Caray, Caray!

After Juan José launches himself into the jungle, disgusted Leonardo maintains that's just why he didn't want the civilians along and orders Ramón to form an assault group. Up on the cliff, Adolfo marshals his small force against the attack, where he notes angrily they sent Juan José instead of Carlos.

But no matter, they have his woman, too; and he wants Juan José alive, to see the three hostages he's having brought up. They're mistaken if they think he won't kill each and every one, Adolfo shouts to the wind. Below the house, two goons capture Juan José, completely visible to Leonardo through field glasses.

So now they have another hostage, Leonardo grits out. The assault group is ready; and they advance, crouching through the thick underbrush, with orders to retake all the hostages alive. Meanwhile back in the D.F. at Mario's, Dora prays earnestly to be forgiven the constant urge to unburden herself to David about the identity of his father.

She knows it would kill him to learn the truth; and she prays for strength to endure again the anxiety and sadness of lying to him all these years. Back at the beach house, surrounded by guns and ammo, Adolfo empties the bottom of the bourbon bottle and nervously sweats out the wait for the attack.

Drunkenly brandishing his pistol, he laughs maniacally, threatening the women with a stray shot; just when the goons muscle Juan José onto the patio. Alejandra's hysterical at the sight and hearing Adolfo's order for the goons to shoot him with Juan José's own gun, before the women are taken below again.

Down on the beach Leonardo & Co. hear the shot, as do the women in their makeshift jail, making Alejandra lose her mind in terror and grief. But below the house, in fact, it's the goon who bought it; and Juan José absconds with his gun after overpowering him. The AFI assault commences from the rocks in earnest, and the battle is on.

The women can only jump back to relative safety and watch as outside the fight rages. Adolfo urges his troops on, but they are few and falling like flies; as Dante infuriates Adolfo by leaking out, he shouts at Dante's back for being a coward and keeps shooting. In the underbrush outside, Édgar, Valentín, a goon and Dante head for the launch.

Back in Mario's quiet study, things are nevertheless tense there, too. Yolanda comforts Santiago worrying especially about pregnant Gabriela, and she urges him to have faith everything will turn out well. Suddenly thoughtful, Yolanda reveals she's been pondering all the things she's done to protect Adolfo and why.

She's going to tell Santiago why, because tearfully she explains the secret is become an unbearable weight that's eaten her inside for years; and she makes him promise to keep the very personal, serious secret. Yolanda says her father was a cruel, merciless man; and her mother weak. They grew up surrounded by hatred -- and perversion.

Yolanda knows it's no justification, but it made Adolfo what he is. And suddenly it dawns on Santiago -- that Adolfo is Yolanda's brother! He is, she admits; but that isn't all of the story. When they found out the dirty secret of their origin, the two of them only had each other to rely on.

They reacted differently to the truth, with Adolfo full of hatred and revulsion -- and her wanting to hide, to disappear. Like when she tried to take her life and Carlos saved her; she doesn't want to try that again, which is why she desires to share her secret with Santiago.

Her name is not really Yolanda Rey, which is her stage name: her real name is Yolanda Ávila Ávila! Shocked Santiago hears that not only is Adolfo her brother -- and her cousin -- but that their parents were brother and sister.

Back at the beach, the AFI finally rush the house; while outside at the dock, the deserters board the launch. Adolfo's men are just about to murder Carlos and David when from behind, Juan José ambushes the goons and turns the tables. The good guys then hear the launch powering away and turn to blast them in a huge orange ball of flame into tomorrow with unerring shots to the fuel tank.

The AFI assault force enters the house and holds fire as Adolfo grabs the three hostages in front of him at gun point on the edge of the patio jutting out over the rocks far below. He demands the helicopter in ten minutes, or he'll eliminate the girls. He mocks David for trying to play the hero and trade places with Gabriela.

Leonardo orders Adolfo to lower his gun, because his men are going to kill him long before he's able to kill the girls; to which Adolfo shocks Leonardo threatening to never learn how his parents died if they shoot him. Adolfo entices him closer, explaining to vulnerable Leonardo that his father was probing smuggling in Durango.

And that Adolfo arranged for his mother and father to die in a fiery crash into a canyon; not only that, he arranged for a dirty doctor on his payroll to murder Leonardo's wife in the hospital! Leonardo hardly has time to react, when at that moment, Adolfo's gun clicks on an empty barrel -- and then another -- and another!

The girls desert Adolfo, leaving him teetering on the edge above the precipice; and then he tumbles over on a long fall to break his head open on the rocks below, with son Carlos yelling and running to the railing with Leonardo. Leonardo gazes at the splayed body below bitterly, regretting Adolfo didn't get what was truly coming to him.

Julieta comforts Leonardo for saving their lives, and as they embrace he cries that he's so tired of death; so tired. While across the patio, Carlos weeps piteously at the twisted figure below; Adolfo was bad to him, but he was still his father and he still cares.

How sad he had to end like this; how sad! Carlos sobs. David consoles Carlos, apologizing that it was Adolfo's destiny. As Alejandra runs to embrace Juan José, and Gabriela embraces David, their tension begins to break as they rejoice, relieved.

David is just promising Gabriela never to keep hidden truths again, when Dora phones; and David finds it oddly curious that what Dora was most anxious to know was who had killed Adolfo. Ramón approaches Julieta and Leonardo to report it appears several men were escaping on the exploded launch, including Dante.

The patio's blue pool of water is glassy and tranquil again in the twilight sky, reflecting the mood of the reunited couples, gathered around it and more relaxed AFI officers, who did their jobs. Back at Mario's, Yolanda is not finished surprising Santiago; there's even more to the story.

Adolfo drowned his unhappiness in alcohol and took advantage of all the women associated with his theater troupe. In particular, on one occasion he became insensibly drunk and set upon a pretty cleaning girl -- and raped her. This act, Yolanda continues, also resulted in a child. The woman -- was Dora!

Dora was a good girl and felt humiliated; Yolanda urged her to get away from Adolfo, whom she feared, and take her child far from him. Yolanda promised never to tell, which is why Yolanda never revealed anything about the accident at the hotel. Doesn't he see now, she asks: David is also the son of Adolfo Ávila!


Unwitting brothers, looking at the broken body below.
And no one can know; no one! Santiago swears willingly for the good of everyone that this will remain their hidden truth. Some considerable time later, across town at a church to the applause of many and under bowers of roses, limousines pull up and deposit their beautiful cargo of four brides dressed in white with veils.

To a string quartet's wedding march, dapper tuxedo'd Asuncion leads Alejandra; Santiago his two daughters Gabriela and Julieta; and Abelardo leads Bertha down the aisle to meet their grooms in a huge, quadruple wedding, followed by flower girl Caramelo and ring bearer Chicles, who cleans up nicely.

In the crowd, Mauricio together with Mina smile and applaud as Juan José kisses radiant Alejandra's hand; and Dora beams happily as David joins Gabriela; grinning Santiago guides Julieta to pleased Leonardo; and Yolanda looks on approvingly as Carlos, grinning ear to ear, takes laughing Bertha from Abelardo at the altar.

Caramelo likes what she sees when Juan José pulls back Alejandra's veil; and each couple in turn reveal the brides, including Julieta with Ramón and Leonardo's daughter, Paula, looking on. Leonardo makes Julieta smile declaring how very pretty she looks. Each couple participates in the ceremony as it advances through the vows, rings and symbolic coins.

At the close of vows, in the audience, Mauricio threads Mina's hand with his and asks in a whisper whether she will marry him. Eyes wide with surprise and pleasure, Mina agrees and lowers her lids just briefly in thanks and relief for finally sending a good looking, good man who loves her!

The priest pronounces the quartet of couples married, and as they seal it with a kiss amid applause and cat calls, Santiago sends thoughts Gabriela's way from himself and in Mario's stead, that they are both satisfied today to see them setting off on their new path; while Dora thanks God and vows with renewed determination that David will never learn the terrible secret.

Asunción watches Juan José and thanks God for finally giving Caramelo her family and Juan José the happiness he deserves; as now-peaceful Mina watches Carlos and Bertha embrace enthusiastically and Yolanda wishes despite all Carlos's father did to him that from this day forward his way will be blessed.

Not a dry eye in the house as Santiago watches Leonardo kiss Julieta and speaks fondly in thought with his absent Márta, saying that wherever she is, she can see that their daughter will be happy. All the couples enjoy their wedding kisses as Caramelo showers everyone with flower petals and the audience showers them with congratulations.

Abelardo plays tour guide through the near future, first to introduce Gabriela and David's baby boy who looks like Mario -- and the news they are expecting again, with Gabriela insisting on working until she can't anymore, and David adoring his executive mom.

Then to a lawyer's office, where Juan José and Julieta rejoice with Leonardo at the news that Juan José is acquitted of all charges without a stain on his name -- and that they can legally adopt Caramelo now. Caramelo's ecstatic at the news she's going to have a baby brother, too.

Across town, Juan José has gone into business with Jorge with a brand spanking new, high-tech wood shop, where they produce a line of elegant furnishings for their successful upscale design store chain. With all the publicity of the case and Adolfo's death, Santiago returns to acting, even bigger than before; and Yolanda does, too.

Santiago and Yolanda share a chuckle on their television studio set after their writer scoffs at an idea Santiago has concerning a man passing for another person and fooling everyone, including family and the police. Who would believe that!

Fabulous original Mario returns in a scene Abelardo remembers where Santiago even fooled him as the double; and successful student Asunción stops by Abelardo in the office to discuss his favorite Spanish authors and poets. In the garden, Dora enjoys her role as grandmother to all the children, including Chicles who typically smashes a window with his soccer ball.

Abelardo expects to hear news Julieta will be bringing a new grandchild any time, while on Leonardo's beautiful ranch, he guides Julieta on horseback around the green, admitting sometimes he misses the adrenaline rush of police work; but that he's very glad to be at peace there on the ranch now. Paula seems happy to have a new mother, too.

Elsa visits Marcos in prison, looking relaxed, and pleases him saying she has found her place helping others and will be in charge of "Casa Hogar Caramelo," dedicated to helping the thousands of street girls like her. At his architectural office, Mauricio smiles at Mina, who beams back at him. They work together there now, in advance of their upcoming wedding.

Carlos and Bertha opened a chain of restaurants, as it turned out that Adolfo never disinherited him -- and he shared the fortune equally with Yolanda. Bertha contributes as an image designer for the chain. Abelardo tells the story that the infamous diamond shoes disappeared without a trace; but in fact, we see that Chicles carries a few of the brilliant gemstones around in his pants pocket.

Standing in Mario's office doorway, Abelardo is sure that his much-missed friend Mario would be happy at the way everything turned out as it should. His family is good; they're all blessed, or at least not restlessly pursuing happiness.

And if we want to know how David reacted to the news that Adolfo is his father, well, he still hasn't been told. He'd suffered enough; and as Abelardo closes the front door at the Genovés house, he says that for the time being, it remains between the story and us, the very last "hidden truth."

Or is it. After everything is tidily wrapped up in a pretty box, we arrive in New York City to put a bow on the gift that is this story. In an office there, Dante enjoys a nice laugh over the phone, explaining the joke on everyone back at the beach house dock, that he supposedly failed to board the launch to go back and help Adolfo.

But Dante simply absconded instead; and there he is, with his blonde female companion looking on. He hangs up as she turns, where we see she is not perhaps Zaida -- but Susana! And looking satisfied like a sleek cat after a dish of cream.

Things are very different in America this time, she notes with pleasure. And Dante promises her he'll treat her to a fine restaurant that he used to frequent with an old business partner, Adolfo Ávila.

THE END - "Dedicated to true lovers."

Labels: verdad

…And Everyone Wants to Jump Ship
Escaped prisoner Carlos has made his way to a beach restaurant on his ATV. It’s closed, but he manages to bribe the clean-up guy with his sparkly watch in order to use the phone. Long distance must be really expensive in Mexico because the watch only earns him one call. He calls Yolanda, who’s pacing a hole through the floor. He only manages to urge her to call JJ and Leo, and inform her that the girls are being held in the beach house, which is near the town of San Martin, before the restaurant owner cuts off the call. He’s worried about those astronomical long distance fees, and examines the payment watch carefully to judge if it’s valuable enough to pay for the previous and any future calls.

Yolanda wakes JJ up from a deep sleep and passes on the message, but she can’t say whether Ale is well. When she mentions calling Leo, JJ isn’t sure and encourages her to hang up in case Carlos calls back. JJ immediately calls…David. (You didn’t think he was actually going to call Leo, did you?) Nope, he has no idea how Gabi and Juli are. When he shares the name of the town with David, David asks if he knows how many towns in Mexico are named San Martin! They need to find out what state the town is in; they can at least track down the San Martins on the coast.

Carlos makes a collect call to Yolanda, with the restaurant owner breathing down his neck. This time he is able to tell her where San Martin is located- Tierra Colorada- and urges her once again to inform Leo.

Back at JJ’s, he’s berating the folks at AFI to put him in touch with Leo or Ramon, immediately!!! Neither one of them can be found. Limon, in the largest polka dots I have ever seen, gets the scoop from JJ about escaped Carlos and the girls still held at the beach house. Unfortunately, Leo and his men are off in Tabasco with no cell phone signal, following the map clue JJ and David passed on earlier.

Morning finally breaks and Adolfo is greeted by Bandana Goon, instead of Alejo (the guy he expected to kill Bandana Goon). Adolfo’s eye twitch betrays that he’s not pleased, but Bandana Goon plays it cool as another goon goes searching for Alejo.

At JJ’s, he’s freshly showered and casually dressed, but he’s in no mood to eat the bread and coffee Limon has laid out for him. He finally gets a call from Ramon, who will gladly take down the info and give it to Leo when he arrives. This response is not urgent enough for JJ, so he hangs up WITHOUT leaving any info for the cops. He calls David…who is, uhm…wait, let me rewind this important scene. ..Where was I? Well, David hasn’t quite gotten dressed yet and is pacing the bedroom in his tighty whiteys getting, uhm…briefed by JJ.

I’m too distracted to really pay attention to what they’re saying. But I think JJ is annoyed at the police. He throws the phone down in frustration after hanging up, takes a swig of his coffee, and immediately spits it out. Seems that Limon made it extra bitter (amargo) to wake him up. It worked.

At the beach house, Adolfo is sucking on his binky and fretting about non-dead goons, missing goons, and his crappy situation in general.

The goon searching for Alejo reports that not only can he not find him, but Carlos is also missing. He takes Adolfo to Carlos’s room, with Bandana Goon following closely behind. Adolfo finds Carlos’s wallet, with all the cash missing. Adolfo is sure he paid off Alejo to help him escape. (Well played Bandana Goon.) Outside, Edgar and Valentin are getting friendly with Pedro and explaining who the girls are, when Adolfo comes running up. Pedro reports that he last saw Alejo last night near Carlos’s room. He said he had business to take care of (un asunto) and if they asked for him, say he never saw him. And how far is the nearest town? About 60 kilometers and it would be difficult to walk there along the beach. It would take about two days. “We have time!” Adolfo seems to be lost in his own crazy train of thought but then he tells Pedro to order the yacht to be stocked with a week of provisions and bring it immediately. He then orders Edgar and Valentin to bring the girls to the “cuarto de peñasco” (large rock/boulder/crag) Edgar plays innocent and asks for Carlos. Adolfo starts more crazy talk and orders them to bring the guns (armas). The goons look like they’re humoring their old, crazy uncle.

In their current prison room, the girls immediately huddle when Edgar and Valentin barge in with guns drawn to move them. Dante seems to have reached his limit with this madness and argues with Adolfo about moving the girls. The two mafiosos soon lock antlers… well, shiny guns, and it’s a face off.

Dante wants the girls kept safe and sound because they are their passports to freedom. Adolfo seems to get it, and lowers his gun, but he still has the girls moved. They are locked in Carlos’ previous glass incased prison.

Adolfo communicates with his yacht captain via radio. Unfortunately, the yacht can’t make it there in under five hours since they have to check the equipment. Adolfo doesn’t give a damn about the equipment. Dante wants to know where the heck they’re going, but Adolfo thinks his only concern should be staying out of prison. “And the women? What are we going to do with them?” “Don’t pressure me Dante!” “You’re not going to kill them are you?!” Dante tries to talk sense into Adolfo, but Adolfo is WAY past the point of reasoning. He’s getting rid of his problems, and if the girls or Dante become problems, then he’ll get rid of them with his shiny gun. He points it in Dante’s face for emphasis. Dante seems to get it. Bandana Goon is playing all his cards and has been sticking close to Adolfo and Dante all this time. When Dante leaves, he asks if Adolfo has problems and asks about Dante. Adolfo’s not planning on Dante joining them on the yacht. He’ll be left behind. Of course, NOT alive. “Leave me alone!!”

The girls are trying to find a way to escape, but acknowledge it won’t be easy with all the armed men surrounding the house. Juli finds a lone glass bottle, and Gabi thinks they have to at least give it a try. Ale doesn’t look as sure, but she takes possession of the bottle and stealthily approaches when Bandana Goon comes in with their food. She smashes the bottle hard over his head, but only succeeds in making him drop the food tray and get a bit dizzy. He immediately pulls his gun as they beg him not to shoot. Not to worry. He’s going to help them out of here, in good time. He leaves them and lies to one of the other goons that he just dropped the tray of food.

Back in DF, both David and JJ are looking fine in their causal t-shirts and jeans. JJ is gung ho for them to go it alone, like Bruce Willis, and storm the beach house without the cops. David thinks this would just expose the girls and themselves to more danger. Anyway, they need more info from Carlos. Leo shows up and JJ immediately starts griping at him like a jealous wife. “Where were you? Where have you been? What, you can’t answer your cell phone?” (Uhm...JJ, you know where he was and what he was doing. He was chasing YOUR clue!) Leo is not having it. “Look, I’m not going to tolerate the way you’re speaking to me! I understand your anguish, but I’m in the same situation! Calm down.” JJ backs down, and David passes on what they learned from Carlos the night before. Leo’s heading back to his office to plan the operation. JJ doesn’t seem to understand the meaning or importance of planning a rescue operation. Just then Carlos calls again, and gives more info about the state of the girls, how many men are at the house (he thinks around 10), and exactly where the house is. They’ll pick him up on the way so that he can direct them to the house. JJ and David insinuate themselves in the rescue operation, even though they’re civilians. There’s no way they’re staying behind. Road trip!

At Casa Genoves, Secret Agents Chucho Chicles and Caramelo are looking for trouble in Mario’s room. When the phone rings, Chicles takes the opportunity to eavesdrop on the conversation from the bedroom phone, despite Cara’s protests. David tells Abelardo all about the rescue operation. At first he lies about participating in the operation, but then tells him the truth. He asks him not to tell the others that they will be part of the rescue operation. Abelardo agrees, but asks him to be careful. Chucho Chicles is very pleased to be in on such a big secret.

In his apartment, Ulises has his boxes packed and is asking Elsa about love. Her new healthy attitude is that love will come when it’s supposed to—when she feels whole and sure of herself. She asks Ulises where he’s headed. He’s going far away, with company—someone who he’s not yet sure he can trust, but he doesn’t have a lot of options, and he has nothing to lose. It will be an adventure. He wants to give it a go. Elsa gives him a heartfelt hug and tells him he deserves happiness because he is such a beautiful human being. She wishes him well. They both cry a little and laugh that one day they will laugh together about this phase in their lives.

Dora is clutching her rosary beads and praying silently. She asks Abelardo if he has any updates from David, so he tells her and Santiago the PG version that David told him. Unfortunately, Chicles seems to have forgotten what the word secret means. He rats out David and JJ for being part of the rescue mission, and Cara rats him out for listening in on the call. Dora panics and Santiago worries.

On the patio, Bertha and Limon fret as well. Limon shares the news about the boys’ role in the rescue mission. Bertha actually worries about someone else! She worries how Dora is taking the news. Bertha decides it’s time for her to do something to help the situation too. She’s going to see Yolanda Rey.

In the office, the three elders (Dora, Santiago and Abelardo) have a mini version of the same debate we’ve been having the last few weeks. How do you solve a problem like Bertha? Santiago thinks a bunch of the bad stuff going down is her fault. Abelardo brings up the fact that Carlos loves her. Dora thinks everyone should b e given an opportunity; she just may change. Santiago’s not buying it. She’s an ambitious girl, without scruples, who’s capable of anything. Abelardo indulges in some gossip about Carlos ditching Mina for Bertha. Another victim of Bertha! (LOL! I didn’t realize what a gossip Abelardo is. ) Now he’s giving the juicy info about Adolfo finding his young wife and son in flagrante delicto. It must be love, decides Dora. If Carlos has decided that Bertha is his happiness, then Dora supports them! Santiago is all like, whatever!! “I still have my doubts.”

Captain Ahab is on his radio pressuring the yacht captain to arrive, post haste. It will still likely be another four hours. “Keep me informed! Over and out.” (cambio y fuera) Outside, Valentin reports to Edgar and Dante that he’s found a boat (lancha). Bandana goon confirms that it works, it’s what Adolfo uses to get out to the yacht, but Adolfo is the one who has the key. Anyway, it’s not fit to go very far without capsizing; you need to have another boat to meet you out in the water. Dante wants more info about Adolfo’s yacht. He’s determined to find a way to use that boat, and Bandana Goon is going to help him find it.

At her condo, Yolanda is looking fab as usual, as she frets over Carlos and the girls. If she doesn’t hear anything soon, she’s heading over to Casa Genoves. When the doorbell rings, she wonders if it could be Carlos. But it’s a newly humble Bertha. Yolanda introduces her to Juanita as Mario’s niece, and more importantly, Carlos’s girlfriend. Bertha shares the news about the planned rescue, but she’s really come to apologize for the rude way she treated Yolanda, although Yolanda was just trying to warn her. Yolanda encourages her to tutear her, and says it’s all water under the bridge. She knows Bertha loves money. Who wouldn’t want to have money? And Yolanda loves money too. Thanks to Adolfo, she’s lived a comfortable life. She didn’t realize until too late the high price she was paying for these luxuries. Bertha tells Yolanda that although she is Adolfo’s wife, she no longer wants his money. She only wants Carlos. She loves him with her whole soul. Yolanda believes her, but wants to know, and is relieved to find out, that she did not have relations with Adolfo. Bertha is sure that what Adolfo wanted was just company. Bertha then asks Yolanda about the conversation she overheard between Yolanda and Adolfo when he said they were spawns of the Devil. Yolanda looks impactada, but she does not reveal the secret. “Human beings are complex. We all have secrets that are hidden truths, that we don’t want to reveal, or that we shouldn’t. Some of these secrets are permanently etched marks, and are many times painful.” Bertha’s pea brain tries to work out this heavy piece of philosophy. She decides to ask a direct question. “What happened to the two of you?” “We were victims of perversity. And it’s too dark of a secret. It only pertains to the two of us. Adolfo and me. They day that this secret is discovered, will be because he and I decided it. Because it’s what we share, it’s what unites us, and it’s what’s kept us united--until the last day of our lives.” (Ok. Did that build your curiosity to a fevered pitch?)

Ah!! Creepy doll! Whew! It’s just Cara working out her fears about the kidnapping by talking it out with her doll. Chicles comes in and only heightens her fears by acting out the gun fight he imagines is happening with the rescue. Limon and Santiago try to distract the kids by convincing them to play a game. Cara’s not in the mood. Cara is worried about her aunties, and especially Ale who she is expecting to become her mom. She doesn’t want the kidnappers to hit her, like they did Tia Yolanda. Chicles thinks there’s nothing to worry about, since JJ and David will be going in with guns blazing. He doesn’t know why they didn’t take him! Santiago tries to teach Chicles that violence is not a good thing. (Is this sinking in to our mini goon’s head? Nope. I didn’t think so either.) All we need is love…and art, and music. Chicles is skeptical. What about monsters, mummies and killers? You know, all the good things in life. Limon tries another approach to get the all you need is love message into Chicles’ brain—a good whack upside the head. Santiago urges Limon to be patient, as Chicles is a child and doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation. Cara lets them know that she fully understands the situation, although she’s little. She’s sad because Ale was going to be her mother, and she wants her to return, because she wants a mommy. Limon comforts her with a hug, and Santiago tries to comfort them all, including himself, with positive words. They are all going to come back, and his grandchild will be born safe and sound.

In the forest surrounding the beach house, Leo, the AFI squad, and the Three Musketeers, approach. The 3Ms are not keen on being left behind when the action starts. Carlos makes the case that he knows the easiest ways to get into the house. Leo confers with Ramon about the next steps. The 3Ms make their own stupid plan. David and JJ brought guns-- JJ’s is hidden in his back pants waist; David’s is hidden in his sock. They’re going to be a part of this, “cueste lo que cueste.” (whatever the cost/come what may) Leo returns to let them know they can go with Ramon. JJ wants (more) heat, so Leo gets them each a gun, to only be used in self defense. Suddenly, a manic booming voice penetrates the forest. “Stop! If you come any closer, we’ll kill the women!!” Leo uses his own megaphone to respond to Adolfo. “Avila. Give up. There’s no escape.” Adolfo isn’t giving in to any demands. In fact, he’s got his own demands. He wants Carlos, delivered to him in five minutes, unarmed. If not, then he’ll kill one of the women. They all pause, completely impactados by this crazy request. Then JJ out-crazies Adolfo! He takes off running, gun drawn, directly for the beach house and Adolfo’s private army of goons.

Labels: verdad

* Instead of killing the hostages Adolfo shoots Dante’s gorillas then the whole band leaves by helicopter. In the meantime poor, shattered, devastated *Viewerville: and absolutely adorable* David is suffering and torturing himself at home. His mother comforts him and tries to ease his pain but he’s enraged: his innocent wife and child are in mortal danger! It isn’t fair, it isn’t fair!



* In the kitchen Ramona and Abelardo are discussing Bertha’s character: the maid doesn’t believe she would change ever, Abe decided to defend and trust her. They don’t notice she stands in the door and hears every word they say. Abelardo, the butler with a golden heart tries to ease Bertha’s guilt and she apologizes and hugs him.



* Juan José gives David the shoes, the diamonds and the photo he found in the warehouse. Something had to happen to the bad boys because it’s very unlikely they would’ve left something that important back. However, David thinks they’re useless now, because Adolfo committed bigger crimes than smuggling. And what about negotiating with him, asks JJ. First they have to find him, answers David.

* In the Ávila condo the police managed to open Adolfo’s safe at last. Lionheart and Ramón find the two rings, and they are glad that they have enough proofs against Adolfo. Then Leo reads one of the documents and his jaw drops. Qué barbaridad!



* In the casa Genovés gasping Limón and wise Abelardo confess to Caramelo that bad men did kidnap Gaby and Alejandra, but they promise her her tías will be back at home soon. In the study Yolanda confesses to Santiago that the last time when she told him about Marta she, well, didn’t tell the truth. She thought he was Mario, the man she loved so much and the good old jealousy was killing her. But now she has to tell the truth. Marta wasn’t a bad woman.

* Hottietecto shows up at the architect studio and learns from Mina, who’s worried to death, that Gabriela and Julieta were kidnapped, too. The two decide to visit JJ who must have some news. But what about that feud between Mr. Pumpkinhead and Mr. Ex-Rivera? Whatever happened, happened, says Mau, this situation is more important than their rivalry, and he wants to help JJ. After all, he’s a good man and Alejandra is his friend.



* In the study Faustiago can’t believe his ears. Really? She was a good woman? Would a good woman abandon her own son? Yolanda says Adolfo forced Marta to leave the boy because he didn’t want people to realize they produced a child together. Faustiago still feels horrible. Yolanda. Do you think Marta loved me once? Yolanda nods, yes, actually, she’s sure Marta loved him much. She loved to watch him playing on stage and she always told Yolanda he was the best man on Earth. But what about Mario and Adolfo? Mario was an intense love, but she knew they wouldn’t have any future together. As for Adolfo, Marta was young and she had no idea what kind of man he was. Is Yolanda lying again? To make him think better of his deceased wife? No, she can’t lie anymore. Marta was just a woman who was looking for love for a long time and when she finally found happiness on Santiago’s side… she was murdered.



* The two young architects arrive at the house of the depressed, brooding dragon and learn that he knows nothing about the lost princess. But there’s one thing Mina should know, Carlos has been kidnapped, too. He couldn’t sleep all night, he was thinking about Adolfo’s motivations. He most likely wants to negotiate with them, that’s why he took the women, but why the hell does he need Carlos, too? Mina says Carlos mentioned her about a seaside villa and JJ gets excited at last. He asks her to call Leonardo and tell him everything. *Viewerville: That’s it! The “use the damned telephone” gene is finally starts to evolve!* While Mina is talking on phone Mauricio hesitatingly tells Juan José he broke up with Elsa. It took him time to realize she didn’t love him and she couldn’t accept JJ wasn’t in love with her. JJ hardly hears his words and doesn’t really care about their so-called love triangle, but thanks to Mauricio for visiting and supporting him. Mina returns to the men and the three starts to speculate about the mysterious house. Mau says if it’s so far away Adolfo probably had to take a flight. No, JJ doesn’t thinks so, Dolphie doesn’t have permission to fly anymore. But… Geez! The bad boys must’ve used a helicopter! Garnica’s helicopter!



* At AFI Leonardo gets a phone call from David who tells him about the helicopter and the two Musketeers send him the photos of the vehicle by fax. Ramón, who notices how nervous his boss is tells him not to worry. They’ll find Julieta.

* In the garden of the Genovés villa Bertha confesses to Dora she would’ve preferred to be kidnapped than being free but unable to help and save the hostages. She was an idiot for not realizing in time what kind of man Adolfo was and she feels guilty for being alive while the people she loves are in danger. Dora comforts her.



* The helicopter arrives at the seaside wondervilla. *I. Want. That. House.* Sweating, grumpy Adolfo orders the ugliest goon to lock the hostages up. While nervous Édgar and Valentín are in the kitchen, Dolphie admits to Dante he will get rid of them. Does he want to kill the women and his son, too? Adolfo doesn’t answer. And… What about me? Adolfo stares at him silently and Dante’s blood freezes.



* Bertha’s self-torture is interrupted by flirty Chicles and friendly Caramelo who mentions once they and tía Yolanda were kidnapped, too.

* In the seaside house Dante, who suspects he’s in mortal danger, tries to get new friends, so he asks a cigar from the other underdogs, aka Psycho Eddie and Val. He needs Valentín to take him by helicopter to the high seas, where he may meet a ship that belongs to his American friends. But don’t say a word to Adolfo! The two goons are laughing at him not-so-secretly, but they calm him down, but don’t worry, patron, they’ll keep his secret. And where’s the map from Garnica safe? Map? Yes, the map with the location of the archeological goodies. Actually, Eddie keeps it in his wallet… but wait, it isn’t there anymore! Oops. After nervous Dante leaves them, Valentín tells Édgar Sevilla’s plan is stupid since the helicopter doesn’t have enough fuel. What should they do? The goons start to panic, they have to find out something and get the hell out of that rock.

* King Adolfo’s lunch is interrupted by Ugly Goon, who actually has conscience. He doesn’t like to treat young Carlos like that, after all, he’s Ávila’s son! Armed Adolfo takes crazy to a new level: threats, shouts, glasses, food and saliva fly around. You have to obey me! You have to! All right, boss, all right, all right.



* Ulises calls JJ and tells him he found a strange paper in her sofa which most likely was left there by that hypocrite Édgar. JJ, who’s all ears, asks him to bring it to the Genovés villa.

* Ugly and Loyal Goon asks tied, tired Carlos if he needs anything. Yes, set him free. No, he can’t do that, Adolfo will kill him if he betrays him. Moustache tries to convince him Adolfo is completely mad, he kidnapped his sisters and JJ’s wife! Yes, he has a sister, but it’s a long story. The two remember back the summers Carlos spent in the villa when he was a kid and Ugly Goon’s heart finally melts. He may help Carlos to escape, but what could he do? He can’t walk to the next village to ask for help, it’d take two days and Adolfo would kill the women. But Carlos’s old ATV is still there, he could use that. Carlos’s grateful, but he starts to worry about Ugly Goon. Oh, don’t worry for him, he’ll made up a good story and explain the situation to Adolfo. Speaking of Adolfo, he finds very suspicious the long conversation between Ugly and Carlos.



* The three ladies are locked up in one of the bedrooms. Julieta’s lost her nerve already, she screams nobody will find them there. Alejandra hugs her and tries to calm her down. They’ll be saved… or they’ll find a way to escape. In the meantime Gabriela realizes she acted like an idiot with David and she collapses, too. Mommy Ale leaves Juli and now comforts Gaby: when they arrive at home she and David will reconcile, please don’t torture herself. They have to stay calm because hysteria won’t help them any! Think about her baby, in a few months she’ll have a wonderful child, and that child will need a strong and vigorous mother.



* In the study the boys tries to find out what the paper Ulises gave them means. By the way, how does he know it belonged to Édgar? Because Psycho Eddie was the only person who visited him lately. While Ulises is brooding about his lack of social life and David is calling Leo, Juan Indiana Jones José realizes the numbers on the paper are coordinates.



* Eddie and Valentín accidentally overhear Adolfo’s conversation with one of his goons called Alejo. Dolphie promises 1000 pesos to Alejo for murdering Ugly Goon.



* Daddy Leonardo is interrogating the kids, the nasty one, who just cynically laughs at his attempts of investigations, and the nervous one, who tries to act like the good boy. Leo decides to take the evidences with himself. After he leaves, JJ drops a tantrum and David head is about to explode, too.

* Édgar tells Ugly Goon Alejo wants to kill him that night. Ugly grabs him and says Alejo is his buddy, he wouldn’t hurt him! All right, all right, think what you want.



* Leo calls David and tells him the coordinates on Eddie’s map locate a place in the state of Tabasco. Any idea what Adolfo would do there? Nothing. David tells the news to JJ who thinks maybe Bertha knows more about Adolfo’s businesses.

* Late in the evening the Psycho in the shining armor strangles Alejo and saves Ugly’s fat arse from being shot. Is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship? Inside the house Ugly releases Carlos and tells him Val and Ed will help him escape on his ATV. On the beach our goons give Carlos a high five and wish him luck. The boy starts the old vehicle and rides away in the night. Viewerville: Who cares about William in a kayak when we have Carlos on an ATV? Come on, muñeco!*



Aribeth

Labels: verdad

At Elsa's apartment, Ramón & Co. get Dante's address from her. And Chicles guides Juan José to Adolfo's kidnap warehouse; while back at home when Carlos arrives and reports Adolfo has a beach house hideaway, he's startled to learn from Asunción that Alejandra's kidnapped, too.

Carlos takes a call from Bertha and exits to meet her at his condo, unbeknownst to him that Édgar and Valentín have her bound at gunpoint. They ditch notions of abusing her, as she's still the boss's wife. Back at the warehouse, Juan José warns Chicles that it's not the movies; and guys will really die when shot.

Instead Juan José instructs him to phone for help if he isn't back in 15 minutes or hears gunfire and to wait in the truck. Once inside, Juan José skulks the dank, inky halls without result until a loud bang erupts; whereupon he notes a stray dog nosing around Édgar's booty hiding place and recovers the infamous black shoes.

Incognito Adolfo and Dante meet Yolanda at a nondescript hotel, where Adolfo embraces Yolanda with relief. She begs him to release the hostages, which he insists are his only hole card for escaping the country. But when she reveals Mario is dead and the kidnapping now prevents him closing the contract, Adolfo is pole axed.

How stupid! Of course! The sudden strange behavior of "Mario" now makes sense. How stupid, how stupid! He could have been the owner of everything! He's realizing his awful blunder, committed in order to rescue Yolanda. No!

At Carlos's condo, he enters only to be bonked on the head, bound and carried off by Édgar and Valentín; while racing across town with sirens screaming, Ramón radios Leonardo that at Dante's, Zaida gave them the warehouse address. Meanwhile, Juan José and Chicles arrive home with the amazing diamonds to hear of Carlos's beach hideaway news.

Leonardo is disgusted to have just missed the kidnappers at the warehouse; and when he suddenly remembers Gabriela's tale of the beach hideaway, phones and learns from David it's somewhere remote without highway access. At Juan José's, he phones Yolanda to ask Carlos's address to learn more about it.

Édgar reports Carlos in hand to Adolfo at the nondescript hotel; where Adolfo assures Dante he can trust Yolanda -- with the possible exception when it concerns Carlos. She'll do something if she knows he's kidnapped. They quickly decide to adjourn with their victim to the country hideout of Valentín's choosing.

Dante's concerned about holding Carlos; kidnapping girls is one thing -- but Carlos is strong and trouble; but Adolfo needs him sequestered, due to Carlos knowing about the beach house, at least until they flee the country.

Juan José arrives at Carlos's condo just as Bertha frees her gag and shouts for help; he rescues terrified Bertha and learns of Carlos's kidnapping -- and she learns of Alejandra's kidnapping, to her dismay, along with the other girls.

Yolanda returns to the hotel to find the heavies absconded without a word. At Mario's, Santiago and David are disgusted to see Juan José bring Bertha to the house, until they hear what has happened to Carlos. Bertha is distraught and wails she loves Carlos and she'll die if anything bad befalls him!

David embraces apparently sincere Bertha and admits that everyone should have the chance to repent; and when doubtful Dora appears, explains Bertha's situation. Bertha desires to explain things to her uncle, too; but is startled and confused to hear Mario died long ago in Roberto's crash on the Veracruz highway.

The bad guys arrive at the country hideout and stow Carlos with the other victims. Back at Mario's, sobbing Bertha apologizes, if not to deceased Mario, then to Santiago, explaining that after all that's happened, she's going to behave in a very different way. Crying, she turns to everyone present and apologizes, begging forgiveness.

Later upstairs, Bertha apologizes especially to Dora, telling Dora she always felt like she never amounted to much, which she has never told anyone else. Growing up, Alejandra was the smart and talented one, always getting the parental praise; while she felt no account and acted out for attention.

Her father did seem to feel sympathetic, knowing Bertha didn't bring much; but when he died, there was no one left to help her, having no profession or education. Dora admits it must have been hard for her; but typically optimistic, smiles and counsels God will make things right in the end, if Bertha is truly repentant.

Downstairs in the living room, tempers are flaring as the family men's impatience is reaching a breaking point; and hapless, prodded Leonardo walks in just on the brunt of it. General mayhem ensues as they object to Leonardo ordering them what to do, despite their anger at feeling he has done nothing!

But they must admit since they themselves don't know the location of the beach hideaway, that they're trying to squeeze water out of a stone. Leonardo is shocked they haven't told him Carlos is missing; and they all must calm down, including the uniforms with sidearms drawn.

Leonardo wonders how in the world he's supposed to launch a search, if they don't know where the beach house is located along Mexico's one thousand kilometers of coast line! He orders them to stop taking things into their own hands and exits, leaving the frustrated boyz steaming.

Later at Juan José's, he weeps over a photograph of missing Alejandra and asks God what he's done to deserve first the death of his mother and now risking Alejandra, who is everything to him; who has been so good with him. He still believes, though, and prays for her safe return; while Asuncion looks on, wearing the world's loudest pajamas, still easily visible despite the late-night shadows.

Next day outside the country hideout, Édgar and Valentín discuss how they are going to get out of there, with those monkeys watching them all the time and the jewels guarded at the warehouse; but Valentín reminds Édgar they still have money in the bank.

While inside the shack amid the victims' moaning, Adolfo and Dante wonder similarly how to extricate themselves, with all transportation watched -- and their bank accounts probably frozen without a penny. They order Édgar to retrieve the diamonds; and he'd better not come back empty handed, or else!

At Elsa's, she admits a somber Mauricio into the apartment, who only sits for a moment to deliver bad news. He knows she doesn't love him, and he's tired of waiting for her to notice he exists. He did everything he could to encourage her self-confidence to succeed; and it wasn't easy, due to her self doubt.

He insisted because he loved her and thought she'd make a great professional. Despite doing everything he could to help her forget Juan José, the only thing it accomplished was that she loves him even more -- that she gets worse and worse, wanting him more and more, despite Juan José only wanting her as a friend.

When Elsa objects to Mauricio speaking to her that way, he tells her she will indeed listen to every word he has to say, for all the mountain of things he listened to from her. She's a stupid girl, because Juan José doesn't love her. What does she expect -- and what's more, Mauricio doesn't expect anything either, because he's tired of this.

Mauricio doesn't want to see Elsa again or hear anything about her. She's won; she finally succeeded in getting rid of him. He gave her everything, and she threw it in the garbage. What is she going to do now, that she's alone? At the door, he pauses thoughtfully and turns before saying, resignedly, to pardon him for daring to love her -- and exits, as Elsa remains behind in tears.

When Édgar arrives back at the shack from the guarded warehouse without the diamonds, Adolfo is ready to kill both him and Valentín -- until Valentín pulls his hole card and reveals he knows where Garnica's helicopter is. They get a reprieve when Adolfo returns from looking in the woods, exclaiming they are saved; the helicopter is there!

Adolfo promises Dante they'll get a big ransom for the kidnap victims; while after a few moments, the helicopter descends -- and aside, Valentín confides to Édgar he picked this hideout knowing the helicopter was hidden nearby.

The worse news is that the chopper won't hold everyone -- and two of the passengers must stay behind: which two, Adolfo plans to choose with a bullet.

Labels: verdad

* Yolanda visits her onetruelove Mario in the Genovés villa but she meets Faustiago who confesses her everything, the accident that wasn’t an accident at all and the scam Mario invented. When Yolanda realizes Mario didn’t know she was in love with him she freaks out, but later she praises Fausto’s acting skills and apologizes for everything she did. He forgives her, he believes she’s already paid for everything.



*Mina calls Alejandra who’s spending the day with her husband in the Genovés’s garden to tell her she has to go to the design studio because one of their clients is a disgruntled brat.

* After stealing a van Édgar calls Adolfo to tell him he has gifts for him, can he hear the crying of the waitresses? Adolfo’s head over heels and tells his favourite little goon they’ll meet in the warehouse. Then he calls Dante to tell him they already won the war.

* There must be a congress in the Genovés hall because virtually everyone (Fausto, Yolanda, Dora, Jorge, Asunción and Abelardo) spend the afternoon there. Slowly the family realizes the Guillén girls disappeared a long time ago, and when David arrives at home and tries to call Gaby she doesn’t answers the phone.

* The young, naked coyotes are enjoying the afternoon and the afterglow in the bedroom when Adolfo storms into the flat. When he sees his wife and his son in bed, he tells Bertha he’ll divorce Bertha and she will get nothing! It doesn’t matter, says the girl, she doesn’t want his money anymore.



* Carlos visits the Genovéses and learns his sisters have disappeared. Yolanda asks him to take her home and the muñeco confesses to her they told Adolfo she was kidnapped. WHAT?! They know what his father is like, what if Adolfo kidnapped the girls to take revenge? Oh, and by the way, Mario is dead. Totally. Long story.



* Adolfo arrives at the warehouse and when he sees the frightened, tied women he burst out of joy and kisses both Édgar and Valentín. The boys and the girls start to realize Adolfo’s getting crazy. A few minutes later Dante and his gorillas show up, too, and laugh at the Musketeers’ and their women’s misery.



* Leonardo storms into the hall of the Genovés villa and asks the family about Julieta’s whereabouts. When he learns about the crazy kidnapping plan his head explodes and informs the pumpkin plantation that Ávila got Hernández murdered and he probably has their woman, too. And you provoked this! David quickly calls Juan José.



* Leo and half of AFI break into the Ávila condo but unfortunately it’s empty. Leo sends Ramón to Dante’s house and tells him to arrest him and his gorillas.

* Valentín and a goon show up in the design studio, they knock both women out with chloroform and put Alejandra into a box. While Juan José is driving through the city and tries to call Alejandra, Mauricio walks into the studio and finds unconscious Mina on the floor. He wakes her up and when worried JJ arrives they tell him Ale has been kidnapped.



* In the meantime Valentín and his little friend deliver another gift to Adolfo: blindfolded Alejandra. Gaby and Julieta tell Adolfo he’ll pay for his crimes but he’s way too sure of himself. He tells Dante they can’t return to their homes and offices but they don’t have to worry, either, they have their own life insurances.

*After frightening everyone at Sagitario to death, Leo visits Yolanda to ask her about the girls’ disappearance. She doesn’t know anything, honestly, and unfortunately she doesn’t remember the place where she and the kids were locked up.

* Adolfo tells Dante they’ll have to leave the warehouse, surely Zaida will tell the police about its whereabouts. They need another headquarters. What about the seaside house? No, Carlos knows about it. First let’s put the women into a van and they can find out a solution later. Well, Édgar isn’t happy to leave the warehouse since his treasures are hidden inside a container.



* A hysterical and loud JJ storms into the study and tells David Alejandra is kidnapped, and Adolfo surely has Gaby and Julieta, too! That man is crazy! But it was their fault because they pushed his buttons too hard. But they have to use their brain and find out a solution.



* Dolphie, the Demented calls his sweetheart Yolanda and begs her to find a new hideout. She has fifteen minutes.



* In the meantime Ramón visits Elsa to ask a few questions? He only wants to talk? No more arresting? No, but the police needs her help.

* Lucha, Asunción and Chicles are about to leave when the little boy overhears David’s and JJ’s conversation about the tons of warehouses in Mexico. It’ll be very hard to find their women. At home he tells raging, desperate JJ he knows exactly where that specific warehouse is.

Question of the day: what will our genius do?
1% call Leonardo
2% call David
2% call Carlos
95% go to the warehouse with Chicles



Aribeth

Labels: verdad

Adolfo runs to Yolanda's condo where the maid, Juanita, reports she left hours ago and without a customary note; in Yolanda's bedroom, he finds everything normal, except her cell phone remaining on the night stand. Using her speed dial, Adolfo gets Carlos, who jerks his chain with a chuckle, accusing Adolfo of some new offense to her.

In the kitchen at Mario's, Asunción practices reading, making Caramelo proud, who loves him regardless. On her way up to bed, Caramelo matchmakes a bit with Dora, enlisting her to help Asunción with his studies. Arriving back in the penthouse, Adolfo manhandles startled Bertha about spilling crucial details to crooks.

He throws Bertha out for stupidity, who shouts this is the last time that's going to happen as she exits; while behind, Adolfo agonizes over Yolanda's whereabouts. In Mario's kitchen, pleasantly surprised Asunción is tickled to have Dora help him with reading, over a cup of tea; while pint-sized matchmaker Caramelo nods in approval behind the door.

At the AFI, Leonardo's underwhelmed when Adolfo demands he find disappeared Yolanda, sure it's another crime of Adolfo; but at Adolfo's rough insistence and the doctored Hernández photo, Leonardo assures him he will investigate if she's really kidnapped. But he points out, such things are risks run by doing business with criminals.

Criminals such as Édgar Lopez, he adds. Leonardo disconcerts Adolfo by revealing he has the Juan José murder attempt weapon -- with Adolfo's fingerprints on it, bringing on a flashback of handing the weapon to Hernández. At Elsa's, she continues with her self-flagellation, maintaining nobody really cares about her.

She tells Ulises she won't take Mauricio's calls, certain he just feels pity for her; and Ulises assures her he himself really cares about her as a friend. But when Elsa contends her life feels out of sorts, Ulises divines she means out of sorts -- not with life, but with Juan José.

When Adolfo takes the doctored Hernández photo to Dante's, Dante wonders if Hernández hasn't conspired with Leonardo and turned Yolanda over to the Genovéses, which revelation makes Adolfo rise and swear to kill all of them: Mario, the son and that b**** waitress. Instead of rushing the house, though, he'll fight fire with fire.

At dinner at the Mirador, Carlos isn't buying it when Yolanda tries to impress him how proud his mother would be; he rejects justifying that she simply didn't want him, and that's it. Yolanda compares his mother's actions to her own, whom no one understands; but that she has her reasons -- that will come out at the proper time.

In the kitchen at Mario's, Gabriela and David have another escalating argument over his supposed secrecy and her indignation that everybody treats her like a dope; and things are worsening between them. Across town, Bertha pounds on Carlos's condo door begging to be let in, and he relents and does so.

She pleads for his help after being ejected for spilling the beans to Hernández, which amazes and distresses Carlos; and she must explain she was drunk, depressed and lonely at the time. Bitterly sobbing that all she wanted was a bit of financial security -- and what she got was everybody kicking her to the curb, Carlos thaws a little and exits to make her a cup of tea.

At Mario's, David and Dora promise each other to stay together from now on, no matter what. Back at Carlos's, teacup in hand, Bertha notes with self-deprecation that she behaved so badly to him and he so good to her; only Carlos would open the door to her, and she can hardly face him. She admits that she deserved the slap by Mina, in every way a better person than she.

When Bertha laments she's the worst person, Carlos points out there's no point in comparing herself; everyone is just like they are -- or rather like they want to be. She's suffering the consequences of her decisions. When he bitterly observes she'd rather marry his dad than have the love he offered, Bertha tries to explain.

She did it feeling threatened, she says, which Carlos dismisses. Didn't she think how deeply it wounded him to see her with his father? Confused Bertha offers she really had no idea why she accepted; she thought maybe it was a love she felt, which Carlos turns on her: yes, a love -- but for money.

Frustrated Bertha can't explain with words why she abandoned Carlos for Adolfo, and she must admit his accusation that she's ambitious; but when she cries that she's ambitious -- but not bad, Carlos has decided now that she is indeed bad -- and superficial and selfish! The worst is she didn't even leave Carlos for Adolfo, but rather for his money!

He strikes out bitterly that she left him for a load of cash and jewels! He's about to boot Bertha out again, when Bertha shakes her head and cries that no matter what, she still loves Carlos. He's still the love of her life, she swears.

Shocked Carlos is realizing Bertha has a more sinister weapon than he ever thought; and she takes up his hands and begs him to look into her eyes for the proof: they've both suffered and understand each other with just a glance. They've both been victims of his father and know the sorrow he's caused.

Bertha's begging him with her heart in hand, she says; and Carlos is watching and listening when she insists she truly still loves and desires him, despite all her damned ambition. And despite her shamelessness, Carlos admits, he still loves her, too; which makes relieved Bertha ecstatic, and Carlos kisses her.

In the sack at Juan José's, Alejandra frets that the ends of their current actions don't justify the means; and that if they back Adolfo into a corner, he's going to do something desperate. But Juan José blows off her concerns, insisting the three musketeers can handle anything he can bring.

Across town at a pool hall, Édgar explains to Valentín that the infamous shoes and murder DVD's are their life insurance against being next on Adolfo's list. Later at Carlos's, in bed with Bertha, he has now to consider Mina; who coincidentally phones while he's in the shower -- and gets some rude news from Bertha, who takes Mina's message that Carlos should go directly to hell.

Bertha conveniently fails to inform Carlos of her phone call. Presently, Alejandra is awakened by inconsolable Mina, informing her of that harpy b**** of a sister of hers and pig Carlos. Later, at the Mirador, Carlos catches Yolanda phoning Juanita and brusquely hangs her up, berating her for leaving a trail for Adolfo.

Carlos orders her to pack; while immediately in her condo, Adolfo reads the caller I.D. and discovers from the Mirador number with disgust that his suspicions about the kidnapping must be true. On their way out of the Mirador, Carlos anxiously reminds Yolanda that Adolfo already kidnapped her once, and she wonders when life will ever be normal.

But Yolanda is grateful Carlos loves her, and they embrace as they exit. Before long, Adolfo arrives and bribes a janitor to confirm a woman of Yolanda's description checked in, but just exited. Carlos deposits Yolanda at Juan José's and explains the situation; while at Dante's, Adolfo orders Édgar and Valentín to case Mario's neighborhood.

At Juan José's, he surprises Carlos with the bad news of Mina's reaction to Bertha; and Carlos promises to explain later. Carlos appears at Alejandra's architectural studio to apologize to bitterly sobbing Mina. She doesn't really want to hear it, but he confirms that although he'd been thinking his feelings for Bertha would be superficial -- they were not.

He assures Mina he cares about her a lot, and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her; but he also doesn't want to keep her in the dark. Carlos asks her forgiveness, but Mina gives him a loud boot, leaving her weeping piteously and wondering to Alejandra why she was so stupid as to fall in love with him.

At a restaurant, Elsa confirms she can have nothing with Juan José, but also shouldn't go out with Mauricio for spite. Ulises counsels her to take time to figure what matters -- and assures her that she truly matters to Mauricio. Meanwhile, Édgar watches outside Juan José's house as Carlos enters.

Inside, Carlos explains to Alejandra and Juan José that he loves Bertha and that it's difficult when your brain tells you one thing and your heart another. He knows sooner or later he would have gone back with her anyway. Alejandra is happy if her sister is changing, but cautions against telling her their plans.

Carlos assures them that he may love Bertha, but he still doesn't trust her and won't say anything. Outside when Édgar reports Carlos arriving at Juan José's, Adolfo deduces his son is in on the kidnapping; and so feels better about it, knowing Carlos would never hurt her. Adolfo orders Édgar to wait for his instructions.

At the AFI, Ramón surprises Leonardo with news of Hernandéz's corpse encountered in a dumpster; and Leonardo exits immediately to speak with Adolfo, whom he suspects. Upstairs at Juan José's, Carlos insists to Yolanda that Adolfo's weak now and can't defend against his enemies, so she assents to another few days of hiding.

Carlos makes it much easier by offering to take Yolanda to Mario's to see the kids, whom she adores; they recall to her Carlos as a child. When Carlos mentions he can't take her to his place, since Bertha is there, Yolanda realizes Carlos loves Bertha a lot -- which he confirms, like no one else ever in his life.

When Yolanda points out she's his father's wife, Carlos assures her they are going to fix that right quick. Across the alley at Mario's, Gabriela's furious she once again can't raise David at work and drags Julieta with her through the tunnel to catch a taxi from in front of the tunnel house to confront David at the hotel.

Watching them and reporting their movements is Édgar, who follows in his car as the two sisters climb into a taxi; which we suddenly see is driven by none other than Valentín. They're wondering who the driver's phoning about their whereabouts when Édgar launches himself into the back seat, gun drawn, and making the girls scream their heads off.

Labels: verdad

Alternate Title: Hernandez is Too Dangerous and Crazy to Live

Hernandez has used his subtle powers of persuasion to convince Adolfo to do business with him, Edgar, and Valentin. The fact that Hernandez has just killed all his goons and has a gun pointed to his head, may have something to do with his quick agreement.

At Casa Genoves, Juli is filling Gabi in on the shoot-up at Leo’s and Adolfo’s appearance. Gabi had hoped all this would be ending soon, but now she’s not sure. Both girls are happy that with Juli living at Casa Genoves, Leo can better keep them safe, and their little family of three is all back together- through the good and the bad.

Eddie and Valentin are enjoying lunch on the curb and speaking about their new partner Hernandez. They agree that the guy gives them the creeps. Eddie thought he was a bit strange before, but now thinks he’s dangerous and abusive. (You know you’ve got a problem when Psycho Eddie thinks you’re crazy.) Eddie wants to carry on with their blackmail plan. Since JJ doesn’t know Valentin, Valentin will be responsible for squeezing him. He’s sure Dante won’t remember him (Eddie), so he’ll take him on.

At Adolfo’s, Bertha has just let in Hernandez who claims to be Adolfo’s business partner (socio). She’s feeling quite social and begins to spill Adolfo’s personal business- especially about those near and dear to him. He has a son, but the person he most loves in this world is Yolanda, who happens to live in this building. Adolfo comes home, quickly assesses the situation and drags Bertha up to her room. He then sets her straight that Hernandez is not a business partner, but an employee. He cautions her to keep her mouth shut and not do anything else stupid.

When he returns to the living room, he orders Hernandez to his office. It appears that Hernandez hates taking orders even more than Eddie. Adolfo scolds him about speaking to his mujer and screwing up a second time in an attempted hit- first with JJ, and now with Leo. Hernandez answers him by throwing his brandy glass across the room, pimp slapping Adolfo, and manhandling him on top of his desk with a gun pointed to his head. He then spits on the living room floor on the way out for good measure. Bertha listens to the altercation from behind a column in the living room, but does not come to Adolfo’s aid when he stumbles, gasping for air, out of the office. She doesn’t even go to him as he struggles half way up the stairs, calling for her out of fright that Hernandez has done her harm. When he passes out on the stairs, she calls out to him but does not call an ambulance.

Instead, Bertha ends up on Carlos’s doorstep. She explains to him what happened, expecting her knight to jump into action. But his only response is, “And?” He hustles her out the door since his girlfriend is about to come over. “Que?!” This is something Bertha didn’t expect. As he’s pushing her out the door, said girlfriend, Mina, arrives. This just adds insult to injury, so Bertha decides to dole out some insults to Mina. Bertha calls her Ale’s lackey (“gata”/ pet). This earns her a Hernandez-worthy b!tch slap from Mina. (Yes!)

Adoflo finally comes to on the stairs, and resumes calling for Bertha. He pours himself a drink and stumbles into his office. In their architecture office, Mina explains to Ale what happened with Bertha- the slap (which Ale thinks she deserved) and the reason why Bertha was asking Carlos for help. Ale become very worried for her sister and decides to call her.

Bertha finally returns to her home, but Adolfo is in his office and in no mood to speak. “Leave me in peace!” Bertha returns to her room in time to get a call from her sister. They make an appointment to meet in a café nears Adolf’s in half an hour. At the café, Bertha reveals that she is now married to Adolfo, and she can’t leave him because she’s scared. Bertha begs her sister not to judge her, and tells the story of all the info she spilled to the scary guy who came to the condo earlier. When Bertha recounts what Adolfo said about the failed hits, Ale knows immediately that she must be speaking of the real Hernandez.

A still shaken up Adolfo calls Dante, realizing he needs help. Dante says it was Adolfo that caused their breakup in the first place. He’s ready to reconcile. Adolfo explains the latest with Edgar and Valentin, who have teamed up to make them think Garnica is alive. It’s all clear to Dante now. Adolfo assures Dante it was all them. He’s incapable of betraying Dante in that way. (Yeah right!) Adolfo thinks their mutual survival depends on them staying united. Right now Adolfo has another person to worry about. Dante lets him know that if it’s Carmelo he’s worried about, he’s already sent him to the next life. Adolfo knows all about that, since he found that particular gift in his car. And he got the video that Edgar sent him. Dante is shocked that Adolfo got a video too. But Adolfo has a bigger worry right now- a cop named Hernandez.

Ale has called a meeting of the Fab Four (Herself, JJ, David and Carlos) in JJ’s office to share the news of Hernandez’ appearance. She explains the whole Adolfo/Bertha/Hernandez situation, which Carlos confirms, and JJ backs up with his own Hernandez sighting. Ale explains all that Big Mouth Bertha revealed, which sends Carlos flying out of the office to protect Yolanda. He later convinces Yolanda to come with him to a safe place- the Hotel Mirador.

Back in JJ’s office, David and JJ speak about Dora. JJ understands Dora’s fear of Adolfo and wants them to find another way of bringing Adolfo down. JJ thinks they can use a fake kidnapping of Yolanda by Fake Hernandez as leverage against Adolfo. They explain the scheme to Carlos when he returns, but Carlos doesn’t think Yolanda would ever go along with it, out of loyalty to Adolfo. They decide to create the ruse without her knowing. Abelardo later brings David’s Hernandez costume and nearly has a heart attack listening to the new plan. In the hotel lobby, after Carlos leaves Yolanda to check her in, a gentlemanly Hernandez approaches her for a light, as Abelardo and JJ take the money shot. Once he returns, Carlos convinces Yolanda to stay for a few days and think of it as a vacation. He’ll inform his father that she’s staying there.

Back in JJ’s office, Ale uses Photoshop to change the background of the picture and to replace the cigarette in “Hernandez’s” hand with a gun. Everyone is pleased with the result. They decide to send the photo to Adolfo, although it’s still a mystery to them why Yolanda is so important to him. Abelardo finally remembers to hand David his cell phone, where he’s missed MANY calls from Gabi.

In his office with Adolfo, Dante receives a visit from Edgar and Valentin. The two mafiosos welcome the two prodigal sons back into the fold. They need to come to agreement on a few things. Adolfo and Dante have been impressed by their daring and genius. In fact, they’re willing to pay them well for the originals of those videos they shot, as well as those other items they had bargained for earlier- the shoes and photo. But right now, they have a more pressing issue- Hernandez. He’s a danger to all four of them. Eddie and Valentin are in total agreement. That guy is dangerous and untrustworthy. The mafiosos have a plan, and the goons are willing and ready. Later at his condo, Adolfo hands Bertha a wad of cash and makes sure she gets out of the house for a while.

Leo’s visit to Juli and Faustiago is interrupted by a call informing him that Hernandez has been released from the big house. Now Leo knows that one of his worst enemies is on the loose. He then learns from Faustiago that Dora has returned. He is not happy to be the last to know. (Hmm. How many other developments and plans can we think of that the gang has not informed Leo about? Leo is the new Gabi.) When David enters, he turns his ire to David. Holding back this info is preventing him from doing his job! David tells him that they’ve all (including JJ) decided that Dora will not be testifying against Adolfo. Leo understands. But he’s on edge that Hernandez has left prison. David looks thoughtful, but does not tell Leo what he knows about the latest escapades of Fake Hernandez and the real Hernandez.

Real Hernandez is being lured into Adolfo’s lair by Valentin with a suitcase full of cash. He urges the beast to enter Adolfo’s office, where he is drawn in by the site of another case full of cash, held open by Adolfo on his desk. He misses that the desk, the floor, and all the furniture are covered in white sheets. But it soon becomes apparent that Adolfo intends to give him a bullet instead of dinero as a parting gift when he pulls a huge gun from behind the case, and Edgar steps from behind the door with an equally large gun. Hernandez’s short reign of terror is ended with a bullet from Adolfo’s gun to his chest. Eddie and Valentin clean up the mess easily by rolling up the body in the sheets.

In their bedroom, David is met by Gabi’s pregnancy hormones, who have taken over her brain and made her sad and suspicious of David’s movements once more. He and Viewerville heave a big sigh of frustration. His phone was off; he didn’t know she’d called; he was busy and had things to do; he was in JJ’s office; he was doing things to fight Adolfo; he can’t tell her what those things are because it’s dangerous; he can’t explain right now and he doesn’t want to. He leaves in a huff.

Back at Adolfo’s condo, he’s having Bertha explain exactly what she said to Hernandez. When she explains what she said about Yolanda, he nearly goes ballistic. She can never again speak about his personal life to anyone! Juanita, Yolanda’s maid, calls to ask Adolfo if he has seen Yolanda. He then receives an envelope, with the doctored photo of Hernandez holding Yolanda at gun point. “It can’t be! Yolanda!”

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* Hernández doesn’t understand a word that Juan José babbling so he rather leaves. Inside Leo’s flat JJ shows the photos and the letter to the cops and Leo recognizes Gaby’s shoes. When JJ mentions David’s disguise, Leo doesn’t understands anything either, but he gets angry at Blondie’s temerity. I told him it’s dangerous! Why can’t you two do follow my advises? JJ leaves hurriedly and Leo orders Ramón to ask Mauricio about the people who they met in Puerto Vallarta.



* In the study Julieta and Gaby assure their relieved father everything is okay, they love him. Group hug! *Viewerville: Awwwww.* In the meantime Ramón tells Leo the information he got from Mauricio. How strange, Édgar López showed up in Vallarta, then later JJ had problem with him when he and Zaida manhandled Caramelo, but he was the one who helped Yolanda and the kids to escape. Qué?



* Since the Genovéses have to decide what to do if Adolfo finds out what they did, David is going to meet a friend, a lawyer friend of his. After he leaves the enthusiastic girls say they would love to see the tunnel and their proud daddy shows them the secret door. There’s one tiny problem: Chicles followed them in stealth mode.



* Yolanda tells Leonardo how they escaped and she isn’t sure that poor Édgar survived the attack. Now Ramón has a new task: he has to investigate after beaten up Eddie.

* After learning from David and accepting the fact that EVERYONE, including Alejandra have known about the scam, Gaby asks him what the lawyer said. Well, he, Abe and Fausto will have to face charges, but don’t worry, they won’t end up in prison. He tells Gaby again that Fausto just wanted to protect her, and David asked him many times to tell her the truth. She admits she felt like a fool but she likes very much that David respected her father’s wish. Asunción shows up in the hall and the young couple tells him Mario died. Again, qué? Limón is shocked, but he doesn’t have to worry, “Mario” isn’t a ghost, Fausto took over his place.



* Julieta tells her father she always felt like she’s less important than Gabriela. No, no, no, he convinces Juli he loves both of them muchísimo. In the meantime little Hansel and Gretel enter the long, dark and scary tunnel. They are about to freak out when they arrive at the headquarters, where they discover and ruin the make-up room. In the bedroom Juli tells Fausto she wants to continue her studies. Proud daddy hugs her.



* Adolfo calls Mario and tells Abelardo he wants to speak with him in the villa. Great, this means Fausto has to disguise himself again. Since Gaby isn’t used to the Adolfo-FaustiMario battles yet, when she learns Adolfo is going to visit them she gets frightened. Fausto calms her down and asks her to accompany him to the tunnel house where they discover the mess the kids made. While Gaby helps Fausto she asks him about his acting skills and she’s very curious about his past in the theater… and her mother.

* Alejandra calls David, who tells her Gaby knows the truth at last, then she asks him about his El Feo outfit. What? David doesn’t understand anything either. *Viewerville: You all should create a Clueless Club.*In front of the Genovés villa Juan José warmly greets Jorge and Dora, he invites Jorge to accompany him, then thanks everything to Dora and kisses the old woman.



* At AFI Ramón tells Leo a strangled corpse was found by the police, and it seems the dead man is the one who was on the photo JJ gave them. Édgar was brought into a hospital but he wanted to leave despite his ugly injuries. And guess what who he met there? Susan Gómez, and they left the hospital on the same day!

* In the Genovés villa Abelardo tells Adolfo they are very tired with his visits and he’d better don’t make them call Leonardo. Dolphie smiles: calm down, Gordito (Fattie), calm down. In the study he asks Mario since when does he know about Fausto’s real identity and why didn’t he call the police? Mario laughs at his anger and tells him justice will defeat him soon.

* Hernández The Berserker breaks into Leo’s flat and since he doesn’t find anyone inside, he shoots the photo of Julieta and Paulita. Juli hears the shots and she hysterically calls Leonardo.



* When Leo discovers Hernández’s threat first he runs to check Julieta and to ask her to lock the door. When he arrives back at his flat he meets confident, amused Adolfo at his doorstep who came to talk with Faustiago. But what happened to Leo? Doesn’t Adolfo know? Somehow attacked him again! When Adolfo starts to call Santiago a murderer and fugitive Leo tries to attack him and tells him Fausto Guillén is out of harm’s way. And now get the hell out of here! After Dolphie finally leaves, the calm, cool policeman becomes a frightened, crying, raging animal. He’s fed up! Julieta could’ve been killed!



* In the Genovés casa Asunción discovers the kids are wearing make-up, wigs and a prosthetic belly, moreover, Chicles tells him a strange story about a tunnel. When Limón wants to scold him for lying, laughing Abelardo steps in and explains him the situation.



* Leo tells Julieta she has to leave the flat. And who wanted to kill him, Adolfo Ávila? Honestly, he doesn’t know. Speaking of our favourite Sith Lord, late in the evening Anonymous Ruffians have a secret meeting in a dark warehouse, where Édgar and Valentín want to negotiate Adolfo. Don’t be ridiculous, you are here to confess! He calls his gorillas, but instead of them a much uglier creature enters the warehouse: Hernández, his gun and his insanity that makes Psycho Eddie look like a soft, purry kitten.



Aribeth

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