Caray, Caray!

We open on Doña Sofia’s chat with Justo establishing where Camila is (gone). No they aren’t going to try to get rid of the baby—it’s coming home with her eventually, to accompany Paco as another out of wedlock grandchild. ( If people don’t buy the story that the kid is an orphan, I guess they will just spin some of those family immaculate conception stories like the ones in One Hundred Years of Solitude.) Sofia is ticked that Justo told her husband and not her. She asks for news of Ric and Justo says he doesn’t know if he is dead or alive but if he’s alive, he doesn’t want him coming back and turning the child into a pirate. Sofia suggests that they may be worried that Ric will come back—that’s why they sent Cami away. Justo self-righteously says that then he can hang—he’s a wanted man . Sofia points out that Ric makes his living with danger.

Next up, the family picnic (Ines, Vasco and Paco) is invaded by Ursula on horseback, trailed by the hapless Rita. Before the ladies show up, Paco announces that he doesn’t want to be a miller like his Daddy, he wants to be “a sailor” like Ric and have a big boat. When Ursula comes by and cracks about how cute they all look, Vasco makes a point of planting a big kiss on Ines. Ursula huffs and rides away. Paco starts to go after Aunt Rita but Ines holds him back afraid that Rita’s horse, which she barely controls will stomp him.

A quick shot over to Camila at the home for unwed Pirate’s wenches. She’s sewing. She looks up to heaven and says, “You’re in heaven, (Ric) please protect your child.” She gives a little sob.
Ursula is back at the palace drinking tea. She is interviewing Manuela on the whereabouts of Mister Lancaster. Mani swears she couldn’t find out anything about the guy. Ursula is disappointed but she notices Rita approach and gives a nasty laugh at her, saying how her mother spoils her more than herself, giving her jewels and attention. When Rita comes over, she and Mani exchange rather fake, stiff kisses. (Don’t mess up my makeup hugs—Margarita said last night). Rita asks Mani why she (unlike her dad) can’t accompany them riding. Mani says, sure she can. Rita manages to touch on a sore subject immediately with Mani—“How’s the new stepmom?” Mani says “fine” a little curtly and Ursula offers her some tea.

Meanwhile Ric’s convalescence is not going smoothly. He tries to get up again, lies back and cries with frustration. “Don’t lose faith, my love. By all that I hold dear…” he calls out to Camila across the sea.

Days later, a coach rides up to Camila’s country hideaway. Justo disembarks with Ofelia and a number of baskets. Camila is now showing and Ofelia makes a fuss and tells her she’s brought her some remedies and some maternity clothes. Justo’s brought cheese and other food. Camila says that he shouldn’t have bothered. He hands the basket to the servant. (Nice try, Justo but you’re still a jerk.) Camila turns to Ofelia and asks about Jimena. Ofelia tells her that she’s liking her new job as a tavern wench. (I imagine her tips are good). Then she asks about Ines and Vasco and Ofelia says that it seems that they’ve reconciled. Cami is very happy at this news. She looks at her Dad and asks, “And Rita?” Ofelia quickly says that they are all fine. Camila says tentatively “They haven’t forgotten about me?” Ofelia says no, that would be impossible. Justo looks sad.

Next we are in a not so happy house. LaFont and Lis are in their great room. (Lis by the way has gone from dressing in whites and pastels to an all black, widows weeds look. Very dowdy too—no cleavage and long sleeves. She clasps her shawl tightly around her neck.) Maybe she doesn’t want to give LaFont any ideas). He tells her that he wants to have Jorge over for dinner soon. Lis asks when and he says whenever he can get Sofia to agree. Lis looks worried and LaFont laughs and says not to worry. She’ll have to come around to the idea that she is now his wife. He grabs her roughly and sticks a glass of wine in her face, forcing her to drink. A little fast it turns out because half of it splashes out across her face. For some reason this is a turn on for him because he kisses her wine stained face. Lis continues right on asking him about the proposed social engagement and Sofia’s not liking her. LaFont laughs it off and says that Jorge’s family is not exactly a picture of rectitude. He announces that Ursula is slut. Lis is surprised. “Yeah, she likes them young and strong. Her last affair was with Vasco.” Lis says “I can’t believe it! Does her father know?” La Font says (all the time holding her close and grabbing her face) . La Font says [I think] yes, and Sofia too. “How awful,” says Lis. LaFont is getting more amorous. Lis asks about Camila. LaFont says that she’s still in that town. “What town?” asks Lis. “Garbancillo. And if there is no news, it means that everything is fine.” He starts groping her. Either she has gotten used to it or she’s a little more into it since she’s not putting up much of a fight. But—she’s saved by Manuela who comes into the room. LaFont disgustedly throws Lis’s shawl back around her neck and turns to Manuela. Lis smiles. La Font uses the occasion to upbraid Manuela about not visiting Ursula. Manuela mumbles something about her charity work but promises to visit her. She excuses herself and flees. Lis asks if he has thought of marrying her off. Yes, he says. “With whom?” “I’m thinking about it,” he responds grabbing her around the waist. He doesn’t want to marry her off to a nobody. Lis presses on while he starts taking her shawl off again. “Anybody in mind?” “Yes. But I’m not going to tell you.” She pulls away from him and tears roll down her cheeks. “I’m going to tell my aunt that it’s time for dinner.” She backs away and out of the room. LaFont looks thoughtful. [We see a flashback of him encountering Ursula and Rita on their horseback riding outing.]
Meanwhile, Lis is spilling the beans to Fran. Lis tells her that the town where Camila is being kept is called Garbancillo. Fran is like, big whoop. There’s a knock at the door and it’s Clotilde the maid with a fresh chamberpot. Lis asks her where Garbancillo is Fran shoots Lis a nasty look and grabs her arm. Clotilde notices that this a controversial topic ands says meekly that she’s never been there but it’s about a day’s travel away. She slinks out.

Next we see her outside at the gate, encountering Auxiliadora, the midwife who is there to give her report to LaFont. Auxiliadora isn’t all that friendly but Clotilde is suspicious with the mention of “Garbancillo” and “midwife.” She immediately gives a report to Lis. Lis gets excited at this news and yells at Clotilde not to tell anyone that she has told her. Clotilde timidly swears and promises that she can count on her. [Yeah, right]

Next we see Manuela unburdening herself with Ascanio, (dressed up very nicely) with Agata the nanny the disapproving chaperone. Mani is complaining about how her Dad is pounding on her to visit Ursula more often. Mani also tells him that Ursula has charged her with trying to get info on Mr. Lancaster. Ascanio asks why and she responds that she doesn’t know. Also strange is that her Dad doesn’t want her to go with Rita and Ursula on their horseback riding jaunts. Ascanio asks why again and Mani says she doesn’t know that either. Dad’s always been a little odd. He’s always asking her to do things and not explaining. Mani smiles and turns to a more pleasant subject. “How’s the new job?” Ascanio says it’s great, he’s learning a lot. And---the new boss (Santiago) says that he might be able to help them! He takes her hand and she gets up from the bench excitedly. “With my Dad?” Ascanio says not to get her hopes up too much yet. Manuela says that Santiago is going to be the future lord of San Fernando. Dad won’t be able to say no! She grabs him and hugs him. Ascanio looks over her shoulder and sees two ladies pass by. His smile turns to a look of worry. Manuela feels him stiffen, turns around and sees the ladies who are now gossiping. She sits back down. They exchange worried glances.

It’s now night. Pablo has reached his destination, which is Ric’s former country estate. He checks out the place and sees it closed up, furniture covered up and no Jimena.

Meanwhile, Santiago is in for a night of gentlemen’s’ entertainment with Jorge and the boys. They have dancing girls and plenty of booze. Santiago looks uncomfortable when a dancer starts shoving her butt in his face.

Meanwhile Pablo makes his way to Justo’s place. Justo is working in the garden. Pablo tells him that he’s come on behalf of Don Ricardo. Justo is super slo-mo impactado.

Next we Lis, dressed a little more as in former days in an aquamarine dress with an open neck. She is chatting with Fran about the possibilities with the midwife. Fran tells her to go through her husband who already has some kind of arrangement with her obviously. Lis says she’d rather make her own arrangements, in case LaFont says no. Fran worries about this but Lis says they can just pay the midwife to keep her mouth shut. Lis plots that it will be easy to take the baby. Camilia’s family won’t want it. She’s getting rid of their problem. Fran thinks it’s dangerous because they aren’t from there—they don’t know the lay of the land and her husband is very powerful. Any of these people could betray her in order to curry favor with him. Lis says she has to do it anyway. Fran sniffs that she should be looking to having her own children. Lis says whether she does or not, it has nothing to do with this. Fran gives her her dolly, which she hugs.

Justo has recovered from the shock of the news and verifies with Pablo that yes, Rick is ALIVE. Pablo smiles and says yes. Justo looks around nervously and asks if he is there. Pablo says no. He’s on an island in the Antilles, recovering. But he wants to know about Dona Camila. Justo says “my daughter is fine” non-commitally. Pablo says he has brought money to pay for Camila’s freedom letter. Justo tells him that it’s not necessary. She’s already free. Pablo says “That’s great! Can I talk to her?” Justo says “Why?” “So that I can hand her this letter on behalf of Don Ricardo.” He hands Justo the letter. Justo says he’ll give her the letter. Pablo asks again if she’s OK. Justo brusquely assures him that she is. Pablo says that he’d like to see her himself because he has something very important to give her. Justo gives him a sharp look and says “I guess you are a pirate too?” “You’d better get going because the town is full of guards and what with happened with your boss, they look suspiciously at all outsiders.” Pablo catches his drift. Justo is no longer to be considered a friend. He thanks him and leaves.

Later, Justo opens and reads the letter from Ric. He picks up a match and burns it. Taking no chances, he watches the entire thing burn in a plate. He then runs over to tell Santiago and suggests that there isn’t enough protection on the house in case the pirates find out where she is staying and try to get her. Santiago says he’ll let the guards know at the house. Santiago asks about the letter and he tells him that he made sure it was completely destroyed this time.
Later, Ofelia is with Santiago and the baby. Ofelia makes a fuss over how fancy the baby is dressed. Santiago says that Sofia gave her some old clothes of Tita’s. Ofelia asks if Ursula minds. After all, she’ll probably have more kids when she remarries. Santiago says he doesn’t think she cares. Everybody’s been real nice to them and he smiles broadly. Ofelia asks about Rita and the smile vanishes. He notes that Ursula is teaching her to ride. Just then Paco runs in trailing Ines and they make a big fuss over the baby.

Out in the fields, Ursula and Rita encounter LaFont. The wind is kicking up the dust. Ursula seems annoyed to see him. He wants to accompany them and Rita says she doesn’t mind. He falls in with them.

Santiago is checking in with the twins from the forge. They fill him in on what’s happening at the shop. The lanterns are selling at Uriel’s shop. One of them asks him why he changed his mind about letting Uriel sell them and Santiago says that now that he’s accepted being part of the upper crust, he couldn’t see how he could refuse him. And it’s good for them, for the business. The twins agree. Santiago smiles.

Back in the fields, La Font compliments Rita on her riding. Rita demurs, saying that Ursula may be a good teacher but she (Rita) still lacks the ability. LaFont makes a crack that he’s heard how good a rider Ursula is. Ursula says she’s a better rider than a lot of men. LaFont says no doubt and laughs nastily at his own joke. Ursula invites him to race her and takes off. LaFont turns to Rita and asks if she will join them. Rita says no, she’s afraid that that she’ll get thrown but LaFont pulls out a knife and sneakily stabs Rita’s horse in the hindquarters. The horse takes off, with Rita barely hanging on. Sure enough, she falls off and rolls down a ravine. (OH NO! THE DREADED TELENOVELA ROAD RASH! As seen previously in Duelo de Pasiones (Death) and in Amar Sin Limites (Amnesia) They didn’t do it in slo mo here).

Next we see the guards coming up to Santiago, Ines and Rita and telling him about the accident and that she’s very gravely injured. The women are horrified and Santiago runs off with the guard.

At the mansion, Ursula is crying and worried that she will be blamed. “Rita insisted that she wanted to learn how to ride!” Fortunata tries to comfort her. LaFont and Justo are also there. LaFont tries to explain that he met them on the road and that Ursula suggested a race. Vasco who is there also gets mad hearing this but LaFont claims that Ursula challenged him, not her. Next the doctors come down, both the European one and Fukuda. Jorge asks and they tell him that they can’t give a lot of hope. The European one says that he thinks that her internal organs were damaged. Justo asks if they can do anything and the European doctor says no. Santiago takes Fukuda aside and asks him and Fukuda says “There’s nothing to do.” LaFont puts on a look of fake pity and says “What a tragedy!” The European doctor says that he gave Rita some Laudanum so that she would not suffer too much. Santiago asks “How much time does she have left?” “I don’t think she’ll last until tomorrow” says the doctor. Justo wilts and Ursula weeps. Fukuda says that she’s asking for Santiago and her Father.

The go in to see her. [The doctor then says something else I couldn’t quite catch] More tears from everybody. Including Sofia who we also see is there.

Santiago and Justo arrange themselves on either side of Rita’s deathbed. She’s scraped up and breathing heavily. “I’m going to die. She says, before I go, I have to confess to something.” Justo tells her the priest is coming. No, she wants to confess to them NOW. Santiago tries to reassure her that she doesn’t need to tell them anything. Rita says she doesn’t want to go with a guilty conscience. Justo tries to soothe her by saying that she hasn’t done anything wrong. YES she has, she insists. She schemed against her sister. Justo interrupts her that her sister has always understood her and he’s sure she’s forgiven her. “I was always always jealous of her” continues Rita. Santiago, who is holding her hand, is starting to get nervous. She goes on “When she was kidnapped. I was happy.” (Justo takes his hand away and puts his hands over his eyes.) “The letter that arrived from LaMariana saying that she was alive and asking us to help rescue her DID ARRIVE. I got it. I destroyed it.” (Santiago is impactado. Both he and Justo's faces are bathed with tears.) “I did it so that she would never return. So that I could marry you.” Santiago still holds tight to her hand and tells her not to say anymore. She begs Santiago’s forgiveness but he shakes his head and growls a low “no” and says to ask God for forgiveness. That he will know how to understand (what she did.) She says she forgives him for not loving her, because she knows she never deserved it. Justo tries to get her to stop but she continues. She then asks him to marry Camila and to repay all the damage she has done to her by being happy with her. Santiago cries, but it’s not clear if he’s crying with guilt for Rita or Camila. Rita next asks him to ask Camila to take care of their baby daughter as if she were her own. “She’ll be a better mother than me…and you will have the happiness you deserve.” She finally says “I love you. I will always love you.” She winces and asks for her father.

It’s night now and the priest has FINALLY arrived. The room is full of candles and Rita is now clutching a cross. The priest asks everyone to leave and he and a lone altar boy do the last rites.
We jump ahead past the wake to the gravesite service. The principals, including Rita, Fortunata and Don Marcelino and Don Eustaquio (official witnesses?), dressed in black are in the cemetery as Rita’s casket is lowered into the ground. Ursula seems genuinely shaken up still from her part in the “accident.” Justo takes a cloth from around his neck and some dirt and throws it on top of the coffin in the grave. The priest gives a eulogy focusing on how death is not an ending but merely the door to an eternal life. Others throw flowers and dirt on the coffin. Lots of tears from the women and discomfort from the men. Ofelia takes something from her hair or ears (earrings?) and throws it into the grave. Next we see Lis and Fran are there. Another look at Justo’s face, crazed with grief and finally a long camera view of the proceedings. A cloud of black silhouetted against the fields. With the purple and white bedecked funeral cart nearby.

After the funeral, back at Mancera mansion we see that Ursula’s fears have not been unwarranted. Jorge is chewing her out for causing Rita’s death. Ursula says no but goes all tacky by trying to blame Rita herself for being ambitious and nuevo riche, and demanding that she teach her how to ride. Jorge agrees with the assessment on Rita but he asks her why they had to go out riding way out in the fields. She gets down on her knees and begs his forgiveness. He then starts asking about LaFont. Why he was there, what he did. Ursula mentions that he wouldn’t let Manuela go riding with them for some reason. Jorge then asks about the challenge. Ursula insists that she challenged LaFont, not Rita. Jorge looks thoughtful.

Next, Jorge is with LaFont. LaFont is complaining that Jorge is blaming HIM for his daughter’s thoughtlessness. Jorge reminds him [and we get a sepia toned flashback] of the time when LaFont suggested that if Rita died, that maybe his daughter could marry Santiago. LaFont complains that it was an accident and not to pin it on him. He tries to change the subject to his and Sofia’s coming over for dinner. Jorge says “We’re in mourning. We aren’t going to any parties.” “You don’t say” says LaFont archly.

Back in Ursula’s boudoir, she’s weeping to Fortunata. “It wasn’t my fault.” She admits that she never liked Rita but she didn’t want to kill her. Fortunata agrees but she tells her that it was unwise (to race.) Ursula insists again that she challenged LaFont not Rita. And if Rita decided to race too, it was her own fault. Fortunata tries to be sympathetic but Ursula cries that everybody is looking at her like she’s responsible. Fortunata tries to comfort her and hugs her. She is sure people are talking due to the shock of the sudden death.

It’s night time and back at Ofelia’s, the two families, including Jimena and Ascanio are sitting around. Justo remarks that he doesn’t understand why God has sent so many trials to his family. Ofelia says not to think that way. Things happen as they do. “We all feel bad. It’s been a great misfortune for our family too.” Ofelia goes over to Santiago. She tells him to think of little Anamaria. She wants him to let her take care of the baby. Santiago nods and agrees. Back at the table, Ines asks if Justo will tell Camila. Justo says no. It will be too painful for her. Ascanio exploits the opportunity to ask about how she’s doing. Justo says fine. Calm. Vasco shoots back “Calm? I don’t think so Dad…” Santiago comes over to the table but is silent. Justo says “Your sister has accepted that she committed a great error in living in sin with that man…and hopefully God will give her the opportunity to start a new life.” He looks over at Santiago who looks back at him. Santi looks a bit uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, at the house in Garbancillo, Camila has a chat with the maid, Julia. She’s not feeling well. The maid asks if she wants her to find her aunt, the grouchy midwife. Camila says no, she’s feeling a little off but not too bad. The maid is worried about the effect on the baby. She then asks Camila if she’s living there to be hidden due to the baby. Camila says yes. The maid says, so the father won’t claim it? Camila says that he did nothing wrong. He doesn’t even know that I am pregnant. The maid wants to know why she didn’t tell him. “Because I couldn’t” says Camila. The maid says that she assumed that when she arrived, the baby was Santiago’s, since he came with them. Camila says no, he only came to help out her Father. “And your lover? You don’t have a way to contact him?” Camila shakes her head. “I don’t even know if he is dead or alive.” Julia is impactada.

Alive Ric is and getting his beard shaved off at the moment. Mario is with him and mentions that Foreman hasn’t been around. For sure this means that he’s making arrangements for his big finish. Ric agrees and says that before he sees him again he wants to see Camila. But he still can’t fight or even get out of the chair he’s in. Mario says he’s going to have to get out of that chair if he’s going to go looking for his woman. Ric grunts and gestures unhappily. Just then Magdalena runs in, falling out of her dress as usual. She announces that Pablo has arrived. Ric makes another gesture and Mario urges her to let him come in. Ric immediately asks him if he has seen Camila and Pablo says no. Ric wants to know why and Pablo asks him to let him tell his tale. He went to see Justo and he told him that he came on behalf of Ric…we don’t hear the rest because it’s cut off by a commercial.

Instead, we see that Santiago and Justo are visiting Camila. She asks about everybody. They lie and tell her that everyone is well. Including Rita. Santiago tries to change the subject to how she’s doing. She says she’s OK but lonely. They ask about the midwife and she says she’s been OK and Julia, the maid has been nice. Justo again brought food and Camila again says he needn’t have bothered. She points out that it’s getting cooler so they’d best go in the house.

Back at Ric’s, he’s trying to figure out what’s going on back in San Fernando by asking Pablo questions. Pablo tells him that Justo refused the money to buy Camila’s freedom. Ric asks who paid, “Santiago?” Pablo says he doesn’t know. Justo wouldn’t say. Ric thinks that Justo would have preferred that his body be feeding the fishies right now. He figures that they are trying to keep him away from her. Paisana interjects that he shouldn’t think the worst. If Justo had really been against him, he would have turned Pablo in as a pirate. Ric is determined. He has to go find Camila. Mario points out that he can’t even get up from his chair. Ric says he’s got to. He then insults Mario by telling him he doesn’t undertand. He’s never had a great love, a pasion. Mario shoots back “HOW DO YOU KNOW?” Ric says that he’s always said so, his actions have always shown it. Mario suddenly leaves the room, with Ric shouting after him. Paisana says “You’ve offended him.” Ric says “Yes and he’s offended me, by not recognizing what Camila means to ME. “ Ric continues that he’s tired of living this way. Camila is his his hope of a better future, of a decent life and his only reason for living. Paisana says they are all tired of living this way, but if he’s going to succeed, he’s going to have to start thinking with his head and not with his heart. Paisana leaves the room and Pablo asks Ric if he needs anything. If he needs help getting back to his bed. Ric says no. After he leaves, Ric prays that God forgive him his sins and give him strength, not for his sake, but for Camila’s. He can feel it that she needs him. He feels it in his bones. (Actually, his guts, but we don’t usually say that in English).

Back in San Fernando, Jimena who is upstairs at the tavern, sweeping a balcony, apparently cleaning the rooms. She calls out to Ascanio below on the street. He walks up. They exchange the news. He is going to the Mass for the dead offered for Rita (Today this is usually an anniversary mass, offered a week, month and/or a year later and is different from the funeral mass. It's possible that back then, they had only the gravesite service and then a mass later, due to wanting to bury people quicker without embalming being available.) Afterward, there is going to be a lunch at Justos. He asks if she is going and she says she has to work. He asks if she can get time off and she says they won’t let her. But Ascanio can ask for her…and since he is influential…they laugh about this and he goes in to ask her boss. Jimena is gleeful.

On the way out of town, Santiago and Justo stop at the tavern.

Back at the house, Cami talks to the baby. She tells it that it will be born healthy and strong. She hopes that one day that they will be reunited with it’s father.

Back to Justo and Santiago. They are having a cup of something and chatting. Justo says that he knows it’s really soon to be talking about this but…he already knows how he feels about Camila. Justo says that he’s sorry about what Rita did to him. Santiago says he doesn’t think they are anybody to judge her. She’s confessed her sins and he’s sure God will forgive her. Besides, Rita herself asked. Justo doesn’t have any problem (with him hooking up with Camila). But Camila’s a fallen woman—it’s possible that Don Jorge will object. Santiago says he doesn’t think so. He thinks that after all this time, maybe God is making things right. That he and Camila are fated to be married. Justo says he’s happy to see this happen. But what about the baby? Camila isn’t going to want to be separated from it, says Justo. She’s already made him swear that wouldn’t happen.

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Next time—LaFont breaks the news to Manuela that he has her in mind for Santiago’s Wife #2. Manuela is surprised and unhappy. Since we are now in ULTIMOS CAPITULOS we only get the generic flashes of things to come, including Camila going into labor.

Labels: Pasion