Caray, Caray!

Our reader Alma reports:

"My mom, who I sometimes watch this with, shed some light about how Unibrow managed to get this headlining gig (does it count as headlining if he only gets 20 seconds of screentime?). Apparantly Unibrow is the president of the Mexican actors' union. Aha!

Some other interesting tidbits from mom: His father and brother are also actors, but Unibrow is the looker in the family... Eeeewh!"

Labels: barrera

It's lucky that when Jacinta gets really mad, there's a cake available for whacking with her cane. Yes, we had another episode of cake whacking on Barrera. I'm just going to do the main plot points here.

We got to hear the Spanish version of the Happy Birthday song but instead of blowing out the candles, Valeria announced that she was leaving Jacinta's house. She is of age and if Jacinta is going to set the dogs on her novio, she's outta there. She asks to stay with Maite and Victor who are only too happy to accept.

Meanwhile, Jacaranda does her psychological experiment on Veronica. While Veronica is staring at the candles on the birthday cake, she reminds her of the episode when the police raided the whorehouse. Veronica runs out of the room, terrified. Later Jacaranda and Carlos the evil doctor conclude that fear is a trigger for Veronica's personality changes.

Since Valeria's announcement that she is leaving the hacienda puts an end to the party, no one eats the cake and it is conveniently available for whacking after Jacinta broods over it for a while vowing not to let Maite win Valeria back. Jacinta then goes to the stable to see the portrait of Federico. She tells the portrait out loud that now that Valeria hasn't measured up to the Valladolid name, Federico is even more important to her since he is Pedro's son, etc. etc. And who is hearing all this? Manola, of course. You can see the wheels turning - Federico is a Valladolid. That means Rodrigo is one too.

Right after Jacinta leaves, who should appear but Federico and all of a sudden Manola is making nice to him. No more calling him Don Nadie (Mr. Nobody). She tells him that he's always been her only love, etc. etc. Federico is surprised and extremely suspicious of this sudden change in Manola's attitude but he really wants to know about what has happened to Gustavo. He knows that Gustavo has not been taken to the US. He makes Manola take him to the house in Aguascalientes where they have Gustavo stashed. They send the nurse out and apparently do some boinking in Gustavo's room. Fortunately for him, Gustavo is asleep.

Andres says that he has decided to introduce Valeria to Unibrow.

Sergio is using his gigolo skills to get information about Maite out of the gossipy ladies.

Manola makes an appointment to see the evil doctor, Carlos.

Nicolas takes Jacaranda out. I guess he is telling her that he can't leave his wife because she is ill and ever practical, Jacaranda wants proof. Nicolas doesn't know how he's going to get out of this one. [Maybe Sergio could recommend the doctor who is making phony reports for him.]
That was about it, I think.

Labels: barrera

Valerias Birthday Party

Andres arrives at Valerias party surprising Jacinta. Then enters Maite with Veronica and Jacaranda. Valeria is happy to see all. Maite then asks Jacinta to introduce them to their guests. Jacinta grins like the Cheshire cat, in control of it all. Jacinta introduces Maite pausing to ask Maite her last name, Maria Teresa Galvan. (Maite talks like a robot or Stepford wife.) Manola watches from the crowd and smirks at the arrival of the group. A priest gives a little service to celebrate Valerias turning of age outside in the parking lot, by the water fountain of the hacienda.

Federico sneaks up to Andres to quietly tell Andres to leave. "Dont take me wrong....but I think its best that you leave." Andres astutely asks if Jacinta sent Federico. Federico says yes and don't make me use force. Andres then queries if Federico will send out the dogs. Then he tells Federico that he thinks he wont leave plus Jacinta better receive him with good manners to avoid a scandal. Andres thinks the people wont be happy to hear how Jacinta treated the dog or Valeria. Federico takes the news in good stride and disappears to sit next to la patrona.

Valeria tells Andres that she is afraid that her grandmother will do something bad if he stays. Andres says he couldn't let her birthday pass without wishing her well. Jacinta starts to slide up to them with a not so good look on her face. Just as she does the two gossips do also. They immediately start oogling Andres. Valeria introduces him as her boyfriend and then they all recount his bullfighting in San Marcos. They congratulate Valeria her for her good taste in men. But I thought you were Rodrigo Zamoras girlfriend. No we are just friends. After Valeria, Andres and Jacinta walk off toward the food the gossips start talking about how upset Jacinta looks around Andres. Ha Ha Ha. What about her face when Maite came in? Oh My!

Los Ancianos Maldonados talk about Maite, Victor and Veronica. All agree that Veronica is strange. Jose says out loud that Veronica is someone who lacks the love of a father. Oh we cant blame her mother. Its the ruffian who got her pregnant and left her! And never returned! Oh yes this is life. How we always want what others have. The law of life. How I wish I had a daugher like Maria Teresa.....

Victor gives Valeria a gift. Maite tells Andres that she is happy to see him but she never thought she would see him here. Jacaranda takes in the house and counts in her head the dollars. Jacaranda thinks about how Maite doesn't even realize that Veronica has the same rights as Valeria to the Valladaloid fortune. For now she must stay near Veronica because everyday she seems to be crazier.

Jacinta goes over the ground rules with the gossips about Maite. They should all play like they don't know her. "Please tell all the guests since you are so communicative." The gossips say they will take care of it.

Rodrigo complains to Federico that Andres is at the party. Federico says they will find a way to get rid of Andres they just have to wait.

Cateyena, Manola and Jacinta talk about how incredulous they are that Maite is at the party. Jacinta states that with Maites attitude she obligated Jacinta to welcome her in! It made me nervous! Please tell everyone my intentions that we pretend to not know her, and no one taks about it anymore! Cateyena then starts gossiping about Jacaranda and how Jacaranda married a much older man just to get his money. Manola chirps up that Mom I married an older man too! But your case is much different Manola! Cateyena then starts taking about how Jacinta has business with the dead husband of Jacaranda. Nicolas has to explain what his wife is saying and to answer Jacintas questions about how is it that she is doing business with this man when she doesn't even know his name.

Fake perfect manners Maite is invited into the library to talk with Jacinta about a recipe. Victor tries to go along but Maite says it will be ok. The two women go into the library alone. Maite smarts that Jacinta is still using her recipes. Jacinta says that her cooking was the only thing Maite has done right but she doesn't want to talk about that. How dare she enter her house when the whole town knows what kind of woman she is?! Maite answers that its been a long time since Jacinta took Valeria from her, and she also doesn't doubt that it has been Jacinta who has ensured Maites "fame" in town. But today is the birthday of my daughter and I am not going to miss it. God has once again put Valeria on Maites path and no one is going to separate them again. Jacinta answers You want to mix God with this do you? This has to be the work of the devil because there is no other way to explain it to me! Whatever Jacinta! I come with a clear conscience. I am going to continue seeing my daughter. Now excuse me Im going to celebrate my daughters coming of age.

Valeria and Andres are so happy to see each other. Valeria states that just seeing Andres he is the best present she could have been given. He says no there's more, and gives her an engagement ring. He asks her to be his wife. He wants to take any doubt from her head that any other woman interests him. He wants to pass the rest of his life with Valeria. Valeria says even with the obstacles that life brings she loves him. Rodrigo looks on at them with an evil eye through the haze of his cigarette.

Rodrigo tells Federico that his father is in the US getting therapy. Federico is shocked and then furious with Manola. Federico flirts with Veronica, then pulls Manola into a side room to kiss on her, threaten her and asks what's up with Gustavo.

Carlos the doctor shows up at the party. He knows Jacinta. Maite walks in the room sees the doctor and they both make a big show of knowing each other. Jacinta is suspicious. Sergio wants to know who invited the doctor and how does he know Maite? Jacinta tells him he asks too many questions.

Veronica flashes in and out of herself. Victor notices as does the doctor and Jacaranda. Only the doctor imparts his wisdom to Jacaranda. Rodrigo comes up to Valeria and Andres and tells Valeria that he got her a side saddle for a present. He then asks her to go to the stables to see it. Valeria tells him no. Rodrigo is upset to see Valeria walk away with Andres.

Maite asks Federico where is Remedios. Federico says his mother ran away with the first man who paid her attention. Maite is shocked. Flash to Remedios being sad that she isn't celebrating Valerias birthday with her.

Jacaranda and Carlos follow Veronica as she slips into Vera and tries to flirt with Andres. Andres is able to get away from Vera, but he lets slip about his arm hurting. Juanita fills in Valeria about the dog and Valeria is upset. The girls get mad at him for not taking care of himself. He goes home for his rabies shots. Valeria takes off to have it out with Jacinta.

Valeria tells Jacinta that she knows she gave her something to make her sleep and that Jacinta had dogs attack Andres. Jacinta says that's what happens to people who are go onto private property! After a few more words Jacinta admits that Yes! It was her that made the plan! She is the one who decides who Valeria is to marry. Valeria has to marry someone dignified of their last name!

Manola eaves drops on Carlos and Jacaranda. Jacaranda re-tells the story of Veronica in the whore house with her two dolls. The doctor is interested and asks her to tell more as he figures out that Veronica has multiple personalities. Jacaranda tells a lot and Manola hears a lot ... Police, parties and the past of Jacaranda and Veronica comes tumbling out of her mouth.

Vera hits on Rodrigo. She asks him if he is interested in Valeria as she grins at him. He puts his arms on her shoulders and starts flirting back. Jacinta walks by and tells Rodrigo to get his hands off Veronica.

The doctor and Jacaranda decide to try and experiment with Veronica/Vera. Manola hears the plan.

Labels: barrera

Greetings all, in a coincidental turn of events I, too, will be on vacation from this Thursday until the week of July 24th. I am supposed to return on the 24th and if my schedule goes according to plan I will start recapping Heridas on Tuesday the 25th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Heridas turns out to be worth our time and effort.

On to Barrera:
As we left them, Andres is hunched over the writhing Valeria who is moaning "No grandmother, don't lock me up, I must see Andres!" Sergio enters the room with the tray and asks Andres what he's doing there.

Maite has a flashback to when When Valeria was born. A white-haired doctor is in the scene (and it looks like Jacaranda's doctor friend but I'm not sure because those white-haired older guys all look the same to me). Maite remembers that's when she started to become sick, when she began to lose Valeria little by little.

Sergio tells Andres that Valeria seems drugged, it's no use to wake her. No doubt it's the work of his sister Jacinta. She's the grandmotherly type who probably set the dogs upon him and most certainly gave something to Valeria so that she couldn't meet him in the garden. Andres says, "But the dogs could have attacked Valeria!" Sergio seems to think this a minor glitch and tells Andres he should get a rabies shot. Andres is still worried about Valeria and why she was drugged. Sergio says it was definitely the work of Jacinta and Andres should leave now, he can meet Valeria tomorrow.

Carlos tells Jacaranda that on the day of Maite's baptism he and Jacinta gave Maite a mega-dose of drugs that would make her seem like an alcoholic. Jacaranda says she's curious to meet this Jacinta. Carlos says she'll get the opportunity if she goes to Aguascalientes.

Sergio tells Jacinta that Valeria is sick and delirious, as if she is drugged. Jacinta says it was a simple herbal tea to help her rest. Rest in Peace is more like it. "Pretty potent herbs," he comments. He asks if it has to do with the boy that Valeria was meeting and she tells him to mind his own business.

The next morning the maid (Clotilde?) tries to wake Federico, Jacinta wants him to join her for breakfast. He is majorly hung over and wants to be left alone. No wait a minute, he wants a beer THEN he wants to be left alone.

Sergio tells Valeria that she was incoherent the night before. Valeria remembers events as if in a delirious dream. He asks if Jacinta gave her some sort of herbal tea. No, only a glass of milk, and afterward she felt dizzy.

Jacinta is irked that Federico is "indisposed" and wants to call the doctor. Clotilde tells her it's just something he ate that gave him a stomach ache. Jacinta seems to believe her and Clotilde gets big bug-eyes and looks just like Mrs. Danvers, except relieved instead of diabolical.

Andres, who should be seriously thinking about getting seen for dog bite, is window shopping for engagement rings.

A painting has arrived for Jacinta's inspection. It is a portrait, Valladolid style, of Federico.

Veronica, Maite, and apparently Jacaranda are going to Aguascalientes for Valeria's birthday party. Maite is nervous and Veronica doesn't look pleased that Jacaranda is joining them.

At the vineyards Baldo is worried about Andres' wounded arm, he thinks he should get a rabies shot. Andres says he is certain that Federico ratted him out to Jacinta. Baldo agrees, adding that Federico is a "lambiscon" who only wants to suck up to Jacinta.

Federico's beer must have done the trick as he's up and about. He tells Jacinta that he set the dogs on Andres and his arm was hurt. She thinks the beauty of this plan is that Andres was trespassing so it was his own fault he got attacked. No one will suspect them of orchestrating the attack. (Nobody except everybody who has heard about it so far!)

Valeria drives out to the vineyard and sees Unibrow, remember they met at Nutria's clinic in an earlier episode, but they don't really know who the other is. Uni mentions his son Andres and Valeria, realizing Uni is his father, beats a hasty retreat.

Jacinta thought bubbles, "Just think how surprised Federico will be when he finds out he's a real Valladolid. I was really mad when Pedro legally recognized him as his own, but now I'm just so darn glad that he's not a bastard. He's pure Valladolid stock. I'm going to look for the perfect opportunity to tell him!"

Federico looks at Pedro's portrait and thought bubbles, "Damn! I was hoping I was Pedro Valladolid's son, only to find out I'm the son of that poor devil of a teacher. My mother is an idiot, if only she could have gotten herself knocked up by the Padrona then I could have been HIS son."

Sergio has had an exotic meal with the two gossips Letitia and Bertha. He flatters them endlessly...but wait, a shocking development, he has forgotten his wallet! The old bags are putty in his hands and end up arguing over which one of them gets to pay for his meal. Then he gets them to float him a loan and promise not to mention it to Jacinta.

Now we have one of those heavy-handed scenes that indicate the writers think we viewers need to have everything spelled out for us...Uni tells Andres he has the perfect girl for her, but Pa I have a girl and you're gonna meet her, but this girl was awesome I don't know her name sure hope she has nothing to do with the Valladolids blah blah blah. Yes, we already KNOW about this scene set-up.

Federico is tailing Sergio. He is extremely obvious as he tiptoes from doorway to doorway, hiding and peering around walls at Sergio.

Valeria and Andres, still unvaccinated, rendezvous in a beautiful garden. She is sure that Federico told Jacinta about them and that Jacinta gave her a knockout drug. Federico can't be trusted. By the way, she met Andres' dad at the vineyard but he doesn't know who she is. They talk ad nauseum about her running into Unibrow. I only mention this because it is where Andres finds out Nutria was seeing a doctor. He wonders why his parents hadn't shared that info with him.

Manola calls her mom to tell her all is going well with Gustavo's admission to "the clinic." Cut to Gustavo in his cell, guarded by a nurse. "How long must I remain here? I can't believe Manola would do this to me. This place is going to be my tomb."

Federico has followed Sergio to the doctor's office. He passes Nutria and checks out her rear as she walks away.

Another heavy-handed scene, this time between Rodrigo and Jacinta. She wishes Valeria would be his girlfriend, for once he's more worried about taking care of his dad's business than getting it on with the richest girl in town. The only people he can count on are Jacinta and Federico. His mom and Nicolas took Gustavo to a clinic in the U.S., (news to Jacinta)and they wouldn't let him go. He thinks they are hiding something. Jacinta will investigate. She tells him except for his excessive smoking he really reminds her of a true Valladolid!

Federico follows Sergio, who is carrying a big envelope (medical records?), back to the hacienda. Sergio put the envelope away and blows smoke rings. After he leaves, Federico goes in and opens the envelope. He thinks if Sergio really has cancer the information will be in these records. But Sergio could pay to have records falsified, how will Federico know if the information is real or not? Without a doubt Sergio is going to figure out a way to live off his sister (vivir a sus costillas=live off her ribs). Better to wait until Sergio makes a stupid move then he can figure out what to do with the information.

El Gordo, horsing around with Andres, pokes him in the arm. Andres winces in pain and FINALLY admits to Gordo and Daniel that the Valladolid dogs bit him. Daniel is going to vaccinate him against rabies.

Jacinta tells Federico she wants him by her side when she greets the party guests that evening. He's worried it might look inappropriate. She says since Adolfo's death little by little Federico has become the man of the house. Since the estrangement of his mother he has become even dearer to her. He says her words honor him, especially considering the ingratitude of his mother. "Eh...you and your mom are like oil and water." He kisses her hand and then stares hard at Adolfo's portrait. "I only wish Adolfo had had your character," she concludes.

Valeria confronts Jacinta and wants to know what she put in her milk. "Only a little something to help you sleep," answers the wicked old witch. Valeria says it's not right to drug her without consulting her first. (this is most certainly the oddest statement in tonight's episode.) Jacinta responds that nobody knows better than she (Jacinta) what is best for Valeria. While Valeria is a minor she will abide by Jacinta's rules, and that means no more Mr. Nobody. The day Valeria leaves the house without marrying well will be the day Jacinta disinherits her.

Manola and Nicolas are back in time for the fiesta. They lie about Gustavo's rehabilitation but Rodrigo acts like he doesn't believe them.

Gustavo discovers he can move his hands but decides he better keep it a secret or Manola will kill him. Ya think?

Party time!! Jacinta, Valeria and the guests are millling about the patio. Andres arrives, then Maite, Veronica and Jacaranda arrive. Jacinta looks shocked but not awed and the gossips seem to recognize Maite. (It occurs to me that perhaps Jacaranda isn't the best companion if Maite is to convince everybody that she wasn't a prostitute.) Andres looks pleased with himself, Valeria looks worried, Juanita smirks.

Labels: barrera

Hi friends,

I'm leaving for Paris on Saturday - I'll be gone for three weeks, home for one week, then gone for two more weeks. So it won't be till mid-August that I'll be back for good and ready to resume Monday recapping. I hope you can get "Heridas" off to a good start without me - I'll be relying on your blogging to get me up to speed when I return!

So here's my last episode of Barrera, for real. I'm way too tired of this show to be funny today, sorry!

We start with the dispirited theme song, and then Manola and her dad in the dark, discussing their plan, which is to pretend Gustavo has gone off to the clinic while actually keeping him locked up in the house, with a new nurse who doesn't know what's been going on. Why don't they just kill him and stop talking about it? (Remember that Austin Powers scene with Seth Green?) Gustavo's thought bubble: "Uh, I'm a Goner."

The Maldonado brothers gaze upon their mother's portrait, recently completed by their sister, she of the lizard-facelift. The portrait features the famous diamond necklace; this causes Maite's father to fulminate about his great love for Eloisa-who-deserted-him and his wish to see the necklace again. As we know, Maite (his daughter) has it.

Federico catches Valeria and Andres kissing in the dark, but says he's on their side. "Leave it to me, I know how to manage Doña Jacinta." He points out Jacinta could have Andres put in jail since Valeria is a minor - so, reluctantly, the lovers agree, though Andres has been seeking an opportunity to tell the old harpy his intentions are honorable. Federico goes right off and snitches to Jacinta, and they hatch a plan. She disparages the lovers as having a relationship "de tajo," anybody?

To add verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative, Manola and her dad go to the airport to call home and say "We're on our way to the clinic!" They don't know what to do if Rodrigo insists on seeing his father...

I forget who calls Federico a "lambiscon" (bootlicker), maybe Juanita, who thinks the lovers were idiots to trust Federico, and that they better look out for Rodrigo as well.

In the first of Unibrow's two scenes in this episode, he is 1/8" tall, on a horse with Nutria way across a field. She is doubtful she will survive her treatments. He tells her he's glad she's been so nice to his kids. Way to go. In the second scene, he says she'll be cured and she, acting, yells that her cancer is not curable. He just stands there.

Veronica tells Maite and Victor: "My therapist is good, we talk about my "real" mother and I cry." They say crying is good. Then Jacaranda tells her psychiatrist buddy Carlos (who figured out Veronica has multiple personalities): "I really want to know what's going on in that crazy little head." They discuss his going to Aguascalientes to observe Veronica. It turns out Carlos knows Jacinta already - because he was hired (by Rafael) to help her - he in fact gave her the poison powders and was paid well. Jacaranda says, well then none of this is a coincidence, because it was Rafael who called you in on that day when Magdalena (Veronica's mother), unfortunately, died. "Yes, Rafael has called me over the years when he had little jobs..."

Jacinta goes to church, receives the obsequious thanks of the padre, and asks him to celebrate a birthday mass for Valeria, who has fallen under bad influences. She tries to blame Remedios and then finishes, "We must banish the demons of the flesh," as she fingers her throat. Her look of alarm is a bit overdone, perhaps she swallowed a frog.

Of all our subplots, perhaps the dullest is Federico's sulking about his mother marrying Octavio. They run across each other and come to blows, he shouts he'd rather be an orphan than have her for a mother.

Jacinta is in a dark cellar gloating over her leftover packets of powder. "I wonder if they're still effective after all these years?" She mixes one into a milk drink, almost tries it herself, and then takes it off to Valeria, who doesn't really want it. "DRINK THE DAMN MILK." "Later," Jacinta thought-bubbles, "you'll understand everything I've done is in your best interests."

Remedios tells Octavio she did not accept Pedro's offer (to leave Jacinta and marry her) because Pedro's father begged her not to.

In a bar, Sergio speculates with the sulking Federico that his father may have been Pedro Valladolid. Federico barges into his mother's apartment yelling, TELL ME WHO ... blah blah and Octavio surprisingly stands up and says, "I. I am your father." This completely dumbfounds Federico who goes off, drinks some more, and is disgusted that his father was a mediocre nobody. If his father isn't Pedro Vallodolid, then Federico doesn't care who he is. Octavio tells Remedios - who is very displeased with his interference - that he thought this might bring them all closer together.

Unaware that Valeria is tossing and turning in a drugged dream, Andres sneaks across the grass to visit her and is attacked by a crazed dog. Luckily for him, Baldo is in the neighborhood and immediately scares the dog off with gunshot and takes Andres home to get patched up. Juanita figures this was Federico and Jacinta's doing, but does not believe Jacinta would harm her own grand-daughter Valeria. Andres goes out to try again.

Veronica, snuggled into Maite's arms, says Valeria may seem to have everything but she doesn't have a mother's love. "Valeria's mother must have been a really rotten woman to abandon her like that." Maite objects.

Clotilde is about to take some food up to Valeria but Jacinta forbids it, barking "Leave her alone." Sergio slouches in, and when Clotilde explains about the tray, and that Jacinta often used to punish Valeria by denying her meals, Sergio says he'll take the tray up. He enters Valeria's bedroom to find Andres hunched worriedly over his drugged, sweating, sweetie.

---

And that's all folks! See you on the other side. Have a great six weeks!

Labels: barrera

It’s going to be tough to follow up on Sylvia’s excellent recap but here goes.
Big let down on the bull cliff hanger. The bull paws the ground aggressively but doesn’t charge. After staring at it transfixed for a second or two, Andres gets on his horse, pulls Valeria up behind him and they ride away. Not very exciting.

Victor and Guillermo have a little conversation wherein it is revealed that they both used to swim and they both like old motorcycles. Guillermo expresses his admiration for Victor’s adopting an orphan with Maite. Victor says, “Enough about me. How many children do you have?” Guillermo reveals that he has no children, he doesn’t want any children because he doesn’t plan to get married. He asks Victor where he rides his motorcycles. Victor says that he rides them on the track or in various places and Guillermo says maybe they could go out motorcycle riding together. This conversation was accompanied by significant looks.

Well, the bull didn’t have to charge. It did the job of getting Valeria and Andres back together. Andres swears on the rosary that Valeria gave him that he will never cheat on her. Now that all that is settled, Andres wants Valeria to meet his parents – without telling Unibrow who she is until he gets to know her.

Veronica is in a restaurant with Jacaranda in her extremely withdrawn personality (Veronica, that is). A very cute guy is checking her out. Jacaranda encourages her to catch his eye. She does. He comes over and asks to sit at the table. We hear the noise and the music and Vera appears. Within seconds of meeting this Alejandro, she is all over him. Carlos comes to the table and regards sexy Veronica quizzically.

Jacinta and Federico are walking in the garden discussing Sergio. If he is really ill, Jacinta won’t throw him out. “But suppose he’s faking it” asks Federico. Jacinta says that they must check out the doctor that Sergio said would verify the diagnosis. Federico says that he will take of this in his brown-nosing way. Meanwhile, Sergio is listening to the conversation and smoking behind a wall. It looks like he was fibbing about being at death’s door.

A big long scene between Remedios and Octavio with no fewer than three sepia pointless recollections of incidents when Adolfo and Federico were children. The upshot is that Octavio suggests that maybe Remedios would like to teach in an elementary school. He will look into this.

Back to the restaurant with Vera-nica, Alejandro, Carlos and Jacaranda. Veronica is flirting outrageously with the very cute Alejandro. She asks for his phone number and he gives it to her and leaves just as timid Veronica comes back with no memory of a cute guy being at their table. Veronica says that the same thing happened in Canada. Carlos wants to know what happened in Canada.

Manola is consulting with Gustavo’s doctor. “Is there any chance that my husband is going to improve?” she asks. The doctor says there is hope. The most recent tests done on Gustavo were very promising. “Has he made any movements at all in his extremities?” asks the doctor. “None at all, unfortunately,” Manola lies. “How strange.” responds the doctor. He goes on to tell Manola that when Gustavo can move his extremities, he needs intensive physical therapy. Manola’s thought bubble is that she has to act quickly before it is discovered that Gustavo isn’t going to die.

Maite is moping that Valeria is having another birthday separated from her. She vows that this will be the last time they will be so separated.

Jacinta is in her bedroom holding something that looks like a big piece of glass. Whatever it is, her father in law gave it to her and it is very precious. Adolfo wasn’t worthy of it but now she plans to give it to Federico when she tells him about the Valladolid blood running in his veins.

Meanwhile, Federico thinks, “who would have thought that one day he would have almost taken the place of Adolfo Valladolid.” He has a sepia memory of trying to one up Adolfo as a child. Then he goes through the “if’s”. If he is Pedro’s son, that would explain why Jacinta treats him so well and if he is a Valladolid, then his son, Rodrigo, is one too and would have a claim on both the Zamora and the Valladolid properties.

The prize for figuring out that Veronica has multiple personalities goes to Carlos who explains it to Jacaranda.

Manola tells her parents and Rodrigo that Gustavo needs to go to a clinic in the US that specializes in care for people in his condition. Rodrigo looks thoughtful, which is quite a stretch for him.

Unibrow is talking to Mario, the bullfighter friend of Andres. He is going to buy some wine. Andres comes in. Unibrow is surprised that they know each other. The bullfighter guy says that he and Andres share an avocation. Oops. Unibrow doesn’t know about Andres fighting bulls. Andres says that wine is their common avocation and oh by the way, did you know that Mario is a “matador?” Unibrow didn’t know. Andres says that they won’t discuss bullfighting since Unibrow is against it. “I am not against the ‘fiesta brava’ says Unibrow. I just don’t want my son involved in it.

Manola and Nicolas bamboozle Rodrigo into believing that Gustavo has to go this clinic in Houston this very night.

Jacaranda lets slip to Veronica and Maite that her friend Carlos is a psychiatrist.

Mario’s father is a big connoisseur of wine and he is going to place a big order with Unibrow’s vineyard. Andres says that people should drink locally produced wine. Mario invites Unibrow to dinner but he has another engagement. Andres accepts so that he can “work out” the details of the order. Unibrow buys this and leaves. Andres explains that his father is totally opposed to bullfighting and that’s why he hasn’t told him about what he has been up to. Mario thinks Andres should tell his father about his activities.

Juanita explains to her brother Baldo about the Daniel/Valeria problem. Baldo says she should forget Daniel but she can’t, of course, anymore than Baldo can forget Veronica. Love stinks.

Jacinta is giving orders for the preparations for the Valeria’s 18th birthday party to her staff. Cleotilde unwisely says that she misses Remedios who could organize a party down to the last details. Jacinta says that no one is indispensable and proceeds to say nasty things about how ungrateful, etc. Remedios is.

The gossipy ladies encounter Remedios. They are bitchy and she is evasive. The plot does not advance.

Manola and Nicolas hustle the nun out of Gustavo’s room pretending that he is about to leave for the clinic. Manola has to conceal the fact that Gustavo is squeezing her hand. When the nun is gone, Manola tells Gustavo that he going someplace where he won’t be able to interfere with her plans again.

The restaurant staff assures Maite that they can run things while she is away in Aguascalientes. Jacaranda can help too. Of course, says Jacaranda, but she is so depressed from losing her husband that she has to see a shrink and blah, blah blah. Maite buys this load of crap and suggests that Jacaranda come with them to Aguascalients. Jacaranda is pleased. This is what she wanted.

Vera and Violeta discuss the possibilities of the birthday party. Since Andres won’t be there, maybe Valeria will hook up with Rodrigo. That would leave Andres for Vera. But wait, Rodrigo is cute too and he will inherent money. “You can’t have both of them,” wails Violeta but Vera wants whatever Valeria has.

Andres tells Nutria about the bull fight. Surprise, surprise, she thinks he should tell Unibrow but Andres wants to wait until he has more success so that his father will see that this is his profession not a hobby.

Gustavo, wearing what appears to be football (American) helmet and trussed up like a chicken is about to be loaded into an ambulance while Rodrigo says goodbye. He is not happy about this arrangement but Manola and Nicolas put on a good show.

Federico is once again wondering about his parentage. Nothing new.

Jacinta is scourging herself when Sergio comes into the room. He sees the whip and says that he can’t believe Jacinta has sufficiently grave sins to require such penitence [if he only knew!]. Predictably, Jacinta responds that everyone is a sinner and should do penitence. She goes on to threaten Sergio that if he tells anyone about her unusual religious practice, she will throw him out on the street.

Valeria is thinking that here is another birthday without [guess] her mother! Why did her mother abandon her? Was she a bad person like Jacinta says? The appearance of Andres interrupts her thoughts.
We see Gustavo being put into a bed. For our benefit, Manola and Nicolas explain to one another that this isolated abandoned house is the perfect place to get Gustavo out of the picture.

That is where the TiVo stopped.

Labels: barrera

Lynn is right. Barrera is one long run-on sentence...

After Federico and Manola make sex and she says she may be able to marry him if Gustavo dies, he retorts that if he does marry it won't be to her. Yeah right, Federico, we believe you.

Sergio wants to make a good impression on Jacinta's friends who are coming over for dinner. Bertha, gossip #1, dressed like an over the hill Madonna (singer not saint), shows up early. Sergio kisses "Berthita's" hand and ogles her gigantic ring. She says unfortunately Letitia (gossip #2) is indisposed and cannot make it to dinner.

Valeria is moping in her room and dreaming about Andres. "Andres, you cannot leave me for another, you can't."

Letitia shows up to the dinner and is surprised to see Bertha whom she thought could not make it. Turns out they lied to each other hoping the other wouldn't go to dinner without her "friend." These ladies are bush-league schemers, no wonder they are in very minor roles.

Maite calls Teodoro at the winery. Unibrow answers and immediately recognizes her voice. "Maite, is it you??" Frozen facial expression from Unibrow, then to Maite, back to Uni, then to Maite, back to Uni, then Maite. I'm not kidding, I counted, it was really that many times! The director decides Unibrow's lack of expression will not improve so he gets to speak, telling Maite that it is he, Luis Antonio. She tells him he has confused her with somebody else and hangs up.

The gossips love the meal and compliment Remedios. Oops, social blunder. They are told that Remedios left to marry an old (and how) suitor. Sergio brings up their childhood AGAIN and Jacinta says AGAIN that Pedro senior practically adopted her. All that she is she owes to Don Pedro Valladolid.

Maite tells Victor that Luis Antonio answered the phone at Teodoro's work and they recognized each other's voices. What was he doing there? She'll worry about it tomorrow, now she wants to think of something happier, like going to Valeria's birthday party...where Jacinta can insult her, threaten her in private with her big stick and maybe even poison her again for old time's sake. OK, I added that last part.

Sergio says goodbye to the gossips, and Jacinta tells him "enough flattery (zalamerias) already, let the ladies leave!" When they are alone he thanks her for the wonderful evening, she made him feel right at home. "But it is NOT your home," she reminds him. Tomorrow they will speak of his departure.

Valeria is still moping in her room when Jacinta enters to talk about Valeria's upcoming birthday party. She tells Valeria her party, a socially important one where all the "big names" are invited will be the perfect time to make Rodrigo Zamora her boyfriend and forget about that torero guy. Valeria breaks down into sobs. Nice job cheering up the angst-ridden granddaughter!

Victor reminds Maite that Jacinta terrifies her so how is she going to pull off going to Valeria's birthday party? Her plan is that Veronica will go since she's Valeria’s friend and they, as her parents, will escort her. Victor worries that the people of Santa Maria might recognize her. Maite says they will go straight to the hacienda and not hang around town. She can buy a cap or a hat and some glasses to disguise herself. Victor says "Yes, and a bag to put over your head so nobody will notice." I thought that was kind of funny.

Jacaranda and Veronica are talking. Jacaranda asks her if she wants to be as rich as Valeria. Veronica turns into Vera and Vera says she's going to very very rich, instead of envying Valeria it is Valeria who will be envious. Jacaranda says "you sure you're feeling OK because all of a sudden you seem like somebody else." "No, I like to be like this, and not like that stupid Veronica!" Jacaranda gets the HUH???? face, says Veronica's name and Vera turns back into Veronica who answers Jacaranda's original question (again) saying she doesn't care to be as rich as Valeria, she's very content and money isn’t important. Jaca tells her she just said the opposite a second ago. Veronica panics and dashes out of the room.

Valeria is STILL moping. "Andres my love, you can't stop loving me, you can't deceive me."

Veronica is thrilled when Maite tells her they are going to Valeria's party. Veronica has been concerned about her because Valeria hasn't answered any of her e-mails, it's strange.

Juanita asks lap dog Federico to help her throw Sergio out of the hacienda.

Valeria asks Tio Sergio for love advice. Is it true that women like men in certain professions? Oh yes, men in uniforms attract women. Do older women like younger men? "Yes, when I was young mature women paid me for my company." (Aha, he was a gigolo!!) Valeria is more bummed than ever.

You know how after the commercial they do a little lead-in with still shot of one of the characters? This time it's a close-up of Victor, shirtless, doing a bicep curl. He's got quite a six pack. This, for me, was the high point of the episode.

Pancho can't concentrate on his produce deliveries because he's got Maite on the mind. She doesn't pay attention to him and there is that guy Ulises who keeps patrolling around her, it gets worse every day. Guillermo asks Pancho about Maite's relationship with Victor, were they married? Pancho says they got together to adopt the orphaned Veronica but they aren't a couple. Victor is a special kind of guy. Guillermo gets a pensive, far-off look. Good call Jean.

Veronica sees Jacaranda's strappy gold heels and has a flashback of seeing her mother's feet when she was killed. She tells Victor that Jacaranda's sandals are like the ones her mother was wearing the day she died. But wait a minute, no, she remembers nothing, she's confused. Victor thinks the shrink can help her remember so she can face her demons.

Manola visits Gustavo who is looking slightly less dead since I saw him last week. She holds a mirror up to his face and asks if he still sees the robust man who was always ready to make important decisions. "You are but a shadow of what you were." Dang, she's mean!! He thinks "I'm not going to stay this way forever. One day I'll be what I once was, then you're going to pay." He touches her hand and she freaks. She she must move fast before he regains his faculties.

Manola tells Nicolas that Gustavo moved his hand. They agree that if he recovers and opens his mouth she'll go to jail. She says if it weren't for that stupid Federico not letting her have a second go at him she wouldn't have this problem, what to do what to do? Nicolas says "keep a cool head for now until we come up with a plan." This father and daughter are quite a pair.

Sergio sees Nutria at the doctor's office. She says her new treatment has given her hope.

Juanita is walking along the road with a basket of goodies. Rodrigo drives us, jumps out of his car and asks, "are you going to visit your grandma Little Red Riding Hood (Caperuza)? Better watch out for the hungry wolf!" He grabs her apple and takes a bite, starts fondling her and making racist remarks, "you're not so ugly with a bath to get rid of the fleas." What a creep! Daniel drives up and chases him off, saving Juanita from the big bad wolf.

Andres, Unibrow and Gordo are in the vineyard and Uni wants to know why Andres is limping. Guess he hurt his hamburger. Uni tells Gordo that he experienced something strange, there was a call from a woman, he's sure it was Maite's voice. Gordo says that can't be, it must be the effect of moving back to Santa Maria.

Federico tells Sergio that he has to leave the hacienda without making a fuss. Sergio should gather his things and leave willingly or Federico will have to use force. Sergio runs to the library and tells Jacinta she can't throw him out in his condition. He is condemned to die. He has an incurable disease and has little time to live. She looks like she wishes he were already dead.

A ranch hand has brought Valeria her horse. Suddenly Andres arrives (and nearly knocks her over! Haven't they heard of retakes?) She's angry. He doesn't know why. He should know why. He doesn't know why. The women! What women? The women in the photo and don't try to hide it. It was just a photo, where's the trust? She runs to her horse and rides off in a huff "to think." After all that moping and sobbing all she wants to do is ride away? Young love is so tedious. Andres jumps on the ranch hand's horse in hot pursuit.

Back at the hacienda Jacinta asks Sergio "what kind of cock-and-bull story (patraña) is this illness?" He tells her he has lung cancer. Jacinta, always sensitive, says "of course, I told you since you were a boy what a risk smoking is." Anyway, she ends up believing him.

Daniel drives Juanita home. He can't believe that Rodrigo is Gustavo's son, they are so different. And how about a coffee sometime?

Jacinta says Sergio can stay. Nobody can say that Doña Jacinta Valladolid threw her dying brother out into the street.

Pancho accuses Maite of being more interested in Ulises than him. No, she tells him, she is equally uninterested in them both. She has to concentrate on Veronica's shrink visits. Oh, by the way, she heard the voice of her one true love recently and it brought back a flood of memories, she saw his face in her mind. (Scary thought.) Pancho's ardor is not dampened by this ball-busting revelation and he tells her she can always "look to him" if she needs a friend.

As Valeria gallops toward the hacienda gate it spontaneously closes in front of her horse. She is thrown and lands in a heap in the dirt. Luckily the dashing Andres is right behind her and he jumps off to assist. All of a sudden they hear a menacing snorting and pawing at the ground. It is an angry bull...and so close...whatever will they do?!?!?!

Labels: barrera

Federico figures out that he is most likely the son of Pedro Valladaloid. Mi Padre! He talks to himself of his plans to get his hands on ALL the fortune and how things are continuing as he has planned. He He He.

Federico, Jacinta and Valeria are having a meal together. Jacinta derives pleasure from asking Valeria what is up with her. She notes how yesterday she was so happy ..... Federico interrupts to talk about the toros and the corrida. Federico wants to buy some of the offspring of the winning bulls hoping to mix the blood of their cows with the new ones. Once again Jacinta notices Valeria's silence and she starts to describe in a crude manner how the bulls are killed. Saying that the bullfighters are assassins. Valeria is shocked and leaves the room. Jacinta tells Federico that Valeria needs to give up the torerro by what ever way. Even if she has to be cruel. Valeria later has bad dreams and thoughts replaying what Jacinta said and of what could happen to Andres during the bullfight.

Nuria has been worried about the safety of Andres. Andres finally calls and lets her know he is well he wasnt hurt in the bullfight. Jacaranda and Nicolas are in bed together. Or I should say sitting at the foot of his hotel room bed. Jacaranda accuses Nicolas of not wanting her anymore because she no longer has money. Nicolas denies this and says he wont get a divorce because his wife is ill. Leukemia. Jacaranda buys this load of junk.

Same junk was passed around the house of Nuria and Unibrow. Unibrow believes Nurias tumor has been cured and or is getting better. (Later in the show) He then tells her that Manola wants his help. Nuria warns him that Manola is frivolous (slut) but she believes that Unibrow wont fail her. Right? she queries him.

Federico asks Jacinta when was the affair of Pedro and his mother. Jacinta side steps the subject claiming she never was interested in the details and that the wife is always the last to know. She admits that "Todavia me lastima" that she is still hurt from what happened. Then she talks to her dead father in laws picture saying Federico must be close to knowing who his father is. He cant know yet......

Rodrigo has his ex-girlfriend trapped in an alleyway with his hand over her mouth. He warns her not to talk with Baldomero or he will hurt her. Teodoro comes to tell Valeria that Andres is safe.

Maite (Excuse me Maria Teresa) is having bad flash back to her marriage and Unibrow. Victor tells her to get over it. Unibrow married someone else! Blah Blah Blah GET OVER IT!

The guy who manages the dairy whose name I can never remember is seen talking with his Tia who is drunk on sherry (Jerez), with pink rollers in her hair. She tells him how she cant wait to be presented formally to Jacintas brother. Gross! She compares Sergio to Yul Brenner in the movie the King and I. The cow manager says he thinks that Jacinta is full of secrets. The tia then tells him about how Adolfo raped Maite. She tells him how Maite was pictued in a magazine in a whore house and because of that Jacinta was able to take Valeria away from Maite. The tia hopes that no one finds out what happened especially Valeria. The two talk and both dance around the subject of how Jacinta showed the whole town the photo of Maite in the brothel.

Manola is sitting on Gustavos bed foaming/latheirng up his face for a shave. She tells him how Unibrow always liked her and how Unibrows wife has a brain tumor. Manola then says how she cant wait to have an affair with Unibrow when they are both widows! Then Manola goes on to talk about running into Maite. Gustavos eyes are panicked as he hears all these scary stories. Manola admits that she cant kill him now so not to worry..... (Where was the beeping sound as his heart pressure rose?)

Andres gets to sign autographs and is told he is the new prince of bullfighting. Jacinta comes to Valerias room to talk about Andres. Valeria argues politely with her but Jacinta is convincing. Jacinta goes on to tell her many ways that Andres is no good for Valeria. Valeria needs a man with "position" in order to marry and then there will be the problem with Andres being a bullfighter..... The girls will follow him. Flash to Andres surrounded by women. El Gordo's (Dionisio) girlfriend scares the girls away... but not before their (Andres and Gordo's Girl) photo is snapped by a photographer.

Another meal with the residents of the Hacienda Valladaloid. Breakfast it appears. Valeria asks why is Jacinta not happy with the arrival of Sergio. Jacinta says that she "isn't unhappy that he is there. Sergio wasn't a model of a brother. And if it wasn't important to find me during all those years then I don't see why I have to have an interest in him now." The house maid walks in with a tray of breakfast food for Sergio saying that he wanted it delivered to his room. Jacinta says she will take it. In the hallway outside Sergios door Jacinta pours salt all over the breakfast. Jacinta watches with pleasure when he tries the salt tainted food. Sergio pretends it is delicious. She tells him that it is a welcome and a goodbye. Confused Sergio asks what despedida? Jacinta says that he can only stay here for a few days not for the rest of his life. Sergio decides in his mind that he will have to figure out how to win time.....

Maite is caught knowing too much about Jacinta by Veronica. Unibrow talks to Teodoro about the beautiful woman he met in the hospital. He would like one of his sons to marry a woman like her...... Andres calls to say he made a excellent contract to sell their wine in that town. Valeria and Juanita discuss why Jacinta told Valeria such bad things about bullfighters. Juanita goes into town to look for information about Andres's bullfight. (Photos anyone?) In Dionisio's room Andres and El Gordo look over the picture of Andres that came out in the newspaper. They are gleeful about the future for el torerro Andres.

Manola and Federico fight and then make sex. (It's not love so they can't be making love.) Afterward they fight over whether Manola really loves Federico or not. Federico recounts how Manola had to marry Gustavo while pregnant with Rodrigo. He ends his tirade my saying that he WAS a Don Nadie. ERA! He was! She says the only thing she wants from him is for him to help her kill Gustavo! When Gustavo is dead, she insinuates, she will be able to marry Federico. It looks like he fell for it.

Labels: barrera

Don't worry Sylvia, accidents (or in this case testosterone) happens. I watched part of last night's episode during inning changes in the Yankees game so I can fill in a little bit.
It appears that Andres and Valeria went all the way. I didn't see that part. Juanita asked Valeria, "hicieron?" - "did you do it?" and she said yes, it was wonderful, etc. etc. Ever practical, Juanita asks if they used protection and of course they didn't. It all happened so fast and other timeworn excuses. Since we're going to bail on this turkey, I will disclose the incredibly unsurprising news that Valeria will indeed become pregnant from this or some future encounter with Andres. In novela terms, this is about as inevitable as the sun coming up.
Anyway, Andres had his first bull fight and it was a big success. We had head shots of Andres waving a cape around and body shots of someone in a ring with a bull and that person had the ham sandwich! Both Nutria and Valeria prayed for Andres. Unfortunately, Valeria was praying out loud and Jacinta heard and realized that Valeria was still in contact with Andres. In her campaign to separate Valeria from Andres, she decided to heed Sergio's advice that forbidden fruit is the most desirable.
Veronica went to see the shrink and experienced a personality change in the shrink's office. It isn't clear if the shrink has figured out what is going on.
Remedios got married. Before that she came to visit Federico to try for a reconciliation but he rejected her. Federico finally realized that Pedro might be his father [duh!]. Jacinta had a sepia memory of letting the bull out that killed Pedro.
There was some stuff about Gustavo's cow business but I really wasn't paying attention.
That's about all I can remember.

Labels: barrera

Dear Friends,
I'm sorry to say that when I got home tonight my living room was filled with testosterone watching the San Francisco Giants on TV. Apparently they ignored Tivo's attempts to record Barrera and insisted it record the baseball game instead. Barrera was usurped by sports while my back was turned!

I will recap Thursday night. So sorry about tonight.

Sylvia

Labels: barrera

Remedios, wearing so much makeup her eyes look like black blotches, is leaving the hacienda forever. She tells Valeria to seek her in times of trouble.

Sergio's friends tell him his sister Jacinta is a saint, an angel. Well, maybe she's like a bee's nest - dangerous on the outside, sweet on the inside. With the heavy-handed irony we have come to expect, Sergio tells them: "She is more traditional than I am, and opted for a life without complications."

I guess Andres snuck out of some evening church service to go see Valeria and was spotted by Jacinta and Federico, who have become inseparable. He has a problem - his dad will be displeased that he's dating the grand-daughter of Serial-Killer Granny, and Serial-Killer Granny will be displeased that her granddaughter is dating the son of the man she tried to put in prison for life.

Jacinta is most indignant when she's told, after sending bossy orders towards Remedios via Valeria (saying, "Remedios always serves me"), that Remedios has flown the coop. Jacinta and Federico, now joined-at-the-hip, spend the rest of the episode brooding and complaining about Remedios, that ungrateful hussy whom Valeria tries to defend - "she has a right to seek happiness!" Fed&Jaci loom over Valeria furiously, like a pair of wolverines, their faces filling the screen, and tell her to butt out.

Elsewhere, Nutria, Unibrow, Daniel, and Andres perch uncomfortably in stiff tableaux. Andres gets a call: his bullfighting contact has an opening for him due to an injured performer. Andres lies to his family, saying he has to go out of town to take care of a vineyard client. Later he tells Nutria the truth and she shouts a lot, but he says he has to followwww his dreammmmm.

Remedios and her withered beau Octavio go to church. She doesn't know if she can be happy with him. He has arranged their wedding for the following day. The priest says she has a right to happiness. She tells the priest, and us, about her love of Pedro. It was on the very night Pedro had planned to leave Jacinta that he was fatally gored by a bull. Accidentally. "Padre, will I be happy with Octavio?" This question does not get answered.

Andres tries on his green toro outfit and then hides it so Unibrow won't see. He tells Nutria everything and she says she won't rat him out.

There is an unbelievably dull party. Jacaranda - who has been cheated out of her rightful pelf (earned fair and square when she murdered her husband) - is now selling her designer clothes to raise some dough. The point is supposed to be that most of our characters show up there and recognize each other etc. Manola and Maite (now ycleped Maria Theresa) are catty in a dull way. Manola reveals that Unibrow & Co. have moved to town, and also that Maite cannot count on Gustavo's helping her win back Valeria as he, nebekh, is practically a vegetable. "Señorita" Maldonado presides, more plastified than Cher, more plastified than Joan Rivers, more plastified than - Phyllis Diller! (Google these people if their names don't ring a bell.) In comparison to everybody else there, Victor is a breath of fresh air.

Unibrow, wearing a chartreuse shirt, gives an illogical reason why Andres shouldn't be a bullfighter. Is it because Andres will probably be gored, stamped, and killed? No! It's because bulls remind Unibrow of how badly Jacinta treated him when he was taking care of her cattle.

Federico smokes and monologues that he's an "orphan" now, and that since his mother has abandoned him for her withered beau, he will cleave to Jacinta, making her forget she ever had a son of her own, and he will run her hacienda, and he will run Gustavo's as well. It's a wolverine lovefest when Jacinta comes in and says "I'll never abandon you, you're like my son." "You're my mother now." Aww.

Valeria has found the note Andres left her in the saddle room; again she sneaks off to see him at night having, again, wheedled Juanita into covering for her. So while Valeria is kissing Andres under the security light where anybody could see them (and then, later, they move off to a horizontal surface (uh-oh)), Jacinta is telling Clotilde to go fetch that very same errant escapee! Following the sound of the piano being plunked in desultory fashion, Clotilde finds - not Valeria, but Juanita instead! Valeria is not there to be fetched! Uh-oh!

Labels: barrera

A weeping Federico tells Jacinta that he has discovered the true character of his mother. He has learned that she was the mistress of Pedro Valladolid, Jacinta’s husband. He is surprised to learn that Jacinta knows about this. Federico asks why she didn’t throw Remedios out. Jacinta tells him that she found out about it after the fact and she didn’t want to turn an innocent child out into the street. Federico is ashamed that his mother betrayed Jacinta’s confidence. Jacinta says that had she followed her initial impulse and thrown Remedios’ out, she wouldn’t now have Federico by her side. For his part, Federico says that he considers her more of the mother to him than his biological mother.
Jacinta says that Federico should forgive his mother just as she has. He isn’t convinced though.

Maite looks at her picture book of Valeria’s childhood and wishes that her daughter could hug her and call her, ‘mama.’

Remedios has a sepia memory of going to her brother’s house, pregnant then having the baby. Then Pedro shows up and says that if Remedios will have him, he will divorce Jacinta. Remedios shows him the baby – his son named Federico.

As she leaves the house, Manola says the right things to Nutria about hoping for her recovery, etc. and promising not to tell anyone about her illness. But her thought bubble says, ‘I hope you die soon, Nutria, along with Gustavo. Then Unibrow and I would both be widowed and we could have the little fling [capricho] that I’ve always wanted.’

At the restaurant, Pancho shows up with his buddy Guilermo. Victor and Guilermo exchange significant looks. Is this a possible love interest for Victor?

Jacinta is chatting with the priest who will perform the mass this evening to pray for Gustavo. The two gossipy ladies appear. They gush about Sergio and prod Jacinta into promising to give a small reception for him at the hacienda.

Manola tells Rodrigo that a poor student like himself could hardly expect to be successful in running a business. Not surprisingly, Rodrigo reacts badly to being told that he will fail. Manola then says they can talk about it later; she is going to Mexico City on some business for Jacinta. Nicolas overhears her conversation with Rodrigo and suggests that she isn’t handling the situation very well. He points out that since Federico could send her to prison, it might not be a good idea to oppose his plans, which include Rodrigo.

Don Jose calls Unibrow on his cell, interrupting a lecture from El Gordo on winemaking. He offers his services if Unibrow needs anything, blah, blah, blah. No point to this conversation.

Valeria tells Juanita about Sergio’s support for her relationship with Andres. Juanita is cautious about trusting him. ‘He is Jacinta’s brother.’

Andres asks Daniel why he hasn’t gone to see Juanita. Daniel gives a load of excuses like he has been busy unpacking their things and learning about viticulture. Andres suggests he could make time if he wanted to.

Jacaranda gives Veronica a red dress. Veronica is acting like a deer in the headlights of a car. Jacaranda suggests that she wear it at her birthday party. Veronica says she hates birthday parties and Jacaranda suggests that this is because of bad memories about the birthday party where the police raided the brothel. Veronica says that she doesn’t remember but she is very agitated and runs out. Jacaranda hopes that Veronica continues to be a mental basket case so that she doesn’t remember what happened when Magdalena died.

While waiting for Nutria to get ready to go to the mass for Gustavo, Unibrow tells his sons and El Gordo that Gustavo was the only person in Santa Maria that never stopped believing him in spite of all that happened.

Octavio comes to get his answer from Remedios. She tells him about Pedro and Federico complete with sepia recollections. Pedro wants to marry her and recognize Federico. Young Remedios asks for time to think and by the time she is ready to say yes, he has been killed by a bull. Now that he knows her story, Remedious offers to let Octavio withdraw his proposal but he doesn’t and she accepts. She will leave Jancinta’s house this evening only stopping to say goodbye to Valeria.

Veronica tells Maite that she misses her friends from school. She has tried to contact Valeria by email and phone but she doesn’t answer. Maite is worried that something has happened to Valeria.

Walking into the church for the mass, Unibrow meets Jacinta. (Andres drops back so as not to have Jacinta see him). Manola appears and asks if Jacinta was aware that Unibrow and his family had moved back to Santa Maria. Jacinta says that she hadn’t been aware of that fact. Unibrow reminds her that he once worked for her son Adolfo and Jacinta responds that people often took advantage of Adolfo. Having delivered her zinger, she proceeds into the church.

Jacaranda walks into Veronica’s bedroom while she is having a mirror conversation between her various personalities. This again reassures Jacaranda that Veronica is still as crazy as she was when she was a child and won’t be a threat to her.

Victor and Maite have a pointless conversation about how the Maldonados are just nice folks and what an amazing coincidence it is that Jacaranda knows them. Apparently, the sale of Jacaranda’s designer clothes will be held at Victor’s restaurant.

Federico speaks to Unibrow after the mass and says that in spite of the opinion of his “patrona,” he has always had a good opinion of Unibrow and offers any assistance that he can. Unibrow thanks him.

That was about it.

Labels: barrera

The big news last night was that the date for the premiere of Heridas was announced - July 11!
A quickie recap of what happened in Barrera. It was mostly teasing almost discoveries of the many secrets.
A bitchy Nutria supervised her menfolk upacking their stuff at the new house in Santa Maria.
Then she and Unibrow went to see a doctor in Aguascalientes. This doctor thought her prognosis was good. Meanwhile, Unibrow got stuck in an elevator with Valeria and almost found out who she was. Later he thought that a woman like that would be perfect for one of his sons.
Jacinta tells Sergio that if he steals anything from her house, he is out on the street. He is offended but she recalls him as a youth practicing forging his father's signature. Sergio says that his father had all this money but wouldn't give him any and it was all the fault of a woman who took his money and dumped him. He never returned because of the shame.
At the hospital, Sergio meets Nutria in a waiting room and then leaves just before Unibrow and Valeria come in.
Jacinta steals a picture of Federico from Remedios' room.
Remedios was looking at a picture of Pedro and having a sepia recollection of their love when Federico comes in. He sees the picture, accuses her of being Pedro's mistress and then demands to know who his father was - as if it wasn't really obvious. But Remedios doesn't tell him.
Andres and Daniel discuss what might happen when Unibrow figures out that Andres' girlfriend is the daughter of his long lost love. Andres' plan is to introduce Valeria to Unibrow without disclosing her last name and then when Unibrow gets to like her, he'll tell him that she is the daughter of the woman who betrayed him.
Cayetano, Nicolas and Manola find out that Unibrow is back in town. Cayetano suggests that he can help Rodrigo with Gustavo's business. Manola goes to the house and finds out about Nutria's brain tumor since she carelessly left the reports out on the table. Manola says that she won't tell anyone. Right.
Jose discusses with his sister and brother how much he likes Maite but he doesn't like her as a pretty woman but [wait for it] like a daughter. Later Maite tells Jacaranda that she likes Jose too. Jacaranda suggests what, to her, would be the obvious feeling about a rich older man, but Maite says no, it is something else.
Jacaranda is staying with Maite and will hope to recoup her finances by selling off her designer clothing with the help of Jose's sister. Seeing a pair of strappy high heels, Veronica has a flashback to seeing the death of her mother in a similar pair of shoes.
Rodrigo tells Gustavo how much he loves him and that he will take care of his business and then kisses him! Gustavo thinks, 'you are making me so happy...' and that was where the TiVo ended.

Labels: barrera

Labels: barrera

We begin with Remedios trying to tell Jacinta that there is nothing between her and that guy Octavio. Their conversations are pointless, but it is about the only dialogue Remedios gets tonight, during the remainder of the show she is either ignored or interrupted.

At the Don Jose pad Josefina, she of the tight face, is teaching Veronica how to paint like a first grader. This scene must have been excruciating for the artists in the audience.

Andres is dining at Teodoro's with Baldo and Juanita. The kids are dissing crabby old Jacinta but Teo sticks up for her. After all, she lost her son and only has her granddaughter left, and don't forget she is regarded as the most generous woman in Santa Margarita (or is it Santa Maria?).

Cut to the Valladolid hacienda. There is a stranger in the foyer, he turns, it is Jacinta's brother Sergio. Remember him? The deadbeat who borrowed money from Pancho? Jacinta enters and is suspicious, why has he shown up after all this time? He says he saw Valeria's graduation announcement in the society pages next to a picture of Valeria and Jacinta, so here he is.

The two town gossips arrive with a gift for Valeria. They are delighted to meet Sergio and fawn all over him, no doubt assuming he is as loaded as Jacinta. They worm their way into dinner with the family. Valeria asks why nobody ever told her she had a great-uncle.

At Gustavo's hacienda Manola is trying to get the sister/nurse to take a break but sister won't leave Gustavo's side. Manola thinks, "How can I take care of Gustavo with this busybody hanging around. If he comes to and talks I'm screwed."

Jacaranda is boozing it up with Raphael. They are toasting the millions she is going to get in the morning. "Our millions," corrects Raphael. She can't wait to marry Nicolas. "Nicolas doesn't make false steps." Says Raphael, "Before he leaves his wife he'll want to make sure you are a millionaire." Raphael promises he won't be jealous as long as he and Jacaranda can "get together" from time to time, nudge nudge wink wink. Ick.

Rodrigo is in dad's office shuffling papers in an official manner. He tells Manola that he plans to take care of the family business. She says "You can't even pass your classes, what makes you think you are capable of managing these affairs?" It's not a kind thing to say but she certainly has a point. She announces that she, with the help of Nicolas, will manage Gustavo's business affairs. She will make the decisions, not Rodrigo.

At the Valladolid dinner table Sergio decides to tell the guests about his and Jacinta's childhood. Their dad bought and sold vegetables; they lived in the truck and visited many towns including Santa Margarita. Jacinta was the intelligent one but neither of them was allowed to go to school. Their mother taught them to read on the road. As a young girl Jacinta fell in love with Pedro Valladolid. They would see him ride by on his horse. For Jacinta it was love at first sight. Jacinta shuts him up and tells him to stop saying foolish things. Sergio accuses her of being ashamed of her past. Valeria and Federico tell her that hearing the story only makes them admire her more. Jacinta is not pleased as Sergio toasts "diamonds in the rough" (he and Jacinta) that eventually sparkle brilliantly. Everybody toasts except Jacinta and Federico; they scowl.

Victor, Maite and Veronica have had a lovely dinner at Don Jose's. Don Jose tells Maite he loved meeting her. He doesn't know why, but after meeting her he would have loved to have a daughter like her. (Oh brother.) She says she would have loved to have a dad like him, not the father she really had, the one who so easily abandoned and forgot her mother and her. Don Jose says there are people like that, people with no values. I say again, Oh Brother!

Nutria and Daniel are packing, she faints, Daniel decides to maker her lunch. Unibrow says she can't hide the truth from the boys forever. That's Unibrow's scene for the night.

Sergio, still flirting with the gossips, is angling for some after-dinner cognac when Jacinta interrupts the conversation and announces she and Sergio have much to discuss...NOW. (I absolutely love they way Jacinta cuts through the crap.) After they leave Valeria tells the others she's happy to find out about her new uncle. Federico rolls his eyes; this guy could be an interloper to the Valladolid fortune.

Jacinta asks Sergio why he has suddenly shown up and by the way, she doesn't appreciate him blabbing about her past. He uses the "our poor dead mother" maneuver to try to move into Jacinta's house. She says he can stay there,"but only for tonight," she adds as she walks out. He smirks and lights a cigarette, "Only tonight? And then some."

Manola is filling a syringe, "Yes Gustavo, with this nobody can save you."

It is The Reading Of The Will and Jacaranda is wearing an upside down starched doily on her head. Raphael is there claiming to be her legal counsel. The lawyers waste no time in saying she won't get a cent of her husband's fortune. They tell her the children were able to show just cause why they should be the only beneficiaries. They insert the video of her smooching with Nicolas. Also, they have more evidence. There is her staff's testimony of her flagrant behavior plus pictures of her in the society page with this same guy Nicolas Linares. Since all this would be cause for divorce she doesn't get a cent. She can go back for her personal belongings but nothing more. Raphael is pissed. Jacaranda pouts.

Manola convinces the sister to run along for a quick bite of enchiladas de mole. Poor Gustavo can't talk but he is allowed one thought bubble, "no sister, please don't leave." Manola whips out the syringe and looks Gustavo in the eyes, "you know what I’m about to do, don't you my love? I can't let your recovery send me to jail. Here's your ticket to the afterlife. Goodbye forever, may you burn in hell, my love." But Federico has snuck in behind her and grabs her hand. At last his suspicions are confirmed, he knew she was behind Gustavo's accident. He won't allow her to kill him, in fact, maybe it is she who should die. He gives her neck a little poke with the syringe. Does Gustavo manage a tiny nod of satisfaction?

After the World Cup commercial we find out Federico has played a little game on Manola. "Ha ha, just kidding, I only meant that it's not convenient to kill him NOW," he says. Manola wants to finish what she started but Fede says no way. They bicker back and forth about who will lose the most should Gustavo recover. Federico says Gustavo "should also know that I was your lover since before you were engaged to Adolfo, and when you were left at the altar because of Maite you took advantage of Gustavo because he was rich enough for you to marry, because your parents were on the brink of financial ruin and you were expecting my son." Manola is particularly nasty today, "What, you think I should have married you? I wasn't going to tie myself to a no-name nobody like you." Now they are leaning over Gustavo and arguing. "It's always the same with you. I was the outsider. You despised me for being a Mr. Nobody, but according to you Gustavo couldn't satisfy you as a woman." Poor Gustavo's heart rate monitor is speeding up, beep beep beep beep. "You kept running to me like a bitch in heat!" BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!! "But the fact that Rodrigo is my son, that's also something you hid from me all these years. Really, Gustavo and I are equal, we're both your victims and you can't deny it." Manola calls him Stupid and asks Federico does he really think he can take Gustavo's side against her. "You know, that's not a bad idea, it would be a good way of getting back at you for all you've done." Federico goes on to say even though Gustavo knows Rodrigo isn't his own blood he would still treat him as his own. He loves him and doesn't want to lose him. And Gustavo has always treated Federico very well. The sister returns. Federico pats Gustavo's hand and tells him not to worry. He takes Manola outside to talk some more. Gustavo looks very worried, guess he doesn't believe Federico.

Outside Federico tells Manola that it's really a miracle Gustavo has been saved. Manola asks Federico what he wants; he wants money, right? Federico doesn't want money, he wants to manage Gustavo's business. Manola calls him Stupid again and pokes, pokes, pokes him in the head, "No! My father and I are going to run the business!" Federico disagrees, saying that he and Rodrigo will manage things. He reminds her that he caught her trying to assasinate her husband. He's going to hold that over her and could send her to jail, now it's his turn to poke, poke, poke her in the head before he leaves. She does a massive uber-pout and thinks "You have me now but I'll take care of you!"

Andres and Valeria are making out under their waterfall. They swear they won't let Jacinta's disapproval separate them. Uh oh, all of a sudden they're in their bathing suits and in a clinch. I think we know where this is going.

The next morning Sergio is walking around looking at the Valladolid portraits. Stopping under Don Pedro's he says, "Our parents always considered it a mistake that they used their money to convince Don Pedro to let you marry his son. It's because Don Pedro was having economic problems, otherwise you never would have married Pedro." Sergio has a flashback, he is in the bank with his parents who are receiving a wad of cash. Don Pedro is in the next room getting bad news about his finances from the bank manager, "It hurts me to say this, Don Pedro, but your financial situation is difficult. If you don't pay your debts soon the bank will take your hacienda." Don Pedro only wants a little more time, he's sure he can get the money. Later, outside the bank, Jacinta's parents are talking about something with a man. A young Sergio (I think) tells a young Jacinta (I think) that their parents are in negotiations with that man, Don Pedro Valladolid. The young Jacinta perks up, "Don Pedro Valladolid???"

At the Valladolid hacienda Federico and Jacinta are yelling at the foremen for letting one of the bulls hurt itself. This is all a big act so Sergio can be impressed by how severe and implacable his little sister has become. After demonstrating that she is able to scold the peons who aren't allowed to defend themselves she tells Sergio she must now supervise the veterinarian in the feeding of the cattle.

Nicolas demands to know how Federico came to find out the whole story of Gustavo's accident. Manola says it's because he's the kind of guy who listens at doorways. Nicolas says the reality is that their fate is now in Federico's hands. If Nicolas is mad now just wait until he finds out his millionaire mistress has been thrown out into the street.

Tivo ended this episode here.

Labels: barrera

I said I was staying away from Barrera, but Sylvia was so sweet to me I had to come back tonight. Part of the dreariness of this novela is that everybody in it knows it's a dog and they can hardly drag themselves through the scenes. Nutria is the lucky one, she will die soon and then she can try her luck in some new, better production.

Anyway - Veronica is home now, at the restaurant, with Maite and Victor. She asks Victor why he doesn't care that Maite goes out with other men, and - surely there had once been some passion between two such sexy people! Obviously she doesn't know Victor's Big Secret. He asks: "Would you have preferred more traditional parents?" He takes her to the doctor, who finds nothing abnormal in her brain, because alternate personalities don't register on an MRI. Maite has two suitors, the poetry-wielding Ulises, and Pancho. Pancho romantically says: "I have a lot of money and you'd be an adequate woman to share it with." Even so, I prefer him to Unibrow.

Federico is, once again, yelling at his mother, who's wearing an absolutely hideous hot-pink bathrobe. She has been caught in the withered arms of Octavio, a guy from out of town who had been a friend to her brothers. Federico orders her to come with him. Why does she do what he says? He yells at her - "At Your Age, Mother!?" - and derides her for arrumacos, which is not in my dictionary but which I suspect to be hanky-panky. How can he call her a whore when she's wearing this ridiculous pink bathrobe? Federico forbids her to see Octavio. She says, futilely, "Respect me!"

In his usual two minutes of airtime, Unibrow puts things in boxes. That's an action hero for you. He is moving his family to Aguascalientes to be near the grapevines. Gordo points out Jacinta will be in the picture. Unibrow says it won't be a problem. Nutria the Doomed will be able to get her treatments in Aguascalientes. Unibrow says Manola is a special woman.

At the hospital we discover that Manola, the special woman, wants to get her husband, Gustavo the Cuckold - whom she threw over the balcony railing onto the patio below without completely killing him - back home so she can finish the job. Therefore, she is not at all keen on having nurses round the clock. "I can take care of him myself." Her dad whispers, "I can understand why you pushed him over the banister in the heat of argument, but this would be murder in cold blood." Manola informs us she's not sorry and would do it again (but I guess she'd push harder). Jacinta arrives with - gasp - a nun who will take charge of Gustavo's care. Drat! Federico tells Manola it's mighty fishy, this falling-off-the-balcony-by-accident story. Insinuation City. Maybe murderers can smell each other.

Speaking of murderers - in a parking garage, Jacaranda and her partner in crime have a perfectly audible conversation about their two murders. Haven't they heard of security cameras? She has a bad foreboding - Electra has read her cards and said there's a big change coming - he says that's superstition - she says "Electra's always right, for instance she told me I'd land a rich old guy." "I could have told you that without reading any cards, you'd spent years trying to land a rich old guy, and by the way, he's dead now and you're getting your inheritance tomorrow." "He may come back to haunt me." "Why worry? If that were an option, Magdalena would have been haunting us all these years - remember, your husband is not the first person we've dispatched to the other world." Discretion, people!

Valeria is babbling to the pink bathrobed Remedios about a recipe: "Oh, could it be, is it my mother's?" Ask me if I care. Juanita appears and there's a little plan to go to the internet café. Jacinta magically appears at just that moment and forbids Valeria to go. "You can't keep me locked up here!" Valeria convinces Juanita to stand in for her and sneaks out anyway - she writes Andres and they meet under blue lights near the gate. "My serial-killer granny has taken away my cellphone and I can't even make a long-distance call!" He tells her his family is moving to Aguascalientes. She suggests they can leave each other notes in some horsey place, not convenient but romantic, like the old days. They kiss. Andres is sort of tense and brittle but he's a good kisser.

Federico, brooding, tells Jacinta he found his mother in the arms of an old dude. How shocking. Jacinta says complacently, "Don't worry, sooner or later Divine Justice punishes sinners."

About the Maldonados, the wine guys: their parents had thought they couldn't have kids, but then they had three, and they named them Jose, Josef, and Josefina, and none of the three kids had kids. Well, Jose did, but he doesn't know it.

I'm telling you this because now, Victor takes Maite and Veronica to visit Don Josef Maldonado, who had been his teacher at cooking school. Josef is going to cook conches tonight and persuades Victor et al to stay and eat with him and his siblings. Josef's brother, Jose, is Maite's father. Their sister, Josefina, gets an award for the tightest, most lizard-like facelift on the show.

As his sister Josefina is dressing, Don Jose "acts," getting a face like he's sucking a lemon. She asks, "Why do you get that bad face every time I wear ..." and I thought she was going to say, "... this ghastly wig," but no, it's the earrings, which had belonged to their mother. The earrings bring up painful memories because he, long ago, gave the matching necklace to Eloisa, Maite's mom, and by coincidence Maite is wearing it this very night!

Maite knows the necklace was a present from her mystery father, whom she has been told abandoned her mother Eloisa.

Jose's sister Josefina helpfully reminds him: "But Eloise did not deserve your love, because she dumped you to go off with somebody else." Jose, still "acting," nods sullenly.

Josefina drops one of these special earrings; instead of picking it up, she takes the other one off. Simultaneously, Maite's special necklace catch breaks and she whips the necklace off - just as Don Jose, who no doubt would have recognized it, enters and says hello. We're supposed to care - after all, were they to have met wearing the matching diamonds, there might have been all sorts of revelations - but knowing this novela will drag on for another four months, I'm not holding my breath.

Soon Victor goes off to the kitchen with Josef (to admire his conches) and Josefina takes Veronica off to her art studio to show her a blank canvas and say: "The best thing is to make something from nothing."

That leaves Maite talking with her father. The father says he's nostalgic tonight, thinking about sad, ungrateful love. It's a story he'll tell her some day. She says she has a story too and will tell it some day. Yawn.

We end with riveting scenes of Andres accepting Teodoro's invitation to spend the night (and offering valiantly to do the dishes), and Jacinta yelling at Remedios (who is STILL wearing the hot pink housecoat) (1) for "dating" and (2) for asking how Rodrigo is taking his "father's" "accidental" defenestration.

Labels: barrera

I did watch Barerra both Thursday and Friday but I didn't take notes. Here are my recollections of what happened.
Gustavo survived having been heaved over the balcony by Manola. In the hospital, he is conscious but cannot move or speak. At the end of Friday's episode, he is about to be released from the hospital in this condition and put in the care of his wife who wants to finish the job. Since he is completely helpless, his chances don't look very good.

Rodrigo seems to have been deeply affected by his father's injury and I believe he said that he was going to take over the cow business. I'm sure his attack of responsibility won't last long.

Things are wrapping up with the Canada tour. Veronica continues to cycle back and forth between a clinging almost catatonic woman to a slut and nobody can figure it out.

Juanita and Daniel (Andrés'older brother) had engaged in some email correspondence but when they met, he thought she was Valeria. I guess he has fallen for his brother's girl. Juanita said they could just be friends.

Valeria and Andrés arrange to escape from Jacinta and her henchman, Federico, for various necking sessions. However, on their last day in Canada, Jacinta sees Valeria kissing Andrés goodbye. She accosts the couple, drags Valeria inside and throws her on the bed knocking over and breaking the glass in a picture frame in the process. She turns into the avenging hand of God, grabs a piece of glass and is about to attack Valeria with it when Federico comes in and intervenes. Jacinta ends up cutting her own hand with the glass and Valeria is shaken up but determined to have Andrés.

Back in Mexico, Valeria unwisely tells Rodrigo about her love for Andrés and he promises to help.

Victor goes to see the girls' psychology professor who appears to be in Mexico. She gives him the name of an analsyt for Veronica and then Victor asks her if he should tell Veronica that he is gay. The psychology teacher advises waiting.

Nutria decides that she wants to return to Aguascalientes, or rather the little town outside of there that Jacinta, et al lives in. She seems to think this is the place to get treatment for her brain tumor. What can Unibrow say? She has a brain tumor. He agrees. She also doesn't want to tell anyone, in particular, Andrés and Daniel, about her diagnosis.

That's about all I can remember.

Labels: barrera

Monday's episode ended with Gustavo and Manola fighting about Maite. She heard him talking to his right hand man (Guillermo?) about finding out info on Maite and Unibrow. Now she's furious that he's involved in trying to find out the truth about what happened so many years ago. They fight. He yells "you came to my bed only for my wealth" and chokes her. Realizing he's strangling his wife he looks shocked and runs off. Rubbing her neck she mutters "this is all Maite's fault."

Baldo sees Tina, in fact he was waiting for her. He tells her that according to her brother she's been acting oddly subdued and serious. Does it have anything to do with Rodrigo? She runs away. Today is a day of people ending scenes by running off; guess the writers couldn't figure out how to conclude the scenes.

In Monday's episode all the characters were returning from their wilderness outing, all on the same train. Valeria and Juanita snuck away from Jacinta so Valeria and Andres could steal kisses. Tonight they have just gotten off the train and Valeria asks Jacinta shouldn't they wait for Veronica and her parents? Jacinta of course says no. Valeria asks doesn't Jacinta like them? Jacinta answers "you know I don't make friends easily." Federico smirks.

Manola is drinking wine, talking to herself and packing her bags. The taxi will pick her up in an hour. "Thanks to Maite my idiot of a husband is now involved in those events. It's her fault we fought. What if he finds out Rodrigo isn't his son? He'll kill me."

Nicolas and Cayetana are in a hotel room in Mexico City. He's in a great mood (meaning he's about to boink Jacaranda) and tries to sneak out of the room. Cayetana catches him. He says he needs to buy a tie.

The girls give Jacinta and Federico a tour of the church where their graduation is to be held. They want to take Jacinta to where the Indians live because it's important to Juanita. Naturally Jacinta doesn't want to go, but she volunteers Federico to be their escort. He asks hopefully "Is Veronica coming?" "We don't know!" they answer in stereo.

Cut to a close up of a security camera. Jacaranda and Nicolas are making out among her dead husband's cars. She calls him little bear (osito), and rich little moustache (bigotito rico). She tells him that her stepchildren think she's a gold digger, that she's happy to be a widow. We keep seeing close-ups of the security camera as if we cannot figure out on our own that they're being watched. Nicolas says after she gets her inheritance they can start a new life. Cut to the security office...oh my goodness, they're being observed! "Are you sure it's recording?" somebody named Antulio asks. "Yes, this is all we need to ruin the Mrs."

Up on the balcony of Gustavo's hacienda, Manola is leaving with her suitcase. Gustavo wants to know where she's going, plus she's been drinking...again. He tries to make up but she tells him not to touch her. "You're my woman!" "No no no no no NO, I'm your wife, not your woman! I've never felt like a woman in your arms." Alcohol has loosened her tongue and she shrieks that Rodrigo has been the biggest lie in their life, in fact he's not even Gustavo's son. He's Federico's son. Federico who for the past 20 years has made her feel like a woman. They struggle, he calls her a cursed bitch, and she throws him off the balcony. As he lies on the ground below she hisses "At last I'm free of you and you can go to hell...to hell!"

We return from the commercial break and now Manola is worried...
"Oops, wait a minute, what have I done? What to do, what to do? Must make it seem like an accident. I don't know anything. I left before it happened. I don't know anything. My taxi is here." She runs off with her suitcase.

In an unusual twist Unibrow is having flashbacks of Nutria instead of Maite. Too little too late jackass. As she sleeps he says "forgive me for not loving you as much as you deserve." I hope he feels guilty forever.

It turns out that Remedios' old friend (flame?) Octavio is Rodrigo's teacher. In Monday's episode she told him that Rodrigo is actually not Gustavo's son but Federico's. Federico is her son so Rodrigo is her grandson. Blabbermouth. Tonight Octavio tells Remedios that, to be frank, Rodrigo is an awful student. He has no goals except to have fun and spend his inheritance. Octavio plans to stay in Aguascalientes in the position of assistant academic director. He is also writing a book about rotten students. I'll bet it's about Rodrigo.

Nicolas returns to the hotel; he's humming and deeply satisfied. Cayetana checked with the hotel stores and knows he didn't shop there so where in the hell was he? He pulls out a squashed box "but here's my tie honey, how do you like it?" She says he smells like another woman's perfume. He said he was going to buy her some but he smelled so many he couldn't make up his mind. He's about to dig himself in deeper when his phone rings, saved by Manola. She's in the airport in Aguascalientes and just wanted to call to let them know she's on her way and that she "left before Gustavo came home from work."

On Monday Victor was worried about Veronica's memory losses. He took her to see her psychology teacher who recommended a doctor in Mexico for Veronica to see when she gets back home. Victor vowed to stay by her side to 1) observe her, and 2) keep her out of trouble. Today they are shopping. Veronica hears the crazy sound in her head, turns into Vera and gives Victor the slip. She sees Andres and Valeria kissing goodbye. She intercepts Andres but he runs away.

Another balcony scene, this time Rafael is yelling at Jacaranda not to be indiscreet or she'll ruin everything. "If the family discovers your little game they'll kick your butt right out into the street." Heh heh, too late.

Don Jose and his sister are in the thick of planning for her fashion show. On Monday we saw everybody receiving their invitations so it will probably be one of those scenes where all the characters run into each other. Usually a fight breaks out and often there is an explosion.

Manola arrives at her parents' hotel room and is as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Her father is suspicious. She calls Gustavo as a cover. Cut to Gustavo bleeding from his head. His phone is ringing. His eyes pop open!

Victor is relieved to finally find Veronica. As mean Vera she thinks "Again with the guy who tries to pass himself off as my father. For now it's better if I play along."

Manola tells Nicolas that Gustavo doesn't answer, nobody is home. He asks her why she's so skittish. He knows her and he can tell she's hiding something. She admits, "Before I left I had words with Gustavo. He said terrible things to me so I killed him! I killed my husband!"

Vera-nica is blathering to Victor about wanting a red dress to go dancing. Crazy head noise, pained expression, she's Veronica again and can't remember talking about the red dress. "You know," he says, "the one you wanted to wear dancing." She doesn't know anything about a red dress and gets all agitated.

In a failed attempt at suspense, Rodrigo drives up to his front door, he almost walks in where of course he would see Gustavo, but he changes his mind and decides to go horseback riding instead. Whew, that was close...yawn.

Nicolas asks Manola what was she thinking by killing Gustavo? "What are we going to do? You'll go to jail for murder." She tells him her plot, that she had already called the taxi and left before Gustavo "fell" off the balcony. Nicolas asks, "Tell me one thing." (screech of violins!) "are you absolutely certain you killed him?" Violins!! "Of course!" Violins!! "No one could survive that fall." Violins!! "I saw him before I left." Violins!! Cut to Gustavo, lying in a pool of his own blood, "I can't move, I don't feel anything, what happened, where is everybody? I can't believe Manola would do this to me, that she wanted to kill me."

Riding his horse, Rodrigo sees Baldo cutting through their property so he tries to run over him. He makes nasty racist remarks then insults Tina. Baldo pulls Rodrigo off his horse and they fight. In a remarkably poor bit of fight choreography Rodrigo kicks Baldo in the ankle but Baldo grabs his nuts and falls to the ground writhing in pain. Must be some sort of reflexology. Rodrigo drinks from his flask.

Federico and Jacinto are strolling downtown and he comments that it's unusual to see her sporting "such color." She is wearing the colorless pale yellow scarf, the gift from Rodrigo. Federico is proud.

Rodrigo has a flashback. Tina is the girl he tried to rape for fun in a past episode. She ran off screaming and he kept her scarf. It's the one he ended up giving to Jacinta. Whatta guy.

Jacinta, sitting alone at a sidewalk cafe, stares at a candle and has a flashback. She's a young girl praying alongside a man with a scarred and blind right eye. They are in front of a painting of the crucifixion over tormented sinners. "Is it necessary to send them to hell for being bad?" she asks. "No, they are prisoners in purgatory; they have to pay for their sins with pain." Then she flashes back to the night she set the house on fire and killed Maite's aunt and Juanita's mother. She remembers saying, "you ordered me to do it, I only fulfilled your wish, a sign from heaven God, they are your servants, crucified for you God."

Maite is downtown and dressed up for the graduation. She runs into Andres who is staying nearby. He tells her he plans to go to the graduation with his brother. (The brother who might be old enough to recognize Maite.) They'll sit in the back of the church where Jacinta can't see them, but he's thinking of speaking to Jacinta after the party.

That's it for now, gotta run!

Labels: barrera