Caray, Caray!

Cleto lets Ivan into the Curiel gate. Inside the house, Camilo is telling the Curiel ladies about the inauguration event tomorrow. He has brought over a study of their land suggesting the best crops for them to cultivate, and an agreement, for a very agitated Lucrezia to look over. Without even looking at it twice, Lucrezia declares it all too expensive and that she doesn’t understand. Cleto comes in to get Lucia for Ivan.

Ivan is surprised to hear Camilo is there. Lucia explains the reason and that it seems that her mom doesn’t like any of his suggestions, or him (se caye mal). They are both certain her mother likes no one, not even JJ. They head off for lunch.

Lucrezia STILL doesn’t understand the study, or so she says. Carly is sure she just wants to cause trouble for Camilo. Carly compliments Camilo on his youth, intelligence and knowledge of cultivation, and tells him she’ll have the check ready for him tomorrow. She ignores Lucrezia’s protest and basically calls her an old cow. Lucrezia slings the insult right back, and poor Camilo looks like he’d rather sink through the floor, than be in the middle of this family drama. Camilo leaves as soon as he can.

At lunch, Ivan is excited about the beach trip and is showing Lucia pics of beach houses on his phone for her to choose. She’s down in the dumps and half heartedly looks at them. She explains that she lost her job and why.

In Casa Meandragon, Pinky and the Brain (aka Saul and JJ) think about how to get those McGuires nailed for the fire. Saul reminds JJ that it was actually they who started it, as it seems JJ is starting to believe his own lies. LOL! JJ wants to know what’s happening with the next stage of the plan- the fake witness who saw the car. Saul has it all under control and it will be quite a “show” when it all goes down. JJ doesn’t understand such fancy English words.

In the pool hall, Antolin is still in his church disguise and calls Gordo over. Gordo, knowing he’s planning on framing Anto’s brother for the fire, is as jumpy as, well… a Mexican jumping bean. Anto gives him cash to do a job for him, as he’s going away for a few days. He’ll call early tomorrow to explain the job. Once outside, he calls Carolina and demands to know if Ivan has to do with all this. She denies it. They decide to execute the plan tomorrow. She wants assurances that his hired thug won’t kill the McGuire spy. Anto assures her he only kills when necessary. He wants her to stay near the phone and get rid of the maid. She thanks him, but he doesn’t want thanks. He wants the whole story once they get to the beach town.

Ivan is trying to convince Lucia not to be sad about the job loss. She’s not sad, so much as humiliated. Ivan says that people like to be envious, and anyway, pretty soon she’ll have her degree and they’ll be married. Lucia gets an ‘oh sh!t’ look on her face. “So soon?” Ivan wonders if she’s not sure about them. She says she is, but what about Alex? Ivan knows that’s something they’ll have to work out eventually, but they’ll do what’s right for the child. Lucia doesn’t want to hurt Alex. Ivan is offended. He knows he can be intense and impulsive, but he doesn’t want to hurt Alex either, and will put Alex’s happiness above all else. He can even give up having Alex eventually call him papa, but he can’t give up seeing him. He understands Lucia wanting to protect her family, but the two of them are going to form their own family. Affection can be ruined by a lack of trust, and more than once she’s lied to him to protect her family. But another lie may seriously damage the love he feels for her. He asks her to think about it. The next time he asks her something, he wants her to tell him the truth. Uh oh!

Team McGuire meets and David updates them on inviting JJ. They make more plans for the inaugural event and David leaves. Camilo tells Ivan about his meeting with the Curiel women, and about seeing Anto, Saul and one of Anto’s buddies together a little before the fire. Camilo knows his brother. He’ll spill the beans when it’s beneficial to him.

In the pool hall, Saul and Gordo continue to make their plans to frame Camilo. Gordo thinks it’s a good thing Anto will be out of town. Once he finds out, it’ll be bad news for the both of them. Saul doesn’t take the Anto threat seriously. Gordo won’t admit he’s scared, but won’t take sides between him and Anto either. He’s on the side of money (billete). The bartender watches them closely.

Camilo tells Carmen she has her job back. She’s all gratitude and kisses. Camilo tells her the conditions of her return. She has to get along with the other staff and be respectful. She still thinks that as the boss, she has the right to treat them as she wants. Camilo doesn’t want her to keep abusing her relationship/friendship with Ivan. She’s still not getting it, but agrees to apologize to Toni the next day, before stomping off to bed. Celia tells Camilo she hasn’t seen Anto in a few days.

A shirtless (woohoo!) Ivan calls Lucia (the first heroine I’ve ever seen exercise regularly) to apologize for being so rude and hard on her. This may all be madness on his part, and Alex might not even be his son. He may never find his son. He apologizes again. He tells her the beach house has been selected and rented. They’ll all fly out on Monday.

The next morning, Benito catches his relief spy napping in his car and scolds him for it. Antolin watches the changing of the guard from his red sports car, and calls up one of his shady buddies, telling them to meet him at Begonia and Azalea Streets.

Gerry takes off for work, while Carolina tries to act like all is normal. Both Benito and Antolin watch as Gerry leaves in his car. Carolina calls Antolin to check in. Gerry is gone, and Anto’s buddy (cuate) is on his way to take care of Benito. Carolina wants assurance that they won’t hurt Benito.

In Casa Curiel, Lucia and Carlota excitedly chat about the beach house the McGuires are renting. Lucrezia joins them at the table as Gloria brings out breakfast—scrambled eggs with prickly pear (huevos revueltos con nopales). Sounds delicious and interesting. Lucia and Carly inform Lucrezia that they are going on vacation. Nope, they are not paying, the McGuires are. Yep, Ivan’s going too. Nope, they don’t give a darn that it doesn’t look “proper.” Alex, yes, the snot nosed brat (mocoso) of Gerry, is going too. Lucrezia can’t believe this. People are going to think she and Gerry are getting back together, that Lucia is a slut, and that Carly is indecent. Carly giggles in response. It’s not like she and Toni are going to be cavorting on the beach in bathing suits like adolescents. Lucrezia storms away from the table. (Can I have her eggs?) Carly thinks she’s just jealous because SHE wasn’t invited to the beach house. They are both very grateful that she wasn’t.

Lucia calls her father’s house to inform him of their date of departure for the beach. When the housekeeper runs to get the phone, Carolina whispers in Alex’s ear that they are leaving for their beach trip today. Carolina takes Lucia’s call. Everything is ready for their departure on Monday. Carolina pretends to go with the program. However, she tells Alex that the two of them are leaving sooner than the others, like right now, and that Antolin is taking them. Alex is excited that Antolin can teach him how to swim. When he runs off to pack his suitcase, Caro asks Rosa to make a special and complicated dish for Gerry for dinner. It means that Rosa has to go far off to the Central Market for the ingredients.

Outside, Antolin points Gordo in the direction of Benito. Anto wants Gordo to take Benito off elsewhere and steal his phone and wallet. Gordo puts on his ski mask and heads for the car. He pulls a huge gun on Benito and orders him to step on it. After Rosa leaves the house, Antolin drives up. Caro and Alex are packed and ready to go, but Caro is obviously very nervous. Alex is too excited, chatting away with Antolin about learning to swim, to notice.

At Casa Curiel, Camilo has arrived with another copy of his agricultural study and agreement that Lucrezia has ripped up. Carly goes to get the check, while Lucia chats about having crazy family with Camilo. He says his mom is a good person, but she also has a strong personality (carácter). Lucia would love to meet Celia sometime since she’s virtually her mother-in-law, being Ivan’s godmother (madrina), and knows all about Ivan. Camilo tries to put her off meeting Celia in order to get to know Ivan better, since Ivan did not keep in touch with them after he went to the States (ahem!). Camilo thinks it’s because he had such a hard time of it when he first went to the States. He then somehow makes the conversation about him, by explaining how he had more when he and Ivan were kids. But he had a hard life too—working his way through college, his father’s death, and his divorce. Lucia points out that he conquered all those setbacks, but Camilo thinks it’s just due to Ivan’s generosity. Lucia doesn’t see the problem. They should all help others, and who better to help you than your best friend? Camilo reluctantly agrees, but says sometimes he would have preferred that a stranger (un estraño) had helped him. “Because owing so much to a friend, makes you beholden to them (ties you up).” Carly interrupts with the check before Lucia can ask any more questions. Camilo takes off.

In Toni’s office/den, Ivan’s got a bad feeling, and a disheveled Benito runs in to confirm it. He explains about the carjacking. Ivan calls Gerry’s house and gets no answer. He doesn’t think it’s just a coincidence that soon after Lucia told Gerry’s family about the finalized beach trip date, that this happened to Benito while he was keeping an eye on their house. Toni calls Ivan back before he can run off and angrily confront Lucia about it. Ivan’s convinced that if Carolina and Gerry took off with Alex, that proves Alex is his son. Toni thinks it’s a better idea for Ivan to go with Benito to the police station to make a report about the stolen car.

After Ivan leaves, Toni calls Carly. They chat about the inaugural gala for the McGuire business the next day, and about the beach trip on Monday. Carly is nervous about flying. Toni, the Flatterer, says she should be used to being up high (en las alturas) since she has a place reserved in Heaven. He finds out from Carly that Lucia told Caro just that morning about their Monday departure and all seemed well. After they hang up, Carly blushes and giggles like a school girl and wonders what’s happening to her.

The Curiel women (Lucrezia, Lucia, MP) have a surprisingly civil run-in at a local restaurant. Lucrezia’s been shopping for a new outfit for the inauguration event. She doesn’t want to be seen in her same old clothes. MP wonders why the McGuires didn’t invite a skanky, blackmailing, liar like her, when Lucia was invited. It’s been so long since she went out to an event. She begs to come along, even resorting to calling Lucrezia “mommy.” She whines. She bats her eyes. Lucrezia gives in. MP takes off. Lucia is not pleased, but Lucrezia wants to show the town that their family is at peace and united, and lure MP back to the family fold.

At the Association, JJ is trying to convince Cutberto (the rancher who lost his crops to the fire) and his other lackey rancher pals to go to the inauguration. They are all ticked at the McGuires and think it would show a lack of dignity. JJ claims they will be showing the VIPS coming from the government that there are no hard feelings on their part. Cutberto’s NOT going, and that’s that! He leaves.

Ivan finally reaches Rosa the Maid and is told the story Caro gave her- that she and Alex went to the house of one of his friends to eat. He doesn’t leave a message.

JJ continues to pressure the other stupid ranchers to go to the event. They agree. He assures them there will be justice. The secretary sneaks another snack as Saul and JJ enter his office. JJ wants Saul’s assurance that tomorrow the bomb will drop on the McGuires. Saul is sure; it’s all fixed.

The whole McGuire Team is gathered, trying to figure out what happened to Benito and why. The car is insured, so Toni isn’t worried. David thinks they likely already sold the parts away. Camilo thinks that the description of the carjacker fits Anto’s and Saul’s buddy, El Gordo. Toni asks about the guy Benito saw with Caro. Camilo thinks perhaps it was Anto, since he and Caro are tight. Well, my goodness. They figure the whole thing out, right then and there!

Toni doesn’t want to jump to conclusions, since Rosa mentioned the lunch Caro and Alex went to at a friend’s house. Ivan calls Gerry on his cell phone to try to get more info. No, Caro did not tell Gerry about the Monday departure for the beach. They still have his permission, but he wants Ivan’s word again that he will not tell Alex about his paternity claim. Ivan is still cool with that. Ivan ends the call even more sure that Caro has taken off with Alex. Camilo and Ivan head to Celia’s to get Anto’s cell phone number. David wants to know why Alex’s whereabouts are so important and what it has to do with Ivan. Toni tells him and Benito the whole truth about Ivan and MP and Alex.

At a roadside stand, Anto, Caro and Alex have stopped for food. Anto is mad at himself for not taking a faster road. When Alex excuses himself from the table, Anto pressures Caro to tell him why they are on this little adventure. She’ll tell him, but not now, since she doesn’t want Alex to hear. Antolin can only see two reasons for this affair. Either Gerry’s giving her trouble (echar los perros), or it has to do with IVAN. Cara impactada de Carolina.

Avances: Carolina calls Gerry from the beach town and tells him NO ONE will take Alex from her. The cops break up the McGuire inauguration gala.

Don Francisco
Don Francisco started right after the show. Tonight’s guests are Gabriel Soto (Camilo), Marcelo Cordoba (Antolin), and Geraldine Bazan (the life partner of Gabriel Soto, recently in Alguien te Mira, and currently on Mira Quien Baila). The show starts out with Gabriel and Marcelo in their LFDD characters, doing a funny bit. What I learn in the first ½ hour is that Gabriel went to Harvard and was discovered by a modeling agency. He quit school, began modeling internationally, and then began tns. He was originally supposed to have the role of Ivan, and DZ the role of Camilo in LFDD. After some polling, they found that people really wanted the roles reversed and that’s what happened. (I’m trying to picture the original roles and having a hard time.) Gabriel wasn’t upset about it. Work is work, is his philosophy. He and Geraldine met when filming a tn in Miami some years back. They don’t believe in marriage via a piece of paper or a big wedding event. Don F. brings out their little daughter, who they named after Gabriel’s mother who passed away when he was a boy. Marcelo is actually from Argentina, although he hides the accent really well. He started out doing construction work, and then got small roles in tns in Argentina. He then got offered work in Mexican tns. He sold his car, moved to Mexico, and didn’t look back. His family is all still in Argentina.

Labels: Fuerza