Caray, Caray!

It's morning in the city of Serdán, or is it Lerdán - I told you I can't read those curly letters. If I knew something about agriculture I'd tell you what's planted in the field we're looking at too, but as far as I can tell it could be anything from tires or gophers or anthills or some type of small tree.

Eva wakes Sofía, who reports that she feels great, but quickly adds that she hasn't forgotten Eva's problem. She asks if Eva found out anything about her child. Eva says she's not sure whether it's real or a just a dream, but she's just sure that Rosario is hers. Sofía gapes. Eva says Rosario keeps rejecting her and won't let her near - so she can't find out whether it's true or not. Sofía excitedly offers to help Eva find out for sure. Eva happily bustles off to get Gabi's breakfast.

Feo is also having a healthy breakfast - tequila, I believe - at the nightclub. Armando proudly reports that the hacienda accounting records are all fixed up - Sofía and Gabriela won't be able to detect the embezzlement. Feo grumbles that he still needs to find those incriminating notes that Bernardo left behind. Armando says perhaps it'd be better to find some money, because Feo's got a lot of debt. If he doesn't pay up soon, he'll be in trouble. Feo says tomorrow he'll try to get Gabi to make her father sign those papers; if she can't do it, he'll have to gamble for big bucks. He picks up a knickknack with two roosters and gives it a shake; one of the roosters falls off. (If there's going to be a cockfighting scene, I don't want to see it.)

Armando warns Feo not to trust his luck too much; he could lose, and then he'll be worse off. Feo hollers that people who don't trust their luck are worthless; and instead of giving useless advice, Armando should think of a way to snare the Reyes brothers and get rid of them. (I am wondering if it's just a matter of time before Armando gets tired of Feo's abuse and poor judgment, and turns on him.)

The Reyes brothers are sitting outside the cottage, killing time trying to throw small things into a bigger thing (I can't identify any of the objects, but none make their target) and staring at the hacienda. Oscar says that within those walls are the women who have stolen their hearts. They came to the house for vengeance, but instead they were given a lesson of love. Franco says, "who would have thought that we would have ended up in love with the daughters of Bernardo Elizondo?"

"Of Bernardo Elizondo, and Gabriela Acevedo - our worst enemy," Juan adds, "but those girls aren't guilty." He tells Oscar he's going to give him something very important and valuable tonight, and jokes that Jimena was very nice to him last night. Oscar gets suspicious and asks what happened. Juan says Jimena helped him avoid getting caught when he came to visit Sofía. He tells them that he and Sofía are back together.

Inside the house, Jimena is telling Sofía how she helped Juan get away without being seen. Sofía is worried that Jimena took such a risk, but Jimena says she did it for a woman in love. On the one hand, she feels sorry for Feo, but on the other hand Sofía's happiness is more important. Their mother is still pushing men on them that they don't want, so Jimena understands Sofía's situation well.

Jimena also confides that she and Oscar spoke with Fr. Tadeo to get married as soon as possible. Sofía does not react to this news with the kind of delight that Jimena should expect, but Jimena urges Sofía to follow her example and not put her happiness at risk.

Franco is sanding something at the cottage when a little man in a tweed suit comes ambling along. Ooh - sorry, it's Sarita, sneaking around and peeking. Franco sees her peeking and and asks if she's come to help him. "Of course not," she answers tensely. "How could you think that?" Instead, she's come by to explain yesterday's kiss. He says she doesn't need to do that - he knows she loves him, and that's what's important, right?

"You think a little kiss is proof of love?" Sarita asks.

"The way you did it? I think so," Franco answers.

Sarita asks if he thinks of Rosario when he kisses her. He gets offended and says of course not. He knows it's hard for her to understand, but he loves her, and he loves Rosario too, both of them, she can't accuse him of lying because he's always been honest with her. Sarita says his heart is lying to him, because he can't love two people at once. His heart is fooling him, and he wants both of them to be fooled, but she won't permit it. So she wants nothing with him! Nothing! (At least, nothing she can't get by sneaking and peeking.) He grins and sings her back to the house, "If you don't love me / That's okay / I'm not going to die over love."

Eva's now telling Sofía that she's glad she's not going to sleep forever like some fairytale princess. Sofía says she was awakened with a kiss. Eva says she knows Juan was there last night. Sofía worriedly asks Eva not to judge her. "I couldn't do that - you know my secret!" Eva points out.

Sofía tells Eva that Juan wants them to run away. Eva says she never had the courage to fight for what she wanted, and she has paid dearly. "Don't make the same mistake I did! For the love of God, be brave! Defend your love against everything and everyone!" Sofía bravely says she needs her grandfather's advice.

At the church, Fr. Tadeo is having an animated debate... with himself. Should he be quiet, or should he tell Gabi the whole story? (It's not a very good debate.)

At the moment, Gabi is telling Sofía of course she can have permission to go visit Grandpa, and hopefully she'll get him to see reason. "Remind him that this is his house, and he doesn't have to live on someone else's charity." Sofía says he's only living where he can get some affection.

Predictably, Gabi has palpitations and has to go to bed. "Didn't I tell you that your defiance is bad for me?" She tells Sofía to bring Grandpa back to the house, to bring peace back to the house, because every day she feels worse. She can't sleep, from all the suffering of seeing her family divided. "Destroyed," she murmurs dramatically. "Go get him and convince him to come back! It's your DUTY!" (If you ask me, Gabriela's the one who needs a nice hot cup of Super-Sleepytime Tea... so she'll shut up for a few hours.) Sofía slinks out, horrified with guilt.

Eva is now at the cottage, trying to get Franco to explain his relationship with Rosario. Franco says there's no reason he should. Yes, he likes Sarita too, but that's his business, not Eva's. Eva says it is her business, and tells him she's not going to let him fool around with EITHER of them!

Grandpa is glad to see Sofía. She tells him that love is the best medicine for the soul. He heartily agrees. She hesitantly tells him that she's been miserable since she was raped, couldn't stand to be touched by a man, and didn't think she'd ever feel anything for anyone... until Juan came into her life, and now she's given herself to him, for love - something that never happened with Feonando. She never let him touch her, and there's never been anything between them, she's never been his woman, never. Grandpa says nothing, but there is joy and encouragement in his face.

Feo, the cure for joy throughout the world, prowls the hacienda's halls until he spies Gabriela, who is happily (the private kind of happy) admiring herself in the mirror and the feel of her own skin after a bath. Feo opens the door open a little wider and pushes his hat out of the way for a better look. Gabriela really is liking her neck and shoulders a whole lot. Feo seems to be liking them a lot from afar.

"Your mother won't die if you decide to be happy," Grandpa is telling Sofía. "On the other hand, you could die from renouncing your own happiness. It's your own life." He tells her not to throw away Juan's love because of her indecision and fear, and to learn from Jimena, who's willing to do anything to be happy at Oscar's side.

Someplace outdoors, Oscar is thanking Jimena for helping Juan last night. She says she did it to make Sofi happy. She's worried about her and Juan. Oscar is too. Jimena fears that Sofía will never dare leave their mother, especially now that she's sick.

The poor, dying woman who likes her own "shoulders" is sitting at her desk. Feo drools silently at her from the doorway; she notices him and is startled. "I was admiring you in silence. You're still a very attractive woman."

"I don't think so, but thanks anyway," she replies. "I'm just telling the truth - you've always been one of the most attractive and distinguished women in the area. If you put your mind to it, you could get married." Gabi says no, because first she'd have to find a truthful man who knew how to be worthy of her - absurd!

Feo says it's impossible not to notice her beauty and distinction, and even if she doesn't think so, he's sure there would be lots of men who'd gladly wish to be considered.

She holds his gaze a little too long and then pretends not to be flustered, saying she just wanted to review the hacienda's accounts. Feo says great - speaking of which, if Grandpa doesn't sign that paper soon, they'll have to give up the year's crops. Gabi says that mustn't happen - her father must sign at any cost. If one wants something done right, one must do it oneself.

Outside the cottage, Franco rants and raves to his brothers that he knows they think he's crazy for being in love with two women, but that's none of Eva's business. Oscar says Eva loves Sarita as if she were her own, and is worried about her. But that doesn't explain why she's so concerned about Rosario. Juan says "we'll find out!"

Inside the house, Sarita rants and raves to Jimena about Franco. She thinks Franco is humiliating her because he knows she can't compete with Rosario. Jimena says it's Sarita's fault - she has her own charms, but doesn't want to show them off! "Which charms?" asks the clueless Sarita. "You really want to know?" Jimena asks... oh goody, a makeover!

Quintina is doing bakery stuff, with her back to the door, when Gabriela gets impatient and slams something on the table to get her attention. (I agree with Gabriela - there probably isn't a man in the world who deserves her, but there might be a gorilla or two.) Quintina says they don't have any of the kind of bread she wants there. Gabriela scolds her for being disrespectful. Grandpa wheels in and tells Quintina not to worry - he'll take care of this fine customer. She agrees and tells him to whistle if he needs anything.

"How low you've fallen," Gabi says to Grandpa. "I've come for you." Grandpa laughs, but she insists. He tells he's staying here, no matter what. She rubs her forehead (Gabi-fake-sick-style, not nervous-Bertha-style - anybody remember all of Bertha's forehead-rubbing in Heridas?) She asks, "what are you trying to do, kill me?" But Grandpa tells her those stories won't work on him, he doesn't believe in her so-called illness, and he's going to tell his granddaughters that she's only faking to get them to bow to her will.

"Don't you dare!"
"Why not? And look how quickly you recovered, huh?"

She threatens to have him declared insane if he pushes it, and that "those workers" kidnapped him. Her face lights up - "better yet, I'll knock you off that pedestal my daughters have you on. Come back to the hacienda immediately, or I'll tell them you killed my mother!"

This gets the desired response, as he protests fearfully and she taunts him that her mother's death was his fault. He turns away, but she insists, "You were driving drunk when that accident happened where she lost her life, and that's why you're stuck in this wheelchair! If you don't want my daughters to find out that you're a killer, come back to the house right away."

As she stalks out triumphantly, he rubs his hands together and tells her she's lying. "I didn't kill her and you know that very well!" But he's crying and doesn't seem very sure. "I swear I didn't kill her," he cries as Quintina rushes in to comfort him. "That isn't my fault, I loved her! How would I have killed her? She's making that up."

Father Tadeo catches up with Gabriela as she's getting back in the car. He says that they urgently need to talk in the church, and it won't take long. She tries to put him off. He says it's about Jimena. She interrupts and says she's resolved things with her daughters. If Tadeo really wants to help, he should get Grandpa to return to the hacienda. Then they'll talk. Until then, nope.

Grandpa is angrily telling Quintina that of course he's sorry he made "her" (Gabi? his wife?) suffer, but he can't regret something he didn't do. He says he wasn't driving when that accident happened, even though Gabi says he was. He does remember being totally drunk, but GABRIELA was driving. It was SHE who caused that accident! And now she puts the blame on him, but it's a lie, it was Gabriela!

At the San Jose Home For Eccentric Grandpas And Crooked Doctors, Gabriela has handed another envelope (ice cream coupons?) to Dr. Gomez, aka Dr. Matasanos, aka Dr. Quack, aka Dr. Ratched. "I'm going to ask another favor, and I know you won't deny me!" Dr. Scumbag opens the envelope, and big surprise - it's full of cash. Gabi has to pause for a moment while the doctor admires each note in its individual cashy goodness.

Franco watches, but can't hear, Juan trying to get some info out of Eva. She repeats that she's looking out for Sarita. "But what about Rosario?" Juan asks. Eva admits that she had a daughter with Bernardo (the news that Bernardo procreated with yet another woman doesn't seem to impact Juan at all) and she's almost positive that it's Rosario.

Rosario is putting on makeup when Sofía shows up. Smiling, Sofía announces that she's here to speak with her about something important of interest to both of them. Rosario looks interested, but then seeing the doomy shadow of Feo's hat outside her doorway she nervously puts on a half-hearted hostile manner and tells Sofía to leave her alone and never come back.

The Feo hat shadow scurries away just in time for Sofía to leave Rosario's room - but then Sofia hesitates and turns back. Yay! Go Sofía, go! We can sort all of this nonsense out within a week or two and spend the next few months with hot sex, stunning landscapes, and pretty singing!

But Sofía chickens out and leaves for real. Boo! Feo asks himself what reason Eva, and now Sofía, could possibly have for seeking out Rosario.

Juan wants Eva to tell him how he can help her with Rosario. She says just tell Franco to leave both of them alone. Juan says he's encouraged Franco to clarify his feelings, but he's confused, he's in love with both of them, but he'll talk to him. Eva thanks him. He apologizes to her for distrusting her, because of what happened to his sister, but hopes she can remember some little detail of what happened that night at Bernardo's wake. She says she's already told him everything. Libia was upset when she found out that Bernardo had been married, but she suffered even more when Gabi humiliated her and treated her like a tramp. Juan says he's sure that someone from the hacienda killed his sister. Eva says that can't be.

Franco is wandering around aimlessly with a detached door when Rosario comes along, having just had her implants removed. Ooh - sorry, it's Sarita! This poor girl needs to deal with her identity crisis! Her hair is down and a bit poofy, her glasses are off (I think they mentioned once that she has contacts but just doesn't wear 'em), and she's wearing some makeup and a most untweedy-unsuity-like red dress. Franco circles her for a good look to convince himself that it's really her. "What did you do? You look rechula!" (glamorous? luscious? not sure)

An angry screech spoils the moment as Gabriela gets home from her blackmail and bribery errands. "SARIIIIIITA! What did you do? You look like a hussy!" Jimena runs up and says they just got rid of the braids, put on some makeup, a more modern dress... Gabi whirls on Franco and tells him to go back to work. He reluctantly backs away, not taking his eyes off of Sarita.

"Sarita! You want to kill me too, don't you!" Gabi's voice is full of dry crocodile tears. "I truuuuuuusted you!" Sarita says she didn't think it would bother her so much, but she'll put hair back up and dress like before. (Hopefully Jimena has already burnt all the tweed suits.)

Gabi gets an attack of the vapors. Franco disgustedly pretends not to watch Jimena and Sarita walk Gabi back to the house. They throw guilty looks back at Franco while their mother continues to mutter that they'll be the death of her. (I can't believe they aren't tempted to take her up on that offer by now.)

At the nightclub, Feo is trying to shake the truth out of Rosario, what does she have to do with Sofía, but he can't get anything out of her because she has no idea why Sofía was there. He warns her not to mess with his family. "It's time you paid the consequences. Your child is the one who will pay!" She begs, but he's already gone. The door rattles as he locks her in her room. She gets on her knees and prays and prays.

Sofía is visiting Mr. Ed (Bernardo's old horse) by the stables when Juan surprises her with a hug from behind. (Potentially bad idea with a rape survivor, as someone pointed out during Pasion.) "Every moment I'm away from you, I feel as if I'm dying." "And I am always thinking of you - always!" He tries to get her to run away with him. She says she needs time for her mother to recover some of her health, and then they can go. Kiss kiss kiss.

By the time Jimena and Sarita get Gabriela back to the house, she seems quite recovered and waves them off. "They're just little attacks. But someday one of those attacks will be enough to bring me to my death." Jimena again tries to explain that they didn't do this to make her sick - Sarita just wanted to make herself up a little - see how pretty? "You're a bad influence, like Sofía!" Sarita tries to take all of the blame for the death-defying makeover. Gabi sighs and says "fine, it's good that you want to look more attractive, and I give you permission to do it, but only when you're out with your fiance." Gabi says they're going to visit the Uribes right now! Raquel is waiting for them. "At least you're made up," she says to Sarita as she rushes back outside.

(That woman is 100% gall! Maybe her gallbladder will kill her!)

"At least you're made up," the sisters mimic to one another through clenched teeth, then go out to join their mother.

At the Uribes', poor Eugenia - I think that's her name, the maid who's Benito's girlfriend - leaves a plate of snacks for the awkward gathering and hides behind a tree to spy. Raquel tells Gabi how cute her daughters are and tells Sarita not to be so shy around her future husband. Sarita and Benito share a dry, unpleasant lip-bump as Eugenia's face furrows in misery. (I know Benito has tried to reassure her, but I don't think he's done a great job.) Raquel wants to get to the business of planning their wedding-for-four. She and Gabi agree to announce it as soon as possible and plan a big dinner.

Raquel is giddy with happiness. They all drink (Sarita very reluctantly). Eugenia sneaks away quietly, heartbroken and possibly plotting revenge?

Sofía is back at the hacienda, telling Eva about her ill-fated visit to Rosario. "The same thing happened to me. I don't understand why she refused to listen to me," Eva says. Sofía says she thought she saw fear in Rosario's face, that something very powerful was impelling her to act that way, but they can't figure out what.

A henchman is restraining Rosario in her room. Feonando is holding Luís. He says her crying and begging won't work; her son will pay for her disobedience. He puts the boy down. "Say goodbye to him, because you're not going to see him again." Rosario protests and begs some more.

"You don't want to say goodbye? Let's go." Feo grabs the boy by the hand and leaves with him under his arm. The henchmen laugh as Rosario cries.

Juan is making some bread. Grandpa says, "A sane and healthy grandfather would tell you that you'd be crazy for wanting to steal his granddaughter, but in this case I AUTHORIZE you to do it. Follow the impulses of your heart!" Juan asks if he's serious. He says he loves Sofía and she loves him, but Gabi's in the middle. Grandpa says Juan will have to free the young princess of the dragon's clutches. A really dangerous dragon. Set her free and take her VERY far away!

Juan shakes his hand. Grandpa says he's sure she'll be happy, because she'll be with Juan, and he'll love and protect her para siempre.

Back at the hacienda, Feonando is pretending not to want to show Sofía the bookkeeping. Gabi comes in to join the ruckus; Feo says "Sofía still doubts my honesty." Sofi says Gabi told them to share the responsibility. Gabi tells Feo to show her the books. "Show her she has no reason to doubt you." He fake-grudgingly hands over the books that Armando recently "edited" for him. "I hope you'll be satisfied."

Juan removes a small pink bag from the Trunk of Destiny Past and tells Oscar, "the promises of our mother were always pacts with God. This is for you." Inside the pink bag is a great big engagement ring that their mother wanted to give to the first son to marry. (I think we have to assume that it belonged to their grandmother, since their mother was presumably wearing her own when she was murdered.) Oscar thinks Juan should have it because of all he's done for them, but Juan insists that he was only carrying out their parents' wishes. Oscar's getting married, so the ring belongs to him.

Oscar kisses the ring and says it was their "viejita's." OK, I thought this meant Mom, so maybe Mom did take it off and give it to Juan along with lots and lots of other last wishes before he and the other kids got away and she and her husband were killed?

Despite seeing her son taken away without saying goodbye, Rosario still has to sing tonight. She's wearing a big red sombrero with gold embroidery, a bra, a mini-bolero, a long skirt, and a long gold coat. The men in the crowd howl happily. She looks around uncomfortably and climbs down from the stage and out of the club, tying her coat closed as she slips away into the big world.

Sofía finishes reviewing the hacienda accounts. Apparently, Gabi has been sitting there watching her, and Feo has been reading over her shoulder, the entire time. She says it's all fine. Gabi says "I told you so, you just made a fool of yourself. Now you owe your husband an apology." Sofía says she has nothing to apologize for, because she was just asking for something that she has a right to. "But, if I offended you, forgive me," she tells Feo.

"Of course I forgive you my love" Feo says, grabbing her and giving her a rough-looking kiss. "Let go of me!" she says, pulling away. "Don't touch me, much less kiss me! I forbid it!" Feo puts on his bewildered, wounded puppydog face (I have a feeling he's wounded a lot of puppies in his day) and Gabriela looks disappointed as Sofía leaves them. Feo tells Gabi he should find himself a woman who loves him, as she suggested.

The Brothers Reyes are visiting Libia's tomb. Oscar says he wants to ask Juan in front of Libia's tomb to go away and find happiness in love. Franco agrees; Juan has their blessing. Juan promises to come back soon, so they can get the justice they promised for Libia.

Franco says they're going to miss him, because it'll be the first time they've ever been apart. Juan warns that he's going to make him change his mind! Franco says no, they want him to be happy even though it pains them to see him go; he's their older brother, and he's been like their parents, has always cared for them, etc. etc. Oscar speeches more of the same. Juan takes a concha out of his pocket and puts it on Libi's grave.

Still in her new dress, Sarita paces anxiously in Jimena's room and complains that while their mother is making them marry someone they don't love, J is singing happily and painting her nails. Jimena calmly says she's definitely not marrying Octavio, and resumes singing. Offended, Sarita stomps out. J whistles at Sarita and yells, "¡Que guapa!" "Thank you," Sarita replies, a little less offended now. Jimena gets her jacket and sneaks off the balcony.

Oscar and Franco have their horses on the street in front of the bakery; Oscar is saying that it's okay with him that Juan wanted to stay behind with Libia. Franco wants to go to the cantina; Oscar wants to go with him (after a stop at the mill) to make sure Franco avoids trouble. Franco promises to stay out of trouble, and leaves without Oscar.

Oscar looks up to the sound of loud clumpy shoes and sees a long gold coat, a big red hat, and a gigantic pair of... earrings. Rosario asks for Franco. Oscar says he just left to see her. Rosario tells Oscar that something happened to her son and she doesn't know what to do. He gives her a comforting hug, just at the right moment for Jimena to drive up and see.

She is not happy.

Next time:
Fr. Tadeo takes his anti-Feonando crusade to Grandpa.
Juan and Sofía ride away on a Whim, or at least a Capricho.

Labels: Fuego