Caray, Caray!

Happy New Year everybody! And a Happy New Show…for now….

Full disclosure: We have had the closed captions on our TV set to Channel 3 ever since Uni showed La Reina del Sur. Mr 5ft read the book in English, so we were both excited to see the TN version, and even more excited that I wouldn't have to translate for him. Since then, we just never bothered to take off the closed captions because most shows don't have anything on CC Channel 3…except that sometimes SyFy will put Spanish captions there, which is just awesome! But it's hit or miss. As of right now, I've seen the captions all week on this show. I don't know if they're here to stay, but since we're also slogging through the last bits of La Casa de a Lado (emphasis on slogging) I'm just going to leave all my settings alone and see what happens. It feels a bit like cheating, and I certainly don't want to lose sight of the fact that not everyone has access to them and so just ignore dialogue, but on the plus side, sometimes I disagree with the captioner's word choice and that'll make for some good Spanish nerd discussions :D

Anyway, on to the actual show….

Consuelo is macking on Efrain. Cinthia sees them, so she backs out and calls out for Simon before walking in again. Puh-leeze, you can totally tell from her face that she saw what they were up to and she did not like it. Efrain offers to saddle her horse, since Simon, the "caballerango" (wrangler, groom) isn't there. She suggests that Consuelo get back to the house and Consuelo hightails it out of there. Cinthia comes on strong to Efrain, who is playing hard to get. He says he's gotta go talk to Consuelo's brother.

Bruno pretends not to understand the question and Rogelio claims he doesn't want his employees fraternizing. Riiiiight. Oh, and besides, she's not on his level. Pfft. Bruno says he loaned her money to get her come out there. "Always thinking about me, huh, Bruno?" He informs him that he bought out the debt and writes Bruno a check. Bruno tries to decline, but Rogelio, as usual, has his way. Bruno takes the check. Rogelio says Paula will work harder if she thinks she owes him.

Jewelry lady has new wares. Rosaura tells her she doesn't want to look at things she can't have! Since that idiot, Ana Paula, quit her job. But no worries about the payments that are due, it's not the 15th yet, so she's got time to figure it out. Ana Paula calls and gets chewed out by her loving Tia, before getting a chance to say she's staying. Rosaura changes her tune instantly and praises her for sucking it up and working wherever she can, like the pauper she is. She starts giving serious consideration to a piece of jewelry. Ana Paula tells her she might be getting a call from a guy, and if he calls, to please ask for his number. She says he had offered to put her in touch with his sister for a nursing job. Oh, well, you won't need that, now that you'll be working out in BFE for a year, says Auntie. Well, yes, but she'd like to thank him all the same. Tia looks suspicious.

PT continues. He tries to weasel out of the last 10 minutes, but Ana Paula won't let him. Miracle of miracles, he doesn't argue with her.

Federico is on the phone talking about needing to get provider's whose cattle are of the same quality as Rogelio's. Vanessa comes to visit him, looking hot in a hot pink halter dress. She says she knows he was in San Gabriel and wonders if he saw Rogelio. He says the contact is up soon, and it's not going to be so easy to deal with. If he won't renew, their company is in serious trouble.

Rogelio moons over the picture of him and Vanessa. Ana Paula surprises him and gets a look at it when he drops it. She's worried about him when she realizes he's teary-eyed. He gruffly tells her not to come in without knocking. She insists on helping him, but he brandishes the whip, telling her to go away and not come back until he calls for her. He manfully struggles not to cry once she leaves. Oh, Rog, you big softy!

Rosa is drooling over that big 'ol ring and saying how she deserves it and more. For freeking what? Jewelry lady convinces her to keep it, since she succeeded in whoring her niece out to that millionaire. What? Is that not what she did? They're interrupted by Gustavo, holding something that looks like a bouquet for a flower girl or a junior bridesmaid. Seriously, dude? Tia is not happy to see him.

Vanessa tries to soothe Federico, saying he can find other suppliers. However, as Federico explains, no one's got as good quality or delivery as Rogelio, and that's what makes their company the best. Bruno's going to talk to Rogelio and see what he can do. Vanessa keeps fishing for personal information, whining that Rogelio has gotten bitter and it's all her fault. Oh, stuff it! Either you feel bad enough about it to stay with him/go back to him or you move on. Seriously, in or out of the pool, babe. Daddy tells her she made a decision, she had every right. Vanessa cries about her hopes for a life with Rogelio and how they all went to hell. "You have no reason to think about him anymore. Your husband wouldn't like that." I don't think she's jonesing for Rogelio, I think her marriage probably sucks and she's thinking the grass is greener over in Rogelio's pasture. It's more the idea of Rogelio than the actual jackass himself.

Gustavo does a little ass kissing and is then disappointed to hear that Ana Paula isn't home and won't be for the foreseeable future. Tia snatches the flowers away to put them in some water, even as she's sneering at them--which makes me want to rethink my earlier opinion, because I hate to agree with this harpy on anything! She tells him Ana Paula found a better job, but she doesn't know where exactly since the phone signal cut off *giggle, giggle* Gustavo is shocked, hurt, and maybe even a little angry. He leaves his card with Rosa so she can give the info to Ana Paula next time she hears from her. Rosa's rich-man-radar goes off when she sees he's an engineer. She really gets excited when he says he lives nearby and his parents are retired. "Oh, and what did they do?" Dad was a high school teacher and mom was a librarian. Stand down! Stand down! False alarm! Don't lower the nets! She gets rid of him quickly. The jewelry lady is impressed, but Tia is not. She gripes that now she knows why Ana Paula was so anxious to get his contact info!

Ana Paula goes running to the kitchen to tell Maria she saw Rogelio crying over a picture of him and…some woman. She kind of got the impression that woman looked like her. Maria agrees she does. Paula assumes the woman must be dead and wants to know more about her. Maria says she's as good as dead, and they're forbidden to speak of her. She's Vanessa, the woman who was going to marry the boss. But after the accident, she left him. Since then, he…changed. Vanessa is the one responsible for Rogelio being the way he is. Ex-cuse me! As we're repeatedly reminded, no one makes Rogelio do anything he doesn't want to do, and that includes being an enormous ass! No one is responsible for that but the man himself.

Vanessa insists on taking responsibility for Rogelio cutting off their cow supply. I do not like chicks who have such a need to feel like the center of the universe. Daddy says who knows, maybe Bruno can work something out. He gets a call from Bruno, who apparently has bad news for him. When he hangs up, he tells Vanessa that Rogelio is negotiation with their competitors.

Rogelio gets over his emotional upset by cleaning his rifle. Gee. That's healthy.

Rosa explains to Jewelry lady that she doesn't like Gustavo because he's not rich enough. No, I'm not going to break that down to the particulars, because her greed is reprehensible. She won't aim for Rogelio because she doesn't figure he's interested in marriage, what with being paralyzed. So she's picked Bruno as her meal ticket and channels Teresa in gritting her teeth and complaining about needing to get out of this filthy poverty that she just can't stand!

Ana Paula chats to Romeo and Juliet about how super cute Gustavo is and how much she wants to see him.

Gustavo sends Miguel to pick up some "luminarias" (lamps). He sits down with his sister, who is disappointed that Ana isn't there to meet her. She mocks him gently for saying that he's going to wait for her.

Bruno is wandering around the house looking for a decent signal as he talks to Rosaura. She's glad that Ana Paula will be staying, but she fakely worries about Rogelio being "difficult." Bruno reminds her that's not news. Rosaura whinily begs him to please look out for her and take care of her, because she knows Ana Paula must be feeling sooooo lonely. Bruno just grins.

Cinthia goes to the kitchen to tell Maria, as Consuelo's godmother, that Consuelo's been very, erm, "friendly" with Efrain. "She's so young, and you know what Efrain's like…we'd hate for her to end up pregnant!" Maria says she'll have a talk with her, horrified at the idea. Bruno walks in to let Maria know that Rogelio will be eating in his study and that's all he said. Maria and Cinthia are both alarmed. Cinthia takes advantage of this to say she won't be eating at home this evening either.

Ana Paula finds Bruno and tells him she is going to stay after all. She knows that Rogelio bought out his debt. Bruno insists she never owed him anything and he only accepted Rogelio's money so he wouldn't make trouble for her. Ana Paula says it's not just that, he also got her brother a job. "Well, now you see how all of us, one way or another, end up in debt to Rogelio Montero." He invites her to have something to eat and then go riding, but Ana Paula wants to be around in case Rogelio needs her. "Oh, he's locked himself up in his study. There's no telling how long he'll be in there." Ana Paula tells him she surprised Rogelio looking at a picture of a woman. A woman Maria says he doesn't like them to talk about. "Vanessa" guesses Bruno.

Maria brings a tray to Rogelio's office and rather stiffly broaches the subject of the picture, saying she didn't think there were any pictures of "that woman" left in the house. Rog guesses that Ana Paula told her. Maria reminds him it's been years and she's married to someone else. "Oh, don't start," says Rog. She doesn't care if he scolds her, and says she hopes one day he'll go back to being the happy Rogelio that she raised. Well, that ain't gonna be today. Rogelio slams his hands down on the desk and tells her to get out!

Ana Paula tells Bruno that all Rog did was tell her to get out. She was moved to see him so upset. Bruno says that Rog just doesn't like anyone knowing anything about him. He thinks Rogelio needs a woman. "Pfft! As if one would want him with that nasty attitude of his!" scoffs Ana Paula. Besides, he never goes out, so how would he meet anyone? She thinks it's just not good for him not to go out in general, aside from being bad for his dating prospects. After all, it's so beautiful out there. She smiles dreamily, talking about how beautiful the river, especially, is. Bruno offers to take her there. She doesn't answer. He tells her that he's going to make an effort for their time together, at least, to be pleasant, despite being in such an unpleasant place. Ana Paula tells him his support is very important, as he's her only friend there, aside from Margarito.

Gustavo reports to David that Miguel is working out so far. David is pleased, since he was recommended by Rogelio and he wants Rogelio to invest in the new mall. Gustavo actually came over to talk about that. The ground looks good, but they need to do something about the "drenaje" (sewer system, according to CC, but I also see just plain "drainage"). He hands over his proposal. David offers to call Rogelio, and he wants Gustavo to stick around in case Rogelio has any questions. David tells him he has good news--the engineer has finished his study, and they can build the mall. Rogelio wants to be sure there are no problems. David offers to send the report over to him.

Bruno shows Ana Paula where "La Querentia" used to be. Ana Paula understands why he doesn't want to leave. Bruno says he won't leave until he finds out what really happened with his own hacienda. How it went from his father's hands to Rogelio's. That's his most compelling reason to be there. Ana Paula asks if he thinks Rogelio got the land wrongfully.

Consuelo comes into the kitchen and gets interrogated about Efrain. She claims there's nothing going on. Maria tells her she's there to work, not the flirt! Besides, Rogelio doesn't like his employees fraternizing, so she'll just have to meet someone in town. Efrain has a reputation as a "noviero" (flirt, womanizer), she says, and flits from woman to woman. "If I told you about all the women I know he's been with!" Consuelo hasn't heard of anyone since she's been there. Well, Maria doesn't want her near him!

Bruno tells Paula, when he's never told anyone before, that when his dad lost the land, he was away. When he got back, he was more concerned with his dad than with the land, since his dad had gotten sick. He heard some rumors going around, but being a lawyer, he knows he can't accuse someone without proof.

Cinthia informs Efrain that as long as he's being used by her, he's not allowed to date anyone else. I'm all for monogamy, but I'm not sure this is how it's supposed to work. Anyway, Efrain says she'd better satisfy his desires, in that case, and it's back to business as usual.

Rogelio is sitting up in bed reading when Ana Paula comes in for his therapy time. Now he tries to fight it, saying it's a waste of time and won't get him to walk again. She tells him he's not facing reality and being a jerk for shutting himself up indoors when there's so much beauty outside. He's just moping around getting angsty. "What do you know about it?!" She says he's not the first or the last person in a wheelchair and she's known plenty of patients who get on with their lives and are happy. Exit Paula. So I guess he gets out of physical therapy after all.

Ana Paula complains to Maria about Rogelio not wanting to do his physical therapy last night. She's trying to be patient, but she just doesn't know how to get him to snap out of it. She wishes she could at least get him to leave the house. Rogelio is wheeled in and is surprised to see Ana Paula there, since it's Sunday. Her contract specifies she's to have one day off a week, Ana Paula reminds him, but it doesn't say that has to be Sunday. Besides, she didn't really work the previous day. "Oh, what a good employee you are. Maria, remind me to tell Bruno to give the nurse a bonus." Ana Paula says that's not necessary. She's just doing her job. Rogelio insists she takes the day off, then wonders why she's walking away. "Since today is my day off, I can eat where I want, and I'd rather eat in the kitchen." Rogelio huffs at Maria to go tell Hugo that he's going to supervise the work in the fields today and insists on serving himself breakfast. Yeah, he just doesn't know how to deal with that spunky Ana Paula.

Efrain and Cinthia are sucking face. I presume "again" and not "still" since the outfits look different, but hey, who knows. "My brother thinks I'm still asleep." Efrain has her horse ready so they can rendezvous up in the mountains. Cue the Barry White music….

Miguel tries to give his aunt the happy news that he and Dany are officially dating, but she figured it out already. Cause she's not blind. "Just make sure you don't distract him from his work." Shut. Up. I'm trying to recall when I've ever seen this actress that I haven't wanted her to just shut up every time she's on screen. I hope it's first-rate acting and that she's not just naturally like that. Dany is happy that her "flaco" (skinny guy) is working and happy, so of course she wouldn't. Rosa asks Dany to pass her the tortillas and flashes the big emerald at her. Dany and Miguel both ooh and aah over it, and Miguel asks where she got the money for it.

Ana Paula works on math with Margarito…"If you have five mangos in this hand and three in this hand, how many do you have?" She says she's going to get him a workbook, then has him recite something out loud that she's written down. "The…house…"

Rosa says the stones are fake. Dany isn't buying it, so Rosa tells her to ask Elena. "If it were real, I would have sold it a long time ago…to help with all our expenses. Especially now that I can't work." She fake cries and pretends to be embarrassed that Dany has found out about their financial troubles. She turns up the waterworks about how she's always working, cooking for other people, etc. Miguel looks guilty. Dany insists on washing the dishes. "Flaquito, tu platito" (little skinny guy, your little plate…"babe, your plate"). Rosa tells Miguel she's glad Dany is so committed, since she can no longer work. Miguel goes to help Dany with the dishes and tells Rosa to go lie down, they'll clean everything up. Rosa rolls her eyes when he's gone and goes back to admiring her ring.

Efrain smooches on Consuelo. Consuleo says she's not allowed to go out with him…but maybe if she talked to Maria…. Efrain says, no, it's no good. Someone saw them and told the boss, so they can't see each other anymore. Shucky darn. "Well, what if we saw each other in secret?" Ooh, Efrain likes that idea, since she's just so purdy and all…oh, but it wouldn't be fair to her, and what if they got caught? No, better wait for things to calm down. "This wouldn't be because you're a skirt chaser who has no interest in being exclusive, would it?" Efrain takes off his hat and swears that he wants to marry her. Dude. That's just wrong. And he swore, even. For that, some part of his anatomy better spontaneously fall off. Consuelo gets all excited. "But in the meantime, we've got to say goodbye, and make it a good one!" Smoochies.

Gustavo asks Miguel to drive him out to deliver, presumably, the plans to Rogelio, and Miguel agrees.

Margarito comes running up to Rogelio to tell him someone's looking for him. Someone in a car parked out at the street. Oh, it's Vanessa. Dressed marginally more conservatively and doing her best to look sorrowful. She takes in Rogelio, and his wheelchair, and says overly dramatically, that she came to talk to him. "Forgive me! I couldn't…it was such a blow to me!" Rogelio mockingly says it's a good thing the accident happened two months before the wedding, otherwise she would have sworn to be with him in sickness and health for the rest of their days. "Forgive me…Please understand! We're not all as strong as you are!"

Maria takes some workbooks out of a cabinet to give to Ana Paula. She thanks her for being concerned about Margarito. He's been lonely and needing someone to give him some attention. Margarito comes running in to say that a very elegant lady is outside…and she looks like Ana Paula! She's talking to the boss, and she's rich. He can tell, cause she showed up with a chauffeur. He came running because the boss is fighting with her.

"When the doctors told me you wouldn't walk again, the first thing that came into my mind was that I couldn't marry someone who…" "Someone who wasn't a full man anymore?" She accepts she didn't know how to deal with the situation, but it was he who forbid her or anyone from her family from setting foot on the property (presumably for the purposes of patching things up). He reminds her that order is still in force. Maria comes up and goes into full-on mama bear mode, asking what Vanessa is doing there, coming to upset her cub? She says she's there on business, on behalf of the Southwest Meatpacking Company. "It's your father who does business with Rogelio!" insists Maria. "So you didn't really come to see me," realizes Rogelio. Vanessa knows she's stepped in it and tries to backtrack, but Maria cuts her off. Rogelio screams at her that she's let him down again. "Calm down Rogelio, you'll hurt yourself!" says Maria. Rogelio accuses her of being selfish, as usual. She was only thinking about herself after the accident, and now here she goes again. He says he never wants to see her again and brandishes the riding crop at her. Maria coos to him as he and Vanessa look at each other, all teary-eyed.

Ana Paula wants to go see what's up, but Margarito cries and begs her not to go. "Mr. Montero might need something." "If he doesn't want to see that woman he's going to be angry and he's going to take it out on us! Stay with me! Let Maria tell us what's going on."

Maria tells Rogelio that Vanessa deserves punishment, but it should come from him. "Please! If I came here, it was because…" "Oh, because after seven years you finally wanted to see how I was doing?" He gets up to threaten to throw her out bodily, but he ends up on the floor, waving the crop at her. "Now are you happy? See what you've done?! Get out! God protect you the day you want to hurt Rogelio! You're going to kill him! Leave! Leave! Get out!" Maria shoves her into the car and it drives away. Ana Paula comes running out and tries to help him, but he tells her not to touch him, he can do it himself. He drags himself over to his wheelchair, but knocks it over. Ana Paula grabs it and holds it in place, over his objections. Rogelio looks up at her and starts yelling that she's just like Vanessa. "Go away!"

Tomorrow: Ana Paula continues to stand up to Rogelio; Vanessa can't quit thinking about Rogelio; Rogelio burns the infamous picture; Ana Paula has a riding accident.

Labels: no-podia