Caray, Caray!

Despite all the medical misinformation we get in novelas, we do get some good doctors who fight for their patients' well-being.  Herewith are examples:

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Labels: abismo, Alborada, amor, duelo, Fuego, no-podia, pecado, stud, telemundo, telenovelas, Teresa, triunfo, weekend, Zorro

I'm going to ask for some help here as there aren't a lot of novelas whose heroes (or villains) are military officers, cops, or other men who wear uniforms.  If anyone can think of any beyond this list, please assist with a link!  This entry will be considerably shorter than last week's, so there will be multiple photos of those gentleman who wear uniforms well.  Starting with.....

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Labels: duelo, Pasion, stars, telenovelas, weekend, Zorro

We are all cordially invited to the wedding of Esmeralda Sanchez and Diego de la Vega. Padre Tomás is presiding over the nuptials. A mangled Mangle is crashing the service. Outside the church, the pirates are poised to take over the city.

Meanwhile, Tobias is drowning his sorrows in the local cantina and bemoaning how women only make you suffer. Another patron is looking for a fight (methinks it is a pirate) and soon Tobi is being roughed up.

Across town, Fernando is confronted by men with swords (also pirates). Fernando, as noted before, is one bad a*s and he takes on the pirates, killing them all. Sadly, his trusty sidekick, Jose ---introduced for the first time today--- is killed in the skirmish. This just goes to show that on this show, only the minor characters can die right away. Fernando doesn’t mourn the loss too much, he thinks only of his daughter, Mangle.

As Fernando wanders the mean streets of LA, soldiers are being knocked around by the pirates on the rampage.

Olmos is talking with Gerardo. He’s convinced that Mangle is still alive and waiting for him. Gerardo isn’t so sure, but figures that Olmos must really be in love to still pine for Mangle. Olmos tells him that it isn’t love, it’s a curse.

Fernando makes it to the church and mingles with the guests. No one seems overly concerned that he’s just walking around the church. All eyes are on the couple of the hour. FS spots Mangle and recognizes her, not by her flame red hair---which is hidden under her black cloak---but by a bracelet she’s wearing which was obviously a gift from him at some point in the past.

SAM/Sgt. Garcia spots Fernando, and not wanting any problems for his dear Esme and Diego, approaches the former governor. FS tells SAM that the pirates are attacking the city.

Somewhere else in town, Catalina and her father are running late for the wedding. Cat comments that they must be the only ones not at the wedding. The pirates take this opportunity to nab the only woman not in the church, and the haul off Cat. The intend to use her as a prize for the pirate who grabs the most loot. Tobi hears her screams as he’s being tossed out of the bar.


Fernando weaves in and out of the guests at the wedding. Diego and Esme are taking their vows. PT is uttering the “speak now or forever hold your peace” line. This would be a perfect time for Mangle to make a scene, but she chooses not to do the obvious. PT pronounces Diego and Esme husband and wife and the newlyweds share a kiss. Mangle pulls out her gun now and Fernando jumps in the way. Mangle fires and hits her father. Complete mayhem ensues. The crowd freaks and Maria Pia screams “NO!” Mangle stands still, holding the gun. Her vanity gets the best of her, she spends time covering her face instead of getting off another shot. She addresses the newlyweds and tells them that the bullet was intended for them (which one, I don’t recall, but perhaps she was hoping for a two for one special). She tells them that she was almost eaten alive by the cannibals (I’ve used the expression when talking about mosquitoes, but never heard it used for cannibals). She’s angry that no one came to her rescue. We don’t find out how she escaped, but we can surmise that her hellish personality and evil ways easily overcame the ever lethargic creepy cannibals. Mangle heads out of the church. No one makes an attempt to subdue her, which I find rather odd, but oh well. She sees Olmos outside the church and tells him that she’s going to kill him. He says he wants to see her face before he kills her (que romantico). We get a glimpse of her face---she looks rather ashen and a little worse for the wear, but I guess I was expecting more of a mauled up look. Mangle shoots Olmos just as he stabs her. They fall to the cobblestone street together, face-to-face, almost in an embrace. They are dead (I thought Olmos was like the Energizer Bunny, and he’d keep going and going—his 9 lives must have been used up).

Tobias takes on the man carting Cat away. Tobi stabs the pirate and he’s shocked at his own actions. Cat tells her husband she loves him.

SAM and the troops fight the pirates. The soldiers are winning. SAM fights dirty---kicking one of the pirates in the family jewels.

Maria Pia begs Agapito to save Fernando. Pito says it is grave, FS was hit in the heart. Since it is the last show, and because there is some repenting needed, Fernando will not be getting the Zorro gunshot cure. He really is going to die. Knowing the end is near, FS asks Alejandro and Diego to forgive him. Diego grants him forgiveness in the name of his mother. Fernando has flashes of Regina/Purina or Yumali (one of the two---I can’t tell, they’re identical after all). He says she’s here. Meanwhile, Maria Pia is sobbing over his body. Alej tells Fernando that he has their forgiveness (seems the right thing to do, since he just took the bullet intended for either your son or his bride). Fernando tells Maria Pia that wherever he’s going, he’ll always love her. Fernando dies.

We are next treated to a montage of Fernando’s and Mangle’s funeral (jointly held, hopefully Pito cut a deal with the family---perhaps this is where Mangle got the two for one deal). Padre Tomás’s voice talks about Fernando finally finding peace and not knowing what ruled Mangle’s actions.

SIX MONTHS LATER

Maria Pia gives birth to a daughter, she names her Fernanda. Almudena announces that she’s pregnant. Alejandro says he’s the happiest man alive, good thing he spelled that out because we’d never have known by his acting---such a stiff performance.

The cloaked men gather in the Fox Cave---Alej’s face is among them (the only one we see). He’s posing. Zorro addresses the men and the determine that his mission has been accomplished. His presence is not needed in LA now, but if ever it is needed again, he’ll be there to help. Zorro hands his sword over to PT and walks out of the Fox Cave.

ONE YEAR LATER

Fonzie returns and asks Maria Pia to marry him. He wants to have the chance to make her happy and to provide a family for her daughter.

Dena had a son.

SIX YEARS LATER

The family is on a picnic. Diego and Esme try to sneak a little kissing in behind a tree, but Alejandrito interrupts. Diego and little Al go fishing and have the same gestures (scratching their behinds at the same time).

Cifuentes invites SAM to share a drink. The soldiers comment on how peaceful things have been since Montero died. Cifuentes suspects that Zorro left with the Queen, but SAM is sure that he’s still around, watching out for LA.

Diego lets Tornado go, fly and be free. He encourages Tornado to go find a mare, but make sure that he brings her around to meet the family.

MONTHS LATER

Esme tells Diego that she’d like to have a sister for little Alej. Diego says he knows how to make little girls. They disappear underneath the covers.

MONTHS LATER

Esme gives birth to a daughter (I guess Diego really did know what he was doing), they name her Elena. General Alej likes the name. SAM arrives shortly after the birth to say that the Queen is dead. The town mourns.

YEARS LATER

A new military commander is coming to the city. Esme fears that Diego may come out of retirement and she says that now that they have children she doesn’t want him returning as Zorro.

Diego starts to train Alejandrito (all growed up now). They practice with swords, guns, and the whip. Diego shows him the Fox Cave. They discuss how the new commander is causing problems in the town and they need to confront him. Diego asks his son if he’s willing to be Zorro. Alejandro is not so sure, but Diego assures him that he’s been well trained and that he has his trust. Just then, Bernardo arrives with a horse for Alejandro. That seems to be the selling point. Alejandro dresses in the Zorro clothes (apparently well preserved over the years, and conveniently just the right size).
In full daylight, Alejandro takes his horse out for a ride, in his Zorro attire. Esme and Diego watch him leave. Diego is proud and says that he hopes his son will find love just like he did. Esme and Diego kiss and Zorro waves from a distance. THE END

Labels: Zorro

[and wearing a bracelet!]

Esmeralda cannot quite believe María Luisa’s offer to abdicate the throne in favor of Sara Kalí, the rightful heiress. Still, SK is not surprised – her mother told her of the goodness of the Queen’s family. The Queen knows that it’s important to reassure SK that she had absolutely nothing to do with the Duke of Albatross’ plans or the injustices against SK’s family, but SK already believes her. The Queen reiterates her support for SK’s ascension, warning the ladies that convincing the Royal Council will be a much more difficult task. Sara Kalí is grateful for the Queen’s proposal – but she does not intend to be the Queen of Spain.

Padre Tomás sits with Diego in his room in the hacienda. PT is impactado to think about how Montero and Mangle died, and hope God forgives them. Diego plops down on his bed, less than concerned - they’ll receive the fate they deserve for all the evil they did. Padre Tomás changes the subject to the delicate matter of Alejandro’s discovery of Diego’s alter-identity as Zorro. PT had always been concerned that Alej would find out at some point, and Diego interrupts him to defend himself – there was no way to get out of telling him! PT reassures Diego that it’s fine, and besides, the city of Los Angeles now has a just, fair governor – perhaps this means Zorro’s mission in the city is over. Diego resists, telling PT that they should always be alert and ready. PT agrees, and suggests that they further prepare by inviting Alejandro to be a member of the cofradía [because those guys are clearly soooooo effective at helping root out the injustice in the city]. In fact, this had been a thought of PT’s since the beginning, including a special chair he always intended Alej to someday pose in, excuse me, occupy [apologies to the Alejandro fans – you can get me back by attacking Don Fer ;>].

Gerardo faithfully spoon feeds his master Olmos and relates to him that Montero’s body – or parts of it – have been found. And Mariángel, Olmos wants to know? Everyone believes Mangle was captured by the cannibals, although…Gerardo haltingly tells his boss that some folks also said they spied a frightening-looking woman with a head with one lock of red hair. Olmos is convinced it’s Mangle, but Gerardo doesn’t believe anyone could survive an attack by the Cala Cala. It’s Mangle, asserts Olmos, returned to take him to hell with her. Buahahahahahahaha!

We see an unidentified figure with a pair of bloodied and injured hands take down the bars to a wooden door. Once opened, an equally bloody pair of bare feet gingerly makes its way over the threshold.

Sara Kalí acknowledges that she is the true queen, but for her to accept the throne in this period might foment revolution. SK knows the Queen is a good person, which satisfies her that the country is in good hands. The Queen accepts this, but insists that her relatives accompany her to Spain, where she will return to them their lands and riches, and Esme and SK will take their rightful place at court. Esmeralda expresses her gratitude, but gently refuses the invitation – life gave her a second chance to be with the man she loves and their son. SK, however, will return for a short while. She wishes to ensure the well being of the Gypsy community. Esmeralda can spare her mother for a little while, but she will be waiting anxiously for her return. The Queen promises that the name Mayorga de Aragón will again be loved throughout Spain.

Alejandro now po…ssesses the Governor’s chair, where he reviews some papers. García enters, curious about the Queen’s interview with Esme and SK. Alejandro confirms that the ladies are enjoying a long-delayed family reunion, and García knows how much they deserve it – they’ve all suffered so much. He was personally witness to what a strong woman, mother [and archer, wrestler, keep-away baller] Esmeralda is. Alejandro thanks García for being such an important part of bringing Esme, and happiness, back to the de la Vega family and invites G to enjoy some wine with him. But, back to business! Alejandro wishes to entrust a large responsibility to García, in the form of his new position as Director of [Homeland] Security of the City of Los Angeles. García is impactado, and quite moved; Alej is delighted with his reaction. García composes himself enough to assure Alejandro that he is equal to the task of his new position. They toast.

Esmeralda has just finished enchanting the Queen with the story of how she and Diego fell in love [did it take her 120 hours to tell it, do you think?], which the Queen finds enchanting. Esme and Diego had to overcome so many obstacles to be together! Even despite the forced marriage to Montero, when Dona Carmen offered Esme an annulment, Esme chose to stay with Montero in order to continue working to free her mother from prison. And that Mangle! Raised as a sister with Esme, but then tried to kill her. And now, the Queen continues, Mangle died like Montero…leaving Esme and Diego widowed. Esme takes the opening to suggest to the Queen that she and Diego would love to be able to marry as soon as possible, despite the requisite mourning period. Now that SK and the Queen are headed back to Spain shortly, Esme wants to ensure that both women can be present at the nuptials. The Queen, believing such a love deserves to break the rules, agrees to speak with Padre Tomás about a dispensation.

Diego has come to see his father, who is companionably enjoying his wine with García. Diego takes the opportunity to thank García for all he did for Esme; the only thing G wants in return is to be able to visit Esme and the de la Vegas sometimes. Diego reiterates what Esme had promised, that García is another grandfather to them. It’s time for García to leave and take care of the preparations for the medal ceremony. For whom, Diego wonders? Esme, Sara Kalí, and best of all, Zorro. The Spanish Crown itself will recognize Z as a hero. With another swig of wine, García departs and Alejandro looks at Diego proudly.

OPENING CREDITS

Esme and SK walk through town. Esme still can’t believe the Queen’s offer – or her mother’s refusal. Is SK sure of the decision she made? Absolutely. The only thing SK wants is to be with her daughter and grandson. She’s even had an opportunity to confront her painful past – in the form of a run-in with Fernando Sánchez de Moncada. Esme is immediately worried – what did he say, did he threaten her? [ulcer #1] No, he actually asked SK’s forgiveness, but SK couldn’t bring herself to do it. It does seem he’s changed, and became a monk. Still, thinking about it now, SK believes she may eventually want to free herself of the bitterness she holds.

Almudena waits in María Pía’s cabin when Fernando arrives. The siblings embrace lovingly after a long separation. Almudena has come to speak with Fernando because she’s worried about MP [ulcer #2]. She doesn’t want MP to leave her family and go away so far with Fer. Though Fernando vows not to hurt MP, Dena can’t help but doubt. He’s hurt the woman in the past, and he’s been obsessed with her for so long, how can Almudena believe that he’s truly changed as he says? Fernando protests Almudena’s reasons, but ultimately tells Almudena that she can tell MP anything she wants, she can do anything she wants, but if the situation calls for violence, he won’t hesitate – María Pía is coming with him. Almudena is impactada as MP walks into this tense exchange. Seeing Dena’s teary eyes, MP worries that Alejandro has told her something unfavorable [ulcer #3]. With Fer’s eyes shooting daggers at her, Almudena fibs and tells MP that everyone in the house is very happy for her, but…Fernando decides to leave the women alone and give Dena a pleading look as she tearfully caresses his face. Almudena tells MP that Alejandro is considering MP’s situation with Fer, but he’s worried [ulcer #4]. Why don’t Fer & MP stick around for a few days, until after the wedding? MP doubts that Alejandro will ever give his consent, if he hasn’t yet.

Diego and Alejandro continue their conversation. Although knowing Zorro’s identity brings disadvantages, it also has its benefits, and one of those is acceptance into a secret society of powerful and well-connected men in the cofradía who support and guide Zorro – and Alejandro has earned his right to be a part of it [careful, Alej – these sorts of things usually require a “donation” of some sort]. Alejandro doesn’t feel worthy to accept such an invitation simply because he’s Zorro’s father – but that’s not why, Diego insists. Alejandro has shown that he is devoted to justice. That’s a reason Alej can accept, and he vows to make the city a safe and just place. Diego welcomes his father into the Knights of the Broken Thorn.

Tobias nurses a glass of wine when Agapito arrives at the town cantina. Tobias lives there now, before he makes the final step of leaving the city for good. Tobias orders another glass of whine. Agapito is sorry about confusing T for Z, but it’s too bad he’s not the masked hero. Strange things are still going on in town. Agapito just treated some travelers who thought they saw a strange woman monster…

The figure with the bloody feet limps and heaves its way to a bathtub, and Mariángel flashes back to being attacked by the cannibals. She grunts in pain as the hot water touches her wounds.

The entire de la Vega household gathers to toast the happiness of Diego and Esme. Esme thanks everyone and explains the reasons for the rushed wedding, although Diego jokes that they always wanted to marry quickly, but got interrupted by a couple of pesky obstacles [currently being digested by Southern Californian piranhas and Cala Cala Cannibals – they hope]. Diego and Esme share a kiss.

In front of the Governor’s Palace, a soldier [forgot his name] announces the honorees. Catalina joins the townsfolk listening to the announcement, but when she looks behind her she locks eyes with Tobias. She shakes her head at him tearfully and walks away. Tobias looks down sadly.

Alejandro talks to Diego about “the María Pía Situation.” Alejandro doesn’t want to be involved in her decisions about Fer, despite the fact that society gives them the right [excuse me a moment while I vomit]. Diego feels sure that Fernando wouldn’t have murdered Toypurnia/Regina had he recognized her – but that doesn’t absolve him of the other murders he committed against innocents, and he definitely doesn’t agree with MP and Fer getting married [um, is this really an option?]. If Fernando has truly changed, Diego will believe it, though Diego isn’t interested in speaking to Fernando just yet, and wants to wait at least until the wedding is over. Alejandro promises to support Diego in any decision he makes about Fer.

The man in question is staring into the fires [of hell?], skeptical with MP about Alejandro and Diego’s consent. She urges him to be patient and to expect to speak with the de la Vega men after the wedding. Annoyed, Fer doesn’t understand the hurry for the wedding, especially as no one has found Mangle. MP makes him impactado with a series of hard facts: 1) Judge Quintana annulled the wedding, 2) the wedding was never consummated, and 3) Mangle’s baby was Montero’s.

Mangle’s scarred but less bloody feet and legs carry her into her father’s bedroom or study, where she pulls a pistol from a drawer and packs gunpowder in the barrel.

Esmeralda and Sara Kalí arrive at the medal ceremony [SK receives the gold for Long Distance Spousal Imprisonment, and Esme gets the bronze]. In the crowd, Ana Camila and Renzo, now living as “gadje,” find Azucena and Jonás, who’re overjoyed to see them. The Queen restores SK’s and Esme’s nobility. Gerardo, also in the crowd, reads the banns announcing Esme and Diego’s wedding and figures there won’t be a better to time for him and the pirates to attack the city. Zorro prances to the party on Tornado and receives his own medal of honor of the Knights of the Royal Family, and is named Gentleman of Compassion. The Queen also makes sure to whisper her thanks to him for her life. SK asks Esme where Diego is, and is told that he must surely be somewhere in the crowd, since he’s a big fan of Zorro, like Esme.

In the crowd, Agapito again ponders with Tobias how he ever mistook T for Z. They swap stories about the grotesque ends of Montero and Mangle, and Tobias reckons he should’ve been a writer. With all of the crazy things that happen in this town, years from now people will still read about what happened in Los Angeles, only their books will be magical boxes of light, where the chapters are written every night, or at least just feel that way based on some plot developments and surprising characters, and the citizens who watch the magic boxes will wonder why they can’t seem to stay away…

Mangle’s cloaked figure observes Zorro’s medal ceremony through a spyglass from a room high in the Governor’s Palace.

Gerardo confers with the pirates and Olmos. Gerardo doesn’t understand how DiEsme can be married if no one has found Mangle’s body, but Olmos knows that Angelenos likely believe her dead. Olmos feels in his burned, indestructible bones that Mangle has returned – the woman is the devil.

TWO DAYS LATER…

Dololes supervises the household staff’s preparations for the wedding reception, and Almudena and Sara Kalí gush over the bride Esmeralda. Almudena wishes Esme all the luck in the world, as does SK – Esme overcame everything to be with the man she loves. Almudena assumes SK alone will accompany Esme to the church; after all, she’s her mother. SK insists, however. Almudena is Esmeralda’s mother, and cared for her, and protected her from Fernando. They will BOTH escort Esme to the wedding. Esme believes God has filled this day more than any other with love for her and the three women share a hug.

In Diego’s room, Alejandro and Bernardo attend to the groom, who reflects that he never felt he was meant to fall in love with anyone until he met Esmeralda. Alejandro wants to know what will happen with Zorro – as a single man, Diego could take any risk and face any danger, but he’s about to be married, and has a child. Diego agrees that things have quieted down in Los Angeles since Montero’s demise, and he’s even spoken with Padre T about hanging up the sword and the whip – though maintaining his ideals. Alejandro wonders if Diego’s really sure- he is. The three gents hurry to finish and get to the church

Meanwhile, on the other side of town – Gerardo gives the pirates the last details of the search for the Woman with One Red Hair, which essentially involves assaulting any woman with red hair [be it flame red, auburn, fuchsia, or Clairol #49].

Catalina helps her father prepare for the wedding. The Judge reminds us that he agreed to the annulment because everything indicates that Mangle is dead along with her lover Montero. Catalina remembers what a good…dresser Mangle was, and wonders what happened to all her fine frocks. The Judge thinks Catalina shouldn’t remind anyone of her friendship with Mangle, especially since Cata may already be the subject of conversation because of her separation from Tobias. Catalina concludes that Tobias just may not be the man for her, and the father & daughter head to the wedding. [Did you get the sense that this was the episode in which NOTHING happens at all just so we can be set up for EVERYTHING to happen in the final episode?]

Back in his old house, a servant shows Fernando the bloody footprints leading into the room with the guns. The servant has heard tales of a Woman with One Red Hair frightening folks in the city. Fernando suspects it’s a badly-wounded Mangle, and upon checking the drawer, finding the guns gone, and hearing the church bells, Fer runs out, intent on making it to the church before Mangle does something crazy at DiEsme’s wedding. [ulcer #5]

The [completely anachronistic] wedding march plays as Alejandro leads Esme down the flower petal-strewn aisle. Diego, in a grey/black pinstripe suit, receives Esmeralda as Amor Gitano plays over the smiling faces of the guests [including Agapito with lovely Raquel, the barmaid]. At the very rear of the church, a figure in a thin black cloak wheezes to the back pew. Mangle holds the fabric over most of her face while her eyes seethe:

“Damn you, Esmeralda. Smile. Enjoy this moment…it’s going to be your last…because today you’re gonna die…”

END OF EPISODE
Ulcer Count: 5

Thanks to Marycelis for letting me sub for her, and all the recappers for their wonderful summaries, which made watching - and reading - this novela an amazing experience. It’s been SOOOOO much fun!

Labels: Zorro

EPISODE - July 19, 2007:
* Alej finds D in his Z-wardrobe with Esmy and B at the river bank. Alej is baffled and needs an explanation. As D hems and hahs to finally say he will explain later, the cannibals approach across the river. B tosses D a spear - D fights the whole bunch off brilliantly and masterfully. Alej is even more bewildered and baffled by his son.

* Gerardo treats Olmos' wounds at the secret hideout and they talk about Monty and MA. Gerardo tells him about the pirates that have arrived in town that may be willing to help for the right price. Olmos needs to find and get vengeance against MA. Olmos gives Gerardo the keys to his private treasure chests - take what will be needed to contract with the pirates. Olmos tells Gerardo to make sure that MA will be his, only his. Gerardo agrees and takes the keys.

* Walking through river, D takes sword from sand and returns to shore and talks with B. Alej realizes that his son is the famous Zorro. D, B and Esmy look like three kids caught doing something wrong.

* Gerardo goes to town bar to hire the pirates for the scheme to trap MA. Gerardo shows them the small chest of gold coins. They examine the coins as they go over initial information of the plan.

* B picks up Z mask and hands it to D. D explains to them how Monty died. Esmy asks about MA. D says he found a part of her dress but hasn't found any sight of her at all - maybe the cannibals got her. Esmy knows the two had done lots of harm to everyone but thinks that is too horrible a fate for MA. D consoles her.

* Javier finds Laisha on the hilltop tree, crying over being ostrasized from the gypsies. They discuss why she left. Laisha in tears, says good-bye to Javier and leaves.

* Esmy and B leave D and Alej alone on riverbank to talk. Alej notes that Esmy and B seem to know everything, and asks D why keep the secret from him all this time. D explains and apologizes - he kept the secret because he wanted to protect his family. Alej feels foolish for believing all this time that D was a hopeless loser who failed military school. D apologizes for the lies and secrets to Alej. Alej apologizes for being confused and says that he has always been proud of D, his son. D continues to apologize for the lies and secrets to his dad. Alej says again that he has always been and will always be proud of D.

(cue theme song and opening credits)

* Dena and Dolly walk downstairs to greet Mercedes(SK) and all the gypsies. Dena bows to Mercedes; Mercedes says don't do that. Dena apologizes for Fernando's actions against her; Mercedes says that isn't needed, and then proceeds to thank Dena for being a second mother to her daughter Esmeralda. Dena presents and hands Mercedes her grandson, Alejandrito. Mercedes presents her grandson Prince Alejandro to the gypsies, who cheer enthusiastically.

* MP, with bag, finds Fer in hillside meadow.

* Gerardo sits with Olmos in the hide-out and tells him of the meeting with the pirates. Olmos curses MA. Gerardo then tells him about the rumors swirling in town about MA's death. Olmos grits his teeth and says she is a devil like him and isn't dead.

* Esmy, B, D and Alej walk away from riverbank to a clearing. D, with mask on, tells Alej not to come with him now. Alej is confused. D says there are major implications to his Zorro identity and he will explain everything later. Alej agrees and has confidence in his son. D kisses Esmy and then leaves with B. Alej asks Esmy to tell him about his son D as they walk back to the hacienda. Esmy smiles and says of course - she's dying to hold her son again.

* MP and Fer reunite in the hilltop meadow. MP wants them to runaway together and start a new life. Fer says later, first he needs to find his daughter MA. MP is confused. Fer explains. She convinces him that they are meant to be together - she is his happiness, he is hers. They kiss.

* Esmy and Alej make it back to the hacienda. Dena welcomes Esmy back with a hug; she then gives Alej a big hug and kiss. Esmy hugs her mom Mercedes and then holds her son in her arms. Alej makes an announcement to the crowd about Jacomo's arrest and Monty's death. Dolly asks about MA. Esmy pipes in about Zorro's help; Alej plays along with the story and adds to it. Mercedes thanks Alej and his men for their help in freeing the town and all the townspeople from the nightmare. Everyone cheers.

* Bare and blood-caked legs and feet move through the forest floor filled with leaves and twigs...

* Gerardo shoves Agapito into the hideout. Agapito is impactado to see Olmos and the extreme extent of his injuries. Gerardo explains Olmos has been wounded many times but is still living. Gerardo and Agapito talk about the rumors in town of Monty's death as Agapito gets to work.

* Bloody legs and feet walk through the mud... Lady (MA) screams at the sight of Monty's piranha eaten skeleton inside his uniform laying on the ground.

* D, in his civilian duds, runs downstairs to greet Esmy and his son. Dena notes his scars and asks about them - Esmy starts another Zorro story of which D continues with. Dolly says how worried she's been. The Zorro story continues to grow. Alej approaches in his civilian duds; D is happy to see his dad, and whispers that they should go talk soon. Esmy stops D and introduces him to her mom Mercedes, and the gypsies. Jonas talks with them; Alej announces that there will be a huge party at the hacienda to celebrate. As everyone applauds, Alej pulls D aside to go talk in private.

* ML meets with PT at the governor's place. ML is going to renounce her position in favor of Mercedes taking her place. PT is surprised and tries to understand the reasons. ML says it is the only right and just thing to do. PT commemorates ML for her wisdom, and will help her with the plan. ML asks PT about Zorro.

* In private, D reveals everything (the whole truth) to dad about his two identities. Alej is baffled. D then says that from an early age it was PT who taught him the most. Alej is impactado. As D tries to explain PT and the mystery group, D decides it maybe best to show dad and goes to the bookshelf and opens the secret door. Alej stands in awe and impactado as D enters the door. D has to return to usher Alej to follow him. On the other side of the door, Alej is amazed by the tunnel and and Z-cave. D explains how he and his indian friends had found and played in it as children. D shows Alej all his Zorro arms; Alej spots Tornado - D explains how PT found the horse as a young colt and how it became his. Alej expresses his bewilderment over D's secret true identity. D explains why he had been living the double life. Alej is even prouder now than before of his own son, and vows to help him however and whenever D will permit it. Also, Alej assures D that his secret is safe with him.

* At the hacienda at night, Alej washes up as he talks with Dena. She's worried about the cuts on D's face - Alej assures her that D is fine just fine. She notes how happy Alej is tonight. Alej explains that he's happy because of his family being at home - D, Esmy, little Alej, her. He remarks if he's not too young to be a grandfather. She laughs and jokes about her age.

* D enters bedroom and goes to sit with Esmy and little Alej on the bed. Esmy is happy that her mom is there also. D says they're all family. Esmy is concerned and worried about MA. d says don't worry about that. He focuses them back on their son. They kiss.

* Dena breaks the mood by telling Alej the shocking news that MP ran away to be with Fer. He's very impactado. She explains MP's reasons and her arguments and position on the subject of her brother. Alej will have to come up with a resolution. Dena has faith that Alej will do what is fair and just.

* D brings Esmy, with eyes closed, into a bedroom with petals and lit candles all over. He says "Open your eyes." She is enchanted with all the sight. They kiss - how romantic the scene! In bed, undercovers, he pulls out a ring from behind his head (Magic!) and asks Esmy to marry him. Esmy says what's been in her heart all along - YES! I ACCEPT! D slips the ring on her finger and they kiss.

* Toby packs his things. Cata is beside herself begging and pleading for Toby to change his mind and not leave. He can't forget what she did with Piza. She tries to apologize and say it won't ever happen again - she's learned her lesson. He can't forgive or forget or accept her apology. As he starts to the door, she yells for him to stop and explain why did he marry her then, when so many others wanted her as much. He explains that he wanted to be her husband even more than the others - that's why he married her. She had no clue - He says See you never! and leaves. She's impactado as she sits on the bed.

* Gerardo and Olmos, in heavy dark cloak, meet with pirates at the bar. Olmos grunts that he isn't afraid of anything. Pirates laugh and comment. Gerardo gives more details of the plan and how the Queen's presence will help them. Olmos grunts. Pirates laugh in agreement. Olmos grimaces. Gerardo reminds Olmos of the rumors of MA's death - Olmos doesn't believe it's true - any body found - no - then she's not dead.

* Farmer drops two men off in meadow and points in the direction for them to go. The men start walking, but then get scared and run in the opposite direction - they are frightened by the sight of bloody MA walking towards them.

* Mercedes and Esmy meet with cousin ML in the Queen's court office. ML drops the surprise that she has renounced the crown so Mercedes can take her place. Mercedes is stunned speechless. ML says that now Mercedes will be Queen of the gypsies and Queen of all Spain. Esmy smiles with pride.

Labels: Zorro

Montero, Mariangel, Diego/Zorro, and the Queen all make it out of the river, but at separate points. The Queen seems to come out closest to the falls and she prays to God for Zorro’s protection. She is thankful that he helped to rescue her from Monty (not too impressive of a rescue if she’s fishing herself out of the river, IMO). Mangle drags herself ashore and senses that something isn’t quite right—I’d say!! There are creepy looking people hanging in the trees above her. She picks up a large stick for protection. Monty calls out for Mangle, then thinks of Diego, and laughs. He’s sure that Zorro must have died (he’s not been paying attention to this show, has he; nobody seems to be able to die on this show, unless they are a minor character). He finds Zorro’s mask and then he really gets happy—Diego de la Vega is dead!! Not so true, Diego also gets out of the river and realizes he’s not in friendly territory. Not again, he mutters, as he realizes he’s in the land of the Kalakala, aka the cannibals. He’s upset because he’s without weapons and without a mask; they are surely going to recognize him from last time. He is also being watched from the trees, but doesn’t seem all that concerned. He figures out that Monty and Mangle must have also washed ashore in this area (he’s not worried about the Queen because he’s read the script and knows that she came ashore further upstream). Diego takes off to look for M&M and he’s followed by the creepy cannibals (CC).

Meanwhile, back at the hacienda, Esmeralda, Dolores, and Almudena gush over the baby and rehash their mutual love. Esme tells the women that God has been good to her, she’s been through some bad times, but now everything seems to be looking up for her. Dolores asks Esme to forgive her for not taking good care of little Alejandro. Esme says the most important thing is that Tisha/Alejandrito is okay.

Padre Tomás, riding along in a cart, finds the Queen on the riverbank. He is happy that she is alive. She tells him it is all thanks to Zorro and she gives a quick rehash of what happened. She tells PT that Zorro fell over the waterfall and wonders why he’s been called a bandit when all he’s done is fight against injustice. PT is concerned for Zorro/Diego.

Mangle continues onward carrying her stick, while suspenseful music plays. The audience can see the CC up in the trees, but for some reason Mangle does not bother looking upward.

Diego spots Montero and follows him from higher ground. He jumps out to face his nemesis and says, “We meet again.”

Fernando and Sara Kali are meeting face to face for the first time since he tried to kill her. He tells her that he’s a changed man and seen the error of his ways. She tells him she doesn’t believe him and asks what he wants from her. FS tells her all he would like is forgiveness because he truly regrets what he’s done---hurting her and her people. SK isn’t buying this and she gives a mini rehash of all the terrible things Fernando’s done to her---most specifically separating her from her daughter. Fernando says she’s right, and she’s the only person who should be able to take his life. FS hands her his knife and asks her to end it. SK says she’s dreamed of this moment but that he doesn’t deserve her hate. She stabs the knife into the ground and tells him that she won’t hurt him, but neither will she forgive him. Sara Kali says that she won’t be Fernando’s judge, only God will do that. Therefore, he needs to ask God for forgiveness because she wants nothing more to do with him (Fernando, not God, just to be clear on that).

Renzo stops Ana Camila (NAC) from leaving. He tells his wife that Esme was just a fantasy/ an illusion. NAC is his reality and he’s willing to fight for her. NAC says he doesn’t have to, “you already had me at hello.” They make some cooing sounds at each other and they kiss. Right at this moment, Camba calls out and bursts through the trees. What good fortune!!! He happens to find them in that spot at just that time; it is almost as if things are wrapping up quite nicely---as we push all logic aside.

Cifuentes comes to see SAM. He tells the sergeant that the men are willing to follow him and that he’s heard the Queen has been rescued (news travels fast). Esme walks up on the two men talking and asks Cifuentes if he’s heard anything about Mangle and Monty. Cifuentes rehashes about the whole Zorro and Monty over the falls story. Esme looks concerned and SAM tells her that he’s seen Zorro get out of worse jams than this, so he’s sure he’ll be okay (does SAM know that Zorro is Diego? I don’t think so, but then wouldn’t he wonder why Esme is so concerned about the bandit and also wonder why Diego isn’t around---but that’s been a problem the whole time with the secret identity thing---why ask now, so near the end. Heck if no one figured out that Clark Kent was Superman only using glasses as a disguise, I guess them not figuring Diego as Zorro with a mask is just as plausible).

Esme asks Dena to look after Tisha. She’s got to go find Diego. Dena offers to come along, but Esme tells her that Bernardo will join her, so don’t worry. She heads to the Fox Cave and has Bernardo gather the weapons. Bernie wants to come look for Diego, and Esme says it will be dangerous. Bernie is insistent and Esme agrees to let him come along.

Diego tells Monty that he’s going to make him come back to LA with him and that they are in CC land and Monty doesn’t believe him. Monty thinks it is a trick on Diego’s part. Diego tells him that they are being watched. Monty pulls out a knife from his boot and lunges for Diego, who is able to disarm the man. The men start to fight and Diego gets the upper hand and tells Monty that he’ll make him go back to LA to face the consequences for his actions. Diego says Monty should cooperate or otherwise Diego’s face will be the last thing he sees before he dies.

A wounded Pizarro is riding through town on Tobias’s horse, trying to rally the troops. He tells the men that the time has come to kill Montero, to stop him from abusing the town further. Tobias, Catalina, and Agapito come out into the town square and see Piza. Tobi calls him a thief for stealing his horse and Agapito comments that Piza’s wound is so severe, surely he’ll be dead soon. Just then, someone comes running into the plaza and announces that the Queen is free and Montero is dead. The townspeople get excited and in their frenzy knock Piza off the horse. They start to beat him. Tobi comments that Piza is getting what he deserved, he always wanted to be like Monty and would have been equally as cruel to the people of LA if given the chance.

PT and TQ come across Alejandro, who is glad to see that la reina is alive. They rehash some about Zorro saving her (again, not that impressive of a rescue if you ask me). The Queen comments about how in America the bandits fight for justice and the military are really bandits. Alej says that he’s always admired Zorro and he asks the Queen’s permission to go search for him. PT says that he’s also sent some natives to find Zorro (PT’s been a busy man---but I wonder is this the help that the cloaked men said they’d send? Because I have to say, this also isn’t that impressive, or perhaps their idea of help was to send PT out in a cart looking for the Queen).

Monty picks up a stick and hits Diego with it. He taunts him, telling him about how he tortured a pregnant Esme and calls Diego weak without a mask. Monty grabs the knife that Diego knocked out of his hand and instead of taking care of Diego right then and there, Monty runs off into the jungle.

Esme and Bernie are on Zorro’s trail and they find his whip. Just a note here, Esme made a big deal of Bernie getting the weapons ready, but it appears that all she brought along was her crossbow. Not quite the arsenal expected by the audience, I’m sure.

The Queen returns to LA with Padre Tomás. The people rejoice and throw flowers. It looks like the prisons are emptied (or at least there are some people walking around with shackles on their wrists, maybe the prisoners are happy, too).

Monty comes across a few CCs and he kills them (they are minor characters, therefore they can die). One of them he throws into the river and apparently there is a colony of piranhas, another unknown fact about early 1800s Los Angeles. Just when it appears that Monty might be what’s on the menu, Diego shows up and saves the day. Monty, in a fighting mood, takes on Diego and says that there is no way he’ll allow Diego to turn him into the authorities. They struggle and Diego ends up stabbing Monty in the gut with the knife, saying, “I told you my face would be the last thing you see before you die.” Diego, just for a good finish, throws Monty into the river where he is devoured by the piranhas (he’s not quite dead as this is happening, so our villain seems to be getting his just desserts--surely he's dead by the end of their feeding frenzy, but then again, this is Zorro where no one dies).

Meanwhile, Mangle is surrounded by the cannibals and she screams. Diego hears this and it appears he’s going to rescue her (it can’t be any better of a rescue attempt than his one for the Queen, I mean he doesn’t even like Mangle so why even put his neck out there).

Maria Pia tells Dena that she’s leaving the hacienda to go be with Fernando. She’s afraid that Diego and Alej will not forgive the man she loves, so she’s going to banish herself from the house. Dena tells her to give Alej and Diego a chance to forgive Fernando.

NAC and Renzo dine with Camba. Camba demonstrates that he’s picked up little Spanish. He calls NAC by name and calls her amiga. Somehow, NAC is able to figure out that Camba’s gestures indicate that he’s going to look for his people in the hills (isn’t he a slave from Africa? Wouldn’t that mean he’d have to go back there to find them? Oh well, when has geography gotten in the way of telling this story). Camba gives NAC a handmade cross and he jumps into the river and swims away (wait, be careful Camba, there are piranhas in that water!! Or maybe it is just one of the many bodies of water around LA, this one could be piranha free). He swims and finds the Amazon women. He’s quite happy, and snogs with two of them.

NAC and Renzo decide they’ll leave the gypsy camp and go it on their own. Renzo is sure that Jonas, Suzi, and Sara Kali will understand because love changes the rules.

Diego, in his search for Mangle, is surrounded by a group of CC. One throws a spear at him and impressively, Diego catches the spear and uses it in his defense. He’s doing a fairly good job of keeping the CCs away, because they only seem to attack one at a time. Just when it looks like our hero might succumb to being outnumbered, Esme and her crossbow arrive in the nick of time. This is just the break that Diego needed!!! Good thing he can hold them off again by himself because Esme and Bernie just give each other a look---which I read to say, “look at him, just out here doing his crazy Zorro stuff, oh well, boys will be boys.” Another thing to note here, Diego was tossing some of the CC into the water, and low and behold no piranhas. It appears just that small little section of water was piranha infested. ***Please see the end of this recap for some truths about piranhas.

The Queen (all decked out in her queenly garb) goes to see el Duco (DJ) in chains. She tells him that she trusted him and he betrayed that trust. DJ smugly tells her that he kept her in power and she asks, at what price? TQ says that she suspects he had something to do with the king’s death and DJ admits he did it. He goes on to say that the king was weak and his dying words were her name. TQ asks about her cousins, the Mayorgas. DJ calls them disgusting people who would have brought about the ruin of Spain. They wanted to give power to the people, and the nobility wouldn’t stand for it. The Queen is incensed and she tells DJ that she will not order his execution. Instead, she tells him that he will spend the remainder of his years imprisoned wearing an iron mask just like he made her cousin, Sara Kali, wear for so many years. DJ’s not so smug now.

Laisha somehow is brought to Jonas (another one of those loose ends that needs tying up, but seems to come out of no where). He asks her if she betrayed the gitanos, her own people. Laisha tries to explain what happened and blames SK, an outsider, for Miguel’s death. Jonas tells her that Miguel willingly gave his life for SK because she has given all she has to the gitanos. Jonas tells Laisha her name will be erased from the tribe and that she must go out and find her own way to survive. He tells her that her punishment will be “to become what you hate, an outsider to her own people."

Mangle is surrounded and captured. The CCs start to sniff their evening meal as they tie her down.

Bernie, Esme, and Diego successfully chase off the CC. They discuss Diego’s wounds and how the two arrived in the nick of time. Just then, Alejandro arrives and is surprised to see that Diego, his son, is Zorro. END OF EPISODE

Link to website telling how the piranha myth was created (same story I read at the St. Louis Zoo when I was a child): http://www.angelfire.com/biz/piranha038/mythpira.html

Are there piranhas in the US? Quote from Wikipedia:

“Piranhas are found only in the Amazon basin, in the Orinoco, in rivers of the Guyanas, in the Paraguay-Paraná, and in the São Francisco River systems; some species of piranha have extremely broad geographic ranges, occurring in more than one of the major basins mentioned above, whereas others appear to have much more limited distributions.[2] However, piranha (inevitably former aquarium-dwellers) have been introduced into parts of the United States, even being occasionally found in the Potomac River, but they typically do not survive the cold winters of that region.[3] Recently a piranha was caught by a fisherman in the Catawba River in North Carolina. [4] This is the first known case in North Carolina and possibly in the region.”

So the answer is yes, but it is a modern introduction.

Labels: Zorro

Well folks, this is my last Zorro recap. I will take credit for starting the whole thing when I posted a Report on Zorro on the blog right after the novela started. Our super crew of bloggers took it from there. It's been a lot of fun recapping and sharing all the silliness.

Diego and Esme try to get the information on where Mangle, Montero and the baby [and the Queen of Spain, of course] are from Olmos. Olmos tells them that they are in his secret love-nest house but he doesn't say where it is. Then Olmos appears to die – but these villians are tough. He's probably not dead yet.

At the secret love-nest house, Mangle,who has changed her gown [did Olmos stock the love nest with clothes for her or was she carrying a change of clothes when she ran out of town with Montero?] is arguing with Montero. He wants to kill the baby and get money by ransoming the Queen. Mangle is convinced this is a suicidal idea. She wants to use the baby to get money from Diego so that they can get new identities and live in another country. Montero ends up slapping Mangle and says that he doesn't want to live in hiding. He's a great soldier and he has political aspirations. Mangle laughs and says that Montero is a nobody – a vulgar man whose only talent is that he 's good in bed. Montero says that they are going to do this his way and kill the baby right now. Mangle screams, “No!” They struggle.

Back in the woods, WIB and Zorro stand over Olmos who, sure enough, isn't dead yet. Our masked avengers look pretty silly – especially Esme with that crossbow. Olmos hacks out the fact that he told Mangle about the baby switch. Our heroes don't seem to be too upset about finding out that their guarantee of the baby's safety just went south. Olmos manages to tell them where the secret love nest is – with a roof camouflaged with bushes, no less. The masked avengers go off and leave Olmos who will doubtless stagger onto the scene again at some point.

Montero continues to slap Mangle around. He says that they are going to do things his way. If his baby, his son, died then so will Diego's. He tells Mangle that they will leave with the Queen right away. He will take care of the baby. Mangle tells Montero that he is making a big mistake and she won't allow it but he knocks her down and leaves.

In Tobias' kitchen, Agapito is caring for Pizarro. Pizarro wakes up and is surprised to see Agapito and doesn't know where he is [so I guess it was just good luck that after he was shot, Pizarro stumbled into the very kitchen where Agapito was hiding.] Pizarro is alarmed when he finds out where he is but Agapito tells him to be quiet and not worry about it. Agapito tells Pizarro that he shouldn't have blamed him for saving SK's life – that's his job as a surgeon while Pizarro's job is the opposite. Pizarro tells Agapito that he needs to get to the port to flee the City. Agapito tells him that is impossible – he would certainly die. Pizarro passes out and in comes Tobias [dressed as a man again, too bad] and Catalina. Tobias is ready to finish Pizarro off with his sword but Agapito protects his patient.

FS is striding through the country. MP runs after him and asks why he left. He tells her that he has thought about it and he doesn't deserve to be by her side. He has done so much harm to people that he isn't worthy of her. MP responds that she has forgiven him. FS says what about her brother and her nephew? MP says that she will try to get them to forgive him too but if they don't, she will live with it. Her place is by his side. They profess their love for one another, kiss passionately and their song comes on. MP asks FS to stay with her at least until Diego's baby is found. FS is confused. MP tells him that a lot has happened in the last few hours that he doesn't know about.

Montero comes to get the baby from the wet nurse. Mangle comes after him with a knife. He knocks it out of her hand and hits her so hard that she is unconscious on the floor. He leaves with the baby in a basket.

After the opening credits, Montero, carrying the baby, goes outside [I didn't see any bushes on the roof of the house] and calls his men. Some of them should take the Queen towards the port. He gives the baby to two other men, tells them to take care of it and deliver the body to the de la Vega's. The men don't seem to too happy about killing a baby but they agree to do it. Suddenly, Zorro appears and orders them to let go of the baby. Montero is impactado.

The Queen is saying her prayers [no new gown for her] and telling God that she will accept any punishment for not knowing what was going on behind her back but she implores God not to abandon her town. Montero's henchmen come in and tell her that they are leaving. She tells the men not to touch her. She won't do anything stupid and she expects that they won't either when the royal army captures them. She offers her wrists to be bound with queenly dignity [one thinks of Marie Antoinette on the scaffold.]

As Al and his men ride through the same canyon where MP found FS, who should appear but FS, out of his monks robe, with a big floppy hat and on a horse with his men. [Have his men just been hanging around patiently waiting for him to come back from being a monk?] FS wants to join Al's army. He expresses a fatherly obligation to find Mangle and correct her bad behavior.

Montero orders his men to kill Zorro. Fighting ensues. While Zorro is dealing with a henchman, Montero appears to get hit by something or someone in his most sensitive area. I watched it several times. It wasn't Zorro. Montero was behind him. Esme appears with her crossbow but if she shot him with a crossbow bolt, he wouldn't just be clutching his privates, he'd be bleeding.

Montero's henchmen take the Queen, now gagged and bound, to the incredibly conspicuous royal coach.

Ah, now it's clear. Esme shot Montero in the wrist with her crossbow. The way he was clutching it made me think he had been hit elsewhere. But now Esme should be unarmed. A crossbow only fires one bolt at a time and it's not simple to reload it. Mangle has recovered consciousness and now joins the fray. Montero apparently has not figured out that the WIB is Esme. Our heroes stand around like nitwits allowing Montero to grab the baby and threaten it with a knife. Now Montero has the upper hand. He orders Zorro and Esme to put down their weapons and then to unmask.

The Onion brothers [remember them?] encounter what appears to be an old man leading a mule. They rip off his sombrero and false beard and it's SM. The brothers start to kick him promising a memorable death that will be an example to everyone else.

Back at Olmos' love nest, Zorro reveals himself to be Diego. Mangle and Montero congratulate him on how he fooled everyone with his disguise. Mangle asks how someone with his intelligence and abilities could fall in love with someone as common as Esme. Esme isn't taking that. She pulls down her mask and says that the 'common' woman Mangle is referring to is right here. Mangle is impactada.

Somehow, SM has gotten the upper hand on the Onion brothers. They are tied up and gagged in their cart. SM tells them that they might be bad guys but he is desperate and desperate men do crazy things. He warns them not to follow him and rides off. Unfortunately, he leave the horse harnessed to the cart.

Agapito finally convinces Tobias not to attack Pizarro. Tobias tells Agapito to get Pizarro out of his house as soon as he is any better.

Fortunately for our heroes, Mangle and Montero don't seem to have any desire to personally witness the deaths of their enemies. With Esme and Diego tied up, Montero puts the baby in a cart and spooks the horse sending the baby to an unknown fate. Then Montero sets fire to the straw or whatever flammable thing is in the little alcove where Esme and Diego are tied up. Then Montero and Mangle leave. The flames rise around Diego and Esme.

SM spies the runaway baby cart and leaps aboard it daringly but the Onion brothers are in hot pursuit.

Garcia goes to the hacienda for news. Dolores and Almudena are there. He passes on the information that the missing baby is Esme's, not Mangle's. Almudena and Dolores are happy impactadas.

As the flames crackle around them, Diego uses a piece of glass to cut his bonds.

Montero asks the Queen to do a deal with him that will benefit them both. In a few minutes, Zorro will be dead and no one will protect these lands. The Queen is gagged so she can't actually answer but her look of proud disdain indicates that she rejects Montero's proposition. Montero tells him men that they are going to the port by river. Al will think that they are going by the land route.

Al & FS and their men have found no trace of anyone. FS, who is a little behind in the news, doesn't believe Mangle is with Montero but Al sets him straight. Al is sure that Mangle & Montero are heading for the port but how are they getting there? FS has to remind Al that a branch of the river goes directly to the port. Al decides to split up their forces. He will go to the river and FS will go to the port.

Diego and Esme escape from the fire and go after the baby. [Esme does ride a horse here.]

At one of those big rivers near LA, Montero commandeers a boat. The boatman says that the current is too strong but Montero doesn't care. Once again he offers to release the Queen for a safe conduct and some gold. She refuses.

Zorro spies the overturned cart and hears a baby. He calls, “Alejandro!” He is looking under the cart when SM appears holding the baby. SM has redeemed himself. [What happened to the Onion brothers?]

Agapito tells Catalina and Tobias that Pizarro wants to talk to them. It's his dying wish. Cat and Tobias don't want to do it. Agapito asks Tobias to do it for pity or because of who he is [Zorro]. Tobias tells Agapito that he lied to him about being Zorro to try and catch the real Zorro and get the reward. Agapito is impressed that Tobias went after Pizarro on a suicidal mission. Tobias says that it was his duty to protect the honor of his beloved Catalina.

Zorro demands the baby from SM. SM says that he will only give the baby to its father, Diego. Zorro maintains the fiction that he isn't Diego. SM says that he wouldn't hurt the baby. Zorro says that he doesn't know if that is true. SM says that he made a mistake but he is a good guy. He likes wine, women and gambling but at least he doesn't run around in a disguise like Zorro. He gives Zorro the baby and leaves. Esme comes running up, “My baby!” she cries, “my little Tisha.”

FS and his men encounter SK and the gypsies. SK confronts FS and says that in spite of everything, she is still alive and has returned. SK, Jonas, Hermes and Azucena give FS long defiant looks.

Zorro sends Esme back to the hacienda with the baby. She will be safer there. She makes Zorro promise that he will return.

When Agapito, Catalina and Tobias go to the kitchen, Pizarro and Tobias' horse are gone.

There is chaos in the town. Pizarro stops a soldier. The soldier tells him that he is running away. The town has turned against them and wants Montero's head for all his abuses. Pizarro tries to rally the troops but they won't listen. Pizarro says that a bunch of cowards won't stop him but it looks like his wound might stop him. [I like Pizarro. If I had to rank hunky guys on Zorro, it would be Diego, of course, Renzo and Pizarro. Neither Montero, FS or Al do anything for me.]

Montero, Mangle, the Queen, a couple of henchmen and the boatman are in the boat on the river. Suddenly, we see Zorro, who has fashioned a grapple thingy from a tree trunk [with his sword, maybe? I guess Montero left Zorro's sword, mask and hat lying around for Zorro to find when he escaped from the burning house]. Zorro ties one end of a rope to a tree and the other to the grapple and tosses it into the boat. Nobody notices it land in the boat. The grapple thingy stops the boat. Instead of just tossing the grapple thingy out of the boat, Montero orders his men to shoot Zorro.

Esme is in the fox cave with the baby. Bernardo finds her and is muy impactado to find out that she is alive. Esme asks his help to get into the hacienda without revealing her identity as the WIB.

The henchmen and the boatman jump out of the boat to attack Zorro. One particularly bright lad throws down his gun to fight Zorro with his fists. While Zorro is busy with these guys, Montero throws the grapple thingy out of the boat and poles it back into the river. Montero, the Queen and Mangle are the only ones in the boat now. The Queen makes her move and attacks Mangle.

That Bernardo is a wizard. Esme appears in a gown [is it one of Almudena's? Esme doesn't have any stuff at the hacienda. She never lived there] and she's had her hair done too. Garcia, Almudena & Dolores are so happy to see her and the baby that they don't ask any questions like how she got there. MP joins them. Dolores wants to get her hands on the baby so bad she is twitching like a drug addict. Esme and Almudena finally get to embrace.

Back at the river, Mangle and the Queen are still going at it while Montero poles the boat. Suddenly, Zorro appears and jumps into the boat. The Queen manages to push Mangle out of the boat and she jumps into the river after her. Zorro looks completely befuddled by this development and appears to forget about his obligation to protect the Queen when given the opportunity to have an exciting sword fight with Montero in a tippy boat. Mangle screams for Montero from the water. Zorro and Montero are fighting in the boat and Zorro is disarmed when all of a sudden he and Montero see that they are heading for a giant waterfall! [Nobody knew that there was a giant waterfall on the river that leads to the port?]

The credits roll.

From the scenes from tomorrow's episode, it looks like you were so right, Sylvia: the cannibals are back and Mangle's on the menu!!!

Labels: Zorro

Outside Montero’s cabin hidden in the woods, Santiago faces off with Diego/Zorro and Esmeralda/WIB, both in their respective disguises. SM wants to know the name of the woman with Zorro. Before she can reply, Zorro knocks Santiago down. Meanwhile, a grossly burnt Olmos hops out from the bushes and pulls a gun on WIB. He starts spouting about how Mariangel ruined his life and how he is going to make sure that she pays for what she did to him. Esme asks about her baby and Olmos replies that he should have never given the baby to Mangle. Diego asks SM why he took the child and SM’s only answer is that he thought Mangle wanted to be reunited with her child. He now thinks differently. Olmos is insistent that he’ll be the one to get Mangle, so he takes off to the cabin. Unluckily, Olmos opens the cabin door and the building explodes!!

In the area, close enough to hear the explosion, Monty speculates that Zorro has been blown to bits. Mangle is just ticked; she complains about Monty taking the Queen hostage. She doesn’t like being a fugitive and she tells Monty that he’ll need to get some money for her, she can’t be poor.

Tobias and Pizarro face off. Tobi’s at a disadvantage because he can’t handle a sword and he’s wearing a dress. Piza taunts Tobi, while Cat begs him to not hurt her husband. Tobias tells Cat to let him handle it, because he’d die for her.

After the explosion, Santiago tells Zorro and WIB that Mangle lied to him and that he found out that the baby is really Diego de la Vega and Esmeralda Sanchez’s child. Diego is convinced that no one was inside the cabin, it was a trap.

Tobi and Piza fight. Piza’s about to kill Tobi and Cat shoots him. Piza asks her “why?” Cat doesn’t answer, instead she begs Tobi to forgive her because she never meant to hurt him. Tobi looks upset because his wife has emasculated him again.

Mangle and Monty talk about the baby and how strangely it looks like Diego. Mangle wants to know what they are going to do after this. She wants to use the baby to get money from Diego, but Monty doesn’t seem to like this idea. MA says that Diego would pay a handsome ransom for the child (Note, didn’t they just think that they blew up Zorro and hasn’t Monty been suspecting that Diego is Zorro, so wouldn’t this throw a monkey wrench into their plans?). Meanwhile, the Queen is tied up nearby and overhears their whole plotting. She looks disgusted (as well as you can look disgusted with a rag stuffed in your mouth).

Diego and Esme are out tracking Monty and the kid. Diego says that the river is rising right now (is there a tidal river in LA?). They find a cave and Esme worries that Monty and Mangle will do something to harm the child (ulcer 1). Diego assures her that they think the kid is theirs, so they won’t do anything as long as they think that. The two talk/rehash about how they coped being separated from each other.

Monty proposes that he use the Queen to get a ransom. Mangle says that’s all fine and good except that Sara Kali is the real queen. Monty says he can still demand money for TQ and win or lose it all---if they lose they’ll see each other in Hell. Mangle says that won’t happen because she’s going to take care of him and he can take care of her. Monty thinks this is almost like a wedding ceremony, but Mangle points out that there isn’t love between them, just lust. She says that as long as they are together, the lust will continue. She adds that nothing, not even death, will keep them apart. The Queen is still forced to listen to this and seems way too interested in watching them paw at each other.

Alejandro and his merry men are hot on Monty’s trail and discover the exploded cabin. Alej splits the men into three groups and tells them if anyone spots Monty they’re to send someone to gather the other two groups of men before they attack. Alej tells one of the men to search the building for survivors. Once Alej rides away the soldier says why bother, no one could have survived that fire. He walks away and we, the audience, can see Olmos stumbling out of the building.

Sara Kali is hiding with the gypsies and she’s worried about her prima, the Queen (ulcer 2). They decide to break camp.

Ana Camila/NAC tells Renzo that she intends to leave the gypsies. He’s confused because they promised to remain together always as part of their wedding vows. NAC says that with Esme’s return things have changed. Renzo swears to his wife that he loves her and only thinks fondly of Esme. NAC says prove you love me by leaving with me.

Diego and Esme, still in the cave, rehash a whole bunch of stuff: Santiago taking the baby, Esme thinking that Santiago was dead because that’s what Mangle told her, Santiago asking Diego for money. Diego says if anything were to happen, he’d blame himself. However, he assures his love that nothing will most likely happen to the baby because Mangle and Monty think it is their child.

The river is down, so Esme and Diego start up their search (there was a shot of them running out of the cave together that just made me laugh—reminiscent of Batman and Robin). In their search, they find arrows and a note from the Amazons; the women warriors are helping lead them to Monty and the kid. What good fortune!!

Padre Tomás meets with the cloaked men. He tells them the time is now to help Zorro. They agree.

Mangle takes Monty and the crew to Olmos’s house. She tells Monty how Olmos stole money from her dad to get the place and most likely planned on taking her there when he drugged her. Monty is concerned that Olmos will find them, but Mangle assures her lover that she most likely killed Olmos when she set him on fire and stabbed him with a jagged piece of glass.

Olmos, a little more charred than before-- but still wearing clothing that shows no signs of going through not only one, but two fires-- finds Gerardo. They rehash about Piza and Tobi (Gerardo was there trying to get them out of town). Gerry tells Olmos that Piza’s body is missing (this means he’s not dead, I’ve watched enough Zorro to know this is the case, and really no one seems able to die on this show---well except for Miguel, Leroy, Auggie and several other minor characters that Piza or Monty had killed), so they better get to the boat and get out of town. Olmos says he’s got work to finish here and wants Gerry to drop him off at some place (could it be his mystery house out in the middle of nowhere, currently the hide out for Mangle and Monty?).

Monty tries to entertain the Queen with a little piano music and some food. He wants to make a deal: money for her freedom and also a free passage to a safe country. TQ says there is no way she’ll agree to this. Monty threatens her and she tells him that she’s been trained since she was little to expect threats on her life. Monty muses that perhaps Sara Kali might be interested in making an agreement to free her cousin. TQ tells him that the only way out of this mess is for him to take some responsibility and accept the consequences for his actions (not going to happen).

Gerardo gets Olmos to his house. Olmos tells his underling to take off and try to make it to the boat before it sails. Olmos spots Mangle and Monty getting all kissy face on the veranda of the home. Once Mangle is alone, Olmos sneaks up behind her and starts to choke her.

Dolores, Almudena, and Maria Pia rehash about the following subjects: Esme is alive, Monty kidnapped the Queen, Santiago took the baby, and Alej and Diego have gone off in search of Monty and the baby. Dena asks MP about Fernando. MP offers up her own rehash and fills Dena in on the happenings with her brother—escaping from prison, getting injured, hiding in the cabin (she fails to mention that she and the monk had a roll in the hay, but good for her to not kiss and tell). Dena is worried about her brother (ulcer 3), but MP assures her that he’s healing. (Have to mention that Maria Pia has some awful roots showing in her hair, it reminds me that I need a touch up).

Olmos chokes Mangle and tells her that he gave her everything and all she did was laugh and make fun of him. He tells MA that her baby died and he switched it with Esme’s baby—that Monty was going to have the baby killed, but he save it. Therefore, he can die in peace, he says, because he helped save an innocent child. Now I know that he’s not going to kill Mangle because armed with this knowledge she’ll be able to wreck more havoc.

Diego and Esme reach the point where the Amazons are no longer able to help them. He tells Esme that they need to hurry; just in case Monty or Mangle figures out that the baby is not theirs (too late on that one, Olmos just spilled the beans to Mangle).

Some of Monty’s goons come out on the veranda and see Olmos choking Mangle. They shoot him in the back and he releases his hold and stumbles away. Just for good measure, another goon shoots Olmos again. Now with two bullets in him, he falls to the ground and has flashbacks to when he and Mangle got together thanks to the vial of love potion.

Maria Pia returns to the cabin and finds Fernando gone. He left a note stating that he is going to fix things.

Mangle tells Monty what happened with Olmos and that the baby isn’t theirs. Monty seems upset and mutters that Pizarro betrayed him (has he forgotten that Esmeralda is still alive, and Piza supposedly brought Monty her heart, I guess so). Monty tells Mangle that he never wants to see the child again. She tells him to slow down, that baby is worth beaucoup. She’s sure that Diego would give up his entire fortune for the child (except, if Diego is Zorro then he should have died in the cabin explosion---little details, little details).

Pizarro staggers into Agapito’s shop (?). Immediately Pito wants the chisme and asks if Zorro did this to him. Piza passes out or dies---but knowing how people never seem to die on this show, I’m going out on a limb and saying he passed out (for the time being).

Diego and Esme discuss hearing shots fired, but they can’t figure out from where they came. Just then, Olmos crawls out of the bushes (not dead yet, has he made a pact with the devil, this guy's got to have 9 lives--he's been stabbed, burnt twice, and now shot twice) and tells them that he can tell them where to find Monty and the kid.

Labels: Zorro

(Tobias del Valle y Campo, circa 1821)

[recapper’s note: Thanks to everyone who said such lovely things about my sub recap last week! I wasn’t able to answer you, or participate in other recaps because my browser was fritzing – sometimes it just won’t load the comments page, which is incredibly frustrating. Thanks again!]

The last moments of the muy impactado scene from Thursday night. Esme and Comandante Sara Kali embrace as the partygoers, who don’t seem to notice Zorro in their midst, look on. Then Esme slowly approaches the Queen with a gentle expression, introduces herself to her second cousin, and…starts talking about her VENGEANCE!!! In front of the crowd she accuses Montero of imprisoning her, stealing her baby, and attempting to murder her. The Queen knows Montero couldn’t have been the only one behind these acts; and in addition to Fernando, likely had an even more powerful ally. She orders the new Gobernador to arrest Montero. Evidently, Alejandro believed he could simply pose in front of Montero and arrest him, but Montero socks him, and in the confusion as soldiers rush to Alej’s aid, Montero grabs the Queen and holds her hostage with a gun to her throat. Everyone has a new reason to be muy impactado.

At Mangle’s house, she and Olmos continue their struggle. He wants affection before he leaves for Spain; she’d prefer to not be raped. She manages to push him to the ground and grabs an oil lamp that she throws at him. It breaks and sets him aflame. Olmos [not yet having the benefit of those “Stop! Drop! And Rolllllll Around PSAs from a 150 years later] wails in pain. She answers his plea for help by stabbing him with a piece of the cut glass from the lamp.

Agapito is mooching off Tobias and Cata’s food when he hears a noise and prepares to defend himself (ulcer #1)…but it’s only Tobiasina, needing his help to deal with his gunshot graze from Pizarro, but Agapito better get out of the open, since Pizarro is chasing him. Tobiasina, evidently having been passed the VENGEANCE card by Esme, swears that he will get Pizarro even if he dies in the attempt.

Montero has cover from his soldiers as he begins to make his way out of the Palace with the captive Queen. The Duke says “Wait! Take me with you!” and at last the Queen knows for sure what a traitor he is – she had suspected for a while. Zorro advances and Montero orders the soldiers to kill the masked (male) bandit, but Xenameralda knocks the soldier’s gun and the shot fires to the ceiling. Chaos #1 breaks out, and the Gypsies and Padre Tomas lend a hand, a gun butt, and whatever’s available. The whole crowd runs out of the party screaming. Cata, outside waiting against her will for Pizarro, wonders what’s going on. Montero dissembles for the Queen’s armed guards at her coach and tells them that someone has tried to kill her. Her coach drives off with Montero yelling for the soldiers to shoot at will.

[The verbally-challenged super trio, for foreign language, muteness, and sometimes slurred wine speech]Kamba, Bernardo, and Garcia rush in from an alley and join Chaos #2 outside. Kamba impedes a cannon directed at the place from hitting its intended target by wheeling it around and it strikes the wall. In the entryway, Esmeralda assures Zorro she’ll be fine, and he should go after the Queen. She and the Gypsies then scramble to find a suitable hiding place for Sara Kali. Shortly after their exit, Almudena tells Padre Tomas she doesn’t want to leave Alejandro (ulcer #2), but the good Padre insists that she accompany him to the church for safety.

Kamba is gut-checked by a soldier lighting the fuse for a second cannon shot – then the soldier is struck by an arrow out of nowhere….

AMAZONS!!!!!!!

The Los Angeles Women Warriors Association arrives and wars with Montero’s soldiers. In the confusion, Catalina takes the opportunity to run away. Esmeralda is impactada to see her dear friends, trainers [and rawhide/buffalo pelt lingerie models]. Dania and her sister salute the grateful Esme.

CUE AMOR GITANO – OPENING CREDITS

Alejandro has followed Duke Jacobo to the rafters? inside balcony? of the palace and they exchange words about treason, restoring the rightful Queen to the throne, and which one of their dead bodies the other will have to step over to get what he wants. Not satisfied with the edge weapons, Alejandro sheaths his sword in its scabbard and nonverbally challenges Jacobo to a straight fight by raising his boxing fists. Um, not so much, seems to be the Duke’s feeling, though he does manage to get a couple of good punches in before deciding to jump down to the floor – which looks like it has to be at least a good 15 feet below. Alejandro helps out with a shove, and the Duke lands on a table. Alejandro jumps down after him, landing on both feet. Alejandro places Duke Jacobo under arrest and orders his “soldiers” to take him to the prison.

Dania tells Esmeralda that she still owed her one and her sister [whose name I forget] agreed. She notes that there’s something different about Esme, who confirms that she’s got back her baby, her mother, and her man. Does this mean Esme won’t be returning to the tribe? No, she tells Dania ruefully, and they have a group hug. It’s best if the Amazons leave now – things could get dangerous (ulcer #3).

Catalina runs after Pizarro, wanting to know what’s going on. He also wants to know what happened at the party after he fled, having failed to murder Montero. They exchange information: he was stabbed by a degenerate guy dressed as a woman; and she saw Montero take the Queen hostage – AND Esmeralda’s alive. Pizarro is impactado – and perdido. He’s sunk (ulcer #4). But wait! He has an idea, and pulls Catalina along (subtract ulcer #4). She implores him to let her go if he really loves her, because she doesn’t want to go with him. His response is to pull a gun on her and tell her it’s too late for her to choose.

Mangle, still a little shaken from her barbeque with Olmos, encounters Santiago in another room in her house. He’s brought the baby, after running through an obstacle course of nannies, soldiers, and hacienda men. Distracted, she complains that he has brought the child to the first place los de la Vega will look. He needs to take him somewhere else. She goes to get his money. Santiago commiserates with Alejandrito about his mother. Hearing someone enter off screen, he looks up and his expression changes to mild horror.

Bernardo intercepts Dololes’ and Amelia’s coach – the two women are devastated (ulcers 4 and 5, possibly gastroenteritis), and fill him in on Santiago’s kidnapping of Alejandrito. Bernardo rushes to tell Diego (ulcer #6).

Esme and Sara Kali [not quite as pressed about finding a hiding place, as they are still in the street] compare the suffering they experienced when they each thought the other was dead, and the way they missed each other, even before they “met.” Esmeralda promises her mother that they will be together from now on.

Zorro approaches El Callao and dispatches each soldier one by one. The petite Cifuentes runs at the masked (male) bandit with an early, Western version of the rebel yell, but stops dead in his tracks in front of the hero. Just don’t kill me, he says, as he offers Z his sword. All Zorro wants is to know where Montero is, and where he might have taken the Queen, but Cifuentes doesn’t know anything. Reinforcements arrive, but Cifuentes holds them off from attacking our hero.

Esme and Sara Kali, now trying to hide, are found by Renzo. He lets them know that Hermes is safe, and Jonas and Azucena are waiting for them around the corner. “Princess?” he hopefully addresses Esme [and her expression suggests she could write the For Men version of the book He’s Just Not That Into You]. She reluctantly hears his words of happiness, barely meeting his eyes. While he talks about being happy to see HER, and to know SHE’s alive, she says how much she missed all of THEM, and wanted to be back with her PEOPLE again…but first she had to take care of her VENGEANCE! They leave for safety.

We see what Santiago has made the fish face at: Olmos [looking like the “Massive Head Wound Harry” character from Dana Carvey’s years on Saturday Night Live] begs him to tell the authorities that the person who murdered him was Mariangel Sanchez de Moncada. Santiago smells a rat [and burnt flesh]. Olmos must’ve done something to Mangle to warrant that act, but Olmos denies it. The woman destroys everything she touches. In fact, she doesn’t even love the child Santiago now holds – she’s just using him to get money from Diego de la Vega. Santiago is impactado. He tells himself what a huge mistake he’s made (ulcer #7). From behind, Mangle has returned with his “payment,” which consists of a dagger swipe to his right arm. Santiago accuses her of tricking him, but she says no, I just used you [which is one level above lying to him, but two levels below betraying him]. Evidently the dagger wound is pretty debilitating, as it prevents the 6-foot-plus Santiago from preventing the 5-4 or less Mangle from taking the baby from his arms. She curses at SM and Olmos as she leaves.

Montero arrives with the captive Queen at Chez Incarceration, newly staffed after the massacre of Leroy and the other “hombres de confianza” by Pizarro at the weapons drop. He sends the men out to kill the Queen’s driver. Montero blames Fernando for the imprisonment of SK, but the Queen spits back at him that no one else probably ordered him to do the things he did to Esmeralda. Won’t you please just sit down, make yourself comfortable, and shut up, he asks the Queen. When Montero is found, the Queen will order him to be killed [Montero would like a method that doesn’t require a hood – can’t touch the hair] Montero, tired of hearing from another nagging woman besides Mangle, forgoes the seat and makes the Queen go into the special Comandante Suite in the basement.

Bernardo finds Diegorro and tells him that Santiago kidnapped the baby – Diegorro suspects SM took the babe to Mangle (ulcer #8).

Santiago’s expression as he helps Olmos rise from the ground and sit in a chair resembles that of Mariangel when she woke up from the potion. Olmos fills him in on Mangle’s lamp-glass attack, leaving out little details like the incident that let up to it. He further informs Santiago [and as Cathy would say, the rest of the viewing audience, especially those folks tuning in for the last two weeks of the novela] that the baby Mangle stole isn’t even hers, but Diego’s and Esmeralda’s, born during her imprisonment by Montero. Mangle’s baby was born dead, and he switched the babies, etc, etc, etc. Olmos wants SM’s help to flee the city, but Santiago determines that he must find Mariangle. Olmos yells that only he knows where she is, and Santiago relents.

Gerardo, Olmos’ “hombre de confianza” opens the door despite Pizza not using the secret knock this time. Pizza wants to know where the hell Olmos is. He orders a soldier to find Olmos and bring him there ASAP. Pizza is tense, as are his associates and captives, G, Cata, and Laisha (ulcers 9, 10, and 11).

Alejandro is planning the search for Monte and the Reina, and dispatches his men. Almudena arrives, having escaped Padre Tomas’ evil protective clutches. Alejandro is relieved to see her, but wants Dena to go back to the hacienda. No way, JosAlej – she needs to see Esme. She confirms that she knew Esme was alive, but had promised to keep the secret. Amelia and Dololes rush in with the horrible news of the baby-napping. Into this anguished scene, Esme arrives with SK and Dena runs to hug her surrogate daughter. Esme feels the need to introduce Dena to SK [wouldn’t these ladies have met in Spain?], and Esme’s two mothers embrace warmly. Unfortunately, Alejandro has to break the news that his grandson has been kidnapped. Esmeralda is quite a bit more than impactada.

Santiago begs Olmos to help him find Alejandrito. Olmos agrees, but only if SM will allow him to punish Mangle afterward. It’s a deal. Pizza’s soldier interrupts the plotters , and he stares in horror at Olmos Kruger.

Mangle’s arrival at Chez Incarceration wakes up the snoring Montero –and she’s brought the baby. [In an improbably sweet and unexpected scene] Montero gets all gushy to finally meet “his” son. Montero lets Mangle know that their world is turned upside down – Esmeralda is alive AND Sara Kali is alive AND Pizarro betrayed him AND he had to kidnap the Queen to escape and now she’s in the basement. This starts a fight, and Montero picks up and soothes the crying baby, disturbed by his shouting caregivers.

Pizarro wants to leave ASAP, and signs don’t point to Olmos’ arrival. He instructs Gerardo that if Olmos isn’t there an hour before the express ship to Spain sails, they’re leaving without him. He then proceeds to yell at Catalina to stop crying. Laisha observes this sadly.

As Mangle predicted, folks arrive at her house to search for the baby. Esme finds blood on the floor, and a baby bonnet/blanket [?] Diegorro arrives; Bernardo told him about the napping, and he reassures Esme that Mangle won’t harm the baby – they need to use him for money. Does Esme remember at all where she was incarcerated? Yes, in hard-to-find cabin, which turns out to be a site Diego had visited, but didn’t return to, thinking Montero wouldn’t use it again after Zorro discovered it. They’ll go investigate the cabin, but they have to be veeeeeerrrrry careful – Montero may have set a trap.

Montero plans his escape with his men while Mangle listens, uninterested and annoyed. Like a dutiful father, Montero asks her if it isn’t time for her to feed their son, and she snaps at him that she’s not a cow – find an Indian woman to take care of that! Turning back to business, Montero instructs his man Macario to prepare the gunpowder, which they’ll set up to get rid of anyone who comes to Chez Incarceration searching for him. After the men take off, he returns with a huge smile to play with his son [once again, Montero is truly enchanted with this kid! He probably just sees him as an extension of himself, tho’]

Evidently, Pizarro’s man managed to take off with Santiago and Olmos, but SM manages to disarm him. SM and Olmos take off on their original mission to find Mangle and the baby. The soldier comes to and conveniently mutters out loud – so a following Tobiasina can overhear him – that he’s going back to Pizarro empty-handed. Tobiasina promises that tonight Pizarro will see that “la muerte se presentara vestida de mujer.” (Death will show up dressed as a woman)

Sara Kali is doing planning of her own, with help from Jonas and Renzo. Renzo notes Ana Camila off to the side, quiet. What is it? She feels silly telling him this, but she thought she noticed something about the way he looked at Esmeralda, his great love, returned from the dead [Hmmmm… feeling silly? Does that warrant an ulcer? Sure – ulcer #12]. There’s nothing to fear about him and Esme – he loves Ana Camila. When the Second Annual Gypsy Queen Quest is over, they’ll discuss this in-depth, and she accepts that.

Pizarro is doing reassuring of his own, for Catalina [in his own gruff, against-the-woman’s-will sort of way]. His soldier bursts in with the news that he was attacked by Olmos’ associate on the way back to this barn/cabin. That’s it! Pizarro wants to leave NOW! But then, Tobiasina bursts in – with 19th century wig cap, and black evening gown - there’s no way you’re taking my woman, Pizarro! Tobiasina is there to get his VENGEANCE!!! Catalina looks ready to swoon in happiness at this romantic, dashing, suicidal gesture by her man; Pizza looks bemused or annoyed [as interpreted by his moving his eyes side to side and shifting his head a little].

The masked (female) bandit suits up. Garcia is worried about this next mission (ulcer #13), but Esme isn’t going alone – she’ll be with Zorro. Because they’re tracking Montero, it’s not safe for Garcia to be seen. She also has to be careful to protect Zorro’s identity. Garcia’s ears prick up - does la senora know the true identity of Zorro? She asks him to not ask any more questions, but softens the blow by thanking him for supporting her quest to find her son – his grandson. They share a tender moment as she reminds him that he is her son’s grandson and always will be.

Montero, Mangle, and his Not-So-Merry Men camp out in the forest for the night before they head to the coast in the morning. Montero corrects Mangle that they are actually more safe because they have the Queen in their possession than they would be without her. Mangle finally sees the humor in the situation – the supreme military authority of Los Angeles is now a fugitive. He reminds her that she is, too, and now they have their son with them. Montero wishes he could have seen Diego de la Vega’s face when he learned the child wasn’t his…oh,well. Mangle still doesn’t believe they can shake Diego that easily, after all, he is Zorro. Well, Montero snarks, if he goes looking for us at Chez Incarceration, he’ll get an explosive surprise…

Meanwhile, back at said shack…

The Man and Woman in Black case the joint. They suspect the captives are in the basement. Before they go in, Diegorro tells Esmeralda that if something happens, she is to get away as far as possible with the baby – he’ll “cover” her escape. He pulls down her train robber bandanna and they kiss passionately yet tenderly. When they pull back from the kiss, they hear a voice from the foliage. “Don’t move.” Esme re-masks and with Diego turns to face Santiago Michelena, who has a firm expression and an even firmer grasp on the pistol he points at them…

END OF EPISODE
Ulcer count: 13
The official last ep of the show will be Monday, July 23rd!

Labels: Zorro

* Z and Dona Z have confrontation in upstairs room. As he starts to question who she is, whether she's friend or foe, she gets defensive, vague and draws her sword.

* Queen ML addresses invited guests at ball - thanking them for attending. Jonas whispers to SK and Renzo to be very careful, enemies can be anywhere and everywhere in that ballroom. Piza shifts his eyes as he keeps careful watch, as does the secret guards and soldiers and drag queen Toby. ML makes the announcement that the new governor (replacing Don Fernando) is Don Alejandro. ML asks Alej to step forward, he pauses a moment to look at Dena before approaching the Queen. He kneels in front of her and accepts the new position. Monty and Jacomo grimace while SK and others "golf clap" applause.

* Z and Dona Z sword fight in upstairs room. D is still curious and asks questions to Dona Z - he notes the pain in her voice as she speaks and tells her to have hope; she says hope brings pain and she's tired of waiting. They continue sword fight.

* ML finishes installing Alej as governor. She walks down the carpet, Jacomo wants to speak with her, she says later and goes over to have private conversation with Alej. ML and Alej whisper about security measures for the event and about SK's presence. Alej assures her that he and his men will protect her and SK. Dena interrupts to congratulate Alej on his appointment.

Monty and Jacomo walk single-file to Alej and ML; Jacomo congratulates Alej cordially and dignified before walking away. Monty swallows his pride and offers his hand to Alej, Alej says don't bother with formalities, he is well aware of Monty's feelings for him and his feelings are mutual towards Monty. Monty swallows and walks away. Mejias comes up afterward and gives Alej a military salute, Alej reciprocates, Mejias leaves.

Piza and his secret guard keep watch. MA enters ballroom wearing all read and stands behind Piza.

* D/Z and Dona Z/Esmy continue sword fight and conversation. He says something; she reciprocates by slashing his shirt (exposing his bare chest). He is shocked, goes to take off his hat, and gloves. As she turns, he slashes her bodice with his sword (touche). She's shocked. He grabs her and pulls her close to him - he realizes it's ESMY!. They kiss.

(cue theme song and opening credits)

* Santiago enters kitchen and finds Dolly and Camelia relaxing and finishing up their chores. He talks to them about everyone attending the ball; he notices they are drinking milk and talks them into sharing a bottle of wine with him (he is insistent). Dolly and Camelia agree.

* D and Esmy have a intimate conversation in the room about where she was, what happened to her. She explains and includes Monty and MA's part in the story. He was told that she was dead but he always knew in his heart that she was alive - he found her clothes and her pendant. She said she lost it on the ship. He doesn't understand it but he found a mariner on the street and got it from him. He shows it to her. She's surprised.

* Dolly and Camelia are drunk and laughing with Santiago, who isn't at all drunk, as they play poker with beans as chips. The wine bottle is empty. Santiago will go get another - they try to protest but Santiago is still insistent and goes for the new bottle. In storeroom/pantry, Santiago takes a sip from the bottle before pouring his secret powder into the wine and mixes it up. He mutters something about the brothers who are looking for him.

* MA finds Monty at the ball - he's surprised she's there - she reminds him of the plan and that she wants Alejandrito away from D and his family now. He says be patient, relax, no hurry. She is adamant of taking the baby tonight. (ERGH!)

* Piza whispers to Gutierrez his plan to help Olmos and Laisha escape from jail tonight. Gutierrez leaves immediately. Toby pesters Piza, tries to solicit punch companion. Piza says he's working and refuses the offer (if you want punch, get it for yourself). Soldier whispers a message to Piza, Piza leaves Toby.

Piza and Monty argue over SK getting into the ball with a fake invitation. Piza assures him they were extra diligent with all the invitations and guests entering the ballroom. Monty hopes there won't be any problems tonight or Piza will pay with his life.

Renzo and Cami are nervous and talk about why they came. SK approaches. Cami asks when will she meet ML. SK says soon, not now.

Alej and Dena leave ML's side to have private conversation. They wonder where D is; Alej asks Dena to leave because of what may happen when Mercedes does appear. Dena is shocked by the request and refuses to leave her husband, the new governor's, side. Alej says then he will have two queens to protect.

* D and Esmy in room getting reunited (romantic kissing - UY!) She pulls away; he comes in for more. They hug.

* Fer and MP in their special love nest barn, he talks of his past, of Regina's angelic visit to him in the forest and that she forgave him. MP asks if Fer has forgiven Regina, he says he can't.

* PT stands beside ML. Jacomo, nervous, goes wandering through the crowd. Monty tells Piza his nervousness of the ball guests and security measures. Piza assures that everything is under control. Monty notes that D hasn't appeared, thinks it may be a sign of something bad to come. Piza assures him otherwise. Monty leaves. Piza grumbles about Monty being seriously hurt.

* D and Esmy hug, kiss and talk in room. She tells him about her vengeance plan for mom's death. D informs her that her mom, SK, is still alive and SK's plan for vengeance tonight when she meets with ML and tells her whole story against Fer and Monty. Esmy is extra-happy to know her mom is still alive. She mentions wanting to hold their son in her arms. D asks about their son (he's baffled by her comment).

* Santiago looks at Dolly and Camelia passed out drunk on the table. He leaves to go to nursery.

* Mejias enters nursery and goes to crib. Santiago enters and asks why Mejias is there. Mejias draws his sword to challenge Santiago to duel.

* Toby spies on Piza from other side of column. As Toby breathes, a male guest comes over and tries to pick-up Toby. Toby tells him to take a hike.

* Piza and soldier check magistrate judge who just arrived. Toby is nervous and calls man back, agrees to one dance. As magistrate walks to other side of the room, Toby fakes a dizzy spell, man goes for punch, Toby returns to hiding place behind column.

* Piza and guard discuss what could happen at ball against him, be very vigilant. Toby spies on them.

* Gutierrez convinces guard to leave post; guard leaves reluctantly. Gutierrez opens cell door and explains to Olmos and Laisha to go with him (now and fast; orders of Piza).

* D listens intently as Esmy tells him their baby is a son; Monty stole him from her after birth and then made her believe he was dead. When she went to the cemetery and exumed the body of the baby, she realized it isn't her baby who died - it must be MA and Monty's. (AY!)

* Mejias and Santiago fight in nursery. Santiago swipes and knocks the sword from Mejias' hand. Mejias picks it up. Santiago slugs him and he falls to the ground. Santiago goes to the crib and takes Alejandrito away.

* D is still baffled by MA and Monty as a couple. He realizes, with Esmy's help, that Alejandrito is really THEIR son. They kiss. He asks her to go on a vacation. She wants to meet her mom first; unfinished business to take care of. He smiles, agrees. They kiss.

* Monty keeps watch at ball. Piza cocks his pistol and hides behind the column. He tries to aim and shoot Monty. Toby pulls out his knife from his garter, sneaks up behind Piza and stabs him in the upper arm. Piza turns in shock and anger; he aims his pistol and shoots at Toby as Toby runs away. Monty and everyone drops down on the floor - chaos erupts.

* D and Esmy hear the gunshot. Esmy is worried about her mom. D is in his Z costume (including the slashed shirt). He leaves first after Esmy promises to be careful and go down later.

* Toby runs outside, passed Cata. He trips and falls all over his long dress, dropping his wig and having to pick it up and carry it in his hands. As he runs through the market tents, Piza and guards run outside - Cata yells at Piza for update on what's happening. Piza answers briefly as he aims and shoots in the direction of the market tent/Toby.

* As guests shout, cry and run for the door, soldiers have rifles aimed and ready to fire. Alej assures ML he will protect her and SK. Z punches and kicks out soldiers right and left. Monty sees Z and orders the soldiers to shoot to kill. ML stands up and shouts for them to stop - there will be no shooting or killing in her presence! As everyone calms down, Z closes his ripped shirt and tips the brim of his hat to the queen. SK walks forward and takes off her mask, with Jonas and the gypsies close behind. Jacomo tries to speak to ML, but Jonas slugs him to the ground. ML presents her cousin Mercedes to the attendees. Everyone drops to their knees to show respect, including ML herself. Everyone stands up. ML tells everyone to listen to the interesting and important story Mercedes is to tell them.

* Fer and MP still in their love nest barn. Fer repeats his reason for bringing Mercedes to California, his back-door deals with Jacomo, his ulterior motive for everything (his undying love for MP). MP tells him to stop, they can't live in the past nor can they go back to change it. She wants to take care of his wounds. He wants to stay with her in bed (talking).

* Olmos and Laisha in soldier uniforms outside; they rendezvous with Gutierrez who informs them of Piza's plan to get them to San Blas. Olmos tells them to go on; he needs to go somewhere first - he would never forgive himself if he didn't take care of this one important item before he left California. They can't talk him out of it. Olmos leaves alone.

* Santiago carries little Alej outside hacienda. Guard tries to stop him; he walks away; Rafael approaches; the two chase after Santiago. As guard soldier (Mejias' partner) spots Santiago on the outside walkway with little Alej, he aims the cannon, lights the wick and fires it over the wall. It explodes behind Santiago, making him stop to look. He breathes relief and continues on to MA's house.

* Dolly and Camelia finally wake up, realize Santiago disappeared. They get paranoid and run to the nursery to check on the baby. OH-NO! Baby Alej has been kidnapped!

* MA quickly packs in her bedroom. Knock at the door. She's shocked to see Olmos standing there. Olmos enters. She wants him to leave immediately. He is angry and humiliated and wants vengeance against her (in his own way).

* Mercedes makes her case and accusations against Monty and Fer to the crowd. Monty's defense is he was under direct orders from Fer. Mercedes continues with her case and brings up her assumptions that Monty did the same to her daughter, Esmy, and killed her. Monty acts horrified, and defends himself that he did not kill Esmeralda, his wife. That in fact, his wife actually helped her mom (Mercedes) escape. Mercedes continues with the accusation and the assumption. Monty laughs and demands Mercedes produce one witness to back up her story. Z steps forward - he has that one witness. A lady in blue wanders into the ballroom. She drops her blue feather mask. IT'S ESMY! "Daughter," says Mercedes. Esmy smiles at her mom. Cami looks over at Renzo, who is frozen staring at Esmy with his mouth open. PT nods and smiles. Alej looks at Dena, who smiles and nods. Monty shakes his head in disbelief.

Labels: Zorro