Caray, Caray!

Yes, the beat goes on....but unfortunately it's a downbeat. We have more sturm und drang from the night before and it's all pretty grim, interspersed with the obligatory telenovela humorous moments.

Let's skip the rehash and go right into the foreboding announcement by an offscreen voice which intones: "La revanche tiene dos caras esta noche". (Revenge has two faces tonight.) And those two faces are Marissa and Alicia...scary indeed!

So with that in mind, we're now brought back to Candy and Patricio's cozy front door chat. He's already told her he'll be there for her. She's already blessed him with a radiant smile and they've shared a major, full-body hug. But Patricio's still piling up points. You're so brave (valorosa) he assures her. No, just tired (cansada) she replies. Oh no, you were brave enough to go on and remake your life after some stupid guy (Patricio) broke your heart. You were incredible, you raised a son who adores you. You're a perfect mom....and so incredibly beautiful.

He probably could have gone on much longer but Meño arrives, he sympathizes with him, promises to be there for him also, they share a sketchy hug and as Meño leaves, Patricio sighs, It kills me to see him like that. This gets another full-body hug and a little tear trickling down Candy's cheek. Team Patricio? Are you out there? Right now your side's winning. But the games not over yet. Not even sure we're at half-time. Hang on.

Now we see Meño in his room, gathering some wooden beads from a box and clutching them angrily while violins and later piano music plays poignantly. I thought they were worry beads at first, but it's a carved wooden rosary and he's really letting the Almighty have it! Why him and not me? he asks. He's full of dreams, illusions, love....why him!? Candy reminds him that while he might be angry with God, God will never be angry with him. And right now, he needs Him more than ever. Meño seems to heed her words, but also reminds her she needs to get going. Tonight is her radio program. Life goes on (la vida sigue). Candy finally agrees to go but she reminds him that they need both Valor y Amor. (at least that's what my lagging closed captions said. I swear I heard Valor y Humor but maybe that's because it's MY motto). Anyway, take your pick.

Okay a little breather. And I do mean little. It's the kitchen at Santiago's house. All three kids are there, Donato and Tina dancing attendance on them. Rocio's upset at seeing Lucia cry, but the discussion moves on to Chava and Beto's "boss status" at the restaurant and the whole thing ends up with ice cream for all. Chunky Monkey? Dunno. Looked more like Neopolitain to me.

Candy's at the radio station, being given the tour before the program. Turns out the subject is going to be male infidelity. The woman showing her around is definitely on board for that one! "Ya me apunto" (Sign me up!)

And speaking of male infidelity, we see the Abandonados, Eduardo front and center, talking about trying a second honeymoon with Chayo. Ah, you're just doing that 'cause you don't have a girlfriend anymore, his buddies sneer. There are some jibes directed at Santiago also, until our bandanna guy (from Fea) calls a halt. Let's have harmony and no talk about problems. I'm down with that.

The program starts. Candy and her column are introduced. She starts talking a mile a minute and introduces her colleagues who also talks at warp speed, explaining what each of them does. Soledad's in charge of giving tips for family life which struck me as extremely odd...but whatever.

The caller to the program is a very angry woman, repeatedly cheated on by her husband. When she lowers the boom, things change for a while. He acts nice, very romantic but then, after a short time, he starts coming home late at night again, smelling of other women. And when he IS home, he never touches her.

Sounds just like Chayo's story and of course she's quick to chime in and tell her...he'll just keep on flipping back and forth like that if he knows you'll forgive him over and over.

The Abandonados are outraged. No fair. They can't give their side. But wait, Raúl suggests that the guys could have their own program. And the fight is on!

Uh oh...we see our sexy and suspicious waitress plying Sven and Olé with strong drink, tequila to be exact. Why don't they just relax and enjoy themselves while she takes care of all the clients? Done. This doesn't bode well at all.

In the meantime, our Insitutas have wrapped up the discussion with their practical advice, as per instructions. Perhaps the caller, with her negative attitude, is pushing hubby into the beds of other women. (WTF!!!???) Maybe you should try to be more attractive. Flirt with your husband. Make sex enjoyable. And if that doesn't work, see a marriage counselor. Okay, honestly...that's what they said. I'm going to refrain from editorial comment. We break for an ad. Couldn't come at a better time.

When we come back, Sven and Olé are three sheets to the wind but sexy waitress is still pouring more tequila down their gullets. We know for sure now she's a baddie.

The gals are still sitting around the table, enjoying the success of their first radio program when they're rushed out to make room for the next program which is....guess what? the Abandonados. They're properly outraged and Candy wishes them luck through gritted teeth. And what did the guys say? Well, the main thrust (no pun intended) was that women can be unfaithful too. Nah nah nah, we NEVER SAID women weren't unfaithful, quibbles Candy. But that wasn't the subject tonight. No matter. The guys are off and running, all talking at once and I'd be surprised if actual listeners could make any sense of it, but the fellows appeared to be having a marvelous time expressing themselves. Let's leave it at that.

A highly charged moment with Meño and Charley now. Charley is sitting hunched on the stairs, gazing at a picture of him and Lucia and bemoaning what he's done to her. Meño comforts him and wisely tells him he doesn't know yet if Lucia is infected (let's wait for the test results) and also reminds him that they need to tell Charley's mother. He's firm and upbeat until Charley walks out the door and then he collapses and sobs quietly for a moment. Again, a scene very well acted by both men.

And now our two wicked witches are shown cooking up their plan. Marissa has a scheme which will not only hurt Santiago and Candy but will help Alicia latch onto and hang onto Patricio. Can you guess what it is? They propose a toast and Marissa wants tequila! Alicia is shocked (give her credit for something) but Marissa shrugs it off. I'm not sure one tequila is going to produce fetal alcohol syndrome but I understand tests are showing that even small amounts of alcohol are believed to be responsible for many learning disabilities. Not good.

Back at the studio, the guys are still talking. And their conclusion? Hey, we men couldn't be unfaithful if there weren't willing women out there. And they rest their case.

After the ads, a well-filmed scene. We see Lucia's face, framed through the window of a doll house, carefully moving a little figure around. Then she sits on Rocio's bed where her grandmother finds her. She's longing to be a little girl again, missing her parents terribly. Isabella reminds her that she has Santiago....and she has her grandmother. But I miss my parents so much, sighs Lucia, as Isabella holds her close. Lots of good hugs in this episode, I must say.

The guys and gals (make that boys and girls) are marching around the radio studio chanting and teasing and basically looking like they're at recess. We're funnier, say the guys. We're more instructive, reply the girls. And that's the first and last time you'll ever do a program. Not if the listeners liked it, snaps Raúl. "Ni un paso atrás" (not one step backwards) chant the gals. At this point, I'm thinking they're going to play dodge ball or Red Rover Come Over but the scene mercifully ends.

Charlie and Meño arrive to close up the restaurant and find not only two soused waiters but that they've been robbed. Must have been the new waitress, muse our two Romeos. What new waitress!? screeches Meño...this is going to be paid for!

Alright, phase one of the revenge plan. Alicia shows up at Patricio's hotel room (I just happened to be in the neighborhood sez she) and unloads the story, sob sob, of how she just had to talk to him, he's the only one she has, and she's been to the gynecologist, she's sterile, she wants a baby in the worst way (that's for sure) and, and.....
Wait just a minute. This doesn't compute, observes Patricio.
I know, I know, I said I didn't like kids, didn't want 'em, but now that I can't have one, I WANT ONE!!!! And I know you already have two children....but you never got to hold them in your arms, I want to GIVE YOU A BABY.

Of course Patricio's not falling for this. Go home, take a nice, hot bath, he advises. Rethink ("recapacitas") this. I'll change and take you home. While he goes off to do that, we see Alicia's face. She's not happy. So far the plan's not working. But knowing our gal, she won't give up. Give her props for persistence.

Candy arrives home to find Chava waiting up for her....except he's fallen asleep on the couch. Kisses are exchanged, he's delighted to see her happy again, Candy and Gregoria hoist him up by hands and feet and haul him off to bed, while he clutches Merengue, the creepy little puppet.

Another tender family scene with Lucia and Santiago. They're at the clinic, she's repeating that she's scared. He's reminding her it's better to know. A rather frightening looking nurse with a mask and gloves comes with the needle. Could you take the sample? Lucia asks Santiago. Even though he reminds her of the nurses' skill, she really wants him to do it....and tenderly adds..."Papa". Okay, I'll admit it...that got to me. And she probably could have asked him to take it standing on his head singing la Marseillaise and he would have done it. Quite a moment. As was the moment between Meño and Charlie.

Not so fine a moment is the unholy alliance between Alicia and her mother-in-law. They're double-teaming Patricio (who's spent the night after taking Alicia home so late) and Mom's thinking it's a great idea for Patricio and Alicia to adopt. Patricio shoos away Alicia so he can try and talk some sense into Mom . (Of course Alicia creeps around the corner and listens in). Mom, it's illogical that we adopt. Our relationship is over. Hey, don't worry, assures Mom. Adoption takes years. Alicia will give up. No problem. Uh oh....that was the long slow windup and we all know the fast pitch that's coming. Too bad Patricio doesn't.

Marissa meanwhile is doing her little bit to add to the suffering in this world. Wringing tears out of poor Rocio as she tells her she won't have a little brother because her dad doesn't want Marissa to be her mommy. Santiago, arriving home emotionally spent from the clinic visit with Lucia, to be greeted by the sight of his heartbroken daughter and a gleefully triumphant Marissa.

Alicia bops back in the room even though Patricio says he's still talking to his mother. I want to be a mom! insists Alicia. Look, we'll divorce, you're attractive, you'll meet some marvelous man and then you can adopt.

Nuthin' doing...you owe me insists Alicia.

Patricio leaves and Mom encourages Alicia. Don't give up, she assures her, a baby could save your marriage.

As I said, the hugs in this episode have been great. The advice though....absolutely horrendous.

Rocio's lost in her sad memories of the loss of much longed for little brother. Gets in trouble with the teacher. And when another boy taunts her after class for being stupid...and a fight ensues...the teacher docks her three points for poor conduct. Poor Rocio.

The tender moments between Meño and Charlie have deteriorated into a fight. Meño wants him to tell his mother. He's arranged for an airline ticket so they can talk in person. Charlie angrily tells him not to run his life. And there's no way he's going to tell his mom he has AIDS from sleeping with a neighbor.

Tonight's episode ends with a poignant scene between Candy and Santiago. My kids need my help and I don't know what to do, he sighs. No words needed here. And indeed, no words are adequate. She hugs him tenderly. And that's that.

Alas, the previews don't look good. It seems Candy's going to be there for Santiago, but only as a friend. She's still exploring her relationship with Patricio. And Alicia "no queda con los brazos cruzados" (literally not staying with her arms crossed. Lets just say she's not giving up yet!)

Vocabulary:
recapacitar = to reconsider, think again
related verbs....
capacitar = to prepare, to qualify
capacitarse = train (I first learned that verb reading about McDonald's training of Hispanic employees)
mande =como, what? In Mexico, more likely to use "mande" than "como" Also a more polite, respectful way of saying ¿Qué For a further discussion of the verb "mandar" and its uses, see Jarocha's comment on the blog line.
achicopalado (a) =sad, depressed Meño told Charlie not to be "achicopolado". dictionary also gives overwhelmed, afraid in some contexts
ya me apunto = present tense used as a "near future". Sign me up. I'm in. I'm up for that.
patrañas = tall story, one of the gibes the guys threw at the gals at the radio station
ni un paso atrás = not one step backwards

The rest of the vocabulary is embedded. Test next week!

Labels: Tontas