#diego montejo

I’m so overjoyed to find that Andrés Salinas is not just played by 💕Carlos Rivera💕 but is second most important male lead AND my favorite character archetype/personality!

He’s the emotional heart/rock of the series!

He’s the counterbalance of caution, patience and kindness to Julio’s zero-impulse control and scrappy investigative zeal and I’m in love with that dynamic! (If I’m not careful I’m gonna ship it lmao, eh whatever! Whose gonna stop me if I do?! Lol)

In a way they remind me of the Triumvirate dynamic from Star Trek. Julio is Kirk and Andrés is a very charming combination of Spock & Bones. Andrés is like 85-90% of Julio’s impulse control

I smell the potential of him being the moral compass if things get darker than they are. Which, they probably will, it’s a telenovela/period DRAMA after all.

What really sold me on the show (and this character) was the third episode.

Waking up and comforting Julio when he breaks down in tears because it seems that his sister didn’t just disappear but was (probably) murdered thanks to some emotionally devastating evidence.

God just LOOK at them 🥲

¡Voy a llorar! 😭😭😭

I don’t know man, Andrés really went “this man has body slammed me TWICE in less than 48 hours and I saw him cry once. You know what though? He’s earnest and funny and I feel bad for him. So! We Are Now Inseparable.”

Then what he does for BELÉN, pobresita 😭

Andrés comforts her (who he clearly already cared about before, can’t really tell if it’s a “he/they were already a little in love but we’re hiding it” situation or a “friends that become lovers(?) due to fanfic level circumstances” situation).

He doesn’t pressure her when she won’t say who the father is and doesn’t seem to think less of her for having a child out of wedlock. Which is like, a HUGE deal considering this takes place in the early 1900s.

Not only that! But what does he do in order to keep his mother (the chief of staff regarding the maid staff) to keep her from firing Belén?

HE LIES HIS MOM AND TELLS HER THE BABY IS HIS. He sacrifices his mother’s respect for him for Belén’s sake! Like, W H A T.

HELLO? H E L L O?!?!?!

Ahh! I love this series!

Oh man, I really hope he doesn’t become a target in whatever Diego’s shady ass plans are if he ever finds out Andrés is taking credit for the child/pregnant woman he discarded like trash to protect his engagement to Isabela 👀 (not that Andrés knows who the real father is) ¡NO MORTES POR FAVOR!

@seismologically-silly

Attempted stabbing interrupted by Pascual calling Julio to attention! A physical struggle ensues, Julio interrogates Pascual about the bauble that belonged to his sister. Pascual continues to deny involvement O Crap Julio Has A Knife. More stabbings being interrupted! This time by the head butler, Julio postponed his interrogation for now.

Pascual is absolutely terrified of someone/something the following morning and I’m not entirely convinced it’s Julio.

Teresa confronts her son about his Objectively Worst Choice in which servant to frame for the murder he may or may not have committed. Teresa has chosen to protect Sofia over Felipe. YAY! Andrés is back!! Everybody is about as happy to see him as me! Of course he’s well loved by the staff.

Andrés brings his mom tea (with a little alcohol, thanks Chef Lupe 😂). He checks in on his mother and asks her what she did, he gets worried when she gets super cryptic about it. She doesn’t allow him to press further and puts everybody back to work. Andrés is a little peeved “aren’t we gonna celebrate a little?” “my way of celebrating is honest work.” Oh dear…

More “where the fuck is money/evidence” between Diego and the bowler hat guy, he wants him to find not just the money but the ring I think (or the button or something else Julio/Andrés found) I can’t think of why else he would’ve been searching their room.

Pascual took the money!! No wonder he was so terrified early, he wasn’t afraid of Julio, he’s afraid of bowler hat guy!! Pascual runs into Victoria on his way (now officially on the run methinks). I’m sure she’s gonna investigate that further.

Ohhhhh no my HEART 😍 Andrés has decided to surprise Julio at work! The platter Julio was carrying drops, they’re chirping each others names and hugging I am going SO RABID over these two AHHHHHH!!! 💕

Teresa and Ángela just had an incredibly tense interaction. Ángela seems apologetic to have to have done what she did to protect her son. Teresa seems to want Ángela to swear she’ll hold up her end of the deal, she does.

Isabel comes to see Andrés and congratulate him on his freedom. They discuss what happened and I believe Isabel lies to Andrés that Felipe is the one who did it (but not telling him what Felipe had been the one to plant the knife OR that she isn’t sure Felipe guilty), she hopes justice will eventually be served (this seems to take Julio aback a little).

Julio has an aside with Isabel and thanks her for protecting Andrés’s happiness by not telling him everything, they both care for him very much and are happy he’s back, even if they both seem upset by the fact they’re hiding things from him.

Andrés continues to be ridiculously excited about being a dad and has come to check on Belén like he always does at the laundry area. This time his mom be snooping! He goes on and on about wanting to give her and the baby whatever they need.

I wonder what Ángela was hoping to find out, because what she found is Belén manipulating the heck out of him. Every time I think I’ve judged Belén too quickly she says/does some manipulative shit and I’m like “oh never mind!” 😂😅

Ayala chastises his sidekick for fraternizing with the prisoners, “you’re a policeman, our job is important, act like it!” going on about how they still need to figure out what exactly happened to Ximena. They don’t seem to be getting much from Felipe, shit isn’t connecting right.

Hooray for Ayala chastising his deputy again and telling him prostitutes are people! I’m legit really starting to like this guy, his motivation is finding the truth in a show about secrets. Even if he really REALLY missed the mark on Andrés. I think mostly because he didn’t realize Salinas’s nervous, friendly energy is completely genuine. (Autism mood right there)

Pascual trying to gtfo with his briefcase full of cash and of COURSE he runs into Diego and has to pretend everything is chill and get back to work. Oooooooh Victoria just found out what’s in the briefcase and fuckin STOLE it! She just took it to Luisa ohhhhh MAN. Ngl I think if someone else is gonna die, it’s gonna be Pascual for trying to cut and run.

Ángela is cozying up to Natalia, “thanks for your discretion, you’re doing well at the grand hotel, you’ve got friends right? Are you friends with Belén? 👀” and she has asked her if Belén has been with any man other than Andrés and Natalia is squirming like she knows something!

Now that I think about it I think the amount of time Belén has been pregnant (or something else that was said) might’ve tipped Ángela off is that the baby isn’t Andrés’s. Though what SHE doesn’t know is that Andrés knows that! Juicy!!

Jacinto (the gardener) has brought clothes for Felipe to the police station but is refused entry. Detective Ayala is currently questioning Felipe and the cop tells Jacinto it’s none of his business. Jacinto overhears two cops talking about problems having to do with Ayala and the cantina.

Luisa is very politely interrogating Diego over coffee. She’s concerned about her son and his role in the hotel (possibly because she’s worried about his safety in this web of lies). She’s giving the briefcase full of cash Victoria stole as means to gain power and influence over the hotel for herself and for her son! Daaaaaamn.

Ayala and sidekick are attending the open casket funeral of a prostitute (I think it might be Violeta’s older sister) who is very obviously alive since they go out of the way so we can see and hear her breathing 😂. I have a feeling they’re somehow using this “death” as a scam or cover up of something. Unless those shots were just bad lol. More of Violeta’s gorgeous singing voice which we found out she has last episode!

Meanwhile Andrés and Julio are ironing newspapers. They’re talking about Isabel and I think Julio just admitted to feeling affection for her (which makes Andrés nervous for him, then again what doesn’t?). Julio goes on about like, it’s not gonna happen but she is pretty great (romantic cross fade to her in the next scene).

Isabel has written to her friend Matilde (the girl she was chatting with in the very first episode!) she’s telling her about all the non-drama (which y’know, isn’t really much all things considered) and is like “I wish you were here, you’d know what to do.” Looks like Matilde may be joining our ever growing cast of characters some point soon!

Jacinto enters the scene, and in doing so, sees the abuse poor Violeta is going through first hand. She storms off and Jacinto follows suit. Diego confronts Pascual about the briefcase, Pascual throws Julio under the bus immediately.

Pascual takes the briefcase again and goes directly to Isabel’s room! Crap!! 🔪🔪🔪 he’s taken her hostage! Julio has seen them as Pascual takes Isabel into the woods! Julio tries to negotiate with Pascual to let Isabel go and asks about Cristina, revealing to him that he’s her brother!

@seismologically-silly

I was wrong about Belén not reacting, she wasn’t reacting because she wasn’t there! I appear to have maybe misjudged her again, I just don’t know. I believe she cares about him but that’s about all I believe. Something about her is making me distrustful.

Ángela confronts Teresa about of all the servants that could’ve been framed, why her son? Teresa tries to pass blame and responsibility onto her and Andrés. Andrés is just a servant who just so happens to be Ángela’s son, it’s her responsibility as his mother to take care of it, not hers.

Ángela is NOT having it and reveals that she knows Sofia ISN’T Teresa’s daughter and that the circumstances would cause scandal if she revealed them. Ángela tells Teresa to choose which of her children to protect, Felipe or Sofia.

Alfredo’s mother is here and she is EXTRA (I love her). They are nervously continuing the rouse that Sofia is still four months pregnant. Ángela is making sure the staff knows that Mrs. Vergara is a high priority visitor.

Belén is annoyed at how stone cold Ángela seems despite the Andrés situation, and generally jabs at her dictatorial leadership style. As an IMMEDIATE counterpoint to all that smack talking. Ángela b-lines it to her office, closes the door and curtains, and cries. Poor thing, motherhood appears to be a running theme this episode.

Oooooo Alfredo just told his mom that Sofia almost lost the baby because of the accident and that’s why she must be acting so cagily. Luisa (Alfredo’s mom) appears to be conspiring with the woman in pink that she came with about Something.

Julio tries to persuade Natalia to tell the truth about what really happened with the knife, but Natalia is scared of Ángela. She and Julio share an intense look while Natalia skitters away.

Julio confronts Ángela, he wants to act but she wants to wait. Julio is very angry and pisses Ángela off by calling how much she cares about her son and what’s going on into question. Ángela warns that the Alacróns are VERY powerful people. If they ever wanna see Andrés again they have to work smart, not hard. Julio reluctantly agrees.

Ooh new plot development, Jacinto (the gardener boy) has taken an interest in Violeta (that poor abused pregnant girl from the cantina). Wonder how that’ll pan out 👀. He’s clearly upset by watching her mother abuse her, and even more unsettled by the shopkeepers gossiping about her and her parents.

Sofia is continuing to flip out, terrified Luisa or Alfredo will find out she’s not pregnant anymore and Teresa demands she suffers in silence. Something else is wrong, she’s still in physical pain, even after the accident, she’s keeping it herself for now.

Now she’s trying to get Alfredo to stay and sleep with her (I’m sure part of it is cuz she loves him but maybe she’s looking to get pregnant again so the baby just seems late?) they are interrupted by another mysterious spike of pain. I bet that doctor is gonna have to get involved again 👀

OH SHIT Luisa is having a little talk with the doctor that tended to Sofia after the accident. However, he’s gets uncomfortable and cagey around the questions he’s being asked (because he’s afraid of Teresa). He leaves and she and the lady in pink continue to conspire.

Victoria (pink lady) is schmoozing Pasquale now okokok. She got Pascual (I've been spelling his name wrong OOPS) to leave and us now checking the desk book for something. OOOH I wonder if Luisa and Victoria are looking into the shadiness with Cristina and the mysterious demise of Sir Alacrón? That would spice things up fr fr.

Isabel confronts her brother about Andrés, she tries to convince him to do pretty much anything else and tries to field whether he regrets doing what he did. He clearly doesn’t and gets all classist and awful. She tells him he’s a horrible person (she’s right) and leaves him in the bath with his clothes on and his stupid wine.

Diego is worried Isabel is getting too close to the truth. Teresa blames Diego for this, listing all the evidence that’s been found as his fault and responsibility and calls him out for taking money from the hotel (I think?) and dismisses him. Fractures are beginning to form between our two main antagonists ohhhhhh BOY.

Julio is absolutely inconsolably polishing silverware because he’s missing his emotional-support-Andrés. Isabel finds him and tells him what she knows from talking to Felipe. Julio still very much wants to do something, he’s angry at Diego, at Felipe, at everyone. She reminds him if he acts now they may never find out what happened to Cristina. It doesn’t stop him.

OOH VICTORIA TOOK A PAGE FROM PASQUALE’S RECORD BOOK! Oh! And Luisa has apparently invited the doctor to her hotel room where they can speak privately. I guess Teresa didn’t scare him quite that badly after all then.

Shit nevermind he got caught by her almost immediately. She threatens him more and gets the record book page back (Victoria probably gave it to him). More polite threats and and demands, she expels him out of the hotel. Luisa is now even more suspicious of the situation than ever before.

@seismologically-silly

Julio lost the fight :/ and Isabela seems to think Cristina did something/hurt someone and that’s why she disappeared (based on the bribe letter).

Diego has shown up and is NOT happy to see Isabel and Julio alone together, good thing Andrés is there to break the tension almost like “hey she’s not alone with him, see?! Please don’t hurt her 😀😅” I love him so much Your Honor.

Bros don’t let bros let blood stay caked on their body! Especially when that blood is evidence of the life savings you just lost before your friend tried to take on a guy twice his size! [insert B99 gay vibe meme here]

Diego confronts Isabel about being in his office, Isabel accusing him of being paranoid and justifies her actions enough to keep him from attacking her further.

Aww, the dogs are all being kept in Andrés and Julio’s room and Andrés won’t talk to Julio because he lost his savings when Julio lost the fight, noooooooo pobresitos!

Diego claims that something extremely scandalous involving her brother (I think?) he’s telling her something to assuage her suspicions about his role in Cristina’s disappearance and that he’s only trying to keep her family safe from disgrace, just looking out for her. She seems to have bought it.

More Belén and Andrés loudly masquerading(?) as a happily engaged couple and Andrés mom is NOT happy about any of it. Oooooof.

Detective Ayala is back for an autopsy on Ximira. Apparently all this “examining the body” shit is new in this old fashion town and Ayala be explaining shit to his sidekick lol.

Alfredo and Sofia are getting screentime again! It seems I was mistaken about Sofia having a miscarriage from falling down the stairs and Alfredo’s mother is coming to the hotel. Unless I was right and nobody has told Alfredo yet? He’s very excited regardless (probably because he feels bad about trying to leave in the first place I hope).

Diego is UPSET somebody (somebody meaning Felipe, not that he knows that) took the bribe money YIKES! He in trouble now!

Ayala has discovered a knife tip in a gash in Ximena’s body. Which means she was stabbed before falling into that pit in the woods. I think they either have or will piece together that the rest of the knife belongs to the kitchen wear at the hotel.

Diego just received an ominous phone call with a disguised voice from INSIDE the hotel and the receiver is off the hook and still swinging. Pasquale (the desk clerk) seems to be more in cahoots with Diego than I realized, or is at least an informant of some kind.

Julio is trying to apologize (and maybe make up for?) the fact he lost all of Andrés’s money and ends up shoving him in the laundry room. Belén just so happens to be ironing clothes inside.

AAAAAAND Andrés just proposed and tried to initiate a kiss (very overexcitedly/badly) Belén is very reluctant. But when she initiates the kiss it’s totally fine. It also could be a sign that Andrés thinks he’s in love with her but she’s not in love with him and is essentially using him as protection (can’t really blame her but oof).

Getting the distinct impression Andrés knows absolute zilch about actual relationships/romance and is reasoning because they’re getting married they must be in love, right? Especially since Belén kissed him first. Even tho they’re getting married because he lied and she doesn’t wanna get fired. Oh honey… no.

Pretty sure Diego just embezzled a bunch of hotel funds to make up for the bribe money Felipe stole from him to pay of the bowler hat middleman of whoever is blackmailing him.

Sofia has gone to her mother for help with the whole Alfredo in-laws situation but Felipe has come in with a different emergency the cops are there about Ximena! The investigation has begun!

I KNEW IT! I knew Belén was still under Diego’s thumb (literally, he’s very violent with her the poor thing). He interrogated her about everything that’s been going on. I think he might be wrongly assuming she had something to do with the missing bribe money. She clearly doesn’t have anything worth giving and reminds him she’s pregnant, he’s not happy about letting her go.

I was right about the matching/missing knife piece thing. The head butler/waiter has pointed out two of the wait staff that would’ve had access to the knife drawer, Julio and… Andrés. I am VERY worried one of them will be wrongly accused of murdering Ximena.

Julio and Isabel are flirting through the door of her bedroom. He’s thanking her for helping him the night of the boxing match and I’m pretty sure she parroted some of what Diego told her to assuage his concerns (maybe told him she’s probably not dead? Again, a bit spotty on the Spanish).

Uh oh, Ayala just addressed Andrés in front of the entire wait staff. I have a really REALLY bad feeling about this… oh, phew, he’s just being interrogated 😮‍💨

More parroting of Diego’s words now that Diego has convinced Isabel he’s less involved in the Cristina thing than he really is. Time to interrupt this romantic interlude with Andrés always ducking as he enters a room like somebody is gonna throw something at him like he do. How are you so this politely awkward?! Blessed.

Ayala is frustrated that he couldn’t get anything from either of our boys and is beginning to suspect someone higher up (I think?) has a hand in what happened to the girl.

Meanwhile! Andrés is bringing Belén flowers because I love him he’s her fiancé. Almost walks in on Ayala interrogating Belén and his mother, overhears they’ll likely be searching the rooms.

Julio’s sister’s uniform! He books it to their quarts to grab it so it won’t be found by the authorities! He shoves it in a closet right as Ayala and his mother round the corner which would look Extremely Suspicious… I have a baaaaad feeling about this.

Ayala found the uniform where Andrés stashed it almost immediately. Andés, Andrés Salinas, Andrésito please do not get accused of murder for trying to protect Julio even though you’re upset with him my heart can’t take it.