Caray, Caray!

Hugo and Boris are in the study. Boris tells Hugo not to believe everything that Marina says. Hugo says, “We both know that she is partly right. I can’t believe everything that Soledad says or appears to be.” Boris asks if he should stop looking for a place for the hospital. Hugo says that project is still on. Boris says that he has found an old house. It has running water and is in a good area. It’s owned by Gladis, Arturo’s mother. He tried negotiating for it but Hugo can imagine the answer he got. Hugo says that he will take care of it personally.

Soledad and Ursula are at Hugo grave in the cemetery. Soledad speaks to Hugo and says that she came to ask his forgiveness. She has betrayed him. She wants him to know that she has never stopped loving him and what happened with Alcides was just an illusion. For a moment, she thought that he was with her… She got carried away. He has always been in her heart and she swears that that hasn’t and never will change.
Meanwhile, Ursula has been making faces behind Soledad’s back.
Soledad continues speaking to Hugo and says that their daughter is the proof of their love and that no matter what Alcides does or tries to change, her heart will always belong to him.

Only one day’s rest from Los Burques. The diminutive duo are in their rooms. Someone knocks. Elena thinks it is the landlady but it’s Dr. Max. He says that he won’t forget what they did. He is happy that he going to be able to study Soledad’s daughter. Elena is shocked. She says that she knows his plans for the baby. Dr. Max says that he needs an assistant and since Elena has experience, he wants to hire her. Guillermo is afraid that Dr. Max will hypnotize Elena again.

Hercu-less demands money from Eloisa for setting up Arturo’s accident. Eloisa says that she is good for it but doesn’t have any cash right now. Hercu-less doesn't trust her and wants the money right now. He is threatening Eloisa when Hugo comes upon them. He asks what is going on and Eloisa says that Hercu-less is trying to collect some money that she owes him. Hugo asks Eloisa to leave him alone with Hercu-less. He will take care of the matter. Hugo tells Hercu-less that he knows that he has a huge debt with Manrique, the money lender. Hugo will pay the debt if Hercu-less uses his influence with his employer, Gladis, to let Hugo buy a house he is interested in.

Eloisa runs into Soledad and Ursula. Soledad is surprised. She thought that Eloisa’s wedding was today. Eloisa explains that the wedding had to be postponed because Arturo had an accident. Eloisa says that she doesn’t know if Soledad was mad at her for what happened with Alcides. Soledad says of course not, why should she be? Soledad explains that they are shopping for Boris and Marina’s wedding. Eloisa offers to help but Soledad says she doesn’t need any help and will see her tomorrow at the wedding.

Boris and Marina are in bed together, presumably in Boris’ room. Boris says that she didn’t have to be so harsh in referring to Soledad in front of Hugo. Marina asks why he defends her. Boris replies that he doesn’t think Soledad is such a bad person. She is even organizing their wedding. Marina asks if he has forgotten what she did to Hugo. She reels off the list of bad things Soledad supposed did and says that Soledad is just pretending to be kind and giving in front of Hugo but it isn’t true. She is a cold-blooded woman.

Soledad and Ursula are decorating the house for the wedding. Ursula grumbles that Boris and Marina should be helping them instead of resting comfortably in bed. Soledad, who is carrying an enormous vase of flowers down the stairs, says to leave them alone. This is supposed to be a surprise for them. Hugo comes in with a box of crystal that he just bought. He wants Soledad, the wedding planner, to check them out. Soledad agrees but she trips on the stairs. The flowers go flying. Hugo drops the crystal and it smashes and he leaps and in a move worthy of Bruce Lee, catches Soledad as she falls down the stairs. Hugo asks if Soledad is ok and she sees that he has cut his fingers on the broken crystal and wants to help him. (This echoes the scene in the first episode where Hugo saved Soledad from the runaway carriage and he had a bullet graze on his hand.) She even produces the same scar-preventing ointment. Hugo has a flashback to that scene but the memory is not a happy one. He asks Soledad to leave him alone. She says that she was only trying to help him. When she is gone, he says that it is same story all over again and he can’t fall for it again.

In tears, Soledad says to Ursula that she doesn’t know what to do. Every day Alcides reminds her more and more of his brother in what he does and what happens. With everything that happens, she can’t stop thinking about Hugo. She can’t help it. Her life with Alcides is becoming a terrible torture.

For his part, Hugo is saying that Soledad can’t deceive him with her tenderness. He will make her fall in love with him and then he will abandon her the way she abandoned him. (Good plan, Hugo except how are you going to prevent yourself from falling in love with her?)

In the Love Nest of Perversion, Alcides aims the gun at Beatriz. Kill me, she says. Your wish is my command, responds Alcides. He cocks and fires the gun but the chamber is empty. Beatriz laughs. “What’s the matter,” she says, “run out of bullets?”

The wedding and the reception are festive. Nobody gets poisoned; the Mysterious Lady does not perform. Guillermo calls for dancing and Hugo and Soledad dance together. Eloisa asks Paquito if he has ever been at such a boring party. Paquito agrees but wants to know what a Society lady like Eloisa is doing here. She says that she wants to be near Alcides, of course.

Rebeca brings Hugo some money from investors who want to remain anonymous. Hugo says that to be his partners, he has to know their names. Rebeca flashes back to her promise to Lucas to pretend that the money is hers. She tells Hugo that the money is really hers. Hugo asks why she didn’t say that at the beginning and she replies that some men don’t like to have women as business partners. Of course, Hugo isn’t one of those men. He says that women have the same rights as men. He accepts Rebeca as his partner with a handshake. (Really, of course, he accepts her as a target of his Plan of Vengeance.)

Dr. Max is in the basement at the Hacienda admiring how well made the thermal urn is. Boris surprises him and says that he is not allowed there and hustles him out.

A group photo of the wedding celebrants is taken.

Paquito has a book on catalepsy. He tells Eloisa that the book says that someone having a catalepsy attack can live up to three days underground. Eloisa claims that this is impossible but Paquito says that according to the book, the respiration and heartbeat of the catalepsy sufferer are reduced to the minimum. If Hugo was saved, they wonder who would have wanted to dig up Hugo’s grave.

Hugo and Boris go to see Dr. Max. Hugo is angry that Dr. Max went into the basement and looked at the chamber without his permission. He tells Dr. Max that their agreement is over. He cannot treat his daughter. Dr. Max is angry. He says that Hugo should let him treat the baby for his wife. She is hoping that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Hugo says that there is no cure for catalepsy. But in the meantime, his men are looking for Dr. Chirac Jr. He will treat Hugo’s daughter. Fine, says Dr. Max. If you don’t want me to examine your daughter, that’s ok. Let me examine you then. Hugo says that he doesn’t have anything to do with the disease. Dr. Max says that he knows he is Hugo, not Alcides. Hugo asks Dr. Max what is his obsession with knowing whether he is Hugo or not. Dr. Max says that he is interested in science. Hugo asks him how he can be so sure that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Dr. Max says that he will bet his life on it. Hugo knows that already. Hugo tells Dr. Max that he is Hugo de Medina. Dr. Max is exultant. He says that Hugo’s secret is safe with him. Hugo says that he will be Dr. Max’s patient but he must leave Aurora alone. Dr. Max agrees.

Soledad is in the garden at the Obragon house accompanied by the silent Antonia. The orchid has proliferated. Soledad tells Antonia that all this came from one plant that Enrico gave her. He told her to cultivate it and one day it would save someone’s life. She doesn’t know that meant but she did as he said.

Hugo and Boris return to the Hacienda. Hugo says that Dr. Max is a smart man. He doesn’t care about Hugo’s secret. The only thing that he cares about are his experiments. Hugo is sure that he won’t say anything. Boris advises Hugo to reveal his identity. He is taking a big risk that it will be discovered that he is Hugo, not Alcides. (Boris at least looks around to see that no one is listening.) Hugo says that no way is going to do that. He needs to get even with Soledad and those who harmed him. He will carry out his PoV until the end, no matter what.

At the mine, Arturo (I thought he was supposed to be in bed for two weeks? If he can go to the mine, why can’t he get married?) is very annoyed at the slow progress of work on the mine. The engineer says that they have to work carefully. The roof of the mine is unstable. Arturo says that he isn’t making suggestions, he’s giving an order. He has invested a lot of money in this mine and that makes him the boss. Boris arrives and asks what’s going on. Arturo says that Boris had better learn to keep his distance from him and two of his henchmen punch Boris a couple of times. Arturo says that he hopes that Señor Monsalve understands that he owns this mine, too. Arturo threatens the engineer as well saying that he had better make faster progress to the vein of gold.

Soledad comes to see Hugo. She has bought some gifts for children at the hospital and wants to deliver them. Hugo thinks that is a nice idea. He will go with her. He tells her that they can also see a house he is trying to buy. Eloisa slithers in and listens to their conversation. “You want to buy a house?” says Soledad, “are you moving?” Hugo explains that he is buying the house so that it can be turned into a hospital where the poor people in the town can get decent care. Soledad is ecstatic. She wants to see the house. In pops Eloisa (Nobody seems surprised. Does she have her own key? With all of his enemies, can anyone just march into Hugo’s house?). She apologizes for eavesdropping but she thinks the hospital is a great idea. She’d like to come along.

We have a scene of Hugo, Soledad & Ursula giving food to children while Eloisa stands around bored. At the future hospital site (it has a great garden), Hugo says that the house belongs to Gladis. She won’t sell it but she has rented it to him. Soledad says that house just needs some paint and it will be perfect. Hugo says that they will celebrate tonight. He asks her to look especially beautiful, more beautiful than ever. Soledad is intrigued. Ursula breaks the mood by asking if they can go inside the house.

Soledad and Ursula go inside while Hugo and Eloisa remain outside. Eloisa wastes no time in saying to Hugo that Soledad is putting on a good show of seeming to care about poor people but doesn’t seem very sincere. Hugo says that Eloisa is supposed to be her best friend. Eloisa says that she respects Soledad but she knows how she is. She advises him to be careful. If he gives her his heart, she can do a lot of harm. She fooled Hugo. She could do the same to you.

Marina asks Boris what happened to him. He says that he went to the mine and had an encounter with some of Arturo’s men. How strange, says Marina sarcastically, that all the trouble you have comes from the enemies of Hugo de Medina. Boris asks her not to start that again. Marina asks how the search for someone else to be Hugo’s minder is going. Boris says that he isn’t going to do that. He won’t find anyone else to take care of Hugo because he will never abandon him. Boris says that he knows she is upset because of her concern for the baby but he promises, he swears, that nothing bad will ever happen to her or the baby even if he must give up his own life. “You promise?” says Marina. Boris kisses her.

Hugo is lighting the candles for his romantic dinner with Soledad. He says that maybe Soledad isn’t who she appears to be. Tonight, he says to himself, “I’ll no longer be in doubt. I’ll find out what is really in her heart.” There’s a knock at the door and in comes Soledad in the red dress that she wore on the night of her birthday party and night of passion.
S: Where’s the party?
Hugo gestures to the table that has been set.
S: You haven’t told me the purpose of this evening.
H: Purpose? I don’t need a purpose to have a romantic dinner with my wife.
S: We have discussed this and there can’t be anything between us.
H: Don’t spoil the moment. I made this dinner especially for you.
S: You cooked? I didn’t know that you could cook. You have the same talent as your brother, Hugo.
H: There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.
Soledad thinks that every day Alcides seems more like Hugo. If I didn’t know he was dead, I would swear it was Hugo. They toast.

Ester and Lucas tell silent Antonia that they have forgiven each other. They are going to rebuild their marriage and have a happy life and Lucas is going to try and do something about his alcoholism (the first of your seven steps, Lucas, would be to stop going to see Rebeca). Lucas says that it isn’t necessary that Antonia stick around. His problems with Ester are over. (Is he asking her to leave the house? She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.) Antonia gives them the evil stone face. Lucas tries to get Antonia to give up the silence act but she just pulls away from him. Lucas tells Ester that he will call Dr. Ortiz in the morning. He is a specialist in these cases. (He’s an exorcist?)

Soledad is tipsy from the wine. Hugo is probing her weakened defenses. He says that if he can buy the house, it will be hers and she can turn it into a hospital. No, says Soledad, this isn’t about us. Hugo says that he thought she wanted people to think highly of her. This is a great opportunity. It would benefit you. No, says Soledad, all I want is a place where poor people can go when they get sick. She says that she is getting a little dizzy and should go back to her room. She isn’t used to drinking. She gets up, trips and Hugo catches her.

He puts her back on her feet and says, “Soledad, don’t leave. Stay with me tonight. Sleep by my side. This is my deepest wish.” (Mine too. I had been recapping as the show went along but at this point, I had to stop typing and just watch. Wow. The desire and the tension were so great.)
H: Don’t be afraid. I know what I feel for you. Let’s give it a try.
S: You have to understand this. We can’t get involved.
H: I’ve demonstrated that I have changed, changed a lot. Don’t you feel anything for me?
S: Gratitude. You’ve been good to me and my daughter. You’ve even been caring. I never would have imagined that.
H: It’s obvious. Why don’t you have feelings for me? We have a daughter together, Soledad, a daughter. The most precious gift a woman can give a man. We can rekindle the passion that helped us conceive her. (Once he starts to go down this road, he is going to lose her.)
S: No, I already told you. No.
H: I understand. Then when we were together, you were only after my money.
S: (rolling her eyes) I’d better go.
H: (blocking the door) You can’t leave until you give an answer. I want the truth, the truth Soledad. Nothing will change between us but please just tell me the truth. Tell me that you were just after my money.
S: If you think I’m with you because of your money, suit yourself because I won’t give you any explanations.
H: We had an arrangement to keep Hugo’s money. I helped you save your parents’ house. I thought that you loved me a little bit.
S: Why do you insist on bringing up the past, Alcides? You know how it hurts me.
H: If it hurts, it’s your conscience tormenting you. Because you feel guilty for what you did to Hugo. Yes, that’s it. It’s remorse for having betrayed him.
S: Don’t you dare mention his name. I won’t permit it.
H: You know that my poor brother died a horrible death. While he was hoping that you would go and save him and you, you were negotiating your future with me.
S: What is it you want? You invite me here, try to seduce me with a dinner and then you hurt me with your cruel words. Why? Answer me, Alcides! What do you want? Or are you seeking vengeance against me? I asked you a question, Alcides. Answer me. What makes you torture me like this? Are you taking revenge on me? Answer.
H: Why? Why would I want to get revenge on you? Why?
S: I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking. Whenever you mention Hugo, you seem to be hurt by what happened to him. I don’t understand. You hated Hugo.
H: But he was still my brother.
S: Maybe you feel more guilt than I do. That’s why you torture me. Why? Why try to rob me of the little peace I have left?
H: Because… (tell her!!) You are right. Forgive me. I went too far.
S: You still haven’t answered my question. Why do you hate me, Alcides? You haven’t forgiven me for trying to leave you? What is it?
H: God help me. Let’s calm down. It would be better if we calmed down.
S: No, I won’t calm down. You started it. You know, if you wanted to torture me, my daughter’s illness is a real ordeal for me. I guess that really makes you happy.
She stalks out. (I hope you feel like a real jerk, Hugo because that’s what you are.)

Soledad goes into her bedroom. Ursula comes in (was the baby left alone or is she with Ursula?) and asks why she is here. Wasn’t she going to a party? It wasn’t a party, says Soledad. It was dinner in Alcides’ room. He tried to get fresh with me.
Did he hurt you? asks Ursula.
No, I don’t understand, Ursula, When he’s caring and noble, he reminds me of Hugo but sometimes he acts as if he were my worst enemy and I don’t know why.
Sometimes, I don’t think we shouldn’t have moved into this house, says Ursula.
I don’t know what to do, says Soledad. I’ll go crazy being next to Alcides. Ursula urges her to cry to cleanse the soul.

Hugo is sitting, looking pensive when Boris knocks and comes in. “Where were you?” asks Hugo. “Filing some documents,” answers Boris, “did something happen?” Hugo asks him to sit down.
H: I prepared a special dinner for Soledad and me after a beautiful day that we spent together.
B: Jose said that you went to the house you want to buy to turn into a hospital, right?
H: She was happy. When we went to the house, she had all these plans. How could such a woman who does some many good things for others be so cold-blooded when it comes to money?
B: I guess that’s why you invited her to dinner, then?
H: I wanted to know he true intentions.
B: Soledad stuck to her guns, right?
H: She didn’t let me seduce her. I came so close, so close to telling her that I am Hugo, not Alcides. You don’t know much I wanted to tell her but I didn’t. I couldn’t .
B: You didn’t tell her because you still love her.


Hugo is in bed. He dreams of being with Soledad at their dinner.
H: I love your smile. I love the way you treat people. I love the way you look at me.
S: Me too. Your kindness to my baby and me fills me with joy. I really see you with different eyes.
They get up from the table, Hugo takes her hand.
H: I wish I could control my feelings for you but it’s stronger than I am. I want you to know the truth. I’m not Alcides, I’m Hugo. I’m not dead. I’m Hugo, my love (amor mio). They embrace.

Soledad is dreaming too. She and Hugo are sitting together.
H: At this moment there is only you and I, you and I, my love (mi amor). I want to love you. I want to make you mine, only mine.
S: Hugo, my love. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.
H: I’m not Hugo. I’m Alcides.
Soledad wakes up. “That’s not possible,” she says. She goes out of her room and Hugo is sitting in the hall (with his hair done as Hugo). Soledad says that she is going to get a glass of water. She says, “I told you not to do your hair that way. That’s the way Hugo did his hair.” Hugo is drinking. “Couldn’t you sleep?” he says. “No,” she says “It’s difficult to fall asleep after the argument we had, don’t you think?” Hugo says, “I couldn’t sleep, either. I think I said some things I shouldn’t have.” “Don’t worry,” says Soledad, “I also said some thing I shouldn’t have. Get some rest. Good night.” She leaves.

Next morning. Eloisa is at the Hacienda (again). Hugo, while eating grapes, tells her that he has thought about what she told him yesterday about Soledad. Did you reach a conclusion? asks Eloisa. Hugo replies that Soledad may have been a cold and calculating woman in the past but now he believes she is different. She wants to change. She is showing signs that she wants to change. (Why are you asking her this, Hugo? You know she hates Soledad. Why give her an opportunity to spout more venom?). Eloisa says that Soledad is her friend (hah) but she doesn’t want to Hugo to get hurt again. A woman who is deceitful once might do it again.
You think so? says Hugo. “I’m convinced of it, responds Eloisa (as they feed each other grapes). “ Soledad is a puzzling woman. You won’t find another like her in the world.”
Cut to two people fencing. When they stop, the victor is revealed to be a woman.

In the Love Nest of Perversion, Beatriz takes a knife out of a bag. Alcides is crying in frustration at not having been able to kill her. “What bad luck, my love,” she says hiding the knife behind her back. “You don’t know how sorry I am. And now what else will you come up with, Hugo? Are you Hugo or Alcides?” She kisses him and says, “You’re Alcides.” She kisses him again and buries the knife in his chest. Alcides gasps in pain and surprise. Hugo gasps and grabs his chest. “My brother!” he says. (I hope Eloisa wasn’t still there.) The credits roll.

Tomorrow: Say goodbye to the Love Nest of Perversion and Beatriz?

Labels: la traicion