Caray, Caray!

JJ has been waiting anxiously for Saul, who finally gets home. The plan is in motion, but JJ stupidly thinks that just because Saul didn't mention him that his flunkies won't know JJ is behind it all. Saul says it's just 2 guys, his friend and his friend's "achichincle" (hanger-on). Saul says he trusts the guy because he's "listo" (clever), but he doesn't think JJ would like him because he's poor.

Some poor bastard's crop burns.

He goes to report to the cops, and sure enough, his lackey points the finger at those damn gringos who are pissed that they didn't take a generous and reasonable loan. Somehow the cop hasn't heard there are gringos in town. Gee, everyone else is acting like it's been the headline of every news story for a week…Gringowatch 2011.

Estela makes the mistake of shouting for JJ when one of the Association guys calls him on the phone. JJ pretends to be surprised at the news of the fire. He tells the guy that it's a pretty serious accusation, blaming the McGuire's. JJ tells Estela about the crops burning. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the same guys who would refuse to even look at the checks just because JJ said not to would jump to exactly the conclusion he intended.

Cutberto (the rancher previously known as the poor bastard whose crops burned) asks the cops what's going to be done now. They'll start with investigating whether the fire was set intentionally. Cutberto is insured by the Association, and he's sure JJ will come through for him.

Camilo gets the paperwork back from Lucia and takes the opportunity to gawk at her some more. She apologizes for not telling him what the whole thing was about, so that he had to find out from Ivan. He'd like for her to consider him a friend, and Lucia is all too eager to do that. Except when Camilo says "friends" I don't think he means that. Lucia tells him that grandma overrode Lucrezia Borgia and accepted his deal to exchange running the ranch for using their water to irrigate his crops.

Carlota and Toni plan a visit at Carlota's place, including Bruno.

At the Association, everyone's all riled up. Camilo, driving by, hears the fuss and hears that everyone's ready to take pitchforks and torches to those damn gringos. He gets out of the truck and goes over to ask Saul what's going on. "Don't play innocent!" says Saul, " I'm sure it was you guys who burned down Cutberto's crops!" He tells Camilo he's not afraid of Ivan. Camilo gets back in the truck before they can lynch him.

Toni tells Benito to pretty Bruno up for a trip to Carlota's. He's going to talk to Carlota about the trip to the beach and he tells Ivan that if they can't get Gerry to agree to take Alex on vacation, they'll just arrange for him to get hired for a construction job really far away. Ivan laughs at the idea.

Toni admires the patio and Carlota tells him he's never invited her over to his place. Toni changes the subject to their vacation plan and proposes they spend a week by the sea. Carlota knows he's got ulterior motives, but she doesn't think he's trying to get her in the sack. She knows it has to do with Alex.

Camilo goes back to the office and tells Ivan and David about the fire, and that Ivan is being accused of setting it.

Toni keeps working on Carlota about Alex needing a seaside vacation. She knows it's because Ivan thinks Alex is his kid and insists that Alex isn't Ivan's son. Toni asks what's the big deal, then…unless perhaps Carlota has something to hide? They keep laughing and flirting with each other. Toni argues that it's no big deal for Alex and Ivan to hang out, since they like each other whether Alex is Ivan's son or not. Carlota worries that it might be disappointing for Ivan to find out that Alex isn't his son after getting to spend time with him. Toni points out that if things go on too long and Ivan finds out that Lucia was keeping things from him, he won't love her anymore.

Ivan, David, and Camilo pull up to the police station and walk past an angry mob. The cops have found traces of gasoline. JJ is pretending to be reasonable, arguing that they have no proof it was the gringos. But when he hears that Ivan is there, he accuses him of being cynical. And when David repeats that they have no proof it was Ivan, JJ tells him to shut up. The cop agrees with David, but Cutberto insists it couldn't have been anyone else. Dumbass.

At Maripaz's place, there's booze and clothes strewn around. Herself grumpily goes to answer the door to Lucrezia Borgia. She wants to know what's going on with the blackmail. Maripaz says her friend took care of it. In exchange for what? And Lucrezia won't take "nothing" for an answer. Lucrezia wants Maripaz to come home while there's still time for Maripaz to find a decent husband. Maripaz only wants Ivan and can't figure out why he would pick Lucia over her. Lucrezia breaks it to her that it's because Lucia is a decent girl. Maripaz still won't go home and excuses herself to go get ready for the gym.

Back at the popo…Cutberto unknowingly goes with JJ's logic that because he wouldn't do business with the gringos, they burned down his crops. David says the fact that he wasn't interested in taking their loan doesn't affect them in the least. JJ is pissed that David is arguing against him and Ivan tells him that David works for him now. "Yeah, cause he's a fag. And I'm sure the rest of you are too. Look at you all, showing up together. All you're missing is to be holding hands." Yeah, really, he said it. I could not make up shit like that. Ivan tells the cop to please take note that JJ is making false accusations and besmirching the good names of himself, Camilo, and David. "Oh yeah, what good name? You're just the bastard son of a servant." "Oh, I'm proud of being the son of an honorable woman. Too bad I can't say the same about my biodad. Now, unless you want to air all the dirty laundry out right here and now, I'd suggest you check yo'self before you wreck yo'self!" Despite Cutberto's absolute faith that it was the damn gringos who burned down his crops, the cop says they have no evidence. It could have been anyone. In that case, Ivan says they're leaving, but will make themselves available for any further questioning or statements needed. And out they walk. Cutberto whines in frustration. JJ threatens the cop that if this isn't investigated fully, the governor's gonna hear about it.

Outside, JJ addresses his constituents. He tells them sooner or later the cops will find that the McGuires were behind it, they just don't have proof today. Once they're out of earshot, JJ tells his dumbass kid that they need to trump up some "proof"…maybe a witness who saw Ivan's car? Saul agrees.

And goes to talk to Antolín about it. Gordo says he can get his cousin to do it. Antolín won't agree to let Camilo be implicated. Saul is pissed that Antolín is declaring his family off limits and tries to insist that he was paid to do a job…"Yeah, you paid me to burn down the field, not to let my brother hang for it. How about if we say the car that was seen around there was your brother David's?" Saul, that worthless sack of shit, agrees and presumably describes David's car for Gordo. Dumbasses. There are at least a million ways this can go wrong.

The guys to fill in Toni. Camilo is sure that JJ did it to implicate them. Toni's not happy. David says it's possible that Cutberto has some other enemy, or maybe a disgruntled former employee, and it has nothing to do with the McGuire-Mondragon feud. Camilo and David take off to start asking around at the gas stations. Toni tells Ivan it's obvious that Mondragon has declared war.

Lucia is looking for Carlota and finds out she asked for a taxi.

Carlota goes over to Gerry's house, bearing baked goods.

Carolina is all upset, Gerry is willing to ask Lucia to never tell Ivan and he's sure she'll agree, to avoid causing Alex any harm. In her state, Carolina trips over a chair. Carlota brought some cakes over for Alex, but he's out with Rosa. She asks them for a favor…since Alex is all excited about going to the beach and Gerry can't take him, Alex can go to the beach with her and Lucia to the house Alex has rented. She says it's no trouble, but Gerry tries to make excuses. Carlota lays the cards out on the table and says she knows the truth and if they don't let Alex spend a few days with his "real" dad, she'll talk.

Toni says that Carlota denied that Alex is his son, but he doesn't believe her. He thinks she's doing it to protect her family. Ivan is pissed that Lucia would keep it from him, knowing how he's suffering. Toni points out that she's thinking about Alex. "But I told her I'd never tell him!" Toni asks if Ivan really thinks he can keep from doing it. Ivan says that he wants to marry Lucia, but he wants Alex to live with them and he knows Alex likes Lucia and he's sure he can win him over…or maybe he can apply for "patria potestad" (custody). Toni tells him to think about what he's doing. He leaves the room. Ivan picks up the phone and tells the secretary to find him a lawyer who's an expert in custody issues.

Carolina says Carlota has no right to destroy a family. "Alex has lived with us since he was born." "Because Gerardo kidnapped him." "Would you have preferred that he go to an orphanage?" Carlota thanks them, but says Alex has a father and a mother. "You see, Gerardo! They want to take him!" Carlota says Ivan has a right to spend time with Alex and know that his son didn't die, what's so terrible about that. Carolina won't hear it. "If you accept this, I swear I'll kill myself!" Carlota says she never intended things to get this far. Gerardo says that's because she doesn't understand what Alex means to him or to Carolina. Alex comes home and hugs his "grandma" and asks where his aunt is. Gerry says she had a headache and tells him about the cakes Carlota brought. Carlota says she came over to let him know that he's coming with her and Lucia to the beach. Alex is thrilled.

Carolina, not so much. She's sitting on her bed sobbing when Gerry comes in and she won't let him comfort her. Basically, Carolina is convinced that (a) Ivan is going to take Alex away from them and he doesn't care if Alex is hurt in the process and (b) this is all Gerry's fault for telling Lucia the truth. She tries to convince him to pick up stakes and move, but practical Gerry says they wouldn't be able to do it as quickly as she wants. She accuses him of being a coward and caring more about money than Alex. She's sure Carlota is telling Ivan the truth right this minute and they're going to get slapped with a court order to give up the kid. Gerry can't convince her this won't happen.

Ivan goes to talk to the one honorable lawyer in town. He says he knows the guy's not an expert in family law, but since he already knows him, he wanted to check with him first. The lawyer says it might be possible to get proof and sue for custody, however…Maripaz is going to be a problem. Moms get dibs on custody, so if Ivan wants the kid, Maripaz is going to have to agree to let him have custody. Duuuuude. That sucks.

Carlota goes over to Toni's and has to tangle with Carmen. She won't take any attitude from her and demands to see Toni ASAP.

Carmen leaves her cooling her heels and goes to file her nails. One of the maids asks if they aren't going to offer Carlota a drink. "Why? She didn't ask me for one." The maid says it's the polite thing to do and Carmen takes exception to being taught how to be polite. She pulls rank and the maid goes off.

In Toni's office, Bruno barks and goes to the door, leading Toni out of the office.

Lucia tells Lucrezia to leave Maripaz alone, she's chosen her life and Lucia has no desire to go try to talk "sense" into her. She knows no one can talk Maripaz into doing anything! Lucia wonders where Carlota is and Lucrezia gripes that she's probably out seeing one of her decrepit old friends.

Toni finds Carlota in the living room and shows her into his office, asking her to keep an eye on Bruno. Then he goes to deal with Carmen.

Carmen tells him she didn't tell him that Carlota was there because he was busy. She gives Toni a ton of attitude, both about Carlota and Bruno, so he fires her. Carmen is in shock and wonders what she did to deserve it.

So far, Camilo and David are having no luck finding anyone who purchased gas in tanks. Of course, if they were smart, they put the gas in cars and then siphoned it out. Or at least that's what I would guess. Not being an arsonist, I don't know for sure.

Carlota tells Toni she had to resort to threats, but the vacation plans are on. She's pissed at Carolina. She understands that Carolina loves Alex, but she doesn't like that Carolina won't be convinced that Ivan won't try to take Alex away. Toni and Carlota agree that no one's telling Maripaz nothin'! Toni is going to have Benito take Carlota home, since she left without telling anyone where she was going. They agree that Toni will find them somewhere quiet to vacation.

Toni walks Carlota to the door and hands her off to Benito, before taking Bruno back inside. He goes into the office area to visit Ivan.

Ivan is on the phone, getting an update from Camilo and David. They were already thinking about trying places outside of town, but that's going to take some time. Ivan tells them to get on it. And off they go.

Toni tells Ivan about the seaside vacation. Toni is also excited about having a grandson. He passes on Carlota's request for a nice, quiet vacation spot. Toni thinks that Carolina might try to get Gerry to smuggle the kid out of town, given how upset she was, and suggests surveillance. So now Benito, in addition to being a driver and dog walker, now gets to spy for McGuire y Hijo.

Lucia is happy to hear about the vacation, but less happy to hear that Carlota accomplished it by threats. Carlota warns Lucia that they have an enemy in Carolina. She complains about her shoes and goes to take them off.

Benito hears about his new spying gig. Toni tells him to rent an inconspicuous car and let them know if it looks like there's some serious moving going on.

Carolina fumbles around with some gold coins in a jewelry box. She calls Antolín and asks to see him tomorrow. She says if he doesn't help her, she doesn't know what she'll do. Antolín looks worried.

Camilo tells Ivan there's been no progress. Ivan fills Camilo in about Carmen's firing. Camilo is pissed at Carmen. He accuses her of thinking she can get by on her pretty face and thinking the rich guy who knocked her up would marry her. He says if he ever finds out who that guy is, he's toast! Ivan tells him to back off. Here he came back looking for revenge, thinking he knew what was up, only to find out that it was Gerry who knocked up his mom and not JJ. Camilo, oddly, after all his talk of Ivan needing to let go of his revenge scheme, tells Ivan that he's too "blando" (soft, weak). Toni hears the tail end and says Ivan isn't weak, he's fair. "Maybe he's right. Maybe I should have bashed everyone's heads in." Toni reminds Ivan that they came there to chase his ghosts away. "That's not a lot of consolation." "You found love. Checkmate."

Ivan tells Lucia that he was looking for revenge and he found her instead. Blah, blah, blah. Just kiss already. When do we get to the kissing part? Words, words, words. Cleto sneaks up to get a peek at the impending smoochies. Lucia proposes they have The Sex and Ivan tells her not to be saying stuff like that or he'll take her right there on the patio! Smoochies. Smoochies. Smoooooooochies!

Tomorrow: quien sabe. My DVR cut off. And this after the show starting early.

Labels: Fuerza