Caray, Caray!

Hacienda Nariño

Don Antonio will keep his promise, but Magda is devastated. He tells her the marriage is not working. Don’t you feel anything for me, she asks. He replies – I can’t think of you as a decent wife, which gets him a slap across the face. She spits out the same – I did it for my children, to save my family, I’m not indecent. It gets physical. Finally, he looks at her and the bad spell is broken and they embrace and make passionate love. Ed: I don’t know why, but, I had a hard time looking at this.

When Magda awakes Don Antonio is gone. She sees him in the lounge in front of the fire crying. Then she goes down the hall to the BR and cries, too. Ed: One must ask – Can this marriage be saved?

We later see Don Antonio working in the fields. He is more than a gentleman farmer. Capt. Baraya, the giant, approaches him on horseback and tells him about the revolt that has taken place in Quito. He said they have taken Quito in the name of the king and that they will probably form a junta to rule. Now is the time for us to do the same. But someone by the name of Rosillo is making rash promises to the people. Baraya wants Don Antonio to step up and take over, but, Don Antonio will not go to any meeting with Baraya. For one thing, he doesn’t want to go to jail again and for another, he doesn’t want to have anything to do with Don Jorge Tadeo, and he reminds Baraya that he is a man of his convictions.

Don Antonio tells Magda about the uprising and the junta formed by creoles in Quito and that the situation is bad. Finally, he ask her forgiveness and the wounds begin to heal. They embrace.

Don Antonio sneaks out because he wants to get information about what is going on. Apparently he is under house arrest. He wants to know if the Viceroy will send troops to march on Quito.

Don Antonio makes it back safe and tells Magda that we are at war and that troops are going south to protect Pasto and Popayan. Don Antonio tells Magda that at this time he will not get involved as it is not the right thing for his family. So, she asks, you love your family more. Yes.

Later, soldiers arrive and arrest Nariño. (Unfortunately, I lost some of the Thursday episode because I was out of town and my DVR did not record the entire chapter.)

Anyway, Magda tells her two older sons that their father will not return. She now understands because we have no rights. If only your father had taught me how to get rid of these Spaniards. The two sons argue. The younger denounces his father for getting them into this mess, but the older son, Antonio (Tonito) supports his father. He wants to help Don Antonio because he has been carried off without food or money. He asks his mother’s blessing to bring help to Don Antonio.

Later, Col. Juan Samáno and soldiers (and an official with a clipboard) approach the hacienda and tell Magda that they are there to confiscate all of Don Antonio’s property. Magda asks him how will she maintain her family if they take everything, including the land. Samáno gives her a little slack by telling her they can have the present crop and its proceeds.

Samáno lectures her that treason is the worst crime. He reveals that Don Antonio has been denounced by a VIP, but he won’t tell her the name. And, you better get used to the idea that your husband will not return. Later she tells her sons that their father was right – that the Spaniards think they own us.

Don Jorge is out riding in the vicinity and sees Samáno leading the soldiers followed by carts full of furniture.

Cantina

Alejo tells his friend, Arcos José María, about his engagement. His friend says are you serious? Her father owns all of Popayan, and, she is beautiful.

The dancer wants to know if Alejo would like a little experience before he marries. Exit Alejo.
Arcos tells the dancer that Alejo is in love with one woman and has to marry another.

Guadas

Nicolasa sings in her native language. It means that where we walk is sacred ground. Juliano says that Nicolasa is here to remind us of who we are.

Pola – ready with speeches tells them they should remember who they are. Talk of the militar comes up. She says that if he’s alive, he will come for me.

Pola wants the slaves to learn to read. Juliano tells her no because it is forbidden. El capatáz tells her they are too bruto for that. Then they hear that Cata thinks they do not have souls which now makes them want to learn. Nicolasa and the others raise their hands in assent. Pola tells them how wonderful it would be to receive a letter from far away.

While Cata is restless in bed with Domingo, Juliano and Nicolasa spend tender moments together.

Later at Guadas Pola happily teaches the slaves to read and write.

Meanwhile Cata and Gertrudis go shopping with little brother Vivianito. The postman calls him and hands him a letter and tells him to keep it secret and to give it to Pola. As he runs off, the letter drops to the ground. Gertrudis is so suspicious at his delay that she shakes him down, but can’t find the letter. But, he runs back for it.

Later he gives it to Pola but not before he begins to read it. She is so happy until she realizes what the letter says.

We are privy to a conversation between Gertrudis, Domingo and Cata which reveals that they are afraid that if the slaves learn to read they will know more than they do and become dangerous. So they decide to take the letter (I think the original letter) to the mayor. He decides that Domingo should severely punish them to set an example. Gertrudis gives him the letter.

The three musketeers return to the stable where Domingo finds Pola’s teaching box and takes it. Cata points out Nicolas as the ringleader. It all ends when Domingo grabs her and puts her hand on the chopping block to be cut off.

Juliano however convinces Domingo to let him take Nicolasa’s place. It doesn’t matter to Domingo because as far as he’s concerned, one black slave is the same as another. But Cata wants Nicolasa punished. Domingo tells her he doesn’t take orders from her and proceeds to cut off one of Juliano’s fingers.

When Pola arrives, she knows it was Domingo who did it, and she is furious. She goes after Domingo and pounces on him and Vivianito hits him with a stick. Domingo blames it on her, as in, this is my crime, but it’s your fault. As far as Pola is concerned, the blacks are her only family and that things will change for them. Paloma tells Pola that they burned her papers and her books including the letter. Viviancito is now living in the stable with her. Pola is angry about that, but, he thinks she should be happy. Cata arrives to find Juliano suffering.

Now Cata takes the blame. In unision – please leave.

Bernarda returns to the hacienda from a shopping trip to Guadas. She asks Pola if the military is going to the war in the south and then tells Pola about Quito.

Pola in a fury goes to the mayor who is walking down the street with a uniformed soldier who turns out to be Juan Sámano. The mayor tells Col. Sámano that Pola was teaching the blacks to read. Pola asks Col. Sámano if the slaves are protected in any way. He tells her that it is against the law to mutilate slaves.

When Pola finds out that the colonel is looking for lodging, she offers him a room at Domingo’s guesthouse (posada). The mayor and the colonel exchange words about Pola – it seems the colonel is interested in Pola for fun – but not for the purpose of spoiling his perfect Spanish blood (manchar mi sangre).

Sámano also tells the mayor to send a doctor to cure that, and he hesitates for Pola’s benefit, and adds man. At the guest house Juan Sámano asks Pola a lot of questions about other guests and people living nearby while she is fixing up the room. She questions him about people from Popayan going to Quito. He is a company man and he tells her that the king owns everything, and if you disagree it means death. He then closes the doors to the room and she realizes it’s just the two of them. It ends up with him saying I am pure-blooded Spaniard not a bastard like you. You are repugnant. I’m a soldier who has won many battles and I have a right to you.

He grabs her, and she reaches for his dagger and slices him across the belly, but it only cuts his clothing. Pola threatens to gut him to see if his blood is really blue. He pulls out his sword and Pola is outmaneuvered. As she cries out for help he tells her that nobody will believe his word against his, and he’s going to tell everyone she was stealing from him. The only way you will leave this room is dead he threatens. Enter the mayor just in the nick of time with a your excelencia.

Look what she did to me says Juan Sámano. He then orders the mayor to do his duty, and Pola is taken away by guards. As Pola waits for the mayor in his office, she rifles through his papers and finds something that interests her.

Meanwhile Domingo is stewing about this new mess. He’s mad at Gertrudis for Pola and because Cata hasn’t produced any children as promised. Gertrudis tells Cata that she’d better do something quick or they’ll all be out on the street.

Pola hides the paper she found and when the mayor comes in he tells her she is going to jail. He has to take the word of Sámano over that of a mestiza. He still wants to marry her and makes the same offer. She protests and so he rubs in the fact that her soldier won’t be coming back to her. She says it only means that he isn’t a coward.

He tells her, I’m a Spaniard. That’s more than someone like you could hope for. Pola tells him that she would prefer to be shot. He then orders her taken away with Pola yelling that the Spaniards will pay for all this injustice.

Sámano asks the mayor about Pola on his way out of town. She’s in jail. He tells the mayor to send his regrets and adds I never lose – it just takes time. When he’s gone, they open the door to the cell and let her out.

Pola goes back to the stable and tells Juliano that she found the Protection of the Slaves. She proclaims that this uncivilized situation cannot remain. Juliano says I am not a coward, but I am a slave. Pola reads it to him. It says that punishment of slaves is limited and that mutilations are prohibited. See, you are all God’s creatures. It won’t bring my finger back. But, it might set you free.

Gertrudis suggests to Cata that they resort to native herbs to help her along. In confession the impatient priest tells Gertrudis that that is a sin. Gertrudis fills him in on the Pola situation. He knows the mayor won’t help them to get the soldier to restore Pola’s virtue so the priest says that he will go to the archbishop to make Alejo answer for himself.

Juliano finally says that it doesn’t matter if I can’t be free, but, he wants my children to be free. They go to talk to the mayor.

Domingo has been drinking and when Cat invites him to bed, he flies into a rage and hits her. He calls her a bad wife because she hasn’t given him a child and has caused trouble with the slaves. Later Gertrudis brings Cat some type of tea that (I think came from the slaves.) that she believes will help Cat have children.

In the woods, Nicolasa feels her belly and says she doesn’t want you to be a slave. She then drinks from a gourd (something made from the herbs she was cutting earlier to bring on an abortion?), cries and sings in native language.

Pola wakes the next day and has a bad feeling that something has happened to Alejo. She starts her chores, but when Gertrudis sees her doing work that slaves normally do, she invites Pola into the main house. Domingo comes upon the scene and notifies Pola that he is putting her out and that she has one week to find someplace else to live. Gertrudis says we have to pray to God for a miracle.

Pola goes to the post office and asks if there is any news from the south like weddings, etc. The postmaster tells her about what is happening in the south, but he has no news of weddings.


Popayan

Alejo – sits at desk and takes out a piece of paper and begins to write a letter. He crumples it up, and then he begins again. Then he begins: Dear Pola: I have to confess I would prefer to be dead. Don’t wait for me for I will never return. What I would like most in the world is to see you. This will never be. I will not return to Spain. It is not for the war. It is because I have to marry María Ignacia Valencia.

Planning begins for the biggest, most expensive wedding in Nueva Granada – like nothing ever seen. Ignacia gets impatient but she is told that she’d better get used to it. Her father tells her that a new government has taken control of Quito and that means we are at war. Alejo will have to go for a few days and the wedding must wait. Alejo will not go to the governor for a dispensation – he is not a coward.

Alejo enters – something going on. Gov. Tacón is calling a big meeting. The ruler in Quito has been deposed. They have joined Napoleon. This is treason. We must confront them now. He wants to stop them from marching on Quito. I will show you once and for all that I am not on the side of the French says the governor.

Alejo tells him it is not necessary for us to kill our own brothers. He is convinced they will not fire a shot. The Governor tells him to follow Col. Santa Cruz.

The governor talks about rebellion – Don Francisco – but, my son is to be married. The guv doesn’t give a rat’s a** about the wedding.

The public gets a pep talk and are told the enemy is near. Followers of Napoleon have taken power in Quito.

Alejo hugs his mom goodbye and tells her they won’t fight and assures his father that everything will get better (aclarar). Off he goes.

The governor wants a confrontation. He wants to stop them. The soldiers on horseback march through the streets of Popayan. When Ignacia sees Alejo riding down the street she runs out and gives him a lock of her hair to remember her. (What will happen to this hair?)

As they wait for news, Alejo’s mom makes lace and feels a pain in her chest.

Days later we hear cheering in the streets as the victors return from the battlefield. The two families notice that Alejo is not amongst the crowd. Then they see two soldiers carrying a stretcher with an unconscious Alejo.

They realize that Alejo is the only soldier who was wounded. His mother and father bicker. She says it is all our fault. We made him go to military school against his will.

Alejo, still unconscious, dreams that he and Pola are standing in a river. She says I told you you wouldn’t be cold, and she then goes under the water, and he follows. They kiss (finally). He is trembling, not because of the cold, but because she is close to him. She says we can’t be together. Alejo tells her that he doesn’t know how to live without her. I don’t want to live, I can’t live if I cannot be with you. I prefer to die. I prefer to die.

He mutters, in the presence of Ignacia who will not leave his bedside, don’t go, don’t go, Pola. Without you I will die, I will die. Ignacia breaks down and cries.

Francisco is annoyed at Alejo when Ignacia tells him what happened. When Alejo wakes up, Francisco threatens him again if he doesn’t go through with the wedding. Enter the entire family who are now very happy that Alejo is conscious. Francisco tells Ignacia that Alejo wants to make her the happiest woman in the world.



The Battlefield

Arco reminds Alejo about his meeting with the Indian last night. Can’t you just trade one for another? Alejo asks him not to talk to him like that.

Upon arriving in the vicinity of the enemy camp, the colonel asks for two men to go in close and to report back. Alejo and Arco are assigned to that duty. Alejo thinks they will win without firing a shot. Alférez, says the colonel, do you think we won’t fight? The colonel says the people here are tired of the Spaniards, and Alejo is surprised to learn of the enmity.

Back in the woods, Alejo and Arco use a monocular (catalejo) to spy on the camp, and they see civilians, including women around campfires. Their guards see him and he sees them. But Alejo and Arco spot weapons. He still thinks that they are not there to fight, but to convince them to join us. We are not on the side of the French.

Alejo notes that the so called enemy is numerous and well armed but that they are not soldiers. They are against the French like us.

Alejo reports to the colonel that it is not true that the Quiteños support the French. He is told to shut up and to obey orders.

Their orders finally arrive. They are ordered to cross the river. What about the surrender asks Alejo. We are at war he is told. We are marching against France – let’s go.

But, Alejo still asks the colonel for a surrender. No, says the colonel, we have orders to fire. They then overrun the camp killing at random. It is a bloodbath as the officers watch and order more troops to advance.

Alejo and Arco are disgusted by what they see which is a massacre and not a battle. Alejo walks through the field and comes across a wounded French soldier and calls for a doctor. The soldier looks up and shoots Alejo in the chest. We hear someone say that Alejo is dying. Alejo, who is bleedly badly, mutters Pola, Pola.

The colonel is very proud of himself although the captain doesn’t appear happy. They have more than 300 prisoners. He thinks they are crazy to go to Quito. Sabarain is the only wounded. Arco thinks that if Alejo dies, two beautiful women will die too.


Santa Fe

Capt. Baraya speaks to the Viceroy. Baraya wants them to occupy Quito – send troops. He believes that those in power will not hand it over to France because they support the king. One of the other “revolutionaries”, Don Camilo Tores proposes the unthinkable – why don’t we form a government like that in Quito.

Don Camilo proposes a government of native Spaniards and creoles. Everything will be returned to the king and Spain and the king’s goods will be preserved. The Viceroy will sleep on it (consultar la almohada) and will make his decision at the right time.

However, we learn that his wife – the Vireina(?) has other ideas. She does not believe the creoles are equal to native Spaniards. She does not want to allow them to have any power. She tells him to send in the troops – send Col. Juan Sámano, the governor of Riohacha and apparently a very bad a**. Crush them in Quito, she says. And, when have I ever given you bad advice. A couple of times muses the Viceroy.

Baraya meets Colonel Dupre who is going south – Riohacha with Juan Sámano??

Anyway, Dupre makes his way to the palace. The Vireina tells him to go south to Pasto. They are sending Sámano to Santa Fe and he has many troops.

The colonel doesn’t recommend attacking Quito. He gives all sorts of alternatives, but the Vireina just about tells him to cut off their heads. But, the colonel argues, we don’t have enough troops. We need to negotiate so that what happened in Quito doesn’t happen here. Sámano will be here in a couple of days. He is near Guadas now.

A new edict is read in Santa Fe – Quito is in revolt. The viceroy wants all men over the age of 16 to join up and march to Popayan and Pasto and fight.

Don Camilo still tries to talk sense to the Viceroy. However, Mrs. Viceroy is clearly in charge here and tells him we are the government. Send your troops to Pasto. Go. We’re busy.

Later, Don Juan Sámano arrives at the palace. We note that he walks with a limp. The Viceroy and Vireina want him to stay in Santa Fe to protect them. These three are on the same page. They are ready to go to war as soon as possible. She wants all the insurgents put in jail. Sámano says that blood must be spilled and that they must get the leaders.

Enter Don Jorge Tadeo who is more than willing to express his loyalty to the king and Viceroy whom he suggests should lead a new junta. Before entering, the Viceroy wants to know what idiot is asking for his advice. None other than Don Jorge. He is loyal to the king to death. Juan Sámano laughs in his face and the Viceroy is not amused. They demand to know who are the leaders is it Rosillo? Don Camilo Torres? Jorge offers up Don Antonio Nariño.

The Viceroy, the Mean Queen and Sámano declare that Nariño will be the first one they will get. We will kill him.

Nariño On The Trail

Don Antonio is worn out and admits that he will not be able to walk to Cartagena. He is not allowed to ride Don Baltasar’s horse. He falls into a mud puddle. Baltasar calls for help and asks if Don Antonio can ride his horse. The officer tells him he has his orders and that will not be allowed. Don Antonio asks the officer why don’t you just kill me? Baltasar says that would require proof and hearings.

Tonito catches up and has an extra horse with him. He tells Don Antonio that he was given a sick horse on purpose. Baltasar asks the officer if he has orders not to let him change horses when one dies. Don Antonio is allowed to ride. Baltasar tells Tonito that these men have orders to let your father die. Tonito tells Don Antonio about what happened at the hacienda and that they even took the boots he was sending to England for sale. Don Antonio blesses his son. Aloud, Tonito declares that he is going with his father to Honda, to Cartagena or to the end of the world.

Labels: LaPola