Caray, Caray!

The episode started out with a lot of review from past episodes; maybe they're anticipating new viewers. This turned out to be a great episode with lots of good drama and no silly comedy. Morgan had the night off, in fact.

Anyway, we join our previous broadcast where Luci was trying to get Peralta to disappear her husband.

At the same time, said husband is driving his car and must stop short when the driver in front of him stops. It's like one of those auto accident scams you hear about: He's surrounded, as thugs emerge from the front car and another one behind him. They begin beating him and kicking him. Ouch! Addition: Constancio has a vision of Rosario while he is out cold. He asks her if she has come to take him to heaven. She says no, he's going to another place. He is suddenly surrounded by flames. Thanks to Maggie (see below) for reminding me of this bit.

Luci is still talking to Peralta, so I guess she got a freebie beatdown. But the thugs were sent by Peralta, no? (See below.)

Hugo and Pilar discuss Mili and his paintings. Pilar praises his vast artistic talent.

Mili is chatting with her gals in the kitchen. Her little smiles let them know that something's up, but she's not telling. Yolanda (Gloria's mom) comes in and asks to speak to Mili. She tries to get Mili to intercede with Gloria, but Mili is very conflicted. She wants to help, but she fears Gloria won't be responsive. She remembers how sad Gloria was in the orphanage, she had different nuns to wake her up and dress her and turn out the lights and never had a good-night kiss. (Actually, I think the nuns at the orphanage seem very loving, so I suppose that the orphans just always feel an emptiness.) Mili clearly reads into it how she herself resents the father that abandoned her. She tells Yolanda she won't be her Cyrano.

At the office, everyone wonders where Connie is. Andrea suspects that Alex is happy about something more than his ascension to the presidency. He's not telling.

Over in the boardroom, Andrea breaks in with the news that the police just called: Connie was hurt, etc. Lucy says he'll do anything to avoid the meeting. This meeting reminds of the big meeting on LFMB--weeks of buildup! (I wondered if they used the same boardroom set, but I think it actually looks different. I've seen that orange Conceptos building on other shows, though.)

Karla and Andrea recap the Hugo situation. Karla is angry that she's back at the mansion and Hugo is with Her Snoutiness. Andrea says that she thinks something's up with Alex and Mili. She enlists Karla to spy and find out.

Connie is in a hospital bed with a neck brace. At his bedside are Val, Al, Luci, Damien and Granny. He says that three beasts beat him up, but it felt like five! He says they were saying "this is for last night." They seem to be referring to that beating Peralta's thugs gave at the closet casino. Peralta is playing both sides again, I suppose.

Luci wants to keep things out of the press for the sake of the family's reputation. Val says that the only thing she cares about is her daddy's health. Regina calls Luci unfeeling. Connie says that Luci is right--the Belmontes are not going down without a fight.

Luci wants Connie to get back to the office so they can have the big meeting. I remember that these votes have been important from the first episode, but I don't know why they are suddenly electing a new president, other than because they all hate each other and one party has the power to call for a new election? I think Granny was giving votes to Alex to prepare for the future, and maybe these new proxies changed the balance of power so they have to have a new election? I don't think it has been made clear, but if anyone knows more, please chime in.

Everyone leaves the bedside. Alex taps Pop on the shoulder and causes him to wince. Another point earned by our Al! Damien remains behind. Connie says maybe Damien was right--they should hire a security team. Damien has an idea for how they can use the incident to their advantage with the press for the big election. Connie tells Damien that the doctors gave him good news: no broken bones and no internal injuries. He's going to drive himself home and declines Damien's offer of an ambulance.

Horacio and Socorro have some cute flirting time in the kitchen. Then Lina and Mili almost give them a heart attack by breaking in. Mili reveals that the visitor was Gloria's mother.

Mili is tearful, as she confesses she doesn't know what to do about Yolanda. Now Lina is also reduced to tears as she thinks of her own despised mother. She says that these types of women must pay for their mistakes. She's gotten what she deserved. Lina runs out. Soco asks Horacio to talk to her. Horacio says that he promised not to take Lina to visit Roxana in prison. He says that Roxana didn't love Lina because she was rejected by her own mother. (At least that's what I think he said. I may have had pronoun confusion.)

Connie is at home and gets into bed . Damien produces an electric wheelchair for the press conference. Connie says that Luci will vote for him. Luci comes in and tells Connie that unless he banishes Mili, she won't vote for him. You win, he tells her.

Mili tells Granny about the Gloria situation. Granny says not to butt in, and everything will turn out okay. What if your father appeared? Mili is upset, but before she can say anything Connie appropriately pokes his head in and says he has to talk to Mili.

Horacio talks to Lina in the yard. He reveals the truth that Roxana is in prison. (The other day, I wondered what happened to this story line, so now we know.)

Mili comes in to a room where Connie is sitting with Luci. He beckons her to sit, but Luci has a fit--he can't ask servants to sit. Mili agrees. The servants shouldn't sit with the bosses, as they will get dirty. Suck that lemon, Luci! Connie smirks. Mili says that when Luci insults her she's just defending heself. Anyway, noting that Luci is mucking things up, Connie tells her to leave the driving to him. Luci says okay--she can't breathe anyway. She leaves, and Connie gets Mili to sit down after all.

Connie tells Mili that he wants to send Regina away to Cuernavaca for a rest, and he'll send Mili with her. Great! Uh-oh. Granny says not so great. Out in the hall, Connie tries to make a deal with Mili. Just pretend to go away so Luci will give him her vote. After the vote, Mili can come back and Luci won't be able to do anything. She agrees. He asks if she wants money, but she just wants a donation for the orphanage. Unfortunately, Luci overhears. Luci emerges from behind her pillar, and Mili announces her imminent departure. Will you miss me?

Over at the prison, Lina is about to meet with Roxana.

But first we have to have that board meeting. First, Connie asks how Alex is going to cast Granny's vote. Granny pipes up and says what am I--chopped liver? I came here to cast my own vote: I vote for Alejandro! Connie votes for himself. Luci--who are you voting for? She votes for her son! Uh-oh. Now it's even. Damien, it's up to you. Damien is under the table.

Suspense: Cut to the prison, where Lina learns that her mother is in prison because of her business, but Roxana realizes that Lina is not there to discuss Roxana's problems.
Lina asks why she never told her she was alive. She said it was good enough to know she was well taken care of and was near her father. Lina says that Roxana bears a lot of fault. Roxana says, oh, please--at least you're alive. Cold!
She says that Horacio tells her that you're a very nice girl. You're better off without me. Anyway, you were just an obstacle in my way. Lina cries.

Back to the boardroom: Damien casts his vote for Alex. Damien knows his bread is better buttered with his sister. Anyway, Connie is deposed, and he calls Luci a witch. She says, no, he didn't give her what she asked for so now she's in charge. (This is a mistake on her part. Alex is in charge, and he certainly isn't throwing Mili out. But this is really Luci's blind spot.) Connie says that both he and Regina will protect Mili, and nothing will ever hurt her.

Back to the prison, and what may be the saddest story I have ever heard. Lina has now really turned on the tears, but her makeup doesn't run. She says that Roxana will never know what she missed, never having a mother to watch out for her. Roxana says that she was fine--she left her with her sister. Don't tell me she didn't take care of you. Lina reveals that she used to wet her bed. As best as I can understand, she prayed to God that she would stop if he sent her mother, but no mother ever came, so she kept wetting the bed. Finally she says, I would like to hate you, but I can't. She runs out and is comforted by Horacio.

Granny congratulates Alex. Alex is sad that his pop acts like he doesn't love Alex. Here's Granny's blind spot--she always covers for Connie here. Mili comes in and learns the good news. She kisses Alex, but he warns her they must be careful not to reveal their plans. What plans? Let's go in the bedroom, Granny. Karla overhears.

Press conference: Connie is sitting in the wheelchair with the collar on and a sling. To complete the picture, Peralta feeds the invalid a drink with a straw. Connie tells the press they won't be quiet about these vicious attacks, crime, etc.

Braulio catches Karla eavesdropping and sends her away--so he can eavesdrop.

Alex and Mili tell Granny about the secret wedding. She thinks it's a great idea, because no one can interfere. Of course, she will be invited. Hugs all around.

Avances: Mili, Granny and Connie are meeting with Padre Manuel. Padre tells Connie that he must tell Mili the truth!

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