Caray, Caray!

From Tuesday:
SMJ waits at the arboretum for NicholAlex who never shows. She gets tired of waiting and leaves.

Alex and Pedro and Paula are in the hospital. The death cert will be in Sandra’s real name. Pedro thinks they should tell Elena but Paula doesn’t think she needs to know anything about it. Alex wants to know whether he wants a burial or a cremation. He just doesn’t know. He just doesn’t understand. As always, he is leaving it to Alex.


Today:
SMJ is back at home moping at the table. Elena walks up and wants to know what the problem is because she returned so early. She says he never arrived. She waited an hour and then left. Elena says the dreaded words “I told you so.” She says that that kind of man is only looking for an adventure while they are on vacation. SMJ gets up and walks away. Elena looks pleased with herself. Heifer!

Porfirio is talking to Tio. He says he doesn’t feel good. He tells Tio that SMJ has a young man that she is excited about. His name is Nicholas. Tio thinks it’s good that she is excited about somebody. Porfirio says who knows. He’s worried that she won’t find a husband. Tio asks what about the other guy. Porfirio says he has not met him either. Oh, by the way Jorge told me that your nephew is going out with someone older. Tio wants to know how he knows. Porfirio says he has no idea. Tio says something and Porfirio is trying to remember the name of Bruno’s company. Tio knows what he is talking about and says that company doesn’t even exist. Porfirio perks up at that. Tio says that Fernando talked to him about it the other day and they discovered that there is no such company. Hmm… Tio tells him to forget about marrying off his granddaughter. Just relax. Por says he feels worse and worse. He knows he’s going to die. He wants to protect his granddaughter and be sure that she will be all right. Tio says it would be better if he left his money to the dogs. They toast.

Elena is talking to Jorge. She wants to know what happened with Sandra. He doesn’t give a rat’s a$$ about what happened to her. Is she dead? Probably. She doesn’t seem too upset. She wants to know what they are going to do with Useless but the birds are too loud for me to hear. Elena says something and Dr. E-vil says I’ve told you a thousand times I’m a doctor not a murderer. R i g h t—you just keep on telling yourself that. Elena thinks something could be a danger to them. It is the same danger that can implicate Bruno Lombardo. Elena is worried about what will happen when Useless wakes up. Dr. E-vil thinks he will be giving thanks that he is still alive.

Alex arrives with Pedro and Paula at the house carrying the box of Sandra’s ashes. Ez tells them how sad he is. They thank him for his words. Vicky and Felipa greet Pedro and tell him how sad they are for him. FF>>

Alex, who just can’t take it any more, says he’s going to go up and see his son. Pedro will be taken back to his house. Thank God. There’s Tiny Tony in his little blue jammies sleeping, well, like a baby. Alex reaches over and scares the crap out of the poor little guy. What a cutie. Baby talk. Your Mami will be back soon. Tony drops his binky.

Back at the Rancho, SMJ is painting. Surprise, she paints a picture of a little boy. “Why did I paint a boy? she thinks to herself. She doesn’t know why. Just then Elena walks up. She’s just like a bad habit that you can’t get rid of. SMJ asks her if she had a baby while she was in Spain. Of course not, why? I just painted this boy. Elena looks troubled.

Elena tells Jorge she thinks SMJ is starting to get her memory back. He doesn’t seem too concerned about it. He says something about the clinic. (I have the hardest time understanding him.)

Paula and Pedro are walking down the stairs. How is MJ doing? She’s good but doesn’t remember anything. They give Pedro a ride back to his house. Paula tells him to be calm. FF>>

Bruno spies SMJ sitting on the wall. I’m back says Captain Obvious. What’s going on? Nothing she says. Abuelo wants to meet you. Well, let’s get a move on then. He helps her down. He is impressed with Porfirio’s house. He has a lot of money. Wait for me in the living room. Of course. She goes off to find Abuelo. He looks around counting money in his head.

Back and Lombardo Alex is pleased that Roberto was hired. Robertoo assures Alex that he will not fail him. Roberto has some business stuff to do and invites Alex to go with him. But of course he can’t, he has to get back Toluca. They start to have a conversation but Moora barges in and gives him a big hug. Oh, the place was just not the same without you. Whatever! She asks how MJ is doing. He says they are waiting for her to wake up. The heifer has the nerve to tell him that she’s in a coma, there’s no reason to suffer. He gives her the major stink-eye and says he’s got stuff to do and walks past her. As soon as he’s out the door Roberto lays into her. He doesn’t believe that she has any feelings for MJ and she needs to just knock it off. He’s got her number that’s for sure.

Back at Porfirio’s. SMJ and Abuelo enter the living room. Bruno introduces himself and offers his hand. Porfirio pointedly does not shake it. Uh oh, this doesn’t look good—for Bruno anyway. Porfirio tells him that his business is a sham and doesn’t exist. SMJ looks startled. Bruno says in effect it doesn’t exist. He was invited to participate but it turned out to be a fraud. You know, we all hate him but he is good at thinking on his feet. Gramps still doesn’t look satisfied. He says something about Bruno being stupid. He wants to know where Bruno comes from and what other business does he have. Bruno says he’s from Merida and that he has investments. What kind of investments? You go Porfirio! SMJ wants him to lighten up but of course he’s not going to. He just wants to know what this guy is up to. I sure don’t blame him there. She says we aren’t even novios. Bruno says of course we are (and where have we heard those words before?) Not until I remember. He says we’ve been together a long time. She says of course I’m going to wait. You go girl. Porfirio wants to meet the other guy before he makes any decisions. Bruno wants to know what other guy? Uh oh. Good job gramps. Porfirio stomps off and SMJ and Bruno get up to leave. He grabs her arm and roughly turns her around. The way he grabbed her arm should have been a warning right there. If he grabbed her like that once, he’ll do it again. He wants to know what the hell is going on. She says she met this guy and his sister and they went to take pictures and to eat some pizza. He says you made promises to me. Uh, no she didn’t. You’re trying to con her out of her pants, you filthy pig.

They head back to the house where Elena is working in the garden. SMJ doesn’t stop but heads inside the house. Elena corners Bruno and wants to know what happened. He told her that Porfirio said he wanted to meet this “other guy” that SMJ was seeing and he was asking a lot of questions. He’s just some guy that is here on vacation. He was supposed to meet her but he never showed up. He grabs her arm too. She walks past him and says something that I don’t understand.

The three stooges are in Dr. E-vil’s office. Jorge gives Bruno a med report on Porfirio. He’s got 2 months. Now they want Bruno to marry SMJ and tell her that she can get divorced later. You have to be very convincing. She has to think we want to help her.

Arturo is keeping his eye on SMJ.

Victoria, Alex and Fernando are having a pow wow. Vicky doesn’t understand how they are going to help MJ if she doesn’t’ remember. Alex thinks she will remember once she sees her son. Just then Arturo calls to tell Alex that Bruno has left the building. Alex is pleased and says he has to go. Fernando wants to go with him. Alex wants him to stay in Merida and keep an eye on things there.
Victoria wants to know what is going on. Felipa believes that MJ loves Alex and and that love won’t let her forget.

Bruno is on the phone talking to Maura. I thought you were going to help. He worries about Katia. Maura calls Mateo. She wants him to come to a party at her house. She needs help with something. That doesn’t sound good. She pours herself a drink. The doorbell rings and it is Katia with her lollipop. Oh, what a surprise, I was just thinking about you. Katia is pouting because she hasn’t heard from Bruno. She tells Katia to forget about Bruno. Maura’s having a party does she want to come. Well, let me think? Sit around Fernando’s house doing nothing or come to a party. Ok. I’ll be there. There is nothing better than a lollipop and alcohol. Yum yum. FF>>

Alex and Paula are heading back to Toluca in the helicopter.

Elena wants to know what is going on with Damian. She says nothing. We don’t have a relationship. I don’t feel anything for him. I get the feeling that we never had a relationship. Elena thinks it could be the medicine. Oh, you think? Elena thinks she needs to change so she can go to dinner with Bruno. (Hey, you like him so much why don’t you go out with him?)

Porfirio is taking his meds and talking to Tio. He fills him in on how the meeting with Bruno went. He doesn’t want her to marry someone that is stupid. Tio homes in on the info that Bruno is from Merida. I’m going to see Fernando for his birthday. I’ll do a little investigation while I am there. Porfirio is down with that.

Fernando comes in to see how Vicky is doing. She’s worried about what is going on. He has good news. Tomorrow is his birthday. Vicky asks him what he wants for a gift? Now really, does a woman really have to ask that question? Come on ladies, you know what I’m saying. He’ll get a place where they can be alone. They sneak upstairs. There is some smoochie, smoochie action in the hallway. EZ looks on a little surprised but he is tickled pink. He is happy that finally his dona is getting some. Felipa comes out with a tray. Ez stops her and wants to know what is going on with those two. Like you can’t figure it out. He does a little happy dance kind of like my dogs do when I ask them if they want to E-A-T.

Bruno and SMJ are having dinner. He keeps going on about Nicholas. He’s not my boyfriend. He’s the brother of my new friend. He says she is free to do what she wants. He gives her the medical report of Porfirio. He says that he wants her Abuelo to die in peace knowing that she is taken care of. I’d better get my waders out because the BS is getting pretty deep in here.

Alex and Paula meet up with Arturo. He says Bruno and MJ went to Toluca to have dinner. NicholAlex runs off to find her. Paula tries to stop him but Arturo says he is in love and to let him be.

Bruno is still trying to convince SMJ to marry him and then get divorced later. She is upset. I love you. She is crying. He wants to protect her money—uh, I mean her. He asks her to think about it.

Alex shows up at the Ranch trying to figure out what to do. He gets back in the car. If Bruno sees him you know the sh!! Is going to hit the fan. She doesn’t want dessert. She is sad for Abuelo. It is a good plan but she says no. Thank God! She doesn’t want to think about it. He looks pissed.

Alex is wandering around in the dark waiting for Bruno and SMJ. They kiss and he is not happy. She pulls away. He starts to charge but thinks better of it. I feel a serious beat-down for Bruno coming on in the near future. Alex leaves and goes back to the cabin. Paula wants to know if he found them. He is not happy. He calls Mari. He wants her to have the helicopter waiting in Toluca in the morning and she is not to tell anybody. Paula is stoked thinking they are going home. Alex says yes. It sounds like THE PLAN has changed.

Elena and Jorge want to know what happened with Bruno. He tells them she’s not falling for it. Jorge thinks he needs to convince her. It sounds like he insults his manhood. Bruno looks offended.

Outside Alex is sneaking around in the bushes. He’s looking for SMJ’s room. He finds her and stands and looks at her for a minute and reaches to take the pills but knocks them off and the table and SMJ stirs. She wakes up with a jolt and looks around but no one is there. Oh, wait, he’s hiding on the floor. Dude you were almost so busted. He says very soon, my love, very soon.

Fernando is at home and there is someone at the door. Surprise! It’s Tio. He’s come as a surprise for his birthday. He even brought him a gift. Katia comes down all dressed for the party. She is glad to see Tio. Tio says that if Fernando has other plans with his friends, he totally understands. Fernando wants to know where Katia is off to and she says she’s going to a party. He doesn’t look very happy about it. Tio asks him if the mother of his friend is his novia. He says yes. Tio doesn’t want to impose. Fernando says don’t worry about it, it will be ok. Tio is happy for him.

Katia is at the party. She’s drunk and Mateo is already sliming on her. It’s official—there is NO REDEMPTION for Maura. Mateo sneaks Katia outside with more drinks. I think we all know where this is headed. I know we don’t like Katia but nobody deserves what they are planning for her.

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And now we return to your regularly scheduled program.

Labels: sortilegio

Hi team -
Our show is coming to an end. How many of you are going on to recap for Corazon Salvaje? Leave a comment here or email me. Thanks!
Melinama

Labels: recappers-needed, sortilegio

Easy, SandyJo, do it all over again :)

So, SandyJo and Nicolalex walk through the arboretum (?) and Nico blabs nervously about himself, including such gems as "I like pretty girls, uh, like you." He's so much more comfortable now that he's known her for a whole day. SandyJo falls for Nicolalex, or at least, she falls over. He carries her over to a bench, triggering memories of carrying her up the stairs. Alex tries to ask her what's up, but she brushes him off and asks him to show her how to take pictures, even after he asks if he was in her little fantasy. He starts off taking a bunch of her while she laughs. Then he stands behind her while they pretend to care about the big red stained glass window. I mean, seriously, now it's all "aim in that direction and press the button." Then he takes more pictures of her. She finally gets her hands on the camera and tells him to get his shirt off and pose like Mr. July. Or I might be imagining that. He makes goofy faces.

On the drive home, Paula pretends to be asleep the whole way. I'm really loving Paula lately. SandyJo comments that Ester!Paula is really out. Nicolalex jokes that she sleeps more than a bear. He walks SandyJo to the door. She had a great time. He asks her out for pizza later. She's all excited at the prospect and says it's been years. He asks if they don't have pizza in Spain. Her mumbled answer is "oh, yeah, right." He'll be back for her at 7. He comes in all slow and manly…and kisses her on the cheek. Ha, ha. And you know she totally wouldn't have minded if he tried to kiss her for real. Take that, Bruno! She stands there looking all disappointed.

Mama Elena wants to know how her day was. SandyJo said they went somewhere pretty and she had a good time. And later she's going out for pizza. She says they just get along, that's all. Elena tries to get SandyJo to feel some stranger danger, but SandyJo says they're just getting to know each other. Elena reminds her she's just trying to take care of her, but SandyJo thinks she's old enough to handle herself. "I wouldn't be so sure if I were you," says Mommy Dearest.

Porfirio's blood pressure is up. He's resisting taking Jorge's medicine, so Jorge suggests he call the pharmacy and order the medicine himself, just so he takes it. Porfirio says he's only got a little time left, and he knows Jorge is worried about Sandra needing to get married before he dies. Until her wedding day, Porfirio refuses to sign the will. "What if she doesn't want to get married? It's not the 15th century. Girls nowadays get married when and to whoever they want to," says Jorge. Porfirio says if she doesn't get married, nothing will happen, she just won't get an inheritance. He wants her to get married so she won't be alone, and he likes Fernando as a future husband. Jorge says he's a lousy matchmaker--that guy is his own friend's mother's lover. Porfirio says she can find another guy, then, but he wants her to get married ASAP.

Paula and Alex go for a walk while Paula tries to get Alex to speed up his conquest. Alex says he can't do that and he wants to talk to Hernán.

Hernán answers his office phone. Alex reports that he saw Elena giving MaryJo a pill before bed. Hernán thinks it's part of how they've erased her memory. He really can't say more without knowing about the medication. Alex offers to break into the house and steal some. Hernán thinks he's nuts, especially given that these people have hade the cojones to wipe MaryJo's memory. Who knows what they'd do to Alex if they caught him! Plus he doesn't know what would happen to MaryJo if she quit the medication cold turkey. Alex calms down, but he's still really worried that what they're doing is hurting MaryJo. Paula wants him to ask how Sandra is doing. Hernán says she's getting worse. Pedro came to visit yesterday and the attending doc sent him back to Merida without much hope. Alex thanks him for his help. He reports to Paula that Sandra is worse. He tells her to focus on getting MaryJo back. Paula confirms that she's not invited to go with them to get pizza and Alex makes some crack that I can't hear.

Hernán comes to visit Lisette, who's having a little one-on-one time with a card of the Virgen. Lisette is feeling pretty down, not just because she has cancer, but because she feels more lonely than ever. Hernán tells her to buck up, he's got good news. The chemo and the transplant seem to have worked and her latest tests show no signs of cancerous cells. Hernán says she can't go home just yet, he wants to wait and make sure her body doesn't try to reject the transplant, but he's hopeful. He encourages Lisette to call Maura and give her the news.

Maura is glad, but she just doesn't have the time to come visit or to talk to Hernán so he can give her more details. She tells Lisette that Bruno is back and she's keeping close to him, waiting to hear that MaryJo has gone from coma to death. "And you have no idea what a load off that will be." Um, hi, selfish bitch, party of one? Your table is ready. Nice way to let your sister know you're glad she beat the cancer. Lisette says that Maura is getting what she wanted, MaryJo out of the way. Katia comes creeping in and hears Lisette saying that she supposes that's why Bruno came back, to keep an eye on MaryJo, although he's probably hoping for the opposite of Maura. Katia sneaks back out.

Bruno complains to Elena about his further delays in Merida. He wants her to tell SandyJo to set up a meeting with Grandpa. After she's off the phone, Jorge comes storming in and Elena starts laughing. She says she can tell by his face that he's been to see Porfirio. Jorge complains that the old guy is "insoportable" (insupportable). Elena says she's not having any easier a time with MaryJo. MaryJo is infatuated with her new friend's brother and she's going out to eat with them tonight. Jorge doesn't really care. Bruno will come back, they'll pressure MaryJo to marry him, and the new guy will be out of the game. And then Porfirio will die and quit bothering Jorge once and for all. Elena says she's never liked Bruno. Maybe it would be better for MaryJo to marry this new guy. Now Jorge says no way. She herself just finished saying that the guy is a stranger--how will they know if he's willing to hand over half of the inheritance. Besides, what will they do with Bruno. Elena says just put him to sleep and be done with it. Jorge says that sounds like a good idea, fill the clinic with coma patients and they can specialize in it. Not. I hope Jorge lives long enough to realize that he's the one who's been an idiot here, as much as he loves to throw that word around.

Katia comes to visit Maura. She heard Bruno is back and she wants his cell number. Maura refuses to give it to her, for Katia's own good. She can see that Bruno's not interested in her, and Bruno doesn't need to tell her--anyone can see it was just a passing fling and now it's over. Katia is crushed. For about as long as it takes for her to realize that she has lots of blackmail info on Bruno. She tells Maura to tell Bruno that if he doesn't come see her, she'll tell Alex everything she knows. She storms out and Maura immediately calls Bruno and demands to know what Katia knows about him. She passes on the threat. All she's worried about, though is that Bruno didn't tell Katia anything about the kidnapping. Bruno says he doesn't know what that "maldita esquincla babosa" (damn dimwitted kid) is on about. He asks if Maura is at home. He's on the way over so they can talk.

SandyJo gets ready for her big date. Elena comes in to tell her that Damian!Bruno will be away for a few days. He asked her to schedule a meeting with grandpa. SandyJo thanks her for the message. Elena doesn't want her to go out if it's just going to be her and Nicolalex . SandyJo tells her to chill, he's a nice guy (do I hear an unspoken, "unlike my supposed ex, Damian"?). Elena says she's only known him a few hours, but SandyJo thinks she can take care of herself. Elena rubs Spain in her face again--"Is that what you call taking care of yourself?" As Elena is threatening to talk to Nicolalex , the maid announces his arrival. SandyJo starts out timidly asking Mommy Dearest to please back off and ends up threatening to go live with grandpa if she doesn't.

Bruno tries to sell Maura the story that he went to DR to pay off the judge, but the judge, like an idiot, fell off the waterfall, can you believe it? Maura laughs. "Are you sure you didn't push him?" Bruno denies it and says, anyway, Alex already knows about him being in DR and why he was there. Maura suggests that maybe Katia's planning to tell that she and Bruno did the nasty while Katia was underage. That makes Bruno look nervous. He asks Maura to help him, because they were accomplices in MaryJo's kidnapping. He says when Sandra dies, he and MaryJo will go live in some foreign country and Maura can have Alex all to herself. Bruno thinks Alex will be sad at first, but he'll end up falling for Maura in the end, since he always liked her. Maura, ever delusional, agrees that this will happen. Bruno suggests she get Katia off his back by taking her to one of those wild and crazy parties and getting her to sleep with some other guy. Maura says Ulises would have been the perfect candidate, unfortunately, Bruno says he disappeared…well, actually, "they" killed him. Bruno asks about Mateo, but Maura doesn't know how to get hold of him, plus she doesn't think he'd be into Katia. Bruno says being into her has nothing to do with it, he just needs Mateo to sleep with her. He suggests that there's lots of nasty stuff you can put in a bottle of alcohol.

Nicolalex asks SandyJo why she is upset. She complains that her mom is trying to run her life. Alex guesses the fight was over him. She does her best impression of Elena as she tells him that he might be a psycho. He laughs it off and asks if she's only allowed out with her boyfriend. For the millionth time, she says that he's NOT her boyfriend and she's free to *cough* get to know other people. Mhm, we all know what that means. Alex tells her to wipe that look off her face, cause they're about to go eat the best pizza in the entire world, which just happens to be right there, in Toluca. They leave, laughing.

At the pizza place, SandyJo ribs Nicolalex about eating so much. His excuse is he's a guy. She says she's not exactly a light eater either and takes another slice, even though she still has an unfinished one, just so he doesn't end up eating it all. He says she must have forgotten all about the fight with Mom, but she says she hasn't and she's seriously thinking of living with her grandpa. She talks about her grandpa, how he's like an ogre at first, but really loves her. The only thing she doesn't like about him is his obsession with her getting married. Nicolalex would like to be one of the candidates for Mr. SandyJo. She laughs that she hardly knows anything about him, but you can tell she already likes him more than she likes Bruno. He tries to give her the Cliff's Notes version--single, good job, modest savings…. She cuts him off and reminds him that they just met. He takes her hand and says to get to know each other, they'll have to get closer. She's afraid that if he really knew her, he wouldn't like her. He tells her she's really pretty, with a nice smile, and what's more, he almost feels like he knew her before…maybe in a past life? He feels like in that life they got married and had a son. "Don't you feel the same thing?" She says she doesn't, despite the ringing gong. She says she doesn't think she's had a child. "Why," he asks, "don't you like kids?" She admits to him that she lost her memory and doesn't remember what happened to her before, but she knows she wasn't a good person. Nicolalex assures her he likes her just the way she is.

Nicolalex walks SandyJo home. He asks her out again and she agrees. He jokingly says her mom must be waiting for her, and she says "don't doubt it!" He reminds her that at the restaurant they were talking about getting closer. She remembers. He asks for a kiss, just one. She hesitates, but they end up kissing. Both of them, I might add. Unlike when Bruno kisses her and she just puts up with it. She criticizes him for saying it would be a "little" kiss. He apologizes. She still agrees to go out with him again, but she wants Ester to come along this time. He agrees and they say goodnight. She slowly goes inside, grinning that big gummy JB grin (which I oddly don't mind tonight). She leans against the wall, savoring the evening. Cause you know once mama gets hold of her, she's going to twist it into something nasty, as usual. Here comes mama, saying they were very "acaramelados" (huggy and kissy). SandyJo thinks it's no big deal, but mama says she's no innocent miss--behind that face is hiding a ho. "You think just because you lost your memory you wont' do it again? It's your nature." SandyJo says she doesn't want to be that way again, and she won't. Elena keeps pushing--"How do you know you won't sleep with him first chance you get?" Well, that's a fair question, but if sleeping with William Levy when the opportunity presents itself is wrong…you get the picture. SandyJo says her knowing she won't do it is enough and she wants Elena to butt out of her life. Elena says she'll be breaking Damian's heart and throwing away his love…"Is that what you call changing?" SandyJo walks out. Elena is way too good at this to be just starting out.

Alex gets back to the cabin, where Paula is messing with the fireplace. Um, do we want Paula messing with the fireplace? Is burning down the cabin part of their plan? She kind of gripes at him about being out so late and having a good time. Hernán called to say that Sandra is dying. Alex says he's sorry and suggests they go to Mexico. He calls Ezequiel and asks him to get a plane ticket for Pedro for first thing tomorrow morning. He asks Zeke not to say anything to Vicky, for now. Alex tells Paula they'll leave first thing in the morning in the truck. He calls Arturo and tells him to go over to the house where MaryJo is at tomorrow. He and Arturo both realize that he slipped up. Alex tells Arturo the truth. He wants Arturo to tell MaryJo that he had an emergency and had to go to Mexico and that's why he can't see her like they had planned. Arturo is having a really hard time wrapping his head around (a) that being MaryJo and (b) her not recognizing Alex or Paula. Alex warns him not to try to get her to remember anything (but it would be funny if someone minor, like Arturo, jogs her memory, instead of Alex's sexy kisses.) Alex tells him to just keep an eye on her.

Pedro cries and unloads his troubles on Chucho, Gabriel, and Meche. Gabriel is focused on whether Pedro saw Paula. Ezequiel comes over. He tells Pedro that Alex called and wanted him to tell Pedro that his daughter is dying. Zeke gives Pedro the plane ticket. Even Zeke is crying. Chucho tells Pedro that she suffered so much, and now she won't suffer, the usual platitudes about heaven. Gabriel offers that they'll always hold her in their hearts. Pedro's just broken and keeps muttering about how cruel life is.

The next morning, Arturo wishes them a good trip and tells Paula he's sorry about her sister. Arturo tells Alex not to worry about MaryJo and please drive carefully.

Felipa and Vicky are coming downstairs. Felipa thinks Vicky should have stayed in bed another day, since Bruno said he would stay. Vicky says that since he was threatening to go back to Toluca, they need to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't surprise them with it. She'll go to the board meeting and that way if Bruno plans to go to Toluca right after, she can call Alex and warn him. Ezequiel comes in and Vicky asks him what's up. Zeke tells her that Alex called to say that MaryJo is dying. Vicky is not too upset. She tells Ezequiel that it's really not MaryJo, it's her twin Sandra and Felipa can fill him in on the details later. Poor Zeke, he's going to have a heart attack by the end of this!

Grandpa Porfirio and SandyJo are cracking up laughing. He told her the story of telling Jorge that he won't sign his will until SandyJo gets married. He finds it hilarious that Jorge went so pale, considering it's Porfirio who is the one who's supposed to be dying. SandyJo says that Jorge wants her to marry Damian. Porfirio won't hear of it, until he's had a chance to check this guy out. He's already disposed not to like him, since Jorge likes him. However, SandyJo has met this new guy, Nicolas,a photographer, who is also quite tasty. If she's interested, then Grandpa wants to meet him. Actually, he wants to meet both of them, but certainly not at the same time, cause that would be messy, ja, ja, ja. SandyJo assures him that he'll like Nicolas and he hopes he does. Porfirio goes all giddy again and imitates the look on Jorge's face.

Arturo goes over to SandyJo's house to tell her that Nicolalex has gone to the DF. He gives the message to Elena, since SandyJo is out. Could she be any happier about this?

The babies are out on the Lombardo lawn with the nurse and Roberto. A taxi drops off Raquel. She mocks Roberto for turning into a babysitter. She tells him she's back to live, and also she was called to a board meeting to see if Roberto's new position will be approved so he can start on his projects. Raquel says she couldn't resist showing up so she can vote against it. But at least he has something to do with all the free time he'll have. He tries to dig some maternal sentiment out of her, but she calls the baby ugly. He begs her to let him have the baby. She says "What for? So when she grows up you can rape her?" And she doesn't think Ulises would have made any better of a father. She thinks they're both trash and she doesn't have time to argue with him.

At the meeting, one of the nameless board members calls the meeting to order. As he's commenting that MaryJo and Alex can't be with them, Raquel is grinning. He draws their attention to Roberto's project proposal and the meeting fades out.

A priest prays over Sandra and gives her extreme unction (what used to be called "last rites" http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05716a.htm) as Pedro and Paula look on, tearful.

The board meeting continues as the board member goes over the proposal point by point. Raquel says Roberto will bring the company down. Vicky tries to shut her up, saying she supports him. Hernán also supports him. Bruno doesn't care. Maura supports him because she thinks it's going to get her a good return on her investment. So, by majority approval, Roberto is named Director of International relations. Raquel starts screaming that it's a mistake and Bruno halfheartedly calms her down. He's been looking bored through the whole thing.

Sandra dies. Pedro and Paula cry really ugly. Pedro hugs Sandra's body and screams. Paula starts trying to talk Pedro down--she was really sick, at least you got to say goodbye, I'm sure she felt it. Paula runs out of steam. Alex is upset, but in a kind of remote way.

After the meeting, they come out and announce to Roberto that his project was approved. Maura says she was surprised and she's glad the project was approved. He asks Raquel what she has to say. She says having a job doesn't make him any better of a person and if it were up to her, he wouldn't have it. Well, what did he expect her to say? Fernando comes in and Maura announces that Roberto is the "President" of International Relations. Fernando congratulates him. Alex calls Hernán, who tells Vicky that Sandra is dead and Alex is taking care of the arrangements. Vicky feels sorry for Paula and Pedro. Bruno comes over to say he showed up and now he's going back to continue taking care of his business. He asks Hernán to take care of Vicky for him. Vicky pulls out her cell phone to call Alex.

Looks like Elena just didn't bother telling SandyJo, who is at the place with the plants and the stained glass, waiting in vain for Nicolalex . She wanders around, looking for him, and eventually leaves.

Alex tells Paula and Pedro that he talked to the doctor and the death certificate will be in Sandra's name. Pedro is grateful Alex is there to take care of things. He wonders if they should tell Elena that her daughter is dead. Dude, are you kidding me? Are you freaking kidding me? Paula says no way. She doesn't deserve to know. Plus it would give away the fact that Team Alex knows who's who. Alex asks if Pedro wants a burial or a cremation. Paula has to repeat the question for him. Pedro doesn't know. Dude, if ever there was a time to man up. But no, he leaves it to Alex, who suggests a small, private cremation and then they can take the ashes with them. As usual, Alex will take care of everything.

This whole thing with Sandra dying is just weird. She wasn't around long enough to be anything but a way to take MaryJo away from Alex and give her amnesia. So, goodbye, our little bleached blonde plot device. Sorry your crummy parents drove you to drugs just so that you could overdose and introduce a little late-in-the-game baby switching. Rest in peace.

Previews: Alex tells SandyJo that she's his wife, lots of people smack each other around, and Bruno and Elena take SandyJo away from Casa Lombardo…however, as we are now in Ultimos Capitulos those things may not necessarily be happening tomorrow. Just more drama for us to look forward to.

Aw, heck, I'll give you the whole song since it seems so appropriate for SandyJo:

How Can I Remember ?
Music by John Williams, Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman

How can I remember things that never happened ?
Arms that never held me,
lips I've never kissed.
How can I remember ?

Why do I keep seeing someone's face before me,
eyes that say they know me,
shining through the mist
eyes that I remember.

I don't know why or when or where.
I feel suspended in mid-air
somewhere between a dream and a mem'ry.
Where then and now meet somehow ?

Why do I keep hearing some familiar music
half forgotten love songs
running through my mind
why do I remember.

I don't know why or when or where.
I feel suspended in mid-air
somewhere between a dream and a mem'ry.
Where then and now meet somehow ?

There are many things I may not understand,
but somehow I knew that you would take my hand.
I always knew you'd find me,
always knew you'd love me.

Long before I met you
don't ask how I knew
ever since I can remember
I remember you.

Labels: sortilegio

Recap from previous episode: Last Friday, of course, Alex and MaríaJose come face to face again. Alex seems almost overcome by emotion whereas MJ looks struck by him and maybe a little puzzled at what she’s feeling, but not nearly as moved. I saw that Jardinera wasn’t able to report all of the scenes, so I’ll add one here that caught my eye: Bruno is talking to Elena about whether or not MaríaJose should be out and about, potentially running into people she knows and re-gaining her memory. As they walk across the portico and into the kitchen Elena reassures Bruno that in fact MJ is remembering less and less each day. They discuss his return to Mérida for the board meeting and Elena shows that she’s got no self-preservation instinct AT ALL by turning her back to Bruno to work at the sink, He snip snips the air with a pair of kitchen shears while looking at her back.

And on to the show…Bruno and Elena are waiting for MaríaJose to return, and wondering why Maura called. Bruno asks if she’s calling to let them know that Alex is getting suspicious but it’s apparently nothing to be concerned about – Maura didn't sound worried – and Bruno will call her when he gets to Mérida. Bruno is wearing such tight pants he has difficulty bending at the waist to stand up when MJ arrives and does an odd little hop to get himself upright. Once he is vertical it looks like his slacks are about 85% spandex and they don’t hide a thing. Either his topography is astounding or he has enhanced the natural features of the terrain.

MaríaJose/Sandra is returning from her little saunter in the woods to escort Éster/Paula back. Bruno asks her to see him to his car to say goodbye and explains he has to go to Mérida for his family business. He suggests she keep trying to arrange a meeting between her grandfather and him while he’s gone. As they walk to the car they each confide that they’ll miss the other. MaríaJose/S tells Bruno/D it’s because he’s the only who takes her out from time to time. Bruno/Damien wants to know if it couldn’t be because she’s starting to love him a little, but she tells him love doesn’t grow that quickly. Bruno reminds her that they once loved each other but MJ/S is sticking to her guns and says that she doesn’t remember it, and if she doesn’t it’s like it never happened. She allows Bruno/D to kiss her goodbye though she’s clearly uncomfortable with it. She holds her arms down at her sides and bends stiffly at the waste so that their heads come together, but doesn’t respond. You’d think a lady’s man like Bruno would get that she’s barely tolerating him and that that his carefully laid plans are going awry (ick, ick, ick,– she’s obviously so uncomfortable around him, and he is so oily and insistent) but he just seems smug.

From the belltower Alex sees Bruno kissing MJ and damns him (maldito seas Bruno). He grimaces and breathes heavily and leaves the bell tower.

Back at Mengele Manor, Elena interrogates MJ/S about why she was away so long. MJ/S explains about Éster and her asthma and Elena tells her she should stay away from people she doesn’t know who could be a bad influence on her and lead her back into her addictive ways. MJ/S insists that she has no desire for drugs and that Éster seemed really nice, but Elena angrily tells her that people are NEVER what they seem (MJ, please listen to this major psychological insight on your mother’ part!), that she could revert to her old ways at any time, and that if she’s better now it’s all thanks to Jorge. The woman’s cynicism knows no bounds and it’s actually hard to watch her manipulate her own daughter this way. Elena seems like she’s getting panicky and is afraid of losing control of the situation; her voice is rising and she gets angry as she tries to convince a skeptical MJ/S of the danger she’s in if she doesn’t trust her family (i.e., her and Jorge). MJ shoots back that the two of them are more like her jailers than her family. I like this new version of MaríaJose, who is far more sure of herself even though she’s lost her memory and thinks she’s an ex drug-addicted tramp who was rescued by a loving mother.

Don Pedro explains to Chucho that he wants to go to Mexico City to see his daughter, Sandra while she’s still alive. But who will take care of the business? ¡Super-Chucho!

In the casa Lombardo Vicky is once again confronted by the general disaster that is 2/3 of her offspring when Roberto tells her that Raquel is going to take the baby away with her and won’t take care of little Vicky at all. Big Vicky insists that Roberto find Ulises so that he can get legal custody of the baby, but in the meantime she will make sure that the baby doesn’t leave the house. She leaves Roberto to his dire thoughts and goes to greet Fernando, who tells her he can find no record of Bruno’s supposed business, “Hidalgo Development.” Fernando calls his tío Emiliano to ask him to see if he can dig up any information on the company, and Emiliano is delighted to help out. He asks after Katia, chuckles at her escapades behavior– aah the youth of today - and sends her a big hug. Fernando explains to Vicki that he’s still having problems with her, and that they had an argument; she is unable to forget Bruno.

Katia is moaning to a sad, lonely and bald Lisette (yes, that’s Katia complaining to Lisette) about Bruno’s poor treatment of her. Lisette tells her she’s obsessed and Katia, ever gracious, tells her she doesn’t even know what love is because she’s never managed to hook anyone. Lisette tries to inspire some little portion of compassion by telling Katia that no one ever comes to visit her, but Katia assures her that her woes are nothing compared to HER problems. Why, Lisette can’t know what it’s like to have her boyfriend leave her. Lisette sadly agrees that she really can’t, and it’s clear that the only reason she tolerates Katia is because NO ONE else comes to see her. She’s alone and maybe dying, and the result of her life is one snotty friend who tells her she’s got it good compared to her losing her boyfriend. Ouch.

Victoria and Raquel are in Raquel’s love-nest-turned-drinking-den. Vicki insists that Raquel will have to come to the Lombardo house to see her daughter, because she, Vicki, is willing to declare Raquel an unfit (alcoholic) mother in court if she tries to take the baby with her. Raquel insists that the baby is hers and she can do what she wants with her, and that if her mother takes her to court it will only drag her, Vicki, down, also. Vicki rightly points out that all the dirt about her has already been spilled – what more could they say about her? Raquel angrily slaps a cup of coffee out of Meche’s hands when she realizes she’s lost the battle, but she doesn’t protest when Victoria tells Meche they won’t need her anymore because Raquel is moving back into the nuthouse.

Meche is explaining to Gabriel and Chucho why she is so bummed about losing her job: Now she’ll have to go to the Lombardo house to pick up her pay, and she’s afraid she’ll run into Bruno. Chucho is sick and tired of Bruno and his tricks, and offers to go with her - if Bruno tries anything he will attack him with his trusty machete. There is a moment when it seems like Chucho is attempting to look cold and mean but he’s too dang cute to take seriously. What we do get, though, is that Bruno is making so many enemies that people will line up three deep to kill him. Maybe his death will be homicide by multiple assailants?

Bruno arrives at the Casa Lombardo and displays his normal surly manners, shouting at Vicki and insulting Ezequiel (¡mueve tu esqueleto!) Add another one to the list of people who would have a motive for killing Bruno. (That’s Ezequiel, of course. Vicky hasn’t progressed far enough in her own personal development to want to kill her evil spawn.)

Vicki is on the phone telling Alex she’s managed to get Bruno to stay in Mérida another day. Alex and Paula review their plan to get close to MariaJose/Sandra.

Paula/E goes to Mengele Manor to find MJ/S and runs into Elena exercising her horse. Elena has no inkling of who Paula/Éster really is but she invites her in to chat because, she says, she likes to meet her daughter’s friends. She’s doing everything possible to appear warm and welcoming, but Paula/É is having none of it. Elena puts a “friendly” hand on her shoulder and Paula/É jerks away as if she trying to shake off a bug that is crawling up her neck. Later, in the house, Elena asks her about her parents:
Paula: My mother hasn’t been with us for years
Elena: Oh – so she died.
Paula: yes, she’s dead…I practically can't remember her...it’s better this way.

Poor Paula is so bitter and full of hate towards the mother who left her – I really feel for her at this moment. She explains that their mother left them when she was young, and her father was everything to them – he loved them, he took care of them, and for that reason she doesn’t even miss her mother. Elena, who is always having a problem keeping up anyway, seems a little puzzled by the turn in the conversation but keeps her game face on and asks about Paula/É’s brother, who, it turns out, is a professional photographer.

MJ/S returns and she and Paula/É greet each other with cries of happiness. Paula assures MJS her asthma is better and, with a look of disgust, says that she inherited her asthma from her weakling mother, a real “debilucha.” The girls decide to go out for a walk over Elena’s futile objections and admonition not to be gone long.

Paula/É proposes that they go back to her house and MJ protests that they might be interrupting, which Paula rightly interprets as “maybe your brother is with his girlfriend and we shouldn’t interrupt.” She assures MJ/S that her brother is a sought-after bachelor but isn’t going out with anyone, and off they go.

Alex/Nicolas is at the front of the house, looking, waiting, hoping to see MJ/S. When she and Paula/É arrive he seems stunned by his good luck at having her appear in his yard, and Paula invites her in for a drink. He’s so eager to have her with his he can barely talk, but when she protests that maybe he has something else to do he manages to stutter out no, no, no, no, no no – no tengo nada que hacer, no. They walk into the house and within 2-3 sentences he manages to work into the conversation a question about whether or not she has a boyfriend, which she quickly assures him she does not. He can’t stop looking at her and she seems very taken with him – much more so than she did when they met when she was in her right mind and had all her faculties intact. Hmm, why do we have to receive a blow to the head, like Alex after his accident, or a syringe to the neck like MJ/S, to recognize true love when it comes calling?

Later the three of them are talking around the table and it comes out that “Nicolas” has to do all the cooking because “Éster” is such a bad cook. MJ/S is surprised and “Éster” begins to give a rundown of all her brother’s qualities: he’s a first-class cook, a good dancer, athletic, knows how to paint…MJS is seriously impressed, and Alejandro/N is looking stunned at the lies that are piling up. He tries to say his sister is exaggerating but Paula/É insists that not only is it all true, he’s ALSO a professional photographer and would be happy to show MJ/S how to take pictures.

Back at Mengele Manor Jorge is telling Elena not to worry about MJ/S’s outings, that they are good for her. Elena worries that she will meet someone who will distract her from Bruno but Jorge is ten steps ahead of her and sees how they can manipulate her easily with her affection for them and her grandfather. They’ll get her to marry Bruno on the pretext that it’s what the grandfather wants before he dies, and they’ll tell her it’s only temporary. Elena wonders if Bruno will agree to the divorce and Jorge tells her of course he won’t. (Is Elena kind of dumb, or just not evil enough to keep up with Jorge?) Once the old man dies Bruno will refuse to divorce (just say no), and they will all win. Well, except for MJ of course, but Bruno will have MJ and Jorge will have his clinic, so everyone who’s anyone will win.

MJ/S leaves and poor Alex looks so sad to see her go that I feel for him. Alex reproaches Paula for building him up so much: yes, he has a date with MJ/S, but now he has to drive to Toluca, buy a camera, and then figure out how to use it so that he can teach MJ/S photography. Fernando calls and confirms that he’s heard back from his uncle and there’s no such company as “Hidalgo Development,” which proves that Bruno must be in on the kidnapping. Fernando points out that they can’t forget Maura in all of this, and Alex says he’s thought of that, and of the fact that Maura was the one who brought MJ to the house where she was kidnapped. Alex, 30 seconds ago I felt so sad for you because of how much you are suffering, but now I hope to see you suffer much more for your selfishness with Maura. Suffer, suffer, suffer! Think of all you’ve put MJ through just so that you could get the ego strokes of having Maura dandling around you.

Bruno is in the White Palace with Maura and she’s complaining about how worried she is that the person dropped in front of the Lombardo house is really MJ, who will wake up and then their geese will be cooked. Bruno tells her to relax – the most logical thing is for it to be Sandra, since she was the one in the coma, and there’s no way she’ll come out of it. Maura isn’t so sure, but Bruno insists that at any rate he will soon be marrying MJ/S. No, he says, she’s not in love with him, but she is under a lot of pressure from her family and her grandfather. Hmm, this must be why he doesn’t care that MJS gets slightly queasy whenever he touches her – he’ll get her to marry him by any means necessary, and if it’s by emotional coercion then so be it.

With Fernanda’s help Vicky pretends to be having an attack of headache/high blood pressure which will keep her in bed for at least a day or two. Alas, she tells Bruno, the board meeting will have to be postponed again. Bruno tries to rage but a lot of hissing from Fernanda about his mother’s condition keeps him quiet. He agrees to wait one more day, and then he’s out of there. Vicky calculates that will give Alex two more days (I guess she’s calculating a travel day?) to get close to MJ/S.

MJ is looking out the window, seemingly waiting or searching for something (Alejandro, wherefore art thou Alejandro) when Elena asks her what she’s doing. She tells her mother about her outing with Paula and gets a little pink-cheeked when she talks about meeting "Ester’s” brother, “Nicolas,” and insists that Damian is not her boyfriend. Elena recognizes the clinker that’s about to be thrown into their plans and tries to scare MJ/S into staying with BrunoD by saying that no one else would have her if they knew about her disreputable past as a slutty drug addict. MJ/S breaks down in tears and tells her to stop throwing the past in her face, but Elena insists she’s only telling her these things for her own good – she needs someone who knows her past and can take care of her, and that person is Damian. I’m again creeped out by this sociopathic mother manipulating her daughter like this. MJ/S clearly doesn’t like the thought of having to accept Damian for her own good and collapses onto Elena’s bosoms, which are modestly covered today. It’s obvious Elena has had no experience comforting or loving a child and doesn’t quite know what to do or where to put her hands to comfort MJS. She pats her akwardly a few times and tries to murmur words of comfort, although they come out sounding more like a hiss.

Fernando comes to Vicky with the news that Bruno is lying about his company. They don’t know if he’s involved with the kidnapping, he lies, but they do know that he’s trying to get MJ to fall in love with him. Vicky is “ill with sadness.” Ok, fine, ill with sadness - but will she react, or will she just continue to wave her hands about futilely and protest Bruno’s innocence.

Pedro goes to see S/MJ in the hospital. He cries, of course, but for once it’s understandable and relevant and I don’t grit my teeth so much. He talks to Sandra and tells her he’s her father, and that no other could ever have missed her more than he did when she was taken away, and that none of this would ever have happened if she had grown up by his side. One small twist of fate – she’s sick one day and can’t go to church with them – and her life is destroyed (that last is my commentary, not his.) He begs her to wake up and return to him, to be with MJ and Paula.

MJ/S is standing in front of the house waiting and watching for Paula/É and Alejandro/N to pick her up. Elena forbids her to go but MJ/S rebels and insists that she is going out no matter what. At that moment “Nicolas” and “Ester” arrive, and “Nicolas” introduces himself to Elena. As they’re leaving he tells Elena to have a good day, though his expression seems to say “I’m here and I’m going to fight you on this. Please start something right now so I can take you on.”

They arrive in front of what looks like a combination stained glass museum and arboretum, and Paula tells the two of them to go ahead, that she will catch up with them (ahorita los alcance). MJ is walking backwards to face Alejandro/Nicolas as they flirt when she trips and twists her ankle. He offers to help her to a bench to sit down and picks her up in his arms to carry her. She is giggling at his unexpected gallantry when she has a flashback to the night he carried her up the stairs after their first date (the one where she wore the gorgeous blue dress and they exchanged hot kisses in his car). She is seriously impactada at the memory.

Scenes from next show:

Porfirio is in bed insisting he wants MJ/S to marry Fernando, but if she doesn’t nothing will happen – she simply won’t get the inheritance. Hernán is talking Alex out of sneaking into the Mengele compound, and Maura is telling a deathly ill Lisette how relieved she’ll be if (when?) S/MJ (who of course she thinks is MJ/S) finally dies.

Labels: sortilegio

The redux: After spying on MJ at the charreado the day before, Alex realizes there's been a complete change in her. According to Fernando's observations, she doesn't remember anything about her past. Therefore, he decides to move to Toluca for a while to be close to her and to try to win her back at all cost. Meanwhile, Roberto fills Paula in on the battle for custody of Raquel's daughter and complains that Raqhell went back on her word to him about it. Bobo's afraid to take it any farther and challenge her with complaints about her alcoholism because she would challenge him as well for moral fitness. He tiptoes over the subject with her. "Raqhell might say things about me." "--What kind of things?" "--Well, we shared a dissipated lifestyle...let's just say, and there are things she could tell about me...." When Paula wants a bit more of the details, Bobo tells her she's a bit too innocent to have him unload on her about it. Just then, Alex walks over to the two of them and saves Bobo from having to go any further into it. Alex is there to invite Paula to spend a few days of vacation in Toluca with him in order to get nearer Mary Jo. She's not to let anybody know except her father. Paula's already off to pack.

In the Toluca outback at Mengela Manor, Elena tells Horrible Jorge --who's apparently just as grumpy at 8 in the morning as he is at 8 in the evening--that she's afraid they've let a viper into their midst with Bruno. If Mary Jo doesn't fall for Bruno as Damian per their plan and decides to marry somebody else, then there will be the Devil to pay. Jorge sneers back that it's her job to figure out some way to insure that MJ does become romantically interested in him.

Alex gives Arturo instructions to bring the car to Toluca and to camp out about a mile or so away from the entrance to the grounds to the rancho and to keep watch on who enters and who leaves there.

MJ/S returns from visiting her abuelo, Porferio, and joins Elena on the patio after a grumpy good-bye from Jorge. Abue's pushing her to get married she says. Although she likes "Damian" well enough, there's still something that just doesn't seem right about him. His smile, for instance, always seems false. She mentions then that Porfi wants her to hook up with Fernando. Elena advises that Fernando's totally wrong for her, especially since she found out from his sister, Katia, while she was there visiting last time, that Fernando is the lover of his boss's mother; and so he's not exactly wholesome fare. "She's old enough to be his mother so just dump him!" MJ/Sandra is disgusted to hear it. "¡Qué barbaridad!"

"On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with "Damian" whose a hard worker and sincere," says Mama. Elena even suggests to MJ that she might try getting intimate with him as a way that she might just find she really does like him. (That wasn't exactly delicately put, but pimping one's daughter out is pretty hardcore.) MJ/S explodes. "You want me to sleep with him??" Elena looks back at her kid like what's the big deal? MJ/Sandra screams at her mother that at times it seems Elena really doesn't love her; and that she's willing to do just about anything for money. When she decides to sleep with somebody, she informs Elena, it will be a man she chooses and not Elena's choice. MJ/S stomps off in a huff. Elena grumbles to herself that it might have been a mistake bringing that daughter back there also.

Arturo has a breakdown and asks a passerby for directions on the map. While he's trying to get his bearings he notices Bruno look over at him from his Zzzzzz8. There's a female passenger with him, so he looks closer. It's Sra. Mary Jo!!!

Back in Merida, Fer takes Vicki to lunch--duhn-duhn-duhn-duhnnn--in public! She tries to argue Bruno's side with Fer, and says Alex could still be jumping the gun about him being involved. Fer says, no. Too many things point to Bruno being a part of it. Vicki, still trying to ignore the hard truth, still finds it dificult to believe that the woman Fer talked to at the charreado could actually have been MJ. Fer says it has to be. Her gestures, the sound of her voice, everything was MJ's. (They are twins, Victoria, not triplets! Remember? The one sans the telltale knife scar is now in a hospital in Mexico City undergoing treatment???) Vicki asks if his uncle is aware of it, but Fer says that he isn't. Suddenly Fer looks around and says people are talking about them. Vicki says after so much having happened recently she's tired of caring what anyone else might think at this point. To heck with custom and social mores, she tells him. (That's one heck of a sh!t-eatin' grin Nando's got on his face, isnt it?) They kiss and Vicki toasts to it all turning out for the best.

Meanwhile, Alex and Pau arrive at the small house near Elena and Jorge's rancho. He asks the caretaker where the clinic is, and heads into town. Once there he finds the tower of the town's church and chooses it as his lookout point. He takes his high-powered binoculars to locate Mengela Manor. Eventually he notices MJ/S out in the yard, though the surrounding bushes hide her quite a bit and make things difficult to make out. He spends the entire day looking through those binoculars for glimpses of her. As Alex watches MJ/S's comings and goings in the back yard of the rancho again, this time he sees a man join her on the grounds. He wants to find out who the guy with her is. That night at dinner Alex tells Pau what he saw from the church tower and says he thinks the guy with her was Bruno. He admits, though, it was a bit hard to determine from that distance. Arturo finally arrives at the house after problems with a flat tire. He tells Alex that he saw Bruno and MJ in the little Zzzzz8. Alex realizes then he was right about the man being Bruno.

At the same time across town, MJ/S and Bruno are eating dinner out. As for Bruno, the jerkwad may be Mexican, but his hands are roamin' as the old sayin' goes. Bruno tries to seduce her by saying he won't seduce her: he'll bring her the chocolates and flowers as part of the "gestures" she's supposedly been hinting she wants. (What a major clod!) MJ/S knocks away his hand in between taking bites of food to tell him chocolates and flowers aren't necessary. She changes the subject and tells him that she's told Abue Porfi about him. Bruno wants to meet her grandfather ASAP. He says he needs to convince the man to give him his approval and support as the best possible choice for his granddaughter. She laughs (methinks a bit too nervously) and says she'll arrange it when the abuelo's got a moment and would be in a good mood.

Alex takes Pau to the church tower so he can wait and watch all over again. (Pau has got to be bored out of her mind by now.) Suddenly he sees Bruno bring Mary Jo back home. He watches as Bruno goes in for THE KISS and Mary Jo obliges. Alex goes ballistic when he sees Bruno kissing her good-night. "They are kissing!!!" Pau looks over at him. "--What?" "--They were kissing each other! NOOOOO!!!" He is sure now that Bruno had a part in the kidnapping and is in Toluca especially to try to win her back again. She tries explaining that part of MJ's subconscious must have remembered him and they used to date after all; that has to be the only reason she would allow him to get close to her, let alone to kiss her. Alex doesn't care. He can't stand it any longer. He races over to the rancho and sneaks around till he finds her bedroom. He stares in through the window from the (supposed) shadows, enchanted, and watches her take pills from Elena. Under his breath Alex swears to Mary Jo that he'll do the impossible to get her back and that they will be together again soon.

Later on the next day, Alex tells Victoria what Arturo discovered and despite what she wants to believe, that Bruno is up to his eyeballs in it. He convinces Vicki to call Bruno and make up some excuse to get him to come back to Merida for a day to get him literally out of the picture for a while. Vicki agrees --since she recently got his new cell phone number when Bruno called to tell her he was DBI/er...doin' bidnez in Toluca. She eventually calls Bruno and talks him into coming back for a supposed board meeting at Lombardo, Inc. while Alex is supposedly in Mexico City tending to "Mary Jo" (the real Sandra) now that she's been sent to some neurology clinic for therapy.

That same day, Alex and Paula are both back up in the church tower watching Mary Jo on the hacienda grounds enjoying herself. He sends her off to see what she can do about persuading MJ to come back to the rental house with her so that Alex can re-introduce himself to her. Paula runs down to the corral at the rancho. However, Bruno is driving back down from the clinic and there's a possibility that Paula might be seen. Arturo makes a quick call to Alex who calls Pau on her cell and warns her. Eventually she starts for the corral again and pretends to be lost. She stops near MJ/S, introduces herself as "Ester," and asks MJ /S for directions back to her and Alex's rental house. Pau is so struck by being able to see and speak with her sister again she chokes up. MJ/S worries and asks what's wrong. Pau makes some excuse about having an asthma attack and being a bit frightened at not knowing the way. Mary Jo offers to walk her back home since it's so close by.

The sisters have a fun chat on the walk back. Alex calls Pau to tell her to hurry up before anyone sees them. Pau introduces Alex as her brother, "Nicolas." Alex and MJ/Sandra share some sort of locked look, but she seems to pull a blank. They all share a bit of chitchat while he thanks "Sandra" for bringing his sister back. He then tries to play host by offering her a cold drink. MJ/S takes a rain check because the family doesn't know she's there and might get worried. She gives them both a polite kiss good-bye on the cheek and leaves. The change is amazing. She's smiling and totally worry-free. Paula and Alex are amazed and remark at their good luck having found her and now having her with them so close by. She's alive and well --for now-- as they watch her take the path back to Mengale Manor.

Labels: sortilegio

From Yesterday
MJ sleeping and dreaming.

Alex is at the hospital talking to the nurse. Hernan walks in looking very serious. He has something that Alex needs to see with his own eyes.
There is no scar! So that means…..It must be Sandra! Viewerville breathes a big sigh that we don’t have to sit through two more weeks of that. Hernan comments that someone took the time to sandblast her tattoos. Alex is relieved because he realizes that MJ must be alive! Oh happy days! She’s ALIVE!

Today:
SMJ is painting like a 2-year old. Bruno walks in to spoil the mood. He kisses her on the cheek. She turns away. Why do you avoid my kisses? (Maybe it’s because you are total slimeball and you have bad energy.) Oh wait, it’s because she’s not an easy woman. She’s going to make him work for it. He play acts the gentleman. Now there’s a stretch. She says he’s joking. He must do it again with feeling. He gets on his knees and tells her that he’s profoundly in love with her. She giggles. I want to barf.

Alex tells the family that it is Sandra and not MJ that was dropped off at the house like a sack of potatoes. Alex thinks that since Sandra was in a coma they needed MJ for something. Alex wants to know about this Jorge “Freddie” Kruger. Hernan has read several of his scientific papers. His work is in memory erasing. Pedro, not crying (for the moment), says it can’t be. Oh but it can be. Alex tells everyone that Dr. Evil is the new husband of Elena. Hernan says he is a well known scientist but his methods are not necessarily approved of by the medical community. So basically Dr. E-vil is a mind erasing monster that doesn’t give a rat’s patootie about anybody but himself. Yes, I think that sums it up pretty well. Pedro wants to know if he is doing these experiments on MJ. Uh, yeah! It’s obvious that Pedro must have taken the short bus to school.--without his helmet. Alex thinks they need a PLAN. Good thinking. Hernan is concerned that seeing Alex could put her into shock. He tells Hernan not to worry. Everybody has to zip it. No talking to anyone about “The Plan.” Oh by they way, where is Bruno. Victoria our resident Queen of Denial says he’s in Toluca. But she is sure that he didn’t have anything to do with it. Talk about living in your own reality.

Bruno is arguing with Dr. E-vil. He says something about professional etiquette. Dr. E-vil says that Bruno can’t come to the party because Fernando and Alex are going to be there. Dr. E-vil doesn’t understand why Bruno is so upset.

SMJ and Bruno. Bruno the horn dog is trying to put the moves on her--again. He certainly is a persistent little bugger isn’t he? It’s a lover’s moon. She is trying to resist him. Why can’t we make love like before? She dreams of another but she can’t see his face. Bruno is trying his best but MJ is strong. She runs off and he says don’t go. D-E-N-I-E-D—again. Sucks to be you dude!

Dias despues at the fiesta

Porfirio and Tio are celebrating early with some tequila. We have a rodeo and rope tricks, and bronco busting. There are pretty girls in pretty dresses. SMJ shows up with Elena in a charra outfit. Thank God she wasn’t wearing that horrid pink creation that Slofia wore in FELS. Porfirio is very excited. He gives Dr. and Mrs. E-vil the stink eye and they have to go sit with the regular folks all back-of-the-bus. Alex and Fernando show up in their best rodeo attire. They go their separate ways so they won't look so matchy, matchy. Alex is casing the place from behind the SUV. Ah, he sees her. Elena greets Fernando. I need to talk with you. Is your boss here? He says no. (Background noise). Can we talk later? More fancy riding. I have no idea what Dr. E-vil says. And frankly, does anyone really care? Tio greets Fernando. He is happy to see him. Where’s Alex? Speaking of our hero, Alex is threading his way through the crowd keeping an eye on his mujer. Fernando is looking mighty fine. Actually the best he’s looked in this whole show. He meets “Sandra.” You can tell that Fernando knows it is MJ right away because he has that fish-out-of-water googley eyed look on his face that he does so well. Alex is still skulking in the background. Porfirio makes an announcement and introduces his nieta Sandra. (How embarssing). She stands up. Thank you everyone. She needs to practice her parade wave. I like her earrings. Fernando helps her down the stairs. MJ is going to ride a horse for some reason and rides to the center of the ring while riders make a circle around her. She looks like she is having fun. Fernando looks constipated. Nope, it’s the fish-out-of-water look again. I’d personally like to see more horses. Porfirio thinks things are going well. Alex watches.

Elena gives SMJ her pills. SMJ says she feels like she is starting to remember. Elena looks worried. Alex and Fernando meet up. It appears that she doesn’t remember anything.

Dr E-vil says she doesn’t remember anything. (See, what did I just say.) Her memory could be permanently erased. You should have more confidence in my abilities. We will maintain her condition at least one more month. I’m going to my lab. I vote for letting all the animals out so they can do experiments on Dr. E-vil.

Phone rings. Maura is calling. She, who will be redeemed when pigs fly, has been trying to call Elena all day. Bruno changed his number and I can’t reach him. Are you crazy for dropping off MJ at the Lombardo house? Ruh roh Scooby Doo, Elena is impactada. What!? Elena has a light bulb moment and says it was Sandra. Oh noes! What is going on? Elena says something that we don’t hear. She calls her husband a bad name and hurrys to confront him in his lab. Why did you lie to me? She was dropped off like a bag of trash. We are in this together. Why didn’t you tell me? He looks at her like “shut the hell up .” I am legend in my own mind. Don't you know that by now. Get the hell out. She stomps out.

SMJ who must have gone to the Gabriella Escandon School of Art is “painting” if you can call it that. More red! Let the feelings flow! Bruno the stalker walks up and disturbs her again. He’s all snuggly. They talk about the party and about Fernando. Fernando is handsome. I like him. Why do you ask me all these questions?

Alex is watching Elena and Fernando. If he had ordered the mood ring with the built in multi-directional receiver from spys-r-us.com he would actually be able to hear what they were saying. If he had ordered it in the first 5 minutes he could have gotten it for only $19.95 (postage and shipping extra.) But no, he waited too long and it went back to the original price of three easy payments of $39.95. Elena tells him the story of Pedro and the twins. She’s not emotionally stable right now. I understand. We don’t know what happened. Loud background noise. Thank you for everything. Have a good trip back. Alex walks in with his hat over his face. Very incognito. What did she say? She told me everything. They take a cab home. Victoria is on the phone talking to Hernan. He’s trying to arrange treatment. The boys are back. I’ll call you later. We saw her. Felipa is excited.

Just when I thought we’d get through an episode with RaqHell, I was really disappointed when we beam to RaqHell and Roberto talking to the Judge. What a seriously weird way to conduct a hearing if that is what it was. Now the heifer wants her baby. She’s never even touched or looked at her. She’s not giving him anything.

Victoria can’t believe she didn’t recognize them. Fernando is right nothing good can come from this. Victoria believes that Bruno hasn’t had anything to do with this. Sometimes I just want to smack some sense in her. Fernando says that MJ’s mother talked to him and told me the story. She abandoned Pedro and MJ and Paula. She took Sandra. Blah, blah, blah, snore. Felipa can’t believe they took MJ to replace Sandra. I don’t see why that is just so hard for everyone to believe.

Chucho is going on about the situation. Alex shows up. Good news Pedro. He wants them to sit down. MJ is ok. The one they dropped off was Sandra. Pedro is crying. Big surprise.

MJ is playing pool with Elena and Bruno is “helping.” She’s having fun but not doing very well. Porfirio shows up unexpectedly and SMJ runs off to see him Bruno asks Elena what this is all about. She says she spoke with Jorge who told her about Sandra being dumped in Merida and was not dead after all. We transported her to Merida. Elena looks like she wants to kill him. Hey, heifer, take a number and stand in line.

Back at Lombardo Central Alex calls Mari into his office and wants her to find him a house to rent in Toluca under the name Nicholas something that I didn’t catch. And of course this is all TOP SECRET and part of THE PLAN.

Porfirio is outside with his nurse at the swingset. SMJ wants to know what he is doing here. He says that he is remembering when she was a child. She thanks him for the party and he is glad that she enjoyed it. He says he’s not doing well. She wants to know why he doesn’t like her mother and Jorge. He basically thinks Jorge is a scumbag. She is curious about the kind of clinic that he runs. He studies the nervous system and the brain. He wants her to find a man that is not interested in her money. Fernando is the guy. He’s nice. He’s decent. She wants to marry for love. He says whatever. It’s not real. He wants her to marry someone who will respect her and she should have lots of children. I like Fernando. She tells him about her boyfriend in Madrid. Who, Useless? He’s a good for nothing. No Damian.

Roberto is telling Paula what happened in court. All of a sudden Raquel wants the baby. Can you imagine what kind of life she will have with a mother that is an alcoholic? She knows other things about me. Paula wants to know what kind of things. Just things. Tell me. You don’t know anything. You are too innocent. Alex walks up. Alex wants to talk to Paula a minute. She tells him that Roberto is upset because Raquel doesn’t want him to have the baby. Alex changes the subject and tells her that he needs her to go on vacation with him to Toluca. She is excited. He says her father can come but nobody else. It’s all part of THE PLAN.

Tomorrow:
Arturo is asking directions and sees Joven Bruno.
Alex is spying
Victoria and Fernando smoochie face
Elena wants MJ to sleep with somebody

Labels: sortilegio

capítulo 76

Maura tries to call Bruno but his phone is busy.

Bruno tell Erick that she will die.

Jorge tells Elena that Sandra is dead. Elena is a little upset.

Emiliano tells Elena that Fernando has invited his boss Alejandro Lombardo to the fiesta. Elena notes that SMJ's ears didn't burn when she heard the name Alejandro. SMJ asks Elena about her driving lesson, and Emiliano is surprised, he thought all the girls, nowadays, know how to drive. SMJ says doesn't so what is his problem.

At the hospital, Ale, Victoria and Fernando are talking with Hernan. Hernan tells them that MJ is in a coma. MJ is in a vegetable state. Ale asks if she will recover. Hernan says there have been cases but it would be a miracle.
Hernan says MJ's heart is weak. Fernando asks how she got into this state. Hernan says it was a drug overdose. Hernan thinks whoever kidnapped her drugged her. Ale loses it and beats the examining bed. Then Ale says he wants to see MJ. Victoria says she doesn't know how Ale will be able to live with his grief. Fernando tells her little by little Ale will come to terms. Victoria cries and wonders why these animals did this?
Fernando says look, anyone can go at any moment. That it is not important if you are young or old, that we all need to live life to the fullest. Fer tells Vic that he wants to be by her side through the good and the bad. He asks her please don't reject him. Vitoria cries harder as she come in for a hug.

Ale enters MJ's room where he is told he can have a few minutes. He cries and tells her it is he, Alex that is her. He tells her to fight for their son for herself, to fight for him. Fight! Ale cries...

Elena is on SMJ for being rude to Emiliano. SMJ she is tired of the lies. Why can't she just tell the truth. Elena asks SMJ to think about how her grandfather would feel if he knew she had spent all those years on drugs. SMJ says she is sorry, but without her memories she feels empty. Elena tells her to have patience. SMJ says she is tired of patience. Her patience is exhausted with the bursts of reality, and it kills the dreams. SMJ is crying.

At casa Lombardo Roberto comes in and ask where Ale is. EZ tells him Ale is at the hospital and about the kidnappers dropping her off etc.

Ale is visiting MAURA. I want to slap him. I want to slap her too. Maura says she is sorry and Ale thanks her. Maura wonders about MJ being in a coma or is it Sandra?

At the mercado Ale comes looking for Pedro. Chucho tells him he is at the house.

At Pedro's house Pedro is crying on MJ's picture. Paula answers the door and it is Ale. Paula asks if he is there with news of MJ and Ale says yes. Ale tells them how she was dropped off in front of the house. Pedro and Paula a happy for a couple of seconds when Pedro realizes something is wrong. Ale tells them she is a the hospital in a coma in critcal condition. Pedro wants to see her.

Elena tells Jorge she is worried about Ale coming to the fiesta. Jorge tells her that SMJ is not MJ. SMJ over hears and asks who MJ is.

Pedro is at the hospital visiting MJ, telling her how much he loves her.

In the waiting room Roberto and Paula are talking when Pedro comes out. Pedro tells Paula that she looks like she is sleeping. Paula wants to go in but Pedro says tomorrow would be better. Roberto offers to take them home. Ale says he is waiting for news on Maura. Ale tells Pedro how Lis has lukemia and Maura is the donor.

Elena and SMJ have been shopping.

Hernan tells Ale the operation with Maura is happening and it is long and that they are with specialists. Ale should go home and rest. He has had difficult days. Hernan says that if they don't see an improvement in MJ they will want to prepare to take her to Mexico. Ale says he doesn't want to be apart from her. Hernan says to trust him.
Ale thanks him and leave.

Ale comes home. The kidnapper specialist says that his job is done. Ale says he won't stop until he find the b*st*rds. Felipe offers Ale tea.

Ale is comparing the phone picture of Sandra and a picture of MJ. He tells Victoria about Sandra. Fernando comes in. Ale tells Fer to explain to Victoria about Sandra and MJ. Fer shares what he knows.

Pedro has his head on the table when Ale stops by. Pedro asks if he has bad news. Ale says no, that everything is the same at the hospital. Ale asks if he is alone. Pedro says yes. Ale wants to talk to him. Ale wants to about Elena Pedro's wife and MJ and Sandra. It is necessary that he knows the truth for the good of MJ. Ale says he is desperate. Ale wants to know who did this to his woman, and crying, Ale says please, tell him the truth.

Fernando and Victoria, in denial, are talking about how it would have to be a sick somebody to come up with this. Victoria gets a call from Bruno who is asking if there is news of MJ. Victoria says yes she showed up. Dead? Bruno asks. No she is in a coma. Bruno tells Victoria he is sorry really sorry. Victoria asks how he is and he is fine and now she has his new cell number. He was just calling to see if there was news of MJ. Kisses.
Bruno and Erick look a little worried that she is not dead.

Ale is back at the hospital and Katia is there. Katia says that Lis and Maura are recuperating and that she is sorry about MJ. Ale thanks her. Katia asks if he knows anything of Bruno? Ale just walks away.

Hernan tells Ale that MJ condition is the same. Ale asks if they are going to take her to Mexico. Ale wants to know if he can bring Tony to see her? Hernan says no.

Ale visits MJ again. He tells her that he tried to bring Tony but babies are not allowed. Ale holds her hand. Ale cries.

Elena and SMJ are coming back from another driving lesson that SMJ isn't picking up too easy. A maid helps SMJ take paint canvas's out of the car. The maid asks about her other novio. Useless.

Ale visits Maura and asks how she is feeling. Maura is weak. Maura asks about MJ and Ale says she is the same. That they will be moving her to Mexico. Maura asks if Hernan says there is any hope? Ale says very little. Maura says she is sorry then asks please for a kiss. Ale kisses her cheek. Maura says die already!

Ale is at home visiting a crying Tony. Ale cries.

Victoria is telling Felipe the story about MJ's twin. Ale comes in and tells her they are moving her tomorrow. Victoria gives him a blessing.

Elena comes in to make sure SMJ takes her medicine. SMJ asks her about her other novio Useless and and Elena drops the pills. SMJ prays to the Virgencita to help her. SMJ dreams of nursing Tony, of being in the water with Ale.

Ale is at the hospital but Hernan is attending an emergency. Hernan comes at takes Ale to MJ's room. Hernan says he wanted Ale to see with his own eyes. Ale says he doesn't understand is she dead? Hernan rolls her over and shows that there is no scar. Ale examines her and says she is not MJ.

Labels: sortilegio

The kidnap expert suggests to Alex: "Maybe your wife had a lover and just pretended to be kidnapped? Or maybe she's dead!" Alex loses it. Pedro also loses it (yet again), he sobs while his "nearest and dearest" comfort him with tedious platitudes. FF>>

Speaking of tedious platitudes, their diminutive queen (Filipa) asks Vic, she who is still tediously pining for Fernando: "What do you care about more, "them" (as in "what would *they* say") or Fernando and your own happiness?"

Raquel gets her chauffeur to drive her home where she yells at Victoria, tells her MJ is probably dead and who cares anyway. She wants a divorce, she hates Roberto, and [to get this over with] - at first she says not only will Roberto not get a peso in the divorce but he can't have the baby either, but Vic points out to Raquel: "Well you don't want her!" She nags until Raquel yields and says Roberto can have Vic Jr.

Roberto reminds everyone he has a degree in International Relations and Alex agrees to give him a job. Awkwardly Vic says he better move out of the big house because sooner or later Raquel will come back ... "but you can stay in Bruno's chalet until then." Alex is impactado to hear Bruno's been gone for a couple weeks, ostensibly working in the capital...

... but as we know, Bruno's actually been in the country trying to win MJ back, with nice dinners and flowers and kisses etc. She is friendly, happy even, but not budging much, and is drinking nothing "because of how things were in Spain." She tells him, "To be honest, I dreamed about a baby and a man - and the man wasn't you." "You probably saw him in a film or a magazine."

Alex pretty much figures out the whole scheme - that MJ has been kidnapped to pass for Sandra - when he hears about the Doc he googles him and finds out Jorge does experiments on - MEMORY ERASURE! Ah, if real life were only this simple. We never get that música de suspenso to clue us in when clues fall into place... The next day Fer says he'll get Alex an invite to the big party in the country so he can see for himself.

Bruno tells Doctor Jorge about MJ's dream - is she getting her memory back? Jorge is not worried, he has stronger drugs that will completely burn out any possibility of her recovering her memory and will use them if necessary! He tells Bruno: "I am famous! I win prizes and publish in prestigious journals!" He says: "Sandra is in a nigh-vegetative state but I've sandblasted her tattoos away, so it's time!" Bruno says he'll do it...

Elena brings MJ-as-Sandra to the grandfather, who tells Elena to beat it. Elena goes to the clinc and tells Jorge she's worried: "Maybe MJ will slip up without me there to run interference." Jorge doesn't care.

Gramps teaches MJ how to play chess and they take a long walk and she pushes him on a swing and generally enchants him. She even beats him at chess. While they're all together, later, Fer calls about the party. Gramps reports to Fer: "Sandra's here and she has such a gorgeous smile." Fer reports to Alex who says: "It must be MJ, nobody else has that smile."

Paula graduates. Ezekiel and Vic and Pedro and Roberto and Meche and Gabriel come to the ceremony. Some band plays a tune with lyrics I would not want at my graduation: "Kill me - do with me as you please." The girls clap along, but not on the beat. Roberto gives Paula flowers and dances with her and a bunch of other girls in white and looks very happy and relaxed. Seeing that, Gabriel frowns.

Bruno and his sidekick Erick get an anonymous-looking black SUV and use it to dump the comatose Sandra, wrapped like a mummy in a sheet, in front of the Lombardo mansion. Utter pandemonium! She's carried into the house and an ambulance is summoned.

Alex is at the hospital with Maura, who's about to be a donor for her sister Lisette. She tries to get at least one on-the-mouth pity kiss but he deflects it affectionately. He gets the call that MJ has been dumped and is coming straight to the hospital.

Have you noticed Hernan is absolutely the only doctor anywhere? There he was about to deal with Lisette and Maura and now he's hauling in the gurney with Sandra-as-MJ on it!

Alex totally loses it - again. And Maura is muy impactada to hear that Sandra has appeared, "dropped like a dog" Alex says. Remember, Maura's in on these devilish doings. She calls Bruno but his phone is busy. "What did you do?" she asks rhetorically.

Erick and Bruno speed away from the scene of the crime. "What if she wakes up?" "No, the doc sez she'll die, and he is the winner of prestigious awards."

Elena appears at the clinic, Jorge roughly asks why she's here. "To see Sandra." "She's not here. She died." "Died? When?" "Two days ago. She had a heart attack." Elena gets upset, which exasperates Jorge. "Why are you upset? You never cared about her."

"I couldn't see her one last time? You jerk." "What, should I tell all the world?" [He can't really announce Sandra's death if he's trying to pass MJ off in her place, now, can he? be reasonable. --Ed.] "It's better this way." "What did you do with the body?" "Incinerated it." Elena says, as if this were any sort of revelation: "You're a man without sentiment." DUH. "You're inhuman, you have no scruples. How can I be around you?" "Takes one to know one. Anyway, you have your other daughter now, so shut up." She cries.

A lot will happen tomorrow! MJ will overhear Jorge mention "Maria Jose" and will ask: "Who is Maria Jose?" Alex will realize this comatose woman does not have the scar MJ has.

Labels: sortilegio

Hola! It is I, 5ft Latina! Do not adjust your computers…your tireless blog mom will be back for tomorrow's recap. We just like to keep you on your toes :)

Feliz Cumpleaños to our faithful commenters, Cielo de Levy (cumpliendo años hoy) and Elna June Sonoma (quien cumplió años ayer)! I sent William Levy out to do strip-o-grams, but I fear he may have gotten lost in transit. Darn! Well, maybe we'll get some shirtless scenes in your honor tonight.

Fernando's great uncle passes on the party invite to Fernando and tells him he caught the old guy's eye as a potential mate for his druggie granddaughter.

Sandra!MaryJo is out in the yard, swinging, when Elena finds her. She tries to get SandyJo to chill out, but SandyJo is convinced that stepdaddy is a very, very bad stepdaddy. She's also angry at them for not bringing her back from Spain by force if she was into such bad stuff. She thinks they just should have made her come home. Elena tells SandyJo that she's smart, so she should be able to convince grandpa that she's ok. Also, Emiliano Alaniz will be there and "she" has met him before, so she needs to act like it. SandyJo wants to come clean with grandpa and tell him that she was on drugs, but she's not anymore. And she doesn't care if that loses her the money. Elena tells her to knock off the crazy talk, but SandyJo just walks away from her. Elena may just be figuring out that Sandra 2.0 is just as willful as original recipe Sandra, especially when you piss her off.

At Maura's pink palace, Lisette and Katia lie about how Katia found out that MaryJo has been kidnapped. Maura says Alex isn't doing well, although he did finally make it to the office today, after spending the last two weeks at home dressed like Hugh Hefner (maybe I added that last part). And she doesn't take kindly to Katia's suggestion that she ought to be thrilled because now MaryJo is out of the way and Maura can have her wicked way with Alex. Even Lisette tells Katia to just shut up. Yes, Katia was a latecomer to the game, but she is quickly catching up to Paula on the Shut-Up-O-Meter. The maid announces the arrival of Alex, causing Katia to start squealing that maybe he couldn't stand being alone anymore. Shut up, Katia. Alex gets a hug from Maura and an update from Lisette--she's scheduled for surgery soon, but she has to keep up with the chemo in the meantime (hence the turban that matches the couch). Alex asks for a word in private with Maura, sending Katia into a squealing fit before he's even out of the room. Damn! Shut up, Katia! Poll: What's more annoying? Katia's squeal or Bruno's tsk-ing? If you'd committed some heinous crime and had to be sentenced to spend the rest of eternity in a cell with either Katia or Bruno, who would you pick? Lisette doesn't like that Katia seems to be taking delight in the misfortune of others.

Elena and Bruno talk on the phone. Elena thinks it's risky to talk to SandyJo about Bruno, especially because Katia bandied his name about so freely at her uncle's place. Bruno suggests they use his middle name and tell her that he's "Damián." Great idea, B…she's got drug-induced amnesia, so she probably won't remember having seen The Omen. He also says they ought to use his second "apellido" (last name)--we'll have to wait to see what that is, because I don't remember Vicky's maiden name ever being mentioned.

Alex wants to question Maura again about the kidnapping. She complains that she's told the story to, like, everybody and just wants to forget now, but Alex thinks she may have overlooked a vital detail. She says they were talking about the house, four guys came in, and what happened happened. Alex asks who knew they were going to be at the house at that time, but she doesn't think anyone but the real estate agent's office and Felipa knew. Alex is antsy--the kidnappers only called the one time and they haven't heard anything since. Maura reminds him that she is also upset about her sister's illness. She suggests they share their troubles. No, not like that. Her hands all over him are shouting it, though.

Fernando and Alex are at a restaurant. Fernando praises Alex for getting out of the house and says that work will be a good distraction for him. The problem is that all Alex can think about is MaryJo, even at work, and he's worried about her and worried that it's been 2 weeks and the kidnappers haven't called again. He'd do anything to get her back. He's worried that they might have killed her already, but Fernando tells him to chill, he has no reason to think that. Fer says there are lots of people who have been kidnapped who have some psychological issues, but they do come back alive.

Another week passes.

Bruno is sending Erick to Toluca and he doesn't want him saying goodbye to anyone before he goes. Erick mutters curses under his breath.

Bruno walks in on John and Roberto having a conversation. There's no news about MaryJo. John leaves to go do something and Bruno asks Roberto what he's doing in the house. Roberto is waiting for Vicky so they can go pick up "the girl" from the hospital. Name the damn baby, already, people, what are you waiting for? He'll probably give her a cheesy, sentimental name, too, but it's got to be better than "girl." Bruno asks what's it to him, since the little brat isn't his anyway. Roberto says she's not now, but once he finds Ulises and gets him to sign over his parental rights…. Bruno, ever helpful, says that's not going to happen unless Roberto wants to go all the way to Argentina, or to HELL to find Ulises. That slip is going to cost you in the end, Bruno D. Coyote. Roberto is suspicious that Bruno mentioned Argentina. He was under the impression that Ulises had gone to Madrid after his girlfriend Sandra. Bruno hems and haws about not remembering where he heard that Ulises had gone to Argentina. Vicky comes downstairs. She tells Roberto that it's all settled, they'll put both babies in the same room. Rosie thinks she can handle them both, and if not, they'll hire another nurse. For some bizarre reason, Vicky turns to Bruno and smiles at him as she says they're bringing the girl home. Why does she think that he would (a) care or (b) regard this as any kind of good news? Bruno takes her aside and says he's leaving. He'd been thinking of starting his own business anyway and so he's going out of town to meet with a developer who appreciates his talents. Which ones? Only being able to button his shirt halfway and having lousy follow-through on his nefarious plans? He gets in a bunch of digs about how he's going all the way to Mexico (state) so they should all be happy cause they wanted him gone anyway. Vicky tries to get all maternal, but he tell her to save it. She drops it and tells John that she and Roberto are heading to the hospital and will be back soon. John is unconcerned. He'll smoke his stogie and monitor the situation. Roberto comes outside and tells Bruno this is quite a surprise. Bruno says once he lost hope of ever getting the presidency (dig, dig) he looked into other options so he can finally have what he's been looking for. "Power?" asks Roberto. "Hm, yeah, and something more," Bruno replies. All those cryptic comments are going to bite you in the ass, and soon. Ultimas Semanas, baby, that means the heavy hand of comeuppance is waiting just around the corner to smack you down like a bug. They walk off, and Bruno looks over at John, who heard the whole conversation as he stood outside smoking. John looks like he might be suspicious of Bruno. That would be nice.

Mmm, the Corazon Salvaje promo looks tasty :D

Elena is trying to give SandyJo some last-minute pointers on the way in to grandpa's house. Jorge just tells her to talk as little as possible. She pretends to remember the butler. As he leads them inside, Elena chooses this precise moment to tell SandyJo that she has a boyfriend. SandyJo is not pleased, but asks for his name so she can fake it in front of grandpa. She repeats "Damián" to herself. Porfirio demands they get out of the way so he can get a look at SandyJo. She says hello, but she's rather cold. She apologizes for not coming back sooner. Elena makes excuses about Sandra wanting to finish her studies and then prods SandyJo to give her grandpa a hug. He makes a remark about her bad manners in not greeting his friend, but he's smiling the whole time. He keeps griping, mildly, about her not coming home on her vacations. Elena makes excuses, but he only has eyes and ears for SandyJo. She apologizes, again, for not coming home sooner. She refuses a drink, even when grandpa tries to insist on a toast. He seems to like that she stands her ground and says she doesn't like alcohol, so he tells the butler to bring her a "refresco" (soft drink). He asks about her boyfriend, but cuts her off before she can stumble over his name. He doesn't really care who the guy is, cause he's got one lined up for her. Emiliano tells him to back off, the kids these days aren't into arranged marriages. SandyJo tells him, very firmly, that she would prefer to choose her own boyfriend. Oh, he loves this. Girl's got "carácter" (strong character, both literally and figuratively, but sometimes I've heard people use it as a euphemism for someone who is really just a jerk).

Back at home, Elena talks to Jorge about her misgivings. She's worried that grandpa will try to insist on hooking SandyJo up with Fernando and that Fernando won't buy their story about the twin thing. And that Bruno won't listen to reason. She doesn't think he'll just go away because he ought to for the sake of the plan. Jorge asks if she's suggesting they just put everyone in a coma, the way they did Ulises. Aha! So he's not dead! Well, good, if that means he can sign over paternity to Roberto at some point. Elena is surprised. Even she thought that Jorge killed him. He didn't because he thought Ulises might come in handy at some point. She asks what they're going to do with Bruno and Fernando and he just walks off.

Fernando comes downstairs to see Katia reading a magazine. He asks, but she says that's not all she does, she also goes to visit Lisette and Maura. He suggests a weekend outing, but it's not what she had in mind. She was thinking the beach, but he was thinking of the party Porfirio is going to throw. Katia can't stand the idea of going to a party with a bunch of old people dancing old people dances and eating "papillas" (mush). And the fact that this party will be thrown for Sandra, who is MaryJo's age, does not convince her. With that pair of "old guys" throwing the party, it's bound to suck. She flits off upstairs while Fernando looks like he'd like to strangle her, but doesn't know if he can get away with it.

Now there's a pink crib in the nursery. Felipa is glad that she looks heartier than before, even if she'll always be small for her age. Alex, thank you dear, says they really can't keep calling her "the girl." He suggests Raquel, but Felipa is horrified, "and what if she turns out like her?!" Roberto was thinking Victoria. Alex likes the idea, and so does Vicky. Roberto tries to suggest that they can call the little one "Vicky" but Vicky says no, "Victoria, like her grandmother". So now we have Tiny Tony and Mini Vicky sharing a room. Alex asks if Raquel knows. Big Vicky was thinking of going over to tell her tomorrow and asking if she wanted to come over to the house and see her, but she doesn't think anything's going to get Raquel out of that house. She's waiting for Ulises. Roberto's not offended. He tells Alex that Bruno told him that Ulises went to Argentina, but he thought that Bruno was going to Madrid after his girlfriend, who is supposed to be back soon. He went to Toluca to talk to her mom, but she didn't know where Ulises was. And BTW, he saw a picture of Sandra and it's amazing how she looks like MaryJo. Yeah, Alex knows.

In her room, SandyJo is having a really, really nice dream. About swimming with a really hot guy. But there are also images of a nursing baby in there. It wakes her up. She wonders who that guy is.

The next morning, she prays to the Virgen. Elena interrupts her. SandyJo tells her about the dream. First there was a baby, then she was with this guy in the water. She felt that they loved each other very much, but she doesn't know who he is. She couldn't see his face in her dream, but she's got the kid's face burned on her brain. Elena says she must be starting to remember. It must be someone important to her, maybe someone from Madrid. Here comes Bruno, aka, Damián. He greets Elena and brings SandyJo some roses. She accepts a kiss on the cheek. He tells her that he already knows what's going on and it's ok, he loves her just as much as he did before. She takes off. Elena is pissed that he said that without consulting her or Jorge. He thinks it will build rapport between them. And also, he doesn't like having bosses. Elena looks alarmed. Yep. Better put another cot in Ulises' room.

Damián!Bruno catches up to SandyJo and spins her a tale. He understands about the drugging, hey, who wouldn't in a strange country, feeling abandoned by family. He tells her that they lived together in Madrid. That they were lovers and he tried, oh, how he tried, to get her to quit the drugs, but he got tired of it and came back to Mexico. He apologizes for hurting her so much. She apologizes to him for having failed him.

Fernando tells Alex about the party invite. He'd like to go along too. He says if Sandra is so identical to MaryJo, it might give him the illusion of having her back. He knows she's not MaryJo, but he needs whatever solace he can get. Fernando says he doesn't have a pretense for inviting Alex. Alex says if it's a big party, there's no problem. There will be lots of people and he can just hang out in the background, to watch. Fernando says he'll ask his uncle, but he thinks Alex is sick. Alex agrees.

Elena informs Jorge that Bruno has shown up and that he told SandyJo that he already knows everything. Jorge isn't upset about this. He thinks it shows Bruno's determination. Unlike Elena, he's not worried that Bruno will marry SandyJo and take the money away from them. If they go down, Bruno goes down too. He thinks Bruno is a good ally. Elena doesn't think they should tell him about the party, since Fernando is already invited. Jorge says that does present a problem.

More storytime with Bruno. He was taking a break from working with his family's company. They live in Merida. He has a mom, a sister, a brother, and two "sobrinos" (nieces and/or nephews). It's a big family, but he doesn't get along with them. He's working on opening a resort. He knows everything about her life and he'll tell her anything she wants to know. He said they were lovers because they were, even though he did leave. But now he wants to get her back. He never stopped loving Ma…er, Sandra. She turns away to avoid kissing him. She says she's not accustomed to letting strangers kiss her. He'll wait. He's patient. He asks her to go out to dinner soon. She giggles.

Alex sits behind his desk and stews. He looks at the pictures of MaryJo on his phone and cries. He shoves a bunch of stuff off his desk, picks up his bag, and leaves. Mari tries to remind him about his afternoon meeting, but he ignores her. Maura goes running out after him.

Bruno tells Jorge that he's not after Sandra or MaryJo or whoever's money. He just wants her. Jorge says he needs the money. He shows Bruno a document. He tells him that he wants half of Porfirio's money. Bruno is fine with it, but he needs Jorge to know that people know about MaryJo's twin, so that means Sandra has to disappear. Jorge is aware of that.

Fernando is out with some random woman called Norma. Who he has apparently been talking to about Alex's problems. Norma invites Fernando to a party at Rolando's. She's ok with it being just as friends.

Alex vents to Maura about the lack of a call from the kidnappers. He yells at her when she suggests that MaryJo might be dead. Maybe things went badly, maybe she resisted, who knows. Alex says he was on the island, both he and Fer never thought they'd be back, but they came back. So he doesn't want to give up on MaryJo. Maura, the ever friendly, hugs him and says he may have to. It's only been two weeks people, sheesh!

At Raquel's place, Meche is cleaning. She tells Vicky that Raquel went out. Vicky tells Meche to let Raquel know that they brought the baby home and she's doing fine. Meche wishes Raquel would take an interest in the kid.

Raquel is over at Maura and Lisette's griping to Lisette and Katia that Maura has kept her hanging, waiting for the info of a lawyer so she can get a divorce. She serves herself a drink. Oh, now she's never going home. Lisette makes excuses, but Raquel says Maura just isn't the same lately. Katia says it's because she's busy trying to get Alex back, but Lisette objects. She's just being supportive, which Raquel says is Fernando's job. Raquel is giddy to hear from Katia that they saw Fernando out with a girl his own age. She hopes it means her mother's not going out with him anymore. She finishes her drink and reminds them to remind Maura that she's still waiting on a lawyer's name. She takes off. Lisette gives Katia a hard time for being so "venomous." Katia gives Lisette a hard time for being such a goody-goody lately. It's the mortality. Katia doesn't think Lisette is going to die, but Lisette's hedging her bets. Katia changes the subject, wondering where Bruno is. Lisette rolls her eyes and tells Katia to quit thinking about him.

Felipa sings to Tiny Tony. Some song about how mommy's a rat and daddy's a rat and baby's a little hungry rat. Alex drives up. They fawn over the baby. He'll have lots of girlfriends and be bigger than daddy. Cuco's jealous of the baby.

Upstairs, Roberto is cooing over Little Vicky. He talks about taking her to the park when she's older to teach her how to play fútbol. Rosie says maybe dolls or something. Hey, Rosie, come into this century, will ya? There's nothing wrong with athletic girls. It would probably be good for her health for her to do something active.

In Toluca, Erick comes up to Bruno in a restaurant and reports that he got Bruno a new cell phone and looked at some houses and apartments. He cheerfully asks how things are going with MaryJo. Bruno gets pissed off and tells Erick it's none of his business and he never asked him to sit down. He tells him to go away and eat somewhere more appropriate to his station. Erick smiles as he leaves. Oh, yeah, Erick's revenge will be sweet.

John wants to have a talk with Alex, Roberto, and Big Vicky. John finds it strange that this kidnapping happened in Merida, which is a pretty safe place, and that the kidnappers haven't gotten in touch again about the money. He suspects this might not be a normal kidnapping, but revenge, or an "ajuste de cuentas" (settling up of accounts). For once, Alex blanks and says he hasn't done anything to anyone that anyone would want revenge on him. Plus, if they were pissed at him, why did they take it out on MaryJo? Roberto says that "those people" don’t think that way and they're just looking for easy money instead of working hard to earn it. John proposes another possibility, that MaryJo faked her own kidnapping to run off with a boyfriend. That doesn't go over well. John apologizes, but says they have to consider all the possibilities. Why hasn't he asked for a list of all the people who are mad at Alex yet? Shouldn't he have done that already and been casting his suspicious eyes at Bruno? Shouldn't he have been told about the twin sister in Toluca and gone to interview the family? His last theory is that MaryJo is dead. Alex starts screaming now that she's not.

Pedro is a wreck. Paula et al try to comfort him, but he can't stand it anymore, the lack of news. He is angry that they keep thinking Alex will fix it. If this was about money, it would have been fixed already, but obviously there are some things money can't fix. Pedro goes to lock himself in his room as Paula apologizes for him and has a breakdown of her own.

Tomorrow: Fernando suspects the truth and Alex rages some more.

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