Caray, Caray!

Willa and I are back from aventuras maravillosas, I will now be your trusty recapper for Tuesday nights. Mil besos y mil gracias a Kris, aka Fuego de Rosca de Reyes for her fabulous recaps of the past two Tuesday evenings. Talk about smokin' charms, Kris, you are the very best!!

So now we get right to tonight's smokin' melodrama: We are treated to the world's most reviewed scenes of any telenovela. It seems that the writers can't believe that anyone has an extra brain cell to waste on memory but not to worry. Flashing before our eyes and rattling our ears, the rattle free but venomous snake frightens Blanco the stallion into dumping Sofia but also stomping the stuffing out of FeoFernando, too many scenes flash by of the smokin' in-laws would be incestuousness, until we arrive at last to the happy couple Juan and Sofia rescued from fire but looking like so much smoked salmon in front of the bakery that looks cooked too. In contrast, the Hacienda has a new batch of crickets that nearly drown out Armando's proud announcement that Mapache will give them no more worries.He has completed Feo's orders and we sent Mapache off to the other world. Armando does his own able sound effects as he draws his thumb across his own throat in a poor imitation of that foaming death from the poisonous midnight snack. Armando's one worry is that Nabor who was in the cell for offing Don Bernardo so rudely with his car may have talked with Padre Tadeo. Feo does snot-nosed mockery so well, "Padre Tadeo, Padre Tadeo, Padre Tadeo...PadTad, I am looking for a way to get rid of him forever.

But wait, Padre arrives to talk to the lads in the jailhouse about who the sacristan (sexton) was who arrived. At least the lads are honest about their benign negligence, they admit to only having see the bottom of the priestly robes. However, they went by so fast and it was so dark, the lads are confused, PaddyTad frowns so we realize someone is thinking, thinking very hard.

Armando uses Sofia's famous line to assure his agitated, cigar smoke surrounded boss: Tranquilo! Feo wants him to make sure, while upstairs Gabriela paints flames with an angry stabbing brush on a blank canvas and revels breathing heavily again at her ardent mind movies of her artful arson at the bakery. She mutters her hopes that they are all dead!

Feo delivers the news of her impending tour to Rosario with orders to pack. She will be going with Ofelia and she shyly asks if her son can come too, you can just hear the Feo say no with a hiss, no way. See who you can leave him with, don't you understand? She backs off not asking anymore questions. If only Feo could make everyone else act as scared as Rosario does, life would be so sweet.

In a parallel scary scene, Mommie Dearest sails down the stairs with the sniveling daughters in her wake. They beg to see their sister but Gabriela berates them for wanting to follow their sister's scandalous example they should leave Sofia for dead (like Mama wanted so badly to do) and they are not to plague her with appeals to see Sofia. Abuelo Augustin tries to reason with his unreasonable daughter. She has no right to separate her daughters. He threatens that if she denies them the right to visit Sofia, he will not sign any papers as she wants. Well, we know that money talks but Abuelo better get a rearview mirror on his wheelchair as Gabi's sour look fades, no, it just blurs.

Rosario and Eva commune amiably in the church so we can see what a harmonious parent-child relationship looks like. Eva assures her that she will be thrilled to look after little Luis with such love and care while Rosario makes her big tour. It will help Luis get to know Eva as his grandmother, nobody can take better care of him than she will. Rosario says he couldn't be in better hands, and Eva happily promises that there is nothing she wouldn't do for her. Rosario asks Eva to say goodbye to Sofia for her but Eva hesitates then tells her that Sofia has left the hacienda and is now living with Juan Reyes. ¿Juan Reyes? says Rosario with widening eyes. Clearly she hasn't heard the news that Sofia and Juan are expecting a child and together at the Reyes fire-brazed house, which is still remarkably smoke and soot free, at least in Libia's old room where Juan is feeding Sofia and himself something loving from the oven, or at least from the microwave if that didn't burn. Sofia doesn't want Juan to worry so much about what happened to her last night (not to mention the bakery is pretty messy looking with fallen timbers and all) but he flashes that million dollar (ten million peso) smile assuring her that he and his brothers always carry on even when something bad has happened to them. She beams out compliments of his confidence, strength which she admires more every day. They bill and coo more about love. I replayed his beautiful smile and superior kissing skills several times but I forget what all the sweet nothings were...

Next scene, brace yourselves, Oscar in itty bitty black briefs tries to shave and hold his belly in at the same time while he chats with baby brother who is slathering soap on his almost younger looking body in the shower which apparently has no movable curtain. The bros. carry on a serious economic discussion reviewing the needs of the pregnant Sofia who isn't used to doing poverty so much and little Pablito who is now their son. They plan to keep up the serenading business at night but agree that a day job is what is really needed.
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We return to the new tropical nightclub where Maracuya is energetically rehearsing to the delight of the new owners. When they beg her to tell them what more she needs, she has the audacity to suggest they build steps off the the front of the stage so she can more gracefully descend to meet and greet her adoring crowds. They look thunderstruck that she would ever get off the stage but are equally delighted to do something to please her.

Oscar and Franco now in decent black shirts sit down to a hearty breakfast which Quintina has provided thanks to her sister's market. She quips that perhaps they will become vegetarians (I guess Sis doesn't sell carne at her veggie stand?) The Reyes Bros. are certainly being looked after by the community. Oscar wants to know how the loving went with Sarita but Franco frankly reveals that he couldn't bear to wake her but he did manage to pilfer through her letters to read of her undying love for him. Just then they are interrupted by none other than Oscar's so-called rival, Octavio who is protected by Franco from Oscar hurling his burly self at him long enough to spit out that the reason he has invaded their sanctuary is to offer him a carpenter job. Next thing we see is Octavio coming back to the stage where Maracuya is tiptoeing through her dance routine while Oscar follows with his bag of tricks or tools. Octavio and Oscar do a little Marcel Marceau routine showing where and how big the steps are to be. Maracuya notices Oscar's charms right off the bat and is especially thrilled when he strips off his black cowboy shirt, reveals his bare chest and finally dons his serious laborer's white sleeveless undershirt all to the beat of the pulsing sexy music.

Juan excuses himself from the visit with Eva and Rosario telling Sofia just to whistle (chiflar) if she needs anything. Eva and Rosario and Sofia all hug then sterner talk turns to the mystery and danger of this fire's source which Sofia informs the ladies has been judged by the brothers as deliberate arson. As Eva can't believe people could be so horrid, Rosario stares into space while she admits their are people in their pueblo that are capable of this and worse. Sofia thanks them for their visit, Rosario says Eva told her that she was now living here at the Reyes palace. Sofia assures her and Eva she is glad her sister Rosario knows where she is and she doesn't want any secrets between them (hehehe, we know better though don't we....) Rosario sincerely looks as though she fervently wishes this were true. But, she does reveal that she is going on tour such is the nature of her work. (hehehe, but we know this isn't the little music review to launch her career, don't we...) Harps play in the sound track to let us know how hallucinatory this all is.

Juan and little Pablito have a tender arm-wrestling scene with shirts off in the boys dormitory where apparently Pablito will replace Juan. He offers to get a job to help pay for expenses but Juan assures him that his job will be to go to school. Franco comes in to join the joking but Juan asks him to distract the little boy to keep him from getting too sad while they get ready to go bury the grandmother. Franco tells Juan he is not going to believe where Oscar got a job.

Oscar is dancing around Octavio wanting to say something but all he can transmit is that he will try his best to get the stairs built quickly so the club can be opened at the earliest moment. He wishes, he wishes, oh shucks, he wishes Octavio the best of luck with new club. Maracuya watches Oscar like a hawk sizing up a mouse. Oscar breaks into a sweat.
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Maracuya flirts and Oscar sweats profusely and hammers nails into the beautiful stairs that develop as if by magic.

Rosario shows up to give her condolences to Pablito for losing his abuelita who is now in heaven with the stars and his parents smiling down watching over him. Juan thanks her for coming and for her nice words to Pablito. Franco looks that sick puppy look at seeing Rosario, they all clutch Pablito while they avoid looking at the taut animal fur fabric that Rosario has chosen for her mourning costume, oh wait, she was wearing it yesterday too. She leaves without giving Franco the slightest encouragement.

Maracuya flirts and caresses herself with ice cubes while she sips her fruit drink and Oscar makes a sweaty job of pounding nails in that staircase. Before you can spell out passion fruit, she is caressing Oscar with an ice cube and they have an earnest business discussion about the other night club in town and whether that will be competition for her. She says no, she isn't worried, they will all have their audiences, but soon is asking him if he has a girl friend. He actually tells the truth but she seems undaunted by this awkward fact.

The two remaining sisters are visiting Abuelo Augustin's bungalow which Sarita doesn't find to her tasteand discussing whether to risk Gabi's flaming wrath (no jokes here, folks, they just don't know how dangerous she is, but they are justly afraid) while Abuelo encourages them to go see Sofia and Eva counters with negation and caution after giving them the news of the fire but assuring them that Sofia is fine. The girls worry about making Gabi's health worse, but Augustin reminds them of her miracle recover. Octavio shows up to save the day and invites them to visit the new club to meet Maracuya. Aha, a free pass to get out of jail.

Feo lurks outside the bakery muttering self aggrandizing threats about those who would reject him. Inside Quintina and Sofia laugh in the sitting room. Sofia is in a white cotton dress which seems to have replaced the black skirt and that foot wide leather cummerbund belt that must have been making the baby's head go all pointy, I'm relieved. Quintina rubs creme into Sofia's angel soft skin when the wicked Feo bursts into their serene room with his rude ways we have come to expect. He demands that Sofia return with him this very day to the hacienda. She glares in defiance.
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Feo does his usual violent rough handling of Sofia while Sarita and Jimena pull on him from one side telling him to leave Sofia alone. Although this is new attitude-wise for the shrinking violet sisters, as we could have predicted it is the intrepid Quintana who faces down the threats and violent pulling of Feo as he threatens she shames him with her little fists up telling him he is a big macho for treating a helpless woman so, what does he think he is doing? The boxing ring bell rings to tell Feo he is on the slippery slope and he backs off saying he is there wasting his time. (Is Feo capable of this type of epiphany? Nahhh.) He spouts poor me, how humiliated he is with everyone in the pueblo thinking he is a schlubb. (Sorry bud, they already knew). Quintana is afraid afterward that Feo will kill Juan or that Feo may have hurt Sofia but outside as the cowardly Feo drives off in his big black truck, Juan rides up on his big black horse, drops Pablito off and starts to chase after the car but thinks better of it and goes inside to check on Sofia. The three brothers and Pablo are in a clutch worried about the three sisters and the brave Quintina in another clutch as they determine that nothing much really happened and nothing new was set of fire.

The big bully Feo mutters that he is about to finish with all these guys and he will show no mercy with anyone that has messed with him but he drives on in his big black truck only to be surrounded in the wooded lane by several more even bigger black trucks loaded with gun toting goons and our leather clad ever-smiling Coyote makes another appearance. Although it was hoped that he would let the boys pistol whip this gutless wonder. However, Coyote only asks him if he approves the Boss taking Rosario on the "tour". Oh so jovial, Feo assures him he is only too happy to comply with whatever the Boss wants, but Coyote cuts his dream talk short with the reality show piece that he has not repaid even one centavo of all the money he owes Boss man. Feo brashly asserts that he is on the verge of taking complete control of the hacienda and he will then have all the money he needs to pay the debt in full. Coyote says great, if the money doesn't appear soon we will have to tell all to your mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. Gee, I wanted some rabbit punches or pistol whipping here but no....

Sofia tells her two starry eyed sisters how tender but strong but sexy (I put that in) how strong, so tender, so oooohhhh she thrills her empty bedded sisters of the joy of romantic love she shares with Juan. They are ready to sign up. Sofia is grateful to God for her good fortune and happiness now and wishes her sisters similar good luck one day. She amazes everyone with her solicitous query about her Mother's health and childish wish that her mother will pardon her one day. (Huh?, I'm thinking fire and brimstone being covered by icicles thoughts myself, but...)
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Sourer than ever, Gabi swears she will never pardon Sofia just as she will never pardon Bernardo. Feo has other worries and tries to scare Gabi with the need to mortgage the hacienda if he can't get the money he needs to run the business (run it right into the ground) Gabi looks a bit afraid of the frantic Feo herself for once. As he nuzzles her neck and urges them to become united against all to save the ranch. She remains unmoved while he says she should gather her pride and think about him or think about herself or at least think about the hacienda... Oh you sweet talking sob... you finally found the magic button.

Sofia and her sisters discuss how difficult it will be for them to be frequent visitors.

Juan brings Pablito in to officially give him his bed, Pablito finally has the nerve to bring up keeping Mariachi and in fact keeping him in the dormitory. The brothers hesitate then give in while Pablito goes off to find bones for Mariachi from Quintina. the big boys talk about the job at the tropical lounge. A job is a job, Juan finally says. He seems a bit surprised that Oscar did something independent of him but they will carry on.

Feo is throwing an ugly little fit as Gabi who is no shrinking violet in the fit department says she doesn't want to humiliate herself in front of her father again. There must be some little bit of power Augustin has that even she can't deny.

Sisters Jimena and Sarita show up with Oscar and his brother (cousin?) to show off the tropicana lounge to celebrate the grand opening and with flashing green lights as they approach to find Maracuya has just pulled the old ooops, I am falling into your arms because I just can't stay on these big bad stairs trick. Oh, oh, talk about green lights. They are now flashing inside of Jimena's head. Busted!!!

Tomorrow: Oscar caught with his hands in the masa....

Labels: Fuego