Caray, Caray!

Here’s hoping all of you had a great holiday and wonderful Thanksgiving feast.

WTH, Univision? Another “two-hour” evening with another repeat of the previous night’s second hour, leaving us with only one fresh episode? And here we thought we were making progress. (I could be bitter about sacrificing my Thanksgiving evening, but the food is put away, the dishes are washed, and I’m ready to sit for a while.)

If You Didn’t Get Enough of the Club Scene
If one had only known, one could have made better plans for the repeat of Cap. 144—skipping either last night’s or tonight’s showing. I was weary enough from cooking to stay put and watch all over again.

There were the young lovers in their assorted triangles, hanging out at the club while watched over by cool and carefree Clementina. There was Alfonso, the man with the plan, persuading his fellow artists to fill up “his” exhibit with their talent. At least they get the satisfaction of seeing their work on display, even if he gets the credit. There were Celia and Tav, concerned that Mechita and MC would get bad reps from association with slimy Alfonso. And finally, we see many of our current characters eager to make an appearance at the exciting exhibit.

One of the Highlights of the Social Season
Although Tav appeared in person to complain to Alfonso’s mother and future mother-in-law, the selfish slimeball painter is determined to continue his pursuit of MC as both model and lover. Elsa, the very young former flame, calls to lodge another complaint with Alf. He claims he dropped her because she’s too young. That excuse doesn’t cut it with her, since he picked her up at school many times. She’ll see him at the exhibit! MC, hoping for a fresh start, tells Juanita they need to leave the hotel and find a house. (Finally feeling the need for privacy?)

Doris is driving to meet Tav, sure that she’ll marry him this time, unless he’s still involved with “that woman.” MC speaks to Juanita as she heads off for the exhibit, dressed in a conservative ice-blue lace sheath. Juanita says she is very elegant, but MC thinks Doris may bring out the savage in her.

MC is speaking to Alf in the crowded gallery when Tav and Doris arrive. Doris looks deceptively sweet in a pink chiffon and lace dress, with one bare shoulder and a flying panel on the other shoulder. She trills “Buenos noches” at Alf and MC, while a sullen Tav and hostile MC refuse to acknowledge each other. Alf tosses out “bienvenidos” as they stride by.

Clementina, husband (name?), Celia, and Mechita chat in a group. Doris and Tav scan the paintings, zeroing in on the head and shoulders portrait of MariCruz. Doris’ opinion: “She looks prettier than she really is.” Anibal, the hovering creator of the abstract “Freedom,” is thrilled to hear Tav praise his painting. Tasha and Alf’s buddy toast the success of the exhibit.

Tav overhears two men gossiping about MC—she’s actually the hired companion of the painter’s mother, and possibly worse. He takes offense and huffily informs them he personally knows that she’s a lady, not a tramp. Then he attempts to grab MC, saying if she doesn’t get rid of that painting, he will! He tells Alf he doesn’t want to hear MC' name in everyone’s mouth: after all, she is the mother of his daughter. Next, he tells Doris they’re leaving, despite her complaint that all this has nothing to do with them.

The Art World Is Amazed at Alfonso’s Talent
The morning after the big event, Alf’s parents read the morning papers with the critics’ positive take on the exhibit. “Freedom” is a masterpiece. Alf is also reading and learns his exhibit “surprised the artistic world.” Anibal, the somewhat scruffy “Freedom” artist, comes to see Alf with his thanks. MC is also reading the critics’ comments, but less happily. She doesn’t like contributing to a deception and thinks the other artists must be suffering from the imposture.

Anibal is thrilled to see his work appreciated, but Alfonso doesn’t want to give up the painting yet. He wants to show it elsewhere and maybe win a prize with it. He would give Anibal some money, since he knows Anibal needs it. Anibal is counting on the world knowing he’s the artist sometime in the future. He’s troubled with shaking hands, which is bad news for a painter.

Meanwhile at Casa de Society Central, Celia and her friends are praising the exhibit and asking about Mechita’s wedding. Now, many of them want Alfonso to paint their portraits. (Ha! A perfect career for him—a soulless society painter, forced to flatter ladies of a certain age instead of producing masterpieces or seducing young models.)

An art collector/museum representative calls on Alfonso. He thinks “Freedom” is a masterpiece and will pay mucho dinero for it--$100,000. Alf smirks a little, but doesn’t want to sell yet, since he hopes to exhibit it other places. Buyer thinks he must have been truly inspired to paint like that. Since he is leaving for Germany in a short time, he wants to take the painting with him. Selfish swine Alf continues thinking: Anibal is sick and won’t paint much longer the way his hand shakes. I could give him money and besides, my signature is on that painting. It’s too good an opportunity to pass up.

Other Members of the Public Have a Lower Opinion of Alfonso and His Talent
Tav wonders why he continues to believe MC is pure. Doris mocks him for defending MC, but he feels like killing those who attack her. He thinks of Alfonso’s insinuation that he should get rid of MC’ portrait if it causes such a problem.

MC is busy at Clem’s Casa de Pretensiones, going through her new stack of invitations. She’s hot property socially, now that her son is the buzzword of the art world. Clem brags on ladies lining up for portraits. MC is happy for her boss, but says Alf doesn’t take his painting seriously. They acknowledge other painters contributed to the exhibit’s success. A news bulletin announces a burglary at the art exhibit. The portrait of MariCruz was stolen!

In Tav’s room, we see him with the stolen portrait, loudly chastising the painted MC as maldita (damned). If his one brain cell isn’t working, his emotions are. He takes a knife from his bag and slashes the painting, hacking away until only tangled pieces remain. He rips the canvas free, tearing it into smaller shreds and demolishes the inner frame.

This catharsis is interrupted by a knock on the door. Doris enters, surveys the mess, and says Tav is the thief! Now he’s made MC famous as the muse caught between the artist and a jealous lover. Why did he do it? Because of those men saying MC was Alf’s amante (lover). She warns him she could make a real scandal if she calls the police!

An official is interviewing the gallery owner, who says it may be personal vengeance. He is welcome to investigate on his own. Probably he will, since it’s a juicy story.

MC goes into savage mode and confronts Alf in his studio, saying they have to talk. She arrives as Anibal also visits the studio. Concerned for security, he wants his painting. Alf reminds him to be careful about saying that, since it’s traveling under Alf’s signature. MC hears him offer $2,000 to Anibal and questions Alf once they’re alone. He says a buyer is offering $100,000 so he can easily pay Anibal the smaller amount.

MC is incensed and rips into him as she did to the Emir Karim, so long ago. She says other painters would be interested to know how he operates. He’s the worst kind of petty thief! He warns her that she and Tav have as much to lose as he, if the entire mess is made public.

Preview—Continuing fallout from the artistic scandal.

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