Caray, Caray!

Recap by Urban Anthropologist
My debut isn't up to my standards, but I need to go out and didn't want to delay this until this afternoon. I don't have subtitles on my TV and my Spanish isn't perfect, so please bear with me.

Refrito: Alicia gets the warning about being too innocent, followed by her talking to Ivan about how she hopes his father will pay for his education.

Señor Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me is not pleased to see Ivan with Alicia, commenting on how she has to take care he doesn't become a delinquent. Ivan starts to defend himself but Juan DDDM leads Alicia inside to make his indecent proposal. He tries to force his attentions on her and Ivan runs in to stop him. He shoves him into the metal shelves, which come crashing down on Ivan.


Nuevo:

Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me picks up Ivan and says “Don't mess with me” in a threatening voice.

At poolside Lucrezia talks about Maripaz being 12 and that she will be sent to a boarding school in the US. “Won't you miss her?” asks Esther. “Of course it will hurt,” says Lucrezia (yeah, right), “but she will learn manners, English, etc.” I didn't get what Doña Carlota said about gringos except the possibility that Maripaz will acquire one as a novio. Lucrezia asks about Juan DDDM, and Esther responds that he's at the ranch over some problems.

Alicia goes after Ivan, telling him that she and his father haven't done anything bad, that he should have his studies so he can make a good living and be able to look after his family (that he doesn't have yet) as God dictates. Ivan wants nothing from him, stating that all he really is looking for is to debauch Alicia. She tells him “So what? He's the only man I ever knew [in the Biblical sense] in my life.” Ivan asks whether she loves his sperm donor and she tells him “No, of course not” but that he could be paying for his home, food, education. Ivan wants nothing from him and furthermore, never wants to see him again. He almost runs away, Alicia following him.

Back at the pool, Esther talks about how Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me is ill-tempered and insulting, that he does horrible things, and that he prefers Saul. Lucrezia offers that this is because he's the oldest and the most like him and Esther reminds her that this is the child of his first wife*. Lucrezia seems to accuse Esther of loving her own son too much; Doña Carlota says something about Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me being a drug addict (it was blipped out) and Esther leaves, obviously not wanting to continue the conversation. Lucrezia says something about her being a fool; Doña Carlota says that doesn't mean that Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me is allowed to be a beast. She jokes about how there should be a boxing ring in that house. They then argue again about Alicia and her status and how Lucrezia will never accept her as her father's daughter.

Sunset. Alicia interrupts Ivan's studies to try to explain the facts of life about poverty. She tells him that his pride scares her. This concludes with her agreeing that they will make it on their own.

The next day in school Maripaz shows a friend that she now wears a brassiere. Ivan tells Camilo about the previous night's conversation with his mother and how he will provide for her in the future.

Ivan and Camilo walk home from school through what appears to be the red-light district while Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me orders Alicia to leave her job because he is acquainted with the family she works for. He reminds her she could have everything paid for, but she refuses. He insists she pack her things and leave (what a tool). He wants the presidency of an association and can't afford scandal. Now, if she doesn't tell anyone how will they find out?

He's not backing down and neither is Alicia. After he leaves Ivan arrives home and he and Alicia talk about Juan DDDM. She tells him not to worry.


*Author's note: How on earth did this man manage to persuade two women to marry him?



After a few words from our sponsors, Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me and Lucrezia talk about business and modernization, including doing business with gringos.

Alicia and Ivan talk about how Juan DDDM wants to avoid gossip because he's looking to become president of his professional association. More of the same and Ivan goes out by the pool.

Maripaz and Lucia have an argument in front of Ivan, whom Maripaz insults by calling him the son of a servant. Lucia expresses some frustration at her sister's snobbery.

Lucrezia and Juan DDDM talk business and appear to flirt. They have history and both married for reasons other than love. Excuse me while I head to the vomitorium.

Juan DDDM and Ivan have the same conversation about money and college. Juan DDDM mocks Ivan, saying the best he can hope to be is an electrician or mechanic. Ivan lets him know what he thinks of him and Gerardo comes out to see what's going on. Juan DDDM tells him he had come to see Lucrezia and she's prettier every time.

We can't have heard that correctly.

Doña Carlota, Lucrezia, and Gerardo talk about Juan DDDM's ambition to be president of the association. Gerardo says he'd rather vote for Dr Menendez. When Lucrezia mocks Menendez as being old, the argument starts. When Lucrezia praises Juan DDDM's business skills and thinking Gerardo loses it, finally accusing her of being in love with Juan DDDM. “'Of course I'm not in love with anybody” is her verbal response. Gerardo gets the full meaning of that message and leaves the room; Doña Carlota conveys that if he has another woman soon it's Lucrezia's fault.



Commercial break over and I'm back after brushing my teeth and rinsing out with Scope.

While cleaning the stove, Alicia gets a phone call from Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me saying he expects her to be in front of the house in 5 minutes or else he will bother her the rest of her live. He tells her that Ivan is threatening to tell everyone he is his father. I didn't catch the comment about Gerardo, but he further orders her to leave.

Alicia confronts Ivan with the accusation; he denies it saying Juan DDDM can't order him round, hates him and is ashamed of him. We briefly see the adult Ivan saying he will kill him.

Doña Carlota and Lucrezia argue about Gerardo, whom Lucrezia has accused of stubbornness. Doña Carlota tells her she is the stubborn one and a fool for not appreciating what a good man he is for putting up with her BS for 13 years. Lucrezia says something about Gerardo being of poco character and gets reproached by her mother (details, por favor?) who tells her that one needs patience and a good disposition in marriage. Lucrezia tells her that she has no right to judge her life or offend her. Doña Carlota tells her she'll say what it pleases her to say, then notices that Gerardo is within earshot. She wishes her daughter good night.

Lucrezia apologises to Gerardo. Not. He's no tonta, saying “No te apures.”

Alicia cries about the events of the day. In the morning she explains to Ivan that they will leave to go back to live with his godmother, which pleases him. She then talks to the maid, who asks whether Lucrezia has made it difficult for her – we bet she has -- and she says no. They will leave today. Ivan heads to school, accepting Gerardo's offer for a ride. They talk about school and Ivan confides his ambition to become an engineer. Gerardo is one and the two bond.

.

Doña Carlota and her housekeeper talk about Alicia's impending departure. Doña Carlota asks whether this is about a novio, but the housekeeper believes the voice on the phone was that of Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me, which gets the patrona's attention.

Doña Carlota walks in as Alicia talks on the phone with Juan DDDM, having to defend Ivan from the word escuincle, finally telling him they're leaving but not with him. She has not yet told her employers. Doña Carlota enters on the tail end of this and takes the phone only to hear Juan DDDM's voice yelling at Alicia. She calmly says “Yes, Juan Jaime, it's me.” He doesn't like this; we are amused.

Doña Carlota tells Alicia she's always said that Juan DDDM is a pig. Alicia is afraid he will kill her or Ivan, but Doña Carlota tells her not to be foolish, that men will take advantage of women's fear. ”Perro que lada no muerde” (Spelling and translation, por favor) She is not to be in a hurry. Alicia tells her it's better that they leave and she can get another job. Doña Carlota asks whether she thinks it's that easy and whether she thinks another employer will accept that she has un hijo (natural? It was blipped out). At least she doesn't want a troglodyte like Juan DDDM to take away what's hers. “Don't dance to his tune,” she says. “Just stay in the kitchen till I get back.”

I like this lady.

Ivan and Camilo talk about Ivan and Alicia returning to Tampico. No matter where Alicia would work here it would be the same; Juan DDDM wants Alicia for a mistress and doesn't want her to work. Camilo's mother has a cousin in that state, but Ivan won't have it for his mother. He speaks well of Gerardo.

Alicia cries as she prays in the kitchen. Lucrezia enters and asks what's wrong. Alicia tells her “Nothing, I was cutting onions.” (which she was). Lucrezia asks about her mother's whereabouts and Alicia told her that Doña Carlota has gone out.

Doña Carlota blackmails Juan DDDM. Everyone except his wife knows he once took advantage of a servant girl on his ranch. He tells her he respects her but that she has no right to interfere in his private life. She tells him yes, but he has no right to interfere with Alicia. He should at least acknowledge Ivan but she know he doesn't want to. In exchange for him leaving Alicia and Ivan alone she and her family will keep quiet about his relationship to them. He asks “What about your daughter, son-in-law, Alica, or the boy?” She tells him she won't talk, Alicia is too afraid to, and the boy won't do this behind his mother's back. Lo siento, but I didn't get the rest.

Doña Carlota assures Alicia that all is well; she is just not to tell anyone that Juan DDDM is Ivan's father and the boy is also to say nothing. She is also not to tell of her relationship to Doña Carlota 's deceased husband. Alicia thanks her and tells her that won't be an issue. Lucrezia enters and her mother lies about where she had gone. When Alicia leaves to get the tea they talk about the secret. Lucrezia doesn't like this; that Ivan is the cousin of her daughters and has rights.

Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me insults Ivan's intelligence by telling him that he is offering him and his mother a decent life, but that he (Ivan) prefers to live in porqueria. That suits him; he sees that Ivan will be a delinquent. He then says something about Ivan telling people he is his son. Ivan tells him that he doesn't want to be his son and that he hates him. I didn't get the rest, but he made Ivan cry. Excuse me while I take a shower during the commercial break; this man makes me feel dirty.


FF: Señor McGuire introduces the adult Ivan to Juan Don't-Dare-Defy-Me as his son. It doesn't look as though the evil one recognizes Ivan; he says something about having a son the same age.

FB: Alicia tells the teenage Ivan Doña Carlota got Juan DDDM off their case. He is not to tell anyone that he is his father and he is to thank Doña Carlota. He goes to do so and she asks him about school. He tells her all is well. She is pleased not just because he will be successful one day but because it will be a slap in the face to his patan of a father. Lucia enters wanting to flirt with Ivan, but he exits to study. She is disappointed but Doña Carlota assures her that boys that age aren't much into girls. Someday, however...

A few days later in the park Ivan and Camilo watch Maripaz pass by as a third – slightly older -- boy joins them. They talk in general terms about girls.

Later, Lucia brings Ivan a piece of white cake while he talks to the gardener. She flirts with him, telling him that Maripaz has a novio named Fernando. But don't tell anyone! She shows interest in him and he gently teases her, as she is too young for a novio, but he feeds her a bite of the cake and hugs her in a brotherly way. She heads back to the house and tells Maripaz that she has a novio, too. Upon the revelation that it's Ivan, Maripaz comments nastily that he is a servant's child.

Ivan finds a black puppy and gently zips it inside his jacket as Maripaz approaches him with an attitude. He tells her that he isn't actually Lucia's novio but if she says anything to her mother he'll tell about Fernando. She's satisfied but sends mixed messages. She flirt-smiles at him while asking who would want him because of his poverty and bad clothes. He tells her that he's the top of his class and a good futbol player. She says well, since he's not exactly ugly he might look handsome in better clothes. She fails to notice the puppy.

Real material girl. Madonna would be proud of her. So would Aida of Teresa.

Ivan brings the puppy into the kitchen hoping to find some food for him. Despite Alicia's concerns, Gerardo gives Ivan permission to keep the dog provided that he bathes him and takes him to the vet for his shots. Also that there are no problems. Ivan thanks him and exits happily with the puppy.

Alicia tells Gerardo she doesn't want this to annoy Lucrezia. He tells her that Lucrezia gets annoyed over anything. He then tells her that Ivan is a good boy and asks “You said his father died?” Alicia awkwardly answers “Yes, he died” as she continues cooking. He comments on how it must have been hard to raise him as a single mother, but she says something about Ivan being no trouble. He tells her that if she needs anything to come to him rather than his wife. Hmmmmm......

As Alicia predicted, Lucrezia hits the ceiling over the dog, saying they're filthy and make things dirty. I think Gerardo responds that it's a pedigree dog, but didn't get the entire sentence about the garden. Besides, the boy will take care of it. Lucia is excited but Lucrezia says “no” again but Doña Carlota overrules her, saying that her husband allows this. Lucrezia caves but says that if anything goes wrong, the dog goes and the servants with it.

This does not bode well, as usual.

Lucrezia and Doña Carlota argue again about Alicia. Lucrezia describes Alicia as proof that her father betrayed her mother. Doña Carlota tells her that her husband had always treated both of them well. Lucrezia goes on about the will and how everyone would be laughing behind their backs. Doña Carlota doesn't want to talk about this anymore. She feels guilty about it, but Lucrezia doesn't. She doesn't like her mother's reminder that Ivan is the only male grandchild. Alicia is illegitimate and so is her son. Doña Carlota reminds her that the world is full of children not legally recognized and “What you can't accept is that in the veins of Alicia and Ivan is the blood of your father.” I couldn't make out Lucrezia's response.

Maripaz tells Ivan about her mother sending her to convent school in the US because she thinks the schools are better there. Maripaz isn't happy about this, being locked up with nuns and away from her friends. She'd rather be with her friends here. Ivan tells her he doesn't want her to go and kisses her, but on the cheek.

Great theme song by our leading lady and my homeboy, Mark Anthony.


Avances
The rivalry of the sisters begins. This will get ugly very fast.

-Urban Anthroplogist

Labels: Fuerza