Caray, Caray!

Well, rats. Not only did Univision mess with the schedule, there are no captions tonight. There were some pivotal conversations that I couldn’t catch due to the music and of course my iffy Spanish, so additions and corrections would be very much appreciated. Here’s my best shot:


Friday: Don E tells his son that he went to see Carlota just out of curiosity. His opinion: under that cool exterior is a lot of conflict. Gabriel thinks she’s a meanie. Don E thinks she’s a fascinating case study. Gabriel says look out, she probably killed Paloma’s intended. Don E says aw, don’t worry about me. German tells Carlota that she has to appear in court and she takes a fit. He tells her that Natalia is insinuating that she (Carlota) killed Inaki. Carlota thinks Natalia should be locked up for life for saying such things. German assures her that her obvious rectitude will carry the day. He also tells her that Natalia and others were trying to find out about the will.

And here we go:

Em and Paloma are outside the baby’s room at the hospital. Paloma says that she has to watch the trial and Em tells her that Romina has started coming to see the baby now. The music swells and I have no idea what they are saying, except that I think Em is saying he understands that it’s not fair to either of them if he tries to hang on to her. He says You are the woman of my dreams, but I guess not the woman of my life. Adios, Emiliano, Paloma says sadly. Adios, mi amor, says Em, and they embrace and weep, and then kiss. She runs off.

We get some new music to a strumming guitar while Em looks at the baby and weeps, and Paloma leans tragically against a wall. Flashbacks of tender times, of sad times. Fortunately the baby sleeps through it all. More weeping. More flashbacks. And more. And then some more. These two are going to need to hydrate.

In Gabriel’s studio, he is talking to his dad about the trial when suddenly he staggers, clutches his stomach and collapses. Don E fortunately knows exactly which little wooden drawer to reach into for his med. He pops a pill into Gabriel’s mouth and gets down on the floor with him and holds him and pets him and says there there. Gabriel says I’m okay, though we can see he isn’t. Don E says too many stressful things have been going on. There’s no deadline for the church restoration and Paloma can learn what you want to teach her by the time… Gabriel interrupts By the time I leave?

Gabriel sits up weakly and says Don’t worry about me. I’ve lived alone for some time. Don E pulls him close and says yes. But for me you will always be my boy.

Paloma is weeping at Macarena’s grave. Why? she wants to know. Why didn’t you tell me my father was such a bad man? Why didn’t you tell me that you and Padre Juan were novios? Paloma is so weepy and the music so loud I can’t make out what she’s saying. But she laments that she is so alone without Mac, without Emiliano, without Padre Juan. I’m like you, she says to her mother’s grave, unlucky in love.

Em is lamenting too, but, luckily for him, he’s lamenting to a living parent, Rafa. He says he just can’t stand the idea of Paloma with another man. Rafa says this is the perfect time to do the DNA test again, to be sure. Em says it would be great if he could make his life with Paloma, but there’s something holding him back. He’s just so crazy about the baby. Rafa understands, and sighs.

Angelica is at home, which is to say Orlando’s home, with Miriam. She’s super nervous about confronting Dario. The doorbell rings and Miriam hides in another room while Angelica opens up all smiles. Dario says she’s belissima and is very impressed with the house. She offers him something to drink. He pets her and wants to kiss her, but she smiles and turns away.

Dario says the two of them can be honest. Mariam struts in and says make that three. ¿Qué haces aquí? says Dario, startled. She gives him an earful and so does Angelica. You’re both nuts, he says, shoving Angelica roughly. Orlando walks in and glares at him.

Back to Rafa and Em. Em is saying his relationship with Romina is a big zero, but he just loves that baby. Rafa says he doesn’t want Em to waste years and years like he did. Em says but he’d lose all those years with the baby. Rafa says there are compensations, he could have another family, other women. Look at me! Life has given the opportunity to be with Luz (Luz is now in the background, listening) and she’s terrific. Luz smiles.

Orlando tells Dario he’s scum. Angelica, who it turns out was pushed onto the couch, pops up behind Orlando and says that she and Mariam are going to go after him with everything they’ve got for stealing their books. I think they tell him he has to write a book to see if it’s anywhere at their level of writing. He retorts that they are aware that he is very capable. Orlando says capable all right – capable of dirty dealing You have one week to give Angelica back her book, or I’m going to the highest authorities with this.

Get out! Says Orlando. Dario gives dramatic dirty looks to Miriam and Angelica, and gits.

Angelica sinks into the couch and breathily tells Orlando thank you. He kneels and takes her hand. Miriam looks distressed, like maybe how come she has some guy hovering over her and I don’t?

Samuel in his bathrobe is lying around in bed in his hotel room, smoking and drinking wine. Diana knocks and he says just a minute! He frantically stubs out his cigarette, hides the wine glass and then the wine bottle, and puts the overflowing ashtray in the drawer. He straightens his robe and answers the door.

Diana has a legal-size manila envelope. She coyly sits on the end of the bed. Samuel kneels and says he’s never felt this way about a woman before. He has such a desire to touch her, to kiss her! Meantime, he is trying to slide the envelope out of her hand.

She fans herself with it and says whew! (Maybe all those wine and cigarette fumes, but I don’t think that’s what the writers meant.) Don’t stop! He tries to think of more compliments but is searching around for words. Diana fills in that she’s amazing, and that he is going to be so hot when he gets this (waving the envelope in front of him). He pretends to have just noticed it. He takes it and pretends to be overwhelmed with gratitude. He hugs the envelope and tells her that she can count on him – she won’t be sorry. I hope not, she says. Nothing bad will happen, right? Of course not, he assures her. She taps the envelope and says it’s all ready for signature.

When they are alone, Rafa tells Luz that it’s just killing him to see Em suffer so much. Luz says she’s never seen a man suffer so much for love. Rafa says it doesn’t matter if it’s a man or woman – the feelings are the same. Hasn’t she ever suffered for love? No, she says, looking uneasy. Rafa says not even when you broke off with someone? Luz says she always leaves before things get painful.

Rafa says I don’t know how you manage that - feelings can’t be just dictated that way. The rest of the conversation I just couldn’t get and it seems to be really important, as Luz is looking more and more uncomfortable. Rafa is telling her about how love works and how it can be hard, and how it’s two people depending on each other, I think, but I’m sure there was a lot more going on.

He tries to break the mood by rising and kissing her hands. He leaves. She is nervous and unhappy and, as we know, nervous and unhappy aren’t in the Free Spirit Guidebook. She thinks maybe it’s time for her to make an exit.

Orlando comes into Camila’s shop and greets her by calling her The future Mrs Ferrer. Mi amor! She smiles. ¿Qué haces aquí?

She tells him she has the invitations ready – it’s just a small handful. He presents a folder to her with their honeymoon trip plans and whips out a map. She flips through the pages and says wait – this is for two months! He says Em will take care of the baby, and….

She says she appreciates that he’s so enthusiastic, but she has a life she can’t be gone that long. There’s the shop, and the baby, and the problem with Samuel and Romina. I can’t be away two months! Orlando says you’re going to be my wife and I was assuming I’d be your priority. Camila stares and him and blinks several times.

(I just hit stop and Sortilegio is on. I didn’t know Rafa was in it!)

Rufi is serving breakfast and Carlota is furious about having to go to the trial. It’s all Macarena’s fault that she has to go. Paloma says Mac had nothing to do with it – it’s Alonso. Carlota says if Mac had behaved like a proper lady, she (Carlota) wouldn’t be sucked into all this.

Paloma says she misses her. Rufi says me too. Carlota says After all you’ve learned at the trial? It’s just astonishing after all the trouble she’s caused us all.

I think Carlota tells Paloma to get ready so they’re not late. The music was so loud I couldn’t get a lot of this, but I think Carlota was saying that she was going to hold her head high despite what others (she glares at Rufi) say (timpani), despite the lack of confidence of others (another glare at Rufi) (timpani), and despite being betrayed by others (another glare at Rufi) (timpani).

She stomps off and Rufi and Paloma look at each other wide-eyed. Rufi says who knows what’s going to happen.

Back in the courtroom. Madeleine is there and Don E. too, and Gabriel, Dr B and Ivonne, as well as the two padres and other assorted Real del Monte folks. Carlota comes in on the arm of German, Paloma and Rufi in tow. Don E checks out Carlota, who looks at her watch and drums her fingers.

Angelica walks into Em’s office and is startled to see him there. She thought he was going to the trial. He says no. He doesn’t want to be anywhere where Paloma is. They are over. Angelica looks astonished and sad.

Carlota is in the witness stand, prim in her suit and an overly ruffled blouse. Did she swear on the Bible? If so, I hope the top of the courthouse has a lightening rod. German asks her how she responds to Natalia’s assertion that Alonso thought she had something to do with Inaki’s death. I’m innocent, she smiles.

German says Did you hide anything about an inheritance left to Paloma by your brother Javier? Yes, I did, said Carlota. Paloma is impactada. The crowd grumbles and the judge pounds his gavel for silence. German says And why did you do that? Because that’s what my brother requested in the will.

What does it say? asks German. Carlota says that Paloma is not supposed to find out about the properties she was left until she turns 21. German says why would your brother stipulate that? I don’t really know, she says. Probably he was afraid some fellow would take advantage of her innocence. Knowing what a protective person he was, and that we were all women in our family, I guess that was his reason – to protect us all, and particularly Paloma.

She hands over a copy to German, who takes it to the judge, who scans it briefly and verifies that what she said is true. German swaggers a bit. The judge asks him to read it aloud. He reads that Paloma is not to be told of her inheritance of a small fortune until she turns 21. It then switches to addressing Paloma directly, saying We don’t want people to take advantage of you. For that reason, we request that your guardian not tell you until then.

Paloma’s jaw drops and so does mine, because if that’s legal language I’ll eat my hat. After all the pesos that Carlota paid that scummy lawyer, this is the best he can do? Carlota seems satisfied and smiles smugly.

The crowd mumbles and Paloma looks like she’s going to hyperventilate.

Carlota says So you see, Christobal, Natalia, Dr Bermudez, my servant Rufi, and even Inaki’s father Alonso, falsely accused me. I was just following the wishes of my brother.

Carlota, who now seems to be running things, says to the judge I’m sure I have nothing more I need to say here. Paloma leans on Rufi and cries.

Rafa goes to see Diana. Diana says I was just thinking about you! I’m going to give you your divorce. Rafa says you’re kidding. Diana says I’m tired of being the laughingstock of the town. Rafa says great, I’ll have the lawyer call you. Diana says do that – now I can be free! Diana verifies that the house is hers and he says sure, he’s not interested in fighting about money.

Diana wants to know why he came by. He says he heard that she’s been seeing Samuel. Ah, she says. Are you jealous? Not at all, he says, but I want you to be very careful. He has a very bad reputation. Don’t worry, she says, I can take care of myself. You’re not the only one who can make a new life. I’m going to too, and very soon. She smiles brightly.

In the courtroom, Paloma is still leaning on Rufi and Gabriel says are you okay? Paloma says I don’t know yet. Madeleine says to Don E I don’t get it. German tells the judge he’s done.

The prosecutor says wait, he wants to ask Carlota a few questions. He approaches her and asks her why in her opinion Alonso suspected her of killing Inaki. German protests that Carlota isn’t on trial, just Chris and Natalia. The prosecutor says now there are three being accused.

Carlota says no problem, I’m happy to respond. She says that at first she was against Inaki’s interest in Paloma because he was a poor musician and she thought he’d take advantage of her. Prosecutor Cordero points out that Inaki didn’t know Paloma was rich. Carlota says he was conducting an investigation into their family finances. Cordero says but you didn’t know he was conducting an investigation. Carlota says no, I just found out now.

She goes on that at the time she had him checked out and discovered that he was a good person, and she gave her consent even though Paloma was a minor. Cordero asks if the family agreed. Carlota says Carmen, his mother did, but his father Alonso was against it, and even insulted Paloma at the funeral.

Why was that? Cordero wants to know. Carlota says Alonso felt Inaki was wrecking his future by marrying Paloma. I suppose when Inaki died, his father felt terrible remorse that he had not promoted his son’s happiness. And then Alonso apparently held me responsible for Inaki’s death, which the doctor said was a heart attack. Carlota pointedly directs this last comment at the judge.

Madeleine, who has been watching the whole thing in horror, plucks at Don E’s sleeve and says I don’t like the way this is headed – she’s going to condemn my son. Don E says don’t worry. I assure you she’s lying. Madeleine says if my son is in your hands, I know justice will win out. Don E pats her hand reassuringly.

Samuel is in his hotel room, happily packing. He exults over the manila envelope and kisses it.

Cordero asks Carlota what her relationship is with Chris. She says I got to know him years ago through my sister Macarena. I didn’t really know him well. But I did find out that he’d wanted to run away (with Macarena?) instead of doing things publicly the way God likes. Cordero asks And when he returned to Real del Monte as a priest – what was your relationship? Neutral, shrugs Carlota. I respected him. But I was very surprised he had become a priest.

Padre M hisses to Padre B that she’s lying. Padre B says they have to talk to German. Don E, who is sitting behind them, overhears.

The judge adjourns for the day and Chris, who is able to direct a few words at the padres, is led off. The baliff leads him by Carlota who smiles evenly at him. He looks her in the eyes, then gives his head a small shake and he’s led off. Carlota, still smiling, narrows her eyes and radiates such evil that I swear I saw my TV levitate.

Paloma steps forward and confronts her. So my parents left me money to secure my future? Carlota says I couldn’t talk about it, I was just following my brother’s orders. But when we’re in court, I had to. Paloma protests But I’ve suffered so much about money! Carlota says I had no choice. I don’t want anything that was said in this court to be a problem at home.(?) I’m going to step out for some fresh air. She sails by Dr B and Rufi who look at her, astonished.

Everybody has left the courtroom but Paloma and Gabriel. Paloma has a meltdown, most of which I couldn’t understand because of the background music and Paloma crying so hard. But at the end she says she needed that money to make her career and to get free of her aunt. Gabriel says you aren’t without options – you have your talent.

All I can make out is the violins for a while. And then Gabriel says you don’t need an inheritance to make your way in life. Keep on the way you were.

Carlota walks into her office. AHHHHHHHH say the bassos (where have they been all night?) and Carlota says to herself I’m a genius.

Avances: Don E tells Chris he wants to represent him. Paloma yells at Carlota about doing something (I couldn’t catch the verb) with her money all these years.

Labels: amor