Caray, Caray!

Vivi has gone out to play in the beautiful spring-like weather! The recap will be up sometime over the weekend when she’s tired of being out in the sun and the 60 degree weather. Want more? Well, ok. Here are the highlights: JJ and a kind bystander save FaustiMario (of course); everyone thinks Bertha was part of the plot to do him in, but she swears she's innocent; Adolfo is not pleased; Tia Yolanda visits the kiddies at Casa Genoves (aka enemy territory); JJ shows the gang the “mai” he received from Garnica- they decide to give “Garnica” an identity test; Yolanda begs “Mario’s” forgiveness, admits she switched the rings, but refuses to say why she can’t free herself from Adolfo; cracks form in the partnership between the Three Goons and Edgar and Valentin decide to make some trouble on their own; Ulises finally remembers Zaida’s letter, which tells all about Adolfo’s and Dante’s dirty dealings- he informs JJ; Gabi tells “Mario” that he can’t take Fausto’s place, although she’s accepting the idea of his being her bio dad- at times he really reminds her of her dad; Dante orders Carmelo to find Garnica; the two sisters decide to reach out to their brother Carlos and make plans to see each other; Adolfo orders his henchman to “liquidate” Zaida for betraying him and letting Garnica escape alive; JJ (stupidly) goes to Adolfo’s condo alone, and threatens to give Zaida’s letter over to the cops if Adolfo and Dante don’t find a way to set Elsa free, immediately; Adolfo rushes to stop Zaida’s liquidation, just in the nick of time.

Full recap: FaustiMario is hanging by a thread, or rather a finger, from the railing over the lobby of the hotel Mirador. Our hero JJ, and another heroic bystander, pull FaustiMario up and safely onto the stairs. After assuring that the very relieved and breathless FaustiMario is ok, JJ and Ale begin to wonder who was the guy who pushed him, if what just happened was an accident, and what was Bertha doing here. When Fausto explains that she was there to meet him, Ale narrows her eyes in suspicion. She heads up to the restaurant to find out what her sister is up to. She thinks her little sis’ excuse about wanting to mend fences with their uncle is bs, and informs her of “Mario's” near death experience on the stairs. Why did Bertha run off? Bertha says she just headed to the restaurant because that was where they agreed to meet. Ale takes Bertha to check on their uncle, since Bertha is so concerned for his welfare. After asking how he is, Bertha decides it’s best if they save their discussion, particularly the subject matter of Adolfo, for another day. She quickly rushes off under the suspicious gazes of Ale and JJ. JJ and Ale accompany a still shaky Fausto to his car.

At JJ’s house, Lucha wants to know how Limon is dealing with Abelardo’s custody of Caramelo and her staying at Casa Genoves. Turns out he’s not freaking out as much as he did last time because he knows Abelardo isn’t trying to take Cara from him. Yolanda calls wanting to speak to Caramelo, and is encouraged by Limon to cross over to enemy territory at Casa Genoves to see the kids in person. Limon and Lucha stamp and certify Yolanda as “good peeps.”

Bertha returns home to Adolfo to inform him about what happened. She didn’t get to speak to her uncle because someone pushed him on the stairs and almost killed him. Adolfo is clearly upset about the ALMOST (casi) part, and not about the killing attempt. Then he gets more upset that it was JJ who saved the day. “How fortunate. What luck that nothing happened.” Bertha seems to pick up the hint of irony in his tone, and looks at him suspiciously. (Is her brain finally starting to function?) “Adolfo, you told me that you weren’t going to expose me (exponerme) to anything dangerous. And you try to kill my uncle by pushing him over the stairs!?” Adolfo gets indignant. “How dare you say something so stupid! No way!” He storms out demanding not to be disturbed.

Yolanda arrives to Casa Genoves. FaustiMario is regaling Limon with tales of the near death experience and JJ’s heroics in the back yard. He greets Yolanda with suspicion, but she gets a much warmer reception from the kids. Caramelo rattles off the list of all her new uncles and aunts. Chicles says he’s doing the usual, which Yolanda knows means he’s up to no good. Big hugs and kisses for the formerly kidnapped trio. David and Gabi arrive and greet her with awkwardness, but understand why she and the kids would want to see each other after their terrible experience. Yolanda asks to speak to Mario privately, and shortly after they leave for the home office, JJ and Ale arrive. Gabi and David learn of the staircase incident and they all agree that it was done on purpose. They are all sure that Bertha set the meeting up on Adolfo’s orders. Gabi suggests the logical—bring Leo into the loop. But JJ nixes that idea. He still prefers the go it alone (well, with his BFFs David and Carlos) approach. He pulls out the “mai” he received from Garnica. David and Ale think they can’t be sure it’s Garnica. Gabi once again suggests that Leo could help them figure out the true origin of the e-mail. Nope. JJ doesn’t think that will solve anything. Plus he’ll just scold them about their latest cowboy antics. David thinks that there is likely a link to the appearance of the lawyer with knowledge of Gabi’s shoes (Carmelo) and this reappearance of Garnica. (Gold star for David!)

Mientras tanto (in the meantime) in the office, Yolanda is telling “Mario” about all the guilt she feels for being part of so many injustices. “Mario” is forgiving, especially since Yolanda has been a victim of Adolfo’s evil herself—most recently with the kidnapping. “Well, we all have our crosses to bear. And it seems that destiny wants Adolfo to be mine.” She begs “Mario’s” forgiveness for all that has happened, but knows it can’t change anything. Mario doesn’t think it’s her that needs forgiveness, but Adolfo. And the things that he’s done are unforgivable. For this reason Yolanda wants to tell him about something she did to right a wrong—something that can help prove that Santiago didn’t kill Marta.

Over at Goon Central, Carmelo is laying out the next steps of the plan. He’s going to tell Dante that he couldn’t find Edgar. Valentín needs to get back to work so that no one will become suspicious. Annoyed Edgar wonders what he’s supposed to do. Give him the shoes and sit tight is Carmelo’s reply. NO WAY! It cost Edgar his job and nearly his life to get those. Carmelo urges him to calm down and stick to the plan that will benefit all of them. Edgar decides to go along for now, but he doesn’t like to take orders from anybody, and if Carmelo decides to betray them, he’s got a photo of him with the shoes that will get him in deep doo doo with Dante. Carmelo reminds him that they are all in this together. All for one and one for all, and all that. Edgar doesn’t seem convinced.

Yolanda continues her explanation about how she switched Carlos’s real ring for the fake one Adolfo had created. “Mario” wonders wouldn’t it have been easier all around if she had told the cops what really happened at the very beginning. Yolanda thinks Adolfo would have killed her had she done so. “But the police would have protected you!” “But it’s not about my safety, it’s about…about…I can’t denounce (delatar) Adolfo. I can’t” “But why Yolanda!? Why?! What ties you to him?!” “I can’t tell you anything.” She flees the office leaving Fausto more baffled than before.

Carmelo better be careful because Eddie’s got that crazy look in his eyes that we all know so well. He wants to know when they’ll get to see all the cash (lana) they’ve demanded from Adolfo and Dante. Carmelo doesn’t know since he hasn’t received an answer from either of them yet. He’s demanded 10 million pesos from each of them. In exchange, Adolfo will get the shoes, diamonds, and the letter Valentin spoke of; Dante will receive info about how Adolfo is trying to double cross him. He’s sure they’ll have an answer tomorrow.

At Casa Genoves, Fred and Daphne (aka David and Ale) are trying to convince Scooby Doo (aka JJ) that there is no proof that the e-mail was actually sent from Garnica. JJ thinks he’s probably just afraid to show his face to him after his blackmail scheme. David thinks it best that they send “Garnica” a few questions to first prove his identity. Questions like: How did they meet? (David and Abe are shocked JJ trusted a guy who just turned up at his door saying he was a lawyer who knew JJ had a lot of money. JJ knows now that it was dumb.); Who was with them on the plane?; and Who was at the table when they signed the contract in Puerto Vallarta? Ale writes the message as they all look on.

Ulises returns to his apartment to find a stack of junk mail and bills at his door. As he throws them all in a drawer, he suddenly remembers an important piece of mail—Zaida’s letter! After a bit of hand wringing about what to do, he rips it open. “No manches!” (No f-ing way!) He calls up JJ right away with a quick explanation of the letter and a promise that it will knock his socks off (ir de espaldas/to fall to one’s back/be surprised). JJ explains to the group as best he can (Zaida, letter, Elsa, Ulises) and leaves.

Edgar and Valentin are having a stroll and a heart to heart. Edgar is not comfortable with Carmelo having his hands on everything. Valentin casually says that Carmelo doesn’t have EVERYTHING. Say what?! Valentin explains that there were a few other things in Garnica’s safe that he kept. Edgar is impressed. He obviously was in agreement with us that Valentin was not the sharpest assassin knife in the drawer. “Knowledge is power”, says Valentin.

In the back yard, Gabi and FaustiMario are having a chat about the baby and what Gabi wants- girl or boy. If she’s as sweet as Caramelo, then she wants a girl. No way in heck she wants a boy like Chicles! And what does she want to name the baby? If it’s a girl, then she wants to name her Gabriela, since she loves the name and it’s not her real name. If it’s a boy, then she wants to name him Fausto. FaustiMario can barely contain his proud tears (where’s David with a bear hug when you need him?). Gabi can’t wait to tell her father he’s going to be a grandfather. He’s going to go crazy and start buying baby toys and clothes. She can already picture him walking the baby in the park. FaustiMario really has to work hard now to not start bawling. Gabi continues that she doesn’t know if one day she’ll see him (Mario) as a father, but for her, Fausto, the man who raised her, will always be her father. FaustiMario understands perfectly, but would love for them to continue communicating the way they are now. Gabi agrees. Sometimes he even reminds her of her father! (Ahem…) FaustiMario thinks it’s because they’re both old dudes. Gabi wonders how her father is, and wonders why “Mario” is so quick to answer that he’s fine. Now that she’s pregnant, and feeling more emotional, she particularly wants to be surrounded by her people/family. “I understand. Your father won’t be far away for long.” Gabi gets up to go, and plants a sweet kiss on “Mario’s” cheek before she leaves. Fausto’s working overtime by this point to not let his tears fall.

Valentin shows Edgar the additional documents Garnica has—account books of Adolfo’s restaurants; a black book of important people, including Mario Genoves; info sheets of various people including Elsa and Marcos; and a pic of the famous helicopter. Turns out Valentin did not destroy the helicopter as he was ordered to. He hid it away. They both think JJ would pay pretty well for that info.

JJ at that moment has just arrived at Ulises’s. He immediately reads the letter. JJ figures Zaida wrote the letter because she thought they were going to kill her. This letter can help free Elsa! He runs out without explaining to (eager) Ulises what he intends to do.

Carmelo brings his apologies to Dante for not being able to find Edgar. No worries, says Dante, he has a new person for him to look for—Garnica. He thought the guy was dead, but it seems he isn’t. Dante thinks Valentin, one of Garnica’s men, knows the deal. He wants Carmelo to use his special skills to get info out of him about whether Garnica is alive, and where he’s hding.

At the Guillen apartment, Juli is having a Luis Miguel moment—singing the theme song while sorting beans. Gabi comes to visit and the two have some sisterly bonding over the baby on the way. Neither have heard from their father, but Leo assures Juli that Fausto is safe. Speaking of Leo, he’s been working a lot, but Juli is super excited about the upcoming return of Paula in two weeks (maybe Paula Drew can help our slow adults solve this case). Juli gives Gabi her first baby present- a unisex yellow and white sweater. They hug, and Gabi gets emotional and starts crying—so many things are happening, and their dad isn’t even there to share in the news of the baby. Juli thinks there’s plenty of time for him to enjoy the baby and for them all to be together. Gabi knows she’s right and that she’s being affected by pregnancy hormones. Juli concedes that their lives haven’t always been normal, and especially not lately, so it’s understandable. Has Gabi spoken to Carlos? Not recently. They are both now excited about the idea of having a big brother and think they should all get together. Gabi calls hard working Carlos to set something up. He’ll try to wrap up work early enough to see them that evening—if not, he’ll meet them tomorrow. The siblings end the call sweetly with terms of endearment. Carlos smiles from ear to ear. Juli is pleased to learn Carlos is working for JJ. They wonder how their father is holding up.

At the local internet café, computer novices Edgar and Valentin are getting the pretty employee to help them check their G-mail (Garnica mail) account. They see that there are responses to each of their three messages. The first they read is Adolfo’s. He’s already deposited the money to the account indicated. Now he wants his stuff. “That idiot Carmelo lied to us when he said he hadn’t heard anything about the money!” Uh oh! Eddie has that look in his eyes again.

Carlos and Urbina speak restaurant biz. Carlos thinks thing have been working well, but he has some ideas for modernization. Urbina’s down with that. He knows Carlos is experienced and thinks his ideas will be beneficial for the hotel.

Dante storms into Adolfo’s condo, with two armed goons at his back, and demands to speak to Adolfo. Adolfo, meanwhile, is in his office checking in on Zaida with one of his goons. She’s down at the beach, being watched by two other goons. When she comes back, Adolfo wants him to “liquidate” her!

He goes out to see what Dante wants. Dante refuses to send his goons out. The two old devils are just gearing up to have a verbal showdown, when JJ breezes in. Now they both turn their ire to their mutual thorn in the side. JJ pulls out Zaida’s letter and begins to read it aloud:
“I, Zaida Castellanos, in possession of my full faculties, declare that I was obligated/forced by Señores Dante Sevilla and Adolfo Avila…” Dante bids his goons to leave before they learn more than he’s comfortable with them knowing. JJ continues:
“…to become involved in shady/serious business. I was forced to become involved in serious crimes. These two individuals are…” This time Adolfo has him stop. JJ continues again:
“These two individuals are smugglers of precious jewels and archeological pieces, and responsible for other crimes. Among them, dealings with a criminal named Javier Garnica, whose cadaver, on Adolfo’s orders, was thrown in the sea in Puerto Vallarta. For all these reasons, I want to make clear that if something happens to me, or I disappear, the guilty ones were the men I just mentioned.”

Lies! All Lies. We’ve just been in communication with Garnica. “You don’t say?” (No me diga!) So why don’t you take this letter to the cops? “Because I want to do everything possible to demonstrate the innocence of Elsa Rivera!” JJ leaves the two with a copy of the letter, and a promise of the original IF/WHEN they find a way to clear Elsa of the charges against her and set her free immediately. As JJ makes his cocksure exit, Adolfo runs to the phone to stop the itchy finger of the beach goon, who has his gun cocked and pointed at the forehead of a bound and gagged Zaida. “You want to hear the gunshot boss?” “NO!!!”

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