Caray, Caray!

Whipping through the house with Fr/Ed behind him, Artemio finds his guards lying on the floor. Hmm, seems he cannot trade Lili's corpse for the Head of Ed, as he had planned, because Barbara stole Lili away -- after giving "Greco's Renowned Drowsy-Drink-Drops" to all his guards (plus Ms Bagel-Bun) in champagne she told them Artemio had sent along to celebrate some big business success.

"Barbara told us you commanded we tip our glasses," whines Bagel-Bun. The bodies on the floor are dragged away.

Barb throws Lili on a bed: "You won't get hurt if you behave. Shout as loud as you like, there's nobody to hear you. Now, put on your PJs and go to bed." Cero appears and reassures Lili.

Barb calls Artemio and reports that she has the cargo. He's furious; when he tells Fr/Ed, Fr/Ed narrows his eyes and shakes his lips in dudgeon.

Fr/Ed's cat-burglars are pacing at his house, worried. Fr/Ed appears and tells the whole story. Fer calls Barb. Barb, driving, grinning maniacally: "I was expecting your call." Barb's on her way to Fr/Ed's house to negotiate, so cat-burglar Santi has to make like a banana and split. The Mud Queens also leave.

Fr/Ed updates Father Bosco, who advises: "Get Lili back and then get out of here while Fer still thinks highly of you, thinks you're an honest guy. Let her remember you kindly."

Barb arrives, Esteve leaves. Barb congratulates Fer on her ferocity: "You must have inherited it from me." Long story short: "I'll give Lili back, and disappear forever, if you two convince Aurora to leave the nunnery with me." "But she's bearing Santi's child!" "No, she's bearing MY grandchild. You have till noon tomorrow. If you fail, then I'll just kidnap her anyway and you'll never see Lily again." Barb leaves.

Fr/Ed tells Fer, "We should tell Barbara's plans to Artemio and provoke a fight between them." "Oh, I get it, because Artemio thinks Aurora is dead!"

Meanwhile Artemio is soliloquizing about Barbara: "One who betrays me doesn't live to betray another day." He sounds like Darth Vader.

Suddenly Fr/Ed is at Artemio's office and tells him Barb's motive is - Aurora Mendoza! Artemio is impactado and grouses: "Barbara's the worst mistake of my life. She's a fatal weapon, I educated her that way, but I always knew if she found out her daughter was alive all her hate would be focused on me."

"What do you care about Aurora?" asks Fr/Ed. "I'm her father. I've only seen her three times, but to know she existed was an intense consolation to my soul. Aurora is the only thing I made without hatred in my whole life. Barbara knows I ripped that kid from her arms at the moment of birth and said she was dead. All I can expect from Barbara is destruction."

Scene change. Fer to Fr/Ed: "What a whirlpool all this is! Before the s--t hits the fan I want to say how much I've appreciated you and come to depend on you." "Let me look at you," he murmurs nicely, "for as long as I can. Soon we separate forever. I love you more than you can imagine, I've loved you since forever and will love you until forever." Kisssss.

Etcetera. Where did this giant bed with red satin sheets come from? More etcetera. Commercial. More etcetera. Two aging virgins finally get some. They spend the night in the red bed of amor and then swirl about in a hot-tub (I guess) overlooking a fabulous CGI view.

Meanwhile somewhere Gardenia is crying and saying, "Eduardo, I'll love you forever, even though there's no future in it! You're not going to leave!"

Barb packs her diamonds into a suitcase. Daffy arrives and mildly wonders why he didn't see her last night, she says it was some business meeting, now she's going out, he says he'll see her at dinner, she thought bubbles "You'll be waiting a long time, because today I start a new life." Meanwhile Daffy thoughtbubbles: "Ah, Barbara, she's a haven of peace in my sea of troubles." Heh.

Fr/Ed to Artemio: "we can work together and keep Barbara from absconding with Aurora." "What do you care?" "She's expecting Santi's baby!"

"Oh, eeuwww, my grandchild is an ELIZALDE? My blood is mixing with theirs again? This is an irony of the worst writers! I want to barf!" Fr/Ed says the two of them can work together to stop Barbara. "But what do I get out of it?" "Your mother's diary and the Head of Ed."

"Why is Eduardo hiding?" "He isn't hiding, he's agazapado, crouching down, waiting for the right moment to attack! He's been waiting ever since Barbara Greco unfairly accused him of abusing Fernanda Elizalde!"

"You seem to know him well." "Well enough to know that you and the Elizaldes caused him the greatest pain a person can take." "No, ME! I had the worst pain!! And in total war, there are always innocent victims! That boy defied me and made me his enemy to the death!"

Fr/Ed implies he knows where Barbara is, but he won't tell Artemio because she has Lili, somewhere... Artemio says Barbara will be coming by to get her dossier, because it will be important to her to start her new life with a clean identity. "So I'll make her tell me where Lili is, and then you have to give me the Head of Ed."

At the office, por teléfono Fer explains all to Santi.

Gardenia comes in. "Why aren't you wearing your uniform?" "Because after I say what I've come to say, you're going to fire me." Long story short, after asking "did you know Santorito is in love with you?" she tells Fer: "Fr/Ed is Ed, I've seen his passport." And Margarita and Jacinto have known all along. And this all came about when he came back from Gringoland and saw what had happened to his mother, and he decided he'd had it with the Elizaldes. "He couldn't even go to see his mother buried." Fer remembers her agony, seeing his name inscribed on his mother's tomb...

Gardenia says she told Errika Ed was in love with Fer, and admits that she (Gardenia) has been in love with him forever. "With all my heart, but he was always in love with you. But I don't want him to leave and the only way to keep him here is if he marries you." Fer has the commercial break during which to think it over.

Greco's Renowned Drowsy-Drink-Drops appear again: Barb forces Lili to drink them. The ghost of Cero points out to Lili, "Drink or she'll kill you."

Damian's sleazeball cousin says the plans are underway. Damian: "Give Lucio a message, he'll know what to do." That's it for them tonight.

As Gardenia leaves Fer's office, Fr/Ed shows up and wants to talk to Fer, who takes a minute to collect herself. She says he can come in. He wants to tell her all the plans, he's in a good mood and wants a kiss, she slithers away from him and gets angrier and angrier. He keeps asking why. "You want to know why, MR. FRANCO SANTORO?"

end of episode.

Labels: manana

The next morning Damian gives Lucio Jacobo’s phone number to set up a meeting for further instructions on the plan to get Aurora out of the convent before Barbara can lay hands on her. He tells Lucio that for some unknown reason, the girl has turned into an obsession for Barbara. “She is Barbara’s Achilles heel. We’re going to grab the candy before she can get it into her mouth.” Lucio, our illuminating literary, promises to do whatever it takes to see Barbara Greco crying and broken, hiding in the corners and afraid to be seen, “like the doll in La Muneca Fea, [The Ugly Doll = a Mexican children’s song]. (Uh, sports fans, if you doubted this guy was mentally or emotionally stunted before, this is proof positive.) He and Dam shake hands, now that they’re best buds in the Big-House, and Lucio lights out of there like the Devil to freedom. Dam is left to gripe to himself about Barbara. He tells himself he’s going to spend every minute of his time there planning a way to get even with La Hiena for stabbing him in the back [puñaladas traperas, and another slobber-in-your-cervesa song reference, if it matters].

Barbara calls Artemio and tells him she’s just put the properties from Gonzo into his name per their agreement and, at noon the next day, she’ll be there to hand the notarized documents over to him in exchange for the file on Rebeca Sanchez. Artemio says that was the deal and he’ll fulfill his end of it. She wants to know what his plans are now. He tells her about his meeting with Padre Bosco at 8 PM that night to dig up and verify the remains of Eduardo Juarez. If those are his remains, then he’ll be handing over Lili, “—or what’s left of her!” He allows himself a few snickers. Lili walks into visit with him at that point and he hangs up.

Lili is all smiles and asks Artemio if he’s still angry with her. He gripes at her that he’s still disappointed in her for handing over his mother’s diary to Franco Santoro without permission. Because of it, he says, she’s signed her death warrant.

Across town in Santiago’s hotel room, Fer says she’s getting nervous thinking about having to rescue Lili from Bravo’s place considering it’s got to be full of guards, guns, alarms and security cameras. They’re waiting for a call from Estev once he leaves for San Rafael.

Back at Las Animas, Gardenia shows up to make a play for the affections of Eduardo one last time. “Eduardo, why didn’t you marry Errika?” He says apparently some obliging person stuck their oar in and told her he was interested in somebody else. “—Did you fall out of love with Fernanda?” He is sick of going over the same old same old, he says, but she says she’s hoping she might still have a chance with him. He tells her she’s got to accept the fact he only thinks of her as a sister and that’s all he’ll ever think of her as. He is in love with Fernanda Elizalde and that’s something he cannot change. As for her, he hopes she’ll find somebody to love and who will love her as much as he loves Fernanda. He admits then, that since his love for Fer has no future, he’s now decided to leave there for good and he’s not ever comin’ back. Denia runs off crying. (Could it be that Denia finally gets it?)

Back in the big city, Slick, aka our favorite slimeball, Lucio, enters the Shanghai Chinese restaurant for his big meet with Jacobo. Jaco seems to think about as much of him as the rest of us. Think Pink Panther rejects south of the border. “Damian Gallardo sent me. I am coming to put myself at your disposal.”

It’s visiting hours at the county calaboose and Cad gets a visit from Gonzo and Babs. (From the looks of it, he has apparently heard about those group showers cuz he doesn’t seem to have gone anywhere near soap and water.) He is whining to Gonzo that he’s got to get out of there soon because they’re getting ready to transfer him to prison. Gonzo says Cerisola is doing his best to get a stay so Cad will be kept in the county jail for a while longer. Cad wants to know if Fer is coming to dismiss the charges like Gonzo was supposed to have asked her to. Gonzo can only tell him that he’s told her already. Cad gets angry. He warns his father off the two of them and to be careful. Then he threatens Loafly if he ever comes face to face with her again. Daddy Doofus shakes his bony finger and scolds him. Cad’s got to mend his evil ways. What he’s done to Aurora is unforgiveable, blah, blah, blah. Cad zones out.

Babs tells Cad his father is right. Cad gets the hint and says, fine. He’s ready to give the kid his name and even marry Aurora. Just get him out of that hell-hole and fast. PLEEEEEEASE, Papi? He promises never ever to do anything nasty again.

Ninja Night, 7 PM: Eduardo is in Padre Bosco’s office at the church and the two wait for Artemio Bravo to arrive. Santi and Fer show up at Las Animas. The gang's all there: Martina, Venus, Estev, and Jacinto. They thank them all for agreeing to take such a risk in helping them rescue Lil. Estev tells them that Fr/Ed should be with Father Bosco by now and then if Bravo shows up as planned, he’ll call them all in one hour.

Eddie and Bosco walk out to the graveyard. Bosco admits to Ed that the grave is a fake. Bravo can dig all the way to China but he’ll come up empty. Once he realizes that, there’s no escaping him. Ed says that at that moment then, Eduardo Juarez is going to make his appearance. Bosco shakes his head in despair.

Back at Las Animas, the A-Team (looks more like AA with those ball caps and parkas) goes through the equipment: a lock pick, a portable sound amplifier, walkie-talkies, and a handgun with rubber bullets. (That’s right. This is a family friendly firearm--even though they could still shoot an eye or two out if they’re clumsy enough. Disclaimer Time Out for the kiddies and the emotionally retarded. Beanies off, class? PSA #J-654: Do not try this at home. Duh! If you ain’t been properly trained, then you’re just askin’ for trouble, y punto! Ok. Beanies back on everybody while I jump off my suds-box.) Estev asks if anyone has doubts at this point. Naturally, nobody backs out.

Ninja Night, 8 PM: At the parish church, Bosco takes Eduardo to a side room for him to hide from Bravo. He gives Eddie a rosary and tells him to pray. Suddenly it’s Maria Callas or some such blaring out operatic strains that nearly hide the sound of the doorbell ringing. (Seems that sound tech’s been tokin’ again.) Bravo has arrived. Bosco gives Ed his blessing and asks God to protect them both. He leaves to answer the door. Ed makes the call and tells Estev that it’s time. Operation Lili-pad is a go.

Eddie picks up the rosary. Bosco opens the door and lets Bravo in. The Mission Improbable Team springs into action as the disco-electrico beebops in the background and the screen splits into 2, 3 and even 4-way. So, it’s a tow-truck with a hydraulic lift and a basket from the Cable Guy.

(OMG! Timewarp alert!) Bond flick flashbacks! We’ve got Jaws Borja doing the digging for Hugo Dax Bravo. (Hubby and I can hardly wait for the steel to start glinting the second the guy opens his mouth.) Once the cadaver’s dug up, H.D. Bravo’s trusted eeevil Dr. Higadera will do the necessary tests on it for verification. Padre B. and Bravo’s baddies head outside to the grave.

Estev calls Eddie and tells him they’re on their way. Ed makes sure that Jacinto knows he’s not to take his eyes off Fer the entire time. He tells Estev then to figure on two hours to complete the operation. He hangs up and prays for their protection.

Jaws starts to dig but Bosco stops him and stalls for time by praying. He and Ed begin the Lord’s Prayer in stereo (well, it would have been if the sound editor had been sober at the time).

Outside Bravo’s manse, Fer and Jacinto sit in the yellow FJ as lookouts. She radios Santi to tell him if they don’t come out in an hour she’s going to call the police. Jacinto tells her not to worry because God and the virgencita will protect them and get them all out fine. In back of the manse, meanwhile, the rest of the gang gets into the lift basket. Estev’s no tow-truck operator, but he’s apparently spent a few nights at the Holiday Inn Express. He starts the lift and puts Martina, Santi and Venus up top without a hitch. Martina and Santi go inside. Venus stays out on the roof and waits to signal.

Inside the church, Eduardo bravely fights back the tears as he remembers the letter his mother wrote him (4/3/09 -cap. 34) warning him of the enemy she’d protected him from and reminding him she’d always be at his side, watching over him. At the same time, Fer remembers listening to the taped recording of Lili’s tearful, first interview with Obregon at the clinic when she revealed that it was Barbara Greco who had really killed their mother. “Jacinto, life has been so unfair to Lili.” ‘Cinto reminds her to trust in God and that soon it will be over. She covers her eyes and tells him she is anxious to make it up to her sis and fill her up with love. (Ok. Ok. I admit to pausing for a Kleenex moment here.) Marge, prays that the virgencita will protect them all and bring them back safe and sound. Most of all she prays that she will protect Eduardo from the merciless man who threatens him.

Santi and Martina begin to silently search upstairs for Lili’s room. Martina whispers that the place is so large it’ll be extremely difficult to find it. Fr/Ed calls Santi to see how things are progressing and says he’ll keep Bravo entertained while they continue looking.

Venus radios Estev that there’s still nothing. He tells her no news is good news and to stay calm. (Personally, I think she was just looking for an excuse to play a little with their new toys.) “Cambio y fuera! [Over and out!] ”

Borja gets tired of digging. Imaginary scissored steel sparkles as he tells Bravo that they’ve sent them to Hell and back digging and it’s long past time since they should have hit pay-dirt (so to speak) and that casket. Bravo signals to Bosco it’s time to ‘fess up [tener la palabra = speak up] cuz he smells a scam in the works. Bosco assures him there’s no deceit and that today is the day he will find Eduardo Juarez. Borja keeps digging. Ed keeps peeking out the window to check on Borja’s progress and gets antsier by the minute.

Back at the mansion, Santi says it’s strange that there doesn’t seem to be anyone there. Martina thinks it’s because they’ve already realized they are there and just want to catch them red-handed. Santi doesn’t agree because he says the alarms would have already gone off by now. Martina takes another look see and says she thinks she’s found Lili’s bedroom.

Meanwhile, Borja stops digging and concludes the gravesite is empty. (It took 7 feet worth of dirt to figure that one out?) Bravo tells Bosco he hopes the priest wasn’t stupid enough to try to fool him. Bosco says he is definitely right about that. “Priests are not that dumb. You don’t have me digging for oil, now do you? Tell me. Should Borja continue digging or not?” “—No! Not now. No.” Bosco throws his hands up in the air in frustration while inside Ed checks his watch and looks to the cross on the wall for answers. (Viewerville waits on pins and needles hoping the diosito is checking his messages this time.)

Upstairs at Bravo’s, Martina and Santi finally enter Lili’s room, but it appears to be empty. Martina finds one of Lili’s sweatshirts on the floor, but the rest of the room is empty. Santi realizes then that they’ve taken her and left. “She’s gone!” Martina weeps in frustration as Santiago immediately calls Fr/Ed to tell him the bad news.

Outside the digging stops and Bravo asks Bosco what they’re waiting for. “--To resolve your anxieties, Artemio, and I assure you that is what is going to happen here.” Bravo orders Borja to fill in the grave. “Are we leaving, Padre? There is nothing else here for us to do at this point.” Bosco tells him to wait. Bravo asks if he’s going to pray a bit more. “You can pray here for the rest of the night because you’re going to need those prayers.” Bosco asks what he means and Bravo wonders if he really needs him to explain. “You are very bold [osado], Padre for having agreed to meet me here just to open up an empty grave. But, I shouldn’t think we will waste the time. Why? Because now I haven’t the slightest doubt. I am absolutely certain that you have always known where Eduardo Juarez is!” (Viewerville bites its nails in angst.)

Suddenly Fr/Eduardo appears out of nowhere and yells over at Bravo. “Artemio! I have Eduardo Juarez!” (Good timing cuz Viewerville’s nails are now down to the quick.)

The M-I team is in a shambles. Operation Lili-pad’s a bust. Everyone is now out front yelling because Lili’s no longer at the mansion. Confusion is the name of this game. Fer and Santi are totally distraught. Fer frantically screams that Lili has to be inside and they just didn’t look hard enough. Martina explains to Fer that the house was totally empty, even the woman who guards Lili was gone, she says. Santi blocks her from entering and says somebody got there ahead of them because the room was messy and looked like Lili’s things were taken at the last minute. All they found was her sweatshirt. Venus thinks it was the guards because the whole house was completely abandoned. Estev asks if Fr/Ed was told and Santi says yes, he told him. They’re supposed to meet him back at Las Animas. Fer cries at the news. “Santi, how long is the fate of our family going to be in the hands of Artemio Bravo?” Santiago hugs her as she screams in frustration and hugs her sister’s sweatshirt.

Back at the gravesite, Fr/Ed tells Bravo that from now on if he wants Eduardo Juarez, he’ll have to deal with him. “--With you?” Bravo turns to Bosco and threatens him. “—This is going to cost you dearly, Padre, and you know what I’m referring to.” Fr/Ed yells back at him. “--Are you referring to Liliana Elizalde?” Bravo looks back over at Franco and raises a bushy brow as Fr/Ed gives a viable explanation. “It was I specifically who asked Padre Bosco to fake this grave because I have extremely formidable reasons to believe that YOU were the one deceiving us and that Liliana is dead!” “--So that’s what you think, Santoro?” Fr/Eddie stares him straight in the eyes. “—Do you have any proof to the contrary?” “—And what would I get in exchange?” “—What you so greatly desire: I will hand you over Eduardo Juarez. Yes. That’s right. I have him and you will have him in front of you the moment you prove to me that Liliana is alive.” (Heart palpatations. Whaddaman!)

Bravo cracks a slight smile and turns to go. “—Think it over well, Artemio!” Bravo barely turns before replying over his shoulder. “—I have nothing to think about.” He begins to walk away. Our boy Fr/Eddie yells back and ups the anti. “—I wouldn’t be so sure of that!” Bravo pauses but keeps his back to Santoro. “--No?” Fr/Eddie plays his high card. “--If you are declaring war against me, I will destroy your plans for revenge by handing over your mother’s diary to Gonzalo Elizalde!” Now he’s got Artie’s attention!

Speaking of Gonzo, he’s eating din-din alone at the hacienda. Tomasa comes in to tell him Pris is coming down. Pris sees the empty table and asks where all the others are. He says Babs is at one of her Association meetings and Fer hasn’t stopped at home all day. Gonzo thinks Fer is avoiding him because he asked her to withdraw the charges against Cad. She still hasn’t, though it’s high time she should have, he adds. (What is it about rape or assault and battery this grizzled old goat still doesn’t get? I just want to throw my hands up in the air and scream!) Pris avoids the obvious and mentions Anibal is off at the Dairy Industry Conference in Rio. Gonzo apologizes for completely forgetting, all things considered. She tries to comfort him and says things will get better for everyone soon. (Cue the violins.) He says that he’s come to think his family is falling to pieces. (Pinch me!) What hurts most is seeing his children suffering.

Back at the gravesite, Bravo starts a game of chicken. He threatens Santoro saying that all he has to do is give the order and he can fill that empty grave with his and Bosco’s bodies. Fr/Eddie counters and says he knows that perfectly well, but (in another classic and most satisfying Mexican standoff) he adds that Eduardo Juarez already has orders that if he does not return in a couple of hours, he’s to give that diary directly over to Gonzo. All he asks is proof that Lili Elizalde is alive. In exchange he’ll give him over Eduardo Juarez. Bravo asks if Juarez will be alive or dead. “--Alive.” Bravo accepts and suggests they go to his house immediately to prove to him that she’s perfectly fine. Fr/Ed agrees. Bosco looks at both of them like he’s ready to hang up his spiritual spurs. Bravo adds a condition that Santoro’s not allowed to leave until Eduardo Juarez is there in front of him. Fr/Ed says fine, but he’s got a condition of his own: the moment Eduardo Juarez appears, Liliana Elizalde is to be set free. Bravo accepts the deal.

At Las Animas, Fer has finally lost it. She pulls out her cell and starts screaming to Estev that she’s got to call Franco immediately and have him demand her sister back. Estev stops her at the last second and makes her realize that a single call can cost Franco his life. She joins the rest of the sullen group and they sit and wait, wait and sit, for some word from Fr/Ed.

Fr/Ed and Artie return to the manse to find it completely abandoned. Bravo wonders where his guards have all gone. He starts screaming for Hilda. Eduardo starts looking and yelling for Lili. Realizing Santiago was correct, Eduardo grabs Bravo by the collar and demands to know what Bravo has done with her. Bravo throws him off and yells back that he has no idea where she is. The two stand there huffing and puffing at each other.

At the summer house, Barbara is pleased as proverbial punch with herself as she pulls tape off Lili’s mouth. She literally has her eyes on the prize.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 4:30 PM 86 comments

Gonzo hands Barb the documents that transfer the property that belongs to her. She thinks that when she turns these over to Artemio Bravo as Rebeca Sanchez, there will be no connection to her.

Aurora tells Fer that Barb is her mother and that Artemio Bravo is her father. Fer asks her if she has any proof. Aurora tells Fer that he was the person who sent money to Dominga who brought her up. Fer can hardly believe it.

Ed tells Fr. Bosco that he went to see Erika. Bosco wants to know what made him change his mind at the last minute. He says Fernanda Elizalde. Erika found out his real feelings for Fernanda. And, he says, that Erika said that Fernanda was in love with Franco Santoro, a man who does not exist. Franco says that he’s the person who is there to deal with Eduardo Sanchez’ enemies. Bosco tells Ed that Artemio Bravo will come Monday night to see the body. Ed tells Bosco to lead Artemio to a false grave and to let Artemio’s men open it. He will take advantage of that time to free Lili. Bosco wants to know who will carry out the plan if he’s there while Artemio is opening the grave. Franco says his trusted friends will make sure Lili is safe, and he will tell Artemio Bravo that he is Eduardo. Bosco begs and hopes there will be no massacre. Ed says he will do anything for his friends.

Steve and Jacinto are planning the caper of a lifetime. They have maps and plats of Artemio’s fortress. Steve says everything has to be secret and well planned. Martina and Venus want to help. Steve says it’s too dangerous. Martina will take any risk to free Lili. Jacinto says they could help.

Fer tells Santi that Barb is so smart he has to be careful and make her think he’s in Florence. A knock on the door – it’s Franco. Fred says what’s up, Barb told me that you was out of the country. She explains why Santi is hiding and tells Franco that Barb is Aurora’s mother.

At casa Elizalde Tomasa tells Barb that Fer is with Erika. Gonzo then reveals that Erika and Fred did not get married. Anibal is worried about business, and Pris takes offense. Gonzo says that Fred is a good guy and Barb shares his opinion and that Franco would be good for Fer once she’s rid of Damian.

At the prison, Lucio tells Damian that he is going to be paroled. His sister mortgaged her house to hire a lawyer for him. Damian offers to help. He says he has a job for him. Lucio is all ears. Damian says it has to do with Barbara Greco. Lucio says that’s been his dream, or a nightmare he would like to bury. Damian will get back with him when he is free.

Franco asks how long Barb has known Gonzo. 16 years – since Barb found her with Eduardo. They discuss AB’s vengeance and why Barb would hide the existence of a child. Santi is disgusted because he realizes that Barb would be his child’s grandmother. Fer also tells them that Barb wants Aurora to leave with her. She’s keeping it secret. They have to be very sure that Barb doesn’t get away with Aurora and the baby. Santi is having a fit. Fer says she won’t leave the convent. Franco is afraid that if she leaves, they will lose Lili.

Ani reminds Pris of a convention she forgot about. Pris tells him she knows that Barb has been listening in to their conversations. Pris isn’t sure what she knows, except that Vlad is dead. Ani, always the hothead, wants to fix this situation. He’s still burning that Barb has 60% of Lactos. He is going to prepare a montaje so that his father will know about her infidelity and divorce her. Pris says that Barb is a monster. Do you want me to tell what you are, asks Ani. Well, he’s one character who will never let go of the past.

Aurora doesn’t like to tell lies. Fer asks Aurora if she knows about Lili and that Franco is going to free her and that Artemio Bravo has Lili. She also tells Aurora that Barb and Artemio Bravo have done her family a great deal of harm.

Fer tells Aurora that it’s true that Santi returned for her and is hiding in a hotel. Fer tells her they have to be careful of Barbara. Aurora asks if Barb is capable of hurting her and Santi. Aurora wants to see her father, but Fer explains that Barb won’t understand.

Franco tells Santi about how they will storm the mansion and get past the guards. Santi doesn’t care about the risks. Franco tells Santi that it’s even more serious because you’re Gonzalo’s son. Santi says don’t you think it’s about time I did something for my family.

Aurora has a hard time understanding that her parents are trying to destroy the Elizaldes. A nun runs in and tells Aurora that Barb is there to see her. Barb is at the door with packages. She’s been shopping. Fer has parked her car two blocks away. The nun doesn’t know what to do. She tells Aurora to go to her room and tells Fer to go down the hall and that she can leave when Barb is in Aurora’s room.

Steve is renting a crane without an operator and states that they will pick it up today. Enter his troops, Martina and Venus. He wants to emphasize that this is a dangerous, risky mission. They have studied the plan and they are ready. They beg him to accept their help. He gives in and will talk to them.

Meanwhile Ed clues Santi in on the part they will play. They don’t want the police in on this. Apparently Steve will operate the crane. Did I just write that? Steve, the effete Harvard grad. Go, man, go. Venus and Martina call Franco and tell him he can count on them. Franco says, with tongue in cheek, I hope, that he couldn’t think of better people to help him.

Steve says, what do you say. Martina and Venus accept.

At the convent, Aurora is opening the packages and tells Barb everything is beautiful and Barb is too generous with her. Barb wants her grandchild to lack for nothing. Aurora presses her about her father. Barb, says that as far as AB is concerned, you are dead. He thinks you died in the fire with Dominga. He sent his men to blow up the cantina. Aurora is visibly moved. You were never important to him. Barb asks her to pay attention. Aurora says she needs more time in order to comprehend what Barb is saying. Aurora says she’ll decide when they meet up with Santiago. Barb cracks a smile.

At the prison, Pris visits Damian, who says he never expected her to visit him. She says, you wrote me this note. Damian says it was a little trick to get you here.

Barb tells Aurora that they will have a beautiful house with a garden and place for the baby to play. The four of them will live together. And, Santiago, too, says Aurora. Barb chokes on that. Aurora says, why not call him. Barb reaches into her big red purse. What a shame. I forgot my agenda and don’t have the number. Aurora asks why she and Fer don’t get along. Barb goes into her speech about how much she has done for the Elizalde children, etc, etc. Barb asks Aurora where she got the idea that she and Fer didn’t get along. Just curious, says Aurora. Barb is getting suspicious. Barb says, I’m your mother. Nothing can come between us and hurt you. Barb wants to know if Fer came to visit her. Aurora gets around that one. Barb says it’s hard to get through to Fer, but she doesn’t want that with Aurora. Aurora has a problem hugging her and Barb’s curiosity is working overtime.

Damian is working Pris. Pris tells him that Barb overheard her and Anibal. Pris says can you find out. He says do you think the Hiena will come to visit me. She set me up and that’s why I’m here. He says Pris has to do something for her. Tell your jerk of a husband that I’ll tell the world that your child is not his if he doesn’t help me get out.

At Casa Elizalde, Barb thought bubbles that Fer has been visiting her daughter. Barb lights in to Fer about Steve Norton. She says that Lovely is not what she says she is and that Camilo is in jail because of them. It’s all making Daddy sick. Gonzo is trying to talk to Santi and they can’t reach him by phone. Barb wants Fer to call him at his studio in Florence and hands Fer a phone that she removes from the big red bag.

At the prison, Pris agrees that she will ask Ani to use his influence to help Damian who tries to kiss her hand. Lucio says, so you are connected to Pris. Damian is going to explain to Lucio what he’s going to do, but they have to go to a more private place.

Fer calls Franco and tells them that they are looking for Santiago. She’s going to visit Franco because Santiago made an arrangement with Franco to get in touch with him. Fer says that if they go, Franco may be more inclined to tell them where Santi is. Gonzo then tells Fer that she must withdraw her complaint against Camilo.

Damian says that Barb is planning to leave with the girl. Lucio wants to know if the girl is a nun. They want to get the girl before Barb does.

Barb is yelling at Fer to tell her Santi’s location. Fer says, you’re the one who ordered him out of the country. Franco knows where Santi is staying. So she invites Barb and Gonzo to go to Las Animas with her to talk to Franco. Barb tells Fer and Franco that it is their duty to keep Santiago as far away as possible. Franco writes something on a paper and says he’ll call. Barb says, no, I’ll call. She asks Fer if she has anything else to say to Franco since Fer has not made any attempt to move, and they both leave. Franco is furious.

Fer drives Barb and says she thought you would call Santiago immediately. A donkey passes in front of Fer who has to stop and suddenly a red truck hits her from behind. The driver was distracted. The truck is borrowed. While Fer is talking to the other driver, her phone rings. Barb sees it’s a call from the convent. Aurora asks for Fer and when Barb hears her voice she is muy impactada. Ed: Now what? We know that Barb gives birth and eats her young. What do you think could happen now. This may become a parallel plot to that of Artemio Bravo and Lili.

Fer tries to arrange things with the man. She’ll pay him. Of course he agrees and she gets back in the car. Fer will send the truck to be fixed. Aurora says, how strange to Mother Superior. Aurora expected Fer to answer, but she hung up. MS tells her to call again. A recording says the phone is off.

At casa Elizalde, Pris rethinks her conversation with Damian and that he’ll sell his silence for freedom. She says that Ani is right, Damian is doing anything (dando palos de ciego) throwing sticks like a blind man (or using the buckshot approach) to get out of jail.

Team Franco reviews their plan to storm the castle. Fernando and Jacinto will work together while Venus will give the signal when Santiago and Martina have gotten Lili out of her room. Just then, his phone rings. He tried to call Fer, but her phone was off. She says everything is OK. She wants to know what number he gave Barb. He says his friend Paul in Cortina D’Ampezza is helping him. Fer is getting anxious. He reminds her that there is a six hour time difference between Mexico and Italy and that this will work to their advantage.

Barb is trying to call someone (Paul in Italy). Gonzo enters. No one answers the phone at the place in Italy. She tells Gonzo that it’s not strange that Santi wouldn’t want to deal with them since they made him leave. Gonzo wants her to accompany him to visit Camilo. Of course she would go, but she has something to do. Gonzo says poor Santi when he finds out his great love is bearing his brother’s child.

Fer calls Mother Superior and MS tells her that Aurora tried to call her to advise her that Barb tried to get her to leave, but fortunately Aurora was firm. Fer tells MS to look after Aurora because she realized that Barb has seen her cell phone and knows that she’s been in contact with Aurora.

Barb is furious with Fer and says she better be careful. Barb is pulling off her jewelry and is very pleased with herself. She says, you, Fernanda, will deliver Aurora to me. I swear that my daughter and grandchild will not be taken away from me until death do us part.

End of chapter.

Labels: manana

EPISODE #151 (Mexico #156):
* Alone in the rectory office, Erika talks with Fr/Ed about how he is marrying her to keep his promise like a gentleman. She understands the conditions to their relationship and their marriage, but at the same time, she thinks about her friendship with Fer. She asks Fr/Ed if he loves Fer? He sighs. She asks again. He says yes, he loves Fer. She thanks him for his honesty and then she tells him they need to get back to the church and their guests.

* Jacinto and Flor are trying to hold back raging bull Gardenia. Margie tells them to let her go. Gardenia is still fuming mad. Margie scolds her sister about how she being a capricious, spoiled runt only out for herself.

* Fr/Ed and Erika return to the church and the service. Daddy Gus is curious what happened - Mommy Dolly holds him back so he can't approach the couple. Erika asks Padre Bosco to repeat the vows to her. He does. She then asks him to repeat the part about love and marriage that he stated earlier in the service. Padre is confused but does so. Erika then blurts out her answer "NO ACEPTO!" (She can't marry him!) and then runs down the aisle to the front doors. The crowd and her parents are stunned.

* Outside Jacinto, Flor, Gardenia and Margie are still standing and arguing when they see Erika run out of the church with her parents on her heels. Jacinto assumes that the wedding was stopped after all. Gardenia smiles and does a little prayer of thanks to her lord 'Chuchito Lindo'.

* Steve leaves Fr/Ed at the wedding kneeling benches in front of the altar. Fer comes over and kneels beside Fr/Ed.

* Parents Gus and Dolly catch up to their daughter Erika at the coach and ask her what happened. Erika cries.

* Fer wants to know what happened. Fr/Ed says Erika asked him if he loved her (Fer). He had to tell the truth and say yes.

* At the hacienda, Jacomo with motorcycle helmet on his head gives Tomasa a note to give to Priscilla.

* Fr/Ed tells Fer that he still plans to rescue Lili and then disappear from their lives and Mexico forever.

* Priscilla opens the note and is stunned as she reads that she should visit Damian Gallardo and it's signed by Vladimir.

* Fer is stunned and wants to ask more questions. Fr/Ed stops her and tells her not to worry, just trust him. They stand up. Fer thanks Fr/Ed for everything that he's doing for her and her family; that The Lone Ranger would be proud of him; all that she asks of him is that he kisses her and tells her good-bye before he leaves. She leaves the church. Fr/Ed kneels down, cries and prays to Jesus for help, strength and courage to continue his plans to the end, he's scared, nervous, doesn't think he has enough strength; he feels so alone; he asks Jesus not to abandon him; he pleads for a sign that he isn't alone. That's when the hand of Jacinto touches his left shoulder - he turns to see Jacinto smiling down at him, he smiles back - then Steve's hand touches his right shoulder - he smiles up at Steve. He stands and the three musketeers leave the church arm in arm.

* Anibal is outside the stables telling the stablehand about the arrangements to sell Camilo's favorite black stallion. Stablehand leaves with horse as Priscilla approaches and hands Anibal the note from Vladimir. Anibal grumbles as he reads it. He asks when did this arrive? Priscilla says Tomasa received it from the messenger today. Anibal storms off - Priscilla yells out "where are you going?"

* At home, Mommy Dolly is crying hysterically and is confused. Erika is calm and in control and consoles her mommy. Mommy leaves. Fer enters the room. Erika looks at her - Fer is confused about what happened at the church. Erika says Fr/Ed loves her. Fer says that isn't possible - he's confused and reading things wrong - there's nothing but a close working friendship between her and Franco. Erika then reveals THE PHOTO of Fer and Fr/Ed at the restaurant and shows it to Fer. Fer is stunned.

* Anibal interrogates Tomasa in the living room about the note and the messenger. Tomasa is scared and nervous.

* Fer tells Erika that isn't what you think. Erika says then what is it? She wants the truth. Fer can't tell her the truth; she can't explain anything to her best friend. Erika pleads and asks for Fer to tell her the truth. She asks Fer if she loves Franco Santoro?

* In the bedroom, Anibal and Priscilla talk about the note - Barbie is outside the door eavesdropping - Anibal says Vladimir couldn't have sent it, he's dead, it must've been Damian. Barbie is rudely interrupted and called away by Gonzo. Anibal explains to Priscilla why he suspects Damian is behind this note and why he believes Vladimir is gone for good.

* Fer cries and explains how uncomfortable she is with Erika's question. Fer cries and explains how she can't tell her the truth - all she can do is plead forgiveness for keeping secrets from Erika; she never wanted to hurt Erika's feelings. Erika tells Fer that what happened at the church is for the best for all three of them. Now she and Franco won't be condemned to a love-less marriage. At the door of the living room, she tells Fer that now they all can seek and find the happiness and love that they each deserve.

* Outside at the fountain at Las Animas, as Jacinto takes the white horse from the stables, Fr/Ed talks with Margie about the wedding being cancelled at the church. Margie blames the capriciousness and big mouth of her little sister Gardenia. Fr/Ed doesn't blame Gardenia or anyone. Fr/Ed tells Margie his plans with Don Artemio.

* Gardenia is in her room, writing and reading and thinking about Eduardo.

* Fer and Santi are at the hotel room hideout. Fer tells Santi about Fr/Ed's plans to rescue Lili and with Don Artemio. Santi is desperate to see Aurora. Fer has to do all she can to calm her brother down and make him realize that to leave the hotel room now would be way too dangerous - Barbinator is still walking around and could spot him. She needs to leave to visit Aurora. Santi gives her a message to give to Aurora and their baby. Fer promises and leaves. Santi thought bubbles about Aurora.

* Aurora kneels and prays for forgiveness.

* Fr/Ed waits in the living room and tells the housekeeper that Jacinto is there with the white horse. Housekeeper leaves with the message. Erika enters. Fr/Ed apologizes for visiting and doesn't want to cause her any more pain. He asks her to listen to what he has to say. She agrees.

* Barbie stops Priscilla in the front room and asks how Vladimir died. Priscilla, stunned, says Vladimir died in an auto accident. Barbie then asks if Damian knew a secret about her baby. Priscilla is really shocked, and covered beautifully, telling Babs that they were hiding the fact that her father planned for her child to unite Prolasa (his company) with the 40% of Lactos. I think Babs bought it. (thank you novelera for the correction.) Barbie leaves. Priscilla grumbles thinking Damian told Barbie about her baby isn't an Elizalde.

* Erika tells Fr/Ed her parents are in shock and don't understand what happened. Fr/Ed thinks they must hate him. Erika tells him not to worry about that, she understands completely and is content with her decision. They discuss his love for Fer. He says it's an impossible love that can never be. She says that's not true, Fer told her that she loves him.

* Fer arrives and talks with Aurora in her room.

* Erika and Fr/Ed discuss Fer loves Franco, almost like she loved Eduardo long ago. Franco tries to explain that he can never be with Fer, it's impossible, it's complicated, he just can't be with her at all. He then changes the subject and asks Erika about her plans. She says that she will travel to Argentina to live with friends and work at a fashion boutique there. She will also work to turn her life around so she stops making the same mistakes she had been making with love.

* Fer talks with Aurora - Aurora is anxious to talk and see Santi. Fer calls Santi on her cell phone. Santi is like a tiger in a really small cage right now, and grunts his disgust to Fer on the phone. Fer starts to smile and tell Santi clues to where she is. Santi starts to perk as he realizes she's with Aurora. Fer hands the cell phone to Aurora. Santi and Aurora finally talk. (Aw! how sweet!)

* Fr/Ed wishes Erika the best with her plans and offers to help her if she needs anything. Erika thanks him and wishes him and Fer all the best also. Fr/Ed leaves. Erika cries.

* Aurora gives the cell phone back to Fer. Fer assures her that Santi will return. Aurora then starts to tell Fer about Barbie's latest visit and how she asked Aurora to leave with her. Fer is intrigued to hear what happened. Aurora explains about Santi helping her find out her mom's name is Rebeca Sanchez, and then Barbie just revealed to her that she is Rebeca Sanchez. Fer is shocked as she realizes that her evil stepmommy is Aurora's mom. (WHOA!)

* Gonzo waves as the police commissioner's car leaves.

* Flashback - Aurora wailing and scolding Barbie about her revelation that she is Aurora's mom and Don Artemio is Aurora's dad. Barbie is in the office, crying and grumbling and determined to convince Aurora to be with her forever. Gonzo enters the office. He goes to the desk and hands Barbie all the paperwork for her inheritance of his estate. Barbie thought bubbles how she will use the papers to double-cross and get revenge against Don Artemio.

* Fer and Aurora continue their talk about Barbie's revelations to Aurora. Aurora tells Fer that the name of her father is Don Artemio Bravo. Fer is shocked.

* Fr/Ed talks with Padre Bosco in his church office about his visit with Erika. Erika told him that Fer loves him. He is frustrated because he knows that Franco Santoro doesn't exist. Padre Bosco asks him about his plans. Fr/Ed is determined to complete his outstanding promises in town - to rescue Lili and to award Eduardo's cadaver to Don Artemio. (UY!)

ADVANCE -- Countdown to the Series Finale at 8/7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5.

Labels: manana

Hi all,

Ferro is not on board for Sortilegio, and Pasofino is also leaving, so there are two potential recapper spots. Any volunteers?

UPDATE: Connie signed up, but Jody dropped out - so we need at least one more person, and I'd be happy to give up my spot or share it as I did this time.

Anybody else?

Labels: manana, recappers-needed, sortilegio

Hi all,

How can I find out if it's true that the finale is 3-1/2 hours, and if so, when it begins?

We have six volunteers:

Chris (it's his last recap since he's rejecting Sortilegio, sob)
Julie, Kat, me, Jardinero, Jody

I would prefer to go first or second.

Labels: manana

So, Aurora knows who her daddy is and she won't leave without meeting him and talking to him first.

Santi and his pimp argue about Santi seeing Aurora. Pimp!Fer thinks Aurora is fine where she is. Santi feels bad about all the hurt he caused Aurora. But Pimp!Fer says they'll be together soon and watch their baby grow up together.

Barbie is agitated, she wants Aurora to let Barbie take care of her. Aurora says she hasn't taken it all in yet. Barbie just wants her to run away with her to someplace nice to live together. Aurora says she realizes that Barbie is a victim, but she (Aurora) never had anything, and now all of a sudden she has a Mom and it turns out it's her dad who ruined both their lives. "Well, of course I'm not just going to say 'yes, Mom, I'll go with you'!" Barbie says they don't have time and they have to leave ASAP. Aurora refuses, loudly, and the Madre Superior comes in and throws Barbie out, saying enough is enough for today. Aurora asks Barbie to tell "that man" that she wants to talk to him. Barbie grabs Aurora's hand on the way out, but leaves without saying anything. MS tells the other Sister to walk Barbie to the door. Aurora cries.

Gardenia comes back to Grupo Lactos. Flor wonders where she was, but Gardenia lies and says she went to the pharmacy.

Franco tells Esteve, Venus, and Martina that he's getting married on Saturday. The gals wish him the best, they hope he'll be happy in his marriage, etc. Have they not been paying attention? He asks them all for a favor, the final favor. He's leaving Las Animas on Tuesday, so Martina won't have a job anymore, but he's setting up a bank account for her so that she and Silvestre will be taken care of, she can get her nursing degree, etc. Martina thanks him, but Franco says it's the least he can do. He asks Venus to leave with Esteve on Tuesday and go to New York and tells her they're going to be the happiest couple ever. Franco says on Monday night, it's all over. Martina asks what he's doing, but Franco says it doesn't matter, he just wants them to know that he's deeply grateful for their loyalty and everything they've done for him. Martina and Venus look worried.

Flor didn't buy the pharmacy story and hassles Gardenia for an explanation. She's worried about what Gardenia might have been out doing. Gardenia says she spilled all the frijoles to Erika…well, only the frijoles about Fer and Franco having a thing. And she justifies doing this because Franco doesn't even love Erika. Gardenia shares the shock of hearing Erika say that she's marrying Franco no matter what. But Gardenia plans to go to the wedding and scream out the truth for everyone to hear. Fer, wandering into the kitchen, wonders what truth that would be. And who can deny a truth to a woman in a pimp hat?

Barbie cries about not wanting to do what Aurora asks or she'll lose her forever. She just keeps sobbing "my daughter, my daughter…."

Aurora has dinner with the nuns. She tells the MS and Sister H that she always knew she'd found her mom as soon as she met Barbie, but she thought she was being stupid--how could a woman like that be her mother? She always thought finding her mom would be the happiest moment of her life, but then she lost hope. And then she heard Barbie's story, which is way worse than hers. Aurora says she can't hate Barbie, but she doesn't believe her either. She doesn't know what she'll do with her life.

Pimp!Fer will not be denied and keeps asking Gardenia "What truth?" Gardenia laments opening her mouth. Fer has been so good to her and here she's involving Fer in gossip. She runs off, saying she just can't tell. Flor makes excuses, but eventually caves and says that Gardenia told Erika that Fer and Franco are in love. Pimp!Fer is impactada.

We get a shot of a cloudy sky…stock footage to indicate some time has passed. Or, in the case of this show, time for a wardrobe change. Fer knocks on the door of Las Animas, sans hat. I'm almost sorry about that…with no hat, how am I supposed to mock? Oh, well, I can only hope the wardrobe department has done as crappy a job of dressing her as ever. Franco, freshly sweaty from a workout, invites her in. Fer says she has to tell him something important. He wants her to calm down first (and if this were earlier days, he would have spent a half hour on that and she wouldn't have gotten her news out until next week). She tells him they've got a problem and asks if he's talked to Erika. He has. Fer tells him that Gardenia told Erika that they (Fer and Franco) are in love.

Gardenia is happy. A little too happy. She eats breakfast with Jacinto and Margie and says she's happy because she's going to enroll in school. Soon she'll be a "muchilingue" secretary. Jacinto and Margie crack up laughing (bilingue = bilingual; muchilingue = many-lingual, and no, that's not a proper word). Flor comes over for breakfast. She yells at Gardenia for being a coward and tells Jacinto and Margie what Gardenia did. And that's not all, now Fer knows. Gardenia tries to blame Flor for ratting her out. Jacinto hurts himself yelling at Gardenia. Even Margie joins in, screaming "When are you going to learn to shut your mouth!" Gardenia leaves. Flor tells them that the wedding is still on. Jacinto wonders if Erika also knows about Franco's real identity, but she doesn't, as far as Flor knows. Margie surmises that Gardenia is saving that little nugget of intel for Fer.

Fer and Franco discuss the trouble they're in. Did Erika believe Gardenia? Franco calls her to find out. She babbles slightly less first thing in the morning, but is her usual gushy self. Franco says he'll talk to her later, hangs up, and tells Fer that from the way Erika talked to him, he doesn't think she believed Gardenia. Fer says if she were Erika she'd also be pretending she didn't believe it and she wouldn't confront him…not him. Franco doesn't know what to make of that.

Barbie stares at Gonzo while he eats breakfast and says he couldn't sleep all night for thinking about Camilo. Barbie is thinking about Aurora. Tomasa comes in to tell them that Comandante Lozoya is here to see Barbie. Barbie wants to see him in the library, but Gonzo overrides her and says they'll see him in the dining room. Barbie says Lozoya is there about Macario and breaks the news to Gonzo that he's dead and they found the body. Tomasa serves Lozoya coffee. Tomasa hadn't heard about the death and is briefly impactada. Lozoya says he died as a result of trauma incurred in the fall and no one knows why he was there. Barbie again offers to pay for the burial, but Lozoya says that the body has been given to the family. Tomasa asks what's going to happen with Rocia, the granddaughter, but her aunt and uncle have taken her to Veracruz. Lozoya just came over to update them. Tomasa can't take it anymore and runs off to the kitchen to cry. Barbie thought bubbles that this is one less problem.

Fer explains how Erika is actually behaving intelligently. There's no reason to hassle Franco since Franco is going to marry her and Fer isn't going to try to break it up. Fer thinks that Erika probably thinks that the thing with her and Franco was an accident. Franco tells her that it's no accident, he loves her intensely, desperately, like a condemned man loves life.

Speaking of…Damian buys a soda at the jail snack shack. And who should be running the snack shack but our old friend Lucio! He reminds Dam who he is and asks why he's there. Damian asks how long Lucio has been there. Lucio says he's getting out soon for good behavior. Dam wonders what he did. Lucio says that Barbie gave him some jewelry to sell and then turned him in for stealing it. Damian tells him that Barbie doesn't just do stuff like that without a reason and wonders what Lucio knows that makes him dangerous to Barbie. Lucio says he knew too much, about a lot of things…like that Dam and Barbie were sleeping together, for instance. Lucio laughs and laughs, saying that Barbie really got him, yes sir, and he wouldn't be at all surprised if one day Gonzo ends up in jail courtesy of Barbie.

Franco tells Fer that he's going to be out of her life soon, but first he'll save Lili. Then he'll try to live with Erika and learn to love her. But he doesn't want to leave without telling Fer that being near her has been enough for him to fall in love with her. He knows this is their destiny, for him to know she exists, but he can't reach her. Although, right now, he wants to just indulge himself, even if he's going to have to come back to reality soon. He tells her he loves her and he asks her to let him say goodbye…. "Goodbye?" She asks. "Yes, goodbye forever." He plants a big 'ol kiss on her. And she reciprocates. And Erika doesn't come knocking on the door. Still going with the kissing. Still no Erika. And we fade directly to….

The church! And the wedding march! And a caption that reads "a few days have passed." Seriously? Don't they usually give us more warning when a wedding is coming up? The nice "You are cordially invited" at the beginning of the episode? But here we are. There's a string quartet playing rather screechily. Franco stands at the altar, trying not to stare too much at Fer in the front row. The church is a little sparse, but it's looking pretty respectably stocked. Martina and Venus are also there. And it looks like Augustin caved and is walking Erika down the aisle. Well, Erika and her ginormous cleavage and her even more ginormous pregnant belly and her super-mega-ginormous bouquet that she's attempting to use to hide that belly. And as Mr. 5ft points out, a shot straight down does nothing to hide that belly. Or the cleavage, I say. Fer looks upset. And actually, the bouquet isn't that big, it just has tons of trailing ribbon and Erika is holding it exactly the way the minister's wife told me not to at my wedding…"Hold the bouquet down a little, you don't want it to look like 'boob, flowers, boob'." But hey, when you gotta hide a belly, you do what you gotta do. More shots of Fer looking upset.

Jacinto, Margie, and Flor (in a dress! And makeup!) are running late and worrying that they won't be able to stop Gardenia's evil plans. But Gardenia is still back at the house and locked in. And her dress is ok, but it seems like the wrong shade of green. She tries looking for the keys, doesn't find them, and then declares that she's going to screw up the wedding one way or another. The kitchen window has no bars and some twisted wire keeping it shut.

The wedding starts. Esteve would have looked better without a gauze turban.

At the jail, Jacobo and Damian conference. Barbie isn't taking Dam's calls. Jacobo encourages him to call her at home or talk directly to Gonzo. But he doesn't think Gonzo would believe him. He wants Jacobo to give a note to Priscila. Damian doesn't want to spend any more time in jail. He's sure that Pris will want to come visit him when he gets the note and that Anibal will help her get him out of there faster. He tries to hustle Jacobo off, but Jacobo is stuck to his seat. Because Damian forgot to wait for Jacobo's last line "we'll get you out of here," after which he repeats that he doesn't want to be stuck there any longer.

The wedding continues. Erika looks like the only happy person. Everyone else looks worried or just blank.

Gardenia caught the bus into town and heads for the church.

Padre Bosco continues the wedding. Now we see that Dolly is also smiling, but not as consistently or crazily as Erika.

Padre Bosco gives a sermon about what a marriage is and isn't. "Is it a custom that we go through the way we go to school? Is it something we have to do because that's what everybody else does and we just don't question it? Or could it be that a marriage is a party that we want to throw because in some way it gives us prestige or relevance? What reasons bring a couple to make the decision to stand before an altar, surrounded by friends and family and say out loud that they promise to form a family in Christ's name?" Big warp-speed zoom on Erika. Is Padre Bosco getting to her?

Gardenia is close enough to hear Padre Bosco from outside as she keeps walking toward the entrance of the church.

"I have the impression that sometimes they come to a marriage to satisfy desires that don't have anything to do with love. And that's why I ask Erika and Franco to take a moment, a moment that should be enough to ask themselves what brings them to this altar." Erika looks like she really is thinking about it, and maybe coming to the sane decision.

We hear Padre Bosco's voice from outside as the wedding car's chauffeur gets out and Gardenia walks by, paying way too much attention to the car. "I hope it's love and not a petty [mezquino] desire that has brought us into the presence of God, our Lord, and that it is humility and not vanity that motivates us to make these vows of faithfulness."

"That it be freedom and not the slavery of a dream that guides us to this altar. Please rise." Padre Bosco comes down and starts asking the pertinent questions. Franco first…"Do you promise…until death separates you?" He steals a glance back at Fer as Erika smiles broadly at him. Franco accepts. Fer is shocked. Erika looks like everything is going just as she expected. Now Padre Bosco asks her. And Erika gives a big toothy grin to her parents as Margie thought bubble prays "Dear God, you know how much Eddie loves Fer, but if it's your wish that they not be together, then thy will be done." *sigh* Sometimes Margie is just too much of a good girl. But then again, she's in one of the few stable relationships in this show, so I guess sometimes nice gals do finish first.

Gardenia comes running in and marches straight up the aisle. She does pause to genuflect [kneel and cross herself] and in that moment, Jacinto puts a hand over her mouth and drags her into the pews. Erika is still smiling and looking around, but she stops smiling as she looks a Fer looking at both her and Franco, looking devastated. Erika says before they continue, she wants to talk to Franco for a moment. Padre Bosco whispers "What's wrong?" Erika tells him not to worry, so Padre Bosco ushers them into the sacristy [little getting-ready room, often just off the altar] as he tells the assembled crowd that they'll continue in a few minutes. Fer looks anxiously around.

In the sacristy, Padre Bosco says he'll entertain the crowd while they take all the time they need. "And may God bless you." Padre, I think we're gonna need more than that! Erika and Franco look at each other.

Jacinto drags Gardenia out of the church. She gets away from him, but then Flor and Margie are blocking the way back into the church. Jacinto reminds her this is going to hurt them all. Flor opines that Eddie has a right to do que-ever the hell he wants to. Gardenia screams that she's going to go in there and tell everyone "Don Santorito is Eduardo Juarez," causing Flor and Margie to gasp.

Erika tells Franco that he's already accepted her as his wife, but now their destiny hangs on her answer. Franco reminds her he's keeping his word. She knows and says she didn't stop the wedding because she doubts his word. Why, then? She says she hasn't forgotten for a moment the terms of this marriage and she knows they're not marrying for love. Franco reminds her that she said their love can grow. Erika says there's something that was missing in their original agreement. She wants to ask him a question and she's sure he'll tell the truth. "Do you love Fernanda Elizalde?" He doesn't answer. "There's a lot at stake here, because the love I have for her is like the love of a sister and you know it. Do you realize? It's not just our marriage in play here, but a great friendship. Franco, don't be afraid to tell me the truth, because right now a lie could be terrible for our lives. I'll repeat the question. Are you in love with Fernanda?" "Yes, Erika. I love her." Erika gulps air and sobs.

Finally, he grew a pair! No previews as we're in Ultimas Semanas, but I can only guess we'll be getting even more exciting revelations tomorrow!

Labels: manana

Santiago has a hard time processing the fact that he’s going to be a father.

Padre Bosco tells Fr/Ed that Artemio Bravo came to see him and that he promised to produce Eduardo’s dead body Monday night.

Barbara tells Gonzalo that Aurora’s baby is Camilo’s. She convinces Gonzalo that they have to leave Camilo in jail or he’ll try and hurt Aurora, or try to make her abort the baby.

Camilo suffers in jail. Good.

Fr/Ed hurries Padre Bosco into a cab before Fernanda comes out and finds him there. He gives the Padre a manly one-armed hug, complete with hearty pats on the back.

Santiago wants to know who the other man is that Aurora was with – Fernanda tells him it was Camilo. Predictably and understandably, Santiago freaks out.

Erika argues with her parents about moving the wedding date. I thought her mom was on board, but I guess since her dad came home they are all fighting about it again. He doesn’t understand what the hurry is, is she pregnant? She says no! She is just desperate to get married immediately or she’s afraid she won’t get to marry Franco at all. Her dad says she’s acting like a spoiled brat teenager. He’s right. He says fine, if she moves the date, he won’t go. What does she say about that? She tells him that’s too bad for him, she’s getting married on Saturday anyway.

Santiago says he will kill Camilo. Fer says chill, he’s already in jail. Santiago says why? WHY? I couldn’t figure out if he was asking why is Camilo in jail? I guess he means why does Camilo always do this to him.

Fr/Ed plans his assault on Artemio Bravo’s house. Martina arrives, Silvestre’s eye surgery was a great success. Fr/Ed tells her what happened to Esteve.

Santiago wails about Camilo’s history of screwing him over constantly. Fernanda says there is one thing he can’t take away, Santiago’s baby! Uh oh, bad foreshadowing here.

Camilo tells Barbara to get him out of jail or he’ll tell his father everything about her. She says no he won’t, or she’ll get him cut out of his inheritance, what little of it there is left. She says he must follow her orders. She told Gonzalo that the baby is Camilo’s to protect him. If Gonzalo thought the baby was Santiago’s, Camilo wouldn’t have any support from him.

Fernanda and Santiago agree that Santiago will pretend to go back to Florence, but they’ll meet up later at a hotel where he’ll be hiding out. She and Franco are trying to take down La Hiena, they will continue working on it with Santiago’s help.

The mailman brings some mail to the Lactos front desk, where Gardenia is holding down the fort. Metiche Gardenia flips through the envelopes and finds a big card for Fernanda conveniently unsealed, she reads the note from Erika that the wedding has been moved up to this Saturday.

Fr/Ed tells Esteve, now in a wheelchair and looking like (pardon my French) complete shit, that the wedding has been moved up to THIS Saturday. Esteve does the “jeez wtf” sigh/eye roll thing.

Gardenia, now in boobie enhancing regular clothes, sneaks out of the office.

Esteve can’t make Fr/Ed see reason. Fr/Ed says he’ll do the only thing left to save Lily, show the real Eduardo Juarez to Artemio Bravo.

Fernanda and Santiago put on a very badly acted farewell performance, Santiago leaves to get in a cab. Barb sees this happen and is beyond happy that Franco Santoro is such a wonderful ally, getting her orders done so quickly.

Esteve says ok then what happens when Barbara learns the truth about his identity? And Fernanda? Fr/Ed says he’ll do what he promised, save Liliana. Esteve says then what, Fernanda will be so impressed she’ll forgive you? Fr/Ed says no, that will never happen. There isn’t any hope for him and Fernanda.

Flor looks for Gardenia, can’t find her anywhere.

Gardenia is at Erika’s house, Erika greets her while on the phone, going over extremely mundane and boring (to me) details of flowers with the florist.

Barbara visits Aurora. She says she is going to tell the whole truth now, but first, does Aurora have any relatives? No. Barb says she doesn’t either, that she knows of. She tells about her abusive parents, one night when she was only 11 she ran away from home and that same night the house burned down with her parents sleeping in it. Wow what a coincidence. She has a flashback of herself being treated roughly by her father, a greasy looking guy, while her mother is passed out drunk. She manages to knock him over and he hits his head. She douses the place in gasoline and sends it up in flames. Back in the present she tells Aurora that someone then came into her life and took care of her and gave her her new identity of Barbara Greco, his name was Artemio Bravo. Even though she was only 11, he made her his woman and everything was fine until she was pregnant. Bravo had other plans, so when the baby was born he told her it was a boy and that the baby died at birth. She never saw the baby at all. Now she discovered the truth – it wasn’t a boy, it was a beautiful girl, it was YOU Aurora. You are my daughter! They cry.

Santiago takes a cab to a hotel, already in high spirits somehow, even right after hearing about how Camilo screwed his girlfriend. He arrives at what is apparently the only hotel in all of Mexico City, the same Suites where Rico Suave stayed when hoping to woo Fernanda. He tells Fernanda he’s there (by cell phone) and she says she’s on her way. They hang up and Fer sees the card on her desk about the wedding, she thinks “so it’s a done deal.”

Gardenia tells Erika that Franco and Fernanda have something going on between them.

Barbara tells Aurora that she had a feeling about her the first day, when Santiago brought her to the house. She is telling her the whole truth now to try and make up for all the mean things she did and said to her (this doesn’t make any sense, but whatever). Aurora says “where is my father?” Barbara says she already said, he disappeared when Aurora was born. Aurora says WHERE? Do you know where?

Bravo yells at Liliana, he wants her to tell him the truth about Franco, etc. He threatens her and says she really is an Elizalde, she is just as bad as the rest of them.

Barbara says why do you want to know, he’s a horrible person, forget about him. Aurora asks if he looks like Gonzalo, Barb says yes. Aurora says WHY does he look just like Don Gonzalo?

Gardenia goes on about Franco and Fernanda. Erika says she already knew. Gardenia says she wanted to warn her so she could call off the wedding in time. Erika says no, she will marry Franco if it is the last thing she does.

At the hotel, Fernanda gives the diary to Santiago for him to read. She tells him who Artemio Bravo is and how he is related to them. Santiago says he must see Aurora right away.

Aurora says she saw Bravo at the house back in the pueblo but Santiago was the only one who talked to him. She asks Barbara if he knows that she found her after all this time, Barbara says no and he can’t find out. Forget about him. Let’s leave, we can go anywhere, I have lots of money. Aurora says no, she won’t go anywhere until she meets and talks to her father.

Dum dum DUMMMM

The date for the Gran Final has been announced – Monday October 5. That just so happens to be my turn to write again. However, especially if it is longer than a one hour show, we can take parts and make it a joint effort, whatever you other recappers want to do. Just two more weeks for all to be revealed and resolved!

Labels: manana

Capítulo 153?

First the video rewind: In her office at the den of dairy duds affectionately known to us as Grupo Lactos, Barb tells Fr/Eduardo that there is only one person that Artemio Bravo fears in this world and his name is Eduardo Juarez. If Fr/Ed can find him then he will hold absolute power over Bravo. Across the hall, Anibal races into his daddy’s office to tell him the police have Camilo in custody and the person who pressed charges was none other than dear little sissy, Fernanda.

Venus/Loafly and Fer return to the hospital. Errika tells them that, happy-happy joy-joy, Estev has come out of his coma. Venus races off to see him. Err tells Fer that Estev is on the way to a full recovery. She adds that now that Estev’s out of danger, she’s moved her wedding date up to the coming Saturday and says she hopes Fer will keep the date free as she is still her matron of honor. Fernanda, inwardly cringing with the rest of us, graciously agrees to but wonders what about the guests? Err says she’s decided to have just a small, intimate ceremony instead.

Fer gets an angry call just then from Gonzo about her putting Cad in jail and he tells her to high-tail it back to Lactos ASAP for an explanation. On her way out of the hospital she runs into Fr/Ed and tells him her daddy is none too happy with her because of Cad. Fr/Ed tells her he could have signed the complaint instead of her but she says she was duty-bound to do it. She changes the subject to even less pleasant things like Barbara, and wonders what she wanted with him. He tells her the only thing she needs to know is that he thinks he now has a way to rescue Lili. Fer says they’ll have to discuss it later, but with Cad in jail the only consolation is that they might be able to rescue Lili. He takes her hand in his and promises he’ll come through for her. They share a meaningful embrace. (yawn)

Venus is now in talking to Estev. He tells Venus that what kept him alive was thinking he couldn’t die now that he’d finally won her heart. He asks her if anybody has found out the truth about them yet, but she says no. (Dunno if what she told Cad counts. My guess is you betcha!) He says nobody can know the truth until the situation stabilizes around there and they are back home in New York. Venus wonders if he knows who beat him up. He says it was Cad and his troublemaking posse of pissants. She tells him Cad is now in jail paying for what he did to him.

Viewerville now gets a glimpse of our pugilistic pissant in chief being escorted to his new 8’x 8’ guest quarters. Apparently the guards don’t give a rat’s patooty that he is Camilo Elizalde and neither does the stinking, snoring drunk on the floor who they’ve given him as a roommate. (Definitely a Kodak moment.)

Desperate to get Fernanda off the available competition list, Err doesn’t waste a minute getting back on the phone with “Migui.” (Talk about your cringe-worthy nicknames. Sounds like a tiny disgusting little insect. Yech!) She tells him about the change in her wedding plans and that it means no trip to the finca. She adds that Fernanda was supposedly beside herself with joy when he showed up for dinner. “Seriously, she told you that?” “--Yes. And, listen, let me give you a little friendly advice: go after her. You let her get away once, so you must not lose the opportunity life’s given you again.” Miguel, the only truly sane one in the curdled crew of this dairy dinghy, says he came back with that intent but he doesn’t like the idea of pressuring Fer so soon after a failed marriage. Err says that Fer was never in love [with Damian] and is extremely disappointed. Fr/Ed returns and she quickly hangs up.

Err says she thought he was going to pick up Loafly but Fer brought her back instead. He says he had business at Lactos to take care of. She tells him Estev is out of his coma. He races off to go see his friend. She giggles with glee (I swear that laugh of hers sound more and more like nails on a blackboard). It seems her plans are going without a hitch.

Meanwhile, Padre Bosco has returned to his church and is praying. He worries that the situation has gotten out of hand; many innocents are at the mercy of a confused man whose heart has been hardened [endurecido] by hate and the thirst for vengeance. The housekeeper brings him a letter from the Bishop which tells him that as the paperwork is all in order, he gives his permission for the marriage between Errika and Franco Santoro and asks him to officiate.

Fr/Ed goes into see Estev. He promises Venus and Estev that while they’re staying with him nothing like that will ever happen again. Estev tells Ed not to apologize or to blame himself because he was the one who was so anxious to teach Cad a lesson. Venus says no, she is the one to blame because she put the lecherous worm’s [gusano lujurioso] manhood into question. In the end, she says, he received a lesson made to order [a su medida = custom fit/ personalized].

On the phone, Dolly tells Err that she’s canceled everything, but worries that Augie is going to explode when he finds out the small fortune he’s lost on all the deposits. Err says no biggie since he had planned to spend much more. (Good thing Eddie’s got some deep pockets.) Dolly says she still plans on having the reception and that’s that. Err says she’s only interested in getting married, so Dolly can do what she wants about the rest of it.

Fr/Ed comes back from seeing Estev and Err tells him that he was a great friend and that she’s proud of him. He doesn’t understand why. She says not just anybody would have done what he did for him. Estev will probably be leaving soon now, she says, so she moved the date up to the coming Saturday for the wedding so that he could still be the best man. (On crutches or in a wheelchair? Those wedding photos are gonna be something else with that face of his.) Fr/Ed is a bit surprised, but goes along with it. He gets a bit nervous though when she says Padre Bosco will be the one marrying them.

Bosco is distressed [a mi pesar = to my regret] about having to marry Eduardo, but he feels he has to since the Bishop has asked him to perform the marriage. Before he can think about it further, though, Artemio Bravo pays him a surprise visit.

Back at Lactos, Fer, Anyballs and Barbie are in the office with Gonzo while he goes off on Fer for turning in her brother to the authorities. “Never did I think instead of children I was raising a pack of wolves!” He says he knew they always fought at the table, and were not exactly the most affectionate of siblings, but how shameful to see his daughter turn her brother into the police! He demands that Fernanda tell him what Cad did for her to expose the whole family to this pain and embarrassment by cold-bloodedly reporting him to the police. “Your son attacked Estev Norton and now he is in the hospital!”

Gonzo is blind-sided impactado and yells at Anyballs for not telling him. Squirmy, wormy AB says he’s only hearing about it now himself! Trying to earn points with his papi, Anyballs rushes over to Fer then, turns her swivel chair around to face him and yells at her for not being capable of doing it for her husband but somehow certainly seeming able to with her own brother. Fer gets up and sneers at AB. She could have expected as much from them, she says. It turns out that she’s going to be the Judas of the family, but she’s not having any of it.

She admits she did it to stop being complicit with Camilo. Gonzo, always mentally a day late and a dollar short, asks what she’s referring to. (Viewerville sits at attention and crosses all fingers and toes in hopes that this time the self-absorbed old steer gets it in spades.) “Since childhood I’ve seen how Camilo, backed up by the fact of being an Elizalde, has mistreated everything and everyone he could. He used to torture animals and what did you and Mother do about it? Absolutely nothing! You never said a single word to him about it.

“He would take pains to make Santiago’s life miserable. Whatever Santi used to care about, well then Camilo would snatch it away from him. What did you and Mother say? How bright! How intelligent Camilo is! You used to go around lauding his pranks, didn’t you? Do you remember when he became Errika’s boyfriend. Why? Because Santiago loved her. Cad would never have fallen in love with her, ever! And, of course, when he discovered my friend was hopelessly in love with him, what did he do? He ridiculed her feelings and entertained himself by beating her on my wedding day, didn’t he? You remember, right? But you didn’t consider it that important. Well, what happened? --And regarding that business with Jacinto, yes he whipped him and it is true! It’s true! So far, Camilo prides himself telling how he beat him, about how he left him with those scars that can never be gotten rid of! Any half of those acts our workers would now be in jail for, am I right or am I wrong? --But of course, as it’s praise-worthy Camilo, well he continues the abuse.”

Fer turns around and suddenly faces Babs. She frowns at Babs but she’s on a roll and just keeps on truckin’. (Don’t stop now! Let it all hang out!) “So, now Estev Norton is in the hospital, near death and in a coma, and only because it occurred to your son to show what a real man he was. Are you aware of this or not!!?? –If it were one of our employees what would have happened? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Ah, but since it’s a millionaire who’s dying and a business partner, well then we have to be worried, now don’t we? I cannot handle being an accomplice to your lukewarm attitude with your children! Not anymore!” (Viewerville is on its feet cheering.) She turns back toward Barbara again. “—And you!!” She stops herself, looks over at her father then shakes her head and slams the door behind her. Bull-headed Gonzo is left to chew his cud and self-consternate.

Back at Padre Bosco’s parish church, Bravo has come to arrange for a time and date to have his forensic specialist inspect Eduardo Juarez’s remains. Only then will he return Lili to the family. (Talk about your double whammies.) Bosco stares speechlessly at Bravo, realizing that if anybody ever needed a miracle now, it’s him.

Meanwhile, Errika and Fr/Ed go into the hospital cafeteria for a bite of breakfast. Fr/Eddie wants to shake loose from her and suggests Err should probably go see her parents who’ve just gotten back from their trip. Errika (totally overdoing this boda thing) says no, they’ll just have to get used to the fact that their daughter’s first priority is her husband. “By the way, I spoke to Miguiiii and told him we’ll have to postpone our trip to my aunt and uncle’s finca. (Eddie’s really torn up over that one.) You know what? He’s going to be Fer’s escort at the wedding. And do you believe it? He told me he’s really in love with Fernanda!” Fr/Eddie chokes and then forces a smile when she adds that she thinks Miguel is going to propose to Fer that evening.

Fr/Eddie’s saved by a phone call from Fernanda asking if he knows what the new plan for rescuing Lili will be. In his best business voice he says he still hasn’t worked out all the details. “How about we agree to meet tomorrow morning at Las Animas?” “—Uh, are you with Errika?” “—Uh, yes. Exactly.” Fer says fine, see ya, and hangs up. Errika asks if that was a business call and he lies that it was. She tells him once they’re on their honeymoon (what a no-hitter that’ll be) he’ll have to leave the business--along with that cell phone-- behind. “I want you all to myself then.”

Back in her office at Lactos, Fernanda gripes at herself for calling Franco. “Now Errika will think I’m after him. Well, he’s her fiancé, --but he says he loves me. Of course, they’re going to get married”. She’s having a hard time accepting it and yells at herself that she’d better already, even though it hurts like hell and she’s dying of jealousy.

Out at Reception, meanwhile, Flor is floored by the sudden appearance of our smiling, Spanish Adonis, Miguel, virility oozing out from every pore and holding a giant bouquet of flowers. He asks to see Fernanda. Before Flor can dial he touches her hand and asks for a favor. (No way this guy’s still a virgin, saving himself for some pre-pubescent puppy-love. He knows too many of the right moves. Yowza! Eddie-Boy could take a few lessons.) Flor has to remember to breathe.

In Fernanda’s office there’s a knock at the door. She doesn’t look up, thinking it’s Flor, and asks a question. He walks to the desk and replies he doesn’t know, (but who’s listening anyway?) She looks up into his eyes and smiles. He smiles back. (Now all of female Viewerville has to remember to breathe.)

We are rudely shunted to the county jail where Gonzo is now griping at Camilo. “Never did I ever dream of having to come to the police station to see a child of mine!!” Cad whines that he’s glad his daddy finally came. In between sniffles he whines to the lawyer that he’s got to get him out of that garbage dump [muladar] right away. Gonzo wants to know if he ordered Estev Norton’s beating and Cad lies that of course he didn’t. “My sister’s brainwashed and so she reported me to the police!” “—So why would she do a thing like this?” “—Because she’d rather believe the lies of that bogus niece of his!” Gonzo needs an explanation and Cad obliges. He tells him that her name isn’t Loafly; it’s Venus and she’s a prostitute. When Gonzo refuses to believe him he says she told him herself. “--Did you know that this morning she came to my apartment and tried to murder me? If you don’t believe it just look at me!” He shows him the stitches under his chin. Gonzo, as always, needs time to process.

Back in Fer’s office, Miguel drinks in Fer’s perfume as she arranges the flowers and tells him she’s surprised because she thought she was going to see him that evening. He says he came precisely because he couldn’t see her for dinner. There was a cash-flow problem with his Ethiopian project and he’s got to take care of it. His flight leaves in three hours. (Bummer! I could look at this guy till the cows come home.) Fer says she understands and the job comes first. He says he’ll be gone two or three weeks. She says then he’ll miss Err’s wedding. He nods and says he doesn’t know whether it’s just his imagination, but Fer doesn’t seem too sure about this wedding of Err’s. “It may be I’m mistaken, but well, tell me: don’t you get along with this Franco Santoro?” She says of course she does. He’s a great guy and any woman would be happy marrying a man like him. “—Including you?”

Fer laughs nervously and explains it was just a manner of speaking. “What’s the matter with you, Miguel! Don’t be silly!” She reminds him of his flight and says she doesn’t want him to miss it on her account. (Excuse me. It’s three hours off and it’s not like he’s got more than a couple of undies and a shirt to pack, you know?) “I do appreciate your coming to say good-bye, though.” He stares into her eyes, turning up the charm a notch, and says no way he’d leave without seeing her first. She hesitates and puts up the barrier. She says well, she hopes he can resolve the problems at work. He nods and turns away, giving a small eye-roll. He gets up and wonders if he shouldn’t give it the old college try once more. “Fer, take care of yourself, will you?” He stares at her intently. He moves in for The Kiss. She avoids it and pecks him on the cheek, then gives him a sisterly hug. (Re-jected!) The heartache of realization crosses his face. “—I’ll call you when I get back.” (Something tells me “Miguiiiii” won’t be coming back.) He walks out the door, shouldering his heartbreak like a man…..

That night up in their bedroom, Gonzo tells La Barbie that Camilo swore that Loafly Norton told him she wasn’t who she said she was. Sure, he says, it could be something Cad just made up, but all the same…. Babs says if Fernanda signed the complaint there had to be a reason. He is certain that Fernanda’s charges are baseless because she wasn’t there. Babs asks him what he’s going to do about it. He says he hopes she’ll withdraw the charges because he can’t believe she’d actually present herself in court to air their dirty laundry. [carear= go public] Babs says she sympathizes, but she thinks it’s best if Camilo stays in jail. Gonzo is enraged. (Hubby and I take bets over whether Gonzo will survive through the end of this novela.)

Across the hall in his bedroom, Anyballs is on the phone brown-nosing Fr/Ed over Estev’s recuperation, saying that he appreciates the seriousness of the situation and hopes this incident hasn’t affected their working relationship. He hangs up with a smile on his face and says at least he can sleep soundly tonight. Pris is totally disgusted with him and his attitude. “It doesn’t bother you in the least that your brother, innocent or not, is going to spend a wretched night in a jail cell; or that your sister had a horrible argument with your father, that Lili hasn’t turned up, or even that Estev Norton might have died, does it? The only thing that matters to you is that nothing affects your business deals?” AB turns to go into the bathroom. “—And what’s so bad about that?” (Hubby says he’s got a point considering that’s what pays for all those jewels and servants.) She tells herself and the baby that this is not the kind of father she wants for him.

Back to Gonzo and Babs: “So my son should just rot in jail? No! That suggestion is totally unacceptable, Barbara!” She tries to explain. “You don’t understand—“ but he’s lost it. “—Of course I understand! Whatever the case, my children are my children! I’ve lost my daughter with no possibility of ever seeing her again. Now you expect me to simply abandon my son in jail for a crime he didn’t commit?” She tells him he’s right and apologizes for not being clearer. She sits him down and starts massaging his back. In that aggravatingly honeyed voice of hers she sweetly tells him she understands how painful the day has been for him and that the last thing she wants is to upset him with anything. She smiles evilly, secretly elated by all of it.

The next morning Fernanda calls Aurora to apologize for not coming by the day before. Rory tells her that La Sra. is coming by to see her today and once she tells her why she’s so interested in her she’ll force her to leave with her. Fer gets her to promise she won’t go.

Our little lamb, Santiago, shows up unannounced with a spring shear a couple minutes later in Reception at Lactos. Fer is all squeels of joy. Barbara walks in on them and throws cold water on the scene. She tells Santi she didn’t know he was coming back. Fer says she asked him to. La Barbie is not a happy camper because this is most definitely going to put a wrench in her plans with Aurora.

At the hospital the doctor tells Fr/Ed, Err, Loafly and Estev that he is doing so well he can go home the next day. Fr/Ed’s cell rings. Err grabs the phone asking who it is. “Barbara Greco.” Fr/Ed takes it out in the hall. Barbara tells him that Santiago just returned home and orders Fr/Ed to make sure Santiago turns right around and leaves the country immediately. “Are you listening to me, Franco? IMMEDIATELY!!” (Shades of old times with Damian.)

Santi goes into Gonzo’s office to greet him and AnyBalls, the embodiment of brotherly love and affection--not.

Fr/Eduardo needs an explanation. Barbara tells him it’s the favor she’s due for helping him with Bosco the other day. That’s not good enough. She tells him if he doesn’t solve this somehow and get him out of the country right away then they’ll both have very serious problems. “If you don’t obey my orders there will be no possibility of seeing Liliana Elizalde alive again!”

Back in Gonzo’s office, AB asks Santi how long he plans on staying. He explains that with Cad in jail they’ll need him to help there at Lactos. (What is he talking about? Cad never steps foot in that place unless he’s got a personal problem to get taken care of, or there’s a Board meeting.) Santi asks Gonzo why Cad’s in jail. AB tells him to ask Fer since she was the one who put him there.

Fer, meanwhile, is now on the phone with Fr/Ed who called to tell her about his phone call from Barbara. “It was a warning. She called to tell me that Lili’s life depends on Santi’s leaving the country immediately.” She wonders why and what he plans to do. He says he doesn’t have a solid answer for her and she agrees to meet him over at Las Animas ASAP to discuss it. Santi comes in right after she hangs up. She admits she pressed charges against Camilo. He wants to know why. She tells him that she asked him to come back home because several things have happened and in some way or other they have to do with him. She tells him once he finds out everything his life is going to change for sure.

As we come back from the break we are entertained with Damian taking mug shots. (Say “Cheese” for the camera, Dam.)

Barb comes out of her office looking for Santiago. Flor tells her he and Fer left together a little while ago. Gonzo comes out looking for Babs to ask her to come with him to the jail to see Cad. She says fine but first she wants to speak with him.

Fer and Santi arrive at Las Animas together. Santi tells Fr/Ed that all things considered [dentro de lo que cabe], Fer having told him on the way what happened, he’s very sorry about Estev. Fr/Ed tells them he’s doing fine and that he’s being discharged [dar de alta] the next day, and that Loafly is taking care of him there now. He explains that they’re all alone in the house because Margarita is home with Jacinto because he is recovering from his accident, too.

Back at Lactos, Babs tells Gonzo that sooner or later this was going to happen to Camilo. “I’ve had to hide the things he’s done from you to avoid the pain you always feel.” “—By gawd, tell me already!” “The business with your car was only the beginning.“ “—What are you saying???” “--The things he’s done are worse even than what they’re holding him for at the police station.” She pauses to take a well-timed, quavering breath. “I don’t know if I should tell you.” “—How could you not tell me, Barbara? What are you covering up about my son?” She feigns a pained expression and says that it’s not easy telling him this, but Aurora, Santiago’s fiancée, didn’t leave the house for the reasons he thinks. No, she didn’t leave there because Cad drugged her, no. “I found him when he was…raping her!” Gonzo is in shock. (Hubby just doubled his bet.)

Back at Las Animas in the study, Fer tells Fr/Ed that he can talk freely in front of Santi and that Santi also knows that Barbara had something to do with Lili’s disappearance. Fr/Ed asks if this could be the reason that Barbara is so eager to have Santi leave the country. Fer says she hasn’t the slightest idea. Santi says he can’t imagine why he’s become such a nuisance for her. Fr/Ed says well, it has to be something major because she blackmailed him saying that they’d never see Lili alive again if he didn’t convince Santi to leave. Fer asks to speak to Santi alone for a minute and Fr/Ed says fine. Just then the doorbell rings and he goes out to see who it is. Fer reminds Santi that she told him what’s going on has to do with Aurora. She has news from her for him. Santi waits to hear what she has to tell him.

Back at Lactos, Babs fakes near tears and says she tried to convince Aurora not to cause a scandal. Gonzo says, well then, you know where she is? Babs lies and says she doesn’t, that the girl has been calling her and meeting with her in various places. So he asks if what she wants is money. Babs says she doesn’t think so. He says well, what else could it be? “-- Aurora is expecting a child.”

Back at Las Animas, Fer finally tells Santi that Rory is expecting. Santi says nothing, but it looks like he’s got to be asking himself, “Whose?”

Labels: manana

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