Es Mi Culpa
This week has been crazy and I just haven’t had time to watch Mexican Dynasties. I’m going to watch a bit of it tonight (It’s very late) and hope I can finish it tomorrow (Monday) . I just really want to see even a little bit of it before I fall into bed exhausted.
And also NO es mi culpa that there are three minutes shaved off the front of my recording of the show. I am missing the driving lesson! Edited, I had to go watch the first three minutes on Demand today. I didn’t want to miss a thing! Oscar’s children who are 13 are in need of driving lessons. Why? I google and the driving age in Mexico is 18 and you can get learner’s permit at 15 with parental supervision. Oscar should not be qualified to supervise anyone’s driving. He tells a story of rolling a brand new car when his parents just gave him a car with no lessons. It was probably a very nice car since the family wealth comes from the luxury car industry. Neither Oscar, nor his mother need to be giving kids driving lessons. They are both insane!
The Allendes
Apparently, Fernando Allende’s delusions go beyond Adan’s vocal ability. He also thinks he is a good painter. Poor Jesus, the live-in security guard’s duties also include encouraging this delusion. Mari has been diagnosed with hypertension. Guess who she blames for that? Elan and Jenny.
Elan and Jenny take their kids to the Mexican mercado. These scenes are why I love this show. The kids squeal over the dead grasshoppers and whole plucked chickens for sale. Jenny and Elan talk about how his parents treat him. He said the favoritism for Adan has been there since childhood. Later, Elan talks about being raised by his nanny and homeschool teacher. Elan feels that just before he moved out at 20 years old the nanny and teacher were gone and they tried to recapture the childhood that they missed while they were working. And that is why Adan is so fucked up.
I have no words to describe Adan’s singing. If I had to choose just one? I’d go with”bad.” Surely Adan and his parents know this is a joke. This is not funny. The help is funny. Fernando is funny. The whole “Adan is a great singer” storyline is not funny.
Oscar Madrazo’s Date
Oscar has a date with an old flame he has known a long time but has not seen in years, His name is Juan. Juan seemed very nervous about the cameras. He’s a tall, reserved sort of guy. Oscar is a hyper, talkative kind of guy. They are just not a good match. Oscar is too good for this guy.
Shabbat With The Bessudos
Doris does a Shabbat dinner every Friday night in Beverly Hills, so she wants to do it in Mexico City as well. First task? Make Challah bread. Raquel has never cooked at all and is fascinated that she is supposed to mix the eggs into the flour with her bare hands. Doris is used to buying it at the fancy Jewish bakery in Beverly Hills. The entire scene is hysterical from top to bottom. There is a lot of sexual connotations as they make the long rolls of dough. I’m too tired make this recap anywhere near as funny as the show.
The Allendes are not Jewish. Prior to going to Shabbat, Fernando and Mari have a conversation with the man-child about the meaning of Shabbat. Which is kind of sad and humorous because they have no idea what they are talking about. Fernando mentions Adam, Eve and “gefillka fish” in his lesson on the topic.
Zen
Since Elan and Jenny have moved with their kids into their own apartment, Fernando is angry with Elan. There is a lot of tension walking into Shabbat with the Allendes. Elan and Jenny set a safeword going into the dinner. It’s “zen.” I love it.
Elan and Adan talk along and immediately make up with each other. The are brothers. Elan says he is always there to support his brother. Unfortunately, Adan doesn’t seem to reciprocate that gesture. Regardless, the two brothers are close.
We finally see Paulina this episode when she arrives with her brother, Oscar and their mother Gabriela. Oscar has a shirt for everything as we saw earlier when two of his housekeepers helped him dress for his date. His shirt for Shabbat dinner has scripture from the Torah written all over it. It’s clear he didn’t buy it just for this scene because he left a dry cleaning tag on it. Of course, Raquel the fashionista pointed this out.
A Temporary Truce
Elan approaches his father to clear the air. He stammers and fidgets like a ten year old. Elan wants his dad to know he and Jenny were coming from a good place. He makes excuses. This is just NOT the way to handle this. Elan is a grown man. He needs to remind his parents of that. He needs to tell them than parading Adan around like a show pony at his events is unacceptable. Elan needs to say if they are not going to celebrate his successes then they should just stay home with their man-child and cuddle. He is happy for Adan and his musical endeavors. However, an event celebrating Elan and Jenny is not the place for Adan to showboat. Elan admits he is just telling his father what he wants to hear. How is that working for you, Elan?
At Shabbat dinner Doris announces that Oscar put a note in the wailing wall about her deceased father on his recent trip to Jerusalem with his children. It was very touching. After dinner, they have a Shabbat conga line. Who knew that was a thing?
If He Breaks Your Heart, I’ll Glue It
Since rekindling his relationship with the British fashion designer didn’t go well, Oscar is reconsidering his most recent relationship with a Brazilian man. His mother, Gabriela counsels him. The Brazilian man fell for Oscar very fast and proposed twice in a very short period of courtship. To me this is a huge red flag and I would have ended the relationship with the man just like Oscar did.
But now, it seems Oscar is lonely and second-guessing his decision. The Brazilian wants to come for a a visit and Oscar is unsure what to do. Gabriela tells him that he should let the guy come for a week and see how things go. It’s the only way he will get closure. I disagree. I think they already have closure and if there was a strong connection Oscar would not have ended it the first time.
The Brazilian guy, Tarek, and Oscar talk on Facetime. I’m surprised that Tarek was not completely turned off by the camouflage jacket that Oscar was wearing. I suppose when your wardrobe has a military theme it is to be expected, but it was still rather jarring. Also, it seemed that Tarek was not asking to come to Mexico. Oscar invited him. Tarek has never been to Mexico. I wonder who is paying for this trip. Oscar has money and needs to be careful he is being so heavily pursued for the right reasons. That sounded like a contestant on The Bachelor, but it’s a real thing!
Are You Alone?
Elan is in the studio working on some music. He calls his dad to come see in work and Fernando asks him if he is alone. To me it seems like he knew he was coming for a scene and he wanted to make sure Jenny was not there. Elan claims Jenny is home sick. So he come right in.
Fernando says it is the first time Elan has invited him to the studio. He seems really happy. I love Elan’s music! Fernando loves it too! He actually gives Elan some very high praise! I’m so happy for Elan. They reminiscence about his musical upbringing. Elan acknowledges all of the support he got from his father. This pleases Fernando. Fernando tell us he never met his father until he was 15. He was raised by his grandmother. He is still figuring out the whole parenting thing. Then he says the magic words, “I’m so proud of you, son.”
Next time, we are introduced to Lucha Libre, the Mexican name for professional wrestling. Paulina, Oscar and the Madrazo kids go hot air ballooning, Adan produces his first music video with Doris Bessudo. How will that go over with Mari and Fernando?
I adore Oscar but, he really needs to not drive. He gave me anxiety just talking about his driving not to mention him trying to take the kids to school the previous episode.
I was anxious, too when Oscar was in the car driving and when he was a passenger. When his mother, Gabriela was with Oscar’s son I really felt like they were going to run over Oscar and his daughter. Obviously this would not happen but good grief they are crazy. I love this show.
When Oscar told his kids that he drives with both feet and that is wrong…. it suddenly alllllll became perfectly clear why he’s SO BAD AT DRIVING!
Hey, hold on a minute! I drive with both feet too and I’ve never had an accident in over 40 years. When I was learning to drive, I had problems with my right knee and moving my leg to the left all the time was very painful. Using both feet is very natural, in fact, I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do it. Each to his own I guess. As far as Oscar’s driving is concerned, he should never be behind the wheel of a car, I hope that when it comes time for his children to drive he gets a professional to teach them. Love him and love the kids.
I am loving this show. It’s been a long time since I have said that about any Bravo show. I hope they don’t ruin it with stupidity. I love that the conflict is REAL and stuff we can all relate to.
I was a little teary watching Fernando and Elan in the studio. It was so touching and sweet. He is VERY talented, in my opinion.
Oscar and Paulina are a riot. I could watch them all day. LOVE the Mom. She shuts that nonsense right down.
Raquel and Doris….is Doris really going back to the States? I am a little skeptical about that but we will see.
Looking forward to this series. I saw where they were having another one set in LA centered around Latinos. That one looked more like a HW show.
Warmest Regards, TT
The Oscar and Paola are hilarious ? they’re loving and caring to each other. Oscar is coming off to desperate, no need. As for Alan, I don’t like his voice but maybe it been his song choices. Fernado and his wife have gone overboard with the surgeries, extremely tight. Elan and Jenny made a good choice to find their own place. I’m really enjoying the show, it doesn’t seem so scripted but it’s the first season.
I watch weekly and live for the Oscar scenes. He is just great and his love for his children is so evident! The driving lesson, well at least there were no other cars around!
My mother is from Guatemala which is maybe why I see these people as a bunch of clowns. They are not representative of wealthy Latins. That second rate Juliana Gueric (the lady on E) is no Carolina Herrera. The children of the car dealer are horrible. Elan is no Ricky Martin. Neither is his brother. I could get a record deal in Mexico if Bravo is going to promote the record company that’s thirsty for exposure.
The children are LOVELY. I think you must be in the random bitch mode I was in yesterday. I hope it passes soon.
Are you talking about Giuliana Rancic? She’s not Mexican, she’s full-blooded Italian! As for the rest of your comment, I agree with Tamara, you’re just not having a good day. Make yourself a cup of tea and relax, dude.
I love this show and full display of Mexican culture and family life! It’s what Shahs of Sunset was meant to be. Please Bravo don’t mess this up!
My favorite scenes are ones like last week when Oscar and his sister where in the park hoola hooping and this week when Elan and Jenny took their children to the market.
I love all of Oscar’s scenes, he should have this own show!
I don’t know why Fernando reminds of David Hasselhoff.
For fraternal twins, Oscar’s kids look incredibly alike.
Raquel is stunning. Not natural, of course, but stunning. I wouldn’t want my mother to be so ‘honest’ with me, though.
One small note: Challah IS bread. You don’t say, “Challah Bread”, just as you wouldn’t say, “I made you some spaghetti pasta.” or “They served Risotto rice.”
You can certainly buy risotto rice, which is just a designation as to the type of rice you need to make the risotto. But once it’s cooked, of course, you’ll never see “Risotto Rice” on a menu. Because Risotto IS rice.
Spaghetti IS pasta.
And Challah IS bread.
And with the holiday coming up, you also don’t say “Matzoh Crackers.” Because crackers and Matzoh are completely different things, but I always hear non-Jews saying “Matzoh crackers.”
This has been your Judaism Minute. We now return you to your regularly scheduled recap.
Signed
Your Friendly Neighborhood Jew
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Holla back, Challah Bread! 🙂
We’re a few episodes in and I still love, love, love the show. There are a few moments here and there which come off as a bit scripted, but overall it’s very enjoyable.
Fernando showed us a little bit of his dark side when he was so upset about his sons not getting along. I thought his face was going to crack – that’s the most movement I’ve seen from it in the whole show.
Sadly, I think Adan is already a lost cause. He’s like a toddler who’s been taught that the world revolves around him. I don’t think all the money and parental delusion in the world will ever make him a star, and the way he acts so childishly is already ingrained in him to the point of no return.
Thank you for the great recap. Don’t know how you do it.