Caray, Caray!

Yes, this is the right place! Reinamaniacs Rule!
 

Over the weekend, this space will be graced by an updated Body Count (with editorial comments) and an ultra-rapid PlotCOMPACTED Wisdom of the Dragon. Teehee.

Previews: A Dragon can play dead better than any opossum. AND A Dragon always greets his mother with a drawn gun.


 

Muchísimas gracias amiga!
 

Anita- I'm surprised you can keep up with the Body Count list! Aren't you running out of paper? Maybe add One Small Forest to the body count list.

So when Laz got in to finally see Greta, conveniently after the birth, was he still in costume? Because I'd like to see that again.

Looks like Esmeeth should have paid much closer attention to Dr. Moto's warning about FELS. Someone needs to punch that guy's stupid, smug face.

Out for the next week (Mexico!) but looking forward to the recaps. They're just as good as watching the show, and way less confusing.

Kelly
 

Kelly -- Have a great week in Mexico!

NO REINA ON FRIDAY! Oh well, more time for us to go trick or treating, I guess.

Et tu López 2? jejejejejejeje (I crack myself up sometimes!)
 

It's probably not a good sign when the transplant specialist turns out to be the Mala Suerte guy...
 

NM--Are you sure? The specialitst guy looks older. Is his accent real or faked? I absolutely love Sr. Malasuerte. Wish there were more of them.
 

P.S. FELS is an unfeeling jerk.

Is he really still protecting Stefi or does he want Javier to do the dirty work of bringing her in so his hands stay clean and she still loves her little brother from behind bars.
 

Kelly--Not running out of paper, but may be running out of electronic o's and 1's.
 

Anita -- the actor is Alberto Mateo. He's from Madrid and his accent is the real thing. He's listed in the imdb.com cast page for Reina. His character is Dr. Alejandro Altamirano.

If you look up the actor and "Mala Suerte" or "Yo soy la mala suerte," you'll find plenty of photos and videos.
 

"Et tu López 2? jejejejejejeje (I crack myself up sometimes!)"
BwaHahahaaaaa!!!

Seriously, though, this explains a LOT about Lopez 2.0, why things did not get done that Stefy wanted done, all the times she kept asking him "Don't you have another brother?", etc.

And now it just got personal, since he was Pilar's boyfriend.

TRICK or Treat from Telemundo.....and the answer is: a TRICK tonight with no Reina! As IF we don't have DVRs and don't record anyway, for FFWD--> through the commercials. Argh.
 

Is there a recap?
 

No Reina? :-(

*sniff*

Oh well, I still haven't watched Thursday's episode.
 

Will Greta ever ask someone about the abdominal C-section scar?

Perhaps she'll tell someone, "I had a dream that I was pregnant and had a baby."
 

This comment has been removed by the author.
 

Jueves – Parte Uno

Spain
Navier is making his goodbyes to Reina. She tells him that she doesn’t want a hero, she wants him. Clarita and Asunción come in. Clarita is sad that Navier is leaving. In a cut scene with Navier and Clarita, Clarita tells Navier that she wishes he were her father. He replies that you can’t choose your actual family but you can people you want to be with and he chooses her and they hug.

Hospital
Greta is in a wheelchair and she is alone with Laz. She says that she doesn’t know how long she was asleep or how long she has but he is the best thing that has happened to her. “Do you still love me?” she asks. “Of course I do,” replies Laz, “I’ve waited all this time to touch you.” Greta wants to talk to Reina. It’s a matter of life and death. Laz has to tell her that no one knows where Reina is. She’s been gone for months.

Spain
More leave taking by Navier. He tells Reina that there won’t be any tears, pain or heartache. He leaves knowing that she knows everything about him. Reina replies that she only knows that she loves him and her love is so strong that for a week, a year an eternity, she will be waiting for him. A final kiss and Navier leaves to their song. Later, in a cut scene, Reina has a dream where she is sleeping with Navier. A masked gunman comes in and shoots them with an automatic weapon. Before she dies, she sees the gunman take off his mask and it’s FELS! She wakes up screaming and Asuncion comes in. She tells Asuncion that she has had a bad feeling about FELS since the beginning. [She isn’t alone there.]

Hospital
Greta tells Vic that she knows what happened to Great Grandma (Estefi told her in a deleted scene). Vic lies and says that she died peacefully. Vic tells Greta that Bisabuela prayed for her. Greta says that she cared a lot for bisabuela. “You never told me,” says Vic. He goes on to say that she didn’t tell him a lot of things – like about the proofs that she stole on his wedding day. She saved him. Greta says she regrets that now. “You and I need to lose,” she says. All Greta’s psychiatrist did was plant hatred in her against everyone who hurt Camila, even against herself. She came back from the mental hospital not to start a new life but to take vengeance on everyone. (A cut scene showed Greta coming on to Christian as part of this vengeance thing but he passes the test.)

Estefi is praying, thanking God for bringing Greta back to her. [I thought the diamonds did that?]
Her phone rings. It’s FELS. He says that he is on a private jet coming back to Las Vegas with Navier but without Reina but that Reina is preggers with Navier’s baby.

CIA Headquarters
The English authorities are reopening the case of the murdered schoolgirl. Esmeeth says that the future of Greta is no longer in the CIA’s hands.

[It was a quick flight, apparently.] We see Navier and FELS arrive at CIA headquarters. Navier says that he has been thinking – there is only one way to get Vic and Estefi – it’s drastic but it will work. In a cut scene, Navier tells FELS that his plan is make it appear that he is dead. Then the proofs that Big O gave to someone for this contingency will be released and Victor and Estefi will go to jail. Naturally, FELS is not enthusiastic about this idea.

Spain
Clarita comes in from outside gasping for breath. Reina asks Asunción what is wrong with her.
In a cut scene, Asunción tells Reina about Clarita’s heart problem when she was born and that she has been giving her medicine all this time. Reina is angry that Asunción never mentioned this before.

Hospital
Various cut scenes with Laz and Greta. He was shocked when he found out what she had done but he forgives her and they will be happy together.

 

Jueves – Parte Dos

Victor gets Greta’s two mothers together. He tells them that Greta is in danger. The intelligence service has discovered the boarding school student business and Greta will probably go to jail. Victor wants to prevent that. [The British authorities would have to apply to the US to extradite Greta, a process which can take a very long time if opposed. Vic could also send Greta to some county that doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the US. Oops, reality intruding. Must tighten beanie.]

Spain
A doctor comes to see Clarita. Reina tells Asuncion that Clarita needs an EKG, medicine and she has to change her diet and not run around any more.

CIA Headquarters
FELS asks Dra Moto for the report on Abuela’s death. Dra Moto says that it was definitely murder. She asks about his trip. Navier comes in. He wants to continue his conversation with FELS. He tells Dra Moto that he has a plan for getting Vic and Estefi. FELS says it isn’t a plan – it’s craziness.

Hospital and CIA Headquarters – Two brothers with but a single plan
Susana tells Vic that his plan is risky, complicated but she will go along with it if Greta does. Estefi is on board regardless.
Victor: It’s the only way out.
Navier: It’s the only solution for those criminals to pay for their crimes.
Victor: (to Susana) We are going ahead with the plan whether Greta agrees or not.
Navier: (to FELS) He is going to do it whether FELS agrees or not.
Susana agrees to the plan. Estefi asks what they have to do.
FELS tells Navier not to act on his own or his pretend death will become a reality.
Victor: We’re going to kill Greta.

End of Mexican Episode 95


Hospital
Victor and the mothers put the case to Greta. She doesn’t want to be separated from Laz. Vic says that she doesn’t know what prison would be like.

Laz tells JJ that he doesn’t want Greta to go to jail. It’s hell.

Spain
Reina brings Clara some food. She wants to know what is wrong with her. Reina tells her that she was born with a heart problem – it was too big. But she is going to be fine.

CIA Headquarters
Dra Moto tells Navier that his plan is good. She doesn’t know why FELS is against it. Esmeeth comes in and tells them that she knows why – he’s protecting Estefi.

Hospital
Estefi tells López that she has a difficult road ahead of her but at least she has a trail to follow. She knows that Reina is in Spain.

Spain
Clarita wants to help Reina pick out a name for her little brother. She likes “Nicolás.”

CIA Headquarter
Navier tells Esmeeth that FELS hardly knows Estefi. Esmeeth tells him about FELS claiming to seduce Estefi to get information but she says that she has seen how his gaze changes when he looks at her. He is very interested in her. “If that’s true,” says Navier, “I will get them both.” He is going to investigate. Esmeeth asks why Navier is interested in going after Estefi now when he protected her before. “People change,” says Nav, “Well, it’s not that people change but you find out what they’ve done. Dra Moto leaves sensing a mother/son confrontation. Navier asks Esmeeth if she is worried that he is going after her lover. She tells him to show some respect – she’s his boss. “That’s relative,” replies Nav, “FELS is my boss, too but if he is hiding things from me, I’ll go after him, too.” Esmeeth asks why he doesn’t believe in her. Cue the resentment speech. Navier asks why he should believe in someone who has lied to him for so many years. She knew that Estefi told Reina that NN was dead. Why didn’t she tell him? Navier says that he is in the mood to make everyone pay who has hurt him and she is a big debtor in that department. She should be careful. He might forget and kill Vic, which would send her to jail – he wouldn’t care.

 

Jueves – Parte Tres

Vic has come to CIA headquarters to see his grandmother’s body. He asks Dra Moto if Granny suffered before she died. Dra says no, the crime was done by a professional.

Hospital
Estefi tells Susana that the death of Grandma Paz was serious. Someone entered her house without a problem. She should have protection like Estefi has in López. Well, not so much. López flashes back to talking to Pilar. She says that the Organization wants the proof against Vic. She will give it to them and he and Estefi will fall. “It’s about time,” replies López. It will also be good if Vic goes down. He betrayed their Organization and caused it to fail. López kisses Pilar and tells her to be careful but he will always protect her. She replies that only one person suspects her – Abuela. Abuela remembers her pretending to be Sister Piedad. Second flashback to Lopez about to kill Abuela. Estefi tells Susana not to believe in anyone. Anyone could be a murderer.

CIA Headquarters
Cut Scene -Vic is with Abuela’s body. He says she is so pale. She didn’t deserve this. Whoever did this will pay. Victor tells Grandma how much he cared for her and that he will be ok. He is going to hell but he is taking a lot of people with him. The room has a camera and Navier is watching.

Estefi’s Mansion
Estefi demands to know everything about Reina’s pregnancy from FELS. He wants to talk to Estefi about Navier. His attitude towards her has changed drastically. He recently sent the CIA information about the access codes to her vault, account information, etc. He is taking Estefi down. He is no longer protecting her.

Hospital
In a cut scene, Dra Moto goes to see Greta who recognizes her from the London mental hospital.

Estefi’s Mansion
Navier surprises FELS and Estefi in her house. He asks sarcastically what he is doing with Nav’s wife. Is he interrogating her? Threatening her? FELS asks why he should answer that. Nav says that he comes home unexpectedly and finds FELS coming downstairs with Estefi at night. What is going on? Estefi claims that FELS was at the house looking for something. Estefi tells Nav he’s got some ‘splainin to do and he says likewise.

Spain
Reina is in disguise with a bowler hat? She is at the heart doctor’s office. The doc says Clara has a serious heart problem. She needs open-heart surgery.

Estefi’s Mansion
Estefi asks if Nav was with Reina. He denies it. She asks if he missed her. She pushes him onto the bed but he gets on top of her and says that he doesn’t want any more lies. He wants to know why all those years ago, when he put his fate and life in her hands, she told Reina that he was dead. He demands that she answer or she’ll be dead and he starts to strangle her.

End of Mexican Episode 96

Navier wants the truth from Estefi. There is no need to continue lying. Estefi says that her only sin was loving him. Navier says that she ruined my life. Estefi replies that she did it for love. From the first moment she saw his cute bod, she knew he was the one who could save the Estefi who nobody loved like she deserved and who only got the leftovers. He was the one she would love from “el fondo de mis entrañas,” literally from the bottom of my guts, we say heart. Then she tells him to kill her and put an end to her meaningless life. She is giving up because he doesn’t love her. What is he waiting for? Does he need a motive? Here’s one. She is the one who told Reina that he was dead and she would do again a 1000 times.

 

Jueves – Parte Cuatro

Spain
Reina tells the doctor that she doesn’t want Clara to have surgery. There must be some other way to cure her, some medicine. The doctor replies that he understands but sometimes there is no other way. He needs her medical records. Now the doctor mentions a transplant. Reina says that the never mentioned a transplant before. The doctor says that if the operation doesn’t turn out the way they hope, then… Reina asks if Clarita is going to be on a transplant list for years and years and I think the doctor says that more people than you think donate hearts to save lives. [Uh oh, if they mention heart transplants, then surely Clara will need one and you can be sure that the heart won’t be from some anonymous donor. Can Clara receive a transplant from an adult?] In a cut scene, Reina comes back to the house and tells Asuncion that Clara needs an operation for her heart problem but first she needs her medical records and Reina doesn’t know how to get them. She has no way to contact Navier. Asuncion suggests asking FELS but Reina replies that she doesn’t have confidence in FELS. Reina calls Asuncion “mama” and thanks her for being with her.

CIA Headquarters
There was a news bulletin and I missed something. We come back where FELS is telling Esmeeth to let him do his job.

Hospital
Estefi and López are with Victor. She has done her part. In a few hours, they will have to say their farewells. She can’t believe she had such a short time with her daughter. She’s not sure it’s worth going on living. Vic says that she is not alone. She has Navier, right? Estefi replies that he knows that’s not true. Anyway, he was with Reina. This is news to Vic. Estefi tells him that Reina is in Spain. In a cut scene, Stefi tells Victor that they will see who will find Reina in Spain first. She knows what she is dealing with [I assume that she means that she knows Reina is pregnant] but Victor doesn’t [since she didn’t tell him.]

In a cut scene, Greta tells Laz that she feels something in her legs.

CIA Headquarters
Navier tells Esmeeth that he wanted to kill Estefi but he couldn’t. He wanted to continue this farce to the end but he couldn’t do that either. Esmeeth says that he isn’t a killer. Navier says that he ought to be since thanks to her he is a DeRosas. It’s in his blood. Esmeeth says that he has her blood too. In comes FELS to say that he has bad news. He investigated the information about Estefi that Navier gave him and it appears that Estefi didn’t trust Navier after all. The data was all false. They don’t have anything on Estefi. Navier can’t believe it. “İNo puede ser!” FELS tells him to accept it. Estefi deceived him and gave him false information. Navier replies that Estefi didn’t give him anything; he found it. FELS says that she put false information out there for him to find. Esmeeth says that these things happen. Navier replies that this is the first time it has happened to him. He leaves.

Spain
Clara tells Reina that she isn’t afraid. Her heart is full of love for Reina, Asunción, her little brother and Navier. When a heart is full of love, it is very strong. Reina says that she is like a dragona. Clara says that she had a dream that Navier was her father and the father of her hermanito. She doesn’t miss Vic. She always was afraid of him. She misses Greta. She would like to see her again but not her dad.


 

Jueves – Parte Cinco

Esmeeth’s Apartment
Navier comes to Esmeeth’s apartment. She is surprised to seem him. Surprised? That’s what he was when he found out that all the information on Estefi has disappeared from the CIA computer. He had a backup but that is gone too. Standard procedure says Esmeeth. Navier says that nothing about what is going on is standard procedure. He doesn’t know why he came. She is on their side. She replies that she is on his side. Esmeeth’s phone rings. It’s Reina. She wanted to talk to Esmeeth. She tells Navier about Clara’s medical problem, the need for Clara’s medical records and the name of the doctor. Reina says that she needs him with her now. He says that he is with her and not to give up. Everything has a solution. He ends the call. He asks Esmeeth if he can trust her or will she tell them. “What do you think?” she says, “she always protects him.”

I can’t believe they cut this scene! Navier brings up his abandonment again as evidence of her failure to protect him. This time he lets Esmeeth explain. She left baby Navier in the church to protect him from killers who shot her and she was unconscious or something for three years!! After that she did everything to find Navier but she couldn’t adopt him because of the danger from Big O. Navier doesn’t respond. I guess he has to think about that.

Hospital
Greta gives a tender farewell to Laz who doesn’t know that it is forever.

Connie’s House
Laz, JJ and Connie drink a toast to Greta’s recovery. They promise to always be happy. Christián comes in and asks if he is interrupting. Yes, says Laz. They were talking about Greta, which doesn’t concern him. On the contrary, says Christián, he cares more about Greta’s happiness than anyone else in the DeRosas family.

Hospital
It’s the next day. Laz and JJ come to the hospital with flowers. Vic, Estefi and Susana are there looking sad. Laz asks what happened and Estefi tells him that Greta died overnight.

End of Mexican Episode 97


A killer and a baby - the unshown story This is a summary of the cut scenes of this story:

Connie tells the priest that she is not pregnant. She comes home and Christián has filled the house with baby gifts. Meanwhile Dr. Payola tells Vic that Greta’s baby is going to be released from the hospital. Vic calls Izzy and tells him to take care of the kid. He doesn’t care what he does with her. Juanjo sees Izzy leaving the hospital holding a baby. Izzy brings the baby in what looks like a gift box to a church. He leaves it there but then comes back. He says that he can’t leave a baby in this cold place, that never has services, apparently. He asks for divine help. He knows how to do things like shoot and beat up people but nothing about taking care of babies. He takes the baby to the same bar that Susana patronizes. He asks if the barman knows Susana and the barman, based on Susana’s recent performance, tells Izzy that she is not mother material. Izzy takes the baby to Victor’s sex pad and video studio. He doesn’t know how to change a diaper or make a bottle. Connie shows up but doesn’t see the baby. Victor needs Izzy so he calls a prostitute to come and take care of the baby. She doesn’t know anything about babies either but Izzy tells her that it is easy - you just change the diaper and give the baby a bottle.
Izzy reports to Victor who says that he doesn’t want to know what Izzy did with the baby, a baby who never should have been born.

 

I have to say that I am underwhelmed by the peace and tranquility supposed produced by having the four giant red diamonds together. Except for Greta waking up (and now she is going to have to pretend to be dead and leave her true love) everything else is still crummy and disaster prone in Reina-land.
 

WOW! Jean, this is superb! I am so grateful to you for filling in the blanks. Many of the missing scenes were far from trivial, especially, as you pointed out, the one where Esmeeth finally tells Navier why she had to leave him in that church.

I am always delighted by your dry wit and smarts. This part, for example, could only have been written by you:

"Greta will probably go to jail. Victor wants to prevent that. [The British authorities would have to apply to the US to extradite Greta, a process which can take a very long time if opposed. Vic could also send Greta to some county that doesn’t have an extradition treaty with the US. Oops, reality intruding. Must tighten beanie.]"

Even though the whole diamond plot is kind of in shambles, the characters still have my attention.

Telemundo, after this experience, I'm going to think twice before committing to watching one of your telenovelas, and certainly before committing to WRITING about one of them.
 

Thanks, NovelaMaven. These 3-fers are a bear to do so adding snark is just too hard. The passage you quoted should read ...to some country that doesn't have an extradition treaty with Britain.


 

wow, thanks so much Jean!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the time you are investing in these recaps, and I'm amazed at how well you have weaved this story back together for us.

I've really come to appreciate this writing style that Marcela Citterio has developed that has evolved from "Aurora" through "Corazón Valiente" to "Reina de Corazones", but once the editors start chopping, wow, that just does NOT work here.

 

Jean - Thank you for the 3:1 recap!

Pulling triple-duty to recap one broadcast is a lot of work and I appreciate that. This must be what it was like to write those Reader's Digest Condensed books.

Having you fill in the cut scenes really helps this mess make sense. The scene where Esmeeth finally (finally!!!) tells Javier why she abandoned him truly should not have been cut out. This is crucial, IMHO. Hissssssssssssing at Telemundo.

That poor baby, I hope someone will take it and love it. This is far worse than any of the other storylines, because this little thing is an innocent, helpless little thing.

Maybe Izzy will figure out the baby care, resign from professional thuggery and open a day care center.

UUuummm... the fact that Asución has been quietly giving Clarita heart meds while they are in Spain, never telling Reina,is a QTH? beanie hat moment. Seriously.
Does Clarita have a year supply of meds from LasVegas? International endless refill policy? What was to happen when they run out? Or need a refill? Hel-lo?!?

I can't wait for GPFELS to be outed.
 

Jean--Ditto what NovelaMaven and Doris said about these 3-in-1 episodes. It takes a real commitment to achieve this level of interpretation and convey it to us, who are in the dark (or maybe in Spain). Thank you very very much.

 

Here is a NEW CATEGORY for the Reina Body Count:

Recent victims of violence who should be dead, but not dead—YET

1. Victor’s black-suited thugs (either all three, two, one or none) who were torturing Javier on the cross-beam – by gunfire, by Dr. Moto and Laz. (After that gunfight, they should all be dead. Guess not. One is brought in for questioning. Smeeth got a little agitated during the interrogation.)

2. Cristian seems to expire in the hospital right after Manuel (the handsomest priest since Padre Hottie) does a quickie marriage ceremony with Connie – by gunshots, by Victor at a warehouse meeting while cleverly setting Izzy up. (But, no, el sigue vivo, drat. I think he’ll die, sooner or later, so I’m leaving him here.

2. Mercedes, the recently hired costurera for Reina's boutique – by gunshot, by Javier, when she attempted to assassinate Reina. (She’d better not die because she needs to be questioned, says Smeeth.)

3. Spanish thug – by Javier’s knife-throwing prowess. (He’s alive and turned in to Spanish Secret Service for further questioning.)

 

Anita,

As usual, too cool for school!

May I humbly suggest a title for the new list?

So Die Already!

[Of course now that I think about it, this title is too general. It would have to include the increasingly odious Estefanía, for example, and FELS-PELS-GELS and maybe Victor (though unlike the other two I mention, I still enjoy his time on the screen)].
 

Thanks for the list, Anita. I love the title, NovelaMaven. If we wanted to make it more accurate, we could call it, So Die Already, Minor Character!

I think that someone said that Mercedes, the woman Navier shot disappeared from the hospital or wherever she was. More CIA sloppiness, I guess.


 

So I'm guessing that Greta's baby will miraculously end up with Greta wherever she is going to be hiding out. Of course, she won't know that the baby is hers. The baby could end up with Connie but I'm not sure how that would work out with her pretending to be pregnant.

If Navier is going to pretend to be dead, I hope he has learned that he needs to tell Reina.

So who do we think will end up donating a heart to Clarita? Greta seems to be a possibility. That might be adequate punishment for murder.


 

"So who do we think will end up donating a heart to Clarita? Greta seems to be a possibility. That might be adequate punishment for murder."

Jean, I'm thinking Greta too.

1. There's a special emotional connection between the two girls. Clara has said she misses Greta.

2. Clara is a tall child and Greta is a small, young adult. Physically, she is a good candidate.

3. Clara and Greta are cousins which increases the likelihood of tissue compatibility.

4. And as you said, Greta is a murderer. Laz may be willing to overlook that and feel that she has been punished enough, but the telenovela gods are unlikely to agree. Her death saves innocent Clara's life and redeems Greta's soul.
 

I like your thinking, Lady Watson.
 

Is Everyone Ready? - Part 1

The Wisdom of the Dragon Supplement
-->How many dead bodies can one novela have? Let us count them—and it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.<--

BODY COUNT
All the Dead Characters in Reina de Corazones in Chronological Order.

1. The author of the book on Diamonds, Legends and Passion – found dead in his basement among his diamonds, his mouth sewn shut. (Was he the model for the other bodies with sewn mouths shut.)

2. The Camila doppelgänger at Greta’s English boarding school – found dead in a bathtud, declared a suicide – by having her wrists slashed in a tub, by Greta. (Ostensibly because she was a bully.)

3. Gregorio Perez, Sr, and his wife, Stefi’s parents – assassinated by rival drug traffickers while she watched and little brother was hiding in a closet. (We’re still not sure if they were assassinated by a young Big O, Pedro Ortiz, or maybe his brother Rudy. We’ve all noted when the assassin took off his mask he looked a little like Victor, but Victor would have been too young at this time—if he is indeed a contemporary of Stefi’s.)

4. Camila DeRosas, Victor’s oldest daughter – suicide, because she was threatened by exposure of an X-rated video.

5. All 13, (10 men and 3 women) who attended the Camila wild party which was video-taped by the Putz – in accidental accidents. (Neither accidental nor accidents. They were Victor’s revenge for Camila’s suicide. His other revenge was to “take” Reina for himself at the time when he first thought Navier was responsible for the suicide.)

6. Uncounted, but numerous stone-cold dead in the warehouse storage freezer that went up in flames – by Victor, proudly claiming them as his to Stefi. (Can we assume he was perfecting his Injecto-Death 3000 with these?)

7. Artemio Hidalgo, Andres’ dad, Stefi’s rich husband – by heart attack brought on by poison, by an unkown hand. (This poison started circulating in the community as more dead bodies show up. We would naturally suspect one of “our” people who had access to the poison—the lab doctors, Frank Marino or Victor, but Reinamaniacs aren’t absolutely sure.)

8. The three traffickers who thought Victor had betrayed him were all killed in the restaurant where Reina & Victor had come for a quiet dinner –Navier shot them all.

9. The Middle Eastern man (we can tell because he wears a burnoose) who was examining a gem in Stefi’s hand – Isidro tortures him and Victor sticks him with Injecto-Death 3000.

10. The guy holding Reina in the warehouse and his two buddies – shot by Navier.

11. All the guys holding Stefi and Lopez 1.0 (at the same time that Reina was being held) – by people who enter with red laser target lights, shooting as they come.

12. The video-camera man standing outside of Reina’s house – shot dead by Rocky.

13. The woman in red, standing-in for the Queen of Diamonds – Victor with Injecto-Death 3000.

14. Lopez 1.0 and wife – by Victor with Injecto-Death 3000.

15. A hooded “organization” guy who got the (fake) red diamond from Victor – blown up inside his car, by Victor using a remote (he chuckles as he watched the explosion and flames).

16. The runway model carrying the Bouquet-o’-Death-6000, victim, cum paid killer – dead by the Bo’D when Navier turned it on her (I think—it was very quick footwork.)

17. The Camille employee who bungled the Diamond Crown exchange – Victor strangles her after having sex with her, then uses his Injecto-Death 3000 (while Stefi watches and records it, to little avail).

18. Andrés Hidalgo – of a heart attack brought on by a derivitive poison, similar to the one used to try to kill Reina, administered by Frank in his drinking water when he was brought into the CIA for questioning. The symptoms and effects were just like the ones his father Artemio suffered. It’s the same virus that had been concealed in the Bouquet-o’-Death. (Andrés tells Navier he recognized Frank as someone involved in diamond trafficking and saw him kill a guy—not on the body count list.)
 

Body Count - Part 2

19. Dr. Stuart in the lab – with a virus, but not Victor, he’s the one that finds him.

20. And the second body in the lab, Rausen – presumably with a virus, Smeeth finds him.

21. The Card and Banner guy (the assassin Susana hired to kill Reina years ago), found in an alley — stabbed in the chest through a QoH playing card and a banner above that says Betrayal is Paid in Blood, by unkown hand. Cristian suspected Susana because he worked as a security guard for Camille AND worked for powerful drug dealers. Susana denies it. (We spent a lot of time working out who this guy was and he wasn’t the same as #28.)

22. Betina (Greta’s nurse-traitor) – shot by Frank when poor Betina thought she was going to go away with him. (She’s the one who administered the poison-by-vial in Reina and Navier’s coffee cups.)

23. Frank Marino – goes down in a shoot-out with Navier, with Smeeth taking the final shot (but is he DEAD, dead?—If not, does he know how to SEW?)

24. Carmen – shot in her car with a gun held by a gloved man’s hand. (We still don’t know who this was—it was speculated by her reaction that it was her rich boyfriend and he was going to save her—instead of shooting her.)
25. El Maestro (Old Leonard Nimoy) – HOW? killed by Big O, who admitted it on his own dying day.

26. Damián, The Putz – poisoned with virus-venom put into his IV by Victor. (We get to watch him die.)

27. A thug in black who had been keeping Rocky tied up and bloody – Smeeth and Co. barge in, she shoots this guy in the thigh and a second man is shot (maybe dead-they didn’t say) and then someone shoots the wounded guy who was taking aim at Smeeth. (It turns out the shooter who saved Smeeth was El Supremo, but no one knew it at the time. He later sent Smeeth a bullet instead of chocolates and flowers and told her to be more careful.)

28. The body of a money lender (prestamista) who supposedly had ties to the Putz, has been found with poison in his posession and dead – the work of Stefi and Lopez 2.0 (a gift to Victor, el Halcon Negro, from Stefi). Cristián has assumed this guy offed the Putz and then was offed in turn by some disgruntled “client,” clearing Lazaro AND Victor of suspicion in Damián’s death.

29. Susana’s rapist – hit on the head with a shovel, by a joint effort of Susana and Victor, buried in the garden 20 years ago. Victor tells Cristian at the LVPD that the rapist has a name, Humberto Giraldez. He was 45 years old and had a prior record for rape.

30. Mrs. Octavio de Rosas (aka Victor’s Mommie Dearest) – strangled by Big O 15 years ago with her own silk stocking. (They don’t actually find out who did it until AFTER Big O is dead.)

31. Octavio, Big O. – shot in the temple with a bullet that doesn’t match the gun left at the site. (Flashback verifies it was Victor himself who pulled the trigger.)

32. Miriam, Roman’s mother & Laz’ “mujer” – overdose of a drug or poison she injected herself, given to her by Stefi

33. Three of Victor’s henchmen MINUS Izzy, who was on a semi-booty call to Connie – Victor shoots them all to save Navier (and himself since he had ordered Navier’s death that morning—before learning Daddy Dearest had left evidence to ruin him, should anything happen to Javier).

34. Cristian’s wife, Mirta and the Camila barn caper (which we see in a flashback moment); then she died – “accidentally,” in a fit of anger, by Camila pushing her against some iron bars, but she’s not dead. (We see in another flashback Victor and Camila putting Mirta on a horse and having her fall off, this time, dead. I’m putting her here because the reveal comes about in such little tiny increments.)

35. The first Reina look-alike hired by Stefi who chickened out of the “job” – poisoned by coffee prepared by Stefi. (Later we learn Lopez 2.0 had to finish her off.)
 

Body Count - Part 3

36. The Big Belgian Waffle (aka German Rothstein, Gerard’s brother, and self-appointed heir to Big O’s Belgian wing of his cartel after Big O went to that big diamond in the sky) – by gunshot to the back of the head, by Fiel to Big O. Ponytail guy. (We learn later Fiel’s name is Boris Bosch.)

37. The turncoat on Victor’s payroll, left to die on The Strip, forced to swallow the fake Red Diamond with a whisky chaser at Stefi’s house – Lopez 2.0 dispatched him out of Stefi’s presence (although we know now he didn’t die right away, aaghh). [This is the last time we see Rocky attending to business at headquarters—he interrupts FELS and Smeeth to tell them about the turncoat.]

38. Rocky, falls out of rack of bridal gowns, dead, with his mouth sewn shut – NO CLUES to point to the perp — please bring in Agatha Christie or Hercule Poirot for the next few episodes. (We only learn later he was killed in the Little Shop of Horrors and moved to Reina’s Bridal Boutique.

39. Old Antiquarian’s heir, Mr. Meek ‘n Mousy – stabbed to death inside the Little Shop of Sutures, his lips sewn shut – NO CLUES to point to the perp, except the half of the torn photo that includes Reina (but is missing El Payaso, her dad Pedro Ortiz).

40. Delfina Ortiz (aka Odious Bitch Delfina) – shot in the heart by an unknown gunman, but definitely on Victor’s payroll.

41. A gunman in black at the Bridal Boutique at the same time as Delfina – shot most likely by Fernando El Supremo, who got grazed in the upper arm. (Smeeth tells him she’s happy he’s alive. Victor found out where OBD was with a tracking ring he gave OBD before she left him.)

42. Pedro Ortiz killed himself on one of his anniversaries – Or so claims Reina when talking to Asunción, who apparently knows the whole story. (NOTE: WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE BODY. Does he know how to SEW?)

43. The magician, who came to perform a disappearing act with Clara, was really a sicario (hit man) – garrotted to death by Victor and stuffed in Reina’s bedroom closet. Apparently, according to what FELS and Javier found in his hideout, Javier was the real target.

44. Gerard Rothstein, the Big Waffle’s brother, in a park somewhere in Las Vegas while holding a gun on Pony-Tail Fiel Boris Bosch – shot with some quick gun work by Javier. The guy dies, or so says PFELS.

45. Church sniper – shot by Javier as he whips out his pistol from beneath his wedding tuxedo and shoots the sniper in the church balcony. He falls and Lopez 2.0 kicks him while he’s down.
 

Body Count - Part 4

46. Nameless bonbon girl, who comes to a flower shop dressed like Reina, down to Reina’s cross necklace expecting some nookie from Victor – dies by Injecto-Death 3000 administered by Victor and left laid out on the counter holding a calla lily and no sex (since it leaves trace elements with the vilator’s DNA and Dr. Moto would discover it).

47. The sicario punk from Belgium, distracted and caught in the Antiquarian Shoppe hideaway – shot by Javier, assisted by Reina, who kneed him; Boris began the distraction by yelling Police, the place is surrounded.

48. A nervous looking EMT guy who either participated or was forced to participate in Reina’s fake ambulance ride and sequestration as he starts to pray — shot point blank by the dreadlocked capo of the gang of Belgian Wafflers who initiated this prank to bring Javier out of hiding.

49. The two Belgian Wafflers guarding the four who are with the doctor and a wounded Reina in the make-shift hospital cum warehouse — shot by Javier before he is shot with some fancy flying moves.

50. The nameless doctor who is attending Reina in the Belgian Waffler’s bodega — shot in the back by the capo of the gang, as the doc tried to make a run for it when Javier starts playing with the lights.

51. Belgian Waffler gang members Number One through Four – shot by Javier as he arrives in the room where Reina is being held.

52. Donna Sanders, the cantante at the nightclub (with benefits) which the EMT visited and gave the Red Diamond to for “services rendered,” – dies by Injecto-Death 3000 by Victor, who thought he hid the body pretty well, but she was found in a thawed out freezer; with Stefi’s “help.”

53. Dr. Matheson who is treating Greta, but under Victor’s instructions for silence about the baby – strangled by Stefi and Lopez 2.0 finishes him off; they try to make it look like suicide by stringing him up.

54. A man’s body is found with diamonds in his stomach – by unkown means and by unkown hand. (This is the episode where Laz is assisting Dr. Moto for the first time and she sees he seems a bit squeamish. Scene is intercut with the operation on Cristián to remove the bullets from his abdomen—confusing for everyone.)

55. Uncle Rodolfo Ortiz, Pedro Ortiz’s long-ago disappeared brother – dead, with his mouth sewn shut, just shows up dead – NO CLUES (Smeeth nearly has a heart attack because from the back, he’s a Javier look-alike, slim, young, curly-haired. HUH? He should be as old as Victor or Stefi, no?)

56. Victor’s new Isidro 2.0 – blown up in the car by Victor after Isi 2.0 has driven him to the warehouse where Victor shot Cristian.

57. Rocky’s brother is tied up in a pelt freezer – by Stefi with an Injecto-Death 3000 Knock-Off after she calls him a traitor.

58. Pilar, the Mole for one of the organizations fighting for control of Victor’s assets – by Injecto-Death 3000, by Granny Paz (She’s protecting Victor from the appearance of damning documents.)

59. Granny Paz, Victor’s maternal grandmother – dead by a blow to the head before being thrown into the mansion pool, by Lopez 2.0. (Victor throws in the towel, figuratively speaking, to Stefi and gives her his two diamonds.)
 

Anita,

It makes my head spin just reading the list. I don't know how you managed to keep all of this stuff straight.

Fifty-nine? Unbelievable. I guess the good news is that lots of actors got a few bucks and another line on their resumés.

Oh wait -- I just realized that there are far more than 59 since No. 5 includes 13, for example, and No. 8 includes 3... oy. Too much. Too many. And too too funny, my anal compul...um... extremely organized friend!
 

Jean, thanks so very much for the excellently written recap, and with all the scenes we didn't get to see written in as well!

I finally caught up after seemingly weeks of binging on baseball and baseball victory parades in San Francisco.

I can't believe that Telemundo has not even bothered to tell us anything about the whereabouts of Laz and Greta's baby. I'll say this for Univisión, baby whereabouts are at the top of their list at all times.

Anita, my head is spinning also. Wow! When I think about it, the death toll in this one rivals some of the ones in the narconovelas!

I gotta say I enjoyed Navier just about strangling Estefanía. She 100% deserved his scorn and complete lack of love for her.

I suppose they're going with FELS dying in some way. But I'd rather see him behind bars!

Come on! They're going to go with both Reina and Lázaro being duped into thinking the love of their life is dead! This is just too cruel for words.

I'm very disillusioned with Telemundo. I had thought they were the good network, showing programs more realistic and less full of overacting and ridiculous comedy scenes inserted into dramas (I'm looking at you Univision). But they totally screwed the pooch with this one. And the one they're rushing into place is ANOTHER iteration of the tired tale of three brothers getting revenge on three sisters. Bah!
 

Thanks, Anita for the great bodly-count list. Reading it was like watching the novela again from the perspective of those who characters who didn't make it (or appear not to have made it) to the end. It's the reverse of what we normally do. Very cool.
 

Anita, Jean is right. Reading your list is like experiencing the story over again from a new perspective.

I'm sure this was obvious to everyone else, but it just hit me -- How appropriate to post your list on the eve of el Día de los Muertos! [Even Blogmom has gotten in the spirit: see her posting with her favorite songs for the occasion.]
 

In the spirit of the calavera,* the often satirical poems dedicated both to the living and the dead on this day, this one is for the late Rocky Balboa:

(for some real ones, check out this page: http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/calaveras-zocaleras-1414946739),

Rocky Balboa, QEPD

You were tall too.
But your clothes always fit you;
Your splendid head was big enough,
And so was your heart.

You were so self-effacing
That we never noticed
Your height.

You were never a diva;
You never complained;
You listened.
Who is there to listen now?

Were you a good guy?
Were you loyal?
What secrets did you take with you
When you hung up your tennies?

You didn't seem damaged like the others
Until you were dead.
 

Perfection, NovelaMaven! I miss Rocky.

Jean-I took a break from my Señora Acero marathon to read the recap and watch the episode. I wish I had just stuck to your recap. It was better than the episode.

And I completely agree: Why the heck did they cut the scene where Esmeeth explains why she left Navier in the church?!
 

Anita – Wow, the body count makes my head spin (not to mention what it does to my brain). Kudos for keeping up with this!

NovelaMaven – I like your Crockpot Theory ™ of Clarita getting Greta’s heart. It follows telenovela rules.

I am disillusioned with Telemundo. RdC is the first prime time telenovela I’ve watched on this network. I had high hopes of becoming a regular viewer (of their NON-narcovelas).

Even though Tierra de Reyes is a trefrito™ (thrice-remade), it might be a decent one. After what is happening with Reina, I am hesitant to get hooked on it, in case T’mundo decides the ratings are not to their liking and start editing, chopping and “spicing”. (LOL NovelaMaven…. my typo the other day that spell-check did not notice)
I might be better off watching Big Bang Theory reruns. . .


NovelaMaven – What a wonderful ode to Rocky~!
 

Doris- let me commiserate with you. I even switched cable companies so I could have Telemundo and the first show I decide to watch gets the spice and dice treatment!

I'm thinking of dipping my toe into the waters of Los Mis in addition to Señora Acero. Edited or not, I'm still liking Telemundo's offerings over Univision's.
 

PS- I plan to try Tierra de Reyes. Unfortunately Mi Corazón es Tuyo is a ratings juggernaut and TdR may suffer. Hopefully it will perform well enough that the powers that be won't pull out the scissors.
 

So, besides being a novelamaven you are also a poemamaven. Your ode to Rocky is just what I needed to get me through the first chilly, windy day on Standard Time.

This was my favorite line:

You didn't seem damaged like the others
Until you were dead.

 

Loved the Ode to Rocky, NovelaMaven. Your talents are neverending!

To recent Telemundo converts: I've been watching Telemundo novelas for a long time - 10 years maybe and I've never seen this slice and dice, that I was aware of, before. It's too bad that it is happening with a novela that we all like so much. Let's hope it's not an indication of the future. No matter what happens, I'm not going back to Univisión.

Tierra de Reyes offers the potential of something enjoyable to watch, if almost certainly not as interesting or entertaining as Reina. It's not a narconovela - I won't watch those. It appears that almost none of you have seen the original and almost all of you have seen the ghastly Univisión remake. Pasión de Gavilanes was really good. There were no nuns, glowing flowers or caves. The brothers never went back to where they buried their sister. There was only one birth so no switched babies, no kidnapping, amnesia or paralysis. It had a great ensemble cast with lots of entertaining minor characters. I don't expect the remake to be as good as the original but if it is half as good, it will be watchable.
 

You guys are so sweet, but I'm no poet. Anita, of course, zeroed in on the only line I should have used.

I was really hoping to prod some of you to look at the published Calaveras and try your hand. Oh well, maybe next year.
 

Thanks Jean for covering for me this week!

BTW if anyone is interested in watching the Mex eps I have opened up a blog and posted the videos for the Mex eps that have aired this week. I will continue to post the rest of the Mex episodes over there once they "air" on Telemundo.

I'm hoping the cutting stops at some point. It just has to. I don't think TM wants to start TdR during the holidays. It would be smart to have it start in Janurary. Of course this is TM we are talking about so who knows.

Fingers crossed that the cutting will stop.


 

Here is my blog:

http://reinamaniacs.blogspot.com/
 

Here is a list of the Mex episodes that was "aired" this week on Telemundo:

Monday 10/27 - Eps 86, 87, 88
Tuesday 10/28 - Eps 89, 90, 91
Wednesday 10/29 - Eps 92, 93, 94
Thursday 10/30 - Eps 95, 96, 97

 

Hola Reinamaniacs! Sorry I've been out of touch. I keep falling behind on episodes and by the time I catch up, we've moved to another post =( I didn't want to wait any longer to say thanks to all the wonderful recappers, especially Jean who's been adding all the stuff that ended on the cutting room floor and Mauricio for giving us a link to the original epis. Also, I realized I completely forgot to thank Jean for answering my query from almost a month ago. Thank you, and sorry I was tardy on that. As I said, I have fallen waaay behind =(

Thanks also to Anita for the death list to refresh our memories and to Novela Maven for her fabulous Ode to Rocky and keeping our posts on track. Sorry there were no calaveras, but Melinama's weekend post was on songs appropriate for the holiday.

I have to agree with Jean that there have been lots of wonderful TNs here on Telemundo. Some better than others, but overall better than Univision. I have nothing against remakes, as well as they are well done. I did enjoy "Que Bonito Amor" (although it was not as good as it's previous version, "La Hija del Mariachi") because it added some nice elements and had some nice solid performances including Dana Garcia, Angelica Maria, and Arturo Peniche. For some useless trivia, Dana Garcia played the role of Norma in PdG, aka Sofia in Las Aguas Mansas and FELS. Not sure if we can discuss previews from "Tierra de Reyes" here or should be using the Future TN threads. Maybe that's only for Univision ones. Just confused as we are not supposed to discuss previews here (I thought we had in the past, but it's been long enough I can't be sure), so I don't know if that's the case for future ones. I will only say two things: 1) A lot of names have changed. Not a big deal, except that the title "Tierra de Reyes" doesn't make as much sense now that the brothers no longer have Reyes as a last name (they did in all previous incarnations). 2) So far, the look is closer to that of PdG, but one of the early plot elements is from FELS.

Not sure I'll watch it (already watching far too much TV), but one thing Telemundo has been doing recently has been to show some sort of explanation to quirks that happened in previews versions. Basic example: "En Otra Piel" actually gave an explanation of why Monica was compelled to stay behind and why she specifically used Adriana's body. It's other-worldly and such, but an explanation nevertheless. Neither "El Cuerpo del Deseo" or "El Cuerpo Ajeno" explained why these things happened. So ya never know what new elements TdR will bring.

Either way, I will say that both Los Miserables and Senora Acero are quite good, and recent enough that you can probably catch up from going to the Telemundo website or On Demand if your provider has them. Just a thought =)
 

Getting back to the TN at hand (and sorry I was so verbose, I tend to do that a lot...) I have to say I've been awfully disappointed lately. I had seriously hoped this had been another case where the first and last few weeks in Mexico were half hour long (they do that on Televisa, the main channel Univision gets it's TNs from), to have a built-in audience for the new TN (half hour for the exiting TN, half hour for the new TN). In such a case, 140 episodes would include between 20 and 40 half hour ones, so the number of full-hour epis would be doable by the deadline. So much for that colander theory/hope.

I also had high hopes Izzy would turn on Victor so he and Connie could go on witness protection and stay together, especially when Vic killed all the hit men who kidnapped Navier because his phone ran out of juice (never mind that he could have just plugged it and still called) and he had to save his bacon, er, brother, before they killed him. Anywhoo, Izzy pointed out that he could have been among them and selfish Vic replied to the tune of "yeah, you weren't there, where the heck were you?" But alas, now that Connie is Mrs. TWCILV, I can't see it happening.

I do have one crockpot theory about Reina's multiple kidnappings: a "V for Vendetta" scenario. There's some movie spoiler concern, so feel free to skip this paragraph - The main character kidnapped the woman he loved and made her go through all the humiliation and torture he went through so she could understand why he had to do what he had to do and to make her stronger. Not particularly romantic and I can't imagine forgiving anyone for that, but it apparently worked. In this case, I think Papa Pedro may well be trying to toughen up his daughter, temper steel with fire, blah, blah. It was Big O's strategy for Vic, it was F/P/G/ElS's adoptive dad's strategy on him, and in many ways it was Vic's plan with Greta. Then again, it's possible the writers have decided to forget the whole thing (they don't seem to realize in the Patio we never forget!).

Dunno what the scoop is with Roman. For the longest time I figured JJ and Connie would be taking turns watching him while Laz worked or visited Greta, but it's getting ridiculous! Not sure I want Laz and Moto together. They have great chemistry (they played a couple in "Relaciones Peligrosas" already), but I always figured Laz only had eyes for Greta and Moto wasn't over F/P/G/ElS. She seems to be over him now (as is Smith, he's turning into such a jerk he'd turn everyone off). Maybe Greta will trade her proof against her dad in exchange for her own freedom, even if it means Stef has to pay too. Of course she'd have to find where Pilar hid them.
 

Like so many other Reinamaniacs, I'm also really annoyed they cut Navier finally learning why he was left behind (pivotal people!) and Izzy's attempt at minding the baby (we all want to know what happens to her!!!!!). Here's hoping they stop cutting so much, or at least do a better job at keeping it cohesive and not losing the most important details.

I think this is the first Catherine Siachoque TN I have seen for any length of time (I caught a few epis of "Sin Senos no Hay Paraiso" before deciding it was too real for me) and I am growing a little weary of her. No sure if it's her or the writing, but all the pouting and whining is getting old. It also gets harder and harder to believe all the people she can't live without. She'll kill herself if Greta dies, she might as well die without Javier, she couldn't go on without her bro...it almost makes you want to ask if it's a promise.

Juan Soler is really impressing me. His character in "Marido en Alquiler" was such a sweet and generous guy it's hard to believe the casting directors even gave him a thought for such a slimy role (perhaps he's played a villain elsewhere before). Our On Demand has interview with the main actors both as the characters and as themselves, and Juan Soler talks about how different Vic is from him. Not just the evil part, they walk, talk, etc., completely differently. Whatever it is, it's working 'cause I certainly love to hate on him.

I must now retire and get to bed before I negate all the benefits of Daylight Savings Time! LOL. See ya later Reinamaniacs.
 

Mauricio - a MILLION thanks for putting up that blog. I don't know how you did it but trying to watch on the other website was so horrible. It put all this malware on my computer; sometimes I couldn't pause the episode; the sound quality was horrible... I so hope you are right that the cutting will stop soon.

Concerning Esmeeth's explanation to Navier about abandoning him. I assume that they will come back to this in a future scene that will be included in the US broadcast. Navier did not respond to Esmeeth's explanation at all so for sure, the conversation is not over.

The same thing happened on Thursday. Navier told FELS that he had a plan to get Vic but the scene was cut where Navier says that he was going to pretend to be dead. (Naturally, he tells FELS this in the lobby of the CIA where all the moles can hear in addition to the traitor FELS). Later conversations with various people make it clear what his plan is.

Technically, Margarita, we should be having the Tierra de Reyes conversation on the Front Page but I don't think that it matters that much. We are discussing TdeR because of our pain about what has happened on RdeC.

I think that the problem with Catherine Siachoque's role is the writing, not the acting. It was better when Greta didn't know Estefi was her mother and when Estefi and Victor were rivals.

In my recap, I didn't discuss the long series of goodbyes that Vic, Estefi and Susana give Greta, all of which were cut from the US broadcast. Greta actually tells Victor that she loves him (Really?) and Estefi gives Greta one of her dolls.
 

I really hate the editing, but I am loving the solidarity of the Reinamaniacs.

I confess I am a little worried because I recap on Friday and I was just going to recap what airs and not run down the full three episodes. Is that ok?

Jean and Margarita-Thank you for you thoughts on Telemundo. Despite this editing spree, I am still convinced that it is the better network for me. Shorter TNs and more original stories (excluding TdeR.) I've been marathoning Senora Acero all weekend. A Univision show has never captured my attention to the point that I want to watch episode after episode. In fact, in the past few months ONLY the Telemundo shows have really captured my attention. I still enjoy La Gata, but it doesn't excite me terribly.

Mauricio-What a FABULOUS site! You are tops in Reina devotion.
 

Sara and the other recappers - NO ONE is is obliged to recap more than what is broadcast in the US. We all hope that by your recap on Friday, they won't be cutting any more but if so, with Mauricio's marvelous blog, it is pretty easy to watch the full episode. If non-Spanish speakers have questions about cut scenes, we can fill in the gaps here.

I just watched Mexican episode 97 on Mauricio's marvelous blog - MMB - and it was great. I got a bunch of stuff that I couldn't catch when I watched it on the other site.
 

Thanks, Jean. I'll recap what airs and try to watch the episodes over the weekend. Maybe I can add some deleted scenes in the comments.

Reina is just not a show for editing. Anything could be important. Very little filler.

I am supremely angry about the cutting of Esmeeth's explanation of abandonment. It was something I really wanted to know.
 

Hello Reinamaniacs! I've seen bits of this past week's episodes as I've been recovering from surgery, and I must say being on pain meds does NOT help with comprehension of these mashed up episodes. LOL! So, many thanks to all the recappers and commenters who filled in what was cut. This show is too dense with crazy stuff happening for cutting.

Can't agree with you guys on TM over Uni. I like them both and right now I'm equally, if not more, hooked on La Malquerida-- an original, very dark and deep tn. Not predictable at all. Between the two networks, there's always something that's got me hooked. :)
 

Mauricio, I'm not sure if I'm more impressed by your technical savvy or your generosity towards your fellow Reinamaniacs. All I do know is that you rock! Thank you for giving us the option of going after all the details, if we choose.

Sara, I'm planning to write about the episode as it airs. (But maybe Telemundo will leave us alone for a while and let the thing air as it did in Mexico.)

Oye, Margarita Chilaquiles -- It's nice to see you back here!

I'm not quite as strict a Telemundalist as some of you. I still like me a big, messy Looneyvision novela at times, if for no other reason than they are CULTURALLY so interesting compared to the often culturally bland Miami products. But Reina is so special (and not the way Pedro Ortiz is 'special'). It is unfathomable to me that Telemundo doesn't get that. (I'm guessing that if they parsed their U.S. demographics carefully, they'd find that Reina's audience is a profitable one.)
 

Vivi -- our posts crossed.

First, I hope all went well with your surgery. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

Second, as I said above, I agree that both networks have something to offer. I was intrigued by La Malquerida at first -- I even went and read the original play and then watched the movie version of the story. Maybe that was a mistake. I came away feeling that it was a very intense story that worked well in a single sitting, but not so much when dragged out over months and months. I watched a week or two and then walked away, more convinced than ever of my first impression.
 

Thanks NovelaMaven! I am healing quite nicely and being well taken care of at my parents' house. La Malquerida is quite dark and intense, and I was scared off in the first few weeks, but then I got hooked. The writers have done a great job weaving a complex story around all the characters, not just the main triangle. Definitely not a story for the squeamish though.
 

Vivi - I wish you the same healing ability as the Dragon! I have missed your comments and are glad that you are doing well.
 

Vivi--My wishes for a speedy recovery also go out to you, amiga. I was going to offer to bring you some chicken soup, but mama's cooking is probably the best medicine.

Mauricio--It was wonderful of you to post the Reina episodes all in one place. Me and my equipment must be very much out of date because all I get is an error message that the file could not be found. Ah well, it's back to the u-tube for me.

Margarita--I think what we meant about not discussing previews are the end of episode teasers programs air. Of course we are interested in upcoming shows, actors, storylines, history of original stories.

Caray does have a link on the sidebar for posting and discussing future offerings. It's called Las Proximas. Look under the heading Upcoming Productions to Keep an Eye On. Sadly, it isn't referenced very often, though I try to keep it semi-current.
 

Vivi--This is to cheer you up (maybe).

THE WISDOM OF THE DRAGON
Subtitled: I Will Not Reveal Who is Making This Up

WEEK FOURTEEN – Mon Oct 6

If a dragon is really a Secret Agent Man, then everyone around him outside the office who should know, doesn’t know and everyone who shouldn’t know, does know.

A Dragon can fly through windows under his own steam, providing the window is open and there are no bars on the window.

A Dragon without a Nerfazo to throw at a monitor screen when he sees his damsel getting shot is temporarily powerless.

A diamond-encrusted Heart bracelet makes a damsel’s heart flutter and a Dragon able to keep track of her.

A Dragon easily becomes an electrician when necessary.

A Dragon never runs out of ammunition.

A Dragon can play dead better than any opossum.

In a pinch, a dragon can take over as his own Doctor of Medicine.

One cannot compare a dragon to David’s Death of Marat. Marat was in an oatmeal bath and our dragon is on ice. Y Punto.

A Dragon can substitute as the model for Michelangelo’s David, right down to the curly hairs (in case the original is ever stolen).

A Dragon can accomplish much more when there aren’t damsels pulling him into their drama-queen lives.


WEEK FIFTEEN - Mon Oct 13

Re-runs of LAW & ORDER are recommended as refresher courses for dragons.

If a coffin sized box arrives for a certain damsel, she should get in it, for there will surely be some dragon nookie waiting.

A Dragon who is free in the eyes of the law is not really free, according to his superior.

Grapes and dragon kisses for breakfast are non-fattening.

A Dragon can be a voyeur, but is not a perv.

A Dragon cannot believe in siempre y nunca.

Story-Time Picture Books are not the only things a dragon can find in a library.

A Dragon does not believe in witchcraft (although he knows a few witches).

 

Vivi - I hope you heal as quickly as El Dragon!!!

Mauricio - thank you for posting your blog site! I don't know if I'll have time to watch 3 episodes/day but I will do the best I can.

My friend from Mexico tells me that La Malquerida is getting very low ratings in Mexico. I know nothing about the plot or production, just passing along what she said.

I am not anti-Looneyvision; it's just that nothing has interested me over there, since Amores Verdaderos ended. I watched Bella Calamidades on T'mundo after that (a mid-day offering) and it was an entertaining enough no-brainer, but definitely a daytime story and not ready for prime time. I much prefer to watch something with the Caray gang, so I can read recaps and talk about it with others. :-)
 

Anita - I do not know how you do it, but your Wisdom of the Dragon lists are The Best!!! Thank you for putting a smile on my face.
 

It's hard to say for sure, Anita, but this may be my favorite installment of The Wisdom of the Dragon thus far, especially these lines:

"One cannot compare a dragon to David’s Death of Marat. Marat was in an oatmeal bath and our dragon is on ice. Y Punto.

A Dragon can substitute as the model for Michelangelo’s David, right down to the curly hairs (in case the original is ever stolen)."

Excelente!
 

I watched the full episode #97 at Mauricio’s blog page (THANK YOU, MAURICIO!!!) over lunch. I cannot believe so much good stuff was cut out. Really.

The Laz/Greata hospital scene, which Jean mentioned in her recap was cut, seemed like a deathbed confession on Greta’s part. Laz did not know it was “goodbye” but Greta does. However, due to the confessions aspect, that scene was full of anvils clanging in the background. I now am more convinced that Greta will really die and her heart will go to Clarita. Just a Crackpot Theory™.

While watching Javier *not* kill Stefy, it occurred to me (even though this scene was broadcast on Thursday night) that Javier might have figured out he is in a telenovela, and that the heroe/galán is not supposed to kill anyone. Well, except in self defense.
 

I also started watching La Malquerida and then found myself more and more behind. I've thought about just jumping back in, but I don't know if I would be lost or not. It is definitely a FABULOUS production. It just didn't keep my attention. Perhaps things have picked up, but after 39 episodes I was done.

I am enjoying La Gata, but that's about all on Univision right now. I am VERRRRYYY slowly watching Quiero Amarte and I wish El Color de la Pasion would air.

So for now, my eggs are in the Telemundo basket.

Vivi-So glad you are on the mend!
 

When I watched Capitulo 97 on MMB (Mauricio's Marvelous Blog)this morning, I had missed the scene where Navier curses Estefi (te maldigo)over and over after he starts to strangle her and she tells him to kill her. If it was on the US broadcast, it was pre-empted by a news bulletin on the Philadelphia channel about the capture of a fugitive who killed a state trooper.

We knew there would be hell to pay when Navier found out what Estefi did to him in the name of what she calls love and what we know is really just lust for his cute bod and curly locks. We can add the curse of the Dragon to the curse of the Red Diamonds.
 

Jean - that Javier-Stefy scene was in the T'mundo broadcast, so was probably lost with the pre-emption. I'm glad they caught they guy, too.
 

Wow, great Monday comments. I should not assume nothing is said when there's no Friday episode.

Mauricio, many thanks for putting up a blog with the Mexican episodes. I doubt I'll have time to watch them all, but you're a trouper for doing that! Not to mention doing fine recaps!

Anita, your Wisdom of the Dragon posts are golden! Such great stuff. Loved the Marat shootdown!

I sent my email to Telemundo listing the many, many shows I have watched on their network and my bitter disappointment about what they're doing to Reina.

I have a lot of Los Miserables DVR'd and at some point will have to fish or cut bait. I watched the first two weeks, but baseball took precedence over lots of things. Someone posted that it was good, and I do like Aracely, so maybe I'll try to catch up.
 

Hi everyone could you explain to me how Navier find out about his mother, and Reina too