Caray, Caray!

As I did a few weeks ago with the mature gentlemen who populate our favorite tales about love, hate, and the seven deadly sins, here I will present the great ladies of same.  Since this will be a handful of them presented in the same manner, I will do the same as before starting with the youngest of these fine actresses and age them in reverse:

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Labels: enemiga, eva, Manda, stars, stud, telenovelas, weekend

Whew....the writers didn't disappoint...this was a rip-snortin' gran finale. Lots of action. Symbolic hands (touching, consoling, slapping, slipping on rings, attacking etc.) and the cruel contrast of Sara's harassment and humiliation with Lorena's triumph of love and affection. And the wedding...always awaited, often a dud, this one was great fun with some dynamite dancing. Vive la boda y arriba los novios!

But let's start at the beginning. The first hour Friday was covered in a stellar recap by Julie Wednesday. Check that one if you missed it. And so we start with Lorena and Alonso's sad despedida (good-bye) in his office. She's thanking him for all he did...in particular reuniting her with her family and saving Ernesto's life. He's regretting his errors and promising that if Ernesto doesn't make her happy, he'll have to deal with Alonso!

Alonso is alone now in his office when his dad enters, surprised that he's not in a more celebratory mood, given the success of the operation. Dad thoughtfully consoles him when he learns Lorena is lost to him forever. You won't forget her right away but she's moved on and so will you. At least you know you fought for her to the end. "El corazon no se mande". This is one phrase that every telenovela watcher learns quickly. Literally, the heart can't be ordered around...but I prefer "The heart has its reason which the reason knows not." The scene ends with Toribio gently placing his hand over Alonso's in sympathy.

Out in the corridor, Lorna is signing for Ernesto's effects when a ring box slips out of the bag. While the nurse rolls her eyes in delight, Lorena stares at the box in equal delight. Ring no. 2 and this one is for keeps!

Valeria is now with Alonso, continuing the consolation scene, trying to get him to eat (he hasn't had a thing all day) and agreeing to listen to his tale of woe as she tenderly covers his hand with hers.

Cute scene with Lorena teasing Ernesto about the ring (although I was horrified she sat down on the bed. You never do that with a hospital patient and particularly when they're recovering from from major surgery on a torn liver!) Oh well, they ramble on about how nothing is conventional in their romance....he fell in love with her selling muffins on the street....and she happily accepts his proposal. He slips the ring on her finger. Tah-dah!

Sara, on the other hand (no pun intended) has a pair of handcuffs slipped on...and this time she's cuffed behind her back. No chance of escape. She's limping but otherwise no sign of the gunshot wounds.

Now we have the Alonso/Ernesto farewell. I've noticed writers seem to favor scenes where two men who fought for the same damsel recognize each other's valor and part as gentlemen. More symbolism as Ernesto reaches out his hand and Alonso extends his for a manly handshake. (and here, Julie, I must say....Alonso's is bigger!)

Valeria is crying when Paula calls to see how the surgery went. He's still in love with Lorena, weeps Valeria. ¿ "Y eso a ti qué"? says Paula, although she's figured out by now that Val is a goner for our doc.

Another tender scene in Ernesto's hospital room (he evidently needs no recovery time from this major surgery). Gina, still missing a tooth, wants to know if he's okay with all these tubes hanging out. Hey, he's great and he's been thinking about them all the time. Ivan doesn't believe it but it's true...he doesn't need to think about Lorena because she's "in his heart" and when she enters the room he introduces her as his future wife (and my mom, pipes up Gina) and there's a group hug. Fortunately they don't all jump on Ernesto's bed after that.

The screen shows "a few months later" and we see Ernesto and Lorena walking around what I assume to be Chapultepec Park(thanks for the spelling correction, Cheryl) which he has picked for their wedding. I guess it's the primo spot though with a population like Mexico City I would think you'd need years to get it reserved. Whatever. She's thrilled because every bride wants her wedding day to be unforgettable.

Back to the mundane. Alonso's helping Valeria study for her new certification when one of her kids comes in and complains that the tv is busted. Val promises to look for a new one tomorrow but in the meantime Alonso jumps up to see if he can fix it (an ideal quality in a man, believe me! forget about hand size) Paula arrives in the meantime, looking for a ride home with bro' and notices that Alonso is already acting like "the man of the house" so why doesn't Valeria tell him how much she loves him!?

Whoops....Alonso comes back just in time to hear this. He's standing there stiffly, looking puppet-like, hardly encouraging for our Val, and she asks him to leave. She can't look him in the eye after this...can't bear him looking at her with pity. (Paula has already scooted , forgetting her need for a ride)

Alonso clumps out, lost in thought, remembering all the tender loving things Valeria has said to him in the past. How could I have been so blind? he asks himself. (something we viewers have discussed ad nauseum I might add).

And speaking of blind (and dumb as well) we have a final scene of mamita and Arturo in prison. She's looking down on her luck, kerchief on head ,but has brought him a yummy treat from the old folks home where she works for room and board. He's full of grand ideas for running a betting pool in the prison which will translate into big money to start a betting parlor when he gets out....in 5 years with good behavior. And you are being good aren't you? coos mamita. Oh yeah.

Brief scene with Diana and Vasco. She has news. He doesn't want to be distracted from Julian's debut commenting on a soccer match. She insists. She's pregnant! Joy all around. In fact I could have titled this "They all (but Sara) lived happily ever after in Fertile Valley" because most of our couples are like the Biblical fruitful vines in this ending.

Julian, by the way, is introduced with the nickname "El Genio" and Dad (complete with cap) Zulema and Hortensia are all watching at home. Meanwhile Maruja and Rossy are at their usual affectionate bickering...boy, girl? healthy! etc. when the labor pains strike big-time. Rossy thinks she's peed her pants but actually "se le revento la fuente" (her water has broken).

Julian gets a text message and goes berserk in the middle of the broadcast, announcing that his son is being born as he speaks, then noticing that a goal has been scored and screaming Gol gol gol gol! Guess we can forget about Lamaze coaching for papas in Mexico. There's a happy scene with the whole family in Rossy's room, Julian arrives out of breath, Rossy teases him that it's a girl...then unwraps the little guy to show him the blue blanket. They name the bebito Omar. All is forgiven. Ernesto announces that just seeing the little critter makes him want one and sassy Rossy asks him if he's doing his homework on that. hah hah

A wistful Valeria is looking at a multitude of tv screens while the salesman tries to talk her into an expensive one by offering a credit plan. Suddenly the screens are all filled with Alonso's face! And Lordy, he speaks! lamenting his blindness, telling her he can't imagine life without her and ohmigosh, he's actually standing right behind her! Yowsa. Can you believe it? She's suddenly backtracking...she's divorced, two kids, it's difficult. Alonso reminds her they've practically been living together the past two months, the kids already sometimes call him "papa"...they'll build a life together step by step. Big clinch. Some nice kisses and the deal is done. (Hope you saw this Ferro...Valeria is looking especially fetching.)

We switch now to Paula's apartment where the family is anxiously awaiting Alonso's arrival. He has some big announcement. Can you guess what it is? Sure enough, it's him, Valeria (and strangely only one child....but whatever) and everybody toasts to "LOVE" including Toribio who wants it to come knocking at his door once more...but with careful vetting of the candidate this time. (for you Amalia fans, sorry, evidently our incompetent black widow/con lady is a no-show).

These happy family scenes are cruelly contrasted with Sara's daily reality. Look at our little tv star, sneers an inmate named Olga. She's not so hoity-toity anymore is she!? We'll take her down a peg or two in here (bajarse los humos).


Lousy prison food for Sara ( most of it on her clothes); wonderful bridal shower for Lorena with....heavens to betsy, a sexy bustier and thong given by no less than Hortensia.

Lorena is off to the beauty parlor/spa to get all a spiffy hairdo and more for the wedding. Sara, on the other hand, is spit upon by Olga and then slapped in the head. Just gave you some hairspray honey, Olga sneers. Okay, they're clubbing us over the head with irony here, just like in the opening scenes of this telenovela...but hey, who wants subtlety? This is drama and comeuppance par excellence!

The harassment continues. When Sara walks past Olga and her gang without saying anything. Olga taunts her. Hey didn't your mama teach you any manners (see what I mean about irony?) Say hello when you pass your elders. You're gonna get it now. Ever feisty, Sara punches her but a fellow inmate slips Olga a knife and as they go down, she repeatedly stabs Sara (or seems to...I didn't see any blood). Then mean jailer arrives. Olga accuses Sara of starting it and having a knife to boot, and eventually both of them end up in the same dark punishment cell, ready for the final confrontation. If you want to kill each other, go for it! snaps the jailer.

The writers are really pulling out all the stops now, contrasting the tender mother-daughter scene of Lorena and Zulema with the can-you-believe it? horrifying mother-daughter scene of Sara and Olga. I've got to say, this was a gem. Much better than having Sara simply offed by the police or killed in a car wreck. The writers really know how to wring all the pathos and horror out of this discovery.

Lorena and Zulema exchange tender words of love and joy at finding each other.... thanking God that they'll be united forever. The scene is full of light.

Sara , in the dark and dank of the cell, is also making a discovery. Olga talks of her downward path, beginning in '83 when that bastard of a guy who got her pregnant is kicking her around, even as she's about to give birth to his brat. But she fixed him. Who'd of ever thought she could come by a machete and do him in! But then the pains started really bad, she was in this dumpy little town, San Martin, (What? shrieks Sara.) San Martin, stupid, are you deaf!? And I give birth in pigsty, can you believe it? What did you do with the baby? Threw it in the garbage, what else?!

I'm your daughter!!! I'm what you threw in the garbage! No way, that trash rotted in there! No! the nuns found me and raised me.! I'm your daughter, damn you, screams Sara and begins to strangle a stunned and dazed Olga. Whew! That was exhausting.

We see Lorena leaving the house for the wedding. Must say she looks fabulous as a bride. Julian thinks so too...in fact she's the prettiest bride he's ever seen (don't tell Rossy). We have the lovely wedding vows (with Gina as flower girl), tender looks, radiant smiles....the usual. And then a rip-roaring dance party. A couple of people in the cast can really shake it, including Zulema, Vasco, the nuns doing a fantastic conga and my all-time favorite, Ernesto, pantomiming magical tricks while swiveling his hips in the smoothest manner possible. Ay yi yi....lucky Lorena. Who cares if his hands are much smaller than Alonso's? That man can move his "caderas".

When the bouquet is tossed, who should catch it but Zulema? At last she will have the church wedding she always wanted (after minimal protest by Omar) and Zully looks lovely indeed as a bride.

And now the final wrapup. Ernesto leads a blindfolded Lorena to.....tah dah, her new restaurant which he knows will be a success because every dish she makes will be filled with love. Julian's new career is so successful he can afford an apartment. He and Rossy now have two sons. Gol gol gol!!!!

Diana and Vasco are living happily in their biosphere ecologically correct nature reserve and they too have another son, named Jaime, in addition to her first child.

Hortensia and Santiago are beavering away on charitable works but romance is in the air. He covers her hand with his. She slaps it away. He smiles. (we know he's not discouraged by rejection!)

Similar hand-slapping scene with Patty and Felipe as he steals a kiss. But what is this? as their hands now intertwine, she finds an engagement ring! Kisses and hugs.

Whoa...and who saw this coming? Toribio has also found his "medio naranja" (better half). It's...can you believe it?...Barbara! We focus on their hands holding up wine glasses (catar vinos...tasting wines) and the narration intones that "love has no age". (I'm expecting a product placement for Cialis any minute now).

Bettina and Ivan are still a happy couple, dancing dancing dancing. He's also about to head off to the university and Bettina is planning to be a doctor, just like her uncle.

Alonso has headed back to Quebec to start a clinic with Valeria's help. (good way to avoid granny Catalina). And they've had twins...and fortunately they look just like Valeria. Way to go.

And Sara? Well, Lorena hasn't seen her but she imagines she's still paying for her crimes. (Indeed she is. We have a shot of her hands gripping the prison bars, an anguished look on her face.) Sometimes I miss her, muses Lorena. She was my best friend....or perhaps I should say my beloved enemy "querida enemiga").

And FINALLY...it's picnic time. Ernesto and Ivan are setting up a group shot. (Gina is still missing her front tooth) And we see that Lorena is holding a little baby girl, Marianna, which she plans to take back to San Martin to show her loving nuns. She's surrounded with blessings, she has the family she's always wanted, "her cup runneth over".

And they all lived happily ever after. Aren't you glad?

Labels: enemiga

Happy Thanksgiving! If you don't have a crazy woman stalking you with a gun, that's something to be thankful for right there.

Review:

The taller nun wants to take some panques to their room while they give Lorena and Ernesto some privacy. The shorter nun warns her about the cardinal sins of gluttony and envy.

Ickturo's mother signs off on the home sale after being warned that there will be a 25% penalty if she changes her mind. The agent hands them an advance payment and says they'll get the rest at closing next week. Icky asks the agent if she can see about speeding up the transaction if possible; they need cash fast, and they can move out tomorrow morning.

Lorena runs out to greet Ernesto. They bask in each others' smiles for a moment; Sara hits the gas. Ern flings Lorena to safety, but doesn't get out of the way himself. Sara speeds away.

Lorena gets up and calls to Ernesto, but he's unconscious. She turns his head and he has delicious raspberry jam blood all over his face. She cries and her nose turns red.

Sara is having a better time with her real-life game of Grand Theft Auto. She gloats that after all the things she tried, it turned out to be so easy to get rid of those two.

Everyone from lesser house has come out to see Ernesto. Omar reminds Lore not to move him (too late, she already turned his head - a big no-no). Zulema is calling for help. Bystanders say the driver was a woman, who sped up when she should have been braking - she knew what she was doing. Snorty is sure it was Sara.

Vasco, Diana, Saulito, and Barb are hanging out in the park, where some great event is about to begin - a "Family Day" fiesta hosted by his eco-company. The family day fiesta was his idea. It'll start with a "rally" - some sports activities including a sack race.

Sack race vs. lunatic in a stolen car? Again, sounds like a video game.

Felipe sneaks up on Paty and tries to kiss her. She gets mad and says that what happened yesterday won't happen again, it only happened because of the beer. He says he's sober now and he still wants to kiss her. She says no again and turns away with a smile on her face. She admits he's not too bad of a kisser, but that doesn't mean she's going to die for him. Anyway, what about Diana? Felipe says Paty has magically made him forget. "Aw, you're making me turn red." "I'd rather turn you red with a kiss." He kisses her. She agrees that with some practice, he might convince her. They begin practicing right away.

Sara drives into a field and tells her hostage that all she has to do now is make sure those two are dead, and then she'll disappear. "Obviously I'll let you go first, but I warn you, if you say one word I'll come back and make you pay (cobrártela=take it out of you). You've seen what I can do.

"Or maybe I'll wait until the burial; after all, she was my best friend," Sara adds mockingly. She whirls on Ms. Fortuna with the gun; Fortuna winces. "What do you think?" Sara barks at her. She mocks Fortuna's terrified look ("Aw, you're touched!") and says yeah, she'll stay for the funeral, maybe she'll even use up the rest of her bullets. Bwahahahaha! She pokes the gun in Fortuna's general direction again and laughs some more.

The ambulance has arrived at clinic No. 23. The paramedics tell Valeria that Ernesto's vitals are poor, no visible fractures, possible internal hemorrhaging. (I cannot believe my eyes. They are thump-thumping that stretcher up a couple of steps into the clinic. Ouch, ouch, ouch! Hello, RAMPS, people! RAMPS!!)

Snorty says they need to notify the police - what, they didn't do that yet?? - whether it was Sara or not, they still need to investigate. Omar says he'll take care of it.

Lorena tells Alonso what happened - Ernesto saw the car coming, got her out of the way but took the hit himself. He's been unconscious ever since.

Alonso says his abdomen doesn't sound right, he needs to go in there right now to stop the bleeding. (Hopefully he won't give the guy a gastric bypass, just out of habit.) He promises Lorena he'll do everything he can to save Ernesto.

Ernesto turns his head (in the thing that's supposed to immobilize his neck) and moans. Some blood dribbles out of his mouth. Lorena's scared, but tells him Alonso's going to operate. "I'm in good hands," Ernesto says. Valeria warns Lorena that it's very bad.

Ernesto tells Lorena he loves her. "Whatever happens, never doubt it." Lorena says nothing's going to happen, he's going to be fine, he has to recuperate for her, so they can spend the rest of their lives together. He's the love of her life.

"I'd like to have your faith, to think that there's much to live for, but I feel so tired..."

Lorena tells him to be stronger than ever, because if he leaves her, she'll never forgive him.

He asks her to tell the kids that he loves them, and to look out of them. They'll pay attention to her; they're very fond of her.

Alonso's ready to operate. He asks Valeria to stay behind with Lorena. (This must be some clinic if they have enough doctors to hang out with non-patients!) "Don't let him die," Lorena requests." "I didn't become a doctor to let my patients die. Ask God to guide my hands."

Omar tells the family that the phone that was used to call Alonso belongs to a woman who disappeared, and her car matches the description of the one that hit Ernesto. "Damn Sara! Damn her a thousand times!" Snorty says. The taller nun says this is no time for cursing people; they should be praying for Ernesto. "And for catching Sara once and for all," adds the feistier short nun. The taller one wonders how the sweet little child that they cared for so much could become such a criminal. Zulema says it wasn't their fault she was a bad seed. "Only God knows where she came from."

Sara listens to the radio and grins with satisfaction as she hears a reporter confirm that the main suspect in the attack on the "Cooking with Joy" cohosts is none other than Sara de la Cruz, the show's original host. Then her gladness turns to madness as he adds that Ernesto isn't dead yet, and Lorena was unharmed (ilesa). The reporter says he's at Clinic No. 23, which makes her feel a little better. They also report her car's license plates (665-ARS, just in case it turns up in the Querida Enemiga edition of Trivial Pursuit). Well darn, that means no more Grand Theft Auto and no driving through the big family festival in the park.

Watching the news at home with her family, Betina worries about Ivan. Tori calls the clinic for news. Paula thinks it's ironic that Alonso is operating on Ernesto. Toribio defends Alonso's professional honor, and Paula apologizes. Beti hopes her uncle can save Ivan's uncle; if not, it'll be like he's getting orphaned a second time.

The internal specialist has patched up the damage to Ernesto's kidneys, but his liver is ruptured. The specialist thinks he can fix that too.

Meanwhile, Ernesto's kids are with Aunt Gladys in the park (I think not the same park as Vasco and Diana); Gina is bummed because the boys are playing without her. They're not patient like her uncle - they never let her have the ball. She wants to go home and see her uncle. "You have acute uncle-itis (tiitis), don't you?" Gladys asks, sounding a little envious.

The fun and games in the OR aren't finished yet. Ernesto's intestines are also hemorrhaging in multiple places, and Alonso's going to have to do a facetotomy (the captions were wrong, there is no pecetotomy) which is some kind of spinal operation. The specialist warns that it's very dangerous. "It's that, or let him die," Alonso says grimly.

Lorena worries that the surgery is taking so long. Valeria says that under the circumstances, the delay is a good sign. Lorena's upset she didn't tell Ernesto she loves him. "Why did I wait so long?" Now that she's so close to losing him, she's sorry she didn't tell him sooner. Valeria says sometimes we feel like life is eternal and there will always be time to say what we feel.

If there is one thing we should all learn from this telenovela, it's the importance of getting to the point! (LORENA!)

Lorena suddenly wants to call the kids and tell them what happened. Yikes, okay, you know, sometimes it's good to wait a little bit before giving people the news... Valeria advises her to wait till the surgery's done. Lorena thinks they should be there for him.

Gladys is trying to cheer Gina up. She offers to buy her something, but all Gina wants is to see her uncle. "I don't know why, but I want to see him." That's when Gladys gets the call from Lorena.

Now for the important stuff: Vasco wins the sack race! Also, Saulito calls him "Papa."

Julian's been at the studio all day, developing his game-calling skills. Afterwards, his coworker says Rosy called a few times, probably to tell him what happened to his sister, but she's fine, so he didn't bother interrupting the session, but her friend the chef got hurt.

Paty tells Jaime on the phone that she and Felipe have everything under control at the business and are taking care of the orders. She tells Felipe it's the best way they can help their friends. Felipe says they can pray too. More talk, and he kisses her, and she says he has to earn kisses, not steal them. She sends a supportive text message to Lorena.

Rosy shows up at the hospital and says Julian is on the way. They haven't been able to contact Vasco yet - they know he's at his company's event. Lorena worries about Ernesto's kids. The taller nun tells her to have faith.

Lorena's boss at the studio is telling the police on the phone that people have been calling, worried about Ernesto, and they've also had a dozen calls from people saying they've spotted the car. Julian walks in on this and wants all the information so that he can catch Sara himself. Lorena's boss says they have to let the police do their job. Julian knows the place where they found the car, though, and he wants to see Sara get caught. Lorena's boss says he'll go with Julian and bring a camera. I think he says that if it hadn't been for Ernesto, he'd still be a reporter.

Vasco, Diana, etc. arrive at the lesser house, where the police are still investigating. The police tell them what happened, and they are impactados.

Julian and Lorena's boss arrive at the empty lot where Sara ditched the car. There's the car, with the same plates and everything. They debate whether or not the police have been there yet (one of them thinks they would have taken the car away if they had). They are also unsure as to whether they should approach the vehicle.

Ms. Fortuna sits up, they see her, she's not Sara, they run to look. Lorena's boss thinks it might be a trap! Julian isn't willing to leave her, and he opens the car door. She says Sara left, furious that she hadn't killed her friend.

The police arrive and pull guns on Julian and his friend. A while later, the confusion is cleared up, and Julian says Sara's sick and she's probably gone to look for Lorena. The cop disagrees and thinks that Sara simply fled - that's why she left the hostage behind. He doesn't think she would be stupid enough to walk right into the lion's den (or more literally, stick her head in the wolf's mouth). Julian says regardless, he needs to warn his family. The cop offers them a ride to the clinic.

Sara's at the clinic, dressed as a nurse, wheeling around a cartload of medical supplies.

The surgery isn't going well. Ern's BP is dropping. Alonso orders another unit of blood.

Lorena is still angsting about not telling Ern she loves him. Rosy tries to cheer her up and tells her to have faith, but Lorena admits that after all that's happened to her, she's feeling like she's just about done. She's going to the chapel to pray.

She barely makes it around the corner. Sara grabs her and threatens her with the gun.

Gladys takes the kids to the clinic, and Betina arrives with Toribio at the same time. Later, Tori tells Gina that Alonso is operating on Ernesto.

Sara and Lorena are in a storage room. Sara puts way too much effort into convincing Lorena that she can shoot her. Lorena says Sara's lost no matter what. Sara says that's why she's going to destroy Lorena. If they're going to lock her up, Lorena's going to have to disappear too. Lorena says fine, get it over with. If her obsession is that great, then when Lorena dies, that's the end of Sara's life too. "Then we'll go together," Sara says and cocks the gun.

Sara's hands are trembling. She lowers the gun for a moment. She deduces that if Lorena's so indifferent to being killed, it's because Ernesto's probably going to die. Lorena says yep, without him, everything else matters very little. Then Sara gets that crazy gleam in her eye again, raises the gun, and says no, Lorena's not going to get her to throw this moment away. She wants Lorena to be crying and begging for mercy.

Sara's a little miffed that this wasn't all about Alonso. "Look at the things we could have been spared if you had left him to me from the beginning." Lorena says that one time, Alonso gave her a hug and called her "Sara" by mistake. He told her that Sara had given him something that Lorena never could. This story makes Sara's day. "At last I win, because I'm better than you! Hah!" She points the gun and laughs like a maniac.

Julian arrives at the clinic and updates the rest of the family on his trip to the vacant lot. The police are watching the clinic outside. But she could be miles away from here - she wouldn't be so foolish as to stick her head in the wolf's mouth. (Pretty sure he's only saying this to make them feel better.)

Lorena is telling Sara that Sara's better than her at lots of things - she's physically stronger, she used to defend Lorena from the boys at school. (Yeah, and probably had sex with them afterwards.) Sara laughs at the memory of punching them.

Lorena says Sara's also better at math. (She doesn't mention the embezzling... actually, I guess they still don't know that Sara was stealing from orphans and nuns.)

"But they loved you more!" Sara cries. Lorena says Mother Asuncion took Sara into Administration long before she let Lorena help in the kitchen. "And I made it a career!" Sara says proudly. Lorena says that's right, she had to go to the city to continue her studies, but at age 20 Sara was already a computer expert. "The best in my class!" She earned extra money at the orphanage for her work, and she spent it on gifts for Lorena. "I still have the earrings you gave me for my birthday before I left for the city."

Sara laughs and says she doesn't believe it. "Why won't you believe me? We were sisters."

Gladys, Toribio, and the kids ask Valeria for an update on Ernesto. She admits that he's in bad shape, but Alonso and a specialist are working on him. Alex asks if they should pray. She tells them where to find the chapel.

After the little kids leave, Ivan and Gladys ask Valeria how bad it really is. She says Ernesto's chances are minimal. Ivan doesn't feel well. Valeria goes off in search of some aspirin.

Lorena continues working on Sara's sense of sisterhood. Sara is getting increasingly unstable and has a hard time focusing. Lorena asks if what Sara wrote on that Christmas card was a lie too. "The one I painted by hand?" Sara squeaks. "Yes, it's inscribed in my heart, letter for letter, just as if I were looking at it: Dear sister, if there's one good in my life, it's you. I ask God that nothing separate us, and to make you very happy, and to let me share in that happiness with you."

Sara looks a little lost. She lowers the gun again.

"Sara, you loved me." Oops, that was a step too far - Sara lifts the gun again. "Because we were two poor orphans! I didn't understand anything then. That was sheer stupidity!"

"It wasn't stupidity. You believed in friendship, in affection, in love. You believed in things that were worthwhile, and though you don't recognize it now, in that time you were much happier."

Sara denies all of this and also notices that Lorena is approaching slowly. "I don't want you near me. Don't take another step." Lorena says even though Sara wants to kill her, someday she'll remember that Lorena was the only sister she ever had.

Sara cries. She lowers the gun and uncocks it. Lorena makes her move, and Sara snaps out of her brief moment of sanity. After a poorly choreographed and fruitless scuffle in which Sara loses the gun but gets it back a moment later, Sara cuts her hand on some broken glass and tells Lorena she'll pay for this! She's tells Lorena to put up her hands and prepare to meet her doom.

"You're hurt," Lorena says. Sara accuses her of being nice just to stall for time. "Nothing will save you! Not even a story about a happy little sister. Now you're going to meet the real Sara! On your knees!" She gives Lorena a shove, but Lorena doesn't end up on her knees.

Just then, Valeria, who spotted them through the window in the door right around when Sara cut her hand, bursts in and grabs Sara from behind. Lorena grabs the gun. Valeria throws Sara to the floor. Lorena points the gun at Sara and shoots her by mistake - I guess Sara re-cocked it when I wasn't looking. I'm not sure who looks more shocked - Lorena or Sara!

Sara sinks to the floor, apparently unconscious. Lorena is horrified, thinking she killed Sara. She runs for help. Valeria stoops to take Sara's pulse; Sara grabs the gun again and hits her with it. She flees.

Lorena tells her family she killed Sara. She just reacted... she didn't want to hurt her. Julian runs off to play the hero again. Valeria tells him and also the actual security professional. The security guy gives an order to seal the exits and search the hospital section by section. She's armed and dressed as a nurse.

Of course not. She's changed back into her regular clothes. (I can't believe that professional security people are unaware that nurses' uniforms can be removed. This subject has been exhaustively explored in numerous films and strip clubs.) Sara admires her reflection in the mirror and even holds up the gun like she's posing for the cover of the Soldier of Fortune glamor issue. She sneaks towards the waiting room, where Lorena is still upset thinking that she killed her former friend. Sara raises the gun and looks ready to shoot when Julian shows up and tells everyone that Sara got away, the hospital's been closed up, and they're going to hunt her like the animal she is. "I'd better get out," Sara whispers to herself.

Lorena tries to cheer up Gina.

The surgery is done. Alonso and the specialist don't look happy.

Sara easily walks out of the hospital with nobody noticing, but just to be on the safe side she threatens a woman with a baby to pretend that they're together. The cops open the gate for the new mother. Despite Sara's gun, the woman screams for help, thinking that Sara is trying to steal her baby. Sara easily runs through the gate. The police jump into their cars and follow her down the street.

Alonso comes out of the OR looking very discouraged.

Sara limps down the street - evidently Lorena only got her in the leg. From the looks of all the empty barrels here, she's probably at the dump. (Know what they have at the dump? Trash compactors!) The police have no difficulty catching up with her. She lifts the gun and points it at one of the many men who are all aiming at her. They tell her to drop it; as she realizes what's happening, she turns the gun on herself. However, her finger is nowhere near the trigger.

Oops! I was wrong about Alonso looking discouraged. It's just his usual look. Sorry, I forgot he doesn't emote reliably. He tells the family that Ernesto is out of danger and will recuperate well. Lorena gives Alonso a big hug.

Sara's finger has found its way to the trigger. A policeman tell her to put the gun down. She points it at him instead; I don't think she manages to fire it before one of them shoots her. (One of them thoughtfully kicks the gun away from her after she falls.) Her eyes are still open. Is she dead? I can't tell where she was shot.

Lorena pays Ernesto a visit. "You were right, I couldn't leave you alone," he says.

Lorena says, "Te amo." (BIG sigh of relief.) "These have been the longest hours of my life." Alonso pokes his head in, unseen, as Lorena tells Ernesto how sorry she is that she didn't tell him how much she loves him, she has no doubts, she can't love anyone but him. Alonso slinks away, looking stunned. Lorena says she'd never forgive herself for the time she wasted on doubts if something happened to him. Ernesto promises that for the rest of their days, he'll make her the happiest woman in the world. Lore says she already is.

Ernesto asks Lorena to marry him. Lorena nods.

Valeria finds Alonso sulking in his office. "I've lost her forever." He's condemned to loneliness. She was his life! How can he go on without her? He thinks back on that chance encounter on a rainy afternoon. Valeria says, who's to say you can't have other rainy afternoon? That chance won't put someone else in front of him, someone who loves him as much as he loves her?

She strokes his face, but he seems oblivious to her words.

Somehow, Ickturo and his mom have managed to pack up everything they own overnight. She touches the walls and scolds Icky for telling her not to feel badly. He promises that she won't be left without a home. They'll have a much better one.

He wants the check so he can set things up with his business partner. Mami does not want to give it to him. He grabs her bag out of her hands. (It falls open in front of the camera, so you can see that it is COMPLETELY EMPTY except for one piece of paper. I hate when I see women on TV with pocketbooks that obviously have nothing in them. It's not that hard to stuff a handbag.) Icky takes the check and leaves.

Some time later, Icky and his partner and a couple of flunkies are loading a van of pirated movies (not to be confused with pirate movies) when the police show up. The flunkies run away, but Icky and his partner are caught. "You told them, didn't you!" the partner accuses. "We're partners!" Ickturo unwisely assures the police, who remind him that anything he says can be used against him. The partner promises, "you'll pay!"

Alonso is now sulking in the dark. Lorena comes in and turns on the light. She says she's happy. Alonso says it was almost like a miracle - for a moment, they thought they were going to lose Ernesto. Lorena is eternally grateful. During the operation, he wasn't just thinking about Ernesto, he was also thinking about Lorena's happiness. He fought for her happiness with all his heart, and never would have forgiven himself if he'd left Lorena alone. He knew last night that she wasn't his, and couldn't be without the man she loves.

Lore says she would give anything to love him the way he deserves, but she can't go against her feelings. Alonso says it's very painful, but Ernesto deserves her more than anyone. Lorena says she'll always be fond of him for being such an awesome guy.

Alonso says he and Ernesto spoke last night, and Ern thought that Lorena was going to choose Alonso. Now Alonso's going to turn Ernesto's threat around: if Ern doesn't make Lorena happy, Alonso will make him pay. (He says this with a microscopic grin, so I guess this was meant lightheartedly.) She thanks him for securing her happiness and everything else he's done for her.

Alonso says: "One day I returned you to your family; today I brought back the love of your life."

Next time:
Nothing on Thursday.
On Friday, enjoy a rerun of this episode at the usual time, followed by the Gran Final at 8pm ET.

I'm going to miss recapping this show!

Labels: enemiga

Hola amigos! I'm recapping for JudyB tonight who is recapping the final episode on Friday. I know I promised to get some Bimbo Colchones and report back but I couldn't find them on the Bimbo rack. Lots of Polverones, Bimbunuelos (Margarita's favorite) and Pan Seco but no Colchones. Considering their first few ingredients contain the tryptich of culinary evil, bleached flour, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oil, perhaps it's not such a loss after all. (But will that stop my from trying them if I get a chance? Hell no!)

Last night:
Sara is being transported to the prison, she pulls the gun out of her stupid guard's waistband and shoots him and the driver. The car crashes and flips. She shoots out the window, unlocks her cuffs and squeezes out of the overturned car which is unlucky number 13 I notice. She's quite the bad girl, right up there with Lena Olin in Romeo is Bleeding.

Tonight:
Omar arrives at the lesser house and is greeted warmly by Zuly and the nuns. He calls Zuly "gordita" and the sister suggests he come up with another nickname (apodo).

Omar invites the sisters and the family on an outing to the historic city center. Snorty chooses not to go. "Why not?" demands Lorena. Snorty informs them she's going to look for an apartment.

Over at their place Julian checks out Rossy's belly and listens for sounds of Julian Junior. Rossy tells him the bebe won't answer because it's going to be a Lucia. Julian disagrees, the baby itself says it's Julian.

Omar, Zuly and Lorena tell Snorty they want her to stay. Yes, Omar's moving back in but Diana will probably marry Vasco and leave. "And will you marry?" Snorty asks Lorena. Lor won't tell, "we're talking about you abuela."

A limping and injured Sara hails a car and tells the driver she had an accident. Por favor help me she pathetically begs. The nice young woman agrees to take Sara to the next town; as thanks Sara handcuffs the woman, shoves her in the back seat, points her gun at her and tells her it's not her lucky day. If she behaves herself she won't get shot. For good measure Sara whacks her on the head with the gun and hisses with her claymation mouth "I told you not to lift your head!"

Incredibly stupid Icky meets some shady guy who pirates movies. Icky tells him as a sign of good faith he wants to be partners and is prepared to invest 2 million pesos (150,710 USD) in the business. Shady guys says he likes a man with guts. (Agallas = guts, which is an interesting word to use because agalla can also mean greed.) Self-deluded Icky tells the guy when it comes to business he's a dead shot (donde pongo el ojo, pongo la bala = where I put my eye I put the bullet). Icky's got big plans to double the business but he'll probably end up wanting to put the bullet in his own eye.

Sara stops at a store and buys some hankies and supplies. The poor victim is still knocked out in the back seat but it was pretty stupid of Sara to just stop the car and leave the victim laying by herself.

Later Sara pulls off to the side of the road where she ties up the victim's feet with twine and shrieks and terrorizes her some more. Victim suggests Sara let her go but Sara's got plans, she's going to take the victim with her to visit her little sister. Victim tells Sara she's crazy which really makes Sara go BSC. Sara makes the victim apologize to her then she ties up victim's mouth with the handkerchief.

Sara mocks the poor girl's ID and says it will come in handy. "Your last name is Fortuna, how ironic!" Then she uses her lipstick and puts on her sunglasses and says it's time to visit her sister. Man, it's one thing to hit a woman on the head with a gun but to use her lipstick? That's just wrong.

In contrast we share a happy family scene at the park with Barb and Diana watching Vasco play with Saulito. Barb's got the blues thinking about Chalo. At least she knows he didn't kill himself and he died knowing Barb loved him. Life was very unjust to him. Barb says she put his ashes under a beautiful oak tree near Cuernevaca. They agree that Sara is a monster for killing him.

Sara tells her victim to call Lorena, say she's her friend Le-ti-cia from the institute and find out where Lorena is. Luckily Lorena isn't there and Sara won't leave a message. Then she calls Al and becomes crazy and silent when he answers. Victim asks who Sara called and Sara says it's the only man she's ever loved but now the imbecile is in love with her sister. She glares insanely at the victim who I'm guessing will stop asking questions.

Icky tells his Mami they're lucky, he found a buyer for the house. She's reluctant, it's too soon. Icky the great businessman tells her he reduced the price for a quick sale, it's a selling strategy. Ha, I laughed out loud at that, what a sombrero de culo. She fears he's undersold and will squander their money. He asks, "Don't you trust me? Forget this little house and think of the mansion I'm going to buy you". Again Mami's not happy to hear this. "Who loves you mami, who loves you?" kissy kissy. Icky is absolutely the perfect name for him. Creepy would be good too, also Smarmy.

Lorena, her family and the sisters are enjoying lunch at an upstairs restaurant with a great view of the city. Unfortunately the nuns have to leave tomorrow. "No no please stay," begs Lor. "OK we'll stay," they laugh, besides they want to see who Lorena chooses, Ernesto or Alonso. One nun prefers Ernesto, the other thinks it's good to have a doctor in the family. Snorty pipes up "they say it's good to choose a doctor, a lawyer or an accountant". (Yawn...but then again look who's talking, I've been living with a SW engineer for 20 years. Take it from me, still waters run deep with the studious types.) The funny nun jokes one doesn't get married for a consultation. Snorty gets snooty and the nun has to apologize. Ha, way to stick it to the old bat, sister.

Over at Ern's house the kids are helping him make a mess with flour. They say they want to grow up to be a chef just like Ernesto. Ivan strolls into the kitchen and says he's grabbing some sodas for himself and Jorge. Gina doesn't like Jorge and wonders why Ivan hangs out with him. Ern asks about Betina and Ivan says he's tired of putting up with her girlishness. Gina says she could tell by their eyes that Ivan and Betina still like each other. She singsongs that she knows Ivan still likes Betina just like their uncle likes Lorena. She's a regular Greek chorus without teeth, this one.

Jorge emails Betina to ask her to go dancing but she refuses. She writes that even though Ivan doesn't like her she still likes him and it will take her a long time to forget him. Jorge tells himself he's sure he'll convince her. He jumps up and takes off without deleting his message from Ivan's laptop. Of course Ivan sees her message and what Jorge wrote, "I'm not like that idiot Ivan who hears your name and speaks badly of you." Jorge's full perfidy is revealed and Ivan is on the warpath.

Over at the clinic Val tells Al about her opportunity to study in Central America but she doesn't want to leave the kids. Al offers to help watch them which is sweet but also stupid considering she's afraid Icky will steal them. She asks Al how last night went and he tells her the time wasn't right, not to mention Ernesto showed up. She tells Al not to be insecure, if she were Lor she would say yes to him; Chef Ernesto Mendiola doesn't hold a candle to him. (no te llega ni a los talones) Al says she's just saying that because she likes him. "You have no idea how much," she thought bubbles.

Tori bitches to Paula that Al lost his great opportunity with Lorena. He thinks they need to think of another strategy and Al should keep pushing every ten minutes. Pau doesn't think that's a good idea, take the case of Jorge who keeps pestering Betina. We hear the doorbell ring in the background. Paula says she's sure Lorena really likes Al, but does she love him?

It's Bad Hair Jorge come to torment Betina some more. She wants nothing to do with him and tells him to get out, he's crazy! "Yes Loco for you," he says, grabbing her and trying to force a kiss on her. Bettina struggles, just then Ivan runs in and pulls Jorge off of her. Jorge lands a punch and Ivan knees him in the nuts and throws him to the ground. Betina screams and when Tori and Paula come in Jorge the chicken shit runs off. Ivan tells Betina he's been an idiot, can they talk?

Betina tells Ivan that Jorge stalked her in the chat room but she doesn't like him. She knows Ivan doesn't love her but she still loves him. "I love you too!" he swears. The young lovebirds hug and all is well. Another story line neatly wrapped up.

Tori and Paula hide out in the bedroom to watch their program but it's interrupted by the news.

Over at Ern's house he and the kids are also watching. Sara de la Cruz has escaped! She killed one guy and gravely wounded another. He tries to call Lorena but gets a generic recording.

Tori calls Al to warn him because Al is Sara's primary obsession after Lorena. Al says he's sure Sara tried to call him. Al also tries to call Lorena and he gets the same recording.

Lorena arrives home with her family as Sara watches from the car. BSC Sara tells her victim that after all she's told her surely she'll agree that both she and Sara cannot live in the same world and luckily it's she (Sara) who has the gun. She pulls out the gun and aims it at Lorena as her backseat victim watches, horrified.

Whew! Suddenly we hear a siren and the police arrive just in time to warn Lorena about Sara's escape. Sara drives off unnoticed.

The policeman warns the family to be careful. They are patrolling the area and will also warn Santiago. They should assume Sara is armed and dangerous. Ya think?

Icky completes the deal over the phone and shouts to his Mami to pack her bags, he's sold the house for 2 million pesos, then he'll invest it all. "All of it?" mami asks, looking like she swallowed a lemon. Icky insists he'll turn a quick sure-fire deal and then buy her everything she deserves. Mami tries to look hopeful but she's having serious doubts.

Lorena tells the sisters, Snorty, Zuly and Omar that Al and Ernesto already know about Sara and Julian and Diana are together. Omar is angry that they have to hide out because of Sara. Snorty says Sara is obsessed. Zuly's scared.

It's dark and Sara is pissed off and crazier than ever. She asks her victim what should they do? Does she have any good ideas? The victim whimpers when Sara says they're going to spend the night together. Then she points the gun at her head, tells her SHUT UP DON'T BOTHER ME and goes all Play Misty for Me.

Maruja calls Val and says with the current situation she can't come over. Val says Al is worried about Lorena but she (Val) is worried about him. She loves him and has to listen to him talk all day about Lorena. Maru says she knows what it's like to love and not be able to say anything, maybe it would be best if Valeria tries to forget Al.

Over at the lesser house Zuly is muy nerviosa and Lor tells her family to have faith in the authorities, surely they'll catch Sara. She must be talking about different authorities from the ones who let themselves get shot. They think Lorena should get herself back to the nunnery and the sisters agree, she'll be well-guarded there. (?) Omar says they'll leave first thing in the a.m. They decide he'll spend the night there to help guard Lorena. The doorbell rings and to their relief it's Alonso. They discuss that he got a call that he's sure was from Sara. Snorty suggests he give the number to the police. What? He hasn't done that yet? Good lord he's a dope.

Paula and Raimundo visit Valeria and bring her a bottle of her favorite tequila. Val says Jaime and Maru won't join them due to the Sara situation. This is news to Rai and Paula tells him instead of playing cards they're going to tell him a tale of terror.

Back at the lesser house the doorbell rings again. Who could it be? Ernesto this time. He's not sure it's a good idea for Lorena to go to the orphanage, surely Sara will look for her there. Omar gives some lame excuse that the police will be watching the roads. Ern's not convinced and wants to take her himself. She says he needs to stay with his kids to protect them. Both he and Alonso are in danger from Sara. Al looks at Ernesto belligerantly. Or maybe he's just constipated again. Which reminds me, my friend Synthia's mom who is from Costa Rica told me that in her country "impactado" also means constipated. So let's just say that Al is "impactado" and leave it at that.

In the dark car of terror Sara thought bubbles "Lorena, if I'm not happy you won't be either, if I fall you fall with me; we're united forever and nothing can separate us". Victim's phone rings and and when Sara shoves the phone in her face, "do you recognize this number?", victim shakes her head no. Sara mutters she was an idiot to call Al, that traitor must have ratted her out to the police and now they're hunting her. She vows from this moment they won't know a thing, not until she takes control.

Paula chatters away that her family is involved in this terrible story because Al is in love with Lorena. She's afraid that Lorena is the only woman who can make Al happy, right Valeria? Valeria's got definite opinions that Al deserves someone who will love him wholeheartedly, he shouldn't be chasing after Lorena. Raimundo pointedly observes Val's reactions. When Val leaves the room he tells Paula that Val is in love with Alonso. Que??? Paula is impactada.

Our two galanes want to stay the night with Lorena to protect her but she, and the nuns, tell them both to leave. Neither wants to leave before the other and there's some obligatory chest puffing until she tells them she loves them both (which I thought was kind of weird). Al tells her it's not possible that she loves them equally. She gives some lame reasoning until Ernesto tells her to take all the time she needs because it's a decision she'll live with forever, and that's what she is to him...forever. He leaves after scoring big with this one. Now it's Al's turn to state his case. He says "Yeah what he said plus blah blah blah give me a chance." He kisses her but she doesn't kiss back, just looks at him sadly. Bummer for him.

Outside Ernesto waits for Al. He tells Al that if Lorena chooses him (Al) that he'd better make her happy, love her more than anyone. "You don't know how much I love her," challenges Al. "No more than I do," counters Ern. He tells Al that he's the one who, step by step, helped mend the heart that Alonso broke and taught her to trust again. Al is speechless. Score another one for the chef.

Zuly finds Lorena crying. Lor says both guys were very sweet but she needs a sign. Accompanied by the goofy music she recalls meeting Al in the rain, Al was her first love, it was love at first sight, she imagined she'd marry him and have a family, then thanks to him she found her real family. She gave him a second chance but it wasn't she who separated them again. With Al she was like a girl with dreams and illusions. When she met Ernesto, (the more mature, romantic music begins) she never imagined she'd get a guy like him but little by little she fell in love again and her wounds were healed. In spite of her doubts she learned to trust. When his sister died she saw what kind a man he really is, a loving father day and night. He was always there for her, patient, loving, offering her the same love he offered her the first day and it never stopped. Zuly asks, "What's the signal you're hoping for?" We hear thunder crack..."Alonso," answers Lorena. Gah! Estupida! We go to commercial.

Zuly asks, "Is this the sign? the rain?" Then Lorena hears Ernesto's last words, "You taugh me that it's possible to love another forever and, and that's what you are to me, forever" and she shakes her head. She tells Zuly that the sign is what Ernesto said to her before he left.

Ivan finds his tío in a darkened room. Ern is crying; he tells Ivan he thinks he's lost Lorena and he doesn't know if he'll be able to learn to live without her. Ernesto cries on Ivan's shoulder. I proclaim it to be a negative 5 on the ugly crying scale.

Lorena tells Zuly that Al's kiss proved that she cares for Alonso but she doesn't love him. What she feels for Ernesto is very different, she wants to be with him. She no longer has any doubts. Zuly hugs her and says Ern's a great guy. Hooray!!

Next morning Ern is helping the cute kids get dressed for school. Gina's worried, he's kissing them so much is he going somewhere? He reminds them they're going to visit Aunt Gladys but not to worry, he's not sad. It looks like one of Gina's front teeth is finally growing in. Ivan comforts his tío and tells him he has a bad feeling. Shoot, must be those anvils. Ern tells Ivan to be careful and to take care of the kids. The phone rings, it's Lorena. She wants to talk to Ernesto but not on the phone, can he come right away? He does a little hop up and down and hopes to God she's got good news. I can't see any guy in real life behaving like this but it's kind of fun to watch. If only.

Over at the lesser house Lorena serves her world-famous muffins while they all wait for Ernesto to arrive. Snorty puts in her two pesos worth, she preferred Alonso but she like Ernesto well enough. That's fine grandma, now shut it.

Icky and Mami make the house sale. The realtor warns Catalina that once she signs she can't change her mind without a 25% penalty. Mami is reluctant to sign but of course she does what sonny wants. The realtor gives Icky his check and tells them they need to leave in a week; he's ready to move out tomorrow. Gosh how exciting, another hairbrained scheme, and this time mom will be ruined too!

Lorena hears a honk, it's Ernesto!! She runs outside and sees Chef Hawt getting out of his car with a bouquet of roses. He puts his hand over his heart and looks hopefully looks at her. She puts her hands on her heart and nods. They run to each other and stand in the middle of the street like a couple of sitting ducks. Sara careens around the corner, mouth open in anticipation of the carnage she's about to cause. "NO-O-O-O-O-O!" yells Ernesto as he pushes Lorena out of the way. Sara hits Ernesto and the bouquet of red roses flies across the windshield as Sara screeches away, a look of gleeful and orgasmic insanity on her face. She sees two bodies in her mirror and the camera pans to Lorena and Ernesto lying together, unconscious on the pavement.


That's it, my last recap of Querida Enemiga. I know we all thought this one was a bit slow at the beginning but a kind commenter promised it would improve and told us to hang in there. I'm glad we did because we were rewarded with some of the best writing and acting ever. A huge thanks to all our commenters and I hope to see you all on Tontas!

Bonus: No preview of tomorrow but I think you'll all be glad to know that after Sara murdered him Bruno was reincarnated as some sort of Jaguar man. Enjoy and laugh as I did: Marco Mendez.

Labels: enemiga

*sniff* my final QE recap – I’ll be taking over Fridays starting next week with Tontas. QE has turned into a very fun show in the second half of its run, so I’m sorry to see it go. I hope Tontas is a worthy follow-up.

Sara screams at Lorena that she’ll get even, even as she’s being led away in handcuffs. Lorena says whatever. Sara screeches at the cops to let her go, she starts kicking them and everything. I expected them to ‘accidently’ bump her head on the door when they put her in, but no. She screams at Lorena as the car drives away. She is completely off her rocker.

Hort apologizes to Santiago for running him off that day he ran into her before, perhaps she could have warned him about Sara. Santiago says no matter, Fafy died as he lived, perhaps it was destiny. Oh what’s this – is Santiago hitting on Hort? And is she liking it? He asks to see her and she says that so long as Fafy isn’t the subject of the entire conversation, she’d be glad to. Whoa didn’t see THAT coming.

Felipe finds Paty crying over an onion, she tells him that Vasco dumped her. Felipe wastes no time in complimenting how smart, noble, and pretty she is. Well, that wraps it up for those two.

Sara is brought into the police station with news cameras crowding around her. She acts nuts, that won’t help her out later. Omar watches on TV in his lonely room and says “finally!”

Ernesto shows up at the police station with about 20 people with him, all of the regular cast members, he wants to put the video he took as evidence against Sara. Somehow they all arrived before Sara, even though she was in a car with lights and siren blaring. How did that happen? Did they use the flue network? (Sorry Harry Potter nerd digression there) Hort says she wants that video to also be evidence in a different case, the charge of attempted murder because she tried to kill Hort herself. Sara is now brought through the main room (which would never ever happen in real life) and issues threats and general ranting. Elfin lawyer Joel tells the investigator “See? See how she is?” The investigator nods solemnly. Lorena tells Sara to keep talking, it will make convicting her that much easier. Sara swears to get out of jail. The guards leave her alone in the cell area with the meanest female guard ever, for the first time ever Sara is actually scared. I like this guard.

Over dinner, Zulema and extended family hope Sara will be found guilty of everything so she never gets out of jail. Vasco and Diana announce that they are together again, and for forever this time. The phone rings, it’s Omar, she hands the phone off to Lorena. Omar thought for a minute Zulema would talk to him, but no. He saw everything on TV and wanted to talk about it.

In the other room, Hort tells Zulema that she must still love Omar. Here we go – another “Love solves everything” speech. If only that were true. Oh well on TV I guess it’s true. Zulema says yes but that doesn’t mean she should forgive him. Hort wants Zulema to take him back, Zulema isn’t convinced. Hort says to start over from the beginning. Zulema now looks like she might think about it. Hort begs. Somehow she seems to convince her.

Hort and Zulema sing a song to Lorena, but it isn’t her birthday. I don’t quite catch what they tell her, is it the anniversary of her finding out that she is really Zulema’s daughter, or what? Somebody help me out please, thanks. Anyway, Lorena makes a wish and blows out the candles, and the sound of her doing that makes me think she spit all over the cake. Gross.

Sara rots in jail. She still has fresh makeup and hair, but at the lesser house it is the next morning already. She daydreams about Alonso. She swears vengeance against Lorena. Yes, again.

Oh I guess today is Lorena’s REAL birthday, not the birthday she got at the orphanage, which was the day she was dropped off. They discuss a party.

Rosy and Maruja set the table and are arguing about something, but I’m not sure what. Lorena calls and invites them over for the party later. Rosy wants to know who is invited, meaning Ern and Alonso of course. Lorena says just family. Rosy says she knows what she’s bringing, and calls Ern. Julian overhears, then he runs to Jaime to explain the whole thing. He wants to tell Alonso about Ern, so Ern doesn’t have an unfair advantage.

Ern tells the kids he’s going to Lorena’s pueblo to get something. They celebrate at the mere mention of her name.

Alonso thanks Julian for the news and invitation. Jeez these meddling relatives. Toribio is excited about the party and starts rambling on and on about stuff.

Zulema, Lorena, Diana, and Hort enjoy some champurrado. Lorena smells it and correctly guesses the secret ingredient. Turns out she has figured out all of Zulema’s secrets. The conversation of course turns to which guy she will pick, they analyze each guy’s zodiac sign.

Sara thinks the jail food is horrible. The public defender shows up to talk to her, she acts like a total bitch to him (yeah I know, what’s new, right?). He wants to know the truth about everything so he knows how to defend her. She needs to also be ready to plead guilty or not guilty. She wants him to leave, but he says they need to talk.

Zulema instructs her helper on what to buy and set up for the party later. Helper leaves. The doorbell rings, Zulema thinks it’s helper of course, but also of course, it’s Omar. She doesn’t welcome him. She says Lorena isn’t home, she’s at work. Omar wants to talk to Zulema. Zulema doesn’t want to listen. He isn’t here to ask for forgiveness, he wants to offer something. He wants to register Lorena with her true name and with the true names of her parents. Then Omar says he won’t fool himself any longer, it’s obvious Zulema won’t ever forgive him, so maybe the best thing to do is get divorced. I see what he’s doing here – he’s going to put the pressure on Zulema now. She either asks him to come back, or they get divorced. She invites him in to wait. Omar asks if he can see Saulito, Zulema says sure, she’ll go get him.

At the company’s kitchen, they all celebrate Lorena’s birthday and drink out of orange and yellow plastic cups. Classy.

The guard takes off Sara’s cuffs and puts her back into her cell. The lawyer says that he can’t get her out of the charges, all he can do is try and minimize the damage. Sara cusses at him and tells him to leave. She says to herself that she has to get out of jail somehow.

Omar enjoys a little visit with Saulito. Zulema is emotional watching them together. The helper returns, in record time. She’s been gone for five minutes.

Toribio discusses the plan for later with Paula, Bettina, and Raimundo. Will Alonso propose later? Toribio says Alonso should just ask her and if it spoils the party, whatever. It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Raimundo says in that case – he plants a big kiss on Paula – he is going to marry Paula and won’t take no for an answer.

Arturo plays solitaire on his computer. His mami gives him some nasty brain drink, he doesn’t want it. Now he has a new idea, movies! He’s going to sell movies. Bootleg movies. On the street corner. And the money to start? He’s going to sell the house.

Toribio tries to backtrack from what he said, but doesn’t succeed very well. Paula doesn’t get a chance to answer, finally Rai gets down on a knee and proposes properly. Paula says yes and the whole family looks really happy. Must be Ultimos Capitulos, with nobody looking regretful, worried, or conniving.

Mami is not happy about Arturo selling the house, to which he says “what you have no confidence in me?” WHY SHOULD SHE? She won’t back down on the house, so he threatens to leave. Of course she caves and agrees to sell the house. Wow these are the two stupidest people on earth. As he thanks her, they share an inappropriate and very creepy hug. How did this guy ever land Valeria. It’s a crime against humanity. Speaking of, where is Valeria? It’s a conspiracy to keep her out of my episodes, I’m sure of it. Maybe it’s for the best, otherwise I might spend a few paragraphs writing love notes to her and that’s probably not a good idea. Let’s move on.

The ladies set up the party at the lesser house. Lorena shows up and accepts whistles and cheers for her dress. It is a nice dress, but looks like something a middle aged woman should wear, it has zero sex appeal. Zulema gives her a present of a necklace with a picture of the virgin on it. Some others show up, Felipe, Barbara, the sous chef from work. They give her presents. Vasco says wait wait, I have something! He brings in a plant, some ecological message I’m sure. Paty shows up too with a gift. Everyone is here except for the dueling galans. Omar walks in and silences the room. Lorena gives him a hug, Zulema actually invites him in this time. Together they give Lorena her new birth certificate, with her real name, Lorena Armendariz Ruiz. Hortensia is overcome and starts crying. It actually is quite emotional.

Alonso and family drive towards the house. Toribio is preparing his speech to ask for Lorena’s hand, at this Alonso pulls over and tells him no way. They proceed.

Omar says he’s going to leave now, Lorena begs Zulema to let him stay. Zulema says he doesn’t need her permission, this is his house. She can’t stay mad any more, she loves him, she wants to start over. Diana and Julian each welcome him back in turn, there are lots of tears. I’m sure a lot of you discovered your TV rooms getting a bit dusty as well.

Now we see ANOTHER car, this is Team Ern on their way to Lorena’s house.

Julian/Jaime and then Rosy/Maruja each worry that their chosen galan won’t show. Alonso arrives first, with family in tow. Julian is excited, Rosy rolls her eyes. Alonso gives her a cookbook. Jaime asks Julian to put on some music, then criticizes his choice of mariachi music. Julian says it isn’t him, the music is outside! Of course this is Team Ern, arriving just in time to c*ckblock Alonso. Now Rosy lords over Julian. What a way to ruin a birthday. They are all so concerned that their chosen galan wins that they are willing to set up a duel in the middle of the party.

Valeria! She is sitting in Alonso’s office, she picks up his coat and sniffs it. Oh Valeria, don’t break my heart. She remembers Alonso telling her how great she is when he was at her house. Boss lady comes into the office and Valeria hurriedly puts the coat back on the coatrack. Boss lady tells her about some special course at some other hospital in town, but Valeria thinks handling the kids will prevent her from going. Boss lady says she needs to figure something out, to think about her future.

Lorena looks very 1970s now. I see what Ern went to get, he brought at least one of the nuns. Zulema and Omar talk happily in the kitchen. She asks him one thing – to love her. Bettina runs into Ivan and they get snippy at each other. Felipe and Paty dance together, turns out they both love dancing, he tries to suggest going out dancing. Lorena and Ern start to dance. Lorena’s 70s hair is really bugging me. Toribio tells Alonso to get over and get Lorena’s attention himself! The little nun says don’t worry, I’ll take care of this – she goes to dance with Alonso herself. I guess the nun prefers Ern. Toribio turns down the music and wants to say something – Alonso manages to stop him. Lorena instead thanks everyone for coming and says how happy she is. For the first time ever, she has everything. Ivan with Ern, and Bettina with Alonso, keep trying to prompt the galans into proposing. Toribio chickens out of his speech and the music starts up again. Lorena is an idiot for thinking these two guys will just happily co-exist like this.

Sara in jail talks to the empty room and swears vengeance on Lorena again.

Lorena says goodbye to Team Ern and they all leave. She then thanks Team Alonso for coming. Alonso stops on the way out, but then just smiles and leaves. Lorena follows him outside. Alonso asks if she knew Alonso got invited, she says no. He says he thought maybe Julian calling him was a sign that she was ready to move forward with him. Ern walks up and says he thought the same thing about him. The pissing match ensues. The guys puff their chests out and mildly insult each other, Alonso accuses Ern of using the kids as a ‘good guy’ front. Lorena says “hellooo I’m right here!” She says if they are going to act like this, she won’t get together with either one of them. So basically she is just admitting that there is an open competition. Is she keeping it up to inflate her ego, or what?

Mean prison guard cuffs Sara again, the lawyer says she’s getting moved to another location or something. I didn’t catch why. Then the most ridiculous thing in the world happens – she is in the back of a cop car, next to a detective who has his gun tucked into his pants, right there next to Sara. Of course he’s staring out the window. She grabs the gun and shoots the guy, then shoots the driver. Wow she really is crazy. The car careens off the road and ends up upside down on the hill off the side of the road.

At the lesser house, Lorena discusses with the nuns how Sara is now locked up and can’t do any more harm. Yeah right.

The back window of the upside down cop car breaks out (another bit of ridiculousness, those windows are bulletproof) and Sara’s hands reach out – she’s alive!

Preview – Sara somehow finds a car, some clothes, some makeup, and keeps the cop’s gun and waits outside Lorena’s house to start shooting people.

Labels: enemiga

Dear readers/commenters: this is my last regular recap, as I’m stepping down and JudyB will do the Gran Final on Friday, for which I thank her from the bottom of my heart. Also, I thank Maricruz from the bottom of my heart and everyone else who subbed for me and made it possible for me to recap at all this past year and a half. I’ll keep watching and commenting because you all are my peeps and appreciate you so much! Thanks for your reading and commenting!

The party is in full swing at Zulema’s house with everyone in the D.F. attending except Omar and Alonslow. Ern and Lore chitchat, and Zulema gets their attention to thank them for everything for several minutes, especially being reunited with her family, which she’s dreamed of since she came out of the coma. Today the dream has come true. She’s prepared lots for the party, so chow down. Rossy, Julian, Barb and Diana dive in but Ern wants everyone to listen up a minute. He has something this needs to do. Ernesto reaches into his pocket –we assume for the ring he bought earlier—or maybe the one he gave her last time they were engaged. He’s still trying to make his announcement as the doorbell rings, Lorena tells him to hang on, answers, and – surprise! - Alonslow bursts in with the sad news (NOT) that Bruno has been poisoned by Sara, and so sorry to interrupt. The boys eye each other with irritation and Alonslow gives them the scoop, guaranteed to put a damper on the party mood. As Alonslow continues his story about Bruno’s confession, Ernesto takes the ring out of his pocket, and looks at it while sad music plays—it ain’t happenin’ tonight, folks. Alonslow tells them it was about Fafy’s estate. Lorena asks about Bruno’s status. Alonslow tells them it’s not hopeful, and depends on him stabilizing the vital kidney functions. It’s pretty serious.

Patty is clueless even if she isn’t blonde and she’s ready to party but Vasco says they have to talk. (Didn’t we all have a discussion early on about how this phrase is the kiss of death?) She protests that they’ll be late and Vasco tells her this thing they have isn’t working out and it would be better if they broke up. Patty doesn’t look nearly as surprised as we might expect.

Alonslow continues the tale of Bruno at the lesser house, arms crossed, addressing only Lorena. Bruno arrived in bad shape but was able to record his confession. Alonslow seems to think Lorena is the only one in the room who cares. He supposes that Bruno wanted to nail Sara. He had Dra. Serrano and Val as witnesses, too. Hortensia wants to know what that b*****d said. Slow turns and tells her that Sara poisoned Bruno with the same stuff that he and Sara had planned to use to kill Fafy but he died on his own, before they could kill him. Ern is impactado. The autopsy results were right, then. Alonslow confirms that Bruno and Sara brought down the Armendáriz Empire. Lore asks about the recording and Slow tells her it’s at the Public Minister’s office, since it involves a matter of homicide. At the end of the day, Sara’s toast. Impactados looks all around, mixed with tentative relief and some wariness—Zulema looks to heaven.

Patty pleads her case with Vasco. She tells him about all she’s done to make it work. Nope, she doesn’t tell him—make that she whines at him. Vasco appreciates it. But, his body language is what any woman in her right mind would read as “you’ve lost this war, honey.” They continue on this path for a while…and she tells him that her only passion is him. She’d do about anything for him. Thanks, but that’s not what his heart is telling him to do. Hablablablabla. If he can’t love her, don’t be telling her someone else will. She brings up Diana and doesn’t want to be a consolation prize. He tries to deny it. She wants to know if he’s talked to Diana. He hasn’t, and don’t ask him to. He cares about Patty, but….”But you don’t love me.” Patty turns away and the emotion overtakes her. She knows he can’t love her because he loves Diana. He tells her not to get like that. Vasco tells her the last thing he wants to do is hurt Patty. She whines that if he hasn’t talked to Diana, why is he causing her this pain? He tells her it’s not good to think about waking up with someone who isn’t appropriate (wake up with someone who isn’t what you consider the most important part of your life). Patty wonders why, if he can’t talk to Diana, WHY can’t he get it together with her? She’ll wait and hope he’ll love her. She just wants the opportunity. Vasco sighs, weighing how to deal with it.

Julian is irritated with Alonslow for turning over the recording to the authorities and Slow justifies himself—it’s part of a homicide investigation. Lorena intervenes—she can’t imagine that Sara is falling like this. Hortensia wonders how come they don’t have champagne to drink to that. Rossy chimes in and Maruja tells her not to be frivolous (because she didn’t dare tell Snortensia not to be frivolous). But Maru asks her mother-in-law’s pardon, she’s indignant. Lots of opinions coming fast and furiously but Diana stops them all cold---Bruno is the father of her child, after all. They’re saved by the bell as Slow gets a call. It’s Valeria with more news (sorry, Ferro, no shots of Val, just Slow’s voice telling us it’s her). Rossy asks why he has that look. Bruno has died. Impactados looks all around, and Diana looks like she might faint.

Vasco tries to convince Patty not to make this difficult. She asks how she’s supposed to take this—she thought he was the love of her life! (Only a little guilt here). He protests—“try to understand me!” and she grabs him and lays a big kiss on him, crying. Vasco tells her no, please, and pries her loose. He’d like to be able to reciprocate, but the truth is he can’t. She wants to know how he thinks she can live without him. She walks away, and Vasco tells her he’ll go with her. Patty tells him no. She’ll have to get used to going it alone. And she does. Leaving Vasco frustrated and sighing.

Zulema notices that the party is going up in smoke and weakly encourages everyone to eat—with all the excitement she can muster upon learning that the father of her first grandchild has just died due to deliberate poisoning. Julian tosses off a remark about losing their appetites and Lorena suddenly remembers that Ernesto was about to make a great pronouncement. He tells her it was really important but this isn’t exactly the right time for it. Slow looks mildly alarmed. (He saw Ern buy a ring, right?) He jumps in—there’s something more Slow wants to tell them. Bruno confessed one more thing. Barb, who has become truly astute in her old age, asks if it has to do with Chalo. Nope, it was before Sara disappeared—she did one more thing against us. “US?” Lorena is impactada. Yep, she did it to hurt both you and me, Slow tells Lorena. Sara never forgave me for getting those DNA results. She told him to mess with the anesthesia for Zulema’s procedure. Zulema comes to face Alonslow. He tells Zulema that Bruno and Sara were guilty of putting her into a coma. Diana is crushed, and Lorena damns them and wonders why they did that. Ernesto comes to comfort her and Zulema. Slow gives his best professional opinion—Sara’s sick. There’s no other explanation. Julian and Ern comment on Sara—so diabolical—she needs to be in a nuthouse. Into this happy scene pops Vasco, all smiles for his family. “Ready to eat?” Since he’s astute Barb’s offspring, he realizes all is not well here very quickly. In fact, it’s like a wake. Lore informs him Bruno died. Sara poisoned him. Vasco wants to know if Diana’s aware. They point him in the direction of her bedroom and he takes the cue. A dirge plays.

Vasco comes to comfort Diana and she tells him the Rest of the Story—Bruno was responsible for Zulema’s coma. Diana knew he was bad news, but never dreamed he’d go to those lengths. What will she tell her son when he asks about his father? Vasco tries to give her comfort—tell him his Papi was a doctor and he’s not with us any more. Hortensia comes to ask if she’ll be all right. Diana waves a hand to indicate she will. Hortensia tells them everyone decided to call it a night and go. Hortensia herself will be in her room if they need anything from her. Vasco thanks her and she goes, leaving Diana in tears, impactada from the sadness of it all. A very respectable 3 on the Ugly Crying Scale—she could be a lot worse with all this trauma.

The partygoers bid each other goodbye in front of Zulema’s house. Zulema tells Alonslow it’s a sad end for Bruno. Betrayed, and a victim of his own ambition. Slow tells her he’s worried about Diana. They talk about the next steps, with the recording in the hands of the authorities and the witnesses’ statements. Slow says he’ll go back to the hospital and find out how it all ended up. He’ll let them know.

Meanwhile, a few feet away, Ernesto is standing more than an arm’s length from Lorena and saying his farewell. Both of them have their hands in their pockets, a sure sign that they’re resisting the huge temptation to grab and paw each other. Instead, they talk about how it stands with Sara now that Bruno is dead. Ern thinks justice might happen. Lorena wants it to happen quickly; she wants this chapter of her life done and to try to be completely happy. She smiles endearingly at Ernesto. He smiles just as endearingly back. Sigh. Lore changes the subject—she wants to talk to him about Ximena. Ern’s already aware of Ximena’s nonsense. Before they can get very far with this revelation, Slow shows up to interrupt the happy tryst. He’s going, and gives her a little kiss on the cheek. [Ed. Note: So GO already.] Lorena gives him a discreet half-hug, which in no way resembles a full-body press—it’s mostly at arms length. I’m just saying. She thanks him for everything. Lorena assures Slow that she NEVER thought he was responsible for what happened to her mother and she’s pleased to have the new info. Ern looks anxious and slightly irritated in Slow’s direction over her shoulder. Then Ern interrupts—he’s going. [Ed. Note: Both of our galáns are in light-colored shirts, and she’s in black. Is there some symbolism I’m missing here?] Lore turns back to Ern, so now Slow’s behind her. But, she’s jerked back around when Slow wishes Ern Godspeed. With a sincere smile. “What, aren’t you going?” Ern wants to know! Slow squares his jaw a second and confirms he’s going, too. Lorena turns back and forth, watching the ping-pong match. Then she gets discreet cheek kisses first from Slow and then from Ern. She tells them both to take care of themselves. They face off with muted glares while Lorena smiles a little and looks back and forth nervously. [Ed. Note: I wouldn’t want to be between those two; I’d be about six feet away.] More goodbyes from one, then the other—“I’ll call you if I find out more” and “we’ll talk tomorrow.” Lore gets increasingly nervous, hands in and out of pockets. The boys, however, have hands out, ready to punch if necessary. I’m just saying. They inch off to their cars. Ern’s SUV pulls away, and Lore watches. Alonslow’s sedan, the second in line, pulls away and then stops abruptly in front of her. He’s forgotten something and jumps out. She wants to know what’s up and he mutters something inane about having been thinking about coming over since a while ago (early), then puts his hand into his pocket. He hyperventilates and looks intently into her eyes…..and she smiles a little, waiting…..for the commercial….

Alonslow earnestly tells Lorena how hard this is, but he can’t stand it any more and she looks totally confused, but Zulema interrupts—ringus interruptus. Diana is having a nervous breakdown and they need him. He grabs his black bag out of the trunk and they all flood into Diana’s room where she’s hyperventilating—“can’t breathe!” Hortensia and Vasco are giving their best medical advice to no avail. Slow, extraordinary doc that he is, diagnoses that Diana is hyperventilating and sends his assistant (who usually is an assistant chef, but tonight is a medical assistant) for a high tech device to help Diana quit hyperventilating. Lorena runs for the paper bag the bread came in. Diana knows immediately how to use it on Slow’s instructions, and breathes herself back to normal.

Meanwhile, at the Dark Castle, Sara would really like to know if Bruno has gone on to a better life. But, if she calls around, that might trip her hand. So, she’ll just wait until morning and report him missing. With any luck, they’ll toss him in a community grave. She smiles at her wit.

Alonslow has made it back to the hospital, where Val has waited. They come into his office and he apologizes for making her wait so long, but Diana had a bad spell. No problem. Well, sure, with the news you gave her. Slow asks her about what the Public Minister did with all of the info. They took the body to check for the poison. Incredibly, he actually managed to sign his confession before he died! What? The Public Minister insisted on talking with Bruno. He verified everything he recorded. He laid all the blame on Sara. Slow is impactado. Val thinks it’s sad they couldn’t do anything for Bruno. Slow notes that Bruno thought they could save him—but Val points out is was a bad game of fate—Bruno had sold off all the antidote that would have saved him. The time they needed to get hold of it made the difference. Slow thinks Lorena needs to know all this and calls. He plays with the ring, taking it out of the box, as he calls. Val sadly lets herself out of the office while his attention is totally absorbed.

And at home in his living room, Ernesto examines the ring he’s got for Lorena, while he reminisces about the lovely picnic day full of passion. We get teased by the view of his lovely naked upper torso as they….uh…..begin to enjoy the afternoon… (Sigh) Then he’s reminiscing of time with Lorena in a restaurant, forcing a bite of chocolate cake down her and asking if she’s awestruck (moved) to find the ring in her mouth. Nope, her teeth hurt from biting down. OF COURSE she’s moved! She adores him and YES, she wants to marry him! The flashback ends, but Ern is still hopeful. It’s just a matter of time. When everything’s resolved, he’s going after her again. I can’t lose you, he tells Lorena as he talks to himself.

Morning comes in the House of Zulema and with it comes Patty. Hortensia is Not Thrilled to see her. Patty wants to chat with Diana, but Hortensia asks what she wants. Hortensia goes into Mother Lioness mode. Don’t think Di feels well, better come back later. Patty insists and Hortensia sends Matilde to fetch Diana. Diana is almost as terse as Hortensia. “What can I do for you, Patty?” Patty wants to talk woman to woman about Vasco. Diana tells Patty that she has nothing to say about him. She realizes that Patty and Vasco are sweethearts and Diana respects that. Patty sadly tells Diana that she and Vasco broke up last night. Diana is a little impactada. Why? Vasco told me he doesn’t love me and it’s clear he loves you. What, he told you that? Not in so many words, no, but it’s true. He also told me that you never loved him enough. Diana gets hot—that’s not true! If I’ve been feigning that all this time, it’s because I didn’t want to interfere with you two. Patty begs her to love Vasco. He loves Diana with all his heart. And maybe he’s never dared to tell her that. Diana thanks Patty—it surely had to be very difficult for her to do all this. Patty looks sadly resigned, and Diana looks hopeful.

Ickturo can’t understand why the person on the phone is telling him Valeria doesn’t work there. Catalina looks on with a bit of anxiety about this conversation at their dining room table. What? She’s gone back to the D.F.? Cat rubs her hands and grins in glee at the idea. Icky asks if they know the work number. Apparently not, because his excitement dims. He thanks the person on the phone. Cat is so thrilled to think her grandkids are close by. It’s a blessing! Icky thinks Val might have gone back to the Clinic. But if not, surely someone there will know something about her. Cat urges him to go look for her. She’s in alt to see the babies—how they must have grown! Icky tells her he’ll go find Val right after his Mami gives him breakfast. He beams at the thought. So does his Mami. [Ed. Note: What? Did we hear an echo of Oedipus?] Ickturo smiles a smug smile.

Bimbo Colchones get another prominent placement on Valeria’s breakfast table as she serves them to Anelis, along with bunches of stuff from the panadería. Apparently Val herself never eats this stuff, or she’d be a blimp. As she serves, she also holds a cordless phone on her shoulder and talks to Slow. They exchanges domestic chitchat—she tells him not to worry, she thought he’d be talking late with Lorena and she left. He tells her not to do that to him as he eats his breakfast with Toribio. If she had wanted, he’d wait for her. Val wouldn’t want to bother him. He tells her not to say that. And should he drop by for her? No, Val will get to work on her own—the Nanny hasn’t shown up. She doesn’t want to make Slow late. He chides her a little. She asks when he thinks he’ll give Lore the ring. Slow tells her he was about to do it the night before, but the moment wasn’t right. He’ll have another chance, and hopes it’s soon. Valeria decides it’s time to sign off and doesn’t even give him time to say goodbye. She strokes Anelis’ back while the niña eats her balanced breakfast of pastries and Bimbo Colchones. (Who are those guys, anyway?)

Toribio harasses Slow about not getting the job done with the ring. Slow tells his Papi when it all gets resolved, he’ll have an opportunity to do it. (They wrote one basic line for Ern and Slow? Shouldn’t their pay get docked?)

The kidlets are ready for school and Gina runs to hug Uncle Ern. Gina earnestly tells Ernesto that she’d like it way better if he took them. Ern explains why it’s important to use the school bus—it makes less traffic, better for the environment. Alej chimes in that it’s less pollution, too. The little ones go off for the bus with Fanny supervising. Ivan comes to make a pitch for the car he wants. Ern points out he’s not even old enough to drive. Ivan changes the subject—has Uncle secured a stepmom for them? Nope. Ivan laments that he’s awfully slow. Ern says things got complicated. Ivan thinks the plan might fail and Ern assures him it won’t happen—right before he rushes Ivan out the door, sighing.

Hortensia, Lorena and Zulema gossip in Zulema’s living room. Hortensia gripes that she can’t understand why Patty is talking so long with Diana and about what. She hopes it’s not what she’s thinking it might be. Lorena remarks that Patty is her friend, but really she would love to see Diana end up with Vasco. Zulema agrees—Vasco is irreproachable. Hortensia thinks they just need to give the kids a little nudge. Zulema wonders if while she’s at it, shouldn’t she be giving her granddaughter a little nudge, too? Lorena pretends to be miffed. “Between us, I have a favorite.” Hortensia looks at Lorena, who says “OH? You haven’t told me that, Grandma.” Turns out, the favorite will give her lovely great-grandchildren and possibly one will be a doctor like Daddy. So she prefers Alonslow? Sure, for obvious reasons—he saved Vasco’s life, brought about the knowledge that Lorena is Hortensia’s granddaughter, and is helping with Sara’s fall from grace. Diana overhears and asks if they’re talking about Sara. Zulema says no, they’re talking about the hunks who are competing for Lorena. So, Diana voices her opinion—Ern’s the one, the looker, the mature one, there’s no doubt in her mind. He’s never failed Lorena. Lore says he’s not perfect, but yeah, he has his good points. Hortensia seizes on it—then she prefers Alonslow? Nope. Lorena wasn’t saying that. Then it’s Zulema’s turn to opine. Well, she’d be happy to have them both. Chuckles all around. Zulema tries to get Lore to tell them her decision but Lorena refuses because she knows they’re all blabbermouths and within five minutes after she tells them, it’ll be all over the place. They all feign being insulted. Lorena chuckles happily at them.

Valeria arrives at work only to be accosted by Ickturo, and qué the H*** is he doing here? He’s come to see her, of course. They have nothing to discuss. They have two children. She’s indignant since it’s been more than a year since he checked on the kiddies. He hangs his head; she’s right. What reason did he have to abandon his children? None. He tells her not to scold him; he’s come in peace. Also to ask for a loan. She scoffs at giving him a loan. He’s exhausted all her money and he’s the last person she’ll give even one cent to. He does his “I swear I’ll pay you back” number, and tells her about his marvelous business opportunity. Same old, same old. She scoffs at him again and tells him to ask his Mami for the loan. He tells her not to mess with his Mami and manhandles her. She tells at him to let her go. Our not-quite-hero, Alonslow, is on the scene and confronts Icky, who tells him not to meddle. Icky thought she was such a saint, so is this her new lover? Slow is incensed and tells Icky not to insult Valeria. Slow not only meddles, he belts Ickturo so Icky bleeds. Good one, Slow!

With Valeria shouting at him that it’s not worth the trouble, Slow beats on Icky. All Slow’s pent up anger at Sara and Ernesto and whoever centers on Icky’s smug mug. Val finally gets between him and Alonslow, pushing Slow away even though Slow is ready for more. He’s points at Icky and yells that he’s going to show Icky how to respect her! Icky, all wild-eyed, points at Slow and accuses them of being lovers. As Slow tries to move Val out of the way so he can go after Icky, Icky runs and a police siren sounds. Slow wants to know what this idiot did to Val and hugs her close in comfort, telling her not to cry. Val looks after Icky—he isn’t going to leave her in peace. They talk about the wretch—Slow thinks he won’t come back. Look, he saw the police patrol and took off running. It’s his guilty conscience. Val tells Slow Ickturo had the nerve to ask her for a loan for this grand company he wants to set up. He used the excuse of the children. Slow hugs her again and tells her to calm down. Val looks anxiously over his shoulder off where Icky disappeared, not quite able to enjoy how close she is to Slow.

Omar is calling around to look for work he found in the want ads. He has a degree in Business Administration—what? My age? 58, he tells the person at the other end of the line, and I have lots of experience. They hung on me, he muses. There’s a knock at the door as he puts the phone down in resignation. It’s Lorena and he’s delighted to see her. He offers her coffee.

At Zulema’s, Vasco appears asking after Diana. Zulema tells him that the sedative that Alonslow gave Diana helped after she got the terrible news. Vasco thinks that deep down she never stopped loving Bruno. If that was true, Zulema wants to know, would it bother him? He has a girlfriend. Vasco tells Zulema he’s broken up with Patty. Why? She’s a good girl. He tells Zulema that’s true but he didn’t love Patty. He couldn’t fool her or himself. Diana overhears as she comes out of her room. Zulema continues to tell him she’s always admired his maturity. Vasco confesses that the maturity everyone talks about all the time caused him to lose his life. Why? Because while he was being noble, good, understanding he put aside many things. He’s talking specifically about Diana. He should have fought for her until he wore out, and not let her go with Bruno. He lacked the strength and the maturity and lost her. Diana has heard enough and comes out to talk to him. She tells him not to blame himself; the same thing happened to her. She was thinking about what was the “right thing” and didn’t listen to hear heart. Zulema thinks it’s time to excuse herself and leaves them looking tentatively at each other.

Lorena hesitantly tells Omar that lots of things have happened in the past several days that she wants to let him know about. Omar cheers up a bit, and tells her she has no idea what it means to him that she’s thought of him. She nails him on calling the house and staying quiet. He admits he did. It was the only thing that occurred to him so he could hear her mother’s voice. He asks if they had a party. Lorena confirms they did. Omar is excited that Zulema cooked and invited all the family, not resentful that he was left out. Lorena gets serious. They didn’t feel like partying after they got bad news from Alonso. Sara poisoned Bruno and he died. Omar worries about Diana’s reaction and Lorena fills him in. Omar notes that Hortensia told him Sara and Bruno were responsible for bringing down the company with the poisoning. Yes, and last night we heard about the worst of their acts—Bruno added something to the anesthesia when Mami had her operation and she went into a coma. He intended to kill her. Omar damns Sara and Bruno. Why against Zulema? To hit me where it would hurt me most, Lorena tells him. Sara couldn’t resist making sure she couldn’t have her mother and enjoy her family. She wanted to destroy it. Omar utters another curse. Lorena continues that Alonso had nothing to do with it and Sara tried to destroy his career. Omar wonders how she could dare to do that much harm. Sara should pay like Bruno did with his life. Lorena is just sad.

Diana and Vasco continue their discussion of their relationship. She never would have dared to love him like he deserved. She also had this notion that Saulito needed to be with his father. Vasco points out she rejected him every which way. She asks him to forgive her—she did it because she was just plain afraid. Vasco wonders why she never told him. She was ashamed. By the time she finished her therapy, Patty was on the scene. Vasco had been thinking Diana just didn’t love him enough. He thought even up to last night she was still hooked on Bruto. Nope, all this time she’s been hooked on Vasco. He’s the only man who has ever made her quiver with just a look. He tells her to say it again. Diana takes a breath and blurts out that he’s the love of her life. But she doesn’t want him to just hear it, she wants him to feel it. Oooh, lovely, long, tender kissing….

Apparently, cold cloths won’t do for Ickturo’s black eye. Nothing but top sirloin here. Cat ministers to his wounds as they discuss the next steps. He’s going back to look for Valeria, and Cat always did think there was something suspicious in Val’s “friendship” with that doctor. “He hit me awful hard, Mommy.” The doc can’t be there as Val’s bodyguard 24/7, though. He’ll get the money out of her. Cat thinks it’s not a good idea for Icky to go again, and she ought to go to find Val. Ickturo vetoes that; she shouldn’t humiliate herself in front of Val. Cat wants to try—she misses the grandkids, anyway, and they need the $$. Icky tells her no way again. She slaps the steak back onto his eye and his face screws up, ready to cry. Pobrecito.

Val and Alonslow are enjoying a cup of coffee in the office, interrupted by a phone conversation she’s having with the nanny. She directs the nanny not to open the door to anyone for any reason, even if he says he’s the children’s father. She hangs up and tells Slow that she’s also advised the school. Slow is furious to see her having to deal with this. Val tells him she knows Icky—he’s totally capable of grabbing the kids. Slow urges her to ask Dra. Serrano to go be with the kids and he’ll find someone to cover for her. Val is touched-he’d do that for her? She’s really nervous about this. She knows she shouldn’t let this bas***d bother her, but she can’t let anything happen. Slow earnestly tells her that sometimes he sees her as so fragile and suddenly she transforms into Wonder Woman (okay, I loosely interpreted here). He looks intently into her eyes and tells her he loves these contrasts in her. Val looks intently back, a lovely fond smile on her face, and blindly moves to set the coffee cup back onto the desk at her left without looking where she’s putting it. It goes onto the floor and breaks, splashing coffee all over. “What a fool I am!” Slow jumps in to the rescue, taking a cloth from heaven knows where, and sponging up coffee that has splashed onto her lovely, shapely ankle and leg -- in three inch heels. He holds her ankle in place and wipes her ankle and up her leg, suddenly stilling a little and looking up abruptly into her face. Val is equally startled and stares back intently into his eyes. Slow might not be as slow as we think. He smiles nervously and stands; she thanks him and rushes out to see the boss. Slow is left with the memory of the ankle, the leg, and Wonder Woman. No, folks, he’s not flexing his pecs—that’s his heart thumping erratically you’re seeing under that well-fitted shirt.

Lorena tells Granny about her Papi’s indignation at Sara’s betrayal and what Bruno did to Zulema. Hortensia wants to know if he said anything about Zulema. No, but he really wants to come home. Hortensia doesn’t see a happy ending here; she thinks they’ll never reconciliate. Lore’s worried about Omar—he’s very lonely and can’t find work. Hortensia gives a PSA about how awful it is that when folks get to be a certain age, no one wants to hire them any more even if they have the most experience and maturity. Too bad they can’t really bring him into the Cooperative. She gives Lorena a tentative look as she mentions this. Lorena thinks that Zulema won’t forgive him, and it’d be difficult. The bell rings—it’s Ern with some pastries he’s brought to them now that he’s not being followed by the detective any more, and he’s making up for lost time. He guesses the nuns taught Lorena manners and she’ll invite him in for chocolate? Of course she will. He greets Hortensia, who basically disses him and excuses herself. Ern wonders if she’s jealous, or just doesn’t like me much? Lore blows it off—that’s her and I’ve learned to love her as she is. Ern’s phone rings. It’s a lawyer who wants him over at Fafy’s house. Okay, if that’s what Fafy requested. Lorena wants to know what’s up. The lawyer wants me at Fafy’s for the reading of the will. What, did he leave you something? Ern chuckles—he doubts it. They barely knew each other so it must be something else. He gets a serious look. Lorena’s phone rings. It’s Alonslow, which makes Ern grimace. Slow has more news about the Public Minister and what’s going to happen with Sara. Really? It’s a done deal? We can see why she might doubt, since all along Joel has told them there’s no proof of anything solid against Sara.

Slimy Jorge accosts Bettina on her way home. She doesn’t want to talk to him, she’s told him that. He wants to tell her something about Ivan, it’ll be worth her while. Why? Because he HATES to see her suffering on Ivan’s account. Ivan erased Bettina from his contacts. Bettina wants to know how Jorge knows. Jorge was there and saw him do it. He goads her about proving to Ivan she isn’t such a baby. If he just told her everything Ivan thinks about her….Bettina storms off and Jorge exults that he’s got her number. He nailed it.

Slimy Ickturo accosts Val at her front door (what’s this about not opening to anyone?) She tries to slam it on his foot and he yells at her, so she lets him in. She demands to know why the h*** he’s here and who gave him her address. He got it by going back to the clinic. So much for confidentiality. He paces and scans her apartment, and demands to know if her little doctor is there. He doesn’t want to be caught unprepared. She retorts that he shouldn’t be involving Alonso in this, since he’s just a friend. They get to the point—she’s the only one who can help him. Nope, she’s the last person to help him, she declares. He tells her it’ll be worth her while (he and Jorge have the same lines here). Icky will make her his associate. For the kiddies, you know, so they’ll have an inheritance. “Did your Mommy give you permission?” Ickturo looks abashed and gulps.

Toribio and Paula, who seem to have lots of time on their hands during the day, talk over the situation with Ickturo and Valeria, which clearly Alonslow has mentioned to them. Toribio thinks Icky won’t leave Val in peace. He also wonders if Cat’s come back. Paula wonders if it’s important to him. (does she still move your heart?) Well, no, but he would like to know why she disappeared. Paula thinks if this woman raised a slime ball like Ickturo, she’s a witch and it’s best not to hang out with her. Bettina storms in and Paula wants to know how everything’s going with her baby. Bettina snaps “don’t call me your baby!” Paula wants to know what’s up and Toribio calls Bettina back to scold her—“what am I, chopped liver (a painting)?” Bettina asks them to excuse her and greets Granddad. She’s furious because of that scumbag Jorge and his nonsense. Toribio gives his opinion—he does NOT like Jorge. Paula thinks she should ignore Jorge, not get mad and don’t fall into his little game. Toribio agrees; the one who gets mad, loses. Bettina tells them that Ivan erased her from his contacts. Toribio teases her gently about getting dumped from the email contacts being the worst thing that can happen in the internet age and she tells him not to mock her. Toribio thinks Bettina should send him an email virus, which brings a chuckle to her lips and Paula’s.

Ickturo continues to present his case for a loan to Valeria. He reminds her his Mami has always helped them. “At what price?” Usurping my authority in front of my kids? Making me out to be the worst wife? She doesn’t want to argue with him now as if they had something. He makes the case that there’s a sacred link of the children between them. It won’t be broken easily, not even in 100 years. He begs for help again. She’ll have lots of profits. She tells him to take his tales to some other idiot. He tries to stroke her face and she slaps his hand. He argues that they were always really happy. (I must have been watching some other program). He says he’s learned the lesson. She wonders what he’s willing to do. Whatever she asks, he tells her. Okay, send your mother to Alaska. “Alaska?” Ickturo is dumbfounded. Valeria chuckles and opens the door to wave him out, telling him to go ask one of those bimbos (not related to colchones) he hangs with. They’ve wasted less on him than she has. He tells her she’s missing a golden opportunity. She makes a snide remark about his businesses and tells him to go already. Ickturo looks like a chastised child and Val closes the door behind him with a sigh.

Sara yells to the doorman to open the door already at the sound of the doorbell at the big house. In marches Santiago, ready for battle. She demands to know what the h*** he’s doing here since she’s told him she doesn’t want to see him. He tells her she wouldn’t dare. She scolds him for insulting her, which he thinks she deserves. She’s a b**** and a murderer! Even if everyone says the opposite. Look, decrepit old man, she tells him—I’m not wasting my time on you. She’s got a very important matter to attend to. But why is she explaining to him? She tells him to get lost. He’s not moving from this spot. Sara lunges at him, and he catches her hands and pushes her back. Santiago is not one to hit a woman. But, he’s here for the very same thing she is. The reading of Fafy’s will. “You?” Yep. How come, she wants to know. It’s what Fafy wanted. Sara doesn’t give a rip what Fafy wanted. The lawyer, Ortíz, comes in the open door. The lawyer thinks it’s what should matter to her the most. Sara looks at him defiantly. Ortíz tells her he called Santiago. Santiago looks back and forth between them. Sara puts on her cooperative face—can they start now? Nope, they’re waiting for one more person. In strolls Ern. Sara wonders why Ernesto’s here. He has no idea. He’s come with some amazement—but if Fafy left him something, he’ll treat her to a bottle of champagne. Sara is impactada.

Bettina starts to write to Ivan on email but decides against it. Jorge’s instant message pops in, and she doesn’t want to respond (“what part of disappear don’t you get?”) but he cajoles her into responding and putting on her webcam. There he is, with a big sign that says “I invite you to dance.” The sign disappears and Jorge’s face tells her to give him a chance. Silly girl, she actually smiles at him.

The attorney begins the reading of the last will and testament of Sr. Fernando Rafael Federico the third Cuenca and Espinoza of the Monteros (hunters), aka Fafy. Santiago and Sara sit in the front row with the lawyer behind the desk in the study, and Ern in the peanut gallery. The lawyer will begin with a letter from the deceased to Srta. Sara de la Cruz. She sobs gently for effect, looking constipated. (Wasn’t that supposed to be Alonslow?) He starts: “Sara—Kitten.” Sara sobs again—“that’s what he always called me fondly.” We hear Fafy’s voice reading the letter to us.

Fafy’s voice: I don’t know when death surprised me, but from this moment I want to leave this declaration/token (testimonio, one definition is token) as my main bequest to you, because I know perfectly well how much you loved me.

(Sara sobs into her hankie, UCS 9, really fake).

Fafy’s voice: My money never interested you, and your greatest happiness was in the long hours of pleasure that we had together.

Sara, through her tears: He was always so affectionate. That’s why I loved him so. And I still love him.

Santiago: My poor friend, to die like this, so betrayed.

(Sara gives him the stink eye).

Fafy’s voice: I loved you in my own way, you know that. You won my heart, and with it, my eternal gratitude. I hope you’ll like this video as much as I liked it.

(Sara sobs again.) The lawyer turns the laptop that has been sitting on the desk so Sara, Santiago and Ernesto can see the video that Fafy’s letter mentioned. How about that, it’s the one in the company office that Ern recorded with the hidden camera where Sara and Bruno spilled their guts about the poisonings, etc. We see them ‘fessing up in living black and white. Sara’s face goes through multiple contortions, none of them contrite. Santiago looks thoroughly nauseated as Sara kisses Bruto onscreen. Sara begins to hyperventilate and Ern smirks a little. Sara is muy, pero muy, commercial impactidísima.

Sara jumps up and shouts in the lawyer’s face. What is this bull****? (Okay I paraphrased here). Santiago, behind her, says it’s the confirmation of her dirty tricks. When he sees that doctor, he’ll show him how to be a man! (Santiago, you’re a day late and a dollar short). Sara demands to know if Santiago did this (the video). No, he spits back, but it would have delighted him to be the one to do it. She accuses Ernesto—is was you, you b*****d! She yells at them both to get out of her house. Ortiz tells her the one who has to leave is her. She yells that she’s the sole heir, she’s seen Fafy’s will. Ortiz tells her that he had time to see it – the same day he saw the video. (Hooray for all of us who figured this out! Hooray for Fafy!) Ortiz reads the revised will to them all:

“In full use of my faculties, I leave my fortune to establish a trust that will be used to build an old folks’ home. I want it to be administered by my friend Santiago Arredondo, who was the only person I could really trust. Santiago vows that he will take it upon himself to follow through with Fafy’s wishes. Sara is rabid—“NO! So much for nothing! I let him use me!” She pivots and points at Ernesto—“You d*** bas***d! I will kill you!” She tells him he’ll regret the day he crossed her path (it was a good hour that you crossed my path). He tells her it was a bad day that she crossed Lorena’s path. She sputters at him not to mention Lorena and he tells her he did it for Lorena—he’s pleased to have unmasked Sara in time. She tells him she hates him. Ernesto, totally calm and collected, tells her to say what she likes, but they’ve beat her. He didn’t really expect to leave her in ruins, but she deserves that and more. Santiago tells her she’s going back to the streets where she belongs. “Never!” She’s going to challenge and break the will. Sara begins to storm out and suddenly Hortensia’s joining the party in her old study. Sara demands to know why she’s here Hortensia’s come to tell her a tale that Sara told her when Hortensia was bedfast--about someone who stole her friend’s inheritance, all the while calling her sister. Sara screams for the d****d old woman to shut up and tries to run. Ern grabs her arms to stop her. Sara screams to be let go and suddenly Alonslow joins the festivities. “You’re not going anywhere, murderer.” Sara quiets down and tries to appeal to the one she thinks should love her. “You don’t have any reason to call me a murderer, please, Alonso.” She notes there is proof that Fafy died of natural causes. “But not Bruno,” Alonso tells her. “You killed him.” He continues that she never counted on Bruno having enough time to talk. His final words were to ask Alonso to bring her down. “No, this isn’t possible—I’m going crazy!” Hortensia pipes in that a plea of insanity won’t save her. She’s going to pay for all she’s done. Sara breaks away and runs, Ernesto dashing after her. The rest follow.

Sara only gets as far as the entry, where Vasco, Barb and Jaime are waiting. Vasco reminds Sara he told her once that she would be gone from there eventually, and today it’s definite. Sara calls him an imbecile and tells him he should be dead, too. She tells Jaime the accident with the cut brake line was intended for him—he should have been dead. Barbara lunges at her, furious that Sara can be such a cynic about trying to kill her ex and put her son into a coma. “And guess who helped me?” Sara spits the truth out at Barbara—it was your lover, Chalo. He cut the brake line! Jaime confronts Sara about what she did to his son, but Sara says there’s no proof of anything, since she was more intelligent than all of them. There were no witnesses, it was all perfect! Including the death of MY Chalo! Barbara is muy impactada. Sara insists Chalo was hers, not Barbara’s. Vasco can barely hold Barbara back from attacking Sara. He bitterly asks if Chalo’s fate was the same as Bruno’s. Alonso asks if he would have been the next one—dying like the rest of her lovers. Sara runs to him to try to hug him. She never would have tried to harm him—her only love. He pushes her back—her love was the worst nightmare of his life. Sara hits out at him and yells that he should have loved her, not that imbecile, Lorena.

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Lorena, Zulema, Diana and Julian come in the open front door. If we had Omar, we’d have a full deck. And the joker is Sara. Sara puts on her best pitiful face and runs to Lorena. “Lorena, they want to hurt me! Help me! You have always cared about me!” Sara whines and hugs Lorena, who reluctantly holds her an instant, looking sad and wise beyond her years over Sara’s head. Zulema stands totally unmoved by this display behind Lorena. Sara backs away from Lorena, but they hold hands while Lorena looks sadly into the face of the one she called “sister.” Zulema, Julian and Diana watch soberly, arms crossed.

A cop comes rushing in and puts the shiny matching bracelets with the lovely chain connecting them on Sara’s slender wrists (oh, how satisfactory it is to this recapper to see this!). Sara looks at them desperately. It’s all over. Or, is it?

Monday: who knows? We’re in Últimas Horas here, even if they don’t advertise it that way. Plus they only tell us about the Gran Final next Friday.

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga