Caray, Caray!

Well, Ilitia and Emanuel's wedding night was a complete disaster, thanks to Mauricio. And nobody else got any loving either. Emiliano rejects Fedra's advances. Brandon gently peels Consuela off his chest and Mauricio sends Kristel packing, under pretense of being concerned for her safety. A dearth of kisses and an overabundance of "perdonames" made this a pretty insipid episode, but at least some interesting plans were hatched. Disguises were contemplated. And secrets were still kept.

Let's get the wedding night scene over with first. It was very painful. Well-acted, but painful. Each time Emanuel approaches Ilitia she has a flashback of the nightmarish rape. Both she and Emanuel keep trying to maintain the noche de bodas charade but each time she breaks down, finally dissolving in sobs and asking him to just leave. Leave and leave her alone. Seriously? That's what you want? You should have said so earlier, Emanuel notes quietly. I wouldn't have bothered you. And he leaves.

As I said, a very painful scene. But kudos to the actress. Quite an extension from the usual smarty-pants fresa scenes she's usually stuck with.

Now on to the other elements of the episode. Paula returns reluctantly from the hotel with Benigno. The latter gets a verbal drubbing from the General for even taking her there. Then he informs them that they have a new soldier in their army-- Victoria. Whose aptitude for the job was determined by her clear honest eyes. He reassures Paula that Victoria will be able to help protect Gretel and she answers "Dios te oiga y asi sea" (May God hear you and may it be thus). She bustles off to fix him dinner and he and Benigno toast the outrage upstairs. The General's glad Mauricio lost a ton of money and even happier that Fedra is in high dudgeon over the ruination of her son's wedding. But he's also having a drink because he must still keep secret from Paula that Gretel is their daughter. If he told her, there would be no way he could keep Paula from her. And right now that would be dangerous.

Well, danger is seemingly everywhere tonight. Mauricio is under threat of losing his life over the lost money. Seemingly unfazed, he protests over the phone that it wasn't his fault, and what's more, killing him won't get the money back. Now call off those two gorillas outside my house and quit threatening me. He sends Kristel home, intimating there may be gunfire very soon and talks to some of his own henchmen about getting rid of the goons (guaros) outside. Then thought bubbles that he's really got to come up with some big scam to get some major money back.

The scene now moves to Gretel's hotel. There's a knock at the door. Surprised, worried, and cautious, she approaches and opens it. There's "Victoria", sent from the General. And she's worried about Gretel. Who looks even more worried about this stranger. And we break for ads.

When we come back the scene has changed to the boarding house. Consuela, still making googly eyes at Brandon, is proposing to cook enchiladas and she knows HE wants at least four, right!? Much girl talk about el Lirio de Plata. Fantasizing about what a man he must be. Even Doris, who heard news of this mysterious Robin Hood in LA, is fascinated. Brandon points out that he tied and gagged one of the women at the party and that tomorrow they will meet her. She's a friend of Marianela's and is coming to rent a room. Ooohs and ahs.

Said friend is back in Gretel's room trying to convince her that she really IS Marianela, not her buddy. I found out I'd been poisoned; the doctors told me I had to lose weight in order to regain my health. I did what they said. Ate nutritiouslynutritiously and exercised. I'm still the same Marianela, just without all those extra kilos. And voilà, light dawns and Gretel recognizes her. Just like that. Big hug.

Time now for Gretel's story. The nightmare of her two years in the wine cellar. Trying to keep her sanity...trying to survive another endless night and day. Didn't you ever try to escape? queries Mari. Several times. But never succeeded until now. And I must flee! Far away. Because Fedra will pursue me forever. I'm the only one who knows about her past. My own mother will kill me.

After more ads, Gretel learns she's not the only one with the knowledge of Fedra's past. Mari also has the knowledge and the papers to prove it. Furthermore, she knows Fedra was behind the death of Tia Carlota and probably behind her own mother's death as well. And all will be revealed when the time is right. There's some more breast-beating about Gretel's sense of guilt. Mari assures her she was only a child, quite right to be afraid, and she had no rancor or reproach. She knows the deep and painful imprint (huella) seeing that murder made on Gretel's life. But reassures Gretel that she's safe for the moment. And asks if she can stay with her that night. Gretel accepts, realizing happily that at long last she is no longer alone.

Not happy is Fedra. First of all with Bernardo. He let Gretel escape. Putting her nibs in danger. And furthermore, mighty suspicious that he wasn't around during the robbery! Could HE be el Lirio de Plata? Who else would even know that name? Very suspicious coincidence.

And she's even more unhappy with Emiliano. Who's leaning back in an armchair drinking. She's outraged that el Lirio ruined the wedding. He's philosophical. There's nothing more we can do, he sighs. Well, you could put down that drink and give me some marital attention she coos, leaning over the chair and pretty much spilling all the merchandise out of her low-cut dress. Emiliano shrugs her off with the excuse of her weak heart and delicate health. Not to mention his early work schedule tomorrow. And off he goes, leaving her swaying slightly, dazed, confused and definitely disappointed.

It's the next morning and Netty and Gladiola are tucking into a sumptuous breakfast. Eugenio arrives and helps himself to quite a bit of it himself. And then drops the bomb. Netty is seriously in arrears on the mortgage and if she doesn't pay it off post haste, the bank will foreclose. And how did all this happen? Well, remember, Netty took out the loan in order to pay for Marianela's studies at the university. And could have paid it back when she hit it big on the telenovela circuit. But, oh well, she forgot the loan and spent it on clothes and limousines. Couldn't ride in a taxi like ordinary folk, right? And didn't she have even a "guardadito"? (little savings) queries a horrified Gladiola. Nope. Not a dime. Maybe el Lirio de Plata could bail her out, muses Netty hopefully.

Well, high drama at the boarding house. And back at the hotel also. Doris has arrived, hauling all her make-up gear and not understanding why. After all, she disguised Mari so effectively that not even her own brother Brandon recognized her. Ah, but you have to disguise Gretel as well, notes Mari. Catfight coming up. But first, some more ads.

Still no Gretel/Doris confrontation. Hold your breath. Instead, we have another Consuela stalking incident. So uncomfortable with this! She's in Brandon's room ironing his knit shirt. It's a nice reason to admire our naco policeman's torso, and he's flexing his muscles for all he's worth. But still, a miserable scene. Consuela's pretending she accepts that they're only friends and colleagues. And he pretends that she could have any man she wants. But she admits she only wants him. And he gives her a gentle cheek/buddy kiss which she takes over and turns into a tonsil tickler. After a noticeable pause, he disengages his lips and gently unpeels her. But as he makes his escape, she goes all dreamy-eyes, vowing "to make him love me". Yikes. I hope the writers drop this storyline soon.

Okay. The catfight is a relief. Particularly since it's over very quickly. Doris rags on Gretel for ruining Oliver's life, turning him into a drunk in danger of losing his job. Gretel explains how she did it to save his life. But now she sees that he's forgotten her. And is involved with Doris. The kiss and the change of heart is explained. Doris assures Gretel that Oliver still loves her and will forgive her as soon as he knows the truth. Well, the truth can't come out. Mari and Doris both have to promise not to reveal Gretel's identity. If not, she'll have to run away. Fair enough. Now, down to business. Can you walk and talk like a man?
asks Doris. Gretel looks perplexed. Hmmm...clearly a big disguise coming up.


Back at the big house, Fedra is beginning to get anxious. Huddling with Bernardo, she seethes about that Spanish Little Red Riding Hood skulking around and feels the breath of Chema on her neck. What if Capitan Sevilla didn't die in that fire? What if he....and her past....are coming back to haunt? Bernardo's more worried about her daughter? What? Kristel? No, "la loquita" (the nutso). Well, we'll have to watch Netty's house. And Oliver Rosales. He'll lead us to her. And when you find then, kill them both! counsels Fedra.

Another tension-filled breakfast now. Emiliano, Emanuel, Fedra and Kristel. But no Ilitia. Fedra and Kristel both chortle that she's probably exhausted from the nudge nudge, wink wink wedding night. Ilitia drifts in, looking ghost-like and not hungry. Emanuel gets up, hugs her gently and proposes that they go off on an actual honeymoon (before he was pleading too much work to travel). And where will they go? How about Switzerland? We can kill two birds with one stone, enjoy our luna de miel and see my sister Gretel. Fedra looks worried. And speechless.


At the boarding house, breakfast is long over and we're getting ready for another meal. Netty frets about the looming foreclosure and demented Consuela assures her they'll all pitch in to help her. The doorbell rings and Victoria arrives. Everyone looks impactados, especially Netty. And even more so when a wimpy little guy schlepps in behind her, dragging a suitcase. Who's he? queries Oliver. And there we end.

Previews:
The announcer intones that "revenge begins tomorrow". Emanuel talks about his failed wedding night with his buddy and Victoria/Marianela arrives at the agency to apply for a job.

Vocabulary:
Dios te oiga y asi sea =May God hear you and may it be thus. atosigar = pester, hassle, pressure pelado = someone who's broke, who doesn't have a dime guardadito = savings, a little "put aside Caperucita = Little Red Riding Hood guaros = goons, creeps huella = imprint, impression, also can mean fingerprint
Dicho of the Day
Matamos dos pájaros de un tiro = Kill two birds with one stone (Emanuel's plan for a honeymoon in Switzerland)

Labels: llena