Caray, Caray!

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Labels: daytime, no-podia

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Labels: daytime, no-podia

Good Day, Caraymates!
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Labels: daytime, no-podia

This was suggested two weeks ago.  Pick your favorite actor and his best performance.  All character types are fair game; you can choose one of each.  I'll start.  I might add photos later from your entries in between catching up on the two big dramas currently airing.

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Labels: no-podia, stars, weekend

For the benefit of any newbies who want to catch up on novela classics, what are your favorites and why?

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Labels: amor, no-podia, por-ella, telenovelas, weekend

One of the things inciting constant comment here is the fashion felonies committed by many female characters in novelas (or by the fashion consultants for the shows).  It seems that femme fatale rivals and villanas are the biggest offenders, although heroines can be guilty, too.  For our purposes today we will cover the villanas, particularly since we have such a stunning example in our current prime time.

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Labels: abismo, amor, familia, no-podia, robo, telenovelas, triunfo, weekend

Anthony Comstock, Father of Modern Censorship

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Labels: Alborada, bravio, no-podia, QBA, robo, telenovelas, weekend

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Labels: Alborada, amor, bravio, Fuerza, mentir, no-podia, pecado, robo, telenovelas, triunfo, weekend

Discovery Channel led the way in directing viewers to their website to check out more information about the subject matter of their programs.  I don't know whether it was yet known that many people multitask their media this way, but most of the television world knows it now.  That's why we have Univision on-air personnel encouraging people to tweet during the program.

Which I don't think is a good idea.  I think it makes for diminished attention and may encourage the short attention span that is already such a problem that it's almost impossible to find scenes longer than two minutes and many that are only three dialogue lines long.

I had already seen the finale of La Que No Podia Amar before it aired on Univision and I tweeted a couple of times during their finale broadcast.  I absolutely feel that it added nothing to the experience and took away part of the impact of the action.  It has turned me off Twitter.

Most of the time I watch my TV programs when they air.  The DVR is for when there is a conflict, if I'm not home, or in case there is an important call during my novelas.

How about you, amigos?

Is it live or is it DVR?  Netflix?  On-Demand on your cable system or On-Demand from another source?  Enquiring minds want to know all...

Labels: no-podia, weekend

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Labels: no-podia, QBA, telenovelas, weekend

Labels: no-podia, telemundo, telenovelas, weekend

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Labels: abismo, amor, bravio, Karmageddon, no-podia, salvaje, telenovelas, Teresa, triunfo, weekend

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Labels: abismo, amor, Fuego, no-podia, refugio, salvaje, telemundo, triunfo, weekend

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Labels: Fuego, no-podia, telenovelas, triunfo, weekend

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Labels: abismo, barbara, Fuego, Fuerza, Karmageddon, manana, mundo, no-podia, pecado, telenovelas, Teresa, weekend

August 10 is the last day of no podia amar - Monday August 13 begins Amor Bravio. Which of the no-podia recappers are staying on for Amor Bravio? (You get first dibs.) Let me know. Here's the teaser plot:

This is the love story of Camila (Silvia Navarro) and Daniel (Cristian de la Fuente), who meet under adverse conditions but despite distrust, rancor, and the thirst for vengeance, they will emerge triumphant over all obstackes with their valiant love (amor bravío).

Camila suffers a terrible accident that marks her life. In consequence, Agustina (Olivia Bucio) decides to accept the help and protection of her brother-in-law Daniel (Rogelio Guerra), and the two of them move to 'La Malquerida' ranch.

Camila and her uncle Daniel love animals and the countryside; she works as vet on his farm, which is admistered by Alonso (Flavio Medina), a not-nice young man with a high and mighty attitude. He's intelligent and has noticed the affection Daniel has for his niece. He assumes Camila will eventually inherit everything. Thus he decides to seduce her slowly and strategically. She falls in love with him.

Alonso lives with his dominating, ambitious, high-born mother Isadora (Leticia Calderón) who wants to recuperate her former prestige and social standing.

Don Daniel finds out that Ágatha, with whom he had a love affair in his youth, has died in Chile, that she divorced her husband months after she and Daniel separated, and that she had a son, Daniel, who appears to be a chip off the old block. Don D. gets excited about this possibly being his son.

Daniel Díaz Acosta, a computer technology expert, lives in Chile with his wife Miriam (Lisset). They're a happy couple and just found out they are going to be parents. The anvil hovers over his head.

Labels: bravio, no-podia, recappers-needed, synopsis-cast

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Labels: abismo, amor, barrera, Cuando, Fuego, Karmageddon, no-podia, pecado, telenovelas, triunfo, weekend

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

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

Try saying that one fast!  I dare ya!  



Lo Del Pasado:

Ana Paula has two committed men who would give all they had--and/or, in Gustavo’s case--all they wished they had--to help her literally get back on her feet.  Macaria and Consuelo are still bickering over Macaria’s macking on Efrain.  A sobered-up Rogelio is anxious to bargain with the baby-daddy for the custody of her kid.

Lo Del Nuevo:

Outside on the second story veranda, Goosetavo and Mercedes worry over how he should proceed with Ro-Hell.  Rosaura has told him that Rog wants the baby but he doesn’t believe a word that ever comes out of MentiRosa’s mouth.  (Good thinkin’.)  Big Sis is worried he’ll do something foolish.  Goose says ain’t no way that kid’s staying with Ro-Hell cuz he’s the baby-daddy and he and AP both have discussed it.  He just hopes the man acts like the responsible, rational guy he really is when Rog finds out ol’ Goose is the man who done him one better with Paula.  (Viewerville, on the other hand, will be very disappointed.  The last thing they want is a snooze-a-palooza to suffer through over the next 70+ episodios.)

Inside her bedroom, AP puts Ro-Hell back in his box and tells him she’ll discuss the situation with the baby-daddy privately, if you please.  It’s their concern, not his.  (Ouch!) Fair enough, says Rog, but until this guy shows he has the cojones to come there and offer to face him, taking responsibility for the two of them, they will continue their farce of a marriage cuz since there are legally married, Cupcake and Minicakes are his familial responsibility.  He leaves before he can cause her any more grief.  Pau lets the tears roll cuz she knows she’s really up the creek on this one.  (Impetuosity has its cost, and it is somewhat gratifying to some in Viewerville that, in one sense, this chick has literally come home to roost…..)

At the same time in the kitchen downstairs, Connie has just given Maria the 411 on Macaria and Effer.  Maria somehow thinks she can talk some sense into Macaria.   Connie tells her it wasn’t an act of desperation due to Maripaz’s death cuz things started back in Mexico City   on that vacation of theirs.  (I say chalk it up to change of life and be done with it already.  Macaria ain’t gettin’ what she wants or needs at home from Ulises, and now that the glue that once kept them together, i.e., Maripaz, is pushin’ up daisies, well…..)   Con wonders if she should tell Uli but Maria comes down on her for it and tells her it’s not her place.  

Pau tells Michael and Daniela that she’d rather be on her own at this point, but Ro-Hell is so gung-ho to keep her and this baby that he’s told her she’s staying to avoid anything happening to the baby; and to avoid the baby-daddy claiming either of them.  He’s told her he wants to raise Mini-cakes and keep his absurd hope of the “happy family” going.  Dani thinks it’s sooooo romantic that Ro-Hellio would even consider adopting her child and taking full responsibility for some other man’s child. Why most men have a problem taking responsibility for their own kids!  Mike interrupts and says he disagrees.  He says he doesn’t trust RoHell to necessarily keep his word once her baby’s born.  (Sure!  Let’s get him to sign another contract with AP.  The first one has worked out so well…..)

Back down in the kitchen, Maria guesses rightly that Connie is more interested in giving a hard time to Effer for screwing her over by screwing Macaria and Sinthia than really giving a plug peso about Uli.  “—Let Macaria tell him; it’s not your place and it’s not the time to do it.  But then, is this because of Uli or because this involves Efrain?”  Connie stares down at the mud on her sandalias.  Maria has an “aha!” moment.  “—Yep!  Well, one thing’s certain: I’m definitely going to come down on that Efrain like a ton a bricks and give that conniving schemer what for!”  [poner comote a = set someone straight, tell off]


Pau disagrees with Mike and says she believes Rog is sincere because that’s the way he is.  Mike says honestly he doesn’t know what to think as things are just so involved anymore.  (Snicker.)  At least she knows he’s not going to run her off and make her fend for herself.  She can rest easy.  Pau just needs to get through this crisis and consider what comes next after it’s over.  Yeah, sympathizes Dani, nobody’s going to come out winning with this one.  “--Both men love you and both men have offered to take care of you and the child.  Have you decided yet who you are going to stay with?”

Later that morning, Effer has the misfortune of having wandered into the kitchen and gets an earful from Maria.  “—How could you be so shameless??!!  Ulises is your friend!!”  “—Look here!  Only because of your age [grande = lit. the adult; you’re the grown-up here] will I respect you, but you have no right to interfere with my personal life!”  Effer quickly does a mental count of cuties he’s most recently won over in a consummate moment of passion.  “—Not when it involves those people I love, starting with Consuelo!!”  “--Consuelo?  I’m not fooling around with Consuelo!”  “—Ah?  Well, let’s see then, just who would we be failing to respect here [faltar]?”  By now Effer’s pretty heated.  “—Nobody!”  “—Nobody?  Come off it, you blockhead [zopenco]!”  Sin sticks her head around from the hallway and listens in. “--You’re taking advantage of Macaria’s feelings right now!  And then what about Ulises who’s always considered you a great friend?”

Effer gets on Maria’s case for trying to act like she was his mother and bugging him.   He tells her Macaria’s old enough to know what she’s doing so leave him alone!  He turns away from her.  Maria exclaims at “what a rude, irresponsible boy’ he is and slaps him hard on the back before running out of the kitchen.  Sin comes in to take up where Maria’s just left off and gives him a bit more naggravation. “—What the Hell are you doing with Macaria???  You explain right now what you’ve got going with her!”  When Effer bitches and balks she tells him he’s not going to act that way with her!  No sir, you pee-on!  “--We’re not equals here.  When did you start going around with Macaria, hmmmm?”

On the other side of the house, Pau explains that Gus is going to demand his rights as baby-daddy; and then Rog is going to find out that he’s her ex-boyfriend.  Woe is she!  So, says Dani, ask him to stay quiet till you get over this crisis.  He won’t, says Paula.  What she needs is a mancation so she can have a bit of time away from these two and a chance to think things through.  (Good luck with that, sister!)  “—I’ll talk to both of them and ask for some time.”  Dani doesn’t think it’ll be a problem since Rog wants to continue with the astro-turf marriage.  Just then there’s a knock at the door.  One of the farmhands has come to tell them Ro-Hell is having a meeting in the living room for everyone.  Dani tells Pau she’ll go and tell her afterwards what’s up.

Back in the kitchen, Effer gives Sin as good as he gets.  “—Look my regal bitchiness!  Who are you to gritch at me when you’re the one getting into bed with that little engineer?  Until we two get hitched together, I’ve got no reason to do you any more favors!”  Sin, still on her Amazon’s power-trip, reminds him that she’s the one who makes the rules there.  He tells her she may think everything and everyone is hers, but life doesn’t quite work that way.  Just then they get the order to go into the living room for Rog’s big meet-up.

Maria comes walking into the living room and finds Vanessa already there and primping on the couch.  “—Rogelio’s called a meeting of the hacienda staff and family--which most definitely excludes you!”  Vainessa ignores her remark for now and says--licking her lips at the thought of a new scandal involving Pau--she’s heard there’s going to be a meeting.   She’s certain it’s got to be about Paula losing all rights at Hell-Fuerte; and since Sin’s invited her there for it, she’s going to be sitting ringside.  Sin walks in at that point and agrees.  They giggle in concert, believing Bro-Hell has got something pretty important to say that they’ll want to hear; and she wanted her BFF to be there for it.  The two of them snicker over the expected exile which is sure to demonstrate what a low class slut Paula really is.  

Rogelio rolls into the living room finally.  He announces that he and AP are adopting Margarito.  Cheers and hugs of congratulations all ‘round minus that corner Bruno and Rosie are sharing.  Vainessa slinks over and takes her usual place on her knees in front of Rog, slavering sycophantically, sensually running her fingers down his thigh to his knee--about how gratifying it is to know he’s going to be getting an operation that will allow him to walk again.  She’s there for him, no matter what!  (Wink! Wink!)  He rolls his eyes at her and then over her.  “--This isn’t the time or place.”  (Damned if you ain’t got that right!)  He’s got other stuff to discuss.  In come the others, including Goosetavo, who asks Rog what’s up with the meeting.

Rog rolls around the room and says everyone there knows he doesn’t like gossip and idle rumors [habladurias].   He announces then that AP and he are adopting Margarito.  “--Cheers!  Congrats, Margarito!”  Nessa’s nose is suddenly out of joint.  “—W-what?”  “—Just what you heard, Vainessa, that Margarito will be one more member of the Montero family.”  He then surprises them with the news that “his wife” is giving him the child he’s always wanted.  Everybody in the know takes a quick gander at Goosetavo, anxious to see how he takes the craptastic news.   Goose makes an attempt towards Rog but Ernesto suavely blocks the move and deflects attention while calling for congratulations from the crowd of employees.  (This guy is growing on me daily.)

Meanwhile, on another part of the hacienda grounds, Chio excitedly tells Mersnottys how terrific her new carpenter’s proposed furniture designs were.  Mersnottys mentions she’d like to have the guy design some for her new house.  Chio says probably not since the guy is Ana’s brother.  “--OMFnG!  What is it about that woman that she’s everywhere I want to be?  I’d rather have everything plastic before I’d ask that woman’s brother to make anything for me!”  Chio frowns and looks at BFF Mersnottys like she just propelled a little more methane into the environment.  

Back inside at the meeting, Sin has a temper tantrum because of what she heard and storms out of the room.  Nessa follows closely after.  Rog asks if Goosetavo isn’t going to congratulate him.  Goosetavo seems to have decided now’s as good a time as any to confess he’s the baby-daddy, but Ernie blocks him again as he runs over to congratulate Rog personally.  Rog announces to everyone that the baby will be his heir and is to be treated as such.  Gus, frustrated, races out of the room before he explodes.  Bruno plasters an insincere smile on his face before wishing Ro-Hell the bestest; Rosie runs up immediately after and does the same.  More clapping.  In the back of the room, Bruno whispers to Rosie that Gus still hasn’t stepped up to the plate and is still missing in action; Rosie tells him to stay mum.  Rog mentions to them how his wife has taken the necessary measures to assure water continues getting to the hacienda; and he assures them that he won’t rest until the matter is completely resolved.  He then thanks Gus for his suggestions in helping her overcome their problems.

After the others leave the room, Maria comes over to Rog and praises him for showing once again how generous of spirit he truly is.

Goosetavo, meanwhile, has stormed out to the veranda.  Ernie has gone after him and warns him to cool his jets before AP and the Mini-me end up assuming room temperature. Gus unleashes the pent up angst.  “—How could the guy up and do that?  The guy’s nuts!  I was ready to clock him one!”  Ernie warns him not to make things worse.  “—How could Ana allow this to happen?”  Ernie suggests he talk to Ana first and find out.  Gus says let’s just see what Rogelio says when he finds out that he’s the father of this baby!  He starts to jolt, but Ernie’s bigger and stronger and again holds him back.  “—At least talk to Ana first!”  Gus takes it down a notch and stomps off.

Maria continues her heart-to-heart with Rog.  She hopes all his problems are solved sooner than later because she knows the two of them love each other and are “willing to sacrifice some things for one another in order to be together.”  (A hint of things to come, Maria?)  He doesn’t understand what she’s getting at.  She just repeats she hopes they’ll be happy together.   “—Thanks, Nana, we will be.”

In the meantime, Rosaura and Bruno have coffee and cake together.  She tells him she never once thought Rogelio would accept “the brat”.  Bruno expounds on how it was a simple matter of him telling Ro-Hell—a control freak—about the rights he’d have with the kid that did it. “—Good deal, and now that child will be heir to all of this!”  “—As long as Paula doesn’t do anything foolish.  Gustavo also wants to accept responsibility for that child.  Paula has to forget about Gustavo and you convince her not to say a word about it!”   “--I will do what I have to do but I won’t allow Gustavo to ruin my plans.”  Yes indeedy!  Rosie’s grand-nephew will inherit the Montero’s mountain o’ moneda [coins] come Hell or high water! Bruno tells Rosie how he admires the way she manages to continually take advantage of whatever comes along.  Now, of course, everything depends on that baby being lucky enough to be born.  Rosie laughs and says it is hard for her to believe herself how lucky her niece is.  [Translation:  it’s in the bag!]

Gus now rushes into Pau’s bedroom still in a huff.  “—I don’t want to upset you, but—. “  (I think I’ve lost count now of all the times somebody has gone in to tell Paula something more earth shattering than the last, and all with the same caveat: “--Be cool; Take this calmly;  I don’t mean to upset you but…..”)  Gus tells her that Rog told all the others that she’s giving him a child.  “—How could he have dared to do that?  I’d never have agreed with that!  We never came to any agreement over that! I didn’t know!”   Gus is relieved to know she had no idea.  “—I knew it!  Ana, we can’t allow him to have our son registered under his name!”  As if that weren’t enough, in runs Margarito with the news that some woman from the D.I.F. [Integral Family Development = the governmental adoption agency equivalent of Family Services... “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help this boy.”]  Paula is totally puzzled, as is Goose.  He goes out to check on what’s happening.  Pau prays for strength to get through all of this.)  She tells herself she’s got to talk to Rog.

Back on the terrace, Bruno agrees to help Rosie with something, but notes the strange look on her face and says he suspects she might still try to double-cross him if Pau and Rog end up the perfect picture of a happy family.  No, says Rosie, but if she does love him that much, she doubts her niece will sign those papers for him.  Well, if she doesn’t, he threatens to tell Ro-Hell that not only is Goosetavo the baby-daddy, but that Pau has been two-timing him with Goose right under his nose the entire time.  Rosie looks a bit disturbed by Bruno’s ruthlessness.

Back inside, Mike and Dani discuss Ro-Hell’s real reason for announcing the news in front of the staff like that:  did he want to control AP through her son or is he truly in love with her?  FF>>

The social worker arrives and comes looking for Margarito.  She tells Gus and him that she’s there to take him to Children’s Hall since he has no parents.  She gives Gus a bucket load of reasons a kid can’t be allowed to live with an unauthorized family and must be under the government’s care.   Gus says none of those things apply in M-grito’s case.  Sniff.  The law is the law and she’s obliged to follow it.  In rolls Rog with documents showing his petition to adopt.  Nice, she pontificates, but while the situation is being determined the boy must remain in a shelter.   Why?  Because the law is the law and she’s obligated to follow it.  Rog reads the anonymous report she’s handed him.  In walks Bruno to look over the file and he agrees with the social worker.  There’s nothing he can do legally to stop the social worker from taking the boy.  Margarito’s got to go.  Rog tries to explain that Margarito’s got to continue his physical therapy after falling from a tree and shouldn’t leave.  The D.I.F. docs will handle that, she assures him.  The boy must go back with her.

Meanwhile, Goose goes in to tell AP the bad news about the social worker.  M-grito’s an orphan with no legal guardians or parents.  He’s got to be sent to a government shelter for orphans.  The boy races in to beg Paula to keep them from taking him.  All she can do is tell him she’ll try to get him back out as soon as she possibly can.

In the kitchen, Maria tells the help to keep their mouths shut about the patron’s wife having a baby.  It’s nobody’s business but theirs, got it?

In a three hanky scene, Rog rolls into AP’s room with Social Worker Lady looking for M-grito. He notes that Goose is there with her and the boy.  He gives him a puzzled look. Goose averts his eyes awkwardly and backs off.  Pau mentions Gus was there to explain why the DIF was there.  Goosestavo realizes this isn’t his fight now and retreats against the nearest wall.  Pau promises Margarito that if he goes to the children’s home now, then once they get things settled he won’t ever have to leave the hacienda or them again.  She tearfully tells him good-bye and sends him off with the woman.   Goose is heartbroken to see her hurting so while being unable to comfort her.  Pau cries to Rog now that they’ve got to be able to get Margarito back somehow!  She glances away as Rog says something reassuring and signals for Gus to leave--now that it’s painfully obvious this is not his problem.  Poor ol’ Goosestavo has suddenly become a third wheel. The helplessness and frustration Gus feels, as well as the love and empathy for her, is plain as day. Chagrined, he lowers his head and sidles out of the room.

At the same time, Macaria is delivering the weekly grocery order to Maria.  Maria hints—rather broadly—that she wants to chat with her about her affair with Effer.  Unfortunately Marciel races in to tell her that somebody’s taking Margarito away.

Outside on the drive, Margarito is screaming from the van for Bruno to help him.  Bruno ignores him but plays Mr. Sympathetic to Social Worker Lady regarding her need to do her job to the letter of the law.  He tells her he knows it’s tough to take a child under these circumstances, but it’s best in the long run.  The boy is totally unsupervised during the day, he’s gotten badly hurt from falling off one of the trellises—and now that Sr. Montero's getting divorced, well, it just doesn’t seem a good situation to raise a child in.  Besides, he confides further, the mother is in bed because she’s pregnant and you know how that goes.  “--Once they have their own children the adopted ones become irrelevant and unwanted [salir sobrando].”  Social Worker Lady mentions again the long litany of interviews, psych testing, and economic background checks they’ll have to go through to determine whether they get to adopt him.  (No doubt she gets to slip in her opinion, gotten via Bruno’s prejudicial third-party hearsay.  Grrrr!)

Maria races out to take the boy back. Amidst much screaming and breast beating Bruno tells her there’s nothing to be done.  ‘’—But his mother entrusted him into my care!”  Does she have anything written down that would prove it?  No.  Well, then, the boy goes with the lady.  Maria starts screaming for the boy as they jerk him out of her arms.  (I reach for another hankie and must admit to dabbing my eyes here.)  Margarito screams in panic at being wrenched from the arms of the only family he’s ever known. (Bruno must have signed his name in blood on one of Lucifer’s membership rosters.  Viewerville hopes that Old Luey double-crosses the brunster and throws him onto the coals—the Eternal Hotseat!)  The van drives away and Maria nearly collapses.  She gets hold of herself and  returns to the kitchen.

Sin comes outside to see what’s going on.  “’—What’s the matter with the brat?”  Enjoy the spectacle, says Bruno.  He organized it especially for her.  He’s done what he said he’d do for her, he tells her.  Sin gives Bruno a high five and giggles with ghoulish glee.  “—Just make sure Rogelio can’t get him out of there again, let alone adopt him!“  (Hellfire and brimstone, you wiggy wench!  Viewerville is sure that Sinthia’s name is on the same membership roster!)  “—Whatever you wish, Patrona.”   Bruno allows himself a secret smirk and a cheer for the grand inept-ocracy Sin made of Hell-Fuerte which, of course, helped the success of his dastardly plans.  (With any luck, sports fans, Sin will get the same screw-job from Satan that Bruno gets!)

Maria cries to Macaria over what just happened.  “—They took him.  They took my boy away from me!”  Maria says she feels so guilty because his mother gave him to her to look after.  Macaria is “Come-again?” impactado.  “—You mean you knew his mother?  Where is she?  I thought…”  Maria explains how his mother put him into her arms while she supposedly went to the bathroom, but never returned for him.  She cries at the thought of having failed her.  Macaria assures her it was just the opposite.  Maria gave the boy love and made him feel a part of things.

Sin runs into El Gusto Was Mio on the veranda and asks if he’s heard the authorities took Margarito away.  Gus says yeah, Margarito and Pau were both inconsolable.   “—Ah, you don’t look well.” (If Sin ever thought about anybody but herself she might have a clue by now as to why!  I think she was born minus the empathy gene.)   Gus admits to her that he’s sick and tired of all the injustice in the world!  (Yeah?  Stand in line.)  For starters, Rog wants to take his and AP’s child and make him a Montero!  Sin throws a little sand in his eye reminding him that The Bro-Hell and Paula are planning a family—a “happy family” as they say down Mexico way—with M-grito and his baby.  “--Sorry, but she’s not giving you a second thought.”  He tells her it wasn’t AP’s idea.  It was Rog’s.  Still too bad, she opines, cuz there’s nothing he can do about it.  He can’t tell Rog that he’s Paula’s baby-daddy because Paula’s health is delicate and it would distress her greatly.

Gus agrees and says that’s what makes him so angry.  He can’t say anything for now.  Sin sweetly tells him she understands and knows how much he loves the baby and hints it was the reason he decided not to marry her.  She assures him she’ll talk to her brother and warn him against being so rash.   No, she won’t mention who the baby-daddy is, but she will remind Rog that there is a father out there somewhere who may very soon come to claim his paternal privilege.  Selflessly, attentively, she smiles at Gus and butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

Back in the kitchen once more, Maria finally gets a chance to mention Macaria’s infidelity to her.  She warns her that if Connie saw her and Effer together, somebody else could also.  That somebody may not choose to be as discreet as she and her goddaughter have been.

At the same time, Sin goes to The Bro-Hell’s office to try talking some sense into him.  Here the real Sinthia comes out.  “—This is the last straw!  Despite Paula’s cheating on you with another man, you still want her with you!”  “—That’s my problem.”  “—I still can’t comprehend why you would want to give that child your name!  Don’t you see you’ll be the laughing stock of the town?”  “--It’s never bothered me what others say.”  “—Well it’s going to start up some major league gossip about who that brat’s real father is!”  “—Enough already, damn it all!  That child is mine and nobody else’s!”   “—You know that’s a bunch of huey!  And what happens if the real father shows up?  What are you going to do?  Or, worse still, what happens if once Paula has the baby she decides to up and leave to be with the other guy?”   Bro-Hell tells her to stuff it.  He didn’t ask her opinion.  She’ll accept his decision and support him whether she likes it or not!!

Sin see she has emptied one barrel so now she starts emptying the second.  “—You know why they took Margarito away?  It’s Dios punishing you for the bad way you’ve behaved with me!!  (I’m certain He and she are NOT on speaking terms these days.  One more commandment broken, but who’s really counting?)  Know what I’m going to do?  Get married ASAP to satisfy the prereq so I can get my inheritance--because you are NOT going to give what’s mine away to Paula’s bastard!  Do you hear me?”  (Poor Oh-Hell.  Some days I guess it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.)  

Meanwhile, in town, Con tells Uli she’s quitting because of Effer always hanging around there.  He talks her into staying at least till the end of the season.

Sin finds Vainessa and is all in a huff.  She’s pissed off at the entire bunch of them, she screams!  She’s decided she’s going to find a man—any man other than David Romo who so totally creeps her out—to marry her so she can finally get what’s hers!  Nessa suggests reconsidering David since he’s already chomping at the bit and knows what’s what with her convoluted family situation.  El Gusto Was Mío is totally out of the picture now that Paula’s carrying his kid.  And, it’s not like Sin can spend the rest of her life interviewing prospects and begging them to marry her so she can receive her share of the family farm, advises Nessa.  (Poor Sin!  What’s a girl got to do?)

Rog now rolls into Pau’s room again to tell her that he’s talked to a friend of his at the D.I.F.  She told him that it’s not her department, but she’ll try to help them however she can.  She’s going to look for Margarito and try calming him down by letting him know he’s not alone; and that they wouldn’t abandon him there.  Rog says she can rest easy now.  (Do ya think?)  Pau replies that if that were the case, he wouldn’t have gone blabbing to the staff that she was expecting and that he was giving the kid his name!  Rog says, well, that’s the way it’s going to be.  She complains that he went off on his own and didn’t even bother discussing it with her! He knows there’s the real father to consider and that he’s going to want to give his name to his own kid and take care of him!

Rog asks Paula if she’d ever leave and run off again to be with her ex.  (Good question!  Inquiring minds want to know!  Viewerville waits for her answer with bated breath.)  No, she tells him.  She’s not that irresponsible! (Hope abounds, Rogelianas!)  She’s not going to put the life of her baby at risk that way, either.  However, she is angry with him for what he did.  Well, Rog replies, he already told her that as long as she doesn’t hear from the man….  Paula interrupts him.  “—I did already.  I spoke with him.  He’s told me he is ready and willing to take care of my child.”  This is definitely a horse of a different color. Rog looks long and hard at Paula.  The competition is back on and it seems the real fight is about to begin.

Labels: no-podia

I have this horrible feeling that since so much happened last night nothing's going to happen tonight. We shall see…

Gus refuses to have a serious conversation with Rogelio while he's drink. Maria eavesdrops from the hallway and is able to give Gus a pleading look. She interrupts Rogelio's drunken ranting and tries to get him to go have a bath and a coffee. He starts smooching on Maria and says she's the only one who really knows him. He cries on her bosoms about how Paula had given him hope and he wanted to run through the fields with her. Maria tries to soothe him and get him to go to his room, and though she fails, he drinks enough to pass out. Maria grabs Gus and pulls him out of the room. So, lemme just make sure I'm understanding this…Ana Paula had the ovaries to tell Rogelio she's pregnant, but Gus, for all his insistence, didn't have the balls to tell Rogelio he's the baby daddy? I just want to make sure I'm getting all the details correct.

Out in the hallway, Maria thanks Gus for not saying he's the baby daddy. Gus says he'll do it when Rog is sober. He doesn't want Rogelio arguing with AP and putting her and the baby in danger. He then says he'll tell Rog not to fight with AP, but he won't say that he's the father unless Rogelio doesn't stop upsetting her.

Macaria got Consuelo out of the house early to talk to her about Efrain. She tries the whole "It's not what you think!" She blames Ulises for leaving them alone on vacation, then talks about needing to feel more important than the business. Consuelo says she won't say anything, but only because Ulises doesn't deserve to suffer. She tells Macaria not to thank her for it. She also won't tell her who the "other" woman is who Efrain's in love with. And then she says she won't work for her after today.

Rosaura goes into Rogelio's office to wake him up. Rude awakening, that. He wields a bottle at her…aw, damn, she moves away too fast! She tells him she wants to help him. "What can I do so you'll be calm? Over my niece's stupidity. I imagine you'd rather she didn't have the baby." Rog is shocked at her lack of limits and says she has no soul. He tells Rosaura the merchandise she sold him (AP) is defective, so she can just get the hell out. Maria chews her out for making things worse. Rogelio hears Maria say that AP and the baby are both at risk of dying. That sobers him up pretty quick. All hail the master manipulatrix!

Efrain goes to the fonda and tries to flirt with Consuelo. She lets him know that she saw him kissing Macaria last night.

Dany is watching over AP as she sleeps. Rogelio comes in and she tells him AP is very delicate. Rogelio says he knows and he swears he won't do anything bad, but he wants to be alone with her. Dany leaves. Rogelio tells her he needs her to get better. He apologizes and says he didn't know she was in danger of…he says she'll get better because he'll take care of her.

Efrain tells Consuelo to sit down. He tells her not to tell Ulises. She won't say she won't, but she does say that the only reason she didn't rat him out for sleeping with Cinthia is so that his death at Rogelio's hands wouldn't be on her conscience. She tells him she won't tell Ulises, but only because he's suffering enough right now. Consuelo is finally over Efrain and his BS. He asks if she's going to go running to Miguel now that she knows he didn't kill Maripaz. Macaria comes over and hisses that the three of them have to talk.

Gus is moping outside when Cinthia finds him. She praises Gus for not saying he's the baby daddy. He tells her the only reason he did it was because Rog was drunk as a skunk!


Ernesto comes in to see AP. Rogelio reads him the riot act for not telling him AP was sick. Ern tries to claim doctor-patient confidentiality, but Rog pulls rank. "You don't work for 'the patient,' you work for me!" He releases his grip on Ernesto's wrist after a shocked look from Ernesto.

Macaria begs them to meet later, where Ulises can't see them. Efrain tries to convince Consuelo that what they're doing isn't so bad. I mean, it's not like he wants her to leave Ulises or anything. Ulises is his friend. This is just a passing thing. Macaria makes a face like this is the first she's heard that this is just a passing thing! But she agrees with him. Consuelo says more power to them, but they'd better think about how much they can hurt Ulises. Macaria doesn't like the way things are getting so complicated. Efrain tells her to chill and they'll talk later…alone.

Ernesto explains that between the anemia and the stress AP's not only having a high-risk pregnancy, but she's at risk of death herself. Rogelio wants to throw money at the problem and insists on hearing about treatments and not problems, but Ernesto says the only thing to do is keep her from getting upset. Otherwise it's not just the baby that could die.

Over at Team Evil HQ, Bruno says it's time to amp up the pressure on Rogelio. Vanessa whines that even with the water shortage, AP is just spending a fortune to have it piped in. She says she'd better not find out that Estupido and Estupider had anything to do with the clenbuterol fiasco. She completely lost the business with the Americans and now she had to pay a much higher price for Abel's cattle since she was buying them last minute. The boys keep insisting they had nothing to do with the clenbuterol. Bruno tells her that now that Cinthia is in charge of the hacienda, she should take advantage of her complete lack of experience and negotiate with her. David is surprised to hear Cinthia is in charge. Bruno reminds Vanessa that she was so upset after Rogelio left her at the altar that she swore revenge…although she seems to be softening lately, especially now that AP is pregnant. "Awww, did you think you might still have a chance with him? I wouldn't count on it!" David fakes surprise about AP's pregnancy and says "Hmmm, I wonder who the baby daddy could be." Vanessa is so gonna kick those asses' asses when she finds out what they did. And with her pointy shoes that's no laughing matter!

Gustavo wants Cinthia to at least consider telling Rogelio about the problems with the clenbuterol contamination and the water. He reminds her that digging a well could be the solution to their water problems and says that maybe if Rogelio knew what was happening he might have an idea about who could be behind the clenbuterol. He takes off to go see AP, but Ernesto stops him. Gustavo tries to insist on his parental rights, but Ernesto reminds him that Rogelio is the husband, this is his house, and for cripes sake, someone needs to keep a calm head around here! Cinthia tells him to think about the baby.

Miguel and Dany are watching over AP. They talk about how it's going to be tough to keep Gustavo away from AP so that Rogelio doesn't find out he's the baby daddy. AP wakes up, sort of, and says she feels tired and sleepy and she's worried about what's going to happen now that Rogelio knows about the baby, even though he doesn't know about Gustavo. She doesn't want to stay there, but Dany tells her she can't go anywhere. Plus she's still worried about Miguel's conditional liberty. Miguel says he's not afraid to go back to prison, but AP can't go anywhere until she's out of danger. Dany says no matter how upset Rogelio is, he's not going to kick her out if her life is at risk.

Ernesto tells Gus that for now Rogelio wants to take care of AP, but he might change his mind if he finds out about Gustavo. Gus doesn't know how everything got so screwed up. He's all fixated on how AP's "confused" about her feelings. Ernesto's like, "dude, hormones! Who the hell wouldn't be confused?" Gus is all pissed off that Rogelio has feelings for AP. Ernesto says he thinks Gus should fight till the end, the way he did with Mercedes…as long as he can keep his dignity. Whatever that means.

AP needs to talk to Bruno to find out what the contract has to say about all this. She knows he's Rogelio's employee, but she needs to figure out whose side he'll be on. Rosaura comes in just as she's saying that they can't accept any more help from Rogelio. Rosaura begs AP to reconcile with him so they don't lose everything they have. AP is pissed that Rosaura's only thinking about money. And that everyone was right about her all along. Miguel tells her they'll find a way to survive, but they're going to do it without pimping out his sister!

Mercedes knew that Gustavo would behave like this. Cinthia isn't sure if Rogelio would hurt AP or the baby. "With Paula he always behaves the opposite of how I thought he would." Cinthia blames it all on AP. She begs Mercedes to agree they won't fight, no matter what happens with their brothers. She thinks Rogelio won't forgive Paula this time and she'll be out on her ass as soon as she's back on her feet.

Rogelio has gotten himself cleaned up and comes into AP's room. He asks everyone to let him talk to his wife. Miguel is reluctant to leave, but he gets up and leaves them alone. AP starts in saying she knows he never wants to see her again and she'd leave right away if only…Rogelio interrupts her and says he knows she's not doing well and there's no way she's leaving. "I'm not a monster like everyone thinks. You're still my wife, and you have a contract to fulfill. It doesn't matter what I said. Now that you're doing so badly, you're staying, but obviously under my conditions. A child is the only thing I couldn't give you, but you got one anyway, so you'll stay and finish out the contract and your child will be mine." Oh, no, that didn't sound creepy at all.

Vanessa muscles her way into the hacienda. Cinthia tells Efrain that Vanessa can come in, as long as she doesn't give orders to the contrary. Vanessa says they'll talk about the cattle later…what she wants to know is if Rogelio kicked out AP yet. Vanessa gloats that they can watch her leave from the hallway. Cinthia says she can't go anywhere, at least not according to Ernesto. Cin would rather that AP lost the baby and then got the hell out of all their lives. She suggests she and Vanessa move their gloating to a more secure location.

Rogelio explains that he wants AP to stay married to him and that the baby, like Margaro, will be part of the family they'll create together. Since the boyfriend is out of the picture, like she said, and the baby's really the only thing keeping them apart, and since she told him she maybe-kinda-sorta had feelings for him, well, it all makes perfect sense in Rogeliolandia given all of AP's misinformation. She's shocked that he would suggest this. She thought he was hella-pissed! Rog says he's not giving up without a fight. He wants her lock, stock and baby! AP hesitates, but Margarito, who's been listening at the door, comes running in and tells her to take the deal. "We can stay here with him and your baby will be ok!" Rogelio's like, "Wait, what? Leaving was an option?" He tells AP that he hopes she wouldn't take Margaro away without telling him.

Cinthia tells Vanessa she doesn't want Rogelio to know what's going on or he'll be even less willing to give her her part of the hacienda. Vanessa's like, "Woman, it's not enough to have the title of 'boss'…you actually have to know what the hell you're doing! Which you don't. So let me and the rest of your alleged friends who have only the best interests of our own selves advise you." Speaking of which, here comes Bruno, praising the girls for getting over their spat. Vanessa says she came to console Rogelio and smarms off to do it. Cinthia tells Bruno she needs to talk to him about what's going on, cause as far as she can tell, he's not fixing anything. Bruno says he's working on all of it. "Um, no...Gustavo's working on the water problem. You said I have to prove to the authorities who bought the clenbuterol, but I have no idea who did it, so I'm still the one responsible. That's not helping me! You're failing me in everything! Weren't you also going to get rid of Margarito?" Bruno reminds her he called the authorities. "I don't know what it's going to cost or how you're going to do it, but I'm going to snap my fingers, and you're going to solve all my problems, cause that's the way things get done around here, see?" Oh, poor Cinthia. Nobody told her the finger snap only works when you're wearing Eau de Protagonista.

Consuelo and Macaria angrily set a table in the fonda. Ulises notes the mood and he won't take "nothing" for an answer. Consuelo says they had a fight over Efrain. He's still flirting with the ladies and Macaria told her to forget him, but she just can't. Ulises agrees that Efrain is a womanizer, even though he is a good friend. Pobre de Ulises. Another one with bad taste in friends.

Vanessa goes to visit Ana Paula. What happened to all the watchdogs? Vanessa gloats that Rogelio has finally figured out what kind of woman she is. She hopes Rogelio won't have any compassion for her. She won't be happy until AP is out of Rogelio's life. "If I were you, I'd start packing up your rags!" She does the finger snap. Doesn't work for her either.

Vanessa continues the gloating in predictable fashion. AP defends herself, as usual. Vanessa leaves after promising to get Rogelio back as soon as AP leaves.

Miguel is working on some furniture. Dany is happy to see it. Miguel's in his zen zone when he's working with wood. He plans to make a crib for his nephew.

Rosaura is thrilled to hear that Rogelio intends to keep AP and the baby. She congratulates her and tries to feed her soup, but AP doesn't want any. She goes back to being thrilled about the money and AP chews her out for it. Rosaura takes the tray since AP won't eat. "Well, fine, but we don't want anything to happen to the heir of the hacienda, do we? You have to eat." Rosaura leaves.

She runs into Gus in the hallway and tells him AP is resting, so he needs to leave her alone. She tells him Rogelio and AP made up and Rogelio is going to accept AP and her child because he loves her. "So be a good loser and let them be happy." Gus swears Rogelio won't have AP or his baby! Dun, dun, dun!

Bruno tells Rogelio he heard about what happened, but all is not lost. The baby she's carrying could legally be his. Dun, dun, dun!

Rosaura giggles at Gustavo for thinking he and AP would raise that child. "Don't you realize Rogelio's power?" Gus says he'll do all the necessary tests to prove it's his kid. He won't listen to any more from Rosaura. She says he won't ruin her plans. Dun, dun, dun!

Bruno's explanation is that Mexican law protects families. If a married woman gets pregnant it doesn't matter whose baby it is. Her husband can claim it as his and he gets all the same rights and responsibilities as he would if he were the biological father. Rog says that sounds interesting. Bruno offers to review the contract, but Rogelio says not now. He'd rather Bruno go talk to Gustavo about what's going on with the water. He thinks he remembers Gustavo being in his office last night, but he's not sure. He turns down Bruno's offer to ask Maria about it and just tells him to go. Rogelio muses that AP's baby could carry on the family name.

Vanessa brags to Cinthia that she told AP to get the hell out. Cin is glad that Vanessa put her in her place. She hopes that Vanessa upset her enough to make her lose the baby. Vanessa looks horrified at that idea, like she hadn't considered the possibility. Dumbasses, the both of them!

AP's rest is interrupted by Gus. Dude! If she's sleeping, let her sleep! What is wrong with him! He kisses her hand and tells her everything has to turn out ok. He leaves just in time for AP to wake up and see him and wonder if it was really him.

Consuelo is distracted and forgetting to bring people their orders. She can't stop thinking about Ulises and how he thinks Efrain is his friend. Macaria doesn't want to talk about it. She tells Consuelo she's just being jealous. "I may still be in love with him, but I know what I'm worth. You know he's not being serious about you! Have some self-respect instead of being ok that he's with someone else too!" Consuelo leaves and tells Macaria she'd better go take the guest his coffee.

Rog tells AP he doesn't want to upset her, but he would like to know if she's thought about his offer. AP stalls, saying she has to talk to the baby daddy first, cause he's got rights. Rogelio is fine with that. In fact, he'd like her to get the baby daddy there so he can negotiate with him. AP is appalled that he's talking about "negotiating" but Rogelio says she's the one forcing him to treat this like a business arrangement and keep all the feelings out of it. He somewhat reasonably gives her the phone and tells her to call and get the baby daddy there right away. Eek!

Tomorrow: seems like a done deal that Rogelio will adopt the baby and Gus isn't happy about it.

Labels: no-podia