Caray, Caray!

Jade runs into Lucas at the door of Ali's house. There is some gooey-eyed staring and Jade says that she has to leave.

We cut back and forth between soccer played by girls in Morocco who can barely run because they are covered from head to foot and have to wear pinnies too

and barely clad beach volleyball players in Miami. Dora is jealous of another woman's attentions to Osvaldo, her fiancee. Zoraida explains to Jade that the girls have to play all covered up because it is a public space and men might be watching.

In the desert, Diego tells Cristina that she had better disappear that day or he will tell his father about her.

Ali and Albieri argue about religion and values. Albieri accuses Ali of using his religion to be a tyrant over his family. Ali accuses Albieri of wanting to play God by cloning humans. Lucas comes in and apologizes for what happened the previous night. He says that he was wandering around looking at the walls and wondering why there were no frames (cuadros). I assume he means framed pictures. Ali explains that it is forbidden in Islam to make images of things God has created because to do so would be like comparing themselves to God. Lucas is confused.

Dora tells Osvaldo that he has an appointment at the fertility clinic. He doesn't want to go and Dora screams that it is over between them.

Lucas finds out where Jade is and gets her to follow him to a secluded place. Then they waste their precious time together playing hide and seek. Finally, they get to speak to one another. They find out that they are both from Miami. Jade says that she feels like a stranger in Morocco but if it is her destiny to live here. she will accept it. She also tells Lucas that was happened the previous night was destiny. Lucas replies that he can't stop thinking of her. He takes her hand and they almost kiss but Jade pulls away saying that it is a sin.

Only her husband can touch her. Lucas is astonished to learn that she has never been kissed or had a boyfriend. They exchange names. Jade tells Lucas a story about how finding a piece of jade saved her mother from being killed when lightning struck a tree. She says that is why she is named Jade and why she always wears that jade and believes that it protects her. Then they hear Zoraida calling for Jade and she leaves but not before Lucas tells her how to reach him and that he is going to leave Morocco soon.

In a bar, Dora tells her friend Vicki (played by the actress who was Victorino Perez' real mother on Victorinos) about her problems with Osvaldo. He arrives and tells Dora that he will go to the fertility clinic. They dance.

Back in the desert, Diego tries to instill doubts about Cristina in his father without telling him what actually happened. This doesn't work, of course. Leonardo tells Diego that Cristina makes him happy and that's all he cares about.

Later, Cristina comes to Diego's room. She first tries to talk him out of telling his father and when that doesn't work, she offers herself to him in a bizarre lace bodysuit. That doesn't work either and he throws her out.


Cristina may be a bimbo but she is a smart bimbo at least about keeping her sugar daddy. The next morning she weepily tells Leonardo that Diego has been after her to sleep with him since she arrived in Morocco. Leonardo is furious. He and Cristina follow Diego back to Fez to confront him.


Jade calls Lucas on the phone, ostensibly to tell him not to bother her again but she weakens when he begs to see her before he leaves Morocco forever. Diego comes in during this conversation. Lucas tells Diego that he has met a girl. Diego can't believe that Lucas did this without his help. He wants to meet the girl but Lucas tells him to stay away from her.

Dora implores God to give her a baby.

Jade has learned her Koran lesson for Ali. She tells Ali that she wants to be completely covered. Ali is perplexed but gives his permission. Jade drags one of the servants to the market. Meanwhile Latifa's fiancee, his brother Mohammed and sister Nazira have arrived at Ali's. In her black outfit (with a lot of her hair showing), Jade drags the servant to Lucas' hotel.

The evil Nazira tells Ali that Latifa and Said had the same wet nurse. This apparently makes them siblings under Islamic law and they can't marry.

Mohammed has an idea. He will marry Latifa since they don't have a wet nurse in common. Nazira has another idea - Jade should marry Said. Ali is ok with this since Jade will be able to go back to the US.

At the hotel, Jade is looking for Lucas and Leonardo and Cristina are looking for Diego. Inevitably, Jade finds Diego thinking that he is Lucas.

The credits roll.

Labels: clon

At the jail, Lisette tells Maura how Ale was attacked in the armored car and that Bruno is a fugitive and the police are looking for him.

At Casa Lombardo the detective is telling Ale that Maura has confessed to all. Maura helped kidnap MJ, along with Dr Kruguer, Bruno, and Elena. Why is Ale looking so shocked? Ale says then that Useless didn't have any thing to do with it. Roberto asks if the police have news of Bruno. The Police think he is with Erick.

Lisette, at her house has a visitor. Erick! Erick comes in all smiley and has come looking for Maura. Lisette yells to him that Maura is in jail because of the kidnapping, the money transfer and even the assassination of Useless. Erick loses his smile. Lisette says he should know more than she does and Erick says no, and excuses himself.

Ale and MJ are going to their bedroom. Ale is tell MJ that Maura was obsessed and could not see reality. That Bruno took advantage of a puppet and you see what happened. She is in jail, while Bruno is a fugitive. I can't believe he is defending her. Ale goes on to say that what hurts most is his mother, and that when they find Bruno they will have to wait many years for him to get out. MJ says she is sorry for her also, but for Bruno jail is probably the only thing that can stop him, and maybe he will reflect and repent all he has done. Ale says he is tired and MJ kisses him and says they will sleep in each others arms.

Fernando tells Irene that he is really grateful now that he has recovered and likes her but he does not love her.

Felipe is telling Victoria that she can't spend every day thinking about Bruno, and her phone rings. Guess who? Bruno. Victoria asks where he is. Bruno says he is in a pigsty, in a barn in the middle of f****** nowhere, without food, without water. Bruno tells her he is h*ll. Bruno needs her help, he needs money. Bruno does not want to rot in jail. It would be better if he was killed. I don't know if that meant some kills him or he kills himself.
Victoria does not want him to talk like that and says ok. Felipe asks what does he want. Victoria says Bruno wants money to leave the country.

MJ talking to Ale says Victoria is going to the bank so that Bruno can get away? Ale says yes. She is to go in a taxi alone, then he will go. MJ crys and says no, no the beach is lonely and anything can happen. Ale tells her to stay calm that he has a gun that he will be careful and he loves her.

On the beach behind some trees Bruno and Erick are waiting and they see Victoria walking towards them. Erick asks if she came alone and what if she called the police. Bruno says she will do what he asked and tells Erick he is an idiot. Victoria runs to Bruno and says she brought what he asked. She came in a taxi that she left on the highway, and before she came she went to the bank. Victoria says he should give himself up, and says how can he leave the country all the borders are alerted, do you have a passport. Bruno doesn't have a passport. Erick watches. Bruno says he will cross the river. Can you imagine the son of Senor Lombardo crossing the border as a peon all because you preferred Ale. Not the one you gave birth to. You always preferred him. Bruno goes on to tell of all the things he did not get like MJ the Presidency etc. Victoria tries to reason with him. Ale show up on the scene. Ale tells Bruno to kill him if that is what it is going to take for his family to have peace. Victoria begs no they are brothers. Bruno says Ale is not his brother. Bruno pulls out his gun. Ale says do it you have already tried two times. Victoria is crying on her knees and Bruno kicks her away.
Bruno tells Ale to kneel down and say good by as he has the gun on Ales forehead. Commercial.

Ale knocks the gun away and they fight and now Ale on top of Bruno has a gun in Bruno's face. Bruno is scared. Ale yells that Bruno listen good or he swears he will kill him. Ale wants to leave, get out of their lives. Ale swears he will kill him if he tries to raise his weapon. Ale swears it for his son. Ale tells Bruno to get up. Bruno carefully gets up at picks his gun up saying it is his only option to leave the country. Bruno picks up the bag of money and carefully starts walking away. Bruno sees a sand bank and drops behind it and shoots Ale in the arm.
Ale is behind an over turned boat that is conveniently left on this lonely beach. Bruno realizes that he has no bullets and tells Ale to drop his weapon and they will settle this as two men. Ale drops his gun and they run to each other and fight in the surf. Finally a break in dialog! They choke each other. Ale is drowning Bruno, pulls him up to hit him again then drowns him again. Victoria runs into the water and asks that Ale release him but Ale can't help himself and keeps holding Bruno under the water. Victoria pulls at Ale, and Ale finally quits. Victoria tries to hold Bruno. Ale gets Victoria off of Bruno and carries her out of the water. It looks like Bruno may have swallow too much water, he is floating, but Bruno turns over coughing and then runs to Ale's gun that was dropped. Ale shields Victoria with his body. Bruno aims the gun at Ale and we hear gun shots and Bruno falls. We see Erick shooting Bruno. Victoria runs to Bruno and Erick runs for the money bag and runs away. Victoria is crying over Bruno, and now Ale is crying 'no, my brother, no' over Bruno while hugging him.

They have a funeral for Bruno.

Months later...

MJ, Paula and Pedro are visiting Elena. Elena says she doesn't have the words to ask for forgiveness for all she has done. Paula says the keep the talk short. MJ scolds, but Elena says Paula is right.
MJ says everyone makes mistakes. Elena says that some are more serious. Elena thanks them for coming. She actually thought she would never see them again. MJ asks her why. Elena says that Sandra did not get along with Jorge so she sent her to Spain and that is where she lost her. Pedro says she was your daughter, you could have returned her to me. Elena says many years had passed. Pedro says he would have cared and loved her. Sandra says she doesn't doubt it but things did not occur like that and she is paying for her errors and she accepts it. MJ says that she will always be their mother and that she will visit when she can. Pedro tells the girls to say good by cause he would like to talk to Elena. MJ kisses her goodby and Paula turns her back on her and walks out. Pedro takes a step towards Elena.

At casa Lombardo Victoria is telling Fernando, which I think he would know already that Ale and MJ are building a house on the beach. Fer says that is nice but he doesn't want her to be alone. Victoria tells him it is a vacation house, besides it is the law of life. Victoria asks about him and Irene. Fer tells her it didn't work out. Victoria says it is a pity. Fer tells Victoria that she can't plan his life and there is no point in discussing it.

Elena tells Pedro how much she regrets hurting him. Always, Pedro was a good man, and she never deserved him. Elena says nothing was sufficient for her. Look at how low she has fallen. She tells Pedro he should be shamed for loving some one like her. Pedro says he does not feel shame and neither does he keep a grudge.
Pedro says it was an error to think they could have a life together. It wasn't her fault or his. He has is daughters which is what he always wanted. We need to each walk our own road. Elena tells him he deserves to be happy.
Elena lets a tear fall.

Paula and Gabe are hold hands. I think she likes him much better now.

Ale visits Maura in jail. Maura tries to get closer but she backs off and asks for forgiveness. Ale says he forgives her and that it doesn't please him to see her in this place. All is forgotten. Good by. Ale leaves. Maura says good by my love, forever. I don't get it.

In bed Ale tells MJ that Maura should have known they were done, and he feels sorry for her, and that MJ should be certain that he did not send her love. Is that right? They tell each other they love each other.

A week later.. Victoria book has been released and Vitoria and Fer are walking on the beach. Fer asks her to read a poem out of the book. I can't translate the poem very well. It was about love in the hand the one did not dare touch and because of age withdrew the hand for him. Victoria tells Fer to read all of the poems because in every word and every silence he is there. Fer tells her he loves her and Victoria walks away.

Ale and MJ are talking about the baptism of the children. Ale says that they can get married in the church at any time. MJ see had been hoping that Fer and Victoria would reconcile so they could be the God parents but that it has not been successful.

Three months later Roberto and Victoria are picking up Rachel from rehab. Rachel looks happy.

Then we have a wedding. It looks like some kind of indigenous wedding. Maybe someone can explain here.

It looks like maybe the beach house that Ale and MJ were building when Fer comes jet skiing in and tells Victoria that he is going to live? there and is telling Victoria not to be so stubborn and accept. Victoria accepts.

No we are having a church wedding where the whole town was invited. Bells ringing. Pedro walks MJ down the aisle. They accept each other and then they all sing a song including the bride and groom. Then they are announced married. Maybe some one can explain the song. Then they have dancing where we see Katia, Rachel, Roberto and all dancing.

We now see the honeymoon. It is about time. I think they said some love words but I got caught up in the nice visuals and did not hear a word.

El Fin de Sortilegio.

Labels: sortilegio

Here's what dear Barbara wrote for us. Great recap, Barbara!

I watched most of the show last night and made a few notes but since I don't currently have the ability to record the show and go back to fill in the holes or my misunderstandings, please do not think too poorly of the following and please fill in or correct as needed. Also, I am not sure of all the characters names as I have been only seeing parts of the show on Tues and Thursday night and filling in with the recaps on the other nights. So after all my disclaimers, here goes.

--Missed the first 7 minutes. Hopefully was a rehash of the end of yesterday's show. I come in on a scene where Ale and Rafa are arguing about sale methods. Her methods don't work for Rafa and he is unable to sell any cars. Ale of course just says he's incompetent and then starts railing against him for insulting Marco about his treatment of Ale. Her relationship is none of Rafa's business!

--Scene with Julieta and other kids (young adults) at a table outside. A guy pulls away some books and they start chanting "reveton" over and over. I got distracted and totally did not get this scene.

--Flashback to Ale and Rafa. Rafa says if he had a woman that was as great, wonderful, intelligent, beautiful, (or at least that is what he meant) as her--he would never let her take the taxi to work or live off of her. He would want to take care of her and treat her like a queen she is. For a second, Ale seems wistful, bemused, touched. Then she throws him out of her office, laughing at his torn pants as he turns to leave.

--Next we see Ale and Marco talking. Ale is telling Marco that Rafa has sold nothing. Marco says he will pick Ale up tonight but he may be delayed because he has a meeting with the aseguradora (insurer?). He of course is with Chavez. And, surely he is meeting with some hot new babe Chavez introduces to him--Karen Sandoval.

--Rafa is stapling his pants together while talking to Jaime on the phone. He is lamenting his lack of sales, how he wants to pay Ale the money he owes and how his sister and mother depend on him. What is going to happen to them if he goes to jail? Unbeknownst to him, Ale has approached him from behind and looks as if she feels bad for him. When Rafa gets off the phone she calls him into her office and shouts at him that she is giving him one more chance. But someone who gets one more chance--when should he get a day off? Never! He needs to work all the time including the and THIS weekend. Rafa swallows hard and agrees.

--Now another long telephone conversation with Rafa and Vicky where he tries to explain to her why he has to work and why he cannot keep their date this weekend. She of course goes ballistic. She repeat the assertion she has made before--"YES, I would rather see you in jail! At least would know where you are and that you are not around other women." Rafa actually says that if Vicki cannot be more supportive that he doesn't know if their relationship can work. More crying and screaming and Vicky say ADIOS! (Oh if I could only believe it).

--Susana has gotten the pen Ale wanted for Marco. Ale is happy, loves Marco. Susana is doubtful but says Ale is beautiful. Marco calls Ale. He is delayed at his meeting. He is discussing investments he is being shown. He'll be there soon.
Next scene, he and Karen Sandoval are getting to know each other. He's a lawyer, single. She's divorced but looking. He caresses her thigh and appreciates her bikini clad look.

--Next work calls me so I'm trying to get what I can. Several scenes of Jorge and his friend being driven around by another friend? Don't know who--but the big issue is that Jorge cannot direct them to his house and I think we are in suspense as to whether he will find home and get there while Marco, Chavez and all the party-harty people are there. Is this right?

--Last scenes: Many at Auto Siglo want to go out drinking. They pressure those that really don't want to go including Rafa. Later we see them dancing, enjoying themselves. Someone from Auto Siglo says put it on Rafa's account! Rafa hears this and this time actually blows a gasket. He and Medina get into a verbal pissing war. A bet is made. Please someone explain it to me. Is seems that Medina needs to sell three cars while Rafa sells one. Whoever loses, loses their hair?????

Labels: dinero

Greetings, friends. I’ll be recapping El Clon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jean will take the rest of the week. I’m at a bit of a disadvantage in that my TV carries CC-1 and CC-2, but not CC-3 which has the English. Plus I foolishly did not record tonight’s show, a mistake I will not repeat. I understood most of tonight’s cap, but certain scenes went completely over my head. Additions and corrections are always welcome.

In the women’s quarters, Jade and Lucas lock eyes, and for them, the rest of the world is invisible. Would that they were invisible to the rest of the world. In response to the noise, the men come in to find out what the fuss is. Albieri hustles Lucas out of the house quickly. Ali takes charge of Jade. When she protests that she did nothing wrong, he smacks her, and tells her he’ll come to talk to her in a little while. When the three women are alone, Zoraida tries to counsel Jade to hold her tongue and learn to disimular (conceal, disguise her feelings), IOW lie. Most of all, she must not confront Ali, and she must not defend herself to him.

Back at the hotel, Leo orders Diego to apologize to Bimbo. Diego protests – I had reasons you don’t know. Leo wants to hear those reasons (while Bimbo looks on), but Diego says he’s not ready.

Ali comes in and reads Jade the riot act. It’s a crime to exhibit yourself. Jade insists she did nothing wrong. Ali reminds her that the prime directive of Islam is to surrender your will (someone please correct me if I got this wrong; I wouldn’t want anybody to misquote the central tenants of my faith, and I don’t want to misquote anyone else’s). Jade begs to be allowed to return to the US, but it falls on deaf ears. (I think) he tells her it’s not an issue of where you are, but whether you keep the rules of our faith. He says that if she doesn’t know good from bad, it is not the fault of her environment, that she is responsible for herself. Women who are not appropriately modest get locked inside, away from public eyes, until they die. I think Zoraida said she could be executed for her crime. Ali orders Jade to memorize the portion of Koran that he has marked, and he will test her on it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Albieri briefs Lucas on the severity of his crime. I’m sorry, most of this when over my head. Can anyone fill in?

Back at the hotel, Lucas tries to apologize to Diego for locking him in his room, but justifies it because Diego was out of control. Diego tells him to get lost. I guess I’m with Diego on this one. I’ve never put much stock in the “I’m sorry, but..” brand of apologies.

Back at Albieri’s clinic in Miami, Luisa, Albieri’s assistant, is briefing her manicurist, who is there for fertility screening. We find out that the woman is healthy and fertile, and there is no reason she can’t conceive. The doctor suggests that her partner should get screened. Luisa takes a call from Albieri, and goes to his office to speak to him in private. She gushes about how she has arranged everything the way he likes it, while Albieri just tries to get her off the phone. After he hangs up on her, the woman doctor counsels Luisa to give up; that her rival is a woman who has been dead for 20 years, and Albieri will never notice anyone else. The doctor warns that hanging on to one-sided love for years will embitter her. (BTW, in last night’s Los Exitosos Perez, Tomas warned that hanging on to one-sided love is like an addiction. Too bad other novela characters don’t catch on to those warnings, but then how could the writers fill up 200 cap’s?)

Diego asks Al-B what he thinks of Bimbo. Al-B says that she’s tonta (foolish) and she likes his power. Diego insists that is not the right woman for his dad, and asks, “Do you think she’s an aventura (perhaps ‘gold-digger’?)?” Diego doesn’t really answer, so the doctor concludes Diego just doesn’t like seeing his dad remarry. Al-B coaxes Diego to let his dad enjoy some company at this stage in life.

Luke is in a daze, mooning over Jade. Jade is supposed to be memorizing her verses, but she can’t concentrate. Zoraida brings her a Koran in Spanish. Then cousin Latifa comes in, and Jade talks about that man who watched her dancing. She said it’s as if she knew him all her life, or else that she was destined to know him for the rest of her life. Latifa, for her part, is excited to meet her fiancé.

As for the marriage arrangements, much of this went over my head.

Two brothers arrive at the house, short Muhammad dressed in yellow, and taller Zaid dressed in white. They are accompanied by a woman identifies as their sister, which raises eyebrows. I didn’t catch her name, so I’ll call her Bessie. We can’t tell which of the brothers is the suitor, but apparently neither can Zoraida. Zoraida warns Latifa to be careful about everything she does when she meets the men, and especially do not seem too eager. Men like to feel as if they have won (conquistar) the woman. Latifa brings out dessert and makes quite an impression on the brothers. After a few minutes, Ali dismisses her. When the men are alone, Zaid says that he approves, and the men start to bargain over the marriage contract. It comes out that Zaid will soon return to the US to operate his business. Ali refers to Latifa as his niece??

Bessie is in the women’s quarters with Latifa and Zoraida, and also Ali’s two wives and a few young children. The third wife isn't there because she had a baby yesterday. Bessie thought Ali had four wives, but one died last year. With that, she starts calculating how she can become that fourth wife. Latifa, Zoraida, and Jade quietly discuss their opinion of the pushy Bessie; it's not good. Bessie asks Latifa’s reaction to Zaid getting other wives. Latifa starts to protest, “I won’t allow it,” but then she catches herself and disimilates, saying “Well, I’ll always be the first wife.” Jade is surprised that men can have several wives, but Latifa thinks it’s great that they are limited to four wives. Peachy.

Back at the hotel, Diego again tries to talk to his dad, but Bimbo arrives and puts the kibosh on that. In Miami, the manicurist from the fertility testing is in a nightclub, and she seductively entices a man to dance with her. I missed a lot of what was said between them. Help, anyone? She tells him that she’s plenty fertile, so the problem must be him. This somehow leads to her accusing him of lying to her, and she thinks perhaps he’s married (?).

Scene shifts to the desert, where Leo, Bimbo, and Diego go out for a camel ride. The shadows tell us it’s about noon. I thought only mad dogs and Englishmen went out in the noonday sun. Diego gets Bimbo aside and tells her to leave and never come back, or he will tell his father what a whore she is.

Back in town, Al-B has taken Lucas to Ali’s house to apologize. Al-B excuses himself to go warm up Ali to the idea. He leaves Lucas in the foyer and orders him to not move. Latifa and Zoraida go outside so Latifa can practice soccer – she says men like women who know about soccer. They holler for Jade to hurry and join them. A few moments later Jade follows, but then Lucas sees her in the foyer. Once again their eyes lock; once again the world disappears.

Tomorrow: Zaid and Muhammad wonder about this marriage contract – if they take two wives (i.e. Jade), can they get a volume discount?

Labels: clon

Yes, it is the beginning of the end for our villains, no matter how much they lie, deny, and cry. The good guys are going to hang them out to dry.

From yesterday: Romina blows some metaphorical snot all over Cristóbal.

Camila, Meche, and Mónica powwow regarding the falsified results of the first paternity test. Could Romina have finagled it alone? Must have been the baby’s real father who helped her, right? Well, what about someone else, someone who wanted Romina to marry Emiliano? Who could that be? Meche tells them about Carlota’s cloak-and-dagger routine to hand an envelope to the clinic person the day of the test. “Could Carloca have bribed them to change the results?” asks Mónica. “Yes,” says Camila. “Yes, she could.”

Back in the waiting room, Emiliano drags Germán in with excessive force and yells at Romina that he’s brought her amante to take a paternity test and help the baby. Deny, deny, deny, says Romina’s one-track mind. Germy readily admits that the baby has to be his, and his mother died of cystic fibrosis. Romina continues denying, loudly.

New: “It’s all a lie! I love you, Emiliano!” Romina shrieks, dropping to her knees and clinging to him like a barnacle. “You don’t love anyone, not even yourself! I never want to see you again!” he retorts, and rages out. Rabid Romi turns her rancor on Germán, who just looks sad (well, what you can see of him through the blood looks sad). She snarls that he should have lied. {I hope some of the hospital staff are recording all this.} He says she never loved him or the baby, she just used them to trap Emiliano. Romememena admits it and says that’s all Germs was good for, to be used and thrown out like the trash he is. Auch. A nurse finally tells them to stop making a scene. Germs calmly asks for some help getting his wounds patched up and goes away with the nurse. Romi collapses in a chair, in absolute disbelief that her stupid lies and manipulations have backfired.

Orlando is back in his office, lamenting to long-suffering Angélica that Camila won’t go with him to Houston now, with the baby so sick. “Yes, that is really unfortunate about the BABY,” says Ange. What with everything going on, muses Orlando, probably Emiliano won’t want to go either. “Um, duh,” says Ange, but more politely. “But you could go! You know the business!” Angélica smiles, pleased that her few months of sitting at the reception desk has taught her so much.

Padre Benito is pleased to hear from Obispo Calixto that they are willing to make Cris a priest again, but he thinks Cris should be given as much time as he wants to mosey back to the church. No, says the bishop. Just enough time to arrange his personal affairs.

Ange asks Orlando for permission for a little time off before they go to Houston. She and Miriam want to go to Mexico City to deal with their accusation against Darío. Orly grudgingly consents.

Natalia tells Eugenio via phone that Efraín, the investigator, thinks Alonso went after Carlota for killing Iñaki, and that’s what did him in. Efraín is willing to continue helping them.

Paloma and Gabriel arrive back at Misery Manor by chauffeured fancy car, all holding hands and lovey-dovey. They agree they are novios. Well, now that that’s settled, smoochy-smoochy. Dang, where’s Emiliano when we need him to appear? He’s falling down in his stalker duties. {I must say, as much as I like Gabriel and think he’s way better for Paloma than Emo, these two actors do not look at all comfortable kissing each other.}

Out on the street, Emiliano tells Camila that Germán is the baby’s father. Cami is all apologies, but he says he doesn’t blame her; this is all Romina’s fault. Emo says he still cares about the baby, so he asks Cami to let him know how he’s doing.

Paloma has foolishly ventured into the gothically gloomy confines of Misery Manor, where Cruel reams her out for having dared to leave the house without permission. “I don’t need permission!” says Paloma. “My house, my rules!” bellows Cruel. “Fine! I’ll move out!” Crueloca says she can’t leave because she has no place to go. Doc B is gone, and Gabriel left and is dying besides. “Gabriel’s back, and I’m going to go live with him!” says Paloma, still not having learned that she should never tell Carloca anything.

{Hilarious previews of Camila as an olde-tymey dame in CS, wailing about getting married to Juan de Dios, and wailing some more when she’s told her baby is dead. I’m not sure it’s supposed to be a comedy, but…}

Miriam and Angélica consult with a lady we may have seen before, but I don’t remember. She might be the editor. Or maybe she’s a lawyer. I don’t know. Anyway, they want progress on the legal front, and soon. It took them awhile to decide because they were afraid of Darío´s threats, but no more. The lady says there’s hope even though the dirtbag has already registered their work. They’ll get some peritos (experts) to certify that it’s their work, then start a lawsuit. Miriam and Ange just need to get together any drafts and files they have to support their claims.

Rufi tells Paloma that the baby is very sick. Paloma wonders whether she should go to the hospital to visit. Rufi thinks that would just be throwing fuel on the fire. Paloma tells Rufi that she and Gabriel are novios. Rufi is thrilled and asks whether they’re way in love. Eh…no, not so much, says Paloma, but she really cares about him, and there are different kinds of love. Good enough.

Also thrilled is Eugenio. “That’s more like it!” he says. “You could live a long time yet!” Gabriel doesn’t want to talk about the future. He says he and Paloma have decided to just live and be happy one day at a time. He’s still a little mad that Eugenio told Paloma his big secret, but Don E says he really had no choice after she found out anyway. Well, now Gabriel doesn’t have to pretend or run away from Paloma, so he’s glad Don E and Tia Loca played Cupid. Big hug.

Darío assaults Miriam and Angélica in the parking garage as they leave their meeting. Some guy driving in, who looks familiar but I’m tired, is mysteriously unseen by them as he whips out his camera and records the action. “With this, I’m going to the primera plana (first level?),” he says with satisfaction. I’m not sure what he means by that, but he plans to do something with the recording.

Camila is back at the hospital, reaming out Romina, who has somehow not yet wandered off for a manicure or some shopping. Lots and lots of furious yelling, containing: a. you nasty two-timer, b. coerced marriage, c. didn’t I teach you any values?, d. lies lies lies, e. selfish, f. faked paternity test, g. was it Carlota or Germán who helped you? After Cami shoves Romi onto the sofa, Romi finally cracks and says it was Carlota, who didn’t want Emiliano with Paloma. Even though she already pretty much knew this, Camila is still shocked. Romina tries to pretend that Carlota made her do it, but Cami’s garden doesn’t need fertilizing, so she ain’t buying it.

Carloca paces her study, muttering that Paloma keeps making her do things. Unfortunately, she can’t do anything to Gabriel until she figures out what happened to Doc B. But who could be sending her those anonymous messages?

Emiliano takes up his well-practiced pose, mooning under Paloma’s balcony. He gives up after only a few seconds.

Darío storms into Lucila’s office and demands her help denouncing those horrid women who accused him of plagiarism. Nothing doing. She throws him out.

Germán calls Liliana from the emergency room and asks her to come to the hospital, saying it’s urgent.

The police detectives pay a visit to Misery Manor to ask a few questions regarding Doctor Bermúdez. Carlota puts a little too much smiling and wide-eyed innocence into her insistence that all this can have nothing to do with them.

A nurse tells Natalia that “he” hasn’t improved, he’s still the same. Natalia sits on the bed and tells the patient he has to get better, and I guess the actor was finally available because we get to see that it is, indeed, Doc B lying there.

Rufi tells the detectives what time Doc B dropped her off at home after the party. Carloca says she was home earlier, as Cris can verify. Then she pretends to have a moment of shocked realization. “Cristóbal was out wandering the streets late at night! Gosh, could he be a serial killer?” “Oh, shut up,” says Paloma. “He’s probably got the doctorcito’s corpse stashed somewhere!” says Loca. “Or maybe he’s got the doctor stashed somewhere, alive and kicking,” says Rufi, with a disgusted glare at Cruel. (She says vivo y coleando, alive and wagging).

Eugenio recounts the story for Madeleine and Cris, as we see in flashback that Doc B called him and he rushed over, and the doc only managed to say “Carlota” before he passed out. Eugenio called a doctor friend and they had Doc B taken to the city in an ambulance and kept it quiet to protect him. “Isn’t it a crime to hide this?” asks Cris. Eugenius says it’s all under control. He’s sure that Carlota tried to kill Doc B, though, and probably killed others. Madeleine wonders why she hasn’t been arrested, then. Eugenius says they don’t have enough evidence, and the doc can’t denounce her until he wakes up. {Oh, come on! All you need is an anonymous note!} So, he is trying to gain her confidence so he can push her to the limit. “Carlota has won a lot of battles, but she is not going to win the war,” says Cris. Uh, Cris, maybe you might want to get your daughter and her long-suffering pseudoabuela and her new novio out of the line of fire. Just a thought.

Liliana arrives at the hospital and Germy tells her he is an idiot. She does not argue with that. Germs says he wants to be with her; she says too late. He says his baby could die the same way his mother did, and gets genuinely teary at the idea. Lili says she really hopes not, and it’s a shame that Germán has ruined his entire life when he had everything. Is this rock bottom? Might he be redeemed? He begs Lili not to leave him alone, but she does.

On her way out, Lili sees Romina in the waiting room. “Since Paloma won’t do this, I will,” Lili says, and she slaps Romi so hard she knocks her back onto the sofa. Then she calls her a zorra.

After the detectives leave, Paloma yells at Tia Loca for accusing Cris. Carloca says even though Cris was found innocent, she’s more and more convinced that he’s a farsante (fraud). “Why all the hate and bitterness?” asks Paloma. “Look, you daring little brat, you are nobody to judge me! Don’t provoke me! You’ll follow my rules and do what I say!” bellows Auntie Maim. After Cruel storms away, Rufi says tia gives her gooseflesh (se me enchina la piel).

Luz tells Rafael about the abusive boozer’s threats. He’s worried and doesn’t want her to go out alone. Luz says she’s fine; they say guys like that just want to intimidate (anvils? Let’s hope not). The silver lining is, since he’s got his sights on Xochitl, they want to expedite the adoption so the little tyke will have parents to protect her. So, they’re getting married! Rafa looks thoughtful and swallows hard.

Liliana bounces into the house and squeals to Paloma that she has good news. “Me too!” giggles Paloma, unable to wait. “I’m Gabriel’s novia!” This happy momento is followed by something even more satisfying: Camila has followed Lili in, and she slaps Carlota across the face. There is a whole lot of fury fueling that hit. “How DARE you connive to change the paternity test results so Emiliano would marry Romina, when you knew perfectly well that the father was Germán?!” Behind her, Paloma is impactada. Carlota spews her usual lines: “How DARE you accuse fine upstanding pure me of such things?! Get out of my house!”

“Tia? Is this true?” asks Paloma, who has not yet figured out that the louder Carlota gets, the more she’s lying. “Your daughter is a slut, and you’re a bad mother! Don’t try to blame me for your filth!” Cruel yells at Camila. Cami says she will get proof, and Crueloca is going down hard. On her way out, Cami warns Paloma and Rufi to be very careful, because they are living with the enemy. Lili hastily departs. Cruel continues yelling. Rufi and Paloma both look very concerned, and I don’t know why they don’t both just run like hell.

Confab at the platería. Anamar is there, of course. Emo says something about Romina and Germán only having been together one time. Ummmm, I don’t think it was only once, says Ange. She restates her previous assertion, that it’s unbelievable Emo could possibly have spawned a child on the supposed night, of which he remembers nothing. Well, regardless, Emo is having a really hard time giving up the child he had come to love.

Paloma tells Rufi that she doesn’t want to believe the accusations against Crueloca, but part of her does. Rufi says it’s not hard for her to believe since she knows for sure that Cruel is a vicious liar. They agree that they don’t want to stay in that house any longer. They will find a room to rent or something. Rufi says they can use her savings, and Paloma says she will work, and she will have her engagement ring re-appraised and sell the necklace Tia Loca gave her for her birthday if she has to.

Natalia tells Eugenio via phone that Doc B still has not improved. He asks her to keep him posted the minute something changes. Nat confesses to him that she sent a little anonymous note to Carlota.

The doctora tells Camila, Romina, and Germán that Germs is definitely the father of the baby. Romina, surprisingly, has stopped denying it. The doc tells them that cystic fibrosis is incurable, but Bernardito is already recovering well from the current crisis, and with treatment he can live a mostly normal life. She recommends that they all get some rest now, before they come back to learn how to care for the baby’s special needs. Germy looks relieved that the baby is doing better. Romi stares stoically the other direction. After the doc leaves, Romina snottily tells Germán to take good care of the baby he wanted, but don’t count on her. Camila is livid.

Avances: Paloma thinks Cris may be her father. Romina still won’t give up on trapping Emiliano.

Theme dicho (said by Liliana to Germán): Cada quien recoge lo que siembra. Everyone reaps what they sow.

Labels: amor

I am typing this on a tiny netbook because my laptop is off getting R&R at the computer hospital - so I'm in a cranky mood, and am also disgusted with this lamest of last-minute sub-plots:

Lame computer disaster

An emergency meeting of the board of directors is called to discuss the withdrawal of 25 million pesos from the company funds, ostensibly by MJ. Felipe is first to ask, why would she steal 25 mil when she's already loaded and now doubly loaded (due to her inheritance from Porfirio)? Vic, as usual, is clueless and in denial. [Have you noticed she has to wear a "V" around her neck as a clue to remind her what her own name is?]

Bruno bops in all accusatory and triumphant. He's mildly impactado to hear about Jorge's death and Elena's imprisonment.

MJ visits with her dad and sister. Her jubilation upon remembering the exact look of the apartment the three of them shared is interrupted by a sinister phone summons to the board meeting.

Lisette stands behind a door and hears Maura and Bruno having one of their hysterical squabbles in which they reveal all their evil deeds.

After Bruno stalks out Lisette confronts Maura - who says "He made me do it. And it was the only way to get Alejandro back. That MJ destroyed my life." "But those are crimes." "You are intolerably smug!" "You should confess." "Lisette, promise you'll say nothing." Lisette says she won't tell. Maura collapses in tears. [Anybody who feels sorry for her raise your hand.]

At the meeting, general shock about the 25 mil. Bruno dances about saying "sooner or later it was bound to happen!" He doesn't think there should be an investigation, they should just chuck MJ in the dungeon immediately.

MJ: "I don't even know how to use a computer." "Your sister Paula did it for you. We know she's ambitious. And your dad, well, maybe you needed the money because he's a CROOK who did JAIL time for DRUGS." Lots of yelling.

Long story short, they get computer experts to analyze the hard drives and - nothing - but Paula says, "have you tried the ones in the computer hospital? Maura's is there, sick with a virus."

And voila, they find the telltale traces on Maura's computer and she tries to weasel out of it but is detained. Lisette comes to see her in jail, where she is being questioned.

End of lame computer disaster

Elena tries to use her daughter's lofty Lombardo connections to weasel out of jail but she gets twelve years. [Anybody who feels sorry for her raise your hand.]

Fer is walking with a cane. He says his helper Irene is smart and pretty - but she's not Vic. He can't forget Vic. Personally I don't see anything appealing about Vic, she's such a fusty wimp. But then, so is Fer. [I know a guy who is happily married to a woman twenty years older than he is. They are two happy fuddy duddies.]

Eric grumbles about Bruno to his relatives - he'd really like to kill Bruno, that sarnoso (mangy) dog. Bruno finds him and says, you gotta kill Alex. Eric says, I can hardly walk... [Remember, he was shot and Bruno splendidly stepped right over him while making a getaway, leaving Eric bleeding on the ground.] "Find me somebody."

Bruno meets with erick's acquaintance, a scary looking bald guy, and offers him 4.5 million pesos, but the guy wants the money right that second. Bruno amusingly says, "The banks aren't open!" and reluctantly forks over what's in his pocket. Not enough. So he throws in his watch, "it's worth half a mil! Now go find three buddies and a car."

At breakfast, Paula says she's quitting LombardoCo, she won't work someplace where her sister is unfairly accused, but Alex convinces her to come along with him anyway.

His car has a flat tire so they end up leaving in MJ's car, which for some reason is blindado (armor-plated). [Anybody know why?]

Bruno, gun stuck in the back of his pants, lurks near two little girls playing in the grass. And here comes Alex!

The baddies block the road with their car and all four of them face the car and open fire. Bruno is directly in front of the windshield firing right in Alex's face but even though the car looks polka-dotted by the time the bad guys get scared and run away...

... Alex and Paula are unharmed. They drive back to the mansion in the polka-dotted car. Alex carries Paula up the stairs and...

...I almost laughed seeing that Victoria still looked imploring, like, "Oh don't accuse my Bruno," even though Bruno has now stood in front of a car and shot a gazillion bullets which were supposed to land in Alex's face... she is disconsolate and trucks off to her room dragging Felipe on the end of her arm the way she always does. [Like Christopher Robin drags Pooh.]

Bruno goes to Eric's house and yells at him, "You have to hide me!" "We can't hide here, this is the first place they'll look." He takes Bruno to some trumped up, hmm, it looks like a cinder-block elementary school with a lot of hay bales in it. This is near Eric's cousin out in the country some place.

Bruno wants whiskey and fine foods, but they don't have money.

At least Bruno still has his purple scarf! He fondles his gun and holds it up to his head contemplating suicide I suppose...

... but during the commercial break he reconsiders. "If it's the last thing I do, I'll kill Alex."

Hmm, I got distracted so I don't know where Erick came up with a few pesos; he goes off to the store and comes back with food but Bruno yells, "This is only fit for pigs! You're keeping the good stuff for yourself! And don't think we're equals! I'm the boss. Hey, don't look at me that way! I said DON'T LOOK AT ME THAT WAY!" [Everybody who feels sorry for Bruno, raise your hand.]

Alex goes to see Lisette and tell her: "Maura's in jail and Bruno tried to kill me." Lisette recounts the conversation she heard between Maura and Bruno and thus Alex finds out Maura was involved in MJ's kidnapping.

At that very same moment, back at home MJ suddenly has a flashback and remembers! That Maura gave her to the kidnappers! She goes running and screaming through the house, Alex isn't there so she tells Victoria.

I'm sorry I have not lavished loving detail on this, my last recap for Sortilegio. Please feel free to add anything! Thanks for visiting Caray Caray!

Labels: sortilegio

El Clon premiered last night on Telemundo, 8 PM, and it looks fantastic. So good, that su servidor came out of retirement and begged Melinama to let me help recap it. I haven't been this excited about a new novela in three years!

Jean did a bang-up recap last night, with lots of pictures, so if you look through that you'll be all ready for tonight's episode. It's already on the sidebar, so please come join us. Jean and I will be recapping it, but of course we wouldn't argue if someone wants to take one night. They say it's about 125 cap's.

Labels: clon, recappers-needed, telemundo

Alternate title: ARE THEY OR AREN'T THEY? ONLY NIEVES KNOWS FOR SURE



Lots of good comedy in this one but not a great deal of plot advancement. Although seeing Beto pounding on the door of the monastery--and having it opened by none other than Thomás from Fea was worth the price of admission. Marcos showed himself willing to have his daughter believe she commited incest rather than letting her continue her romance with the "naco"; and Oscar proved himself to once again be several steps ahead of everyone else in using people to further his own ends. Hey, wouldn't he and Isabel be the perfect couple!? I'm sure she'd be happy to whip him (a la Loriloca) if nothing else. But I digress...let's get to the synopsis.



Mauricio, in his typical low-energy somniferous manner, is trying to explain his actions to an outraged Nieves and Alicia. The two women are practically blowing him out of the room with their energy and anger. But he plods wearily on.



Things are livelier in Marcos' pad. Jacqui has morphed from conciliatory concerned parent to barracuda, once Marcos confessed he had another kid. She assumes it was with Nieves and goes ballistic. How could he prefer beans to caviar, mud to goose-down coverlets?! The outrage! Suffice it to say, she takes it personally.



Connie arrives, chagrined to find her parents still fighting. Beto arrives, intent on punching Marcos out for abandoning his mom at the altar. Things are said. Various horrors revealed, denied, affirmed. The word "porqueria" gets thrown around. Beto thinks it's referring to him and takes umbrage. Actually, says Jacqui, I was talking about Marcos' morals. Okay. No problem. Alas, as the acrimony continues , Connie and Beto are led to believe that they are half brother and sister. Horror, horror, horror. Then Beto puts their minds at ease. Mom didn't know who my dad was. She tried to fool Marcos into believing it was his, but he didn't buy it and left her at the altar. Whew. What a relief.



At the bat cave, just the opposite. Alicia is writhing as she realizes her friend, her best and dearest friend, betrayed her. But wait! It can't be.! Isabel is a good woman. I know that deep down she loved her daughter. She just hid it, underneath the horror of that assault. Nieves jumps in and demolishes that argument and all of Alicia's defenses.



Back to Marcos. Our Nieves is still the focus of attention. Her veracity is being questioned. She never lies, maintains Beto. Well how about when she said your pop was Juan José Origel? Okay. One time. And when she said it was Hilario. Okay. Twice.



Well, who guarentees she's not lying now!? Nah, smiles Beto, Mom got it on with whoever was shakin' it. Now Marcos is outraged. Don't talk about your mama that way. With a scornful laugh, Marcos asserts that this imbecile Beto can't possibly be his offspring. THEN WHO IS, demands Jacqui. Uh oh.



Double uh oh. Gabriela and Monita are at the water fountain in the mental health facility. Moni is wearing a bizarre ensemble. Looks like a scrunchy yellow bathing suit on top of bright magenta tights. Not her best look though she's still lovely. But IQ wise, not so much. Every time Gabriela seems on the point of intuiting the truth about Salvador and his fate, Monita argues her out of it.



So back to our Not Brady Bunch. Jacqui's tearing into Marcos. So is Connie. So is Beto. Jacqui is also tearing into Connie for defending her pop all these years. Beto and Connie hash out their resentments.

C: You turned your back on me.

B: You left me no choice. You chose revenge and threw away my love.

J: Daughter, this jackal is right. And I can see you really love him. He's the man for you.

B: Since you, I've never wanted to be with any other woman.

C: And I'll never care for anyone else.



Tender looks. The beginning of a good kiss. Outraged Papa. Dagger thrust. Deep-six this love you have for each other. YOU ARE MY CHILD, BETO. You and Connie have the same blood. I left Nieves at the altar, knowing she was carrying my child, because I came to my senses and realized this low-class woman wasn't for me. HORRIFIED LOOKS.



J: What's happened has no name!

C: Yes, it does. It's called Incest.



No better time for an ad than this...right?



Okay. Coming back. Feeling a little queasy. And so is Beto. I'm a monster! he cries, I slept with my sister. Dad pushes his advantage. Forget this...this...thing, he gestures, pointing to Beto. I'll never forgive you, is Connie's reply. Jacqui manages to steal this dramatic scene just by arching her eyebrows. Wouldn't want to have to share the stage with this foxy lady. She'd leave me in the dust.



Lotsa drama back at the bat cave as well. Alicia finally disintegrates under the barrage of revelations. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.....it's true. And my heart is breaking. How could she do this to me....me who cared for her so deeply all these years? Nieves, showing herself as relentless as Marcos in imposing her point of view, adds that Isabel came back, not out of repentance, but in order to get Monita's bone marrow. She never loved her daughter, never.



Okay, Mauricio interjects at this point that they must protect Monita from this cruel knowledge at all costs and the two women agree.



Mientras tanto, at the manicomio, the good doctor is blowing smoke. Gabriela wants to talk with Loriloca one on one and he's trying to convince her it's a waste of time. And besides, she's in a "camisa de fuerza" (strait-jacket) and a "habitacion aislada" (padded room). All the better. She's sedated; she's calm; maybe she'll listen to me, reasons Gaby.



Gaby enters.

L: Gosh, have you put on weight? You look a lot heavier.

G: No, actually I've lost some.

L: Better get a new scale sister. You look chunkier to me.



Not an auspicious beginning but Gaby plows on. Tries to convince Lor that Salvador is dead. No way. He's with me all the time. (too true)



And now my favorite scene: Beto is pounding at the door of a monastery. Nobody comes. What!? Will no one hear the cries of a repentant sinner!? Thomás creaks open the door. Welcome "hermano". Oh no, not THAT word, please! Anything but that! Amen. Save me!



Another Uh Oh scene. Aldo is hopping into Oscar's car, right on time.... showing how motivated he is to get married, notes Oscar with a smile. Get ready for the long slow windup and the fast pitch. Oscar is the master. He explains to Aldo that he can arrange for false papers so he can get married but it will do no good. As soon as Connie and Mauricio find out about the marriage, they can get it annulled. So, the solution? Aldo needs to get Connie's signature on papers "allowing him to get hitched". How can Aldo possibly do that? Use your imagination, kid. And now, gotta go. Have a busy day (tengo un dia muy complicado). But you get the signature, I'll get the judge to marry you. And nobody can change it.



Back at the monastery, Thomas is extricating himself from a man-hug and assuring Beto he can redeem his soul and cleanse his concience here. Beto strides forward, arms out as if he's hanging on the cross. Quite a scene.



And quite a scene back at the padded cell. (Are the writers making a comparison here?) Well, anyway, Lorenza is explaining that Oscar, her friend, has indeed brought Salvador to her. And before that, he was helping her make him crazy by doctoring his coffee with poison. Rememer that, Gaby? So please don't take him from me, Lorenza pleads, please please please. As she slides down the wall in supplication and despair, the words "poignant cheese" come to mind. No actually, she played the scene so well, I was feeling sorry for her.



We break for an ad for Univision webpage. Quite humorous given what we know about the virus. Oh well.



Back at the Bat Cave. Discussion moving along at turgid speed. Women commiserating with Mauricio. And Mau just wants Monita to be protected. Alright already. We've established that umpteen times.



Gaby has been rousted from the padded cell and is back at the water cooler with Monita. Whispering about Lorenza's strange story of complicity with Oscar in poisoning Salvador. Monita stubbornly talks her out of her suspicions (Shurrup! Monita) while for real Oscar lurks behind a convenient potted palm and overhears the whole story.

Somehow just lost half my story when I tried to post it. Is this the virus at work.? Okay, will try and reconstruct.

Oscar wastes no time in bracing the doctor and decrying the lack of security. Right now he's moving Lorenza and Salvador to a new facility. Dang. Doctor's not happy either. There goes the bonus.

Nieves is vowing to protect Monita from Isabel with everything she's got. Mauricio and Alicia agree...protect our little boxeadora at all costs.

Paula and Estrella are at the clothesline and Paula wheedles Estrella into revealing the marriage plans.

Connie, curled up in bed, is crying her heart out. Aldo comes in and says he has some school papers that need signing. Go away. No can do. Have to have this signed. If I leave it, you'll forget it. Please please please. Sob sob sob. Okay, give it here. She signs without looking at it. He leaves. More sobs. "Ay, te amo tanto Roberto y somos hermanos, ay!" ( no translation needed, right?) Sob sob sob. And there we end. Will try and post this one more time. If it works, I'll add the vocab and dicho that got wiped out somewhere in cyberspace.

Previews:
Connie vows that she's not going to be the only one in life that's miserable. She'll spread it around. Guess where?
And Beto learns some awesome facts about the monastery life. Up at 5 AM, prayers, breakfast (great!) of bread and water (yikes!), more prayers.....and then we whip ourselves. Not exactly Club Med.

vocabulary:
la bandera de paz -the flag of peace. What Jacqui was bringing until she learned of Marcos' other child
donde más te duela = where it hurts the most. Where she now wants to plant that flag of peace
picaflor = flirt, womanizer insult Beto threw at Marcos
desgarbada = gawky, schlumpy insult Jacqui used about Nieves
fosforescente = another insult, referring to Nieves' garish clothing and hair streaks
interés tiene pie = self-interest carries weight. Oscar, talking about Aldo being so punctual in his appointment
tengo un dia muy complicado = have a very busy day
cargar con esa lapida sobre tu espalda = carrying that weight on your shoulders (women commiserating with Mauricio about his secret)
voy a sacar las garras = going to unsheathe my claws (Nieves vowing to fight to protect Monita)
mi boca es una tumba = my lips are sealed (Paula, vowing to keep Estrella and Aldo's wedding plans secret
yo no ando de bocona = I'm not a gossip (more Paula)

Dicho of the Day
El que paga, manda. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

This dicho is for Marcos. He still thinks he's large and in charge. But we shall see.

Labels: gancho

Friday: Paloma goes to Gabriel in Mexico City. He doesn’t want her to stay out of pity and then see him croak. She says she really cares about him and wants him to come back to Real del Monte. Em looks at the photo on his cell phone and leers. Lili was right, he thoughtbubbles. His friend is betraying him, the baby must be his. Why oh why did he marry Romina?

Last week was a doozy, and this one promises to be, too, so strap yourselves into your seats and awaaay we go!

Carlota’s doorbell rings. It’s Don E, who won’t be brushed off. Steamed, he demands to know why she told Paloma that Gabriel is dying. She says I didn’t know it was a secret, plus you told me yourself. I never did, he growls. How else would I know if you hadn’t? she says. Don E says I talked to Gabriel’s doctor on your phone - you must’ve been listening on the extension.

Oh no no no, she assures him. I could never do anything like that. Don E is frustrated and says you’re so persuasive when you lie. You really are an amazing person, so okay, I agree to be your lawyer. Carlota is surprised. Don E says there’s a sunny side to your indiscretion - it benefits Gabriel.

He strides out and Carlota looks amazed.

In the hospital waiting room, Em shows Rafa the photo of Romina and German in bed. We know it’s not nice to kiss and tell, but of course he wasn’t the one doing the kissing. Rafa is amazed that he didn’t do anything. Em says he wanted to punch out German and maybe Romina too, but he realized that the photo was what he needed to get his divorce. Smart! Says Rafa.

Chris shows up and Em goes to have a coffee with him. Rafa will hold the fort.

Rafa’s cell rings and it’s Diana crying and begging him to go to Pachuca with him to confront Samuel about the house. Rafa says we’re divorced now – you’re responsible for your own decisions. Diana wails But he robbed me! Aren’t you going to help meeeee?

Rafa says you’ll still get your alimony. Rent some place and get a job. You’re horrible, says Diana. Probably, says Rafa, and, since you called, you should know that your grandchild is very sick. You should come to the hospital. Diana says I have more important things to do right now – he’s been sick since he was born. Whatever, says Rafa, disgusted, and he hangs up.

Romina comes home from the hospital and finds German asleep in her bed. She says I told you to get up and go! He asks about the baby. Romina says it has something, but I don’t understand what it is. She assures him Em doesn’t know about them – he’s too worried about the baby. She says she’s going to take a quick shower and he needs to get out of there.


Em apparently has told Chris about German and Romina. Chris admires his restraint. Em says the reason he asked Chris to come is that he wants to get the DNA tests but he doesn’t have the receipt for them, Dr B did when he disappeared. He wants Chris to try – he’s so respected. Of course, an angry crowd was throwing tomatoes at Chris just a few weeks ago, but maybe his reputation has healed up quickly. Chris says count on me.

Carlota is sitting around in her slippers in the darkish living room when Rufi comes home. As usual, Carlotta’s not reading or anything. Maybe she just is tanking up on darkness. Rufi wonders why she’s there and not in bed and she said Don E rang the doorbell. She wants to know where Paloma is, but Rufi doesn’t know.

Carlota says if Paloma thinks she doesn’t have to answer to her anymore just because she turned 18, she’s sorely mistaken. Carlota then asks what the news on the street is. Rufi says all people can talk about is Dr B disappearing. Carlota says they think he’s dead, right? Rufi says they don’t know. One flower lady said that she’d seen him that night.

Really? says Carlota, her eyes narrowing. Rufi says he appeared to the lady, like a ghost, but I think the lady was just trying to get attention.

Carlota thoughtbubbles: Could it be he’s alive? Is that why I got that call yesterday?

En cambio, no…. and we go to ad. There’s Aracely Whatshername with abundant crimson curls, her surging bosom trying to escape a period dress, and Eduardo Yanez with long flowing locks blowing in the wind. Hmm.

Camila is just doing up a red pair of those high-waist trousers that look so good on her. She tells Orlando that she just can’t go to Houston now with the baby so sick. He understands, he says. Camila says they’re going to baptize the baby. Orlando says he prefers not to go alone, but he has to go.

Gabriel has cooked up a nice lunch and he and Paloma are eating at a table in the yard. She notes that they both have been around death a lot, but in different ways. He says her experiences have given her art maturity and depth.

Gabriel tells her that his parents died young and he learned you could either spend your life crying in a corner, or you can use every moment to the max. She says she loves that about him.

She has to get back, she says, Are you coming with me? He says no, he wants to stay, but he takes her hands and says You’re not going to leave just now either. You wanted to enjoy the time we have together – then let’s do that, even if it’s just for now.

Don E arrives at Gabe’s Real del Monte studio, where the maid is still cleaning up. That must’ve been one helluva party. His cell rings and it’s Natalia telling him she has “him” at her house now. Don E’s glad. Natalia says he’s not any better. Don E thanks her for her help and she says it’s her great pleasure – she’s at the head of the long line of people who are thirsting for justice.

The baby is getting baptized by Padre B in scrubs while a nurse in scrubs holds him. Em, Romina, Camila and the two granddaddies watch from behind the observation glass. Romina says he’s so cute, he looks just like you, Emiliano. Em looks away from her in disgust.

Em asks a passing nurse if the test results are back yet. No, she says. Romina says to him, don’t worry, we’ll have him at home soon. Em stomps off angrily. What’s with him? asks Romina. I need him to console me, support me, or something. Camila soothes her.

Paloma and Gabriel are in the open-air top seats of what is probably a tour bus, riding around seeing the sights in Mexico City. Apparently the city is a hoot, because they’re both pointing and laughing full-out for hours. They play around, getting more touchy as the tour wears on. Pretty soon he has his arms around her and she puts a friendly kiss on his face. He says so this is your first time here? She says can’t you tell?

He says you are my life. She says but just for now – you said so. After a while, the shadows are lengthening and they’re still riding on top of that bus, her head on his shoulder. Nobody else has been in the top level, and I wonder if the driver even knows they’re still there.

Chris is talking to Dr. B’s secretary. She tells him the police came by, but there wasn’t anything suspicious. Chris wants to know if Carlota came by, and the secretary says not since he was going with her sister.

She finds the envelope with the results and says if I didn’t know you so well, I wouldn’t give them to you. Chris thanks her and says he’s sure the doctor, wherever he is, would appreciate her doing that. She says she hopes the doctor is okay.

German has come to see Carlota – Rufi’s surprised about that, and also didn’t know about the baby. He heads for Carlota’s office.

Carlota snarls finally! What did you find out? German says nothing – the earth seems to have swallowed him up. What makes you so sure he’s dead? Don’t ask stupid questions, she says. German tenses up and says Don’t insult me. Oooo, says Carlota, smiling, getting up and circling him. Aren’t we indignant? Not everyone would give you a second chance. So deliver.

He says You haven’t told me what you want me to do. She stands close and says What would you like? He grabs her and kisses her forcefully.

On the phone, Natalia asks somebody if “they” are coming. Great! It needs to be on those dates. I’ll call again, and remember, don’t tell anybody. She hangs up and smiles.

The lady doctor has come out and is telling our group that the baby has cystic fibrosis. She has to flip her head back and forth to do her announcement as, in typical telenovela style, half the group is lined up on one side of her, and the other on the other half, so they show their faces to the camera.

She says in a preemie, anything can be serious. Also, the results from Em and Romina have come back, but….

But what, doctor? Both parents have to be carriers and Romina is but…. Emiliano isn’t. Em glares at Romina, who cuts a look at him, then looks away, like a dog caught with a chewed shoe.

The doctor says either the results are wrong, or Emiliano isn’t the father. Jeez, why not announce it over the loudspeaker? All eyes on are on Romina. Em yells at her Now is the time to tell the truth! Who is the father of the child? You, says Romina. Only you.

Chris arrives with the envelope and hands it to Em, telling him You aren’t the father of the baby. Romina darts her eyes back and forth between him and Em and realizes what’s up. She stares at Em.

It’s not true, she says. I had a test done before the baby was born, remember? And it proves you are the father. No, it doesn’t, he snarls, and this explains why Bernando was born “premature.” Rafa grabs his shoulders and says fighting won’t solve anything.

For her part, Camila, takes Romina’s shoulders and says Who is the father? It’s Emiliano, Romina swears.

The doctor says If we don’t have the real father, we can’t do the treatment. (Hands up if you think this is true. Anyone?)

Chris says Romina, nobody is judging you. (Ha!)But the life of an innocent child depends on you and the real father. Romina says Emiliano is the father.

Liar! explodes Em as he lunges at her. Rafa grabs him and pulls him back. Em leaves to get a little fresh air, and Camila grabs Romina roughly by the arm and drags her off, saying You and I have to talk.

Emiliano is outside the hospital, panting from adrenaline, scowling. He’s a much better scowler than he is a mooner – he might have a bright future as a telenovela bad guy, maybe curling his lip as he murders somebody. And now guess who runs up? Anamar, who just happens to be strolling near the hospital. Is something wrong with your baby? she wants to know. Em snaps that it’s not his baby.

Paloma is about to leave. She’s tearful and says Mexico City is beautiful – she would have loved to live there. Gabriel says then stay – I’ll help you.

No, she says. You wanted this to be our last time together, right? I don’t get it – it seems foolish, a waste of time. We could have more days like today, but if you don’t want that, there’s nothing I can do.

She throws her arms around him. They both anguish. She tells him she’ll never forget this day. She gets into the chauffeured car. He walks to his front door, then turns. He anguishes for a nanosecond. Usually a moment like this would get a huge long take, with a closeup of his eyes brimming with tears, and violins swooning in the background, but hey, we’re in ultimas semanas.

He runs back to the car, grabs the door and pulls her out. Don’t go! I’ll go with you! Really? says Paloma. He says For the rest of the time I have left. But I don’t want you to see me die. When the time comes, I want you to let me go. Okay, she says, but only at that last moment. They kiss, a real kiss this time.

Whadda job sighs the chauffer. But they don’t show that.

Carlota is at home and sees a big manila envelope has been slid under the door. She opens it. In cut-out letters it says I’m alive. Look out. Her eyes pop wide.

Who knew a Yorkie could use scissors?

Camila is telling off Cleopatra, the Queen of Denial big time. She tells her the gig is up, the tests are in, and she just set up this whole thing to trap Emiliano. No no no, says Romina, I don’t want to hear any more! She claps her hands over her ears.

Camila yanks them off and tells her she’s not a kid any more, that the life of the baby is hanging in the balance, and she’d better get the father of the child, German or whoever it is, and get him in here. No, no, says Romina, running off.

Back to Em and Anamar. He wonders how he could have been so stupid. She says he’s not stupid, he has values. He snorts Values? I must run around looking like a sucker. No, she says, you thought the child was yours and did the right thing. It’s the child’s mother who has no values. Your values are what made me fell in love with you

Luz tells the social worker about the mean guy holding a knife to her throat to scare her into giving the little girl back. She looked tough, she said, but she was plenty scared. What to do? They’re going to file charges.

Diana is at the visitor’s room of the prison, asking Samuel about her house. He said the business deal went south, but don’t worry. When he gets out, he’ll get it back. Diana says How could I have been such an idiot? You’re a crook, a user, a loser. He says don’t insult me. He tells her she’s a grasping ugly woman. Etc.

He tells her how could she think she could compete with Camila, who is beautiful and classy? She lunges across the table and grabs his neck. The guards pull her off, and all the other prisoners and visitors swivel their heads to enjoy the show. He calls after her You don’t know how revolting it was to get in bed with you!

Rufi is cooking and is surprised when Madeleine is rolled in by her manservant. Madeleine says she came to have a tea with her there in her kitchen. My kitchen? Says Rufi a bit shyly. Madeleine says the kitchen is the best place to have tea and talk.

At her house (or wherever she it is she’s been staying lately), Natalia is talking to a man I don’t recognize. She’s filling him in – seems like he didn’t know that Alonso died until just recently. She says that Roberto (Alonso’s business friend) was out of town on his honeymoon, and she didn’t know anybody else. They told her he’d gone to Columbia (read: has a job on another telenovela), and that this guy was taking care of things.

The guy says that the Alonso’s death must be connected to the information that Alonso had about the will. He believes, from the information Alonso gave to Roberto about the will, that apparently Paloma originally was supposed to get her inheritance at 18, and you can’t change a will after the people who had it drawn up have died.

Natalia sighs that it looks like the investigation will have to continue. Too bad Alonso died before finding out the results. The fellow says probably his death was caused by the investigation. If it has to do with Inaki being murdered, then probably the same person altered the will.

Natalia says So you think Alonso wanted to kill Carlota? If that woman is the she-devil you say she is, it’s possible, he says. We need to find out where Carlota was during the time that Alonso disappeared and was found dead.

Whoa, says Natalia, holding her head.

Rufi and Madeleine are having their tea. Mad tells her sweetly not to be jealous of her. Rufi says me? Jealous? Mad says down through the years she’s learned to read people. She says Rufi and she are co-grandmothers. Tears come to Rufi’s eyes. Mad says I thank you so much for all the love you have given Paloma all these years. Rufi says I’m just a servant. Por favor! says Mad tenderly. Mad says we are all different in our values and our feelings, but our social class doesn’t matter.

Glad you cleared that up, Mad.

Mad says even if you’re not a blood relative, you’ve given Paloma much more love than that horrid aunt of hers. Rufi says I don’t want to be separated from Paloma. Mad says How can you think you would be! Look, I don’t want you to call me Senora, call me Madeleine. I want you to help me by bringing Paloma to feel a little tenderness towards me. Now it’s Mad’s turn to be tearful.

Rufi says as soon as she learns you are her grandmother, she will love you. Mad says I want her to love me because I’ve earned it like you did. That’s the love that really counts. Tell me what’s she’s like, how I can win her over. They smile happily at one another.

German is strutting happily down the street and spots Em moodily leaning on a tree branch. What’s up, homie? he says. Em slugs him, and tells him he needs to show up at the hospital right now because the baby is sick and they need its father.

You’re the dad, German protests. Em says they did tests and it’s not me. German swears he’s never had anything to do with Romina. Oh yeah? says Em, whipping out his cell phone. Check this out.

German says oh. That’s not me. Em slugs him in the stomach, then throws him against the tree trunk. Ouch! Slo-mo, with Em’s hair swinging dramatically. German’s on the ground, the wind knocked out of him, blood streaming from his mouth. He holds his hands up to tell Em to stop.

Romina is coming down the hospital hallway alone and Chris intercepts her, telling her he wants to talk to her about her relationship with Emiliano, the baby, and herself. She says Look, Padre, or ex-Padre, whatever you are. I don’t want to hear your sermonizing. He says he cares about Emiliano, and…. She says then give him your advice, not me. She flounces off.

Distraught Camila is a coffee shop with Meche and Monica, telling them that Romina ran off and she hopes she went to look for the real daddy. Camila figures that the first test was faked, and who would do that? Meche says somebody who wanted Romina to marry Paloma. Camila says Who would that be?

Meche flashes back to that day at the lab when somebody in a big coat and hat handed a fat envelope to the receptionist at the lab. She tells Camila she saw Carlota that day, dressed to be unrecognizable, handing over the envelope. A bribe!

Em has dragged bleeding German into the waiting room and tells Romina, who for once hasn’t fled the scene to go shoe shopping, that here’s the daddy. She denies it. Em dramatically whips out the tiny phone. She looks at the picture, bobbles for a moment, and then says I don’t know who sent you that – it’s been photoshopped.

Em grabs her and says I took it. I was coming by to bring you to the hospital. I want German to take a test. No! says German.

It’s not necessary, he says. I don’t want to keep lying. Behind Em’s shoulder, Romina gestures for him to shut up. I was afraid to get a paternity test, even when Dr B offered.

Romina runs over and gives him a shove. Shut up! she says. You shut up, says Em.

German says my mother died of cystic fibrosis. The child is yours, Romina, and mine.

If German is Em’s friend since childhood, how did Em not know this already? Sigh.


Avances: Paloma tells Carlota she was with Gabriel, and Carlota slaps her.

Labels: amor

Jorge announces to his clinic staff, which apparently consists of one shady-looking guy in a lab coat, and one nurse, that they've got some serious financial problems at the moment. He says they can't close, so they have to get Porfirio to put a clause in his will that will say that the clinic has to stay funded. Jorge wants these two to witness the clause.

Porfirio signs his will in the presence of lawyers, or so I assume, just as Jorge's posse approach the door. Isaias announces that Jorge, Elena, Dr. Skeezy and Nurse Weak-willed are there to give him a checkup. Porfi is annoyed, but asks Isaias to walk the lawyers out. They go out by a different door than the one Jorge came in and Jorge's posse don't see the lawyers leave. Perhaps this will be significant later…one hopes! Porfi greets his unwanted guests and tells them not to blow smoke…he doesn't think they give a rat's culo about his health. He supposes that since he's no longer supporting the clinic financially, they must hate him. Porfi leads them all back to his bedroom. Jorge orders Isais out and tells Porfi to let the order stand, since they need to talk about MaryJo. Once Isaias leaves, Jorge pushes Porfirio into a chair at his desk and says he needs to write out a new will leaving them half of his money…"We're not so greedy." Porfi says he'd rather die first. Jorge motions to Elena, who hands him a pillow. And then she has the gall to look freaked out when Jorge uses it to start smothering Porfi. Jorge lets up after a while and tells Porfi if he doesn't do as he says, he will die. Porfi agrees to do it, but says it's going to surprise everyone that he changed his will at the last minute. He guesses that Jorge will drug him and kill him, so really, what does he have to gain? He's going to die anyway. The other doctor and Elena both look worried.

Emiliano approaches the house. When Isaias announces who all is with Porfirio, he gets suspicious.

Jorge now threatens to harm MaryJo or the baby if Porfirio doesn't do it. Elena comes up behind him and very gently says that even if he wanted to warn them, an accident could happen to them at any time. Porfirio says he'll do it. He starts writing, but the pen is out of ink. Jorge gripes and asks the other doctor for a pen, leaving the desk. Porfirio reaches into a cubbyhole and pulls out a gun. I have to pause and cheer for Porfi. I don't even know what's going to happen at this point, but I'm just glad that he's fighting back. Porfi points the gun at Jorge and shoots him in the chest.

Isaias and Emiliano hear the shot and come running, but the door is locked.

Elena goes over and turns Jorge over and puts her hands over the bloody hole. Porfirio yells at the other doctor to open the door. Emiliano and Isaias come running in and Porfirio tells them to call the cops on those miscreants who thought they were smarter than him. Haha! Elena begs him not to and Porfirio laughs a laugh worthy of a villain. He says he wanted to see her begging. Emiliano tries to take the gun away, but Porfirio keeps laughing and won't let him. Porfirio ends up crying and collapses. Emilio tells Elena that they killed Porfirio and they'll pay. Isaias ends up holding the gun on the doctor and nurse.

Vicky didn't exactly enjoy seeing Fernando with his new girlfriend, but she supposes the other girl is better for him. Felipa isn't buying it. Felipa keeps calling her a "pera" (pear) instead of a "terapeuta" (therapist). She mocks Vicky and says she's taking work away from Cupid, putting couples together like that. Vicky tells her to cut it out. She goes into not being able to offer Fernando a "family" (hey, lady, having kids isn't the only thing that makes a family, and even so, having biological kids isn't the only way to do it) or the opportunity to grow old together. Felipa says you can't spend all your time thinking about the future, life is happening right now.

Alex and MaryJo are enjoying life. He carries her into the bedroom. She says she's all his…or at least she doesn't remember wanting anyone else. Ah, amnesia humor. Alex says now she's his wife and they're married "for real." The phone rings, but she begs him not to answer it. Alex says he should see who it is--Ezequiel will be busy cleaning up downstairs. It's Emiliano. He says a tragedy occurred and Porfirio died. Alex offers condolences. Emiliano says Elena and Freddy Krueger did it. He says the bodies are being taken away now for autopsy. He asks if MaryJo will come to the funeral. Alex says he will and they'll see each other there. Alex passes on the news to MaryJo. He doesn't yet answer her question of "how?"

The cops question Elena. She says they were just there to talk Porfi into giving back the money. She says that Jorge got desperate and tried to pressure Porfi and Porfi took out a gun and killed him. The cop asks if she wasn't aware of Jorge's intentions and she denies it. But the cop doesn't look like he's buying that. I wonder what the doctor and nurse are saying.

Ah, same cop, now questioning the other doctor. He says that Krueger was like a God to them, he was brilliant. The cop says they knew what they were doing. The doc says that Krueger talked about "convincing" Porfirio, but he (doc) got scared when Elena handed Jorge the pillow and Jorge used it to suffocate Porfirio. And the reason he didn't do anything to stop it was cause he was paralyzed with fear. The cop confirms that Elena gave Jorge the pillow to suffocate Porfirio with. Now the doc says that he didn't think Jorge was going to kill Porfi…just scare him a little, yeah. He has no idea what would have happened if Porfirio had refused to change his will.

Alex tells Vicky he doesn't know exactly how Porfi died. MaryJo cries and gets a hug from Vicky. She says her mom was arrested. Alex forgoes his honeymoon and says if MaryJo wants to go see about her mom, he's ok with it. MJ says she wants to "after all, she's my mother"…what the hell has that got to do with it? Honey, animals who eat their young have more maternal instinct than that woman.

Fernando gets tucked in to bed by Irene. Katia and Sami lounge about in bed with him. Katia says he really needed a younger woman. The phone rings and Irene answers. It's Emiliano, passing on the news. Fernando is concerned about Emiliano. Emiliano is really upset. His best and only friend died. The funeral is the day after tomorrow. Fernando wishes he could be there, but Emiliano says it's ok. He understands that Fernando can't be there, but he at least wanted to tell him and talk a little. Fernando says once he can walk, he'll go see Tio. Katia asks if Emiliano wants her to go. He refuses. Right now he just wants to be alone. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. Awwwwwwwwwwww.

Roberto reports that the Brazilians looooove the project and they want to start right away. Alex thinks this can revitalize the company. Roberto says they need to transfer 200 million pesos to an account, then the Brazilians will double it and they can all get started. Alex calls their account exec at the bank to let them know that Roberto is going to be making a transfer. Alex doesn't think the transfer will be a problem. They have an arrangement with the bank to move millions in smaller chunks. Alex tells the account exec the transfer order will be on its way soon. Alex says once the accountant is back, in two or three days, they'll make the transfer.

Maura calls the bank, claiming to be MaryJo's assistant, asking if her permanent checks are ready to be picked up. She tells Bruno that the checks are ready to be picked up tomorrow. Bruno tells her to offer to go with MaryJo to pick them up and he'll take care of making sure it will be possible to make the transfer. Maura is hesitant, but not hesitant enough.

Bruno calls and asks Roberto how the Brazil business is going. He's thrilled to hear that it's going to be so many millions and that Alex already called to let the bank know they'd be making such a big transfer. Bruno says he'll be in touch. Have they not already sent out a memo that says "Don't give Bruno any information about how the company is doing?" No? How about "Don't let Bruno in the building unless he's escorted by security and attending a scheduled board meeting?" Maybe somebody should get on that?

Porfirio's funeral. There aren't a ton of people there. Several of them look like they're his staff.

MaryJo visits Elena in jail. She asks why Elena did it. Elena's excuse is "Jorge made me do it." MaryJo isn't interested. She also doesn't want to hear about how Jorge is also dead. She asks what the cops have told her. Elena says she'll get a public defender. She cries and asks for MaryJo's help. She says she's sorry for abandoning her, but she fell in love. MJ's not interested in talking about that. She says they need to make sure that she pays a fair penalty, so she'll ask Alex to have his lawyer to do what he can. She lets Elena take her hands, but we don't see her face to see how she takes it.

The next morning Maura makes the call to MaryJo and tells her that her checkbook is ready to be picked up. She suggests that she swing by MJ's house and get her to sign a permission slip and then Maura will pick up the checkbook for her and give it to her later. MaryJo thinks that's silly. Maura politely insists, then suggests, "If you prefer, I'll come get you and we'll go together." MaryJo flashes back to Maura picking her up on the day she was kidnapped. MaryJo says she'll meet Maura at the office and they'll leave from there. Please, someone, think this is unnecessary. The bank is right across the street from the office. Please, just let MaryJo change her mind and pick up the darn checks herself.

No such luck. Maura offers to inspect and count MJ's checks while MJ signs the paperwork. She highly suspiciously gets up from the desk, turns her back to MJ and the bank officer, and calls Bruno to tell him she has what they need. She asks him for the millionth time if he's sure. Bruno says he'll take care of the rest and she shouldn't worry her pretty little head about it.

Alex's lawyer calls Alex and tells him that there is very little chance of Elena going free. We don't hear why. Alex asks what else they can do. Hey, come on, MJ said fair punishment, she didn't say "get her off."

Erick screams at Bruno for leaving him behind. Bruno uses Maura as an excuse. Erick asks about his money. He wants it tomorrow! But he hurts himself screaming about it. Bruno tells him to chill and reminds him, and the cousin's wife, that if he goes down, they're all going down. Bruno leaves. Erick has to remind the cousin's wife why they're all going down--the truck, the suborning of Gabriel and Meche to get Paula in trouble. The cousin's wife doesn't think it's fair for Bruno to do this to them. Erick says Bruno doesn't know the meaning of fair. He'd really like to make Bruno pay.

Lisette came back from DF and didn't even bother calling Maura to pick her up from the airport, knowing that Maura doesn't really care about her. She's feeling really good about helping Lety and Maura is as disinterested as always. Lety gets a call from Sergio and she's all flustered. She agrees to go out with him, just so he can thank her for helping Lety, of course. Maura gripes about him being a little nobody. Lisette blows her off.

MJ tells Pedro that Elena is in jail. Paula's glad, "That's what she gets!" Pedro reminds Paula that she's talking about her mother. So does Chucho. He says regardless of what your parents do, you ought to be grateful just that they brought you into this world. Well, fine, she can be grateful for being alive and also think her mother is a lousy creep, what's wrong with that? MaryJo is feeling pity for Evil Mommy knowing that she's going to jail. Pedro remembers what jail was like and how alone he felt, with nothing but his guilt to keep him company. Well, good, I say. She has at least that coming.

Vicky is still trying to convince Raquel to go to rehab. Raquel thinks it's no big deal, especially now that Vicky has custody of Little Vicky. Vicky reminds her how hard it is to stay sober and she doesn't think it's a good idea to wait for something to send her back to the bottle. Raquel says she'll go back to rehab tomorrow. Vicky thinks it will be a quick rehabbing, given that Raquel hasn't had a drink in a while. Vicky fills Raquel in on how Roberto is doing. Raquel cries, saying she wasted her life. Vicky says there's always a way to fix your mistakes. She points out how the baby is looking at Raquel and says she needs Raqui. Raquel takes her for a little while, but she doesn't really know what to do with her. She tries saying hi and she gives her a kiss.

Alex tells MaryJo that Porfirio left her money. He supposes that since Porfi left it to "Maria Jose Samaniego" it means that Porfirio knew she wasn't really his granddaughter and that he didn't care. MJ balks at taking the money. Vicky reminds her that she can always accept it and then give it to charitable organizations. MJ says maybe she could give it to the indigenous community (you know, the ones from way back, from the project that Fernando kept taking Vicky to?) Maybe this means she remembers that she was supposed to be doing something to help with that project? How likely is it that it would have come up in the midst of all the other information they gave her about herself?

Night falls. Bruno comes to Maura's office. Maura, like an idiot, logs him in on her computer. He takes MJ's checking account number from Maura and asks her how much to transfer…20, 25 million? Maura leaves it up to him and he opts for 25. Bruno says he'll erase the history from her computer. And for good measure, he gives her computer a virus. What are the chances that plucky Pau will end up being the one to dig out the information? Maura is hopeful that by tomorrow, like Bruno says, everyone will think that MJ embezzled money from the company to try to help out her loser dad. Bruno says from now on, it doesn't matter what happens, if she ends up in jail, too bad. Maura says if that happens, Bruno won't get her, so what was the point? To piss off Alex. Again. Bruno starts crying as he says "He didn't just take away MJ. He always got what belonged to me…my part of the inheritance, the presidency, my parents' love, everything. But he'll pay, with interest. I can watch him suffer as his little wifey gets sent to jail." Seriously? Crying? I don't care, man, I'm not going to feel sorry for you when that piano falls on your head. Bruno smashes his glass on the coffee table. As I'm typing this, Mr. 5ft opines, "Poor Bruno and his persecution complex. If it wasn't for his persecution complex, no one would be out to get him." From the mouths of people who don't understand Spanish.

Lisette is all disco-queened out for her date with Sergio. I dig the gold head scarf to coordinate with all the yellow and gold in her outfit. Sergio brought her roses and some kind of present. He asks if she's ready for dinner, but she invites him to have a drink with her first…just the one for her, though. He tells her she's obviously recovering well…or at least she's looking good. Awww. That's sweet.

Alex asks MaryJo if she still wants another house. MJ think its getting a little sparse around there, with Bruno and Raquel being gone, or soon to be. She doesn't want them to leave the house that Alex's dad built for him. Alex pulls out a picture of Big Tony and says even after 18 years, he still misses his dad. MaryJo does want to buy a house for her dad and a car for Paula. Alex agrees. He asks what about a present for him…hm? She comes up with a suitable idea for the man who has everything and to whom she is at least married in the eyes of the law. Drat, that's all we get, though.

Next morning, Raquel says goodbye to Alex and asks him to wish her luck. Alex says they'll all be waiting for her when she gets out. Raquel thanks MJ for being there and asks her forgiveness for always being so rude. She realizes that MJ makes Alex happy. MJ tells her not to worry about it…it's already forgotten. Ah, more amnesia humor. Raqui hugs Alex again and then leaves with Mom. MJ feels bad for Raquel, but Alex says it was time, and at least now she's doing it of her own free will. Alex says he needs to go to work. MJ says she'd like to go visit her dad and have a nice, long talk. Maybe if he tells her more about her life, she'll remember. MJ distracts Alex with kisses, even though he keeps saying he has to go to work. I know, sister. It doesn't work for me either.

Mr. 5ft and I are having a moment of beanie slippage, here. For me, I have a problem with Bruno transferring the money to MJ's account and that's it. It's her company, so who, realistically, is going to press charges? Plus, if the money is still sitting in her account, all she has to do is put it back. Alex isn't suddenly going to think she's lying when she says she has no idea how it got there. For Mr. 5ft, the issue is that it doesn't matter if Bruno wiped out Maura's computer, the bank's computer still knows where the request came from. He also finds Pau as tech support improbable, but he also thinks she'll end up getting the info out of Maura's computer. So, will this be another of Wile E Bruno's stupid plans that just fizzles, or is this the one that will work until someone steps in and saves the day?

Vicky and Roberto drop Raquel off at rehab. The doctors remember her. Raquel is concerned about phone privileges. The doctor tells her that since she's not coming in in a crisis state and she hasn't had a drink in a while, they'll let her make calls. Roberto wants a word before they take her to her room. The doctor and Vicky leave to sign papers. Roberto puts his arm around her and says he wishes he could stay there with her to cheer her on every day. Raquel says she doesn't deserve it. She hasn't been a good wife. Roberto says neither of them were good to each other, they just got into a bad cycle of trying to get revenge on each other because their lives didn't turn out the way they wanted. Roberto says he was only thinking about himself. Raqui says it was also her fault for not giving him a child and having one with someone else. Well, enough blame, says Roberto, "I just want you to know that I'm always here for you, whatever you need." Roberto figures it's never too late to start over, and at least they know their mistakes and how to fix them. Raquel agrees and says that's why she's checking back in to rehab. Roberto tells her that if she wants to try again, he'll be waiting for her, and this time she can count on him to be honest. He kisses her on the forehead and wishes her luck. She gets halfway up the stairs and then turns around to blow him a kiss. OK, ok. I'm a sucker. I'm cool with them getting back together.

Maura is antsy that it's been days and no one has figured out anything's wrong yet. Haha. Bruno says to chill, the accountant only went back yesterday. She gripes that she can't even work since her computer is busted. Bruno tells her to just get tech support to come get it and bring her a new one. Maura doesn't want to risk them fixing it and finding out what happened. Bruno reminds her that in order to do that, they'd have to get into the deleted files, which were on the hard drive, which he toasted. So, she should chill. Maura is not chilling. And I think the music people want us to know that yes, Bruno is an idiot and someone is going to fix that computer and find out who moved the money. Let that be a lesson to you, boys and girls…don't listen to Bruno when he says "no one will know." And also, don't let people do crime on your computer. Tell them to use their own. This has been a public service message from the "Ok, be a criminal if you want to, but at least be smart about it" foundation.

The accountant visits Alex. He made the transfer to Brazil, but he also realized that someone took 25 million pesos from the company till. It would have to have been a partner in the company. He shows Alex the paperwork. He tells Alex that he'll have to find out where the money went and leaves to do just that. Alex supposes it was Bruno. He calls him on his cell phone and accuses him of embezzling. Bruno calls him crazy. He offers to meet Alex at "his" mother's house.

Maura tells the tech guys that she doesn't know what happened, it just stopped working. Maybe she got a virus from an email or something. The tech guy tells her not to worry. They'll figure it out, and in the meantime, here's another computer for her. Maura thanks them and they walk out. She gets a call from Bruno on her cell phone. He tells her that they've found the embezzlement and Alex is furious and suspects him. He assures her, yet again, that it can't be traced back to her.

Vicky tells Felipa that her editor has lined up a bunch of interviews for her and is moving up the release date for her book. She would have liked to wait for Raquel, but she's ok with it. Bruno comes in, Cuco barks at him, and Bruno yells at him. Felipa says "don't worry, dogs don't eat other dogs." Vicky rolls her eyes and says she wasn't expecting to see Bruno today. Vicky tells him that Raquel went back to rehab. Bruno says he's just there to see her and Alex wants to talk to him because he thinks he stole 25 million pesos. Alex comes in and tells Bruno to show his latest account balance. Bruno refuses and laughs at Alex. Vicky tries to say that maybe it's a bank error. Bruno says they do have new partners now…Maura, Maria Jose…. Alex gets a call from the accountant and goes into the "salón" to answer it. Vicky asks Bruno again if he's sure he didn't have anything to do with it. Bruno reacts predictably. "Come on, mom. He thought I kidnapped Maria Jose and I didn't do that, did I?"

The accountant tells Alex that the money went into MJ's account. Alex tells him there must be some mistake, so have the bank review the transaction. Again, I maintain that all they have to do is put the money back and wait for Bruno to start foaming at the mouth. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Only two days left, so they can't drag it out long!

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