Caray, Caray!

Alternate Title: Max is Found, and MarIvancito is Lost

Camilo the Coward leaves his house and runs into Antolin, who has left his bachelor pad to come over and visit their mom Celia. Cami angrily mentions the letter from Ivan and how he’s in a messed up situation (esta en la fregada). Antolin feels NO guilt. The two have their same argument about whose fault it is that Ivan got in this mess and was convinced to leave. Antolin sticks to his guns and the argument turns into a shoving/wrestling match. The screams of witnesses on the street bring Celia running. She breaks up the fight between her two sons with her broom and calls them animals. The shoving match turns into a screaming match over their mother’s head. When she asks what caused it, Antolin lies (what’s new?) and Camilo angrily stalks off. Celia gives Antolin a swat and tells him she knows he must have started it. Antolin complains about always being made to be the bad guy (el malo del cuento), when all he came to do was see her. “Well, you’ve seen me. Now get out of here!” (Ooh, harsh Celia.) He better be grateful that she’s not going to tell his father. She shoos him off with her broom, and then does the same to the nosey neighbor ladies who have been attentively watching the whole scene. (Go Celia!)

In L.A. (my home town!), Ivan works in the restaurant kitchen. His hard work and English skills (and less indio features/buena pinta) earn him a promotion to waiter by the boss. The other kitchen workers look on in jealous anger.

Lucrezia speaks with Esther and tells her about the divorce that SHE (snort, giggle) demanded from Gerry. Timid Esther can’t believe Lu did such a bold thing. She could never do it. What about the children? They need their father. She’s been taught that a woman should respect her husband because he rules the home. Lucrezia isn’t interested in being a martyr.

In L.A., Ivan proudly tells Benito that he has been promoted to a mesero. He can afford to rent his own room somewhere now. Benito will help him look for a place. Unfortunately, Benito hasn’t had much luck finding a job. Ivan wonders if a letter has come from Camilo the Coward. Nope. Ivan looks forlorn. Benito says that people back home get preoccupied with their own problems and forget about you. He speaks of missing his family and kids. Ivan says that Cami is like his brother.

Lucrezia and Esther continue their chat. Lu wants to get out of town for a while until the gossip about her divorce dies down. Esther understands.

Ivan approaches two customers looking over the menu. He asks them, in pretty decent English, if they’d like an appetizer. One of the men looks Ivan over and declares that Ivan is Latino, right? Ivan answers yes, in Spanish. The older man asks Ivan if he has his papers (legal resident docs like a visa or green card). Ivan gets an ‘oh sh*t’ look on his face. The guy chuckles and says they aren’t from Immigration (La Migra). But it’s surprising that a young man like him (light skinned, English speaking?) is working as a waiter. Ivan admits that this current job isn’t the best, but he’ll eventually get ahead (alcanzar). The older guy hands him his business card, with the promise of a better life, and orders up a tequila.

At the little house by the sea in Guaymas, Lucrezia arrives to inform the girls that she’s staying with them till Maripaz gives birth (dar luz), and that the divorce from their father is a done deal. Lucia thought they’d find a way to fix their problems. Lucrezia doesn’t think it’s a huge loss, as Gerry never brought in any money, nor was good for anything else. She tells the girls about leaving town while the gossip about the divorce is hot. Maripaz (always concerned about Number 1) wants to know what the town is saying about HER. Nada. They assume she’s off to school. And what if she returns looking fat? “We’ll say that you gained weight and now you’re on a diet.” Lucia asks about Ivan, but Lucrezia tells her to shut it and not mention him again. The girls go off to look at the clothes mom brought them. Carlota informs Lucrezia that Gerry’s coming to see the girls this weekend. One big happy family, all together again!

In the smoggy valley of L.A. (ah, home!), Ivan checks out his new rental with Benito. Benito gives him fatherly advice about being good, and not bringing too many girls (chamacas) home. He’ll take Ivan to a place where he can get a few pieces of furniture cheap. Ivan thanks him for all he’s done for him, and the two lament the fact that Benito still hasn’t found work. Ivan tells him about the two Gringos who were nice to him, gave him a card, and spoke to him about good paying work. He shows the card to Benito who assumes these guys are rich (ricochona) by the address on the card. He tells Ivan to go for it. Ivan asks about getting a letter from Camilo (why isn’t anyone else in the family writing?), and is disappointed again. Benito good naturedly tells Ivan that’s the way it goes. He advises that if Ivan starts working for those wealthy guys, he’ll have to buy some better clothes.

Ivan puts on his Sunday best and heads to the high rise office address from the business card. He tells the blond (but obviously Latina from her accent) receptionist in English that he is here to see the person on the card. She directs him to the 9th floor. The receptionist on the 9th floor mostly speaks Spanish as she directs him to the waiting area. He admires a leggy blond while there.

In Guaymas, Lucrezia is not happy that the girls have gone into town on their own. Carlota tries to get her to chill out. (Good luck with that.) Lucrezia wants to make sure that Maripaz isn’t out and about when she goes into labor. In fact, she thinks it would be better if she gave birth at home instead of in the hospital where pesky records could later give away the fact that she had a child. Carlota crosses her arms and gives her best Garry Coleman impersonation, “What chu talkin’ ‘bout Lucrazya?!” What if there are complications? Heck no! Maripaz is going to give birth in a hospital! Anyways, the gynecologist already knows Maripaz is a single mother (madre soltera), and hospitals don’t give a darn if you’re married, widowed or single.

In the high rise office, Ivan is shown into a board room where Mark (the old dude from the restaurant) is looking over a poster of a sexy young woman. Similar posters are strewn over the board table. Ivan is seated at the opposite end from Mark. He came to see him about making better money than he’s making in the restaurant. The guy tells him to name his price. Does he want to earn $3,000 or $5,000 each month (!)? Ivan looks as bewildered as I am. Sure, but what kind of work is he talking about? Ivan refuses to do anything that has to do with drugs. Mark chuckles. No, it’s nothing like that. His business makes VIDEOS. (Do you see where this is going? Because I sure do.) Mark points out that Ivan’s a good looking guy, and he assumes well hung (bien totado). (Yes, he said it people.) Ivan starts to get the drift, and becomes very uncomfortable (as do I). Mark thinks Ivan still doesn’t get it, so he comes straight out and tells him they make adult videos. He tells Ivan to stand up so he can look him over. (Wow, we usually only see this scenario with women. But standing there in his freshly pressed, tucked in, button down, white shirt, and Clark Kent glasses, Ivan looks every bit as vulnerable as those women.) “You have a good body. You’re handsome. Take off your pants so that I can see what you have under there (que traes adentro).” (!!!)

Ivan hesitates for a moment, as if he might do what was asked. He then regains his confidence and tells Mark he made a mistake with him. He doesn’t do this kind of thing. He thanks him, refuses, and begins to walk out of the room. Friendly Mark turns fiendish, and warns Ivan that he knows where he works and can turn him in to La Migra if he wants. Cara impactada de Ivan.

Gerry visits the house in Guaymas and finds that the girls have left for a walk. The doctor recommended walks to Maripaz so that she doesn’t gain as much weight, and Lucia always goes with her, because that’s the kind of caring, good sister she is. Carlota laments Maripaz’s bad character and declares that she’s worse than her mother.

At the restaurant, Ivan tells the boss about Mark’s threat and gets fired for his honesty. The restaurant owner can’t take the risk of Immigration breathing down his neck. He’ll have to fire some of the other illegals too. Ivan begs. He just rented a place. He can’t believe others will get fired because of him. Later, he and Benito get jobs working as pickers in a produce field.

Carlota tells Gerry about Lucrezia’s crazy plan for a home birth (partera). They are both in agreement about the birth happening in a hospital (which likely means that Lucrezia will get her way). Gerry thinks that Lucrezia would prefer that the baby die. Carlota says perhaps, but her worried face looks like she agrees. Gerry will be back staying in a hotel next week. He wants Carlota to let him know when Mari heads to the hospital in labor. The girls return. Lucia is happy and cheerful when she sees her dad. Maripaz is, well…Maripaz. Enough said.

Ivan is in the fields, working hard picking. At home in the evening, he writes a letter to Camilo begging for a response. In Sonora, the mailman delivers the letter from Ivan to Camilo the Coward, who rips it up without reading it.

In the hospital in Guaymas (I guess Lucrezia did not get her way after all), the family awaits news of Maripaz and the baby. Gerry tries to make nice with Lucrezia. Lucrezia is, well…Lucrezia. Enough said. Everyone (minus Lucrezia) is happy to learn from the doctor that all is well, and Maripaz gave birth to a healthy baby boy (varon).

Ivan is hitchhiking along a road with his backpack. A car stops and we see a road sign which shows Laguna Beach is not far away.

Baby MarIvancito cries as the happy members of the family look on at him. They are all sad that they will have to say goodbye to him, especially Lucia.

Ivan arrives at his destination and hops out of the car. Not too far away we see an older gentleman calling for his dog Max. He is soon assaulted by two young hoodlums who knock him to the ground. Ivan sees this and goes running, yelling at the guys in English to leave the man alone. One guy pulls a gun on Ivan and tells him in Spanish to butt out (no te metas). I’m not sure when Ivan learned Kung Fu, but he jumps up and round house kicks the gun out of the hoodlum’s hand. He then confronts him hand to hand and beats the guy down. Both hoodlums run off as Ivan checks on the older gentleman and asks if he wants him to call 911 or a doctor. He just wants Ivan to help him back to his house (mansion!). He doesn’t want to make a big deal about what just happened, as those guys were probably just motivated by hunger/poverty. Ivan doesn’t think this is a valid excuse.

Once they are inside the house, the maid comes running wondering what happened to Don Anthony (Tony). He explains how he went looking for Max who has gotten loose. She thinks it was Felipe’s fault, who didn’t lock the gate when he left. She scolds Tony for going out by himself. We learn her name is Maria and she heads out of the room to call his doctor. Tony then tells Ivan he’s more worried for Max, who isn’t used to being out off his leash. Ivan finally gets that Max is a dog and offers to go find him. Tony tells Ivan that Max most likely headed to the nearby park.

Lucrezia is in a sleeping Maripaz’s hospital room. Gerry enters. He offers to get Lucrezia something from the cafeteria, where Carlota and Lucia are. She refuses. He asks if she’s seen the beautiful (hermoso) baby yet. Nope! Gerry gets sentimental, but Lucrezia puts a stop to that. The baby’s being put up for adoption, and that’s that! Gerry wants to know if they have the needed supplies at the house to care for the baby. Lucrezia’s not so worried since the baby will only be with them a few days. Gerry wants to know what they are going to tell the foundling home (casa cuna) when they drop the baby off. That the servant abandoned her baby and took off. Gerry doesn’t look pleased with this answer.

Ivan searches for Max, calling to him in English. A friendly German Sheppard (pastor alemán) emerges from the bushes and greets Ivan. He puts him on a leash and returns to the house. Maria scolds Max and the absent Felipe. The doctor comes down the stairs and tells Ivan Tony is well, but needs to go do some follow-up tests tomorrow. He charges Ivan with making sure he goes in to do the tests. In the living room, Max is being scolded by his owner as Ivan enters. Tony thanks Ivan for saving him, but above all, he thanks him for finding Max. This whole conversation is happening in Spanish, and Tony is also speaking to Max in Spanish. When Ivan asks about it, he learns Tony’s mother was Mexican. More specifically, she was from Alamos, Sonora. Ivan is shocked by how small the world is. He explains that’s where he grew up. Tony notices that Ivan speaks Spanish and English well, and wonders how he got here. Ivan explains about being an engineering student in Sonora, but had to leave home because some bad stuff went down. He explains about his servant mother who died, and his scholarship to the university. “Did you kill someone?” “No.” Good enough for Tony. He wants to compensate Ivan for what he did for him. He wants to help fulfill Ivan’s mother’s dream (for him to become an engineer). He tells Ivan to think about it and get back to him tomorrow. Ivan will come by after he gets off work at the orange grove. Tony thanks Ivan again for finding Max, then leans back in his recliner and promptly falls asleep. Ivan looks at him with gratitude, and returns to his apartment to dream about the possibilities.

In the hospital the next morning, Gerry returns with flowers and is greeted happily by Lucia. Seems that Maripaz is being her usual bad-humored self, and doesn’t want to see or breastfeed the baby (dar pecho). Carlota can’t convince her to do it for the baby’s well being. Maripaz is sure formula will do just fine. Gerry greets her with a kiss and the flowers. Maripaz reacts the way you would think. She shrieks that she does NOT want to see the baby. Gerry worries about where they will put the baby in the small two-bedroom house. Carlota decides that the baby should stay with her and Lucia in the girls’ room. Lucrezia will stay in a room with Maripaz. Gerry and Lucia excitedly go to see the baby. Maripaz doesn’t understand all the fuss about the baby, since he won’t be with them long. Carlota tells her that before, she knew Maripaz was spoiled and capricious, but now she knows she’s just bad to the bone (bien MALA)!

Ivan returns to Tony’s home and is greeted by the friendly maid Maria. She confirms that Tony did go to the doctor for the tests. Tony’s obviously not happy about it. He asks for Ivan’s answer. Does he accept his offer? Ivan explains his hesitation due to an indecent proposal he’s already received, and having learned that people always want something in return. “Like what?” Ivan doesn’t know. He’s met some good folk, but also some pretty bad ones. Now he’s uncertain. Tony is still confused about what kind of indecent proposal Ivan could be talking about. Ivan is too embarrassed to say. Tony explains how his parents had a Latin American goods import/export business. His father passed away many years ago, and not long after, his mother passed away. He was married with one child, but unfortunately, his wife and son died in an accident. He’s now as alone as a dog, with Max as his only companion. But he likes to converse with people. Now Ivan has come into his life-- saving his life and finding Max. He can tell Ivan has a good heart. Ivan explains his own love for dogs and how his dog was much like Max- his sole companion. He had to leave him when he left home. He explains the real reasons why he left (Maripaz, the pregnancy, etc.).


Lucia and Gerry admire little MarIvan. Gerry is certain God will make sure the little guy ends up in a good home.

Ivan continues his tale of woe and the false accusation of killing one of his attackers, even though his BFF was the culprit. He then explains about his mother’s life and death (as he understands it). Tony is convinced. He’s going to help get papers for Ivan so that he can go to school legally and such. But if Ivan has lied to him about any of this, he’s out! Ivan swears it’s all true, he won’t fail him. He calls Tony his guardian angel and thanks him.

The Bickertons bring the baby back to the beach house. As her family argues and fights all the way into the house, Lucia seems to have a moment of realization that this really would NOT be a healthy environment for a baby. Inside the house, ShrewCrazya refuses to let the baby stay in any room but the servant’s room! (Why in the hell is Carlota listening to her?!) Gerry says farewell to Lucia. Later that evening in the servant’s room, the maid offers to stay the night to take care of the baby. She wonders why Maripaz isn’t caring for him. Carlota refuses to let her stay. Lucia then offers to stay with the baby, but Carlota sends her to her own room for the night. Lucia kissed her grandma and nephew goodnight. Once alone, Carlota cries. (Is she ashamed of her role in this mess? Sad her first great-grandchild will be given away? Both?) Little MarIvan looks on.

Later in the middle of the night, the little one begins to cry in earnest, and Carlota heads off to the kitchen to get him a bottle. When she returns with the bottle, MarIvancito is GONE!!!!

Avances: Ivan has become a success in L.A. as the years pass. Tony wants him to go back to Mexico to confront his demons from the past. In the past, the Curiel-Lomeli women react to the shocking news that the baby has gone missing. I think we will get our first episode with an all grown up Lucia (Sandra E.).

Labels: Fuerza