Caray, Caray!

I had thought all the good stuff was going to happen on Friday, and then I'd get a nice lightweight episode that'd be quick and easy to do. Instead I got this great big juicy thing. I'm not your usual person and this isn't my usual night or novela, so I hope I did it justice. Here goes nothin'.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Dani says "Rodrigo, you can't leave yet - my boyfriend Elvis just showed up and I want to introduce him." Rodrigo agrees to stay a bit longer. Aaron says the name Elvis sounds artistic and some other word I don't get. Sofie is excited to meet her little sister's new boyfriend.

"Family, this is my novio, Elvis Perez." Dani opens the door for the big reveal.

Rodrigo sits down, still beaming, looking a little curious. Videgaray looks like he was taken by surprise, but recovers and smiles welcomingly. Bruno stares blankly. Aaron squints and stretches his neck for a better look. Sofie looks either disgusted or consumed by a secret lust - I can't tell which. Fedra manages a sarcastic smile, but is shaking her head. Minerva blinks slowly, clearly appalled but maybe grateful it's not Lluvia again.

Dani runs into Elvis's arms as he merrily greets the family.

After the servants pick the family members' jaws up off the floor, wipe them off and return them to their owners, Aaron finally takes Minnie's hand and approaches, trying to be cool. "Elvis Perez? Sounds cultured and refined." He and Minnie sit down on the sofa. Minnie looks like she is meeting the royal ambassador of the pod-people from planet Neptune.

Dani introduces her grandmother. "Grandma, man!" He kisses Pilar on the cheek and says he always wanted a grandmother. (Pilar looks surprised, but no more so than usual. She doesn't make eye contact.) He tells her his own grandmother died when he was born. He adds, "the poor thing had to die when she met me!" Rod, Dani, and Videgaray laugh at the joke. The rest of them are still freaked out by the fact that he's black and not wearing a necktie.

Bruno seems to warm up to him a bit when he asks about the tequila business. They offer him some tequila. Dani (why Dani? can't he speak for himself?) says Elvis doesn't drink alcohol, but he likes coffee. "I like it really black," he jokes. This seems to loosen them up some more. Roddy hugs Pilar, who still seems catatonic.

Dani asks if she didn't tell them he was great. Sofie still has that creepy look on her face like she's either having a hot sexual fantasy about him or throwing up in her mouth. "Oh, I see... you're bothered by his color," Dani says. Fedra cocks her head but keeps that cold tight little smile, like it's killing her that she doesn't have a snappy comeback.

"My color is the only serious thing about me!" Elvis laughs. Pilar is more stone-faced than ever. With forced casualness, Sofie asks Elvis where he's from. Dani answers that he's from Veracruz, but moved to New York when he was very little. (I don't get it - obviously Elvis can talk, so why doesn't she let him answer questions?) Aaron asks, "And who let you leave?" Elvis shoots back a friendly retort that I don't get. Something about being able to make good jokes. Minnie continues to look uncomfortable.

Rod gets up and wishes everyone a good Christmas Eve. Sofie asks him to give Isadora a kiss for her. Oh, I could laugh for several minutes about that one, but I need to finish this recap.

"I think I made a good impression on your family," Elvis tells Dani. Pilar watches them out of the corner of her eye. "Don't doubt it, hot stuff," Dani tells him.

Rod stands outside his car, debating whether to go home. He remembers where Gavi is.

You can dress her up, but you can't take her out

Gaviota, Clarita, and Eduardo are seated at the party, and Gavi orders tequilas Immediately, Eduardo gets a phone call and excuses himself, leaving the two women at a table full of strangers. Clarita confides that she hopes Eduardo's tequila is as good as the Montalvo stuff she had back at the house with Rod. Gavi asks her not to mention that name tonight. Gavi doesn't even want to be there. She says after midnight, they're out of there.

A band that I don't recognize plays. Mom tells Gavi that Eduardo's tequila isn't too bad. She reaches for another sip, and Gavi warns her to slow down. Suddenly Mom is grumpy. She say's they're going to have a toast. Know why? 'Cuz even surrounded by so many people, they're alone. Like always. Why? Because of love.

Clarita begins singing about lost love. She gets up and starts to wander around aimlessly, a la Admiral Stockdale at the 1992 vice-presidential debate. Except he wasn't drunk or singing. (Might have looked better if he had.) Gavi leds her back to the table and they laugh and hug. Eduardo asks Gavi to dance, but she turns him down. He wants to know why. "It's not my day," she answers. She says she doesn't want to be a party-pooper and doesn't feel like socializing with his friends. She's going to leave at 12.

Eduardo wants to know what's up. Gavi takes a big gulp of tequila and says she feels like killing herself. "Sure... in the arms of Rodrigo!" Clarita blurts.

"Mariana, are you in love with Rodrigo Montalvo?!" Gavi is speechless. She says she doesn't want to discuss her personal life. Clarita continues singing. Gavi tells her she needs a big cup of high-octane coffee. Clarita whines. Eduardo says it's Christmas Eve, and they're gonna drink. Clarita snatches a bottle from a passing waiter and beings pouring.

Later, Mom is grocery-shopping at the buffet table, staggering around with a plate heaped high with what looks like meat and dinner rolls. Gavi chides her and follows with a much emptier-looking plate. Eduardo asks if she's on a diet. Clarita asks the punch guy for a "punchecito." (If I didn't have to get up for work tomorrow, I'd take more time with this and keep a tally of her drinking because I think she's going to set a record by the end of the night.) Gavi tells her to slow down, but Clarita encourages her to try the yummy punch. Gavi tells her to be careful with the drinks - they're treacherous. Just like men. Clarita drinks and laughs. Gavi shakes her head at the punch guy and tells him no. She leads her mother back to their table. Eduardo gazes lustfully after her.

(To be honest, Clarita seems only slightly daffier than usual - we're just not used to seeing her out in public.)

Fireworks light up the sky. Clarita runs to the window, babbling happily. She wants to do another toast and tries again to get Gavi to try the punch. Eduardo brings them three glasses of champagne and reminds them it's almost midnight... guess what they're going to do... another toast. There is crying. Clarita wants to talk about Gavi being in love with Rodrigo. Gavi starts getting into it. Eduardo wants to dance again. She says no. Clarita sez if you don't, I will. Gavi leads her back to their table. "Sit down and behave yourself, please." "I'll hold your seat!" Clarita promises.

Gavi cautiously dances with Eduardo, keeping a discreet distance. I'm sure I'm supposed to recognize this band, sorry. Eduardo keeps trying to get closer. Roddy cuts in and basically drags her away. Ed looks on curiously.

Isadora's Christmas Surprise

Isadora's parents are visiting. She's wearing a dress the color of a bright yellow highlighter. I think we can cross this off the list of colors that she'd look good in. So far, it appears that taupe may be her best bet.

Izzy asks her dad to open the wine and let it rest. He looks at the label and praises it. She says it's her husband's favorite wine. She says he has good taste in beverages. "In women too," her father says. "He picked you!" Isa's mom gives a creepy smile. I can't tell if it's supposed to look creepy, or if that's just her face.

Isadora brings them to the dinner table. Mom suggests calling Rod. The doorbell rings, and Isa says that must be him. (Doubt it. I don't even ring the doorbell at my parents' house.) It's the creepy neighbor Francisco, bringing Christmas greetings and a bottle of champagne. She invites him to have dinner with them. He says c'est magnifique. Isadora feels sparks.

At the hacienda

Mr. James is dining with Roman, Ofelia, Hilario, and Sanreallywannarealbad. He says they're like his family. Roman says they're honored to have him there. Ofelia asks baby Jesus for great health and love, care for Rodrigo's family, and for Mr. James to feel better about Acacia. James thanks them.

Sanwanna says, "don't you have something to ask, Hilario?" Hilario's like, oh right. "I'll ask him to make me a better person, a better worker, a better son... and a good husband. If you'll marry me?" Sanwanna acts all suprised. "Did you say let's get married?" Yeah I want you to be the mother of my kids, he says, with forced sincerity. "As far as I'm concerned, we can get married tomorrow!" she answers. James jumps up for a toast. There is much rejoicing... but Ofelia is pensive.

After midnight

Minnie and Aaron are dancing. Minnie promises that this is the last Christmas they spend without a child. Next time, he'll be a dad.

Next, there are hugs and kisses from Bruno and Fedra. Bruno makes speech - Merry Christmas, so glad we got to spend this Christmas Eve together, because who knows, maybe this will be the last. Fedra - don't be silly, we've got plenty more to go. Aaron boasts that life goes on, and they Bruno hasn't seen anything yet.

Bruno wants to know more about Aaron's jet. Did he rent it? Aaron dodges this, says yes officially he rented it, but it's really his. Pilar butts in with her own burning issue: Elvis was giving her kisses and she didn't know how to get away from him. Elvis rushes up to her and wants more kisses. He says he's her precious black one. She turns to face him, and he kisses her on each cheek. He keeps calling her Grandma. She keeps looking over his shoulder, perhaps hoping for a rescue. No rescue occurs. Everyone is laughing now, even Sofie. I don't think I've ever seen her laugh before!

Back at the tequila party, Gavi and Roddy are arguing in a steamy way out in the garden. He complains that htis is the worst Christmas ever and the new year is going to be even worse. Plus, she's going to go to hell with all those lovers of hers. She slaps him. He says he can't stand the way they look at her, give her cards, smile and flirt with her. He can't stand that she would smile at anyone else. Only him. She's the only woman who was born for him, the only one he can love. Since she left his life it's been hell. All this time he's been staking out her apartment, snooping through her things, listening to her conversations, all he wants is for her to come back to him, he wants to give her his life and she denies him.

She reminds him that it's been no picnic for her either, all these nights thinking about him, imagining him with Isadora. She's living in a worse hell than he is. She hasn't looked at anyone else the way she looks at him. As much as she tries, she can't live without him.

R: What do I have to do for you to be with me? My life is controlled by yours. I'm forever condemned. I love you, Gaviota. I love you.
G: I love you too. I love you.

There is some serious kissing. No lazy Aldo kisses here.

(Back home, Isa's mad that Roddy isn't answering his phone. Dad is sure he'll be here when they least expect it. Francisco says he hopes Rod won't be upset that he had dinner with them. Isa tells them all to dig in and thought-bubbles where the #$@! is Rodrigo.)

Rodrigo is spinning Gavi around and saying he'll finally have a good Christmas. Gavi says too bad it's going to be so short - he needs to go home. He doesn't want to. (Clarita spies from afar, hiccuping. "Ah, el amor.") Gavi tells him his wife is waiting. It'd be rough on her not to have him at her side on a day like this. She thinks maybe the drinks have made them say things, and tomorrow everything will be different. He doesn't think they'll ever be able to relive the wonder of this moment.

The music comes up again. He wants them to dance. She says no, but then he asks if she'd rather he left. No? Then let's dance. It's Christmas. Let's give ourselves a gift. Kiss, hug, dance.

Back at the Montalvo party, Granny wonders if Dani really is in love with "that muchacho." Sofie isn't sure and wonders if Dani only brought him over to mess with them. Granny thinks they should talk to her soon - this relationship must not go forward!

Aaron gets call and excuses himself. Dani plays music that's too loud. Granny suggests calling Isadora to wish that party a Merry Christmas. Sofie says they'd better do it in a quieter room. Minnie goes along for the exercise, I guess.

Aaron is on the phone with Pamela. She's mad that he didn't call her at midnight. She's eager to be with him. He reminds her that they agreed to wait till after the holidays; be patient, and time will pass quickly. (Granny, Minnie, and Sofie walk in.) "I promise we won't be far apart. Go to bed, and I'll call you tomorrow." Minnie goes BSC. Aaron coolly tells Pam he'll call her tomorrow. Pamela says, "It's your nightmare wife, isn't it." "Yes, of course. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. See ya."

Aaron claims he was talking to his valued business associate Johnny Molina, who called to wish him a happy holiday because he's attentive about such things. She doesn't buy it and repeats his sweet words to Pamela - you'd only talk to a lover that way, dummy! Aaron shakes his crazy finger (it's a crazy finger, I tell you) at her and says that when someone is attentive with you, you be attentive back. (In other words, if they talk sweet to you, you talk sweet back.) He tells her, relax. It's Christmas. Santa is coming.

Granny Pilar offers her own wisdom to Minnie: With husbands you have to believe them unless you can find proof to the contrary.

Yeah, Granny, I bet you could tell us some stories.

Isa and her party are enjoying the champagne. Frankie says it was a four-star dinner and it reminds him of this place near Castillo where the specialty was pheasant stuffed with truffles. Isa's mother, who very clearly doesn't like this guy, points out that their dinner was turkey stuffed with chestnuts. He says he knows that, but it just reminded him. He says he's so glad they invited him; he thought he'd be alone; this was much better.

The phone rings. Isa: Don't answer it. Mom: Something could be happening with Rodrigo. Isa: Nothing ever happens with Rodrigo. Mom: If you don't answer, I will. (Frankie smirks behind his champagne flute.) Dad: Daughter, please, take the call.

It's Minnie, wishing them a feliz navidad. Isa declines to speak with Granny - she doesn't want to talk to anyone. She asks about Rodrigo. Minnie lets her know that Rod already left... quite a while ago. Isa dares Minnie to say what she's thinking. Minnie tells her to calm down and they'll talk tomorrow.

Minnie hangs up and tells the other women that Isa's mad because Rod hasn't shown up yet and he's surely in the arms of Mariana Franco. After Minnie leaves, Sofie tells her grandmother not to worry about Minerva because she's a troublemaker.

It's getting late. Isadora's Dad thinks they should call the police. Isadora says she just wants to be alone. Her mother tells her not to make any hasty decisions - give Rodrigo a chance to explain.

Isa's parents leave. Frankie says it was great to be by her side, but he would have preferred to see her happy, laughing. "I know what you are feeling, because I am very alone too," he tells her. He offers to be useful to her.

He kisses her - wow, he actually leads with the tongue. I think the next few seconds are supposed to be hot, but they look more like a mauling. I fear they will twist each others' lips off. Before things go too far, she hurriedly retreats into the apartment and closes the door. She smiles dreamily and caresses her mouth. He leans on the other side of the door with a faintly triumphant smirk.

I can't figure this guy out. At first I thought he was some random pervert. Then when he was a phoneless neighbor I thought maybe he was a grifter. His pretentious dinner conversation was grifteriffic too. Then just now I thought maybe he was an aspiring gigolo.

We'll see.

Back at the tequila party, Eduardo is asking Clarita if "they" are having a thing - in fact, Gavi and Rod are now on the dance floor where everyone can see them. Clarita's sobbing, incoherent, dabbing her eyes on Ed's gold silk tie. Eduardo watches Mariana and Rodrigo dance. I can't tell what he thinks of what he sees, but she's clearly a lot more enthusiastic to dance with Rodrigo than she was with Ed.

Gavi admits to being confused by Rod. Rod says they need to have this moment, to prove that they can't be apart any more. He wants them to forget the past and start over.

He lays a kiss on her mouth in front of everyone. She tells him he's misunderstanding things. She had too much to drink. Rodrigo tells her it will be okay because his family admires and respects Mariana. It's not like when she was Gavi and and they knew all about that. Besides, Isa is only faking their friendship to manipulate her. Isa hates Gaviota and now she's going to hate Mariana too.

Gavi reminds him that she's the one who followed through on their engagement. She showed up a little late, but she showed up. The worst of all, Isa is your wife before God and that's sacred. Rod says Gavi is still the first and only woman in his life, and his marriage to Isa came at a high price. He swears on his life that there has never been anything between them.

He continues to insist that he's never been with another woman. Gavi points out that he's still with Isadora. Rod admits that he married her out of spite and it became an obligation and now his family is pressuring him to live out this stupid farce. Then he says that the rules between him and Isadora are very clear and that he can break up with her at any time. (Put your money where your mouth is, you oaf!!) He asks, if I were in love with Isa, would I be here at the party with Gavi now? Let's go away from here.

Gavi says she's not gonna break up his marriage. What about his kid? Rod says they're won't be any kid - he only told her that out of jealousy. He begs her to let him show her how important she is in his life. She says again that she won't break up his marriage.

Eduardo interrupts to warn that Clarita drank drank some more and is now asleep. Gavi goes to check it out. "So the rumors are true," Ed says to Rod. Rod asks Ed to be discreet. Ed says he will, but only out of respect for Mariana. And he doesn't understand why she doesn't prefer him to a married man. Rod says it's more complicated than Ed can imagine.

Rod asks some people at Gavi's table where the two women went that were sitting there. Gavi and Clarita are on their way out to the car. Clarita is whining; she wants to stay. She's never been at a party with so many people. Gavi says she can have a really big party for her birthday. She struggles to keep Clarita upright. "I saw you really happy with Rodrigo." Gavi asks for a cab. They talk about a telenovela while they wait. Clarita is crying. Now she's whooping and cheering for tequila as Gavi and a driver stuff her into a cab. They're gone.

As usual, Rod shows up just a moment later. The doorman tells him where they went. He gets into his car. His phone is beeping with unplayed messages. "Isa's been calling." From the happy note in his voice I can see that what this means to him is that she has lived another day and therefore he can't be accused of her murder.

Ofelia and Roman are talking about the kids. Ofelia is skeptical. She says she doubts Sanwanna is the woman for Hilario except in that taimada es una loquilla. I don't know what either of those words means, but I bet she means something like "she's not the woman for him except maybe in the same way that anchovies are a topping for a sundae." Roman thinks it's better than him moaning over some married woman. Ofelia admits she dislikes just about everything about Sanwanna. (In the captions, Roman calls his wife Aurelia. Have I been calling her by the wrong name all this time?)

Outside, the anchovy topping is trying to cheer up the sundae. She says that Ofelia took the news like a mule's foot. She promises, "voy a echar a la bolsa." She's going to throw it in a bag? I don't know what that means. She wants to get married on Valentine's day. He wants to build them a house. It'll take a year if he hurries. The alternative is that they can live with his parents. She wants a nice house, so she agrees to wait. They kiss, and he seems not to mind. He hopes that she will help get Isadora out of his system.

Clarita is now singing and staggering in the hallway outside the apartment. Mr. Italian Guy greets them. Clarita says she doesn't recognize him. (I suppose he looks different when he's twins.) She shoves him and tries to hit him with a shoe. He holds her up while Gavi unlocks the door. They throw her on the couch and somehow she doesn't vomit. Gavi tells him she's got some things to tell him about. But first she drags Clarita into the bedroom and puts her on bed. (I think the baño would be a better choice.) He begins to prepares some tea or coffee or something.

Rod finally gets home. Isa waves a champagne glass at him and says "I suppose you came back just to wish me a merry Christmas." She tries to guilt him that her parents were there, wanted to eat with him, open presents, etc., but now they've probably figured out what kind of a relationship they have. That he won't even spend one Christmas Eve with her.

"Sorry," Rodrigo says.

She tells him the whole world was worried, thinking something bad had happened to him. Or more likely, pretending to be worried, to spare her feelings. They probably all know who he was with, too. His inseparable Mariana Franco. Has he prepared his cuartada (don't know what that is) yet? She doesn't care about his excuse. What she's angriest about is that he left her waiting like an idiot. She asks, what is his excuse, anyway?

He tells her he left Granny's and got to thinking that he would have to make some decisions. She coldly asks about these decisions about their future. "Tell me right now what you decided."

---

Tuesday
Rodrigo to Isadora: I am breaking up with YOU. Forever!
Minnie to Aaron: What happens to your girlfriend if I'm pregnant?

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