Caray, Caray!

This is my first regular recap of Pasion and I must admit, I barely caught up today after a hectic schedule of watching both Amar which ended last week and Pasion. this is my third recap (Duelo, Amar and now Pasion) I'm finding this one a real challenge to recap, with all the background noise and occasional period vocabulary. If I made any mistakes or left anything out please feel free to correct as needed. I don't use captions and I'm beginning to think I may need to for this one.

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We start out with the poignant scene of Ric and Mario telling La Paisana that Pablo didn’t die. She’s overcome with joy, but in a restrained, pirate Queen sort of way but you know that el Antillano and Mario (for whom she obviously already had a soft spot) are now her friends for life. Mario picks up on her emotion right away and gets up and comes closer to her to say quietly “Is he the son of whom you spoke?” LP doesn’t respond and instead yells at the staff to bring the food.

Juancho is with two other pirates (whose names I don’t know). Juancho wants to jump the Ric and his boys because he’s sure that they are out to get him. They cover some old pirate bad blood. Apparently Ric killed “El Negro” and Juancho killed “Manolo.”(If this happened earlier I don’t recall it, but there was a bunch of killing earlier in this show that I didn’t really follow since I didn’t know the characters all that well. ) Juancho thinks Antillano is a has-been because he’s not even doing pirate raids anymore. Juancho is concerned that he’s up to something. The other pirate counters that all the pirates respect “El Antillano.” Juancho shoots back that they are all afraid of him. Juancho says that here (at camp) they aren’t and stalks off.

Back inside the Pirate tavern, LP, Mario and Ric are now eating. Mario asks LP how much robbing they’ve been doing. LP says that the last one was the second time. LP asks Ric if he’s come for his money. Ric looks nervous and asks “what money?” LP responds, “the money from the caravan.” Ric asks if the money is there but she replies that it’s not. Ric says that Pablo told them that the robbers took the mules and gave orders that the wagon be left behind. Ric says he thought this meant that it was left for someone else to take. LP says that all she’s seen is the mules and a bit of money. Mario thinks Juancho took the wagon and hid it somewhere. LP says no, the guys always talk, especially when they are drunk. Nobody’s said anything about a wagon or money. Ric says, “It’s missing then.” LP tells them that Juancho told her that behind their group, there was another gang waiting in the shadows. Mario asks if they were pirates. LP says she doesn’t think so. She believes that they are the only pirates working that area. Ric asks how Juancho knew this and LP says that Juancho saw some people moving around in the bushes. “If someone took your stuff, it was them.” Ric still thinks that Juancho could have taken it. But how does LP know about this being his stuff? “Lazaro told me” she says. Ric straightens up. LAZARO IS HERE? LP tells him yes.

Vasco dragging his butt over to the house of pain, (Ofelia, Santiago, Grita & Ines) to fix the wedding date. Bernabe is with him, harassing him to get going with the blackmail on Camila already. Bernabe complains that he should make up his mind. Vasco yells at him that it’s HIS sister and he can’t decide whether to do it or not. It’s his SISTER not Bernabe’s. Bernabe admits that he has no sister and Vasco tells him that he’d never understand then. Vasco drops him saying that he’s got to go. Bernabe is left in the middle of the street, scratching his head.

Vasco comes into the house meekly. Ofelia greets him and tells him that Santiago and Justo are on their way. Grita comes in and greets him too, kissing him on the cheek. She asks if he’s there to see Santiago. Vasco says yes. Ofelia chimes in that he’s there to fix the date of his and Ines’ wedding. Grita who hasn’t been in the loop is surprised and looks like she wants more info. Ofelia shoots him a nasty look like he’d better not upset the pregnant woman. Vasco responds with a grimace.

Back at Pirate central, apparently LP’s tip that Lazaro was around set Mario off to go looking for him. He’s back though, without having found him. LP asks Ric what Lazaro did. Ric tells her that he betrayed him and because of it, a boy lost his life and another one ruined his. Just then, Juancho strolls up and asks Ric if he’s going to let them all know why he’s really there. Ric goes right to the point of asking about his lost wagon and bling. The other pirate with Juancho says that they never saw any wagon. Another pirate chimes in that he saw the wagon—it was in the back. Ric demands that they give it back to him. Juancho gives it up that there was a wagon. Ric asks where it is but Juancho is less than forthcoming until Ric grabs him and holds a knife to his throat. LP tries to mediate telling Juancho that the Antillano is in the right—he only wants his things back. Juancho is in a more talkative mood now with the knife at his throat and tells him that yes, they saw the wagon, but no they didn’t take it. Ric doesn’t believe him but he claims the other pirates as witnesses and they back him up. Juancho says that they were too busy rounding up the mules and trying to get away. They couldn’t risk hanging around for a wagon that they didn’t even know the value of. Mario asks who the others were that they saw. Juancho says he didn’t recognize them. Ric asks for a description, and he gets that they were on horseback and carried swords (because machetes don’t shine that brightly). Ric finally releases Juancho who is none too pleased about the diss. Ric and his boys walk away.

At the Palace, La Font and Dona Sofia are in conference. LaFont smilingly tells her that he wants his daughter married off. Dona Sofia asks what kind of man, he’s looking for. “Young, old (well not that old) doesn’t matter. But he’s got to have money, a good family name, a good Christian, respectful of the law. An honorable man.” In other words, says Dona Sofia cutting to the quick—A man completely different from you and your friends. LaFont’s smile disappears. He tells her that his daughter “has had the best education, she’s respectful, obedient and devout. “ Sofia says she’ll talk to his daughter when she lines up some candidates. La Font smiles again and says that his daughter is a “bird brain” (suggesting that she isn’t capable of choosing for herself). Sofia responds that she’s like to talk to her herself, that maybe she’s not as stupid as he thinks. LaFont insists that she not talk to her. She’s his only daughter and he has the right to choose for her. Sofia asks if that’s because she is his heir. LaFont says not necessarily. If he marries again and has a son, she’ll only get what’s coming to her. Sofia looks amused at his open mendacity.

Ric and Mario are taking leave of LP. Ric offers her some advice. He has it on good authority that the Spanish have decided to crack down on the caravan robberies. LP tells him that they don’t really have a choice, this is the only work they have to make a living. Life on the sea was getting tough. A lot of pirate captains have gone to the gallows and there are not many ships left. That’s why they decided to become land pirates, to supplement their income from their dwindling income from the sea. Ric says goodbye and tells her if she needs anything to send for him under his alias, Ricardo Lopez de Carvajal. LP takes Mario aside, she gives him a little shell whistle and tells him to take it to Pablo. “But don’t tell him about me” she says sadly.

Back at Ric’s country mansion, Lis is in bed with her dollies looking like 90 miles of bad road. She’s obviously taken the whole Camila engagement with Ric thing pretty badly. Aunt Fran comes in and complains that she hasn’t eaten all day. She’s brought her some chocolate and cakes to try to lift her spirits. Lis says she doesn’t want any. What’s more Manuela has invited them to her house tomorrow. Lis complains that she doesn’t want to go anywhere or be with anybody. Fran urges her to get out. She said she’s told her all along that Ric wasn’t ever going to marry her. Now that he’s engaged to that woman, she’s going to have to forget him. Lis starts into why Aunt Fran ruined Ric’s life and made him a fugitive. Aunt Fran still insists it’s not true—that Bermejo is a liar. Lis ponders why her father would have done such a thing and she remembers one day in the past when her father was tormenting her with his insults about how she was a girl and blind to boot and that if only he had been able to marry Mercedes he could have had a son like Ricardo. He seems to actually admire Ricardo, well not Ricardo as he was, but with HIS upbringing and education, a better version of Ricardo. In the flashback, Lis cries buckets and her dad pushes her around. Back in the present, Fran remarks that both Lis’ father and uncle inherited the same sick temperament. (blood) Lis points at Fran accusingly. “You too Aunt!” Then she suddenly realizes that she shares the same inheritance and she breaks down completely. Aunt Fran rolls her eyes.

Back at the house of pain, Ofelia, Justo, Vasco, Grita and Santiago are sitting around the table, with a glass of wine, uncomfortably discussing Ines’ dowery: 4,000 pesos, some linens, some clothing, and a Chinese chest. Justo asks when the wedding will be. Vasco says whenever they want. Ofelia remarks that the banns will have to be read (amonestacions) and Santiago says quickly that the banns will take three weeks. (If I am remembering my wedding etiquette, the wedding notice was supposed to be published or announced in Church for three weeks so that anybody knowing of an impediment (like one of the parties is already married) can come forward. It also gave adequate notice for gifts and guests). Santiago says that he can ask Padre Justin for a sooner date. (Shorter banns were allowed too—if the bride was already knocked up and this is what Santiago is worried about.) Justo agrees. He wants to give the wedding feast. Santiago coolly asks if he thinks this wedding merits a party. Grita intervenes to tell him to calm down, that they should let them arrange things in the proper way. Ofelia says that they can make the wedding dress. After a brief silence, Vasco starts to leave before he even asks to do so. Justo tells him to sit down. Then he asks him if he wants to talk to his fiancée. Vasco gives him a look and says “Father, please…” He’s not exactly trying to hide the fact that he’s being press ganged into this wedding. With that, he gets up and leaves. Santiago gets up and goes after him, leaving the women looking scared. Santiago grabs him and threatens him that if he continues being a good for nothing drunk and cheats on or mistreats his sister, he’ll break every bone in his body. Vasco complains that Santiago isn’t exactly the one to be acting all saintly. When Camila disappeared, he was a worthless drunk for awhile too and when Camila came back, he went after her like a dog, in spite of the fact that he was married. Santiago complains that that thing with Camila was totally different. Vasco counters that if Camila had wanted to run off with him, he would have done it in a cold minute. Santiago says that that’s not true and they continue to argue. (Ofelia comes to the window at this point and is listening). Vasco says he’s going to keep his promise to Ines, “but that doesn’t give you the right to interfere in my life.” Vasco stalks off.

At Ric’s palace, Mario is drinking and Ric is shaving with a knife (ouch!) Mario is slurring his words but manages to get out that he thinks that there is a gang operating between San Fernando and the Ciudad Valle. That’s Don Jorge’s jurisdiction, points out Ric. He goes on to speculate that Don Jorge must maintain guards to protect the money that belongs to the crown. Mario chimes in that maybe Don Jorge is looking the other way with these robberies for some reason. Ric says that he thinks Jorge and LaFont are capable of anything. They need to find out from somebody who works for them. Mario asks, “Who?”

At the palace, Vasco is sneaks around to see Ursula. After a roll in sheets, Ursula is in a good mood and laughingly tells him about Fortunata scolding her about going back to seeing him again so soon after her almost fiancé was killed. Vasco drops the news on her that he’s going to get married. And it’s because they found out that he slept with Santiago’s little sister. Ursula is not pleased by this at all. “you slept with her at the same time that you were with me? “ She starts hitting him and screaming. He tries to explain that he was drunk but she’s not buying it. She points out that he was jealous of Duke Alvaro as if she was his alone. Vasco tries to explain that Ines was a momentary lapse…Ursula is still angry and won’t let him try to explain or justify himself. Ursula says that at least she was honest with him, while he was carrying on with other women. She calls him a pig. Ursula taunts him that he wasn’t the only one with her either. Vasco says, “sure, the daughter of the Lord of the Manor can choose whomever she wants.” Ursula seems to like the sound of this. Vasco begs her to forgive him. He doesn’t love Ines. In fact, he doesn’t even like her. Ursula says “too bad.” Because she’s not going to share a man with a whore. (una cualquiera) She pushes him out the door half dressed, while she’s wrapped only in a sheet.

At Camila’s, Camila and Ximena are getting ready for bed and talking over Vasco and Ines’s wedding. Ximena wants to know when it will be. Camila says she doesn’t know but probably as soon as possible. Ximena says sure, in case she’s pregnant. Camila sighs and says her brother has always been a disaster. Ximena shakes her head and says that all men are alike.

At Camila’s door, Bernabe is sneaking up and shoving a letter under the door.

Camila asks Ximena why she said that all men are alike. Ximena laughs and admits that “Some men are worth it.” They bid eachother goodnight and Camila has pleasant thoughts of kissing Ric.

It’s the next morning and Camila and Jimena are greeting a bunch of country folk, with children. They are handing out presents to the kids and they give her in return some fresh cream. After they leave, Cleo la metiche maid comes up with a letter that was slipped under the door last night. Cleo tries to read it over her shoulder but Camila walks away with it. Ximena sends her away. Camila tells Ximena it’s bad news. Somebody found the ED letter and they want to blackmail her with it. If she doesn’t pay, they will give it to Lis. Camila thinks she should pay it but Ximena says that they will take all her money. Camila is more worried about losing her freedom. She can’t run the risk. The two women hug eachother.

Ric and his men ride into town, watched by Bernabe who goes to see Vasco. Vasco wants to see the letter but Bernabe tries to argue that “it’s safer at my house.” Vasco says he wants it because he’s going to tear it up. Bernabe asks if he wants to think about it some more. Vasco says he’s already thought about it. Bernabe says, “OK, I’ll bring it by this afternoon.”

Ric and the men arrive at Ric’s country house. A servant tells them that the ladies went to town for shopping. La Font came by and asked after him. Jimena also left. Mario relates the conversation that he had with LP about Pablo being her son…or one of her sons. Ric asks if her husband was a pirate and he Mario says that he has no idea. They go in to see Pablo. Mario gives him the shell “for good luck.” Ric fills him in on the other pirates—they are robbing caravans on Foreman’s orders. But it seems that somebody else was responsible for taking Ric’s stuff, for that reason, it’s really important that he try to remember what he saw. In flashbacks, he remembers a bunch of guys shouting while he lay bleeding in the floor. They called out “Mateo” and “Pancho.” That’s all he can remember. Mario asks how they were dressed. He can’t remember and he complains that it was dark and they were standing far from where he lay. They leave him alone and confer. There’s not too much to go on, no mention of weapons but the humble folk don’t go around on horseback. Ric asks Mario if he knows of any Mateo or Pancho. Mario thinks that one of the twins who works at the forge with Santiago is named Pancho but Ric discounts this. Plus, if he suddenly came into a big fortune, it would be obvious. Mario comes to the conclusion that the only person who could show off a lot of wealth without anybody noticing is Don Jorge. Ric agrees.

Speaking of the forge, Lis has come by to visit so that she can see the only thing she can see, the light of the fire there. Fran is ready to leave already. Lis asks Ascanio when he’s going to come by to visit. He says he can stop by whenever he likes. She says no, she’ll meet him instead, in the Plaza at 5 pm tomorrow. Ascanio agrees. Lis thanks Santiago and asks if he minds if she calls him by his name. Santiago says no and no problem. As she turns to go, the twins remark on how pretty she is and how sad it is that she is blind. But if she can see the forge, is she really blind? They have a brief discussion with Santiago about blindness, how there are various kinds. Santiago notes that Ascanio seems a bit standoffish with Lis. Ascanio shrugs but doesn’t elaborate. They change the discussion back to work.

Aunt Fran complains to Lis as they walk about why she likes hanging out at the Blacksmiths.’ Lis says she likes to meet different kinds of people and they are nice and compassionate with her. Aunt Fran would rather spend time at the Palace with Dona Sofia. Don Jorge rides by in his fancy coach and they catch sight of Camila and Ximena at the same time that the other women catch sight of them, across the Plaza. Lis insists on going over to talk to them. As they approach, Lis confronts Camila by asking her about her engagement with Ric. Camila doesn’t deny it. “In spite of who he is?” asks Lis. Camila smiles and says that she doesn’t have to explain herself and she’s a free woman and can marry whom she likes. “But why him?” asks Lis. “Because he asked me” replies Camila. Lis looks confused and Aunt Fran hustles her away. Ximena laughs and says “I think she’s in love with Ricardo!” Camila looks worried and grabs her arm and drags her away too.

Don Jorge arrives at home and tells the majordomo that he wants clean clothes and some food and to tell La Font that he wants to see him.

At the Darien family shop, Grita is waiting on Camila and filling her in on the events of the previous night. “There was a meeting and Vasco is marrying Ines.” She tells her about the speeded up schedule for the wedding. Grita asks her about HER wedding but Camila says she doesn’t know and asks her how the pregnancy is going. Grita tells her that she thinks it’s about 5 months but Ofelia thinks it could be more. Camilia smiles and wishes her well but Grita can’t return the favor and bitches her out saying “I’ll be fine when you finally leave my husband alone!” Camilia is angry and hurt and leaves in a hurry.

Next we are treated to an odd scene with some woman being dragged to the Plaza gallows by a hooded man.

Ric and Mario are riding and discussing the missing funds. It’s suspicious that Don Jorge hasn’t cracked down on the caravan robberies. They approach Justo who is outside the shop. Ric asks if he has been able to find a lawyer. Justo asks pardon, he’s been too busy. They agree to meet tomorrow to talk about it. Justo asks if he’s been able to recover his documents. Ric tells him no. Justo says, “They must have been important.” Ric says “yes.” They bid eachother goodbye.

Back to the public square hanging, which is a cheesy affair. The gallows looks like a wooden swingset and the woman stands on a crate while the hangman stands on a chair. An official reads out the sentence. Dona Josefina Alcocer has been convicted of the murder of her husband, by the government of New Spain and is sentenced to hang. Don Jorge watches from his balcony and a big crowd looks on and jeers. Don J gives the signal and the hangman kicks the crate out from under her feet. The drop isn’t sudden or long but miraculously she dies instantly anyway. Not exactly advanced in the hanging technology here in San Fernando. If that was the standard, no wonder people thought the guillotine was an improvement. The hangman signals that she’s dead to Don J, who ostentatiously makes the sign of the cross for the audience and he exits the balcony. We get one more look at the dead woman’s face.

Mario and Ric have a discussion while they are trotting over the cobblestones on horseback. I found this hard to hear. It was more speculation about the whereabouts of the wagon. I think Mario suggests that Ric can pretend that he has it. They stop at Camila’s and Mario’s horse starts munching on a potted palm.

At Camila’s Ascanio, Ximena and Camila are in conversation about Lis. Ascanio is puzzled as to why Lis is being so nice to him and wants to hang out at the forge. She never liked being around her social inferiors before. Camila notes that she was nice to Santiago. Ascanio says he doesn’t know how to act around her. Camila says that she felt weird when he was deferent to her, she who had grown up in the artisan class. She was only of the upper class by circumstance and besides, they had been through so much together. Ascanio agrees and they continue to discuss his socializing with her family and Santiago’s. Mario and Ric arrive. Ric wants to talk to Camila so they leave together for the drawing room. Ximena runs up to Mario and asks if they have recovered the papers. "What papers?" asks Mario. “The ones that were stolen from the caravan” replies Ximena. Mario looks uncomfortable. She still thinks that documents were stolen, not Ricardo’s complete fortune.

Lis and Fran arrive at La Font’s and are greeted by Manuela. LaFont is excessively gracious. They exchange pleasantries and Lis remarks about her Aunt Mercedes’ house. La Font asks if this is Fran’s sister. “Sister in law,” she corrects him. “Oh, the mother of the Pirate!” he says. Fran looks uncomfortable. Just then the servant arrives with the request from Don Jorge that he see him now. La Font brushes him off and says to tell him he’ll be over later. Lis says that she hopes that it isn’t because of them. La Font smarmily tells her that the only place he wants to be is with them, enjoying their company. He asks if Ricardo is back yet. Lis lies and says no, he’s always running around. La Font makes a crack about him wanting to be on the sea, and Lis says that the majority of his business is over the sea. LaFont asks if he has his own ships. Lis says she doesn’t know. La Font points out that she doesn’t seem to know him very well. Lis responds that she can’t really know a person well who she only sees from time to time. LaFont notes that it wasn’t right for him to accept the job of helping them get their inheritance back if he wasn’t going to stick around. And, he adds, it’s going to be hard for them to get it back now that the letter is lost and a new one can’t be obtained. Lis agrees. La Font apologizes for pressing her but continues to badger her anyway—“If you don’t get your inheritance, how is your (financial) situation?” Lis answers that they have a little money but they are going to be dependent on Ricardo. La Font gives a tiny evil smile, which Lis can’t see and Fran may not notice, it’s so tiny.

Back at Camila’s, Ricardo explains to Camila about the robbery. It wasn’t documents that were stolen it was his entire net worth. He asks her not to tell anyone because it will affect his rep. He thought he had a clue as to where it might be but it didn’t pan out. In it was all the money he was going to use to get out of the pirate life and live a good Christian life. Already it’s been too long and every time it gets harder. He’s going to have to go back to robbing boats to fix his bottom line. Camila begs him not to. Ric asks, what she’d like him to do? Not only that, it’s harder than it used to be. Camila cries that she can’t live like that, worried about him all the time, in danger, that he could be killed. Ric likes the sound of this. He says “then that means that I’m important to you.” Camila replies “of course you are important to me!” “Then show me that you love me as much as I love you.” “It could be that you don’t understand it.” He says he doesn’t even understand it himself but he needs her, he needs her more than anything in this world. She can’t know how much he does. She’s the only thing he has, she’s the hope of a better future, a family, children. She stops his blah blah and kisses him. But he keeps talking! He says he wants to be with her--her to be his woman and to be her man. He wants to create a bond with her that nobody can ever break. They move to the settee to make out some more as the music swells.

Next episode: Ric breaks the news to Lis and she’s not happy. She later realizes that she has power over him, she can out him as a pirate

Labels: Pasion