Caray, Caray!

Emilio presents Flor/Alina to his dinner guests. This, by the way, is one screwed up party, destined to be a flop. It consists of the boring, self-absorbed Emilio and his sickly artist brother who doesn't want to be present, Emilio's idiot co-workers/friends, Don Maximo the lech, the weird neighbors Don Loco and his long-suffering wife Soledad, the guest of honor (Flor/Alina) who was kidnapped instead of invited, and don't forget the passle of prostitutes who are relegated to the upstairs and not even allowed to come down for dinner. OK, on with the show. Don Loco and Soledad are impactados to see Flor/Alina. Soledad tries to run to Flor but Don Loco impedes her.

Flor sees her parents and tells Emilio she's outta there, but Soledad says, "Miss, please have a seat at the table." Flor agrees and Emilio seats her. Don Maximo claps his hands and says, "Let the dinner be served! Let's toast the muñequita de pastel." Which means, I think, "let's toast the little sweetheart in pastel", but "pastel" also means cake and in that dress Flor kind of looks like a cake.

Mariana prays to the virgin to have mercy on Marianita and to bring Jose back to them. Meanwhile Arcadio helps Jose escape from the drug runner's shed where he is held captive. If Jose had seen Arcadio put his secret letter in his pocket right in front of the drug lord earlier he might not be so eager to have his incompetent buddy help him out. So far every idea Arcadio has had has gotten Jose seriously injured.

Don Loco takes Don Maximo aside and asks, "what in the hell is this game?" Don Max asks why Don Loco is so angry. The girl isn't his and doesn't he want to see her suffer? Don Loco says it's none of his business. Don Max seems amused.

Thelma has a nightmare of Gaspar making love to her. She wakes up screaming. She tells Auntie she wants to forget "that man" but she can't. She's afraid her baby will also be mentally retarded. Auntie tells her to stop worrying, the baby will probably be beautiful and healthy, just like Thelma and Auntie.

Flor is at the table silently praying to God to save her mother and her. She knows that if any of the guys mess with her that her mother will defend her like a fiera. And if Soledad tells them who she really is then her father will kill her mother without compassion. I think she gives all of them way too much credit.

Jose escapes but as he runs away one of the drug runners shoots him in the leg. At that moment Mariana grabs her chest and asks the virgin to remove the anguish she just felt. The drug dude tells Jose if he tries to escape again he'll kill both Jose and Arcadio.

Don Maximo's two flunkies, Ifigenio and Castulo, are outside talking about how Flor is a guest so she can be humiliated. Gaspar, who is hiding in the yard, hears them and vows to save her.

The dismal dinner is over and Emilio ushers everybody into the salon. His friends must not know that Coral and her dancer friends are upstairs, otherwise they would be excusing themselves every ten minutes to "freshen up" if you know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink.

Emilio keeps Flor behind and she asks if he's done with his game yet. He says, "It's no game my dear friend." She says she's not his friend, he's hated her from the moment he saw her. Emilio says no, he doesn't hate her, it's just that she reminds him of...of someone and he doesn't like it. They mindlessly argue. He asks why people speak badly of her, even the witch in the cave said she was a thief. She calls him a cynic and tries to leave. He grabs her and acts like he's going to kiss her.

Marianita tells her mom that she had a good dream. They were with papi in a boat, she felt well and had long, long hair like before. The injured Jose lies on his cot and looks at a picture of M&M. He says it seems as if he will never see them again. He cries, his muscles bulge and it looks like he's about to bust his shirt. He should probably take it off.

Flor demands that Emilio let her go. He says no way, she's going into the salon with him. He'd like to see if she learned her lesson. (I wonder if Flor is as confused about this "lesson" business as I am. I think Schoolmarm is right, the lead in their decanters is making all the men insane.) Flor says he's mistaken, she's not submissive. He says Flor is in his hands and can't leave until he says so. Flor closes her eyes and looks like she wants to take a nap.

Gaspar throws a rock to make some noise. Castulo is lured over to where Gaspar is hiding behind a tree. Gaspar does a lucha libre move and knocks Castulo out!! Ifigenio takes out a gun and looks around suspiciously.

Emilio and Flor bicker some more. Flor says she's not like the girls he's used to, Emilio says "None of them would do what you did, you stole the heart necklace." Soledad leaves the fascinating salon where the guys are playing pool and Don Loco is scowling. She asks Emilio what's going on. When Flor leaves them to go into the salon Soledad tells Emilio that the girl is not who he thinks.

Emilio says he knows exactly who she is. Soledad says he doesn't know the truth. Don Loco interrupts and asks her, "Are you bugging the señor...again? If you keep bothering our friend I'll have to take you home." Emilio throws gas on the fire by saying an enchanting woman such as the señora could never bother him.

In the kitchen Santos, Jaime, and the housekeeper (can't remember her name) are talking about poor Soledad and how this bizarre dinner party from hell must be affecting her. The housekeeper says someone should tell the patron (Don Maxi) that Flor is really Alina Montellano. Jaime says even though they don't work for Don Alvaro he's in thick with the authorities and can make trouble for them. She says she doesn't care. She's going to take her tray of drinks in there and tell Mr. Emilio that the humble girl that his uncle forced to attend is none other than Alina Montellano! Santos and Jaime look like they want to crawl under a rock.

Rosita tells her dad that Flor is at the dinner party against her will, Gaspar wants to help her but she doubts he'll be able to, and she hopes Santos can do something to help Flor.

Santos and Jaime manage to talk the housekeeper out of spilling the beans about Flor. They would all lose their jobs and Gaspar will probably rescue her anyway.

Castulo starts to wake up and Gaspar whacks him with a stick. Is Castulo the guy who beat Donkey? If so then hoorah! He got what he deserved. Gaspar says he needs to frighten Ifigenio away. More lucha libre!!!

Emilio's friends are coming on to Flor. Pigs. When Emilio finally tells them to leave her alone they say they should be able to do what they want cuz Emilio gets all the ladies and they never do. Must be pig logic. Soledad asks Don Loco, "aren't you going to do anything?" He says it's natural for the guys to fool around with that girl. More pig logic. "That girl is your daughter," says Soledad. "My daughter is dead, this is the daughter of a foreman," says Don Loco. He says he's glad to see her suffer. Oink.

Luba is in the cave crying to the virgin, asking her why all this is happening. "Why are you doing this to me? You're my mother, you've been with me through everything, help me now. Protect my son. You taught me to be strong. If something happens to them what will I do? Help me."

One of the creepy friends, Frank, tries to force Flor to dance with him but Angel intervenes. Flor runs out. Soledad and Don Loco continue their inane bickering. She calls him a swine then thought bubbles, "I thought Emilio would defend her but I guess I was wrong."

Coral and pal (Liz) are upstairs drinking and complaining about being left alone. Maybe Coral's Papi Lindo found some better women? Alcohol gives them nerve and they decide to sneak downstairs. They are wearing super high strappy heels, perfect for sneaking around a stone and wood floored hacienda.

Frank is still bugging Flor and Emilio thought bubbles, "I brought her here to teach her a lesson but it is I who am getting the lesson." He tells Frank to leave Flor alone and then offers her a drink. She says she doesn't drink. Angel tells Emilio to leave her alone. Emilio turns to her and says "If you won't accept a drink from me at least you'll accept this..." He grabs her and lays a big wet one on her. The guys all hoot and holler.

He tells her that she stole the silver heart, no? He stole a kiss from her so now they are even. She slaps him and the guys hoot some more. They are totally drunk and toast the the fact that Emilio got his face slapped. Actually, I toasted it too.

Out in the garden Ifigenio looks for Castulo. At that moment the carriage arrives. Ifigenio turns to look and Gaspar whacks him on the head. The bodies are piling up behind the tree. Orlando gets out of the carriage and Gaspar stealthily (for Gaspar) follows him up the steps.

Orlando arrives and gives Flor the once over, meanwhile Don Maxi and the boys are getting tanked and exchanging secret handshakes. Suddenly Gaspar runs in and grabs Flor, causing a stir. (Actually, you could barely see Gaspar run in because Emiliooooo as usual was taking up the entire screen.)

Don Loco tells Emilio to calm down, it's only Luba's kid and don't piss him off because he can be dangerous. Soledad begs Emilio to stop this business and to leave the girl in peace. She (Soledad) has become very uncomfortable. Emilio apologizes, he thought his brother had made it clear that this party was a weenie fest, hombres only. (Except for Flor and the second floor of prostitutes.) "Yes, but then you asked me to stay," she points out. "Yes but I thought you would be amused by the lesson I taught that bastarda," our gallant hero retorts. Soleda tries to slap him (yes!! multi-generational slapping!!) but Don Loco holds her back. Emilio and Don Loco give each other bored, one-dimensional stares. I think it's supposed to be anger.

Angel escorts Soledad out. Don Loco asks Emilio why he called Flor a bastard. Emilio says Don Loco knows better than anyone that Flor is the spittin' image of his other daughter Alina, so isn't the situation obvious? Angel interrupts, Soledad is exhausted and needs Don Loco's help.

Emilio goes back into the salon and says "Let the party begin!!"

I guess I was wrong about Coral and Liz sneaking downstairs. They're still up in the room finishing off a bottle of booze. Maybe they snuck into the liquor cabinet instead. Someone knocks on the door and Coral staggers over to open it.

Santos tells the kitchen staff the good news, that big lug Gaspar has rescued Flor del Campo! They've brought out the dancing girls and now they'll party down.

Back at Soledad's prison she and Don Loco bicker about...well, about everything. She's peeved that Don Loco let Emiliano call Flor a bastard. She's peeved that Emilio thinks Don Loco had a child with some field worker. He lights a cigar and blows smoke in her face. He starts in on his usual speech, he has big plans for that girl, he wants to make Soledad suffer as he has suffered, not a moment of peace, blah blah blah.

Coral is dancing and the guys are throwing money around. Don Maximo is having the most fun of all, shaking his big ol' butt and dancing with the chicas. Everyone is celebrating except that terminal wet blanket Emilio. He remembers the kiss he stole from Flor. Coral wants him to dance with her but Emilio wants to go to sleep. Orlando tells Emilio he has something important to tell him but Emilio says Later and goes to bed.

Orlando orders the men to stop partying, it's time for bed. They all stagger out with a girl and Don Maximo is passed out, supine, on a table.

Back in the cave Luba tells Flor that Donkey will be fine. Flor is sad because Emilio has changed so much from the man she loved, this new Emilio is full of hate and rancor. Luba says he's a vain guy all right. Flor says she thought he was good, she wanted to tell him all she'd been through. Gaspar is listening, looking sympathetic. Flor says Emilio humiliated her, he forced a kiss on her. Gaspar jumps up, flexes his gigantic bicep, and channels his former lucha libre self, "I'll kill him, I'll twist his neck like this...(twists imaginary neck)!) Luba tells Gaspar no, he's not a killer. "But he's a bad person, just like a serpent that bites," reasons Gaspar,"I'm going to squash him like a worm, like this...(stomps his foot)!" Go Gaspar!! But Luba pushes him out of the cave and tells Flor to forget Emilio, pretend they'd never met. (Intocable and Ana Martin look like they love doing these scenes together.)

Thelma tells Auntie she's tired of waiting for useless Orlando to tell her where Emilio is. She's going to talk to Gen. Ochoa again and this time he's going to help her!

Emilio is laying on his bed touching his lips..."Flor, I haven't felt this way since...no no no no I'm not going to fall in love. It's better to forget her."

"Forget him, as if I'd never met him," says Flor as she pets Donkey.

Emilio and Orlando have about six scenes that consist of two sentences each. I'm going to summarize: They are working, surveying the topography, Orlando tells Emilio that Thelma is expecting Emilio's child. Emilio doesn't believe it, says Thelma is trying to trap him. Orlando swears it's true. Emilio never wants to marry, least of all Thelma. Orlando asks about the girl at the party, it looked like she had eyes for Emilio. Emilio said he only invited her to teach her a lesson. Orlando doesn't even ask What frigging lesson?? Emilio says he thinks she's the illigitimate daughter of his neighbor. Men are such gossips.

Thelma tells Gen. Ochoa that she's expecting Emilio's child, that's why she needs to get in touch with him. Gen. Ochoa says he will deliver a letter for Thelma, don't worry, he's sure Emilio will be thrilled at the news and give their child his last name. Thelma smiles.

Flor tells Rosita about hell's dinner party and what a cad Emilio is. He stole a kiss and she slapped him. She wants to hate Emilio but that kiss is still in her heart. Bleck.

Angel tells Flor's portrait that he should have defended her when his brother kissed her. He didn't have the nerve to stand up to him. Maybe he should paint a portrait of Emilio and slap it around.

Flor and Rosita are at the hacienda. Rosita is going to try to get Adela to let Flor into Soledad's room. Flor watches as Don Loco rides away from the hacienda. Now is her chance!

Mariana tells Marianita that she called Estrellita's house but Estrellita is back in the hospital. Uh oh. Mariana wants to visit her. Meanwhile Jose lays on his cot and asks nobody in particular, "Why didn't I stand up to your brother? Why didn't I marry you? Now we are separated."

Emilio takes a break to visit Coral. He wants to prove to himself that Flor is not in his sytem. He kisses Coral and calls her Flor. She's all "what did you call me?" If I were Coral I would charge extra for every time Emilio called me another woman's name, kind of like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. Emilio glumly leaves and Coral was wearing only a towel! He's got it bad.

Marianita visits Estrellita in the hospital. Sad violin music plays in the background. I think we know where this is going.

Luba is in the cave caressing a small chest tied with rope. Don Loco yells her name and she quickly covers it up. He asks about Gaspar. "He went to church to pray," she says. He asks about the bastarda. Luba says she's sleeping, she's very lazy. Don Loco pulls the sheet aside and sees an empty bed. Luba tries to look impactada. We go to commercial break and see Luba stabbing a big knife into a tree. This is my favorite of those weird commercial break thingies.

As Flor scampers up the stairs to her mother's room Rutilo yells at her, where does she think she's going?

Don Loco backhands Luba, knocking her to the ground. "You don't want to betray me, imbecile!" he yells. He picks her up and throws her around. He demands to know where Flor is. Luba says she escaped. He hits her again. She says Flor put on a dress and escaped without her permission. Don Loco says he knows, she was at La Rinconada last night. "Let me think of a punishment for that mule," suggests Luba. Don Loco says it's too late for punishments, that which he didn't want to happen already happened, Emilio Valtierra saw her, all his friends saw her, and if any of those wretches take a liking to her..." Luba swears that's not going to happen. She'll tell Gaspar that the Patron will break his bones if he lets that mule escape. Don Loco grabs her hair, "The next time I'll kill you, I'll kill you!!"

He leaves and Luba staggers over to her hidden chest, gasping and with a bleeding lip. She vows, "Alvaro, you are never, (uncovers box), never going to do that. I promise you are going to regret this." She hugs the box.

Adela talks Rutilo into letting Flor go upstairs to visit Soledad.

Flor and Soledad embrace. Soledad says she didn't sleep all night thinking about what happened with that...that Emiliano Valtierra. Last night she was on the verge of confessing everything to him but Alvaro stopped her. Soledad urges Flor/Alina to tell Emiliano who she really is, to tell him the truth.

Rutilio and Adela are outside talking very loudly. Adela says God will pay him back for the good deed he just did. Meanwhile Sergio is sneaking up to eavesdrop. Adela says she'll never tell anyone. Sergio says to himself that Rutilio is up to something and he's got a bad feeling about it.

Flor tells Soledad she doesn't want to talk about Emilio, he thinks she's a liar and a thief. Soledad urges Flor to get Santos to help her escape to Puebla. She can find her godfather. She's sure Elias will help. Flor is afraid Don Loco will kill her mother in retaliation. Soledad clucks "no no" rather half-heartedly.

At that moment Don Loco arrives home and climbs the stairs. Adela crosses herself and wrings her hands. Flor quickly hides behind the wardrobe just as daddy dearest walks in the room. He sees a plate of what looks like ritz crackers with cheese and olives on top and asks, "Who is with you Soledad?"


el grandulon - big lug, big guy
la canalla - swine, despicable dog
la cachetada - slap, smack
pachanguear - party down
encapricharse con - take a liking to, become infatuated

Labels: duelo