Caray, Caray!

On board the Salamandra, Paisana and Mario have charge of Ric’s care. Mario rushes into the room and asks Paisana if she gave him the herbs that Chino’s healer gave them. Paisana says no because she didn’t know which ones to give him. Mario, exasperated, says that the guy told them to mix them all together. Mario expresses his doubts about oriental medicine and thinks it should have worked by now. Paisana responds that it’s in God’s hands now. She remarks that he has great love for his captain. Mario snaps back that they all do. Ric groans in discomfort.

Ines is walking with Justo. She’s angry that her brother has gotten involved in this mess with Camila and Ric. He’s stubborn and proud. She agreed with him when he swore he wouldn’t do anything with Don Jorge, but now Jorge is the only guy who can help Camila.

Back on the boat, Ric is calling for Camila. Mario tries to calm him. He tries to get up and everybody tries to hold him down. He’s delirious and starts raving about having leeches put on him. He doesn’t want any leeches. Mario finally cold cocks him to get him unconscious again. Paisana suggests giving him a cold bath to lower his fever.

At Mancera Mansion, Santiago has gone to tell Don Jorge about Lis’ cruelty toward Camila. How she won’t sell her. Jorge says that Lis is within her rights. Santiago exclaims, “So you’re not going to help?” Jorge says “I could.” Santiago says hotly “In exchange for what?” Jorge says, you know, be recognized as my son and heir. Santiago replies “to keep your lands?” Jorge says that his family originally fought to earn their lands and In his lineage there were good and bad men, “just like in any family.” But what they earned ought to be conserved, “it’s a divine right” he finishes up. Santiago looks thoughtful and then says that he wants to borrow the money to free Camila. Jorge says no—it will be his welcome gift to Don Santiago de Mancera. Santiago looks nervous.

Later, Jorge is at La Font’s. He makes flirtatious small talk with Manuela, telling her that she’s very pretty and that she must have a lot of admirers. Manuela says no and gets all flustered. He says she should. She asks about the gossip with Camila and Ricardo. He says it’s water under the bridge. La Font comes in and Jorge tells him that he knows that Lis is refusing to sell Camila. He tells LaFont that he knows that Ric has paid the debt. La Font says, so what, even if the debt is paid, if the will is invalid, so is Camila’s letter granting her freedom. He tells Jorge that Lis is within her rights to keep Camila. Jorge says flatly that Lis’s rights are not above his—and he wants to buy Camila as a present for Santiago. La Font complains that the other night, Jorge seemed to accede to Santiago’s wishes. “Could it be that your judgement is affected by this young guy?” SO? Says Jorge and he turns on his heel and leaves. LaFont looks mighty uncomfortable at Jorge’s displeasure.

Lis and Fran are reviewing the previous nights’ events. Lis is angry at her aunt for interfering. “You had no right” she says in tears. Fran says that she was just trying to avoid having her commit a crazy act that would ruin her life, she says “I had the right, I took care of you your whole life.” Lis responds that she did it of her own accord. She never asked her to. She did it because she was alone and had no children of her own. And now, she finishes, she says she hates her Aunt because if she hadn’t done what she did, Ric would still be alive. Fran points out that if she hadn’t tried to run away with him, he’d also be alive. But he’d still be in love with Camila. Lis is overflowing with tears now and burbles about Camila having bewitched him. Fran says it doesn’t matter anyway now because he’s DEAD. There’s a knock at the door, it’s Clothilde announcing that Alberto has arrived. Lis doesn’t want to see him but Fran tells her to dry her eyes so that he doesn’t realize who she’s crying for. She tells Clotilde to show him into the great room and offer him something.

A few moments later, Lis is with LaFont. He’s already made the pitch to her to sell Camila to Jorge because she’s already refusing and saying that she’s within her rights to keep her. La Font explains how Jorge wants her to sell Camila to him so that he can give her Santiago but Lis still refuses. “I have to give in to the will of a blacksmith?” LaFont, exasperated, says that it’s Jorge wishes she’s giving into and her rights are not above his. Lis again refuses and LaFont finally does a powerplay. Grabbing her by the face, he tells her that (1) he knows she was about to betray him with Ricardo (he puts off her feeble excuse that Ric forced her) (2) she owes him for what he’s already done for her; (3) they’ve signed a marriage contract and she’s going to honor it and (4) he expects total obedience from her after they are married or it will go very badly for her. The stricken look on Lis’ face is priceless.

Next we see Camila in modest garb and rucksack leaving the house. Her family are there waiting for her with Jimena and Ascanio. Santiago and Rita are back at home. While Santiago washes his hands in a basin, Rita asks cloyingly why Santiago did not go with the rest of the family to greet Camila. Santiago that mostly it was her family that went. Rita points out that Ofelia went, Santiago turns on her and asks why SHE didn’t go and Rita claims she would have only the baby was constipated. He lopes away from her and sits at the table. Rita demands that servant Ramona ask him what he wants. Santiago is oblivious to her aires until she starts harping on when the ceremony is , whether they will be living in the palace, etc. When he tells her and says that Jorge wants him to move in with him, Rita is ecstatic. Santiago finally notices her unseemly happiness and looks disgusted by her. She seems to notice his reaction anc backtracks by saying “how nice this will be for the baby.”

Meanwhile, Jimena and Camila are walking home. Jimena asks her about what happened to her clothes. Camila is dressed like a peasant. Camila explains that Lis demanded that she leave them all, that they all belonged to her. Jimena says that this was not right, that some of the dresses were bought for her by Ricardo. She can borrow some of her dresses and she will fix her up. Camila says she doesn’t care. This is the way she wants to dress, as Justo’s daughter. And besides, right now she has no thought in her head other than to find a way to look for Ricardo. “OK, miller’s daughter! says Jimena.” They finally arrive at home and Paquito runs up all happy to see his Aunt Camila. He asks about Uncle Ric and Camila gasps and hugs him.

Days later, another boy is running toward the surf on some distant shore. He cries “the Antillano is coming! He’s been wounded!” Sure enough, the gaggle of pirates from the Salamandra has landed and is carrying Ric along on a stretcher.

Back at the Mill offices. Camila is with Jimena and Ascanio. Camila begs Jimena to come and live with them at Justo’s. Jimena begs off, saying that there’s really no place for her there. Ascanio then chimes in that he was thinking of moving. Camila bursts into tears and says that she needs them both close to her, now more than ever. She misses Ric so much! He’s the love of her life and they are her true friends. She reminds them both of when they were together with Claudio, how they made a little family and she prayed that they would never be separated. Even though Claudio was no longer around, she hoped that they would remain. Ascanio breaks the moment by mentioning that before the fateful night, Ric had entrusted to him a letter that was supposed to be given to Justo. He gives it to Camila saying that he would leave it up to her to decide whether to give to her father or not. Camila takes the letter and holds it to her breast.
It’s now nighttime. Camila is alone and she opens the letter.

My Most Esteemed Don Justo,

I hoped to have been able to tell you this personally but events intervened and I was unable to do so.

I deeply love your daughter. Why? Love has no explanation. It’s a gift from God. Love comes suddenly, it holds us, it’s an obsession, It makes us feel that without this person, life isn’t worth living. Life without Camila isn’t worth it.

Camila talks back to the letter—“Me too, my love. Life isn’t worth living without you. You are my life, my time.

I know that you have been informed of who I am and what I do. But I want to explain to you how I came to this. My misfortune began when I was falsely accused of a crime. Fortunately, the case is now closed and I have been cleared, but it’s too late. I turned to piracy because that was the only way I could survive. I was a boy of 17. At that age, the survival instinct is much stronger than the intellect. When I left my home I joined a group of men, whose situation as desperate as my own. One day a group of pirates disembarked in search of water and after killing a bunch of us, put the choice to the rest of us to join them or die.

[We see a flashback of a younger Foreman in adorable flaxen braids making this demand on a a beach—Ric looks scruffier and has longer hair.]

In reality, all of us chose life. Since I knew how to read and write, the captain, an English pirate had me writing his logs (bitacora) and later I learned navigation, the routes, how to fight. Although I tried to become accustomed to the life, I never was able to do it. There was too much blood, too much violence and I always looked for a way out. I killed, yes, but it was kill or be killed. Then one day a woman appeared. No ordinary woman, but a special woman. And I don’t know what happened to me with her.

[Flashbacks of him kissing her in bed and them telling each other that they love one another].

She is the one that I dreamed of having children with, a family. It was never my attention to marry your daughter with a name other than my own. I had hoped to marry her AFTER I had received my pardon, which I expected since I was doing the crown some service. But events got ahead of us and I was forced to marry Camila in order to protect her

[flashbacks of the ailing Justo in bed telling Camila to hurry up and Marry Ric to protect her virtue--recall that Ric promised Justo that he would marry Camila quickly in order to keep Don Jorge from forcing her to be his mistress.]

I should have told you and her but love made me afraid. Yes, I was afraid of losing her.

[Another flashback of Ric seeming hesitant to marry Camila and Camila accusing him of not really wanting to marry her, or that she had so many problems that he didn’t want to get involved. Ric says it’s not that but…stopping short of telling her the truth.]

I affirm that Camila is my wife and that we are married because to me, we swore an oath before God on an altar and we are married until one of us dies. I know it will occasion great suffering to take her far away from you but it’s the only way that I can avoid that she continue as a servant. My affection for your family and my love for Camila are sincere, please never doubt it.

Camila clutches the letter and cries.

Outside, of Ric’s beach house, there is a prayer vigil going on. There are statues and a bonfire. A crowd holding candles sings a hymn, the refrain of which is in latin—dona nobis pacem (grant us peace). Inside the house, Paisana, Mario and Pablo are taking care of Ric, who is still sweating with a fever. Pablo tells them that he’s seen a squad of guards nearby, they should get going. Paisana says she doesn’t think that they are looking for Ric. Mario says he doesn’t care, he wants to get back on the ship and head for Coral Island. Paisana disagrees—if they move him again, he’ll die. Mario feels the pulse around his neck.

It’s the next morning and Camila and Jimena are now both dressed like peasant girls with kerchiefs and linen aprons. Jimena asks Cami whether she’s going to deliver Ric’s letter to her father. Camila says she doesn’t know. Jimena whispers that there goes Santiago and sure enough, he limps briskly past without seeing them to greet Justo. Justo thanks him for intervening to get Camila set free. Santiago responds that there’s nothing to thank him for, they are family. Camila approaches and there is an awkward exchange of greetings. Santiago indicates the folder of papers under his arm and says that he’s come to give her freedom documents. Jorge signed them and gave them to him. Camila is overjoyed to the point of tears and Justo does a silent YES! in the background. Santiago leaves and there are hugs all around. Justo comments that Santiago has behaved very well in this instance. Camila takes her Dad aside and says she needs to talk to him. About Ricardo. Justo counsels her to start over and forget “that man.” Camila says she can’t. She’s upset because she doesn’t know if he’s dead or alive. Justo responds equivocally that everyone’s life is in God’s hands. She replies that she knows but she needs to know. Justo says, “Listen, I don’t doubt that he was in love with you, He paid your debt with Lisabeta but he married you in a sham wedding and he’s a PIRATE. “It was due to misfortune, Dad!” she pleads. Justo isn’t buying it. “I’m not going to let my daughter continue to be deluded by a criminal.” She shoots back that he’s not a criminal and she’s not deluded. She LOVES him. Justo points out that sometimes people fall in love with the wrong person. He uses Ines as an example. Vasco’s a disaster. Cami argues that it’s not the same. Justo says her case is WORSE. Ric held her up to the whole town for ridicule as a loose woman (una qualquiera). Cami is impactada by this and has to take a step backward. Clearly these words from Dad stung. She runs to the nearest tree and leans against it, crying. Justo goes after her and says that she’s hurting, but she has to be strong. He reminds her that she was also very much in love with Santiago. She says “that was different!” Justo asks why, “Because Ric sailed around under a pirate flag and made himself rich (robbing people)?” Camila laughs and says “NO!” and shakes her head at Dad. Justo says that Ric was a liar. He even lied about his fortune. Justo relates how Ric told him that his fortune had been stolen, now he’s not sure that was true. Camila says that it WAS true. Justo says he lied to everybody. Camila says not to her he didn’t. Justo doesn’t like the sound of this. He tells her to forget him the same way that she forgot Santiago. He walks away. Jimena runs to her and they hug eachother.

Later, inside, Jimena and Cami talk it over. Cami can’t understand why her Dad is harshing on Ric. Jimena says to look at it from his point of view. To Justo, Ric is a pirate who deceived his daughter. Jimena asks about the letter. Cami says, “why? He’s never going to understand.” Camila says that she doesn’t know where Ric is but she has to go try to find him. She thinks they should start looking in La Iguana. That’s where they first took them when they were kidnapped. Jimena asks if she knows how to get there. They were taken in a closed wagon and couldn’t see where they were going. Camila says that they could ask. Jimena asks her “who?” She points out that if it’s El Antillano’s secret pirate lair, it’s likely to be remote, hard to find and well…secret. Camila despairs but then suddenly gets an idea—“That man, the Oriental—he knows Ricardo!” She grabs her shawl and rushes out with Jimena trailing behind.

Next they are in the street outside the hotel. Yoshi-he (AKA el Chino) who comes out with the acupuncture specialist. Chino greets her and notes her being freed. She confirms this. He introduces her to Master Fukuda, the alternative medicine practitioner who attended Ric. She asks Fukuda if he thinks he saved Ric. Fukuda says he did all he could and now it was out of his hands. They begin walking. Camila tells Chino that she wants to go to LaIguana to find Ric. Chino says he knows where it is but it’s very far away. Camila is crestfallen but asks for his help. Jimena tells him they just need directions. Camila says she needs to know if Ric is dead or alive. Chino tells her that he was thinking of sending someone to find out how he was doing. Camila asks to go with them. Chino says that if she leaves town they will send guards to find her. They’ll trail her right to Ric, and if he’s still alive, they’ll finish him off. He says he’s about to leave and will send her a report if he finds out anything. After establishing that she can read and her last name, Chino tells her that Ric is no ordinary guy; he’s not easily defeated. The two men bid the ladies goodbye and they go their separate ways.

Chino and Fukuda had been on their way to see Don Jorge. Chino tells him that he needs to leave for the Antilles to buy more merchandise. Chino says he’s tapped out with everything he’s brought and he needs to get more for here and to fulfill other contracts. Jorge asks him where else he sells and Chino tells him that his most important market is New Orleans. They sit on the sofas. Chino further explains that many of his former er comrades have retired there to become prosperous merchants or landowners. Jorge says that piracy must be a good business. Chino says for a few, fortunate people. The majority end up on the gallows. “And you are one of the fortunate ones” comments Jorge. “Until now” says Chino with a laugh. “I’ve been lucky but one never knows.” Jorge turns to Fukuda and asks if he is staying. Fukuda responds saying that he can’t stick around too long either. He needs to get started on his son right away because he’ll need a few sessions to fix his leg. Jorge asks if Santiago’s leg can be fixed up good as new. Fukuda says he’ll know more when he’s localized the problem.

Justo has stopped by Ofelia’s. She’s giving somebody a potion to get rid of his tapeworm problem. The guy leaves and Justo unburdens himself about Camila. She’s still stuck on Ric and won’t give up trying to justify his actions. He says he understands that he may have suffered misfortunes but he lied to them all and she got involved with him. Ofelia says that he should try to understand her. “Life hasn’t been good for your daughter.” Justo says that the only thing he wants is for her to forget him. He thinks that will end her suffering. Ofelia says “Hopefully.” “But sometimes the suffering never ends.” She tells him to sit down. He asks how she’s doing. She tells him that next week, Jorge is going to recognize Santiago as his son and heir. Justo says that he knows that she’s not happy about it but she should think about how this is a good thing for him. Justo asks her what she’s afraid of. Ofelia tells him that she’s afraid of a lot of things. They’ve always been a very strong family. With straightforward friendships, good, hardworking people. But now…her son will be living in another world. He’ll be living in a palace with his wife and child. Justo tries to reassure her that Santiago won’t forget them. Ofelia agrees that her son has always been good but with them gone, the house will be very lonely. Justo places his hand on hers to comfort her.

We jump ahead to next week and the big ceremony in church. The priest announces that Don Jorge has decided to “rectify an error of his youth “ by recognizing his son, Santiago. He holds up a scroll and hands it to Don Jorge. Don Jorge takes the scroll and hands it to Santiago. The Priest comments that everyone knows Santiago as a virtuous man, who is kind to all and who has lived his whole life in accordance with the precepts of Holy Mother Church. The Priest hands Jorge a GIANT ornate cross on a chain. Santiago kneels before his dad and Don Jorge puts it around his neck. A choir of two women starts singing an Alleluia. (Song of Praise) Next Jorge hands him a little plaque with the Mancera Coat of Arms. He announces that now he is a worthy heir of the Mancera family. [We see the elated expression of Rita in the background and Ofelia’s less happy one. There is applause all around and we see various expressions. Sofia’s face bathed in tears—all her scheming has worked. Wacky Lis smiling slightly, no doubt preoccupied on her own problems, Ursula with a mixed expression of her own—cut out of the inheritance. Fortunata with a genuinely happy expression. More Alleluias from the choir.] Outside, the priest announces that everybody should be happy that Santiago has gained his rightful place under the human and divine law. He says he’s sure that when it’s Santiago’s turn to govern San Fernando, he’ll do a good job, like his father before him. Don Jorge smiles. A children’s choir starts singing a hymn in Latin. [I think it is this one].

We’re done with the Church, now it’s time for the State. A squad of soldiers comes up to the steps of the church and the lead guy hands Santiago what looks like a small dagger covered with ribbons on a pillow. Santiago lifts it off the pillow and raises it up then puts it back down on the pillow. The soldiers take it away. More applause. Rita leans over to Santiago and presents her cheek for him to kiss. She’s wearing a dress with about three feet of lace hanging from the sleeves. Justo is wearing is fancy scarlet coat next to her. Vasco and the others are handing around well dressed in the background. Don Jorge asks Justo to come to the party and Justo says he’d be honored. Meanwhile Ines is trying to coax Ofelia into going. She doesn’t want to. Ines tells her she needs to leave her feelings aside and do it for Santiago. He’s going to feel bad if she’s not there. Ofelia refuses. Camila who has been standing with Jimena calls out to Santiago. He comes over to her and she congratulates him. Jimena says that she hopes when it’s his time to rule, she hopes he’ll be a better Lord than his father. He nods and leaves. Rita comes along with Ursula. Camila congratulates her and Rita smiles broadly and asks her if she like the new dress she has on that Sofia gave to her. Rita tells her that she should come over to the palace and tell her “all about her pirate.” Camila says she has nothing to tell and gives her a dark look and withdraws. Rita sniffs like whatever, on with the show and continues along with Ursula.

Santiago encounters the guys from the office—the twins and Ascanio, all dressed to the 9s. the twins are in matching scarlet jackets. One of them says wow boss, who would have thought! They are happy for him. Santiago says modestly that he hopes he’s doing the right thing. Santiago turns to Ascanio and thanks him for coming. Ascanio says he wouldn’t have missed such an important event. Santiago says that since the business trip to San Miguel Fair, he has realized that he was right in a lot of what he said. We all make mistakes. Ascanio generously allows that he’s made a few too and hopes that Santiago forgives him. Santiago asks him to come and see him. “At the house?” Ascanio asks. Santiago tells him that Don Jorge wants him to go move into the palace with him. The twins ask about the blacksmith’s shop and he says that he hasn’t forgotten them. After a pat on the back from Ascanio, Santiago moves on. LaFont is next and announces to him “Santiago Mancera y Ruiz…You can’t know how pleased I am and everybody in San Fernando is to have an heir [to the title].” Santiago thanks him tersely. Lis who is beside him, congratulates him as well and notes that the priests words were very apt. Fran gushes that everybody holds him in high esteem and know that he’ll make a great Lord. Santiago gruffly says “God willing.” He limps off. As they turn to go, Lis trips and LaFont grabs her before she goes sprawling. He gives her a look of exasperation. The bloom is off the rose.

Ascanio and the twins are still kibitzing about future of the smithy. They ask Ascanio to find out when he goes to talk to Santiago. Manuela sees Ascanio and says that she’s sorry that she hasn’t seen him at the blacksmiths.’ Ascanio tells her that he no longer works there—he works at the Mill now. Manuela nervously excuses herself and runs off. Ascanio looks wistfully after her. The twins look at him sadly.

Over at Mancera Mansion, musicians are playing and a party is in full swing. Jorge and Santiago are sitting on a dais. People are eating, drinking and dancing. LaFont is nervously sitting in a corner and Lis is enjoying the music. We see pretty much every minor character in the show with some kind of social status or a set of good clothes.

Meanwhile, the pirates are still holed up at El Antillano HQ. Pablo comes running down the beach, and comes into the hut to ask how Ric is doing. LP and Mario have just been talking about Ric’s condition. It hasn’t improved. LP tells Mario it’s not the herbal cure’s fault. Ric has sustained two mortal wounds. Ric is murmuring what sounds like Camila’s name. Pablo is the bearer of bad news—he’s seen another squadron of guards. This is the third one. Mario tells Pablo to make the ready the Salamandra and the Camila. LP says nothing but looks alarmed. Ric continues mumbling in his delirium.

At Justo’s Camila is crying when Jimena comes upon her. She tries to jolly her friend. Camila is worried that no reports have arrived about Ric’s whearabouts or wellbeing. Jimena says too little time has passed. She’s going to have to be patient. Camila says darkly that maybe they haven’t sent anyone because they found out he’s already dead. She cries that she was there and saw what happened—he got shot in the chest and stabbed in the gut. Nobody survives that. Jimena says that she needs to have faith. Camila says she’s always had faith but look what happened—She returned to find Santiago married and after finding Ric, she loses him. Jimena insists that she hasn’t lost him. She hugs her. All of the sudden, Camila covers her mouth runs away and [in one of the two unmistakable signs of a telenovela pregnancy—the other being fainting] WRETCHES against a wall of the house. Jimena asks her if she’s sick to her stomach. Camila says yes. Jimena asks if she’s eaten anything and Camila says no. Jimena thinks it’s that. Camila says she thinks she might be PREGNANT! Jimena says “a child of Ricardo!!” and the two start jumping up and down excitedly. Camila says he always wanted a child She prays to God that he might know this child. “Truly, yes,” adds Jimena.

-----------------------
Next time: Camila tells Ines and Paco and they take the news well too. Justo, not so much. Ric’s life still hangs in the balance. ULTIMOS CAPITULOS and the next chapter is advertised as MONDAY.

Labels: Pasion