Caray, Caray!

Cami tells Justo and Ofelia of Vasco's roll in the hay with Ines. Justo is hopping mad. He doesn't think Vasco needs "more time" for anything. He runs off to see Vasco at the mill, where Vasco is "consoling" Ursula at this very moment. Ofelia and Camila worry about how Santi will take it. Cami offers to tell him. Ofelia says better not, because Rita is more jealous than ever. They hope maybe it's just because of the pregnancy.

Fran admits to LaFont that Lis has always had a crush on Ric. He tells her that Ric and Cami are engaged, and asks point-blank if the Ric they know is the same as Ric the pirate. Fran wordily denies it. LaFont also suggests that Lis ought to get out more. Fran politely agrees with him, and fans herself as he leaves.

She goes in the house and tells Lis of LaFont's suspicions about Ric. She thinks maybe LaFont and Jorge sent their friend to La Mariana to dig up some dirt on their family - Ric would get sent to the gallows, and Lis would lose her inheritance. "How can you think about money when Ric's life is at stake??" "Excuse me if I'm more interested in your welfare than in his. By the way, he's engaged to Camila."

Lis is impactada.

Justo gets to the mill and rushes up the stairs. Vasco is sitting alone with a very contented air. Justo smacks him right off of his chair. "How dare you?! You ARE getting married this time!" (So I guess Vasco didn't marry Paco's mother... Santi mentioned in his chat with Ascanio last week that she died.) "Okay, so when do you want me to marry her?" Justo says he and Santi will decide. And if Santi wants to beat him up, Justo will let him.

Ines is crying her eyes out with Ofelia. It's been two weeks; they hope she's not pregnant. Ofelia says Santi doesn't know yet, so don't let on with all the crying. Ines worries that Santi will throw her out; she thinks she deserves it. Ofelia doubts that, but reminds her of all the things that are wrong with Vasco. "Maybe he'll change!" Ofelia tells her not to get her hopes up.

At the forge, Ascanio tells Santiago that he learned reading and writing from nuns as a kid. I think he's writing a business plan for selling the lanterns. Santi thinks they should offer turnip seed oil at the same time (as lamp oil). They seem to have some big plans for making a lot of money. Santi thinks that people treat you better when you have money. Memo to Santi: people also treat you better when you're not a selfish jerk.

Justo comes by and tells Santi they need to go to Ofelia's for a talk. He assures worried Ascanio that it's not about Camila. Ascanio says he can move in now; Justo says "okay, whenever" and wanders off with Santi.

They get to Ofelia's. Justo orders Ramona (the maid) away from the stove so they can speak privately. Santi pokes his head in to let Ofelia know he's there to talk to Justo. Ofelia tells Ines to go out there and face Justo. She doesn't want to, but it only takes Justo two seconds to explain things to Santi. "Your sister and Vasco are going to get married." (Ines cowers nervously behind Ofelia.) "They HAVE to." Santi blows up... at Ines! She invites him to hit her (or some less violent translation of "pegar..." I'll leave this to the Caray Caray Brain Trust to figure out!).

Santi hobbles over to the forge, looks around aimlessly, and leaves without saying anything. Ascanio and the twins look at one another in confusion, and then there's a lengthy shot of Santi going to the church. (Normally, when people on this show go anywhere, not only is there no travel time, but the edit is so abrupt that you don't even realize right away that they've moved.) He turns down a chance to give his confession, but the priest gets him to talk. Santi says there's no peace in his life. He talks about his love for Camila (the priest has already heard about that one). He's prayed and prayed to get over it, but it hasn't happened. The priest says maybe this is meant as a test. (If so, he's only earned himself a D at best, and it's time to move on to the next test.)

Next, he talks about Rita's jealous nagging, and Vasco taking advantage of his sister. He doesn't want Ines to turn out unhappy like him for marrying the wrong person. Santi says it's not always God who decides - sometimes it's the devil. The priest urges him to pray for all of these people in addition to himself, for peace. Santiago gets down and prays.

Vasco and Bernabe are hanging out at the bar. Vasco's telling him about the world of hurt he's in now that their parents know about Ines. And this all came down right after he was with Ursula, consoling her for being an almost-widow (though, he tells Bernabe, it seemed to him that she couldn't have cared less about that guy).

Bernabe laughs and then suddenly gets serious. He says money makes problems smaller. "A little money never hurt anyone," he says. (He reminds me of the little devil that sits on a cartoon character's left shoulder.) "Camila deserves it," Vasco agrees. They drink to that.

Ric, Mario, and their posse approach La Paisana's Home for Wayward Pirates and Highwaymen. Mario is saying that if Juancho's men are the ones who were robbing caravans and killing people, Ric'll get his fortune back, as well as a pardon, and then he can marry his beloved.

Ric isn't sure it will be so easy, and anyway, they don't even know how many of them there are. Mario says that each one of their guys is worth two of Juancho's. As for La Paisana, they'll just tell her to scram. Mario asks about the chat he had with Camila last night. Did they fight? Ric ignores him.

Lazaro asks to see La Paisana. A girl tells him LP hasn't left her room in days and has been acting strangely, but LP comes out to talk to him. She asks (or tells?) him that Pablo worked for Antillano. He was going to ride with the caravan for better security. (Looks like a strong paper towel would have been more effective.) Lazaro explains that it was Ric's money that got stolen from the caravan, so it's probably here. LP says no, Juancho came back with mules, but no big trunks full of money. There's no way he could have hidden them. (She says something about nobody messes with Foreman's stuff?) LP tells Lazaro that Juancho said some other people were waiting for the caravan too.

(This conversation is confusing... I thought Lazaro witnessed the whole thing! The ruckus woke him up!)

Manuela runs into her father in the plaza. She seems to shrink in her shoes when she spots him. She's dressed in her church duds, and he chastises her for prudish frumpy clothes, even though the kids she teaches are having their first communion today. "You're never around when I need you," he complains. She offers not to go. He wants her to invite Lis and Fran to the house tomorrow. She whines that she wanted to spend some time with Ursula after her fiance's death. He tells her to send the note first and then she can do what she likes, but he doubts Ursula will care much anyway.

Jimena is back at Camila's house - Fran told her that Ric ordered one of the servants to care for Pablo. (I hope Jimena confirmed that before leaving.) They talk about Claudio's little mishap, and how Alvaro deserved it but Claudio shouldn't have done it, and it's a good thing Ric was there and took him to the Iguana. Maybe they'll turn him into a rich and handsome pirate like Ric.

Santi brings home some flowers for Rita and apologizes for being testy with her. He assures her that he's all done with Cami. Rita says she'll have to see for herself. He says that what he did for Cami last night, he would have done for any friend. Rita says Cami is no friend. He changes the subject to the handkerchiefs she's embroidering and says he wishes the baby could be born tomorrow so he could see it. This cheers her up. She hopes this baby is the first of many.

Camila prays for Claudio. Ascanio comes in with his bags packed and she says she should pray for him too, that he does okay at her father's house. They talk about how they'll miss each other, and Claudio. Cami says it only takes a second to make mistakes that follow you for the rest of your life. Jimena catches them on their way out, and they walk out together, bidding fond farewells. The women realize it's just the two of them now. They say they're glad they have each other, even if they do bicker a bit. "Men come and men go, but friends are forever," Jimena says. Aw.

The kids have just finished their first communion service. Manuela comes out of the church and sees Ascanio. He seems to have the opposite effect on her that LaFont does. (That is, she can look at his face instead of her shoes when she talks to him. I think she likes looking at his face.) He tells her he's moving in with Justo. She says she's going to see Ursula. Also, she told her father that Ascanio didn't need the loan. "It was VERY nice to see you, Doña Manuela." "Me too."

Fortunata tells Sofia that Ursula must be very sad. Sofia says yeah, not even for two whole days... a servant saw her sneaking out in the morning. Sofia says she wants to ask Justo if he knows anything about Alvaro's cousin, Claudio, whose mother Alvaro had been married to. Fortunata wants to know if they're going to find Ursula another man. Sofia says they'll talk about it when Jorge comes back, but she thinks it's better to leave it alone... Ursula doesn't want to get married. The only other man she was interested in was Ric, and he preferred Camila - and Sofia can understand that.

Fortunata says it's just a shame that the Mancera fortune should default to the crown because Jorge doesn't have an heir. She starts to ask if Jorge would try to make an heir with another woman, but Sofia cuts her off only to finish the sentence anyway. She mysteriously says maybe there's someone else who has priority. Fortunata is intrigued to hear that there might be some boy-baby-bastards she doesn't know about. "Eh, I'm just sayin'," Sofia says. "You never 'just say,'" Fortunata protests. Sofia gives her a dirty look.

Ursula is reading something from Spain (as evidenced by the second person plural verbs) when Manuela shows up to offer condolences. Ursula laughs at her and says the only thing that upset her was the spoiled wedding plans. "I had only just met him, and anyway, he wasn't all that handsome." She liked the idea of being a duchess and partying with the viceroy, and putting on pretty things, and having everyone look up to her as a queen. (Excuse me, Ursula, that's duchess.)

"Well, sorry anyway," Manuela says. She asks if they caught the guy who did it. Ursula thinks Camila is protecting him, and that she put him up to it. Because she's a tramp. She coaxed Ric into dumping Ursula. Manuela protests. Fortunata listens at the door with her mouth open. Ursula gets angry with Manuela for not agreeing with everything she says. "Fine, I'll leave," Manuela says meekly. Ursula impatiently tells her to sit down, and tries to pump her for information about Lis. Is she still drooling over Ric?

Ascanio arrives at Justo's house. Justo looks like it's the only good thing that's happened to him all day. During their tour of the house, they run into Ines, who is playing with Paco. Paco is happy to have a new roommate and asks if Ascanio will play with him. Ines looks like she wants to disappear.

Justo shows Ascanio his room. Ascanio says it's okay about Paco - he likes kids. Justo says the room used to be Cami and Rita's. Ascanio says he noticed Ines looked a little downcast. Justo says she's going to marry Vasco and join the family. (After which, they'll all be downcast.) Ascanio looks confused. Justo changes the subject to suggest lunch.

Fortunata whispers in Sofia's ear as the two descend the staircase. Sofia warns Ursula not to mess with Camila. Ursula asks, "who told you about that?" even as Fortunata's legs are still vanishing back up the stairs. "She's suffered enough," Sofia tells Ursula. Ursula scorns this with, "I've always said she was a dead fly." Sofia warns not to defy her.

Team Ric scopes out Team Juancho's camp from afar. They see the mules, but not the wagons. A couple of guys are carrying a big trunk, but it's obviously not heavy enough to be filled with gold. They don't see Juancho or el Tuerto, but Ric thinks they must be inside.

If I'm not mistaken, el Tuerto is dead. Someone else (is this Juancho?) is telling Lazaro he still doesn't trust him. Lazaro just wants to know when the captain (Foreman?) is coming, so he can bum a ride on his boat.

Lazaro tells La Paisana she's got a good business going there; does she work for Foreman? She says she works only for herself. She asks him if Pablo had a wife or kids. Lazaro asks, why so much interest in Pablo, was he a customer at your old bordello or something? She tosses a bucket of liquid in his face and calls him a dog. She walks away as the saloon patrons snicker at Lazaro.

Justo reminds Vasco that they're going to Santi's house this evening to make a formal marriage proposal.

Ursula is practicing archery... on living things. She lets one fly at a groomsman, who ducks just in time. The horse whinnies in terror. Fortunata tells Ursula they're having a Mass for Alvaro. Ursula snidely says he's not her fiance any more. Fortunata asks where Ursula went in the morning. Ursula says she went out and she's done it before and it's none of Fortunata's business. Fortunata tells her not to be rude and asks if it was to see Vasco. Ursula aims an arrow at her. Fortunata warns her that she was seen out in broad daylight within hours of her intended's death. It was shameless. If her parents found out...

Ursula leaves, guffawing.

A lady is singing and dancing at the Bad Pirate Camp when the Good Pirates ride in. "It's the Antillano!" The bad guy pirates surround them. "Is that any way to greet your colleagues?" Juancho says he's not sure they're colleagues. Did Foreman send them? Ric says yep. "I don't believe you," Juancho says. "I haven't heard from him." "Why would he write you if you don't know how to read?" Mario wisecracks.

LP comes out to investigate. She is much happier to see them. Juancho warns her that they're lying about being sent by Foreman. She tells him that he can go ahead and hide if he's afraid. She's the boss around here, and if he pushes his luck he'll have no food, drink, or women. She sends him to his room and invites Ric and Mario in. Mario tells his men to arrange the horses around the front door, and if they see anything suspicious, to take off.

LP brings them into the saloon, loudly orders the ladies to bring them food and drink, and takes them to a table in the back where she tells them she doubts they're here on Foreman's orders - this is Ric's own business and he doesn't want to discuss it with anyone else, because unlike those guys out there who'll do anything, when it's Antillano it's always something big.

They ask her why she left La Coralina. She said she got tired of it; too many people. They ask where El Tuerto is. "He was here, but I killed him," she says, because he murdered a colleague who had begged for mercy during their last caravan heist.

"Do you mean Pablo?" Mario asks. She looks like she wants to tell him everything, but instead she answers "that's what they told me he was called." Ric tells her that Mario found him and he's out of danger now. She gasps with relief. Mario asks if he's the son she'd told him about. "What's going on with our damn food?" she yells at one of the girls.

Juancho and another guy are wondering what's going on. He repeats that he doesn't think Foreman sent them. He thinks they should kill the whole bunch of them. "But they haven't done anything!" the other guy says. Juancho doesn't want to wait for them to do something. The other guy says Juancho's nervous around Antillano because he killed El Negro, but Juancho killed Manolo, and Antillano's not even pirating any more. They're here for something else. Juancho isn't so sure that the rest of Ric's team is in agreement. He thinks they're all afraid of him.

The full moon looms heavily over the earth. I.e., it is nighttime. Ric, Mario, and LP are still talking about the heist. She knows Ric's money was taken. He tries to play dumb, but she doesn't let him. She denies that the money is there, though. Ric says Pablo saw El Tuerto take off with it. She insists that all Tuerto brought back was mules and loose change. They think Juancho must have hidden the wagon, then. LP doesn't think so. These guys talk a lot, even more when they're drunk, and no one's mentioned any money.

La Paisana says Juancho mentioned something about another group, but they weren't "colleagues" - as far as she knows, they're the only "colleagues" in the area. Juancho didn't see them, he only saw something moving. But if anyone took his money, it had to have been those other people.

Ric wonders, if Juancho knew about the wagon, why didn't he bring it? She says she hasn't discussed that with him. In that case, Ric asks, how does she know about his money?

"Lazaro told me."
Ric is impactado.

Vasco and Bernabe are discussing the intended blackmail. Vasco can't go through with it tonight because he has to go get engaged. Bernabe is getting frustrated with Vasco for not being able to make up his mind about the blackmail. Vasco points out that it's his sister at stake, not Bernabe's. Vasco says he's got to go and they'll talk tomorrow.

Ofelia is waiting for him. Justo and and Santi aren't home yet, and Ines didn't want to be there for this. Rita comes out to say hello. This is how she finds out that Vasco is going to marry Ines! From her tone, it sounds like she thinks they're all out of their minds. Vasco nods sheepishly.

---

Jueves

• Santi warns Vasco that if he fools around on Ines, he'll break every bone in his body.
• Ric makes a formal appointment with Justo.
• Lis, still impactada, turns to her dolls for comfort.
• Camila receives an unstamped piece of mail that's read and white. And black. So, so black.

Labels: Pasion