Caray, Caray!

The episode opens with Emilioooo wailing about how Flor hates him. He wishes Thelma would hate him too.Back to the poolside in Puebla where Thelma is now talking to her Auntie Rebeca. They recount the conversation with Blanca. Blanca told her that her goddaughter was in Europe. "Great," says auntie, "that means that she's no longer in your way!" Thelma says "it's better for her that way."

Gaspar, who has carried Angel back to La Rinconada talks to Emilio. He tells him a bit of his story (he wasn't always an idiot, he used to be a fighter and he's still strong and can lift a lot of weight) Emilio wants to pay him for hauling Angel back to the hacienda. Gaspar says no, he wants him to do him a favor he's not sure what it is but he'll tell him later. Emilio agrees with the strange request. Emilio turns to his unconscious brother lying on the bed. "Don't die Angel, Don't die." He says.

Back in the cave, Don Loco has brought Soledad to visit Alina.

Gaspar is supposed to be helping Luba gather her medicinal plans. He's doing she loves me, she loves me not with the flowers. Gaspar tells Luba that he's going to ask the Patron Emilio to find his munequita and give her to him. Luba protests and hits him with the plans she's gathered. At la rinconada, Emilio is hovering over Angel's bed. Orlando comes in and asks what Emilio will do if Thelma shows up. Emilio says, not possible. Won't happen. But if for some reason it does, I have a way to get rid of her. Orlando smiles. He's intrigued. "What is it?" "You'll know at the appropriate time" says Emilio. (Ya think maybe old Emiliooooo is starting to doubt just how good a friend this guy is?) At that moment, Maximo comes in with the Doc who immediately takes charge of the situation.


Rosita is sweeping the floor and there's a knock at the door. With her back turned she says "Come in." It's Don Max the Lech and he grabs her! (Noooo. Just kidding!) It's Santos' hottie mom. Don Maximo sure does like them young, she looks like she could be Rosita's sister. She's come from San Mateo to visit Santos. She's worried about Santos. Rosita reassures her but Santos' mom is upset that he's working at la rinconada. She doesn't even want to go up there to go see him. She tells Rosita that Don Maximo is an evil man. Rosita agrees. She didn't need Santos mom to tell her that. Rosita offers to go find Santos and leaves. Santos' Mom says, to nobody in particular what we've all already guessed, that Don Max is Santos' father. And she never wants him to find that out.

Alina and her mom are talking in the cave. Soledad tries to persuade her daughter to forget Emilio and fall in love with Angel instead. It's clear that he already cares for her. If she marries Angel, he can solve all their problems. Alina looks doubtful. Angel's too nice. (Why do girls always go for the bad boy who treats them like crap?)Gaspar is talking to Luba he is still talking about his munequita and how Emilio is going to get her for him. Luba hits him on the head with the herbs she is collecting some more.

Soledad is still trying to convince Alina that Angel is already in love with her, she saw it the night of the dinner.

Back to Emilioooo, who is now talking to sneaky Orlando. Orlando wants to know what he's going to do about Thelma. Emilio has a plan to get rid of Thelma once and for all. He won't marry her. Just then the doctor comes in and Emilio asks how Angel is doing. The Doctor gives him a grim look.

Back to Soledad and Alina. Soledad has convinced her to try to get Angel to propose to her. She's still doubtful that he'd want to marry a dirty urchin like her (una mugrosa). But she'll go to him and tell her who she is and then she'll see if he asks her to marry him. All of a sudden Donkey, who has been ailing lo these many days since he got beaten up by Don Maximo's henchmen, starts barking. Alina gets excited and runs to him, happy that he's showing signs of life. Soledad says, to nobody in particular that God forgive her if her daughter still loves Emilio but she must marry Angel to save herself

Emilio and Maximo have a conversation about Angel. He's doing bad, since he was sick to begin with, then got punched by Emilio, and then was exposed to the elements for God knows how long, unconscious in the dirt before Gaspar brought him back to the hacienda. (He doesn't even know about how Angel got thrown from his horse prior to all this and had to walk miles to the San Mateo village fair).

Santos, his mom and Rosita are talking. Mom says again she doesn't like him working for Don Maximo. She wants him to come with her to the town to help her with her Café. Santos says not to worry, he and Rosita are getting married and then they can go anywhere, maybe even to San Mateo to live near her. Rosita asserts proudly that would follow Santos anywhere.

Vera the servant comes in and tells Emilio that his uncle is looking for him.

Orlando is talking to Coral. Coral expresses sympathy for Emilio. Orlando once again mentions how Angel is doing pretty badly and how destroyed Emilio would be if Angel died. He's practically salivating at this thought. Coral is trying to decide whether to stay or go. She wants to stay to be near Emilio. Orlando decides to sow a little more discord by dropping to Coral that there's another girl in the picture, a country girl, "no where near as beautiful and sexy as you." Coral seems to take this under advisement.

Maximo and Emilio are eating breakfast in the garden. Emilio tells Maximo about his problems with Thelma and how he doesn't want to marry her. He tells Maximo that he's thinking of marrying someone else to get out of marrying Thelma—Flor del campo. Maximo almost chokes on his food. "Are you crazy?" he says. That rude girl? He asks Emilio if he's in love with her.

Flor/Alina and Rosita are talking. She loves Emilio but she wishes he were more like his brother. Flor admits that if Angel asks her to marry him, she'll accept. She has promised her mom. (dramatic music swells here)Orlando gets on horseback and says he's headed for San Mateo village

In San Mateo, Santos mom is talking to her co-worker at the Café. The co-worker asks how her visit to the hacienda went. She says that Santos is in love with Rosita and that they will marry soon but for that reason he doesn't want to move to San Mateo to be with her. The co-worker asks if he's going to continue working at the coffee plantation. No, says mom, he's working at the hacienda, directly for Don Maximo. The co-worker shakes her head and says that Mom better tell him that Don Max is his daddy and vice-versa. Mom shakes her head and says no, she's never wanted anything from Don Max and she doesn't want Santos to know.

Auntie Rebeca is knitting and singing Opera (badly). Thelma walks in bitching about her pregnancy symptoms. She's stepping out to see the doctor but is waiting for a call from Orlando. "I don't know why I trust him" she says. (Me neither, girlfriend.)

Gaspar looking quite manly in his shirtless overalls is splitting wood in the cave. Orlando walks in and asks where Flor is. Gaspar is reticent and when Orlando asks more questions, Gaspar menaces him with the giant machete he's using to split the wood. Orlando backs off and tells him to tell her that he was looking for her.

Angel wakes up from his coma and calls out to Emilio. Emilio, who is keeping watch over him, jumps up and eagerly approaches him, telling him to relax, to rest. Angel can't remember much.

Angel says that the village folk were going to lynch him at the fair (Emilio) and that he set the hay on fire to distract them from their goal. Emilio now feels super guilty for punching Angel when Angel was trying to save his life.

Don Maximo meets with Don Loco and Rutilio on horseback. Maximo tells Don Loco that he has a secret about his daughter. Don Loco first says he has no daughter but when Maximo turns to leave, Don Loco gets loco and doesn't let him pass. Maximo is kind of ticked off by this aggression on the part of Don Loco. He also suddenly feels guilty for breaking the confidence of his nephew and he refuses to tell, only that the secret has to do with his nephew and Don Loco's daughter.

Maximo rides off in a huff. Don Loco is then distracted by Rutilio who has grabbed up Santos. "This is the guy you wanted, boss," says Rutilio. Don Loco threatens him with a gun and accuses him of helping Flor. At first, Santos bravely says that Don Maximo is his boss and that he'll be mad if Don Loco shoots him. Don Loco tells him that Maximo is his friend and besides HE, Don Loco is the law around here. He warns Santos, with his gun cocked at the young man's head that if he continues to help Flor, it's going to go badly for him. He dismisses him and Rutilio drags him away and releases him.

Flor is talking to the Priest of San Mateo, in front of the big white church. She confesses to the priest that she has promised her mom to marry Angel if he asks her. But—she still loves Emilio. The priest says, yeah but, didn't you tell me awhile back that Emilio treats you like dirt? Yes, says Flor, "but it's almost as if he is making an effort to hate me and treat me badly for some reason. " And besides, she adds, I can't change my feelings for him from one day to the next.

The priest shakes his head and drops that Don Loco came by and asked for Alina's baptismal certificate so that he could destroy it. The priest said that he refused to let him do it. He knows that Alina is really Don Loco's daughter and that Soledad didn't cheat on him.

Emilio is chatting with the bedridden Angel. Angel's remembering a bit more about that night. Emilio tells him that he knows that he was trying to protect Flor. Angel says, she's not a bad person, she just lives in a cave in abject poverty. Emilio says not to worry, pretty soon she's going to live in a palace like a princess. Angel looks puzzled but Emilio changes the subject. He tells Angel that the doctor ordered total rest for him and he's going to go see about getting him some hot soup.

In Puebla, Auntie answers the phone in Thelma's apartment. Orlando's calling, he wants to talk to Thelma urgently but she's not there. No message. He'll call back later. Just as they hang up, Thelma walks in and is ticked to find out she missed the call.

Also in Puebla, Elias and Blanca are talking. Blanca tells Elias that Thelma said she's marrying Emilio Valtierra. She gets that worried look and says maybe she could go to Sierra Escondida while Elias goes to Veracruz. That way they could both make inquiries about Alina and Soledad at the same time. Elias is skeptical that she could be on her own in SE but Blanca says, what's the big deal? She can go by car to San Mateo and take the stagecoach to the hacienda in SE.

Back at Don Loco's hacienda in SE, Don Loco bursts into Soledad's room for the thousandth time. He barks at her, "what do you know about YOUR daughter and Emilio Valtierra?" He explains that Maximo was hinting at something earlier. Again Soledad protests that she knows nothing. Don Loco grabs her roughly by the arm. No more visits to or from her daughter. Don Loco warns her that he's given Sergio orders to shoot anyone who comes near her.

Angel is resting in bed. An attractive nurse in full professional whites is adjusting his IV while the Doctor consults with Emilio about his situation. He's doing a little better so keep up the treatment.

Rosita and Alina are chatting while walking to the cave. They talk about her mom and how much she's suffered. Alina mentions that she'll go see Angel tomorrow, like she's promised.

Thelma is pacing in her apartment. Finally Orlando calls and tells her that she must come to Emilio's hacienda in Sierra Escondida IMMEDIATELY. She wants to know if he has said anything about marrying him, about the pregnancy. Orlando is evasive. He just says she has to come to the hacienda. How about this weekend? Perfect, says Orlando. Orlando then gives her directions on how to get there.

After the phone call, Orlando goes back to la Rinconada and yells for Emilio. Emilio is ticked at him, that he basically disappeared all day and didn't work. (What about Emilio? Is he on some kind of family leave to tend Angel? Didn't look like he got much done either). Orlando clicks his heels and says "Si mi capitan" rather sarcastically. He tells Emilio that he made some phone calls. He "found out" that Thelma has been making inquiries all around and now knows where Emilio is. "Don't be too surprised if she shows up here one of these days." Emilio isn't exactly impactado but he scowls.

Back in Puebla, Thelma and Auntie are talking. Thelma is worried about what's up with Emilio. She thinks that Emilio is going to try to get out of marrying her. (DUH) Her Auntie says, "if he says no, just turn on the waterworks. Tears always soften a man's heart." Thelma shakes her head. That's not Emilio. Nevertheless, she's not coming back to Puebla single. Her Aunt says, "That's the spirit!"

Emilio and Orlando are still talking. Emilio tells Orlando, let her [Thelma] come. She's going to get a surprise. Orlando says, what's the surprise? Emilio walks away saying "You'll see…" Orlando isn't so much impactado as he is puzzled. He plops on the couch.

Alina/Flor is in her "room" in the cave, with Donkey. He's looking a little livelier. She says to no one except maybe Donkey, "I'd be upset if Angel was hurt because of me. What do I do to see him? I'm sure that they won't just let me into the rinconada…" Gaspar pokes his head above the curtain. He says he has something to tell her. She lets him into her "room." Gaspar tells her about his plan to get Emilio to find him his munequita from the Devil's cave cabaret and give her to him. Flor looks confused but she wants to go la rinconada to see Angel and since Gaspar wants to tell Emilio about his plan, they both head out.

At la rinconada, Emilio is telling Maximo that he wants to marry Flor as soon as possible. Thelma is on his case. Maximo is puffing on a stogie and frowning probably thinking about how this new twist is already complicating his delicate relationship with Don Loco, who although he's certifiable, he's also the law in these parts.

Maximo asks him if he's thought through this plan. Will she accept your offer? It doesn't seem like she even likes you. Emilio counters that when he kisses her, he can tell that she does. Maximo shakes his head and says that she's a headstrong, proud and rebellious girl. "Who knows what she's really thinking? She'll probably say no, just to be contrary."

Gaspar and Alina/Flor have arrived at la Rinconada. One of Maximo's henchmen is trying to give them the boot when Emilio shows up and says Alina can visit Angel. He'll take her to his room.

After she goes, the servant asks Gaspar what he's there for. Gaspar says that he's there to ask Emilio for the favor he promised him.

Now we're at the Canefields, where we've not been in some time now. Alfonsina and Hugo are making out in the canefield. Hugo is worried that Don Loco will show up and see them. Saucy Alfonsina says she doesn't care. Maybe then he will realize that he can't play with her affections. She'd rather be with a guy who really cares about her. Hugo is ticked at Don Loco. He's been gone too long and there's so much work to be done! Alfonsina says what's the big deal? It's great if he's gone, they can pretend the whole place is theirs! (I agree, I'd be happier with him gone all the time too, if he were my boss)

This idea seems to shock Hugo, however and he walks away from her to check up on the workers. The boy who seems always to be some kind of messenger runs up and asks for his orders. Hugo says to tell everybody to get everything in order. The patron could come at any time.

The boy asks about Dona Soledad and Alina and Hugo gets mad. He says it's none of his business and not to say anything to anyone who asks about them.

Back in SE, at la Rincondada, Alina/Flor and Emilio are walking on the way to visit Angel. Emilio is in his green uniform, with his cap tucked into his epaulet. He apologizes to Flor for his drunken behavior the other night and said he would never have struck his brother if he hadn't been toasted. He's really sorry about the way he's treated her and he asks for her pardon.

He says that night he had a lot of anger. He was smarting at her accusation of him as an exploiter of his workers, as someone who was heartless. He wanted to pay her back for those insults. When the fair came up he saw his chance. "I'm not as bad as you think. I know I have my faults…"

Flor reproaches him and says that he treated her really badly. He takes her hands in his and asks for her forgiveness again. He wants to start over. Flor agrees, smiling. Emilio thought bubbles: I want to get into her pants! Ha Ha not really! He thinks: I can't resist those eyes.

Back at the Cane field, Elias shows up much to the chagrin of Hugo. Elias says he wants to see his goddaughter and asks again where Don Alvaro and his family is. Hugo says (again) "He's travelling." Elias says: "I know, that's what you always say! Tell me where he went!"

Before Hugo can reply, there's Don Loco on his horse, greeting Elias personally.

Emilio brings Flor to see Angel, with his pretty smiling nurse who is now wearing an all white pantsuit with her fetching nurse's cap. Emilio leaves and Flor tells Angel that Emilio asked for her forgiveness. Angel is as impactado as he can be, being sick and all. His eyes get sort of big and round.

At the Cane field, Alvaro, who is not wearing all black today for some reason, tells Hugo to put his horse away and to wait in his office. He walks with Elias. I'm sorry Hugo is a little rude, he's only following my orders.

Elias waves that away but says he'd like to see Soledad and his goddaughter Alina, he's not seen them in such a long time. Don Loco frowns and says Alina is in Europe studying and Soledad is in Sierra Escondida for a rest. Elias says, "Enough with the lies, already!" Finally somebody around here can smell BS!

Don Loco turns angry and accuses him of being in love with Soledad. They glare at each other.

Angel and Alina/Flor are discussing Emilio's apology. Alina wants to know if Angel thinks his brother is lying. Angel says no, he is usually frank. But Angel says he wants to protect Flor, in everything…(?) Alina sits on Angel's bed and says she thinks that they will be getting to know each other better. Angel smiles wanly.

Gaspar is trying to explain his grand plan about locating his munequita to Emilio. Emilio sounds confused. But Gaspar mentions the Devil's cave Cabaret and Emilio is immediately intrigued. He asks Gaspar to sit down and tell him his tale.

Back to Elias and Don Loco's standoff — Elias protests that he loved Soledad years ago and when she married Alvaro, he was happy just to regard her as the wife of a friend. Don Loco doesn't buy it and orders him to stay away from Soledad. And not to worry about Alina either. "She doesn't even remember you or Blanca." He huffs off saying he has lots of work to do. Elias just stands there impactado and kind of angry.

Flor is talking to Angel. She says she understands that somebody told Emilio that she was a thief and for that reason he had a bad impression of her from the beginning. In contrast, she says, Angel was always kind to her and she always knew he was good.

They start a discussion about whether Angel is good or not when Emilio comes in with the nurse and cuts off the visit, saying Angel has to rest. He tells Flor to come with him.

Coral and Orlando are walking in a little grove with a fountain and some gorgeous bougainvilleas are in bloom. Coral looks a bit ratty in a cutoff denim skirt and a tank top. She's been waiting for Emilio to show up. Orlando says look, Coral, I'm going to be frank with you. Emilio isn't coming. His girlfriend (prometida) is going to be showing up here. She's pregnant and she wants Emilio to give the child his name. Coral asks, "And is the child his?" Orlando answers carefully, "Who elses would it be?" In any event, says Orlando, "Thelma is a person you want to be careful with. Take my advice and leave before she gets here." Coral looks like she is processing this.

Thelma is packing her suitcase for the trip to Sierra Escondida. Her Aunt asks her if she is taking the red dress. No! Says Thelma, it carries some bad memories of 'that night.' "Oh, but it's so pretty!" says her Aunt. "OK," says, Thelma, "maybe I'll wear it one day. She puts it in the suitcase.

They go over their travel plans. Apparently Aunt Rebeca is going with her. Thelma mentions her apprehension at seeing Emilio again. She says afraid that he'll reject her. Her aunt says you'll get him back; you are an expert at that. Thelma expresses doubt but says she'll fight like she never has before to win him again.

Back at la Rinconada, Emilio and Alina/Flor are having a drink of water. Flor asks where Orlando is. Emilio looks a little surprised. He says that he's probably off working somewhere. Flor says she thinks he is a nice person, that he has always treated her well. Sure, says Emilio. He's just been trying to compete with me.

Flor looks puzzled. Look, says Emilio, do you think I acted like a jerk and got drunk because I wanted to? (I don' t know, sounds like a good enough reason, we all were pretty convinced with the jerk act.) Flor looks confused and frowns saying, uh, and this was because…? Emilio confesses that since he moment he first saw her, he was taken with her and he spent all his time trying to drive her out of his mind. Her insults and her hatred of him made him crazy. Because really all the time… he trails off. Flor is perplexed. "Really, what?" Emilio hesitates and says that he'll pay her a visit…tomorrow!

Don Loco and Hugo are drinking Tequila in a bar, rehashing Elias' visit. Loco tells him that he told him that Alina is studying abroad and Soledad is in Sierra Escondida. Hugo sounds panicked, "what if he decides to go there to see her?" Don Loco says "I don't think he would dare." "But if he does, Sergio will be there to receive him."

The soldiers, including Orlando and Emilio are doing some kind of surveying measurements, probably for the new road. Orlando mentions to Emilio that he knows that Flor came by la Rinconada. Emilio says yes, she came to visit Angel and Emilio says that he really appreciated it and furthermore, Flor is a really nice girl.

Orlando is none too pleased. He expresses surprise that Emilio is appreciative of anyone's courtesy and that unlike Emilio, he knows how to treat women like ladies. Emilio smiles and pats him on the shoulder as he leaves. He tells Orlando that he's learned from him and that from thenceforward, he will be treating Flor like a lady. After he leaves, Orlando curses him and vows not to let Emilio take Flor away from him.

Flor is talking to Luba in he cave. Flor as usual is filled with illusions about Emilio. "He was only treating me badly because he was fighing against falling in love with me." Luba tells her that Emilio only wants her to be his mistress. Guys like Emilio don't marry girls like you. "And what if I tell him who I really am?" asks Flor. "If he were a good man," says Luba. "Maybe… But he's bad, he is happy with all he stuff the patron has done to you!"

Flor looks troubled. Luba goes on another tear about how all men are bad and Flor should wake up and stop dreaming.

The next day, Flor meets Emilio by the river and a waterfall. I could barely make out what they were saying with all the background noise. I think he said that he was glad he found her because Luba wouldn't say where she was. The were standing on the edge of he river, Emilio in his flowing white shirt open exposing a good bit of chest hair and Flor in a white t-shirt with her little hippy satchel. Emilio grasps her hands and asks her to marry him. Flor, full of excitement says YES!

Of course we all know that the fun has only just started.

Labels: duelo