Caray, Caray!

MI verdad #82 Gran final part 1

Larisa is at the island getting the money transfer. Her eyes widened. The bank official tells her it's a shame she has to rush back to Mexico, the islands are beautiful. Hmm, she'll think about that.

Aitana rushes into the waiting room. Zac died. No, no, they all wail in torment. Luciano says rest in peace brother. Belinda, it's certain he is in heaven.

Larisa debates with herself. Luciano won't get back with me. I could have a great life after I get rid of this kid. She calls a local abortion clinic.

Aitana tells Belinda, in her room, she's going back to Zac's to change. She'll see her at the wake (is it the culture to have a wake the day someone dies in Mexico?). Belinda asks her to wait. This isn't the best time but I need to ask you something. Aitana looks at her in fear. Is Mateo my biological father? I didn't want you to find out but yes, Mateo is your Papa. It wasn't a fling then. Tell me the whole truth. I prefer to know please. Aitana sits her down to tell her what happened more than 18 years ago.

Ooh, a Caty sighting. She's working as a cashier in a shop. The customer has bought a paper, which she forgot so Caty reads the headline. Bruno is working in the same grocery store mopping the aisles. She shows him the article. Mom died, keep reading. The Lizarrágas, one of the most respected families of Matlan have fallen into disgrace. A series of events came to light that put them in the eye of a hurricane.

Belinda tells mom it's so hard what was done to you. I'm here for you. I want you to denounce Iñigo. Aitana: you really want me to? B: Of course I do. We need justice for you and for Grandpa, also for me. It's for the best Mama. A: what did you say? B: It's for the best. A: No, not that. You called me Mama! B: yes. But don't cry.

Belinda goes down to Papa, asking how he is. He doesn't know what to say. Belinda: Sometimes life changes in a second. Mama told me the whole truth. A: we believe your mom told Mateo that Belinda is his and that's why he went to the stables.

Bruno continues to read. The first born Luciano wants the full force of the law to be enforced on his brothers (tag, Iñigo, you're it). In other news “Aitana Fernandez que”. He stops reading and covers his face as Caty asks what happened. He has figured out she's the girl his brothers and cousin abused that he told her about. It was right in front of me. I didn't defend her when it happened (I think the writers lost their continuity person because he says it was 22 years ago and Caty tells him he was only 17, but it's been 19 years and I'm pretty sure it was stated he was 14 at the time).

Aitana and Luciano ask how she feels about the death of Mateo. She's kinda sad as he was her uncle. Luciano says but he was your bio dad. Belinda cries my only dad is you. Only you. This is a sad time but I want you both to know I love you both with all my heart. I feel blessed to have my mom and dad at my side.

Bruno. I always felt like a coward. This makes it more important for me to set up a foundation (on a store clerk's salary) to help abused women. I feel bad for Luciano. I'm going to figure out a way to contact him (oh no, breaking the terms of the WPP). Caty says I love you.

The internment happens . Karime is there. Juventino can't stop crying. White roses are tossed on the casket. Aitana thanks him for his love and protection of her. Karime comforts her.

 

Mi verdad #82 Gran final part 2

Belinda and Luciano are in a church or funeral home for the funerals of Mateo and Eloisa. Nobody else is there ( having it at the same time as Zac’s is likely the reason, plus the scandal). Luciano says, nope, nobody came. Between the scandals no one wants to be near the family Lizarrága. Belinda reminds him it's not his fault.

Karime and Aitana pack up some of Zac's things, or Karime's, I'm not sure. Karime wants to keep one of his shirts. Aitana realizes Karime had feelings for Zac, which she admits to.

Larisa gets a drink in a seaside cafe in a ridiculous Kelly green dress. A player, Abel, hits on her . She's a visitor but is thinking about buying a beachfront house here. They toast with champagne. ( Do we want her to lose all the money, if she aborts the baby, yeah…).

Karime, mine was a love in silence without hope. I knew I was going to lose him ( to you), but not to death.

A few days later:
Iñigo is in jail. He's blaming Aitana for everything bad that happened. Damn woman ruined everything. Oh good, some prisoners are surrounding him in the exercise courtyard.

Nuria and Aitana meet at a cafe. Aitana tells her Belinda convinced her to turn Iñigo in. She made me see that silence and fear harms our girls more than speaking the truth. (I think I got that right). Nuria agrees, especially after what her girls went through.

Iñigo tells the other prisoners to leave him alone. They tell him they have a certain justice for abusers. I: no me toques! 5 on 1 is not good odds as they pound him to the ground and push his wrist into the pavement.

Nuria tells Aitana that Belinda has a good example of fatherhood in Luciano. A: As your girls have with Juan Jose. Life gives us second opportunities.

Guards rush to a beat up Iñigo and call for him to be brought to the infirmary.

Sad farewell by Aitana at Zac's graveside. She and Belinda are going to Mexico City to stay with mom and Micaela. She has flashbacks to their courtship. Thank you for your unconditional love. Gael, Juventino and Clem are now part of her family and she will never abandon them.

Luciano tells Clem his mother made him the sole heir so he can pay her immediately with the hacienda. Clem doesn't want to live in the hacienda. Luciano: But that's what you wanted. Clem: yes, I know. But without Zac we don't want to stay in the hacienda nor the ranch. Juventino: everything here reminds us of him. Gael wants to study in the capital. We think we will go with him. Luciano understands, he'd like to do the same to be close to Belinda. If you are in agreement I can sell it all and give you your share. Clem is in agreement. (So many bad memories there for all of them, this is a good idea).

Aitana: I promise that some day in another place we will meet again.

 

Mi verdad #82 Gran final part 3

Well a bit of time has passed. In the capital Luciano arrives at Aitana's Mom's house. It appears they are a couple again. They are alone, woo hoo. Luciano wants to celebrate. The ranch and hacienda has been sold, he's given Clem her share and set up trusts for the girls. Aitana brings up Larisa's child, he's also a Lizarrága. Luciano says I haven't heard anything from her. She went to get the money , but never returned, Amador is still in prison. Aitana says it's a shame you couldn't recover what was stolen. Luciano says, I'm over it. His plan is to buy his own ranch in the outskirts of the city, with the Castillos. The ranch will be called Pancho Zacarias. A: You're the best.

In the islands, Larisa wakes up with a hangover. Abel has left with all his things ( I guess he's staying with her in the hotel). And her cellphone is missing. I'm thinking he took the money and ran. She has no baby bump so it's ok with me. (Maybe Abel was a PI and was paid to retrieve the money).

Gael finds a street puppy that looks like lobo with no collar. A street vendor says it's a stray. Poor Lobito. Clem and Juventino are with Gael and they say you called him Lobito. Gael is convinced Zacarias sent him this pup. Clem had asked for a sign that Zac was in heaven. This is the sign.

Larisa tries to get information about Abel from the desk clerk. He left. There is a note for you in the sala. He took her cell to transfer all her money. Did he pay the hotel bill, I couldn't catch that. She freaks out, you idiot….

Luciano brings Aitana to a place to propose. Lucero? is there to congratulate them and as the theme song plays he gets down in bended knee, will you marry me?

Some time later Larisa is now a drunk hooker in the isles.

Wedding Day. Aitana receives a bouquet from Bruno with a note asking for forgiveness. She tells the women with her who it's from and they ask do you forgive him. Yes. I have no hate or rancour in my heart anymore. I think I'll just enjoy the wedding and not describe too much. Luciano's best man is the guy that put Bruno in wpp, but he didn't call him by name so I've forgotten it. They talk about the trafficked girls and Bruno setting up a foundation for them called Aitana. The lace wedding dress is lovely. They say their vows and kiss. The end.

 

Mi verdad

All in all a satisfactory ending with a Bruno and Caty sighting. Inigo and Amador are rotting in prison, the ranch has been sold and new beginnings for all. It was humorous to see Larisa as a hooker in a leopard print dress. I'm not sure if the discussion between Luciano and the CIA guy resolved anything about the trafficking story. Belinda teased Karime about the Doctor (Eloisa's short doctor) who attended the wedding so perhaps she has a potential partner, but I think Karime said he is married. I still think this could have a happy second season to make up for the sadness in this one There is definite scope to flesh out the sex traffic ring and perhaps have Bruno return.
 

Mi Verdad

I haven’t watched the finale yet but I will leave this comment to reveal that there is an epilogue style alternate ending where Luciano and Aitana are on their honeymoon and have received an anonymous dinner invitation. They are seated at a table for four and are discussing how strange it is to have received a dinner invitation without knowing who sent it. Luciano starts to say that he wants to leave when Caty walks up to the table. It takes him a few seconds to recognize her and when he does he asks about Bruno who walks up from the other side of the table. Luciano immediately stands up and hugs Bruno tight. Both Luciano and Aitana are happy to see him. Bruno says he had to see them even though he had promised that he wouldn’t contact anyone. Caty explains that she knows one of the waitresses at the restaurant so it’s a safe place for them to meet. Bruno says that Caty gave meaning to his life and helped him to forgive himself. They are very happy together. Bruno says that he needed to see Aitana and Luciano face to face to ask for forgiveness. He apologizes for leaving when he did and for keeping silent all of those years. Aitana tells him that she forgives him and acknowledges that he, like her, was also a victim. Luciano adds that Bruno was an adolescent when everything happened and has lived in hell since but now it’s all over and that he no longer has a debt with life and can be happy. Bruno wishes them happiness as well then all four hug.
 

MI VERDAD

First, my sincere thanks to you Kat for another outstanding recap. Your guidance, sharp insights and dialogue translations throughout were of immeasurable help. You explained so much and did so in fine style. Your generous time is very appreciated.

Thank you to Jarifa, Clara and everyone whose comments shed light on so many things. I enjoyed everyone's comments.

Due to the omnipresent pure evil woven throughout, a happy ending seemed improbable. I do believe though that the writers and actors managed to pull off the impossible. Belinda, happy with her parents, the world her oyster. Aitana looked like a vision in her wedding gown, luminous with happiness and joy. Luciano, glowing, so handsome, dark hair with nary a speck of gray (a touch of "Just for Men" perhaps? :)). Surrounded by their loved ones, leaving to begin their future anew seemed full of hope.

Lobito was a sweet surprise; a sure to be loved fur child.

There were some moments that were soul crushing. Juventino openly weeping at Zac's grave had me in tears. His and Clem's grief was inconsolable. I hope time and Gael will help their hearts to begin to heal.

Iñigo's fate at the hands of the inmates was a terrible retribution. It seems Mateo received a far less punishment in the end.

Did Larisa ever work? I can't help but think she had some skills that could have gotten her a decent job after she was swindled but it was obvious alcohol now rules her world.

TF, thank you for the information on the alternative ending which I would have very much enjoyed seeing.

More tomorrow...

Diana
 

MI verdad

TF, well that is a great epilogue. Too bad they didn't show it. I almost expected a 2 hour finale so that all the loose ends were more tied up. We didn't see Iñigo suffer enough. Having Amador realize Larisa wasn't saving him would have been fitting also. I figured they would show Iñigo and Amador in the same jail as that is a typical mo in these shows. I did enjoy Larisa's descent into alcoholism and she really looked rough without her beautiful grooming. Thanks for joining in on the discussion. Hope to see you in other recaps.
 

Mi verdad

Thanks, Kat, for this very fine recap as well as all of the others you unfailingly posted. I liked the beginning and the end of the novela but was not a fan of the middle. It was your recaps that kept me watching.

As usual, I will say that this novela would have been better had it been shorter by about 15 episodes.

Between the gran final and the last episode, we saw everyone get their due. Mateo and mommy were dispatched appropriately. I was sorry to see that Larisa was so stupid to get conned so easily. As for Iñigo, it was poetic justice that he ended up being raped in prison. Funny how fate took him full circle.

On the other hand, there were happy endings for anyone who mattered including Bruno. Aitana's wedding dress was beautiful. I liked the idea of the new ranch named after Zac

More later.
 

Mi verdad
Quite satisfying gran final! There were many little nice touches to tie up loose ends. Karime got to express herself, and I enjoyed Aitana and Nuria’s poignant second chance conversation.

Luciano’s best man, the WPP guy, did say something about a registry and more support centers for victims.

Bruno has a compelling story and it was great to see it developed a bit more. Thanks TF for the epilogue, would have liked to see it but I was fine with Bruno’s note in the flowers. Made the point and less security risk!

Belinda somehow became the voice of reason and Luciano always behaved well despite the craziness.
Lucero popping up was jarring, but hey another chance to hear the theme song.
Larisa, did wonder if the bank guy set her up. He was enthusiastic about her staying longer in paradise instead of heading back the next day.

Kat. I appreciate your sharp insights and down-to-earth attitude! Huge thanks for devoting your time and effort to crank out daily recaps. I looked forward to reading them every day, and they sparked great discussions too, thanks to everyone who commented.
Clara


 

Mi verdad
Ha, I see both Diana and I remarked on Kat’s “sharp insights.” So true!
Clara
 

MI verdad

Have to dash , but I wanted to thank you, Kat, for providing us with daily recaps and let you know how grateful I am for your time, talent, and effort . More later . Susan
 

MI VERDAD

Jarifa, thank you for posting my lost comment!

I happily agree that naming the new ranch after Zac was a nice touch.

HEA's for all who deserved them.

Clara, great minds think alike! :)

Diana
 

MI verdad

Special thanks to all the commenters. Clara, you always managed to glean something I missed. Like the fact Larisa wondered if the bank manager set her up. (I bet he did). How plausible is it that someone can wipe out a bank account like Abel did? And the second chance discussion between Nuria and Aitana described that scene perfectly.

Diana, your words are so encouraging. As I recap I expand my vocab. I look up new to me words as I feel the description of a scene needs it. I think I have to start a notebook of some of them.

Susan, I know both of us having farm backgrounds love the scenery and animal storylines this show provided. The actress playing Belinda needs to be around horses a bit more. She seemed a bit scared of the head tossing.

And Jarifa, besides the help you gave to the scenes I wasn't sure about, you were especially helpful in retrieving lost comments!

OT

So what is next for us all to follow? I'm watching guardián but not sure I'll stick with it. I have the June 1st show, Tan cerca de tu, already in my library to give it a shot.
 

So far it seems that you guys don't like Guardian but like Mi Verdad. Is that correct?