Epiphany on Parientes

For complete capitulos go to www.Telemundo.com   All entire episodes of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (so far) can be seen  On Demand with www.NBC.com app.

Recently had epiphany on circles/circling/cycles (three ring circus?) in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA.   Most notable is Orbit Studio:  an orbit is defined as "path followed by a heavenly body going AROUND another, as the path of a planet* around the sun".  (Remember, a sun is also a STAR--like Carmen.)  I'm trying to remember where I noticed childlike depiction of the solar system on a wall in something I saw on TV.  Since only program I'm watching is PALF--besides old movies on video tape--probably was in Tenoch's home, perhaps painting was supposedly made by Rocco; I noticed somewhere around 50 episode mark.   

Roller coaster (Montana Rusa) behind sightseeing "Hollywood honeymoon" new lovers Carmen and George in Ep. 2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Park --which George looks down on alone in Ep. 53--also reminds me of cloverleaf traffic interchanges in Los Angeles (look up if these towering concrete "thrill rides" are not familiar sights in your area--interchanges built much later than one in link have tight curves that really make me feel I'm on fast moving amusement park ride.) 

https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/l-a-s-famous-four-level-freeway-interchange-the-stack-turns-58  

In Episode 7, mama Rosa comments: "Ya me traen mareada con tanta vuelta.  Un dia se casan, al otro no.  Un dia se pelean, al otro se contentan.   Por que no mejor nos regresamos a la casa, y ya cuando nos se decidan, nos avisan?"

In future episodes,  dialogue includes repetitions of traditional saying "otro vez la burra al trigo",  listening to same old familiar "cancion", and now-old fashioned simile, "sonando como disco rayado" (harping on the same topic, like a scratched vinyl record re-plays same part over and over again).  Such patterns have intentional meaning. 

  

Lives of many PALF characters have fallen into ruts of old habits.   Leti introduces herself to Carmen as George's wife, then apologizes when he corrects she's his "EX-wife",  as being "por costumbre" of twenty years marriage.  When she starts going up stairs toward her old bedroom, he re-directs her down to studio (she jokes "sube, baje, al izquierdo").  Multi-level Cruz house has many stairways, twists and turns.  In novela's opening shots, George drives over Los Angeles "river", its former free riverbed now imprisoned  in cement culverts to prevent flooding that frequently happened in early history of the town (then "pueblo de Nuestra Senora, Reina de Los Angeles").     

 Andy berates his father for staying stuck in the past just seconds before George's life is shunted onto new track by his discovery of Leti's betrayal with Robert (later locations include actual train yard).  Noticed lots of circular decorations in home of Emiliano, who asked Andy if he had "cycle" of problems to resolve or close with his father.  Andy has circular tattoo on back of his neck; he gave George circle pendant with his childhood name "Jorgito", signal for man who strayed from his cultural origins to get back to his roots.   Fear of being dumped by boyfriends has become ingrained trait for Carmen "sindrome de perro patiado" (kicked dog syndrome) so she now expects to be cheated on. 

Necessary for life itself are repeated actions such as breathing, heart beats, the circle of birth, growth, and creating new life, positive and literally fruitful forms of repetition.

George's study bookshelves (which I'd loved to browse thru)  also display old ROUND film movie reels.  I've noticed although he now uses laptop to write on, he also kept old typewriters, apparently ones he used early in his writing career when married to first wife Jenny.  Might not be visible on screen, but one model may be like IBM Selectric typewriters I used decades ago; these have element that resembles golf ball to print letters.  Actual golf balls will be seen in PALF at Green Hills Country Club, and on decorative object on lawyer's desk in future.    

Also notice all the wheeled vehicles shown, not just cars, but also bicycles and scooters outside Tenoch's.  (Reminds me of line in book "Valentine to LA" Weetzie Bat: "Ducks in Duckmobiles racing around the city".)

Infamous mural by Diego Rivera painted in New York City, titled Man at the Crossroads seems to combine two PALF thematic elements, a giant X (airplane propeller) described by Rivera as "elongated ellipses" & in quotes cited by Wikipedia, "within these, cosmological and biological forces such as exploding suns and cell-forms were depicted.  These represented the discoveries made possible by the telescope and the microscope", which I note, are both round lenses--as are camera lenses.  Not sure when I noticed Juancho wears pendent of an eye...      

Recently noticed spiral at start of Yellow Brick Road (I may elaborate much later on likenesses in PALF to characters, etc. in classic film WIZARD OF OZ; this is something for viewers to start looking for now, to help gather clues that seem proof for my theory.  Not really a spoiler, just a "heads up" alert to watch more closely). 

When George drove on bridge over "river" mentioned above, I noticed walls usually covered with colorful grafitti had been painted over with dull grey rectangular patches of paint  (reminding me of intentionally gray Kansas filmed in black and white preceding contrast with Technicolor Land of Oz "over the rainbow".  For similar reason, HARRY POTTER books begin in dull ordinary suburb of conformity afraid of anything different, unusual, magic). 

Gigantic concrete culverts--for diversion of rare but sometimes deadly excessive rainfall due to weather pattern known as "El Nino"--also make me think of their use in now-classic sci-fi film THEM!   Movies & TV shows are shot in locations all over Los Angeles, part of everyday life in this city.   Featuring enormous ants and then young actor James Arness of long-running TV series GUNSMOKE fame, THEM! is example of dawning atomic-era fears represented by radioactive mutated monsters (best known is Japan-originated Godzilla) ; sight and sound of those marauding insects still frighten me.   George tells Juancho "Tacos y Tiros" franchise is like winning lottery for playing same numbers, another rut in boring life of workaholic writer who has "settled" for limited expectations as in Ep. 53 song lyrics "given up to giving in"--with brief flight of attempted escape from return to stifling "same old same old".   

Circles are often interpreted as wholeness, completeness.  Circular shape can stand for egg--or vice versa.  Two of my favorite books for re-reading, Gone-Away Lake and Return to Gone-Away by Elizabeth Enright (niece of architect Frank Lloyd Wright), feature character I feel helped inspire Harry Potter's ALBUS DUMBLEDORE who has pet Phoenix (Luna Lovegood gives good answer to riddle in book 7,"what came first, the phoenix or the egg?"):  "Self-pity is the hens' besetting sin,"  remarked Mr. Payton.  "Foolish fowl.  How they came to achieve anything as perfect as the egg I do not know!  I cannot fathom."  I wonder if Guy might ever be interested in portraying this charming eccentric who prefers a simple life, still so mischievously young at heart that Portia Blake, one of the children who adopt him and his sister Minnehaha as grandparents, "can imagine what he looked like as a boy". 

Now-popular girl's name Zoe means egg; the e-word was also name of Jody Foster's film production company.  I "met" Zoe Kravitz (Lita Lestrange in Fantastic Beasts movies) before she was born, when her mother Lisa Bonet (perhaps referred to in choice of Clio's last name?)  came to where I worked.  Oval "selfie" mirror in Paz's bedroom may show warped image, as is ellipse,  not true round circle.    I'm noticing a lot of globe shaped lights near Ep. 60 shown from unusual angle, so still thinking about possible significance.

Stars on red, yellow, white surfboard on Tenoch's patio, fountain & coin-operated kids space ship ride in Whittier Plaza must also have meaning which am also "investigating", mulling over gathered "evidence", clues or hints. 

 Eventual ending of story for combined Cruz/Jurado family may include visual representation such as Ying/yang symbol showing how complementary "opposites" unite to form whole.

=============

If Holy Grail of "writing the great American novel" has transformed into "the great American screenplay", new form being explored by writers in Latin America may now be field of telenovelas.  Aside from Leslie Bary's study of CORAZON SALVAJE http://www.henciclopedia.org.uy/autores/Bary/Corazonsalvaje.htm (by the way, based on mid-century trilogy of novels by Caridad Bravo Adams), I haven't encountered any scholarly writing about the genre.  This may be due to reasons similar to those Pamela Regis attempts to counter in her interesting book A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL.     

Due to my failing eyesight and memory, I may not be able complete a study started on intriguing ideas shown in classic telenovelas 1998 LA MENTIRA and 1994 (original) CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER.  But I hope to sow here some seeds of thoughts on PARIENTES A LA FUERZA, which may provide a few signpost sparks for bright students to proceed with their own thesis.  They are welcome to take the ball and run with it--or as Maria says to George in Ep. 42 of PALF  proceed with "importante obra de echar burbujas de pensamiento al aire" with his eyes directed at ceiling, not seeing it, but instead thoughts of Carmen, a ladder "significantly" behind him.  Remember floating bubbles in very first episode?

It would be marvelous if original creators of these telenovelas could provide insights into "the making of" a work.   Commentary by people who made a movie are my favorite extra features on DVD's. 

I believe PALF is a "classic, going to be" as librarian Miss Sparrow says of Tom Sawyer when a young aspiring writer first goes to new Carnegie Library in autobiographical novel BETSY AND TACY GO DOWNTOWN by Maud Hart Lovelace (whose future husband Delos--pun of painting "Isle of Delos"--wrote novelization of KING KONG).

Both versions of LA MENTIRA (inspired by Othello & Midsummer Night's Dream) and Cafe cited above incorporate extended mythological metaphor on bringing fertility back to barren wasteland depleted by self-centered actions (both Juan & Veronica early in telenovela praise Engineer Demetrio for his work on helping combat environmental pollution; note his namesake is Demeter, Greek goddess of fertility of the earth).   In 1994 CAFE, a literally impotent young man finds fulfilment with blue-eyed woman who works as harvester, their love symbolized by boundless ocean (included is lovers' duet about being "lost in your sea").   Nicknamed Gaviota--  seagull--she's perhaps a version of goddess GAIA, who became modern symbol of wholeness of Planet Earth.

Both telenovelas were surely influenced by famous memo by Disney Studio executive Christopher Vogler, elaborated on in multiple editions of his influential book on screenwriting, THE WRITER'S JOURNEY, inspired by Joseph Campbell's HERO'S JOURNEY.  1998 version of LA MENTIRA expands this "road map" with more emphasis on feminist HEROINE'S JOURNEY. 

Dan Brown's "symbologist" Robert Langdon was inspired by Campbell, fictional character played in movie versions by Tom Hanks (tho my French prof said premise of The DaVinci Code was based on mistranslation of an inscription elaborated on in pseudohistory book The Holy Blood & the Holy Grail).  "Comparative mythology" is defined on Wikipedia as "the study of the human impulse to create stories and images that, though they are clothed in the motifs of a particular time and place, draw nonetheless on universal, eternal themes", something these telenovelas seem to do.

Other very creative minds of our time have looked toward telenovelas for inspiration.  I'm convinced that writing wizard J.K. Rowling watches them, transforming as Shakespeare says, "into something rich and strange".  I made chart listing unusual elements shared by one of her lesser known novels for adults and telenovela based on novel by Colombian journalist drawing on actual exploitation of poor young women and globally too-common false concepts of what makes a life fulfilling.   (Above provides just enough hints for original thesis without serving it on a platter).   

As it takes me so long to write entries including details available in work itself--I may change my focus on blog entries to just note important points that others may not pick up on, and ideas these suggest to me that don't seem to have occurred to general audience.  I've skimmed thru some comments on You tube PALF official channel, which sometimes indicate connections intended by show's creators are apparently missed by some viewers.

I'm hoping to catch up to commenting on "currently airing" episodes before conclusion of series is reached--tho having 50 or so episodes to draw upon while reviewing from beginning does help in developing and confirming hypotheses on what program is about on metaphorical level --not merely  "when & where" plot ends, more on why and how, the  journey, not the destination.   Even if blog lags behind, it might provide buffer during period of  common "withdrawal" symptoms felt by fans after a favorite show or book ends.  Yet that may be what indicates a creative work is a classic--something that sticks with an audience, that they can enjoyably return to again, and in which new discoveries can be made.     

*Footnote that might relate to other  names and location used symbolically in PALF:

Names of planets in our solar system refer to ancient gods & goddess like messenger Mercury, Venus, warlike Mars, king Jupiter, ringed Saturn, sea god Neptune, and  god of underworld/death Pluto (which seems represented in dive bar much later than Ep. 7).  Pluto also gave name to Disney character, pet dog of Mickey Mouse when it was discovered in 1930.  (More trivia:  officially, Pluto seems to be called a dwarf planet, after debate about whether it's really just a asteroid).  Apollo (considered height of male beauty) was god of Sun; Diana is goddess of Moon.  Lots of stars around too, like walk of fame, other references in future episodes.

Not sure if coincidence, but many animals on Chinese zodiac have been mentioned or make visual appearance in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA by time I'm writing this, about episode 60.

--------------------------------

Now that any kids here have fallen asleep during long literary lecture, here's the flipside (duality again) for grownups:  

I'm wondering if calla lilies in entrada of PALF title song are tribute to painter Diego Rivera and/or similar to use of antherium flowers seen "en todas partes" in 1994 original version of CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER ( about young man who is literally impotent until he finds fulfilment with woman who is migrant harvester).   I coined phrase for similar visual symbolism used throughout CAFE to rhyme with famous Disneyland "hidden Mickeys", also inspired by how I translated "mano" scene In LA MENTIRA I may describe later.  Debated whether to include hints in this blog--but decided to go ahead after something Kurt says in Ep. 53 just before 25 minute mark (preceded by double-handed gesture by Aurelio and remark cut short by Tania to George, but still intelligible to adults).

In Ep. 7 scene in office of lascivious lawyer to whom Leticia is offering off-the-books payment for debts (in way that is guessed by eavesdropping Juancho, there are decorative objects suggestive of male & female body parts, including oversize version of toy called in English "Jacks" (especially angle seen 5 minutes, 6 seconds into this Episode), also known as "knucklebones"--what was actually used in ancient Roman times--in Spanish may be "tabas".  Already noticed similar large silver Jack on George's desk in Ep. 3 when Margarita tells him that her dream is to see her daughter get married in (symbolic) white,  and in later episodes seen in other colors in upcoming scenes set in bedrooms of two younger male characters.

Set decorator for TV show WILL & GRACE said she included many "male oriented icons" in apartment of gay male character; read article for description of what she meant.  https://ew.com/article/2000/10/13/homo-sweet-home-will-and-graces-set-design/ ; Father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud is well-known for perceiving such "unconscious" references in artwork and speech of his patients.  I noticed many visual symbolic representations when watching original CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, about character who is literally impotent at beginning of telenovela, but like a fairy tale prince under a curse, has fruitlessly consulted wise men around the world.  

LA MENTIRA includes a number of similar visual allusions (including champagne bottles, both foaming and empty) and socks scenes.  More detailed descriptions may wait until PALF sock scenes around episode 50.     Maybe that's what skit was about (on I think Miami morning show with Giselle Blondet around time LA MENTIRA was broadcast in USA), a burlesque in which Guy himself appeared as "Demetrote" opposed to bespectacled weedy co-host as "Demetrito".  I seem to recall hunky Guy breaking down laughing, not taking himself too seriously, after being chosen by entertainment magazines like People En Espanol's hombres mas bellos.

Those who doubt there's deliberate references of this type on screen probably haven't seen dramedy--comedy or farce with serious themes--movie HA MATADO A MI MARIDO (I Killed My Husband!) also featuring Guy Ecker in title role.

 

Meant for grownups, movie's "mature audience" adult humor might go over the heads of children (who would likely be bored, unless they ask questions parents may not know how to answer).  From opening scene when main character protests her friend is giving "too much information" about marital intimacies, you might get the drift.  Whether viewer finds amusing or offensive may depend on personal taste & cultural background  (Europeans who watch Pedro Almodovar films may be more open minded.)   Official trailer online shows a few ongoing jokes.

Reason  why dead husband wears elegant robe could be same as in famous Lescaux cave painting known as "the shaft of the dead man"; medically documented result of spinal injury.  One scene at party may evoke some in romantic fantasy film COMO AQUA PARA CHOCOLATE which shows far more than IKMH (o sea HMaMM). 

It can be hard to avoid being typecast in good guy "galan" roles if an actor has such a charming boyish grin (tho by the end of non-linear story, you may be firmly on wife's side). On the other hand, Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise has been showcase for actors who can mislead both characters and film viewers into perceiving someone as likeable and inoffensive, but who turns out to be villain of the piece, roles many actors prefer as more challenging, demanding and displaying more skill (like Johnny Depp), tired of being merely "just a pretty face".  

At least, the expectation of such "coming attractions" may get audience members to prick up their ears and open their eyes to what might be communicated on broadcast telenovelas--depending on viewer's experience of life and "el mundo real".   I'm trying to find reference books to help me interpret colloquial and idiomatic expressions not listed in "serious" dictionaries for classroom use.  If I find any, may list in blog after purchasing my own copy.

Native speakers may assume idioms (especially ones related to sexual "folklore") are understood by everyone, but dictionaries of Spanish slang I've consulted don't delve into possible  symbolic & philosophical meanings--although book Breaking out of Beginner's Spanish by Joseph Keenan, in chapter titled "Invective and Obscenity" does refer readers to specific "psychosocial" writings by scholars Octavio Paz--who I saw lecture in person at university--The Labyrinth of Solitude and Carlos Fuentes, The Death of Artemio Cruz.)

Shinto Torii gate (on wall in Emiliano's home around episode 50) is symbol of border between mundane and spiritual worlds.  Decorative details can have importance to story, not just something picked up randomly to fill screen.    

For complete capitulos go to www.Telemundo.com   All entire episodes of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (so far) can be seen  On Demand with www.NBC.com app.