Caray, Caray!

It’s Friday night ladies and gentlemen and we left Peligros last night in peligro. Epig, had managed to figure out enough about what Miguel was doing to steal his money. He may not be the dumbest thug around, but his impatience and impulsiveness make it seem otherwise. He is so sure that Miguel is going to fail and at the same time won’t stop attempting against his life or his plans. Doesn’t sound like the actions of a sure man to me. So what is Miguel to do? Jimena is bidding at the auction and as of this moment, the money to bid with is gone.

Tonight’s episode picks up right where we left off with Miguel trying to call out to Peligros in the middle of the auction, and keep his cover at the same time.  On a side note, for someone trying to pull his family into the legal side of the business, he seems to have an extremely good understanding of how to operate on the dirty side. Shell companies, money laundering, hacking, blackmail…and Miguel is supposed to be the good guy? Just saying…


We jump to el Flaco and Kenia sharing a soda back at headquarters. Then the phone rings, it’s Miguel asking Flaco to find Peligros, Flaco is on it, using the GPS of his phone.

Flash over to a sleeping Adela, who also receives a call from Miguel. She freaks out thinking she missed picking up Miguel. We only hear her side of the conversation and she says she is going with Trejo, somewhere…

Back to the auction, Miguel sending Jimena a text. The text says, “hay que hacer tiempo,” which means we have to make time, or in other words I am assuming “stall.” The auctioneer in the background is telling the bidders that the starting price is 10 million Euros. Jimena is indeed trying to stall as we see her trying to sabotage her paddle. Good thing the thing was electric. What would  she have done with an old fashioned one…? On the other hand, Jimena was not kidding when she told her boyfriend about how she was looking forward to the excitement of the new job…false identities, sabotage, she’s jumping in with both feet.

Flaco and Kenia arrive at the site of the shooting right as the ambulance is about to carry him off, the EMT tells them it doesn’t look good. They follow the ambulance in the taxi.

The auctioneer announces that they are going to wait just a few seconds while they make the change of the paddle. The bidding starts. Is it just me, or is it nearly impossible to tell the two bidders we have already met apart. The gray hair, beard and classic good looks make them look like brothers. Let’s call the guy sitting to her front left “Mr. Insistent,” and the guy across the aisle “Mr. Played.” The bidding continues and Jimena makes her first bid at 11.5 million Euros.

Ahhh…that’s who Trejo is, the guy Miguel brought over from Tokyo (I think, lots of characters.) Adela arrives at the restaurant and it looks like there is a back up stash of cash in the safe in the restaurant.  Adela freaks out at the sheer amount of cash in the safe and even more so when Trejo tells her that there are 20 million Euros there. He tries to calm her freak out telling her that “time is gold” and get moving, there is no time.

Now it is Trejo freaking out as Adela drives them through the streets of CDMX, swerving  around cars. Trejo is holding on for dear life and Adela tells him “hold on Papasito, time is gold,” giving us a nice laughable moment, especially when she tells Trejo that people that come from Japan don’t have a sense of humor. But just as it looks like Plan B might go smoothly, sirens wail, pulling over the car. Uh..oh..what happens when they find 20 million Euros in the car. I hope a quick mordida “bribe” sends the police on their way. Wait…why am I rooting for Miguel to get his money on time?

Back at the auction, Jimena just increased the bid to 16 million, Mr. Insistent is trying to decide whether to up the bid or not. When out of nowhere, Mr. Played, the guy she had tried to warn off by telling him the machinery was faulty jumps back into the bid. I mean how long was he going to believe her story, if she herself was bidding? The bid is at 17.1 million when we jump back to Adela.

Back on the street, Adela starts trying to sweet talk her way out of the situation, but the cop isn’t having it. He asks for her license and registration. Trejo tries to help, to no avail, and Adela is asked to get out of the car.

Back at the auction, the price is at 17.8 million, people are on the phone, the bid is going up, Jimena bids  18 and the now Mr. Insistent raises it to 18.2 million. Mr. Played just shakes his head.

Adela still tries to sweet talk her way out of the ticket,  she tells the cop, “aren’t I prettier in person,” as he looks at her license. She insists  that she really does have an emergency. But the cop is not having it and instead tells her that she should have thought about that before she was driving so fast. And then he starts talking about writing up the ticket and impounding the car. She tells him “there has to be another way to fix this.” You tell me… the cop replies and then starts talking about how much the fine is going to be for the ticket and the towing, and so on… She immediately gets the hint and pulls a 500 peso (about $25) bill out of her back pocket (can anyone say mordida…slang Mexican term BTW), slipping it into the folder he pulled out with the fines listed, telling him what a nice bookmark he has. But that wasn’t enough for el Señor Official, he reminds Adela that his friend in the car also knows how to read and also needs a bookmark. Adela hits up Trejo for more cash. She tells him, “look what a nice bookmark of Frida, we have here.” Frida Kahlo, apparently, is on the 500 Mx peso. Of course with that the official is satisfied and she is free to go, just not driving the way she was before. When she gets in the car, Tejo asks what happened. She answers, “nothing that my charm and a $500 bill couldn’t fix.”

Back at the auction the bid is up to 19 million. I am getting worried now, as Adela is only bringing 20. But the people seem to be in shock by the amount. Jimena bids 19.2 and Mr. Insistent ups the bid to a cool 20 Mil. The crowd goes wild…or at least as wild as a crowd could go at an auction. Jimena looks at Miguel, who shakes his head no, 20 Million going once, twice, sold to Mr. Insistent. Everyone claps and congratulates him. They give him the title for the Grace Prototype . Uh oh…what now? That was their plan to legitimize their business in the stock market to get people buying shares. Looks like another Plan B.  Miguel does not look happy.

The drama of the auction has come to a halt…maybe. The drama is on to see if Peligros will find his way out of danger. What a fun name…seriously…he doesn’t even need any other nickname. But on the dramatic note they are playing here, we see Flaco and Kenia look on as the hospital workers wheel Peligros into a room giving his vitals and pertinent information as they go.

Mr. Insistent is walking down stairs onto the street looking at his folder with the title. He is met at the steps with agents from the Tax Administration Service (Mexican IRS?) who tell him they have a warrant for his arrest for the evasion of taxes. Miguel steps out of the background  and offers him a deal. If he sells him the unit for 20 M that he paid for it, he will get the agents off his back, otherwise he is going to jail for tax evasion. He has no choice. Trejo takes the money out of the car, places it is Mr. Insistent’s car and Miguel has him sign some papers to sign over the title. Now I am not sure if this was the plan all along or if they thought they could win the auction. Was it all a set up? What do you all think? I am sure that Mr. I never even noticed Miguel since he was there as a body guard, and Jimena made sure to steal the show. As Miguel leaves, Mr. I asks him his name. Miguel answers, “the less you know the better,” and walks away.

For the first time this episode we see Epig with Tacho, counting the money they stole from Peligros. I wonder if he realizes it is his own  money? Epig is pondering about the face Miguel must have made when he realized he didn’t have the money. Some scantily clad women arrive, apparently to celebrate the success of Tacho.

The whole gang is now at the hospital worried about Peligros. Apparently, the plan went off exactly as planned. Flaco tells Miguel it was a genius move. Everything worked out great, except Peligros getting shot. It seems that the whole thing was Jimena’s idea. Losing the auction to then buy it outside. I guess that is one way of guaranteeing that you do not go over budget. I guess it is also another way of laundering money because the dirty money is passed on to yet another source. Miguel tells Jimena that her idea to sabotage the paddle was a great idea to buy time.  The doctor comes out  and tells them that the surgery went well. They were able to take the bullet out of the lung and the lung is healing but that Peligros (Mr. Sanchez) will have to stay in Intensive Care for a while. A bullet wound is a dirty wound and prone to infection. Then the police arrive asking to question Peligros. The Dr. tells the detective that Peligros can’t talk yet, he is not in conditions to do so, but she will let them know when he is. Miguel asks the cop to speak with him. Miguel returns to the group and they all gather around asking what happened. He simply says that he explained to the detective that they were on the same side. Whatever that means to him. Now it is time to get back to work. Miguel tells Flaco that he needs to leak that their shell company Ecogreen has the Grace Prototype and that they will be using it to develop cargo planes. And as he continues to speak Jimena picks up where he left off talking about how to connect one of their other transportation companies to the picture, thus giving their companies validity in the market. Miguel tells Jimena, you read my mind, and the look Adela gives as she looks between the two is priceless. Jimena tells Miguel that the process of rallying (raising the value) the stocks won’t be very quick, Miguel says he knows. And Adela realizes that she doesn’t fit into the world they are talking about, and bothered, she says she is going for a coffee.

Miguel is in Peligros’s room, he tells Peligros that it isn’t the first time he has been willing to take a bullet for the family. “It was Tacho,” Peligros says, and Miguel tells him to relax and recover as he places his hands over Peligros’s chest, not sure what he is doing, but obviously something very Japanese. Think Mr. Miagi, Karate Kid, type stuff.

Back at the office we see a screen with stock prices I imagine, and they are starting to rise. Miguel is talking to people about the price about $4.35 and rising, time is passing and we see the price rising to $9 then $10 plus. **Flash back to Miguel telling the partners that in one month if he didn’t meet what he promised the Garza’s would retire from the business and they would be free to do what they wanted…end flashback.** The stock price rises to 25. Flaco and Kenia are working, “ we have it” says Kenia, more meetings. More time passing. Then Miguel and Jimena meeting “we have three days left.” Jimena tells him, “we should sell, we have had an increase of over 400%.” Miguel says it is not time yet.

It’s another day, and Miguel says “let’s sell” Jimena asks the price. “25$ a share.” Then , “and when we sell, leak information that the  prototype is having problems in the production and that the butanol-based fuel is freezing, fixing the problem will take time.” Jimena responds, “ you want to make the prices drop?” Miguel answers “when they get to $11 we will buy.”  I think this answers the question as to whether or not Miguel had insider information when he made the first deal we saw in the first episode. It seems that his expertise may be the manipulation of the numbers. Not drug running, but still highly illegal. Jimena’s response to all of this is that “she couldn’t have thought up a better plan.”

Back to Novela stuff and away from all the stuffy business, although this is interesting because I find that novelas tend to glaze over business stuff and do things that are not only improbable but downright impossible, and why isn’t everyone in jail type stuff. Angel shows up at Chisca’s door, is super informal with Butler Rosario, messes with him by flirting with him and then onto Chisca holding up outfits in front of a mirror, packing and singing. Angel catches her and they have an argument over the fact that she was going to Madrid without him and without even telling him. He leaves.

Dora is on the phone with Miguel. She tells him that she has spoken with Zaragoza and Coyote and they are happy, that she is celebrating with Ricardo with a good year for the champagne. Looks like Miguel kept his end of the deal. I must say, that after all the build up to please the partners, kicking Epig out, and toda la cosa. How is it that the result is so anticlimactic. I hope we see more about this later. Because all we are getting is Dora and Ricardo talk about getting the clean money, capital and profits, to the partners. Ricardo says he will take care of getting them the money through the accountants. Dora toasts Lamberto. Dora tells Ricardo that she has to admit that Miguel did well and completed his promise two days early, that he is a Garza through and through, a man of his word.

Back at the hospital Peligros is getting discharged, and pissed about being in a wheelchair with Rosario pushing him through the hospital.

Miguel is on the phone Tadamichi, who tells him congratulations for his accomplishments but that he never doubted that he could do it. Miguel talks about needing other investors to not raise suspicions. And about a Columbian named Jaramillo. Tadamichi tells him he can use his name and the debt that Jaramillo owes Tadamichi to convince him to do business with Miguel.

Hector and Claudia are at a station trying the key in different lockers. She is saying it is impossible. Security sees them and they leave. Claudia calls Hector “mi Amor” to be less suspicious.

Chisca is leaving, telling Jorge she is going to Madrid with friends. Jorge asks if she told Miguel. Chisca says she is too old to be asking permission. Have to love Mexican culture where in lack of a father a woman is required to report to a brother. On the other hand, if he is footing the bills, then she should probably let him know what’s going on, Jorge thinks so too.

Hector and Claudia are in the car talking about how finding the locker that corresponds to the key is like finding a needle in a haystack and Hector says he’s not giving up because he can’t be left with the doubt. Even if, as Claudia says, there is nothing in the locker of value to them. He gets a call from his wife as they are driving, the baby is colicky, not digesting the food, staying up crying. He is making suggestions when Claudia tells him he missed the exit. The wife hears her voice and gets upset. Hector and Claudia enter another station. Claudia asks Hector why he shushed her in the car. He admits that its because Ana (wife’s name) is jealous of her. Claudia asks why. He says because we used to be something. She says, that was when we just started in school, and that there is nothing between them anymore…right? He didn’t seem to like the question.

Kenia is at the office asking Adela if she has seen Jorge. They have a conversation about being different and come to the conclusion that everyone is.

Epig is meeting with the main dealer for the area Chano and his supplier, this young geeky looking guy that stutters. Pig tells the youngin that he want twice as much merchandise. Chano tells him that he can’t take on that much without selling outside of the city and infringing on someone else’s territory. Epig says that is exactly what he wants to do.

Jorge is at home and Kenia shows up to pick him up. She reads him the riot act about showing up to work and studying and that he is good and he needs to be trying. She drags him out of the house.

They show up at the university, she introduces him to the Professor after they exchange some pleasantries.  She basically forces Jorge to enroll in the class and the Professor accepts taking care of it, but tells him to be on time and to not miss class.

Hector and Claudia are back at a station talking about what Natalia could have hidden in a locker. Claudia suggests a diary with all the details they need to sink Carlos Duarte. They agree that it’s something she wouldn’t want her family to see.

At the dinner table Jorge is telling Miguel about the university. Chisca is absent from the table, but Adela is present. Everyone is excited for him. He is nervous, feeling like he can’t handle it. The try to cheer him on.  Miguel asks for Chisca, Jorge tell him she went to Madrid, and thinks she doesn’t have to ask anyone permission.

Hector and Ana are discussing Claudia, Ana is saying why does he have to work with an ex, they must work in bed and all kinds of other nonsense. She starts saying it’s cause she is fat and has a complete freak out.  He gets tired of it and trying to say he is innocent. He goes to eat in the bedroom.

Miguel and Peligros are having a conversation about Miguel going to Colombia to see Jaramillo. Peligros says he is dangerous, that he will go with Miguel. Miguel says no he is still recovering, Peligros says then he will go after Epigmenio. Miguel tells him no, and it’s an order. That his time will come.

Miguel answers the phone to Jimena, who wants to celebrate, Adela walks up and hears him tell Jimena he can’t celebrate with her because he has to go to Colombia, Adela is happy, and takes Peligros his caldo de pollo that he was complaining about to Miguel. Jimena’s boyfriend is not happy about how friendly she is with her boss. He says she is obvious and she tells him to stop asking stupid questions.

Chisca is in Madrid trying to find Valentin via the spying app. She comes to a terrace restaurant of sorts and sees him. She immediately hides and flashes back to him assaulting her. She pulls herself together and walks out on the terrace looking around as if looking for someone until he sees her. They say hello, but when he hugs her you can see the disgust on her face. They talk about meeting up that night, he gives her his number, tells her to text him.

Nariño, Colombia, Miguel on a dirt road in a jeep. A man is giving him instructions to come to a certain spot and leave the car and walk from there.  He enters a gate and walks cautiously orienting himself with the map on the phone.

Back in Spain, Valentin and Chisca are meeting in a bar. First one of the night. They have a drink. They talk about how he taught her how to party, and that it’s what they do best.

Hector is at an airport in Puebla, checking lockers with Claudia. She is bored, then one opens, but that is all we get.

Back in Colombia, Miguel  is walking, still with the map, he is next to a river of some kind. He starts hearing calls and then gets shot in the neck with a dart. He pulls it out and passes out onto the ground.

And that is where I leave you my friends. What a welcome from Jaramillo, I imagine. Miguel has already met one challenge and made his partners happy, kept the family business and all. We have yet to see Epigmenio's response to it all. Will he freak or did they just gloss it over and he is out of the business for good. I guess we will see.  I hope you all enjoyed tonight's recap. Again, sorry it’s long, so many scenes, so many details. and the pace of the story seems like they are all going to mean something later. Have a good weekend. Til next Friday.

Esther



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