Caray, Caray!

Hello to all. Since I have to leave at a ridiculous hour of the morning (and still look good) and next week is just as bad so it’d be pointless to trade, I will be doing the recap in 2 parts: one now, another tonight in the afternoon/early evening with any grammar corrections I might have made (I hope that doesn’t throw too much of a monkey wrench since there is no episode tonight). Now, on with the show.

Episode 51 – We start with yesterday’s portion in which Jorge and Alberto discuss the pros and cons of Santi becoming Jorge’s heir. Sofia enters and starts needling Jorge to hurry him up and threatening to go with the chisme to the archbishop. Al questions how this will affect Whoresula, Jorge says Sofi has her way of looking at things and that some of it actually makes some sense.

Back at Chez Ric, Cami tells Ric her concern that Al will find Bernabe, and thus the letter. Ric says he hopes the authorities will be their usual procrastinating selves and that Mario will beat them to the puch. He then confers with MMM (Main Man Mario) who says he got the 411 from Ascanio. He doesn’t really know the lay of the land, but he’ll manage, then he’ll track Bernie down and open up a can of whoopass ‘till he fesses up.

At Chez Santi, Grita kvetches about always being out of the loop and starts asking Ofelia who raped her, saying she has a right to now what’s eating up her hubby. Ofelia tells her that she doesn’t have to answer. Honestly, the nerve of that b#$%h nagging her poor mother in law about getting raped. We’re not talking about the family tortilla recipe here. It’s kinda personal! Anywhoo, her long list of possible candidates is interrupted by Ramona who tells Ofi that Ascanio is there to see her. Over by the kitchen, Ascanio tells Ofi that Santi doesn’t like being Jorge’s kid after the Cami incident. She asks what he thinks about her. He says Santi’s a just guy and he’ll come around. He’s gone off to the Monte Carmelo mission to contemplate his navel and make sense of things. Alas, Grita hears the whole thing and just about starts doing cartwheels at the thought that her hubby is the heir apparent to the Don of San Fer. Now, on to the new stuff.

Over at the pub named “La Paloma “ (the dove), Al tells Gonzalo to simmer down, and that if he’s told anyone about their “business” deals, he and his dad are both dead men. Gonzo gets upset ‘cause his dad has nothing to do with this. Al says he doesn’t car, and remember that he keeps his promises (or threats in this case). He tells Gonzo to lay low and not to do any “burradas” (stupid things, like a donkey/dunce would do). Even if Jorge has Gonzo on a short leash, Al can sweet-talk him into forgiving Gonzo’s little tiffs. Gonzo complains that Jorge made a lot of promises he didn’t keep. Al says, “Man proposes, God decides” and tells him to be patient. He says it’s in his best interest to stay in the good graces of the Señor of his hometown. Gonzo than says Jorge promised him Camila. Al reminds him that Camila is now married, and if Jorge couldn’t get past her hubby, there’s no way Gonzo will. He throws one of his handy money pouches on the table and walks away laughing. Gonzo then muses to himself, “we’ll see who can do more, your Señor of San Fernando, or me.” He then starts yelling at his fellow patrons for causing a racket.

Now at Chez Alberto, Manuela practices calligraphy while telling her dueña (can’t remember the woman’s name) the chisme that Santi is Jorge’s kid. She tells her that Ursula told her about it, and that Jorge had forbid Ursula from going out or getting visitors. Dueña asks why, and Manuela explains he must have gotten wind that Whoresula was after Santi. She crosses herself at her chasing her own brother, and Manuela calmly explains that Ursula didn’t know it at the time. Dueña tells her that family is cursed!

Back at Chez Ric, our hero tells Pablo how if he doesn’t find his money, he’ll have no choice but to go back to sea. Pablo says ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and Ric says that’s not what he wanted. He’d hoped to buy a plantation and transfer the folks from La Iguana there, give them a decent life. Pablo remarks that would have been nice. Ric laments that if Tim’s testament is overturned via the ED letter, he won’t have enough money to repay the money she’s spent and she’ll get thrown in jail! He laments that it seems that every time he tries to leave that life something happens that forces him to stay. It’s like a curse! Wait a minute, didn’t I just see this in the “Godfather” movie everyone wants to forget?

Over by the church, Don Agustin (da priest) tells Ofelia that Al was there when he told Jorge he was a proud papa. Ofi wants to know what Jorge will do, and Agustin says he thinks he will do his duty and recognize Santi as his son. Ofi says Santi won’t like that, and neither will she. He asks her where the lad is. She tells him Ascanio told her Monte Carmelo for a few days. He says he hopes that The Lord will show him the right path to follow. Ofi cries that he resents her. Padre suggests that he pray to the Virgin Mary. She was a mother too, and she will influence Santi’s heart to forgive Ofi. Now, if ya don’t mind, I got to go give the last rights to Don Eusebio. She is surprised by this. He says, “see, some sorrows are greater than yours.” He gives her his blessing and goes off.

Camila is in her room holding a book and sighing about dust in love. Jimena enters and asks her what’s going on. Cami tells her she’s been reading a poetry book that she found among Ricardo’s things. She points to a poem and Jime walks away with it and says aah (which is funny ‘cause I seem to recall she can’t read). Cami laughs and tells her this poem talks about how “even if he dies, and his bones turn to dust, it will be dust in love.” Jime smiles and says “can you imagine feeling something so strong?” Cami says her love for Ric is like that. She will love him forever and after this life.

A very large Grita runs to Chez Justo to bring Ines some great news (good where? Planet Reebok?) She asks about Vasco and Justo, and Ines tells her they’re at the mill and resting respectively. So, spill it. Rita says guess who’s kid Santi is. Rita says duh? My mom and dad’s. Rita says, mom’s yes, but not your dad’s. Ines asks what she’s insinuating. Rita says Santi is the son of Jorge Mancera. Ines says that’s not true. Rita says sure, she heard Ascanio and Ofi talking about it and that prior to that she’d overheard Ofi tell Santi someone raped her. Ofi denied it was Jorge, but Rita thinks he took his “first night” rights and now her hubby is the son of the Señor of San Fernando! Ines asks if Santi knows and Rita says yeah, he went to some retreat in Monte Carmelo. Ines tells Rita that she doesn’t know what she’s so happy about. Can’t you see what this will do to him. He’ll die of anger and pain! Rita says, yeah, yeah, ‘cause Whorehey boinked Cami.... Ines adds: and he raped our mother! Rita dismisses it and says it was a long time ago and he needs to get over it and think about his family, about the baby, about you guys, about ME! If Jorge recognizes him, when he dies, Santi can be the new Lord of the Land. Ines yells “what about his pain?” “what about the shame of knowing his dad raped the woman he was going to marry and his own mother?” Rita says she could care less about Cami and the Ofi thing is a shame, but that’s life. Ines finally tells her to shut up, ‘cause if she keeps talking so selfishly and shamelessly she’ll forget she’s pregnant and slap her around. Then she stomps off. Rita can’t believe Ines would talk to her like that. I mean “who does she think she is?” Looks like Rita’s already wearing the imaginary crown of ‘Señora de San Fernando’ and can’t imagine that others don’t see it. Man, don’t you just want to punch her lights out?

Back at chez Ric, Fran tells Lis over breakfast that if Al finds the ED letter, he’ll probably hold on to giving it to her until she agrees to formally announcing their engagement. Lis says she’ll try to stretch it out and Tia Fran warns that Al is not the kind of man who will take the stretching things out. Lis screams that she doesn’t want to marry Al. Not him or not anyone. Fran says she knows, anyone but Ric, but he’s married even if the marriage means bubkas. “When you get to be my age, alone, without a husband or children, you’ll realize how silly you’re being now. Can’t you see you can’t pass up this opportunity? How many men have shown interest in you? None! And how many do you think you’ll bump into of Don Alberto’s class?” Lis replies she’s not ready to give up just yet. Ric walks in and asks Fran what she was doing at Al’s this morning. Fran quickly says that she went to see Manuela ‘cause she’s come to see them so many times and it’s not their turn. Lis was going to come but she wasn’t feeling wel... Ric interrupts telling her not to lie. He knows Manuela left shortly after she got there and that she stayed for a while talking to LaFont. Fran complains that now he’s having her followed and he says: Yes, if it’s necessary. She asks Lis if she should tell him. Lis asks what? She says: what Al wants, to marry you. Lis interjects that she doesn’t want to marry Al, she swears. Ric says fine. If that’s her decision he’ll back her up. Then he storms off leaving a very angry Lis asking Fran why she told him that. Fran says she had no choice. Ric is no fool and she couldn’t risk him finding out about the letter. Lis complain that Fran ratted her out to save her own skin and Fran explains that it’s THEIR skin. Lis reminds her that she didn’t want her talking to Al and Fran says they couldn’t just leave it out there. Who else was going to help them? Lis says she doesn’t want to have to marry him and Fran tells that she might as well forget getting her father’s money back. She storms out and leaves Lis calling her name out. This is especially cruel since poor Lis now starts wandering through the house looking for her.

Well, this is definitely later than early evening! Sorry ;(

And now, on to part II:

Over at Cami’s room, Jimena tells her that Mario is very smart and surely he will get to the letter. Cami reminds her that Ascanio already tried, and Jimena says, yeah, but he was trying to be nice about it, whereas Mario will probably rip the cousins guts out. Cami is horrified at the thought and Jimena says Cami must think they’re in a world of Saints. Everyone kills and steals. Even Jorge & Al who give themselves all those airs are a bunch of thieves. Oh and by the by, do you realize you’re castrating your husband? Cami is impactada, and Jimena explains that Ric needs money and Cami is keeping him from making more. Cami says it’s ‘cause she doesn’t want him to go back to his old life. Can’t he just get a job? Jimena asks if she thinks that getting a job, like Ascanio did, will be enough for such a huge man as Ric. Do you want him to be unhappy? Besides, too many people depend on him: Mario, Pablo, Jesus, and a whole slew of others. What’s Ric supposed to tell them? Sorry folks, you’ll have to use your own nails for scratching. At this point, Lis walks by, still looking for tía, and Cami tells her she’s not there. Jimena comments that Lis gives her shivers.

Lis makes her way to the courtyard where she finally trips. Lucky for her, sexy Ric is there to help her up. He tells her that Fran is over in the orchard and he can walk her there. Lis says she’d rather talk to Ric instead. She complains to him that he originally came to SF to help them get dad’s money back; but now he’s doing nothing because he liked the widow. Ric sighs and tells her that he told them from the beginning that if Tim decided to leave Cami his money, that was his choice. Lis says Cami wrapped Tim up because she’s a “mañosa” (a trickster). Ric replies that Cami is no mañosa and Lis replies that she bewitched her dad and now she’s bewitched Ric. Ric replies that he doesn’t believe in those things, even if some of his buddies do. She cries that the money was hers, and Ric’s. He asks what she’s getting at and she tells him to leave Cami. She’s only with him for money, not because she loves him (faulty logic when you consider that Cami has the money, but there ya have it). Ric replies that Cami does love him. Lis tells him he’s wrong; and sooner or later he’ll realize that the only woman that truly loves him and will never betray him is herself. Then she starts feeling him up (eek!), and then mercifully (for us) walks away.

We return from commercials to find Cami cleaning up some Rose petals in her room (where the heck did they come from?) and Ric walking in. She tells him that Jimena told her that she’s been castrating him. He makes the cutest mortified face and says: “Holy God, I hope not!” She laughs and tells him she means that she (Cami) doesn’t want him to return to what he used to do. He tells her that their world is difficult, cruel and violent. Cami got to see it when she got kidnapped. The war that has been waged between the powers for many years is spiteful and full of “garrapiña” (This usually refers to “garrapiñar” which means to sugar coat or caramelize. But I found it as another word for “garrafiñar,” which means to take away by grabbing. I’m guessing they meant this one.) and a struggle over a territory. Her people are lucky because it doesn’t reach them. But in the islands and the coasts, there is destruction and death. People loose their homes and possessions. Mothers loose their sons and wives their husbands. For those in the sea, it is terrible. It is merciless and without contemplations. But as they were saying, he will have to return to his life sooner or later whether he likes it or not. He says he’s been meaning to tell her something. When it’s about feelings, sometimes people won’t speak and become cowards. Camila can’t imagine Ric as a coward. He says it would be out of fear of losing what matters the most to him, the only thing, which is Cami. She tells him to spill it already! He explains that he rushed things because of Mancera. She says she remembers he wanted to wait until he followed Gaspar’s instructions. He says yes, to get his pardon. This would imply other things. He asks her if she ever wondered how a wanted man like himself, who could be punished by death, would show up in her town using his real name? She asks for an explanation. He explains that he used a false identity. Ric was his baptismal name, but he is actually Ricardo de Salamanca. She asks who she married then? He tells her he used another person’s documents. She blurts out as she realizes that they are not married, she’s actually his “querida” (mistress, kept woman, girl on the side, etc.). She asks how he could do this to her? He lied to her, her father, the entire town. He says her dad forced his hand because it was a desperate situation. She tells him not to blame her dad for this. He tells her he’s not blaming her dad, he considered it necessary. At any rate, he doesn’t think of her as his mistress or his lover, but as his wife. She reminds him they are not married and he says they are because his oath at the altar was sincere and came from his heart. She says no, she will not be his mockery. As she starts grabbing clothes out of draweres, she says she understood and accepted that he was a freebooter, but she will not live in “amaciato” (the closest word I found was “amación” which means enamored or in passionate love. I’m guessing it’s another word for living as married. Either that or I misheard) with a man who would tell her such a horrendous lie. He tries to explain that he wanted to tell her, but was afraid she’d react this way. She says he was right to be afraid. He made her think she was his wife and he says she IS because he loves her. She tells him if he loved her, he wouldn’t have subjected her to such shame, he would have told her the truth. He says things happened too fast: Her dad’s illness, the taking of the concessions, Mancera’s pernada demands. She says she would have preferred it. It would have been less painful than realizing he lied to her. Come to think of it, maybe there is no Don Gaspar. Maybe he married her because he was left without any money and figured he’d live at her expense. He says she can’t possibly believe that and she says she does because it’s what she sees. He gives up and says if that’s what she thinks, then has nothing else to say. He exits as Cami hugs her clothes and bursts into tears.

We now see Ric looking through the window as Cami goes off in the carriage. Cleo the chismosa also watches and runs to tell Lis and Fran. They speculate it could be a trip, or Ric is sending her ahead and plans to join her somewhere. Cleo says she doubts it because he didn’t even say goodbye. Lis and Fran do an internal happy dance. Lis goes to Ric’s room and asks if Cami left on a trip. He tells her no, he told her he’s Salamanca and she left him. Lis asks if Cami will turn him in and he says she won’t because she loves him. Lis reminds him hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She then tells him she’s afraid, let’s run off somewhere! He says he can’t because he has things to do. She says all his comings and goings have her worried. Is he planning an assault on Veracruz City with his buddies? He tells her he’s not; but the success in his commission will determine his future. She asks him to tell her about it. He says he can’t because he no longer trusts her. She begs him not to mistrust her and tells him she loves him too much to do anything that would hurt him. She bursts into tears and he reluctantly hugs her.

Over at the palace, Ursula asks Sofia what her interest is in having Santi recognized. Sofi tells her it would insure an heir to be the new SSF (Señor de San Fernando). Ursu replies that’s why she’s getting married and it’s only fair that her son becomes the new SSF. Sofi says if Ursu has a boy they can see. But until then, Jorge has a right to take some precautions. Ursu complains that this is all Sofi’s doing and it’s because she hates Ursu and wants Jorge to recognize Santi so he can replace her. Sofi says those are not her intentions. She does love Ursu, but she feels that after all these years of the townsfolk having to deal with Jorge’s abuses they deserve a good and just ruler. Ursu asks where that leaves her. Will she have to share with the bastard and his wife the maid and his mom the midwife? Fortunata, who’s been there the whole time, interjects they hadn’t thought about this and asks Sofi if Santi would move to the palace with his whole family. Ursu asks if they can imagine the “runfla” (a gang, or just a bunch of people) of plebians filling the palace. And Santi’s wife is pregnant and it will be worse when the baby’s born. She says Sofi just wants revenge on Jorge because he no longer loves her and on Ursu because she didn’t turn sour and bitter like Sofi. But she’s not putting up with it, and she stabs the bread with a knife for emphasis before she runs out. Fortunata turns to Sofi and asks if there was any truth in what Ursu said. Sofi says in parts. She does love her in spite of her character and defects. Besides, she’s her daughter, she gave birth to her. But she was also sincere when she spoke of the people. Fortu says that Jorge’s not a bad ruler, the people respect him. Sofi says it’s ‘cause they fear him, because he’s a despot that recognizes no law but his own. He runs over, abuses, destroys families, destroys lives. Fortu points out Sofi won’t forgive what he did to Justo and Sofi says no. He took advantage of and old and sick man because of his lechery in wanting to sleep with his daughter. This cannot be forgiven even by God. Fortu says fine, but that’s not Ursu’s fault. Sofi points out that she’s too much like her dad. The people are tired of having an unjust libertine for a ruler, and for them to fall in the hands of a woman who’s depraved and capricious would just be too much.

The carriage arrives at Chez Camila, and a happy and surprised Candida greets Cami who goes crying to her room followed by Jimena. Jim (I kinda like this one for her) tells Cami she’s making a huge mistake. Who cares what his name is?! She loves him and he loves her, end of story. Cami says she wouldn’t understand and Jim says of course, ‘cause she’s a donkey, a woman who was born by the stream and knows nothing about decency or any of that. But “good people” like them also hide their refuse. Didn’t she tell her that Vasco had to marry Ines because he boinked her? And what about what Vasco did with Bernie? Did she publish to the four winds how Santi was hounding her, Cami says he didn’t, and Jim continues that he did, but off course the dirty laundry is washed at home. Cami cries out that Ric tricked her to get what he wanted, to make her his mistress because pirates or whatever they want to call themselves have no morals, or law or religion, and to them it’s all the same: shacking up or stealing a woman or romancing her and that’s what he did, he romanced her and she fell for him like an idiot. Jim says fine, what are you gonna do tomorrow? What will you say when people figure out you left your husband’s house? Are you gonna tell them it’s because you discovered he’s Ricardo de Salamanca, a pirated known as El Antillano? Cami pouts and says “Maybe.” Then cries into her pillow.

It’s now nighttime as Vasco arrives at Chez Justo and Ines asks why he’s so late? She thought he was only going to the mill. Did he go to see Santi? He says no, someone broke in and stole a bunch of sacks of grain. He and Jeremías took up a new inventory and lost track of time, even though he’s famished. She starts to serve him dinner as he asks about his dad. She says he’s fine and you won’t believe who came over? Your sister Rita. He asks how she’s doing and Ines replies that she saw her quite improved. “Do you know what she told me? That my brother is the son of Jorge Mancera. She said she overheard mother and Ascanio talking about it and that if Don Jorge recognizes him, he could be the future SSF. I didn’t dare talk to my mother because I figured she’d be very upset with the news and according to Rita, Don Jorge forced her. She heard her talking about it with Ascanio.” Vasco asks if Ascanio’s home and she says yes. Vasco starts to go in the house and Rita tells him to wait until tomorrow. She couldn’t bring herself to ask him and Ascanio went straight to his room and was very serious, didn’t even have supper. Vasco mulls it over and says he can’t believe it. Wonder if he’ll recognize him? Rita looks worried. I wonder if it’s over the situation or over the fact that her hubby is almost as cold about it as his crazy sister. Maybe it came from Mom.

Sexy bedroom shot of a shirtless Ric brooding. Alternating shot of Cami sitting in bed crying, taking off her wedding ring and looking at it. The two shots take turns until Camila finally puts the ring back on and kisses it.

Next morning, Vasco goes to the forge looking for Ascanio. He asks him why he left the house so early. He says he woke up and just went straight there. Vasco asks if Santi’s home and Ascanio asks why. Vasco explains that Rita went over and told Ines that Santi is Mancera’s bastard and wants to know if it’s true. Ascanio is uncomfortable. The poor man is one of the few that can actually keep a secret around here! Vasco tells him that he knows Ascanio knows so don’t pretend. Ascanio says it’s true. Vasco asks where Santi is and Ascanio tells him Monte Carmelo. Vasco comments that with how much Santi hates Jorge, it must have landed like a kick from a mule. He asks Ascanio how this all came to light and Ascanio looks pensive.

Ric is dressed again (sigh) sitting at his desk writing a letter to his padrino. He writes that unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to get any evidence, but he is convinced that one of the bands of robbers is captained by the SSF. On another issue, he would like to learn about the possibility of lending his services to the Spanish crown. It is vital that he obtain his pardon because if he can’t achieve it, his life will cease to have a reason. As he leaves his room, he runs into Lis. She tells him to come with her because she wants to show him something, in her room. He looks uncomfortable and asks why she can’t just tell him. She says he has to see. She takes him to the strongbox and tells him she had it make to store valuable things. She wasn’t able to rescue too many of her father’s jewels, and it’s not like they had a lot of money, but here it is. She opens the big box and there is a smaller box inside filled with gold coins. She asks if he remembers the money they once found on his mother’s doorstep. Ric has a flashback to asking Cami if she knew anything about it and her telling him she doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He tells her she’s a terrible liar, and that’s one of the things he likes about her. Back in the present (ok, theirs, not ours) Lis tells Ric that it’s his. He thanks her, but says he has no intention of touching it, and don’t worry about him. She says of course she’ll worry. He has no money, and she’s offering it with all her heart. Ric says no, but thanks. He leaves and she slowly comes to her knees with tears down her cheeks with surprisingly little drama.

Ric finally makes it to courtyard where he tells Pablo he wants him and Jesus to be ready ‘cause tonight they are going to go see if the caravan gets attacked. Pablo asks “Just the three of us?” Ric assures him they will do nothing, just observe and see if they recognize anyone. Pablo smiles and says good (probably having no desire to meet with the same guys that he saw when he got stabbed!). Ric asks if they installed his wife and if Pablo heard anything between her and Jim. Pablo says he wouldn’t know if they said anything inside the carriage, but when they exited they were both very serious. He asks if they had a problem and Ric shooshes him. Pablo says allright.

A carriage arrives at Monte Carmelo with Ofelia, who asks the driver to wait for her. She makes her way past the poor and kisses the priests hand. She then enters and sees Santi in the courtyard reading. She asks how he is and he says he’s calmer. He asks how she is and she says worried about him. He tells her not to worry and they hug.

Next episode:

Labels: Pasion

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