Caray, Caray!

velvet
It was a slow work day, so...

Juanita’s List of Suckiness 😉

THE BEST
Raul. Raul is the best. No hatred or vengeance here. Nice to the seamstresses below him but not a doormat to his “betters” (Cris). Fun drunk.

DEFINITELY GOOD BUT NOT RAUL
Ana. She’s the lead and is contractually guaranteed to be liked.

Emilio. He’s right about Alberto no matter how romantic Isabel wants to be. Al is married and serves no purpose to Ana except to mess things up and give us a show to watch.

Isabel. Not nearly as vengeful as she maybe should be towards Gloria. Yet.

Max. He didn’t actually sleep with Pepita, right? It was a silly flirt but he’s otherwise loyal to his true love.

MOSTLY GOOD
Marga. Good person but plays silly games with Pedro instead of just, like, talking to him like an adult.

Pedro. Ditto above. Also a bit of a clutz. It’s not THAT hard to stay on a ladder.

Luisa. Good person. Terrible choice of husband. Didn’t record some of the abuse to toss in his face during the custody hearings. Doesn’t the youth reord everything these days?

Clara. Annoying but not a bad person.

Mateo. Ditto

Rick. Taking care of Luisa but still stole a job from Pedro. But also Pedro is a dunce so maybe Rick should move up a level?

Blanca. Works hard. Actually works, which is more than some of these people do. A bit harsh but it’s for your own good. Does seem to care about her people. Has a boyfriend 20 years her junior so good for her!

Jenny. Is she coming back?

Carlos (temporary). He seems ok but if he has a bigger connection to Sara than we know, he better have a good reason for lying about it.

Rodrigo. Not sure if he’ll be back but was maybe more trustworthy than Carlos. Doesn’t own a helicopter or live in the Hamptons. I don’t really know the Hamptons but I’m sure no one that rich should be trusted so this is a good thing.
 

PURGATORY
Valeria. Wanted to work to earn her place in the store but also thought she earned that place after about a week of actual work. Might actually be good at this but also sleeping with one of the partners after learning that the guy was going to be a father. I don’t’ begrudge her sleeping with a married man- she’s not the one who took vows- but not THAT married man. Could be worse, could be better. Let’s see what she does when she legally owns her mother’s property. Might be fun!

Cris. Spoiled brat. Selfish and self-centered but admits when she messed up (after it no longer affects her). Probably more capable than her family gives her credit for but was treated with kid gloves by them instead of being given help so we’ll never know for sure. Will have to wait for the inevitable breakdown.

Alberto. I don’t care that he’s the galan; he belongs here for suggesting that Ana become his mistress after he marries Cris for her money to save his father’s store. Also married Cris for money in a backhand deal with her father to save the store. Never mind that Cris might have feelings. STILL tried to stay close to Ana knowing it hurt her. Emilio was right about him, even if he is backing off a little.

Teresa. Waiting to see what she does with Luisa and then will decide where she goes.

Sara. Waiting to see what she does with Ana. She’s rude, so far, but was also right to call out Alberto on his behavior to her.

SUCKS
Gloria. Obviously. And maybe more than we know.

Gerardo. Who sells his daughter’s hand in the 21st century? It’s so bad that even his rejection of Gloria can’t save him from this category.

Ramon. He is only redeemed because his kid likes him but he should be in jail.

That lawyer guy helping Gloria whose name I can’t remember.

Susanna. Using her kid to manipulate Pedro into free housing. Then again, NYC is very expensive so maybe this is justifiable.

Pants. There is someone out there who wants to have sex with a married man. This is not Marga. Ohhh! Valeria! He should call Valeria.

Lorenzo. Was he fired or is he still around?

Esteban. Benjamin’s brother who probably belongs here but I’m not sure why.

DROP DEAD
Enrique and Barbie. These two deserve each other.

Fernando. Already dead. Good.

recaps pending!
K
 

"JEFA"
I'll post my personal thoughts on tonight's upcoming episode later.
 

velvet
Monday, #36, 1 of 3
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We start with all the super secret properties that are being given to Valeria. Valeria demands to know what’s up with this. Gloria dismisses her lawyer but never really explains why she’s doing this except to protect them and Val. Val agrees in the end without asking what the tax implications are. She really should have done that.
.
Down with the seamstresses where Al asks what everyone important (management) thinks about the proposed designs they are going to show Sara and Saghattan (or whatever it’s called). Val likes them. Cris says they’re nice enough, and also calls them “comun y corriente” because why be too nice? But they are a hit.
.
Down in Miami with Al and Ana. They stupidly checked the suitcases with the sample designs (never check anything that important if you don’t have to) and they call to let Clara know. Mateo calls is a grave problem and then Enrique enters the office and will probably make things worse.
.
Al and Ana meet with Sara and advise her about the designs not making it to Miami. Sara isn’t having it. She wants no more excuses and is not the least bit sympathetic before dismissing them back to New York. They advise the team back in NY and Enrique puts all the blame on Alberto.
.
Pedro is stalking Marga’s doctor who is at a park with the kid. He takes pics of them with a pregnant woman.
.
Val comes to see Enrique. He wants her to confide in him because they are friends, or “friends”. Val tells him her mom is acting odd and drinking too much, and then tells him that she wants to put everything in her name. Enrique asks if that includes her shares in Velvet and points out that she’d be in charge (something like that).
.
Miami. The suitcases with the designs that should have been carried on or shipped FedEx finally show up. Ana or Al (can’t remember who) calls Carlos for a favor to get them into the meeting with Sara’s dad, Sr. Sagahun (sp?).
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Cris runs into Isabel who was carrying water or something, and the water spills all over Cris. She flips out and gets all Barbie-like about her outfit being ruined and it’s not like the stuff they (the poors) wear). Even Barbie sees that Cris needs to be taken away and scoots her out. Isabel is surprised and asks Blanca if this is the woman they think is so sweet.
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Pedro shows Marga the stalker pics. Fast forward.
.
Al and Ana meet Sara’s dad and he seems much more reasonable than Sara. And they tell him the designs are there in the lobby or wherever they are, and then models come out wearing the designs and dad and Sara pay attention. Al looks pleased with himself.
.
Isabel seems Gloria’s man (Alesandro?) and freezes. Emilio notices and sees who she’s looking at.
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Sr. Sag looks over the designs carefully and finally approves the deal. Al and Ana hug and the models clap. Yay!
 

velvet
Monday, #36, 2 of 3
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Barbie asks what’s up with Cris. She’s all worried about Al being in Miami without her, but Barbie points out they have more important things to do- getting Cris knocked up! They need to see the gyno to find out when she’s most fertile and get to Operation Pregnancy.
.
Al and Ana celebrate on the beach and Carlos comes over to congratulate them and mess up Al’s nice moment that he wanted with Ana, who is still not the woman he married. Kisses from Carlos (to Ana) and sad face for Al.
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Carlos tells them he met with Sr. Sag and everything is fantastic! He congratulates them and invites them to celebrate. Al, who might be learning a thing, says they should be alone and he heads off.
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Raul has opened up a bottle of champagne and Blanca reproaches him for drinking on the job. He tells her rules are made to be broken and they chuckle. Isabel comes down and is offered a glass but she says no and they recognize her funny mood (from having seen Alessandro). She leaves. Marga comes in and immediately goes off crying. She’s not in a mood to celebrate either. Raul doesn’t get it but it doesn’t stop the party.
.
Cris is on the phone with Al and hears the good news and will meet him whenever and she loves him. But she’s snippy when she hangs up because, as she tells Barbie, he never responds. Barbie tells her it’s fine, he married her, and when Cris tells her the gyno lab results are all good, that Cris will be a factory of babies. (Eww). But they are happy about this and toast. There was also snipping about the polyester line for the common folk but they are just being brats. Cris may be moving down a notch on the ladder of suckiness.
.
Al and Carlos are talking and I think it’s still the same day. Al tells him that they are leaving the next day but Carlos, it sounds like, wants to hang out a bit with Ana and will bring her back. Al talks to Carlos about how Ana has been with Velvet for so long that she’s like family, as though it’s Al’s responsibility to protect her, but Carlos makes sure Al knows that isn’t needed. And Carlos tell Al that he better enjoy his time with Ana while he has her because Ana is going places and will be flying away from Velvet soon. Good one, Carlos! But it’s all still civil enough.
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Marga shows the pic to Pants, who still says this is his sister. He looks nervous though, and gets irritated and ends it with her by calling her “fria”. (So that’s probably not his sister). And Pedro is there to defend Margo for some reason. It ends with Marga throwing a punch to the doc but he gets out of the way and it lands on Pedro. Doc calls them idiots (not wrong) and he leaves. That may be the last of Pants.
.
Carlos tells Ana that Al asks him what his intentions were with Ana. She tells him it’s because they’ve known each other since they were kids. There is nice talk but Ana says he knows so much about her but she doesn’t know anything about him. His mother died but he doesn’t like to talk about his past. (suspicious).
.
Al has flown back up to NY all alone and is having a drink in his office. Mateo comes in to chat and asks what happened in Miami. Al feels lost (the whole Ana thing) and knows Cris is waiting for him. He feels bad because she didn’t do anything wrong. Al wants to stay and have another drink.
 

velvet
Monday, #36, 3 of 3
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Isabel tells Emilio about Gloria being responsible for the killing that she was blamed for. The other guy may have done it but Gloria was behind it. Emilio gets very angry and thinks Gloria needs to be behind bars. Isabel says it was too long ago. Emilio does tell Isa that Gloria has always hated Alberto, which hits Isabel hard. Emotionally, that is. Not like how Marga hit Pedro.
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Cris is now drinking with Gloria, which is probably not going to help Operation Baby, and tells her that she wants to be with Al all the time. Gloria says it’s because they are newlyweds. And Cris tells her about wanting to have a baby now. Gloria toasts her.
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Al and Mateo, meanwhile, have moved to a bar and Al is slurring his words, so they baby thing is probably not going to happen tonight.
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Carlos walks Ana up to her room and they smooch. This is where the baby is going to happen if they aren’t careful. Ana cuts him off because they’ve been drinking and she doesn’t want anything to happen like this. Carlos says romantic things but he’ll give her the time she needs and she kisses him goodbye and goes inside. Then he gets an odd look on his face and weird music plays. Foreshadowing?
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Raul talks to the seamstress crew about the latest gossip. It’s about Ana! He shows them a video where someone announces that Carlos, head of Saghun or whatever, has been seen with Ana Velazquez.
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Isabel comes up to Val and tells her that she, Isabel, knew her father. That he was a good man and that Val has his eyes. Val is gracious about this meeting. Isabel tells Val her name and says she’s there if Val needs anything.
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Al and Cris talk. Must be the next day because no one seems drunk. Cris doesn’t want Al to turn into her father, for whom work is everything. He gets it. Then she tells him that her doctor said everything is fine for a baby. Al thinks it’s too soon and they haven’t been married for very long. Plus the whole Velvet thing (so he doesn’t really get it). He tells her he is responsible for the family business but she tells him he’s also responsible for her and their family. (Al, some decisions are two yeses and one no. Man up and tell her). (He won’t).
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Val carries boxes of pics into the office and Gloria wants to know why she’s doing this. Then Val tells her she met some woman from the store names Isabel. Gloria warns her against Isa, saying she’s not a good person and asking Val to trust her mother.
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Marga and Pedro talk. Marga feels like a tonta. She stalked Pants online, as one does, and saw a bunch of pics of the woman, etc. Pedro tells her that if this didn’t work out it’s because Cupid is saving something beautiful for her. They hug.
.
Isabel gets in an elevator with Gloria. Gloria threatens to tell Alberto that Isa is his mother and to destroy Emilio if she ever comes near her daughter again. Isabel says nothing. When Gloria leaves, Isa looks like she’s having heart problems and asks the air for more time.
.
K
 

velvet

Wow, K! I loved your more extensive and detailed categories. And I agree with just about all your placements. Well, I'd probably put Rodrigo a bit higher up, since everything I remember his doing was clearly good. And unlike Carlos, Rodrigo doesn't smile too much. And after tonight's episode, I'm rather wary of Carlos.

I also loved your delightful recap. I was surprised and happy to see Pedro stalking Dr. p. And taking a very telling video of Dr. p giving his supposed sister a very unsisterly kiss. Not to mention his kissing her pregnant belly.

I also enjoyed your saying that "Al is married and serves no purpose to Ana except to mess things up and give us a show to watch."

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Enrique had something to do with Velvet's luggage not arriving in Miami.

As for Carlos, I too saw that strange look on Carlos' face after Ana went into her hotel room and closed the door. I hadn't noticed the weird music you mentioned, but that makes me even more suspicious. And putting that together with his reluctance to say anything about his past makes me all but certain that he'll turn out to be bad news. Or, to use the more technical term, "SUCKS".

I wouldn't be surprised if the video making the social media rounds showing Ana and Carlos kissing will cause Ana problems, both personal and professional. Personal, since she's likely to be seen by some as a gold-digging lower-class woman going after the very well-to-do Carlos. And Professional since she's trying to help Velvet win a contract from Sahghattan.

I do hope Isabel's seeming illness in the elevator is not deadly or debilitating.
 

velvet

K., I've just realized that the episode you recapped tonight is probably #35, not 36.
 

"JEFA"
Howdy from the Alamo City CarayCaray Family. My personal thoughts on last night's episode (it'll be super-short).

*Scumbag Duque taunting & threatening both Daniel & Annoying Laura. Plus, he eats the hamburger & french fries.

*Daniel appears to have another seizure while Fruit Seller & Scumbag Duque gleefully watch & plot more sinister schemes.

*Little Miss 3 Percent (Whacky Luisa) speaking with Gullible Matilde over the phone. Matilde is getting on my damn nerves too.

*Gloria is taking to Fruit Seller's residence or something like that.

*Yadira keeping the baby & she holds hands with Gael.

*Mauricio & DEA Mexico watching the usual suspects' moves.
 

Velvet

Finally caught up. I wanted to make comments on last week's episodes but decided to wait till the new week. I have a thought, or question about Gloria's offshore properties. I imagine she also came from wealth. She mentions giving Valeria her patrimony. Could it be that Gloria invested her family money, or inherited the properties from her parents? I wouldn't put it past her to siphon money from Benjamin, but I would think that wouldn't be that easy to do, unless that is what bankrupted the business. One would hope Benjamin was a better business man than that to allow stealing.

I have had a bad feeling about Carlos all along, especially as he is billed as an antagonist in the cast lists.

I hate to say this, but if Al was drunken slurring, then he must be drunk all the time. I imagine it is his accent (is he from Spain), but his lisping is hard to understand. I have to try and catch the shows as they are wired now. The CC are delayed by a lot on DVR so I tend to watch those without any captions, which makes it harder to follow.

Rodrigo was definitely in the good guy category IMO, Rick is pretty high up there too. Pedro is lucky he is employed as a handyman and hasn't been fired from that job! He would not make a good salesman.
 

velvet

Great list, K. I agree with most of what you posted. And you gave us a great recap, too.

Raul is the best.

Ana is good but she’s spent ¾ of the show weepily pining over Albert and missing great opportunities because of this.

Emilio is also good but he becomes stupid around Isabel.

I think Max is good with an asterisk *he slept with Pepita and gave being drunk as an excuse. But he’s trying.

I think Rick could move up a level. Pedro was never meant to be a salesman.

Jenny? Who cares? But she might yet have a part to play.

Rodrigo can stay put. But maybe Carlos can be relegated to purgatory. He’s more and more suspicious to me.

It is obvious it is that Cris needs professional help and it’s disturbing how everyone does nothing to get her the help she needs.

Ramon is missing and could be dead. A victim of Francisco.

Lorenzo was fired.

List can be updated as necessary. Thanks, again, K.

 

jefa #91 part 1

Yadira makes a decision, she’s having the baby. Gael seems to support her.
Dani is kidnapped by Mono.

Gloria and fam realize Dani is missing but wonder why he went out. They also realize he was connecting to the neighbor’s internet, and he received a call on his tablet. Glo calls the number and speaks to Miguel who says that Dani was taken by some men.

Mateo tells Miguel to go a restaurant near Laura’s house and wait in the restroom. Gael will come and get him.

Yadi still wants to get a DNA test but after the baby is born. She tells Gael if the baby isn’t his, he doesn’t have to stick around and raise him.

Fercho is out of surgery. He will be okay. He asks about Laura and Miguel.

Mateo calls Gael and tells him Miguel is waiting for pickup at the restaurant. Gael tells Fercho and leaves.

Looks like Dario will be alright, too. Alina and Mau are with him. Dario is determined to stay on the case.

Mau tells Dario that Anderson is furious. Anderson blames Mau for everything and thinks he’s interested in Gloria. It’s going to get complicated.

Dani is brought kicking and screaming to Nacho. Dani remembers Nacho as “a friend” of his mother. Nacho seems pleased by this. He tells Dani, I could have been your father, buy your mom didn’t want that.

Dani looks at Duque, you’re holding Miguel’s mom hostage. Duque approaches Dani and asks, how do you know? Dani takes a swing at Duque but misses. Dani asks, what are you going to do to my mom? Duque tells Dani he’s using him as bait to catch the big fish.

Glo worries that Dani doesn't have his meds. She wants to call Nacho to set up an exchange, her life for Dani’s. Mateo tells her to wait and trust him. He knows Duque’s hideouts, they can find Dani. Mati supports Mateo’s idea.

Mateo sets up his hacking equipment and tells Glo to make her call. She has to stay on the line for 3 minutes to get the location. Let’s hope that’s where they are keeping Dani.

Where’s my son, Glo asks. Danielito is on vacation, Nacho replies. I’m thinking of sending him to his father. Glo warns, don’t hurt my son or I’ll turn CDMX upside down. Nacho doesn’t care about her threats. She will pay with her son’s life. She forced him. Glo starts begging—I’ll do anything.

Meanwhile, a DEA hacker intercepts Gloria and Nacho’s call. Anderson and Mau are present.

Gloria tries to make a deal for Dani. She has to stay on the line for 40 more seconds to get the location. Nacho realizes that Mateo must be trying to find his location. Twenty seconds left to location. Gloria says, you can have Montoya back and Estrada’s routes. I’ll work for you and launder money. Please give Dani back. I want to spend a night with you, Nacho counters, that’s what I want.

Call ends. They were 5 seconds away. Mateo hung up. He saw the DEA was also on the call. DEA would have located them.

DEA didn’t get the locations either but Anderson notes that they got Gloria on tape admitting her cartel connections and money laundering. There will be no protecting her now. Mau states he’s not protecting Glo, she is an informant, and we had a deal. Anderson doesn’t budge.

Dani is put in with Laura. [at least that’s one good thing.] Dani tells her that Miguel was looking for her. He was with him but then the men showed up. Laura tries to keep Dani calm. She says Glo saved Miguel so she will pay her back by saving Dani.

 

jefa #91 part 2

Yadi tells Violeta about her decision. She’s keeping the baby even if it means losing Gael.

Gael brings Miguel to the hospital. He tells everyone there that Dani was kidnapped.

Dani isn’t feeling well. Laura bangs on the door for help. She tells Mono that Dani is diabetic. He doesn’t have his meds and he hasn’t eaten. You need him alive. Get his medication. Talk to your boss.

Miguel visits Fercho. Miguel worries about his mom. Fercho assures him they will find her. Miguel tells Fercho that Dani was kidnapped.

Duque tells Luisa that they are waiting for Glo to come get Dani. Luisa actually seems worried about Dani. Duque asks, since when do you care about your nephew? Mono appears and tells Duque that Dani isn’t well. Luisa hears. Duque says Dani can have food but no insulin.

Luisa pleads for Dani. He needs the insulin, he will die without it. She reminds him, you need him alive to catch Gloria. Duque disagrees. Gloria already took the bait. They don’t need the kid anymore.

Glo calls Estrada. He’s not in Mexico. He could send men but they won’t arrive today. Glo wants to call Nacho again. Mateo warns the DEA will find her. She doesn’t care. She needs to save her son. Erna says to use her phone.

Mateo has another objection. Nacho wants to sleep with Gloria, and he won’t have that. Glo states she will stay with Nacho for a night or a lifetime. Whatever it takes to save Dani.

Mono brings some food for Dani. Looks like a burger and fries. That’s all he could get. Laura tries to feed the boy, but Duque enters the room. Duque tells Dani he can get something else if he wants. Dani says he won’t eat in front of Duque. He’s too disgusted.

Duque taunts Dani. He shows him his damaged hand. Who do you think did this to me? Your mom. He shows Dani the bullet she used to shoot him. Duque orders Dani to eat but takes a big bite out of the kid’s burger. He leaves.

Glo calls Nacho. She accepts the offer to spend the night with him. But first she needs to know Dani is alive. She wants to speak with him.

Dani is eating. Mono comes to take him to Nacho. Nacho holds the phone, talk to your mother. Dani tells Glo, no mom, they said they’ll hurt you! It’s a trap! Nacho takes the phone away and tells Glo now it’s time for her to keep her part. We will be together tonight. I’ll send my guys to pick you up. Don’t have anyone follow you or something could happen to your son.

Dani faints.

Luisa gets a call from a surgeon. She’s surprised, Gloria paid for the surgery in advance. Luisa says she’ll be in touch to start the process. Luisa has a bunch of flashbacks to show she might be growing a conscience. She calls Mati and tells her about the doc’s call. Mati confirms that Glo set everything up for Luisa.

Mati tells Luisa that Nacho kidnapped Dani and Gloria is willing to do anything to save him. But it’s a trap and they will both be killed. Luisa says Gloria must save Dani, he’s sick. How do you know, Mati asks, are you in touch with that man (Duque)? For once, be on our side. If Duque trusts you, have him tell you where Dani is. Please help us!

Luisa says Duque could get suspicious. Mati pressures her. Do it for Dani. Gloria paid for your surgery so you can walk again. Luisa agrees to try. She adds, but don’t tell Gloria until I have something.

Dani is still out. Nacho says do nothing… God will decide.

 

jefa #91 part 3

Glo instructs Erna to go to the hospital and register Dani using the fake name she gave.

Mateo doesn’t want Glo to go to Nacho. There will be no escaping. Glo tells him he doesn’t understand because he doesn’t have children. He says he understands. He values Glo’s life more than his own. Nothing guarantees we will get Dani back, he says, they may kill him. Glo vows to find Dani and destroy Nacho.

Mati tells Glo about Luisa getting in touch with Duque.

Unconscious Dani is brought back to Laura’s room. She begs to get a doctor for him. No dice.

Nacho wants to prepare for his night with Glo. Duque says he will take care of it. [I’ll bet.] No mistakes, he tells Duque, and I want you all there. Duque replies, it will be a pleasure to be there with you. Nacho kisses Duque on the forehead and says, you’re the only one I trust. [let’s hope that’s a mistake.]

Duque gets a text from Luisa—I need to see you. It’s urgent.

Mateo’s plan is to watch Luisa’s hotel for Duque’s arrival, then follow him back to find Dani.

Glo says she still plans to meet with Nacho. Trust me, she says, I have an ace up my sleeve.

Nacho gives orders to his men. Some will get Glo, others will stay with Laura and Dani.

Duque makes an excuse so he can go to Luisa. Nacho lets him go.

Mateo and Gael are on a stakeout at Luisa’s hotel. Duque shows up. Mono is there too and waits by the car.

Duque asks Luisa, what’s so important? She hands him a drink. He puts it down. He’s got important stuff to do. She asks about Dani. He tells her Dani is having a diabetic episode. I’d love to watch him die, she says. Duque is confused, she wanted him to get treatment earlier.

Luisa shrugs it off as a moment of compassion. But then she thought of everything that Glo has done and wants to watch Dani suffer. Duque says that Nacho won’t like that. She starts caressing Duque and asks, so he’s not with Nacho? Where are you keeping him? [Does Duque realize what Luisa is doing?]

Gloria is brought somewhere. A wedding dress is hanging. She’s checked for a wire. She asks where’s Nacho? The henchie answers, he asked me to bring you here so you can get ready. The boss wants you to wear that dress. He asks that you also wear this on your wedding night. He hands Glo a bag. Sexy lingerie.

And we are out.

 

Velvet
About the list. I'm not in total agreement about Barbie. Yes she is a snob, but I feel she is a product of her upbringing. Since her husband is cheating on her, she needs to give herself the same advice she is giving Chris. I would put her in the purgatory list, personally. I haven't hated her as much as you all seem to.

I'm actually surprised Chris even discussed having a baby. I just assumed she would forgo birth control and concentrate on bedding al when she is fertile. It was a pleasant surprise to have her actually discuss it with Al and not just make it be a fait accompli.