Caray, Caray!

Ezequiel informs Vicky that there's been "an accident." No, I'm pretty sure those guys dumped Fernando over the railing on purpose. Fernando is in the hospital. Vicky cries and tells Alex what happened. Katia is there too. A doctor says he needs to get Fer into surgery ASAP. Hernán comes over and gets the update from the doc. He's got some spinal fractures and neurological something. Hernán asks for more details, so they go to doc#2's office to talk about their golf swings or whatever it is doctors do when they get together. I suppose they might talk about just how screwed Fernando's going to be, but who knows.

Alex starts asking Katia what happened. She tries to evade, saying she and Fer were talking and he just got upset and took off, but she ends up explaining about the sex tape. Vicky hugs Katia and cries.

MaryJo and Felipa are canangananga-ing the babies in the nursery. Raquel comes in, looking for Vicky. MaryJo tells her what happened to Fernando. Raquel's Good Twin has taken her place today. She feels bad for Vicky because she knows how much Vicky cares for Fer. She also makes some motions with her hands in the general direction of her offspring. She blames what happened to Fer on the bad neighborhood with no security. She touches little Vicky for about a second before she leaves, asking them to keep her informed. Oh, great, they're turning Raquel into a decent person now. I'll believe it when Ulises' death doesn't send her right back to the bottle. And maybe not even then. If the real Raquel had been around she would have come in looking for Vicky, given an "a mi no me importa" (I don't care) when told about Fernando, and called her child a "maldita escuincle" (damn brat). MaryJo and Felipa throw a frickin' party over Raquel actually touching the kid. Rosie comes in with MaryJo's medicine.

Hernán comes in and updates the family. Fernando runs the risk of ending up paraplegic. Alex says "no!" I agree, this is tragic, but it's not the end of the world, people. Especially because Fernando's job doesn't require him to do anything with his legs…checking out job sites could be problematic, but they could figure out a way around that. Plus he's rich and well-educated, so he can afford to buy or hire whoever or whatever he needs to make things work for him. Sorry, sometimes I just hate the way characters in TN's react to disability. I'm sure there are people out there who are paraplegic who still get up in the morning and go about their business and don't think it's the end of the world. Katia goes to Vicky for comfort. Hernán doesn't think there's a lot of possibility of Fernando avoiding his horrible fate. They've got to wait to see how he's doing after the surgery. Hernán tells them they don't need to stay, but Vicky and Katia insist they aren't moving. Alex says he's going home to update MaryJo, but then he's coming back.

Alex fills in MaryJo, who laments Fernando's youth, but she also thinks that being so young and studly, I mean, uh, strong, that that's exactly why he will get better. Alex says he doesn't know why Fer was in that neighborhood, that Katia told him that Fer left the office upset and he has the impression that it wasn't an accident, it was a confrontation with someone. Alex just wants Fer to be ok. Alex has got some serious bags under his eyes. The man needs some sleep. And serious stress reduction (preferably in the form of MJ getting her memory back and Bruno conveniently dying in a gruesome way). MaryJo says they've got to find out who did this to Fer.

Two random ladies complain to a man about a smell. Ah, these are Ulises' neighbors complaining to the super. They can't stand the smell anymore.

Hernán and the Red Cross Doc inform the family that Fer is awake, but it's too soon to tell if he's able to move or not. Yeah, those fancy surgery drugs will do that. Hernan's shirt is way too tight. I don't really like the baggy look, but buttons should not be strained like that. Vicky and Katia both decline the offer to see Fer because they don't want to cry in front of him and upset him. Katia looks like she's hiding behind Vicky. Alex will go, but he only gets a few minutes.

Raquel gets a call from the building super, Alvaro. He reminds her about the apartment and she says she may cancel the lease. He doesn't care about that, he cares about the smell. Raquel laughs it off and says "what do you want me to do?" She thought the place was empty. The super suggests a dead rat, haha. He offers to go check things out unless she wants to do it herself. Raquel says she'll come over, she has a lot of personal stuff there.

Alex tells Fer that he's got to fight, man. Fer says he can't feel his legs. Alex blames it on the anesthesia. He says the doctors are going to take good care of Fer. He asks what happened and asks if it was Bruno. Fernando says he got into a fight and the guys threw him off a balcony. He tells Alex it was Mateo and a couple of other guys. Alex had already heard about the sex tape. Alex says he will take care of it and that dumbass will pay. Fernando asks about Vicky. Alex tells him that both of his ladies have been there all night. Fer gets fixated on not being able to feel his legs, but Alex just tells him everything will be fine.

Maura and Lisette (in a cute hat) argue about Lisette going to Mexico City. Lisette has clearance from Hernán to travel. Maura gripes about her insisting on paying for Lety's treatment. Lisette needs some space from Maura after finding out about the sex tape. Maura is sick of Lisette's "aires de santurrona" (sanctimonious airs), and Lisette's sanctimonious response to that is "blah, blah, blah." I like Lisette better this way. Before Lisette can leave, the maid announces Alex. Lisette changes her mind and sticks around. Alex wants to talk to Maura about Mateo. Lisette takes a seat and says she'll stay since things are about to get good. Alex is upset that Maura let Mateo into her party and let him hang around Katia. Maura tries to claim that she didn't know Mateo was there and she's not Katia's babysitter. Alex asks how Bruno ended up with the video on a cell phone and asks if that wasn't Bruno's plan all along and Maura helped him. She doesn't answer, just makes a face. Alex asks her what she has going on with Bruno that she would do that kind of favor for him. Maura says she has no idea what Alex is talking about. Lisette has had enough. She tells Maura that maybe she wasn't in cahoots with Bruno, but she does know what Alex is talking about, she knew what was going on with Mat and she allowed it to happen. Maura says she thought it was a good idea at first, so that Katia could get over Bruno, but she didn't know what would happen. Alex says he hasn't known for a while if he should believe her. He tells her he hopes she doesn't have Fernando's possible paralysis on her conscience. She asks Alex not to think badly of her. Alex says she got the address of the fight from the paramedics and once he checks things out he'll know what to think of her. Once Alex leaves, Lisette tells Maura she'd better forget about Alex, because once he finds out what happened, he'll never forgive her. Now Lisette leaves.

Katia and Vicky hang out in the hospital waiting room. The Red Cross Doc offers to let Vicky go see Fer. She passes to Katia, but Katia passes back. Vicky ends up going in. Felipa comes up with two cups of coffee and gives one to Katia. Katia leans on Felipa for comfort.

Fer is sleeping. The RCD tells Vicky that the operation went well, but he's got to consult some other white coats to see if they want to do another surgery, or just take care of it with physical therapy. Vicky goes over to stand by Fer, but she has a hard time touching him. She keeps crying and patting him on the head. He wakes up and says he feels like a tank rolled over him. He wants to know what's going to happen. He can't feel his legs. Like son, like mother--she tells him it must be the anesthesia…or maybe the pain meds, yeah, that's it. He insists that he's paralyzed but no one wants to tell him. She insists he's not. Vicky cries and says whatever happens, she's going to be by his side night and day and she loves their conversations, and she loves him. She kisses him very carefully. Fernando says he'll only be half a man. She says he's a whole man. Well, a man-boy anyway. Tears all around. Woe is us.

Raquel pulls up at the apartment. The super meets her. Apparently they can smell it from outside. The super thinks an animal got in and died. Raquel is gagging as they get up to the door. Dude…the makeup guys went to town! Ulises is GREEN! I'm sorry, this is sad, really it is, Ulises, gunned down in his prime, Raquel losing the father of her baby, yes, yes, human tragedy…but GREEEEEEEEEN! I can't help it, I'm cracking up laughing. Also, I had jury duty for two whole months on a second-degree murder trial and I saw dead body pictures every day, so this really looks very fake to me. Anyway, um, yeah, Raquel has a meltdown and acts like she wants to touch him, but just can't bring herself to do it. She screams for help, while the super just stands there with a rag over his nose and mouth.

Alex and three of the neighborhood ladies are down at "la delegación" (the popo) saying they've got to find Mat and make him pay. The ladies have his name and everything. The cop asks if they have proof and all three ladies chime in about how they saw the whole thing go down, with their propios peepers (that's "their own eyes), yep, the saw the "guerito" (blondie) go over the balcony, mhm, they sure did. One lady even thought the poor guy was dead. And then the little group of them ran away…well, they're a "pandilla" (gang) don't'cha know, and they've been causing lots of problems in the neighborhood. Huh, I thought Mateo was a gigolo. Shouldn't he have been living in a nicer place? Maybe gigolo-ing doesn't pay like it used to? The cop asks why Fernando was there in the first place. Alex said he found out that Mateo had made a video of himself having "intimate relations" with Fernando's sister and uploaded it to the internet. Alex's phone rings and he excuses himself to answer it, giving the ladies ample time to gossip over the latest scandal.

It's Raquel, calling to ask for Alex's help. She retches while she's on the phone with him. She tells him that Ulises is dead, she saw it herself, he's in her apartment. She doesn't know what happened, but he had a gun in his hand and she doesn't know what happened. Alex tells her to calm down, he's on his way. He goes back into the room to inform the ladies and the cop that he has to leave now, his sister just called to tell him someone they know is dead in her apartment from an apparent suicide. Well, the cop can check that one off his bingo card. The cop asks if this might be related to the incident with Fernando, but Alex doesn't think so. If only he knew…"Well, let's see, Bruno, who has been trying to kill me for las ultimas 84 capitulos and/or take my wife from me and/or take control of my company, commissioned the sex tape from Maura who's been trying to get into my pants and/or get my wife bumped off for las ultimas 84 capitulos, who hired Mateo to slip Katia some roofies and make the actual tape (being that she's not into girls, so she couldn't do it herself), which is the reason that Fernando went over there and got his silly ass beat up. Many capitulos ago Maura convinced Ulises to hire Mateo to pretend to be my wife's lover in order to piss me off. Ulises slept with both my sister and my brother-in-law, impregnated my sister, and got her to rent him the apartment where his cold dead stinky body now lies, having been put there by a bullet to the brain courtesy of Bruno. So no, I wouldn't say they're related, no, except for everything ultimately being Bruno's fault." Alex tells the cop that recently his wife was kidnapped and the family had begun to suspect Ulises, who now lies dead and stinky. The cop suggests they both go right over and he bids the ladies farewell, saying they'll start searching for Mateo ASAP. He calls some other guys to come in and take written statements. The ladies buzz. This is about a year's worth of gossip in one afternoon.

Alex, having made a pit stop at a phone booth to pull off his shirt, revealing red, blue, and yellow spandex underneath, pulls up and is greeted by a hysterical Raquel. She swears someone killed Ulises. She's crying that he can't be dead, he just can't! Alex puts her in the passenger seat of his convertible and finishes parking it the rest of the way.

He also gags at the smell. The cop thinks it was days ago, but he's going to have the gun analyzed. Alex supposes that Uli killed himself because he felt "acorralado" (trapped). The cop is curious. Alex says all the clues about his wife's kidnapping pointed to Ulises and he probably didn't think there was any other way out except to kill himself. Either way, the cop wants to talk to Raquel. Alex puts him off until the next day, being that Raquel is hysterical, being that Ulises was her baby daddy. The cop nods from behind his hankie.

Alex calls Roberto and tells him Ulises is dead. Roberto knocks over a statue. Alex wants Roberto to meet him at the house. Alex hangs up, but Roberto is still holding the phone, in apparent shock.

Back at the house, Rosie and MaryJo are out front with the babies when Alex and Raqui pull up. MaryJo goes over to see what's up. Alex says he'll explain later and walks Raquel to her chalet. Roberto pulls up immediately after, tells MaryJo that Ulises killed himself, and runs after Alex and Raquel. MaryJo is impactada…but I'm not sure what kind of impactata. Could be "oh, no, someone killed themselves, how horrible" or "wait a minute, Ulises, I know that name."

Porfirio gets a visit from a terrified Elena. She makes some bland excuses for not visiting sooner. Porfi wants her to get to the point. Elena says she's there to tell him the truth…she hid something for years and it's time for him to know…she doesn't want him to die without knowing it. "Then spit it out!" From down by his knees, Elena gives the floor an annoyed look.

MaryJo is still outside with Tiny Tony and Alex asks where Rosie is. She went to take Mini Vicky for a walk. Alex tells her that Ulises apparently shot himself, probably because he felt cornered, but there's something about all this that doesn't feel right. He's going to go to the Red Cross to visit Fernando. MaryJo reminds him he's gone for about 48 hours without sleep…ah, hence the bags under the eyes. Alex says he'll go try to convince Vicky to come home and get some sleep and then he'll rest.

Elena spins her tale…she was married to another man when she met Cristobal…she ended up pregnant and she made her husband believe the baby was his, but it was really Cristobal's…she gave birth to twins…then Cristobal went away and she had another baby by her husband…then Cristobal came back and she couldn't stand being with Pedro anymore, so she left him and only took one of Porfirio's grandkids. "One of them," he repeats. Elena says it was Sandra, but Sandra died and Ulises kidnapped MaryJo and made them think it was Sandra. Porfirio yells that she's a liar and those girls aren't his son's daughters. Elena swears they are and she can prove it. Porfirio dismisses her and she goes running for Isaias to bring his medicine. Porfirio keeps ordering her out and tells Isaias to throw her out. She drops her fake-pious shawl revealing a truly enviable rack and finally leaves. Mr. 5ft thinks Porfi is faking feeling bad. I think so too.

At the Red Cross, Alex nags Vicky and Katia to eat, sleep, and bathe. They refuse. Alex tells them it's going to take time for Fer to get better and there's no point to them hanging around. Felipa tells Vicky to just go get some sleep and then come back. Vicky insists she wants to stay to get the results of the latest spinal scans. The doctor comes up then and says there's no need for another operation. Fernando is in a lot of pain from the surgery and they're giving him pain meds. As to him walking again, that's going to take time. Vicky finally agrees to leave. Katia also agrees to go, but she'll go to her house. They leave and Alex goes in to see Fer.

Porfirio actually was upset. He'd just gotten used to the idea of not having any family, but now that Elena has come around, telling her tale, he's not sure what to think. He knows Elena is a liar, but he would also rather believe he's not alone in the world. Porfi cries.

Fer has been sedated to deal with his anxiety. Alex tells him he's going to get better, he has to.

Katia is greeted by Sami, who by now has probably peed in everyone's bed and chewed up all of Fer's shoes. She just wants to hug him for a while.

Felipa puts Vicky to bed. Vicky doesn't think she can sleep. Felipa says life goes on. It breaks Vicky's heart to see Fer so down. Felipa tells her to have a lie down and she'll bring some tea.

Ezequiel asks Alex how Fernando is doing. Alex says badly. Zeke says that MJ and Rosie are feeding the babies. He offers to fix Alex some food, but Alex says no, he just wants to sleep.

Roberto tells Bruno that Raquel found the body. Bruno is intensely curious what the police had to say, but Roberto doesn't know. Roberto, however, is of the opinion that a head wound + a gun + he was alone = suicide. Roberto! I expected better of you! Bruno is sure he killed himself to avoid going to jail for MJ's kidnapping. Roberto thinks it's possible, but Bruno insists that's how it went down. Now Roberto looks slightly suspicious…or maybe that's me.

MaryJo finds Alex sleeping in his/her/their bed. She covers him with an absurdly small blanket and tries not to wake him up.

Elena tells Jorge that she told Porfirio her lie. She figures Porfirio will leave the money to MaryJo and then she'll tell MaryJo how much they need it and MaryJo will give them some of it. Jorge won't beg. Either way, the University of Vancouver is interested in his research, so he's outta there if they don't get the money. And he's not taking Elena with him. Come on, that rack's gotta be useful for something. It would probably liven up those faculty mixers. Hey, she could even seduce a student or two. Better yet, a lab assistant!

Jorge goes to his office and takes a call from Bruno. Bruno gives Jorge the update, although he still doesn't know what the cops have said. He's sure he did such a good job that the cops won't find anything. They hang up and Alex walks in and tells Bruno that now he's definitely being kicked out or Alex will turn him in for corrupting a minor and putting the video of Katia up on the internet. Bruno denies and whines about how it's his house. Alex says he knows Bruno and Maura did it and the cops are already looking for Mateo, so maybe Bruno doesn't want to be around when the cops find him. Alex leaves him with "and if Fernando should end up paralyzed…." Bruno is confused.

Vicky has changed into yet another matronly outfit. Come on, she's not much older than Elena, if at all, and Elena's showing a little cleavage, even if her outfits are fugly. A little cleavage could be just what Fernando needs. Alex starts to chew her out, but Felipa says she had a nap and a bath and she just didn't feel comfortable staying in the house. Alex offers to go back to the hospital with her. Felipa will stay home and pray.

Fernando is still sleeping, though his sedative should have worn off already. Hernán, Vicky, and Alex stand around wondering if now is the right time to tell him. Vicky says he suspects, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. Fernando starts waking up. He asks why he was sleeping. Hernán says he needed the sedative to stay calm. Fernando asks why. Alex tells him there's something he has to know. He has a spinal fracture and part of his body is paralyzed. Fernando starts freaking out. Hernán says he can't move his legs now, but it's not definitive. Fernando thinks they're sugarcoating things and he's going to end up in a wheelchair. He starts crying that he can't live like that and he'd rather kill himself. Ugh. Yes, yes, I know a lot of people have that reaction at first, but maybe they wouldn't if they hadn't heard all these fictional people say it first. Vicky swears she'll stick by him and they'll find the best specialists, etc. Fernando doesn't want her to be stuck with "un invalido" (an invalid) but she screams at him that she's not going anywhere no matter what he says, got it? He might or might not, but I think Hernán finally got it.

Bruno comes looking for Maura. She tells him what happened to Fernando. He already knew that Fernando found out about the sex video, but he says he wasn't the one who put it on the internet. Maura tells him that the cops had better not find Mateo, 'cause Mateo will definitely spill the beans and then both Bruno and Maura are in a lot of trouble. Oh, wait, I think I see a flaw in her logic…. I was expecting Bruno to question her "we" but instead he tells her to just find Mateo and tell him to keep his mouth shut. Maura, however, has had it. She doesn't want any more trouble. Things have gone too far and she's tied up now not only in the sex tape scandal, but in the Maria Jose business as well. Bruno says his hands are clean on the count of MJ's kidnapping and no one can prove his involvement. Maura says her involvement can be proved and when Alex came over to ask about the sex tape, she could tell that he no longer believes a word she says. She doesn't want any more trouble. Bruno says he'll find Mateo. Luckily, in addition to the phone with the video, he also had another phone, which Maura happens to have the number for. Bruno says that when MaryJo gets her memory back, and when she remembers what Maura was saying, she's "frita" (fried). Yeah, yeah, she knows.

The Red Cross Doc says they avoided paralysis and he thinks if Fer gets his ass in gear, he can recover some movement with physical therapy. Vicky says they need to transfer him to another hospital. RCD says he agrees, they're not a specialist facility. Vicky asks Hernán to take Fer to his clinic and Hernán agrees, sadly. Do you think maybe Vicky was the love of Hernán's life? Maybe the writers can set him up with Fernando's new hot physical therapist? Or a nurse? Poor guy.

Pedro and MaryJo talk about Elena. MJ says she's still beautiful, she treated MJ well…although there were times they argued and Elena was harsh with her and would say ugly things, like that MJ was a promiscuous drug addict. MJ asks Pedro if he still loves her. I don't get the beginning of his answer while my DVR switches over to the next program. He starts talking about how he heard that Elena had gone off with a good looking rich guy. MJ says she could have at least been up front and talked to him about it. Poor Self-Esteem Pedro says he was just a poor nobody with nothing to offer her and he still is. Wah, wah, wah. Dude, that doesn't mean that when your wife's leaving you, you don't deserve to have her do it to your face instead of sneaking off while you're at church. MJ says he's a good guy, with a big heart. Pedro says Elena had ambition and it hurt him not to be able to give her what she wanted. That's so not my definition of "ambition"…going after a guy who could shower her with material goods instead of oh, I don't know, doing something on her own account to get ahead in life. Pedro figures she must have loved him at one point, but then, when the feeling fades, everything is different. MaryJo asks if he'd like to see her again, but he refuses. He says she's too pretty and it wouldn't be a good idea for her to see what he's turned into. MaryJo says it hurts her to hear what her mom did to him.

Gran Final on the 17th, feet in the sand, tears and drama. And Corazon Salvaje on the 22nd.

Labels: sortilegio

We have lost our Tuesday recapper. Any takers? Here's what happened tonight, minus all the funny stuff:

Alejandro and Rafael are both in need of cold showers after being rejected by their respective erstwhile lovers. Rafael gets his shower, but Alejandro - probably because she can't take showers in her condition - instead goes in to work at 5 in the morning, after a noche de perros (I guess that means, like barking all night keeps you awake).

She calls Rafael, it's still dark! and makes him come to work straightaway.

Julieta needs money for books so she goes to Rafael's dubious friend Pepete at the billiard party and asks him to sell some of the expensive wedding booze for her. He doesn't want to get involved (fearing Rafa's wrath) but tells her where to find some rich folks who'll buy it.

Marcos is still kissing harlots (sitting in his fine new ride) when Ale calls him to say he doesn't need to take her to work, she took a taxi. Speaking of which, does Marco work? Ever? He also tells Ale he is in the midst of "fecund and creative activity."

Suzanna, perplexed to see Ale at work so early, says "You can join me in a salute to the sun! Tai Chi [etc]" Ale turns her down and says invoices are her equivalent. Susanna sees there's a problem, is distressed to hear Marco and Ale haven't "done it" since the accident, and utters the warning seen above.

The sales force straggles in, Ale's already yelling. They see she's even grouchier than usual and will eat them alive in their daily sales meeting. In that meeting, before their rousing close, she tells Claudia to button up her blouse, "I don't want to see your 'products,' that's only for selling cars."

Finally Rafa gets a chance to start making calls from his list of clients (the list stolen by his co-workers) and finds they've all been called. He tells Alejandra.

Labels: dinero

Alternate title: CAN I TELL YOU THREE THINGS?
Alternate title II: PROMISCUOUS, PERVERSE AND HORNY
Alternate title III: THE HAIR SAYS IT ALL
(ps. I know with "alternate" there should only be two. But work with me here.)

Today was a day of satisfying confrontations. Jacqui guesses that Estrella is pregnant and wants to know the next step. She counsels against abortion. Aldo finds out the truth and is ready to step up to the plate and be a dad. Katja, after being pushed and prodded, gives a reluctant confession and apology to Estrella. Estrella slaps her a good one! (okay by me, since Katja wasn't really sorry, anyway) Jacqui, who has witnessed Katja's perfidy and lack of real repentance, apologizes to Estrella for her daughter's behavior. Estrella then blasts Jacqui for raising up two such poisonous daughters. Ximena confronts Connie about being an ugly bitter person who mistreats others. Mauricio defends himself from Marco's accusations and together they seem ready to reach an understanding about how to protect Valentina. But not before Mau characterizes Marco as arrogant...as arrogant as his daughter.

Well, heck, that's pretty much the episode. Want more? Okay, here goes.

We begin with a very hungover Jacqui facing the horror of cleaning up in a shared barrio bathroom. Does it have a roof at least? she asks anxiously. Well, a partial one is Estrella's none too reassuring reply. In spite of her hangover and baño anxiety, Jacqui picks up on Estrella's slip of the tongue earlier and guesses she's pregnant...and by Aldo, no less.

In the meantime, Connie is spreading her good vibes and universal love around the office, telling the bereaved Gabriela that she's fired, along with Pau. That's when Gabriela gets the additional news that Connie has divorced Mauricio and been awarded every last penny and shares in his business, along with those miserable kids. Yep, Connie and Dad are the bosses now...and you, Gaby?...you're outta here. What's more, after I beat that chimpanzee in the ring, I'm tossing out everybody in her little neighborhood.

Time for the first of Ximena's three things....to Connie: 1) You're the worst person ever. 2) If you think you're going to beat Moni in the ring, you're crazy. She's the freakin' national champion, for gawdsake. and 3) Can I get your little black dress after Monita destroys you?

Time to check on Nieves. She's dragging her behind, in spite of the sparkling maroon streaks in her coiffed hair. What's bringing her low is Cesar's desertion and Beto's decision to become a priest. Monita arrives and pooh-poohs the whole thing. He'll change his mind. Next thing you know he'll want to be an astronaut. And Cesar's crazy about you. This must be a misunderstanding. Beto gets a little huffy about their doubt of his vocation but nobody pays him any mind. Well, once he's in his priest's robes (sotano) and listening to their confession of their "pecaditos" (little sins) they'll change their tune! Secure in the knowledge that Beto could never take up a profession that didn't include women, Moni promises to talk to Cesar and straighten things out. But wait! Nieves isn't sure she wants him back. Dum de dum dum.

Back to Estrella's fashion emporium. She's picking out just the right outfit to replace Jacqui's tequila soaked pantsuit. There's some hemming and hawing from Jacquelinay but the alternative, an outfit from Nieves, doesn't suit-- so she's up for it. And it's not bad. With the sunglasses, she has a certain rakish charm. What designer? Santiago. Never heard of him. The Santiago tianguis (outdoor market). Ya' think I can afford designer clothes? Get real! Jacqui promises to get it dry-cleaned and returned to Estrella, after she gets home.

That settled, Jacqui gets down to the real business at hand. Estrella's lived her life but Aldo's just beginning to live; he's only a kid. What are you going to do with a baby? Estrella confesses that she wants to lose it. Jacqui, who's been relaxed and tolerant up till now, looks shocked.

Whew. Just when things started getting heavy, Xime lights us up. Connie, Marcos and his nameless lawyer, are sitting in the boardroom with glazed eyes, while Xime gushes about her love letter from Rolu and Arny's romantic missive from Lalu. They're going to be a "maraviguay" couple.

Basta ya ! Let's get down to business. Marcos slides over a chit of paper with a figure on it. That's my offer and it's non-negotiable. Take it or leave it. Xime squints and wants to know what these zeros mean. Connie assures her it's plenty...enough for Xime to buy anything she wants. Even the Castillo de Chapultepec? Alright. Not that . Now sign! Marcos and Connie wait. Faces grim. Will she or won't she?

Well, same question for Estrella, verdad? She's telling Jacqui about her lifelong dream of being an actress, her audition with Ms. Nesma (Hey, she's a buddy of Jacqui's. Who knew?) and how she's slated for the part of the sexy lover. And boom! she goes into an hilarious mini-drama, complete with a pastiche of the Connie-Beto coupling, for Jacqui's benefit. Alas, the conditions of the part require no pregnancy. And in a few months she's going to show (have a "panzona"). What's a chica to do?

Which is precisely Ximena's question: She's so nervous she's "sudando hasta las manos".
(breaking a sweat even in her hands). Mauricio arrives just in time to keep her from signing. He dismisses the offer as ridiculously low. Scribbles a new sum on the paper (Wow, sez Xime) and sails it down. No way, answers Marcos. That's it. Take it or leave it, says our newly macho galan. The tipping point? Ximena threatens to start talking about Lalu and Arny again. Done. Accepted. Signed sealed and delivered. Yay! Best part of the scene. Connie looking like she's having a gall bladder attack. Marcos looking the same. Savor the moment, folks.

Awright. Estrella and Jacqui are still talking about the baby...and the possible regrets if she does have it....and resents it...when sass! Aldo and Katja arrive. Overhear the conversation and now Aldo knows. You lied to me Estrella, he sighs. And we break for an ad.

When we come back, it's to the office. Marcos is seeing the nameless lawyer out and apologizing for the time wasted. Connie is seething at Ximena and wants to know what she'll do with all that money. 1) I don't have to tell you a thing. You're bad bad bad. 2) Mauricio is not "alone', the money is for him 3) Don't mess with my cousin. You're no saint yourself.
Well said, Ximena!

Things are heating up back in the barrio.

Estrella: you got into my bed, Aldo, to make yourself "a man". You never cared a thing for me.
Aldo: I love you.
Estrella: Yeah, right! You talked about me like I was a prostitute. Those stupid cowards came after me, thanks to you. At least have the guts to admit it. You're an imbecile who wanted to have some fun with me and boast about it at school.
Aldo: Yes, I'm an imbecile. I blew it. Please forgive me.
Katja, during all this, is looking guilty....but not saying a word. Skank.

Whoa. Suddenly we're back in the office where Marcos is reaming out Mauricio in a similar fashion. He doesn't want to talk business, he wants to tell him what a wretch he is, messing with two women at the same time. Stay away from Constanza. I'd love to, quips Mau. Just give me back my children. Stay away from Valentina too. You have no right! Oh yes I do. Both Connie and Valentina are my daughters. (cara impactada--Mauricio)

Brief return to barrio. More bitterness. Aldo wants to know why she didn't tell him about the pregnancy. 'Cause it doesn't concern him. How do you even know it's yours? Gals like me dole it out to anybody, don't you know that?

Longer return to office. Marcos admits that Isabel was in his past but so what. The main thing is Mauricio is a wretch who, through his despicable actions, has caused hatred and contempt between his two daughters. No way. Okay...the usual. Monita is "la mujer de mi vida". I'd give my life to make her happy. Etc. etc. etc. She doesn't need you, snarls Papa. Neither one of them. They have ME. I'll give Monita my name, make sure she has what she needs and I'll protect her from animals like YOU.

Well, speaking of animals. Estrella's now talking about the two scummy classmates of Aldo's who came and threw money at her and attacked her. Aldo made them believe she was a slut.

Aldo admits he was foolish. So thrilled about being her novio, so happy that he couldn't stop talking about it. His first time....and it was wonderful. But no, I never said you were a slut. That was Katja's doing. Jacqui's head snaps up. What did you do Katja? she asks.

And now the worst "apology" ever. Katja reluctantly sidles up. Admits she wanted to break up Aldo and Estrella. But hey, everyone knows you're "easy". Bueno ya, perdoname. Big slap. Richly deserved.

Exit Katja. Jacqui apologizes for her daughter but Estrella won't let her off that easy. You ask forgiveness but you're the woman who raised those two spiders (Connie and Katja). You're the pharaoh, the head of the pyramid. You're responsible for the way they turned out. Exit Jacqui. (Dang. I like Jacqui. Not the best of mothers but let's let Katja and Connie be responsible for their own actions.)

We've got more blah blah with Mauricio. Marcos doesn't understand why Mau thinks Monita needs protection from Isabel. We hear about Mau's immense cariño for Monita. Well, Marcos isn't letting him near any of his daughters. They're both unhappy and it's YOUR fault. I'm NEVER wrong. Mau: Nopis. Connie gave you the wrong idea about me. And you're an arrogant so and so. Just like she is.

Making progress is our Mauricio. He goes on to explain about Isabel's abandonment. Her threat to tell Monita how much she hates her if Mau doesn't help her play out her fake death. And only his great love for Moni led him to help Isabel. Marcos looks thoughtful. Realizes that Isabel has lied to him about a number of things. Is actually listening. Wow.

And Ximena is listening to Connie....who's still looking like she's in the midst of a gallbladder attack. Ojala! Ximena, ever pert, asks that Connie "no me claves la mirada" (don't glare at me). You're an imbecile snaps Connie. I maybe expected you to waste all that money on strawberry daiquiris, but never thought you'd give it to Mauricio!

And now....three more things: Ready?
1) Mau is my cousin
2) Not leaving him bereft after all the horrible things you did to him.
3) I need a mirror to protect me from your evil gaze! (as Xime holds up a little hand mirror to shield herself).

And there's more. Our pixie is glad Roberto's free of Connie now. Her former amigosa gets more bitter and ugly every day. And Xime hopes he can find a woman worthy of him. He'll never find anybody like me, sniffs Connie. Yeah, promiscuous, perverse and horny, retorts Ximena.

Back to the endless Mauricio/Marcos discussion. Our galan explains how he was protecting Monita from learning of her mother's hatred of her. He wanted to leave her with a memory of a mother's love and a tender, heartfelt reconciliation. Yes, but that's an illusion, points out Marcos. Isabel gave me a completely different story. Said she faked her death so Valentina wouldn't suffer watching her die slowly, little by little, from the disease. But I guess you dug your own grave, helping her fake it, didn't you, Mauricio? Perhaps. But I wanted Monita to believe her mother died loving her. If you can doubt my love after that, well, too bad.

And now...now that Marcos knows the truth? Well, let's confront Isabel. No can do. She's left her hotel and no one knows where she's gone. (Well, Connie knows. But our two fellas haven't sussed that out yet.)

Barrio time again. Aldo reaches out to touch Estrella. She angrily shakes him off. Let me hold you, he begs. What's going to happen to us?
E: You'll go on with your life. I'll go on with mine. Forget about me.
A: How? You can't ask me to do that.
E: How? That's your problem (bronca).
A: I WON'T leave you. It's my problem too. It's my baby too.
E: You're not ready. It's a mistake. The very worst thing that could happen. I don't want this baby. I want to lose it.

Oh my. Hard to see a happy ending here. Will be interesting to observe how the writers work this out. Ideas, anyone?

Now we're at the gym. Don Cesar is in a splendid blue suit and aqua shirt. Absolutely horrible hair. Worse than usual. Clearly a metaphor for his great distress. The hair says it all. Monita is there to get the two lovebirds together again. Alas, there's only one lovebird. Cesar. Nieves enjoyed his company, accepted his tenderness, but she wasn't in love with him. Not like he was with her.

Okay. Here's the "take-home message". Get ready. Monita reminds Don Cesar that with Love, well....it's like Boxing. Never throw in the towel. Never give up. So you're against the ropes in the first round. You pick yourself up and go at it again. You taught me that Cesar! Follow your own lessons.

Great place to end the episode, right? Wrong. There's more. Marcos wonders why he should believe a scoundrel like Mauricio. Well, if you don't....ask Monita. She can tell you. Marcos admits that Isabel is very manipulative. And Mau points out that she and Connie are in contact. So Monita is clearly in danger even if Marcos has forbiddn his daughter to hurt Moni.

And sure enough--the two vipers appear in the next scene. Isabel's in the apartment sipping what looks like a whiskey. Connie sails in and gets reprimanded for not knocking. And the latter informs Isabel that it's HER apartment and she'll come in without knocking anytime she darn well pleases. Does Marcos know where Isabel is? No. Good. Let him forget I exist. Fair enough, but now I want to talk "sin tapujos" (frankly). Just what's up between you and my father.

We knew each other 30 years ago. I was madly in love with him but he was about to marry another. You know her. Nieves Ochoa. Cara impactada, Connie. And there we end.

Previews:
Oscar, busy collecting more frequent flyer points to Hell, threatens Connie. Remember, you're the one who broke Salvador's cellphone. And your fingerprints are on it. If the police know, and they find out he didn't die in Venezuela, they'll figure you killed him. Another cara impactada, Connie.
And Aldo asks Estrella to marry him.

Vocabulary:
cohete aguamieleras = that's what the closed captions said. Help! Any idea, Jarocha?
Sylvia suggests it was actually "jicote aguamierleras", a type of honeybee. Possibly a term of endearment? Or this type of honey as an ingredient in a hangover remedy?
arañas fumigadas = lit. fumigated spiders. in other words, two dames drunk as skunks
descreido = disbelieving. Monita, about Beto's plans for the priesthood.
panzona = belly "three-monther"
la chiquis = little kid
mira la trompita = look at your face! Beto, kidding his mother about her glum look
cara de fuchis = icky face. looking like there's a bad smell
sin tapujos = frankly, no holds barred
bronca = problem, something disagreeable
maraviguay = marvelous in a gay way
creaste la fama de prostituta = you started the rumor that I was a hooker, you ruined my reputation
sudando hasta las manos = sweating right down to my palms
no me claves la mirada = don't stare at me or don't glare at me
sotano = priest's robe
pecaditos = little sins
tianguis = outdoor market

Dicho of the Day:

Las mentiras tienen patas cortas. lit. Lies have short legs or feet. In other words, eventually the truth will come out. Well, some of it did today. But there are many more lies to uncover.

Labels: gancho

Friday: Luz is knee-deep in orphans at the school. The social worker thinks she’ll make a swell mother. Chris visits Mac’s grave. He’s going to protect Paloma from Carlota, he assures her. Paloma doesn’t think Romina will give Em a divorce and she’s ready to start a new life. Carlota has lunch with Don E and tells him about losing her dad, her brother and her sister. Her life has been very hard, porbrecita. Paloma is like the child she never had. She tells Don E she likes how he’s full of life. He tells her he likes the same thing about her. She thoughtbubbles about how she’s going to make him pay for getting Chris off. He thoughtbubbles about how they have nothing in common. They smile and chink glasses.

Ultimas semanas!

Anamar is doing a little work at the plateria. Her dress is doing a lot of work, because there’s so little cloth and so much to hold up. Em is surprised to see her on the computer looking over their exports. Man, he’s got good eyes to see her screen from across the room. Anamar says it’s my specialty, remember? She says she’s doing work there now. Neat, huh? she says. No, he says, we’re never going to be anything more than friends. To translate literally, he says Don’t confuse the things. So maybe he did actually notice her boobs. We don’t want them confused.

Carlota primly tells Don E that she doesn’t usually go out with men - it doesn’t look proper and the man might misunderstand. He says You’re free and single - and also beautiful. She sighs that it’s easier for a man. He turns on a smoke machine of charm, saying Let’s think of this as a business dinner, shall we? I can’t be your personal lawyer. I want to leave when Gabriel decides to, plus I’m not the kind of lawyer you need.

I’m a trial lawyer, and a moral woman like you (the subtitles say “immoral.” Ha! Freudian slip) wouldn’t run afoul of the law. She says But a lawyer like you could give me the level of security and protection that I feel I need sometimes. I’ll think about it, he says.

Nighttime, or maybe it already was.

Chris offers Rufi some hot chocolate. He thanks her for hinting that Paloma is his daughter. She’s glad they won’t tell her until they are safely in Mexico. Chris says he wants to move there too, if Paloma will allow him to be around her.

They chit chat about Chris’s mother, and Rufi admits it makes her a bit jealous that Paloma will have a real-for-real grandmother. Rufi is a little tearful and Chris hugs her and laughs and assures her that nobody will take her place. The music noodles happily and I can almost see fat little Disney bluebirds singing over their heads.

Orlando and Camila arrive at Romina’s home. She wants to talk to Romina alone, so he drives off.

¿Qué haces aquí? Romina asks her mother rudely. Camila says How are you? As if you care snorts Romina. Em has left me for that new girlfriend. Camila says It’s not her. You knew it would turn out like this. Romina says she doesn’t want to be miserable like Camila was when Samuel left years ago.

Camila says it really shook her self-confidence but after time she realized it was the best thing that could have happened to her. She tells Romina that yeah, Em is a great guy, but if he doesn’t love her, their life will be awful. Romina weeps that she thought the baby would do the trick and now she doesn’t want to live without Em.

Orlando and Em are at a nice restaurant. Orlando urges him to re-think this whole divorce idea. Em says he’s 100% sure, and he’s going to go find an apartment. Orlando urges him to stay with him, but Em says no, he’s starting a whole new life, on his own.

Romina is packing in her room. She’s sad. So many memories, she says. It’s flashback time! Mac is giving her the pearl necklace.

Oh! Just one flashback. That’s it? Just one memory? Guess so, because Rufi comes in and gives her a pep talk about her having a spanking new life, but Paloma still looks wistful.

Carlota comes in and calmly asks if there’s anything she can do to persuade Paloma to stay. No, says Paloma quietly. I’ll be in touch and I’ll come to see you when I turn 21. Carlota says so the money is all you care about? Paloma says no, but I need it to turn my dreams into reality, to finish up my studies.

Paloma says I do thank you for all you’ve done for me. It’s a weird way to show it, says Carlota. I can’t imagine this house without you in it. I want you to know that nobody has done as much for you as I have, that nobody has loved you, or sacrificed for you, as I have. Tears well in her eyes. She leaves.

Paloma says it’ll be hard for her here alone. Rufi says she’s reaping what she sowed. If she’d been different with you, you would have wanted to stay.

Carlota is in her lair, looking mad. She dials her phone. We see Dr B in his house, which is stacked with boxes ready to go. He answers his cell. Carlota thanks him for taking responsibility for Paloma, and says that she’s already starting to miss her. He says he’ll be picking up Paloma and Rufi the day after the birthday party. Carlota says she’ll get Paloma’s papers in order to give to him.

She hangs up and says Enjoy the last hours of your life, Doctor.

Daytime.

German calls Don E and chews him out about costing him his job. He isn’t going to go down alone. Want to hand out some real justice? he says. The person who put the noose around my neck, and around Chris’s, is Carlota.

Why should I believe you? says Don E. German says because I have proof. We see him pick up a big manila envelope. Meet me tonight.

Whoo hoo! Now we’re getting somewhere.

Now Dr B is visiting Mac’s grave with a big bunch of flowers. He addresses her out loud and says he knows she loved Chris, and he will take good care of Paloma, whether Chris goes back to being a priest or not. Paloma is approaching in the background with just one flower because – remember? – she’s poor and can’t afford a whole bouquet like Chris and Dr B. She hears this last bit. What does it have to do with me whether Chris returns to the priesthood?

Good catch Dr B! He tells her that Mac told Chris to watch over Paloma. Dr B hopes she can make up with Chris. Paloma says she doubts it, plus they’re leaving town anyway. Dr B says leave the door open…. He was you mother’s true love.

Okay, we leave Macarena all snuggly under her roses and get back to what we watch this show for: pure evil.

Carlota is checking out Dr B’s hedges again, this time by broad daylight. She peeks in his front door. A neighborhood maid passes by and Carlota stops her and asks her if she knows anybody looking for work. Didn’t Dr B have a maid? The maid says yes, Katita, but she’s already found something else. She’ll ask her, though.

Joel and Rafa are happy that Luz has helped them by finding an export market. And here they thought they were on the verge of bankruptcy! Rafa’s cell rings.

It’s Camila. He’s startled to hear from her. She wants to talk to him about something, and no, it’s not Em and Romina. She asks if they can meet tomorrow. He hangs up, surprised that she’s in Real del Monte, and that she wants to talk to him.

Em is in his hotel room, trying to focus on working on his laptop. He gives up and heads for a shower.

Paloma and a few friends - okay, her only friends - discuss whether Em will come to her party.

Looks like it’s almost party time! The friends and Paloma bring food, and set up Gabriel’s studio.

The sun sets.

Now the guests are here. Paloma has on a pretty little black dress and her little hairbow is actually black and white instead of just white. Go wild, girl! Gabriel takes her hands and tells her she’s lovely. Behind her a voice says For once we agree. It’s Em. Paloma gazes at him. Gabriel watches.

Em hands her a little gift box. She starts to walk away with Gabriel when Em catches her arm and says aren’t you going to open it? She does and it’s a medal on a chain, probably a St Christopher. He says it’s to watch over her, since he can’t. She exclaims over it, then looks over her shoulder at Gabriel, who is watching.

Paloma tells Em that she hesitated about inviting him, but he had been so important in her life that she wanted the opportunity to say goodbye. Maybe this can be the start of a beautiful friendship? she says.

I don’t think so, says Em. I can’t be the friend of the woman I love. The woman I will always love.

Mooning, sulking, and now this. Why can’t poor Gabe, who’s expected to keel over at any moment, get the girl at least before he goes to the Great By and By? Let’s have some cosmic justice. You don’t catch him moping and throwing scenes even though he sees his heart’s desire yearning after whiny Em who right now is looking like no prize.

Don E is coming into a nice restaurant and heads for the bar. He’s talking on his cell to Madeleine who is on cloud 9 about her talk with Chris and the hug. Don E tells her she has another nice surprise coming. She wants to know what it is, but he won’t tell.

She wants to know what she can do for him in return for his kindnesses. Don E says what I want nobody can give me. Nobody. I want a miracle for Gabriel.

Romina tells her maid that going to Paloma’s party is a major drag, but she’s going because she’s not going to let Em be there on his own. He’s for her, and her alone! If Paloma tries to get her hooks into him, she will go after Gabriel. Now, that guy is good-looking! Really? says the maid, getting excited.

Orlando has dropped in on Chris. Manhug! Nice you’re free… thanks, how’s the moneymoon?… great… blah blah. Chris says he’s reconciled with his mama, and Paloma is his daughter. Orlando is impactado at this last morsel. Chris tells him that whole fake daddy thing was set up by Carlota. Chris hopes he’s good enough to be Paloma’s dad. Prison must’ve been hard on his self-esteem. I mean, a while ago they were about to make him a bishop or something.

Orlando says it’s just like what happened to me – finding my child when I was already an adult. And our two children are in love with one another! They yuck it up. Thigh slappin’ time.

German has arrived at the restaurant. Don E, not even looking up at him, tells him to make it short – he has a party to get to. German sits down and comes right to the point. He haltingly tells Don E that Carlota paid him to torpedo Chris. Then she screwed him over - she didn’t even pay him after Don E won the case, and she withdrew her support at the law firm, so his boss fired him.

She’s not the guilty party, says Don E. You are. You should never have let yourself be bought. I learned my lesson, says German. Don E says I don’t know if you did. What has all this got to do with me? German says you’re honest, incorruptible. You’re the only one who can unmask her and show her for the monster she is.

Okay, says Don E. Whisky?

Carlota is in her bedroom with that lace shawl thingy on again. She’s fingering it. Rufi knocks and comes in with a tea and Carlota very slowly starts to slip it from her shoulders. Rufi wants to know why she isn’t going to the party. Carlota curls a lip and says I already told Paloma. Rufi says Dr B is coming by for her shortly.

Carlota says she’s going to go to bed. Rufi says have a good night, and off she goes. Carlota looks calculating.

Back to the party, which actually looks pretty dull so far. Gabriel thinks it’s nice everyone share this important day, and Paloma thanks him for making it possible. Romina comes in and tells Paloma that she couldn’t miss saying goodbye. Even though they’ve become distant, she loves her and is going to miss her. She hugs Paloma, who looks very skeptical. Over Paloma’s shoulder, Romina smiles triumphantly at Em.

German tells Don E about the two wills. He’s sure that one was made up well after Paloma’s parents died. He has copies of both.

Don E says I wouldn’t bother with all of this if it weren’t for Paloma. And German? Don’t even think of messing with me. You do, and I’ll be all over your sorry little hiney. Don’t worry, says German. I told you I learned my lesson.

Romina goes up to Em and tells him she didn’t know he was coming. He said he didn’t know she was either. I couldn’t miss it, says Romina. Right, says Em, you couldn’t miss an opportunity to bug Paloma.

Romina comments to Paloma that she’s going to be 18 in a few hours. Paloma says then she’ll start to feel different. Romina says she did. Paloma says she’s glad Romina came, as it couldn’t be easy to show up now that she’s going to be divorcing. Never, says Romina confidently. Em and I are going to be together all our lives. I’m never divorcing him.

Carlota is about to leave the house. She opens the door and gasps. Chris is standing there. Chris says I wanted to take this opportunity to talk to you when Paloma wasn’t home. And don’t tell me you were headed for her party. Carlota says I was just checking because I thought I heard something.

And why do you have your purse? Chris asks. Carlota says Oh, I just found it on the table there. Chris says I just came to tell you that I have decided not to tell Paloma that I’m her father. I don’t have anything to offer her. They’re leaving for the DF tomorrow and I don’t want to get in the way of the life that Dr B can give her.

Carlota smiles and says So you’re doing it for her good? Chris says the truth is that she doesn’t want to be around me and I’m worried that it might make her lose even more respect for me. Good idea, says Carlota. You’ve definitely decided? For now, says Chris.

Are you going to return to the priesthood? Chris says I don’t know yet. For now, I think it’s just best for me to live a regular life. I just wanted to let you know about my decision. Good night.

She closes the door behind him and smiles with satisfaction. Without God, without a daughter. Excellent news.

The guests have blindfolded Paloma and they bring in a cake with candles and sing Las Mananitas Congratulations and hugs.

Dr B presents her with a tiny box. It’s the engagement ring he bought for Mac, and he says she’s the person it should belong to. Paloma is touched. Em comes up and asks if he can give her a hug. She says okay.

We see German in the background, and Romina too, watching Em and Paloma. Their hug is long. Gabriel watches sadly.

Romina suggests to Gabriel that they console each other . Gabriel says I thought you married Em because you were in love with him. Yes, smiles Romina. But just because I’m on a diet doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu. Gabriels says the menu isn’t available. Romina says am I not your type, or what? Con permiso says Gabriel, blowing her off.

Carlota has arrived in her car outside Dr B’s. She has that lace shawl with her. She fondles it and stares at his house.

Avances: Congo line time at the party. Looks like Gabriel is going to kiss Paloma. Romina says something to Em about his fabulous love, but the background music is too loud for me to make it out. Carlota scales the hedge and we see her gloved hand on the latch.

Labels: amor

Labels: gancho

Last time: Elena realizes Jorge is gonna let her take the fall alone if the "Ulises did it" ruse fails; Alex and MJ are off to Toluca to tell gramps something. Maybe the truth!

Lisette has her new friend Lety over to the luxurious digs. "When our parents died, they left us well cared for financially... so I can pay for your transplant and treatments, and I'll go to the city hospital with you." They embrace and frolic.

I am SO bored by Fer and Vic. Rehash: Raquel has promised to stop drinking if nobody denounces Useless; Fer gave Katya a dog to make up for the lack of Bruno. Vic will publish her book of poems under her own name. Fer acts like she's then going to be famous and he will be so proud to be her boyfriend. [In real life the publishing of a volume of poetry does not make a big splash in the news.]

Raquel defends Useless to Maura, who is patently skeptical - after all, it's in her best interests for him to take the fall. "Everybody but you, Raquel, believes him to be guilty, right? Your family believes that, right?" She offers Raq a drink. Which Raq turns down! And leaves.

Paula tells everything to Roberto; she wants Useless to Pay (unaware that he already has). Roberto is a little sad to hear that the hope of saving Useless is an incentive powerful enough to get Raq to stop drinking when he, Roberto, couldn't. Nevertheless, he hopes this will help her be a better mom.

Pau is impressed with his sagacity and niceness. He says "In future, go first to Gabriel, he can learn to understand and help you." [I think Gabe's a bit of a mouth-breather, but whatever.]

On the way to Porfirio's, at MJ's insistence Alex drives to Elena's place. Elena and MJ embrace. "I was worried about you, Sandra." "No, mom, I'm MJ and this is Alex my husband and the father of my child." "Oh, sorry, I fell for Ulises' deception." "Well, ... I'm your daughter, still."

Elena asks anxiously if Porfirio knows yet. Alex says it's time to tell him. Elena is all, "No, no, it would be cruel, please don't, no no no."

Back in the car, MJ is afraid all the news will devastate her faux-grandpa; Alex says this whole farce was set up to extract money, and there should be no more lies!

Elena keeps trying to interest her "husband" in this problem but Jorge is preparing to throw her in the piranha tank. He now hopes the news about not-Sandra will kill Porfirio; Elena says if it doesn't, Jorge may lose his medical license.

Jorge says all this was Elena's idea and he washes his hands of it. "You would abandon me to my fate? You are the cruelest, coldest man in the world." He reminds her of all the lies she told, and he uses nasty air quotes to remind her that they aren't even really married! [Remember, she deserted our sweet lachrymose Pedro, she never divorced him.] "And you did it for ambition, for the hope of marrying Future Nobel Prize Winner Me - so resolve your own problems."

Porfirio exclaims happily to see Sandra/MJ! She introduces Alejandro - "Oh, this is the famous photographer?"

Porfirio berates Sandra/MJ for leaving without even saying goodbye. He calls for tequila, everybody says he shouldn't, he says he'll die anyway. He gets his tequila.

MJ tries to calm him with the "vacation" story but Porfirio presses hard - he knows it's a lie because the servant saw Elena alone in town when she was supposedly away - tell the truth! She calls Alex "mi amor," Porfirio asks "is he your boyfriend?"

"No, we're married and have a child, I'm not Sandra." (Just then Elena, who has been pacing nervously outside, calls Porfirio but he refuses to take her call.)

Evidently, Alex and MJ tell Porfirio everything and then say he should rest. "You've deceived me all this time? That fox Elena, she never married my son? " MJ: "I didn't mean to deceive you, I thought it was all true!"

Alex explains about the memory-erasure, which doesn't interest Porfirio, who goes on to ask Emiliano: "Et tu?"

Emiliano: "I was afraid for your health, that's why I didn't tell you - and why I told MJ to come back."

Porfirio: "I am completely alone."

MJ: "No! In the short time I've known you, I've grown to love you." "For money!" Alex: "No, she's got oodles of her own moola and I'm more than capable of supporting her also."

Porfirio suggests a game of chess but then changes his mind and sends everybody away, saying "Don't tell the buitres (vultures) that I know."

Elena runs up to them outside. "We didn't tell Porfirio The Truth, he still thinks I'm Sandra." Elena is wobbly and grateful. Alex and MJ are leaving for their ride home but MJ suddenly tears away and runs back to embrace her mom and say "Adios."

Porfirio: "I want to sleep - or perhaps die."

Alex and MJ have a little squabble in their hotel room - she says he didn't even want her to say goodbye to Elena. Alex: "But she hurt you and deceived you." "But it was all Ulises' fault." "But she abandoned you and Paula when you were little." "OK, you're right."

Emiliano calls nephew Fer: "They told him everything. He was so hurt. He is my oldest friend. My only friend. When he goes, I'll be completely alone." "You have me." "But you're so far away." "How about I send you Katya? She's nicer now. And she's got a great dog."

Again Elena reports to Jorge. He crafts some complicated new lie to save their butts: part of it was that she should say MJ and Sandra were actually daughters of Porfirio's son. "So what? Even so, MJ won't share the inheritance." "Make her." "Not easy with that husband of hers around."

Next day, Alex and MJ go back to say goodbye to Porfirio and he's in a much better mood. "Though you're not my grand-daughter, I'd have liked to have had one like you." "And I'd like you for a grandpa." "You have a kid, really?" Alex: "We'll bring him next time." Porfirio says, don't wait too long...

Breakfast table debriefing at the Lombardo's. Blah blah blah. Paula wants the guilty to be punished and when she gets too abrasive Alex reminds her not to be late to work, the chauffeur will take her. She pouts and flounces out, indignant to be treated as an employee. Alex apologizes to MJ for being firm with Paula but she's a a bit of a "rebel" - MJ agrees.

MJ comes to see Alex and her sis at the office. Maura enters. Paula doesn't like to see Maura, especially near MJ, who can't remember what a jerk Maura is. Maura acts nice, offers to take MJ to the bank and set her up with her new checking account, help her with the papers she has to sign... we don't like any of this.

Raquel goes to Dr. (I always want to call him Dr. Placenta) and says she hasn't taken a drink but she needs SOMETHING. She wants drugs - he suggests she try rehab again and not leave till she's really better.

Lisette likes Katya's dog. She tells Katya about Lety. The two girls agree they used to be bad but are becoming rehabilitated.

Then Katya tells how Maura set her up with Matteo. "I took something... and thangs happened..."

The girls search for Katya's name on the internet, and - Dang! Somebody has uploaded that video of her getting it on with Matteo! Since Maura gave the cellphone to Bruno, it must have been him. They need to go tell the story to Fer!

Lisette yells at Maura, reminds her "I know about your Mario Aguirre trick," says she's ashamed of her.

Fer listens to Katya and Lisette and then goes and finds Bruno and throttles him. Bruno: "Let me go, you imbecile, it's not my fault your sister is a whore." Bruno tells Fer where to find Matteo, and laughs his brittle psycho laugh. I love Bruno, what a great villain.

Alex works his magic on MJ and gets her to agree to have a civil marriage soon and then a church wedding with all the fixings, and they'll baptise Tony the same day - as they had planned to do before MJ was kidnapped.

Fer goes off to find Matteo's apartment, it's in a squalid barrio with lots of ugly homeys around with nothing better to do than follow Fer up the stairs. When Fer starts getting in Matteo's face, they all gang up on him, beat him and kick him and - thrown him over a Stairway of Doom. He falls to the pavement.

Matteo and the homeys run away. Neighborhood ladies, who saw it all, cluck and fuss and send for an ambulance. Fer is "grave." He asks the ambulance guy to call Alejandro. Ezequiel takes the call - Alex isn't home, but Vic gets the news.

Feb 17th is the last day of Sortilegio.

Labels: sortilegio

This is even briefer than usual because I have to blog Sortilegio in three minutes... I'll try to clean it up later.

Well, Jorge wasn't dead. Azucena the maid thought he'd committed suicide! ("And he left owing me money!") The doc looks him over. At first he thinks it was a heart attack, but it turns out Jorge took a few sleeping pills thinking they were vitamins "or something for my memory." His sis sez nobody is going to tell Ale about this little mistake.

Ale is annoyed Claudia has been draping her assets over Rafa - he needs to concentrate. He was going to lunch with Claudia but Ale says "his training is not over" and takes him out in the parking lot. She was intending to drive him to lunch with Carlos Porda, a petroleum company exec, and her ex-boyfriend - Rafa's startled because she's in no shape to drive - but she's not going to let him, a beast, an assassin, drive her - he says "I was practically born driving" - she refuses - but Beltran the boss shows up and gives the keys to Rafa.

She yells at him for speeding (he isn't), he drives erratically because her shouting is frightening him, she scolds him again for trying to kill her That Night, he says he was distracted That Night because when she was leaning over (for her cellphone) he thought nobody was driving the car... she thinks he's going to hit that biker who is about 100 blocks away... she harps on the accident and says he was drunk, he denies it...

Meanwhile the sales force is dividing up the 70 pages (!?!?!) of contacts and squabbling about how to divide them up. Jimenez ("Dios Mio") sees them - he wasn't invited to the party - he instantly figures out what they're doing and says he'll have no part of it. But reminding him - "excuse me, aren't you poor and a loser?" - he has kids to put through school, the ringleader convinces him into it. Soon all are settled down with a few pages of clients, making calls.

Vic calls Rafa constantly, he never answers. In quite a state she goes to the beauty parlor run by the jail boys. She has a few grey hairs ("he gave them to me!") and wants them covered. There is a dumb conversation around their confusion about her "pajarito" (little bird) and cats are nice pets and so are boa constrictors etc.

Finally Rafa and Ale get to the restaurant, where her ex-boyfriend is waiting. She tells him the harrowing tale of the beast who almost murdered her (without saying it was Rafa). Carlos asks what she's been up to, since university. She says she went to Harvard. Him, in English: "No kidding, I was in Boston too, best years of my life!" they talk in English, leaving Rafa out, until he says: "Let's get back to cars."

The boyfriend wants a very low price. Ale starts saying that's impossible, the boyfriend says "then I will take my business elsewhere," Rafa starts talking a mile a minute about his cousin's trucks full of cattle and before you know it, the client has said ok, I'm sold. Ale is surprised and impressed.

Rafa jumps up and down and does karate moves in the parking lot, but Ale slaps him down and says the commission goes to the company because he's still in training. "Maybe you can get that cousin of yours to buy more trucks." "I just made that up." "You professional liar!" No matter how much she yells at him, he looks at her admiringly. He asks what kind of music she wants - she says SILENCE.

When they get back to A. Siglo, everybody tells Rafa's phone has been ringing constantly. "Vicky! Vicky! Vicky! Vicky!" He says, "it's my cousin" and slinks into his cubicle to call her back.

Ale tells Susanna it was Rafa who sealed the sale - "I've never seen anybody sell like that before. He's ignorant but creative." She calls Marco and says he can have a new car.

Marco crows to Chavez and rushes over to the agency and slides into a great car - "This is a car like I deserve!" - and drives it off at high speed to the distress of the mechanic. The plan he made with his seedy buddy: to hoochy-koochy with harlots tonight. And now he has a car to do it! He drives Ale home, where all admire the car. He plans for her to take sleeping pills and him to slip out, but her plan is to make love.

Meanwhile, Rafa has gone home, tired but happy. His friend Jaime is helping sis with her homework (and batting her eyelashes she convinces him to take it home and finish it for her).

They say Vicki called him forty times already and in fact is calling again this very minute. He tells V. not to come over but too late! She's already hung up and is on her way. But when he starts kissing her she is pushing him away and squeaking, not here, not now, my daddy, I need to call him, dad calls her ...

... and Marcos is pushing away Ale over and over, saying she is too fragile for this, and besides he forgot to bring condoms ... his cell rings, it's no doubt Chavez saying the harlots are ready, but he pretends it's some biz with the British International Co and he has to leave...

Ale flashes to the tender, loving looks Rafa gave him during the day... careful, Marcos, you haven't landed that fish yet...

Labels: dinero

Hello all,

I don't have a TV and so I usually go watch Sortilegio with a long-suffering friend who doesn't speak Spanish and is only mildly interested in Telenovelas but gives over her TV to me so I can watch and blog. (thanks Chris!) Today we're having blizzard conditions and I don't think I will be able to make it to her house. If my wifi is up tonight (sometimes it doesn't work in storms) I'll try to find Sortilegio chapter 88 on YouTube and get something up at least. Stay warm and dry, everyone!

Labels: sortilegio

Judy wanted me to share this with y'all! Hombre wrote:

Delayed gratification. That could be the secret to all telenovelas. They make us think something is going to happen, in this very episode. Then we wait, we watch, we lean towards the television set. Our pulses race, our breath quickens, we can just TASTE the revelation to come. Except when it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s a moment of love, sometimes revenge. Usually, we’re just waiting for one character to finally tell another something we, the faithful audience, have known for weeks! Ah, but those writers, have they no shame? Do they think it’s FUNNY when they tease us, only to make us wait until the next episode? And that means waiting through a long weekend? With lots of snow? (at least for me). I guess they do.

Labels: telenovelas

[Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life

(because your kiss) your kiss is on my list

(because your kiss) your kiss i can't resist...

Because your kiss is on my list of the best things in life
--Hall and Oates, "Kiss On My List" (1980)Voices Album]

Resumen del capítulo 87

First a little review of the redo:

Gabriel and Paula are cleaning up the kitchen while discussing Gabe's new found and eventually reknowned talent as a sculptor of means. He is inclined to believe that his future fortune and fame are written in the stars and hopes that our pretty pug in a ponytail will now begin to see him with $$... er...those same stars in her eyes. Peso-lovin' Pau, on the rebound from an unrequited love for her first crush, Roberto, decides to give Gabe a go. They make a date. She gives him a kiss on the cheek and skedaddles. Once she's gone Gabe the Gimp acts like he is never gonna wash his face again.

At the same time, across town at the hospital, Dr. Hernan and the consulting neurologist and gynocologist give Mary Jo and Alex the results of her brain scan and ultrasound. The scan shows she was not a drug addict and the ultrasound shows she had indeed had a baby. She is 100% certified as Mary Jo, the wife of Alex, and the mother of Tony. With time and the medication they prepared for her, says the neurologist, little by little she will begin to get her memory back. MJ cries tears of happiness and confusion mixed with concern at not being able to relate.
=============

At casita de Nando, Katia is still very down in the dumps and brooding over Bruno's giving his little ho' the big heave. She tells her big bro' Fernando that she hasn't felt like seeing anybody or going anywhere all day. Woe is the ho' cuz now she is jobless and seemingly friendless. Life's a bore and she's a ....(rhymes with snore). Nando gives his bitch of a sister (appropriately enough) a puppy named Sami to cheer her up.

Meanwhile, Maura and Raquel are having coffee at a streetside cafe in town. In between complaints about her drinking, Mau is pumping Raqhell for news from Casota de Lobos y Locos de los Lombardo. Mau is anxious to know how Alex took the news about Ulises being the one who kidnapped MJ, and more importantly, if he's planning on reporting Uli to the police. Raqui says she doesn't know but she hopes not. Supposedly they are waiting to see if MJ recovers her memory first and can tell them what happened during the incident. Mau has a flashback to the kidnapping. Raqui confirms that Mary Jo is being treated in hopes that it helps her to get her memory back. Mau is Ruh-Roh!! impactada when she hears that MJ is under treatment specifically to regain her memory. (A silent prayer goes up to the virgencita throughout Viewerville in hopes that it might be soon--the sooner the better.)

Bruno now shows up at the main house throwing choice insults around at the hired help while looking for Mary Jo. He makes sure with Arturo first that Alex isn't around. Art says Sr. Alex has gone out for the day. Bruno goes inside the house then and asks Felipa if MJ is in. She tells him even if she were, he doesn't have permission to go upstairs. He sneers at her. Victoria walks in on him and Felipa. Vicki asks why he's there. Bruno says he wants to talk to Mary Jo. (Hmm. No more pretense that she's Sandra?) Vicki tells him she's not there. He asks if she's refusing to let him speak to her. (Like, where else would she be, lady?) Vicki deflects and asks what he needs to talk to her about. He gives her the now tiresome line that MJ's now a divorcee and that in Toluca they were dating and yada, yada.

Vicki says MJ never mentioned it. Bruno says well, he's telling her now, and that it means that Mary Jo loves him. Vicki is stone faced. He whines for effect, trying to elicit a little motherly guilt, complaining that even now that MJ's stopped loving Alex, his momma is forceably keeping him from a chance at happiness with her. (¡Ay! Talk to the hand, Bruno, cuz that face stopped listenin' a while ago.) Vicki reminds him she's his brother's wife, for crying out loud. He reminds her that technically she isn't. (Ugh! Here we go uh-gain!) Felipa interjects with something about as soon as MJ gets her memory back, but El Bruto tells her to shut her trap and starts heading for the stairs. Vicki yells at him to stop right there.

El Broodo de Bruno asks Vicki why she insists on stopping him and is taking the side of somebody who isn't even her real son. Felipa makes a pointed aside that they all wish to God that Alex was her son and not him. (Ten points team Felipa!) He yells at Felipa to stop meddling in his business. Vicki tells Bruno to stop yelling and acting like some deranged crazy person because Felipa is right. As soon as MJ gets her memory back his scheming will all be for nothing anyway because she'll know Alex is her one and only true love. He whinges (I do like that word!) that before all this memory stuff they were serious with each other.

Vicki throws her hands up in the air and says what the heck is his problem, anyway? They had and have had nothing going on between them. "What do you want? To snatch her from your brother? To destroy a family?" Bruno carps that Alex did that to him so why can't he do the same to Alex? It's only fair. Vicki tries reasoning with him, telling him again that it doesn't make any sense, that he's destroying himself, and --bottome line--that the way he's tied himself to this need for MJ is almost sick. (Almost, Victoria???) She pleads with him to look for another woman to have a relationship with and to forget this obsession so that he could actually be happy for once. "Just forget her and all this resentment of yours!!" Broodo says she doesn't know the first thing about it or him: Alex took away everything and has made him what he is! Alex not only took everything from him but he flaunts it in front of his face all the time! How is he supposed to feel? Who's being unfair then? Just who?

Vicki loses her patience and yells. "Enough already!" The commotion is so loud that as Alex and MJ return and enter the house, Alex has to intercede. He asks what's happening here. Felipa spouts off that "what's happening" is that Bruno is a spawn of the Devil. Vicki tries to cover and smooth things over. She lies and says nothing's going on and then tries changing the subject to what they found out at the hospital. Alex looks suspiciously over at Bruno and tells her that it turns out that tests showed there were no drugs and therefore it's not Sandra, but really Mary Jo, just like they thought. Besides that, the ultrasound proved she had had a baby.

Bruno yells back at Alex that the kid isn't his and that even so, MJ doesn't feel a thing for Alex now. (Nanny-nanny-boo-boo!) Alex says, yeah, but she'll remember soon enough. Bruno glares at Alex. "Oh yeah? What's she going to remember?" Alex gets in Bruno's face and keeps verbally punching back. He doesn't miss a beat. "You know what she'll feel whenever she looks in your face? Scorn! Rejection! That's the only thing you've ever aroused in her." Bruno is ready to explode. Vicki tries getting Mary Jo out of there. Mary Jo takes a hint and says she's going upstairs to see Tony.

Bruno starts after MJ but Alex blocks him. He's in Bruno's face again and telling him that his alegations are useless, cuz she's his wife and that's that! Bruno taunts back. "--In Toluca we were a serious item. We dated and we got touchy-feely with each other. We kissed each other. I even went to bed with her! (Oh noes!) Yep. That's how it was!" Alex has heard enough; he goes for Bruno's jugular. (Viewerville is up for another one of those exhillarating knock-down drag-outs, but...) Vicki jumps in between them and yells at them (despite Viewerville's multitudenous groans of protest) to stop it, and now! She turns to Bruno accusingly. "--No way will I witness [presenciar] another fight in my house!" Alex threatens that he'll kill him if he doesn't stay away from Mary Jo.

Bruno looks like he welcomes the challenge, but then he turns to his Mama with tears of frustration in his eyes. "What's Alex got to do with any of this? After all he's nothing but a filthy mooch since now the house belongs to you and Mary Jo!" Vicki is caught in the emotional squeeze-play. Somewhere she finds the strength to tell Alex to ignore Bruno, and, yes even to cut the apron-strings with her pain-in-the-ass progeny. "Precisely because I own this house I'm now telling you to clear out!" Bruno balks and stalls saying they'll wait to see what MJ has to say about it. Alex spits back a warning not to mix her up in this! Vicki has to break it up again. "Enough already! You get out of here or I'll throw you out myself--unless you've been so poorly raised that you'd lay a hand on your own mother!" Bruno threatens her not to force him to. Vicki (along with an incensed Viewerville) yells at him to just "Get out!!" Alex backs her up. "--Beat it!!" [¡Largate!] Bruno backs down (for now) and mumbles to himself on his way out the door. "--Again! Again!" [Otra vez]

Alex says next time Vicki should let him kick him out. Vicki is apopleptic. "--NO! There are not going to be anymore fights in this house! Is that clear?" (In a pig's eye.) Alex says then he and MJ will have to leave with Tony and go somewhere else to live. Vicki begs him not to do that. Alex hands her an ultimatum: she'll have to find the way to throw Bruno out. He walks off in disgust. (The screamfest has left Viewerville emotionally exhausted.) Vicki grabs her head as Felipa worries and warns that all of this emotional upheaval is going to kill her.

Alex heads upstairs to the nursery and learns that Mary Jo took Tony into their bedroom.

MJ is cooing at Tony and telling him she knows she's his mother now, though she doesn't really remember him. Alex walks into their room and MJ wants to know what happened. He says Bruno acted like a fool is all. He sits down and starts to stutter through a question. "I know you thought you were Sandra and I can understand... he was trying to get close to you. So I won't take your answer the wrong way... I just need to know is all. You are everything in the world to me, but I just can't handle it anymore... I ...just can't handle it. I need to ask you; I need to know..... Just how far did the trap Bruno set for you go? Because I would never forgive him, never in my life. He would have to pay for that. --Did you go to bed with Bruno?" Mary Jo immediately and firmly answers him in the negative. "--Of course not!" Alex nervously rubs his brow, lets out a deep sigh of relief and hugs her. MJ hugs him back, but a bit awkwardly.

Mary Jo then asks Alex why he would ask her such a thing. Alex tells her that it's what Bruno just finished telling him about her. She asks why Bruno does these sorts of things. (Do you have a few years to spend learning the psychology behind sociopathology?) Alex explains that he's always done stuff like that, ever since they were kids. "He would always take advantage of me, hassle me, beat up on me. I never let myself lose control, but........" MJ wondered what his parents ever did about it. Alex says he told about some things and they scolded Bruno. Other things he just let pass and kept quiet about. "Things got worse as we grew up." Alex just sort of resigned himself to it all, he tells her. Mary Jo says she thought brothers were supposed to love each other. (Ever heard of Cain and Abel?) Alex reminds her that they are only half-brothers. Anyway, he says, Bruno always was doing something to upset and anger him --and MJ as well. MJ wants him to tell her everything in detail. If it's that disturbing for him, she says, she needs to know all of it. They decide to eat up there in the room and have a long overdue discussion.

Later that evening Mau and Bruno have a pow-wow at the usual watering hole. Mau says she's going crazy from this whole thing and can't deal with it anymore. She's unable to sleep, to eat, or to even think straight any more. The poor dear even has to take tranquilizers to calm herself down. She's desperate. Bruno asks just what it could be that's bothering her. Mau says she is really worried about what happens if and when MJ remembers what went on during the kidnapping and that MJ heard her. "--What the hell was it you said?" She explains that when the kidnappers rushed in she was afraid that they might make a mistake and take her instead. She pointed at MJ and told them she was the one they were supposed to take. "--You should have kept your mouth shut!"

Mau says she was too frightened, so now she's worried that MJ will remember and she'll be arrested for being an accomplice. Bruno thinks it's a small detail and Mary Jo probably won't remember it. Or, they'll just have to hope that she doesn't. "--But what if she does?" "--Then you deny it! Remember they're only interested in the real culprit. That will be Ulises." (It helps not to have a conscience, of course. However, Mau isn't a sociopath like you, dude. She is just a rich, run-of-the-mill, jealous female out to get back at her competition.) "--Do you know where he is?" Bruno lies and says he doesn't. She whimpers again. She is really afraid. He loses his patience with her and tells her to just deal with it! He pays the tab (big of him), kisses her hand gallantly (what a jerkwad) and leaves her alone with her conscience.

Back at The Compound, Alex finishes telling MJ about all the little intrigues they've suffered through with Bruno recently. Mary Jo wants to know why he didn't just put a stop to it all or go to the police with it. Alex tries to explain that he didn't in order to save their families from scandal. She's surprised that he included her family into the mix. He says it was because he had fallen in love, head over heels, with her; that he still feels that way about her now. Alex misses her kisses and hugs, and especially the sex. This makes her uncomfortable. (Ah, come on. Look at this guy! Who in their right mind wouldn't want to jump his bones and/or have him jump their bones after a romantic come on like that?) MJ gets up from the table and walks away. Alex asks her to tell him --truthfully-- if she feels anything, anything at all, for him now.

Mary Jo tries to explain how it was in Toluca. "When I was in Toluca and Don Porfirio told me he wanted me to get married, I told him about Damian and introduced him. Don Porfirio didn't like him. So then, I told him about you --a photographer-- and that I was undecided about what there was between you and me. He wanted to meet you." Alex wants to know what she felt for the "photographer" at least. She admits he came across as sweet, pleasant, and kind. She liked him. He's disturbed that she talks about him in the past tense. She tries explaining that with everything that's happened since then, his taking her by force, and then telling her so many painful things about her mother that it's hard to say. He reminds her that everything he told her about her mother was the truth.

Mary Jo says it's hard to feel something nice about a guy who treats her like that. She lost control of her life because of what Alex did, so frankly, she finds it hard to imagine herself being able to love him. She doesn't know that she even wants to. (Ouch!) He says fine. But, she should know--and he swears to her-- that what they had between them before she was kidnapped was more beautiful than either of them could have ever imagined. He only wants the chance to show her and to get back what they had. "Open your heart with me. Try to love me, a little, please?" Mary Jo is brutally honest and says she doesn't know if she can. He says fine. "Have it your way. Just forgive me if I handled things badly. I thought I was doing the right thing by bringing you back here to your real life and home. Apparently you prefered your new life there." He politely says good-night and leaves her alone to mull.

The next morning the rest of the women are having breakfast together. Raqhell says they knew all along that she was really MJ. Felipa agrees. Vicki says the tests she took gave them proof what Bruno was telling them was a lie. Paula says she never believed her mother for a minute. No way could the woman have mistaken her for Sandra. "No, you know it when you're dealing with a loved one." Raqui puts in a worried good word for Uli. "Nobody can possibly think it was Ulises who took her. He had nothing to gain. [interés = reason to pursue, i.e., financially or romantically] Vicki insists that nobody is accusing him. Felipa suggests that he might know something, though. Just then MJ appears at the table asking for Alex. They tell her he already left for work. Apparently he left without saying good-bye and Vicki finds that a bit disconcerting. Mary Jo says she'd really like to visit her father. Paula happily says she'll take her to see him.

Once MJ and Paula are gone Vicki says that something must have happened for Alex to take off like that. Raqui thinks maybe the big love affair is caput. Felipa says it's a shame since MJ just found out she's his wife and all.

Pau and MJ arrive at the mall and she tells MJ not to think it's going to be a first class operation, but at least it's an honest way for their dad to make a living now. Pedro and the others are excited to see MJ there. Meche and Chucho reintroduce themselves to her because she can't remember even a little bit. Chucho reminds her (uh-gain) how he saved Alex's life way back when. Pedro tells her that she met Meche when Bruno played a dirty trick on Meche's kid brother, Gabe, and the rest of them. The three of them head for Pedro's humble abode so that they can have a little chat.

Meanwhile, back at Lodge Lombardo, Vicki has a chat of her own with Bruno. She tells him she really wants him to look for another place to live since he cannot seem to get along with Alex and MJ. Broodo insists on staying there as the judge decreed is his right. The chalet is his and that's that. They can leave if they want. He's staying. Vicki asks him to show a little class. (Him? Might as well spit into the wind, Vicki dear.) "Everything you've done up to now has been a waste. Why don't you just man-up and go your own way? Let everyone have a litte peace around here." This opens it up to a discussion about Bobo and his errant ways. "Are you trying to say I'm like Roberto?" Vicki smiles with just a hint of a snicker. "Roberto has a greater sense of decency than you." "--I'm not leaving! We'll just see if you can run me off!"

Vicki tries to reason with him again. "You have stock in the company and money." "--Yes, but I am lacking the love of my family." (Geez, Louise. It's back to this again.) Vicki gives up and walks off. Bruno watches her walk away and curses her under his breath. "You have never loved me you old fuddy-duddy! Now you can just rot!"

Back at Papi Pedro's apartment, MJ finds out that everything Alex told her about Bruno/Damian was true, and that the reason they never did anything to stop it was because Bruno was blackmailing Pedro for selling pirated merchandise and threatening to throw them all in jail. Pedro insists with his bum leg that nobody would give him a decent job. (To believe this line of self-pity regarding Pedro's game gam, please adjust the beany two notches. He had a desk job, you know?) Pedro continues his tale. When MJ found out, she went along with the fake marriage to Alex to protect them all from Bruno. Pau inserts herself here. "He's the worst kind of human being!" MJ asks why Alex went along with it once he found out. Pau and Pedro insist he kept quiet out of the kindness of his heart and because he fell in love with MJ.

MJ asks if she loved Alex also. Paula assures her she was head over heels for him, too. [derrapar = skidd, spin] Pedro asks what she feels for Alex now. MJ admits he's a stranger now to her. Pau wonders how this could be since they have a child together. Papi P. tells her to think of the rest of them and how they must feel, and how badly Alex suffered when he found out she was kidnapped. Pau tells her how Alex locked himself up with their baby for weeks afterwards because of his depression. Now, says Pedro, he's suffering because she doesn't feel the same for him anymore. MJ starts processing.

Back at Casa Lombardo Vicki tells Felipa she failed to get Bruno to see the light. Felipa's all for putting bugs, rats and whatever other vermin they can find in his place to run him off. (Viewerville is definitely down for that!) Vicki tells her to get real. She says she expected to pay dearly for all her sins, but never like this. She just can't cope any longer. Just then there's a call from Vicki's editor wondering if she's ready to publish her book of poems. Vicki says yes and that she wants it published under her real name. (Anybody wonder if it'll be dedicated to young lover Fer?) The editor is elated and says it will be sensational. FF>>

At Lombardo, Inc. MJ shows up with Pau for a look-see. Pau tells her it's the largest construction company in the state. Alex is thrilled to see her. MJ tells Alex she wanted to see the place where he works. Pau asks if he remembered offering her a job. He tells Mari to see to it immediately. He and MJ go into his office for a chat. MJ tells him about her chat with her papi and how Alex saved him from himself by paying his debts, etc. Alex admits he felt sorry for the old guy. It's obvious that MJ now sees him in a different light.

Meanwhile, Mari and Paula make quick friends with each other, especially when Mau shows up and they can secretly agree on how disagreeable Meowra is. Mau wants to speak with Alex. Mari and Pau let her know he's busy speaking with MJ and cannot be disturbed. Meowra says she wanted to tell him what Dr. Hernan told her about Lisett and to have him call her later when he's free. She pads out on all fours. Mari and Pau want to gag. They share a secret snicker.

Back in Alex's office he and MJ begin to flirt a bit. He takes the rest of the afternoon off and says after lunch he wants her to see the sights of the city with him. She says fine and blushes. He says there's a change in her. He wonders if it's good or bad. She asks him what he thinks. He says he has lots of questions he might ask her, but there's only one he will ask. "Can I kiss you?" She nods. He makes his move. They kiss. She goes with the flow and the two of them end up panting on his love seat. Just when it starts to get out of hand and we think they're going to do the deed right then and there and are asking ourselves if they remembered to lock the door, Alex pulls away. He politely asks her to forgive him for getting so carried away. "It's just, well, the fact is that I'm dying to make love to you. (Viewerville swoons.) It seems like years since we've done it." MJ giggles as Uni breaks for a little crass commercialism and gives us all a chance to catch our breath.

When we return, Pau and Mari are sealing their friendship. Pau says it's obvious Alex and MJ adore each other, so she is not about to be a third wheel. She asks Mari where Bobo's office is and heads there for a surprise visit. Bobo is happy to see her. He shows her the project he's working on. She mentions that BTW she's got a job there now also. He's happy to hear it. She's wondering if he'll end up going to Brazil for a while. He thinks he probably will. She says she'll miss him. He says he'll miss her also, then asks in his best Big Brother voice if she's managed to meet anyone yet. She says yes and that he knows him but probably doesn't remember him because the guy's been a nobody all this time although he is about to become a famous sculptor. Bobo says she doesn't sound very enthused about the guy. She says that's because the one she's been so enthused about was him. Bobo gets suddenly stiff. "I already explained that to you."

We beam over to the hospital now where Lisett is being discharged today. Her new friend from the free clinic, Lety, comes by and introduces her to her brother, Checo. (Uh, where is the scarf, Lis? --Hubby can't resist remarking that she looks like a conehead without it. Sadly, he's got a point. Show a little self-respect there, Lizzie. That turquoise thing looked pretty good the other day.) Lis introduces both of them to Big Sis, Meowra, and then invites them to come the next morning to the Hello-Kitty Castle for a big surprise she's got planned for them.

On the way out of the hospital Meowra scolds Lis for wanting to pay for the other girl's transplant. "What's the matter? Don't I have the money?" "--Of course you do, but you don't go throwing it around like that! I'm your sister and I'm supposed to take care of you." Lis says it's good that she remembered that because it seemed she forgot while Lis was laid up in the hospital all this time. (Ten points, team Lis.) Luckily she had Lety who did come to visit and she became her friend. Meowra can only gripe about the class Lety and her brother--with a name like Checo--come from. Lis walks off and leaves Meowra to stew and spew by her sorry damn self. (Another ten-pointer for Lizzie.)

Meanwhile, Pau and Gabe have their date. He shows her through an art museum nearby and explains what he knows about techniques or some such. FF>>

That night at the Casota, up in the nursery, Alex and Mary Jo tuck little Tony in. Alex tells her she'll be the best mother. MJ says it seems she remembers him telling her that exact same thing before. Could it be she's finally starting to remember? Alex says it could be. She's elated and hugs him. They walk towards their bedroom door. She thanks him for a wonderful day together then asks where he's going to be sleeping. Alex chuckles and says he's sleeping in the guest room. MJ asks him if he wants to come in with her. He smiles and says it will not be just for a kiss good-night. It looks, though, that she might be seriously considering the option. Mary Jo makes up her mind and invites him in. Alex asks her not to turn the lights on. He tells her that he understands how she feels and that he realizes it must be like the very first time they were together. He promises to be kind and gentle with her. He goes in for The Kiss. She tries to get into it but she's still too nervous and not really ready for it. Alex says not to worry. If she's not sure about it he can wait. He wants her to be completely confident so that next time they're together nothing is stopping her. He kisses her good night. She tells him to rest well. [Descansar] He chuckles to himself. (As if.) She smiles. He leaves. She's hot but not quite ready to trot.

The next morning they are all at breakfast. Alex and MJ tell Vicki they're going to visit Porfi but first he's stopping at the police station to report Uli to the police for the kidnapping. Raqui walks in on the discussion. Vicki tells her now that they know MJ is really MJ those responsible must pay for their crime. Raqui is desperate. She says all they have is Bruno's word that it was Uli. (We all know what that's worth. It seems like Mama and Alex are suffering from amnesia all of a sudden, here, too.) "Perhaps it's nothing but a big lie!" Vicki says that's why the police have to find him, to get at the truth. "But Mary Jo is just fine!" Pau pipes up to add that whoever did that to MJ has to pay! "--But he's my child's father!" Felipa chides her. "--And a courageous man you chose for the father, too! Anyway, you could give a flip about your daughter!" "--Stay out of it!" Alex tells Raqui that his mind is made up. He's reporting Uli to the police. Raqhell is frantic. She begs him not to do it. She turns to Vicki and tells her she'll die if Uli's sent to prison. "If you don't do this...I promise...I promise I'll never take another drink! Please! I'm begging you!" Vicki asks if she's really serious. Raqui nods. Serious as a heart attack.

Mary Jo says she has no problem if they choose not to report Uli to the police. Besides, she's back, safe and sound. Alex says then he'll think about it, but it is a crime that should not go unpunished. Raqui runs to MJ and tries to thank her --as best she can, considering. Pau starts to say something else but Mary Jo shuts her up on the spot. "There's nothing more to say. Perhaps we're making a mistake in not reporting Uli to the police, but with what Raqhell has promised, we've come out with a win."

Back in Toluca, Elena has been found out by Porfi's manservant, Isaías. Isaías goes back to Porfi's bedside and reports that he's sure he's seen Elena around town. So where is Sandra? Does that mean they have returned from wherever? Porfi doesn't like how things are shaping up. He has his man call Elena's rancho. The housekeeper answers and says yes, Sra. Elena is there. When she goes to hand the phone to Elena, Elena tells her to tell whoever it is that she's still away on a trip. Oops! Too late. The housekeeper tries to tell Isaías she's still traveling, but Porfi isn't buying any of Elena's B.S. and gets on the phone himself.

"If she's back why hasn't anyone bothered to tell me? It's not like we live in another country or something! Look, I want to speak to Elena! Put her on!" Elena pretends she's just walked back in the door. "So where's Sandra?" Elena pretends she left her to visit or something. "--You left her alone?" "--Oh, Porfirio. She's lived on her own for years now." "--You tell her she's to come back here immediately! That's an order!" Click.

Elena races over to tell Jorrible Jorge the bad news. "What do we do now?" Jorge tells her to call Merida and convince Mary Jo to come. "--And if she doesn't want to?" "CONVINCE HER!!!!!" (Viewerville waits for the rafters to stop shaking. What a freakin' ogre! It's Three Billygoats Gruff come to life. He and Porfirio are such a freak show.) Elena takes the phone from him and starts dialing. Vicki takes the phone from Zeke. She lets Elena know that MJ and Alex are on their way to Toluca to visit with Porfirio. "--Uh, Mary Jo?" Elena acts confused. Vicki says yes. They've medical proof now that MJ isn't Sandra. Vicki is so cool towards Elena the phone nearly gives Elena frostbite. "--Is there anything else I can help you with?" Elena says no, thank you, and then hangs up. She chokes giving Jorge the bad news that they've found out Mary Jo is not really Sandra and that she and Alex are on their way to visit the old man. What if they tell him the truth now?

Jorge wonders what's the big deal. "Not to worry. Ulises was the one who did the kidnapping, remember? He assured us she was Sandra." Elena is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She can't believe that Jorge can be so cool and calm about it. Doesn't he realize the threat they are facing now, she asks. Jorge robotically explains to her that if one panics one cannot think clearly. Elena just blinks at him. She is panic personified.

Back at the Lombardo's Fernando is visiting his one true love. Vicki tells Fer that MJ and Alex have gone to see Porfirio. He asks if they plan to tell the old guy the truth. Vicki says she isn't sure MJ has it in her. He says he'll call his tío abuelo to warn him because if Porfi gets the bad news he won't take it well at all and somebody will need to control him. The man flies off the handle all the time and only his tío can really manage him. She has Fernando make the phone call. Emiliano answers and thanks him for the heads up, then heads over to Porfi's for the assist.
　

Labels: sortilegio

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