Caray, Caray!

Traditional Scottish Prayer:
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

Review: Flowers for Chela, Tears from Pina and Pez Plots for Pancho y Rebe, Freddy keeps the not-galan pressure on Ana at the Promontory de Preggers. Ana has gone from overall clad tomboy to simpering satin and lip gloss girl. Freddy pops the big adolescent question of novios. At the table in the mansion, the family jokes good naturedly at Temos romance, Graciela comes in all dressed up and lovely. Rebe and she pass a nearly pleasant greeting. Freddy misses the cue on hiding romance from Ana’s father a la Candela and Vin. Speaking of devils, Candela and Vicente show up as Mata Hari and Cyrano (sans feather in cap) and are photographed my Mara’s dinner companion. Back at the P.P., Ana shows Freddy her new kissing skills.

Almost new: Dona Fernanda in Berlin, Germany answers the hotel door muttering about the hotel service but Inez pushes forward to bully her way in the door. She demands the moment has come to tally up their accounts. The irritating Chato with hat glued to head, comes in for another free meal but instead earns a pitcher of the delicious tamarind spilled on him by the slender maid. After she slaps his chest in mock drying, she leaves while the other comes in carrying a large bouquet of flowers for Chela with a card from Enzo. Chela looks stormy, sulky and maybe just a tad turned on.

Back to Berlin, Inez demands, look me in the eyes and tell me exactly what happened when you had a romp in the hay with my husband (revolcaste con me marido.)

Chela goes snarly when they ask who sent the flowers. She doesn’t want the third degree. But she immediately reflects on the vision of an abs-alicious meeting in the gym with Enzo. Enzo, with thankfully no greasy hair, is simultaneously thinking of the same moment when he told Chela she looked hot even though she just blew smoke out her ears in irritation. As he is musing until he is laughing alone, Enzo has to defend his sudden sunny mood to Moni when she enters. He mutters there is someone that I just noticed but who hates me. Oh never mind.

Freddy seems genuinely starry-eyed at Ana’s new skill. She warns him not to treat her like she hears he treated Elena. He swears innocence while he is really fascinated. He’s hoping for more of those graduate kisses maybe even a thesis.

In the restaurant where no one ever seems to eat, Candi and Vin continue to hide behind their hats from Mara, Pina’s great friend. They talk about how he doesn’t care for or love PIna while Candi continues to say if you didn’t really care you would leave her and marry me, but then you wouldn’t have money. She so has his number but still can’t count. They kiss.

Fernanda wants to know why Inez came 1000’s of miles to see her. Inez demands to know what she did with her husband. Fernanda says she never had any affair but she did love him. And his love for her was because he found home so cold. Inez always knew there was more and insists that she knew he stayed with Fer in her house.

Chucha rejects Chato’s next stupid flirtation. The table jokes more about Chato’s handling of his multiple flirtations. Chela looks sad until Pancho asks her what is wrong. In a pout she leaves the table.

Fernanda tells Inez that her husband left her house because she rejected him and she told him not to come back. Inez repeats that she now controls 35% of Avon but will soon have it all. Inez rejects Fer’s protestations of innocence and raises her cane to revenge her husbands death. Fernanda backing away from the crazed little crone clutches her chest in fear and asks Inez what she intends. Inez, seems intent on pounding the cookies out of Fer with the cane but instead suddenly clutches her own chest and falls backward into a faint but is continuing to breath heavily. Mortal combat between ladies so old and so frail is a high risk sport, kind of like sex would be, lots of heat and smoke but not much fire!


Pina whines in her kitchen in her elegant dressing gown and bright blue boa that she has lost her fight to keep Vin. Adoración thinks she is going to name Candi, but Pina says the lover of her husband is …drumroll…SANDRA.

Mara and her companion come over to the table to discover who the crazed couple is. Vin stays talking behind his hat and Mara finally thinks they are actors. Candi bobs her curls in a hopeful yes. Mara’s instamatic popping friend just wants to kiss Candi’s hand but is batted away by Vin’s hat so he apparently doesn’t recognize him but remember he does have those photos.

Pina asks Adoración if she can imagine Vin with Sandra and Ador makes a creeped out face, she would rather not imagine it.

Rebe and Pancho make out when still so snotty Ana comes in looking dreamy and faintly rumpled in her satin dress. She makes a perfunctory greeting to Rebe so Pancho is ready to have another talk about her rudeness when Rebe points out that Ana’s behavior is because she is in “lurve.” Pancho and Rebe make out more.

Off in her room fondling her gifted flowers, Chela is thinking for a change not about Pancho but about Rancetti. Though she still feigns disgust.

Next morning at Avon, Sandra scolds Vin . He is trying to fire her.

Alex shows up at the tenement to try to talk with Elena’s brother Tomas but Elena is awful with him bitterly mocking him for being a rich boy (and not her rich boy, me thinks.) Alex kisses Lupita and says he doesn’t now why Elena is in such a snit.

In the office, Sandra is trying to act as though her revelations to Pina were of no consequence but Vicente gets out that Pina has made her forgiveness of Vins sin with her contingent on his firing Sandra. Sandra cries she has the mortgage and her retired father and others dependent on her in the house. Vin stays cold and unbending so Sandra leaves his office in tears. Candi comes in and finds Sandra packing. She immediately seizes on this situation being so unfair (and her fault.) Then she scolds Vicente who has had no luck at all today with the women in his life.

At the race track. Freddy comes in his helmut and ace driver costume. He reluctantly shakes Pepe’s hand. Freddy takes off with meaningful looks at the greaser mechanic. Moni assures Pepe that the kiss from Fraudster meant nothing. She is entirely his. Pepe seems mostly sure of himself and of her. Everyone is worried about the test and the expensive machine Freddy is driving. Ana swoons about her handsome new novio. In the next round or so, the steering wheel comes loose and Fraudie, losing control over this magnificent machine, heads toward the barriers of cement with real fear in his eyes. What did this naco do or let the greasy one do? Hold on for some ads.

We’re back, Freddy somehow avoids the barrier, clips some cones, threatens the fans in the stands then comes to a slipping stop in the grass. Vin rushes over to hug his saved son. Pepe is immediately sure something was done to the car. Freddy blames Pepe then is followed by his father blaming Pepe. Pancho lines up behind Pepe but Ana clutches Freddy’s sleave as she lines up behind him. Freddy and Vin take off in a huff and Tomás wants to inspect the car right away but Pancho says we need to have this inspected officially, something is fishy here (hay un gato encerrado.) Ana sticks with her father but doesn’t look too loyal. Enzo has half way changed his tune. At least he asks Pepe what could have happened to the steering. Pepe assures him it was totally important for his work to test well.

Lupita and Alex have seen the whole thing streamed on the computer then Lup gets a call from Pepe while Alex has a flashback of Freddy telling him that his mechanic (Greaseman) was going to help him finish off Pepe Lopez once and for all. Back with Lupita who is being her charming self with a table full of small children, he has dreamy unclear thoughts. When she returns she says how much she loves children and doesn’t he too? He then reveals that his childhood was largely abandoned by parents who travelled all the time, for whom work was the most important thing and their social life, theater and all meant more than their children. He has abandonment issues (did they die too, I missed that line). So he is not sure about having children. Lupita kisses him with extra tenderness through his bitter tears.

Candi and Pancho leave the race field. She tells Pancho that Sandra told Pina that she and Vin were lovers.

Alex realizes that having children with Lupita would please her so smartly asks her how many she wants to have. She grins warmly, saying five or six. They kiss on it.

Candi continues that she told PIna aobut Sandrucha and Vins so pPina has made Vinc fire Sandra. Pancho says Sandra is not going to go without work most of all for your falult.

Chela goes to school (is it an Avon sales class or real adult education?), dresses well and begins to look like a woman with a brain. Or that is my hope for this silent scene.

The receptionist down stairs (that used to flirt with Pepe) is sitting at Vin’s secretarial desk. And Pina arrives being pleased to see the desk unSandra-ed. Pina then pushes into Vin’s office to say, if Candi knew you had an affair with Sandra and it was of only one night like you claim, how could Candi know of it? It must have been a full blown affair, she concludes. She can’t believe that the man she loves most in all the world would betray her with a cheap affair with his secretary.

Freddy tells the Greaseman (sorry I can’t remember his name and don’t care enough to look it up, he ticks me off) that he was having such a good time driving that he forgot for a minute that they had loosened the steering wheel. He is enraptured with the great race car but is easily distracted with the tall ad truck going by with Ana ‘s face plastered truck high with her Avon debut. That’s MY NOVIA he tells Greaseman. Really? Yeah! he is suddenly very proud of his conquest.

Pancho asks Sandra why she would have an affair with a married man. She is n’t sure But he kindly reassures her that she will not be left on the street. From now on she will work for Rebeca and will be promoted How does head of (sorry didn’t get the dept.)? She is ecstatic. She leaves while Rebe and Pancho smile at each other.

Chela saunters by with snotty nose upturned to Enzo and asks how did he have the nerve to send her flowers when she hates him. He says suavely says, your eyes say something else. She hangs on to her hate a little longer, but watches him closely.

At the race track the official mechanical inspector says something was definitely loosened in this car. He has videos camaras to see who could have approached the car. Pepe, Moni and Tomas are still worried about the car and finding out who altered it.

Freddy calls Ana to say he saw her Avon ad all over town. She is pleased and he swoons off of the phone all caught by the “video memory” girl called cousin Melli. Is your novia named Ana? She asks when he gets off the phone. He tells her not to be nosy (metiche) but Melli is easily smarter than Fred and will hold this knowledge for her further use when needed.

Rebe and Pancho pledge to be completely in each other hands and all night long. They can’t wait until they can be together all the time. They do everything but sleep in the same bed.

Enzo wants to kow how old Vin feels when he is with Candi? 11 or 11 and a half at most, says Vin quite sincerely. What about the issue with Sandra? Vins says, I took care of her. Vin gets a call about someone continuing the preparations. He won’t tell Enzo now what is happening. The bloom seems to be off the romance among the three pesketeers.

In a hospital bed in Germany, we see a pasty faced Inez looking scared as Fernanda comes in. Hola, Inez says Fer gently.

Pancho and Rebe kiss and act happy on the steps of Avon planning an evening date out in the Burra. When suddenly, the black clad, pez gun carrying, beret wearing duo charge up the stairs. Pancho gives them his money and keys and her purse and tries to be friendly. The pez shooter does turn out to be a water gun, so after squirting the surprised couple, the theives make off with La Burra. They finally discover that they only lost the Burra, they are not hurt, but Pancho cries for his dear truck.

Back in Berlin, Inez hears an apology by Fernanda who begs her pardon for what happened to her husband. She blesses and kisses Inez and leaves the startled looking old lady puzzled in her bed.

La Burra is full of burly boys who now report to Vin’s cell that they are awaiting instructions for the next part of the plan. They have accomplished the first step as he wished.

Freddy comes by to pick up Ana and they kiss.

At the police station, Pancho reports that his Burra has been stolen but has to correct himself for the shocked officer that La Burra isn’t an actual burro but is his truck. Rebe has to remind the officer that this was a serious holdup. Can they describe the crooks? Both Rebe and Pancho say, they looked just alike (egual), The officer is totally clueless and wants to blow it off. Just then the ladrones of La Burra arrive at the junkyard to find it locked. They don’t know what to do.

Freddy and Ana get back in his car to go off but the car seems flooded. He doesn’t seem to have a clue of what to do. Ana asks him to pop the hood and she provocatively leans over the engine and begins to fix it. (She has totally redeemed herself in my eyes with this satin covered butt shot with nonchalant control of the motor.)

Rebe drops Pancho back at his house. He is inconsolable at the loss of his beloved Burra. It makes him think of his Papa and the times they worked together. Rebe assures him that they won’t stand by with arms crossed. They will get his beloved truck back. He goes into his house while Rebe promises the air that she won’t fail him and she will do what need to be done to get La Burra back for her love.

Ana has fixed the car and with greasy hands comes back into the car, kisses an astonished Fred but gets a call about La Burra’s fate and has to leave him immediately. Freddy is unexpectedly star struck with his low-class ingénue.

Pepe is discussing results that he will get tomorrow when Pancho comes in to tell Pepe and Moni that his sad look is from losing La Burra. Ana arrives at that moment. When the chips (or burras) are down, the members of familia Lopéz are hardwired to close ranks and support each other unconditionally.

Temo whines to be part of the rescue team that will go after La Burra. Chela reminds him he has school tomorrow so cannot go. Moni, Ana and Lupita take off with Pepe to comb the city all night, with no luck. Pancho stays to worry alone in his room. Chela comes in later with tea and wants to know what he was doing when this happened. When he says he was about to go out with Rebe, she says, you mean you didn’t go out? In spite of what he was doing, she is glad that nothing happened to either of them. (Nice little shift in attitude.)

Melli rats out Freddy with PIna that he has a girlfriend. He demures, mumbling that she is named Anita. Pina plows on about who could she be and who could her family be and how rich and famous could they be. She names countless acceptably rich families.

Rebe calls Candi and says I need your help. I have an idea of how to get La Burra back. Candi is enthused to help. The kids keep looking and driving around.

At the breakfast table the talk centers on Freddy who won’t eat. Vin is mildly interested but Pina wants to hear more about this Anita. Milli says it’s Ana and the table gets inot an uproar. The boys leave and Melli asks Pina, what are you going to do with the puppies of Abeja and Popeye? Oh, they will have to be sacrificed snoots, Pina. SACRIFICED! screams the precious moppet.


At the office, Vin gets a call from the idiot La Burra thieves. They want more money and need to know what to do next. Vin tells them he will come to the junkyard but then sees Pancho coming in and manages to ask him, why the long face? When Pancho says, it is for the loss of his beloved La Burra, Vin snorts. Father and son car rustlers smirk as poor Pancho goes to his office with head hung low.

Pepe gets off of a kissy call with Moni when naco Freddy comes in to challenge him but Pancho comes in to stop the abuse. Pancho wants only to get la Burra back but Pepe sees the smirk on Fraudy’s face.

Vin shows up at the wrecking lot and sees the robbers dancing inside of La Burra. Vin has more money. He gives the order to finish La Burra off, and the car in the air is dropped by a crane that lands on a car beside beside La Burra. Go figure, one of the beret bandits is driving the crane.

At Avon, the parties have gathered, demands are made, posturing ensues. They want to get on with blaming thinking it will be Pepe’s doom, but the suit with the most interest in the car’s development says before they get going, they are going to see a video. Freddy sinks into his seat.

Moni finds out that her mother’s name isn’t Vargas, it is Ruiz, from the investigator.

The robbers hear Candi and know her voice which is on the radio inside the truck. She is giving a plea for help to recover La Burra. She gives the description and license number and the robbers decide it’s time to double dip and to get close to the luscious Candi too.

Meanwhile, the conference room video shows Fraudy and Greaseman approaching and altering something under the hood of the racecar. The investigator concludes: It is clear that the video shows the car was sabotaged by Freddy and his Greaseman. Freddy tries to whine that the video was altered but NO ONE buys it around the table. Freddy is looking like his goose is cooked. Back from break, the investors conclusion that Freddy needs to be taken off the project. Freddy begs Enzo who has no say over it. You will have to find a new pilot but Pepe is doing a great job with the car and we will continue as planned. Nothing more is to be done. The investor group leaves and Pancho congratulates his son. Freddy slams out the door.

Chato gets in trouble flirting too far and wide. With a maid from Lopez’ house while Adoración shows up and cools his ardor with a nice garden hose shower. This is enjoyable since most of Chato’s antics are neither comic nor a relief.

The beret headed nacos call the radio station and get Rebe on the phone sitting beside Candi. They make a deal that the women can come to get La Burra and they want money but they want no police or they will destroy La Burra, and oh yes, they demand two autographed photos of Candi. Rebe says of course, no police and with photos and money. They will be right there to rescue La Burra. The nacos rave about the ravaging Candi photos they are about to receive.

Moni shows up to accuse her father of giving her a false name for Violeta Ruiz who was not named Vargas. Why?

Meli tells a shocked Temo that Pina has threatened to sacrifice the puppies.

Moni accuses Enzo that he lied that he was present at the registration of her birth and he should stop lying. She stomps out again leaving him sputtering.

Melli and Temo are off to rescue the puppies. Miniiture super-kids united in a noble quest..

Pancho is crying to the boys that losing La Burra is like losing a living loved one. Just then Rebe and Candi come in chiming in that La Burra is saved.

Freddy runs in tell to Daddy that he is about to be denounced. Vin assures him that he will not be charged with any crime. Freddy wants Daddy to make him the pilot driver of the spiffy racecar like he promised.

The nacos decide to put on bandito bandanas to rob Pancho again even though Candi has come and offers the money AND the photos. Just where does Vicente find these people? One lets a VW bus begin to descend from the crane as we fade to the knuckle-to-chair-gripping close AGAIN!!

I am mostly thankful that this will be the last week of double episodes. I am also going to be gone in February to Costa Rica and Oaxaca. If anyone is interested in a 5 week guest spot, please let me know. I would like someone to take January 30 (that is next week) and all Mondays through the end of February.

Labels: familia