Caray, Caray!

Friday: Gretel has had a nervous collapse, and Axel pushes Marianela away from her. Eman doesn’t want to believe Maximo that he’s Fedra’s son by somebody other than Emil. Hey, you asked, says Maximo. Go ask your mom.

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Now, this runs a bit long. Forgive me, but there were so many really super-sizzling conversations which would have lost their punch if I just summarized them. Grab your favorite beverage and settle in. Here goes:

Marianela wants to help with Gretel, but Axel yells at her not to do that fakey-nicey routine, ya big phony. Get out of our house and leave us all alone! Marianela’s eyes get big. Whoa! She flees.

Bernardo, happily humming to himself, injects a candy with some liquid. He puts it back in the box, chuckling. There’s a knock at his bedroom door and he quick hides the chocolates.

It’s Emanuel, and Bernardo remarks that he seems to be coming to his room at lot, and even though he’s just a servant, he would appreciate it if Eman would respect his privacy.

Respect? What you need is a good punch in the face, says Eman. He demands to hear the truth about his mother, who she was, when and why she came to this house, if she was ever with any man other than her father, and why she’s gone to so much trouble to hide her past. What’s the big mystery?

Bernardo tells him that his mother’s past was very sad, and it’s painful for her to remember it. For dramatic effect, he sits, squeezes his eyes shut and rubs his brow. Eman demands to know why she does everything to avoid telling him who Jose Maria Sevilla is. Bernardo pretends to puzzle about any connection. Eman wants to know what JMS has to do with his mother and… does he have any significance in Eman’s life?

Nothing! says Bernardo. Where do you get this stuff? Eman turns to leave and says I hope you’re not lying to me, because if I found out you are, I’ll never forgive you. He leaves. Gaaaa winces Bernardo, adjusting his wounded leg. Certainly he’s not wincing over any future lack of forgiveness. Compared to drugging and murder, why, he’d brush it off like a gnat.

Kristel arrives in the kitchen to see Nereida who says Already? Cool! When do I get my raise? Kristel sneers that she wouldn’t give her even her dirty clothes. Nereida asks if she thinks she can get rid of the baby without her help while keeping her family in the dark. Kristel tells her she’s gossipy and says she can take care of her problem on her own. Nereida says she bets she could get that raise herself from Fedra, just by blabbing that Fedra’s little treasure is knocked up.

Gretel is now under the covers of her bed, and Paula has her arm around her, comforting her. Axel demands to know what Marianela did to her. Gretel tells him to leave her alone. This scene is notable for the presence of one of my favorite characters in this show, the orange pussycat. It’s always lashing its tail and looking pissed off. I wonder if they velcroed it to the bed.

Leave me alone! sobs Gretel. Paula tells him he’s making things worse and to go get that tea Delicia is making for Gretel. Uh oh, I hope there isn’t a tea mix-up. Paula pets Gretel and remembers that she was so happy just a little bit ago. Gretel boo hoos that she thought she could be happy, but she seems to be marked for a life of pain. Paula hugs her tenderly and tells her she was always her favorite.

Into this poignant scene marches Carlota. Hands off my niece! We don’t allow that sort of familiarity in this house and you know it. She tells Axel, who’s just come back with the tea, to take care of Gretel. Come with me! she barks at Paula.

I’ll bet you’re glad to read all that because you were too busy squinting at Gretel’s teeth to see what’s up with them to pay close attention.

At the foot of the stairs, Emil is calling a doctor to hurry over. Marianela is with him, and Eman walks in wants to know what’s going on. Marianela fills him in and tells him how Axel turned on her and yelled at her to get out. Eman is tender and tells her how loving he thinks she is. She tells him Axel also told her to get out of everyone’s life. Eman is puzzled.

Carlota spits at Paula that just because she has some affair with Maximo, it doesn’t mean she has the right to act like she’s one of the family.
C: You’re just one of the servants! Stay away from my nieces and nephews.
P: But I’ve watched them grow up, I’ve taken care of them like a mother.
C: But you’re not their mother, and it’s not my fault you’ve been in love with a man who is above your station.
P: Thank you so very much for reminding me of my position.
C: I’m going to keep on defending the morals and principles of this family. When you were young, you could have moved out, married someone of your own class and formed your own family. But no, you decided to hang onto us all these years. You gave up being a mother. Don’t take out your frustrations on my young ‘uns.
P: You know I tried to be a mother when I had a child with Maximo.
C: But it was stillborn. That was 20 years ago! Why keep dwelling on it?
P: (getting tearful) Not one day goes by without thinking of my baby, and how my life would be now if it had lived.
She runs off in tears.

Fedra has been listening just out of sight and she comes out and confronts Carlota. Apparently she had no idea about the baby. The twenty years seems to be very significant to her. You tricked me! You lied to me! she says to Carlota. Not to you, lower your voice! says Carlota pulling her out of the hallway.

Oh good, we get to hear more! Now they’ve stepped into a bedroom and Carlota closes the door behind her. How can you look me in the eye? demands Fedra, agitated. You should have told me! Why? says Carlota, would it have changed anything? She reminds Fedra that she was desperate to have a child after Eman and Kristel to save her marriage. Carlota just helped her.

The child of a servant??? says Fedra. Carlota reminds her that she put the daughter of her own brother into Fedra’s arms. Someone of their own blood, who deserved to be raised as a Luiz y de Teresa.

Now I know why she’s nuts, says Fedra. She inherited it from Maximo. Hold on, says Carlota. Maximo’s not crazy, and neither is your daughter. She’s not my daughter, says Fedra.

Netty is talking on the phone to Brandon, who is in L.A. She’s stoked that he’ll find out whether the helicopter was sabotaged. He says if when he gets the report, he finds out it’s true, he’s going find the guilty party and put ‘em in the slammer.

Netty is grateful, and thinks he’s doing it all for Marianela. He reminds her that that’s over, but Netty doesn’t want to believe it. Believe it, he says, because Marienela’s completely in love with Emanuel. Netty shakes her head.

Carlota tells Fedra that she needs to put aside her dislike of Maximo, and now that she knows Maximo is Gretel’s father, can’t she change her feelings about Gretel? Fedra shakes her head no.

Fedra sits down. I loved that child as if I’d given birth to her myself. Even after I was able to have Axel. Not really, says Carlota, though I’m not criticizing you. All I’m saying is that she needs you more than ever. Don’t abandon her. Fedra says she won’t.

They agree that Emil should never find out. Fedra says she’s sticking with the story that she went to Spain with the kids due to her grief over her parents and Gretel was born there.

Wouldn’t the kids have noticed something odd? The plastic fake-pregnancy belly leaning on the bathroom cabinet while she took her shower? How her belly sounded hollow when they tapped on it?

Fedra wants to be sure Paula doesn’t suspect anything and Carlota assures her that Paula thinks the child was stillborn. Don’t forget, says Fedra, that despite all this, you owe me. I remember very well, says Carlota, smiling. Good, says Fedra. Now I’m going to go give my daughter a kiss.

Yum, another mystery!

The doctor is with Gretel and tells Marianela, Eman and Emil that something must have given Gretel a terrible emotional reaction. We see Fedra’s eyeball at the partly-open door. Marianela tells him that they were talking about when her father died, how Gretel was in his study when it happened. She was there! She knows! thoughtbubbles Fedra.

Do you think she saw him fall? asks Emil. I think so, says Marianela, because she always flips out whenever it’s mentioned. Fedra comes in and pets Gretel, who apparently has been given a sedative. She was just a child, says Fedra, and she imagines things when she’s in crisis. The doctor disagrees, saying they should listen very carefully to whatever she says, because it’ll be bubbling up from her subconscious.

Emil wants to do whatever to turn her back into a normal girl. Fedra, still stroking Gretel, says she’ll never be normal, she inherited the crazy gene from Maximo. Nobody picks up on that little remark. Marianela asserts that Gretel isn’t crazy, and neither is Maximo. Eman pipes up, asking what’s going on with her (Fedra), why doesn’t she want Gretel to get better? Seems like she almost likes having Gretel that way. Fedra replies that she’s just a realist.

The doctor tells them all to be patient and everybody leaves except Marianela and Eman, who kisses his sleeping sister’s hand and tells her the nightmare will soon be over. Gretel awakes, looking confused. She hugs her brother and begs him not to leave her, she doesn’t want to die. He comforts her.

In the models’ dressing room, Ilitia is having another drink and imagining that Eman is with Marianela. Her agent/partner comes in and tells her to get ready, she goes on in five minutes. Ilitia scoffs and the agent tells her she’s going to be out of the agency. Ilitia reminds her that it’s just as much her agency, in fact maybe more because her father gave her the shares. The agent tells her to have some coffee and don’t make a fool of herself. Ilitia just smiles.

Muñeca tells the maid she just couldn’t bring herself to tell the police the truth about Lorenzo. The maid says it would’ve been a great opportunity to unload her rotten husband. Whatever you think of him, says Muñeca, Ilitia would hate me forever.

Lorenzo walks in just then, and in direct violation of telenovela rules, has not overheard their conversation. I don’t want to talk to you! Muñeca says. He grabs her arm, but she shakes him off and tells him the only reason she’s not throwing him out is that she doesn’t want any more trouble with Ilita. Just stay away from me, she says.

He says he understands, but he knows how she feels for him, and couldn’t they just start over? Remember that we were going to adopt a child? Ha! she says, and put him in danger from criminals? I’m not going to have anything more to do with them, he swears. I hope so, for your own good, she says angrily and walks off.

His cell rings and naturally it’s the mob boss, wanting to know when he wants Begoña offed. Lorenzo says as soon as he gives instructions, he just wants to make sure no fingers end up pointing at him.

Begonia tells Gladiola that she has the proof of paternity and asks her to keep the paper in a secure place. Gladiola gloats that Begoña can go after him now, but Begoña says no, she’s going to give him the opportunity to do the right thing. Gladiola thinks she’s nuts. Begoña says she still loves him, but if he doesn’t do right, she’ll go to the lawyer. Gladiola sighs.

Nereida has a big gift-wrapped box of chocolates and reads the card. It says that these are to apologize, and are signed Emanuel. Nereida laughs that Fedra wouldn’t like that. Here comes Bernardo with his smaller box and asks if the big box is for Marianela. Take her these instead, he says, slipping the card into his box.

The second-rate models are working the runway and then here comes Ilitia, who is vamping it up okay, maybe a little sexier than is proper, but still it’s no disaster. Her agent/partner looks on in dismay. An admirer hands Ilita a rose. She spots Brandon in the audience and wonders if he’s there to spoil her night. Still, she doesn’t stop smiling, but un-oh it looks like she’s doing a little off-the shoulder action with her leopard wrap. Whoa! grins Brandon, it looks like she’s going to strip.

He flashes back on the time she was all wet in her underlovelies poolside back home, then we see him up at the ramp, covering her with his jacket. The agent’s eyes bug out.

In the kitchen, Paula (who I now realize does look like she could be Gretel’s mother – good casting!) laments to Delicia that she can’t be with Gretel when she needs so much love and support. Delicia observes that her mother ought to do that. Such a mother! says Paula. I think she’s the reason Gretel is that way. She needs love and understanding, and she’s just about the same age.

Huh? says Delicia. Enough chit-chat, says Paula, waving her back to work.

Seems like everybody wants to hang out in Bernardo’s room. He’s like the most popular guy in the dorm who has the coolest sound system. Or maybe it’s his Lurch-like vibe. Anyway, this time it’s Fedra in there, and they discuss how Eman wants to know about her past and JM Sevillia. Bernardo figures Eman won’t give up until he finds out. Fedra feels like everybody’s closing in on her, and tells Bernardo that Gretel knows she killed Marianela’s father. Bernardo suddenly realizes why Gretel hates her so much. Time to off her, Fedra says.

Marienela is sitting on the diving board when Nereida brings her the chocolates and wants to know what’s going on between them. Marianela tells her to MYOB. Marianela reads the card “This is my way of saying sorry.” She picks the box up and opens it. Eman appears beside her and says he’s sorry for stealing a kiss, but not for the way he feels about her.

Brandon has toted Ilita back to her room and lays her on the bed, this time without falling on top of her. Telling her she’s drunk, he pulls her back up, providing another opportunity to hang on to her, and tells her she needs to take a shower. She wants to get back to her fashion show. He says she was making a fool of herself. She laughs and gives him a little shove. Like you don’t ever make a fool of yourself? No, you always do just the right thing, Superman!

Brandon decides he doesn’t want to fight and starts to leave. She closes the door and says he’s going to stay. They start necking.

Eman has his arm around Marianela and is bouncing the diving board. She tells him to stop, they’ll fall in. He says Who cares? Who cares who sees us? She tells him he doesn’t even know what he feels for her. You’re right, he says, but I know I’m dying to kiss you.

Whoo-hoo! Beso! And a nice slow one. Carlota appears on the lawn. What’s going on here??

Brandon breaks away from Ilitia, saying it’s not right. He doesn’t mess with badly brought-up girls. She says aw, she wants to be bad. He bends over to pick up his jacket and she admires his attributes. Don’t you want to be my man? It’s because of that fatty, isn’t it? Don’t worry, she’s probably super happy right now, kissing my novio. She tries to kiss him, but he pushes her away, looking alarmed. Are you afraid of a woman like me? she smiles. Or is it because I’m not fat?

She tips and he has to hold her up. He says he doesn’t feel the same way. But I want you to, she says, kissing him. Apparently he decides he wants what she wants.

Carlota, the picture of outraged dowagerism in her suit and frozen ‘do, tells off Eman and Marianela. He says they have nothing to be ashamed of. Marienala asks Eman to leave, and he does, but first he tells Carlota nothing she says will change how he feels.

Carlota tells Marianela she’s going to put a stop to it.

Gretel’s in bed and is scared when Fedra comes in. It’s true, says Fedra, that there is no such thing as a small enemy. It’s too bad that you were where you shouldn’t have been and saw something you shouldn’t have seen. You pushed him! says Fedra. That’s right, says Fedra, and it’s a secret I’m going to take to my grave, and you aren’t going to tell anybody, because I’m not going to let you.

Fedra yanks Gretel’s phone out by the roots and circles the bed. She slowly pulls the covers off Gretel. It depends, she says, on you, on your discretion and on your love for your mama. Because if you say anything, you’ll end up like him. You’re going to stay locked up in here until you come to me and beg my forgiveness. You’re not going to call anybody, certainly not the police, so I’m taking this (the phone) with me. She leaves and Gretel freaks.

Marianela tells Carlota she just can’t help what she feels for Eman, she’s tried to not to feel that way. Carlota says she better find a way, or she’s going to take her to Spain with her. Marianela takes out a chocolate and starts eating it.

Brandon and Ilitia are under the covers, smooching big time. Somehow his kisses remind me of my dog gulping his canned food.

Marianela tells Carlota she’s a grown woman and makes her own decisions. Suddenly she’s really woozy, and thinks it might be the diet. Carlota is concerned and tells her kindly she better go lie down and they’ll finish their conversation tomorrow. Marienela says she knows she and Eman have no future. Nereida, watching, figures out it’s not the diet, it’s the chocolates Bernardo switched.

Marianela promises to distance herself from Eman. Carlota tells her not to forget her responsibilities – one day she’ll be the matriarch of the Ruiz y de Teresa. Carlota strokes her fondly.

Fedra has gone to Lorena to get her to pretend to be Axel’s girlfriend, and she’s offering money. Lorena says everybody knows his preferences, and she doesn’t want to mess with a pervert. Fedra says he’s just confused, and the money seems to appeal to Lorena, so it looks like a done deal.

Nereida and Bernardo are having dinner in the kitchen, he with a napkin tied poked into his collar, which is unlikely to turn a young lady’s knees to jelly. She asks him what he put in the chocolates, and tells him if he’s poisoning Marianela, he’s going to be in big trouble. He grabs her arm and tells her she’s paid to mop floors, so butt out.

Why do you hate her? Nereida says, pushing her luck. He says he’s just following orders, now leave him alone. I know she’s not loved in this house, says Nereida. That’s right, says he, and I’m going to do everybody a favor and get rid of her.

What he doesn’t notice, even though she’s right in his eyeline, is Carlota listening. She realizes the police were right – he does want to kill Marianela.

Oliver is upset that Gretel doesn’t answer her cell, maybe she doesn’t care for him? Gretel is in bed, wondering where he is. Finally she gets some happiness and now her mother wants to destroy her. She realizes she has to get out of there. Split screen of the two agonizing. They may be going through hell, but the orange kitty looks quite content for a change.

Marianela, who looks okay now, is sitting on a rock alone in the garden and tells herself she has to forget Eman. She pulls the lily pin from her pocket and flashes back to her mother giving it to her. What’s its significance, and how is it tied to her father’s death, she wonders.

Here comes Fedra. Talking to yourself? she says. You’re the one person we’d like to see lose her marbles. Hahaha. Fedra comes up close and hisses that she knows Marianela want to take her house and her family, but that she (Fedra) will destroy her before she can.

Axel shows up in some room where Lorena is waiting, and apologizes for not remembering her. She says she’s his girlfriend, this is the room where they’ve had so much fun, and she’s going to help him remember. She starts kissing him. He kisses her neck while she thoughtbubbles that if he doesn’t like girls, he’ll push her off, but who cares? Money is money!

Marianela tells Fedra she doesn’t want anything she’s got, not her family, not her money. Fedra doesn’t believe her, and asks why she’s against her, why she manipulated her children, set Axel and Eman against her, and now Emil, and traumatized Gretel. Marianela says Fedra’s the manipulator, not her. Marienela tells her she’s a real Ruiz y Teresa, and didn’t just get the name second-hand like Fedra.

Fedra grabs her by the neck and Marianela grabs back, telling her from here on out, she’s to respect her. She shoves Fedra off, telling her she’s going to unmask her so her family can see what kind of person she really is.

Avances: Emiliano tells Fedra she has to say who his real father is. Marienela asks Kristel if she’s pregnant by Mauricio. I think she tells Eman they have to get a grip.

Labels: llena