Caray, Caray!

Red Sky at Morning, Melodrama Warning!

For us in Viewerville it's been mere 24 hours since the events of Capitulo 175, but for our friends in that anomaly of space-time that is Agua Azul, México, a whole year has passed since just last night! During that year, some of them seem to have been given a reprieve from the drama and had a much-deserved spate of fairly ordinary life off-screen; others have continued on their various downward spirals.  But it looks like the storm clouds of crazy are gathering and our Aguazuleños are now worthy of filming again.   Let's check in on as many of them as we can:

In Her Beautiful House by the Sea

Still beautiful Montserrat is sitting in the living room with her adorable and well-behaved children, Laurito and Romina.  We learn that Romina has just begun to walk and that if Laurito were a US citizen he would be a firm supporter of Title IX as he is impatient to be able to play fútbol with her.   The doorbell rings.  In bursts José-Luis still sporting his sport coat and bright T-shirt look, eager to see his little girl.  It's worth noting that she begins crying as soon as he takes her from Montserrat.

Very savvy toddler who knows a Galán B when she sees one

Agitated Montserrat asks Rosario to watch the children, so she can talk to José-Luis.  José-Luis informs her snarkily that he came to see the children not to talk her, but she tells him that they need to be adults.  Resigned to a rancorous conversation, he follows Montserrat into the study.

Angry, she reminds him that they came to an agreement about Romina, and he accepted it:  he has been allowed by the courts to come to visit Romina every day.  However, she now realizes he tricked her because she just received an order saying that he is seeking custody of Romina, and there is NO WAY Montserrat is going to allow José-Luis to take her daughter from her.

He tells her of course he wants custody.  He claims that Montserrat is the last person in the world to be trusted to raise their daughter Romina properly.  She wants to know what the hell he's talking about.  J-L begins to recount Montserrat's long history of sexual immorality as he sees it:  her first being Sebastián, then being with J-L himself, and finally being with Alejandro and cheating all the while.  J-L maintains he's got to protect his daughter before Montserrat can sell her.

Montserrat gives him a well-deserved slap in the face for the insult.

Stunned by the well-manicured hand o' Montserrat

She then tells him that being with him was worst mistake of her life.  The only thing good about it was that it helped her mature enough as a woman to learn what she wants and what REAL LOVE is at the side of Alejandro.  She tell J-L if he wants a war then he's got it but she's not giving up her daughter.  He storms out of the room while telling her he's ready for whatever she brings.

Looks Like El Alacrán Made a Run on KaBloom  

Josefina notices a vase of luscious-looking red roses that have been left for her on her patio, but that's not all.  She looks again and sees that her entire garden has been filled with arrangement after arrangement of beautiful flowers of all different kinds--orchids, gardenias, lilies--and then she sees Adolfo himself standing by large bunch of Picassoean sunflowers.

She approaches him, saying his name since she is touched by the romantic gesture.  Adolfo tells her that there is one flower for each of the times that he has told her he loves her.  However, among all these many flowers there is one empty vase.  This vase is waiting for the flower that will represent the first time Josefina says that she loves him, too.  He kneels in front of her and takes out a ring box.

"Will you marry me?" he asks her, solemnly.

Josefina is moved but says nothing.  She takes him by the hands and together they walk closer to the table with the empty vase.  She reaches into one of the large arrangements and takes from it a single red rose which she kisses.  Then she puts the rose into the empty vase.

Emotional, Adolfo says, "You do love me!"
"Yes," Josefina says.   "I accept.  Nothing will make me happier than to be your wife."

With great joy, Adolfo puts the ring on her finger.

They kiss.

The patients at Agua Azul General will have to be content with Mylar balloons for a few days

In the Marina Base, Agua Azul

Dimitrio is looking at the photograph of his lost love and superior officer, Mónica.  Though he may have been stuck in a personal rut since last night/last year, he has advanced professionally and has just been made a Captain!  Refugio comes in to congratulate him, and they sit down for a chat.

Refugio seems a little bummed that he hasn't received a similar kind of promotion but is still very proud of Dimitrio and believes that DIM deserved the captaincy. Embarrassed but clearly touched at the verbalization of affection, DIM jokes that Refugio must want to borrow some money, and Refugio laughs and says how did DIM figure it out?

Dimitrio claims his promotion was because he worked so much, and Refugio agrees that because of DIM's efforts many criminals have been brought to justice.  But Refugio says that he needs to tell DIM something.  He is worried about DIM because it seems that DIM is spending all of his life in an office and has put aside his personal needs.  He reminds DIM that it has been two years since Mónica died and that DIM needs to let it go.

DIM listens but doesn't seem to want to take any advice.  He informs Refugio that though he (DIM) has caught many many criminal one still remains:  El Alacrán.  DIM doesn't know who El Alacrán is or where he is, but he's now sure it's not Medina.

Refugio tells DIM to forget about it.  It's been two years and they've heard nothing from El Alacrán, which means one of two things:  that he's either dead or has stopped fighting.  But DIM insists a third option exists:  El Alacrán is waiting and wants them to THINK that he's dead.

"Someone has to pay for the death of Mónica," declares DIM.
"Let it go!"  Refugio urges DIM again.

DIM tells Refugio he doesn't need his advice, pulls his new rank, and orders Refugio to get out.

New Hottie Alert

A late comer to the game but already looking strong off the bench

A cute busker-dude is playing and singing in the central plaza in Agua Azul.  Esmeralda walks up with an adorable Angel and listens to the busker for a moment.  She seems to like a lot more than his music.  He definitely notices her.

Back to Blissed-Out Adolfo and Josefina

Very happy about their engagement, Adolfo and Finita talk about their love for each other.  Adolfo says Josefina has made him the happiest man on earth.  She praises him for being so romantic and for how he won her over little by little with all the wonderful thing he says and does.  She is so proud of the man he now is.  He tells her that she has a brought out a side of him that was previously hidden away.  Josefina knows that they are going to be very happy together.  He wants to take her out for a special dinner tonight to celebrate.  He suggests they meet at 8 on the malecón, the place where they first kissed.  She says that she loves that he remembers these kinds of details.  They kiss some more.

Munchies Alert!

At least we now have proof that she really does eat sometimes

Fresh from her confrontation with José-Luis, Montserrat is eating her feelings and fulfilling her contractual duties as a product representative by enjoying a bag of Ruffles™at Light Temptations.  Macario comes in, and she tells him about her argument with J-L and also generously invites Macario to share her chips.

Her phone rings.  It's Tía Carlotta who needs Monte and DIM now.  Montse says she's on her way, hangs up the phone, and leaves Macario in charge of the chips and the café, the former of which he savors with a gusto that I hope Frito-Lay finds is worthy of its advertising budget.

A Case Study in How NOT To Co-Parent

José-Luis tells Laurito that he (J-L) trusts Laurito to take care of Romina when he (J-L) isn't there.  Laurito promises he will.  Then J-L begins milking Laurito for information, wondering if Alejandro really loves Romina.  Laurito tells J-L the truth he doesn't want to hear:  Of course!

Alejandro comes home from work and is peeved to see that J-L is still in the house.  Alejandro informs J-L that he was given permission to come for two hours every day, but that he's already overstayed his time.  Laurito begs them not to fight, and Alejandro back off a little but adds it wouldn't happen if José-Luis weren't in the house when he (Alejandro) returned.  José-Luis then informs Alejandro that it's also incredibly annoying for J-L to have to see Alejandro, too, but it wouldn't happen if J-L didn't have to be watched all the time with the children.  Alejandro warns J-L that he does not have permission to take the children out.  J-L protests that Romina is his daughter!

Rosario interrupts their quarrel to say she needs to give Romina a bath and takes Laurito with her.  José-Luis remarks sarcastically that he hopes that Alejandro is enjoying everything that he robbed from J-L and that he doesn't want his daughter calling Alejandro papá.  Alejandro remarks that J-L didn't feel that way when Alejandro's own son was calling J-L papá when he (Alejandro) was in a coma.  Alejandro is still angry at J-L for manipulating Montserrat into marriage.

José-Luis tells Alejandro if he doesn't like José-Luis around then to convince Montserrat to let him have custody of his daughter.  Otherwise, J-L is going to be with them always.

Even In Insurmountable Grief, Gracie Keeps Up the Insults

Carlotta has come with a tray of food and is pleading with Graciela to open her bedroom door and let her in.  It's been three days since Graciela's eaten anything, and Carlotta says she doesn't want Gracie just to say again that she (Carlotta) ought to do the same thing to lose some weight.  Carlotta has had enough of Graciela's rude behavior.

Eventually Carlotta gives us trying and says she will leave the tray of food by the door so that Graciela can get it when she wants it.

In her bedroom alone, Graciela remembers the traumatic events of the year before that have left her bereft and crazy:

Mad Mujer in the Recamara

We see a team of medics coming to take away the body of Fabiola.   Blood-splattered Graciela is stunned speechless as Manuela tries to reassure that EZ has talked to the authorities by phone will meet with them in the morning, and that Alejandro and Montserrat are in Agua Azul but can't come since the baby has just been born, but finally Gracie can take no more and screams at her to shut up and leave her alone.

Graciela staggers towards the family chapel, ripping down the police tape to collapse over the spot where Fabiola's body lay bleeding on the floor from a self-inflicted bullet in the brain.  Graciela cries and screams.  Just when it seemed things couldn't get any worse, who should darken the chapel doorstep but Pedro eager to give Gracie more grief.

He warned her when he asked her to lend him a couple of million, but she refused and once again chose money instead of her children.  She doesn't understand and wants to know what he means.  He smiles his evil smile and asks Graciela who she thinks gave Fabiola the gun?  She cries that he is a bastard, but he just smiles and tells her to pray to God to be forgiven for all the sins she has committed.  Now she's the one who needs Jesus.

Kicking Someone When She's Down, Creepy Pedro Style

Back in the present moment Graciela howls and cries, "My daughter!  My little daughter!"

Carlotta Is Done! 

In the living room of Mansion Mendoza-Basurto, Carlotta is telling DIM and Montserrat about Gracie's current condition.  She thanks them for coming and tells them she is worried.  Things can't go on like this.  Montserrat says she knows but what can they do?  They've tried in the past, but Gracie doesn't want to talk to them.  Carlotta says it's no longer a matter of what Graciela wants. She hasn't eaten for three days and she won't let Manuela in to clean the room.  It's going to end badly if they don't do something now.

Carlotta is also upset that DIM and Montserrat have left Carlotta with this responsibility.  It's been a year that Gracie has been shut up, and Carlotta has had to deal with it everyday and it's causing her grief with EZ who is also fed up.  Gracie is Montse and DIM's mother.   Carlotta knows that Gracie hurt them both, but she's paying for it now.  They're obligated to do something for her.

Montserrat and DIM agree that Carlotta is right and promise they will take charge of Graciela now.

Adolfo Saves His Lady Love

While waiting on the malecón to meet his new prometida Josefina for their celebratory dinner, Adolfo hears his phone ring.

"Hello, Alacrán," croaks an all too familiar, highly unwelcome, constipated-sounding voice on the other end.
"Pedro!" Adolfo says.
"Take a good luck at your stupid fiancé crossing the street to meet you," Pedro warns.  "Record it in your memory because it's the last time you're going to see her."

Adolfo looks up to see Josefina smiling and waving to him from a distance.  He then sees a speeding car is headed straight towards her.  In the next moment, Adolfo is running across the street to save her.

Wouldn't it have been easier just to remind her to look both ways before she crosses the street?

And luckily he does!

Mansion Mendoza-Basurto

Montserrat and DIM are pounding on Graciela's bedroom door, demanding that she let them to talk, but she doesn't respond.  Montse tells DIM that Carlotta is right and that they can't leave without talking to Gracie.  Things have reached their limit.  Finally, DIM just kicks open the door.

They know it's bad when they find her without make-up or blonde highlights

They are shocked to find her passed out on the floor.  DIM checks for a pulse and realizes she is still alive.  He calls for an ambulance while Montserrat calms for Carlotta to come to help.  He tells Montserrat not to move Gracie.

Back to Adolfo and Josefina

They land in a grassy area, and instinctively Adolfo is on his feet quickly reaching for his gun and looking to see if anyone else is around.  Things seems safe, so he goes to help Josefina, asking her if she's okay.  She's discombobulated but fine and says she hurt her arm.  She can't believe the way that idiot was driving but is ignorant of the even greater danger she is also in.  She wonders if he's okay, and he says yes.  Nervous and eager to get her someplace safe, he suggests they just get some Chinese take-out or whatever and go back to her place to celebrate their engagement.

She agrees, laughing a little, and adds as a joke, "To celebrate being alive."

Interlude of Esmeralda and Refugio, Still Fighting About The Same Thing

Refugio has come to the house to take care of his son for the night.  Esmeralda informs him that little Angel has already been fed and bathed, and shouldn't have any problem going to bed.  Refugio wants to know if she's going to be out until 5 AM again, and she reminds Refugio that he works during the day, but she works at night.

Refugio tells Esmeralda that she doesn't have to work.  She says she doesn't do it because she needs to but because dancing is her passion.  They've already talked about this so what is happening that he's bringing it up again?  He says that he believes that she only works just to annoy him.  She informs him that he's not the most important person in the world and that she dances for herself and that it has nothing to do with him.

He tells her that now that she has a child her priorities need to change, but she won't have any of that.  She declares she is an excellent mother and that Refugio can't make decisions about her life.  He tells her it's not good for her to be doing what she's doing, and she tells him it's not good for him to be doing his work, either, risking his life chasing down criminals.   He claims HIS work is decent while her work…well.  He just doesn't want their son to be ashamed of her.  She gets mad and tells Refugio her work is decent, too, and this attitude of his is why she won't get back together with him.

Back to Mansion Mendoza-Basurto

Carlotta is alone in the living room as EZ returns from his political party meeting, looking glum.  Carlotta assumes it must mean that the meeting went badly for him, but it turns out he's only acting and teasing her and that actually things went unbelievably well!   He tells Carlotta that she now has standing in front of her a candidate for governor of the state!

Congratulations!  Joy!  Promises of a very special dinner to celebrate!

He adds that he hopes she talked to her niece and nephew and has good news for him, too.  She asks him to sit down to recount the tale of what just happened to Gracie.  EZ asks if Gracie tried to kill herself, and Carlotta says it doesn't seem so, but she is waiting for Montse and DIM to call her from the hospital and tell her what the doctors have said.  EZ says, no matter, he doesn't want Gracie to return to the house and that is his last word on the subject.  He wants Carlotta to support him in this.

Poor Blind Nadia and Victor Hanging Out In Pedro's Old Place

Victor puts some documents in an envelope and announces all is order to sell the house.  Nadia can't wait since she has so many bad memories of the place.  She spent the worst moments of her life there.  Victor says now that the house is in her name they can sell it without a problem.

Victoria comes running in and wants to stay up since she's not sleepy, but they tell her she's got school tomorrow and has to go to bed.  Victor offers to take her and read her a story and she goes along happily with him.  Nadia tells her to brush her teeth and then tells Victor she'll see him in the bedroom.  They offer up some more Te amos to each other for good measure.

Finita and Adolfo Enjoy Take-Out and Plan Their Wedding

Josefina tells Adolfo that maybe they couldn't go to the restaurant but still she thinks this evening is super romantic.  The day was really special for her even in spite of the fact that that were almost killed by a speeding car.  And she says that that was even romantic, too, since Adolfo saved her.

"Thank you," she tells him, sweetly.
"I would give my life for you, Finita," he tells her.

He assures her that while he is with her nothing will happen to her.  She says that this is why she likes being with him:  she feels loved, protected and secure.  She thanks him again.  He thanks her for agreeing to be his wife.

He changes the subject and suggests they pick a date for the wedding.  She says she doesn't want to feel rushed and wants to plan the day calmly because it will be the most important one of their lives.  He says this is what he wants, too.  She suggests six months, but he protests that's too much time and suggests three.  She smiles and says how about four instead, and he agrees.  They toast on it.

Back to Victor and Nadia

In the their room alone, we see Nadia getting ready for bed.  She pulls back the covers and….

More action that she ever expected from Victor between the sheets

It's filled with scorpions!  But because she's Poor Blind Nadia she can't see them and continues her routine oblivious of the danger that awaits her.  Yikes, those scorpions are just running around all over, and she is just taking off her robe and about to hop into bed with them all.  This is going to be gross!!!!

Luckily, Victor enters in exactly the right moment.

"Don't move!" he cries.

Back to Adolfo and Finita Plus a Menacing SUV

Adolfo says he hates to be away from Finita, but he needs to leave to deal with an important matter.  She says she understands and that they'll see each other tomorrow.  They kiss, te amo, and wish each other good night.

Outside her house, Adolfo is vigilant.  He goes to his car and seems to be taking out a gun.  In the next instant, he notices a large SUV coming towards him, and he raises his gun and starts to fire, but he didn't cock the gun in time or something because he's too late and the SUV just speeds away.

Adolfo says out loud,  "I know Pedro sent you."

Agua Azul General

Montserrat and Dimitrio are coming to check in Graciela, lying in her hospital bed and looking dejected and depressed.

Really secretly praying for the strength to torment her children a few more years

Gracie wants to know why she is there.   They tell her they found her passed out on the floor of her bedroom and were worried she decided to do something stupid.

Gracies declares that she has every reason for not wanting to live, but she doesn't have the courage to do what Fabiola did.  "My daughter!" she whimpers.

Montserrat tells Graciela that thinking this way won't solve anything.

Graciela says she's asked God to give her the strength that Fabiola had and to end all this, but she can't.

Montserrat tells her they've talked to the doctor and that apparently Gracie fell unconscious because she is dehydrated and anemic.  They want Gracie to spend the night in the hospital and tomorrow she's going to have a few tests to make sure she's okay after shutting herself up for all those months.

"No, no, no!"  Gracie insists.  "I don't want to stay!"

DIM tells her it's not a matter of what she wants; it's what she's got to do.

Resigned, Gracie asks DIM and Montse in turn if they will stay with her tonight, but they both refuse saying they can't and have got things to do.  It's only one night, after all.  Gracie can't believe they are abandoning her, but it seems neither DIM or Montse can be guilt-tripped by Gracie anymore.

Dim informs Graciela, "Estás cosechando lo que sembraste."  You are reaping what you sowed.

She'd Know That Sadistic Over-Compensating Streak Anywhere

Nadia and Victor are both shaken after the scorpion incident, but Nadia especially.  She knows it was Pedro!  Victor reminds her Pedro is dead.  Nadia says she knows it's crazy, but she can't help feeling this way.  Their bed was full of scorpions and someone put them there.  He assures her that he's called the police.  They are on the way and will find out what happened.  She asks if he's check to make sure Victoria is okay, and he promises Nadia that Victoria is safe and still asleep.

The doorbell rings and the maid, Susanna, brings in Police Chief José-Luis.    He says he just found out what happened and wants to be in charge of this investigation.  He wants them to tell him exactly what's going on.  Did they really find scorpions in their bed?   Yes, they did.

"It was Pedro!" insists Nadia.

José-Luis promises to get to the bottom of whatever happened, and the doorbell rings again and in come a team of men from the Control de Plagas--love this name!  It sounds like the Plague Control in English, but I'm guessing it's some kind of animal control or pest control.  They want to know where the scorpions are and José-Luis says he'll go with them to check things out, too.  Victor asks Susanna to escort the men up to the bedroom.  They all go up, leaving Nadia and Victor alone again.

Nadia tells Victor again that she knows it was Pedro and that she's worried and thinks that Pedro must now be very close to them.  Victor says he understands her worry but that it's impossible.  What seems more strange to Victor right now is the way José-Luis reacted when Nadia told him about Pedro.  Victor says José-Luis didn't act surprised and didn't say anything about Pedro being dead.

"It's weird,"  Victor comments.
"You're right!" says Nadia.

End of Episode

Before I close,  I just want to warmly welcome all of you lurkers out there and to encourage you to comment sometime soon since the show will be over in a few weeks.  No judgment for lurking!  I confess that I lurked for over a year before I finally got around to commenting.  I remember the first time I tried to decipher and type in that twisted text to prove I wasn't a robot in order to post a comment, I just got a failure notice.  I didn't try again for ages.  I understand the barriers!

But as these final episodes wind down, please know that we would all love to hear from you.  We on the Robó team work hard to bring you these summaries and are always excited to discover that you have read our work and that the recaps helped you in your Spanish studies.  Thanks for taking an extra minute and telling us if you can.

Avances:  I missed them this week, but I'm sure they were exciting.

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