Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Juan March 11, 2008- Juan Gets An Offer He Has to Refuse
Sticky situation...and equally sticky back in Achichipico. Juan is bemoaning the loss of 3 contestants all at once and notices Erlinda and Molondron's wan faces. No, you didn't lose 3, you lost all of them Juan! The ones who weren't chosen to go to Mexico City were so offended, they all dropped out! There won't be any contest. But it has to go on, we've blown the budget on air-conditioning for the hall, we have the artists, the judges, the TV contract. We've got to do something. They'll lynch me if I don't come through, Juan gasps.
Equal tension back at the office...Gaytan and Cesar Luis are trying to backpedal as fast as possible...yes, no, yes, no series when Paula tries to nail it down. She likes the idea of working for Angarita...it would be a real job, not a “cuento chuchi” job that Cesar Luis might try to arrange for her with one of his buds. She'd be doing something really useful, she loves challenges (retos). When can I speak with him?
AND more tension...this time between Gustavo and Monica. The sweet kanoodling of the night before has turned into qvetching at how he's chopping up the artichokes. Monica takes the knife away from him and berates him for bludgeoning the vegetable instead of cutting it carefully into nice little bits. She takes over and he gets romantic, noting that he loves seeing her cook “me mate verte cocinar” She continues to be cranky and push him away. He asks what they're playing at. She finally fesses up that she's not sure if she can fall in love again.
Juan, in the midst of all his beauty contest worries, is late picking up Juanito, who's waiting all alone outside the school. Thank God I have this little angel to give me hope in this vale of tears, some fresh air for this heart,thinks Juan...gives Juanito a big bear hug.
Hope is also a topic with Gustavo and Monica. Do you still love Cesar Luis?..do you still hope for something there? Monica fills him in on the miscarriage, her discovery of Cesar Luis' infidelity, the divorce, her vengeance vow. She offered her friendship to Paula, she devoted his life to Cesar Luis...and look at how they repaid her! Gustavo tries to talk her out of this senseless war that is hurting her more than it's hurting them...but she says the can't get over the need for revenge. He argues that it's time for her to be reborn, to live as a woman again. Some day Cesar Luis will realize what he's lost and that will be the best punishment of all. Climb out of this tomb you've dug for yourself. Monica realizes she's never looked at it this way...maybe she is ready to move on with her life.
Paula is at Angarita's house, talking about the job with both Angarita and Gaytan. They warn her that it won't be like at Farrell...either in atmosphere or in salary. They dicker good-naturedly about that, she says to just call her Paula (Paula a secas) and they come to terms.
Meanwhile Fernando and a very lukewarm Marely are looking at sites to hold the wedding and reception. Fernando is musing about menus, buying the dress, music, dancing etc. Marely tries to explain her lack of enthusiasm by saying she'd always wanted to be married on the beach. When Fernando mentions that she'll dance the first dance with her stepfather Alirio, she says she'd rather sit down!...or have no dancing at all.
Cesar Luis is equally unenthusiastic about Paula's proposed job. She's pumped though. It will be flexible hours, not a great salary but better than nothing. It's a change of air. I'll be with hard-working simple folks. I come from humble beginnings so this will be comfortable for me.
Gaytan is trying to talk Angarita out of hiring her...you know, she's pregnant. So what...it's not like I'm hiring her for life!....it's temporary. And it's obvious that she has a head for financial matters.
Strategic matters are being discussed back in Achichipico. How do we deal with the mass desertion of our candidates? Dona Delfina is the only one left, (other than the aggressive Lorena). Erlinda's pop proposes they deal with it like a court martial...shoot 'em if they don't get back in line. Delfina scoffs, that he wants to solve everything with bullets. Juan goes door to door trying to persuade all the local lovelies to re-enlist. Turns out they all want to be paid to get back in the contest.....and the payment is a piece of.....Juan! He protests gamely that there is nothing he'd like better than to accommodate these ardent requests but it's against the rules!
Kike and Yadira are in another one of their sparring matches. He talks of separating:she fires back that if he's in a hurry to leave, just get the papers, she'll sign.
Molondron is still trying to figure out how Juan can get all these women back. He proposes an extended payment plan, week by week, month by month, Juan can work off his amorous debts, serving as a “pajarito carpintero” (woodpecker) going from house to house. Juan wisely nixes this idea.
Nidia, meanwhile, is slugging them down at a bar. Her bartender is the sleazy lawyer who worked at the firm in Destilando Amor. He's much more likable in this role, advising Nidia that she's fooling herself by continuing to drink rather than going to AA like she should. She's throwing back doubles in order to get her courage up to quite, sez she. But she's also musing about her past...plenty of men, plenty of romance but only one real love in her life...and she's not with him!
Kike is getting some good advice from "that one real love". He's asking permission from Angarita to join Juan in Achichipico, at first unwilling to admit it's because of his marital troubles. Angarita reminds him that couples should only separate if love is gone, and frankly, he can tell Kike still loves Yadira. But I need to clear my head, think things through,replies Kike... please send me.
Cesar Luis is lashing into Gaytan once again. There's a real barrage of insults, good for nothing, idiot, false friend, Judas, not a gram of gray matter underneath that toupee!
And now we have Nidia, weaving and stumbling into the office, looking for Fernando, hellbent on cleaning up her past and wrecking the engagement. Marely says she's drunk, Nidia says she just happy, and sentimental and wanting to share it all with her daughter. Fernando appears, waves off Nidia's boozy breath while Nidia vows to put an end to this relationship between him and Marely. Yvonne puts her oar in....yes, you'd do well to protect your daughter from this good-for-nothing who acts like an executive. Who asked you to pipe up, serpent? hisses Nidia.
The scene switches to the university where Yadira is discreetly trying to avoid Prof Topete. She tells him she can't be his assistant. He tells her he's been fired. She's sure it's her fault. No, it's his. Does she have time for coffee. They walk off together with his wife Marga watching, for once looking sad rather than bitter.
Fernando is driving Nidia and Marely home while getting an earful about how Marely will never love him like she loves Juan. Mom, stop meddling in my life. Mom is temporarily distracted by a lunk in a passing car, whistling and asking him if he wants to party...chomi chomi papi rico!!!! She's alive, she's a woman and she's up for it, by golly.
Yadira and Topete are still discussing whose fault his dismissal is. He takes full credit and is looking on the bright side. He won't have to see Marga evey day, he's free. Life goes on and, with deep look in Yadira's eyes...My life has changed ever since I met you. Yadira looks impactada. Yes, you're free, she points out but umemployed. There are new and better opportunities he asserts....which we hear about later in the show.
Marely and Fernando are doing a post mortem of the car ride. She apologizes for her mom and brings up the fact that she knew Nidia was after Fernando hot and heavy at one time. He's looking sicker and sicker, but reassures her that he understands and really doesn't want to talk about it any longer. Anvils falling right and left here and he knows it.
Angarita's on the phone with Juan, reminding him to spend as little as possible, scoping out whether Kike can be of help there (he can) and the conversation ends with Juan telling Angarita to take care of himself.
Big conference at home, with Marely at the head of the table, filling in the family about Nidia's latest drunk, her failure to attend AA meetings, and the need to ride herd on her. After some muttering that it won't be easy, Alirio thrusts her aside with a “dicho sea de paso” (incidentally) and announces that from now on the house is the center of operations for his new business with Topete...whether you like it or not. Glower from Kike.
Cesar Luis is gamely trying to talk Paula out of her new job, worried her past with Juan will come back to claim her. She's delighted, having worked all day. I want you to quit. No. Even if I beg you on bended knee? No dice.
Kike is in the office, consulting with Alirio about custody of the baby if he and Yadira were to divorce. For once Alirio says something intelligent. The law is on the side of the mother. You would only get custody if you could prove the child was at risk physically or morally. That's a battle that would do no one any good. Brandishing the figurine of a blinded justice, he concludes, the Law is harsh but it's the law.
Juan is trying a new tack to encourage contestants. He's riding through town with Molondron and a loudspeaker, asking who wants to be a star...queen for a day?...with fabulous judges, including Madonna (Molondron is appalled at this outright fib), Julio Iglesias, RBD, Bobby Larios...if Juan were Pinocchio, his nose would be in the next county.
Marely is working on wily Nidia...telling her she's going with her to the AA meeting this aftenoon. You don't have work? Mom, it's Saturday...you're in such a state you don't even know what day it is!
Kike is telling Angarita he's decided to stay. He can't leave his baby. Angarita approves the decision and tells him he has a new associate to meet. Paula comes downstairs from the office, gorgeous and smiling in a low-cut (what else?) blue dress. She'll no doubt be a big morale booster for all the warehouse workers.
Funny scene with Juan and Molondron going over the list of 25 candidates they've managed to scare up with the latest effort. One is so short, they'd have to put her on stilts (zancas) to compete. The next is tall enough but weighs 120 kilos. Well, but the third one has a great figure...like Thalia's. Yeah, but her face is so ugly, even the sun goes into hiding. In the meantime, it's 7 o'clock, Juan doesn't want to eat, he's so nervous about his TV appearance which will finally be broadcast that night. Molondron goes into overdrive, invites the whole town, hires a band and they all settle down to watch.
Paula, channel surfing in bed, stumbles across the show and is immediately entranced. Cesar Luis emerges from the bathroom and is immediately enraged. He wants her to turn it off. She wants to watch in peace. Yadira, Marely, Nidia and Kike are also watching at casa Cachon. Much better reception there, with the gals all sighing and Kike pleased that Juan is just being his good ol' self even on TV.
The fight escalates at the apartment. Cesar fumes about that “quadruped”, that good for nothing, berates Paula for mocking him. If you like that guy, your taste is in your feet...he's a lummox. He turns it off. She turns it back on. He storms out.
Back in Achichipico, the show now over, Juan has done his unique dance for one and all to see...he waits nervously. They all turn to look at him. What is their reaction?
And there the show ends.
"dicho sea de paso" incidentally
"sin ton ni son" without rhyme or reason
"pensante y entrona" thoughtful and assertive ("entrona" can also mean flirtatious)
"falaz" false, adj.
"zancos" stilts
"echar la casa por la ventana" go all out, as in a party or celebration
"decision tomada o en veremos" all decided or still in question
Labels: Juan
I have re-set the VCR, and will be watching....I am sorry I missed the low cut, blue dress, as I can imagine the "milk was shaking" .
JudyB you are so right. The anvils and the implacable hammers of destiny seem to be assembling for the big drop. Nidia just keeps digging herself in deeper and Fernando's got his head in the sand.
I think it's interesting that Paula might work for Anga. He has a pragmatic and no-nonsense way of viewing life that could be good for her...if she allows herself to be positively influenced.
I like Gustavo and I hope Monica takes his advice. I want CL to be left completely mujer-less. Gustavo is a babe and CL is a cranky cad who smokes too much.
Thanks JudyB, this was a funny but rather frenetic episode wasn't it? Your excellent recap and translations were a huge help. It still surprises me how much flies over my head; you did a great job clarifying some things.
Juan could sweep off business and Paula (in some alternate universe), Monica would be well fixed with yummy Gustavo, Yvonne could reform and make Fernando happy after Nidia breaks up the romance.....ooops.but what about our gal-crowd favorite, Marely? Obviously the writers are going to have to send us a brand new galan (oooooh...tooo bad) to capture Marely's heart and give her the happiness she deserves.
““cuento chuchi” job that Cesar Luis might try to arrange for her with one of his buds” Make work, huh?
“Monica fills him in on the miscarriage, her discovery of Cesar Luis' infidelity, the divorce, her vengeance vow.” When a gal comes clean like this with a guy she’s dating, it gives me hope they’ll be successful. Assuming, that is, he hears it and sticks around. It means she considers him a good enough friend to be honest with him, IMO.
“Monica realizes she's never looked at it this way...maybe she is ready to move on with her life.” Seems to me that Gustavo told her some wise things, and if she really pays attention, she could have a lovely life with this guy. He did it non-judgmentally, too, which is a huge plus.
“Erlinda's pop proposes they deal with it like a court martial...shoot 'em if they don't get back in line. Delfina scoffs, that he wants to solve everything with bullets.” LOL! I still say this pair is well-suited.
“Cesar Luis is lashing into Gaytan once again. There's a real barrage of insults, good for nothing, idiot, false friend, Judas, not a gram of gray matter underneath that toupee!” Why does Pastor put up with CL? For that matter, why has anyone put up with CL?
“They walk off together with his wife Marga watching, for once looking sad rather than bitter.” I don’t know why she thinks she should be sad. She drove the two of them together with her manipulation. What kind of wife gets her husband fired for vengeance? Not one who ever cared about him and wishes she could find a way to coax him back to her.
“consulting with Alirio about custody of the baby if he and Yadira were to divorce. For once Alirio says something intelligent.” Yep, this is possibly the only reasonably helpful thing he’s done for about 9 months now.
“consulting with Alirio about custody of the baby if he and Yadira were to divorce. For once Alirio says something intelligent.” Amen, sistah—this is probably the only reasonably helpful thing he’s done for the past 9 months.
“if Juan were Pinocchio, his nose would be in the next county.” ROTFLLLL! This may be why the nose is the size it is to begin with.
Sylvia, “mujer-less” ROTFLLL! That’s my dream for CL, too.
Jeanne
<< Home
© Caray, Caray! 2006-2022. Duplication of this material for use on any other site is strictly prohibited.