Caray, Caray!

Tonight’s theme is apology, and forgiveness given and withheld, including discrimination against those society refuses to forgive. In honor of the return of functioning captions, I pulled several vocabulary words out of tonight’s episode. Considering how many unfamiliar words they used, I sure did appreciate the captions. You know the worth of water when the well runs dry!

Santiago tells Charly that nobody has to know he’s infected, other than certain parties with a need to know – his doctor, the government, any potential partner. It’s a sensitive issue because of discrimination suffered by those who are infected. Forgiveness Topic #F-1, Society‘s refusal to forgive.

Look how far Santiago has come, at least in one aspect. Remember when he would panic if Lucía said the S-word? Now he counsels Charly and Lucía. He explains that there are plenty of couples with one infected partner. He steps carefully and says they could find themselves in that situation as well. Luc interrupts: no way, no how. Santi goes on, he doesn’t know whether they’ll get back together. He recognizes a special closeness between them, and he doesn’t want to fail to tell them that if they decide to have relations, they need to take precautions this time. Of course, he never suggests that it may be emotionally unwise for them to resume relations. Remember, this is a novela. Sunday school with sex. As for the PSA, latir – throb. ‘Nuff said. Charly again begs Luc to forgive him. Luc says “Nunca!” (#F-2, Forgiveness withheld.)

Santiago is unsettled. He tells Hortensia that Charly is still a boy and he had to counsel him how to delay death. When he found out Charly had risked Luc, Santi wanted to kill him. Now that Luc is safe, he just feels compassion. He still feels like he failed his brother. (#F-3, Can‘t forgive himself.) Santiago remembers a few years ago when Luc proudly announced to him, “Tío, I’m a woman now.” He remembers the happiness in her eyes and her glow, and he fears her light will go dark from bitterness. (Brillo – sparkle, brilliance. Me da pavor – it terrifies me.)

Getting ready for bed, Rocío and Lucía have a sisters talk.
Roc: Why are you angry? Did I do something? (#F-4, Roc is willing to apologize even if she doesn’t know what she did wrong.)
Luc: No, nothing. I’m angry at myself. (#F-5, Luc can’t forgive herself.) I fought with Charly and said some ugly things.
Roc: Did he do something to you?
Luc: Yes, but it was my fault too. Something very bad.
Roc: (From the mouths of babes..) When I’m angry at Daddy, I always end up (terminar) angry at Chava too.
Luc: It’s because you like him so much.
Roc: Don’t you like Charly? Are you ever going to forgive him?
Luc: I don’t know. (Repeat of #F-2, Will Luc forgive Charly?)
Notice that Lucía is starting to soften up a little on Charly.

Ed announces to the Abandonados that Lucía’s test turned out (resultar) negative.

The restaurant is decorated for a Christmas party, and Candy arrives with the boys. (This episode aired May 28 in Mexico.) Santa arrives with Patricio’s voice. He says he wants to celebrate the last eight Christmases with them. Candy is charmed, and Santa takes the opportunity for a big kiss. Beto sees it and tells Chava, “Wow! Your mom is Santa’s girlfriend. You’ll get better presents than anyone!” Santa gives the boys toys. Meño tells boys to get moving – ponerse las pilas. There are dolls for Rocío, Lulu, Soledad, and Meño. Soledad is not charmed. He gives Candy a soccer ball signed by the whole Chivas team, per a letter she wrote to Santa when she was about 12. She should have asked her dad (Jesus Bracamontes was the Chivas’ coach in the 90’s). Sven sits down with Soledad and stutters and stammers and gets tongue-tied as only Sven can, until she holds his mouth closed long enough to tell him yes, she is willing to go out with him. He wants her phone number, and his motor starts running again.

Santiago goes to see his old friend Federico the shrink. Fred says he owes Santi a favor after the great surgery Santi did for his wife, but Santi tells him, “Los amigos nunca estamos en deuda” – Friends never owe you anything, or friends never keep accounts. Fred reviewed the case and concluded that Marissa is in bad shape, and for right now, neither Santi nor he can do anything for her. Speaking as Santi’s friend, the only solution he can see is to stay at Marissa’s side, play along with her game, humor her, and be there to remediate any risk. She obviously has a behavioral disorder, probably brought on by pregnancy hormones and the situation with Santi.. If Santi doesn’t play along, things will take a turn for the worse.

Santi is having great difficulty swallowing all this - he‘s completely boggled. Play along with someone who is totally unbalanced – desequilibrio? He asks how far he needs to go along with this absurd game. He wants to protect his son, but Marissa is pushing him to get married. Fred counsels that he should even get married, and after the baby is born, they can separate (I think I heard that), and she can get proper help.

Santiago is dumbfounded by this advice. So am I. Santi insists, no, he demands that after the baby is born, the doctor will officially certify that she is not emotionally fit to care for the child. The doctor guarantees (avalar) that he will certify that. For a patient that he has not tested, not analyzed, not even interviewed yet. Let’s review, shall we? Santi’s one old friend keeps a macabre museum in his house. Another old friend is the quack who killed Candy’s sister. Another old friend operates… This old friend sounds like he’s in league with Marissa, but is ready to certify her, sight unseen. How is it that the best plastic surgeon in Mexico spent his college years with a bunch of quacks?

Alone with Candy, Gregoria says that Alicia is pretty upset about seeing Candy and Pat kissing. Candy points out that she is the victim (perpetual, eternal, unrelenting, and unmistakable); and that it was Ali who ruined her marriage and ruined her life. Gregoria reminds her, none too gently, that Candy is no angel either, considering all the pain her death caused. Candy, in a monologue that demonstrates exactly why we all love her as much as we do, says, “Yeah, mom, but I didn’t know that I was causing anybody pain, and besides I was really hurt too, and besides I was angry. You’ve already forgiven me, haven’t you?” (Big smile.) Greg answers, “Yes, but I didn’t forget.” (#F-6, Forgiveness presumptuously assumed and grudgingly given.) Candy doesn’t want to go out of her way to hurt Ali, but she’s not going to change her course for her either. Pat joins the conversation and is soon joined by Chava, excited about the visit from Santa.

Santiago is reading in bed when Donato brings him some tea. Without being snotty, Santi tells him that if he wants tea he’ll ask for it; what does Don really want to talk about? Next we see Don drinking tea with Santi, explaining that his boss accused him of robbery, and all the stolen goods were found in his room. Santi knows he’s no thief, but he’s disturbed that Don never told him this before. He understands that Don asked Isabel to keep his secret, because nobody is willing to give an ex-convict a chance (#F-7, society won’t forgive.) But Donato needs to understand that Santiago is the one responsible for the household and he needs to be informed. While he’s at it, Santi reminds Don that this is his bed; Don shouldn’t get too comfortable. I love how Donato is always trying to covertly tiptoe to a higher position, and Isabel and Santi always reassert his proper place. I once knew a Newfoundland dog who always tried to sneak into my lap without my noticing.

In the morning, Santiago scolds his mama (I love watching these two together) because she never told him that Donato was in jail. He says, “Me hubiera gustado saberlo,” I would have liked to have known (imperfect subjunctive). Isabel is worried that the stress is getting to her son. By the way, notice the statue on Santi’s desk. It’s not erotic! I didn’t know Televisa had any of that kind! Later Santi calls Donato to his office, but Donato interrupts Santi to turn in his resignation. He says, “I should tell you, I have always been loyal to you and to all your lies.” Santi asks if Don is blaming or blackmailing him. No. Does he want to leave? No, Don replies, he has to leave. Santi asks whether it’s for his dignity or his shame, because neither is appropriate in this situation. He won’t stop him if Don wants to leave. Santi had already come to a decision, for the safety of his daughters.

Refugio drags her fiancé into Barb’s office for a session because her last three novios ditched her the day before the wedding. He admits that her mother told her secret – her psychiatric problems and nervous disorders. (#F-8, society flees from those with mental disorders.) Refugio is stunned; her novio asks, “You mean it’s not true?” They realize that the problem was her mother who was afraid of being left alone. Her novio demonstrates a sincere, remorseful apology that clearly indicates a change, and she forgives him. (#F-9, apology sincerely given and gratefully accepted.) In contrast to..

Ali and Margarita are forming battle strategies. Marg tells her that if she confronts Pat, he’ll just distance himself farther. Ali is sure Candy’s doing it for vengeance. Speaking of the Queen of Sangrón, Candy arrives at the door, and the sisters give each other genetically-enhanced stink-eye. Candy says it’s time for them to stop fighting. Ali suggests that the first step is for Candy to leave Ali’s husband alone, since she gave him up. Candy says she didn’t give him up, she escaped him. She accuses her sister of being a fat-faced cootie-head. Not really, but their conversation has regressed to that maturity level. She continues, “Nonetheless, I came to apologize if I’ve hurt you somehow.” Can you imagine? Ali rejects an apology with that level of warm, heartfelt remorse. There’s just no pleasing some people. (Have I ever mentioned how much I despise insincere apologies? Especially the ones that begin, “I‘m sorry if you think I...”) (#F-10, apology insincerely offered and sincerely rejected.)

If you haven’t watched this episode yet, I recommend that you skip the Candy & Chava scene. Those are minutes in your life that you’ll never get back. You could use them doing something more productive. Like watching paint peel. Chava brings Candy his caja de mentiras (box to trap lies), because twice he lied about brushing his teeth. Maybe it was a ploy to leave the box where it was truly needed. We’re treated to another Tontas Toidy Time (ah, the sweet memories, sitting around the toilet bowl with my mama), when Candy flushes the lies down the toilet. And yet another when he confesses that he doesn’t wash his hands after using the bathroom. Candy forgives him. (#F-11.) Then she takes Chava to his room and apologizes for all the years she lied to him, saying that his father was dead and keeping them apart. (#F-12) Didn’t she already do that, back when Chava found out the Pat was his dad?

Barbara tells the institute staff that Refugio will be enrolling in all their classes. Chayo wonders why Barb made her such a special project. Barb identified with this patient because her mother was so controlling. Meño wonders if that was related to Barb’s two marriages and divorces, but Barb denies any relation.

Isabel sees Donato carrying suitcases and blames Santiago for firing him for having been in jail. Thus Tina and the girls hear the secret. Tina goes to lock up her valuables. The girls think Don has the face of a thief. It turns out that Santi simply asked Don to get rid of things that were in storage. Santi and Don start albures (a verbal game of bawdy puns) that go over my head.

Marissa calls Santiago to come quickly because she is in pain with stomach cramps, and she’s worried for the baby. He heads for the door, but he imagines that it is a very pregnant Candy calling him instead, talking sweetly to the proud papa, until Mar interrupts his enjoyment of the moment. When he arrives at her apartment in a rush, looking so fine in that black shirt instead of the yellow cow shirt, he finds her note, “I went to the hospital. I feel terrible, and very, very alone.” She doesn’t answer her phone, so he rushes out the door to find her. As the door closes behind him, she emerges from the kitchen mocking him.

More of the same with Ed and Chayo. Ed complains that they can’t continue this way in a divided house. She hired Dany, an Organizer of Ex-Couples. She whistles, he enters, and is at her beck and call. Her first call is for Dany to carry her to her bedroom.

Santi goes to his office, and he, Hortensia, and Ed are all on their phones trying to track down Marissa. Santi yells at Hortensia because he’s going nuts with worry for his son. They reach Raúl and find out Marissa is at her apartment. Santi rushes back out the door. Horti notes to Ed that Marissa is quite lucid about certain things..

Pat arrives at Candy’s door, steps inside, puts down his suitcases, and announces that he came to live with her and his son. Chava runs down the steps and Pat tells him the same thing, knowing Candy wouldn‘t break her son‘s heart by canceling that plan. Candy is not charmed. Pat follows the adage that it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission. (#F-13.) He goes straight for her Achilles Heel, claiming that he decided to move in because he saw how happy it makes Chava when they are together, and he wants Chava to always be happy. Candy is mad that he didn’t talk to her about this first, and he whimpers, pleading forgiveness, until she yields. (#F-14.) Candy agrees that he can stay, but as Chava’s dad, not as her husband, and he won’t sleep in her room. She also asks Pat for divorce papers. Why? If they are to have a relationship, it needs to start today, with no remnants of the old one.

VOCABULARIO
• brillo – sparkle, brilliance
• me da pavor – it terrifies me.
• terminar – This word has many handy uses. Check Word Reference to understand them better. But one of the uses is “to end up,” e.g. Rocío ends up angry at Chava.
• ponerse las pilas – get a move on, buckle down. A pila is a battery, so act like you’re on a full charge.
• Los amigos nunca estamos en deuda – Friends never owe you anything; friends never keep count. (I don’t understand why he uses estamos instead of estan, but my ears and the captions agreed.
• desequilibrio – mentally unbalanced, or unbalanced in general
• avalar – to guarantee
• Me hubiera gustado saberlo. – I would have liked to have known. The tense is imperfect subjunctive.

Labels: Tontas

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