Eloisa throws her napkin down and follows leaving only Octavio and Carmela at the table.

Pablo and his son are playing soccer in the schoolyard as Julieta takes stock of her (seemingly dire) financial situation. Daniel is not in good spirits; he doesn’t seem to accept the fact his parents aren’t together. Meanwhile, Julieta takes out the check, intoxicated by its lure.

Upstairs, Eloisa hugs Antonia and Samuel; Tomas thanks her for her support and they hug. Eloisa calls Fer, worried about Gabriela. Carmela lectures Octavio. Fer comes in and tells them something I didn’t understand…

Diana
 

MIRADA #13, Part 2

Pablo calls for Daniel who seems to have disappeared while inside, Julieta agonizes over her finances.

Eloisa and Octavio are in a restaurant; she is talking about him having respect for his children. Money is also discussed; I believe she asks him for a divorce. He leaves and she sips her ice water worriedly.

Pablo cannot find Daniel and calls Julieta who asks where he is…

Gabriela is waylaid on the street by Octavio’s limo. She tells him she knows what happened and she chides him on his obsession with Eloisa. To soften the blow that he obviously cares for his wife, he throws out the lure of his divorce. She bites, as expected. Hand kissing ensues.

Julieta and Pablo are with the police as she frantically shows Daniel’s picture to shop keepers and others milling about.

Octavio and Gabriela are shopping for engagement rings. How sweet I utter, bile gathering in my throat. The fact they are on a tray rather than individually boxed has me thinking Octavio isn’t exactly pulling out all the stops.

Pablo and Julieta arrive home when all of a sudden, Daniel appears!! They are immensely relieved but he is still upset and obviously hurting.

The three amigas are together again as Renata appears with one of her dearest friends, a big ‘ole bottle of tequila. I believe Eloisa relates what happened the previous night. Kindly add if you can.

At the table, Daniel seems to say something about Pablo’s novia. Pablo asks Julieta how she is. I am unsure about her reply.

Renata and Leticia drop Matilde off at the ballet academy. Renata says Eloisa is very worried about her. Leticia takes a slightly friendlier tact but all falls on deaf ears. Matilde gets out but leaves her bag behind. Renata gets out and gives the bag to one of the students, asking her to return it to Matilde. As she walks the school corridor, Renata overhears Karen and Julieta talking and eavesdrops on their conversation. I believe she realizes Karen is interested in Pablo.

In class, I think Matilde tries to tell Julieta she is ready to dance but Julieta (quite dismissively) seems to rebuff her. It seems likely Julieta is letting her jealousy of Eloisa taint her opinion of Matilde.

Diana
 

MIRADA #13, Part 3 of 3

Karen shows up at Pablo’s with champagne. I think someone is going to Spain? Please clarify if you can. Karen pops the cork and pours them some bubbly. Eloisa tries to call him he doesn’t pick up. She leaves him a voice mail wishing him a good night telling him again that she loves him.

In the last scene of the evening, Eloisa opens her nightstand and finds her discarded wedding ring. She plays with it on her hand. We next see Octavio fiddling with his as he lies in bed with Gabriela. Promises made, promises broken. Finally, we see Gabriela, fingers moving on and over her sparkling new diamond.

Another jam-packed episode! I believe I understood a bit more than last night (which isn’t saying much!) Hopefully, I got some things right. Kindly fill in my blanks and/or correct what I missed and what I got wrong. I can’t wait to hear what you all have to say…

Diana
 

MIRADA Extras 1

Diana, thank you, for getting the discussion off to a great start with your well-written summary.

Something that has had me confused until tonight. It seems that Octavio and Eloísa as well as Pablo and Julieta are still married. Then why do they refer to their partners as their exes when they are only separated?

Bernardo tells Octavio he never should have opened that door. Octavio says they were f***** in his house; he is the one who is paying the bills. Bernardo thinks that Octavio is jealous. When he saw Eloísa with another man, he had lost not only his wife and the mother of his children but also a woman. He needs to mourn that fact.

Pablo tells Karen that Carmela is protecting Octavio and that is why she wanted to pay him to forget about the press conference. Pablo thinks although Octavio came off as a cuckold, he won by discrediting him and the magazine and he got to be a victim. Karen wonders what Carmela had to gain. Pablo says she gets him to stay away from Eloísa and maybe gets her to reconcile with Octavio. He needs to find out who the "journalist" was at the press conference. Karen will help him get his article about it published.

Gabriela thinks that the drunk Octavio is upset about Antonia's pregnancy. The next morning he gets a message from Carmela: Today is the breakfast at my house. You are still invited.

Gabriela is furious when she finds out about Octavio going back to his house and having the run in with Pablo. She asks why cannot he leave his damn ex alone. Karen thinks that he is sorry they ever separated. Gabriela says that she noticed the way that Octavio looked at Eloísa on her podcast. It was as if he were admiring her. Karen tells her she deserves better.

Eloísa has the unpleasant surprise of finding that Octavio is at her mother's house for the breakfast celebrating Fernanda's visit from Colombia. Fernanda tells her that she came to help he with her matrimonial crisis. She wants Eloísa to work things out with Octavio. Eloísa says there is no crisis. He was with another woman for two years. Fernanda says the same thing that Carmela told Eloísa earlier: 2 years are not 25 years. Eloísa notices the repetition. Octavio notices that Matilde stayed over at Carmela's and says it would have been better if she had stayed at home but then that would have ruined her mother's plans. He next attacks Samuel asking him if he doesn't find it embarrassing that he is still paying all of his expenses at this age. Octavio and Eloísa next have differences of opinion at as to raising children. He thinks that children need to be guided by their parents into finding a career when they are young while Eloisa thinks that parents should be there to support their children if they lose their way and remind them they are never alone. Out of nowhere, Antonia announces she is pregnant. Pablo smiles and adds that they are getting married. Carmela demands to know why Eloísa didn't tell her. Octavio says Eloísa was too distracted by her own things. Antonia reminds him she told him that she found out late herself because of a certain medical condition. Matilde gets up. Eloísa tells her to finish eating. Octavio points out that he left and now Eloísa cannot manage the kids. Samuel confronts his father for blaming his mother for everything. They are grown now and can make their own decisions. Tomás tries to talk but Octavio shuts him down. Antonia tells her father that she values Tomás and his decisions more than him and his. Eloísa is proud of her three children. Octavio says he isn't. Eloísa will support her kids in everything. Octavio won't. He goes on to say that if they do no want him in their lives, they can pay for those lives themselves. Antonia thinks that is perfect. She will be moving in with Tomás today. Samuel adds that before he is humiliated, he will be moving out, too. The two kids and Eloísa leave. She watches them pack up their things at home and move out.
 

MIRADA Extras 2

Fernanda tells Octavio that Eloísa wants to meet him at 4:00 at La Lunada.
Eloísa tells Octavio that she hopes they can remain cordial and respectful with each other. There is no need for hate and resentment. He agrees to leave it all behind as is she. That all changes when she thinks it is best that they get divorced. He asks if she brought him there just to ask for a divorce. She answers that the keys to her house also belong to her children. He goes on a tirade saying that he is not going to give up all of the money he broke his back to earn to her so that SOB Pablo can spend it since he is taking advantage of her. He refuses to give her a divorce. She says she can get one without his input. He makes sure she knows that without his consent that divorce proceeding could go on for months or even years. She is ready for as long as it takes. She is going to get her independence and her freedom back. He says that will only happen when she can pay her own way (just like what he told his kids) She should sell her paintings.

At the jeweler, Gabriela tells Octavio that usually a woman is given a ring when a marriage proposal is made and she doesn't choose it. Octavio knows but he cannot propose until he gets divorced and wants to her to have the ring as a reminder of their future together.

Leticia is not happy with Renata's continual drinking. Eloísa says that friends cannot stop her. It is like with Matilde. The more she harps about her not eating, the less she pays attention. Renata comes back and they talk about two men competing for Eloísa who seems to be concerned about the age difference between her and Pablo.

Daniel is upset that Pablo has a novia that isn't his mother. Pablo tells Julieta they need a divorce ASAP for the boy's sake. She suddenly doesn't think it is a good time right now with what just happened with him. Yes, Julieta has broken up with Jeffrey. She tells Pablo she is seeing how to handle the debt she was left with. He asks if she has changed the password on their account. She says yes but there is no money in the accounts anyway. She will let him know when Jeffrey makes a deposit.

Renata overhears Karen telling Julieta that Pablo isn't going to tell Eloísa about all of the debt he has. Julieta says all doors have been closed to him after the scandal. It has him all tied up but Karen has a plan for that.

A classmate gives Matilde some drugs to help with her weight loss. Julieta tells Matilde that she sees that she is still in pain and insists that she sit practice out.

Karen tells Pablo that she got a call from a magazine in Girona, Spain to launch a digital version. It is a super job with a great salary. It includes absolutely everything even an apartment. He asks when she is leaving. She says she would have to quit her current job but she told them all about him. He would be perfect! She would get money as the consultant but the rest of the money would be all his. All he has to do is say yes and the two of them can be off to Spain. He says he will have to think about it.
 

MIRADA

Diana, you had me laughing more than once. Thank you!

I loved "the pregnant cause". /"How sweet I utter, bile gathering in my throat. The fact they are on a tray rather than individually boxed has me thinking Octavio isn’t exactly pulling out all the stops."/"he throws out the lure of his divorce. She bites, as expected."


Octavio is such a conniver playing BOTH Eloísa and Gabriela. He makes my skin crawl.
 

MIRADA

pregnant Pause!
 

MIRADA

Diana and Jarifa – you did it again! Just fabulous!!!

Time for a pregnant pause!

I loved that. Okay, onward. Boy, that family lunch was a big disaster. Octavio was just horrible to the kids and to Eloise. And somehow they think she’ll get back with him? Somehow her mother thinks that’s a good idea? Can’t they see who he is? He really displayed his true colors and managed to blow up the family home. Jarifa – how did you get all that lunch dialog down? Very impressive!

And what’s with him thinking he won’t grant a divorce until she proves she can support herself? She should get half of what they have for raising his kids and running his household all those 25 years they keep talking about. Why did she not protest about that?

We have Karen telling Gabriela she deserves a guy who’s 100% focused on her, not some guy still involved with his ex. We know what Karen is up to. And then there’s Julieta who has broken up with her affair guy so she’ll probably be up to something too. And she deposited the check! At least she had a few pangs of conscience before doing so.

 

MIRADA

Jarifa, once again you've provided an exceptional summary, written in expressive language and heart stopping details.

Octavio "...thinks that children need to be guided by their parents into finding a career when they are young while Eloisa thinks that parents should be there to support their children if they lose their way and remind them they are never alone". He, practical and bullying (by withdrawing his financial support). She, nurturing and kind. Oil and water just don't mix.

I love Eloisa's calm strength and resiliance. "He refuses to give her a divorce. She says she can get one without his input. He makes sure she knows that without his consent that divorce proceeding could go on for months or even years. She is ready for as long as it takes. She is going to get her independence and her freedom back". She refuses to be cowed or threatened, exhibiting only patience and dignity. She knows time is not an impediment to finally getting him out of her life.

"Pablo tells Julieta they need a divorce ASAP for the boy's sake. She suddenly doesn't think it is a good time right now"... Of course she doesn't.

Poor Pablo has no clue that two (Karen and Julieta) of the three most important women in his life are completely manipulating him. "All he has to do is say yes and the two of them can be off to Spain". Supposedly supportive Karen is a stealth snake and is far more dangerous than I'd given her credit for.

Jarifa, thank you for providing so many important details. I will need to read this again so that I can process to try to be ready for tonight...

What on earth is going to happen tonight?? I can't wait.

Diana
 

MIRADA

Maggie, thank you very much! I always enjoy your comments and insights.

Why can't Eloisa's mother and sister defend her? It's abundantly clear who's side they are on. "Can’t they see who he is?" is an excellent question as I shake my head in frustration and pity for Eloisa.

Yes, Eloisa definitely deserves compensation for "... raising his kids and running his household all those 25 years". It's very telling all she wants is to end the marriage. I think (and hope) she realizes her artistic talent has her well equipped to support herself and do so quite nicely. :)

Maggie, I didn't realize Julieta had deposited the check. Thank you!

Diana
 

Mirada

Thanks Diana and Jarifa. That was a revealing episode. I loved the pregnant pause!

People have revealed their true colors in this episode. I think we always knew but now we have proof! Starting with Octavio, who made exactly who he is quite plain at the brunch. Now the kids see it and are finally on their mother’s side. Except maybe Matilde. But what a nasty comment Octavio directed at Eloisa when he mentioned her living at home would ruin her mother’s plans. He’s turned out to be a nasty guy. Gabriela is getting what she deserves. And she’s right, the guy always presents a ring to the girl in these telenovelas. She had to choose one from a tray!

Pablo had said something to Karen about, of course he trusts her. Not sure what night it was. But he should have lost his trust when she used the title for his article that he asked her not to use. I didn’t realize they’d both be going to Spain, but of course that makes sense. And it would serve Julieta well if she could get Gabriela to break up with Octavio. She’s assuming Eloisa would take him back. What conniving females! There’s not enough Pablo to go around!

I saw Julieta wavering in front of the computer with the check in hand. When she got the phone call from Pablo she shut the computer and ran out. I’m not sure if she deposited it or not.

I think Octavio thought the meeting with Eloisa was going to be her wanting him back! The ring for Gabriela seemed a last minute thought to get even with Eloisa.

I don’t know how this will finish up in two episodes! I hope they don’t cut it to bits. When Pablo was playing ball with his son I was thinking they could have cut a bunch of that.

Liz
 

Hilos

When Tamara was with Carolina saying how she’s always loved Carlos and who is the model he’s dating, and Carlos was hers, I was sure Carolina was looking at her as if she was a little bit crazy.

There was too much beach and model stuff in this episode. And Christine slept with Carlos. I wasn’t ready for that . Will she end up pregnant? There would go her career!

Lorena is determined to have Manuel. I wonder if that would ever happen!

I’m tired of Romina’s pouting and being mad at her mother. She needs to move in with Omar and get to know his father. Although Omar doesn’t even want to bring her to his house.

Carolina is so sure her daughter is in Europe. If someone left a baby on my doorstep I would turn it in to the authorities. Not everyone wants a random baby in their lives! Especially if you’re planning to move to Europe.

Liz
 

MIRADA

Liz, thanks so much.

I laughed out loud at "There’s not enough Pablo to go around!" Great line :)

"Octavio, who made exactly who he is quite plain at the brunch. Now the kids see it and are finally on their mother’s side. Except maybe Matilde" was spot on. Ivan is doing an excellent job portraying slimy and loathsome Octavio.

It hadn't occurred to me that Octavio wanted to meet with Eloisa thinking she'd want him back but that's an excellent point. That may be part of the reason he got so nasty but again, that's part of his personality.

I don't know what will happen tonight but to quote Bette Davis in All About Eve "fasten your seat belts it's going to be a bumpy night". :)

Diana
 

OT – Recapping

Oh yes, Liz, I feel you with those 3-hour recapping frenzies. And Diana, how very kind of you to say you remembered my recapping. I don’t even remember what shows I did, but I do remember how I would sweat bullets over the recaps. At the same time it was really fun – a writing exercise. There I had the story, characters and dialog provided to me and all I had to do was create a narrative out of it. Recappers can be novelists for a few hours a week!

Caray founder Melinama urged the recappers to just give the highlights of what happened for those who had missed the episode. Something brief. Exactly none of the recappers complied – ha! Me, I liked very detailed recaps because with my crummy Spanish I would miss lots of dialog and therefore important plot points. I read every word of the recaps. Usually they had humor in them and also observations that were illuminating. Great reads!


 

MIRADA

Liz – I had forgotten about the article title! Yes, you’re right, that should have made Pablo skeptical about Karen

As for the check being deposited: They showed her looking at her 200 peso bank balance and after she contemplated the check, we later see her computer screen with a !,000,200 balance. Hmm that doesn’t look right now that I type it. Did she have 200 or 2,000 to begin with? Well anyway, the million was added on.


 

Hilos

I agree the beach visit got boring. I guess it was nice to be away from Carolina and Tamara for Carlos and Cristina. I feel like this interlude was the calm before the storm and once they get home, things will start happening. And, if she gets pregnant, it will accelerate fast.

Carolina will find out about Carlos and Cristina and about Lorena. I hope Carolina will tell Manuel the whole story so he understands about her decisions, but that will take longer to happen.

I see genuine affection between Padre S and Carolina. I wonder if this story will develop that relationship. Padre S already knows his daughter (but not that she is his daughter).

Lorena also doesn’t seem evil. She’s determined that Manuel is for her, but she isn’t the usual quitamarido type. Manuel has my sympathy because he seems a very loving bear of a man while his wife can barely pull herself out of her guilt to respond.

So, I find myself pulling for Lorena sometimes.

There will be a bumpy ride first, however, before this gets sorted out, with several villains in wait!

Babachita
 

MIRADA #14/15, Part 1

Con esa misma mirada (With perhaps a smattering of #15… ¿Cuánto future (How much future)

We open at a soiree attended by the well-heeled and wealthy crème de la crème. It is a charity art auction. Eloisa is off stage, hovering by a painting. Pablo rushes to her side and their ardor is obvious. She tells him she is nervous.

Gabriela is ensconced at a table sitting between Octavio and Nicolas. Nicolas and Octavio engage in a bidding war for the first piece of artwork. Renata, who was bidding, puts her paddle down. Gabriela gives Octavio a kiss as he side eyes Nicolas.

Eloisa is called to the podium. She is wearing a dark red velvet V neck gown, with a cutout below the bustline. She looks positively regal and impossibly beautiful. She begins her speech looking off in the wings to Pablo. Gabriela watches Octavio covertly for his reaction. Eloisa thanks her friends and her family as Octavio stares darkly. Eloisa even manages to thank her horrid mother as well as Octavio, the father of her children. Applause ensues. THEN Eloisa declares she wants to mention someone very special to her as Renata and Leticia stare at each other. She introduces Pablo who mutters are you sure? Yes she says kissing him and pulling him into the social spotlight. Carmela is angry and Octavio fumes.

Eloisa and Pablo hold hands and stroll the room. Bernardo and Leticia along with Renata congratulate her. Bernardo is introduced to Pablo after which he makes a beeline for Octavio who is swilling down yet another drink. Shocker NOT 😊

In a back room in the gallery, Eloisa thanks her mother who stares stonily. Something about the foundation is mentioned as well as muttering about Octavio. Eloisa tells her mother she is happy. Carmela seems to apologize but then backpedals, criticizing. Long suffering Eloisa tells her mother how she feels, firmly but not unkindly.

Gabriela tries to talk with Samuel who is rather mocking as Renata comes up and puts her hand on Samuel’s shoulder. Some biting exchange of words is made (to Octavio?) that I didn’t get. He stares.

Tomas is trying to talk with Pablo who is on the phone. I imagine it is good news as he says “incredible” into his cell. Poor Tomas seems to get brushed off by just about everyone.

Gabriela is showing a phone video where a woman is at a podium talking about the Villalobos group and then about Pablo. There is a crowd gathered. Whatever is being said, Bernardo is livid and Octavio seems to be chastised.

Diana
 

MIRADA #14/15, Part 2

Samuel hears a drunken Renata crying in the ladies’ room, sitting on the toilet (not exactly the throne I’d envision Renata on 😊). Samuel enters and she pours her heart out although about what I cannot say. She shows him a picture on her phone of a pregnant woman (?). He hugs her and they start kissing. Uh oh…. He shuts the door.

All of a sudden, Eloisa flies in the door with Gabriela and sees them. She is understandably distraught and angry. Renata tries to apologize as Pablo arrives to spirit him away. Elsewhere, Bernardo confronts Pablo trying to start something. He is put in his place by Carmela and I believe something very nasty is mentioned about Gabriela. Eloisa and Pablo take the opportunity to leave. Gabriela is in her trench coat as Eloisa walks up to her. We next see them sitting at a bar together. Gabriela shares what she thought the state of Eloisa’s marriage with Octavio is and talks about her being the mother of his children. I’m in the dark as to what if anything was revealed and/or accomplished by this discussion. Later, Gabriela arrives home to find Octavio sitting there. She says she went to a cafeteria. He puts his hands on her and something is said about the divorce and Pablo. Again, I can’t ascertain the discussion. Octavio sits down stunned.

Fer is reviewing financials and brings up the huge amount of the check written to Pablo. An uncomfortable conversation ensues, Carmela defending her actions. Carmela obviously wants Octavio and Eloisa to reconcile.

Samuel is at Renata’s window as Pablo appears. Samuel doesn’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation even after Renata tries to explain he is Eloisa’s son!! She begs him to leave; she said something to effect she wants him to be happy but it won’t be with her. Samuel pleads his case to Pablo who says something about the connection between heart and mind. After he and Pablo bro hug, Samuel finally leaves. Renata clutches a tequila bottle and as Pablo leaves, Renata thanks him.

Eloisa tries to talk with Samuel. She knows he is in love with Renata. He says something about Pablo I can’t translate.

Karen (who looks like she is in her slip) and Pablo are having dinner at his place. The doorbell rings and it’s Eloisa. Smiling, he tells her to come up. Cunning Karen marches to the door pulling down one of her straps revealing her shoulder. “Mi amor” he effuses to a confused Eloisa who has just introduced herself to Karen. Of course he wants her to stay! Karen hugs and kisses Pablo as well as Eloisa on her way out. He talks about Spain as Eloisa talks about Antonia being pregnant. I have to give Eloisa credit; she trusts Pablo and appears to take everything that transpired all in stride.

Matilde goes into a bedroom (from the ballet artwork I’m thinking it’s hers). She takes a pill wrapped in a Kleenex out of a drawer. Antonia walks in and catches her; she isn’t fooled for a second. As Matilde pretends to flush the pill down the toilet, Antonia rummages through Matilde’s duffel bag. Matilde catches her and Antonia pleads that she confide in her. I’m your sister she begs. Matilde lies and says she is fine. Antonia looks over her shoulder with an accusatory stare, making clear she knows Matilde lied to her. After she leave, Matilde swallows the pill.

At the academy, Julieta finally allows Matilde to participate in the session.

Diana
 

MIRADA #14/15, Part 3 of 3

Eloisa and Fernanda have a heart-to-heart talk. Eloisa tells Fer that Pablo is going to Spain for an assignment for a few months. Fernanda firmly contradicts her sister and says no. She tells Eloisa that Pablo cashed a check for 1,000,000 pesos that Carmela had given to him. Eloisa immediately harkens back to seeing Pablo and her mother talking and then walking into Pablo’s and seeing seductive Karen there. The not quite truth sinks in and Eloisa’s face reflects her anguish.

Pablo tries to reach Eloisa without success. Julieta then calls Eloisa to tell her that Matilde is injured and in the hospital. She and Fernanda rush out. We see Matilde in a hospital bed looking crushed and guilty. I believe the nurse asks her if she has taken any drugs. Matilde says no and stands by her blatant lie. Eloisa strokes her daughter’s face which Matilde shrugs off. When Eloisa leaves, Matilde dissolves into tears.

As Eloisa enters the hospital corridor, Pablo is there waiting for her. He kisses her cheek but she brushes him aside. She tells him her mother gave him a check for a million pesos and shows him a receipt. After the initial shock wears off, he tries to explain but Eloisa walks away. Who is standing right there ready to offer her a shoulder to lean on? Octavio of course! And there we end…

I flew completely blind tonight. I briefly considered trying to watch the later version on the HD channel as well but feared I wouldn’t be able to glean anything further so decided against it. So much eluded me; I tried to put placeholders where I could. I’m sure not everything I wrote is right, but hopefully I got a few things correct. Thank you for your sure to be insightful and helpful comments. They are so appreciated!

It all comes down to Monday! How will all this be wrapped up?? I cannot wait.

Diana
 

MIRADA Extras 1

This was all of 14 and 15 smashed into one choppy episode. It gave me a headache. I only included the absolutely necessary details basically from #14. Busy evening. I also cannot wait until Monday. This has just gotten better and better.

Thank you, Diana. You did a great job with these episodes.

At the art auction, one of Eloísa's paintings called "Con la misma mirada" (With the Same Look) which at the start is the object of a bidding war between Nico and Octavio . Octavio wins for Gabriela. He had no idea the artist is Eloísa.

Eloísa tells the crowd, in the same dress that Octavio once told her was too revealing for a woman her age at the beginning of the series, that "Con la misma mirada" is very special because it is the first painting she had made for the public after a 30 year absence. Gabriela watches Octavio like a hawk to see how he is reacting to Eloísa. She thanks everyone including her sister who talked her mother into allowing her to bring her work to the auction. She tells her mother that indeed she does have talent. She thanks Octavio, the father of her children, for having advised her to sell her paintings. The fact that he bought it not knowing it was hers makes it even more valuable to her.

Eloísa thanks her mother for allowing her paintings at the auction. Her mother says no need. By the way, she never said that Eloísa didn't have talent. She said that it was very hard to make a living selling art. For example, everything her art sells for at this auction is going to the foundation and not her. Eloísa doesn't care . She is happy her art has visibility. Carmela says she will have visibility when a photo of her and Pablo, who wants to bring Octavio down, comes out.
She only wants to protect Eloísa so she has to tell her something else. Soon Eloísa will be in menopause: the sunset of her life while Pablo will be at the height of his . She needs to stop this silliness and go back to Octavio before she is left alone. Carmela tells her to follow her example. Eloísa tells her she doesn't want to be like her. At her mother's age, she wants to be an example for her children. She wants them to know that after her husband broke her heart and self-esteem, she got up with dignity, discovered herself and her happiness.

Gabriela wants Samuel to know that she picked him off the internet for her photo shoot and didn't pick him because he was his father's son. He says that is all in the past now. His mother is happy now and his father bought her painting. Renata arrives and crudely says the only reason that Octavio bought the painting was to prove his p**** was bigger than the other guy who was bidding on it. Octavio arrives and Renata says they were talking to his novia about the size of his p****. Octavio asks her why she doesn't stop drinking and adds that they took custody of her daughter away from her because of it. She stares, turns and leaves. Samuel asks why he has to be such an *sshole and goes after her. (uh, she sort of asked for it?? with her crude comment)
 

MIRADA Extras 2

Gabriela has checked her phone and tells Octavio they have problems. Ismael's widow is talking about a new union being launched. It seems like the Villalobos companies had a company based union but now the employees themselves have decided to form one of their own. They are threatening a strike across all of the Villalobos companies. `Villalobos is upset as is everyone else.

Samuel goes looking for Renata. She is in the washroom. She is sobbing because she has no relationship with her daughter. She has blocked her on her social media and is six months pregnant. Samuel decides to make her feel better by having sex with her. At least, he thinks and closes the door to the stall. They do not present a great image to Eloísa as Renata staggers and stumbles out of the stall as Samuel emerges zipping up his pants up. Eloísa lets them have it. She sends Samuel on her way and tells her she has no scruples. Renata just blubbers

Carmela breaks up an argument between Villalobos and Pablo. Villalobos is blaming Pablo for taking advantage of Ismael's widow in order to f*** him over. As they argue, Carmela arrives and breaks up the argument. Villalobos accuses Eloísa of not being a dignified wife and having left her husband. Carmen snaps back telling him the only shameless woman is his employee who has been involved with Octavio for two years. Gabriela is upset. Eloísa notices. They go out for tea together.

Eloísa makes it clear that she holds no ill will towards Gabriela. Gabriela says when she first met Octavio, he told her his marriage was in a bad place. Eloísa says she never knew he felt that way. he should have told her. She thought it was just a fling when she first found out but when she found out it had been going on for two years, she saw it as a deep betrayal. He was living a double life. That is why she is not angry with Gabriela. Her pain and anger are directed at Octavio because he is the one who did this to her.Now she has a relationship that fulfills her. She asks about the engagement ring. It makes Eloísa feel good because it must mean that he is planning on granting her the divorce soon. Gabriela asks if he has been denying her the divorce. Eloísa says he has as a way to protect his property. He seems to think that Pablo in only with her for the money.

Fernanda finds that a million dollar check has been cashed. Carmela tells her that she gave it to Pablo to keep him away from Eloísa. (She has different reasons for different people!)

When Gabriela arrives home, Octavio is waiting for her. She doesn't give him much info about where she was but she does have some news for him. If their relationship is to survive she needs more than his solidarity . She has three conditions: 1.He needs to give Eloísa her divorce ASAP. If Pablo is a hustler it is Eloísa's concern, not his. 2. As soon as the divorce is final, she wants to get married. She doesn't want to wait weeks or months. She is sick of being the other woman. 3. Tomorrow she is going to resign from Villalobos and she wants a position at Octavio's law firm so she doesn't have to be looking for a job. She refuses to be interrupted by Octavio. After two years and the humiliation she experienced today, she needs to know if they have a future. She is not playing. She leaves him to think on his own. It is clear that he never expected what she delivered.
 

MIRARDA

Jarifa, your recap was picture perfect, conveying all of the events and the wide gamut of emotions beautifully. Your insightful, vivid details and sharp observations made sense of this mostly incoherent, chopped salad of two episodes.

So many shocks and surprises but the fact Renata has a child (and a pregnant one at that), from who she is estranged was startling. "Octavio asks her why she doesn't stop drinking and adds that they took custody of her daughter away from her because of it" cut to the quick. I don't like seeing Renata devolve into the crass and crude consistently inebriated woman she is becoming. She needs psychological help and a path to sobriety.

The fur was certainly flying last night: "Villalobos accuses Eloísa of not being a dignified wife and having left her husband. Carmen snaps back telling him the only shameless woman is his employee who has been involved with Octavio for two years". Verbal swordsmanship! Sharp and vicious.

Eloisa handled Gabriela far more maturely and kinder than I would have. But their dicussion definitely fueled her decision to give Octavio the ultimatum.

Thank you for the reminder that Eloisa's gown was the one that Octavio derided. She looked magnificent.

Hopefully, Julieta cashing the check will come to light quickly but will it be too late? Are the obstacles Eloisa and Pablo face too overwhelming to overcome?
Jarifa, thank you for coming to the rescue with your amazing summary which clarified so very much. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

"Villalobos accuses Eloísa of not being a dignified wife and having left her husband". Whoever asked or cared about his opinion?? Whatever does Leticia see in him??

Jarifa, thank you for coming to the rescue with your amazing summary which clarified so very much. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

Diana
 

MIRADA

My apologies for my terrible cut and paste job. Late in taking my fur daughter out...

Diana
 

Mirada

Thanks Diana and Jarifa, that was great. I was pretty lost in most of the discussions. The vocabulary is way over my head and the bleeping out really doesn’t help! They bleep a lot out!

I was surprised that Renata had a daughter too. Strange that it’s not mentioned until the very end. There’s no way they can tie up that loose end in one episode! I keep checking the guide on my tv to see if they’re putting in the extra episode some way. But it looks like they’re not.

That was the first we heard that the check was for Pablo to leave Eloisa. I thought it was compensation for Carmela causing him to loose his job. But I loved her reasoning. He’s told Eloisa he’s going to Spain for 10 weeks but he’s really leaving for good. The poor woman is delusional.

I thought it was strange that Villalobos thought Eloisa had left Octavio. I wonder how many others thought that. I’m glad Carmen set him straight, but I don’t remember who Carmen is!

It’s not too smart of Matilde to lie to the nurse. I hope the surgery goes ok. We’re not going to have enough time to find out if she can still dance. And I’d like to see Eloisa happy with Pablo and Octavio miserable with Gabriela!

I did love the fact that Octavio spent a fortune on a painting he didn’t know his wife painted. If he and Gabriela marry it will be a constant reminder of Eloisa.

Maggie, you are observant. I knew Julieta was on the bank’s site but didn’t notice the numbers. Well, at least she debated it to herself before doing the wrong thing-or should I say dishonest thing!

Liz
 

Hilos

It was so good to see Manuel and Carolina happy and in love. Maybe they were like that at the beginning of the show but all I remember is her being too busy to even show up at an event he had. Maybe Lorena won’t have a chance with him after all. But Leo was not happy with Manuel’s enthusiasm over his wife and marriage.

Well, I guessed a pregnancy but not the right girl. Although there’s time for Christina to turn up pregnant too. I’m thinking surely he won’t marry Tamara. She’s such a conniving woman. And is the baby his, or Leo’s? Or is it even true!

Ramiro is blaming Omar because he’s not able to spend time with Romina. I don’t get this father/son relationship. Is Omar in on this plan to destroy Carolina? If he is, then he’s definitely using Romina. I hope Manuel and Carolina’s new closeness helps her tell the truth about her past to Manuel. He loves her and Ramiro wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

Liz
 

Hilos

I don't understand why Tamara is trying so hard to get Carlos, while always jumping into bed with the guy who is Manuel's friend (I forgot his name)? Also what is that guy's angle with befriending Manuel? He appears to be so devious.

Lastly, I can't stand Carolina's acting. It is so pretentious and distracting.
 

MIRADA

Thanks Liz. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was lost...

"I did love the fact that Octavio spent a fortune on a painting he didn’t know his wife painted. If he and Gabriela marry it will be a constant reminder of Eloisa" was so good. And so true!

Yes, there are so many threads that can't possibly be wrapped up in the less than one hour airing on Monday. So frustrating.

Matilde's future is murky as is so much more. I'm confused now about Pablo. I thought Pablo's (potential) move to Spain would be a temporary one, not permanent (?) Carmen is Carmela...

Diana
 

MIRADA

Diana and Jarifa – boy, I’m grateful for your recapping and details. The dialog was just flying last night, and in this show the dialog is pivotal. They aren’t just blathering. Also, I was relieved to hear that nobody knew Renata had a daughter. I thought I’d missed something. I wonder what’s up with that. I’ve liked Renata but she is really falling down the alcohol hole. It’s too bad.

I was thinking Octavio was bidding for the painting because he knew it was Eloisa’s. I’m glad you all straightened me out on that one.

I liked Gabriel’s ultimatums. I’m curious how that will play out.

You think we have it bad with the cutting – I was hanging out in the Bahar thread today. Bahar ended last night and so much was confusing. We have a commenter who is studying Turkish and can understand the full episodes they find online. Come to find out that they cut seven entire episodes at the end and just jumped to the final one. Seven!! Infuriating.

 

MIRADA

I very much get the feeling that one or all of the writers for this show have been through a major betrayal. There are so many small touches. If I got hired to write for this and was told “Here’s the storyline and characters, make it happen!” I would never be able to come up with so many things they’ve included here. I’ve never been through a betrayal like that.

I’m thinking for instance of the scene where Eloisa was in the bathtub when Octavio came in and she told him to leave the room as she didn’t want him to see her naked. He said he’d seen her naked a million times. Now it’s different!

And I remember the scene where she was sitting on the floor packing up suitcases for him and looks up and sees her reflection in the mirror which she looks at sadly. She’s seeing a devastated woman packing up her husband’s things. I bet one of the writers had that experience.

Also there’s the jealousy on the part of Octavio and Julieta, both of whom cheated but can’t adjust to their heartbroken exes thinking of anyone but them. Another thing: all the people who think Eloisa and Octavio should get back together, just to make them comfortable and to accommodate their view of the world and how it works.

A little more obvious (at least to me, so I might include it when writing my pretend script) is the way Eloisa is blamed even though she is the aggrieved party. What I would not think of is the children blaming her.

 

MIRADA

Thank you so much Maggie.

Even though we are literally at the end (well at least until the third installment airs, whenever that might be :)), the writers are still throwing things against the wall. Renata having a daughter (and a pregnant, estranged one at that) was completely unexpected. Sadly, there won't be time for much (if anything) to develop, at least for now.

"I very much get the feeling that one or all of the writers for this show have been through a major betrayal" was so interesting, especially in light of the astute examples you provided.

Yes, Eloisa has been so mistreated by those who should have cherished and protected her. The unkindest cut has been the insensitivity of her adored children, whom she loves above all else.

Diana
 

MIRADA

Great comments, everyone. So much to think about. Only one more episode to go. That should be interesting.

I was lucky enough to see #14 and #15 on ViX in their entirety and they really butchered those epsisodes trying to combine them into 42 minutes. Yes, the writing has been outstanding, the Univision slicing and dicing not so much.

Carmela gives different people different reasons why she wrote the 1 million peso check for Pablo. It depends on her audience.

As for everyone blaming Eloísa, I think that it is institutionalized misogyny. Too often, as in the case of Carmela, women are the ones who most defend the "patriarchy" that keeps them subjugated. It is the "that is just the way things are" mentality.

Carmela and her menopause rant was really out in left field. Never expected to hear that.

Carmela is Eloísa's mother, Villalobos is the owner of the company. Bernardo is married to Leticia. Easy to mix up in just 17 episodes. I am still using a list of characters since I cannot keep anyone straight in this series. Of course, Villalobos is just as much of a dirty old man with his young wifey as Octavio so his comment was no surprise.

My favorite part was Gabriela dishing out her ultimatums and refusing to listen to any input from that rat Octavio. He looked desperate and OLD. Seems like he dyes is hair because we know he is in his late 50's.

Sad to say but I do not feel sorry for Renata. Having sex with Samuel? How selfish can she get? She always seems obnoxious drinking or not. She tells somebody, maybe Samuel (in the unabridged version?), that she drinks and has sex as ways of coping with her reality whatever that means coming form an alcoholic. Will she try to get sober?

I also feel that Eloísa didn't come down hard enough of her son. He is just as disgusting as Renata but again maybe he is his father's son. He certainly sounded like it.

Also, it seems that Bernardo and Fernanda had something going on once upon a time.Leticia seemed to be watching him like a hawk.

That is all . . . for now.
 

MIRADA

Jarifa, "As for everyone blaming Eloísa, I think that it is institutionalized misogyny" was a brilliant observation.

"Villalobos is the owner of the company. Bernardo is married to Leticia". Oh dear. I'm so appreciative you noted that Jarifa, and did it so very nicely. I've been calling Bernardo "Villalobos" all along because I thought they were one and the same: Bernardo Villalobos. Because Wiki lists the actor who plays "Villalobos" but there is no character listed as "Bernardo" I wrongly thought I was on the right track. :) I guess I've been oblivious to Villalobos' scenes too.

I lost a lot of respect for Samuel. He's hurting Renata, not helping her! He is an adult and should realize that.

I had no clue Bernardo and Fernanda were together at some point!

Diana
 

Mirada

Thanks for clearing up who Carmen is. I should have realized but so many telenovelas have characters with similar names.

Pablo is going to Spain for 10 weeks. When Carmela told Fernanda that she had given the check to Pablo so he would stay away from Eloisa, Fernanda pointed out they were still together. Carmela said something about he couldn’t end it so suddenly so his going to Spain is a way to gradually break up with her. So Carmela is assuming Pablo is taking the money and settling in Spain! I think she decides everyone will act the way she thinks they should.

Liz
 

MIRADA
They did a very poor job providing a complete list of characters and actors.
 

MIRADA

Ahhh, "Carmela is assuming Pablo is taking the money and settling in Spain". Thank you for the explantion that makes perfect sense!

Diana