Episode 15: "Una oferta sincera"
English subtitles available by changing from Spanish on settings https://youtu.be/HcEWdaDqGq4
As of Oct 2022, old You Tube links below may no longer work.
English subtitles https://youtu.be/AFs2tnox1rU
Spanish https://youtu.be/MwT-GZMpjhk
In case I'm not able to blog on recently shown episodes of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA, I've been posting in comments on the show's official You Tube channel some favorite comic moments, inspirational phrases--one of which quoted below could describe a theme of EIGHT COUSINS (see end of this post) and swoonsome dialogue (and yes, I did recognize movie inspiration deliberately referred to in George's flashback in Episode 14, first seen--I think--in Ep. 6, when Carmen gives George relaxing upper back massage she learned from a video).
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Paz wears light blue (maybe cowboy style) boots with fuschia shiny dress when she accuses Lara of stealing George's watches--which Yuli may call Rolex rather than "relojes". Lawyer is wearing light blue tie when he comes to Cruz home for payment Leti promised him. In next episode, Alan is also wearing light blue when he's trying to get something similar from Lara. Future episode shows something large and unusually light blue at Orbit Studio behind characters which seems comment on their relationships and/or subject of conversation.
Paz also thinks her brother is losing it, he's acting like "asoleaste mucho el cerebro" (gotten too much sun or sun-stroke) "cruzaran las neuronas", because he seems to actually--instead of pretending, like Alan--be behaving friendly to Jurados, especially when taking side of Lara when Paz declared girl who borrowed her dress must also be a thief. Tommy reveals to his sister he thinks their mother is the real thief.
Mama Rosa tells Lara "parece que no te hubieramos educado" when she borrowed dress without asking. "Educado" refers to someone's manners and upbringing rather than schooling or educational level, and is discussed in book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER'S SPANISH chapter on "Minding your verbal manners".
Jurado parenting contrasts with lessons taught to Paz and Tommy by so-called "superior" Leti seen later.
Colorful folk art sculpture (maybe papermache) of animals--rooster on back of dog, on back of pink cat, on burro is on countertop at Tenoch's restaurant. Many of these have "appeared" in dichos and idioms, if not "in person". Not sure, but black lace undergarment worn by Leti may have cat face depicted on it; "aqui hay gato encerrado" is expression that can apply to her, especially with secrets she's hiding in this episode.
I like how Tenoch tells Carmen and Pedro who are trying to help their family, "Sabes, me recuerdo mucho cuando llegamos aqui a este pais Jorgito, mama Lupe y yo. No tenemos nada mas que las ganas de salir adelante, y alguin nos tendio la mano y mira, final, pues no salio tan mal, no?"
Former employee (and friend) of George named Aristedes comes to supervise installment of security cameras, but is hesitant to return to old position as live-in security due to hinted at past history with Maria, who unsuspecting, brings tart tamarindo drink to technician up on ladder (another symbol seen multiple times in next episode) and Aristedes who asks her "Todavia se te amarga el tamarindo, Maria? Fresh tamarind pods like those I tasted at my grandparents may be found at Latino markets--crisp outer covering pulp surrounded seeds)
She bitterly comments to how he quickly left in the past, as if he was quoting saying "Patitas, para que se quieran?" (Feet, what are you waiting for?) He tries to joke about whether she wants vaccination against him, and that "el amor no se debe poner a prueba". MARIA: A ver, prueba mi agua de tamarindo, throwing glass of drink in his face, which makes man on ladder snicker. Aristedes "dryly" comments "Es peor que nunca. Parece que lo endulza con hiel".
Margarita returning from seeing Carmen at Tenoch's, tells Lara "No somos equales", referring to Tommy and Paz. Very true, in way she didn't intend--those who think they are better (because having more money, "higher" social position) prove themselves inferior morally, opposed to admirable human beings who love more and are more worthy of being loved.
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Andy tells Clio she is "un huracan, arrasa con todo", another "air-y" metaphor. Carmen's ex boyfriend Juaquin back in San Miguel called her "torbellino" which my dictionary translates as "whirlwind"--but don't know if that's only something as small as what's also called a dust-devil (which usually only picks up loose leaves) or as large as a tornado, capable of lifting up a house. House Clio lives in is like glass goldfish bowl, as is her online life.
When Emiliano compliments Yuli for her good taste as interior decorator, "Tiene muy buen ojo", which she proves in another way when Juancho drops envelope of money Leti gave him.
A little of George's script for PARA BIEN O PARA MAL is heard during filming of movie now starring Clio and Andy (based on Carmen and George): LUPITA: "El amor nunca llega cuando lo buscas. Llega cuando lo necesita". (ANDY's character): Wow. Eso la inventaste tu? LUPITA: Son cosas que decia mi abuela.
As George is rushing out on way to Orbit Studio, Mama Rosa and Margarita tell him they feel security cameras are being installed because of missing watches, but he reassures them that it's because of armed home invasion. He repeats he wishes they'd stop wearing maid uniforms, which delights Lara.
Reference to light may refer to symbolic enlightenment. New Age-y Emiliano tells Yuli: Cuando estas triste, su aura ensombrese, explaining an aura is "Esa luz que nace de tus emociones. Tu brillas mucho, pero cuando estas preocupada, tu aura se hace pequenita, pequenita. YULI: No se como prenderia. No tengo idea. As he's looking at her so admiringly, she decides to give him a heads up, "sobre viso, no te enganas", that she's not able to start a relationship right now. (BTW, scientific studies say there's no such thing as auras. Wikipedia does cite--in link from article on chakras--that "in Latin and Ancient Greek, aura means wind, breeze or breath. It was used in Middle English to mean "gentle breeze". )
Andy is wary of going to live with Clio so soon in their relationship; she "agrees" to go along with his wish of going "despacio at tu ritmo", but since she fears his staying at Tenoch's so close in daily contact with Carmen, she pressures him into becoming room mates (tho not in sense that Leti and George are, living in separate wings of huge house), but rather bed mates. Notice green reeds and cheerleaders in red and white at studio when Clio gives Andy keys to "their" home. I've noticed costumed actors and props shown outdoors at Orbit Studio seem to be commenting on what's happening in story, so keep an eye out for those.
TANIA (between gritted teeth): Porque sigues procupandote por Carmen?!
GEORGE: Porque la sigo amando y aunque no estemos juntos, necesito protegerla, sabes que esta bien. Ademas, fui yo el que la trajo aque a los Estados Unidos en primer lugar. Tenemos encontrar la manera de que se quede.
TANIA: De verdad, no se quien es mas tonto de las dos--si tu por sequir detras de ella, o ella que se tanto quiere quedarse, se hubiera casado contigo y punto. (Unknowingly, she gives George an idea for "una oferta sincera".)
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LETI: Pronto todo saldra a la luz. Ahora lo unica que lo importa es que Tommy abre los ojos.
PAZ: Good luck with that.
When Yuli returns from Emiliano's, Mama Rosa fills her in on what's been happening in Cruz house.
MAMA ROSA: La Paz andaba morada del coraje. Que si Lara es esto, que si es aquello. Que si Jorgito esta ciego. No, no sabes la novela que te perdiste m'hijita. (Reminds me of Gaviota's mother in CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, who practically had doctorate in telenovelas. Few novelas themselves show people watching TV).
YULI: Si te creo. (Like Tommy and soon Robert, Yuli is starting to add 2 and 2 together, but in her case, she thinks it's her father who took and sold George's watches. Mama Rosa wonders what it would be like to have so much money that George doesn't mind losing something of great material value).
When Leti confronts her son about what Paz repeated to her, Tommy says all he did was "unir los cabos". While he doesn't think Lara would steal "En cambio, tu me has ensenado que uno tiene que hacer lo que sea con tal de consiguir que quieres, no?" (Example of phrase "Salir el tiro por lo culata" or backfire.)
LETI: Ten mucho cuidado, Tomas. Desde que pusiste los ojos en esta mugroso, le desconozco. No pode que me hablas, fijate. Tu primer leccion es eso--
Jamas te pongas encontra de tu madre. Porque lo vas a pagar muy caro, Tomas. (He looks nervous, scared)
Time to watch classic movie about movie making history Sing' In the Rain, reason soon to become clear. For any who don't know why George mentions Milli Vanilli, look it up. It's why Tania tells Kurt: Te traigo un whisky. KURT: Dos, dos, por favor. KURT wants George to cut songs, or change to rapper, but writer emphasizes his movie is a musical so (in English) says "It's not gonna happen".
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.
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Part of below may seem familiar as some previously appeared on post about EIGHT COUSINS, but has been added to, remarks that I hope will interest others in looking for wonderful, original 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER.
If PALF was prime time show in English, or movie with massive Hollywood studio publicity machine behind it, there would already be book of favorite quotes in the style of FORREST GUMP, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, or THE GODFATHER. Not to mention cuddly stuffed toys, symbolically black and white Chicharon piggies with blue wings like those in PALF opening credits--why I pointed out free crochet pattern for winged Cu-Pig https://www.yarnspirations.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-catalog-spinrite/default/dwf7636139/PDF/RHC0334-020509M.pdf
Am hoping a soundtrack album will be available for some of the songs on PALF. Way back when, I'd bought double-albums with some classic romantic songs sung by Daniela Romo featured on telenovela SI DIOS MI QUITE LA VIDA. I still have somewhere the cassette soundtrack for CORAZON SALVAJE. And of course, have the two CD albums for original CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER. One of my fave scenes in latter is very atmospheric scene in barcito where Sebastian escapes psychologist to drink aguardiente while listening to songs on jukebox (Hola Soledad, Amor Perdido, etc.) original recordings of what even then were old Latin American classics, getting back to his roots.
https://m.letras.com/alci-acosta/hola-soledad/ Sebastian forces coldly rational woman psychologist who tracks him down to dance with him to what seems may become her theme song https://m.letras.com/maria-luisa-landin/amor-perdido/ Hope someday titles of all songs by various artists in 1994 CAFE will be listed so fans can look for, replay and savor. Like that scene, most (if not all) music in original version of CAFE is "diegetic",
that is, are sounds in environment that characters can hear, not added later "disembodied". Decision to do so makes audience feel like they are really there with people on screen, actually in the story yourself.
1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER also includes village band playing La Pollera Colora; some of records & cassettes Gaviota & Sebastian listen to include Rondando Tu Esquina (heard while he's stalking her and supposed rival in Bogata) and several other classic old songs which a few years later were re-recorded by Colombian Charlie Zaa on his first album, Sentimentos. Wikipedia lists some of over 4000 songs recorded by Julio Jaramillo, "the Nightingale of the Americas", one famous singer featured on CAFE.
In contrast to dance music, when Sebastian takes Gaviota (now secretly secretary in his family's company) to opera in Bogata which he'd seen in London where he attended university, she falls asleep on his shoulder. As they walk afterwards to her choice of eating at street hotdog stand rather than refined restaurant he suggests, he sings a bit of "La Donna e Mobile" from Rigoletto they just heard--which ends with fireworks tying into his fire symbol--and says he will next take her to hear Aida, but she's not keen. (Despite his expensive sophisticated London tailored overcoat, he looks so cute when he offers her French fry held in his mouth like a little boy!)
Themes of both operas may either underline or be refuted by lovers' own story. Later, another aspiring suitor figuratively kicks himself after he plays her cantata about coffee composed by Johan Sebastian Bach which again makes her drowsy--only interest she shows is that composer shares middle name with "her" Sebastian. (To me, name of psychologist who may be Jungian, Daniela Reyes, reminds me of Biblical Daniel who interprets dreams of a king (Rey in Spanish). Common associations seem automatic with names Ivan (the terrible) and Lucrezia (Borgia). Reproductions of famous Picasso, Miro, Van Gogh, etcetera paintings also seem meaningful choices.
Gaviota does chide both her suitors for behaving at times "como adolescentes"--both men may be socially stunted (coffee nerd Mauro may be like Newt Scamander, on autistic spectrum). Sebastian, due to his literal impotence, avoided even friendships with women who eventually would expect more than being "just friends", necessitating awkward "it's not you, it's me" talk; he also avoided other boys than his cousins who might tease him for lack of experience. His sister's boyfriend, English Arthur (who later becomes his own best friend) at first disbelieved Sebastian can make love only with Gaviota. Even his gay cousin Bernardo has partner he considers his spouse.
Often overlooked details can be significant. Eventual allies of Gaviota include Marcela, Martha, Margarita, Marsha, Mauricio and "angelic" islander Harold McLean who is dubbed "Marlin"--which all reflect Gaviota's affinity with the ocean in lovers' duet "perdi en su mar"--reason for couple's romantic getaways by the sea in which they are literally immersed when snorkeling together.
Likely there's link with Aphrodite--also known as Venus--goddess of love being born from the sea as in Botticelli's famous painting; Sebastian literally carries Gaviota in his arms to shore. (In contrast, wife in name only Lucia and her unfaithful parasitic gigalo on jetski never touch waves). Oceanside resort Santa Marta becomes "sagrada" to Sebastian and Gaviota, place where rival suiter's pathetic Bengal sparkler decorated drink is far outshone by Sebastian's beach bonfire.
Speaking of names, CAFE shares with Shakespeare's HAMLET four unusual ones at end of cast list: Reynaldo, Francisco, Barnardo and Marcellus are minor characters in Hamlet, but similar to names of major characters in CAFE. Before realizing this, I'd already noticed some likenesses between two stories. In original 1994 CAFE CON AROMA DE MUJER, Sebastian is--like Hamlet--a university student who tells psychologist that one of his problems is indecision ("to be or not to be"), and is haunted by ghost of his grandfather, the family patriarch, whose last testament pits close relatives in struggle to inherit "a kingdom" for offspring.
Sebastian (like Demetrio in LA MENTIRA and Hamlet) is man on the edge of madness, who stages dramatic, often comic, scenes in public places, which bystanders avidly are watching, entertained (one quarrel with Gaviota has office workers looking down like at Globe Theatre). His soliloquies as when raging about his impotence are moving. However, Gaviota is no wimpy Ophelia, giving as good as she gets--or better--although she is also associated with water and flowers. Writers of CAFE may have got inspiration (as Caridad Bravo Adams did for LA MENTIRA from OTHELLO/MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) to turn a tragedy to classic form of comedy by giving new story a happy ending with traditional fruitful marriage creating a large extended family and community.
Believing in importance of supportive family, Sebastian takes under his wing children from estranged relatives and even child it turns out he has no blood ties with, but loved even before baby was born. He invites every year all the children of his siblings and cousin to spend vacations together at the family's original coffee plantation he inherits, a similar experience he treasured from his own childhood.
From PALF Episode 84: La familia no es la que tiene la misma sangre, sino la gente que se cuida, que se ama y se hacen felices. Tu mismo me ensenaste eso cuando me aceptaste aqui con tu familia. A ver, escucharme: tu siempre me dices que ya no quieres ser un nino, que ya no eres un nino, y que quieres que te tratemos como una person mayor. Sabes que hacemos las personas mayores? Nos enfrentamos a las dificultades por mas duras que sean, las enfrentamos.
