Sunday, August 06, 2006
La Fea Más Bella #70-74 7/31 -8/4/06 A firing, a rumble, and a makeover!
I apologize for the length of this recap. It was a super-busy week for La Fea! I was torn between glossing over the silly stuff that's funny but not important, or relating every little thing. I hope I managed to strike an acceptable compromise.
I also decided to organize my recaps into a few different storylines, rather than jumping back and forth, because it's a more coherent way to summarize a week's worth of stuff. At least, I think it might be. There's a lot of overlap, but I think I can make it work. We'll see.
Oh and I lost a whole page of notes, so some of this is reconstructed from memory. On with the shoe!
Tomas's story:
Last week, Tomas lent his cell phone to a woman he met at a bar, who was introduced by those two older dudes who I assume Tomas is investing the shadow company's money with (that's just my guess as to who they are). She left the bar without giving the phone back, and Tomas was too drunk to realize that until later. The next day, either she or her friend (I lost track) used that phone to call him, and told him to meet her someplace so she could give it back to him.
Tomas gets there as soon as he can, telling the woman that his chauffeur dropped him off. The woman flirts with Tomas and won't let him have the phone until he promises to take her to the most exclusive restaurant in town. She also wants to know who Lety is, since Lety had called that phone earlier (more on that later). She teases Tomas, wanting to know if Lety is his girlfriend.
Tomas nervously calls Lety, wanting to know what's up. Lety just needs to make sure that there's enough money in the shadow company's account to make payroll for Conceptos. Tomas rattles off a lot of numbers from memory, right in front of that woman, while the woman continues to grope and flirt with him. Uh, bad move, Tomas. I'm not sure if Tomas's old dude friends have actually hired this woman to spy on Tomas, or if it's just a lucky coincidence and she's going to try to sell them this info later, but it's clear that he has said way too much. (I'm also not sure if she realizes that he's not the bigshot he claims to be, though she'd have to be pretty stupid to buy his silly act.)
Anyway... it's time to go to dinner, or to her place, or something, so he tells her to wait there and he'll go find his chauffeur. (I guess this imaginary chauffeur doesn't have an imaginary cell phone.) As soon as he is out of her sight, he runs away.
Mom & Dad's story:
Not that there is much to tell, but it seems RoboPapa has lost his job and is depressed and grumpy (yeah, I know, he's always grumpy anyway). Mom has found some of their wedding stuff in a closet, and she tries to cheer him up by putting on her wedding veil and showing him some old photos. They reminisce, and it puts him in a better mood. They talk about what an angel their Lety is, too.
Later, at lunch, they tease Tomas about his lost phone and the friendly-sounding woman who called for him.
Lola's, Paula Maria's, and Saimon's stories:
Some of the feas go into the bathroom before leaving for lunch, and they catch Marta snacking. Well, they suspect she's snacking, but she denies it, because her autosuggestion diet is working so incredibly well. After they leave, the snack that she had so hurriedly stuffed into her purse is all crushed and ruined. (This was probably a lot funnier for people who actually understood the conversation.)
The feas wait around the elevator to go to lunch. They tease Saimon about something (possibly Yazmin). By the way, the reason Paula Maria is being so mean to Saimon is because she's still mad at him for going out on a date with Yazmin. It had been Lola's idea to get Saimon to go on a date with Yazmin, and then arrange for her ex-husband to catch them, so he'd find out what kind of person she is (not that he's any prize himself). Either Saimon didn't realize it was a setup or else he decided he wanted Yazmin all to himself, so he took her to a different restaurant, and Lola's ex never caught them.
Anyway, Lety gets off the elevator and chats with the feas with elaborate casualness. Then, grinning, she announces that they will all get their paychecks by the end of the day. They all cheer, hug, and jump up and down. Saimon and PM accidentally hug, then separate hurriedly.
At the end of the day, the feas congregate around the elevator once again, and Saimon chats with Celso, the security guy. Lety comes down, and they all congratulate and hug Saimon (and once again, I have no idea what this is all about, so if anyone could shed any light on this, I'd appreciate it) on their way out.
After they all leave, Saimon cries and says he's an idiot. I won't argue with him, and I know why he's an idiot, but I wish I knew why HE thinks he's an idiot. :-)
The next day, Saimon and Alicia joke about knowing each others' names. Something about Saimon vs. Simon. (Why can't I ever figure out what's going on in any of Saimon's scenes?) Lopez wanders by and Alicia tattles to him about Paula Maria's frequent tardiness. (If it's late enough for PM to be late, shouldn't Alicia be at her own desk by now?) Fernando shows up and points out that Alicia is hardly the queen of punctuality herself. Saimon begs Fernando to have mercy on PM, but Fern and Marcia agree to leave it up to Lopez. I guess they feel like Lopez ought to have SOME say in personnel matters once in a while. But Fernando also decides to punish Alicia by giving her PM's job! It's something of a demotion, plus she will have to be more punctual and courteous.
The feas discuss PM's firing and wonder where she is. She finally shows up with her son. Something unfortunate has happened (I think she's been kicked out of her home, but doesn't she live with her mom?). I mean, it must have been something VERY bad, because she's dressed more modestly than usual (that is, she's wearing a tiny tube top under her open jacket, as opposed to a bra under her open jacket like she wore the day before; Alicia looks like a nun compared to the way PM usually dresses). Celso acts as a go-between in Saimon and PM's conversation, as Saimon tells PM that Lopez is waiting to see her. This has been a running joke between Saimon and PM, because they've been angry with one another, but at the moment it seems not to be doing a good job of lightening the mood in the room.
PM and the feas retire to their secret meeting room (aka the ladies' room) to discuss the situation away from PM Jr., who is being entertained by Saimon and Celso over by the elevator. They hope that Lety, who is taking the morning off on some mysterious errand, will be able to help.
Lopez starts banging on the door. (The thought of Lopez "banging" anything is pretty grotesque, isn't it? Never mind.) I have to give this guy credit for being possibly the only person in the company to spend more than 40% of his on-camera time doing his actual job rather than gossipping or swooning, but he's still a creep. Anyway, the feas try to protect PM, and appeal to Marcia again for mercy, but again she says no. PM is fired. Lola says something to Lopez that gets bleeped. (Anyone know what word(s) you can say on Mexican TV but not on Univision?)
PM runs into Alicia on the way out. Alicia apologizes profusely. PM angrily tells her that she's crazy.
Saimon has been putting styling gel in PM Jr's hair. PM calls her latest boyfriend to explain her situation. Saimon covers Jr.'s ears so he doesn't hear any more bad news or adult conversation, and Celso covers Saimon's ears so he doesn't hear any lovey-dovey talk. PM tells her bf she needs help. He tells her... I'm not sure. I think he tells her he's going to Greece, but in any case, he's not going to be able to help her. She thanks him sadly and tells him not to worry. She hangs up the phone. Saimon is furious that this is happening to Paula Maria.
Fernando stops into his lobby to find the feas pleading again on PM's behalf. Then Saimon comes up to add his own heartfelt, flowery pleas. They all sneak down by the elevators while PM and Jr. discuss their future. Jr. says something about his grandparents and cousins. They are both crying and frightened. Meanwhile, Saimon grips Marcia's hand and sobs in PM's defense. Whatever he's saying, he has everyone in tears. This is a really touching scene! He says something about PM's family and the family of Conceptos, or something like that - another case where Saimon says things I'd like to understand, but can't.
Alicia watches discreetly in a doorway with tears in her eyes as well, so I guess there's more to this than just hating to be a receptionist. Maybe her brush with poverty has made her a nicer person, or maybe her head has simply sprung a leak.
There is a lot of hugging and crying. Fernando goes back to his office. Marcia asks PM up to her office, where she reprimands PM for I don't know what (probably tardiness), but she's pretty mad. They have a conversation which is probably very important to the story, but all I can tell you about it is that there was a lot of talk about boyfriends, and PM tells Marcia that her life is very difficult. I think she also tells Marcia that Jr. needs a father figure, and that the time she spends with men are for Jr's benefit, and not to entertain men in bed. (I'm not at all sure that's what she said, but she did say something about bed.) Marcia says some encouraging things to her, including something about Saimon. I think she is telling PM that she is lucky to have something real with Saimon, and shouldn't push that aside to chase a her idea of what she thinks she deserves. Maybe Saimon could be more if he had a woman to encourage him, or somesuch. She tells PM that PM is the woman that Saimon needs (much as Fern often tells Lety that she is the woman he needs).
I think they must keep special staff on hand to put drops in Marcia's eyes so they don't dry out during all these scenes where she doesn't blink.
While loafing in the hallways waiting to hear of PM's fate, Lola and Marta are approached by Yazmin, who brags to them about all the great things Lola's ex is doing for her. Lola says something to hurt Yazmin's feelings. I think Yazmin is trying to get Lola to pay for that cell phone she broke, though, and she threatens to go to Lopez (he's having a busy day). Lola makes nice with Yazmin, but you can tell she's going to be sore tomorrow.
The feas and Alicia wait and pace outside Marcia's door. Marcia and PM emerge, PM still dabbing at her eyes. In her whiny voice, Alicia begs Marcia to say what she decided. Marcia says she's going to give PM another chance. Alicia turns into a hugging whirlwind, hugging all of the feas, but stops short of hugging PM. To PM, she becomes very formal and says only that she's happy for her. Marcia says she wants it to be clear that this is PM's final chance. Lola then asks for a moment of Marcia's time, probably to talk about Yazmin and the cell phone.
This has all been extremely heavy. I suspect I have missed some subtleties here, especially with Alicia's unexpected attack of sympathy.
Saimon entertains Jr. down in the lobby while they wait for PM. They talk about Santa Claus (??). I think they are talking about a happy place to live. Jr. says something about his grandparents, and his father. Mention of Jr's dad deflates Saimon somewhat. They continue killing time playing hopscotch and talking to Celso.
PM finally comes down and gives her good news. She thanks Saimon and gives him a big hug. Says lots of nice things to him. Celso puts his hand on his belly and starts laughing like Santa Claus. Saimon gives him a vexed look. More happy words are exchanged.
Just then, The New Lety makes her grand entrance. More on that later.
Lola calls her ex-husband and argues with him about his child support payments. While the individual words elude me, I can tell that the call is stressing him out. Good! That's what he gets for taking up with Yazmin. Later, he tries to flirt with a young hottie at his office, who serves up some legal papers and turns him down. One of his coworkers laughs at him. He is extremely unhappy about whatever's in those legal papers.
Next thing we know, he's out in the street, yelling all panicky into his cell phone, annoying passersby. (Maybe his car has been reposessed?) He is so distracted, he nearly gets run over by a Jeep. He yells something about a shirt and some fire. Then he steps into a manhole and gets stuck! (Maybe he'll sue!) A woman thinks he's panhandling and gives him some money.
Later, he is wheeled into the ER on a stretcher. His neck is in a brace, and he's still babbling. He receives a shot from a very large needle, and from the look on his face, I think it's in the butt. The music in this scene reminds me of the Benny Hill theme as played on kazoos. Wacky!
There is more to the Lola/Ex situation, which Lola discusses with the feas, but I don't understand it. Then Lopez interrupts. I think he threatens to fire them, but I'm not sure why. Maybe because they're loafing and gossiping as usual. Later they converse some more in the restroom, which also goes over my head.
Yazmin needs a new phone (Marcia and Lola have worked payment for the phone Lola broke), and Saimon flirts with her like CRAZY and offers her a ride into town on their lunch hour. When the time comes, Saimon and Celso entertain PM Jr. by posing for him while he pretends to be a photographer. Paula Maria tries to make nice with Saimon, but now that she's out of jeopardy, he's gone back to giving her the cold shoulder. Before she has a chance to react, the elevator door opens, revealing Yazmin. Saimon practically shoves Jr. out of his way to greet her. PM is disgusted.
On their date, Yazmin actually asks about PM. Saimon's lengthy, charming answer mostly goes over my head, but basically adds up to, "eh, don't worry about Paula Maria."
Marcia & Alicia's stories:
At first, Luigi teases Marcia and Alicia about this mysterious Delfina Augustini whose love poem found its way to Fernando's desk. He knows who she is. He tells them she is a famous, sexy poet from Uruguay. Since she is obviously in town, Alicia and Marcia want to know where she is staying. Somewhere in the city? In a hotel or an apartment? Luigi tells them she's actually been dead for several decades. Then he excuses himself, because he needs to do some actual work. (The company is doing a campaign for some makeup line called "Bella Life.") I'm glad someone in that place besides Lety and Lopez is spending time on something other than gossip.
Alicia, who hasn't seen the scroll herself, suggests having a handwriting expert analyze it. Marcia says no, it was done on a computer, with professional graphics equipment. In other words, it was probably done by someone within the company. But who?
It's a good thing Marcia doesn't have any serious responsibilities at Conceptos, or the company would be in big trouble.
Oh... right. Never mind.
Marcia approaches Celso, the security guy, and very calmly and politely asks him who Fernando left the office with last night. Celso says it was Lety. Marcia very calmly and politely thanks him.
Alicia is overjoyed to have her paycheck, but gets all frosty when Lety passes through the lobby on her way out. She and Marcia taunt Lety, and Lety just says goodbye. Marcia tells Alicia that Fernando left the office with Lety last night. They exchange a few words about this. I think Marcia is just obsessing more about how Lety is keeping all of Fern's secrets, and I think Alicia actually scolds her for letting Fernando get away with so much. Alicia also keeps playing with her paycheck and kissing it. Which is probably the most sincere affection she's ever displayed in her entire life. So nice to know there is love in her heart.
Alicia swipes Omar's car keys and hides them in her cleavage, where they will probably have to be retrieved by a professional mining rescue team. Fernando and Marcia spar verbally over his evening's plans (I guess their breakup didn't quite "take"), and one of them says something about picking something up at the grocery store.
Omar can't find his keys. Alicia, who thinks that having enough money to put gas in her car makes her a worthwhile human being, offers him a ride home, flipping her hair constantly. Omar refuses. He's got the look on his face and the tone in his voice that you'd use if a beloved child offered you a piece of dog turd mudpie. He bums a ride home with a pretty model instead.
(Does this mean he's no longer worried about Ariel getting information out of Alicia, or has he simply concluded that Alicia isn't smart enough to have useful information? He's always nagging Fern to be romantic with Lety, but he can't take one for the team himself? I'd like to know what's going on here - in the Colombian show, she pretended briefly to be pregnant with his child and that probably scared him off, but I don't know if that happened in this show or not because I wasn't watching yet.)
The next day, after Paula Maria's firing and Alicia's demotion, Alicia whines and begs Fern for mercy, but Fern mocks her. She also begs Lopez for mercy, and he walks away in disgust (and let me tell you, you have to be pretty disgusting to disgust Lopez). She whines and begs Marcia for mercy as well, rants and raves, says why don't they just send her to work in the cafeteria. Luigi interrupts to ask a question about makeup.
Omar comes in late, with last night's transportation on his arm. Luigi scolds him (I think for not letting his precious model get her beauty sleep) and Omar asks his secretary if she's seen his keys.
Alicia begs Marcia to give PM her job back. She seems genuine and sincere. I'm not sure what is motivating this. Is Jessica Rabbit actually experiencing the strange human emotion of guilt? Or is this another tactic to get out of becoming the Conceptos receptionist? Whatever the case, Marcia is unable or unwilling to help. Evidently, she's given up on the idea that Alicia can spy on Fernando for her. Then Fern walks in on them and tells Alicia to get back to the reception area.
Later, when the feas have all gone to lunch, we get another taste of the verbal abuse that awaits those who have the misfortune to have their calls taken by Alicia. One such caller is Lola's daughter. Alicia tells the child that she's not Lola's secretary and she only talks to important people.
Shortly afterwards, Alicia complains to Marcia that Fernando's phone keeps ringing (Lety is still at lunch). Marcia suggests that perhaps Alicia should answer her boss's phone. Marcia also takes the opportunity to search Fern's desk for clues, not that she would know a clue if it introduced itself to her.
Alicia answers the phone. A man is asking for Lety. Alicia asks who's calling, and he says it's Tomas. He asks who she is, and she says she's Alicia. Tomas hyperventilates, and that's the end of this episode. (You can just imagine where THIS is going...)
Main story (Lety, Fern, & Omar):
You will recall that last week's episodes ended with Marcia bursting into Lety's office and biting her head off, and Fernando and Omar panicking because Lety dumped Fernando. (On the other hand, Fernando seems pretty relaxed about being dumped by Marcia. I suppose he is used to it.)
Marcia and Lety have a dramatic argument about Lety's relationship with with Fern. Then Lety snaps out of a daydream - Marcia only wants to know about some sales figures.
Lety calls home to ask Tomas about the shadow company's bank balances, to find out if they have the money to cover payroll at Conceptos. Dad tells her that Tomas left in a hurry (he's meeting with that woman from the bar), so she tries to get him on his cell phone. An unfamiliar woman's voice answers.
Omar and Fern listen in Fern's office. They hear Lety grilling this woman as to who she is, why is she answering Tomas's phone, and where is Tomas. This conversation only confuses Omar and Fern even more. Then Tomas calls Lety back, and O&F hear what sounds like a serious lovers' quarrel on their end, casting doubt on her earlier denials that Tomas is not her boyfriend. It sounds to them as if Lety is angry and jealous, but in fact she just wants to know why Tomas is letting some bimbo play with the shadow company's precious cell phone.
Fern and O continue to discuss and speculate on the ramifications of Lety breaking up with Fern, and the nature of her relationship with Tomas. Omar points out that even if Tomas isn't a temptation to Lety at the moment, there is still reason to be worried about him. There are lots of reasons he might be more appealing to her. They're from similar backgrounds, and he's not engaged, and he's not her boss.
(Work? What work? It's a good thing Fernando and Omar don't have any serious responsibilities at Conceptos, or the company would be in big trouble. Oh... right. Never mind.)
Omar tells Fernando that if anything, he needs to escalate their relationship. Nice restaurants, going out in public, and you-know what. This puts Fern in a foul mood. He says he feels guilty for taking advantage of Lety.
At lunch, Lety says goodbye to Fern and tells him the payroll payment is coming, but he only says goodbye gruffly. He is drinking alone in the boardroom. She offers to bring him back some food, but he refuses. He mumbles some harsh words to himself. Meanwhile, Marcia looks in the mirror and recalls Alicia's harsh words to her for letting Fernando get away with so much.
Later, at going-home time, Lety and Fernando talk some more. He tells her again that he needs her. Luigi interrupts - remember, he's one of the people in that office who actually works, and he has some concerns about the Bella Life campaign - and Lety gladly makes her escape, much to Fernando's dismay. Luigi annoys Fernando with work-related ranting and raving, and then Omar arrives. Luigi leaves at last, but only after dropping the names of some big-time models.
Omar asks Fernando where is Lety, and Fern says she left. Omar shows Fern a really repulsive stuffed animal - I can't tell whether it's a dog or an elephant or what; it has a human-looking smile and is a collage of different pastel colors, and I think it plays music - and he suggests that Fern give it to Lety. Ugh!! (Update: I saw the U.S. version of this creepy thing at Kmart. It's called Laugh & Learn).
Lety gets home and finds pictures of Alicia prominently displayed. She protests about them to Tomas.
Fernando, who isn't finished patching up his relationship with Lety yet, drives to her house and calls on his cell phone. RoboPapa answers. Tomas seems jealous. Dad is outraged that Lety is going to meet with her boss in her boss's car. It's scandalous! He wants Fern to come in and have dinner with them, but since Fern actually wants to talk about "us," that's not really an option.
Unfortunately, this episode (Tuesday's) is dialogue-heavy and most of that dialogue goes over my head. But here's what I got:
She gets in the car. He asks some difficult questions, especially questions about Tomas. They argue. He starts the car and I think only goes a short distance away, like around the corner - just far enough so RoboPapa can't watch them. Of course, seeing them drive away infuriates RoboPapa too!
They drive into an alley. Lety accidentally opens the top on the Fern's convertible. They talk romantically, but he still seems upset. Some people walk past the car and he tries to hide, while telling her that she's his life. (His SECRET life, apparently!) He closes the roof and kisses her. After a moment it starts looking passionate. The neighborhood gang happens upon the car and draws closer for a look.
Lety releases Fern from her passionate clutch, and accidentally opens the roof again. He starts babbling about love. He sounds pretty ridiculous. They are much too absorbed in their bizarre conversation to notice the neighborhood gang, who watch all of this in horrified fascination. Fern closes the roof and while they suck face some more, the gang surrounds the car and start shaking it. Lety pulls away and dreamily says that the earth is moving.
Fernando gets out of the car. Lety is still puckered up and perhaps her eyes are closed, because she still doesn't know what's going on right away. The gang taunts him about Lety, his expensive suit, etc. He taunts them back. Trash talk escalates to pushing, then shaking, then slapping. Lety looks nervous, and a rumble ensues! Fernando fights like a telenovela champ, making wisecracks between blows to lighten the mood! (Seriously, I couldn't tell whether this fight was supposed to be funny or scary. It looked like Fern and Lety were in real danger, but just add some Batman TV theme music and some "POW!!" graphics and it would have been hilarious.)
All this time, RoboPapa has been obsessing about the impropriety of his daughter going away with some man in a car. At one point, Tomas jokes that it's a good thing Lety's not pretty, or it'd be even worse. He makes other snide remarks that I don't quite get, but fortunately Mom is there to smack him. Nice, Tomas. Anyway, RoboPapa goes off to look for Lety.
Just when the rumble seems to be done, Fernando makes another dumb remark and the gang comes back. Dad arrives and assists, ending the fight. (Who are these loserly thugs who can't beat up a guy in a suit and an old man?)
Fern has been hurt. He's got a cut on his face and seems sore all over.
After this, there is a lot of talking. RoboPapa grills them - probably wanting to know why they couldn't meet at a decent place rather than an alley. Then he shakes Fern's hand, perhaps to thank him for defending Lety, and Fern looks relieved. Then RoboPapa has some more harsh words, and there's a lot of arguing. Lety and Dad leave. Fern kisses his car tenderly and then follows them. As soon as he leaves the alley, one of the neighborhood guys comes back and starts fiddling with his tires.
Marcia mumbles sadly to herself at her apartment. She's still waiting for her boyfriend to come over with the groceries.
Lety and Fern argue outside Lety's house. I fail to entiendo most of their conversation, but I do note that he asks why didn't Tomas come out to defend her. She moves in for a kiss, puckering hideously again, but he backs away, saying he doesn't want Dad to catch them. She steals a peck and goes in. Fern stands there alone for a moment, watching with detached interest as a man rolls an expensive tire past him on the sidewalk.
Somehow, Fernando gets to Marcia's place. Marcia is upset by his disheveled appearance. He makes up a story, which is no doubt hilarious, and mentions that there were 15 men, which makes her suspicious. She must have something up her sleeve, because she doesn't push it (I believe she plans on making nice with him, and having Lety followed).
Marcia dabs at his cut and presses some ice on his bruise, while Fernando looks guilty. I think she starts talking about their wedding (I can't tell). He turns on the TV, and Lety is on some variety show, looking all frumpy and excited. She announces her love for Fernando to the entire world, then sings a song about it. The audience cheers wildly, including that pop singer who was at the nightclub the night they had their first kiss. Fernando springs up from the sofa in dread and confusion. Marcia is speechless (well, almost speechless) with fury.
Obviously it's all a dream, but whose? (episode ends...)
It's Fernando's! He drifted off while Marcia was tending to his injuries. Yeah, right. I always fall asleep when someone's poking my face with ice. He wakes with a start, and tells Marcia he was dreaming about his fight.
Lety writes in her diary with a glow-pen. That's right, much as Jedi have different colored lightsabers, feas have different colored glow-pens. Lety's is blue, just like Obi-Wan Kenobi's. I don't know why I felt a need to share that, but there it is. With Jedi-like precision, Lety tells her diary that she is going to "change" for Fernando and not be ugly. She gives her paycheck to Dad and says something about buying new clothes. Mom gets excited and they agree to go shopping together.
While Fernando irritably eats breakfast at Marcia's (he's stiff and sore), his cell phone rings. He doesn't recognize the number, and Marcia urges him not to answer it. Being the loving, courteous fiance he is, he ignores her and answers this semi-anonymous phone call right at the breakfast table. It's Lety, wanting to know if she can have some time off. He tells her to come in no later than 11 (the stores and beauty parlors must open really early in Mexico). She also wants to know if he's at Marcia's. (Don't ask if you don't want to know, kiddo!) Marcia is annoyed by the conversation. She blinks angrily.
Lety also tells Tomas she's going to "change." Clothes, makeup, hair. Tomas is aghast. I don't know why. They joke about whether she will look like Alicia. Mom and Lety leave to go on their errands.
Lety and Mom are at a fashionable boutique. Lety picks out an outfit that I frankly think is horrible, but I guess it isn't supposed to be. She is just about to try it on, when a prettier woman walks by in the same outfit. Lety is deflated and doesn't buy that outfit. What does she buy instead? Too late in the episode to say! Lety and Mom then go to a beauty parlor for a makeover. How does that turn out? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
At the office, Luigi waits for Fern in Fern's chair. Fern is paying attention to something else when he comes in, and sits on Luigi by mistake. Hilarity ensues, perhaps.
Later, Omar catches Fern putting on some makeup to cover up his bruise, which looks different in practically every scene. Omar asks who Fernando was fighting about, and Fern rolls his eyes and does a mean (both skillful and unkind) imitation of Lety's giggle.
Omar teases Fern about the fight. Fernando does not want to hear or speak of it ever again. He begs Omar to "zeep eet." Omar is very amused when Fern tells him how the gang told him and Lety to rent a room. And he doesn't believe Fern when he repeatedly says that it was 15, "quince, feefteen, feefteen!!" men. (episode ends)
Okay, now it's tomorrow (in real life, not on the show). Lety is at the beauty parlor, and we are treated to a montage of her makeover. We can't really tell what's going on, but there are a lot of different products involved. We are given the impression that this is a highly complicated procedure.
Lola and Marta ask Fernando about his face. He gives them the no-Lety version of his story about being attacked by 15 men.
Lety finally arrives at work just as the Paula Maria drama is winding down. We don't see Lety - we see everyone's shocked faces (from her POV) as they react to The New Lety. They all smile broadly, but they look a little scared, too. A hand in a bright green sleeve reaches for the elevator buttons...
We see more shocked faces in the executive lobby. Lety's voice is loud and it sounds worse than usual, although I think it's supposed to be part of her "new," confident personality. Alicia is stunned. She drops her pen and brings her hands to her mouth. She is stifling a laugh.
Lety is yelling (really hollering) "HOLA!!!" confidently in every direction. After the shock fades from Marta's face, she gives a pitying smile.
Strangers are just laughing.
That green sleeve pushes open the door to Fern's office. He stutters and asks what it is.
Then we see it: a vision in green. And black. And white. There are polka-dots. It looks like VH1's "I love the 80's" threw up on her.
There's a big creepy-looking green "flower" in her ghastly new hairdo, but as a flower, it would make a great spider, or maybe some sort of sea creature. There are large pink splotches on her cheeks.
But don't worry. She still has the mustache!
This was all done professionally at a beauty parlor. She paid good money for this!
She strikes a pose, then sashays past his desk. In her office, there's another "muy gay" card with a heart on it.
Fern flips out for a while alone in his office, ranting and raving about... whatever. It's funny, even without understanding his words. :-)
Alicia tells Marcia about Lety's makeover. She is laughing so hard, she's crying. Marcia seems only faintly amused and curious, but she hasn't seen The New Lety yet. Alicia also asks about Fern's face. Word is getting around that his bruises were caused by Marcia. This does not amuse Marcia at all.
Marcia asks Fernando if he thinks that she could actually hit him. He says sure. This seems to hurt her feelings. (I don't know. Can you punch someone without blinking?) By the way, I hate what she's wearing. I think she then promises never to smack him in the head. Then she gets all kissy and playful with him, just as Lety opens the door to her office and sees them. She excuses herself and turns away. Marcia and Fern desist. Lety says hi nervously to Marcia. Guilt is written all over Lety's face (or maybe that's just some inexpertly applied makeup). Marcia's face is frozen (more so than usual) with shock. Lety leaves, and Marcia bursts out laughing like we've never seen her do before, and says (among other things) that Lety looks like she stuck her finger in an electrical outlet. She crosses her eyes and makes a face. Lety hears this (well, not the crossing eyes) outside the door, frowns, and walks away before she has a chance to hear Fernando tell Marcia to stop. Then they talk about business for nearly a full minute - it's a banner day at Conceptos!
Marcia finds Alicia in the lobby to let her know that indeed, she has seen The New Lety and is now ready to join in the mockery. Fern sneaks up on them and starts laughing and clapping and jumping up and down, mocking them. Lety enters the lobby and before she can hear their joking, Luigi runs into her and, seeing her for the first time, starts screaming. The colors have frightened him. She hurries away. I think Luigi asks if Lety is OK, and says that the floral ornament in her hair looks like some type of carnivorous monster. As Luigi, Marcia, and Alicia continue laughing, Fern looks guilty.
The Bella Life clients arrive, and Luigi gives a video presentation of the new commercial. The new perfume is called "Secretos," and it's sensual. So says Luigi. The clients seem to be impressed.
In Fern's office, Omar and Fern discuss "the luke," which Omar has not seen yet. Fern keeps saying "the luke," and at first I don't understand what he means. He starts doing it with gritted teeth and air quotes, and then I realize, he means "the look." It's funny - Fern only speaks Eengleesh when he's experiencing extreme emotional agony. The entire world is talking about it, he says. At first, Omar doesn't know what Fern is talking about. When he finds out he's referring to Lety, he is consumed with morbid curiosity. He opens the door to her office and finds her preening in front of a makeup mirror. (It's amazing that with all that makeup, you can still see all her zits.) Omar greets her politely with amazing restraint. She fluffs her hair at him (she was right - it's nothing like Alicia) and he retreats back into Fern's office. After he leaves, Lety delightedly tells herself she's made yet another impression.
Oh yes. Yes she has indeed.
Omar nearly hyperventilates. He tells Fern that there's only one reason a woman changes her "luke" - to impress a boyfriend, a spouse, or a lover. He says he can tell that Lety must be really warm for Fern's form (or perhaps Tomas's) to have made such a drastic transformation. Fern is very upset. Omar talks about primitive passion and makes growling noises. He's barely stifling his giggles, but Fern doesn't see the humor in having to kiss the New Luke. I mean The New Lety.
Omar asks Fern if he still has that helpful photo. Fern says yes, but Omar says it's too tame, and produces a new photo of a beautiful model in a bikini. This is the photo that Fern is supposed to mentally plaster over Lety every time he looks at her. Good luck with that - it's much too small. Fern takes it and imitates Omar drooling and snorting over it like a pig or a gorilla.
Lety interrupts them and he hurriedly sets the photo aside. She spies the photo and cheerfully says the model is very pretty. She excuses herself to go to lunch.
Omar and Fern also go to lunch. Omar tells Fernando that his relationship with Lety must become sexual, or it won't last. Fernando says that's not the kind of relationship they have. Plus, he says, he has Marcia for that sort of thing. (Ouch!) Omar also suggests plastic surgery, to turn Lety into the woman in the photo. It could be a business expense!
At first Fernando just laughs sarcastically, but then he points out that there would be no way to pay for it without having to explain it to Marcia.
Back to the Feas...
The horrified feas agree among themselves that someone needs to talk to Lety about her makeover, because it has been the opposite of an improvement. They are all embarrassed for her. They excuse themselves to Fernando and ask to speak to Lety. In her office, they ask what's going on. They see that she's received a romantic card. They are curious about her new novio. She tells them she's too busy to chat now, so they ask her to go to lunch.
The New Lety meets Yazmin in a hallway, and changes her gait to an exaggerated cheesecakey model type of walk. Since this happens in the background and at the edge of the frame, it'd be easy to miss if not for her bright green... well, let's just call it a garment. It's a hilarious effect (the walk, I mean, not the green) and is practically thrown away. A few scenes later, however, when Lola gives Yazmin the money for her new phone, Lety stands behind Yazmin and mimics her every move and mannerism. That's even funnier. So much funnier that I missed the catty conversation that Yazmin had with Lola and the feas (sounds like a 70's lounge act, doesn't it?). The feas express their appreciation for her performance after Yazmin leaves. They needed someone to lighten the mood.
Apparently, at some point Fernando and Lety agreed that Lety will renew the rumor that Tomas is her boyfriend. This will reduce the possibility that anyone will suspect that she and Fernando are amantes. The feas want to hear all about Tomas at lunch. She tells the made-up story of their courtship - he came over to the house last night to speak with her. I can't make out the rest of the story, partly because she is rudely recounting it in Spanish, but also because there's so much giggling. Plus, they're at an outdoor restaurant and the sound quality is terrible.
PM pulls Lety aside to give her some advice. (Frankly, I'm not sure PM should be giving anyone advice about men.) This is one of those times when you don't need a lot of Spanish to understand the conversation - PM tells Lety that her relationship with Tomas must become sexual, or it won't last. Lety says that's not the kind of relationship they have. (Does this conversation sound familiar? It's intercut with Omar & Fernando saying the same thing.) Hey, Omar and PM are so much alike, maybe they should... oh... right. Never mind. All of PM's sexy talk seems to intimidate Lety. She protests that she and Tomas are interested in books and finance, but PM wants to talk about tearing clothes off in the dark. Lety's eyelid flutters nervously (revealing thick, harsh blue eye shadow).
PM tells Lety that there are two reasons a man doesn't try to push sex on a woman: either he's gay, or he's just not attracted to her. This saddens Lety.
PM and Lety return to the feas' table. They ask where she got her groovy threads and hairdo. Lety explains that she went to a nice store, but the clothes were for a different sort of woman than her - tall and glamorous - so they went to her mom's favorite store instead, which she says is also quite exclusive (Lola mumbles "exclusive for feas" loud enough for Lety to hear).
As for the hair, they looked at some pictures, but (I think she says) the women in those pictures were too pretty too, therefore those hairstyles weren't for the likes of her. (That doesn't make any sense to me, but that's what I think she says.) So, she says, she made up a hairstyle that was inspired by each of the feas! They all tell her how lovely it is.
Will Lety stick with her New Luke? Will Tomas seduce Alicia over the phone? Will Lola's ex sue the city? Will Marcia blink again? Tune in next week to find out! Same fea time, same fea channel!
I also decided to organize my recaps into a few different storylines, rather than jumping back and forth, because it's a more coherent way to summarize a week's worth of stuff. At least, I think it might be. There's a lot of overlap, but I think I can make it work. We'll see.
Oh and I lost a whole page of notes, so some of this is reconstructed from memory. On with the shoe!
Tomas's story:
Last week, Tomas lent his cell phone to a woman he met at a bar, who was introduced by those two older dudes who I assume Tomas is investing the shadow company's money with (that's just my guess as to who they are). She left the bar without giving the phone back, and Tomas was too drunk to realize that until later. The next day, either she or her friend (I lost track) used that phone to call him, and told him to meet her someplace so she could give it back to him.
Tomas gets there as soon as he can, telling the woman that his chauffeur dropped him off. The woman flirts with Tomas and won't let him have the phone until he promises to take her to the most exclusive restaurant in town. She also wants to know who Lety is, since Lety had called that phone earlier (more on that later). She teases Tomas, wanting to know if Lety is his girlfriend.
Tomas nervously calls Lety, wanting to know what's up. Lety just needs to make sure that there's enough money in the shadow company's account to make payroll for Conceptos. Tomas rattles off a lot of numbers from memory, right in front of that woman, while the woman continues to grope and flirt with him. Uh, bad move, Tomas. I'm not sure if Tomas's old dude friends have actually hired this woman to spy on Tomas, or if it's just a lucky coincidence and she's going to try to sell them this info later, but it's clear that he has said way too much. (I'm also not sure if she realizes that he's not the bigshot he claims to be, though she'd have to be pretty stupid to buy his silly act.)
Anyway... it's time to go to dinner, or to her place, or something, so he tells her to wait there and he'll go find his chauffeur. (I guess this imaginary chauffeur doesn't have an imaginary cell phone.) As soon as he is out of her sight, he runs away.
Mom & Dad's story:
Not that there is much to tell, but it seems RoboPapa has lost his job and is depressed and grumpy (yeah, I know, he's always grumpy anyway). Mom has found some of their wedding stuff in a closet, and she tries to cheer him up by putting on her wedding veil and showing him some old photos. They reminisce, and it puts him in a better mood. They talk about what an angel their Lety is, too.
Later, at lunch, they tease Tomas about his lost phone and the friendly-sounding woman who called for him.
Lola's, Paula Maria's, and Saimon's stories:
Some of the feas go into the bathroom before leaving for lunch, and they catch Marta snacking. Well, they suspect she's snacking, but she denies it, because her autosuggestion diet is working so incredibly well. After they leave, the snack that she had so hurriedly stuffed into her purse is all crushed and ruined. (This was probably a lot funnier for people who actually understood the conversation.)
The feas wait around the elevator to go to lunch. They tease Saimon about something (possibly Yazmin). By the way, the reason Paula Maria is being so mean to Saimon is because she's still mad at him for going out on a date with Yazmin. It had been Lola's idea to get Saimon to go on a date with Yazmin, and then arrange for her ex-husband to catch them, so he'd find out what kind of person she is (not that he's any prize himself). Either Saimon didn't realize it was a setup or else he decided he wanted Yazmin all to himself, so he took her to a different restaurant, and Lola's ex never caught them.
Anyway, Lety gets off the elevator and chats with the feas with elaborate casualness. Then, grinning, she announces that they will all get their paychecks by the end of the day. They all cheer, hug, and jump up and down. Saimon and PM accidentally hug, then separate hurriedly.
At the end of the day, the feas congregate around the elevator once again, and Saimon chats with Celso, the security guy. Lety comes down, and they all congratulate and hug Saimon (and once again, I have no idea what this is all about, so if anyone could shed any light on this, I'd appreciate it) on their way out.
After they all leave, Saimon cries and says he's an idiot. I won't argue with him, and I know why he's an idiot, but I wish I knew why HE thinks he's an idiot. :-)
The next day, Saimon and Alicia joke about knowing each others' names. Something about Saimon vs. Simon. (Why can't I ever figure out what's going on in any of Saimon's scenes?) Lopez wanders by and Alicia tattles to him about Paula Maria's frequent tardiness. (If it's late enough for PM to be late, shouldn't Alicia be at her own desk by now?) Fernando shows up and points out that Alicia is hardly the queen of punctuality herself. Saimon begs Fernando to have mercy on PM, but Fern and Marcia agree to leave it up to Lopez. I guess they feel like Lopez ought to have SOME say in personnel matters once in a while. But Fernando also decides to punish Alicia by giving her PM's job! It's something of a demotion, plus she will have to be more punctual and courteous.
The feas discuss PM's firing and wonder where she is. She finally shows up with her son. Something unfortunate has happened (I think she's been kicked out of her home, but doesn't she live with her mom?). I mean, it must have been something VERY bad, because she's dressed more modestly than usual (that is, she's wearing a tiny tube top under her open jacket, as opposed to a bra under her open jacket like she wore the day before; Alicia looks like a nun compared to the way PM usually dresses). Celso acts as a go-between in Saimon and PM's conversation, as Saimon tells PM that Lopez is waiting to see her. This has been a running joke between Saimon and PM, because they've been angry with one another, but at the moment it seems not to be doing a good job of lightening the mood in the room.
PM and the feas retire to their secret meeting room (aka the ladies' room) to discuss the situation away from PM Jr., who is being entertained by Saimon and Celso over by the elevator. They hope that Lety, who is taking the morning off on some mysterious errand, will be able to help.
Lopez starts banging on the door. (The thought of Lopez "banging" anything is pretty grotesque, isn't it? Never mind.) I have to give this guy credit for being possibly the only person in the company to spend more than 40% of his on-camera time doing his actual job rather than gossipping or swooning, but he's still a creep. Anyway, the feas try to protect PM, and appeal to Marcia again for mercy, but again she says no. PM is fired. Lola says something to Lopez that gets bleeped. (Anyone know what word(s) you can say on Mexican TV but not on Univision?)
PM runs into Alicia on the way out. Alicia apologizes profusely. PM angrily tells her that she's crazy.
Saimon has been putting styling gel in PM Jr's hair. PM calls her latest boyfriend to explain her situation. Saimon covers Jr.'s ears so he doesn't hear any more bad news or adult conversation, and Celso covers Saimon's ears so he doesn't hear any lovey-dovey talk. PM tells her bf she needs help. He tells her... I'm not sure. I think he tells her he's going to Greece, but in any case, he's not going to be able to help her. She thanks him sadly and tells him not to worry. She hangs up the phone. Saimon is furious that this is happening to Paula Maria.
Fernando stops into his lobby to find the feas pleading again on PM's behalf. Then Saimon comes up to add his own heartfelt, flowery pleas. They all sneak down by the elevators while PM and Jr. discuss their future. Jr. says something about his grandparents and cousins. They are both crying and frightened. Meanwhile, Saimon grips Marcia's hand and sobs in PM's defense. Whatever he's saying, he has everyone in tears. This is a really touching scene! He says something about PM's family and the family of Conceptos, or something like that - another case where Saimon says things I'd like to understand, but can't.
Alicia watches discreetly in a doorway with tears in her eyes as well, so I guess there's more to this than just hating to be a receptionist. Maybe her brush with poverty has made her a nicer person, or maybe her head has simply sprung a leak.
There is a lot of hugging and crying. Fernando goes back to his office. Marcia asks PM up to her office, where she reprimands PM for I don't know what (probably tardiness), but she's pretty mad. They have a conversation which is probably very important to the story, but all I can tell you about it is that there was a lot of talk about boyfriends, and PM tells Marcia that her life is very difficult. I think she also tells Marcia that Jr. needs a father figure, and that the time she spends with men are for Jr's benefit, and not to entertain men in bed. (I'm not at all sure that's what she said, but she did say something about bed.) Marcia says some encouraging things to her, including something about Saimon. I think she is telling PM that she is lucky to have something real with Saimon, and shouldn't push that aside to chase a her idea of what she thinks she deserves. Maybe Saimon could be more if he had a woman to encourage him, or somesuch. She tells PM that PM is the woman that Saimon needs (much as Fern often tells Lety that she is the woman he needs).
I think they must keep special staff on hand to put drops in Marcia's eyes so they don't dry out during all these scenes where she doesn't blink.
While loafing in the hallways waiting to hear of PM's fate, Lola and Marta are approached by Yazmin, who brags to them about all the great things Lola's ex is doing for her. Lola says something to hurt Yazmin's feelings. I think Yazmin is trying to get Lola to pay for that cell phone she broke, though, and she threatens to go to Lopez (he's having a busy day). Lola makes nice with Yazmin, but you can tell she's going to be sore tomorrow.
The feas and Alicia wait and pace outside Marcia's door. Marcia and PM emerge, PM still dabbing at her eyes. In her whiny voice, Alicia begs Marcia to say what she decided. Marcia says she's going to give PM another chance. Alicia turns into a hugging whirlwind, hugging all of the feas, but stops short of hugging PM. To PM, she becomes very formal and says only that she's happy for her. Marcia says she wants it to be clear that this is PM's final chance. Lola then asks for a moment of Marcia's time, probably to talk about Yazmin and the cell phone.
This has all been extremely heavy. I suspect I have missed some subtleties here, especially with Alicia's unexpected attack of sympathy.
Saimon entertains Jr. down in the lobby while they wait for PM. They talk about Santa Claus (??). I think they are talking about a happy place to live. Jr. says something about his grandparents, and his father. Mention of Jr's dad deflates Saimon somewhat. They continue killing time playing hopscotch and talking to Celso.
PM finally comes down and gives her good news. She thanks Saimon and gives him a big hug. Says lots of nice things to him. Celso puts his hand on his belly and starts laughing like Santa Claus. Saimon gives him a vexed look. More happy words are exchanged.
Just then, The New Lety makes her grand entrance. More on that later.
Lola calls her ex-husband and argues with him about his child support payments. While the individual words elude me, I can tell that the call is stressing him out. Good! That's what he gets for taking up with Yazmin. Later, he tries to flirt with a young hottie at his office, who serves up some legal papers and turns him down. One of his coworkers laughs at him. He is extremely unhappy about whatever's in those legal papers.
Next thing we know, he's out in the street, yelling all panicky into his cell phone, annoying passersby. (Maybe his car has been reposessed?) He is so distracted, he nearly gets run over by a Jeep. He yells something about a shirt and some fire. Then he steps into a manhole and gets stuck! (Maybe he'll sue!) A woman thinks he's panhandling and gives him some money.
Later, he is wheeled into the ER on a stretcher. His neck is in a brace, and he's still babbling. He receives a shot from a very large needle, and from the look on his face, I think it's in the butt. The music in this scene reminds me of the Benny Hill theme as played on kazoos. Wacky!
There is more to the Lola/Ex situation, which Lola discusses with the feas, but I don't understand it. Then Lopez interrupts. I think he threatens to fire them, but I'm not sure why. Maybe because they're loafing and gossiping as usual. Later they converse some more in the restroom, which also goes over my head.
Yazmin needs a new phone (Marcia and Lola have worked payment for the phone Lola broke), and Saimon flirts with her like CRAZY and offers her a ride into town on their lunch hour. When the time comes, Saimon and Celso entertain PM Jr. by posing for him while he pretends to be a photographer. Paula Maria tries to make nice with Saimon, but now that she's out of jeopardy, he's gone back to giving her the cold shoulder. Before she has a chance to react, the elevator door opens, revealing Yazmin. Saimon practically shoves Jr. out of his way to greet her. PM is disgusted.
On their date, Yazmin actually asks about PM. Saimon's lengthy, charming answer mostly goes over my head, but basically adds up to, "eh, don't worry about Paula Maria."
Marcia & Alicia's stories:
At first, Luigi teases Marcia and Alicia about this mysterious Delfina Augustini whose love poem found its way to Fernando's desk. He knows who she is. He tells them she is a famous, sexy poet from Uruguay. Since she is obviously in town, Alicia and Marcia want to know where she is staying. Somewhere in the city? In a hotel or an apartment? Luigi tells them she's actually been dead for several decades. Then he excuses himself, because he needs to do some actual work. (The company is doing a campaign for some makeup line called "Bella Life.") I'm glad someone in that place besides Lety and Lopez is spending time on something other than gossip.
Alicia, who hasn't seen the scroll herself, suggests having a handwriting expert analyze it. Marcia says no, it was done on a computer, with professional graphics equipment. In other words, it was probably done by someone within the company. But who?
It's a good thing Marcia doesn't have any serious responsibilities at Conceptos, or the company would be in big trouble.
Oh... right. Never mind.
Marcia approaches Celso, the security guy, and very calmly and politely asks him who Fernando left the office with last night. Celso says it was Lety. Marcia very calmly and politely thanks him.
Alicia is overjoyed to have her paycheck, but gets all frosty when Lety passes through the lobby on her way out. She and Marcia taunt Lety, and Lety just says goodbye. Marcia tells Alicia that Fernando left the office with Lety last night. They exchange a few words about this. I think Marcia is just obsessing more about how Lety is keeping all of Fern's secrets, and I think Alicia actually scolds her for letting Fernando get away with so much. Alicia also keeps playing with her paycheck and kissing it. Which is probably the most sincere affection she's ever displayed in her entire life. So nice to know there is love in her heart.
Alicia swipes Omar's car keys and hides them in her cleavage, where they will probably have to be retrieved by a professional mining rescue team. Fernando and Marcia spar verbally over his evening's plans (I guess their breakup didn't quite "take"), and one of them says something about picking something up at the grocery store.
Omar can't find his keys. Alicia, who thinks that having enough money to put gas in her car makes her a worthwhile human being, offers him a ride home, flipping her hair constantly. Omar refuses. He's got the look on his face and the tone in his voice that you'd use if a beloved child offered you a piece of dog turd mudpie. He bums a ride home with a pretty model instead.
(Does this mean he's no longer worried about Ariel getting information out of Alicia, or has he simply concluded that Alicia isn't smart enough to have useful information? He's always nagging Fern to be romantic with Lety, but he can't take one for the team himself? I'd like to know what's going on here - in the Colombian show, she pretended briefly to be pregnant with his child and that probably scared him off, but I don't know if that happened in this show or not because I wasn't watching yet.)
The next day, after Paula Maria's firing and Alicia's demotion, Alicia whines and begs Fern for mercy, but Fern mocks her. She also begs Lopez for mercy, and he walks away in disgust (and let me tell you, you have to be pretty disgusting to disgust Lopez). She whines and begs Marcia for mercy as well, rants and raves, says why don't they just send her to work in the cafeteria. Luigi interrupts to ask a question about makeup.
Omar comes in late, with last night's transportation on his arm. Luigi scolds him (I think for not letting his precious model get her beauty sleep) and Omar asks his secretary if she's seen his keys.
Alicia begs Marcia to give PM her job back. She seems genuine and sincere. I'm not sure what is motivating this. Is Jessica Rabbit actually experiencing the strange human emotion of guilt? Or is this another tactic to get out of becoming the Conceptos receptionist? Whatever the case, Marcia is unable or unwilling to help. Evidently, she's given up on the idea that Alicia can spy on Fernando for her. Then Fern walks in on them and tells Alicia to get back to the reception area.
Later, when the feas have all gone to lunch, we get another taste of the verbal abuse that awaits those who have the misfortune to have their calls taken by Alicia. One such caller is Lola's daughter. Alicia tells the child that she's not Lola's secretary and she only talks to important people.
Shortly afterwards, Alicia complains to Marcia that Fernando's phone keeps ringing (Lety is still at lunch). Marcia suggests that perhaps Alicia should answer her boss's phone. Marcia also takes the opportunity to search Fern's desk for clues, not that she would know a clue if it introduced itself to her.
Alicia answers the phone. A man is asking for Lety. Alicia asks who's calling, and he says it's Tomas. He asks who she is, and she says she's Alicia. Tomas hyperventilates, and that's the end of this episode. (You can just imagine where THIS is going...)
Main story (Lety, Fern, & Omar):
You will recall that last week's episodes ended with Marcia bursting into Lety's office and biting her head off, and Fernando and Omar panicking because Lety dumped Fernando. (On the other hand, Fernando seems pretty relaxed about being dumped by Marcia. I suppose he is used to it.)
Marcia and Lety have a dramatic argument about Lety's relationship with with Fern. Then Lety snaps out of a daydream - Marcia only wants to know about some sales figures.
Lety calls home to ask Tomas about the shadow company's bank balances, to find out if they have the money to cover payroll at Conceptos. Dad tells her that Tomas left in a hurry (he's meeting with that woman from the bar), so she tries to get him on his cell phone. An unfamiliar woman's voice answers.
Omar and Fern listen in Fern's office. They hear Lety grilling this woman as to who she is, why is she answering Tomas's phone, and where is Tomas. This conversation only confuses Omar and Fern even more. Then Tomas calls Lety back, and O&F hear what sounds like a serious lovers' quarrel on their end, casting doubt on her earlier denials that Tomas is not her boyfriend. It sounds to them as if Lety is angry and jealous, but in fact she just wants to know why Tomas is letting some bimbo play with the shadow company's precious cell phone.
Fern and O continue to discuss and speculate on the ramifications of Lety breaking up with Fern, and the nature of her relationship with Tomas. Omar points out that even if Tomas isn't a temptation to Lety at the moment, there is still reason to be worried about him. There are lots of reasons he might be more appealing to her. They're from similar backgrounds, and he's not engaged, and he's not her boss.
(Work? What work? It's a good thing Fernando and Omar don't have any serious responsibilities at Conceptos, or the company would be in big trouble. Oh... right. Never mind.)
Omar tells Fernando that if anything, he needs to escalate their relationship. Nice restaurants, going out in public, and you-know what. This puts Fern in a foul mood. He says he feels guilty for taking advantage of Lety.
At lunch, Lety says goodbye to Fern and tells him the payroll payment is coming, but he only says goodbye gruffly. He is drinking alone in the boardroom. She offers to bring him back some food, but he refuses. He mumbles some harsh words to himself. Meanwhile, Marcia looks in the mirror and recalls Alicia's harsh words to her for letting Fernando get away with so much.
Later, at going-home time, Lety and Fernando talk some more. He tells her again that he needs her. Luigi interrupts - remember, he's one of the people in that office who actually works, and he has some concerns about the Bella Life campaign - and Lety gladly makes her escape, much to Fernando's dismay. Luigi annoys Fernando with work-related ranting and raving, and then Omar arrives. Luigi leaves at last, but only after dropping the names of some big-time models.
Omar asks Fernando where is Lety, and Fern says she left. Omar shows Fern a really repulsive stuffed animal - I can't tell whether it's a dog or an elephant or what; it has a human-looking smile and is a collage of different pastel colors, and I think it plays music - and he suggests that Fern give it to Lety. Ugh!! (Update: I saw the U.S. version of this creepy thing at Kmart. It's called Laugh & Learn).
Lety gets home and finds pictures of Alicia prominently displayed. She protests about them to Tomas.
Fernando, who isn't finished patching up his relationship with Lety yet, drives to her house and calls on his cell phone. RoboPapa answers. Tomas seems jealous. Dad is outraged that Lety is going to meet with her boss in her boss's car. It's scandalous! He wants Fern to come in and have dinner with them, but since Fern actually wants to talk about "us," that's not really an option.
Unfortunately, this episode (Tuesday's) is dialogue-heavy and most of that dialogue goes over my head. But here's what I got:
She gets in the car. He asks some difficult questions, especially questions about Tomas. They argue. He starts the car and I think only goes a short distance away, like around the corner - just far enough so RoboPapa can't watch them. Of course, seeing them drive away infuriates RoboPapa too!
They drive into an alley. Lety accidentally opens the top on the Fern's convertible. They talk romantically, but he still seems upset. Some people walk past the car and he tries to hide, while telling her that she's his life. (His SECRET life, apparently!) He closes the roof and kisses her. After a moment it starts looking passionate. The neighborhood gang happens upon the car and draws closer for a look.
Lety releases Fern from her passionate clutch, and accidentally opens the roof again. He starts babbling about love. He sounds pretty ridiculous. They are much too absorbed in their bizarre conversation to notice the neighborhood gang, who watch all of this in horrified fascination. Fern closes the roof and while they suck face some more, the gang surrounds the car and start shaking it. Lety pulls away and dreamily says that the earth is moving.
Fernando gets out of the car. Lety is still puckered up and perhaps her eyes are closed, because she still doesn't know what's going on right away. The gang taunts him about Lety, his expensive suit, etc. He taunts them back. Trash talk escalates to pushing, then shaking, then slapping. Lety looks nervous, and a rumble ensues! Fernando fights like a telenovela champ, making wisecracks between blows to lighten the mood! (Seriously, I couldn't tell whether this fight was supposed to be funny or scary. It looked like Fern and Lety were in real danger, but just add some Batman TV theme music and some "POW!!" graphics and it would have been hilarious.)
All this time, RoboPapa has been obsessing about the impropriety of his daughter going away with some man in a car. At one point, Tomas jokes that it's a good thing Lety's not pretty, or it'd be even worse. He makes other snide remarks that I don't quite get, but fortunately Mom is there to smack him. Nice, Tomas. Anyway, RoboPapa goes off to look for Lety.
Just when the rumble seems to be done, Fernando makes another dumb remark and the gang comes back. Dad arrives and assists, ending the fight. (Who are these loserly thugs who can't beat up a guy in a suit and an old man?)
Fern has been hurt. He's got a cut on his face and seems sore all over.
After this, there is a lot of talking. RoboPapa grills them - probably wanting to know why they couldn't meet at a decent place rather than an alley. Then he shakes Fern's hand, perhaps to thank him for defending Lety, and Fern looks relieved. Then RoboPapa has some more harsh words, and there's a lot of arguing. Lety and Dad leave. Fern kisses his car tenderly and then follows them. As soon as he leaves the alley, one of the neighborhood guys comes back and starts fiddling with his tires.
Marcia mumbles sadly to herself at her apartment. She's still waiting for her boyfriend to come over with the groceries.
Lety and Fern argue outside Lety's house. I fail to entiendo most of their conversation, but I do note that he asks why didn't Tomas come out to defend her. She moves in for a kiss, puckering hideously again, but he backs away, saying he doesn't want Dad to catch them. She steals a peck and goes in. Fern stands there alone for a moment, watching with detached interest as a man rolls an expensive tire past him on the sidewalk.
Somehow, Fernando gets to Marcia's place. Marcia is upset by his disheveled appearance. He makes up a story, which is no doubt hilarious, and mentions that there were 15 men, which makes her suspicious. She must have something up her sleeve, because she doesn't push it (I believe she plans on making nice with him, and having Lety followed).
Marcia dabs at his cut and presses some ice on his bruise, while Fernando looks guilty. I think she starts talking about their wedding (I can't tell). He turns on the TV, and Lety is on some variety show, looking all frumpy and excited. She announces her love for Fernando to the entire world, then sings a song about it. The audience cheers wildly, including that pop singer who was at the nightclub the night they had their first kiss. Fernando springs up from the sofa in dread and confusion. Marcia is speechless (well, almost speechless) with fury.
Obviously it's all a dream, but whose? (episode ends...)
It's Fernando's! He drifted off while Marcia was tending to his injuries. Yeah, right. I always fall asleep when someone's poking my face with ice. He wakes with a start, and tells Marcia he was dreaming about his fight.
Lety writes in her diary with a glow-pen. That's right, much as Jedi have different colored lightsabers, feas have different colored glow-pens. Lety's is blue, just like Obi-Wan Kenobi's. I don't know why I felt a need to share that, but there it is. With Jedi-like precision, Lety tells her diary that she is going to "change" for Fernando and not be ugly. She gives her paycheck to Dad and says something about buying new clothes. Mom gets excited and they agree to go shopping together.
While Fernando irritably eats breakfast at Marcia's (he's stiff and sore), his cell phone rings. He doesn't recognize the number, and Marcia urges him not to answer it. Being the loving, courteous fiance he is, he ignores her and answers this semi-anonymous phone call right at the breakfast table. It's Lety, wanting to know if she can have some time off. He tells her to come in no later than 11 (the stores and beauty parlors must open really early in Mexico). She also wants to know if he's at Marcia's. (Don't ask if you don't want to know, kiddo!) Marcia is annoyed by the conversation. She blinks angrily.
Lety also tells Tomas she's going to "change." Clothes, makeup, hair. Tomas is aghast. I don't know why. They joke about whether she will look like Alicia. Mom and Lety leave to go on their errands.
Lety and Mom are at a fashionable boutique. Lety picks out an outfit that I frankly think is horrible, but I guess it isn't supposed to be. She is just about to try it on, when a prettier woman walks by in the same outfit. Lety is deflated and doesn't buy that outfit. What does she buy instead? Too late in the episode to say! Lety and Mom then go to a beauty parlor for a makeover. How does that turn out? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
At the office, Luigi waits for Fern in Fern's chair. Fern is paying attention to something else when he comes in, and sits on Luigi by mistake. Hilarity ensues, perhaps.
Later, Omar catches Fern putting on some makeup to cover up his bruise, which looks different in practically every scene. Omar asks who Fernando was fighting about, and Fern rolls his eyes and does a mean (both skillful and unkind) imitation of Lety's giggle.
Omar teases Fern about the fight. Fernando does not want to hear or speak of it ever again. He begs Omar to "zeep eet." Omar is very amused when Fern tells him how the gang told him and Lety to rent a room. And he doesn't believe Fern when he repeatedly says that it was 15, "quince, feefteen, feefteen!!" men. (episode ends)
Okay, now it's tomorrow (in real life, not on the show). Lety is at the beauty parlor, and we are treated to a montage of her makeover. We can't really tell what's going on, but there are a lot of different products involved. We are given the impression that this is a highly complicated procedure.
Lola and Marta ask Fernando about his face. He gives them the no-Lety version of his story about being attacked by 15 men.
Lety finally arrives at work just as the Paula Maria drama is winding down. We don't see Lety - we see everyone's shocked faces (from her POV) as they react to The New Lety. They all smile broadly, but they look a little scared, too. A hand in a bright green sleeve reaches for the elevator buttons...
We see more shocked faces in the executive lobby. Lety's voice is loud and it sounds worse than usual, although I think it's supposed to be part of her "new," confident personality. Alicia is stunned. She drops her pen and brings her hands to her mouth. She is stifling a laugh.
Lety is yelling (really hollering) "HOLA!!!" confidently in every direction. After the shock fades from Marta's face, she gives a pitying smile.
Strangers are just laughing.
That green sleeve pushes open the door to Fern's office. He stutters and asks what it is.
Then we see it: a vision in green. And black. And white. There are polka-dots. It looks like VH1's "I love the 80's" threw up on her.
There's a big creepy-looking green "flower" in her ghastly new hairdo, but as a flower, it would make a great spider, or maybe some sort of sea creature. There are large pink splotches on her cheeks.
But don't worry. She still has the mustache!
This was all done professionally at a beauty parlor. She paid good money for this!
She strikes a pose, then sashays past his desk. In her office, there's another "muy gay" card with a heart on it.
Fern flips out for a while alone in his office, ranting and raving about... whatever. It's funny, even without understanding his words. :-)
Alicia tells Marcia about Lety's makeover. She is laughing so hard, she's crying. Marcia seems only faintly amused and curious, but she hasn't seen The New Lety yet. Alicia also asks about Fern's face. Word is getting around that his bruises were caused by Marcia. This does not amuse Marcia at all.
Marcia asks Fernando if he thinks that she could actually hit him. He says sure. This seems to hurt her feelings. (I don't know. Can you punch someone without blinking?) By the way, I hate what she's wearing. I think she then promises never to smack him in the head. Then she gets all kissy and playful with him, just as Lety opens the door to her office and sees them. She excuses herself and turns away. Marcia and Fern desist. Lety says hi nervously to Marcia. Guilt is written all over Lety's face (or maybe that's just some inexpertly applied makeup). Marcia's face is frozen (more so than usual) with shock. Lety leaves, and Marcia bursts out laughing like we've never seen her do before, and says (among other things) that Lety looks like she stuck her finger in an electrical outlet. She crosses her eyes and makes a face. Lety hears this (well, not the crossing eyes) outside the door, frowns, and walks away before she has a chance to hear Fernando tell Marcia to stop. Then they talk about business for nearly a full minute - it's a banner day at Conceptos!
Marcia finds Alicia in the lobby to let her know that indeed, she has seen The New Lety and is now ready to join in the mockery. Fern sneaks up on them and starts laughing and clapping and jumping up and down, mocking them. Lety enters the lobby and before she can hear their joking, Luigi runs into her and, seeing her for the first time, starts screaming. The colors have frightened him. She hurries away. I think Luigi asks if Lety is OK, and says that the floral ornament in her hair looks like some type of carnivorous monster. As Luigi, Marcia, and Alicia continue laughing, Fern looks guilty.
The Bella Life clients arrive, and Luigi gives a video presentation of the new commercial. The new perfume is called "Secretos," and it's sensual. So says Luigi. The clients seem to be impressed.
In Fern's office, Omar and Fern discuss "the luke," which Omar has not seen yet. Fern keeps saying "the luke," and at first I don't understand what he means. He starts doing it with gritted teeth and air quotes, and then I realize, he means "the look." It's funny - Fern only speaks Eengleesh when he's experiencing extreme emotional agony. The entire world is talking about it, he says. At first, Omar doesn't know what Fern is talking about. When he finds out he's referring to Lety, he is consumed with morbid curiosity. He opens the door to her office and finds her preening in front of a makeup mirror. (It's amazing that with all that makeup, you can still see all her zits.) Omar greets her politely with amazing restraint. She fluffs her hair at him (she was right - it's nothing like Alicia) and he retreats back into Fern's office. After he leaves, Lety delightedly tells herself she's made yet another impression.
Oh yes. Yes she has indeed.
Omar nearly hyperventilates. He tells Fern that there's only one reason a woman changes her "luke" - to impress a boyfriend, a spouse, or a lover. He says he can tell that Lety must be really warm for Fern's form (or perhaps Tomas's) to have made such a drastic transformation. Fern is very upset. Omar talks about primitive passion and makes growling noises. He's barely stifling his giggles, but Fern doesn't see the humor in having to kiss the New Luke. I mean The New Lety.
Omar asks Fern if he still has that helpful photo. Fern says yes, but Omar says it's too tame, and produces a new photo of a beautiful model in a bikini. This is the photo that Fern is supposed to mentally plaster over Lety every time he looks at her. Good luck with that - it's much too small. Fern takes it and imitates Omar drooling and snorting over it like a pig or a gorilla.
Lety interrupts them and he hurriedly sets the photo aside. She spies the photo and cheerfully says the model is very pretty. She excuses herself to go to lunch.
Omar and Fern also go to lunch. Omar tells Fernando that his relationship with Lety must become sexual, or it won't last. Fernando says that's not the kind of relationship they have. Plus, he says, he has Marcia for that sort of thing. (Ouch!) Omar also suggests plastic surgery, to turn Lety into the woman in the photo. It could be a business expense!
At first Fernando just laughs sarcastically, but then he points out that there would be no way to pay for it without having to explain it to Marcia.
Back to the Feas...
The horrified feas agree among themselves that someone needs to talk to Lety about her makeover, because it has been the opposite of an improvement. They are all embarrassed for her. They excuse themselves to Fernando and ask to speak to Lety. In her office, they ask what's going on. They see that she's received a romantic card. They are curious about her new novio. She tells them she's too busy to chat now, so they ask her to go to lunch.
The New Lety meets Yazmin in a hallway, and changes her gait to an exaggerated cheesecakey model type of walk. Since this happens in the background and at the edge of the frame, it'd be easy to miss if not for her bright green... well, let's just call it a garment. It's a hilarious effect (the walk, I mean, not the green) and is practically thrown away. A few scenes later, however, when Lola gives Yazmin the money for her new phone, Lety stands behind Yazmin and mimics her every move and mannerism. That's even funnier. So much funnier that I missed the catty conversation that Yazmin had with Lola and the feas (sounds like a 70's lounge act, doesn't it?). The feas express their appreciation for her performance after Yazmin leaves. They needed someone to lighten the mood.
Apparently, at some point Fernando and Lety agreed that Lety will renew the rumor that Tomas is her boyfriend. This will reduce the possibility that anyone will suspect that she and Fernando are amantes. The feas want to hear all about Tomas at lunch. She tells the made-up story of their courtship - he came over to the house last night to speak with her. I can't make out the rest of the story, partly because she is rudely recounting it in Spanish, but also because there's so much giggling. Plus, they're at an outdoor restaurant and the sound quality is terrible.
PM pulls Lety aside to give her some advice. (Frankly, I'm not sure PM should be giving anyone advice about men.) This is one of those times when you don't need a lot of Spanish to understand the conversation - PM tells Lety that her relationship with Tomas must become sexual, or it won't last. Lety says that's not the kind of relationship they have. (Does this conversation sound familiar? It's intercut with Omar & Fernando saying the same thing.) Hey, Omar and PM are so much alike, maybe they should... oh... right. Never mind. All of PM's sexy talk seems to intimidate Lety. She protests that she and Tomas are interested in books and finance, but PM wants to talk about tearing clothes off in the dark. Lety's eyelid flutters nervously (revealing thick, harsh blue eye shadow).
PM tells Lety that there are two reasons a man doesn't try to push sex on a woman: either he's gay, or he's just not attracted to her. This saddens Lety.
PM and Lety return to the feas' table. They ask where she got her groovy threads and hairdo. Lety explains that she went to a nice store, but the clothes were for a different sort of woman than her - tall and glamorous - so they went to her mom's favorite store instead, which she says is also quite exclusive (Lola mumbles "exclusive for feas" loud enough for Lety to hear).
As for the hair, they looked at some pictures, but (I think she says) the women in those pictures were too pretty too, therefore those hairstyles weren't for the likes of her. (That doesn't make any sense to me, but that's what I think she says.) So, she says, she made up a hairstyle that was inspired by each of the feas! They all tell her how lovely it is.
Will Lety stick with her New Luke? Will Tomas seduce Alicia over the phone? Will Lola's ex sue the city? Will Marcia blink again? Tune in next week to find out! Same fea time, same fea channel!
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I didn't think your recap was too long at all, considering you are doing the entire week. And I like the idea of organizing it in terms of main plots and sub plots, especially for those of us that are not watching the telenovela but love reading the recaps. I don't watch it, but I couldn't resist tuning in for the "great transformation." It's hard to believe that the makeover could be worse than the original, but they sure did accomplish that, didn't they? It's interesting how easy it is to miss the humor in Spanish language comedies because they talk so fast, for one thing, and they use a lot of slang also which we just can't get. A friend and I once saw a Puerto Rican comedy at a Latin Film Festival. These films are supposed to have subtitles, but this one managed to sneak through without them. She and I (who both have passable Spanish) went to see it specifically because it didn't have them (for the practice). We got the physical humor and generally understood what was happening. But there were so many times that the crowd with us were convulsed with laughter over the dialogue when we didn't have a clue as to what was so funny.
Permalink posted by 
: Sunday, August 6, 2006 at 1:02:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 6, 2006 at 1:02:00 PM EDT
That is so true, Kay! One reason this recap was longer than it absolutely had to be was that any time I was fortunate enough to understand a joke, I felt compelled to pass it along, even if it wasn't important. :)
I am glad I found this blog. I have been watching this show for a month and have been all over the Internet trying to figure out what is going on. I figured out some of it on my own. I even posted a couple of questions on the Univision forums. I knew Lola hated Yazmin, but I didn't know why. Now I understand all of the story lines.
Permalink posted by : Sunday, August 6, 2006 at 5:03:00 PM EDT
: Sunday, August 6, 2006 at 5:03:00 PM EDT
I haven't even had time to read your recap yet, but in my opinion, the longer the better. I'm glad La Fea is in such good hands.
Ok, so I was just checking this site to see if Chris by chance had decided to Recap 'La Fea' again. The makeover might be a draw for him.
WOOT! I find out that it is being recaped not by Chris (loved his work) but by the wonderful Julie.
Hooray, Julie!
Thank you, Thank you, Julie :)
WOOT! I find out that it is being recaped not by Chris (loved his work) but by the wonderful Julie.
Hooray, Julie!
Thank you, Thank you, Julie :)
Permalink posted by : Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at 10:01:00 PM EDT
: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at 10:01:00 PM EDT
Great summary. My Spanish is considerably more rudimentary than yours and you filled in many details for me. I really appreciate all of the detail. It would be great if you can keep this up! Thanks so much for your efforts.
Permalink posted by : Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 3:45:00 PM EDT
: Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 3:45:00 PM EDT
OK, I am now going to have to add one more circumstance under which I will delete a comment:
¡no criticizing anybody's grammar or spelling!
JEESH.
¡no criticizing anybody's grammar or spelling!
JEESH.
The two older guys are the lawyers for the shadow company
Permalink posted by : Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 4:48:00 PM EST
: Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 4:48:00 PM EST
Actually Alicia did fake a pregnancy in this one it was hilarious how Omar was acting it was at that time when Ariel was offering her to go to Miami
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Permalink posted by : Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 7:44:00 PM EST
: Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 7:44:00 PM EST
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