Caray, Caray!

¡Buen día a todos! I'm just filling in for Mauricio today, but you can look forward to reading one of his wonderful recaps here next week!
 

NovelaMaven: You did masterful justice to this pivotal, mesmerizing episode! Excellent title and simply superb recap.

"And then Caridad lets loose with a lovely, double-barreled contrary-to-fact conditional", "(Oh dear. In fact, he hasn't forgiven her anyway, grammar notwithstanding)" and "Nina seems touched by the words of her hypocritical, scheming helpmate" were among many gems.

I was shocked the revelation came this soon. I expected months of torturous baiting and sly innuendos. Long after the show ended, I kept wondering if the news would have been worse coming directly from Eladio himself? Arturo crushed her by the revelation but then exacerbated the wound by stating he at least told the truth where Eladio did not. Except for David, every man in her life has schemed, lied and cheated, including her truly disgusting father.

Now that Arturo has seemingly aligned himself with Nina to keep Consuelo and Miguel apart, Miguel might well keep his distance. I think she and Miguel need to be strong and fervently hope Erick does awake so Consuelo can legally divorce him and leave him.

"In a world where happiness still seems possible..." Dear NovelaMaven, I hope that there is but the P&P world seems surrounded by ominous darkness at the moment. Bright light and much repentance and forgives seem the likely antidotes to the bleakness.

Diana
 

Thanks so much, Diana.

"I kept wondering if the news would have been worse coming directly from Eladio himself"
What an interesting question. I kept thinking that Humberto had engineered it so that the news would cause Julia the maximum amount of pain (while allowing him the greatest distance from the impact). I wish Eladio had told her earlier, when he had the chance. Oy.
 

NovelaMaven, this was spectacular. Thanks for the detail and tidbits of commentary throughout.

Let me just sum up my feeling last night as 1.) Arturo needs to be slapped silly and 2.) Consuelo needs to take her child and go far, far away. She owes that family NOTHING!

It's almost to the point of seriously having a hard time watching because there are so few people you can root for and like. Gina and David of course, but they are another two who need to leave town. My guess is that Arturo will go MR. Moral High Ground again when he finds out they are living together. Again, line forms at the right to just slap this man to shut him up.

And Nina planning the naming of the child and baptism without the mother's consent. C'mon, even her most ardent supporters have to admit that's overboard. Can a grandparent sign the birth certificate form for the child's official name? It usually has to be one of the parents, so either she's forging the signature or that's allowed. Either way, it's disgusting.

Daisynjay
 

Thanks, Daisynjay!

"line forms at the right to just slap this man to shut him up."
hee hee. Arturo was absolutely despicable in every scene – from his smarmy manipulation of Nina to his deliberate twisting of the knife with his revelation of Eladio's secret to Julia.

And how are he and Agustín planning to take care of the problematic witness who saw Erick go back into the RattTrap? Buy him off? Bump him off? Discredit him with fake internet stories?

I agree that there's no legitimate way for anyone but a parent to name a child, obviously Nina is planning something underhanded.
 

Thanks, NovelaMaven. Excellent storytelling. Wow, two recaps back to back. Loved the titles, the headings, the whole thing. My fave: Deep Throat in the D.F. Arturo’s clandestine meeting with Humberto did have the flavor of “All the President’s Men” didn’t it?

Mauricio, I hope all is well.

Oh no, I find myself rooting for Humberto. Somebody needs to get the truth out around here, so I’ll hold my nose and support him.

When Miguel protested to his dad that he would never ever do anything to hurt the woman he loves, Arturo looked pained and reflective, considering no doubt the world of hurt he’d deliberately just leveled on Julia.

I’m not so sure Julia can’t forgive Eladio though. After the honeymoon rape, Eladio didn’t touch her for 20 years so technically they weren’t husband and wife all those years. I hope Julia kicks out Gaby and Franco though because Gaby was her closest confidant and should’ve told her.

Yikes, I thought Consuelo would hang tough and not name the baby “Erick.” If she lets Dani become a godmother, instead of Clara, she’s nuts.

I'm on Team Miguel. So sweet to bring Consuelo that book. Consuelo, you had a great, fast delivery and a healthy baby. Why are you still in the hospital anyway?. Go back home with Clara, where Miguel can visit anytime you want.

Special report on Thursday’s Eladio slap to Franco: I watched this scene in slo-mo several times, and the edit never shows Eladio’s hand actually connecting with Franco’s face. Franco’s face looks flushed during their argument before the slap. I vote decent acting by the two.
 

Thank you Novela Maven for the recap :)

1.) Miguel being smeared like the Black Plague wasn't shocking.

Those anvils better be good for Purple Lips & Daniela!

2.) Countdown to Old Goat Humberto getting whacked is getting closer. The more people he pisses off, the more likely he will NOT be around with us during Ultimos Capitulos!

3.) Julia putting Eladio on full-blast. He should've told her the truth a long time ago!

4.) Caridad: Your luck is running out & like Caridad said, you should've said it was someone else' baby with Marinita.

5.) Counselo: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Even Arturo WARNED you multiple times to stay away from Miguel!

6.) Wondering how will Julia react when she learns that Gaby knew about Franco being Eladio's son!
 

NM--When I started to read the recap, I thought it was our Mauricio turned Prof. Grammarian, but when you let loose with the double-barrel contradictory conditional, I knew (but checked to make sure) that our resident Grammar Nerd (applied in the highest sense of the word) was crafting this episode. Huzzah for the Spanish version...Huzzah for the English version.

Gotta run, spending the day with mis chiquilines--wine tasting in the northern VA countryside, west of the Beltway.
 

I meant to say Clara! Apologize for the error!
 

Wow, Niecie, you may get lonely at Humberto's table. OTOH, given The Patio's propensity for being contrary... well, who knows.

I admire your dedication to finding the truth. Decent acting, you say? So be it!

I confess I'm hoping Julia finds it in her heart to forgive Eladio, but the avances don't look too encouraging.

Thanks, Steve. As Niecie says, Julia isn't going to take Gaby's silence very well, I'm betting.

Have fun, Anita! Yeah, I guess these days the Grammar Nerds aren't exactly thick on the ground around here, are they? :)
 

NovelaMaven---A surprise Saturday recap. Hope that Mauricio is well. Thanks for two in a row. I must say that you always keep me on my toes. I keep my dictionary nearby because you often throw in so seldom used words. Where do you find them?

Speaking of words---overboard and underhanded are very tame words considering the situation. So Consuelo won't be ALLOWED to name her own baby? Amazing!

It's only Saturday morning and I am already thinking Monday night. What will happen after the slap and will Gaby come clean with Julia?

must see tv
the gringo
 

Gracias, NovelaMaven. Love the subheadings.

I wasn't expecting the reveal yet, but there was a six-month time jump. If Franco had not lost his cool when Humberto baited him two episodes ago, half of this episode would not have happened. Having made the mistake of losing his cool Franco made another, which was to let the old turd live.

Franco is now hot to knock Gabriela up because he knows all the crap is about to hit the fan. Marintia's due date is imminent (with all that implies), Gabriela and Humberto both know that he is Eladio's bastard, and he's skating on thin ice with Gabriela being ill at ease about hiding this from her aunt. Humberto played a good chess game here but Arturo's condition that it had to result in Julia leaving Eladio takes away the guarantee of a payoff. The old turd had carefully avoided arguing about this issue with Eladio all this time probably with the intention that Eladio accuse Franco first of revealing this delicate information.

Which means that part of the domino effect could be that Eladio will threaten to tell Gabriela about Marintia's pregnancy. This apple fell right at the base of the tree. Either Eladio or Franco could then be motivated to finish off the old turd, but my money is on Franco right now because Eladio has had years of practice about keeping his hands clean.

More in my next post; I don't like to make them too long.
 

Sorry, gringo. I just find the words knocking around in my head and trying to find their way out. :)

Urban,
"This apple fell right at the base of the tree.
Ha! I'm convinced that Franco is far worse than Eladio is or was (just as Erick is a coarser and more ruthless version of Arturo).
 

Now for the Montenegros...

No way in hell should Nina get away with naming the baby. It's Consuelo's right. However, this nasty little scandal Nina and Daniela have cooked up for the gutter press will be the reason that Consuelo will cave to this. What should happen is that Consuelo should demand a DNA test so she can prove that Chimp Boy is the sperm donor (which was all he ever was) and that will be that.

That news story could also come back to bite Daniela on the ass because it could affect her employment at GLA. She'll have to pay back everything she's been paid and then some.

Arturo and Augustin also knew nothing about the necklace. Besides Aldo (whom we are probably not rid of) there were too many witnesses at the party who saw it and heard the argument about it. As for who saw Erick enter the building again, that could be the couple who were necking on the sidewalk when the body fell.

Arturo was maneuvered into being the messenger of the paternity news because this was an irresistible temptation. However, it can't be denied that a 21-year deception trumps an immediate confession of infidelity. Although this was not said, had he not decided to marry Susanna would Julia have married Arturo with that hanging over their heads? I doubt it. She would probably have told him he could not leave Susanna in the lurch even with a generous monthly stipend and would have broken their engagement.

Since Arturo swore on Erick's life that he was telling the truth, there is little likelihood that Erick will die at this point. One wonders how much brain damage has happened, though. He will wake up at some point and end up in the slammer again.

NM: Franco is worse because he hasn't learned self-control. He is too hot-headed at this point to know how to think clearly and coldly; he hasn't had the practice. I'm also tempted to say that he is probably in a worse position than Eladio was because there are now three women whose hearts will be broken (I'm discounting Marintia because she doesn't have one).

Erick is coarse and worse, he's stupid. He played with Consuelo's feelings in addition to betraying his father for a major payoff from GLA. Had he gotten the $50MM he expected from that the Rat would have gone through it and dumped his sorry butt (because he would have been dumb enough to put it in her name). Whatever the Rat's backstory was, she was a slut. Consuelo may have been born in a brothel, but she is a virtuous woman. She kept trying to make her marriage work despite the insults and abuse but eventually saw the light.

Arturo is not thinking clearly about the impact of Consuelo and Miguel getting together. It's not an ideal situation but worse could happen. Miguel would never treat her as Erick had. He would be a good father to the baby. He could be weirded out (understandable) or it could be bringing up past feelings of guilt or regret.

There's a major hot mess in both families waiting for David and Regina and their relationship could be a casualty to all of it.
 

Oops; I meant that Arturo could be weirded out, not Miguel.

Back later. Need to buy cumin for the chili I'm making for a Stupid Bowl party.
 

NovelaMaven thank you for a great recap! I had to hurry through it, but will be back to reread and savor every morsel slowly.

Well, looks like I called it right when I said a few recaps back that it would be Hummy who would rat to Arturo about Franco. There was no way that old man was going to sit on that w/out using it to his advantage. He's about money and Eladio is not giving him any. Hummy may be back at the house, but he's merely tolerated.

I'll gather the rest of my thoughts and post more later. It's saturdate with my husband!

Ciao!
 

Consuelo needs to sign over the baby to Nina and leave town, if she will not even fight to name her own child.

If Julia doesn't kick Gaby out, Eladio will. So Gaby & Franco need to just pack their bags and go. When Gaby finds out about Marintia & the baby, she will find out how Julia feels but she won't have any support. So Gaby will probably have to go home with her parents.


 

Well Happy Saturday. An extra recap from NovelaMaven...that's like getting two desserts...and no weight gain.

So glad you included the "Uno debe querer..." quote. I ran the tape back twice to make sure I had it written down correctly because I liked it so much. But glad you confirmed it in your recap.

Some delicious turns of phrase as always:

...addresses his unconscious simian form."

Nina seems touched by the words of her hypocritical scheming helpmate. [your ironic pairing of "scheming" and "helpmate"...oh my. Tasty.]

Humberto, although nobody has asked his opinion (and nobody ever will)

and lastly

fake story spreads faster than a social disease.

Yikes. Powerful imagery. But then you do have all those interesting and witty words in your noggin fighting to get out as you explained to Gringo.

Very painful episode. We've had a couple of weeks watching Julia warm and bloom like a summer rose, realizing how much she loves her husband.

And now we leave her withered and spent, willfully destroyed (by two men, Humberto and Arturo who claim to love her).

I am glad it was not Gabriela who destroyed her happiness with "the truth". I think Gaby is truly fond of Julia and you don't deliberately hurt someone like that if you do. Humberto and Arturo both have other agendas. So being the ones to deliver the estocada finale makes perfect sense

Thanks for putting a little extra zip in my weekend, NovelaMaven.

And UA, had to laugh at your "StupidBowl" comment. I love the game, although primarily on the college level, but I'm really looking forward to this one. Peyton Manning did a lot for St. Vincent's Hospital when he was in Indy, plus he's really funny on those old Saturday Night Live clips. And there are a lot of OSU players on the Carolina Panthers, not to mention that it's my grandson's favorite team. So I will be STUPIDLY enthralled by the game this year, believe me.
 

Delilah,
"Well, looks like I called it right when I said a few recaps back that it would be Hummy who would rat to Arturo about Franco."
Did you? Good for you! I never guess right. In fact, if I predict it, you can pretty much count on it NOT happening.

Have fun on your Saturdate! (I've got one of those coming up today too.)

JudyB, What a splendid description this is:
"We've had a couple of weeks watching Julia warm and bloom like a summer rose, realizing how much she loves her husband.

And now we leave her withered and spent, willfully destroyed (by two men, Humberto and Arturo who claim to love her)."

And hasn't SG done right by her character despite her stated preference for playing villains rather than doormats?

Thank so much for your kind words. You know how much I value what you have to say.

The StupidBowl, huh? Fighting words around here, I'm afraid, dear Urban. Hahahahaha!
 

Wow, nothing quite like being NovelaMavened 2 days in a row. My mind is reeling... in a good way of course.

"I just find the words knocking around in my head and trying to find their way out."

And how fortunate for us that they manage to make their break.

This really made me smile:

"Humberto chuckles. Oh my, how he cracks himself up."

Meanwhile he cracks me up as well. He was pretty much the star of this episode.

Niece:

"Oh no, I find myself rooting for Humberto."

I dare say you're not alone. Perhaps we should set up a temporary Humberto Table on The Patio and serve Old Grand Dad Bourbon and bitters and for those who shun the strong stuff a nice well-aged astringent red wine. As more than one have noted, he's not likely going to be with us much longer. I think he is brilliant. He's managed to elevate the motorized wheelchair into a stealthy sinister tool and he has added to Arturo's victimization because as UA points out:

"...this was an irresistible temptation."

Carlos
 

Novelamaven...wow..a double feature. Thank you so much.

Well, so much for Julie's happy wedded bliss after 25 years of NO bliss. Squeee. I did not buy the sudden turn on to Hotladio. If she resisted his mojo for 25 years, why was she sudden!y caught up by his magic? Did be keep growing hotter and hotter as that fine wine aged? Anyhow...now she is (to quote Nandicta) "pished aff)...like royally.

I just cannot with Nana's (see what I did there?) Idea that she can name that bebe. Not fittin'...just not fittin'.


Judyb...I, too, am hoping that Peyton gets a ring. He has put in a lot of years and deserves a reward. I love when he hosts SNL. However, Hub says that the other quarterback is verra good. I am looking forward to the halftime show..Bruno Mars...squeee.

 

"Saturdate"... great word!

Now, why would anyone throw Gabriela out? She is not responsible for ratting out the situation. As to whether to tell or to keep the secret she has known about for the past 6 months, that isn't an easy choice because nobody wins. I doubt that Julia will be angry at her forever.

Franco will be kicking himself for losing it in front of Humberto and will know this ultimately goes back to him. That might make him decide that it's time to cut the oxygen off in whatever way he can that doesn't lead back to him and we'll watch him squirm for the rest of the series.

SG's performance is excellent. It is more fun to play a villana than a good girl, especially if said good girl is a doormat. Well, now that she has been working in real estate for at least six months here's hoping she's been socking away some dinero while achieving more independence.
 

OT: It is Stupid Bowl Law that if you are planning to make chili for the occasion do not wait until the Eve to purchase the restaurant-size container of cumin. They will all be gone.
 

Oh, Carlos. I was just a little noun (albeit a proper one) and now you've gone and verbed me. I feel different somehow, more energetic – honored certainly, but also a little embarrassed.

I won't say I had you specifically in mind when I warned Niecie of The Patio's propensity for contrariness, but neither does your offer to pour at the Humberto Table come as a great surprise.

Gosh, Susanlynn, did you realize resist Julia's being caught up in the magic? Not me. I love me a good fairytale. And despite all the evidence to the contrary, both in life and art, I continue to believe in and long for happy endings. (Pssst, I'll take a an Old Grand Dad, but you can hold the bitters, Carlos. Thanks.)
 

Carlos..."Novelamavened"..I don't like it;I love it.

And..maybe just a folding card table set up for Hum since he probably will not be scooting around town much longer.

P.S. I thought of you today when I ran into my dear newly retired doc at the bookstore. He looked so relaxed and happy and showed me his purchase...a bird identification guide. I am sure that your former patients love and miss you as much as I love and miss Dr. Harvey.
 

NovelaMaven- What a treat, seeing another recap from you this week, just as high quality as all your others. Gracias!

Can't wait till Monday to see the rest of the fallout from Julia learning about Franco. And she hasn't even learned about Caridad yet! More fireworks to come.

How refreshing to see a young tn couple not be in a hurry to run down the aisle or pop out some babies. Regina and David just need to keep working on projects far away from D.F. and all their crazy family drama.

Franco trying to quickly get Gabi pregnant to tie her more closely to him (and Julia and Eladio by default), is disgusting. I really hope she finds out about Marintia before that happens.
 

Novelamaven...yes, what an honor to be "verbed" by Carlos. I am applauding . As to resisting the happily ever after of Julia and Hotladio, I just do not think that anyone..okay okay...make that I could resist that hotness for 25 years...and then quite suddenly surrender to it. What happened??? I can buy a couple being separated by fate for 20 or software and then the sparks fly again when they reunite, but living with the hotness and no sparks even on the noche de boda. I do not get it unless Eladio just kept getting progressively hotter until Julia could not resist. I also could not buy Eladio starting out a pushing\shoving caveman and suddenly stopping that behavior. Was he abusive the whole 25 years and suddenly stopped? Too much is unexplained. One thing I do know is that Art just has to stop. He made a big mistake a long time ago , and now he thinks that he can have a do-over.




 

Software??????. ...that was supposed to be "20 or so years".. Thank you tablet. Maybe I should get the Ipad repaired.
 

Carlos, I am thinking about getting ready for Season two Outlander in April by developing a taste for good Scotch whisky. You could pour me a dram of a good brand.
 

Way OT...Susanlynn,

I'd think that a good Scotch whisky for you to start out with would be Cutty Sark. It's a mild blended Scotch and is excellent with a dash of water with or without a cube of ice. The bottle has a picture of the Cutty Sark, an old British sailing vessel.

A Scotch based drink that I know you'd enjoy is a Rusty Nail. 2 parts Scotch with 1 part Drambuie (a Scotch and honey based liqueur). It can however be very dangerous because it goes down so smoothly. I think it'd go perfect with Outlander.

Carlos
 

Oh my, you're bringing back memories with your Rusty Nail description Carlos. My husband and I spent our first year of married life in London, Knightsbridge neighborhood...and shivered through the Winter. But there was a wall heater (we tried to pretend it was a fireplace) and we warmed ourselves up with some lovely Rusty Nails as well. Don't think I've had any since.
 

OT. Carlos...Thanks for the tip. Hub's uncle gave us a bottle of Drambuie as a wedding present , but it has been gone for many moons. I will have to get another bottle. I remember the term "cutty sark" from college Brit Lit class. I think it was in a poem by Bobbie Burns, and it was on a test. My roommate whose father was a whisky drinker answered that it was a whisky brand ,but I think that it means shirt or skirt ???? Anyhow...smooth and dangerous is a fitting description of Outlander....and on topic for Eladio.
P.S. Roger and Brianna have both been cast , and I believe season two shooting has finished. Squeeeee Time to go to the state store for that the beverage!
 

OT...Judyb...Rusty Nail is the name of a bar down the shore in Cape May, New Jersey. I have never stopped in , but we walk past it a lot as we walk along the boardwalk. I did not know that it was also a drink. I enjoyed reading your memory. Isn't it interesting how the mention of something can call up a memory? Maybe you should have a Rusty Nail while you are watching the Super Bowl.
 

I have been running way behind on the episodes, so I have not been commenting, but thank you so much recappers. You all are great. You fill in the blanks and make me laugh. A million thanks.

I applaud the actors. They are making it possible for me to hate the characters while still feeling twinges of sympathy for them.

I despise Nina and Arturo. They are perfect for each other. I'm hoping that their divorce turns into a cross between the War of the Roses and Jarndyce v. Jarndyce. The two of them can live in the Montenegro mansion with Daniela and comatose chimp-boy, torturing one another year after year until all their money has gone to attorney fees. I don't know what the actual anvils are going to be, but I hope Nina is attacked and eaten by her own ass.
 

OT (again)... Susanlynn,

If you check this history of Drambuie, I think you might conclude that a Rusty Nail is perhaps the perfect choice for sippin' as you enjoy Outlander.

Judy how nifty that you also have fond memories of Rusty Nails... how romantic. Maybe you and he might enjoy another after all those years.

LN,

Not only will legal fees serve to eat up the family fortune, the medical and maintenance bills for the favored son will be very significant as well.

Carlos
 

I don't know what the actual anvils are going to be, but I hope Nina is attacked and eaten by her own ass.

That's a good one.

The medical bills for Chimp Boy are probably pretty high already if insurance stops paying after a certain figure. However, I don't think he is destined to be in a coma forever.
 

This is so good NovelaMaven. Love it

"Now it is Eladio who has the grace to look uneasy"

"masking what must be delight with feigned concern for her distress"

Mr. tofie is partial to a single malt and keeps Balvenie & Macallan. I cannot drink the stuff.

Truth always comes out but doesn't stop me from feeling bad for Eladio. The guy really loves Julia and for once in his life was inching toward happy. He was really trying.

 

Whenever I see Newleaf Eladio with Julia, the phrase that goes through my mind is " You make me want to be a better man." However, Eladio has a very murky past. Will the writers redeem him and give him a happy ending? Is it possible after all the dicey activities he has been involved in?
 

When we know the details of what those were, we can answer that.

One rule that has yet to be broken is that murderers don't get redeemed.
 

Eladio will think Gaby is the one who told Julia, so he will want Gaby gone.

Julia will find out Gaby knew & has been living in her house, eating her food, grinning in her face, being her confidant but not telling her about Franco.

Gaby has to go, & once Franco figures out Gaby is of no use to him anymore, he will leave her too... If she doesn't find out about Marintia & the baby first. So her only option is to go home to,her parents or this will be the point where Augie swoops in to her rescue.

Caridad might as well leave the foundation, too...unles Julia finds out Eladio kept Cari in jail for all those years.


 

Anon, your last point is why there can be no redemption for Eladio. He stole 25 years of Julia's life abusing her and an undetermined number of years of Caridad's life by delaying her release. He could have helped her avoid prison altogether and paid her handsomely to go away with Franco, but he chose not to. Once Julia hears that she should fly, not run, straight to the best divorce lawyer in DF.
 

De nada, Vivi. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the recap.

"How refreshing to see a young tn couple not be in a hurry to run down the aisle or pop out some babies."
I know! For these two, marriage is an important rite of passage, but it isn't their life goal.

My pleasure, LN! Thanks so much for the kind words. Now that you've found your way to The Patio, I hope we see you around here more often. I like the way you think.

Thanks so much, tofie!
"Truth always comes out but doesn't stop me from feeling bad for Eladio. The guy really loves Julia and for once in his life was inching toward happy. He was really trying."
My feelings exactly. Come on, Julia. You know he wanted to tell you. Don't break his heart!
 

Thanks wonderful recappers and commenters!!!!

Whenever truth comes up it is never the whole truth so I'm wondering if Caridad will be outed. Of course, at this point Eladio should tell Julia the whole truth but I can see him trying to hedge.

Connie talks the good talk but she is letting Nina rule. Arturo is just as bad now. She should take the baby and run. And why is she still in the hospital?

I can't believe I'm rooting for Eladio but Arturo is so insufferable now.

I can't help but feel Miguel won't make it to the end. A good guy is always sacrificed and I can see him going down in the crossfire between the two families.

 

Shouldn't a woman having her first baby be in the hospital for at least 48 hours? That's here, so what is the rule in Mexico?

Consuelo definitely should take the baby and run as far away from Nina as possible. Nina will ruin that baby just as she did his father and his aunt.
 

Delicious recap NovelaMaven! This tn is really working us up into a frenzy! I just love the pace it is moving.

I will respectfully disagree that Eladio can't be redeemed. We don't know everything yet about his past and for this viewer too much has not been answered. All I know is that he's done some shady stuff. What I love about Eladio is that he is very multifaceted and too complex to just pin into one thing. It's clear that he has been a bad husband to Julia, but has she been a perfect wife? According to her, no. She pined for years over another man to the point of not giving Eladio a chance. It doesn't excuse Eladio lying to Julia about Franco or Caridad but I think through therapy and with Julia finally giving him her full commitment; he is learning what healthy love looks like. More importantly I think he's learning to love himself and this new version of what he always wanted to be.

Someone upthread said we are watching Julia bloom under her new love for Eladio, but I think it's Eladio that we've watched truly bloom into a man who can be good, caring and tender with his family. I really want him to overcome this obstacle with Julia; she is his inspiration. I find it moving and total root worthy!


As for Art, I don't think he loves Julia. She is a prize to win, a possession. He's obsessed with her to the point he will destroy his own family and current wife to get what he wants. He'll even hurt Julia and conspire with her father like she is a piece of property. That's not love..that's sick.

I think Gaby will see some fall out from her Tia, but I see Julia understanding her nieces position and not blaming her for long. I see Julia reigning hell on Eladio and Caridad. Caridad will deserve everything Julia hurls at her because her current actions speak volumes. Caridad has found a way to completely work her way back into Julia's family and orchestrate things to what she thinks is her advantage. It's going to blow up though and I can't wait for Julia to rip her ass! Clara got a big ol' hell yeah from me for shaming Caridad.

Nina moaning over Erick..*barf* I don't care how much she loves her son, she's still the same overstepping self absorbed control freak. Telling Consuelo what the baby will be named and arranging baptisms and Godmother. Why does wimpy Con put up with it? Even Arturo oversteps and needs to have a stadium full of seats.

Jorge dear, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Have you looked at David? The jury rests....you have no chance. If for some reason Regina even gave you a consideration, she needs to plead insanity. It's the only way I would believe her looking your way.

I love how they have toned down Dani's hair and makeup.

I loved Clara shaming Caridad. She is still a selfish woman who thinks only of her immediate needs to the point that she would cover up a lie for Franco, because it benefits her. Forget about Gaby and the fact that it would alter her life forever, Caridad needed Franco to be happy and she needs that baby. Caridad is hot mess of a woman. I would not be surprise if she doesn't deep down think that she will have a chance with Eladio once it all falls apart with him and Julia.

Hummy is amusing, but I won't sit at that table. He's a vile ol pos.
 

Some episodes back there was some talk about the way Eladio ties his tie. As I remember the comments were nor favorable in this regard. I have been wondering about that ever since. I myself have always stuck to the old tried and true knots but since the comments about Eladio's tie knots came up, I have been paying close attention to them. He does use a very fancy knot and so I decided to see what I could find. I found a website that is titled 30 different ways to tie a tie that every man should know. I didn't know there were so many ways to tie a tie. Some examples are---the Windsor, Half Windsor, Four In Hand, Eldredge, Ellie, Merovingian, Atlantic, Trinity and Capsule knot to name some of them but not all. I'm not sure which one Eladio uses but I'm guessing that it could be the Ellie or the Cape. Maybe one of you can figure it out for sure. Anyway it would be a fun weekend puzzle to try to solve.

the gringo
 

Perhaps we should set up a temporary Humberto Table on The Patio and serve Old Grand Dad Bourbon and bitters and for those who shun the strong stuff a nice well-aged astringent red wine.

Carlos, sure thing. I'm in. I'll bring brown papers though, just in case. We may need to hide suddenly.

On Julia's feelings about Gaby remaining silent, I'm sure Julia will forgive her after a bit. Julia has been working hard lately to take the reins of her life and not be a bird in a gilded cage dependent on Eladio. Gaby is not only her niece but her best friend/closest confidant. Gaby's decision to remain silent was not selfish -- she didn't want to hurt Julia -- but it flew counter to what she knew Julia was trying to do with her life.
 

"brown paper bags"
 

Niecie: It's looking more & more that Miguel will NOT be among the living!

Pretty clear both Purple Lips & Daniela HATE his guts & want him gone entirely!


 

Delilah, I disagree about Caridad. She isn't selfish, but misguided. After Julia she is the biggest victim in this whole picture. Her motive for not telling Julia is exactly the same as Gabriela's: She doesn't want to see Julia get hurt, especially knowing that she raised Franco. I strongly doubt that Caridad has any feelings for Eladio at all, since she was angry that he had gotten his hands on Franco in the first place.

She's working at GLA to be near Franco, without even thinking about the possibility that Eladio allowed this in order to keep an eye on her. She initially tried to back out of working for Julia when she realized that she was Mrs Eladio.

Caridad's problem is that she's wearing blinders. Her last image of Franco before going to prison was of a cute, innocent, defenseless little boy. She hasn't given up that image in her head, therefore she refuses to see that Eladio has turned him into his Mini-Me.

BTW, it's an old TN law that when a man has one legitimate and one illegitimate son it's the "bastard" who will be more like the father, both in looks and personality and whether for good or evil. In some past series the adult "bastard" was portrayed by the same actor who played the father in the prologue. That was particularly important in novelas de epoca due to there being no other means to prove paternity. Now all they have to do is cast actors who resemble each other and have them take on the same mannerisms (like both Eladio and Franco gesturing with their gold pens).

Caridad might be becoming aware subconsciously that this is a lost cause and wanting to raise Franco's bastard child to compensate. This is equally misguided although I can't see Marintia being much of a mother. Now that Marintia's possible blackmail scheme has been weakened by Eladio's awareness she is unlikely to get much out of this. In fact, her days could be numbered if she returns and Callao is sent after her.
 

If we're going to compare and analyze motivations for lying to and deceiving Julia, I'd say Caridad's desire to stay in the life of the son she was separated from for 20 years, is more powerful/justified than Eladio's desire to hang on to his wife.
 

Caridad has had some pretty tough breaks. Life has been pretty rough on her, and she has certainly been it's accomplice. So she fooled with a married guy and got preggers.

Oh, it's sort of alright because of his non-marriage marriage, right? Well, how many married folks have told a potential adultery partner, "Oh, I love him/her and we have a great life together, but I am just a dishonest, cheating louse who can not be trusted and I will cheat if it looks fun."?

Noooooo. It is always, he leaves the toilet seat up, or doesn't talk, or she is fat or doesn't want sex, blah blah blah gag me.

Maybe in Eladio's case he was telling Cari the truth, but that is one in a thousand. You don't make babies with married people. After all these years and all the suffering Cari has not learned one single solitary thing. Still lying, still dishonest, still making a mess.

It is understandable her feelings about a child taken away twenty years ago.
But rather maybe take a look and think "YIKES he didn't turn out like I hoped." Instead of only thinking what I feel right now and to hell with the consequences. How'd that work out before Cari?

You finally got out of prison and stumbled into a toxic situation which involves a LOT of people. Stand on the sidelines for a while and look and learn, You don't get the ball right now Caridad.
 

Wow, lots of victim-blaming going on here.

Caridad definitely needs a shrink. I doubt very much that people released from prison after long sentences like hers get that as part of the severance package anywhere in the world. Why isn't she at least talking to a priest? We need one in this story for her or are they becoming passe?

Unlike Marintia, I don't think she got pregnant deliberately. Eladio definitely shares the blame because of his selfish way of dealing with sex. During LSdP we had a saying "Wrap it before you tap it", a rule he clearly thought didn't apply to him. We also don't know whether there was a subconscious motive on his part to knock up Caridad in revenge for Julia's rejection.

The other factor here is that Eladio raped Julia because she was still on the rebound. He shares responsibility for having married her knowing this. Had he decided to delay the wedding (which would have been the right thing to do) we wouldn't have a story.
 

Kirby: Clara WARNED Caridad multiple times that her plan was going to blow up in her face. When Julia finds out, she's going to rip her to shreds!

Urban: I would NOT be shocked if Eladio or Franco send Callao to kill Caridad!


 

Carvivlie, you are very welcome!

"I can't help but feel Miguel won't make it to the end. A good guy is always sacrificed and I can see him going down in the crossfire between the two families."
True about the inevitable sacrificial lamb (one of my least favorite things about these melodramas). I do so hope it's not Miguel...

About Caridad –
I like the symmetry between Caridad's behavior and Nina's. Maternal instinct trumps everything, including ethical concerns for other people. Both Nina and Caridad turn a blind eye to the failings of their sons, and both are willing to hurt other people in order to protect their own child.

In Nina's case, we see her behavior – at least initially – as ennobling. Yes, we say, she is capable of love – look at her devotion to son.

In Caridad's case, we see her behavior as troubling. She was such a good person, we say, and yet she is contributing to the suffering of people like Gaby and Julia, who have only shown her kindness.

(By the way, if the writers are passing around Maternal Lion Juice, they need to serve some to Consuelo.)

Meanwhile, I'll be hanging out at Clara's table, and nibbling on corn on the cob. The fare may be humble, but at least nobody has to wear a paper bag. So far.
 

Yeah, Clara is level headed. She is pretty too, Steve. I hope Julia grows a backbone and doesn't just go in a corner and cry for a month. There is Eladio, Hummy, Franco, Caridad, Gabi, close to her who have known the truth and not told Julia. She will have every right to be pissed, and probably feel completely betrayed. Can't wait to see what my Queen does.

I wonder if Eladio has it in him to kill (via Callao) his son's Mother or his Grandchild's Mother. Hmmm. This might save Caridad and Marintia.
 

Two in a row! Good job, nm. Isn't Consuelo the mystery witness who saw Erick reenter the ratt nest? ModAnt.
 

NovelaMaven. Thanks a bazillion for the clever recap. Your Mini headlines are a witty touch. As far as Consuelo, she is so brainless she isn't even interesting. She is beautiful, but is an amoeba. She has been in the hospital for how long now after a surprisingly uneventful delivery? (given it was in a car) Maybe they are keeping her there not realizing that is just the way she is.

Maybe we are supposed to equate that with coming from the orphanage, but Clara grew up with her, and she is a capable, resourceful young lady. I am surprised one of the young fellows have not discovered her.

Maybe they all realize she is not real too. :-)
 

Your recap was excelentísimo! As much as I love Mauricio's recaps, I was pleasantly surprised to get a double dose of NovelaMaven's fabulous creations this week! Many thanks! :)

Fireworks and heartbreak on Monday! The way Julia hugged Eladio before his trip was ominous; she sensed the end of her happiness was near! I don't know if anybody else picked up on this too but during that hug scene, I noticed that FC's eyes were red, especially the right one, so I thought to myself: "Awww, poor baby, he must have an eye infection or something." However, when I saw that he was wearing the same suit in the last scene where Julia confronts him about Franco, the lightbulb went off: FC's eyes were red from crying! For some reason, they must've filmed the confrontation scene first, because both actors were wearing the same outfits. Maybe, as an afterthought, the writers decided to add one last scene of love and harmony before the couple's happiness crumbles down into a sea of tears, slaps, heartache and reproaches. :(


I don't understand why Arturo is so outraged; his sons are creeps because he's the biggest obsessive creep there is! Did you see the way he replied when Julia congratulated him for the birth of his grandson. "Thanks, I'm so happy! Remember when you and I were planning to have plenty of children and grandchildren?" Jeezaloo, what a creep!
Most people had an ex just like Arturo... Dude! Ya, se acabó! It's over! But noooo, he just won't let it go! No, it can’t be over, you love me, you want me. We’re gonna have a great life together, I got it all planned out, I’m just waiting for you to get onboard! Ewww, obsessed stalker weirdo! And then after inflicting that kind of pain on the woman he proclaims to love, he tries to score points by making comparisons que ni al caso! "At least I'm better than Eladio, I told you upfront when I got another woman pregnant!" Yeah right, and at the time Julia loved you, gave you nookie and your wedding to her was only a few weeks away, so in this comparison, you actually lose! And I'm gonna substract further points for the chutzpah to even bring this up, you sleazeball!

I think it's time for Caridad to go take care of Marintia and the unborn nieto in Argentina. She can come back at the end of the show to recover the body of her despicable son or to visit him in prison, depending on the karmageddon that awaits him. I used to like her character but I feel that she served her purpose: she revealed the truth to Franco, she infiltrated the Gómez Luna family and businesses, she tricked her son into a paternity he never planned nor desired and she played an active part in deceiving Gabi into marrying Franco. I believe that's enough mayhem for now.

Why is Consuelo still in the hospital? She had a baby, not a kidney removed! And why is she putting up with all these people giving her commands on who she should or should not see (Arturo talking about decency and marital fidelity. El burro hablando de orejas), how she should name her kid (Nina) and who her baby's godparents should be (Nina, Dani and Regina)! See, Consuelo? My Tabasco idea wasn't so bad! Grab little Koko and run!

Now onto the comments!
 

ModAnt, thanks!
Really? Is Consuelo the mystery witness to Erick returning to the Ratt's nest? That's an interesting tidbit – your memory is better than mine!

Kirbo, I appreciate the kind words.

It's true that Consuelo has been very passive up to now, allowing the bullies to walk all over her. But I'm not convinced she is stupid. She's certainly not heartless. Maybe all this is leading up to the moment when she screws her courage to the sticking-place. Or something. :)

Nandicta! Welcome back home to The Patio! I know we're all missing our weekend fix of Mauricio, but I'm glad I was able to act as a place-holder until next week. You're very kind. And in your judgment of our characters, I'd say you are also very wise. It would be ever so nice to send Caridad to keep Marintia company on another continent while our protagonists sort out their problems.
 

Wow,so many interesting comments.

Gringo...Hub does not watch telenovelas, but he was walking through the living room a few weeks ago, glanced at the TV , and commented on the odd way Eladio tied his tie. I had never noticed. I guess I am always focused on that strong, beautiful face. Hub favors the traditional Windsor knot that his buddy taught him as a teen. I am quite sure that Fernando chose this knot as part of his character .

Novelamaven, I will be sitting with you at the Clara table. What is not to like about Clara? She has been a hard worker , a good friend, and ...not crazy\selfabsorbed\pregnant by a married man\pining over someone she can't have. Oddly enough, when I typed "Clara" , my tablet (which seems to be possessed with artificial I telligence) also typed Justino\Francisco. Spooky.? I will bring the Drambuie , and some lovely cut glass highball glasses . And maybe a nice loaf of bread because Clara is good as bread as the saying goes!. I remember Hippolita's maid saying that about her in Alborada .

I read recent!y on another site that people read books looking for themselves. Perhaps that is the draw of telenovelas. Perhaps it is comforting to watch these shows and see that although we may have problems and make some bad decisions from time to time, we at least are better off than the characters who often seem to be their own worst enemies .

As for mother love, I also recently read a line in a book about mothers looking at an adult child but always being able to see them as the child he or she once was. I agree. Lionesses protect their cubs.

One point that I never understand in telenovelas is there is akways someone who is intent on pursuing someone who just does not return the feeling. Hearts finger broken when fee!ings are not reciprocated, but why on earth would you want someone who dies not want you..a lesson in futility. Best to move on and find someone who can return your love.

Okay, now I need to identify pancakes to prove that I am not a robot. Evidently, robots do not get the delicious concept of pancakes , but I do even though I had French toast this particular. I still remember the joy of pancakes.
 

"Finger broken"... That was supposed to be " may be broken"..I hate you tablet.
 

As to how long mothers stay in the hospital after giving birth....milages may vary. In my mother's day, women often stayed in the hospital for a week. These days, women often leave sooner ,even the next day if mother and baby seem fine. Small babies with elevated bilirubin levels are often kept a bit longer so that they will not have to be readmitted in case their liver function does not improve after they are home. How long the mother stays often depends on her health insurance in the U.S.
 

Niecie---Glad to see that you are Team Miguel. There arn.t many of us. Most think that he is a crazy eyed creep. I had never shared that opinion although his early pair of glasses didn't help him very much at all. He's shy and introverted (who can blame him being raised by a bruja and pretty much an absentee father?) Miguel isn't a creepy pervert guy at all but I fear that he might be living much longer. Who will do him in or be behind his demise? Bruja Nina od Arturo?

Delilah63---Why does wimpy Con put up with it? Well if you live under the controlling oppressive thumb of a bruja for several years, you kind of loose the desire or ability to fight back--thus becoming a wimp.

I think that it's just terrible what the bruja along with daughter bruja, is planning to do as far as Consuelo's baby is concerned. If it is done, I think that it will be through lies and deception. Let me take the baby to the park today. When the ok is given, the baby will be registered as Erick. Is that kind of thing legal in Mexico?

NovelaMaven---Nina sees her behavior as ennobling. Yes, she sure thinks that she is noble doesn't she? Are there any knockoff/imitation noble cocktails being served out on the patio?

Corn on the cob at Clara's table with no paper bags. Right on hilarious NM.

Could the mystery witness that saw Erick go back to the Ratt's apartment be Consuelo? She did leave in the white jeep but we still don't know where she went.

Delilah63---Hummy is amusing but I won't sit at that table. He's a vile ol pos.
I won't be at his table either. I was almost talked into a short visit to Nina's table and I did consider it, just to be friendly, but I'm glad that never went.

the gringo
 

The comments are as delightful as the recap! Love and appreciate each and every contribution on here! You guys rock! :)

-- NovelaMaven: I'm truly in awe of your ability to manipulate, mould, shape and combine words in the most exquisite way. You're a word artist!

-- Daisynjay: Where do I take a number to stand in the "Let's slap Arturo senseless" line?

-- LN: Welcome to the Patio and thanks for adding to the hilarity! Your karmageddon for Nina was inspired and hysterical, but I think Nina has suffered so much of late, can I plead that her bubblicious derrière be spared such a gruesome fate?

-- Carlos and Niecie: Love the idea of an Humberto Table, though if I may humbly suggest, we can temporarily rename my one-person Baddies Table instead of setting a brand new table. The old rolling troublemaker is the only one left in the Baddies Table anyway, with Franco popping in every once in a while to bicker with him. I've been sitting alone at this table as I watched the baddies I had such high hopes for, mellow down considerably, like Eladio did, or give the long-suffering protagonista a run for her money (and tear-soaked falsies), as is the case with Nina the wounded rejected spouse and heartbroken mother. Yes she is a controlling suegra and a terrible madrastra but seeing your stepson and daughter-in-law hook up as one of them wishes your comatose son would hurry up and die already, tends to bring out the worst in any mother. We can ask Tofie and Sandy if they'd like to come and sit with us a spell at the Humberto Table. He's odious to the hundredth power but boy is he entertaining! To me he is the principal uncontested villain of PyP and I can't stop gushing about the marvelous job Luis Bayardo is doing in this role! Actorazo!



 

OT

-- JudyB, Susanlynn and Carlos: Glad to see that Drambuie has some fans here. In Scotland, we would sometimes drink Drambuie & Orange after a meal (either a little orange juice or a couple of orange slices are added to the liqueur. I prefer the latter). Drambuie can also substitute Brandy in the recipe for mince pies or the traditional Christmas pudding that Brits are so fond of during the festive season.





 

Many of you have commented that Caridad doesn't know yet that Eladio successfully prolonged her incarceration in prison, and if or when she finds out, there will be hell to pay.

I can't remember, but did anyone other than Caridad's mother know about Eladio's efforts to keep Caridad in prison? Since Caridad's mother is now dead, perhaps this secret will never be revealed.
 

OT-ish

I was chilling out and listening to some music so I got more songs for you that capture the mood of some of our characters.

1) Julia post break-up: "The Church of What's Happening Now" by Sia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q_lsFMz0uk

2) Eladio post break-up: "Luz de Luna" (Moonlight) and I have 3 favorite versions of this gem (lyrics translation: http://lyricstranslate.com/en/luz-de-luna-moonlight.html-1).

The first version is by Luis Miguel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPDUooxSdYM

The second version has touches of a Flamenco delivery and is interpreted by one of the greatest female voices to ever sing rancheras, Rocío Dúrcal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSTAII1irVs

The third version is by one of Mexico's greatest singers of all time, Javier Solís: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxqhYXAiD88

3) Regina and David: "Di Sole E D'Azzurro" (Of Sun and Blue Sky) by Georgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy6lUuxOCrg (the video has translated lyrics in the description)

4) Saving the best worst for last, Arturo: "Every Day I Love You Less And Less" by the Kaiser Chiefs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69S-y1YzprI. I started to hum it earlier today and I hadn't thought about this song for years! I think it must be the Arturo effect! ♫ Everyday I love you less and less. It's good to see that you've become obsessed. And Everyday I love you less and less. You're turning into something I detest ♫ :D
 

Gobluefan, that is a serious possibility. Only Gisela knew about that prolonged prison stay and she didn't get to give Caridad a deathbed speech unless there is someone in the Criminal Injustice system who is willing to talk.

We don't know who the mystery witness was or how long s/he hung out after. We saw Erick go into the building before the Rat was exterminated. Eladio and Callao were in the vicinity, but we didn't see where the car was parked. Consuelo had gone home and went back out again. Did she see him enter the building or leave it afterwards?

I like the idea of Caridad going to Argentina. However, she did nothing to engineer Marintia's pregnancy. That's all on Marintia, now to be called the Secretary with Liabilities. She is the one who punctured the condom or stopped taking her pills. She is the one who refused to have an abortion. Marintia has an agenda and it's not what she and Franco originally agreed to.
 

Right Susanlynn---that special tie knot may have been chosen as part of Eladio's character but it sure is different looking. It has been in and out of my mind for a couple of weeks now and so I typed into the search bar, fancy necktie knots and was amazed as to how many there are. Not only were pictures shown but also how to tie them videos as well. I'm still not completely sure what knot it is that he is using but for sure it is different.

Gobluefan---Does anyone else know besides Caridad's mother? Good question. I'm sure that you will have an answer soon.

must see tv
the gringo

 

-- Gobluefan: Gisela went to Eladio with the news that Caridad was up for parole after spending 20 years in prison for murder. She informs him that Cary's hearing with the parole board is scheduled in one month. Eladio goes panicky and calls his lawyer Licenciado Rueda (the same guy he recommended for Nina's divorce btw) to see if he can postpone that parole hearing. Rueda comes back up with a negative: he tried his best to delay the hearing but there isn't much that can be done. Eladio goes berserk and cusses the Licenciado out. This is as far as we know about this issue because it is all we were shown. This and Eladio telling Franco that all he knows about Caridad's cause of imprisonment is that she killed her husband. The when, how and why she committed that crime he claims not to know. Caridad disappeared after Eladio and her broke up after her pregnancy announcement and his demanding that she gets an abortion. Gisela comes looking for Eladio with a 3-year old Franco in her arms talking about how Caridad went to jail for killing her hubby and how Gisela can't deal with the kid. Whether Eladio knew Caridad killed to defend their child or not, whether he refused her help or whether he actively tried to keep her in jail beyond the instance mentioned above is pure speculation on our part here at the Patio; we may right or we may be wrong.

-- UA: I agree that Marintia's pregnancy is the result of hers and Franco's sketchy contraceptive practices but I'm afraid I can't get onboard with Caridad's attempts to trick her son into a paternity he refused by asking Marintia to lie about the abortion then convincing her to disappear once she starts showing so she can come back with the baby once he's born. Tadaaaaa! Surprise! Here's your lover's baby which you never wanted, dear married sonny! I'm doing this because I love you corazón, but also because I'm dying to live the maternity I was deprived of by raising you vicariously through raising your unwanted baby.

I realize that the subject of choice when it comes to having children is controversial for some but I believe in gender equality on this issue. My personal opinion is that, just as a woman has every right to choose whether she wants to be a mother or not, a father should have the right to choose whether or not he wants to become a father. A man has absolutely no right whatsoever to force a woman he impregnated to have an abortion. No way no how would I condone this! However, I feel that, when faced with an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, a man should not be forced to register, take charge financially or get involved emotionally with a child he never wanted to have in the first place. I realize that this is a controversial statement to make and I do apologize if it hurts anybody's sensibilities here but this is my honest opinion on this thorny subject.
 

-- Gringo and Susanlynn: In an attempt to discover the name that weird tie knot, I had looked at that page you mentioned which contains 30 tie knots and at several other pages but I can't recognize Eladio's knot in any of the pictures I found. I feel it is part of the visual identity that FC gave to his character and I confess this tie knot used to bother me a lot when I started watching PyP. I hated it and found it very distracting. Now I actually love it and all other tie knots look inferior to me in comparison. Go figure. I've even tried to get the (perfectly platonic) Hotladio in my life to emulate it, but his response is a NO, rotundo! Question to the guys here, what would it take for you to be convinced of trying the Eladio tie knot?
 

Nandicta, you just pointed to an issue that has been debated in the US many times. Men still have to pay child support either way, even if they have no contact with the child. The only solution is for them to be consistently diligent about contraception which can mean a word that many stupidly fear: Vasectomy.

In Germany no man can get out of supporting his biological offspring; salaries are garnished if they refuse. This can happen here as well if an ex-wife sends her divorce attorney after it. I believe that the legal argument is that both bio-parents are responsible for the child's conception no matter who wanted what of the situation.
 

Gringo: I found a site called colungateam or something to that effect which especially was talking about his tie and his knot on P and P. It was all in Spanish and I was not able to read it all. If I find it again I will try to send you a link to it.
colungateam.com/foro/2015/11/10/110947/OOLOS_NUDOS_CON_PODER_DE_ELADIO_GOMEZ_LUNAOO.html

scroll down and look for large block type about his nudo de corbata
 

About the knot:

I took off the http://www so maybe I wouldn't be breaking some rule about links
 

I think they just called it a double knot, saying that FC used it to give his character a distinct personality.
 

About Franco and The Secretary with Liabilities--(Teehee, good one).
I should have laughed, but didn't, when Franco complained to Eladio that the day he was to accompany Marintia to the clinic to have an abortion, he was getting married. That why, he says, he couldn't confirm that she'd gone through with it.

Sonny boy, you could have rescheduled the appointment and then verified. You trusted and didn't verify.....
 

Thing is, when the Rat claimed to be pregnant, Eladio also didn't verify that she had an abortion. He gave her money for it, then trusted that she had the abortion. Of course, she was never pregnant, but Eladio didn't know that.
 

NovelaMaven you are superb and superior in your writing. I've always favored British authors for their use of adjectives, i.e. A.J.Cronin etc., but you are right up there with them! Thank you!

Nandicta....I so agree with you in your assessment of FC's tie style. It's so interesting and individual.....certainly not the cardboard cutout we usually see.
Why are men burdened with having to wear suits and ties? I wholly agree that mostly they look quite wonderful in them, but let's make room for individual tastes and styles. Can you imagine, as a woman, having to dress the same way every day??? Clothes afficiando that I am including suits to the office, I just think we can all be more handsome and beautiful in the right clothes.

Gale
 

Although I made a nasty remark about Nina, and she is a bruja, I still think she should get half of Arturo's holdings. I also think she is incredibly beautiful when she doesn't have purple lipstick on. I'm liking the the flowy hair. That one sided, stiff pony tail thing was not attractive.

Child support is not about being fair to the sperm and/or egg donors. Child support is about fairness to the child. It really doesn't matter a bit whether Mom and Dad want to have a baby, the baby still needs to be fed, clothed, and educated. My two cents.
 

-- UA: Thanks for sharing the examples of the US and Germany on this issue of reluctant fathers. I too don't understand the irrational fear that vasectomy inspires, especially given its reversible nature in case the man reconsider his reproductive choices. Speaking of vasectomies, there was a controversial sterilization campaign that the Indian government carried out in 1970s where it offered men remuneration for undergoing a vasectomy. This was a desperate effort to curb population control but it was a failure anyway because the crushing majority of the men that went along with the "vasectomy for money" scheme had fathered 5, 6 or 7 children already! Nobody pays us women to make responsible choices for our reproductive health!

Unfortunately, in some countries, single mothers, regadless of the circumstances that led to the conception of their child(ren), have to go through hell and back to get the father to recognize the kid(s) legally because there is no provision in the law of the country for mothers to register child(ren) under the maternal name. There was a highly publicized paternity suit between two famous Egyptian actors that only got settled a couple of weeks ago. The actor hit it and quit it, then he "pulled an Eladio" and refused to take a DNA test when the actress's twins were born. She sued him to prove that their relationship constituted a "verbally-contracted marriage", hence the twins born as a result of said marital relationship are to be legally recognized by the reluctant spouse. This struck me as a rather convoluted way to prove the kids' paternity but the actress's lawyer thought it was easier that the DNA route. This is one of the issues that women's rights activists in the Arab world are fighting for: The right to register children under their mothers' names so that they don't have to go through the stigma and public humiliation of paternity suits.

-- Anita and Vivi: I agree with what you said and I reiterate that PyP seems like a drawn-out and highly entertaining PSA about responsible reproductive choices and safe sexual practices.

-- Gale: I enjoyed reading your take on the action in previous episodes but I never had a chance to tell you that before. Welcome to the Patio!

"Why are men burdened with having to wear suits and ties?" For our ogling pleasure, my dear! ;) Our PyP hotties look fantastic when they're all suited up! I think male suits do allow for a touch of individuality, even if it is rather limited. Female office wear tends to offer more options for personalization but I feel that the more a lady goes up the corporate ladder, the more those options become restrained.
 

-- LN: That remark you made about Nina's backporch taking over (science aficionados, would this count as a "phagocytosis"?) handed me the biggest laugh of this weekend! And you're right, the feisty gal deserves half Arturo's money; after all, she gave him 25 years and 3 kids.

Thank you for the laugh and thank you for sharing your views on this delicate issue of reluctant fathers.

P.S. That shade of dark plum rouge that Nina likes so much is called "Instigator" in the MAC lipstick line. Coincidence? I think not!
 

NovelaMaven,
Thank you! You are so generous to delight us with back to back recaps. Sorry I haven't been around lately to comment, but changes at work have curtailed me from doing so. Long story short, I still read all recaps and comments.

Anyhoo, I love how the story is moving along, but I hate that the happiness will soon be over for Julia and Eladio. I am on the Eladio bandwagon. I think he and Julia make a better couple, plus a can't stand Art anymore. He is sooooo annoying.

Dani and Nina better get what's coming to them for smearing Connie and Miguel's names to the press. Plus, Nina has no right to name Connie's baby, WTH?!

I am just waiting for that unexplained shower scene with Augustin, that will hopefully survive the Uni scissors.

Thanks again NovelaMaven!
Also a million thank you's to Cynderella, Urban Anthropologist and Mauricio for your previous recaps.

Hasta Pronto
 

Gale, it's always a pleasure to see you here on The Patio. Thank you so much. I'm immensely flattered by your words. (I'm not sure I deserve them, but I'll take them anyway. :))

Suits and ties a burden? Well ties can be difficult, but suits... suits are so forgiving of less than perfect bodies. In that sense at least, it's men who have lucked out when it comes to upper echelon dress codes.

And thank you again, Nandicta!
"PyP seems like a drawn-out and highly entertaining PSA about responsible reproductive choices and safe sexual practices."
Hah! Well, PyP, like many Mexican telenovelas, is certainly loaded with messages about pregnancies, intended and un-, but it is rather light on messages about sexual health – not that I really want to see that telenovela.

AuntyAnn, so nice to see you come up for air! (I guess we have to enjoy Agustín looking sharp in those suits!)
 

-- NM: The only message remotely related to sexual health that I remember seeing in a TN was in a novela de época no less, in "Alborada", where one of the villains was slowly dying of neurosyphilis due his debaucherous lifestyle. He wound up being poisoned by the co-villana, his repentant agonizing mother. That anvil was such a cop-out considering the mayhem they caused in the hero's life, but I got the message: "Be careful. Engage only in safe bynnyhopping. Or else you might die a demented, incontinent, half-paralyzed (and poisoned) fool!" :D
 

Nandicta, Now that I think of it, "Las tontas no van al cielo" did a lot of educating on HIV and AIDS and gender issues generally.

Nice avatar. :D
 

Nandicta..ah yes . As our blogmom recapped it "Don Diego had swelling in the humid zones." Alborada is my first and all-time favorite novela.
 

-- NM: Glad you like it! A friend of mine from Monterrey emailed it to me today. She said that on Friday, airing at the same time as PyP, there was an important football game of "Tigres", their local team. The men of the house (her father, brothers and boyfriend) were switching back and forth between the game and the novela and once Tigres seemed like they had things under control, they opted to finish watching the episode of PyP! My friend was like whaaaat? Totally impactada! She's telling me that PyP is attracting male viewers among her family, friends and colleagues because of Eladio's unusual trajectory as a character, Nina's feistiness, Humberto's mischief, Petra's comic relief, the fast narrative pace, the unpredictable plot and the rather low dosis of schmaltz (not to mention the female high candy parading in short tight dresses but these are in every TN, I would imagine).
 

Sorry for the typo, I meant *"eye candy" (I should go to sleep. It's getting late!)

-- Susanlynn: "Swelling in the humid zones" never fails to make me giggle like a schoolgirl! I'm gonna hit the hay now and hopefully dream of Don Luis riding his horse on the beach! Buenas noches a todos! :)
 

Thanks Nandicta! I will be happy to join you on the patio, the company looks quite charming and endlessly stimulating:)

Gale
 

Nandicta...Thanks for that visual of Don Luis on his horse riding along the surf with his band of brothers to rescue the fair Hippolita. You were up late, and I am up early. Yawn. Good day all.

I will be traveling back and forth from the Clara table to the Miguel table. It is not hard to see why he and Connie were attracted to each other. He watched her being mistreated by the same people in that house who were always mean and dismissive to him. I would hope that these two people can find some peace and happiness together.
 

NovelaMaven, yes, we’ve enjoyed a double scoop of your delightful recaps. You bring everything... grammatical insight, word craftsmanship and most of all incredible humor. Thank you for the double duty.

Delilah63, loved your comment of 12AM..

I like the way the writers are drawing the Caridad character, they are making her human. So often her character type would be portrayed as the unfortunate, gumption-less, slightly saintly woman who was taken advantage of by evil Eladio. In reality, she has an in your face anger management problem, she’s untruthful, pushy, selfish, deceptive and most of all aggressive......all in a quiet mousy way! Sometimes I like her, then other times I see her as a VERY failed person, but, THANK GOODNESS, she’s not the usual mealy mouth victim. NovelaMaven, your comparison of Nina and Caridad as mothers was spot on. I hadn’t really thought of it in that way.

On Humberto’s table, while I love Carlos’s craftsmanship with drinks, and Tofie’s clarity of opinion..... and I try everyday to be understanding of the failings of others, (I have no failings myself!) I’ll have to defer on a place at the Humberto table. While he is certainly entertaining rolling around destructively in his swift little wheel chair, oxygen tank and all, I haven’t seen even a whiff of any thing redeemable in him!! Besides, I’m very thrifty and I’m intolerant of people who gamble away their money and everyone else's.

What is a little unusual about this novela is that there are so few flashbacks of the early years which are the basis of today’s dramas. That leaves so many of the basic themes up to different interpretations.
 

Greetings PyP followers,

Many thanks to the recapper's hard work and incredible creative talent. I haven' t taken time to comment much, but have recently been catching up with the patio of personalities. As I catch up, I will add dos centavos worth of my perspective - FWIW - and meantime, again, love the recaps. Is it me, or do these actors speak quickly and with some clipped annunciation?

Men's
 

Ha! autocorrect got to my name! MENA

 

Ay Mena, how lovely to see you on the Patio. It's been awhile for me (since the Amor Bravio days). I just can't let loose of SN & CdlF--those two continue to be my avatar. In fact, I still have your "Noche de Estrellas" recap saved as one of my favorites.

This is certainly a different type of novela. I think we are all enjoying the dichotomy in these complex characters.
 

Anita, thanks for the unexpected return to AB days! Different, indeed ...... Looking for a barstool while hearing about the various table seats.
 

The Body Count so far:
1.) Eladio's business partner
2.) Suzanne: Arturo's 1st wife
3.) Maribel
4.) Gisela
5.) The Ratt
 

Mena--I think barstools are out, motorized wheeled hovercraft padded chairs are available in different colors.
 

Steve--And your point is?
 

Aunty Ann said:

"I think he and Julia make a better couple, plus a can't stand Art anymore. He is sooooo annoying."


I wish they hadn't written it that Eladio raped Julia because I too think Eladio/Julia make a better couple than Julia/Arturo.

We know Arturo would've cheated on Julia once he got bored with her because that's why he's in the predicament he's in: because he cheated on Julia to begin with.

Arturo can't truly be happy with any woman until he does some self evaluation. We talk about Nina being a narcissist but IMO Arturo is one as well. He needs to hit the therapist's sofa before trying to develop anything with Julia.
 

Sandy, thank you so much for the kind words.

Nice observation about the flashbacks, or lack thereof. I wonder if the writers do have one or two key flashback scenes yet to come. As problematic and expensive as these kinds of scenes can be (if you use the same actors, you risk making them look ridiculous; if you use different actors, you risk alienating your audience – "Who are these people and what are they doing in my novela???"), they can be very powerful. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Mena, It's good to know you'll be hanging out on The Patio for this one. I see Anita is helping you out with seating arrangements. (And thank you, Anita, for that hilarious visual of The Patio awhirr with Hover chairs!)

"Is it me, or do these actors speak quickly and with some clipped enunciation?"
I think you have a point. No one is going for the theatrical delivery of a Daniela Romo, say, though some (if not all) of these actors are capable of it. My impression is that they are trying for a more naturalistic, "modern" style of speech.

Anita, Steve's list made me realize how unimportant "body count" has been in this story. (That might be one of the reasons I'm getting to like it so much.)
 

Sandy, What is a little unusual about this novela is that there are so few flashbacks of the early years which are the basis of today’s dramas. That leaves so many of the basic themes up to different interpretations.

I think that was deliberate on the writers' part. We've seen too many novelas at different networks get retconned after a few weeks because viewers don't like an element of the story or actors don't like the directions of their characters. If an actor as important as FC or JS doesn't like how his character is written the writers will often cave rather than risk him jumping ship to another network. When series are successful they've been extended in the past, often with additional subplots (filler) or story changes that damage the development of one or more characters (female protagonists are only the usual casualties).

Most of the information we have on the primary characters of PyP was unfolded over time. We only have real backstory information on three of them (some stated by the characters and the others surmised over time by us):

Julia: Had an abusive father (still alive and spitting vinegar all the time), doormat mother (deceased, but we don't know when), and happily married sister. She and her nice husband live in Aguas Calientes; her husband nearly went bankrupt paying off FIL's gambling debts. Endured 25 years of abuse from Eladio after 20+ years of abuse from her father. Was ready several times to leave to be with Arturo again.

Arturo: 3rd-generation CEO of company originally founded by his grandfather. Previously engaged to Julia, engagement broken when he knocked up Susanna and had to marry her. Julia married Eladio out of spite. Widowed when Susanna died giving birth to Miguel. Sought out Julia, who was then married to Eladio and pregnant with David. Became a depressed workaholic, then married Nina. Three children in fairly rapid succession. He continued to be a workaholic. His father lived to see all four births, but probably died when Miguel was still young and Daniela an infant (None of the 4 talk about him). Probably an only child because no siblings have ever been mentioned. Had epiphany about Nina's failings as a mother and was ready to leave her for another chance with Julia.

Eladio: Grew up poor with an abusive father and neglectful mother; left home "early". worked eventually in hotel division of GM, but fired for embezzlement (amount unknown). Had a business mentor/partner named Smith. Was suspected but not proven of being involved in his death. Married Julia knowing she didn't love him. Paid off the rest of Humberto's gambling debts (amount and timing unknown) and continues to maintain him. Raped Julia on their wedding night and used other women since just to get his rocks off. Accused Julia of having had relations with Arturo prior to their wedding when David was born prematurely. Seduced and impregnated Caridad, who refused to abort. Took bastard son Franco into his home as a "godson" when Caridad went to prison. Abused Julia for 25 years, virtually ignored David. Went to shrink; appears to have had epiphany. Recent revelation of Franco's paternity will have a domino effect.

Nina: All we know for certain is that she grew up poor, had a failed career as an actress, then married Arturo for his money and position. Arturo's father made her sign a post-nup indicating that she gets nothing if there is a divorce prior to the 25th wedding anniversary. Emotionally abused Miguel from the get-go. Coddles her son and younger daughter while gaslighting the older daughter. Values security so isn't a true spendthrift. Hates daughter-in-law and refuses to acknowledge her son's faults in their marriage. Wants to take Arturo to the cleaners in the event of a divorce. Has never mentioned any members of her family of origin.
 

Because the previous post is too long:

This leaves the writers free to make up anything else about Nina that we don't already know (I neglected to mention above that she is insanely jealous, which shows whenever she and Arturo are in public together). They can come back saying that she changed her name for whatever reason, that her parents were abusive, neglectful, or narcissists (Nina herself is one and many narcissists produce narcissistic children, as she did), or even that Nina herself once had a baby she gave up for adoption. They could also say that she had been a prostitute, hence her over-reaction at Consuelo's revelation. Relatives she turned her back on could still turn up because we're not yet in ultimas semanas.

The tendency to connect all the characters turns up all over La Tierra de Novelas (see MIVAC) so since Clara's upbringing was in an orphanage we could face a revelation that Nina is her birth mother. There is still time for something like that.
 

BTW, due to a scheduling issue I am switching days this week with NovelaMaven, so she will be doing tomorrow's episode and I will do Thursday's.
 

Anita, my point is that we're likely to see major increase from this point on!

 

UA,

"...she is insanely jealous..."

I think it's unfair of you to say that she is insanely jealous. She has manifested a bit of jealousy, but I think even you would have to admit that not without ample justification. Interesting that you have chosen to once again assert some of the worst of your completely unsubstantiated speculations about her. As for gaslighting, Arturo has done a bit of gaslighting of his own.

Carlos
 

UA, thanks for taking the time to give a little history of our main characters. My old, tired mind needs all reminders that viewerville can post. My assessment of some of our characters varies greatly from many of our patio regulars, and I was just wondering why, have I missed something? I don’t want to continually hijack the conversation to one character, maybe we’ll just agree to disagree. Would you like to meet me at a neutral patio table for a glass of rosé, perhaps Clara’s table? I’d love to get some of your recipes anyway, it seems that we both love to cook. I made chicken pot pie for my “Stupid Bowl” party and it was roundly praised. How was your chili?
 

I see the speculation about Nina's early life, but the writers have left a lot of holes in Eladio's early years too. Since he got his sexual ya-yas elsewhere for years outside the marriage since Julia hated him back then, there's the possibility he's got more outside kids besides Franco. Wondering if that will come up in what I'm assuming will be a painful argument tonight.
 

Chili was made mild because one never knows all the guests' tolerance levels. I brought the cayenne pepper shaker for anyone who wanted it. About half the chili was consumed because other people finally stepped up their game in bringing food. At least three people brought wings of various flavors, there was adequate other stuff like raw veg, dip, fresh fruit, and all the usual stuff.

However, my noise tolerance is telling me that this could be the last Stupid Bowl party I will ever attend.
 

UA, I quit making chili for that very reason, some people can't tolerate any spicy food at all. Was the noise level about the guests "talking" or the volume of the game?


 

Steve--What makes you think that there will be a major increase in body count? C'mon, we need you to expand on your statements (for our benefit, natch).

I think they've been rather conservative in the number of deaths in this novela. All five of the ones you mentioned may have died of natural causes. Poor Ratt's death may have been self-inflicted and Gisela might have had an alcoholic seizure and died anytime, anywhere.
 

UA,

"...my noise tolerance is telling me that this could be the last Stupid Bowl party I will ever attend."

And yet you admit that you enjoy Wagnerian opera.

Carlos
 

Niecie, that possibility could come up tonight but I doubt the writers will follow up with it unless it becomes a public scandal. While it might be entertaining to see a half dozen women come forward with children, my analysis of Eladio says that he got more careful after that, especially after 1995 when DNA testing became a daily possibility.

What is more likely is that Julia will freak out at a 21-year deception and that this will cause either a tighter alliance or a rift between Eladio and Franco. Of course, David will have to be told about this and any progress Eladio thinks he made with him will go down the drain.
 

The noise level wasn't the game, it was the screaming of the party guests. I admit to not being a sports fan at all and for me the key word in the phrase "Super Bowl Party" has always been "party."

Chili has always been an appropriate SB party food as are wings (One male guest said the first place he called told him he'd have to wait 90 minutes for his order), so I didn't make Coq Chasseur, which I'd love to make for this crowd.

Carlos, I don't know if you enjoy opera or not but Wagner's music does not qualify as noise. I'm actually surprised that no music director at Televisa hasn't used some of his very passionate love themes in a series, although some past Televisa composers have written great ones of their own.

The first two names on Steve's list are people who died before the curtain came up. Of the two the only question mark is about Mr Smith. Gisela could have died fully of natural causes due to her alcoholism, but there were no autopsy results mentioned that I remember. She was cremated (which I guess is now standard practice) so we will never know. We saw Maribel die and we're still trying to determine who moonlights for Orkin. I'm convinced that she was thrown because she looked dead on the way down in Erick's account and based on the fact that she didn't scream on the way down.
 

UA,

That was meant to be a gentle well-intentioned nudge... I'll try to be more careful. I actually adore opera and although I admit that while Wagner wrote some of the most beautiful and chill-inducing music ever, I do find some of his stuff is excessive and at times downright eardrum-piercing. I was, however, a bit surprised by this:

"Carlos, I don't know if you enjoy opera..."

since you and I have had several discussions here about our favorite operatic pieces. Oh well...

Though I can't recall any music specifically from operas being used in TNs, as you know, Mozart's Requiem is pretty much a TN staple if not almost a cliche.

Carlos
 

It certainly is.

Can't remember what operas you've mentioned in the past but some have been used in past novelas although I wish they'd add more variety when warranted. You're not commenting on MIVAC, but that one overused "La donna e mobile" almost offensively.

I also agree that while Wagner's most popular operas are brilliant they do run a bit longer than necessary, especially since his style doesn't halt the action the way the Italian style does. He wrote more complex stories, which obviously is the reason for this. It just makes it harder to attend opera when you're working full time. But that's another subject for a another blog.
 

OT

The New York Times just launched its new "The New York Times en Español" website:

http://www.nytimes.com/es/?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

The site has been in beta for several months, but now it's official. If you like to read the news in Spanish and/or translation issues interest you, you might want to have a look.
 

The continuation of "That gives you time to explain why you didn't tell me Franco was your son." tonight should give Mr. Colunga and Ms. Gobzales a chance to really shine. They are both such superb actors and this TN seems to have brought out the best in both. With permission I will echo a phrase from The one and only Gringo: Must See TV.
 

Shoot me. I misspelled my Queen's name.
Gonzales please forgive me Julia while you are in the forgiving mood.
 

Kirby: Julia will rip Caridad to shreds big time!
 

Hi NM and patio,

I just wanted to say hi to patio.
Thanks NovelaM, you just keep better and better, I so enjoyed your recap and all the enthusiasm from the patio. Lively bunch, thanks NM for being down to earth, enchanting and charming to all of us.

Well, all I comment on is that all the characters are so human, with good and bad flaws. Except for Dani, she doesnt seem to care for anyone xcept Herself.
Clara is consistently nice and genuine. I cant wait to see if Julia figures out that Hum is the one who told Art where she would be to break the Francooooo news.

I don't have alot of input. Except hi, bye and thank you!

Leticia
 

Hi Leticia!

Aw! You're so nice! Thank you very much for the kind words. And I agree about the enthusiasm from The Patio – it makes this a fun place to hang out.

And now, on to see what our flawed characters do next...
 

Daniela needs multiple anvils!


 

UA and Carlos..................

Have you opera buffs ever seen or heard "Lucia di Lammermoor"? I saw Dame Joan Sutherland perform the opera at the old Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles many years ago. Curtain calls were endless. It's my favorite, but rarely performed because there aren't many coloratura sopranos or conductors who can handle the intracacies of the music.

Gale
 

It's been given in recent years at the Met. The current production is gothic and very apt. Anna Netrebko and Natalie Dessay have given excellent performances as the tragic heroine.
 

Good morning everyone!

WOW! Julia went Cookie Lyon on Eladio last night LOL!