Caray, Caray!

Maripaz leaves a shaken Gerry, who angrily smashes his coffee cup on the floor, bringing Alex and Rosa running. Yeah, I'd be pretty upset if she said she wanted to move in at my place. Gerry doesn't tell them what her visit is about, and Rosa starts cleaning the broken coffee cup.

Judith is far too naïve and trusting. She thinks Maripaz has actually come to her senses ("se cayó el veinte"; http://mx.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100722091117AAXPdI6 has a bit of discussion about the significance, boiling down to twenty-cent pieces being used for public telephones and not being able to start your conversation until the coin dropped--"veinte" twenty, "cayó" from "caer" to drop; similar to the phrase "the penny dropped" which is reputed to have the same origin, those pesky, malfunctioning slot machines…and Maripaz does bear a slight resemblance to one, but I digress). She mentions that she does some charity work with her mother, specifically volunteering at an orphanage, taking toys to the kids. Camilo is impressed. Maripaz called her wanting to volunteer as well, and Judith is convinced this is because she has finally had her maternal instincts kick in. Camilo tries to argue that she's just doing it to create a façade that will help her get custody of Alex. Judith thinks she has a right to it. Camilo calls attention to all of Maripaz's bad behavior, culminating in divorcing David shortly after their marriage. Sure, he's got ED, but it's it funny that her wanting a divorce also coincided with Ivan coming back to town? Judith had also considered that Maripaz was just into her brother for the money she thought he had. Camilo fills her in on Maripaz wanting to force Ivan to marry her so that Lucia can't have him. She's shocked. Camilo asks her not to say anything about this conversation to anyone--not even her mom. Judith says he doesn't even have to ask because she really cares for him (te quiero). Camilo says he cares for her as well, and then seems to decide that he's going to try to make that true.

Carolina is home, tired, and Antolin sends her off to bed. Gerry is really grateful for everything Antolin is doing. He goes to get some rest himself, promising to call her later. Gerry walks Caro to her room and tries to weasel out of giving an update. He caves and tells her about Maripaz's deal--she'll come live with them and they'll say that Gerry took the kid on her orders. Carolina thinks that sounds wonderful. What? Has she MET Maripaz? Gerry reminds her that Maripaz isn't exactly "mom" material. Caro doesn't care, she just wants Alex to keep living with them. She argues that Ivan can have other kids. She demands that Gerry accept the deal for Alex's own good. Demands it!

Maripaz calls her lawyer and tells him to go forward, but leave the murder that Ivan DIDN'T commit and the murder that she DID out of it. As for Gerry's potential kidnapping charges, she tells him she's taken care of it. He suggests they file for custody first and that she start cleaning up her image. Maripaz tells him she's already looking for charity work.

Carmen is not happy with the idea of being a "servant," she's never fallen so low, she didn't get fired--she quit, etc. Arcelia is tired of her crap and threatens to tell her brothers that Saul is her baby daddy if she doesn't accept the job. Carmen still won't budge and says she'd be a whore first. Arcelia flips out and flips Carmen's bowl of manicure water over her head. This is a decent family, damnit! Antolín notwithstanding. Arcelia says that both she and Carmen's brothers are going to be keeping an eye on her and they will NOT let her become a "callejera" (streetwalker).

As Gerry is getting ready to leave for work, Alex wakes up. Gerry lets him know Carolina is home, but warns him repeatedly not to wake her up because she was travelling all night. He tells him to get cleaned up and dressed and if Ivan comes to take him to swim lessons before Caro gets up, he can greet her then, but if not, then he can greet her later. The phone rings before he can leave. It's Maripaz wanting to know if he accepts the deal or not. Gerry says he doesn't know, he feels bad…"Well, you're going to feel worse with a 20 or 30 year prison sentence." Ouch! She insists on an immediate answer and bullies him into accepting the deal. She gloats that with Ivan's money, he's going to be able to have the bestest construction company in all of Sonora. Gerry doesn't even respond and hangs up on her. He says to himself that he's a coward. Yeah, we got that memo.

Lucia and Alex check out the awesome pool. She hopes he won't abandon fútbol, but Alex is equal-opportunity when it comes to sports. Lucia says he reminds her of Ivan, who was also really into sports at his age--and he was the best at all of them. Alex would like to be like that. Ivan brings the swim instructor, Eric, over to meet them. Alex will take lessons three times a week. The instructor starts off by asking Alex if he wants to be a champion…"Of course, an Olympian!" I'm sure it's meant well, but I can also see another Bravo show in the making…"Swim Dads" or something.

Carlota and Lucrezia are having a difficult time letting go of the house. They let the real estate guy in to take pictures. Cleto tells Carlota that someone came by to drop off Maripaz's old car. She tells him to give the keys to Maripaz and then lets him know that the family is selling the house and moving to the ranch. Cleto agrees to come with them, saying he'd follow them into heaven or hell.

Lucia and Ivan walk through the parking garage. Ivan talks about how even if he were poor, he'd still take Alex swimming at a public pool, or a river or whatever. Ivan tells Lucia the party is all set and they're going to announce their engagement. Ivan is convinced that all Maripaz wants is money, so she'll cave sooner or later. He asks her if she would mind him having no money after Maripaz cleans her out, and of course she doesn't care. Like the good parents they are, they discuss the logistics of getting Alex to and fro…Lucia doesn't mind bringing Alex to the pool when Ivan isn't available instead of having him send Benito; Ivan asks her to bring Alex to the house when he wants to visit Bruno because Toni misses Bruno too much when he's gone. And then they smooch.

Lucrezia is embarrassed at the mess in Maripaz's room as they take pictures and video. Her lawyer calls to say everything is set and they have an appointment with the judge at 4. She needs to get her dad to come with her and give his statement.

Ivan is worried at Maripaz's silence. He knows how impulsive she is. Toni isn't worried because Saul isn't going to be paying the lawyer anymore, but Ivan and Camilo think that Lucrezia might be.

Lucia takes Alex home. He can't wait to tell his friends he learned the backstroke, and next time he'll learn another stroke. Lucia is impressed that he now knows 2 of the 4 competitive strokes and is halfway to being a badass swimmer. "¡Chócala!" (from "chocar," to crash; high five, slap me some skin, etc.).

Carolina is grumpy about Alex being out of the house without anyone knowing where. Alex and Lucia walk in and Carolina is all smiles. Carolina is all set to convince him that it'll be great to have his crazy mama around. She tells him that he'll get to keep living there and nothing will happen to him, but she stops to ask Alex what he wants. Alex says Ivan wanted him to spend some time with him and he likes hanging out with Bruno. Carolina falters, but reminds him that he's got school starting and what with his new swimming lessons and all…she doesn't finish the though, but I guess it's something like, "You wouldn't see that damn dog much anyway, so come here and give your crazy auntie a hug!"

Cleto gives Maripaz the keys to her old car. She's gracious as ever, flouncing into the driver's seat and saying she hopes David at least put gas in it. Yeah, see, there's a rule that when you divorce your husband to take up with your baby daddy and then guilt him into trading cars and you run over an innocent woman with his car, then insist he take it back, he's under no obligation to return your car with a full tank. And don't even think about asking him to help you move.

Toni asks Carlota if Lucrezia is paying for Maripaz's lawyer, but as far as Carlota knows Lucrezia wants her to back down. Toni is concerned. Someone must be giving her money. Carlota wonders if maybe Saul lied to his dad. Toni says it wouldn't be difficult to check with the bank, just to make sure. Carlota would be pissed if Lucrezia is helping, but she's not going to feel personally responsible. She says there is something she can do.

Gerry meets Maripaz at the judge's office. The lawyer is inside talking to him. This is the judge who was close personal friends with Teodoro, which is why the lawyer thinks he'll help Maripaz. So I wonder what's going to happen when he finds out that it's Ivan, not Maripaz, who is the grandchild of his close personal friend. Maripaz puts the screws to Gerry one last time--either he sticks to the story or he can go to jail for kidnapping. The lawyer comes out of the office and says he's sympathetic, having been such a good friend of her grandfather. Maripaz goes in to talk to the lawyer first, but not before warning Gerry to remember what he can gain and lose by this deal.

Carlota asks Lucrezia if she's paying for Maripaz's lawyer. She's still fighting for custody, therefore she must have lawyer, and since Saul isn't paying for it…. Carlota tells Lucrezia that Saul got ratted out to his daddy, who insisted he stop, and Lucrezia is the only other person who could be paying. Carlota calls her on her shit, but Lucrezia insists that (a) Carlota is nuts and (b) she doesn't know how Maripaz is paying for the lawyer. Carlota threatens to never forgive Lucrezia if she finds out Lucrezia is helping Maripaz.

Maripaz feeds the judge her story, as planned--she changed her mind at the last minute and resorted to her dad for help.

Gerry agonizes in the waiting room, then walks out. Then walks back in.

The judge wonders why, if the baby daddy, a servant's son, abandoned Maripaz in her hour of need, he came back after 10 years. Maripaz says he's rich now and she assumes he'll sue for custody, but she would hate to see her precious son taken away from his grandpa, who he loves like a father, sniff, sniff. The lawyer paints Ivan as showing indifference by leaving while Maripaz was pregnant. And somehow, he got a rich American to adopt him while he was there, so now he's Ivan McGuire. The judge has heard the name. Maripaz whines that just because he has money and power doesn't mean she should lose her maternal rights to a stranger…because that's what he is to her--a stranger! A stranger whose pants she's dying to get into. How's the judge going to like it when he hears about her trying to convince the "stranger" to marry her? He says if he finds out she's telling the truth, he will recommend that she get custody.

Maripaz walks out of the room and tells Gerry it's his turn.

Gerry goes in alone. The lawyer wonders if he'll stick to the story. Maripaz says if he doesn't she'll just tell the judge that she lied to protect her father. The lawyer picks NOW to tell her that lying to a judge carries a penalty. He thinks he can get it down to a fine, though.

Gerry remembers Alex coming home from vacation as the judge is asking him questions. Gerry says this is all very difficult for him. The judge is, like, "Difficult for you? Shit, son…I've got your daughter on the one hand, Miss Alamos High Society 2011. On the other, I've got Ivan, "What's good for me is good for the entire region" McGuire. So just tell the damn truth and let's get on with it! Did she ask you to take the kid or not?" Gerry remembers telling Alex that Ivan would be a good dad and they'll still see each other. Fucking spineless Gerry goes along with the story. Fine, whatever. That doesn't mean she should get custody.

Maripaz stews in the waiting room. The lawyer tells her to chill. She pounces on Gerry when he comes out and he tells her he did what she asked, then leaves.

The judge thinks there was some hesitation on Gerry's part, but he did corroborate Maripaz's story. He needs to interview Ivan now. Dumbass lawyer reminds the judge that the mother always gets priority. "Hi, which one of us is the judge here? Don't be telling me how to do my business!"

The lawyer comes out and gives Maripaz the news. He asks for another advance on his fees and Maripaz gives him a big fake smile like that's going to be no problem.

Antolín and Carolina chat, but Carolina doesn't want to tell him everything over the phone. He'll come over tomorrow. Gerry comes home and Carolina whispers a "yo también" (me too) to Antolín. We are left to imagine just what she was agreeing to. Carolina praises Gerry for going along with the plan, but Gerry says it was the wrong thing and Alicia must hate him. He leaves while Carolina yells at him to get over it, she's dead already.

Lucia doesn't think Lucrezia is paying for the lawyer. Ivan says it's possible that she's using "un abogado de oficio" (a public defender). In any case, Lucrezia and Carlota have joint accounts, so Carlota can investigate where the money has gone. Ivan asks whether they do their banking online or in person. He's been holding off, giving Maripaz time to think, but he's getting worried. Alex is ok with spending a few days with him, but he doesn't think he can ever completely separate him from Gerry because Alex would suffer. Maripaz oozes in and asks if Ivan considered her offer. "You got my answer already." Maripaz says he's being stubborn. "I can be a good wife, a good mother…and an excellent lover." She sucks on her finger and looks like she's going to stick it in his ear. Ivan grabs her wrist and Maripaz swishes off. He tells Lucia he's going to have to go to court. Lucia is worried about all the dirty laundry. If everyone goes to jail what's going to happen with Alex? Ivan gets a call from Toni. The lawyer just called and found out that Maripaz sued for custody and gave a statement in front of the judge. So did Gerry. Ivan is pissed.

Maripaz fills in Lucrezia. Her account is interrupted by Lucia coming in and trying to smack the smirk off her face. Carlota comes in and Lucia tells them what Maripaz did. "Ivan offered you a deal, damnit!" "I don't care about his money. I want him to marry me. Don't you understand?" Lucrezia keeps insisting that she isn't giving Maripaz money for the lawyer. "You promised me you'd give me the money! You have to do it!" Carlota says she'll go to the bank tomorrow and have Lucrezia removed from the accounts. "Then I'll go to the newspaper and tell them that you married Teodoro when you were already pregnant by someone else. And my mom was going to have Ivan killed. And the maid we used to have turned out to be the only legitimate daughter of Teodoro." Lucrezia freaks out and Maripaz says they'd better all just get along. She leaves her room. "What she wants is for Ivan to marry her, but not because she loves him. Because she can't stand the idea that I took him away from her…but I didn't take him away from her!" Lucia cries and Carlota comforts her.

Antolín fills in his mom on Carolina's progress. She's doubtful about the relationship. When Antolín insists she's the sweetest girl ever, Arcelia wants to meet her. Antolín doesn't think he'd make a good husband. Celia tells him to go talk to Camilo and get himself a decent job already. He doesn't want to get a paycheck from his little brother. Arcelia tells him that Carmen is going to be working for the Curiel's at the ranch house. Antolín says they'd better keep an eye on her, cause no one is better for gossip and intrigue than Carmen.

Benito tells Bruno no to worry. Camilo asks him what's going on. Benito was asked to take Bruno outside because this was all too much for his canine ears. Maripaz has already gone to a judge.

Toni, Ivan, and their lawyer strategize. The lawyer wants Ivan to tell the judge the entire truth. Toni is worried about Ivan getting arrested for murder. The lawyer suspects that since charges were never pressed, maybe the worker's death was faked to get Ivan to leave the country. Ivan is going to find out who is still around on El Socorro from those days. Ivan is worried about implicating Lucrezia.

Carlota says if Ivan talks about that murder, she'll say she's the one who sent the workers to kill them. Lucrezia says maybe it's time to just make a clean break. Maripaz is nuts and there's no way to control her. Either Lucia convinces Ivan to marry Maripaz, or they're just all going to have to go to jail together. Carlota tells Lucia not to do it. Lucia is worried about her dad going to jail and keeps whining about things not being fair. "And what's going to happen to Alex?"

As the DVR recording cuts off, no answer is forthcoming for me. I expect tomorrow will be more of the same.

Labels: Fuerza