Caray, Caray!

Cesar, Elias and the recently revived Alina are riding in a jeep down the muddy, rutted road from Luba’scave to San Mateo. Elias is crowing about how DL must have been captured by the military by now and that “this is the end of Alvaro Montellano.”
Meanwhile, Alvaro himself is holed up with Soledad behind an old wall on the hacienda grounds, shooting at Emilio and the soldiers who have come to apprehend him. His six shooter runs out of bullets and he has no spare ammo. “DAMN!” He yells. Emilio comes up on him and demands he give himself up. DL does so, Soledad trailing behind. In a final act of bravado, DL walks up to Emilio after turning his gun over to frank and lets Emilio point his gun right in his face, without flinching. Frank, Emilio & co. take DL to the granary barn where Sergio is there, cuffed. DL is also cuffed and Emilio tells him he better not try to escape, they are going to take him to Puebla, him and his “accomplice” Sergio to stand trial for their crimes. DL’s response is to tell Sergio that he’s faced worse than these beggars and he tells Emilio that he hopes he’s enjoying all this because it won’t last long.

Emilio goes outside with Soledad. Emilio asks her if she needs anything. All she wants is to know what is going to happen to Alvaro. Emilio says that that very night they will be hauling his ass to Puebla to jail, while he awaits trial and judgment for his crimes. Emilio suggests that Soledad might want to make a statement against him too. Soledad agrees and asks Emilio to let her speak with DL. Emilio goes in and tells Frank to step out while Soledad has a private word with DL. Frank grabs Sergio and they follow Emilio out the door. Soledad approaches her husband tentatively. DL is the first one to speak. “You think I’m beaten?” “Nobody beats Alvaro Montellano!” Soledad just stares at him, like he’s…well…loco.

Over at la Rinconada, Max, Santos and Angel are still discussing exactly what Santos’ beef is with Max. Recall that Santos has already dropped the bombshell of being Max’s son (thus Angel’s cousin) and that Max has been after Rosita, Santos’ girl. And that Don Braulio was imprisoned by Max unjustly after he shot Castulo to save Santos’ life from Max’s hired gun. Now he has imprisoned Rosita in place of her father. Max denies all of this including the paternity charge and he complains that Angel should believe his own flesh and blood and not this peasant. Angel, who is looking like he could use a shower, tells Max that he is just trying to understand what’s going on. Angel asks him to present his arguments to the contrary. Max admits he’s got nothing…Santos COULD be his son, since his mom was a slut who offered herself to him. At this, Santos is filled with rage and charges Max. It’s left to puny, moribund Angel to prevent Santos from jumping across the desk to strangle Max. Angel tells Max to give it a rest. Santos chimes in that he doesn’t care if Max is his daddy-o, he is only interested in saving Rosita from Max’s clutches. Angel insists on asking where the girl is. Don Max looks uncomfortable.

Back to Soledad and DL. Soledad has finally found her voice. She tells him that she sees he’s still delusional. She’s tired of trying to convince him of her innocence. DL tells her he can’t convince him—he’s seen too many proofs of her guilt. If she is trying to convince him otherwise, she’s wasting her time. His conscience is clear. The only regret he has is to have given his heart to a traitor like her. Soledad replies quietly that, fine, one day, someday, he is going to find out that she was never Jose , the foreman’s lover and that Alina was their daughter. DL yells at her to shut up with the lies already. He’s not finished and she hasn’t seen the last of him. She tries to interject that he’s mistaken, that he’s ill, but DL interrupts and tells her to leave. She does. Frank kicks Sergio back into the barn and closes the door. Sergio has none of the bravado that the Don has. “We’re going to rot in jail! He whines.” DL tells him to stop crying like a little girl or he’s going to be getting a boyfriend in prison.

Santos, Max and Angel go to the cabana where Rosita is being held. She’s sitting rigid on the bed and cries when they come in. Max tries to come up with some lame explanation as to why she is there but Santos challenges it and fills in the blanks. Angel looks a lot less inclined to believe his uncle. Angel who either has dirty hair or is wearing entirely too much product in it, tells Santos to take Rosita home and try to get Braulio to turn himself in to the authorities. Angel tells Don Max to accompany him back to the house where they can finish their discussion. Max twirls his mustache and agrees, in a display of faux righteous indignation.
Emilio is already busy at la Rincondada with his squaddies, giving them orders, to take Alvaro Montellano to Puebla. Frank is keen that Emilio give a statement about DL’s attempt on his life. Emilio corrects him—TWO ATTEMPTS on his life. YES, he’ll be happy to make a statement! Soledad, enters and adds that she too will give a statement. Before anyone can react, Coral rushes in and Emilio is surprised and asks what she’s doing there. Coral says she bears a message. Cesar is ferrying Elias to Puebla. Soledad asks what happened to Elias. Coral says, “Nothing, it’s just a precaution.” Franks says, then we have nothing else to wait for, Let’s go!”
Back at the cave, Luba is finally able to take a moment to relax after all the tumultuous events. She picks up THE BOX and says that it’s better than DL NEVER KNOW what’s in the box. She puts it in the hiding place behind the rock. Meanwhile, Gaspar is working on his animal carvings for the little cub. Luba suggests that they leave the sierra but Gaspar wants to wait until his cub is born and then go see him. Luba says that she has to go to see Soledad to tell her that Alina is alive. Then she’ll “find out” if the little cub was born. She makes Gaspar promise not to leave the cave.

Angel and Max enter the main house. Max starts to argue that he’s always liked Rosita and that he’d make a better mate for her than that beggar Santos. Angel is disgusted that Max would steal his son’s girlfriend. Max doesn’t like the sound of that. He argues that it’s not proven that Santos is his son. Angel is still not liking the sound of all this. He tells Max that these charges are very serious. Max still insists that none of them are true. Angel looks doubtful.

Meanwhile, DL, Sergio, are being secured in a jeep, bound for Puebla. DL decides it’s a fine time to taunt Emilio saying that he must be bucking for a promotion to try to arrest him. He has some fun imagining that the next rank up for Emilio is Major, but that (I think this is the expression) “you can dress a monkey in silk but he’s still a monkey.” Emilio says nothing and just looks at him like he’s…crazy…like Soledad did earlier. After DL is finished with his rant, Emilio tells Frank to go. Emilio turns to Soledad and says “my work here is done.” Soledad looks at him with a vacant expression.

Back at Luba’s cave, Luba is gone but Gaspar is there, flipping tortillas on a stove. In walks Vera. She shows Gaspar the empty flask that formerly contained the magic prell concoction. Gaspar recognizes it and Vera gets an “aha!” look on her face as if she just found out it was Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick. Gaspar starts to tell her about the stuff in the bottle and then clams up, realizing that he’s talked too much already. Vera gets all huffy, hands him the bottle and tells him to tell his mom that “There is a God and that he will punish evildoers.” She flounces out. Gaspar laughs and goes back to the tortillas. “And they say *I* say stupid things!”

Luba is over at La Rinconada where she finds Soledad in the kitchen. She confirms that Alina is alive and well and on her way to Puebla with Cesar and Elias.
We join them on the road, where we left them in the opening of this episode. The conversation is a bit hard to hear over the noisy jeep but basically Alina is reflecting on the fact that Emilio thinks that she is dead and..it’s probably better that way. Elias agrees. He remarks that after all of this is over, they can let the past go.

We cut to a scene of poor old Emilio grabbing dirt from Alina’s freshly dug [and redug] grave and having flashbacks about the heart necklace gift and her accepting his marriage proposal. After the flashbacks, he collapses amid the flowers, weeping.

Luba is still with Soledad. Luba is eagerly telling her that “Alina must already be free.” Soledad compares Luba to an angel. Luba professes mock horror, since she’s supposed to be “a bad witch.” Luba tells her she’ll send Adela her way so that she can help her get things organized for the trip to Puebla. Finally, Luba tells her that the Virgin of Peace will be looking out for her.

Nightfall. We are presented with a picture of a waxing moon. Thelma and Orlando are talking excitedly in the gran sala of la Rinconada. Orlando is drinking brandy from a cut crystal snifter. Thelma accuses him of getting drunk. Orlando admits he is nervous. He doesn’t know what Emilio is up to. He’s worried about what Emilio will say to General Ochoa and what impact this could have on his career given that Ochoa has always had a fondness for Emilio. Thelma tells him that he must convince Emilio not to bring any charges, since any hearing would also expose Flor’s reputation to dispute. He needs to be convinced that it would be better to let her rest in peace. Orlando is starting to think that maybe telling Emilio that the whole letting Emilio see them in bed together ruse was just a ruse and that nothing really happened.

Santos, Rosita and Braulio are eating by candle-light. Braulio thanks Santos for saving his daughter. Rosita is still afraid that it’s not over and that Max will hunt her down.

Back to Thelma and Orlando. Thelma is ticked at Orlando for even suggesting such a thing. Orlando says, “that’s just great, you aren’t the one with problems over this.” Thelma reminds him that she is on the point of losing Emilio. “Even in death, I am not free of that damn girl!” Orlando puts down his glass and says that he will have to think hard about what his next move is. He walks out. Thelma says to nobody in particular that “nobody’s going to destroy me!”

Meanwhile, Emilio has moved from Alina’s gravesite to the chapel where he continues to bawl his eyes out and ask God why he took Alina away from him. Padre Cristobal comes over and preaches resignation. Emilio resists and says that he will never forget Alina and he feels as if his heart had been torn out.

Back at la Rinconada, the little cub is asleep and being cooed over by his doting Great Aunt. Thelma flounces in, slamming doors. Luckily the little cub is a sound sleeper. Thelma complains that Orlando is thinking of telling Emilio that he never raped or in any other fashion had sexual relations with that woman, Flor. SA is shocked. Apparently she was out of the loop on this scheme of Thelma’s. SA says that maybe it’s not such a bad thing for Emilio to know the truth. Thelma tells her not to be stupid. First, she’s going to get Orlando, before he can incriminate her.

Elias and Alina have made it back to Puebla and to Elias’ house. They are happy to be back but memories of Blanca, Elias’ deceased wife and Alina’s godmother come flooding back. Elias slips out to fix up a room for Alina. Alina picks up a photo of Blanca and orange flashbacks the night that Alina came home from the prom, I mean party, for her friend Sofia. The night that she met Emilio and all the clucking Blanca did over her. She flashbacks dancing with him at the party, while he does some open mouth bass kissing. Alina comes out of her reverie and complains aloud that Emilio is in all of her memories.

Back in SE at La Rinconada, Jaime comes into his and Vera’s room. Vera is sewing, angrily. Jaime, like any good husband, picks up her mood immediately. She tells him that she knows now that Luba killed Alina.

At this point it’s time for a musical interlude from LAS CHICAS DEL BARCO. Coral is back and the show must go on. And yes, they do have another song besides “bon bon asesino” Granillo wants details from Coral but she’s too tired to spill the beans. One of the chicas comes up and asks Grani what happened and Grani shrugs.
Back to Vera and Jaime. Vera tells him of her visit to Luba’s cave. Jaime gets all excersised about the news that the flask did belong to Luba. Jaime decides that what they’ll do is organize a bunch of people to go after Luba. That way she won’t be able to curse them.

We finally pay a visit to Malena and Mariana in Mexico. Malena is remarking on Mariana’s progress. Mariana says Ricardo’s name and squeezes Malena’s hand. Malena gets all excited. I thought we already knew that she can do these things.
Back over to la Rinconada. Braulio is happy to turn himself into the authorities as long as they aren’t Max and his daughter is safe from him. Before he goes, he hands Santos a ledger book. He explains to a surprised Santos that in it are records that show that Max has been stealing from his nephews for years.

Emilio is rocking the little cub in his arms. He promises to always be there for him. Thelma comes in and cracks that she thought he had already left for Puebla. Emilio explains that he is on his way to do just that. He needs to talk to General Ochoa. Thelma throws a bunch of baby stuff on the bed. She tells him he must not go. They need to solve their “problems” first. She tells him that she knows he wants a divorce because of what he thinks she did to Alina. She now admits to scarring Jaime. “But the one who deserves the most blame for Alina’s death is ORLANDO!” Emilio is impactado and wants to know more. Thelma tells him that Alina never gave in to Orlando. Orlando drugged her and made her think that they had slept together. Emilio wants to know why she didn’t tell him before. Thelma argues implausibly that Orlando threatened her. What’s more, at the moment of execution, Orlando couldn’t even get it up and “make her his.”

At this very moment, Orlando is looking for Emilio and hears the commotion coming from Thelma’s room. He overhears Thelma’s entire confession, which incriminates him, right down to switching the tea in the teapot. He’s ticked but he hears Emilio swearing to kill him and decides that now is not the right moment to confront him. Orlando vows to get back at Thelma for her betrayal.

Back in Puebla, Alina in her PJs finds Elias asleep on the couch. She smiles but then the smile turns sour when she hears him calling out to her mother Soledad that he loves her in his sleep! Alina is impactada.

In Thelma’s room, self justification has turned into tearful begging on the part of Thelma. She claims that she was always jealous of Floralina, but she never wanted her dead. All this time, Emilio is staring at the sleeping baby in the cradle. Thelma winds up her speech asking for his forgiveness. Emilio gets up and walks across the room to where she is sitting. He says that after all the lies she told, it is impossible to believe her. [There are a series of flashbacks to some of Thelma’s worst whoppers.) Thelma then begs Emilio to just let Orlando ride off into the sunset, never to be seen again. After all, if Emilio goes after him, Orlando will just tell a “bunch of lies” about her. Emilio doesn’t seem to care much about that. He takes off. Alas, a quick check of the bedroom and with the servants and Emilio discovers that Orlando has already fled.

Over again to Puebla, Elias gives Alina a backgrounder on the Elias-Alvaro-Soledad love triangle. Blanca came later and he loved her very much. Then she died and he fell in love again with Soledad. Nice try, guy, you were gaga over Soledad even when your wife was standing in the room! Well, it is for the living to rewrite history. Alina buys the explanation but she adds that Mom is pretty messed from this abusive relationship she’s been suffering from for so long. Elias says he knows all about that. He just wants to be friends. They end up in a big hug. Awww!
At Luba’s cave, Luba is cooking some kind of sauce over hot coals. Luba remarks to Gaspar that Soledad was so happy! He puts in a request to hear about his cub and whether it was born yet. Luba tries to perpetuate the story that the cub still isn’t born yet. Gaspar is annoyed but he remembers that Vera came by with the green flask. Luba is impactada. “She thinks we killed Flor?” Gaspar repeats what Vera told him, that God will punish her.

Emilio and ifigenio are discussing Orlando. Ifigenio doubts that they can catch him. Emilio says, never mind, he has a job for him—to take a letter to General Ochoa in Puebla. It’s very important and he’s counting on Ifigenio to “git er done!” Emilio goes upstairs to write the letter.

We are treated to scenes of mountain streams, waterfalls etc. with the caption, “Sierra Escondida.“ Wait, I thought we were already in Sierra Escondida?! Well, we are at Nora and Adela’s pad. Luba has come to visit them and she’s eating an empanada or a piece of bread, I am not sure which. Adela is happy to hear that her mistress knows the good news and can relax. Luba adds that DL has already been hauled off to Puebla. This news startles Adela, but she’s grateful to God that Soledad’s trials are at an end. Nora wants to know what happened tothat jerk Sergio. Luba tells her that he got taken wth the Patron. Nora is quite happy to ear this as well. They ask her about Florecita. “She’s no longer in the mountains!” says Luba jubilantly. “but you must keep it a secret!” They agree to do so. Luba finishes up: “There in the mountains, there’s an empty tomb. Flor is happy.”

In Puebla, Don Loco is brought before a Justice official and General Ochoa. Don Loco says that he’s there unjustly, that Emilio arrested him for personal reasons. Ochoa stands up angrily and accuses him of being a cynic, that he tried to kill Emilio twice—that seems pretty personal to him. Don Loco asks what proofs he has that he tried to kill him twice. Ochoa picks up the letter from Emilio. DL assures him that it’s all just lies about his character. “His word against mine.” The justice official says, OK, we’ll get to the bottom of it. Do you have a lawyer? “Of course, “ says Don Loco “a very expensive lawyer.” The justice guy says DL will be going now to make that phone call. Frank grabs him and they leave the room.
General Ochoa hands off the prisoner to the Justice Official. His part in the apprehension is over and the civil authorities are now responsible for the fate of DL.

Cesar goes to Elias’ house to report on al that has happened. Alina reflects that although it’s sad, it’s time that her dad began paying for all he’s done. She’ still worried about her Mom. Elias comforts her and tells her he’s sure Soledad will be arriving soon. Alina wonders if she’ll have to testify. Cesar thinks it won’t be necessary. Everybody thinks she’s dead. It would be safer to not come forward until after the trial. Cesar says he has an assignment in another state that very afternoon. Could Elias take the responsibility of telling Emilio what has happened? Elias promises to. Cesar leaves.

Back at the la Rinconada, Angel is gazing at his picture of Alina. Santos comes in with Braulio’s ledger. He agrees that proving that Don Max tried to kill him will be difficult. Instead, here’s the ledger that shows that their Uncle has been stealing them blind.

Back over at Braulio’s the Don is taking his leave from Rosita to turn himself in. He tells her not to worry. Rosita cries.
Santos explains to Angel that Don Max has been underreporting earnings and stealing the difference. Don Braulio was afraid to expose him because Max would take away his house. Angel promises to get to the bottom of this and help Braulio get out of jail. Santos agrees and leaves.

Over in the Puebla jail, Don Loco’s lawyer has arrived. He looks grave. This is going to be tougher because of the military being involved but no matter. As long as DL has sufficient money in cash, anything can be arranged and the law can be twisted. DL asks him to look after Soledad as “she was worried about me.”
Alina is thinking less happy thoughts about Emilio at the moment. She recalls when she threw the heart necklace on the floor after Emilio treatedher badly. She remembers the last kiss she had with him on the day she was supposed to marry Orlando. She picks up the little heart medallion around her neck and kisses it, saying that she’s never forget Emilio. She’ll carry his heart around with her always.

In the next episode, we see Angel sneaking around trying to gather evidence against his uncle and getting busted by him in the process.

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