Friday, September 23, 2011
La Pola - September 22, 2011 - The End Discussion Page
Pola does not follow Sámano's script. She exhorts the people of Santa Fé to fight for their liberty. Sámano becomes furious and orders the guards to bring Alejo out. Alejo sees María Ignacia as he leaves the prison and tells her that she is responsible for his death. He looks at Pola and shakes his head slightly to signal to her not to recant. She doesn't. Sámano orders the firing squad to kill him. Pola is next. Up to the end she sends the same message to the people of Santa Fé. Alejo and Pola lay dying. He tells her they will soon be together forever.
When Sámano orders them to be hanged as well, the people shout "No" and overcome him. He still doesn't believe he has made a great mistake. As viceroy, he rules as a tyrant.
Ambrosio Almeida remembers Pola's words and helps form an army to fight the Spaniards. They eventually join Simón Bolivar who leads them to victory.
Later, we see a play within the play in homage to the memory of Pola and Alejo. Antonio Nariño and his children attend. He is now an old man and vice-president of the republic. In this play, the audience won't permit Pola and Alejo to be executed. They finally shout out "No". Alejo and Pola survive as legends and heroes.
When Sámano orders them to be hanged as well, the people shout "No" and overcome him. He still doesn't believe he has made a great mistake. As viceroy, he rules as a tyrant.
Ambrosio Almeida remembers Pola's words and helps form an army to fight the Spaniards. They eventually join Simón Bolivar who leads them to victory.
Later, we see a play within the play in homage to the memory of Pola and Alejo. Antonio Nariño and his children attend. He is now an old man and vice-president of the republic. In this play, the audience won't permit Pola and Alejo to be executed. They finally shout out "No". Alejo and Pola survive as legends and heroes.
Labels: LaPola
Thursday, September 22, 2011
La Pola - September 21, 2011 - Discussion Page
The final hour approaches. Cata and Josecito visit Pola in the jail. Cata has brought the best dress she has left for Pola to wear when she faces the firing squad. Josecito tells her he is no longer going to be a priest. Pola figures out that she is the problem.
Francisco turns up at the jail and tries to say goodbye to Alejo. Alejo tells him that he won’t be executed because Pola, a woman he doesn’t deserve, is going to die for him. Francisco later visits Pola who has received the pardon papers from Herrera. She gives Francisco the papers. When the Spaniards learn that she does not have the papers, they pursue Francisco and get them from him.
When the soldiers go to Pola's cell, her brother José is among the group of priests sent to accompany her. They make amends
Pedrito and the Almeida brothers race towards Santa Fé.
A large crowd is gathered in the square. Sámano has Pola’s friends brought out. He wants a couple of them to be executed in front of her. She is brought out. Francisco yells at her and tells her that the pardon papers have been taken and warns her not to recant. Arcos and Arellano are executed. Sámano thinks that women are weak and that when she sees this, she will try to save herself.
It is now Polá turn to stand before the firing squad.
Francisco turns up at the jail and tries to say goodbye to Alejo. Alejo tells him that he won’t be executed because Pola, a woman he doesn’t deserve, is going to die for him. Francisco later visits Pola who has received the pardon papers from Herrera. She gives Francisco the papers. When the Spaniards learn that she does not have the papers, they pursue Francisco and get them from him.
When the soldiers go to Pola's cell, her brother José is among the group of priests sent to accompany her. They make amends
Pedrito and the Almeida brothers race towards Santa Fé.
A large crowd is gathered in the square. Sámano has Pola’s friends brought out. He wants a couple of them to be executed in front of her. She is brought out. Francisco yells at her and tells her that the pardon papers have been taken and warns her not to recant. Arcos and Arellano are executed. Sámano thinks that women are weak and that when she sees this, she will try to save herself.
It is now Polá turn to stand before the firing squad.
Labels: LaPola
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
La Pola - September 20, 2011 - Discussion Page
Although the guards are suspicious, Lopecito is successful in pretending to be a sick Alejo. Alejo holds his hand to the fire longest and wins the right to be with Pola, whom he admits is his novia. In just a little bit of time, they profess their undying love to one another and finally Pola loses her virtúd. She wants him to think that it was María Ignacia who has saved his life, but he tells her that it was María Ignacia who turned them in. Pola still thinks if she recants publicly, that she will save Alejo’s life. Sámano has other plans. He orders Herrera to make sure the sealed document (Alejo’s pardon) Pola has asked him for disappears. Then there is a report of trouble in the jail. Sámano sends Herrera, whom he has stripped of his colonel’s epaulets to the jail to make sure all is well. The lovers are never discovered, Alejo makes it back to his cell and Lopecito gets back in his uniform…..
Labels: LaPola
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
La Pola - September 19, 2011 - Discussion Page
Summary: Pedrito succeeds in reaching the Almeida brothers. Vicente thinks Ambrosio is mustering the troops because he is in love with Pola. Sámano goes so far as to visit Pola in jail – she wanted to talk to him. The conversation goes from bad to worse when Sámano sticks his hand in front of Pola and calls her a dirty mestiza, she bites him to the point of drawing blood. This enfuriates him further. María Ignacia makes another visit to Pola to try to convince her to recant. That also goes badly. She then pays a visit to Alejo. In this conversation, Alejo figures out that María Ignacia is the person who ratted Pola out. He tells her he prefers to die with the woman he loves. Lopecito has been on guard duty and convinces Pérez Delgado to turn the next shift over to him. Pérez Delgado gives him the set of keys and warns him not to look for trouble. Lopecito also talks another guard, who wants to leave, to pass his set of keys on to him. Our little weasel, Iglesias, is late – probably at the chicharía. With both sets of keys, Lopecito enters Alejo’s cell, exchanges clothes with him and tells Alejo to go visit Pola. Alejo gets past the first guards, but is stopped by a second pair just outside Pola’s cell. She tells them she wants to spend her last night with the bravest. One of the guards tricks them into a test by fire. He is sure he will win because he has nerve damage in his arm and hand from a war injury. It is now Alejo’s turn to see how long he can keep his hand over the open flame.
Labels: LaPola
Saturday, September 17, 2011
La Pola - September 16, 2011
Summary: Pola is dragged before Sámano who wants her to repent. He has been warned that executing her could cause trouble in the city. The executions of Torres, Caldo and Jorge Tadeo barely raised an eyebrow says he.
The execution stage is under construction in the square. María Ignacia is pleased with herself because she believes that it is Pola who will be executed - until she finds out that all of the prisoners, including Alejo are to be executed.
Meanwhile, Pedrito makes a valiant effort to reach the Almeida brothers' camp. He rides through heavily guarded roads and gives plausible explanation - that he is on General Sámano's mission and cannnot reveal the message.
Pola succeeds in getting Pérez López to allow her to wash. She gets the three guards to turn their backs so that she can have some privacy. She runs back into the jail, overpowers a guard and tries to shoot the lock off Alejo's cell. She is captured.
María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to spare Alejo. He sends her to the prison to try to convince Pola to recant.
The execution stage is under construction in the square. María Ignacia is pleased with herself because she believes that it is Pola who will be executed - until she finds out that all of the prisoners, including Alejo are to be executed.
Meanwhile, Pedrito makes a valiant effort to reach the Almeida brothers' camp. He rides through heavily guarded roads and gives plausible explanation - that he is on General Sámano's mission and cannnot reveal the message.
Pola succeeds in getting Pérez López to allow her to wash. She gets the three guards to turn their backs so that she can have some privacy. She runs back into the jail, overpowers a guard and tries to shoot the lock off Alejo's cell. She is captured.
María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to spare Alejo. He sends her to the prison to try to convince Pola to recant.
Labels: LaPola
Friday, September 16, 2011
La Pola - September 15, 2011 - Discussion Page
Alejo and his band are captured on the road to Los Llanos. They are forced to march through the streets of Santa Fé to prison. Sámano is determined to capture the woman who is their leader. Iglesias convinces him that there was no woman with those who were captured.
María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to release Alejo. He brushes her off and tells her that she promised to deliver Policarpa. She gives him more information.
Sámano gets up close and personal as Alejo is being whipped mercilessly. He demands to know the whereabouts of Pola, the mestiza whom Alejo loves. He spits at Alejo, and Alejo spits back at him. The whipping continues.
Iglesias makes a deal with Sámano. If he captures La Pola, then Sámano will promote him to an officer’s rank. Iglesias pretends he wants to join the rebels and asks Candelaria how he can contact Pola. She doesn’t believe him. Finally, he stages a scene where he punches an officer who is making a pass at Candelaria. He momentarily gains her confidence. She says that she doesn’t know Pola’s whereabouts, but her brother probably does.
With that information, Iglesias tails Vivianito to the safe house and captures Pola. She passes Alejo’s cell in the jail. To set an example, Sámano has Vivianito whipped so that Pola can hear him crying out in pain. He is released later.
The trials begin. First Arcos is condemned. Then Pola is brought in, accused, tried and condemned to death. Pérez Delgado makes an argument that killing a woman could make trouble in the town. He is ignored and overruled.
As to Sámano, he will follow the law and kill them all twice – once by firing squad and once by hanging.
María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to release Alejo. He brushes her off and tells her that she promised to deliver Policarpa. She gives him more information.
Sámano gets up close and personal as Alejo is being whipped mercilessly. He demands to know the whereabouts of Pola, the mestiza whom Alejo loves. He spits at Alejo, and Alejo spits back at him. The whipping continues.
Iglesias makes a deal with Sámano. If he captures La Pola, then Sámano will promote him to an officer’s rank. Iglesias pretends he wants to join the rebels and asks Candelaria how he can contact Pola. She doesn’t believe him. Finally, he stages a scene where he punches an officer who is making a pass at Candelaria. He momentarily gains her confidence. She says that she doesn’t know Pola’s whereabouts, but her brother probably does.
With that information, Iglesias tails Vivianito to the safe house and captures Pola. She passes Alejo’s cell in the jail. To set an example, Sámano has Vivianito whipped so that Pola can hear him crying out in pain. He is released later.
The trials begin. First Arcos is condemned. Then Pola is brought in, accused, tried and condemned to death. Pérez Delgado makes an argument that killing a woman could make trouble in the town. He is ignored and overruled.
As to Sámano, he will follow the law and kill them all twice – once by firing squad and once by hanging.
Labels: LaPola
Thursday, September 15, 2011
La Pola - September 14, 2011 - Discussion Page
Readers: I have not yet seen this chapter since it was on so late in my time zone last night. I will review it when I return around noon. Please feel free to post your comments in the meantime and have, as NovelaMaven says, a place to wring your hands.
Labels: LaPola
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
La Pola - September 13, 2011 - Discussion Page
Summary: Pola plans the successful escape of the Almeida brothers. She and Calendaria prepared some special chicha for the guards who fell asleep on the job. Alejo steals a kiss from her before he leaves. He is obviously still disturbed by thoughts of her being with another man. Pola tells Ambrosio that under other circumstances, she would be interested in him, but her heart belongs to another.
Alejo leads his band of patriots through spectacular Colombian countryside. They spend the night at a church where the priest is a sympathizer. In the morning they head out to Los Llanos, but the Spanish army is in pursuit. They head up a path that leads to a palisade from which there is no escape. Alejo wants to fight, but Arcos talks him out of it. They surrender.
In Santa Fé Sámano orders all relatives regardless of sex or age of the Almeida brothers to be placed under arrest. His focus now is to trap Pola.
Alejo leads his band of patriots through spectacular Colombian countryside. They spend the night at a church where the priest is a sympathizer. In the morning they head out to Los Llanos, but the Spanish army is in pursuit. They head up a path that leads to a palisade from which there is no escape. Alejo wants to fight, but Arcos talks him out of it. They surrender.
In Santa Fé Sámano orders all relatives regardless of sex or age of the Almeida brothers to be placed under arrest. His focus now is to trap Pola.
Labels: LaPola
Monday, September 12, 2011
La Pola - September 12, 2011 - Discussion Page
Pola reaches Juliano in time to help him hide from the soldiers. She gets him back to Santa Fé, removes the bullet from his back and helps him recover. Cata has not only found her son at the mine, but, she has also found Nicolasa’s son. She bargains with the boss and buys both of them and heads back to Guaduas.
The plan to free the Almeida brothers widens. The guards can be bought, and Pola succeeds this time in getting money from Gaspar and Eusebia. Rodriguez is to lead the team that will help them escape.
On the other hand, Alejo and Pola are to take the information they obtained from Arcos and go to Los Llanos and meet Santander whom they are counting on to raise an army to free Santa Fé from the Spaniards.
María Ignacia not only has paid a spy to follow Alejo, but she also follows him herself. She overhears a conversation between Alejo and Pola in which the Los Llanos plan is revealed. After the patriot co-conspirators leave, María Ignacia confronts Pola. It turns out to be so what do you want now, he is going to marry you. It really isn’t that simple because the Los Llanos trip may have a one-way ticket.
María Ignacia is consumed with jealousy. She takes matters into her own hands and delivers the information to Sámano. She gives up Pola. Sámano remembers Pola from Guaduas, and he orders his colonels to bring her back alive. Since he now has this intel, he is able to prepare a plan to attack the forces at Los Llanos by surprise.
At the last minute, the patriots learn that Rodriguez has been injured in an ambush and cannot lead the escape effort. Alejo is put in charge of the Los Llanos operation since he has the most military experience (es un militar formado en España). Pola will take the place of Rodriguez.
The plan to free the Almeida brothers widens. The guards can be bought, and Pola succeeds this time in getting money from Gaspar and Eusebia. Rodriguez is to lead the team that will help them escape.
On the other hand, Alejo and Pola are to take the information they obtained from Arcos and go to Los Llanos and meet Santander whom they are counting on to raise an army to free Santa Fé from the Spaniards.
María Ignacia not only has paid a spy to follow Alejo, but she also follows him herself. She overhears a conversation between Alejo and Pola in which the Los Llanos plan is revealed. After the patriot co-conspirators leave, María Ignacia confronts Pola. It turns out to be so what do you want now, he is going to marry you. It really isn’t that simple because the Los Llanos trip may have a one-way ticket.
María Ignacia is consumed with jealousy. She takes matters into her own hands and delivers the information to Sámano. She gives up Pola. Sámano remembers Pola from Guaduas, and he orders his colonels to bring her back alive. Since he now has this intel, he is able to prepare a plan to attack the forces at Los Llanos by surprise.
At the last minute, the patriots learn that Rodriguez has been injured in an ambush and cannot lead the escape effort. Alejo is put in charge of the Los Llanos operation since he has the most military experience (es un militar formado en España). Pola will take the place of Rodriguez.
Labels: LaPola
Saturday, September 10, 2011
La Pola - September 9, 2011 - Discussion Page
The patriots find themselves at a standstill. Gen. Santander won’t come to Santa Fé to help liberate the Almeida brothers without arms, ammunition and information. Arcos is now Sámano’s escribano and is completely shocked when he hears Sámano say that the Almeida brothers will be shot within a week after a military court-martial. Pola had tried to recruit Arcos, but he was still angry at her for rebuffing and insulting him. With a little friendly persuasion, he decides to meet with her.
Eusebia and Gaspar find out that Pola is the Policarpa of patriot fame. She admits to them that she was the woman to whom Alejo Sabaraín was engaged. They want no part of her. They demand that their donation be returned to them. They will remain sympathetic to the patriot cause, but they blame Pola for all the misery brought upon María Ignacia and their family because of her relationship with Alejo.
Speaking of whom, he admits to María Ignacia that his emotions are in conflict. She doubts everything he says and even follows him to the chicharía where she sees him talking to Pola. She becomes furious and verbally attacks him. This is just déjà vu – use your imagination and memory. The wedding is on, the wedding is off. How will anybody ever marry me after this?
Pola and Juliano meet Arcos and Lopezito in the woods. They were followed and discovered. Arcos tells Pola that the Almeida brothers are to be tried within the week. He also agrees to provide her with any information she wants. Then, the troops who followed them open fire. Juliano is shot. Pola orders Arcos and Lopezito to go since she is more likely to be able to find a hiding place, and, she wants to help Juliano. Pola believes in the standard operating procedure of that day – that women are not executed
Eusebia and Gaspar find out that Pola is the Policarpa of patriot fame. She admits to them that she was the woman to whom Alejo Sabaraín was engaged. They want no part of her. They demand that their donation be returned to them. They will remain sympathetic to the patriot cause, but they blame Pola for all the misery brought upon María Ignacia and their family because of her relationship with Alejo.
Speaking of whom, he admits to María Ignacia that his emotions are in conflict. She doubts everything he says and even follows him to the chicharía where she sees him talking to Pola. She becomes furious and verbally attacks him. This is just déjà vu – use your imagination and memory. The wedding is on, the wedding is off. How will anybody ever marry me after this?
Pola and Juliano meet Arcos and Lopezito in the woods. They were followed and discovered. Arcos tells Pola that the Almeida brothers are to be tried within the week. He also agrees to provide her with any information she wants. Then, the troops who followed them open fire. Juliano is shot. Pola orders Arcos and Lopezito to go since she is more likely to be able to find a hiding place, and, she wants to help Juliano. Pola believes in the standard operating procedure of that day – that women are not executed
Labels: LaPola
Friday, September 09, 2011
La Pola September 8, 2011 - Discussion Page
Summary: The drama in this chapter focuses on the capture of the Almeida brothers. Pola is determined to organize another rebellion and to free them. Alejo perceives her patriotism and loyalty to the Almeida brothers as a person affront. The best I can say about Alejo is that he scowled throughout this episode.
He loves Pola with his whole being, but, he cannot escape from himself and the prevailing belief that a man’s woman should be available for home and hearth. She, however, is now a leading player in the American rebellion.
Sámano now holds plenary powers vested upon him by the king. Sámano not only believes he is God’s representative on earth but also that he is God. No one dares to contradict him. He will try the Almeida brothers in a quick military court martial. They will not receive justice from a king’s court.
He loves Pola with his whole being, but, he cannot escape from himself and the prevailing belief that a man’s woman should be available for home and hearth. She, however, is now a leading player in the American rebellion.
Sámano now holds plenary powers vested upon him by the king. Sámano not only believes he is God’s representative on earth but also that he is God. No one dares to contradict him. He will try the Almeida brothers in a quick military court martial. They will not receive justice from a king’s court.
Labels: LaPola
Thursday, September 08, 2011
La Pola-September 7, 2011 - Discussion Page
Iglesias convinces Sámano that Alejo deliberately diverted the royalist troops and allowed the patriots to escape. Sámano has Alejo put in jail.
A disguised Pola visits Alejo. They haven’t seen each other in two years. It is a meeting of disbelief and misunderstanding. Pola’s refusal to kiss him through the bars of the cell sends Alejo into a state of paranoia. He thinks she has been unfaithful and so he rejects her.
In honor of the birthday of King Fernando VII, Morillo releases all prisoners who will pledge their loyalty to the king. Alejo is released. Pola waits in the shadows, but Don Gaspar, Eusebia and María Ignacia greet him and invite him to stay with them. The inevitable happens. A distraught Alejo steals a kiss from María Ignacia and ends up proposing marriage to her. She quickly accepts.
Francisco appears at the home of María Teresa’s brothers. He remains true to character – an egotistical, superior cad critical of native-born Americans. The ties that bind them are broken forever. He is turned out into the night alone.
In this chapter we also learn that Sámano will be the next representative of the king. Morillo let him bow and scrape and humiliate himself. Sámano has assured Morillo that he knows how to tame this wild beast of America and impose the will of the king upon the land and its people.
Pola caresses the golden medal. It may be all she has left of a battle-fatigued Alejo.
A disguised Pola visits Alejo. They haven’t seen each other in two years. It is a meeting of disbelief and misunderstanding. Pola’s refusal to kiss him through the bars of the cell sends Alejo into a state of paranoia. He thinks she has been unfaithful and so he rejects her.
In honor of the birthday of King Fernando VII, Morillo releases all prisoners who will pledge their loyalty to the king. Alejo is released. Pola waits in the shadows, but Don Gaspar, Eusebia and María Ignacia greet him and invite him to stay with them. The inevitable happens. A distraught Alejo steals a kiss from María Ignacia and ends up proposing marriage to her. She quickly accepts.
Francisco appears at the home of María Teresa’s brothers. He remains true to character – an egotistical, superior cad critical of native-born Americans. The ties that bind them are broken forever. He is turned out into the night alone.
In this chapter we also learn that Sámano will be the next representative of the king. Morillo let him bow and scrape and humiliate himself. Sámano has assured Morillo that he knows how to tame this wild beast of America and impose the will of the king upon the land and its people.
Pola caresses the golden medal. It may be all she has left of a battle-fatigued Alejo.
Labels: LaPola
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
La Pola - September 6, 2011 - Discussion Page
Baraya, José Camilo Torres, Jorge Tadeo, and Sabio Caldas are executed. The pleas of the ladies of society fall on deaf ears. Morillo will grant no pardons.
Pola becomes a recruiter in the Almeida brothers’ underground operation. She mourns Alejo, and is confused and horrified by feelings awakened in her by Ambrosio Almeida.
Sámano tells Alejo that he doesn’t believe he is sincere in his professed loyalty to the crown. Nevertheless, he accepts Alejo as an ordinary soldier and considers his debt to Leandro paid by doing so.
María Teresa sees divine signs and concludes that she should leave the convent and return to Santa Fé with her parents. They are doubtful of her motives when they find out that Alejo is in Sámano’s army which is headed to Santa Fé.
The patriots ambush Sámano’s advance guard, but miss him, which sets Pola in action. She aims a pistol and is ready to shoot a soldier who is poised to return fire. That soldier is Alejo.
Pola becomes a recruiter in the Almeida brothers’ underground operation. She mourns Alejo, and is confused and horrified by feelings awakened in her by Ambrosio Almeida.
Sámano tells Alejo that he doesn’t believe he is sincere in his professed loyalty to the crown. Nevertheless, he accepts Alejo as an ordinary soldier and considers his debt to Leandro paid by doing so.
María Teresa sees divine signs and concludes that she should leave the convent and return to Santa Fé with her parents. They are doubtful of her motives when they find out that Alejo is in Sámano’s army which is headed to Santa Fé.
The patriots ambush Sámano’s advance guard, but miss him, which sets Pola in action. She aims a pistol and is ready to shoot a soldier who is poised to return fire. That soldier is Alejo.
Labels: LaPola
Monday, September 05, 2011
La Pola - September 5, 2011 - Behind the Scenes
La Pola fans, Aleta, as promised, sent me these behind the scenes shots taken during the filming of La Pola. As you can see it was the setting for the sad execution of Carbonel that we watched Friday night.
I've also added shots taken from the show itself for comparison.
and didn't Pola look great as Carbonel's wife?
She should dress up more.
And as a bonus watch and listen to this and this. Can we ever get enough of Pola and Alejo?
Thanks for sharing your photos with us Aleta, what a nice Labor Day treat.
Carlos
I've also added shots taken from the show itself for comparison.
and didn't Pola look great as Carbonel's wife?
She should dress up more.And as a bonus watch and listen to this and this. Can we ever get enough of Pola and Alejo?
Thanks for sharing your photos with us Aleta, what a nice Labor Day treat.
Carlos
Labels: LaPola
Saturday, September 03, 2011
La Pola - September 2, 2011 - Heads Begin to Roll, Discussion Page
Vivianito cannot watch Alejo being executed so he runs away. When he hears shots being fired, he assumes that Alejo is dead. The Mother Superior and María Ignacia have had some success with Sámano who tells them he will spare the lives of the men. But, he knows that the order has already been given, and when he hears shots, he assumes that all have been shot dead, so he orders a halt to the executions. Alejo was in the second group and had not been shot. He is returned to prison. Gaspar, Eusebia and María Ignacia meet with him, and he is eternally grateful for their help. María Ignacia promises to bring him food every day. He remains a patriot.
Pola and Vivianito meet. He tells her that Alejo has been executed. Her grief is immediate and profound. She still believes in the cause of freedom – even when she witnesses the hanging of Carbonel who is the first to fall at the hands of Gen. Morillo. Morillo will hang the traitors so that not a single Spanish bullet will be wasted on them. Torres, Jorge Tadeo, Pei and Sabio Caldas know they are next, but they still hold out hope that they will be spared and use their wives to beg for their lives. Morillo is not impressed. If anything, he is annoyed and more determined than ever to rid the country of these dissidents. Torres and Sabio Caldas are the next to be taken prisoner. Pei tries to escape from the city by hiding in a cart carrying flour. He is caught.
Arcos decides to take the offer made by Sámano to save his life by rejoining the ranks. Alejo still holds out.
Pola and Vivianito meet. He tells her that Alejo has been executed. Her grief is immediate and profound. She still believes in the cause of freedom – even when she witnesses the hanging of Carbonel who is the first to fall at the hands of Gen. Morillo. Morillo will hang the traitors so that not a single Spanish bullet will be wasted on them. Torres, Jorge Tadeo, Pei and Sabio Caldas know they are next, but they still hold out hope that they will be spared and use their wives to beg for their lives. Morillo is not impressed. If anything, he is annoyed and more determined than ever to rid the country of these dissidents. Torres and Sabio Caldas are the next to be taken prisoner. Pei tries to escape from the city by hiding in a cart carrying flour. He is caught.
Arcos decides to take the offer made by Sámano to save his life by rejoining the ranks. Alejo still holds out.
Labels: LaPola
Friday, September 02, 2011
La Pola - September 1, 2011 - Discussion Page
Pola narrowly escapes being caught by the royalist army. The Almeida brothers tell her to go to Santa Fé with Juliano. She is to go to Mrs. Recaute’s (sp?) house. She stops at Doña Matea’s house on her way and learns that Matea’s husband has returned from Spain and that they will remain in America. When she arrives at her destination, she finds none other than Col. Rodriguez who looks unnaturally baby-faced in civilian clothing. She accuses him of cowardice and treason, and he tries in vain to explain. Meanwhile Alejo has lead an ill-fated charge against the royalist army and against the advice of Arcos. He will not be called a coward. His forces are outnumbered and overrun and what remains of his troops are captured and taken to Popayan to jail. Pedrito and Vivianito who have miraculously survived will be set free because they are minors. General Sámano is in charge and he recognizes Alejo in the cell. According to the laws of war, Sámano orders the prisoners to be set apart by quinto – every fifth one will be executed by lots. Alejo is among those who are to be executed. Gaspar and Eusebia go to the convent to beg the Mother Superior to plead with Sámano to spare the lives of their nephew and of Alejo. Sámano has already ordered the execution and Alejo and six others are lined up and ready to be shot. Their heads will be cut off and displayed for all to see what happens to traitors. Iglesias, who was also imprisoned, has convinced Sámano to set him free and let him rejoin the royalist army. To test his fidelity, Sámano orders him to be a member of the firing squad.
Labels: LaPola
Thursday, September 01, 2011
La Pola - August 31, 2011 - Discussion Page
Nariño’s army is devastated and separated and retreat is ordered. Nariño removes his general’s uniform and presents himself to the pastuños. He tells them he is able to tell them where to find General Nariño. In Pasto he reveals that he is Nariño whereupon he is jailed and told he will be removed and sent to Spain where he won’t live a day. Ambrosio and his brother, with Pola’s help, store munitions and supplies in Domingo’s house. Cata and Bernarda continue their quest to find Joaquín. We see soldiers entering Domingo’s house. Pola, who is in the kitchen preparing shot, hears something. Before she can react, a hand reaches out and covers her mouth.
Labels: LaPola
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
La Pola - August 30, 2011 - The Battle for Pasto, Discussion Page
Nariño calls his officers to a meeting to confirm that some of them believe retreat and regroup is the best option. When Alejo states that he believes retreat is best, Nariño calls him a coward and demotes him to common soldier. Alejo is at the breaking point. His brother’s death, Pola’s absence and the bloody loss of lives has taken its toll on him. As a further complication, Rodriguez has deliberately delayed sending the artillery to support Nariño’s troops at the front. In Guaduas Pola closes the sale of Domingo’s property with Ambrosio Almeida. She teaches Cata how to count so that if she has to buy Joaquín back, she will not get cheated. Ambrosio also recruits Pola to be a patriot spy. She invites Ignacio, the postmaster, to stay at the posada, and while he is asleep, she reads mail so that she can report back to Ambrose on the comings and goings in Guaduas. She also learns how to make chicha so that she can send it to the troops to drink before battle to give them courage. After proving himself on the battlefield, Nariño restores Alejo's rank. Alejo tells Nariño not to call him a coward ever.
Labels: LaPola
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
La Pola - August 29, 2011 - The Treachery Goes On, Discussion Page
Before dying, Domingo and Cata forgive each other, and he gives her title to the house and the slaves. Against the wishes of Gertrudis, she looks for a buyer for the property and gives Bernarda and Acacia their freedom. She will use the money from the sale to search for Joaquín. María Teresa leaves Francisco who tries to cover her departure up with a lie. Acacia returns to the mansion and turns him in. Finally, Gaspar forces him out. Alejo remains devastated by the death of his brother and seems to have lost the will and the want to fight. José María Torres continues his treachery as does Baraya who volunteers to persuade people, like Col. Rodriguez, to betray Narino. Sámano is relieved of his command because of ineptness, failure to account for money, and cowardice. Oh, yes, a new rich, handsome man has appeared in Guaduas who is the buyer for the property.
Labels: LaPola
Sunday, August 28, 2011
La Pola - August 26, 2011 - After the Battle
Summary: Alejo reaches Leandro just before he dies. Leandro tells his brother he is on the right side and that Sámano is an ambitious coward. With the unwanted help of Juliano and Pola’s sewing skills, Domingo survives his battle wounds. Pola will accompany him back to Guaduas in spite of Alejo’s asking her not to go because he does not want to be separated from her. She says she will be gone only about a month and that she will return to him. He brings Leandro’s body back to his parents in the mansion (after a few days??? I hope the body was embalmed.). Francisco earns my four seconds of sympathy when he breaks down and cries over Leandro’s body, but he loses my sympathy when he blames María Teresa for alienating Leandro from him. María Teresa stands up to him and tells him that she is leaving and is going to live in Maquititas with her brothers. She enlists Alejo to help her get there. Nariño’s army is not welcome in Popayan, but that is where his forces will regroup before pursuing Sámano again. And, then there is Col. Rodriguez chopping off the head of the invincible Col Hasin….. Martaivett's recap follows:
here we go... friday... aug 26
Alejo keeps fighting and yelling for his brother…
Finally spots him when Leandro is swept on his hip with a sword by a rebel soldier, Alejo heads over to him but has to fight a couple other men first… Leandro fights someone else who stabs him on left shoulder, then someone else sinks his bayonette on Leandro’s back right side… Leandro falls to his knees and someone sinks their sword in his stomach… as the guy removes the sword, Alejo sees him again just as someone gives Leandro the final blow from the back through his chest… Alejo yells NOOOO!!! And runs to him, yelling at the guy to leave him alone.
Alejo grabs Leandro…
L: look… all our lives fighting… fighting to the death.
A: You are not going to die.
L: I am already dead…
A: How am I going to be able to keep on living after staining my hands with my own brother’s blood?
L: No, no… you were on the righteous side.
A: Why do you say that?
L: I finally got it… Samano has no honor, or valour… he only knows ambition… and cowardness. (Alejo looks up and around as if angrily looking for Samano right then and there) You are right. Keep fighting for what you want.
A: You fought bravely.
L: Tell our mother that I willl try to be the light that guides her way… forgive me Alejo… (I believe he said ‘I would have wanted to be a better brother’)… too bad our father… our father…
A: Leandro… Leandro… No!! Leandro!! … Leandro, No!!
(a soldier comes and points his bayonette at Alejo and yells at him ‘ Die, you wretch!’, but Pola shoots him down. Alejo turns around, Pola!... Pola comes to him)
P: He is already dead, Alejo, lets go!
A: What are you doing here, dressed like that??
P: Lets go Alejo, before they kill you!
(a shot is heard and she is hit on the shoulder)
A: They hit you!
P: Let’s go before they kill us both!!
(Alejo grabs her, stands up, punches someone in their way..)
A: Let’s go!
(he grabs her again and runs with her through the fighting mayhem… )
Juliano has carried Domingo into the woods, Domingo keeps yelling ‘let me go, dumb negro, you are hurting me!. Juliano wants to go get a doc or help… Domingo says he does not need help, asks Juliano why don’t you let me die in peace?... Juliano goes for help anyway…
At Guaduas, Catalina and Bernarda are praying to the virgin… Cata can’t stand the anxiety. No news… Bernarda is afraid the news won’t be good.. Gertrudis comes in, Cata asks if she has news of the war. No, bringing news about the mayor selling Domingo’s crops.. Cata asks the house too? No, he was not interested in the house but at least we have where to live.
Alejo and Pola stop.
A: Are you alright?
P: Yes, its just stopping the blood and that’s all.
A: Thank you for saving my life… (they embrace… she is anguished for him, he is in loads of emotional pain and overload, for the blood hell he has been in, it’s a miracle his white shirt sleeves are clean as a whistle, but have to say they did good continuity, his hands/knuckles show he punched a few folks along the way.)
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:45:00 PM EDT
Back in the fight, I had to laugh… nearby Col Hasin there is one guy who is more doing an aerobic exercise, jumping constantly and hitting another guy’s gun with his bayonette/gun side to side… (definitely stands out, sorry had to laugh)
Col begins to yell asking for Samano, we see Samano riding full speed with a handfull of men behind him. Hasin continues to fight bravely..
Antonio: Col Hasin!! You don’t have to die! Give up! You have my word that you will be treated with dignity!!
H: Come get me, you devilish american!!
(he gets grabbed from behind but he can shake the guy off, and kills him and another one… Col Rodriguez has seen this and finishes off the guy he was fighting and heads over toward Hasin, lifting his gun… Hasin turns around sword in hand, but sees Rodriguez pointing at him point blank.
Antonio: Noo! Rodriguez!!
But Rodriguez enjoys putting a bullet right between Hasin’s eyebrows… Hasin falls dead.
A younger officer notices they killed Hasin so he yells at their troops that they killed Hasin and yells for retreat. They all retreat quickly…
The whole fight happened in a field mudded up, good attention to detail, we see the smoke trails of where the cannonballs fell… they run like maniacs and Antonio’s troops follow them.
Capt Caval announces to Antonio that the enemy ran scared… Antonio asks for Gen Samano, Caval says he’s nowhere, seems he ran too… Caval gives Antonio the credit, Antonio gives it right back, tells him if it was not for his making it through, although a bit late, another would have been the result. Caval says you have no idea how hard it was to make it through that jungle.
At the fields, Rodriguez is pointing his sword to Hasin and yelling ‘WE ARE FREE!! WE WON!!! WE FINISHED THESE WRETCHS!! .. COL HASIN!! THE INVINCIBLE!! (goes down to his knees and grabs Hasin, lifting him up by the coat… ‘You are not so invincible, Col! Did you really think we were so insignificant? Did you really think we were just some scum that can be stepped on like insects??? (stands up and grabs his sword) These are the wretchs that feel like they are our owners!! That feel they have the right to cut out heads off!! (he swings his sword to cut Hasin’s head) Antonio yells “Col Rodriguez!!’ but he yells ‘NO MORE!!!’ and swings and cuts Hasin’s head off. HE enjoys his deed and then grabs Hasin’s head and lifts it above his shoulders…
Most of the rebel soldiers cheer, except Pedrito and Viviano who look like they are getting sick.
Rod: IT is us who now cut their heads off!!
Antonio: Col Rodriguez!! What are you doing?? (with a face of total disgust and disapproval)
Antonio gets off the horse and walks over to Rodriguez and Hasin’s body.
Rod: Gen Narino.. I was going to go find you. I have a present for you.
Antonio: You are an animal. (un salvaje) That is not the behavior of a civilized man. Don’t you know that God’s laws ban destruction of the already dead?
Rod: My G Narino, it’s exactly what this ‘(they muted it but the word starts with P, you figure it) would have done when he came out victorious!
Antonio: What kind of reasoning is that? (louder so all soldiers hear) Here we are not taking vengeance! Here we are fighting for our freedom!! And if we let ourselves be overcome by hatred and resentment, like Col Rodriguez just did, WE will all end up like this poor man!
Rod: My General…
Antonio: Not another word! This act erases your heroic achievement today and stains the honor of our troops! (have to say the troops are not cheering anymore, they seem ashamed of having cheered Rodriguez… Rodriguez could be shooting fire out his nostrils, he looks very angry)
Antonio lifts his arm asking Rodriguez for the head… and tells him to go away..
Antonio asks for a spanish flag, puts Hasin’s head back and covers his body with the flag.
Antonio: Col Hasin, Rest in peace. You fought like a valiant. Now I understand why you did not loose any battle. And perhaps, with a more honorable commander, your outcome would have been better.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:45:00 PM EDT
Samano has made it out… his handful of men reach him, noone follows them. He breathes a sigh of relief.
Pola is walking through the bodies calling for Viviano and Pedrito… They meet and they all hug happily. Pedrito says Viviano is a much better warrior. Pola sees Viviano is not well emotionally and asks him what is up. He says he does not like to kill. She says I know, this is one of the worst sights anyone could experience. They ask her for Alejo, he is alright, but his brother is dead. Pedrito says he did not know his brother fought for us. She says he fought for Samano’s troops.
Alejo is kneeling by Leandro’s body.
A: From the beginning I cursed this war between brothers… but I never thought I would have to face such tragedy… (Pola has reached him and holds his shoulder in support) All our lives fighting… fighting to the death… (he turns around) Pola…
P: I’m alright.
A: (loses it crying)
The priest and Antonio are walking around the field.. Antonio asks the priest to ensure all the dead get christian service. Leyva comes to tell him the death toll (500 theirs, 60 ours). Antonio asks Leyva to make a list of the dead so they can ensure the families get compensation from government.
Pola walks by and Antonio calls for ‘soldier!’… She turns around…
P: Don Antonio…
A: Pola…
P: Don Antonio, please don’t say anything.. Believe me, I tried to follow your orders, but the anguish won me over. And thank God because if it was not for this uniform, the person I love would be dead. So you can give me whatever punishment I deserve. (Antonio just looks at her with concern)
Back at the camp tents, Domingo is attended to by their medic, Pedrito is holding his head, Viviano his legs… but Domingo keeps jerking around, he really wants to die… Doc says ‘if you don’t stay still I can’t close the wound! ‘ Domingo keeps saying leave me alone… Doc says ‘if you want to die that’s your problem! But there are people who DO need my help and want to live! ‘
Doc leaves even after Pola calls for him.
Viv: Your wound looks pretty bad. IF we don’t close it you will die.
Dom: As if anyone needed me.
Viv: I do.
Dom: You? I thought you hated me.
Viv: Why?
Dom: Because when you lived at my house I treated you bad.
Viv: You are a good person, Dom. Well, until you married my sister. You beast, you should not have married her.
Pola comes back and finishes sewing his wound…
P: Why do you want to die, Dom? Does the conscience feel heavy for not having been a good husband? To finish the life of a small innocent creature? OR do you still think you are a poor victim and that God hates you?
D: Your little brother was telling me that I was a good person until I married your sister.
And all I did was love her, give her all she asked me for. And she didn’t even love me after that.
P: You did everything backwards. Just like you bought Juliano, you bought Catarina?
D: What are you talking about?
P: What am I talking about? You practically bought Catarina from Misia Gertrudis since she was a little girl! And on top of that, you forced her to love you by beating her up! Who can fall in love that way, Domingo? Love is free, you don’t chain love! …
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:46:00 PM EDT
Antonio asks Leyva if they can move forward to Pasto fast after the enemy’s defeat. But Leyva recommends they instead go to Popayan to recover, get some resources and then go to Pasto and Quito.
Later Antonio talks to Tonito, says someday everyone, even the men in the council, will understand that this victory is everyone’s!... Tonito asks if he will stop here. No. For the campaign to be complete, we must go on to Quito. Tonito congratulates his General. Antonio does same with his Col Narino. Antonio gives all his officers a promotion… including Tonito who is now Col.
Tonito leaves, Pola comes in to tell Antonio she is leavign, have to take her sister’s husband home so he can try to say goodbye… Antonio asks then you will come back and join us again? Pola says I thought you did not want women to come along. This time he says it will be a pleasure to count on her again. Pola will be happy to return.
Juliano tells Pola that Domingo was wounded by a black soldier, and Pola says and even then you took him out of there. Juliano says he would have done that for anyone. We’re all on same side. Pola tells Juliano she will take Domingo back to Guaduas…
In another tent, Alejo is dressing up a clean Leandro… and crying beside him. Arcos is standing by them.
A: Even if you think the opposite, you were a good brother… the best. I always admired you, Leandro, and always felt very proud of you.
Pola comes in…
P: I came to say goodbye.
A: Say goodbye?
P: I have to take my sister’s husband who is badly wounded.
(Alejo sends Arcos away, Arcos tells Pola he is sad she will leave)
A: I want to go with you. But first I have to take Leandro’s body to Popayan.
P: I have to go right now. Domingo can die any moment.
A: Pola I don’t want to get away from you.
P: I will just go, leave Domingo, and come right back to join you all again! They say that you all will spend about a month in Popayan before you move forward.
A: (he is shaky…) Pola, please…
P: You don’t want to go on fighting?
A: This war makes no sense.
P: OF course it does. The pain for your brother is not letting you see it, but you, as I, as everyone here dream with being free! To see our children grow in a free country!
A: Are we ever going to see that day, Pola?
(Pedrito comes to get Pola, they are ready to leave, Pola kisses Alejo)
A: I don’t want to get away from you.
P: Everything will be alright. You will see.
(Alejo is devastated… she watches him sharing his anguish and feeling real bad she has to leave him now)
Juliano brings a bayonette shotgun to Domingo, asks him to shoot him dead after they exchange dares as to ‘finally you have the guts to kill me / the one with not enough guts is you’.
J: You said you would not leave me alive, so go ahead, kill me… I am not kidding, amo. If you die and I live, you won’t rest in peace. You would think that I will go back with ama Catarina, maybe that is true.
D: you will go back to her, miserable negro.
J: I can’t promise you I won’t. so do it now that you have the chance. Shoot me! (puts it on his neck)
… (he won’t do it… Juliano dares him again but Domingo can’t get himself to)
D: Maybe you think the opposite. But I am no murderer. I am a man in love, brute, because now that I am about to meet God, I am realizing all the mistakes I made.
(Pola comes to get Domingo… Domingo gives Juliano a killer stare… tells Pola that Juliano and him were just saying their farewells). Domingo and Pola leave.
Days later, at Popayan..
Alejo arrived to the house, upset Eusebia comes to get Francisco and Maria Teresa.
Downstairs Alejo has Arcos and a couple other men, with Leandro’s body covered up.
Francisco kneels to uncover Leandro while Maria Teresa grabs Alejo for support. He holds her. Arcos squeezes Alejo’s shoulder briefly in a show of support.
Fra: Leandro, for God’s sake! Leandro!
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:47:00 PM EDT
Pola and Domingo (a very ill Domingo, barely able to keep himself sitting up on the horse)
At the house Catarina and Gertrudis are preparing corn from the fields, gertrudis is nagging, as usual. Acacia comes running in to tell Gertrudis and Catarina that Pola arrived. Catarina is in disbelief.
Pola and Domingo arrive. Pola tells Cata Domingo got wounded in the fight.
Bernarda asks about Juliano, Domingo reluctantly says he is alright. He stayed fighting with the troops. I did not kill him if that’s what you are worried about.
Pola will run for a ‘galeno’ (doctor). Domingo asks her for a priest so he can do confession.
Catarina and Bernarda help Domingo in the house.
In Popayan, the Valencias, Sarabains come back to house after a service for Leandro. Maria Teresa tells Eusebia and Gaspar they are finally leaving. To mariquita, with her brothers. Francisco, visibly in disagreement but resigned, walks away.
Gaspar asks Alejo when they leave. Alejo tells him Don Antonio wants to meet with the most wealthy families of Popayan. They need resources. Eusebia asks Alejo to stop by and say goodbye to Maria Ignacia. Alejo agrees, he will.
Maria Teresa asks Francisco if he is ok. He says how could I? My son Leandro died hating me, and its your fault. She asks how is that.
Fran: Leandro never forgave me for saying his mother was ‘bad race’ woman.
MT: What?
Fran: Don’t tell me that neither of your sons ever told you.
MT: Did you tell my sons that?
Fran: Yes, it is the truth.
MT: I did not understand the reasons for this war. But now I do. This country needs to get rid of men like you.
Fran: Now you say that? Let me remind you that when you were younger you were dying to marry a man like me. An european of noble origin. I avoided you from being an old maid. That’s where you were heading. You were a disgraced woman, ‘stained of the land’.
MT: Some time ago I would have been hurt by your words. Now I don’t feel anything. A while back I realized you did not marry me for your feelings for me, but for your feelings towards the wealth of my family.
Fran: See? You are not as dumb after all.
MT: I am not. You never really got to know me.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:49:00 PM EDT
Bernarda, Catarina and Acacia are caring for Domingo. Acacia gets scared at the sight of the wound. Cata asks her to bring clean cloths… Domingo asks Acacia to leave him alone with Catarina.
Dom: I never thought I would see you again.
Cata: Dom, I know you did not expect to see me in your house, but the thing is the crops were sold but not the house. But don’t worry. Now that you are here, I will leave today.
Dom: You don’t have to leave anymore.
Cata: What?
Dom: Come closer. I can’t speak very loud. I only came here to… ask you for forgiveness.
Cata: You don’t have to say anything.
Dom: I always wanted for you to love me. But I am too dumb/brute. All I did was to get you to hate me.
Cata: I don’t hate you.
Dom: Yes (you do). And I deserve it. The problem is that none of what I did I did for being bad, but for the pain I was feeling because you did not love me.
Cata: I know that. And I tried to love you but I couldn’t.
Dom: And how could you? Can you forgive me?
Cata: I can forgive everything, Domingo… except what you did to my son.
Dom: Catarina, I am going to die.
Cata: Domingo, don’t say that. If you could get here, it must be because that wound is not so bad.
Dom: If I made it all the way here, is because I need to talk to you.
Cata: I think we said everything we needed to say.
Dom: At that time I hated you with all my heart.
Cata: You don’t hate me anymore?
Dom: Pola made me understand some things…
Cata: Some things?
Dom: Like it is not your fault for not having been able to love me. All I did was to try to force you to love me the violent way. But that doesn’t matter anymore. I am not even interested in you to love me. All I want is that you are alright. For you to be happy.
Cata: No, Domingo, I can’t be happy anymore…
Dom: Yes you can. Catarina, your son Joaquin… is alive.
Cata: Alive?... But… Didn’t you tell Ciro to… to kill him?
Dom: He didn’t. HE did not kill him. He sold him.
…
Cata: And who are those merchants?
Dom: Ciro just told me that he took him to some mines to sell him. Ciro didn’t even know himself.
Cata: What mines? And then how do I find him?
Dom: Ciro only told me that he is alright.
Cata: Then how will I find him?
Dom: I would like to help you… I can give you money to find him and buy him from them. Don’t think that they will just hand him to you just by you saying you are his mother… This house is yours. Go tell Pola to get the mayor so we can do the paperwork. (to sell the house)…
Cata: Why are you doing this for me, Domingo?
Dom: Because I want to see you happy…. (she smiles) What Pola said worked. Just a small gesture of mine and it’s the first time you look at me with a smile (me mira bonito).
Cata: What can I say? Thank you Domingo!
Dom: Don’t say anything. Rather run, because if I die, you will not have the house or recover your son. Go.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:50:00 PM EDT
Back at Valencia house in Popayan… Maria Teresa is crying, Alejo comes to embrace her again.
A: Mother… Leandro told me that he would be the light to guide your way..
MT: Hopefully God will let him…. Why didn’t you tell me?
A: Tell you what?
MT: That your father thinks that we are ‘bad race’.
A: Would that serve for anything, mother?
MT: I don’t want to live with him anymore!
A: Mother, you are very affected by Leandro’s death. Let a few days go by..
MT: NO! No! I don’t want to live with Francisco! I can’t stand to live with him one more day!
A: You don’t mind being married anymore?
MT: NO. It mattered to me because I had sons who would see their honorability affected. Leandro is not here anymore. And you… your own father rejects you because of your race. What good would it do to prolongue this miserable life at his side?
A: And where will you go?
MT: To my brothers’. To Mariquita. And you will help me. (he embraces her again).
Leyva and Antonio with the troops walk around Popayan’s streets.
A: The people in this city don’t appreciate us. They feel safer in ‘realista’ hands.
Ley: They will learn to appreciate freedom.
A: How long until we can move on?
Ley: That depends on the resources we get and how soon we get them. Besides, Samano has to recover from the blows we gave him.
Leyva tells Antonio that the way to Pasto allows the enemy to take advantage position against them. It will not be easy. Antonio is still optimistic. Leyva grimaces in pain… Antonio tries to lift his spirits and says while we keep the troop spirits up, tomorrow people will say they are the ‘liberators’ of our lands.
Previews show Acacia unmasking Francisco to the Valencias. While a stranger merchant arrives at Pola’s life. Someone who could change many things in the story.
here we go... friday... aug 26
Alejo keeps fighting and yelling for his brother…
Finally spots him when Leandro is swept on his hip with a sword by a rebel soldier, Alejo heads over to him but has to fight a couple other men first… Leandro fights someone else who stabs him on left shoulder, then someone else sinks his bayonette on Leandro’s back right side… Leandro falls to his knees and someone sinks their sword in his stomach… as the guy removes the sword, Alejo sees him again just as someone gives Leandro the final blow from the back through his chest… Alejo yells NOOOO!!! And runs to him, yelling at the guy to leave him alone.
Alejo grabs Leandro…
L: look… all our lives fighting… fighting to the death.
A: You are not going to die.
L: I am already dead…
A: How am I going to be able to keep on living after staining my hands with my own brother’s blood?
L: No, no… you were on the righteous side.
A: Why do you say that?
L: I finally got it… Samano has no honor, or valour… he only knows ambition… and cowardness. (Alejo looks up and around as if angrily looking for Samano right then and there) You are right. Keep fighting for what you want.
A: You fought bravely.
L: Tell our mother that I willl try to be the light that guides her way… forgive me Alejo… (I believe he said ‘I would have wanted to be a better brother’)… too bad our father… our father…
A: Leandro… Leandro… No!! Leandro!! … Leandro, No!!
(a soldier comes and points his bayonette at Alejo and yells at him ‘ Die, you wretch!’, but Pola shoots him down. Alejo turns around, Pola!... Pola comes to him)
P: He is already dead, Alejo, lets go!
A: What are you doing here, dressed like that??
P: Lets go Alejo, before they kill you!
(a shot is heard and she is hit on the shoulder)
A: They hit you!
P: Let’s go before they kill us both!!
(Alejo grabs her, stands up, punches someone in their way..)
A: Let’s go!
(he grabs her again and runs with her through the fighting mayhem… )
Juliano has carried Domingo into the woods, Domingo keeps yelling ‘let me go, dumb negro, you are hurting me!. Juliano wants to go get a doc or help… Domingo says he does not need help, asks Juliano why don’t you let me die in peace?... Juliano goes for help anyway…
At Guaduas, Catalina and Bernarda are praying to the virgin… Cata can’t stand the anxiety. No news… Bernarda is afraid the news won’t be good.. Gertrudis comes in, Cata asks if she has news of the war. No, bringing news about the mayor selling Domingo’s crops.. Cata asks the house too? No, he was not interested in the house but at least we have where to live.
Alejo and Pola stop.
A: Are you alright?
P: Yes, its just stopping the blood and that’s all.
A: Thank you for saving my life… (they embrace… she is anguished for him, he is in loads of emotional pain and overload, for the blood hell he has been in, it’s a miracle his white shirt sleeves are clean as a whistle, but have to say they did good continuity, his hands/knuckles show he punched a few folks along the way.)
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:45:00 PM EDT
Back in the fight, I had to laugh… nearby Col Hasin there is one guy who is more doing an aerobic exercise, jumping constantly and hitting another guy’s gun with his bayonette/gun side to side… (definitely stands out, sorry had to laugh)
Col begins to yell asking for Samano, we see Samano riding full speed with a handfull of men behind him. Hasin continues to fight bravely..
Antonio: Col Hasin!! You don’t have to die! Give up! You have my word that you will be treated with dignity!!
H: Come get me, you devilish american!!
(he gets grabbed from behind but he can shake the guy off, and kills him and another one… Col Rodriguez has seen this and finishes off the guy he was fighting and heads over toward Hasin, lifting his gun… Hasin turns around sword in hand, but sees Rodriguez pointing at him point blank.
Antonio: Noo! Rodriguez!!
But Rodriguez enjoys putting a bullet right between Hasin’s eyebrows… Hasin falls dead.
A younger officer notices they killed Hasin so he yells at their troops that they killed Hasin and yells for retreat. They all retreat quickly…
The whole fight happened in a field mudded up, good attention to detail, we see the smoke trails of where the cannonballs fell… they run like maniacs and Antonio’s troops follow them.
Capt Caval announces to Antonio that the enemy ran scared… Antonio asks for Gen Samano, Caval says he’s nowhere, seems he ran too… Caval gives Antonio the credit, Antonio gives it right back, tells him if it was not for his making it through, although a bit late, another would have been the result. Caval says you have no idea how hard it was to make it through that jungle.
At the fields, Rodriguez is pointing his sword to Hasin and yelling ‘WE ARE FREE!! WE WON!!! WE FINISHED THESE WRETCHS!! .. COL HASIN!! THE INVINCIBLE!! (goes down to his knees and grabs Hasin, lifting him up by the coat… ‘You are not so invincible, Col! Did you really think we were so insignificant? Did you really think we were just some scum that can be stepped on like insects??? (stands up and grabs his sword) These are the wretchs that feel like they are our owners!! That feel they have the right to cut out heads off!! (he swings his sword to cut Hasin’s head) Antonio yells “Col Rodriguez!!’ but he yells ‘NO MORE!!!’ and swings and cuts Hasin’s head off. HE enjoys his deed and then grabs Hasin’s head and lifts it above his shoulders…
Most of the rebel soldiers cheer, except Pedrito and Viviano who look like they are getting sick.
Rod: IT is us who now cut their heads off!!
Antonio: Col Rodriguez!! What are you doing?? (with a face of total disgust and disapproval)
Antonio gets off the horse and walks over to Rodriguez and Hasin’s body.
Rod: Gen Narino.. I was going to go find you. I have a present for you.
Antonio: You are an animal. (un salvaje) That is not the behavior of a civilized man. Don’t you know that God’s laws ban destruction of the already dead?
Rod: My G Narino, it’s exactly what this ‘(they muted it but the word starts with P, you figure it) would have done when he came out victorious!
Antonio: What kind of reasoning is that? (louder so all soldiers hear) Here we are not taking vengeance! Here we are fighting for our freedom!! And if we let ourselves be overcome by hatred and resentment, like Col Rodriguez just did, WE will all end up like this poor man!
Rod: My General…
Antonio: Not another word! This act erases your heroic achievement today and stains the honor of our troops! (have to say the troops are not cheering anymore, they seem ashamed of having cheered Rodriguez… Rodriguez could be shooting fire out his nostrils, he looks very angry)
Antonio lifts his arm asking Rodriguez for the head… and tells him to go away..
Antonio asks for a spanish flag, puts Hasin’s head back and covers his body with the flag.
Antonio: Col Hasin, Rest in peace. You fought like a valiant. Now I understand why you did not loose any battle. And perhaps, with a more honorable commander, your outcome would have been better.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:45:00 PM EDT
Samano has made it out… his handful of men reach him, noone follows them. He breathes a sigh of relief.
Pola is walking through the bodies calling for Viviano and Pedrito… They meet and they all hug happily. Pedrito says Viviano is a much better warrior. Pola sees Viviano is not well emotionally and asks him what is up. He says he does not like to kill. She says I know, this is one of the worst sights anyone could experience. They ask her for Alejo, he is alright, but his brother is dead. Pedrito says he did not know his brother fought for us. She says he fought for Samano’s troops.
Alejo is kneeling by Leandro’s body.
A: From the beginning I cursed this war between brothers… but I never thought I would have to face such tragedy… (Pola has reached him and holds his shoulder in support) All our lives fighting… fighting to the death… (he turns around) Pola…
P: I’m alright.
A: (loses it crying)
The priest and Antonio are walking around the field.. Antonio asks the priest to ensure all the dead get christian service. Leyva comes to tell him the death toll (500 theirs, 60 ours). Antonio asks Leyva to make a list of the dead so they can ensure the families get compensation from government.
Pola walks by and Antonio calls for ‘soldier!’… She turns around…
P: Don Antonio…
A: Pola…
P: Don Antonio, please don’t say anything.. Believe me, I tried to follow your orders, but the anguish won me over. And thank God because if it was not for this uniform, the person I love would be dead. So you can give me whatever punishment I deserve. (Antonio just looks at her with concern)
Back at the camp tents, Domingo is attended to by their medic, Pedrito is holding his head, Viviano his legs… but Domingo keeps jerking around, he really wants to die… Doc says ‘if you don’t stay still I can’t close the wound! ‘ Domingo keeps saying leave me alone… Doc says ‘if you want to die that’s your problem! But there are people who DO need my help and want to live! ‘
Doc leaves even after Pola calls for him.
Viv: Your wound looks pretty bad. IF we don’t close it you will die.
Dom: As if anyone needed me.
Viv: I do.
Dom: You? I thought you hated me.
Viv: Why?
Dom: Because when you lived at my house I treated you bad.
Viv: You are a good person, Dom. Well, until you married my sister. You beast, you should not have married her.
Pola comes back and finishes sewing his wound…
P: Why do you want to die, Dom? Does the conscience feel heavy for not having been a good husband? To finish the life of a small innocent creature? OR do you still think you are a poor victim and that God hates you?
D: Your little brother was telling me that I was a good person until I married your sister.
And all I did was love her, give her all she asked me for. And she didn’t even love me after that.
P: You did everything backwards. Just like you bought Juliano, you bought Catarina?
D: What are you talking about?
P: What am I talking about? You practically bought Catarina from Misia Gertrudis since she was a little girl! And on top of that, you forced her to love you by beating her up! Who can fall in love that way, Domingo? Love is free, you don’t chain love! …
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:46:00 PM EDT
Antonio asks Leyva if they can move forward to Pasto fast after the enemy’s defeat. But Leyva recommends they instead go to Popayan to recover, get some resources and then go to Pasto and Quito.
Later Antonio talks to Tonito, says someday everyone, even the men in the council, will understand that this victory is everyone’s!... Tonito asks if he will stop here. No. For the campaign to be complete, we must go on to Quito. Tonito congratulates his General. Antonio does same with his Col Narino. Antonio gives all his officers a promotion… including Tonito who is now Col.
Tonito leaves, Pola comes in to tell Antonio she is leavign, have to take her sister’s husband home so he can try to say goodbye… Antonio asks then you will come back and join us again? Pola says I thought you did not want women to come along. This time he says it will be a pleasure to count on her again. Pola will be happy to return.
Juliano tells Pola that Domingo was wounded by a black soldier, and Pola says and even then you took him out of there. Juliano says he would have done that for anyone. We’re all on same side. Pola tells Juliano she will take Domingo back to Guaduas…
In another tent, Alejo is dressing up a clean Leandro… and crying beside him. Arcos is standing by them.
A: Even if you think the opposite, you were a good brother… the best. I always admired you, Leandro, and always felt very proud of you.
Pola comes in…
P: I came to say goodbye.
A: Say goodbye?
P: I have to take my sister’s husband who is badly wounded.
(Alejo sends Arcos away, Arcos tells Pola he is sad she will leave)
A: I want to go with you. But first I have to take Leandro’s body to Popayan.
P: I have to go right now. Domingo can die any moment.
A: Pola I don’t want to get away from you.
P: I will just go, leave Domingo, and come right back to join you all again! They say that you all will spend about a month in Popayan before you move forward.
A: (he is shaky…) Pola, please…
P: You don’t want to go on fighting?
A: This war makes no sense.
P: OF course it does. The pain for your brother is not letting you see it, but you, as I, as everyone here dream with being free! To see our children grow in a free country!
A: Are we ever going to see that day, Pola?
(Pedrito comes to get Pola, they are ready to leave, Pola kisses Alejo)
A: I don’t want to get away from you.
P: Everything will be alright. You will see.
(Alejo is devastated… she watches him sharing his anguish and feeling real bad she has to leave him now)
Juliano brings a bayonette shotgun to Domingo, asks him to shoot him dead after they exchange dares as to ‘finally you have the guts to kill me / the one with not enough guts is you’.
J: You said you would not leave me alive, so go ahead, kill me… I am not kidding, amo. If you die and I live, you won’t rest in peace. You would think that I will go back with ama Catarina, maybe that is true.
D: you will go back to her, miserable negro.
J: I can’t promise you I won’t. so do it now that you have the chance. Shoot me! (puts it on his neck)
… (he won’t do it… Juliano dares him again but Domingo can’t get himself to)
D: Maybe you think the opposite. But I am no murderer. I am a man in love, brute, because now that I am about to meet God, I am realizing all the mistakes I made.
(Pola comes to get Domingo… Domingo gives Juliano a killer stare… tells Pola that Juliano and him were just saying their farewells). Domingo and Pola leave.
Days later, at Popayan..
Alejo arrived to the house, upset Eusebia comes to get Francisco and Maria Teresa.
Downstairs Alejo has Arcos and a couple other men, with Leandro’s body covered up.
Francisco kneels to uncover Leandro while Maria Teresa grabs Alejo for support. He holds her. Arcos squeezes Alejo’s shoulder briefly in a show of support.
Fra: Leandro, for God’s sake! Leandro!
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:47:00 PM EDT
Pola and Domingo (a very ill Domingo, barely able to keep himself sitting up on the horse)
At the house Catarina and Gertrudis are preparing corn from the fields, gertrudis is nagging, as usual. Acacia comes running in to tell Gertrudis and Catarina that Pola arrived. Catarina is in disbelief.
Pola and Domingo arrive. Pola tells Cata Domingo got wounded in the fight.
Bernarda asks about Juliano, Domingo reluctantly says he is alright. He stayed fighting with the troops. I did not kill him if that’s what you are worried about.
Pola will run for a ‘galeno’ (doctor). Domingo asks her for a priest so he can do confession.
Catarina and Bernarda help Domingo in the house.
In Popayan, the Valencias, Sarabains come back to house after a service for Leandro. Maria Teresa tells Eusebia and Gaspar they are finally leaving. To mariquita, with her brothers. Francisco, visibly in disagreement but resigned, walks away.
Gaspar asks Alejo when they leave. Alejo tells him Don Antonio wants to meet with the most wealthy families of Popayan. They need resources. Eusebia asks Alejo to stop by and say goodbye to Maria Ignacia. Alejo agrees, he will.
Maria Teresa asks Francisco if he is ok. He says how could I? My son Leandro died hating me, and its your fault. She asks how is that.
Fran: Leandro never forgave me for saying his mother was ‘bad race’ woman.
MT: What?
Fran: Don’t tell me that neither of your sons ever told you.
MT: Did you tell my sons that?
Fran: Yes, it is the truth.
MT: I did not understand the reasons for this war. But now I do. This country needs to get rid of men like you.
Fran: Now you say that? Let me remind you that when you were younger you were dying to marry a man like me. An european of noble origin. I avoided you from being an old maid. That’s where you were heading. You were a disgraced woman, ‘stained of the land’.
MT: Some time ago I would have been hurt by your words. Now I don’t feel anything. A while back I realized you did not marry me for your feelings for me, but for your feelings towards the wealth of my family.
Fran: See? You are not as dumb after all.
MT: I am not. You never really got to know me.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:49:00 PM EDT
Bernarda, Catarina and Acacia are caring for Domingo. Acacia gets scared at the sight of the wound. Cata asks her to bring clean cloths… Domingo asks Acacia to leave him alone with Catarina.
Dom: I never thought I would see you again.
Cata: Dom, I know you did not expect to see me in your house, but the thing is the crops were sold but not the house. But don’t worry. Now that you are here, I will leave today.
Dom: You don’t have to leave anymore.
Cata: What?
Dom: Come closer. I can’t speak very loud. I only came here to… ask you for forgiveness.
Cata: You don’t have to say anything.
Dom: I always wanted for you to love me. But I am too dumb/brute. All I did was to get you to hate me.
Cata: I don’t hate you.
Dom: Yes (you do). And I deserve it. The problem is that none of what I did I did for being bad, but for the pain I was feeling because you did not love me.
Cata: I know that. And I tried to love you but I couldn’t.
Dom: And how could you? Can you forgive me?
Cata: I can forgive everything, Domingo… except what you did to my son.
Dom: Catarina, I am going to die.
Cata: Domingo, don’t say that. If you could get here, it must be because that wound is not so bad.
Dom: If I made it all the way here, is because I need to talk to you.
Cata: I think we said everything we needed to say.
Dom: At that time I hated you with all my heart.
Cata: You don’t hate me anymore?
Dom: Pola made me understand some things…
Cata: Some things?
Dom: Like it is not your fault for not having been able to love me. All I did was to try to force you to love me the violent way. But that doesn’t matter anymore. I am not even interested in you to love me. All I want is that you are alright. For you to be happy.
Cata: No, Domingo, I can’t be happy anymore…
Dom: Yes you can. Catarina, your son Joaquin… is alive.
Cata: Alive?... But… Didn’t you tell Ciro to… to kill him?
Dom: He didn’t. HE did not kill him. He sold him.
…
Cata: And who are those merchants?
Dom: Ciro just told me that he took him to some mines to sell him. Ciro didn’t even know himself.
Cata: What mines? And then how do I find him?
Dom: Ciro only told me that he is alright.
Cata: Then how will I find him?
Dom: I would like to help you… I can give you money to find him and buy him from them. Don’t think that they will just hand him to you just by you saying you are his mother… This house is yours. Go tell Pola to get the mayor so we can do the paperwork. (to sell the house)…
Cata: Why are you doing this for me, Domingo?
Dom: Because I want to see you happy…. (she smiles) What Pola said worked. Just a small gesture of mine and it’s the first time you look at me with a smile (me mira bonito).
Cata: What can I say? Thank you Domingo!
Dom: Don’t say anything. Rather run, because if I die, you will not have the house or recover your son. Go.
Permalink posted by martaivett : Sat Aug 27, 05:50:00 PM EDT
Back at Valencia house in Popayan… Maria Teresa is crying, Alejo comes to embrace her again.
A: Mother… Leandro told me that he would be the light to guide your way..
MT: Hopefully God will let him…. Why didn’t you tell me?
A: Tell you what?
MT: That your father thinks that we are ‘bad race’.
A: Would that serve for anything, mother?
MT: I don’t want to live with him anymore!
A: Mother, you are very affected by Leandro’s death. Let a few days go by..
MT: NO! No! I don’t want to live with Francisco! I can’t stand to live with him one more day!
A: You don’t mind being married anymore?
MT: NO. It mattered to me because I had sons who would see their honorability affected. Leandro is not here anymore. And you… your own father rejects you because of your race. What good would it do to prolongue this miserable life at his side?
A: And where will you go?
MT: To my brothers’. To Mariquita. And you will help me. (he embraces her again).
Leyva and Antonio with the troops walk around Popayan’s streets.
A: The people in this city don’t appreciate us. They feel safer in ‘realista’ hands.
Ley: They will learn to appreciate freedom.
A: How long until we can move on?
Ley: That depends on the resources we get and how soon we get them. Besides, Samano has to recover from the blows we gave him.
Leyva tells Antonio that the way to Pasto allows the enemy to take advantage position against them. It will not be easy. Antonio is still optimistic. Leyva grimaces in pain… Antonio tries to lift his spirits and says while we keep the troop spirits up, tomorrow people will say they are the ‘liberators’ of our lands.
Previews show Acacia unmasking Francisco to the Valencias. While a stranger merchant arrives at Pola’s life. Someone who could change many things in the story.
Labels: LaPola
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