Caray, Caray!

La Malquerida #66
Part 1
She Loves Him, She Loves Him Not…

Cris goes to see Esteban in answer to what she assumed was an urgent matter. After politely inquiring about Juan Carlos, Este rapidly unveils the real reason for the call – Acacia and Ulises. Seeing her expression, Este quickly realizes his mistake. Cris confirms that Acacia went to see Uli and is willing to thwart anyone and anything to be with him. Cris said he should speak directly to Acacia about this. She said she is sorry to bother him and leaves. Este is not the least bit affected by what he has done and is doing to Cris. It is painfully apparent she is not even in his thoughts as he drinks and utters “maldito Ulises”.

Rosa asks a tearful Cris if things are resolved. Cris tells Rosa that Este no longer loves her. The terrible truth, stated so honestly and lamentingly, is heart wrenching. She tells Rosa about Este’s concern (preoccupation) with Acacia to which Rosa says it is normal. Umm, no, it is not.

As Acacia is leaving the jail, a furious Este charges up, violently grabbing her arm. He demands to know if she and Uli are together. Acacia says they are. Este, whose ego knows no bounds, asks if she truly loves Uli or is she back with him just to avoid her feelings for Este? Acacia says she has no feelings for him. Este (and we) do not believe her. He shakes her, gripping her arms and holding her hands in a rough embrace. However, like a protective angel, Hector appears out of thin air and insets himself into the situation in a protective manner. With a raised voice, he asks Este what the meaning of this is and tells Este to leave Acacia alone. Acacia says she is back with Uli after which Este grabs her arm and tries to get her to leave with him. Acacia stands her ground. Este stalks off as Hector asks Acacia if she is all right. Hector says Uli is a good person and reassures her they have a future together. Acacia says she is worried about her mother and that Cris is furious with her. Hector reasserts Uli is innocent and that things will work out and stresses the need to stay calm.

German and Manuel discuss Acacia but German defends Uli telling Manuel he is his brother but Uli is his friend. Manuel feels German has betrayed him. Later, Manuel then runs into Luisa who tells him Acacia isn’t home. Luisa sadly morphs into her desperate, cloying persona, telling Manuel she loves him as she grabs and kisses him. They spend another “romantic” tryst in the barn. Luisa wakes up alone on the cold, hard floor. Later, Norberto rages at Manuel, yelling at him, telling him to get dressed and pursue the family’s only hope of continuing their comfortable lifestyle - Acacia.

Juan Carlos is feeling better as he and Elena discuss Acacia and Uli. JC vows once again to protect Acacia as Elena urges him to be calm, The still in love couple coo and kiss.

Juli and Cris discuss Acacia, Manuel and of course Norberto. Juli complains incessantly and defends Manuel saying he is just concerned about Acacia. She wants to divorce Norberto and laments about Andres, saying she is so alone. After, Andres arrives, clearly in a bad mood. He rebuffs her advances and pushes her away. He wants nothing to do with her. Juli asks about Carmen which really escalates his frustration as he leaves.

Diana
 

Part 2

Andres tells Cris her father is doing well. Acacia arrives and tells Cris she wants her calm for her sake and the child’s. Cris tells Acacia she loves her and asks for her forgiveness. (Did she tell Acacia she wasn’t reconciling with Este? ) Many tears are shed as mother and daughter discuss everything but the terrible truth of Este and Acacia’s betrayal.

Hector and his (not so secretly in love with him) secretary catch up and Hector gives her a chaste kiss. Este barges in and attacks Hector about Cris. Este insults him and puts on an Oscar caliber performance of being the injured party, proving that the best defense is a good offense. Hector, always the gentleman is obviously rather disgusted, telling Este he will not tolerate his behavior and bids him a good day which Este ignores until the third time which is obviously the charm as he finally leaves.

Acacia asks for Uli at the prison front desk as Nuria shows up. Nuria reasserts Uli’s guilt. Meanwhile, Andres is visiting Uli and encouraging him. Andres explains German is his son and Uli celebrates he is with Acacia again. Nuria gives her testimony and says she and Uli were in love which is why she helped him perpetrate the fraud. A distraught Acacia listens and fondles her necklace. Later, Acacia visits Uli and hits him through the bars, obviously believing Nuria’s lies and stalks off angrily.

Later, Acacia meets with Hector but before they can talk much, Hector’s secretary shows up and interrupts.

Nuria fills Norbeto in on her lies to implicate Uli and throw the burden of guilt on him.

Danilo leaves Ale in Perla’s kind, protective care. Ale confronts Perla about the message from Acacia and Perla taunts her in return. A welcome visitor, Luisa, arrives. But of course Luisa is not there to inquire about Ale, she is there to whine and cry for the umpteenth time that Manuel does not love her. Perla eavesdrops and then introduces herself as Luisa runs off like a frightened deer. She mocks Luisa…

A drunken, sloppy, unappealing Este invites Rubio to his table. Rubio helps him out of the cantina, grabbing the liquor bottle. Este (one of the most disgusting inebriated characters I’ve seen), cries about Acacia.

Elena and Cris speak about Cris’s situation and being alone. Acacia makes a call (to Lizzy?). Manuel shows up and tells her if Acacia is happy, he is happy (liar!). Acacia hugs Manuel, crying it is over with Uli (yet again).

In a scene where basically all of the guests are asked to leave, Juli barges in on Carmen. As she tries to get her out, Andres shows up bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He tells Juli Carmen is the only woman he loves and boldly escorts her to the door as Juli seethes. He is rewarded for his trouble by being kicked out by Carmen who still cannot forgive him for his support of German.

Elsewhere, Danilo throws someone out and makes silly putty out of Rubio’s face. I was lost here, can someone add what happened?

Cris, Rosa, Juan Carlos and Elena converge as Acacia now says she is separating from Uli. Forever!

Previews: Acacia cries to Ale. Esteban stalks Acacia asking if she left Uli for him to which she says no. Much more..

Diana
 

There was a great deal of dialog tongight, which is always a challenge due to my limited Spanish comprehension.

Acacia's one minute she loves Uli, the next minute she loathes him is getting tiresome. She lets her emotions get the better of her far too easily. I am dismayed that contrary to all of the evidence pointing to Uli's innocence (including his unblemished past), that she is so easily swayed by cunning, con Nuria.

And the fact that Ale must constantly hear and be sympathetic to the mewlings of Acacia and Luisa whose problems are so insignifcant in comparison is truly sad.

Sleep well everyone.

Diana
 

Your recap was just great, Diana!!

I can't believe Juliana, but this woman never gives up. I'm so glad he shoved her out the door.

And Carmen, she's another one. I believe Andres told her German is his son. Only she can show love to her children, but not him!!
Her sons babied her too much.

Poor dumb Luisa, what will it take to wise her up about Manuel.

Ann-NYC

 

Thank you Anne.

"Only she can show love to her children, but not him!!" Yes, absolutely. I understand Carmen has been dealt a cruel blow but she is being totally unreasonable regarding Andres and German.

Also, thanks Vivi for posting the link...

Diana
 

Diana- Thank you so much amiga for another superb recap.

Well, it too less than 24 hours for Acacia to forsake Uli again. No surprise.

Some bits of additional info:
-Norb gave Nuria info from Uli's testimony, like the stuff about Itzel, and she twisted it around in her testimony. I was translating for my houseguest, so missed exactly what was said. But when Acacia met with Hector, it was to tell him not to represent Uli the liar anymore. Hector asked her doesn't she think it's possible that Nuria is the one who's lying, but Acacia is convinced because Nuria knew things she couldn't have known unless she had been in cahoots with Uli, like Itzel. What she was most upset about was Nuria's statements about how Uli slept at her place every night and seduced her, just like he seduced Acacia. Oh, please! If that doesn't sound like b.s., I don't know what does. Uli, a master seducter?
-Remember how Esteban needs additional investment money to go into business with Pareda? Well, Dan was cussing out a guy that had chickened out of laundering his money for him because there are all these new laws making it harder. And we know that the beauty salon is on hold at the moment. Rubio thinks Dan's need to launder money is a perfect match with Este's need for an investor, and told Dan he has just the right opportunity for him!
 

Ann, not Anne! So sorry - I'm still a bit bleary eyed.

Diana
 

Vivi, thank you so much for providing your always pivotal information.

Norberto's lies coupled with Nuria's assertions she slept with Uli were a lot for Acacia to absorb. Still...I wish she'd taken time to consider that he'd done nothing illegal in the past. Also, Uli was clearly gravely injured when he returned. I wish she had stopped to consider other factors.

I'm sure Hector won't be deterred. Someone needs to untangle this mess. And Hector, once you do that, would you please look into Danilo? You would soon see the slime that oozes just beneath the surface.

Maybe Rubio will bring Dan and Este together so that they can both fall down, hard and fast. Blech.

Diana
 

Dear DIana, thanks so much that exciting recap. I especially appreciate it because I was traveling last night and unable to watch this episode. Ack is a wishywashy baby. Ick Estevis spinning out of control. Hector is a rock.
 

Also going back to old bad habits was Luisa. If waking up all alone on that cold hard floor wasn't a wake up call, I don't know what it will take.

Ale told her not to lose her dignity over an unworthy man, like so many women do. This struck a chord with Perla, who is a love fool for Dan, but her self-defensive reaction was to act all snarky and sarcastic about Ale's boring friends. She also said to Ale that Luisa isn't bad looking and Ale should bring her to work in the brothel. Ale was not amused by the suggestion. Before Luisa's arrival, Ale asked to borrow Perla's phone so that she can call Acacia, but Perla is enjoying her role as Dan's watchdog over Ale.

Carmen needs someone to slap sense into her. The man just told Juli in front of her that he wants nothing to do with her, just his son, and that the ONLY woman he loves is Carmen. Then he throws her out! And Carmen is still pulling attitude with Andres and throws him out. Is there another good woman we can match him with?

We never did find out at the end why Acacia made those mysterious calls back and forth with Lizi.
 

Oh, and Ale also told Luisa that Manuel was not worth losing her friendship with Acacia, and urged her to make up with Acacia.
 

Thanks,, Vivi. Rubio , the master puppeteer, is going to bring two Devils together which will probably bring all the baddies down in the end...yay. Lust and greed make people stupid and careless.
 

As to Luisa..." what a fool believes, she sees.." .shout out to Michael MacDonald and our beloved Mads,
 

Excellent Diana and thanks.

Susanlynn, Rubio is the real deal maker and possesses information on all the wannabe kings, the one that recognizes and hooks up a buyer and seller.
 

Este-creepy wants both Chris and the younger version of Chris (aka Acacia)? Sounds like Danilo-lite. Surely he doesn't really know Ack enough to be in love...
 

Anon- I don't think I would call what we've seen of Acacia's and Este's interactions "love." They are both very attracted to each other-- lust, desire. And he has become obsessed with her, just like he was once obsessed with Cris-- obsessed enough to kill her husband and insert himself into her life.
 

You might even say that his REAL obsession is Alonso, and possessing all that was Alonso's-- his lands, wife, social position, and now his daughter.
 

I am happy that Hector witnessed Este grabbing Ack and took a protective pose . Now Este knows that someone saw him acting in a possessive manner toward his stepdaughter. Hector sees the true nature of Este , and Este knows it.
 

VIvi..yes...Este stole Alonso's life and all that he had. I want Alonso to start haunting Este . then,we would get to look at gorgeous Mauricio again. P.s. I saw him the other night on Gata when I surfed in.
 

Vivi..Has the snow started falling there?
 

Susanlynn and tofie, I like what you both noted that Rubio is pulling both Este's and Danilo's strings.

Hooks up "buyers and sellers". Yes tofie, he certainly does...

And Susanlynn, ITA that FINALLY, we have a witness to Este's stalking and abusive, possessive behavior toward Acacia. Hector's suspicions early on are proving to be more than justified.

And Vivi, perhaps Alonso is Este's real obsession. Very incisive...

Diana
 

Susanlynn- No snow yet. Just cold rain. I'm working from home today. :)

I hope everyone is warm and safe, and gearing up for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
 

Dana..Are you getting ready for some snow ?

Right now, Hector seems to be doing his best to protect both Ack and Chris from Este. Go, Hector.
 

I agree, what Esteban & Acacia feel is not love or remotely related but lust and typical for Esteban, turned to obsession and he will do anything to possess the object of his obsession. Esteban's obsession is creeping toward the maniacal and though Rubio cautions he is not invisible, the dude a loose cannon, even in public.

Rubio is just a watered down version of Esteban but only because he hasn't killed yet for his obsession, nor set his sights on the ranch owners wife or daughter.

 

Rubio is especially creepy to me because he keeps such a low, creeping profile as he is eavesdropping and trying to wheel his deals with the bad dudes..Dandiablo, Norb, , and EsteCreep.
 

Hector is on to Este. He is also offering to help German with his career and Uli with his defense. I hope that he does not listen to Ack and continues to try to help Uli,
 

I think there is or was something going on between Hector and the young legal assistant.
 

Susanlynn, yes, the snow is coming but am hopeful to be home, safe and warm before it really hits this evening.

Yes, please everyone stay warm and safe.

Diana
 

Tofie- When Cris met with Hector the first time in his office, she pointed out that his assistant Katia had a thing for him. He acknowledged that it may be, but he has no interest in women young enough to be his daughter. So he knows about her crush on him, but isn't interested. Question is, will she turn to the dark side to try to get rid of Cris and have Hector for herself?
 

Vivi, It did look like she was gonna tell Esteban something before he left so that did run through my mind.

I'm trying to cover every angle. Is it she that goes off the rails or is he hiding something we don't know. After the disclosure Esteban killed Alonso, I'm jumpy.
 

Tofie- LOL! Heck, with these writers, anyone could be suspect! They really pulled the rug out from under us by revealing that Este and not Norb was the murderer. But since I have to believe in something, I choose to believe that Hector is what he says. He hasn't made any secret about his love for Cris, much to the annoyance of Cris, Este, Acacia, JC, and Katia. And he acknowledges that he's a buttinsky.
 

Vivi: "When Cris met with Hector the first time in his office, she pointed out that his assistant Katia had a thing for him. He acknowledged that it may be, but he has no interest in women young enough to be his daughter".

Exactly. I'm not saying May/December romances can never work out because of course they do.

But it certainly helps when the object of your obsession is not your wife's daughter.

Este has long given up any cool calculations. His obsessive lust has drained all common sense from his mind. He reacts without thought with pure and utter emotion.

Soon, more than Hector will see what a monster he is.

Diana
 

Thank you so very much Diana. I liked two of your lines today, they are---Perla then introduces herself as Luisa runs off like a frightened dear. Perla then mocks Luisa.---Danilo throws someone out and makes silly putty out of Rubio's face. Right Diana, it did look like Danilo was playing with silly putty didn't it?

Diana, you said that Ale must constantly hear of Acacia's and Lucia's problems which are so insignificant compared to hers. Yes that's true but Acacia and Luisa think that Alejandra is a happily married woman with few or no troubles.

Wow! another roll in the cotton. If the bodega could only talk, what stories it would tell. Luisa is blind as a bat but she doesn't blow from side to side like grass in the wind. Unlike Acacia, Luisa knows what she wants, she wants some, no all of that Manuel. She thinks that she can make him love her, he wont. But I have a question---If at sometime in the future she ends up with Arturo, will she not always be thinking in the back of her mind that Art is hot but Manuel was hotter?

Talking about thoughts in the back of your mind---I can't stop thinking about Maricruz in CI. Mari went from an ignorant peasant girl to a pretty much self educated women with money and business smarts. At some point she lost all her money and business smarts but got the man that she loved. Here we have Acacia who like Maricruz at her worst point, doesn't seem to have any smarts either. Acacia moves which ever way the wind blows. Like Mari, Acacia will probably end up with the man that she loves or thinks she loves but at what price?
the gringo
 

gringo, I sadly believe that it will take something devastating in order for Luisa to end her obsession with Manuel.

I had high hopes that sincere, intelligent, kind, handsome Arturo would turn Luisa's head and make her realize she had a chance for love and true happiness.

It seemed to me she was turning a corner but yet, Manuel continues to have a magnetic pull on her that will not ease up.

I fear things will not end well with Manuel and Luisa. I'm not certain if Arturo will still be there to pick up the pieces.

It is very frustrating that both Luisa and Acacia have accepted Ale's dramatic and completely unrealistic shift in affection from German to Danilo.

I realize Ale avows she is happy but my heavens, the sadness and fear in her eyes is palpable. Also, at Acacia's most recent visit, Danilo attached himself to Ale like a parasite, pawing her to distraction. In my world, that would have raised a few red flags...

Also, Acacia knows Ale's background and I can't believe she would accept Ale's marriage seemingly without question. It drives me to distraction that no one is hearing Ale's silent cries for help.

Diana
 

Diana- If Acacia were to take the time to dig deeper than just asking Ale once if she's sure she's ok, at the beginning of their conversation, then it would take time away from her favorite topic of conversation-- me, me, me, me!
 

Three cheers for Hector the butinski guardian angel. I don't know what's coming but I just think that no matter how many lives Nuria tells, Hector will tear her lies apart.

Does anyone know the Mexican legal system? Is this going to be a jury trial or does a judge read all of the depositions and then make a decision?

I didn't like the ending or was it the advances where Acacia calls her family in to tell them all that they were right about Ulises. That should put JC the pompous patriarch up on cloud nine
He was right all along---not.

So the fight is over Rancho Buenavente and as for EsteLoco, well he'll take the young goddess
in the deal. He thinks that he will anyway.
the gringo

 

Vivi, LOL. Yes, Acacia must have quality time with herself at all costs. And you are right, Ale always answers in the affirmative yet no one ever bothers to inquire further. Sigh.

I would be beside myself with guilt if I were she. Yet, she manages to continue to be consumed with herself rather than concentrating on her betrayed mother, now pregnant by her husband, Acacia's stepather, the man she desires.

My head is spinning like Linda Blair's.

Diana
 

Yes, both Ack and Luisa are far too self absorbed to notice Ale's demeanor around Dandiablo. On the other hand, Hector is very observant...must be that law school training. He is a key player for not only Ack and Cris but also Uli and German.
 

I felt so sorry for Ale as Luisa was leaving and she asked her to come by anytime. Poor girl is in hell and welcomes any break.

As for Luisa's romp, guess maybe she'll ultimately figure out that hair of the dog that bit you is not a remedy, only gets you drunk again.

Nuria's lies are Norberto's and I imagine once she has served her usefulness he'll make her disappear.

Acacia has the hots for her step father and reacting just as he is in extremes. She sees Uli and doesn't entirely believe, but hears is Cris pregnant so Uli tells the truth and she loves him. Then Esteban lets her know he wants her and never going back to Cris and stay away from Uli, so she flips the other way when she overhears the one person no one really believes because she ran and has incentive, tells a predictable lie.
 

Luisa seems to be completely hung up on her puppy love. She can't see him as the cad he has become. To her, he is still the boy she has always been crazy about.
 

Diana, fab recap. The title is too cute.

It's been fun seeing ya'll rightfully rake Acacia over the coals. Uli, you don't know it now, but you just dodged a bullet.

Rethinking my initial thoughts on Rubio. Now I'm wondering if will be the last man standing. Este is losing it, probably because Acacia is so much younger.

Acacia won't do it, but I wish she would ask Este exactly what it is that he wants. To pick him over her mother? Cause if she gets with him, her relationship with her mother is over forever.

I laughed when Perla was cruelly mocking Luisa because I was mocking her too. Arturo and Uli both need to target a better set of women.
 

Thanks so much Niecie.

You raised an interesting question as to who will be the last man standing. Este has passed the realm of sanity, certainly. I think Danilo has hurt too many people and someone will seek revenge (likely Memo if he makes it that far).

I'm not totally convinced Rubio has survived thus far on cunning planning. I think he is a master at seeing what makes others tick and using it to his advantage. I think he's had the elements of being in the right place at the right time and some luck propelling him forward (so to speak). But he lacks the sheer, brute tunnelvision of Este and Danilo's cruelty.

That said, I have no idea of who it will be. But, it's great fun speculating and who knows? Nothing here has been formulatic thus far and we may be shocked when this wraps up.

I'd expect nothing less.

Diana
 

tofie, "Nuria's lies are Norberto's and I imagine once she has served her usefulness he'll make her disappear".

I think you are right. She is a liability no one can afford to survive.

Diana