Caray, Caray!

Episode 114. Fernanda's Party

Cut scene: Luci, Susan, and David (in vest) talk about the winery's success, especially with becoming the Sunset restaurant's house wine. David is excited, and grateful to both of them.


Montage: Juan gives Perla some earrings; Luci, Susan, and Dave work together, and vestless Dave is smiling, but Luci looks sad after he leaves the room; Erika, Miguel, and Adolfo are working together, and they're laughing and cheering; Marta and Ramon work on something together in the kitchen, and shirtless Tano approves.


Dave plays video games with Bobby and a very bored Disgrace.


Miguel comes in with Erika's medication; Tano gets a text from Fer; Luci and Susan work some more; Sofia pulls Leon into an empty office. (End of montage)


Fernanda's test score has arrived, which means the montage covered about a week. She opens the envelope and announces to her family and Marta that she got "more than 1300 points." Not sure why so vague, but it's more than she needs for the school she wants to go to. Cheers and hugs.

Is that supposed to be a dress on Fernanda? I thought it was a nightshirt.

Adolfo shows Erika the Sunset restaurant's website, which is now boasting that they carry both Vino el Amor and Vino el Romance. Erika is disappointed and says, "so Luciana pulled it off." (Notice she doesn't say "so David pulled it off.") Adolfo tells her that when they win the big contest, restaurants will be begging to feature them as their house wine. But Erika thinks the restaurant's endorsement will mean points in favor of Bodega de Los Angeles in the contest. She is taking this very hard.

Cut scene: Graciela says they should have a dinner party to celebrate Fernanda's success. David agrees to let her invite Tano and her friends. Fer also invites Marta.

Cut scene: Erika is still fuming about Sunset. She doesn't like to lose. She's determined to beat David and Luciana.

Cut scene: Bobby is playing video games when Luciana arrives with some candy. He sulkily turns off the TV and sulks. She tells him there really has been a lot of work at the vineyard, and she finally gets him to smile. He tells her about the fútbol school and Fer's test.

Cesar congratulates David for getting the deal with Sunset, the most esteemed restaurant in the SF Bay area. David admits that it's thanks to Luciana. Cesar is glad that at least they're still "together" in business. Dave says it's because of the passion she has for the wine and the land.

Cesar mentions all the good luck David's had lately, Fernanda's improvement, the success of the immigrants' foundation, Bobby doing okay, etc. David credits most of this to Graciela. Cesar quickly replies that David deserves much of the credit as well. But David confirms that, much to his surprise, she's dedicated herself 100% to the kids just as she promised in her press conference.

Luci mopes around Susan's office (while Susan is concentrating on something) and sullenly insists that nothing is wrong. (I'm distracted by the jumbo slice of agate Susan is wearing as a pendant.) She tells Susan about the visit with Bobby. It's looking as though she's being edged out by Graciela, who also (through that fútbol player Cristiano, to whom Grace once sold a painting - hey maybe it was the foot painting) is helping Bobby get into a footie school. And Fernanda passed her test. Luci says she's happy for her (she doesn't look it), but she's hurt that she didn't get to play a role in all these good things.

(Now Susan and Luci are standing closer together than Luci usually stands with David.)

Luci's especially miffed that the woman Luci called a hypocrite, uninterested in the kids, now appears to be anything but. Luci is beginning to doubt herself. Maybe all this good fortune really is thanks to Grace, and Luci is the only one who's in the way.

Cut scene: Cesar and David with wine, discussing more of same. Then they discuss Cesar's love life. Susan is filled with fears and nightmares. David suggests that they try to get away for a few days, but Cesar says she'd rather concentrate on work. He's thinking maybe he should give her some space.

Cut scene: Luci and Susan talk about more of same. Susan encourages Luci to keep up the fight. Luci wants to find out if Grace is sincere about the kids. Luci says she'll stop fighting for David the day that he says he loves someone else.

Cut scene: Lilian, Grace, Sonia, and Marta plan Fer's party. Marta is well-behaved, but when Sonia says that Fernanda is smart like her father, Lil cuts in and says "like her mother, too." Marta offers to make Fer's favorite sushi and cake, but Lil decrees that they will order the sushi from a restaurant, and Sonia will make the cake. Sonia is taken aback. Grace will order flowers, and Lil says she'll invite Gut.

(still cut scene): Lil and Grace leave. Marta tells Sonia she'll help with the cake. Sonia is still stunned by what just happened. Marta says the important thing is that "mi niña" gets the celebration she deserves.

(combined scene): Fernanda tells Tano that she passed the test. He congratulates her, and they kiss. She invites him to the party. He's not sure at first, but he agrees.

Grace gloats to Lilian in Lil's room. Lil isn't happy at all; she's chafing because Marta was invited to Fernanda's celebration dinner. She's so offended by this, she actually makes Grace look sane for a moment. Grace reminds her mother that soon Fer will be at university and Bobby will be at fútbol school, and Marta won't be a problem. Lil looks forward to Bobby ending up in Spain. Lil wants to know, what about her? Grace says that when she finally gets Dave, she'll have Marta and Luciana thrown out. (Notice this doesn't answer Lil's question.)

(combined scene): I think Fer just told Tano that they can be a couple now?

(cut scene): Lil warns that even if she's won over the kids and become more important to Davaid, that doesn't mean he'll fall in love with her. Gracie is sure she can do it. Lil wants Marta and Luciana thrown out sooner. Gracie wants to do it her way. She stomps out of Lil's room.

(cut scene): Juan wants intel from Carito. Perla said she hasn't heard from her, and besides, Carito's mad at Perla. Juan insists. Perla says no. Juan says something about all the jewelry and gifts he's given her, I don't catch what he says about that, but it changes Perla's mind and she agrees to call Carito. Carito is mopping the floor and says she's too busy to talk and will call back later, but Perla says that she needs Carito. Carito says it's not because of Perla, but because of Juan. Perla invites Carito over and says she won't repeat anything to Juan. Carito reluctantly agrees. Juan rewards Perla with kisses.

Dave likes Luci's presentation/brochure for the wine contest, which now mentions that they're Sunset's house wine. She says she feels confident (not what she told Susan earlier). He tells her that Fernanda passed her test; Luci already heard about that from Bobby. Hesitantly, David says that their sacrifice is finally paying off.

Miguel is excited - he informs Erika that they're starting to get more requests for the Fronteras wine. Miguel's phone bleeps - it's time for Erika's medicine. (Why can't Erika keep track of this herself?) He wants her to stay healthy for all of their plans and dreams.

Adolfo enters with some proofs of marketing collateral for the competition, and it's good. Erika thinks they have a real chance of winning - and it's clear again that she especially wants to beat Bodega de LA.

Cut scene: Luci and Dave more of same. Fernanda is doing really well, teaching English to the immigrants. Luci says she's happy for all his good fortune. He wants to adjust his working hours so he can spend more time with the kids. She agrees that there's no substitute for family time, and she's glad for him and the kids. Dave utterly fails to hear the things that she isn't saying, and I'm disappointed in her for not saying them.

Fernanda is wearing a nice dress for her dinner party. Fer's friend Caroline and the other nitwit (both dressed casually) have arrived, the amateur bartender and pharmacist. Tano (also dressed casually) is next. Fernanda is saying how much Grace helped her. Lil has a strange expression on her face, somewhere between a scowl and a smirk.


Luci tells Susan she's not happy to have been left out of the party, but it's really not her place. She had told David that as long as he and the kids were happy, it was all worth the sacrifice of their love. She can't even call Grace a liar when they're currently celebrating as a happy family. She's very pleased for David and Fer and Bobby, but she's hurt that she had to be away from him for that to happen. Everything went wrong for them when they were together.

Cut scene: Lil brings Fer a gift that was supposedly sent by Gutierrez, who couldn't come because of an emergency (like he'd rather slit his own throat than be with Lil?). Graciela has good news too: Cristiano was able to get Bobby into the fútbol school and he can sign up now.


Cut scene: Bobby celebrates. David thanks Grace, and she says she did it all for Bobby. Then she clutches Dave's shoulder possessively.

Cut scene: Susan tells Luciana to hang in there. She offers more advice that I can't get, but I'm not sure Susan should be giving advice anyway... Luci is worried that all of the family's problems were her fault. Since Fernanda had her original breakdown (with the pills) there hasn't been a day that she didn't feel guilty. Susan tells her to just let things unfold. She's sure that Luci and Dave will be back together before they know it.

Carito visits at Juan and Perla's place. She's supposed to have an intel report on Dave's World of Wine, but all she says is that she not comfortable there. She can get a job at Adolfo's Groovy Grapes. Juan (who I think Carito wasn't expecting to see) is opposed to this, and says that they're all friends, and friends don't BETRAY one another. He says this in a very mild tone and his face is pleasant, but adds that Mark deserved what he got for screwing them over. Carito gets the message and asks if he's threatening her. He says nooooo, I could never hurt a friend of Perla's. And then he smiles, very friendly-like, and I think I see The Joker again.

Cut scene: Bobby is still excited about fútbol school, and Lil makes sure that everyone knows it was all because of Grace. Fernanda thanks Grace for helping her and her brother. Grace is so deeply touched by Fer's words. "You are my life," she says, hugging them.

Cut scene: Carito tells Perla she can't do it. Perla says that Juan is protecting both of them. Carito doesn't think so. Perla promises that he won't hurt Carito. Perla would go to the police first. Carito doesn't want any more trouble. Perla advises Carito to go back to the vineyard. Carito tells Perla to beware of Juan.

Cut scene: Fernanda says goodbye to her friends. Then she talks to Tano and I don't get most of it, but I think she's applying for a scholarship. David smiles as he watches them.

Marta comes home from Fernanda's party. She tells Luci they were all smiles, but she felt out of place. Luci is depressed. She thinks she's lost David forever. His life is all fixed up and there's no place in it for her. She thought they could get back together when things were better, but it's not looking that way. Marta tries to comfort her. Luci knew it wouldn't be easy, but she didn't think Graciela would be the one to put everything in order.

Luci says, "they say that when you truly love, the only thing you want is to see the other doing well and feeling content. I am truly glad to see David so happy, but I can't help feeling sad." Marta says that's normal. Luci cries.

Fernanda thanks Grace and her father for helping her out and letting her friends (especially Tano) come to the party. She goes off to bed. David then admits to Grace that he's been unfair to her, and he's grateful for all of her help. She says that she's not "expecting anything in return for my love of ustedes," but she moves in verrry close, and OH MY EYES!!! Not only is he not resisting her kiss, he's participating. This isn't the galan paralysis disease, this is the GALAN FAIL disease.

Oh, it's horrible. I see teeth. I see her little nose smooshing up against his cheek. I see her getting a mouthful of whiskers. Where's my tequila?

This could be a documentary film to scare kids off of kissing. (It's actually much less horrible than Luci and Dave, but I never had to recap one of their kisses. And I'm pretty sure that we weren't zoomed in as tight on their faces. This is an EXTREEEEEME close-up and it's just freaking horrible.)

Episode 115. The Horror Deepens.

Cut scene: Finally, David and Grace come up for air. Grace pretends to be shocked by what just happened - and excited to know that he feels the same way. David's reply is a little more measured; he acknowledges that she's supported him in everything, and she's pretty, intelligent, and talented, but he wants to do things the right way. He doesn't want to make the same mistake as last time. She agrees that they should get to know each other better. He's so handsome, she says, it's not right that he should be alone!

Meanwhile, Luci is still crying about David. I sort of feel like crying, too, because the irony is like a thumbtack in my shoe. Marta tells Luci she's still got plenty of life left to live. Luci can't believe that something that once made her so happy is now causing so much pain. Marta says that we learn from these painful moments in life. (And what do we learn from these moments? What did you learn, Marta?)

Grace is all "emocionada" over being "more than a friend" to Dave. Dave says let's take it easy and "let time decide." He doesn't want to mistake gratitude for "something else." (Well... I am confused. When he was grateful to Miguel and Erika for helping him out with the irrigation system, did he kiss them too?) She's willing to let things go little by little, but she promises he won't be sorry. (And there's an undercurrent in her manner that is clearly saying "Let's go to Vegas right now!")

Then she kisses him again. It's quick, but I think she stole some of his Skittles.

Lil is reading a book called Lady Killer. Graciela comes in all excited. Lil is still grumpy about the party and doesn't want to hear Grace's news, but since Grace won't go away, Lil consents to listen. "We kiiiissed," Grace sings, and Lil rolls her eyes. "Kisses don't assure the love of anyone," she says, and she would know.

They're going to start dating, Grace says. "Oh, dating," Lil repeats sarcastically, and warns that if Luciana is just like her mother - as she seems - she won't let Grace be happy with David. Grace says that she is nothing like Lil; she would never permit Luciana to be David's lover the way Marta was with Grace's father.

Full moon, and now daytime.

Cesar tries to make lunch plans with Susan, but she bustles around the lab, trying to avoid his gaze, and says no, she has to prepare samples for the competition. Then she'll go to bed. (Did I get that wrong? It's morning.) She denies that she's avoiding him, but he doesn't buy it. He says it's supposed to feel good, being a team, being a couple, but that's not what's happening between them. He's not a fool. It shouldn't be a big deal to ask one's sweetie to lunch. He tells her to think things over. "Are you breaking up with me?" she asks. Cesar sighs and rolls his eyes.

Grace takes credit for preparing Bobby's breakfast and suggests to David and Bobby that they do something fun after enrolling at the fútbol school. (She is rubbing David's arm like she's trying to start a fire.) Bobby says she is just the greatest ever, and she says there's nothing she likes better than being with them, but she looks a little disconcerted as Bobby sits down to breakfast.

Cut scene: Susan asks again if Cesar is breaking up with her, and he says maybe she should be the one to say. She wants to talk things over at some other time and place. Cesar says he's supported her, been patient, affectionate, and respectful. He agrees that what she's been through was powerful, but nothing he's tried to do for her has been any help. He's hurt by her attitude. He deserves honesty.

Cut scene continued: "Well, if that's what you want!" Susan cries angrily, but Cesar says no, that's not what he wants, but it's what they need. She needs to put her past aside and move ahead. Otherwise, nothing's going to happen, and they can't be together. He'll go to a motel for a few days, and she can stay at the house. (This man is a saint. Just sayin'.) Angrily, she says she'll go to her old house. He doesn't want her to do that. He wants her to make a good decision, and if she goes to her old house she'll be surrounded by bad memories. But Susan thinks she needs to confront her fears. They hug, and he leaves.

Cut scene: I wish this hadn't been cut. Sonia has a stack of David's shirts. Unable to resist temptation, she takes a light sniff at the shirts. Puzzled, she takes another, more substantial sniff. Then she frowns and holds the shirts up to her face and huffs. No effect! She's got to find Leon!

Lilian goes to the police station, where Gutierrez has all the time in the world to listen to her grousing. He says he doesn't like her fighting with him. She's hurt because he didn't come to Fernanda's party last night. He says he didn't go to the party because he thought it would be a teeny-bopper thing, but she accuses him of skipping out because Marta would be there.

Luci goes to the house looking for Bobby, but Marta says he's away with David and Grace to sign up for fútbol school. They'll be away for the rest of the day. Luci is chapped - she's lost both David and Bobby.

At first Gut denies it, but then he admits it's true. He didn't want to hurt Marta. He is tired of Lilian using him to hurt Marta. He asks, why does Lil always pick on Marta when he's around? (Gut, it's not just when you're around. She's like a tree falling down in the forest.) Lil says she just can't help it, because Marta is a horrible person. Gut tells her to stop the trash talk. That just makes her madder. She says Marta wants nothing to do with him, even after he saved Luci's life. She begs him to forget about Marta. She makes a sad face and says it hurts her that he still cares for Marta. He points out that she's the one who keeps mentioning Marta! He sort of pats her arm, but that's all.

Luci asks Marta, how can she forget about David when everything she sees reminds her of him? Marta tries to convince her that Bobby's happiness should make it easier. Oh shut up Marta. Luciana says that Grace is doing all these wonderful things without expecting anything in return. (Ouch, there goes that thumbtack in my shoe again.) Marta suggests that it is Luciana, not Graciela, who is obsessed. (I would like to put a couple of thumbtacks in her shoes.) "When it comes to David, you never understand me," Luciana declares, and marches off.

Cut scene: Tano and Leon are packing filled wine bottles. Tano is saying he had a good time at the party. Sonia rushes up and mauls Leon. She yells to everyone that she loves Leon. He tries to silence her. She tells him that her nose never lies.

Cut scene: Perla brings home some groceries (paper bags, not plastic) and tells Juan she got what he wants for dinner, but wishes they could go to a restaurant once in a while. Juan says they need to be discreet. (Yeah, nothing raises suspicions like eating a meal.) He's frustrated that he's not getting any help from Carito. Perla says she talked to her, and she will get Carito to help, but Juan has to promise not to do anything to her.

Cut scene: Ramon brings Marta roses and wants to formalize their relationship. Marta is hesitant. He wants a chance to make her happy. (continued) Finally, Marta replies, "how can I say no?" He promises she won't be sorry. He's in love with her. He will always try to make her happy. (Marta says things too, but they're about appreciating his support and friendship.) They kiss.

The thrilling threesome come home from San Francisco, and Bobby tells Grace what a great time he had. He runs off to call Charlie and Summer. David thanks Grace for what she did for Bobby, and she says it comes from the heart. And now she wants to do something for David...

...there is a long, suspenseful pause...

...she would like the two of them to go eat someplace tonight. Alone. So that he can get to know her better as a potential mate and as a woman. Then she steals his Skittles again.

Susan tells Luci about Cesar taking off on her. She doesn't understand it. Luci tries to convince her that it was a very loving gesture for Cesar to give her some space to make up her mind. Susan does have some stuff to work out. Luci urges Susan not to let fear or depression get the best of her. She should fight for her love. Susan hopes it's not too late. Luci encourages her not to lose hope, but admits that she doesn't know what to do with herself.

Cut scene: Erika asks if Miguel has read that thing she sent him. No, he's been working on something else. But he closes the laptop to give Erika his full attention. She sits on his lap and says she's found some apartments they can look at. He's worried that they're taking this a bit fast, but he backpedals and says of course he wants to be with her for the rest of his life.

Cut scene: Luciana tells Susan that when she helped David out of his depression, she thought that would be the biggest problem they'd ever face. Now she knows she was wrong. Susan still thinks they'll end up together. Luci seems to think that if they win the contest, it will prove to David that they should be together. More of same.

Erika suggests to Miguel that they compile a list of restaurant prospects, but he is distracted. She is worried that he is having second thoughts about living together. He says he just has things on his mind that he needs to deal with.

Carito is in the employee kitchen, vigorously scrubbing a very clean counter, when Perla arrives, allegedly just to say hi. Carito is suspicious. Perla insists that not only is Juan not going to do anything to Carito, he's worried about her. Carito doesn't buy it and says if she's being quiet, it's because she doesn't want the same thing to happen to her that happened to Mark. Perla says Mark got what he deserved, and she'll ALWAYS defend Carito. "Even from Juan?" "That's what I'm telling you."

Perla wants to avoid running into anyone else, so she's going to leave now. But she tells Carito that even though she hasn't always shown it, she's her friend, and she's very important to Perla.

Lil bustles into the big house kitchen and announces to Sonia that for now on, Lil will be very busy. (Marta makes sarcastic comments.) She'll be doing publicity work for the sheriff, so she won't have time to watch over things here, so Sonia will have to take care of it. Marta says things are just fine here, and even more so when Lil isn't around.

Lil says that with the kids doing so well now, she's not going to let Marta ruin it. (I just noticed Lil's boobs. That must be some contraption she's wearing underneath.) Lil's pulling Marta off of nana duty. Marta will be cleaning the whole house. She can see the kids in her paltry free time, but Grace will be taking care of them. It's time Marta returned to her "proper place" in this house.

David is at the police station without an appointment and without a vest, but Gut agrees to see him. David wants an update on the spoiled wine investigation. Gut has no evidence against Juan. According to the investigation, Mark bought the succinic acid, and it was delivered to the place where the undocumented workers were kept - which was rented by Mark. David says he realizes that Mark did things to hurt Susan, but he had no reason to interfere with David's wine. "I guess we'll never know," is Gut's unsatisfactory reply. He's sorry, but that's all they've got.

David urges Gut to keep looking. Juan had a motive, and he was Mark's associate. Gut says Juan broke up with Mark (sure, months after the wine was ruined), but David says of course he did, and for exactly this reason.

Cut scene: Marta and Lil squabble some more. Sonia tries to stick up for Marta, but Lil says if they don't like it they can scram. She leaves. Sonia and Marta let off some steam. There's not much they can do, since the kids are happy. Sonia promises to help Marta be able to see the kids.

Cut scene: Gut agrees that it all makes sense, but he can't go forward without any evidence against Juan. The problem is, he had a hard enough time getting the case reopened. He doesn't have any resources to put towards it. He needs to close it soon. David says this is Gut's chance to get back on his good side. Gut says he wants to do it because it's right, not because it's a favor. Dave apologizes and thanks Gut for saving Luciana. Gut agrees to keep searching, "but don't get your hopes up." Dave warns Gut to be careful with Juan.

Night falls.

Marta and Ramon chat with Luci, Leon, Sonia, and Tano. In spite of the bad news about no longer being the nana, Marta seems to be in a pretty good mood. She lets Ramon give the news: "Marta and I are together." No one is very surprised! Sonia is especially excited and says it's just like some romance novel, and Leon pretends not to know what she's talking about. Ramon promises to do anything necessary to make Marta happy. Good luck with that, Ramon. Maybe someday, someone will promise to do as much for you. But for now, he is happy that she accepted his offer.

Luci asks her mother for a comment, and Marta says she's "content." Hugses. Oh, there's Carito, where'd she come from?

Cut scene: Adolfo is happy about some restaurants being interested in their wine, but Erika's head is somewhere else. She's afraid Miguel's not into moving in together. Adolfo says she should talk to him and clear things up.

David and Grace come back from dinner. He admits that he needed the distraction. She says she could talk to him for hours and hours and time just flies. He was grateful for the break from working on the wine. He is still talking about the contest. She interrupts and says that nothing worthwhile in life is easy. (Which means that she is not worthwhile.) But at last he'll be able to accomplish whatever he wants.

And then, because he is leaning away from her on the couch, she leans waaaaaay over to kiss him, snagging just a couple of Skittles, and then gets up and tells him to have faith. Good night!

Now the employees are drinking champagne. Carito wishes Marta and Ramon luck. Luci pulls Marta aside, and Marta says she realized too late that things happen for a reason, and we don't always get an answer when we'd like. And she means that for Luci. She just wants Luci to see that at times the answer is not what we want, but don't stop being good. (I'm sorry, did I get that wrong, or is this just another of Marta's bromides?)

Sonia congratulates Marta. Leon congratulates Ramon. Tano asks Marta to take care of his father and says that Marta has always been like a mother to him.

Morning. Lil tells Grace that Marta's no longer the nana. Grace is in full charge of the children. Grace is drinking coffee and totally misses the perfect opportunity for a spit-take. She is not on board with this plan, not at all. Lil says she can use Sonia. The important thing is to keep Marta away from the kids and make themselves indispensable. "But not at the cost of my free time!" Grace protests. Lil says Fer is always out doing teenage girl stuff, and Bobby will be away at soccer school - Lil will drive him (!!) - and the payoff will be greater than Grace can imagine.

Luci and Susan are ready to show David (back in the vest) their latest draft of the presentation. Luci reads: "What is it that we all yearn and seek for all of our lives? That someday we'll be able to feel the passion and sweetness in a sigh. And only El Romance can give us this. With fruity notes that waft softly on the palate with the flavors of blackberries and apricots, giving us the sensation of having kissed a person that we love. A wine made with love and delivered by hundreds of hands. With care with dedication, every grape is transformed into a unique wine. I invite you to taste El Romance."

David is very moved. He tells Luci that there's no way not to fall in love with her words. He embraces her passionately. He does not kiss her at this time.

Labels: vino