Caray, Caray!

No closed captions on Juan tonight! Diablos had 'em, even the ads for Juan had them but no captions for the actual show so I'm flying blind this evening. Please correct any major goofs or omissions.

We start with the usual rehash..Ivonne, looking very dejected tells Ana and Paula that Fernando has broken up with her but she doesn't want to talk about it. And she's not going to shed one more tear about it either.

Ana applauds her take-charge attitude and Ivonne makes an early night of it, heading off to bed. Paula, pensive, notes that love can really hurt.

Are you talking about Ivonne or yourself? probes Ana. Paula tells her it's obvious Juan no longer cares, he's leaving Farrell, getting away from her, and clearly ready to start a new life with Hillary Paris. Paula's affection, her tenderness (Lordy, when have we seen that?!) mean nothing to him, much less her love.

Ana points out, quite reasonably, that they need to talk honestly, face to face (frente a frente) and clear things up. Obviously Ms. Ana doesn't know telenovela rules...you NEVER TALK HONESTLY...if you did, the show would wrap up in a few weeks rather than a few years. Sigh.

In the meantime, Juan and Juanito are getting ready to attend the grand opening of Ana's gallery and exhibition. He's bought Juanito a new shirt and tie and now the little cadger wants to know if he can invite Flor.

Have you asked her to be your girlfriend? queries Dad. Nah, he's been too shy so we have a funny little scene where Juan gives coaching on how to be cock of the walk...stick out your chest, swagger in, close your eyes and make the jump! And as we see, Juanito is a very good pupil.

Our not so macho Kike is being consoled by none other than Remolacho. The boss played you dirty, he sympathizes. Well, the worst of it is, I can't quit no matter how Angarita treats me...I need the money, laments Kike.

Switch now to Alirio's office, Nidia still piping up when she should be quiet. (Well, what's new?) and Yadira's very expensive lawyer is concluding the meeting by saying "this will all be decided by the courts".

Shall I see you to the door? coos Nidia. You can count on me for whatever. YOU STAY! bellows Alirio. You're the worst secretary and worst wife ever! The lawyer hastily exits, noting that he knows the way to the door.

Yadira was with Topete first, now she's with Angarita! Reason enough for any judge to give Enrique custody! continues Alirio, but you refuse to help us. From now on I'm not your wife, I'm the "widow Cachon" sniffs Nidia, as usual, completely unfazed by anything Alirio says, even when it makes sense....especially when it makes sense! Still she's a loyal mama...got to give her that.

Wuf! things just got warmer in here. Paula is remembering Juan's seduction (or was it Paula's seduction?) Well, whatever. I missed this the first time around and I have to admit, pretty steamy stuff. Bra straps loosening, belt buckles being tugged...I may have to take a break here.

Okay, I'm back. And it's grim reality again. Alirio has given up on Nidia and is chastising Kike. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!???? You had a good chance of getting custody but now, with the kidnapping...Don't yell at me, Kike pleads. I did it without thinking. I was holding her, looking into her little eyes, the door was nearby....Nevertheless, the case is going to be very tough now, chides Alirio.

You're my last hope, cries Enrique. If they take my child, I'll kill myself! Don't talk rubbish, snaps Perafan, but you will need to get Nidia on our side.

And that's just what Kike tries to do, with no more success than Alirio. I miss my daughter, he pleads, I'm the papa. And I'm the grandmother, she snaps. But I'm not going to tattle on my daughter "la ropa sucia se lave en casa" (we wash out dirty laundry at home) No way am I going to testify against my daughter. What I say, I say between these four walls. But forget about me helping you.

And now we're at the lush, Hawaiian themed, art gallery exhibit of Ana's paintings.
There are palm trees, leis, undulating navels and hips, bare-chested, muscular waiters...there may even be some paintings but who can see them with all the
tropical hoohah going on!?

Ana looks ready to faint and even unflappable Willy looks worried. I wanted something simple and formal, Ana squeaks but Nidia blows that off and instead hastens over to Hillary and her cranky dad who have just arrived.

Nidia introduces herself...and as an afterthought Ana...and moves in, chest front and center, to make acquaintance with Señor Paris. She thanks Hillary for bringing all her wealthy friends and reminds them that the art is for sale.

Papa Paris is"muy offendido" and thinks Nidia is about the most vulgar woman he's ever met! And he's also grumpy because Juan hasn't arrived yet..Lack of punctuality is lack of manners, he grouses.

Just then our bright-shirt, short-tied, long-haired galan arrives with Flor and Juanito in tow. Hillary introduces him and Juan gives Papa a handshake so vigorous it ruffles his hair (Papa's not Juan's) and Juanito does the same.

At Yadira's apartment, another papa is basking in his daughter's company. She's thinking of going to the gallery, she knows her mother is expecting her and asks Angarita to come along. He says he wasn't invited. Well, hey, she doesn't want to go anyway. How about staying for dinner? He happily accepts.

In the meantime, our ever lecherous Nidia is checking out the buns of a distinguished looking hombre who's studying a painting. Like it? it would look good in your office, your home..or for your girlfriend, she probes. She moves her hands along his shoulders and arms (Good Lord Nidia, hold your fire!) and he turns away. Well if you want to buy it, make your move, she adds, there are other people interested in it. And the painter is an intimate friend of Hillary Paris, she adds for good measure.

Flor and Juanito are also studying the pictures, remarking on the lack of clothing for one thing. Good time for Juanito to make his move and he does, exactly as his dad taught him. Once Flor gets him to open his eyes, she happily agrees to be his "novia" and he squinches up his eyes in bliss.

We get another shot of the undulating hula dancers, flanking the life sized portrait of Juan "au naturel" and our dear Juan is being grilled by Hillary's father. Are those his kids? Is he married, divorced, widower?

Juan manages to get in that he's a single father before the discussion moves on to his business dealings. And here I pretty much got lost, but Dad seemed to be quizzing Juan about how long he'd been with Farrell, what his business background was, his investments etc. Hillary was upset that her father kept up the third degree while Juan smilingly protested that it was quite all right. Then...ta dah..in walks "Sandro" and makes straight for Paula, all charm and smiles.

He jokes with Ana about the ukelele music, tells her not to worry, the party's great and he PROMISES to buy a painting. She protests that he shouldn't do any such thing if he doesn't like any.

Off in a corner, Gaytan and Ivonne are chatting and Pastor wheezes, Whatever gave them the idea of hiring Nidia!? Well, Ivonne laughs, for one thing she needed the money. Well, Pastor thinks the tropical theme is outlandish but the waiters(bare-chested and muscular, remember?) are great.

Herbierto arrives...paws the ground and snorts when he sees Ivonne but then complains about the skimpy food. They're called "canapés" sniffs Pastor. Fine, but let's go somewhere else and eat, replies Herbi. Ivonne declines but Pastor replies "de mil amores" (I'd love to!) and off they go.

Now Willy explains to Nidia that the man she was groping earlier is an art critic. She's incensed. Don't come here and criticize my friend Ana, she yowls. Willy pulls her away and explains carefully than an art critic evaluates art rather than attacking it.

Nidia switches the discussion to a topic she's more familiar with...passion! She advises Willy to make his move now...her friend needs it and wants it and times a'wasting.

Back to cranky Dad Paris. He wants to go. He hates the music, he hates the whole thing. Hillary wants to stay, things are just starting up. Let's just enjoy it. Impossible, he retorts.

At this point, the ukelele stops and some hot dance music comes on, thanks to Nidia. "Sandro" leads a protesting Paula out on the dance floor and Juan meets the challenge by asking Hillary to dance but Dad insists they're going home NOW.

A reporter noses up, asks if Juan is Hillary's boyfriend (or fiancé.."novio" can mean either) and Dad snaps that "NO, he's just a friend of the family" and Hasta luego and adios!

Juan muses that with a bitter dad like that, who suspects all men of wanting to use his daughter, that he's isolating Hillary from others.

Still crestfallen, Juan watches Paula dancing with Sandro and turns and asks Marely to dance with him. But she's not interested in being his "fall-back position" and snippily turns him down. He reasons that he really should be fighting for the one true love in his life but is not.

Things are going better for Angarita though. He tells Yadira that other than having Pastor's company, he's eaten alone 99 % of the time. His life has changed completely with Yadira.

She's happy to do whatever she can to pay him back for all he's done for her. But I don't want it to be an obligation, he protests. Are you a sheep in wolf's clothing or a wolf in sheep's clothing, she smiles. Just a wolf. No, I think you've got a big heart. But why are you doing this?

Your mother was the love of my life. You're her daughter, Nidia Michaela is her granddaughter. Other than Pastor, this is the closest I can come to family, he explains. Helping you has been my greatest happiness, he adds.

Hmmm...didn't look that way when you saw the lawyer's bills, Yadira quips.

Things are better financially at the gallery...in fact every painting has sold! Willy and Ana are over the moon, not to mention Nidia. Ever flirtatious though, she asks Willy if he has a twin brother, since she'd love to trade in her husband (can't fault her there).

And she adds, If things don't work out with you and Ana...well, call me! Nidia, growls Ana...Oh don't worry, Nidia replies, I always respect other people's property.

Now we move to a shot of Juan in bed...with Juanito...musing over the lost women in his life, while the only woman he has ever really loved is now in the arms of another. Well, not exactly Juan. She's hugging the teddy bear you gave her, while a tear trickles down her cheek.

Oh my, will these two adorable star-crossed lovers ever get together? You bet your sweet bippy they will but probably not until the last 15 minutes of the last show.

Now it's the next morning at Ana's house and Willy is reading the reviews which are great. Paula's on the phone with Nidia, congratulating her for her part in the success; and after Ana reads the glowing reviews as well, she calls out to Paula that she and Willy are going out to breakfast.

Nidia gives Paula some song and dance about how Ana's going to be spending the weekend off with her which confuses Paula but it's all a white lie so Paula won't worry when Mom doesn't come home that night. Alirio's fuming in the background thinking Nidia's cooking up something naughty but it's strictly her arrangement of a honeymoon for Willy and Ana.

And besides, she fires back, I'm working day and night (de sol a sol) to pay the mortgage on this house so belt up! I'm working too...and on a very important case! replies Alirio. (well, really, you can't shut either of them up)

Now we see a plane flying, obviously breakfast is going to be far far away...Vancouver perhaps. Yes, Nidia has packed Ana's clothes and a passport and booked a suite for them. One room!? dithers Ana. Okay, two, sighs Willy. No, one, she hesitates, no, two...no, one. Whew.

I didn't think you'd ever decide, adds Willy. I'm dying to be with you but I'm scared, she explains. I love you and I want to share my life with you, he replies. Good answer Mr. willy!

Now they're walking through a lovely park (have they gone to bed yet? curious minds want to know) and she's exclaiming what a marvelous place it is. Only what you deserve, he replies.

And tadah, he takes out that well-known little ring box and asks her to marry him. I never thought I'd hear something like that, she gasps. Should I say it a thousand times. Well, once more would be good. And so he does and she says "YES!" I'll compress the rest of the scene...they're walking by the water, she's musing how she never thought she would ever marry. Resigned herself to always being unwed.

Same thing for him. He thought he'd always be alone, but then he met her...and came back to Mexico determined to win her. Why now, why so late in life? she wonders. Maybe the best was saved for last, he replies.

And now the big smooch scene. Wanted to like it but goshdarnit, they both just looked really uncomfortable. Reminded me of the first time I kissed a guy who had braces. Not good. Sorry folks. On the other hand, Juan and Paula, I must say, do the job right.

Still, the conversation is good. Willy continues that he wants Ana to be his wife, traveling companion, friend, colleague. Is that all? she teases. And lover, he adds. More tight-lipped uncomfortable kissing. Oh well, guess there's a reason Muñoz usually plays the bad guy.

And speaking of uncomfortable, cranky Dad Paris is chewing out Juan big-time. Telling him his daughter is not a prize to be plucked off the shelf and if she ends up with Juan, don't get your hopes up! I'm not giving you a penney!

To Papa's surprise, Juan fires back just as big-time. I don't know if we'll end up together, he bellows, but if we do, it's certainly not for your filthy money.

And we end with Papa looking "muy pero muy impactado".

Labels: Juan