Caray, Caray!

Me again, filling in for Jardinera.

Foreman is explaining his new, improved scheme to Jorge, suggesting that the Dandy Highwaymen leave the loot someplace where the Salvatierra Gang will pick it up. This seems okay with Jorge as long as it's not within his borders! Foreman assures them that, although this gang had been messing with their heists before, it's because they didn't have enough to do; they'll behave now that they have an assignment. Jorge says that doesn't seem right; they had a deal. "I agree, It won't happen," Foreman says, and I'm not sure if he means the Salvatierra gang won't interfere with them again, or if it means that whole deal is off!

It's dark when Santi (the Good) gets home. Ofelia tries to get him to eat something, but he's still sulking. He tells her he'll go talk to Jorge (the Bad) tomorrow and see how he feels. They talk about Rita (the Grita) and how she seems to be possessed lately. Santi tries to blame himself, because he's been a lousy husband ever since Camila came back. Ofelia says it's everyone's fault for encouraging him to marry her instead of waiting. Santi blames Jorge, too.

Ofelia asks about his visit with Camila. He says she's fine, but he can't stand Ric. He senses that Ric's hiding something. Ofelia disagrees and reminds him that Ric's good with Vasco and Paco, and bought the mill concession. Santi says no, that was Camila's money - Ric has nothing! He's just a swashbuckler. (He asks Ofelia not to tell anyone else, for Camila's sake.) Ofelia asks if he's still in love with Camila. He admits he's never stopped.

Back at the palacio, Foreman is proposing what appears to be a new deal to Jorge: fixing paperwork for contraband. Y'see, back in those days (as Gaspar explained to Ric a few months ago), Spain was demanding that the people of New Spain import certain products (I don't know which ones) from Spain instead of getting them cheaper from someplace else, or making them locally. Obviously, this was not a very popular policy in New Spain, but I do remember Ric and Mario noticing a lot of contraband at Juancho's camp; apparently the caravan assaults were just a supplemental hobby.

So the idea is that Jorge will fake some documents claiming that certain shipments were properly exported from Spain. He balks at the risk, but Foreman says that right now, people are paying more attention to the stealing, while black market trade is being taken for granted and is very profitable. Lafont suggests that instead of doing isolated jobs here and there, they spread out into other municipalities (i.e. outside Jorge's domain). Jorge says he needs to think about it.

Sofia comes in to announce dinner. Jorge introduces Foreman. She greets him politely, but she gives him a hard look that suggests that she knows he wasn't on his way to church.

Ric and Mario have gone to Chili's for dinner. Ric notes that Gonzo, Mateo, and Uriel are sitting nearby, and Gonzo is drunk as usual. Mario mischievously suggests sending a bottle to their table. Ric orders them some good rum in hopes of getting to join them at their table and hearing Gonzo babble all kinds of secrets. It works. The grateful men welcome them happily.

After dinner, which we don't see, Foreman and Lafont go somewhere else (maybe it's just the inn where Foreman's staying) for a drink. Foreman notes that Ricardo seems nervous about the deal. Lafont says that Jorge has to protect his reputation, but he'll agree to it. Lafont hems and haws a bit and timidly (or mock-timidly) asks if Ricardo is a pirate. Foreman chuckles demurely and says "I know him as a businessman, but there's not much difference between a businessman and a pirate." Lafont pretends to be amused by the non-answer. "And what if he were?" Foreman asks. Lafont hints that Ric might be messing in their affairs.

He confides that the last time they did a caravan assault, they had no idea what was in those trunks, but one was filled with jewels fit for a king, and the other was filled with gold coins. Then Ric started looking for his money, someone broke into Lafont's house but didn't steal anything of value - clearly they were looking for something, because they broke in twice. (Foreman must be really unimpressed with Lafont's security team; geese would have done a better job.) He thinks it was Ricardo.

Foreman seems grimly amused by this tale - it was daring of them to steal from Ric, he says, and based on the rest of the story, Ric probably knows about the caravan assaults. "I think so," Lafont says. "I DON'T LIKE THAT," Foreman says. "No, me neither," Lafont adds hurriedly. But if Foreman can confirm that Ric's a pirate, then they'll have something they can barter with Ric.

Foreman doesn't think Ric cares what Lafont and his men do. Lafont explains that Ric has a letter of recommendation from Don Gaspar de Valdes.

Back to Chili's. Mateo are talking about the new girls at the whorehouse - two are very pretty and another one is supposedly a virgin, but they're going to auction her off. Gonzo slurs, "I want her for myself. Thanks." (Don't forget, ladies - he's siiiiiiiiin-gle!) Uriel asks Ric if he isn't interested. Mario explains that Ric's been married only a short time.

Ric asks if Jorge is coming. Uriel says some foreigner came by today, and he's probably with him. Ric says he met the English guy a few years ago, in Cartegena, the guy was studying the natural sciences. "Are you sure of that?" tactful Uriel asks. "Are you sure he's not a pirate?" Mario pretends to be amused and baffled by the question.

"Right here, the only pirate is YOU," Gonzo says. Ric plays dumb. Mateo tries to write it off as Gonzalo's drunkenness, but Gonzo is spilling the cats. He is letting the beans out of the bag, big time. He tells them how he went to La Mariana and they told him that he's really Ricardo de Salamanca, aka El Antillano. His friends try to hush him, but he's like a freshman at a frat party. He says Foreman must be a pirate too, and...

He wants to say more, but his friends distract him and he decides to talk about something else... Jorge! He says Jorge is dishonest, he's a cheat and a crummy friend, and Ric took away the woman that was meant for him, y'know, the miller's daughter, who became a rich widow.

Ric interrupts to defend his wife's honor. Gonzo says she's a slut - first she slept with the blacksmith, then with -

But Ric has knocked him to the floor and pulled a knife on him. One more word and it will be his last. His friends tell Ric the guy's been drinking nonstop for days. Ric doesn't care. If Gonzo mentions Camila's name again, he dies. "Okay, sorry" Gonzalo mutters. "And if he doesn't kill you, I will," Mario adds, resting his foot on Gonzo's chest. "Just 'cuz you strike me as a real fathead."

"You're a fathead too," Gonzo answers, and blows an all-too-rare telenovela raspberry at Mario, who follows Ric out.

An employee is trying to disperse the curious crowd, which includes Marcelino and I think the judge. Uriel and Mateo try to get Gonzo to leave. He's still yelling about Ric being a pirate.

Mario and Ric arrive home, talking about the confrontation and wondering if Gonzo would have said that if he was sober. Mario notes that the man seemed resentful towards Jorge. He wonders, if Ascanio can't help them, maybe Santi would? If Jorge recognizes him and he goes to live at the palace, he could "find out" some things. Ric doesn't want to ask any favors of him - Santi hates him because of Camila. If their places were reversed, he'd feel the same way.

Mario again tries to get Ric to pack up the plantation and go, where the women will be safe and they'll have a chance to think of what to do. Ric pauses as if to answer (or to listen to the background music). Then he turns and goes into the house without saying anything.

He updates Cami on the new developments: everyone seems pretty sure he's a pirate, but they don't have proof. He doesn't think they found out from Foreman. On the other hand, Ric knows that they've been robbing the caravans and selling the swag to Foreman, but he can't prove that either.

AND there's still that letter. She thinks it's nowhere. He thinks they have it, but are waiting until Foreman leaves. It appears, Ric says, that having Foreman around is cramping their style. He's unpredictable - he could be your best friend or a deadly enemy. He's like a scorpion who must be treated with care.

He reminds her again of the letter and the doom that will befall them if it comes up: the judge rules in favor of Lis, and the only way out of it for Camila is money that they don't have. There are two ways to get around it. First, he can sell one of his boats and his mother's house, buy some merchandise, and go up the coast, maybe as far north as New York if necessary, selling it off.

The other way out is to take to the sea with his peeps and go to the "country house." (I assume he means La Iguana?) She doesn't like this, but the legal way will take a long time, because it takes months just to break even. She says she can wait. He can't, though, because they'll put her in debtors' prison, where she could be bought by anyone, and he couldn't take it. She says she could, though! Ric thinks she'll end up at the hands of Jorge. She STILL doesn't care. Maybe it's her destiny. "It's not mine!" he answers. He's not going to let his wife sleep in some other man's bed while he tries to straighten out his life.

She says she just doesn't want him to die! He says he'd prefer it. They can't sit around and wait. Yet again she suggests that Bernabe, having always been such a sweet boy when they were kids, destroyed the ED letter. Ric is amazed that she can still have so much faith in others, but the world doesn't work that way. They can't afford to wait for the anvil to fall. They need to find a solution.

She's upset that he can't retire as planned. He swears that he wants to, but he didn't say it would be easy. It's not her fault. He tells her never to doubt his love for her, he loves her more than his life. Whatever he ends up doing, it will be with her in mind.

She says she's afraid. He says there's always fear, and it must be defeated. She sits on his lap. He asks her to believe in him. He swears on the blood of Christ that he will always put her ahead of his own desires and safety. Kisses. He begs her to set aside her "scruples" and their agreement not to go to bed before they can be properly legally remarried, because they need it. She agrees. There's some serious kissing. Now she's on top, and... aw, commercial, dammit!

Next day, the twins are unhappy with Ascanio for not keeping them informed. Ascanio says Santi didn't say it was okay to tell them what's going on. Crispin (or Pancho) angrily says Santi's more their friend than his. Fortunately, Santi shows up and asks what's going on. Ascanio explains that they've been asking about him. Santi apologizes and says he didn't feel like talking to anyone before. He says nothing's going to change - the forge belongs to his family (the one that raised him). The twins are relieved.

He asks Ascanio about the search for a new wagon; Ascanio says he's found one, but it's not cheap. They go to look at it.

Someone (the judge?) meets with Marcelino. They discuss what happened last night at Chili's; the judge (if that is the judge) says he's still impactado over what he heard last night. Marcelino tries to brush it off as drunken ravings, but the judge (if) says drunks and children always tell the truth. Marcelino insists that Ricardo is a gentleman. The judge (I guess he is the judge) says he's got something that proves Ric isn't such a gentleman as Marcelino thinks. Marce is tantalized, but the judge isn't sure he can tell him. He wants to make sure that Jorge is informed.

The two then squabble at the entrance of the building, each wanting the other to go first. Finally they try to get through the door at the same time.

Vasco goes to Ofelia's looking for... well, first he asks for Santi, then he asks for Ofelia, I half-expect him to inquire about the pigs next. He ends up visiting Rita, who is in bed, feeling lousy due to all of her recent disappointments - her MIL is giving her a hard time, and Santi even told Rita not to meddle when he was talking to his mother.

Vasco pulls up a chair to listen (he is turning into quite the saint!!). She dramatically says that she doesn't get why they're making such a drama out of this great blessing. It's so dumb of Santi, in Rita's opinion, to reject Jorge. She's not sure if Santi's really going to reject him or not, since he was only willing to discuss it with his mother. (As if Rita's opinion is such a secret.) He doesn't take her opinion into account. He has to think of his child. His mother thinks she's just being greedy, but they don't have to go on being poor.

Vasco he says he can understand it - Jorge abused both Santi's mother and Camila.

The mention of Camila's name causes Rita's eyes to roll back. When they roll forward again, Grita takes over. She says she could understand being upset about what happened to Ofelia, but she insists that Camila deserved to be raped by Jorge because she was always such a flirt. She was asking for it. To prove her point, Grita offers the fact that Jorge never attempted to "exercise his right" with her. (Rather than offer an alternative explanation as to why Jorge wouldn't come near her, Vasco tactfully concedes the point.) She talks about how she'd love for her baby to be born at the palace. "That'd be nice," Vasco says vaguely as she stares happily into space.

Mario is telling Ric that Gonzo, the drunk, has a grudge against Ric, but the other two (Mateo and Uriel) seem friendly. Ric says that if Jorge and Lafont take Foreman up on his offer concerning the contraband, they'll have Uriel sell the stuff at his store. Mario thinks the stuff will probably be supplied by El Chino - he's their buddy. Ric points out that this is business. He is frustrated that those guys could have gotten mixed up with French or Dutch pirates or whatever, and that would have been fine, but no, now Ric may have to betray his own people, and he can't do that. Mario says that if Foreman were in their shoes, he wouldn't think twice about it. He'd send Ric to the gallows with his hand on the rope.

Cami and Jimena show up just in time to barely miss this last morbid comment. They prepare to go out for breakfast. Mario says he needs to go talk to Uriel at the store. Jimena is curious, but Mario flirts with her and says she doesn't need to know. Pablo rushes in and breathlessly tells them that "the guy who was here yesterday" (I think he's being vague for the ladies' benefit) is here again.

Evidently, Foreman tells Ric about the conversation he had with Jorge and Lafont last night, but claims that he would NEVER betray a colleague; what about Ric? Ric says he doesn't need to - he's sure they (Jorge and Lafont) know he's John Foreman, since they rob the king's caravans and logically would have to sell the stuff to an English pirate. And here he is. Foreman then voices his own suspicion: what's Ric doing way out here?

Pablo, Mario, and the gateman watch from a discreet distance. Pablo (who seems to be slightly out of the loop) thinks Foreman is up to something. Mario just says "we'll see."

Uriel is telling Lafont all about the incident last night at Chili's: Gonzo said that he was told that Ric is Salamanca, el Antillano, and the Englishman's a pirate and mercenary too. Uriel and Mateo were able to shut him up before he had a chance to blab about the stolen loot. Lafont is horrified by Gonzo's stupidity. Uriel also mentions the remarks Gonzo made about Jorge being a cheat, then said Camila was a slut, at which point Ric had had enough, and it was a miracle he didn't kill him. Lafont says it's too bad he didn't. Uriel says Gonzo's been drunk for days, and it's difficult to control him. Lafont says he'll take care of it.

Uriel asks again about marrying Manuela. Lafont says he hasn't decided yet. Uriel says maybe Lafont doesn't think he's a decent guy, but that's not fair - they're friends. Lafont says how would you like it if he had a daughter of his own and one of his fellow evildoers wanted to marry her. Uriel says something like it's not as good to have met someone as it is to know them. Ugh, well, however this idiomatic expression translates, it's probably icky. It disgusts Lafont, in any case.

Foreman says, since he and Ric are speaking frankly, Lafont told him that someone broke in twice without stealing anything, and thinks it was Ric. Maybe looking for some sign of the money they stole? Ric says that those guys may have stolen it, but if so it's vanished. Why waste energy looking for it?

Next, Foreman observes, Ric's got a well-connected godfather. Ric's looking to retire and be pardoned; perhaps he's here on some mission for Gaspar? Ric says he hasn't seen Gaspar in ages.

Ric tells Foreman he's got no beef with him, and thanks him for giving him the chance to make his money back. He says something about being initiated with a whip and not complaining (Foreman replies that all the new pirates get whipped). Ric says he needs to find his own life. Foreman worries that Ric will find that life by turning them in. Ric emphasizes that he would never turn in a colleague. Foreman asks again if Ric is doing an errand for his godfather. Ric flatly says no.

Jimena is calling Camila a hypocrite because she went to bed with Ric and then slept in a different room. Camila said she didn't mean to do it. She didn't want to. (Jimena worries that he forced her.) Camila clarifies; she didn't want to because it's not right. Jimena scolds her for being so stubborn and complicating her life. Cami says she's not complicating it - it's already complicated.

Clotilde is telling Fran and Lis that Foreman just left, as did Ric, Mario, Camila, and Jimena. Also, Ric and Camila are no longer sleeping in the same room, ever since she came back. Fran thanks Clotilde (what, no tip?) and sends her out. Fran grabs her parasol and says it's time to see Sofia. As for those two sleeping in separate rooms, Fran's sure that won't last very long. Lis says maybe he'll get tired of her! Fran scoffs.

Ric, Mario, and their dates go out for breakfast (or lunch - hard to tell, the captions always cover the food). Ric apprises them of his talk with Foreman - his suspicions about Ric being on a mission for Gaspar. He denied it, but Foreman won't just take his word for it. Mario doesn't think there's any way he can find out. Ric says they need to carry out their plan. Mario says it's too dangerous, and again pitches his own idea that they go away for a while, then come back with money. Ric nixes this. They split up for their errands and agree to meet later.

Santi and Ascanio are talking about buying an old wagon and fixing it up, and getting a sturdier horse, when Santi glimpses the happy foursome and gets distracted. Ascanio makes a slightly disapproving face as Santi hobbles away grumpily.

Mario goes to the store and asks for Uriel. The clerk tells him that Uriel went to see Lafont. Mario says he'll come back.

Santi gets to Jorge's just as Marcelino is leaving. Marcelino promises to have some documents (which may or may not be interesting to us) ready tomorrow. On seeing Santiago, he stares in awe and bows deeply and profusely. Jorge starts telling Santi that being señor is hard work. Settling disputes about cows wandering off their pastures, and such. Everybody thinks it must be the good life, good food and drink, having fun, but don't you believe it, there's more trouble than pleasure. (I just realized, he's appealing to Santi's sense of unfun!)

He needs someone who can help him, and who better than his son? He reaches for a hug and Santi steps back and reminds him of that time when Jorge crippled him for trying to defend Cami. He says likewise, Jorge can't be happy with the particular son that God gave him. Jorge says they can come to an understanding. He tries to shame Santi with religious talk of forgiveness. It doesn't work.

Fran and Liz are hanging around outside the palace; Lis is worried that they haven't seen Lafont. Fran says the message he sent was perfectly clear; it (the processing of the ED letter as evidence) is in the works. Soon she'll have her inheritance.

They run into Fortunata and Sofia. Fran says they were just on their way to visit, because something awful has happened.

Santi is sitting now and listening to Jorge. Jorge is explaining why Ursula isn't a viable heir, even if she produces a son of her own; he'll have a different name and live somewhere else. Santi thinks there could be another son, but Jorge says no, just this one who's grown up just right. He writes off his abuse of Ofelia as a "youthful indiscretion." Santi tells him not to blame it on youthful indiscretions, because he hasn't outgrown them. Jorge says "we are who we are." Santiago says okay, but we also have to make things right.

He is specifically referring to Jorge's non-rape of Camila. Jorge is upset that Santi knows about this, and claims that at least he's got one less whimsical act on his conscience. He asks if Santi doesn't feel a little better about it. Santi says it's a relief, but he wants Jorge to go public with it! Jorge feels that it's all water under the bridge now; justice doesn't exist in this world, and he doesn't want to make a total ass of himself in front of the whole world; instead, he's trying to make it up by recognizing Santi. Santi says he'd rather he made it up by clearing Camila's name.

Jorge tries to get Santi to see that it's more important to have all of Jorge's power and stuff. Santi says he doesn't care for such things, and people already respect him, and he already has a very respectable name. "So why did you come here?" Jorge asks. He urges Santi to forget about Camila - she belongs to someone else now. Santi says that's Jorge's fault - if he hadn't messed with Camila, she'd be Santi's wife now. (Huh? Who's to say Juancho wouldn't have stolen her anyway?) Jorge claims it wasn't even his idea - his friends made him do it! He went to her in the bedroom, but didn't do anything.

Santi insists that Jorge must announce it publicly so that everyone knows that he didn't violate his ex-future wife. Jorge gets impatient and says Santi can't demand anything from him; Jorge is already doing him a big favor, giving him the means to go from lowly blacksmith to highfalutin' señor. Santi says it's no honor to be the son of a man that everyone thinks raped the woman who was to be his wife. He storms out. Jorge notes with amusement that Santiago lacks the breeding to ever give him a proper goodbye.

During the commercial break, Fran tells her side of the story to Sofia and Fortunata. Fortunata is amazed that Ric would put up with this behavior from Camila. Fran says it's because he's in love with her. Sofia says she's never seen Camila be rude to anyone, but Fran says people change. Anyone, the real problem is Jimena, but Camila always protects her. Fran says that just yesterday, Jimena tried to attack Lisabeta. (Fortunata makes a comical exclamation about "harrassing a blind girl".) Sofia doesn't seem convinced, but agrees to put them up for a while. They're thinking of going back to La Mariana eventually.

Lis expresses concern that Ursula and Jorge might not like having them around. She got the impression that Ursula didn't like them. Sofia waves this off as fancy, but says she'll speak to Ursula. Lis sheds some crocodile tears, saying her life has been so difficult since the death of her father. Sofia's expression is neutral, if not aloof. Fortunata makes sympathetic noises; Fran thanks them and thanks God. Sofia conceals 97% of her disgust, but there's impatience in her face as she turns slightly away. Lis cocks her head, as if trying to interpret the rustle of Sofia's curls.

Santi hits the forge on the way home and tells Ascanio they're going to test-drive something tomorrow. Then he gets home, where Rita fans herself and complains of the heat and fatigue as her mother works with some herbs. She asks Santi how it went. He breezes past her to get a drink.

A moment ago, Rita said she was too tired to get up and walk around; now she scrambles to follow him in hopes of hearing good news. He says no, Jorge's not going to recognize him, because Santi told him what he thought. "So, you offended him!" she answers. Ofelia tells her that Santi has the right to decide. "Sure, to decide for your family, your child, to give him a better life!" He says his child will have a good life, and dignity goes before money. She asks what's so undignified about being accepted by one's own father.

"Have you forgotten the whole story, my love? That man raped my mother. I don't want him for a father! I don't want to call 'father' a man as selfish and prideful as he! You know what he did? He never raped Camila, and all this time he said that he did." (Ascanio and the twins are watching from a distance, concerned.)

Once again, the mention of Camila turns Rita (who is bad enough already) into Grita. "I can't believe it. It wasn't your mother that mattered - only Camila!" Santi says he cares about both of them, and he asked him to deny the rape publicly, and he refused. She shouts at him for thinking that a señor would say something so ridiculous in front of the whole town (thanks to Grita, they all know now anyway). He asks if she would prefer that he look like a coward, just for the money.

"All this is for Camila. I'm sick of you not being able to get her out of your head!" she screams. He claims that it's not for Camila, it's for his own dignity. (I still think this is an extremely convoluted attitude to take towards the NON-rape of his sweetie!)

Ofelia yells "Enough! For God's sake, enough!!" Grita says it is indeed enough, she's sick of being marginalized, her husband and her MIL prefer that - that SLUT! Santi tries to tell her that her sister isn't a slut, but after insisting that certainly Camila's a slut, Grita doubles over with pain. Ofelia tells her to breathe deeply, and tells Santi to put her to bed.

The baby's not even born yet, and it's already trying to run away!

---

Lunes
Playing the ED card?

Labels: Pasion