Caray, Caray!

RECAP BY URBAN ANTHROPOLOGIST

This will be a little shorter than usual because I have an appointment today. Please provide any missing details. Gracias.

Antes

We're back at the Love Shack on the Beach. Somehow these silhouettes look distorted. At least the fireworks are still pretty.

Nuevo

Carlota (on vacation) and Lucrazia (at home) talk on the phone about selling the house and Lucrazia tells her about JJ's blackmail with the wet price tag. She tells Carlota about the two wells Camilo has found; Carlota comments on how he's from heaven. Lucrazia darkly comments that Merry Piece also seems to think so. Carlota says no way does a nice guy like Camilo deserve a disaster like MP. Lucrazia is also freaking about the accident scene photo and about how difficult it is to manage Merry Piece, who feels like home is prison. Too bad, so sad. Carlota wonders how much more trouble MP will cause. What she needs now is a tarot card reader to tell her what's coming.

Restaurant: David and Camilo talk a little about Mondragon business and more about how David and his family suffer because of JJ's selfishness, with particular mention of Judith. Esther is resigned to JJ's bad character, but Judith suffers more. She hasn't ever even had a boyfriend. David seems to see Camilo as a candidate for that position, although Camilo points out that his father was a construction worker, his mother came from a working class neighborhood, and his sister is a single mother. Camilo raises the issue of Saul possibly being the sperm donor for Lichita. David is impactado. But only a little.
La Playa: Ivan and Lucia talk amor. “Nothing and nobody will separate us. Never.” Which we know means something or somebody will before the end of episode 49.

Commercial Break that leads with a promo for Protagonistas.

La Playa, morning: Tony and Ivan talk; Tony has figured out that something went bump in the night. Alex arrives just as they begin talking about the relative difficulty of revealing the truth and Ivan goes off with Alex to start his swim instruction.

Hotel in D.F: Antolin meets Caroloony in her room . They begin kissing very intensely before he leads her out into the hall. She will definitely like what she sees when she gets her sight back and maybe she'll untie the apron strings to Alex. Ojala.

La Playa: Tony and Carlota. She apologises for her brusqueness of the day before. She's wearing loose pants, a blue peasant blouse, and her daytime pearls.
Carlota: Our problem, Tony, is Maripaz. And not precisely because she's back in the house. She did something very serious, but I can't talk about it.
Tony: I respect your decision, but don't forget that if you need help with anything you can count on me.
Carlota: It's been so many years since I met as good person as you. Not since my Teodoro died.
Tony (teasing): Are you proposing marriage?

They both laugh. These two are perhaps the best love story in this tale.

Casa Curiel: JJ and Saul arrive. Cleto looks apprehensive as they approach the house. It's a courtesy call to thank Lucrazia for the water. When she mentions Camilo JJ is curious about the connexion between him and Ivan.

La Playa: Tony and Carlota continue their conversation. She mentions being the pillar of a female family; he admires her strength in holding her family together. Another joke about marriage.

Casa Curiel: Lucrazia makes JJ and Saul a little uncomfortable with a reminder that Ivan stole Lucia from Saul. JJ covers up by saying that perhaps Ivan is smarter. Lucrazia mentions that Ivan and Lucia are very much in love. Merry Piece arrives just as JJ decides to leave. Lucrazia tells JJ that Maripaz decided to give up her apartment and move back in but he doesn't give a damn. Goodbyes and the Meandragons depart. From the brief exchange between JJ and Saul it sounds like neither of them know that Lucrazia isn't the daughter of Don Teodoro because they think that Ivan and Lucia are first cousins.

La Playa: Benito and Lucia talk while Ivan teaches Alex to swim. Benito comments on Lucia's beauty and her goodness (no, he isn't flirting with her) and that he can see how much she loves Ivan. Ivan is enjoying his Dad Time and Alex is very excited at the prospect of swimming with dolphins. This kid is adorable.

Rancho Galvan: Camilo is finishing a conversation with an engineer as Judith arrives, saying she was looking for him at the office and was told where he was. She's dressed in a brown, short-sleeved number with a lot of pockets, like she's going to meet Indiana Jones. She brought him lunch. He thanks her and asks her to have coffee with him later. He gets a flashback of his mama slapping him upside the head about Lucia being his best friend's novia. We hope Judith can cook.

Commercial Break.

Dolphin Pool: Alex is in Kid Heaven playing with the cute bottlenose dolphins, watching them do their leaps, riding them, letting two lead him by their dorsal fins, and going around on boards that must be dolphin-powered. Ivan and Lucia share this experience with him and they are all having a great time. Pool scene ends with them kissing the dolphins and the dolphins “kissing” back. ¡Awwwww! Afterward the three humans talk about how intelligent dolphins are, how their brains are almost the same size as humans', and that they recognize each other. Like humans. Alex wishes Gerry were there because he loves animals. All is well for the moment.

Video is here in case you missed it. It's in the middle of Part 2.

Casa Curiel: Carlota calls Lucrazia to discuss Merry Piece.

Lucrazia: What's up, mama?
Carlota: You know very well
Lucrazia: To begin with, I've resolved the water issue with Juan Jaime. At least that business is concluded.. (falsely cheerful) So what's going on with you?
Carlota (stern): What do you think? I'm uneasy over this matter of Maripaz. Fortunately Lucia knows nothing of this business and she is very happy because Ivan arrived.

(Merry Piece enters the room behind Lucrazia.)

Lucrazia: I thought he wasn't going.
Carlota: He changed his mind. And for your information when we get back he's giving a party at his home to announce his engagement to your daughter.
Lucrazia: Finally some good news. This marriage will suit us more than ever.
Carlota: No, no, no. This isn't about our convenience. Forget about taking advantage of this.
Lucrazia: Mama, it's that a single man of Alamos wants to marry a Curiel. That's what's important. (She notices that Maripaz and her attitude are in the room) Well, mama, I have to go. Call if there is more news. (She hangs up)
MP: What was that?
Lucrazia: As you heard. Ivan and Lucia will marry. When they get back it will be announced.
MP: Ah, yes. La mosquita muerta leaves you, too.
Lucrazia: I forbid you to talk that way about your sister.
MP: Of course. Now that she's going to marry a rich man you defend her. Have you forgotten that she is marrying the son of a servant?
Lucrazia: That is of no importance to you.
MP: But it is. Up to now you had been ignorant but now you know very well that Ivan has a game plan. It's not only that our blood isn't what you presumed but now it's both your daughters. Both your daughters. Wait until everyone finds out. And how happy will you be when people are talking?
Lucrazia: Look, Maripaz, you will not say another word about this or I swear you will regret it Before you annoy me any more I'm going out and don't think about going anywhere. Cleto has orders to stop you.

As she exits Merry Piece wears her usual petulant expression. It goes well with her ramerawear.

Poolside: Alex, Ivan, and Lucia are having lunch. Those umbrella drinks look riquissimos. Ivan and Alex decide to go to the mall to get some movies to watch in the room. Gerry calls and Alex tells him about the dolphins, then hands the phone back to Lucia. As the menfolk depart, Lucia has the Same Conversation As Usual with her dad about La Verdad. Oy vey, Maria as the viewers roll eyes once again.

Casa Curiel: Saul calls MP saying he has something interesting to tell her. He shows up at the house.

Saul: ...and now those desgraciados are getting married.
MP: And how would we make those turtledoves (tortolitos/little tórtolos), renounce their engagement?
Saul: You! You can make them.
MP: Me? How?
Saul: They're cousins!
MP: Por Favor, Saul! That also occurred to me but that won't do it. They're getting married ASAP.
Saul: Very well. But there's something you don't know and it will be a good thing for this. I know that years ago you had a child with Ivan.
MP: That's a lie and stop this nonsense.
Saul: Don't try to deny it because at this moment it suits us. I know that you had a child with Ivan and I know where that child is.
MP: This is impossible, Saul. That child is lost. Stolen.
Saul: Well, he appeared at a good moment.
MP: What are you saying?
Saul: It's your father. He has the child and Ivan knows that. He is obsessed with getting him back. Understand that this is what he most wants in life. To get his child back.
MP (incredulous): My father took the child?
Saul (impatient, bordering on angry): That is the least important of it. Don't be stupid. I'm telling you that as the mother you have more rights than Ivan. You can protest that this imbecile that if he wants his child he'll have to marry you.
MP: You think so?
Saul: You could marry a millionaire! Lucia will be left dressed and [aborted?] and will want to get back to me but I won't have sloppy seconds. [plato de segunda mesa.]

De verdad, this guy looks like he's about to have an apoplectic fit. Which would work for us.

Commercial Break with promos for Protagonistas and the Latin Grammys.

Casa Curiel:
MP (still incredulous): Are you sure that this is the child I had with Ivan?:
Saul (more psycho than ever): What have I been saying? Segurissimo!
MP: But why did my father take the child?
Saul: What does that have to do with this? [need help with the rest of this. It sounds importantly vicious.]
MP: But how do we show he's my son?
Saul: Ay, mi reina, don't you watch television? There are test for this. DNA
MP: You're right,
Saul: Of course I'm right. I've thought it out.

Lawyer Guzman's office: He's a handsome devil, so where was he when Merry Piece was still shopping for a lover? He explains to Lucrazia that she needs to provide registration documentation of the house to prove ownership and that it's a shame she needs to sell Quickly. He says it's a beautiful house and perhaps she's looking to get a better one. I don't think he's fooled, though.

La Playa: Lucia and Ivan discuss Caroloony, Gerry, Alex, and what to do. We roll our eyes again.

Casa Curiel:
Saul: Of course Ivan will have lawyers and they will have their tricks but you came back home and can show you're a good girl, and there's nothing to stop you taking your child.... Congratulations (he kisses her cheek)
MP: I'm going to talk to my mama, papa...
Saul: For the moment, just be calm. You want to prevent Ivan from finding out; you don't want them to tell him about this.
MP: I'll have to get a lawyer, but I don't have the money.
Saul: No, no, you don't have to [need help with this part] But above all, don't tell anyone I told you about this.
MP: But why?
Saul: Because my father will kill me.
MP: But what if the child isn't as important to Ivan as you think? [Obviously she hasn't been listening very well to Saul's ranting] How would I support him? Besides, I don't like children.
Saul: There's your mother, your father, your grandmother. Not to mention that Ivan would pay a big allowance to support the child.
MP: That's true! (They both get up, she hugs him) You really know what you're doing!
Saul (hugging her back while rolling his eyes): Yes, I know. (slaps her arse)

These two really deserve each other.

La Playa: Ivan and Lucia love talk again. As the beach is otherwise deserted, they prepare to imitate the famous beach shot from the classic film From Here to Eternity.

Poolside, sunset: Tony and Carlota dangle their feet in the water while Bruno sits on Tony's other side. They talk about the Ivan/Alex/Gerry situation and how this could potentially involve the law because of Gerry's actions. Carlota is more worried about Maripaz. “She's my granddaughter and I love her, but there's no telling what she will do.”

Restaurant, evening: Camilo and Judith on their first “date”. He's still in a plaid shirt but at least it has long sleeves and looks brand new. The cameraman is giving us all Judith's best sides and she's all smiles about that.

Judith: So how is it that Ivan gave you those lands?
Camilo: They were his.
Judith: He must love you a great deal.
Camilo: We've been friends since childhood. He went to the US for a while, came back, and we renewed our friendship.
Judith: It's beautiful to have friends like that. I almost don't have any. Maripaz was one once, but after everything that's happened -- she divorced my brother and everything that's been said about her – my parents don't want me to see her.
Camilo: But what about hanging out with Lucia?
Judith: Yes, but Lucia was much younger and when she went to uni she got other friends.
Camilo: And didn't you study?
Judith: Yes. I'm a decorator.
Camilo: I mean a career you study for at university.
Judith: My parents say women don't need that. They only thing we're supposed to do is find a good husband, have children, and take care of the house.
Camilo: Do you agree with that?
Judith: It wouldn't bother me, but at times I think I'll stay [need help here] and I don't have a novio.
Camilo: Who would believe it? You are a [pretty?] woman.
Judith: Thanks a lot. But then the sons of my mother's friends don't do anything for me.
Camilo: So you need to go out and...
Judith: Well, I used to go out with Maripaz, but we'd run into Saul and he'd rat me out about whom I was talking to, dancing with. He's exactly like my father. Oh, my father. At times I hate him.
Camilo: No; don't say that. A father is a father.

Casa Curiel, study, night: Merry Piece enters, pointedly eating an apple. Lucrazia looks up from her papers in annoyance.

Lucrazia: Cleto says Saul came to see you.
MP: I needed someone to talk to.
Lucrazia: What did you talk about?
MP: Some friends. It's strange the others don't come to see me. And you? Where did you go?
Lucrazia: To a realty company about selling the house.
MP: This house? Why?
Lucrazia: Have you forgotten that you killed a woman and we have to pay 5 million pesos to a blackmailer for his silence?
MP: I thought you were going to pay with the money from old man McGuire.
Lucrazia: No. I don't want to and neither does your grandmother. We're going to sell this house and live on the ranch.
MP: Well no way. [ni modo]
Lucrazia: You think you can protest this? You will have to agree.
MP: [Need help here]
Lucrazia: Maripaz, did you tell anyone about this accident?
MP: No, para nada. I'm not crazy.
Lucrazia: Cleto told me that his nephew wants to buy a wreck. [coche enchocado]
MP: That's good.
Lucrazia: The car is in David's name.
MP: I will talk to him.
Lucrazia: You look too calm.
MP: Do I have another choice? When are Ivan and Lucia returning from their pre-honeymoon?
Lucrazia: I understand in about a week.
MP: And therefore Grandma will also be back?
Lucrazia: And Señor Anthony and Alex, your father's son.
MP: My father's son? Why did he go?
Lucrazia: What's that to do with it? Lucia loves him very much.
MP: I don't see how Ivan would want to take care of a chamaco lactoso.* Or does he also love him very much? [*If this means nursing infant Maripaz has had ten years' worth of Lost Weekends]
Lucrazia (impatient): Why is this important to you? You're distracting me from doing the accounts.
MP: Si, Mama.

She gets up and bites loudly into the apple as though giving her the finger. Lucrazia leans on her hand in frustration. It obviously hasn't yet occurred to her that Maripaz knows who Alex really is.

Commercial Break

Restaurant: Judith and Camilo finish their dessert and coffee.

Judith: And what was your father like?
Camilo: He was a good man. Hardworking, likeable, he always worried for us, his family. He was in charge of a bodega de transportes. He had been a construction worker.
Judith: You loved him very much.
Camilo: Yes, we all did. When he died we felt like we lost the head of our family. But my mother stepped in. She is a strong woman. Tiene su character, but at the heart of it she's as good as bread.
Judith: You're lucky to have a family like this.
Camilo: When my father went I felt I had to give up my studies. But she wouldn't let me; she was tough. She would clean and iron to help me pay the university bills.
Judith: How beautiful.
Camilo: Oh, but it's getting late for you. I'd better take you home.
Judith: I've had a really good time. (Camilo signals the waitress for the check) And you? Did I bore you?
Camilo: Not at all! Of course not! Where did you leave your car so I can take you there?

He pays the waitress, telling her to keep the change. She thanks him as he and Judith get up and leave.

Judith: Thanks for the invitation; I hope this won't be the last goodbye
Camilo: Of course not. Let me accompany you.
Judith: Thanks again.

She kisses him on the cheek before they leave. Los metiches from the charity event are at it again.

Olga: Oh, that's the Mondragon girl.
La mas Joven: Si, and who's that young man? He's handsome.
Olgaa: But a pauper.
La mas Joven: But all the young people dress like that these days.

Casa Mondragon: Esther has been waiting up; Judith arrives home. She tells her mother she was hanging out with female friends. Esther tells her that JJ has gone up to bed. Despite the doctor's advice he's been going around all over the place all day. Judith wonders if he's up to no good [cosas chuecas] and Esther tells her not to talk like that. They say goodnight and Judith goes up to bed.

La Playa: Alex sleeps on the outdoor bench. Ivan picks him up to bring him inside. It's a real Dad Moment for him and he cries as he talks about what it meant to bond with the boy that day. Lucia has a concerned expression on her face. Ivan tells her they have to talk to her father about how to tell Alex the truth. He wants to be a real father to the boy.

Ivan's room: Ivan pleases us by being shirtless once again. Tony knocks and comes in. After Ivan tells him what a great day he had with Alex, Tony informs him he's here to talk about other stuff. Like he's sure there is a family problem that Carlota isn't sharing with him and that it has to do with Maripaz. Ivan wonders whether it's about money because Camilo recommended an expenditure that Lucrazia vetoed. He also mentions the 4 million pesos from them vs. 6 million pesos Maripaz spent on jewelry. This does not compute. He contemplates asking Lucia about this, but Tony says not to destroy her happiness with questions about her sister. But he does want to know where the money went.

Guzman's office: Lucrazia hands him some documents and explains she wants this handled confidentially. Maripaz looks away from her. She should be looking at Señor Guzman. But he's likely too smart to fall for her except as a One And Done.

Casa Lomieli, outside: Antolin and Caroloony arrive and he escorts her to the door.

Casa Curiel: Lucrazia chews out MP on the way in. She isn't taking any excuses from her about the accident. Antolin tells her on the phone he wants the money tomorrow.

Avances:
La felicidad de Ivan y Lucia corre en peligro as payment for Antolin's silence comes due.

Vocabulary:
chamaco lactoso- nursing infant
chocar- to wreck /coche enchocado- wrecked car
chueca- crooked
desgarbada- gawky
ni modo- no way
plato de segunda mesa- sloppy seconds; another man's leavings

Labels: Fuerza